Sparkling Cyanide Part 5

"Yes. I was reading Victor the riot act - telling him he was a disgrace to us all. He didn't care, of course. Then he grinned and said, 'You aren't us all. He didn't care, of course. Then he grinned and said, 'You aren't always so particular yourself, sweetheart. I saw you the other night always so particular yourself, sweetheart. I saw you the other night dancing with an ex-gaol-bird - one of your best boy friends, in fact. dancing with an ex-gaol-bird - one of your best boy friends, in fact. Calls himself Anthony Browne, I hear, but in stir he was Tony Morelli'." Calls himself Anthony Browne, I hear, but in stir he was Tony Morelli'."

Anthony said in a light voice: "I must renew my acquaintance with this friend of my youth. We old prison ties must stick together." friend of my youth. We old prison ties must stick together."

Rosemary shook her head. "Too late. He's been shipped off to South America. He sailed yesterday." America. He sailed yesterday."

"I see." Anthony drew a deep breath. "So you're the only person who knows my guilty secret?" knows my guilty secret?"

She nodded. "I won't tell on you."

"You'd better not." His voice grew stern. "Look here, Rosemary, this is dangerous. You don't want your lovely face carved up, do you? There dangerous. You don't want your lovely face carved up, do you? There are people who don't stick at a little thing like ruining a girl's beauty. are people who don't stick at a little thing like ruining a girl's beauty. And there's such a thing as being b.u.mped off. It doesn't only happen in And there's such a thing as being b.u.mped off. It doesn't only happen in books and films. It happens in real life, too." books and films. It happens in real life, too."

"Are you threatening me, Tony?"

"Warning you."

Would she take the warning? Did she realise that he was in deadly earnest? Silly little fool. No sense in that lovely empty head. You earnest? Silly little fool. No sense in that lovely empty head. You couldn't rely on her to keep her mouth shut. All the same he'd have to couldn't rely on her to keep her mouth shut. All the same he'd have to try and ram his meaning home. try and ram his meaning home.

"Forget you've ever heard the name of Tony Morelli? Do you understand?" understand?"

"But I don't mind a bit, Tony. I'm broadminded. It's quite a thrill for me to meet a criminal. You needn't feel ashamed of it." to meet a criminal. You needn't feel ashamed of it."

The absurd little idiot. He looked at her coldly. He wondered in that moment how he could ever have fancied he cared. He'd never been moment how he could ever have fancied he cared. He'd never been able to suffer fools gladly - not even fools with pretty faces. able to suffer fools gladly - not even fools with pretty faces.

"Forget about Tony Morelli," he said grimly. "I mean it. Never mention that name again." that name again."

He'd have to get out. That was the only thing to do. There was no relying on this girl's silence. She'd talk whenever she felt inclined. relying on this girl's silence. She'd talk whenever she felt inclined.

She was smiling at him - an enchanting smile, but it left him unmoved.

"Don't be so fierce. Take me to the Jarrows' dance next week."

"I shan't be here. I'm going away."

"Not before my birthday party. You can't let me down. I'm counting on you. Now don't say no. I've been miserably ill with that horrid 'flu and you. Now don't say no. I've been miserably ill with that horrid 'flu and I'm still feeling terribly weak. I mustn't be crossed. You've got to I'm still feeling terribly weak. I mustn't be crossed. You've got to come." come."

He might have stood firm. He might have chucked it all - gone right away. away.

Instead, through an open door, he saw Iris coming down the stairs. Iris, very straight and slim, with her pale face and black hair and grey Iris, very straight and slim, with her pale face and black hair and grey eyes. Iris with much less than Rosemary's beauty and with all the eyes. Iris with much less than Rosemary's beauty and with all the character that Rosemary would never have. character that Rosemary would never have.

In that moment he hated himself for having fallen a victim, in however small a degree, to Rosemary's facile charm. He felt as Romeo felt small a degree, to Rosemary's facile charm. He felt as Romeo felt remembering Rosaline when he had first seen Juliet. remembering Rosaline when he had first seen Juliet.

Anthony Browne changed his mind.

In the flash of a second he committed himself to a totally different course of action. course of action.

Chapter 4.

