Love in High Places

by Jane Beaufort

  Valentine put her hand into hers.

  “I don’t suppose I’ll ever see you again.”

  “That’s nonsense,” the old lady said. “Your grandfather’s a lifelong friend, and I mean to keep my eye on his granddaughter. But I’ll confess,” she added, rather sadly, “I’d have preferred to have a proper relationship between us. I’d have liked you very much for my granddaughter.” And she kissed her gently. “Take care of yourself, my child!”

  Alex, who was seeing Lou back to the hotel, had not yet made his appearance in the hall, and, so far as Valentine was aware, he knew nothing of her decision to return with Lou to America. She was right. When Alex at last appeared—looking slightly older, she thought, than he had done a couple of days ago—he passed by her without appearing to notice her, and spoke grimly to Lou about her luggage.

  “Is all this stuff yours? If Willi’s returning with us I doubt whether there’ll be room in the sleigh...”

  “Oh, but there’ll have to be room,” Lou said cheerfully. “I can’t leave any of my things behind, and Valentine will need hers.”

  “Valentine?”

  He turned swiftly and looked at Valentine, and for the first time it penetrated to his understanding that she was wearing her outdoor things. Pale but composed, she was taking a second leave of her grandfather.

  “Who said anything about Valentine going with us? She’s staying here ... with the General! They’re remaining for a few more days...”

  “The General is remaining,” Lou agreed; “but Valentine isn’t leaving me just yet. She’s coming back with me to the States. After all, I did bring her over here, and until I can find someone to replace her it isn’t right that I should have to do without her. Valentine herself agrees with that,” picking up a hat box and deliberately handing it over to Valentine. “Here, honey, grab this, and perhaps you could gather up all that small stuff of mine and carry it out to the sleigh. And, whatever you do, don’t leave that beauty box of mine behind as you did before! And oh, bother! ... I’ve left that light green dress case of mine upstairs in the bedroom! Run up and get it! ...”

  But Alex’s hand was on Valentine’s arm, gripping it tightly and preventing her from obeying instructions.

  “You’ll do nothing of the kind, Valentine,” he said quietly. “You’re staying here. You’re not going back with Lou!”

  Valentine spoke quickly.

  “I must! ... I’ve agreed! ...”

  “Then you can cancel the agreement,” the Baron ordered. He looked coldly at Lou. “I’m afraid Miss Pelham-Brown isn’t going to act lady’s maid any longer, Miss Morgan, so if you can’t find a replacement for her very quickly you’ll just have to look after your own beauty box.” Then he relented, as Lou smiled up at him rather whimsically. “I’m sorry if it’s going to cause you inconvenience, but Valentine can’t come with you ... I’m not letting her go.” And his voice wasn’t quite as steady as it had been before. “I’m not going to allow her to work for anyone again!”

  Lou’s smile became quite delighted.

  “That’s splendid,” she said, “because I’d no intention of taking her with me. But it looked as if you were going to be a bit pig-headed, and I thought a pretence of taking her with me might bring you to your senses. A future baroness shouldn’t work! ...” She walked past him and gave Valentine a quick hug and a kiss. “The green dress case is already in the sleigh, so no one has to bother about it. But I’m sorry I can’t stay for the champagne celebration! All the same, I’ll be thinking about you”—she glanced quickly at Alex—“both of you! And you can send me an invitation to the wedding!”

  She started to walk out rather blindly, and then she remembered something else.

  “Willi’s coming with me, so there’s no need for you to come too, Alex! You’ve got a lot of talking to do yet to Valentine!”

  When she had gone, and the sleigh had left the courtyard with a musical jingling of bells on the horses’ harness, the Countess gave orders to Stefan to close the hall door quickly to keep out the cold, and then she ordered him to pile logs on the hall fire. After which she took the General by the arm and told him she wanted to show him her collection of English Minton china.

  “It really is mine, although it’s housed here, and one day, of course, it will belong to Alex. Or Alex’s wife!” She glanced across at Valentine. “He will probably break your heart before he’s finished, but you’d better take him or you’ll both end up with broken hearts!” When they were alone Valentine lifted her eyes slowly and saw that Alex was watching her. There was no smile on his lips, and his eyes were dark with appeal. He moved nearer to her and took her hands.

  “Do you think I’ll break your heart, Valentine?” he asked quietly.

  She shook her head. Her lips were trembling.

  “Do you think I’ll break yours?”

  He took her in his arms and held her tightly.

  “Without you, my heart would wither and die. I told you that once before. Only when I’m with you am I happy, completely, gloriously happy! ... And when I’m away from you I might just as well cease to exist!” He rubbed his cheek against her hair. “Do you know, my little love, if I’d never met you at all I’d probably never have come alive!”