The Beekeeper's War, page 9
‘What shall we do?’ She wanted him to be sensible, to have the courage she wasn’t sure she possessed and tell her that they should remain friends, but she also needed him to say he loved her again and that everything would be fine, that they could love each other.
He stared at her for a moment. ‘I love you, Pru, you know that now, but I need to be fair to you.’
She bit her lower lip, waiting for him to say the words she didn’t want to hear but knew she must. ‘Go on.’
He sighed heavily and rested a hand on her cheek. ‘I think that while this war is on, we need to remain friends.’
She hated to think that was all they might be but was grateful to him for having the courage to be the one to say it. ‘I agree, Jack,’ she said, having to swallow hard to stop herself from crying.
‘It’ll be fine, sweetheart,’ he soothed. ‘This war can’t go on for ever and then we can be together, properly.’
‘I know you’re right,’ she agreed miserably. ‘But I wish things were different.’
‘So do I, my love.’ Someone laughed nearby. ‘I suppose we should go in so I can introduce you to my friends.’
Ten
Pru
July 1917
Pru sat in the motor as Jack got out and walked around to open the passenger door for her. She wished she could sit quietly for a while and try to come to terms with what had happened between them. It was like being given a dream only to have it be snatched back immediately after.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked, taking the blanket from her legs and throwing it onto the driver’s seat.
She wondered if he felt the same emotional conflict. She thought about what he had just said and knew that he did. ‘I will be,’ she said, trying to reassure him as she took his proffered hand and stepped down onto the gravel.
Pru looked up at the enormous property with a colonnade running the length of the front and wide stone steps leading up to a large front door.
‘It’s an impressive place,’ she said, suddenly glad to have something to take her mind off what had just happened between them. ‘A private party?’ She hadn’t expected that. Pru was relieved she had accepted Milly’s offer of her dress now that she knew where they were going. She might feel a little out of her depth but at least she had the confidence to know she looked the part.
‘It is, but they only use half of it now that most of the servants have either been conscripted or have left to work in munitions.’ He gave her a reassuring smile. They each knew the other was putting on a brave face to get through the next few hours. ‘It should be fun. You’ll like Hugo and Verity, they’re very welcoming. He’s a friend of mine and Monty’s. He, er, well, he was the first of us to be injured.’ His forced smile vanished. ‘He’s more Monty’s friend than mine, but as Monty couldn’t be here tonight, he asked me to come and be there for both of us. It’s Hugo’s twenty-fifth birthday, you see, so I couldn’t really refuse. None of us expected him to make it this far and I’m glad Verity insisted we all celebrate the event.’
Jack was clearly troubled by what had happened to his and Monty’s friend, and Pru’s interest was piqued to see for herself.
‘We’d better not keep them waiting then,’ she said.
Linking arms, they went inside.
Pru was surprised no one answered the door and that she and Jack were able to walk straight in. She took a moment to look around her. Pru had thought Ashbury Manor was glamorous but she had never seen anything like the inside of this place. She had to concentrate on closing her mouth a couple of times as she passed glittering chandeliers along the stone hallway. The sound of music met their ears as they walked further into the building and Pru gazed up at the display of huge paintings of people she presumed must be Hugo’s ancestors.
Suddenly a beautiful woman with pale blonde hair ran out into the hall, almost crashing into Jack, and skidded to a halt. Pru couldn’t imagine ever managing to look as regal and delicate as the woman did even after almost causing a collision.
‘Jack! Darling, how splendid of you to come. We hoped you’d make it, but you’re always here and there and no one ever seems to know when you’ll reappear.’
Pru felt a pang of jealousy when the woman threw her arms around Jack’s neck.
‘Oh!’ she exclaimed, noticing Pru for the first time. ‘I’m dreadfully sorry. How unutterably rude of me.’ She peered around Jack before stepping to the side to study Pru fully. ‘And who is this exquisite creature, Jack Garland?’ She gave Pru a beaming smile and instantly Pru’s jealousy evaporated.
