Eve

  Once I was seated he said, ‘Now, before I hear these revelations of yours – which, I’m sure, will be very small beer compared with those laid bare earlier,’ he laughed cheerfully, before dropping his voice to a more serious level to say, ‘There’s something I must talk to you about. While you’ve been busy downstairs I’ve been doing some thinking. You see, I really am rather concerned about your future well-being. You are very young, very alone in the world and very high-spirited – a somewhat dangerous combination of attributes for a girl on the loose in London.’

  ‘But I—’

  He raised his hand, so I let him continue. ‘And maybe I should add – very headstrong, too. Which perhaps doesn’t make you ideally suited to domestic service – but, the truth of the matter is, domestic service suits you – your situation, I should say.’ He leant forward to tell me earnestly, ‘Eve, it really is the only answer. Look at the state you found yourself in last month – coming out of hospital after a serious illness to find you had nowhere to live and no money to live on. Suppose Mr Parton hadn’t been expecting those notes from you? What would have happened to you then – alone and penniless in London? I can assure you that spending a night in the casual ward of a workhouse is not a pleasant experience – assuming you were fortunate and found yourself close enough to the head of the queue to actually secure a bed-space. And that would have offered only the most temporary of refuges. Besides,’ his voice became even more serious, ‘There are other dangers encountered by a girl out on the streets all night that you were then unaware of – but your ignorance would not have saved you from them, rather the reverse.’ I remembered Dosset Street, and shuddered. ‘So, Eve, we must take steps to ensure that you do not find yourself in that position again. You really will have to bite the bullet, puss cat – and I do think Mrs Hayter and I will be able to find somewhere more congenial to your temperament than Wenlock Court.’

  He didn’t allow me to even get in a ‘but—’ before continuing, ‘My father, who was the wisest of men, always used to say that girls with energy and initiative did especially well in the households of doctors or clergymen. Now, several of his former curates have large and busy parishes in the East End of London, so when I go up to Town on Monday I’ll start by making enquiries from then. In the meantime, you may, of course, stay down here until I come up with something.’ He beamed encouragingly, ‘After all, there’s no doubt about your technical mastery of household skills – you kept my bedroom at Wenlock Court in tip-top condition – and I know you’re an able needlewoman.’ He grinned, ‘Recently ripped rodents rapidly repaired!’ He brayed. ‘And you told me you can cook, too.

  ‘Aye, I can, but-’

  ‘Yes, I know what you’re going to say – that you find the idea of domestic service boring – and no doubt it can be on occasion – but I have a suggestion to make there that might, perhaps, bait the hook for you. Suppose, Eve, I were to become your – er – patron?’

  ‘Patron?’

  ‘Fairy godmother, even.’

  ‘Fairy godmother?’

  ‘Yes, who turns up from time to time to see how you’re getting on, and even takes you to the odd ball – well, East End hop – on your evening off. Or a trip to one of those cinematograph entertainments might be fun – how do you feel about that?’ He smiled, kindly.

  I said, and I meant it – ‘That’s verra, verra, kind of ye, Lord Rothbury, but—’

  Yet again he waved my ‘but’ aside. ‘It would be no trouble to me at all, I assure you, puss cat. And even if it were, a fellow’s always prepared to put himself out occasionally for a girl he knows has a soft spot for him.’ He smiled. ‘Besides, since my sister married and left home I’ve rather missed having a youngster to keep an eye on, sort out the odd problem for – and I feel confident that you’ll provide me with some very odd problems, young Eve!’ He brayed loudly. ‘I know I can rely on you to keep me entertained and on my toes!’

  Then his voice dropped. ‘And my reasons are not wholly unselfish. You know the truth is, I’m really not looking forward to kissing Eve Gunn goodbye on Monday – or I should say, rather,’ his bray was softer now, ‘That although I’ll be more than happy to give Eve Gunn a goodbye kiss, I don’t want to lose sight of her altogether – despite my having to forego all thought of those anticipated – shall we say, carnal – pleasures?’ He waited for my blush. I did not disappoint him. He gave a soft whinney of mingled amusement and regret before continuing, ‘Obviously I know only too well that anything of that nature is quite definitely off-limits now – but I must confess that your sense of fun and whole-hearted enjoyment of life are most refreshing to a palate which has grown somewhat jaded and cynical these past years, so, I think we might allow ourselves some leeway, don’t you? I do rather get the impression that you enjoy my company, Eve – and t can assure you the feeling is quite mutual.’

