Roses and Champange

by Neels, Betty

  Katrina bestirred herself, took Bouncer out for a run and went up to her room to change for the evening. She chose a dress with care. Lucius would be there and for some reason she wanted to look her very best—’Like a soldier cleaning his rifle before a battle,’ she explained to Bouncer, who had made himself comfortable on the end of her bed.

  The dress was soft green crSpe-de-chine, very simple, very expensive and just a shade too old for her. As most of her clothes were. Now that Virginia was grown up and went everywhere with her and to a great many parties on her own, Katrina had begun to think of herself as very much the older sister, and she dressed accordingly, which was a pity, for she had a pretty figure and a clear, unlined skin and looked a lot younger than her age. But even if she bought the wrong clothes, her taste in shoes was not to be faulted. They were her weakness; sensible enough during the day but replaced as soon as maybe by elegant high-heeled models by Rayne and Gucci. She looked with satisfaction at the strappy kid slippers which went with the dress, slung on the quilted jacket she wore in the evenings if she was driving herself and went downstairs. There was no sign of Virginia and she wasn’t in her room, so Katrina left a note for her and went outside to where Lovelace had parked the car for her, a Triumph Sports, quite elderly now but still going well. Lovelace had never quite approved of it, too fast for a young lady, he had averred, although he had to admit with the same breath that Miss Katrina was a first-class driver.

  The Drakes lived five miles away in another village. As Katrina went down the drive and turned into the lane bordered by Stockley House’s high wall, she thought with regret that normally Lucius would have called for her and driven her there and brought her home again. It was a sobering thought, rendered even more so when his Jaguar overtook her half way there, sliding sleekly past without him even turning his head, and even though it was dark, he would have known her car in the light of the headlamps. She watched his tail light disappear round the next bend and felt lonely.

  There were only a dozen people at the Drakes’ house, and she knew them all, and since she was the last to arrive the drawing room was full enough for her to be able to avoid Lucius. Or so she thought.

  She was sipping a dry sherry, which she detested, and listening to the Reverend Bartram Moffat’s equally dry conversation, when he wandered over to them. He greeted them both affably, advised the Vicar that their host wanted advice about some parochial business and took up a position in front of her so that to escape would be difficult.

  ‘Got over your nasty temper?’ he wanted to know with what she considered to be sickening indulgence. She said: ‘No,’ and took another sip of sherry.

  He took her glass from her, poured the contents into his own and gave her back the empty glass. ‘You always hated the dry stuff,’ he observed, ‘and what you need at the moment is something sweet—I could pickle walnuts with your expression, Katie.’

  She felt a bubble of laughter longing to escape, but all she said frostily was ‘Indeed?’

  ‘Where’s our brokenhearted Virginia? I’m willing to bet Gem against Bouncer that she’s gone out for the evening with young Lovell.’

  Katrina twiddled her glass and went red. ‘She needs comfort,’ she observed.

  ‘Rubbish, and you know it. Tell me, what are your plans? Am I to be ignored in future? Is the whole silly affair to be decently forgotten and a return made to the status quo, or do we speak to each other in private?’

  She raised serious eyes to his. ‘You know quite well that I could never hate you, Lucius, we’ve grown up together, we’ve been like brother and sister, but I don’t want to be friends any more; maybe you weren’t serious about Virginia, but you’ve hurt her deeply, and I can’t forgive that.’

  ‘All I hurt was her vanity and her pride.’ He was staring down at her and the nasty little smile was there again. ‘But have it your own way, my dear, although you’re greatly mistaken.’

  She didn’t avoid his look. She said steadily: ‘You have a lot of women friends—oh, I’m not curious, but people gossip, you know. That makes it so much worse, because Virginia is so young and you’ve known her since she was a baby.’

