Marianna

by Nancy Buckingham

  ‘Oh, you won’t do that’m, so long as you don’t mind me popping out to the scullery now and then to keep an eye on things.’ In the back room she pulled out a chair for Marianna and swept a pile of mending out of sight. ‘I s’pose, ma’am, you wouldn’t stay and have a bite with us? There’s always plenty.’

  ‘How kind of you, Hilda. I’d have loved to, but I have a prior engagement.’

  ‘With your son, I s’pect?’

  ‘Yes, with Dick, and ...’ She paused, then burst out, ‘Oh Hilda, I have so much to tell you.’

  The story as Marianna related it was muddled and confused, because there was much she felt unable to reveal even to this loyal friend. But Hilda grasped the essentials, and she kept exclaiming in wonderment.

  ‘Just fancy, you finding each other like that, right here in London! It’s nothing more nor less than a blessed miracle.’

  ‘Yes, a miracle,’ agreed Marianna. ‘What was it prompted me to call upon you on that particular day, I wonder? What made me leave here at the precise time I did and then wander through the streets instead of immediately taking a cab?’

  ‘It’s all your best dreams come true at last, ain’t it, ma’am?’

  Marianna could not conceal that a dark cloud hung above her happiness.

  ‘Alas, all is not quite so perfect as it sounds, Hilda. There is a tragic side to our coming together — the very reason for my Jacinto being in London at all.’ She felt a lump in her throat as she spoke of his failing sight, and Hilda’s round, freckled face melted in sympathy.

  ‘Isn’t there no hope at all, ma’am?’

  Marianna shook her head. ‘None at all, I’m afraid. After a second consultation the specialist confirmed his original diagnosis. Jacinto faces total blindness. To me, it is truly remarkable with what calmness he accepts the terrible prospect.’

  They were sitting over a cup of tea chatting of this and that, with Marianna holding the baby on her lap, when Hilda’s family returned home. Albert had been a good-looking young footman, and although somewhat weightier now, he was still a well-set man. He greeted Marianna with great cordiality, and each of the children was presented in turn.

  She only stayed a few minutes longer. Saying goodbye to Hilda at the shop door, she murmured, ‘I’m so glad to have met your family and seen how well and happy you all are.’

  ‘Ooh, yes’m. I’ve got so many blessings to count that sometimes I feels almost like bursting.’ Then, sympathetically, ‘I’ll be thinking of you, ma’am ... both of you, like. You deserve to find happiness after all you’ve been through.’

  ‘Thank you, Hilda.’

  ‘You will come and see us another time, won’t you, ma’am — if ever you comes to England again?’

  ‘Yes, indeed I will. And next time ... it will be with my husband. You see, there is nothing to prevent us coming to England any more. The danger for us here has been quite resolved, I’m thankful to say.’

  * * * *

  Marianna had telephoned Cedric Kendall a second time, feeling that it was only courteous to inform him of the turn of events since they had talked together. Greatly to her pleasure, he had at once insisted on coming to London to see her again, expressing the hope that he would also be able to meet her future husband. Tuesday was decided upon, and Marianna had ordered luncheon to be served in her sitting room.

  Dick, who was also now staying at the Savoy as a temporary measure, had set out half an hour previously to meet Cedric’s train at Waterloo. They were due at any moment and Marianna was pacing the room from fireplace to window and back again, too nervous to remain seated.

  There was a sound of voices at the door and Dick came bursting into the suite in his usual impetuous way, followed rather more sedately by Cedric.

  ‘Mama, what do you think? Cedric has invited me to stay at Hardwick Manor until I go up to Oxford in the autumn. Isn’t that splendid? He says it will be easy enough to find a tutor who can bring me up to the mark.’

  ‘All depending, of course,’ put in Cedric, ‘on whether the idea meets with your approval, Marianna.’

  She was hesitant. ‘Are you quite sure that Eunice would be happy about this?’

  ‘Eunice is wholly with me, my dear. In fact, we both hope that Dick will regard the Manor as his home in England, as long as he is here.’

  ‘That is extremely generous of you, Cedric. What can I say except to offer my most heartfelt thanks?’

  She packed Dick off then, on the excuse that he should be down in the foyer in good time to greet Jacinto when he arrived from his own hotel at Victoria. In reality, she wanted a few minutes private conversation with Cedric.

  ‘Much has happened since I saw you last,’ she said, when they were alone.

  ‘It would certainly appear so, my dear.’

  ‘As I mentioned on the telephone, Ralph Penfold is no longer a threat to us. Something Dick had discovered about his business dealings has effectively silenced him from speaking out against Jacinto and myself. I am not sure whether I ought to go into details ...’

  ‘Better perhaps that I don’t know everything,’ suggested Cedric ruefully. ‘After all, the man remains my wife’s brother.’ He smiled across at her from his chair by the fire. ‘Dick is a different person, is he not? And full of praise for your husband-to-be.’

  ‘I rejoice about that. Dick has so violently rejected William Penfold as his father and Ralph as his half-brother that he is now ready — eager, I truly believe — to look upon Jacinto as his father.’

  They exchanged a glance which dispensed with a great many difficult words. Then Cedric said, ‘This matter of incipient blindness, though ... it is very dreadful.’

  ‘Indeed, yes — but Jacinto accepts it so philosophically. I am only thankful that I shall be able to serve as his eyes.’

