She looked at me with those strange eyes which Amy had spoken of, and I knew before she spoke that this was Francine, Mistress Galloway's granddaughter.
"She said: "Fm Francine. I was waiting for you."
"How do you do," I said. "Did you want to see me about anything in particular?"
"I wanted to see you. I've seen you before," she said with a slow smile.
"When I was asleep," I said. "In this room, was it?"
She gave me a strange look and lifted her shoulders in a mirthful gesture.
"You were not asleep, were you?"
"I did not awake until you had gone. Wasn't it a strange time to come visiting?"
"Oh, it was the best time really. I could see you without your seeing me."
"I should have thought that might be a disadvantage to me."
She made the same gesture.
"I am glad you decided to come this time when I am awake," I added.
"Do you like it here?"
"Of course."
"It's not your home, is it?"
"It is my father's house, so therefore it seems my place might be here."
"They don't think so."
"Who?"
She waved her hand vaguely.
What an odd creature. There was a hint of madness about her, and Amy was right. One felt this because there was something strange about her eyes.
"I know you live in your grandmother's apartments," I said.
She nodded.
"I like to be here," she said. "It frightens you."
"Does it?"
"Not you?" she asked.
"There is nothing to be afraid of, surely?" I said.
She looked at me with interest.
She said: "They don't want you to be here."
"Who?" I asked.
"Her, and my grandmother."
"Her?"
She nodded and pointed in the same direction she had before. I knew she was referring to Lady Rosslyn.
"No," she repeated, "they don't want you here, nor him."
I guessed the "him" referred to was Luke.
I thought: They would not tell her this. She must listen to their conversations. But then Lady Rosslyn could not speak. Her grandmother must talk to her. Perhaps she talked to Lady Rosslyn and the child listened. Lady Rosslyn could nod and so on, as often happened with people who had lost their voices.
In any case, this was a very strange child, and one to be wary of.
She went closer to the window, then turned and beckoned to me.
"Look out there."
She was pointing towards what looked like a pile of bricks just beyond the stables.
"It was a fire," she said. "Last year."
"Did you see it?"
She nodded. "The fire was making a roaring sound, as though it was angry ... and you could feel the heat from it. The sky was red. It was a real fire. Fire kills you if you're in it. Some people can't get out of it. They want to but they can't. There were red flames and yellow flames ... and it makes pictures, and you can watch them. They change and change. I saw it. You can smell it."
"So you saw this fire, did you?"
She nodded. "They left it all alone ... after that. It was part of the stables. They were leading the horses out and they were very frightened. It was the biggest fire in the world, and it was all burned out. All that had been there wasn't there any more. That is what happens when there is a fire. Then the fire goes out and what's left is just like bones left on your platter when you've eaten your meat."
"It must have been very frightening.".
She looked at me in astonishment.
"Frightening?" she said blankly. "It was the biggest, best fire in the world."
She rose suddenly and walked to the door.
"Goodbye," she said.
"Francine," I replied, "if you come to see me again, come when I am here, will you? Knock at the door and ask if you may come in. And please do not come at night when I am asleep."
She looked at me with that far-off, vacant smile, hunched her shoulders and went out.
A Question of Marriage
My father returned to Rosslyn Manor.
After some little time he sent for me. I went to the room which was called his small sitting room and he smiled at me and asked me to sit down.
"Well, you are accustomed to the place a little now," he said.
"Yes," I replied.
"And you are finding it comfortable?"
"Yes, thank you."
"A little more congenial than it appeared at first?"
"It is such a large house to become acquainted with when one is unaccustomed to such surroundings."
"Do I detect a hankering after the Dower House or Maggie's neat little place in London?"
"My friends were there."
"And here?" He shrugged his shoulders. "But grieve not. You are going to London, and of course there you will be able to visit the admirable Maggie."
"Oh, that is wonderful."
"You will not have a lot of time with her. I have plans for you. Kate, I am going to show you London, and London you. You will be presented as my daughter and Luke as my son. Why not? It is the truth, is it not? You will see a different way of life."
"I have always known that there are many different ways of life. I did see a little of that in the theater, for instance."
"You will see more with me. Now, you will need clothes, both you and Luke. Those we shall find in London itself. No seamstress here would be adequate to provide what you will need."
"How long shall we stay?" I asked.
"A month or so. It depends. Don't be afraid. I shall be there to guide you."
"Where do we live while we are there? In your lodgings?"
He shook his head. "My lodgings were just an apartment for convenience. I have a house there in Chelsea. It is a pleasant old place with a garden which runs down to the river. It is within easy distance of Whitehall."
"When do we leave?"
"The day after tomorrow. You don't need to bring much. You will acquire everything you need in London. Your maid will see to that."
"Amy? She will not have any idea."
He looked puzzled. He clearly did not know Amy.
"She looks after me here," I said.
He laughed. "No, no. A country girl would be no use. There will be someone at the London house. No need for you to fret about that. It will all be attended to by Mistress Baxter."
"Mistress Baxter? Who is she?"
"She is in charge of the household there. A very efficient woman. She will know what will be required. Tell me, does the prospect please you?"
"It is always exciting to experience something entirely new," I said.
He surprised me in a rare affectionate gesture, when he took my hand in his and kissed me on the brow.
"Kate," he said, "I'm glad you are mine."
When I told Christobel that I was going to London her eyes sparkled.
"So you are to venture into the wicked world outside Somerset. Your father is doing the right thing at last and acknowledging you and Luke. Well, one might say it is time he did. I dare say he has grand plans for you both."
"What do you mean about plans?"
"Plans for girls of your age usually mean one thing. Mayhap he has someone in view. Some country squire. Some knight or baron, perhaps. You could hardly expect a dukedom, but I don't see why it should not be a man with prospects who has not yet attained the height of his ambition. But with the help of my lord as his father-in-law ..."
"Oh, stop it. I shall refuse to marry any of them."
She looked at me a little wistfully.
"I wonder," she said. "Pressure may be great. Your father clearly has something in mind."
"You mean marriage. Well, in view of his own disastrous experience, I should have thought he would have been a little cautious on that matter."
"People always think their arrangements will succeed when those of others fail."
I did not wish to discuss the matter any further, and I told her about my encounter with Francine.