Post on 08-Nov-2014
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RentAWife
RachelLindsay
Howlongcouldshegoonpretending?
MilesDentonbelievedhe’duncoveredimmoralpracticesatthedatingagencywhereNataliewasworkingtemporarily.Threateningtohaveitcloseddown,heofferedonealternative:thatNataliepretendtobehisgirlfriend,toconvincecertainpeoplethatthisbachelordoctorwasnothusbandmaterial.
Andindeedhewasn’t,Nataliediscoveredastheweeksflewby.Atleast,notforjustanybody.
Hiswifewouldhavetobeveryspecial,abletounderstandamanlikeMilesandgivehimhersupportandlove.Someone,Natalieknew,exactlylikeherself!
MilesDenton—thenamewasliketheman…
CHAPTERONE
HALFWAYdownBondStreetNatalieBakerpausedtoadmireawindowfilledwithelegantdresses,andanumberofpassingmenpausedtoadmiretheadmirer.
Shewasabeautifulcreature;tallerthanaverage,withrusset-colouredhairwavingdowntohershoulders,andasoftlyroundedfigurewithanarrowwaistandfullbreasts.Anonlookermightbeforgivenforthinkingheranactressormodel,andevenherclosestfriendswereoccasionallysurprisedwhentheyrememberedshewasanurseryschoolteacher.
WithahalfsighNataliewalkedpastthewindow.Theexpensiveappareldisplayedwasasfaroutofherreachasthestars.Shedidnotpauseuntilshehadgoneafurthertwentyyardsandwasdirectlyalongsideasmallplaquefixedtothesideofawall,bearingthewordsWhitneyMarriageBureau,andFloor.ImagininghowpleasedherfriendMaggieWhitneywouldbetoseeher,Natalieclimbedthestairsandenteredasmallwaitingroom,emptyexceptforarowofchairsandatabledisplayingacopyofTheLadyandsomeout-of-datesewingmagazineswhich,shesurmisedhumorously,symptomisedthebulkofMaggie’sclients.
BrisklysheknockedonthedooroftheinnerofficeandaScottishvoicebadehercomein.Nataliedidso,grinningasshesawtheamazementonherfriend’sface.
‘Goodlord!’Maggieexclaimed.‘I’dnoideayouwereupinthisneckofthewoods.’
‘I’maKensingtonbirdnow,’Natalieremindedher.‘Andonsummerholidaytoo.’
‘Howdidthemovego?’Maggieasked.‘I’mdyingtoseeyourapartment.’
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‘Themovewentverywell,’Nataliesmiled,‘andyou’llbeseeingmynestonFriday.Youhaven’tforgottenyou’recomingtodinner?’
‘Ofcoursenot.ButIthoughtI’dcomeoverafterwards.’AnoddexpressioncrossedMaggie’shomelyface.‘I’vebeengettingfearfulindigestionlatelyandI’mcarefulwhatIeat.’
‘TellmewhatyouwouldlikeandI’llmakeitforyou.’
‘AtthemomentIdon’tseemtolikeanything.Eventhethoughtoffoodnauseatesme.’
Natalielookedatherfriendmorecloselyandwasperturbedbytheyellowishtingeofherskin.
‘Haveyouseenadoctor?’sheasked.
‘Ihaven’thadtime.ButifI’mnotbetterbytheendoftheweek,I’llpopintoseehimonSaturday.Butenoughaboutme.Tellmeyournews.’
‘I’vegotnone.Ihavetwomonths’holidayaheadofmeandI’mthinkingoftakingatemporaryjob.MovingcostmemorethanIexpectedandIcoulddowithsomecash.’
Natalieperchedonthechairandpushedherhairawayfromhervividface.Thesunlightfiltereduponherfromthewindow,buteventhebrightlightcouldnotfindaflawinthecreamyskin,andmerelyemphasisedtheunusualgreenygoldshadeofherprovocative,slantingeyes.
‘You’recrazytogoonworkingforMrsHall,’Maggiesaidcrossly.‘Ifyouopenedyourownnurseryschoolyou’dbemakingawhackingprofitforyourselfinsteadofforsomebodyelse.’
‘MrsHalldoesn’tmakeawhackingprofit,’Nataliesmiled.
‘Well,sheshould,consideringthepittanceshepaysyouforlookingafterallthosechildren.Youshouldgotoyourbankmanagerandborrowthemoneytostartuponyourown.Insixmonths’time,Imightevenbeabletolendittoyoumyself.’
‘Ohyes?’Natalielookedinnocentlytowardstheemptywaitingroom.‘Idon’tseeclientsfallingoverthemselvesoutside.’
‘Idon’thavethesortofbusinesswhereclientsfalloverthemselvestogethere,’Maggiesaiddryly.‘Butthingshavebeenlookinguplatelyand—’
Shestoppedasthedooropened,andNatalieturnedquickly,readytomakeherselfscarce,untilshesawitwasMaggie’sbrother.Hewasfair-hairedandofaverageheight,withblueeyessetashadetoocloselytogether,givinghimafaintlyfoxylook.NataliewonderedifshejudgedRolandtooharshly,butshehadalwaysfoundsomethingunlikeableabouthim.ItwaspartlybecauseshehadalwaysthoughtitunfairofFatetohavegivenhimlooksandcharminsteadofhissister,whowouldhavefoundthemsomuchmoreuseful.
‘Hello,Roland,’shesaidflatly.‘IthoughtyouwereinAustralia.’
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‘Icamebackamonthago.’Hesaunteredovertothewindowandleanedagainstthesideofit.‘Youlookasgorgeousasever.Stillwastingyourtimewiththetoddlers?’
‘It’sbetterthanwastingitinfrontofacamera.’Thiswassaidtoremindhimofthelastoccasiontheyhadmet—beforehehademigratedtotryhisluckinanothercountry—whenhehadtriedtopersuadehertoposeforsomehighlylucrativebutnudephotographswhichafriendofhishadwantedtotakeofher.
‘Istillthinkyouwereafooltoturndowntheoffer,’hesaid.‘Thesedays,whocaresaboutseeingnudewomen?’
‘Alotofpeople,’Nataliesaidpromptly,‘otherwiseyouwouldn’thaveofferedmesuchapricetoposeforyourfriend!’
Heshrugged,asiftoshowitwasallforgotten,andglancedathiswristwatch.ItwasanelegantgoldaffairandNataliewonderedifhehaddonewellforhimselfinAustralia.Yethesurelyhadn’treturnedhomesosoonforaholiday,andifhehadcomebackpermanently,whyhadn’tMaggiesaidanythingtoherwhentheyhadspokenonthetelephonelastweek?
‘SorryIcan’tinviteyououtforlunch,Natalie,’Rolandsaid,movingtothedoor,‘butIhaveadate.’
‘I’llstruggletolivewithoutyou,’Natalierejoined,andmanagedtogiveasmile,thoughitdidnotreachhereyes.Asthedoorclosedbehindhimshefacedherfriend.‘WhydidRolandcomeback?Ithoughthe’demigrated.’
‘Hedid,buthedidn’tlikeitthere.I’dnoideahewascominghome.Hejustwalkedinonme.’
‘What’shedoingnow?’
‘Helpingme,atthemoment.’MaggiecolouredasshenoticedNatalie’sbeautifullyshapedeyebrowsraisethemselvesquizzically.‘Iwishyoudidn’tdislikeRolandsomuch.’
‘SodoI.ButIcan’thelpit.Hetakesadvantageofyou,Maggie,anditgetsmybackup.’
‘Well,heisn’ttakingadvantageofmeatthemoment,’hissistersaidstoutly.‘WhenI’vebeentooilltocomeinhe’sbeenrunningthebusinesssingle-handed.’
‘Tooilltocomein?’Nataliewasshocked.‘Ithoughtyousaidyouwerejustabitoffcolour?’
‘Somedayshavebeenworsethanothers,’Maggieadmitted,lookingsorryshehadgivensomuchaway.‘Icancopewiththeindigestion,butthenauseagetsmedown.’
‘Ifyoudon’tpromisetoseethedoctorrightaway,’Natalieexploded,‘I’lldragyoutheremyself.’
‘Don’tfuss!’saidMaggie.‘ItoldyouI’llseeoneovertheweekend.Anyway,it’sbeengoodfor
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Rolandtoruntheofficeonhisownfromtimetotime.Tobeginwithheonlydidittohelpout,butnowIthinkhe’sbecominginterestedinitforitsownsake.He’sawfullygoodwiththewomenclients.’
‘I’llbetheis,’Nataliesaid.
ItwasRoland’sabilitytocharmthefemalesexthathadsooftenledtohisdownfallinthepast.Ifsherememberedrightly,itwasaparticularlytorridaffairwithamarriedwomanwhichhadpromptedhimtoleaveEnglandsohurriedly.Butnowhewasbackandobviouslytryingtoinveiglehimselfintohissister’sbusiness.
‘Ithinkyou’dbeveryunwisetoletRolandworkherepermanently,’shesaidbluntly.
‘I’lleventuallyneedsomeonetohelpme,’Maggietoldher.‘AndI’dratherhavesomeoneIknow,thanastranger.Youhaven’tchangedyourmind,haveyou?’
‘‘Fraidnot.’Nataliewasregretful.‘Thissortofoccupationisn’tmyscene.IloveworkingwithyoungchildrenandI’dbeunhappydoinganythingelse.Iknowit’sold-fashionedofme,butIcan’thelpit.’
‘Itisn’told-fashioned,’Maggiedeclaredstoutly.‘Butcomingfromyou,it’sunexpected.Agirlwithyourlooksshouldbedoingsomethingglamorousandexciting.’
‘Don’tjudgethefruitbytheskin,’Nataliegrinned.‘Imaylookasexoticasapassionfruit,butinsideI’mahomelyapple!’
‘AGoldenDelicious!’Maggiegrinnedback.‘NeveraGrannySmith!’
Natalieflushedandstoodup.
‘IsitstillonforFriday,then?Ifyoufeeltoooffcolourtomakeit,let’soptforanothernight.’
‘No,Fridaywillbefine.Butnobigmeal,please.I’monlycomingtoseeyournewapartment.IfI’mabitlate,it’llbebecauseI’vestoppedinonthewaytoseethedoctor.’
Intheevent,Maggiedidnotcomeatall.ShewastakenviolentlyillwithstomachpainsasshewaspreparingtoleavetheofficeonFriday,andRolandtookherinataxitotheemergencydepartmentoftheMiddlesexHospital.
‘Theythinkit’shergallbladder,’Rolandsaid,whenhetelephonedNatalietoletherknowwhyMaggiehadnotturnedup.‘They’vekeptherinandthey’regoingtodosometests.Shesaidifyou’refreeatanytimeduringtheweekend,shewouldlovetoseeyou.’
‘I’llgotomorrow,’Nataliepromised,knowingshewouldnotbeeasyinherminduntilshehadseenherfriendforherself.DislikingRolandasmuchasshedid,shewasreluctanttobelieveanythinghesaid.
Promptlyatthreethenextafternoon,shewassittingbesideMaggieinalargehospitalward.She
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wascarefultohideherdismayatthesightofthehaggardfaceonthepillowinfrontofher.Maggielookeddesperatelyillandtherewasadullnessinhereyesthatspokeofdrugstocombatthepain.
‘It’sdefinitelymygallbladder,’sheexplained,aftershehadthankedNataliefortheselectionofmagazinesshehadbrought.‘AngussaysI’llhavetohaveitout.’
‘Angus?Don’ttellmeyou’realreadyonfirstnameswithyoursurgeon?’
‘Heisn’tmysurgeon.He’saRegistrarhereandIknewhimyearsagoinAberdeen.’
‘YouScotsgeteverywhere,’Nataliesmiled.
‘That’scertainlytrueofAngus.He’sbeenallovertheworldsincehequalified—that’swhywelosttouchwitheachother.IhadnoideahewasbackinEnglandorattachedtothishospital.’
‘Soeverycloudhasasilverlining!’
Maggie’splainfacelookedunexpectedlyprettyascoloursuffusedit,andNataliewonderedifAnguscouldbearomanticpartofherfriend’spast.ShehadalwaysbeenextraordinarilyshywithmenanditwasthisthathadpromptedhertostarttheMarriageBureau.Shewasconvincedtherewereotherpeoplelikeherselfwhoweretooshytofindmembersoftheoppositesexwithoutsomeoneelse’shelp.
‘AndhowlongdoesthisAngusofyoursexpectyoutobeinhospital?’Natalieasked.
‘Abouttwoorthreeweeks.That’swhyI’msogladyou’vecometoseeme.Ihatetoaskyouthis,but-’
‘Theanswerisyes,’Natalieinterrupted,‘anddon’tbesosilly.OfcourseI’llhelpyou.’
ThelookofreliefonMaggie’sfacewassufficientcompensationforNatalie.Theprospectofspendinghertwomonths’holidaytakingcareoftheWhitneyMarriageBureauwasdistinctlydampening.ButsincethealternativewastoallowRolandtorunitonhisown,shehadnochoice.Shemightnotbethegreatestbusinesswoman,butshewasatleasthonest.
‘Youwon’tmindRolandhelpingyou?’Maggieaskedpleadingly.‘It’simportantforhimtohavesomethingtodo.He’swrittenofftovariouspeoplewhohavepromisedtohelphimfindajob,buthe’sstillwaitingtohear.’
‘Don’tworryaboutRoland.We’llmanagetosurvivewithoutkillingeachother.’
Natalieopenedherbagandsearchedforsomepaperandapen.‘I’msuretherearethingsIneedtoknowabouttheoffice,soifyoucouldputmeinthepicture….’
‘Thereisn’tallthatmuchtoknow.Themainthingistorememberthateveryonemustpaytheirintroductoryfeeandthatyoucan’tintroduceonepersontoanotherunlessthey’rebothonyourbooks.Ifyoudon’tfollowthatrule,youcanloseyourlicence.’
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‘Idon’tseehowIcanintroducesomeonetoanybodywhoisn’tonthebooks,’Nataliegrinned.
‘WhatImeanisthatyoumustn’tstartintroducingpeopletoyourfriends.’
‘Whynot?’Natalieaskedpertly.‘SolongasImakemyfriendspaytheirintroductoryfee.’
Maggielaughed.‘Iknowweneedsomemoreclients,butIdon’twanttogetthemthatway.’
‘Howdoesonegetthem?’
‘Byadvertising—whichIcan’taffordtodoproperly—andbyrecommendation,whichiswhatIrelyonatthemoment.I’msureyou’lldosplendidly,’Maggiewentonthoughtfully.‘Itmightevenencourageyoutothinkintermsofmarriageforyourself.’
‘Ithinkofmarriagethewholetime,’Nataliesaidpromptly.‘ThetroubleisIcan’tfindamaletofitmyrequirements!’
‘Maybeyourequiretoomuch.’
‘Idon’tintendtolowermysightsyetawhile,’Nataliesaidfirmly.‘NotuntilI’monthewrongsideofthirty.’
‘You’llbemarriedlongbeforethen,’Maggieassuredher.‘Gosh,ifIwereasbeautifulasyou….’
‘Youhaveabeautifulcharacter,Maggie.That’smuchmorelastingthanabeautifulface.’
Maggiesuddenlyleanedbackagainstthepillows,lookingpaleandtired,andNataliequicklysaidhergoodbyesandlefttheward.
OutsidethehospitalsherealisedshehadforgottentoaskMaggieexactlywhatRolanddidattheoffice,anddecidedthatnomatterwhathehaddonewhenhissisterwasincharge,sheherselfwasgoingtocurtailhisactivities.Onethinghewasnotgoingtodowastohavehisfingersonanymoney.Maggiemightgenuinelybelieveherbrotherhadchangedforthebetterinthepastyear,butNataliedidnotbelievealeopardcouldchangeitsspots.Theymightfadeorappearlessnoticeableinadifferentlight,buttheywouldalwaysbethere.
Atnineo’clockonMondaymorningNatalieunlockedthedooroftheWhitneyMarriageBureauwithmorethanalittletrepidation.Itwasonethingtohelpherfriendout—whichshehadoccasionallydone—butquiteanothertobeleftinsolecharge.Butitwastoolatetobackout.Bynow,Maggiewasonherwaytotheoperatingtheatre,contentintheknowledgethatherbusinesswasincapablehands.
