by Anne Hampson
Dominie frowned to herself. To the practical side of her mind it seemed a sheer waste that, with so much to give, Erica must continue to live alone. She cared deeply for Jake; she could make him happy ... With a sigh Dominie braked her wandering thoughts. Rohan was quite right; she was wrong in trying to interfere in something that was not her concern. She must stop thinking about the matter, she told herself sternly, and yet within a few hours she was allowing her imagination full rein once more.
‘Jake can have three visitors tomorrow afternoon,’ she told Erica, who had rung through to see if there was any news of Jake’s condition. ‘He’s been improving all the time and the doctors say that it was only food poisoning after all but that it had affected him more severely than it does most people. He was dangerously ill for a few hours, we’ve now been informed, and I must say that I myself believed he was, without being told, and so did Rohan—Mr. de Arden. Do you want to see Jake?’ Dominie then asked, and to her surprise a rather long silence followed.
‘I—I...’ a pause. ‘Perhaps I’d better not—’
‘Do come,’ urged Dominie in quiet persuasive tones. ‘I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you.’
‘It’s seven years since last we met.’
‘I’ll expect you for lunch, Erica. And afterwards we’ll all go to the hospital.’
‘All?’
‘Rohan will drive us there.’
Dominie stared at the receiver for a long while after putting it down, mentally endeavouring to phrase her words so that Rohan would not be vexed. Picking up the receiver again as if it were hot, she then replaced it. Rohan was going to be more than vexed; he was going to be very angry indeed with her. Suddenly the phone rang and she actually jumped.
Rohan was on the line, having rung the hospital a few minutes before she herself had made her call.
‘I tried to get you at once, but your phone was engaged. I expect you were ringing the hospital?’
‘Yes, and they told me that Jake is improving and that he can have visitors tomorrow—’ Dominie stopped to swallow, for her mouth was getting dry. ‘I have—have told Erica that she can come with us to the hospital.’
Silence. Had he rung off? wondered Dominie, automatically looking at the receiver in her hand. But no; his voice came over to her, taut and clipped, with that hint of a French accent rather more pronounced than she had ever heard it before.
‘What did you say, Dominie?’
‘Do you mind very much—taking her with us, I mean?’ The evasion brought a swift intake of his breath which was almost like a hiss coming over the line.
‘I told you to mind your own business, Dominie! Jake doesn’t want to be disturbed by strangers at a time like this. Mrs. Edgley’s not coming with us. Is that clear?’
‘I’ve told her,’ began Dominie almost in tears. ‘I can’t ring her up now and tell her she can’t see Jake.’
‘Then I shall! What’s her number?’
‘I’m not giving it to you,’ was Dominie’s swift and obstinate reply, a reply that surprised her as much as it surprised Rohan.
‘I’ll be over in fifteen minutes,’ he snapped, and the line went dead.
Dominie had never thought to see Rohan as furious as he was when, on entering the room where she waited, he glowered at her from his superior height, his mouth compressed and his brows knit together in a frown.
‘I can’t bring myself to tell her—’ she began agitatedly, the colour leaving her face. ‘Try to understand, Rohan—’
‘You had no right to make the promise in the first place,’ he rasped, taking a few steps which brought him close up to her. ‘Jake’s my friend, and I’m not having him pestered by some damned gold-digger at a time like this! He’s ill—ill! Haven’t you got that into your head yet?’
Unconsciously she plucked at the front of her dress.
‘Perhaps I sh-shouldn’t have been quite so hasty,’ she owned, endeavouring to keep her voice steady despite her inner trembling. ‘But it’s too late to do anything about it now. And—and as for your branding her a gold-digger, that’s not at all fair. Erica loves Jake, no matter what you think to the contrary.’
Rohan’s eyes glittered and the muscles round his mouth contracted. Dominie lowered her head, her own eyes filling up, and her mouth trembling convulsively.
‘If she loved him she’d not dream of intruding at a time like this! In any case, he doesn’t love her, so what in the name of Hades is she pushing herself for?’
Dominie started to cry.
