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French and we could read stories together in that language. My accent was better than hers for I had chattered away like a native to servants at the hôtel, and as I had learned it when I was also learning my native English, my intonation as well as accent was entirely French.
    We were very happy together. We rode, played chess and conversed constantly; she was indeed a happy addition to our household.
    Damaris was delighted.
    ‘She’ll teach you more than I ever could,’ she said.
    Anita was treated like a member of the family. She dined with us and accompanied us when we visited the Dower House or Eversleigh Court.
    ‘A thoroughly charming girl,’ was Arabella’s comment.
    ‘So good for the child,’ added Priscilla.
    ‘The child’ by this time was growing up, learning fast. I knew of my origins; I had heard myself referred to as precocious and the servants who came from Eversleigh Court whispered together that I was a ‘Regular One’ and it would not take a gipsy with a crystal ball to see that I was going to turn out just like my mother.
    I kept up my intention to visit Benjie often. Damaris approved of what she called my thoughtfulness. She said that she would have to come with me for she would never have a moment’s peace thinking of me on the roads after what had happened.
    We went to Eyot Abbas and we always made sure that we passed through Wokey’s Wood, which was the scene of the accident, in daylight; and there was always a well-armed party with us. I enjoyed the adventure of going through those woods, though my memories of Hessenfield were now overshadowed by what had happened, and I would think sadly not only of my exciting father but of dear Harriet and Gregory as well.
    Anita accompanied us, for Damaris thought I should continue with lessons. I was glad to have her, for we had become great friends. Alas, Eyot Abbas seemed quite different without Harriet and it was depressing because there was evidence of her all over the house.
    Damaris said that Benjie should change everything. It was always wise to do so when something had happened which was best forgotten. She looked very serious when she said that and I thought of the bedroom at Enderby.
    ‘Perhaps we can advise him,’ said Damaris. ‘You might have some suggestions, Anita.’
    Anita had proved herself to be very good with flower arranging and matching colours. She told me she had longed to be able to furnish the old rectory where she had lived, but there had never been enough money to do it.
    So we went to Eyot Abbas and Benjie was delighted to see us—especially me—but oh, how sad he was.
    He did say that he was almost glad his father had gone with his mother because he would have been so utterly desolate without her. Benjie implied that he was utterly desolate himself.
    ‘You must do everything you can to cheer him,’ Damaris had said to me. ‘You can do more than anyone.’
    ‘Perhaps I should go and live with him,’ I had said.
    Damaris had looked at me steadily. ‘Is that… what you want?’ she asked.
    I flung my arms about her neck then. ‘No… no. It is you I want to be with.’
    She had been tremendously relieved and I couldn’t help thinking how important I was. Then it occurred to me that all these people wanted me as a sort of substitute—Damaris because she had no child and poor Jeremy had his moods; Benjie because he had lost Carlotta and now his parents. I was flattered in a way but I had to face the fact that I was wanted because what all of them really wanted was someone else. I was becoming introspective. It might be due to my talks with Anita.
    We rode a good deal—Anita, Benjie and I. Damaris accompanied us sometimes but she grew tired if she was too long in the saddle, so the three of us went alone. I think Benjie was happier on those rides than at any other time. He was interested in forestry and taught me a great deal. Anita was quite knowledgeable on the subject already. I started to distinguish the