by Margaret Way
Ingo had evidently decided well beforehand that no lingering emotional scenes were to be allowed. It had a definite advantage with Genny so uptight and showing it now, relying heavily on Ingo to get her through the last difficult moments. Felicity had begun to cry, all her scintillating sparkle temporarily disbanded. Her new husband was trying to see the sunnier side of things, and was promising all and sundry that they were welcome to fly over and visit any time.
The mass farewells were made and they all went back to enjoying one another’s company and the sumptuous catering while Ingo and Genny drove down to the airstrip with the newlyweds. Ingo had timed it to the last minute to avoid any excessive displays of temperament from either woman. Genny, he realised with uncanny sensitivity, was almost worn out, seemingly convinced that her mother was going out of her life for ever. It didn’t seem to follow Flick’s predictable pattern, but naturally he didn’t say so; he was more than half convinced that Felicity was going towards a far more contented future. It was Genny Ingo was worrying about. Very soon her bravado would shatter.
At the airstrip the pilot was waiting, grinning warmly, bright eyes inquiring as he stood beside the smart little American six-seater he ran as a private taxi service. Ingo got the cases out in the businesslike fashion, handing them to the pilot for loading while Genny and her mother embraced one another tragically with Dan looking on, not daring to say anything in case it was out of place and brought a storm of tears. If he had had his way, he would have taken Genny back with them, but Ingo had barely acknowledged his tentative suggestions.
Inside the small aircraft, the pilot was warming up, his hands poised over his instruments, letting them know in a very nice way that he wanted to make the most of the light. Ingo turned to Dan, shaking hands with him and reconfirming the business arrangements between them, then he put Genny decisively away from her mother, lifted Felicity’s face with the most elegant gesture and kissed her mouth briefly.
‘Take care, Flick. Don’t worry about Genny. She’s with me!’
‘I know, darling!’ Flick stared up at him, starting to frown at some expression in his face. ‘Listen, darling, what do you mean?’
‘Time to go, honeys’ Dan said possessively, taking his wife under the elbow, and leaned forward to peck Genny’s cheek. ‘There’ll be plenty of time for all of us. Don’t fret, little girl, and I’ll surely look after your mammal’
Genny tried to smile at him with her beautiful drowning eyes, but the sound of the twin engines was assaulting their ears. Ingo drew her back while Felicity and Dan walked away across the strip, climbed into the cabin and shut the door. A minute more and they reappeared at the window, looking out. The pilot lifted his hand in the standard salute, then they were moving forward, gathering speed, the twin propellers starting to spray out dust.
‘I’m really an orphan novel’ Genny said in a daze.
‘I don’t think I can watch the take-off. It only seems like yesterday that Flick was talking about a new love affair, now she’s married, flying off into a whole ucw life. It’s mad, and I’ve lost her.’
‘Hush.’ Ingo put his hands down hard on her shoulders.
She nestled back against him like a tragic child as she watched the plane lift off the ground and move up steadily into the soft mauve of the twilight, becoming very rapidly no more than a black speck. ‘That’s it, then.‘ she said numbly.
‘My poor little Giannina.’ Ingo turned her towards him, locking his arms about her. ‘You’ll see Flick again, any time you like. All it takes is a few hours in a plane. At least that’s what I’m saying now. ‘ he added wryly.
‘Do you really think she’ll be happy? I could stand it if I thought so.’
‘Darling, you don’t think Dan threw a rope around her, do you? This was exactly what Flick wanted.
You saw her. She looked marvellous. No regrets, except for leaving you.’ He hesitated. ‘You could have gone with her, you know. Dan did try to speak to me about it, but I kept turning back on him, which wasn’t very polite. Flick’s happy, extremely happy, and so is Dan.’
Genny nodded. ‘I suppose one must make these experiments. That’s her fourth. ‘
‘Well, don’t think for one moment you’re going to get more than one shot at it. By the way, I’ve got something for you.’
‘Haven’t you given me enough?’ she said forlornly. ‘I can’t really wear these fabulous things, you know.’
‘Why not? I’ve never seen them light up better than against your skin. Anyway, jewellery is back, they tell me. Show me your hand.’
He drew out of his breast pocket the large, beautiful unflawed emerald ring that was part of the set she was wearing. It glowed a deep green against the dark skin of his hand. She stared down at it almost uncomprehending, at the surrounding diamonds flashing a blue fire.
‘It’s time you stopped playing jokes!’ she said faintly.