‘Ithadbetterbe,’Nataliemutteredaloud,knowinghowhardherfriendhadstruggledtomakeasuccessofthisventure.
Butitwasnotuntilshestartedtoexaminethebookstoseethecashflowpositionandwhatthe
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expenseswerelikelytobeeachweekthatsherealisedhowtightthesituationstillwas.Theagencyhadquiteafewclients,andintheyearithadbeenoperating,ahighproportionofsuccesseshadbeenachieved.Buttherentofthistinyofficewashigh,andeventheminimumadvertisingwhichhadbeendonehadstillleftanappreciabledentinthefinances.TherewascertainlynomoneyavailabletopayRolandtheamounthehadbeendrawingeachweek,andshedeterminedthatnomoremoneywouldgohiswayunlessheearnedit.
Pickingupthelettersthathadcomeinonthesecondpost,NataliesatatMaggie’sdeskandopenedthem.Theyweremainlycircularsandbills,thoughonewasfromaclientwhowishedtohavehermoneyrefundedasshehaddecidednottocontinuewithanymoreintroductions.Letterinhand,Nataliewentovertothefilingcabinettolookupthetermsofengagement,andfoundthatifacertainnumberofintroductionshadalreadybeenarranged,thenthefeeswerenotreturnable.
Carefullyshecomposedareply,beingregretfulbutfirmandsuggestingthatsincetheagencywaslegallywithinitsrightsinnotreturninganyfee,theclientmightwishtoreconsiderherdecisionanduseuptherequisitenumberofintroductions.
ShewassigningtheletterwhenRolandwalkedin,andhiswarmsmileaddedtothediscomfitureshefeltatnotlikinghim.
‘Maggietoldmeyou’dagreedtocomeinfulltimeandholdthefort,’hesaid,perchingonthefrontofherdesk.‘Iwouldhavedonesomyselfifyouhadn’tvolunteered,butIthinkyou’llhandlethemenmuchbetterthanIwould.’
‘Womenaremuchmoreinyourline,’Natalieagreed,andfelthislightblueeyesrestspeculativelyonher.
Buthedecidedtoignoreanyhiddenmeaningbehindherremark,andslidingoffthedeskhesaunteredtothedoor.
‘I’vegotsomepersonalbusinesstoattendtothismorning,’hesaidcasually,‘butI’llbebackintimeforyoutogotolunch.’
‘Iintendedtoclosetheofficeduringthelunchhour,’Nataliesaid.
Rolandshookhishead.‘Maggiedoesn’t.Shesaysyouoftengetclientscominginbetweenoneandtwo.’
Natalienoddedwithoutactuallystatingwhetherornotshewasgoingtodoashesaid,knowingthatinthisway,ifshewishedtochangehermindshecoulddoso.
‘Beseeingyou,’hesaidwithawave,andsaunteredout.
Nataliestaredafterhim.WhateveritwasthatRolanddidtohelphissister,hishoursherewereobviouslylimited,whichmadeherfeelconsiderablylessguiltyatherdecisiontocutdownonthemoneyhewasdrawing.
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Thetelephonerangandwithaquickenedheartbeatsheansweredit.Itwasawrongnumberandsheputbackthereceiverandlookedaroundmorosely.Noonecouldsaythejointwasjumping!Tomorrowshewouldbringinabooktoread.
AtlunchtimeRolandtelephonedtosaythatoneofhisappointmentswastakinglongerthanhehadexpectedandhedoubtedifhewouldbebackintimetostandinforherduringthelunchbreak.Assuringhimshecouldmanageonherown,Natalieimmediatelyhurrieddownthetwoflightsofstairstothestreetandintoanearbycoffeeshop.Tenminuteslatershewasbackintheofficewithamugofcoffeeandahealthysupplyofchickensandwiches.
Refreshedbythefoodandthebreathoffreshair,sheworkedquietlyuntilalmostfouro’clock,lookingthroughthefilesandseeingwhohadmetwhomandwhen,aswellashowmanymoreintroductionsstillneededtobemade.Shewasdebatingwhethertomakeherselfacupoftea—therewasonlypowderedmilk,butitwasbetterthannothing—whensheheardthedooroftheouterofficeopenandquick,firmstepscrossthefloor.
Shewaitedforaknock,butthedoorofherofficewaspushedforwardwithasharpnesswhichrustledthepapersofherdeskasatall,fiercelyangrymanstrodeforwardandstoppedabruptlyattheedgeofherdesk.
Eventhoughhesaidnothing,thefurythatemanatedfromhimwasalmosttangible-Itwasvisibleinthetautlineofhisjaw,thrustbelligerentlyforward,anditblazedfromstormyeyesthatwerealmostthecolourofsherry.Hewastall,butbone-thin,whichmadehimseemeventallerasheleanedmenacinglyforward.
‘Youdon’tlookcriminallynegligent—I’llsaythatforyou,’hesaidinasoftvoicemadeallthemorefrighteningbecauseitwasobviouslyunderthemosttightcontrol.‘Yetyouare,withoutdoubt,themostirresponsiblepersonIhaveeverhadthemisfortunetoencounter.Howyougotyourlicenceisbeyondme,butIassureyouitwon’tbeinyourpossessionformuchlonger!’
Thewordsceasedabruptly,asifthemomentumofhisangerhadlefthimspent,andNataliespokeintothesilence,surprisedtohearhervoicesocalm.
‘Youobviouslyexpectacoherentreplytoyouroutburst,butsinceIdon’thappentoknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,I’mafraidIcan’tgiveyouone,Mr—er—’
‘Denton,’hesnapped.‘MilesDenton,andI’mtalkingaboutmysister.’
Natalie’sblanklookmadetheman’sfacetightenwithtemperagain.
‘Iwouldn’thavethoughtyouhadsomanyclientsthatyoucan’trememberanyparticularoneofthem,’headdedsarcastically.
‘I’mafraid—’
‘You’veeveryrighttobeafraid,’hecutinruthlessly.‘BythetimeI’vefinishedwithyou,you’llneverbeabletoopenshopagaininLondon.Anddon’tthinkyou’llbeabletosetupthisracketofyoursanywhereelseeither!’
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‘Itwouldbeahelpifyoutoldmewhatwe’resupposedtohavedone,thatyouconsidersoreprehensible.’
‘Don’tyouknow?’healmostshoutedthewords.‘Youtakemysisteronyourbooks—agirlsoyoungandprettythatnoreputableagencywouldevendreamofacceptingher—andyouthenintroducehertoanabsolutescoundrel!’
‘Ascoundrel?’Nataliequestioned.
‘Unlessyouthinkitnormalbehaviourforamantogetanintroductiontoagirlandthenletherpayforhimwhenhetakesheroutandacceptslavishpresentsintothebargain.Ifthat’swhatyoucallvettingeveryoneonyourbooks,’headded,extractingacopyoftheagencytermsandconditionsfromhispocketandslammingitdownonthedesk,‘thenyoumightaswelltearthisupandthrowitinthedustbin!’
Nataliebegantounderstandthereasonfortheman’sanger.Yetshewasstillnotcompletelyinthepicture.
‘Areyousayingouragencyintroducedyoursistertothisman?’
‘Youcatchonquickly.’
‘Morequicklythanyoursister,’Nataliesnapped,angeredbyhisrudeness.‘IfMissDentoncamehereseekingintroductionsthatmightleadtomarriage,then—’
‘Ateighteen?’hestormed.‘Ablondebombshellofeighteenneedingtohaveherboy-friendsfoundforher?Ifyou’dhadanyintegrityatall,you’dhavesentherpacking.’
SincethiswaspreciselywhatNataliewouldhavedone,shewasatalosswhattosay.HowcouldMaggiehavetakenthegirland,evenmorealarming,whowasthescoundrel?Yetshedarednotshowherthoughts.
‘AsfarasBritishlawisconcerned,’shesaidaloud,‘ifyoursisterisovereighteensheisabletomakeherowndecisions.Also,ifyoursisterhadhadnodifficultymeetingamanshewouldn’thavecomehere.’
ThesherrygoldeyesdarkenedwithfuryandNataliestiffenedinherchair,afraidthatthemanmightlungeforwardandhither.
Butwithanefforthecalmeddown,thoughhiseyesstillglitteredandhismouthwasanarrowline.
‘NoonewithintelligencewouldhavetakenGillianasaclient,andnoagencyofintegritywouldhaveacceptedamanlikeRodneyWhite.’
‘R-RodneyWhite?’Nataliestammered,adreadfulsuspicioncomingintohermind.
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‘Don’ttellmeyoudon’trememberhimeither!’camethesarcasticcomment,asthemanlookedroundthesparselyfurnishedoffice.
‘IwasmerelyrepeatingthenametomakesureI’dhearditcorrectly,’Nataliesaidhastily.
‘Ihaveneverbeenaccusedofspeakingwithlessthanperfectdiction,’camethecoldreply.‘AndIhopethatwhatIamabouttosaynowwillalsobeperfectlyclear.Iconsideryouragencyashamandadisgrace,andIintendtoputyououtofbusiness.’
Heturnedhisheadagain,asiflookingforachair,thendecidedagainstitandwenttostandbythewindow.Thelightcomingfrombehindhimemphasisedhisleannessandhispalecomplexion.Itwasnotthepallorofill-health;hemerelylookedasifhespentnotimeinthesun,whichwassurprising,foritwasmid-Augustandtheweatherhadbeenperfectforweeks.Nataliewonderedanxiouslyifhehadjustcomeoutofprison,orifhewasamentalpatientwhohadescapedfromdetention.
‘Perhapsyou’dliketotellmeexactlywhathappenedtoyoursister,’shesaidsoothingly.‘Icanassureyouallourclientsareextremelysatisfiedwithusandwehaveneveryethadacomplaintfromanyone.’
‘Well,you’vegotonenow,’hesaidrudely,‘anditwillputyououtofbusiness.’Hisvoicehardened.‘Don’tyoumakeenquiriesaboutpeoplebeforeyouacceptthemasclients,orareyousohardupforthemthatyou’lltakeanyonewhohasmoneytowaste?’
‘Noneofourclientswastetheirmoney,’Nataliesaidsharply,‘andeveryonewetakeispersonallyvetted.’
‘ThenhowdidWhitegetthrough?Orisheanex-boy-friendofyours?’
‘Thatremarkisquiteuncalled-for!’Natalie’svoiceshookwithanger.‘Thoughwevetourclients,MrDenton,wedon’thavetheSecretServicedoarun-downonthem.Nordoweactaswatchdogwhentwoofourclientsareintroducedtoeachother.IfyoursisterwentDutchtreatwithMrWhiteorgavehimpresentsofwhichyoudisapprove,Isuggestyoudiscussitwithherratherthanwithus.’
‘Itisn’tthegivingofpresentsthatIdislike,’themanreplied,‘butthefactthatthescoundreltookthemandthenadaylatertriedtosellthem.IfyouconsiderRodneyWhiteamansuitableformarriage,thenI’dliketomeetthemanconsideredunsuitable!’
ThesuspicionNataliehadfeltonfirsthearingthenameRodneyWhitenowbecameafirmpossibility.
‘Areyousureyoursistermetthis—er—thisyoungmanhere?’
‘Yes.Theintroductioncamefromyou—andit’sthelastoneyou’llbegiving.That’swhatIcametotellyou.’
HeswungroundtothedoorandNataliejumpedtoherfeet.
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‘MrDenton,’shecalled,‘whatareyougoingtodo?’
‘Makesureyourlicenceistakenaway.’
‘Youcan’tdothat!’
‘Trytostopme!’
Heflungopenthedoorandbangeditbehindhim.ThesoundofcrashingfootstepsreverberatedinNatalie’searsassherushedacrosstheroom,butevenasshereachedthestairs,shesawthetallthinfiguredisappearingthroughtheentrance.
Slowlyshereturnedtotheoffice.RodneyWhiteandRolandWhitney—itwastoomuchofacoincidencetobeone,andallherfearsaboutMaggie’sbrothersurfacedagain.Fromthemomenthehadreappearedtheotherdayshehadknownhewasuptonogood.WhatshedidnotknowwaswhyMaggiehadintroducedhimtooneofherclientswhenshehademphasisedthatonemustneverintroduceone’spersonalfriendsorrelativestoanyoneontheagencybooks.Shakingherheadinbewilderment,Nataliepacedthefloor.
IfMrDentoncarriedouthisthreat,itwouldbedisastrousforMaggie,andatthemomentshecouldnotthinkofanywayofstoppinghim.
CHAPTERTWO
NATALIEwasstillpacingthefloorwhenRolandstrolledin.Hehadtheairofamanwelllunchedandwellsatisfiedwithhimself,whichdidnothingwhatevertoendearhimtoNatalie.
‘Hello,’hesaidpleasantly.‘Hadagoodday?’
‘No.’
‘Aquietone,Itakeit?’
‘No.’
Hiseyebrowsroseatthetersenessofherrepliesandhewentovertothedesk,glancedatacoupleofletters,andthenputthemdownagain.
‘CanIhelpyou?’Natalieaskedquietly.
‘Isn’tthatmyquestion?’hesaid.
‘Theagencycanmanageverywellwithoutyourhelp,Roland.’
‘You’remakingthatprettyclear.Butthenyou’vealwaysmadeyouropinionofmeclear,haven’tyou?’
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‘Itdoesn’tseemtoworryyou,’Nataliesaidshortly.
‘Whyshouldit?You’renottheonlyfishinthesea.’
‘That’sforsure.Andthere’soneparticularlittlefishIwanttotalkabout.’Shepaused.‘It’scalledDenton.’
AnydoubtsNataliemighthavehaddisappearedasshesawtheshiftylookinRoland’seyes.
‘I’mnotgoingtoaskifyouknowher,’shewenton,‘sinceyouobviouslydo.’
‘That’sright.’
‘Wasitalsorighttotakepresentsfromherandthensellthem?’
‘Sheknows?’Rolandlookedstartledandthenturnedanunbecomingred.
‘Herbrotherknows,’Nataliereplied,‘whichamountstothesamething.’
‘Itwasmybirthday,’hesaidsuddenly.‘Anditwasonlyasmallgift.’
‘ItcanstillcostMaggieherbusiness.Shehasnobusinesstointroduceyoutoaclient.’
‘Shedidn’tintroduceme.’
Thewordswerequiet,butloudenoughforNatalietohearthem,thoughittookheramomenttorealisewhattheymeant.
‘Soyouintroducedyourself?’shesaid.‘Areyousoshortofgirl-friendsthatyouhadtogothroughtheagencyfiles?’
‘Ofcoursenot.Butshehappenedtobeparticularlypretty.’
‘Andshecametoamarriagebureautomeetayoungman?’Nataliesaiddisbelievingly.
‘Lotsofyounggirlscomehere,’Rolandshrugged.‘Don’trunawaywiththeideathatmarriagebureausareonlyfordivorceesorspinstersormisfits.Therearelotsofyoungpeoplewhofinditdifficulttomeetothersoftheirownage.’
‘Sparemetherun-downonthetypeofclientswecanexpect,’shesaidcoldly,‘andtellmehowyoucametomeetMissDenton.’
Hehesitated,thenknowingshewasnotgoingtobeputoff,hegavealiftofhisshoulders.‘IwasintheotherofficewhenIsawhercomein.Ilikedthelookofheranditseemedagoodideatogiveheracall.’
‘Andpretendyou’dbeengivenhernumberbytheBureau?’
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‘Tootrue.’
‘Don’tyouknowwe’renotallowedtodothat?’Natalieblazedathim.‘It’sillegaltointroduceaclienttosomeonewhoisn’tonyourbooks.’
‘Oh,haveaheart!’Rolandprotested.‘Who’sgoingtoknow?’
‘Herbrother.Hewashereanhourago,madasabullwithcorns.’
Rolandlookeddisquieted.‘Badluckstillseemstobefollowingmearound.’
