Виктория Холт - Daughter of Deceit

“But I do know it so well. I’d practice … I’d rehearse …”

“I know, dear. You are the one for it. Leave it to me. I’ll see what I can do.”

Dolly was surprisingly acquiescent. I think he must have realized that Lisa Fennell was the best choice. She had modelled herself on my mother. She knew the songs.

He raised no objections and it was settled.

Lisa Fennell, in addition to her role in the chorus, was to understudy Desiree.

I had seen Roderick Claverham on one or two occasions. The meetings were never planned. They took place on matinee days.

I would stroll out shortly after my mother had left and he would be waiting for me in the street. There was always an element of excitement because I would be wondering whether he would be there.

I was almost sure that he would be all the same.

I think we liked it that way because both of us had a feeling that the meetings should be something of a secret, in view of the relationship between our parents.

However, I enjoyed the meetings very much. We walked a good deal: we had tea in our little tea shop, and then he took me to the theatre, where I would join my mother, and we would come home in the carriage with Martha and Lisa.

We sometimes walked down Piccadilly to Green Park. There we would sit and watch people as they strolled by, and the children feeding the ducks.

I had learned a certain amount about his home—enough to give me a fairly clear picture of it. I heard about the interesting people who had visited Leverson Manor since the discovery of the Roman remains. And, of course, I talked about myself.

I knew this was an intermediary period. We could not go on meeting like this. In a way it seemed almost furtive, for I said nothing to my mother of our acquaintance, which was extremely odd, for up to this time I had always been completely open with her. And I guessed he had said nothing to his father.

I was right when I told myself that it could not last like that. I wanted him to come and meet my mother; he wanted me to visit his home in Kent. I had a longing to do so, and a burning curiosity to see Lady Constance even more than the Roman remains.

It was Tuesday and my mother was spending the afternoon with her dressmaker. She wanted some new clothes for the show. She thought it needed brightening up a little.

I had told Roderick that I should be free on that particular day and he had immediately said we must meet.

We made our way to Green Park and as we were sitting there Roderick suddenly said: “What are we going to do, Noelle?”

“Do?”

“I mean … how much longer are we going on meeting like this? You haven’t told your mother, have you? I haven’t mentioned our meetings to my father. It seems odd. Why do we do it?”

“I think we both feel it might be a little embarrassing for them.”

“Yes. I think it would be for my father.”

“I suppose my mother is not so easily embarrassed. She would think it was quite normal. I really don’t know what to say about it.”

“Well, we have avoided mentioning it. It’s absurd really. It is not our affair.”

“It is just that your mother knows nothing about this … friendship between your father and my mother, and if she did, of course, she would not approve.”

“I am sure she would not, and my father would not wish her to know.”

“And because of that, you and I are caught up in this secrecy.”

“I should like to call openly at your house. I want you to visit Leverson. After all, we are very good friends. At least I hope we are.”

“I hope so, too.”

“Well, with two of us hoping, it must be. What are we going to do about it, Noelle?”

“I really don’t know.”

“You see … you and I … well …”

“Why … Noelle!”

I was startled … Lisa Fennell was coming towards us. I felt myself flushing. Her bright curious eyes were on Roderick.

I said: “Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Roderick Claverham, Mr. Charlie Claverham’s son.”

“Oh! How nice to meet you.”

“And this is Lisa Fennell. She is in the show … Countess Maud . . . you know.”

“I was taking the air,” she said. “Trying to get relaxed for the evening’s show. It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? I love the parks in London. May I sit down with you?”

“Please do,” said Roderick.

She took her place on the other side of him.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you at the house,” said Lisa.

“No,” replied Roderick. “I did come once. That was a little time ago.”

“I think it was before you joined us, Lisa,” I said.

“Has Noelle told you how I came?”

“Yes. She did mention it.”

“Wasn’t it wonderful? Like a fairy story. I was almost killed, you know.”

“The carriage wasn’t going very fast,” I said.

“And it all started from that. Desiree … the famous actress … has been so good to me.” Her voice shook a little. “She is the most wonderful person in the world.”

