“Daydreaming again? How you love this corner. I always know where to find you.” Kay’s voice roused Patricia abruptly, and she watched as her companion seated himself on the wooden step of the verandah.
Seymour fumbled in his pockets and withdrew tobacco-pouch, and pipe. He slowly filled his pipe and lit it before speaking again. “Maimie has gone to her room to have a rest before changing. We needn’t leave here until eight o’clock.”
Of course they were going to a dance that night, Patricia, wrapped in her thoughts, had almost forgotten it. Claud, as usual, would make a fourth, of that she had no doubt. Sometimes it irritated her to think that Kay should imagine that a fourth was necessary; she didn’t mind a bit being partnerless; in fact, she wouldn’t have minded had they left her at home. Anything, anything would be better than Claud’s perpetual presence.
Seymour seemed unaware of his companion’s silence as he drew at his pipe. “Don’t you want a rest?” he suggested.
“I think I prefer it here. It’s only sixish, isn’t it?” She glanced at her watch, then continued to speak. “The sun’s just sinking. I think this is the loveliest time of all. Isn’t that red on the horizon just like fire? Almost as though the plantation were aflame. It’s strange how quickly day turns to night in this country.”
“You like this country?”
“I love it. I can’t believe I haven’t lived here always. I can’t imagine ever leaving it.”
“Why must you ever leave?”
Patricia looked up quickly. She had hardly realized what she had said. “Of course I shall have to leave here ... one day, but I know I shall come back. I feel it is inevitable.”
“It’s strange you should love the East so much. I love it too. I’m not only here because my living lies here, but because, to me, it is the most wonderful place in the world. Sometimes I’ve been lonely; even beauty needs to be shared before it can be perfect. I want Maimie to love it as much as I do. Do you think she will?”
The question was unexpected, and the hint of anxiety in Seymour’s voice did not escape Patricia’s attention. She hesitated, staring before her at the gradually darkening sky, carefully choosing her words. “I’m sure she’ll be happy here. Surely you don’t doubt it?”
“I don’t really doubt it.” Seymour knocked out his pipe and restored it to the depth of his pocket. “I just wondered if she’d get restless. I’m out a lot, you know, and when we are married and you’ve gone...”
“But there are plenty of people she’ll get to know. She hasn’t been here long yet. Why, already there’s Kitty. She’s charming, and Maimie makes friends so quickly,” Patricia broke in reassuringly.
“Yes, Kitty Wane is a dear, and I know she’d do anything to help Maimie. I’ve known both Kitty and her brother for some years. I understand that Ian Alastar is an old flame of Kitty’s. I hope something comes of that.”
‘I think something will!” Patricia smiled. “It’s still a secret, but Kitty did drop a hint or two about it. I think an engagement may shortly be announced.”
“I guessed as much. I saw Bob Wane this morning.” Seymour paused and twisted round on the step to face his companion. “You ... you’re not engaged or anything, are you?” Seymour regretted the question the moment the words had left his lips. After all, it was no affair of his. He hoped his words sounded casual and disinterested, but he was, almost to his annoyance, keyed up to hear the answer. From the first moment he had seen her on the Rajah, he had recalled vividly every detail of her appearance, but by now Seymour had forced himself to the realization that, as an engaged man, other girl’s charms should no longer be any concern of his; yet he was unable to deny how much he hung on the answer to his question.
“No, of course I’m not engaged.” Patricia made an abrupt change of subject, as if she too were aware of the curiously charged atmosphere. “Look, the sun’s just disappearing. It’s practically dusk already.” must go in now, I really must.” The words trembled on her lips as she pulled herself from his grasp. “I’ll never be dressed in time, and like every other man, I expect you hate being kept waiting,” she ended with a levity she was far from feeling.