It felt a little odd to be under such scrutiny from the tall, ethereal blonde, but Pru couldn’t help liking her immediately. They were complete opposites – this woman tall, fair and aristocratic while she was small, dark-haired and ordinary – but there was something rather appealing about the woman’s child-like enthusiasm.
Jack let go of Pru’s arm and slipped his arm around her waist instead, moving her a step forward. ‘This is my good friend, Pru Le Cuirot.’ He smiled at Pru. She felt a pang in her stomach at being described in such a casual way, especially after their intimacy in the motor a few minutes earlier. But, she reminded herself, that is what they had agreed upon. It was going to take some getting used to, she realised.
Jack continued, ‘This is our hostess for the evening, Lady Verity Rivers.’
‘Do call me Verity. I feel like people are addressing Hugo’s mother when they call me Lady Rivers.’ She pulled a face. ‘And if you’ve ever met her, which I hope for your sake you haven’t, you’d understand why that thought gives me the shivers.’ She held out a dainty hand, which Pru took. ‘I’m Hugo’s better half. Welcome to Eastwell Hall.’
‘Thank you. I’m delighted to be here,’ Pru said. ‘Jack mentioned it was your husband’s birthday.’
Verity leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘It is. You caught me running to tell the staff when to bring in his birthday cake. I’d forgotten, you see.’ She looked up at Jack. ‘Hence me nearly careering into you, darling man.’
‘Do you need me to do anything for you?’ Jack asked, clearly used to Verity’s casual affection for him.
‘Absolutely not.’ She waved her hand towards the sound of the laughter and music. ‘You two go and find Hugo. He’ll be delighted to see you.’ She gave Pru a pointed look. ‘And tickled pink to meet your guest.’ Pru realised she must have looked confused at Verity’s comment. ‘Oh, don’t mind me. It’s just that Jack hasn’t ever brought a female guest to one of our parties before, have you, Jack?’
Jack didn’t seem very happy. ‘I’m hoping I won’t regret bringing Pru to this one,’ he said finally, with a grin.
Jack took Pru’s hand and led her into an enormous living room where couples were dancing and others grouped together, chatting and laughing in front of furniture that Pru suspected had been moved back for the evening. She tried to work out which person might be Hugo.
Suddenly, voices quietened and two men stepped aside to let another through. He was tall and wore an eye patch over his left eye. His mouth drew back into a smile on the right side, but the left side, she noticed with a tug to her heart, was a patchwork of messy scarring. He raised his right arm to welcome Jack, and it was then that she noticed his left arm was missing. She wondered if Jack might have been comfortable bringing her because as a nurse he knew he could be assured that she wouldn’t react badly to Hugo’s terrible injuries.
‘Good grief,’ Hugo bellowed. ‘If it isn’t old Jack Garland.’ Jack let go of her hand and hugged his friend tightly. ‘Verity never mentioned she’d invited you this evening.’ Then he spotted Pru over Jack’s shoulder and studied her, seemingly trying to get the measure of her before pushing Jack gently away. ‘Hold on. Who is this exquisite creature you’ve brought with you? You’ve kept her well hidden.’ He winked at Pru. ‘Or have you two just met?’
‘Stop bothering them, Hugo.’ Verity laughed, appearing next to him and slipping her arm around her husband’s waist. She kissed his scarred cheek. ‘He’s frightfully nosy, as you’ve probably guessed already. Hugo hates not knowing the gossip,’ she said, giving Pru a theatrical wink. ‘Isn’t that right, Poochy?’
Pru grinned as ‘Poochy’ grumbled something in response. She could see he wasn’t really offended by his wife’s telling off, more amused. She liked them both very much and couldn’t wait to tell Jean and Milly all about these fascinating friends of Jack and Monty’s.
Verity stepped forward and linked her arm through Pru’s. ‘Come along. Let’s leave the boys to catch up. They’ll probably have lots of dull things to drone on about while we can get to know each other.’
Pru saw Jack give her a concerned glance and she smiled over her shoulder at him to reassure him she was fine as Verity led her to the other guests.
