by Rosie Harris
‘I thought we could meet Father’s train, afterwards,’ Kate explained. ‘Be a nice surprise for him.’
‘More of a shock than a surprise, I would think,’ Mabel Sharp sniffed, her sharp eyes fixed on Robert.
Chapter 2
General Sir Henry Russell was not just astonished, he was speechless when he realised that the man dressed in a tweed sports jacket and grey flannels, standing on the platform with Kate was none other than his army driver.
He alighted from the first-class carriage his florid face beaming with pleasure at the sight of Kate, slim and attractive in her belted white sweater over a knife-pleated red skirt, waiting to meet him. Only when his khaki valise was taken from his hand was he aware that she was not alone.
His perfunctory smile as he turned to greet her companion turned to an expression of incredulity the moment he realised who it was.
‘Great heavens,’ he boomed, tugging at the ends of his moustache. ‘What on earth are you doing here, Campbell?’
‘On leave … sir,’ Robert volunteered.
‘Robert is spending his leave with us,’ Kate said quickly.
‘Is he!’ Sir Henry scowled. ‘And how has that come about?’
‘I invited him.’
Sir Henry stared from one to the other, his brown eyes hooded. Without further comment he headed for the Exit, leaving them to follow. When they reached the car, he settled himself in the passenger seat, leaving Robert to ride in the back. On the journey home he addressed himself exclusively to Kate, questioning her about the arrangements for the riding event he had asked her to organise.
By the time they reached Walford Grange he seemed to have recovered his equilibrium and even Mabel, watching with bird-like intensity, could glean nothing from his manner.
Robert and Kate, however, were both sensitive to the atmosphere and aware that Sir Henry was anything but pleased at the turn of events.
‘Keep cool,’ Kate warned in a whisper as they went in to dinner. ‘He will be fine once the riding gets underway tomorrow morning.’
Throughout the meal, Kate steered the conversation off any controversial topics. Sir Henry was curt and seemed immersed in his own brooding thoughts. She sensed Robert was feeling edgy so as soon as the meal ended she suggested they should take the dogs for a walk.
‘Don’t be late back,’ her father warned. ‘We have an early start in the morning.’
‘I should not have come, I suppose,’ Robert sighed ruefully, once they were clear of the house.
‘It went off rather better than I thought it would,’ Kate chuckled. ‘I had visions of my father absolutely exploding.’
‘I think I could have handled that,’ Robert told her. ‘It’s Nanny’s cold, suspicious manner that I resent.’
‘She probably thinks you have some wicked designs on me,’ Kate told him, her brown eyes dancing.
‘And she would be perfectly right, of course,’ he agreed, sliding his arm around her waist and drawing her close.
Gently but firmly Kate disengaged herself from his embrace.
‘Don’t tell me she has X-ray eyes and can see this far,’ he scoffed.
‘No, but we are walking past Home Farm so someone might see us and tittle-tattle to my father.’
‘Can we stop for a drink, or would that be classed as incriminating evidence?’ Robert mocked as they reached the village.
‘I’m only being careful for your sake,’ Kate flared. ‘There is no point in antagonising my father is there!’
She led the way into the village pub. The bar was deserted and after one drink they left.
It was a clear night, but a chill breeze sent a shiver through Kate so she slipped her arm through Robert’s, huddling close to him for warmth.
‘That could be decidedly incriminating,’ he said sharply as he disengaged himself. Taking her hand he broke into a jogging run. She allowed herself to be pulled for a few yards then broke free.
‘What’s up, no stamina?’ he asked, looking down at her sardonically.
‘Saving it for tomorrow,’ she told him breathlessly.
‘That will be another test for me, I suppose,’ he snapped and his handsome face clouded.
‘You ride, don’t you?’
‘Well enough.’
‘Then what’s the problem?’
‘I’ve no riding gear.’
‘I wish you’d mentioned it sooner. You could have borrowed something of Father’s to wear.’
‘I don’t think it would help matters if he found me dressed up in his clothes,’ Robert grinned. ‘Anyway, I don’t somehow think they would fit me.’
