The Tender Flame (23 page)

With unaccustomed docility, Jan went to phone her grandmother to inform her of the arrangements.

* * *

And so it was that Jan woke up on her birthday morning under her grandmother's roof. It wasn't so much that Grandmother thought the double journey was too much for them to make in one day, but that she wanted to get to know David on home ground. Jan further observed, to her amusement and delight, that David was proving an adequate match and even capped her grandmother's shrewdness. He stood up magnificently to the matriarchal interrogation, and then adeptly set about turning the tables on her darling, indomitable grandmother by returning her long, appraising stare. He was wise enough to spice his look with approval.

Afterwards, Jan was proud to inform her grandmother: ‘David thinks you are a very handsome woman.'

Her
grandmother chuckled. ‘And he let it show, the scoundrel.' The smile in the eyes that were so like Jan's, softened. ‘A very kind scoundrel. Male admiration is a treat not often accorded to me these days. I get respect in plenty, but your David acknowledged that I was a woman first, a grandmother second. I am well aware of his game. If anybody was going to be undermined, it wasn't going to be him, the naughty boy. But that one I could forgive anything.'

‘You mean I have your approval, Grandmother?'

‘Bless you for being kind enough to want it. I approve wholeheartedly. In his hands you will be kindly protected, but never stifled, and boredom will be a stranger at your door. He will be firm with you, but indulgent. I know it's unfashionable among the young for the man to be the master, but despite the fact that I'm considered to be a firebrand, I'm old-fashioned enough to think that's the right way round. Equality doesn't always bring happiness. With your David you will know a contented heart, and you will have happiness in abundance.'

Muriel Ashton, in apprehension of Grandmother Ashton's reaction, breathed easier when the three of them walked in next day, and she saw that David and her mother-in-law were on remarkably cosy terms.

*
* *

It was a truly wonderful combined birthday and engagement party. Linda and Hugh were the first to arrive. Martin and Danielle came shortly afterwards, wearing very smug smiles. Danielle was obviously finding Martin a pleasant distraction. Jan was pleased for them, with one small reservation. She hoped Martin wouldn't prove to be a distraction that Danielle could do without.

She told herself firmly that it wasn't her business, and anyway Danielle wasn't a slip of a girl to be deceived by the trickery and cajolery of an experienced charmer. She was a mature woman, well able to hold her own in Martin's subtle game. In turn, it was noticeable that Martin found Danielle a dangerously exciting prospect. It would be a stroke of luck for him if she also proved to be a settling influence.

Jan had unwrapped and delighted over all her presents. A new dress from her parents, which she wore for the occasion, plus, round her neck, an antique gold locket and chain, the result of their shopping expedition to Harrogate. From her grandmother she had received a deeply fringed Spanish shawl. Linda, with a bright twinkle in her eye, had given Jan a make-up case from her and Hugh that contained a dazzling rainbow collection of eyeshadows and lipsticks and mysterious
potions
in intriguing little pots.

‘I know it's like launching the sales campaign after the deal has been clinched, Jan dear,' she said.

‘That's the way I operate,' Jan had quipped back.

Who else would fall in love with a man before coming to terms with liking him?

A thoughtful touch of her mother's was to produce a pretty apron and peg bag for Stephanie to give to her. Besides the pottery vase, which in no way resembled the hideous one he'd broken and was exquisite in line and detail, David gave her a slim, leather-bound volume of poetry to cherish, and ‘this'. ‘This' turned out to be an emerald and diamond ring in a Victorian setting.

‘It was my grandmother's. I thought perhaps you could wear it until we have time to shop around for one of your choice.'

She searched his face. ‘But it
is
my choice. It's so perfect that it's spoilt me for any other. Please may I keep this?'

‘I was hoping you would say that. I wish my grandmother could have lived to know and love you, Jan. Wearing her ring is the next best thing. I spotted a bracelet quite recently that was an incredibly good match. I'll buy it for you.'

‘No, you mustn't. You've already spent too much money on me.'

‘Don't deny me the joy of giving you things,
Jan.
For the first time in my life I'm getting more back than I'm giving.'

‘Oh my love,' she said.

The corner of the room they shared offered only the illusion of privacy. David picked up Grandmother Ashton's birthday shawl and wrapped it round her shoulders. ‘Come on. We are taking a walk.'

‘But David,' she protested shyly. ‘Everyone will know why we're going out.'

His eyes twinkled darkly. ‘I don't give a damn. Are you coming voluntarily? Or do I take you by force?'

Her heart fluttered at the thought of being taken by force. Of being dragged outside because he couldn't survive another moment without having physical contact with her. Every woman wants to be wanted. His desire appeased her inner woman's primeval instincts. Her longing for him rushed the blood to her cheeks.

‘You wouldn't. Not with everyone watching.'

‘No?' he challenged. ‘Try me, if you dare. Bearing in mind that your mother will approve. As I recall it, she once said that caveman tactics were underestimated by today's male. I never did get round to putting her theory to the test.'

‘You've made your point.' She had savoured the anticipation to the full. She would delay no longer. ‘I'm coming.'

*
* *

They walked until they were out of sight of the cottage and then, of one accord, they stopped. His arms came round her and she lifted her face up for the kiss his eyes had promised her.

The warm and tender flame, encircling two hearts in a love that would never die, had been sending out teasing sparks all evening. It leapt into passion as their lips met.