At that instant the same thought struck them both.
'Britt!' Raine breathed.
'Father!' Vulcan hissed, his small frame tense with suppressed excitement. Seconds later he was off, chasing after the -pair whose voices could still be heard murmuring in the distance.
She hesitated; the apprehension she had felt earlier was still with her stronger, indeed, than before. Britt, if it were he, seemed related to her mind to trouble, discord, upheaval, the disruption of a life which, lonely though it might be, was safe, secure and danger-free. The pair had sounded aggressively sophisticated; fiercely she resented their intrusion into her haven of seclusion!
She, too, began to run, but in the opposite direction, back towards the stables wherein she might find some measure of protection. So intent was she upon reaching them she failed to notice the Range Rover swinging off the moorland road. Her first intimation of danger was ah agonized squeal of brakes and a salty curse that reached to where she was trembling within inches of the powerful bonnet.
'What the blazes…! Are you intent upon getting yourself killed?' Her terror-filled look reminded Thor of the night she had fought against his supporting arms as if she had thought him a prospective murderer and his impatience faded as quickly as the colour from her cheeks. 'I'm sorry, it was probably my fault, I have a habit of driving too fast, specially on my own territory.'
'You have visitors,' she choked, a man and a woman. Vulcan seems to think the man might be his father!'
'Britt!' The name was hissed from between lips drawn narrow and she shivered, sensing the eruption of an anger forced by time and separation to smoulder low. 'Come with me!' When she tried to resist he grabbed her by the hand and began moving with giant strides towards the house, so keen to reach his goal he Was heedless of her discomfiture as, forced to run, she took three steps to his one. She was breathless when they reached the house, content to remain panting against the door jamb while he released her to fling open the drawing-room door.
Two startled faces swivelled towards him when he halted, filling the doorway with his bulk, his expression vengeful as a Viking god. 'So you've finally come!' he grated, his eyes upon a tall, red-haired stranger comfortably installed in the depths o£ an armchair.
Raine watched, fascinated by the elegance with which the stranger rose to his feet, searching for signs of resemblance between the brothers. Physically they were well matched, the same height, same breadth of shoulder, same slimness of hip. But compared with Thors baggy tweed jacket and corduroy slacks, Britt's suit was a masterpiece of sartorial perfection, jacket smoothly fitting, trousers creased knife sharp, and shoes of hand-tooled leather fitted snugly around ankles displaying discreetly patterned socks of pure silk. His hair was red - not rumped like his son's, nor wind-tossed like Thor's, but cleverly cut to give a casually well groomed look to his proudly tilted head.
Raine drew in a deep, shaken breath wondering, as her glance flew back to Thor, why he had adopted to hide similar good looks behind a masking beard.
Britt grinned at his glowering brother. 'As you can see.' he agreed lightly, 'the prodigal has returned.'
'Why?' Thor demanded bluntly.
'Why?' Britt repeated. 'Do I have to give a reason for returning home?'
At that moment Thor noticed Britt's companion, a blonde, fashionably dressed girl draped across the settee, smiling complacently.
'Good lord! Janice!' He sounded shaken. 'I thought you two were divorced!'
'Never actually got around to it. old son,' Britt bree7ed. 'After Father died, I knocked around the world a bit, then when insolvency became a problem I managed to convince a rich acquaintance of mine that I was both qualified and capable of skippering his precious yacht. A few months after he took me on he went broke—self-made millionaires usually do, I've found—but with the references he gave me I had no difficulty in finding other similar positions until finally I landed myself a job as skipper of one of the largest, most exclusive private yachts in existence. It's in dry dock at present, awaiting minor repairs, so you can look forward to the pleasure of our company for at least a month.'
Slowly, accusingly, Thor advanced further into the room. 'Are you daring to admit that for the past five years you've wasted your skill and expertise on a succession of toy ships? That instead of captaining your own, you've pandered to the whims of wealthy owners whose knowledge of seamanship is such they wouldn't know the difference between a skipper and a ship's cook?' Gritting his teeth with fury, he stressed, 'During the five years you've been away I've remained shorebound, un-resentfully so, because all the while I've cherished an ideal of you making efforts to further your career so that one of us, at least, might follow the proud traditions of our family. You owed me that much,' he condemned bitterly, 'yet, typically, you've let me down!'
