Jacob's Ladder Part 26

Jacob opened the first of his two letters. It was dated from Belgrave Square and was simply a cordial reminder from the Marchioness of his promise to dine at Delchester House on the following Thursday. The second was dated from the same address, and Jacob read it over twice before he came to a decision.

Dear Mr. Pratt,

I know you will think me very foolish, but I am feeling most unhappy about the money which I thoughtlessly accepted this afternoon. It was really only a sovereign I asked you to put on Gerrard's Cross for me, and the remainder of the money, except nine pounds, surely belongs to you.

Are you, by any chance, ever near Kensington Gardens about twelve o'clock? I walk there most mornings, and I should feel so much happier if I could have just a word with you about this.

Please don't think I am quite mad.

Sincerely yours, Mary Felixstowe.

Jacob dictated a few letters, studied his stockbroker's list for half an hour, and drove to Kensington Gardens. Lady Mary was almost the first person he saw. She greeted him with a friendly little nod and led him from the broad avenue into one of the narrower paths. From the first he had been aware that Lady Mary, escaped from the shadow of her parents, was a very different person.

"Well?" she asked, smiling at him, "what did you think of my ingenuous little letter?"

Jacob glanced at her doubtfully. He had the impression that she was reading his thoughts.

"You probably decided that it would amuse you to fall in with the scheme," she continued, "although I expect you saw through it quite easily. Well, the scheme doesn't really exist. My mother dictated the letter and I wrote it. I haven't the least idea of giving you back a penny of that money--in fact, it's all spent already. Still, if you like, you can think of me as the ingenue with a conscience, who wants rea.s.suring but doesn't want to part. That was my role."

"I see that you have your brother's sense of humour," he remarked.

"Heaven knows where we got it from!" she exclaimed. "Mother's idea appears to be that, as a result of this clandestine interview, I am to walk in Kensington Gardens with you every morning until one day we find ourselves late for luncheon and you take me to a restaurant.

Compromising situation number one. Intoxicated with pleasure, I hint--you not being supposed to notice that it is a hint--at a dinner and theatre. We go, are discovered, my mother asks your intentions.

Behold me, Lady Mary Pratt, restoring the family to a condition of affluence."

Jacob laughed till the tears stood in his eyes.

"The idea doesn't seem to appeal to you!"

"Not a bit," she answered frankly. "I like you very much--I like the little crease about your eyes, which deepens when you laugh. And I like your mouth. But as a matter of fact, I'm rather in love with some one else, and I'm going to marry him soon. He's got quite enough money for me, although he can't carry the family."

Jacob sighed.

"I am in the same position," he confessed, "only the girl I'm in love with won't have anything to say to me."

Two pudgy little children suddenly deserted their attendant and rushed at Lady Mary. While she was returning their embraces, Jacob stood transfixed. So did the attendant.

"Miss Bultiwell!" he gasped.

"Jacob Pratt!"

Lady Mary looked up.

"So you two know one another?"

"Young lady I was just telling you about," Jacob confided.

Lady Mary held out a hand to each of her small nieces.

"May I have the children for a few minutes, Miss Bultiwell, please?"

she begged. "You come along with Mr. Pratt."

Sybil's response was scarcely gracious. She accepted the situation, however, and walked slowly by Jacob's side.

"I'm very glad to see you, Miss Bultiwell," he ventured.

"Sorry I can't say the same," she replied.

"Is there any reason," he asked desperately, "why you shouldn't treat me like an ordinary human being?"

"There is."

"What is it?"

"You know."

"I'm d.a.m.ned if I do!"

She glanced at him without any sign of offence.

"What are you doing walking with Lady Mary in Kensington Gardens at this time of the morning?" she enquired.

"Her mother's idea," Jacob explained. "Nothing to do with us."

She regarded him thoughtfully.

"I suppose you're to marry Lady Mary and redeem the family fortunes!"

"The idea doesn't appeal to either of us," he a.s.sured her. "Lady Mary has just confided to me that she is in love with some one else, and I have made a similar confession to her."

"Are you in love with some one else?"

"Yes!"

"Who? Me?"

"Yes!"

"Is there any sense," she demanded, "in being in love with a person who, as you perfectly well know, thoroughly dislikes and detests you?"

"There's no sense in love at all," Jacob groaned.

"If we must talk," Sybil suggested, quickening her pace a little, "let us talk of something else. How are you enjoying your millions?"

"Not at all."

"Why not?"

"I'm lonely."