‘Notbadluck,Roland—badmanagement.Ifyouwantedtogetmoneyoutofagirlyoushouldhaveplayedyourgamesfurtherawayfromhome.’
‘Okay,Imadeamistake.Ipromiseitwon’thappenagain.’
‘You’rerightonthatone,’shesaidcalmly,‘becauseMrDentonisgoingtogetMaggie’slicencerevoked.’
SheknewamomentarypleasureasshesawthecolourebbfromRoland’sface.
‘Hewouldn’tbesuchaswine!’
‘Hethinksyouaretheswine.’
‘Buthecan’tblametheagencyforwhatIdid!’
‘Unfortunatelyhedoes.Yousee,hehappenstobelieveweintroducedyoutohissister.’
‘Whydidn’tyoutellhimthatMaggieknewnothingaboutit?’
‘Becauseitwasn’tuntilheleftthatIbegantoworkitoutandrealisedwhathadhappened.’Shewavedahandathim.‘Andyouconfirmedit.’
MoodilyRolandkickedatthecarpet.‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’
‘Idon’tknow.’Shegavehimalookofcontempt.HowtypicalofRolandthatquestionwas!Not‘whatcanIdotoputthingsright?’but‘whatareyougoingtodo?’
Ofcourseshehadtodosomething.MuchasshedespisedRolandshecouldnotstandbyandseeMaggie’sbusinesscollapse.Sheglancedatherwatch.Itwasfiveo’clock.ToolateforMrDenton—nomatterhowhighhistemper—toreportthemtotheWestminsterCounciltoday.Theearliesthecoulddosowouldbetomorrowatten.Bythen,withanyluck,shemightbeabletochangehismind.
‘I’llhavetogoandseehim,’shesaid,andthenmutteredangrily:‘ExceptthatIdon’tknowwherehelivesandthereareprobablyhundredsofDentonsinthedirectory.’
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‘HisfirstnameisMiles,’Rolandinformedher.‘Gillytoldme.MilesEdward,andhe’sadoctor.’
Reachingforthedirectory,NataliescannedthroughtheDentons.TherewasonlyoneWithMilesE.infrontofitandthatwasatanaddressinHarleyStreet,whereMrMilesE.Dentonhadbothhishomeandhisconsultingrooms.Theinitialsafterhisnametoldherhewasasurgeon,andahighlyqualifiedonetoo.Shejotteddowntheaddressandputitintoherhandbag.
‘I’mgoingtoseehimrightaway,’sheannounced.
‘Wouldyoulikemetodriveyouthere?’Rolandasked.‘Mycarisparkedroundthecorner.’
‘YoukeepasfarawayfromMrDentonaspossible,’shesnapped.‘ThelastthingIwantisforhimtoseemewithyou.’
Shelockedthedooroftheoffice,thenpushedpastRolandandrandownthestairs.
‘Don’tbothercomingintomorrow,’shecalleduptohim.‘IfIneedanyonetohelpmeout,I’llringtheSnakeHouseattheZoo!’
ShewasstillangryashertaxidroveslowlyupHarleyStreet,butitwasanangerdirectedagainstRolandratherthanatthemanshewasonherwaytosee.Indeed,shenowfoundshehadasneakingsympathyforMilesDenton,thoughshestillconsideredhehadbehavedlikeaboorwhenhehadcomeroundtoseeher.
Itwasnotuntilshewasfacingthehighlypolishedfrontdoor,withitsdistinguishedbrassplatebearingthenameM.E.Denton,thatshehadherfirstdoubtsatcominghere.Perhapssheshouldhavetelephonedfirst.Butifhehadrefusedtoseeher,itwouldhavemadeitimpossibleforhertocallonhim.Firmlyshepressedthebell,thenclaspedherfingersroundherhandbagandhelditinfrontofherdefensively.Thedooropenedandapleasant-facedmiddle-agedwomanaskedhername.
‘IwouldliketoseeMrDenton.’
‘MissBaker?’thewomanrepeated,andgaveaslightfrown.‘I’mafraidyournameisn’tonMrDenton’slistofappointments.’
‘Idon’thaveanappointment.’
‘MrDentonneverseesanyonewithoutan-’
‘Ihaven’tcometoseeMrDentonprofessionally,’Natalieinterposed.
‘Oh.’Thewomanwentslightlypink.‘Ihadn’trealiseditwaspersonal.I’llgoandtellMrDentonyou’rehere.’
Realisinghewouldn’tknowhername,Nataliesaidswiftly:‘Pleasetellhimit’stheyoungwomanhesawattheagencyearliertoday.’
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Strugglingtohidehercuriosity,andnotsucceedingverywell,thereceptionistusheredNatalieintoalargewaitingroomthatfacedontoHarleyStreet,andtoldhertowait.
Alone,Natalielookedaroundher.Unlikemostroomsofthiskind,itwasbeautifullyfurnishedanddidnotlookasifithadbeenputtogetherwiththrow-outs.Ithadtheappearanceofanormalsitting-room,withanantiquePersiancarpetonthefloor,well-upholsteredsetteesinrosedamask,andalargeroundcentretablewhichwashighlypolishedandobviouslyvaluable.Itstopwascoveredwithmagazines,andshepickedoneup,thenputitdownagain,toonervoustoread.
Walkingovertothelargemirrorabovethemantelpiece,shetriedtoseeherselfinit.Butthelightwasdimandherfacepeeredbackatherindistinctly,thoughherhairglowedrussetgold,thecolourofmapleleavesinautumn.
‘MrDentonwillseeyounow.’
Natalieswungroundwithastart,thenhastilyfollowedthereceptionistintothehallanddownalongcorridorlinedwithexceptionallygoodwatercoloursateyelevel,andanequallygoodChineserunnerunderfoot.MrDentonmightbeshortonmanners,shethoughtscornfully,buthewaswellendowedwithworldlygoods.
Attheendofthecorridorthewomanstoppedandturnedthehandleofaleather-faceddoor,thenmotionedNatalietostepthrough.
Hidinghernervousness,Nataliedidso.Afewyardsinfrontofher,seatedbehindamassiveRegencydesk,satthemanshehadcometosee.Hehalfrose,thenseatedhimselfagainasthedoorclosedandtheywerealone.
‘Iwon’tkeepyouamoment,’hesaidwithoutexpression,andbentoversomepapers.Therewasthesoundofapenscratching,thenitwassetdownwithasingleprecisemovementandcoldsherry-colouredeyesstaredather.
‘Itwon’tdoanygoodtocomeandpleadwithme,Miss—’Heglancedatapadinfrontofhimandthenquicklyupather.‘MissBaker.MymindismadeupaboutwhatIintendtodo.’
‘Ifyou’rethesortofmanwhoneverchangeshismindwheneventschange,MrDenton,I’msorryforyourpatients!’
Colourtingedhisface,buthesaidnothing,andNatalieknewhewaswaitingforhertoexplainherself.Itwasnoteasytodo,forifsheadmittedtherealidentityofRodneyWhite,andsaidwhatanunsavourycharacterhewas,shewouldbeputtingMaggieinavulnerableposition.Thoughwildhorseswouldnothavemadeherconfessherrealfeelingstothemaninfrontofher,deepinherheartsheconsideredherfriendverymuchtoblamefornotrealisingthesortofpersonherbrotherwas.Tohaveallowedhimtoworkintheoffice,surroundedbywomenwhoselonelinessandneedofcompanionshipputtheminaparticularlyvulnerableposition,hadbeenfoolhardyintheextreme.
‘Well,MissBaker?’MilesDentonsaidimpatiently.‘Pleasesaywhatyou’vecomeheretosayandthengo.I’mabusyman.’
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‘Nooneelseiswaitingtoseeyou.’
‘I’vehadabusyday,’hesaidicily.‘Iwasoperatingateightanddidn’tfinishuntilthree,whenIthendidmyroundsofthewardsbeforereturninghere.IntwohoursfromnowI’mduetospeakatamedicaldinner.Iamneitherinthemood,nordoIhavethewishtolistentoanyexcusesyoumayhaveconcoctedinyourdefence.’
TempergaveNataliecourage.‘Youfoundthetimetocomeandaccusemeunjustly,’shereplied,‘soyoushouldatleastsparethetimetohearmyexplanation.’
Shetookastepforwardandthenstopped,butitwasenoughforhimtorememberhismanners,andinsilencehepointedtoachair.Sheperchedontheendofit,herbagonherlap,gladthatitsweighthelpedtostillthetremblingofherlegs.
‘Themanwhomyoursistermet,’shebegan,‘wasnotaclientoftheAgency.He—heisn’tonourbooks.Heis—heisarelationofMissWhitneywhoownstheagency.’
IfMilesDentonwassurprised,hehiditwell.
‘Whatsortofrelation?’
‘Abrother.’
‘Andyou?’
‘I’mjustafriendwho’shelpingherout.MissWhitneywastakenillyesterdayandhadanemergencyoperationthismorning.Shewon’tbeavailableforseveralweeks.’
‘Howconvenient!’
‘YoucanseeherintheMiddlesexHospitalifyoudon’tbelieveme,’Natalieflashed.‘I’msureitwilldowondersforherrecoverytoknowyou’replanningtotakeawayherlivelihood.’
‘Sparemethesentiment,’hesaidcoldly.‘IfyoucameheretohelpMissWhitney,I’mafraidyou’vedoneexactlytheopposite.Presumablysheknowsthesortofmanherbrotheris,andtointroducehimtoanyone—mostofallagirlofeighteen—iscriminallynegligent.Shedeservestohaveherbusinesslicencetakenaway.’
‘Noonewilldothatwithoutfirsthearinghersideofthestory.’
‘Really?’IhappentoknowthechairmanoftheWestminsterLicensingCommittee.’
Itwasaquellingthought,butNatalierefusedtobevanquished.
‘Maggie—MissWhitneyneverintroducedRolandtoyoursister.Shewouldbehorrifiedifsheeventhoughtthey’dmet.ButRolandglimpsedyoursisterwhenshecameinandhe—hecontactedher.Soyousee,theagencyisnottoblame.’
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‘Onthecontrary.YouaretellingmethattheagencyissobadlyrunthatanyTom,Dickor—Rolandcangetholdofaclient’sname.’
‘Itwasn’tlikethat,’Nataliesaiddesperately.‘RolandwashelpingoutattheAgencybecauseMaggiewasfeelingill.She’dbehorrifiedifsheknewhe’dlookedinanyofthefilesandusedtheinformationforhispersonalbenefit.’
‘Aren’ttheykeptlocked?’
‘Ofcoursetheyare.Butonlyatnight,notduringtheday.Maggieneverleavestheofficeandthere’snooneelsethere.’
‘Exceptane’er-do-wellwhosnoopedaroundandfoundwhathewanted.MissWhitneyshouldknowbetterthantoemployuntrustworthypeople.’
‘Shedoesn’tknowherbrotherisuntrustworthy,’Natalieasserted.‘That’sthetrouble.Shemerelythinkshe’sirresponsible.HeemigratedtoAustralialastyearandcamebackafewweeksago.Hehasn’tfoundajobyet,andasshewasn’tfeelingwell,heofferedtohelpher.’
‘Andtohelphimself.’
AfrighteningthoughtstruckNatalie.
‘Doyouthinktherewereotherwomenbesidesyoursister?’shegasped.
‘That’sforyoutofindout,’themansaidimpatiently.‘ButIwouldbesurprisedifmysisterwastheonlyone.Menofthattypeliketohaveseveralstringstotheirbow.ButmyonlyconcernisforGillian.’
‘Shedidn’tcometoanyharm,’Natalieventuredslowly.‘Imean,shemusthave—shemusthavelikedRolandtohavegoneoutwithhimandgivenhimapresent.Thecufflinkswereforhisbirthday,’sheadded,hopingthiswassufficientexcuse,‘soitwasn’tsoterribleforRolandtohaveacceptedthem.’
‘Wehavedifferentstandardsofwhatisacceptable,MissBaker,’themanrepliedevenly.
‘Haven’tyoueveracceptedabirthdaypresentfromawoman,MrDenton?’
‘Nottothevalueoffivehundredpounds.’
‘What?’
Hisexpressiongrewmocking.‘Yes,MissBaker,Ididsayfivehundredpounds.Thecufflinksweregoldanddiamondones.’
‘Ididn’trealise.’Natalielookeddownatherhands.‘I—er—ofcourseI’llmakesureRolandreturnsthem.’
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‘Howcanhewhenhe’salreadysoldthem?’MilesDentonstoodup.‘Butthat’sallinthepast.Myconcernisforthefuture.IfMissWhitneydoesn’tunderstandthesortofmanherbrotheris,thenshe’snotagoodenoughjudgeofcharactertobeinchargeofamarriagebureau.’
‘She’sanexcellentjudgeofcharacter,’Nataliecorrected.‘She’sbeenenormouslysuccessfulsinceshestarted.Doyouknowthatfortypercentofthepeopleonherbookshavealreadymettheirpartners?That’sawfullyhigh,youknow.’
‘Idon’tknow,nordoIcare.’
‘Butyoushouldcare.Youshouldcareterriblybeforeyouputsomeoneoutofbusiness.It’sanawfulthingtodo.’DistressmadeNatalie’svoicebreak.‘IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatRolandwillneverseeyoursisteragain.Iwon’tlethimcomebacktotheAgencyandI’llmakesureMaggieknowsthetruthassoonasshe’sbetter.Butyoumustn’tgettheAgencyclosed.Itwouldn’tbefair!’
Withoutrealisingit,shehadjumpedupandwasfacingMilesDenton.Herheadwastiltedback,thebettertoplead,andshewasunawareofthelovelypictureshemade.Hereyeswereluminouswithtearsandherhairwavedgentlydowneachsideofherface,itsrichcolourgainingaddedlustrefromthelampwhichshonebehindher.
‘Please,MrDenton,’shesaidhuskily,‘MaggiehasputeverypennysheownsintotheAgency.Ifyoutakeawayherlicenceshe’llhavenothing.Youcan’tbesocruel!’
‘Beingcrueltoyourfriendmightbeakindnesstoalotofotherwomen,’camethequietstatement.
‘ButRolandwon’tcomeback,’Natalierepeated.‘Igiveyoumywordonthat,andI’llgiveyouMaggie’sword,too.’
‘Youcan’tspeakforanotherperson.’
‘Thentakemyword,’shepleaded.‘Please,MrDenton.’
Thoughtfullyherubbedhischin.Nowthathewasnolongerangryitdidnothavethesamebelligerentlook,thoughitwasstillfirm,aswerethefingersthatmovedalongit.Thinfingers,shenoticed,longandwithbeautifullyshapednails.Thehandsofasurgeon.
Shelookedquicklyawayfromhim,thenasquicklybroughthereyesbacktohisface,determinednottolessenhisembarrassment;andshecouldseethathewasembarrassedfromthewayhenibbledathislowerlip.Surprisinglyitwasnotasthinasshehadfirstimagined.Releasedfromitsearliertautness,itlookedfullerandwellshaped.Hisfeaturesreallywereamassofcontradictions,andshesuspectedthatthesamecouldbesaidofhischaracter.
‘You’vepleadedexcellentlyforapoorcause,MissBaker,’hesaidsuddenly.‘ButI’mstillnotconvincedIshoulddoasyouask.’
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‘Ofcourseyoushoulddoit,’shesaidimpetuously,andflungoutherhand.Ittouchedhisarmandhedrewbacksoswiftlythatherfacefloodedwithcolour.‘I’msorry,’shesaidstiffly.‘Iwasn’tthreateningyou.’
‘I’mnotfrightened,’hesaiddryly,andmovedtothedoor.‘I’llthinkoverwhatyou’vesaid,MissBaker.Iwon’tmakeanypromises,butIshallgiveyoumyanswertomorrow.’
‘Doyouenjoyprolongingtheagony?’sheaskedacidly.
‘Ofcourse,’hereplied.‘That’swhyI’masurgeon.’
Sheknewshedeservedtherebukebutcouldnotbringherselftoapologise.Headhigh,shewenttothedoor.
‘I’llwaittohearfromyou,MrDenton.’
Shewashalfwaydownthecorridorwhensheheardhimbehindher.
