by Karen Welch
“You made love right under your mother’s nose?”
“Very quietly, I assure you. It wasn’t the first time one of Mother’s friends had shown an interest in me, but it was the first time things went that far. Women in wartime tend to throw caution to the wind.”
“Still that was a very daring thing to do at any time. It doesn’t sound like she was as shy as you make out.”
He yawned and rolled toward her. “Can we drop the subject now? The way I see it, we have two choices.”
“What choices?”
“We can go to sleep like sensible adults, or we can make love until dawn like sex-starved teenagers. You choose.”
“You really have to ask?”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
Over breakfast, while Alice went about her business in the next room, Peg was bubbling over with conversation. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were concertmaster now! I’m sure your mother must have thought I was stupid when I asked where you were after the orchestra was in their seats.”
“Not concertmaster, love, leader. You’re in England now, remember. And I’m not. I’m only assistant leader. And that’s mainly so the actual leader can have some time off this summer.”
“Still, I think it’s wonderful you’ve worked your way up so quickly. And you looked so handsome when you stepped out on stage, I was breathless. You’d have laughed. I gasped so hard I actually choked and there was your mother patting me on the back and looking oh, so disapproving.”
“I doubt I was breathtaking. You’ve seen one man in a dinner jacket, you’ve seen them all. Now fill me in on your plan for the weekend. I hope you can keep yourself entertained most of the time. I still have work to do, you know.”
“Oh, yes. I’m going to drag along a box of those files to keep me occupied.”
“Won’t that be awkward on the train?”
“I’m not taking the train. Hammonds is driving me.”
He dropped his fork with a clatter. “Hammonds? And how are you explaining this little getaway to him?”
“I don’t have to explain anything to him. But I’ll just tell him I’m planning to attend the performance and see some of the sites in the area. And of course I’ll mention that I’ll be meeting you at least once for lunch or something, which he’ll think is fine. You being my cousin and all.” She grinned over her teacup. “It’s awfully convenient having a lover who’s also a member of the family. No one thinks anything of us meeting up like that.”
“Right. I suppose it’s also convenient that your watchdog is gullible enough to believe that’s all there is to it. So when will you be getting in?”
“Friday noon. I’ll go to the inn first and take a cab to Glyndebourne, I guess. Can you meet me for supper?”
“I’ll try. And after, am I expected to escort you back to the inn?”
“Of course. And don’t forget to pack some clothes for Saturday morning. You can’t have breakfast downstairs in your dinner jacket without raising a few eyebrows.”
“I can’t have breakfast downstairs without raising a few eyebrows, period. I don’t know about this, Peg. It seems awfully bold.”
“Don’t be silly. I booked you a room all your own. Not that I plan for you to sleep there, but even I know we have to keep up appearances. Give me a little credit, Kendall.”
He stared at her for a moment. “Well done, brat. But I hate for you to be spending your money this way. Let me at least pick up the tab for my room.”
“You will not. I’m the one who booked the room. I’m the one who should pay for it. And our meals and any other expenses. I’m the one who’s sneaking off to spend a clandestine weekend with my lover.”
Tossing down his napkin, he got to his feet. “It’s happened already.”
“What’s happened?”
Two paces to the window and he glared out at the low-hanging clouds. “I’m a kept man.”
“Darned right, you are, if that means I won’t let you spend your money. This was all my idea. Besides, we both know I have more money than is good for me. You’re doing me a favor, giving me something worthwhile to spend it on.” Peg joined him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his shoulder.
“How can I possibly argue with that kind of twisted logic? What would your father say if he knew what you were doing with your money?”
“He’d say if it pleases me, it’s fine. And it does please me, you can’t argue with that.”
He turned, holding her loosely and scowling down into her eyes. “I’d be a fool to try. But I’m going on record as feeling slightly emasculated by the way you take charge. Not that women haven’t picked up the tab before, or even given me gifts in exchange for services rendered, because I’m ashamed to admit they have. But I don’t like taking things from you I won’t ever be able to repay. And I don’t enjoy being constantly reminded that you have so much money you won’t miss any you waste on me. A man, even a kept man, has his pride.”
Her gaze seemed to penetrate his attempted sarcasm, leaving him feeling unpleasantly exposed. “Kendall, money—all the money in the world—can’t buy what you give me. If I can afford to pay for a little luxury, a hotel room or a trip, so we can be together, why shouldn’t I? Money is just a means to an end, and in our case, the end is worth every penny. That said, I would never intentionally hurt your pride. And I certainly wouldn’t want to emasculate—ugh, that’s an ugly word—you either. But I’ve been trained to take charge since I can remember. I guess it just comes naturally.”
Once again her sincerity won the day. “I’m sorry, love. I blew things out of proportion. I’m so accustomed to being on my own you’ll have to give me time to adjust to this arrangement of ours. And once in a while you’ll have to let me pay for dinner or take you to the cinema. I can at least manage a cheap date now and then.” He touched a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Now be a good girl and finish your breakfast.”
