Lord of Misrule

by Sally Wentworth

  the few couples who took to the tiny floor to be able to dance.

  By tacit consent they ail stayed at the table until they reached the coffee stage, then James and Maggie got up to dance, the others watching them for several minutes before Paula said, ‘I’ve an idea that the older generation know how to enjoy themselves better than we do.’ She turned to Sebastian with a smile. ‘Shall we try to emulate them?’

  ‘By all means.’ He stood up and followed Paula on to the floor, then put his arms round her, bending his head to listen to her as they danced slowly round. Whatever Paula was saying, Sebastian seemed to find it very interesting, Verity noted. His eyes were on her face as she spoke animatedly, often gesturing with her right hand. At one point she must have mentioned Verity, for they both looked in her direction. Sebastian’s eyes lingered, but Paula said something else and he gave her his complete attention again.

  Verity glanced at Piers and surprised a look of sharp concern on his face. ‘Ought she to be dancing in her condition? Especially when she was so ill such a short time ago.’

  ‘She’s OK,’ Verity assured him. ‘She’s having a last fling.’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘Before the baby’s born, you mean?’ And when Verity nodded, ‘Oh, I see. Well, we must make the evening memorable for her, then.’ Lifting his arm, he called the waiter over and ordered a bottle of pink champagne, which was waiting when the others returned to the table.

  ‘Champagne! How lovely! Oh, but I can’t drink any,’ Paula lamented.

  ‘Just half a glass won’t hurt you. What do you think, Maggie?’ Piers asked. And when Maggie smilingly agreed wiih him, he poured the wine and raised his glass as he looked round at them. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to propose a toast to our very lovely hostess. To Paula—and to her baby. May all go well for them both, now and always.’

  They all joined in, raising their glasses and drinking as Paula said laughingly, ‘You’re all very kind, but this dinner was for me to thank you.’

  The band played a faster number for a while, but when the music slowed Piers asked Paula to dance, and Sebastian turned to Verity. ‘Shall we?’

  ‘Why not?’ She spoke lightly enough, but inwardly she wasn’t very happy. Somehow tonight wasn’t going right. She had expected more from Sebastian, although she wasn’t quite sure what. Some show of possessiveness, perhaps—an indication to the others that she was special to him. But so far he had behaved no differently to her than he had to Paula. He had been just as attentive to them both; even now when they were dancing he held her no closer than he had her friend. And, now she came to think of it, he had never given any sign of his feelings towards her in public; only when they had been alone, out in the garden, had he shown her that he found her attractive.

  That thought made her feel uncertain and vulnerable, and she was afraid that he was still mad with her for refusing to go out with him. She stiffened a little and moved away from him. Sebastian looked down at her quizzically. ‘You’re very quiet tonight.’

  ‘Am I?’ she answered unhelpfully.

  he brought their coupled hands over and brushed his fingers down her cheek. ‘I don’t have to tell you how lovely you look, do I?’

  ‘oh, but I think you do.’

  His eyes searched her face and then he bent to say, ‘You’re very beautiful, Verity.’ She didn’t speak, just looked into his eyes, and he gave a crooked smile. ‘But that isn’t enough, is it?’

  She shook her head. ‘No.’

  He drew her closer to him so that their bodies ued and she felt his lips brush her hair. ‘This isn’t the time or the place,’ he said softly. ‘Tonight is Paula’s night.’ Putting a finger under her chin, he tilted her head so that she looked at him. ‘Will you leave her and come out with me one night?’

  Verity hesitated, but then remembered Paula telling her not to be a fool, and nodded. ‘Yes. OK.’

  A gleam of triumph came into his eyes and he lifted her hand to kiss her fingers. ‘Tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes.’

  A quiver of nervous excitement ran through her, so llrong that Sebastian felt it. His hand tightened on her waist and she read the sharpness of desire in his face. ‘Till tomorrow, then, my beautiful girl,’ he said loftly.

  Holding her close to him, he danced on, and now there was no need for words. Tomorrow, Verity thought in eager anticipation, but for now she was content and gave herself up to the pleasure of being held in his arms.

