Impetuous Masquerade

by Anne Mather

  Glyn’s room was situated some distance from Rhia’s, for which she was grateful. Had that been Jared’s doing, or Lisa’s? she wondered, as she carried the tray along the corridor. They each had their reasons for keeping her and Glyn apart. Her lips trembled suddenly, and she had to bite on them to still their betraying quiver. She had thought she understood Jared’s reasoning; now she was not so sure.

  To her surprise, Glyn himself opened the door to her knock. He was already up, though not dressed, and there was still a night’s growth of beard on his chin.

  ‘If I’d known you were going to bring my breakfast to me, I’d have stayed in bed,’ he told her, bestowing a warm kiss on her parted lips. ‘I thought you’d still be sleeping. It’s early, isn’t it?’

  ‘It’s nearly nine,’ Rhia agreed, using the tray as a reason for keeping him at bay. ‘Where—where shall I put your breakfast?’

  ‘Oh—er—there’s a table near the window, isn’t there? Put it there. You can talk to me while I eat.’ He grimaced. ‘So long as you can bear to watch a blind man groping for his food!’

  ‘You’re not a blind man!’ Rhia made a sound of compassion. ‘Glyn, you’ve temporarily lost your sight. Temporarily, that’s all.’

  Glyn hesitated a moment, then he closed the door. ‘Okay,’ he said, ‘have it your way. But temporarily is lasting a hell of a long time.’

  Glyn talked while he had his breakfast, telling her about the ranch, explaining how it was run. ‘Running fifty thousand head of cattle takes a lot of organising,’ he explained, making Rhia smile ruefully at her foolish image of a dairy herd. ‘And although Jared has a ranch foreman, he keeps pretty close to it himself when he’s home.’ He shrugged. ‘I should tell you, much as I enjoy visiting, Moose Falls isn’t in my blood like it’s in Jared’s. I guess I’m like my father. I’m lazy.’

  ‘But—’ Rhia hesitated, ‘your mother seems to like it.’

  ‘Oh, yeah!’ Glyn was sardonic. ‘Mom loves being around Jared. She always has, I guess. I don’t know why she ever married Dad. They were never happy together.’

  Rhia caught her breath. ‘Glyn!’

  ‘It’s true.’ He was laconic. ‘I guess that was why he spent so much time away, fishing. He couldn’t stand the arguments. Anyway, according to Mom, she and Jared are planning to get married in the fall.’

  Later in the morning, Rhia was able to view that prospect with controlled equanimity. But right then she was stunned and showed it, and she was unutterably relieved that Glyn could not see her expression.

  ‘Do you ride?’

  Glyn’s question gave her something else to concentrate on, and moistening her lips, she said: ‘I—yes, a little. We did ride a bit when we were at school.’

  ‘We?’ Glyn frowned. ‘Oh, yes. You and—Rhia, isn’t it?’ His sightless eyes seemed to impale her. ‘What did she say when you told her you were coming to Canada?’

  Rhia forced a smile he couldn’t see, but she couldn’t seem to get it into her head that those blue eyes really were blind. ‘Oh, she was—very pleased for me,’ she replied carefully.

  ‘Was she? You surprise me.’ Glyn leaned across the table to grip her chilled fingers. ‘Didn’t you tell me she was generally jealous of the things you did?’

  Rhia’s gasp was barely audible. ‘I—did I say that?’

  ‘Sure you did. You said she was always grumbling at you, forcing you to do things she wanted you to do, instead of letting you have any fun.’ He shook his head. ‘She sounds quite a drag. Not at all like you.’

  Rhia expelled her breath unsteadily. ‘No,’ she agreed unevenly. ‘No—no, she’s not at all like me.’

  ‘So—’ Glyn raised her fingers to his lips, ‘you do ride.’

  ‘A little, as I said.’

  ‘Okay. So how about we take a ride this morning, hmm? I can feel the sun on my face, so I know it’s not raining. I’d like to show you the ranch, or at least some of it.’

  Rhia hesitated. ‘Oh, but—I mean—can you—’

  ‘—find my way about?’ Glyn interrupted her a little tersely. ‘Yes. Blindfold, as they say. Val, I was born here.

  I’ve ridden these ranges since I was three years old. I guess, with a little help, I shouldn’t make too much of a fool of myself.’ He paused. ‘Besides, I want to ride down to the bunkhouse and see Foo Sung.’