‘Imustopenthedoorforyou,’hesaideasily.‘Myreceptionisthasalreadygone.’
Silentlyshecontinuedtowalkuntiltheyreachedthefrontdoor.
Asheopeneditforher,ataxistoppedalmostdirectlyoppositeitandabeautifulgirl,alllongslimlegsandsleekblondehair,emergedfromitandracedupthesteps.
‘Milesdarling,’shesaidinasoft,breathlessvoice.‘Ihopethisisyourlastpatient.’
‘Notapatientatall,’hesaidswiftly,bestowingalightkissonthefacehelduptohim.
Watchingthewayhisexpressionchanged,Nataliecouldnotbelieveitwasthesameman,forhelookedsomuchyoungerandfriendlierasheallowedthevolublytalkinggirltocatchholdofhisarmandclingtoit.
‘ThenI’mnottooearly,’shesaidadoringly.‘IknowyousaidIshouldn’tarrivebeforeseven,butIfinishedmyshoppingagesagoandIdidn’tknowwhattodowithmyself.’
‘You’reherenow,’hesaidgently,andextricatedhimselffromherhold.HeopenedthedoorwiderandlookedpointedlyatNatalie.‘I’llcallyoutomorrow,’hesaid.
Nataliegavehimadirectlookandwentdownthesteps.
‘Whydoyouhavetocallher,darling?’sheheardthegirlaskplaintively.‘Whoisshe?’
Theman’sanswerwasshutoffbytheclosingofthedoor,andonlythendidNatalieglanceroundandlookatthehouse,noticinghowbeautifullykeptitwas.Thestepswerepristinewhite,asiftheyhadbeenfreshlycleaned,andthesinglebrassplateonthefrontdoorsignifiedthatonlyonepersonhadhisconsultingroomsthere.ItwasMilesDenton’shometoo,sheremembered,andpulledafaceattheknowledgethatthewholehousewashis.Hemustbeahighlysuccessful
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surgeonindeed.Whatcouldamanlikethatknowofhardshipandthedifficultiesofrunningabusinesswithinsufficientcapital?ShethoughtofMaggieandmutteredgrimlytoherself.
‘Hecan’truinher.Iwon’tlethim!’
Theywerefinewords,andtheybolsteredhercourageforashortwhile.Butbythetimeshereachedherownhomeshehadacknowledgedthat,inthelastresort,therewasverylittleshecoulddotostophim.
CHAPTERTHREE
NATALIEspenttherestoftheeveningconsideringwaysofpersuadingMilesDenton—horribleman—tochangehismindabouttryingtorevokethelicenceoftheMarriageBureau.ShetoyedwiththeideaofgettingMaggietotelephonehimfromhersickbed,butwasbynomeansconvincedthiswouldhaveanyeffectonhim.Asasurgeonhewasusedtosickpeopleandwouldbesufficientlyhard-heartedtoignoreanypleas,nomatterhowjustifiable.Thethoughtofhimincreasedheranger,andhertemperbubbleddangerouslyneartoboilingpoint.
Shewasstillsimmeringwithragewhensheunlockedthedooroftheofficethenextmorning,almostanticipatingthataninspectorwouldbeonherdoorstep.Butallwascalm.
Shecollectedthepost,changedtheflowersonthedeskandthensatdownandbegantogothroughthepost.Atteno’clockRolandarrived,lookingasnonchalantasever.
Sheglaredathim.
‘IthoughtItoldyounottocomehereanymore?’
‘Youdid,’hesaid,‘butthisisstillmysister’sagency,notyours.’
‘AslongasI’minchargeIwantyoutostayaway.’
Hesatdowninthehardchairfacingthedesk,managingbysomeextraordinaryfeattolookquitecomfortableinit.
‘I’mabitshortofthereadysincecomingbackfromAustralia,’heannounced.‘HencemyofferingtohelpMaggieout.’
‘Andhelpingyourselfintothebargain,I’llbebound.WhenMaggiefindsoutwhatyoudid….’
‘Areyougoingtobetheonetotellher?’Rolandsneered.‘Itwillhardlyhelphertomakeaspeedyrecovery.’
‘I’veeveryintentionoftellingherassoonasshegetsbetter,’Natalieasserted.‘Didyoureallybelieveyouwouldn’tbefoundout?’
‘Yes,Idid.IneverthoughtGillywouldrushofflikeanidiotandconfideinbigbrother.’
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‘Idon’tknowthatshedid,’saidNatalie,andwasimmediatelysorryshehadspoken,forshesawRoland’sinterestperkupandknewhewasre-assessingthesituation.IfGillianDentonhadtoldherbrotherabouthim,itwouldhavemeantshewasfuriouswithRoland.Butifshehadn’t,theremightstillbeapossibilitythatshecouldbeusedagain.
Swallowingtheangerwhichwaswellingupinsideher,Nataliesaid:‘Don’tgetanyideasaboutstartingupwithGillianDentonagain.Ifherbrotherfindsoutyou’restillseeingher,hewouldnotonlyputusoutofbusiness,buthaveyouputbehindbarsforfalsepretences!’
‘Ididn’tdoanythingcriminal,’Rolandsaidsulkily,hiseyesavoidinghers,andshewassurehewasnotasconfidentashetriedtopretend.Criminalhisactionmightnothavebeen,butitwassufficientlyreprehensibletoharmareputationthatwasalreadyunsavoury.
‘Thepolicehavelongmemories,Roland,’shesaid.‘IfMrDentonwenttoseethemandcomplainedaboutyou,theymightrememberafewotherthingsyou’vedone.’
‘Don’tgivemethat.’Rolandstoodupandbrushedsomedustfromhisjacket.‘There’snoharminsellingafewdudcars,andthere’snothingcriminalinrunningoffwithyourboss’swife.’Hegaveheraninsolentsmile.‘ButthesooneryougivemesomemoneythesoonerI’llgetoutofyourhair.Fiftypoundswilldoforthemoment.’
‘WheredoyouthinkI’mgoingtogetthatamount?There’sonlytenpoundsinthepettycash.’
‘Youcanwritemeacheque,angel.You’readirectorofMaggie’scompany,aren’tyou?’
‘Thatstilldoesn’tgivemetherighttosignyoursister’schequebook,’Nataliesaidcoldly.
‘ThenI’llhavetogotothehospitalandaskhertodoitinstead.Shewasgoingtogivemesomemoneyanyway,butitslippedhermindwhenshewastakenill.’
UnwillingtohavehimpesterMaggie,andknowinghewasquitecapableofdoingso,Natalietookoutherownchequebookandwroteouttheamounthehadaskedfor.
‘There’llbenomoreafterthis,’shesaid,handingittohim.‘Ifyoucan’tfindajobtosuityourambition,Isuggestyoubecomearefusecollector.You’vemadeenoughmessofyourlifetostartdoingsomeclearingup!’
‘Veryfunny,’hesaidsourly.
‘OryoucouldgobacktoAustralia,’shesuggested.
‘You’dlikethat,wouldn’tyou?’Hefoldedthecheque.‘Butdon’tbankonit,angel.’Hestrolledtothedoorandcloseditquietlybehindhim.
ResolutelyNatalieconcentratedonthecorrespondenceandtriedtoputRolandoutofhermind.ButshecouldnothelpwonderinghowmanyotherwomenhehadcontactedapartfromGillian,andifshewouldhavetodealwithanymoreiraterelations.
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Luckilyforherpeaceofmind,thereweretwonewclientsthatmorning,oneawomanofforty,andtheotheradivorcedmaninhisfiftieswho,afterthirtyyearsofmarriage,wasnotfindingiteasytomakefriendsagain.
‘WhenmywifeandIsplitup,ourfriendswerewaryofme,’hesaid.‘Thehusbandswerehappytogoonseeingme,butthewiveswereafraidImightgivetheirmenfolkideas.’Hehalfsmiled.‘Youknowthesortofthing;thatI’dtellthemhowwonderfulitwastobesingleandwhatfuntheyweremissing.’Thehalfsmiledisappearedandhelookedsad.‘Theydon’trealiseIhateeveryminuteofmyfreedom.Thedivorcewasn’tmyidea,youknow,butIwasn’tgivenmuchchoice.’
Natalietriednottolethersympathyaffectherjudgmentasshelistenedtotheman’sstoryandmadedetailednotesabouthim.
‘Ittookmealongtimetomakeupmymindtocomehere,’heconfessedashestooduptoleave.‘Itseemsalmostindecenttoadmityoucan’tfindapartnerforyourselfandneedsomeoneelsetodoitforyou.’
‘We’realwaysgettingotherpeopletodothingsforus,’Natalieassuredhim.‘That’swhatexpertsarefor.You’renotembarrassedtogotoadoctorwhenyou’reill,ortoatailorwhenyouneedanewsuit.Rightnowyou’reshoppingforawife,soyousensiblycometoamarriagebureau.’
‘Ineverthoughtofitthatway,’themansaidinsurprise.
‘Notmanypeopledo.’
‘Well,ifyoucansortmeout,Iknowafewotherslikemyself,who’dbemorethandelightedtocomehere.’
Promisingtodoherbestforhim,Natalieclosedthedoorandsettleddowntoeathersandwichlunch.ShewouldhaveclosedtheofficeandtakenaproperbreakhaditnotbeenforthefearthatMilesDentonmighttelephoneher.Ifherangandshewasout,hewouldprobablythinkshewasnotworriedaboutwhathemightdo,andhemightthenconceivablygoanddoit.
Heranxietyincreasedandthesandwichshewastryingtoeatstuckinherthroat.Shewascoughingsohardshedidnotheartheknockonthedoor,anditwasonlywhenitopenedthatshelookedupandsawthetall,leanmanstandingthere,lookingatherwithdisapproval.
Scarlet-faced,shewipedthecrumbsfromhermouth.‘MrDenton,’shemumbled,pushingtheplateofsandwichesoutofsight.‘Iwasn’texpectingyou.’
‘Soitappears.Don’tyoueverhaveanyclientstosee?’
‘We’vealreadyhadtwonewonesthismorning,’sheinformedhimacidly.
‘Businessmustbebooming!’Helookedrounddisparagingly.‘DoesthisplacebringinenoughtogivebothyouandMissWhitneyadecentsalary?’
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‘I’vealreadyexplainedthatIdon’tworkhereonapermanentbasis,’Nataliereplied.‘I’mhelpingMaggieoutwhileshe’sinhospital.’Shehesitated.‘I’monholidayfromschool.’
Sherrygoldeyesappraisedher.‘Don’ttellmeyou’reateacher?’
‘Iwasn’tgoingtotellyouanything,’shesaidhaughtily.
‘Whatexactlydoyouteach?’hepersisted.
‘I’manurseryschoolteacher.’
Hismouththinned.‘Youdon’tlookthetype.’
‘WhattypedoIlook?’
Theglintinhiseyesmadeherregretherquestion,andshespokeagainquickly.‘Don’tbothertellingme,MrDenton.I’mnotinterestedinyouropinion.’
‘Butyou’reinterestedinwhatIintenddoingaboutthisplace,aren’tyou?’hesaiddryly.‘Forsomeonewhowantsafavourfromme,you’renotveryplacatory.’
‘Doyouwantmetobeg?’sheaskedinafrigidvoice.‘OrshouldIkneelinfrontofyou?Tobehonest,MrDenton,ifitwillhelpMaggie,I’mwillingtodoboth.’
‘Neitherwillbenecessary,’hesaidinaclippedtone.
Withoutwaitingtobeasked,hesatdownandcrossedonelonglegovertheother.Hisshoeswerehighlypolishedandtherewasaglimpseofablacksockbeneaththedarktrousers.Despiteitbeingawarmsummerday,hehadmadenoconcessiontotheseasonbutworeacrispwhiteshirtwithadarksuitandtie.Allheneeded,shethoughtirritably,wasabowlerhatandatightlyrolledumbrella.Itwouldgowellwithhistightlittlecharacter.
‘I’vedecidedtoputyoutothetest,’hesaidwithoutpreamble.‘Ifyoucomeoutofitwell,I’lloverlookwhathappenedtomysister.’
Nataliestaredathimandwaitedforhimtoexplainhisuseoftheword‘test’.Surprisingly,hedidnotmeethereyesbutfidgetedwiththechairarm.
‘ItmightbepossibleforthisAgencytohelpme,’hesaidabruptly.
Natalietriedtohideherastonishment.TothinkamanlikeMilesDentonshouldrequireamarriagebureau!Still,itwasnotsosurprising:hewasprobablyanimpossiblemantolove.
‘We’lldoourbesttohelpyou,MrDenton,’shesaidsweetly.‘Ifyoucouldtellmetheageandtypeyou’reinterestedinmeeting….’
Foraninstanthelookedatherinblankastonishment,thenhegaveanirritableshakeofhishead.
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‘Idon’trequireawife,MissBaker,butahusbandforsomeoneelse.IfI—’
‘Yoursister?’
‘Don’tyoueverletanyonefinishwhatthey’regoingtosaywithoutinterruptingthem?’heaskedforcefully.
Nataliehadthegracetoblush.‘I’mlikethatwiththechildren,’sheadmitted.‘Someofthemareabitslowintellingmewhattheywant,so….’
‘I’mnotachild,noramIabitslow,’herejoined.‘AndIwouldthankyoutoletmethinkandspeakformyself.’
Resistingtheurgetoslaphisthin,aristocratic-lookingface,Nataliemotionedhimtocontinue.
‘IwishtofindasuitablemasculinediversionforayoungwomannamedGayleHunter,’hecontinued,andlookedatNatalieasifheexpectedhertoproduceasuitablespecimenimmediately.
‘Ithinkyou’vecometothewrongplace,MrDenton.We’renotanescortagency.Weaimtofindsuitablepartnersforourclients,notdiversions.’
‘AllthebetterifyoufoundGayleahusband,’hesaidinstantly.‘Butfailingthat,ifyoucouldatleastdivertheritwouldbeofinestimablehelptome.You’vealreadymether,’headdedlaconically.‘She’sthegirlwhoarrivedasyouwereleavingmyhouseyesterday.’
Nataliehidhersurprise.‘Thebaby-voicedblondewhogotoutofthetaxi?’
Helookeddisconcertedbythedescription,andthennodded.‘That’stheone.’
‘Ithoughtshewasyourgirl-friend.’
‘Unfortunately,sodoesshe.’
ThistimeNatalie’ssurpriseshowedonherface.
‘IsupposeI’dbetterbeginatthebeginning,’hesighed.‘MissHunter’smotherandmyownhavebeenfriendssincetheywereschoolgirls,andfromthetimeGaylewasbornthey’venourishedthehopethatwewouldgrowupandmarryeachother.Unfortunately,it’sanideawhichhasfoundgreatfavourwithGayle.’
‘Butnotwithyou?’
‘Obviouslynot.’
‘Thenwhynottellher?’
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‘I’vetriedtodoso,butIcan’tseemtomakeherbelieveme.’
ForabriefsecondNataliethoughthewasjoking,butthelookonhisfacetoldherhewasserious.
‘Maybeyouhaven’tbeenconvincingenough,’sheventured.‘Perhapsyoureallyloveher.’
‘Idon’twanttogetmarried,’hereplied.‘ButIcan’tgethertobelieveme.Shethinksherselfinlovewithme.’
‘Howunfortunateforher!’
Hismouthtightened.‘Idon’texpectyoutounderstand,MissBaker,thoughitmighthelpifyouweretotry.Afterall,thecontinuationofyourAgencydependsonit.’
Seeingirritationonhisface,Nataliefoldedherhandsprimlyinherlapandlookedathimwithanairofsweetinnocence.
‘Pleasegoon,MrDenton.’
‘Isupposeyoufindthisprettyamusing,’hesaidsavagely,‘butIcanassureyouit’snojoketome.I’mcontentedwithmypresentmodeoflifeandhavenowishtochangeitsuncomplicatedpatternforoneofdomesticity—nomatterhowblissful.’
‘PerhapsyoushouldbemorebluntwithMissHunter.’