‘On the surface it does seem—well—silly of her. But you’re unable to see things from a woman’s view.’ Dominie would have elaborated on this, but she was interrupted by the telephone ringing in the hall. Before she could even move, however, Rohan had crossed the room and within seconds she was hearing him say in curt but quietly-controlled tones,
‘Mrs. Edgley ... Yes, she is ... but is there anything I myself can do for you?’
Dominie reached his side and looked up at him. His expression changed, relaxed in a way that allowed her to breathe a little more freely than she had during the past few minutes. He handed the receiver to her but stood close by, intent upon hearing what was being said.
‘Dominie here. Is something wrong, Erica?’
‘I’ve just been telling Mr. de Arden that I’ve changed my mind about visiting Jake tomorrow. It might upset him, having a stranger there—for I am a stranger after all this time.’ Erica stopped a moment and Dominie’s tear-filled eyes met those of her fiancé.
‘We were both a little carried away, I think,’ Erica was continuing. ‘You were eager that I should see Jake, and so was I. It was only after giving the matter some thought that I came to the conclusion that this isn’t quite the right time for me to visit him. He wants his own friends near him, and his children.’
Relief had flooded over Dominie the moment Erica had begun to speak, but she now asked her when she would be coming over to Sunset Lodge.
‘You were coming to lunch,’ she reminded her, ‘and there’s nothing to stop your doing so. You can then either stay here until we return from the hospital, or go back to your hotel, whichever you prefer.’
‘It’s kind of you, Dominie, but I must refuse. I’ve decided to do a bit more sightseeing because, after all, I shall be leaving St. Thomas very soon and I do want to see everything—just in case I never have the chance of coming here again.’
‘But—’
‘You’ve been sweet to me—and thank you.’
‘Erica—just a minute ... She’s hung up on me,’ said Dominie in a choked little voice as she allowed Rohan to take the receiver from her and replace it on its rest. ‘She’s so lonely ... you don’t understand.’
‘I’m sorry, dear. I realize now that I’ve misjudged her.’ His gentle tones did nothing to assuage her misery. She felt that she and she alone had made Erica desperately unhappy.
‘I know now that you were right, but not in the way you think, Rohan.’ Lifting her face, she looked into his eyes. ‘I did wrong only in that I raised her hopes. You can see that now, can’t you?’
‘Yes, darling, I can.’
‘And there’s nothing I can do to help her.’ Tears flowed freely and Rohan took her in his arms, cradling her head against him so that her tears fell on to his shirt. ‘I can see her, sitting there in that hotel, on her own, wondering how to pass the time and almost certainly wishing she had never come to St. Thomas.’ A sob caught her words and she jerked to a stop. ‘Why—why w-won’t she come here tomorrow? Why!’
‘Dearest...’ Rohan’s arms tightened around her. She sensed his remorse and his tender concern that she was unhappy, and weeping. But all she thought of at this moment was that lonely woman, sitting in her hotel room, thinking of what might have been.
‘If only I could make her come—just for a few more visits, so that she won’t be so alone...’ Appealingly Dominie looked up at Rohan after pulling away from his hold upon her. ‘Do you think I might phone again?’
>
His lips caressed her pallid cheeks.
‘Would you like me to phone, darling?’ he asked soothingly, and she started back in surprise.
‘Would you? Oh, dearest Rohan, would you really?’
‘I would, Dominie. Let me get you a drink first,’ and he led her, with an arm about her shoulders, back to the sitting-room where, after pouring her a drink and handing it to her as she settled back against the cushions on the big easy chair, he left her and went into the hall again to telephone Erica.
‘Is she coming?’ Dominie’s breathless question was out even as he re-entered the room and he nodded reassuringly.
‘She didn’t seem keen at first, but I persuaded her,’ he said, looking a trifle grim despite the soft and tender curve of his mouth. ‘I’m so sorry, dear. Forgive me for being angry. I was thinking only of Jake, but that’s no excuse for hurting you. Say you forgive me, my dear little Dominie.’
She didn’t care at all for his humility; it was totally unsuited to his innate superiority and the hint of arrogance that was also an inherited trait.
