An Innocent Bride

by Betty Neels

  She felt better in the morning. Wasting time on dreaming of something she could never have was foolish; she could hear Aunt Thirza's voice saying so-so she turned the cottage upside down, spent hours in the garden and told any of her friends who asked her that she was looking forward to working at the library. And actually, when Monday came and she presented herself there, she enjoyed it.

  Being a novice, her work was simple enough: sorting books onto the shelves, opening the mail, making the morning coffee and being shown the routine. She knew nothing of computers, but she was intelligent and quick, and by the end of the week she was fitting in very nicely. The head librarian had welcomed her warmly, but at first the other two young women who worked there had viewed her with mild dislike. They were jealous of their positions and suspected her of trying to usurp them, but after a few days they decided to accept her as a fellow worker, enjoying giving her the lowly jobs to do, airing their superior knowledge. Katrina didn't mind; she had a job, she was too tired to be unhappy and the money was a godsend...

  She had a letter from Molly, happiness spilling from every page. The flat was perfection, the furniture fitted exactly as she wanted it, the curtains were lovely and she had bought some rugs. Peach had stayed for an hour or more. helping her, and Tracey was over the moon at having a bedroom to herself. Life was just perfect, wrote Molly, and when was Katrina coming to see them?

  Work at the library would end after the second week; Katrina wrote that she would come on the Sunday following that. The journey would cost money she might have saved, but she had promised that she would go besides, she was wanting to see Molly's new home now that it was furnished.

  She bade them a temporary goodbye at the library at the end of her second week, and spent Saturday catching up on household chores, necessary shopping and going to fetch eggs to take to Molly. She packed a basket with a trowel, some cuttings from the garden, chocolate for Tracey and the eggs, put everything ready for the morning and went to bed early, glad of Betsy's company.

  She was on the point of leaving to catch the bus the next morning, and had just gone upstairs to make sure that the windows were closed, when she looked out and saw the Bentley at the gate and the professor coming unhurriedly up the path.

  She flew downstairs to open the door.

  `You can't stay,' said Katrina, in a fine flurry. `I am catching the bus-I'm going to see Molly and Tracey.'

  His, `Good morning, Katrina,' was slightly reproving. 'Oh-good morning...' she added.

  `That's better, just for a moment I thought you weren't glad to see me.'

  `Well, of course, I'm glad...'

  She shouldn't have said that, for he swept a great arm round her and kissed her. A gentle kiss, given without haste. She would have liked it to go on for ever, but it didn't; he said briskly, `Are we ready to go?"

  'Go? Go where? I shall miss my bus... If you'd run me to the village I'll just have time.'

  He had picked up Betsy, making much of her. `Mrs Ward expects us for lunch. We'll stop at my place for coffee.' He smiled with a great charm and Katrina's heart turned over. `I have a day off.'

  He put the little cat down, picked up the basket and asked, `Shall we go?'

  There was no alternative even if she had wished to take it and she didn't. She waited meekly while he locked the door, gave her the key and then opened the car door. Barker and Jones were on the back seat, delighted to see her, but they settled down when the professor gdt into the car and sent the Bentley sliding soundlessly away.

  Presently Katrina said in a voice she strove to keep cool, `This isn't at all what I had planned.'

  'Ah, that's life for you.' The professor sounded cheerfully casual. `One never knows when one's plans are going to be altered. Have you heard from Mrs Ward? She sounded very content.' And at Katrina's enquiring look he added, `I asked her to phone me when she heard from you.'

  "Why?"

  `Now that I've found you, Katrina, I don't want to lose sight of you.'

  She couldn't think of an answer to that. Something in his voice convinced her that he wasn't joking, but if he wasn't joking what exactly did he mean? But apparently he didn't expect an answer. `How do you like your work at the library?"

  'Very much. I can start again at the beginning of September, and that suits me-there's a lot to do in the garden, and Mrs Dyer will take anything I like to sell her.' She added hastily, in case he should think she was hard up, `It's a pity to waste it.'

  Gardening was a safe topic, and he made no effort to change the subject. Katrina was quite glad when he drew up at his own front door. There was still the drive up to Bow, she reflected, responding to Peach's welcoming smile. What on earth were they to talk about?

  They had coffee in the drawing room while the dogs raced round the garden. `Are they coming with us?' asked Katrina.

  `Yes, Tracey wants to see them again. Katrina, will you have dinner with me this evening?' He smiled at her. 'Here and not too late, for I know you will want to get back to Betsy.'

  `Thank you, I'd like that.' She added anxiously, `I'm not keeping you from anything more important?'

  `No, there is nothing more important, Katrina.' He was still smiling, and she looked away because she was blushing and that annoyed her-behaving like a shy schoolgirl...

  She need not have worried about making small talk on their way to London; she had discovered that there was no need for that. The silence between them was comfortable, and they broke it from time to time, talking like old friends. She was sorry when London began to close in on them.

  The streets were comparatively empty, and the side-streets outside Mrs Ward's flat were quiet, and the warmth of their

  greeting left them in no doubt that they were both welcome.

