She was happy to look agreeable and affect a great interest in travel, asking questions every time it seemed the discussion might flag. It looked as though it would be a very long weekend indeed. Five or six days of this, with at least three meals every day, not counting afternoon tea, would seem like the best part of a year.
She watched the others around the table as one course was removed and the next served. Ainsley Greville appeared very much at ease, but looking more closely at his hands, she saw that when he had no food they did not lie loosely on the cloth beside his place, but one finger drummed silently, and now and then the smile on his face became fixed, as if there by effort not instinct. The responsibility for this conference must lie heavily upon him. For all his experience, and no doubt the rewards, she felt a moment’s pity for him.
Eudora, on the other hand, seemed quite comfortable. Was she a far better actress? Or had she little idea of the true nature of the weekend?
Padraig Doyle also seemed to find genuine satisfaction in his meal and ate it with enjoyment, giving sincere compliments to the cook, through Emily. But since he was the representative of a major cause, he must be aware of the task which faced them and the difficulties of finding any semblance of a solution. He was simply a very fine actor. Regarding him while the main course was removed and dessert was served, Charlotte thought she saw in his face the quick emotions of an artist, the wit of a raconteur. He certainly told a very lively tale of his own travels in Turkey, mimicking various people he had met and describing their clothes and general appearance with poetic detail. Several times he set them laughing.
Charlotte noticed he spoke to Eudora very easily, as if he had known her for some length of time.
She was also aware of the brittleness between Lorcan McGinley and Fergal Moynihan, as if they could barely bring themselves to agree even upon complete irrelevances, such as the exorbitant price of decent accommodation abroad or the discomforts of travel in bad weather.
Kezia seemed very close to her brother, supporting whatever view he offered, while she never directly agreed with or contradicted O’Day.
Iona McGinley, on the other hand, seemed self-conscious when she spoke either directly to Fergal Moynihan or gave an opinion on something he had said.
Several times Charlotte caught Pitt’s eye and saw the flicker of anxiety in his gaze as he too studied the guests. And she saw Jack and Emily look at one another more than once in silent understanding and sympathy.
The meal was drawing to a grateful close when one of the footmen came to Jack’s side and announced that there was a Mr. Piers Greville arrived, and should he show him in.
Jack hesitated only a moment. “Yes, of course.” He looked across at Ainsley, then at Eudora, and saw the complete surprise in their eyes.
“I don’t know,” Eudora said simply. “I thought he was still up at Cambridge. I do hope nothing is wrong!”
“Of course not, my dear,” Ainsley assured her, although his expression belied his words. “I daresay he went home, which is only about eleven miles away, after all, and when he was told we were here, he decided to come and see us. He could have no idea it would be unsuitable.” He turned to Emily. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Radley. I hope it does not inconvenience you?”
“Of course not. He is most welcome.” Emily said the only thing she possibly could. In high society people frequently turned up at country house parties uninvited. Hospitality was always given, and could be equally reciprocated when the host should return the visit at some other time. People came and went as suited them, although less so now that train travel stretched easily and conveniently all over the country. In earlier days one might be obliged to stay for a month or two at a time, simply because of the physical trial of moving, especially on appalling roads, heavily rutted by rain and sometimes unpassable in winter. “It will be charming to meet him,” she added.
Charlotte looked across the table to Pitt. He smiled back at her ruefully. It was just one of the many unexpected possibilities that could arise. No one had asked him, but then to do so would have betrayed his importance, which would immediately rob him of the only advantage he had.
The footman bowed and retreated to obey.
Piers Greville came in a moment later. He was not quite as tall as his father but he had the same coloring, and a regularity and charm of feature which were more like that of his mother. On this occasion his whole being was alight with excitement and anticipation. There was a flush in his cheeks and his gray-blue eyes were bright. He spoke first to Emily.
“Mrs. Radley, how do you do? It really is very generous of you to allow me to burst in on you like this. I appreciate it enormously. I shall try to be the least possible inconvenience, I promise.” He turned to Jack, still smiling. “And to you too, sir. In advance, I thank you profoundly.” He looked swiftly around the table, acknowledging each of them although he could have no idea who they were.
Everyone smiled back, some with genuine warmth, like Kezia Moynihan, others gradually, without more than courtesy, like her brother and Lorcan McGinley.
Piers turned to his father.
“Papa, I had to come because this week is the only opportunity I have within the next two months, and I felt the news could not wait.” He swiveled around to his mother. “Mama …”
“What news?” Ainsley asked, his voice very level, noncommittal.
Eudora looked puzzled. Obviously, whatever Piers had to say was not expected. Presumably it could not concern his studies or any examinations he was to take.
“Well?” Ainsley asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I am betrothed to be married!” Piers said with happiness filling his face and ringing in his voice. “She is the most unique and marvelous person I have ever known. She is quite beautiful and you will love her.”
“I didn’t even know you had met anyone,” Eudora said with a mixture of surprise and anxiety. She made herself smile, but there was a flicker of pain behind it. Watching her, Charlotte thought for a flying moment of her own son, Daniel, and wondered if she too would be caught unaware when he fell in love, if she would not be close enough to him for him to have confided in her long before asking a woman to marry him. It gave her a sharp feeling of fear for the loss.
Ainsley was more practical.
“Indeed. Then I imagine congratulations would be appropriate. We shall discuss the arrangements at a more suitable time, and of course we shall wish to meet her and her parents. Your mother will no doubt have much to ask her mother, and to tell her.”
A shadow passed over Piers’s face. He looked very young, and suddenly also vulnerable.
“She has no parents, Papa. They died of fever when she was a child. She was brought up by grandparents, who are unfortunately also dead now.”
“Oh dear!” Eudora looked startled.
“As you say, unfortunate,” Ainsley agreed. “But obviously it cannot be helped. And there is plenty of time. You cannot consider marriage until you are qualified and have purchased a practice, and possibly not for the first year or two after that.”
Piers’s expression tightened and some of the light faded from his eyes. The thought of waiting so long would be hard for any young man in love, as he so clearly was.
“When may we meet her?” Eudora asked. “Is she in Cambridge? I imagine she is.”
“No … no, she is in London,” Piers said quickly. “But she is coming here tomorrow.” He swung around to Emily. “If I have your permission, Mrs. Radley? I realize it is a fearful impertinence, but I do so badly want her to meet my family, and for them to meet her, and this is the only chance for at least another two months.”
Emily swallowed. “Of course.” Again she made the only answer she could. “She will be most welcome. Congratulations, Mr. Greville.”