  His voice was silky. ‘And yet far better able to face the world and its wicked ways than you, Katie. We’ve had pleasant times together, haven’t we? But in future I’ll remember what you’ve said.’ He smiled gently. Tm sure Mr Moffat is dying to talk to you again— such a nice quiet, well brought up young woman— and so correctly dressed.’ The silky voice bit into her. ‘You should change your style, Katrina, you’re not thirty yet.’ He moved aside to make room for Mr Moffat and she watched him go across the room to Mrs Drake. He looked handsome in his dinner jacket and his height and size made him noticeable wherever he was. She smiled politely at her companion and wondered miserably what it would be like to treat Lucius as a mere acquaintance when they met.

  Dinner was a cheerful meal, since everyone there knew everyone else, and afterwards they sat around and talked for an hour or so until old Lady Ryder announced that she must go home, which was the signal for everyone else to do the same.

  Katrina said her goodbyes, kissing the ladies and being kissed by the men, even Lucius, who brushed her cheek lightly and held her hand in an impersonal clasp and made some laughing remark about seeing her soon. And of course he’d been quite right to do it; in a day or two everyone would have heard that he and Virginia had broken up, but until then no one needed to know. She had felt mean listening to kind Mrs Drake’s concern for Virginia’s cold, and then seethed as she caught Lucius’s cynical look as he overheard. The comfortable, dependable man she had known all her life had changed into a remote, mocking stranger with cold eyes.

  Driving back, she debated as to whether he was hiding a broken heart under that deadpan face, and if so what she could do about it.

  Nothing; one didn’t interfere with other people’s lives even with the best of intentions, although she could wheedle Virginia into telling her what had happened. She would have to wait for the right moment, of course.

  Which came a good deal sooner than she had expected. She was in the house, sitting at the kitchen table drinking the hot chocolate Mrs Beecham had left out, when she heard the front door open and close, and a moment later her sister came into the kitchen.

  ‘Hullo,’ said Katrina. ‘Did you lock up?’

  Virginia gave her a dreamy look. ‘No, was I supposed to?’

  Katrina got up. ‘Never mind, I’ll do it. There’s loads of chocolate if you’d like a cup.’

  ‘After two bottles of champagne? You must be joking! Did you have a very dull evening?’

  ‘I enjoyed it.’ Katrina spoke over her shoulder on the way to the hall and the front door. When she got back, Virginia was curled up in Mrs Beecham’s chair by the Aga.

  ‘Was Lucius there?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘Did you talk to him?’

  ‘Yes—not much, though.’

  ‘No one knew? That he’d jilted me?’

  ‘No, Virginia—did he jilt you? Had he asked you to marry him? And had you said yes?’

  Virginia closed her eyes and yawned. ‘What a lot of questions! Aren’t you being a bit nosey, darling?’ She went on softly: ‘He’s made a fool of me, and he’s going to pay for it.’

  Katrina took her cup to the sink. ‘How can you talk like that when you expected to marry nun? You must have loved—still love—him.’

  Her sister got up and strolled to the door. ‘Darling, you’re the wee-est bit behind the times—in fact, it’s the sort of thing Mummy might have said; or even Nanny. I can see I must update you.’ She smiled se-raphically. ‘I shall have to think of something.’ She blew a kiss. ‘Goodnight, Katie.’

  Katrina went to bed presently, but not to sleep. Virginia had made a remarkably quick recovery from her broken heart; on the other hand, she was probably hiding her real feelings under a cheerful exterior. It was natural enough that she should be angry with Lucius, especially as
he was so annoyingly cheerful about the whole thing. It was to be hoped that when their feelings had cooled, they could settle down again. Virginia was very young, she was bound to fall in love again. Katrina fell into an uneasy sleep and woke late, the remnants of a dream provokingly not to be recalled filling her head. It had been as nasty a dream as possible, of that she was sure.

  It was strange not seeing Lucius. He had been in the habit of strolling in at least once each day, to offer lifts, or go riding, or just to sit for half an hour and talk. He was a good landlord and the estate, although not large, took up a good deal of his day, and twice a week he drove up to London where he was a partner in a large accountants firm. Katrina had got into the habit of giving him little commissions—something special from Fortnum and Mason, an order for the wine merchants, a query on a Harrods account, and besides that, getting a lift whenever she wanted one. She busied herself with her painting, glad she had a deadline to meet and no time for idling. She would take her work up to the publishers at the end of the week and see if she could find a dress for the Hunt Ball.

