CHAPTER SIX

The dinner party Elvira gave the following weekend was partly to celebrate her daughter's engagement, and partly to celebrate her son's lucky escape from the scandal of a divorce suit. Blain came home on a weekend leave, congratulating himself inwardly and outwardly congratulating his sister upon her engagement. The. party was a huge success, with Curt receiving the good wishes of the other guests with his usual urbane charm.

Felicity loved the way his glance in her direction was both enamoured and proprietorial when Judge Greatman, one of the guests, smiled on them benignly and congratulated him on choosing a lovely and intelligent girl. Curt was staying at Norton Towers over the weekend and Felicity watched him go with her father to the library for a last drink together before going to bed. Then she went upstairs to Blain's room.

Blain came out of the bathroom after having a shave. Dressed in his pyjamas, his fair curls ruffled, he looked like a little boy. He grinned at her.

'Hello, ' he said, 'shouldn't you be in bed? '

She closed the door and walked leisurely to his bed where she turned and faced him. 'I want to talk to you, ' she told him.

He raised a golden eyebrow and flung himself sprawlingly into the nearest chair. His smile was audacious, and it occurred to her that his recent escape from the consequences of a rather sordid affair had left no mark of regret for his behaviour.

He was openly teasing. 'Come on, smile! What are you looking so serious about? Regretting your engagement already? '

She said quietly, 'I'm happy enough for myself, it's you I'm worried about. ' She saw the colour rush beneath his freshly-shaved skin and continued, 'I don't believe you know how lucky you've been to get out of a divorce case. In fact, instead of regarding yourself as the guilty party, you've probably been cursing your luck at being found out. '

Seated sideways, with a leg thrown over the arm of his chair, one arm along the back, he grinned at her. 'So what? ' he challenged impudently.

Felicity dropped on one knee and caught his hand impetuously. 'Blain, ' she pleaded, 'surely you can see that you can't go on in this way, gambling, women and drinking? It just isn't any good. Not for you. You're capable of better things. '

'My dear girl, why so serious? I'm having a good time. But I'm going to miss you. '

His fingers closed ever hers and he avoided her anxious gaze. His words were flippantly casual, but there was an underlying quality in his voice which to her sensitive ears veiled emotion.

She felt near to tears. 'I'm going to miss you, too. We've always been so close, that's why I want to be sure I won't worry about you when I've gone. We shall still have good times together; you can come and stay with us and you know you can always depend upon me at any time. '

He gave a twisted smile. 'You always were generous. As generous as Mother. Maybe it will do me good to have less money to go on. I'll be careful in future. '

His words, the fact that he did not understand what she was getting at, touched her heart.

'But don't you see? It isn't a matter of being careful. It's a matter of growing up and facing your responsibilities. You'll have to do it some day. Up to now you've just been playing about, even when you've come home for weekends. ' She smiled at him wistfully. 'You will still come home at weekends, won't you, when I've gone? Mother will be dreadfully hurt if you don't. The parents will miss me because I've always been around, don't rob them of your company too. '

'I'll think about it, ' he answered with a grin, and squeezed her hand. 'Don't take on so. I'm a fool, I know, but I enjoy life. If it makes you feel any better I'll give you my word that I'll steer clear of married women in future. How's that? '

Felicity winced inwardly at the caressing note in his voice; a promise given lightly and as lightly forgotten. His eyes held that singular and compelling charm women found irresistible, and a very definite shade of distress drew her brows together. Without being aware of it she drew his well-kept, careless hand to her cheek, wishing that her words would take effect, touch some answering chord in him.

'I love you very much, Blain, ' she whispered waveringly. 'I don't ever remember you being cruel to anyone. Don't start now by spending your leaves in some dolly girl's flat instead of coming home to your parents. They love you as much as I do. Never forget that. '

Blain looked a little sheepish. 'I promise to be a good boy, ' he said. 'I swear I'll come home on every leave. '

Felicity put up a hand and patted the crisp curls with a sigh.

