Lifting it high, Blackie smiled down at her. "Emma, you truly are a woman of substance in the finest sense of that phrase. May you long be with us. To you, Emma."
Emma felt the heat rush to her face as the roomful of smiling friends and relatives toasted her and her throat tightened with sudden emotion.
Once everyone was seated, Blackie, who had continued to stand, said, "I give you our guest of honor, Emma Harte."
Emma rose, stepped around her chair, and pushed it under the table. She stood with her hands resting on its back, her eyes slowly roving around the room, her glance touching each of them briefly.
Finally she said, "Thank you for joining me on my birthday and for the lovely gifts and flowers you sent me today. I was very touched. I must also express my thanks to Blackie and Daisy for giving this party and for being such wonderful hosts."
She let her gaze linger on Ronnie Kallinski, her eyes very bright, glittering with moisture under the wrinkled lids. "I am so glad you and your family are here with me tonight, Ronnie. And I thank you for your eloquent words, for standing in for your father. David is sorely missed." She turned her attention to Blackie. "You said some beautiful things about me too . . . thank you, Blackie."
Then, in a crisper tone, Emma said, "As many of you know, Emily and Winston are to be married next year. However, they did want me to formally announce their engagement to you all this evening. It seems .that romance is in the air in the Harte clan. Alexander also asked me to announce his engagement to Marguerite Reynolds. So let us drink to the future happiness of these four young people."
The toast was given amidst a ripple of excited whispers, exclamations. Emma stood waiting, gripping the back of the chair more tightly than ever. Her expression was benign, but her narrowed green eyes were watchful. She knew exactly what she would say, even though she had decided to make this announcement only ten minutes before.
Paula, scrutinizing Emma, took note of the friendly expression on her face. But her grandmother did not fool her for one moment. She recognized that implacable glint in her eyes. It signaled something . . .
Emma was about to drop one of her bombsh.e.l.ls. Paula instantly tensed, wondering what this could be.
She could not hazard a guess. Her eyes remained riveted on Emma. How imperious Grandy looks at this moment, she thought, standing there so erect and proud,
totally in command of herself and this audience.
Emma moved slightly, and in the soft light emanating from the many candles the emeralds blazed more brilliantly, and there was a shimmer, a luminosity about Emma at this moment. Power, Paula thought, my grandmother exudes immense power.
A hush had fallen over everyone. Like Paula, they stared at Emma, filled with unexpected antic.i.p.ation.
Finally Emma spoke. Her voice rang out clear and strong, dominating the room. "In everybody"s life therecomes a time when it is appropriate to step aside, to permit younger voices to be heard, greater visions to be perceived. Tonight is that time for me." Emma paused, letting her words sink in.
There was a collective gasp.
"/ am gain" And going willingly. It struck me tonight that I"ve earned the right to rest these tired oldbones at last, to relax for the first time in my life; and who knows, I might even get around to having alittle fun."
Her light laugh reverberated as she scanned their faces. Their shock was unconcealed. "How surprised you"re looking," she remarked, almost offhandedly. "Well, perhaps I"ve even surprised myself. But I came to a decision during the speeches. As I sat there listening to my life being recounted, it suddenly occurred to me that now is the right time for me to retire. And to retire gracefully. Everyone knows that Blackie and I are about to leave on a trip around the world. I am happy to announce to you that I"ve decided to spend the rest of the days left to me on this earth with my oldest, dearest, and most trusted friend."
Half turning, Emma lifted one hand and let it rest easily on Blackie"s broad shoulder. She said, in a more confiding tone, "Blackie said to me the other day, "Grow old with me, the best is yet to be," and you know, he might just be right."
No one moved or spoke. Each guest continued to regard her intently, understanding that this slender, silver-haired woman who wielded enormous power had something more to say to them.
Emma stepped away from her chair and walked with swiftness to one of the other tables. She came to a halt next to Alexander, who jumped up immediately. His eyes were brilliant in his white face. Recognizing that he too was reeling from shock, she touched his arm lightly as if to rea.s.sure him.
Glancing around at the expectant faces, Emma said briskly, "My grandson Alexander has just become the head of Harte Enterprises." She thrust out her hand. He took it, staring at her speechlessly.
"Congratulations, Alexander." He stammered his thanks.
Moving at a dignified pace to the table diagonally opposite, Emma was aware of the tension and the sheathed excitement permeating the air. She drew to a standstill next to Paula. Pushing back her chair, Paula was on her feet as speedily as Alexander had been.
