‘You didn’t have to stay at my mother’s last night, you could have gone to the old-time dancing with Laurette. After all, she invited you.’
‘I’m not married to Laurette, I’m married to you.’
He sighed heavily and his mouth tightened in aggravation. ‘I hope that doesn’t mean that I’ve got to be tied to your apron strings twenty-four hours a day for the rest of my life, because believe you me, I won’t be.’
Audra bit back the retort on the tip of her tongue, asking herself why she was bothering to argue with him at this particular time. Gwen was due to arrive within the hour and she wanted the atmosphere in the house to be tranquil. All she needed was for Gwen to think there was some sort of trouble between them.
And so she walked to the bedroom door, said softly, ‘I still have a few chores,’ and ran downstairs before he could say another word.
Pushing aside her worries about the recent changes in their relationship, she busied herself in the parlour-kitchen of their four-room cottage in Pot Lane. After covering the deal table in the centre of the floor with her best lace cloth, she took out several pieces of the beautiful china dinner service the Bells had given them as a wedding present, and went about setting the table for supper.
Once she had finished she glanced at the grate in the centre of the Yorkshire range, wondering whether or not to light the fire yet; these September nights soon turned cool. On the other hand, it was still sunny. Thinking of the weather reminded Audra that she needed fresh flowers for the table and for the console in the tiny sitting room next door. She hurried across to the work table next to the sink under the window, found the scissors in the drawer, took the flower basket off the set-pot and went outside.
The cottage did not have a name, only the number thirty-eight painted in white on its green door; it was one of three in a cul-de-sac behind The Towers in Upper Armley. Each house had a small garden, but Audra’s was the most flourishing and resplendent because the previous tenants had cultivated it well over the years. Also, she had tended it diligently herself since they had moved into the cottage in June, and had made some new plantings and other improvements.
The last of the summer roses were full blown, tipped heavy and luxuriant heads down to the dark earth, and as Audra bent over the bushes she breathed deeply of their scent. It was rich and sweet, and just a little heady, and it made her feel slightly dizzy. She began to cut the roses with great care, not wanting to destroy the fragile blossoms by knocking any of the petals off. She selected mostly from the pale yellow and pink blooms, since these seemed to be fading faster than the others.
‘You’ve no idea how bonny you look, love,’ Vincent said from the doorway of the cottage.
She glanced up.
He flashed her one of his most beautiful and winning smiles.
She smiled back, understanding that he now wished to make up. ‘Thank you,’ she murmured. Rising, she picked up the flower basket, walked towards him down the flagged garden path.
His eyes did not leave her face. When she came to a standstill in front of him, he put his arm around her affectionately and led her inside. After closing the door and taking the basket out of her hands, he drew her into his arms, kissed her deeply and with growing passion.
Audra responded, held onto him tightly, returned his kisses. And she did so willingly now, all of the resentment which had been building up falling away from her suddenly, unexpectedly. She thought: I love him, he loves me, and that’s all that matters really. We’ll work out our differences. Somehow we will.
After a moment he stopped kissing her, tilted her face up to his, looked down into her startling eyes. It seemed to him that their bright cornflower blue had turned to the deeper hue of the violet, and as always they reflected her innermost emotions. His own gaze was intense, searching. ‘Do you have any idea how much I want you at times?’ he asked finally, in a hoarse voice.
‘Yes.’ She hesitated, then whispered, ‘I feel the same way.’
Vincent smiled to himself, knowing how difficult it was for her to talk about such things. Trailing a finger down her cheek, he said, ‘Perhaps Gwen won’t stay too late?’ A dark brow lifted hopefully.
‘No, I don’t think she will. It’s Monday tomorrow.’
Vincent leaned closer, murmured in her ear, ‘Let’s make a date to have an early night, Mrs Crowther.’
‘Yes, let’s.’
He hugged her to him, then released her. Swinging away, Vincent walked over to the front door. ‘I’ll be back in time for supper.’
Surprised, she asked, ‘Where are you going?’
‘To my mother’s.’
‘But why?’
‘I promised Frank I would help him to fill in his military papers… Dad’s finally given him permission to join the army, and he’s very excited, our Frank is. You know how badly he wants to get into a cavalry regiment and go out to India. Can’t say I blame him, either. Not the way things are in this bloody country right now.’ He made a face. ‘So many men on the dole and more being laid off work every day.’
