Meg at Sixteen (10 page)

Nick would rescue her. If Aunt Grace wanted Meg to pray, then pray she would. She closed her eyes and prayed for Clark, for a ladder, for Nick's arms around her, for the freedom to love, to feel.

C
HAPTER
S
EVEN

At precisely seven minutes after twelve, the ladder materialized under Meg's window.

The day had been a nightmare, but it was nothing compared to the slow torture Meg had endured between ten-thirty and midnight. Aunt Grace had entered Meg's room at bedtime, insisted on a proper good-night, and seen to it that all lights were off and Meg was in bed. Naturally, as soon as Grace left, Meg climbed out of bed, but without any light, there was nothing she could do in the room except sit, wait, think, and watch the luminous dial on her clock move with excruciating slowness. Meg knew Clark might not show up with the ladder. She knew he might come some other night, or not at all. There were a thousand reasons not to count on Clark, but she counted on him anyway. Clark was the road to her salvation, and he knew it. He'd never let her down before. Granted, she'd never asked very much of him, but he'd always been there for the little things, and now he had to be there for the big ones as well.

Meg listened during that hour and a half as the house was put to sleep. Aunt Grace went to bed at eleven each night, and she didn't like the servants rumbling about, so they were in their rooms within a half hour. The house was dark and still, as was the night. It felt to Meg as though she were the only person conscious of the air.

And then the ladder appeared, and Clark at the foot of it, gesturing frantically for Meg to come down. Meg had tossed on the skirt and blouse she intended to wear the next day, but she wore her sneakers instead of her usual loafers. Aunt Grace hated those sneakers, and just putting them on felt like an act of rebellion.

The window was open, and all Meg had to do was unlatch the bottom of the screen and climb out carefully onto the ladder. She knew under different circumstances she would have been terrified to get on that ladder, climb down the rungs in almost total darkness. The Meg she had been just a few days earlier never would have had the courage. Who knew what the Meg she was becoming might have the strength to do.

Clark gestured her to remain quiet, so she kept her thoughts to herself as they hid the ladder behind some trees. They maintained their silence until they were a safe distance from the house.

“Did you find Nicky?” Meg asked.

Clark shook his head. “What do you think?” he asked. “I risked life and limb and the wrath of Grace Winslow just to see you on ground level? You're not the only one who could get into trouble because of this little caper, you know. My father would have my head if he ever found out.”

“You're right, and I'm sorry,” Meg said. “I should have thanked you right away. I'm very grateful, Clark.”

“That's better,” he said. “And yes, I found your precious Nicky.”

“Where is he?” Meg asked. “Is he all right?”

“He's on our stretch of beach,” Clark replied. “We both thought it might be safer there. Do you have any idea what you asked of me, Meg? I had to go through some unsavory parts of town to locate that boardinghouse he's moved to. And then it took me close to an hour to convince him I wasn't the enemy, and my offer was on the level. He thought it was some kind of trap. Nick Sebastian is a very suspicious man.”

“But you did convince him,” Meg said. “And he's really waiting for me.”

“If he hasn't caught cold,” Clark said. “You would pick a rainy night for this rendezvous.”

“It's only misting,” Meg said. “You have no idea how good the rain feels on my arms.”

“Is it awful being locked up?” Clark asked. “I had the measles once when I was a kid, and I wasn't allowed out of my room for a couple of weeks, but it was wintertime, and I don't remember minding. It must be different in the summer. And of course you aren't sick.”

Meg wished Clark would keep quiet and just let her enjoy the air and the anticipation of seeing Nick. He's really there, she thought. He's really waiting for me.

“He's not a bad sort when you talk with him,” Clark said. “That boardinghouse he's staying in is appalling. I didn't know they let those sorts of people into Eastgate. We've led very sheltered lives, Meg. I hope you realize that. We've been protected from the worst society has to offer.”

“And Nick hasn't?” Meg asked.

“There's a hardness to him you may not see,” Clark replied. “He tried to hide it from me, but it came through with all his questions. But his facade really is quite charming. And he's obviously well-read. As far as I could see, his only possessions were books.”

