by Betty Neels
Much later, when they were home again and Alexander had gone back to Wassenaar, as they sat around discussing the evening, she resisted the urge to ask who the girl was. Alexander hadn’t mentioned her, nor had his father and mother, but then, Victoria reasoned, they hadn’t spoken to her. Maybe they didn’t know her, although she had seemed on friendly—very friendly—terms with Alexander. She decided to think no more about it but applied her mind to the knotty question as to whether Mevrouw van Schuylen should give a small dinner party in the very near future, or wait for a few weeks until the weather, already warm, should be pleasant enough to have all the doors open and drinks on the lawn beyond the house. After a gentle discussion it was decided to wait, and from the way her hostess eyed her, Victoria guessed that there was a second, more important reason for waiting—their engagement.
On Saturday they drove over to Loenen with a picnic box in the boot because it was such a glorious day. The cottage on the edge of the lake was small with a narrow, precipitous stair leading to a loft, and three small rooms on the ground floor; a tiny sitting room, furnished very simply, an even smaller kitchen, well equipped and a bedroom. There was a pocket handkerchief of a garden before its green-painted door and at the back the grass, ringed round with bright flower beds, sloped down to the water. They ate their lunch there, watching the boats on the lake and when they had finished Alexander asked: ‘Shall we take the boat out?’ He looked at her as she spoke and she saw the approval in his eyes of her neat slacks and cotton shirt.
‘I’d love that,’ and she got to her feet without further waste of time and followed him on to the little jetty where his dinghy, a smart little boat, was moored. The breeze was light for once, but sufficient to take them to the other side of the lake, where they tied up and lay in the sun, side by side, hardly speaking but supremely happy. Victoria was sorry when it was time for them to go, but the journey back would take longer, for they would have to tack a good deal, and if they were to carry out their plan to dine that evening in den Haag, they would have to start without delay.
Alexander dropped her off at his parents’ house with the promise to return within the hour. As she went upstairs to change it struck her that he used his car in the same way as other men used their legs, and the ten miles or so trip to and from his father’s house meant no more to him than walking from one street to the next. She reminded herself happily that once they were married, he wouldn’t need to make the journey quite as often.
She chose a patterned silk dress in cream and coffee brown, with a tiny pattern whose tawny shade exactly matched her hair and eyes, and was rewarded by the look in his eyes when she went downstairs.
‘I didn’t know you were here,’ she said, a little breathless at the sight of him. ‘You’ve not been waiting?’
He kissed her and then stood back to admire her. ‘You’re worth waiting for, dear girl, and there’s plenty of time. Come into the drawing room for a minute.’
There was no one there. She looked at him enquiringly as she walked past him into the centre of the room. ‘Are we waiting for your mother and father?’ she wanted to know.
‘No, I want to give you something, and I want to do it here.’ He had come to stand by her, now he took her hands in his, smiling down at her.
‘This, my darling.’ He dropped her right hand and put his own into his pocket and took it out again to show her what was there. A ring in the palm of his hand, a magnificent sapphire and diamond ring, flashing its fire at her so that she gasped at its beauty.
She raised her lovely eyes to his. ‘It’s beautiful, my dear! I don’t feel good enough for it.’
His brows arched and an amused smile touched his lips. ‘There is nothing in this world as beautiful or as good as you, my dear darling.’ He slipped the ring on to her finger and she exclaimed in some surprise:
‘But it fits!’
‘Remember you were trying on those rings Mother was showing you the other day? I got the size from one of them and had this one altered.’ He kissed the hand he was holding and asked: ‘Had you not wondered why I had not given you a ring?’
She answered him truthfully. ‘Yes, I did, but it didn’t worry me. I wouldn’t have minded not having one, I’m just as much yours…’
A remark which called forth an entirely satisfactory response from Alexander. Presently, disentangling herself from his arms, she said demurely: ‘I wonder if I should do my hair again? It must be shockingly untidy.’
‘No,’ said the doctor decisively, ‘it’s exactly right. Come along.’
