Country Wives

by Rebecca Shaw

  Giles looked shaken but didn’t admit to it. He took a moment to reassemble his ego, then said calmly, “I’ll contact the college; see if they’re willing. OK?”

  “Of course. That’s fine by me. Lord Askew says the best in the field, so that’s what we’ll do.” He drove back to the practice, vindicated and full of satisfaction.

  He sought out Mungo immediately and found him putting the finishing touches to an operation on a cat with two broken legs. “There we are, Bunty; you know the routine. Ring the client, tell them the good news, be your sweetest, there’s a love, they’ll be well-nigh hysterical by now.” He peeled off his operating gown and saw Dan. “Ah! It’s you. What news on Galaxy?”

  “Thankfully, I’ve been proved right.”

  Mungo gave a great “Ah!” of approval.

  “It’s the Royal Veterinary College for Galaxy, nothing less will do.”

  “Of course. Beware Lady Mary: sweet as pie if things go her way, but she’ll have you scrambled for breakfast if anything goes wrong. I’d like to go over the operation with you if you’d be so kind. Pure interest, you know, though I am staking a lot on the success of it; you must see that.”

  Dan laughed. “Of course. I can just disappear off into the sunset while you’ll be left to carry the can. We’ve discussed it thoroughly with Lady Mary and Lord Askew, and they wholeheartedly agree with the decision.”

  “And Giles Standen-Briggs?”

  Dan paused a moment before replying, “The X-ray has proved him wrong, and he hasn’t taken kindly to that, but he’s bearing up.”

  “Treat him with care. We don’t need any antagonism between the two practices.”

  Bunty left the operating room carrying the patient, and as he closed the door after her, Dan asked, “Supposing it works out. Shall we take on the equine side if it’s offered?”

  “Let’s leave it till after, shall we? The whole picture might change.”

  “Fair enough. You haven’t got someone else, then, to replace me?”

  Mungo, scrubbing his hands at the sink, said above the noise of the running tap, “No. I’d have told you if I had. I have advertised again, though. I’m of two minds. Miriam wants you to stay and almost everyone else is halfhearted or downright against you. That first chap kept us hanging on far too long. I reckon he only applied for our job as a lever to get more money out of the practice where he is now. But I don’t have to take anyone on if I decide for you to stay.” As he dried his hands, he looked Dan in the eye and went on, “Are you still of the same mind?”

  “I’d like to stay, yes. Buy a house. Settle down.”

  “A lot hangs on this operation.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m not sure about taking on equine. Getting his farm work back, yes, but horses …” Mungo shook his head. “Whole new ball game. Equipment, new setup. No, I’m not sure.”

  “If you invite me to stay, I have capital, and I wouldn’t mind …”

  “Right, right. I hear what you say. I’ll think about it.” Mungo put on a clean operating gown. “Must press on.”

  Bunty and Sarah Two came in carrying a comatose black spaniel. “You have the notes, Mungo, he’s all ready for the anesthetic.”

  Dan took his leave. Mungo rechecked the case file and bent to his task.

  “MIRIAM! I’m starving.” She was in the kitchen testing a chicken casserole for flavor.

  “This is the very last remains of the Christmas food. I swear, honest to God, I shan’t buy as much food next Christmas as I did this. We seem to have been eating up for years.” She grinned at him, put her hands round the back of his neck and drew him to her for a kiss.

  After he’d savored her kiss for a few moments he asked, “You’ve heard?”

  “No, what? I’ve been out all afternoon.”

  “Where’ve you been?”

  “Walking with Perkins. That’s why he’s not come to greet you. He’s flaked out in his basket.”

  “The lazy devil. You’ll be pleased to hear that Dan has come out smelling of roses.”

  “No! With Galaxy, I assume?”

  Mungo nodded. “He’s almost too good to be true. Not only that, Tad Porter is over the moon because Dan’s saved Connie Porter’s young house cow from lead poisoning; and I met Phil Parsons in the town this morning, and he feels Dan’s the best vet we’ve had in years. Reckons he saved his bull, Sunny Boy, from choking to death.”

  Triumphantly, Miriam said, “What did I tell you? Didn’t I say?”

