SWAN'S REACH. Margaret Way. CHAPTER ONE

SWAN'S REACH

Margaret Way

The bitter irony of fate, Rachel thought. She had resented Nick Retford for so long that it was hard to believe she could be in love with him.

What was the use anyway? Loving Nick Retford was like reaching for the moon. He was just as magnetic and just as difficult to attain. Only one name dominated his world - Vanessa Maybury.

The news of their proposed marriage hit Rachel like a thunderbolt!

CHAPTER ONE

Rachael sprang to her feet, feeling so threatened that she instinctively seized, up a paperweight. 'No, damn him! Why should he be so fortunate? I won't have it! '

The dangerous words were out before she realised she had said them—so violent, so irrational, she would have been at a loss to explain them herself, but undoubtedly strong feeling propelled her, illuminating her skin and her eyes, a flame of emotion that she wore like armour, though Jacob's bulk almost hid her slenderness from sight.

A bright fury in a yellow dress! How young and desperate she looks! Elizabeth Ross, who loved her granddaughter, remained silent, but Jacob, their dear friend and solicitor for over forty years, turned brusquely on the girl with a sharp look of pity and censure. Tut down that paperweight, Rachael. You're upsetting your grandmother! ' He was studying her intently. She looked uncannily wild, but somehow beautiful beyond enduring. Such a proud and spirited young thing! It was really very moving. 'Rachael? ' His eyes clung to the paperweight until she deposited it safely on the desk again.

'I'm sorry, Uncle Jacob! ' Rachael came back to order with an effort, all her bright colour just as suddenly fading. 'You couldn't expect me to be happy. My head is reeling. I don't want it to be him. He looks as if he owns the earth already, every last wish fulfilled. If we must sell, why him? ''

For once Jacob Dodds looked at a loss. He ran his hand over his perfectly bald dome. 'My dear child, be fair! I don't know why you're feeling so badly. '

'Yes, darling, what is it? ' Elizabeth Ross spoke for the first time since Rachael's passionate outburst, even in her adoration realising her only grandchild's penchant for drama.

The golden iridescent light was in Rachael's eyes again. She swung around looking momentarily betrayed, and stared fixedly at her grandmother. 'Why, Gran, I haven't a logical explanation. He's too disturbing a man. He makes me anxious, panicky—his whole image. Who does he think he is—Caesar, a tyranniser? Why, his glance would slice you to ribbons. That's his ghastly profession. '

'Good lord! ' Jacob, by now, was thoroughly startled. 'May I remind you, Rachael, ' he said sternly, 'I, too, practised law. '

'As the head of a firm of highly respected solicitors, Uncle Jacob. '

'While Nick Retford is probably the most brilliant criminal lawyer in the country. '

'Really quite decent after all, ' Elizabeth pointed out gently, seeking to influence the atmosphere.

Rachael stared into space. 'I'm not thinking of myself, Gran, ' she said tragically. 'Don't you notice? What would a man like that know about feelings? '

'Everything, I should think, ' Elizabeth said reasonably.

'I don't believe it! He'd have as much human kindness as a tiger. Didn't you see his cleft chin? No soft, easy focus there. I thought he looked quite ruthless. '

'Well, well, well! ' Jacob breathed helplessly.

Elizabeth continued to smile—an asset in all situations. 'I thought him a most striking man. Splendid, we would have said in my day. A man to hurdle any challenge, and, as Jacob informs us, he's considered to be extremely brilliant. A good combination, don't you think? I should be proud of him, but I suppose you're too young and headstrong to see these things. '

There was horror in Rachael's young voice as though she was in the middle of a nightmare. 'You couldn't let the Swan go to him, Gran? How brutal! I'll have a nervous breakdown. '

Elizabeth raised her silvery, beautifully dressed head, assuming her own effective tone. 'No exaggeration, darling, my own nerves are at breaking point. Let's face it, our days at Swans' Reach are over and done with. All the old glory passed with the death of your grandfather. The death duties crippled us and we simply haven't the wherewithal to care for such a very large house, let alone the grounds. There's no use making a scene. We must act properly, if not in front of poor old Jacob here who knows us. '

'You're wonderful, Elizabeth, ' Jacob said sincerely.

