Barbara Bradford - A Woman of Substance

Well, so much for those four, Emma remarked to herself with cold detachment. Little joy or comfort they’ve offered me in my old age. But they did give me my grandchildren and for that I will be eternally grateful. Emma put down her fork and sat back in her chair, smiling benignly. But her eyes were for ever watchful and if any of them had looked more closely they would have detected a cynical light glittering in their ancient depths. She moved her head and peered down the table at Blackie, who sat in the host’s chair, stately and distinguished. His hair was snow white but still abundant and wavy, his skin glowed with ruddy health, and his black eyes were as merry as they had been sixty years ago. He had become a majestic figure of a man, his bulk undiminished, his mind unimpaired, and he carried his old age blithely. He had outlived Winston and Frank, who had both died in the early 1960s within a year of each other, and David Kallinski, who had passed on in the summer of 1967. There are only the two of us left now, Emma thought. And Blackie will go on for ever. He’s an old warhorse. But then, so am I.

Emily, who was sitting further down the table, caught Emma’s attention, rolling her eyes upward, silently mouthing words Emma could not understand. She frowned and motioned for Emily to come to the head of the table.

‘What on earth’s the matter with you, Emily? You look as if you’re having a fit!’

Emily bent forward and whispered, ‘It’s Aunt Edwina, Grandy. She’s three sheets to the wind, and tilting. As usual. It’s all that wine she’s guzzled, plus the four scotches and the champagne before dinner. If you ask me, she’s got a drinking problem. She’s getting awfully snotty with Gianni. I know you don’t like him, but he’s harmless and he’s good to the twins and Mummy. I think she’s been abominably rude and he’s so uncomfortable. Mummy’s bombed, too. Not that that’s so unusual these days. Shouldn’t Hilda serve coffee?’

Emma patted Emily’s arm affectionately. ‘Good girl. I’m glad you told me. Now, do me a small favour and run upstairs. You’ll find my briefcase in the parlour. Put it behind the desk in the library.’

‘I will, Grandy. In just one minute.’ Emily returned to her place at the table, reached over, and picked up her glass. She stood behind her chair and cleared her throat loudly. ‘Please, be quiet, everyone!’ she pronounced in a strong voice. The buzz of conversation stopped abruptly and they all looked at her in surprise.

The self-confident Emily, who was never put out by anything, exclaimed, ‘Far be it from me, as a member of the younger generation of this family, to suggest that someone here has been remiss tonight. But I would like to point out that no one has proposed a toast to Grandmother, who has just recovered from a serious illness. I think we should drink to her continuing good health. For we all love her very dearly-’

Emily paused and glared at Robin and Kit, whom she detested. Her green eyes, so like Emma’s, were condemning. ‘And so I am going to propose a toast to her. To Emma Harte. A great lady. To whom we all owe so much. May she be with us for a long time to come. To Emma Harte!’

‘To Emma Harte!’ they said in unison, raising their glasses.

Emma was moved by Emily’s gesture. But, perhaps more importantly, she was proud of her twenty-one-year-old granddaughter. She’s got guts, that one, Emma thought, and she’s not afraid of anyone, least of all her uncles. Emma took in the furious expressions on the faces of her sons, and she concealed a small smile as she rose to her feet.

‘Thank you,’ she said, inclining her head. ‘And now let us adjourn to the library for coffee and liqueurs.’ And the last round, she added silently, thinking of the winning cards she had up her sleeve.

The library was a large room with a high-flung ceiling and mullioned windows looking out on to the grounds. With its western aspect and early eighteenth-century pine panelling, it made a gracious setting for the fine antique tables and cabinets, the grand Chippendale desk, the many books, the comfortable sofas covered in light green floral chintz, the dark green velvet chairs and matching draperies.

Emma walked briskly across the Aubusson carpet that covered the dark wood floor and stood in front of the massive carved stone fireplace, the original that dated back to 1611, when Pennistone Royal had been built. She spread her hands and warmed them in front of the log fire and then looked up at the overmantel that soared to the ceiling. Her eyes settled on the relief in its centre. How appropriate, she thought, with a faint ironic smile. It depicted the Judgement of Solomon.

Emma swung round as Emily hurried in breathlessly. She held up the briefcase, grinned, and deposited it behind the desk, and then flitted over to the fireplace, the red chiffon flaring out behind her. She hugged Emma. ‘I do adore this dress, Grandy. Thank you again for giving it to me.’

Smiling affectionately, Emma touched Emily’s cheek, the gesture tender. ‘You may also keep the earrings, dear.’

Emily gasped. ‘Oh, I couldn’t! Are you sure?’ Emily stared at her grandmother, her eyes sparkling. ‘You do mean it. I can tell by the look on your face. Oh, you are a darling. Thank you. Oh, gosh!’ She broke off and her young face fell. ‘Mummy’s going to be as mad as hell. She was furious when she saw me wearing them.’

Emma swallowed a smile. ‘I think I can dispose of my jewellery any way I like, Emily. It’s none of your mother’s business, or anybody else’s for that matter. Don’t give it another thought.’

Sarah, Kit’s only child, appeared in the doorway. She made a striking picture in her bottle-green velvet gown, her russetgold hair tumbling around her freckled face to soften her angular features. Thank God she doesn’t take after her father or her grandfather, Joe, Emma thought, as Sarah joined them at the fireplace.

The twenty-six-year-old tucked her arm through Emma’s possessively and said with a frown. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with my father. He’s been edgy all evening. I just ran into him in the Stone Hall talking to Uncle Robin. They both looked like thunder and seemed to be having a terrible row. I hope they won’t spoil this lovely party with their bickering. They’re impossible, as usual.’

‘I’m sure it’s nothing of any consequence, Sarah. Don’t worry,’ Emma said. She thought: So, the conspirators are at each other’s throats. Not surprising.

Emily volunteered in her breathless voice, ‘I think all the oldies have been behaving a bit strange since they got here. Sort of jittery, Grandy. Especially Mummy. But then she’s always a bag of nerves. Oh, well, who cares. We’re having fun.’

‘Indeed we are,’ Emma said, and plunged into an animated discussion about business with her granddaughters.

The others began to stroll in gradually. They seated themselves around the room or clustered in groups. Hilda, the housekeeper, served coffee and the butler dispensed afterdinner drinks and cigars. Blackie strolled over to Emma, nursing a brandy and puffing on a cigar.

‘A lovely evening, Emma.’ He peered down into her face. ‘And you look wonderful, mavourneen. If I were two years younger I’d be asking ye to marry me. On the blessed heads of the saints I swear I would,’ he laughed, lapsing into his brogue as he was wont to do of late.

‘There’s no fool like an old fool,’ Emma laughed. Her face sobered. ‘And talking of fools, don’t you think you ought to take it easy with these?’ she asked, indicating the drink and cigar.

‘I hardly have to worry about my health at my age. I’m living on borrowed time as it is,’ he exclaimed, and continued, ‘Bryan sends you his love. And I’m happy to announce that Geraldine’s expecting me third grandchild.’