“Of course you can, dear. Your uncle should be here soon.”
“I knew Lauren wouldn’t mind.” Helen flashed a smile. “I’ll go and change now.” She swept out of the room, almost knocking over the young maid.
“Off you go, Lauren. Mary can show you to your room. After you refresh yourself we’ll share some coffee.”
The maid picked up her rather shabby case and Laurie followed her out of the room. A carpeted stairway led to a carved wooden door. As she entered her room, she could not suppress a gasp. Pink satin curtains matched the cover on the carved four-poster bed. Was that a Persian rug on the floor? You’ve stepped up a few rungs on the social ladder. She frowned worriedly, wondering how to cope with such opulence.
“Could I get you anything, Miss?”
“No, thanks, Mary. I’ll just freshen up before going down to see my aunt.”
Laurie took out a brush and applied it to her hair with vigor. After washing her face and hands, she surveyed herself in the gilt wall mirror. You’ll have to go as you are old girl. If only she knew how to dress her hair up in a sophisticated style like Helen’s. More fashionable clothes would have boosted her confidence. She must look like a nondescript sparrow compared to Helen, who strutted around like a gorgeous peacock.
Captain Sinclair rose to his feet when Laurie returned to the room, waiting until she sat next to Aunt Jane before sitting down again. Within a short time their coffee arrived. She watched without speaking as Aunt Jane poured it into fragile bone china cups.
“Do you take milk, Lauren?”
“Yes thanks.” She decided not to mention they never drank coffee at home, in case it made her sound gauche and old-fashioned. After stirring in a spoonful of sugar, she helped herself to a wafer-thin cucumber-and-lettuce sandwich.
“This is beautiful, Aunt Jane.”
Captain Sinclair drank his black coffee unsweetened. Maybe he felt hungry also. She watched as he ate a sandwich with enjoyment.
“Care for another, Lauren?” He offered the plate with a smile.
“Thanks, lunch seems such a long time ago,” she offered as explanation for her unladylike appetite. Society women only nibbled on their food, or so she remembered reading somewhere. Why did she want to make a good impression on Blair Sinclair?
Helen still failed to put in an appearance. What was keeping her so long? Blair did not seem impatient, so he must be used to waiting for her.
“Now, who is this young man you wish us to meet?” Aunt Jane asked.
She was an attractive woman, with grey hair pulled back from her face and secured in a tight bun, and she had the same startling blue eyes as Helen. Numerous strands of pearls encircled her throat. The several diamond rings adorning her fingers twinkled like stars. Wearing a grey silk dress, perfect in its simplicity, she looked every inch a rich, elegant lady.
Laurie explained about Danny’s letter asking her to come down to see him before he embarked for overseas. Aunt Jane’s lips pursed. “What type of family background has he?”
“He’s an orphan. He’s been living with his uncle over the last few years.”
“Sounds most unsuitable. Now, I can introduce you to some socially acceptable young men from very good families.”
Laurie’s temper flared. She clamped her lips together to stop herself from telling Aunt Jane to mind her own business. What an absolute snob.
“How will you go about contacting your friend?” At Captain Sinclair’s interruption Laurie felt a surge of gratitude towards him. Sudden warmth flowed over her.
“I don’t know. I meant to ask Uncle Richard.”
“I should be able to get a message through to him. Guy Webster, one of my neighbors from home, is an officer with the infantry recruits. Give me your friend’s name and unit. I’m sure we’ll be able to locate him.”
“Thank you, Captain. Could I meet Danny here at the house, Aunt Jane?”
“I insist he call on you here. I would have it no other way—but an orphan with no family background? Dear me, it simply won’t do.” She wrung her bejeweled hands in anguish.
“Are you going back to camp tonight, Captain Sinclair?” Laurie asked, inwardly seething over her aunt’s snobbish words.
“No, and call me Blair. I’ll call you Lauren, seeing as we’re going to be related soon. I’ve got a couple of days’ leave, so I’m staying at the Grand Hotel in the city.”
Well, of course, the Grand Hotel, where else? A home away from home for wealthy farmers like him.
