'Problems?' Melanie queried, and Involuntarily glanced around at her luxurious surroundings.
Interpreting the look, Mrs. Ransome sighed. 'Having money doesn't mean one hasn't problems. My husband died very suddenly, you see, and there were many things to settle. He had a partner and that made it even more difficult. But Gregory was wonderful. He coped with everything.'
Melanie decided it would be wiser to maintain a diplomatic silence. It was difficult for her to see Gregory in any sympathetic light, for despite the change in Mrs. Ransome's opinion of her, his had obviously remained unaltered. Indeed he had not even observed the elementary courtesy of sending her a get-well message, let alone coming to see her. No, as far as that supercilious man was concerned she was evidently still very much persona non grata.
It therefore came as a distinct surprise when, a few days later, he did put in an appearance. It was the first time since her accident that she had dressed and gone downstairs, and she had just settled herself by the fireplace in the drawing-room when he came in.
'So you're better,' he said by way of greeting.
‘Yes, thank you.'
'Good.' He walked over to a table, took a cigarette from a silver box and went to stand by the fireplace.
Without making any pretence of not doing so, she watched him, and though he must have been aware of her scrutiny he did not appear concerned by it
He was considerably taller and broader than she had remembered, emanating not only physical strength but a forceful personality as well.
'My aunt is out, isn't she?’ he asked suddenly.
'Yes. She went to the hairdresser's, but she'll be back soon.'
'Actually I wanted to talk to you. How long do you think your recovery is likely to take?'
She hid a smile; so this was the reason for his call! 'I'm not feigning illness so that I can stay here. Your aunt has asked me to stay as long as I want.'
'You're even more clever than I gave you credit for.’
'I am not being clever.'
His laugh was short and disbelieving, but Mrs. Ransome, coming into the room at the moment, took it for one of amusement.
‘How nice to hear you laugh, Gregory,' she exclaimed, and looked at Melanie. 'He's usually far too serious.'
'I can't believe it,' Melanie replied. I find him absolutely hilarious!'
Ignoring the comment, Gregory spoke to his aunt. 'I have some papers that need your signature. If you could come into the library…'
'Of course. Will you be staying for dinner?'
‘Not tonight, I'm afraid. Next week, perhaps.' From the doorway he glanced at Melanie. 'If I don't see you again before you leave, I'd—'
'Of course you'll see her,' Mrs. Ransome interrupted.
With a barely perceptible shrug he walked out, leaving Melanie with the unusual but pleasurable feeling that she had won a battle.
It was some fifteen minutes before Mrs. Ransome returned, the question on her lips leaving no doubt as to her perspicacity. 'What's wrong between you and Gregory? Don't bother denying it. Just tell me the truth.'
'I don't know what's wrong. I think he just dislikes me for having married Timothy.'
'Did he say so?'
'He made it obvious. I gather he thinks I married Timothy for his money and am staying here to ingratiate myself with you.'
'Oh, my dear, he surely didn't say that?
‘Not in so many words,' Melanie conceded. 'But he thinks it'
'I'll have to talk to him,' Mrs. Ransome said. He really shouldn't be so cynical. Sometimes I think being in business spoils one's sense of values.'
‘Your nephew would say it probably improves them I'
‘Even so he's got no right to upset you like that.'
He didn't upset me,' Melanie said quickly. 'I don't care what he thinks. It's your opinion that matters.' She hesitated, and then said in a rush: 'You don't think I married Timothy for money, do you?’
‘Not since I've come to know you.'
The simplicity of the answer touched Melanie more deeply than the most highly coloured compliment, and tears filled her eyes. 'Then nothing else matters. As long as you think that, I couldn't care less about your nephew.'
rBut I want you to like each other,' Mrs. Ransome protested. He's behaving very stupidly and I will tell him so. You and he are the only two people I can call my family and I want you to be friends.' She moved close and rested against Melanie's shoulder, surprising her by the fragility of her body. ‘You must be friends,' she reiterated.
