by Anne Hampson
She trembled at his words, but not with fear. He himself had provided the opening, making it easy for her to say,
‘I’ll never leave you.’ The words came all of a rush and she averted her head, hiding her confusion. ‘You forced me to marry you — and you’ll just have to — to abide by it!’
‘I’ll—’ He stared down at her in disbelief. She raised her eyes; they glowed in the moonlight, revealing her love for the very first time.
‘Kim!’ She was in his arms, just as she had been in his arms so many times before, but this was different. ‘Kim, my darling, you must explain,’ he said, his voice low and vibrant. ‘When did you discover you loved me?’
She told him, truthfully, that she didn’t know, but added,
‘It could have been at Penmon - at the Wishing Well.’
‘What did you wish?’ he asked curiously.
‘I wished for our happiness,’ she replied simply.
‘I suspected we’d both made the same wish,’ he laughed.
Kim then went on to tell him about the conversation between Margery and herself on the night of his aunt’s death. When she had finished there wasn’t much more to explain, for Julian’s frequent nods of agreement assured her that she had all her facts right. However, Julian looked at her quizzically and said, ‘So you and Margery came to the conclusion that I married you in order to make Aunt Sophy happy?’
‘Yes,’ she returned placidly, and then, ‘Why did you deny it, Julian?’
‘Because it wasn’t true.’
‘Not—?’ She blinked at him.
‘I meant to marry you for Aunt Sophy’s sake, but by the time I did marry you it was for love—’
‘You mean - you fell in love with me straight away?’ Her eyes were wide and searching. Julian laughed and kissed her tenderly.
‘I fell in love with you straight away, my beautiful Kim. How could it be otherwise?’ He released her and they walked on again, into the moonlit hills. After a little while Kim said, on a plaintive little note,
‘Why did you say you loved Vicky?’
‘It was retaliation, dearest. You’d hurt me and I wanted to hurt you. My pride was also involved. I was afraid of giving myself away, and that you’d guess I loved you.’
‘And you also told her you didn’t like being married to me - that you’d rather be with her. And that you’d only taken me out to prevent me from going with Brian.’
To her great indignation he only laughed at this.
‘I knew she’d find an opportunity of relating it all to you.’ He stopped and added, half apologetically,‘You see, darling, I’d been so sure of keeping you by other means, but it didn’t work out and I had to resort to making you jealous. I’ve suspected for some time that you loved me, and Vicky’s coming was most opportune. I’m afraid I used her — but she deserves all she gets.’ He sought Kim’s hand and held it as they walked along. ‘I chose Vicky in the first place because I knew she couldn’t be hurt, and also because she was obviously so shallow and fickle that she would have left me before a year was out. That would have suited me fine.’ He stopped again and drew Kim into his arms. ‘What a blessing you thought fit to interfere, my love.’ Involuntarily she shuddered at his words and his arms tightened protectingly. ‘Did I frighten you so very much?’ She nodded and he bent to kiss her. ‘And yet I meant you no harm. I can’t even express one word of regret, darling, because I wanted you for my own, for my wife.’ The breeze died away and a mist began to rise from the valley far below. Julian suggested they turn back before the air became damp. ‘We must look at that bungalow tomorrow,’ he said as they neared the hotel.
‘Oh, yes,’ Kim put in quickly. ‘Why did you change your mind about that? You told Aunt Sophy we’d seen it, and liked it.’
‘I intended to view it, as you know, but I suddenly became filled with doubts as to whether you would stay with me. And I
could never have gone on living alone in a house we had chosen together. I had to tell Aunt Sophy we’d seen it merely to make her content, for she never quite liked the idea of our living in the hotel. She said a woman wants a home of her own.’ His arm tightened around her waist and Kim pressed close against him. ‘We’ll have a place soon, sweetheart, I promise.’ They were passing one of the brilliantly lighted windows, and a celebration of some sort was in progress. It was the eve of Vicky’s departure and she and Brian appeared to be the centre of attraction. Neil and Margery were standing on the front step, Neil leaning heavily on his sticks.
‘What’s going on in there?’ Julian asked, though without much interest.
Margery was suddenly bubbling over with mirth.
‘A party,’ she quivered. ‘An engagement party!’
