Enchanted Dawn

by Anne Hampson

  ‘Nice girl,’ Jon casually remarked, and Brand nodded in agreement.

  ‘Makes pleasant company — always did. Friendly sort; no assumed off-handedness about her.’ A flicker of his eyes in Teri’s direction; she coloured slightly because the words were quite plainly aimed at her. ‘I’ve invited her and her brother to play tennis next week, so you’ll be meeting them again.’

  ‘You did right,’ approved Alec, adding, ‘Doreen’s rather fond of you, everyone knows that, and you haven’t been over sociable towards her. You’ll never find a girl more willing to give way to your every whim, nor one half so pretty.’

  Teri looked at her hands, feeling more more flat than ever.

  ‘No, I suppose not,’ from Brand in tones suddenly edged with enthusiasm. ‘Perhaps I should be a little more agreeable towards her.’

  Brand danced with Teri just before they left the club, and to her consternation he mentioned Jon and Linda.

  ‘Am I imagining things or is something happening between those two?’ His eyes were on them; Jon was holding Linda close and they both appeared com-pletely oblivious of everyone and everything around them.

  ‘Do you - do you mean — are they falling in love?’ stammered Teri, and Brand almost stopped, looking down at her, his eyes narrowing with sudden perception.

  ‘Outside again, where we can talk!’ And without more ado he had her once again in the garden. A seat was handy and they sat down.

  ‘You know something. Out with it,’ he ordered curtly.

  ‘I’m not in a position to speak,’ she returned in a pleading tone. ‘Jon did say that they - cared for one another, but he also said that they had never mentioned it to each other. So you see, I can’t tell you anything.’

  He was frowning heavily; she saw this in the light thrown off from the lamps on the verandah.

  ‘Jon’s wife hasn’t been dead more than a few months,’ he said almost harshly. ‘How can he be in love with someone else?’

  ‘You think it’s awful—’

  ‘I think it’s disgraceful - and thoroughly indecent! Linda shall hear from me—’

  ‘Brand,’ interrupted Teri urgently, almost tempted to blurt out the truth, but afraid to do so because Jon had not given her leave, ‘there’s much you don’t understand, so please don’t form any judgments until it’s all made clear.’

  He turned his head, arrested by the urgency and pleading in her voice.

  ‘How can there be much I don’t understand? Jon’s wife has recently died and already he’s in love with Linda—’ He broke off and the frown darkened his brow again. How formidable he looked, Teri thought, a tiny ball of fear gathering in her throat. Should he demand a full explanation she did not think she could hold out against him. ‘It doesn’t make sense,’ continued Brand, baffled and impatient. ‘You’d better explain.’

  But Teri shook her head.

  ‘I can’t - please let it drop for the time being. Linda doesn’t know that Jon confided in me, so you can’t speak to her.’ Impulsively she turned to him and her hand came to rest on his arm. ‘Promise me, Brand — promise me you’ll not say anything until you know the whole truth.’

  He looked into her eyes, his own expression thoughtful and concentrating.

  ‘I sensed a mystery right at the start,’ he murmured to himself. And then, right out of the blue, ‘Jon’s wife isn’t dead, is she?’

  Teri’s heart turned right over and her hand, still resting on Brand’s arm, trembled so violently that he could not help but notice. He covered it with his own, and absently drew his thumb over the slender wrist above it.

  ‘No, Brand,’ Teri whispered at last. ‘Rosalind isn’t dead. She walked out on Jon.’

  Silence, profound and intense. A deep sigh issued from Brand’s lips.

  ‘So that was why Jon told Wendy her mother was on holiday.’ Brand shook his head. ‘I somehow felt that, were his wife dead, he would never fob the child off with a tale like that. Why didn’t the truth strike me before now?’ He scanned Teri’s face and she averted her head, ashamed now that he had learned of her deceit.

  'I'm sorry, Brand - that I myself misled you, I mean.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. Nor do I blame Jon altogether. I’d feel the same if my wife walked out on me; I’d probably say I was widowed, just as he did.’

  'A man feels - sort of inferior and — and inadequate, I suppose.’

  Brand nodded in agreement.

  'What’s going to happen now?'

  She hesitated, but saw no reason for holding back at this stage.

  'Jon says he intends divorcing his wife.’

  Brand frowned heavily on hearing this.

  ‘Is there no hope of a reconciliation?’

