Master of Comus

by Charlotte Lamb

  'Paul was not unkind,' Leonie said flatly.

  Clyte sighed. 'Well, we are finished now. Why don't you go down to the beach for a while?'

  'If you're sure you don't need me?'

  'I am sure,' Clyte insisted. 'Enjoy yourself.'

  The beach was deserted, the golden sands virgin and untrodden, the waves curling on to them in white-flecked breakers. A few gulls wheeled and dived over the water. The blue sky stretched endlessly without a cloud.

  Leonie lay down on a spread towel, staring at the sky for a few moments, then on an impulse got up and ran down into the waves. She swam strongly out to sea. It was exciting to breast the rolling waves and feel them carry her forward. She felt as if she could swim on forever and never return to the world she had left behind. But after a while, with a sigh, she turned back and swam inshore again. Reluctant, however, to leave the beckoning depths, she dived down into the clear, sun-freckled water and tried to touch the bottom. White-sanded shelves threaded with dark green seaweed which brushed clingingly against her thighs as she moved, sending little swarms of tiny silvery fish darting nervously out of her way as her slender, half-naked body cleft their watery home. She could taste the salt on her lips, hear the thunder of the waves in her ears. In this remote watery world she was almost able to forget her problems.

  Later she sunbathed until the salt dried on her body, relaxing with limp limbs under the spell of the sun and the sea.

  Heavily content, she returned to the house. She had lunch with Argon. They ate fish salad and hot pitta, drank sweet strong Greek coffee cup after cup, talking idly about Comus and the people. Then Leonie left Argon to have another of his necessary, frequent naps. He was looking even older than when she had first met him. His illness was taking its toll, and she was glad she had come back to be with him. Even his close relationship with Clyte was not enough. He needed his own family around him.

  In the afternoon she also took a brief nap on her bed behind closed shutters. The slumbrous heat of the day cast a spell over the whole island. Animals and birds sheltered from the heat. There were few sounds to be heard. No breath of wind stirred the olive trees. Even the sea seemed to be hushed.

  As the shadows lengthened, everyone began to wake up. A dog began to bark somewhere. Birds called in the cypresses. Somewhere on the hills the sheep bells began to tinkle again and she heard the distant bleating of a goat. Leonie got up, washed and changed, then went down to help Clyte with dinner.

  She ate the evening meal with Argon again, this time moussaka and salad, then they played chess together for an hour. Argon won. Very pleased with himself, he said goodnight to her, and she went up to her room to bed. She could not sleep so early, so she read for a while until she fell asleep.

  This first day became the pattern for them all. Day succeeded day. Leonie swam and sunbathed, read and played chess and sat with Argon talking. She ate her meals and took her afternoon sleep. The hours ticked past in a summer haze of content.

  She began to forget about Paul. At first she had thought of nothing else. He had haunted her, waking and sleeping, stalking in her dreams like the ghost of Hamlet's father. But gradually she made herself turn off. She drove his image away through sheer power of will.

  They had heard nothing from him, and Argon and Clyte carefully never mentioned him.

  Leonie had thought for a while that he would write or telephone, but gradually she realised that he meant to do neither. No doubt he was already setting their divorce on foot Or would he wait until after Argon's death to do that? She no longer cared. Her sense of self-preservation made it necessary for her to switch off and forget him, and she did just that.

  About a month after her arrival a thought occurred to her that froze the blood in her veins. She had begun to notice certain things which "gradually assumed a terrifying significance.

  Was it possible that she was going to have a child? She stared at herself in her mirror, her face suddenly white, her eyes standing out against her skin like dark pools.

  What an irony of fate if that one night should have such consequences!

  She began to count the days, to watch herself like a hawk for other signs. She dared not mention it to Clyte. Clyte would be bound to tell Argon, and Argon would undoubtedly write to Paul—and the last thing Leonie wanted was for Paul to find out. She did not want his pity or his enforced company. If he knew she was carrying his child he would feel bound to stay married to her, and such a marriage could only be embittered by resentment on both sides, which would not be good for their child.

  So for the moment she kept the news to herself, deciding that there would be no outward sign to betray her for some months yet.