“Yes. I have heard that she is very kind.”

“Do you live in London?”

“My home is in the country, but we have a small house in London. It’s very useful for my father, who needs to be here quite often on business. It’s very convenient.”

“I’m sure it must be. I love London. So ancient … and modern at the same time. What a combination! Don’t you think that is fascinating?”

Roderick said he did.

“Mr. Claverham has something very ancient in his own home,” I told Lisa. “They have found remains of a Roman settlement on the land.”

“How wonderful!” cried Lisa. She turned to Roderick. “Do tell me about it.”

I listened, vaguely thinking of what Roderick was saying when she interrupted us. It had seemed important. What a pity she had had to come along at that moment.

She was listening to him, urging him to tell her more—completely unaware that her intrusion had spoilt our tete-a-tete. Roderick was too polite to show the disappointment I felt sure he shared with me.

Eventually I said: “Well, I must go back.”

“And so must I,” echoed Lisa. “I had no idea it was so late.”

“Let’s go, then,” I said.

We went back to the house together. Roderick said goodbye and left us.

“What a charming young man!” said Lisa as we went in. Her eyes shone with pleasure. “Fancy Charlie’s having a son like that and keeping him hidden!”

My mother returned soon afterwards. She had had a rewarding session with the dressmaker and wanted to tell me about it. She was changing the blue dress in the first act to one of deep mauve and the one in the last act was to be red.

“Those colours stand out more. Besides, it will give the show a new look. And it will be good for us all. We’re getting a bit rusty. What do you think? I called on Janet Dare. Poor dear! She’s going out of her wits. She is just longing to be back. If it has anything to do with her, she won’t be off much longer.”

I thought I should tell my mother that I had met Roderick. Lisa might mention that she had seen him and it would appear strange that I had not talked of it.

When we were alone I said, trying to appear casual: “By the way, do you remember Roderick Claverham … Charlie’s son? He came here once.”

“Oh yes, of course. What a nice young man!”

“I’ve seen him … once or twice. I happened to run into him.”

“Did you? How interesting.”

“As a matter of fact, I was with him today. Lisa was with us.”

“Oh, Lisa … I was just thinking of her … having been with Janet Dare of course. She is so thrilled to have that job in the chorus … and the understudy.”

“She’s eternally grateful to you. After all, you fixed it for her, didn’t you?”

“I couldn’t have done anything if she hadn’t had the talent.”

“She tries to be exactly like you.”

“She’s thinking of playing Countess Maud, that’s why. God forbid, she might have to one day. My goodness, her nose is going to be put a little out of joint when Janet comes back. The poor child fancies herself as understudy.”

I was thinking I need not have any qualms about seeing Roderick. My mother was not greatly interested, nor was she in the least perturbed about her relationship with Charlie.

A few days later Jane came to my room and told me that my mother wanted to see me and would I go to her at once.

“Is anything wrong, Jane?” I asked.

“She don’t look too well, Miss Noelle.”

I hurried to her room, and was immediately filled with alarm. She looked most unlike her usual self.

“I’ve been so ill,” she said. “It could have been the fish I had last night. But it was immediately after lunch that it started. I feel dizzy as well as sick.”

“Why don’t you lie down?”

“I’ve been lying down. What’s so awful is that I don’t think I can go on tonight.”

“You certainly can’t if you are like you are now. I think I ought to call Dr. Green.”

“Oh no. That’s not necessary. It’s just something I’ve eaten. It will pass in time. I think you’d better get a message to Dolly, though … just in case it’s necessary … which it may not be … but we must be prepared.”

“Thomas can go right away,” I said.

In half an hour Dolly was at the house in a state of great agitation.

“What’s happened? Eaten something? Oh, Almighty God, what have I done to deserve this?”

“I should cut out the dramatics, Dolly. It’s not the time for them. If I can’t go on tonight we’ve got to do the obvious … and we ought to be busy with it right away … just in case it’s necessary … which it may not be, but we have to be ready. Lisa will have to take my place.”