  ‘Foo Sung?’

  ‘That’s right.’ Glyn grimaced. ‘Taking a bath and putting on my clothes—they’re not too difficult; but shaving—that’s beyond me.’

  ‘And Foo Sung—’

  ‘He’s the cook,’ explained Glyn, getting to his feet and drawing her up with him. ‘He also cuts hair and gives the odd shave, if and when he’s asked for it. You’ll like him. And I want the guys to see you, to see what a peaches and cream English rose looks like.’

  ‘Glyn—’

  Rhia put her palms against his chest, but he was infinitely stronger now, and perfectly capable of overcoming her puny efforts to keep him at bay. ‘Relax,’ he breathed, his lips seeking hers with increasing urgency. ‘This is my room. No one’s going to interrupt us here.’

  ‘Glyn, I—your chin’s rough,’ she protested, seizing on the first thing that came into her head, and he heaved a deep sigh.

  ‘Okay,’ he said, lifting his head, but still continuing to hold her against him, ‘I get the message. Jared’s told you to lay off me, hasn’t he? Him and that know-it-all doctor. What was his name—Singh? He told me not to exert myself. Hell, doesn’t he know anything about the male constitution?’

  ‘Just give yourself a little more time,’ appealed Rhia tremulously. ‘D-darling, I don’t want you to—upset yourself.’

  ‘Upset myself!’ Glyn groaned. ‘Holding you like this is upsetting me, don’t you know that?’ He bent his head suddenly and buried his face in the nape of her neck. ‘You know, I think you’ve put on a little weight. And I like it—I like it very much.’

  Rhia’s breathing was quickening with nerves when someone tapped at Glyn’s door. It was like a reprieve, and Glyn made a sound of irritation when the tap was repeated.

  ‘Who is it?’ he called, without releasing Rhia, but his answer had assured his mother that she was not disturbing him, and without further ado the door opened, and Lisa appeared on the threshold.

  Rhia did not know who was the most embarrassed, herself or Glyn’s mother, but Lisa quickly recovered herself. ‘Oh, darling,’ she exclaimed, her sharp eyes taking in Rhia’s appearance and moving on to the breakfast tray behind them, ‘I didn’t realise you wouldn’t be alone. I just came to find out how you’d slept.’

  Realising Lisa was not about to leave without an assurance of his good health, Glyn was forced to release Rhia and face his mother. ‘I slept pretty well,’ he declared, as Rhia endeavoured to resume her composure. ‘I’ve just had breakfast, and after I’m dressed Val and I are going riding.’

  ‘Is that wise?’ Lisa moved further into the room, her long skirts rustling against the carpet. Like her son she was not yet dressed, but her frilled silk houserobe was as feminine and attractive as an evening gown. ‘Glyn dear, we all know you’re taking this affair marvellously well, but there are limits.’

  ‘I think your mother’s right, Glyn.’ Much as Rhia disliked supporting Lisa in this, she was forced to agree. ‘Maybe tomorrow we could take that ride together. Don’t you think you’re being a little ambitious, for your first day?’

  Glyn’s face contorted briefly, then he reached for her hand. ‘I’m not helpless, you know,’ he muttered, ‘I’m only blind!’

  ‘Glyn!’

  His mother gave Rhia a hostile look. ‘I must insist that you rest today at least,’ she declared, addressing her son, but still looking at the girl. ‘I’m sure—Val—can control her interest in seeing the ranch.’

  ‘Of course.’ Rhia refused to let the other woman disconcert her. ‘Darling,’ she caught her lower lip between her teeth as the involuntary endearment fell from her lips, ‘take everyone�
��s advice, and don’t try to rush things.’

  Glyn sighed, but it was evident he was weakening. Perhaps he was beginning to realise how weak he still was, thought Rhia compassionately, as he released her hand and grasped the post at the end of the bed.

  ‘Okay,’ he said, moving round the bed and sinking down on to the mattress. ‘I’ll promise to be good today, if you’ll promise to go riding with me tomorrow.’

  Rhia hesitated, looking at Lisa. ‘Well…’

  ‘Shouldn’t you wait and see how you feel tomorrow?’ his mother suggested tautly. ‘Speak to Jared—’

  ‘Jared’s not my keeper, Mom,’ retorted Glyn shortly. ‘Don’t crowd me, please. I have to learn to stand on my own two feet.’

