Unexpected Blessings (29 page)

‘Why right now, Marietta,’ Gideon responded, and then turning once more to look at Evan, he said in a light, bland voice, ‘What a pity you’re not wearing your ring, darling.’

Swallowing, knowing that there was no use fighting him, she murmured, ‘Oh, but I have it with me, Gideon,’ and she fumbled in her handbag as she spoke.

A moment later it was gleaming on the third finger of her left hand, and being admired by her mother, who was duly impressed by the size of the sapphire and the surrounding diamonds. ‘It’s beautiful, Evan,’ she said. ‘You’re a very lucky girl.’

Done, Gideon thought with a spurt of satisfaction. And done in the best Harte style.

Gideon was just leaving his office for the late afternoon editorial meeting when his cell-phone began to shrill. Realizing he had forgotten to put it in his pocket, he rushed back to his desk and grabbed it. ‘Hello?’

‘It’s me,’ Evan said.

‘Hi, sweetheart, I can’t really talk now. I’m running late for the editorial meeting. The traffic was lousy from the Dorchester. Is it important?’

‘I think so. Gideon, how
could
you?’

‘How could I what?’ he asked mildly, although he knew exactly what she meant and he could tell she was annoyed.

‘Just announce it like that, so unexpectedly and so bluntly, that we were engaged. I’m really upset about the way you handled this.’

‘Well, you shouldn’t be. Your mother is thrilled and your father didn’t look all that unhappy. Anyway, be–’

‘He was really upset that I’d been what he called sneaky, that I hadn’t told him anything in advance. Actually, the afternoon fell apart and he went off in a snit.’

‘Really. What a sudden change of mood. He was actually very cordial with me when I left. In any case, it’s over and done with, so now let’s move on.’

‘It’s hard for me to do that. You didn’t even give me a hint you were going to pull this–’

‘I didn’t pull anything, Evan, I simply spoke the truth,’ he snapped, and then softening his voice, he added, ‘I think you
must
move on, darling, and push your father’s resentment to one side. Look, in a few days you should tell him about Robin Ainsley being his father, get that out of the way once and for all, as well. Wipe this slate clean, so there are no secrets, and I think we’ll all be the better for it.’

‘I can’t tell him about Robin now!’ she cried, her voice rising shrilly. ‘It’ll be all too much for him.’

‘I doubt it,’ Gideon said coldly. ‘I have to go, I’m late for the meeting. They can’t start without me. Talk to you later, darling.’ He clicked the phone off, slipped it in his pocket and left his office, wondering how a woman as bright and intelligent as Evan could be so wishy-washy and weak-kneed when it came to her father.

He couldn’t help wishing she’d behave like a true Harte. He wanted her to be bold and strong like his female cousins. But then she hadn’t been brought up a Harte, had she?

This unexpected and troubling thought did not hinder his rush to the editorial meeting. But later that night it did give him reason to pause, and ponder long and hard on his relationship with Evan Hughes.

Tessa stood in the entrance foyer of Niddersley Hall watching Great-Aunt Edwina walk slowly down the grand staircase. She wore a dress of purple silk, her favourite colour, a royal colour, very regal, and she looked both regal and royal, Tessa thought. Her silver hair was swept up in an elegant style, and as usual she was carefully made up and well turned out, looked twenty years younger than her age.

‘There you are, Tessa!’ she exclaimed as she glided towards her great-niece, who came to meet her. ‘You’re looking much better than I expected after all you’ve been through lately. Such an ordeal.’

‘Thank you, Great-Aunt Edwina, and
you
look fantastic!’ After kissing her aunt on the cheek, Tessa stepped back and eyeing Edwina she couldn’t help asking, ‘Are those pearls
real?’

‘My dear girl, the whole world knows I never wear anything that’s artificial. Of course they’re real. I just bought them a few weeks ago. South Sea pearls, perfectly matched. I thought I’d give myself a treat, you see.’

Tessa and her aunt walked into the drawing room; a relatively small room, it was nevertheless elegant with a beautiful Adam fireplace and several tall windows which overlooked the garden.

‘Shall we sit over there,’ Tessa suggested, indicating an arrangement of chairs near an open window. It had been another hot day, and even though it was now early evening and the sun had set, it was still balmy; Tessa preferred to sit in a cool spot like this.

‘Certainly,’ Edwina answered, making her way to the chairs grouped around a low coffee table. ‘I told Frome to bring us champagne. Or do you prefer something else?’