'Well, I'm not going to make myself ill at the prospect of leaving my home, even if it is a great inconvenience and a heartbreak. I shall make my farewells quietly, with dignity. Mr Retford made a very good impression upon me. Apart from the singular fact he's the only one to come up to the reserve price, he's obviously a man of taste and distinction. '

'Do you happen to realise how he makes his living, Gran? Defending murderers! '

'Don't be ridiculous, child! He's immensely respectable. '

'I think it's downright horrible to be a criminal lawyer, ' Rachael announced, almost sobbing. 'Nothing ever turns out the way it should. '

'Darling, ' Elizabeth said, looking suddenly very frail, 'we must go. You know that. You only met Mr Retford briefly, just as he was leaving. I had a much better opportunity to assess his character. '

'He's Judge Housman's great-nephew, isn't he? ' Rachael asked, as though she suddenly remembered something.

'What has that got to do with it? ' Jacob asked blankly.

'Sir Geoffrey was madly in love with Gran for years. '

'My dear girl, he wasn't the only one. I was, still am, myself. '

'Of course, Jacob, how nice you are! '

'She's like you when you were young, Lib. The same beautiful hair, the same topaz eyes with a slant to them, but she doesn't have your sweet temperament, those soft, disarming ways. '

'No, ' Elizabeth smiled. 'She's Dirk's daughter. Such a passion for life he had, my beloved son. Rachael is my greatest link with his memory. I can't ever be angry with her. '

'I love you too, Gran, ' Rachael said emotionally, 'but selling Swans' Reach to Dominic Retford is out of the question. He might turn it into some kind of reform school, a rehabilitation centre for all his old clients. '

'I shouldn't worry my head about that, darling. I believe he's thinking of marrying again. The Maybury woman. What's her name? '

'Vanessa, ' Jacob supplied, interested on his own account.

'That social butterfly! ' Rachael cried scornfully.

'She looks very beautiful in all her photographs, ' Lady Ross said fairly.

'Just as cold and remote as a statue. Like him. Certainly they should make a congenial pair. '

'Don't be so unkind, Rachael, ' Jacob replied. 'I've seen Mrs Maybury. She's an absolute picture and very witty. Retford's had his own troubles. He deserves some happiness. It was a tragedy about his wife. '

'Why, did she leave him? '

'She died of leukemia, I understand. She was only twenty-five and their son was three years old. '

'There! ' Rachael drew a breath hoarsely. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know I sound shocking. What's the matter with me, for heaven's sake? '

'You can't bear leaving your lovely home, that's all, ' Jacob said briskly, polishing his glasses. 'It's perfectly understandable. I could weep buckets for you myself, but the halcyon days of Swans' Reach haven't fallen into dust. Retford is a man of considerable means. '

'All treasures left to him. Inherited wealth! ' Rachael said bitterly. 'I suppose dear old Sir Geoffrey will leave him a packet as well. '

'Why not? He's the Judge's acknowledged heir. Housman never married. To the best of my knowledge the only woman who laid any frail claim to his attention was your grandmother, and she was married. '

'Make another attempt to meet Mr Retford, ' Lady Ross said. 'You may see him in a different light. '

'Never! He's a confounding kind of man face to face. '

'Well, he's coming again the day after tomorrow. '

'And to think our home could go to a man like that! '

Elizabeth ran a trembling hand across her forehead, but her voice was quite firm. 'You're going to listen to me, Rachael. It's not really sensible to allow yourself to become violently prejudiced against a man on the basis of a half dozen exchanged words. You can't really know a thing about him. '

'I'd have known all about him if I met him in the middle of the Gobi desert. '

'How wrongly you judge him! I seem to have seen the exact opposite. '

'You're like a nun, Gran. Blind to the wickedness around you. '

'Don't bother to spare me! '

'Your grandmother, Rachael, is a very balanced woman, ' Jacob said testily. 'She's even considered to be very worldly. '

'Not by me. '

'And how do I appear to myself? ' Elizabeth asked with a little laugh. 'Poor Mr Retford, so unsuspecting of all this passion and hatred. '

'He knew very well I didn't like him, ' Rachael said. 'Didn't you notice his eyes, Gran? Such a theatrical combination, black hair and blue eyes. '

'Red hair has a few drawbacks as well, ' Jacob pointed out drily.

