"As you say, Colonel-you always get your way in the end, and now I'm learning that it saves a lot of trouble to give in at the start!" She smiled at him affectionately, then went in search of Mackerley. In a moment or two she was back again empty-handed. "He won't even let me bring the tray. Says he doesn't mind me handling tea and coffee but the port is far too precious to be entrusted to the like of me. I suppose he imagines that as a mere member of the weaker sex I'd shake well before serving!"
"Habit might prove too strong!" he rejoined, then with an air of complete contentment, settled back against his pillow. "Lovely day, makes me feel I'd like to be down at the stream with a rod in my hand."
"I don't see why you shouldn't start fishing again pretty soon. It isn't strenuous, you could take the walk slowly and I'm very good at selecting the appropriate fly."
"You are in fact a very well brought up young lady." He smiled at her and beneath his shaggy brows his eyes were alight with laughter. "Frampton trained you well. Is there anything you can't do?"
"Quite a lot," Felicity countered. "It all depends upon one's standards of requirements. You see riding, golfing, fishing and playing a fair game of chess aren't really valuable accomplishments. I had reason to find that out when I was faced with earning a living."
"That reminds me, I owe you half a crown, but I'll win it back tonight. No young woman is going to beat me at chess," he threatened with mock resentment.
There was an interruption as Mackerley, with almost exaggerated care, placed the tray of biscuits and decanter on a low table between their chairs, then, as if performing a solemn rite, carefully filled two crystal glasses. He even waited until Colonel Brenton had taken the first sip, then, satisfied by his smile of appreciation that all was well, made his departure.
"Is that a letter from California?" Colonel Brenton asked as he set down his glass. "The newlyweds certainly write you regularly. What's the news, is all well?"
"It's better than well, it's terrific! They seem ideally happy. Alaine loves the life out there and has even refused Tony's suggestion that she might like to return to film work. Tony wrote me that he felt it only fair to make the offer but I think he was relieved when she refused."
"I saw it from the first-those two were cut out for one another." Colonel Brenton's words did not appear to be directly addressing Felicity. "Their marriage was a foregone conclusion, it couldn't have happened any other way."
"You mean you weren't shocked or surprised at what happened?" There was a note of amazement in Felicity's voice. "I had never dreamed of such a possibility. After all, the date of Alaine's marriage to Guy was already fixed." It was the first time the subject had been broached between them and Felicity felt not only interested but curious to hear her companion's view.
"I knew a day or so after your brother arrived here. Never have I seen two people more attuned to one another. Guy could never have made her happy, she believed she cared for him but she was not yet awake, and their marriage would ultimately have crushed them both."
Felicity remained silent, deeply aware of the truth of her companion's assertion, but that he should have guessed at the growing attachment between Alaine and her brother was something which amazed her.
Resting his glass on the low table, Colonel Brenton went on. "Alaine seemed to change in Tony's company, she was herself, all artifice fell from her; that egotistical streak was no longer apparent and she became a warm-hearted, lovable girl."
The picture became clearer. At the time she had been blind, perhaps wilfully, but feeling that some comment was expected of her, she spoke. "I believe you are right-"
"I knew I was right, otherwise I should not have acted as I did. It's ticklish a matter-even for a man of my age-to meddle with affairs of the heart, but I had to make those two face facts squarely; if Tony had returned to California and left Alaine here it would have been a calamity. Three lives broken just through a mistaken sense of honour."
"You mean-" Felicity broke off, fearful of putting her thoughts into words and uncertain whether she had perhaps misunderstood.
"Yes, I deliberately pushed them together." His eyes twinkled. "I suppose my action doesn't conform to your ideals of right and wrong. I've seen too many broken marriages and you must realize I wasn't wholly disinterested, my son s welfare means so much to me and a moment's heartache is better than a lifetime of regrets. Anyway, it probably hurt his pride more than anything else. Although he pretends to avoid the subject, he is really quite interested in your news from California. He never asks outright but is always digging for information and I know that what I have been able to tell him of Alaine has afforded him infinite satisfaction."
"I can see now that you were right." Felicity spoke slowly as she tried to adjust her mind to this revelation. "I agree with you that Guy gives every appearance of having got over the loss of Alaine, but he did love her, I'm sure he did."
"Possibly, but there are so many qualities and shade of that much abused word," he reminded her wisely and now his eyes sought hers. Their expression was inscrutable but there was no mistaking their affection.
"Guy knows little or nothing about women and, between you and me, he is more than a little scared of them. He would never have taken the slightest notice of Alaine if she hadn't made him, and finding himself for the first time in his life on really intimate terms with a girl, he imagined himself in love." The old man chuckled reminiscently. "I'll never forget the first time he brought her down to Weir, he still seemed dazed from her shock tactics."
"Enjoyed your port, sir?" Mackerley making his appearance on the terrace, picked up the tray. "It's the last bottle of this vintage, must save a drop for Mr. Guy tonight, he appreciates a good port."
"Tonight? Is he coming down this week-end?" the Colonel questioned with obvious pleasure.
"He just phoned, sir, getting down this afternoon for tea," Mackerley replied. "Hasn't been here for close on ten days now, he'll see a big change-and be pleased about it, I'll warrant," he remarked as he gazed approvingly at his master. "I reckon you've made wonderful headway and put on a bit of weight, too!"
"Hardly surprising with this conspiracy of yours and Nurse Dene's to feed me at every hour of the day!" he grumbled, but it was obvious that his words had no effect upon either Felicity or his old batman other than to reduce them to laughter.
"Felicity dear, pass me my paper."
Placing the morning papers on his lap she carefully polished his spectacles and laid them on top. "Now is there anything else you want? I think I'll go for a stroll, otherwise I'll have Mackerley telling me I've put on weight too!"
"That's right, my dear, you have a stroll ... and get some colour into your cheeks or I'll have Guy telling me I'm overworking you."
The reminder of Guy's imminent arrival renewed Felicity's first feeling of consternation and sent a flush to her cheeks.
"You are in love with Guy, aren't you?"
The direct question was so shattering that Felicity dropped back into her chair and put her hands to her face as if she would conceal her heightened colour. "I-I don't know what you mean," she faltered, miserably conscious of those brown eyes now twinkling at her with silent laughter.
"Of course you do!" her companion insisted. "It would be an insult to me if you denied it. After all Guy is my son and I am told that he closely resembles me," he jested.
Bereft of words Felicity could only stare at her companion in unhappy bewilderment. The blush had now receded and she had to grip her hands tightly together in her lap to control their trembling.
"I believe-no, I think I know that Guy returns your feelings, and there is nothing in the world that would please me more than that he should find happiness with you." There was no hint of laughter in his voice as he leaned forward and put his hand gently over Felicity's as they rested clasped in her lap. "Has it surprised you that I should speak so frankly? You, too, have come to mean so much to me..." His voice had become unsteady and for the first time since he had commenced speaking, he showed same doubt and uncertainty.