by Joan Hohl
The words struck at Katherine. I expect him. I, not we. Nails digging into her palms, feeling almost invisible, Katherine sat quite still and felt the color leave her face as DeDe replied, "You would think someone would have instructed him on delegating authority by now. I know I would have."
Katherine went rigid. She knew who that someone was. With those few words DeDe had labeled her unimportant. She drew her breath in slowly in an effort to control the flow of anger and dislike that flashed through her. How dare she? She thought, by what right did this china doll make comments like this in my own home? Then she checked her thoughts. It was not, in fact, her
home. It was Mart's home. And in his absence Beth was its undisputed mistress. Katherine had no doubt at all that DeDe was in full possession of the facts.
"I somehow find it impossible to imagine anyone instructing Matt on anything concerning his work." James' words were smooth, even, not matching his eyes which had gone hard.
One delicately penciled brow arched at him as, tilting her head, DeDe purred, "My dear James, there are ways, and then there are ways."
Beth's smile was one of admiration for her friend as she excused the two of them to show DeDe to her room.
Katherine sat staring at the now empty doorway. What had been the purpose of that conversation? What point?
James' soft voice broke her thoughts. "You must not mind what DeDe says, Katherine. She's been such a familiar figure around here for so long, almost one of the family, that I suppose she feels she has the right to say anything she wishes."
Katherine's head swung around to James, but before she could form an answer, Mary said, dryly, almost too dryly, "I've been told that familiarity breeds contempt." She rose and walked from the room, not even bothering to turn her head as she added, "I see now that it's true."
Katherine stood and moved to follow Mary. James' voice was an urgent plea. "Katherine."
She shook her head. "Not now, James, please." And she walked quickly from the room and up the stairs, one urge burning through her. She wanted nothing, at that moment, but to gather her son to her and run. Run as if her very life depended on it. But she had just learned the pointlessness of doing that.
She didn't, of course. She had lunch in the nursery
with Mary and by the time she walked into the living room for pre-dinner drinks she was completely composed. She had withdrawn into herself and when she spoke her voice had a cool, detached sound. She noted the concerned look James turned to her, but she ignored it.
She sat sipping her drink, feeling strangely alone, as Mary had decided to have dinner upstairs declaring one dose a day of DeDe was about all she could handle, allowing DeDe's occasional sharp pointed barbs to bounce off her armor. Only once did DeDe's remarks break through her defenses and draw blood.
James had asked her if she'd seen the carbon and she'd laughed delightedly, answering, "Yes, I've met Matt's son. And you're right, he is a carbon copy of the original. Matt must be extremely pleased with him."
Not once did she look at Katherine. It was as if she considered Matt had produced this phenomenon all by himself with no assistance from anyone else.
Katherine closed the breach at once, becoming even more reserved. She tuned them out and so managed to get through the rest of the evening, clinging to the thought of Monday as if to a life-line.
Matt came home Saturday.
Katherine had remained upstairs all morning, but good manners decreed she join the family for lunch.
They had just seated themselves when he strode into the dining room. He went directly to DeDe, taking into his large hands the very small, perfectly manicured one she held out to him. She had jumped to her feet with a joyous "Matt, darling, when did you get home?" the minute he'd entered the room, and he answered her now, his voice low, amused, "I just now walked in the
door." Then bending as James had done the day before, he kissed her soundly on her white, perfect cheek. Only the words were different. "How are you, DeDe? It's been a long time."
Her hands clung to his a few seconds before sliding away as she answered, "I'm fine, and I don't have to ask how you are, you look fantastic."
His smile was slow, easy, changing his face to almost breath-catching attractiveness. "Flattery isn't necessary, DeDe, you know whatever it is you want, I'll probably say yes."
He had moved to the back of her chair while he spoke and, laughing softly, she sat down again.
Not waiting for her answer, he moved to stand beside Katherine's chair, said quietly, "How are you, Katherine?" And bending, barely brushed her pale cheek with his lips.
Katherine had assumed the same withdrawn reserve of the night before and with an odd feeling of detachment observed the flash of annoyance that spread across DeDe's face and James' suddenly tightened jawline as Matt bestowed his almost kiss.
"I'm fine, Matt. Welcome home." Her voice sounded too cool and slightly far away, even to her own ears.
His eyes flickered over her face in what she was sure was anger for her extreme reserve, then he went to his own place at the head of the table. He nodded to Beth and James as he seated himself then his eyes paused an instant at the empty place. Eyebrows raised, he looked at Katherine. "Where's Mary?"
Beth answered for her, her voice acid. "She must be having a fit of sulks. She didn't choose to join us for dinner last night, either."
Katherine opened her mouth to protest, but not fast
enough. Matt's eyes were cold as he regarded his sister, although his voice was silky. "Mary doesn't sulk. If she chooses not to join us at the table, it's entirely up to her." A mild reproach and yet it was the same as if he'd snapped out an order, "Lay off Mary."
Color tinged Beth's cheeks and the silence stretched until, his eyes again on Katherine, he broke it himself. "How is Jon?"
It seemed she was not to be allowed to answer his questions, for DeDe gushed, "Oh, Matt, he's beautiful. How pleased you must be with him."
