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'But nothing! Do it, girl, apologise, explain, unless you want to end up a
withered, lonely old woman like me.'
Noelle's discernment was swift.
'You mean there was an occasion when you should have apologised?'
Miss O'Rourke held herself erect.
'There was, and I'm not proud of it. So you learn from my experience. It's my
guess you'll be surprised at Fergus's reaction. Do it now, before the wounds
you've dealt each other fester still more. A man has his pride too.'
'I can't,' said Noelle with craven relief at the reprieve. 'Fergus is out and I
don't know where.'
'But I do. He's hacking a gelding across to the Faheys, one that Terence
Fahey is buying for his riding school. If you take the car you can be there
almost as soon. Talk to Suzanne too, kill two birds with one stone.'
Noelle wasn't sure that she ought to be driving, she felt so nervous about
confronting Fergus. How could she get him to listen to her in the first place?
And when she had explained, apologised, what then?
The first person she saw as she drove on to the forecourt of the Fahey's
house was Suzanne. She too was dressed for riding, and seeing how the
clothes became her, Noelle found herself regretting that she had never learnt
to ride a horse.
'Noelle?' Suzanne's greeting was friendly, yet a little apprehensive. 'Has
Miss O'Rourke told you? Do you mind very much?'
In the face of these eager questions, Noelle was only too glad to postpone
her forthcoming ordeal, and she didn't enquire for Fergus.
'Yes, Aunt Bridie told me and I'm delighted, honestly. I hope you and John
will be very happy. He's the kindest of men.'
'Oh!' Suzanne's tense shoulders sagged on a breath of relief. 'And I was so
afraid you might resent my loving John because of your mother. And then
Fergus said you might well expect to be John's heir some day, and I do so
hope ..., the other girl flushed becomingly,'... that I'm not too old to give him
children of his own.'
The reason for some of Fergus's angry remarks was becoming very clear.
'I've never expected a penny from John,' Noelle said firmly, 'or needed it.'
She hesitated, wondering whether to confide in Suzanne about Noelle et
Cie. But the moment was lost in the ring of metal-shod hooves on cobbles as
Fergus rode across the courtyard.
His keen eyes had taken in the confidential manner between the two girls,
and his face hardened as he looked at Noelle.
'Sorry to interrupt your girlish gossip. Could you take charge of this old
fellow for me, Suzanne? I want to get back.' He dismounted. 'I see Noelle
has very considerately provided my transport home.'
'I didn't come here for that,' Noelle began, automatically on the defensive.
'Oh, I'm sure you didn't!' was the biting reply. 'But since you are here . . . and
on the way back you can tell me exactly why you did come and how far
you've achieved your purpose.'
Suzanne was staring from one to the other in mild astonishment.
'Don't mind us, Sue,' Fergus told her. 'You know the O'Rourkes, just a
family quarrel.' Peremptorily he motioned Noelle towards the passenger
seat and took the wheel himself.
Outside the boundary of the Fahey property, Fergus swung the car left
instead of right towardsCladdagh Hall.
'I thought you wanted to get home,' said Noelle, unable to stand the grim
silence any longer.
'No. I think it's best we have this discussion on neutral territory,' he returned.
'Our resolution not to argue in front of Aunt Bridie has wavered again of late
and I have a feeling this is going to prove even more acrimonious than
usual.'
'If you'd just let me explain first,' Noelle began.
'Not yet,' he said curtly. 'When I'm driving I like to give it my full attention.
You'll have your say soon enough, and I shall certainly have mine!'
They were driving north, Lough Corrib always within sight, and at its
northernmost point, where an isthmus divided it from Lough Mask, Fergus
stopped. He came round the car and indicated that Noelle too should get out.
She had no objection. The confines of the car were altogether too close to
endure the aura of his anger that still seemed to engulf them both.
'The two lakes are connected here by an underground river,' Fergus
commented as they walked, and Noelle stopped short, turning on him.
'You didn't bring me here for a geography lesson. Either get to the point or
let me say what I have to.'
'All right.' His tone was grim as he grasped her elbow and propelled her on
towards the water's edge. 'I want to know exactly what you said to Suzanne [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]