Roses and Champange

by Neels, Betty

  She wasn’t there long. The illustrations were approved, she was asked if she would undertake another commission for a jacket cover, given coffee, promised a cheque within a few days, and took her departure. She had to walk a little way before she could get a taxi and the traffic was heavy. She got to the Con-naught ten minutes late, to find Lucius sitting in the bar with no sign of impatience.

  She sat down opposite him and took off her gloves. ‘Sorry,’ she said, ‘I couldn’t find a taxi. Have you been waiting long?’

  ‘A few minutes. What will you drink?’

  Over their drinks they talked without saying much. Katrina felt awkward; it hadn’t been so bad in the car, sitting^ beside him while they carried on desultory conversation, but now with him opposite her, his grey eyes friendly, she had the absurd wish to ask his advice about what she should do. However, she didn’t. She told him about her new commission, enlarging upon the weather, which was chilly, and agreed nervously when he suggested that they might lunch without further delay.

  She discovered that she was hungry once they were seated, to Lucius’s suggestion that they might try the smoked trout she agreed immediately, and then went on to boeuf Stroganoff and ruche glacee. It was over their coffee that Lucius suggested that as he was free for the afternoon he might accompany her on her shopping expedition.

  ‘You’d be bored stiff,’ said Katrina forthrightly. ‘No, I won’t. We’ll leave the car here and walk.’

  ‘But I thought of going to Harrods or Liberty’s.’

  ‘Let’s try Bond Street

  and Sloane Street

  first.’

  They were on the steps of the hotel when she said: ‘Look, you’ll hate it—tagging from shop to shop, and I never go to boutiques...’

  He took her arm and began walking her along the pavement. ‘Why not?’

  ‘I’m not that sort of girl—I mean, I’m not smart or pretty.’ She added pettishly: ‘And for heaven’s sake, why do you ask? You’ve known it for years.’

  ‘I know a couple of shops where I’m sure you’ll see you’re mistaken.’

  She stopped walking to look up at him. She didn’t mind in the least that he hadn’t denied her lack of good looks, during all their years of friendship he had never made any bones about that, but she was curious about something else. ‘How do you know about boutiques?’ she wanted to know.

  Lucius chuckled. ‘Don’t be so inquisitive, Katie.’ He walked her on again and presently stopped before an elegant plate glass window, sheltering a vase of flowers, a gossamer scarf over a little gilt chair, and a black dress, displayed on an impossibly slim plaster model.

  ‘That’s a nice little chair,’ observed Katrina, who was interested in furniture.

  ‘Charming, but you can’t wear that to the Hunt Ball,’ he said as he opened the door and swept her inside.

  Dove grey velvet, more little chairs, delicate lights and an elegant creature in black crepe left Katrina without words. But it was obvious that Lucius had no intention of helping her. She asked to see some evening dresses and shot him a smouldering look.

  The saleslady smiled with quite a human warmth. ‘For yourself, of course, madam. Had you any particular colour in mind?’

  Lucius had made himself comfortable, on a button-backed sofa in one comer. ‘Green,’ he suggested. ‘That bright peacock green-blue—taffeta, if you’ve got such a thing.’

  Katrina went and sat beside him on the sofa. ‘I never wear bright colours,’ she hissed.

  ‘That’s the trouble, my dear.’ He turned to look at the saleslady, followed by another one, bearing an armful of all the colours of the rainbow. ‘Try them all on.’

  ‘Size twelve?’ fluted the saleslady. ‘Madam has a slim figure, and of course we can do any alterations necessary.’ She signed to the other girl, who held a patterned organza creation in shades of green. It had a full skirt and a frill around its low neckline. ‘Or this,’ she coaxed, and displayed a rose taffeta with long tight sleeves and a square neck. ‘Or perhaps this is the colour?’

  She was a good saleswoman; she had merely whetted Katrina’s appetite with the first two; the third was exactly what Lucius had suggested—taffeta in a rich green shot through with blue with short billowing sleeves, a tiny bodice and wide skirts. ‘Try them all on, madam,’ she begged again.

