Promise Made (6 page)

As he drew up outside his father-in-law's house, he saw that another car was already parked outside. He didn't recognize it, but as he went into the house he heard laughter. That was Alice and Emily! He grinned as he walked into the small back parlour. The room was overflowing with people, and he thought that the sooner he and Alice got their own place the better.

Emily turned and saw him. She gave a screech of delight and rushed into his arms, responding warmly to his hug of affection.

‘Dan! It's so lovely to see you again.' She drew back looking at him anxiously. ‘You're a bit thinner but Alice will soon feed you up. You haven't changed much otherwise. I was afraid you might have.'

‘I was lucky,' Daniel said with a lazy grin, consigning all the fear, hunger and pain to oblivion. ‘It could have been a lot worse. Some of the chaps were shot trying to escape. I was part of a tunnel group but it collapsed before my turn came and we couldn't get enough wood to shore it up. After that I decided to sit it out. Hans told me it couldn't be long so I waited for the surrender.'

‘Hans – was he a German?' Emily's brows rose. She was used to everyone hating the enemy and Daniel's voice seemed to indicate tolerance.

‘I gave him chocolate from my parcels and he brought me manuals to study. I could probably pass any exam on mechanics I chose to sit now.'

‘Oh, Dan . . .' Emily breathed a sigh of relief. Daniel was all right! There were bound to be bad memories and hidden scars, but he could cope with them. He wasn't broken in spirit like some of the men at the home. ‘Thank goodness! You're just the same.'

‘Not quite,' he admitted with a wry look. If anything he had come out of it harder, tougher. ‘But I've been lucky. I was sorry about Simon . . .' He looked at her oddly, uncertain of how she felt about her husband's death.

Emily nodded. ‘It was a shame. We all thought he was getting better. He was going to America with a friend for treatment. They told us it was quite sudden. Vane had a heart attack afterwards, but he is much better now – thank goodness.'

‘Are you happy staying there?'

‘Yes, of course,' Emily said though she knew it wasn't completely true. Sometimes she wanted a lot more, but she didn't know what. Terry was dead and she was sure that she would never love another man in the same way. ‘I wouldn't know what else to do, Daniel.'

‘No, I suppose not,' he said and looked at the small boy playing with Danny on the floor. ‘At least you've got a decent car, Emily. My old truck is all I can manage for the moment.'

‘Vane bought it for my birthday. It isn't new, of course. No one can get new cars yet, but it is in lovely condition.' She smiled at her brother. ‘Would you like to drive it? You can take Alice to see that house she has been telling me about.'

‘Are you sure?' Daniel was pleased. ‘It's generous of you, Emily. I'll take good care of it. But what about you? You don't want to drive my truck?'

‘I'm going to see Frances when you and Alice leave. When you come back you can leave the car there for me if you will. I promised to have dinner with her and Marcus so you have plenty of time.'

‘Great.' Daniel glanced at Alice. ‘Get your coat on, love. I'll just have a look at the car with Emily.'

He went out and Emily followed, leaving Robert inside for the moment. She handed Daniel her keys, and watched as he got into the driving seat, looking at the controls.

‘It's a nice car, Emily.'

‘I like it,' she said. ‘I should like a private talk one day before I leave, Daniel.'

‘Anything wrong?' He lifted his brows.

‘No, I just want to talk.'

‘Tomorrow morning? I'll come to the farm at ten.'

‘Lovely,' Emily agreed. ‘Have a nice afternoon with Alice. She is so excited about the house.' She turned as Alice came down the path wearing her best blue coat. ‘Enjoy yourselves. I am going to fetch Robert and walk to Frances's house. She says she wants to chat.'

‘Don't do anything I wouldn't,' Alice said and giggled. Her face was lit up with excitement. Everything she had ever dreamed of was coming her way.

Emily smiled and waved them off. Her sister-in-law was such a pretty girl and so happy to have Daniel home. Tears stung Emily's eyes. It was lovely to see Alice so excited and she sensed that Daniel was all right. He had changed in small ways but he wasn't crippled either in mind or body. No one could ask for more than that after what he'd been through.

Three

‘I love your hair,' Emily cried as she kissed her sister's cheek. ‘It really suits you.'

