‘Yes, darling. Several times. But never mind. We’d better get today over first, before we start talking about weddings. What time are Flora and James arriving?’
‘I told Jonah to say one-ish, to give Jess time to get here. But Jonah’s coming down from Brockhill fairly early. I thought he might come in useful.’
‘And you just want him here anyway,’ teased her mother.
Leonie roused Fenny and helped her dress, and kept her away from Marzi long enough to eat some breakfast, then asked her mother for a list of tasks, and had finished most of them by the time she made her phone calls to Italy. There was no response from Roberto’s number, but Leonie got through at once to the Ravellos. Her news was received with much regret, but also with welcome sympathy, since Angela, the British wife of Luigi Ravello, the principal, had witnessed first hand Leonie’s anguish after breaking up with Jonah. The school, she informed Leonie, would not open until well after Easter anyway, and if another teacher was impossible to acquire in the time she would reorganise the timetable and take on some of Leonie’s lessons herself.
Leonie was jubilant when she opened the door to Jonah later. He dumped down a bag of clanking bottles, and hugged her tightly when she gave him the glad news.
‘I think my willingness to work long hours over the years stood me in good stead,’ she said happily, reaching up to kiss him.
‘Wonderful,’ said Jonah fervently. ‘Not that it matters. I wouldn’t have let you go back, anyway.’
‘You’re very masterful this morning,’ she teased.
‘I was masterful last night, too,’ he reminded her softly. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Very well. How do you feel this morning?’
‘I feel good. And if appearances are anything to go by, you feel the same way.’
‘I do,’ she assured him, then laughed as Fenny came running along the hall.
‘Jonah,’ she said urgently. ‘Can I be your bridesmaid?’
‘Oh, definitely,’ he said promptly. ‘How about Kate and Jess?’
Fenny nodded happily. ‘And Marzi, too. He can wear flowers round his neck.’
Jess surprised everyone by arriving early, wearing huge dark glasses and a linen trouser suit a shade or two darker than her hair. ‘Am I in time for all the fun?’ she demanded, running up the steps in stilt-heeled backless sandals.
‘How on earth do you walk in those?’ asked Kate enviously.
‘I don’t, cupcake, I take taxis!’ Jess gave her sisters an affectionate squeeze. ‘Great news about the dog,’ she said, grinning. ‘Between you and Marzi, Leo, the family must be in a state of constant euphoria.’
‘How about you?’ said Leo in an undertone, as they followed Kate to join the others. ‘How’s the new man?’
‘History.’ Jess shrugged philosophically. ‘Not my type after all. Never mind, some day my prince will come, I suppose.’
‘When he does, make sure you hang on to him,’ advised Leonie. ‘I took your little homily about trust to heart, by the way.’
‘Wise move. Men like Jonah are few and far between. Come on—I need that coffee!’
The meal was ready, it was a few minutes before the arrival of the guests, and the family was gathered for a pre-lunch drink in the drawing room when Jess came hurrying in to say she’d answered the phone on her way downstairs.
‘Jonah, don’t say your parents can’t come after all,’ said Frances, jumping up, but Jess waved her back.
‘It’s for Leo, not you, Mother. A man with the sexiest voice in the known world is asking for her.’ She grinned wickedly at Jonah. ‘Says his name’s Roberto Forli.’
Cursing herself for leaving a message on Roberto’s machine, Leonie bent to give Jonah a very deliberate kiss, then went off to the hall to pick up the phone.
‘Ciao, Roberto, that was quick,’ she said brightly.
‘Quick? You joke with me, Leonie. It is days since I spoke to you last. I tried to ring last night, but your phone does not answer. So today I asked the hotel receptionist to find out the number of your parents’ house, and, allora, I am speaking to you at last.’
‘Roberto, I’m so sorry,’ she said guiltily. ‘Things have been very hectic here.’
‘Leonie, I also am here,’ he announced in triumph.
‘Here?’
‘In your town of Pennington, tesoro,’ he said, laughing. ‘I told you I would surprise you.’
Leonie sagged against the wall. ‘You’ve certainly done that.’
‘I booked a room at this hotel because naturally I would not intrude on your parents before meeting them formally.’
For which she was deeply thankful. ‘Look, Roberto, we’re in the middle of a family party right now, so I can’t get away. But I’ll come and see you this evening.’