  ‘I don’t think so.’ She spoke so quietly that he had to strain to catch the words.

  ‘She went off with another man?’

  Another hesitation and then, huskily,

  ‘She and my fiancé went off together.

  ‘Your—’ He stared, and the grip on her hand tightened so that Teri winced. ‘My God, how damnable!’

  ‘It was pretty grim at the time,’ she admitted. ‘We were both nearly out of our minds. I was worse than Jon, and yet his blow was the greater because he was married, with a child.’ Brand seemed unable to speak and Teri added, her voice suddenly edged with tears, ‘I suppose a man can hide his feelings better than a woman, but I used to feel so guilty - leaning on Jon. He - he was wonderful, Brand, you’ve no idea.’

  ‘I think I have, Teri.’ Brand caught her to him, but made no attempt to kiss her. His embrace was meant to comfort and to illustrate his understanding of her deep hurt. The tears that pricked her eyes receded; she felt safe and at peace, leaning against Brand’s coat and hearing the gentle thud of his heartbeats against her face. ‘I can also understand your aversion - yes, much more clearly now.’ He leant away and looked into her eyes. ‘All men aren’t the same, Teri. You must get that idea out of your head. Promise me you’ll try?’

  She nodded and found a resting place for her head again.

  ‘I will try,' she whispered, and felt his lips against her hair. ‘We’ll have to go, Brand,’ she said after a while, shy all at once because of the intimacy of the situation and the revelations she had made.

  ‘Yes, we must go. I’ll keep this to myself,’ he added, anticipating her request.

  ‘I suppose you don’t agree with divorce?’ she said a moment later as they walked the short distance towards the club.

  ‘No, quite honestly, I don’t. On the other hand I must admit that I have no idea what I’d feel like were I in your brother’s position. Also, I’m very devoted to Linda, as you must already know, and I hate the idea of her being unhappy. It seems to me,’ he went on after a small thoughtful pause, ‘that divorce is the only sensible thing to do in these circumstances, for I expect this Rosalind and Kemp also want to marry.’

  ‘Yes, they do, but Jon was not sure at the time whether he would give her her freedom.’ How strange that she should be discussing Kemp like this, so dis-passionately, with Brand. Teri felt nothing but wonderment that she could do so, and with almost complete freedom from pain. 'I'm glad you don’t mind Linda marrying a divorced man,’ she said, speaking her thoughts aloud. ‘ I was so worried at first.’

  He smiled faintly.

  ‘Had it been anyone else but Jon I should certainly have raised objections. However, Linda is free to act as she pleases and I’m quite sure she would have had none of my interference.’

  'I'm not so sure. Linda thinks a great deal of you, and she looks up to you.’

  ‘She does?’ quizzically. ‘I’ve a strong notion that she calls me all sorts of names behind my back. Has she never referred to me as a stuffy old bachelor? I see she has,’ he added swiftly as Teri coloured up. ‘No, my dear, that child has no respect for me whatsoever. I pampered her, years ago when she lost her parents within six months of each other. Disastrous - pampering a female; the firm hand is much more desirable
.’

  Teri had to laugh.

  ‘Not that again, Brand, please!'

  He responded to her laugh.

  ‘I can’t frighten you, can I?’

  ‘I don’t believe you want to.’

  He said nothing to that, but he seemed very satisfied with himself and when the time came for them all to say good night he said cheerfully,

  ‘As soon as my visitors have gone I’ll be over to see you ... and to talk.’

  ‘Talk?’

  ‘Off you go,’ he said. ‘Jon’s waiting for you.’ He gave her a little shove in the direction of the station wagon which Jon was just revving up.

  It was two days later that Jaru came into the kitchen where Teri was working and said there was a lady to see the master.

  'A lady?’ Teri’s eyes went automatically to the window. Linda and Wendy could be seen in the distance. ‘Did she tell you her name?’

  ‘No, missy. She just say to tell the master, but he not about. I leave the lady in the lounge.’

  ‘Thank you, Jaru. Will you go and see if you can find my brother?’

  ‘Yes, missy, I do that.’ He went off; Teri washed her hands and smoothed her hair. Who could the woman be? she wondered. Jon did not know any women other than the few friends they had made - and none of them would refuse to give Jaru their name. In any case, he knew them all by sight and most of them by name.