  I glowed. ‘But,’ he shrugged, ‘Naturally, if – or rather when, I think in your case – you meet a suitable young man I shall fade gracefully from the picture – having, of course, first assured myself that he is suitable – and you may send me a slice of wedding cake when the time comes. So, how about it, then? Shall I see about finding you a suitable billet? You can trust me to play fair with you, Eve.’

  And when he reassured me with those concluding words I felt so guilty. I said gloomily, ‘Beiore ye do that there’s something I should tell ye.’ I put out one tentative testing toe to the water by adding, ‘An’ I dinna think ye’ll be verra pleased about it.’

  ‘I suspect I can guess what it is.’ He could? ‘I suppose you’ve been creeping round my house, visiting those places not strictly available to you.’

  I shook my head. ‘No, I havena done any such thing. Mrs Hayter showed me some of the rooms downstairs, but I’ve no been anywhere else – not when I was your guest.’ I added, full of virtue on this one, ‘It wouldna be right.’

  He smiled approvingly. ‘I’m pleased to hear you say that.’ I opened my mouth to begin working up to my somewhat less virtuous behaviour – only to be interrupted by his saying, ‘I did tell Robert to leave the scones up here – perhaps you could run down to the nursery kitchen for them?’ I ran – literally. All at once I’d had enough of testing the water – I wanted to get the plunge over and done with. So the minute he’d finished buttering his scone I dived straight in. Scots accent ditched I said in my own clear and precise voice, ‘I am afraid, Lord Rothbury, that I have been guilty of misleading you, somewhat.’

  I didn’t even hit the water. Instead he said admiringly, ‘I’m sure that ability of yours to mimic accents will be most valuable in good service. Though,’ he added thoughtfully, ‘I still can’t quite see you as a lady’s maid.’

  No, me neither. As he finished his scone I said, ‘What I wish to tell you, is that my name is not, quite, Eve Gunn.’

  His response to this was mild surprise. ‘It’s not? May I have a top up, Eve – it is “Eve”, I presume?’

  I reached for teapot and strainer while assuring him, ‘Yes – everyone calls me Eve.

  ‘Thank you.’ He picked up his cup. ‘You know, that English accent of yours is most convincing – you sound just like my sister!’ I remembered Apa telling me once about swimming in the Dead Sea – how you couldn’t sink even if you wanted to, you just kept bobbing back up to the surface – I had the very same sensation now. But I ploughed on. ‘And almost everyone at Helspie called me “Gunn”, because I lived at the Gunn Croft and Aunt Ethel’s surname was Gunn – but, as it happens, my own surname is different. I truly am sorry to have misled you on this score, Lord Rothbury.’

  He waved his hand dismissively. ‘Don’t worry, puss cat – that kind of confusion is common enough in small villages – I’m sure you didn’t intend to deceive me.’ I closed my eyes for a moment – and heard him say, ‘Still, it’s as well to put it right now – before I’ve found you a place.’ Then, shaking his head in disbelief, ‘It is quite amazing how well you’ve managed to adapt your accent – even y
our turn of phrase is appropriate. You really are a clever girl!’

  I couldn’t believe it – I’d spent all that time and energy concealing my true identity from him, and yet now, when I was trying to tell him the truth he simply wouldn’t take it in. I looked desperately round the room for inspiration. Peacocks!

  I announced loudly, ‘We used to eat peacocks in India – except in areas where they were held to be sacred, of course.’

  Finally, I’d made an impact. He put his last scone down untasted and said, ‘You ate peacocks? In India?’

  ‘Yes,’ I told him, ‘They’re quite common there.’

  He picked up his scone again, ‘As, of course, is rabies. I was a trifle slow to draw the inference there, wasn’t I?’

  I said, ‘But you didn’t know then that I was born in India.’