‘But of course. I have already booked dinner here at the Chesterton, Leonie. Would your parents care to join us? I am most anxious to meet them.’
‘Not tonight,’ she said swiftly.
‘Ah. You want me to yourself,’ he said with satisfaction.
‘Actually, Roberto, I have something to—to discuss with you.’
‘Then I shall wait with impatience to listen, carissima.’
‘I’ll be there about seven-thirty,’ she promised, and put the phone down to see Jonah standing in the doorway, eyes slitted in his set face.
‘You’ll be where at seven-thirty?’ he demanded.
‘Roberto’s at the Chesterton in Pennington. He’s flown over to see me—’
‘And just when was all this arranged?’
‘It wasn’t. It’s Roberto’s idea of a surprise. He tried to ring last night but I switched off my phone before I came to you.’ Leonie looked him in the eye. ‘I knew nothing about it, Jonah, but now Roberto is here it’s the perfect opportunity to speak to him in person.’
‘Is it really?’
‘Yes.’ Her chin lifted defiantly. ‘You don’t want me to go back to Florence, remember, so it’s only fair that I tell Roberto, face to face, that I’m going to stay here and marry you.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ said Jonah grimly. ‘Just in case he needs convincing.’
‘You will not,’ she retorted.
‘Hell, Leo, after last night do you expect me to look on meekly while you waltz off to see your former lover?’ He seized her by the shoulders, shaking her slightly.
‘He never was my lover!’
‘Whatever he is, I refuse to let you go on your own,’ he snarled, dropping his hands.
‘Go where?’ enquired Jess, coming to join them.
Jonah turned to her in appeal. ‘Leo’s off to see this man Forli tonight, and actually expects me to be magnanimous about it.’
‘What’s so odd about that?’ demanded Leonie. ‘Roberto’s a good friend—’
‘Friend!’ said Jonah scornfully.
‘Yes, friend!’
‘Then if he’s such a good friend he won’t mind if I tag along, will he?’
They stood glaring, eye to eye, like boxers before a fight.
Jess sighed impatiently, and stepped between them like a referee. ‘Pack it in, you two, or you’ll spoil the day for everyone.’
Jonah backed down a little. ‘Just ring the man and explain on the phone, Leo.’
‘I can’t do that,’ she said in despair. ‘I know what it’s like to be hurt—’
‘So does Jonah,’ her sister reminded her.
‘Thank you, Jess,’ he said, with an ironic bow.
‘Don’t thank me. None of my business.’ She brushed back a strand of bright hair. ‘If we weren’t expecting guests I’d leave you both to it. But my mother’s worked hard to prepare for this party, so kiss and make up, OK?’
But Leonie wasn’t even listening. She was staring through the window, her eyes on the car drawn up on the terrace. ‘Jonah!’ she said in alarm.
He put an arm round her at once. ‘What is it, darling—? Good God!’
‘Wow,’ said Jess, peering over her sister
’s shoulder. ‘Did you know about this, Jonah?’
‘No, I didn’t,’ he assured her.
‘I’ll run and fetch the others,’ said Jess, and raced off as fast as her heels would allow.
‘I’d better give Dad a hand,’ said Jonah, pulling himself together, and took Leonie by the hand as they went outside to hurry down to his father’s car.
Helen Savage smiled uncertainly from the back seat. ‘I’m gatecrashing, I’m afraid, Leonie. Flora insisted on bringing me. She persuaded me you wouldn’t mind.’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LEONIE recovered herself swiftly. ‘Of course we don’t mind. How lovely to see you!’ She leaned through the window to give the thin, fragile cheek a welcoming kiss, then turned to smile at James Savage as he got out of the car. ‘It’s so good to see you again, too.’
Jonah’s father was an older, greyer, slightly less tall version of his son. He gave Leonie a swift hug. ‘Welcome back, my dear. Wonderful news. We couldn’t be more pleased—but excuse me for a second, we need to extract Helen’s chair.’
Flora Savage rushed to embrace Leonie affectionately, then smiled reassuringly at her sister-in-law as Jonah lifted her out of the car. ‘Don’t look so worried, Helen. The Dysarts are very hospitable people. Frances will take an extra guest in her stride, won’t she, Leo dear?’