‘Everyone, this is Jack Garland’s friend, Pru.’ There was a chorus of welcomes and Pru did her best to acknowledge most of them. ‘I won’t bother telling you all their names,’ Verity murmured. ‘It’s always impossible to remember them when you’re new to a group, don’t you find?’ Pru nodded in agreement, relieved not to have to try and put names to faces. ‘You’ll soon pick them up as you chat to each of them.’
‘I’m sure I will.’
‘Let’s fetch you a drink. What would you like? Champagne?’
That sounded perfect. ‘Yes, thank you.’
Verity motioned to a servant who brought over a tray of glasses. They took one each and then her hostess led her to one of the tall windows away from the worst of the music and chatter.
‘I hope you don’t mind me dragging you off like this,’ Verity said, taking a sip of her drink.
‘No, of course not.’
‘It’s just that I get terribly excited when someone new comes into our group.’ She beamed at Pru. ‘It can become rather dull when you see the same old faces day in and day out.’ She lowered her voice. ‘And Jack is such a private chap. I’m delighted to have been introduced to a lady friend of his.’
‘Really?’ Pru wasn’t sure how to react to this information.
‘Yes.’ She looked astonished at Pru’s reaction. ‘I know Hugo’s surprised to see you here, too. Don’t get me wrong though, he’ll be as excited as me. Do you mind telling me where you met?’
‘At Ashbury Manor,’ Pru said. ‘I’m a nurse there.’
Verity’s mouth opened in surprise. ‘You know Monty then. How is he coming along? Pooch and I love Monty. We were terribly concerned when he was injured so badly. Poor darling.’ She sighed heavily. ‘We all owe Jack so much.’
Pru was puzzled. ‘Jack? Why?’
‘I’m told he saved darling Monty’s life. Put his own life in danger when Monty’s plane crashed in enemy territory, so Hugo told me. Landed his plane under enemy fire and somehow got Monty back behind British lines.’ She shuddered. ‘Hugo said Jack was worried that he had injured Monty more by moving him from his crashed airplane, but what else could the sweet man do?’ She raised a finger to her lips. ‘We’d better change the subject. They’re coming over to speak to us and he hates it if we talk about it, for some reason. Doesn’t think of himself as a hero, Hugo says. Insists anyone would have done the same thing, but I’m not sure I’d ever be that brave.’
Having seen how Verity was with her husband, Pru thought she was probably a much braver lady than she liked to let on.
Hugo had his arm around Jack’s shoulders. ‘My friend here tells me you’re a nurse over at Ashbury.’
‘That’s right,’ Pru said, struggling to come to terms with what Verity had just told her. She turned her attention to Jack. ‘I was telling Verity how Monty is coming along.’
Verity glanced at her and Pru could tell she was giving her warning signs not to divulge anything else she’d said.
Pru had no intention of dropping her new friend in any trouble. ‘I gather you’re all friends of his.’
‘Very good friends,’ Hugo said. ‘Monty and I grew up spending an awful lot of time together. Sent to the same school and all that. Good fellow, Monty. The best.’ His eyes shifted up to look at Jack. ‘Almost the best.’
Jack’s look diverted instantly to Pru. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking. ‘Would you both mind very much if I asked Pru for a dance? She has to be back at the manor at a reasonable time and I would hate her not to have a few turns around the floor.’
Verity patted his arm and stepped away to stand next to her husband. ‘You two enjoy yourselves. That’s what you’re here for.’
‘Thank you,’ Jack said, taking Pru’s hand and leading her to the parquet flooring where other couples were dancing to the lively music coming from the gramophone. He took her in his arms and began to dance. ‘I hope you’re enjoying yourself and Verity didn’t bombard you with too many questions?’
‘Not at all. I like her,’ Pru said honestly. ‘She’s made me feel very welcome.’
‘She’s a great girl. I’m happy for Hugo that he married her rather than the girl his parents were planning for him to marry.’
‘Really? They don’t approve of her?’ Pru couldn’t understand what Hugo’s parents could possibly find to dislike.
