by Betty Neels
Something she deeply regretted.
* * *
Sir James arrived at his usual time in the morning. He looked tired, tanned by the sun and a trifle self-important. But it seemed he could be forgiven that for he had successfully dealt with what might have been a mortal illness for a VIP in the Middle East, a man who had the potential to upset the whole delicate balance of power there. He said very little of this, though. It wasn’t until their lunch hour that Jilly went out to get their sandwiches and returned with a variety of newspapers full of it.
Sir James had dealt with his patients in a perfectly normal way, and when later in the morning Dr Gifford arrived they had spent a long time in the consulting room and then gone out to lunch together. It wasn’t until the end of the day that he came into the waiting room and thanked them for carrying on in his absence.
‘I much appreciate it,’ he told them. ‘And Dr Gifford tells me that you have all been most helpful, especially you, Miss Howarth. Your days have been sadly upset; the least I can do is offer you a day off.’ He added prudently, ‘It seems that Friday will be a fairly quiet day; perhaps you would like that?’
Louisa thanked him nicely. She would like it very much; she would go up to London and look for a dress...
No one had said anything about Dr Gifford coming in. He stood by calmly, saying nothing at all. It was Sir James who told them that his colleague would be coming in twice a week as originally planned. ‘But not for the rest of this week,’ he added. ‘I’m afraid his own practice has been sadly disrupted and he will need a few days to get it back into some sort of order.’
* * *
Louisa decided against going to see Felicity until the weekend. It was very likely that she would see Percy there then, and she was anxious to carry out her plan for the ball. She had bidden Dr Gifford goodbye and sent her love to Bellow and, since everyone else had been there when she’d done so, she had kept her voice impersonal.
His laconic ‘My thanks for your help, Miss Howarth’ couldn’t have been more casual.
He didn’t deserve the trouble she was taking over him, she reflected, but he would live to thank her...
* * *
She took her time buying the dress. She could afford to make a careful choice—something special, something which would catch Percy’s eye and, she hoped, the doctor’s. She searched patiently, knowing what she wanted, and she found it at length. A pale apricot crêpe over a satin slip, its colour complementing her hair. It was a very simply cut dress and it was a perfect fit.
She took it home and tried it on, examining as much of her person as possible in the narrow mirror inside the wardrobe door. She would need evening shoes and, since it was high summer and she would drive herself or be driven by Percy, she could wear her gossamer lacy wool wrap. Well satisfied, she went to bed and slept the sleep of someone who had achieved a praiseworthy purpose.
* * *
She waited until teatime on Sunday before going to see Felicity and, as she had hoped, Percy was there. There were a number of other people there, too, so she made her way round the room, keeping well away from him. A strategy which worked, for presently she found him beside her.
‘Avoiding me, Louisa?’ He sounded smug. ‘You have no need to; I bear you no grudge.’ He gave her a sly look. ‘Having second thoughts, my dear? A woman may always change her mind, you know.’
Louisa toyed with a cucumber sandwich. ‘Well, no, not exactly, but we ought to stay friends, oughtn’t we, Percy? We’ve known each other for such a long time.’
‘Then we must try and see more of each other, mustn’t we? It would please Felicity.’
Louisa looked down modestly at her feet, which were clad in elegant Italian shoes. Of course it would please Felicity; Percy was one of the richer fish swimming in the sea... ‘It would be nice, only I’m so busy. I’d hoped I might be able to go to the Woodleys’ Ball...’
‘Of course you are going; you don’t need to work in the evenings, do you?’
‘No, of course not.’ She had a sudden memory of sitting in Dr Gifford’s study, working on patients’ notes. ‘But I dare say I shall be too tired. Besides, I don’t like going on my own...’
Her voice was just sufficiently wistful.
‘My dear girl, you’ll come with me. I’ll pick you up with the car; you won’t need to do anything but get dressed.’ He added in a self-righteous voice, ‘For the sake of our long-standing friendship, Louisa, and in the hope you will find that an evening together will lead to a better understanding between us.’
