by Lily Baxter
Walter glanced over her shoulder. ‘David’s dancing with Lavinia Langley. She’s reading history at Lady Margaret Hall, and her best friend, Thora Wyndham, is treading on poor old Rayner’s toes. I’ve forgotten what her subject is but they’re both supposed to be really brainy as well as frightfully rich.’
‘David never mentions girls in his letters. Has he got a girlfriend?’ Meg watched critically as David whirled his partner around the floor with more enthusiasm than expertise.
‘All the girls go for David, but he likes to play the field a bit.’
‘And Rayner? Is that Thora what’s-her-name his girlfriend?’
‘I don’t think so. I can’t ever remember seeing him out with a female of any sort. He’s more interested in studying and taking flying lessons.’ Walter hesitated, looking at her with a wistful expression that reminded her of Rex, the cocker spaniel she had owned and loved as a child.
‘I haven’t got a girlfriend, Meg.’
‘That just goes to show that the girls in college aren’t all that bright,’ she said, patting his hand. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him about his feelings for her aunt, but she stopped herself just in time. It would be awful to embarrass someone as nice and kind as Walter, and it was probably just a crush anyway. Although, on the other hand, Walter was a bit old for something that people usually put behind them when they left school. She shot him a speculative glance but he was busy straightening his bow tie, and to her surprise he was blushing.
‘Do you really think so, Meg? I mean, I’ve never thought of myself as being attractive to women. Not like David and Frank.’
‘You’re a really nice chap,’ she said, hoping that faint praise was better than none at all. ‘You’re very likeable, Walter. I like you, and so does …’ she paused. She had been going to say that Josie was fond of him, but that would probably make matters worse. ‘And so does everybody,’ she ended lamely. She picked up her glass and gulped a mouthful of lemonade.
The music stopped and the couples drifted off to their tables. Meg craned her neck to see if Rayner escorted the rich and brainy Thora whatever-her-name-was back to her seat. She held her breath when he did, and smothered a sigh of relief when he left her almost immediately and began making his way back to their table.
Frank and Adele returned, holding hands and laughing. ‘Let’s get some champagne,’ Frank said, pulling out a chair for Adele. ‘We need to liven things up a bit.’
David strolled over to join them. ‘Did I hear you mention champagne, old boy?’
‘You did indeed. I was thinking that three bottles might do for a start.’
‘Good idea,’ David agreed enthusiastically. ‘I’ll give you a hand.’
Frank leaned over to brush his fingertips across Adele’s shoulder. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’
She smiled up at him and Meg stifled a sigh. Their feelings for each other were transparent as glass. She had never seen two people falling head over heels in love, and it was an awe-inspiring experience. She was happy for Adele and only the tiniest bit jealous.
The orchestra struck up a quickstep and Meg’s mouth suddenly went dry as she realised that Rayner was standing at her side, holding out his hand. ‘May I have the pleasure of this dance, Meg?’
She stood up reluctantly. She had been willing him to ask her to partner him, and now her knees had turned to jelly. ‘I’m not terribly good at this one.’
‘I’ll teach you.’
Held in his light but firm grasp, she found herself whisked expertly around the floor.
‘You dance very well, Meg.’
She relaxed against him, breathing deeply and thinking that he smelt nice; a spicy mixture of sandalwood and vetiver together with a scent that was all his own. She could feel his warm breath on the top of her head as he held her close on the turns. His hands were smooth-skinned, as if he had never done a day’s manual work in his life, but as her fingers touched the back of his shoulder she could feel the ripple of muscles beneath the severe cut of his black evening suit. To her astonishment she seemed to be able to follow his steps without any trouble at all. Unlike poor Walter who had stepped on her toes more than once and she on his. Doing a foxtrot with him had been a painful chore, but she would have been happy to dance all night with Rayner, and she felt cheated when the music stopped and he led her back to their table.
‘You didn’t disgrace the family after all,’ David said, raising his glass to them.
‘Meg is a good dancer.’ Rayner handed her a glass of champagne. ‘I think you’ve earned this.’
