Beneath the Dover Sky (22 page)

What else to write about, hmm? My sister Libby and her American husband, Michael, are at long last returning to England. They’ve been gone far longer than anyone expected, so Mum and Dad are ecstatic. The pair are supposed to show up in Dover this fall. That’s very convenient for me because now I can tell Albrecht I can’t possibly commit to anything until the new year. After all, I must welcome Michael and Libby back and see them settled. It also permits me to spend more time with Terry and see him off to the Med in January. That will give me ample opportunity to decide what to do about Albrecht and his yearlong sabbatical.

One other thing, Cornelia, before I forget. Dover Sky is about to become something of a hive. First, we have Lady Caroline Scarborough planning to move here for a while. She had a falling out with her father over something. What, I can’t even begin to imagine. She asked if she could room here temporarily. Mum, Dad, and I were quick to say yes. We love her and want to do anything we can to help. Lord Scarborough made it clear to Dad that while he remained at an impasse with his daughter, he was grateful we had opened our door to her.

Then, as soon as Matthew found out Charles was going to be living at Dover Sky, he wanted to come and live here too. No amount of cajoling from his grandparents or his Aunt Victoria could convince him otherwise. After all, it brings him closer to Owen in Dover as well as to Emma’s boys in London. So he’s leaving Ashton Park. Poor Ramsay! Vic’s older boy will feel quite left out stuck up there at the Lancashire estate all by himself, I’m sure. Perhaps we can convince Victoria to let him board here at Dover Sky with the others.

For whatever reason, Michael and Libby want to lodge at Dover Sky this coming winter after they arrive. Mother and Father are a bit put out by this, but Libby is quite settled on the matter. She says in her letters that she feels it would be
Beneath the Dover Sky 149 best for her and Michael, but she doesn’t explain why. What’s up there, I wonder. All things will be made clear in due time.

Until then, first things first. Caroline and Charles arrive in the morning, and I want to be up early and be ready for them. Terry is dining with us in the evening so it will be a full day. Things will probably never be the same at Dover Sky, Cornelia.

“I love July. It really is my favorite month.”

Catherine glanced at Caroline as they walked to the swan pond in the sunset. “It suits you.”

“Thank you. Not much has suited me lately, so I’m glad summer does.” She bent over and picked a yellow dandelion that was vivid against her blue cotton dress. “I know they’re a weed, but the scent is wonderful.” As they walked she continued to hold it under her nose. “I enjoyed meeting your Leftenant Commander Fordyce. He’s a nice man.”

“Yes, that he is.”

“Do you see him often?”

“No. He doesn’t get away from the
Hood
all that much. And, as you noticed, he has to head back to port while the night’s still young.”

“Charles loves uniforms just as we ladies do.”

Catherine laughed as she played with the string of pearls at her neck. “Terry’s quite a friend of the family.”

“I see that. Do you mind my asking if the two of you have future plans?”

“Plans?” Catherine stopped and pointed at a large white swan that had just unfolded its wings. “Isn’t it spectacular?”

“What a beauty!” Caroline said as she pulled several pins out of her hair. They continued on their walk as she pushed the hairpins back in. “I don’t want to intrude, so forgive me if you think I’m being too forward.”

“Not really. Terry and I haven’t talked much about it.”

“I suppose you’re wondering what my being here is all about—my leaving Mum and Dad and coming to live with you?”

“Yes, I was wondering but didn’t want to ask. I knew you’d share when you were ready.”

“It has to do with men. Well, one man in particular. That’s why I was asking about your future plans. I hope they are going along better than mine.”

They’d reached the benches by the pond. The water and reflections were emerald and scarlet in the last burst of sunlight. Catherine had a paper bag of bread crumbs, and she tossed them a few at a time into the water. Swans and ducks arrowed towards her from all directions.

“To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t mind being married again.” Catherine handed the bag to Caroline and said, “Have a go.” She wiped her hands on her white summer dress. “There are two men who fascinate me right now. One the family would embrace if we were to wed. The other—well, a marriage to him could cause some problems.”

Caroline finished tossing out the big pieces and then upended the bag into the pond. Bills snapped and water splashed. “That’s how it is with me. Papa threatened to cut me off. I don’t care really.”

“What upsets your parents about him?”

“They just don’t like him. He has a history with the family.” She smiled at several ducklings who had fought their way in to grab up some soggy morsels. “I hope you’ll let him visit me here at Dover Sky.”

“He’s not Jack the Ripper surely? Of course he can call.”

“I should tell you who he is first. Then you can give me your answer.” She tossed the dandelion into the pond. The birds stormed it. One swan took the dandelion up in its bill and quickly spat it out.

“If you wish. I’m certain it won’t affect anything.”

“No?” Caroline turned her blue eyes on Catherine. “The man is Tanner Buchanan.”

“Buchanan? The man who—who took advantage of you?”

“Yes.”

“Kipp rescued you from him.”

