Angelique (35 page)

I ask him. “Where have all these people come from Cecil?”

He replies with a sigh. “I must apologise I couldn’t stop them my Lord. One of the staff happened to mention at the village shop the aeroplane was landing this morning and this happened.” He looks distraught.

I laugh and reassure him. “Don’t worry, Cecil if I had known they were so interested I would have invited them myself I hope they enjoy the show. Thank you for arranging things I do appreciate what you have done. You must have worked hard since yesterday.”

My words appear to console him, with a pleased expression on his face he begins to fuss over the comfort of the Ladies. We have barely settled down when the drone of an aero engine is heard over the excited chatter of the crowd. Without a signal the chatter ceases people crane their necks to get a first glimpse of the approaching spectacle.

The plane appears overhead accompanied by a gasp from the crowd this is quickly followed by a spontaneous cheer. I feel myself caught up in the excitement along with the Ladies we join the crowd of spectators in a three cheers salute. The plane circles the field. As instructed the attendants toss green leaves onto the fires resulting in a goodly pillar of smoke rising up to the heavens. One more circle we can actually see the pilot and his passenger waving as they pass overhead. It zooms to the end of the field and for a moment disappears behind a stand of trees on the neighbours land. A groan of disappointment erupts from the assembled spectators. Within seconds it reappears, cheers greet it yet again. The plane is heading straight towards us. It is dropping lower and lower as it approaches directly over the fire located at the far end of the field. Some of the crowd become uneasy as the spectacle gets closer they begin heading nervously towards the field gate. I realise this is most probable the first encounter many of them have had with an aeroplane. Thinking back it is also my first experience of seeing a plane land close by. My only encounter with them until now has been under different conditions when every approaching plane was viewed with suspicion. This was until we verified its nationality,

On those occasions they were greeted with either a whoop of joy or a mad scramble to take cover. I have a horrible flash back of the day on a road in France when our ambulances were machine gunned by an enemy plane and our sergeant was killed. I find I have to mentally drag myself back to reality as the plane is about to touch down. Without a noticeable bump it lands perfectly and taxies towards us stopping about a hundred feet away.

Ignoring Cecil’s pleas to remain behind the straw bales most of the crowd rush to the plane and surround it. The engine is cut, the propeller ceases to rotate and two leather clad helmeted figures descend from the plane. It begins to rain I advise the Ladies to retire to the house.

Before leaving the field Gunter directs Toot and Tom in the refuelling of the Aeroplane.

Ignoring the increasingly heavy rain Marcel begins talking to me.

He enthusiastically describes the flight. I do believe from his attitude Gunter has another conversion to the idea of flying being the transport of the future. I am still sceptical. I wave to Gunter he pushes his way through the questioning crowd and shakes my hand. Marcel is surrounded by estate staff and villagers bombarding him with questions about aeroplanes and flying. He does not understand and cannot possibly answer their queries. Eventually I rescue him. We are making our way towards the house exchanging pleasantries when Gunter informs me “Oh! By the way I have looked into your concern regarding the title. I am afraid you are correct, illegitimate children do not inherit the title. Will that be a problem for you?”

“Not a problem for me I can assure you. In fact it’s a relief. I have never liked the idea. Oh! Thinking on, there is a problem. Not for me. I assume the same applies to my Mother. Although she is not illegitimate she was adopted by Lord Carstairs?” Gunter smiles and suggests.

“I suggest we leave that one alone shall we? I understand your Mother has been accepted as Lady Angelique for years by all and sundry. I believe there is an appropriate English saying to cover her situation.”

“What’s that Gunter?”

“Don’t rock the boat.” We arrive at the house. Cecil meets us at the door and greets Gunter and Marcel on behalf of the household.

Gunter requests a room to change. Within ten minutes they reappear their leather flying gear removed, they are both attired in immaculate lounge suits.

In the dining room I proudly introduce Gunter and Marcel to the family. After breakfast I request the family to remain I wish to make an announcement. Cecil is about to leave when I call him back.

“This concerns you as much as the family Cecil.”