‘Do you think so?' Frances pulled a wry face. ‘Marcus isn't too keen. He liked it long but I suppose it will grow again.' She looked at Emily's hair, which was still long, though caught up in a shining swirl at the nape of her neck.

‘It would be a pity not to keep it short now,' Emily said. ‘You really do look wonderful, Frances – more sophisticated. I have been thinking that I might have mine cut when I get time.'

‘Well, perhaps I shall keep it shorter than I used to have it.' Frances put a hand to her hair. ‘Marcus hasn't said that he doesn't like it. I just sense he doesn't.' She shook her head. ‘I'm being silly! How are you, Emily? Still busy, I expect?'

‘Yes, as a rule,' Emily replied. ‘The home takes up a lot of my time, but I take Robert for walks in the park most days. I don't neglect him.'

‘Of course you don't,' Frances said. ‘If Amelia says that she is wrong.'

‘She doesn't exactly say it but I know she thinks it.' Emily pulled a wry face.

‘That's like me,' Frances cried with a laugh. ‘She probably doesn't at all – and Marcus probably likes my hair.'

‘I am sure he does.' Emily watched as Frances fiddled with her rings. ‘Is anything wrong – really wrong?'

‘No . . .' Frances stood up and went to the window, looking out at the two small boys playing with the puppy. Robert was toddling after his older cousin, gamely trying to keep up. ‘At least . . . Marcus is a little odd since he came home. He seems on edge and . . .' She turned to face Emily. ‘I think he drinks too much whisky.'

‘Oh, I see.' Emily sat in silence for a moment. ‘Give him time to settle, love. He has been living on his nerves for years. Those flyboys went through hell, you know. Sometimes it catches up with the men afterwards.' She hesitated, then, ‘He doesn't have nightmares, does he?'

‘No, nothing like that. It's just the drinking – and he is restless. Sometimes, I don't think he wants to be home with us. He goes out in the evenings, and I think it is to drink with other men.'

‘Is everything all right between you – you know what I mean?'

‘Oh yes!' Frances blushed. ‘I thought at first he might have met someone . . . but that side of it is fine.'

Emily laughed. ‘Then I shouldn't worry too much if I were you. It's just that he is getting used to civilian life again.'

‘Yes, I suppose so.' Frances smiled. ‘You've seen Daniel and Alice? At least they are happy.'

‘Alice is glowing,' Emily agreed. Her gaze narrowed as she studied her sister's face. ‘There's something else, isn't there?'

‘Yes,' Frances admitted it on a sigh. ‘It's Sam Danby.'

‘Your father-in-law?'

‘Yes . . .' Frances caught her breath. She hesitated for a moment and then, suddenly, it all poured out. The way Sam looked at her, the way he lost no excuse to touch her and how it made her feel.

‘I can't stand being near him,' Frances said. ‘I've tried being cool and distant but it doesn't work. He has started hinting now. I want it to stop but I don't know what to do.'

‘Why don't you tell Marcus?'

‘It's difficult. They aren't the best of friends anyway and it would make things worse. They might have an awful row. I should feel awful if it caused a split in the family.'

‘But it may be the only way – unless you could talk to his wife?'

‘Tell Rosalind?' Frances was horrified. ‘I couldn't do that, Emily. She doesn't like me much as it is.'

‘Of course she does,' Emily said but Frances shook her head. ‘How do you know that?'

‘I just know it,' Frances said. ‘I suppose all this sounds silly to you, but I find it upsetting.'

‘No, I don't think it is silly,' Emily said, ‘but I do think you should talk to Marcus – or Mrs Danby. Or simply tell Mr Danby that if he doesn't behave you will refuse to let him see his grandson.'

‘Yes . . .' Frances looked struck. ‘I suppose I could do that if I have to. It's not something I'd do unless it got too bad – but it might be the way out of this mess. He adores Charlie. I hadn't thought of that, Emily. Thank you.'

Emily wished she hadn't said anything. Sam Danby was a hard man. If Frances tried to stop him seeing his grandson she might be treading on dangerous ground.

‘Would you like me to tell Marcus for you?'