'It might not be possible,’ Melanie said. 'Gregory doesn't look the sort of person who easily changes his mind.'
‘He will once he gets to know you.'
‘Does he ever allow himself to get close enough to people to know them?'
Mrs. Ransome sighed and sank down into a chair. He was ‘very close to Timothy at one time. But they were so different in character that…' Momentarily her voice trailed away. He wasn't always so prickly and difficult - Gregory I mean. But he had an unhappy love affair a few years ago and it changed him completely.'
'I'm surprised he's even capable of falling in love!'
Don't let prejudice blind your judgement,' came the chiding answer. ‘When you get to know him you'll find him extremely understanding and kind. If he had fallen in love with someone like you it would have made an enormous difference to him.'
He'd need a far stronger character than me.'
'I wouldn't consider you particularly weak-minded!' 'Verenskaya says I'm just obstinate!'
That sounds like the pot calling the kettle black!'
Melanie laughed. 'It is a bit She rules the Company with a rod of iron. But we all love her. If we didn't we wouldn't stay.'
'I'm looking forward to seeing you dance,' Mrs. Ransome said. 'Madame Verenskaya says you have great potential.'
‘I shouldn't believe all she tells you,' Melanie replied quickly. 'She likes to think all her ducks are swans.’
‘I hope I'll have the opportunity of judging for myself.' The woman looked down at her hands. 'I suppose you're anxious to get back?’
'I am rather. I feel guilty living the life of a lotus eater.’
‘But you've only been here ten days!'
That's still a long time.'
‘Not for me, my dear. I'd like you to stay longer. Having you here makes me feel so much closer to Timothy.'
As always when Mrs. Ransome mentioned her son, Melanie was filled with guilt, and though she realized that as long as she remained here she would never have any peace of mind, she knew it would be a wrench to leave; not only because of the cosseting and the luxury to which she had grown accustomed but because of her growing affection for Timothy's mother.
'Still, we don't need to worry about your leaving yet,' Mrs. Ransome continued. 'I spoke to the doctor today and he said you mustn't think of starting work for at least another two weeks.'
'I bet you pushed him into saying that!' Melanie laughed.
'Only a gentle prodding!'
I've a feeling I'll be getting my prodding from Anton,' Melanie said. 'He telephoned to say he's coming to see me tomorrow - and I'm pretty sure it's not just to see how I am.'
Melanie's surmise about the reason for Anton's visit was proved correct, for after a cursory inquiry as to her well-being, he changed the subject to work.
'It's time you started again,' he said, eyeing her critically. This sybarite existence is making you flabby!'
'I'm as skinny as a sparrow!' she protested.
'All the more reason to start rehearsing and toughen yourself up!'
'When is our season beginning?'
'In six weeks. If we have one.' ‘What do you mean?'
'Simply that I don't know if we can keep the Company going till then. There isn't a penny in the kitty.'
Melanie could not hide her astonishment. 'I know the tour wasn't a success financially, but I hadn't realized it was as bad as that.'
'It wouldn't have been bad at all if Verenskaya
hadn't insisted on our dancing at every single hamlet that asked us. You can't even meet your costs with an audience of a few hundred.'
'Ballet should be available to everyone who wants it,' Melanie said defensively. 'You can't blame her for believing that.'
'I do,' he said forcefully. 'Generosity can't be given by someone who can't afford it. And we couldn't. Those one-night stands cost us money.'
‘What's the position now?'
‘I've told you,' he said sourly. It couldn't be worse. I was at the bank this morning trying to persuade the manager to increase our overdraft, but he absolutely refused.'
Isn't there anything else we can do?’
‘No.' He picked up a delicate green vase. Pretty valuable, this.'
She dismissed the remark. Tell me more about the company.'
There's nothing more to tell. We're finished. The only—' he stopped, and continued to study the vase in his hand with such intensity that she knew he was focusing on it in an effort to keep silent.