‘You can hardly ride dressed as you are. Your jacket will do, but you need jodhpurs and boots.’
‘I’m sure there are plenty of other things I can do to help,’ he said drily.
The riding event passed smoothly enough. Robert made himself useful helping Nanny and Lady Dorothea with the refreshments. By the end of the day, the tension seemed to have gone out of the situation and everyone was much more relaxed.
Sir Henry, now recovered from the initial shock of finding his army driver was a house guest, tried to make up for his earlier boorishness. So much so, that after the two of them had spent all Sunday morning inspecting Home Farm, Kate felt rather neglected and was on the point of reminding her father that Robert was her guest, not his.
Over lunch, they discussed crops and cattle to the exclusion of everything else and after lunch, when the two men set off again, this time to inspect the piggeries, she felt it was time to protest.
‘Leave them alone,’ Lady Dorothea advised. ‘It’s not often there is anyone here for your father to talk to when he comes home at the weekends.’
The remainder of the week, after Sir Henry had returned to London to the War Office, was idyllic. Kate enjoyed showing Robert around, exploring the picturesque villages, eager to share with him the surrounding countryside which she knew and loved so well. Because petrol was rationed they mostly either walked or bicycled. A couple of times they took the horses and cantered along the Polden Ridge from Marshall’s Elm to Chilton Polden enjoying the fine panoramic view of Sedgemoor, the Brendon Hills and the Quantocks.
With each passing day, Kate became increasingly aware that what had started out as a casual friendship was developing into a much more serious relationship. She had fallen under the spell of Robert’s charisma and she had never felt so happy. She found herself walking round in a blissful dream. Even the weather was kind to them. She wished the long idyllic May days, filled with warm sunshine, sweet fragrant air and joyous birdsong, could last forever.
But for both of them their leave was almost over. Although they had not spoken of what lay ahead, Kate guessed that when Robert had finished his OTC he would probably be sent to Italy which meant it would be many months before they saw each other again.
Alone in her room at night, remembering sweet moments of passion, and the strength of Robert’s arms when he held her close, her mind was in turmoil. She had known plenty of young men at University, and since, but never anyone who had stirred her emotions so deeply. Until now her heart had been untouched. She rarely thought of marriage although from time to time her parents talked of one day having a grandchild so that the future of Walford Grange could be assured. And, she knew that they expected her to choose a husband from their own stratum. Someone who would combine his estates with hers to become even more powerful and wealthy.
It had always been understood that either Simon Nielson or Ralph Buscombe, sons of neighbouring landowners, were the obvious choice. And the one she didn’t choose would marry her close friend Eleanor Anstruther.
They were both just a few years older than her. Simon had gone to Eton, Ralph to Marlborough and afterwards they had been together at Cambridge, both studying Law.
The future had always seemed so safe and settled that now she wasn’t sure if she was really in love with Robert Campbell or merely trying to escape from a pattern that had been ordained for
her since the day she was born. His mesmeric green eyes, deep northern voice and expressive mouth, stirred feelings in her that she had never even known existed. It took every ounce of her strength to restrain their love-making. Every fibre of her being cried out that she desired him every bit as fervently as he appeared to want her.
The feeling of euphoria that built up during the week, making the whole world seem bright and beautiful, was abruptly shattered when Sir Henry arrived home again on the Friday evening.
As they sat talking after dinner, Robert astounded the entire family by stating that he wanted to marry Kate. He hadn’t even warned her of his intention to do this and she could only sit on the other side of the table and stare at him white-faced. Knowing her parents’ attitude over such matters she was miserably aware that Robert had ruined everything by his impetuosity. If only he had told her what he intended to do then she could have warned him that he ought to discuss it with her father first in private and she would have arranged for them to be alone in the Library before dinner.
Covertly, from under lowered lashes, she watched the reactions of the others, her heart beating against her ribcage like a trapped bird.