‘I think they were hoping for someone a little more reserved.’ Jack laughed. ‘More mouselike probably. In fact, the antithesis of Verity.’
Pru was stunned. ‘How strange.’ She would have thought that as long as the two of them were from the same background his parents wouldn’t have any issues. The thought made her even more concerned for Jean and Monty.
‘After the way Verity’s dealt with Hugo’s injuries, his parents have finally conceded that maybe he wasn’t so amiss in choosing her as his wife.’
‘That’s something, I suppose.’ Pru was pleased for Hugo. He seemed such a kindly man. ‘Verity’s very vivacious and incredibly beautiful.’
‘She is.’ He looked down at her and stared at her as they moved. ‘But not nearly as beautiful as you, Pru.’
She laughed. ‘That’s absurd,’ she said, and was surprised to see hurt register on his face. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude, but really you couldn’t possibly compare me with Verity.’
His smile returned. ‘It’s fine. And I meant what I said.’
She didn’t believe him. She could see for herself how stunning Verity was. Pru knew she was pretty, but in rather an ordinary girl-next-door kind of way. Verity looked like an angel with her exquisite features and white-blonde hair.
Pru soon forgot all about Verity as he held her against him and they moved to the music. She rested her head on his chest, enjoying the sensation of being in his arms. It felt like a safe place to be. Somewhere where she could make believe the world wasn’t at war and sweet people like Hugo weren’t being disfigured each day.
‘I’m glad I met you, Pru,’ Jack murmured.
‘I’m glad you did, too,’ she said, her voice barely audible above the music.
The evening flew by and before Pru knew it Jack was telling her it was past midnight, and he should be taking her back to Ashbury. She was disappointed to have to end their time at the beautiful stately home, but, not wishing to get into trouble with Matron, dutifully joined Jack in saying their goodbyes.
‘It’s been delightful to meet you,’ Verity said.
‘It has,’ Hugo agreed. ‘Jack, you must ensure you bring Pru to visit us again sometime.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
Jack drove her back in silence but Pru could sense him glancing at her every so often and caught his eye. She smiled. ‘Thank you for inviting me tonight,’ she said, wishing they could do it all again tomorrow. ‘I’ve had a wonderful time.’
‘I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a little better. Even if we can’t be as free with our emotions as we’d both like to right now.’
She could hear an unmistakable sadness in his tone and wished she could comfort him and tell him everything would work out, but neither of them could possibly know that to be the case.
Jack drove up the manor driveway and parked the car to the side of the house. Then, turning to face her, he reached out and took a strand of hair that had come loose from one of the pins her friends had used to keep her hair in place. He let it run through his fingers.
‘Will you come out somewhere with me again, Pru? Maybe for a walk tomorrow during your break, or when your shift is over? There’s something I’d like to show you.’
Pru was intrigued to think what it might be. ‘I’d like that,’ she admitted, her breathing shallow.
He stared at her for a while and seemed to be trying to decide something. Then, leaning forward, he kissed her.
Pru melted into his kiss, letting him pull her closer to him as she slipped her arms around his neck. The only man she had kissed before Jack was Jean’s older brother, Peter. He was sweet but his kisses never made her feel like she did right now.
‘I know we agreed to try and stay just friends.’
‘Friends who kiss,’ Pru said, not wishing to stop having to kiss his perfect mouth.
Jack grinned. ‘I like the idea of us being kissing friends.’
Pru nodded. ‘Go on.’
He clenched his jaw. ‘You know I’m going away again very soon,’ he said quietly into her hair. Pru stiffened, hating the thought. ‘I’d like to see you as much as I can before then, if you want to?’
‘I’d like that very much.’ She sat back and stared into his dark-blue eyes, trying to commit every detail of his handsome face to memory.
‘What is it?’ he whispered.
‘I don’t want to forget anything about you.’
He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment. ‘Then would you be happy for me to arrange for us to have photographs taken of each of us?’
‘You mean so that we can swap them to keep while you’re away?’
‘Yes.’
‘I think it’s an idea.’
‘Then that’s what I’ll do.’
