Falcon's Keep

by Henrietta Reid

  He lay against his pillows, his eyes closed, looking more like an old ivory carving than ever, and Ginny felt a sense of shock as she saw the sunken cheeks and shadowed eye sockets. She tiptoed to his bed and stared down at him, feeling a growing sense of terror as she noticed the immobility of his thin, wasted figure. Then slowly his eyes opened and he gazed at her with a look of warm recognition. ‘Why the worried face, Ginny?’ he asked. His voice, quavering and weak, held a hint of Rikki’s mischief. ‘I’ve no intention of departing this life just at present. I’m too interested in discovering the answer to something that puzzles me concerning my grandson Luke. Well, can you guess what it might be?’ he asked, in the same reedy voice.

  She shook her head in bewilderment.

  ‘It will be interesting to see if he has as much sense as I think he has,’ he said enigmatically, then closed his eyes, giving Ginny no opportunity of questioning him.

  Ginny remained by his bedside for a moment or two, then as he seemed to have drifted off to sleep she pulled a chair near to the fire and ran over in her mind the instructions given to her by Dr. McKay, and when Rikki returned with the paraphernalia of a sickroom she immediately began her nursing duties.

  It was Mrs. Hingston who told her of Luke’s return. She tiptoed into the room and when she had glanced at Mr. Nicholas’s sleeping face, said softly, ‘It’s time you had a bite to eat, Miss Ginny. Mr. Luke has only just got in. He was held up. He was all for coming up to see the master, but I told him to wait until after dinner. He looked tuckered out - and anyway, Mr. Nicholas is in good hands,’ she finished almost gruffly. ‘Run on down now, Miss Ginny, and I’ll sit with the master until you come back. ’

  When Ginny reached the dining-room she was met with a barrage of questions from Anthea and Mrs. Clifford. Luke stared at her in silence, his face drawn and taut with anxiety. Then when some of the excited chatter had subsided he questioned her eagerly.

  ‘Dr. McKay says your grandfather is going to get well,’ she told him reassuringly, ‘but that he’ll need careful nursing and that Mr. Kendrick wouldn’t hear of professional nurses being brought in. ’

  ‘That sounds just like Grandfather,’ Luke said dryly. ‘But what about you? This is going to be rather hard on you, isn’t it, Ginny? It’s not fair you should have to shoulder the Kendrick burden.’

  ‘Oh, but you’re wrong,’ Ginny put in swiftly. ‘I’m glad of the opportunity to do something to - to—’ she hesitated, ‘to show my gratitude.’

  ‘Poor Ginny,’ he smiled. ‘And what have you got to be grateful for in this household?’

  ‘Oh, lots of things,’ she said with a small secretive smile.

  ‘It’s not as if I didn’t offer,’ Anthea broke in. ‘I repeatedly told that little doctor that I was perfectly willing to lend a hand in the sickroom, but I could see he was prejudiced. He’s the type of man who expects a woman to be dressed in calico and behave like a household drudge before he thinks she’s capable of doing anything useful.’

  ‘How mistaken he was,’ Rikki mocked. ‘Everyone knows what a little wizard you are around the kitchen, and I bet you’re a wonder when it comes to a cooling hand on a fevered forehead.’

  ‘You’re not funny, Rikki,’ she said acidly.

  ‘I agree,’ Luke put in. ‘It’s a pity we can’t take Anthea up on her offer. This is going to be very hard on Ginny: it’s going to be a much harder assignment than she realizes.’

  ‘Thanks so much,’ Anthea said sharply. ‘I’m so happy to know I’d have been useful to Ginny.’

  ‘And what were your intentions when you offered your services?’ Luke asked mildly.

  Anthea hesitated, and Rikki put in quickly, ‘I expect she thought she’d look stunning in a starched veil with a thermometer peeping out of her pocket.’

  ‘Anthea did once play a nurse and got splendid notices,’ Mrs. Clifford put in with an air of reasonableness, ‘didn’t you, Anthea?’

  In spite of the atmosphere of strain and anxiety that hovered over the dinner-table Rikki burst into a peal of laughter, and even Luke smiled at the absurdity of the statement.

  ‘Well, I’m sure I didn’t intend to be amusing,’ Mrs. Clifford said huffily. ‘Are you coming, Anthea? I’ve no

  intention of remaining to be a figure of fun. ’

  ‘Oh, don’t be so intense, Mother,’ Anthea snapped irritably. ‘I’m perfectly sure they’ll apologize if you ask them nicely.’

