The Cavendon Women (28 page)

Diedre merely nodded.

Lady Gwendolyn said, “You must tell him as soon as possible. We need to know how to proceed.”

“Yes, I know. I want the baby, Aunt Gwen, I really do. I thought it would never happen.”

“If you are pregnant, I think you ought to marry as soon as possible, Diedre.” Lady Gwendolyn stood up. Walking across the parlor, she added, “Excuse me for a moment.”

After going to the kitchen and asking Mrs. Fontaine to bring in the tea tray, Lady Gwendolyn went into her bedroom and took a flat green jewelry box off the dressing table.

She had just returned to the parlor and seated herself next to Diedre when Mrs. Fontaine arrived with the tea tray. She placed this on the table near the sofas and hurried out.

Lady Gwendolyn handed the box to Diedre, a smile lingering in her eyes. “I picked this out for you long ago, since you are the eldest of Charles's daughters. It is one of my most treasured possessions, and it's my gift to you, my dear.”

Diedre's eyes were wide with surprise and pleasure. She lifted the lid and gasped. Placed on the black velvet was a brooch in the shape of a long, curling feather made entirely of diamonds. “It's gorgeous. Thank you so much, Great-Aunt Gwendolyn. How generous of you.”

“It was always intended for you, and I'm so glad you like it. Now it seems most appropriate for you, since a man also called Paul gave it to me … my late husband.”

“How lovely to know that, and it's exquisite.” Diedre held the brooch, admiring it.

“Paul actually designed it and had it made. You see, he wasn't titled, though his family were landed gentry. He used to say he wasn't good enough for me, which made me laugh. To me, he was the most wonderful man, a true gentleman. I would tease him, and say he was the feather in my cap. And just before our marriage he handed me that diamond feather. To wear in my cap, he said.”

“You know I'll treasure it, and pass it on if I have a daughter. Or a daughter-in-law one day.”

“Getting back to your Paul. Tell him tomorrow if you are pregnant.”

“I will. But what if he doesn't want to marry me?”

“He will. I saw how smitten he was with you at the supper party.”

“I realize I'm in love with him,” Diedre finally admitted.

Her great-aunt said, “If he proposes, get married here in London. And as soon as possible.”

Diedre nodded her head. “I will.” She took a long swallow of the tea her great-aunt had poured, and ate another cucumber sandwich. She was suddenly starving.

Lady Gwendolyn drank some tea, and poured herself another cup. She then said in a low, quiet voice, “I had a bit of bad news today, Diedre. Mark Stanton came to see me. Apparently Lavinia is quite ill. She has a tumor on her lung. Cancer.”

“Oh no! How terrible. Poor Lavinia.” Diedre scowled. “You know, I thought she didn't look very well at Papa's wedding. And to be honest, I've often wondered if she was ill that day, because she was so mean. And yet she isn't normally like that, she's usually so nice, and friendly to us all.”

“Mark Stanton wants to marry her, but she won't agree. She says she doesn't want to be a burden. He's apparently been in love with her for years.”

“Is she having treatment? Can she be cured?”

“I don't know, nor does he. But he thinks she has a few years left, with the right medicines. So I am praying for her.”

“Oh God, so will I. Pray, I mean. Poor Lavinia, and she's not that old.”

Lady Gwendolyn had detected a certain compassion and sympathy in Diedre, and she rushed in: “I want her back in the inner circle of the family again. It's been a difficult time for her. She cannot be punished any longer, Diedre, not when she is ill, probably even dying. Do you agree with me?”

“I do. How can I help you?”

“By standing by me, if push comes to shove in the family.”

“I am by your side,” Diedre avowed.

“I shall rely on you. Now to another matter, Diedre. I had a visitor a short while ago, Inspector Pinkerton, whom you know, since he's married to Dorothy, another Swann.”

“I do know him, yes, and he looked into the rumor. Which he discovered was a whisper. You told me all that.”

