Voice of the Heart (76 page)

‘You’re absolutely right, Vic,’ Nick agreed. ‘You can’t ignore her. Anyway, Estelle’s not so bad, and basically she’s harmless.’

This comment took Victor aback, and he said slowly, wonderingly, ‘My God, you’re sounding mellow all of a sudden. To what do we owe this curious change of heart? Don’t tell me, I know.
Diana
. It’s her gentle influence on you, I’ve no doubt.’ Victor smiled, glanced across at Nick with affection, studied him closely. He was delighted he was in such good spirits, a happy frame of mind, and top physical form. The lean boyish face was tanned, rested, the tension wiped off it, and the blue eyes sparkled, were no longer shadowed by sadness. Nick had also put on weight. Not a lot, but enough to give his tall, spare frame more solidity. Victor exclaimed, ‘You’re looking
great
, kid! The best I’ve seen you since you came back from New York. No, let me correct myself. In years.’

‘Yes, I know.’ Before he could prevent himself, Nick confessed. ‘Diana is a terrific girl. I’m hooked, Vic. Really and truly hooked.’

Victor merely nodded, said nothing. Nick saw a hint of amusement in his black eyes, a perceptive smile surfacing. He cried, with unusual fervency, ‘This isn’t a passing fancy, Victor. I’m really serious about Diana.’

‘
Serious
serious, Nicholas?’ Victor asked, his attention centred on his friend.

‘Yes. I’ll tell you this too, she’s the first woman I’ve ever wanted to marry… how do you like them apples, old buddy?’ Nick waited, his eyes pinned on Victor, who was now staring at him in stupefaction. ‘Well, say something, maestro.’

‘Have you asked her?’ Victor replied at last, his voice curiously quiet, his eyes subdued.

‘No, not yet. And I don’t plan to for a while, so this conversation is strictly
entre nous. Capisce?
’

Victor stood up. ‘How about a drink? It’s that hour of the day, and we’ve plenty of time before we dress for dinner.’

‘Sure, why not,’ Nick assented. ‘Make mine a vodka and tonic, please.’

‘It’ll have to be a warm one, I’ve just remembered there’s no ice,’ Victor told him and poured the drinks at the small bar.

‘I don’t care. But call room service and order a bucket now, so we have it for later.’

Victor lifted the telephone and did as Nick suggested, then returned to his chair, handed Nick the drink. He said, ‘Down the hatch, kid.’

‘Cheers.’ Nick took one swallow and then put the glass down on the table slowly. He had suddenly noticed the change in Vic’s demeanour. ‘Okay, let’s have it,’ Nick demanded softly. ‘I know from the peculiar expression on your face that you’ve got something important on your mind. I also have a lousy feeling it’s something I’m not going to like when I hear it.’

‘No, no, you’re wrong, Nicky!’ Victor exclaimed, but his sharp denial held no conviction, and try as he might he could not erase the sombreness Nick had detected in him. He too leaned closer, and clearing his throat, he finished quietly, ‘You and I had better have a serious talk. Man to man.’

‘Shoot.’ Nick felt his body stiffening, and he realized he was filled with alarm.

David Cunningham stood on the threshold of the french doors opening onto the terrace regarding Doris, the look on his face one that truly signified his adoration.

She sat at the circular table, shaded from the intense mid-morning sun by a large blue umbrella, her head bent in concentration on the papers spread out before her. She wore a strapless sundress of light cotton, its white ground patterned with tiny primroses, and her striking auburn hair was covered by a wide-brimmed picture hat of pale yellow leghorn. As he watched her, unobserved, he thought how girlish and lovely she looked, a charming portrait indeed, and his heart expanded with love for her.

Stepping forward, David said, ‘You’re very industrious, my darling, and so absorbed I hate to disturb you.’

Doris lifted her head swiftly, her face fighting up when she saw him approaching, and her voice vibrated with happiness as she said, ‘I’m just finishing a few last-minute invitations to the dance. Then I’m going to take a deep breath and start on the place cards.’

He sat down next to her and took her hand in his, smiling into her welcoming face. ‘I thought the girls were going to help you with this task. I do hope they haven’t reneged on their promise. Where are they?’

‘Taking a swim, darling, and no, they haven’t broken their word. They’ll be up shortly to give me a hand. And I don’t mind doing some of the work myself for the time being. It’s almost too hot for anything else, except floating in the pool perhaps.’

‘So it is. I see you’re taking more than adequate protection from the sun this morning,’ he teased gently, loving her, his eyes roving over her appreciatively.

‘It’s imperative that I do. I’m turning into one huge freckle! If I’m not careful I’m going to look blotchy and ugly for the dance.’

