Free The Devil on Horseback by Victoria Holt Page A

felt a sudden longing for Joel’s company he was always so calm, so reassuring in a way. And if he were going on the Grand Tour that meant that he would be away possibly for two years. What a lot could happen in two years 1 The once flourishing little school could become bankrupt. Without th Derringhams . what should I do? I felt I was being blame for Margot’s indiscretion. It had often been said that Marge and I were good friends. Perhaps it was also being said that had allowed myself to become too friendly with Joel Derrinj ham-a liaison which could not have an honourable endin and that had been a bad influence on Margot.
    When two girls from one of the nearby big country house announced that they were leaving and going to a finishin school it was like a red light flickering at the end of a tun ne I took Dower out for a long ride hoping to meet Joel an hear from his own lips that he was going away. But I di not see him and that in itself was significant.
    On a Sunday morning he came to see me. My heart st arte to beat faster as I watched him tether his horse. As he cam into the sitting-room he looked very grave.
    “I’m going away shortly,” he told me.
    There was silence broken only by the ticking of the granc! father clock.
    “Maria mentioned it,” I heard myself say.
    “Well, of course it is considered to be part of one’s education.”
    Where shall you go? “
    “Europe … Italy, France, Spain … the Grand Tour.”
    “It will be most interesting.”
    “I would rather not go.”
    Then why? “
    “My father insists.” ;
    “I see, and you must obey him.” | “I always have.” | “And you couldn’t stop doing so now, naturally. But wti should you want to ?” ^ “Because … There is a reason why I don’t want to g<^ He looked at me steadily.
    “I have prized our friendship.” j “It was good.”
    “Is good. I’ll be back, Minella.”
    “That will be in the future.”
    “But I shall come back. Then I shall talk to you … ver seriously.”
    “If you come back and I am here I shall be interested t hear what you have to say.”
    He smiled and I said quietly: “When do you leave?”
    “In two weeks’ time.”
    I nodded.
    “Can I get you a glass of wine? My mother’s speciality. She was proud of the wines she made. There is sloe gin too. It is very palatable.”
    “I am sure it is, but I want nothing now. I just came to talk to you.”
    “You will see some glorious works of art … and architecture. You will be able to study the night sky in Italy. You will learn the politics of the countries through which you pass. It will be an education.”
    He was looking at me almost piteously. I thought that if I made a certain move he might suddenly come to me and put his arms about me and urge me to be as foolish and reckless as Margot and her groom. I thought: No. It is not for me to lead the way. If he wants to enough he must do that. I wondered what the Derringhams would do if Joel told them he wanted to marry me. A second disaster and so similar to the other. A mesalliance, they would call it.
    Oh my dear mother, how wrong you were!
    “I shall see you before I go,” he was saying.
    “I want us to ride out together. There is so much I want to discuss.”
    After he had gone I sat at the table thinking of him. I knew what he meant. His family, realizing his interest in me, were sending him away. Margot’s episode had alerted them to danger.
    Over the mantelpiece hung the picture of my mother which my father had had painted during the first year of their marriage. It was wonderfully like her. I gazed at those steady eyes, that resolute mouth.
    “You dreamed too much,” I said.
    “It was never meant to come to anything.”
    And I was not sure that I wanted it to. All I knew was that my world was collapsing about me. I could see the pupils drifting away and I felt lonely and a little afraid.
    Joel left and the days seemed long. I was glad when school was over though I dreaded the long evenings