of meeting Mr Brunel himself and working with him on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton project.’
Poppy listened with wide-eyed interest as she ate. Robert had never discussed his family.
‘So he applied himself to civil engineering and, when he was nineteen, he dashed off to Edinburgh, with his father’s blessing, to study the subject at the university there. Would you like another sandwich, Poppy?’
‘Can I have one of those as well?’ She pointed to a custard pie.
‘Of course. Help yourself.’
Poppy reached over and put one on her plate. ‘Where’s Edinburgh, Aunt Phoebe?’
‘Why, Scotland, my dear.’
‘Oh, Scotland …’ She nodded thoughtfully, at the same time eyeing up her custard pie. ‘That’s when he must’ve had the idea to build that funny two-wheeled machine he rides everywhere. He said he had the idea in Scotland …’ Poppy was pleased she’d made the connection between his education in Scotland and his machine. But there was still plenty more she wanted to know. ‘So when did he meet that girl he’s engaged to?’
‘Her family have been involved with Crawford’s for many a long year, I understand. I suspect she and Robert have known each other a long time. But their engagement was announced, oh … less than a year ago.’
‘Do you know this girl, Aunt Phoebe?’ She took a bite from the custard pie.
‘I know of her. I have been acquainted with her family. They are respectable and very affluent—’
‘Affluent? What does affluent mean? Robert was always teaching me the meaning of words.’
‘Affluent means wealthy. It stems from the Latin word affluere, to flow to. So, when money flows to you, you are considered affluent.’ Aunt Phoebe smiled indulgently, pleased that her new protégée was not inhibited about asking such questions.
Poppy returned the smile, still munching, grateful in turn for the explanation. She had so much to learn in this world and she was a late starter. Another word kept cropping up as well, and it seemed these people of quality were preoccupied with it.
‘Why does everybody make such a fuss about being respectable, Aunt Phoebe?’
‘Oh, my dear!’ Aunt Phoebe picked up her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. ‘To my mind, respectability is all. To my mind, unless you earn the respect of people you are nothing.’
‘So how do you go about earning it?’
‘Initially, by not speaking when your mouth is full, Poppy.’
‘Oh … Sorry.’
‘One earns respectability simply by conforming to the standards of behaviour and etiquette expected of decent people. If you are deemed respectable you merit esteem. You do not merit esteem if you behave in a manner likely to cause offence or nuisance, if you behave immorally, dishonestly, or deceitfully, with no regard for others. Being respectable is being aware of your obligations and duties, and upholding them conscientiously. Being respectable is not putting a foot wrong. Respectability is an important word – a beautiful word – and I am pleased that you have asked me about it.’
‘So, if Robert were to give up this girl he’s engaged to and go off with somebody else, he would not be esteemed or seen as respectable?’
Aunt Phoebe looked at Poppy askance. ‘I’m sure it would depend on the circumstances. But why would that be of interest to you, Poppy?’
Poppy shrugged, feigning indifference, and popped the last piece of egg custard into her mouth. She made sure she had finished eating it before she spoke again.
‘There’s something I don’t understand, Aunt Phoebe,’ she said with a frown of puzzlement. ‘If this girl’s family are so well known to the Crawfords, how come you don’t really know her?’
‘You must understand, Poppy, that I am no blood relation. I am only related to the Crawfords because my husband was the brother of Robert’s mother, Clarissa. Since my husband died, I have had little to do with any of them … or, rather, they have had little to do with me – save for dear Robert, bless his heart, who has not forgotten me.’
‘No, Robert wouldn’t forget you, Aunt Phoebe. He always struck me as being thoughtful.’
The next day saw Poppy being shown more of the house and gardens, now that she was a resident. The back garden seemed vast once you were in it. The ground rose up from the house so that when you reached its extremity and looked back you could actually see the Clent Hills over the slate roof. Mature trees were in abundance and provided some shade, which would be delightful on a hot summer’s day, as would the secluded summer house she saw overhung with climbing roses. Flowerbeds were everywhere, with no formal arrangement to them, but straight borders ran alongside the ancient brick walls that formed the boundary on either side. Poppy was introduced at last to Clay and the smell of his pipe tobacco reminded her poignantly of her father. He told her it was twist and she told him she liked it. It was enough to establish a regard for each other.
A great source of curiosity was the old square piano in the drawing room. The first time Poppy was close enough, she felt compelled to press down a key and was immediately delighted with its musical plink. She beamed an apologetic smile to Aunt Phoebe. Perhaps, when she was alone some day, she could return and plink some more keys, and discover the kinds and combinations of sounds it might be possible to produce.
About halfway through the morning, Poppy sat at the desk in the library with Aunt Phoebe, who was determined to get Poppy to read to her so that she could assess her progress. Poppy read a page from Pride and Prejudice, which Robert had given her.
‘Have you read that page before, Poppy?’
‘No, Aunt Phoebe. I just carried on from where I’d got to.’
‘And how long have you been reading?’
Poppy shrugged. ‘Not till after me dad died. Less than six months, I s’pose.’
‘You read remarkably well. I see you have ploughed some way into the book. Are you enjoying it?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she enthused. ‘It’s so funny. I love the bit where—’
‘What have you gleaned about manners and etiquette?’
‘Etiquette?’ Poppy looked unsure.
‘Pride and Prejudice is full of it. How people behave towards each other in a way that is polite.’
‘Oh, yes. That.’
‘I suspect it was the reason Robert gave it to you. So that you would learn from it. Well, I shall teach you etiquette along with everything else. We shall make a proper lady of you, I have every confidence.’
Somebody knocked at the door and Aunt Phoebe called for whoever it was to come in. Dolly entered looking agitated.
‘What is it, Dolly?’
‘The butcher, ma’am. You know we ordered a rabbit to make a stew, but the one he’s
