“Oh, Madame Fribourg was just the same. Of course I was held up as the example of improper behaviour.”
Apple’s overwrought nerves found release in a burst of giggling, in which Georgy readily joined her. That and the revivifying effects of coffee made Apple feel a good deal better, and she entered with much more enthusiasm into embroidering the details of their supposed long friendship. Georgy became more cheerful.
“One thing is certain, Apple. We are already so much at ease with one another, no one could doubt we are friends.”
Warmth crept into Apple’s countenance, and she set down her cup and reached out to grasp Georgy’s hand. “You’ve been very much my friend, Georgy, and I’m so grateful. I don’t know what I should have done without you.”
“Stuff! You were doing well enough with Alex, and I dare say you would have managed.”
Apple shook her head. “No, because he could not have remained with me without a chaperon, and he might well have taken me back if he hadn’t hit upon leaving me with you.”
Georgy beamed. “I am very glad he did, for I’ve not been so entertained for a twelvemonth. I do hope you won’t disappear after all this is over, Apple.”
A streak of guilt shot through Apple. “As to that, there’s no saying until I’ve seen Mr Vergette.”
Georgy handed her the empty cup. “Would you set that down for me?” As Apple did so, she added, “I wish you will tell me what Alex found out.”
Apple shifted her shoulders. “Very little, if you want the truth. Mr Vergette would only say that Alex must take me to him after my birthday.”
“But he must have said more. What had he to say about the trust?”
“Only that it doesn’t matter whether I am married or not. And that the trust was not set up by Papa. Also, it has nothing to do with the winery, though that I already knew, but my cousins refused to believe it.”
“Do you think they will come at you again?”
Apple sighed. “I suppose they might. But I can’t think even Cousin Marjorie would dare to beard us in your parents’ home. I must think myself safe enough while I am here. Though I still feel this horrid sense of foreboding.”
Chapter Seventeen
The succession house was warm. Apple laid down the piece of charcoal and seized the rag she’d begged from the chambermaid, scrubbing at the black on her fingers. With care, she set aside the parchment on which a representation of Lord Luthrie’s favourite haunt was emerging and shrugged off her thick cloak. She’d worn it when she did the drawing of the house intended for Lady Luthrie, her fingers slowly freezing as she rapidly sketched the outline of her chosen perspective, depicting the mass of the mansion as it appeared from the other side of the lake. But today it was proving uncomfortable in this hothouse atmosphere.
The portrait of Georgy was done and, like the drawing of the house, had been saturated with milk and then allowed to dry to stop the charcoal from smudging, before being carefully wrapped in tissue acquired from the packing around the gowns from Emmeline’s. Once the drawing on which she was engaged was completed, she had only Alex’s gift to do. She’d left it until last, hoping the surreptitious pencil sketches she’d caught these last days would be enough for an accurate likeness.
Apple had seen far less of him in the week since he brought her to Dymond Garth, and she’d had to seize moments when his attention was engaged. She could not decide whether it was fortunate or otherwise that his mother kept him so much occupied. Or if not her, Mr Outram had a myriad of tasks for him. She’d met the family steward on a couple of occasions, but as he’d paid little heed to a female in Lady Georgiana’s train beyond the commonplace of politeness, Apple had no understanding of his function. Which seemed to her mostly to be removing Alex from the vicinity, much to her chagrin. Infuriating though he could be, she was never as relaxed or comfortable when he was out of her sight and hearing.
“Best if I appear uninterested, Apple,” he’d said to her once. “You’re Georgy’s friend, remember. But I’ve got my eye on you, never fear.”
He’d winked on the last, giving the half-smile that sent a flitter through her veins. Whether it was a warning or a tease Apple remained uncertain, but it was nevertheless reassuring.
The ordeal of being at Dymond Garth had proved to be less testing than she’d expected. Lady Luthrie was too busy to pay her much attention, although she paid a great deal to Georgy, instigating a regime of diet, exercise and rest that sent her daughter into the fidgets.
“Why Rob must needs subject me to this, I truly don’t know. I could readily box his ears, if only he were here.”
“If he were here, you wouldn’t be subjected to it,” Apple pointed out.
“Exactly so. I wish to heaven he’d not been obliged to rush off to the coast.”
“Well, he has his duty, Georgy. You would not wish him to neglect it.”
Georgy gave a fretful sigh, slowing her pace which had speeded up in her agitation.
“In any event,” Apple added, “I’m quite glad Lady Luthrie insists upon your walking every day, for it gets me into the fresh air too.”
Georgy reached out to clasp her hand for a moment. “Yes, and thank goodness we brought you, Apple. Indeed, if I didn’t have you to walk and talk with, Mama would have driven me to screaming point by this time.”
It was on one of their meandering walks around the lake that the vexed question of Christmas gifts had arisen, throwing Apple into dismay. She’d asked why Lady Luthrie was so very busy, hoping to hear what Alex might be up to.
“Oh, Mama likes to visit every tenant through the Christmas season. She obliges Alex to do his share with the bachelors. She likes to find out what they chiefly need so she can give an appropriate gift.”