“I am finished.”
“No you’re not.” He steered her back to her place. “At least eat those lovely strawberries. And by the way, I want you to make an appointment with Reggie. They’ll be back next week.”
“Why? I’m not sick!”
“No, but I haven’t forgotten your little turn after the wedding. And you’re too thin.” He raised a cautionary hand. “And don’t say a woman can never be too thin or too rich. That line’s been used to death and in your case it hardly applies. You already have plenty of money, but you can’t afford to lose another ounce. It won’t hurt to let Reggie check you over and draw some blood. I’m betting he’ll confirm my diagnosis.”
Sucking on a strawberry, Peg stared at him across the table. “Are you done, doctor?”
“For now.”
“Fine, get me the number to Reggie’s office and I’ll make an appointment. Just to prove you wrong. I’m sure I’m as healthy as a horse.”
“I’ll be delighted if you are. Then all I’ll have to do is try to fatten you up before you go back to New York.” He consulted his watch. “I have two more hours before my train. What say we take a walk to my place?”
She looked past him to the window. “It’s going to rain. We should call a cab.”
“You’re in England now. It rains more often than not. That’s why they invented umbrellas. And I’m not wasting money on a cab to go six blocks.”
“You’re a little bit of a tightwad, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m frugal, that’s all. And just because you’re an heiress doesn’t mean the fresh air and exercise won’t still do you good.” He got to his feet. “Now you can come with me or not. I may humor you about most things, but I refuse to lose every argument.”
“Kendall?”
Turning back from the door, he caught her smile. “Yes?”
“If you’ll wait just a minute, I’ll get my umbrella. And I don’t want you to humor me all the time. I like it when you stand up for yourself.”
“Not something most
people do in your presence, I suppose?”
“Exactly.”
Chapter Thirty-eight
For the next several weeks, they fell into a routine, daring to do the kinds of things couples do at the onset of a romantic relationship, couples with more promising futures than theirs. When Kendall was in London, they had dinner with Peg’s family or his friends. When Peg came to Lewes, they strolled the High Street and explored the local sites like tourists. If their nights together were intensely passionate, their days were surprisingly relaxed. Peg’s quick mind and equally quick tongue kept him intrigued and amused. From all indications, she was happy with their arrangement, busy while he was away with her studies and foundation work, and always willing to set them aside for a few hours in his company. If they found it increasingly easy to pretend, apparently everyone else found it easy to believe they were a normal couple falling in love.
If he felt at all guilty for the dust collecting in his flat or the haste with which he attended to the business of paying bills and balancing his checkbook, he told himself that come September, he would make up for it. The only thing that truly nagged at his conscience was the fact that he hadn’t been to Hertford in several weeks, but he soothed that by writing to his grandfather explaining his hectic schedule and promising to get out there during his next week off from Glyndebourne.
Life had taken an unforeseen turn for the better and he was cautiously optimistic about his future, both with Peg and in terms of his career. For the first time in years, he began to accept that this revised version of his dreams might actually bring him contentment. He also accepted that it was Peg, with her unorthodox views and her passion for living, who cast a fresh light on what he for so long assumed to be a hopeless situation.
Peg’s twenty-first birthday was to be celebrated with a small family dinner at Adelaide’s. Kendall planned to make it to London that morning, the first day of his off week, but was delayed by a last-minute meeting with the leader before leaving. Looking back, he realized but for that, he would have been on the train when the call came, in blissful ignorance for a few more hours.
Though he had little memory of the trip to London, he thought he must have appeared outwardly normal. It was only in the moments after he stumbled through Peg’s door that the full force of reality struck its inevitable blow. The shock in her eyes instantly mirrored the stunned grief in his own.
“Kendall, darling, what’s happened?”
That was a question he couldn’t seem to answer. He must have mumbled something as she led him to the couch, because she urged him to take a minute to catch his breath.
“I have to get to Hertford,” he said in little more than a whisper.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
He held out his hands as if to show her, unable to say more past the emotion constricting his throat.
“Kendall, please tell me. Is it your grandmother?”
“Worse.” Tears clouding his vision, he watched his trembling hands gesture helplessly. Swallowing hard, he forced the words to form, each taking its toll. “My grandfather’s dead.”
“Oh, darling, I’m so sorry!” She slid her arms around him, briefly pressing his head to her shoulder. “Of course you need to go. I’ll call Hammonds to drive us.” She had started for the phone before he caught her hand.
Looking up, he shook his head. “There’s more.”
She sat beside him then, draping an arm around his shoulders and holding his hand. “Tell me. Then we’ll decide what to do.”
Once he began, it came easier. In the same simple words the kindly voice over the phone had relayed it to him, he repeated the news, sounding to his own ears much like a child reading in slow, halting phrases. “The best they can figure, Grandfather had been working in the garden early this morning. Apparently Granny saw him sitting in one of the chairs and after so long, she must have gone out to check on him. He must have sat down to rest and. . .they think it was a heart attack.”