  Cedric frowned and gave her a dubious look. ‘I gather he is a man of strong character — he must be to have won your heart. How will such a man be able to accept a dependent role in life?’

  Marianna laughed softly. ‘I see that it is high time you met him. Make no mistake, Cedric, I shall be the dependent one. Jacinto is selling his interests in Guiana and we shall be partners in the firm of Tobias Dalby. I have little doubt whose views will prevail, then. Already, in this short time, Jacinto is full of plans and ideas for development.’

  ‘I see. And what about you? Will you be content to play a secondary part, my dear, after enjoying absolute power for so long?’

  ‘Enjoying? The power I wielded, Cedric, was merely a substitute for my heart’s craving. But now, that has been granted to me.’

  When Dick arrived with Jacinto, Marianna was content to look on and let her son perform the introductions. The handshake between Jacinto and Cedric was firm and decided, the greeting of two men who already held each other in respect.

  Cedric said, ‘I have been trying to persuade Marianna to bring you down to us in Sussex for a visit, before you leave for Madeira.’

  ‘I thought later,’ Marianna put in swiftly. ‘The next time we come to England.’

  ‘Your kindness is much appreciated,’ Jacinto told him. ‘But perhaps, as Marianna suggests, it would be best to postpone our visit.’

  Five days later Marianna and Jacinto departed for Madeira, and Dick accompanied them to Southampton. The separation from her son was Marianna’s only regret at leaving England, but this would not be for very long. He referred to Madeira now as home and had expressed his intention of returning for a holiday before going up to Oxford. ‘It will fit in rather well, mama,’ he had said eagerly. ‘That way I shall be able to take part in the vintage.’

  As the train passed through Edgeley station she sought Jacinto’s glance, remembering so much, but the memories no longer had any power to hurt her. Dick’s voice broke in upon her thoughts.

  ‘About the money that’s due to me when I come of age ... I hate the thought of taking it, mama.’

  Marianna would never have suggested that he should relinquish his Penfold inheritanc
e, but her heart flowed with gratitude.

  ‘Then don’t take it, dearest. There is money enough for you without that.’

  ‘But the only thing is, it seems a beastly shame for Ralph to benefit, doesn’t it?’

  Jacinto’s lips twitched in a smile. ‘Why not make your inheritance over to some charitable institution, Dick? A lawyer could arrange the matter for you.’

  ‘I say, sir, that’s a jolly good idea.’

  Fifteen minutes later the train drew to a halt at the dock-side and they went aboard the Royal Mail steamer to find their cabins. When the last call came for visitors to go ashore, Dick caught his mother in his arms and gave her a fierce, bear-like hug that left her breathless. Breaking away at last, he held out his hand to Jacinto. Then, in the emotion of parting, the two of them embraced. Father and son?

  The uncertainty remained, would always remain. Yet somehow it mattered so much less now. Tears sprang to Marianna’s eyes at seeing them together — these two men she held so precious. But at a leavetaking a few tears could surely be forgiven.

  * * * *

  Marianna rose at dawn and made her way up on deck. It was no surprise to find Jacinto there already, standing at the rail. As she joined him, he slid his arm around her waist and drew her closer.

  ‘I’ve been hoping that you would come, querida.’

  ‘Could you doubt it?’ she smiled, ‘I had to catch the very first glimpse of our island,’

  The eastern sky was blushing a soft apricot and only tiny curls of foam broke the darkly blue surface of the ocean. Then with almost startling suddenness an edge of blazing sun appeared and the water turned to a sheet of fire. But Marianna’s gaze was drawn in the other direction, to the distant mass of rugged rocks which grew clearer every instant as the ship steamed its steady course and the sun rose higher to bathe the mountains in a golden light... crag upon crag of broken ridges, forested slopes and barren summits, with puffs of cloud gathered like frilly collars around the loftiest peaks.

  ‘Could anything in the world be more beautiful?’ she breathed. But then the chilling thought struck through that her beloved Jacinto was unable to share this enchanted vision. To him, it would be no more than a misty haze.

  He must have sensed her sudden distress, and understood it. With other passengers now crowding round them at the rail, exclaiming in delight, he murmured, ‘Always remember this, minha querida, with you at my side I shall have as much happiness as any man can bear.’

  ‘It has been such a long time, dearest one,’ she whispered.

  ‘A long time!’ he echoed. ‘But the years that lie ahead of us are longer still.’

  Acknowledgements

  The authors’ thanks must go to the many people of Madeira who so readily gave assistance in gathering material for this book. In particular, we wish to mention Senhora Dalila Henriques de Freitas, whose knowledge of the island and its history is surely limitless; and Senhora Lynne da Sousa for much helpful advice on sources. We are most grateful to Senhor Freitas of the Savoy Hotel for kind hospitality in his charming Funchal home and access to his extensive library; to various officials of the Madeira Wine Association, and to Senhor Mario Barbeito de Vasconcelos for allowing us the freedom of his unique collection of magazine articles and press clippings garnered over many years.

  And back at home, all praise to the West Sussex County Library, especially to the staff of the Midhurst branch, who remain undefeated by our most obscure demands for reference material.

  Copyright © 1981 by Nancy Buckingham

  Originally published by Eyre Methuen

  Electronically published in 2015 by Belgrave House

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228

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  This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.