'For the hangings in our bedroom. I wanted your workshop to do them, but there was no one there who could show me anything. I obtained these designs from someone else. If we are to be wed in a month's time, I need them now.'
'A month?' Rory asked, startled and dismayed. No precise time had been settled before he went to Holland.
'Yes. Papa thinks we have waited long enough, though I keep telling him that was not my doing.'
'It seems very sudden to me,' Rory replied bluntly. The very idea that his freedom was so limited appalled him. 'I think we should wait a little longer. I have so much to do with the business, I need to find responsible managers, and a new designer. A month is too soon.'
'But I don't want to wait a long time! And June is a lovely month for a wedding.''
She cared only for her own pleasures, he thought angrily. Catriona would never have put her own desires before the good of the business.
'If I can have some time to put my business in order, I can afford to take a longer break from it, and we can have a longer wedding journey. Perhaps go to London,' he offered rashly, while one part of his mind was desperately seeking a way out of this commitment.
Susannah's eyes gleamed and he cursed himself inwardly for having been so foolish as to suggest such an inducement.
'Really? But I don't understand why we cannot go in a month's time?'
'I've explained,' he began angrily, letting his annoyance show.
'You can go,' Silas intervened. 'I'll pay, and Rory, I'll look after the business while you're gone.'
Rory rose to his feet, too angry to remain. A sudden image of Silas in the nuptial bedroom, making sure he performed his husbandly duties adequately, made him give an involuntary chuckle. Silas, though startled, looked complacent.
'I must go. It's late, and I have much to do. I will see you in the morning, Silas. Goodnight, Susannah. We'll talk about this in a day or so, when I see how things are.'
*****
For several days after Rory left Catriona felt devastated. She'd never hoped, except in dreams, for happiness with him, but knowing now that he loved her, that it might have been possible after all for them to have had a life together, made her anguish sharper.
She'd liked him from their first meeting. Initially it had been because he shared her interest in fabrics, and she admitted his good looks might have had something to do it too. Yet Thomas was even more handsome. Thomas, though, was a different sort of person, self-absorbed and interested only in pleasure, where Rory was considerate of others, working hard to restore a business that was not his. Thomas would never have been so unselfish.
She'd been happy and contented working with Rory. They had begun to make progress, the business was proving successful, and her designs were becoming recognised and popular. Together they could have done great things. It wasn't to be. If he had loved a different sort of girl, one who would have supported him, could she have suppressed her own love for him and continued working with him, seeing him day after day? She shook her head. She wasn't so self-denying. It would have been torture to see him happy, in love with anyone else.
When she was with the rest of her family she managed, she hoped, to behave normally. Maigret, she thought, was the only one who had any suspicion of the truth, though Jan had made a few uncomplimentary remarks about Rory which showed he had not liked him.
'Catriona, you need more clothes,' Maigret said the day after Rory left. 'I am taking you with me to my own dressmaker.'
Not really interested, Catriona complied. It was easier than making excuses to refuse such expeditions, which Maigret at least enjoyed.
There seemed to be an orgy of buying. They bought silks and brocades, velvets and the finest muslin. Maigret did not restrict herself to fabrics for new gowns, but insisted Catriona needed hats and shoes, shawls and gloves, fans and reticules. Catriona stood for hours being fitted for gowns, day gowns, evening gowns, until she could not even recall them all.
'You should not spend so much on me,' she protested.
'I have no daughter, and it pleases me. Besides, you should have a share in our business, we are doing very well. And you had so little when you came to us.'
'I could not carry many clothes when I left Uncle Colin's house,' Catriona pointed out, 'and I was too busy in Glasgow to bother, and besides I was saving money to buy my passage to Holland.'
'Were you?' Maigret said. 'I rather think you might have remained with Mr Napier, if things had been, shall we say, different.'