'If only I could believe you! '

She never remembered the few weeks before her wedding very clearly. Elvira made all the arrangements, went with her to buy her trousseau and fell in with Curt's wishes for an early but not too big wedding. They were to be married in the centuries-old village church where all the Vale-Nortons had married through the years. Curt telephoned Felicity on the eve of their wedding, and the sound of his deep voice sent sleep still further away.

'Hello, my sweet, ' he said, 'how are you feeling? Queasy, or thrilled and excited? '

'A bit of all three, ' she replied rather breathlessly, as her treacherous heart leapt at the sound of his voice. 'I love you very much. '

'Thanks, ' laconically. 'I'll show you how much I love you tomorrow. Sleep well. '

And to her surprise, she did.

The inside of the little church was garlanded with flowers and the smart outfits of the guests when Felicity arrived, slim and exquisite in white. With a trembling hand on her father's arm she walked gracefully down the aisle as the music swelled; then Curt turned his head to capture and hold her gaze with his own.

Moments before her heart had been beating so heavily that she had feared whether she would be able to voice her responses. Now she was lifted above her surroundings by eyes that seemed to reach down into her very soul, taking something from her that would never be hers again. She surrendered completely to wonderful moments from time which once passed would never be regained. The perfume of flowers was all around her, mingling with the wild beating of her heart and the last throbbing notes of the organ as she reached Curt's side. Her responses were sweet and clear and, with the weight of the gold band on her slender finger, Felicity walked with Curt to a new life.

On the plane, as they approached the Greek islands where they were to spend their honeymoon, she had to keep glancing at the big brown man beside her to convince herself that he really was her husband. She viewed his clear-cut profile with pride, knew that the arrogant poise of his well-shaped head was as natural as _ the expensive suit he wore, and had to make a determined effort to look away. There would always be a part of him locked away from her, regarding his work and life up to when they had met. But no one could have been more considerate. His sheer masculine conquest had not blinded her to the fact that life would not be one long honeymoon, but with Curt it would be a perpetual courtship. She was sure of that.

Looking through her window, Felicity stared down to where sun, air, sea and love were to be hers in the village of dazzling white houses lapped gently on the sandy beaches by the Aegean sea. Dreamily, she gave herself up to the ecstasy of the moment. Everything worthwhile that life had to offer was hers, with Curt.

The rest of the day was a dream underlain by a quivering and fearful anticipation of the approaching night which must follow. She trembled at the intimate thought of him. Her whole being felt on fire at the fear of the unknown, for she had never given herself to a man before. But if terror it was, this delicious sensation melting her bones could only culminate in the fulfilment of love..

When at last the door of their suite shut out the world she began to have qualms. The rooms in one of the finest hotels on the island were luxuriously comfortable, with muted wall lights and the indescribable atmosphere which pervades a honeymoon suite. Curt was still in his dressing-room when Felicity slid in between the scented sheets of the bridal bed, and she was quivering when he entered the room to turn off the lights.

The next moment he was sitting on the bed beside her, taking her cold trembling hands in his warm clasp. His voice was deep and vibrant.

'At this moment I want you more than anything on earth, but I'm not insensitive to the fact that you've had a long and tiring day. There's nothing for you to be scared about. One of the qualities which first attracted me to you was your naturalness, with no false note anywhere. I want you to act naturally with me tonight. Follow the dictates of your own heart. You understand? '

She nodded, her fears melting under the impact of his eyes as he kissed her hands.

He continued, 'While we're on the subject, you might as well know that I'm a perfectly healthy, virile man with the usual normal tendencies which I shall make sure never get out of hand. ' He was kissing her now, his lips moving down to her throat. 'Tell me, ' he murmured against her lips, 'do you want me to go away for tonight, or shall I stay? '

And Felicity could not resist him. Her mouth sought and met his in a deep kiss. She loved him, belonged to him, and he to her. Everything was perfectly natural and wonderful, and only his touch could work the combination which unlocked her heart. In that simple action of surrender to his masculine demands she gave him her vows all over again, and found the ultimate fulfilment of womanhood. And if his passion did flare, as inevitably it did, beneath it was an immeasurable tenderness and love.

