Songbird (23 page)

“Oh,
where is that son of mine,” I said irritably.  “I hope I don’t have to look for
him otherwise I’m liable to get lost too.”

“Then
Papa would have to get the dogs to sniff you out,” she said, grinning.

I
heard voices along the corridor and there was a gentle tap on the door.

Eloise
came in, her hand on Danny’s shoulder.  “I’ve just met a handsome young man in
the corridor.”

“I
couldn’t find the nursery, but I did find…” He stopped abruptly when he saw I
had company.

“Danny,
this is Lady Emily.  Say hello,” I said. 

He
turned to her and gave a sharp bow.  “Pleased to meet you, Lady Emily,” he
said, with all the politeness of a young gentleman.

She
gave a small curtsey.  “Likewise, sir.”  She turned to me.  “That’s what Mama
says.”

Eloise
chuckled.  “I think they’re going to get on very well.” She straightened the
red bow in the little girl’s dark, brown curls.  “Nanny Pearson is waiting for
you.  Emily, why don’t you take Danny to the nursery for luncheon and then you
can show him all the toys up there.”

“Yes,
there’s millions of them.  Would you like to see?”

Danny
nodded and in flurry of laughter and running feet, they were through the door
and gone.

Eloise
gave a contented sigh.  “A bit of peace whilst we enjoy our meal.  We tend to
meet in the drawing room for drinks, so I’ll escort you down and introduce you
to everyone.”

I
breathed a sigh of relief.  I had felt quite worried about entering a room full
of strangers on my own.  And yet it was so silly when I was used to performing
every night in front of hundreds of people.  But on stage I was Miss Emmeline
Barri, now I was Mrs Isabelle Asquith.

I
picked up my fan and checking that I had everything I needed, I again followed
at Eloise’s elbow and listened to her happy chatter about Claythorpe House and
how it was over three hundred years old.  It had been in the family of the
Earls of Waltham all that time.  Of course, it had been extensively altered
over the centuries and now her nephew was planning on improving it further with
modern facilities.  We reached the drawing room and I could hear the buzz of
conversation from within.  Eloise stepped through and I quickly smoothed my
hair and dress before following on her heels, taking in large breaths to steady
my palpitating heart.

The
room seemed full of people.  The ladies were seated on three couches, the
gentlemen dotted about, but mostly congregating round the fireplace, where a
huge log fire burnt.  I was pleased that Eloise didn’t announce my presence to
all and sundry, but took my arm gently.

“Come
and meet my nephew and his wife first,” she whispered.  “And then we’ll take it
from there.”

“Thank
you,” I whispered back.

She
guided me over to the group of men standing by the fireplace.  “Alastair, this
is my friend, Mrs Isabelle Asquith, whom I met on holiday.”

A man
in his early forties stepped forward, with silver-grey hair and sapphire blue
eyes.  He smiled pleasantly and held out his hand.  “Mrs Asquith, indeed.  Welcome
to Claythorpe House.  I’ve been telling everyone about your imminent arrival. 
My aunt has done nothing but talk about you since her holiday to Eastbourne.”

I put
my hand in his and he kissed my fingers.  “Thank you for inviting me.”

“It’s
a pleasure,” he said, bowing.

“Before
I forget, Mr Andrew Perry sends his regards to you.”

His
face showed surprise and then he grinned.  “Goodness me, you’re acquainted with
old Perry?  How is he these days?  Does he still dash about as though the devil
was after him?”

“Yes,
he does,” I laughed.  “And he seemed very well, when last I spoke to him.”

“I
really must get in touch and catch up on old times.”

Eloise
decided to break into the conversation.  “I’ll take Isabelle round and
introduce her to everyone.”

The
earl inclined his head.  “You’ll probably know everyone’s name by the time you
go home,” he laughed.  “What drink do you prefer, Mrs Asquith?”

“A
sherry would be lovely, thank you,” I nodded.

He
gestured to the footman who immediately went to the cabinet

We
were just about to turn away when the earl said,  “Have you seen that daughter
of mine, Eloise?”

She
pursed her lips.  “I shooed her to the nursery for her luncheon.”

“Good! 
It’s a wonder you got her away from the stables?”

