A Moment to Remember by Dee Williams Page B

was what he was looking at.
    ‘And as for your speech, you seem to have lost some of that dreadful twang.’
    ‘Thank you kindly,’ she said, taking his coat.
    ‘So the lessons are coming along well then?’
    ‘Yes thank you, sir.’
    ‘I’ll have to give you a test later. Now where’s that sister and mother of mine?’
    ‘They are in the drawing room.’
    ‘Thought they would have been at the door welcoming me.’
    ‘They wasn’t sure it was you. They’re expecting another visitor.’
    ‘Anyone I know?’
    ‘A Miss Robbins and her mother.’
    ‘Oh no.’
    ‘Don’t you like her?’
    ‘She’s quite nice, I suppose, but it’s not that.’ He laughed. ‘I think they’re trying to get me married off.’
    Milly smiled. ‘I’m sure you would have something to say about that.’
    ‘Yes, I would. If and when I marry, it will be to the woman of my choice,’ he said over his shoulder as he disappeared into the drawing room.
    As he closed the door, laughter and greetings erupted. Although Milly was cautious about Richard, he was obviously loved by his mother and sister, and it was nice to hear them all laughing together. She went up the stairs to put Richard’s coat and bag in his bedroom and thought about her own family, as she often did. They’d never laughed together like that.
    Miss Robbins and her mother arrived half an hour later. Milly didn’t join them for tea when they had visitors. As she wheeled in the trolley, Richard was watching her and Miss Robbins was watching him. She was a very pretty young lady with dark hair and big blue eyes that followed his every move. Milly could see that she was really taken with him, and she smiled to herself as she left the room. Did she know what he thought of her?
    ‘That Miss Robbins is certainly a lovely young woman,’ she said to Betty when she got back into the kitchen.
    ‘Yes. I think the missus would like to see her and Richard married one day.’
    ‘But he’s what, only sixteen?’
    ‘The gentry like to make sure their lot marry into the right set. I can tell you, that would be some wedding’
    ‘Richard will have something to say about it.’
    ‘I’m sure he will.’
    ‘When does he finish school?’
    ‘Don’t rightly know. I think he’s going on to some university or something.’
    ‘Lucky him.’
    ‘You like your lessons, don’t you?’
    Milly smiled and nodded. ‘There’s so much to learn. I shall always be grateful to Jane for finding me on that park bench.’
    ‘Not nearly as much as she is for finding you. I’ve never seen her look so happy. You’re like a real tonic for her.’
    Later, when the bell went for Milly to return to the drawing room to take the tea things away, Miss Robbins and her mother were ready to leave.
    ‘Milly, could you bring the coats, please.’
    Milly left the room and did as she was asked.
    At the door, kisses were exchanged and Jane, who normally wheeled herself, said, ‘Milly, could you help me?’
    Milly suppressed a smile as she pushed her friend back into the drawing room; she knew Jane wanted to talk to her.
    Richard was standing looking out of the window. ‘So, Milly, what do you think of Catherine Robbins?’ he asked.
    ‘She is very pretty, and I loved those elegant clips she had in her hair.’
    He laughed.
    ‘I wish you wouldn’t laugh at Milly,’ said Jane. ‘You’ll give her an inferiority complex.’
    ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but she’s always the very soul of discretion.’ He sat down. ‘Now tell me, do you know the meaning of those words?’
    Milly looked at Richard unblinkingly. Although he could be very funny and laughed a lot, he could also be very hurtful. ‘Discretion means tact and inferiority complex means to make me feel small,’ she said, choosing her words carefully.
    Jane clapped her hands. ‘Good for you.’
    Richard jumped up and, to Milly’s surprise, kissed Milly’s cheek. ‘You certainly seem to have learned a lot in a very short while.’
    ‘Miss