Winds of Eden (30 page)

His heartbeat quickened. After Emily's death he'd never expected to as much look at another woman again. Emily had gone from this life and his. He'd been forced to accept that much. But he couldn't help feeling that he was somehow being disloyal to her and the memory of what they'd shared by inviting Kitty to dine with him.

Had he done so only because he was about to return to active service, and wanted someone, even someone he'd only just met, to shed a tear when they heard the news of his death? 

Chapter Thirty-one

Lansing Memorial Mission, Basra, 10th January 1916

‘I'm so glad to see you at table, Maud,' Mrs Butler commented when Maud joined the family for dinner that evening.

‘Thank you.' Maud didn't know what else to say. Every time Mrs Butler spoke to her she felt as though what her hostess was really saying was, ‘How soon are you moving out of the Lansing Memorial, Maud?'

‘Did you have a successful shopping trip?'

‘Very, thank you, Mrs Butler.' Maud forced a smile when she recalled the ugly scene and words she'd exchanged with Reggie Brooke. ‘I returned with everything I set out to buy.'

‘That's successful.' As usual, Angela rushed into the dining room after everyone else was seated.

‘Busy day at school?' Theo shook out his napkin.

‘My pupils never cease to surprise me. They actually remembered most of the last geometry lesson I taught them, including the theorem. Any news from upriver?'

‘The stream of Turkish POWs has turned into a flood. Theo and I will have to return to the hospital as soon as we've eaten.' Dr Picard broke a slice of bread over his soup. ‘They're in the most appalling state. There's been no attempt to tend to their wounds and they're all half-starved and infested with lice and fleas.'

‘I hope you deloused and disinfected yourselves before leaving the hospital,' Mrs Butler folded her hands in preparation for her husband to say grace.

‘As always,' Theo confirmed. ‘You're quiet, Maud. You didn't pick up any gossip in town?'

‘There wasn't any gossip in the shops. Have many British wounded come downriver?'

‘Steamers full,' Theo answered. ‘From the number of casualties and the severity of their wounds it doesn't look as though things are going very well up there for your countrymen. If it's any consolation, from what the Black Watch POW escort told us, General Lake is using everyone and everything he has at his disposal to reach Kut. He's determined to relieve the force before they run out of food. I dread to think what the final casualty lists will be.'

‘I suspect more than the numbers trapped in Kut.' Dr Picard fell silent when Reverend Butler tapped his glass as a prelude to grace.

After grace was said and the maids began handing out dishes, Maud stopped listening to the conversation. Preoccupied with Reggie Brooke and the way he'd treated her, she gave up even attempting to nod in the correct places.

She looked down the table at Theo. He was short and stocky, bordering on overweight. No more than an inch, maybe two, taller than her. Compared to John, Geoffrey, and her Portuguese lover, Miguel D'Arbez, who'd all been exceptionally tall and good-looking, his features were bland, nondescript, half-hidden behind round spectacles that did nothing to enhance his appearance.

Could she marry Theo? Live with him? Sleep with him in the same bed – and bear his children?

The one experience she wasn't anxious to repeat after Robin's birth was childbearing. It curtailed social interaction, ruined the figure and there was no consolation at the end. Only a miserable squalling child that required constant attention, leaked everywhere, and ruined gowns.

‘Maud? Maud? Maud, are you all right?'

She looked up to see everyone watching her.'

‘You all right, Maud?' Angela repeated.

‘I'm sorry,' she apologised. ‘I was miles away.'

‘Penny for your thoughts?' Theo enquired.

‘I was wondering how many more men will die before this war is over,' she lied.

‘That I'm afraid is more in the generals' hands than God's.' Reverend Butler left the table. ‘Thank you, my dear, that was an excellent dinner. If you'll excuse me, I have a confirmation class to attend to.'

‘Yes, thank you, Mrs Butler. I have marking to do,' Angela looked at Maud, ‘cocoa later?'

‘That would be lovely, Angela. Thank you for dinner, Mrs Butler. If you'll excuse me I must check on Robin.' Maud watched Theo refill and pick up his coffee cup.

‘Thank you, Mrs Butler. That was just what I needed after a day in the hospital. If you'll excuse me I'll drink this in the smoking room.'