The
footman brought my sherry on a silver tray and I took it, murmuring a quiet
thank you.  I placed it on a small occasional table, since I knew I was going
to be occupied for the next ten minutes.  Eloise put her hand on my elbow and
guided me round the room.  First there was Lady Waltham, the earl’s wife and as
Andrew had informed me, was small and rather dumpy.  Then came Lord and Lady
Chalgrove, after that Lord and Lady Ramsbury.  Mr and Mrs George Cannings were
a lovely couple, who seemed very enthusiastic about meeting me.  Thank goodness,
I thought, some ordinary folk like me.  Then came Sir Joshua Portland and his
wife.  Finally, Eloise introduced me to someone who made me rock back on my
heels.

“And
this is our former prime minister, the Marquess of Salisbury.”

He
took my hand and I couldn’t help grinning.  “I’m pleased to meet you, sir.”

“It’s
an honour to meet you, ma’am.”

“Are
you thinking of trying for the premiership again?”

“I am
indeed.”

I
tilted my head in amusement.  “You and Mr Gladstone seem to be playing
political tennis.  Why don’t you share the post of prime minister and save all
those constant trips to Buckingham Palace?”

The
marquess threw back his head and his raucous laugh echoed round the room.  “Did
you hear that, everyone?  Mrs Asquith believes I should get into bed with old
Gladstone.”

I
heard Eloise chuckle at my side.  “You’re going to cause a political storm, my
dear.”  I smiled and opened my fan to cool my burning cheeks.  We had circled
the room and were now back at the fireplace.  Movement on the right-hand side
of me, alerted me to the presence of someone else, but my mind was becoming
fuzzy with all the faces and names.  “Just one more person left,” said Eloise. 
“And then you can have your drink and catch your breath.”  She turned me by the
elbow and standing in front of me was a tall, handsome man, with light brown
hair and eyes of sparkling blue-green.  Instinctively, I held out my hand and
he took it and raised it to his lips.  “Brett, this is Mrs Isabelle Asquith, my
very special guest.  Isabelle, may I introduce you to an old friend of the
family, Viscount Shelbrook.”

“I’m
pleased to meet you, Mrs Asquith,” he said softly.

It
was as if time stood still.  Voices became distant; faces receded into the
background.  My fan slipped from my numbed fingers and clattered to the floor. 
His voice was just as I always remembered it, his eyes never left my face and
seemed to burn into me.  I tried to open my mouth and speak but no sound came
from my parted lips.  His hand tightened round mine, as if warning me to stay
calm. 

“Are
you feeling unwell, Isabelle?” said Eloise, picking up my fan and placing it
back in my trembling fingers.  “Would you like to sit down?” 

I
nodded numbly. 

He
quickly looked around.  “We’ll take her to the other side of the room.  It’ll
be cooler over there.”  Eloise put her arm round me and we crossed the floor to
a couch nearer the window.  She urged me to sit down and then sat beside me.  I
watched him go to the drinks’ cabinet, pour out a drink and then return
immediately.  He put a glass in my hand.  “Drink it.  It’s brandy and will
revive you.”

I
took a small sip.  It did revive me.

“I’m
so sorry,” I stammered.  “It must have been the journey and probably I’m a
little hungry.”  I kept my eyes on the brandy glass, not wanting to look up and
make eye contact with him. 

“That’s
probably what it is,” he said and I knew he was smiling.

Lady
Waltham called across the room,  “Eloise, is everything all right over there?”

“Yes. 
Mrs Asquith suddenly felt dizzy,” she called back.  She turned and smiled at
the man standing over me.  “Since you and the marquess are the only gentlemen
without a wife, Penelope has asked if you’d mind escorting Mrs Asquith into
luncheon.”

“I’d
be delighted,” he said and I knew he was watching me.

Eloise
rose from her seat and made her way over to the marquess.

I
summoned the courage to glance up.  “Karl,” I whispered.

He
sat down next to me.  “My name is Brett,” he whispered back.  “You must know me
by that name now.”

Now I
couldn’t take my eyes off him.  I remembered the last time we had met.  It was
by the lake at Chateau St Julienne, but he hadn’t allowed me to turn round and
look at him.  The last time I had seen his face was over seven years ago and he
hadn’t changed.  Not one bit. 

