Part 19 (1/2)
Ten minutes later Paula walked in, arid Emma looked up from the papers on her desk, her .face softening, and theninstantly her eyes narrowed. ”Paula, you look awfully tired!” she exclaimed, her worry resounding audibly. ”You've gotdark shadows, and you're very pale. Are you sure you're all right?”
”Yes,” Paula rea.s.sured her and gave her a small rueful smile as she flopped down into the chair opposite the desk. ”It'sbeen one of those beastly days. Interminable problems with the French Week planned for July.” '
”What kind of problems?” Emma asked, straightening up and then leaning over the desk, resting her chin in her hands.
”People problems mostly. You know-temperaments, ruffled feathers, noses out of joint. But I've managed to getthings moving smoothly again. I really miss Emily, though, Grandy. She was always so good at pulling our specialevents together, and she was certainly a soothing influence on everybody.”
”That's part of Emily's talent, I've always thought. I know she used to make the store managers tremble in their boots,but she usually had them eating out of her hand in the long run, charming them all the way. Perhaps you ought toconsider getting an a.s.sistant-someone to replace Emily.” Emma's brows lifted. ”Why not?”
”Oh, I don't know-” Paula shrugged. ”I think I can cope; anyway, let's not worry about that now. The French Week is . finally under control, and I 'don't foresee any more major difficulties cropping up. G.o.d forbid! In the meantime did you get a chance to look at the boutique plans? And did you speak to Merry?”
”Yes, I did. This afternoon. I spent an hour poring over the plans, and then I phoned her, told her you both had myblessing. You were right, Paula, the scheme is excellent, and we should do very well with the boutiques.”
”Oh, I'm so glad you agree, Grandy.” Paula looked pleased as she added, ”Merry worked so hard, and she deserves allthe credit, not I. Incidentally, 1 mentioned our new venture to Emily yesterday. Since she's going to Hong Kong earlynext month, I thought she might keep her eyes open for special merchandise for the boutiques. You know, straw hatsand bags, sandals, pretty shawls, summer jewelry, anything really that would be suitable for holiday arid resort wear.”
Emma nodded her approval. ”Very good thought, and Emily does have a penchant for spotting fas.h.i.+onable goods.”She paused, placed a pile of papers in a blue folder, then glanced up, gave her granddaughter a careful look. ”DidEmily tell you anything special? I mean, confide anything in you?”
Paula began to laugh. ”I suppose you're referring to her new boyfriend. I must admit, she's being awfully cagey with
me, and that's not like Emily. We've always shared our secrets, as you well know. However, she hasn't shared a thingabout her new love, other than to drop hints that he's gorgeous and special. She calls him her mysterious lover, no, secret lover. Mind you, I'm sure he's not actually her lover,” Paula suddenly thought to add, being protective of Emily,.not wanting her grandmother to get the wrong impression about the younger girl's morals. ”You know how she tendsto exaggerate.”
Emma bit back a smile, filling with understanding. ”You don't have to defend Emily to me, Paula dear. I know she'snot promiscuous she hasn't followed in her mother's footsteps, that's one thing I'm absolutely certain of. However,he is her lover.”
Paula, very startled, said, ”How do you know that?”
”Why, I got it from the horse's mouth,” Emma announced, mischief sparking her tired eyes with sudden life. She sat hack and grinned at Paula.
”You're looking like the cat that's swallowed the canary, Grandy,” Paula laughed. ”Which horse?”
”Emily. She told me all about him herself. And the so-called secret lover is no longer a secret, neither is he verymysterious.” Emma's mouth twitched with amus.e.m.e.nt as she watched Paula, noted the surprised expression settlingon her face.
”Oh,” was all Paula could manage.
Emma's light laugh rang out. ”Emily came to see me the night before last, and she was rather blunt-in her usualfas.h.i.+on. She said, 'Gran, I'm terribly in love, and it's very serious. I'm sleeping with him, but I don't want you to worry. Iwon't get pregnant. I'm taking birth control pills.' That didn't surprise me, after all she was always a rather practical girl .. . Emily does have her head screwed on the right way, like you. In fact, Elizabeth could take a few'lessons from the twoof you. Well, I was taken aback-I don't mind admitting that-but not shocked, though I suspect Emily hadantic.i.p.ated that I would be. I wonder occasionally if that girl thinks I'm the Virgin Mary. Anyway, she was very honest,endearingly so.” Emma paused, then smiled her very special smile that filled her face with radiance. ”Our little Emilyhas stars in her eyes right now, darling. She's genuinely in love. Very much so.”
”But who is he?” Paula pressed. ”You said he's not mysterious, so it must be somebody I know.”
”Oh yes, it is.” Emma chuckled, and her eyes twinkled brightly. She was suddenly enjoying herself, enjoying teasingPaula, glad to turn away from the unpleasantness surrounding Jonathan, which she found so appalling.
”Come on, don't be so mean,” Paula admonished, smiling herself, picking up on her” grandmother's gaiety which wasinfectious. ”Tell me his name, for heaven's sake! I'm dying to know.”
”Winston.”
”Winston,” Paula gasped, and her violet eyes widened. ”I don't believe it!”
”Oh, but you must, because it's absolutely true. Don't look so shocked, darling. Winston's very eligible, and let's face it, he has lots of charm, a lot going for him. He's also rather good-looking. He's a lot like me, you know.”
Paula hooted with laughter, tickled by this small show of personal vanity on her grandmother's part. Shesaid, ”Yes, Grandma, I have noticed the resemblance from time to time.” She then continued, ”The only reason I'mthunderstruck is because this news is so unexpected. And rather startling-I mean, Winston and Emily . .. goodness me, when did they become romantically entangled? When did all this start?” Paula's blackbrows drew together in a sudden frown. ”Oh dear, what about nice Allison Ridley?”
