She was a tall woman of imposing presence and one was immediately impressed by her vitality. I gathered that the Earl had been some thirty years older than she was and that he had died five years after their marriage—leaving her little but her title. Her auburn hair seemed a little brighter than nature had intended it to be; her sparkling eyes were a deep shade of green; and although she was employed by the Sallongers to launch Julia into society, she implied that it was a great favour she was be stowing upon them.
Miss Logan said that the Countess was dubious about con-cerning herself with a family engaged in Trade; but no doubt she needed the money; and as Sir Francis was a rich man there had been no doubt in Miss Logan’s mind that the Countess would take on Julia. Miss Logan assumed a new importance. She had been lady’s maid to a Duchess at one time and she talked about Her Grace as though she were some sort of goddess. I used to hear her discussions with Miss Everton and I listened whenever I could without being detected.
The Countess had several sessions with Lady Sallonger, Sometimes we were there—Julia, Cassie and I. I noticed the Countess’s big green eyes surveying us speculatively. At first she was inclined to bully Lady Sallonger but she soon realized that she had a worthy adversary there. Lady Sallonger had enjoyed a long period delegating responsibility to others and now she gently slid that onto the Countess’s shoulders. They talked of balls … the lists of guests … the clothes. Julia would have to learn to walk more gracefully: her curtsy needed attention. The Countess would have to be sure that she was going to make a success of Julia’s entry into society before she would undertake her debut.
“I have had success with all my girls,” she announced.
Lady Sallonger smiled and said how fortunate she was to have her health. If only she herself were stronger. She even had the Countess bringing a cushion for her back, and picking up her fan which she had a habit of dropping at certain moments.
I was quite amazed and excited by it all.
I said to Cassie: ‘ ‘In two or three years it will be your turn.”
Cassie shuddered.
“I suppose it won’t happen to me,” I went on. “I shall have to find a husband for myself if I want one.”
“You’re lucky,” said Cassie.
“It’s a long time yet for you, and you will have learned all about it from Julia when your turn comes,” I told her soothingly.
There was a great deal of activity in the workroom. Julia was often there for fittings.
” Mightn’t the things you make be out of fashion by next year?’ ‘ I asked Grand’mere.
”I do not give such great thought to fashion,” replied Grand ‘mere. “I take what suits. Mia needs frills and ribbons … and that is best for her. I shall make for Julia … not for fashion. If only it were you … what a dress I would make!” “It won’t ever be me. I’m only Lenore remember, not Miss.” Then I wished I hadn’t said that because she looked sad and vaguely frightened, so that I felt I wanted to comfort her. I put my arm about her and held her close to me. “It would be wonderful if…” she began. “lf what?” I asked.
But she would not go on. I knew her well and I guessed that she was worrying because I was not to have a season, and she was wondering how I was going to find a rich and handsome husband.
It was that summer when Drake Aldringham came to The Silk House. From the moment he came he seemed to change everything. We had heard that Charles was bringing a friend home for part of the vacation. Philip arrived first. He knew of Drake.
” It’s a great feather in Charles’s hat that he got Drake to come,” he said. ‘Why? ” we all wanted to know.
“Why?” cried Philip almost indignantly. “This is Drake Aldringham.”
“What is so special about him?” asked Julia excitedly, for since this talk of her coming out she was becoming very interested in young men which I supposed was natural as soon she would be on show to try to lure one of them into marrying her.
“In the first place he’s an Aldringham,” said Philip.
“What’s that?” asked Julia.
“Do you mean to say you have never heard of Admiral Aldringham? That’s Drake’s father.”
“Is he very grand?” I asked.
“Well… not more than he can help.”
That seemed noncommittal. It was difficult to get more out of Philip.
The visit was discussed at tea that afternoon. I poured out tea and Philip carried his mother’s cup to her. “Thank you, dear,” she said. “A little more milk … and I will have a piece of bread and butter. And have they sent honey? Is it clear or thick?” It was thick. “Oh dear, send for the clear … and put the rug round me, will you Lenore. I know the sun is shining outside but it is chilly in here.”
When the clear honey had been brought and toyed with and I had replenished her cup Lady Sallonger mentioned the coming visit.
“When did you think Charles and he will be here, Philip?” she asked.
“I don’t know, Mama. They were going walking in the Lake District. There are several of them but I think very soon Charles will be home with his guest.”
“I look forward to meeting him. I am sure he is most excellent. The Admiral’s son … Isn’t there an Aldringham in the government?”
“Oh yes, Mama, that’s Sir James, Drake’s uncle. They are a very notable family.”
“Drake! What an extraordinary name!”
“It sounds like a duck,” I said irreverently.
“It might be other things besides. What about the great Sir Francis Drake? As a matter of fact that is who he is named after.”
“Fancy being named after a great hero of the past. It would make you feel you had to live up to all that glory.”
“One thing,” said Philip, “you would not be expected to defeat the Spanish Armada. There’s another meaning. Drakon. It is an old English word. Draca; and the Latin, of course, is Draco. Dragon.”
“How learned you are.”
“I looked it up.”
”Because of your Drake?”
“I thought it was interesting.”
“I wonder what he will be like,” said Julia.
“A great sea captain … or a dragon?” I suggested.
Cassie said: “He’s probably very mild and meek … not a bit like Sir Francis Drake or a dragon. It often happens that people are not like what their names suggest.”
“You’ll be surprised,” said Philip. ” Lenore, do bring me one of those jam tarts,” said Lady Sallonger.
I obeyed.
“Oh … it’s raspberry. I do like black currant. I wonder if they have any black currant.”
This was the usual practice so I rang and Grace appeared. Soon she returned with black currant tarts.
I smiled as Lady Sallonger took one which I was sure she would only nibble. If it had been black currant in the first place she would have wanted raspberry. But I expected they were accustomed to her vagaries in the kitchen.
I was almost certain that we should be disappointed when Drake Aldringham appeared. Then I began to wonder whether he would come at all. Charles had not said when he was arriving and as the days passed we gave up expecting him.
Charles came back alone. There was real dismay. We had heard so much about Drake Aldringham that we were patiently awaiting him. Charles said Drake had had to go to spend a few days with an elderly aunt and was coming to The Silk House as soon as he could get away.