Rachel Lindsay - Unwanted Wife

by Rachel Lindsay

  "I want toffees and fruit gums," Emma said.

  "You don't have enough money to buy both," Tanya replied.

  "I want both," Tim intervened and started wailing. "I want both! I want both!"

  Hastily Roger intervened. "I've a much better idea. Why don't you buy the toffees and then I'll take you to the Copper Kettle for an ice cream. How about that?"

  Immediately appeased, Tim stopped crying. "Now?" he demanded.

  "Now," Roger agreed and looked at Tanya. "You will let me take them, won't you?"

  "How can I refuse without having a revolution?"

  "There was method in my madness," he said sotto voce, and looked so pleased with himself that Tanya was hard pressed not to laugh.

  Their purchase of toffees completed, the children trotted happily along to the Copper Kettle, and were soon seated at a pseudo-Jacobean table, enjoying their ice cream.

  "I think you understand children," Tanya murmured to her host.

  "I should do. I have three brothers and four sisters."

  "And you all still live together?"

  "Two of my sisters have married and left home."

  "Are you married?"

  "I've been too busy. Politics is a full-time occupation."

  "Your family must be proud of you."

  "I like to think so. If I can win this—"

  "Tanya!" Tim wailed suddenly. "I want another ice cream!"

  "No, dear," Tanya said. "One is quite enough. And anyway, it is time for us to go. I promised to get some stamps for your mother."

  Roger Poulton walked with them to the post office, where Emma announced she would stay with the nice man while Tanya went inside.

  "Are you sure you don't mind?" Tanya asked him.

  "Being seen with children is good for my image," he grinned, and ruffled Emma's hair as Tanya and Tim disappeared. "You're a spoilt little lady," he said, "but pretty enough to get away with it.''

  "I'm not spoilt. Tanya says I'm very good. She never gets cross with me."

  "I'm glad to hear it."

  "But sometimes she cries," Emma stated, "but not 'cos we're naughty. I think she misses her mummy."

  "Then you should be especially nice to her."

  "We are," Emma said, "but she still cries."

  Roger was about to comment when Tanya came back, a proud Tim holding aloft a book of stamps which Emma immediately tried to take from him. Once more Roger came to the rescue, though it was several minutes before peace was restored sufficiently for walking to be resumed.

  "I feel most guilty for imposing upon you like this," Tanya apologized.

  "I've told you—it's good for votes. Ask Adrian and see if he agrees!"

  "I do not talk to Mr. Chesterton about the election," she said stiffly.

  Roger's eyebrows rose but he made no comment. Soon they reached the crossroads and he stopped to say goodbye. "I'll be delighted to buy you all ice cream again one afternoon."

  "You must not spoil us," Tanya protested, and quickly shepherded her two charges away, unaware of Roger watching her, a puzzled expression on his face as they disappeared down the drive that led to Adrian Chesterton's imposing home.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Since the night of her arrival, Tanya had only glimpsed Adrian's fiancée, and she wondered if the girl was deliberately staying out of her way or was doing so at Adrian's request. She knew they were together frequently, for Diana was helping him with his campaign, but she never dined at the house and her name was rarely mentioned.

  It was therefore a surprise to Tanya when she went into the drawing room one afternoon and found Diana sitting in an armchair by the window.

  "I'm's-sorry," Tanya stammered and made to withdraw. “I did not see you.''

  "There's no need for you to go," came the reply. "I'm waiting for Adrian, and he's sure to be a while yet. Won't you stay and talk to me?"

  "I do not think we have anything to say to each other."

  "I don't see why not. We can at least be friendly, even if we can't be friends."

  Tanya was amazed. How strange the English were; how coolly they took everything!

  "It would be difficult for me to be friendly toward you," she said, her English more constrained through nervousness. "You are betrothed to Adrian and I—I am married to him."

  "It does sound rather awful when you put it like that!"

  "How else should I put it? All I have said is the truth."

