The beekeepers war, p.7
The Beekeeper's War, page 7
Pru suddenly noticed that a waiter standing near to them had a startled expression on his face. He must have heard what she had said. She glanced at Jack, willing him to say something.
‘It wasn’t how it sounds,’ Jack explained to the man, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
‘I’m sure it’s none of my business, sir. Are you ready to look at the menu?’ They nodded and took the leather-bound cards listing the limited menu. ‘Would you care to peruse the wine list, sir?’
‘Thank you, yes.’
The waiter walked away to get the list and Pru wasn’t sure if she should be mortified or amused by his shock. She knew her mother would have been appalled to hear her coming out with such a thing.
‘If you’ll give us a few moments,’ Jack said when the waiter returned, waiting for the man to leave before focusing his attention on Pru. ‘I’m sorry about all this,’ he said. ‘I really should have thought before following you into that room at the manor.’
‘Let’s not worry about that,’ she said, enjoying the evening far more than she had expected to. ‘Anyway, the waiter was shocked by what I said, not you.’
‘I imagine he’s probably heard worse. I shouldn’t worry too much.’
Pru giggled. ‘I didn’t see him walking over to us,’ she admitted. ‘I’ll have to be a little more careful for the rest of the evening. I don’t want to offend anyone else.’
Jack laughed. It was a deep, rolling laugh and the joyous sound made Pru want to join in. ‘I can’t imagine you’ll ever offend me, Pru. You’re a fun girl and I’m extremely glad that you accepted my dinner invitation.’ The waiter returned. ‘Any preference with the wine, sir?’ Jack gave her a questioning look. Pru shook her head, and he ordered a bottle of something she didn’t recognise.
‘You said it was exciting living away from home for the first time,’ Jack said once they were alone again.
‘That’s right.’
‘And may I ask where home is?’
‘Jersey. It’s an island; part of the Channel Islands. They’re about fifteen miles off the coast of France.’
‘You’re almost French then?’
‘No, I’m British, but not English. If that makes sense.’
He frowned. ‘I guess so. I’ll have to make a plan to visit as soon as all this ruckus is over and done with.’
‘I can show you around when you do,’ she said without thinking. ‘That is, if you wanted me to.’
His gaze made her heart tingle.
‘I’d like that very much.’
Not wishing him to notice how flustered he was making her, Pru dug into the food the waiter had just delivered. She ate a mouthful of the chicken casserole savouring the delicious flavour enhanced by the potatoes, courgettes, and carrots and wondered how lonely he felt being so far from home. ‘You must miss New York.’
‘I do. Very much. I miss the excitement and noise of the city but most of all I miss my mother and brother.’
He hadn’t mentioned a wife so he wasn’t married, Pru thought, realising that she was pleased. ‘They must miss you, too.’
‘Yes, they do.’ He drank some wine. ‘I feel guilty about joining the RFC, but I felt compelled to do it. I’ve had a yearning to learn to fly for a couple of years and when the opportunity came to learn in the Royal Flying Corps then that’s what I knew I must do.’
They continued eating and Pru studied his face. There was something anxious about him and it occurred to her that she still didn’t know what it was that he wanted to ask her.
‘Please feel free to talk to me about whatever it is that’s bothering you,’ she said. ‘Is it about Monty?’
He looked at her. ‘It is.’ He lowered his cutlery, placing it neatly on his plate, and wiped his mouth with his napkin.
‘Go on,’ she said, before taking a sip of her wine.
He leaned forward. ‘The thing is, he’s told me he has asked your friend Jean to marry him.’
Pru’s mood dipped. Is this where the two of them fell out? She hoped not. She told herself to wait to find out Jack’s opinion of Monty’s proposal before becoming defensive for her friend. ‘He did.’
‘May I ask what you think about it?’ He laced his fingers together and waited for her to answer.
Pru didn’t want to be disloyal to her friend but decided that hearing what Monty’s closest friend had to say on the matter was something Jean would probably want her to find out. She wasn’t sure how honest she should be though.
‘I admit I was initially concerned.’ She sighed. ‘I still am if I’m honest. But not because I doubt Jean’s love for Monty, or his for her,’ she added, wanting to make the point.
‘Is it because he’s a pilot? Because I know Monty won’t be flying again, not with his injuries.’
She shook her head and it occurred to her how fragile their happiness would be, should he fall for her as she was falling for him. ‘No, although that would be a concern if he was still able to fly,’ she admitted. ‘I worry because I’m unsure how Lord and Lady Ashbury might take the news of the two of them wanting to marry.’
He seemed surprised and Pru wondered if it was because he was American and didn’t realise quite how the British class system tried to keep people in their designated class. ‘You think they might dissuade Monty from marrying her?’
‘No,’ she said, dabbing at the side of her mouth with her napkin and taking another sip of wine. ‘That really is tasty.’
He smiled. ‘I’m glad you like it.’
‘I do.’ She wasn’t sure how to say it. ‘I worry they might think her too middle-class to be a suitable wife for their son. Especially now he’s also their heir.’ She hoped she didn’t sound pompous saying such things. ‘Does that sound an unfair thing to accuse them of?’
