by Betty Neels
‘But you do believe in liking, in friendship, in sharing your life with someone who shares your interests and enjoys your company?’
She said slowly, ‘Yes, I do believe in that. And I do like you. I don’t know anything about you, but I liked you when we first met. Sometimes one meets someone and one feels at home with them at once—like old friends…’
‘Indeed, and that is how I feel with you, Serena. Comfortable.’
He smiled at her then, and she smiled back, feeling, for the first time in weeks, secure.
‘Will you come back to my house and Nanny now?’ he asked.
‘I’ve just paid the rent—in advance, you know…’
‘I’ll go to see the landlady while you pack your things.’
He got up and put Puss down gently.
Serena said, ‘Am I doing the right thing? Allowing you to arrange everything. I wish I had someone to advise me.’
‘Try me,’ said Mr van Doelen. ‘Start packing, there’s a dear girl. I have to return to Holland tomorrow, and we must discuss plans.’ At her questioning look, he added, ‘Our wedding.’
‘I haven’t said…’ began Serena, but he had already gone.
She started to pack at once, and Puss got into her basket and waited patiently. She had been moved around quite a lot lately, and this basement room had been worse than the house at Yeovil. Her whiskers twitched at the memory of the dainty morsels Nanny had provided in her warm, comfortable kitchen. She hoped that she would be going back there.
Serena, her suitcase open half-filled on the divan, had stopped her packing and gone to stand by the window overlooking the dismal little garden. It must have been the surprise at seeing Mr van Doelen again which had caused her to lose her wits. Of course she wouldn’t marry him. Of all the preposterous ideas. She would go to the supermarket in the morning and ask for her job back and explain to Mrs Keane that it had all been a mistake…
Mr van Doelen had come back. He saw the half-packed case and said cheerfully, ‘Having second thoughts?’
‘Second thoughts?’ said Serena peevishly. ‘How can I possibly think? I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.’
He crossed the room and began to pack the small pile of clothes into the case. ‘You’re coming with me and we’re going to be married.’ He added in a soothing voice, ‘A business arrangement between friends.’
He folded a dress carefully. ‘Is there anything else to go in this case?’
She collected up the few photographs, one or two small figurines she had brought from home and her dressing gown, hanging behind the curtained-off corner of the room. She was suddenly tired; she would go with Mr van Doelen, and after a night’s sleep she would be herself again, refuse his proposal in a few well-measured words, and go in search of another job. She put the last odds and ends into her case and got her jacket, closed Puss’s basket and then told him gently that she was ready to go.
‘But please understand that this is just for tonight.’
‘No, no, dear girl. Let us be quite clear about it. I have asked you to marry me, and if you have any sense in your head you will accept me. I promise you I shan’t think that you’re marrying me for my money. I have offered you a bargain. If you will keep your side of it, I shall keep mine. I really do need a wife, and you are so exactly what I had in mind. Now come along. I don’t know about you, but I need my supper.’
He gave her a friendly smile. ‘If you take Puss, I’ll bring the luggage.’
CHAPTER FIVE
MR VAN DOELEN didn’t utter a word as he drove back to Chelsea. Only as they went into the little house he called cheerfully, ‘Here we are, Nanny, and we’re all three famished.’
Miss Glover came to meet them. ‘Supper in ten minutes, and something tasty for Puss.’
She smiled at Serena and said, ‘Your room’s ready, love. Just you run up and tidy yourself while Ivo brings in your things.’
Serena, speechless, not knowing what to say, did as she was told. When she went downstairs again, Nanny called from the kitchen.
‘I’m here, Serena.’
The kitchen was cosy, immaculate, and if there were any labour-saving devices in it they were successfully hidden behind the rows of copper saucepans, the small Aga, the old-fashioned wood dresser and the Windsor chairs round the table, covered by a white cloth and set for three persons.
Mr van Doelen was there, leaning against the dresser, eating a hunk of bread, and Puss was already before the Aga, her small nose buried in a saucer of food. He put the bread down and poured Serena a drink—a dry sherry.
