The Admiral's Daughter by Judith Harkness

Author:Judith Harkness [Harkness, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780786755097
Publisher: Argo-Navis

Twelve

MAGGIE HAD BEEN disappointed by her failure to speak privately with Miss Haversham all the day on Sunday, and the departure of the guests being set for early on the following day, she had not much hopes of another tête-à-tête before her friend left Essex. Determined to try to get her alone, however, she rose early on Monday, and by eight o’clock was dressed and going down the stairs. She saw at once that Blanche Haversham was occupied variously by her patient and the patient’s sister, endeavoring to satisfy the demands of one, and fending off the ineffectual assistance of the other. But Blanche had the matter equally in her own mind, and glanced up at Maggie as she came into the breakfast room as if to say—“Only wait a little, if you will. I shall soon have done here, and then we shall be alone for a moment.”

Time passed, however, without an opening, and the carriages were driven up before the door. Ladies and gentlemen, exclaiming at some forgotten item or rushing back and forth to say their farewells, were soon disposed within, and the last of the guests were filing out of the doorway when Miss Haversham at last drew Maggie aside.

“Shall you be in London soon?” she inquired softly, with a gloved hand upon the other’s arm.

“Within a week, I believe—but that depends upon Lady Ramblay’s mood!” responded Maggie.

“Oh, indeed—never mind about her, my dear. I think her bite is not half so painful as her bark. Only try to ignore her as much as possible, and continue to be as civil as you have been. Shall you stay in Grosvenor Square? Good—for my house is in Grove Street, just off Berkeley Square. We shall see each other often. As to that other matter——”

But Miss Haversham broke off and glanced at Lord Ramblay, who was bidding his guests good-bye some distance from where they stood.

“Never mind, my dear friend. I shall tell you more about it when we are at leisure in Town. And, Maggie——”

“Yes?”

“Have a care of your cousin. I believe he is not as happy as he deserves to be.”

And with these astonishing words, spoken in a confidential murmur, Blanche Haversham smiled and turned away, and in a moment was out the door. Maggie stood perfectly still staring after her in amazement.

The departure of the hunting party left the castle empty and echoing with the sounds of their laughter. The prospect of spending the next week alone with her cousins in that vast building did little to cheer Maggie, who wandered disconsolately from room to room in search of some occupation. No one was about, for Lady Ramblay was still in her room, her daughter upstairs with her tutors, and the Viscount, when his guests had left, retired immediately to his study saying he had work to do. He had not gone, however, before hinting that Maggie might do well to spend an hour or two practicing her music. This hint was not lost upon her, and indeed the truth of the matter was that her cousin’s very perception annoyed her.

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