“I
don’t…I can’t…”

He
squeezed my hand.  “Oh, my sweet Isabelle.  You’ve grown from a lovely girl
into a beautiful woman.  When you came into the room I thought I was imagining
it.  It was a terrible shock for me but at least I had ten minutes to get used
to your presence.”  His eyes rested ever so briefly on my necklace.

“What
shall we do?” I tried to steady my breathing.

He
seemed amused at my consternation.  “You’ll take my arm and we’ll go into the
dining room.”

Suddenly,
I remembered what Eloise had said about him being ‘without a wife’.  “Your
wife?”

He
smiled sadly.  “She’s a little unwell today, so she’s staying in her room.”

“Oh,
I am sorry.  Oh dear, I’m…speechless.”

He
gave that chuckle that I loved so much.  “That’s unfortunate as we have much to
talk about.  However, knowing the pleasant company we are in, we’ll probably
get dragged into playing charades after luncheon.”

I
shook my head.  “How can you be so relaxed about all this?”

He
didn’t answer but only smiled again.  Rising from his seat, he held out his
hand to me.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-THREE

L
uncheon
was a veritable feast.  A long table was placed against the wall and covering
the white linen tablecloth were platters of sliced beef and venison, a variety
of cheeses, numerous plates of sandwiches consisting of triangular-cut cucumber
and square-cut ham and then there were dishes of crab and salmon.  At the far
end were the desserts of blackberry tartlets and meringues smothered in
chocolate.  There was plenty of wine, poured into cut-glass goblets by a very
attentive footman.

As
soon as I was in the dinning room I extracted myself from Karl’s arm, excused
myself and made my way over to Eloise.  I felt uncomfortable in his presence
and deciding that my pensive appearance might betray me, I thought a little
distance between us would help me gain my composure.

“Are
you feeling any better, my dear?” said Eloise.

I
gave a strained laugh.  “Oh dear, I’m not usually given to dizzy spells.”

Eloise
helped herself to the salmon.  “As you said, it was probably the fact you were
hungry.”  She offered me a slice of salmon and I nodded.  “You’ll be well fed
here,” she said, placing it next to the cucumber sandwich on my plate. 
“Alastair likes to look after his guests.”

I
looked around and saw everyone was tucking in with relish.  “He’s a very
generous host,” I murmured.

Lady
Waltham came hurrying from the far side of the room, her bustle swinging from
side to side in her haste.  “Mrs Asquith!  Oh, I do hope you’re not coming down
with a chill or a fever.  Lady Shelbrook has been laid up since arriving last
night.”

The
mention of Karl’s wife made my interest sharpen.  “I hope it’s not too
serious?”

She
flapped her hands in front of her as though warding off some terrible
infection.  “I fear it could be influenza or even pneumonia,” she said, her
eyes showing panic.  “I’m sure she’s at death’s door.  I must go up and see her
this minute.”

She
scurried from the room.

“Is
she so ill?” I asked. 

I
looked across to where Karl was talking animatedly with the Marquess of
Salisbury.  He didn’t seem too concerned over his wife’s health.

Eloise
smiled.  “Penelope tends to make a lot of fuss over nothing.  Lady Shelbrook
was overwrought with the journey.  That’s all.  She just needs a day to
recover.”

“Had
they come far?”

“No,”
she said, trying not to laugh.  “Only from Wiltshire.”

Karl
glanced towards me, a tender smile lighting up his face.  I quickly looked
away.  What was I going to do?  Should I leave Claythorpe House immediately and
remove myself from his company?  I struggled with my inner demons.

I
stayed with Eloise as much as possible, but then decided to try one of the
desserts.  I went to the end of the table and tried to choose between a tartlet
and a meringue.

“Do
you still sing?”  His soft voice to the right of me made me start.

“Sing? 
Yes, when it’s necessary.”

His
turquoise eyes suddenly filled with mischief.  “Last night when we arrived, all
the conversation round the dinner table was of Eloise’s beautiful friend she
had met on holiday.”

“I’m
pleased I’m of interest to people.”

He
ignored my sarcastic comment.  “Of course, mention of a young widow by the name
of Mrs Asquith meant nothing to me.”

“I
don’t suppose it would.”