That was all she said, not pressing Catriona to confide in her, but letting her sympathy show. Catriona could only behave as was expected of her. She agreed to all the expeditions they suggested for her entertainment, and went to parties with their friends. Everyone made her feel welcome. They were all interested in her designs, begging to be allowed to see them.
There was not a great deal of leisure for doing them, but when she could snatch a few hours Catriona spent the time carving new blocks or working out new designs. Whatever she did, she tried not to think about Rory.
*****
In Glasgow Rory found that the situation at his own workshops were not good. On the morning following his visit to Susannah's home it took him several hours to sort out the confusion and problems that had arisen at both workshops during his absence. He found it amazingly difficult to concentrate. All he could think of was Cat, subdued and distant – not at all the lively, enthusiastic companion he'd become so used to. She loved him, he was sure, but how was he to disentangle the mess he'd plunged them into so that he could go to her, a free man? Then his thoughts veered to her cousin. Jan loved Cat too, and even if she had once loved him, might she now turn to Jan? Groaning, he forced his attention back to his business. The only encouraging sign was that Gordon MacLeish, left suddenly in charge at the new one, had used his initiative in ordering some more dye materials.
'I had to do it, Mr Napier,' he said, standing before Rory's desk and twisting his cap in his hands. 'I know it wasn't rightly my place, but if I hadn't there'd have been no colour for the big order, and if we lost that it would have been bad for us. Besides, I didn't want everyone sitting around idle, and I didn't know what else to set them to.'
'You did well, man. Don't look so worried, I'm pleased. What's the most urgent task here?'
They sorted out a few items and Rory left Gordon, confident that the man would be able to manage for a few days, while he dealt with other matters. Gordon was an excellent printer himself, careful and conscientious. He would ensure the others did the work properly.
The original workshop was in more chaos, since Bessie had departed, and the other woman he and Catriona had employed hadn't been seen for a week.
'She's probably ill, poor lass,' one of the other women suggested. 'She was looking sickly the last time she was here.'
'I heard there were several cases of cholera down where she lives, by the docks,' one of the others said.
With no one experienced enough to control and supervise, work had virtually come to a halt, and when Rory inspected the cloth which had been printed he found several faults. Much of the work would have to be done again, and he frowned at the waste of linen and time.
'For the moment I'm going to close this workshop,' he decided. It was impossible to oversee both as well as his uncle's affairs. 'Go to the other one and tell Gordon he's to find work for you there.'
They grumbled, more at the thought that their time of ease had ended, and they would be expected to work once more, he thought, than because of the change of workplace. If they didn't like it, they could leave his employment, he told them, exasperated. Was everyone but Gordon determined to thwart him?
Finally, late in the afternoon, he arrived at his uncle's office. At least he had Joshua there, and could rely on him to keep the business going, even if he did not have the power to make major decisions.
Joshua was in the stables, rubbing down his horse, and when he heard Rory he ran out to intercept him, dropping the wisp of hay
he'd been using on the cobbles.
'Mr Rory, Sir, oh where have ye been?' he gasped.
'Not you too!' Rory sighed. 'I had business, away from Glasgow.'
'We were all so concerned for you.'
'I'm not a baby! I can look after myself!'
'Yes, yes, of course, but – ' Joshua said, edging sideways to block Rory's progress.
'Let me pass, man. The sooner I can get into the office the sooner I'll deal with whatever needs doing,' he said brusquely, trying again to get past Joshua who was still blocking his way.
'But – haven't you heard?'
'Heard what?'
'Oh, Mr Rory, I don't know how to tell you, that I don't.''
Rory suddenly paid closer attention. It was unlike Joshua to sound so agitated. Now what fresh calamity had fallen on them? 'Tell me then.'
Joshua glanced uneasily over his shoulder and lowered his voice. 'Mr Matthew. He's here.'
'Damnation!' Rory exclaimed. That was all he needed. When Matthew decided to interfere everything took twice as long, since he would argue. 'When?'
'He arrived early this morning. I understand he reached Glasgow late last night, and he's putting up at the Tontine Hotel.'
