Midsummer's Eve

I did hear one of the maids say: "If they wasn't to wait the year 'twouldn't do no harm. After all, this be special with her having known him so long and being all alone like.”

"Mind you," said one of the others, "'twould have to be a quiet wedding.”

They were all very interested, which was not surprising because their livelihoods were tied up in Cador land. That made me feel a great responsibility, which was good for me and brought me out of my brooding.

I went through the books with Bob Carter, our manager, who had looked after everything during my father's absence. I told him that everything appeared to be in excellent shape. He was gratified and said he hoped there would be no changes on the estate.

"I don't see any need to change anything, Bob," I said. "I have a lot to learn, but you can explain to me what I ought to know.”

"That I will, Miss Cadorson.”

And after the first shock of homecoming with its inevitable memories, I began to feel better.

Rolf took me round his estate. I was amazed at the size of it.

"It's flourishing," he said. "Luke Tregern looked after it well while I was away.”

He told me that when the manager had retired Luke Tregern had taken over his post.

"Luke has done marvels," he went on. "I felt I could leave him in charge while I was away and I was not wrong.”

I saw Luke in the office seated at a table working on some papers. He looked very smart in a velveteen jacket and gaiters, with a creamcoloured cravat. He stood up and bowed as I entered.

"Good morning, Luke," I said.

"Good morning, Miss Cadorson, and welcome home. My deepest sympathy for your loss.”

"Thank you, Luke. Mr. Hanson tells me you are doing a very good job here.”

"I trust so, Miss Cadorson. It is what I strive for.”

He was handsome in a way and his clothes and manner rather indicated that he was aware of it. That was nothing to complain of, of course. In fact it was pleasant to meet someone who obviously cared about his appearance.

We chatted a little about the estate and then Rolf and I left.

"He's different," I said.

"Yes. I saw it at once when he came looking for a job. He's got drive, he's ambitious, Luke is. I think he'll get on.”

"I should think so. He already has. From gamekeeper to manager is quite a step.”

"You've got your good Bob Carter. Don't grudge me my Luke.”

"I don't. I'm glad for you.”

"It will be fine when we run the two together, Annora.”

"Yes. I believe I am looking forward to that.”

I was. It was gratifying that the people on the estate thought my coming marriage to Rolf was a good thing-which meant good for the estate as well as for Rolf and me. They believed and so did I that in the circumstances it was the best thing that could have happened.

When Aunt Amaryllis heard that we were home she wrote that she must come to see us; and in due course she arrived accompanied by her lady's maid.

My pleasure in seeing her was mixed with great sadness. She was very emotional; and I kept remembering stories my mother had told me of their childhood.

Her reunion with Helena was very moving. She had been so anxious about her daughter, I knew, and she told me how grateful she was to me for looking after her.

I replied that Helena had, at times, looked after me.

And we cried together.

But she was delighted with her grandchild. She could not keep away from him.

"You must come home," she said to Helena.

"I want to stay with Annora ... just for a little while," Helena told her. "We have been through so much together. She has helped me through.”

"I should have been with you, my dearest child. Bless you, Annora my dear. Such dreadful things to happen ... and all at once.”

How right she was! One thing had followed on another. It had been a disastrous chain of events.

"Your father would want you home," said Aunt Amaryllis.

"Would he?" cried Helena. "It's going to be difficult to explain.”

"And your husband, Matthew. What of him?”

"He's in Australia. He will come home when he has collected the material he needs.”

"Doesn't he want to see you ... and the baby?”

"Mama," said Helena, "it is no use pretending. Matthew married me to help me. That was all. It is difficult to understand if you don't know him. He's that sort of person.

He wants to do good for people. That's why he is going to write this book. He is a man who has to have a cause. I was in a difficult position and he saw a way of helping me out. He's a very rare person. But he is not Jennie's father.”

"Was it ... John Milward?”

Helena nodded.

"Oh dear, what a terrible muddle. Your father could have sorted something out for you, you know.”

"He wouldn't want me home. It would only add to the scandal about us.”

"Oh, he'd deal with that. There are so many malicious people in the world. He's just been driven out of political life, that's all. It's a great loss to the country.

He says it is very unprofitable in any case.”

"But what about his business ... all those clubs?”

"It's still as it always was.”

"My mother told me that you were involved in Uncle Peter's business, Aunt Amaryllis,”

I said.