Lady Ann's Holiday: Chapter Thirty Three - Part Five

5

As soon as she was away from the stable building Ann felt her tension fall away. After such anticipation she’d found being close to… that man unpleasant; uncomfortable. There were too many different emotions pulling at her and too great a pressure to make a decision that would hurl her into only one of two entirely different worlds.

Approaching Griply Hall she felt more and more comfortable, in an environment she could identify with. Being around the lower orders had felt wrong. This was more like where she belonged.

The coachman and Gladys had gone ahead with the baggage and when she and Richard reached the front of the house the servants were arrayed in a crescent and the family was on the front steps: her father and mother, Hattie and also her father’s brother’s family: Uncle Patrick and Aunt Rosaline with their young children, Reggie and Felicity.

The Countess stepped forward and descended the steps. “Ann dear; it’s so wonderful to see you.”

She smiled broadly and they embraced and then the two of them were surrounded by jovial figures and they were drawn inside.

The servants were obsequious, falling over themselves to provide any assistance they could, and the family chattered on about how wonderful it was that Ann and Richard were engaged and how happy they were that they had chosen to visit.

“If I may say so my dear, you look radiant,” said Uncle Patrick. “Being engaged is certainly doing something for your health.” He was grossly obese and rather piggish in his opulent and overdressed clothes but he seemed harmless enough.

“Why thank you,” replied Ann. “And might I say it is quite a pleasure to see you and your family again.” She had never met him before, obviously, but she had more than enough Ann memories to enable her to interact with them without difficulty.

“Oh do come along Reggie,” said the Countess. “You’re holding everyone else up.

The chubby little six-year-old hurried in after them, guided by his mother and they went through to the drawing room while the servants scurried off to fetch refreshments.

“I’m glad you’re here Richard,” said the Earl. “I’m hoping to pick your brains on some upcoming investments.”

“Of course,” replied Lord Hurley. “It’ll be my pleasure to help.”

“Can I interest you in a cigar?” The Earl reached for his box on the mantelpiece.

Ann chatted amiably with her aunt and uncle about the wedding plans, noticing that Hattie hung outside the circle of festivities looking petulant. There was clearly some undercurrent as both their mother and father were keeping their distance from her. Ann wondered why.

“Of course things are almost impossible at the moment,” said the Countess. “Especially with guests. There simply aren’t enough staff here at present. Why, I had to wait so long yesterday for a cup of tea it almost crossed my mind to fetch my own.”

“Well that simply wouldn’t do,” said Aunt Rosaline and everyone laughed.

“I’ve already requested that the housekeeper make enquiries about hiring more,” said the Countess. “I only hope that it happens quickly. I find it most tiresome having to wait.”

Ann smiled, enjoying the atmosphere of welcome and celebration. It was so nice to be home, where so many of her new memories told her she belonged. She had had some reservations about spending time with her aunt and uncle but they were clearly haughty and peremptory – her kind of people.

She thought briefly of Burt out in the stables and then turned her attention back to the festivities around her. She didn’t want to waste her time thinking about gutter trash when she had her family around her.