The Widening Stream

by Rachel Lindsay

  Looking after the children gave Loris a peace of mind and contentment that helped her to pass weeks which would otherwise have dragged. With Timothy and Gillian constantly chattering and plying her with questions, and her continuous efforts to keep them amused and happy, she had little time for her own thoughts, and it was only in the evenings, when they were in bed, that her mind was free to think back again to those brief and lovely days on the boat and wonder why an enchantment which had been so complete should have ended so disastrously.

  Whenever Brett came to the house she made a point of absenting herself, and except for brief glimpses of him when he called to see Dickson she scarcely saw him at all. Dickson himself never mentioned Brett to her, for he sensed something amiss between them, and he was equally careful to make no mention of Loris when he saw Brett.

  Mr. and Mrs. Loftus were kindness itself, and the fact that Loris was now employed by their daughter made no difference in their attitude to her. They often invited her to go with them to a cinema or theatre, but she usually refused, for although she knew that before Elaine had engaged her the children had often been left on their own in the evenings, she did not like to leave them now they were her responsibility. She never bothered to arrange any definite time off, for she had no friends to visit and as she did not look forward to the thought of a long afternoon or evening with nothing to do, did not broach the subject to Elaine, feeling that if an occasion arose when she wanted to go out it would be time enough to ask her then.

  After their visit to the film studio the children settled down once more to a regular routine, and for a few days occupied themselves happily With playing film stars and directors, but one morning at breakfast Timothy remembered Brett's promise of the puppy and asked if they could go and fetch it. Although she was dismayed at the prospect of seeing Brett again so soon, Loris realized it would be impossible to try to dissuade the little boy from fetching his dog, and as she had no means of knowing at what time of day she would be least likely to encounter Brett, decided to take the children to his house after lunch on the supposition that he would be working in the afternoon.

  Immediately after lunch they set out on foot, and in spite of her apprehensions Loris enjoyed the walk, for there was a slight breeze in the air which made her think nostalgically of a summer's day in England. She wondered what her father would be doing—whether he was working in his study or visiting one of his parishioners, and a wave of homesickness clouded the sunshine.

  Brett was in his library when he saw the three figures walking up the drive, and drew back with a muttered exclamation, for he had no desire to meet Loris. Indeed, ever since he had seen her a few days ago, her heart-shaped face with its pensive grey eyes had seldom been out of his mind. Unwillingly now, he was forced to admit that she looked lovely as she moved towards him with that effortless grace which had been one of the first things he had admired about her.

  In a white linen dress, with her dark hair falling to her shoulders, she scarcely looked old enough to have charge of Timothy and Gillian, and the two children bouncing happily along on either side of her might have been her small sister and brother instead of members of a different generation. He stood behind the curtain and watched them as they walked around the side of the house, and realized they had come to collect Timothy's puppy.

  Loris and the children went straight to the kennels, where Belle and her litter were gambolling happily, and Timothy immediately pounced on the small black spaniel he had marked for his own. He took it up and hugged it against him and Loris, relieved that he had made his choice so quickly, became intent on leaving the grounds before she encountered Brett.

  "Come along, Timothy, we'll go into town and buy a lead for him."

  "We don't have to go past the house, then, Loris," the little boy replied, "we can follow the path down the garden and through the little wood at the end. That'll lead us to the main road and we can get a bus to Sunset Boulevard."

  Loris jumped at the idea of avoiding the house. "Come along, then, you show us the way. But keep a hold on the puppy in case he tries to run back to his mother."

  They walked slowly through the gardens and Loris was delighted by the beautifully kept flower beds and spacious lawns. The flowers here were not as simple as the ones that grew in the vicarage garden and she stopped every now and then to examine an unusual bloom, marvelling at the delicate intricacies of a flower or leaf. Presently they came to a small path which led through a copse of evergreens to a clearing, and she was surprised to discover a large, picturesque barn set amongst the trees.

  Timothy gave a whoop of delight. "Gee, I wish Granddad had a barn like Uncle Brett. Think of the games we could play in it."

  "What do they use it for, Timothy?" Loris asked.

