by Jane Corrie
intrigued to learn who Rebecca had run into, not to mention the difficult position she had unwittingly put her into, with her not so brilliant idea of giving her the mumps!
Her smile faded as another thought occurred to her. What would happen to Barbara's business if Janus Leon took his work away from the bureau? She had said, that she was only existing on a shoestring until she moved into the new premises, and whose fault would it be if he did? Hers, of course, she thought, and gave an inward groan. How could she have been so stupid! All because she had not liked the wretched man and had not intended to put herself out in any way to oblige him.
A sense of guilt swept over her. She ought to warn Barbara of the possibility of her losing her valued client, that was the least she could do. She would have to tell her that she had been offered the job, but had turned it down, and the sooner she did this the better. Forewarned is forearmed, she told herself, throwing her sunglasses down on the bed and getting out her writing materials before settling down on the window seat to write the letter.
She got through the first page easily enough, explaining how she had got a shock on finding that Janus Leon was one of Sir George's guests, and chiding Barbara for not thinking up a better excuse to explain her absence. The next part was going to be the tricky part for Rebecca. Barbara was not going to take kindly to the news, particularly when she found out that the whole idea of Janus's getting a personal secretary 'had come from her, and
decided to only mention the fact that she had been offered the job, and the likelihood of his taking his business away from the bureau.
As she was about to set this down on paper her eye caught the tall figure of the man she was writing about. Her teeth, that had been chewing the top of her pen, clamped hard on the Biro top as she watched him striding towards the house, and as she recalled her parting shot to him, her lips relaxed into a smile of satisfaction. She had been too incensed earlier to enjoy her moment of triumph, but now that she had calmed down, she could appreciate the way she had handled things. He had had it coming, she thought, and would now avoid her like the plague, and she couldn't have wished for a better state of affairs.
She was still watching that tall proud figure coming towards the house when another person appeared walking in his direction. It was Caroline Carmichael, and Rebecca guessed that she had been waiting for him to return. However, after a few words Janus strode on again, leaving Mrs Carmichael staring after him with what looked like a look of frustration on her made-up face. Whatever she had suggested to the author, a walk in the gardens, perhaps, had been met with an abrupt refusal that had surprised her.
Rebecca allowed herself another smile. He was obviously still put out, and she wondered hopefully if he would decide to end his visit to Pinehurst on some excuse or other.
When the lunch gong rang, Rebecca had finished her letter to Barbara. She had decided to pay her
another visit before she joined the College in five weeks' time. Time enough to find out if Janus Leon had taken his work away from the bureau, and if so, she would help Barbara out by investing some of the money her father had left her in the business, enough to tide her over until things got easier.
With that off her conscience, Rebecca went down to lunch, meeting John in the hall. 'Those wretched plants hadn't arrived,' he said dourly. I shall have to go down and meet the two-forty now.' He looked at Rebecca. 'I was back by ten-thirty,' he added, giving her an accusing look. 'I hear you spent the morning with Leon taking notes for him.'
Seeing Janus and Laura approaching the hall, Rebecca walked (quickly into the dining room before she answered, 'Well, I did offer to give him some assistance in that line. He wanted an English background for his next novel.'
`I thought he wrote only Australian stories,' John. replied a trifle sulkily as he seated her at the lunch table.
As Sir George, and Janus and Laura, then joined them, Rebecca was prevented from replying to, this. Colonel Franly and Mrs Layman had left that morning, so when Caroline drifted in, late as usual, this completed the party, and lunch was served.
The absence of the other guests seemed to emphasise the atmosphere between Janus and Rebecca, or so Rebecca thought, for Janus gave all his attention to his host, Sir George, in between fending off pertinent questions from Mrs
Carmichael, who it appeared had decided to forgive his rather cavalier treatment of her that morning.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in lazing by the pool, and Rebecca, who had not been looking forward to another afternoon in the 'company of Janus Leon, particularly as John would not be around, having to go once again to the station, found to her delight that Sir George had taken on the task of entertaining his guest by showing him some old letters that dated back to Cromwellian times, and a few other treasures connected with the old house and that he was immensely proud of. Next to his hobby of growing orchids, the historical past of his forebears came a close second, and Rebecca felt that she could safely relax without the worry of her arch-enemy joining her during the afternoon.