STEPHEN FARRADAY.

Stephen Farraday was thinking of Rosemary - thinking of her with that incredulous amazement that her image always aroused in him. Usually incredulous amazement that her image always aroused in him. Usually he banished all thoughts of her from his mind as promptly as they he banished all thoughts of her from his mind as promptly as they arose - but there were times when, persistent in death as she had been arose - but there were times when, persistent in death as she had been in life, she refused to be thus arbitrarily dismissed. in life, she refused to be thus arbitrarily dismissed.

His first reaction was always the same, a quick irresponsible shudder as he remembered the scene in the restaurant. At least he need not as he remembered the scene in the restaurant. At least he need not think again of that. His thoughts turned further back, to Rosemary think again of that. His thoughts turned further back, to Rosemary alive, Rosemary smiling, breathing, gazing into his eyes... alive, Rosemary smiling, breathing, gazing into his eyes...

What a fool - what an incredible fool he had been!

And amazement contained him, sheer bewildered amazement. How had it all come about? He simply could not understand it. It was as had it all come about? He simply could not understand it. It was as though his life were divided into two parts, one, the larger part, a sane though his life were divided into two parts, one, the larger part, a sane well-balanced orderly progression, the other a brief uncharacteristic well-balanced orderly progression, the other a brief uncharacteristic madness. The two parts simply did not fit. madness. The two parts simply did not fit.

For with all his ability and his clever, shrewd intellect, Stephen had not the inner perception to see that actually they fitted only too well. the inner perception to see that actually they fitted only too well.

Sometimes he looked back over his life, appraising it coldly and without undue emotion, but with a certain priggish self-congratulation. without undue emotion, but with a certain priggish self-congratulation.

From a very early age he had been determined to succeed in life, and in spite of difficulties and certain initial disadvantages he had in spite of difficulties and certain initial disadvantages he had succeeded. succeeded.

He had always had a certain simplicity of belief and outlook. He believed in the will. believed in the will.

What a man willed, that he could do!

Little Stephen Farraday had steadfastly cultivated his will. He could look for little help in life save that which he got by his own efforts. A look for little help in life save that which he got by his own efforts. A small pale boy of seven, with a good forehead and a determined chin, small pale boy of seven, with a good forehead and a determined chin, he meant to rise - and rise high. His parents, he already knew, would he meant to rise - and rise high. His parents, he already knew, would be of no use to him. His mother had married beneath her station in life - be of no use to him. His mother had married beneath her station in life - and regretted it. His father, a small builder, shrewd, cunning and and regretted it. His father, a small builder, shrewd, cunning and cheeseparing, was despised by his wife and also by his son... cheeseparing, was despised by his wife and also by his son...

For his mother, vague, aimless, and given to extraordinary variations of mood, Stephen felt only a puzzled incomprehension until the day he of mood, Stephen felt only a puzzled incomprehension until the day he found her slumped down on the corner of a table with an empty eau- found her slumped down on the corner of a table with an empty eau- de-Cologne bottle fallen from her hand. He had never thought of drink de-Cologne bottle fallen from her hand. He had never thought of drink as an explanation of his mother's moods. She never drank spirits or as an explanation of his mother's moods. She never drank spirits or beer, and he had never realised that her pa.s.sion for eau-de-Cologne beer, and he had never realised that her pa.s.sion for eau-de-Cologne had had any other origin than her vague explanation of headaches. had had any other origin than her vague explanation of headaches.

He realised in that moment that he had little affection for his parents. He suspected shrewdly that they had not much for him. He was small He suspected shrewdly that they had not much for him. He was small for his age, quiet, with a tendency to stammer. Namby-pamby his for his age, quiet, with a tendency to stammer. Namby-pamby his father called him. A well-behaved child, little trouble in the house. His father called him. A well-behaved child, little trouble in the house. His father would have preferred a more rumbunctious type. "Always father would have preferred a more rumbunctious type. "Always getting into mischief I was, at his age." Sometimes, looking at Stephen getting into mischief I was, at his age." Sometimes, looking at Stephen he felt uneasily his own social inferiority to his wife. Stephen took after he felt uneasily his own social inferiority to his wife. Stephen took after her folk. her folk.

