‘I’m relieved for you, darling. He’s obviously on the mend, thank goodness.’ Jane retrieved her own glass of champagne and came back to the fireside. She and Edward touched glasses and took a sip, and then she sat down on the sofa close to the fireplace.
Lowering himself on a chair opposite her, Edward remarked, ‘I spoke to Vicky this evening, before I left Deravenels, and I was so pleased to hear that you finally accepted her invitation for tomorrow evening.’
‘I hesitated at first, because I didn’t want to intrude –’
‘How can you say such a thing?’ Edward interjected, sounding surprised. ‘Why would you think you’re intruding? You’re one of my oldest friends … we’ve known each other for ten years.’ He grinned at her. ‘Or had you forgotten how long it’s been?’
‘Of course not. It’s just that … well, you and Will and Vicky go back years –’ Jane broke off, shook her head. ‘I’ve always told you I never want to embarrass you, or be an embarrassment, and you know the reasons why.’
‘I do,’ he replied, an amused smile touching his mouth. ‘I’m a married man and you’re my mistress. However, you must remember, my darling, that Will and his sister are two of my best friends. They are not my wife’s friends. They never have been. They are part of my coterie, shall we call it, not hers. It is you they care about, Jane, not Elizabeth. But let’s not go into all those hatreds now. Let’s get back to the point – I’m happy we’ll be together tomorrow night.’
Jane nodded. ‘I am too. But –’
‘Why have you stopped? Say what you started to say.’
‘Vicky told me Grace Rose will be there.’
‘I know that.’ He burst out laughing when he saw the troubled expression in Jane’s eyes, and shook his head. ‘Darling, do you think she doesn’t know you’re my mistress? Good Lord, of course she does. She’s eighteen and very clever, and very much my daughter … quite sophisticated, not at all naive. You know, Vicky and Stephen have been wonderful parents to her, have brought her up to be a lady, and she’s had an extraordinary education. She’s just lapped up knowledge, and has also become quite the historian. I’m extremely proud of her. Don’t you have any concerns about Grace, my dear. She’s on my side, and she always has been.’
‘Yes, I am being rather silly, aren’t I?’ Jane drank her champagne and began to laugh. ‘It’s been one of those days for me. Being silly.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I suddenly looked at myself in the mirror tonight and decided I looked old. And then I started to think about the difference in our ages. I am ten years older than you, after all, Ned.’
‘You don’t look it! Anyway, you know I’ve always preferred older women. And everyone knows I like blondes best, especially blonde widows.’ He grinned at her. ‘Or divorcees. Ten years is not that much, you know.’
Jane realized it would be better to let this topic fade away, and she smiled and said, ‘I have a surprise for you.’ Putting down her glass of champagne, she went to her desk and returned to the fireside with an envelope, which she handed to Edward.
‘What is it?’ he asked curiously.
‘Something I found for you, if you want to buy it.’
‘Aha! a painting, my Jane! That’s what it is, isn’t it?’
She nodded and sat down, looking at him expectantly.
Edward took the photograph out of the envelope, and stared at it, caught his breath as he took in the unique beauty of the Renoir. It was marvellous, a painting of two young girls aged about sixteen or seventeen. They were wearing identical orange dresses with black fronts and trimming, sitting on a window ledge against a backdrop of blue sky. Both had hair of a burnished red-gold, swept up on top of their heads. Their gaze was directed at a book they were reading.
‘It’s absolutely marvellous!’ he exclaimed, looking across at Jane. ‘Glorious. And the girls remind me of Grace Rose and Bess. Except that these two young ladies look as if they are the same age.’
‘It’s called Les Deux Soeurs. Renoir painted it in 1889. And you’re quite right, they are the same age I think. Look at the skin tones, Ned, the beauty of their faces. It’s an incomparable painting. I fell in love with it when I saw it.’
‘Which gallery has it?’
‘It’s in private hands. It was brought here to London at the outset of the war. For safety, I suppose.’
‘And now the owner wants to sell it?’
‘Apparently. If you are interested I can take you to see it on Friday.’