Seymour made no further effort to detain her, but with a murmured “See you later” he let her go, watching her slender figure as she swung away from him and, crossing the verandah, entered into the bungalow. For a moment his eyes lingered on the doorway through which she had disappeared. His thoughts were many miles away, back again in England. It was wet and cold, and beneath a rain-drenched hat he visualized a face just as he had recently seen it, pale and ghostly in the moonlight. His lips formed the words, “I thought I had managed to forget her...” Then he noticed the white jacket which she had left behind, and with a swift, uncontrollable impulse he lifted the soft garment in both hands and held it caressingly against his cheek. For one moment he breathed in the fragrant perfume Patricia always used. This was madness. He was engaged to Maimie—actually engaged this time. Why—oh, why could he not thrust Patricia into the background of his mind? With a deliberate gesture he replaced the jacket on a chair and strode into the lighted bungalow.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I really believe that Patricia Dare is in love with Seymour Warinder!” Kitty leaned her two elbows on the table and confronted Ian Alastar with her somewhat startling announcement. “I certainly believe that she cares more about him than that Hanny girl whom he proposes to marry.”
Ian pushed back his coffee cup and stared across the breakfast table at his companion. “Kitty, my dear, what a devastating statement to make.” He smiled good-humoredly. “If it was anyone but you who had said it I should have, put him down as a good-for-nothing mischief-maker.” His eyes softened. “You couldn’t make mischief about anyone.”
“Don’t you believe it!” Kitty’s face dimpled. “It’s a long time since we met, Dr. Alastar, and for all you know I may be a changed woman.”
“Not you!” Ian glanced indulgently at the girl who, despite her youth, looked the picture of efficiency as she presided at the head of her brother’s table. From the little Ian had seen of the Wane ménage, it was pretty obvious that Kitty was the ruling factor. The rather plump, tomboyish girl hadn’t changed much since he had visited the Wanes’ home in England when he was a mere medical student. Even then she had kept a watchful eye on her brother and been his guide and mentor. Bob Wane, always delicate and in indifferent health, adored his sister, and it had been no surprise to Ian when he had heard that she was to accompany him to the East and look after him in his new life. Ian repressed a sigh. How different things might have been, if only he hadn’t been so blind, hadn’t rushed into a marriage which, had he paused to consider, could never have ended in any other way than it had. Still, thank goodness it wasn’t too late. When he was entirely free of his shackles, when his divorce decree was made absolute ... he stared meditatively at Kitty, and a feeling of happiness pervaded his heart, such contentment as he had not known for years.
“You do look serious. What are you thinking about?” Kitty’s lips widened into a smile. “Are you beginning to wonder whether, after all, I’m not right?”
“As a matter of fact, I wasn’t. I’m not the least bit concerned with Warinder’s love-affairs. I was thinking of something far more personal.” The look accompanying his words left Kitty little doubt as to the subject of his thoughts. It was such a short time since his arrival, and yet in innumerable ways he had shown Kitty that, after all her years of waiting, there was still a chance that she would obtain her heart’s desire. Ian had altered; he had grown into a man, so much more introspective than the boy she had known. Like Patricia, she also found him difficult to draw out, but—she cheered to the thought—he was changing; already she was sure that he would regain the cheery optimism he had once possessed. She loved him deeply, and this time, with the confidence of added years, she was sure of winning him.
“Do you think it was awful of me to suggest that Patricia might be in love with an engaged man?” s
he questioned, reverting to the subject on which she was subconsciously longing for an opinion.
“It’s not awful, as you put it, but you’ve only seen Patricia once or twice, and I really don’t see how you could form an opinion,” Ian protested.
“I called at Warinder’s bungalow one morning last week, and have seen both Pat and Maimie a few times since.” She shook her head obstinately. “I still say that’s the impression I got.” She leaned more confidingly towards Ian. “You told me yourself that Maimie had a hectic flirtation with Claud Burny on the way out. It’s still going on. He called for her while I was there and they went out together. Yesterday I saw them both at the swimming club. How long do you think Seymour Warinder will stand for that? You don’t know the Singapore crowd as we do. Everyone knows everyone else here, and each other’s business as well! Claud Burny only spends a month or two a year in Singapore, but he has the reputation of being the most outrageous philanderer, and Seymour Warinder certainly must know it.”
