Warleggan (35 page)

was the only outward sign of nerves. She wished it all was not to happen so much in cold blo
od. He should have carried her
off
while they were on the terrace -
got it over, like having a tooth out. No, that was unfair to him. It would all be better when he came. He was attractive, handsome, ardent. She should be flattered by his attentions, was indeed. She must think hard
about
him. It h
elped. It helped a great deal.

She decided that the
morning coat was the thing and began hasty contortions to remove the frock. Eventually i
t slithered down in a beautiful
shimmering heap, and she stepped out of it, long-limbed and black-stockinged and white. Well, if he came in now! She grabbed the morning coat and struggled into it. As she t
ied the cord, there was a just
perceptible knock on the door.

Only just in time! She picked up the
gown and laid, it hastily on a
chair, then tiptoed to the door. In a moment Malcolm McNeil was inside.

Dressing-gowns evidently were the correct thing, He looked bigger than ever in his, more down to earth, more real. Absolutely frighteningly real. And rather fat.

'My sweet, I was afraid I might have picked the wrong door and flushed some antique dowager. How adorable you
look! How old are you, eighteen? If I did not know to the contrary, I should not suppose it to be more.'

`I'm forty-seven,' she said, playing for time with her own brand of humour, opposing it to her temporary sense of shock. "Tis the light in here which is so becoming, Malcolm. I should not
suppose
you a day
over
twelve. Though, in truth, - the candle has had a thief in it and has guttered half away. Did anyone see you come?'

`No one. The maids have gone to bed, and the guests that are left are yawning their heads off. But for, us, my darling, the night is young-'

`What time do you leave tomorrow?'

'I, catch the noon coach from Truro as it passes the gates

`And shall I then not see you again?'

'You shall if you wish!
Only write me at Winchester..
.'

He put his arms round her,
still
talking, and kissed her several times with great energy, allowing one hand
to slip inside her coat and
rest on her shoulder. I'm supposed to be enjoying this, she thought. What's the matter? Has it come too sudden, or doesn't he attract me so much as I believed? Am I liking being kissed like this? Not now. Not this way. But it will pass. I will try to forget everything. I wish I was drunk. Dear Malcolm; how he wants me, Soon I'll want him. Just surrender yourself, up. It's naught but shyness that makes me all curled up and, cold. Or am I really, truthfully, a prude and shocked
at myself?

`Malcolm,
' she said, when she could get
her mouth free.

`Yes, my angel,' he said, and gave her no time to reply.

For the moment at. least she was able to keep his endearments within bounds, and while doing so she stormed at herself. Ross
is
unfaithful,
Ross is unfaithful!, He is gone from me as a lover for ever. Elizabeth has won him. He has even been with that
terrible
woman downstairs. What
a
n insult, a humiliation ! Ross
has gone. I
tell you. There is no, more of him, nothing but desolation, and
thus
the furtive appointment i
n the bedroom; Malcolm is kind
upright, sincere, so much more than I might ha
ve expected, even if a little f
at. I wanted him to make love to me; I almost asked him! Now - am I not satisfied? Keep to your bargain. In a few minutes you will be enjoying it. It is just the beginning that seems so strange, so foreign, as if one had never been made love to
before. Foreign, that was the word. Being seduced by a
foreigner.

His endearments were becoming progressive.

'Malcolm,' she said breathlessly, part, breaking away from
him. `Are you kind?'

`Kind? You will find me so,' he said, following her slowly
backwards. He had exhausted his finesse downstairs.'

`Then, Malcolm, I want you to listen to' me. Please. Just
for a moment or two. I
-
I want you to be kind and under
standing. I want you to understand
why I led you to suppose.
You see i
t is because of Ross. I thought
because of what
he has done that I wished to do the same. 'And of all the
men I could have preferred to have chosen . . you were here. . And it was not until this moment
-
a few moments ago
that I have begun to wonder-'

'Och, yes, darling,'' he said. `I quite see what you wonder.
It is not an uncommon feeling at the last. .
’

'No,' she said. `Hear
me out, please. It is of great moment.
’

`Of course. Of course. No one is denying it. Have I told you how beautiful you are? I've rarely seen a woman so beautiful as you tonight. She could retre
at no farther. She had her back
against the wall.