‘That’s lovely, thank you.’ Tessa seated herself opposite her great-aunt, and said, ‘India will be here in a moment. I only had to come from the Harrogate store, she’s driving over from Leeds.’

‘Yes, she phoned me and said she’d be a bit late, but that’s all right, my dear, we can have a little chat while we wait. Ah, there you are, Frome,’ she continued as the butler came in carrying an ice bucket and bottle of champagne on a tray. ‘We’ll both have the champagne, thank you.’

‘Yes, m’lady,’ Frome answered, and within seconds he was carrying two crystal glasses on a tray across the room to them. They each took a flute and thanked him.

Edwina lifted her glass and, smiling at Tessa, she said, ‘Here’s to you, Tessa, and a sparkling future.’

Smiling back, Tessa clinked her glass to her aunt’s. ‘And to your sparkling future, too, Great-Aunt.’

Edwina burst out laughing. ‘Well said, little Tessa, well said. Thank you. I certainly don’t intend going anywhere just yet, so I’ll be around.’

‘Obviously,’ Tessa shot back, laughing with her. ‘When you buy yourself a string of pearls like those, you plan to wear them. I think it’s marvellous that you treated yourself, it shows a most positive attitude on your part.’

‘I suppose it does.’ After taking a sip of the champagne, Edwina settled herself against the needlepoint cushions in the French armchair, and went on, ‘Now what’s afoot with that ridiculous fool of a husband of yours? He’s got a few screws loose, in my considered opinion.’

‘He’s very difficult, Great-Aunt, and I agree with you, I think he is a bit off the wall, and–’

‘He must be to treat a wonderful girl like you so shabbily. I’m appalled at his behaviour towards you and extremely glad you’ve taken the steps you have to get a divorce,’ Edwina told her rather forcefully.

Tessa explained, ‘He’ll soon be my ex.’

‘Whatever it costs, just get rid of him. He’s caused you far too much heartache already. I’m a great believer in divorce, you know. It’s ridiculous for a couple to stay together if they’re making each other unhappy. I understand he wants a lot.’

Tessa nodded. ‘Yes, he does. Mummy’s going to get things moving along a bit quicker once she returns from New York next week.’

‘Well, as I said, just pay him off, get him out of the way.’ Edwina took a sip of champagne, and continued, ‘You know, Tessa, everybody has their price and it isn’t always money–’

‘As your mother always said,’ Tessa cut in. ‘I know Emma Harte’s credo, too.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. She was the most remarkable woman, a legend in her own time. You can’t go wrong, following her rules. Anyway, I was going to say that there are often other considerations, and several ways to skin a cat.’

‘Not with Mark, Great-Aunt Edwina, all he’s interested in is money.’

‘And a few other things, from what I’ve heard. Such as wine, women and song, to put it in a polite way.’

‘That’s true. But I don’t care about him anymore. I just want him out of my life.’

‘It was rather foolhardy of him to kidnap Adele in that way, asking for trouble.’

‘It hasn’t done him any good in the eyes of my lawyers–or his own, I might add.’

‘I’m sure not.’ There was a small pause. Edwina stared at Tessa intently and finally said in a kindly voice, ‘I hope he hasn’t made you afraid to have another relationship with a man, Tessa. You’re young, a very beautiful woman, so you must get over this hurdle as quickly as possible, put it behind you. You must find a way to quell your fears about him taking Adele again, and move on to greener fields.’

‘How did you know I fear that?’ Tessa asked, studying the older woman, thinking how extraordinary she was for her age. A handsome woman, beautifully dressed and groomed, obviously completely competent and with all of her faculties intact.

‘Because it would be natural for any mother to fear another kidnapping when she’s dealing with a fool like Mark Longden. But I doubt he’ll do it again, once he’s been paid off by Paula.’

‘I do hope you’re right.’

At this moment India came hurrying into the drawing room, looking flushed and a little out of breath. ‘Sorry, Grandma, but the traffic from Leeds was quite impossible tonight.’

‘We’re not going anywhere,’ Edwina murmured, and lifted her face to be kissed. ‘Now relax, India dear,’ Edwina continued, ‘and pour yourself a glass of champagne, it’ll be quicker than if we ring for Frome. He’s getting a bit old.’

India laughed hilariously. ‘Grandma, he’s all of fifty if he’s a day! Much younger than you.’