“However,
I’m pleased you eventually married.”  His expression darkened.  “Although
Eloise said you were not married long and I was saddened to hear that.”  I
didn’t answer.  “And you have a son called Daniel?”

I
nodded.  “Yes, Danny.”

“I’d
like to meet the little fellow.”

“Would
you?”

“I
realise he’ll be in the nursery with Nanny Pearson, but perhaps she could bring
him down after his afternoon nap.”

I
stared at him not quite understanding and then realised with horror that he
would assume that Danny was just an infant.  It suddenly occurred to me that
Eloise must have been very discreet and not divulged my full history to
everyone.

“You’ll
meet him soon,” I murmured.  “As I’m sure to meet your wife.”

He
frowned slightly.  “I trust you’ve always kept our secret?” he whispered.

“Of
course.”

“Then
I must ask you to keep your identity from my wife.”

“You
don’t want her to know who I am?”

He
glanced around and then nonchalantly picked up a meringue.  “She becomes
distraught at the slightest thing and it would only distress her.”

I
looked around too, wondering if our close conversation was being observed.  But
everyone seemed to be engrossed in their own lively discussions.

“As
you wish.”  I moved away from the table and went to stand by the window.  I was
surprised when he followed me and as he came closer, I caught the scent of
white musk.  “How long have you been a viscount?”

“A
title I inherited at the age of ten on the death of my father,” he smiled
ruefully.

“So,
you were titled when we first met?”  I felt aghast that I had been to bed with
a viscount.  Borne a child for an aristocrat.

“I
was, indeed,” he said simply.

I
took in a surprised breath.  “In just one hour, I’ve learnt more about you than
I’ve done in seven years.”

“Perhaps
it was meant to be.”

Ever
since Eloise had introduced us, I had my mind on his daughter, our daughter. 
Was she with them?  I had only met the earl’s dark-haired, brown-eyed little
girl.  Perhaps Karl and his wife had decided to leave their child behind in
Wiltshire. 

I
felt compelled to steer the conversation round to her.  “Eloise tells me you’re
from Wiltshire?”

“Yes. 
Our home is Standford Park.  It’s near a small village called Alton Priors. 
Have you heard of it?”  I shook my head.  “It’s a lovely place.”

“A
nice place to bring up a child?” I said, tongue in cheek.

He
gave me a sidelong glance.  “It’s where I was born and brought up.”

I
thought this over for a few seconds and decided to ask a direct question.  “But
not the place you wanted your child born?”

He
gave a polite cough and looked about him once again.  “It wouldn’t have been
appropriate.  Besides, Angelique wanted it otherwise.” 

“Angelique? 
Is that French?”

“My
wife is French,” he murmured.  A cold wave washed over me.  His wife was
French!  Chateau St Julienne must have been her family home.  The duc and
duchesse must have been her parents.  Angelique was the child they had had in
their later years, the daughter, Mrs Holland had said, that was married and
living elsewhere.  My shocked expression told him everything.  “Don’t be too
alarmed, Isabelle.  Chateau St Julienne was the best place for you and I knew
the duc and duchesse would take good care of you.”

Anger
bubbled up inside me.  “I wish you’d told me,” I hissed through my teeth.  “I
had a right to know certain facts.  Why did you keep me in such ignorance?”

“I
had to keep my name a secret.  Knowing I had a French wife might have led you
to me.”

“How,
for goodness sake?”

“You’re
an intelligent woman and you’d have found a way.”

I
wasn’t convinced with his argument and in fact, felt deeply hurt that he
thought I would have tried to trace him.  Especially when Mrs Holland had told
me how he had pleaded for my address.  I opened my mouth to tell him so, when
Lady Waltham clapped her hands and called for our attention.

“Everyone
in the drawing room for charades,” she cried.  “No one can leave until the game
is finished.”

I
heard Karl groan.  “What did I tell you?  It’s always charades after luncheon
with Penelope.”

I
opened my fan and wafted my cheeks that were still burning with resentment. 
“Well, charades is something you and I are good at.  We do it for real.”

I
glared at him, but to my annoyance, I saw that he was smiling.

“Beautiful,
intelligent and spirited,” he said.  “You certainly must have given your
husband a good run for his money, Mrs Asquith.”