  The basket was unpacked, a bottle of wine from the professor set to cool and the whole party went on a tour of inspection.

  Mrs Ward had turned the little place into a home; the furniture was cheap, shabby, and nothing matched, but everything was polished, there were some pretty cushions and the curtains were a great success. There were colourful rugs on the floors, and flowers on the tablecloth the Mothers' Union had given them, and a pretty lamp by Tracey's bed.

  `It's marvellous,' said Katrina. `You must have worked hard. It's so cosy, as though you've been living here for years.'

  Molly beamed. `You really think so? And I've got a job already-at Tracey's school; they wanted a dinner lady. It's only five minutes' walk away, and I can make sure that Tracey eats properly. Now come and have dinner, but we'll have a drink first. It's a celebration.'

  They drank their sherry and the professor, swallowing his with every sign of enjoyment, thanked heaven that he had brought a bottle of wine with him. When it was poured, he accepted Mrs Ward's opinion that it tasted very nice-far better than the wine she had brought from the Co-op-with becoming modesty.

  Katrina, watching him with Tracey, thought what a splendid man he was; he was at home with everyone, never talking about himself, apparently never tired. But there was another side to him, she felt sure; she had glimpsed it once or twice. He liked his own way and wasn't to be turned from it, and she thought that if his temper was aroused he could be a very angry man. He looked up suddenly and smiled at her, and she smiled back, not minding if her feelings showed.

  Molly had taken great pains with the lunch: cold meat and salad, tinned fruit and ice cream, and afterwards she and Katrina washed up while the professor went into the garden with Tracey. By the time the two women had got out there he had grubbed up weeds, cut back the tangle of overgrown shrubs with his pocket knife and dug holes here and there in the narrow flowerbeds for the cuttings Katrina had brought with her. He had the air of a man contented with his lot, and Tracey, picking up stones and putting them into an empty tin, was singing in a small out-of-tune voice.

  Molly said softly, `Oh, he ought to marry and have children of his own.'

  Katrina gave the back of his head a look of love, and said, `Yes, well, I suppose he wi
ll one day.' The thought hurt.

  They left soon after tea, promising to come again, and as he drove west the professor said, `You don't know the date of Mrs Ward's birthday, I suppose?"

  'Yes, September the fifth.'

  `She needs gardening tools. But I can hardly give her a present-may I send them in your name?"

  'You mean she's not to know that you've given them to her?' Katrina thought about that. `Yes, well, I can see what you mean. Yes, all right. Look, if you get her a fork and spade I could give her a rake. And you want me to say that they are all from me?"

  'Please. You think that they have settled in?' He glanced at her. 'Tracey seems happy and looks well.'

  `Oh, they're happy; they're over the moon. If only Tracey can keep well...'

  `We shall do our best. Now, tell me, Katrina, you will be at Rose Cottage until you start work again in September?'

  `Oh, yes. Do you want to send another patient to stay with me? I liked having Molly and Tracey.'

  `No. I want you to be there, and free, so that whenever I can manage it I can come and see you.'

  `See me? Why?"

  'I've fallen in love with you, but you don't feel the same about me yet.' When she would have spoken, he said, `No, don't say anything, just bear it in mind.'

  He had spoken in a casual voice, and now added, `You won't mind if I just turn up from time to time?'

  Katrina drew a steadying breath. `No. I shan't mind.'

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  AFTER that they didn't talk much; there was no need, they were content with each other's society. Katrina allowed her thoughts to wander, not trying to see too far into the future but quietly happy. She sensed that Simon wasn't going to say anything more until he was ready, and besides, she clearly remembered Aunt Thirza observing once that it was easy to fall in love and even easier to fall out of it again. All the same, just for the moment, she was happy.

  Peach had the door open as they got out of the car. The professor saw her to the door and said, `I'll take the dogs for a quick run. Peach will show you where you can tidy yourself.'

  She was quite tidy. All the same she powdered her nose and tucked back some strands of hair before going to the drawing room. She hadn't hurried and the professor was already there, with the doors to the garden open so that the dogs could go in and out. They came to her as she went in, before racing off with Peach for their supper.

  It was still early evening, and they sat by the open door, drinking their sherry, until Peach came to tell them that dinner was served. And over the mushrooms in garlic, the salmon cutlets, the cucumber and orange salad and the profiteroles and whipped cream, they talked about everything under the sun like old friends. Only the professor said nothing about himself, and when she asked, carefully casual, if he was busy at the hospital he told her briefly that he would be away for several days.

  She longed to ask more, but something in his voice stopped her. She began to talk about the garden, a safe subject in which they were both interested.

  He didn't attempt to delay her when she put down her coffee cup and asked if he minded if she went back to Rose Cottage.

  She bade Peach goodbye, thanked Mrs Peach for a delicious dinner and got into the car once more while Barker and Jones scrambled onto the back seat. Katrina, making small talk, found the journey far too short.