So Felicity began her married life more happy than she had ever been. She was the type that, once committed, gave her all; Curt was her lord and master and she wanted it no other way. The honeymoon was something she remembered all her life. The blood ran strong and invigorating like wine through her veins and she abandoned herself wholly to the joy of living and loving. In the hot sun and breathtaking scenery of the island, she felt an affinity with the Greeks, sharing their passion for life and revelling in the beauty of her own body and the sensual pleasure it brought to Curt. Laughter shone in their eyes and rang in their voices as they dived down in the green translucent depths of the water during their early morning swim. Curt's tan gave him a Latin look against which his teeth gleamed astonishingly white. He looked splendidly alive and amazingly fit, and she was sure there was never a more satisfactory lover anywhere.

So happy was Felicity that his domination of her will passed unnoticed, until one morning after their bathe she appeared at breakfast in primrose slacks.

'You're a tantalizing little devil in those slacks, ' he commented, surveying her boyish slimness lazily. 'Now go and take them off and put on a dress. I like you in skirts. '

Felicity walked up against him and said wheedlingly, 'You know you don't mean that. '

Half mockingly, he said, 'Don't I? ' The deep quality of his voice never failed to stir her. 'I give you five minutes to take them off and put on a dress. Wear them when you're at home, if you wish, but not here while you're with me. ' He laughed, kissed the tip of her nose and added, 'Scram! '

He was standing waiting for her when she returned wearing a white linen skirt of box pleats with the same top.

'That's better. ' He smiled at her long slim golden legs. 'Come here. '

She went and put her arms around his neck. 'I can see I shall have to take care of my wedding ring, or you'll be putting me in irons, ' she murmured against his chest.

He reached up to clasp her wrists and pull down her arms to fasten a gold bracelet on her slender arm.

'Another crack like that and I'll spank you, ' he threatened. 'We happen to be going somewhere important this morning, and I prefer you to look like my wife, not some slim boy. '

Curt kissed the tip of her nose and seated her at the breakfast table on the sunny balcony of their suite of rooms. Then, taking the chair opposite to her, he shook out his table napkin and grinned at her questioning look. He explained,

'It's customary for the Mayor here to invite honeymooners to his parlour, to present them with a certificate making them members of the Seventh Heaven Club. This entitles them to " Love, fun, laughter, happiness, friends, hope and peace". ' He picked up his fruit juice. 'Cheers, my sweet. In case you don't know it the Greeks call this island the Bride of the Sun. '

The Mayor was a short thickset man in his middle forties, still darkly good-looking and noticeably gallant. He introduced himself, and with a twinkle in his eye performed the short ceremony of handing over the certificate with all the lightheartedness the occasion merited.

'Wasn't he sweet, Curt? ' Felicity said later when they were enjoying an iced drink at a quaint little cafe.

Curt said dryly, 'Apparently he thought the same about you. He looked at you long enough. '

Felicity laughed. 'It was your fault—you would insist upon me being feminine in a skirt. In any case, I thought it was a beautiful gesture on the part of the island to present us with the good wishes on the certificate. '

'Agreed. But I already have them, thanks to you. You're the most captivating piece I've ever known. '

Felicity's heart gave a curious lurch. 'Thanks, ' she said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

He laughed with her, and leaned forward. 'There'll be other things I shall want later, such as children. Agreed? '

His voice had become dangerously attractive, and her eyes fell from his as she nodded. A wave of colour swept over her, making her very conscious of herself and him.

He went on with a mocking delight at her confusion, 'No doubt you've noticed that I'm a light sleeper, but no twin beds when we set up our own home. Togetherness is essential for a marriage to survive, and ours is going to do just that. I need hardly say that any objection will be completely overruled. '

Felicity looked up at him then with a haunting smile, half sad, half gay, with a tantalizing dimple denting a curve in her cheek. His eyes caught and held hers as if they would never let them go. They held an imperious demand and something inspiring and passionate passed between them as they sat oblivious to everything around them.

