Chateau Despair

by Red Rose Publishig

  “Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t turn up at all,” he muttered and then strode out of the room.

  For a moment Christine stared after him. She was trembling and she felt a little sick. As she walked upstairs to her room, there was an odd kind of emptiness inside her, as though a part of her was missing. She had loved Simon for such a long time, and now she had discovered that the man she’d loved had gone. Perhaps he had never really been there at all except in her imagination.

  Freddie arrived at teatime with beautiful bouquets for Beth and Christine. He had brought another present for Christine, which turned out to be a platinum and diamond cocktail watch. She was startled when she opened the box. Surely this was too expensive a gift for her to accept?

  “It’s beautiful…” she managed at last. “But I’m not sure I ought to accept.”

  “It is a mere trifle,” Freddie assured her with an amused smile. “And there are no strings attached, Christine – just my sincere good wishes for your happiness on this special day.”

  Beth was smiling and nodding, so Christine couldn’t refuse the gift, although after the way Simon had behaved earlier she was nervous of accepting.

  “Is everything all right, darling?” her mother asked as she went upstairs to change for the evening a little later. “You seem rather subdued.”

  “Freddie won’t think …well, he won’t think I’m encouraging him to ask me to marry him, will he?”

  “I shouldn’t imagine so for a moment. He is a really nice man, Christine. But I can sense that something else is bothering you – you might as well tell me.”

  Christine explained about the quarrel with Simon and Beth nodded her understanding. “That explains the look he gave me when he went out earlier.”

  “Thank you. I didn’t mean to make him angry, Mummy – but he has been awful to Helene.”

  “I had noticed that myself. But sometimes it’s best to let other people work out their own problems.”

  “I’ve made things worse, haven’t I?”

  “Of course not. Forget it for now, and we’ll talk about it in the morning.”

  Beth frowned as she watched her daughter disappear into her own bedroom. Christine was finding all this hard, and she rather suspected that she was beginning to get over her crush for Simon. That was all it had been, of course, but she hadn’t tried to tell Christine, believing that in the end she might discover the truth for herself.

  Young love was always painful, but it usually faded to be replaced by something better. Beth just hoped that her daughter didn’t rush into something even more unsuitable on the rebound – but she would talk to her another day.

  Beth was more worried about what was going to happen between Jack and Simon than Christine’s little misunderstanding. The tensions simmering beneath the surface were near boiling point, and she just hoped they managed to get through that evening without a flare up.

  Helene herself seemed to have become more subdued these past few days since she returned from her visit to Cromer, and Beth wondered if the girl was beginning to realise she had started something more dangerous than she might have imagined at the start.

  Beth was waiting downstairs with her son when Helene and Christine came down together, and for a moment she couldn’t quite take in what had happened.

  “That white dress was supposed to be Christine’s,” she whispered to Harry. “I wonder why they changed? The white dress really suited Christine – not that she doesn’t look very pretty in the blue - but she was so looking forward to wearing it. I can’t understand it.”

  “Can’t you?” Harry’s expression was grim. “I should have thought that was obvious. It makes Helene look stunning – and that one knows exactly how to get what she wants, believe me.”

  “Harry…” Beth warned softly. “Don’t scowl like that. We don’t want a quarrel this evening. Christine is already upset over her quarrel with Simon. I promised to have a word with him, see if I could smooth things over a bit, but I haven’t been able to find him. I tried his room earlier, but he wasn’t there.”

  “The last time I saw him he’d taken his car and was heading for the village. I imagined he’d thought of something he wanted and would be back long before this. Do you want me to go up and see if he’s back yet?”

  “No, I need you here,” Beth said. “It might be just as well if he has taken himself off for the evening.”

  She moved away from her son to greet some of her guests who had just started to arrive. She was relieved to see that Simon had at last decided to join them, though from the way he was scowling it didn’t bode well for the evening.

  As the evening wore on, she was pleased to see that Christine was receiving equally as much attention as the more elegant Helene, although neither Jack nor Simon seemed prepared to move more than a few inches from her side unless forced. However, Christine had opened the dancing with Freddie, and certainly seemed to be enjoying herself. Beth noticed that her daughter danced several times with Paul Crane.

  He came up to her about halfway through the evening and asked if she would like to dance with him.

  “I’m sure there are lots of young pretty girls you would rather dance with Mr. Crane,” she said. “But you may sit and talk to me for a few minutes if you like.”

  “I should like that. But I was telling Christine that she must get her looks from you, Mrs. Kavanagh.”

  “Perhaps. Yes, she does look a little like me sometimes, though most people think she takes after her father,” she laughed. “Are you trying to flatter me, Mr. Crane?”

  “Would you consider calling me Paul? I suppose I am in a way, but not for any ulterior motive.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Well, I might just have a tiny one. I wanted to ask if you would like to come and look at my cottage. I’ve done most of the work now. I’ve asked Christine and she’s keen, but she said that I ought to show it to you so that you could make up your mind about the village hall.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, I think that’s a very good idea. Shall we say sometime next week?”