Only Percy could be as pompous as that. She said meekly, ‘Oh, Percy, that’s awfully kind of you. It’s next Saturday, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. We don’t need to get there until it’s well started. I’ll call for you around eight o’clock; it’ll take half an hour to drive there.’ He put a hand on her arm. ‘Supposing we meet one evening...?’
She was saved from answering by Felicity. ‘You two have been talking long enough,’ she said peevishly. ‘I can’t think what you have to say to each other. Louisa, do go and talk to Colonel Lauder; he’s so deaf.’
Louisa made her escape presently, unnoticed by anyone in the room. She went to see Biddy, sharing a cup of strong tea with her while the old lady gossiped. Mrs Howarth was leading a very active social life, she assured Louisa, out most evenings and people to lunch and dinner.
‘Have you had your wages?’ asked Louisa.
‘Well, as to that, Miss Louisa, I dare say the missus has forgot...’
Louisa opened her purse. ‘Supposing I pay you now? I can get the money back from Mrs Howarth easily enough.’
She uttered the fib cheerfully and presently went back to her flat. Her plan was working. Of course, she would have to deal with Percy later, but that was something she wasn’t going to bother about at the moment.
* * *
The days settled down into their normal routine once more, and Dr Gifford came in twice the following week. An unused room on the same floor had been furnished for him and his name was on the door, but Louisa saw very little of him. True, she got out his patients’ notes for him, took his messages and phone calls and made his appointments, but, beyond a civil greeting and any necessary requests he might make, he had nothing to say to her.
A different man from the one who had devoured ham sandwiches in her flat, reflected Louisa. Perhaps he had quarrelled with his Helena. That might account for the faint frown and the cold blue eyes. Ah, well, thought Louisa, we’ll see what happens at the ball.
The day of the ball dawned bright and warm, ideal for the event, for the Woodleys owned a lovely country house with vast grounds and guests would be able to stroll around between the dancing. Louisa spent the afternoon washing her hair, doing her nails and examining her face for spots.
The Woodleys would be sure to have a marvellous display of food, but that would be later in the evening. She prudently boiled an egg and made a pot of tea before starting to dress.
The dress was everything she had hoped for, and the shoes, slender straps supporting a high heel which would add several inches to her height, matched exactly. She piled her hair in her usual fashion, hooked in the earrings and took careful stock of her face. She wanted to look her best—not for Percy, but certainly for Helena. She ignored the thought that she wanted to look nice for Dr Gifford.
Percy came punctually, suggesting that they might sit for half an hour over a glass of wine before they left.
‘And it would be just your luck to be stopped and breathalysed,’ Louisa pointed out. ‘We can have all the wine we want when we get there.’
‘You look gorgeous,’ said Percy, his eyes on the earrings.
He would have kissed her then, but she was too quick for him and led the way down to the car. Once there she asked one or two leading questions about his work, so that he c
arried on a monologue for the whole of their journey.
Once at their destination, she promised to meet him in the main hall and went upstairs to Cissie’s bedroom to dispose of her wrap and take a careful look at her person. Cissie came in while she was there.
‘Louisa, how lovely to see you, and don’t you look gorgeous? Who’ve you come with?’
‘Percy.’
Cissie looked surprised. ‘But I thought you’d managed to get rid of him for good...’
‘Well, I have. Only I need him this evening for a reason.’
‘You’ve got your eye on another man...’
‘Not really. I want Percy to meet someone—a girl. Perhaps you know her? Helena Thornfold.’
‘Her? That stick! She’s going to marry Thomas Gifford; do you know him?’
‘Yes.’
Cissie chuckled. ‘Percy and Helena; they’re just right for each other.’
‘That’s what I thought,’ said Louisa. ‘Shall we go down?’
CHAPTER FOUR
PERCY WAS WAITING. He said impatiently, ‘You’ve been a long time; what kept you? I’ve been standing here...’
‘I was talking to Cissie. Shall we go and find the Woodleys?’
