She’d become animated as she was caught up in the story, but at this Apple’s enthusiasm dropped out. “I still think it’s a bad idea. I know something dreadful will come of it.”
Alex softened his tone. “You’re too pessimistic. What could go wrong?”
Even as he spoke, the memory of the mystery entrusted to Vergette cast a cloud over his optimism.
Chapter Fourteen
Apple took no part in the argument going forward between brother and sister on the day the party set off for Dymond Garth. As might have been predicted, Georgy’s inability to organise herself in good time drove her brother into frenzy, and his temper worsened by the minute. Tight with anxiety on her own account, Apple perched on a chair in the hall, picking at her mittened fingers.
Her small valise was beside her, packed in a matter of moments, along with the bandbox containing two new gowns from Emmeline’s. The valise bulged slightly, her meagre belongings augmented by various undergarments and a couple of shawls Georgy insisted were indispensable. There was also a hat her hostess had bestowed upon her that morning, which she’d stuffed into the bandbox.
“If you need anything else, we’ll ransack the trunks in the attics at the Garth. Mama insists everything must be kept, and I’ll wager there is oodles of stuff Charlotte and I grew out of that will fit you to admiration.”
In vain had Apple protested. “But where shall I put it all?”
“Do you suppose there are not fifty trunks at least in the box room at home? And if you don’t wish to be burdened with a trunk, I dare say we can find a portmanteau that will suit. Now don’t start making difficulties, Apple, or I shall tell Alex.”
This threat shot Apple up into the boughs. “I don’t care if you do. He has no authority over me, and so I shall tell him if he starts on at me again.”
To her own shock and consternation, Apple’s voice broke and unaccountable tears trickled down her cheeks.
Georgy was instantly contrite, enveloping Apple in a stifling hug. “Oh, Apple, don’t cry! Of course I wouldn’t dream of telling on you to my horrid brother.”
“He’s not horrid,” Apple protested, making a valiant effort to suppress the sobs. Why in the world she was crying about it, she had no notion. “He’s b-been very k-kind to me, and he might have b-been so different. He didn’t have to choose to look after me, you know. He could easily have given me back to Marjorie and Walter at the outset. He meant to. I don’t know why he changed his mind.”
“Well, I know why,” said Georgy, looking smug.
Apple dragged a pocket handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her eyes. “I don’t see how you should.”
“That’s because you don’t know Alex as well as I do. I know he’s a terrible bossy boots, but he’s the kindest thing in nature. Whenever I was in disgrace — which I must admit was all too often — Alex never failed to comfort me and tease me out of my misery. I’ve never forgotten how he mended my doll when Charlotte lost her temper and broke it. And he used to take me up before him on his horse when I hadn’t learned to ride. Though he makes me as cross as crabs often and often, he’s the best brother in the world and I love him next to Rob.”
Much as these revelations intrigued and warmed Apple, she could not forbear to probe further. “That’s as may be, but I am not his sister. He’d no reason to take me up.”
Georgy fluttered dismissive hands. “Oh, Alex could never turn his back on anyone in trouble; it isn’t in his nature. He wouldn’t have been easy in his mind if he’d left you to fend for yourself.”
As if she was a stray puppy needing succour. The explanation left Apple curiously dissatisfied. Indeed, she could have thought of it for herself, for Alex had said as much several times. She still felt at outs with him for insisting on taking her to his home. However kind he was, he utterly failed to realise how terrified she was at the prospect of entering the milieu he inhabited.
It was one thing to hold her own in company with Alex and Georgy, who were easy and uncritical. Quite another to face their mother, who must be formidable when both of them kept saying how she mustn’t know this or that. Even Georgy had not wanted to go back under Lady Luthrie’s jurisdiction while her husband was away. And if she felt apprehensive, how did she imagine Apple felt?
Her apprehension had in no way lessened when Alex seized the moment to tell her about his visit to Vergette, after she and Georgy returned from Emmeline’s and her hostess went off for her obligatory rest.
Alex took up a stance before the fireplace, looking down at her where she sat in the chair she’d adopted since coming to Merrivale House.
“Emmeline promised to have the gowns delivered tonight,” she told him.
“Ah. Then we can leave tomorrow as planned. Excellent.”
It was far from excellent to Apple’s mind, but she was reluctant to re-open the argument. She’d taken her own measures and had a quiet word with Mrs Reddicliffe before she was returned to her little cottage in Romsey. The visit to Emmeline’s was fortuitous, because they were able to drop the old nurse off and save Alex a second journey. Apple had no intention of saying anything about that little discussion to Alex, who would infallibly put a spoke in her wheel if he could. Not that she meant to make use of the scheme unless it became necessary.
“Haven’t had a chance to talk to you properly about Vergette,” Alex began.
All thought of the forthcoming ordeal at Dymond Garth dropped out of Apple’s head. “He refused to support me, didn’t he?” She saw the frown gather in Alex’s eyes, and her heart pattered uncomfortably. “Oh, pray don’t look like that, Alex. You are alarming me horribly. Tell me!”
The frown disappeared and he dropped into Georgy’s chair opposite, leaning forward and resting his arms across his knees. “Ain’t that much to tell, if you want the truth. Fellow was as close as bedamned. Kept asking what the deuce I had to do with you until I had to tell him the truth.”
Apple’s alarm increased. “Did he think you were a fortune hunter or something?”
“Don’t know what he thought. Fellow was pleasant enough. Too dashed pleasant, if you ask me. Seems to be his stock in trade.”
