A Theory of Love by Margaret Bradham Thornton

Author:Margaret Bradham Thornton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-03-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Eastthorpe

Eastthorpe Hall was, as Fiona had described it, a grand estate built in the late 1700s, which sat in the middle of twelve thousand acres. The drive dipped and turned to give glimpses and teases of the Grade I listed house until, three hundred yards from the house, it straightened out into a beech-lined avenue that ran directly on axis with a walled driving court.

“I think I should tell Eric that the driveway is not long enough,” Christopher said. “I’m guessing we might make housefall by midnight.”

Helen laughed. “It is ridiculously long.”

“Seriously, what will you give me if I make that suggestion? I should get extra credit if I can do it with a straight face.”

“I’m not going to encourage your bad behavior.”

Their arrival had been announced. As they pulled up to the house, Eric and Charlotte were followed by a staff of twelve lined up to greet them. Oh, God, Helen thought. They are going to unpack for us. She regretted how hastily she had thrown everything into their cases. She leaned toward Christopher and whispered, “Someone needs to tell them hardly anyone—maybe even no one—in England does this anymore.”

Charlotte showed them to their large room, furnished with a four-poster bed with a sagging mattress, a sofa, a pair of chairs, and a skirted dressing table, all covered in the same floral chintz.

“Are these the original furnishings?” Helen asked.

“Well, at least original to the Bolton family.”

Helen walked over to the window and looked closely at the fabric. The small sprigs and butterflies reminded her of a piece of cloth she had seen in the Foundling Hospital binders. She thought she had seen the room before. “Wasn’t this house featured . . .”

“On the cover of The World of Interiors—May of last year. Of course, we will change everything once Mario develops his plan—but don’t tell poor Anthony. He thinks we intend to keep everything as it is.”

Charlotte encouraged them to hurry. Everyone was already gathering in the library for drinks. Dinner would be served at nine.

When Charlotte left, Christopher stretched out on the bed, his hands locked beneath his head. “Certainly seen better days. I may end up crippled by morning.”

“Shh.” Helen laughed, partly amused and partly irritated. “Get up. Charlotte made it clear everyone is waiting for us.”

He looked mournfully at her. “Fair to say they’ve been watching too many episodes of that television series on English country life.”

“They really are trying to out-English the English.”

“Someone needs to tell them to stop. I wonder if they will get dogs. That will be the real test, but it only counts if the dogs are allowed inside the house.”

Helen was surprised and delighted to see Solange and Anthony. She told Solange about her visit with William Pauling. Her piece would be out soon. Charlotte introduced Christopher and Helen to an American couple who now lived in Geneva; a South American businessman, Carlos Muñoz; a Canadian couple who lived in London, whom Helen recognized from society page photographs; Mario, the

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