He remains. I decide to be firm and make the announcement with no debate. “Right. What I am about to say might not please all of you but I am adamant on this matter.”

The Ladies stare at me with expectant expressions of their faces. The stuttering I believed I had mastered long ago returns with a vengeance. “I am er, determined er, no there must be no, er, I have decided er, I have had er, advice, er.” Emily coughs impatiently. Denise looks on with a smile. Mother prompts me to continue. “Out with it my Dear, what is the problem?”

My statement comes with a rush. “From now on I will not be known as Lord. I am not entitled to the, er, er, title. So please don’t use it. Cecil I want you to instruct the staff of my decision. Thank you. That will be all.” Cecil bows and says. “Thank you my Lord.”

He leaves the room. Emily glares, Mother smiles, Denise claps, Pamela looks amazed.

Before they have the opportunity to make any comments I invite Gunter and Marcel into the lounge to discuss the plan of action. When we are seated Gunter advises Marcel. “I think this is the right moment to break the news Marcel. Adam will know how to deal with it.”

“Oh! No, not another problem I hope?” Marcel looks most embarrassed when he discloses. “Adam I don’t want you to think I am interfering in your family affairs. I know how much you and your Wife care about your family.” He pauses as if searching for words. My heart misses a beat, is someone ill? Even worse is someone dead?” Marcel continues. “It’s about Yvette and Paul.” There is a slight pause before his next sentence tumbles out.

“They were married at a civic ceremony on the day Denise left France.”

“Phew! Is that all Marcel? I thought you were going to give me some bad news.”

Marcel looks puzzled he enquires. “Are you happy about that, I assumed you?” His voice peters out before completing the sentence. The information registers. “Oh Lord! I realise now why you are so concerned. There were plans for a joint wedding, myself and Denise, Billy and Louise. Father Peter was to be conducting the ceremony. Oh Lor! Denise will go absolutely potty.”

Marcel and Paul have become good friends. He defends the couple’s decision to jump the gun and marry without us.

I mutter. “Just as everything was running smoothly,” Quite wrongly it seems I blame Yvette, “Bloomin Yvette! What is she up to now?” Marcel explains. “Oh no, you have it all wrong. Paul made the decision you know? He did it for all the right reasons Adam. Yvette is beginning to show her pregnancy, tongues were wagging. I’m not explaining this very well am I?”

I reply. “I understand, but will Denise. To actually wait until she had left France to do the deed, she won’t forgive that easily.”

Gunter intercedes on Marcel’s behalf. “Let me explain the full story Adam. Denise told Paul and Yvette she had no intention of coming to England to meet you. I don’t know why, she didn’t enlighten anyone except Louise. Although we know now, don’t we?”

I am sure I blush. An old adage comes to mind.

Your past sins will come to haunt you later on.

My brief affair with Peggy is definitely my past sins haunting me.

Marcel continues. “They made the arrangements for the wedding hoping it would be a nice surprise for Denise. Don’t worry Adam. They still plan to have a church wedding when Father Peter is able to officiate.”

“Thanks for telling me Marcel. Gunter. I know it must have been difficult for you. I think I will keep this titbit from my Wife until we retire tonight. Mum’s the word eh?”

Marcel looks blankly at me when I make the last remarks. Gunter laughs and speaks rapidly in French, Marcel smiles. Gunter explains. “Adam you have mastered the French language remarkably well in such a short period of time, but some of your translations of the English sayings?
Portion de boo, boo
, for titbit?
Mama elle est la parle
?”
I join them in laughter. Cecil enters the room and enquires.

“Do you gentlemen require anything?”

“Ah! I’m glad you are here Cecil Have you informed the staff of my decision?”

“Yes my Lord.” “
Cecil
?“ “Yes my Lord.” “Explain yourself.”

“May I speak freely my Lord?” “Of Course Cecil speak up.”