This was even more surprising than the fact he had come at all. 'What made him come to Glasgow?' Had Silas summoned him? Was this another example of the man's craving to interfere?
He moved again towards the office, and halted when Joshua caught at his arm.
'You haven't heard,' Joshua said slowly, and took a deep breath. 'Begging your pardon, Mr Rory, but you ought to know.'
'Know what? Don't be so mysterious!'
'It's John, his son, John Ogilvie.'
'John? What about him? He was killed in India.'
'He wasn't. It was all a mistake.'
'A mistake?' Rory asked. 'How could that be?'
Joshua shook his head. 'I don't know. But he's here now, says he's running the business.'
*****
Wilhelm had been away for several weeks. Catriona knew he spent much of his time travelling, often for longer periods, on the family's affairs. He reappeared one afternoon, having arrived in Amsterdam that morning, and came into the small parlour where Catriona was sitting, poring over her drawing pad. Jan and Maigret followed him in.
He dropped his cloak over a chair, and turned to the maid who was holding something for him.
'Thank you. You can go now,' he said, taking it from her. 'Here, Catriona, this is yours.'
She took it, a parcel wrapped in sacking. She slowly removed the coverings and found a velvet, draw-string bag. She tipped out the contents, then looked up at him in delighted astonishment.
'My mother's jewels? Wilhelm, how did you get them? Have you been to my Uncle's? Oh, what did you do?'
'Look through them, make sure all are there.'
'If they are not we will have to go back and thrash the man,' Jan said, half-laughing, half-serious.
She lifted out the rings, looking at them with tears in her eyes. 'You went to see Uncle Colin? For me?'
Wilhelm chuckled. 'I had business in Glasgow, so I made time to ride there. He was not pleased to see me.'
'I can imagine it. It must have been a dreadful shock to him, especially after all this time. But he gave you these.'
'After some bluster and argument, and when he saw that I was not going to go away. He did, at one time, contemplate trying to throw me out bodily, but his son – and your cousin Thomas, I'm sorry to say, is as unpleasant as he is – well, Thomas declined to join him in the task, which was wise of him, if somewhat cowardly.'
Catriona fingered the necklaces. 'I wish I'd been there! Yes, all the jewels are here. Oh, Wilhelm, I am so very grateful to you! It's not that they are especially valuable in themselves, but they meant so much to my mother.'
'I do not know how you could have endured living in the same house as them.'
'Poor Catriona had little choice,' his mother said.
'I met the delightful Mr MacNeill, too,' Wilhelm went on. 'A more prosy, tedious little man I have never before had to suffer. He was with your uncle when I arrived, ranting about the perceived sins of some poor maidservant who hadn't attended the Kirk one Sunday because her employer, himself, had given her too many tasks to perform. It was only with great difficulty your uncle and I persuaded him to leave so that we could discuss our private business. Your uncle was no more eager than I to mention the jewels in front of him!'
Jan clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. 'Next time, you must allow me to go and inspect these horrors.'
'I advise you don't. I still feel dirty. I am going to indulge in a bath.'
He departed, and Maigret said she had work to do in the still room, and left Catriona alone.
*****
Two days later, as she was showing Jan some more of her designs, he suddenly thrust aside the papers and strode across to look out of the window. As Catriona glanced at him in surprise, he turned then came across and sat on a small footstool beside her.
'Catriona, I know it's been a very short time that we've known one another, since childhood, I mean, but I can't wait any longer. I want you to marry me.'
Catriona looked up, alarmed. 'Jan?'
He looked rueful. 'So surprised? But I thought I had made my feelings clear. I'm the eldest son. It's high time I got married, provided sons to carry on the business. Until you came I did not want to. I was happy as a bachelor, but now that is not enough. I love you, cousin, and I hope you can love me in return.'
She had suspected for some time that his feelings were more than those of a cousin. His attentions had been growing more particular, but she'd tried to discourage them, hoping not to be faced with this situation.
