Page 96 of The Gathering Storm (Morland Dynasty #36)

Kit was very amusing about a dinner he and Emma had been summoned to in Prince’s Gate, the home of the American ambassador.

‘I couldn’t think why they wanted us, since we’re not really in diplomatic circles, but it was soon obvious that we were there to be pumped about Wally Simpson – was she really so elegant and witty?

Was she really worth giving up the throne for? ’

‘You’re wrong,’ Emma said. ‘The real reason we were there was so that Mrs Kennedy could boast about their having spent a weekend at Windsor Castle.’

‘Nonsense – she could have boasted about that to anybody.’

‘She probably has. It was our turn, that’s all,’ Emma said imperturbably.

‘What did she say about the King and Queen?’ Oliver asked, amused.

‘She was very gracious about the Queen – said what lovely skin she had,’ said Kit. ‘In my experience, when a woman praises another woman’s skin, she means that woman has nothing else going for her.’

‘Oh, no! Too cruel!’ Violet said. ‘I’m sure she didn’t mean that.’

‘Well, she’s thin as a rail, and Her Majesty is nicely plump,’ Kit said, ‘and I heard her murmur something about having had nine children while the Queen’s only had two, so I drew a conclusion.’

‘There was mention of a return match,’ Emma said. ‘Their Majesties to dine at Prince’s Gate. Mrs K said she was sure they had to go to so many banquets they’d be sick of them, and would be longing for a simple meal. So she’s planning to give them “good, plain American food”, as she put it.’

‘Shad roe, baked ham and strawberry shortcake,’ Kit said with glee. ‘Just like Bryanston Court! You remember, darling, the first time Wally served hot dogs and cold beer to the Pragga Wagga, as he then was?’

‘Oh, those Bryanston Court suppers!’ Emma sighed. ‘She said the same thing, that he’d appreciate good plain food—’

‘—while the fact was he’d have eaten a chewing-gum sandwich if she’d been on the other side of it,’ Kit concluded for her.

‘Dear me, how long ago it all seems now,’ he added, with a sigh.

‘Long ago and far away, and they are so forgotten, it’s hard to believe they were real, not just a fairy story. ’

‘Hmm,’ said Oliver. ‘I’ve heard that Ambassador Kennedy has said he thinks David would have made an excellent king, and it was a pity more wasn’t done to keep him, because he knew how to get on with Hitler.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard that, too,’ said Kit. ‘He thinks Britain ought to be bypassed and an understanding reached between the United States and Germany. He thinks Hitler has the answers to world problems.’

Avis intervened, seeing Richard’s wife looking very small and vulnerable. ‘Violet had a letter recently from Jessie,’ he said, firmly changing the subject, ‘with some very good news.’

Violet took the cue. ‘Yes, it seems that Polly is getting married. The wedding is set for March, and the person she’s marrying is dear Lennie Manning.’

‘Tremendous news!’ Oliver said. ‘I’m so glad Polly’s found someone at last. She’s been a widow for far too long.’

‘Yes, and Lennie Manning!’ Kit said. ‘Not only a very nice person, which is good for her, but he’s a real movie tycoon, which will be good for us.’

‘How so?’ Oliver asked, amused.

‘Why, because Morland Place will be filled with movie stars and directors and we’ll naturally be invited for Saturday-to-Mondays to meet them.’

‘We will?’

‘Of course. We’re Polly’s oldest friends and practically relatives. I’m still a little hurt that she didn’t invite us down when they had that film being shot there, and she’ll be anxious to make it up to us.’

‘When will that film be coming out?’ Violet asked. ‘I’d like to see it.’

‘You never go to the cinema,’ Richard objected.

‘I know, dear, but to see a place I know so well actually on the screen.’ She sighed. ‘We could have gone down there ourselves if only Shawes hadn’t had to be sold.’

Avis looked at her tenderly. ‘We could buy it back. I’ve heard they can’t find a tenant for it, and it’s getting a bit dilapidated.’

Kit clapped his hands. ‘Oh, do! Do buy it back, and make it a home from home for all us movie fans! Then we won’t need to depend on Cousin Polly’s generosity – about which, frankly, I know too little to be confident.’

‘ Cousin Polly?’ Emma queried.

‘I’m sure there’s a connection somewhere in the family tree,’ he said serenely.

‘You’re hopeless!’ Emma said, laughing.

On the 27th, Avis, Oliver, Kit and Richard took the guns out, and took Oliver’s son John with them – he was fourteen, and it was his first inclusion in the grown-up sport.

The loaders who went with them carried sandwiches and Thermos flasks of soup for everyone in haversacks, and they lunched in the woods, and stayed out until the declining sun took the meagre warmth out of the day.

They walked back with their breath clouding on the icy air, the sky dusky pink behind the black lacework of the bare trees, the tired dogs trotting beside them through grass already beginning to stiffen with frost.