She eyed David doubtfully. ‘Are you going to tell on me if I have a drop of bubbly?’
He shook his head. ‘Enjoy yourself, Meggie. I’m not playing the big brother tonight.’
She sipped the champagne, eyeing Rayner over the rim of her glass. She had not thought him particularly handsome when they first met, but now she was seeing him in a different light. His features might not be classic like Michelangelo’s David, but his eyes shone with intelligence and his firm jaw suggested strength of character. Never one to analyse her own feelings, Meg was astonished to find herself inexorably drawn to him. It was a strange and curiously thrilling experience. He glanced at her and she realised that she had been staring. She looked away quickly and covered her confusion by smiling at Walter.
He rose from his chair. ‘They’re playing a tango, Meg. May I have this dance?’
‘You can do the tango?’ She had not meant to speak so plainly, and she bit her lip as she saw his face fall.
‘I won’t know until I try.’
She hesitated, not wanting to hurt his feelings, but she could tell by the expression on his face that it was important for him to prove himself in front of his friends. ‘I’ll have a go, but don’t expect too much, Walter.’
Within a few minutes her feet were bruised and he had almost dropped her on one of the turns. Even worse, he had barged into another couple and they had not been amused. ‘It’s no good,’ Meg said breathlessly. ‘I think we’d better call it a day, Walter. Perhaps the tango is a dance step too far.’
His shoulders drooped and she felt dreadful, but her silk stockings were laddered and there were black marks on her satin shoes. She returned to the table with Walter trailing behind her.
‘I’m sorry, Meg.’ He subsided onto his chair and reached for his drink. ‘It looks easy, but it isn’t.’
‘That’s okay,’ Meg said hastily. ‘It’s a silly old dance anyway. I can’t think what all the fuss is about.’
Rising from his seat, Rayner moved swiftly to her side. ‘Come, I’ll show you how they do the tango in Buenos Aires.’
‘Well, this should be fun,’ David said, putting his glass down on the table and grinning. ‘Show us how it’s done, old fruit.’
Meg laid her hand on Rayner’s outstretched palm and allowed him to lead her onto the floor. He held her close and within seconds they were immersed in the hypnotic sensuality of the dance. One by one the other couples stopped to watch Rayner and Meg moving as if they had partnered each other all their lives. The steps seemed to come naturally to her under his guidance. She allowed herself to relax and trust him implicitly. Looking deeply into his eyes, she was under the spell of the music and erotic rhythm of the dance. Soon they were alone on the floor and when the music finally came to an end, there was a thunderous round of applause. Rayner bowed and held out his hand to Meg. He twirled her round so that she had her back to him and he clasped her to his chest. She could feel his heart beating, or perhaps it was hers? She could not tell which. She was drunk with elation. There were cries of encore, but Rayner led her back to their table.
Adele gazed at her with open admiration. ‘That was quite amazing, Meg.’
David rose to his feet and shook Rayner’s hand. ‘Didn’t think you had it in you. You’re a man full of surprises, you old Kraut. Where did you learn to trip the light fantastic?’
Rayner accepted a glass of champagne from Frank. ‘I visited
Buenos Aires when I was staying with my uncle and his family on their coffee plantation in Brazil. On that trip I learned how to grow coffee and to do the tango. I’ve never found either much use, until now.’
‘Well, you realise you’ve set a precedent and now I’m going to have to prove myself on the dance floor, or I’ll never live it down.’ David cast his gaze around the marquee. ‘There’s Sheila Faulkner. I must go and impress her with my blinding quickstep.’ He strolled off, making his way through the crowd to a table on the far side of the marquee.
Frank rose from his seat. ‘May I have this dance, Adele? It seems that we all have something to live up to thanks to Rayner.’
She gave him her hand, smiling up at him as they made their way onto the floor. Walter pushed back his chair. ‘I’m going to the bar to get a proper drink. What about you, Rayner?’
He shook his head. ‘No thanks. I’m fine.’ He waited until Walter was out of earshot before turning to Meg. ‘Let’s get some fresh air. I find it very stuffy in here.’
