Amy sighed as she said, ‘In many ways he was a hard man, but there was also much kindness in him. He was definitely a man of integrity—and he was very good to me.’
And then an interruption occurred. Lola arrived just as Amy had become launched on her late husband’s latter years. The blonde woman walked in the back door without knocking, entered the living room, then rushed to embrace Muriel.
‘Dearest Murie—I knew you’d arrived when I saw the car!’ she exclaimed, cutting into Amy’s words. ‘Where’s Ewen? Where’s Baird? Why aren’t they here?’ Without waiting for a reply she rattled on, ‘You look wonderful—but then you always do look wonderful—you must come into the salon and let me do your hair—’
Amy cut in sharply, ‘Do you always walk into houses without so much as a knock on the door?’
Lola sent her a pitying glance. ‘When it comes to this place I walk in whenever I please. This is my second home. Isn’t that so, Murie, dear?’
But Muriel’s response was not one of ready agreement, and perhaps it was Lola’s rude bursting in on a private conversation that annoyed her to the extent of causing her to speak frankly, despite the presence of Amy and Cathie.
‘I have to be honest, Lola,’ she said. ‘I must admit I thought that by now it would have become your main home—but events seem to be very slow in coming to pass. Are you holding my son at bay for some reason, or playing hard to get?’
Lola’s jaw sagged slightly. ‘No, Murie, dear—it’s your son who is holding me at bay. When we can speak privately I’ll tell you who is deliberately coming between us. At the moment I won’t mention any names—I’ll just look in the direction of the person I mean.’ She turned and sent a baleful glare towards Cathie.
Cathie shrank back into her seat but said nothing.
Lola went on in a voice that was full of pathos, ‘When Baird came home from overseas I felt sure we’d become engaged—instead of which he brought her into the house. Can you imagine how I felt? It was the most ghastly shock.’
‘This is ridiculous!’ Amy exclaimed. ‘One would imagine that Baird has no say in the matter. Surely the situation is entirely in his hands. He knows exactly what he wants and what he does not want. It’s as simple as that.’
Lola turned upon her in a fury. ‘One thing he does not want is for you to be in his house for too much longer.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Amy snapped. ‘He knows I’m going to Levin as soon as his parents leave.’
‘I don’t mean this house.’ Lola’s scathing tone indicated that Amy must be on the verge of senility. ‘I mean the one in Scotland. If he can get you out of it he’ll sell it and put the money into the factory. Why do you think he persuaded you to come over here? Because he’s hoping you’ll stay here, of course. If his grandfather hadn’t married you he’d have sold it ages ago—’
Muriel spoke angrily. ‘That will do, Lola. Your tongue runs away with itself. Amy did a very good job of caring for a difficult old man, and Ewen and I appreciate it. If it hadn’t been for Amy I don’t know what would have happened to him.’
Amy spoke to Muriel, her tone earnest. ‘My dear—I knew how to handle him, and we grew to be very fond of each other. But Lola is right. I’ve remained in the house that belongs to Baird for far too long, and it’s time I returned to New Zealand to be near my own people. It’s the family tie, you understand.’
‘Nevertheless I consider that Lola owes you an apology for her rudeness,’ Muriel declared in a stern voice. She turned cold eyes upon Lola as she reprimanded her. ‘Really, Lola—I’m surprised and disappointed to hear you speak to Amy in such a manner. Have you forgotten that she is Baird’s stepgrandmother as well as his guest? If you don’t apologise at once you had better go home and then we’ll have no more of this unpleasant behaviour.’
Lola saw that she’d made a mistake. She put on an act of submissive sweetness as she turned to Amy. ‘Dear Amy—I’m so sorry. I don’t know what gets into me. When I’m upset I—I do mad things like—like—’ She stopped suddenly as though pulling herself up just in time, then she rushed on, ‘Recently I’ve been in a terrible state of upset brought on by you know who—’ She sent a veiled glance towards Cathie.