“And your grandmother? That has to have been so upsetting.” He nodded, looking into her eyes, begging her to help him go on. “Oh, no, Kendall, she’s not. . .?”
“No. Mrs. Beatty found her on the ground next to him. Another stroke. The doctor says it’s likely just a matter of time. I have to get there.” By rights he should have been on his feet, moving with the urgency the situation demanded. Instead, he sat immobilized, his limbs leaden and his brain refusing to give the command.
“Just sit here and rest. I’ll order us some tea and make a few calls. Is there anything you need from the flat before we go?”
“I have my bag. But you don’t have to go with me.” A thought stirred its way to the surface. “It’s your birthday.”
“I’ll call Aunt Addie. I’m sure they’ll all understand. Have you told your mother yet?”
Flinching, he shook his head. “You’re the first. I suppose I should do that now?”
“Not until you’re ready to. You’re in shock, Kendall. Who called you with the news?”
“Dr. Morrow. He’s been their physician as long as I can remember.”
“Do you have his number?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because I’d like to call him for an update on your grandmother. If you don’t mind?”
“No. I suppose that makes sense. It’s been almost two hours since I got the call.” The recollection of that moment struck him like a blow, knocking the wind out of him. Silently, he held out the scrap of paper on which he’d scrawled the doctor’s number before bolting from his hotel earlier.
He sat with eyes closed, only half-listening to Peg talking softly, first to Adelaide, then to Hammonds and finally to the doctor. He admired the ease with which she introduced herself as his cousin, explaining that he had come to her with the news and asked her to call while he made preparations for the journey to Hertford, making it sound as though he were busy packing rather than slumped motionless on her couch.
“Kendall, the doctor would like to speak to you,” she said gently, holding out the receiver.
The news was neither bad nor good, only that his grandmother remained unconscious. When the doctor asked what time Kendall planned to arrive, he turned to Peg for an answer.
“Hammonds will be here in fifteen minutes. We can go whenever you’re ready.” He started to argue again that he would take the train, that she needn’t go with him, but something in Peg’s eyes, and the reassuring hand she laid on his shoulder silenced him. He needed her, as he had never needed anyone in his life. Other than his grandparents, the voice of grief reminded him.
When room service brought a cart loaded with tea and sandwiches, he actually managed to eat a bite or two. After weighing the options, they agreed it might be best for Patrick to break the news to Eloise. Peg put the call through to the bank and Kendall managed to explain the situation man to man far easier than he could have to his mother.
When he handed the receiver back to Peg, she went on speaking to Patrick for several minutes. “I’m going to Hertford with Kendall. He’ll have so much to deal with and someone needs to be at the hospital with his grandmother. You can explain that to Aunt Eloise however you think best.” She smiled, he assumed at Patrick’s response. “For the moment, we’re cousins. That will make things simpler, won’t it? He needs family to help with this, and other than his mother, he doesn’t have any. I’ll call you tonight, I promise.”
“Peg, you really don’t have to do this.” He said it because it was the right thing to say, but even to him it sounded half-hearted.
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. You can’t do it all on your own.”
He ran a hand through his hair, struck by the truth of that statement. “There’s no one else, you’re right. If you can just see to Granny. . .but you hate hospitals.”
“I can manage.” She sat beside him, taking his hand. “We’ll get through this. I’m so glad I’m here to help.”
“It’s your birthday. You should be celebrating.”
�
�I don’t care all that much for parties, remember? Besides, do you really think I could celebrate while you’re suffering like this? Now I’m going to throw a few things in a bag, just in case.”
He pulled her into his arms, glad of her warmth against the increasing internal chill. “This is not what you signed on for, I know.”
“I signed on to be with you. That means in good times and in bad. I haven’t forgotten the way you took care of me in the past. It’s my turn now.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Each day in the week that followed presented new challenges. Funeral arrangements, meetings with the doctor, decisions regarding his grandmother’s care, the funeral service itself and the small luncheon following, the reading of his grandfather’s will and a conference with his banker. Without Peg at his side, he couldn’t imagine he’d have come through it all with his sanity intact. If there were questions he failed to ask, she gently suggested them. If there were things he failed to comprehend, she seemed to sense it and prod for more information. When it came to the grim prospects for his grandmother’s future, Peg found a way to ease even that, spending hours sitting by her hospital bed and filling the sterile room with flowers and familiar trinkets from home. Had he once accused her of taking control as though that were a flaw? Now he understood the true worth of her gift for ferreting out a solution and implementing a plan with a confident directness belying her youth.
The orchestra granted him an additional week off to settle matters, as though the monumental task could be accomplished so quickly. He’d known that everything would pass to him at some point, but he never gave a thought to what that involved. Completely out of his element with investments and accounts, not to mention the upkeep of even a small property such as the house and acres now transferred to his name, he was staggered at the prospect of learning to manage them even briefly.