The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
She couldn’t see another door but there was Andy appearing, like a lifeboat on a stormy sea
Peggy felt a little breathless as she went to answer Alec’s knock at the door. A glance in the hall mirror confirmed what she’d seen upstairs.
Not miracles, maybe, but Crys had wrought wonders with her little pots of magic and her clever fingers. Perhaps Alec wouldn’t even recognise his wife!
“I’m sorry, but my cousin and I will be proceeding to the ball in style,” she said, putting on a posh accent.
“What?” Alec looked her up and down bemusedly. “Is that new?”
“Lady Annabel’s arranged a car for us,” Peggy said in her normal voice. “Crys borrowed the frock. Do you like it?” She twirled around.
There was a spark in Alec’s eyes but he made his usual grunt. “It’ll do. I’ll see you up at the house, then.”
“You certainly will.” Skittishly, Peggy blew him a kiss as he turned to close the gate.
Alec tipped his cap to her. He was in a good mood! And there was the car from Rosland House, slowing down outside the house.
“Elizabeth!” Peggy called. “Our carriage awaits.”
Conversation
Elizabeth stared out of the car window. Peggy, in the front seat, chatted with one of the estate gardeners who was acting as a driver tonight. Elizabeth hoped that she wouldn’t have to join the conversation.
This was so wrong in so many ways. First, although Libby had waved goodbye with a smile, she didn’t seem at all herself.
Second, Elizabeth hadn’t been to a big social occasion since Matthew died.
Third, why had Lady Annabel issued what was almost a royal command that she attend?
Fourth, how was she going to behave towards Andy?
Since that conversation with her mother-in-law almost three weeks ago she’d tried to avoid him as much as possible, getting Tam to accompany him if he was at the farm on veterinary business.
She made sure they were never alone when he came to the house to do chores for Tibbie.
Maybe that had been the wrong thing to do. She could hardly avoid him for ever. Did she want to?
She realised she missed his company, his practical good sense, their reminiscences about their shared history.
She thought of his enjoyment of the family life at her house, his easy way with Tibbie and the girls. They’d all be pleased if . . .
“Elizabeth! We’re here.” Peggy had turned round to look at her. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, of course,” Elizabeth said, trying to smile. “Listen,” Peggy said, cocking her head. “There’s a piper at the door. And it’s the front door for us tonight, not the tradesmen’s entrance!”
Divested of their warm wraps, they made their way into the ballroom. Peggy squeaked with pleasure at the grandeur of it all.
Alec made his way towards them, his face animated.
“Peg, d’you remember that accordionist chap we met in the summer? He’s here, with his wife. Come and say hello.”
“But . . . ” Peggy looked at Alec’s hand on her arm and then at Elizabeth.
“Go,” Elizabeth said, laughing. “Go! I’ll be fine.” She turned to find her employer beside her, in dark green with a tartan sash.
“What a wonderful dress.” Lady Annabel came closer so that she could speak quietly. “Elizabeth, I may have done something unforgivable but I assure you it was with the best of intentions.”
What on earth could she mean?
Exhilerated
Lady Annabel looked towards the ballroom door. Coming through it was Bill Brock.
“He asked if he could come back for the ball.” Lady Annabel spoke rapidly. “And he said he hoped very much that you would be here.”
“No!” Elizabeth said. “You had no right . . .” She looked down to the other end of the room. To leave it the way she had come in would mean passing him. There must be more than one exit!
She couldn’t see another door but there was Andy Kerr appearing, like a lifeboat on a stormy sea. She plunged towards him and saw his face light up.
An hour later she felt exhilarated – the music had a buoying effect and it was hard not to smile amid all the high spirits.
But she also felt physically exhausted. She hadn’t danced for such a long time and doing so in unaccustomed high heels made her feet ache.
She felt even more uncomfortable about the unfair encouragement she must be giving to Andy since she’d literally thrown herself at him earlier. Because when they danced he could have been anybody.
She willed herself to thrill at the admiration in his eyes, the warmth of his arm around her waist, the clasp of his hand, but she felt nothing. Nothing at all.
The American seemed to be enjoying himself. It was evident he had never done Scottish dancing before but his various partners pushed and pulled him into position with much laughter.
When their eyes chanced to meet she looked quickly away.
“I hope you’ll come into supper with me.” Andy held on to her when the music stopped. “It’s always a grand spread.”
“That would be nice,” Elizabeth said mechanically. What else could she say? “When do we break to eat?”
The sooner this evening was over, the better. Andy looked at his watch.
“Another half hour, probably. There’s a ceilidh part now – I’m singing for my supper! Alec’s playing for me.”
Elizabeth remembered that Andy was an accomplished singer.
“That’s lovely.”
He gave her a shy grin before releasing her. “The song’s for you,” he said, and made his way to the dais.
Unwell
Lady Annabel materialised beside her. “Elizabeth, can you come through to the hall?” Her voice was very kind and Elizabeth, at first suspecting that this was something to do with Bill Brock, realised that something was wrong.
“Your sister is on the phone. I’m afraid one of your little girls is unwell.”
She led the way, Elizabeth almost running behind her.
“Crys?”
“It’s Libby,” Crys said. “Her left ear’s burning red and – listen, you can hear her crying.”
The sound chilled Elizabeth’s blood.
“I phoned Mum,” Crys said. “She said I must get the doctor. He’s on his way.”
That must have been an ordeal for Crys, on top of her concern for Libby – having to phone her ex-boyfriend, Dr Struan Scott.
“I’ll get someone to drive me.” Elizabeth replaced the receiver.
But who? Alec and Andy were entertaining the crowd.
“What can I do to help?” her employer asked gently.
“I must get home at once. The doctor’s on his way.”
More tomorrow.