The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,85

sweet scent of polish and the lilies and roses placed atop a shiny mahogany table.

‘Jeez! You’ve worked miracles here,’ Cecily said as Katherine showed her to her bedroom.

‘Thank you, I’m afraid it’s more for me than Alice – I just can’t bear to live in chaos,’ she said. ‘I’ve even erected a temporary chicken-wire pound for Alice’s dogs. Although I’m afraid the monkeys who see this as their second home are not so easily contained. Do you think I’m cruel?’

‘Not at all,’ Cecily replied as one of the female servants hurried to transfer her overnight bag to her room. ‘Please tell her not to unpack it – there’s nothing in there but my nightgown, toothbrush, a change of clothes and clean undergarments.’

‘I’m afraid she jolly well will,’ Katherine said, then barked orders to the girl who looked half terrified. ‘They’ve all forgotten that they’re paid a good wage and are well looked after by Alice. In return, they actually need to do some work. Now, I’m sure you must be parched. There’s some homemade lemonade ready on the terrace.’

‘But no champagne?’ Cecily feigned horror as Katherine chuckled.

They settled down in chairs on the terrace and Cecily took in the view of the green pastures spread out before her and the glint of the river running through them. Antelope, horses and goats were roaming freely and the gentle fresh breeze caressed her face.

‘How is Alice?’ Cecily asked as she took a sip of the delicious lemonade.

‘Not terribly well, I’m afraid. She’s had to have a drain inserted in her stomach. William – that is, Dr Boyle – thinks the pains may be the result of the shooting injuries she sustained in Paris all those years ago.’

‘Will she be okay?’

‘I hope so, though she really doesn’t take care of herself.’

‘Jeez. What a complicated life Alice has had. She must have loved the man very much to want to shoot him and then herself.’

‘I’ve heard many versions of the tale, but apparently Raymund told her he couldn’t marry her because his family had threatened to disinherit him if he did. Golly, the things people do for love, eh?’ Katherine sighed. ‘Though I think I might shoot Bobby if he suddenly announced he couldn’t marry me. I simply can’t imagine life without him.’

‘So when – and where – will you marry?’ Cecily asked.

‘In terms of when: in just under a month, as I might have mentioned. But as far as where is concerned, it’s all been rather complicated.’

‘Why?’

‘Well, my father works in a mission in Tumutumu, just on the other side of the Aberdare Mountains, and he’s been there for years. He speaks the local language fluently and, as you’ve heard, so do I. He’d like me to be married there, but the church is a hut, and I’m not sure I can see the likes of Idina and the others round here arriving in their smart wedding frocks, especially if the rains have begun,’ Katherine chuckled.

‘Surely it’s your wedding and must be your decision?’

‘Mine and Bobby’s, yes, though he doesn’t care as long as we get wed. But you have to understand that when my parents first arrived in Kenya, they lived on the mission. Then when I came along, and given that my father was so often travelling into the Bush to preach the gospel, my mother insisted that he build us a small house up in the Valley, so at least I could make some friends.’

‘That makes sense,’ Cecily agreed. ‘So you grew up between two worlds?’

‘Yes, I did, I suppose. And to be honest, I loved both of them. I was sent away to school when I was ten, but during the holidays, I’d spend most of my time with Mother and annoying Bobby up here, but then at least two weeks down at the mission with Father. Which brings me back to the tricky subject of where Bobby and I should tie the knot. I think we’ve finally reached a compromise; Bobby and I will officially be married at the mission in Tumutumu, which will keep Father happy, then the reception will be held at Muthaiga Club the following day. Darling Alice has insisted on paying for it as our wedding gift, even though I suggested that a cheque to help put some sticks of furniture in our new home might be more useful. She’s such an old romantic, even after the disasters of her own marriages. And of course, it’s a good excuse for a party too,’ she