“He found out something else. He was in Bath last Sunday, visiting his cousin, and by coincidence the name of Johanna Ellsworth came up. She is a member of the same painting group as his cousin. Seemingly, Johanna had a half brother who died in action in the Great War. His name was Ralph Palmer and he was married to a friend of yours and of Maxine's. Laura Upton Palmer. Apparently they separated before he joined the army.”

Diedre held herself perfectly still and simply nodded. “Yes, the three of us
were
friends, in the same circle. Laura died, and then later Maxine passed away, as you know.”

“According to Inspector Pinkerton, Johanna adored her brother; they were extremely close. He is certain
she
is the one who invented the rumor about you being pushed out of the War Office. His theory is that she hated you for various reasons.”

Diedre was unable to say a word. She sat staring at Lady Gwendolyn, trembling all over. Her heart was palpitating, and she was floundering.

“The inspector reminded me of his earlier conclusion, which was that there was never much of a rumor. I related this to you, Diedre. Earlier this afternoon he confided that this whole matter was a downright lie, created to harm you, or scare you. He says the matter is closed. So
we
must now push it away from us, and get on with our lives.”

When Diedre remained silent, continued to sit immobile, staring at her great-aunt, Lady Gwendolyn added, “If Paul proposes to you then you will be giving in your letter of resignation to the War Office imminently, and getting married.
Finis,
as the French say. If you don't get him to the altar, you can still work at the War Office. After a leave of absence.”

Diedre was at a loss, did not know how to respond. She was staring into the distance, wondering how much her great-aunt knew about her past. And what if Paul found out about her love affair with Laura? This thought troubled her. How would he react?

As if reading her mind, Lady Gwendolyn said, “I'm not a person who judges anyone, Diedre, and you certainly know that. We are alike in so many ways. Live and let live, that has always been my philosophy of life.”

Lady Gwendolyn sighed and shook her head. “I just wish you had trusted me enough to share your grief with me, when Laura died, so that I could have comforted you. You see, I do care about you, Diedre, and what happens to you. You are part of my family. I love you.”

Diedre was sitting bolt upright, a look of profound shock on her face. She opened her mouth and no words came out. Leaning back against the cushions, she closed her eyes. Very slowly, tears leaked out from under her lids, and trickled down her cheeks.

Lady Gwendolyn rose, left her alone, and went into her bedroom. She returned a moment later with a handkerchief. Sitting down on the sofa next to Diedre, she pressed the handkerchief into her hands.

“Look at me, Diedre,” she finally said. “Please look at me.”

Eventually Diedre turned her head, faced Lady Gwendolyn, and answered her. “I was afraid to tell you about my friendship with Laura. To tell anyone. Not even Maxine really knew. No one did. We were discreet.”

Diedre paused, bit her lip. “Ralph knew, and now I realize Johanna did. But I had no idea she existed. Laura never mentioned her husband's family. It had been a difficult marriage … Ralph abused her, and his family were hostile. That's all I knew about the Palmers.”

“Oh, my dear, how terrible. For her, and for you. But now it doesn't matter, not any of it. However, I'm still very sad that you had to live with your grief alone, without comfort.”

“I did. And I worked very hard, threw myself into my work. There was never anyone else in my life. Then I was suddenly lucky, this past July, when I got to know Paul better, and became involved with him. Finally my pain gradually went away.” Diedre paused, then added, “I've begun to realize how important he is to me.”

“I know that. He loves you, too. Take my word for it. I've been around. The old story no longer exists, that's my attitude. It has vanished into thin air.”

“But what about Howard? He knows the full story about Laura, doesn't he?” Diedre sounded concerned.

“He's more than likely forgotten it already … that silly rumor about the War Office, and also your relationship with Laura Upton. He's working on a murder case. I know that's not the answer you want, but you should know that this is how his mind works. He's a brilliant detective. The new case has taken over.”

Diedre nodded and wiped her eyes. “I understand, Great-Aunt. And I suppose it was all just a piddling thing to him.”

“It was, Diedre.”

“The past is gone,” Diedre murmured softly.

“It has indeed. It's lost in the mists of time. And you must never forget one thing.” Lady Gwendolyn stared into her eyes. “Howard Pinkerton is married to a Swann. And that's tantamount to being a Swann. He will protect you always, Diedre.
You are safe
.”