'Dark auburn, ' Rachael corrected.

'Until you get under a light, darling, then it flashes out all the red in the world. Don't worry, it's beautiful hair, as you very well know. You were extremely lucky to have inherited it from me. Your dearest grandfather lost his hair quite early. '

'Oh, Gran! What about the Lodge? Did you say anything about that to him? '

'No, actually I didn't, ' Lady Ross replied carefully.

'Why not? '

'Darling, I'm not begging for anything. '

'The house stands on ten acres, ' Rachael said heatedly. 'Surely he can let us have the Lodge and the bit of ground round it? '

'Such a proposition mightn't appeal to him, let alone his future wife. It would mean subdividing the estate. '

'Perhaps he might consider leasing it to you, Lib? It seems the ideal situation to me. I can't see you cooped up in an apartment after all this. It's just big enough and most beautifully furnished. You could keep all those pieces. '

'Mr Retford mightn't want us on his doorstep, Jacob dear, '

'Damn his eyes! ' Rachael said violently.

'The eyes got you, didn't they, darling? A very vivid blue, as I recall. '

'I'm sure Lucifer had blue eyes. '

'There's a thing! '

'Blue is the most arrogant colour in tie world, ' Rachael insisted.

'What you took for arrogance, my darling, was just a naturally commanding presence. You over-reacted. '

'As usual. Say it, Gran. '

'Truly, I've spoilt you. So did Lew. We spoilt you outrageously—not that you haven't always been the dearest girl in the world. Your good points far outweigh your hot temper. Meet him again, darling. '

'I suppose I'll doubly detest him. '

'Don't make a mischief, there's a dear girl, ' Jacob said persuasively. 'Nick Retford is our greatest bet so far. You didn't meet the big real estate developer. Now that would have been impossible. '

'You never told me about him, Gran. —

'It wasn't worth it. A very ill-bred man, absolutely no cultivated instincts. If I must sell Swans' Reach, it will go to a man I can trust with it. As I see it, Dominic Retford. '

'How could you, Gran? ' sighed Rachael.

'I'm wiser than you are, darling. You talk a good deal of nonsense. But your heart's in the right place, and you're desperately lovely, even if I say so myself. None of your friends' mothers will. I can honestly say being good-looking counts with a woman. A man doesn't seem to be any the worse off if he's ugly. '

'Thank God for that! ' Jacob said gratefully.

'I wish I were a man! ' Rachael said vehemently.

'Horror of horrors! ' Lady Ross threw up her hands, smiling.

'Then we wouldn't have to sell the Swan, Gran! ' Rachael looked at her grandmother with her heart in her eyes. 'I'd work like a slave! '

'Darling, even you couldn't make a fortune by twenty, even though I've devoted a good deal of time to your education. '

'You're the best and most unselfish grandmother in the world. '

'Hear, hear! ' said Jacob fondly.

'Then have pity on me, darling. Try and hide your aversion to our most interested and well-heeled buyer. I understand he's bringing Mrs Maybury next time. '

'I hope she ruins him! ' Rachael couldn't resist saying.

'I don't think he's the man to give in to a woman's whims and fancies. It's just possible Mrs Maybury might be extremely virtuous. '

'Then she'll make him an odd wife. I think he'd be a demon in the courtroom, and to prove it, I just might go and see him tomorrow in action. Isn't he defending that Cleary boy? '

'Rachael! ' Lady Ross turned about in the Louis XVI settee. 'You must be mad! What need have you to do that? '

'I want to see for myself what kind of a man he is, ' Rachael said very imperiously.

For all their closeness Lady Ross looked appalled.