Sir Henry’s face was purple with rage, his dark brown eyes almost black with anger and a vein on his temple pulsed alarmingly. Watching him with growing concern, Kate thought he was about to have a heart attack. Lady Dorothea looked equally taken aback and sat tight-lipped and indignant, as if unable to believe her ears.
‘Did I hear you correctly, Campbell?’ Sir Henry barked.
A more prudent man might have pulled back, but Robert’s shoulders squared, his cleft chin jutted and his eyes became emerald hard.
Kate ached to warn him to be careful what he said but her mouth was so dry she couldn’t speak. When their eyes locked, he looked quickly away, his mouth a determined, grim line.
‘Yes. I want to marry Kate.’
‘Absolutely out of the question,’ Sir Henry snarled, frowning darkly. ‘Preposterous! You … you’re not even an officer!’
‘He will be, in a matter of a month or so,’ Kate defended, hotly. ‘Immediately after his leave, Robert is going on an Officer’s Training Course, surely you have not forgotten.’
Sir Henry grunted disdainfully. ‘Anyone can get on one of those damned courses. They’re just looking for heads to make up the numbers. Officers are being killed like flies. They need some extra gun-fodder, nothing more. I’m talking about real Officers … gentlemen of breeding and quality.’
‘That’s unfair and snobbish,’ Kate flared, her brown eyes blazing.
‘It may be, but remember it is the aristocracy who are the backbone of our country,’ her father reminded her sharply.
‘Just a moment,’ Lady Dorothea held up a hand. She looked disapprovingly at Robert and then turned to her husband. ‘I seem to have been under a misapprehension,’ she frowned. ‘When he arrived with Kate, and she said he was an army colleague, I thought you knew this man, otherwise I would not have permitted him to stay.’
‘I do know him,’ Sir Henry told her drily. ‘He was my army driver until he had the nerve to put his name forward for an Officer’s Training Course. Damned impertinence! I would soon have put a stop to that had I known, I can tell you.’
‘Robert didn’t put his name forward, I did,’ Kate said her face flaming with anger.
Sir Henry stared at her speechless for a few moments, then he pushed back his chair and stood up.
‘Wait! Before you storm out and shut yourself up in your study, Father, I want you to know that if I can’t marry Robert, then I will never marry anyone!’
Sir Henry paused, his hand resting on the door, his brown eyes boring into hers. She returned his stare without flinching and saw the fight go out of him. He seemed to age before her eyes. Her heart ached, knowing she was the cause of the disappointment that shadowed his face.
‘You are making a grave mistake, Kate,’ he said wearily.
‘I think not. The war has been a great leveller, things will never be quite the same again. It is what a person is, not what his ancestors have been, that matters.’
Sir Henry smiled scornfully. ‘Fine words, but with very little meaning. What you term “being in love” is merely animal magnetism. When that fades, as it always does, you’ll find there’s a great void unless you have married one of your own kind. Shared values mean a lot as you grow older. They are the only thing that lasts.’
‘My mind is made up,’ Kate said firmly, facing her father defiantly. Her heart was beating wildly and she refused to meet Robert’s eyes although she could sense he was looking at her. She knew she was taking an irrevocable step and that she was doing it partly in defiance of her parents because she was so utterly ashamed of their bigotry. Until that moment she had not been sure about her feelings for Robert. The exhilarating emotions she had experienced during the past week had left her in a state of mental turmoil. Now she was convinced it was because she was in love and she couldn’t bear the thought of Robert going out of her life.
‘If you are old enough to serve your country then, I suppose, you are old enough to ruin your own life,’ he told her harshly. ‘There is nothing else I have to say.’
‘But you can’t let her marry this man,’ Lady Dorothea protested. ‘If he is not a gentleman, then he probably has no career prospects either.’
‘Well, what have you to answer to that?’ Sir Henry demanded, his eyes levelling with Robert’s. ‘How do you intend to support my daughter when the war is over?’
‘I haven’t thought that far ahead,’ Robert admitted, ‘but I am sure I shall manage quite well.’