  But Mrs. Clifford was not to be soothed and, with an angry glance at her daughter, she swept from the room.

  ‘You mustn’t take Mother too seriously,’ Anthea said. ‘She’s all defensive and prickly when it comes to me. It can be rather a bore at times.’

  Ginny let her mind wander. If only Luke were prickly and defensive about her, how heavenly life would be, she thought. She glanced at him speculatively, trying to visualize him in this role, and caught him looking at her quizzically.

  ‘You look as if you’re wrestling with the problems of the universe, or is it simply that your new duties are getting you down?’

  ‘I’d better relieve Mrs. Hingston,’ said Ginny, a little reluctantly. Once she had left the dinner-table she probably would not see him again until morning, and somehow the interval seemed to stretch ahead interminably, a lonely void to be filled until she was in his presence again.

  ‘Speaking of Mrs. Hingston,’ Anthea put in, the woman was quite impertinent. It seems she practically ordered Mother out of Mr. Nicholas’s room. I can’t imagine,’ she went on casually, ‘how she has survived with you, Luke. You’re such a ruthless person really, and in her own way Mrs. Hingston is rather bumbling and out of date.’

  ‘Mrs. Hingston was here before we were born,’ Luke said dryly, ‘and even if she were every bit as bumbling and out of date as you suggest I wouldn’t dream of dismissing her.’

  ‘You sound almost as sentimental as Ginny,’ Anthea said sourly.

  Luke glanced at Ginny, his eyes warm and kind. ‘Perhaps that’s one thing at least we have in common. ’

  Anthea tossed back her long sleek hair with an angry laugh. ‘Perhaps I’d better follow Mother. It’s obvious

  you two are just dying to be alone together!’

  ‘Which brings me back to that old adage I’m always quoting about two being company,’ Rikki broke in. ‘Being a perfect little gentleman I shall follow your example and also depart. ’

  As Anthea flounced from the room he got up and with elaborate caution tiptoed from the table.

  But neither Luke nor Ginny were aware of this byplay. Alone at the long table, they sat in silence, both aware that suddenly an overwhelming change had come upon their relationship, and Ginny realized that all her life she would remember this scene, the flickering candlelight, the green spring scent of early daffodils and Luke’s eyes glowing with an expression she had not realized they could possess.

  At last Ginny said tremulously, ‘It really is time I got back to your grandfather.’ She stood up, and feeling reluctant to break the spell that lay between them crossed to the fire and made a weak pretence of warming her fingers.

  ‘Darling Ginny!’ She was aware that he had come up behind her. ‘You must never never leave me for very long. Do you promise?’

  ‘I promise.’ Happiness rose like a great tidal wave as he took her in his arms.

  ‘This is where you belong from now on, Ginny, close to my heart,’ he whispered.

  Over his shoulder she was vaguely aware of the lights that glinted off the gilt pictures and wondered if it were a fancy that the portraits no longer seemed to stare at her with an austere air. Soon she too would be a Kendrick, Luke’s bride. The thought made her almost dizzy with happiness as she buried her head in his shoulder against the rough cloth of his jacket. ‘Oh, Luke darling, I’m so happy, yet so afraid.’

  ‘Afraid?’ His eyes searched here with a growing concern.

  ‘Perhaps I’ll wake up and find it’s all been a dream.’

  ‘Shall I prove i
t’s not a dream?’ he said softly, as he drew her closer.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Spring was filling the woods with catkins and pale wild daffodils had appeared in scattered clumps around the lake when Ginny learned with a shock of dismay that Lester Philips had not forgotten his resolve to keep an eye on her. Somehow the happiness that had enveloped her since she had realized Luke’s love had blunted the memory of Lester Philips. His very features had become blurred and indistinct. Now they leaped into focus as with a feeling of annoyance she remembered the mulish look of resolve that had gleamed behind his spectacles when he had suggested a trip to the neighbourhood of Falcon’s Keep to keep an eye on her.

  It was Mrs. Hingston who had unconsciously brought the news that Lester had arrived in Netley. Ginny had been sitting by the window in old Nicholas’s room. A soft breeze bore the scent of growing things and the woods were a lacy haze of yellow-green as buds spangled the bare branches. Nicholas Kendrick was sitting up in bed frowning over a crossword puzzle. His recovery had been amazingly quick and even Dr. McKay had been surprised at the speed with which he had regained his resilience.