  She needed confirmation, however, and knew that if she saw the island doctor the news would rapidly flash around the whole island.

  She had to leave Comus—there was no other answer. She went to Argon and told him that she had to return to England for a while. Must a week or two. I'll come back very soon, I promise.'

  Argon stared at her, frowning. 'Why is it so urgent?'

  'My aunt is ill,' she lied. 'I rang her last night and she said she would like to see me.'

  She had, in fact, rung her aunt in England, to ask if she might pay her a visit. Clyte had already informed Argon of the telephone call, so Argon was easily convinced. Grudgingly, he agreed that she should go.

  Two days later Leonie was in England. She took a hotel room in London and made a private appointment to see a doctor in Harley Street, not wanting to alert her aunt to her condition any more than she wanted Argon to know.

  The doctor was soon able to confirm her pregnancy, and gave her advice about her care of herself, prescribing iron tablets and vitamin tablets for the moment.

  'You're very brown, Mrs Caprel, and you look healthy enough, but during pregnancy it's often the case that a young woman develops iron deficiency. You must take care of your diet. Drink plenty of milk, eat fresh vegetables and fruit, and avoid fatty foods..

  She listened, nodding, then hurried away to think alone in her hotel room. What was she to do? She could not leave Argon alone during these last months, yet once her condition was realised, Paul would soon be told and then she would have to face a terrible problem.

  She sat staring at nothing for a long time, coming to no conclusion.

  At last she decided she was hungry. The hotel dining-room was half full when she arrived, and she was shown to a pleasant table by the window, looking out over a tree-lined avenue.

  It was the early evening. The sun was just sinking below the skyline, illuminating the London roofs with a fringe of crimson light. She ordered her meal and waited for the first course to arrive, idly playing with her cutlery.

  'Good heavens! Leonie!'

  The voice made her jump out of her skin. Pale and shivering, she looked round.

  Jake Tennyson stood beside her, his expression almost as startled as her own.

  CHAPTER NINE

  'WHAT on earth are you doing in London? Is Paul with you?' Jake asked curiously.

  'No,' she said quickly. 'No, I'm alone. I'm visiting a relative over here.'

  Jake smiled. 'Then may I join you? I hate to eat alone, and it's a piece of exceptional good luck finding you here like this. I've often thought about you, Leonie, since I got back here from Paris.' He pulled back a chair and sat down facing her, his fingers laced together, staring at her over the top of his hands. 'You don't look well, somehow. Is something wrong? Although you're as brown as a berry you have a haggard look about you.'

  She laughed. 'Women love to hear things like that! Thank you, Jake.'

  He grinned. 'I'm sorry. Was that very rude of me? This new haunted look doesn't detract from your good looks, you know. It underlines them.'

  Leonie flushed at the admiration in his eyes. 'Oh. Her lashes fluttered down to make a curtain on her golden-brown cheeks.

  Jake watched her, tracing the fine curve of cheek and throat, the faint blue stains beneath her eyes which betrayed some i
nner conflict, the tremor of her passionately shaped mouth.

  'You've been in Greece lately, I gather?' he asked.

  She looked up again, eyes widening. 'How did you know that?' "

  He shrugged. 'I have friends in Paris, remember. I hear all the gossip.'

  'Of course.' She paused, then asked. 'How is George?'

  'Doesn't Paul keep you in touch? George is very well, quite recovered from his illness. He and Diane have gone away to the Canary Islands for six months' holiday. Paul has been very busy getting George's affairs in shape. George intends to retire now, and his merchant bank has offered Paul a directorship in his place.' Jake watched her closely, his eyes narrowed. 'You seem to find all this surprising. Doesn't Paul write to you?'

  She met his eyes bravely. 'I'm not very interested in business matters.

  Jake grimaced faintly. 'I see. So what have you been doing with yourself since I last saw you? A lot of sunbathing, from the look of you.'

  She smiled. 'I've been on Comus for weeks—as you guessed, sunbathing and swimming a lot of the time. It's very relaxing on the island,'

  'You look tanned, but you certainly don't look very relaxed,' Jake told her.