'What were you going to say Just now, Anton? Tell me.'
'I was thinking how you could… how you are the only person who can help us.'
'Me? What could I do?'
He set down the vase and his eyes moved to the Renoir over the mantelpiece. 'As Timothy's widow you're entitled to his estate. And if this place is anything to go by, he should be worth a packet.'
The remark was so crude and unexpected that she was speechless. But when at last she found her voice, it was icy with anger.
'You're out of your mind if you think I'd take anything from Timothy's estate.'
‘You'd be out of your mind if you didn't!' 'I was never his wife - not in the real sense - and I wouldn't touch a penny of his. It would be cheating.'
'You're crazy!' Anton flung his arms wide. 'If you don't care about your own future as a dancer, at least think of the Company. It's Verenskaya's life.'
This last statement - undeniably true - robbed Melanie of her anger. Much as she disliked what Anton had said, she knew he was not saying it for self-gain; for a dancer of his repute would be welcomed by any other company, both here and in America. No, it was Verenskaya who would suffer most, and this made it imperative that she do everything in her power to help.
'How much do we need?'
'Ten thousand pounds.'
That's a fortune!'
'Relatively speaking. If this house is anything to go by, Timothy was worth a packet. That Renoir alone is worth at least twenty thousand.'
‘Don't!' she said sharply. 'I hate it when you talk like that.'
‘We haven't time to be delicate,' he replied, and bent over her. ‘Didn't Timothy ever discuss his position with you?’
'No.'
'But you must have known what he had.'
She shook her head. ‘We didn't talk about it. He worked in the family business - that's all I know.'
‘You mean to say he never spoke to you about money?' She shook her head again and he continued: 'Even so, he must have made some provision for you. 'You'll have to find out.' Her expression was one of such distaste that it seemed to provoke him to further anger. 'Damn it, Melanie, stop looking so priggish and horrified. I can't stand all this squeamishness about discussing money. It's so bourgeois.'
'I never pretended I was a sophisticate,' she retorted.
‘Well, at least stop acting like a baby! If you're too squeamish to ask your mother-in-law, then find out who his solicitor was and ask him!'
That's just as bad.'
‘What's bad about trying to help the Company?' Anton shouted. 'Or don't you care any more?'
'Of course I care.'
'Then do something about it! We've got to get money and you're the only one who can do it.'
There was a long silence, broken only by the hissing of an ember as it flew out of the fire and died on the hearth.
'Very well,' she said at last, 'I'll see what I can do.'
'Thank goodness for that.' The words were spoken quietly, but there was a warmth in Anton's eyes that reminded her of the last intimate discussion they had had, and she knew without having to be told that he still felt the same way about her.
'I'm sorry I lost my temper,' he went on, 'but these past ten days have been a nightmare.' He drew her hand upwards and had just pressed it to his lips when the door opened and Gregory came in.
'I hope I'm not interrupting,' he said coldly.
Scarlet-cheeked, she pulled her hand free. 'Not at all.'
Quickly she introduced the two men, aware of the contrast between Anton in tight black trousers and black sweater, and Gregory in an impeccably cut grey suit.
'Are you also a dancer with the Company?' Gregory asked as he moved to the sideboard and picked up a whisky decanter.
'Yes.'
'I've often wondered what prompts a man to take up ballet as a career.'
'The same motivation that prompts a woman,' Anton replied. 'A need to express emotion by dance.'
'Indeed?'
'Indeed,' came the answer in Anton's dryest tone.
Though he must have known he was being mocked, Gregory gave no indication of it and lifted a glass. 'Would you care for a drink?'
'No, thanks.' Anton leaned forward and deliberately raised Melanie's hand again and pressed it to his lips. 'Call me the moment you have any news!' he said and, with a cool nod to the man by the sideboard, he went out.
Gregory Ransome pointed the decanter in Melanie's direction, and when she shook her head, he poured himself a drink and, glass in hand, came to sit in an armchair opposite her.