Laura, however, was not so lucky, as her father had determinedly shaken off Caroline's attempt to share this exclusive showing of the treasures on the grounds that she had seen them before, against which there was no argument, and a frustrated Caroline had been forced to retire to the swimming pool.
Rebecca, lying stretched out beside the pool, and feeling the warm rays of the sun on her slim body, idly listened to Laura and Caroline having yet another disagreement, this time over what Laura termed as Sir George's lack of entertainment for his guests, for she was still sulking over his acceptance of Laura's and Rebecca's plea of tiredness the evening before when he had suggested that they
dance to the radiogram. 'House parties,' she said
in her high-pitched voice, 'are not what they used to be. We always made sure that our guests were entertained,' she went on pettishly, and gave a loud sigh. 'But that was in my husband's time, and he used to leave all that to me.'
Laura ought to have let this go and let her get on with it, but the bare fact that Caroline knew full well what Sir George's house parties consisted of,
and precisely what type of guests were invited, was a little too much for her. 'Why don't you do some entertaining of your own?' Laura asked her caustically, knowing that one of Caroline Carmichael's drawbacks was that she had a grasping nature, and
was always pleading poverty, yet Laura knew that her husband had left her very well provided for and she had often felt sorry for her daughters, who had had to exist on a pittance of an allowance during term time.
`As if I could afford to,' Caroline replied stoically. 'I've two daughters to provide for, remember.'
`Oh, I thought you said Joanna had a job. That leaves only one now, surely?' Laura replied sweetly.
Rebecca ceased listening at this point. She had a few things on her mind about herself to think about. It concerned the job that Janus Leon had offered her. If it had been anyone else but that man, she would have jumped at it. She sighed inwardly. Why had things to be so awkward? She now 'knew for certain that her days of the College were numbered. She needed a more stimulating job
that would bring her out of the stifling confines of the College cloisters.
In an odd way she felt as if someone had tapped her on the shoulder and told her to wake up and start to live. She shook her head bewilderedly. This was not like her at all. Such thoughts had never entered her head before and it left her feeling lost and vulnerable, when she had always felt sure of herself.
A splash quite near her brought her out of her reverie and she saw that Laura had entered the pool and called for her to join her. 'Come on in! You've lazed long enough,' she commanded.
`Did you hear what she said about my being incapable of landing a job?' Laura burst out furiously, as they went into the house a short time later. 'It's a good job she's off home tomorrow. She did try and wangle another week out of Daddy, but thank goodness he wasn't having any,' she added fervently. 'And all tha
t stuff about being hard up! Did you see that diamond brooch she was sporting the other evening? The truth is, she's as mean as they come. She could have brought poor old Sue with her, you know, Daddy wouldn't have minded, and Sue would have loved to come, but not her! She wouldn't want anyone in the way, not when she was hoping to get Daddy in a compromising situation!'
`Laura! Rebecca protested in a half-amused but shocked voice. 'Look, I know you don't like the woman, neither do I, but do be careful what you say, someone might overhear you.'
`I don't care if they do!' Laura replied stubbornly. 'Everybody knows what she's like. She's ruined this house party. I'm sure that's why Mr and Mrs Rotherson left on Wednesday. When your author wasn't around she started fluttering her eyelashes at Sandy Rotherson. He's an up-and-coming member of the House and there's been a rumour that he might be knighted in the Birthday Honours List. She's not only after 'a second husband, but a title to boot. Mrs Rotherson soon got her number, though, didn't she, and carted him off.'