Muriel’s brow creased into a deep frown. ‘What are you talking about, Lola?’ she demanded. ‘What are these mad things to which you refer?’
But Lola became evasive as she dodged the question. ‘It’s not really my fault,’ she said in defence of herself. ‘It’s the fault of the people who upset me and make me do these things—’
‘But—what are they?’ Muriel persisted.
Again she ignored the question by standing up hastily as she prepared to leave. ‘I really must go home, Murie, dear. I promised Mother I’d be no longer than ten minutes. Perhaps I’ll see you again tomorrow when I come to collect Baird’s laundry. Naturally I’m still doing it for him—despite a certain person who tried to snatch the job away from me,’ she finished on an aggrieved note as she went towards the door.
Cathie scarcely noticed her departure, nor had she been paying attention to the conversation that had passed between the others. Vaguely she’d heard Lola say she was forced to do mad things when upset, and she guessed that this referred to her thieving activities, but apart from that most of what was said went over her head.
For the last several minutes, in fact ever since Lola had attacked Amy on the matter of the house in Scotland, Cathie had sat staring at the carpet, conscious of disillusionment. Had Lola spoken the truth? Was Baird’s sole aim in persuading Amy to come to New Zealand merely a means of getting her out of the house so that it could be sold?
She felt cold with disappointment because she had been so sure that his concern had been for Amy, rather than for himself. A visit to New Zealand during its summer months would enable her to avoid the cold of the Scottish winter, he had said as they’d sat in the car park of the paperweight factory. Had he guessed that the visit to her own family would give Amy the desire to remain with them?
Suddenly she felt that her love for him was being tested. Wasn’t it strong enough for her to have faith in the fact that his concern was for Amy? Yes, of course it was—and she’d been a fool to have allowed Lola’s spiteful words to influence her thoughts.
Still, it would be interesting to learn the source of Lola’s information, Cathie decided as the questions continued to niggle at her. What would be Baird’s reaction if she broached the subject? she wondered.
CHAPTER NINE
DINNER was a lengthy affair, and as it progressed Cathie became aware of an unfathomable expression in Baird’s eyes as he looked at her across the table. At first she thought it was her imagination, but eventually she decided it was appreciation of a meal that was obviously being enjoyed by everyone. She herself knew it was a success, and she became conscious of an inner glow of satisfaction.
Nobody mentioned Lola, for which Cathie was thankful, although she suspected the blonde neighbour to be sitting quietly in the wings of Muriel’s mind while waiting to be brought on stage. However, she did not make an appearance until they had moved into the lounge to have their coffee.
Even then Muriel waited until she’d poured a second small cup before she said casually, ‘Lola came in this evening. She was sorry to miss you, Ewen—and of course she was disappointed that Baird wasn’t here.’
Father and son remained silent.
Muriel went on, ‘I must say she had me really puzzled. She seemed to be different in some way and not at all like the Lola I used to know.’
‘Perhaps she’s frustrated,’ Ewen remarked briefly while sending a glance towards Baird.
Muriel gave a deep sigh. ‘Of course she is—poor girl, she’s waited for so long. Isn’t it time you did something about it, Baird?’
Baird put his cup down with a slight thud. ‘I know what you’re getting at, Mother,’ he snapped abruptly. ‘As far as I’m concerned she’ll go on waiting—and it’s high time you got the message that I’ll never
marry Lola Maddison. Why the devil she doesn’t get out and find herself a man who will marry her I’ll never know.’
Ewen laughed. ‘The answer to that is simple. Why should she trouble to look further than over the fence where there’s a handsome and eligible fellow?’
Baird merely scowled at him.
Muriel said, ‘I really thought you were very fond of her.’
‘Only as a friend, Mother,’ Baird said with infinite patience. ‘There’s a difference, you understand.’
Amy turned to Muriel, and although she lowered her voice it reached Cathie’s ears. ‘Are you really serious in wishing to see Baird married to this Lola person? I can hardly believe you’d like to see him married to a woman who admits she does mad things the moment she becomes upset over something.’