One eyebrow arched over eyes that had gone the color of a winter sky, and his tone conveyed displeasure at the interference. "Thank you. Yes, we have grown fond of him." His voice dry, he added, "I suppose we'll keep him."
Katherine's lips twitched and she bent her head to her salad. Would she ever understand this man? For it was obvious that at times he mystified his brother and sister, as well as herself.
DeDe did not enjoy being in Matt's disfavor apparently, for she said in a cooing sweet voice that set Katherine's teeth on edge. "You said I could probably have whatever it was I wanted, Matt. It's a simple request really—I'd like your company for a while."
Katherine stiffened. This woman was not to be believed. It would be a different story if he were still a free agent. But to make a request like that of a married man! Her eyes flew to Matt's face and she felt a twinge of pain in her chest. That slow devastating smile touched his mouth as he answered indulgently. "You may have my undivided attention through today and most of tomorrow, up until I have to leave tomorrow night."
"Leave!" Beth wailed. "You're not going away again so soon? Matt, you just came home."
"I have no choice. There's some labor trouble at the Pittsburgh mill and I must fly out."
James' head turned sharply to his brother, and he spoke for the first time since Matt had entered the room.
"It's not contract time at that mill, Matt."
"I know," Matt answered grimly. "That's why I have to go."
"But Matt," DeDe coaxed, "I've just arrived. Surely you can send someone else this time."
"No, I can't. The negotiators have informed management they'll talk to no one but me. I don't relish trying to settle a wildcat. These men work for me. I'm going."
There was finality in his tone. He would listen to no more arguments.
There are ways, and then there are ways, Katherine thought wryly. But this way had not panned out for DeDe, who sat pouting prettily. James' face wore a concerned look and surprisingly, Beth had tears in her eyes.
Katheri
ne sat quite still, hands clasped tightly in her lap, returning Matt's gaze. The effort it took to maintain that cool had caused her to tremble inside. But at least he would never know that.
A deceptively slow-moving, taciturn man, {Catherine had seen John move with lightning speed. He had been driving her and Matt at the time and in avoiding a highway accident had reacted with such quickness and daring she had gasped out loud. Matt had barely glanced up from the papers he was reading.
She had heard the story of both father and son, from Tom, who had heard it from Jack.
John Kline had gone to sea at the age of sixteen. He spent twenty years as a merchant seaman, retiring when his wife became ill. He had drifted from one job to another, trying to find his feet, when he met Matt. That had been fifteen years ago. The first five years he'd worked as general legman for Matt. The last ten, his driver.
A short time after becoming Matt's driver, John's wife succumbed to her illness and within six months, on questioning from Matt, John reluctantly admitted he was having trouble with Jack. The boy, not yet sixteen, was running wild, becoming uncontrollable. Matt had said quietly, "I'll see what I can do."
Jack had told Tom frankly that, at the time, he was in all probability, headed for the slammer.
Somehow Matt had known all about Jack. From his grades in school, to the names of every one of the gang of boys he traveled around with and the fact that he had a passion for cars and their engines. Jack was, in his own words, a "motor head."
Matt had made Jack a proposition. If he stayed in school, going half day to academic classes, the other half to mechanics trade classes, on graduation he would be given complete charge of the care and maintenance of Matt's growing fleet of cars.
Jack had jumped at the chance. For not only, he ex-
plained to Tom, did this mean Matt's personal cars, but also the several he kept for his executives' use as well. And a few years ago, as a bonus, Matt had allowed him to take instructions in the maintenance of plane engines from his mechanics.
Only on rare occasions had Jack been called on to do any chauffeuring until Matt married Katherine. Then he'd been told to keep himself available for her. And so, wherever Katherine was, whether at the house or the apartment, Jack was usually there, too.
Surprisingly, Jack had not seemed to resent this, Tom had told Katherine. To the contrary, he seemed delighted with the added duty.
Tom had remained quiet for some time after relating all this to Katherine. He had just recently met Matt himself and, Katherine knew, was feeling somewhat jealous and usurped. Then he had said seriously, "You know, Mother, Jack said both he and John would gladly lay their lives on the line for Matt, and he meant it. What kind of a man is he, to get that sort of loyalty and respect?"
What kind of man indeed? Katherine had asked herself more than once since then.
"Jack's at the apartment now," had.been John's first words on seeing the surprised look on her face as she left the house a short while ago. And before she could reply, had tacked on, "They were planning to do some work on the Cessna's engine last night, that's why Jack drove the boss to the airport. But I've phoned him and he'll be in town by the time we get there."
Katherine was speechless for a moment. Was this man apologizing to her? She managed a small laugh as she said, "That's perfectly all right, John, what really surprised me is the car. It's very new, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am, delivered a half hour ago. This run to Philly will give me a chance to see how she handles." He paused then added, again his tone apologetic, "I'll have to bring it right back again, Matt left orders it was to be here for use by his sister and her guest. But the LTD is in the apartment garage and of course Jack had the Lincoln, so you won't be without transport."
This statement was tantamount to a speech for the usually silent John, and for the second time in ten minutes she found herself without words.