  “I’ve placed the advert for Dan’s job, so it’s too late to withdraw, but I really do think we should keep him.”

  Miriam thumped her fist on his arm. “I knew I was right; and surely to goodness old Askew will want us back, and very possibly we’ll get the equine work too. Dan must have an instinctive eye for horses.”

  “He’s volunteered money if and when …”

  “Really?”

  “That would mean a partnership, though.”

  “Well, why not? With Lord Askew, to say nothing of Lady Mary, on our side we would do well. Oh, Mungo! Aren’t you excited? A whole new chapter for us.”

  “I know. Do we want it? Apart from you, all the wives in the practice have their knife into Dan. Well, women. Zoe, Letty, Joy, Stephie, the two Sarahs and, on occasion, Bunty. Perhaps it wouldn’t be worth it.”

  “One word from you and the whole picture would change. That smile of yours could melt an iceberg.”

  “Rubbish.”

  “It’s true. Honestly. The casserole’s ready. Go and sit down.”

  “Still, we’ll wait and see if the tide turns in our favor. Old Askew might have more allegiance to Standen-Briggs than we’ve bargained for.”

  “Not if Lady Mary takes a shine to Dan. I wonder, could we persuade him to pay her some attention while she waits to see if the operation is a success?”

  “Miriam! If? Do you doubt Dan’s prognosis?” Mungo raised his eyebrows at her, and she had to laugh.

  “Of course not. I have every faith in him. What he needs is a good wife, though, and why not Lady Mary? She doesn’t inherit, because there’s a string of sons, so no one could question his pedigree, could they?”

  “I’ve only met her once and, though I admit she has breeding and is very beautiful, having her as a wife would be hell. I don’t think Dan would sit very comfortably with a wife who wants it all her own way.”

  “I didn’t say he had to marry her in order to get Lord Askew’s account. Just flirt a little, keep her on our side.”

  “Are there no depths to which you will not sink?”

  Miriam had to laugh. “None.”

  “Colin manages with a wife who gets all her own way. Though ‘manages’ just about sums it up.”

  “So you haven’t noticed the change, then?”

  “Change?”

  Miriam nodded her head. “Oh yes! For my sins I had coffee with Letty in the mall this morning. Her suggestion. She’d been to the beauty shop before I met her, and I must say the result was excellent. Also, instead of those clothes which make her fade into the background, that dreadful cream suit, for instance, she was wearing a little raspberry-colored number Colin had chosen for her in Paris. That weekend seems to have, well, I don’t know what, but mellowed things a little. From something she said, I have an idea Colin’s been putting his foot down.”

  “Colin? That’ll be a first.”

  “What she needed, though. Finished, darling?”

  “Yes, thanks. Only don’t find any other leftovers. Just give them to Perkins, and let’s have done with them. I don’t want to see any more of this trifle.”

  “I feel the same. Poor Perkins … New Year’s. What shall we do?”

  “Don’t know; haven’t got that far yet. Let’s clear up and sit down in front of the TV. I’m on call. Pray it’s a quiet night.”

  Miriam got up from her chair and, ignoring Perkins clamoring for their leftovers, went to put her arms round Mungo. “Poor you. You know the knickknacks? It
’s a pity Dan had the idea so close to Christmas. We’d have made a killing if we’d had more time. Most of the stock is promised for delivery by the New Year, and I can’t wait to get cracking. He does have good ideas, you know, does Dan. It would be rather fun if he did get himself some female company. It would fill his life up tremendously, wouldn’t it? Just round things off for him, sort of? Go and sit down. I’ll clear up.”

  THREE weekends after his opinion had been sought about Galaxy, Dan was on duty when he received a call from Lady Mary. “Dan Brown? Mary Askew here.” He picked up on the pent-up excitement in her voice and wondered what she wanted him for.

  “Yes, it’s me, Lady Mary.”

  “Dan, Galaxy’s back from the Vet College. I thought you’d like to know that the operation has gone well. We’ve just unloaded him, and he’s in his stable, tucked up and looking fine.”

  “I’m very pleased to hear that. Very pleased indeed. What a relief.”

  “Amazing place.”

