Free Too Close to the Sun by Jess Foley Page B

bad dream; perhaps in a moment she would awake and reality would be there. But for the time being she must behave as if she were not moved. ‘Do I know the lady?’ she asked.
    ‘No. She – Miss Shilford – Victoria – was a passenger on board the ship.’
    ‘Ah,’ Grace heard her voice say, ‘ – so that’s how you met.’ She could feel pain in the tightness of her throat. ‘When is it to be?’ she asked. ‘The wedding.’
    ‘Oh, well – we’ve not set a date yet – but some time in the spring, we think.’
    ‘Well, let me say that I hope you’ll both be very happy.’
    ‘Thank you, Grace.’ And then he was rising from his chair, was coming towards her, was reaching out. As she rose before him her hand was taken in his, suddenly cool in the warmth of his own. ‘Grace – my dear friend,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’
    ‘For what, Stephen?’
    ‘For being so – understanding.’
    ‘Oh, Stephen, please …’ She withdrew her hand and turned away. His dear friend he had called her. Had his words been so carefully chosen – chosen in order to place their relationship on an uncomplicated footing? Dear Friend. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again, now trying to sound more brisk and casual. ‘Look, I’m afraid you caught me at a difficult time. I’ve got a dozen things to do, and –’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure you must have.’ There was no missing the note of relief in his voice. ‘And I mustn’t detain you.’
    Forcing herself to keep up the charade of being calm and unmoved, she gave him a smile, then turned, opened the door and led the way out into the hall. Neither spoke as they reached the front door, where, with the door open, they stood awkwardly facing one another again.
    ‘Where is she from?’ Grace said, ‘ – your Miss Victoria?’
    ‘From Redbury.’
    ‘She’ll be lonely when you go back to sea.’
    ‘Yes, well – I’m resigning my commission in the service. When I go away next it will be for my last voyage.’
    ‘I see. And then where will you go? To Redbury?’
    ‘Well – when we’re married, Victoria and I – we’ll come to live here.’
    ‘In Green Shipton?’
    ‘I’m to help my father in the running of his business. It’s what he’s always wanted.’
    ‘I see. Yes, of course.’ Grace nodded. ‘You’ve come to some very – swift decisions.’ She was aware of a sharp little note of bitterness touching the edge of her voice, and fought to dispel it. Careful of her tone, she added, ‘So you and your wife will be living here in Green Shipton.’
    ‘Yes. Oh, Grace, I know that you and Victoria will become such good friends. She really is the finest young lady you could wish to meet.’
    She remained standing in the room after he had gone, standing there with one hand on the back of a chair, in the very same position she had been in when he had reached out, shaken her hand and, with a final uncertain goodbye, had gone from her sight. And still she could hear the echo of the sound of the horse’s hoofs fading on the cobbles of the yard. A sound at the door, and she looked around to see Billy standing there, looking at her questioningly.
    ‘Grace, are you all right?’
    ‘What?’ Grace gave herself a mental shake and smiled.‘Of course I’m all right.’ She bent and began to rearrange some flowers in a bowl on the table. ‘Why shouldn’t I be?’
    ‘He was only here a few minutes.’
    ‘Well, yes – he has things to do. He’s a busy man – having just arrived back home.’ She straightened, clasped her hands before her in a businesslike manner. ‘And I have things to do as well. I can’t stand here all day.’
    How she managed to keep any semblance of equanimity as she walked past Billy and up the stairs she did not know. But once in her bedroom, with the door closed and bolted, she sank down onto the bed and put her head in her hands. Moments later she heard over the sound of her sobbing a light tap on the door.
    ‘Oh, Billy,’ she cried out, ‘I