Feeling as though she were in a dream, Meg allowed him to take her by the hand. She might have been imagining it, but she was convinced that she felt a tingle run up her spine as their fingers touched. She nodded wordlessly.
Outside in the college grounds the air was redolent with the perfume of roses and night scented stock. She breathed in deeply. ‘Shall we go for a walk by the river?’
‘I’ve got a better idea.’
He led her to where the white Rolls-Royce was parked. Meg studied his face in the moonlight. She was certain that he must be able to hear her heart pounding as she waited for him to say something, anything. He had chosen to be alone with her, ignoring all the attractive and clever girls of his acquaintance. She could hardly believe that something as romantic and unexpected was happening to her. She was alone in the night with a young man she hardly knew, and he wanted to take her for a drive. She dreaded to think what her mother would say if she ever found out. Covering her nervousness with an attempt at levity, she smiled up at him. ‘I hope your intentions are honourable, Herr Weiss?’
He opened the car door. ‘I don’t seduce young girls, Meg. Especially one who is the sister of my good friend.’
‘I’m not sure whether I should be relieved or offended.’
‘You said that you wanted to drive a Rolls-Royce.’
‘I wasn’t really serious. I mean, I was just teasing David.’
‘I think you meant it. Now you can show me what you can do.’
She gazed at the dashboard, which was infinitely more complicated than the one on the farm truck. ‘I’ve just drunk two glasses of champagne.’
‘All the better. It will make you more relaxed. But if you’re scared …’
It was a definite challenge, but she was still wary. ‘I’m not scared, but what if I prang the car? Whose is it?’
‘It’s mine for the night. I hired it so it’s insured. Get in, Meg. Let me see what you can do.’
She picked up her skirts and slid onto the driver’s seat. She studied the control panel while she waited for Rayner to get in beside her.
He closed the door. ‘Off you go then. Just think of it as driving the vehicle at home.’
The huge expanse of white bonnet seemed to stretch into infinity. She was scared, but she was determined to conquer her fear, and her nervousness began to dissipate as she manoeuvred the Rolls out of the car park and into the street. She drove slowly at first but she gained confidence as they left the city streets and headed north on the Woodstock Road.
She cast a quick glance at Rayner to see if he was suitably impressed, but he seemed disappointingly calm and unruffled. ‘Where shall we go?’
‘Wherever you like. Go faster. Enjoy yourself.’
‘You’re mad, you know that.’ She pressed her foot gently on the accelerator and felt the power of the engine as the vehicle surged forward. She gripped the wheel with perspiring hands, keeping her eyes fixed on the road ahead. When they reached the wide main street of Woodstock, she pulled in to the kerb.
‘Why have we stopped?’
‘Because this is crazy. I’ve just driven over ten miles and I think we should go back to the ball before they send out a search party.’
‘And I thought you wanted to prove a point.’
She eyed him curiously. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘David and Adele treat you like a baby. I thought you wanted to show them that they are wrong.’
He was right, of course, but it came as a shock to hear the truth from someone else’s lips. She stared at her hands clenched round the steering wheel. ‘That makes me sound very childish.’
‘No. That isn’t so.’
She turned her head to give him a direct look, but his face was in shadow and she could not read his expression. ‘Why did you ask me to come with you? Was it just to annoy David?’
‘No. I wouldn’t do anything to upset my friend.’
‘Then why?’ She felt she had to know. Was he just amusing himself, or was there something more behind his mask of reserve?
He shifted in his seat and she could see his face clearly in the lamplight. He was smiling. ‘Don’t forget that your life belongs to me now, Meg. That was what you said, wasn’t it?’
The humour in his eyes drew an immediate response from her and she chuckled. ‘I think I might live to regret that remark.’
He laid his hand on his heart. ‘Never. But perhaps we’d better get you back to the ball now. I think you’ve proved yourself. Shall I drive?’
‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m just beginning to enjoy myself.’ She started the engine, turning the car easily in one large sweep outside the Bear Hotel. As soon as they were clear of the village she gunned the accelerator and they skimmed along the A44 back to Oxford. ‘This is something you can never do in Guernsey,’ she said happily. ‘The roads at home are so narrow and twisting. I love my home, but sometimes I think I would like to live on the mainland.’