  The little boy pondered. "I think it's for parties and barbecues and things."

  Timothy was so interested in the barn that he forgot his puppy, and with a wriggle of its small, fat body the little creature freed itself from his grasp and scampered off at high speed in the direction of its mother.

  "I'll catch him," Loris called over her shoulder. "You two wait by the barn."

  She chased after the puppy, but it was already halfway across the lawn before she caught up with it, and seizing its warm, panting body in her arms, slowly retraced her steps.

  Still out of breath, she strolled back along the path to the clearing, then stopped with a gasp of horror. In her absence, Timothy had begun to climb the barn and was already half-way up the roof, while Gillian stood below, anxiously counselling him to come down. The little boy was about fifteen feet above the ground, and Loris caught her breath in fear lest he miss his footing and slip.

  Trying to hide the urgency in her voice she called peremptorily to him to come down, but with a war-whoop Timothy continued to climb.

  Slowly and laboriously he reached the top and with a gasp of triumph turned to survey the ground. Loris and Gillian seemed a long way away and suddenly his face contracted in terror as he realized the height to which he had climbed.

  Loris drew her breath sharply at his expression, and her voice this time was soft and encouraging as she called to him again.

  "Come along, Timothy, you've been up there long enough."

  With a feeble smile he started to move, but after a moment his hands clutched the roof convulsively and he stopped dead. "I can't, Loris! I can't move! I'm scared. What shall I do?"

  Realizing that unless she kept her wits about her he might fall, Loris spoke far more casually than she felt. "There's nothing to be frightened of. It's quite easy. Turn round and go slowly back the way you came."

  "I can't, I can't!" the little boy wailed. "The ground's too far away! Oh, I'm so scared!"

  Debating whether to run and fetch help, Loris decided it would be unwise to leave him in case he became dizzy and lost his footing. Putting the puppy into Gillian's arms she told her to run to the house and tell someone to bring a ladder. Then she started to climb.

  The walls of the barn were rough and it was not difficult to find footholds. As she mounted she talked to Timothy continuously, trying to keep his mind off his fear. "I'm not so good at this as you are, Timothy, but considering I haven't climbed a tree since I was a little girl I'm not doing too badly, am I? Shan't be long now. It's a good job I'm wearing flat shoes or it'd be much more difficult. Nearly there." As she spoke she reached the roof and on her hands and knees began to edge her way towards him.

  When she reached him he caught hold of her in such a fierce grip that she staggered and almost toppled them both over.

  "Oh, Loris, I'm so glad you came up! I couldn't have climbed down on my own. It's ever so high—you have a look."

  She gave him a reassuring pat, but studiously avoided turning round. "There's nothing to be frightened of now, Timothy. You turn round behind me and then we'll both make our way down together. You needn't be scared of slipping because I'll be in front of you."

  Trembling, the little boy did as he was told, and very slo
wly they began to move sideways. In case Timothy should fall against her, Loris gripped the tiles as hard as she could, and by the time they reached the guttering which ran round the eaves her hands were bruised and sore.

  They stopped at the guttering, and Loris decided to wait until someone came with a ladder. But Timothy thought otherwise. Now that he was no longer on his own he had regained his self-confidence, and started to clamber down the wall with the agility of a monkey.

  Relieved that the worst was over, Loris began to follow him. But suddenly her foot slipped and with a startled cry she fell the remaining ten feet to the ground, landing in a crumpled heap with one leg twisted beneath her.

  She lay still for a long moment, the breath shaken out of her body, and before she could recover, felt herself being lifted up in strong arms.

  Opening her eyes, she looked into Brett's face. "Are you all right?" he inquired anxiously. "I called out to you to wait for the ladder, but I was too late. I was just in time to see you fall."

  "I think I'm all right, thank you." The sight of him aroused her spirit of independence. "Please put me down."

  "Don't be silly, I'll carry you up to the house. You've had a nasty fall, you know. You're probably more shaken than you realize."

  "Do put me down," she said stubbornly, "I'm sure I can manage."