Katherine smiled now as the car sped along the highway towards the city, still amused and mildly amazed at John's attitude. Whatever gave the man the idea he had to explain anything to her?
She had wakened that morning with a small bud of pleasure inside her and had felt it growing as she prepared to leave the house. Now it was in full bloom and she recognized it for what it was. A deliciously exciting feeling of freedom. She had told herself she was being silly, but it hadn't stopped the growing feeling. After the weekend she had just gone through, if anything would have happened to delay her plans, she'd have wanted to cry like a child denied a promised treat.
The dinner party Saturday evening had grown into a full-scale bash. There had been twenty-four at the formal dinner table, but they had no sooner left the dining room when their ranks had swelled to at least fifty.
True to his word, Matt had spent almost the entire evening by DeDe's side, leaving Katherine with an empty ache inside. The fact that James, trying to compensate for his brother's lack of attention, spent far too much time by her side only caused her more discomfort. She would have had to be blind to miss the arch,
curious glances that were leveled first on Matt then on herself, by most of the guests.
Mary had declared herself fed up not long after dinner and had escaped to her room. Katherine longed to do the same but knew somehow that to do so would incur Matt's anger, for although he barely spoke to her all evening, she had not missed the times he'd glanced around until he saw her. She hadn't the vaguest idea why he wanted her there, except to deliberately humiliate her, and that thought made the ache much, much worse.
By two in the morning the smile she had pasted on to her face had faded and she felt incapable of any more pleasant conversation with people she didn't know. Except for a few, she had never met any of the guests before. She had had it and noting Matt was nowhere in sight at the moment, thought the hell with it, and slipped up the stairs, into her room and a few minutes later into bed.
She woke Sunday morning with a headache, a feeling of weariness and a definite urge to roll over and go back to sleep, until she looked at the small clock on her night stand. Ten-thirty! She groaned aloud and dragged herself off the bed. She had no idea what time Matt had come to bed or if, in fact, he had been in bed at all for there was no sign of him now.
She was partially dressed, putting the finishing touches to her make-up, when Matt's voice called through the bathroom door. "Are you almost ready, Katherine? It's almost time to leave."
Violet eyes regarded their reflection in total blank-ness. Ready for what? Leave for where? She repeated the last thought out loud. "Leave for where?"
"Don't you remember?" Did his voice have an edge of impatience?
"We've been invited to the Carsons' for lunch."
No, she did not remember, she was tempted to retort, simply because she had not personally been invited. But all she said was, "I'll be ready in a few minutes."
She had slipped into the mauve dress that seemed to make her eyes look an even darker violet, and was brushing her hair when he strode into the bedroom.
"All set?" His voice, though brisk, was pleasant, and he looked disgustingly rested and attractive. He didn't wait for an answer but went on, "Everyone else is ready to go. You'll need a coat, it's been raining and the air is raw. Which one do you want? I'll get it for you."
Katherine glanced out the window for the first time since wakening and was not surprised to find the weather matched her mood.
"It doesn't matter. The gray raincoat, I suppose," she answered dully, her eyes still on the window.
She felt his eyes on her and turned, giving him a weak smile as she brought the brush back to her hair.
His eyes went over her slowly, then, apparently satisfied with her appearance, turned on his heels and headed for the dressing room. She dropped the brush on the dressing table and hurried across the room calling out as she went through the door, "Matt, I'm going to take a peek at Jon. I'll only be a minute."
She was standing by the crib, thinking ruefully that the only times she'd seen her son the las
t few days was when he slept, when she felt Matt behind her. He stood very close, without touching, and she had the almost overpowering urge to turn, rest her head against his chest, draw strength from that large, vital frame. She turned instead, the other way and, walking to the door, whispered, "We'd better go."
The lunch had been an almost instant replay of the night before. The only difference being their numbers had been cut in half. Katherine ate very little and her headache grew steadily worse. It was late afternoon when they finally got home and Katherine went straight to her room.
It was over an hour later when Matt entered the room, paused a moment, then said quietly, "Katherine?"
"Yes?" She was lying on the chaise, head back, eyes closed. "I had a headache, but it's much better now," Katherine lied.
"Maybe if you ate something. Mrs. Rapp is putting out a cold supper."
"No," she interrupted him. "I'm not hungry. I'll just rest here a while longer then I'm going in to Jon. You go and have your supper." Then she caught her lip in her teeth as she saw his jaw harden. Her tone had held a note of dismissal, and she was quite sure it had been a very long time since anyone had used that tone to him. Her teeth dug more deeply into her lip as she braced herself for his anger but oddly it didn't come. He was quiet for some time and when he finally did speak his voice was calm, controlled. "I don't have time for supper, Jack's waiting now. You do remember I said I had to go to Pittsburgh tonight?"
"Yes, of course I remember, but I thought you meant later tonight." She didn't add that on Friday he had merely said Sunday night and had barely spoken to her since then.
He was shaking his head before she'd finished speaking, "No, my case is already in the car, I'm leaving now." He hesitated then moved to stand beside the chaise, bend and brush his lips across her forehead.
"Matt, wait! I must talk to you before you go." Fully awake now, Katherine realized she hadn't told him her