The creaking of the wicker chair caught Felicity’s wandering attention, Colonel Brenton had stirred and, fully awakened from his doze, he was pulling himself up in his seat. In a moment Felicity was at his side, arranging the cushions more comfortably. “You’ve been sleeping—enjoyed it?” she teased, then went on, “Now how about a hot drink—tea or something?”
“The unorthodox hours at which you young women drink tea quite stagger me.” The twinkle in his eye belied his words. “Around half past eleven, isn’t it? How about a glass of port and a biscuit. Sounds far more attractive to me.”
“As you say, Colonel—you always get your way in the end, and now I’m learning that it saves a lot of trouble to give in at the start!” She smiled at him affectionately, then went in search of Mackerley. In a moment or two she was back again empty-handed. “He won’t even let me bring the tray. Says he doesn’t mind me handling tea and coffee but the port is far too precious to be entrusted to the like of me. I suppose he imagines that as a mere member of the weaker sex I’d shake well before serving!”
“Habit might prove too strong!” he rejoined, then with an air of complete contentment, settled back against his pillow. “Lovely day, makes me feel I’d like to be down at the stream with a rod in my hand.”
“I don’t see why you shouldn’t start fishing again pretty soon. It isn’t strenuous, you could take the walk slowly and I’m very good at selecting the appropriate fly.”
“You are in fact a very well brought up young lady.” He smiled at her and beneath his shaggy brows his eyes were alight with laughter. “Frampton trained you well. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Quite a lot,” Felicity countered. “It all depends upon one’s standards of requirements. You see riding, golfing, fishing and playing a fair game of chess aren’t really valuable accomplishments. I had reason to find that out when I was faced with earning a living.”
“That reminds me, I owe you half a crown, but I’ll win it back tonight. No young woman is going to beat me at chess,” he threatened with mock resentment.
There was an interruption as Mackerley, with almost exaggerated care, placed the tray of biscuits and decanter on a low table between their chairs, then, as if performing a solemn rite, carefully filled two crystal glasses. He even waited until Colonel Brenton had taken the first sip, then, satisfied by his smile of appreciation that all was well, made his departure.
“Is that a letter from California?” Colonel Brenton asked as he set down his glass. “The newlyweds certainly write you regularly. What’s the news, is all well?”
“It’s better than well, it’s terrific! They seem ideally happy. Alaine loves the life out there and has even refused Tony’s suggestion that she might like to return to film work. Tony wrote me that he felt it only fair to make the offer but I think he was relieved when she refused.”
“I saw it from the first—those two were cut out for one another.” Colonel Brenton’s words did not appear to be directly addressing Felicity. “Their marriage was a foregone conclusion, it couldn’t have happened any other way.”
“You mean you weren’t shocked or surprised at what happened?” There was a note of amazement in Felicity’s voice. “I had never dreamed of such a possibility. After all, the date of Alaine’s marriage to Guy was already fixed.” It was the first time the subject had been broached between them and Felicity felt not only interested but curious to hear her companion’s view.
“I knew a day or so after your brother arrived here. Never have I seen two people more attuned to one another. Guy could never have made her happy, she believed she cared for him but she was not yet awake, and their marriage would ultimately have crushed them both.”
Felicity remained silent, deeply aware of the truth of her companion’s assertion, but that he should have guessed at the growing attachment between Alaine and her brother was something which amazed her.
Resting his glass on the low table, Colonel Brenton went on. “Alaine seemed to change in Tony’s company, she was herself, all artifice fell from her; that egotistical streak was no longer apparent and she became a warm-hearted, lovable girl.”
The picture became clearer. At the time she had been blind, perhaps wilfully, but feeling that some comment was expected of her, she spoke. “I believe you are right—”
“I knew I was right, otherwise I should not have acted as I did. It’s ticklish a matter—even for a man of my age—to meddle with affairs of the heart, but I had to make those two face facts squarely; if Tony had returned to California and left Alaine here it would have been a calamity. Three lives broken just through a mistaken sense of honour.”
“You mean—” Felicity broke off, fearful of putting her thoughts into words and uncertain whether she had perhaps misunderstood.
“Yes, I deliberately pushed them together.” His eyes twinkled. “I suppose my action doesn’t conform to your ideals of right and wrong. I’ve seen too many broken marriages and you must realize I wasn’t wholly disinterested, my son s welfare means so much to me and a moment’s heartache is better than a lifetime of regrets. Anyway, it probably hurt his pride more than anything else. Although he pretends to avoid the subject, he is really quite interested in your news from California. He never asks outright but is always digging for information and I know that what I have been able to tell him of Alaine has afforded him infinite satisfaction.”
“I can see now that you were right.” Felicity spoke slowly as she tried to adjust her mind to this revelation. “I agree with you that Guy gives every appearance of having got over the loss of Alaine, but he did love her, I’m sure he did.”
“Possibly, but there are so many qualities and shade of that much abused word,” he reminded her wisely and now his eyes sought hers. Their expression was inscrutable but there was no mistaking their affection.
