Content notes can be found here

Lady Charlotte’s method of giving a tour of the grounds was brusquer and more forceful than that employed by Mr Hedge. 

Between cajoling her dogs, whistling them away from worrying the flower beds or more delicate plants, she would point and say things such as, “Lake over there. Fearfully big. Wouldn’t advise a swim. Cold, you know?” or “Apricots in there. Whole glass house full. Can’t abide ‘em myself, but I’ve heard some people are fond of 'em.”

She did not so much walk as stride, her long, elegant, yet practical skirts swishing through the grass with a positively military rhythm. Indeed, she moved so swiftly, that Serafina - no idler - had to puff a little to keep up with her. 

They went quite some distance like this, and it was only after they had crossed a stream, “No trout here - too small”, traversed a compact wilderness, “Bit gloomy, but the dogs like it. Rabbits, y’know.” and climbed a steep hill that she paused, and the vigorous set of her countenance changed while she surveyed a grey and weathered stump. 

“Lovely old ash here once,” she said. “Had a cracking tree house in it. Lightning, of course. Always a danger. Head gardener wouldn’t let it stand after that. Spoiled the prospect.” She sighed, “You’re a quiet one, aren’t you, my dear?”

“Not often, my Lady.”

“I know, I do rattle on. Shan’t apologise for it. Won’t take insincerity or any of that blather.”

“Not at all. It’s very refreshing, my Lady. It is only I am somewhat out of breath,” said Serafina, unable to help smiling.

“Oh, poor thing. This is quite the rise, and I’m a dreadful marcher. Never think the other won’t be used to it is the thing. Shall we sit?” She nodded to the stump.

Serafina hesitated.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re the sort to fret about your skirts,” Lady Charlotte positively plonked herself down. “Can’t be doing with a delicate girl.” 

Serafina made herself think of the fashionable seamstress, of her mother’s maid, the horrified expression they would make at the very thought. She made herself think of her father, how he would expect her to remain standing to protect her dignity and her skirts. 

Then she sat down on the stump beside Lady Charlotte. 

“Excellent show,” said Charlotte Valance, “bravo. Nice view of the dear old place from up here. Though it was better from the treehouse at midwinter time. Sunsets, you know.”

“I can imagine.” 

The dogs rambled about them, browsing at smells and chasing after rabbits. Serafina stared down at the Hall in the valley below them. From here, it seemed unreal, like a water-colour done by someone with rather more talent at such things than herself. All morning, she had accepted her penny tour, and ignored the thought that she would soon live there, that this would soon be her garden, her home. 

“It must have been awfully hard for you,” she said, “leaving somewhere like this when –” she hesitated, not wanting to cause pain.

“Oh, no, no. Entails, you know. Grow up knowing about ‘em. Would have all gone to Ned anyway.”

“Yes. And I’m very sorry that –”

“Can’t be helped. No-one’s fault.” she laughed, a hard, breathless sound, “Almost wish it were, you know? Give me someone to be angry with. Must sound dreadful of me.”

“Not at all.”

“Nell took it hard.” She shook her head, “Eleanor Valance, that is. Ned’s wife. Widow now, of course. But I always say it’s best not to dwell. Fine fellow, my brother, and much missed. You’re welcome to the place, though. Teddy too, naturally.”

Serafina could think of nothing to respond to that.

“Being blunt again. No, no. Don’t fret about me - got a house of my own a comfortable ride away. Decent size, but not the sort of thing you rattle about in, what?  Paddock for the horses and not so grand indoors that they mind the dogs. Hedge can’t abide dogs in the house. Not real dogs, I mean. He’d be quite content with one those ugly French things all the ladies have in town, but these are my boys and I love them like children. Oh, stop it, Lancelot, you silly beggar. Get here, boy. Heel.”

The dog came over and nosed at his mistress’ feet, then at Serafina’s, putting his muddy paws up on her lap. A little nervous, she rubbed his head, petted his silky ears. 

“Shove him off your lap if he’s bothering you. He’s a bad ‘un, that one. That’s you I mean, Lancelot. Bad dog. Down.”

Lancelot ignored her, instead panting with something that looked almost like a grin on his face. “He’s beautiful,” Serafina said, as Lancelot nudged at her hand, after more attention.

“And knows it,” Lady Charlotte said, patting his side with a rough sort of affection, “Nell spoils him rotten. Everyone goes easy on a looker. Yes, I’m talking about you, rogue. Peregrine’s twice the dog you are, wicked boy.” 

But there was absolutely no reproach in her tone. For a few moments, they sat in companionable silence, making a fuss of the dog. 

Then Lady Charlotte said, “Don’t let me put you off, though. Mad old spinster with her dogs. I’m just one of the fixtures of the place. Teddy’s far too charming to let me scare you away.”

Serafina looked down at the paws that were on her lap, the sharp claws, the white fur spotted with mud that was around them, “You’re scarcely older than me, my Lady.”

“Thirty-six, I’ll have you know. On the shelf and proud. Ask the folk round here and they’ll say I was disappointed in love by some gallant soldier. Piffle. A girl of good family and good fortune can do quite well without a man. Even if she was handsome once.”

“Not everyone has such advantages, my Lady.”

“Hm?” Lady Charlotte turned and stared at her hard for a moment. Then, abrupt, “You should come by Long Farrindon. Meet Nell – Dowager Hartell that is. Near neighbours, and all that.”

“You are very kind, my Lady, I would be honoured to accept such a – ”

“Oh, this isn’t some airy thing. No time like the present. You do ride?”

“Yes, my Lady, but my mother and father are…” Serafina looked about her. “Well, they will be waiting for us.”

“Send ‘em a message from the stables, then. Take luncheon with me, back in time for dinner.” Lady Charlotte shrugged. Then, “Oh, yes. Should warn you, they tell me I have a forceful personality. But I’ll take a no. If you’d sooner not, just say.”

“I,” Serafina thought of spending the day with Forthenby lording it over everyone, piercing her with little barbs, of her father ingratiating himself, her mother careful, holding Serafina’s increasing temper and distress in check. 

“I would be honoured,” she said. 

“Good girl,” said Lady Charlotte, standing and brushing off her dress, “Off we go, then.”