He shook his head slowly. ‘I’d like to say it was, but I think you’ve made a valid point. They love Monty very much. He’s going to have a huge amount of responsibility once he inherits the estate and it’s going to take a special kind of woman to cope with it all. Someone with a similar background, I imagine, who understands what life for the two of them would entail.’ He stared at her, concern on his face. ‘I don’t suppose Jean has had that sort of upbringing, has she?’
Pru heard hope in his voice. She shook her head. ‘Unfortunately not. Her family run a farm.’ She tried to imagine having to relay this conversation to Jean. ‘But surely if they love each other, he can teach her all she needs to know?’
‘I imagine he’d be only too happy for the chance.’ He reached across the table and took her right hand in his left one, the touch of his thumb gently stroking her skin on the back of her hand sending tiny electric currents through her entire body. ‘I’m not trying to worry you, but I am concerned for Monty’s sake. He’s been through far more than he’ll probably ever let on and he’ll need a lot of support from the woman he marries.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m not saying Jean can’t support him. She knows his injuries better than any other woman.’ He looked away and she could see he was trying to find the right words to convey what he meant. ‘I know them marrying probably sounds very romantic to Jean right now, but as well as the ongoing care that he’ll need, she will have an enormous amount to learn where the running of the manor is concerned – dealing with the staff and the complications that go with that lifestyle.’
She wondered what experience Jack had of such a way of life and asked him.
Jack shrugged a shoulder. ‘Very little experience personally, but I’ve been staying with them for summer holidays and that sort of thing for years. Monty always joked that he was the lucky one being the youngest brother of three because he’d never have to worry about taking charge of the manor.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve seen how busy Lord and Lady Ashbury constantly are, how heavily the manor weighs on their minds, especially since Charles and William were killed. Monty has never been prepared for the life he’ll have to take on.’
Pru took another sip of wine to give herself time to think over what he had said. ‘His parents aren’t very old though, are they?’ she said, trying to be positive.
‘I don’t see what that’s got to do with our friends marrying.’
‘I just mean that if Monty’s parents don’t die for another ten or twenty years, then Jean and Monty will have all the time they need for him to recover as well as he can, and for them to prepare themselves for what lies ahead. Don’t you think?’
His face softened slightly and he seemed to relax. ‘You’re right. We’ll just have to hope nothing happens to Monty’s parents for the foreseeable future then, won’t we?’
‘Yes,’ Pru said, feeling much better. ‘And that Lord and Lady Ashbury don’t disapprove of Monty’s choice of a wife.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘I can’t guarantee he won’t have a fight on his hands, but I do know Monty and he’s a determined chap. He’ll get his own way if he loves Jean as much as I’m certain he does.’
Pru was relieved to hear it. ‘Good. I like that he’s stubborn and will push for what he wants.’
Jack was watching her thoughtfully. ‘What?’ she asked, intrigued.
He shook his head. ‘You’re a good friend to Jean. I know you’ll be there for her whatever happens.’
‘Of course. She’s my best friend.’
He lifted her hand to his mouth. Pru couldn’t take her eyes from his lips as they pressed lightly against her skin. Her breath was shallow.
His eyes locked with hers and for the first time she saw her longing reflected in them. ‘I’m going to miss you, Pru,’ he said, his voice gentle. He lowered her hand, resting it on the tablecloth.
‘You’re going away again?’ she asked, her voice higher pitched than usual. ‘When?’
‘Soon.’
‘Soon?’ She wanted to cry, hating the thought of him leaving again and not knowing when, or if, she would see him again.
‘I don’t know exactly when just yet, but probably next week. I know Monty’s in good hands with you and Jean,’ he said. ‘At least I can be reassured he’ll be well cared for.’
Pru felt a pang of fear at the thought of him returning to danger. ‘I promise we’ll continue to look after him as best we can.’
‘Thank you.’
She watched him, trying to work out if the thought of returning to France frightened him. It didn’t seem to. She wondered how people could be as brave as Jack and put their life in danger to save a friend. Could she ever do that, she wondered, unsure.
‘Now.’ Jack grinned, letting go of her hand. The coolness on her skin where his hand had been saddened her. ‘What do you say to us choosing our desserts? They have a couple of sugary choices I’m dying to try.’ He indicated a couple sitting at a table nearby having portions of chocolate mousse and Peach Melba.
Pru did her best to be cheerful. She didn’t want Jack to think of her as a misery. ‘I already know what I’m having.’ She grinned, pointing discreetly to the peaches, raspberry sauce and vanilla ice-cream in a delicate glass. ‘I haven’t tasted something that looks that good for ages.’
When Jack dropped her back to the manor he insisted on walking Pru to the side door. Feeling happily full and sleepy, she was struggling not to yawn openly. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said when he noticed her covering her mouth as she stopped by the door.
‘I hadn’t meant to bore you,’ he said, his face serious.
Pru reached out to place a hand on his forearm. ‘I wasn’t bored, honestly. I’m just ever so tired, that’s all. I had an early start this morning.’
He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’m joking. I shouldn’t have kept you out so late. Thank you for agreeing to come out with me tonight.’
