Midsummer's Eve

For the first time since the tragedy I smiled. He was trying to please me. He even called me by my rightful name. He was not going to run the risk of irritating me with his Annie.

I thought, He is asking me to marry him. Why? He wants the property. But I have so much now. Perhaps his ambitions have grown.

Yes, I felt a little better. I allowed my dislike of him, my distrust of him full rein. It took my thoughts from my grief to a certain extent. I let him go on.

"You're young. You need someone ... a man ... to look after you. You need me.”

I said then, taunting him a little: "I don't think you realize the extent of my responsibilities.

I have estates in Cornwall ...”

I saw the look in his face. He knew. Had he seen the lawyer's letter? Or had he guessed?

He know that my father owned large properties in Cornwall and it was obvious that Jacco would be the heir. But they were gone, both of them ... and I, the helpless daughter, was left.

I felt helplessness slipping away from me. I even experienced something I had never thought to feel again, pleasure in leading him on-this ambitious man who was destined for Rosa. But he would be ready to waive that proposition I was sure, this man who had proposed to me one day and that night had been most willingly entertained in the midwife's bedroom! He was bemused by his ambitious dreams and they were robbing him of his natural shrewdness.

He went on eagerly: "We'll go to England. We'll live there. I can put a man in here ... just as your father did. I'll find the right person. We'll go and live in England and you can leave all the difficult business to me. It'll be what you want. It's lucky that I am here.”

"There was no luck at all about our coming here," I reminded him. "It was the most terribly unfortunate thing we ever did. If we hadn't come they would be here today.”

"My poor little girl, I understand your grief. You have gone through so much. I know how it was with your parents and your brother. You were all so fond of each other.

That was always clear and I understand. I want to make it easy for you. I've thought it all out. I've thought of nothing else since it happened. What can I do that is best for you ... that's what I've been trying to figure out. I would have spoken before but I felt you wanted to be on your own ... to grieve. But you can't go on grieving forever. You've got to begin to live again. Leave everything to me. I'll have it arranged. Just a quiet little ceremony. Everyone will understand ... a girl on her own, miles from her home ...”

I sat up suddenly. I felt my nerves tingling. I was alive again. My anger had done that for me.

I said: "I am sure you have made some excellent plans.”

"You can trust me.”

"Trust you, yes ... to make plans. But in no other way would I trust you. You must understand that I am not so foolish as you appear to think. I know exactly how your mind works. You see me as the heiress. Land. That is your true love, I believe, that and nothing else. Through me you see the way to your darling. You've heard a great deal about Cador while we've been here. It makes this property very small, very insignificant, yet you've had your sights on this one for a long time. The greater glory now lies before you. All you have to do is to marry the helpless girl. You didn't think there would be any difficulty about that. All that charm ... so you think ... all that blatant masculinity ... so irresistible to the poor stupid females. Please understand.

Mr. Donnelly, I have no intention of marrying you. I know you asked me once before.

I hoped I made myself clear then. I know that very same night you were creeping into the house to share the midwife's bed.”

He looked at me in astonishment and then he smiled.

"You've no cause to be jealous," he said. "It was nothing. She was just there ...

a woman for the night. It makes no difference to us.”

"You are right. It makes no difference because I am indifferent to what you do. If I had considered your proposal for a moment, let me tell you it would have made a great deal of difference. Please get this clear. I have never had any intention of marrying you, nor shall I ever have. Now will you please leave this room.”

He stood up, smiling at me. Then he laughed.

"You've come alive," he said.

"Get out," I told him.

He bowed and went to the door.

There he stood looking at me.

"You have to admit that I have done something for you. I've put new life into you ... even if you do hate me. Never mind. Hate turns to love ... at least that sort of hate.”

Then he was gone. I was trembling. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My cheeks had lost their pallor. My eyes were blazing.

He was right. I had at last come alive.

In a small house little escapes the attention of the observant and where Gregory Donnelly was concerned Maud was certainly that. She must have seen him come out of my room and a little later she herself came to see me.

She was faintly embarrassed and I could see she was wondering how to say what she wanted to.