Roberta Leigh - And Then Came Love Page 6

  During luncheon at the Ritz Matthew seemed impervious to his mother-in-law's coldness, chipping Adrian and looking at Stella with such adoration that she longed to beg him not to love her so much. The meal had to be, a brief one, for their plane was due to leave in the early afternoon, and as soon as they had finished eating she glanced at the diamond watch he had given her as a wedding present, and saw they had only an hour to get to the airport

  "We haven't much time, Matthew."

  His reply was forestalled by the approach of a waiter to say he was wanted on the telephone. "It must be Jess, I bet she's sorry she didn't come down after all."

  "Why didn't she?" Adrian asked Stella when Matthew had left the table.

  "I don't know," Stella replied, "And I didn't think it wise to ask!"

  "Looks as if you might have a sister-in-law instead of mother-in-law trouble."

  "Thanks," Stella said dryly.

  "Sometimes you talk too much," Mrs. Percy said to her son, and then looked at Stella. "I do hope you put on some weight while you're on holiday. You're too thin."

  It was the first sign of concern her mother had shown, and Stella was touched. "Don't worry about me, darling, I feel fine."

  "You don't look it. If only —" Mrs. Percy stopped as Matthew returned to the table, his expression concerned.

  "It was my manager," he said, "there's a strike at one of the factories and I've got to get up there."

  "You're joking!" Stella gasped. .

  "I wish to heaven I, were, but a thousand men have walked out."

  "Can't someone else deal with it?"

  “I’m the only person who can handle it now."

  "But what about our honeymoon? You can't go back!"

  "I'm sorry, lass, but we must. The train leaves King's Cross in twenty minutes. I'll see to our luggage."

  He hurried away and Mrs. Percy flung down her napkin. "I've never heard anything so ridiculous. What does he employ a- manager for?" Her face crumpled and she began to cry. "He doesn't consider your feelings at all. All he cares about is business."

  "Please, Mother, crying won't help."

  "Nothing will help you now. Your life's ruined!" With an effort Mrs. Percy controlled herself. "What will it be like in Leeds? No one's expecting you and the house won't even be prepared."

  "The strikers will give 'em a warm reception," Adrian quipped.

  "This is no time for facetiousness," his mother said sharply.

  "Sorry, Ma, I was only trying to cheer you up." He looked at his sister. "We can telephone Jess and let her know you're coming."

  "Perhaps, you'd better," Stella said dully, and pushed back her chair as Matthew appeared, his coat over his arm.

  A month earlier than she had anticipated, Stella found herself on the train to Leeds. It was too crowded for them to find seats together, and they sat at opposite ends of the carriage. What a way to start a marriage, she though bitterly. Instead of arriving in a warm, sunny climate, she would soon be in the bleak coldness of the moors, in a strange house with 9 strange woman in command. The resentment she had tried to control, increased with every mile, and at four o'clock, when Matthew asked if she would like some tea, she followed "him to the restaurant car without a word.

  Even here there was no vacant table and they had to wait outside, swaying as the train lurched over the rails, cold gusts of wind coming at them with every creak and rattle.

  By the time they were shown to a table she was almost speechless with cold, and Matthew looked at her in concern. "A cup of tea will warm you up, sweetheart. You should have put on a thicker dress."

  "I didn't expect to need it in Africa!"

  He reached for her hand but she withdrew it quickly. "Stella, try and understand why I have to get back. Some of these men have worked for me twenty years, I couldn't let 'em down."

  "So you let me down instead!"

  "I'm sorry, lass. As soon as this business is settled we'll go away for as long as you like."

  She averted her face and they finished their tea in silence. Back in the compartment she dozed intermittently, waking up to find the train drawing into Leeds station. Hastily she powdered her nose and a few minutes later was walking down the platform to the barrier.

  "There's Ted!" Stella followed Matthew's gaze to a tall, thin man making his way towards them.

  "Hullo, Matt! Glad your tram's on time. And this!! be Mrs. Armstrong?" He shook Stella's hand vigorously. "Welcome home! -I hope you'll be very happy."