Up to that moment there had been a
strong element of doubt in her
feelings. The terrible sick h
urt within her goaded her on in
spite of these very peculiar fee
lings which were attacking her
now, which swept over her, wave after wave. Hurt pride and all
the other things were working,
hard on Malcolm's behalf. But she knew then that she must
have a breathing space,
still a little time to relate one emotion, with another, so that there should still be an ultimate freedom, of choice, a rejection or an acceptance
within her heart. Had he been a
subtler man and given her time, she could have done this. But he did not give her time, and so the new feelings grew stronger than the, old and his compliments slid past unheeded.

He stood smiling over, her, a hand on either side of the wall, not touching her but about to. And suddenly, abruptly, knowing him and liking him, she breathlessly began to try to explain. Perhaps it was a lost, cause but she we
nt on, telling him of
Ross's misconduct, of
her own decision
to come tonight, of his personal charm which had led her to the point
where she was willing to do this thing; and
then
of her sudd
en humiliating recognition but
a few moments ago
- that she could not go on. It was something quite fundamental, within herself, primal and entirely unrecognised until now, an adherence to one man however he might neglect her.

She did not use those words but she did her best, groping around to explain feelings as yet only half acknowledged. She had never felt so debased in her life, she said, not because of what had been proposed
but because of the way she was
behaving now. Only her absolute certainty that she could do nothing else gave, her the courage to seem such a cheat and a prude. She didn't suppose he would like what she was saying; but they were not strangers; in a manner of, speaking they were old friends, and she threw herself upon his
friendship
now, begging him to appreciate her position.... She said these things at considerable length and hoped and
prayed that he understood; and
then she looked into his eyes and realised with
a
sense of shock that he wasn't listening.

'I quite appreciate your feelings, my angel. It does you credit to be so scrupulous. But think of me a moment, who's been looking to this ren
dezvous as to a mortal's taste
of heaven. I well know your tender heart.' It would
not I,
know, deny me the privi
leges it has promised. Ye have two duties now,
my angel not one alone to your faithless husband. The first is to
me
’

He took her and began to, kiss her again. She struggled, turning her head away, but not with great vehemence, hoping that her obvious reluctance would make an impression. It did not. He got hold of her morning gown and began to pull it off. She bit him.

He stepped back a moment, and she slid along the wall out
of his reach. The look in his eyes changed. He glanced at the
teeth marks in his wrist. The blood was beginning to come. He said-: `Well, that is a pretty way of showing affection.
I
confess it surprises me in a
lady. But perhaps it is the
way you like it.'

'Oh, 'Malcolm., please, don't you understand ...?'

He carne after her and captured her in a corner of the room, They struggled desperately for a minute or two. Then she broke away again, leaving a sleeve of her gown in his hands, They faced each other across the room, Her breath was coming in great gulps.

He took a deep breath himself. His intention had been so predetermined when
he
came into the room that no words of hers would have been sufficient to turn him from it. Nor would a
solitary
act of resistance. , But this last struggle, had shown him how much in earnest she was. And for all her slenderness she was as strong and lithe as a young animal. Of course he could still have his way if he chose. It was simple enough: you hit her just once on her obstinate little chin. But he was not that sort of a man.

He slowly rolled the sleeve of the gown into a ball and mopped his hand. Then he dropped the material to the floor.

`I like to think of myself as civilised,' he said
‘
so I give you best, Mrs. Poldark. I hope your husband appreciates such, fidelity. In. the peculiar saircumstances I do not. I like a woman who makes up her mind and has the courage and grace to stick to it. I thought you were such a one. My mistake.
’

He walked
slowly to the door and gave her
a last glance. 'When admiration turns to contempt, it is time to go.'