Slowly she shook her head. 'Jan, I can't.'
He smiled and patted her hand. 'I know, it is too soon. I should have waited. But when I see how some of the other young men look at you, I am afraid one of them will capture your heart before I can. Do you love any of them?'
'The ones your mother introduces me to?' Catriona asked, her heart beating uncomfortably fast. 'Love one of them? No, Jan, I feel nothing for any of them.'
He moved away, speaking over his shoulder. He sounded nervous, unlike the usually confident businessman.
'Then the Scotsman who came here? Does he mean more to you than you've admitted? I am not convinced by his reasons for seeking you out. Does he love you? Is it him you pine for?'
'He is betrothed. He was just the man I worked for,' Catriona said evasively, thinking that it was true before Rory's visit. He had not loved her. Or, to be more accurate, he said he had not known it. There was no need for Jan to be told that this had changed, or about her own feelings for Rory. 'He helped me when I ran away from my uncle's house.'
Jan turned and walked back, and knelt before her,
'Will you consider me? I have spoken too early, I know, but I wanted you to know my feelings, dearest Catriona. It would please my mother and father, they already regard you as a daughter.'
'They – you have all been very kind,' Catriona said quietly, wondering whether his protestations of love had more to do with his parents' expectations than his own feelings. He sounded too calm, too controlled, unlike Rory's uncertain words and sudden passion.
'I wish to be more than kind!'
'Jan, I don't love you,' she said helplessly. 'I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll change.'
'Love will grow,' he insisted. 'We are friends, which is more important, and I will make you love me.'
At last, hoping it would deter him from more declarations, she agreed to consider it, though warning him she thought it unlikely she would change her mind.
'That is sufficient, for the time being,' he said, taking her hand and kissing it.
*****
Chapter 18
Inside the office John was seated behind the desk, glass of whisky in his hand. Shorter and slighter than Rory, he looked remarkably unchanged. He had cast his wig aside and looked boyish, apart fro
m a knowing look in his eyes. His skin was tanned and his fair hair bleached from the Indian sun. He now glanced up at Rory and smiled lazily.
'Cousin Rory! The wanderer returns. No one seemed to know where you were.'
Rory laughed. 'Surely that applies more to you! We thought you were dead. Welcome back, John. Your father must be overwhelmed with joy.'
'Excessively.' John grinned. 'I never knew I held such an important place in his affections! It's gratifying to discover it.'
'He was never one to show his feelings, but he was devastated when you left, and when he thought you dead I expected him to lose his reason. You ought never to have gone away.'
John grunted. 'You were there, and he cared more for you than for me. He was always singing your praises, how clever and industrious you were.'
'You are mistaken. If he did it was only to spur you on. I'm sorry if my presence drove you away.'
John stood up, came round the desk, and they clasped one another's hands.
'It's good to see you.'
'Join me in a dram?' John suggested, retrieving the glass he'd set down on the desk. 'I must congratulate you on the quality of the whisky you keep here.'
'For my favoured customers,' Rory said. 'It puts them in the right mood for bargaining.' He poured himself some and lifted the glass in a toast. 'When did you arrive?'
'In Scotland? A couple of weeks ago. I spent a few days in Edinburgh, sampling the delights I've been deprived of for so many years, such as fair ladies. I needed to replenish my wardrobe too, I was sadly out of fashion. I think it was wise to enjoy my freedom for a while.'
'How so?'
John grimaced. 'I am to be plunged into a suitable occupation without pause. I went to Braemar to announce my return from the dead. He insisted on dragging me here at once, to settle the business with lawyers. I'm very much afraid he's making a new will. I understand I will be depriving you of your anticipated inheritance, cousin. My deepest commiserations.''
'I suppose you will,' Rory said thoughtfully. He grinned. 'My commiserations to you!'
'Don't expect me to renounce it. I have expensive tastes, I need it. In return I am to have the delights of running his business.'
Wild Catriona Page 21