'I say, don't you think you're pushing this tradition thing a bit too far?' Britt protested, taking a way step backward. 'Besides,' he placated when Thor's eyes flashed, 'if I hadn't gone in for skippering yachts I might never have met up with Janice again. As it was, we bumped into each other in Monte, discovered the old magic was still going for us, and decided we wanted nothing more than to live together as a family, which is the real reason we're here—to collect our son.'
'Over my dead body! was Thor's succinct, coldly determined reply.
Into the breach of silence a small bundle of fury erupted from behind the sofa. Vulcan, having adopted his usual eavesdropping tactics, had decided that this was the moment for him to have his say. 'I won't go with you, I won't I' he flung towards the strangers who had walked into his life. 'I'm staying here with Thor, he's my real daddy and… and…" Desperate for additional weight with which to balance his argument, his glance fell upon Raine's pale, bewildered face. 'And Raine is my mummy!' he lied triumphantly, 'So go away and leave us alone, we were happy together till you came!'
When every eye swung in her direction Raine wished fervently that she had the gift of making herself invisible. Awkwardly, she shuffled her feet, then blushing fiercely she sought for and found the strength of Thor's assurance. A plea for help seemed to project from eyes unusually desperate as he held her glance, willing her to understand his need. She answered him with a puzzled smile, then froze with astonishment when she heard him say,
'Britt, Janice, you haven't met my wife, Raine— as you can see Vulcan is devoted to her and she to him. Can you imagine any court in the land allowing you custody of a child you deserted five years ago, especially now when he's settled down to family life with a couple who love him and whom he regards as his parents? You could try, of course,' he challenged, 'but the ensuing publicity could be most unpleasant, perhaps unpleasant enough to make your rich boss think twice about employing a man so lacking in responsibility that for five years he didn't care a damn about the well-being of his son!'
Britt stared speechlessly at Thor, but Janice had eyes only for the stolid little figure who, for all his brave words, was struggling hard to suppress tears. She reached out to touch him and when he backed away she chided softly, 'I'm your real mummy, darling, come, kiss me, we must get to know one another.'
Vulcan's mutinous bottom lip was very pronounced. 'Kissing is cissy, and you can't be my mummy, I've never seen you before 1'
Raine felt a stab of pity for Janice, struggling to cope with a rush of maternal instincts and finding the experience strange. She winced when, instead of treading a careful path towards her son's affections, she chose to adopt stern, parental measures. 'Do as I say, Vulcan, come here this minute!'
He hesitated, teetering on the brink of obedience to the forceful command, then, casting a look of despair across the room, he found Raine and with a sob of thankfulness ran to her and was enfolded into her arms. She hugged him tightly, understanding and sharing his churning emotions. She, too, was bewildered by the suddenness with which she had been pitch forked into the centre of a family feud, promoted from the menial position of interloper to the dizzy heights of mistress of Danes' Dyke! Th
or's motive was obvious—anxiety on Vulcan's be-half had driven him to employ desperate measures, but for the life of her she could not seen his plan succeeding. Janice and Britt were far from being fools and if, as had been stated, they intended remaining for at least a month they would easily ferret out the truth.
'You have your answer.' Thor sounded grimly satisfied. 'Even for a pair as egotistical as you two, the boy's action should be conviction enough that you've left it too late to play the role of parents— five years too late/ he stressed conclusively.
Janice swung a look of malice towards Raine, examining for the first time the girl by whom she had been usurped. A glint came into her eyes as slowly she examined the immature figure dressed in clothes so disreputable that the thought of feeling such coarse, utility garments against her own soft skin made her shudder. Sensing-her projected contempt, Raine ran nervous fingers through her hair, then realized when Janice smiled that her action had betrayed a diffidence that would be exploited to the full by the woman she sensed was now her enemy.
