Perchance to Marry by Celine Conway Read Free Book Online Page A

daughter who was fledged and fairly sophisticated would have done nicely. Still, one couldn’t order up one’s complications; they happened, and a man made the best of them.
    To Marcus, the next few weeks would be simply a period to be lived through and forgotten. To keep his aged and ailing grandmother happy he would have gone to greater lengths, no doubt. He saw the whole thing in terms of the old lady’s health.
    And that was the way she, Sally, would have to view it. She must place the present precarious state of Dona Inez’s health a long way above her own happiness and modest ambitions. Looked at that way, the frightening situation might be just bearable.
    It was quite some time before Sally stirred herself to go back to the house. She went into her large airy bedroom, slipped off her frock and washed in the adjoining bathroom. She got into a blue figured linen, pushed a wave or two into the soft honey-pale hair and used a little make-up.
    When she returned to the courtyard her mother was there, talking animatedly with the woman who had wheeled out a shimmering tray of silver tea ware. The servant was smiling and nodding her head, and when she saw Sally the smile became softer.
    Looking at both English women, she said, “This is a wonderful day for us all. Maravilloso !” And her shoes whispered away across the flagstones.
    “Now isn’t that touching?” Viola appealed to Sally. “I always thought Latin servants were awfully dour, but these make one feel wanted and important. I wonder if they make good tea though. That huge silver pot looks heavy. Will you pour, dear?”
    Sally poured. Her mother sat near the wall and looked towards the trees. She was wearing a soft cream silk that made her appear young and prematurely grey, and the matching shoes, with their pointed toes and spiky heels, emphasized the slender neatness of her ankles and calves. As usual she wore no rings but her wedding ring, and her only other adornment was a small gold blob in each ear. Dressed simply, Viola always carried a look of distinction which even the lavender rinse left intact. Sometimes she made Sally feel inadequate.
    Viola said, “There are several acres of gardens—did you know that? And we’re only one mile from the nearest beach. Not that I care for beaches, but I do like to look at the sea sometimes, and the Mediterranean is quite as blue as one hopes, isn’t it? What have you been doing this afternoon? That woman said you’d been in the garden for a long time with Marcus.”
    “Yes, I was. Dona Inez woke up and he was called indoors.”
    “I suppose he’s still with her.” Viola frowned anxiously. “I do hope I shan’t have to see the old lady. Old people make me shiver, even rich ones.”
    Sally smiled faintly. “I think you may be spared. It’s unlikely that she’ll be allowed visitors.”
    “And we’re strangers to her,” Viola comforted herself. “Aren’t you glad now that we bought half a dozen new frocks each? Marcus has several friends who have villas along the coast, and even if he can’t entertain here because of the grandmother they’re bound to invite us to their houses. And of course the staff at Naval Town will have social events. Did you hear the real names of Naval Town and Naval Bay? Quite unpronounceable, so you can’t blame the Navy for giving them their own nicknames. Sally,” turning upon her a sudden scrutiny, “what has been happening to you? You look ... doped!”
    “It’s the sun,” said Sally. “Would you like some more tea?”
    It was always easy to divert Viola, but that moment of awareness in her mother made Sally careful. She spoke of the intense blue of the sky, of the yellow butterflies—fancy, butterflies in March! of the peace and warmth and the lengthening shadows.
    The tea-things were taken away, the sun slipped out of sight and cooler air displaced the warmth, so that the ancient Sealyham shivered and plodded indoors. A clock in the house chimed six, and a