The Castle Page 8

  Tears filled her eyes.

  “Dear Charles sorted out all the mess John’s affairs were in and he made sure my dowry was safe, so I had an income. And he invited me to live with him. Charles is a wonderful brother and such a love.”

  Susan looked steadily at Valeria.

  “I hope you can appreciate all his qualities. I am afraid our father sneered at him so much as a small boy he learned never to push himself forward. He is – I think, the word is ‘self-effacing’.”

  She gathered up all the cards.

  “But I must not embarrass you. Charles would be so cross if he heard me talk like this. Come, I am sure you must play the piano beautifully.”

  The remainder of the afternoon was spent in music.

  That evening at dinner Susan commented,

  “Do you know, Valeria, that you are the first girl I have ever heard Charles say he admired?”

  “I am rather surprised. Whenever we have met, I have shown myself in a very poor light.”

  Then she had to tell Susan the whole story.

  She was amused but also impressed.

  “I think you were incredibly brave,” she said after Valeria tried to make light of her role in the rescue of little Marie from the lake.

  “And I had no idea that dear Charles could be so enterprising. No wonder he is so taken with you.”

  Valeria blushed.

  As Susan rattled on about the girls who had thrown their caps at her brother without him noticing them, Valeria could not but feel that, by reacting as she had to Sir Peter, she had been somewhat unfaithful to Lord Waterford –

  Which was ridiculous because she had not agreed to marry Lord Waterford and she did not intend to.

  She was here to help restore his castle. She could not, however, deny that her initial dislike of his Lordship was dissolving into a feeling of friendship.

  Perhaps if she had not met Sir Peter Cousins –

  But indeed she had met Sir Peter and he raised such powerful emotions inside her that she was certain nothing could make her settle for a relationship based on no more than friendship.

  Valeria looked at the cold stone walls around them and shivered.

  “It’s become very cold, hasn’t it?” remarked Susan, “even with that fire. Let’s go to what Charles laughingly calls the drawing room for coffee. I hope that the fire in there is doing more good than this one.”

  Valeria fell heavily into bed that night in a state of confusion.

  There were the many conflicting feelings for Lord Waterford and Sir Peter Cousins.

  In addition there were the demands that restoring The Castle were about to place on her.

  If she had had any idea what a big project it was, she would have hesitated to accept Lord Waterford’s offer.

  *

  It was wet again the next day.

  Driving curtains of rain covered the landscape forcing Valeria to give up any thought of riding.

  As morning coffee was served, there was the sound of loud knocking at the heavy front door.

  “A visitor! Who can that be? James, go and see at once,” Susan called out to the footman.

  “At last, some entertainment,” she added excitedly as he left the room.

  James returned carrying a card on a silver salver.

  “Sir Peter Cousins presents his compliments.”

  Valeria was thrilled.

  Susan looked at the card with a shocked face.

  “Sir Peter Cousins?” she murmured faintly.

  Then through the door came the sound of shouting.

  Valeria and Susan both rose and went to see what was happening.

  Descending the spiral stone staircase, Valeria heard Lord Waterford’s raised voice,

  “How dare you call on me!”

  “I say, old chap,” came Sir Peter’s voice. “No need to come the heavy. I only wanted to say ‘hello’. Staying in the neighbourhood, don’t you know?”

  There was a pause and then the sound of a scuffle.

  Valeria and Susan arrived just in time to see Lord Waterford manhandle Sir Peter out of the front door, then throw his hat and gloves after him.

  Through the open door, they saw Sir Peter recover his balance and raise a warning hand.

  “This will definitely not be the last you hear of me, Waterford. I will have my revenge, you – you – ”

  Words failed him and he strode away through the rain to his carriage, climbed up furiously and then drove at speed out of the courtyard.

  “Charles,” exclaimed Susan, “what have you done? And why are you back so soon?”

  Lord Waterford shrugged himself out of his soaking coat and threw it on a chair.

  “Thought you had the coast clear then, did you?” he snapped at her. “Thought it was safe to invite that bounder to call? I’m surprised at you, Susan.”

  Susan burst into tears and ran back up the stairs.

  This was a side of Lord Waterford Valeria had not seen and it disturbed her, but she could not remain silent.

  “My Lord, it was I who suggested to Sir Peter he call. I met him when I was out riding yesterday.”

  He swung round, startled.

  “You, Miss Montford? You know Cousins?”

  She flinched at his tone.

  “I met Sir Peter in France. He was at the ball where Marie fell into the lake.”

  He bit his lip.

  “I have forgotten – I avoided the man, I could not cause a scene in a foreign country where I was a guest.”

  He looked at her for a long moment.

  “I have no right to comment on your acquaintances – or friends. I hope, however, that you number Sir Peter Cousins among the former rather than the latter. He is a dangerous man.”

  A thrill ran through Valeria, as she grew angry.

  “Since Sir Peter is not present to speak for himself, can you let me know what it is you have against him?” she asserted, her back straight and her eyes challenging.

