And that was true. She was scheming, she was selfish, but she was generous. Her great charm was her vitality, her ability to extricate herself from any awkward situations with little cost to herself, and most of all, perhaps, an interest and excitement in life. She lived it fully and with zest, and those about her were caught up in that. No one could be near Harriet and be dull; and this made everyone want to be near her.
Neither of her sons was legitimate. Leigh had been born to her before she was married.
His father had been my mother’s husband, and it said a great deal for Harriet’s charm that my mother, who had been desperately in love with her first husband, now bore no grudge against Harriet. Finding Leigh an impossible encumbrance Harriet had abandoned him when he was a few months old and left him in my mother’s care. Years later she married into the Eversleigh family -an uncle of my father’s much older than herself.
Then she had given birth to Benjie, but it turned out he was not the son of her husband but of Gregory Stevens, who was tutoring at the house at that time. Then when her husband died and Gregory came into his title and fortune, she married him, and Benjie’s name was changed from Eversleigh to Stevens, and Harriet emerged as the adored wife and mother.
I was afraid to look at the young man beside her. I said: “Harriet, you look as beautiful as ever.”
“Bless you, dear child. I want you to meet my dear friend, John Frisby. John this is my … well, it’s a complicated relationship and I should need pen and paper to work it out. But I love her dearly all the same and I want you to get to know each other.”
The beautiful blue eyes were mocking as Jocelyn took my hand and kissed it. We smiled at each other and I thought jubilantly: Nothing has changed. It is just as it was.
He loves me still.
And I felt wildly happy.
Christabel was coming down the Starrs. I saw Harriet appraising her.
I said: “Oh, here is Mistress Connalt. Christabel, this is Lady Stevens.”
Harriet was charming and I saw Christabel flush with pleasure at her reception.
“Welcome, my dear,” said Harriet. “I do like to have young people in the house. Priscilla has told me so much about you. Now come and meet John. He’s longing to know you.”
Harriet whispered to me: “Well done. You play well. We have to be careful. Servants peek and pry, you know.”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “Thank you, Harriet. Oh, thank you.”
She pressed my arm.
“Now, how have you been looked after? Has Mercer given you what you need? I thought you would like Mistress Connalt close by.”
“It was kind of you to ask me,” said Christabel rather stiffly.
“Nonsense. I am delighted. Has Mercer unpacked for you? You must be hungry.”
“Not really,” I replied. “We had a pie and cider at the Stag’s Head.”
“Did you, indeed? Even so we will eat early. John, do go to the kitchens and tell them to put whatever they are cooking forward. We shall eat at six of the clock.”
He bowed. His eyes were on me, warm and dancing with excitement.
“Come, my dears,” said Harriet, “I want to make sure you are comfortable.”
She led the way to my room and ushered us in. She shut the door and leaned against it. Her mood had changed; her eyes flashed with excitement.
“Now … we can talk. We have to be so careful. Servants are everywhere. They have their uses, but in a situation like this they can present difficulties.” She turned to Christabel. “My dear, I am so glad you came. I know of your part in all this ... you and those dear boys, Leigh and Edwin. I am sure Leigh was the leading spirit.
He was born to be a leader that one. Now to work. My dear Gregory has been such a help. Who would have believed that he would ever be involved in such a matter!” Again to Christabel. “My husband is the mildest of men. He likes to lead a simple and uncomplicated life. But I am afraid I drag him into the most dramatic situations. Darling Gregory!
He is so good about it. But you are longing for news of our friend John.”
“Oh, yes, please,” I said fervently.
“And I chatter!” She leaned against the door, her hands pressed against it, looking like a queen of intrigue-which she was, of course. How she loved to play a part!
“Now listen to me carefully, my dears. They are looking for John. You must never refer to him as anything but John Frisby in this house … never … never! Gregory has his ears to the ground. He was in London recently. This odious Gates is frightened now that he sees his rule coming to an end, but he is determined to let no victims escape him. He and his friends are furious that our friend got away. Gates harbours some special grudge against the Frintons. He got the father and is determined to wipe out the family -and that means first of all the son. Our John Frisby is in acute danger.”
