The Judas Kiss (2 page)

If it was suggested to him that their semi-detached mode of existence might lead them into trouble, he would say such a thing was less likely than if they went off by them selves into some big town. "Sunbay" was one of the few larger houses in the village of Beckford, a mile or so from the sea and about midway between Felixstowe and Aideburgh on the Suffolk coast. He was proud of his arrangement. He pointed out that the day of big residences was past, but there would never be any difficulty in finding tenants for his sectional homes.

The news of his second marriage had come as a shock to his children. While their mother had been alive she had been keenly interested in the Church and all the local activities. When she died their father had gradually dropped them. But it had never occurred to them that he might start a new life of his own. Perhaps they did not realise that his theories of independence might apply to himself as well as to them.

When they met at meal-times, which they generally did, though a message to Nan always brought them a breakfast tray if they wished it, they discussed the matter over and over again. But it was several days before they heard any thing further. Then came a telegram from Paris, 'Returning Friday for dinner. Love. George and Adelaide.'

"Hardly calls for the fatted calf," Jasper commented. "What is the appropriate dish for the prodigal father, Garnie?"

"Ewe mutton," Emerald answered for him.

"Being Friday I would prefer fish," Garnet said, "but I realise it is a special occasion."

"Indeed it is!" Pearl cried. "We must get something jolly good. Let us ask Nan."

When summoned and informed of the impending arrival, Nan told them in her unemotional way she could secure a goose.

"I do not like that idea at all," Jasper said. "It is too suggestive. A pair of ducks would be far more appropriate. Besides, the parent likes duck almost as much as I do."

So that was settled. Pearl busied herself with special flowers and decorations and conspired with Nan to make a cake with almond icing and much sugar ornamentation. Jasper thought champagne the most essential thing and was pleased to find his father's cellar possessed a few bottles. Emerald kept aloof as though disapproving of the whole affair.

At length the great day arrived. They were all excited and a new point arose.

"Where and how do we receive them?" Garnet asked.

"We shall be in the lounge and Nan will announce them," Emerald said.

"The Dad announced in his own home!" Jasper objected. "Don't be daft. He will just walk in."

"I do not know what you others will do," Pearl declared. "I shall be waiting for them at the gate."

In the end that is what they all did. And they got the surprise of their life. The newly-weds arrived from London by car. When it pulled tip, their father sprang out, bronzed and far fitter than when they had last seen him. He turned to assist his companion to alight. A young woman, little older than themselves, and more lovely than anyone they had ever before beheld.

"This is Adelaide," he said.

There was a moment's pause. She was so unlike anything they had expected. Then Pearl sprang forward and threw her arms round his neck and kissed him.

"Welcome home, Daddy. I hope you will both be very happy."

"Thank you," he laughed. "Adelaide, this is Pearl, our baby."

Adelaide took her hands, drew her forward and kissed her. "I thank you too," she said softly.

The ice thus broken, Emerald kissed her father and turned a cold cheek for her stepmother's caress.

"This is Garnet," said the father, gripping the hand of his first-born. "He is a shining light and an example for all of us.

"I do not think I have ever kissed a clergyman," Adelaide smiled. "May I?" She did.

"Jasper, our artistic hope."

Jasper did not wait to be asked. He pressed a kiss on each cheek.

"Welcome indeed!" he said.

Then, chatting and laughing, they passed into the house. Emerald, asserting her position as hostess, was it for the last time?, said: "Dinner will be ready in half an hour. Will you have a drink and then do any changing you want to?"

Jasper came forward with the sherry and proposed an appropriate toast.

It was not until they were seated at the table that they were really able to take stock of the new arrival. She was every bit as beautiful as they had at first thought. She had real golden hair, with delightful waves the girls could appreciate, a flawless skin, eyes of the deepest grey, small features and a pretty mouth that enclosed perfect teeth. The only notable sign of make-up was the vivid lip-stick that gave an air of sophistication to an expression otherwise almost incredibly innocent. A pearl necklace and a diamond bracelet were her only ornaments, other than her wedding ring.

Nan was introduced when she brought in the food. Adelaide got up and shook hands with her, saying she had heard how good she was to all of them.

After some delicious soup there were fried fillets of sole done to a turn. Conversation was at first spasmodic and trivial, but when Jasper got busy with the champagne their tongues were loosened.

"Where did you get married?" Emerald enquired. "Why did you not ask us to the wedding?"

"It was all rather hurried," Adelaide smiled. "You see, George was impatient to get home and we wanted to spend a few days in Paris."

"Where was it?" the girl repeated.

"In the Cathedral at St. Malo, but it was very quiet. I have few relations."

"I know an art dealer in St. Malo," Jasper said. "He must be a genius; he sold a picture of mine." It was a fact he liked to proclaim.

"An appreciative genius," was the reply. "Who is he?"

"His name is Lanier., He has a little shop near the Cathedral."

"I do not know him, though I worked for a time in St. Malo. Before that I was in Dinard."

"That is a spot you should see, my boy," his father said. "There is a service of little boats they call videttes between the two places. It is well-named the Emerald Coast because the sea is such a clear and wonderful green. You ought to have eyes like that, my dear," he added to his older daughter. "But I prefer them as they are. Jasper might do some good pictures there."

"Is that your line?" Adelaide asked.

"Definitely not," Jasper said. "I do figures, but I am experimenting in what you might call abstract subjects."

"You must let me see them," she said. "You all seem so wonderfully clever to me. You, I believe, are a writer," she added to Emerald.

"So far, unlike Jasper, without a patron, or a publisher," was the reply.