Audra held herself very still. ‘You’re all right at Varley’s, aren’t you? They’re not having problems too, are they, Vincent?’
‘No, no, of course not.’ He smiled reassuringly. ‘We’re in the middle of building that ruddy great house for old man Pinfold and his missus. Anyway, don’t you worry your little head about such things, that’s my job, as the man of the house.’ He blew her a kiss, flashed his cheeky grin. ‘Ta’rar, love, I’ll see you a bit later.’
CHAPTER 15
‘So you did get a sofa. Finally,’ Gwen said, stepping into the little sitting room from the parlour-kitchen.
‘Yes,’ Audra replied, following sharply on her heels, frowning at her friend’s back.
Gwen marched up to this piece of furniture, which stood in the centre of the room facing the fireplace, and promptly sat down on it. She crossed her legs, settled against the cushions and made herself comfortable.
Audra hovered in front of her, studying her face intently. It was bland, as always, and innocent enough. And Audra knew at once that Gwen had not meant anything mean or unkind by the remark, even though the way she had said finally had sounded a trifle catty, as if she thought they hadn’t been able to afford one before.
‘We bought the sofa two weeks ago,’ Audra volunteered in her usual quiet way. ‘We’d been looking for that particular style for quite a while, since before we were married, actually.’
‘Oh, had you,’ Gwen said and swung around, brought her face closer to the back of the sofa, the three strands of cheap beads rattling as she moved. She sniffed the material. ‘Mmmm. Leather. Very nice too, Audra. I must admit, I do like the genuine thing. Nothing imitation for me, either.’
Audra bit back a smile, walked over to the fireplace. She was amused by the incongruity of this last remark, in view of Gwen’s penchant for fake jewellery. Always dripping in it, and a walking advertisement for Wool-worth’s, she had really outdone herself today. She was bedecked in a curious assortment of coloured rhinestones and paste; none of it matched and she glittered like an out-of-season Christmas tree. But that’s my Gwenny, Audra thought with a rush of real warmth, her deep affection for her friend surfacing. She just wouldn’t be the same without her beads and bracelets and dangling earrings; they’re her trademark, and I don’t suppose I would change her, even if I could.
Smiling, Audra reached for the Swan Vestas on the mantelpiece. ‘It seems to have turned a little chilly,’ she said, crouching in front of the grate, striking a match. She brought the flame to the paper and wood chips and went on, ‘Are you sure I can’t get you a cardigan, Gwen?’
‘No, thanks very much, lovey, I’m all right. At least I will be now that you’re getting the fire going.’ Gwen smoothed her hand over the skirt of her brilliant red silk dress, explained, ‘I should have worn something warmer than this, I suppose, but it’s brand new and I wanted you to see it. Do you like it, Audra?’
‘It’
s a lovely frock and it really does suit you,’ Audra answered truthfully. She stood up, glanced approvingly at her friend.
Gwen preened; she patted her blonde hair. ‘And what do you think of my new marcel wave?’
‘I like it, and as a matter of fact I’m considering having one myself next week. Now, shall I make us a cup of tea? Or would you prefer a drink perhaps?’
‘I wouldn’t say no to a glass of sherry.’
‘I think I’ll join you.’ Audra went to the hutch cupboard in the corner of the room, took out a bottle of Amontillado and two glasses, carried them to the mahogany console table which stood against the back wall.
Looking over the back of the sofa at Audra, Gwen remarked, ‘And while we’re handing out compliments, let me pay you one. You’ve made this room look really nice, you have that, Audra. Your father’s paintings are beautiful, especially that one over the fireplace, and this furniture of your mother’s—well, it looks ever so handsome in here. The place does you proud, lovey.’
Audra beamed at her. ‘Thanks, Gwen, and I am glad you like it. The room’s small, of course, but that makes it cosy and comfortable, don’t you think?’
Gwen nodded, then let her eyes roam around. ‘And what did you say the name of this funny green on the wall is?’
Audra laughed. ‘Eau-de-Nil.’
‘What a strange name.’ Gwen made a face.