‘IfIwereanyblunteritcouldwellendhermother’sfriendshipwithmyown,andthat’ssomethingI’mloathtodo.I’vetoyedwiththeideaofgoingoutwithotherwomen,butinmyprofessionthat’simpossible.’
‘Why?Youaren’tamonk.’
Hiseyesnarrowedintogoldslits.
‘Youobviouslydon’trealisethelonghoursIwork.Itleavesmelittletimeforsocialising,andevenlessinclination.’
‘Areyouasuccessfulsurgeon?’Natalieasked,andsawhimgiveheranaffrontedlook.
‘Extremely.’
‘Thenifyou’reatthetop,surelyyoucanfindalittlemoretimeforsocialising?’
‘Notquitethetop,MissBaker.Infactthat’sonereasonwhyI’mreluctanttoquarrelwithGayle.’
Hepausedandpulledathisearlobe.ItwasanunexpectedlyboyishgestureandNataliefeltherattitudetowardshimsoften.
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‘MuchasIwanttogetGayleoutofmylife,’hecontinued,‘itwouldbemostembarrassingformetohaveanoutrightrowwithher.’
‘Becauseofyourmothers.’Natalieremindedhimthathehadalreadytoldherthestory.
‘AndalsobecauseofGayle’sfather,’hesaidstiffly.‘I’mbeingconsideredforthepositionofSeniorConsultantatmyhospital,andthemansteppingdownfromthepost—andwhocanrecommendmeforit—isSirEltonHunter.’
Natalie’ssympathyvanished.Thislaststatementmadesenseofwhat,untilnow,shehadfoundincomprehensible.ShehadneverbelievedMilesDentontobeincapableofmakinghisopinionsknown.InthatrespecthewasasconciseastheOxfordDictionary.No,hewantedtoberidofGayleHunterwithoutdoinganyharmtohiscareer.
‘Istilldon’tseehowthisagencycanhelpyou,’shesaid.
‘I’vejusttoldyouIwantGayletomeetothermen—oneswholikethesamesortofthingsshedoes—dancing,tennis,skiing.ShemightthenrealiseI’mnottheonlyfishinthesea.’
‘Whydon’tyousimplymakeyourselfunavailable?’Natalieasked.
‘IthoughtI’dmadeitclearwhyIdon’twanttoquarrelwithher.’
‘BecauseofSirElton,’Nataliesaidwaspishly.
‘Becauseofhermother’sfriendshipwithmyown,’hecorrected.
Nataliestaredathimandhelookedbackatherasthoughdefyinghertoarguewithhim.Shewonderedifhebelievedwhathewassaying,orwhetherhecouldnotbringhimselftoadmitthatitwashisunwillingnesstoannoySirEltonthatwasmakinghimactsooutofcharactertowardsagirlwho,asfarasshecouldtell,wasadesigningyoungwoman.
Shewishednowthatshehadpaidgreaterattentiontothegirl,butcouldremembernothingapartfromababyvoiceandlong-leggedgrace.
‘I’mafraidwecan’tputMissHunteronourbooks.Shemustcomehereherselfandenrol,’shesaid.
‘I’mgladtofindyouaresoscrupulous,’MilesDentonsaidunpleasantly.‘Butpleaserememberthatyourlicencewillberevokedifyoudon’thelpme.’
Natalieleanedbackinherchairandlookedathim.
‘You’reveryunscrupulous,MrDenton.’
‘I’madeterminedman,MissBaker.’
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Determinedtoridhimselfofathreattohisbachelorstatuswithoutcausingathreattohiscareer!Nataliethoughtofhimintheoperatingtheatreandfounditeasytoenvisagehimwieldingaknife.
‘Whatareyouthinking?’heaskedabruptly.
‘Howwellyouwouldwieldascalpel,’shesaidwithoutevasion.
Theexpulsionofhisbreathwasaudibleandhiseyesblazedwithanger,remindingherofthemanwhohadcomeintoherofficeyesterday.
‘Thechoiceisyours,MissBaker,’hesaid.‘TheAgencyhelps—ortheAgencycloses.IwillexpectyouatHarleyStreetatsixo’clockthiseveningwithalistofmenwhomyouconsidersuitable.’
Natalieswallowedherownanger.‘HowwillMissHuntermeetthem?I’vealreadytoldyoushehastoenrolherepersonally.’
‘Findmeafewsuitablemenforher,andI’llfiguresomethingout.’
‘Idon’tevenknowthesortofmenshelikes,’Nataliewentondesperately.
‘Menlikeme.’
‘Wedon’thavesuchparagonsonourbooks!’
MilesDentonscowledbutignoredthecomment.‘Gayle’stwenty-two.ShewenttoboardingschoolinSwitzerland;she’sanexcellentathleteandlovesdancing,travellingandmeetingpeople.’Hepaused.‘Isthereanythingelseyouneedtoknow?’
‘Whatsizeshoesdoesshewear?’
FinelyarchedeyebrowsmetaboveMilesDenton’slong,straightnose.‘I’llseeyouatmyroomsatsix,’hesaid,andwithoutwaitingforherreply,walkedout.
CHAPTERFOUR
NATALIEknewshehadnooptionbuttodoasMilesDentonhadasked.Hewasthepiperwhocalledthetuneandshewasforcedtodancetoit.
DiligentlyshesearchedthroughthelistofmenwhomightbeeligibletointroducetoGayleHunter,buttheyweredismallyfew.Youngmenwhowouldappealtosuchalovely-lookingcreaturewerenotlikelytobefoundonthebooksofamarriagebureau,anymorethanonewouldfindsuchagirlenrolling.Thismadeherwonderagainwhathadbroughtthesurgeon’ssisterontotheirbooks.Fromallaccounts,GillianDentonwasequallyeyecatching.ItwasapityshehadnotaskedRoland;hewasboundtoknow.Still,thelessshespoketohimaboutGillianthebetter.
Armedatlastwiththenecessarylist—asparseonebutallshecouldmuster—Nataliestoodon
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thestepsofthehouseinHarleyStreetandpressedthebellmarkedVisitors.Itwasexactlysixo’clockandshehopedMrDentonwouldappreciateherpunctuality.Therewasnoanswerand,afteramoment,shepressedthebellagain,wonderinghopefullywhetherthemanhadhadsecondthoughtsabouthisrequest.Butifhehad,surelyhewouldnotlethercallhereonafalseerrand?
Shewasdebatingwhethertoringforthethirdtimewhenthedoorwasflungbackandshefoundherselflookingatagirlafewyearsherjunior.
Natalie’sfirstthoughtwasthatMilesDentonseemedtobesurroundedbybeautifulyoungwomen,forthisone,thoughdifferentintypefromGayleHunter,wasequallypretty.Shehadlightbrownhairandtawnyeyeswithincrediblylonglashes.Itwasobviousfromtheopenbarofchocolatesheheldinherhandthatshewasquiteathomehere.
‘MrDentonisexpectingme,’Nataliesaid.
‘AreyouMissBaker?’
‘Yes.’
Thegirlopenedthedoorwider.‘MrsEvanstoldmeyouwereexpectedandIpromisedtoshowyouupstairs.She’sgenerallyhereuntilsixo’clock,butshewasn’tfeelingwell,soIsentheroffearly.’
Stillspeaking,thegirlledthewaytoasmalllift.
‘AreyouafriendofMiles?Ihaven’tseenyouaroundbefore.ButthenI’mnothereasoftenasIusedtobe.IoncehadmyownkeyandcouldgetinwhenIliked,butthenMileswentandchangedallthelocks.’
‘Shouldyoubetellingmethis?’Natalieasked,faintlydiscomfited.
Foraninstantthegirllookedsurprised,thensheflungbackherheadandlaughed.‘Goodlord,I’mnothisgirl-friend,I’mhissister!’
Nataliecouldn’thelpsmiling.SothiswasGillianDenton.Shecouldsuddenlyseethelikeness,andfounditincrediblethatthegirlshouldhavecometotheWhitneyMarriageBureau.
‘HowlonghaveyouknownMiles?’GillianDentonasked,openingthedooroftheelevatorandfollowingNataliein.
‘I’mnotafriendofhis.I’m—I’mabusinessacquaintance.’
Gillian’ssherrygoldeyesappraisedher.Theywereremarkablylikeherbrother’s,Nataliethought.
‘Howintriguing,’thegirlasked.‘Areyouanurseoradoctor?’
‘I’manurseryschoolteacher.’
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‘Youdon’tlookit,’Gillianreplied.‘Iwouldn’thavepatiencewithchildren.MilessaysIdon’thavepatienceforanything,butthenhe’sratherhardonme.’
Theelevatorstoppedatthethirdfloorandtheygotout.TheymadetheirwayalongathicklycarpetedcorridorandGillianopenedthedoorofalargesitting-room.Deep-piledwhitecarpetlaywalltowall,anduponitstoodseveralarmchairsandalowchesterfield,coveredindeepbluevelvet.Silk-drapedwallsweresmotheredwithanabundanceofhighlycolouredmodernpaintings,allabstract,andthetallwindowsweresoftenedbydrapeswhosematerialpickedoutthemoredominantcoloursofthelargeMarkRothkoabovethemantelshelf.
‘Howdifferentfromthewaitingroomdownstairs!’Natalieexclaimed.
‘Gayledidthedecorforthisone,’Gillianexplained,andthenlookedembarrassed.‘Doyou—er—knowher?’
‘Iknowofher.’
‘Thankgoodnessforthat!Milesisalwaystellingmeoffforbeingindiscreet.’
Nataliehidasmile,knowingthatGillianstillassumedhertobeherbrother’sgirl-friend.
‘Gaylewantstohaveagoatthewaitingroomnext,’thegirlwenton,‘butMileshasmanagedtoputheroff.’
‘Why?’
‘Becauseheabsolutelyloathesthewayshedidthisroom,andhe’stoopolitetosayso.’
ItwasimpossibleforNatalietoimaginethesurgeonbeingpolitetoanyone,untilsherememberedhewouldnotwishtoberudetothedaughterofthemanwhocouldchopoffthenextstepoftheladderhewishedtoclimb.
Shesatdownononeoftheeasychairsandlookedatherwatch.
‘Willyourbrotherbelong?’
‘Dependsonthepatient.Iknowit’shislastone.’GillianDentonperchedonthearmofachairandidlyswungashapelyleg.‘Areyousureyouaren’tapersonalfriendofMiles?’shequestioned.‘ItwouldbeoneintheeyeforGayleifyouwere.’
‘IcanassureyouI’mnot,’Nataliesmiled.‘ThoughImustadmitIknowwhatyoumean.’
‘Good.MuchasIcouldsometimeskillmybrother,Iwouldhatetoseehimmarriedtothatpseud.Onceheputtheringonherfingershe’dtakeitoffandtrytoputitthroughhisnose!’
‘Really?’Nataliequestioned,hopingtohearmore.
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Gillianleanedforward.‘Inmyopinionshe’snowhereasdumbasshemakesout.’
‘Alotofgirlsputonthatsortofact.’
‘TrytellingittoMilesandhe’llbiteyourheadoff.Hemaybeabrilliantsurgeon—heisbrilliant,infact—buthe’sadimwitwherewomenareconcerned.Theonlytimeheunderstandsawomaniswhenshe’sunconsciousontheoperatingtableinfrontofhim!’
Natalieburstoutlaughingandafterasecondtheothergirljoinedin.Butthelaughterstoppedabruptlyasthedooropenedandtheobjectoftheirmirthfacedthem.
‘Goodbye,Gilly,’hesaidabruptly.
‘Doyouwantmetogo?’hissisteraskedartlessly,andgettingtoherfeet,flungNataliealookofamusementbeforebouncingoutoftheroom.
‘Itakeitmysisterdoesn’tknowwhyyouarehereorwhoyouare?’hesaidinavoicedevoidofexpression,yetmanagingtoconveydisapproval.
‘No,shedoesn’t,’Nataliesaidabruptly.
‘Good.She’sasdiscreetasaSundaytabloid.’
‘Butfarmoreinnocent,’Natalieflashed,andforthefirsttimesawagenuinesmilecrosshisface.
Itmadearemarkabledifferencetohim,andsherealisedthathewasnotonlyyoungbutalsoverygood-looking.
‘Wouldyoulikeadrink?’heasked.
‘No,thankyou.’Shewassorrythemomentshehadanswered,forhisfacetookonitssharplookagainashesatdownonthesettee.
‘MayIchangemymind,’shemurmured,‘andhaveaginandtonic?’
Immediatelyheroseandcrossedtothesideboardinthefarcorner.Shewatchedhishandsmovingdeftlyashepouredthedrinks.Theywerelong,beautifullyshapedhandsthatsuddenlymadeherseehimasamanwhosavedlives.Sherememberedthesarcasmthathadwagedbetweenthemandfeltcheapenedbyit.Ifonlyshecouldhavemethiminmorenormalcircumstances!
‘MissBaker?’
Withastartshesawhewasstandinginfrontofher,profferingaglass.Shetookit.
‘Iassumeyou’vebeenabletodoasIasked?’hesaidquestioningly.
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Shenodded,andwishedfleetinglythathehadnotmadeitsoobviousthathewantedhertosaywhatshehadtosayandbegone.
‘IhopeIcanhelpyou,’shemurmured.‘AsIsaidearlier,wedon’thavemanyyoungmenonourbooks,butI’vebroughtyoualistofthosethatareavailable.’
Sheopenedherbagandtookoutatypewrittenlist.MilesDentonhadresumedhisseatbesideherandwasnursingawhiskytumblerbetweenhislongflexiblefingers.
‘Goon,’hesaidquietly.‘Givemearun-downofthem.’
Shebegantodoso,anditwassomefifteenminutesbeforeshestoppedandlookedathim.Hewasrestinghisheadagainstthesetteeandasoftlockofhairhadfallenacrosshisforehead.Hewasmorerelaxedthanshehadeverseenhimandhisnormallypaleskinwaswhisky-warm.Againshewishedtheyhadmetindifferentcircumstances,andwasdismayedthatsheshouldbethinkinglikethis.Determinedlyshepushedthethoughtawayandspoke.
‘Whichofthemendoyoulike,MrDenton?’
‘None.’
‘Surelythearchitect—’
‘He’sfartoooldforGayle.Anyway,he’sbeendivorced,andherparentswouldneverapprove.’
‘WhataboutSteveLoring,theengineer?’
‘Gayledoesn’tlikemenwhowearglasses.’Hejumpedup.‘They’reallhopeless.Youmustdobetterthanthat.’
‘I’vealreadycombedthebooks,’shestated.
‘Thencombthemagain.IthoughtImadeitquiteclearthesortofmanIwanted.’
‘Oh,youdid,’shescoffed.‘Afacsimileofyourself.Butthat’squiteimpossible,MrDenton.Theydon’tmakemanymenlikeyou.’
‘Sparemeyoursarcasm,MissBaker.’
TheunusualedginesswhichNataliehadbeenexperiencingforthelasthalfhoursuddenlyeruptedintoablazeoftempershewastotallyunabletocontrol.
‘Iwasn’tbeingsarcastic,MrDenton.Theydon’tmakemanymenlikeyou—andthankgoodnessforthat!IfyouwanttofindMissHunterareplacementforyourself,thenyou’dbettergotoMadameTussaudsandaskthemtomakeaneffigyofyou—becauseIdon’tthinkthere’samarriagebureauintheworldthatwillhaveanyoneaswonderfulasyouontheirbooks!’
Therewasalengthysilence,duringwhichMilesDentonsetdownhisglassandfoldedhisarms
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acrosshischest.
‘I’mgladyouappreciatemyworth,MissBaker.You’reawomanofperception.’
Natalierefusedtorisetothebait.‘I’vegivenyouacompletelistofeveryonethat’sanywherenearsuitable,’shesaidcoldly,‘andyou’veturnedthemalldown.We’renotabigbureau,MrDenton,andIcan’tfindclientsoutofthinair.’
‘Whataboutyourownboy-friends?’
Incredulouslyshestaredathim.
‘Myownboy-friends?’
‘Youdohavesome,Iassume.’Hiseyesmovedoverher,fromthetopofherrussetbrownhair,pastthefullcurveofherbreastsandsmallwaist,totheshapelyhipsthatlengthenedintoslenderlegs,‘Youdohaveboy-friends?’herepeated.
