‘They do, and that’s why they’re essential for the exhibition. Several other women who are noted for their elegance – Best Dressed List ladies – are loaning similar designer clothes to Paula, and they’ve all accepted her invitation to come to the cocktail party at the store the night she opens the exhibition to the public.’
Emily now crossed to the dressing table, picked up a typed sheet, made a notation, slipped the sheet into its folder and said, ‘Thanks for keeping me company, Sandy, while I checked everything off. Well, let’s go downstairs, that’s all I have time to do tonight. I promised to help Paula organize the rest of the clothes this weekend, since she’s snowed under at the moment.’
‘Where is she, by the way?’ Alexander asked, following Emily out of the guest room on to the second floor landing. ‘Don’t tell me she’s still at the store.’
‘Oh no, she’s here,’ Emily said over her shoulder, tripping down the staircase. ‘After we’d unpacked the clothes and hung them up to be checked for any minor repairs, she went to change her dress. She’s probably popped into the old nursery.’
Alexander pushed open the drawing room door for Emily, stepped inside after her. ‘Are the babies here too?’ he asked, surprised.
‘Yes, and Nora. Paula brought them to town with her on Monday afternoon. Oh look, Sandy, good old Parker’s put out a bottle of white wine for us. Shall we have a glass now?’ She rushed over to the console.
‘Why not? Thanks, Emily.’ He took a chair near the fireplace, crossed his long legs and lit a cigarette, studying his sister as she poured the wine. Although she was of average height he generally thought of her as being small, perhaps because she was so delicately made, so daintily proportioned. He nodded to himself. Emily had turned into a very pretty young woman in the last few years. How mean he and his male cousins had been to little Emily when they were children, teasing her about her enormous appetite and her totally spherical body, calling her Apple Dumpling. She was no longer anything like a dumpling – tonight she resembled a pert china doll in the flattering pink wool dress. Some china doll, he added under his breath, ruminating on her tremendous physical and mental energy, wondering, as he so often did, where it came from. Their grandmother. Certainly it was not something she had inherited from their parents. Their mother was an indolent, bored, spoiled socialite without a serious thought in her head. Their father was a has-been who had never really made it in the first place, forever the failure. Poor Dad, he thought, he’s without doubt the nicest, kindest chap I know. Alexander reminded himself to ring his father tomorrow to make a date for lunch or dinner. They didn’t really see enough of each other these days.
‘Gosh, Sandy, I didn’t notice your lovely tan when we were upstairs,’ Emily remarked, bringing him the glass of wine, scrutinizing him closely. She flopped on to the chair opposite. ‘You really look super. You should sit in the sun more often.’
‘What, and let Harte Enterprises go to rack and ruin? Not on your life.’ He raised his glass. ‘Santé.’
‘Cheers,’ said Emily, and after taking a sip, she asked, ‘Where’s old Mag?’
‘She went to Scotland this morning to look at a shooting lodge that’s going up for sale. The owner wants the real estate firm she works for to handle it, so Maggie’s about to be given the grand tour. If she likes it, it’ll go on their books. God knows who’ll buy it, though. Who on earth wants a shooting lodge in this day and age I ask you?’
‘A rich American,’ Emily suggested. ‘Have you set a date for your wedding?’
‘June…possibly.’
‘That’s not fair!’ Emily wailed, her eyes flashing. ‘You know Winston and I are getting married in June. You’d better make sure Maggie checks with me before you set a firm date.’
‘We could have a double wedding,’ he said, and burst out laughing at her expression. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘If you don’t know then I’m not going to tell you,’ she retorted huffily. ‘On the other hand, perhaps I should.’
‘Forget that I said it. Anyway, I wasn’t really serious.’
‘Yes, you were, and I shall tell you,’ Emily announced. ‘There are three good reasons. One…every bride wants to be the centre of attraction on her special day and she certainly can’t be if there’s another bride loitering around. Two…Gran would have a fit because she’d consider it icky, bad form. Three…we can’t disappoint our grandmother who’s looking forward to giving two big superduper extra special weddings with all the trimmings next summer.’
‘You’ve convinced me, Emily – a double wedding is out of the question,’ he replied in a teasing voice. He sobered almost at once, drew on his cigarette, quickly stubbed it out, his gestures unexpectedly nervous.