  Her reply was drowned by the shriek of a tram whistle and the manager turned to Matthew.

  "Good thing you came back right away. They're in the middle of a meeting and you ought to get there before it's over."

  "I suppose Parker's behind it?"

  "Plus a few new ones. If you can talk to the men before they pass any resolution, you —"

  "Then we'd better not waste time," Matthew interrupted and swung round to Stella. "I'm sorry, lass, but I can't take you home."

  "I reckoned on that," Ted intervened, "and I've laid on two cars. Bob can take Mrs. Armstrong home. Bob-'s my son," he explained to Stella.

  She was too taken aback to speak, and sensing it Matthew drew her to one side. "Try and understand sweetheart. If I can talk to the men before they pass any resolution, I might be able to persuade them to go back."

  "Don't worry about me," she said frigidly. "I can manage to introduce myself to your sister."

  Healed her into the station yard where several cars were parked, and a young man standing beside a Rolls Royce came forward to greet them.

  Hurriedly Matthew saw Stella into the back seat "Bob will drive you straight home. Tell Jess I'll try and get back by eight. If I'm not, don't wait supper."

  He hurried away and Stella blinked her eyes, close to tears.

  "This your first time in Leeds, Mrs. Armstrong?'“ Bob asked as he set the car in motion.

  "Yes."

  "It'll take a bit of getting used to after London."

  She murmured a non committal reply and the young man lapsed into silence as they drove through Chapel Town and beyond Alwoodley, following the main road until he slackened speed and swung into a half moon drive to stop at a large, front door.

  By now it was dark and Stella could scarcely see as she mounted the steps and knocked. Footsteps sounded and the door opened to reveal a tall, big-boned Woman.

  "Is that you, Matt?"

  "No, it's — I'm Stella." She moistened her lips. "Matthew's gone to a meeting and sent me on."

  The woman stood back. "Come on in. I'm Jess."

  Stella stepped into a dark panelled hall with a preponderance of black doors, the only feature in it's favour a beautifully carved oak staircase that led to the first floor.

  "Bring the cases in the front way, Bob, they'll be too heavy to lug round the back. Then go through and have a cup of tea. I've just made some." Jess closed the door and appraised Stella for a moment. "I'd better show you to your room, you'll be wanting to have a wash. Will Matt be in for supper?"

  "He said he'd try to get back by eight."

  "Good, Your brother telephoned me you were coming, so I just had time to put your room to rights. We weren't expecting you, so there's not much food in the house. When I'm alone I don't bother with cooking."

  "Are you on your own, then?"

  "We've one maid," Jess said briefly and led the way up the stairs into a large bedroom filled with dark furniture. A heavy walnut wardrobe, dressing-table and tallboy were ranged round the walls and there was a wide double bed covered with a pale blue brocade bedspread that matched the curtains hanging stiffly at the tall window.

  "This is Mart's room," the woman said. "That door leads to the bathroom and the one over there is the dressing-room. I'll leave you to get settled. You'll find me in the front room. That's the second door on the right as you come down."

  She went out and Stella sank on to the bed, filled with desolation. What was she doing here among these strangers? What had she in common with t
hat brusque woman and the man who was to come back to her tonight? For the first time she realized the irrevocable step she had taken and wished with all her heart that Matthew was here to dispel her fears.

  Longing for the warmth and shabby cheerfulness of the flat in Knightsbridge, she started to unpack, hanging her clothes beside Matthew's in the enormous wardrobe before she went down to the drawing-room. For a moment she hesitated outside the door, then turned the handle and went in. Her sister-in-law was sitting behind a tea-trolley by the fire.

  "You've been quick." She picked up a 'china teapot. "Thought you might like a cup of tea. How do you take it?"

  "Fairly weak, please."

  Stella looked round the room as she sipped. Everything was in ornate bad taste, from the gilded wall brackets writhing on the wall to the gaudy Turkish carpet. Against the far wall stood a bookcase, the shelves filled with cheap book-club editions, while along the other wall an imitation antique cocktail cabinet vied for pride of place with a rosewood baby grand. Ranged around the rest of the room was a dull green Knowle suite, the high-backed chairs stiff and uncomfortable.