  “You went with him?”

  “Oh yes, couldn’t let him go all that way on his own. Amazing facilities there and so charming, all of them. Did you train there?”

  “I did.”

  “Then you’ll know what I’m talking about. Would you call Monday to change his bandages? Just this once. Show me and Gavin what to do?”

  “Of course, I’d be delighted, but what about Standen-Briggs? Surely…”

  He heard a sharp, impatient breath. “I asked you.” Dan thought she would say something more, but for a moment she didn’t. Then, “Well? Will you come?”

  “I thought Giles would be …”

  “I asked you. Hang Giles. He couldn’t even recognize what you could see immediately.”

  “Very well, but I feel uncomfortable about it.”

  “Bother that. Come. Lunchtime Monday and we’ll have lunch and talk. About progress. OK? See you. The name’s Mary.”

  Her receiver snapped down before he could reply. He didn’t really want lunch and still less did he want to upset Giles Standen-Briggs by attending Galaxy when he wasn’t officially his vet. The name’s Mary. God! He didn’t want to get involved there. Those steely blue eyes didn’t appeal one little bit. Lunch!

  But in the event, it all turned out better than he had anticipated. Galaxy cooperated wonderfully well when the bandages were changed, and Lady Mary and Gavin were excellent pupils. When it came to lunch, it was laid in Lady Mary’s small sitting room in the big house. The butler opened the wine and left them to it.

  The day was chill even for January, and Dan appreciated the huge open fire. The lunch table had been drawn close to it, and what with the food and the warmth he soon relaxed. Lady Mary was an entertaining hostess and spoke knowledgeably about horseflesh and competing. The whole subject fired her up, and while she was completely absorbed in talking about it, her face was alight and her eyes less steely.

  Then she got down to the real purpose of his visit. “Daddy will do what I want, whatever. Being the only girl and the youngest in a family of five boys, I only have to dab my eyes and he crumbles. Mummy’s not quite so amenable. Being a woman, she sees straight through my subterfuges, but Daddy! If I insist that we change vets, would you …”

  “Would I what?”

  “Don’t be so damn dumb. You know what I mean. If I persuaded Daddy to drop Standen-Briggs, would you be our vet?”

  Dan shook his head slowly. “Look here. You’re rather jumping the gun. We don’t know how successful we’ve been, do we? Also, your father asked me in for a second opinion, and that is the basis I came on. Fortunately, I was proved right, but that doesn’t mean Giles is a fool. Nor does it mean I want to be your equine vet on a permanent basis. I may not even be here permanently anyway.”

  “You mean that gorgeous Mungo Price doesn’t want to keep you? We’ll see about that.” She layered a pile of brie onto a biscuit and snapped it in half with her beautiful snow-white teeth. When she’d eaten it, she went on, “What I want I get, and I want you. You’ve instinct as well as knowledge, and I don’t know which is the more important. So, would you?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m not playing hard to get…”

  “I know you’re not that kind of person, Dan. You and I are alike. We speak our minds, straight from the shoulder.”

  “Then I’ll speak mine.”

  She waved the other half of her biscuit at him and popped it in her mouth. While chewing it, she said, “Speak up. I’m waiting.”

  “I have experience and I have instinct. I’ve worked in racing stables in the Middle East, and I know what I’m talking about when it comes to horses, but … I do not want to be exclusively equine. I like variety. I actually like cows and sheep, and lambing time is upon us at the moment and I enjoy it, believe it or not. What’s more, I would not want to be running back and forth at your every whim like some kind of tame errand boy. I’m not by nature a lackey; I’m not Gavin. Also, I have Giles to consider and Mungo’s wishes to think of, so there’s no way I am giving you an answer right away.”

  “More wine?”

  “A little, please. But I am honored that you would consider me.”

  “And so you should be. I’m very picky about who gets close to my horses. We’ve twelve all together with my brothers’ and Daddy’s, and Mummy breeds donkeys, so it would be a lucrative account. Leave Giles to me. He’ll do exactly as I say. You can deal with Mungo.” Leaning back in her chair, she said, “You are arrogant at bottom, aren’t you? Most men would jump at the chance to run back and forth when it was me they were running back and forth for.”

