Wicked Pleasures

by Helen Dickson

  Alone in the conservatory, Grant stood looking out over the gardens, feeling strangely content and pleased with himself. The sun shone on breathtaking beauty, melting the snowman, which had given him so much pleasure in building it with Adeline. Trees stood sharp against an azure sky, the snow on their branches glittering like scattered diamonds.

  Letting his gaze travel beyond the gardens to the lake, with some amusement he had watched Adeline’s and Lettie’s antics on the ice, which seemed to have involved a great deal of laughter. Although Adeline had had difficulty keeping her balance, they’d been having such fun. He thought of Adeline as she had been yesterday, when they had built the snowman. She had been full of fun and life, incredulous and amazingly natural. She had taken his breath away. Her cheeks had been as red as poppies, her eyes jewel-bright. And as he’d watched her from a distance, he’d felt the melting of something warm and sweet run through his veins like warm honey.

  She really was quite magnificent, he thought, with a catch in his heart.

  Trees and bends obliterated parts of the lake, and the girls weren’t always visible. When they stepped off the ice he watched a man approach them. Too far away to see who it was, he had no reason to be alarmed—but when he saw Lettie turn and begin skating frantically away, with the man in pursuit, he looked to where Adeline stood, a forlorn, still figure against the stark white backdrop. As if he could feel her distress, he threw open the door and with long strides ran towards the lake.

  On reaching the edge he stopped and looked around. The man had disappeared. Where had he gone? Then he saw Adeline. Having removed her skates, she was running towards him, pointing to the centre of the lake, where there was nothing but a black hole. Lettie had stopped and was staring at where Adeline pointed.

  Absolutely distraught, Adeline could feel her heart beating heavily. When she reached Grant she was gulping her words out while she blinked up into his face. ‘The ice—his weight must have been too much for the thin ice. He—he’s gone through, Grant. He’s in the water. What can we do? If we attempt to get him out there’s a danger we’ll fall in, too.’

  Gathering her in his arms, he drew her close, and all the while he held her he was aware of her body near his, of her breath sweet and warm against his throat. ‘There now. Don’t distress yourself. Who is it? Do you know?’

  ‘Jack—Jack Cunningham. I believe he wanted to harm Lettie—you, too, Grant—he was so full of hate. But—oh, this is all so awful.’

  They were joined by Lettie and Roland who, like Grant, had seen what had happened from the house. Grooms and servants began to appear—summoned by Roland on his way to the lake—one of them carrying ropes, another planks of wood.

  Acting swiftly, Grant thrust Adeline away from him. After removing his jacket, grim faced, he took one of the ropes and fastened it around his upper body.

  Cold and shaken, Adeline stared at him in horror and disbelief. ‘Grant, what are you doing? You can’t go in there. Jack must be dead by now. No one could survive this long in freezing water.’

  ‘I have to do this, Adeline. I have to see if I can find him, otherwise I couldn’t live with myself. If he’s dead, then so be it. But at least I will have tried.’

  ‘Adeline’s right, Grant,’ Roland said, concerned by his brother’s decision to go under the ice, where the water swirled restlessly. ‘It would be impossible to withstand the cold beneath this ice for long.’

  ‘I have to, Roland. Just keep hold of the rope and haul me out if I’m down there too long.’ His face was closed when he stared at Adeline for a moment, then he turned and stepped onto the ice, making his way to where Jack had gone through.

  When he plunged into the icy water, rooted to the spot Adeline fastened her eyes on the point where he’d disappeared, unaware that she was holding her breath, or that a stricken Lettie had come to stand beside her and had taken her hand in a firm grip. She couldn’t bear it, standing there, safe in the sunshine, while Grant was in dreadful danger under the ice. He had been down there a long time. Why didn’t he come back up? And then the sight of his dark head surfacing revived her fading hopes.

  Shaking the water from his hair and gulping in air, Grant disappeared once more. The longer he remained under water, the more Adeline felt as if she were dying, and she had to fight against the creeping, growing weakness which froze the blood in her veins. Her soul, her very life itself, was concentrated in her eyes, fixed unmoving on the spot where he’d gone under. Tearing her gaze away, she looked at Lettie anxiously.