  "As you please, then," he said abruptly, and lowered her to the ground. But the moment her left foot touched the grass a sharp stab of pain shot through her, and if his arm had not still been around her waist she would have fallen.

  Without another word, he swung her up into his arms again, and with the two children walking subduedly behind strode through the copse and across the lawn to the house.

  Dorcas met them as they came through the door, and Brett sent the old man to fetch bandages and a cold-water compress as he carried Loris into the lounge and put her gently down on to the settee.

  Sick with pain, she lay quite inert while Brett gently undid her shoe and examined her ankle. It was swelling rapidly and already turning blue, and with gentle hands he applied the compress and bandaged it on to her foot. Then he left the room, returning after a moment with a glass.

  "You'd better drink this. It'll make you feel stronger."

  "I'd rather not, thanks—I feel too sick."

  "Nonsense, it'll do you good. It's only brandy and water. Take it."

  She took the glass and sipped, choking at the first mouthful. But by the time she had finished it the colour was beginning to return to her pallid cheeks and she sat up and smiled at him.

  "You've made quite a good job of my ankle."

  "All the same, as soon as you get home I'd call a doctor to have a look at it if I were you. Just to make sure nothing's broken."

  "The whole thing seems so silly. I should have looked where I was going."

  "You can hardly blame yourself for falling," he said abruptly. "I shouldn't think you make a habit of climbing up and down barns."

  Loris smiled. "I certainly don't." She moved her foot gingerly and grimaced with pain. "It hurts more than I thought it would," she admitted.

  "I suppose you know how lucky you are it wasn't anything more serious?"

  Remembering his alarm when Gillian had rushed in for help, Brett suddenly realized how much it would have meant to him if any real harm had come to Loris, and the misunderstandings between them dwindled into insignificance beside his anxiety.

  She flushed at the intensity of his tone and looked up at him in surprise. Then, afraid that her own emotion might lead her into reading more into his words than he meant to imply, she tried to bring the conversation on to a more impersonal place.

  "This is a charming room, Brett." Her eyes rested appreciatively on the handsome furniture and Persian rugs. There were several fine paintings on the walls which harmonized completely with their surroundings, bespeaking the taste of the collector, and the atmosphere was one of mellow distinction. "Did you have it decorated yourself?" she asked politely.

  "Most of the stuff came from my old home in Virginia," he replied. "It's been in the family for some time, so it's lucky for me my forebears seem to have shared my idea of taste! But I don't want to discuss the house now, Loris. There's something much more important to talk about. I want to ask you—"

  But at that moment Dorcas came in with the children and their opportunity to talk was lost. Brett looked none too pleased at the interruption and threw a regretful glance at Loris as he turned away.

  "Ah'se given the chillun ice-cream and strawberry shortcake in the kitchen," Dorcas explained, "and Massa Timothy's knees has been washed."

  "Thank you, Dorcas," Brett said briefly. "Have the car brought round so I can drive Miss Cameron and the children home, will you?" Then to Timothy: "Well, young fella, you deserve a spanking for this afternoon's escapade, and if I didn't think you'd been punished enough by the fright you've had I'd give it to you myself."

  He ruffled the boy's tousled head and drew Gillian on to his knee, and within a few minutes the children were at their ease again. The colour came back into their cheeks as the events of the afternoon began to recede, and listening to their laughter and chatter, Loris was touched by Brett's kindness and understanding.

  Presently the butler came in again, carrying the puppy in his arms. "Miss Gillian left this little doggy in the kitchen, and the car is heah, Mis' Brett. Ah thought Ah'd bring him in so she don't leave him behind."

  "Good." Brett stood up. "Take the children out to the car, Dorcas, and I'll bring Miss Cameron."

  The butler shepherded Timothy and Gillian from the room and their voices died away as they went across the hall and out through the front door. Brett moved towards Loris, but she threw her legs over the side of the couch.

  "You needn't carry me, you know," she said hastily.

  "I can manage quite well if you'll give me your arm."

  "Do you propose to hop to the door like a kangaroo?" he asked wryly, and without more ado lifted her and strode out of the room.

