Free 108. An Archangel Called Ivan by Barbara Cartland Page B

difficult to remember their names.”
    Arliva made a mental note that she would find out who they were and somehow invite them to come along and play with the children.
    Johnnie should have games with friends of his own age and the twins were so adorable she felt sure that there must be local people who would love to entertain them.
    ‘It’s ridiculous for them to be shut away like this,’ she reflected.
    They galloped over one field and then back again to the lake for Johnnie to have a look where he could swim tomorrow.
    “I am sure that I have a bathing suit somewhere,” he said, “but I have not seen it for a long time.”
    “If you cannot find it, we will buy one,” Arliva told him. “There must be shops somewhere near here.”
    “There is a town but it’s three miles away,” Johnnie replied. “The Governesses have always said it was too far for us to drive there in the pony cart.”
    “We will have to take one of the bigger carriages,” Arliva answered. “It’s a good idea, Johnnie, for you to make a list of all the things you think we need which have been forgotten during these past years. Then you can add up what will be the cost of them, so that we take enough money with us.”
    She felt that this would be a good way of starting their lessons, but, as she suspected, Johnnie was not aware of it.
    “Of course I will,” he agreed. “And I am sure that Grandpapa will let us spend the money, which was always here when Papa was alive, but we were not allowed to have any of it after he died.”
    “He will see to it, I am sure,” Arliva said. “Now take us back through the wood I found so attractive. I have thought of something special we might do there one day.”
    “What is that?” Rosie asked.
    “It’s a secret and I will have to whisper it to you when you are in bed.”
    “That will be exciting,” Daisy laughed.
    They then rode back through the wood and Arliva thought that it was a pretty wood for children.
    There was a pool in the centre and she knew that they would have to learn the story of ‘ Tom and the Water Babies ’.
    There was a little house used by woodmen where they kept the tools they did not want to carry backwards and forwards to the house.
    New ideas were surging through her mind as they rode back somewhat reluctantly because it was long after teatime.
    “It has been so lovely! Lovely!” Rosie cried. “Do you really mean we can really ride again tomorrow?”
    “Of course we must,” Arliva told her. “As you can see the poor ponies have grown far too fat with not having enough exercise. Although you may feel a little stiff, it will soon wear off, but only if you are riding because you need exercise as well as your ponies.”
    The twins gave a hoot of delight and Johnnie said,
    “Promise you will stay with us and not go away because you are bored.”
    “At present I am not the least bit bored,” Arliva assured him. “I am enjoying every moment of being here. But, of course, you will have to help me and we must think of new things to do every day.”
    She paused thoughtfully before she went on,
    “But the twins must have children of their own age to play with.”
    Johnnie stared at her.
    “There used to be children round here when I was little, but after Mama and Papa died they did not come to see us anymore.”
    “I expect they did not realise now much you missed them,” Arliva answered. “Leave it to me and you will have to tell me their names.”
    “Mr. Marshall will know all their names,” Johnnie said. “He comes on Thursday and Friday to do the wages for people in the house and on the estate. He also copes with all Grandpapa’s correspondence.”
    When he said ‘Grandpapa’, Arliva realised that she had almost forgotten Lord Wilson whose rooms were on the other side of the house to where she and the children now were.
    When they rode back, it was to find a delicious tea waiting for them in their schoolroom.
    There were lots of teacakes and scones, also