'You're a brute, ' said Felicity, 'but I love you and wouldn't have you any other way. '

He chuckled. 'Thanks. You and I must get together some time. What about tonight? '

He threw back his head and laughed outright at the rich colour flooding beneath her skin.

'There was never any doubt of that, ' was the demure answer.

Felicity learned a lot about her husband during her honeymoon. He was generous to a fault, heaping gifts upon her, hiring the best horses because he knew she enjoyed riding, and dancing with her until the small hours although he had admitted to not being too keen on the latter.

She loved the covert twinkle in his eyes, his congenital courtesy, his unfailing good manners and his nonchalant approach to life, which along with his other qualities she found most endearing. Felicity refused to think beyond the honeymoon, although she knew it had to end and she had 'to face banalities. With passionate intensity every precious moment of every precious day was lived to the full. She gave him all her love and passion, and gloried in the giving, through the wonderful sacrament of marriage. In studying him she knew what he wanted, and her mood was his mood.

For the first time in her life Felicity was passionately grateful for the beauty of her face and form, blowing she could satisfy Curt visually as well as physically. Curt was too intelligent to suffer fools gladly and she took good care not to bore him by being playfully naive. Her native intelligence and wit told her that the best of men were selfish, and that Curt was the kind of man who took what he wanted. But he had an inborn sense of decency and could discipline himself if he wanted to.

They shared long silences together beneath the vast blue sky, and she became his friend as well as his lover in the truest sense of the word. Marriage to Curt had revealed a passion in her which she had not been aware of—a deep primitive feeling leaving her vulnerable to hurt. That he might hurt her some day made her gallant spirit vow that when that day came she would endure it with dignity.

So Felicity began to work on her marriage, treating it like a career, laying the foundations of love and trust wisely—vowing never to bore him and to keep his illusions about her intact, so that no other woman in his life would ever measure up to her standards.

Anna did not ask if she was happy, neither did her parents. It showed in her glowing face and dancing eyes when she went to visit them on her return from her honeymoon.

'So the colt has been broken in, ' said Anna as she packed Felicity's favourite things to take back with her to Curt's chambers at Lincolns Inn. 'Men like a girl with spirit, so don't forget to nip him once in a while, ' she added wisely to the evening dress she was folding between layers of tissue paper.

Felicity laughed. 'I won't. Half the fun of quarrelling is the making up afterwards, and Curt does it beautifully. '

'I'm sure he does, ' Anna commented dryly, 'and don't choke me! '

Felicity was hugging her exuberantly around her neck. 'Oh, Anna, I wish you were married. You don't know what you're missing. '

To which Anna replied darkly, 'What you never have you never miss. ' Then she smiled. 'I hope all your troubles are little ones. '

Felicity laughed with pure joy. 'Let us find a house first, please, ' she cried.

They found the house they wanted after months of searching, a low creeper-clad, stone-built country house a few miles from Norton Towers on the other side of the village. A grove of trees, half-circling it, acted as a shelter from the winds. Behind the house were the paddocks and orchards with stretches of velvet green lawns stretching away from the terrace and French windows. Curt and Felicity loved Cherry Trees on sight, and they had fun going in search of furnishings for their new home. They both agreed on a simplicity of design and colour which forbade the sin of overcrowding to be their theme. So Cherry Trees gradually became an enchanted place, with a few choice pieces of furniture from her parents and several good paintings and etchings contributed by Madame Moreau.

Curt, amazed at his wife's intelligence and charm, watched her develop enchantingly. In his opinion she had much to learn about life and there was a good deal he could teach her; but he resolved to do so with a sense of humour, a quality that helped him over most difficulties.

He had decided to keep on his chambers at Lincolns Inn, but his man, Henri, was to come to live at Cherry Trees. He proved invaluable in putting up extra shelves and contacting workmen about alterations and repairs. He was also an excellent cook and willingly showed Felicity her husband's favourite dishes.