  Katrina didn’t look at Lucius. He really had a nerve, bulldozing her into coming into a shop like this in the first place, sitting there like a possessive husband! She wasn’t going to buy anything, just to teach him a lesson, but since she was there, she might just try them on...

  The organza was charming, not at all her usual sort of dress, and it certainly did something for her, Without asking the saleslady swept back the silk curtains and invited her to show herself to Sir, and since there was not any way out of that, she did so, rather shyly.

  ‘Very nice.’ He studied her for such a long time that she frowned a little and went back into the dressing room, where she tried the pink, which was even prettier.

  ‘I like that,’ declared Lucius, ‘but let’s see that green thing first.’

  The green thing was exactly right, although so different to her other evening gowns that she hardly recognised herself. Lucius took his time looking her over. ‘That’s the one,’ he said finally. ‘I like the neck.’

  Katrina pinkened. The neck was low, not at all the kind of thing she usually wore—now Virginia would look gorgeous in it...

  ‘Madam has splendid shoulders and a very pretty bustline,’ observed the saleslady. ‘If I might say so, the dress is just right for her.’

  Katrina kept her eyes on the silk wallpaper above Lucius’s head. ‘I’m not sure...’ she began.

  ‘Have it, Katie, and the pink one as well.’

  She was quite out of her depth. Years of going to one of the better stores and choosing the unobtrusive clothes which she had always believed helped her to be a little less plain hadn’t prepared her for this. Now she was landed with two eyecatching dresses she might never wear. She changed back into her well cut suit, tidied her hair, and, once more the self-possessed young woman, went back into the shop to find the dresses already packed and Lucius putting away his cheque book. It was hardly the place to argue. She waited until they were out of the shop before she started.

  ‘There was no need for you to pay. I’ve plenty of money of my own. Whatever did the woman think?’

  He took her reluctant arm. ‘I’ve never minded what people think. In any case, why are you fussing about it? You can give me a cheque later.’

  ‘I’ve no idea how much they were—and what on earth shall I do with two dresses? I’m not even sure that I’ll wear one of them.’

  ‘You’ll wear the green thing to the Hunt Ball, and the pink will come in handy when we go dancing.’ He glanced down at her. ‘Have you forgotten that we’re walking out?’

  ‘We’re not—I won’t...I shall speak to Virginia when she gets home!’

  ‘So you said,’ Lucius had stopped before another shop window. ‘Now, that’s nice,’ he pointed out the brown velvet suit draped over a stand, its matching blouse in a deep cream silk cast negligently by it.

  Katrina took a look. ‘Chanel,’ she observed. ‘It’ll be hundreds of pounds.’

  ‘You said only a few minutes ago that you had plenty of money.’ He added smoothly: ‘Dressed in that you’d easily get the better of Virginia. Buy it.’

  Katrina, who had had no intention of buying anything else, found herself in the shop, trying on the suit which was a perfect fit, and since she might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, trying the blouse as well, writing a cheque for a heart-stopping sum, and walking out of the shop again. Outside she said firmly: ‘I’m not buying another thing—I could have got two good tweed outfits for that money...’

  ‘So you could, but think how nice you look in that coat and skirt. Worth every penny. I like the little jacket; as that other woman said, you have a very pretty bosom, you should show it o
ff more.’

  Katrina gasped. ‘Well, really, Lucius, whatever will you say next.’

  ‘Well, surely we’ve known each other long enough for me to make a few brotherly remarks without you coming over all modest?’ A gleam came into his eye. ‘Why, I remember—let me see, I must have been about twelve and you five—we went swimming in the river, and you without a stitch on.’

  Katrina let out a gurgle of laughter. ‘Oh, I remember—Nanny gave me such a ticking off and a good smacking.’

  ‘And I had a painful interview with Father in the study.’

  ‘We deserved it, I suppose—it was March, wasn’t it? We could have died of cold.’

  They had tea in a small tea-room, waited upon by a refined young lady in a chintz overall; China tea and mammoth eclairs. Katrina, about to start on her second cake, arrested her fork in mid-air when Lucius said:

  ‘You’ll get fat, Katie.’