Muriel frowned. ‘I’ll admit it has caused me to think twice about the matter. What do you think she meant?’
Amy shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea, but this much I do know—she is not the wife for Baird. There’s something unstable about her—something that’s not quite right.’
Baird caught her last words. ‘May we drop the subject of Lola?’ he demanded crisply.
Cathie stood up. ‘If everyone has finished with coffee I’ll attend to the dishes.’ She began to gather the cups and saucers and place them on the trolley.
Baird rose to his feet. ‘I’ll come and help you.’
‘There’s no need—’ she began.
Ewen spoke teasingly. ‘Don’t deny him the chance to kiss the cook in the kitchen.’
Cathie flushed but made no reply as she hastened ahead of Baird who was pushing the trolley.
When they reached the kitchen he closed the door and took her in his arms. Looking down into her face, he said, ‘Father has ordered me to kiss the cook. He’d like to do it himself but knows I’ll make a better job of it.’
She gave a shaky laugh. ‘Just as long as you don’t imagine I’m out to catch you, as Lola suggested.’
‘Shh—don’t talk such nonsense. And another thing—if you think I’ll allow a good cook to slip through my fingers, you’re mistaken. You’re going to be kept on.’
What did he mean by that? she wondered vaguely, but the excitement of being in his arms would not allow her to pursue the question, and instead she merely raised her face.
He lowered his head and kissed her long and deeply. His arms held her against him so closely that she could feel every contour of his body pressing against her own, the joy of it causing her heart to thump. Her arms wound about his neck, clinging as though she could never bear to let him go, and despite herself she arched against him.
The involuntary movement caused his breath to quicken, his arms to crush her even closer to him and his heart to thud against her. His lips became more demanding, possessing her own with force until suddenly his hands went to her shoulders to put her away from him.
Huskily, he said, ‘We can’t make love in the kitchen—at least not before the dishes are done.’
‘Or even after they’re done,’ she said in a shaky voice while making an effort to get her throbbing emotions under control.
‘But the time will come, never doubt it.’
She stared at him wordlessly until she said, ‘The dishes—we must do the dishes.’ Then she turned to rinse the plates free of scraps before stacking them in the dishwasher.
He said, ‘I’ll do that while you put food away. While you’re doing so you can fill in a few gaps.’
‘What sort of gaps?’
‘Mother and Amy had lowered their voices, but I caught a brief mention about Lola doing mad things. I couldn’t understand what was meant. Have you any idea?’
‘Yes, I think I know, but I’d rather not discuss it.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because every time Lola’s name comes up we quarrel. You don’t believe what I tell you, so why should I tell you this—especially as it’s sure to ruin those last few magic moments?’
He turned to face her. ‘They really were magic?’
She nodded. ‘I’d be a lying hypocrite if I denied it,’ she admitted, the truth being dragged from her.
He bent swiftly to kiss her again, but only briefly. ‘OK—I’ll get the answer out of Mother.’
‘I doubt it. She’s puzzled about it as well.’
‘I also wondered why Lola hadn’t been invited to stay to dinner this evening, or why she hadn’t invited herself. She’s an expert at doing so.’
‘Oh, she probably realised she wouldn’t be too welcome after her rudeness to Amy,’ Cathie informed him casually. ‘Your mother made her apologise, and that was when she admitted to doing mad acts if she became upset.’
He stared at her incredulously. ‘In what way was she rude to Amy?’ he demanded in a dangerously quiet voice.
‘Are you likely to believe me?’
‘Come on, out with it,’ he rasped impatiently.
‘Perhaps it would be better for you to ask Amy or your mother.’ She knew he was becoming annoyed, but she was also tired of his disbelief of what she said about Lola.
Exasperated, he gripped her shoulders and glared down into her face. ‘Do I have to shove your head into the dishwasher before you’ll tell me?’ he gritted.
‘You’re hurting me,’ she protested.