Rebecca was still recovering from Laura's casual assumption that Janus Leon was connected with her. 'All right,' she said soothingly. 'So we don't like her—and he's not "my, author", by the way,' she added firmly. 'I hardly know the man. Cheer up,' she consoled her friend cheerfully, 'by lunch tomorrow we'll have the place to ourselves.'
In spite of this optimistic outlook, Caroline Carmichael, it seemed, had just one more spanner to throw into the works, and at dinner that evening she suggested that as it was the last evening of the house party, they should end it with a small party that would include dancing.
Under the circumstances, Sir George could not very well refuse, and this time neither Laura nor Rebecca had a say in the matter.
`I'm going to have a headache,' declared Laura, with a grin, 'and retire to bed with a good book,' as they went to their rooms ostensibly to dress for the party, and she advised Rebecca to do the same.
Rebecca 'would dearly have loved to be able to follow this advice, but two headaches would be a
bit too much to swallow from the rest of the company's point of view, and Laura had thought of it first. 'A fine friend you've turned out to be,' she said bitterly to Laura. 'I came here in response to a plea of yours, and what happens? You drop out when the going gets rough. How can I cope on my own?' she demanded.
`You'll have a marvellous time,' Laura said unrepentantly. 'Just imagine it—John and Janus fighting over you all evening!' she added with a wide grin. 'I'd take Janus if I were you,' she tacked on earnestly. Not that I think that you'll have much choice. That man's got a certain look in his eye when he looks your way.'
`I'm not "taking" anyone,' Rebecca replied firmly. 'And I'm not going to enjoy it one little bit, thanks to you. Look,' she said pleadingly, 'you like Janus, don't you? Well, your father will have to dance with Caroline, won't he, and that leaves Janus for you. I'll be dancing with John.'
Not all the time you won't,' Laura replied just as firmly. 'As for Daddy, I'll tell you just what will happen. He'll dance just once with that wretched woman, and having done his duty, he'll disappear into the conservatory and spend the rest of the evening with his beloved orchids. I'm not spending another evening in that woman's company. I've taken all I'm going to take from her,' she added emphatically.
Rebecca knew when she was beaten and left her, and went into her room to get dressed.
The evening promised to be as delightful for Rebecca as Laura thought it would be for her, and
what with John determined to put Janus Leon out, and Janus doing his utmost to annoy her, at this thought her hand stilled on the zip she was about to pull up on her evening dress, a light silky dress of a delicate blue with a floating skirt, but with a straight classical top. Surely after what had happened that morning, Janus would simply ignore her, wouldn't he? As he had more or less for the rest of that day, in which case John had nothing to worry about, she thought with a smile, and neither had she! It was a good thing, she thought comfortably, that Laura would not be there to witness Caroline finding herself the belle of the ball and receiving all of Janus Leon's attention, for that she could not have borne, she told herself, as she took one last critical look at herself before leaving her room.
She did not go straight down to join the others, but looked in on Laura first in the hope that she might have changed her mind, but one look at her sprawled across her bed with her head in a paperback immediately doused this hope. 'I'm off,' she said unnecessarily, trying to work up some enthusiasm for the evening in store.
Laura raised her head and stared at her. 'You look stunning,' she said. you sure you don't like Janus?' she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Rebecca did not bother to answer and left the bedroom, almost colliding with Caroline as she was just passing Laura's room.
If Rebecca had disbelieved Laura's assertion that Caroline was not a poor woman, her dress that evening would have convinced her. Rebecca knew
about clothes, and the evening dress she was wearing cost more than she would have been prepared to pay for such an item. It was a gossamy, floating creation in a shocking pink, designed for a much younger woman, Rebecca surmised, but worn by Caroline Carmichael with a determination to impress. Her scent, that wafted towards Rebecca, was a little strong for her taste, and like the dress was a recognisably expensive one.
As Rebecca was taking stock of Caroline's dress, so was Caroline pricing Rebecca's. 'Pretty,' she said. 'I go for more definite colours,' she added, and looked behind Rebecca. 'No Laura?' she asked hopefully.