  "I know but—but it isn't quite the way it sounds, is it? I mean you and Adrian are divorced and—and you were both so young when you married."

  "But we were married," Tanya stated harshly, "and we did love each other."

  "I'm sure you did," Diana said gently, "and I know you're in an awful position. But it's equally bad for me. You do see that, surely?"

  "I see only that you have no heart."

  "No heart?"

  "If you loved Adrian, you could not be polite to me. You would hate me!"

  "I have no reason to hate you."

  The calm reply was far more shattering to Tanya's self-esteem than an angry one. The girl was right to feel secure. After all, she knew Adrian as he was today; and the man of today could never have loved a girl like Tanya.

  "I don't mean to be rude," Diana continued, "but I do (h ink it's silly of both of us not to face facts."

  "You are right," Tanya said with difficulty. "You have no reason to be jealous of me. But even so, I think you would be if you were truly in love with my—with Adrian."

  "I do love him," Diana said coolly, "but I appreciate why he hasn't sent you away. It would be fatal to his career if there were any scandal about him now."

  She stopped as Adrian came in. "Sorry I'm late, Diana," he began and stopped short as he saw Tanya. He Hushed but otherwise remained composed. "Hello, Tanya, I didn't know you were here.''

  "I am just going," she replied.

  "There's no need to leave on our account. Diana and I are going out."

  Tanya shrugged and went over to a side table, where she pretended to be absorbed in one of the magazines that lay there. She heard him say goodbye but did not look up till they had gone. Then, unable to prevent herself, she stood by the window and watched them walk down the drive. How cold they were together, she thought. Did they never kiss or touch each other? Was their only greeting a casual "Sorry I'm late'? Surely all English couples were not like this? Even as the thought came into her mind she remembered how passionate Adrian had once been. He couldn't have changed so much. There must be a reason for his present attitude.

  As though conscious that Tanya was watching them, Diana suddenly took hold of Adrian's arm and moved close to him. At the sight of them linked together, Tanya felt such a pang of jealousy that it was like a physical pain. Blindly she turned away and buried her face in her hands. And she had thought she was getting over her love for him! How wrong she was. She loved him today as much as she had ever done.

  Knowing that if she remained alone she would give way to tears, she ran up to the nursery where Betty had just finished bathing the children. Flushed and damp- looking in their blue dressing gowns, they sat on the hearth rug while she read a story to them.

  "Have you also come to hear The Adventures of Twizzle?'' Betty grinned.

  "I always like to hear about him," Tanya smiled back. "I know the stories by heart."

  "So do these monsters of mine, but they still insist I read it to them."

  "Children enjoy the security of repetition."

  "Adults like security too," Betty said, then seeing the shattered look on Tanya's face, was immediately contrite. "You look as if you need cheering up."

  "That is why I have come to hear a Twizzle story."

  A knock on the door prevented Betty from replying. It was Jean, their daily help, to say that Tanya was wanted on the telephone.

  "Are you sure it is for me?" Tanya questioned. "I do not know anyone who would call me."

  "It's a gentleman, miss, but he didn't give his name."

/>   Puzzled, Tanya ran downstairs. Was it someone from the Rovnian Embassy trying to pressure her into returning to her own country? But her parents were dead and they no longer had any pressure they could bring to bear. Nonetheless her hands were damp as she lifted the receiver and said, "Hello."

  "Hello yourself," Roger Poulton replied. "I was beginning to think you were leaving me hanging!"

  "I was with the children," she said breathlessly.

  "How about being with me instead? For dinner tonight. I realize it's short notice but I didn't know I'd be free until now. I can pick you up in an hour."

  "An hour?" she echoed, not sure what to do.

  "That's right. I thought we'd go to the Merry Dragon. The food's good there and they have dancing. You do dance, don't you?"

  Still Tanya hesitated. Was it right for her to go out with another man while she was still Adrian's wife? The very thought of Adrian gave her the impetus to say yes, and having agreed to be ready in an hour, she ran to tell Betty.

