I shrugged that aside and said I should really return to the school very shortly. "There is a great deal to do," I added.
"What a pity. Is it the Midsummer orgy?"
I laughed in spite of myself. "I don't think Miss Hetherington would like to hear it called that."
"I want someone to go through the costumes I have, to see if they will be of any use. Will you come to the Hall? I'd like to show them to you."
"That would be Miss Barston's department. She is the needlework mistress."
"They don't need to be made. They are already done."
"Perhaps they need a little renovation and refitting for whoever is going to wear them. I will tell Miss Hetherington that you want Miss Barston to call."
"I was hoping you would come. After all it is a matter of how the costumes should be worn ... and all that."
"How many ways are there of wearing Cistercian robes, I wonder?"
"You would know. That is why I want you to come."
"It really is Miss Barston you need."
"I do not need Miss Barston. I need Miss Grant." I glanced at him in cold surprise.
"Yes," he went on. "Why are you so aloof? Are you afraid of me?"
"Afraid of you! Why should I be?"
"Well, I am represented as a bit of an ogre, am I not?"
"Are you? I thought you were a widower who is about to remarry."
He burst out laughing. "Oh, that's h!" he said. "The tales they tell about my family are really quite amusing. Now there is only myself I have to bear the whole brunt. Once my brother shared it with me."
"Your life is so colourful, I suppose. You certainly provide the neighbourhood with something to talk about."
"So I have my uses. Cordelia, why can't we be ... friends?"
"One doesn't just make up one's mind to be friends. Friendship is something that grows."
"Well, give ours a chance to grow, will you?"
My heart was beating faster than it should. He certainly had a potent effect on me.
"Everything has its chance," I said.
"So even I have ... with you?"
I spurred up my horse and broke into a canter. I turned off and galloped across a field.
He was beside me all the way. I had to pull up as we came to the road.
"Exhilarating," he said.
I agreed.
"I have to return now. I mustn't be late. I have a class starting in an hour and I have to get back and change."
He nodded and rode beside me. He did not come right up to the school. I wondered whether he was aware of the gossip and did not want it to get to Marcia Martindale's ears, or whether he thought it would displease me and make me refuse to ride with him again.
I went into the school, changed into a blouse and skirt and hurried to my class.
But I could not stop thinking of him.
Two days later during my afternoon break I did not go riding. I was sure that if I did I should meet him again. So I took a stroll through the ruins of the Abbey.
There it was quiet and peaceful and yet at the same time I was aware of a sense of warning as I always was when I was alone among the ruins. I suppose it was the brooding atmosphere of antiquity, the realization that once this had been a flourishing community of saintly men going about their work ... and then suddenly the blow had fallen and in place of all that cairn beauty and sanctity there was ruin. It was still beautiful, of course. That could not be completely destroyed. A thing of beauty was a joy forever-even when vandals had done their best to destroy it. But so much of the Abbey remained, and how impressive it was with those stone walls-roofless as they were-reaching up to the sky.
I walked through the transept and the nave looking up at the blue sky above me. I passed through the narthex on the west side of the basilica and, skirting the chapel and the Abbot's House, I left the ruins a little behind me and came to the fishponds.
I stood for a little while watching the water which flowed from one pond to another. There were three of them, the second lower than the first, the third lower than the second, so that where they flowed into each other there were waterfalls. It was very effective and beautiful to watch.
I was standing by the water, deep in thought, when I heard a footstep and turning sharply saw Jason Verringer.
He approached smiling, hat in hand.
"What made you come here?" I demanded and then realized the folly and impertinence of such a question. Mere all, the abbey lands belonged to him. He could go where he wished.
He was still smiling.
"Guess," he said. "Only one ... not the usual three ... because the answer is obvious. I'll tell you. To see you."
"But how did you know ...?"
"Very simple really. You weren't riding so the chances were that you were walking. Where would you walk? Well, the ruins are irresistible, aren't they? So I tethered my horse not far from here and was walking through the ruins when I saw you admiring the ponds. They are worthy of attention, aren't they?"
"They are. I was imagining the monks sitting here fishing."
"As the worthy Emmet does, I believe, and provides you with the fish you eat at the table." "That's true."
"It is one of the privileges Miss Hetherington has extracted from me."
"I am sure she is most appreciative."
"She always seems so. I am devoted to her really. When the school is not in residence it is extremely dull."
"Surely not, with the estate and ... all your activities."
"There is still something missing ... something very attractive."
I laughed. "You exaggerate, of course. And in any case you were abroad most of the winter."
"Just this year, yes. The circumstances were rather different from usual."
"Yes, of course. Do you ever fish in these ponds?" He shook his head. "I know some of my people do. The fish, I am assured, is excellent and occasionally some of it finds its way to our table."
I nodded and looked at the watch pinned to my blouse.
"It isn't time yet," he said. "Why is it that when we meet you always become very interested in when we shall part?"
"A schoolmistress's life is run by time. You must know that."
"The monks lived by bells. You are like them." "Yes, I suppose so. And the time I take off in the afternoon is between classes."
"Which makes it easy to know when you will be available. You should come and dine with me one night at the Hall."
"I think Miss Hetherington would consider that somewhat indecorous."
"I was not asking Miss Hetherington. Does she rule your life?"
"A headmistress in a school of this nature would have a great influence on the behaviour of her staff."
"In choosing their friends? In deciding what invitations they should accept? Oh come, you are in an Abbey, I know, but it is only the ruins of one. You are not a nun taking your vows."
"It is kind of you to invite me but it is impossible for me to accept."
"There might be a way."
"I can see none."
We had been walking along by the side of the ponds and he stopped suddenly and turning to me laid his hands on my shoulders.
"Cordelia," he said, "suppose Miss Hetherington was agreeable, would you then come and dine with me?"
I hesitated and he said: "You would."
"No ... no ... I don't think it would be very .. . suitable. Besides, as it is out of the question, I see no point in discussing it."
"I am really getting rather fond of you, Cordelia."
I was silent for a moment and started to walk. He slipped his arm through mine. I wished he would not touch me. He made me feel very embarrassed and uneasy.
"You are fond of a number of people I daresay," I replied.
"That is an indication of my affectionate nature. What I mean is that I am getting particularly fond of you."
I released myself and said: "It really is time I went back. I was only taking a short walk through the ruins."