  “No,” he snapped. “I am not at liberty to tell you.”

  “I see. Well, my Lord, with the greatest respect, I have to point out that my friendships are my own business. I am here to advise you on the restoration of your castle, not in any other capacity.”

  She watched his expression darken and prepared herself to be told to pack her bags.

  Instead, very quietly, he just suggested,

  “I would ask that you do not bring up the matter of Sir Peter’s visit today with Susan.”

  Valeria remembered how startled Susan had been when Sir Peter’s name was first announced.

  She took a deep breath and gazed steadily at him – realising that she did not want to leave The Castle. Not like this anyway.

  “You are most protective of your sister,” she said, trying to banish her anger.

  He brushed down the wet sleeves of his jacket.

  “She is very dear to me. Now what ideas do you have to transform this ancient heap of stones? I finished my business in London as quickly as I could so that I could hurry back to hear your views.”

  His tone was unexpectedly grudging.

  He had not, Valeria recognised, forgotten about Sir Peter Cousins’s visit, nor forgiven her for inviting a man he hated to call at his home.

  For a fleeting moment, she wondered what he had against Sir Peter.

  Then she told herself she had to forget about him. At any rate until she had completed her mission.

  Could she coax Lord Waterford into forgetting that she counted Sir Peter as a friend?

  “I would be delighted if we could walk through The Castle together so that I can tell you my ideas,” she said. “Would you mind if I went and collected my notebook?”

  “A notebook? My dear Miss Montford, you have obviously put a great deal of thought into this project.”

  For a moment she felt he was being patronising.

  Then Lord Waterford continued,

  “You fetch your notebook and I will change out of my travelling clothes. I want to hea
r all your ideas.”

  He seemed to have recovered from his anger.

  Maybe, thought Valeria, he would forget all about Sir Peter. She was rather surprised to discover how much she hoped he would – and also that the hope had nothing to do with her career.

  It was not long before they met again in the hall.

  “I have to tell you, Miss Montford, that I met my architect in London and he was much impressed with your grasp of the situation here.”

  “Was he?” Valeria was delighted. “I admired how professional he was in assessing the structural problems.”

  “Shall we sit,” Lord Waterford waved a hand at the long dining table in the middle of the hall.

  Seated opposite Lord Waterford, Valeria began,

  “My Lord, when I asked you how you saw life at The Castle, you told me you desired a family home.”

  She blushed slightly as she said this and saw him run a finger round his stiff collar.

  “But it was also clear you needed somewhere you could entertain as befits your station. You did not rule out, either, opening up The Castle to the public to enable them to appreciate your ancestral heritage.”

  Lord Waterford nodded slowly.

  “You have grasped the essentials very well.”

  His appreciative tone warmed Valeria.

  She felt she was being treated as someone whose opinion mattered. Never before had any man, not even her beloved father, behaved as if she had views worth listening to. It was a heady experience.

  “The Castle is a most marvellous structure – ”

  “In need of a great deal of restoration.”

  “If I understood your architect, there is nothing that need involve major work nor take too long.”

  “So I understand, which is a great relief. But, Miss Montford, how would you make this cold and stern interior a pleasant place in which to live?”

  “The central heating your architect recommends would achieve a reasonable heat without everyone having to huddle around blazing fires. However, fires offer more than just heat, they are a lively focus of any room.”

  “Go on, Miss Montford,” urged Lord Waterford, as she paused for a moment. His eyes gazed steadily at hers.

  The intensity in his eyes raised an unaccustomed fluttering sensation in Valeria’s breast.

  She took a deep breath, looked down at her notes for a moment, then continued,

  “I think what is needed inside is an abundant use of fabric offering differing colours to introduce warmth. For instance in this hall. Tapestries would immediately create a sense of warmth and bring the place to life.

  “Tapestries! Wonderful idea!”

  “While this hall would be splendid for large parties, there is a salon nearer to the kitchen which would be more suitable for dining with smaller numbers.”

  “I think I know the one you mean.”

  “In the reception salons, I suggest wood panelling and that the walls are hung with colourful paintings that are full of grace and beauty.”

  “Not portraits of dour ancestors, you mean?”

  Valeria nodded.

  “Light carpets and bright Turkish rugs should cover the stone floors. Furniture should be deeply comfortable and upholstered in rich fabrics in cheerful shades.

  “Then I suggest lots of large cushions, maybe some covered in fur and displays of attractive porcelain.”

  “Such as you have in your own home?”

  “They bring colour and lightness and a strong sense of beauty, do you not think?

  “Now for the bedrooms. I think that they should all have their walls plastered and painted in pretty and warm colours that co-ordinate with the fabrics of the curtains and bed coverings. Also, I think it would be wonderful if you could find some four-poster beds for the best rooms.”

  He laughed, rose and started to pace the stone floor.

