The Black Swan (32 page)

Roland looked alarmed and I laughed.

“Oh … that couldn’t apply to you, Roland. But there are people.” I thought of Jean Pascal. I had no doubt of his motives. “My father was a very shrewd man,” I went on, “and his great wish was to protect me. Of course, he hadn’t thought of dying for a long time. In any case, he left everything in what is called a trust. It means that I can’t do anything with the capital. It’s for my children and if I don’t have any it’s for Rebecca’s. So I don’t suppose I could sell Manor Grange without a lot of fuss.”

“I see,” said Roland. “Well, this was just an idea of Phillida’s. And she loves Manor Grange. It is just because she feels there is some resentment. …”

“That will pass. The Emerys are really a wonderful pair. But they have their set of rules and everyone is expected to keep to them.”

“And Phillida has stepped out of line.”

“It was because she brought Kitty into the house without consulting Mrs. Emery. She is the one who expects to engage the staff and she feels it was an affront to her.”

“I wish we’d known.”

“It’s a small matter. She’ll get over it. Oh, it is good to be here. I’m glad I’ve seen you in your Welling Gardens home.”

“Hardly a home. Just a place to sleep in. That’s how Phillida and I regard it. It seems different now you’re here though.”

I smiled happily.

The next day, I kept my promise to Belinda. I took a cab and went to the address she had given me. It was, as she said, a small hotel in Bayswater.

There was a reception desk and I asked there if Mr. Henry Farrell was in. He was not but was expected shortly. I said I would wait.

I was reproaching myself for not having made an appointment with him; but, of course, if I had attempted to do that, there was a possibility that he might have refused to see me.

For ten minutes I sat rehearsing what I would say to him, and I grew more and more convinced that I had been misguided to give way. What sort of man was he? Forceful, I imagined. He had come over here to assert his rights. He was not going to listen to me. The best thing I could do was get up and leave now.

I should have discussed this with Roland, asked his advice. I knew what it would be: don’t interfere. Leave Belinda to sort out her own troubles. Of course, that was what I should have done. But I did care for her … in an odd sort of way. I had really been delighted to see her, as I had thought, settled at last.

While I was ruminating, I heard a voice say: “Mr. Farrell, there’s a lady to see you.”

He came toward me. He was of medium height, his fair hair bleached by the sun, his face clearly showing that he lived in a different climate from ours. He was deeply bronzed which made his eyes look intensely blue. His features were clear cut; and there was an undoubted air of strength about him. He was a pleasant looking young man and I could understand Belinda’s temptation to act recklessly before she realized that there could be a more splendid life ahead of her than one spent in the goldfields.

“Mr. Farrell?” I said, rising.

“Yes,” he said, in a marked Australian accent. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes. I’m Lucie Fitzgerald. I was Lucie Lansdon. I don’t know whether Belinda spoke of me to you.”

“Aw,” he cried. “You’re Lucie.” He took my hand and shook it heartily. “Glad to meet you.”

I found I was liking him.

“So you’ve come to see me?” He looked surprised but pleased.

“Is there somewhere we could talk?”

“Well, there’s a lounge. Pretty quiet this time of day. That might do.”

“Thank you. I should be so glad if you would allow me to talk to you.”

He looked puzzled and led me to the lounge. He was right. It was deserted and I was glad of that.

“Come and sit down,” he said, “and tell me what this is all about.”

We sat in armchairs in a corner of the room and I said, “Belinda came to see me. She is very distressed.”

“So she ought to be.”

“Yes, I know. She told me all about it. It’s a terrible thing she has done.”

He nodded and I was silent, wondering how to go on. He prompted, “What is it you wanted to tell me?”

I hesitated. “You … you see, she was very young.”

“That makes no difference. She was willing enough. She knew what she was doing. She was dead keen. If she’s changed her mind now … well, that’s too bad.”

“I know exactly how you feel.”

“I don’t know why she sent you. What does she want you to do?”

“She didn’t exactly send me. I agreed to come. She told me all about it. She’s very unhappy. She deeply regrets …”

“She’s said all this to me. But she’s my wife and I’m going to take her back with me.”