  Noticing her appraisal of the room, Jess smiled.

  "Matt made me redecorate for you."

  "It's very nice," Stella lied.

  Jess picked up a sock she had been mending. "Must have been a disappointment to miss your honeymoon. But business means a lot to Matt — if it hadn't, he wouldn't be where he is today. I was surprised when he told me he was going to wed. He's been a bachelor so long I never thought he'd change."

  She lowered the sock and leaned forward, but although she was smiling Stella felt no response. The big mouth and fleshy nose made the woman's face heavy and masculine, while her sallow skin was marred by moles that stuck out on fee lower half of her face like pebbles on a sandy beack Brown eyes were marked by thick brows, and the dark hair was cut in a travesty of current fashion, giving her head the aspect of a misshapen egg. As she stood up to refill Stella's cup her large hands and feet made her seem bigger than she was, the brown wool dress failing to disguise the thickness of her body and the full, heavy bosom.

  "What did you do before your marriage?"

  "Nothing."

  "Didn't you find it boring? I know I would have done."

  "Do you work, then?" Stella asked, surprised.

  "Keeping house is a full time job."

  "I kept house too," Stella said quickly.

  "A flat." The work was dismissed. "This house is different. Folk coming and going at all hours of the day and night and maids walking out when the fancy takes them. I suppose they're just as high-handed in London?"

  "I don't know. We only have a daily once a week.".

  "Of course. Matt said you were poor."

  Stella flushed. "Not everyone's as lucky as your brother."

  "Your husband, you mean. And it wasn't luck; it was hard work. That's why I take care of his money. And I hope you'll do the same. I believe in calling a spade a spade, and if we're going to get on together we might as well know where we stand from the start. I've made this my home since my husband was killed and I've put a lot of work into it" .

  "Matthew's told me how well you manage the house," Stella said quietly, "and I certainly don't mind if you'd like to go on doing it."

  "That's one thing settled." The woman relaxed in her chair. "You aren't what I expected. Not Matt's type at all."

  Stella forced a smile. "What type did you expect?"

  "Someone more full-blooded. No offence meant, of course. Still, they always say men are attracted to their opposites."

  "Was your husband like you?"

  "Lord no! Better looking, with black hair and blue eyes. Not much backbone though. A weak man, you could say."

  "It's no good having more than one boss in a marriage."

  "You're right there," Jess grunted, "but every woman wants to be bossed sometimes. No matter how capable you are, you like to feel you can lean on your man occasionally without him falling down."

  Diplomatically Stella remained silent and her sister-in-law bit off a strand of wool and stood up. "I'll see about supper. Perhaps you'll finish this sock — it's your husband's."

  She walked out and Stella looked at the sock helplessly. A large hole had been partially filled in and she took up the needle and began to darn. A second later she dropped it with a sharp exclamation. A bubble of blood was widening at her finger-tip and she wiped it on her handkerchief, thinking wryly that she had a lot to learn before she could compete with Matthew's sister.

  Adrian's last words came into her mind, and she wondered what he would have said if he had overheard her encounter with Jess. A sister-in-law instead of a mother-in-law. And what a sister-in-law. She shivered and wished with all her heart that Matthew were here. Only when he came would she lose the fear that was threatening to overwhelm her. Jumping to her feet, she went upstairs to change into her prettiest dress. After all, this was her wedding day!

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  STELLA hoped that Matthew would not add insult to injury by being late for dinner, and as she entered the drawing room, Jess's comment did nothing to decrease her apprehension.

  "You're all dressed up for just the two of us. What's the occasion?"

  "My first dinner at home with my husband," Stella said.

  "I doubt if he'll turn up. Many’s the time I've sat and waited while the food's spoilt."

  "I don't think he'll be late tonight."

  "I hope you're right. Hell like your dress — blue's one of his favourite colours, but I suppose you knew that."