Indignantlysheglaredathim.‘You’renotsuggestingIintroducethemtoMissHunter,areyou?’
‘Whynot?Iwouldn’texpectyoutointroducehertoanyoneofwhomyou’reparticularlyfond.’
‘Thanks,’shesaiddryly,andnoticedaglintinthebackofhiseyesthatmadeherwonderhowserioushissuggestionhadbeen.
‘Doyoureallymeanit,MrDenton?Aboutmyproducingmyownboy-friends?’
Heshrugged.‘Ifyouknowofanyonesuitable,whatwouldbetheharmingettingthemtogether?Wecouldalwaysgooutinafoursomeoneevening.’
‘It’squiteoutofthequestion!’Natalie’scheeksburned,andasshetriedtoregainhercomposure,thesuggestionhehadmadefiredanotheroneinherownmind.‘SinceIcan’tfindanyoneforMissHunter,whydon’twetrytofindsomeoneforyou?Iknowyoudon’twanttogetinvolvedwithanotherwoman,butyoucouldperhapspretendlongenoughforMissHuntertogetthemessage.’
‘AndhowdoyousuggestIgetridofthisfemalewhenInolongerwanttopretend?’
‘I’msureyouwouldn’tfinditdifficult,MrDenton.YourhandsareonlytiedwithMissHunterbecauseofherfather.’
Inthesilencethatmetherremark,sheheardthewhineoftheelevator,followedbytheclangingofadoorandlightfootstepscomingalongthecorridor.
‘Miles!’asoftvoicecalled.‘Milesdarling,I’mhere!’
Withaswiftglanceatthesurgeon,Nataliebracedherselfforthelookofsurprisewhichshe
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knewshewouldseeonGayleHunter’sfaceasshesteppedintothesitting-roomandsaw‘Milesdarling’withthesameredheadshehadseenyesterday.
ItallhappenedsoexactlyasNatalieenvisagedthatshewashardputtoitnottolaugh.
‘Ididn’tknowyouwerestillbusy,darling,’Gaylesaidreproachfully,thenlookeddirectlyatNatalie.‘We’vemetbefore,Ithink.’
Natalienoddedbutdidnotvouchsafeanyinformation.LetMilesDentongetoutofthispredicamentasbesthecould!
‘MissBakerisafriendofmine,’hesaid,crossingtothesideboard.‘Yourusual,Gayle?’
‘Thankyou,darling.’Sheglidedovertohimashetookhalfabottleofchampagnefromanicebucket,anddeftlyopenedit.HeglancedroundatNatalie.
‘Wouldyoucareforaglass?’heasked.
‘No,thanks,Imustbegoing.’
‘Don’tmindme,’saidGayle.‘IfyoutwohaveanybusinesstotalkoverI’lljustsitquietlyandrelax.’
‘Ourbusinessisfinished,’saidNatalie,risingtoleave.‘Don’tbotherseeingmedown,’shesaidquicklyasMilesDentonfollowedhertothedoor.‘Icanfindmyownwayout.’
Notgivinghimachancetoreply,shehurriedtotheelevator.BehindhersheheardGayle’svoice,highandamusedasshespoke,uncaringwhetherornotNataliewouldhearher.
‘Ithoughtyoudidn’tlikebiggirls,darling.ThoughI’lladmitshe’sverycolourful.Whatbrighthair!’
CarefullyNatalie,closedthedooroftheelevator,butgavethebellasavagepress,andwasstillseethingwithtemperasshesteppedoutontothegroundfloor.Shewasatthefrontdoorwhensheheardswiftstepspoundingdownthestairs,andturningherhead,shesawMilesDentonstridingtowardsher.
‘I’mgladIcaughtyou,’hesaidbreathlessly,andpausedtodrawairintohislungs.‘Ireallymusttakemoreexercise.I’malwaystellingmypatientstodoso,butIneverfollowmyowninstructions.’
‘Doctorsgenerallydon’t.’
Hegaveahalfsmileandthenbecameserious.‘Ithinkyoucameupwithanexcellentideaamomentago,MissBaker.’
Shewasataloss.‘Whatidea?’
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‘ThatyoushouldfindsomeoneformeinsteadofforGayle.Idoseeitwouldbedifficultforyoutointroducehertoanyonewhowouldcomparefavourablywithmyself.’
Nataliestaredathim,andhisexpressiontoldherhewasmockingher.
‘Goon,’shesaiddarkly.‘Whatdeviousplotareyouhatchingnow?’
‘SomethingIshouldhavehatchedyesterday,ifI’dhadanysense.IwantGayletobelieveI’vefallenmadlyinlovewithanotherwoman.’
‘WhenIsuggestedit,yousaid—’
‘IknowwhatIsaid,’heinterrupted.‘ButIdidn’twanttogetinvolvedwithanotherwomanincaseIjumpedoutofthefryingpanintothefire.Butwithyou,therewouldn’tbeanyfire.’
‘WhathaveIgottodowithit?’sheasked,knowinginstantlywhathemeant,butrefusingtoadmitit.
‘I’mgoingtopretendI’minlovewithyou,’hesaidwithsatisfaction.‘YousawthewayGaylereactedwhenshefoundyouupstairs.It’stheidealsolution.’
‘Onthecontrary,it’sabsolutelyridiculous!’
‘Why?Whatharmwillitdotopretendforafewweeks?’
‘Youwon’tfoolher,’sheassuredhim.
‘I’vealreadyfooledher.She’sabsolutelyfuriousbecauseIraceddownafteryou.ItwillbetheeasiestthingintheworldtomakeherbelieveI’vefallenforyou.’MilesDentonlookedverypleasedwithhimself.‘I’msureI’llbeabletoputonaconvincingact.’
‘UnfortunatelyIwon’t,’Nataliesaidtartly.
‘You’llhavetotry,MissBaker.Mymind’smadeup.Afterall,youyourselfsuggestedthissolution.’
‘WhenIsaidyoushouldfindanothergirl-friend,Ididn’tmeanme.’
‘What’swrongwithyou?Itwouldbeextremelyunfairtointroducemetoabonafideclient,bearinginmindthatI’venointentionofgettingmarried.You’retheidealstand-in,MissBaker.’
‘AndwhatwillhappenwhenourpretendedloveaffairendsandMissHunterwalksbackintoyourlife?’
‘I’mhopingherpridewon’tlether.’
‘Ifshelovesyou,shewon’tletpridestandinherway.Itwouldn’tstopme.’
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‘You’readifferenttypefromGayle.’
‘Luckilyforyou,’shesaid,andpullingopenthedoor,hurriedoutintothestreet.
Effortlesslythemankeptpacewithher.
‘I’llseeyoutomorrow,’hesaid.‘Behereatthesametime.’
‘Whatfor?’
‘Sowecanbeginourloveaffair.’
‘Never!’
‘It’sonlypretence,’heassuredher.‘EitheryoudoasIaskor—’
‘Idon’twanttohear,’shesaidfuriously.‘Ifitweren’tforMaggie….’
Avacanttaxicruisedbyandshesignalledittostop.MilesDentonopenedthedoorforherandsheclimbedin,thenlookedathimthroughtheopenwindow.
‘Iliveat18KidderminsterTerrace,’shesaidsoftly.‘It’sthetopfloorapartment.I’llexpectyouateight.’
‘But—’
‘It’susualforthegentlemantocallforthelady,’shesaidsweetly,‘sodon’tbelate—MilesdarlingI’
CHAPTERFIVE
THEtaxitookNataliestraightfromHarleyStreettothehospital,whereMaggiewaslookingdistinctlypeakyafterheroperation.
‘I’mafraidIwon’tbeoutofhereasquicklyasI’dhoped,’sheconfessed.‘AngussaystherewereafewcomplicationsandI’llneedsomeextratreatment.’
‘It’snottheendoftheworld,’Nataliesaidinarallyingtone.‘I’mcopingbeautifullyattheoffice.We’veevenhadsomenewclientstoday.’
‘Honestly?’
‘Honestly.Itookdownalltheparticulars,andoneoftheclients—adivorcedmanoffifty—saysheknowslotsofothermenwho’dbehappytocometous,oncewe’dgothimsettled.’
Maggiebrightened.‘There’snoshortageofwomenonourbooks.Ifyouneedmetoadviseyou,bringsomeofthecardsinwithyoutomorrow.’
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‘Notonyourlife,’Nataliesaidfirmly.‘I’mrunningthebusinessforthemoment,andIcanmanagewithoutyouradvice.’
Maggieleanedbackagainstthepillows.‘Idon’tknowwhatI’dhavedonewithoutyou.You’reanangel,Natalie.’
‘Andyou’dhavebecomeoneifyouhadn’tbeentakentohospital.You’reaclot,Maggie.Don’tyouknowthatbeingwellismoreimportantthananythingelse?’
‘Idonow,’Maggieadmitted,andlookedpalerthanever.‘Rolandhasn’tbeentoseemetoday.’
‘Norme,’saidNatalie,andthendecidedtobeblunt.‘Itoldhimnottocomeintotheoffice.Werubeachotherthewrongway.’
‘Doyouknowwhathe’sdoing?’Maggielookedworried.
‘No.ButhesaidhehadoneortwothingsintheoffingandIgavehimsomemoney—fiftypounds.’
Maggiefrowned.‘Ididn’tleaveyouanysignedcheques.’
‘Sowhat?Icanalwayslayoutmyownmoneyandyoucanpaymebackafterwards.’
‘TheymustbepayingteachersmorethanIrealised,’Maggiesmiled.‘Youreallyshouldstartyourownnurseryschool.’
‘AtthemomentI’mmoreconcernedwithyourmarriagebureau.Ifindtheworkfascinating.’
FortheremainderofthevisitingtimeNatalieregaledherfriendwithgossipandwasrelievedtoseeMaggielosesomeofherlistlessness.Nataliewasthelastvisitortoleavetheward,andonlyasshereachedthecorridordidsherealisehowhungryshewas.Shequickenedherpaceandroundedacornersoabruptlythatsheranfulltiltintoamuscularbodythat,disengagingitselffromher,turnedouttobeMaggie’sfriendAngus.
Hefrowneddownather,thensuddenlysmiled.‘You’reNatalie,aren’tyou?’
‘That’sright.Andyou’rejustthemanIwantedtosee.I’dliketoknowhowMaggieis.’
‘Haven’tyouseenher?’
‘Ofcourse.ButIwantaprofessionalopinion.’
‘She’saswellascanbeexpected.’HesawNatalie’sexpressionandgrinned.‘WhenIwasastudentIvowedIwouldnevergivestockanswerslikethat,andhereIamdoingit!’Hemovedclosertothewallinordernottobeinthewayofoncomingpeople,andNataliefollowedhim.
‘Actually,Maggie’shadaprettyroughtime,’hecontinued.‘She’llbehereanothertwoweeksatleast,andafterthatshe’llneedtoconvalesceforamonth.’
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‘Aslongasthat?’
‘Ifpossible.Willyoubeabletohelpheroutforthatlengthoftime?’
‘Justabout.Istartschoolagaininfiveweeks.Idon’tknowwhatMaggiewilldoifyouwon’tletherbeginworkbythen.’
‘She’llhavetoclosethebusinessuntilshe’sbetter.’
‘Thatmaynotbesoeasytodo,’Nataliewarned.‘Theofficeissmall,buttherentisn’t.’
AfrownmarkedAngus’sfaceandhelookedlikeaworriedbulldog.
‘We’llhavetotryandthinkofsomething,’hemuttered.‘ButmeanwhileIdon’twantMaggieworried.’
‘NordoI,’Natalieassuredhim,‘soI’mkeepingtheproblemstomyself.’
‘Aretheremany?’heasked.
Nataliehesitatedbeforereplying.
‘DoyouknowMaggie’sbrotherRoland?’
‘Wewereatschooltogether.That’showIfirstmetMaggie.Ineverlikedhimverymuch.’
‘Thenyou’dlikehimevenlessnow.’
‘Ishestilllookingfortheeasybuck?’
‘Andtheeasydoe,’Nataliesaiddryly,andbrieflytoldAnguswhathadhappenedwithGillianDenton.
DuringtherecitalAngussteeredherintothecafeteria,wherehepliedherwithcoffeeandstickybunsandlistenedattentivelytothewholestory.
‘IneverrealisedMrDentonwassuchanoddball,’hesaidasshefinished.
OnlythendidNatalierealisehowindiscreetshehadbeen.MilesDentonwas,afterall,inthesameprofessionasAngus.
‘Heisn’toddatall,’sheamendedhastily.‘Hejustfindsitdifficulttocopewithdesigningwomen—oneinparticular,anyway.’
‘I’veseenGayleHunteraround,’Angussaid.‘She’sadish,thoughevidentlynottoDenton’staste.’
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‘Idon’tthinkhewantstogetmarriedtoanyone.’
‘Awkwardforhim.OldHunter’sretiringsoonandrumourhasitthatDentonwillbetakinghisplace.Icanseewhyhedoesn’twanttooffendtheoldboybyturningdownhisdaughter.’
Natalienodded,andagainwishedshehadnotblabberedtotheextentshehaddone.Butitwastoolatetoretractanything.
‘Usingmeasaredherringwasjustanideaofhis,’sheexplained.
‘Someherring!’Angusgrinned.‘Butitwon’twork.I’mnotmuchofapsychologist,butevenIknowthattheworstthingpossibletodowithagirllikeGayleistobringanotherwomanonthescene.Farfromleavinghim,she’llbemoredeterminedthanevertohookhim.’
Nataliewasannoyedshehadnotthoughtofthisherself,particularlyasshewasawomanwhoshouldhaveknownhowsomebodylikeGaylewouldreact.ButshehadbeensodisturbedbyMilesDenton’sthreatsthatshehadbeenunabletothinkclearly;andnow,ofcourse,itwastoolatetotellhim,forshehadalreadycommittedherselftodoashewanted.
‘Youwon’ttellMaggiewhat’sgoingon,willyou?’sheimplored.
‘Notaword.AndifRolandcomesin,I’llmakesurehedoesn’tsayanythingeither.’
‘Rolanddoesn’tknowthatI’veagreedtohelpMrDenton,’Nataliesaidhastily.‘ItoldhimnottohangaroundtheofficeandIhaven’tseenhimsince.ForGod’ssakedon’tmentionanyofthistohim.’
Promisingtobethesoulofdiscretion,AnguspartedfromNatalieatthehospitaldoor,andshereturnedtoherflatwonderingifaromancecouldbeblossomingbetweenAngusandMaggie.HowwonderfulifMaggielostagallbladderandfoundahusband!Itseemedanexcellentexchangeandoneshewouldnotmindforherself.ButnotwithAngus,ofcourse.Shethoughtoftheraw-bonedScotandfoundtheimagesupersededbyatall,austerefigurewithwideshoulders.Itwassuchastartlingthoughtthatshehurriedlywentintoherlittlekitchentomakeherselfsomesupper.Shehadnoteatensincelunchandwasobviouslybecominglightheaded.
Butevenwhensustainedbywholemealbreadandtwoboiledeggs,shestillcouldnotgetMilesDentonoutofhermind.Beingangrywithamanmadeone,thinkofhimfartoomuch,shedecided,andshewishedwholeheartedlythatshehadneverseteyesonhim.
Inthemorningsheawokewithavaguefeelingofirritability.Itaccompaniedhertotheofficeandmadeherdealalmostsharplywiththetelephonecallsthatcamein.
‘Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldbesoannoyedwithmebecauseIdon’tlikeMrRogers,’cameaplaintivecommentfromoneclient.
Concedingthatthewomanwasright,Natalieforcedherselfintoacalmerframeofmind.ShewasheretohelpMaggiekeeptheagencygoing;nottoletherownirritationwithMilesDentonbringaboutitsdemise.
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‘I’mterriblysorry,MissPeebles,’sheplacated.‘It’sjustthatwethoughtMrRogerswassosuitableforyou.Butifyoudon’tlikehim,we’llintroduceyoutosomeoneelse.’