  At the cottage he got out and opened her gate and walked up the path with her. He took the key from its hiding place, opened the door and stood aside for her to go in. Betsy came to meet her and she stooped to pick her up.

  `Thank you for a lovely day,' she said. `It was wonderful to see. Mrs Ward and Tracey so happy.' She added, in case that sounded ungrateful, `And I enjoyed the drive too.'

  He stood looking down at her, smiling a little. He bent and kissed her gently. `I shall see you soon,' he said `Sleep well.'

  He pushed her gently into the cottage and shut the door, and a moment later drove himself away.

  Katrina wandered into the kitchen and put the kettle on; a cup of tea might help her to come down from cloud nine and be her sensible self once more.

  There was plenty to keep her busy during the next few days. Now that she was on her own again she went out and about to her friends, meeting them for coffee, playing tennis, giving a helping hand at the bring-and-buy sale at the church school. It was here she met Lady Truscott again.

  `So your guests have gone, Katrina.' She gave a tinkling laugh. `Well, "guests" is not quite the right word, is it? Professor Glenville must have been glad to find someone to take them in until they could be found somewhere suitable to live. Aftercare is so important, so Maureen tells me. He is planning a series of lectures around the country and she has high hopes of going with him.'

  `Whatever for?' Katrina asked. `Is she going to give lectures too?'

  Lady Truscott laughed. `No, no, my dear. As personal assistant-he will need someone.' She smiled archly. `And I rather suspect as rather more than that.'

  Katrina chose to remain obtuse. `Oh, answering the phone and writing letters?"

  'No, no. Maureen is a doctor; she doesn't need to do such things.'

  Lady Truscott, who didn't move with the times, had only a vague idea as to the onerous tasks members of the medical profession performed. She laid a hand on Katrina's arm. `They're very close, you know. Maureen has hinted... Any day now I expect to have delightful news. They will make an ideal couple...' She patted Katrina's arm. `We must find a nice young man for you, Katrina.'

  `No need,' said Katrina. `I've several up my sleeve. There's Mrs Potter waving; I expect she wants me to help with the teas.'

  She gave Lady Truscott a beaming smile and hurried off in a purposeful way. She didn't believe any of Lady Truscott's news. At least, she amended, there might be a grain of truth; he had said he would be away, and probably hee did take someone with him when he lectured, but she didn't believe that he and Maureen... Not after last Sunday. He had said, `I shall see you soon,' and he had kissed her. It hadn't been a peck either. She smiled as she remembered it.

  She took some runner beans to Mrs Peters the next morning, and over coffee Mrs Peters observed, `Lady Truscott seems to think that Maureen and Professor Glenville are going to marry. Did he say anything to you about it?'

  Katrina went pink, but she answered in a matter-of-fact manner. `No, but then he wouldn't, would he? It's nothing to do with me.'

  Mrs Peters privately disagreed with that, but she didn't say so, only added, `Mind you, Lady Truscott is prone to exaggeration.'

  But there's no smoke without fire, thought Katrina gloomily.

  It was at the end of the week when there was a fire at the Manor. Katrina, picking raspberries in a corner of the garden, caught a whiff of smoke and looked around her. She put down her frog and went to the cottage-she was sure she hadn't left the gas alight on the stove, or the iron on the ironing board, but all the same she went to look.

  It was on her way up the garden path that she saw smoke, thin wisps of it, idling across the sky. Not the village, she saw that at once, but to the west of it.

  The Manor-a chimney on fire, one of the outbuildings... She flew to get her bike, locked the cottage door and pedalled briskly down the lane. At the edge of the village, where the lane forked into the side-road leading to the Manor, there was no sign of anyone, and she realised that the wind was blowing the smoke away from it. Perhaps it was an extra large bonfire... But, rounding the corner and wheeling into the Manor grounds she could see a lot more smoke now, somewhere at the back of the house. She could hear a few upraised voices too.

  She cycled round the side of the house and saw Lady Truscott's portly butler coming from the kitchen door.

  She got off her bike and he trotted up to her, very puffed. `I've phoned the Fire Brigade, miss. That silly girl left a pan on the stove; the kitchen's on fire and she's having hysterics. What's more, Lady Truscott was in her bath-her maid's dressing her.'

  Grey smoke curled lazily out of the door behind him and Katrin
a said, `Has anyone done anything? Are the doors and windows shut? Can the fire get a hold?"

  'I shut the windows...'

  `Is there another door? If we go in from the other side,' said Katrina, `with wet blankets or something like that, we could smother the fire if it's only in the kitchen. Where is everyone?"

  'That's the trouble, miss, they're all down at Long Meadow, doing the last of the hay. There's just the girl and myself.'

  Katrina leaned her bike against the wall. `I'll go in through the front. Could you send the girl to Long Meadow and tell the men to come back quickly? The Fire Brigade should be here soon.'

  She was walking away as she spoke. Their conversation had been brief, but the fire might take hold unless it was dealt with swiftly. Surely there was a fire appliance in a splendid house such as the Manor...