  “Would they indeed?” Dan smiled sweetly as he added, “I’m not much impressed by titles.”

  Lady Mary was startled by his frankness. “Mm. Well, that’s certainly refreshing. So, shall you finish the wine?”

  “I’m driving and I have calls to make.”

  “Of course. I’ll put the idea to Daddy and let you know.”

  “I make no promises. Just glad Galaxy is doing well, but it’s early days. Don’t rush him, will you? He needs time. He’s a wonderful animal. It must be a privilege to work with him.”

  “It is. Oh yes. He responds so well and he looks so good, doesn’t he?”

  “He does. There’s a kind of elegance about him, powerful as he is. Wonderful find.”

  “Daddy came back with him one day, and I knew as soon as I saw him that he’d chosen well.”

  “Lucky girl.”

  “I’ve worked hard with him.”

  “Still a lucky girl. Doesn’t matter how hard you work; if the horse hasn’t got that something extra, you’re wasting your time.”

  Lady Mary shrugged her shoulders.

  “Thank you for the lunch. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Your butler took my coat?”

  Lady Mary reached across to the bell pull by the fireside and tugged it. The butler shot in through the door saying, “My lady?”

  “Mr. Brown’s coat, Lister, please.”

  She went out into the stable yard to see him leave. He wound down the window of the Land Rover and thanked her again for lunch.

  “My pleasure, Dan. My pleasure. I’ll give you a buzz shortly. I mean it, I’m having you, so you’d better accept the fact.”

  Dan waved goodbye, thinking heaven preserve me from ruthless women. Out of sight of her he punched the air in triumph.

  Chapter

  • 11 •

  Mia and Kate had tried so very hard to join in with the Christmas activities at the hotel, hoping that the other guests wouldn’t guess how very low they were feeling. The first Christmas Day without Gerry was almost too much for Mia and keeping back the tears an impossibility; twice Kate was up in the night trying to comfort her. At least sharing a room on the basis of cost meant she was there for Mia when she needed her. But Kate felt extremes of pain herself, and try as she might to be bright and festive, she failed dismally. Deceit added to her burden, for she hadn’t told Mia that her mother had been to the practice the morning after arr
iving at their door so unexpectedly, full of plans for Christmas.

  Completely ignoring the presence of Mungo and Stephie, she had addressed herself to Kate. “I was booked in a hotel for lunch on Christmas Day and they’ve squeezed you in too, and I thought we’d have a cozy girls’ evening together, catching up on our lives, and then for Boxing Day I’ve arranged …”

  Kate had interrupted her more forcibly than she’d really intended, but somehow she’d had to put a stop to her plans. “I never said I would come for Christmas. We said we were going away, and I’m not letting Mia down.”

  Her mother’s face had collapsed with hurt. “But now we’ve met we can be together at long last, surely. Our first Christmas. I’ve such plans for the two of us.” Her enthusiasm gathered pace again. “I’m going to the States in May, and I’d love it if you would come, and …”

  “I have my exams this summer. There’s no way I can go to the States, not even for a weekend.” Kate felt as though she were being mown down by a juggernaut, and hysteria began to rise in her throat.

  “I just don’t understand you. Don’t you realize I’m your own mother?”

  “Of course I do. But you can’t expect to come into my life at this late stage and have me fall in with your plans at the snap of your fingers. It’s not reasonable.”

  Out had come the lace-edged handkerchief, and the eyes were carefully dabbed without smearing the mascara. “But I thought … I’m so disappointed.”

  “That isn’t my fault. I never promised anything at all.”

  “When shall I see you?”

  “After Christmas I’ll give you a ring, I promise. I have your card, and we’ll meet up and have tea or something and talk. There’s a lot for us to talk about.”

  “This is not at all what I expected.”

  “Please. I am trying. I’ve sent you a Christmas card. I can’t do any more at the moment. At this minute I’m working and I’m needed. I’ll ring as soon as I get back. Thank you for coming.”

  Mungo watched Kate and realized what a tight hold she was keeping on her feelings.

  Her mother tried being hurt all over again. “I’m so disappointed.”