He went out. At the last moment she alm
ost spoke to him again, making a final. effort to bring him to
understand something of her feeling, so that, even though he might condemn, he would not despise. But as he moved she just did not dare to open her mouth.

And when he had gone, when the
door had closed and
she was alone again, she walked
trembling to the bed and sat on it. All the tension of defence was moving out of her. She couldn't quite believe, in her
own
vehemence. Every muscle in her body ached. Her arms and shoulders were bruised. Her teeth ached.

She didn't cry, but she put up her hands, to her face. `Oh, God, I want to die,' she said. Please, God, let me die.

About half an hour later, as the big clock in the hall was striking three, when the band had finally worked Itself out
and peace
was settling on the house, when those
still up
began to move more quietly
- for fear of disturbing those
already retired, a
short stocky man came slowly up the stairs and turned towards the
east
-wing. It was Sir Hugh Bodrugan himse
lf, and the exaggerated stealth
of his movements showed not only that he was on illicit business but also that
the spirits he had
drunk had, had the
effect of making him abnormally sober.

Wine had been spilled down his red hunting coat, and the lace of one cuff had been torn in a skirmish, but that was all the obvious damage, and he was sure the ball had been a great
success and that
everyone had enjoyed themselves. Now to put the cap on the evening he was bent on enjoying himself
in another way. He'd cunningly
given Margaret the slip, and she no doubt was still pacing about in the, library waiting for
him Presently she
would get tired of waiting and would swear roundly and go to bed. That was as it should be. He was
going to bed, he
hoped, but not with her.

There were few guests in the east wing, and that naturally made his purposes easier, although the confounded floor creaked and moaned all
the way
. His choice of bedroom for the lady had not been undesigning, in case she should
give
him any encouragement. It was therefore with surprise and indignation that as he neared the, door in question he saw another figure move towards it out of the shadows and peer at the handle as if to make certain of his bearings. As this figure stretched out a hand to open the door, Sir Hugh-said:
'Hi, there ! What' the blazes ... The other man straightened up sharply. It was John Treneglos. He said: `Hullo! What?' and blinked. 'O
h, it's you, my friend! Is th
is my be
droom, did you say?' I remember
'twas on the right-han
d ', side as you turned up the stairs. This wandering
great house of yours, ' it's worse than
my own.
Look ee
–‘

'You're not so foxed as that, sir,' said Bodrugan sternly.
'Oh, dear no, sir. One may make
a mistake by a room or two, sir, but not by half a house. That's your w
ay, straight down the corridor;
and I should be obliged if you'd take it.'

'A
h,' said Treneglos.
'Is that
so?
Yes,
I see where I went wrong now.' He, made a move and then stopped. `Yes, I suppose 'twas all the jigging in the dance that put my bearings out. Thank ee.'

He waited. They both-waited. Sir Hugh said: `Well, good night to you,'

`Now, Hughie,'
sai
d Treneglos. 'Don't be a damned
s
poilsport. I never thought to
think you a damned spoilsport.'

`You may think what you
, please, sir.. That's your way
to bed. This is Demelza Poldark's room, and well you know it!'

John-Treneglo
s grunted. `I'll confess if you
want me to, though it's a thought unmannerly to need me to be so explicit.' He put his hand; firmly on the other's sh
oulder. `You know how it is on
the
se occasions. Damme, you of all
people shouldn't stand
in a feller's way.
You've done enough tile-walking in your time. The l
ittle bud was oncoming tonight.
As good as invited me, y'know. Can't turn a good thing down. What with Ruth out of the way. 'Gol
den opportunity. I suggest you
turn a blind eye and toddle off to bed.'

Blind eye!' said Sir Hugh explosively. 'I was going in there myself!'

Treneglos stared at his host in startled fashion. `What? What? You're joking! Damn it! Don't
tell me she invited you too!''

