They moved outdoors to the ornamental pond, where a handsome man of around forty struck up a conversation with Estella about Chet Baker.
In the past, Georgia had not wanted to consider the possibility of her mother finding a new husband. Occasionally the thought crossed her mind. She remembered thinking during her dinner with the author Ian Dashwood that she should introduce him to Estella, although she did not want to dwell on that night too long. But tonight, as the air seemed to fill with romance and magic, she looked across at her mother and hoped that this man was interesting and that he was interested in Estella, who looked quite beautiful in a scarlet tea dress that skimmed the lawn.
Discreetly she moved away from them. She could see Clarissa now, talking to two boys by the champagne fountain. Her cousin waved and Georgia went over. They had a short conversation with the young men – who were both at Edinburgh University – over a glass of champagne, which was deliciously cold and fizzy.
‘Do you know, they’ve even got a swimming pool in the walled garden,’ said Clarissa, taking a peach cocktail from a waiter. ‘It’s beautiful. Do you want to come and see it? I might even take a dip.’
‘Edward was telling me all about it,’ Georgia said, smiling. ‘The place seems incredible. It’s got a grotto and a summer house, where he and Christopher used to play, and there’s even a bird’s nest on the roof where you can see all the way to Gloucestershire.’
‘Been given the guided tour already?’ asked Clarissa, raising one plucked brow.
Georgia knew she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer.
‘All right, let’s walk. I have something to tell you.’
‘What is it?’ asked Clarissa, hooking her arm through her cousin’s.
‘Not here,’ said Georgia, looking around. ‘I don’t want anyone to overhear.’
They ran across the lawn towards the walled garden and she pushed open the heavy oak door. In front of them the pool shimmered like a sheet of turquoise satin.
‘Tell me!’ said Clarissa, who also looked as if she was ready to burst.
Georgia took a deep breath.
‘Edward proposed.’
She watched as Clarissa’s eyes opened wide in astonishment. She looked shell-shocked, her reaction suggesting she had never really thought Georgia’s romance with Edward was serious. Just like everybody else.
‘Do Lord and Lady Carlyle know?’ she said finally.
‘No, we’re keeping it quiet for the moment. We didn’t think it was fair to announce it on Christopher’s birthday. Today is about him.’
‘Fair enough. I suppose it will give you a bit of time to win her over.’
‘Win who over?’ she asked in alarm.
‘Lady Carlyle. I met her earlier and she seems a frightful snob. I mean, Edward is the heir to a dynasty that goes back twenty-five generations. His mother is not just going to wave a hand and say “How lovely, Edward, I’m so pleased for you.” They don’t want him to get married; they want him to have a union with some equally rich and aristocratic young lady. How else do you think these families get to have such wealth and class?’
‘I don’t think Edward cares what his parents think,’ Georgia said with dignity.
‘Is that what he said? They all say that before Mummy and Daddy have the chat about family responsibility and lineage. Believe me, his parents will cause problems if they don’t think you cut the mustard.’
‘But Clarissa, it was so romantic,’ she said, trying to put these negative thoughts out of her head. ‘He proposed up there, on the roof, and it was as if we were on top of the world. You know, we’re going to move to New York. Maybe we’ll get one of those glorious apartments you see in the movies that overlook the park.’
‘Have you got a ring?’ asked Clarissa, peering at her hand.
Georgia reached into her bra and pulled out the diamond sparkler.
Clarissa gasped. Georgia handed it to her for a look, and its reflection twinkled in her pupils like stars.
‘Gosh, Georgia. This is real.’
‘Isn’t it just,’ she grinned.
‘Okay. Put it away and keep it hidden,’ said Clarissa, giving her back the ring. ‘I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone. In the meantime, find Lord and Lady Carlyle and impress them. Impress them tonight and next weekend and the weekend after that. You’ll win them round. And then you can tell them about your engagement. You want them on side, not against you. And no corridor-creeping tonight.’
‘Corridor-creeping?’