“Well the estate needs a strong guiding figure at the helm. It always has been and it always will be.” He pauses as he gauges my reaction to his statement before he requests. “If I am permitted to add?” I wave my hand indicating impatiently for him to carry on. “Myself, I would have made you an Earl or something equally as grand. It would be beneficial for you to be superior to Lady Emily. After the General passed away things went to pieces under Lady Emily guardianship. It is essential that the staff look up to you. They need to be shall I say, in awe of you. A title makes this possible and despite your reservations the authority to command is in your blood. This is how the system works Adam er My Lord. I can assure you.” Gunter is smiling as he follows Cecil’s logic. Marcel unable to speak English hasn’t a clue what’s going on. I haven’t got a clue of how to respond to Cecil’s reasoning immediately. It appears I might have to do a rethink of my rejection of the title. I do the next best thing and change the subject. “Cecil I have introduced Marcel formally but I will now explain why he is here.

Marcel is the architect from France we spoke about. He is rebuilding a house for me.

I would like you to give him a guided tour of the estate.

In particular I want him to see the Generals innovations. I planned to introduce him to Joe myself, but I have a great deal of business to conduct with Mr Cogan. They are returning to France first thing tomorrow. However there is a problem, Marcel does not speak English.”

Cecil responds with good news. “But I do communicate in French my Lord.”

“Cecil you are a gem, you are without doubt a man of many talents. Would you take Marcel now please? And Cecil! I shall consider your advice regarding the title.”

Cecil has a rapid word in French with Marcel they leave together. Gunter opens his brief case and lays papers on the table. “Right Adam we shall work our way through this lot. I need you to countersign these contracts and agreements. You should read them all carefully before you sign.”

“Did you negotiate these Gunter?”

“Yes of course with the input of Harry, Alec and Captain Hawkins.”

“That’s good enough for me Gunter, let’s get on with it. There is no need for me to read them. To be honest, I wouldn’t have a clue anyway.”

“Thank you for your trust Adam.” Gunter lays the first papers down.

“Item one.
The airstrip.
OSCADA has purchased the land the airstrip occupies also the former ammunition depot as well as the railway spur line from the Ministry. Sign here alongside my signature.

This is the contract for the new ships. Sign here above Captain Hawkins signature.

The lease on the dock warehouse.
Sign here.

The construction company
. Sign here please alongside Marcel’s signature.

The acquisition of the other transport depot and the business.
Sign here alongside Harry’s signature. Now for the important business as far as you are concerned. Harry and I have untangled your personal finances from the company. OSCADA is sound enough to operate without delving into your inheritance. I have arranged finance for the new projects. Bank Geneva will finance the shipping venture.

Harry has arranged finance for the purchase of the other transport companies through his Fathers bank on very favourable terms.”

“Oh! That’s very interesting. The last time we spoke of his Father Harry had disowned him.”

“It is not so much a reconciliation as an armistice. I personally do not like friction in families.

I am glad they are in contact with each other be it only on business matters at the moment, but I am hoping relations will improve. His Father is a very well respected banker. I have known him and his Wife for many years.” Gunter confesses. “Between you and I Adam I had a little word with them both.”

“At least if they are on talking terms and doing business together it’s a beginning.”

“Yes his Mother is very pleased. Now back to business please. I am now moving onto your personal business. Marcel assures me the rebuilding of your house is on schedule and on budget but you will be requiring some very expensive innovations?”

“Well I will if Marcel thinks it is feasible and most importantly affordable?” He replies.

“Of course we won’t know that until he has examined the projects and costed them. You have spent a great deal lately Adam. The settling of the estates debts took a huge amount of your reserves you know?”

I have a feeling I am being subtly scolded for my extravagances.

“Don’t worry I appreciate your concern Gunter. If I can’t afford them we can live without them. There is an old English saying which goes as follows.”

“What good is wealth if you can’t enjoy spending it?”

He smiles reassuringly and says. There is an old Jewish saying which goes as follows.

“
Fresh cake tastes far better than stale bread.”

It takes a moment before I realise the implications of the saying. Gunter smiles as he assures me. “You are not a pauper by any means Adam. We aim to keep you as such. Even after all your wild expenditure you are still a very wealthy young man with considerable assets as well as cash. Let’s not forget every day that goes by you are accumulating more wealth through the OSCADA activities.”