To Move the World (Power of the Matchmaker)

by Regina Sirois

  “Mary?”

  “That’s what we call ‘im ‘ere.”

  I trembled at the rumor, praying mightily it was all a lie. Marion only played. Certainly he would never… “I don’t believe it.”

  “I know you’re too good and young to understand. I didn’t know much myself before leaving this winter.”

  I rose up in a fluster. “What do you know now?” I demanded.

  “Only some people here are bad. It’s not like at home.”

  “Not bad,” I argued, but Alan shook his head.

  “Bad. Right down to the sinews. I want you to go home and keep clear o’ ‘em. That’s why we need the farm, so you have somewhere safe.”

  “So I’m to hide?” I heard the superior tone my voice takes on when I am preparing to fight.

  “Not hide…”

  “Perhaps a nunnery while we’re at it?” My voice rang out too high.

  “That isn’t what I said,” he looked at me as if he’d never seen me.

  “You said my heart was immovable and you trusted me. You should trust me to know who’s a bad lot.”

  “I’ve said nothing about trusting you. It’s them,” he insisted. “You’re so quick to smile at people.”

  “Not today,” I spat furiously. I was seconds away from storming out of the room when I realised how dastardly it would be to run out on a crippled man.

  “Eve,” he said softly, cajoling me closer. He raised one hand toward me and I couldn’t watch his battered arms search for me without stepping nearer so he could touch me. “Eve, I’ve worried those Doran boys had plans for you. I couldn’t tell which one, but I think now it is the old one. He’ll be so generous and it is easy for a girl like you.”

  My neck rippled with disgust. “What kind of girl is that?” I demanded.

  He smiled, his eyes softening to the blue light of the summer sky. “The best kind.”

  The air went out of me at once, leaving me empty. I closed my eyes, blocking out the goodness in his face.

  “Jonathon only tried to help,” I pleaded for him to understand. “If you even knew how kind he’s been to you, not me. And the sheep. And Dad.”

  Alan gave a grudging lift of his eyebrows. “Just don’t be over familiar,” he pleaded. “You needn’t reward civility with anything more than civility.”

  I inhaled, the scent of Jonathon’s pillow hovering inside my mind. “Of course not,” I agreed. The clock on the wall read well past six. The nurses began to make rounds, bringing trays of food.

  “I haven’t eaten today,” he told me. That’s when I realised I didn’t even know what day he’d been injured. I daren’t tell him I was eating my dinner with the Dorans, so I watched him carefully spoon his meal. When he asked about the Wellers and Dr. Holton, he felt as familiar as a brother. When he touched the bandage on his chest with bruised fingers he seemed a complete stranger. I waited for him to finish his food before I kissed him swiftly on the forehead and told him I’d be back at first light.

  “Have a nice evening,” he told me as I stood. I was glad I had stooped over for my handbag so he didn’t see the flush in my face. I composed myself and gave him a small wave.

  “Eve,” he said, closing his eyes in exhaustion. “You do look pretty. I should have said that first.”

  I felt my mouth lift into a smile that was a terrible mix of happy and sad.

  CHAPTER 9

  I got directions to the hotel from the receptionist and fortunately it was only eight blocks away. She said she wished I wouldn’t walk it alone because I didn’t look like I knew my way about town. I was anxious to be gone so I promised to secure a car. As there were none outside, I started to walk, checking the small map she’d drawn me. There were a few uniformed men about, which made the street feel safe despite the dingy buildings. A faint, stale stench hung in the air and the flats three blocks away from hospital were adorned by a maze of laundry strung building to building. It does look cleaner when it’s out on a line in the country, but I tried not to be snobbish. City poor and country poor each think they have the advantage.

  Loud tribes of children streaked across my path in blurs of noise and breeches and hair ribbons. Outside one building several women paraded placards declaring no rent would be paid until something was done. I was so intrigued by what the “something” was I nearly stopped to ask, but they talked with a strange, clipped accent in a tight circle and I was only an intruder. I wished them silent luck and walked on. I managed the entire way to the hotel by myself, vastly proud of my navigational skills and my near lack of fear. There was a moment when a man passed me in soiled working clothes and I pulled up my breath into my chest in case I needed a good scream, but he only glanced me over as if wondering why I stared at him and kept walking.