  Loris put one arm around his neck to balance herself, her heart beating so loudly that she was almost afraid he would hear it. The roughness of his jacket tickled her cheek as she leant against it and she was conscious of his strength and the smell of leather and tweed which emanated from him. He held her as if she weighed no more than a feather, one arm under her knees and the other around her waist, the warmth of his hand penetrating the thin linen of her dress. She saw a slight flush mount into his cheeks and his jaw muscles clench and unclench. But although he kept his eyes straight ahead, she knew with a little thrill of triumph that he was not as unmoved by her nearness as he appeared to be.

  All too soon they reached the car and he put her gently in the back seat, placing her lengthwise on the grey leather upholstery, while Timothy and Gillian clambered into the wide front seat with him.

  No one was about when they arrived home, but one of the servants let them into the house, exclaiming in quick concern when she saw Loris's ankle.

  Brett carried her straight up the wide staircase and halted at the top. "Which is your room?"

  A tremor ran through her and she avoided his eyes. "At the end of the corridor, on the left."

  The door was ajar and kicking it open he strode in and deposited her on the bed. "I'll send the maid up to help you," he said abruptly. "Get into bed while I call the doctor."

  "Oh, but the children—"

  "One of the servants can give them their supper and put them to bed if Elaine isn't home."

  "Yes, but—"

  "But me no more buts, Loris. Won't you do anything I ask without protesting—or do you just like being contrary?" He raised his eyebrows quizzically and she flushed at the gentle mockery in his tone. At that moment there was a knock at the door and Brett swore softly under his breath. "Damn! Will I never get a chance…" As the maid entered he moved away from the bed. "I'll go on back home when I've called the doctor. You look as though you need a good night's rest. I'd like to come over tomorrow, though.
I shall be at the office all day—there's some darned conference—but I should be free by about five-thirty, if that'll be O.K.?" Loris nodded speechlessly. "Good. See you tomorrow." Then to the maid: "See that Miss Cameron doesn't get up, will you? I don't trust her to obey me!" With a swift smile that included them both he went out, leaving a puzzled and wildly hoping Loris.

  Mr. and Mrs. Loftus were most concerned when they heard what had happened and congratulated Loris on her resourcefulness in rescuing their errant grandson, and even Elaine went out of her way to be nice when she went in to see her later that evening. She roamed round the room, dropping ash on the carpet and restlessly touching the curtains and the ornaments on the dressing-table as she talked.

  "It was grand of you, Loris—thanks a lot. I hope the little devil's learnt his lesson, although I doubt if anything will stop him getting into mischief."

  "I'm sure he didn't mean any harm, Mrs. Forrest. Boys are naturally adventurous and you can't put a curb on them all the time. He's very well behaved on the whole."

  "He certainly seems to show you his best side. He's a limb of Satan when I have to look after him."

  "Well, I hope you won't have to for very long—I should be all right again in a few days."

  "Don't worry about that," Elaine said abruptly. "I don't mind looking after them once in a while. It makes a change and Gillian's rather sweet." She gave a stifled yawn. "Well, I must be on my way. I've got a party tomorrow and I don't want to look too much of a wreck for it." She sauntered to the door and with a wave of her hand went out.

  Loris lay back on the pillows, wishing half enviously, half wistfully, that she was as sophisticated and soignée as her employer. She could not understand how any man could fail to find Elaine attractive, and wondered why, if all the woman had said were true, Brett had not married her long ago. It could not have been lack of opportunity.

  Strange how her thoughts revolved around one man. No matter what she started to think about, she always ended up thinking of Brett. Loris smiled to herself as she remembered how annoyed he had been at Dorcas's interruption that afternoon. What was it he had been trying to say? Did he want to explain his silence in New York?—his coldness to her since his return to California? The obvious change in his attitude to her on the boat? There was a lot of explaining to be done before they could get back on the old footing again. And yet would it ever be the old footing? She was not the same girl he had known on the boat. Her weeks in California had shown her another world, another way of life, and although she was still fundamentally the same unaffected young woman, experience had taught her to be less spontaneous and trusting, and she knew that when she met Brett tomorrow evening, she would meet him more as an equal than ever before.