'Is your friend a good dancer?'
'One of the best. Haven't you heard of him? He's very well known.'
'I don't go to the ballet often. What did you say his name was?'
'Anton Marek.'
Gregory Ransome sipped his drink. 'I suppose he's anxious for you to start work again?'
Seeing his words as the opening she was looking for, she said quickly: 'I'm not sure there'll be any work for me to start. That's one of the reasons Anton came to see me.' She felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment but determinedly forced herself to continue. ‘We're in trouble - at least the Company is. If we can't find the money to keep us going for another six weeks until the season starts, we'll have to disband.'
Only by a slight movement of one dark eyebrow did the man indicate he had heard her, and knowing that if she did not speak now she would never speak again, she blurted out: ‘What was Timothy's position?'
The whisky slopped in the glass. 'I beg your pardon?'
'Timothy's position,' she stammered. 'I want to know what it was.'
In life or in death?' he asked icily.
Perspiration dampened her palms, but she refused to be put off by his obvious disgust at her question. 'I've a right to know, whether you like it or not. He never spoke about the future. It didn't - it didn't seem necessary. Neither of us thought that…' She stopped to moisten her lips, only forced into continuing by the knowledge of what it would do to Verenskaya if the Company had to disband. ‘Now that Timothy… what I really want to know is my financial position.'
'Ah!' It was a satisfied sound. 'I was wondering when you would get around to that. A woman and money are never divorced for long!'
'I'm not asking for myself,' she said angrily. The Company's in trouble and needs help.'
'Spare me the excuses.'
'It's the truth!'
'I doubt if you know the meaning of the word.'
‘How dare you!' Temper made her forget her embarrassment. 'From the moment we met you've been abominably rude.'
'I'm sorry you find the truth insulting.'
‘Your idea of truth doesn't happen to be mine.'
'I suppose you expect me to believe you didn't marry my cousin for his money?'
The effrontery of the remark staggered her. 'That's the most disgusting thing you could have said,' she choked. 'You've no right to say that, no right at all.' She searched in her pocket for her handkerchie
f and when she couldn't find it, she rubbed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.
'Save your histrionics for my aunt,' he said calmly. 'They're wasted on me. I happen to know exactly what Timothy spent on you - down to the last penny.'
‘What business is that of yours? You weren't his keeper.'
'More's the pity. He wouldn't have married you if I had been.'
She jumped to her feet and walked over to the window, putting herself as far away from him as she could. 'I don't intend to have a slanging match with you, Mr. Ransome. I'm sure you'd win. I just asked you a question and I want an answer. What is my financial position?'
'Exactly the same as if you were single.'
She swung round. 'That can't be true!'
'I assure you it is. Timothy had nothing to leave.'
'But the business… it was a family one.'
‘He had no part of it.' Gregory Ransome set his glass down on the table beside him and came across the room until he was so close that she could have put out a hand and touched him. 'I'm telling you the truth. You'd be wise to accept it. The little money Timothy had, he spent on you.'
'I'm going to find out for myself.'
‘You may do as you wish. The only thing I'd like you to bear in mind is the way my aunt feels about you. She's become attached to you since you've been staying here and I'd like you to at least try and spare her illusions. She has suffered enough already. To realize Timothy married a mercenary little—'
The slap of her hand on the side of his face stunned him into silence, and before he could say another word she stepped past him and ran out.
Upstairs in her bedroom she paced the floor, too angry to relax, too hurt to do anything except re-enact the scene that had just taken place. She had never had any doubt as to how Gregory Ransome regarded her, but not until now had she realized the depth of his dislike. Momentarily she wondered whether he had told her the truth about Timothy's position, but almost at once she dismissed the doubt; he was too clever to lie when it could be so easily found out. But where did that leave her now? She had promised Anton she would help Ver enskaya, and no matter what happened she did not intend to break her word.
Roberta Leigh - My Hearts a Dancer Page 6