“Most unpleasant business. Didn’t recall it until the rest of my memory returned. I must have been knocked out cold for a while. Came round to an exploding head. Had no idea where I was, went for a walk hoping to shake things back into place, and couldn’t find my way back to the house. All behind me now, old girl. Wouldn’t be surprised if my trials and tribulations-and yours too, Fiona-will assist in our adjustment to a changing world.” Mr. Gallagher stretched out his legs and, beaming blissfully, closed his eyes.
“Not color television, Nigel. I really don’t think I could bear it.”
“Good grief! Nothing that dreadful! I was talking about living here at the Dower House instead of Cragstone. Regrets, m’dear?”
“None, Nigel. I think it may be rather fun.”
“Good show! Wonder if Mrs. Cake and Mavis would object to working for us only part-time? I rather enjoy the thought of its just being the two of us occasionally.”
“I think both of them have now warmed toward the new family and would probably enjoy working between both houses, with Mrs. Cake continuing to live at Cragstone.”
I had sat absolutely still, so as not to disturb them. It had been like watching a play. But now the curtain must fall. It was time for me to leave. Ben would have the car sorted out and be eager to set off. I said my good-byes to the Gallaghers with a real twinge of regret. As the door was closing behind me, I heard her ladyship say to her husband, “She seems a lovely young woman, Nigel, but I do hope she doesn’t take to popping in all the time. That was the problem with her aunt, the one they had to ship off to Gibraltar.”
On reaching Cragstone’s front steps, I found Ben and Mrs. Malloy ready to be off.
“Promise to come and stay with us again?” Ariel gave us each a kiss through the car window. We did not prolong our leave-taking, which would have made it harder. Having shared so much, it was my hope that we would remain close. The Hopkinses stood and waved until we turned through the gateposts.
“What now?” Ben asked. “Would you like to stop and see your sister before we take off, Mrs. Malloy?”
“I haven’t known how to break it to you both, but I told Melody I’d stay with her for a few days and help her plan her trousseau. She’s asked me to be her bridesmaid and I couldn’t say no, although I’m scared silly she’ll want me to wear brown. It’s always been her favorite color. And I’ve got to say I think it suits her… Could be she’ll turn into a beauty yet.”
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” I said.
“ ’Course she’ll never be able to write poetry, but none of us gets to have it all.”
Ben said he agreed heartily, and we drove in companionable silence to the house where Melody rented the top floor.
“Don’t feel too lost without me!” Mrs. Malloy said, as she got out.
“Have a wonderful visit,” I called after her.
“It will be good to get home,” Ben told me as we drove away, “but if you’re not in too much of a rush I’d like to make a stop first.”
“Where?”
“Wait and see.”
“You’re being mysterious.”
“That’s the idea.” Smiling, he laid his hand on mine. We left Milton Moor behind and entered a narrow road, not much more than a lane, bordered by gray stone walls brightened by bright yellow gorse. Ben slowed the Land Rover to a stop. Getting out, I saw an opening leading onto the moors. A moment later he was beside me, taking my hand. “Come, sweetheart,” he said. “Let’s walk.”
And so we did: for miles, it seemed, across the unmown lawn that was the moor. A curlew or some sort of bird emitted a haunting cry as it flew past us. I unpinned my hair and let the wind take it. I lifted my face to the fine mist and knew I was happy.
“Is this far enough?” Ben finally asked.
“Far enough for what?”
“For this.” He drew me to him.
“Oh, I do love you when you’re masterful, Mr. Haskell,” I whispered against his throat.
“Then I must take advantage of the situation, my very dear young lady.” Ben’s eyes were alight with love and laughter before he kissed me with tender passion. And that is almost… but not quite… the end of this story.
Dorothy Cannell
Dorothy Cannell, a mother of four, grandmother of ten, and owner ot a King Charles Spaniel, was born in England and moved to the United States when she was twenty. Alter living in Peoria, Illinois, for years, she and her husband recently moved to Belfast, Maine. Her first Ellie Haskell novel.
