Being Elizabeth

‘Obviously not,’ Elizabeth answered. ‘Actually, now that I think about it, my father never mentioned his father in that conversation about the medallion, he just told me how thrilled he’d been to get it, and proud. He said he treasured it because of its historical significance. He adored his mother, and I suspect it was extra special to him because it was one of her last gifts to him.’

‘And now it’s yours,’ Nicholas said, gazing at her fondly, his eyes benign and caring. Like Cecil and Robert, he was extremely protective of her, and would always defend her and her interests.

Elizabeth went on, ‘My brother Edward received it after my father’s death, even though he was too young to run the company, as you all know. It was his by right. And then it went to Mary when Edward died. Whoever wears it is the head of Deravenels, but basically it is only a symbol. Still, it’s always been tremendously important to the Turners, and it’s passed on to the next heir immediately.’

Cecil said, ‘It’s a beautiful thing, and when your father wore it on special occasions he did so with great pride.’

She nodded. ‘Yes, he did. You know, there’s another bit of family lore attached to this particular medallion, which Father told me about. Seemingly, Neville Watkins and Edward Deravenel had a terrible falling out, a genuine rift that went on for years and was devastating to everyone.’ She took a sip of champagne, and continued, ‘Johnny, Neville’s brother, was torn between the two of them, and tried to broker a rapprochement, but couldn’t. Ultimately, he had to take his brother’s side, he had no choice. When he was killed in a car crash in 1914 he was wearing the medallion under his shirt. Edward’s brother Richard brought Johnny’s medallion to him, and Edward wore it for the rest of his life. His own he gave to his brother.’

Now picking up the medallion again, leaning forward, Elizabeth showed them the side bearing the image of the sun in splendour. ‘If you look closely, you can see the initials J.W. which apparently Edward had engraved on the rim here, then he added his own initials. When my father received the medallion, he added his initials, as did Edward, and also Mary.’ She passed the medallion to Cecil, who looked at it closely then gave it to Nicholas, who did the same and handed it to Robert.

After staring at the series of initials, Robert glanced at her, and announced, ‘You must wear it today, Elizabeth. Now. Because it’s yours and it signifies so much, the history of your family. Next week I’ll have your initials added to the rim, if that’s all right with you?’

‘Why that’s lovely of you. Thank you, Robin.’

Rising, he went over to her, opened the clasp and fastened the gold chain around her neck. ‘There you are,’ he said, smiling down at her. ‘You’re now the boss!’

Before she could say anything, Lucas appeared in the doorway of the library. ‘Lunch is served, Miss Turner,’ he announced.

‘Thank you, Lucas, we’ll be right in.’

Jumping up, Elizabeth hugged Robert, and said softly against his ear, ‘You always manage to do the right thing, ever since we were little.’

‘And I can say the same thing about you,’ he answered, taking her arm and leading her out of the library into the Long Hall, followed by Cecil and Nicholas.

Once they were in the dining room, Elizabeth turned to Cecil, and said, ‘Come and sit next to me, and Nicholas, Robin, please sit opposite.’

They all took their seats, and Elizabeth said, ‘We’re having Yorkshire pudding first, then leg of lamb, roast potatoes and the usual vegetables. I hope you’re going to enjoy it.’

Nicholas grinned. ‘A traditional Sunday lunch is my favourite meal of the week. I’ve been looking forward to it all morning.’

‘I bet you didn’t get many of those in Paris, did you, old chap?’ Cecil said. ‘And by the way, I for one am glad you’re back.’

‘So am I,’ Nicholas asserted. ‘And from what I’ve gathered from our phone conversations, there’s a lot for us to do.’

Cecil nodded. ‘That’s true, but before we start reorganizing the company, and getting it on a more profitable level, I think we have to do something about the board. It’s top heavy.’

‘It certainly is!’ Elizabeth exclaimed. ‘Mary added far too many additional board members, and in my opinion it should go back to the way it was in my father’s time. Eighteen.’

