29. What the Butler Saw

The party was a triumph. After all of the planning and the threats of industrial action from Mrs Beecham, it was clear from the start that it would be a joyous, memorable affair. Guests agreed that Audrey had lost none of her party-planning talents: if anything, they seemed enhanced.

Music spilled out, echoing into the hall and mingling with the laughter and chatter of old friends and new acquaintances. It was a hugely welcoming occasion and yet there was something almost of defiance in the show of hospitality. People who had not set foot in Grantleigh for three years, people who had abruptly forgotten about the former lady of the manor and just as abruptly remembered her when she reclaimed it, were greeted graciously but with a glint of sardonic amusement in her blue eyes.

She was looking wonderful that night: the expensive cut of her new dress showed off her figure to advantage and the colour enhanced her eyes and the dark golden gleam of her hair.

The steady flow of guests arriving had slowed. And as the evening had progressed, Audrey's chin had lifted a little higher, the line of her shoulders tightening.

She had been positioned, as was customary, on the staircase and as hostess had been all charm and warmth to the arrivals. But her eyes kept moving to the door, and each time a figure that looked familiar, that looked like it couldbe appeared, Brabinger could see the slight intake of breath, the smile starting to appear that she had only ever worn for him… and then fade again.

'Brabinger. I need to- I'll be down in a few minutes.'

Brabinger murmured a response, watched her make her way up the stairs. He knew what she would be doing. The telephone in the privacy of her bedroom, and she would call a number in Mayfair. And there would be no answer, just like there hadn't been when he had done the same thing from his pantry twenty minutes before.

After all of this, he wasn't coming. Brabinger felt a combination of disbelief and anger. Surely he wasn't just going to abandon her like this? Brabinger had come to hold Richard DeVere in the very highest esteem and couldn't reconcile the idea that after three years and everything they had been through, the man was going to let her go without so much as a fight. As if there were need for a fight; she was right there, waiting.

A silhouette in the doorway and Brabinger felt his own breath catch and-

Richard DeVere greeted him warmly, but his eyes moved restlessly, scanning the crowds with impatience when he didn't see the one person he wanted to.

She must have seen him arrive, probably watching from the landing above, because almost as soon as Brabinger had spoken he saw the change in Richard's face. And when Audrey walked back down the stairs to him, she was transformed.

They made for a striking image, meeting on the staircase and despite the noise and the chatter they seemed to be in isolation.

Brabinger allowed himself an undisguised smile as he made his way towards the band with instructions for the tune that had to be played now. Irving Berlin. A sweet, romantic number. He glanced back, the two heads close together but not quite touching.

Now was this year; and now had finally arrived.