  I hesitated as I approached the man behind the counter at the hotel because I realised I didn’t know what name to give. I decided on my own. “Is there a room for Eve Brannon?”

  “Certainly there must be, Miss Brannon,” the man said with a well-oiled smile. He opened some type of ledger book and ran his finger down. “Sharing with a Miss Weller?”

  “That’s correct.” How does one look posh? I tried to appear like I knew precisely what I was doing, only I’m quite sure I failed.

  He handed me a key with a leather tag embossed with the number of my room and pointed me up the stairs. When I stepped inside Theo leaped up from a deep chair beside the window. “You were gone ages,” she said. “I worried you wouldn’t come for dinner or you’d been stolen away and dragged off to the docks.”

  “What, to become an Arabian daughter?” I wouldn’t let her know I’d thought the same thing in the dress shop.

  “Don’t laugh,” she scolded. “It happens. Besides, isn’t it nice here? If you ignore the smokestacks you can enjoy the sunset on the Thames.” She gestured out the window to the pink-streaked sky burrowed behind the rooftops. She asked about Alan as I took off my new dress and went into the bathroom to sponge myself fresh.

  “Let me put it up,” she begged when she slipped behind me and took a hold of my hair. “I have an entire bag of kirby grips. We can make it obey my every whim.” I sat on the floor in my camisole and knickers, enjoying the evening breeze from the window while Theo proceeded to scalp me in the name of beauty.

  “You just need to grip the hair, not scoop it from the roots,” I cried while she told me of the fashions she’d sighted in town.

  “Sorry.” Her vice grip on my head loosened. “I am nervous about seeing Marion tonight.”

  I flinched at the mention of Marion’s name. I wouldn’t repeat a word until we knew for certain what kind of man he was. But certainly Jonathon wouldn’t hide two compromised girls from us. “He’ll be so happy to see you,” I managed to say. “Though Alan has quite a grudge.”

  “Understandably. I’m sure Marion’ll make it up to him some way.”

  “I’m sure he will,” I murmured, thinking of the sprawling farm.

  Theo finished my hair, making it far too glamourous, but I did feel lovely. And then I felt guilty for enjoying looking lovely when Alan wasn’t there to see it. At half eight we slipped into our dresses (me in my new one and she in the green she wore at the Valentine dance) and shoes (mine do look dull compared to the sleek pumps in town) and went downstairs to the dining room. It was dark and glittered with dim chandeliers and the reflected glow of light off crystal glasses and china plates. Jonathon spotted us right off and stood, making his brother, who had his back to us, turn. When Marion rose to his feet I saw the full effect of his uniform. Belted tight around his waist and broad across his shoulders, it added a weight of authority to his mischievous face. Theo arrested her step for an almost imperceptible second before she moved forward. I couldn’t see it yet, but I imagined her trembling inside. She shakes like a leaf in a gale when she’s unnerved.

  Jonathon smiled, but in a restrained, sympathetic way. “You both look so nice tonight. We’re glad you joined us.”

  I expected Ma
rion to gaze longingly at Theo, but he did not smile or take his eyes from mine. Though Jonathon held out a chair for me, Marion didn’t move out of my way. “How is he?” he asked, his eyes tight and haggard.

  “He’s well. Out of the woods, they say,” I told him bravely.

  “Eve, you have to believe me, it was a terrible mistake. And I didn’t do it. I was helping another gunner at the time. I was calling fire to a different lot, not…”

  “At least let her sit down before you assault her with your guilt,” Jonathon said kindly. But then, he always said everything kindly. Marion nodded and stepped out of my way, greeting Theo. I took my seat beside Jonathon and ducked my head.

  Before I could look up Marion rushed back into his explanation. “Truly, I thought he was a dead man. Eve, I am so sorry. Of all the people at the range.”

  “Well, he’s not a dead man. He’s as alive as you and itching to get through this war and back home to the farm.”