‘Agreed, and –’ Cecil broke off as Lucas came in carrying a tray followed by a young maid.

The butler placed the tray on a side table, and then he and the maid gave everyone a plate on which there was a large, round Yorkshire pudding.

After serving the gravy, the butler asked, ‘Shall I pour the wine now, Miss Turner?’

‘Why not, Lucas. Thank you.’

Once they were alone again, Nicholas looked across the table at Cecil and Elizabeth, and said, ‘A large board is unwieldly, don’t you think? And also too many voices and lots of differing opinions create monumental problems in the long run. I’m glad you’ve decided to tighten it up.’

‘The whole company needs tightening up,’ Robert said. ‘There’s been a lot of waste. Not only of money, but of talent as well. The company needs new blood, new young blood, quite apart from anything else.’

‘Robert, you took the words right out of my mouth,’ said Cecil, inclining his head. ‘And now, here’s a toast to you, Elizabeth.’ He picked up his crystal goblet of red wine, and raised it to her. ‘To a new beginning at Deravenels and your great success!’

The other two men repeated her name, and lifted their glasses; Elizabeth smiled at them, her dark eyes glowing, and they all took a sip of the vintage claret.

‘Thank you,’ she said as she put the glass down on the table again. ‘I just want to say that I’m happy the three of you are here with me today, and that we’re going to face the future together at Deravenels. I don’t think I could do it without you.’

‘Oh, you could,’ Robert said confidently. ‘But it’ll be better with us around, don’t you think?’

She laughed, began to eat, and the men followed suit.

From time to time Robert looked across the table at her and held her gaze until she glanced down at her plate and continued to eat. She was so happy he had decided to come up, be with her on this very special day. He looked wonderful, so good-looking, so very glamorous. All of a sudden she realised she was staring at him, perhaps a little too intently, when he raised a dark brow and threw her a questioning look. Her stomach tightened and she felt herself flushing. Much to her astonishment, she had become very aware of him physically in the last hour or so, extremely conscious of his presence.

FOUR

He has not changed much over the years, my friend Robin.Not in character at least. He has always been thoughtful,caring, worrying about my comfort; or second-guessingme; or showing up out of the blue, as if he could read my mind.When I was a child I was always hoping he would persuade hisfather to bring him to Kent to stay with us. Often I got downand prayed that he would arrive.

Sometimes he and his father would show up at WaverleyCourt, usually on a Friday afternoon, and John Dunley wouldleave Robin with us for the weekend, or often longer in thesummer. Kat Ashe, my governess, had taken a great liking toRobin and welcomed him warmly. Looking back. I’m sure itwas Kat and Robin’s father who concocted these visits betweenthem, knowing how isolated I was.

We first met at my father’s Chelsea house, and we took aninstant liking to each other. That day when he came to havelunch and play with me, I asked him how old he was, and hetold me he was eight. I remember how surprised I was, becausehe was tall and looked older, and then I confided, ‘I’m alsoeight. My birthday is on September the seventh. When’s yours?’I don’t think I’ll ever forget that look of astonishment on Robin’sface. ‘That’s my birthday too! September the seventh. We’ll haveto have a joint party!’ He grinned at me and exclaimed, ‘Gosh,we’re actually twins, Elizabeth!’ It’s often struck me how alikehe and I are, in fact.

I was a lonely little girl. My father had taken a terrible disliketo me after my mother died in a car accident in France. Heshunned me, eventually disowned me, and shunted me aroundto stay with any of his relatives who would have me. I feltunwanted and unloved, and actually I was. By him, anyway.

Eventually, Father sent me to Kent, to live at Stonehurst Farm.And Kat came too. She became a surrogate mother to me; Katloved me very much, and loves me to this day, but, as can onlybe expected, in those days I wanted my father’s love. He with-heldit. In fact, he was cruel and inhuman in his behaviourtowards me.