With her days so full, Norton Towers faded into the background of her life and her visits home were rare. She had a housewarming party to which her parents and Madame Moreau were invited, but Blain was unable to come because his regiment had been posted to Ireland for a short training session. Curt's mother stayed on for a few days, and everything went off happily.

Felicity was a charming and natural hostess, but their entertainment was limited for the first few weeks, as Curt had a mountain of work to catch up with since coming back from their honeymoon. He was away in London during the day, but came home in time to dine in the evening; sometimes Felicity motored down to London to go to a show and dine with him. On these occasions he washed and changed at his chambers in Lincolns Inn.

They had been married a few months when Felicity met him at his chambers, from where they had planned to attend one of Judge Greatman's parties. The evening was very enjoyable and after dinner Curt and Felicity strolled into the small garden for air. The house, as usual, was crowded, and it was a relief to seek the sanctuary of the little garden and listen to the muted sound of London traffic not far away.

They sat on the terrace and looked down on other guests standing in groups talking below. Curt had just settled himself when Judge Greatman strolled out to ask him to spare him five minutes in his study.

Curt's, 'Shan't be long, darling, ' rang in Felicity's ears as she stifled a sigh. She was beginning to wonder if being a famous Q. C. 's wife was just as frustrating as being a doctor's. Curt always seemed to be involved with some case or other; there were so many demands upon his time. Leaning back against the cushions of the chair, Felicity closed her eyes and felt a little ashamed at such thoughts. She was wonderfully happy, and she was more in love with her husband now than when they were married, if that were possible.

Cigar smoke drifted upwards to where she sat, followed by the sound of stentorian laughter, and she leaned forward to see two men directly below her standing enjoying a smoke and a chat. Their conversation passed unheeded until one of them mentioned Mrs Staffordly.

'He's opted out, and I don't blame him, ' the first man remarked, and rather amused, Felicity wondered who had opted out.

'Has he? ' The second man sounded mildly surprised.

'No doubt about that, old man, ' said the first speaker. 'Nora has had her wings clipped; Staffordly is beginning to sit up and take notice. Not that I care for him. Never did—supercilious devil. ' There was the scrape of a match as the first man lighted a pipe. 'Her affair with young Vale-Norton brought matters to a head. '

Felicity caught her breath and gripped the arms of her chair as the voice went on.

'They're living in Paris—I wouldn't be surprised if Curt Moreau had something to do with Nora going back to her husband. We all know that Nora will do anything for Curt. '

The other man gave an unpleasant laugh. 'Ironical that he should marry young Vale-Norton's sister. A fetching wench—made all the other women here tonight look jaded, I thought. '

His companion agreed. 'Lovely girl. I wonder if she knows about-her husband and Nora? I saw Moreau having lunch with her last week-, and him hardly back from his honeymoon. '

'Ah well, it takes all sorts... '

The rest of their conversation drifted into the still night air as they strolled back indoors.

Felicity sat rigid. Every word had been a well-aimed stab to her heart, and she shrank back quivering as from a mortal blow. She did not doubt for a moment the truth of what she had overheard. Dazed and sickened by it, for the shame was hers as well as Curt's, Felicity saw her marriage in ruins. She saw Curt as he really was, stripped of all his charm and glamour, and the disillusionment of it showed in her white face and smouldering blue eyes.

It seemed to her that she had awakened from a dream into cold reality. A lifetime of emotion had been packed into the last ten minutes of time. She felt sick and ill, and when Curt returned he was immediately concerned by her pallor.

'Darling, are you ill? ' he asked, bending over her with a worried frown and taking her cold hands in his warm clasp.

'Take me home, ' she said.