“Do you think it would work?” I asked. “Could it possibly be a happy marriage in those circumstances?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well … with your insisting while she is reluctant.”

“It’s what is right.”

“Oh yes, I’ve no doubt of that. But what is right does not always make for happiness.”

“Look here, I don’t really see …”

“I know how you feel. I’m interfering. It’s no business of mine.”

“You’re dead right, it’s not.”

“But I do appreciate the fact that you listen to me … even to tell me it’s no business of mine. It’s just that I’m very fond of Belinda. We spent a great deal of our childhood together. There’s a closeness … and she is very unhappy.”

“I tell you, she’s married to me.”

“I know, but if people don’t want to be with you, can you force them to be?”

“Yes,” he said sharply. “You can. She’d change if she came back.”

I shook my head.

“I know her well,” he persisted.

“So do I. Would you let me say something? I do appreciate your seeing me. I do really. It must seem like a dreadful impertinence … and it is in a way.”

“Why don’t you get on with it?”

I said, “Belinda went to the goldfields when she was little more than a child. She was fascinated by the strangeness of it, the novelty. She was happy there for a time, but she had been brought up here and she knew there was a different way of life. I don’t know what happened to your marriage. But it wasn’t exactly idyllic, was it? I mean before all this. Hadn’t you agreed to part?”

“That was in a temper. I admit I’ve got one.”

“You agreed that you’d be better apart.”

He was silent and I continued. “She came over here,” I went on, “right to the other side of the World. All that had happened in Australia seemed remote to her. She put it out of her mind. She met this man. They fell in love and she married him.”

“How could she, when she was married to me?”

“She went through a form of marriage with him. He believes he is married to her. She suits him … and he suits her. There is to be a child.”

“What? She didn’t say.”

“Think of it, Mr. Farrell. I believe you to be a kind and good man.”

He stared at me in amazement. “You don’t know me.”

“I’m a good judge of character and I’ve summed you up.”

A faint smile touched his lips and my spirits rose a little. I believed that the mention of the child had had some effect on him.

I decided to press the point. “Think of the innocent child,” I said. “Are you going to let it be born with the stigma of illegitimacy?”

He continued to stare at me. “What’s that to do with me?” he demanded. “It’s her little bastard, ain’t it? Not mine. She’s married to me. That’s how it is.”

“I know. I know.”

“What is it you’re after?”

“I want to make it right for Belinda … for all of you.”

“Why should you?”

“Because I care about her. You understand that. You care about her, too.”

He was silent.

I went on, “I know she’s treated you badly. She hasn’t always treated me well. But I am fond of her and I believe she has a chance of finding a way of life which will suit her.”

“Yes, Lady Da-de-da.”

“Maybe. But that is what she wants. If you forced her to go back it would be a life of misery for you both. And what about the child?”

“She could have that and leave it here.”

“Mr. Farrell, a mother does not leave her child.”

“Some of them do … and I’ve a notion Belinda might be one of them … if it suited her.”

“I don’t believe that would be so. Well, all right. Break up this happy home. Don’t consider the child at all. Be selfish. There’s a recipe for a happy life for you!”

He smiled at me slowly. “You talk like a lawyer! But, do you know, if I were in a spot of trouble, I’d like you to get me out of it.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I wish you’d take me seriously.”

“I like to hear you talk. Tell me some more. Tell me why she got you to come to me.”

“There is a way out of this,” I said.

“For her?” he asked, with a little quirk of his eyebrows denoting amusement.

“For her, for you and for everyone.”

“Yah?”

“Look. Your marriage is over, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not. It’s binding, ain’t it? You’re married … and it’s forever.”

“Unless you decided to break the bond.”

“Divorce, you mean?”

“I see it this way. There could be a quiet divorce and Belinda could be quickly married to Robert Denver afterward. It could all be done without too much fuss.”

“Divorce,” he repeated incredulously.

“You’ve reason to do this, surely?” I pointed out.

