A Stranger at Castonbury(31)
‘I look forward to meeting them then,’ Catalina said politely, though in truth she wasn’t sure if talking about Spain would make her more or less homesick, more or less full of memories. She didn’t want to remember old hopes for her country and how they had been shattered in reality.
‘Then you must meet them now!’ Lily declared. ‘Come, let me introduce you both to everyone.’
Lily led them around the room and made the introductions to the people gathered there. There were so many of them that Catalina was quite sure she would never remember them all. There was the bridegroom, Lord Giles, a tall, handsome man with the same grey eyes most of the Montagues seemed to possess. His smile was so tender, so full of happiness, when he looked at his bride that it made Catalina’s heart ache to see it. They just seemed to belong together, to fit in a way so few couples did.
There was Lady Phaedra, Jamie’s sister, who Catalina remembered from the portrait Jamie carried, and her husband, Bram Basingstoke, who held her hand while she talked. Phaedra asked Catalina if she rode, and, on hearing that she had used to enjoy it very much but hadn’t had the chance in years, told her that she must come and inspect the facilities that were being built for Phaedra’s new stud at Castonbury.
‘I would enjoy that very much,’ Catalina said, and indeed she would. She missed riding, and Lady Phaedra’s great enthusiasm was infectious. She added quietly enough that Lydia could not hear, ‘But I fear Miss Westman has not had many chances to ride and isn’t sure how, though she is very curious about horses. She has lived all her life in London.’
‘Hasn’t been able to ride much?’ Phaedra gasped, her eyes large with shock. ‘Good heavens. Well, she is in the country now. We must teach her. You should both come to the stables with me first thing after the wedding.’
Her husband laughed and squeezed her hand. ‘My dear, they will probably be quite busy with everything that is going on at Castonbury. Touring the stables many not be first on their list.’
Phaedra gave a rueful laugh. ‘Of course, Mrs Moreno, Miss Westman. I do get rather carried away when I talk about my horses. But you must come and ride with me any time you choose. I have the sweetest, kindest little mare that should just suit Miss Westman.’
‘That is very kind of you,’ Catalina answered. Lydia still looked too terrified to say much at all.
They were led around the room again to meet yet more people, including a plethora of guests who had come in from the village and neighbouring houses for the dinner. There was also Lord Harry, the diplomatic son, and his wife, Elena, who declared herself so full of happiness to meet a countrywoman and said they had to sit down for a long talk as soon as possible. Not as congenial was Mrs Landes-Fraser (‘Aunt Wilhemina,’ Lily whispered with a shiver), an elderly lady ensconced by the fire and swathed in layers of silk, Indian shawls and a plumed turban, despite the warm evening.
She inspected them closely before snorting. ‘Pretty enough,’ she declared of Lydia, ‘but much too pale. Like your mother, are you, girl? She had no spirit either.’
Lily led them away from ‘Aunt Wilhemina’ as quickly as she could with an apologetic smile. ‘You must not mind her,’ she whispered. ‘She is that way with absolutely everyone. I was terrified of her when I first came to Castonbury.’
Catalina saw that Lydia regained her ‘spirit’ quickly enough when they met a certain Mr Hale, a handsome young man with a cap of bright blond hair and friendly eyes who was the new curate at the Castonbury church. He eagerly bowed over Lydia’s hand and smiled down at her as she stared up at him.
Catalina could see at one glance that this was a situation that called for a close watch.
‘Mr Hale has only been here a short time,’ Lily said. ‘But the vicar, my adoptive father Reverend Seagrove, cannot stop singing his praises. He has certainly brought a new life to the parish.’
‘You are too kind, Miss Seagrove,’ Mr Hale said with a smile. He still smiled at Lydia. ‘I am only doing my duty.’
‘I am sure you are absolutely marvellous at it, Mr Hale,’ Lydia said softly.
‘Where is the duke?’ Mrs Landes-Fraser suddenly cried. ‘It is past time for supper to be served. I don’t know why he suddenly insists on eating with us anyway. Most inconvenient after all this time. I shall need to eat soon or my digestion won’t be able to bear it.’
‘I’m sure Father will be here very soon,’ Phaedra said. ‘You know how excited he is about all that has happened. It’s like he has a new life in him.’