‘I‘ve never been more serious in my life, though I have to admit we’re long-time provocateurs. Anyway, do you know what it’s worth? It’s practically sacred. The brooch you can have later, we’ll settle for the ring now. This is it. My signature. I’ve wanted to put it there for long enough. Why, Genny, you seem to be giving me little or no encouragement!’ While he was speaking Ingo was slipping the ring home on her finger.
She blinked. ‘I just can’t think about it, that’s why. I mean, how have I earned it?’
‘You haven’t. Just think yourself lucky you’re my enduring passion.’
‘But that’s less important!’ she said, lifting her head and looking at him. ‘There’s nothing I can give you.’
‘Do you want to?’
‘Yes, everything. I’m ready to indulge you endlessly!’
‘That’s a relief! ‘ he said, a dancing light in his eyes. ‘Haven’t you discovered I can’t bear to let you out of my sight?’
‘I think it’s the other way round,’ she admitted.
‘You’ve got the rest of your life to prove it. I need you too badly and I swear you’ll never get away from me. Not now. Not ever. This is only the beginning!’
Genny gave a curious little shake of her head, realising he was serious. ‘Svengali!’ she said, meeting his silver eyes.
‘Do you want to leave me? I won’t say I’ll let you, but I’ll ask the question.’
‘No. Never!’ she said, resting her head against him. ‘Why do you suppose I’ve been fighting you all these years?’
‘You were too young to do anything else. A good enough reason!’ he said dryly, his hand in her silver curls. ‘I had to let you misinterpret your feelings. I‘ve always known what mine were.’
‘Then why didn’t you tell Flick?’
‘It will dawn on her somewhere over the South Pacific,’ he assured her.
‘Say you love me.‘ she said ardently. ‘I want to hear you say it.’
‘It’s brilliant to be able to say it.’ he said with some mockery. ‘I love you, Genny. I always have and I always will, because that’s the way I am.’
‘Then can I ask something of you?’ she said a little huskily, searching his dark face. ‘Some time, not now, I know, but some time in the future, could you please make your peace with your mother? I think she’s suffered enough. Please, Ingo, for me. I promise you I’ll love you so much there’ll be love spilling over everywhere. Please say you will. ‘
He looked away over her head, the resistance in him slow to relax, his shimmering eyes very beautiful but hard. ‘You’re asking a lot, Giannina.’
‘You loved your mother once.’
‘And if I did?’
‘You can’t leave her to spend to rest of her life in Purgatory.’
‘Do you imagine that’s what she’s doing?’ he challenged her, his head lifting imperiously in the way she knew well.
She nodded. ‘I‘m a woman and I love you too. I know exactly how your mother feels.’
‘You’d best tell me about it.’
‘Please, darling, please.’
> He drew her into his arms and kissed her as though he couldn’t stop himself, a little ruthless, bruising her soft mouth, moving her deeply but not relenting until she was exhausted with sweetness.
‘Maybe the first christening. ‘ he said dryly, lifting his dark head, his face full of a hard mocking charm.
‘I‘ll keep you up to it,’ she said, breathing rapidly as the colour raced under her skin, the silver tendrils of her hair clinging to her temples and cheeks.
‘But it won’t be for a long time,’ he returned instantly. ‘I want you all to myself. I can never get enough of you, and I’ve no intention of wasting much more time. It’s impossible having you so close to me without having you with me all night. I want you there wherever I turn. I want to make you love me the way I love you. ‘
‘Why don’t you start now?’ she asked, her lovely mouth indescribably tender. ‘Having a wife is a big responsibility.’
‘I think I can handle it.’
‘Then let it be soon.‘ she whispered. ‘I‘m witless and lost wanting you. ‘
He bent his head sharply, his face mirroring the incomparable answering passion he felt for her, finding her mouth with a refined brutality that seemed so natural to her that she clung to him placating him until the knowledge of her total surrender came to him. Then he changed the quality of his deep caress to a strangely fiery tenderness. He barely lifted his mouth from hers.
‘I‘m sorry, darling, am I hurting you?’
‘No! ‘ she smiled at him.
‘It’s the long hunger I’ve felt for you. I love you.’
‘I know you do. There was only one way I was ever meant to go-towards you.’ Genny glanced up at the darkening sky, wildly excited. ‘I suppose we’d better go home.’
‘Yes, home!’ he said with a beautiful possessive smile, and gathered her in under his shoulder and turned her towards the car.