'The experience won't hurt her, ' Jacob found himself saying. 'One must take the opportunities life has to offer. The closing stages of the trial, as it happens. I expect the boy will get off. An unstable type perhaps, but not, I think, a murderer. '

'He should be very grateful he has Mr Retford to defend him, ' Rachael said caustically.

'A good thing indeed. I wouldn't like an innocent boy to end up in prison. '

Rachael took that without flinching, continuing to meet Jacob's shrewd old eyes. She was very fond of him, so after a minute she smiled, unaware that her smile was, and always would be, heart-stopping, but for the moment Jacob had to discount it. 'It might be awkward if Retford sees you. '

'He won't, ' Rachael announced confidently. 'I'll wear a hat. '

'Excuse me, darling, ' her grandmother said gently, 'but I don't believe you have one. '

'I'll wear one of yours. '

'Then he'll certainly see you, ' Lady Ross answered, affronted. 'Mine were made to be noticeable. What's the sense of a hat one might miss? I'd feel quite disabled without a beautiful hat. '

'It's all right, Gran. We allow for you, ' Rachael said with a pert grin.

'All you young girls are so keen on this unisex thing, it's a wonder anyone wants to marry you. '

'In view of the evidence Rachael presents to us, that won't be her problem, ' Jacob said gallantly.

'I'm saving myself for the right man and I've plenty of time to spare. It's even possible I mightn't marry at all. '

'How disquieting, ' her grandmother said smoothly. 'And I suppose you're determined to go along tomorrow. '

'Want to come? '

'Heavens, no! I'm not even acquainted with the case. I can't see the necessity for all this ugliness all over the papers. There's not a great deal else to read these days. '

'I bet he's very expensive, ' said Rachael as though accusing Dominic Retford of something.

'I should say so, ' Jacob observed thoughtfully, 'but he's probably the best counsel at the Bar. Certainly way ahead of all the younger men. He's worth every penny. I think he's won every case he's been briefed for. '

'He's certainly very sure of himself, and those penetrating eyes! '

'Well, I must away, ' Jacob said. 'I'm very busy. '

'Let me come down to the car with you, Uncle Jacob. '

'There's a good girl. Go and fetch my things. '

When Rachael had gone out of the room, Elizabeth and Jacob looked at each other. 'Take courage, my dear. ' Jacob reached out and patted Elizabeth's shoulder. 'I'll always be standing by to help you. '

'You're a good friend, Jacob! ' She covered his hand with her own, firming the little tremor in her voice.

'Think nothing of it. I welcome the opportunity. Though none can see it, I know of your grief, Libby. I'm very proud of you. Lew would be too. '

'I must try to forget Swans' Reach. That I ever came to it as a bride. That my only son was born here. That my dearest Lewis loved it so well and died peacefully in his own garden. It's been a long journey for me too. I'll be eighty next birthday. I haven't got much longer. My heart aches for Rachael. It's her turn now and she's so vulnerable—she needs protection. Even the fact of her beauty. In many ways she's a young twenty. Her friend Sally might be double her age! '

'I know what you mean. ' Even Jacob had to sigh.

'But you can be very proud of her, Lib. There's real quality there. Perhaps a shade too much fire, these young things! It's a natural reaction, this sudden vehemence towards Retford. She'll give way and adopt a more sensible attitude. And she loves you so well she'll do anything to put your mind at rest. '

Elizabeth allowed herself to be helped to her feet, leaning a little against her friend. Jacob was indeed a tower of strength. 'When Rachael develops such a dislike, there might be the devil to pay! '

Jacob looked down at her thoughtfully. Such a wonderful-looking woman, still, with her beautiful, glowing hair gone snow white and her skin like a fine rose petal. 'Now see here, Lib, ' he said slowly. 'In spite of Rachael's youth and her sheltered upbringing, she doesn't make any mistakes. She's always been a credit to her honoured name. She did wonderfully well in her exams and she works hard. This little emotional outburst will pass. The only masculine authority she's ever known was Lew's, and God knows he was her devoted slave from the day she was born. Her dear father she scarcely knew. Nick Retford must have challenged some secret part of her, her deepest femininity. Such a lively girl would naturally tend to be self-willed. I'm not disturbing you, am I, dear? '