  "I didn't, as a matter of fact." Stella sat down. "I don't know much about his tastes. You must tell me."

  "You'll find out soon enough." Jess smoothed the brown dress over her knees. 'I’ve not changed, but he's used to seeing me the way I am. My husband never bothered how I looked." She glanced at her watch. "I thought you said Matt would-be home at eight? It's nearly quarter past — do you want to start?"

  "I’d like to wait a little longer."

  "Suits me. We've only hot-pot. Sony it's not more fancy, but by the time your brother rang the shops were shut. Still, there's sherry trifle for dessert — it's Matt's favourite."

  The two women lapsed into a silence only broken by the crackling of the fire and the ticking of the clock, and Stella racked her brains for something to say, relieved when Jess stood up.

  "It's half past; we'd better sit down. Elsie has to get the washing-up done."

  She led the way into the dining-room, jerking her thumb behind her as she went. "That door leads to the hall and takes you to the kitchen, the scullery and Matt's hideout."

  "His what?"

  "Study I suppose you’d call it."

  Stella did not reply and looked curiously round the dining-room. Unlike the room they had just vacated it was fairly modern, with a long table and a sideboard supporting two silver candlesticks. Here too an inferior Turkish carpet decorated the floor, the colours at variance with the window-length curtains. Pride of place above the mantelpiece was given to a painting of waxy looking flowers from which she hastily averted her eyes.

  Jess pointed. "You'd better sit next to the fire. You look frozen."

  As Stella sat down a plump, fair-naked maid came in with a brown casserole.

  Jess heaped a plate and passed it over. "Here, put this inside you while it's hot"

  Stella looked at the steaming mass, picked up her fork and with an effort began to eat

  They had almost finished their first course when the front door slammed and Matthew strode into the room. He enveloped Stella in a bear-like .hug, the dampness of his coat striking so cold that she drew away.

  "Matthew, you're frozen!"

  "I know." He pulled off his gloves. "Sorry we're late. Hullo, Jess."

  "Hullo, Matt. Did the meeting go all right?"

  "So-so. I'm seeing the leaders in the morning to try and reach an agreement." He slapped her on the back. "Didn't think you'd be seeing me home so soon, eh? Still, I'll
not be long settling things, then Stella and I will be off;"

  There was a step behind him and Ted Robbins came apologetically into the room. "Sorry to trouble you, Jess, but I'm here too."

  She grunted and went out, and Stella looked from the manager to Matthew. "I thought the meeting was over."

  "So it is. But there's another one in the morning, and Ted and I have got to work out what to say."

  "Must you do it tonight?" she asked icily.

  "Can't be helped, sweetheart." He sat at the table and reached for a slice of bread. "Lord, I'm starving! Never could stand the tea you get on trains. Not enough to fill a fly's belly!"

  He went on talking but Stella did not listen, too intent on fighting back her tears.

  Jess returned with another casserole and the two men ate hurriedly and in silence, Ted nervously crumbling his bread and glancing occasionally at Stella. When they had finished, Jess put plates of trifle in front of them and as soon as Matthew had swallowed the last mouthful he stood up.

  "Let's get cracking, Ted. I want to finish early."

  The manager rose and Jess started stacking the plates. "Go into the front room, Stella. I won't be long."

  "Can I help?" Stella offered.

  Matthew turned at the door. "Jess can manage." He waited for Stella to precede him into the hall. "Go into the den, Ted. I want a word with my wife."

  He followed Stella into the drawing-room and went to take her in his arms. "Give us a kiss, sweetheart."

  She pulled angrily away from him and knelt in front of the fire. "Aren't you wasting time? I thought you had to talk to your manager."

  "Don't be angry with me, darling. I’d have given anything in the world for this not to have happened. Especially today! But I had no choice. I had to come back."

  "You put your business before me!"

  "Don't be silly. You know how I fed about you. But I Couldn't leave it to Ted. If anything goes wrong at this factory, it could be serious." He tilted her face and placed a kiss on her brow. "I hate leaving you, darling. I'll be as, quick as I can."