Page 113 of One More Christmas at the Castle
‘You and Nancy were way ahead of me there, and I still find it hard to believe that, knowing who I am, Sabine wanted me here.’
‘I think she’s turning into her mother, who by all accounts was a very autocratic and managing woman and who ran the estate and her husband with a firm hand. Soareyou all right?’ he asked again.
‘I’m fine, just a bit shaky, which I expect is shock. I think it was the way the two versions of Faye just dovetailed together. It’s unbelievable, but Ihaveto believe it.’
‘I’m not sure I’m entirely convinced that Sabine’s only reasons for hiring you were curiosity and expediency,’ he said, frowning.
‘Must have been – I can’t think of any other reason,’ I said. ‘And when she suddenly realized this would be her last Christmas at the Castle and therewewere able to provide what she wanted …’
‘But if you hadn’t found out by accident, it appears she’d simply have let you go in the New Year without telling you,’ he pointed out.
‘I expect Granny Celia would have told me, when she got back and found out where I’d been staying over Christmas,’ I said. ‘I can’t see any point in disturbing her cruise now, though, because she only wants to be contacted in an emergency. I might give Dad a ring later, though, when it’s lunchtime over there and I’ve got a good chance of catching him.’
‘And meanwhile, you’re just going to carry on as if you didn’t know any of it?’ he said, with a wry smile.
‘Of course! I’m notreallypart of the family, just because Dad was the illegitimate son of her half-sister, am I? And the only connection I feel is with the house and the garden, especially the Winter Garden.’
‘That’s always been something you’ve shared with Sabine, from the start.’
‘I suppose so – and we both like things to be planned and organized, too.’
‘Henry will be back in a minute, ready to hear all the details …’ He smiled at me in the way that seemed to particularly affect my knees and added, ‘You and I have become good friends, haven’t we, Dido? Do we still have any secrets from each other?’
I gave a shaky laugh. ‘I expect so – or at least, things we haven’t got round to talking about yet!’
‘But it feels as if we’ve known each other for a lot longer than a couple of weeks, though perhaps that’s being together so much in a short time.’
‘I expect so,’ I agreed, and then our eyes met again and held, and his arms slid around me …
We’d entirely forgotten Henry would be on his way back, until we heard his voice, right behind us, and broke apart.
‘I hate to interrupt this touching scene, but if Xan doesn’t get himself to the sitting room pronto, Sabine will start ringing that damned bell again, your coffee will be stone cold and Lucy will have snaffled all the curry puffs!’
Henry was amazed to learn that Mrs Powys had known exactly who I was before she even engaged our services, but agreed that we shouldn’t let it make any difference to our work.
‘It just explains her attitude to you a bit more … and it’s going to add an interesting edge to our stay here,’ he added. ‘Are you going to tell Charlotte?’
‘I hadn’t thought about it. I mean, I know I can trust her, but … no,’ I decided. ‘I won’t, but I’ll give Dad a ring later, even though I’m pretty sure he’ll forget what I’ve told him five minutes after I ring off!’
‘And Granny Celia?’
‘Xan asked me that, too, but there’s no point in disturbing her.’
‘I expect you’re right,’ he agreed. ‘Now, why don’t I make you a nice cup of coffee and you put your feet up for a bit – I’ll warm you a curry puff to go with it.’
‘That’s tempting, but—’
‘There’s nothing urgent you need to do for a bit,’ he interrupted firmly. ‘I’ll peel the potatoes, cut the chips for dinner and put them in cold water, ready.’
‘Thank you, Henry, but leave tenderizing the steaks to me, because I think hammering them will release a lot of pent-up tension!’
I felt much calmer after a little time to myself and, of course, I wasn’t about to let it all affect my professional competence.
Dinner was cooked to perfection, as usual, and I ran though my evening chores afterwards, though just before nine I left Henry finishing up and went upstairs to ring Dad.
Once I’d fully engaged his attention and he’d realized who I was, he seemed mildly pleased to hear from me.
‘I’m working at a house called Mitras Castle, up near the Roman Wall,’ I told him. ‘And I’ve just discovered that there is a family link to your birth mother, Faye.’