Relieved he wasn’t offended, Pru gave in to a yawn that had been straining to get out. She covered her mouth. ‘Gosh, I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. You go in. Hopefully we can go out again another time. Maybe on Friday evening? If you’re free? I’m not sure what’s on around here, but I can find out easily enough.’
She realised she would like that very much. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘That would be lovely. Although can I ask that we don’t go anywhere too smart?’
‘No?’
She shook her head. ‘I have to admit that this dress is the only smart outfit I have.’
‘It’s beautiful and suits you very well.’ He opened the door for her. ‘I’ll hopefully see you during visiting hours. We can make more final arrangements then if that suits you?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
He waited for her to step into the building. ‘Good evening, Pru.’
His deep voice reverberated through her, making her close her eyes briefly. ‘Good evening, Jack. And thank you again for a lovely time.’
She stopped for a moment inside the hallway to gather her emotions. She stared at the back of her hand where his thumb had touched it and smiled. ‘Jack,’ she whispered, just to say his name.
Hearing a distant voice somewhere in the house, she hurried along the corridor, up the back stairs and to her bedroom, her mind racing with thoughts of Jack and how being with him made her feel. She was excited they had agreed to go out on another date. This time it was because he wanted to take her out and not because he wanted to ask her something. The thought made her smile. She couldn’t wait to see him again.
Not wishing to wake either Jean or Milly, she slipped off her shoes and carried them from the top of the stairs along the corridor as she tiptoed into the bedroom.
‘Good, you’re back,’ Jean said, turning on her bedside light and giving Pru such a shock she dropped one of her shoes with a clunk onto the wooden floorboards.
‘Blast. I hope that doesn’t wake anyone in the room below.’
‘Never mind that,’ Jean said. ‘Tell me everything. I’ve been lying here waiting for you. I thought you’d be back an hour ago.’
Typical Jean to be impatient, Pru thought, amused. ‘You’ll have to wait for me to change and get into bed first.’
‘Well, hurry up about it.’
Pru could barely contain her excitement as she told Jean, and then Milly, when she joined them after the end of her shift, all about her evening with Jack.
‘He sounds as if he likes you,’ Milly said, propping herself up on one elbow.
‘I agree,’ Jean said. ‘I’ve noticed him looking at Pru a few times.’
‘You never told me,’ Pru said, wriggling her feet to warm them up. She knew she liked him but as charming as he was, Pru couldn’t imagine a man as charismatic and handsome as the captain could possibly be attracted to an ordinary woman like her.
She thought guiltily at having spoken at length about Jean and Monty’s relationship and wasn’t sure if she should tell Jean what had been said. She looked at her gentle, sweet face and hated the thought of upsetting her closest friend in any way. No. She would have to keep her and Jack’s thoughts to herself, at least for the time being.
‘I’m going to get some sleep now,’ Pru said, needing time to think. ‘It’s been a long day and we must be up early tomorrow.’
‘It is tomorrow!’ Milly giggled. ‘Goodnight, girls.’
‘Night, Milly,’ they chorused.
Eight
Jack
June 1917
Driving away from the manor, all Jack could think about was how much he had longed to take Pru in his arms and kiss her, but to do so would be unfair. He thought of her pretty smile and the dimple in her left cheek. She was such a sweet girl and seemed so unaffected by the countless injuries she must have been faced with during her work as a nurse. He wished he didn’t have to leave England again so soon. He wished he could spend time getting to know her better.
Jack recalled his mother’s fears about his Sopwith Camel being a death trap that might kill him and realised he was being selfish. He needed to put Pru first and do what was sensible. He mustn’t encourage her to have feelings for him, he decided. If in fact she did. No, he must keep things between them merely friendly. Nothing more. As much as it pained him, Jack knew it was the right thing to do. He couldn’t risk becoming involved with that beautiful, kind girl when he was endangering his life each time he flew. He had met too many widows and heartbroken fiancées to wish that on a woman he loved.
Loved? Did he love her? Jack was so distracted by the question that he almost missed the turning to the boarding house where he was staying.
And then it hit him. He did love her.
The realisation shocked him like a punch to his chest.
He would have to keep a check on himself when they went out together on Friday evening. He mustn’t kiss her. Mustn’t lead her to believe that he could be relied upon to stay alive long enough for them to have a relationship.
He parked the motor in front of the Victorian house and turned off the engine. At least Monty was safe now. He was in the best of hands and Jack knew that if Jean wasn’t around to care for the man she loved, then Pru would be there to keep an eye on Monty while he was away. As much as he hated seeing Monty in his present damaged state, it was a relief to know his closest friend and confidant was out of the war for good now, and that he only had his own safety to worry about.
Monty would have the freedom to boldly move on with his life, find a wife and have the family he had always longed for. Ashbury Manor was a large home to fill, and Jack smiled, imagining his friend and a brood of aristocratic children running noisily through the halls as he and Monty had once done.
It also made Jack wonder when the time would come for him to settle down with the woman he loved. He reflected on what lay ahead of him and sensed that the thought was more of an if than a when.