  Teri left the kitchen and went along the short passage to the lounge. She pushed open the door, then stared in speechless amazement, her heart beginning to thud violently against her ribs.

  ‘Rosalind!’ she gasped unbelievingly. ‘How — what’s brought you here?’ She shook her head dazedly, aware of the tears on her sister-in-law’s lashes and the pallor of her face. She seemed older, Teri thought, and her expression was almost haggard. ‘Kemp ...?’ Teri managed. ‘Is - is he here too?’

  ‘Does it look as if he’s here?’ Rosalind's voice was broken and husky. ‘He’s gone. Left me flat.’ Putting her face in her hands, Rosalind burst into tears. ‘I’ve been an utter fool, Teri. I was carried away by his flattery - by his wanting me, so much older than he. I trusted him.’ She looked up, dropping her hands to her sides. ‘Will Jon forgive me, do you think?’

  ‘Forgive?’ Teri’s heartbeats thudded louder than ever. Through the window she saw Linda and Wendy coming closer. ‘You want to come back to Jon?’

  ‘Of course I do. Oh, you’ve no idea how I’ve missed Wendy. Where is she, Teri? Is she all right?’

  Suddenly Teri felt quite sick. If Kemp had not walked out on Rosalind she would not now be giving a thought to Wendy. Teri’s eyes went to the window again and in a sudden access of desperation she tried to think what she must do. If she could keep them away from the house - just until Jon returned. But already they had broken into a trot and even while Teri stood there, unable either to move or speak, both Linda and Wendy waved and called out to Teri. Rosalind turned, then took a handkerchief from her pocket and swiftly dried her eyes.

  ‘My baby! How she’s grown! And how brown she is—’

  ‘Rosalind,’ interrupted Teri desperately, ‘you mustn’t let Wendy see you until after you’ve seen Jon. Please, Rosalind. Come into my bedroom and wait there.’ She made an urgent move towards the door, but Rosalind remained where she was.

  ‘Not let my own child see me?’ She turned from the window. ‘What are you talking about? Certainly I’ll see Wendy. In any case, it’s too late. Here she is! Wendy, my love! Are you glad to see Mummy?’

  ‘Mummy!’ echoed Linda, every drop of blood draining from her face. Only Teri seemed to have heard. Rosalind moved across the intervening space towards the open doorway in which her daughter was framed, Linda right behind her. The child’s eyes held recognition, but she made no move to go to her mother.

  ‘Wendy darling,' almost sobbed Rosalind, ‘Mummy’s come back to you. Aren’t you going to kiss me?’

  For answer Wendy turned and pressed her face against Linda’s thigh.

  ‘Go to your mummy,’ urged Linda in a tone Teri scarcely recognized. ‘Auntie Linda’s going home now. ’Bye, Little Dainty.’ Her voice had dropped to the merest tremor of despair. Teri said,

  ‘Don’t go, Linda,’ and then instantly regretted it as Rosalind, her attention arrested by the relationship obviously existing between her daughter and the girl with whom she had been riding, looked rather belligerently at Linda and asked shortly,

  ‘Who are you? Wendy seems rather more than ordinarily attached to you.’

  ‘I’m just a neighbour,’ answered Linda through whitened lips. ‘Wendy and I are - are g-great pals—' She broke off, and the next moment she was gone. Through the window Teri saw her dig her heels into Sandy and the horse shot forward, sending up a cloud of ochre-coloured dust behind her.

  ‘Has she fallen for Jon?’ Rosalind wanted to know, forgetting Wendy for the moment as she glanced through the window and followed the trail of dust with her eyes.

  ‘I’m not in a position to answer that,' replied Teri coldly. And then, ‘Hadn’t you better sit down? Jon shouldn’t be long. Perhaps you’d like a cup of tea?’

  ‘Thanks, I would. Wendy dear—’

  ‘I want only you, Auntie Teri.’ Bursting into tears, Wendy ran after her aunt as she went towards the kitchen.

  ‘No, dear, go back to Mummy, there’s a good girl—’ Teri stopped and, finding a handkerchief, bent down and with gentle fingers dried her niece’s eyes.

  ‘I want Auntie Linda.’ Wendy began to cry again and Teri took her into her arms. Anyone but her mother, thought Teri with growing bitterness. Why did Rosalind have to come back? Everyone was going to be upset - and what was to be the end of it? Would Jon feel compelled to take his wife back, if only for Wendy’s sake?

