Page 58 of Beyond Her Manner

“She has kindly bestowed me that favour.” She glanced at Viola with a knowing look; Viola returned it with a playful glint in her eyes.

“Doesn’t that make her your boss?” Caroline sniggered.

“Oh, yes. It kind of does, Gillian,” Bridget put in with a mischievous grin.

Gillian coughed on her wine, just managing to speak as she recovered. “It’s purely voluntary. I can withdraw services at any time.”

“I’ll do well to remember that,” Viola shot back with a wink that made Gillian cough again.

“When do we get to hear you sing again, Viola? Any performances planned?” Bridget asked.

Gillian noticed Viola’s face fell flat at the question. She remained silent, and Caroline answered for her.

“She is singing at the Proms in September.”

“Oh, exciting! I’ll be sure to watch.”

Viola mustered a smile for Bridget, though Gillian could see it wasn’t genuine. She caught Viola’s eye and gave her a soft smile, receiving one back.

Bridget yawned and covered her mouth quickly. “Sorry. I’m afraid I’d better head off,” she said, draining her glass and standing. “I need to prepare some signs before I go to bed to redirect people from the village hall. There won’t be time in the morning.”

Viola leaned forward to place her glass on the table, the movement inadvertently offering Gillian a glimpse down the neckline of her dress. The curve of her cleavage was impossible to ignore. Gillian’s eyes darted away as soon as she realised she was staring.

“I’ll see you out, Bridget,” Viola said, her dress sweeping around her, showing off her attractive shape as she passed Gillian.

Gillian watched as they left the room, a flush creeping up her neck.

“It must be strange for you to be here, with someone else as hostess?” Caroline said as soon as they were alone.

“I bear it the best I can,” Gillian admitted. Her voice was tinged with wistful resignation as she glanced around the room, taking in the familiar yet altered surroundings. “I spent years making this house a home. Every corner, every detail was a part of me. Seeing it now, it’s like looking at a stranger wearing my clothes. Not that Viola hasn’t done a good job,” she conceded.

Caroline gave her a sympathetic smile. “Viola has a distinctive style, that’s for sure.”

It left Gillian feeling like a relic of the past, an echo in a building she once ruled.

“She seems quite taken with you… as a friend,” Caroline continued. Her tone was neutral, yet her eyes were probing.

Gillian looked away, unsettled by where the conversation was going. It felt rather like Caroline was marking her territory. “Does she?”

Caroline nodded, her gaze still fixed. “She speaks fondly of your time together. It’s good she has you… to guide her, especially with the ball.”

“Mmm. I’m always happy to help afriendwhere I can,” Gillian replied, her voice carefully controlled as she looked back at her.

Caroline opened her mouth to speak again, just as Viola appeared in the doorway.

“I’d best head off too,” Gillian said quickly.

Having had more to drink than she intended and spending the entire evening battling waves of jealousy over the manor and Viola, she was beginning to grow weary of maintaining a cheerful front.

“Of course,” Viola replied.

Gillian directed a nod in Caroline’s direction as she joined Viola by the door. “It was nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I do hope we meet again.”

“Caroline seems nice,” Gillian said as she and Viola walked back through the great hall. “She’s obviously good for you. I’m happy for you both.”

“Happy for us?” Viola chuckled. “You make us sound like a couple.”