'No, no, Jacob. You're my true friend. To all appearances Mr Retford seemed greatly taken with the place. '

'Well, it's no humble abode after all! ' Jacob said drily. 'I've never been in a more beautiful house. I wish there was some way I could save it for you. To lose Swans' Reach at your age! A whole world of regret. These death duties simply must be abolished. They're affecting everyone, not only the rich, but the middle and lower income brackets. Harry is handling the Clayton estate. Dear me, difficulties there! Such a pity! '

Lady Ross only shrugged. 'They'll change it in due time, Jacob, but it won't help me. I must leave my peace and my haven, but I mustn't complain. I've been very fortunate, after all. Life took my only child from me in his prime, and our dear Marianne, but somehow Lew and I survived. Rachael pulled us through that double tragedy. There was always the child to consider and she brought us great joy. My little Rachael, she feels this dreadfully. You know how attached she is to the house! '

'She hasn't lost everything, Lib. She's a beautiful girl, well educated, and I don't think she'll be frightened of standing on her own feet. It would be too bad if there was nothing, but you'll still be comfortably off. A paradise like this demands a good deal of time and money. If Retford doesn't have the time he certainly has the necessary means, to maintain such a very beautiful home. Rachael, poor child, can't see that he's actually a very desirable person on all counts. Mrs Maybury, I believe, is a brilliant hostess. '

'Well, that doesn't profoundly move me, Jacob. '

'I'm sorry, my dear! I'm a tactless old fool. Always have been. '

'Nonsense, Jacob! You could have been a career diplomat. Ah, here's Rachael. '

Rachael came towards them, a dazzling young creature indeed, making a business of carrying Jacob's packed briefcase. 'What do you keep in here, Uncle Jacob? '

'A novel, my dear. A magnificent first novel! '

'You're joking! ' Lady Ross turned to her friend, astonished.

'Why not? There's many a story he could tell! ' Rachael said slyly.

Jacob flung up his hands and gave his rich, infectious laugh. 'No, actually, it's an immense amount of work, otherwise I should stay for luncheon. '

'But you've retired, Jacob. '

'Nonsense! ' Jacob said jauntily. 'I'm still the up and coming man. Now give me that briefcase, Rachael. ' He ambled to the door, a ponderous, impressive figure flanked by the two very slender women. 'Still determined to go and see our friend Mr Retford? '

'I won't be able to help myself, ' Rachael said drily. 'It's a kind of compulsion. '

'Just see you don't provoke a crisis. '

'I promise, Uncle Jacob. I'll stay very much in the background. '

'Not with that face! Still, perhaps it's right that you should see him in his own sphere. ' Jacob turned a little awkwardly to his life-long friend. 'Goodbye, Lib my dear. I'll ring you tonight, shall I? Rachael can come down to the car with me. '

'And why can't I? ' Lady Ross demanded, as though she could see the curtain coming down on her powers.

'Because I won't let you, ' Jacob said easily; 'You look marvellous, as always, but perhaps a little tired. '

'I agree with Uncle Jacob, ' Rachael said instantly.

'I like you better when you don't. I'm not in the least tired, either of you! '

'Well, you know what we mean! ' Jacob waddled a little way off. 'It's natural for ladies to put their feet up. '

'I've spent my entire life keeping busy, thank you, Jacob Dodds. Put my feet up indeed! Give my love to Harry. We don't see nearly enough of him these days. His godmother too! '

'Neither do I, and I'm his father! ' Jacob protested, looking down his large fine nose. 'Harry works much too hard, but all Soma's extravagances have to be paid for. '

'These society women! ' Rachael cried, plunging right in. 'Sonia would know Mrs Maybury! '

'I shouldn't wonder, ' Jacob said lugubriously. 'Now come along, Rachael, you'll get no more out of me. '

'Not even a ride down to the front gate? It's not every day I can do that in a Daimler. '

'Ask yourself how many other women either? ' Lady Ross said waspishly. 'Goodbye, Jacob dear. Stay for lunch next time. In an hour, Rachael, may I remind you. A beautiful day seems to slow you down. '

'I'll be back, Gran. It's heartless to separate us from Swans' Reach. I shall start saying goodbye to it. '

Her grandmother nodded. 'We'll get used to it, ' she said with asperity, but little waves of cold shock were radiating out from her heart. It was a good thing in many ways she hadn't much time left for sadness or nostalgia.