‘Of course she will,’ said Leonie promptly.
Flora took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. ‘Don’t panic. Helen is as eager to meet Fenny as we are.’
Leonie smiled in radiant relief as Jonah carefully deposited his aunt in the wheelchair James Savage had set up in the porch, wishing she had time to warn her parents. But when they came hurrying to greet their guests, neither of them displayed anything but the warmest of welcomes when they found Jonah’s parents had brought Helen Savage with them. There was a general round of greetings, then the guests were ushered into the house, and pressed to a celebratory glass of champagne to mark the occasion.
‘Where’s Fenny, Jess?’ whispered Jonah, as his father wheeled Helen towards the drawing room.
‘Kate’s washing her face and hands. She’ll bring her down in a minute.’ Jess blew out her cheeks. ‘Silly, I know, but I feel nervous.’
‘Me too,’ agreed Leonie.
Once they were settled in the drawing room everyone was soon so engrossed in general wedding talk Helen Savage visibly relaxed in the sincere warmth of her welcome. Then Leonie saw her tense as Kate led in a tidy, unusually shy Fenny. Confronted with three strangers, one of them in a wheelchair, Fenny’s usual exuberance was missing. Jonah crossed the room, smiling, to take the new arrivals by the hand.
‘The remaining Dysart ladies,’ he announced, steering them across the room. ‘You’ve met Miss Katharine before, of course—take a bow, Kate. And this is Fenella.’
‘Come on, Fenny,’ said Frances lovingly. ‘Don’t be shy. This is Jonah’s mummy and daddy, and this lovely lady in the special chair is Jonah’s aunt.’
Leonie held her breath as she watched Helen Savage gaze, mesmerised, into the elfin face of her husband’s daughter.
‘Hello, Fenny,’ said Helen at last, and smiled into the unmistakable eyes. ‘I hear your dog had an amazing adventure this week. I’d love to hear all about it.’
Fenny beamed, all shyness gone at once. ‘His name’s Marzi. He’s in the kitchen because Mummy won’t let him come in here. He was naughty and ran away, and Jonah climbed down the cliff to look for him and hurt his face. But Marzi was in the quarry all the time.’
From that moment on the occasion was a foregone success, with everyone in party mood as they toasted the engaged pair and enjoyed Frances Dysart’s excellent meal. Leonie kept a watchful eye on Helen Savage from time to time, but it soon became plain that Helen was enjoying herself enormously, and making no secret of the fact that she couldn’t keep her eyes off Fenny.
Fenny had a quite wonderful time, particularly when she discovered that Jonah’s mummy had brought presents for everyone, including a doll and several sets of clothes for herself, and even a leather bone for Marzi. She settled herself on the carpet to change the doll’s clothes, delighting Helen by asking for help when she couldn’t manage the tiny buttons and fasteners.
‘I hadn’t a clue about this,’ said Jonah in the kitchen later, watching Leonie make coffee. ‘My mother’s idea, needless to say. Dad said she felt Helen had a right to know about Fenny, and Mother was right, of course.’
‘Did Helen know about Rachel?’ asked Leonie.
Jonah looked at her thoughtfully. ‘I’m not sure, but I’m beginning to think she did. If she couldn’t share the physical side of marriage with Richard, maybe she preferred the idea of his relationship with Rachel to the obvious alternative.’
‘I suppose Fenny ought to know the truth at some stage.’ Leonie pulled a face. ‘Not that I want to be the one to tell her!’
‘Leave the decision to your parents.’ Jonah caught her hand and turned her towards him. ‘Changing the subject, Leo, are you still going to Pennington tonight?’
‘Yes, I am. I must, Jonah. Please try to understand.’ She looked down at the hand he was crushing. ‘If I do, will you want this ring back?’
‘Of course not!’ he said scornfully. ‘What I want, Leonie, is for you to see my point of view. Why the hell do you have to meet Forli to break the news to him? Just ring his room at the Chesterton and tell him what’s happened. Surely the man’s civilised enough to understand.’
‘Of course Roberto’s civilised, and he probably will understand. But he’s also a good friend and I’m fond of him,’ she said stubbornly. ‘After coming all this way to see me he deserves more than a phone call!’
