A Second Spring Read Free Page A

pastries to their corner. The last crumb disappeared as Catriona spoke, and they looked up with jammy beams. Sir Gideon grinned.
    “We’ve been ever so quiet,” said Daphne with an air of conscious rectitude.
    “We don’t like almond cakes,” Donald explained.
    “It’s all right, Grandmama. Sarah made loads of jam tarts.”
    “We’ll get you some more.”
    “How could you!” Letty sprang to her feet, far more agitated than their minor naughtiness warranted.
    Surprised, Cariona said calmly, “Pray ask Lois to bring more tarts, children. Wash your faces—I expect your fingers need it, too—and go and play in the garden.”
    Subdued by their mother’s unexpected outburst, Daphne said, “Yes, Grandmama.”
    As Letty subsided into her chair, Donald ran to her, flung his arms round her, and kissed her. “We’re sorry, Mama. We didn’t mean to vex you.”
    They dashed from the room. Mr Talgarth took a handerchief from his pocket and gravely handed it to Letty. Her face almost as red as the jam, she scrubbed the sticky smear from her cheek.
    Once more the poor girl had been put to the blush before Harry Talgarth. If he had seemed amused, as Sir Gideon was, she could have laughed it off instead of being horridly embarrassed. Catriona decided it was time to end their tête-à-tête.
    “Letty you know the village people as well as I do. Come and help me advise Sir Gideon as to what servants can be hired locally and which he must advertise for.”
    Mr Talgarth produced a notebook and pencil and wrote down names as they talked. When at last they had discussed all available positions, Sir Gideon thanked his advisers.
    “I am glad you intend to take on so many,” said Catriona. “I hated having to let them go when we left the manor. Am I right in supposing this means you are going to settle at Marchbank?”
    “We are. We have seen a good part of the world, and now it’s time to settle down and tend my acres. To begin with, would you object if I had a new jetty built and obtained a boat that will actually float?”
    “Object? Good heavens, why should I object?”
    He turned to Letty with a smile. “I was thinking of your enterprising offspring, Mrs Rosebay. I fear a seaworthy vessel might prove an irresistible temptation to a couple of pirates.”
    “Then I had best teach them to swim,” Mr Talgarth unexpectedly proposed in a practical tone.
    Letty stared in astonishment. “Teach them? Both of them? But they are so full of mischief!”
    “That’s why they need to learn,” he pointed out, “and the sooner the better, while the water is warm enough. They are good-natured and loving despite their mischief. I have no qualms if you have not, ma’am.”
    “An excellent suggestion,” said Catriona, since Letty still looked stunned.
    “You’d best start tomorrow, Harry, if the weather holds.” Sir Gideon stood up to take his leave, and a few minutes later the gentlemen were gone.
    Letty started to collect cups and plates. “I cannot believe it,” she said, stopping dead with the wineglass in her hand. “I was convinced that he had taken the twins in dislike and held me to blame for their naughtiness.”
    “I could ssee you were ill at ease with Mr Talgarth.” Catriona brushed some crumbs off the table into her hand and deposited them on the tray. “However, since it sounds as if he is to make his home at Marchbank with Sir Gideon, you must strive to overcome your dislike.”
    “I don’t precisely dislike him, Mama. How can I, when he has so kindly offered to teach Donald and Daphne to swim? He just…makes me uneasy.”
    “It is a pity that he did not turn it to a joke when Donald bedaubed your cheek with jam.”
    “Oh no,” Letty exclaimed with fervour, “that would have been worse than anything!”
    “Then it seems the poor fellow can do nothing right,” said Catriona, smiling. “How fortunate that Sir Gideon is so charming.”
    “Indeed he is most agreeable.”
    With this temperate praise