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'No dear. It was the slightest pain at first, then a sort of breathlessness.
I had a terrible fear of leaving you, my darling child a terrible fear,
as money's nothing if you haven't someone to love you, to take care of
you. That's why I went to the doctor; I had to, had to make sure I
didn't go until you were safely settled in life. Well, you are safely
settled, and as for me --I'm going to live for many years, as I've just
said.'
Ignoring that part of his little speech which referred to her being
safely settled, Vicky asked him if he had had it from the doctor that he
would live for many years yet. He assured her that he had the doctor's
word, going on to say that he would always have to take tablets,
though.
'And you never forget to take them?'
'No, love, never.'
'Yet you were not well when I came into this room, were you?'
'I must admit that I was a little off colour, pet. But look at me now! It's
gone and I'm ready for anything again.'
She did look at him, and was forced to agree with what he had said.
Although she was still greatly troubled she was in some measure
reassured, knowing that he spoke the truth when he said that people
with a heart complaint could live for years if they took the tablets
regularly. He would even be able to lead a normal life, but of course
there would not be any heavy work. He was finished with that
anyway.
'Is your health the reason why you've decided to retire?' she was
asking presently, and he nodded at once.
'Yes, dear, I feel that it's time I gave it over to someone younger and
more energetic.'
'Gave it over?' she repeated questioningly. 'I thought you were
just well, winding everything up, so to speak?'
To her surprise he made no comment on this; in fact, he changed the
subject altogether, referring to the show that was to be held on the
following Saturday.
'Are you all ready for it?' he asked, smiling affectionately at her. 'I
shall be there, with your husband, expecting you to give a good
account of yourself even if you don't win.'
'I don't know if I want to take part,' returned Vicky dejectedly.
'Because of me? Look here, Vicky, just you buck up! Richard won't
be very pleased to see you looking like this.'
She turned away, wishing she could tell him everything.
'I'll enter,' she promised. 'But I don't think I shall win anything.
Louisa might be competing, and it's said that she's a regular winner at
all the shows.'
'Louisa?' he said sharply, frowning. 'Louisa Austin?'
That's right.' Her tone was expressionless. 'She's been in hospital,
though, so she might not be riding.'
His eyes flickered oddly.
'How do you know she's been in hospital?'
'I heard it somewhere,' she answered, adding quickly, 'Trudie was
talking about her the other day. I've told you about Trudie, haven't I ?'
'The friend you've made at the riding-club yes, you have, love.'
She said after a pause,
'Shall I stay with you, Father?'
'I'm busy, dear,' he replied. 'I've such a lot to do, as you can imagine.
Just you go and enjoy yourself over those jumps but be careful,
now! We don't want any broken bones!'
She agreed to leave him, but although she tried to throw off her fears
she found it impossible. Always she recalled those two friends of his,
dying so quickly of heart attacks.
However, once at the club she felt better. She more than satisfied
everyone that she would put up a good show on Saturday, but she was
again warned of the excellent championship results which Louisa
Austin had achieved over the past few years.
'I didn't think she'd be riding,' Vicky heard Trudie say when they were
in the snack bar drinking coffee. 'She's been in hospital, I've heard.'
'That's right, and apparently she shouldn't be riding. But she's a tough
one, that, and has decided to ride after all.' This Came from another
young member of the club, Belinda Stowe, who was sitting on the
stool next to Trudie. 'It's to be hoped she doesn't drive herself too
hard, but if the competition's keen she certainly will drive herself, and
the poor horse.'
Vicky listened to this, but it did not register too deeply. Little did she
know that it was to register very deeply on the day of the show.
When she got back to the Manor Richard was by the paddock,
chatting with one of the gardeners. He turned, sliding his eyes over
her as she rode up, then took the bridle from her as she swung lightly
from the saddle.
'Did you have a good ride?' he asked, beginning to unsaddle the horse.
'Yes, thank you, Richard.' The gardener had wandered away but she
spoke civilly, just in case her voice should carry. 'It was marvellous.'
'Do you think you'll have a chance of winning on Saturday?'
The gardener was now out of earshot, she noticed. He was making for
the rear garden where the vegetable plots were.
'Your girl-friend's riding, so I don't expect I have a chance.'
Richard seemed to wince at her coldly-spoken words.
'Need you adopt that attitude, Vicky?' he began. 'I've decided that we
should talk, my dear.'
'If you think that you can exonerate yourself then you must think I'm a
complete fool!'
'You're a fool if you don't listen to me.'
'I'd expect to hear nothing but lies.'
Richard's face paled a little, with anger.
'I warned you to take care, Vicky.'
'What more can you do to me?' she challenged.
The grey eyes darkened, dangerously.
'There are many things I could do to you,' he told her pointedly. 'At
present I'm trying to be patient. In fact, it's not possible that I can be
otherwise in certain matters. But with you, Vicky, I'm liable to lose
my temper, and if I do then I shan't be responsible for my actions.'
'Are you threatening me with violence, Richard?,' How cool and
composed she was! But she had grown up all at once, and in addition
she no longer felt inferior. In social status he might be on a higher
level than she, but in uprightness and honesty of purpose he was very
much lower.
'Don't be melodramatic!' chided Richard.
'Well, it seems to me that it's violence you're threatening me with.
You speak of losing your temper ...' She was talking to herself, for
Richard, with a look of wrathful censure in his eyes, had turned from
her and was striding away towards the house.
Dinner was a silent meal, as was to be expected, and Vicky went to
bed without even saying goodnight to her husband. The next day she
lunched with John in Buxton, at an hotel. When she arrived home it [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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