‘I have letters to write, Theo. Will you be ready to return to the hospital in half hour?' Dr Picard asked.

‘Whenever you're ready, Dr Picard.'

Maud went to her room. The nursemaid was sewing, the baby sleeping in his cot.

She looked down at him for a few minutes. Much as she'd tried to ignore the resemblance between the child and his father she couldn't. Robin was a miniature version of Charles Reid and she hated him for it. Not because she hated Charles – which she did – but because the child was a living reminder of her infidelity and betrayal of John.

She checked her hair in the mirror, dabbed scent on her neck and wrists, looked at her rouge and powder pots and hesitated. Mrs Butler and Angela would notice she was wearing cosmetics and as they never wore any she decided the demure look would have to do. The baby started to grizzle. The nursemaid bent over the cot.

‘See to him,' Maud ordered abruptly before leaving the room.

Maud found Theo where he said he'd be, flicking through an old copy of the
New York Times
.

‘You were quiet at dinner, are you well?' he asked.

‘Quite well.' she sat in a chair opposite him. ‘Do you have time to talk?'

He glanced at his watch. ‘Dr Picard said he'd be half an hour, but knowing him that means at least an hour, so the short answer is, yes, I have time to talk.'

‘I've been thinking about your proposal.'

Theo set the paper aside. ‘And?'

‘I accept.'

‘What brought about this change?'

‘My maid Harriet was in the dress shop.'

‘She ignored you?'

‘She said “hello” but nothing more.'

‘Polite even when ostracising. British military society knows how to close its doors.'

‘There's more.' She steeled herself. ‘There was an officer in the shop.'

‘Reggie Brooke.'

Maud's blood ran cold. She wondered who Theo had spoken to and how much he knew. Were the shop assistants indiscreet? Did they sell information about what went on in the upstairs rooms? ‘How do you know it was Reggie?'

‘I saw he was interested in you the last time he was here. Did you meet him by appointment?'

‘Not exactly.'

‘Explain.'

‘He told me he was generally there on Monday afternoons.'

He sat forward in his chair. ‘So you knew he'd be there, and went with the intention of persuading him to marry you. To that end you made love to him?'

She was too taken aback by Theo's blunt assertion to do more than sit and stare.

‘Don't look shocked, Maud. It's common knowledge the Parisienne Ladies' Fashion store is what's known colloquially in the States as a cathouse.'

She finally found her voice. ‘I thought Reggie wanted to marry me.'

He gave a mirthless laugh. ‘You really thought Major Brooke would ignore your reputation and marry you? That was optimism bordering on the fanciful, Maud. So now the one hope – as it turns out false hope – that you had a marriage prospect in British military society has been dashed, you've decided to accept my proposal. But only after you slept with the said officer in a last-ditch attempt to get him to marry you?'

‘That is not the way I would put it.'

‘Then how would you put it, Maud?'

‘If you're withdrawing your offer I wouldn't blame you.'

‘I should hope not after the way you've behaved. If there's blame to be apportioned it falls squarely on you.'

‘If you want to make me crawl …'

‘I have no interest in humiliating you, Maud. But neither have I any interest in marrying a whore who can't keep her legs closed around men. The one thing I applaud, to a point,' he qualified, ‘is your honesty. The question is, who else knows about your exploits this afternoon other than Reggie Brooke and the staff of the dress shop?'

‘I have no idea.'

‘I have a suggestion. Wait a month, if no gossip circulates within that time the chances are it won't. At the end of that time, I'll examine you to make sure you're not carrying Reggie's child. If you are, you and your money can go to England, India, or purgatory as far as I'm concerned.'

‘And if I'm not?'

‘You can service me so I can sample the delights of your flesh that you distribute so freely. If I'm satisfied with your performance I'll marry you on condition you sign over your annuity and any other assets you're holding to me.'

‘If I did that and you left me, I'd have nothing to live on.'

‘You have my word that I won't leave you after we're married, provided your antics don't incite further gossip and you remain faithful. My last and final offer, Maud. What do you say?'

She pictured Reggie's face, cold, contemptuous as he'd last looked at her. Harriet turning away from her in the shop. She didn't need to think about what she was about to say.

