The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt Page B

place in London.”
    “Yes, in Grantham Square. I have only been there once or twice. Sir Francis… that is Charles’s father… is there most of the time.”
    I liked his friendly looks and the fact that his manner towards me had not changed when he had discovered that I was not a member of the family.
    “I daresay Charles or Philip will be in soon,” I said.
    “I thought of paying my respects to Lady Sallonger but they said she was resting.”
    “Oh yes, she would be at this time. She is very delicate.”
    He nodded.
    ”We have been eagerly waiting for you to come,” I told him.
    ”How nice of you.”
    “We’ve talked about you a lot … about Sir Francis Drake and all that.”
    He grimaced. “You can imagine what it has been like going round all my life with a name like that.”
    “Inspiring, I should think.”
    “A little daunting. They are expecting me to go to sea.”
    “And you don’t want to?”
    He shook his head. “I want to go into politics.”
    “I am sure that will be very exciting. There is always some-thing going on … and you are shaping the country’s destiny.”
    He laughed. “You make it sound like a great responsibility … but it is rather like that. I’ve always wanted to know what was going on and how we fit into European politics. My uncle has talked to me a great deal. He knows of my ambition.”
    “It must be very satisfying to know what you want in life. It enables you to go straight for it. So many people are undecided.”
    “Very often one has to deal with opposition.”
    “But that makes it more exciting in a way. How does one begin in politics?”
    “Well, you really start at University. I’m in all sorts of things … debating society and political club. I see a great deal of my uncle. I go to the House and see him there. It gets into your blood. I read the newspapers and form my opinions about what is going on. I discuss it with my uncle, who encourages me in every way. I’m lucky to have him. It’s so thrilling to learn of these things. People are apt to shut themselves up in little cocoons. They know what is happening in their immediate circle. They know the Tay Bridge was destroyed. They know Gladstone had defeated Beaconsfield and is in power. They know Parnell is being tried for conspiracy. But they don’t really know what is going on in Africa. What I mean is they don’t know why. I’m talking too much. You must forgive me. I get carried away.”
    I said: “I’m very interested. I am sure you would make an excellent politician.”
    Just at that moment Grand’mere came into the garden. She was looking for me.
    “Grand’mere,” I said. “This is Mr. Drake Aldringham. He has arrived and there is no one to receive him.”
    She came towards us. She had great dignity. One would have thought she was mistress of the house.
    “We have heard so much about you,” she said. “I am sure Charles will be quite put out that he was not here to greet you.”
    “It was my fault,” he said. “I should have let him know, but I thought it was quicker just to come.”
    “So you have been received by my granddaughter.”
    “Yes, we have been having a very interesting conversation. But I’m afraid I was talking a great deal about myself.”
    “That is the sign of a good politician,” I replied, and he laughed.
    We sat down by the pool and I went on to say: “Mr. Aldringham has been telling me about his ambitions, Grand’mere.”
    We talked about the forest and he said he had been very eager to see The Silk House. It was such an unusual name. One would expect it to be made of silk … if that were possible.
    “You know of course that the Sallongers are the biggest manufacturers of silk of the country,” said my grandmother. He did not know, but he was interested and I told the romantic story of the Huguenot St. Ailengeres coming to England and becoming Sallongers. “They had to leave everything they possessed,” I said, “and all they could bring with them