  She looked at him in horror. ‘No—am I fat now? Even a little plump?’

  ‘Just right—don’t for God’s sake go on a diet, though—skinny women have no charm.’

  Katrina took a good bite. ‘Oh, good—all the same, I must remember to weigh myself sometimes.’ She smiled at him across the little table. ‘What a strange day it’s been; like a dream.’

  ‘Every second of it true, Katrina. Who is taking you to the Hunt Ball?’

  ‘Well, several men have offered...’

  ‘But you’ve not accepted?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then you’ll come with me. You were coming to the dinner party first anyway, weren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, but what about Virginia? I mean, won’t you feel—well, awkward?’

  He gave her a cool stare. ‘Why should I? There’ll be a dozen of us there anyway, and she and I are bound to meet again, you know.’

  ‘Yes, but after the things she said...’

  ‘Silly, childish nonsense. Shall I send the car for you or will you drive over?’

  ‘I’ll drive.’

  He nodded. ‘You can leave the car at my place and pick it up later.’

  They walked back presently and got into the car and began the drive home. ‘Doing anything this evening?’ asked Lucius idly.

  ‘No—I don’t expect Virginia until tomorrow. I’ll sketch some ideas for the book jacket.’

  ‘We can call in at your place and you can make sure she hasn’t come home and then have dinner with me.’ He added wickedly: ‘We have to get to know each other, you know.’

  ‘What rubbish—we’ve known each other all our lives. Besides, I’d rather like a quiet evening.’

  ‘When have you ever found me noisy?’ he wanted to know, ‘and I promise I’ll drive you home the moment you want to go.’

  There was no message from Virginia when they reached her home. Mrs Beecham received Katrina’s news, that she would be dining with Lucius with a straight face but a decided twinkle in her shrewd eyes. All she said was: ‘I know where you are if you’re wanted, Miss Katrina. Will you be late back? Lovelace can take Bouncer for his walk.’

  ‘I’ll not be late, Mrs Beecham. Will you get someone to take these boxes up to my room?’ She bent to scratch Bouncer’s head and Lucius, standing by the door, said: ‘Bring him with you, you know how he likes a romp with my two.’

  So Bouncer scrambled into the back of the car and stuck his head between them as they drove back into the lane and, after a moment or so, turned in at the gates of Stockley House. Katrina was as familiar with the house as her own home, but it never ceased to give her a thrill as she got out before its massive entrance. The front of the house was Queen Anne, only at the back were there the remains of the Tudor house which had been the first Massey home. The porch was a magnificent one, leading to a vast door opening on to a small vestibule which in turn gave on to the front hall, a circular apartment with a great many doors and a double staircase taking up the whole of the far wall. The ceiling was painted and gilded and the white panelled walls were hung with paintings. Katrina said a cheerful ‘Good evening’ to Cobb, the middle-aged and spidery man who had opened the door, and walked past him Bouncer beside her. But not for long; one of the doors was open and two dogs came bounding out, a Great Dane puppy and a Dalmatian. They fell upon their master with every sign of delight and then joined Bouncer. Lucius walked past her, through the open door, and opened the doors leading on to the terrace beyond the room, and the three of them streamed out, barking with pleasure.

  ‘They can let off steam for a bit,’ he commented, coming back into the hall. ‘You’d like a drink? Want to do your face? You know which room, I’ll be in the drawing room.’

  Katrina nodded and crossed the hall to the staircase. On the way she paused to look at one of the portraits. ‘I see Buxom Bessy’s still here—she ought to be hidden away in a guestroom.’

  Lucius had strolled across to join her and they stood looking up at the painting of an extremely plump lady in a remarkably low-cut gown and a fearsome wig. ‘She has a certain air...’ he began and Katrina giggled.

  ‘The Lucius Massey who married her thought she was enchanting; she was probably very pretty when he first met her. He must have continued to think so, because he loved her until she died.’

  ‘Poor Bessy—ten children too!’

  ‘Not as bad as it sounds, though. There would have been nursemaids enough, and tutors and governesses.’