When they came in sight of the house, there was a small black Ford car on the gravel sweep. ‘Hello! More guests?’ Kit said.

‘No,’ said Avis. ‘That’s Dr Ramsay’s car.’ He speeded up, and the others hurried after him.

Violet was in the hall, waiting for them as the butler opened the door, looking tense and worried, Verena and Emma behind her.

Avis reached her and seized her hands. But she looked past him and met Richard’s eyes.

‘It’s Cynthia,’ she said. ‘Her pains started. We got her to bed and sent for Dr Ramsay.’

Richard made to go past her, but she caught his arm. ‘You can’t go up there,’ she said. ‘You’d only be in the way. The doctor’s there, and my nanny, and my maid, who’s seen me through all my childbirths. They’re doing everything possible, Richard, I promise you.’

‘It’s too soon,’ Richard said. ‘I have to see her.’

Avis slung an arm round his shoulder. ‘Violet’s right. There’s nothing you can do. It’s women’s work. Come by the fire and I’ll get you a whisky. You look as though you need it.’

‘I’ll go up and see if there’s any news,’ Emma said quietly.

The waiting was a nightmare, and seemed to go on for a very long time, but the clock had only just struck six when the doctor came down, looking weary. He scanned the room, and picked out Richard. ‘You’re the father?’ he guessed.

Richard stood, but couldn’t speak. He noticed the doctor’s dishevelled hair, and his beard starting to come through from the morning’s shave; he noticed a fleck of blood on his cheek.

‘This is Mr Howard,’ Avis supplied.

‘I see. Well, I’m sorry. I wish I had better news for you. The baby never lived – it was born dead. Your wife lost a lot of blood, but we’ve stopped the bleeding now and she should be all right, with rest and good food.’

Richard stared, reaching for understanding. ‘She’s been working quite hard, recently, instead of resting—’

The doctor smiled kindly. ‘People always ask that in these situations – was it something I did? It very rarely is. Pregnancies are very resilient: women in undeveloped countries labour in the fields up to the last moment and give birth without trouble. Sometimes babies die, and the truth is we don’t know why.

These things happen – no comfort to you, I know, but it’s part of the natural process, very sad but not something to brood about.

The likelihood is that she’ll have no difficulties the next time. ’

Richard cleared his throat. ‘Our doctor told her there was some – abnormality. Inside. He didn’t think she could conceive.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know about that.

Well, I recommend you seek his opinion. I can only say, for the moment, I think she is out of danger, but she should be kept quiet, and should not attempt to get out of bed for several days.

’ He looked at Violet. ‘I’ll come and visit her tomorrow, my lady, if that’s all right. ’

‘Of course.’

‘The nurse and your maid are very competent. I have no anxiety about leaving her with them, but if you want to call in a professional nurse … I don’t believe it’s necessary, but sometimes, for reassurance—’

‘Can I see her?’ Richard broke in. ‘I must see her.’

‘In a few minutes more. I’ll just see she’s comfortable, and then I’ll send the maid to fetch you. But please don’t upset her. Be calm and reassuring – that’s what she needs now.’

She looked very pale, as pale as the sheets. He took her cold hands and kissed them, and she looked up with tear-filled eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I’m so sorry.’

He sat on the edge of the bed. ‘There’s nothing to apologise for.’

‘I lost your baby. I’m so sorry.’

‘It wasn’t anything that you did or I did.

The doctor said these things just happen, more often than you’d think, and that it’s not anyone’s fault.

Oh, darling!’ He freed a hand and wiped the tears from her cheek with a tender thumb.

‘Don’t cry. It’s sad, but we’ll have another.

The doctor said there’s no reason to think that next time—’

‘There won’t be a next time,’ she said, suppressed sobs breaking her voice. ‘There shouldn’t have been a this time. Dr Saloman said there was something wrong with me—’

‘Well, it shows doctors don’t know everything, doesn’t it? There was a this time, and next time it will all go well and you’ll have a lovely baby.’

She shook her head drearily. ‘I’m no use to you. You should never have married me. I’m a Jew and everyone hates us, and I can’t even give you children. You should—’

‘No more of that. I won’t hear it. You are my wife and I couldn’t want a better one.

Whatever happens to us, we’ll face it together.

When you’re well again we’ll go and see another doctor, get another opinion.

And if it turns out that we can’t have children – so be it.

I still wouldn’t change you for anyone else in the world.

Now rest, darling. Close your eyes. I’ll stay with you. Everything will be all right.’

Still clinging to his hands, she fell into an exhausted sleep.

He watched her, her shallow breathing, the shadow of her lashes on her pale cheek.

His guilt was huge and hot, like a stone in his chest. What have I done to you?

Her present suffering was directly caused by him.

He should never have married her – he had brought her only grief.

But if she had been unmarried when her father died, who would have cared for her and Hannah?

And, as uneasy as the world was now, he feared it was only going to get worse.

He must protect her. He had promised Samuel.

More than that, he had promised himself.