The Winds Of Fortune Episode 20
Minnie stared at the silver dish that rested on the Elizabethan table in the hallway.
There were definitely no letters there.
“Robins, has any post been delivered?” she asked.
The butler shook his head.
“I’m sorry, miss. There won’t be any until tomorrow now.”
“Thank you.”
Robins picked up the tray and made his way towards the drawing-room.
Minnie stood there, wondering what to do.
She’d like to go for a walk. The rain had stopped and the sun was breaking through the clouds, setting drops of moisture sparkling on the grass and leaves.
She was sure there would be a wonderful scent of damp earth and greenery, and she’d love to clear her head.
But there wasn’t time. Ivor and Pearl would be back soon, and Ivor had promised to take them to the shops to purchase Christmas presents.
Instead, Minnie made her way to the library.
It was a wonderful room, full of fascinating old tomes and well-stocked sections on history and politics.
She picked out a leather-bound volume and sat in an armchair by the fire.
“Here you are, darling. I wondered where you had got to.”
Minnie looked up to see her mother coming towards her.
Carrie was trim in a navy dress, long beads and T-bar shoes.
Her blonde bob had begun to turn grey since her husband’s death, but Minnie thought she still looked beautiful.
“Enjoying your book?” Carrie asked.
Minnie shook her head.
“I can’t concentrate,” she admitted.
“Still no news from Theo?” her mother asked.
“No. I don’t understand it. He promised to write.
“I’m worried something has happened to him. Do you think he could be ill or have had an accident?”
“No.” Her mother patted her knee.
“Despite Grandmama Louisa’s ill health, I’m sure she would have let us know if anything had happened to him.”
Minnie agreed but, unfortunately, there was only one other conclusion to draw: time and distance must be weakening his feelings for her.
It was as if her mother could read her mind.
“I’m sure that Theo is as much in love with you as ever.
“You must set your mind at rest. Everyone knows he adores you.
“There will be a perfectly reasonable explanation,” Carrie continued. “Perhaps his letters have merely gone astray.”
Minnie hoped so.
The thought that he might not care for her any more made her feel sick, but what difference did it make? They were too poor to marry and that was that.
“What do you think of Mr Dodson-Smyth?” she asked a moment later, avoiding her mother’s eye.
There was a short silence.
“I think he is a kind and intelligent man,” her mother replied. “I believe that he has grown very fond of you, my darling.
“I think that you enjoy his company and that he is highly eligible. However, I know that you are not in love with him.”
She leaned forward and took Minnie’s hand in hers.
“Your sister and I don’t want you making sacrifices for us. What we want is for you to be happy.”
Minnie’s eyes began to fill and she looked up at her mother.
She had been through so much, but she was still so strong and loving. It was time for Minnie to find some inner strength of her own.
She must make some decisions, and what she concluded would determine how she behaved with Ivor on their shopping expedition this afternoon.
“Thank you, Mother.”
Minnie rose to her feet, and went and stood by the window, gazing out across the garden.
It was icy this morning. The lawn still had a silvery sheen and the pond was frozen at the edges.
Everything was still and the air clear.
She would wrap up in her fur coat and lined gloves.
“I must get ready for my shopping expedition,” Minnie said as she turned away from the view.
“Don’t forget what I told you,” her mother replied. “Be happy. It’s all we want for you.”
Minnie crossed the library and was soon walking down the passageway towards the entrance hall.
As she reached it, there was a furious ringing of the doorbell, and Robins went to answer it.
He opened the door and Ivor staggered inside.
He’d lost his trilby, his hair was dishevelled and there was a cut across his cheek.
In his arms, he carried Pearl.
“Your sister needs a doctor!”
To be continued…