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sank into soft carpeting. She was greatly afraid that the road she had chosen was far too full of potholes...

CHAPTER THREE
    “WOULD you like me to come with you to the airport?” Anne asked, trying not to betray her feeling of depression with loneliness at his departures While he was with her, his presence gave her authority, and there had been a strange inward happiness at having him so close to her, even if it had been bitter-sweet.
    But now he was going and there would only be herself, Helen and Mrs. Wyatt left in the house, besides the Hansetts, Judith having been obliged to return to school.
    The little girl had shyly held Anne’s hand.
    “I’m glad you’ve come,” she whispered. “I like having you here, although I like Caroline, too.”
    Anne had resisted the temptation to question the child. Who was Caroline, and what did she mean to Francis? She also resisted the temptation to question Francis, feeling that he had enough on his mind.
    Anne had been able to do little for him, as he preferred to do his own packing, and Miss Dalton was arranging all the relevant papers for him to take with him. Anne recognised that Louise Dalton was a better secretary than she had ever been, and felt rather humble when she saw how efficiently everything was arranged.
    But she was now Francis’ wife, not his secretary, and that task was even more Herculean, she thought despondently, as she looked behind her at the large old house which was going to be left in her charge, and possibly two other women to fight for full authority.
    Mrs. Wyatt had decided to come downstairs to see Francis away, clad in rich warm furs, though the day was warm and sunny.
    Tom Hansett had recently cut the huge lawns and the herbaceous borders were full of colour with peonies, Californian poppies, blue and purple iris, and a variety of small colourful plants. The huge, rather overgrown rhododendrons and. azaleas formed a windbreak for the house, and Anne looked round at the peaceful scene, the warm fresh air blowing her hair, while the river, fast-flowing with clear, pure unpolluted water, made a soft surging sound behind the call of the birds.
    It was beautiful, thought Anne, a strange new intensity of feeling taking hold of her heart. So had many mistresses of Elvan Hall stood on the broad steps taking leave of the master, no doubt many of them riding into war and facing unknown dangers. So had other women before her been left to guard the heritage while their menfolk helped to preserve peace in the land.
    She saw Francis’ eyes on her, as he put the last of his belongings into the car. He had kissed his mother and sister with a whispered word that he was leaving his wife in their care, and now he turned to Anne, kissing her too, rather clumsily.
    “Look after...” he paused, then said, deliberately, “Look after yourself, Anne. I hope I shan’t be away more than two or three weeks.”
    It was a lifetime to Anne, then she caught sight of a gleam of amusement in Helen’s eyes. Francis had said a warm goodbye, but it hadn’t been the poignant leavetaking of a young husband for a new bride.
    “I don’t care,” thought Anne, defiantly tossing back her heavy fair hair. “It was precious to me ... and to Francis.”
    She fought back the tears as she waved him away, knowing that they would put her at a disadvantage when she faced the women on her own. They had talked a great deal, to each other and to Francis, but she had scarcely listened to their chatter. Now the silence seemed absolute, as all three stood on the steps, with Jessie Hansett in the doorway, and Tom already making his way back to the gardens.
    “Jessie, I shall want you in my room after lea,” Mrs. Wyatt was saying. “There are several things I wish to discuss with you.”
    Ignoring Anne entirely, she walked heavily back into the house. Helen walked forward quickly and took her mother’s arm, throwing a glance at Anne over her shoulder.
    Anne was left on the steps alone, and