Part 51 (1/2)
”So this is where you live? I seem to have spoiled your party. And may I ask who----” and her eyes traveled scornfully over Beth's figure, beginning at her shoes and ending at her flushed face--”I think I've seen you before----”
”Miss McGuire,” said Peter quietly, ”This is Miss Cameron----”
”Oh, yes--the kitchen maid.”
”Miss Beth Cameron,” insisted Peter frigidly, ”who has just done me the honor of promising to marry me.”
”Oh! I see----”
Beth stared from one to the other, aware of the meaning of the visitor's manner and of Peter's reply.
”That is not true,” she said very quietly, her deep voice vibrant with emotion. ”I come here often. Mr. Nichols is teaching me music. I am very proud of his friends.h.i.+p. But I did not promise to marry him.”
Peggy McGuire turned on her heel.
”Well, it's almost time you did,” she said insultingly.
Peter, now pale and cold with fury, reached the door before her and stood blocking the pa.s.sageway. ”Miss McGuire, I'll trouble you to be more careful in addressing my guests,” he said icily.
”Let me pa.s.s----”
”In a moment.”
”You'd dare----?”
”I would like you to understand that this cabin is mine--while I am in Black Rock. Any guest here comes at my invitation and honors me by accepting my hospitality. But I reserve the privilege of saying who shall come and who shall not. I hope I make myself clear----” And Peter bowed low and then moved aside, indicating the door. ”Good-night,” he finished.
Miss Peggy McGuire glared at him, red as a young turkey c.o.c.k, her finis.h.i.+ng school training just saving her from a tirade. ”Oh, you! We'll see about this----” and dashed past him out of the door and disappeared into the darkness.
Peter followed her with his angry gaze, struggling for his self-control, and at last turned into the room toward Beth, who now stood a smiling image turned into stone.
”Why did you deny what I said, Beth?” he pleaded.
”It wasn't the truth. I never promised to marry you. You never asked me to.”
”I _would_ have asked you. I ask you now. I _was_ asking you when that little fool came in----”
”Maybe you were. Maybe you weren't. Maybe I'm a little hard of hearin'.
But I'm not goin' to make _that_ an excuse for my bein' here----”
”I don't understand----”
”It's just that I came here because I wanted to come and because you wanted me. People have been talkin'. Let them talk. Let _her_ talk----”
”She will. You can be pretty sure of that.”
Peter was pacing up and down the room, his hands behind him. ”If she'd been a man----” he was muttering. ”If she'd only been a man.”
Beth watched him a moment, still smiling.