  Lisa drew a deep breath and fixed Rhia with a baleful stare. ‘Very well,’ she said, ‘I’ll say no more. But if anything happens, I shall hold you personally responsible.’

  Rhia knew she meant her, but Glyn’s interpretation was different. ‘Of course,’ he agreed. ‘It’s my own fault, and no one else’s. Calm down, Mom. Nothing’s going to happen to me.’

  ‘I sincerely hope not.’ Lisa’ pale eyes were malevolent, and Rhia had the greatest difficulty in sustaining that critical gaze. ‘However, I must go and dress now. I’ll come back later, Glyn. When you’re alone. We haven’t had a chance to be alone together yet. I want to hear all about college. I’m sure—Val—will permit me that small favour.’

  Later in the morning, Rhia thought how good it was to get outside, into the crisp morning air. She could not have admitted it to Glyn, but the ambiguity of her position was a constant drain on her emotions, and his mother’s attitude tended to sour the atmosphere around her. It was a relief to get away from the house, and from Lisa’s unconcealed dislike, and she wondered why Glyn’s mother resented her so much. After all, she was here for Glyn’s benefit, not her own, and even if Lisa had disliked Val and what she stood for, surely she, Rhia, presented no threat.

  But outside, she was able to shed her anxieties in the pure delight of feeling the sun on her face, the sweet smell of damp grass invading her nostrils. She had asked Maria if it would be all right for her to go for a walk, and the old woman had offered no objections.

  ‘Just don’t go too far,’ she warned her sagely. ‘I don’t think Jared would want you getting lost, you hear?’

  Rhia didn’t see how she could. In this undulating landscape, one could see for miles, and the distant line of the mountains provided the perfect beacon.

  Even so, she took Maria’s advice and remained within range of the house. For one thing, she did not wish to encounter any of the men who occupied the buildings she could see through the trees, and for another, she did not want to spoil Glyn’s pleasure in showing his home to her. Besides, the horses in the paddock took her attention and she spent a happy hour talking to them before walking back to the house.

  Only she and Lisa occupied the dining room at lunchtime and it was not a comfortable meal. The older woman seemed determined to find fault with everything she did, and catching Maria’s eye, Rhia found an unexpected ally.

  ‘You really shouldn’t encourage Glyn to believe his life can go on as before,’ Lisa declared, forking cubes of honey-roast ham into her mouth. ‘I mean, it’s not as if you’re going to share that life with him. After you’ve gone, I’ll have to pick up the pieces, and quite frankly, I resent your efforts to interfere with his recovery.’

  Rhia gasped. ‘I didn’t know I was.’

  ‘You know perfectly well that going riding is the last thing Glyn should do. In his condition! If he should fall off—’

  ‘Glyn’s ridden a horse since he was knee-high,’ Maria remarked, placing a delicious quiche in the middle of the table. ‘Seems like you’re going to destroy his confidence, Mrs Frazer, if you don’t let him prove he’s still a man.’

  ‘When I want your opinion, Maria, I’ll ask for it,’ Lisa retorted brusquely. ‘I—I’ve got a headache. Do you think you could get me my tablets?’

  Maria took her dismissal in good part, and Rhia applied herself to her own meal. She didn’t want to get involved in an argument with Glyn’s mother. She was right. It wasn’t really anything to do with her. But somehow she had the feeling that Lisa’s dislike went deeper than a concern for her son’s well-being.

  Lisa disappeared after lunch, and guessing she had gone to see her son, Rhia spent the afternoon unpacking her cases. There was plenty of room in the deep drawers of the chest and the capacious hanging area of the walk-in closet to take all her things and more, and afterwards she seated herself at the desk and wrote a letter to her father. She did not mention Valentina, she merely told him she was holidaying in Canada. And let Val make of that what she liked, she thought moodily, wondering how her sister would have handled Lisa Frazer.

  Dinner was a more entertaining meal, primarily because Ben Frazer was present. Glyn, too, had joined them, pale but otherwise normal, only the growth of beard on his chin, indicating his continuing problem. He seated himself beside Rhia, asking her where she’d been all afternoon, and she realised Lisa had not been with him.

  ‘I thought—your mother—’ she began, not quite knowing how to explain herself, and suffered another killing look from Lisa as Glyn shook his head.