  “Yes, we’ll arrange it,” he said. “I should be able to take young Matthew off your hands soon.”

  “He has been no trouble, none at all…” She looked at him thoughtfully. “You and Christine have become friends I think?”

  “We are friends,” he agreed and then gave her a direct look. “If you’re thinking of anything else I shan’t be able to marry for years – especially not to a girl like your daughter, Mrs. Kavanagh. That’s if she was interested, which I’m fairly certain she isn’t. I think there is someone else.”

  “I think there was,” Beth said. “But thank you for telling me your plans, Paul – and my name is Beth. Christine needs to be loved, you know. That’s all I want for her…”

  He looked at oddly, then walked off without saying another word. Beth smiled to herself. Perhaps she had spoken out of turn, but she didn’t think that that young man would take it amiss. He was, she thought, a rather nice young man, and despite the difference in their backgrounds, he was the kind of man she would like to see Christine marry.

  “I think the evening is going well,” Caro said bringing her out of her reverie a moment or so later. “But Simon seems in a bit of a mood – do you know what is wrong with him?”

  “I think he’s had a bit of an argument with Christine. It was over Helene.”

  “I can’t say I like that girl. One has to admire her, of course, but she isn’t exactly easy to know is she?”

  “No…” Beth heard her daughter laughing at something one of the guests was saying to her. “Isn’t that Simon’s friend? Trevor Saunders I think he said his name was.”

  “He’s not really a friend. Just one of the chaps at the base I think…but he seems to have hit it off with Christine at the moment.”

  “Yes. I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. She hasn’t been particularly happy recently…”

  Christine was in fact having a glorious time and
was blissfully unaware of her mother’s anxiety or an undercurrent building up around Helene, Jack and Simon. She had danced with most of the men present, and was about to start all over again with Captain Trevor Saunders.

  “I must admit I was dubious about this when Montgomery asked me,” he told Christine as he led her out on to the floor. “But I’ve had a good time, Miss Kavanagh.”

  “Do call me Christine.”

  “Who is that rather attractive woman in the white dress?” he asked as they danced. “I was introduced but I only caught the first bit…Helene something I think?”

  “She is lovely, isn’t she?” Christine agreed generously. “She is sort of family in a way, and her name is Helene Picard…” She glanced up as she felt him start. “What’s wrong? Do you know her?”

  He hesitated, his gaze returning to Helene. “I have heard the name before, in France…but we hadn’t met. Although…” He shook his head as though deciding not to say anymore.

  “Yes, I suppose you might have done when you were out there. I believe she did a lot of work for the Resistance…” Christine bit her lip. “Oh dear, that slipped out. I wasn’t going to say a word. The subject has been banned for the whole weekend.”

  “Then I certainly shan’t be the one to bring it up. If you will excuse me, Christine – I think I shall take a little walk outside. I need a breath of air…”

  He conducted her back to the side of the room, inclined his head, turned and walked towards the marquee entrance and disappeared through the opening.

  “Have you been deserted?”

  Christine turned as she heard Simon’s voice.

  “I think Captain Saunders felt a little warm,” she said. “I may have said something to upset him.”

  “Would you like to dance with me?” Simon asked and smiled ruefully at her. “I’m sorry I was such a pig earlier – to you and Helene. I can’t help it, Christine. I do love her so much.”

  “Yes, I know – and I’m sorry, too,” Christine realized that it didn’t hurt to hear him declaring his love for the French girl. “Yes, I should like to dance with you, thank you.”

  She accepted his hand, letting him lead her into the dance, her eyes half closed as she leaned her head against his shoulder. She felt relaxed and happy that they had made up their quarrel, so that when the music ended and he stood with his arm about her waist, she didn’t move away. But then as she glanced across the room she saw that Paul Crane was staring at her, and the look in his eyes puzzled her. She wasn’t sure if he was angry or hurt. She moved away from Simon and was about to go to him when Paul turned and walked out of the marquee.

  Christine hesitated but decided not to go after him. She noticed that Jack was now standing by himself near the bar. There was no sign of Helene. She went over to speak to him.

  “Where is Helene?”

  “She went back to the house for something. Are you enjoying yourself this evening, Christine?”

  “Very much, thank you – but you haven’t asked me to dance yet.”

  “Then I shall rectify the omission at once. Shall we, Miss Kavanagh?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Winthrope.”

  “You look very pretty this evening, Christine.”

  “I am glad you think so – but Helene is stunning, isn’t she?”

  “Helene is special to me,” Jack admitted. “But you’re special too, Christine – and this is your evening.”

  After their dance, Christine went to sit with Henry, who was beginning to look tired.

  “I think I shall go back to the house now. These late evenings don’t suit me.”

  “I’ll come with you,” she said. “I want to freshen up a little and I'd like to walk with you.”

  Henry accepted her arm, leaning on her heavily as he walked the short distance back to the house. They went upstairs together, then he gave her a little push in the direction of her own room.

  “Get along with you, Christine. I’m fine now and you don’t want to waste a minute of this special night. Tidy yourself quickly and go back to your guests.”