‘You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.’
‘Like driving a Rolls-Royce, I suppose.’
‘Exactly so.’
She drove a little faster just for the satisfaction of doing something dangerous and out of the ordinary. She glanced at him to see if he was alarmed by her daring, but whatever he was feeling, he maintained his outward calm. ‘My mother would say you’re a bad influence, Rayner.’
‘I would be honoured to meet her and prove her wrong.’
The vision that this conjured up in Meg’s mind was disconcerting. She wondered what her mother would make of the self-possessed young German, and she found herself hoping that both her parents would like him. They lapsed into companionable silence as she concentrated on the road ahead and the exhilaration of controlling a powerful motor car. When they reached the college she drove into the parking place that they had vacated less than an hour previously.
‘I’ve done it,’ she said proudly. ‘And not a scratch on the paintwork.’
Before he had a chance to respond, the car door was wrenched open. ‘Bloody hell. This is worse than I thought.’ David’s eyes glittered strangely and Meg could smell the alcohol on his breath. ‘I can’t believe he allowed you to drive.’
Rayner stepped out of the car and rounded the bonnet to face him. ‘Calm down, David. It wasn’t Meg’s fault.’
Struggling with her full skirts, Meg climbed out onto the tarmac. ‘Please don’t make a fuss.’ Her heart sank as she saw Adele, Frank and Walter standing behind David. She could tell by their expressions that they were at once anxious and angry.
‘What were you thinking of?’ Adele said in a voice that shook with emotion. ‘You might have been killed.’
David’s face was ashen in the light of the street lamp. ‘Are you completely out of your mind allowing my sister to drive a powerful machine like this, and at night? She’s only ever driven a truck and that was on private land. You could have had a terrible accident.’
‘There was no d
anger,’ Rayner said calmly. ‘She drove well.’
‘You’re insane,’ David muttered through clenched teeth. ‘Didn’t it occur to you that we would be worried sick because we didn’t know where you’d gone? What would I have told our parents if anything had happened to Meg?’
Walter stepped forward and clutched David’s arm. ‘Come on, old chap. This isn’t the time or place. I think we should get the girls home and sort everything out in the morning.’
‘Quite right,’ Frank said quietly. ‘There’s no real harm done, David.’
He shook off Walter’s restraining hand. ‘No real harm?’ he repeated angrily. ‘My sister has been gallivanting about alone with him.’ He rounded on Rayner, clenching his fists. ‘I thought you were a better man than this.’
To Meg’s horror he swung a punch at Rayner but due to his unsteady state the blow missed its mark and David fell against the bonnet of the Rolls. Frank rushed forward to hold him back as he staggered to his feet. ‘That’s enough. This sort of behaviour won’t help anyone.’
Rayner held out his hand. ‘I’m sorry, David. I was in the wrong and I apologise.’
But Meg could see that her brother was too far gone in drink to be reasonable. He was struggling to free himself from Frank’s grasp when a warning from Walter came too late.
‘My God, it’s the Dean. He’s coming this way. Now we really are in trouble.’
Meg finished her packing with a sigh. Her punishment for risking life and limb, not to mention the possibility of damaging an extremely expensive motor car, was the curtailment of her holiday in Oxford. The matter might have been hushed up but for the untimely appearance of the Dean, who had threatened to send both David and Rayner down for brawling in public. He had not carried out that threat, but next morning had reported the sorry affair to Paul Shelmerdine. Meg was shocked to discover that this was not the first time her brother had been reprimanded for his misdemeanours, which included missing lectures and failing his exams. Uncle Paul had not been amused, particularly as the Dean was an old friend, and David’s indiscretions reflected badly on the family. Then, of course, the finger of blame had been pointed at Meg herself, and their uncle had decided that she was as much at fault as her brother. Unfortunately, and Meg thought unfairly, Adele was to accompany her on the journey back to the island, and of course she was extremely upset.