‘Your parents?’
He gave a crack of laughter. ‘My darling, no self-respecting parent would wish to intrude at this moment. They will be here when we get back.’
They dined at the Saur, upstairs in the restaurant which had a faintly Edwardian flavour about it and was therefore a little formal. Victoria, as excited and happy as any newly engaged girl could be, tried to behave as though it wasn’t the most marvellous day of her life, only her sparkling eyes and the happy curve of her mouth gave her away. She had no idea what she ate, although she knew it was something delicious because Alexander had ordered with such care, but she did know that they were drinking champagne. He raised his glass to her across the table and she smiled widely back at him and asked: ‘Will you tell me about my ring—it must be old.’
‘Yes, it’s been in the family for a hundred years or so,’ his voice was faintly amused, ‘but I’m not going to talk about a ring, my darling, that would be a great waste of time. There are other things…’
He talked about other things, and Victoria’s cheeks became pinker and her eyes widened and twinkled and shone and her pretty mouth never ceased to smile. Presently he put out his hand and took hers in it and she let it lie there, forgetful of where they were, living in her own happy world.
They had finished their coffee and were talking idly when Victoria saw the blonde girl again. She was sitting with a man—a short, stout man, not young any more, and when Victoria’s eyes met hers she saw that the girl had seen them and, what was more, intended coming to their table.
‘I think there’s someone you know coming over to see you,’ she observed quietly. ‘She was at the party the other evening.’
She had time to note the expression—or lack of it—on Alexander’s face as he got to his feet, but she had no time to think about it, for the girl was standing beside her.
‘Alexander!’ Her voice was pleasant and to Victoria’s annoyance she spoke in Dutch after that so that she was unable to understand a word of what she said, only she could hear the warmth and intimacy in her voice.
But the girl didn’t get far. Alexander interrupted her in a cool polite voice. ‘How nice to see you, Nina. I don’t think you have met my fiancée?’ He looked quickly at Victoria and away again. ‘Darling, this is Nina de Ruiter whom I have known for a number of years. Nina, this is Victoria Parsons, who is staying with my parents while we make arrangements for the wedding.’
Nina switched over to English with an ease which compelled Victoria’s admiration and envy. ‘Well, I must say you’ve succeeded in surprising us all at last, Alexander.’ She smiled in a most friendly fashion at Victoria, who forced herself to smile back with a warmth she didn’t in the least feel. The creature had no right to call Alexander darling—or had she? She remembered how she had watched them talking together; perhaps Nina was an old flame of his, although she was making no attempt to arouse his interest now. Victoria, a fair-minded girl, had to allow that. She peeped at Alexander, still standing, his face quite composed as he discussed the merits of the restaurant, and when he drew her into the conversation she responded readily, indeed, she was actually beginning to like Nina in a cautious way when the latter said:
‘I must go back to my table,’ she smiled at Victoria. ‘I hope we shall see more of each other—perhaps we could meet one day and do some shopping or see some of the sights.’
‘I should like that,’ said Victoria, and meant it. Old flame
or not, Nina had shown no indication of wanting to attract the doctor. She said goodbye warmly and when they were alone again told Alexander: ‘She’s nice. I should enjoy going out with her. How pleasant to make friends so quickly!’
He gave her a long considered look which puzzled her. ‘Playing deep, Vicky?’ he wanted to know in a silky voice she had never heard before.
‘Deep?’ she echoed. ‘What do you mean? What have I said that’s deep?’
He smiled suddenly and she could have sworn that he looked relieved. ‘Forgive me, darling, I was mistaken. No, don’t ask me about it. I’m sure you’ll find time to go out with Nina—I believe she’s got a job, though I’m not sure what she does exactly.’ His voice still held that thread of silkiness and she was quick to hear it.
‘You sound as though you don’t want me to—I won’t go out with her if you don’t want me to, Alexander.’