  Her eyes shifted uneasily. 'I'm worried, of course.'

  'About what?' Jake leaned forward urgently, his eyes fixed on her face with great intensity.

  'About Argon, my great-grandfather. He's dying. Didn't you know?'

  Jake looked almost disappointed. 'I see. I'm very sorry to hear it. He's a fine old man.'

  'Yes, I'm very fond of him. I've got fonder of him than ever during these last weeks. I hate to think ahead at the moment. The future looks too grim For more reasons than Jake could ever guess, she thought to herself.

  'For a newly married couple you and Paul have a very casual attitude towards each Other,' Jake said slowly. 'How long are you going to be in London?'

  'I'm going into the country tomorrow, to visit an aunt of mine,' she said.

  'How are you getting there?'

  'By train, I suppose.'

  'Let me drive you,' Jake suggested.

  'Oh, no,' she protested. 'I couldn't give you so much trouble, although it's very kind of you to offer.'

  'It's neither kind nor troublesome,' he said flatly 'I want to see you tomorrow.'

  She felt her cheeky flushing. 'Jake! Don't start that again. I thought...'

  'Leonie, Stop thinking for a little while, Jake interrupted her hastily. 'Just let things drift for a time. It might take that haunted look out of your face. What harm can it do for me to drive you to visit your aunt?'

  She hesitated, biting her lip. She had enough problems on her mind without Jake adding more.

  He put a hand across the table to take one of hers 'Please, Leonie,' he murmured softly.

  She shrugged helplessly. 'Very Well.' She could not be bothered to argue any further.

  The waiter hovered expectantly. Jake looked round, his face triumphant, and clicked a finger and thumb. 'I'll order now,' he said.

  They took their time over the meal, talking and laughing easily together. Jake had a fund of funny stories which brought a sparkle into Leonie's eyes and eased the lines of strain around her mouth and nose. By the time they were drinking their coffee, Leonie was feeling far more relaxed and cheerful.

  'It's a pity to break this up so soon,' Jake said, as they left the table. 'There's dancing in the ballroom tonight. Will you come and dance for half an hour?'

  'Oh, I really think I ought to get to bed,' she protested.

  Jake took her elbow and steered her towards the sound of dance music. 'Nonsense! A little fun would do you the world of good.'

  She laughed, 'You talk as if I were an invalid!'

  'I think you're someone with a lot on her mind,' Jake said gently. 'I would like to see your face looking the way it did the first time I saw you. You didn't have that remote look then. You were flushed and pretty and slightly indignant at my silly mistake, and I envied Paul.'

  The ballroom was not over-crowded. They found a small table in a corner and sat down for a short time until a new dance began, then they moved on to the floor and danced. Jake was a graceful, deft dancer, and Leonie found the experience very pleasant, moving in his arms to the restful swirl of the music. He did not talk much, his chin resting slightly against her hair, his hand softly holding her in the small of her back.

  After a few dances she excused herself, however. 'I really must get some sleep. I' m very tired.'

  He insisted on seeing her to her room. Outside her bedroom door he took her key and unlocked the room for her. She took back the key and smiled at him.

  'Goodnight, Jake.'

  He bent his head quickly, before she could move out of the way, and kissed her. Half dazed by the good wine they had drunk and the warm air of the ballroom, Leonie did not resist, standing like a good child with her face upturned to his. Jake murmured half groaningly against her mouth, his arms came up around her and he pulled her hard against him. The gentle friendly kiss altered, becoming demanding and hungry, till Leonie was startled into realisation of what was happening. She pushed against him, pulling her face back.

  Jake let her go at once. Wryly, he looked down at her. 'I'm sorry, but I was tempted beyond my endurance. You're a very attractive creature, Leonie.

  She frowned, biting her lip. 'Jake, look, I don't think we should see each other tomorrow, after all.

  'No,' he said quickly. 'I promise to be good. It was only a moment's weakness. I'll .pick you up tomorrow after breakfast.'

  He was gone before she could argue. She closed her bedroom door and stood leaning against it staring into the dark. Jake's kiss had awoken passion in her, a passion not for Jake but for Paul, and she had to struggle bitterly against a longing for him.