Jacob saluted her briskly, looking incredibly near tears, then he took hold of Rachael's elbow, propelling her down the short flight of white marble steps. His heavy jaw was clenched and there was a tremble under his iron grasp. 'Dear, dear, dear! ' he said all the while.

'Some people would commit suicide if they had to leave here! ' Rachael said, very nearly sobbing herself.

'I thought I had explained to you, Rachael. You mustn't upset your grandmother. God knows she's desperately trying to cope with all this herself. '

Rachael threw back her head, the sun flashing out all its glorious shades of red. 'Don't worry. I'll behave. Nothing is more important than Gran, but I can't keep it all to myself, Uncle Jacob. You're the nearest thing to family I have. If it were anyone but that man. Dear, sweet heaven! '

'Use your head, Rachael! ' Jacob said almost violently for him. 'Not your volatile emotions. For heaven's sake, the man isn't an outsider, he's one of us. '

'It's my duty to tell you, Uncle Jacob, you're a snob. '

'Yes, I am! You know what I mean. He will fit very neatly into all this. '

'There's something he'll have to contend with, ' Rachael said heatedly. 'I hate him already! '

'A pity, because he's going to get Swans' Reach, mark my words. '

'Yes! ' Rachael's golden eyes glittered. 'Life would be simple for a man like that. A man of stature, strong and ruthless. '

'Oh, Rachael, Rachael! ' Jacob moaned. 'If I told you he's anything but, you wouldn't believe me. Nick Retford is held in the very highest regard by his peers. '

'Not so fantastic if he wins all his cases. '

'Well, I can do nothing about it, Rachael. You'll make everything so much worse if you don't try to be sane about all this. We don't want Mr Retford to slip through our fingers. Money's tight, and he's prepared to come up to an outstanding figure. You know whatever you do and say affects your grandmother. '

'So what do you want me to do, Uncle Jacob? '

'Be nice to Mr Retford. '

'Mr Retford be damned! ' Rachael cried, pain and resentment bursting from her heart. Then she caught sight of Jacob's face and abruptly subsided. 'Oh, all right, if it helps any, I'll smile at him. '

Jacob laughed aloud. 'The sudden shock might be too much for his system. You were very fiery and scornful the other day. '

'So you noticed? ' Rachael asked, much surprised.

'As did Mr Retford, ' Jacob pointed out with his most judicial expression. 'He's not the man to miss anything. '

'Well, he'll just have to content himself with the house. You can't win 'em all! '

'Your grandmother liked him, ' Jacob pointed out.

Rachael swished past him, quite scandalised. 'Gran is susceptible to personalities. Can I drive? '

'No. '

She opened the passenger door and slid in. 'No doubt Mr Retford made it his business to be charming. '

Jacob shut the door on her, peering in at her lovely vivid face. 'I didn't think you'd grant him any such thing. '

'As far as I'm concerned he's corrosive, but yes, I can see a lot of women might find him... interesting. ''

'How grudging! ' Jacob trudged around to the other side of the black, gleaming vehicle. 'A man as brilliant as Nick Retford has ho right to be interesting to women as well, but I quite agree with you, he's the kind women leap at. '

'I never said that. '

'I'm telling you something important all the same. '

'I know my own mind, Uncle Jacob, ' Rachael insisted.