Rebecca said something about Laura having a headache and Caroline smiled knowingly. 'I don't suppose she knows what to wear,' she said in her high-pitched voice. 'Not at all sociable. She must be a great trial to her father—but then her mother was the same,' she added, 'hardly helpful to Sir George's position, I always thought.'
Rebecca did not reply, and fervently hoped that Laura had not heard what Mrs Carmichael had said, although she suspected that that had been the whole point of the exercise.
When they reached the patio next to the conservatory that was being used as the dancing area, and was of ample proportions to accommodate such a small party, Sir George insisted on them visiting the conservatory to view his latest acquisition.
John, not unnaturally, was less enthusiastic than the others, considering that he had spent most of
the day meeting various trains until the plant had eventually arrived, allowing him just about time to get back to dinner, declined the offer and set himself the task of selecting records for the evening’s entertainment.
Only after duly admiring the purple orchid with its bright orange flecks were they allowed to return to the patio, and Rebecca for one was glad to escape out of the claustrophobic atmosphere of the conservatory, in spite of the perfumed blossoms around them, and get back into the fresher air, and judging by the way her example was followed by Caroline and Janus, they were of the same opinion. Sir George, who must have been a little disappointed at the briefness of their stay, joined them as the first record started to play.
Rebecca, who had been confidently looking forward to an evening of peace, where Janus Leon was concerned anyway, was dismayed to find that Caroline Carmichael was not the only one capable of forgoing a grudge where her own interests were concerned. Janus also had apparently chosen to ignore Rebecca's scornful rejection of his offer, and acted as if nothing had happened.
It might have been the thought of finding himself partnering Caroline throughout the evening that brought about this state of affairs, but whatever it was, Rebecca would have preferred things left as they were, and now she found herself having to dance first with John and then with Janus, with no respite, for Sir George, after partnering Caroline for the first dance, wandered, as Laura had predicted, back into the conservatory.
On' the face of things, Rebecca ought to have enjoyed herself, but each time she danced with. Janus she was acutely aware of him. Dressed in a dark tuxedo and crisp white shirt, he made a dynamic force to be reckon
ed with, and she could well understand his success with the opposite' sex.
His attitude towards her caused her even more discomfort. If anything, he was over-polite, much as one treated a stranger, and his conversation was as far removed from the personally antagonistic attitude he had previously adopted towards her as was possible, and made Rebecca wonder if she had imagined their previous furious encounter, but she hadn't, and her eyes were wary whenever they met his bland ones.
Half-way through the evening, a diversion came, and one that was not unwelcome from Rebecca's point of view: Janus had annoyed John by holding Rebecca a little closer than was strictly necessary, and John, keeping a watching brief on any such action, not only took note, but took umbrage as well, and was barely civil when Janus spoke to him, and Rebecca, seeing heavy weather ahead, decided to sit out the next dance with Janus; it was safer than dancing with him. Only her persistency in keeping a reasonable distance from him while dancing had prevented him from adopting the more intimate style of dancing cheek to cheek with her.
It was at this convenient time that Caroline Carmichael returned from the cloakroom in an agitated state and announced that she had lost her diamond brooch, and demanded that an immediate
search was held to find it, wailing, 'I ought to have got the clasp seen to!' And the search began.
When it was not found in the immediate vicinity, or in the downstairs cloakroom that Rebecca checked in case Caroline had missed it, Rebecca tried to remember whether she had seen Caroline wearing it that evening, in spite of her assertion that she had worn it, but glancing at the frothy neckline of Caroline's gown, she had to admit that she wouldn't have noticed it if she had worn it, the layers of frill would have hidden it.
By now, the staff had been brought into the search, and as no sign of the brooch was found, Sir. George inclined towards Rebecca's theory that Caroline had not worn it that evening, and the search was extended to her bedroom and private bathroom, in spite of Caroline's furious denial that she had not left the brooch there.
