The Winds Of Fortune Episode 24
As he stood at the bottom of the driveway, staring up at Bothwell House, Theo wasn’t sure if he felt emotional, excited or nervous.
He was desperate to see Minnie and could wait no longer.
How would she be? Had her feelings changed?
He swallowed and took a deep breath.
He’d turned himself out as well as he could. He was clean, had polished his shoes, cut his hair and put on one of his better suits.
Theo hoped she wouldn’t perceive a great difference in him, but there was
no doubt that his circumstances had changed him.
He took a hold of himself and strode up the driveway.
When he rang the doorbell, a butler answered and gave him an appraising glance.
“How may I help you?”
“I have come to visit Miss Minnie Vandunlan and her family. I’m an old friend from the States.”
The butler nodded, cast another appraising glance over him and seemed satisfied.
“You’d better come in, sir.”
He stepped aside and Theo entered the imposing hallway.
He handed his hat and coat to the butler and tried to remain calm.
“This way, sir.”
The butler led him down a corridor and knocked on a door.
Theo hardly knew how to contain himself.
“Mr Theodore Cranby to see you, Miss Vandunlan.”
Theo entered, but the smile on his face was wiped away immediately as he looked around and took in the scene before him.
He found himself in a large drawing-room, and it contained only two occupants – Minnie and an unknown young gentleman.
The gentleman was sitting too close to Minnie for Theo’s liking, and she snatched her hand away from him as Theo entered the room.
She looked deeply shocked and embarrassed.
This was not the joyful greeting he had longed for. What had he interrupted?
He tried to collect his thoughts and struggled to remain composed.
He wasn’t sure whether to leave immediately or fling himself at Minnie’s feet.
As he battled with himself, she rose and came towards him, a smile on her beautiful face.
“Theo, what are you doing here?” she asked, shaking his hand.
“It’s so good to see you. Please, won’t you sit down?”
Theo cleared his throat.
“If you’re sure it’s convenient . . .” His voice trailed away and he remained standing, looking from one to the other.
Minnie blushed again.
“You must tell me all that you’ve been doing, and Pearl and Mother will want to see you, too.”
Theo sat down. The other gentleman was watching them with curiosity.
Minnie seemed to recollect herself.
“Oh, I am sorry,” she said. “Theo, this is Mr Ivor Dodson-Smyth, who has been a good friend to us since our arrival in England.
“Mr Dodson-Smyth, this is Mr Theodore Cranby, a dear friend from America.”
“I’m delighted to make the acquaintance of any friend of Miss Vandunlan.” The other gentleman rose to his feet and shook Theo’s hand.
“Likewise.” Theo attempted a smile.
For a moment, as they resumed their seats, there was an awkward silence.
“Would you like tea?” Minnie asked a moment later. “I shall ask Norah to tell Pearl and Mother that you are here. They will be delighted.”
Theo nodded. He needed something to fortify himself.
He would always be pleased to see Minnie’s family, but how he wished he knew if she were delighted to see him.
It was only her feelings he cared about. Had she forgotten him already?
Worse, had she fallen in love with someone else?
He shuddered and studied Mr Dodson-Smyth.
He seemed a decent sort of chap, tall and thin, with sandy hair and grey eyes.
He looked rather serious, but Theo had no idea if this was habitual or a result of his sudden arrival.
Anyway, it was clear from the way Dodson-Smyth glanced at her that he was in love with Minnie.
Theo felt more depressed than he had at any point in the preceding months.
Again he wondered if he should leave and not come back. After all, he could give Minnie nothing.
“Perhaps you’d like something stronger?” Minnie went on. “I’ll get us some whisky, shall I?”
Theo nodded.
“That would be grand.”
Whilst Ivor poured the drinks, Minnie despatched the maid to find Pearl and Carrie.
“Theo, how long have you been in England?” she asked.
He turned to Minnie and realised how strange and abrupt his arrival must seem to her.
“I’ve been here for two weeks,” he replied.
He could hardly tell her that she was the reason – not in present company.
“I would have written, but it was all rather sudden.”
She nodded, and it struck him that from her perspective she’d had weeks with no contact at all.
He was a fool. He had driven her into this other fellow’s arms.
The door opened and there was a squeal.
“Theo!”
He looked up as Pearl entered on a pair of crutches, closely followed by Carrie.
“Theo, darling!”
Despite everything, it was good to see them.
It was much less awkward with the whole family present, but what was he going to do about Minnie?
To be continued…