Sick of Shadows Part 10

"How could I tell you? You are never here."

"I do have a telephone, as you well know."

"I do not like not having the freedom of a man," said Rose. "You are able to visit Scotland Yard any time you like and find out the latest developments."

"I could wish you were more conventional for your own safety."

"One could hardly call you you conventional." conventional."

"True, but it is different for a man."

"I sometimes feel like cancelling our engagement and marrying Sir Peter."

He glared at her in outrage. "That would be a marriage in name only."

"As this is an engagement in name only," retorted Rose.

The much-goaded Harry seized her in his arms and kissed her hard on the lips. When she reeled back after he had released her, he said, "I am sorry. I should not have done that. But you are infuriating! infuriating!"

And with that, he turned and left the room.

FIVE.

The accepted man is in duty bound to spend most of his leisure with his intended bride. He must not go off for a sojourn abroad while she is spending some weeks by the sea in England, unless she has expressed a wish to that effect. It would be a considerable "snub" to her to do so. ... This almost always means that the man has been entrapped into a proposal, and would willingly retreat if he possibly could.-MRS. HUMPHREY

Rose almost telephoned Harry to cancel the outing. That kiss had left her feeling weak and shaken. Somehow, she could not even bring herself to tell Daisy about it. Also, Daisy was volubly looking forward so much to the outing.

Rose knew the rigid rules of society were relaxing. A gentleman was no longer expected to ask the parents' permission first if he wanted to pay his addresses to their daughter. Only sticklers for the old ways such as her own parents and no doubt the mercenary Tremaines expected the old ways to be followed.

She looked down at the small engagement ring on her finger. She had bought it herself out of her pin money, Harry having seemingly forgotten that he was expected to supply one.

The weather held fine for the day of the outing. Rose was torn between "armouring" herself in a new white lace gown with a high-boned collar and settling for comfort. Comfort won. Her maid dressed her in a divided tweed skirt and a striped blouse. Although the day showed every sign of becoming hot, Rose put on a tweed jacket and wore a straw boater on her glossy hair.

Daisy had been up very early, trying on outfit after outfit to impress Becket. When she finally appeared to join Rose in a purple silk gown embellished with purple lace, Rose exclaimed in horror.

"We are not making calls, Daisy. You will need to find something informal." Rose rang for the maid and soon a rather sulky Daisy was attired in a simple skirt and white blouse. She protested volubly against wearing a straw boater like Rose, and only because she was told the captain was waiting for her did Rose allow Daisy to get away with wearing a cart-wheel of a straw hat covered in so many flowers that from above she looked like a neatly tended garden bed.

Rose was nervous at seeing Harry again. He should not have taken such liberties with her.

But Harry looked as cool and distant as he usually did. He helped Rose into the pa.s.senger seat of his Rolls and Daisy and Becket got into the back.

"I thought we might find somewhere pleasant on the upper reaches of the river," said Harry. He meant the Thames. To a Londoner, there was only one river.

Rose gave a curt nod and settled back against the red leather seat. The car purred off. Daisy began to chatter to Becket, and Rose envied her free and easy manner.

I know nothing of men, she thought bleakly. I do not understand them. I wish I had brothers.

At last Harry spoke. "You haven't seen anyone suspicious hanging about, I hope?"

"No one at all," said Rose, "although we have hardly been out of doors except for our journey to Apton Magna."

"Do not go anywhere like that without letting me know about it first."

"It is rather hard, since you are always busy."

"As I told you, I am not going to take on any more work until this case is finished. Has your Miss Friendly come up with any more gems of information?"

"No, but she says she is trying to remember every little thing. Any news of Mr. Cyril Banks?"

"He is in Scotland at the moment. Shooting party."

"Do you think he might be the murderer?"

"I do not know. He is incredibly vain. There are some unsavoury stories about him."

"Such as?"

"When he was staying with Lord Berrow in the country, he was accused of molesting a servant girl. He denied the whole thing. Despite the fact that Berrow's servants claimed that he had indeed forced his way into the girl's bedchamber, Berrow backed Cyril, saying the girl was a s.l.u.t. He dismissed her. Her parents complained to the church and to the lord lieutenant, but nothing came of it."

"Why?"

"Because there is one law for the rich and one for the poor. Just be grateful for your privileged position, Lady Rose. The unconventional risks you take might end in disaster if you were of a lower cla.s.s."

"So Berrow and Cyril Banks are friends? And both wished to marry Dolly. Don't you find that odd?"

"Yes, I do rather, and quite sinister."

"What is sinister about it?"

Harry bit his lip. He knew Berrow, like Cyril, had a foul reputation. It had crossed his mind that perhaps Berrow, had he managed to woo and marry Dolly, might have allowed his friend access to her.

"Just that they are both unsavoury characters."

They drove on down leafy roads, the trees heavy with the weight of summer, the leaves a dark and dusty green.

"You should have worn a veil," said Harry as a cloud of dust rose up about the car from an unmetalled country road.

"I'll hold a handkerchief over my face."

As they cruised along beside the river, the usual picnic argument started up. Every time Harry looked like stopping, either Rose or Daisy would cry out, "No, not there! Try a little farther on."

