Chapter 24

The week went uneventfully. Victoria came to see him on Tuesday evening to tell him that she was exhausted but really enjoying herself.

"Jean Whitty is a real sweetie," she said. "She's funny and makes me laugh, she tells me everything about the horses and how she runs the place and she treats me as a friend. Her children are super: full of fun but so well mannered."

"But she also has a slave driver's whip."

"No! She drives herself and you're just carried along with her energy. I couldn't slack off. I'd be letting her down."

"And Harry?"

"Hardly see him. He appears for a hefty sandwich at lunchtime and then vanishes again. His crops don't need much attention at the moment but he's moving his sheep round. As he told me, his old ladies need longer, softer grass so he's moved them. Then his yearlings have eaten two fields bare and he's had to move them. He's still keeping this year's lambs separate."

"I might talk to him about his sheep if I get the chance."

"Do that. Jean says he lives for them. Anyway, Mark, I can't tell you how grateful I am."

She stood on tiptoe and pulled his head down for a kiss but it was a chaste one and she quickly let him go, running back off down the corridor with a gay wave.

Mark was puzzled. "Why such a chaste kiss after Sunday night? Had she cooled? Possibly, but then why had she bothered to come and see him?" He shook his head. "Was she embarrassed by Sunday night?" He found difficulty with that. It was not easy to embarrass her. He shook his head. "Let it happen," he thought. "Serena will know."

Victoria popped in again on Thursday. "You'll be gone tomorrow before I get home," she said, "so I just thought I'd drop by and say goodbye and ask you to give Serena my love."

"I'll do that with pleasure," he smiled.

"Thanks," she said hopping up to give him a peck on the lips before vanishing again.

Mark shook his head in bewilderment. "Perhaps Serena and Peg have got it wrong," he thought. "Perhaps I've got it wrong."

He drove home on Friday afternoon getting home in time for supper. He really enjoyed having his parents to himself and their conversation ranged widely. His father said how much he missed seeing Anthony Collins and wondered whether he and Frances would consider spending a weekend with them. Mark said that Summer Block Leave was coming up mid-August and that while he felt sure that they would want to go home they might well be prepared to come over for the day or spend a night. Elspeth said she would get in touch with Frances.

Elspeth told Mark that he had really done well as far as Serena was concerned. She was thrilled that her handsome brother was going to be there for her leaving school celebrations.

Mark smiled deprecatingly. "It should be fun," he said.

"You do realise there's a dance on Monday night?" said Elspeth.

"No!" said Mark vehemently. "She never mentioned that."

"I'll bet she didn't," laughed Elspeth, "but you're booked."

"No, I'm damn well not. That's totally unfair. How dare she spring it on me!"

David chuckled. "That may be the first time," he said, "but it certainly won't be the last."

"I'm not going to be rushed into this," expostulated Mark.

"You have been, my son. You have been. But just think: lots of little eighteen year-old beauties to dance with. You'll have a ball." He chortled at his appalling pun.

Mark growled. "Bloody Serena. I ought to smack her bottom."

David roared with laughter. "I wouldn't fancy your chances."

"Nor would I," smiled Mark ruefully.

Elspeth had kept her counsel during this exchange. She knew that Mark was actually thrilled and would enjoy squiring Serena and dancing with her. She giggled inwardly. "And he might get to smack her bottom too."

Mark did indeed enjoy himself. He arrived promptly at half past seven and Serena met him at the front door. She took his breath away. Her dark, shoulder length hair was done up in a chignon. She wore an off the shoulder yellow dress that enhanced her green eyes. It showed a modest amount of cleavage, the pearly skin of her shoulders and all her graceful curves. It was not a sexy dress as such but it brought out her beauty and showed her off to perfection.

Mark took both her hands in his and gazed at her. When he managed to recover his voice he said softly, "You are so beautiful, my darling sister. You completely took my breath away."

Her eyes lit up and she gave him a dazzling smile. "Thank you, Mark. You don't look bad yourself."

With a run of fine, warm weather the school had arranged for a dance floor to be laid on the lawn to the side of the main building. Serena, taking his hand, led him there to a table for eight. They were the first to arrive. Mark looked round at the magnificent beech trees surrounding the lawn and at the impressive Georgian house at one end.

"I never knew this was such a beautiful place," he said. "I've only ever been to the front of the house. That's nowhere near bad but this is truly outstanding. What a wonderful setting for a dance."

Serena nodded happily. "We're very lucky," she said. "Looking back on it I've really enjoyed my time here. Mrs Protheroe, our headmistress, is a gem. We all love her. You'll probably meet her later on."

The other three couples soon joined them and Serena introduced the girls as each arrived: Sophie, a very pretty little brunette about Victoria's size, Theresa, a tall willowy blonde and Patricia, a redhead with freckles on her nose. Two brothers and one boyfriend, Theresa's, accompanied them. The girls were without exception very pretty and, knowing each other well, conversation never flagged. The young men were pleasant and Mark quickly took a liking to all three. Junior girls in their school uniform brought round drinks. It was not long before other girls and their escorts drifted over. It seemed that Serena acted as a magnet.