‘Hardly possible, my dear,’ he laughed, reaching out and squeezing her hand.

‘You’ve been gone for ages. What have you been doing since breakfast?’

‘Reading the English newspapers and the
Herald Tribune
.’ He grimaced, his face growing serious. ‘The Suez situation is really rather grave, you know. It’s a pity Nasser boycotted the London Conference on Suez last week, and rejected the American proposals for future international use of the Canal. Nationalizing it is one thing, but restricting world shipping traffic is quite another.
Inflammatory
is the only word for that action.’

‘Yes, I see what you mean.’ Doris responded, sitting back in the chair. ‘What do you think is going to happen, David?’

He shook his head. ‘I honestly can’t hazard a guess. But I sincerely hope it doesn’t mean war.’

‘My God,
could
it go that far?’ she asked, staring at him askance.

‘Very easily, I’m afraid, Doris. Anthony Eden might well decide to invade Egypt. I wouldn’t put it past him. And right now he does have the backing of the French and the Americans.’

‘A
war
. Oh David!’

‘Yes, it is a frightening prospect, but you mustn’t worry your head about it, my darling. There’s very little we can do. We simply have to leave it to the politicians, and pray it doesn’t come to pass. A bit of adroit diplomacy has been known to work wonders. I hope the crisis will blow over without any skirmishes.’ He gave her a reassuring smile, said firmly, ‘Come along, Doris, don’t look so gloomy. We can’t let the political situation ruin our summer. I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t brought it up.’

Doris summoned a more cheerful demeanour at once and said lightly, ‘Don’t be silly, and I would have seen the newspapers later anyway. But you’re right, of course, we mustn’t let problems beyond our control intrude. What are your plans today, darling?’

‘I’ve decided to take Kim and Christian into Monte Carlo after all. We have a little shopping to do. Afterwards, we’re going to Bunky Ampher’s for lunch.’

‘
Bunky Ampher’s
. Is that a restaurant or a person?’

‘A person,’ David chuckled. ‘He’s the tall, heavyset fellow I introduced to you at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo on Saturday evening. We were chatting to him for a while, don’t you remember?’

‘Oh yes, now I recall him. Perhaps I didn’t catch his name, or I misheard it.
Bunky.
’ She pursed her lips. ‘That just has to be a nickname.’

‘But of course. From our school days. We were at Harrow together. Splendid chap. In any event, Bunky rang up a short while ago and extended a most cordial invitation. He wants us to join him and an American friend by the name of Nelson Avery, a banker, I believe. I accepted, darling, since you said earlier you wanted to spend a restful day here. You don’t mind, do you?’

‘No, David. You’ll enjoy it. So will the boys, and it’ll be nice for me to spend a few hours with Frankie and Diana. I hardly seem to see them, they’re so frenetic, rushing all over the place.’

‘The mere
thought
of their social life exhausts me,’ David said. ‘I’m beginning to think those two never sleep. Anyway, we shan’t be late. Lunch is at one-thirty, so we ought to be back around three-thirty, four at the latest. Bunky’s villa is quite close by, on the shoulder of the mountainside above Roquebrune, a lovely place. He asked us all to go up for drinks with them on Sunday, late afternoon, and I accepted.’ The Earl leaned forward, eagerness filling his eyes, and went on, ‘In September Bunky plans to give a very special luncheon for
our greatest and most illustrious Harrovian. He would like us to attend, if we’re here.’

Sensing his sudden excitement, Doris asked curiously, ‘Who is the lunch for, darling?’

‘Why Sir Winston, of course. He sometimes stays with friends of Bunky’s in Roquebrune, and he’s rather partial to Bunky’s gardens. Likes to paint them, you know.’

‘Oh how marvellous. I’d love to meet him, David. But I think I shall be scared stiff. Heavens to Betsy, Winston Churchill!’

‘I know what you mean,’ David acknowledged with an understanding smile. ‘I’m a little intimidated myself. And it’s quite an honour to be included, my dear.’ He rose, touched her shoulder lightly. ‘In the meantime, I think I’d better go and chivvy Kim and Christian.’

‘David, perhaps we should ask your friend Bunky to the dance.’

‘Oh but we did, Doodles,’ he exclaimed. He moved closer, leaned over her shoulder, rustled through the papers on the table, searching for the guest list. He found it, ran a finger down the names. ‘Ah yes, here it is… Earl Winterton, and the Countess.’

Doris cocked her head around to look at him, her vivid green eyes crinkling with merriment. ‘No wonder I didn’t recognize the name Bunky Ampher. Sometimes I wonder about you, Your Lordship. I swear to God you do certain things just to confuse me!’

