When that was over, he would consult with Johnson and arrange for a meeting with Lord Stane, for upon the attitude of these two, much depended.
Chapter 33
Throughout this turmoil of business affairs—which had been punctuated by the departure of Aileen for Paris and Berenice’s activities in connection with Pryor’s Cove—Cowperwood had had to content himself with mere glimpses of his loved one.
She was so busy, apparently, shopping and arranging things.
The graceful trivialities with which she amused herself, however, only served to make her more of an intriguing personality in his eyes.
She is so alive, he often said to himself.
She desires things and enjoys them intensely, and makes me do so.
She appears to be interested in everything, and therefore people are naturally interested in her.
And now, on his first visit to Pryor’s Cove, he found the place completely equipped: cook, maids, housekeeper, butler, to say nothing of the outdoor staff maintained by Stane.
And Berenice herself affecting an interest—or pose, he could not say which—in regard to the charms of this rustic life.
So often her love of nature appeared to be genuine, and even affecting: a bird, a tree, a flower, a butterfly—she was ecstatic.
Marie Antoinette could have played the part no better.
When he arrived, she was out with the shepherd, who had assembled the sheep and lambs for her inspection.
As his carriage rolled into the drive, she gathered into her arms one of the smallest and wooliest of the new lambs.
She made a picture which delighted but in no way deceived him.
Acting, and for my benefit, was his thought.
“The shepherdess and her sheep!” he exclaimed, stepping forward and touching the head of the lamb in her arms.
“These charming creatures! They come and go like the spring flowers.”
His glance acknowledged the artistry of her dress, although he said nothing. He understood clearly that for her to effect an unusual costume was natural.
She would pretend to be unconscious of the significance of her poses, considering them natural to herself, a privilege as well as an obligation that was a part of her physical gifts.
“You should have come a little earlier,” she said. “You might have met our neighbor, Arthur Tavistock.
He’s been helping me arrange things.
He had to go to London, but he’s coming tomorrow to do some more work.”
“Really! What a practical chatelaine!
Employing her guests!
Is this a place where work is to be the chief form of entertainment?
What am I to do?”
“Run errands.
And lots of them, too.”
“But I began life that way.”
“Be careful that you don’t end it that way.” She took his arm. “Come along with me, dear. Here, Dobson!” she called to the shepherd, who came forward and took the lamb from her arms.
They walked across the smooth green lawn to the houseboat.
There, on the awninged veranda, a table was spread.
Inside, at one of the boat’s open windows, Mrs. Carter was reading.
After Cowperwood had greeted her cordially, Berenice led him over to the table.
“Now, you’re to sit here and contemplate nature,” she ordered.
“Just relax and forget all about London.”
Then she put before him his favorite drink, a mint julep.
“There! Now let me tell you some of the things I have in mind that we could do, if you’re going to have any time. Are you?”
“All the time in the world, sweet,” he said.
“I’ve arranged things.
We are free. Aileen has gone to Paris,” he added confidentially, “and from what she said, I don’t expect her back under ten days.
Now, what’s on your mind?”
“A tour of some of the English cathedrals for mother, daughter, and guardian!” she replied, promptly.
“I have always wanted to see Canterbury and York and Wells.
Don’t you think we might take the time to do that, since we can’t very well go to the Continent?”
“I think it would be ideal.
I have never seen much of England, and it will be a treat for me.
We can be alone.” He took her hand in his, while she touched his hair with her lips.
“I don’t think I’m not keeping up with all this noise about you in the papers,” she said.