“Yes, I had a relationship with a photographer in Rome, and he inspired me. It didn’t work out, but I left with my camera and the knowledge I’d acquired and went back to Canada.”
“How did you end up in Paris?”
“Long story, another time, perhaps.” She turned away. The wind caught a curl and tossed it against her cheek. David sensed she didn’t want to talk about that part of her life.
“Do you mind if I take some photos up here? It’s really magical, David.”
“Did you bring your camera?”
“Only a little one. A photographer is never without a camera.”
“Sure, you snap away.”
“Do you mind if I take you?”
“I’m not photogenic.”
“That’s because you haven’t had your photograph taken by a professional.” She smiled and pulled a small Canon out of her pocket. “Allow me!”
* * *
A while later Phaedra reluctantly left the folly and followed David down the hill. At last they approached the steps of the house. “One thing I want to ask you, Phaedra,” he said, stopping on the gravel.
“Sure.”
“When you hung out with Dad and he introduced you to people as a photographer, didn’t they think it a little odd?”
She shrugged. “No one thought it odd in Paris.”
“When you moved to London?
Her face darkened, and she grew suddenly solemn. “It got complicated.” She put her hands in her coat pockets.
“But no one gossiped?”
“Not that I know of. I wasn’t here long enough.”
“That’s quite astonishing.”
“I disagree. If you really want to keep something quiet, you can,” she said with a shrug. “If he hadn’t included me in his will and I hadn’t turned up at the funeral, none of you would ever have known.”
He sensed her discomfort and wanted to put her back at ease. “Speaking for myself, I can say for certain that I’d be the worse off.”
“That’s sweet.” She gave a small smile and David felt happy again.
“Come on, let’s go and find Mother.”
9
Antoinette was in the drawing room with Roberta, Joshua, and Rosamunde when they saw David and Phaedra appear in the doorway. Antoinette’s eyes lit up, Joshua’s gray cheeks flushed pink, and Roberta scowled. She swept her eyes over Phaedra’s bright floral dress, apple-green cardigan, black tights, and ankle boots, and thought how inappropriately dressed she was for the countryside. Phaedra noticed her contempt and wished she’d worn jeans instead.
“I was wondering when you’d appear,” said Antoinette.
“Did you sleep well over there?” Rosamunde asked.
“Very well, thank you. The country sounds sent me right off,” Phaedra replied.
“She made me pancakes for breakfast,” said David, noticing the pink in Joshua’s cheeks turn a little green.
“Lucky you,” Rosamunde gushed. “I love pancakes!”
“Much easier to buy the ready-made sort,” said Roberta with a sniff.
“Easier, yes, but not nearly as tasty,” Phaedra replied.
“I can attest to that,” David agreed.
“I thought we could go into Fairfield,” Antoinette suggested. “There are some lovely little boutiques Phaedra might enjoy.”
“I’d like to see where George is buried, if that’s all right with you,” Phaedra replied.
“Of course it is. We can take some daffodils from the garden, if you like.”
Phaedra smiled. “That would be lovely.”
David was distracted by his mobile telephone. He walked over to the window to answer it.
“Josh, would you like to come?” Antoinette asked.
Joshua glanced at his wife. “We’re going to take Amber for a walk,” he replied, trying to look enthusiastic.
“I’ll go with you,” said Rosamunde. “That way Antoinette can get to know her stepdaughter.”
Antoinette turned to Phaedra and smiled. “It’s just us and David, then. Tom is still in bed. That’s what he does, stays up all week then flops the minute he gets home.”
“Does he bring his washing with him as well?” Phaedra asked with a grin.
“How did you know?” Antoinette laughed.
“David confessed that he’d done that in the past.”
“Well, you’re right. If Tom didn’t bring it home, it simply wouldn’t get done.”
“You’re a good mother,” said Phaedra. She could feel Roberta’s disdainful stare burning through her skin. “Where’s Amber? I’d love to meet her,” she added, making an effort to include Roberta.