The Black Swan

“But of course. I shall expect that. I am going on Monday.

Why don’t you come down at the weekend? That will give me time to settle in and prepare the servants. You could come on Friday if that is convenient.” Roland looked at Phillida whose eyes were shining with delight.

“We shall be there, shan’t we, Roland?” she cried.

He looked at me steadily. “That is one thing of which you can be sure.” So I left for Manorleigh. Celeste came with me. She said she would go back on the Wednesday. She just wanted to see me settle in.

We had a good welcome when we arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Emery, who had been with us for years, were waiting in the hall with the parlor maid, two housemaids and Mrs. Grant, the cook.

It was rather formal at first. They had known me as a child and as the outsider at that, the child their beloved Miss Rebecca had unconventionally brought into the household; they had not known then, of course, that I was Benedict Lansdon’s daughter; and I don’t think they ever really got used to this fact.

Mrs. Emery had adored Rebecca. I was sure she would have been delighted if my half sister had inherited the house. However, here I was.

As head of the staff, Mr. and Mrs. Emery were very much aware of their position in the house and constantly afraid that it would be assailed in some way. I imagined they were wondering why I had suddenly decided to come. We were installed in our rooms. Mine was the one which used to be next to Rebecca’s. It looked down on the oak with the wooden seat under it. It was the spot where the ghosts were said to gather.

I stood looking out of the window for some time, remembering so much of the past.

I had known memories would come flooding back in this house. I slept well and was awake early. I was reminding myself that it would not be long before the Fitzgeralds came. What fun it would be showing them the house!

After breakfast Mrs. Emery asked me if I would come to her room for a little chat. “It was Miss Rebecca’s way to do that,” she said. “She and I got on like a house afire. What a lovely young lady! I trust she and Mr. Cartwright are well.”

“They are very well, Mrs. Emery. My sister would have liked to come and stay here for a few days before going back to Cornwall after the wedding, but she felt she had left her family too long.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Neither Mr. Cartwright nor the children like her to stay away too long.”

“No. I am sure he doesn’t and as for the little ones... God bless them. As long as she is well and happy ...”

“She is, Mrs. Emery.”

She was looking at me anxiously. “You have had a terrible time, Miss Lucie.”

I nodded. “I have to put that behind me, Mrs. Emery.”

“I was wondering... Miss Lucie ... if you have any plans....”

“Plans?”

“About the house. I mean, Emery and me... well, we’ve been wondering....”

“Oh, I see what you mean. I’d always want you here, Mrs. Emery... you and Mr. Emery. No, I haven’t any plans. I’ve been so shocked by everything. Then I went to France... and almost immediately there was Belinda’s wedding.”

“Well,” said Mrs. Emery, “that was something, that was. And Lady Denver she is now. I remember her well, though it’s years since I’ve seen her. She must have changed a bit.”

“She’s grown-up. But ... she is still... Belinda.”

“I see what you mean,” said Mrs. Emery nodding sagely “Will you be living here now, Miss Lucie?”

“I’m very unsure at the moment. It is my home now, I suppose. I think Mrs. Lansdon would like me to be with her. I expect I shall be between here and London and go now and then to Cornwall. It will be like the old days.”

“I see. I reckon it will all work out. You were always so fond of Manorleigh ... and now it’s yours! It’s a wonderful house. Emery and me ... well, we’ve come to feel rather... settled here, if you know what I mean.”

“I do, Mrs. Emery. Don’t think for a moment that I want to change anything. I have a feeling that this will be my home really. By the way, I have some guests coming for the weekend.”

She brightened considerably. “Oh, that’s good. How many, if I may ask?”

“There are two ... a brother and a sister. I met them in France.”

“Are they French, Miss Lucie?”

“No. They’re English. They were staying in France near where I was. I had met them on the Channel crossing. It was quite exciting when they turned out to be staying near. Well, the fact is they visited us in London and I want them to see this place.”

“Brother and sister. The Blue Room, I think, for the lady and I’ll talk to Emery about where we’ll put the gentleman. So Friday... and that will be for luncheon, will it?”

“Yes, it will.”

“It’s nice to have things going on in the house,” she said. “I can’t tell you how glad I am you’ve come. So is Emery.”

Celeste went back to London and I waited for the arrival of the Fitzgeralds with an impatience which amazed me.