Ivy was waiting for him by the door, and he felt that he owed her an explanation, perhaps an apology....
“Aunt Connie’s gone home in Lady Poynter’s car,” she announced. “She’s left her own for us. I’d better drop you at your flat and take it on home.”
“I’ll just say good-bye...” He darted back and rejoined her a moment later. “Well, thank goodness that’s over. Of all the forcible feeders who outrage total strangers in the sacred name of hospitality... Did you enjoy yourself, Ivy?”
She pressed his hand, once more at ease; and he wondered whether she fancied that she was rescuing him for herself from Barbara.
“I love being with you—as you know, you vain thing!,” she answered. “Shall I tell you something? I went into the dining-room before dinner and found Mr. Deganway and Lord Pentyre working round the table. Lord Pentyre said, ‘Any luck, Gerry? I’ve drawn Amy Loring and Connie Maitland. Might be worse.’ And Mr Deganway said, ‘Oh, my dear, I’m between Eleanor Ross and Margaret Poynter. I don’t think I can bear that; I shall break down and cry.’ So he changed the cards. Well, you said you hoped we should be together, I didn’t see why I shouldn’t look after myself; so I changed places with Lady John and put myself next to you. Were you pleased?”
“You badly brought-up child! Yes, I was pleased, but I wish you’d given me Lady John on the other side instead of the Vasconcellos woman.”
He settled comfortably in his corner of the car, reminded inevitably of the nights three years ago, when he drove home with Barbara, discussing the party that they had left. She was the first woman to break down the isolated self-sufficiency of the bachelor and to teach him the indulgent delight of sharing trivialities; and, from the day when she dropped out of his life, he had been groping blindly for anything that would breach the wall of desolation and silence which was her parting gift....
The car stopped at the door of his flat in Ryder Street, and Ivy put up her face to be kissed.
“Good-night, darling Eric,” she whispered.
“Good-night, sweetheart.”