'Of course you don't! None of us do to the last day of our lives. '

'I love you. '

'Well, really! I say, do you mean that? '

'Yes, I do. '

'Then I'll leave you my Daimler. '

'I insist you stay around for ever. I don't want anything else. '

Jacob started up the engine and it purred in his face. 'I'll be around when you need me, God willing. Actually I'm a year older than Lib. '

'How old is Gran? ' asked Rachael. 'She never would tell me. '

'Then I won't tell you myself! ' Jacob said with wry amusement. 'When your grandmother was young, she looked very much like yourself. Don't take any notice of her portrait. It's good enough, but it didn't do her justice. In every respect, let me tell you, Elizabeth was quite outstanding. I couldn't tell you the number of broken hearts when she accepted old Lew. I had to keep as far away as I could until after Dirk was born, otherwise I would have broken down and cried like a schoolboy. I loved her madly. Ah, there's the front gate now. '

'What about Judge Housman? '

'Oh, he was bowled over by her as well! Got very sour and disgusted afterwards. Anyway, he got ahead. It was tough on my wife, the dearest, best wife in the world, but she knew. '

'Heavens! ' said Rachael, in her turn surprised. 'That must have been difficult for her, her husband preferring someone else. '

'The majority of men do that! '

'Really, Uncle Jacob! '

'You forget how many divorces I've dealt with. Don't blame me. Blame human nature. It applies to the wives as well. Most of them have confessed to wanting to strangle their husbands. '

Rachael gurgled in her throat, her face brightening at Jacob's expression. 'Let me down here. I'm going to walk back slowly. Mrs Maybury's husband, was he a divorce client of yours? '

'No, actually, he died. She's a widow. '

'And now to be chained to Mr Retford. '

'I believe she's very enthusiastic about it. '

'I don't in the least care, ' shrugged Rachael.

'Deep down in your heart? ' Jacob inquired.

Rachael got out of the car, her cheeks burning, 'Please, Uncle Jacob, believe me! '

'You really think he's as bad as that? '

'I thought he was perfectly horrible! '

'Then forgive me for being a crazy old fool! ' Jacob smiled and waved his hand. 'See you, my dear, don't let your lunch get cold! '

'Now you're teasing. It's only ham salad. '

'Swear you'll behave yourself tomorrow. '

'I'll just be a poor creature, admiring. '

'You'll find a court of law very sobering. A criminal court is always tragic, the boy is lucky he has Retford to defend him. You may be sure he believes in his client's essential innocence. '

'I certainly hope so. I can see him defending the devil and getting him off. No doubt if the devil made a good offer... '

'Really, Rachael! ' Jacob said repressively, reproach in his face. 'I might have guessed you'd be compelled to say that. '

'Rest easy, Uncle Jacob, I'll do my very best to reconcile myself, if only for Gran's sake. '

'This blow isn't going to prolong her life. '

Rachael brought up her head so sharply she struck it on the car. 'That will be my worst blow, Uncle Jacob. I realise! can't have her for ever. '

'I'm not cruelly reminding you of it, my dearest child, it's just that I want you to bear all these things in mind. '

For a moment Rachael was utterly silent, and Jacob saw clearly the vulnerable, defenceless look, of which Elizabeth sometimes spoke. 'There's no doubt in my mind if we all pull together we'll get through this thing with a minimum of trauma. I expect you will come to think the same. A lot depends on you, Rachael. The time is approaching when you must show just how self-sacrificing you can be. I know you're made of real quality. '

'Thank you, Uncle Jacob, ' she said calmly, 'but only Mr Retford can give the verdict. '

'Smile at him, Rachael, as you promised, and he'll give you anything you want! '

Jacob's glance didn't waver and Rachael was made to feel very conscious of the serious note. She might have been an enchantress with a magic wand, Dominic Retford, in thrall, at her feet. The very idea made her laugh.