Emily, forever the acute observer, exclaimed, ‘Is something the matter?’
‘Paula might have managed to nip one scandal in the bud – over in Ireland – but I’m afraid we have another one about to explode. It’s –’
‘Scandal,’ Paula repeated quietly, entering the room. She closed the door behind her and stood staring at Alexander and Emily with a worried expression.
‘Paula,’ Alexander said, rising and going to greet her affectionately. ‘Let me get you a glass of wine, and then we’ll have a little pow-pow before we go to the White Elephant.’
Paula sat down on the sofa and her gaze followed him across the room. With a scowl she asked him, ‘What kind of scandal, Sandy?’
He brought her the drink, returned to the chair. ‘It’s Mother again – I’m sorry to have to tell you both.’ His concerned eyes swung from Paula to Emily. ‘She rang me this morning from Paris sounding quite hysterical. Apparently Gianni Ravioli –’
‘Don’t be mean,’ Emily remonstrated. ‘How many times do I have to tell you his name’s Ravello and Gianni’s very sweet.’
‘– Has started divorce proceedings,’ Alexander continued in a stronger tone, after throwing a chastising frown in Emily’s direction, ‘and she’s on the verge of nervous collapse, or so she says –’
‘What the hell does she expect,’ Emily broke in again. ‘She’s the one who did a bolt with the detestable Frog.’
‘If you keep interrupting me, we’re never going to get to dinner,’ Alexander pointed out, sternly wagging a finger at his sister. ‘In any event, our Mother’s distressed because of Gianni’s intractability. You see, even though she’s given him the evidence, he refuses to name Marc Deboyne.’
‘Why?’ Emily asked, her curiosity piqued.
Paula said, ‘Who is he naming? Obviously that’s at the root of your mother’s upset.’
Alexander gave her a sharp look. ‘Smart girl, that’s it exactly.’ There was a slight pause before he went on with the utmost quiet, ‘It seems he’s going to cite a number of…Ministers of the Crown as the co-respondents. Darling Mummy must’ve gone through the Cabinet like a dose of salts.’
‘You’ve got to be joking,’ Paula cried, staring at him in astonishment and alarm.
‘I wish I were,’ Alexander said, his gloominess mounting as he thought of the consequences of his mother’s adultery, the embarrassment to the family, particularly his grandmother. She would be mortified.
Emily was all agog. Her eyes widened and she shrieked, ‘Uncle Robin’s cronies I’ll wager!’ Groaning theatrically she rolled her eyes at the ceiling. ‘I can just see the banner headline in the Daily Mirror – Italian count cites entire British Government in society divorce. Or what about this one in the News of the World – Socialite lays all her eggs in Government basket. The papers are going to have a field day with this one!’ She leered at them wickedly.
Paula’s mouth twitched involuntarily and she could not help laughing despite her annoyance with her aunt and the seriousness of the situation. ‘Stop it, Emily, you’re impossible.’ Paula attempted to swallow her rising laughter, which she knew partially sprang from her nervousness tonight.
Alexander, who was not amused, glared at both women. ‘It’s no
t funny, you know…’ He broke off, shaking his head, suddenly at a loss for words. He had been seething ever since his mother had telephoned him that morning. Like Emma, he was constantly maddened by her outrageous behaviour, and being conservative her morals were offensive to him.
In a rush, Emily said, ‘I’d love to know who Mummy’s lovers were.’ A speculative gleam flashed across her face and she wrinkled her nose. ‘No, I can’t picture the beauteous Elizabeth in bed with Fat Dabs.’
‘Fat Dabs?’ Paula echoed in perplexity.
‘Really, Emily!’ Alexander exploded.
Quite undaunted by Alexander’s reprimand, and adopting an exaggerated Yorkshire accent, Emily informed Paula, ‘Aye, Fat Dabs. That’s wot t’lads at Genret call our ‘Arold from ‘Uddersfield.’ Another thought instantly occurred to Emily, and, reverting to her normal cultivated tone, she pointed out, ‘Robin’s going to have apoplexy. Let’s not forget that our charming uncle, Member of Parliament for South-East Leeds, is also one of Harold Wilson’s Cabinet Ministers. He’s expecting to be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, you know, if Labour gets in again at the next election. Gosh, Sandy, you’re right, there’s going to be a huge scandal…shades of Profumo, do you think? We’ll never be able to nip this one in the bud.’