  “And to you, certainly,” Jonathon said, lifting his glass of wine.

  “He seems to feel so,” I said with a bright smile.

  Jonathon returned it, looking genuinely glad for me. “I’ve not seen that dress.”

  I waited a moment for a compliment, but he stopped there, only grinning to let me know he approved.

  “They hadn’t the one I wanted, but this fit best.” Even as I said it the sleeves bit into my arms as I reached forward to take a buttered roll. “I’m famished.”

  Marion swallowed some ale and looked at me miserably while Theo sat in confusion. “Marion,” I said sharply to get his attention. “No one blames you. And Jonathon has been so good to us, getting me here. Friends and make up?” I extended my hand across the table and he paused before he took it limply. The touch spoke of regret, not redemption. “Besides, Theo is here,” I pointed out hopefully.

  He turned his head as if he’d already forgotten and looked mildly surprised to find her. She blushed, her lips fused together.

  “I’m sorry, Theo. I’ve been rubbish since Thursday when it happened. It was good of you to come.” He attempted a weak smile, but did look relieved when she returned it. “You look so well after weeks of hairy men.”

  The conversation went back to Alan and I gave them a detailed update, leaving out all the insults of course. Then Marion asked about the farm and I faltered, looking to Theo, whose gaze clearly admonished me to tell the truth.

  “It’s not looking fair,” I admitted. “I believe my father will sell. Perhaps he has started already. I think he tries to spare me the details.”

  “You must wait a few days more.” Jonathon said it too urgently and then calibrated his voice. “I am looking into something and don’t want to say more, but you must wire him and tell him not to do anything yet. I believe I’m onto something.”

  “I could simply ring him,” I told him. “No need for telegraphs.”

  He smiled in embarrassment. “I forgot you owned a telephone box. You must think me a terrible snob.”

  “No. I think you a most generous man.”

  He raised his glass at that, looking at me over the amber liquid inside in a way that made me notice my breathing. “Please tell me what you’re onto,” I pleaded.

  “Just waiting on some phone calls. I have only the faintest hope,” he warned me. And then added, “My secretary is doing a bit of sleuthing to help me.”

  Something heavy thudded inside my stomach. Of course, he had a secretary. How I’d failed to imagine that was beyond me. I pictured her dark-haired with ivory powdered skin and lips like a cherry. How I hated her!

  “What is it?” Jonathon asked, his eyes delved into mine.

  I shook my head and the image crumbled. “Nothing. Just wondering what you could be up to.” I’d lost track of Theo and Marion’s conversation, but was glad to hear the murmur of it humming steadily in the background. We didn’t finish our meal until nearly eleven. I take it people in the city keep very late hours. I cannot imagine what time they wake, but many winter nights on the farm a person could find my entire family bedded down by half seven. Marion offered to take Theo for a walk through the park. Alan’s stories about Marion buzzed like a hive in my mind.

  “Could we go along?” I asked. “I’ve not stretched my legs much.” That was a lie. My shoes rubbed from the long walk from hospital, but if anything happened to Theo I’d never forgive myself.

  Jonathon looked surprised at the suggestion. “We are not far from Greenwich. Have you seen it?”

  We agreed to that and Jonathon and Theo sat in the front of the car (I think she was playing coy) which gave me a chance to speak with Marion in the backseat. The accident had knocked a great deal of humility into him and by the look of his worn face, it had been a mighty struggle. Yet, I’d never liked him more. Something felt washed and raw, more honest than I’d ever seen him. I realised I’d been wrong to think he would try his luck with Theo that night. He told me about the men he trained with and the horrors of Army standards. “I honestly thought I was in prime shape from the row team,” he told me, shaking his head. “I’d even passed Jonathon’s record. But I vomited the third day and they’ve called me Maid Mary ever since,” he confessed miserably.

  “I heard,” I told him, my eyes alight with amusement. Mostly I was thinking, I didn’t know Jonathon had a rowing record.

  Marion groaned and laid his head back against the seat, making Jonathon and Theo laugh from the front.

  “Don’t you start,” he snapped at Jonathon. “You weren’t burdened with it.”