“Here I am, darling.” Blair rose to his feet as Helen glided towards him, resplendent in a pale blue silk dress with ruffles at the throat and cuffs, a white fur stole draped around her shoulders.
“Helen, you do look beautiful,” Laurie complimented sincerely. No wonder Blair Sinclair couldn’t drag his eyes away from such a vision of loveliness.
After they left, she sank back on the settee feeling more relaxed now the other two had gone. “Didn’t Helen look beautiful, and Blair is so handsome in his uniform. What a striking couple they make.”
“Yes.” The older woman smiled, her daughter’s stunning good looks obviously pleased her.
“You know, Helen could take her pick of any bachelor in Melbourne. An English lord fell madly in love with her, and then there was a general’s son. My dear, you have no idea the number of young men desperate to ask for her hand in marriage.”
“Captain Sinclair seems nice.”
“Blair comes from one of the top farming families in Victoria. His parents are both dead, and as an only child he inherited a great deal of property, very socially acceptable. Went to Melbourne Grammar, of course. I can’t understand why he joined up,” she finished on a sigh.
So, Blair had gone to one of Melbourne’s top public schools. Confident, articulate, with the merest hint of arrogance. Yes, he had quality written all over him.
“Hello, Lauren, my dear.”
“Uncle Richard.” She jumped up and ran into his open arms.
“Hello, Jane.” He smiled. “Where’s Helen?”
“Went to visit Fiona Everingham with Blair.”
“A jolly poor show on Lauren’s first evening here.”
“I don’t mind.” She was glad of it. In fact, their absence made it easier to confess what she had done without Helen’s patronizing condemnation or Blair thinking poorly of her.
“Um, Uncle Richard.” She clenched her hands behind her back. “I’ve done an awful thing. Dad didn’t give me permission to write about staying here. I lied.”
“Lauren, really!” Aunt Jane frantically fanned herself with a lace handkerchief.
“He forbade me to see Danny, but I had to come. Dad doesn’t like him much.”
“Dear me, I don’t condone deceitful behavior, and if Matthew didn’t approve of this young man.”
“Please, Uncle Richard, Danny isn’t bad. And I’m all he’s got.”
He gnawed his lip. “You did tell your father where you were staying?”
“Yes. He didn’t know about the letters we exchanged, but I left a note.” Tears trembled on her lashes. “Danny is going overseas soon. It was my last chance to see him for a while, so I took it.”
“All right.” He gave a deep sigh. “I’ll get word to Matthew that you’re safe. Don’t worry. After he gets over his initial anger, you’ll be welcomed back into the fold again.”
A sudden sick feeling swept over her and she trembled with apprehension. What if her father didn’t want her back?
Uncle Richard patted her shoulder. “Your father’s not a vindictive man. How’s he keeping these days, anyway?”
“Quite well. We’ve been busy at the store.”
“I don’t know why Matthew bothers scratching out a living in the back of beyond. He should be down here so Lauren could meet all the right people.” Aunt Jane warmed to her theme. “It’s quite scandalous the way her social life has been neglected.”
“He won’t come down here, heaven knows I’ve tried, but there’s no ne
ed for you to hurry back, my dear. Stay here for as long as you wish. I’ll write to your father. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
“Thanks, Uncle Richard, but I’m happy at home. I only came down here because of Danny. Dad needs me to help in the store.”
“You serve in a shop?” Aunt Jane battled to hide her distaste.
“Things are different in the country,” her husband hastened to reassure. “Besides, hard work never hurt anyone.”
“Well, all I can say is thank the dear Lord Helen is sensible enough to want to live in Melbourne. Blair will have to sell his farm. No daughter of mine could live in the back of beyond. It’s so uncivilized.”
Uncivilized? Laurie felt like yelling the word out but kept her lips clamped shut. Chimneys belching out soot and smoke, slum houses crowded together without an inch of space between them, what could be more uncivilized than that?
“Sir Randolph McMillan’s boy has been granted a Commission in the army.” Uncle Richard changed the subject, and she flashed him a grateful smile. He was nice, similar in appearance to her father, with the same thick grey hair. In a tailored suit he epitomized the successful businessman.