  ‘He’s been down there too long, Lettie. He’ll have to come up soon or he’ll freeze to death.’

  ‘He will—look…’

  Grant had located Jack’s body, several yards from the spot where he’d fallen in. Dragging it to the surface, he tied the rope beneath Jack’s armpits.

  ‘Pull me out first,’ he shouted to the men. ‘Before you have two corpses on your hands.’

  With great effort, and much slipping and sliding, this they did. A blanket was thrown over Grant’s shoulders, and he stood and watched as Jack’s body was hauled out before going to where Adeline and Lettie stood huddled together. His face was drawn and ashen, and water dripped from his wet hair. He smiled at them with difficulty, to try and allay their fears.

  Adeline’s relief was immense, but she could not control her trembling.

  Grant touched her cheek, looking at her tenderly. ‘I’m all right. Don’t worry.’

  ‘What will happen to Jack?’ Lettie asked, looking across the ice at Jack’s lifeless body.

  ‘The police will take him away. There will be questions asked, which I will deal with. Come, let’s go back to the house. We’ll leave them to it. There’s nothing we can do here, and I must get out of these wet clothes. We have to inform Mother what has happened, but we’ll tell everyone else that there has been an accident and that some unfortunate skater has gone through the ice.’

  Hester received the terrible news in complete silence, before looking at Lettie who gazed straight ahead, dry-eyed. She stood passively, showing no emotion, her mind seemingly elsewhere. Secretly she was filled with a relief so profound she truly believed she might expire from it. Jack Cunningham was dead. Now she could get on with the rest of her life.

  The following day everyone was relieved to find Grant no worse after his ice ordeal.

  It was Christmas Eve, and with the dark came the carol singers, lighting their way with lanterns. As all the well-loved carols were sung all those who had known Jack Cunningham were determined not to let his death intrude and spoil the Christmas festivities. Afterwards there was much jollity as mulled wine and hot mince pies were handed round. And then it was time for the children to go to bed, each one excited about the imminent arrival of Santa Claus.

  Where there had been chaos now there was calm, as exhausted adults revived their spirits, roasting chestnuts and drinking port wine, and when the church bells rang out the midnight hour Adeline, along with several others, went to celebrate Midnight Mass at the village church—the oldest custom of the Christmas festival.

  On Christmas morning it was church again, after which Grant handed out gifts to the staff, and at midday there was the traditional Christmas dinner in the dining room, with the mahogany table extended to its full length. Evergreens adorned the walls and candles guttered in candelabrum along the centre of the table, along with baskets of nuts tied with red and gold ribbons. Turkey was served with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding, brought into the room ablaze.

  When everyone was replete, Grant rose to his feet to propose a toast, and Adeline was more than happy to see he was wearing the gift she had given him earlier. As if he’d picked up on her thoughts he fingered it, and his grey eyes locked onto hers in silent warm communication. The ghost of a smile flickered across his features.

  After the meal guests retired to their rooms, to loosen tight clothing and take a nap in readiness for later, when neighbours and local dignitaries had been invited to a quiet, cold b
uffet supper.

  Having no desire to rest, Adeline went in search of Lettie, finding her in a small sitting room with her mother and Anna. Conversation ceased and gazes swivelled to her. Adeline frowned, wondering bemusedly why she sometimes caught the three of them looking at her oddly.

  ‘I do hope I’m not intruding. Is anything the matter?’

  The three of them exchanged awkward glances.

  ‘The matter? No—no, we were just discussing the party tomorrow night—is that not so, Mother?’ Lettie was quick to say.

  Looking rather startled, Mrs Leighton looked from Adeline to Lettie and back to Adeline. ‘Yes—yes, that’s right. Every Boxing Day night there’s a traditional ball for the servants. As you will know, Adeline, they all work so hard at Christmas time. They are an integral part of the household—and it’s their home, too, one mustn’t forget. Since they are unable to be with their families they are given special treatment.’

  ‘It sounds like fun,’ Adeline said.

  ‘It will be,’ Lettie enthused. ‘Grant has to lead the dancing with Cook, and Mother with the house steward. On the whole everyone has a good time. I hope you’ve brought your best party dress, Adeline.’

