The Black Swan

“Well, let us get some sleep. We’ve plenty of time to talk later on.”

She kissed me good night, and to my surprise, I slept through the night without waking.

There was certainly something comforting about being with Rebecca.

The days began to speed past. I spent a good deal of time with the children. Rebecca and I went riding together and visited some of the people on the neighboring farms. There was always a welcome and we were generally given refreshments-usually homemade cider and home-baked cakes, which it would have been churlish to refuse.

Rebecca loved the country life; but then, of course, she had Pedrek and the children. She had admitted that she had discussed my affairs with Pedrek and he thought that Roland-and his sister-would be just right for me. In fact, the more I saw of the family life Pedrek and Rebecca enjoyed, the more I came to believe that the best thing I could do was marry Roland.

I liked Roland. I loved Roland, I supposed. I realized how desolate I should be if I never saw him again. It was brought home to me how much I enjoyed his and his sister’s company. Phillida could always make me laugh and it was indeed a fact that when I was with them I could more easily forget the past than at any other time. I had been romantically in love with Joel, but I had been young and inexperienced then; and although I might not be so very much older now, I had known such tragedy as few are made to face, and that must inevitably force me into maturity. Rebecca and I discussed the future constantly. We went over the same ground again and again; but Rebecca did not mind. What she wanted most was to find the right solution and I realized she had made up her mind that it was marriage with Roland. I knew she was looking into the future and she saw me in a cozy home with Roland and Phillida... and children. Rebecca was a great believer in the solace that children could bring.

And so the days passed and I began to believe that she was right; and by the time I left Cornwall I had made up my mind.

I would marry Roland.

I went back to Manor Grange and I had only been there a few days when Roland and Phillida came down. They had had a trying time in Yorkshire, they told me; and they were delighted to be back in the South.

When I told Roland I would marry him, he looked so happy that my spirits were lifted.

He held me tightly in his arms and kissed me tenderly.

“I want to tell Phillida first, Lucie,” he said.

We went to her room. He knocked and we stood on the threshold hand in hand. I saw her eyes light up with joy.

“It’s true!” she cried. “It’s really true!”

She flew at me and hugged me.

“I’m so excited!” she cried. “I’ve been so terribly afraid. Oh, Roland, isn’t it wonderful? Now there’ll be three of us.” She stopped and released me, her face grave. “There will be, won’t there? But... perhaps you won’t want me. Two’s company, three’s a crowd....”

“What nonsense!” I said indignantly. “We’re no ordinary three.”

“No, we’re us!” She kissed me again and her jubilation delighted me.

“Phillida has been a little anxious,” explained Roland.

“Anxious!” she said. “I was terrified. I was afraid you were going to pass over the chance of a lifetime and refuse the most wonderful man in the world.”

“Phillida,” protested Roland with a little laugh.

“Well, it’s true. And who should know better than I? Oh, Lucie, I’m so happy. You must forgive my being a little silly. I am like that when I am happy. But I know this is going to be the most wonderful thing that could happen. We missed you so much in Yorkshire. I said to Roland, ‘It isn’t the same without Lucie. Something’s missing.’ And of course I was right. Lucie was missing. Are you sure you’ll want me with you? I shan’t spoil it, shall I? Oh, I do hope ...”

I laughed at her with Roland. “Of course we shall want you,” I said. “It wouldn’t be the same... without Phillida.”

The news was out. Mrs. Emery thought it would be “very suitable.”

“I hope you’ll be living at Manor Grange, Miss Lucie,” she said. “I don’t know. We haven’t made arrangements yet ... but rest assured I shall keep Manor Grange just as it is.”

Celeste was delighted. I had written to her and my letter brought her hurrying down.

“I’m so pleased for you, Lucie,” she said. “It really is the best thing possible.

You have to put everything that has happened behind you.”

“It’s what Rebecca tells me.”

“You’ll start a new life. You’ll be happy, I know. Roland is such a good, kind man.” She spoke wistfully. I wondered whether, when she thought of my father, she remembered the years of frustration and loneliness she had endured. Poor Celeste, I wished she too could find happiness.

It was to be a quiet wedding. We did not want a renewal of that publicity which Belinda’s wedding had provoked.

“It is too soon after everything,” said Celeste. “It was different with Belinda. She wasn’t so close to your father. But I realized that was a mistake and should have been done more quietly.”