‘Just to whet your appetite,’ he told her cheerfully, and came and sat down opposite her. They had coq au vin and the talk was cheerful, just as though Serena hadn’t left. If the talk was mainly between Mr van Doelen and Nanny they didn’t remark about it, including Serena in their conversation and not seeming to notice her brief, shy replies.
The coq au vin was followed by Queen of Puddings, and when that had been eaten Mr van Doelen said, ‘Off to bed with you, Serena; you’re asleep on your feet. I’ll be here in the morning.’
She summoned her sleepy wits. ‘We must talk… I’m not sure—you took me by surprise.’
He said gravely, ‘You will be better able to do that after a good night’s sleep, Serena.’
He got up and opened the door for her. She wished them goodnight, and with Puss eagerly anticipating a comfortable bed upon which to sleep she went upstairs, to lie in the bath wondering if she had become crazy and what she was going to do about it. She got into bed presently, and fell asleep at once.
She woke early, her sensible self once again, determined to tell Mr van Doelen that, grateful to him though she was for his kindness, she wished to find another job and lodgings as quickly as possible.
She dressed and went downstairs, treading softly, for the house was quiet and it was still early. Not too early for Mr van Doelen. He put his head round a door in the hall, wished her good morning and invited her to go in.
‘A lovely morning,’ he observed blandly. ‘Nanny will have heard you and will bring us tea. Such a pleasant habit, this early-morning cup. It isn’t the general rule in Holland!’
Serena, intent on explaining just why she intended to leave after breakfast, found herself agreeing very politely as Miss Glover came in with a tray and two mugs of tea, the sugar bowl and a plate of biscuits.
‘Good morning, Serena,’ she said briskly. ‘Breakfast in half an hour or so.’
She swept out again and Mr van Doelen asked, ‘Sugar?’
Mr van Doelen sat back in his chair behind his desk, the mug in his hand, very much at ease, and Serena, not at all at ease, sipped her tea and looked around her.
It was a small room, its walls lined with books, the desk a splendid example of a George II partner’s desk. It was loaded down with papers, a pile of medical journals, and a computer and a stack of what she supposed were patients’ notes half hiding the telephone, but the room didn’t lack comfort. The carpeted floor was soft underfoot, there were some charming flower paintings between the bookshelves, and the small window had white muslin curtains. There was a small old-fashioned fireplace, too. She imagined that in the winter there would be a brisk fire burning in it…
‘You wanted to talk?’ said Mr van Doelen in an encouraging voice.
‘Yes, well, I did—I mean, I do,’ said Serena, wishing she was anywhere but where she was at the moment, but, since that wasn’t possible, there was nothing for it but to do as he suggested.
‘Last night,’ she began, ‘you took me by surprise. If I’d stopped to think I would never have let you go off like that and get me the sack and give up my room. And all that nonsense about getting married…!’
‘I never talk nonsense,’ said Mr van Doelen gravely.
She wasn’t looking at him. She said sharply, ‘Of course you did. You could marry anyone you wished to; that’s the advantage of being a man. Don’t tell me that you don’t have any number of lady-friends.
’
He hid a smile. ‘Any number,’ he agreed equably, ‘but never once has it crossed my mind that I wished to marry any one of them.’
‘You were joking…’
‘I don’t joke either,’ he told her.
At a loss for words, Serena said, ‘Well, then…’ Since she could see that wouldn’t end the conversation she added, ‘That nonsense about getting married.’
Mr van Doelen settled himself more comfortably in his chair. ‘Now, shall we start again? I think I made myself clear yesterday evening. If you remember, I told you that I need a wife and you need a future. We get on well together, and that is essential in marriage, do you not agree? Neither of us are in our first youth…’
‘I’m twenty-six,’ said Serena with a snap.