'I refuse to accept such an answer!' There was bluster in Britt's tone and not a little pique. His conceit was such that he could not bear rejection in any form—-especially not from the son he had reluctantly been forced into claiming. Winning Vulcan's love had now taken on a vital importance. 'Naturally, Thor, the boy has become attached to you and your… wife.' Raine went hot as Britt's glance flickered over her. 'But trite though it may sound, blood is thicker than water and I intend to prove during the coming weeks that however much loyalty the boy feels he owes you, nothing can override the strength of ties between a child and his natural parents.'
Looking unnaturally tired, Thor replied, 'Unfortunately, I can't turn you out when—as I've no doubt you intended reminding me—Father willed that everything he owned was to be divided equally. You have as much right as I to live in this house——'
'And I have as much say in the running of it as your wife!' Janice intruded coldly. 'So to begin with, Raine, we'll have a fire lit in this gloomy hole, and would you please tell Simeon to prepare us a meal—we haven't eaten since breakfast and I'm starving!'
'Tell him yourself,' Thor directed, made furious by Janice's arrogant manner. 'While you're here you must be responsible for your own comfort. Raine has enough to do looking after Vulcan and myself. Also, be wary of upsetting Simeon,' he warned. 'He'll be put out enough when he learns there are now two masters and two mistresses at Danes' Dyke.'
To Raine's relief Thor then ushered herself and Vulcan out of the room, banging the door shut on their adversaries. 'Run outside and play,' he instructed Vulcan, ruffling the boy's hair with an encouraging hand. 'I want to talk to Raine.'
Without argument Vulcan obeyed, his dragging footsteps underlining his despondency. 'How I wish he could have been spared this upset!' Raine fretted, sharing the boy's torment.
‘So do I,' Thor replied tersely, guiding her in the direction of his den, 'but if our plan works it maybe the last hurt they'll ever inflict upon him;'
Our plan! Even though the situation was grave she could not help the glow she felt at being included in the conspiracy.
'But how can it work?' She spun to face him as he closed the door. 'There are too many people who know we're not married, and what's more, know we've never even considered the possibility.'
She knew he was worried when he fumbled for a cigarette rather than the pipe with the thumb-smoothed bowl which was rarely out of his reach. She waited, and after drawing so deeply the tip glowed an angry red, he muttered a stiff apology. 'I'm sorry to have dragged you into this mess, I don't usually act on impulse, but in this instance the words were out before the intention was actually formed. It seemed a good ruse to get rid of them in a hurry. After all, what I said was true— those two would have the devil of a job proving they had more right to the boy than we who have
I reared him from birth. I know it and they know it, but unfortunately they seem determined to bide their time, and if ever they discover we're not married…! Dammit!' he clamped, 'I ought to have considered the harm this situation would do to your reputation. Janice will have a field day if ever she finds out!'
'Then for Vulcan's sake we'll have to make sure she doesn't!' she declared, hooking her thumbs into her belt with such a show of gentle belligerence that Thor's mouth twitched. Ignoring his amusement, she laboured on, 'Whom can we trust?'
Her composure took a battering when he strode across to seize her by the shoulders. 'There's no reason on earth why you shouldn't walk out of here this minute and declare me a liar!' he clipped. 'Be quite certain you know exactly what you're doing before becoming involved further.'
Through her jumper his fingers scorched her skin and for a moment a thousand butterfly wings beat wildly in her throat, rendering her incapable of an answer. But finally she gasped, 'I'll do anything to help Vulcan! 'As he stared silently down at her she found herself wishing she could penetrate the screening beard. Why did he cherish it so, she wondered—was it in order to hide any fleeting ' tenderness that" might otherwise be reflected in his face?
'Are you quite sure?' When she nodded he released her and stepped away. 'Then first of all we must take Simeon into our confidence—that's essential,' he assured her when she gasped a protest.
Reluctantly she nodded, resigning herself to suffering yet more resentment from the old man who had already declared his suspicions in that direction.