  ‘Don’t cry, darling. Mummy wants you to go to her. Go, sweetheart; you’ll be all right in a moment or two - after you’ve got over the strangeness. Mummy’s been on a long holiday, you knew that, didn’t you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Well then, here she is back again.'

  ‘I didn’t want her to come back.’

  ‘Wendy darling, you mustn’t say things like that. Why, you always used to be asking when she’d be back.'

  ‘That was a long time ago. I love you and Auntie Linda now, instead. I don’t want to kiss her.'

  ‘Hush, pet, she’ll hear you.’

  ‘Let me stay here with you, and help you to make the tea.’

  ‘Wendy,' called Rosalind from the lounge. ‘Come to Mummy! Do as I say and stop being silly!’

  ‘Go on—’

  ‘Daddy!’ Wendy flew to the stoep as Jon came across the yard followed by Jaru. ‘Daddy, Mummy’s come - but I don’t want to kiss her.'

  He took the steps three at a time. Teri saw the grey lines creep rapidly under the rich tan of his face.

  ‘Mummy?’ He looked at Teri, who nodded dumbly.

  ‘She’s come back from her holiday,' began Wendy, but she spoke to herself; Jon was already striding along the passage. Teri closed the kitchen door, leaving her brother and his wife to talk without the fear of interruption.

  Jon came to the kitchen ten minutes later.

  ‘Where’s Linda?’ he asked harshly. ‘She said she was staying to tea.’

  ‘She went home,' Teri replied quietly. ‘That was only natural, Jon. She was terribly upset, although she managed to hide her feelings admirably.’

  His face was grey and drawn. He leant against the high cupboard that was part of the new unit which had been installed.

  ‘What’s to be done, Teri?’ he asked thickly. ‘She wants me to take her back - but you’ve guessed that?’

  ‘She did ask me if I thought you’d forgive her.' Teri’s eyes filled up. ‘Linda....’ she murmured, and Jon nodded, his mouth tight, his eyes hard, like metal.

  'I'm not having Linda hurt—'

  ‘Linda is hurt,’ interrupted Teri. ‘You must know that. She and Wendy came in from riding and Rosalind was here.
She immediately asked Wendy if she were glad to see her mummy. Linda went white, as you can imagine.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Wendy intervened, looking from her father to her aunt. ‘Is Mummy going to stay with us for always?’

  ‘No, she is not,' snapped Jon emphatically, but Teri said,

  ‘You can’t make your decision until you’re more composed, Jon. After all, Rosalind is Wendy’s mother.'

  ‘What sort of mother!'

  Teri ignored that.

  ‘If you hadn’t met Linda would you have taken her back?’

  ‘No - yes — I don’t know whether I would or not.’

  Teri sighed. She felt utterly spent, but her heart ached for her brother, and for Linda. Yet she pitied Rosalind too, for she had ruined her life by that lapse. They could never pick up the threads again even if Jon agreed to take her back, simply because he now loved someone else.

  ‘Let’s have some tea. I’ve made sandwiches for the time being; I’ll cook something more substantial later.’

  Jon scowled at her.

  ‘Who wants food at a time like this?’

  ‘We’ll all feel a little better when we’ve eaten.’

  ‘What’s wrong with Wendy?’ Jon asked, changing the subject. ‘Rosalind says she won’t even look at her.’

  ‘She wanted me to kiss her, and I don’t want to.’

  ‘Wendy feels strange. It’s over ten months since she saw her mother and that’s a long while in a child’s life. She’ll be all right when she gets over the initial shyness.’

  ‘I won’t,’ declared Wendy emphatically. ‘And I’m not shy. You and Daddy always say I’m not shy. I don’t want Mummy, that’s all, because I’ve got you and Auntie Linda now.’

  ‘You’re not to say that,’ Teri said sternly. ‘Of course you want your mummy.’

  ‘Leave her alone,’ snapped Jon. ‘If she says she doesn’t want Rosalind then she doesn’t, and you’ve no right to try and make her be friendly.’

  Teri flushed under these sharp words, but she understood how Jon felt. He could not think clearly so soon after the shock of seeing Rosalind here and learning that she wanted to come back to him. Tomorrow, when he had had a sleep, and time to consider the matter more rationally, he would be able to make his decision.