Quietly, with growing determination, Stephen mapped out his own life. He was going to succeed. As a first test of will, he determined to He was going to succeed. As a first test of will, he determined to master his stammer. He practised speaking slowly, with a slight master his stammer. He practised speaking slowly, with a slight hesitation between every word. And in time his efforts were crowned hesitation between every word. And in time his efforts were crowned with success. He no longer stammered. In school he applied himself to with success. He no longer stammered. In school he applied himself to his lessons. He intended to have education. his lessons. He intended to have education.

Education got you somewhere. Soon his teachers became interested, encouraged him. He won a scholarship. His parents were then encouraged him. He won a scholarship. His parents were then approached - by the educational authorities - the boy had promise. Mr approached - by the educational authorities - the boy had promise. Mr Farraday, doing well out of a row of jerry-built houses, was persuaded Farraday, doing well out of a row of jerry-built houses, was persuaded to invest money in his son's education. to invest money in his son's education.

At twenty-two Stephen came down from Oxford with a good degree, a reputation as a good and witty speaker, and a knack of writing reputation as a good and witty speaker, and a knack of writing articles. He had also made some useful friends. Politics were what articles. He had also made some useful friends. Politics were what attracted him. He had learnt to overcome his natural shyness and to attracted him. He had learnt to overcome his natural shyness and to cultivate an admirable social manner - modest, friendly, and with that cultivate an admirable social manner - modest, friendly, and with that touch of brilliance that led people to say, "That young man will go far." touch of brilliance that led people to say, "That young man will go far." Though by predilection a Liberal, Stephen realised that for the Though by predilection a Liberal, Stephen realised that for the moment, at least, the Liberal Party was dead. He joined the ranks of moment, at least, the Liberal Party was dead. He joined the ranks of the Labour Party. His name soon became known as that of a "coming" the Labour Party. His name soon became known as that of a "coming" young man. But the Labour Party did not satisfy Stephen. He found it young man. But the Labour Party did not satisfy Stephen. He found it less open to new ideas, more hidebound by tradition than its great and less open to new ideas, more hidebound by tradition than its great and powerful rival. The Conservatives, on the other hand, were on the look- powerful rival. The Conservatives, on the other hand, were on the look- out for promising young talent. They approved of Stephen Farraday - out for promising young talent. They approved of Stephen Farraday - he was just the type they wanted. He contested a fairly solid Labour he was just the type they wanted. He contested a fairly solid Labour const.i.tuency and won it by a very narrow majority. It was with a feeling const.i.tuency and won it by a very narrow majority. It was with a feeling of triumph that Stephen took his seat in the House of Commons. His of triumph that Stephen took his seat in the House of Commons. His career had begun and this was the right career he had chosen. Into career had begun and this was the right career he had chosen. Into this he could put all his ability, all his ambition. He felt in him the ability this he could put all his ability, all his ambition. He felt in him the ability to govern, and to govern well. He had a talent for handling people, for to govern, and to govern well. He had a talent for handling people, for knowing when to flatter and when to oppose. One day, he swore it, he knowing when to flatter and when to oppose. One day, he swore it, he would be in the Cabinet. would be in the Cabinet.

Nevertheless, once the excitement of being actually in the House had subsided, he experienced swift disillusionment. The hardly fought subsided, he experienced swift disillusionment. The hardly fought election had put him in the limelight, now he was down in the rut, a election had put him in the limelight, now he was down in the rut, a mere insignificant unit of the rank and file, subservient to the party mere insignificant unit of the rank and file, subservient to the party whips, and kept in his place. It was not easy here to rise out of whips, and kept in his place. It was not easy here to rise out of obscurity. Youth here was looked upon with suspicion. One needed obscurity. Youth here was looked upon with suspicion. One needed something above ability. One needed influence. something above ability. One needed influence.

There were certain interests. Certain families. You had to be sponsored. He considered marriage. Up to now he had thought very sponsored. He considered marriage. Up to now he had thought very little about the subject. He had a dim picture in the back of his mind of little about the subject. He had a dim picture in the back of his mind of some handsome creature who would stand hand in hand with him some handsome creature who would stand hand in hand with him sharing his life and his ambitions, who would give him children and to sharing his life and his ambitions, who would give him children and to whom he could unburden his thoughts and perplexities. Some woman whom he could unburden his thoughts and perplexities. Some woman who felt as he did and who would be eager for his success and proud who felt as he did and who would be eager for his success and proud of him when he achieved it. of him when he achieved it.