Edward frowned. ‘I was going to go to Ravenscar that morning. But I’ll tell you what, Janey, I’ll take the late afternoon train instead. We can see the painting in the morning hopefully, and then we’ll have lunch. How does that sound?’
‘That’s perfectly fine. So you do want it, do you?’
‘Of course I do. It’s wonderful. How much is it?’
‘I don’t know. I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist it,’ she said, nodding, smiling. ‘I was sure it would remind you of your own little redheads.’
‘It does, and as usual your instincts were right. You second-guessed me perfectly. Thank you, darling. And now I have a surprise for you.’ Rising, he hurried out of the parlour, got his briefcase, opened it and took out a package.
He held this behind his back as he returned, and handed it to her with a bit of a flourish once he stood in front of her.
‘What is it?’ she asked, staring down at the package covered in dark blue wrapping paper and then looking up at him.
‘Open it and see.’
Tearing off the paper, Jane found herself holding a dark blue cardboard box. Lifting off the lid, she saw that the box held a jewellery case made of very dark blue velvet. Once she was holding the case she glanced up at him again, shaking her head. ‘By the looks of this, you’ve been very extravagant again. Oh, Ned, you do spoil me so.’
‘No, I don’t. Open it.’
She did. Her light eyes widened when she saw the lacey bib composed of diamonds interwoven with aquamarines. For a moment she was stunned and gazed at him speechlessly. Finally she said softly, ‘Darling, it’s just … beautiful.’
‘As are you. I was going to get you an emerald brooch or emerald earrings, and then when I saw this I immediately thought of your eyes … they’re the same colour.’ He picked the necklace up, held it in front of her so that it caught and held the light. ‘Look, Jane, your eyes are this colour exactly.’
Edward slipped the necklace in his pocket, took hold of her hand and pulled her to her feet. ‘I want you to try it on. Immediately. Now. It won’t work with this dress, so come on, darling, let’s go upstairs. I want to see it on you.’
She made no protest. He hurried her out of the room, up the stairs, and into the bedroom, and he went on swiftly, ‘Take off your dress, Jane. I want you to put this on.’ As he spoke he took the necklace out of his pocket. ‘Hurry up, I can’t wait to see how it looks on you.’
Laughing, she did as he said, and in a second stood in front of him in her underwear.
Circling her, Edward went and stood behind her, put the necklace around her neck, fastened it, and guided her across to the dressing table, pressed her down into the chair. ‘Look at yourself, look how the stones reflect the colour of your eyes.’ She leaned forward, staring at herself in the mirror, and he leaned over her shoulders, regarding her reflection.
He murmured, ‘The necklace is perfection, and so are you.’
Turning her head, she gazed up at him, and her eyes filled. ‘Thank you, thank you for this lovely, lovely gift. I will treasure it forever, Ned.’
‘As I will always treasure you, Jane. Please remember that, especially when you start getting strange ideas, start thinking you’re too old for me.’
In a few long strides he had crossed the bedroom floor. He locked the door, took off his jacket, threw it on a chaise longue, and then as he turned around, walked back to her, he began to unbutton his shirt. ‘I’m now going to prove that you’re not too
old, that I still desire you.’
Jane met him in the middle of the floor, her eyes on his. ‘Can you unfasten the necklace, please?’
‘No, I can’t,’ he whispered, and took her in his arms, pulled her closer, so that her cheek rested against his bare chest. ‘I want you to wear it tonight. All night. But I will unfasten this,’ he added; his hands fumbled for the hooks of her bra. ‘Let’s find that bed of ours,’ he said against her hair. ‘It’s a matter of some urgency.’
Jane now saw that he did indeed have a strong need for her, that he wanted her; she shed the rest of her clothes, followed him. He was undressing as quickly as she had. A moment later he took her in his arms, held her tightly. His mouth found hers and he kissed her deeply, passionately, his tongue on hers, his hands sliding down to her breasts. When they broke their long kiss he led her to the side of the bed.
They lay down together, catching their breath. Eventually Edward propped himself up on one elbow, looked down into her face. ‘Jane, my beautiful, beautiful Jane, you’re such a silly girl.’ He lowered his face to hers, added, ‘You’ll never be too old for me …’ Leaving the rest of his sentence unfinished, he kissed her once more.
