The Flow Page 4

  “Oh, all right, I’ll think about it. But I will discuss it with Christian first,” she warned shaking a finger.

  “Of course, dear! But could I ask that you come alone? I think my mother would want to have you all to herself. It would be boring for anyone escorting you. The party is next Saturday by the way.”

  “You have a date? I didn’t realise it was so soon!”

  “Oh, yes. It is my mother’s birthday. It will be the perfect occasion for her to finally meet you. You can be my surprise to her. Oh, she will adore me forever if you agree to come!”

  “All right, Charles, I’ll do this for you. Your parents have been funding the Society and are also being very generous to the hospital that’s taking care of my mother. It would be ungrateful for me to turn you down. However—”

  Charles put up his hands. “Whatever it is, I accept!”

  “However . . . I will think about it as far as rekindling a friendship between us goes. I’m sure you appreciate it will all depend on what Christian thinks. I can't see you if he doesn’t approve, you understand.”

  “Of course, Laura! It goes without saying. Perhaps the three of us could go out sometime. My treat! To apologise properly.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Well, I’d better go. I hope your mother gets well soon. Do give her my best, won't you? Well, I’m sure she’s in good hands and will be back before you know it,” he said as he followed her to the exit.

  “Thank you Charles, I appreciate your visit,” she said opening the door. Maggie was still in the kitchen and came at once to stand by Laura with a protective arm on her back.

  “Goodbye, Maggie, awfully nice to meet you. Goodbye Laura, what a delight to see you again!” he said tipping his hat.

  He turned around from the closed front door and walked back to the Rolls, straight and proud, where James waited holding the back door open. As he got in, he rubbed the edge of his moustache, his eyes squinting in the sunlight. From the luxurious back seat, he threw a triumphant glance at the old house, as the wheels started to roll. At last, it is going to happen.

  Everything had turned out exactly as he had expected, exactly as it suited him. Finally, he was soon to have what he wanted. He would never have it any other way.

  Chapter 6

  Laura kept Charles’s visit secret from Christian for the rest of the week. She just wasn’t looking forward to arguing with him. She knew he would object to her decision to visit Lakeview. However, when Sunday came, after a lovely lunch, the two of them wound up having a fun time at the Pier, and she decided this was as good a time as any.

  She had brought some stale bread and they stood together by the railing, throwing bits of it into the air. Laura often brought bread from home for the benefit of the birds that always answered the call. She tried to feed the starlings whenever she could, but when the seagulls came, the tiny, darling things didn’t stand a chance.

  Once more, the seagulls had claimed the air space before the humans like a powerful air raid squadron, thus keeping away wild pigeons and starlings. In an effortless demonstration of speed and grace, the seagulls caught the pieces of bread in their beaks before they even hit the water. Christian also threw the odd chunk, and Laura noticed he was in the highest of spirits. The moment was perfect to broach the dreaded subject.

  “Oh! I have something to tell you, Christian,” she said, feigning nonchalance.

  “I’m all ears,” he responded smiling, as he watched a large seagull sweep past, a big chunk in its beak.

  “I’ve had an invitation from an admirer of mine to sing at her party.”

  “Really? A private party?” he asked, impressed.

  “Yes. Would you believe it?”

  “When? Where?”

  “Actually, it’s at Lakeview. It’s Lady Fenshaw,” she revealed, careful not to give away her cautiousness but not to sound too excited either.

  “What? That bastard’s mother? You can't be serious!”

  Laura was looking away at the time, and she winced at his response. Still, when she turned around to face him, her expression was one of utter nonchalance. “Now Christian, you know the Fenshaws are important benefactors to the Society. It’s my bread and butter, my love! If she’s a big fan of mine, surely I can't let her down.”

  “But where did you see her? When did she ask you?”

  “Charles invited me on her behalf. They are holding a birthday party for her at Lakeview Castle this coming Saturday.”

  Christian’s jaw dropped. “Charles? That conniving rat? When did you see him?”