‘Maybe, but he’s a bit of a slowcoach. I’m a lot more sprightly, fast on my feet. Do you prefer something else? Other than a drop of bubbly?’

‘Champagne’s great, thanks,’ India told her and walked over to the chest where the drinks tray stood and poured herself a glass, still laughing. Her grandmother was a hoot: outspoken, blunt to the point of rudeness at times, and something of a character, a true eccentric, in fact. But she was very special, unique, and India adored her. Her father always said they’d thrown the mould away after making his mother.

Returning to the group of chairs, India sat down next to Tessa, lifted her glass, said, ‘Cheers,’ and took a sip. Then she leaned forward and said to her grandmother, ‘Who told you about Russell Rhodes, about my involvement with him, and the stabbing, Grandma?’

‘As a matter of fact it was someone who works at Harrogate District Hospital, India, but I did promise to keep a confidence and so I must, my dear.’

India was taken aback and she exclaimed, ‘So it wasn’t anyone in the family?’

‘Not at all. I haven’t spoken to Robin or Elizabeth for weeks, and you younger lot don’t bother too much with me these days.’

‘Oh, Grandma, don’t say that, it makes me feel awful.’

‘Well, it shouldn’t, because I don’t mind really, except for you and Tessa, India. You two are my best girls, part Fairley like I am, and I do miss hearing from you both. I feel left out of your lives.’

India looked at Tessa, knowing her cousin felt as guilty as she did.

Before India could say anything, Edwina went on, ‘I know he’s recovered and that he’s going home to Willows Hall tomorrow. Perhaps later this week, if he’s up to it, you’ll bring Dusty here to meet me. Lunch, tea or dinner, whichever you prefer, my dear.’

‘I’ll try for dinner, Grandmother, but he’s not an easy man.’

‘Do your best. I know I bluster a lot, and boast that I’m not going anywhere, but you never know what can happen. Life has a funny way of coming and hitting you in the face when you least expect it.’

‘Don’t say that!’ India cried. ‘You’ll be here for a long time yet.’

‘Let’s hope so. Now, do you love this man enough to want to spend the rest of your life with him?’ Edwina asked briskly.

India nodded and opened her mouth to say something but changed her mind and sat very still in the chair, staring at her grandmother silently.

Edwina nodded. ‘Not sure about his intentions, eh?’

‘You’re right as usual, Grandmother,’ India admitted ruefully.

‘If you want him then it’s up to you to get him! That’s the way it always is, most men can’t make up their minds about women, or about a long-term commitment. Anyway, my dear, if you love him then I trust your judgement. I know he must be a decent man, a man of honour, if you have set your sights on him.’

‘Yes, he is. At least,
I
believe he is.’

‘Now…one of the reasons I wanted to see you, invited you to dinner, is to give you both a gift.’ Pushing herself to her feet, Edwina added, ‘Follow me, girls,’ and marched forward purposefully towards the hall. She crossed it in the same majestic way and went into the library; India and Tessa, both somewhat mystified, followed behind her, exchanging baffled glances.

Taking a key out of her pocket, Edwina sat down behind the huge Georgian partners’ desk in front of the bay window and unlocked one of the drawers.

‘Don’t stand around like that, like a couple of clucking ducks,’ she instructed sharply. ‘Sit down both of you. On the sofa.’

They did as she asked without uttering a word; they knew it was wise to remain silent, to leave the floor to the Dowager Countess of Dunvale, who obviously was in cracking form tonight.

A moment or two later, after taking various items out of the drawer, Edwina beckoned to India and Tessa. ‘Come and help me to carry these things to the coffee table,’ she said, rising, picking up one of the items herself.

The two young women joined her and helped to bring them over to the coffee table, and then they all three of them sat down. Edwina was quite certain her granddaughter and great-niece were riddled with curiosity, and she smiled to herself, thinking of the shock they were in for.

Well, it’s a nice shock, she said under her breath, knowing she would enjoy these next few moments. This pleased her, since she hadn’t enjoyed much lately, in actuality; she had been troubled and disconcerted when she had heard about the abduction of Adele, and, so soon after that, the stabbing of Russell Rhodes, who happened to be her favourite living painter.

Her lovely girls had been at the receiving end of some bad goings on, much to her dismay. She loved them both very much and was exceedingly protective of them; now she wanted to show them her love in a very real way.

Sitting up a little straighter in the chair, Edwina ran her hands over her knees, smoothing the purple silk dress. And then she looked at Tessa.