“Guy knows little or nothing about women and, between you and me, he is more than a little scared of them. He would never have taken the slightest notice of Alaine if she hadn’t made him, and finding himself for the first time in his life on really intimate terms with a girl, he imagined himself in love.” The old man chuckled reminiscently. “I’ll never forget the first time he brought her down to Weir, he still seemed dazed from her shock tactics.”
“Enjoyed your port, sir?” Mackerley making his appearance on the terrace, picked up the tray. “It’s the last bottle of this vintage, must save a drop for Mr. Guy tonight, he appreciates a good port.”
“Tonight? Is he coming down this week-end?” the Colonel questioned with obvious pleasure.
“He just phoned, sir, getting down this afternoon for tea,” Mackerley replied. “Hasn’t been here for close on ten days now, he’ll see a big change—and be pleased about it, I’ll warrant,” he remarked as he gazed approvingly at his master. “I reckon you’ve made wonderful headway and put on a bit of weight, too!”
“Hardly surprising with this conspiracy of yours and Nurse Dene’s to feed me at every hour of the day!” he grumbled, but it was obvious that his words had no effect upon either Felicity or his old batman other than to reduce them to laughter.
“Felicity dear, pass me my paper.”
Placing the morning papers on his lap she carefully polished his spectacles and laid them on top. “Now is there anything else you want? I think I’ll go for a stroll, otherwise I’ll have Mackerley telling me I’ve put on weight too!”
“That’s right, my dear, you have a stroll ... and get some colour into your cheeks or I’ll have Guy telling me I’m overworking you.”
The reminder of Guy’s imminent arrival renewed Felicity’s first feeling of consternation and sent a flush to her cheeks.
“You are in love with Guy, aren’t you?”
The direct question was so shattering that Felicity dropped back into her chair and put her hands to her face as if she would conceal her heightened colour. “I—I don’t know what you mean,” she faltered, miserably conscious of those brown eyes now twinkling at her w
ith silent laughter.
“Of course you do!” her companion insisted. “It would be an insult to me if you denied it. After all Guy is my son and I am told that he closely resembles me,” he jested.
Bereft of words Felicity could only stare at her companion in unhappy bewilderment. The blush had now receded and she had to grip her hands tightly together in her lap to control their trembling.
“I believe—no, I think I know that Guy returns your feelings, and there is nothing in the world that would please me more than that he should find happiness with you.” There was no hint of laughter in his voice as he leaned forward and put his hand gently over Felicity’s as they rested clasped in her lap. “Has it surprised you that I should speak so frankly? You, too, have come to mean so much to me...” His voice had become unsteady and for the first time since he had commenced speaking, he showed same doubt and uncertainty.
“No, of course not,” the words were scarcely above a whisper. “I do care for Guy, I can see that it would be useless to deny it. I have always admired him, then during his illness and when he was completely dependent on me my feelings changed to something deeper than mere friendship. He was soon to be married, I had to resign myself to the idea—then—then suddenly he was free.” Her voice was unsteady and she had to take a deep breath before she could control herself sufficiently to continue. “I couldn’t bear to go on seeing him, so I had to make up my mind to get right away. When you were taken ill and he asked me to come down here, I wavered but hadn’t the strength to refuse.” She turned impulsively to her companion and now there was no hesitation in her words. “I’ve enjoyed looking after you, I haven’t regretted it for one moment, I love being here, I love Weir Court.”
“So, like your brother, you meant to run away from the greatest gift this life has to offer?” His tone was gentle and with a final pressure of his fingers he dropped his hand from hers. “Don’t you realize how wrong that would have been?”
“I couldn’t do otherwise, I’ve only delayed the inevitable end, even now I dread Guy’s visits. I’m frightened of giving myself away, and if it weren’t that I feel you still need me—”
“Will you take advice from an old man?” Aware of her distress he instilled a note of lightness into his voice. “I ought to know Guy, I’m his father. He feels the same as you do but you are too reserved in his company. Alaine had the good sense to make the running, I don’t know how she did it but you should take a leaf out of her book. She gave him the very encouragement that he needed, and he fell for her wiles. How much more readily would he succumb to you!” He gave a chuckle of amusement. “Cheer up, Felicity! I proved to you my flair for matchmaking. After my admission of the part I played before, surely you can trust me now?”
“Of course I trust you! But are you suggesting I make advances to Guy? I’d better till you right away that I couldn’t compete with Alaine, I don’t possess her charm and I shouldn’t even know how to begin!” She raised her eyes and a light of amusement began to dawn in them.
“You have everything Alaine has and more—you have Guy’s love, she never had that, but she was clever enough to make him believe she had.”
“I wonder—” Felicity began, then broke off abruptly while she struggled to absorb the true significance of his words.
“Use some subtlety, my dear. Guy is so ridiculously diffident, break down his defences, stop being so cool and offhand, use all the irresistible wiles which you have in plenty.” He laughed softly. “If you can’t do that then you aren’t the girl I think you are!” He leaned toward her chair and touched her arm to compel her attention. “Now listen to me, this weekend you’ll accept Guy’s invitation to ride—and just in case it isn’t forthcoming you’ll go along to the stable now and tell Adams to bring the horses round after tea. Refusing him every time he asks ... and making my health the excuse too!” he added with mock indignation. “I won’t be made a tool for such nefarious doings. You are deliberately turning your back on Guy, building a barrier between you. Be careful the barrier does not get too high.”