Taking the young woman"s hand in hers, Emma held on to it tightly. How icy it is, she thought absently and squeezed it, endeavoring to impart some of her own" great strength to Paula, who had begun to tremble.
Once again Emma"s piercing green gaze swept the entire room. "The Harte department store chain will, as of tonight, be run by my granddaughter, Paula McGill Amory Fairley."
She pivoted to face Paula and gazed long and hard into her violet eyes. And then Emma smiled her incomparable smile that filled her face with radiance.
"I charge you to hold my dream," Emma said.
BOOK TWO.
Heiress.
Pa.s.sions spin the plot: We are betrayed by what is false within.
GEORGE MEREDITH.
I am not made or unmade by the things which happen to me but by my reactions to them. That is all G.o.d cares about.
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS.
Chapter Twenty-two.
She had been alone for two weeks and had drawn strength and a sense of renewal from her solitude.
But now on this warm and pleasant Sunday Paula suddenly experienced a little spurt of pleasure at the thought of seeing Emily. Her cousin was driving over from Pennistone Royal for tea, and she was really looking forward to her company.
After she had finished setting the wrought-iron table on the terrace, Paula hurried down the steps and onto the lawn, to check on the twins. Lorne and Tessa lay in the double pram, sleeping peacefully in the shade. They looked so contented she could not help smiling before turning away and going back to the terrace to wait for Emily.
It was one of those afternoons in the middle of September which frequently occur in Yorkshire and rival the most beautiful days of midsummer. The arc of the sky was a light periwinkle blue, clear and radiant, with a few scattered cotton-ball clouds scudding intermittently across the sun which had blazed down since the late morning.
The gardens at Long Meadow were riotous with color and the warm air was filled with the pervasive scents of the flowers and shrubs.
Paula stretched out on the garden chaise, basking in the golden light, thinking of nothing very special as she relaxed. The tranquility soothed her, was like a balm after her particularly hectic week, during which she had been on the go nonstop. They had been holding their annual Autumn Fashion Fair for five days; models had paraded through the Bird Cage at lunchtime wearing the latest ready-to-wear winter styles; every afternoon at three o"clock there had been a fashion show of designer clothes in the couture salon. Fashion aside, Harte"s had had other special events during the past week, including the opening of a cooking school in the bas.e.m.e.nt; daily appearances by a famous makeup artist in the cosmetics department; on Thursday evening there had been a c.o.c.ktail party for the unveiling of the new art gallery in the store and the exhibition of oils and watercolors by Sally Harte. The vernissage had been a huge success and most of Sally"s paintings of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District had already been sold. Whilst coping with these in-store promotions, Paula had had to handle her normal work load and it seemed to her now that every department had needed her complete attention. Much to her dismay, two buyers had resigned on Tuesday and she had had to start interviewing replacements immediately; she had also found it necessary to dismiss the jewelry buyer for incompetence late on Friday and this had proved to be a most unpleasant scene. But continuing daily problems and constant activity of this nature were par for the course, part of the daily routine of a large and successful department store such as theirs. Still, Paula knew she had been pushing herself harder than ever since Jim had been abroad, rising at five in the morning to get to the store by six-thirty so that she could leave early on most days in order to arrive home in time to bathe the twins.
She had eaten dinner alone every night, had not done any socializing whatsoever, and, apart from Sally Harte, the only other people she had seen were her staff at the house, her business colleagues, the few friends who had attended the art gallery opening. During these two weeks of solitariness in her private life Paula had come to realize more fully how vital it was for her to have these stretches of absolute peace and rest at the end of each frantic day. Working as intensely as she did, in a job that required her total concentration, frequently left her frazzled. It was essential for her well-being to have periods entirely alone so that she could recoup her sapped strength. She had the need to think, to review her schedule, to plan ahead as she pottered around in the garden, played witn"the babies, read or simply listened to cla.s.sical music in the cool greenness of the conservatory.
With a wry smile Paula had to admit that even if she had wanted to gad about, lead a gay life during Jim"s absence in Canada, there was no one available to play with. Winston had flown off a week ago to join Jim in Toronto where they were attending a world conference of newspaper editors, publishers, and proprietors. But the real reason for Winston"s trip was to start negotiations with a Canadian paper mill which was up for sale. He hoped to acquire it for the Yorkshire Consolidated Newspaper Company. Miranda O"Neill was in Barbados for the opening of their new hotel and the launching of the Harte boutique. Sarah was with her, acting as fashion adviser, supervising the interior displays and the dressing of the windows. Alexander was taking a holiday in the South of France with Maggie Reynolds, and they were staying at Emma"s house in Cap Martin. Until last night Emily had been in Paris on a buying trip for Genret.