  “The other day. He came and visited me at the house.”

  “What? He has some nerve! And why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “Because I knew you’d be like this, Christian!” she retorted, raising her voice with a good measure of indignation. She bit her lip as soon as she had.

  “What did you expect me to do? Surely, you’re not thinking about going?” he answered, raising his voice in return and gesticulating wildly with his hands.

  “I told you, she’s an important fan,” she said, calmly again.

  “This is the exact reasoning that tore us apart in the first place, Laura!”

  “Christian, do you forget my mother? This is not just about me. I owe them a lot! I’ll have you know it’s thanks to their charitable donations to the hospital that my mother is in a private sanatorium right now, receiving the best treatment she could have.”

  “Nonsense!”

  “Obviously you don’t see my point, but my feelings won't change.” She tipped her chin. “I do feel terribly obliged to them!”

  “Tell me you haven’t yielded just because they’re giving money to the hospital! Tell me you haven’t said yes already!” he cut her off, dreading the look in her eyes that told him what he didn’t want to know. “You haven’t!”

  “I couldn’t decline, Christian. Please try to understand.”

  “But Laura, all this man wants is a way to get back into your life. You’re holding the door wide open for him. Can't you see that?”

  “No, you’re wrong. He was very apologetic about what he did. He assured me he’s only after my friendship. I’ll just grant his mother’s birthday wish, and then it will all be like before.” She put her arms around him and wrinkled her nose in a cute, childish manner. “I promise, darling! I’ll make sure to make it clear to him it’s just this once. I’ll never see him again after that.”

  “Please Laura, don’t go! I have a bad feeling about this. He is luring you back into his fancy world; this is just another of his tricks!”

  “Nonsense! And besides, don’t you trust me at all?”

  He rolled his eyes and look skywards. “Oh . . . fine! But under one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “You must let me come along. I don’t trust him at all. I want to be there.”

  Laura threw him a tender glance, thinking how adorable he looked, like a spoiled child demanding attention. “You silly boy, that’s impossible. You’ll just have to trust me.”

  “Why is it impossible?”

  “You’re not invited for one. And then, it’d be humiliating to me. I don’t need a chaperon.” She scoffed.

  “That’s what you think because you’re so innocent. Trust me Laura, these people may seem prim and proper, but they can be bloody beasts. Just look how their son’s turned out. A manipulative cad! A master of deceit! I’ve heard enough about him to know.”

  “Come on Christian, don’t be absurd! What harm could come to me in the castle among all these people? Dinner and dancing hardly constitute a threatening environment! Unless you fear he’d seduce me with a waltz?” She giggled.

  “It’s not funny, Laura!” He pulled away and crossed his arms. “I’m not happy at all!”

  “Can’t you just trust me, my love? Please?” she asked, looking at him with pleading eyes. She knew from the face he pulled then that she had won.

  “Fine! But this is the last time you’ll ev
er see him. I want him out of our lives for good. Make sure he and his precious mummy understand that.”

  “All right. I do appreciate your understanding, my love. Now, take this last chunk. I’ll let you throw it since you’ve been so good,” she teased.

  Taking the last scrap of food from her, Christian threw it in the water and at once, a seagull swooped over it, grabbing it in its beak, faster than the eye could see.

  ***

  The big day came fast enough, and James arrived on the dot outside Laura’s house to pick her up in the Rolls in the late afternoon. He was as gentle and friendly as always, engaging in breezy conversation with her on the way to Lakeview, discussing this and that. Laura always found it easy to talk to him.

  The car veered off the main road to take a narrow path, lined with tall bushy trees. They formed a dense canopy that blocked out the sunlight, the sudden drop in temperature making Laura gasp. It was almost like entering an enchanted forest. The sound of birdsong that came in through the rolled down windows, sweet and inviting, heightened the effect. Although it was October, this had been a warm enough day with sunny spells. Even the chilled air felt pleasant at this hour.