‘I’m not going to worry myself about Uncle Robin’s precious political career,’ Alexander retorted with acerbity. ‘Oh no, not at all. Besides, he’s such an opportunist he’ll find a way to get mileage out of this, if I’m not mistaken. Anyway, it’s probably all his fault. You put your finger on it, Emily, I’m sure Mother met the gentlemen in question through him. She was constantly dashing over to his fancy parties in Eaton Square.’ He shot Paula a worried glance. ‘Once the divorce papers are filed with the law courts the press will be on to it in no time, and Emily’s not too far off the mark about those banner headlines.’
Paula sat reflecting, said at last, ‘How much? To buy him off?’
‘Not sure,’ Alexander said.
Emily cried, ‘Oh I don’t think he wants anything.’
Paula pinned her cousin with her cool knowing gaze. ‘I’m surprised at your naïveté, Emily. We’ve been raised by a woman who has continually told us that everyone has a price, and that it’s only ever a question of how much. Of course he wants money – then he’ll do the gentlemanly thing and name Marc Deboyne.’
Emily protested with fierceness, ‘I know him better than either of you and I don’t think he’s like that.’
‘Gran is also fond of saying that the price isn’t necessarily money,’ Alexander was quick to remind them. ‘And now that I think about it, I’m inclined to agree with you, Emily. I honestly don’t believe he wants lots of cash. But he does want something. Revenge. I’m certain he still loves our mother – although God knows why in view of her treatment of him – and he’s badly hurt. So…he has the need to strike back, hurt her in return and the only way he knows is to embarrass her publicly.’
‘Maybe,’ Paula admitted, seeing the sense in Alexander’s theory. ‘Apparently he has all the evidence he needs?’ This came out sounding like a question.
‘Oh yes,’ Alexander told her, ‘Mother was quite clear that he has the goods on her. He’s not making idle threats.’
‘Are you sure she didn’t tell you who the ministers were?’ Emily probed with her usual inquisitiveness.
Alexander looked at her pityingly. ‘Come on, she may be a foolish, misguided woman, but deep down she’s quite crafty. Of course she didn’t volunteer any names.’
Paula said, ‘Did your mother tell you what she wanted you to do, Sandy?’
‘Yes, she wants me to go and see Gianni, to persuade him to name Marc Deboyne in the suit. She seems to believe I can influence him, but she’s up a bloody gum tree there. I don’t know him that well, and anyway, it’s Emily he likes the most.’
‘Oh no,’ Emily shrieked, ‘not me!’
Alexander and Paula exchanged conspiratorial looks, and Paula said, ‘You might be the best person to deal with him, darling.’
Emily moaned, fell back in the chair. She found the idea of talking to Gianni about her mother’s infidelity quite repugnant. On the other hand, she liked the man, and Alexander might be tactless with him. She said firmly, as she straightened up, ‘I simply refuse to offer Gianni money, and that’s flat!’
‘What will your approach be?’ Alexander asked, filling with profound relief that she’d apparently agreed to take on this unpleasant task.
‘I shall –’ Emily thought hard and her face brightened. She said, ‘Why I shall appeal to his better nature, explain that he will be hurting Amanda and Francesca more than Mummy, and he’s very fond of the girls. He wouldn’t want them to suffer.’
Paula said with a degree of hesitation, ‘Very well…Handle it that way – however, you’d better have something up your sleeve, just in case his better nature fails him.’
‘You do sound cynical at times,’ Emily declared, pursing her lips reprovingly. ‘I will not insult that poor betrayed man by offering him money.’
Paying no attention to Emily’s irate manner Paula shrugged, said, ‘You could always offer him a job – if he’s adamant, if he insists on naming half the damned Government.’
‘A job? Where? Who with?’
‘With Harte’s, Emily. I’ve been looking for someone to run Trade Winds, the new antique accessory shop I’m planning to open in the near future. Since Gianni’s an expert in that area perhaps he’d prefer working for the family rather than that antique importing company where he’s currently employed. We’d be killing several birds with one stone in a sense – ensuring he’s on our side, if not your mother’s especially, and he wouldn’t really be under our feet since he’d have to do a lot of travelling. Also, I might get myself a good man for Trade Winds. And he’ll certainly earn more at Harte’s.’