Jonathan was the only member of the family who was not traveling somewhere, but their paths rarely crossed. This was the chief reason Paula had been surprised when he had dropped in to see her at the store on Wednesday. Before she had even asked what he was doing in Yorkshire, he had volunteered, and rather defensively she had thought, that he was in Leeds on real estate business for Harte Enterprises. He had wasted an hour of her precious time chatting about absolutely nothing, although he had asked her, and several times during the course of their aimless conversation, when Crandy was returning from Australia. She had said she had no idea, which was the truth, and had been noncommittal about matters in general. Cautious by nature, Paula had never been overly fond of Jonathan Ainsley, always wary of him. This feeling had only intensified since Emma had alerted her to him, confided her worries about his loyalty.
After her grandmother"s unexpected retirement and her departure on her world tour-almost five months ago-she and Alexander had met in London to discuss the "situation in general. They had agreed they should continue to confer regularly once a month, in order to review matters pertaining -to the business empires they were running, had even acknowledged they might well need each other as a sounding board.
At their first get-together they had come to the conclusion that Emily should be told about Emma"s suspicions regarding Jonathan. They had invited her to lunch the following day, and had taken her .into their confidence, had suggested that she attend their monthly brainstorming sessions. All three had concurred that they must watch Jonathan like a hawk. By mutual agreement they had also made the decision to exclude Sarah from their confabs, feeling that her sudden closeness to Jonathan was suspicious. Paula, Emily, and Alexander had thus become the self-appointed triumvirate who were resolved in their determination to run Emma"s companies in" the way she wanted, whilst guarding her great legacy.
The French doors leading to the drawing room were open and dimly, in the background, Paula heard the grandfather clock in the hall striking four. She roused herself and went inside, hurrying through into the kitchen. She put the babies" bottles in a pan of water to be warmed up later, loaded the tray with tea sandwiches, scones, strawberry jam, and a cream cake, then went to the cupboard for the tea caddy. Ten minutes later, as she completed her tasks, she heard a car in the driveway and looked out the window to see Emily alighting from her battered white Jaguar.
Emily bounced into the kitchen with her usual joie de vivre, wearing a happy grin. She ran to Paula and hugged her. "Sorry I"m late," Emily said as they drew apart, "but that pile of old junk has been acting up all the way from Pennistone Royal. I really think I"ll have to splurge and buy myself a new car."
Paula laughed. "You"re not late, and I think you"re right about the Jag, it has seen better days. Anyway, welcome back, Emily."
"It"s good to be home, although I did enjoy Paris. It"s still my favorite city." Emily perched on the edge of a kitchen chair as Paula hovered near the stove. "Have you heard from anybody? Grandy, to be specific?"
"Yes." Paula swung around, the kettle in her hand. "She rang me up at midnight on Thursday. She wanted to hear about the vernissage and how the opening of the art gallery went-you know that"s been her pet project for the last year. She said she and Blackie were going to c.o.o.namble with Philip for four or five days. She sends you her love."
"I"m beginning to think she"ll never come back. Did Gran indicate what their plans were?"
"Yes she did, as a matter of fact. She and Blackie intend to leave Sydney in the middle of October, wend their way back to New York before returning here sometime in late November. She promised to be home in time for Christmas at Pennistone Royal."
"My G.o.d, that"s a long way off! 1 can"t wait to see her. It"s not the same without Grandma is it?"
"No." Paula stared at Emily, scowled. "You"ve got a face like a wet week, Emily. Do you have problems with Genret?"
Emily shook her head. "No, no, everything"s fine. I miss Gran, that"s all, and even though she has retired, it"s awfully rea.s.suring to know she"s in the background. And right now she seems so far away, sitting over there at the other side of the world."
"I know what you mean," Paula said slowly, having sorely missed Emma"s presence herself; She dreaded to think"what it would be like, how they would manage, when her grandmother was gone from them forever. She instantly squashed this morbid and distressing thought, and forced a bright smile. "Come on, Emily, let"s go out to the terrace. I thought we"d have tea in the garden, it"s such a gorgeous day. But we have to feed the babies first. Nora asked to change her day off this week, and Meg is never here on Sundays, so I"ve been coping alone today. I"ve enjoyed it, actually."