When they were summoned to dinner, she followed her aunt and uncle to the dining room. A large crystal chandelier hung directly in line with the center of the table. Heavens, there was even electric lighting. At home they still used kerosene lamps.
A uniformed maid served the soup, which was accompanied by a dry sherry. The following course was salmon cutlets with caper sauce, steamed potatoes and green peas. A dry white wine complemented this. They finished the meal with lemon sponge pudding and sweet white wine.
Fortunately the courses had been served at a leisurely pace. Otherwise, the alcohol would have affected her more. She felt only a little lightheaded now.
They partook of coffee in the sitting room. As soon as this was finished Laurie excused herself. Imagine falling asleep on the expensive settee—she would be damned by Aunt Jane for committing such a heinous sin.
Chapter Three
Tap, tap tap. Three quick knocks on the door woke Laurie next morning. Glancing at the gold antique wall clock, she was shocked at the time. Nine o’clock! Mary came in carrying a tray containing a miniature silver teapot with matching milk jug and sugar bowl. There were two breakfast rolls, a small dish of butter and some marmalade jam.
“Thank you, Mary.” She smiled at the girl. She was only about thirteen or so, with plump rosy cheeks and wavy brown hair tucked up into a white lace cap.
“Would you like a cooked breakfast, Miss?”
“No, this is nice, thanks.”
When the maid left, Laurie ate with a healthy young appetite. I’ll have a walk around the grounds before doing anything else.
In less than an hour she had bathed and dressed. Her cream colored blouse and chocolate brown skirt looked frumpy and old-fashion compared to what Helen had worn yesterday. There was no one around downstairs, so she headed outside to explore.
The well-kept lawns were dotted with huge oaks and cypress pines. One oak tree had a wooden seat encircling the trunk, and she sat here for a time watching the antics of starlings and finches playing in the birdbath.
She accessed the beach by strolling through a white picket gate. Across the blue waves, far in the distance, a liner steamed out to sea. She shivered now, wrapping both arms about her body as protection against the cold wind blowing in from the water. Inside the gate it had felt warmer, as the trees and hedges offered some protection.
You’re an idiot, Laurie Cunningham, for exploring without a coat. She jumped up and down to warm up before returning indoors.
Helen did not put in an appearance until nearly lunchtime. Once again she was immaculately attired in pale blue velvet. Captain Sinclair arrived for lunch. Laurie’s heart gave a strange little flutter when he entered the room. He gave a brief half-smile that softened the severe lines of his face. He wore his arrogance well, and although he was not unpleasant, she knew that here was a man used to giving orders and having them obeyed.
“I left a message for your friend and also made arrangements for him to be given a leave pass if he doesn’t already have one.”
“Thank you, Captain, I mean, Blair.” She gave a little skip of excitement. “What time do you think Danny will arrive?”
“No idea, sorry. I’m looking forward to meeting him though. Guy speaks well of him.”
After lunch they adjourned to the sitting room to drink their coffee. She and Aunt Jane sat on the chairs, leaving the settee free for Helen and Blair.
“A young gentleman to see Miss Lauren, Ma’am.”
Laurie took a last gulp of coffee as her heart gave an excited little somersault. It felt like a lifetime since she and Danny were last together.
“Show him in, Mary.”
Danny strode into the room, grinning. His boots, showing beneath cloth puttees, had a mirror shine, and the khaki uniform suited his boyish good looks.
“Laurie.” He dashed across the room, flinging his slouch hat on a chair as he did so. His arms clamped around her waist. He lifted her up, swinging her around several times, before holding her close.
She caught the disapproving look from her aunt. “Danny, please.”
As if suddenly remembering others were present, he dropped his arms and stepped back a pace.
“Danny, this is my aunt, Mrs. Cunningham, and my cousin, Helen and her fiancé, Captain Blair Sinclair.”
“Pleased to meet all of you.” Danny gave a slight bow. “Good of you to let Laurie stay here at such short notice,” he said to Aunt Jane.