Edward lay on top of her, pushed his hands under her buttocks and brought her close to him as he entered her. It was the same as it always was with them. Desire and an overwhelming need. Passion. Urgency. They swiftly found their familiar rhythm, clinging to each other as they soared together, filled with ecstasy, and the pure joy of being together, possessing each other so completely and with total abandon.
At one moment Edward stopped abruptly, raised himself up to gaze down at Jane.
She stared back, perplexity crossing her face.
He said with a small smug smile, ‘The aquamarines are indeed the colour of your eyes, especially at a moment like this.’
He lowered himself onto her once more, his face against her neck. ‘Oh, how I love you. Love you, Jane. I’m yours. Just as you are mine. Come now, come to me. Now.’ And she did, calling his name. He echoed her, cried out, sank against her breasts, sighing, ‘Oh Jane, oh Jane.’
They remained joined together for a few minutes. It was Edward who moved first. He took a pillow and placed it against Jane’s chest. ‘The necklace is a little sharp against my skin,’ he told her, his voice low. ‘There, that’s better … with the pillow between us.’
‘I can take it off, darling.’
‘No. I want you to wear it tonight. I know you’ll find a dress that has the right neckline.’
‘I will.’
There was a long silence, a lovely quietness between them that lasted for a while. It was Jane who broke it finally when she suddenly said, ‘What did you do about the dog?’
‘Dog?’ Edward asked, puzzled.
‘Don’t you remember, I suggested you buy a dog for Young Edward. He’s always wanted one, or so you once said, ever since he was very small boy. I told you I thought it would be a lovely Christmas present.’
‘Oh, my God! The dog! I’d forgotten about it. I was going to buy it in Scotland for him … a West Highland terrier, he loves that breed. Damnation!’
‘You can still get one, Ned. At Harrods. They sell dogs.’
‘I’d have to take it with me to Yorkshire. That’s a bit of a nuisance.’
‘I’m sure they’ll send it up for you. In a van.’
‘What a good idea. What on earth would I do without you? I’ll go over there tomorrow morning, and pick one out, arrange for it to be taken up to Ravenscar. Well done, Janey, well done. You’ve saved my bacon again.’ Pushing himself up, he leaned over her, kissed the tip of her nose. ‘This necklace is a bit dangerous,’ he murmured, touching it with one finger, and starting to laugh. ‘I’m surprised I don’t have a raw chest.’
‘I did volunteer to take it off.’
‘I know, but I didn’t want you to … You know … I like to make love to women wearing only jewels and nothing else.’
‘Women!’ she exclaimed. ‘Now what other women wearing only jewels do you make love to, Edward Deravenel? Tell me that.’
‘Only you my sweet, only you,’ he answered swiftly, telling her the absolute truth.
Jane was wise enough to make no further comment, even though she did believe him. She was well aware he was faithful to her. The whole world knew that, including his wife. She wondered if this troubled Elizabeth. Didn’t one other woman in a married man’s life pose a threat? Whereas many women in a married man’s life could be so easily dismissed. She let these thoughts slide away from her, and instead asked, ‘By the way, why did you send George off to Scotland? You never did say.’
‘I wanted to get him out of my hair. He’d invited himself for Christmas at Ravenscar, and to please my mother I’d acquiesced. And then when I cancelled our Christmas festivities, told the guests they could not come, he became very obstreperous. Because Young Edward was ill I’d decided to cancel my trip to Scotland. It then occurred to me that I could get rid of George by sending him up to Edinburgh to negotiate the deal with Ian MacDonald. The deal for his liquor business. Killing two birds with one stone, really.’
‘Isn’t that a bit dangerous?’ she asked, pushing herself up on the pillows. ‘Allowing him to be the voice of Deravenels?’
Edward looked at her intently. ‘He can be a bit volatile, I know that, even in business discussions. But I promised him a large bonus if he pulls it off to my satisfaction. He’ll be careful how he handles himself because of the prospect of money.’
‘I hope he doesn’t make a mess of it,’ she murmured, thinking out loud.