Her heart beat a little faster at the gentleness of his smile. ‘No, darling, you will go out with whom you please, only try and fit it in in such a way that it doesn’t encroach on Mother’s plans. She is already very fond of you, you know.’
Victoria knew a red herring when she heard it. She was wise enough to follow this one. ‘Oh, how nice! I’m glad, because I like her very much too. And your father. I hope you’ll be just like him when you grow older.’
The remark had the effect of making him laugh, and the atmosphere lightened considerably as she led their talk on to lighter subjects.
Back home again she thanked him for her lovely evening, promised to be ready for him in the morning when he came and was about to wish him goodnight when his mother asked in some surprise: ‘But, Alexander, surely you’re staying the night—your room’s ready, as it always is?’
He turned a placid face to his mother and his voice was just as placid. ‘I have to return to my rooms,’ he explained easily. ‘There are some papers I really should attend to before Monday and I prefer to get them done tonight.’
His mother said nothing to this and Victoria allowed none of her feelings to show as she lifted a serene face for his kiss. There was something she didn’t know about or even understand, something to do with Nina. She had no doubt that he wasn’t going to den Haag at all, but somewhere else to meet Nina. It was a pity, thought Victoria, her face still composed and smiling, that she felt quite unable to ask Alexander just what he was up to—and ridiculous too, bearing in mind the fact that they had, only a few hours earlier, promised to marry each other.
CHAPTER EIGHT
DURING the next week or so Victoria found herself, almost against her will, liking Nina. They had met again on the Sunday evening, when friends had turned up unexpectedly at the house at Leiden, and she had been with them. It had seemed to Victoria at the time that neither her host nor her hostess were particularly pleased to see her, although they had greeted her pleasantly enough, and as for Alexander, he had glanced up when Nina entered the room and Victoria had seen that same look on his face—impatience? annoyance? It was hard to tell, for it was gone at once and there was nothing to read from his manner, which was casual and friendly and gave no clue as to his real feelings. He chatted casually with Nina and when they parted it was with that same casual air, nothing more. Victoria told herself she was being an imaginative fool and spent the rest of the evening being very gay, and managed, almost, to forget about Nina and Alexander, who, if he had anything on his mind, was concealing it so successfully that by the end of the evening, she was lulled into admitting that she was indeed an imaginative fool.
The next few days passed pleasantly, sightseeing with Alexander’s parents and always returning in time to greet Alexander each evening, dine quietly at home and stroll in the garden, or put on her prettiest dress and go dancing in den Haag. It was halfway through the week before she saw Nina again, this time in Leiden, where Victoria was whiling away an hour strolling along Rapenburg while Mevrouw van Schuylen was at the hairdresser’s. Nina greeted her with a friendliness she found hard to resist; within ten minutes they were seated outside one of the cafés, eating ices, while Nina talked gaily about her friends, her job and the holiday she was planning. But presently Victoria found herself answering questions about herself.
‘How long have you known Alexander?’ asked Nina lightly. ‘Surely not before he went to England this year?’
‘No—I met him in Guernsey—my home’s there. And then we met again in London, at the hospital where I worked. He’s an honorary consultant there—I expect you know that.’
Nina nodded. ‘Clever man, isn’t he?’ she observed, ‘always has been, but great fun too.’ She gave Victoria a smiling look. ‘I expect you’ve discovered that for yourself, though.’ She looked at her watch. ‘I must go—I’m supposed to be collecting samples of silk. My boss has the job of redecorating the drawing room of a filthily rich old lady who doesn’t really know what she wants—just so long as it costs the earth.’ She laughed as she got to her feet. ‘We must see each other again, it’s been fun.’
They parted on the friendliest of terms and Victoria, watching her hurry back towards the town’s centre, was puzzled at the faint feeling deep inside her that despite her friendliness, Nina wasn’t really a friend at all. She shrugged away the idea and went to fetch her hostess, telling herself that she was getting altogether too fanciful. But that evening, sitting beside Alexander in the car, driving to Noordwijk aan Zee to dance and dine there, she told him of the meeting and had been a little disturbed at the sternness of his mouth and the little frown between his eyes.