Then one day he went to one of the big receptions at Kidderminster House. The Kidderminster connection was the most powerful in House. The Kidderminster connection was the most powerful in England. They were, and had always been, a great political family. England. They were, and had always been, a great political family. Lord Kidderminster, with his little Imperial, his tall, distinguished Lord Kidderminster, with his little Imperial, his tall, distinguished figure, was known by sight everywhere. Lady Kidderminster's large figure, was known by sight everywhere. Lady Kidderminster's large rocking-horse face was familiar on public platforms and on rocking-horse face was familiar on public platforms and on committees all over England. They had five daughters, three of them committees all over England. They had five daughters, three of them beautiful, but all serious-minded, and one son still at Eton. beautiful, but all serious-minded, and one son still at Eton.

The Kidderminsters made a point of encouraging likely young members of the Party. Hence Farraday's invitation. members of the Party. Hence Farraday's invitation.

He did not know many people there and he was standing alone near a window about twenty minutes after his arrival. The crowd by the tea window about twenty minutes after his arrival. The crowd by the tea table was thinning out and pa.s.sing into the other rooms when Stephen table was thinning out and pa.s.sing into the other rooms when Stephen noticed a tall girl in black standing alone by the table looking for a noticed a tall girl in black standing alone by the table looking for a moment slightly at a loss. moment slightly at a loss.

Stephen Farraday had a very good eye for faces. He had picked up that very morning in the Tube a "Home Gossip" discarded by a woman that very morning in the Tube a "Home Gossip" discarded by a woman traveller and glanced over it with slight amus.e.m.e.nt. There had been a traveller and glanced over it with slight amus.e.m.e.nt. There had been a rather smudgy reproduction of Lady Alexandra Hayle, third daughter rather smudgy reproduction of Lady Alexandra Hayle, third daughter of the Earl of Kidderminster, and below a gossipy little extract about of the Earl of Kidderminster, and below a gossipy little extract about her - "... always been of a shy and retiring disposition - devoted to her - "... always been of a shy and retiring disposition - devoted to animals. Lady Alexandra has taken a course in Domestic Science as animals. Lady Alexandra has taken a course in Domestic Science as Lady Kidderminster believes in her daughters being thoroughly Lady Kidderminster believes in her daughters being thoroughly grounded in all domestic subjects." grounded in all domestic subjects."

That was Lady Alexandra Hayle standing there, and with the unerring perception of a shy person, Stephen knew that she, too, was shy. The perception of a shy person, Stephen knew that she, too, was shy. The plainest of the five daughters, Alexandra had always suffered under a plainest of the five daughters, Alexandra had always suffered under a sense of inferiority. Given the same education and upbringing as her sense of inferiority. Given the same education and upbringing as her sisters, she had never quite attained their savoir-faire, which annoyed sisters, she had never quite attained their savoir-faire, which annoyed her mother considerably. Sandra must make an effort - it was absurd her mother considerably. Sandra must make an effort - it was absurd to appear so awkward, so gauche. Stephen did not know that, but he to appear so awkward, so gauche. Stephen did not know that, but he knew that the girl was ill at ease and unhappy. And suddenly a rush of knew that the girl was ill at ease and unhappy. And suddenly a rush of conviction came to him. This was his chance! "Take it, you fool, take it! conviction came to him. This was his chance! "Take it, you fool, take it!

It's now or never!"

He crossed the room to the long buffet. Standing beside the girl he picked up a sandwich. Then, turning, and speaking nervously and with picked up a sandwich. Then, turning, and speaking nervously and with an effort (no acting, that - he was nervous!) he said: an effort (no acting, that - he was nervous!) he said: "I say, do you mind if I speak to you? I don't know many people here and I can see you don't either. Don't snub me. As a matter of fact I'm and I can see you don't either. Don't snub me. As a matter of fact I'm awfully s-s-shy" (his stammer of years ago came back at a most awfully s-s-shy" (his stammer of years ago came back at a most opportune moment) "and - and I think you're s-s-shy too, aren't you?" opportune moment) "and - and I think you're s-s-shy too, aren't you?"

