After the War Is Over by Jennifer Robson

suffragette?” asked Constance.
    “She prefers the term ‘suffragist,’” Charlotte clarified. “She’s not only interested
     in votes for women, you know. MissRathbone believes all adults are entitled to the vote, no matter how much they earn
     or where they live.”
    “So if you was working for her, how is it that you and Lilly lived together in London?”
     asked Annie.
    “I wanted to be doing more for the war effort, so I came to London and trained as
     a nurse. Lilly lived with me at Mrs. Collins’s when she was working as a clippie,
     and again after she was invalided home.”
    “Didn’t Lilly invite Mrs. Collins to the wedding?” asked Constance. “I was sure she
     said she had.”
    “She did. But Mrs. Collins has never left London, not even for a day at the seaside.
     She was too anxious about taking the train up, not to mention leaving the house empty
     for a few days. I’m sure Lilly will take over some photographs to show her when she
     and Robbie return from their honeymoon.” Charlotte resolved then and there to write
     to Mrs. Collins that evening and tell her all about the wedding.
    They were through the woods now and following the other guests along the raked gravel
     path that led to the back of the great house. A wide, sweeping staircase led to the
     second floor, to a large terrace often used for afternoon tea in fine weather. Just
     as Charlotte reached the top of the steps, the French doors that ran the length of
     the terrace were opened and Mr. Maxwell, the Cumberland family’s butler for many years,
     stepped outside.
    “Lord Cumberland, Lady Elizabeth, Mr. Fraser, ladies and gentlemen,” he called out.
     “Breakfast is served.”
    They filed into the galleried dining room, Lilly and Robbie leading the way, where
     an immensely long table had been set for the eighty-odd wedding guests. Lady Cumberland
     was already present, standing at the far end of the room, a brittle smile fixed on
     her face. A warm welcome indeed.
    As the bride’s only attendant, Charlotte was seated near the center of the table,
     with Robbie to her left and Mrs. Fraser to her right. Immediately across the table
     sat Lady Cumberland, flanked by her other daughters and sons-in-law; evidently she
     did not intend to mix with any of the other guests.
    Charlotte turned to Mrs. Fraser, planning to inquire after her enjoyment of the ceremony,
     and was startled by the look of terror on the woman’s face. Robbie’s mother was staring
     at her plate, or rather at the menu card that had been set atop it. Charlotte looked
     down at her own card and immediately understood: the entire menu was written in French.
    Consommé à la Comtesse
    Suprêmes de Saumon à l’Écossaise
    Côtelettes d’Agneau
    Chapons à la Cumberland
    Jambon et Langue Découpés à l’Aspic
    Asperges avec une Sauce Mousseline
    Crème Glacée Lady Elizabeth
    Gâteau de Noces
    Café
    “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “None of it is very exotic. Soup, salmon, lamb chops,
     chicken, ham and tongue in aspic, asparagus, ice cream, and wedding cake. Oh, and
     coffee, too.”
    “I’ve never seen the like in all my life. And all these forks and knives . . .”
    “Start at the outside and work your way in. Or, even better, watch to see which one
     Lady Cumberland uses.”
    “Thank you, Miss Brown. You are a dear.”
    “Not at all. You know, when I first came here, to work asLilly’s governess, I couldn’t sleep for a week. I was terribly nervous.”
    “Lady Elizabeth is very fond of you.”
    “She’s your daughter-in-law now, and I’m sure she’d prefer that you call her Lilly.”
    “I know, I know. It’s only . . . well, it seems so strange to me. Robbie had been
     friends with his lordship for years and years, but I never thought to be sitting here .”
    “You are, and may I say that you look every inch the happy mother of the groom. This
     is an important day for you, too. I do hope you are able to enjoy it.”
    “I’ll do my