Alexandra Scott - A Reckless Affair

CHAPTER TWO

GINNY moved among the guests, smiling, exchanging pleasantries, answering the various queries about herself. It was the kind of life to which it would. be dangerously easy to become addicted. Alone for a moment, determined to ignore the strange feeling of discomfort in her chest, she stood back, taking in the sheer elegance of the room.

Three high arched windows were thrown open to the covered terrace, where friends lingered chatting. Beyond that were acres of immaculate lawn. There were rose bushes, each blooming, or so it seemed, at the height of its fragrant perfection. And so many beautifully dressed people, iced drinks clinking, all so animated, friendly and sophisticated.

It was everything that came to mind when one considered these East Coast states. Richmond was very nearly a caricature of itself—the very scene one would have lapped up in a glitzy TV miniseries.

Inside, too, there was so much good taste in the discreet furnishings, which ranged through soft creams to the more subtle gamboge and tawny golds. Pale walls were the perfect backdrop for the small collection of modern paintings, while at the far end the grand piano—music by Chopin on the stand-was waiting for the hostess to sit and entertain her guests.

‘Ginny, my dear.’ The slow, drawling tones of that very woman made Ginny turn and fix a smile firmly on her mouth. ‘I hope my son isn’t neglecting you. I do so want everyone to enjoy the afternoon.’

‘No.’ How breathless and unsure she sounded. Not at all like Mrs Vanbrugh. ‘I’m enjoying myself enormously. It’s a real pleasure to spend time in such lovely surroundings, meeting such friendly people. And I have a drink here.’ She reached for the glass of mint julep and sipped appreciately. ‘Mmm. Delicious. And once again, my very best wishes for your anniversary. A ruby wedding is something rather special.’

‘Thank you, my dear. We have been very lucky, Hugo and I. Oh...’ She glanced over Ginny’s shoulder towards the doors which opened into the hall. ‘I see him now...and with Jake—isn’t that lucky? I did wonder where they had disappeared to. Just wait while I bring them over to you. Don’t move now.’

While her hostess walked purposefully towards the doorway Ginny turned and stood, watching, admiring almost everything about the woman she had just met, who had barely blinked at having an uninvited guest thrust on her at such a busy time.

She was small, and her white hair was cut short and waved in a casual flattering style. The striking eyes seemed all she had in common with her son and their colour was enhanced by the violet dress. She was slender and vivacious too, now smiling up at her husband, one hand slipped through his arm and one through that of her son.

Ginny had a strange feeling—as if she were a detached observer. She withdrew a little into the shelter of one of the pillars which held up the canopied roof. Perhaps she wasn’t really here at all. Maybe she had stuck to her original intention of bailing out and severing all links with the Vanbrugh family. She wished!

She was watching Hugo Vanbrugh now through slightly narrowed, cynical eyes—he was the very picture of a doting, constant husband, and yet... She forced herself to be less judgemental. It was easy enough to understand past events, to see how her mother had been swept off her feet.

He was tall, but not as tall as his son. Damn. Damn. Damn. Why did she have to make comparisons when she was trying to wipe Jake from her mind? But Hugo was impressive, a man of obvious authority with the glamour of having been a fighting man, which her father, in the medical services, had so clearly lacked.

He was slightly rugged, wearing a light cream-coloured suit of the kind which was almost a uniform in the present company. She watched him link fingers with his wife’s, smile lovingly, exude fidelity, and she found she could look no more. Tears stung as she turned away.

Such a scene of marital harmony and felicity... Her early instinct has been right—she should never have come to Virginia with Jake. It was sheer madness to have taken such a risk.

Apart from anything else there had been something strange about her meeting with Hugo, brief though the introduction had been. Something odd and perceptive about the way his eyes had probed, his head held slightly to one side as if picking up vibes, his hand holding hers for a split second longer than had been necessary. She had felt her knees begin to shake and had been grateful for the arrival of a group of guests, with their noise and laughter.

‘Miss Ginny.’ At that moment of introspection she felt her arm being grasped and, startled, she looked up into the face of someone she had met earlier, a Colonel—an old army colleague of Hugo Vanbrugh.

He was a tall, handsome man, something of a dandy, with his grey moustache parted neatly in the middle and curled to each side into pomaded whiskers on each mahogany-coloured cheek. He was wearing pale striped trousers with his cream jacket, and a blue silk shirt chosen, Ginny was sure, to enhance the blue-grey eyes which sparkled with mischief and the joy of living. A red rose was in his buttonhole, marking the occasion of a ruby wedding.

Without effort, Ginny succumbed to the charming old-world manners, allowing herself to be guided towards one of the open windows, glad of an excuse to escape her pressing concerns for even a short time.

‘I’ve been longing to speak with you, Miss Ginny. I’m so determined, you see, to find out, despite your delightful English accent, if there is any chance that your full name is Virginia and, if so, were you named for our State? I would so love you to confirm both of these facts.’

His words made another small piece of the jigsaw drop into position. She felt a momentary shock, though she was confident nothing in her manner had betrayed her, her voice remaining calm and unruffled as she would have wished. ‘You’re right about my name being Virginia, though no one has ever used the full name.’ She affected sadness, apologised prettily with hands outstretched in a gesture of regret. ‘But I’m afraid I know of no connection with the State. My parents, as far as I know, chose the name simply because they liked it.’ Lies came so easily to the tongue when they were so assiduously practised.

‘Well, I’m real sorry about that.’ His cheerful expression was a comfort. ‘I was about to ask Hugo...’ His eyes narrowed, became more searching. ‘You remind me... I don’t suppose you and I have met before, have we?’

Ginny’s heart gave a great leap. She breathed in slowly, then quite deliberately she raised her glass and sipped from it before replacing it on a table. ‘Colonel...’ There was a gurgle of humour in her voice, and she shook her head with another regretful smile, ‘I should certainly have remembered if we had. You are not the kind of man I should have been likely to forget.’

A practised flatterer himself, he was able to smile when he saw the tables turned. ‘How very disappointing.’ The appreciative eyes sparkled down at her.

‘Colonel.’ The deep voice from behind made Ginny turn as Jake put a possessive hand on her elbow. ‘Why is it you always monopolise the prettiest girl in the room?’

‘I suppose—’ the older man shrugged modestly ‘—you could put it down to practice.’

‘More than likely.’ Jake grinned. ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for Ginny, then I caught sight of you out here and I knew where she would be. Do you mind if I steal her away for a few moments?’

‘I mind, darn it Of course I mind. But I can quite see she might prefer your company to mine.’

‘You mustn’t say such things, Colonel, I’ve loved talking with you.’ It was more a desperate gesture towards common sense than the strict truth.