There was one occasion when I found myself alone with him. I had been to Eversleigh from Grasslands when I came face to face with him. We said good morning but could hardly pass on without a word.

He added that it was a fine morning and after that we exchanged a few trivialities. Then he said: “I hardly ever see you, Jessica, without a lot of people being present.”

“I suppose that is inevitable. We are a large family.”

“Are you … happy?”

I was startled: “Why yes, of course … very happy.”

He was frowning slightly, looking over my head, back to Grasslands.

“I’m glad,” he said.

“And I hear from Amaryllis that you are going from strength to strength with your new warehouses and so on. Business, I gather, flourishes.”

“She talks to you about the warehouses?”

“Yes. I expect you will be proudly showing her round them one day.”

Something in his manner attracted my attention. He seemed a little watchful.

“She wouldn’t really be interested. Business is not for ladies.”

“I should have thought anyone would be interested. I am. And Amaryllis particularly, since she has a share in them.”

“Oh, when I am here I like to forget all about that.”

“So you are not one of those businessmen who is obsessed by work?”

“Only when I am engaged in it.”

“I suppose you have time when you are in London for enjoyment?”

He looked startled.

“I mean clubs … and all that. Jonathan said you knew such places. After all it was you who introduced him to Frinton’s.”

“Oh.” He laughed. “That was disastrous, wasn’t it? I wish I had known he was going to make a fool of himself. He just asked me about a few clubs and I mentioned that one. I didn’t realize he would go to the tables.”

“I think he has learned his lesson.”

“Your father does not forget it, I’m afraid.”

“Poor Jonathan! It just happens to be something my father feels very strongly about.”

“I see his point, don’t you?”

“Of course. But I think Jonathan will do very well. We’re all very fond of him.”

“He’s a charming fellow … if a little weak.”

“Just that one incident! We mustn’t judge him on that. How is Amaryllis?”

“Very well.”

“Will you tell her I will come over to see her tomorrow?”

“She’ll be delighted.”

“Well, I must go now.”

He took my hand and held it lingeringly. There was an expression in his eyes which I could not understand.

I was glad to get away. He made me feel a little uneasy. I suppose it was because of the past and because once I had thought I might be on the verge of falling in love with him. He was attractive and that touch of mystery added to his charm. I had been young and romantic then. I wondered how many girls fell in love not exactly with a person but because the time seemed ripe and someone appears at that moment. Falling in love with love, was what it was commonly called; and what an everyday occurrence it must be! I had been ready to do just that with Peter Lansdon. The romantic circumstances of our meeting, his immediate interest and what I thought of as the beginning of a courtship … oh yes, that was the trappings of romance and I was ready to fall in love as most girls did.

Now I had had time for reflection and I realized that I should never have truly loved Peter Lansdon; there was something about him which repelled me, some element of secrecy. That might be intriguing in a way but it seemed now a little sinister. Perhaps I compared him with Edward, who was so open, so frank, so honest that beside him all other men seemed devious.

The next day I called on Amaryllis. She was showing the first signs of pregnancy. Her baby was due in August and Helena at this time was only nine months old.

“How are you, my fruitful vine?” I asked.

She kissed me and said she was feeling better than she had in the last weeks. “The first three months are the worst,” she added.

“You should know,” I said. “You seem to be making a practice of this sort of thing.”

“Well, one has to endure the discomfort but it is wonderful when the baby arrives.”

“Yes, I can imagine it.”

She looked at me wistfully. “I think of you a lot,” she said.

“Now you will have more interesting things to think of.”

“I worry … a little.”

“About me?”

“Well, I know Edward is a dear, but the life … My mother was saying …”

“I really must stop this,” I said. “I’m perfectly all right. I’m living my life the way I want it. I saw Peter yesterday.”

“Oh?” She looked at me covertly.

“Yes, we had a little chat.”

“He told me. Jessica …” I sensed she was going to say something apologetic because she felt uneasy about marrying Peter. She had thought—as many had—that I was the one in whom he was interested and I daresay it was a surprise for her when he proposed. I had had enough of people’s speculations about my feelings and all their anxiety because I had married an invalid.

I said quickly: “Peter is delighted about the child, I suppose.”

“Oh yes. He wants a boy.”

“Men always want boys. They think they are so much more important. I wonder they don’t put girls out on the bleak mountainside and let them freeze to death. Poor, unwanted little thing.”

“Oh, Jessica, what nonsense you talk! He loves Helena. We all do. The idea of any harm coming to her …” She shivered.

“It is just this obsession with boys which irritates me. My father is just the same, and when you think how he has always enjoyed the company of women … far more than that of men, you can’t help laughing.”

“You were always very serious about things like that. Edward is serious, too. I think you are very well suited.”

“We understand each other. And you and Peter … you are not much alike.”

“Ours is the attraction of opposites.”

“I see.” And as I looked at her frank open face it was borne home to me that this must be the case.

It was later, when I was in Edward’s room and James was putting extra logs on the fire. The wind had turned cold.

“We must expect it,” said Edward. “March is still with us and we have to endure more wintry weather before the spring.”

The fire blazed up and James turned to me.

“Shall I get the chess board for you?” he asked. “That was an interesting game you left yesterday.”

Edward said: “I think, my dear, I have cornered you. I see mate in the next two moves unless …”

“Unless!” said James. “That’s the point. Mrs. Barrington always fights best when she is in difficulties.”

“I think you are right,” agreed Edward. “How many times have I anticipated victory and had it in my grasp only to be outwitted at the very last move.”

“It’s a great quality,” said James, “to be able to do your best when your back is against the wall.”

“Thank you, James,” I said. “I am glad you both appreciate my indomitable nature.”

James set out the table and carried the chess board to it.

“There,” he said. “Not a piece but where it was during the heat of yesterday’s battle.”

We concentrated on the board and after watching us for a while James went off.

It must have been about ten minutes later when he came back. He dashed into the room and it was obvious that he had exciting news which he was eager to tell us.

“What is it?” cried Edward.

“Mr. Jonathan has just come from Eversleigh with the news. He’s on his way up. Napoleon has escaped from Elba.”

So the euphoria of the last months was wiped out in a single moment. We were back to the fears of the past. The lion had escaped from bondage. He was on the rampage again.

Peace was shattered. Everyone was talking about the escape and asking what it meant. Was it all going to start again? Were we going to be plunged into war?

My mother was particularly bitter. The visit to Burgundy was still fresh in her mind; she was making plans for Charlot to bring his family to visit us and our going over to Burgundy in the summer. And now this miserable wretch had escaped and was preparing to start it all up again.