“I'm sure he has a nicer room at Princeton,” Meg said. She thought she spotted him on the beach, but it was just some driftwood.

“Rooms at Princeton are all right,” Clark replied. He was going to Dartmouth himself. “Meg, don't let him hurt you.”

“He won't,” Meg said. “I know you're worried, and I really do appreciate it, Clark, but it isn't necessary.”

“That's a matter of opinion,” Clark replied.

Meg sighed. “I know I owe you a thousand thank-yous,” she said. “And a couple of massive favors. Whatever you want, I'll do.”

“Just marry me once you're finished with Sebastian,” Clark said. “Or he's finished with you, which'll probably happen first.”

“Why do you say that?” Meg asked. Had Nick tired of her already? Was that what Clark was trying to tell her?

“I'm sure he's after you for your money,” Clark said. “Once he gets his hands on it, he'll be gone.”

Meg laughed with relief. “You're wrong,” she said. “Someday you'll realize that.”

“I hope I am wrong,” Clark said. “But I'll stick around just in case I'm not.”

“You won't stick around tonight, though,” Meg said, trying to keep the anxiety out of her voice. “You'll leave us alone, won't you?”

“I intend to stay close by,” Clark replied. “To see to it you're safe. What do you really know about him, Meg? He could be a rapist or a murderer, and then where would I be?”

“In better shape than me,” Meg said, but she knew Clark would never give way on this issue. “You can watch us, if it makes you feel better, but we need privacy to talk. You have to give us that.” She longed for the day when she could stop begging.

“All right,” Clark said. “But I'll be in earshot if you start screaming.”

“Thank you,” Meg said. She turned to kiss Clark on the cheek, but then she saw Nick, and she ran toward him.

Nick spotted her at the same time, and he raced to her side as well. They were together, embracing, within seconds. Clark, alas, was there moments later.

“I've already told Meg,” he said. “I'm going to be standing right over there, watching you, the entire time you're together. So don't get any ideas, Sebastian.”

“Fine,” Nick said. “All right. Whatever you say.” He smiled at Meg, who lost herself in his happiness.

“Right over there,” Clark said, pointing to a spot a couple of hundred feet away. When he decided his point had been made, he walked away from them, then stood at conspicuous attention on the designated location.

Nick and Meg embraced again, and then kissed. The kiss convinced Meg that somehow, everything would work out.

“I was so afraid I'd never see you again,” Meg whispered. “Hold me, Nicky. Don't let me go.”

“I was a fool,” Nick said. “A fool and a coward. I should have just gone to your aunt, demanded to see you.”

“No,” Meg said. “That would have been the worst thing you could have done. Are you all right? Clark says you're in an awful boardinghouse.”

Nick laughed. “I've been in worse,” he said. “I don't think Clark is much of a connoisseur of boardinghouses.”

“I wish I could be there with you,” Meg said.

“Clark says she's keeping you locked up,” Nick said. “Is that true?”

“It's true enough,” Meg replied. “But I'm here with you now.”

“Has she hurt you?” Nick asked.

It took Meg a moment to realize what he was asking. “She hasn't hit me,” she said. “Aunt Grace doesn't hit. She doesn't even ask her servants to hit.”

“I didn't know,” Nick said. “I was scared. I kept picturing her striking you.”

“That will never happen,” Meg said. “Don't ever worry about that again.”

Nick kissed her. “I've wanted you so much,” he said.

“I know,” Meg said. “All I think about is you. I was so afraid you'd left Eastgate, but I kept hoping maybe the Sinclairs had decided to invite you back. Have you spoken to them?”

Nick laughed harshly. Meg wondered if she'd ever be able to remove the pain from that sound. “Mrs. Sinclair paid me a call,” he said. “She suggested that if I was no longer interested in her daughter, perhaps I could move back in and show some interest in her instead.”

“Did she really?” Meg asked. She knew Nick was beautiful, but she'd never thought to worry that somebody's mother might think so as well.

