Mrs Jenkins, or Glinda as he now called her, drew Henry’s attention.
‘She’ll come, you know.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Ava, she’ll come.’
‘Is it that obvious?’ Henry smiled.
‘Yes, but don’t worry. I don’t think anybody else has noticed. They look like they’re having a wonderful time.’ She motioned to the room, and it was true. Everyone was smiling, eating, drinking and chatting. There was no ostentatious drunkenness, but everyone looked on the right side of merry. Henry was pleased to see Ted talking to Flo who laughed raucously at whatever he’d said.
‘You did a brilliant job helping me with the organisation. Really, thank you. The orchestra is much more fitting than Dave the DJ’s offer of a disco. Contacting the college was inspired. I’m not sure we could have carried this whole thing off otherwise.’
‘You’re most welcome, and I’ve enjoyed it. It was hard, watching your father. He wouldn’t let me help enough. I sometimes felt I was walking on eggshells around him.’ Glinda looked at Henry with a look that made him wonder how much she knew.
‘The tumour caused mood swings — my mother has said the same.’ Henry didn’t think that was what Glinda meant but wasn’t going to be drawn into talking about the estate’s affairs.
She smiled and nodded. ‘I’m sorry I seemed stiff when you first took over everything.’
Henry looked at her, deciding it was safer not to comment.
‘I worked for your father for a long time, and I love this house. The family and the estate mean a lot to me. My family have worked here for generations. Forgive me, but I thought . . . I thought you might give up on it and sell. Some people would have.’
Henry looked at her. He had no idea if it was the alcohol making her speak this way but he welcomed the honesty.
He smiled. ‘I’m here to stay and, Glinda, I misjudged you too. I’m sorry for that.’
‘Really, what did you think of me?’
Henry pushed away all images of apparitions and broomsticks. ‘Why don’t we just start over?’ He lifted his glass. ‘To new beginnings.’
Glinda smiled and repeated his toast as her glass met his.
‘I think I’ll join that toast.’ Lady Bramlington stretched across the table, her glass meeting theirs. ‘To new beginnings.’
Henry wondered if he saw a lingering look between the two women, and decided not to question it. Instead, he drained his glass.
As he placed it, empty, back on the table, he saw Mary and Gino slipping into their seats. His pulse raced as his eyes searched the room. And then he saw her. Ava was standing in the doorway. When he looked in her direction she smiled.
Excusing himself, Henry stood and walked towards her, both pleased and nervous at her arrival.
‘You came, and you look incredible.’ His voice was a deep whisper as he took in the sight of her. Emerald green satincaressed her body, pooling at her feet — contrasting with her flame-red hair, pale skin tone and the smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her blue eyes glinted as she offered him a smile that he felt as well as saw.
‘Thank you. You look stunning yourself.’
Henry felt his cheeks blush as Ava’s flirtatious eyes met his.
‘I should announce you’re here. Most of the village has turned out to support the charity — but I wish we were alone.’
Ava leaned up and kissed his cheek. The sensation of her hair touching his face, her scent, and the brush of silk against his arm, was intoxicating. He released an appreciative sigh.
‘Me too,’ she whispered, slipping her hand in his.
He looked down, and then back to her smile, wondering how he was going to contain the things he wanted to say and do with her until it was polite to slip away.
* * *
When at last the dancing was well underway, and most people were occupied being taught a choreographed waltz by one of the dance students who had agreed to help for the evening, Henry seized his moment. Taking Ava by the hand, he led her outside into the privacy of a walled courtyard.