  She danced with Piers after that, and then with James before she danced with Sebastian again. To keep things on a lighter note, she said, ‘What were you and Paula talking about earlier?’

  ‘Oh, nothing very much,’ Sebastian said evasively.

  ‘It didn’t look like nothing much. Paula certainly had a lot to say.’

  ‘It was merely business.’

  ‘I suppose that means that I ought to mind mine?’ Verity said wryly.

  He grinned. ‘Why don’t you ask Paula?’

  ‘Because I know she won’t tell me.’

  ‘And you thought it might be easier to get it out of me,’ Sebastian said, and tapped her on the nose with his finger. ‘Nosy.’

  ‘I know Paula’s up to something. And usually it’s better to be forearmed when she gets one of her ideas. They’ve got me into trouble before.’ And she went on to describe some of the madcap things they’d got up to at school, making Sebastian laugh, making the time pass until tomorrow.

  And it was the next afternoon when Paula finally told Verity what she had in mind. During the morning Paula had gone for another walk with Piers, down the track and through the wood this time, and then she had been shut away in the sitting-room with Sebastian and Piers while Verity had helped Maggie to prepare lunch. This had proved to be a prolonged meal, and Piers had left immediately after it. After they had waved him off, Sebastian looked at Verity and said, ‘I have to go and mark out some trees for felling; care to come with me?’

  But Paula caught Verity’s arm. ‘No, you remember I said I wanted to talk to Verity.’ She smiled at Sebastian. ‘You can’t have her until I’ve finished with her.’

  Which was rather an unfortunate choice of words, all things considered. Sebastian shot Verity a mocking look and strode away towards the garage.

  ‘All right,’ Verity said resignedly. ‘So what are you Up to?’

  ‘Let’s go for a walk and I’ll tell you. That was such ‘ huge lunch, if I sit down I shall go to sleep.’

  They changed into walking shoes and coats and began to stroll down through the garden, almost automatically turning in the direction of the river. ‘Well?’ Verity demanded. ‘Come on, tell me the worst.’

  Paula laughed delightedly. ‘What makes you think it’s something bad?’

  ‘Because I know you of old. When it’s something you think I might not like you never tell me until I don’t have any choice.’

  ‘Well, this time I’m sure you’re going to agree that It’s a marvellous idea.’ Paula turned to her eagerly. ‘Verity, you know we said that this area could do with a really good interior designer? Well, I’ve decided to start a business here.’

  ‘You’ Verity stood still and stared at her. ‘But how can you? You’re pregnant. And even when the baby’s born

  you…..‘ She broke off. ‘Oh, no! I’m a computer programmer, not a designer. I couldn’t possibly run a

  shop and I……’

  ‘Yes, you could,’ Paula said eagerly. ‘I’d do all the actual designing, but you would do all the management and administration side. You’d be marvellous at it. We’d make a great team, you know.’

  ‘No, I don’t know, and I don’t think I want to. Paula, it’s a crazy idea. We don’t have enough experience for something like that.’

  ‘But Piers has promised to help us all he can, even to put some contacts our way. He sometimes has to turn work away because he’s so busy.’

  ‘You mean Piers has agreed to this? You’re even more persuasive than I thought. Paula, if you
want to get back into interior design why don’t you go and work for Piers again as soon as the baby’s old enough?’

  ‘Because that would mean living in London, but I want Simon’s child to be brought up here, in Simon’s house.’

  Verity was silent for a moment, then began to walk on again before she said, ‘Have you really thought this through? It isn’t an impulse thing, is it?’

  ‘No. As a matter of fact, I was thinking on these lines even before Simon was killed. Being just a wife wasn’t enough because Simon was so wrapped up in his own business. I needed an interest of my own, something to give me my own identity. Can you understand that?’

  ‘Yes, but the circumstances are different now. You’ll have the baby and you’ll have this house to run. If you take on a business as well it might be too much for you, you might have a conflict of loyalties.’

