Free Daughter of Deceit by Victoria Holt

suddenly said: “What are we going to do, Noelle?”
    “Do?”
    “I mean … how much longer are we going on meeting like this? You haven’t told your mother, have you? I haven’t mentioned our meetings to my father. It seems odd. Why do we do it?”
    “I think we both feel it might be a little embarrassing for them.”
    “Yes. I think it would be for my father.”
    “I suppose my mother is not so easily embarrassed. She would think it was quite normal. I really don’t know what to say about it.”
    “Well, we have avoided mentioning it. It’s absurd really. It is not our affair.”
    “It is just that your mother knows nothing about this … friendship between your father and my mother, and if she did, of course, she would not approve.”
    “I am sure she would not, and my father would not wish her to know.”
    “And because of that, you and I are caught up in this secrecy.”
    “I should like to call openly at your house. I want you to visit Leverson. After all, we are very good friends. At least I hope we are.”
    “I hope so, too.”
    “Well, with two of us hoping, it must be. What are we going to do about it, Noelle?”
    “I really don’t know.”
    “You see … you and I … well …”
    “Why … Noelle!”
    I was startled … Lisa Fennell was coming towards us. I felt myself flushing. Her bright curious eyes were on Roderick.
    I said: “Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Roderick Claverham, Mr. Charlie Claverham’s son.”
    “Oh! How nice to meet you.”
    “And this is Lisa Fennell. She is in the show … Countess Maud . . . you know.”
    “I was taking the air,” she said. “Trying to get relaxed for the evening’s show. It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? I love the parks in London. May I sit down with you?”
    “Please do,” said Roderick.
    She took her place on the other side of him.
    “I don’t think I’ve seen you at the house,” said Lisa.
    “No,” replied Roderick. “I did come once. That was a little time ago.”
    “I think it was before you joined us, Lisa,” I said.
    “Has Noelle told you how I came?”
    “Yes. She did mention it.”
    “Wasn’t it wonderful? Like a fairy story. I was almost killed, you know.”
    “The carriage wasn’t going very fast,” I said.
    “And it all started from that. Desiree … the famous actress … has been so good to me.” Her voice shook a little. “She is the most wonderful person in the world.”
    “Yes. I have heard that she is very kind.”
    “Do you live in London?”
    “My home is in the country, but we have a small house in London. It’s very useful for my father, who needs to be here quite often on business. It’s very convenient.”
    “I’m sure it must be. I love London. So ancient … and modern at the same time. What a combination! Don’t you think that is fascinating?”
    Roderick said he did.
    “Mr. Claverham has something very ancient in his own home,” I told Lisa. “They have found remains of a Roman settlement on the land.”
    “How wonderful!” cried Lisa. She turned to Roderick. “Do tell me about it.”
    I listened, vaguely thinking of what Roderick was saying when she interrupted us. It had seemed important. What a pity she had had to come along at that moment.
    She was listening to him, urging him to tell her more—completely unaware that her intrusion had spoilt our tete-a-tete. Roderick was too polite to show the disappointment I felt sure he shared with me.
    Eventually I said: “Well, I must go back.”
    “And so must I,” echoed Lisa. “I had no idea it was so late.”
    “Let’s go, then,” I said.
    We went back to the house together. Roderick said goodbye and left us.
    “What a charming young man!” said Lisa as we went in. Her eyes shone with pleasure. “Fancy Charlie’s having a son like that and keeping him hidden!”
    My mother returned soon afterwards. She had had a rewarding session with the dressmaker and wanted to tell me about it. She was changing the blue dress in the