The girl flushed - her mouth opened. But as he had guessed, she could not say it. Too difficult to find words to say "I'm the daughter of the not say it. Too difficult to find words to say "I'm the daughter of the house." Instead she admitted quietly: house." Instead she admitted quietly: "As a matter of fact, I - I am shy. I always have been."

Stephen went on quickly: "It's a horrible feeling. I don't know whether one ever gets over it. Sometimes I feel absolutely tongue-tied." one ever gets over it. Sometimes I feel absolutely tongue-tied."

"So do I."

He went on - talking rather quickly, stammering a little - his manner was boyish, appealing. It was a manner that had been natural to him a was boyish, appealing. It was a manner that had been natural to him a few years ago and which was now consciously retained and cultivated. few years ago and which was now consciously retained and cultivated. It was young, naive, disarming. It was young, naive, disarming.

He led the conversation soon to the subject of plays, mentioned one that was running which had attracted a good deal of interest. that was running which had attracted a good deal of interest.

Sandra had seen it. They discussed it. It had dealt with some point of the social services and they were soon deep in a discussion of these the social services and they were soon deep in a discussion of these measures. measures.

Stephen did not overdo things. He saw Lady Kidderminster entering the room, her eyes in search of her daughter. It was no part of his plan the room, her eyes in search of her daughter. It was no part of his plan to be introduced now. He murmured a goodbye. to be introduced now. He murmured a goodbye.

"I have enjoyed talking to you. I was simply hating the whole show till I found you. Thank you." found you. Thank you."

He left Kidderminster House with a feeling of exhilaration. He had taken his chance. taken his chance.

Now to consolidate what he had started. For several days after that he haunted the neighbourhood of Kidderminster House. Once Sandra haunted the neighbourhood of Kidderminster House. Once Sandra came out with one of her sisters. Once she left the house alone, but came out with one of her sisters. Once she left the house alone, but with a hurried step. He shook his head. That would not do, she was with a hurried step. He shook his head. That would not do, she was obviously en route to some particular appointment. Then, about a obviously en route to some particular appointment. Then, about a week after the party, his patience was rewarded. week after the party, his patience was rewarded.

She came out one morning with a small black Scottie dog and she turned with a leisurely step in the direction of the Park. turned with a leisurely step in the direction of the Park.

Five minutes later, a young man walking rapidly in the opposite direction pulled up short and stopped in front of Sandra. He exclaimed direction pulled up short and stopped in front of Sandra. He exclaimed blithely: blithely: "I say, what luck! I wondered if I'd ever see you again."

His tone was so delighted that she blushed just a little.

He stooped to the dog.

"What a jolly little fellow. What's his name?"

"MacTavish."

"Oh, very Scotch."

They talked dog for some moments. Then Stephen said, with a trace of embarra.s.sment: embarra.s.sment: "I never told you my name the other day. It's Farraday. Stephen Farraday. I'm an obscure M.P." Farraday. I'm an obscure M.P."

He looked inquiringly and saw the colour come up in her cheeks again as she said: "I'm Alexandra Hayle." as she said: "I'm Alexandra Hayle."

He responded to that very well. He might have been back in the O.U.D.S. Surprise, recognition, dismay, embarra.s.sment! O.U.D.S. Surprise, recognition, dismay, embarra.s.sment!

"Oh, you're - you're Lady Alexandra Hayle - you - my goodness! What a stupid fool you must have thought me the other day!" stupid fool you must have thought me the other day!"

Her answering move was inevitable. She was bound both by her breeding and her natural kindliness to do all she could to put him at his breeding and her natural kindliness to do all she could to put him at his ease, to rea.s.sure him. ease, to rea.s.sure him.

"I ought to have told you at the time."

"I ought to have known. What an oaf you must think me!"

"How should you have known? What does it matter anyway? Please, Mr Farraday, don't look so upset. Let's walk to the Serpentine. Look, Mr Farraday, don't look so upset. Let's walk to the Serpentine. Look, MacTavish is simply pulling." MacTavish is simply pulling."