  ‘My very best—which you helped me choose in London.’

  ‘What’s this about a party dress?’

  They all turned as one to Grant, who had just come in.

  ‘We were just telling Adeline about tomorrow, Grant,’ Lettie answered.

  He looked in alarm from his mother to Lettie. ‘Tomorrow? You were?’

  ‘Tomorrow night. You know—the dance.’

  As Adeline looked at Grant she heard the emphasis Lettie placed on the words, and she also heard Grant expel his breath in a rush of relief.

  Lettie got up and linked her arm through Adeline’s. ‘Let’s take a stroll around the house, Adeline. I ate far too much plum pudding and feel the need to walk it off.’

  ‘Don’t feel you have to leave on my account.’

  Lettie smiled sweetly at her brother. ‘We’re not. I just want to talk to Adeline, that’s all.’

  They sauntered to the conservatory, sitting in wicker chairs and looking out over the snow-covered landscape. Tall, exotic plants reached the glass roof. There was the sound of falling water, and the smell of flowers and damp earth filled the air.

  Lettie told Adeline that when Anna and David returned to Ireland she had decided to go with them for a short stay.

  ‘I feel I have to get away for a while, Adeline, to try and rebuild my life into the best I can salvage—without Jack. You know, I feel enormously relieved now he can no longer threaten me. It was rather tragic—the way he died—but when Grant told me the police had found a firearm in his pocket, I realised he did mean to kill me—and Grant. He really hated me.’

  ‘You must put it behind you, Lettie, and try not to feel too bad about what you did.’

  ‘I know—and I will. When I get back I intend to throw myself into my work again. It’s a man’s world, Adeline, with a woman’s part in it defined as very little. My affair with Jack taught me that if nothing else.’

  ‘I’m going to miss you.’

  Leaning back in her chair and folding her hands in of front her, Lettie looked at her, a small, secretive smile playing on her lips. ‘Oh, I don’t know. I think you might have other things on your mind and will have no time to miss me.’

  ‘What on earth are you talking about?’

  ‘You and Grant.’

  ‘What about me and Grant?’

  ‘Well, it’s just that you seem to be getting on well.’ She smiled knowingly. ‘I was watching you the other day.’ She raised her brows. ‘The snowman?’

  Adeline felt her face go red. ‘Oh, that. We were enjoying ourselves.’

  ‘Very much, by the look of things. Are you still in love with him?’

  The direct question took Adeline by surprise. ‘I—like him, of course.’

  ‘I think it’s more than that,’ Lettie said quietly.

  ‘Lettie, apart from our antics in the snow, he’s hardly spoken two words to me,’ Adeline retorted, unable to conceal the frustration she felt at Grant’s indifference. ‘He treats me just like all his other guests. I don’t think he sees me half the time.’

  ‘Grant is as aware of you as you are of him. He can’t tear his eyes off you when he thinks you aren’t looking.’

  Adeline’s heart soared precariously. ‘He can’t?’

  ‘He certainly knows you’re here,’ Lettie said, laughing. ‘He’s got something very special as a Christmas present for you,’ she went on. ‘I know you’ll like it.’

  ‘He has?’ Her interest and her heart quickened. ‘What is it?’

  Lettie’s eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Ah, that would be telling—and it’s for Grant to reveal it. I hope you’ll be pleased.’

  Adeline was becoming more intrigued by the minute. Everyone was behaving most strangely.

  Adeline stood in the hall as the evening’s guests began to arrive. She was watching the door when Diana Waverley, wrapped in sables and with exquisitely coiffed hair, swept in, her manner one of haughty arrogance. The sight of her here at Oaklands momentarily scattered Adeline’s defences, and she felt her heart sink in dismay. As she handed her furs to the house steward, Diana looked striking in a sweeping plum-coloured gown of costly good taste, the low-cut rounded neckline of her bodice exposing a generous glimpse of full, creamy breasts.

  Adeline wholly understood Grant’s infatuation, and it hurt her more than she had imagined anything could—more so as she watched Grant receive her and introduce her to his mother. Why hadn’t he told her he’d invited Diana? If so she could have prepared herself. And why had he invited her anyway?