 

Thirty-six

“It's funny, isn't it, the odd things that make us love people?” Paul Drummond said, taking hold of Diedre's hand resting on top of the table.

She stared back at him, raising a brow. “What do you mean?”

He did not answer at once, studying her contemplatively, wondering where to begin. The two of them were seated in the restaurant of the Ritz Hotel, at a corner table overlooking Green Park.

Diedre sat waiting patiently, glad he had invited her to lunch. Yesterday she had discovered she was pregnant. He had called her at eight this morning, insisting she meet him. Naturally she had agreed, because she planned to give him her news. She had a mountain of work at the War Office, but she knew she could catch up later. And now, here she was. Her heart was in her mouth, knowing what she must tell him. She hoped he would be pleased.

Finally he spoke. “You're a beautiful woman, but that's not the only reason I love you. It's also because of your quirkiness, your bluntness, the way you tell it the way it is, and yet without giving offense. I love your mouth, and how you purse it when you're thinking. And I particularly love your brain and the brilliant way it works. It's gratifying to be in love with an intelligent woman and to be loved by her. I want—”

“Oh, Paul, what lovely, flattering things to say,” she cut in, startled by his words. “And I love you too. And also for many reasons. You're right about that.”

He reached into his pocket and took out a small box. “So will you wear this? Become engaged to me? Be my wife?”

Diedre had not been expecting his proposal at this moment, and she was speechless, gaping at him, truly taken aback. But also filling with happiness. Her baby was safe. Her heart lifted with happiness.
Her baby was safe.
Thank God. Her heart lifted with relief and a rush of pleasure.

Paul looked at her intently.

She noticed the flicker of worry in his eyes, and exclaimed, “Yes, I will, I will! Of course, I will!”

A happy smile spread across his face, and he stood up, went around the table, kissed her on the check. He then opened the box, took out a diamond ring, and slid it onto the third finger of her left hand. A second later he was in his chair again, gazing across the table at her, his eyes brimming with love.

Diedre stared down at her hand, and blinked when she saw the size of the diamond ring. “Oh, Paul, it's beautiful! I love it.” There was laughter in her eyes when she asked, “Whenever did you find the time to go and select a ring? You're so busy working with Hugo.”

“Actually, I went looking for it the first week we knew each other, in the biblical sense, that is,” he answered. “I've had it for weeks.”

“You already knew you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me?” Surprise echoed in her voice, was reflected on her face.

“Yes, Diedre, I did. I thought we were meant to be together. Didn't you feel that?”

“I did have strong feelings, but I wasn't sure you felt the same way. Despite our fantastic attraction to each other.”

He began to laugh. Sitting up a little straighter in the chair, he went on, “So we are engaged. And we will be married, but there are some things I must talk to you about. First, let's order lunch. Get that out of the way,” he finished briskly, his manner changing slightly.

After beckoning for the waiter, he ordered a bottle of Dom P
é
rignon and asked for the menus. Once the waiter had sped off, Paul said, “Last night I told you my mother was not up to par, and that I would be going back to New York sooner than I thought. What I didn't mention was that I also have to work out a business problem there. Thankfully, Hugo and I are on the same page, but it may take some time.”

“Are you telling me you'll not be coming back to London as soon as you expected?” she asked quietly.

“Yes, and that's why I want you to come with me. Will you?”

“Of course, I will, but—” She broke off for a moment and then plunged in. “I have something to tell you, Paul. I'm having your baby. I'm pregnant.”

“Oh my God! How wonderful, Diedre! Why didn't you tell me before?” A mixture of surprise, joy, and gratification mingled together to create sudden euphoria in him.

“I just found out yesterday. I think we should get married as soon as possible, don't you?”

“Of course we must. I'm thrilled I'm going to be a father. Actually, that's the understatement of the year. I'm over the moon.”

They toasted each other, clinking glasses, and he saw the happiness on her face. Paul relaxed, glad that he had finally proposed today. “Let's order lunch, shall we?” he said.