  ‘Well, well, you continue to surprise me, Eve Gunn.’ He brayed. ‘But whyever didn’t you tell me before?’ Why not indeed, since he obviously wasn’t the slightest bit bothered by the news. Exclaiming instead, with a neigh of amusement, ‘“Tigers swim!” So you did give me a clue – but I was so convinced you were a Scots wild cat I never guessed you were actually a young tigress!’ He neighed louder than ever before asking, ‘Can you remember India at all?’

  ‘Yes, I remember it very well.’ Oh, so well – India, my lost paradise.

  He was telling me, ‘As it happens I’ll be going out there myself in December – if things had gone according to plan, and we’d found we suited each other, then I was going to make discreet arrangements for you to accompany me.’ What! ‘It is a shame about that, isn’t it? Never mind, we must certainly have a chat about India this weekend – it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, but obviously it was out of the question while my brother and sister were still under my care. But now my sister is there herself, and my brother is planning to travel out in the autumn, after he’s left school. So I’m following in time for Christmas. Is there another cup in that pot, Eve?’

  There was: two in fact. I poured the second for myself and noticing him eyeing up the last piece of fruitcake, reached quickly out to capture it. Tea had gone on for so long I was getting hungry again. And I still hadn’t managed to tell him who I was. But then he asked casually, ‘So where exactly were you born, Eve?’

  I was having no more confusion from now on, so I told him, ‘In Milam, in the patti of Malia Johar, which is in the pargana of Johar in the district of Almora. Almora was in the North West Provinces, then – it’s part of the United Provinces now, of course.’

  ‘Yes,’ spoken with a reflective nod, ‘I’ve heard of Almora – one of the Gurkha battalions is based in the town of that name, I believe.’ He frowned, ‘But I’m sure I’ve never heard of this Milam—’ His frown cleared, ‘Ah yes, there’s a cantonment north of Almora, at Ranikhet – presumably Milam is nearby?’

  I shook my head. ‘No, it isn’t – why did you think it was?’

  ‘I assume your father was in the army when you were born, or why else would he have been in India then? What was his regiment?’

  Automatically I answered, ‘He was in The Royal Engineers.’

  Raising his cup he commented, ‘How curious – I was a sapper myself, once.’

  I said, ‘Yes, I know – Apa was at the Shop, like you.’

  And his cup came down with a crash. ‘Are you telling me your father was an officer?’

  I looked at his face – and knew I’d finally hit the water. Hard. I said quickly, ‘Not by the time I was born – he’d become a pacifist by then, that’s why he sent in his papers.’

  And Lord Rothbury said softly, ‘My God.’ Then, ‘You’re not mimicking my accent, are you? This is the way you were brought up to speak.’

  ‘Yes, obviously. Apa insisted that whichever language I was speaking I had to use the appropriate accent.’

  ‘You call your father Apa. All this time I’ve been assuming that “Apa” was a Gaelic diminutive for father – but it isn’t, is it?’

  I shook my head. ‘No, it’s Magyar. My mother was Hungarian – Apa met her when he was doing his practical forestry on her father’s estate. But my grandmother – Apa’s mother – she came from Scotland. She was a Gunn, and one of my names is Gunn, after her. So I am called Eve Gunn, but it’s only part of my name.’

  I stopped, in relief, because at last I’d got it out, and he wasn’t looking as annoyed as I’d expected. instead he asked me, ‘So what, pray, is the whole of your name?’

  I said, ‘Evelyn Parvati Gunn Courtney.’

  To which he replied, ‘Yes, I rather thought it might be.’

  I exclaimed, ‘You know?’

  And he exploded. ‘I do now! And if you’d told me one fraction of what you’ve just revealed I’d have worked it out long ago – before any damage was done. Instead you chose to blatantly deceive me, with this charade of being a housemaid!’

  Buffeted by the force of his fury I could only shout back, ‘It wasn’t a charade – I was a housemaid, a good one.’

  ‘Good! That is not a word I would ever apply to you, young lady! Don’t you realise that as a result of your totally irresponsible behaviour I could have seduced the granddaughter of a fellow officer? A fellow officer whom I respected, admired, was even privileged to call my friend, and—’ he drew breath to deliver the final, damning indictment, ‘And who was a member of my Club!’

  Oh no! He knew my grandfather – he’d been a friend of his – but there was no time to think, only to fight. I retorted, ‘That’s ridiculous – anyway, you didn’t seduce me.’