‘Yes, yes. Still quite young, but you have reached years of discretion, have you not? Unlike Gregory, I do not profess my love for you, and there are many such as he around. You are, if you will forgive me for saying so, rather a green girl. I, on the other hand, like you, I enjoy your company, I am sure that we would have a pleasant and undemanding life together and I would do everything in my power to give you a happy life. So if I ask you to marry me once again, Serena, will you say yes? I promise you you won’t regret it.’
‘You don’t think that I would marry just to have a home and no worries?’
‘No, I don’t think that.’
He looked untroubled and gave her a friendly, reassuring smile.
Serena said slowly, ‘It’s a bit unusual, isn’t it? But if you’re sure you only want that kind of a wife, then, yes, I’ll marry you.’
He got up and came round the desk to her chair and took her hand, and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She was disappointed when he didn’t.
‘We will shake hands on that,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Shall we have breakfast and discuss our plans?’
‘I haven’t any plans,’ said Serena rather bleakly, and looked for a moment so forlorn that he bent to kiss her cheek.
‘We’ll see about that,’ he told her briskly.
‘You would like to marry here?’ he asked her over their bacon and eggs. ‘You wish your brother to marry us?’
‘Matthew? No, I don’t think so. He’s fond of me, but I don’t think he would understand. If it had been Gregory… You see, Gregory expected to marry me; Matthew and Henry both knew him.’ She frowned. ‘It’s difficult to explain…’
‘Then don’t. I think I understand. Shall we have a very quiet wedding here and return to Holland immediately afterwards?’
She nodded. ‘That would be best. There’s no one who would be interested, although I dare say your family would want to know?’ She buttered some toast and added marmalade. ‘I don’t know where you live.’
‘In a small village near the Hague. I have two married sisters, my father died last year, and my mother lives in Friesland.’
He passed his cup for more coffee. ‘I shall tell them when I get back home tomorrow. Our engagement will be announced in the Haagsche Post and either The Times or the Telegraph here.’
She looked surprised. ‘Oh, will anyone want to know here?’
He smiled a little. ‘I have friends and colleagues here as well as in Holland. I expect you would like to tell your brothers. Invite them if you would like to. I think we might have the Bowrings up for the wedding, don’t you?’
‘Yes, I’d like that.’
‘If you like the idea, a friend of mind could marry us. I’ll see about a special licence and we could marry at St Faith’s; it’s a charming little church in the next street.’
Serena agreed, reflecting how pleasant it was to have someone arranging everything with such ease while at the same time making sure that she was agreeable to what was suggested. After years of her father’s bullying and Henry’s dictatorial ways it was bliss.
‘Not a big wedding,’ she said. ‘I mean, just ordinary clothes…’
He hid a smile. ‘Of course. We shall go over to Holland the same evening, so there won’t be much time to dress up. I’m sure you’ll look pretty in whatever you choose to wear.’ Then he asked, ‘Have you enough money to get something suitable for the occasion?’
‘Yes, I’ve Father’s five hundred pounds…’
‘Then spend every penny of it.’
He watched her face. It held the same enraptured expression as a small girl offered the fairy on top of the Christmas tree. He had seen that look before; he had two sisters.
‘I’ve got my wages from Mrs Webster, too…’
‘Spend those as well.’
‘It’s quite a lot of money.’
‘I am well able to provide for you, Serena.’ He said that in a quiet voice which stopped her saying anything further about the matter.
When they had finished breakfast he said, ‘I’ll be half an hour or so phoning. Then will you come with me and we will choose a ring?’ He paused as he went through the door. ‘Would you be willing to marry me when I next return to London? I’ve several appointments here; when I’ve dealt with them I shall need to go back home for a time.’ When she nodded, he added, ‘And do phone your brothers if you would like to.’ He smiled. ‘If I’m hustling you, say so, Serena, but there isn’t any reason for us to wait, is there?’
‘No, no, of course not. I’ll phone Henry and Matthew and be ready for you in half an hour.’
She phoned Matthew first. He had never bothered much with her, but at least he had never bullied her. He was surprised, but she had expected that. Still he wished her well in a cautious way and called Norah to the phone.
