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against the chair and gazed pensively into the fire. 'This time tomorrow,' she murmured at length, 'we'll be in Cyprus.' 'We'll be home,' Adrian, relaxing contentedly in the big armchair, smiled lovingly down at her. 'I'm beginning to wonder whether I should have brought you here. You're so sad at leaving.' 'Not sad ... but I've been so blissfully happy ' She moved, resting her head against his knee; his hand came down on to her shoulder. 'Naturally I feel regret. You must do-too?' 'That goes without saying, but we've a wonderful memory to take with us - and there's no reason why we shouldn't spend another holiday here some time.' 'Oh, can we? I never thought of that.' The prospect took away the little weight that had settled upon her, lightening her dejection at the thought of leaving. 'Certainly we can - and will, if it means so much to you. Well have a second honeymoon. Will that suit you?' A quizzical, teasing note in his voice, but something else in his tone convinced her that he too would look forward to coming back. She didn't answer his question, but asked one herself instead. 'Adrian, do you believe in atmospheres - in houses, I mean?' He did not speak for a moment, but sat gazing into the fire, his hand gently caressing her hair. 'Some day I hope you'll meet Nain. I think she's responsible for the atmosphere here. She seems to throw off love - you can't escape it.' Mary turned her head sharply, realizing for the first time just how little she knew her husband. She recalled the photograph on his mother's sideboard, and her own mental image of his character. Hard, she had branded him, and unfeeling; a man to scoff at sentimentality in any form whatever. 'Menna, too, is a rather wonderful person, very like her grandmother.' He turned a tender glance upon his wife, and Mary caught her breath as happiness surged up within her. Would die ever cease to be thrilled by that particular manifestation of his love? 'And now,' she murmured, reaching up to cover his hand, 'you and I have added more love to the atmosphere.' She spoke solemnly, though her voice reflected all her happiness. 'I'm so grateful to you for bringing me here. When you said we were coming into Wales I pictured a hotel, at a crowded seaside resort ' 'With sniggering room-maids and the usual amused and covert glances from our fellow guests?' He shook his head emphatically. 'That was not for us, Mary. Besides, I wanted you to myself. Do you realize we haven't seen another human being for almost a week?' 'And I haven't missed them in the least.' 'I should hope not,' in tones of mock indignation. 'I should be a poor sort of bridegroom if you had!' By eight o'clock the following morning they were on their way, driving through the mountains in a thick haze of purple mist. It clung to Bala and hovered in the valleys, persisting throughout the first half of the journey. 'It's upset my calculations,' Adrian said with some anxiety when at last he was able to increase his speed. 'We'll not have to waste much time at Mother's or we'll miss the plane.' It had been arranged that the hired car should be left at The Wardens, to be collected later. They would then drive to the airport in Josie's car. As it was necessary for Josie to accompany than, in order to bring back the car, Mrs. Stanning had said she might as well go too, and see them off. 'There isn't much to do,' Mary said reassuringly. We've only to pick up the clothes we left behind.' These were what she and Adrian had worn before the wedding, and Mary surmised that they would be all ready and packed in a suitcase. 'And transfer this luggage into Josie's car.' 'Oh, yes, I'd forgotten that.' 'We haven't a great deal of time, Mother,' Adrian said immediately they arrived. He glanced at the suitcase by the door in the hall. 'Is everything in there ?' 'No, dear. Mary's things are upstairs - I was just going to bring the case down.' She paused uncertainly. 'It's the leather one ' 'Too much weight. Can't Mary's things go in there?' 'That's quite full, Adrian.' 'Perhaps I don't need them,' Mary put in, her brow furrowing as she tried to remember what she had left behind. 'Shall I go up and see? If there are one or two things I need they might go in the other case - the one I have in the car.' 'Yes, do that, and be as quick as you can.' His voice was abrupt; Mary knew he was anxious, for if they didn't catch the plane he would miss an important appointment with one of his most valued customers. 'Leave as much as you can; Mother will send it on later. I'll go and put the other luggage in Josie's car.' He glanced round. 'Where is Josie?' 'On the telephone - talking to one of her boy-friends. She'll be finished directly.' She hesitated. 'There's a meal on, Adrian, it's quite ready ' But Adrian was shaking his head. He glanced apologetically at Mary, who was already making for the stairs. 'We can eat on the plane. All right?' 'Of course.' She expected to find the suitcase in the room she usually occupied; when it wasn't there Mary called to Mrs. Stanning. Unable to make herself heard, she at last went downstairs again, finding her mother-in-law in the kitchen, hastily making a cup of tea. 'Oh, it's in Adrian's room,' she apologized when Mary said she couldn't find the suitcase. 'On the bed, dear.' Mary sped away again. She knew which was Adrian's old room, though she had never been in it. It was very similar to the one she had used, having the same view, but it was slightly larger and off it was what appeared to be a small dressing-room, though Mary couldn't be sure, for the door was almost closed. It was a beautifully furnished room, with thick carpet on the floor, matching that on the hall and stairs. The suitcase was on the bed, but even before Mary had opened it, she turned again, smiling as Mrs. Stanning came into the room. 'You shouldn't have bothered coming up,' she said. 'I can manage.' [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |