And being a child with a quick and shrewd mind, Carlotta had rapidly become aware of her importance. She could be imperious, and then she would be very loving; she could stamp and kick when forced to obey, and at the same time she could burst into tears if she saw anyone or -thing in distress. She was a child of moods, which could change so quickly that it was hard to keep pace with them and assess her nature.
Benjie loved her and was teaching her to ride. Gregory accepted her as though she were truly his daughter, and had recently bought her a beautiful little pony which he considered safe for her to ride. Harriet treated her with a sort of mild tolerance; she never went out of her way to make a fuss of her as the others did, but I believe that Carlotta loved Harriet best of all. From the others she accepted homage as her right, but there were times when I noticed her trying to please Harriet.
When they arrived I went down to the courtyard to greet them. My eyes went at once to my daughter—so beautiful in her red cloak, the colour of her cheeks, her blue eyes sparkling and her dark curls in disorder as she pulled off her hood. She flung herself at me and hugged me. I felt so emotional that I feared I should not be able to hold back my tears. She always had this effect on me.
It was almost as though she knew of this special relationship between us. She put her hand into mine as we went into the house.
My mother greeted them warmly, my father less so. He was always slightly hostile towards Harriet. I saw the corners of her mouth turn up with amusement. She resented him as one of the few men who had refused to be overwhelmed by her charm.
“This is a happy day,” said Harriet. “We were all so anxious.”
“We don’t speak of it,” my mother told her. “It is over now and best forgotten.”
“You are back home, Carleton,” added Harriet, “and here you must stay.”
Benjie told my father how far he could shoot his arrows now and he wondered whether we should be practising archery on the lawns. He was sure he could beat Carl. Carl immediately challenged him and they went off chattering.
“Are you going to have Carlotta in your room this time, Priscilla?” Harriet asked me. “She likes that, don’t you, Carlotta?”
Carlotta looked at me and nodded.
“It would be a help,” said my mother. “That small bed could easily be put up.”
“I’ve already had it done,” I assured her.
Carlotta ran over to me and gripped my skirt. She smiled at me as though there were secrets between us. I felt overwhelmed by happiness. How I loved this child!
My father said: “I should have thought she was old enough to sleep in the nursery. I am sure Sally thinks so, too.”
Carlotta scowled at him and said: “I don’t like you.”
My father guffawed. “What shall I do about that?” he asked. “Go out and jump in the sea?”
“Yes,” cried Carlotta excitedly. “Yes, yes. You go and jump in the sea. Then you’ll be drownded.”
Harriet burst out laughing and my mother said, “Now that is no way to talk to your Uncle Carleton.”
“It’s my way to talk,” retorted Carlotta defiantly. She put out her tongue at my father.
I feared he would order her to be whipped, but I saw that he was trying hard to control his laughter. Even he, who had no great love for children, and especially female ones, could not but be charmed by my daughter. “That child is spoiled,” said my mother. “She should be restrained.”
“She’s all right,” replied Harriet. “She says what she means. She has not yet learned to dissemble.”
I was terrified that my mother might suggest some punishment. I would not allow that. I picked up Carlotta, who put her arms about my neck. “What’s restrained?” she whispered.
I said: “I’ll tell you later.”
“You won’t let that man and her, will you … ?”
“No,” I whispered.
She laughed and nuzzled close to me.
Harriet watched us, looking as near sentimental as Harriet could look.
“Come on,” I said, “we’ll go to our room.”
I set Carlotta down and she put her hand in mine, looking triumphantly over her shoulder at my parents.
How happy I was to have her with me! She jumped up and down on my bed and she said: “I’ll sleep here, won’t I?” And I knew it would be as it had been on other occasions. She would be put to bed by Sally Nullens and when I came up she would be awake. She would watch me undress and when I was in bed creep in with me. I would tell her a story and she would be asleep halfway through it and I would lie there and hold her in my arms and my love for her would overwhelm me.
Of course, Sally Nullens, as my father suggested, said it wasn’t right. There was room in the nursery and the child should sleep there where she could keep an eye on her. But I soon subdued Sally. She remembered that I was the one who had recommended her to Harriet, and so did Emily Philpots. They soon accepted the situation and raised no more objections.
It was during that visit that Carlotta showed the extent of her powers to fascinate. She shared a certain characteristic with me, which I suppose was not surprising since she was my daughter, inasmuch as because my father was unimpressed by her charms she must feel an urge to impress him.
I saw her often watching him; and if she had a chance, when she thought he was not looking, she would put out her tongue at him. I warned her not to do this, for I was afraid that if she were caught some punishment would be considered necessary. I wanted to protect her from that. I knew that Sally was too good a nurse not to inflict punishment now and then and Carlotta accepted the occasional slap. I had seen Sally turn her across her knee and apply a light cane, which made Carlotta roar with anger, but I noticed that Sally was very soon afterwards given a good-night kiss without rancour, so I presumed she took punishment from Sally without its impairing their relationship.
My father was of a different calibre. I was terrified to think that he might want to punish Carlotta for her insolence.
Carlotta was fearless.
We were in the garden where she was running about with her shuttlecock. My father was sitting on a wooden seat by the pond; he had shouted to her once not to make so much noise.
She stood looking at him and then went on batting her shuttlecock in silence.
He appeared to be asleep and I saw her creep up to him. She stood watching him for a moment. I was about to call her away but hesitated. She was breaking no rules by looking at him. She crept closer. I saw her hand on his knee. Then to my amazement she scrambled up and put her arms round his neck—not in a gesture of affection, but to steady herself. She waited a few seconds, looking into his face as though examining every detail. Then I heard her shout: “You’re a nasty old man!” And then she attempted to jump down.
I saw him catch her in his arms. I did not know what I expected but I heard him say: “What was that? What was that, eh?”
She was silent, looking into his face so closely that I was sure he could not see hers very clearly.
“You’re a bold child,” he said, “when you think the old ogre can’t see you. You thought he was asleep and you could tell him what you think of him. It’s different now, eh?”
“It’s not different!” she shouted.
“Then say it again.”
“You’re a nasty old man!” she shouted.
“So you’re not afraid of me, then?”
She hesitated.
“You are!” he cried triumphantly. “You’re afraid I’m going to whip you. Till the blood runs, eh? That’s what you think. And you still say it.”