  Christine took him at his word, spending only a few minutes in her room before heading back again. It was as she went downstairs that she heard loud voices coming from the small back parlour, and, after a moment’s hesitation, went to investigate.

  “How dare you insult Helene?”

  That was Simon’s voice!

  “Because she is a scheming little bitch, that’s why!”

  Oh Harry! Please don’t…don’t do this, Christine thought.

  She bit her lip as she hesitated outside the door. Ought she to go in and stop an ugly scene, or would she only make things worse?

  She decided that it was better for Harry and Simon to sort things out amongst themselves and went out of the house, intending to spend a few minutes in the garden alone before returning to the marquee.

  “I thought I would find you out here.” The harsh voice startled her as she paused by a rose bush to inhale its perfume. She swung round to see that two figures were standing near by. One of them was Captain Saunders, the other Helene. Captain Saunders seemed to have grabbed hold of Helene’s arm and appeared to be attacking her. “I know who you are. I know all about you and what you’ve done, you traitorous little bitch.”

  “Leave me alone! I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You can lie all you like,” he snarled. “I tell you I know and I’ve a good mind to go back in there and expose you to those people in there…”

  “Take your hands off me…” As Christine hesitated, Helene struggled and broke away, running into the house.

  “What were you doing to Helene?” Christine demanded as the man turned and saw her. “I saw you try to assault her just now. You should not have done that, Captain Saunders. I think you had better explain.”

  “If you knew the truth…” He glared at her and then turned away and strode off into the night.

  Christine stared after him, feeling cold all over. What had he been saying to Helene? What was he insinuating? Helene had clearly been disturbed. Perhaps she ought to go after her. She went quickly back to the house, running up the stairs to knock on Helene’s door.

  “Who is it?”

  “Christine – may I come in?”

  “Yes, all right…”

  Helene stood looking at her for a moment as she went in; then, “I heard Harry and Simon having an argument just now.”

  “Yes, I know but they’re best left to sort themselves out. They’ve always been good friends. But what happened to you just now? Are you all right? I heard that man saying awful things to you in the garden – did he hurt you?”

  “Not really. I expect he’s probably drunk,” Helene made a wry face. “I wondered what you knew about him?”

  “Nothing very much,” Christine said. “Except that he was shot down over France and tortured by the Germans. I think he was in hiding a long time before the Resistance finally got him back to England. Why was he being unpleasant to you?”

  “I don’t know.” Helene glanced away. “It was a lot of nonsense. I wanted to tell you, Christine…I’m sorry about the way things have been between us since I arrived. I didn’t realise at first how strongly you felt about Simon – and he didn’t give any indication that there was an understanding between you.”

  Helene clearly wanted to change the subject.

  “That’s because there wasn’t – it was all on my side. He thought of me as a little sister I suppose.”

  “But if I hadn’t come along…” Helene paused as she saw Christine’s look. “It was only a flirtation on my part at the start, but it got out of hand…”

  “Should you be telling me this?”

  “I’ve already told Simon – and he is furious with me.”

  “You know he’s in love with you?”

  Helene shrugged. “I doubt if it’s the kind of love that would last long. He wanted to make love to me, but we wouldn’t have suited – there was never any question of marriage.
”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m trying to say I’m sorry I hurt you. Simon asked for it. He made most of the running, Christine, though I didn’t discourage him. I suppose I was jealous of your easy companionship with him, and I wanted to take him away from you at the start. You seemed to have everything I wanted, and I was jealous. It was wrong of me and I wish I could start all over again. I can’t explain, but I'd been through so much and I was mixed up inside.”

  “That isn’t much consolation for Simon, is it? And what about Jack – where does he come into all this?”

  “I think I may marry him – if he still wants me. He knows how it has been between Simon and me and he is angry with me for the moment, but I think he may forgive me.”

  “That is up to you and him,” Christine said. “I think perhaps we should try to start again – but let’s leave this for now, shall we? I want to get back to the dance, and see if Harry and Simon have calmed down. Anyway, we all make mistakes.”

  Helene shook her head. “Don’t try to make excuses for me, Christine. I’ve done some bad things in my life, but I’ve been through some hard times, too. That doesn’t excuse my behaviour, but I really would like to try again.”

  “Perhaps you’ll tell me about your life one day? I should like to understand, Helene – if I can. I know I’m naïve and inexperienced…”

  “You’re growing up fast, and it isn’t your fault if you haven’t been allowed to grow up sooner. Besides, why should you apologise? This is your home. I am the intruder.”

  “Shall we go now?”

  “Yes – or Jack will send out a search party for us.”

  They went downstairs together. Everywhere was quiet, no sign of Simon or Harry. Beth came towards them as they entered the marquee together.

  “Is everything all right?” she asked, looking anxiously from one to the other. “Harry said Simon made rather a nuisance of himself…”

  “Don’t worry, Mummy. They will sort themselves out. Here comes Harry now.” She turned to her brother as he came up to them. “Where is Simon?”