  ‘It was a damned close run thing – and you know it! And all because of your choosing to deceitfully masquerade as Eve Gunn!’

  At once I countered, ‘I didn’t choose, I had to do it – I couldn’t call myself Courtney.’

  He was sharp. ‘Whyever not? Your grandfather made it a name to be proud of.’

  I heard it – that slight but unmistakable emphasis on ‘your grandfather’ – I shouted again, ‘It was because of my grandfather that I couldn’t use Apa’s name – because of my rotten old grandfather’s will.’

  His voice was biting. ‘Your grandfather was a man whom I held in the highest esteem. I will not hear him abused – especially not by his own granddaughter.’

  I amended sulkily, ‘I had to pretend to be just Eve Gunn because of my grandfather’s rotten old will.’

  He frowned. ‘I fail to see why his will should create a problem for you – my understanding was that you were his sole beneficiary.”

  And now I exploded. ‘I shouldn’t have been – Apa was his son!’

  For a moment Lord Rothbury fell silent – then, ‘But even if your father had been judged – deserving – of his inheritance, since as his only child you were, presumably, his sole heir, you would have found yourself in exactly the same position after his death as you are now, so—’

  I wouldn’t let him finish. ‘No I wouldn’t! Apa would never have left me all tied up like that.’

  Apa hadn’t, and I was going to tell Lord Rothbury so when he forestalled me by asking, ‘All tied up like what? Reaching for his cigarette case he ordered, ‘Explain yourself – fully.’

  He sat smoking his first cigarette, and then let the second dangle unlighted from his hand as I told him of that boarding school and how I hated it, of my determination to leave – arrival in Caithness – finding Aunt Ethel – my decision to live in Helspie – until he interjected, frowning, ‘And your great aunt simply allowed you to stay?’

  ‘She couldn’t stop me – half the croft was mine. Apa gave it to me.’ I was almost shouting again, ‘My Apa – it was all he had, and he gave it to me – for Christmas.’ My voice dropped to an almost-whisper, as I told him, ‘It was our last Christmas – then he died. So Aunt Ethel had to let me stay – and she was glad I did, she told me that, before she—’

  And I could hear the break in my voice – No Eve, there is no point in getting upset, no point at all. I steadied myself, and my voice was und
er control again as I told him of Aunt Ethel’s illness that first autumn – Mistress McNiven’s training – Aunt Ethel running out of money – my request for a reference from the minister – Mistress McNiven’s intervention and suggestion of Pulteney Town Academy – the Scottish Mr Henderson’s reluctant agreement to my attendance there – which became even more reluctant after Aunt Ethel died. Measles, maths – Mr Henderson’s plans for that summer – my decision to go on the gutting instead of Jeannie – and so to Scarborough, ‘Where I met you.’

  He said grimly, ‘“Met” is not quite the term I’d use.’ Then, ‘When did the Scots girl turn up?’

  ‘The following week.’

  ‘So why did you not return to Wick?’ I certainly wasn’t going to tell him the whole truth on that one. I shrugged. ‘I was on my way back – but at the station the man in front of me asked for a ticket to London – so I did the same.’ With a second shrug I added, ‘I fancied a week’s holiday.’

  ‘Under a false name.’

  ‘It is my name – part of it. And I told you, everybody at Helspie called me Eve Gunn – even the minister wrote it on my reference – the one I showed Mrs Salter at Wenlock Court.’ I reddened.

  He noticed. ‘And she accepted a reference that was two years out of date?’

  I muttered, ‘He forgot to put the date on – he’s inclined to be absent-minded.’

  ‘So my aunt’s house-keeper accepted an undated reference?’ I didn’t answer. ‘Presumably it had aquired a date by then?’ I did not dissent. I couldn’t. ‘So you added forgery to your other crimes?’

  That was too much. I retorted indignantly, ‘Forgery was the only crime.’

  ‘You don’t count impersonation?’

  ‘No.’ I’d read my Randell. ‘Impersonation is pretending to be someone else. I wasn’t. And besides, my name is Eve Gunn – it’s just not merely that.’

  His lips tightened. ‘I would, however, like to point out that your use of a truncated version – and a false age – displayed a clear intent to deceive.’