‘She has been brought up to expect the best, you’ll find it quite a formidable task, I can tell you,’ Sir Henry boomed sardonically. ‘And I don’t suppose you even have a job to go back to!’
‘No, I don’t,’ Robert admitted quietly.
‘Nor any worthwhile qualifications, I’ll be bound,’ Sir Henry added triumphantly.
‘I come from a farming family so I have plenty of practical experience. I could come here and run Home Farm.’
‘No you damn well could not! That most certainly is out of the question,’ Sir Henry exploded. Enraged, he flung back the door, his hackles rising. ‘If that is what lies behind your idea of marrying my daughter you can forget it. When this damn war is over I will be running my own Estate! The best thing you can do is make a career for yourself in the Army … that is if you ever manage to get through the OTC!’
Chapter 3
Kate and Robert left for London immediately after breakfast next morning. Although she still had two days of her leave left there didn’t seem to be much point in staying on at Walford Grange – the atmosphere was far too fraught. The weather, too, had changed; the morning was dull, misty and overcast.
Lady Dorothea came to see them off, trying desperately to bridge the gulf between them. Kate couldn’t bring herself to meet her mother’s reproachful blue eyes. The dark shadows beneath her own told their own story of a sleepless night spent going over the angry words exchanged between her father and Robert. Her heart ached to put things right. She didn’t want to part like this but to stay any longer would impose an even greater strain on them all.
Sir Henry was nowhere to be seen when they left. Her mother had said he’d been up at dawn and gone off with the dogs, she was not sure where. As they pulled away Kate looked in her rear-mirror and saw him come around the side of the house and stand there in the drizzling rain, his shotgun over his arm, watching them drive off.
‘Let’s stop in Frome or Warminster,’ Robert suggested.
‘It is too early for coffee, I would much sooner push on,’ Kate said, her mouth set in a grim line. She resolutely refused to meet Robert’s eyes. She blamed him that things had gone so wrong. Although she resented her father’s attitude, and his reasons for not wanting them to marry, she was equally annoyed that Robert had spoken out without asking her first. She resented being taken for granted. He had ruin
ed everything by confronting her parents. If he had told her he intended speaking to her father then she could have asked her mother to prepare the ground with Sir Henry.
She was also incensed by their bigotry. It filled her with shame that they had displayed such open hostility towards Robert simply because he was from a different stratum of society. Until her father had denounced him as a mere driver, her mother had been ready to accept him as one of her army colleagues.
‘I meant spend the day there. We could even stay overnight,’ he added softly.
She shook her head, and accelerated faster. All she wanted to do was to get as far away from Walford Grange as possible. The thought of staying in Frome or Warminster and perhaps meeting someone she knew, was unthinkable.
‘No!’ Sensing that he was puzzled by her behaviour she kept her eyes fixed on the snaking grey road ahead, her hands tightly grasping the wheel as the speedometer moved upwards at an alarming rate.
‘Well, slow down just a bit or we won’t make London in one piece,’ he told her grimly. ‘Perhaps I should drive.’
‘No! No one drives my car … ever,’ she snapped, but she did ease off the speed.
She shot a quick sideways glance at Robert. He was staring stubbornly ahead, jaw set, his profile arrogant. She sighed. Robert’s strength of character, the very thing she admired so much, might well prove to be an obstacle, she thought bitterly. The soft, subtle approach just wasn’t his way. In that, he was as obstinate as her father.
As they caught up with a convoy of army lorries, Kate pressed her foot hard down on the accelerator again and swung out to pass. She was in no mood to dawdle. Speed provided exhilaration that helped to clear her mind and drive out the irritation and anger bubbling inside her.
She heard the bang seconds before she felt the impact. The wheel spun under her hands and suddenly she was being thrown forward, the breath knocked out of her, as her head collided with the windscreen. She was dimly aware that Robert had grabbed the wheel, steering the car so that it scraped along the side of the lorry while at the same time he wrenched on the handbrake. As they came to a juddering stop she found she was trembling uncontrollably.