  “My dear Miss Montford, you have given me much to think about. And you have managed to create for me a completely different vision of this ruin I live in.”

  He glanced up at the hammer-beamed roof.

  “I am glad, though, that you have not suggested I install a ceiling in here, which I have to say was my sister’s earlier thought.”

  “A ceiling!” Valeria was horrified. “No, indeed. My suggestion is that The Castle should retain as many as possible of the original features that give it its character. It would be splendid, for example, if you might consider a tourney at The Castle, with everyone in medieval dress.”

  “Jousting, archery and all that?” he sounded caught by the idea. “Miss Montford, I knew that I could rely on you for an original vision and you have not let me down.”

  Valeria glowed with satisfaction.

  Then she realised that he was not meeting her gaze.

  His words were complimentary, but his manner had changed. Instead of the warmth she had become used to, it was as if a door had closed in his mind, shutting her out.

  It must be because of Sir Peter Cousins.

  She felt as if she had stepped under a cold shower.

  Then she tried to feel angry again.

  After all Lord Waterford had no right to object to her friendship with Sir Peter.

  “Charles, are you really going to spend the whole day discussing dreary building details with Valeria?” asked Susan entering the hall.

  She looked sulky.

  “I really hate it at your stupid castle – everything is so depressing. There is no Society and nothing to do. Why can’t we go to London?”

  Lord Waterford drew his sister to him with an arm around her shoulders.

  “We shall. I have asked for Waterford House, our London residence, to be opened and ready for us in a couple of weeks or so. You should send out invitations for a ball.”

  Susan looked stunned.

  “A ball, Charles?”

  “Have you not realised it is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this summer? All of London will be celebrating and so shall we.”

  The news should have been thrilling. There would be balls and receptions and delightful entertainments.

  Valeria thought of the fun of whirling around the dance floor with a succession of handsome partners.

  But was she going to be in the Waterford party?

  “Miss Montford,” he said, his expression calm and studiously neutral. “I hope you will join us? Maybe you can find the time to find suppliers for the fabrics and other items needed for The Castle?”

  Afterwards Valeria would wonder what made her smile and accept the invitation with pleasure.

  After all Lord Waterford had made it seem as if the only reason he wanted her in London was so that she could continue her job of designing The Castle décor.

  She could not sort out her feelings.

  Part of her was excited at the thought of being able to join in the festivities.

  Part of her, however, immediately thought that in London she might meet Sir Peter Cousins again.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The time until the departure of the Waterford party for London sped by.

  Valeria and Lord Waterford discussed in detail her ideas for The Castle, architectural plans were approved and work was set in progress.

  Lord Waterford was obsequiously polite to Valeria.

  He even accompanied her on her morning rides. It was as if he wanted to ensure that Sir Peter did not make contact with her.

  Gradually she found herself enjoying his company.

  There were times when he seemed to retreat within himself, as if he remembered her friendship with Sir Peter and still could not forgive it.

  On one morning ride, they passed the house she had noticed on her first outing from The Castle.

  “What plans have you for this place, my Lord?” she asked, pointing at the house, half hidden behind its hedge.

  He paused, as though trying to think of a suitable answer and then replied in a throwaway tone,

  “Nothing in particular. Without doubt I will find it useful for something.”
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  Valeria was immediately sure that he was trying to conceal his real intentions.

  He obviously knew what he was going to do with the house. Why was he so secretive? Why could he not be as open with her as he had been when she first came here?

  “I thought at one time that Susan might like to live there,” he added after a moment. “But she says it’s far too big and too expensive to maintain. In any event she prefers life in London. As you are learning, she needs company.”

  “I like Susan very much,” she commented, turning away from the hidden house. “It must have been a terrible shock for her to be widowed at such a young age.”

  Lord Waterford nodded.

  “She is still finding it rather difficult to rebuild her life and that is why I am so concerned about her.”

  He dug his heels into his mount and cantered on, leaving Valeria to follow.

  Later on that day, he looked up from an architect’s drawing straight at Valeria.

  “Miss Montford, are you quite happy to accompany us to London for the Jubilee celebrations? You would not prefer to be at your home with your father? I don’t want you to feel under any pressure. I recall how it was settled that you should come to The Castle. This trip to London was not part of the arrangement.”

  Valeria was startled and immediately felt uneasy.

  Had he regretted asking her to accompany him and Susan to London? Was he tiring of her company?

  She swallowed hard.

  “I thought that staying in London would mean that I could source fabrics and accessories for The Castle.”

  “Of course,” Lord Waterford agreed instantly.

  “I would, though, like to spend a few days at home with Papa before going to London. Apart from anything else, I need to arrange for a suitable wardrobe. It seems as if the whole of London Society mean to hold soirées, balls, dinners, luncheons and whatever else. I may have to bring more than one trunk with me.”

  “As many as you like, but you needn’t worry about your wardrobe, as you are always so beautifully dressed.”

  She was pleased and stunned at his compliment.