Time for Silence

“Oh, yes,” she said. “I can give you Marcus’s address. He won’t be in the country just now. He’ll be in London. He’s taken a house temporarily but I believe he often goes to the country for weekends…when he can get away. Or he might go to the Denvers’. There is all this preparation for the wedding. I think they are all very pleased about it, and it will be good to see Annabelinda settled. Let me get the address for you.”

Aunt Hester was a very practical woman without much imagination, and such people can be very useful at times. She did not ask any awkward questions as some might have done, and very soon I was on my way to Marcus’s London address.

I could not hope that I should find him there and I did not, so I left a note asking him to get in touch with me immediately and tell me when I could see him, as I had something for him that I believed was urgent.

It was about five in the afternoon when he called at the house. My father was not at home, so I could see him without any questions being asked.

I received him in the drawing room and I could not suppress a certain exhilaration as he came into the room. He looked even more handsome than I remembered, and his slight limp did not make him less attractive. He looked at me as though I were the one person in the world whom he most wanted to see.

“Lucinda!” he said. “What a pleasure to see you! I can’t tell you how delighted I was to receive your note.”

“I’m so glad you came. I’ve been rather anxious about this.”

He looked gravely concerned and I told him what had happened. I was amazed how calmly he received the information.

“And this is the letter I have for you.”

He took it, glanced at it and put it into his pocket.

“I believe it is very urgent,” I said. “Miss Emma Johns was rather upset.”

“I understand,” he said. “I will deal with it at once.”

“Then I had better not keep you.”

He looked distressed and I reminded myself that this did not mean he wanted to be with me so much. It was all playacting. I should never allow myself to be so deceived again.

“And how are you, Lucinda?” he said.

“Well, thank you, and I see you have recovered your health.”

“Yes, but they won’t let me go out again. I’m stuck here in London.”

“There are many, I daresay, who are pleased about that.”

“Does that include you, Lucinda?”

“Naturally, one likes to think one’s friends are in comparative safety.”

“And I hear you have Robert Denver with you.”

“Yes. He has a leg wound, too.”

“Which you are hoping will keep him in comparative safety?”

“Of course.”

“He’s a noble hero, isn’t he?”

“He is very brave and I am glad that his bravery has been recognized.”

“It is always good when people get their desserts.” He grimaced slightly, and I could not help smiling.

“I think that letter needs your immediate attention,” I said.

“Would you excuse me if I read it now?”

“I think you should do that.”

He sat down and slit the envelope. I watched him as he read.

His expression remained impassive. I did not know what he was feeling. He was a superb actor.

“If you feel you should leave…”

“How understanding you are! I think I must leave. It is disappointing that our meeting should be so brief.” He took my hands and looked searchingly into my face. “But we shall meet again…often. It has been so long.”

“You are going to be busy,” I reminded him. “Weddings need much preparation.”

“I often think of you, Lucinda.”

“Oh, do you? Well, I wish you happiness, and I hope everything goes as you wish.”

There was no mistaking his show of reluctance at leaving, and I wondered how much of it was genuine.

I was very disturbed. All that day I could not stop myself from thinking of him and his affairs.

The next morning I called at the Maida Vale address. Miss Emma Johns opened the door and invited me in.

“It was so good of you,” she said. “I knew that I could trust you to do all that should be done.”

“I am sure he will come,” I said.

“Oh, he came last night.”

“It must have been just after I gave him the letter. I discovered his address through my aunt, and I went at once to see him.”

“Thank you. Thank you. I can’t tell you what happiness his visit brought to Janet. She’ll the peacefully now. He saw the children, too. He’s always been good to them. He has assured her that everything will be all right. Their future is taken care of and there is nothing for us to worry about. He is such a good man…a dear man. I don’t know how to thank you, Miss Greenham. I knew you’d help. I knew I shouldn’t have to worry if I could see you and explain.”

“I am so pleased I was able to be of use.”

“Janet’s sleeping peacefully now. She blessed him and said she hoped he’d be happy in his marriage. She said his bride was the luckiest woman in the world. Poor Janet, she did love him so much. He was wonderful with her. I heard her laughing. I know now she’ll die happy. She knows he still cares for her and she always understood how it had to be. Thank you again, Miss Greenham, for all you have done.”

“It was really very little.”

“You’ll never know how much.”