"You understand, Felicity, don't you? I love him so much, I never knew I could feel like this about anyone, Tony is the only person in the whole world for me now. I'll make him happy, Felicity, I promise you I will, I promise!"
Felicity found herself returning that warm embrace with whole-hearted feeling. "I believe you, Alaine-I know you'll both be happy."
Tony's farewells quickly followed, his happiness was infectious and she found her lips smiling their response. "Thanks, darling-for everything. I'm taking Alaine down to Mother in the morning, we'll get married at St. Jude's-you remember the little church on the hill-you'll join us in time for that, won't you? Then you'll come with us to the States."
Felicity, still smiling, shook her head. "No, not now, you don't need me-Aware that her brother was about to argue she laid her finger gently across his lips. "No, darling, don't argue now, we'll discuss all that later. I'll come down and see you both before you sail."
Joining Guy where he still awaited her in the doorway, she preceded him from the flat and slowly walked down the stairway at his side. She could still see Alaine and Tony as hand in hand they had stood watching them leave. She felt it was a picture she would never forget, the last rays of the setting sun had bathed them in a soft radiance, encompassing them as if in a glow of perfect happiness. It was then that with a sense of guilt she was suddenly recalled to the silent figure at her side and with an impulsive gesture she laid her hand gently on his arm. "I'm sorry, Guy, oh, so sorry."
"Please spare me your sympathy." His tone was frigidly deterring and it was not until they emerged into the street that he spoke again; now his voice was casual and entirely devoid of emotion. "I'll call you a taxi." As one drew up alongside them he opened the door. "Will you do me a favour?"
"Of course I will-I'll do anything I can." Felicity could not hide the eagerness in her voice, her repressed longing to be of help to him must have been apparent both in her tone and her expression. She would have given all if she could but have shared his pain or helped him to bear it, her longing to show the depth of her sympathy tore at her; she had helped to heal his body but she could not hope to be allowed to heal his heart.
"Please dine with my father tonight as was arranged, I don't want him to be disappointed, he has looked forward so much to seeing you again. Make what excuses you wish to cover Alaine and Tony's absence. I don't feel I can face up to things just yet-I'll get along some time this evening, that I promise, but you mustn't wait dinner." He assisted her into the taxi and without awaiting her reply gave the driver his instruction and walked quickly away.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
It was Mackerley who opened the door to Felicity at Guy Brenton's flat, and noting her surprise he quickly explained that he always accompanied the Colonel on his rare visits to London, then, greeting her with obvious pleasure, led her into a large lounge separated from the entrance hall by glass sliding doors. Mackerley relieved her of her coat and addressed her again. "You won't mind waiting a few minutes, Miss? The Colonel will be with you soon, he seemed a bit tired this afternoon and I didn't like to disturb his rest too early."
"I quite understand, and please do tell him not to hurry." As Mackerley turned away Felicity went on. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Brenton asked me to let you know that neither Miss Jason nor my brother will be coming this evening, he also asked you not to wait dinner for him-he may be detained." Felicity hoped that her tone sounded casual. "You see, there will probably only be me, so there is no need for Colonel Brenton to hurry, I don't mind waiting one bit."
At any other time Felicity would have been intrigued to find herself in Guy Brenton's flat, free to look around and to observe all the details which might or might not have reflected the personality of the owner. This evening the emotional upheaval through which she had passed weighed on her and she was only aware of the beauty of the large room and, in contrast to Weir Court, the almost modern style of decoration. The furnishing provided an elegance without any sacrifice of comfort and she could well understand why Alaine had been anxious to make this flat her home in preference to the austere old-worldliness of Weir Court. It was unfortunate that her thoughts had led her back to Alaine; Her deep regret for Guy was inextricably bound up with the joy which Alaine and her brother had found together; her mind was in a turmoil and she scarcely knew whether she were nearer to laughter or tears. Now, viewing the thing quietly, she knew without doubt that what had happened was for the best. The timely hand of Fate had intervened to save Guy a lasting pain and regret far greater than he suffered now. This would pass, she told herself firmly, it was a transient thing, perhaps if she had not interfered, if she had not returned Alaine the ring ... Felicity thrust back the whole vista of possibilities the thought evoked. She had acted in good faith and regrets were useless now. She could only hope that one day Guy would find all the love and happiness he so richly deserved and wipe out forever the memory of his first love which had been rejected.
Wrapped in her own thoughts Felicity had not even noticed Mackerley's re-entrance. "Excuse me, Miss, I'm wondering could you tell me where I could locate Mr. Guy? I've phoned his rooms and the Hospital-it's the Colonel, he doesn't seem well-" He broke off and there was no mistaking the concern in his voice.
"No-I can't help you, I'm afraid I don't know." Felicity had risen to her feet inspired perhaps by her companion's obvious anxiety. "What is the matter? Is he complaining of anything?"
"Not complaining, Miss, oh no!" Mackerley hastened to reassure her, then a troubled note entered his voice again. "Maybe it's the heat, he doesn't feel it so much down at Weir, but it's tiring in town-he looks kind of peaky as you might say. I had quite a job to get him up from his rest this afternoon and it isn't like him to lie abed a moment longer than necessary."
"Do you know the number of Mr. Brenton's Club? Perhaps he is there?" Felicity suggested hopefully. Although not unduly concerned about Mackerley s report she felt that some helpful suggestions were expected of her.
"That's an idea, Miss." Mackerley brightened visibly. "Mr. Guy is the only one what can manage the Colonel, he is that obstinate and I know by rights he should stay in bed, he is thoroughly tired out, that's what he is. I'll look up the number and phone right away."
Such a call would certainly bring Guy back, Felicity knew, and she found herself hoping desperately that Mackerley would succeed in locating him. She realized now how much his absence that evening was hurting her, as if he were deliberately repudiating any comfort her presence might afford. He had preferred to go away alone, had turned his back on her unspoken sympathy. She could well understand that longing for solitude, but even that did not assuage her hurt. How could he know how much she minded? He could not guess that her feelings for him were such that she longed to share not only his happiness but his pain.
"They paged him and all, Miss, but he's not there." Mackerley's disappointment matched her own. "Would you like me to see if I can persuade Colonel Brenton to remain in his room? I suppose I could have my dinner there with him."
"Of course, Miss, that would be most kind of you." Mackerley's relief at being able to share his responsibility knew no bounds and he could scarcely wait for Felicity to rise and follow him and was already half-way along the long corridor leading to the bedrooms before Felicity had caught him up.
"You'd better go in first and make sure that Colonel Brenton has no objection to my intrusion."
"He won't mind, Miss." Mackerley was positively beaming. "The Colonel thinks the world of you, always praising you up to the skies, he is, he took a real liking to you that time down at Weir."
Since there was no reply to Mackerley's discreet knock, he turned the handle and entered. His smothered gasp immediately drew Felicity to his side and looking at Colonel Brenton's figure slumped sideways in his chair, it became obvious why no reply had been forthcoming. Pushing her way unceremoniously past Mackerley who remained aghast in the doorway, Felicity advanced quickly to the sick man's side. Instinctively her fingers felt for his pulse and she turned quickly to her companion. "It's a heart attack-has he had one before? Come here quickly, help me get his head back against this cushion." With her natural ability for dealing with any emergencies, she immediately took command of the situation. "Is there a drug cupboard in the flat, does Mr. Brenton keep anything here?"