  ‘Oh, Mom spent the compulsory fifteen minutes with me, didn’t you, Mom?’ he remarked mockingly. ‘Afterwards, I listened to the television. You’d be surprised how entertaining a baseball game can be when you can’t see it.’

  Jared had joined them, too, but apart from asking Rhia how she had spent her day, he played little part in the conversation. He seemed withdrawn, as he had the night before, and only occasionally when Rhia’s eyes encountered his did she glimpse a brooding anger in their depths and wondered what he was thinking. But mostly, she knew a tight resentment towards him for taking advantage of her as he had, and her own responses to his questions were as non-committal as his own.

  His father, conversely, was quite loquacious, and it was he who kept the flow of conversation going. Drinking nothing but orange juice, Rhia noticed, he kept her amused with stories of the old West, though she guessed, from the expressions of the rest of the company, that he had told these stories many times before.

  Nevertheless, she was grateful to him for his friendliness, and even Glyn commented on this when the meal was over and he had allowed his uncle to guide him into a cosy sitting room.

  ‘I guess Pa’s setting out to show he can be as sober as the next man,’ he remarked, after Jared had left them.

  ‘He knows that Jared’s threatened to put him into one of those institutions to dry out if he doesn’t behave, and last night he really let Jared down.’

  Rhia frowned. ‘Jared wouldn’t really—I mean—would he?’ she finished lamely, and Glyn laughed.

  ‘Maybe not. But Pa will kill himself if he goes on at this rate. I guess Jared has to decide the lesser of two evils.’

  Rhia nodded. She had not thought about that. But then her thoughts were distracted by Glyn’s fingers probing the soft curls of the wig.

  ‘Y’know, your hair feels softer than it used to,’ he murmured, turning to press a kiss against the side of her neck. He gave a rueful sigh. ‘Sometimes, I get the feeling I never knew you before. You know, being blind has its compensations. I mean—my sense of touch seems greater somehow, and my sense of smell. I always knew you smelled delightful, but I like it when you get nervous, like now, because your body exudes its own perfume.’

  Rhia quivered. ‘Glyn, you’re making me nervous—’

  ‘Why? Because I find you fascinating?’ He paused. ‘What if I told you, I like you better like this. More—feminine, somehow. Not so aggressive.’

  Rhia expelled her breath unsteadily. ‘I think it’s time you went to bed, Glyn.’

  ‘Hmm.’ His lips nudged her cheek. ‘Is your room comfortable? Or would you rather share mine?’

  ‘Glyn—’

  ‘Okay, I’ll be patient.’ He grimaced. ‘That’s an
other aspect of this affair I’m not enjoying.’

  Rhia accompanied Glyn to the foot of the stairs, but then he insisted on going on alone. ‘I’ll find my way,’ he said tautly, ‘and without that walking stick Singh gave Jared at the hospital. I’m not going about with a white stick. Not until I have to anyway.’

  Rhia watched him mount the stairs and then went slowly back to the sitting room. She was tired, too, but it was important to allow Glyn to feel independent, and she could not bear to watch him as he groped his way up the stairs.

  To her surprise, Jared was just emerging from the sitting room, but he stood back to allow her to enter and then spoke as she sought the sofa where she and Glyn had been sitting earlier.

  ‘Where’s Glyn?’ he asked impersonally. ‘I was going to take him up to his room.’

  ‘He’s gone,’ said Rhia indifferently, avoiding his eyes. ‘He wanted to do it himself. I thought it was the best thing.’

  There was silence for a few moments, and she thought that he had gone. But when she glanced round, he was still standing there, looking at her, and her cheeks suffused with hot colour as she intercepted his gaze.

  ‘I suppose I should apologise,’ he said, his voice low and impatient. ‘I didn’t get the chance to do so last night, and this morning my father would have rather complicated things. So—will you forgive me? I’m not normally so barbaric. You must put it down to lack of sleep.’

  Rhia said nothing, sitting on the edge of the couch, her arms hugging her knees. She wished he would go. She didn’t want his apology, and she didn’t actually believe he meant it. He was simply trying to ease himself out of what could be an awkward situation.

  ‘Well?’ He spoke again, and to her consternation, he walked across the carpet to stand in front of her. She could see his leather-booted feet, and the narrow line of his suede pants, but she didn’t look up, and his feeling of irritation was audible. ‘Don’t you have anything to say?’