“You are quite right!” Felicity agreed, her cheeks dimpling into their most bewitching smile. “I will ride with Guy today, and I’ll do as you suggest and order the horses now.” She stood up and was surprised at the light-hearted feeling of gaiety which pervaded her whole being. She stooped impulsively and dropped a light kiss on his forehead. “You are a darling, and I believe there is an awful lot of truth in what you say. I know I’ve been frigid on the few occasions Guy has been here, I’ve been afraid of giving myself away. I see now that perhaps I was wrong—but then I felt that he could not possibly return my love.”
“At least you’ve the right to find that out—and you won’t unless you try. No man could be expected to interest himself in a girl who showed the icy reserve you have done, particularly a man of Guy’s calibre.”
“All right, I’ll be weak and womanly—this very afternoon,” she laughed and her laughter held a low, musical cadence. “I’ll be all cajoling smiles and dimples, you’ll hardly know me—if that doesn’t give him the encouragement which you say I’ve denied him, then it will certainly send him back to London by the next train, and it will be your fault if it does!”
“Go now and order the horses, then change into your prettiest frock. You hide behind that uniform as if it were a cloak of armour, and when Guy’s here you don’t even change at night.”
So he had noticed that! With his laughter still ringing in her ears and feeling as if she walked on air, Felicity made her way to the stables and obediently gave her instructions to the groom. Although her patient needed far less attention now, Felicity could always find plenty to do, and as she gathered armfuls of flowers, she was already planning the menus for the week-end. Mrs. Mackerley was really glad of Felicity’s help with many of the household tasks, and she was only too happy to be of assistance.
Returning to the house, the flowers in her arms, she paused beneath the lilac-tree, bowed down with its heavily laden branches. Raising herself on tiptoe she plucked some of the scented blossom and laid it carefully across her arm with the other flowers. It was of Guy she thought as she inhaled its sweet perfume and gently touched the tiny petals. He seemed inextricably linked in her thoughts with her memories of Peter, yet she knew now that her early love had been no more than the romantic stirring of a girl’s heart and held no semblance to the deep surge of emotion which Guy had roused within her.
After lunch, when she had changed her uniform for a cool linen frock and was taking a last look in her mirror, she wondered, not without some trepidation, whether, when Guy’s arrival was an accomplished fact, she would be able to stand by her resolution of the morning. By the time his car drew up and he had mounted the steps to the terrace, her courage began to fail her and she had an instinctive urge to retire again behind her defensive reserve. It was Colonel Brenton’s encouraging smile which spurred her flagging spirits as she advanced with outstretched hand to greet Guy.
“It was a lovely surprise to hear you were coming,” she told him warmly. “It’s ten days at least since you’ve been down. I expect you see a difference in your father.”
“A tremendous improvement,” Guy agreed enthusiastically. “He looks marvellous and I believe he has put on weight.”
“Now don’t you start that,” Colonel Brenton interrupted. “Come and have some tea and stop studying me as if I were a prize bull.”
It was a cheerful meal and having once relaxed, Felicity found it less difficult to go on. The Colonel’s sly glances of approval certainly helped and at times it was only with difficulty she could restrain her laughter.
Guy, after his first show of surprise, seemed to have been only too willing to fall in with her mood, although she was conscious of his lingering air of mistrust and his occasional glance in her direction as if he were seeking enlightenment for her sudden change of behaviour. When it was Felicity who suggested a ride with the added information that the horses were already ordered, he could no lon
ger conceal his pleasure and surprise.
“So you aren’t making Father an excuse today. Well I’m glad of that, because I wouldn’t have believed you this time if you’d said that he couldn’t be left.” Guy smiled at her, showing himself only too ready to fall in with her mood. “Let’s go up and change. When is Adams bringing the horses round?”
“In about ten minutes.” Felicity watched Guy hurry up the stairs, then stooped for a minute beside Colonel Brenton’s chair. “How am I doing?” Her blue eyes sparkled beneath their curled lashes and the bow of her lips was curved into a bewitching smile.
“Fine, my dear, fine!” His face was wreathed in smiles. “Better than running away, isn’t it?” he asked teasingly.
“Much!” With a final pat to his cushions she followed Guy up the stairs and hurried along the corridor to change for the ride.
When they had reappeared on the terrace the horses were saddled and ready, their hooves pawing at the gravel with impatience. “Have a good ride,” Colonel Brenton addressed them both, then turning to Felicity added, “mind that horse, be gentle with the curb, he’s inclined to be sensitive.”
“What did he mean?” Guy asked in an undertone as they walked side by side down the steps to the waiting mounts. “That’s Nigger you’re riding, the one you’ve ridden before, he is not a bit sensitive, quite easy to handle.” There was a note of surprise not untinged with concern in his voice. “Father’s memory is all right, isn’t it? It’s never shown the slightest sign of failing.”
“Oh, perfectly all right,” Felicity reassured him. She could hardly add that Colonel Brenton’s words might not necessarily have been referring to the horse!
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