‘What a marvellous solution!’ Alexander exclaimed, immediately cheering up, relaxing in his chair.
Emily bit her lip. ‘I shall only mention the job at Harte’s if he’s difficult,’ she warned, convinced that Gianni was not an opportunist. She added quickly, ‘I know he won’t be, that he’ll do the right thing. I just do.’
‘We’ll see,’ Paula murmured.
Alexander stood up, strode across the room. ‘Now that we’ve dealt with Mother’s love life there’s another matter I must discuss.’ He paused at the door. ‘Won’t be a minute…I left my briefcase in the hall when I arrived.’
In his absence, Emily leaned towards Paula, confided, ‘Gianni really is a lovely person, you just don’t know him very well.’
‘I’m sure he is, under normal circumstances. But it’s wiser to be prepared for the worst.’
Emily said nothing, and a moment later Alexander returned, sat down, took a folder out of his briefcase. He handed it to Paula.
‘What’s this?’ she asked, taking it from him.
‘A report from Mr Graves of Graves and Sanderson. But there’s no need to read it now.’
‘Is it about Jonathan?’ Paula ventured, turning the folder over, fingering it, her breath catching in her throat with apprehension.
‘No. The report concerns Sebastian Cross.’
‘Oh.’ Paula put one hand to her mouth, remembering that day in the board room at Aire, wondering why she had a sudden sense of foreboding.
Alexander explained, ‘I think it’ll be quicker if I give you the information in a few short sentences. The report is rather long, tedious in parts, which is why I suggest you peruse it at your leisure.’
‘Hurry up then, tell us, Sandy,’ Emily ordered. ‘We ought to be leaving for dinner in a few minutes. I’m starved.’
‘Mr Graves has been digging for months, trying to find something on Sebastian, as you’re both aware,’ Alexander commenced. ‘His inquiries were business-oriented at first, since he was following Grandy’s instructions. When he came up empty-handed yet again, he decided to investigate Sebastian’s private life. After a number of false leads,
interviews with different people in London, he went up to Yorkshire. And he stumbled on some information that’s not very pleasant, I don’t mind telling you. Knowing that a lot of the chaps from Aire Communications congregate at Polly’s Bar in Leeds he started hanging around there. One lunch time he struck up a conversation with a young chap who’d once worked at Aire. Graves and the fellow eventually became very chummy, got to meeting for drinks regularly over a three-week period. One night Tommy Charwood – that’s the fellow’s name – told Graves that Sebastian was a nasty piece of work, said he’d like to get him in a dark alley one night and give him the thrashing of his life.’ Alexander stopped to light a cigarette, then continued, ‘When Graves asked the reason, Tommy Charwood told him that he’d been courting a girl who had also worked at Aire, and that Sebastian had taken her away from him. Now, it seems that the girl, Alice Peele –’
‘I’ve met Alice –’ Paula interjected quickly, her face quickening with interest. ‘She’s in public relations, and she once came to see me about a job at Harte’s.’
‘What’s she like?’ Alexander asked curiously.
‘Talented in her field, rather pleasant. I remember her quite distinctly because she was well turned out and very striking. Tall, dark, with an unusually pretty face.’
Alexander cleared his throat, pinned his grave eyes on Paula. ‘I’m not too sure how pretty she is these days. According to Tommy Charwood, Sebastian Cross beat her up a number of times. And so badly the last time, Alice Peele had to see a plastic surgeon. Charwood told Graves that she would have been disfigured for life without the prompt emergency treatment she received at Leeds General Infirmary. You see, Cross beat her with such a vengeance her jaw was broken, also one cheekbone, and her face was a bloody pulp.’
‘Oh my God!’ Paula cried. ‘How appalling, what a horrible thing to happen.’
Emily had also blanched. Shuddering, she looked across at Paula, then whispered, ‘Your instincts were right about Sebastian Cross.’ Emily swallowed, turned to her brother. ‘Didn’t the girl bring charges? Go to the police? Prosecute?’