‘I had no idea she was in Leiden,’ he said rather shortly. ‘I imagined she worked in den Haag. To tell you the truth, we haven’t met for some time—I’ve rather lost touch.’
Victoria waited for him to tell her more—at last she was going to find out just how well he had known Nina. She was disappointed; he seemed to consider the subject closed, merely remarking that he was looking forward to their evening together. It was on their way home later that evening after a splendid dinner and hours of dancing, that she tried again.
‘Would you rather that I wasn’t friendly with Nina?’ she asked.
It was too dark to see his expression, but she had no doubt that he was frowning even though his voice was mild enough.
‘My dear love, you may make friends with whomever you choose—who am I to interfere? I hope you will have a great many friends before very long.’
Which wasn’t a very satisfactory answer. She agreed with him and didn’t pursue the subject, for it seemed to her that despite his pleasant tone, she was skating on thin ice. It was a pity that she was so curious by nature, for she would really know no peace until she knew what had been between Nina and the man beside her. She was aware that she could ask him and he would answer her truthfully, but then he might not like her for asking. On the whole, she thought it better to say nothing. It was quite another matter, of course, if she managed to find out something from Nina.
It was Saturday again, and this time Alexander arrived in the morning, declaring his intention of staying the night at his parents’ house. They spent the day driving along the country roads, through Haarlem and Alkmaar and then across the great dyke cutting off the Ijsselmeer from the North Sea. They had their lunch in Bolsward, in the attractive restaurant of the Wijnberg Hotel, and then drove on through Franeker and Leeuwarden to Dokkum and then back along the coast, to have tea in a tiny village café before they raced over the nineteen miles of the Zeedijk again. Once on the mainland again, they drove at a more gentle speed, back to Leiden, through the lovely late afternoon, and that evening visited the theatre in den Haag—an Agatha Christie thriller which Victoria had already seen so that she wasn’t over-bothered by her lack of understanding of what was being said on the stage.
She amused herself picking out words here and there, for she had learnt a few since she had been in Holland, and was encouraged to find that the language no longer sounded like gibberish even though it still made little or no sense to her. Alexan
der had said that he would arrange for her to have lessons, but he had said nothing further and she hadn’t liked to remind him; she was content to wait, and he was a very busy man. He had said nothing definite about their marriage either; she had thought when he had asked her to visit his people that his intention was for them to marry as soon as he could arrange his affairs and get a couple of weeks’ holiday, but nothing more had been said and she stilled a slight unease by looking at the beautiful ring on her finger. Perhaps she was being too impatient. She smiled to herself and slipped a hand into his and felt his fingers close round in a most reassuring fashion.
On Sunday they spent the day driving once more, for Alexander had said that she must see as much of Holland as possible. Later, he had added, they would explore together with more leisure. This time he took her through Utrecht and Arnhem and then up to Appeldoorn and Zwolle, to the southern parts of Friesland. They had lunched at a village café off delicious coffee and long soft rolls stuffed with cheese, and had had their tea in a pretty restaurant deep in the woods of Oranjewoud.
‘I’d like to stay out for dinner, Vicky,’ explained Alexander, ‘but Mother expects us back. Perhaps next week—I thought it would be nice if we went down to Tilburg to see my younger brother—they can’t come up here very well, his wife is expecting a baby any day now, but I’d like you to meet them. We could stay the night. I believe Mother told you that I’m giving a dinner party in ten days’ time—just the family; it will give you a chance to meet them all.’
Victoria agreed that it would be delightful in such a meek voice that he began to laugh and presently stopped the car to turn to her and say:
‘You don’t think it’s delightful at all, do you, Vicky? Hordes of strangers you’ll have to learn to know and like.’ He put out an arm and drew her close and kissed her. ‘I love this meekness,’ he murmured. ‘If only I thought our married life was to be ruled by this unexpected facet of your delightful nature…’