Sir Hugh scowled. `Not invited i
n so many words. But a nod's as good as a wink,
man-'

'Ah, you put too much store by these nods, my dear. No doubt she wished to be polite, as any
woman would to a handsome old
War horse like you, but-'

`Well maybe she'll go on being polite.... And war horse be beggared!' said Sir Hugh, as the second half of the sentence registered. 'I'm inclined to suppose I'm just as good
a man as you. What did she say to you-tell me that, eh? What did she say to you, sir?'

'I can remember the exact words, but 'twas plain enough in
the meaning. And half of it was the look. She has a very suggestible look when she sets herself out to it-'

`Pshaw!' said Bodrugan. `You've less claim to an invitation than I have. You thought to try your
luck, that's all.
Confess it
man ! She's always been a tantalising slut, and there must be an end of all, things. How did
you know
which was her bedroom?'

`What? Oh, I squeezed that wall
-
eyed maid you have,
and she gave
off the information. Now look, Hugh, it is plain enough I was, here
first,
if only by a short head, so I have a certain priority in the matter, even if we discount the exact manner of the Invitation. After all, you
have your own dox
y here in the very house, which is more than Ruth would ever put up with. Don't be greedy. What do you say to giving me best? Then perhaps another time-! '

'Rubbish!' The injustice of the situation welled up in Bodrugan. `Who helped her in Bodmin two
years gone
and nothing for
it but a few
kisses? Who showed her how to use that new seed drill everyone's talking about? Who's sent her presents and called upon her regular? And who invited her here, sir? Whose house is this? Ecod, if 'twas in your house, I fancy you'd put in a substantial claim.
’

`Hush,' said
Treneglos. `If you
argue in that tone, the whole house will be out in. the corridor. . I grant that
'tis
your house and welcome to it; but you're the host, Hughie; and it is your place to give way to a guest. Any book of behaviour will tell you that, The convenience of the guest should come first
-
always first. Damn it, you haven't a leg to stand on! Man
ners aren't what they were but-‘

'I stand where I stand,' said Sir Hugh angrily, `And if
you go in that room, I go with you!'

John sighed, and wiped the back of, his sleeve
across his
forehead. `I don't fancy we'll win, her that way.:. ' He was struck with a thought, `It may be she meant the invitation to apply to us both and that 'tis just ill fortune we have come together. But if we go in together, that will finish it. What do you say to tossing a 'coin? Winner goes in right away. Loser chances his arm in an hour or so: Ecod, it seems the only reasonable argument.. .

Sir Hugh grunted. `You're worse thoughted than I ever, opposed, John. But no one shall say I wasn't a sportsman, If it is the only way to settle the matter peaceable, I'll accept
it.' With some difficulty he fished a coin out of his fob pocket, `Now if you'll toss, I'll call.

'Naw. Hold hard a moment. Let's see the coin. , , . Ah, just as I suspicioned : two heads. All's fair in love, but let's be fairer than that.' With' e
qual difficulty John' Treneglos
fumbled another coin into his fingers and showed it to his rival. `This one was
born
natural and has a top and ta
il. Now call, will you, while I
spin.'

`Heads,' grunted Sir Hugh furiously, and at once bent and then went on his knees to see the result.

`Tails!'
said John in 'triumph, `Tails it is, by the beard of Moses. You've lost, Hugh, and the filly's mine!'

`It struck the edge of 'the carpet! Just as it fell I saw it. I demand we should toss again! Why, damn me '

`Nay, fair's fair. You'd not go back on your word, I take it?'

