When we paused Theodosia said: "Oh, you are all so clever . . . even Judith! But don't you think this salmon is delicious?"
Hadrian then told us a story of a fishing expedition he had enjoyed on the Spey, in the Scottish Highlands, where, he said, the best salmon in the world was caught. He was explaining how he had plunged into the river and pulled in the struggling fish, showing us the size of it at which we all laughingly expressed disbelief, when Lady Bodrean walked past our table in the company of several of the guests.
I was saying: "Of course, you know that all fishermen double the size of their catch and it wouldn't surprise me if Hadrian trebled his."
And there she was, her eyebrows raised in astonishment as slowly her outraged feelings were visible in the expression on her face.
There was a silence which seemed to go on for a long time; then she took a step towards our table. The men rose, but she stared incredulously at me. I attempted to put on a calm smile.
One of her guests said: "Oh, it's Mr. Travers, I believe."
Tybalt said yes it was; and then Lady Bodrean recovered herself. She made introductions, leaving me until last and then: "Miss Osmond," she said, almost making my name sound obscene.
Nobody noticed and there were a few moments of polite conversation, and then Lady Bodrean and her party passed on.
"Oh dear!" said Theodosia, very distressed.
"I somehow felt it would happen," I added, trying to pretend that I was not really perturbed.
"Well," said Hadrian, "Sir Ralph has to answer for his guests."
"What's happened?" asked Tybalt.
I turned to him. "I really shouldn't be here."
"Surely not," he said. "Your company has made it such an interesting evening."
That made everything worth while.
"I may well be sent packing tomorrow morning."
Tybalt looked concerned and I felt absurdly happy.
Theodosia started to explain. "You see my father thought Judith should come to the ball and he and I put our heads together. I chose her dress and Sarah Sloper made it ... but Mamma did not know."
Tybalt laughed and said: "There is always some drama surrounding Miss Osmond. If she is not dressing up as an embalmed body and getting into a sarcophagus she is dressing up in a beautiful gown and coming to a ball. And in neither place it seems is she expected to be."
Hadrian put his hand over mine. "Don't worry, Judith. You'll weather tomorrow's storm."
"Mamma can be very fierce," said Theodosia.
"But," put in Evan, "Judith came as the guest of Sir Ralph. I don't see how Lady Bodrean can object to that."
"You don't know Mamma," said Theodosia.
"I assure you I do and the outlook seems stormy, but since Judith came at Sir Ralph's invitation I can't see that she has done anything wrong."
"In any case," I said, "this storm is for tomorrow. At the moment it's a beautiful night. There's salmon which we hope was caught in the Scottish Highlands and champagne from the appropriate district. The company is invigorating, so what more could we ask?"
Tybalt leaned towards me and said: "You live in the moment."
"It's the only way to live. Tonight I'm a kind of Cinderella. Tomorrow I return to my ashes."
"I'll be Prince Charming," said Hadrian. "The music's starting. Let's dance."
I did not want to leave Tybalt, but there was nothing else I could do.
"Congratulations," said Hadrian as we danced. "You were the calmest of the lot. You put up a good show. I suppose you're really quaking in your glass slippers."
"I'm resigned," I said. "I have a feeling that very soon I shall be back in Rainbow Cottage writing humble letters to prospective employers."
"Poor Judith. It's hateful being poor."
"What do you know about that?"
"Plenty. I have my troubles. I have to crave my uncle's benevolence. My creditors are yapping at my heels. I must speak to him tomorrow. So you see, like you tonight I want to eat drink and be merry."
"Oh, Hadrian. Are you really in debt?"
"Up to the eyes. What wouldn't I do to be in Theodosia's shoes."
"I don't suppose she gets as big an allowance as you."
"But think of the credit! Did you know that my uncle is fabulously rich? Well, dear Theodosia will inherit all that one day."
"I hate all this talk about money."
"It is depressing. It's one of the reasons why I'd like to be rich. Then you can forget there's such a thing in the world as money."
We laughed, danced, and joked; but both of us were, I suppose, thinking of what the next day would bring. My ability to live in the moment was only with me when Tybalt was there.
I hoped to see him again, but I didn't; and before all the guests had departed I thought it advisable to return to my room.
I was wrong in thinking that the storm would break the next morning. Lady Bodrean had no intention of allowing it to wait as long as that.
I was still in my ball dress when the bell rang vigorously.
I knew what that meant and I was rather glad because the dress gave me confidence.
I went along to Lady Bodrean's room. She was in her ball gown, too—violet-colored velvet with a magnificent train edged with fur that looked like miniver. She was quite regal.
"Well, Miss Osmond, what have you to say for yourself?"
"What do you expect me to say, Lady Bodrean?"
"What I do not expect is insolence. You were at the ball tonight. How dared you intrude and mingle with my guests."
"It is not really very daring to accept an invitation," I replied.
"Invitation? Have you the effrontery to tell me that you sent yourself an invitation?"
"I did not. Sir Ralph gave instructions that I was to go to the ball."
"I do not believe it."
"Perhaps your ladyship would wish me to call him." Before she could reply I had seized the bell rope and pulled it. Jane came running in. "Lady Bodrean wishes you to ask Sir Ralph if he will come here ... if he has not already retired."
Lady Bodrean was spluttering with rage, but Jane, who, I believe, knew what had been happening, had hurried off to call Sir Ralph.
"How dare you presume to give orders here?" demanded Lady Bodrean.
"I thought I was obeying orders," I said. "I was under the impression that your ladyship wished Sir Ralph to come here to corroborate my story, for clearly you did not believe me."
"I have never in all my life been subjected to such . . . such . . . such . . ."
"Insubordination?" I supplied.
"Insolence," she said.
I was intoxicated with happiness still. I had danced with Tybalt; he had talked to me; I had conveyed to him my interest in his work. He had said, "Your company has made it such an interesting evening." And he had meant that, for I was sure he was not the man to say what he did not mean. So how could I care for this foolish old virago who in a few moments was going to be confronted by her husband who, I knew, would confirm what I had said.
He stood there in the doorway. "What the . . ." he began. Then he saw me and there was that now familiar movement of the jaw.
"What's Miss Osmond doing here?" he asked.
"I sent for her. She had the temerity to mingle with our guests tonight."
"She was one of them," he said shortly.
"I think you have forgotten that she is my companion."
"She was one of your guests tonight. She came to the ball on my invitation. That is enough."