“So much the better! He won’t attach any importance to the friendship if he realizes that Burny isn’t serious.”
Kitty shook her head impatiently. “You don’t understand. Flirting may be harmless with some people, but Claud’s reputation with girls is beyond a joke. He makes a hobby of having affairs, and no decent girl ought to have anything to do with him.”
“Maimie will soon find that out, if she hasn’t already. I expect she’ll shake him off as soon as she settles down. Anyway, she gets married in a week or two, doesn’t she?” Ian inquired.
“She told me originally that they had decided to wait a month.” A frown creased Kitty’s smooth brow. “I know you think this is just a passing thing. I can’t explain how I feel about it, only I know I’m not as sanguine as you. Claud’s awfully attractive. Supposing Maimie has really fallen for him and isn’t just passing the time?”
“If neither of them is fooling, it isn’t too late for Maimie to jilt Warinder and marry Burny,” Ian responded philosophically. He pushed back his chair from the table and rose, as if dismissing the conversation.
“Sit down again. I haven’t nearly finished,” Kitty ordered laughingly. “This thing’s on my mind and I must discuss it with someone.”
Ian did as he was requested and turned again to Kitty. The smile had left his face, and a serious expression clouded his eyes. “You aren’t worrying about it, are you? It’s no affair of ours,” he insisted.
“I realize that, but I’m awfully fond of Patricia. I’ve taken a tremendous liking to her.” She looked directly at her companion. “I know you like her too; you said you’d seen a lot of her on board, and. how much she had interested you. She’s still a sort of guardian to Maimie, and she’s worried to death about it already; that’s quite obvious.”
“But discussing it won’t help; we can’t do anything,” Ian protested. “Pat came out to chaperon Maimie; she can’t be responsible for any change of heart that may take place. If Maimie chooses to mess up her intended marriage, it isn’t Pat’s fault.”
“Ian...” Kitty paused, as if considering her words. “I want to tell you something. She leaned confidingly toward him. “I said that Pat was in love with Seymour Warinder. It wasn’t just guesswork. I suppose girls sense these things easily. She didn’t actually tell me anything, didn’t confess a thing, but she did admit that she’s met him before, and coming across him here was a complete surprise; she had no idea that Maimie’s future husband and the man she had once known were one and the same.”
“She couldn’t have known him very well, then ... couldn’t even have remembered his name. Are you sure you aren’t jumping to conclusions?” Ian questioned doubtfully.
“I know I’m not, and if she cares for Seymour, it’s going to make it much harder for her to see him either jilted or, if Maimie does marry him, completely fooled,” Kitty asserted with conviction.
“You’re taking the whole thing far too seriously.” Ian smiled kindly. “Don’t go worrying about it, my dear. Pat’s a sensible, practical girl; she can look after herself all right, and Maimie, although she may be a bit headstrong, is really sweet-natured at heart.”
Kitty scarcely heard her companion’s last words, as she had jumped quickly to her feet. “Wasn’t that the sound of a car? It can’t be Bob. He won’t be back until lunch... Who on earth can it be?” She crossed to the window. “Yes, it’s a car all right, and it’s stopping here,” She peered forward. “I can’t make out who it is at all.”
Ian joined Kitty at the window, and, slipping his arm round her shoulders, looked over her head at the advancing car. It turned into the drive and drew to a standstill.
“That’s Seymour Warinder’s sais ... I’m sure it is.”
“What’s a sais?" Ian questioned while his eyes still tried to identify the occupant of the car.
“Malay for chauffeur ... You’ll have to learn some Malay. I’ll teach you, if you like.” Kitty placed her hands on the sill and leaned far out of the window. “It’s Pat! I wonder why she’s here so early?” She pulled herself from Ian’s hold and ran toward the door.
Ian watched her flying figure as she ran down the drive to greet the new arrival. What a darling Kitty was! A frown momentarily puckered his brow. It was silly of her to worry about the Warinder affair; she was probably making a mountain out of a molehill.