”Yes, nice Allison indeed. That part is sad-I always rather liked that young woman. But I'm afraid it's off with her. Winston spoke to me yesterday about Allison, explained that he went, to see her, told her as kindly and as gently as possible that it's over between them. As to the first part of your question, I believe
Emily and Winston realized the depth of their feelings for each other on the day of the christening. Winston asked me if I minded about his involvement with Emily, and I told him I didn't, that I was delighted.” Emma once again leaned across the desk, the expression of deeply felt happiness flas.h.i.+ng on her face. She confided, ”I had a business meeting with Winston this morning, and after we'd finished, he brought out the ring he's bought for Emily. It's an emerald.” Emma paused, then announced, ”Winston asked my permission to marry Emily. I gave it, and they're going to announce their engagement this week, before I leave for New York.”
”Oh, Gran, this is going a bit fast, isn't it?” Paula asked softly, with a hint of concern, staring at Emma.
”I wouldn't say that, dear,” Emma remarked. ”They're hardly strangers, Paula. They grew up together, and I should think they know each other pretty well by now. They won't have any unpleasant surprises about each other after they're married. Of course, the wedding can't take place until next summer, what with my trip to Australia and their traveling. But frankly, I'm relieved to know Emily has someone to look after her ... I won't be around forever, you know. Yes, I find it most satisfying that those two are settling down together, most satisfying indeed. It gives me a lovely warm feeling here.” She patted her chest, continuing to smile.
”If you're happy and Emily is happy, then I am too,” Paula said. ”And come to think of it, she and Winston were extremely close when they were little . . . they're admirably suited. Shouldn't I call her, Gran, to congratulate her?” Paula half rose, made to reach for the telephone on Emma's desk.
Emma said, ”I don't think you'll find her at Belgrave Square. She was going to the theater with Winston, and she's probably left the flat by now.” Glancing at her watch, Emma nodded. ”Yes, it's already turned seven. You'll have to ring her late tonight. In the meantime I really think I've got to get out of this place; I've been here since eight this morning. I've had it-and you look as if you have too.” Emma stood up, frowning at Paula as she did. ”Are you sure you're quite well?”
Paula summoned a smile. ”Never better, Gran,” she fibbed, not wanting to worry her grandmother.
Privately Emma thought that Paula looked completely exhausted, worn down. She had never seen the girl like this, and it concerned her. But she made no further comment, and turning away she picked up her handbag. Her mouth tightened imperceptibly. She had a sneaking suspicion that for all his easy grace and lighthearted charm and boyish manner, Jim Fairley was a difficult man. But she would not pry; nor would she try to live her granddaughter's life for her.
As they left the office, Emma said, ”I've booked a table at Cunningham's-I hope you fancy fish.”
”Yes, and I'm not very hungry anyway, Gran.”
Later, over dinner at the Mayfair oyster bar and fish restaurant, Paula's appearance underwent a change, one which pleased Emma. Her alabaster complexion took on a soft sh.e.l.l-pink cast, and her eyes lost their haunted expression as she visibly relaxed. By the time coffee was served, Paula seemed so much more like her normal self that Emma made a decision: She would take Paula into her confidence. Before they left Cunningham's this evening, she would make brief mention of her suspicions about Jonathan, but casually so and in pa.s.sing. She felt it was necessary to warn Paula; on the other hand she did not wish to alarm her unduly. And tomorrow, when she had dinner with Alexander, she would apprise him of the situation. In one sense it was more important that he was alerted, put on his guard, since Jonathan Ainsley worked for Harte Enterprises.
Chapter Twenty.
It was the thirtieth of April, and today she was eighty years old.
She awakened early, as was usual, and as she lay in her bed, shaking off the residue of sleep, she thought: Today is a special day, isn't it? And then instantly she remembered why this day was different from others. It was her birthday.
Emma had an aversion to lying in bed once she was awake, and she pushed herself up and brought her feet to the floor, half smiling to herself as she padded across the carpet to the windows. She had made it. She had never imagined she would live so long. Why, she was eleven years older than this century. In 1889, in that small cottage in Top Fold in Fairley village, her mother Elizabeth Harte had brought her into the world.
Drawing the draperies, she peered out. Her smile widened. It was a gorgeous day, full of suns.h.i.+ne and a startling brilliance. The sky was a crystalline blue and cloudless, and the trees below her in Belgrave Square were full blown and brightly green, their heavily laden branches undulating with s.h.i.+mmering light under the breeze. She had been born on such a day as this, a balmy spring day, her mother had once told her, a day that was unusually warm for this time of year, especially in the cool northern climes of Yorks.h.i.+re.
Emma stretched. She felt alert and refreshed after a good night's rest, and as vigorous as she had ever been. Full of p.i.s.s and vinegar, she thought, and immediately an image of her brother Winston flashed into her mind. That had been his favorite expression to describe her, when she had been revved up and bubbling over with enthusiasm, energy, and drive. She wished he were still alive, and her younger brother Frank, too. Sudden sadness streamed through her, but it was fleeting. Today was not a day for feeling sorry for herself, for missing those whom she had so dearly loved and who had departed this world. Today was a day for positive thoughts. A day for celebration. A day for looking to the future, concentrating on the younger generation . . . her grandchildren.
If all of her children except Daisy were lost to her, at least she had the immense satisfaction of knowing that their offspring would carry her bright banner forward, continue the great dynasty she had created, preserve her mighty business empire.