Emily followed her outside to the terrace. She ran down the steps to the pram. "They"re both wide awake," she called over her shoulder, and began making cooing noises to the twins, leaning into the pram and touching their downy cheeks. "Upsy-daisy," Paula murmured, lifting Lome into her arms, "time for your bottle, little boy."
Emily scooped up Tessa and the two young women returned to sit at the table on the terrace. Half an hour later, after the children had been slowly fed, dutifully burped, and then returned to their perambulator, Paula went inside. Not long after, she came back carrying the tea tray.
As she poured, she said, "Any news from Winston?"
"Yes, he phoned me last night. He"s gone up to Vancouver. He"s already in negotiations with the directors of that paper mill, and he thinks he"s going to make the deal. There are a few more details to iron out, but he says they"ll be able to conclude everything in a matter of days. He was very optimistic, and the mill will be a wonderful acquisition for Consolidated. Anyway, he"s going to stop off in New York to spend a few days with Shane. Apparently he"s in Barbados for the opening of the hotel, and won"t be in New York until the middle of this coming week."
"I"m glad to hear the deal is going through!" Paula exclaimed. "When I spoke to Jim a few days ago he sounded uncertain about its outcome, and said Winston was down in the dumps. Obviously he was wrong, or things have changed radically overnight." She sipped her tea and continued, "Talking of Barbados . . . Sarah flew out there ten days ago to help Merry supervise the unpacking of the Lady Hamilton clothes and get the merchandise on the racks. I expect they"re all having a whale of a time-"
Emily exclaimed, "Sarah went to Barbados! Why ever was that necessary?" She banged the cup down with such an angry clatter Paula was taken aback.
She threw Emily a baffled look. "Goodness, you do sound fierce. Sarah seemed to think it was her duty to go out there. In fact, she was h.e.l.l-bent on going. Since she is running our fashion division, and since the boutiques are mostly stocking Lady Hamilton beach clothes and resort wear I suppose she has a point. Besides, I couldn"t very well interfere. She doesn"t have to answer to me . . . only to your brother. You know Sarah, she considers herself her own boss."
"Oh well." Emily shrugged, trying to act as if Sarah was of no consequence. But her fertile brain whirled and two and two suddenly made more than four. She was convinced the only interest Sarah Lowther had in Barbados and the Harte boutique was Shane O"Neill. Sarah must have found out from Miranda that he was going to be in the Caribbean for the opening of the hotel. Sarah was probably making a fool of herself at this very moment-throwing herself at Shane.
Emily, changing the subject, said with a rueful smile, "Poor Alexander. I called him yesterday before I left Paris and found out that Mummy"s descended on him with Marc Deboyne in tow. She"s installed them at Grandy"s villa, claims she has a right to be there and to visit with her darling daughters. Sandy says she"s being a pain in the neck. Very bossy. I think Amanda and Francesca are anxious to fly home immediately. They haven"t had much time for Mummy, not forages."
"Oh what a shame he"s having to cope with problems on holiday-he was so looking forward to going away. Won"t your little sisters have to be back here very soon anyway?"
"Yes. They"re due at Harrogate College on the last day of this month. I"m glad Gran agreed to let them stay there for another term before packing them off to Switzerland. I don"t think those two relish the idea of being far away from her, and-" Emily stopped, c.o.c.ked her bright blond head, listening. "Isn"t that the phone?"
"Yes. Ill be back in a second." Paula dashed through the drawing room into the hall to answer it, s.n.a.t.c.hing at the receiver.
Before she had a chance to say a word, the caller was exclaiming, "Jim? Is that you?"
"Oh h.e.l.lo. Aunt Edwina," she said, surprised. "It"s Paula. Jim"s not here. He"s in Canada on business."
"Canada. Oh my G.o.dl"
Instantly recognizing the anxiety in the high-pitched voice, Paula asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Edwina began to babble so hysterically Paula was unable to make sense of her aunt"s words. She was incoherent, obviously distraught. Paula listened for a few seconds longer, filling with increasing alarm. Finally she cut in. "Aunt Edwina, I can"t understand a thing you re saying. Please speak a little more clearly, and slower."
Paula heard Edwina sucking in her breath. There was a drawn-out moment of silence.