'That's an odd way to talk! As though a smile could trap Mr Retford. '

'It's been done before. Take the magnificent Caesar! The haughty and disdainful Mark Antony. Take me. No, perhaps you'd better not. Nick Retford, at least, fits the heroic illustrations. All that dark, easy splendour. Wouldn't you say he's a very handsome man? '

'I'd feel a traitor if I did, but yes, he's colourful enough in the grand old tradition. Beyond that, I can't be drawn. '

'Just agree not to quarrel. '

'I'll do it for you, Uncle Jacob. I'll be an angel child with a mission. Not to frighten off the divine Retford. '

'You're going to lead some man a dance. '

'Lots of conflict! I thrive on it. '

'Just because you're jealous of Mrs Maybury! '

'Of whom? ' Rachael almost shrieked, but Jacob had started up the car again, laughing inordinately at his own penetrating observation. Rachael stood in the drive shaking her fist after him, a gesture he acknowledged with a superior honk of the horn before, he disappeared through the huge wrought-iron gates. On an impulse, Rachael ran up and clanged them shut. They were doomed, but for now, she could keep out the world. Nick Retford, his money and power. Damn the man! His impact. She and the Swan belonged together. Her great-great-grandfather had built it in the late 1830s. Captain James Ross had come to the colony of New South Wales in charge of his own ship and a small private fortune in gold sovereigns, and took up this very piece of land, becoming active in colonial politics as did his sons and grandsons. So close to the capital, the original estate had been drastically reduced at the turn of the century to allow for urban development and finally classified as a private residence, with ten very beautiful acres at the heart of the once great property. Swans' Reach was still very valuable, and the homestead an exceptionally fine building in the Regency style, with a colonnaded two-storey central section flanked by single-storey wings. A house with classic white columns and green shuttered windows and a vast sweep of emerald green lawn that ran down to the shining reach of the river just had to be beautiful.

Rachael turned and walked back up the long curving drive. The branches of the beautiful evergreens intermingled, creating a cool greeny-gold grotto. Beyond them lay the parkland studded with every tree and shrub imaginable, planned so there would always be something blooming throughout the year. There were great beds of lush roses, elegantly formal, great free-flowing drifts of azaleas and rhododendrons, the incomparable springtime magic of all Gran's favourite bulbs, the daffodils and freesias and tulips with colours ranging from deepest scarlet to pure white; the great stands of iris, the goddess of the rainbow, beside the reach of the river beloved of the black swans with their snowy white primaries and red bills; the traditional camellia walk, the arbours with climbing roses and wisteria and clematis and the grapevines that yielded a rich harvest for the table; the collection of beautiful garden sculpture that Grandfather Ross had brought back from Italy, the cherubs and nymphs and even a statue of St Francis feeding the birds. The gazebo set under the oak trees and the flower-filled urns of all shapes and sizes, Ali Baba pots, some standing as tall as a man.

I can't bear it! Rachael thought, and suddenly tore through the trees, falling to the scented earth and burying her face in the sweet-smelling grass. Some things should never be expected of one. To sacrifice one's beloved home—it was like curing off one's right hand. It must be worse for Gran. She turned her head to the reach of the river, her senses drinking in the beauty that was everywhere. She would be helpless without the land. The Swan was protection. It was her life. A beautiful black swan and her fluffy white cygnets sailed in tranquillity over the mirror-like surface of the water. It was impossible not to have tears sting one's eyes.

Rachael followed their progress, such a deeply familiar sight. She loved the swans with every beat of her heart and every throb of her pulse. Their reach of the river was almost a bird sanctuary. Each one of the swans had a name taken from classical mythology, and Gran could charm them right out of the water. Swans'

Reach was splendid and she wasn't going to have it ruled by an usurper. This paradise, this romantic survival from a past age, belonged to a Ross. A malign fate had made possible Dominic Retford's intrusion into their charmed circle. She saw his face clearly in her mind's eye: the chiselled patrician features, the blue, blue eyes. There could be nothing but conflict between them. Losing Swans' Reach to such a man would be an intolerable sacrifice.

For the first time in her life she knew a little about hatred. It was thoroughly uncivilised and she couldn't. really understand her attitude herself, but she would have to fight for control every time she met the man. Her beautiful eyes were sparkling like topaz. What was she supposed to do when she was being pulled apart, smile? Wasn't he making her wretched enough? On the other hand, a smile could be a lethal instrument. She didn't have it in her heart to show a bit of mercy to Nick Retford. She shut her eyes, but even then she found it difficult to dismiss his image. Tomorrow she would know much more about him. As far as she was concerned Nick Retford was on trial as well.

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