The place was crowded and, once they had exchanged greetings with their host and hostess, they worked their way slowly through the rooms until they reached the ballroom built onto the back of the house. That was crowded, too, and it took Louisa a minute or two to see Felicity, exquisitely gowned, dancing with a portly man with a drooping moustache.
‘Who’s he?’ asked Louisa.
Percy shrugged. ‘New here. Bought that converted barn near Broadchalke; spent thousands on it, I hear. He fancies Felicity.’ He added with a faint sneer, ‘He’s wealthy.’
They joined the dancers then, and Louisa, listening with half an ear to Percy, scanned the crowded room. There was no sign of Dr Gifford or Helena. Perhaps he had been prevented at the last moment; perhaps they had decided that they would rather spend the evening together... Louisa felt a quite unexpected pang at the thought.
‘You aren’t paying attention,’ said Percy. ‘Did you hear what I said?’
‘No—sorry. This is fun, isn’t it?’
‘I fail to see what fun there is in a private ball,’ said Percy pompously. ‘I was suggesting that we might spend Sunday together.’
‘Why?’
‘So that we may resume our relationship, Louisa.’
‘But we never had one and I don’t want to.’
If the doctor and Helena didn’t turn up the whole evening would have been wasted, for Percy was going to cling... She saw them then, the doctor towering head and shoulders above those around him, head bent slightly to listen to Helena—a magnificently gowned Helena, silver sequins on a jade-green silk shift, cut far too low over her regrettable lack of bosom. She was wearing far too much jewellery.
When the music stopped Louisa edged Percy towards the other end of the room, where she could see the other two. She made her way towards them unhurriedly, aware that she looked nice and hoping that the doctor thought so, too. He had seen her, of course, and returned her greeting with a faint smile. Helena smiled too, while she surveyed Louisa’s person with a cold eye.
She said now, ‘Oh, hello; you managed to find something to wear,’ and then bit her lip for, of course, the two men looked at Louisa.
Louisa gave them her sunny smile. ‘Do you know Percy Witherspoon? I dare say you will have heard of him; his family have been lawyers since one of his ancestors donated money towards building the cathedral. Percy, this is Helena Thornfold, Dr Gifford’s fiancée.’
The two of them shook hands and Percy, Louisa noticed with satisfaction, held Helena’s a little too long. She certainly was dazzlingly pretty, even if overdressed. And she had looked at Percy with interest. Louisa thought that Helena might be a snob, and Percy, whatever his shortcomings, bore a respected and ancient name. She gave a very small sigh of satisfaction and looked up to see the doctor’s eyes on her.
He said most politely, ‘Do you care to dance, Miss Howarth?’ and whisked her onto the floor and danced her off to the other end of the room.
He said gently, ‘I ask myself why, Miss Howarth.’
She had to look up to him; it was a nice change from the crown of Percy’s slightly balding head. ‘I can’t think what you mean, Dr Gifford.’
‘Let us not beat about the bush. Why were you so anxious that Helena and Witherspoon should meet? And why are you so pleased about it? What scheme are you hatching?’
‘Me? Hatch a scheme?’ Louisa was all wide-eyed innocence. ‘I wouldn’t know how! I saw you across the floor and I thought it would be nice for Percy to meet your Helena. She is really very beautiful, you know.’
‘Yes. I do know. Let us hope Percy is as pleased at the meeting as you appear to be. He is yours, I presume?’
‘Percy? Good heavens, no. We’ve known each other for ever.’ She added artlessly, ‘He doesn’t really want to marry me, you know. It would be convenient, I suppose. I mean, it would save him having to look around for a wife, and I’m suitable. Besides, I’ve money of my own which, as a lawyer, he finds an added bonus.’
The doctor received this information with a straight face. ‘I hope Percy doesn’t think that I might free Helena if he should consider her as a future wife.’
‘No, no. I’m sure he doesn’t.’
They were dancing with easy skill, her steps matching his without effort.
Louisa took another look at his face. ‘When?’ she asked.