  Would she ever see him again?

  She was up early next morning, packed and ready to leave as soon as she had had breakfast. With the clear light of morning she felt a clear realisation of the dangers of seeing much of Jake. That kiss had been a warning. Whatever he said, he was far too interested in her, and she was far too vulnerable at this moment. Her own unhappiness had weakened her.

  She decided to take a train after all, leaving a message for Jake. But as she left the hotel she saw him waiting outside in his car, and her look of unguarded surprise brought a dry smile to his handsome face. He met her and took her case.

  'I came early because I suspected you might try to run away, he said. 'I was right, wasn't J?'

  Jake, i think I ought to go by train,' she said apologetically. 'If Paul got to know about this he would be furious.'

  'How is he to know? He's in Paris and we're here,' said Jake lightly.

  She sighed, 'I wish you'd listen to sense.'

  He grinned at her. 'While I drive you can tell me all about your aunt.'

  Leonie had to smile. 'What an obstinate man you are!'

  'That's right,' he agreed. 'So you'd better do as you're told, my dear.'

  The drive was a pleasant one, through some of the loveliest English countryside, and the warm weather made it an even more enjoyable experience. They stopped for lunch at midday at a roadside inn where they ate their meal in a sunlit garden under a striped umbrella while sparrows and blue tits hopped and flew around them begging for crumbs.

  Laughing at Jake as he crumbled a roll and carefully rationed it out among the birds, Leonie felt suddenly for the first time for weeks that she was happy, and her surprise at this discovery alarmed her. What had Paul done to her? Only a few months ago she had often been happy. Now a momentary pleasure like this could take her off guard and amaze her. She had ceased to expect happiness; she had ceased to hope for it. This was all Paul's doing.

  Bitterness flooded along her veins. For the second time in her life a handsome man had ruined her happiness.

  Jake was watching her when she looked up. He put out a finger and touched her lashes gently.

  'Tears? Why?'

  A smile quivered along her mouth. 'I d
on't know…'

  'My dear,' he said with concern, 'I hate to see you like this. What the hell is going on between you and

  Paul?'

  'We must go,' she said, rising.

  Jake followed her, his hands in his pockets, a frown on his face. He drove the rest of the way in moody silence. When they reached her aunt's home, Jake stopped the car and leaned back, staring at nothing.

  'We're here,' Leonie said with an attempt at light-

  'Is your marriage a farce?' he asked abruptly, turning to look at her.

  She flushed, then paled. 'I'm not answering questions like that, Jake.'

  'You don't have to. I know the answer. Your eyes give you away, you know.' He took hold of her hands and held them tightly. 'Leonie, come to me. I think I love you. I think I could teach you to love me, and I wouldn't be as blind to your rare sweetness of character as Paul seems to be. I would make you happy. When you've divorced Paul we could marry, live here in England.'

  She was on the point of tears. 'You're very kind, Jake. I'm deeply touched. But no, it's impossible...'

  Then suddenly they both saw someone standing beside the car, watching them with a menacing scowl.

  Leonie withdrew her hands from Jake's grasp, her face turning scarlet under Paul's accusing eyes. Jake sat immovably, staring at Paul, their eyes clashing.

  Leonie scrambled out of the car and faced Paul. 'What are you doing here?'

  'Strange as it may seem, looking for my wife,' he bit out. 'Argon rang to tell me you were coming here, and I arrived yesterday. You didn't show up.' His blue eyes flashed at Jake. 'I gather I may guess why.'

  She did not reply, her eyes dropping nervously away from the anger in his glance.

  Jake had got out of the car now. He moved towards Leonie, his face anxious. 'Don't look so frightened, my sweet. He shan't hurt you while I'm here...'

  Paul lunged like a sleek golden tiger, his fist swinging at Jake's chin. The next moment Jake was flat on his back with an astonished expression. Leonie gave a gasp of horror.

  'Paul, you shouldn't have done that!' She knelt beside Jake. 'Are you all right?'

  Jake ignored her, rising to his feet, his hand rubbing his chin. 'You caught me off guard that time, you bastard! Just try and do it again.'