In another moment Kitty, her arm linked in Patricia’s, appeared in the doorway. “I’m sorry. Ian and I have been talking ... we’ve been so engrossed in our own affairs that we haven’t even had the breakfast cleared.” She excused herself to her friend.
“I’m sorry ... I shouldn’t have come so early.” A faint flush rose to Patricia’s fair skin. “It is rather an early hour for calling.” She advanced, with hand outstretched, to Ian. “Good morning. I’m afraid I’ve interrupted you both.”
“Not a bit,” Kitty broke in before Ian had time to reply. “Ian is supposed to be meeting Bob at the hospital this morning. It’s time he left. I hadn’t realized how late it was.” She turned to Ian. “I’ve ordered the car; it’ll be ready now; in fact I expect it’s been ready for ages.” She smiled affectionately as she bade Ian goodbye. “See you at lunchtime. Tell Bob to be punctual for once; it’s a curry tiffin!”
She watched Ian depart before returning to her friend. “We’ll go into Bob’s study; it’s cool there in the mornings.”
Patricia followed Kitty through the folding doors to an adjoining room furnished as a study. Kitty set the electric fan in motion and drew forward two easy chairs. “I’m awfully glad you came. I’ve nothing to do this morning and was just longing for company.” Patricia pulled off her hat. “I hope you really didn’t mind my dropping in like this, but I felt I must get out ... somewhere—anywhere.” There was a note of distress in Patricia’s voice which did not escape Kitty’s attention.
“Pat, dear ... what’s the matter?” Kitty’s voice was full of sympathy.
Patricia smiled at her companion’s serious tone. “Please, don’t waste your sympathy on me; there is really nothing the matter, only ...” She paused for a second before continuing. “As Maimie was out I thought Seymour might return and somehow ... well, I thought it might look better if he found us both out ... not just Maimie out without me.”
Kitty leaned back in her chair. “I see. She’s out with Claud. You intend to time your visit here so as to return with Maimie, then Seymour will think you’ve been out together?”
Patricia looked at Kitty in amazement. “How did you guess?” she asked in considerable surprise. “Maimie is picking me up here and we’re returning together.”
“It’s pretty obvious. You’ll have the devil of a time until Maimie marries if you’re going to exert all your ingenuity in covering up her deficiencies,” Kitty observed dryly.
“It isn’t that,” Patricia protested. “Maimie is so eager to enjoy life to the full it makes her inconsiderate. She’s always had such a dreary time that she can’t resist snatching at all the pleasure offered no
w it’s hers for the taking. Seymour wouldn’t mind, I’m sure he wouldn’t,” she insisted with almost too much emphasis, as if she were trying to convince herself as well as Kitty of the truth of her remarks. “But he might take a dislike to Claud, and then it would be awful. He hasn’t said anything; you understand that, don’t you? In fact, he knows that Maimie sees Claud frequently. He dined with us last night. Seymour invited him himself, and he often makes a fourth when we dine out, so you see Seymour must like him.”
“I’m sure he does, and he’ll go on liking him so long as you and Maimie can keep him blind as to the true state of affairs,” Kitty observed with a smile. “There is no reason why he should do otherwise than like him.”
“But I can’t let Maimie down. I must stand by her.” Patricia’s words were anguished. “You think it’s wrong of me, but I know you’d do the same if you were in my place!”
“I wonder.” Kitty lapsed into silence, and when next she spoke it was slowly, as if she were weighing every word. “Seymour Warinder is marrying Maimie in a very short time now. Do you think it quite fair to let him in for marriage unless he has seen his future wife in a true perspective? He hasn’t known her long. Not long enough when you are considering a lifetime in one another’s company. That’s the sort of thing that happens out East quite a lot. Men get engaged while they’re on leave, their brides come out to join them, knowing nothing about the life or the conditions in these hot countries. Sometimes the marriage is a success, sometimes it doesn’t work at all.”
Gone Away Page 8