On hands and knees they eyed each other, and-Sir Hugh perceived that if he quarrelled with the fall of
the coin he would have a fight
on his hands: And Treneglos was the second-best amateur wrestler in thirty miles. Grumbling, grunting, sweating, he got to his feet. He bitterly regretted having agr
eed to any such hazard
now. He knew, in his bones he knew, that things had b
een propitious for him tonight,
and now this clumsy, bungling fool had come along to spoil it
With seething resentment he watched the younger man tiptoe to the door of Demelza's room, gently turn the ha
ndle, and slide inside. Unable to bear, the
sight of it, he turned sharply away and stumped off to the end of the corridor.
But there he stopped. It, would
be a mistake to abandon his position too early. It did not after all turn entirely on the fall of a coin. There was the lady to consider. He flattered himself that she ha
d a soft spot for him, and John
Treneglos was the sort of bumptious ass who, given an inch, would assume a yard. He might well come out again at any minut
e with a cracked
head. She was a quick-tempered girl and if his advances were unwelcome. .. . Sir Hugh decided to linger in the shadows at the end of the passage and wait a minute or two.
To while away the time he took
a pinch of snuff and dusted the loose powder away with the torn end of his cuff.

The sneeze that had been in gestation was stillborn with delight, for the very thing he had hoped came to pass. John
Treneglos came sharply out of the bedroom with a dazed expression on his face
and stared right and left. He
spotted Sir Hugh and beckoned him. Preening himself, strutting, Sir Hugh came.

`Is this the room, Hughie? I've
made n
o mistake?'

'Nay, of course not. She wants me-'

Well, there's no one in it. See for yourself.'

`What !' Sir Hugh pushed past him. A candle guttered in the draug
ht between door and window. The
bed was not disturbed. A
chair was overturned, but no
articles of clothing were to be seen about the room. Sir Hugh went straight to the great wardrobe and flung it
open. The cupboard was bare. He
pulled the curtains farther back from the bed. Then he went on his knees and looked under it. John Treneglos brought the candle over. United in
adversity, they
ransacked the room. All they found was
a number
of hairpins, some powder spilled - before the dressing-table, and the sleeve of a lawn dressing
-
gown.

`She's maybe gone visiting herself,' said Treneglos. 'Ecod, I well call to mind a serving maid
we had
at Mingoose: you'd never
be sure where she was to
be found next. Once I remember '

'I conceit it's different from that,' said Sir Hugh, scowling. `Shut that pesty window, John; all the harmful night air's , blowing in. ., . There's McNeil, now. He was making: a mighty fuss of her after supper
.
But he sleeps, some way distant; and even if she went to him, she would surely leave some of her draperies behind.'

Treneglos had had his head out. `I suppose she wouldn't be madcap enough to climb down this ivy, eh? What would be her purpose? Has it all been done to hoax us, d'you suspicion? I think she couldn't have done it, could she? Or would our noise have scared her? If you flush a hen pheasant, it flies farthest'

Bodrugan put his head out tentatively and then quickly withdrew it. -"Bah, no, you're dreaming,' man. Why should
she go
that way and risk her neck? 'Tis all very confusing and provoking too. I've never known a woman li
ke her for promising much and
performing little. I
could put he
r over my knee.' He thought of that
pleasurably for a moment, and
then the long-delayed snuff-sneeze occurred. 'Sh
ut the damned window, I say. We
shall both have a distemper in the morning.'

The window was shut, and the two men returned disconsolately to the corridor. Sir Hugh was reflectively crumpling the gown sleeve in his fingers.

`It is a mortal pity,' said Treneglos: `With Ruth away and all.

They tramped down, the passage together, no longer on
tiptoe or careful of creaking boards; the house might wake
now for all they cared. In the distance at the head of the stairs
a coat of mail armour glimmered in the light from below. `When's her time?' said Sir Hugh, eying to take an
interest.

`Whose?' `Ruth's.'

`Oh . . . it was to have been last Wednesday, but she's
always late in coming to the boil'

`How many will this be?'

`Four. If she keeps up her rate of fire, we shall soon have
our share, of livestock. And you'd never have thought it to
look at her, before she was wed.'

They stopped at the great black banisters and looked down
into the littered
hall, A footman yawned in his
hooded leather
chair. Treneglos seemed to expect his host to walk with him
into the west wing, but Sir Hugh stopped.

`You run along, dear boy. It will be daylight soon and the
cocks crowing. The band'll be waiting for their settlement. 'I
promised they should have it prompt. It was the only condition
on which they'd agree to come.