Page 5 of Miss Debenham's Secret
Now she knew where she’d seen the boy before; he was one of Mrs Frobisher’s many sons, who helped out at the store.But what on earth was he doing here?
“I think there’s some mistake.I didn’t order anything.”
She started to close the door but he pushed the box at her.“No, miss.A gentleman paid for it—it’s a gift, like.”
She blushed and took the box without another word except a muttered thank you.Putting the box on her desk she cautiously removed the lid and the tissue wrapping.There was a note in an envelope and she opened it with trembling fingers.
Dear Clarissa,
Please accept this to replace the bonnet I so carelessly ruined.I’ll be waiting outside after school and I hope to see you wearing it.
Alistair.
For a moment her heart sank and she thought it must be the preposterous bonnet in the window, with the cherries, but when she took it out she saw it was a much more elegant concoction, with blue ribbon almost the exact shade of her eyes and a tasteful selection of dried flowers.Of course Mrs.Frobisher hadn’t been able to resist embellishing her creation with a feather that curled over the brim.
Of course Clarissa couldn’t possibly accept it; it must be returned at once.Still, since no-one else was here it couldn’t hurt to try it on.
She carefully placed the bonnet on her head, tucking her hair under it at the sides, and then tied the blue ribbons in a neat bow under her chin.She smiled at her reflection in the glass of the window; she looked like one of those confident girls who came to holiday in Lyme, always dressed very elegantly, who charmed all the locals.Even the feather seemed to flatter her.
She looked once more in the window and it was as if she saw a different girl there—the sort of girl who would wear such a bonnet—the sort of girl who was cheerful, who hadn’t a care in the world.She sighed and carefully removed the pretty bit of nonsense and put it back in its box.She would tell Alistair he must return it in the morning.
He was waiting outside and smiled when he saw her awkwardly carrying the large box.
“Let me take that.But why aren’t you wearing it?”
“I can’t possibly accept it, Alistair.Surely you can see that?People would think ...My father would be horrified!”
He nodded solemnly.“I see.But could you not tell him you purchased the bonnet yourself?After all, you just lost one and you needed another, did you not?”
“Yes, but he wouldn’t approve of such a ...frivolous ...it’s just not suitable, Alistair.”
“Well, if you will just wear it for me today I’ll take it back tomorrow then.”
Clarissa pretended to consider his request but she already knew she would agree.With a smile she put the bonnet on and tucked her hair in as best she could.
“Let me,” he said quietly, as he took the blue ribbons and tied a ship-shape bow.“You look ...you look lovely, Clarissa.”He stood back.“Very becoming.”He held out his arm and, blushing, she took it and walked beside him.
She felt daring in the bonnet—like the girl she’d seen in her reflection.If people saw her—if the villagers all gossiped, she didn’t care.For now she was a different girl, one who was happy and knew how to enjoy life.
They spent an hour or so walking along the Cobb and she nodded to two or three acquaintances, who looked somewhat surprised, but then nodded back.One elderly gentleman tipped his hat and said cheerfully, “Good to see you out and about, Miss Debenham.And looking so debonair,” and she found herself blushing in return.
Their time together was all too short and she knew she must go home and the bonnet must be returned.She took it off and handed it to Alistair.
“Tomorrow you’re coming to meet my father so I mustn’t be late now.He’ll be waiting for me to get his supper ready.”
“I look forward to it.”He took her hand and held it gently.“Till tomorrow.”
***
“Clarissa?”
Her father sounded querulous, an old man.He had never been the sort of father who complimented her or told her how well she had done, but these days he seemed even more glum.Or perhaps that was because of Lieutenant McKay.With his smiling face and laughing eyes he made everyone else seem gloomy.Even Mr.Marly had lost some of the shine he used to have, in her eyes anyway, and she found herself wishing he would not be so serious or pedantic all of the time.
Her father’s voice came again.“Clarissa?Where are you, girl?”
“Here, Father.I’m in the parlour.”
He came and stood at the door.Her father had been a tall man in his youth but with the passing years he’d grown stooped, until now he was not much taller than Clarissa.