‘I wouldn’t do that to my lady love.’ He bent forward and kissed her on the lips, stroking her face. ‘You’re very very special to me, my lovely Doris. I do adore you so,’ he murmured against her cheek.

‘The feeling is mutual, my darling.’ She gazed at him with the same entrancement he was levelling at her. As always, he looked elegant and distinguished, but also undeniably boyish at this moment. It’s his suntan, the casual summer clothes, Doris thought, taking in the white gabardine slacks, the crisp
blue and white checked cotton shirt, open at the neck and worn with a pale-blue silk cravat. ‘You do look handsome this morning, David. Quite the most marvellous thing I’ve seen on two legs lately.
Ever
, to be exact.’

His laughter reverberated around the terrace. ‘You do say the nicest things to a chap, Doris. I’m getting a swollen head with all your compliments. Never had so many in my life—from anyone. Perhaps that’s the
real
reason I love you,’ he joked.

‘It has been said of me that I’m the flatterer incarnate,’ Doris rejoined, her tone soft. She regarded him carefully.

‘Ah, but compliments are usually greatly appreciated by the recipient, and don’t forget, flattery is supposed to get you everywhere.’

‘That’s what my friend meant, I suppose, when she pinned the label on me. Obviously she was being disparaging, suggesting my flattery was self-serving and fraudulent,’ Doris responded with a tiny wry smile. ‘But it isn’t.’

A sober look settled on David’s face, and he lowered his voice. ‘One should never pay attention to the things people say about one, Doris. I have schooled myself to ignore that brand of backbiting, and so must you.’

Doris picked up something in his tone, and she pondered momentarily, frowning. ‘So you’ve heard it too—the comment about me marrying you for your title?’ Her eyes held his.

‘Naturally. That sort of offensive statement always gets back to one.’ He shrugged with nonchalance, but a sardonic expression tugged at his fine mouth. ‘And there are those who say I’m marrying you for your great fortune.’ He put his arm around her lovingly and asserted with some feeling, ‘I am marrying you for you, my darling, because I love you, and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are marrying me for the same reason. Friends who make derisive remarks behind our backs are most definitely not our friends. Furthermore, they are to be treated with the
disdain they deserve. We must always rise above that sort of nastiness, Doris. Never forget, much of this kind of talk is engendered by envy and jealousy. Gossip! I
loathe
it. Thoughtless, malicious chatter is so destructive, has ruined more people’s fives than I care to think about. But we’re not going to let it affect us, are we, my sweet?’

‘You bet we’re not,’ she cried with a jaunty laugh. ‘And you are the dearest, sweetest man in the whole world. We are going to be happy, aren’t we, David?’

He made no response, but his smile, the love in his eyes were confirmation enough. David kissed her, lingering over his kiss. ‘By the way, did you get a chance to say anything to Francesca after breakfast?’ His voice had dropped to a blurred monotone, and the tense way he held his body denoted his anxiousness.

‘No.’ Doris’s face tightened with concern, and she explained slowly, ‘I guess I lost my nerve. But apart from that, Diana was present, and I didn’t want to broach it in front of her. Actually, that’s been the main problem since
our
discussion on Tuesday evening. I can never get Frankie alone. There’s always someone around, Kim, Christian or guests. It’s such an awkward subject, and I don’t want to create an untenable situation. I’ve been thinking… perhaps it might be wiser to wait until after the—’ Doris gave David a warning look, raised her hand in greeting.

Christian said, ‘Am I interrupting?’

David half turned to face his nephew. ‘No, no, old chap, not at all.’

Wheeling himself over to join them, Christian came to a stop next to Doris’s chair. He lifted her hand to his lips, kissed it graciously, sat beaming at her, his dark eyes glowing and alert, his expression uncommonly sunny. ‘My Lord, Doris darling, you
are
true to your word, and most diligent. I really didn’t take you seriously when you said you were going to tackle paperwork today. It’s awfully brave of you to toil in this heat.’

‘Oh it’s not so bad, Christian. You should try Oklahoma City at the height of the summer. It’s twice as hot. A furnace,’ Doris laughed, giving him the benefit of the warmest and tenderest of looks. He touched her in so many ways, and on so many levels, with his old-fashioned gallantry, his charming manners and, not the least, his immense courage. He also had a tremendous sense of humour and the most positive approach to life she had ever come across in a human being. She marvelled constantly at this young man’s total lack of self-pity, his determination to lead as normal a life as possible, this despite his disablement. No, not despite it, but
because
of his condition, Doris now thought, sudden comprehension telling her that this stoicism was generated by an immense will to overcome physical handicap.