‘It means water of the Nile in French, and it’s a very popular colour at the moment… in fashion, I mean.’
‘Oh is it. Fancy that. Well, you always did keep up with the latest trends in clothes, lovey, didn’t you? I keep telling Mum that you’re the expert on fashion and styles and fabrics and all that kind of thing. I hope you realize how much I value your advice. Yes, you’ve got the best taste of anybody I know.’ Gwen accepted the drink from Audra. ‘Thanks, lovey,’ she said.
The two women clinked glasses and Audra stepped up to the fireside, sat down in one of the Chippendale-style chairs which had belonged to her mother. ‘I’m glad you think so—that I have taste, I mean.’
Gwen smiled at her. ‘And where’s Vincent then?’
‘He went to his mother’s, to help his brother fill out some papers. But he’ll be back in time to have supper with us.’
Gwen took a sip of sherry, not trusting herself to speak.
It seemed to her that Vincent was always rushing off to his mother’s house, on some pretext or another, but she did not dare say this to Audra. Ever since their tense discussion on the subject of Vincent in July, Gwen had been scrupulously careful not to make any critical remarks about him. She had soon realized, on that hot summer day when they went to tea at Betty’s Café in Leeds, that she was perilously close to losing Audra’s friendship, and this had both distressed and alarmed her.
Audra was extremely important to Gwen and so nowadays she kept a tight rein on her tongue at all times. But privately she believed that Vincent Crowther was not good enough for her friend, and nothing would make her change her mind. There was something about him that did not sit right with Gwen Thornton, although she would have been hard pressed to pinpoint what this was, if asked. She thought of him as being emotionally dangerous, and her instinct told her he would make Audra extremely unhappy one day.
She wondered, yet again, why he was constantly trotting off to his mother’s, if that was where he really had gone, and then dropped this thought. She was delighted he was not at home. This afternoon she wanted Audra to herself for a while. She had something important to tell her and she preferred to do so without Vincent being present. He could be very opinionated. And he expressed those opinions without being asked.
Conscious of the growing silence, Audra leaned forward, peered across the dusky room. The twilight had come down early today, and the only light emanated from the fire. ‘You’re very quiet, Gwen,’ she remarked. ‘Are you troubled about something?’
‘No, no, nothing’s wrong,’ Gwen was quick to say. She too drew closer, and let her voice sink low as she added, ‘I don’t want you to tell anyone, not even Vincent, but I’m thinking of getting married.’
‘How wonderful, Gwen dear!’ Audra cried, and then her brow furrowed in puzzlement. ‘But I thought Mike had another two years of medical school? You told me in the spring that he wouldn’t be able to afford a wife for a few years.’
‘Oh, but it’s not Mike I’m thinking of marrying.’
In the dimming light Audra could see that Gwen looked very pleased with herself, and this further perplexed her. ‘But you told me you were in love with Mike Lesley, and certainly the two of you have behaved as if you were in the past year… you’ve been like a couple of love birds in fact,’ Audra said, ‘so what’s suddenly happened to change all that?’
‘Don’t be so dense, Audra,’ Gwen said with a light laugh, ‘obviously I’ve met someone else.’
‘Who?’
‘It’s someone you know—well sort of—but you’ll never guess in a million years,’ Gwen declared, her voice echoing with glee.
‘No, I’m sure I won’t, so you’d better tell me.’
‘Geoffrey Freemantle.’
Audra was flabbergasted.
She opened her mouth, then closed it without uttering one single word. She simply gaped at Gwen in disbelief. Taking a deep breath, she said at last, ‘You don’t mean Doctor Freemantle? The one who was at the Fever Hospital for a while… you couldn’t possibly mean him.’
‘Why couldn’t I?’ Gwen asked with sudden huffiness, ‘of course I mean him.’
‘Oh.’ Audra put her glass down on the Sheraton table a little unsteadily. She was staggered. If ever a man was wrong for Gwen Thornton it was Geoffrey Freemantle. He was cold, arrogant, sarcastic and a snob. Good-looking yes, in a stiff, formal sort of way, and from a wealthy family, too, but he was a pompous and disdainful man, older than Gwen by about fourteen years. Audra found herself filling with genuine dismay and concern. It was hard for her to visualize the gay, laughing, fun-loving Gwen with such a stuffed shirt who believed himself to be superior to the rest of the human race.