  He looked up and cast a glance at Ginny’s profile as she sat, her chin cupped in her palms, a small smile about her lips. ‘You’re much too young to be cooped up here on a day like this,’ he said abruptly. ‘Off you go for a walk in the woods, and don’t come back until you’ve put a couple of roses in those pale cheeks.’

  ‘Roses are out of season,’ she smiled.

  To her Mr. Kendrick no longer seemed an austere and rather frightening person. A quietly teasing relationship had grown up between them which, before his illness, she would

  not have dreamed was possible.

  She stood up doubtfully and crossed to the bed. ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right?’

  ‘Of course,’ he said, with mock gruffness. ‘You don’t imagine anyone is going to run away with an old man like me!’

  She tidied his bed and plumped the pillows. ‘All right, if you’re certain! I would like to slip out for a few minutes.’

  ‘You look so happy, Ginny my dear,’ he said almost wistfully, ‘you must be in love.’

  ‘But I am,’ she said shyly.

  He lay back against the pillows. ‘Well, it doesn’t surprise me. But I hope it’s not young Rikki, for he’d lead any woman a dance who was fool enough to take him. ’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Then it’s Luke?’

  ‘Yes, Luke.’ Even the saying of his name gave her a thrill of happiness.

  The old man’s face lit with pleasure. ‘I’m so glad, my dear. For a long time I wasn’t sure if it was the Clifford girl he was keen on. I’m glad he has had the sense not to choose a flibberty-gibbet of an actress.’

  ‘You’ll keep it a secret in the meantime, won’t you?’ Ginny begged hastily. The Cliffords had shown no signs of departing and she dreaded the atmosphere that would ensue should it be openly said that she and Luke were in love.

  Old Nicholas looked at her with humorous understanding. ‘I think that young lady was setting her cap at Luke. I’d say she’d give you a pretty rough time if she realized that you’d sprung a march on her. ’

  Ginny laughed as she tucked in the clothes. ‘I’m much too happy to want any scenes.’

  ‘Then you shan’t have them,’ he said firmly. ‘By the way, Luke told me this morning that he would be home early today. If he comes in before you return I’ll send him to find you. ’

  It was just then that Mrs. Hingston came to the door. ‘There’s a phone call for you, Miss Ginny,’ she said.

  Puzzled, Ginny followed her downstairs. She had put her memories of Lester Philips so firmly behind her that not once did it cross her mind that the call could be from him. It was when she heard Lester’s slightly throaty tones that she felt the first stirrings of alarm.

  ‘Can you hear me?’ he demanded, as Ginny, her mind a wild mass of conflict, stood silently holding the receiver.

  ‘If you’d just repeat it, Lester,’ she said. ‘I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch what you said. ’

  ‘I felt sure you’d be expecting me,’ he grumbled. ‘After all, it’s not so long ago that I told you I’d try to keep in touch. I’m here in Netley. Can you join me for a few hours?’

  ‘I can’t,’ she protested, searching wildly for an excuse. ‘Old Mr. Kendrick is ill and I can’t leave him.’

  It was true, she told herself, trying to justify the white lie. There was a great difference between leaving the old man for a short while for a walk in the woods and being away for several hours while she went into Netley.

  ‘In that case,’ Lester said ponderously, ‘I might break my resolve and call at the Keep. I’ve no intention of leaving without seeing you. But you needn’t be afraid I’ll impose myself,’ he added pompously.

  ‘No, no, you can’t call here,’ said Ginny, in a panic, aware of the mischief Anthea could make were she to discover that Lester and Ginny were still keeping in touch.

  There was a short pause while Lester digested this. ‘You haven’t become ashamed of your old friends, have you, Ginny?’ he asked darkly.

  ‘Oh, don’t be silly,’ she replied, almost in tears. Then realizing that he had not the smallest intention of admitting defeat she said, ‘I’ll meet you in Netley. I’ll leave now, but I won’t be able to stay long. Where shall I meet you?’

  ‘I’m speaking from a cafe in the main street. The proprietress is a Mrs. Johnson.’

  ‘Not the Copper Kettle?’ Ginny asked in alarm.

  There was a short pause, then he said with an air of

  ponderous dignity, ‘Any objections?’