His laughing brown eyes glowed with a reckless light. Blair rose to his feet and held out his hand.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Danny.”
“Same here, Sir.”
“How have you been?” Danny swiveled around to face her.
“Very well, thank you,” she answered primly, trying not to laugh.
“Aw, heck.” He pushed her back into the chair, and sat on the arm holding her hand. “Is there anywhere I can eat? I’m starving. I left camp as soon as your message came through, but it took me hours to get here. I walked five miles to Coburg, caught a tram into Melbourne, changed trams, then walked for miles,” he exaggerated.
Laurie giggled, ignoring Aunt Jane’s disapproving frown. “Could Danny have something to eat, please?”
“If you go to the kitchen, cook should be able to find you something,” Helen put in haughtily.
Anger flashed in Danny’s eyes.
“Helen,” Blair reproached her.
“Only joking.” Hastily her manner changed.
Laurie, knowing Helen had delivered the slight on purpose, seethed. Stuck up snob.
“Of course, take no notice of Helen’s little joke,” Aunt Jane rushed to her daughter’s defense. “Your young man must have something to eat. I’ll have one of the maids bring in a tray.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mrs. Cunningham, I could eat out in the kitchen.”
“I’ll come with you.” Laurie made to rise.
“Now please, I insist, you must have a tray in here, or would you prefer the dining room?”
“Here will be all right. Come on, Laurie.” Danny shrugged. “I don’t care where I eat, as long as I get some food. A sandwich would do, though.”
“My dear boy, we can do better than a sandwich.” Aunt Jane shuddered at the idea. “A chicken salad, I feel sure cook could organize that, and we can all have coffee together.”
In about ten minutes a scrumptious chicken salad was placed on a small table in front of Danny, who started eating with his usual enthusiasm, only stopping every now and again to give Laurie a grin. She smiled back, inwardly seething at Helen’s rudeness. Because he wasn’t an officer or from an upper-class family she had tried to belittle him.
“This is a beautiful house,” Danny addressed no one in particular. Aunt Jane smiled. Laurie realized her aunt liked people to admire her possessions.
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�Our garden backs onto the beach. Perhaps you would care to take a stroll later on with Lauren.” She sounded all graciousness now.
Helen and Blair took no further part in the conversation, seemingly too engrossed with each other.
“I hope you’ll excuse us,” Blair said. “We have an afternoon engagement.”
“We don’t mind. Laurie can show me around.” Danny laughed. He was obviously pleased to see her, but his eyes blazed with something she could not quite understand.
“Get your hat, and we’ll go for a walk. Ever ridden in a cable tram?”
Leaving Danny and Blair chatting to Aunt Jane, she followed Helen upstairs. They did not speak, Laurie vowing not to even try starting up a conversation after what had happened.
“Couldn’t you find someone more suitable than a common lout like him?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Danny. At least he isn’t rude like you.” She pushed past Helen and slammed the door in her face.
The reflection in her mirror as she brushed her hair, showed anger lending a rosy hue to her cheeks. “Oh, Danny, I love you, but you’re so reckless you frighten me.”
She put on the cream straw hat she had worn on the train, picked up a clean handkerchief and left the room.
Back in the sitting room, Blair and Danny talked earnestly together, but they broke off as soon as she entered.
“Danny will be staying for dinner,” Aunt Jane announced. “Your Uncle Richard will make sure he’s driven back to camp later. Now off you two go and enjoy yourselves.” She bestowed a benevolent smile on them. Laurie could hardly believe her eyes. Danny must have poured on the charm.
“Goodbye, Aunt Jane.” She kissed her aunt’s cheek.
“Enjoy yourself, child. Now take good care of our Lauren, won’t you, Danny?”
Laurie stifled a giggle behind one hand, as Danny in true gentlemanly fashion bowed.
“I’ll take good care of her, don’t worry.” She caught his wink when he turned his head towards her.
“Goodbye, Blair.” Helen had not shown up, and Laurie wasn’t sorry. She was beginning to dislike her cousin more and more.
Lauren's Dilemma Page 3