Redemption - Leon Uris [299]
“Everyone says that. I guess I’ve got a very common face.”
“And I’d say that with your blarney, you’re a once-removed Irishman.”
“I’ve not a drop of Irish blood, I’m afraid. A New Zealand mongrel.”
“Now, what are you staring at?” she asked.
“I’ve never seen a place like this.”
“I’ll give you the tour later.” She took his arm, guiding him past the entry. “We’ve a rare day of sunshine. Why don’t we get acquainted in the garden.”
The garden, fountain, and view to the museum was likewise stunning, quite beyond belief that Jeremy, or for that matter, any human being could live in such a place.
Caroline ordered refreshments. Rory remained enchanted with everything, and herself as well. She was dressed in lavender and was lightly scented, but the darkness beneath her eyes told him that she had gotten herself up for the occasion. Caroline’s hair was half-gray now but she still cut a figure that would have tempted any man a generation younger.
“How long can I have you?” she asked.
“As long as you can stand me,” he answered. “I do plan a trip in the south and west to call on the relatives of some lads from our battalion.”
The maid came with a tray, followed by the butler with an ice bucket.
“How did you know I wanted a beer?”
“Every New Zealander wants beer. You’re much younger than I envisioned.”
“Well, the one thing a place like Gallipoli does, is offer rapid advancement.”
“I’m terribly sorry I was unable to visit you at the hospital in London. My father has had several strokes and the last one, when the bad news came, was rather severe. Are you going to end up in London?”
“Probably, sooner or later.”
“My gentleman, Gorman Galloway, well, he’s not exactly my gentleman. He’s my guy. Gorman is producing a play in London. Sorry he isn’t here to meet you, but he’s the man to do up London with…if you like actresses.”
Rory laughed. She was splendid. “I read most of Jeremy’s letters and he read mine. Gorman Galloway is a very funny fellow. I look forward to meeting him.”
“He’s been the rock. He’s kept things together for us. How are you coming along, Rory?”
Rory explained his medical condition; rest, then reappraisal. Probably more surgery on his hand and wrist up to the elbow. The eyes? Well, one could live with it.
Rory played with the beer glass, set it down. “How goes it with you, Lady Caroline?”
“Lousy, thank you. As you can see by the surroundings, at least I get to suffer in comfort. I’ve reached that point where I put ha’pennies in the little fortune machines on the boardwalk of the amusement park. There has to be a reason one just does not die with her sons. I’m on a day-to-day basis to try to find that reason. I can’t tell you how I’ve been looking forward to your visit.”
“How much do you really want to know?” Rory asked.
“You’re very wise and very sensitive for your age, Rory. I want to know everything.”
“Some of it is going to be very painful.”
“Of course it will be, but at least I’m sharing with them. I know we’ll have occasion to laugh. I think it will be most comforting.”
“I’m looking for a tad of comfort, myself,” Rory said. “Right off, Jeremy…well, I’ll never have another friend like him.”
“Here I am pitying myself so much I didn’t stop to realize how much you’ve suffered.”
“It’s been a bitch, lady,” Rory said.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.
“Jeremy transformed himself into a most splendid human being. I wish you’d seen the character and competence of this man. He handled the news of his baby’s death like a champion.”
“Molly died in childbirth, at the same time. I thought it was too much to hit him with both deaths at the same time. I was going to wait until, at least, he got off Gallipoli.”
“We’d figured that might be the case with Molly. He had one determination. He was going to come out of it as a man even if he had lost her.”
“You don’t know how wonderful that makes me feel. He was a wreck when he left Ireland.”
“Lovely man…we were all crazy about him.”
“And Christopher?”
Rory scratched his head. “Old Major Chris.”
“Somewhat of a horse