‘I fail to see why. You didn’t ask him to come. Did you?’ he added suddenly.
‘No, I did not. Why are you so dead against my seeing him? Don’t you trust me?’ snapped Leonie, glaring at him.
‘Where’s the coffee?’ demanded Kate, joining them. ‘Mother’s getting fidgety in there.’
‘Sorry,’ said Jonah swiftly. ‘My fault, Kate. I’ve kept Leo talking.’ He picked up the tray and strode from the room.
‘Oops!’ Kate pulled a face. ‘I obviously hit on a bad moment.’
Leonie shrugged philosophically. ‘Just as well you did. You take the chocolates in, love, I’ll be along in a minute. I need a minute or two with a lipstick.’
When she rejoined the party Jonah was sitting on the floor with Fenny, helping her with one of the complicated puzzles his mother had brought her. He looked up at her approach, but made no indication that he wanted her to join them. In response to Flora Savage’s beckoning hand Leonie went to sit beside her instead, the strain of playing the role of happy bride-to-be so intense she was thankful when James Savage said it was time to leave.
‘Flora’s taking Helen back to the flat in Pennington for the night, to save a tiring drive back to London,’ he told his son. ‘But if you can tear yourself away, Jonah, I’d be glad of a walk round Brockhill for a while, to visualise some of the modifications for myself. You can give me a lift into Pennington later, if you would.’
Afterwards, during the general kissing and leavetaking, Jonah took Leonie by the shoulders and looked into her eyes for a long, questioning moment before giving her a swift peck on the lips—purely, she knew, because it was expected of him. She felt cold inside as his parents embraced her and reiterated how happy they were, and when the two cars drove off Leonie joined the rest of her family to wave them out of sight. Indoors there was general agreement that the lunch party had been a great success.
‘Though I was secretly shattered when I saw Helen Savage,’ said Frances with feeling. ‘But Flora told me later that she felt Helen had a right to—to meet us all again,’ she added, with a look in Fenny’s direction.
‘Come on, Fen,’ said Kate quickly. ‘I’ll get out of the washing up if we take Marzi for a walk.’
‘Skiver!’ said Jess, taking off her jacket. ‘Right, then. I got off sco
t-free last time, so it’s my turn today.’
‘You look exhausted, Mother,’ said Leonie. ‘Go and lie on a sofa with a book. I’ll help Jess.’
‘Any instructions for me?’ said Tom Dysart indulgently.
‘Go up for a nap,’ said Jess, and smiled at him cheekily. ‘Weren’t you going to do that anyway?’
He nodded, yawning. ‘But it’s nice to be given permission!’
When Leonie and Jess had banished everyone from the kitchen, they worked quickly and efficiently together.
‘Did I detect a certain frost when Jonah went?’ asked Jess.
‘You did.’
‘Same subject?’
‘Yes.’ Leonie’s mouth set stubbornly.
‘So you’re determined to see your Roberto tonight, then?’
‘He’s not my Roberto, which is the whole point of the exercise, Jess. I need to tell him that. And tell him about Jonah at the same time. If the wedding’s still on,’ she added with gloom.
‘Surely Jonah didn’t deliver an ultimatum!’
‘As good as.’
Jess stacked plates on a tray with concentration, frowning thoughtfully. ‘Not into a spot of retaliation by any chance, is he?’
‘He’s not above such things,’ agreed Leonie, ‘but in this case it goes deeper than that.’
‘Maybe he doesn’t fancy some chum in Pennington spotting his bride-to-be out on the town with a handsome Italian—I assume Roberto is handsome?’
‘I suppose so.’ Leonie’s eyes narrowed. ‘But I don’t think it’s that, either. Maybe Jonah feels I owe it to him to do as he asks. To make up for what happened before.’
‘Quite possibly.’ Jess went on drying glasses for a moment, then snapped her fingers in inspiration. ‘I’ve got an idea. A solution of a kind. Roberto won’t like it, but Jonah will.’
Leonie eyed her sister narrowly. ‘Are you volunteering to dine with Roberto instead of me, by any chance?’
‘No way,’ said Jess, smiling like a Cheshire cat. ‘But I’ll tag along with you. A nice dinner at the Chesterton is rather appealing. Do you think Roberto will feed me as well?’
A Vengeful Reunion Page 15