likes to have, before he sanctions a serious relationship. Actually, I’m willing to give them my blessing, you know, providing I’m satisfied Katharine is everything she appears to be.’
Francesca went to her father. Impulsively, she threw her arms around him, and said, her cheek against his, ‘Kim and I are lucky to have you as a father.’
‘And I’m lucky to have the two of you,’ David said warmly. ‘Certainly neither of you has ever caused me any trouble.’ He looked up at her and grinned boyishly. ‘But then I haven’t given you any either. I’ve never curtailed your activities or poked around in your lives. In fact, I think I’ve always given you a lot of rope. Because I trust you both implicitly. That’s why I can’t understand Kim’s attitude at all.’ He half-smiled at Francesca. ‘I’ve brought you and Kim up to take people at face value, to accept them for their worth on a human level, and not to be influenced by money or power or more worldly things, and I know I was right to do that. At the same time, I expect you both to have common sense, exercise judgment and discretion, and select friends who are at least appropriate –’
‘Don’t you think Katharine is appropriate?’ Francesca interrupted, her eyes clouding over.
‘How can I possibly know that, Frankie? On the surface, yes, I would say she appears to be appropriate. But no adult ever comes to us like a newborn babe, without a history, a past. And since I have no knowledge of Katharine’s upbringing, I can hardly make a proper assessment of her, decide whether or not she is suitable for Kim. As a wife that is. I don’t have to remind you of his responsibilities, I know that. On the other hand, have you thought of what Katharine’s life would be like if she married Kim? She would be buried in the country most of the year; a farmer’s wife, albeit a farmer’s wife with a title, and country living is hardly the most exciting existence, my darling, as well you know. It’s never been your cup of tea. And then again, there are all the duties and responsibilities she would have to take on, with the estate workers, the villagers, the Women’s Voluntary Service, not to mention our rather demanding vicar. Think of the church activities alone – garden fêtes, bazaars, jumble sales, the Harvest Festival, the Christmas festivities, and so many more endless tasks. More importantly, perhaps, does Katharine know what marriage to Kim really entails?’ David shook his head and did not wait for her reply. ‘I doubt it. I’m sure Kim hasn’t bothered to explain the ramifications of his life, just as he hasn’t sought to find out more about her. Personally, I think he’s so damned infatuated he hasn’t given a passing thought to these things. Probably thinks they’re irrelevant and far too mundane. But they’re not. They’re an integral part of his life, as my son and heir. They’re his duty,’ he concluded with a sigh. As an after-thought, he added, ‘You know, he’s been bowled over by Katharine’s looks, and his head is in the clouds. You saw how he behaved at Les Ambassadeurs the other night. He’s quite hypnotized by her. You do agree with that, at least, don’t you, Frankie dear?’
‘I … I … suppose you’re right.’
David adopted a milder tone. ‘I had hoped we were close enough, that you and Kim both trusted me enough, to be open with me, to seek my guidance on important matters in your lives. I thought you knew I would always be fair, and certainly most understanding.’
‘I do know that, Daddy, and so does Kim. Really and truly we do!’ she protested.
David looked at his daughter closely. ‘I don’t want you to misunderstand me, Frankie. I’m not trying to play God in your lives. It’s hardly a role I relish, and it invariably creates havoc. However, although I’m not infallible, I have had some experience of life, and I want you both to have the benefit of the bit of wisdom I’ve acquired, for what it’s worth.’ He paused. ‘I’ll tell you something else. Years ago I vowed I would never make the same mistake my father did.’
Francesca’s eyes strayed to the photograph of her father’s older sister. ‘You’re thinking of Aunt Arabella, aren’t you, Dad?’
David followed her gaze, directed at the photograph of his sister, taken when she had been presented at court. He nodded. ‘Yes, I am. As you know, your grandfather objected to Kurt von Wittingen most strongly, even though he was a prince and wealthy, because he was a German. Yet Arabella married him anyway. Father lived to regret his decision, even though he never came out and actually said so. I believe it broke his heart, never seeing her again.’ Yes, it truly did, he added to himself. If only the old man had been less obdurate, more reasonable, I know she would not have acted so rashly. That’s a family trait, rashness in the face of opposition, he thought. And Kim’s inherited Arabella’s impetuousness. ‘I’m sorry, Frankie, I missed what you just said. Wool gathering, I’m afraid,’ he apologized.
‘I said it was a very tragic story … Arabella’s and Kurt’s. But still, because of them we do have Diana and Christian, don’t we?’
‘We certainly do, my darling. And that reminds me, I had a letter from Diana just last week. From Königssee. Christian and she want to come over and spend a few weeks with us this summer. I hope you’ll make it a point to be at Langley when they’re there.’
‘Gosh, Daddy, you know I wouldn’t miss their visit for anything,’ she cried. Francesca had always been especially close to her German cousins, who made frequent trips to England and spent many holidays at Langley. She squeezed her father’s arm affectionately. ‘It will be lovely to see them.’ Her face became intent. ‘I know I haven’t really been very helpful about Katharine. But I’m absolutely certain everything’s going to be fine. I know it is.’
‘I hope so, my dear.’
Francesca looked at her watch. ‘Oh, it’s getting late. I must get to the Museum. You don’t mind if I scoot off, do you?’
‘No, my dear, you run along. Incidentally, any instructions for Mrs Moggs?’
Francesca laughed at his pained expression. ‘No, I left a note for her in the kitchen. I’m sorry you have to cope with her this morning. She’s a holy terror, but she does mean well. If I were you, I’d do a disappearing act as soon as you can, then she won’t be able to boss you around.’ Francesca leaned forward and kissed him. ‘Have a nice day, and I’ll see you tonight for dinner.’
‘I’m looking forward to it, darling.’
After Francesca had left for the British Museum, David sat debating with himself about the best course of action to take. Being a man of integrity and decency, he was reluctant to make pointed inquiries about Katharine Tempest. It was abhorrent to him. It smacked of prying, the worst type of spying and infringement of personal privacy. It also showed lack of trust in Kim’s judgment, and anyway, he would much prefer to hear the facts about Katharine from his son, and not indirectly. And yet … David shook his head in aggravation. It was precisely Kim’s behaviour which was causing him to view the situation with a degree of alarm. Until his talk with Francesca, he had believed Kim’s vagueness to be evasiveness, a defence mechanism induced by the resentment he felt because he thought he was being treated like a child. Sadly, David now acknowledged, Kim had been vague because he knew next to nothing about the girl with whom he was so infatuated. It was most apparent to David that Kim had no information because the girl herself had not been forthcoming.
People in love invariably confided in each other, and talked about their past, didn’t they? Unless … Unless they had something to hide. Did Katharine have something to hide? He told himself this was a stupid, even insane, idea, and hardly worthy of protracted consideration. After all, he had been impressed with Katharine. He understood the reasons for his son’s enthralment, and so he had not given much thought to her background until last night, after his frustrating talk with Kim. The boy had been unable to answer the
