"I can't understand why you took the trouble."
"I take a lot of trouble to do what I want. Didn't I tell you that I'm a prodder?"
I was a little startled and faintly alarmed. I did not know what was in his mind. It seemed to me that he might be preparing to indulge in a little light flirtation. No doubt he thought that I was an innocent maiden ready to fall into the arms of the all-powerful lord of the manor. If Lavinia had learned little from her experience, I had learned a great deal.
I said coolly, "I can't imagine why you should wish to do so."
"I'll tell you later."
"In the meantime, here we are."
He took my case.
"I can manage, you know," I said.
"I wouldn't think of allowing you to carry it."
It seemed to me that he was taking a proprietorial attitude already.
I should have to be wary of him. He was the type of person who thought he only had to beckon to a girl and she would come running. He was Sir Fabian, rich and powerful, and his mother had made him feel—as they used to say—the little Caesar.
I tried to take my case from him, but he resisted, smiling. We walked along the platform and there was Polly waiting for me.
She stared in amazement to see me with a man, and her amazement turned to dismay when she recognized him.
I ran to her and she embraced me. "Oh, Polly," I cried, "how wonderful to see you."
"Well, it's not like a smack in the chops to me neither."
She was restrained because he was there.
"It's Sir Fabian, Polly. He kindly carried my bag."
He bowed to Polly. "Miss Delany and I met on the train."
"Did you now?" said Polly, very faintly bellicose. She had never approved of the Framlings. I knew she was thinking, Who were they when they were out? Or on trains and carrying people's bags. Up to no good, shouldn't reckon. I knew her so well that I was aware of her thoughts.
"Well, thank you, Sir Fabian," I said. "It was good of you."
"We'll get a cab and be home in a tick," said Polly.
"I shall see you home," he said. "I shall get the cab."
"There is no need ..." I began.
"But I insist." He spoke as though his word was law. It was faintly irritating. I felt an urge to snatch my case from him and tell him we did not need his help. But if I did that might betray something that I ought to hide.
I was aware of the imperious manner in which he hailed the cab and in a very short time we were on our way to the common.
I tried to chat to Polly as I should have done if he had not been there. I asked about Eff. Eff was flourishing. Doing very well. Might even take on No. 10 Maccleston if the old man living there moved out. Eff had always had her eyes open.
Neither of us mentioned the baby, but I knew Polly was longing to talk of her, as I was.
I was glad when the journey was over. He alighted and carried my bag to the door. Eff was waiting to open it. She cried out with pleasure when she saw me and then stepped back at the sight of Fabian.
He raised his hat and bowed.
"This is Sir Fabian Framling, a neighbour of mine," I explained. "I saw him on the train and he has been very helpful."
I could see she was wondering whether he should be asked in for a cup of tea and a piece of the special sultana cake she had baked for the occasion; her only hesitation was because of his title and perhaps his undeniable presence.
I said quickly, "It was kind of you, Sir Fabian. Thank you so much." With that I turned away, and he, with another bow, went back to the waiting cab.
We went inside.
"Well, I never," said Polly. "You could have knocked me down with half a feather when I saw who he was."
She shook her head; she was bothered. I would tell her as soon as I had an opportunity that there was no need for alarm.
Eff said, "I know who you'll be wanting to see. I'd have her here, but she's having her nap, and I don't want to disturb her, else there'll be ructions, eh, Poll?"
"You bet," said Polly.
"Well, what about a nice cup of tea first. I've got some muffins."
As we sat over tea and muffins I heard of the increasing prosperity of the business and how the baby grew more beautiful every day.
At length she was brought down by Eff and I held her in my arms while she gazed at me wonderingly, her little hands curled round my finger and what could have been a smile of contentment on her pinkish face. She had changed a good deal from the day when Lavinia and I had brought her here. She was getting on for nine months old—quite a personage. I had always been distressed by unwanted babies, but this one, at least, thanks to Polly and Eff, was overwhelmed with love.
Fleur had vivid blue eyes and the almost black hair she had been born with had lightened considerably. It was dark brown with tawny lights in it—inherited, no doubt, from Lavinia. She was clearly a contented baby, and that was something to be happy about.
Being with Fleur made me wonder about the other babies who had been born round about the same time. What had happened to Emmeline? Her child would have had a happy home, I was sure. And the poor little girl who had been raped? Surely her family would look after her child. And Agatha? She would know what to do. She was warmhearted and would never desert her child. Mostly I thought of Miriam, who would have to give up hers for the sake of not disturbing her marriage. That seemed the saddest case of all.
But I was delighted to see Fleur here. She would not miss her parents, because she could not have two more devoted people to care for her than Polly and Eff.
The bellows were seized on with joy. "That kitchen fire never did draw like it ought," said Eff.
The bonnet was immediately tried on and Fleur was very interested in the bootees.
"Nice for her afternoon nap," said Polly. "She's starting to toddle now. I reckon she thinks she's done enough shooting round on her hands and knees."
"Don't you think she's a little angel?" said Eff.
I said I did.
"Eff spoils her really," said Polly.
"I like that!" retorted Eff. "Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!"
It was all so comforting, so much what I had expected from them. Polly was still the anchor in my life.
She was uneasy though. I sensed that. When she came to my room that night, after Eff had retired, she talked very seriously to me.
She said, "I've been worried about you, Drusilla. I didn't like to think of you in that foreign place. I didn't know what was happening. Fleur ... she's Lavinia's. I know that now. At first I thought she was yours."
"Oh, Polly!"
"Well, that's why we took her in so prompt. I said to Eff, 'This is my girl and she's in trouble. We're going to help her all we know how and if that means having the baby here, well then we'll have the baby here.' "
"I thought of you immediately. I remember how you and Eff always liked babies."
"We do. But having one of your own is something that has to be thought about."
"You didn't hesitate."
"No ... As I told you, I thought it was yours."
"You've always been wonderful to me, Polly ... always."
"I know now she's that Lavinia's. That saucy baggage. Just like her. Gets into trouble and gets someone else to sort it out for her."
"Lady Harriet took over a big part of my school bills. I was there to be with Lavinia."
"I know. That sort think they own the world and everyone in it. Now there's that Fabian ... or whatever he calls himself."
"Everyone else calls him Fabian. It's his name."
"Sir Fabian, if you please."
"He inherited the title from his father. He's been a sir ever since his father died."
"Silly way of going on ... Little children getting airs. No wonder they grow up thinking they are Lord God Almighty."
"Do you think he does?"