'With Simeon on bur side we needn't worry about the rest of the men, he'll put them in the picture only when and if he thinks it necessary, which shouldn't be ever,' he frowned. 'Britt hates the land and everything connected with it, so he's hardly likely to venture outside except when entering or leaving his car. No, Janice is the one we must watch,' he pondered gravely, 'she'll pry into every corner of the house, asking awkward questions, probing as far as she dare up to the limit of impertinence.' Deliberately, he stressed, 'Luckily, our rooms are adjoining, the key to the connecting door has long been lost, but it shouldn't be too difficult to pick the lock. Will you mind your loss of privacy? Naturally, I shan't venture across the threshold unless circumstances make it imperative, but if our plan is to succeed it must be authentic.'
'Do whatever you feel you must/ she gasped, feeling suddenly stripped.
'Thank you. Then our only other worry is Vulcan. Lord only knows what he might let slip, but I've no intention of tutoring him to lies. The little devil instigated this scheme by electing you his mother, and I'm hoping natural cunning will guide him along the lines of discretion. Anyway, on that score, we can but trust to luck.'
Just when she had been regaining a little of her lost composure, she was disconcerted to find him once more looming over her. 'Try not to worry,' he encouraged in a tone so gentle it turned her heart over. 'My-brother and his wife are a selfish, luxury-loving pair who'll soon tire of life on the moors. I can almost guarantee that in less than a month we'll be free of them and left to resume life on the same lines as before.'
CHAPTER SIX
Janice was horrified when informed by Thor that if she and Britt were staying they would have to prepare a room for themselves.
'Why should we?' she gasped, her doll-like features set in a mask of outrage.
'Because I have no intention of employing extra" household staff and Simeon already has enough to do in the kitchen. The only two bedrooms habitable are occupied by Raine and myself.’
Britt and Janice had just finished a meal, . of sorts, dished up by a very disgruntled Simeon who had made plain his objection to being ordered about by Janice, whose demands had been unsweetened by tact.
'You mean you have a bedroom each?' Her calculating look made Raine squirm. In that case, surely you can spare us one—after all, it will only be for a few weeks?'
'Out of the question.' Thor refused blandly. 'I'm a very early riser; I see no reason why Raine should suffer loss of sleep when there are plenty of other bedrooms available.' The clash of personalities was almost audible in the room dominated
by Thor's tall figure. Coldly, Janice eyed him, her lip curling as she compared with with her husband who, even though lounging in an armchair, was still managing to retain his air of elegance. Unruffled, Thor weathered the unspoken criticism and with a coolness Raine envied continued to direct, 'I'm sure Raine won't mind finding you dusters and whatever else you might need, and no doubt Britt will give you a hand with the heavier chores.'
With sweet acidity, Janice veered from the subject. 'How long did you say you two have been married?' Her eyes were on Thor, but she did not miss Raine's startled jerk.
'I didn't,' Thor calmly continued stuffing tobacco into his pipe. 'The question never arose.'
Britt stirred, lazily interested. 'It has arisen now. Tell me,' he addressed Raine, 'how long have I been in possession of such a delightful sister-in-law?'
Her blush owed nothing to the tongue-in-cheek compliment, but was born of confusion and stampeding panic. 'I… we…" she stammered, searching wildly for inspiration.
'The ceremony took place just a few weeks ago,' Thor supplied unblinkingly, 'but for personal reasons we've kept our marriage a secret and would prefer it to remain that way until Raine's family has been informed.'
'Really…?' Janice gave them a long, curious look. 'How romantic, don't you think so, Britt darling? Who would believe that this sobersided brother of yours was capable of sweeping a girl so swiftly off her feet that she married him without waiting even for her parents' blessing? do they live nearby?' Her keen, probing eyes swung to Raine, determined to ferret out the maximum of information.
Raine's brow wrinkled as, for a split Second, a memory flitted tantalizingly close. 'They don't live … in England,' she supplied haltingly, conscious of Thor's intent stare.
'Then where?' Janice prompted. 'Or is that information also classified?'
Britt surprised them all with an easy assurance. 'In Ireland, I bet! That trace of brogue in Raine's voice has been puzzling me for hours, but at last I've placed its origin. I'm right, Raine, am I not?'
The Girl at Danes' Dyke - Margaret Rome Page 5
