“She’s asleep upstairs,” Roberta replied frostily.
“Well, I look forward to seeing her when she wakes up. I love children.”
“She’s adorable,” said Joshua. “Very pretty, like her mother.”
Roberta rolled her eyes. “He has to say that,” she retorted.
“I’d say she’s very lucky if she looks like you, Roberta. You have the most wonderful bone structure. I’d give my right arm for cheekbones like yours.”
Roberta was much too shrewd to fall for flattery. “Thank you,” she replied with cool politeness.
Joshua grinned at his wife. “Yes, Amber will be very lucky to look like Roberta.”
“I’m afraid I have to go up to the farm,” David sighed. “Broken drill.”
“Oh dear!” Phaedra looked alarmed.
“I’ll come and join you later,” he reassured her.
“Oh, do. We’re going to the church, then down the high street, right, Antoinette?”
“If you like.”
“So come and find us. You will, won’t you?”
David was flattered. “As soon as I manage to extricate myself.”
“Do you think it’ll take you long?”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t,” he said. “But Mother will look after you. I’m not good in shops. I lose my patience and become rude.”
Antoinette shook her head. “We’ll buy him an ice cream, and he can sit on the pavement while we visit the boutiques!”
* * *
Antoinette and Phaedra disappeared down the drive in Antoinette’s car while David walked back across the field towards the farm, situated up the back drive a quarter of a mile from the house. Rosamunde remained in the drawing room with Roberta and Joshua. “She’s a very nice girl,” said Rosamunde firmly. “Very like George, don’t you think?”
“In what way?” Roberta asked. She saw no similarity whatsoever.
“The charisma. They both have that unique quality that draws one’s attention. I call people like that ‘halo people,’ because they’re surrounded by a brilliant light that makes you want to go on looking at them.”
“Well, I’m afraid I don’t see her halo.”
“I agree, Rosamunde, she’s very compelling,” Joshua said. “She likes you, Roberta.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Roberta retorted, appalled at the thought. “She’s just trying to win me over. She knows I smell a rat.”
“You’re being unkind, Roberta,” said Rosamunde stridently. “You’ve been nothing but unfriendly since she arrived.”
Roberta gave a little sniff. “I’m not a gusher,” she explained. “I can’t pretend if I don’t feel it.”
“Do you still think she’s a usurper who’s penetrated the family to steal all our money?” said Joshua.
“I’m not sure. I don’t believe her story. Something doesn’t add up, but I can’t work out what it is. Call it intuition, but I’ve got a strong feeling that she’s not telling us the truth.”
Suddenly, Margaret’s formidable presence filled the doorway. Basil came scurrying across the floor in search of Bertie and Wooster, then shot out again when he didn’t find them. “So where is our guest?” she demanded, scanning the room with her incisive gaze.
Rosamunde caught Joshua’s eye. “David’s taken her back to his house,” she lied.
Margaret inhaled through dilated nostrils. “For goodness’ sake, why didn’t somebody tell me? I’ve walked all the way across the fields.” She strode in and sat down in the armchair.
Harris brought in a cup of coffee on a tray. Margaret lifted it down and took a little sip. “Goodness me, that’s very strong, Harris. I’m going to be buzzing for the rest of the day.”
“Mrs. Gunice made it, ma’am.”
“I suggest you make it next time, Harris. You know how I like it.”
“Yes, I do, ma’am.”
“Good, that’s settled, then. Will you make sure Basil gets some water? He’s run miles; he must be dreadfully thirsty.”
She turned back to the room. “So Roberta, what’s she like?”
“She’s very nice,” Roberta replied tightly.
“You know, at school we were told never to describe anything as ‘nice.’ You can do better than that.”
“All right, she’s sugary sweet and charming.”
“Is she, indeed?”
“Well, she’s won everyone over.”
“Except you.” Margaret narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her granddaughter-in-law.