BylunchtimeNatalie’sequilibriumwastotallyrestored.Shehadenrolledtwofurthernewclientsandfeltaffluentenoughtoringdowntothecaféandaskthemtosendherupapotofcoffeeandasalad.-Asshebeganeating,thetelephonerangagain,andsheswallowedamouthfulofsalamiandsaidhello.
‘MilesDentonhere.’
ItwasthefirsttimeNataliehadheardhimspeakwithoutseeinghim,anditmadehermoreconsciousofthedeepnessofhisvoice.Shecouldimaginehowreassuringitwouldbetohearwhenonewaswakingupfromananaesthetic.Sheshookherhead,asiftoclearitofsuchastupidthought,andsaidsweetly:
‘Haveyourunguptotellmeyou’vechangedyourmind,MrDenton?’
‘I’mringingtosayI’dliketocallforyouatseven.I’vemanagedtogetticketsforthenewmusicalattheRegencyTheatre.’
Nataliewassurprisedbyhischoice.Thoughthereviewsfortheshowhadbeengood,shewouldhaveassumedhimtohavepreferredsomethingmorecerebral.
‘IfoundoutthismorningthatSirEltonistakinghisfamilytoseetheshowtonight,’MilesDentonwenton,makingitclearwhyhehadgotthetickets.‘Ithoughtitwouldbeanexcellentopportunitytoparadeourassociation.’
Shegrinnedatthereceiver.Hemadetheword‘association’soundsolurid.
‘Doyouwantmetowearascarletdress?’sheaskedguilelessly.
Therewasashortsilence.
‘Itwouldclashwithyourhair.’
‘Whataboutgreen?’shesuggested.‘ThatmightechothecolourofMissHunter’sfacewhensheseesmewithyou.’
Therewasanothersilence,brokenthistimebyhisgivinganunmistakablechuckle.
‘Wearanythingyoulike,MissBaker.You’renaturallyvoluptuousandwilllookit,eveninapotatosack.’
Natalierememberedthiscommentasshesearchedthroughherwardrobethatevening.Despitehisdeterminationtoremainunmarried,MrDentonhadasubtlewayofpayingacompliment.Butthenwhyshouldthatbesurprising?Becauseamanwishedtoremainfree,itdidnotmeanhealsowantedtolivethelifeofacelibate.
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Shewasstillponderingonthis,aswellasonwhattowear,whenthedoorbellrang.Withherheartbeatingatanunaccountablepace,sheslippedintoahousecoatandhurriedtoopenthedoor.
MilesDentonsteppedintothesmallhallway.Thedarknessofhisdinnerjacketmadehimlookevenmoreausterethanusual,andshecouldimaginehimputtingthefearofdeathintosomenervousyoungstudentnurse.Thenhesmiledather,andNatalieimmediatelyrevisedheropinionandwonderedhowshecouldhave.forgottentheheart-stoppingcolourofsherrygoldeyes.
Quicklysteppingback,sheledhimintothesitting-room.
‘Helpyourselftoadrink,MrDenton.Iwon’tbelong.’
‘Idon’twantadrink,thanks.’
Hewenttostandbythemantelshelf.Themirrorbehindhimreflectedthebackofhisheadandshenoticedheworehishairlongerthanshehadthought.Itwasthickhair,andawarmershadeofbrownthanshehadremembered.
‘Willyoubereadysoon?’heasked.
‘Ionlyhavetoputonmydress.’
‘What’swrongwiththeoneyou’rewearing?’
Shelookeddownatherlongbluehousecoatandthenupathim,notsureifhewasjoking.Buthisexpressiontoldherhewasserious,andshecouldnothelplaughing.
‘Asaneveningdress,thisisveryOrphanAnnie!Waittillyouseemeintherealthing.It’sguaranteedtomakeMissHuntergiveupthefight!’
‘Excellent.’
Histonewasdry,buttherewasaglintinhiseyesthatmadeNataliedecidehehadasenseofhumour.Adeeplyburiedone,itseemed,butthere,nonetheless.
‘You’dbetterhurry,’hesaidquietly.‘Idon’twantustobelate.’
Shewentswiftlyintoherbedroomandputonamintgreendress.Itwasoneofhernicestandshehadnotintendedtowearit.Butsomethinghadmadeherchangehermind,thoughwhatthatsomethingwassherefusedtoanalyse.
Butthereasonconfrontedherwhenshereturnedtotheotherroom,thoughtoherchagrinMilesDentonmadenocommentonherappearance.Buthiscoolappraisalofherawakenedhertothetransparencyofthesilkchiffonthatcoveredhershouldersandarms,placingafilmofhazygreenoverthepeachyglowofherskin.Althoughnotlow-cut,thedelicateruffleofmaterialthatlayacrossherbreastsmovedtantalisinglyasshebreathed,drawingattentiontothefullcurvesthey
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hid.
Shewasgrippedbynervousness—asshealwaysseemedtobewhenshewaswithhim—andtoldherselfithadnothingtodowiththemanassuch,butwithwhatherepresented:athreattoMaggie’slivelihood.
Determinedlyshegazedathim,willingherselftobecalm.Hewasstillviewingherwithdetachment,andshedecidedhewassousedtoseeingwomeninvaryingstatesofundressthatonemoremadenodifferencetohim,especiallyonewhomhewastakingoutmerelyasameanstoanend.Butnottheendthatayoung,virilemaleusuallyhadinmind,shethought,humourgettingthebetterofher,butasanendtoGayleHunter.
‘Ready?’heenquiredand,athernod,ledherdowntohiscar.
Itwasnotthesedatesaloonshehadexpected,butwaslow-slungandrakish.Intheclosenessofitsinteriorshewasevenmoreawareofhimasamanthananaloofsurgeon.Hedrovesurprisinglyfastbutcompetently,andknowinghewasgivingallhisattentiontotheroad,shewasabletostudyhimatlength.Inprofilehisfeaturesappearedhighlychiselled,whichlentanausteritytohisexpression.Theremightwellbeamanofdeepfeelingbeneaththefacade,butonewouldhavetodigalongwayinordertofindit.
‘Howlonghaveyoubeenasurgeon?’sheasked.
‘Ibegyourpardon?’
Shehidasmileathisstartledtone.‘It’snotthatI’mgreatlyinterestedinyou,MrDenton,’sheliedwithcandour,‘butifI’msupposedtobeyourgirlfriend,Ishouldknowalittlebitaboutyou,don’tyouthink?’
‘Ofcourse.’Hespokefast.‘Idon’ttakesugarincoffee,nordoIlikeitwithmilk.Irarelydrinktea.Ihaveafondnessforwine—redinpreferencetowhite—andIalwayshavetwowhiskieswhenIcomehomeintheevening.Isthatthesortofthingagirl-friendshouldknow?’
‘Doyouwearpyjamasinbed?’
Thecarjerkedslightly.
‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Butonlythejacket.Whataboutyou?’
Colourcameandwentinhercheeks,butsheknewshedeservedthequestion.
‘Idon’twearpyjamas,andmynightdressesaremoreutilitarianthanglamorous.’
‘Youhaveanaturalglamour,MissBaker,’hesaidprosaically.‘Youhaveabeautifulfaceandanexcellentfigure.’
‘Ihaveallmyownteethtoo,’shesaidbrightly.
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‘PerhapsI’llbeabletoascertainthatformyselfatamoreauspicioustime.’
Hisanswerwaspatandthistimethecolourcameintohercheeksandstayedthere.
‘Bytheway,’hesaidabruptly,‘Idon’tknowyourfirstname.’
‘Natalie.’‘
Henodded,thenslowedthecarandstopped.Lookingthroughthewindow,shewassurprisedtoseetheywereoutsidehishouseinHarleyStreet.
‘Ithoughtweweregoingtothetheatre?’sheexclaimed.
‘It’simpossiblydifficulttoparkintheWestEnd,’hereplied,helpingheroutandlockingthedoorswithamazingspeed.‘Thiswayit’sfarlessbother,’headded,flaggingdownacruisingtaxiandusheringherin.‘We’llcomebackhereafterwardsandIcandriveyouhome.’
‘Thankyou.’
‘Don’tmentionit,’hesaidpolitely.‘You’redoingmeagreatfavour.’
‘AmI?’Shelookedathimsteadily.‘IhadtheimpressionIwasbeingorderedtoobeyyouunderduress.’
Hedidnotanswer,butsomethingpreventedherfromlettingthesubjectdrop.
‘WhatmadeyoursistercometotheWhitneyBureau,MrDenton?Ican’timagineherhavinganydifficultyinfindingboy-friends.’
Hewassilentforsolongthatshewassurehewasnotgoingtoanswer,buteventuallyhedid.
‘Itwasmyfaultthatshewent.Sinceshewasseventeenshe’sbeenfallinginandoutoflovewiththemostimpossibleyoungmen.ThelasttimeshecreatedabitmorehavocthanIcouldtolerate,andIwarnedherthatifshedidn’tbehaveherselfIwouldcutherallowance.’
‘Doesn’tshework?’
‘Fitfully.ShehasanincomefromatrustfundwhichImanageforher,andit’sfarmorethansheneeds.I’mherguardianuntilshe’stwenty-five,whichisanotherreasonwhyshelikestoprovokeme.’
‘Youstillhaven’tsaidwhyshewenttoamarriagebureau.’
‘ItwasbecauseIsuggestedshestopwastinghertimewithhippiesandMaoists.Inatempershewenttoseeyourfriendand,asfarasIcangather,gaveheradescriptionofamanwhomshethoughtwouldmeetwithmyapproval.ThenextthingthathappenedwasthatshereceivedacallfromRolandWhitney.Therestyouknow.’
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‘Notquite.Onlythatyoursisterboughthimsomecufflinksandthatyoufoundoutwhenhewenttosellthem.’
‘Thecufflinkswerethelastinalonglineofpresents,’hesaidtonelessly.‘Hetookmoneyfromhertoo.Apparentlyhespunherayarnaboutbeingshortofcash.’
‘Howdidyoufindoutaboutthelinks?’Natalieaskedcuriously.
‘My,sisterboughtthematthefamilyjewellersandpretendedshewasbuyingthemforme.WhenWhitneytookthembacktosellthem,theyassumedhehadstolenthem—whichinawayhehad—andtheykepthimtherewhiletheycontactedme.’
‘Whatdidyoudo?’
Thebeautifullytailoredjacketmovedastheman’sshouldersliftedinashrugofhelplessness.‘Itoldthemtheyweren’tmineandthattheymustdoastheypleased.AscandalwasthelastthingIwanted.However,ItackledGillianandgotthewholestoryfromher.That’swhenIdecidedtocomeandseeyou.’
‘ToseetheWhitneyMarriageBureau,’Nataliecorrected.‘I’monlyhelpingMaggieonatemporarybasis.’
‘Butyoutakeherwellbeingverymuchtoheart,don’tyou?’hesaid.
‘She’sasimportanttomeasyourgoodnameistoyou,’Natalierepliedstolidly.‘OtherwiseIwouldn’tbeherewithyounow.’
‘Iappreciatewhyyou’redoingit,MissBaker,andIpromiseyouthatifyoudon’tletmedown,yourfriendwillhavenothingtoworryabout.’
‘Aslongasyoupromisenottoblamemeifyoudon’tfoolMissHunter,’shesaidquickly.
Hislidsblinkedrapidly.‘Idon’tfollowyou.’
‘MissHuntermaynotbeputoffbyyourhavinganothergirl-friend.Infact,itcouldmakeherallthemorekeen.’
‘Surelynot?’
‘Wouldn’titmakeyoukeenerifsomeoneyoulikedwentoutwithanotherman?’
‘No,’hesaidincisively.‘IfIwereeverfoolishenoughtofallinloveandthegirldidn’thavethegoodsenseto—’
Natalie’sgigglecuthimshortandhelookedatheraffrontedly.‘What’sfunnyaboutthat?’
‘Everything.You’reunbelievable,MrDenton.IfIthoughtyoueverhadachanceofmarrying,I’dbesorryforyourwife.’
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‘It’spurelybecauseIhavemorethanachance,’hesaidquietly,‘thatyouhappentobeheretonight.Andpleasedon’tcallmeMrDentoninfrontofSirEltonandhiswife.’
‘Don’tworry,darling,’saidNatalie,chokingbackanothergiggle,‘I’llcooatyoulikeadove.’
Thetaxistoppedandshesawtheywereatthetheatre.Courteouslyhehandedheroutandescortedherintothefoyer.
‘Natalie,’hesaidinherear,andshestoppedsoabruptlythatshebumpedintohim.
‘Whatisit?’
‘Nothing.Iwasjustrehearsingyourname.’Hiseyeslookedintohersandthewalllightsaroundthefoyerwerereflectedinthem.‘Fiveyears,’hesaidsoftly.
‘Fiveyears?’sherepeateduncomprehendingly,notsureifhemeanthermentalageorwhetherheanticipatedusingherservicesforthatlengthoftime.
‘SinceIbecameasurgeon,’heexplained.
‘Howoldareyou?’
‘Thirty-five.’
‘Youlookolder.’
‘Thanks!’
‘That’sbecauseyoubehavesostuffily!’
Hishandcameoutandcaughtherarm.Sheexpectedhimtomakesomesharpcomeback,butinsteadherelaxedhisgrip,thoughhestillretainedhisholdonher.Throughherfinefoldsofchiffonshefeltthegentlenessofhisfingertips,theirtouchaslightasafeather,yetstrangelyfirmandreassuring.
‘Thelastbellhasgone,’hemurmured.‘Wemustgoin.’
Theymovedunhurriedlytotheirseatsandsettleddown.Natalieletoutasigh.TheplayshewasabouttoseepromisedtobefarlessexcitingthantheoneinwhichsheandMilesDentonwereparticipating.
CHAPTERSIX
ALTHOUGHthemusicalwasbrash,ithadcatchytunesandanearthyhumour,andNataliediscoveredthatMilesDenton’slaughwascompletelyuninhibited.
‘Thisisarareluxuryforme,’hesaid,asthecurtaincamedownonthefirstact.‘Irarelyfinish
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beforeseven-thirtyintheevening.’
‘Ithoughtsurgeonsonlyoperatedinthemorning.’
‘IntheafternoonIseepatients,’heexplainedwithaslightsmile.‘Ialsohavetogoroundthewards.Hospitalworkinvolveslonghours.’
‘Butyouenjoyit?’
‘Ohyes.IcouldhavemorefreetimeifIwished,’headmitted,‘butmyworkisalsomypleasure.Idotrytokeepmyweekendsfree,though.Ioftengoandstaywithmymotherinthecountry.ShelivesnearAyles-bury.’
Natalie’scuriositywasaroused,butshedidnotwanthimtothinkshewasinterestedinhimanddeliberatelyrefrainedfromaskinghimanymore.Althoughhewasrelaxedandchattingeasily,shesensedhisfatigueandnoticedthefinelinesatthecornersofhiseyes,andthemoredeeplyetchedonesatthesidesofhismouth.
‘Whattimedidyoustartoperatingtoday?’sheasked.
Helookedtakenabackatherquestion,butansweredit.‘Eighto’clock.Iexpectedtofinishatnoon,butIhadanemergencythattookthreehours,soIdidn’tleavethetheatreuntilhalf-pasttwo.’
Hewouldthenhavedonehisroundsofthewardsandnodoubtahundredandoneotherthings,Nataliethought,knowingitwouldhavedonehimfarmoregoodtohavegonehome,takenabathandsteppedrightintobed.Yetifshesaidasmuch,howsurprisedhewouldbebyhersolicitude;almostassurprisedasshewastoexperienceit.
‘We’rebeingwatched,’hemurmured,andgaveheratendersmileasifhewerewhisperingsweetnothingsintoherear.
‘Where?’shewhisperedback.
‘Onyourleft,butforheaven’ssakedon’tturnaround.’
Itwasaneffortnottodoso,forshewouldliketohaveseenGayleHunter’sface.
‘I’msurewe’llbeinvitedtohaveadrinkwithSirEltonduringtheinterval,’Milessaid.
‘Won’thebeannoyedtoseeyouherewithme?’Nataliequestioned.