‘There’s nothing to forgive. I was wrong in trying to bring them together because, as you said, Jake doesn’t love Erica.’
‘There is something to forgive,’ he argued grimly. ‘I’ve been a brute, and it would serve me right if you were to throw me over—’
‘Throw—!’ Dominie stared at him. ‘I could never do that, no matter what you did to me—’ He was looking stern and, realizing he was interested only in her forgiveness, she whispered close to his cheek, ‘I forgive you, dearest Rohan—if you must have me say it.’ And then she was gathered close into his arms, and she knew the gentleness of him without the mastery, the tender touch of lips that wanted only to soothe away her unhappiness.
Drawing away at last he shook his head in a little action that was half contrite, half disbelieving.
‘You’ve such a tender heart, my Dominie,’ he said, a strange gruffness edging his voice. ‘And I’m not used to women with tender hearts. I have indeed discovered a treasure.’
She looked swiftly at him, and thought of the women who had caused him pain. There was the young girl who had stolen his father’s affections, and in so doing had hurt Rohan by causing hurt to his mother whom he loved. There was Nina, who had injured his pride, if nothing else, by preferring another man, someone with more money, and a title as well. And there had been the woman responsible for his sister’s untimely death. It was no wonder that now and then a hardness crept into his make-up, causing him to inflict hurt for which later he was sorry. Lastly, Dominie thought of Sylvia, who was real, whereas to Dominie those others were nebulous people whom she would never even meet. Sylvia had been mercenary, and Rohan had known it, hence the reason for the game he played with her. Yes, mused Dominie as she lifted her face and invited his kiss it was no wonder he became hard and unkind now and then.
Ten days later Jake was back home, pale, and much thinner, but otherwise not too greatly changed by his illness. The children had to be curbed, as in their delight at having their father back at Sunset Lodge they would have given him little peace, desiring that he should come for a swim, or play tennis with them, or take them for a drive in the car. As Jake had to rest for a month Rohan and Dominie took the children out at the week-ends, sometimes to Charlotte Amalie—especially if Dominie had any shopping to do—but more often than not to one of the palm-fringed beaches where they would all swim or play ball on the silver sands, or just laze about under the hot sun. Erica had left the island without having met Jake, but one Sunday, just before Rohan’s expected appearance, Susie happened to mention her. Frowning in bewilderment, Jake looked inquiringly at Dominie from his comfortable place on the patio where, in the shade afforded by a vivid magenta bougainvillaea vine, he was relaxing in a low padded garden chair.
‘Mrs. Edgley ... Are they talking about Erica Edgley?’ and when Dominie nodded, ‘She’s been here?’
‘She was on holiday and Rohan and I first met her when she came up to Rohan at the hotel where we were having lunch. She said she’d like to see you again—’ Dominie broke off, flushing slightly as she recalled that Erica had asked about Jake and his wife. ‘She hadn’t heard that you’re widowed, and was amazed when Rohan told her.’
‘She would be; Doreen was so very young. Erica came here, then, to see me?’
‘Yes. She was very upset on learning that you were in hospital.’ Dominie was watching his expression intently, but it told her nothing. ‘She seemed lonely and I invited her to lunch several times. Once or twice she stayed until after dinner. I didn’t think you would mind, Jake?’
‘Certainly I didn’t mind.’ A small silence descended before Jake’s voice eventually broke into it. ‘I’d have liked to have seen her. It must be seven or eight years since the last time she called here. She was on holiday then, and she just dropped in, knowing I had settled on St. Thomas. Doreen was still with me at that time,’ he ended reflectively, and a little broodingly.
‘She decided against visiting you in hospital, feeling that you wouldn’t want to be troubled with a stranger around—She felt herself to be a stranger, not having seen you for such a long time. Rohan was also of the opinion that it was better that she didn’t go to the hospital.’
Jake nodded.
‘I don’t think I’d have welcomed her there, as I did feel exhausted after the Osbornes’ visit, and also after the Meads’. However, I’d have liked to have seen her once I got back home.’