‘And you’re driving me insane,’ he barked.
She returned his gaze, wide-eyed. Now was her opportunity to learn the answer to the question simmering in her mind, despite the fact that she repeatedly brushed it aside while assuring herself that she did not believe a word of it. And even if he admitted that Lola’s statements were true, she knew it would not alter her love for him.
At last she said, ‘Well, if you must know, Lola told Amy that your only reason for persuading her to come to New Zealand was to get her out of your house—and that you’re hoping she’ll stay here so that you can sell it.’
His expression became grim as his eyes almost penetrated her own. ‘What do you think about the accusation? Do you believe it?’
‘No. I thought about it for a while, and then I decided that your concern was for Amy, rather than for yourself.’
‘You’re saying you had faith in me?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Thank you.’ Again he snatched her to him, kissing her briefly while giving her a hug. Then he asked, ‘What was Amy’s reaction to Lola’s comments?’
‘I thought she remained surprisingly calm,’ Cathie said, recalling that the state of her own mind had been anything but placid during those moments.
Baird laughed. ‘Of course she’d remain calm. She knows that while she’s alive I’m unable to sell the house. According to my grandfather’s will I can do so only after her death, so it doesn’t matter whether she’s in New Zealand or in Scotland. Lola would be unaware of that small detail, and no doubt Mother had forgotten about it.’ He paused, looking at her expectantly. ‘So what happened next?’
‘That was when your mother made Lola apologise to Amy—and it was also when Lola said that being upset caused her to do mad things. But when she was pressed for details she decided it was time to make a quick exit, so she went home.’
‘Something tells me you have your own theory.’
‘I have—but, as I said before, I refuse to discuss it. Now, may we change the subject?’
‘Gladly. Let’s talk about you instead,’ he said over the muted rumble made by the dishwasher.
‘Me?’ She was startled. ‘What is there to talk about where I’m concerned?’
‘I recall Amy mentioning a letter your mother was to send on to you—possibly from the woman for whom you once worked. Has it arrived? Was it from that person?’
‘Yes, it arrived. And it was from Mrs Morgan,’ she admitted after a pause while a faint smile touched her lips.
‘You look very pleased about it,’ he remarked while observing her closely. ‘I presume she has offered you the job.’
Cathie nodded. ‘And she also writes v
ery kindly about me.’
‘Does she indeed? Would I be allowed to read those kind words, or is the letter very private?’ he asked lightly.
‘Not at all—although I doubt that you’ll agree with her.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because she says that what I say can be relied upon as being the truth. It’s nice to think that at least one person has that opinion of me,’ she flashed at him, leaving the kitchen to run upstairs and fetch the letter from Mrs Morgan.
A few minutes later he was reading it in silence, a frown drawing his brows together. ‘Very complimentary,’ he said at last, then went on, ‘However, I see no mention of paying your expenses to get there, no indication that your salary would be an improvement on what she had previously paid you.’
‘At least it’ll be a job,’ Cathie said, feeling a little deflated by these negative suggestions.
‘Let’s hope you’ll be happy in it,’ he said, handing the letter back to her.
His words were like a bucket of icy water thrown straight into her face, the coldness of it telling her that she meant nothing at all to him. Despite the closeness of his embrace and the passion behind his kisses, there was no depth of meaning to them. And this was proved by the fact that he couldn’t care less about her departure for Auckland. He hoped she’d be happy there, he’d said.
She was an idiot to have fallen in love with him, she realised miserably. But love was a strange emotion. It was not turned on or off like a tap. It just seemed to hit one from out of the blue, and then what could one do about it? The answer to that was easy if the love was returned—but, if not, the only course was to go to some other place where one could forget—if possible.
Watching her face, he said, ‘Your expression doesn’t tell me that you’re overjoyed by the thought of going to Auckland. If you have any doubts about it, you have only to remember that my own offer is still open, if you feel like accepting it.’
Heir to Glengyle Page 15