In the car on their way home he kept glancing at her as she lay back in her seat with closed eyes, and she made no demur when he swept her up into his arms upon reaching the house to carry her to their room. It was while she was being borne in his arms up the stairs that Felicity knew the magic still worked, and the effect of his nearness was as shattering as ever. She loved him despite what he had done and, to her everlasting shame, even her pride did not matter. All her vitality and resilience came to the fore. She would not give him up, would not let him know what she had heard.

As he laid her down gently upon the bed, she gave a tremulous smile.

'I'm all right now, ' she assured him.

He stood looking down at her anxiously, not entirely convinced.

'I'm going to send for the doctor, ' he said, scanning her face.

'No, don't. Please, Curt, I'm perfectly all right. '

He hesitated. 'Very well. I'm going to fetch you some brandy. '

The brandy set her back on an even keel. Curt sat on the bed watching her drink it, his expression still anxious.

'Come to bed, ' she said. 'I want you with me. '

That evening taught Felicity a lot; that the past was never wholly past, but was always there to taunt or to comfort. For her own peace of mind her marriage had to work, and sometimes things had to be accepted as they were and not as one wanted them to be. A very determined effort had to be made to put everything she had heard that evening in the background of her thoughts, for to act upon it and demand an explanation from Curt would be disastrous. She had to. trust him.

To leave him now, after all they had been to each other, would be like dying. That night she drowned in the sweetness of his embrace in a deep yet agonizing joy. Mindful of her not feeling well, Curt was very gentle with her until her passionate response awoke an answering passion in him. Never, she vowed, would she ever give him cause to go to another woman.

Several days later, when Curt had gone to his work in London, Elvira telephoned to say the Colonel had suffered a slight seizure during the night. The doctor had. been summoned but had assured her there was nothing to worry about. He was calling again at midday.

Felicity drove over right away, and her mother met her in the hall.

'He's sleeping, but he's breathing naturally, ' she assured her, and her gaze narrowed at the shadows beneath her daughter's eyes. 'You look a bit peaky yourself. '

Felicity, who had felt queasy all morning, smiled gallantly. 'Nothing wrong with me, ' she said brightly.

The next moment she had passed out at her mother's feet. She knew directly she came round what had happened; she was lying on the sofa in the lounge and the' doctor was standing over her, his hand on her pulse.

'You're going to have a baby, Mrs Moreau, ' he told her. 'Fortunately I was coming in at the door behind you when you fell, so I carried you in here. You probably won't have any more trouble. You're healthy enough—all the Vale-Nortons are healthy stock. ' He smiled at Elvira, who was standing by. 'The news that the Colonel will soon be a grandfather will be as good as a bottle of medicine for him! '

Felicity went upstairs to see her father when the doctor had gone. He lay very still, and the face he turned towards her as she closed the door and walked to his bed was pale and drawn.

'Felicity, my dear, ' he said faintly, and smiled. 'How nice of you to come. It's really nothing serious. '

She put her arms around him. 'How are you feeling, Daddy? '

'Much better. I'm in no pain, just feel tired. I'll soon be up and about again. I'll have to be, won't I? '

'You mean the baby? ' Felicity smiled fondly. 'You'll need all your strength running round after your grandson. '

He nodded, and closed his eyes. She stayed with him quite a while after he had drifted off to sleep, then left the room vowing that she would not neglect to visit him so much in the future.

Curt was delighted about the baby. He treated Felicity like a piece of Dresden china and she laughingly told him that having a baby was quite a natural event.

The Colonel was up and about again, within a week, and Felicity went to see him every day. Blain wrote to congratulate her and said he was hoping to be home again soon. With the coming of the baby Felicity settled down to prepare for it, knowing that Curt would be much closer to her with a son to link them. She tried to forget about Nora Staffordly, and came very near to succeeding, until the day she went to London with her mother to do some shopping. Elvira had expressed a wish to attend a show of summer fashions, and they had taken the last two seats at the end of the first row when two women passed with the idea of sitting behind them.

The second woman hesitated in front of them and spoke. 'I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you much happiness, Mrs Moreau, ' said Nora Staffordly, smiling down at them both.