“Reason enough. But … divorce …” He shook his head.

“You’d never have any happiness together,” I pointed out. “What was between you is over.”

“Why should I do this for her, while she treats me as she has?”

“Are you vindictive?”

“What do you mean? I only want my rights.”

“Your rights? What is the good of those without affection, without love …?”

“She was supposed to love me once.”

“She was a child.”

“She’s a selfish little she-devil.”

“Maybe, but she will not love you again. She would always hanker for a life she missed. You’d be better off without her. You’ll probably find someone … out there … someone you’ll love. You could have a wonderful family. In fact, I think that is what you will do.”

“Why should you think that?”

“Because you are a sensible, reasonable man … a good man at heart.”

He burst out laughing. “You certainly know how to get round a chap. Do you know, I’m getting to like you, Lucie.”

“I’m glad, because I’m getting to like you, too.”

“I reckon you’re a good friend to her.”

“I know her well.”

“Then I’m surprised you’re doing all this for her.”

“There, you see! You’re better off without her.”

“No doubt of that.”

“Well, where’s the sense in coming here like this and trying to take her back with you?”

“Well, she’s Belinda, ain’t she? I don’t know what it is about her. She’s as selfish as they come. She’s no good to a chap like me. Yet I want her back. I do, really.”

“You could forget her.”

“I dunno about that.”

“You would, I’m sure. Suppose there was that nice person … loving, tender. Suppose you married and had a family … you’d look back on this and tell yourself what a lucky escape you had had, Mr. Farrell.”

“Henry’s more friendly.”

“Well, Henry, consider this. I ask you very sincerely to think about it. There’s the child.”

“Yes,” he said pensively. “There’s the child.”

“Give her a chance. I really think she could be happy. I think she could make a fresh start. I expect she’s told you about her childhood.”

“A few things.”

“It was a strange thing to happen to a child. And she really wasn’t very happy with the man she thought was her father. He seemed to be against her from the first. That was not good for a child and it affected her. Here is a chance for her. Henry, do give it to her.”

He said nothing for a long time.

Then he remarked, “She’s treated me pretty bad. I don’t see why I should go out of my way to please her.”

“You could do it because you’d be happier that way.”

“Without her, you mean?”

I nodded.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“You could have your revenge, of course. But there’s never much to that. If you would let her go … Will you … will you think about it?”

He stretched out his hand suddenly and took mine. “Yes, Lucie,” he said. “To please you, I’ll think about it.”

“Oh, I’m so pleased you agree to that. I’m sure you’ll see it the right way. May I come and see you again when you have made up your mind?”

He nodded.

“When … tomorrow?”

“You’re not giving me much time, are you?”

“I should love to know this was settled before I went back to the country.”

“I can’t promise. Just because you’ve been talking to me so easy and friendly … well, that don’t mean that I …”

“I know you will agree with me when you think about it.”

“Is there a saying … seem to remember my old Mum talking about … kissing the Blarney Stone?”

“Yes, there is.”

“Does it mean handing out the old flattery?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“I reckon you’ve given a good many kisses to that old stone.”

“No. It’s just that I’ve brought you face-to-face with the logical truth.”

He laughed at me. “How are you getting back, Lucie?” he asked.

“I’ll call a cab.”

“I’ll come and get you one.”

And that was what he did.

I rode back in a state of euphoria. I was certain we were going to win.

I went straight to Celeste’s house where Belinda was impatiently waiting for me. She hurried me up to her bedroom.

“Well?”

“I think he might.”

“Might what?”

“Agree to the annulment … to be carried out quietly.”

“Really! Oh, Lucie, you’re wonderful. I knew you’d do it. It’s that solemn air of yours … like a nanny or a school mistress.”

“He said I was like a lawyer.”

“Yes, that’s it. What did he say?”

“He said you’d treated him badly, which you have, of course.”

She put out the tip of her tongue—that old habit I remembered so well from her childhood.

“Yes, yes,” she said impatiently.

“I told him about the child.” I looked at her suspiciously. “There is a child, isn’t there?”