After that, he met her several times in the Park. He told her his ambitions. Together they discussed political topics. He found her ambitions. Together they discussed political topics. He found her intelligent, well-informed and sympathetic. intelligent, well-informed and sympathetic.

She had good brains and a singularly unbiased mind. They were friends now. The next advance came when he was asked to dinner at friends now. The next advance came when he was asked to dinner at Kidderminster House and had to go on to a dance. A man had fallen Kidderminster House and had to go on to a dance. A man had fallen through at the last moment. When Lady Kidderminster was racking her through at the last moment. When Lady Kidderminster was racking her brains Sandra said quietly: "What about Stephen Farraday?" brains Sandra said quietly: "What about Stephen Farraday?"

"Stephen Farraday?"

"Yes, he was at your party the other day and I've met him once or twice since." since."

Lord Kidderminster was consulted and was all in favour of encouraging the young hopefuls of the political world. encouraging the young hopefuls of the political world.

"Brilliant young fellow - quite brilliant. Never heard of his people, but he'll make a name for himself one of these days." he'll make a name for himself one of these days."

Stephen came and acquitted himself well.

"A useful young man to know," said Lady Kidderminster with unconscious arrogance. unconscious arrogance.

Two months later Stephen put his fortunes to the test. They were by the Serpentine and MacTavish sat with his head on Sandra's foot. the Serpentine and MacTavish sat with his head on Sandra's foot.

"Sandra, you know - you must know that I love you. I want you to marry me. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't believe that I shall make a name for me. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't believe that I shall make a name for myself one day. I do believe it. You shan't be ashamed of your choice. I myself one day. I do believe it. You shan't be ashamed of your choice. I swear it." swear it."

She said, "I'm not ashamed."

"Then do you care?"

"Didn't you know?"

"I hoped - but I couldn't be sure. Do you know that I've loved you since that very first moment when I saw you across the room and took my that very first moment when I saw you across the room and took my courage in both hands and came to speak to you. I was never more courage in both hands and came to speak to you. I was never more terrified in my life." terrified in my life."

She said, "I think I loved you then, too..."

It was not all plain sailing. Sandra's quiet announcement that she was going to marry Stephen Farraday sent her family into immediate going to marry Stephen Farraday sent her family into immediate protests. Who was he? What did they know about him? protests. Who was he? What did they know about him?

To Lord Kidderminster Stephen was quite frank about his family and origin. He spared a fleeting thought that it was just as well for his origin. He spared a fleeting thought that it was just as well for his prospects that his parents were now both dead. prospects that his parents were now both dead.

To his wife, Lord Kidderminster said, "H'm, it might be worse."

He knew his daughter fairly well, knew that her quiet manner hid inflexible purpose. If she meant to have the fellow she would have him. inflexible purpose. If she meant to have the fellow she would have him. She'd never give in! She'd never give in!

"The fellow's got a career ahead of him. With a bit of backing he'll go far. Heaven knows we could do with some young blood. He seems a far. Heaven knows we could do with some young blood. He seems a decent chap, too." decent chap, too."

Lady Kidderminster a.s.sented grudgingly. It was not at all her idea of a good match for her daughter. Still, Sandra was certainly the most good match for her daughter. Still, Sandra was certainly the most difficult of the family. Susan had been a beauty and Esther had brains. difficult of the family. Susan had been a beauty and Esther had brains. Diana, clever child, had married the young Duke of Harwich - the parti Diana, clever child, had married the young Duke of Harwich - the parti of the season. Sandra had certainly less charm - there was her of the season. Sandra had certainly less charm - there was her shyness - and if this young man had a future as everyone seemed to shyness - and if this young man had a future as everyone seemed to think... think...

She capitulated, murmuring: "But of course, one will have to use influence..." influence..."

So Alexandra Catherine Hayle took Stephen Leonard Farraday for better and for worse, in white satin and Brussels lace, with six better and for worse, in white satin and Brussels lace, with six bridesmaids and two minute pages and all the accessories of a bridesmaids and two minute pages and all the accessories of a fashionable wedding. fashionable wedding.