‘She had to leave. She came on a package tour.’ Jake said nothing. His face was still unreadable, but he seemed to be completely lost in thought ... or was it retrospection?’ She’s an exceedingly charming woman,’ Dominie ventured hesitantly, and again Jake nodded, but absently. ‘She and I took to one another instantly and I was sorry to see her leave.’ Still no comment from Jake. ‘We’re keeping in touch,’ added Dominie, and then gave up. Obviously Jake wasn’t over interested in the woman of whose love he remained totally unaware.
‘Ooh, here’s Uncle Rohan!’ Susie spoke and on the instant both children were racing towards the car as it slid to a stop by the corner of the house. ‘Where are we going today—? Ooh, you’ve got a picnic basket in the carl Can we go to Coconut Grove and swim and then have our picnic on the sands?’
‘That is my idea, Susie.’ Rohan frowned at her. ‘Go and wash that chocolate from round your mouth.’ She lifted a hand, but it was knocked down with a firm but gentle tap. ‘I said wash, not wipe!’
‘All right—but don’t go without me!’ and off she ran, back into the house.
‘I don’t know where she got the chocolate,’ said Dominie with a slight frown. ‘I washed her face and hands only ten minutes ago in preparation for going out.’
Rohan said, examining Jake’s face, which was still a trifle thin and pale.
‘How are you today, Jake?’
‘I’m improving all the time, thanks, Rohan. I’m beginning to feel like my old self. I suppose having such good friends has helped. I’ve no anxiety over the kids, which I most certainly would have were it not for you and Dominie.’
She made a protesting gesture.
‘I do only what I’m paid for, Jake.’
‘And more, my dear. It was my lucky day when I met up with you on that ship.’ He paused and glanced from her to Rohan, obviously searching in his mind for the right words. ‘I must admit that, before I went away, I had the suspicion that you two might—well—take to one another, and in hospital I began to fret about the possibility of losing Dominie. However, as it’s turned out you’re just good friends, and I’m selfish enough to be glad of it.’ As he was now watching his young daughter with affection as she came running towards him along the length of the patio, he marked the darting glance that passed between Dominie and Rohan—a frowning glance on Rohan’s part and a dejected one on Dominie’s. She felt flat suddenly and had no enthusiasm for the outing to which she had been so looking forward.
‘We’ll give him ano
ther month,’ Rohan was saying an hour later as he and Dominie sat close together on the beach, watching the children paddling on the edge of the shore. ‘And then he must be told. I’m not waiting any longer, my dearest heart—’ His strong arm enclosed her shoulders and she pressed against his hard brown chest, a strange fear engulfing her. A month ... So much could happen in that time.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Why was she feeling like this?—unsure of the future, and even of Rohan’s continuing to maintain his enthusiasm for the marriage? He was sincere, dependable; he loved her with the same depth and strength that she loved him, of this Dominie had no doubt ... so why this obscure but frightening idea that something would prevent their union?
The idea grew with every day that passed, and it became more and more difficult to hide her depression from Rohan who with his discerning eye would sometimes notice her pallor and question her in phrases of anxious endearment.
‘It’s nothing, darling,’ she would say, forcing a smile in order to clear away the frown that touched his forehead. But one day, her depression having been increased tenfold by Rohan’s information that the Fortescues—and their daughter—were coming again to St. Thomas and would be staying at Windward Crest, she could not keep her fears in check and she said in answer to his inquiry as to why she wasn’t looking too well, ‘I sometimes have a dreadful fear that we won’t ever marry.’
‘Won’t—?’ He stared at her in disbelief. ‘My ridiculous child I I’d like to see anything stop us from marrying!’
So very reassuring, those forcefully-pronounced words, and for a delicious moment of forgetfulness she went to him as he stood there, in the secluded part of the tropical garden in which he and she had been strolling. He had been telling her about the flowers, and saying she must add some more of her own once she was mistress of Windward Crest. His arms opened instantly and, slipping into them, Dominie lifted her face, parting her lips as his mouth came down on hers, so very tenderly and lovingly.