  ‘Not if I have an efficient partner I can trust.’

  ‘Namely, me.’

  ‘Of course. Oh, Verity, can’t you see? It would be ideal for us. We’d be able to work together. Wouldn’t that be great? I’ve already spoken to Sebastian and he….’

  ‘You’ve done what! Without telling me first?’

  ‘Yes, because I wanted to get it all worked out first, to prove to you that I was really serious.’

  Verity stared at her. ‘And what did he say?’

  ‘Well, I knew that he intended to develop an area in the centre of Melford, and I asked him if he might have a shop that was suitable for us, and he said he That we could have first choice of premises.’

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Verity said hollowly. ‘He didn’t raise iny—any arguments?’

  ‘ ‘Some,’ Paula admitted. ‘More or less the same as you.’ They had reached the bridge, but both of them Were so engrossed that they didn’t notice and kept on Miking along the track towards the village. ‘But I convinced him that it was what I wanted to do, and be said he would help in any way he could. So, if both Hers and Sebastian think it’s a good idea, won’t you ai least think it over, Verity?’

  ‘Surely a business like that, with a showroom, Would cost quite a lot of money to get started?’

  ‘Yes, but I have plenty of money now,’ Paula pointed out happily.

  ‘But if I was to become your partner, then I would Want to pay half, and I just don’t have that kind of money.’

  ‘Oh, you and your stubborn pride.’ They argued for a few moments until Paula said, ‘Well, you could always sell your house and use that money.’

  ‘But then I wouldn’t have anywhere to live,’ Verity protested.

  Of course you would! You’d go on living with me at Layton House.’ She saw Verity open her mouth and said swiftly, ‘I’ll even charge you rent if that will make you happy.’

  Verity laughed, and was about to say something, but a movement in the trees caught her eye. ‘Isn’t that Sebastian? I thought he was working over in the woods.’

  ‘Where?’ Paula turned to follow her pointing arm, then suddenly gave a cry of alarm. ‘Verity, that dog!’

  And now Verity saw it. The fierce Alsatian that she had seen in the drivers’ garden. He came bounding down the track towards them, horrifying in his strength and wild savageness, his mouth drawn back over sharp white fangs, ferocious snarls coming from his throat.

  ‘Run!’ Paula turned and began to stumble back the way they’d come.

  ‘No, keep still!’

  But it was too late, the beast swerved in his stride and leapt for Paula’s running figure, his powerful body hitting her in the back and knocking her down, his teeth going for her throat.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ‘No!’ Verity ran across and struck at the Alsatian, trying to knock him away, but he turned on her, raking his teeth across her hand and drawing blood.

  ‘Verity, help me!’ Paula was sobbing in terror and Struggling to get to her feet.

  Desperately Verity again tried to push the dog away, but this only seemed to enrage him further. He leapt at her, tearing her coat, but she ignored him as she tried to help Paula up. But then the dog bit Verity’s wrist, sinking his teeth deep, and she cried out in pain. The pain made her suddenly see red and she yelled at the dog, trying to fight him off and at the same time keep him away from Paula. ‘Go to the cottage!’ she Cried out. ‘Get help!’

  But Paula either didn’t understand or was too afraid to hear. She got to her feet and began to run back towards the house, but her moving figure acted like a magnet to the dog and he immediately went snarhng after her. With a furious, helpless sob, Verity threw herself between them as Paula went down again, covering her friend’s body with her own. The animal came snarling round her head and she instinctively put her hands up to protect her face, but then cried out as she felt the dog’s teeth tearing at her skin.

  It seemed as if the nightmare would never end, that ghe would just have to he here while the dog went on biting her, but through his growling she suddenly heard the clear note of a whistle. The dog drew back, his body tense. The whistle came again, and suddenly the brute was gone.

  Verity couldn’t believe it at first, and lay where she was, her body over Paula’s, then she slowly eased herself off and sat up, looking fearfully round. A wave of sickness came over her as she saw the blood on her hands. She felt dizzy and had to fight hard to stop herself from fainting, but Paula was still lying on the ground, moaning with terror, pressing herself against the earth as if she wanted it to swallow her.

