Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford Read Free Book Online Page B

matter?” Daphne asked, going to her five-year-old sister, Dulcie, who was usually all sweetness and smiles.
    “I don’t like this frock! Nanny says I have to wear it. I won’t! I won’t! It’s not for A SPECIAL OCCASION!” she shouted, and stood there glaring at Daphne, her hands on her hips, looking indignant.
    Daphne swallowed the laughter bubbling in her throat, and endeavored to keep a straight face. Unlike her, who had always been offhand about her clothes, her baby sister had been concerned with her own from the moment she could express an opinion. Diedre, their eldest sister, called Dulcie “a little madam,” and in the most disparaging tone, and avoided her as much as she could.
    “And what is the special occasion?” Daphne asked in a loving voice, crouching down, so that her face was level with her sister’s.
    “I’m having lunch with Papa,” Dulcie announced in an important tone. “In the dining room.”
    “Oh, isn’t that lovely, darling. I am too, and so is DeLacy.”
    Dulcie gaped at her, a frown knotting her blond brows. “Nanny said I was having lunch with Papa. She didn’t say you were, and DeLacy.”
    “Well, we will be there. But I do have to agree with you about the dress,” Daphne now said quickly, wanting to placate the angry child. “It simply isn’t appropriate, not for lunch with Papa. You’re absolutely right. Let’s go and find something more suitable, shall we?”
    Instantly the stormy expression fled, and a bright smile flooded Dulcie’s face. “I knew I was right,” she exclaimed, and took hold of Daphne’s hand, her normal happy demeanor in place.
    Together the two sisters went down the corridor to the stairs leading up to the nursery floor. At one moment, Daphne leaned down, and said softly, “You must be grown-up about this. Just tell Nanny you do like this dress, but that it’s not quite nice enough for the special lunch. And you can say I agree with you.”
    “I will.”
    “You must say it sweetly, you mustn’t be rude, or angry,” Daphne cautioned as they mounted the stairs together.
    “I’m not angry, not now,” Dulcie murmured, looking up at her adored Daphne, her favorite sister. She liked DeLacy, and they were good friends, but she was wary of Diedre. Her eldest sister constantly looked and sounded annoyed with her, and this puzzled and worried the child.
    Nanny was waiting in the doorway of the nursery, and exclaimed, “I was just coming to look for you, Dulcie!”
    Dulcie was silent.
    Daphne said swiftly, not wanting the nanny to scold, “I think we’ve solved the problem.” She smiled warmly, then gave the nanny a knowing look, and added, “It’s not often Dulcie has lunch with Papa, and it’s, well, rather a special occasion for her. And I do think she could wear a more appropriate dress. Something perhaps a little smarter. I’m sure you agree?”
    “Of course, Lady Daphne, whatever you think is best.” The nanny opened the door wider, and they all went into the nursery sitting room.
    Dulcie explained, in an earnest tone, her expression solemn, “I do like this frock, Nanny, but I really want to wear the blue one with the white collar. Can I?”
    “Of course you can, Dulcie. Let’s go and look at it, and won’t you join us, Lady Daphne?”
    “I certainly will.”
    Dulcie was already halfway across the floor, making for her bedroom. “Come on, Daphne, come and look at my best frock. Mrs. Alice made it for me.”
    As she followed her sister, Daphne smiled to herself. She had long ago learned that the best way to handle her rather stubborn and independent youngest sister was to immediately agree with her, and then negotiate.
    *   *   *
    “Oh, there you are, Hanson,” Lord Mowbray said, walking into the dining room. “I was just about to ring for you. Dulcie is joining us for lunch today, a special treat for the child. So would you please add another place setting.”
    Hanson inclined his head. “Of course, my lord.” He