It seemed quite odd that Uncle Charles still observed the pre- dinner cocktail ritual that had been passed down through generations. Everyone had assembled all spruced up, although not in the elegant finery perhaps of the Downton Abbey era. They were certainly all tickety boo as Billy Connelly would say.
Drinks were handed around with canapés, and everyone seemed at ease, conversing and chattering. Adam and Marianna were joined by their immediate Magdalene friends. Uncle Charles had called in some of his local worthies from the villages nearby. They were fourteen in all, and ready for a welcome dinner.
They went through to the dining room about half an hour later. The seating was deftly organised by Bradford who held Marianna’s chair for her as she sat down. She admitted to herself that it was lovely to be treated with such respect in a world where there was a lot of pushing and shoving and a ‘me first’ attitude. It was simply refreshing to be treated so well.
Uncle Charles exuded his ‘bon homie’ charm and it was obvious that he had quite a few of the local ladies wound round his little finger.
He cast his eyes Marianna’s way as he enquired, “Marianna, what is all the Hoo Ha about, leaving Italy with such undue haste and under a cloud”?
Marianna smiled, took a deep breath and said, “Well, we are involved in a bit of research for something important and very dear to my heart, and we are hopeful of resolving the whole thing in the next few weeks. I can’t say any more than this at the moment, as it is really confidential at this stage”.
Uncle Charles beaming across at her and said, “Can’t I help you, why not share a little more? You could have the entire Hampton machine at your disposal young lady, to uncover whatever you need to complete your quest”.
Marianna had never before felt the degree of discomfort she was now feeling in her Uncle’s presence. Intuitively, she felt he knew something more than he was saying. She had no idea how. She was getting a feeling in her stomach and gut that was warning her. It was her on board alarm system, and it was fully operational at this moment, and she had learned the hard way not to ignore its loud call.
She replied, “That is very kind Uncle Charles. However, we are just taking a well-earned break here really. We will have to go back to London or Paris in a week or two to finalise things. This is just such a welcome gift of rest and recreation in the middle of a fairly taxing time”. Marianna tried to be as tactful and off putting as possible. Uncle Charles gazed across at her somewhat bemused.
“As you say then, R&R it is. But do shout if you need anything, anything at all. You know you can trust me to hold whatever you tell me in total confidence”.
Just as sweetly, Marianna smiled back, feeling Adam’s hand come over her hand out of sight of the dinner guests. It was a touch of reassurance and understanding. He was getting this negative feeling about Uncle Charles also. She relaxed.
Dinner seemed to go on for a long time until the men went through to the billiards and brandy, and the ladies went to the lounge to chat and gossip. Marianna didn’t enjoy either, so, when the time was right she slipped up to her room to catch some quiet moments and realign herself, after the disturbing talk with Uncle Charles.
Who was he? She wondered. How did he seem to know about what she was doing? What was he up to? She waited on Adam to come to the room, which he did about an hour later, ready for bed.
After a short debrief on the evening expressing their feelings about Uncle Charles not being all he seemed to be, exhaustion took them both over and they fell into a deep sleep in their beautiful bed with candles flickering at their bedside. Altogether, quite a mediaeval experience.