  Just as quickly as they had entered the dark part of the road, they emerged from it again, to enjoy the faint warmth as the sun began to set. In the distance, Laura saw the most enchanting castle she had ever laid her eyes upon.

  Standing ancient and proud in the middle of the plain, a serene lake before it reflecting its grey-stone façade, Lakeview Castle was the stuff of fairy tales. It looked far smaller than she’d expected; an endearing sight of ancient stone and mortar. Ivy crept up its walls, and its dozens of windows glinted in the golden light of the setting sun. On the highest peak, a flag of the family coat of arms billowed in the breeze above aged turrets mottled with moss.

  Laura marvelled at an ancient woodland in the distance. The foliage of wild chestnut trees and oaks swayed softly in the breeze as if in amicable greeting. When they drove even closer, Laura was spellbound by the serenity of the lake. Its glassy surface sparkled; it was a welcoming, enticing setting that beckoned to the traveller to come and rest by it. The picture of peacefulness stilled her heart, ending inside her at last the ceaseless bite of doubt that had been nagging at her since leaving the house.

  Somehow, Christian’s warnings for the last couple of days had got to her, but now, having witnessed this beautiful scene, she knew this was going to be a night to remember, a night of fun and enjoyment. After that, Christian would never have to feel threatened again. She would explain to Charles, and he would have to understand. This would have to be the last time she ever saw him, no matter how grateful she felt.

  When the car pulled to a crunchy stop on the gravel path before the front entrance, Charles was already there to welcome her with open arms. Dressed in a tuxedo made of fine silk, he looked more elegant than ever before when he took her hand to kiss it.

  He took her by the arm and guided her to the grand drawing room. The sight made her heart skip a beat. Wood-panelled walls, a large chandelier of exquisite crystal clarity, tables with marble tops, cushioned chairs rimmed with gold and dressed in plush velvet. The air smelled sweet from the arranged flowers in hand-painted china vases on the table tops. From the ledges of the three bay windows, marble statues of Greek nymphs gazed back at the people with empty eyes.

  At the time, about twenty guests had already arrived. As Charles and Laura excused themselves to approach his mother, he informed her that about ten more were still to come.

  The butler, a stocky man looking very professional in his fine uniform, clapped his hands. Immediately, a maid approached to remove some empty glasses from a table. Female servants were coming and going, removing empty appetizer platters to replace them with new ones. Two male servants stood motionless at a distance, a vacant look in their eyes. They held bottles of aperitif in their hands, ready for the butler’s command or a guest’s beckon for a refill.

  “Mother, here is the surprise I had in store for you! I hope you will be pleased,” said Charles when he and Laura stood before her. His mother was chatting with two other women on a large sofa at the time, and she gasped when she looked up, agog to recognise Laura.

  “Oh, heavens! How absolutely marvellous that you should come! Delighted to finally meet you, Miss Mayfield! Welcome, welcome!” she said, shaking Laura’s hand with much more vigour than was appropriate.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Lady Fenshaw. Thank you for having me, and happy birthday to you,” replied Laura with a little curtsey.

  “You naughty boy! What a surprise! Thank you ever so much,” she said, kissing her son on both cheeks, her own cheeks flushed brightly pink, thanks to a couple of glasses of sweet red wine.

  From that moment on, Susan Fenshaw didn’t lose sight of Laura at all for the next few hours. It was just like Charles had foretold, and he didn’t mind losing her company while his mother trailed Laura by the hand around the room.

  The first person she introduced her to, was her husband. Thomas Fenshaw was the picture of the impeccable gentleman, as Laura had expected. However, she found his attitude was rather harsh and detached, and not what you would expect of an Earl entertaining guests. There was kindness in his words, but his manner was another thing. He extended his hand to shake hers of course, but there was no warmth and no heartfelt feeling conveyed. He kept squinting his eyes for no apparent reason and in his whole demeanour she sensed a supressed urge to flee, to be somewhere else instead, alone perhaps. He didn’t seem the type who enjoyed parties or small talk. It was quite obvious he was bored. She caught him more than once, checking his watch. With the maids, he had an abrupt manner, and he scolded one of them rather cruelly when she picked up a bottle in a rush and nearly dropped it.