‘Is that all you’re going to say? Just oh and nothing else?’ Gwen’s voice held a new tremulous quality and her feelings were obviously hurt.
‘No, of course it isn’t,’ Audra said, reaching out, squeezing Gwen’s arm. Pushing an enthusiasm into her voice which she did not feel, she added, ‘I’m very, very happy for you, Gwen, really and truly I am. But I must admit to being a bit taken aback, since this was the last thing I expected to hear today. How did it all happen? Do tell, Gwen.’
Mollified to a certain extent, Gwen said in a cheerier voice, ‘Well, after Geoffrey left Ripon, he went up to Northallerton, but he wasn’t particularly happy there, so he transferred back to the General Infirmary in Leeds, this past spring. Anyway, we kept running into each other in the corridors, and we remembered each other from Ripon. He was always very friendly with me—’ Gwen broke off and giggled. ‘He finally asked me out at the beginning of July. And after one date it happened—just like that!’ She snapped her thumb and fingers together and the glass rings flashed in the firelight.
‘It’s been a bit fast,’ Audra commented, very softly.
‘Yes, it has… just like you and Vincent.’
Well, she’s had the last word there, Audra thought and said, ‘How do your parents feel about it?’
Gwen’s face immediately underwent a radical change and she bit her lip, looking worried and troubled. ‘To tell you the truth, Audra, I’m ever so upset with Mum and Dad. They don’t seem to have taken to Geoffrey one little bit, and they’re not pleased. Course, I think that’s because Mike has been such a close chum of our Charlie’s for years and they always hoped I’d marry him. But what can I do? Geoffrey’s the one for me, oh yes, he is, lovey.’
‘So you’ve made up your mind, Gwen?’
‘Oh yes, I think so… no, I know so. And he’s quite a catch for me, really he is.’ Her face began to glow again, reflecting the imitation jewels aro
und her neck and she appeared to swell with pride. ‘We’ve been looking at houses in Headingley, and I think we’ve found just the right one. It has a dining room, a lounge, a study, and five bedrooms, perfect for when we start a family. Next week, Geoffrey’s taking me to Greenwood’s in Leeds, to pick out an engagement ring, a diamond engagement ring, and the announcement will be in the Yorkshire Post.’
‘Have you fixed a definite date?’ Audra asked. She forced a bright smile.
‘Not exactly, but Geoffrey wants us to be married in the spring, because he’s taking me to Paris for our honeymoon and he says you should only ever see Paris in the spring—for the first time, that is. He’s going to fit me out with lots of new clothes too, in Paris, and we’re to stay at the Ritz. Can you imagine that! And then we’ll go down to the Riviera. Geoffrey says mimosa time in the south of France is very beautiful and not to be missed and we’ll be spending a whole week at the Negresco in Nice. It’s a very posh place, you know, but then, so is the Ritz.’
Gwen finally paused, leaned forward eagerly, fixing her eyes on Audra’s face, seeking a reaction.
Audra simply smiled.
Clasping her hands together tightly, Gwen’s expression of excitement now changed to one of awe at the glamorous prospects facing her in the future.
‘Once we’ve settled in the house in Headingley, which I’m certain we’ll buy, Geoffrey is going to leave the Infirmary and set up in private practice. But not in Headingley. That’s too suburban, Geoffrey says. He’s going to take consulting rooms in Park Place in Leeds. He aims to be a fashionable doctor, treating the local gentry and society women, and he’ll be very successful and rich and I’m going to help him all I can. We’ll entertain a lot, for one thing, give elegant dinner parties and luncheons, and that’s why I need lots of new clothes, Geoffrey wants me to look very smart.’
Audra could only nod, since her dismay was increasing and she did not know what to say. The fake stones Gwen was wearing, glittering so brilliantly in the lambent flames of the fire, held her attention. For a split-second they seemed real, looked like emeralds and rubies and sapphires and not bits of Woolworth glass. The jewellery will be the first to go, she suddenly thought. He’ll make her get rid of it the minute they’re married. Audra felt a stab of sadness as she pictured Gwen stripped of all her silly garish baubles which were quite worthless, yet had always meant so much to her.
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