Jeeves and the Wedding Bells(51)
‘Believe me, I know what he’s thinking, because it’s just what I thought in France.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘He’s thinking, Why am I galloping with this filly in the Grand National when by rights I should be ploughing through the fences at the Easter Monday point-to-point at Kingston Parva?’
Georgiana burst out laughing. ‘You really are absurd. Did you know that?’
‘Well, if ever I had any doubts on that score, the events of the last couple of days have—’
‘No, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant you really are absurdly funny. And thoughtful.’
‘Thoughtful? Try telling my …’
‘Absurdly so. Yes.’
‘… Aunt Agatha that.’
‘No, thanks.’
‘To get back to Rupert,’ I said sternly. ‘He’s a good bet. He’s just pinching himself at the moment. To make sure he’s not dreaming. And you’ll have a splendid time together. Your job, his travels … The little Venableses in due course. And Mrs V will be a doting grandmother.’
‘Have another brandy.’ Georgiana swung off the sofa, dipped into the ottoman and filled both glasses to the brim.
‘It’s funny your mentioning the Côte d’Azur,’ she said, resettling herself. ‘I was in a quandary before I went down there. And then I had such a wonderful time. I felt so happy when I got back to London. Everything seemed straightforward. I knew what I had to do. And now …’
‘Now what?’
Georgiana stared up at the painting over the mantelpiece – an eighteenth-century squire in a three-cornered hat, a moody-looking bird, sitting with his wife beneath a tree.
‘Now,’ she said, ‘I feel I should do what I can to thank my uncle. Although he’s a peppery old fellow, I know, they did look after me, you know, he and Aunt Guinevere. I was pretty young when my parents died. It was quite a shock.’
‘I can imagine.’
‘I know you can. Perhaps that’s why we got on so well in France. We’d been through the same thing.’
There wasn’t much anyone could say for a moment or two at this point. But it wasn’t a sticky silence; it was just one of those things.
‘Anyway,’ I said, ‘Venables knows how lucky he is – and that means he’s bound to look after you well. I’ve noticed the way he sneaks the odd glance at you when he thinks no one’s watching. He appreciates you. That’s the important thing. And Melbury Hall can be wrapped in cotton wool—’
‘Or sausage casings. But before I walk up the aisle with Rupert I need to know that Amelia and Woody are going to do the same. Otherwise the job’s only half done.’
‘Are you saying that if you weren’t certain about Woody and Amelia, you wouldn’t marry Rupert?’
‘I don’t think I can answer that.’
I offered a cigarette.
‘No, thanks. By the way, Bertie, there’s going to be a big Midsummer Festival in Melbury Tetchett next weekend.’
‘Oh, really? What’s the theme? Ancient fertility rites? Or just a few charades and a sing-song?’
‘I’m not sure. Uncle Henry’s dead keen. I think the idea is that it should be a masque based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Some village bod’s in charge.’
‘A masque?’
‘Yes, though I’ve never quite known what that means.’
‘Join the club. I do know the play, though. I was in it once.’
‘Were you Oberon?’
‘No. I was Bottom. I say, there’s no need to laugh quite so hard, Georgiana.’
‘I’m sorry, Bertie. It was just the way you said it. It was so forlorn. And Bottom’s one of the best parts.’
‘I know. We played the rude mechanicals in the voices of some of the best-known beaks. I’m told my voice was a spit for Monty Beresford.’
‘Who was Monty Beresford?’
‘Lower fifth classics.’
‘Do you still remember the lines?’
‘They’re engraved on my heart. I couldn’t forget them if I tried.’
‘I always said you were clever.’
‘It’s just as well, because I can’t remember much else from school.’
‘Give me a few lines.’
‘Right ho. Another drop?’
‘Just a dribble. I had some wine at dinner. But help yourself.’
I did. I saw no reason to mention the hastily dispatched claret – Bicknell’s portion, as I thought of it – nor the malty local beer with which I had attempted to drown my sorrows from a jug at the pavilion. The old boy’s brandy was a rather mellow one, with plenty of oomph and toffee in the follow-through and it was beginning to blur the memory of the dropped catch.