I know that you are currently with Mrs Keppel, and Mr Rolfe at Portman Square kindly gave me your address in Biarritz. For, dearest sister, I wish you to be the first to know that you will be an aunt before the year is out! Yes, I am expecting a child! I confess, I am terrified, and feeling quite dreadful, which my physician tells me is usual for the early stages of pregnancy.
Darling Flora, I long to see you and I ask if it might be possible for you to come and stay here for a while, when you return to England? Mama is unable to travel down from the Highlands to be with me, as Papa has taken a fall on his bad leg and broken his ankle. Much of my day here is spent alone, as I currently feel too unwell to go out. I am lonely, dear sister. I know your wedding comes soon, so I would not keep you from the arrangements, but perhaps you could spare at least a few days? Please write as soon as you can, and tell me when I can look forward to your visit.
Your loving sister,
Aurelia
Flora, reading it over breakfast, felt as sick as her sister professed to be. The material proof of Aurelia and Archie’s coupling was enough to make her rise from the table and take herself off to her room.
The very thought of staying at High Weald was anathema.
‘Stop being so selfish!’ she reprimanded herself as she paced back and forth. ‘Aurelia needs you, and you must go to her.’
Sitting down at the desk, Flora drew out her writing paper and ink pen.
Villa Eugénie
Biarritz
France
19th March 1910
My dearest sister,
My happiness for you knows no bounds. I am due back in England in just over a week. Despite the ongoing wedding plans, of course I will spare the time to visit you. I will come to you directly once I have arrived in England.
Your loving sister,
Flora
Flora’s last night at the Villa Eugénie coincided with the King’s first visit to the household. When she arrived downstairs, the drawing room was already full of guests, many of them speaking in fast, indecipherable French. Mrs Keppel was holding court, a tiara glittering amidst her lush auburn curls. Surveying her, Flora realised that this was Mrs Keppel’s court. For a month a year – away from England – she was the queen she so wanted to be.
The King’s arrival was heralded by Caesar, the fox terrier, trotting before him through the double doors, followed by the usual whiff of pungent cigar smoke. The attention in the room immediately left Mrs Keppel and focused on its new occupant. Flora was relieved to see the King was at least able to breathe, yet his eyes were still rheumy and his complexion pallid.
‘I hear you’re leaving tomorrow.’ A gentleman, whose resemblance to the King was disconcerting, appeared by her side. From his grey beard and moustache down to his considerable girth, he could have been his double.
‘Yes.’
‘The King seems much recovered from his ailment, does he not?’
‘He does, yes,’ said Flora, wishing the gentleman would introduce himself, as she had drawn a blank on his name. ‘Thank goodness.’
‘I heard from the King that you were a great comfort during his illness.’
‘I do not think so, sir, I—’
‘The King thinks otherwise. And all of us thank you.’
‘Forgive me, sir,’ Flora surrendered, ‘but I’m not sure we have ever been formally introduced.’
‘My name is Ernest Cassel, and you are currently a guest under my roof.’ He smiled at her, laughter in his eyes.
‘I must apologise, sir, I have seen so many new faces in the past few months . . .’
‘There is no need to do so. The good news is, I know who you are. Allow me to hand you my card. There might come a point in the future when you need to contact me. I am not only your host at the Villa Eugénie, but also a close friend and advisor to both the King and Mrs Keppel. Now, shall I escort you into dinner?’
It was only later, when the King and his entourage were leaving, that he finally sought her out. She smiled at him as she rose from her curtsey.
‘I am glad to see you looking so well tonight, Your Majesty.’
‘Thank you, Miss MacNichol. We will see each other when I return to London, God willing. Goodbye, my dear.’ Then the King kissed her hand and, with a smile, departed.
Flora arrived at High Weald two days later. Aurelia met her at the door and ushered her into the drawing room for a restorative tea.
‘So, tell me all about the King. I can hardly believe you have met him!’
‘He was well and jovial, as he always is,’ Flora replied.
‘Of course, it cannot be the first time that you have met him. Given Mrs Keppel’s . . . position in his life.’
‘There’s no doubt that they are extremely close friends.’
‘I understand if Mrs Keppel has sworn you to secrecy.’
‘She really hasn’t.’
‘Arabella says she even wields power with the government! Flora, forgive me, I forget that you are such an innocent and trust only in the better nature of humans and animals. Anyway, I shall compromise your discretion no longer, and instead tell you of everything that has been happening here since we last met.’
Flora listened to her sister’s fond chatter about Archie’s care for her condition, and loathed herself for how duplicitous her soul really was.
‘It is hard to believe that I shall soon have a child to keep me occupied. Everyone here prays it’s a boy. Whereas I hope it is a girl. And healthy, of course.’
‘So Archie is happy about the baby?’
‘Oh yes, and I think I have even managed to put a smile on Arabella’s face. You know, I do sometimes wonder why Mama was so friendly with her.’ Aurelia lowered her voice. ‘Perhaps she was nicer back then. Or maybe it’s the fact that she lost Archie’s father in the war. But she really isn’t a very warm person.’
‘I am afraid I can’t comment as she’s never spoken more than a couple of sentences to me. You poor thing, it must be difficult living under the same roof as her.’
‘At least she too is away at present, so we have the house and each other to ourselves. Also, I have some news! Even though Mama cannot come just now because of Papa’s broken ankle, she wrote to tell me that Sarah’s mother died a few months ago, and suggested I should write to her and ask her if she would come to live here permanently to be my personal maid and help me through my pregnancy and the birth. To my joy, she wrote back immediately and said she could think of nothing she’d like more. So, tomorrow Sarah arrives at High Weald and I will feel at least that I have one person on my side in this household.’
‘How wonderful! But you say Archie has been attentive to you?’
‘Oh, he is, when his head isn’t in a botanical book or peering at a plant in his hothouse. Sadly, he’s gone to London as he has business to attend to there. He said he will be back at some point next week. Depending on when you are leaving, I doubt you will see him, which is a shame.’
‘Yes.’ Flora felt her emotions rise in relief and then fall traitorously in disappointment. ‘At least it means you’re all mine.’
‘I know you have never really taken to him, Flora, but he is a good man, and kind to me.’
‘Then that is all that matters.’
‘Yes. Now forgive me, Flora, but I think I must go and rest.’