Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Author:Jacqueline Winspear [Winspear, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Soho Press
Published: 2011-04-08T15:56:39+00:00

A Car had been sent to collect Priscilla and Maisie, and as they climbed aboard for the journey to the Lynches’ large house in Grantchester, Maisie felt butterflies in her stomach. It was the first time she had ever been to a party that had not been held in a kitchen. There were special Christmas and Easter dinners downstairs at the Belgravia house and at Chelstone, and of course she had been given a wonderful sendoff by the staff. But this was a real party.

Margaret Lynch came to greet Priscilla as soon as her arrival was announced. “Priscilla, darling. So good of you to come. Simon is dying for news of the boys. He can’t wait to get over there, you know.”

“I have much to tell, Margaret. But let me introduce my friend, Maisie Dobbs.”

“How lovely to meet you, my dear. Any friend of Priscilla’s is welcome here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lynch.” Maisie started to bob, only to feel a sharp kick from Priscilla.

“Now then, you girls, let’s see if we can get a couple of these young gentlemen to escort you in to the dining room. Oh, there’s Simon now. Simon!”

Simon. Captain Simon Lynch, RAMC. He had greeted Priscilla as one would greet a tomboy sister, asking for news of her brothers, his childhood friends. And as he turned to Maisie, she felt a shiver that began in her ankles and seemed to end in the pit of her stomach.

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Dobbs. And will the British Army be at your mercy as you sit behind the wheel of a baker’s lorry, converted and pressed into service as an ambulance?”

Priscilla gave Simon a playful thump on the arm as Maisie met his green eyes. She blushed and quickly looked at the ground. “No. I think I would be a terrible driver, Captain Lynch.”

“Simon. Oh, do call me Simon. Now then, I think I’d like a Girton lass on each arm. After all, this is my last evening before I leave.”

As a string quartet began to play, Simon Lynch crooked an elbow toward each girl and led them into the dining room.

Simon had completely drawn Maisie from her shell of shyness and embarrassment, and had made her laugh until her sides ached. And she had danced. Oh, how Maisie Dobbs had danced that evening, so that when it was time to leave, to return to Girton, Captain Simon Lynch made a gracious sweeping bow before her and kissed her hand.

“Miss Dobbs, you have put my feet to shame this evening. No wonder Priscilla kept you locked up at Girton.”

“Don’t take my name in vain, Lynchie—you brute! And it’s a book of rules that keeps us all locked up, remember.”

“Until we meet again, fair maiden.”

Simon stepped back and turned toward Priscilla. “And I’ll bet my boots that any wounded in your ambulance will go running back to the trenches rather than put up with your driving!”

Simon, Priscilla, and Maisie laughed together. The evening had sparkled.

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