She was wearing a black velvet trouser suit with the green scarf knotted at the side of her neck, an excellent foil for her red hair. Feeling very much the jeune mariee herself, Felicity saw the woman before her as a femme fatale, and not at all as a married woman like herself. But she received her congratulations politely with a little smile.

'Thanks, ' she replied. 'We're shopping for baby clothes. '

The words were out before she could prevent them, yet Felicity felt she had to say them, if only to let this beautiful self-possessed woman know that Curt really belonged now to his wife and she to him. For no longer than a second a pained expression clouded Nora Staffordly's lovely eyes; then it was gone, so quickly that felicity was not sure it had ever been there.

'That's wonderful, I'm so happy for you. I'm sure Curt is delighted. He and I are very old friends, ' she said quietly.

There was a sincere note in the lovely voice, striking a chord of sympathy in Felicity, and her smile was much warmer as they parted. Her mother, however, was not so sentimental,

'How embarrassing, ' she whispered. 'I don't know how she had the nerve to stop and talk to us after nearly wrecking my boy's life! '

Felicity maintained a discreet silence, and when they left after the show Mrs Staffordly's seat was empty.

The early days of her pregnancy were joyous ones. As she waited for her baby to develop its featureless anonymity, living became a suspended animation and delight. On sunny days her spirits soared to church steeple heights. Knowing that fresh air was essential for a healthy baby, Felicity set off on picnics, taking routes on minor roads in the car at Curt's request. One morning she set off with a picnic lunch packed by the admirable Henri beneath a ceiling of blue sky and balloonlike cumulus clouds; larks sang in the meadows and a changing pattern of light and shade washed over the charming landscape.

There was something so fresh and clean about the countryside, she thought dreamily. It was the ideal place to have a baby. Finding a suitable place to eat her picnic lunch, she stopped the car on a rise and looked down on the valley below where a stream like a line of baby blue, ribbon threaded its way through the greenery. Blue for a boy, she told herself happily, and with mounting optimism imagined him riding beside her on his first pony. It had to be a boy, with Curt's exciting dark looks and the same well-shaped arrogant head.

Felicity munched an apple after her lunch and after reading for a while went back to the car, and negotiating the narrow winding road with care, drove on towards Norton Towers. The scent blew across the road from the woods on either side and she could see mists of blue, enchanting bluebells nestling at the feet of thick old trees. The gardens of Norton Towers had all the glamour of the woods, the perfume of flowers and grass and the song of birds as she drove along the gravel to the entrance.

Colonel Vale-Norton was on the terrace, taking his usual afternoon nap after lunch. On his lap was an adorable sealyham puppy who cocked one eye open at Felicity's approach and gave a miniature growl.

The Colonel gave a grunt and opened his eyes at Felicity's chuckle.

'Daddy, ' she cried, 'what a poppet! Isn't he sweet? Can I cuddle him? '

She picked up the small white furry bundle, hugged him and gurgled with delight when the small pink tongue licked her cheek. Her father looked a trifle embarrassed.

'Hello there, ' he said. 'Had to have something when you went. I call him Whisky. '

'He's adorable, ' was her delighted comment. 'But what does Mummy say? She never did like dogs. '

'Your mother is away—went this morning to see Blain in Ireland. Don't know what she has to go for, when the boy's coming home on leave in a week or so. '

Felicity said simply, 'Blain means a lot to her, Daddy. We have to bear with her. ' The pup was returned to his lap. 'I don't intend to spoil my son as she's spoiled Blain. ' She sat down on one of the white Gothic-style wicker chairs, and smiled fondly at her father. 'He's going to love you. ' Her smile was suddenly impish. 'It might be a girl. '

'I'm all for it, ' he answered, 'she's sure to be like you. '

She laughed, 'Flatterer! How about coming over for dinner this evening? I'll telephone Curt to collect you on his way home. '

Curt arrived home at seven that evening, having collected the Colonel on the way.

