A Change of Fortune by Beryl Matthews Page B

one person in the room who had witnessed Jenny’s flight of panic. Matthew had seen her come in and stop suddenly, the colour draining from her face. For a moment he thought that she was goingto drop the large dish she was carrying. He was almost on his feet when she turned and fled. There wasn’t a sound of a crash, so she must have held on to the serving dish. For some strange reason he felt concerned for the young girl, wanting to protect her. That was why he had been unusually harsh with Luke for playing his games with her. It was that instinct that kept him in his seat. Was there something or someone here she didn’t want to see? Someone who was a threat to her?
    He glanced around the long table, studying each guest carefully. It was unlikely that an under housemaid would know any of these distinguished people – unless she’d worked for them of course. That idea was quickly dismissed. She was far too young. This was probably her first job. Nevertheless there was something about the girl … He silently cursed his overactive imagination.
    The older housemaid had come into the room carrying the same dish. He watched her whisper something to the butler. When Green came round to refill the wine glasses and bent over near Matthew, he said quietly, ‘Is the young girl all right?’
    ‘Yes, sir. She felt unwell and is being taken care of.’
    Matt nodded, satisfied, turning his attention back to the guests. His mother expected all her sons to play their part in keeping the conversation going.
    ‘Matthew!’
    He looked across the table to Gloria Tremain, a polite smile on his face. She always called him Matthew, not Matt like everyone else.
    ‘Your father told me you are going to learn about engines.’
    ‘That’s right. Car engines.’
    ‘What a strange profession.’ Her expression said that she disapproved. ‘But I suppose that as the third son you are allowed to do much as you please.’
    ‘It has its advantages.’ Gloria always spoke as if the Stannards were a tided family. Her pretentious ideas irritated him. Not wishing to talk to her any longer, he turned to listen to something the person next to him was saying. That should get rid of her, he thought, as a chuckle of amusement rose inside him. It had been obvious for some time that Gloria was trying to attach herself to him. John was too serious; Luke too fond of chasing the girls – any girls; and that left him as her way into the Stannard family. She was wasting her time, though. He couldn’t stand her. She was a snob, and, having been educated at the Templeton School for Young Ladies, useless except as a hostess. He preferred girls who had depth to them, some conversation and knowledge of what was going on in the world. Living with someone as shallow as Gloria would be purgatory for him.
    Through the chatter he heard the Wall Street crash mentioned and the suffering it was causing some families. He strained to hear what was being said further down the table.
    ‘Terrible business,’ Lady Arlington was saying. ‘They can’t find a trace of the Winford daughter. One dreads to think what might have become of her. Only sixteen years of age, I’m told.’
    ‘That’s right,’ Gloria announced. ‘I knew her. She was at my school. Always was on the wilful side, though I cannot understand why she wanted to run away when Albert Greaves would have married her. I never thought she was lacking in good sense. The stupid girl – she could have had a life of luxury.’
    Matt bristled at her scornful tone. ‘I don’t know the man, but perhaps she didn’t want to marry him.’
    Gloria gave him a withering look that said quite plainly that he didn’t know what he was talking about. ‘He is said to be immensely wealthy.’
    Matt ignored her; he didn’t know the girl they were talking about anyway. His mind kept going back to their under housemaid. He hoped she was feeling better. He couldn’t understand why he felt so concerned about her; she was little