My father abandoned me, showed me little or no consideration,and did not bother much about my well being, leavingeverything to Kat. He was verbally abusive to me when we didmeet, calling me terrible names, telling me I was a bastard,insisting that he was not my father, and shouting at me, sayingthat my mother had been a cheating whore. I never quite understoodwhy he hated me so much, and I still don’t, not really.Obviously, I was terrified of him.

When I was little I pretended that Robin was my brother,because I so desperately wanted a family, wanted to belong tosomebody. And needed someone to love. I loved Robin then,and I still love him. He is my best friend. And I know, deepinside, that I am his; certainly he’s often told me so. We wereclose in childhood, but we drifted apart as we grew older andhe was sent off to boarding school. Still, if I ever needed him, hewas always there for me, and in those awful days when Mary wasvengeful and mean, he was kind and comforting. My loyal anddevoted Robin.

I’m glad Cecil likes him. They’ve known each other for yearsbecause Cecil worked for Robin’s father at one time, which waswhen they got to know each other. They are somewhat differentin temperament. Cecil Williams, with his grey eyes and cleverface and bright intelligence, is a man that everyone trusts andlistens to. Like me, he has a degree of caution, is wary and doesnot make hasty decisions. He watches and waits, as I do. Alawyer by training, he scrupulously abides by the rules.

Robin is also intelligent, shrewd and clever, and has provedhimself to be brilliant in business. His handsome features anddark good looks, plus an easy natural charm and a gift of thegab, add to his potent charisma. And with his height and buildand flair for clothes, women tend to run after him, fall at hisfeet. Although he doesn’t pay much attention to them, I knowhe likes women and their company. But he’s never been a womanizer;he has a good reputation in that respect. The only thing Ihave ever cautioned him about is his impulsiveness. And he doesappear to be more restrained these days.

I’m glad he came up to Yorkshire last Sunday. It was a lovelysurprise and he, Nicholas, Cecil and I were able to talk at lengthabout Deravenels and future plans. He and Nicholas left onMonday morning. Cecil and I stayed on, of course, workingtogether for several days. Also, we had to remain at Ravenscarbecause of the funeral. Sixty people attended, and we managedto squeeze everybody into the chapel. John Norfell had arrangedeverything with his usual good taste and punctilliousness. Thechapel was filled with flowers, Mary’s favourite priest wasbrought from London, and the priest and John Norfell accompaniedthe coffin. Afterwards there was a catered lunch at thehouse. I did my duty and played the part, kept a solemndemeanour and said all of the right things to everyone with aquiet dignity. At least, Cecil told me I had been dignified andappropriate. Once everyone left, Cecil and I loaded his car withluggage and drove to London together.

And here I am on Saturday morning, back in my own apartmentin Eaton Square, waiting for my darling Kat, who’s dueto arrive at any moment. I can’t wait to see her … it’s beenseveral months since we last met.

‘Let me look at you, darling girl,’ Kat said, staring up into Elizabeth’s face. ‘I must say, you look none the worse for being all those weeks in the frozen north. I’d even go so far as to say you seem to be in blooming health. If a little pale.’

Elizabeth began to laugh, hugging her former governess, the woman who had brought her up. Finally releasing her, she said, ‘Kat, I’m never anything but pale, and you should know that since you’re the one who never let me out in the sun or the wind.’

‘That’s just it, it’s usually so very windy at Ravenscar. Frankly, it crossed my mind that you might have a bit of a windburn since you’ve been there for several weeks. And you have had it in the past,’ Kat reminded her.

‘When I was a child.’ Taking hold of her arm, leading her across the foyer, Elizabeth continued, ‘You know I listen to everything you say, and I’ve been protecting my skin for years, following your rules.’

Kat smiled. ‘Yes, I know.’

The two women went into the living room which Kat had helped Elizabeth decorate several years ago. Spacious and airy, it had a high ceiling, tall windows and a fireplace where a fire burned brightly. It was cheerful and inviting with its daffodil-yellow walls, cream sofas and chairs, as well as a number of good antique pieces which had been borrowed from attics at Ravenscar.