He said with a charming smile, 'Hello, my sweet, I've brought our guest. ' Felicity's heart somersaulted at his smile. The magic was still there and she went impulsively into his arms. There was the swift light pressure of his arms, then his mouth covered hers firmly, warmly.

To Felicity the house came to life when Curt was there.

The peculiar subtle flavour of his personality was almost tangible as she linked the two most important men in her life indoors. Dinner that evening was a gay meal, with Curt as usual the perfect host, attentive and amusing. He treated the Colonel as he would his own father, and the conversation was shared and enjoyed by all three.

They had coffee in the lounge and the Colonel accepted his cup, looking happily replete with an excellent meal.

'The coffee smells good, ' he said with a smile of appreciation as Henri brought in the tray. 'Your man Henri is a treasure. The meal was excellent. '

Curt grinned. 'He's our man now, sir. He's giving Felicity lessons in French cooking. '

The Colonel looked fondly at his daughter. Since expecting her baby she had, in his opinion, an almost spirituelle beauty; if only she did not feel things so deeply! He was so afraid of her getting hurt. She was still something of a child with her infallible beliefs in human nature. It had interested him enormously watching her develop, encouraging in her a vivid and stimulating interest in people and in life around her. Since her marriage he had become firm friends with his son-in-law, and appreciated him more than he was inclined to do at the beginning. He could vouch that Curt was one of those rare men who never failed a friend, and on whom it was always possible to rely. But his mind, like his body, was of tempered steel. He was flexible and philosophical, Felicity was neither. She was all deep-down warmth, all heart. However, there was nothing more that a father could tell her. She had to learn by experience, and he hoped it dealt kindly with her. And while he was very happy to see her so content, his smile as he kissed her on leaving was a little sad.

Felicity was thinking about that smile when Curt returned from taking her father home; she had finished her preparations for bed and was already in it, looking very young and vulnerable in her filmy nightdress.

Curt yawned somewhat ostentatiously. 'Ye gods, I'm tired, ' he said, beginning to undress.

'Then come to bed, darling, ' she said softly, feeling the familiar quickening of her pulses underlying the troubled thoughts of her father. 'Daddy looked a little lost tonight. He's bought the cutest little dog for company. He misses Blain in Ireland, and me. I feel worried about him. '

She studied his face as he came to her and found it more exciting than ever as his arms reached out with a consciousness of mastery. He frowned for a moment at the concern in her deep blue eyes, then did the obvious thing, and that was to close her mouth with kisses. His body, close to hers, hard, muscular and strong, seemed to enfold her with his strength when he spoke at last against her lips.

'Your worries are mine too. I'm your husband, remember? Your father will be all right. Why not ask him to stay with us until your mother returns home? '

That night Felicity dreamed that she was back again at Norton Towers. She was young again with Blain, playing in the woods and dancing with delight because it was spring. They gathered flowers and fern wet with dew and pelted each other with them. Then they played at hide and seek among the trees and Blain was playing hard to find, as he always did. She kept calling his name, but there was only an echo, and she searched and searched until she sank down on the grass, exhausted, to fall asleep. Suddenly she heard his voice. He was bending over her to kiss her gently and she awoke with his name on her lips.

'Steady now. It's all right, my sweet—you've been dreaming. '

Curt drew her into his arms and stroked back the heavy golden hair from her hot forehead.

Felicity looked up at him wide-eyed and distraught. 'Did you kiss me just now? ' she asked.

'No. You woke me up yelling. " Blain" at the top of your voice. You've been dreaming, ' Curt said philosophically.

'Then it was Blain who kissed me. It woke me up. It was almost as though he was here in the room; I heard his chuckle as plain as I can hear you. ' Tears rushed to her eyes and her voice trembled. 'Oh, Curt, do you think something dreadful has happened to him? '

'There, you're taking a dream far too seriously. Of course nothing has happened to him. Your mother is there by now with him, remember? Blain is a big boy now, my sweet, ' he said gently. 'Forget all about him and go off to sleep. Close your eyes. ' He kissed her eyelids softly and she slept.

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