Alexandra had warned Meg and Lizzie that Hugo and Vanessa’s father was a baronet and so should be addressed as Sir Jasper. His wife, therefore, was Lady Lennox-Stanley, but they didn’t get a chance to speak. Vanessa whisked them away as quickly as she could and took them to where there was an old leather pouffe and a couple of spindly dining chairs with arms.
As they walked away (Lizzie was slightly surprised they weren’t expected to walk backwards), Lizzie heard Sir Jasper say, ‘That girl seems to have forgotten to put on a skirt. I do hope she’ll be decently dressed for dinner.’
‘Let’s get you a cup of tea and something to eat,’ said Vanessa. ‘Dinner will be at eight and unless you had an enormous lunch you’ll be starving by then.’ She stopped a passing maid who was carrying a plate with some curling sandwiches and a couple of slices of cake.
Lizzie sat on one of the upright chairs. Even wearing tights, she didn’t want to risk her dress riding up another fraction.
‘Most of these people aren’t staying,’ said Vanessa, gesturing to the room. ‘But quite a lot of people are, I’m afraid.’
‘Does that matter?’ asked Meg.
‘Yes! Although Electra said she’d help Mrs P. – she’s our housekeeper – sort out bedrooms, she forgot to tell Mrs P. that you were coming.’
‘Do you need us to go home?’ asked Lizzie. She was hoping against hope that Vanessa might say yes.
‘No!’ Vanessa laughed. ‘Don’t be silly. We’ve got plenty of room it’s just …’ She paused. ‘Why don’t you take the sandwiches and I’ll show you your rooms? Don’t let Mummy see you.’
When they were in the hall, Alexandra said, ‘Has something gone wrong, Vanessa?’
‘Yes and no! Come up and I’ll tell you.’
Vanessa couldn’t actually wait to tell them and so shot bits of information over her shoulder as they climbed the stairs. ‘I asked Mummy if I could have a little party here. I thought they were going to be at the races and we’d have the place to ourselves.’
They were on the first floor now. A galleried landing ran in several directions but, rather to Lizzie’s surprise, Vanessa headed for another set of stairs.
‘Then Electra decided she wanted to have a party – I think Hugo is planning to propose – and Mummy instantly invited every aunt and uncle. It was no longer going to be something small and fun, and Mummy had completely forgotten I’d invited you first.’
There was no doubt about it, they were heading for the servants’ quarters now. At least they weren’t lugging their cases. There’d been no question of packing light. They all needed dance dresses, morning clothes, afternoon clothes and probably (Meg had muttered) elevenses clothes. Lizzie had dithered more than the other two and felt she’d packed for a month.
Vanessa stopped at a door and opened it. ‘I’ve given up my bedroom to Electra – Mummy asked if I would. So I’m in my old nursery.’
They followed Vanessa into a large room with a long row of windows. You’d know it was a nursery without being told, Lizzie thought.
There was a rocking horse in front of the window, a doll’s house on a table in the corner and a child-sized table and chairs next to it.
There were some small mismatched armchairs drawn up in front of a fireplace with a gas fire in it. Round it was a metal fireguard, just like the one Lizzie had had as a child. Shelves, still holding some toys and children’s books, filled a wall. The single bed with a small bedside cabinet next to it looked a bit lost in the space.
‘This is lovely!’ said Alexandra. ‘You could make this really nice.’
Vanessa nodded. ‘There’re bedrooms through there.’ She pointed to the doors in the corner. ‘My nanny used to sleep in one, and there’s a bathroom next to it. This would make a fab sitting room. I did suggest to Mummy that I had a little flat up here but she looked at me as if I’d suggested a family outing to the moon.’ She smiled and shrugged. ‘I pick my battles. I’m usually on the first floor and I have a lovely room, which is why Electra’s got it now.’
‘So where are we sleeping? We could all have fitted in here,’ said Meg.
‘I did suggest that,’ said Vanessa, ‘and got a lecture about giving the staff extra work moving beds when they’ve got so much to do anyway. You’re in here.’
Vanessa opened the doors to two small bedrooms. One had two beds in it, the other, one. ‘The single room was for the nursery maid. I’m so sorry and embarrassed that you have to sleep here. I think Mummy thought I’d uninvite you once I knew you’d been put here. But you’re my friends! And why should Electra take over my party? Which she jolly nearly has!’
Lizzie stepped into the narrow room with two beds in it, tucked under the eaves. A thin rug, thin curtains: it felt like a servant’s bedroom. There was a tiny fireplace which probably hadn’t seen a fire inyears. It had a simple charm but was a bit Spartan. But: ‘Oh, look! Flowers!’ said Lizzie as her eye suddenly caught a little posy on the small chest of drawers between the beds.
‘Well, yes. I thought they made the room look a bit more welcoming. I had to do flowers for all the other bedrooms – took hours – but as you’re the people I actually invited to stay, I thought you should have flowers too.’
‘I think we’re going to be quite happy in here,’ said Meg. ‘Don’t worry.’
Alexandra nodded in agreement. ‘We’ll be fine here.’
‘I do hope so!’ said Vanessa. ‘I had such a nice time at your dinner party. It really cheered me up after Ted – well, you know – after Ted. Anyway, Ben’s coming tonight. He’s staying with friends locally.’
‘Ben?’ said Meg. ‘That’s nice.’
