I went to Rainbow Cottage when I had an hour or so to spare. Dorcas and Alison always made a great fuss of me; they tried to keep my spirits up with griddle cakes which I used to be rather greedy about as a child.
They wanted to hear all about the ball.
"It's a shame they don't ask you, Judith," said Dorcas.
"Why should they? Employees are not asked to family balls surely."
"It's different in your case. Weren't you in the schoolroom with them?"
"That, as Lady Bodrean would inform you, is something for which to feel gratitude and not an excuse for looking for further favors."
"Oh Judith, is it really unbearable?"
"Well, the truth is that she is so obnoxious that I get a certain delight in doing battle. Also she is really rather stupid so that I am able to get in quite a lot of barbs of which she is unaware."
"If it is too bad, you must leave."
"I may be asked to. I must warn you that I expect dismissal daily."
"Well, dear, don't worry. We can manage here. And you'd find something else very quickly I'm sure."
Sometimes they talked about village affairs. They worked a good deal for the church. Having done so all their lives they were well equipped for the task. Sabina was not really very practical, they whispered, and although she could chatter away to people, a little more than that was expected of a rector's wife. As for Oliver he was quite competent.
I reminded them that they used to say he had carried the parish on his shoulders when their father was alive.
That was true, they agreed grudgingly. I knew they found it hard to forgive poor Oliver for not marrying me and even more difficult to forgive Sabina for being the chosen one.
It was comforting to remember that they were there in the background of my life.
There was a great deal of coming and going between Giza House and Keverall Court. As Sir Ralph was not feeling very well, Tybalt and his father visited him frequently. They were going into the details of the expedition. I quite shamelessly tried to be where I might catch a glimpse of them. Even Sir Edward knew me now and would give me his absent-minded smile.
Tybalt exchanged a word or two with me—usually asking what I was reading. I longed to hear from him about the expedition but naturally I couldn't ask him about that.
Two days before the ball a most extraordinary thing happened.
When I emerged from Lady Bodrean's apartment and was about to go for my daily walk I found Theodosia in the corridor. I fancied she had been looking for me.
She looked excited.
"Hello, Judith," she said, and there was a little lilt in her voice.
"Were you waiting for me?" I asked.
"Yes, I've something to tell you."
My heartbeats quickened; my spirits sank. This is it, I thought. Tybalt has asked her to marry him. The engagement will be announced at the ball.
She slipped her arm through mine. "Let's go to your room," she said. "You will never guess what it is," she went on.
I thought: I can't bear it. I've imagined it so many times, but I know I can't bear it. I'll have to go away ... at once. I'll go and tell Dorcas and Alison and then I'll get a post far away and never see any of them again.
I stammered: "I know. You . . . you're engaged."
She stopped short and flushed hotly, so I knew that although this might not be the surprise she had for me now, it was coming soon.
"You always thought you knew everything, didn't you? Well, clever Judith is wrong this time."
Clever Judith was never more delighted to be wrong.
She threw open the door of my room and walked in; I followed shutting the door behind me. She went to my cupboard and opened the door. Hanging there was a green chiffon evening dress.
"What is it!" I cried in astonishment.
"It's your ball dress, Judith."
"Mine! How could it be." I went to it, felt the lovely soft material, took the dress down and held it against me.
"It's absolutely right," declared Theodosia. "Put it on. I long to see you in it."
"First, how did it get there?"
"I put it there."
"But where did it come from?"
"Oh do try it on first and I'll explain."
"No. I must know."
"Oh, you're maddening! I long to see that it fits. Father said you were to have it."
"But . . . why?"
"He said: 'Cinderella must go to the ball.'"
"Meaning the companion?"
"You remember he saw us dancing. That day he said to me, 'That girl Judith Osmond, she's to go to the ball.' I said, 'Mamma would never hear of it,' and he said, 'Then don't tell her.'"
I began to laugh. I saw myself at the ball dancing with Tybalt. "But it's impossible. She will never allow it."
"This is my father's house, you know."
"But I am employed by your mother."
"She won't dare go against him."
"What an unwelcome guest I should be."
"Only by one. The rest of us all want you to go. Myself, Evan, Hadrian, Tybalt . . ."
"Tybalt!
"Well,of course he doesn't know yet, but I am sure he would if he did. Hadrian knows though. He's very amused, and we're all going to have a lot of fun hiding you from Mamma, if that's possible."
"I don't suppose it is for a moment. I shall be ordered out of the ballroom within an hour."
"Not if you come as my father's guest, which you will do."
I began to laugh.
"I knew you'd enjoy it."
"Tell me what happened."
"Well, Father said you'd always been a lively girl, and he wished I'd show more of your spirit. He was afraid you didn't have much of a life with Mamma and he wanted you to go to the ball. That's why he wanted to know what color dress. It was secret with Sarah Sloper. I chose the material and Sarah used me as a model. You're a bit taller than I and just a little thinner. We worked on that. And I'm absolutely sure it's a perfect fit. Do put it on now."
I did so. The transformation was miraculous. It was indeed my color. I let down my thick dark hair, and with my eyes shining and color in my cheeks I would have been beautiful I thought but for my nose which was too large. Hadrian always used to laugh at my nose. "It's a forceful one," he said. "It betrays your character. No one who was meek could ever have such a nose. Your powers, dear Judith, are not in your stars but in your nose." I giggled. In such a beautiful gown I could forget that offending feature.
"You look quite Spanish now," said Theodosia. "Your hair ought to be piled high on your head and you should have a Spanish comb. You'd look marvelous then. I wish it were a masked ball. Then it would be so much easier to hide you from Mamma. But she will know it is Father's wish and will say nothing ... at the ball at least. She wouldn't want a scene there."
"The storm will come later."
I didn't care. I would face that. I was going to the ball. I should have a little dance program with a pink cord and pencil and I would keep it forever, because I was certain that Tybalt's initials would be on it.
I seized Theodosia in my arms and we danced round the bedroom.
The night of the ball had come. Thank Heaven, Lady Bodrean would be too busy to want to be bothered with me. "My goodness," Jane had said, "we're going to have a session. There's her hair to do and I've got to get her into her gown. When it comes to what jewels she's to wear it'll be this and that—and that's no good and what about this. It's a good thing I know how to handle her."