  Virginia had gone up to London and come back with a ravishing ball gown which had cost a staggering sum of money, and now that important matter had been settled, she spent a good deal of her time with her various friends. Katrina had been surprised that no one had said anything about her sister and Lucius, but then she hadn’t been out very much, giving the excuse that she had to finish her work and was pushed for time. Now she was just about finished, and since Virginia had phoned to say that she was going to stay a night or two with Emily and Patricia, it left her free to do as she wanted. It would do poor little Virginia good to stay with her friends; she had gone over for lunch, and as she had often stopped the night, Katrina had welcomed it. Besides, the roads could be treacherous now that the weather was turning really wintry. The Turners didn’t live all that far away, a matter of ten miles or so, but Virginia was a careless driver.

  Katrina tidied away her paints and brushes and began to wrap up her work. It was still early, so she could drive up to London and hand over her work, have lunch and look for a dress—but that would mean driving back in the evening, not that that worried her, she was a good driver, but suppose Virginia decided to return home earlier? Besides, it left her short of time.

  She was tying the tapes of the portfolio when the door opened and Lucius walked in. She was so surprised to see him that she didn’t say anything at all, but she detected a fine rage under his bland expression. She said good morning in a questioning voice and resisted the urge to back away from him.

  ‘Is it? Where is Virginia, Katrina?’ he asked as he came to a halt in front of her.

  ‘Spending a couple of days with the Turners. Why?’

  ‘Very wise of her.’ His voice was even, but his eyes were grey stones. ‘Do you know what she’s told all our friends and acquaintances? No, I can see you don’t. That I’ve cast her off—her own words—and taken up with you!’

  ‘Me?’ asked Katrina, quite flabbergasted.

  ‘Oh, yes. You see, as she has explained at some length to everyone who would listen, she had no chance against your brains and elegance and—er— knowledge of the world—oh, and I almost forgot— your maturity.’

  Katrina goggled at him. ‘But what nonsense!’ she managed.

  ‘Oh, no, just a clever way of putting things, my dear. When everyone has got over their open-mouthed astonishment and thought about it, they’ll see it for the nonsense it is. In the meantime...’ he managed to smile thinly, ‘I should like to wring her neck!’

  ‘She’s upset,’ said Katrina. ‘She said her heart was broken...’

  ‘And what else, I wonder? That I was an ogre, that I should pay for upsetting her careful plans. You know what she intended to do?’ ‘No, but she—she did say you would pay for it. I don’t think for one minute that she meant it.’

  He said quite savagely: ‘You walk around with your head in the clouds, painting hobgoblins and flower fairies, you let Virginia trample you underfoot and wheedle you into giving her far too much money. Why in heaven’s name don’t you use some of it on yourself? Buy some clothes suited to your age!’ He saw her colour painfully. ‘Oh, you always look nice, but why think of yourself as a woman, a staid woman at that, who’ll never see forty again? You’re twenty-seven and you look ten years younger than that.’ He laughed softly. ‘And I’m not paying compliments—I know you too well for that.’

  ‘What are you going to do?’ asked Katrina, not liking the sound of that laugh.

  ‘Do? Why, call her bluff, of course. I shall turn my attentions to you, Katie. In due course we shall become engaged, and when you’ve had the time to gather together whatever it is girls gather before they marry, we’ll be wed. Here in Upper Tew.’

  For a big man he was very fast on his feet. Before she could gather her wits to answer such nonsense, he had left her, closing the door very quietly behind him.

