Heaven is High Read online

  ‘I’d been to see Michael.’

  ‘So you said,’ came the crisp response, and Kathryn’s eyelids fluttered. Surely he wasn’t jealous of Michael. ‘He advised me to stay—’

  ‘You discussed me with Michael!’

  ‘Oh ... just listen a moment—’

  ‘I’m listening!’

  After a rather frightened hesitation Kathryn explained, as tactfully as she could, and to her relief John’s little spurt of anger died.

  ‘You were saving me from myself? You honestly believed I could be taken in by anyone like Delia Slade?’

  ‘You did seem to like her,’ Kathryn reminded him, half apologetically.

  ‘At first, yes, I must admit I did.’

  ‘And after my birthday party, when you heard those awful things, you were with her a great deal then.’

  ‘Because I wanted to hurt you—make you believe I didn’t care a rap for you.’

  ‘It’s been all my fault, hasn’t it?’ she said contritely. ‘I thought I was doing it for the best. I couldn’t bear to think of your being married to anyone like—like Delia.’

  There was silence in the room for a while and then John said softly,

  ‘Kathryn darling, I don’t want you to worry your lovely head about that money. Promise me you won’t, dearest?’

  ‘But, John—’

  ‘I know what happened to it... A small pause and then, ‘And I rather think you do too.’ She made no answer and he added, ‘Did Delia tell you I’d been commenting on your accepting gifts from Mr. Southon?’ Kathryn hesitated and he added, ‘You believed her?’

  ‘At first,’ she owned apologetically. ‘But not afterwards.’ The catch in her voice revealed a little of what she had suffered; John kissed her again, then led her over to the fire. Sinking into the great armchair, he pulled her gently on to his knee. Twilight had fallen as they talked, and the glowing coals showered the room with a deep crimson radiance. Kathryn nestled her head against John’s shoulder and a smile of sweet contentment touched her lips.