“It was no big deal,” Nick replied. “I've had offers like that before. I turned her down politely, but I doubt she'll have many nice things to say about me. I guess I won't be seeing much of Robert back at Princeton.”

For the moment, Meg didn't care about Robert Sinclair. “Do you always turn those offers down?” she asked. “All the ones from older women?”

“I've turned them down,” Nick said. “I'm not a gigolo, Daisy. And Grace isn't a child beater. We've both learned something today.”

“I love you,” Meg said. “I can't believe I've been standing here talking with you for five minutes already, and I hadn't even remembered to tell you that.”

“You've shown me,” Nick said. “You are a miracle, Daisy. Do you have any idea how wonderful you are?”

“No,” Meg admitted. “I can't get over the idea that you love me. You do love me, don't you, Nicky?”

“Now and forever,” Nick said, and they kissed to prove it.

Meg laughed softly in the mist. “We're some pair,” she said. “Do you think we'll ever get used to the idea of each other?”

“I don't think so,” Nick replied. “I don't see how I can ever get used to happiness.”

“I know,” Meg said. “I was dead before I met you. I went through the motions, did all the things I was supposed to do, but inside me there was nothing. Just a residue of fear. Then there you were, and suddenly I could feel again, joy and excitement. Hold on to me, Nicky. Don't ever let me go.”

“I love you,” Nick said. “And somehow or another, we'll work things out, and I'll see to it that you're always happy. You deserve so much, Daisy. All the happiness there is in this world.”

“We'll share it,” Meg said. “Oh Nicky, I wish I could hold on to you like this forever. Well, maybe not in the rain.” She laughed softly with the joy of being in his arms.

“How much time do we have?” Nick asked.

“Not much,” Meg replied. “I have to be back by two, but I don't think Clark will let me stay that long. He's worried, and he's right to be, and I've imposed on him so much already. We have to talk, Nicky. We have to work things out.”

Nick nodded. “What's going on?” he asked. “Has Grace given you any idea of when she's going to free you?”

“This is complicated,” Meg said. “She hired detectives to write a report on you. It should be delivered in ten days or so. She's hoping I'll read it, and be so shocked I'll come to my senses. Then I'm supposed to beg her forgiveness, and show her my gratitude for the way she kept me from destroying my life.”

“Why do bullies always expect gratitude?” Nick asked. “I used to wonder about that with my stepfather.”

“I guess they feel if we're grateful, it means they're right,” Meg said. “But Aunt Grace really isn't nearly as bad as your stepfather.”

“That doesn't sound too bad,” Nick declared. “You read the report, and then you act the way she wants you to. I'm a cad and she's a saint. If you can fool her, she'll give you your freedom, and then somehow we'll manage to see each other.”

Meg knew Nick was right, but she didn't care for his attitude anyway. “Is there anything in that report I won't know about?” she asked. “Anything I really will be shocked over?”

Nick thought for a moment. “I'm sure there won't be,” he said. “Grace is going to hate it that I'm a bastard. No, that isn't true. She'll love it. Her only disappointment will be that my father is a banker, and not a sailor or a lumberjack.”

“He's a banker?” Meg asked.

“Very respectable,” Nick replied. “What did your father do?”

“He went through his inheritance,” Meg said. “That's why I don't have any money.”

“Was he happy?” Nick asked.

“Oh yes,” Meg replied. “He was very happy.”

“Then he did the right thing,” Nick said. “We'll work things out. I'll stay on in Eastgate, and we'll find a way to see each other. It should be easier once the school year starts. Girls can always find ways to slip out of boarding schools.”

Meg shook her head. “There's more,” she said. “And it's going to make you angry. You have to promise you won't get too upset, no matter what I tell you.”

“I don't know,” Nick replied. “What are you going to tell me?”

Meg tried to smile. “There's bad news, and there's worse news,” she said. “The bad news is, I'm not going back to Miss Arnold's. They're sending me to a boarding school in England instead. It sounds like it has twelve-foot walls and barbed-wire windows, and I'll be there for the next two years. If I behave myself, they may let me out for vacations.”