  Diana’s gaze passed idly over those present. When she saw Adeline surprise registered briefly in her eyes, and then with a smug, superior curve to her lips she turned her full attention on Grant.

  A while later, as Adeline surreptitiously watched Grant’s tall figure moving among his guests, she saw him accosted by Diana once more. He bent his head low as he listened attentively to what she had to say, smiling at him all the while. He laughed, and Adeline flushed as she recalled the way he had laughed and frolicked with her in the snow. Without warning he turned, and Adeline was caught in the act of staring at him. His gaze captured hers, and a strange, unfathomable smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Slowly he inclined his head towards her.

  Stiffening her neck, she turned away from him to speak to Lettie. She couldn’t trust herself to look at him again.

  ‘What is that woman doing here?’ Lettie whispered, her irate eyes shooting darts at Diana’s back.

  ‘I suppose, like everyone else, she must have been invited,’ Adeline replied tightly.

  ‘I don’t think so. Grant wouldn’t be so cruel as to do that to you, Adeline. Diana’s been stalking him ever since her husband died.’

  ‘He certainly looks interested enough. He’s hardly left her side since she arrived.’

  ‘If you watch carefully you will see it’s Diana who is monopolising Grant. If he was interested he’d have offered for her years ago. I can’t imagine how she has the effrontery to come here. I am certain she wasn’t asked—but then she’s brazen enough for anything.’

  Adeline agreed, but her disappointment and frustration stayed with her. Having spent some time conversing with Anna, she was about to join Lettie once more when she was suddenly confronted by Diana herself.

  Diana hadn’t expected to see Adeline at Oaklands, and she strongly resented her presence. Suddenly she felt her hopes of reviving an affair with Grant shrivel, and a flare of jealousy reared its miserable head.

  ‘I didn’t expect to see you here at Oaklands, Adeline. I’m surprised.’

  ‘Really?’ Adeline exclaimed, trying hard to hold onto her composure. ‘My father and Mrs Leighton are close friends. Following his recent illness she thought it would be nice for them to spend Christmas together.’

  ‘I s
ee. Then that explains it.’

  ‘Explains what?’

  ‘Why you are here.’

  ‘And I had no idea you had been invited.’

  ‘No? How very remiss of Grant not to tell you. When I last saw him he was very insistent on my knowing he was to spend Christmas at Oaklands, and that there would be the traditional supper party tonight. So I knew what he meant, and that he was expecting me. I came with Sir John and Lady Pilkington—they live between Oaklands and Westwood Hall.’

  Taking a glass of wine from the table Diana looked around the company milling about, eating and drinking and conversing with friends. ‘Well, isn’t this cosy? And such congenial company. Of course I know most of them—neighbours, you understand.’ Her eyes came to rest on Grant, and she smiled. ‘And Grant is the perfect host—don’t you agree?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ And how handsome he looks, Adeline thought as she stole a glance at Grant’s disciplined, classical profile as he circulated among his guests.

  After a moment, and seeming reluctant to move on, observing Lettie laughing delightedly at something her male companion was saying, Diana said, ‘Lettie seems to be in good spirits—considering.’

  Alarmed by her comment, Adeline looked at her sharply. ‘I’m sorry? Considering what?’

  Diana’s eyes were hard as they met Adeline’s. ‘Jack Cunningham was an acquaintance of mine, too, don’t forget.’

  Adeline’s expression remained unchanged. Clearly Diana didn’t know that Jack was dead, and she had no intention of informing her. No doubt Grant would tell her.

  ‘Fancy asking Lettie to marry him with a wife still living—a lunatic,’ Diana went on with incredulity. ‘Well, who would have thought it? And when Lettie found herself to be in a—certain condition, it didn’t go unmentioned by Jack.’

  ‘If you feel any gratitude at all to Grant for coming to your aid when you found yourself to be financially embarrassed,’ Adeline said harshly, having no real proof that he had, but chancing it anyway, ‘I must ask for your complete discretion. Apart from Mrs Leighton no one in the family has any idea what happened, and that is what Lettie clings to.’