“Sir Kipp of the Round Table and his mighty deeds.” Caroline
picked another dandelion and plucked its yellow flower to bits as she stared at the birds. “Now you understand why my parents have problems with him and me. And why the Danforths might.”

Catherine looked at the ground. “Yes, quite.”

Two days later Ben Whitecross landed at Dover Sky with Kipp’s son, Matthew, and his luggage. Matthew immediately ran off with Charles, who was waiting at the edge of the airstrip. Ben saw to the plane and eventually made his way to the manor where coffee and Danishes were waiting. Sitting back in his chair in the parlor, he immediately drank off half his cup of coffee. “Ah, splendid! Thank you, Holly. So where are Matt and Charles?”

“At the pond with Harrison,” Holly replied as she patted Ben on the knee. “How was he on the flight down?”

“Fine. I told Vic he’d be a flier, but she isn’t keen on any of the children getting into it. The planes are getting too sleek and fast for her.”

“I’ll bet you can’t wait for Michael to show up,” chimed in Catherine.

“I can’t. He’s been gone forever it seems. And with Kipp out of the picture, I’ve had to take on two new pilots to handle the work. None too soon because we’ll have our first monoplanes delivered in ’27. Business is booming all right, and I need help to keep up.”

Holly poured tea into her cup. Her black hair was loose and hung past her shoulders. “What news do you have of Kipp?”

“There was a letter just the other day for Matthew. Kipp can’t go into detail, of course, but there’s no doubt he’s in the thick of the fighting in Morocco. The problem is the letters are always months old.”

Caroline sipped from her teacup and glanced through the lace-curtained window.

“I don’t understand how the French got into it,” Catherine said as she leaned forward and clasped both hands in her lap. “The papers always said it was Spain and the Berbers who were mixing it up.”

“The Berbers made the mistake of attacking a chain of French forts they felt were on their side of the mountains back in April of 1925. They
killed over 1000 French troops. So France sided with Spain and sent in almost 300,000 men, including Kipp’s unit in the Legion. So he’s been fighting for over a year in the Rif, the mountain region the Berbers claim is theirs.”

“Poor Mum. She has both Kipp and Robbie to worry about. And you too, Ben, with all your wild air racing.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a Methodist missionary and go to Africa. Perhaps she’ll be pleased with that.”

“You’re joking.”

“I have, really. There’s a bit of Jeremy Sweet in me, along with a dash of jungle pilot.”

“I doubt that will calm Mother’s nerves very much.”

“If it’s any consolation, I think the fighting is coming to an end in Morocco. The Berbers will lay down their arms. Some guerrilla warfare is bound to continue though because not all the Berbers will surrender. Kipp will have to keep his head down.”

Holly frowned. “I can’t see Kipp crawling along the desert with a rifle, can you? Don’t you think the French would have him in the air?”

Ben bit into a Danish. “The Legion doesn’t have an air force, but who knows? These are good. Did Norah bake them?”

“A new girl actually,” replied Catherine.

“Amazing. You’re running quite a little show down here now, aren’t you?” He smiled at Caroline. “You’re looking well, my lady.”

She turned her eyes from the window. “Thank you. It’s good of your family to take me in.”

“I’m sure you’ll bless us as much as we bless you.” Ben finished his coffee and stood up. “Have to be on my way. I need to stop in at our air base by London before I scoot back to Lancashire.”

Catherine got to her feet and hugged him. “Tell Mum and Dad I miss them. I’m sorry they won’t be dropping down to Dover this summer.”

“They thought it best to stay with Vic and me this year. But they’ll be here for a visit once Libby and Michael show up, you can count on that.”

“How are Lady Grace and Sir Arthur?”

“They’re holding their own. Sir Arthur falls asleep at the dinner table now, but he always has something exceptional to say once he wakes up. And Lady Grace hums hymns to herself and wanders about the rooms speaking with the dukes and duchesses who lived at Ashton Park centuries ago. Actually, it’s your father’s dogs I’m worried about. They’re both failing.”

“Oh no! That would kill Dad to lose them.”

“I hope they’ll live out the year, but I think not. Vic is trying to persuade him to pick up of a couple of puppies, but he won’t hear of it.” Ben kissed Holly on the cheek. “Cheers!” He took Caroline by the hand. “I hope you have a wonderful time here, Lady Caroline, and that everything falls into place for you. I can tell you that at every family devotional at Ashton Park Lord Preston prays for you and your parents.”

“Thank you, Ben. Tell Lord and Lady Preston how very much I appreciate their hospitality. I will ring them up myself in a few days.”

Just over an hour after Ben took off in his SPAD S.XX for London, a black Rolls Royce Silver Ghost pulled up in front of the manor. Skitt met the car in the drive and opened the door. Tanner Buchanan, Member of Parliament, stepped out. His chauffeur got out and grabbed two large suitcases from the boot before following the two men into the manor.