Read In Distant Fields for Free Online

heel and going. As she watched him, Kitty found herself wishing her own father showed as much consideration for her mother as Mr Wynyard Errol was showing to Mrs Wynyard Errol.
    â€˜Upon my word, how dreadfully, terribly sad, Ralph Wynyard Errol having to go back to London to spend Christmas with his ailing mother. And so unusual.’
    Kitty looked round in surprise to find Partita pulling a comic face at her.
    â€˜Is it not unusual?’
    â€˜I would say not. Not in the least unusual. Rayff, dear Rayff, keeps a little poodle in Putney, doncha know,’ Partita murmured, straight-faced. ‘And as for the way Wavell deals with it, I do wonder how he gets through the little pantomime every Christmas,’ Partita continued, lowering her voice still more, while not losing the look of mischief in her eyes. ‘Each year the same – the old lady’s doctor advises Mr Wynyard Errol’s most immediate return – upon which news everyone becomes positively suffused with concern, and her son departs at once to return to his poor mamma’s bedside.’ Partita paused. ‘Her doctor must be a medical genius, the way he has been keeping her alive over these last few years – and always with the same good effect, because once the New Year is upon us, et voilà , old Mrs Wynyard Errol is once more as right as rain.’
    Kitty would have loved to hear more, but perhaps suspecting that her youngest daughter might be spreading scandal, the Duchess now looked across to where the two girls were standing and, with that particular look that all mothers know how to give, silently beckoned her youngest daughter over.
    â€˜Here is Valentine newly arrived even as his father has to take his leave, Partita. Be so good as to introduce him to Miss Rolfe, if you will.’
    â€˜You must be so worried about your grandmamma,’ Partita said to Valentine after they had been introduced to each other.
    â€˜We are very worried about Grandmamma,’ Valentine stated bravely. ‘She is getting really quite old and her health is very delicate.’
    â€˜She seems more than anything to be allergic to Christmas, would you not say?’ Partita continued mischievously. ‘She has a habit of falling ill at Christmas.’
    â€˜Papa believes it is something chronic,’ Valentine stated, not looking at Partita.
    â€˜Let us hope she gets better in time for the New Year.’
    â€˜So worrying always when an elderly relative becomes ill …’
    Kitty was rescued from any more conversational essays by the arrival of Partita’s brother, still in his hunting clothes.
    â€˜Forgive me, everyone,’ Almeric said, making a dramatic, mud-spattered entrance. ‘Forgive me,Mamma, but we have had such a day and I am thirsting for a cup of your delicious tea, and some cake.’
    Almeric Knowle padded in bootless feet across to the fireplace where he collected a cup of freshly poured tea from his mother.
    â€˜We shall forgive Almeric for his déshabillé , shall we not?’ Circe wondered, watching with affection as her son tucked into his tea while warming himself in front of the welcoming fire.
    â€˜Everyone forgives Almeric,’ Partita sighed. ‘He is the son and heir.’
    â€˜Not quite true, dearest, not quite true,’ Circe said, smiling.
    At home Kitty would have helped pass round sandwiches, if there were any, but at Bauders she could only stand, one of a group, while footmen in their country tweed livery, their carefully padded stockings making their often sadly thin legs look flatteringly muscular, circled with plates of delicacies. Everyone talked and laughed as they were meant to do. The truth was, she felt as if she was taking part in a play but, as yet, did not quite know her lines, and yet wanted nothing more nor less than to learn them, before the curtain fell.
    â€˜There seems to be something on that mind of yours, Miss Kitty,’ Bridie