I
tossed my head and walked away from him, but I knew his eyes followed me as I
caught up with Eloise and took her arm.

I was
surprised when I stepped into the drawing room and realised that a huge
Christmas tree stood in the corner of the room, decorated with ribbons,
glittering baubles and candles.  I hadn’t noticed it before, or the holly and
ivy that adorned the mirror and portraits around the walls.  It was a very
pretty room, made even more so by the festive decorations.

Charades
turned out to be great fun.  Lord Waltham was hopeless and made such ridiculous
suggestions at the clues offered that his wife kept slapping his hand with her
fan.  The Marquess of Salisbury was very good, as was Mr and Mrs George
Cannings.  I finally arrived at the answer for Lady Portland’s attempt at
Tolstoy’s
War and Peace
and then I took my turn.  I decided to make it a
difficult one and chose Mozart’s opera
Cosi Fan Tutte
.  I gestured that
it was the theatre and started by hugging myself to indicate the word ‘cosy’. 
Delighted cries of ‘cuddle’ and ‘amour’ were greeted with laughter and a shake
of my head.

“If
there’s one thing I learnt about Isabelle it’s that she loves opera,” said
Eloise tapping her chin.  “So, this is no doubt an opera.”

A
relieved ‘ah’ went round the players.  Finally, the marquess arrived at ‘cosy’
and I flapped my hand in front of my face to indicate ‘fan’.

Karl
was sitting on the edge of the group, his dislike of charades plain to see. 
But then he sat forward in his seat.  “I believe it’s
Cosi Fan Tutte
,”
he said, grinning.

I
spun on my heels to stare at him.  “Yes, but I thought you…” I began, but
stopped abruptly.  The game had loosened my tongue. 

He
bowed his head, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, as the assembled company
clapped and cried ‘well done’.

Sounds
of childish laugher erupted outside the door and Emily burst through, her red
bow askew, her dark, brown hair falling in waves over her shoulders. 

“Quick!
Quick!  They’re after me,” she cried, laughing with glee.  “Papa, save me.”

I
smiled as she ran past me and I glanced at the earl, waiting for her to run to
him.  But instead she went straight to Karl who sprang to his feet and opened
his arms to catch her.  He gathered her up and then they were hugging each
other, a devoted father and a loving daughter together.  I remained still,
hardly understanding the implication of the scene I was witnessing.

Karl
set her gently onto her feet.  “Emily, this is Mrs Asquith.  She’s come to
spend a few days here at Claythorpe House.”

She
looked up at him and gave him that comical grin that only happens when a
six-year-old has lost their front baby teeth.

“Oh,
Papa, I know Mrs Asquith very well.  We had a long talk in her room before
luncheon.”  She shook her wrist and the pink shells tinkled.  “She gave me this
bracelet.  Isn’t it beautiful?”

He
smiled down at her and then looked back at me.  My expression must have been
one of utter bewilderment and shock.

“So,
you’re already acquainted,” he laughed softly.

A
second little girl sauntering into the room distracted my attention.  She
seemed about the same age as Danny but slightly smaller with long, blonde hair
tied up in ringlets.  Unfortunately, her expression was sour and her haughty
demeanour smacked of a child who was indulged and spoilt beyond repair.

“Abigail! 
Where have you been?” said Lady Waltham.  “I told you to come down as soon as
we had finished luncheon.”

Abigail
pulled a face.  “Emily wanted to play hide and seek and we’ve only just found
her.  Silly game to play, very childish.”

“I
hope you’ve not been making too much noise.  You know that Lady Shelbrook is
not well today,” said the earl.

“She’s
always unwell,” scowled Abigail.

I
stood in the middle of this altercation and felt as though I was standing on
the moon.  People and objects seemed so unreal and I instinctively took in
large breaths to steady myself, much in the same way I did before going on
stage.  Suddenly, Danny burst through the door, but seeing adults present,
stopped abruptly.  His blue eyes scanned the room and I gasped when I saw his
father in his features.  That same steady, sincere and earnest look that had
the ability to disarm enemies and make friends with strangers.  It jerked me
back to reality and I stepped over to him.

“Mama,
did you know that there’s a farm here for rearing horses?” he said.

“It’s
called a stud farm, silly boy from the city,” said Abigail drolly.