  "Are you sure it's wise?" Betty said. "After all, he is Adrian's opponent."

  "Does that make him his enemy?"

  "Of course not. As children they used to play together.

  But the by-election they're fighting isn't a game and— well, Adrian mightn't like it."

  "There are many things Adrian has done that I do not like," Tanya retorted, and knew from Betty's chastened expression that she had put an end to the conversation.

  But while she was changing to go out, Tanya's conscience reasserted itself and, had she known where to contact Roger, she would have changed her mind.

  Nervously she went down to the hall and opened the front door, anxious to be there when, he arrived. In that way she might prevent him from ringing the door bell and might, with luck, prevent the rest of the family from discovering with whom she was going out. Yet what did it matter if Adrian minded or not? He didn't care whether she herself objected to his seeing Diana! But she knew the two things could not be equated and her conscience was still pricking her when a small dark saloon drew to a stop on the gravel driveway, and she went down the steps to greet Roger.

  In a dark suit, and with his red hair slicked back from his forehead instead of falling untidily over it, he looked unfamiliar, and for a brief instant she felt a pang of uneasiness. This man was a stranger. To have an ice cream with him when she was with the children was one thing, but to spend an entire evening in his company was something different. But then everything was turning out to be different from what she had expected. She sighed and made herself more comfortable in the car.

  "I'm sorry I had to give you such short notice," he said with a swift glance in her direction. "But I'm awfully pleased you could make it."

  "I do not have a diary full of engagements."

  "I'm sure you could have. You're a lovely looking young woman."

  She was warmed by the compliment. "I have improved much in the last few months."

  "How can you improve on perfection?" Roger asked.

  "All women are improved by beautiful clothes and the right kind of makeup."

  "Meaning you don't get them in Rovnia?"

  "There are many things we don't get there. But freedom is the biggest thing we lack."

  "That's why so many Rovnians have escaped. There's quite a contingent in London, you know."

  "No—I didn't. But I'm not sure I-I do not think I would like to get in touch with them."

  "Why not?"

  She was silent, regretting what she had said. It was quite feasible that some of her compatriots would know she was Professor Kovacs's daughter, and would also remember she had once been married to a British diplomat. From there it was but a short step to remembering his name—particularly if it was seen in the national newspapers. Yet she dare not say this to Roger and she sought for a way of parrying his curiosity.

  "It is not good for refugees to be with other refugees. If one is continually associated with the past, one tends to hanker for it."

  "Even though you hated it?"

  "I do not hate my country," she said with dignity. "Only its present rulers."

  "Of course." He looked contrite. "It was a silly thing for me to say. I apologize."

  "I accept it."

  He laughed.

  "Have I said something wrong?"

  "Not at all. But you sounded quaint."

  He slowed down as they approached a roundabout, then headed for the main London road. Soon the Merry

  Dragon came into sight. It was a modern clubhouse set in its own grounds, and despite the early hour there were already many cars parked alongside it.

  Expecting loud music and garish decor, Tanya was surprised by the almost somber furnishings and the quiet, elegantly dressed people whom she glimpsed going into the restaurant.

  "How about a drink at the bar first?" Roger suggested.

  "I am not a drinker," she apologized. "One glass of vassi and I am on the table!"

  "Under it," he corrected with a smile, and steered her toward the dining room.

  They were shown to a corner table sufficiently clear of the band to enable them to talk without having to shout, yet near enough to the dance floor to watch the couples. Overwhelmed by the vast menu, she begged Roger to choose her meal for her, which he did after first ascertaining that she preferred soup to hors d'oeuvres and meat to fish.

  "I'll leave you to choose the sweet for yourself," he said when the waiter had taken their order.

  "If I'm not too full, I'll have something with cream."

  "You sound just like Emma!"

