Snow Bride by Dilly Court

Author:Dilly Court [Court, Dilly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2022-07-22T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Nancy’s heart sank when she spotted Felicia’s maid, Violet Tinker, who was standing by a pile of valises and bandboxes, arguing with James.

‘I’m sorry, miss,’ James said stiffly. ‘I can’t take these to your mistress’s room until I know where she will be sleeping. Mrs Blanchard hasn’t given us any instructions yet. You weren’t expected.’

Nancy could see that James was getting annoyed and she stepped in between them. ‘Miss Tinker, this is a pleasant surprise.’

Violet’s dark eyes filled with tears of frustration. ‘Please tell this fellow that Mrs de Marney is a very rich and famous operatic star, and she is used to being treated as such.’

‘I think we are all aware of Mrs de Marney’s fame, Violet. But she can’t expect to turn up as if this is a hotel in London or Paris and have a room immediately to hand. James can’t oblige until Mrs Blanchard issues instructions as to where the guests will sleep. Have you travelled far today?’

‘We’ve been on the road for three days. Mrs de Marney insisted on bringing everything apart from the furniture, which is being brought by Pickfords.’

‘You must be tired, Violet. Why don’t you go to the servants’ quarters with James and have a nice cup of tea? There will be plenty of time to arrange rooms and unpack later.’

James nodded. ‘Yes, come with me, Miss Tinker.’

Nancy left them to take the servants’ stairs to the kitchen. Her curiosity was piqued by Violet’s assertion that Mrs de Marney was now a woman of means. Last Christmas Felicia and Claude had been glad to be invited to Dorrington Place because Felicia was temporarily resting. Had she made a spectacular comeback? Nancy was eager to find out. She headed for the drawing room.

She walked in without knocking and found Felicia and Claude seated on the sofa, Rosie and Alex standing together with their backs to the fire. There was a definite frisson in the air, and it was not one of excitement.

‘Bertie isn’t here at the moment, Mama,’ Rosalind said calmly. ‘But of course we are delighted to see you and Claude.’

Alex curled his fingers around his wife’s hand. ‘That is a very smart carriage you have now. Is it hired?’

Felicia shot him a scornful glance. ‘Certainly not. It was custom-made for us, wasn’t it, Claude?’

‘Yes, my love, it was.’ Claude beamed at Nancy. ‘It’s good to see you, Nancy. Or should I call you Miss Greystone?’

‘Nancy will do nicely. It’s good to see you, too, Mr de Marney, and Mrs de Marney, of course.’

‘We might have to stay with you at Greystone Park if my daughter cannot find room for us,’ Felicia said crossly. ‘Really, Rosie, is it asking too much for a more wholehearted welcome? I feel as though I’m not wanted in my own home.’

‘You cannot really call this home, Mama. You were hardly ever here even when we were growing up.’ Rosalind turned to Alex. ‘Darling, will you go and find Walter? I’m sure he would like to welcome Mama, and Louisa, too, if she has finished at the school.

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