‘I believe it is the bride’s privilege to name the day.’
‘Snubbed,’ said Louisa. ‘How’s Bellow?’
‘In excellent health, and Rosie asked me to give you her love if I saw you.’
‘Did she? Did she really? She’s a dear, isn’t she? And a marvellous cook. You’re awfully lucky, having her for a housekeeper to look after you.’ And added as an afterthought, ‘And Helena, of course.’
‘Of course,’ said Dr Gifford.
Percy and Helena were dancing together. Percy was talking and Helena was listening with every appearance of interest. Louisa couldn’t resist remarking on how well they suited each other.
‘In what way?’ asked the doctor blandly. He was looking over the top of her head and she knew that he was angry. Oh, well, she had cooked her goose, hadn’t she? He would dislike her even more than before, and whatever had possessed her in the first place? It really didn’t matter what she said.
‘They’re alike, aren’t they? I mean, they like talking about themselves.’ She went on thoughtfully, ‘Mind you, that’s only my opinion, and if I were as beautiful as Helena I’d talk about myself, too. She should be a fashion model...’
‘A generous remark since you give me the opinion that you don’t like Helena.’
‘Not generous, it’s the truth; she’s quite lovely. But you don’t need me to tell you that. You must be very proud of her.’ She glanced up at him and met a cold stare.
‘You must forgive me if I decline to discuss my private life with you, Miss Howarth.’
‘Oh, that’s all right,’ said Louisa cheerfully. ‘We’re not likely to see much of each other, are we? When you come to the consulting rooms I don’t expect you to say more than “Good morning” and “Good evening, Miss Howarth”.’
The music stopped and she said, ‘There, now you can take me back to Percy and forget me.’
The doctor looked at her. He would take her back to Percy, since that was what was expected of him, but he wouldn’t forget her. How could he? Standing there in her lovely, simple gown, her glorious hair very slightly untidy, saying just what came into her head with no thought of the results.
They started to cross the room, an unhurried process since they both
knew so many of the people there, and, before they could reach Percy and Helena, Felicity joined them.
‘Darling, there you are. Isn’t this fun...?’
She looked at the doctor and Louisa said, ‘Hello, Felicity. Do you know Dr Gifford? Doctor, this is my stepmother, Mrs Howarth.’
Felicity could be very charming. She touched the doctor’s sleeve lightly. ‘We’ve never met, but I know the name. The Thornfolds are friends of mine, and you’re to marry Helena, are you not? I saw her just now—she’s with Percy Witherspoon.’ She looked at Louisa. ‘I thought he came with you, darling?’
‘He did. I’m on my way back to him.’
‘Oh, darling, if only you meant that—he’s still so upset.’ And at Louisa’s frown she added, ‘I’ll not say another word.’ The music struck up again and she said, ‘Oh, I’m longing to dance again,’ and smiled up at Dr Gifford.
The doctor had beautiful manners. ‘I should be delighted.’ He glanced at Louisa. ‘You will excuse us?’
He didn’t wait for her answer, but she hadn’t expected him to. She wasn’t surprised to see Percy and Helena dancing together. They danced very correctly, talking earnestly. Louisa wondered uneasily if Dr Gifford would mind—perhaps he really was in love with Helena? There had never been any sign of his feelings, and Helena, she felt sure, wasn’t a woman to welcome any kind of display of affection in public. Perhaps he was one of those in whom feelings ran deep...
She was swept away to dance with one of the Woodley boys, and after him there was a succession of partners. From time to time she glimpsed Dr Gifford with a variety of partners and occasionally Helena. She found herself dancing with Percy once more, and as he guided her with stiff correctness round the floor she listened to his comments upon Helena.
‘A delightful creature, and we have so much in common and agree about so much that is wrong in this decade.’
‘Oh?’ said Louisa, and prepared herself for a prosy sermon about no smoking, no drinking, money in the bank and the satisfaction of running an economical household. She didn’t say so, but she did wonder if Helena actually lived up to these high-sounding notions. It seemed unlikely.
