In the Commodore's Hands by Mary Nichols Page B

Papa! You are back.’
    He hugged them and put them from him. ‘Now, be good, for I have someone I want you to meet.’ He turned to his grandfather. ‘This is your great-grandfather, your grandmama’s father. Give him your best greeting.’ They dutifully obeyed, Edward bowing and saying, ‘How do you do’, while Anne gave him a wobbly curtsy. ‘And this is Comte Giradet and Miss Giradet.’ Shyly they repeated their greeting and were sent back to their governess.
    ‘Let us all go indoors,’ Lord Drymore said as the first few spots of rain pattered on the cobbles. He ushered them into a huge baronial hall lined with pictures, from which a wide staircase went up to a galleried landing. It was evidently the centre of the house, for doors led off in three directions. James preceded them into one and bade them be seated.
    While they waited for refreshments to be brought, Lisette gazed about her. The room was large and furnished in a mixture of blackenedold Tudor furniture and more up-to-date sofas, chairs and tables. There were pictures on the walls, some of the countryside, some portraits, and there were shelves displaying ornaments. It was so very different from what she had been used to at the château, with its carefully arranged rooms and tiled floors. Here the floors were of polished oak planks, as shiny and dark as the heavy oak settles and chests which stood on them. She suspected the thick walls and the presence of the moat which surrounded the house made it cold, even in summer, because a bright fire burned in the huge grate. It hissed a little as the rain came down the wide chimney on to the hot coals.
    She became aware that Jay was telling his parents about the rescue, though he was carefully playing down the danger. ‘I knew you would welcome the Comte and Miss Giradet,’ he finished. ‘At the moment they have not formulated any plans for the future.’
    ‘Nor need they,’ Amy said, then, turning to the Count, added, ‘You have been through a terrible ordeal, sir, and need to regain your strength. I insist you stay here until you are fully recovered.’
    ‘I thank you, my lady.’ His voice was weak and even those few words, spoken in Englishwith a strong French accent, seemed an effort to utter.
    ‘I fear we are tiring you with our chatter,’ Amy went on. ‘If you prefer to go to your room and have supper brought to you there, it can soon be arranged.’
    ‘Yes, I would, my lady,’ he said. ‘Perhaps tomorrow I will feel more the thing.’
    A servant was delegated to help him, then Sir John said that he would like to retire too. ‘I know we have a great deal of catching up to do,’ he told his daughter. ‘But there will be time enough for that tomorrow.’
    ‘And the next day and the next.’ Amy laughed. ‘And all the days after that. Go to bed, Papa dear. It is good to have you under our roof again.’
    ‘And in happier circumstances,’ James added.
    ‘We will not talk of that,’ Amy admonished him. ‘Not ever. It is a closed book.’
    Sir John rose. He was not as fragile in health as the Count, but nevertheless was an old man and moved slowly. Another manservant was allocated to act as his valet and he was helped from the room, leaving Lisette alone to dine with Lord and Lady Drymore and Jay.
    She rose and was shown to a bedchamberwhere Hortense was already unpacking and sorting out her clothes, grumbling that she had so few she might as well be a pauper. Nevertheless a green-sack dress in a heavy taffeta with a laced stomacher and ruffled sleeves was found for her. Lisette washed off the grime of travel and was helped into it. Before returning downstairs she went to make sure her father was comfortable. He was already fast asleep. She crept from the room and joined Jay and his parents who had changed and were waiting for her in the salon.
    ‘Tell us about France, Miss Giradet,’ Lady Drymore said when they had taken their places at the table in the oak-panelled dining room and