Gossamer Cord

She was welcomed by the family. The old man came down to dinner and was clearly interested in her. She sat next to Gordon at dinner and she and he seemed to get on well together. They had all seen the miniature I had given Dorabella for her birthday and were impressed by Mary Grace’s work.

Surprisingly Gordon knew a little about art and they had something to talk about; Mary Grace blossomed and seemed to be a different person from the one I had first met.

I was contented. Life seemed to be running smoothly now. Dorabella’s fearful prognostications had proved to be without foundation; Mary Grace was much happier and I could not help feeling a mild self-congratulation on that score, since I had been the one to bring her talent to light. Doing good turns to others gives one such a glow of pleasure. Well, I was contented.

I had not seen Jowan Jermyn since I had come down. In the first days we had been too concerned about the birth to think of anything else; and afterwards there was so much to do with Mary Grace’s arrival. I had simply not had the opportunity of going off alone.

But now there were the sittings and that left me a certain amount of free time.

I did not feel I should go to the field in search of him, for it was hardly likely that he would be there. It was some little time since I had arrived in Cornwall and I had made no attempt to see him. I could not expect him to be there every day just on the chance that I might come.

What a ridiculous state of affairs this feud was! If he could have telephoned to Tregarland’s it would have been so different.

I would just take a ride. The country was always interesting; and at this time of the year there were no visitors, which gave it an added charm.

I rode inland, skirting the Jermyn estate, past woods and fields which were new to me. Every now and then I caught a glimpse of the coastline. It was beautiful on this day. There was a benign touch about the wind which came in from the sea. It was caressing.

I felt pleased with life. Dorabella was well. She had really frightened me with her talk of dreams and making me swear to look after the child who, she was sure, would be motherless.

That was Dorabella. Always looking for drama.

I loved Tristan already. When I went to the nursery Nanny Crabtree would allow me to hold him and he did not protest.

Nanny Crabtree said: “He likes his aunty Violetta, don’t you…little pet?”

He cast on her that inscrutable look which gave him the appearance of a sage. Then he turned his blue stare on me.

“I believe he’s smiling at me,” I said.

“Could be a touch of the wind,” said Nanny Crabtree, taking him from me.

He opened his mouth in protest and she handed him back. He settled in my arms and stared at me. That gesture endeared him more than ever to me. He was mine after that.

I was thinking of this as I rode along.

I was not far from the Jermyn estate when I met Jowan. He was riding a big black horse and saw me from a distance and came riding up.

“Hello!” he cried. “Why haven’t we met till now?”

“Because our paths have not crossed until this moment.”

He gave me a reproachful look.

“I was at the rendezvous.”

“Oh, I am sorry. We’ve had a busy time.”

“I know, of course. The news has come through. A boy. Tristan. A good old Cornish name.”

“That’s what my sister said, and she is keeping in the opera tradition at the same time.”

“Splendid. What about a drink at one of our inns?”

“I’d like to, but I haven’t time now. My sister will be expecting me back.”

He looked disappointed, which gave me a great deal of pleasure.

“I think,” he said, “that you and I should break this foolish habit!”

“You mean…?”

“If I cannot call on you, you must come to my place. Then we won’t have to meet as if by chance or a sort of haphazard arrangement. I am going to invite you to my home. Will you come?”

I hesitated.

“Oh, please. We are not going to allow ourselves to be governed by this silly story which has been going on all this time. We’ll break through it. We’ll scandalize the neighborhood. Come to my home. When shall it be?”

I said: “It would be something which we should undertake with some caution, perhaps.”

“Why? If we are going to kick through restrictions, shouldn’t we do it boldly?”

“I am only a guest here, you know. It is hardly for me to blaze a trail.”

“Do you mean you won’t come?”

“Suppose I came for tea? I could do that without having to make an announcement to the household. I do not understand Mr. Tregarland Senior. I think he might be amused. I am not sure of my sister’s husband, nor Mrs. Lewyth…who, I believe, takes a great pride in the family.”

“And your sister?”

“She would be in full agreement with you. She would think such a visit would be interesting and amusing.”

“Well then. Tomorrow afternoon. Three o’clock? Half past two?”

“Half past two,” I said. “My sister rests at that time. I shall tell her. Then she will not be worried if I don’t get back promptly. She does worry about things like that.”

“For instance at the time of the cliff rescue?”

“Yes, that was certainly one time.”