  Katrina started up the stairs. ‘Well, I suppose with all those children one would need plenty of help. Ten is an awful lot.’

  ‘Too many? You dislike large families? I know they’re not fashionable.’

  Katrina turned round to face him. ‘Not so much unfashionable as anti-social! But of course I’d like two or three of my own, and in a house like this, or ours, for that matter, there’s room enough. Besides, there’s money enough too—I’ve even got an old nanny pretending she’s retired—so have you, Lucius.’ ‘We can count ourselves among the lucky ones, then, can’t we?’

  Something in his voice made her turn back and run up the staircase. As she walked along the gallery above the hall she had a vague fleeting picture of children running round the big house, sliding down the banisters, shouting and laughing. One day, she supposed, Lucius would marry—she had begun to think of him as married to Virginia, but that had come to an end; he’d fall in love again. Had he ever been in love with Virginia? She opened a door at the end of the gallery and entered a small, very pretty bedroom and sat down before a white-painted dressing table to do her face and hair. Once or twice she had slept in this room; when she had been a little girl and gone to stay with the Masseys on some special occasion, and ever since, even after Lucius’s parents died, it had been known as her room. She went downstairs presently and found Lucius before a great log fire in the drawing room. He got up as she went in, sat her down in a small armchair opposite his and gave her a drink.

  It was a very pleasant room and comfortable despite its size and grandeur, and presently he got up and let the three dogs in. They jostled for places before the fire, sinking into a contented heap, piled on top of each other, the puppy with his head on Lucius’s shoes.

  Katrina, curled up in her chair, gave a small sigh of contentment. There was no need to make conversation, she and Lucius knew each other too well for that. She was half asleep when Cobb came to say that dinner was served, and although she was wide awake once they were at table, their talk was of mundane things—the new village hall, plans for the Christmas party at the church school, who could be roped in for the carol singing, could old Mrs Todd, who’d lived in a tiny cottage in the village for untold years, be left to live alone much longer or should something be done about getting her some help—tactfully, of course, she was an old woman with a sharp tongue and a mind of her own even at ninety odd years.

  They went back to the drawing room for their coffee and presently Katrina said reluctantly: ‘I must go—it’s getting late, and Lovelace will stay up for me even though I’ve a key.’

 
Lucius made no effort to stop her. She put on her jacket and got into the car beside him and he drove her the short distance back home. He got out when she did and she asked: ‘Do you want to come in?’ with a lack of enthusiasm which made him chuckle. ‘No,’ he told her, ‘only to see you safely indoors.’

  He waited after he had opened the door for her until Lovelace came into the hall and until he heard Katrina ask if Virginia was back. Only when Lovelace shook his head did he say goodnight, adding as he went through the door: ‘Remember to wear the new outfit tomorrow, Katie.’

  She hadn’t thought anything about that until just before tea on the next day; there had been several things to do, indoors and out, and she felt untidy. Once in her room, showered and peering into her cupboard for something to wear, she saw the brown velvet hanging. Lucius had suggested that she should put it on—a silly idea, since she wasn’t expecting anyone. Virginia hadn’t phoned; she would be staying another night, probably. All the same, it would give her rather dull day a bit of life.

  She put it on and studied herself in the pier glass. There was no denying the fact that it did something for her; the blouse was exactly right and the straight little jacket with its braid trimming was elegant, as was the pencil-slim skirt. She put on a pair of brown shoes she hardly ever wore because she had decided that they were too frivolous. Now they looked exactly right too. She went downstairs feeling rather pleased with herself, had her tea before the fire in the sitting room and sat down at her desk to do her accounts. She had spent far too much money yesterday and she still owed Lucius for the two dresses, and heaven knew how much they would be. There was her cheque to come, of course, and the new commission, and the dividends from various shares. All the same, she would have to be careful; the lodge roof needed repairs, and there was a broken fence to be mended. The winter months were always expensive too with the house to keep warm, and people in for drinks around Christmas. Katrina chewed the top of her pen and did her careful sums, and didn’t hear the car coming up the drive.