  ‘Oh no, of course not. I’ll meet you there. I’ll be along as soon as I can. ’

  Slowly she laid down the phone with a feeling of almost sick anxiety. She knew that all hopes of keeping Lester’s visit a secret was out of the question. Muriel would tell Rikki about their meeting and ultimately the information would reach Luke. The Kendrick pride which made him such a formidable adversary had also made him a possessive lover, and she dreaded how he would receive the news that Lester Philips had again sought her out. Perhaps, she thought in panic, he might think that their meeting was a prearranged assignation, and that her relationship with Lester during her time at Clarkson’s had held a much deeper significance than she had conveyed.

  ‘So Lester Philips rides again,’ Anthea’s voice drawled.

  Ginny swung round with an exclamation of dismay.

  Anthea regarded her troubled face with an expression of triumph. ‘Why the alarm? Are you frightened I’ll tell Luke that you’re in the habit of sneaking off to see your old flame on the quiet - though why you should choose someone like Lester Philips is beyond me. He’s completely ghastly from every point of view. But then I don’t suppose you ever had much choice, had you?’

  Ginny stared at her speechlessly, aware that Anthea was fully bent on using the information she had gleaned for her own purposes.

  ‘You must get Rikki to drive you into Netley,’ she said sweetly. ‘It will give him a chance of meeting his girl-friend. You’ll make quite a romantic foursome, won’t you, when you gather at the Copper Kettle for a reunion.’

  Sick at heart, Ginny turned away towards the kitchen and sought out Mrs. Hingston, who received the news that she was going out for a few hours without curiosity.

  ‘A good idea too,’ she said approvingly. ‘You’ve been long enough up there in that room, and I’ll look in on Mr. Nicholas every now and again, so don’t worry your head

  about him. ’

  ‘Thanks, Mrs. Hingston,’ Ginny said gratefully. The change in the housekeeper’s attitude towards her had been gradual, so gradual that only recently had it been borne in on Ginny that Mrs. Hingston actually looked upon her with approval. On the other hand, Mrs. Hingston’s warm admiration for the Cliffords had gradually tapered off as she discovered the burden their presence was laying on the household.

  Ginny ran up to he
r room and flung a light coat over her shoulders. For a fleeting instant she saw her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wide with nervous excitement. Perhaps if she hurried she could persuade Lester to return to London at the earliest possible moment. Even if she couldn’t prevent the news of their meeting coming to Luke’s ears, Lester’s departure would be a blessed relief.

  Luckily enough Rikki had not yet departed and he willingly agreed to drive her into Netley. There was no point in hiding from him the arrival of Lester Philips and he gazed at her in astonishment when she told him that her destination was the Copper Kettle.

  ‘You don’t mean to say he arranged to meet you there?’ he asked.

  Ginny smiled pallidly. ‘It will give you a chance to meet Muriel, won’t it?’

  He frowned, and kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. ‘That’s the point, I’m not terribly keen on meeting Muriel.’

  She looked at him in surprise. ‘You don’t mean to say you’ve broken off with Muriel?’

  ‘Not exactly,’ he replied. ‘At least, she hasn’t done any of the breaking. It’s simply that I got rather fed-up when I heard she’d been to the Keep. I’m allergic to women who fight my battles for me. Snag is, Muriel is one of those women who fondly imagine they can manage men. ’

  ‘Then it’s all over?’ Ginny asked wonderingly.

  ‘That’s the trouble,’ Rikki admitted. ‘I’ve a feeling that as far as she’s concerned it’s still all on.’

  ‘You mean,’ Ginny said incredulously, ‘you haven’t told her that you don’t mean to go through with it?’

  ‘You’ve met Muriel,’ he said shortly. ‘Do you think she’s the type of woman who would take kindly to being told she’s been jilted - if one can still use that word in this day and age?’

  ‘No,’ Ginny admitted. ‘I don’t expect she’d take it very calmly.’

  ‘You bet she wouldn’t,’ he said gloomily. ‘In fact, the way I see it, she’d pull the Copper Kettle about my ears if I as much as hinted I had no intention of getting hitched up. In fact on second thoughts I don’t think I’ll accompany you to the Copper Kettle. I suggest we arrange to meet at the town hall after you’ve interviewed this boy-friend of yours, then I’ll drive you back to the Keep lickety split. You may be sure I’ll be silent as the grave concerning the whole transaction. ’