Joyce Dingwell by The Road Boss

Author:The Road Boss [HR-1998] (v0.9) (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub

On the second morning of Gemma’s stay, Janet had asked Gemma could she ride.

“Pony club stuff only,” Gemma had confessed.

“Better than nothing, I suppose. I’ll get you a mount. Mother will expect me to do that at least. Incidentally, Mother still rides.” Janet paused, then added : “Beautifully.”

Janet was very critical of Gemma’s horsemanship, but she was still glad that Gemma knew at least which side of the mount to approach.

“I suppose you’ll improve,” she nodded. She asked abruptly: “How’s your health?”

“Good. But what is all this? I’m not being put up for sale, am I ?”

“Nothing would displease Mamma more than a fraile ladye. You look all right to me.”

“Thank you,” Gemma said wryly.

One night over dinner, Janet asked abruptly: “Why did you accept Bruce?”

“I—I loved him.”

“Loved Bruce?”

“He’s very good-looking, very presentable, very elegant, very eligible.”

“Thank you for the real reason at least,” said Janet drily.

“Janet, that’s unfair!” protested Gemma.

“It was more unfair of Bruce,” scowled Janet. “You’re quite a nice girl.”

“How do you mean unfair of Bruce?”

“He was out on a limb at the time. I expect he felt the same as I felt when I married—” But Janet stopped herself from finishing that. “I suppose he felt he had to do something,” she mumbled.

“Janet!”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s a lie, anyway. Bruce fell for you. You can see that whenever he looks at you.”

But lying was something that Janet could not do, and Gemma saw it at once. She accepted Janet’s apology ... an apology from Janet was so unknown you felt you had to accept it. . . but she remembered the exchange of words long after.

He was out on a limb. He had to do something.

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