  Chapter 2

  All idea of going to London gone from her head, Katrina sat down and allowed her chaotic thoughts to settle themselves. They jostled each other around her head, making no sense. Lucius had been joking—or had he? And surely Virginia would not have played such a rotten trick even if she had meant it as a joke. She must have known it was a bad one, sure to misfire. Katrina thanked heaven that their friends, mostly lifelong, would think twice before believing Virginia, or at least they wouldn’t accuse her of lying, merely of exaggerating, and that because her youthful ego had been deflated. And no one, no one at all, would have anything to say against Lucius. She sighed; which meant that Virginia would have to explain. She frowned then. Surely her sister hadn’t said those hurtful things?—as though she had ever made any push to attract Lucius away from Virginia, and she wasn’t brainy or mature or elegant, that had been cruel. All the same, Lucius need not have been quite so angry, and the suggestion he had made had been ridiculous. If he thought he was going to get even with Virginia by playing a silly make-believe game with herself as an unwilling partner he could think again! She finished tying the portfolio and went downstairs.

  In the sitting room Lucius was sitting comfortably, reading The Times. He got up as she stopped just inside the door, taking no notice of her astonished: ‘Well, what are you doing here?’

  ‘I heard you telling Mrs Drake that you intended going up to town with your drawings. I’ll drive you up now; I’ve an appointment for later on this morning, but I’ll pick you up and bring you back any time you like.’

  Katrina said with great dignity: ‘Thank you, Lucius, but I shall drive myself up tomorrow. I’m surprised at you asking.’

  ‘My dear, didn’t I make myself plain? For lack of a better phrase, I intend to court you. I shouldn’t like to make Virginia out to be a liar.’

  ‘And what about me?’ asked Katrina furiously. ‘No one’s asked me if—if I want to be courted.’ She added snappishly: ‘How silly and old-fashioned that sounds!’

  ‘Ah, yes indeed; you must add these to my other shortcomings.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous! You’re being tiresome.’

  ‘That too,’ he agreed gravely. ‘How long will it take you to get ready?’

  ‘I’ve just said, I’m going to drive myself...’ She caught his eye, grey and cold and compelling. ‘Very well,’ she said reluctantly, ‘but I don’t want any more of this nonsense. I shall talk to Virginia when she gets back and—and...’ She faltered under his amused stare.

  ‘You haven’t a chance,’ he told her. ‘She’s always made rings round you and always will.’ He nodded gently at her. ‘Go and get ready.’

  Ever since she could remember Katrina had obeyed him unquestioningly, even though at times she hadn’t minced matters if she was annoyed with him. She went back upstairs to her room and changed into a dark grey suit, beautifully cut. It was elegant and in excellent taste, and made her look older than she was. A scarf, plain court shoes and a matching handbag completed her outfit while doing nothing for her at all. She fetched
her portfolio and went downstairs to tell Mrs Beecham that she wouldn’t be back until the late afternoon, before going back to the sitting room.

  Lucius eyed her thoughtfully. ‘Going to do any shopping?’ he wanted to know.

  ‘Well, I thought I might look round for a dress for the Hunt Ball. Why do you want to know?’

  He shrugged his shoulders. ‘No reason. Shall we go?’

  He dropped her off at the publishers in Bloomsbury after arranging to meet her for lunch at the Connaught Hotel. ‘I’ll be in the bar at twelve-thirty and wait for you,’ he suggested.

  She stood on the pavement outside the publishers’ office. ‘But will you be ready by then? I could make it later if you like and do some shopping first.’

  He handed her the portfolio. ‘No need, I’ll be there. You can shop after lunch.’

  He waited until she had gone inside and then got back into the car and drove off. Katrina watched him go through the glass doors. It was strange to think that despite all the happenings of the last few days, she felt exactly the same about him as she had always done—a friend, someone to be depended upon, who always knew what to do. As she gave her name to the receptionist she decided that the best plan would be to ignore their extraordinary conversation of that morning; she would have it out with Virginia, persuade her to tell everyone that she had been joking, and everything would be just as it had been. Or would it be? She had no chance to ponder the matter before she was ushered upstairs to the publishers’ office.