Page 41 of Sunday's Child

Nancy was in the drawing room next day, seated by the window. Felicia and Claude had gone to the theatre after luncheon, but when Nancy offered to accompany them Felicia had been sharp in her refusal. Nancy had been puzzled, but she was used to Felicia’s temperament and she forgot all about it, choosing to spend a few hours on her own. She needed to think of a way in which to help Tamara, but Freddie’s parting words had left her hoping to see him again today. However, as time wore on, she was beginning to think he had either forgotten or that he had not meant his comment to be taken seriously. Perhaps that was the way society people behaved in London, although she had thought Freddie was different from the rest of his set.

When Felicia and Claude finally returned late that afternoon Nancy had been trying to take her mind off her problems by reading a book she had found on the shelf, but she had only managed three pages so far, and already she had forgotten the title.

Felicia’s expression was ominous. She tossed her reticule on the sofa. ‘Garson will regret his decision when he’s had time to consider it, Claude.’

‘I still think you should have allowed me to speak to him, man to man, my love.’

Nancy put the book on the table beside her. ‘What’s happened, ma’am?’

Felicia threw up her hands and sank down on the sofa. ‘I don’t want to talk about it, but put it this way, Nancy: we won’t be staying in London for Christmas. In fact, I’ve a good mind to spend the festive season at Rockwood, and that is saying something about the way I feel right now.’

‘The terms offered by Mr Thorne were not acceptable, Nancy,’ Claude said simply.

‘He forgets that I am an international star. I refuse to be upstaged by a nobody. Who is this Carlotta Corvi anyway? The girl is my understudy, totally inexperienced in handling a major role.’ Felicia pointed to the bell pull. ‘Ring for the maid, Claude. I need a glass of sherry wine to calm my nerves. I shouldn’t be put through this sort of ordeal when I have a performance to give this evening.’

‘Of course, my love.’ Claude reached for the bell pull and tugged it twice. ‘You were magnificent, you put your point of view succinctly.’

‘We’ve already started rehearsals for the next production and I am the leading lady.’

‘I don’t think Garson was left with any doubts as to your feelings. But you will finish the season, won’t you?’

‘Of course I will. I won’t disappoint the people who pay good money to see me and hear me sing. I have a duty to my public.’

Nancy rose to her feet. ‘Perhaps a rest on your bed might help, ma’am.’

‘I will lie there going over and over it in my mind. A glass of sherry will be more efficacious.’

‘If we return to Rockwood, does that mean we’ll be leaving London for good?’ Nancy asked anxiously.

‘That’s really none of your concern, Nancy.’ Felicia lay back on the cushions and closed her eyes. ‘My head is throbbing. Send for Violet. I need a cold compress.’

Rawlings, the housemaid they had inherited with the rented accommodation, entered the parlour without waiting for an answer to her sharp rap on the door.

‘You rang, miss?’

‘Mrs de Marney would like sherry wine. Please find Miss Tinker and ask her to bring a cold compress.’

Rawlings’ already thin lips tightened to a straight line, but she acknowledged the instructions with a nod and walked off with a measured tread. Nancy had never liked Rawlings and she knew that the feeling was mutual. However, she was too anxious to worry about whether or not she was popular below stairs. It seemed as though their tenure in John Adam Street was coming to an end, but if they were to leave London she might never see Freddie again and that would be very sad.

‘Nancy, what are you doing?’ Felicia’s plaintive voice brought Nancy back to the present with a jolt.

‘I’ve just instructed Rawlings to bring you some sherry, ma’am. And I told her to send Violet with a cold compress.’

‘What would I do without you, Nancy?’ Felicia held up a shaking hand. ‘Come and sit by me and tell me what you’ve been doing today.’

Nancy pulled up a stool and sat down. ‘Nothing much, ma’am. But it sounds as if you have had a very testing time.’

‘That man Thorne has given himself airs above his station. He more or less told me that I am too old to play the leading role, and I should step down and play the matriarch to Carlotta Corvi as the heroine. It is I who draws in the crowds that pay his salary. I have offers from far and wide, isn’t that so, Claude?’

‘Well, my love, not at the moment. Although La Scala, Milan, is a possibility for next season.’

‘They love me in New York,’ Felicia said dreamily. ‘I triumphed there, didn’t I, Claude?’

‘You are a brilliant success wherever you perform, my love.’

‘Well, I am not taking second place to Carlotta. Garson will come begging me to return when she fails to draw the crowds.’

Nancy sighed. ‘I am so sorry, Mrs de Marney.’

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