"She has had a lot of jolly good articles and stories in local papers," Pearl said, speaking up for her. "And her book, when she finishes it, ought to be a winner."

"I am writing it in collaboration with a friend," Emerald said, "so if it does appear the credit will be partly his."

"I always wonder how collaborators work," Adelaide commented. "Do they write alternate chapters or does one do the descriptions and the other the dialogue?"

"It is a matter of arrangement," Emerald replied rather coldly.

Garnet had been very silent. He hardly dared to look at his astonishing stepmother. He felt he ought to show his disapproval of that daring neck line. But she did not spare him.

"Is this your parish?" she asked him.

"No," he said. "I am an assistant priest at Torbury, the next village."

"The vicar," Pearl added, "Mr. Forbes Fortescue, ought really to retire. He leaves all the work to Garnie."

"Except the preaching," Jasper added silly. "The old boy still likes to talk on Sundays, doesn't he, Garnie? The same sermons he has used for years."

Garnet looked embarrassed, but his father gave the talk a new turn.

"Who made that gorgeous cake?" he asked, indicating the elaborate confection in the centre of the table.

"I did," Pearl blushed.

"It looks more than tempting, but after all we have had I doubt if we can tackle it." The ducks had been appreciated.

"But you and, and Adelaide, must cut it, even if you only eat a crumb. Nan helped with the mixture, so it should be all right."

"Of course we will," Adelaide laughed. "I said it was a wonderful family. A clergyman, a writer, an artist and a sculptor in sugar. How I envy you all!"

One of her decidedly lesser charms was her quaint way of licking her lips, poking out her pointed little tongue after she had made a remark. Her comment on their talents gave Emerald a chance for which she had been waiting.

"What did you do before you married?" she asked.

"Me? I hope you will not be ashamed of me. I worked in a perfumier's shop. That is where George found me."

"What was he doing in a perfumier's shop?" Jasper grinned.

"I went to get a hair-cut," his father said. "When I left the execution chair I saw the loveliest, I saw Adelaide. I could not think what to say to her, but I had to say some thing. I asked her if she thought I would look better with a beard."

"I said decidedly not," she smiled, "and I sold him some lotion to use after shaving."

"Which I still have, unused," he chuckled. "But I went back every day for something. And that is how it happened."

They all laughed. "Modern love potions," Jasper murmured.

Emerald asked "Were you born in France? Your English is perfect."

"I was born in England but my mother was French. My father was killed in the Normandy landing and after that we went to live there. My mother died, but my English was useful in getting a job where most of the visitors are English or American."

Taken altogether it was a happy meal. It concluded with the cutting of the cake by the bridal pair with a large knife. Pearl was deservedly congratulated on her achievement.

After that, they adjourned to the lounge. Emerald asked Adelaide if she could sing, hoping perhaps to find a fault somewhere.

"I would not be so unkind," was the smiling reply. "I do play a little."

They pressed her to do so. They had a good piano and she rendered some pieces by Grieg and Chopin really well. Pearl, who had a pleasing voice, sang a couple of songs and then George insisted that he and Adelaide must retire as they had had a very long day.

"Well, what do you think of her?" Emerald asked, when the four were at last alone.

"The parent has picked a perfect peach," Jasper said. "Can't think how he managed it. I must paint her."

"A peach from a barber's shop!" Emerald sneered. "What do you say, Garnie?"

"I pass no judgment till we know her better," the curate replied.

"I think she is lovely," Pearl said. "I like her."

"You would," commented her sister. "Look at the vulgar way she puts out her tongue!"

"Probably she was nervous," Pearl suggested. "I would be in such circumstances."

"Nervous, not a bit of it! She saw her chance and grabbed it. I would bet there is plenty in her past we will never know. Poor Dad! I do not see a very happy future for him with her in a dead-alive place like this!"

"Give her a chance," Jasper grinned. "Not afraid she will run away with your boy friend, are you?"

"Don't be a fool!" Emerald said angrily, and she left the room, slamming the door after her.

THE next morning George and Adelaide had their breakfast in bed. If they dallied over it, who shall blame them?

"Well, my love," he asked teasingly, "what do you think of your little brood?"

"Is it not more important what they think of me?"

"Dumb with admiration. Was it wise to tell them all you did?"

"They were bound to be curious. I only hope they were satisfied. I shall try to make them like me. It will not be easy with Emerald and I am not sure about Garnet."

Adelaide was no fool and she had summed up their feelings with remarkable accuracy. After a little more banter George decided to dress. He was definitely handsome and looked younger than his years. The holiday with its surprising ending had undoubtedly done him good. Now he was anxious to see how his garden, some two acres in all, had fared in his absence and whether Teague, his gardener, had carried out certain alterations he had suggested.

Left to herself Adelaide made a leisurely toilet. She thought she had made a fairly favourable impression on her "step-children" but wanted to see them separately to establish as friendly an atmosphere as was possible.

When she went down she was wearing a tweed skirt and a knitted pullover that was discreet in every way, even if it could not conceal the shapely lines of her figure. The first of the family she met was Pearl, which was as she would have wished. It should be an easy start.

She kissed her and after a few words as to a good night's rest, asked if she might see her flat. Pearl was pleased to show it to her. They went to the entrance door on the ground level which the young girl with some pride opened with her own latchkey.

"You are not afraid to sleep down here by yourself?" Adelaide asked.

"Not a bit. Emerald is just above and there is a bell to the house. Sandy takes care of me." She introduced her little dog who sniffed approvingly at the newcomer.

The rooms were small but very daintily appointed. After a peep at the bedroom and bathroom, they sat in the two easy-chairs in the sitting-room.