  ‘Paula, it’s all right. It’s gone.’ Verity lifted a hand to push her hair from her eyes and left a trail of blood across her face. ‘Come on, we must get up.’ Somehow she managed to get to her knees and then to stand. ‘Come on, I’ll help you.’ Putting her arm through Paula’s, she managed to haul her to her feet and hold her crying, trembling body in her arms. ‘Hush. It’s over now. You’re safe.’ Verity looked desperately round, knowing that Paula was in no state to walk back to the house. Then she remembered the whistle she’d heard and looked up the track towards the cottage, expecting Chi vers to come hurrying to their aid as soon as he’d shut the dog away.

  But no one came and she screamed out, ‘Help! Help!’ and then, in utter fury, ‘Damn you! Come and help us!’

  Her cry echoed through the trees, leaving behind an empty silence and making Verity feel utterly alone and helpless. It was only then that she remembered that Mr and Mrs Chivers had gone away for the weekend. Despair gripped her, and she felt like bursting into tears herself, but resolutely pushed it aside and said, ‘Paula, I have to go and get help.’

  ‘No!’ Paula grabbed hold of her in a panic. ‘No, don’t leave me. That dog might come back.’

  ‘Then we’ll have to walk back. Do you think you can make it?’

  ‘I don’t know. I don’t know. Oh, Verity, this place!’ Her voice rose in raw terror.

  ‘Hush, now, we’re going to be fine. We’ll just take it slowly. Come on, you can do it.’ With her arm supporting Paula, they began to make their way slowly back to the house, but the pain in Verity’s hands was intense now and she could feel the blood running down her arm. Gritting her teeth. Verity pressed on, murmuring words of encouragement to Paula, but it seemed an age before they crossed the bridge and came out into the garden. The sun was down now, and the cold shadows of dusk were lying over the lawns. They paused to rest and Verity dimly made out the figure of a man right over on the other side of the grounds, just emerging from the woods. He called out to them and she recognised Sebastian’s voice, but she had no strength to answer him.

  They began to struggle on again, and she saw Sebastian break into a run and come racing towards tiem. For a moment Verity was reminded forcibly of the dog as it had leapt at them. She stopped, her body trembling, and waited until Sebastian came up.

  ‘Good grief! What’s happened to you?’ He stared at them in horrified disbelief.

  ‘Go and get a car,’ Verity said stonily, her face set and strained.

  ‘But the blood! Let me see. Dear lord, Verity,
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br />   ‘Just go and get a car!’ she repeated, her voice rising, her eyes wild.

  Recognising the hysterical note, Sebastian said quickly, ‘All right. Just wait here.’

  They stood together in the growing gloom of evening, but Sebastian was back in the Land Rover very quickly, and he had Maggie beside him. Verity thankfully handed all responsibility over to them, letting them take Paula from her, and making no protest when Sebastian picked her up and put her into the car when she couldn’t use her hands to get in. They drove to the house and she leaned her head against the window and waited patiently for several long minutes while Sebastian carried Paula up to her room before coming back to help her out.

  ‘Verity, sweetheart. Your poor hands! What the hell happened?’ he demanded fiercely, his voice bleak, angry.

  Verity turned her head to look at him, her eyes staring into his face. Then she turned her head away and moved out of the supporting circle of his arm into the house. ‘Paula needs a doctor,’ she said dully.

  ‘He’s on his way. I phoned him before I went back for you. He lives nearby, he won’t be long. Verity…’

  He reached out for her, but she sat down on the nearest chair, her face very pale. ‘Have you got a towel?’

  He brought her one and wrapped it round her hands, then gently examined her face and gave a sigh of relief when he saw that there was no wound beneath the blood there. ‘Are you going to be all right? My brave darling.’ He gently stroked the hair from her face.

  She shuddered uncontrollably and lifted heavy, pain-filled lids to look at him, then lowered them again. ‘Yes,’ she answered, her tone cold, withdrawn.