At last Harry rebelled and came to a stop by an area of green gra.s.s surrounded by willow trees. "Here and no argument," he said, "or it will be midnight before we eat."

Becket lifted a large hamper out of the boot and then began to pump up a small spirit stove.

Harry spread rugs on the gra.s.s and Rose and Daisy helped Becket lift out dishes, gla.s.ses and food from the hamper.

They drank champagne and ate delicacies from Fortnum and Mason such as grouse in aspic while the river chuckled past over the willow trees and the moving leaves of the other trees around their green oasis on the river bank sent flickering shadows over their faces.

When the meal was finished, Harry said to Rose, "Walk a little with me. I have something for you."

He helped her to her feet and they strolled away through the trees watched by the ever-hopeful Becket and Daisy.

He finally stopped and pulled a little jeweller's box out of his pocket. "I should have bought you a ring before this. Most remiss of me."

Rose opened the box. A large and beautiful diamond set in white gold glittered up at her, throwing rainbow prisms of light across her astonished face.

"This is too much," she said. "I cannot accept it. It is not as if we are really engaged."

"I wish you would keep it as a memento of all our adventures. The diamond was a present to me from someone in South Africa."

He took her hand in his and slid off the little engagement ring she had bought herself. Rose stood frozen as he slid his ring onto her finger. "Please take it ... Rose."

She suddenly smiled up at him. "Yes, I will. Thank you. I think we could be friends after all."

He tucked her arm in his and they walked on. "You must admit we are a very unusual pair. The misfits of society. Just like Kerridge."

"Is Mr. Kerridge a misfit?"

"Indeed he is. He would like to see all the aristocracy strung up from lamp-posts with himself manning the barricades at some people's revolution."

"Why? We have always been kind to him."

"I can see his point. Any time he has to interview one of us, he is threatened with losing his job. 'My friend the Prime Minister will hear of this.' That sort of thing."

"Mostly I accept my position in life," said Rose slowly. "One is immured from the sufferings of humanity. But when I rescued Miss Friendly, I was almost ashamed of myself for having chosen one easily grateful genteel lady who will not cause me any trouble when there are others, hundreds and thousands, even more deserving."

"I felt the same way when I rescued Phil. Did I tell you about Phil?"

Rose listened while he described his visit to Bermondsey. Then she said, "When I reach my majority I will have my own money. I wish to set up a charity."

"Let me know," said Harry, "and I will contribute."

They walked back to join Becket and Daisy. Becket was making tea. Rose showed Daisy her ring and Daisy glanced at Becket, who sent her a covert wink.

They were all happy and at ease with each other when they finally drove back to London.

But then, just as they were travelling along the Great West Road, Harry asked, "How do you find my Aunt Phyllis?"

"She has very taking ways. Most of our servants are still at the town house and yet she moved in a staff of her own. She orders things like gowns and books and charges them to my parents' account."

"You must be mistaken," said Harry. "You are talking about my mother's sister. She was so eager to be of help."

"Of course she was," said Rose. "I am sure she would eagerly go anywhere for free lodging."

"Take that back!"

"No!"

In the back, Becket and Daisy exchanged alarmed glances. "I have always found her charming and amiable," said Harry.

"Indeed?" Rose's voice dripped sarcasm. "And when did you last see her?"

"Not for some years."

"So there you are! You do not know her at all."

"I do not believe you."

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"Just misinformed."

By the time they drove up to the town house, Rose and Harry were not on speaking terms. Rose wanted to give Harry back his ring but did not wish to make a scene on the street.

"I would invite you in," she said coldly, "but I am sure you are anxious to get to your own home. Come, Daisy."

Daisy threw an anguished glance over her shoulder at Becket and trailed inside after Rose.

Mrs. Holt, the housekeeper, was waiting for them. Aunt Phyllis had brought her own housekeeper, but Mrs. Holt had told the intruder not to interfere at all in the running of the house.

"May I have a word with you, my lady?"

"By all means." Rose unpinned her hat. "What is the matter?"

Mrs. Holt lowered her voice. "It's Lady Phyllis. My lady has given Miss Friendly so many gowns and hats to alter that I swear poor Miss Friendly has been working all night."

"I'll see to it." Rose marched all the way up to the sewing-room.

Miss Friendly was bent over the sewing-machine. She stopped when she saw Rose, got to her feet and stumbled, holding on to the table for support. There were purple shadows under her eyes.

"Stop everything," commanded Rose. "You are not to do any work for Lady Phyllis." She rang the bell and when a footman answered it, she told him to fetch Lady Phyllis's lady's maid. When the maid arrived, Rose told her to take away all Lady Phyllis's hats and garments and then said, "Lady Phyllis will be leaving immediately. Miss Friendly, you are not to do any more work for the next two days. Go to your room and relax, or go out for a walk."

Rose marched back downstairs and into the study, where Matthew Jarvis was working.

"Ah, Lady Rose," he said, "I have just received a wire. My lord and lady will be returning at the end of the week. They wish you to go to Stacey Court as soon as possible."

"Very well," said Rose. Let rotten Harry Cathcart do the investigation himself. "Mr. Jarvis, I should be grateful if you would inform Lady Phyllis's butler that she and her staff are leaving as soon as possible. By as soon as possible, I mean tomorrow morning at the latest."