‘Funny thing is, Jane, Richard said the same thing to me earlier today,’ Ned said. ‘If it doesn’t work, I won’t care too much, you know. George is strange at times, but more of a nuisance I’d say than anything else.’
‘No, he’s not a nuisance, Ned. He’s a threat.’
‘Why do you say that?’ he asked, frowning to himself. Will Hasling had made the same comment several times in the last few weeks.
Jane answered in a thoughtful voice, ‘I think he’s in competition with you. I’ve always believed that George sort of … well, fancies himself, thinks he can be you, thinks he’s as good as you, as clever as you, and he’s not. Everyone knows how brilliant you are.’
‘It was Neville who put those ideas in his head, a long time ago. Obviously they’ve taken hold. Now that the War is over perhaps I can ship George off somewhere. To America, perhaps.’
Jane laughed. ‘On a permanent basis, of course. Don’t you think that would be a good idea?’
‘Yes. And I’ve got an even better idea,’ he murmured, leaning towards her, kissing her fully on the mouth, and moving even closer. ‘I want to make love to you again, before we go down to dinner.’
‘What about the necklace –’
‘To hell with the bloody necklace,’ he interrupted, smiling at her. ‘I don’t care if I do get a few scratches as long as I can have you in my arms. You, Jane, my one true love.’
‘Oh Ned –’
He cut off the rest of the sentence by placing his mouth firmly on hers.
SEVEN
Amos Finnister sat in his office at Deravenels on the Strand, giving Will Hasling his entire attention. There was an expression of concern on his face as he listened to the other man.
‘And so,’ Will continued, ‘I would appreciate it if you could do a bit of digging, Amos. In your usual discreet fashion.’
Nodding, Amos asked, ‘Do you think Mr George has fallen in with a bad lot? Is that it, Mr Hasling?’
‘Yes. And a dangerous lot, at that. The drinking, the whoring are bad enough, well that’s George’s nature, I’m afraid: he’s always been a bit of a libertine. It’s the drugs that worry me, and the gambling. He’s losing a lot of money on a regular basis, a great deal, in fact. Very troublesome.’
‘If I might ask, how did you find this out?’ Amos gazed at Will steadily.
‘Someone came to me, warned me.’ Will nodded,
and murmured, ‘Thank God.’
‘I’m assuming it’s someone you can trust, Mr H?’
‘It is, actually, Amos, and there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t know. It came from one of my brothers – Howard. When he was at Eton he became extremely close to a boy called Kim Rowe-Leggett, and, in the way of old Etonians, they’ve stayed close friends over the years. Rowe-Leggett is a stockbroker in the City these days, quite well-known, and very successful. Anyway, he likes the occasional flutter on the ponies, and he sometimes gambles, on a small scale, at one of the newer London gambling clubs. He’s a member of Starks, Julian Stark’s place, another old Etonian. To get to the point, my brother told me that according to Kim Rowe-Leggett the gossip about George is rampant. Naturally I’m perturbed. Not only about his gambling losses, but the drugs.’
‘I don’t blame you.’ Amos shook his head. ‘Mr George is a great worry to Mr Deravenel, as you well know. And more than once in the last few weeks he’s asked me to keep an eye on him. You know what I mean … he wants me to keep track of what his brother does in his spare time, but in a … casual way, unobtrusively, shall we say?’
Will rubbed his mouth with his hand, frowning. ‘I wonder if Mr Edward has heard any of the gossip about Mr George? Has he said anything to you?’
‘Not really. When he does express concern it’s in a … well, a mild way. He doesn’t get excited, or anything like that. And he’s said nothing about gambling or drugs.’
‘It’s bound to get back to him sooner rather than later, especially if there is a demand for payment of the gambling debts. Julian Stark might come to Mr Deravenel if he doesn’t get satisfaction from George.’ Will sighed. ‘I have to tell him, Amos. I really do. He and I have never had any secrets from each other in all the years we’ve worked together here at Deravenels, and even before that, when we were at Oxford.’
Amos sat back in his desk chair and stared off into the distance, an odd look settling on his face.