‘Yes, Theo.'

‘You'll give up everything you own to marry me?'

‘Yes.'

‘Why?'

‘Because I'm finding it very hard to live without respectability.'

Charles helped Kitty from the landau he'd hired to carry them from the Basra Club to their quarters. They waved goodbye to Matron Howard and Anthony Bell when the driver headed for Matron's house behind the hospital. Charles walked Kitty to the door of the bungalow she shared with three other nurses.

‘I can't believe Anthony and Matron are still talking about
The
Three Musketeers
.'

‘They've inspired me to look for a copy so I can re-read it,' Charles followed her on to her veranda. ‘Are you free tomorrow?'

‘Aren't you going upstream tomorrow?' she asked.

‘Now we've met properly I'm hoping my orders will come through the day after tomorrow, or if I'm really lucky the end of the week.'

‘If they come through sooner?'

‘I'll send a message to the hospital.'

‘I'm on days this week so I'll be free from seven o'clock – make that eight if you want to see me at my best.'

‘We could dine in the Basra Club again. Just the two of us if you think I can be trusted to behave like a gentleman.'

‘Only one problem, I doubt I'll be ready to eat the Club's idea of a dinner after what I've eaten tonight.'

‘What about supper?'

‘In one of the private rooms?' she replied.

‘I wasn't going to suggest that,' he protested.

‘I suspected you wouldn't, which is why I did. You can pick me up here at eight without a carriage. I enjoy walking in the fresh air after spending a day on the ward.'

‘In the rain?'

‘You melt in water?'

‘No, but …'

‘Bring an umbrella.' She took a key from her reticule and slipped it into the lock before turning back to him. ‘May I ask you a question?'

‘Anything, as long as you realise I'm bound by the limitations of the Official Secrets Act as applied by the India Office.'

‘Are you married?'

He smiled. ‘No, people keep telling me I have to win the war first.'

‘Good.' She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. ‘It's pleasant getting to know you, Major Reid.'

Charles walked up to his bungalow to find Anthony sitting on the veranda smoking a cigar under an umbrella.

‘Bit wet out here to smoke, isn't it?'

‘Your bearer's inside sending clouds of dust from one side of the bungalow to the other,' Anthony complained.

‘My bearer's too lazy to disturb a cloud of dust.'

‘Your old bearer was. This is a new old bearer who's just returned from India.'

‘Chatta Ram?'

‘I think that's what he said his name was. I decided it was diplomatic to retreat for the sake of my sinuses. Smoke?' he offered Charles a cigar.

‘Is this a peace offering for wanting to bite my head off when Kitty brought Matron to dinner?'

‘It's Kitty now, is it?'

‘I'm seeing her again tomorrow night.' Charles struck a match, lit Anthony's cigar and then his own.'

‘You're not wasting time.'

‘No one has time to waste in a war. If you'll excuse me I'd better go and see my bearer, we have a lot to catch up on.'

‘If you had any thoughts on keeping your old bearer this one has already sent him packing.'

‘Excellent, saves me the job of firing him.'

‘I take it you prefer this bearer?'

‘I was wounded at Nasiriyeh. Chatta Ram carried me to the river, ignored the direct orders of medical officers who told him I was past saving, and stayed with me on a hellish seventeen-day journey downstream, on the
Mejiidieh.
I was out of it, but later I was told there was no cover from the wind or rain. More than half the wounded had dysentery and the boat was covered with faeces, urine, flies, and vermin. By the time we arrived at Basra more than half the wounded had died where they lay. Medics directed the removal of those they considered had a chance. I wasn't one of them. Again Chatta Ram ignored the orders of superior officers, carried me off the boat, and placed me on one of the hospital transfer carts. It wasn't until I came round that I discovered he'd been wounded himself and sent back to India to recuperate.'

‘If you want to get rid of him …'

‘No chance, Anthony, but feel free to take the bearer Chatta Ram sent away.'

‘He's even worse than the one I have.'

Charles found Chatta Ram in his bedroom. He'd laid out Charles's kit and uniform and was examining it.

‘You walked through the door and began work right away?' Charles propped his stick in a corner and sat on one of the wickerwork chairs.