‘Oh, no,' Frances said. ‘I can hear a car outside. That must be Marcus. Let's forget about it now. I'll think it over and decide what is best another time.'

Frances went to the door with Emily. It was gone nine and her sister wanted to get back to the farm, because she was afraid of keeping Henry up late. He had to be up early in the mornings and, as she had told Frances earlier, Emily was worried about him.

Frances watched as her sister got into the smart saloon car that Lord Vane had given her, feeling a pang of envy. Emily seemed so independent, so calm and self-assured. If she still felt grief over her lover's death, she didn't let it show. Frances wished that she could be more like Emily, or that her life was less complicated.

She was still feeling vaguely envious of her sister as she returned to the sitting room. Marcus was at the sideboard, helping himself to yet another drink. She wondered how many he'd had that evening, noticing that his hand trembled a little as he raised the glass to his lips.

‘Do you think you should drink that, Marcus?' she asked. ‘I should have thought you'd had more than enough already.'

‘Should you indeed?' His eyes slanted round to look at her. ‘What the hell do you know about it?'

‘You drink far too much,' Frances said. She knew he was angry but somehow she couldn't stop the words. ‘You're not the same when you drink too much.'

‘Damn you!' Marcus glared at her. ‘Who asked for your opinion? I shall drink when I like and as much as I like – and if you disapprove you can go to hell!'

‘Marcus!' Frances stared at him with hurt eyes. What had happened to the man she loved? He would never have spoken to her like that when they were first married. He seemed like a stranger – a man she did not know and did not like much. ‘Please don't speak to me like that. I am your wife.'

Marcus lifted his glass to salute her, a sardonic expression in his eyes. ‘Wives are for f . . . . . .' he sneered. ‘Not for giving one a lecture. So shut up and go to bed if you don't like what I'm doing.'

‘You're drunk,' Frances said. ‘I refuse to be spoken to in that way, Marcus. I am going to bed now, alone. You can apologize in the morning.' She turned and left him, walking from the room with as much dignity as she could muster.

Upstairs, Frances turned the key in her bedroom door. She was upset and angry. It was the first time Marcus had ever been rude or abusive towards her and she didn't like it. He reminded her vividly of his father when he was drunk.

She shuddered as she undressed and crawled into bed. She hoped Marcus wouldn't try to get into her room, because nothing would make her unlock that door tonight!

Emily sighed as she closed the farm accounts. It had taken her ages to struggle through them, but at least now they were done Henry would have something to fight those ridiculous tax demands with, because the farm had lost money for years. She stretched her shoulders, feeling sad that after all his hard work, her elder brother was practically bankrupt. It was surely only a matter of time before the bank called in their loans. They would lose the land, and Henry would be lucky if he could manage to hold on to his home. She would have to try and help him if it came to that, Emily thought.

She went to the window of the back parlour and looked out into the long garden. Mary was feeding the hens that roamed free, scattering the scraps under an apple tree at the far end of the garden. Robert was helping her by chasing them whenever he got near enough, and having a wonderful time. It was a peaceful scene, but she knew well enough that her sister-in-law was worrying herself over Henry's health more than the state of his finances. His cough seemed much worse now and she had noticed him rubbing at his chest, but he was still refusing to visit the doctor.

‘Have you finished?' a voice said from behind her and she turned to see Daniel standing in the doorway. ‘What's the verdict – is it as bad as Henry feared?'

‘It couldn't be much worse,' Emily said. ‘I doubt he will be able to hold on to this house once the bank calls in its loan – but I shall help Henry and Mary if they will let me. I have a few thousand that Simon left me. I don't need it, because Vane makes me an allowance for my work at the convalescent home.'

‘Do you enjoy working there?' Daniel said. ‘Alice said you had been through a tough time, but she wouldn't tell me the details – other than that Simon was dead. She said you would tell me if you wanted me to know.' He raised his brows at her.

‘I was a fool to marry him,' Emily told him with a wry smile. ‘You were right, Dan. You said that I should wait, get to know him properly – and I ought to have listened to you. The marriage was a sham from the beginning. Besides, there was someone else . . . I fell in love with him when it was too late, but we had a little time together before he was killed. He was a fireman and he went back into a burning building for someone – and it collapsed on top of him . . .'