  When Lady Fenshaw took her away to introduce her to her guests, Laura felt relieved to turn away from the earl. He was intimidating, but it wasn’t just that. He seemed rigid and inaccessible, an impenetrable fort of secret thoughts and reservations. It was like with every word he spoke, instead of laying down a bridge he built up a wall to separate himself from others. People like that always scared Laura and in the next few moments while she was being introduced to a couple of warm, open-hearted people, she realised it wasn’t so surprising Charles’s disposition had turned out to be so. Having met his father, it was now easier to pinpoint things in Charles’s manner that she’d just seen in him. Clearly, he had taken after his mother where it came to his love for music, opera and his appreciation of the arts in general, but his stiff manner and especially his arrogance pointed to his father, without a shadow of a doubt.

  She threw a surreptitious glance around the room and found Charles chatting to a gentleman. For the first time she felt sympathy for him. The two men were standing before each other, rigid and lifeless like two planks of wood, hardly gesturing with one hand while the other was holding a glass or resting inside a pocket. Poor Charles, she thought. He had inherited all his father’s shortcomings. Always holding back, never loosening up. He was opinionated, conceited, and spoilt. It hit her then, how parents can destroy children. Thinking of Charles and his father, it didn’t seem so bad in comparison that her own mother’s only shortcoming was her yearning to live the life of Riley.

  This night had turned out to be her mother’s only chance to visit Lakeview Castle, but she was too far away and ill. Poor mum, she thought. At least, she didn’t worry so much about her these days. Laura spoke to her mother frequently on the telephone. She was making great progress already.

  Dinner was remarkable and consisted of no less than four exquisite courses: chestnut soup, skate with vegetables, pheasant with glazed roast potatoes, and chocolate cake with fruit. By the time it had all been washed down with lashings of fine wine and champagne, Laura had overcome her inhibitions to sing a couple of songs for the guests back at the drawing room while the hostess played the piano.

  It wasn’t hard to pick the songs, seeing that Lady Fenshaw knew how to play
every single one from the show just like Charles had said. She picked two of her favourites and gave it her best. The appreciative applause from everyone obliged her to sing one more, and Mrs Fenshaw was afterwards most pleased, giving Laura more kisses and hugs than she ever expected befitted a woman of her stature. But she was refreshingly openhearted; not in the least reserved, and Laura thought that was wonderful. She found it easy to like her.

  On the contrary, the earl grew even more aloof towards the end of the evening. He seemed grumpy when he thought no one was looking and made no effort to stifle his constant yawns when he emerged from the library with the other male guests, after a cigar and a glass of port.

  When the first guests started to make sounds about leaving, Laura caught Charles’s attention, and he approached at once, an eager expression on his face.

  “Can I get you another drink, dear?”

  “Oh no, thank you Charles. I think I’ve had enough wine for one evening. I was just wondering if it would be all right for James to drive me back now. It’s getting rather late.”

  “You wish to leave? But hasn’t my mother told you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “She told me just after you sang how she absolutely loves your company—”

  “How kind of her,” Laura interrupted him. She was flattered to hear that but still didn’t understand.

  “And so,” he continued, “she expressed to me a wish earlier that perhaps you could stay overnight. About half a dozen guests are staying. We will have a late brunch tomorrow and then a picnic by the lake after a few hours of outdoor fun. We’re thinking archery and horseback riding. I hope they sound enticing enough to convince you to stay. Mother was rather hoping you could join us. What can I say? You have put a spell on her!”

  “It’s very kind of your mother, and I’m very honoured by the invitation, but I’m afraid I must leave. I regret I already have plans for tomorrow.”