‘Quick work,’ said Norah. ‘I always knew you were a deep one. Getting married so soon, too.’ Her voice held a wealth of malice. ‘Well, don’t expect us to come to the wedding…’
‘We hadn’t intended inviting you,’ said Serena.
Henry made no bones about his disapproval. ‘The very idea!’ he told her. ‘Going off like that and marrying the first man you meet. A foreigner, too. Well, don’t expect any help from me if things go wrong.’
‘Well, I’ve never expected help from you, Henry, and nothing is going to go wrong. I’m going to live in Holland for most of the time—that should be a great relief to you!’
‘I’m your elder brother,’ said Henry at his most pompous. ‘I consider myself responsible for your well-being.’
‘Rubbish,’ said Serena cheerfully. ‘Aren’t you forgetting that I shall have a husband to look after me?
‘Of all the nonsense,’ said Serena, putting down the receiver and turning round to see Mr van Doelen smiling in the doorway.
‘And that I can promise I shall do, Serena—look after you. Were your brothers disapproving?’
‘Yes, but then they have never really approved of me, if you see what I mean, so it really doesn’t matter.’
‘I’ve dealt with the special licence and my friend will be delighted to marry us. Now get a jacket and we’ll go shopping.’
He took her to a famous jeweller’s and they sat in a discreet alcove while they looked at rings together. ‘I really don’t know,’ said Serena. ‘I’m not a jewellery person, am I?’
‘No, but I think that sapphires would suit you.’
‘You choose,’ said Serena, rather overcome by the display set before them by the discreet salesman.
It was a choice she would have made herself; she had been held back by doubts as to the price—a splendid stone set in rose diamonds—but apparently Mr van Doelen wasn’t bothered about that. He chose it without hesitation, and without asking its cost. Either he was so deeply in love that money didn’t matter any more or he was so rich that the price was of no account. Serena was sure that it was the second of these. It fitted; he slipped it onto her finger and the salesman smiled, not only because he had made a good sale but because he was a sentimental man and believed in true love.
Over coffee presently, Mr van Doelen said, ‘I’ll get the wedding rings now I know your size. Have you any preference?’
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‘No, just plain gold.’ She admired the sapphire sparkling on her finger. ‘This is a very beautiful ring. Thank you, Ivo.’
‘I had a word with my bank. If you run out of money, apply to the manager. I’ll leave the phone number on my desk. He will want to see you, of course, but there should be no problem.’
‘Thank you, but I’m sure I’ve enough.’ She hesitated. ‘Shall I need a lot of clothes in Holland? I mean, do you go out a lot? Could I wait and buy things when I get there?’
‘A very good idea. We shall go out from time to time. I have friends and family—aunts and uncles and so on—and social occasions to do with the hospitals where I work. But you don’t need to worry about that at the moment.’
Serena finished her coffee. As far as she could see she had nothing to worry about at all.
They spent the rest of the day together, the best of friends. It was strange, reflected Serena, that they hardly knew each other and yet they felt so completely at ease together.
When he left that evening she felt bereft. He had bidden her goodbye quite casually, his kiss on her cheek so light and brief that she wasn’t sure if she had imagined it. When he had gone she told herself not to get silly and sentimental, and she got out pen and paper and made a list of what she intended to buy. Five hundred pounds seemed a fortune, but from what she had seen in the shop windows it wouldn’t go far. She had her wages still; she had meant to keep those against some future emergency, but now she could use at least some of them.
The list grew and she had to start again, crossing out quite a few of the things she would have liked to have bought but which weren’t actually necessary. Tomorrow she would go to the shops, not necessarily to buy but just to spy out the land, as it were.
Nanny joined her presently, sitting up very straight in her chair, knitting. She didn’t speak for quite a while, but Serena found her presence comforting. Like sitting with your granny, she reflected, someone who didn’t talk much, just was there. She added a couple more items to her list, and then crossed them out. She must stick to basics…