Читать книгу Overture to Death - Ngaio Marsh, Stella Duffy - Страница 17

The meeting broke up. Henry went to Dinah who had moved over to the fire.

‘Ructions!’ he said under his breath.

‘Awful!’ agreed Dinah. ‘You’d hardly believe it possible, would you?’

They smiled secretly and when the others crowded about Dinah, asking if they could have their parts before Monday, what sort of clothes would be needed and whether she thought they would be all right, neither she nor Henry minded very much. It did not matter to them that they were unable to speak to each other, for their thoughts went forward to the morning, and their hearts trembled with happiness. They were isolated by their youth, two scatheless figures. It would have seemed impossible to them that their love for each other could hold reflection, however faint, of the emotions that drew Dr Templett to Selia Ross, or those two ageing women to the rector. They would not have believed that there was a reverse side to love, or that the twin-opposites of love lay dormant in their own hearts. Nor were they to guess that never again, as long as they lived, would they know the rapturous expectancy that now possessed them.

Miss Prentice and Miss Campanula carefully avoided each other, Miss Prentice had seized her opportunity and had cornered Mr Copeland. She could be heard offering flowers from the Pen Cuckoo greenhouses for a special service next Sunday. Miss Campanula had tackled Jocelyn about some enormity committed on her property by the local fox-hounds. Dr Templett, a keen follower of hounds, was lugged into the controversy. Mrs Ross was therefore left alone. She stood a little to one side, completely relaxed, her head slanted, a half-smile on her lips. The squire looked over Idris Campanula’s shoulder, and caught that half-smile.

‘Can’t have that sort of thing,’ he said vaguely. ‘I’ll have a word with Appleby. Will you forgive me? I just want –’

He escaped thankfully and joined Mrs Ross. She welcomed him with an air that flattered him. Her eyes brightened and her smile was intimate. It was years since any woman had smiled in that way at Jocelyn, and he responded with Edwardian gallantry. His hand went to his moustache and his eyes brightened.

‘You know, you’re a very alarming person,’ said Jocelyn.

‘Now what precisely do you mean by that?’ asked Mrs Ross.

He was delighted. This was the way a conversation with a pretty woman ought to start. Forgotten phrases returned to his lips, waggishly nonsensical phrases that one uttered with just the right air of significance. One laughed a good deal and let her know one noticed how damned well-turned-out she was.

‘I see that we have a most important scene together,’ said Jocelyn, ‘and I shall insist on a private rehearsal.’

‘I don’t know that I shall agree to that,’ said Selia Ross.

‘Oh, come now, it’s perfectly safe.’

‘Why?’

‘Because you are to be the very charming lady who has lost her memory. Ha, ha, ha! Damn’ convenient, what!’ shouted Jocelyn, wondering if this remark was as daring as it sounded. Mrs Ross laughed very heartily and the squire glanced in a gratified manner round the room, and encountered the astonished gaze of his son.

‘This’ll show Henry,’ thought Jocelyn. ‘These modern pups don’t know how to flirt with an attractive woman.’ But there was an unmistakably sardonic glint in Henry’s eye, and the squire, slightly shaken, turned back to Mrs Ross. She still looked roguishly expectant and he thought, ‘Anyway, if Henry’s noticed her, he’ll know I’m doing pretty well.’ And then Dr Templett managed to escape Miss Campanula and joined them.

‘Well, Selia,’ he said, ‘if you’re ready I think I’d better take you home.’

‘Doesn’t like me talking to her!’ thought the squire in triumph. ‘The little man’s jealous.’

When Mrs Ross silently gave him her hand, he deliberately squeezed it.

‘Au revoir,’ he said. ‘This is your first visit to Pen Cuckoo, isn’t it? Don’t let it be the last.’

‘I shouldn’t be here at all,’ she answered. ‘There have been no official calls, you know.’

Jocelyn made a slightly silly gesture and bowed.

‘We’ll waive all that sort of nonsense,’ he said. ‘Ha, ha, ha!’

Mrs Ross turned to say good-bye to Eleanor Prentice.

‘I have just told your cousin,’ she said, ‘that I’ve no business here. We haven’t exchanged calls, have we?’

If Miss Prentice was at all taken aback, she did not show it. She gave her musical laugh and said, ‘I’m afraid I am very remiss about these things.’

‘Miss Campanula hasn’t called on me either,’ said Mrs Ross. ‘You must come together. Goodbye.’

‘Goodbye, everybody,’ said Mrs Ross.

‘I’ll see you to your car,’ said the squire. ‘Henry!’

Henry hastened to the door. Jocelyn escorted Mrs Ross out of the room and, as Dr Templett followed them, the rector shouted after them:

‘Just a minute, Templett. About the youngest Cain.’

‘Oh, yes. Silly little fool! Look here, rector –’

‘I’ll come out with you,’ said the rector.

Henry followed and shut the door behind them.

‘Well!’ said Miss Campanula. ‘Well!’

‘Isn’t it?’ said Miss Prentice. ‘Isn’t it?’