  “It’s our great-grandfather’s name,” Jonathon explained to Theo. “All the rage and quite masculine a hundred years ago. We’ll park here. The gates are just down the street.” He pointed to the shadows beyond the circle of the headlamps.

  We exited the car (I remembered not to open my own door this time) and followed the spotlight of the streetlamps down the curving paved road that overlooked a green expanse falling away into the darkness of the night.

  “How will we see?” I asked, making out only the black outlines of trees on a less black sky. Below, at the bottom of the massive hill, tiny lights beside the Thames wavered like candles.

  “We’ll stay close to the path where the lamps are,” Jonathon told me. “It’s very safe, I assure you.”

  “I hadn’t worried about that,” I said and he gave me the most amused grin.

  “No, you hadn’t.”

  Ahead of us Marion offered Theo his arm and she accepted, strolling through the shadows. When they walked under a light the glittering moths looked like stars falling on their bright heads.

  “Shall we follow?” he asked me.

  I tried to hide a limp. My left foot had a new blister. “Might we sit? My feet are smarting.”

  He agreed and gestured to a bench. We were not the only ones about. Other couples wandered quietly through the night, as if they meant to hold off the day by refusing to sleep. “We can see them from here,” he said knowingly. We sat with a friendly distance between us. I was about to ask him what he meant, but he silenced my question before I could ask. “You are worried about his intentions toward Theo?”

  I met his eyes in the dark and instantly regretted it. Shadows did wonderful things to his face. “Should I be?” I asked without averting my gaze.

  “I am,” he confessed with a sigh. “Does that sound disloyal?”

  “Perhaps, but I like honest better.”

  “Do you?” He looked so deeply into me I was certain he was uncovering secrets. I was shocked to discover how little that bothered me.

  “I…” I ran through the last few seconds in my mind, trying to remember the question. “Don’t you like honesty best?”

  Jonathon nodded thoughtfully and slipped away from the topic entirely. “The Royal Observatory is here. You can’t get in this late, but I could bring you tomorrow. We could laugh over childish dreams. Did you ever have any, speaking of honesty?” He leaned back on the bench, his long back relaxing into an elegant line.<
br />
  “I fear I still do,” I told him. “But I mean to find out more about Marion before we talk about me. Is he…in trouble?”

  “He has a bit too much fun at times. And I, too little. We’ve always been at odds. I think he’ll go through four or five wives before it’s all done, and I...” He stopped there.

  “I’ve always wondered why you never married, now that you mention it.” I tried to say it so he wouldn’t take offense.

  “I’m hardly out of the count.” He laughed with his head back, looking up to the dark branches. “I assume I will be.”

  “Surely,” I agreed, visions of his Venus secretary flickered in my mind.

  His lip jerked up on one side into a hopeless smile. “You win. I’ll ‘fess. I got soured long ago. I’ve lost an indecent number of girls to Marion. Once they saw him I was all but forgotten.” He was all soft shadow, blurred at the edges and looked like someone you could get lost in. Much more inviting than Marion’s flash and flair. “And they were girls I’d rather lost my head to.”

  “Did you lose your heart as well?” I asked.

  “What a curious question.” The amusement shifted from his mouth to his eyes, dancing in the glow of the lamp. “You ask the oddest things. Someday someone will turn it on you.”

  “I welcome it,” I told him. Living amongst Kepsdale men I was rarely asked anything beyond the menu for supper.

  He rubbed his hand along his moustache, straightening the hairs before giving me a daring grin. “Alright, then. Would Alan mind your being here?” Jonathon motioned to the two of us on the bench.

  I blinked furiously. “I’m just keeping an eye out for Theo.” I studied the wingtip leather of his shoes and pulled in a brave breath. “Whether Alan approves says more about him. He has the most fantastic ideas. I don’t know why you bother with us, but you’re a godsend, just the same.”

  “I don’t rightly know why I bother either,” he told me. His grinning voice touched the bottom of my neck and slid along my arms. It did seem to walk on my skin instead of enter my ears. “Only that I’d regret it if I didn’t.”