  "Sometimes I feel like a child," she admitted, "but at other times…"

  "Don't!" He leaned over and caught her hand. It was the second time he had done so this evening and she found his clasp strangely comforting.

  "Don't what?" she asked.

  "Don't get that sad look on your face. I can always tell when you're thinking of the past; and you shouldn't, you know. You should think only of the future."

  "Sometimes the future is sad too."

  "Yours won't be. You're young enough to make it what you want."

  "That is not always possible." She looked at him with curiosity. "What will you do if you lose the election?"

  "I won't lose it."

  She was stung by his complacence. "Adrian is a clever man too. He may beat you."

  "I doubt it." Brown eyes regarded her. "Do you call him Adrian to his face?"

  She was startled by the question. "Of course not. Why do you ask?"

  "Because his name came so easily to you that I wondered-"

  "Then do not wonder," she said sharply. "The children talk of him often and I am used to hearing his name."

  She was relieved to see the waiter approaching with their first course, and determinedly changed the conversation. But when she was tackling the succulent steak Roger had ordered for her, he referred to Adrian again, doing it so naturally that she had no cause for suspicion.

  "Even when we were children," he said, "I always knew we'd end up on opposing sides—with me fighting for the underdog and Adrian championing big business."

  "He fights for the underdog too," she said. "He cares about the farmers and agricultural workers as much as you do."

  "You sound as if Adrian's been preaching at you!"

  "He is too busy to concern himself with his sister's nanny," she said composedly.

  "God, what a snob you make him sound."

  "Then I am giving you the wrong impression. All I meant is that—is that to him I am just someone in the house."

  "Like a doormat."

  "Why do you dislike him?"

  "Why do you defend him?" Roger countered. "Did you know him before you came here?"

  "What a silly question. How could I?"

  " I don't know. It's something Emma said."

  "Emma! Have you been trying to get information from a child?" Tanya was so angry she could not stop her voice rising and Roger looked at her in surprise.

  "Of course I
haven't. But when I was waiting for you outside the post office she said something that gave me the impression you'd known him in the past. He was stationed in Rovnia at one time."

  "Many years ago." Tanya was aware of her lips trembling and compressed them tightly.

  "Not all that long. Eight or nine years."

  "I was a child then. Only eighteen."

  "So young! You're so sedate I keep thinking of you as being older than you are."

  "That is a bad compliment."

  "I meant it to be a nice one," he said swiftly, and paused as if searching for the right word. "You're serene," he said finally. "I can't imagine you ever being a rumbustious teenager."

  "I never was," she admitted. "I grew up in a serious- minded household."

  "Then it's time you stopped being serious. You're in a new country and you must learn to enjoy life." He pushed back his chair. "I suggest we start now."

  "Here? "she asked, startled.

  " By taking the floor and dancing."

  "I have forgotten how. It is so long since I danced."

  "I'll teach you."

  Made confident by the unaccustomed wine she had drunk, she suddenly felt herself in a carefree mood and, clasped in Roger's arms, gave herself up to the music. He was a surprisingly good dancer and as he felt her gain confidence, his steps became more intricate.

  "You're doing marvelously," he said.

  "Only because of you." She tilted her face and laughed up at him, the sound dying in her throat as the movement of her head brought the table behind Roger into her line of vision. Adrian and Diana were seated there, and though the girl gave a faint inclination of her head, Adrian stared at her icily.

  "What's wrong?" Roger asked.

  "Adrian's here. With Diana."

  "So what? There's no law against your coming out with me." Despite his casual tone, Roger also seemed to lose color though it could have been a trick of the light.

  As if by mutual consent they returned to their table. Their plates had been cleared away and he beckoned to the waiter to bring the sweet trolley. Afraid that if she allowed him to begin the conversation he would once again refer to Adrian, Tanya said the first thing that came into her head.

  "Do you know Diana Biddell too?" she asked.

  "Sure. We played together as kids. Have you ever heard of little Lord Fauntleroy?"