‘Hisattitudewilldependonhowcharmingyouaretohim.’
Theanswerwasquickandcool,asifthoughthadalreadybeengiventoit.
‘IfyoucanpersuadeSirEltonofyourbeautyandintelligence,hemightbemoreunderstandingofmyfallfromgrace!’
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‘Iwon’tneedtoconvincehimofmybeauty,’Nataliesaidsmoothly.‘He’samanandcanseethatforhimself.Butitmightbedifficulttoconvincehimofmyintelligence.Onlyafoolwouldgooutwithyou!’
Tawnyeyesglittered.‘You’reneveratalossforareply,areyou,mydarling?’
‘ThinkhowdisappointedyouwouldbeifIwere!’
TheywalkeduptheaisletowardsthebarandNataliewasconsciousofthemanyadmiringglancestheydrew;maleeyesdrawntoherownsparklingbeauty,andfemaleonesintriguedbythealoofdetachmentofherhighlypersonableescort.Shewonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketobeoutwithhimbecausehewantedtobewithher,andfeltunexpectedlydepressedtoknowthiswasnotthecasenow.
‘Herewego,’hewhispered,andcuppingherelbowwithhishandheurgedhertowardsthetall,grey-hairedmanstandingbesideawomanwhowasanolderversionofGayle.Gayleherselflookedexceptionallypretty.Herlongblondehairwaspulledbackfromher’faceandsheworeaGrecianstyledressinwhitejerseysilkwhichmadeherlookmuchtallerthanshewas.
‘Natalie,I’dlikeyoutomeetSirEltonandLadyHunter.Gayle,ofcourse,youalreadyknow.’
NataliesmiledattheoldercoupleandmorebrieflyatGayle,whoreturneditwithalookofsmoulderingdislikebeforespeakingtoMiles.
‘Youdidn’ttellmeyouwerecomingtothetheatretonight.’Hervoicewasquietbutpenetrating.
‘Nataliegottheticketsatthelastmoment,’Milessaid,lyingwithaneasethatNataliefoundastonishing.
‘YourtasteisdifferentfromGayle’s,then,’SirEltonsaidtoher.‘Sheonlycamewithustonightbecauseit’sourtwenty-thirdweddinganniversary.’
‘I’mnotreallykeenonthistypeofshow,’Natalieadmitted,‘butIthinkit’sagoodwayofhelpingMilestorelax.Muchmoresothanifhe’dconcentratedonsomedeepplaywithamessage.’
‘Ithinkonecanrelaxevenifoneconcentrates,’saidLadyHunter.‘Bridgeisaprimeexample.’
‘I’mafraidIdon’tplaybridge,’Nataliesmiled.
‘You’dbetterlearnifyouwanttoseemuchofMiles,’Gaylesaidwaspishly.‘Youhaven’tforgottenyou’remakingafoursomewithustomorrownight,haveyou?’
‘Ofcoursenot,’Milesreplied,andthenlookeddirectlyatNatalie.‘IdidtellyouIwasplayingbridgetomorrow,didn’tI,sweetie?’
‘Why,yes,’shereplied,onlyjustmanagingtohideherastonishmentathiscasualtone.
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Awaiterapproachedwithatrayofdrinks,andNatalieacceptedaglassofchampagneandwaitedwhileMilestoastedtheanniversarycouple.
‘It’stimeyouthoughtofmarriagetoo,Miles,’saidLadyHunter.‘AndGayleaswell,’sheadded.‘YourmotherandIweretalkingaboutthetwoofyouonlyyesterday.’
‘Andthedaybeforethattoo,I’llbebound,’saidherhusband.‘That’sallyouandAilsatalkabout.Thesethingscan’tberushed.Thechildrenwillgetmarriedintheirowntime.’
Nataliesippedherchampagneandkeptfirmlyoutoftheconversation,silentlyapplaudingMilesformaintaininganinnocentexpressionandthewayinwhichhethenmanagedtochangethesubject.Whilehewasexpressinganassessmentoftheshow,SirEltongavehisattentiontoNatalie.
‘HaveyouknownMileslong,mydear?’
‘Onlyafewweeks.’
‘Sothat’swhyIdidn’tseeyouatthehospitaldance.Thedoctorsarealwaysexpectedtoinvitealltheprettywomentheyknow!’
‘You’reluckyinhavingtwotobring,’Nataliesmiled.
‘Yes,Iam,aren’tI?’hesaidappreciatively,andgazedfondlyfromhiswifetohisdaughter,whowasstilltalkingearnestlytoMiles.
Thebuzzersoundedinthebarandpeoplebegantomovetowardstheauditorium.
‘Ifyouhaven’tcommittedyourselvestogoinganywherespecialafterwards,’theoldermanasked,‘wewouldbedelightedifyouwouldjoinusfordinner.’
‘Wewouldn’tdreamofintruding,’Milessaidhastily.
‘Don’tbesilly,Miles,’LadyHuntergushed.‘Howonearthcanyoubeintrudingwhenyou’reoneofthefamily?’
‘Inthatcasewewouldbedelightedtojoinyou,’Milesreplied,thoughhelookedanythingbutpleasedasheescortedNataliebacktotheirseats.HisobviousirritationmadeherfeelsurprisinglydespondentandshewonderedifhewasannoyedbecausehehadtobewithGayleafterall,orbecausethetimewithherselfwasgoingtobeprolonged.
Decidingitmustbethelatterreason,shesaidquietly:‘I’msorryyou’llbestuckwithmeafterthetheatre.’
Helookedatherblankly,thensuddenlysmiled.
‘Iwasn’tintendingtorushyoustraighthome,’heinformedherdryly.‘Atleastnotwithout
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feedingyoufirst!’
‘Itwouldn’tharmmetomissameal.’ShefeltsuddenlypleasedhehadnotintendedtoshunheronceGaylewasoutofsight.
‘Don’ttellmeyou’reoneofthosefemaleswhoareeverlastinglyonadiet?’
Shesmiled.‘Notatall.Ilovemyfoodtoomuchforthat!’
‘SodoI.’
Sheeyedhim.‘Ican’tbelievethat.’
‘It’strue.ButnomatterhowmuchIeat,Ineverputonanounce.’Hewaited.‘Aren’tyougoingtosayit?’
‘What?’
‘ThatIburnitoffwithbadtemper!’
‘Morelikelyyouburnitoffwithyourperfectionism.Youareaperfectionist,aren’tyou,whenitcomestoyourwork?’
‘Howdidyouguess?’
‘You’reeasytoread.’Itwasnottheanswershewantedtogive,butitwastheonlyoneshedaredutter.Hewouldlaughatherifshetoldhimsheintuitivelyknewexactlythekindofsurgeonhewas:adedicatedandkindonewhowouldtreatallhispatientsalike,whethertheywererichorpoor.
‘WhatwillhappenifSirEltondoesn’trecommendyoutotakeoverfromhim?’sheaskedimpetuously.
‘Itwouldbeablowtomyprestige.I’dprobablyacceptanofferfromanotherhospital.’
‘ThendoyouthinkitwisetoantagoniseGayle?’
‘Idon’tneedtomarryinOrdertofurthermycareer,’hesaidcoldly.
‘Butshe’sverybeautiful.’
‘Soareflamingoes,butIdon’twantoneasawife!’
Thetartnessofhistonepreventedherfromlaughing,butasthelightsintheauditoriumlowered,shemadeamentalnoteofhiscommenttotellMaggie—whenitwassafeforherfriendtohearthewholestory.
NotunexpectedlySirEltonhadbookedatableattheSavoy,andtherewasnodifficultyintheir
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beingmovedtoalargeronethatwouldaccommodatehistwoextraguests.
‘We’rewiththeloveliestwomenintheroom,’hesaidbenignlytoMileswhentheywereseated.
‘That’sacomplimentwewomencanecho,’saidNatalie,andheardhimchuckle,thoughwhenhespoke,itwastoMiles.
‘Thisdeargirlisasbrightasshe’slovely.’
HewentonchattingandNatalieglancedsurreptitiouslyatLadyHunter,noticingthestrengthofcharacterbehindthechocolate-boxprettiness,andthehardnessthatlayinthedepthsofeyesonlyslightlylessbluethanthoseofherdaughter.NataliethenstudiedGayle,whowasgazingadoringlyinto,Mile’sface,givingnosignofbeingawarethathewaswithanothergirl.
‘Dolet’sdancebeforewestarteating,’saidGayle,andpulledMilestohisfeet.
Reluctantlyhefollowedherontothefloor,lookingextremelytallincloseproximitytotheslenderblondebesidehim.
‘Whatalovelycoupletheymake,’LadyHuntersighed.‘Don’tyouthinkso,Elton?’
‘YouknowIdo,mydear.’
ThewomangaveNatalieabeadyglance.‘MilesandGaylehaveknowneachothersincetheywerechildren.HismotherandIalwayshoped….’
‘Iknow,’Nataliesaidgently,‘Mileshastoldme.’
LadyHunterlookedstartledandNatalietookadvantageofit.ShedidnotknowexactlywhyshewantedtohelpMiles,onlythatshedid,andthatithadnothingwhatevertodowithherdesiretosavetheMarriageBureau.
‘MileshasoftenspokenofyouandGayleandtoldmehowfondheisofyouall.HethinksofGayleasanothersister.’
‘Shedoesn’tseehimasabrother.’
‘Whatapity,’saidNatalie,andmettheblueeyesdefiantly.
‘Let’sorder,shallwe?’saidSirElton.‘Andperhapsourchoicewillinspiretheothertwowhentheycomebacktothetable.’
MilesandGaylereturnedinasurprisinglyshorttime,withGayle’seyesflashingominouslyinNatalie’sdirection.WhateveritwasthatMileshadsaid,shehadobviouslyfounditdispleasing.
Thedinnerwasperfect,andtheywereatthecoffeestagewhenMilesaskedhishostesstodance.SirEltonchosethistimetoputinacalltothehospital,leavingNatalieandGaylealonetogether.
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‘Youwon’tgethim,youknow,’Gaylesnapped,nolongerbotheringtomakehervoicedulcet.‘MilesismineandImeantohavehim.’
‘Perhapsyou’dbettertellMilesso,beforeyoutellme.’
‘You’retheoneI’mconcernedwith,’Gaylesnapped.‘Iwouldhateyoutogoonwastingyourtime.’
‘Idon’tthinkIamwastingit.’
ColourfloodedintoGayle’sface,givinganunpleasantrednesstothepeachesandcreamskin.‘There’smanyaslipbetweencupandlip,MissBaker,andyou’renowherenearthecupyet.’
‘Thingshavechanged.’NataliewasbeginningtofeelsorryforGayle.‘Justbecauseamandoesn’tsay"no",it’sunwisetothinkhemeans"yes".Milesdoesn’tloveyou-Ifhedid,hewouldn’tbeseeingme.’
‘Perhapsyou’remoreaccommodatingthanIam.’
IttookasecondforNatalietounderstandwhatGaylemeant,thenitwasherturntochangecolour,andshewasstillflushedwhenMilesreturnedtothetable.Hedidnotsitdown,butputhishandonhershoulderanddrewherontothefloor.
‘ItlooksasifIjustgotbacktothetableintime,’hesaidcalmly.‘We’reyoutwofightingoverme?’
‘Oh,shutup,’shesaidcrossly,andfelthimmissastep.
‘Soyouwere,’hecontinued.‘WhatdidGaylesay?’
‘Whatmarvellousweatherwewerehaving.’
Hisholdtightened.‘You’reverylovelywhenyou’reinatemper,Natalie,butrelaxnow.You’replayingintoGayle’shandsbygettingannoyed.’
‘Therespeakssomeonewho’splayedintoherhandsforyears!’
Unwittinglyso,’hesaidonasigh,andsuddenlytwirledherroundinanintricatestep.
Takenbysurprise,Nataliestumbledandhisgriptightened.‘Thatwasgood,’hesaid,andproceededagain.‘Oncemoreforluck,’hemurmured,andtwirledherroundagain.
Hewasanexcellentdancerandmovedwithaprecisionthatmadehimeasytofollow.Graduallyhertensenessevaporatedandshelostherselfinthemusic,awareonlyofthetempochangingfromaquicksteptosomethingslowandlanguorouswhichenabledhimtorelaxhisgripanddrawhercloserstill.Shewasconsciousofhisheightandthoughtinvoluntarilythatitwasagoodthingoperatingtableswerehigh,orhewouldgetaterriblebackache.Shegiggledandheloweredhisheadandlookedintoherface.
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‘What’sthejoke?’
‘Nothingimportant.’
Hedidn’tpressthepoint,butrestedhischinonherhairagain.Itwaspleasanttofeeltheweightofitandthewarmthofhisbreathwhichoccasionallytickledherear.Thoughhehadurgedhertorelax,shesensedthathewasstilltense,andsheglancedupathimandsawanervetwitchingatthesideofhiseyes.Itmadehimlooksovulnerablethatshelongedtocomforthim.
‘Gayleisabitch,’sheheardherselfsaysoftly,andwonderedwherethewordshadcomefrom.Buthisreactionwasequallyastonishing,forheflungbackhisheadandlaughedloudly.
‘Comingfromyou,that’sagreatadmission,’hesaid,atlast.
‘MeaningI’mabitchtoo?’
‘Ohno,’hesaidinstantly.‘Meaningthatuntilnow,you’vetriedtofindreasonsformenottorunawayfromher.’
‘ImerelysaidIfounditridiculousthatyoushouldhavetorun.’
‘Youwouldn’tfinditridiculousifyouknewmymother,’hetoldher.‘She’ssetherheartonhavingGayleasadaughter-in-law,andIhaven’twantedtohurtherbysayingafirm"no".Shehasabadheart,’headded,bywayofexplanation,‘andeveryoneinthefamilyiscarefulnottoupsether.’
‘Don’tyouthinkitwillupsethermoreifyoulethergoonbelievingsomethingwillhappenwhenyouknowitwon’t?’
‘Yes,’headmitted,pullinghercloser.‘That’swhybeingseenwithyouwassuchagoodidea.’
‘Ifyou’reseenanyclosertome,’shesaidtartly,‘we’llmergetogether.’
‘Whatalovelyidea!’
‘Savetheverbalflattery—noonecanhearyou.’
‘WhatmakesyouthinkIdon’tmeanit?’
‘Forawoman-hateryou’reaveryfastworker,MrDenton.’
‘Ididn’tsayIwasawoman-hater,’heprotested.‘MerelythatIdon’twanttogetmarried.’
‘Thenyou’reverysafe,’shereplied,‘becauseIdon’teither.’
Sheknewasshespokethatshewaslying,andthatshehadonlydonesotoprotectherself.DidMilesDentonseeherassomeonewithwhomhecouldflirtandthendiscard,thewayGaylehad
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suggestedonlyashorttimeago?
Workinggirlslikeherselfwereprobablyconsideredfairgamebymeninhissocialworld.Theverythoughtofthismadeherlongtolashoutathim,andshedidso,notcaringwhatshesaid.
‘I’monlyhelpingyoubecauseyoublackmailedmeintoit.IfIhadachoiceinthematterIwouldnevergooutwithamanlikeyou.’
Hisjawclenched.‘WhatamIlike?’
‘Self-opinionatedandarrogant.You’reconceitedtoo.Youbelieveyouonlyhavetosmileatawomanforhertofallforyou.Andyetyou’resocontemptuousofthem.Idislikethatmorethananything.’
‘I’mnotcontemptuous,’hesaid.‘I’mscared.’
Foramomentshewastoosurprisedtospeak.Givingthematterthought,andtakinghisbackgroundintoaccount,itwasnotasludicrousasitseemed.
‘Haveyoualwaysbeenscaredofwomen?’sheasked.
‘FromthetimeIrealisedthattheywereattractedtome.’
‘Thatmusthavebeenwhenyouwerefive!’
Hesmiled.‘Fifteen,actually.TheMatronatmyschoolsuddenlybegantonoticeme—inthewrongway.’
‘Howawful!’Nataliewasindignant.‘Didn’tyoutellyourparents?’
‘Iwastooashamed.’
‘Sowhatdidyoudo?’
‘MadedamnsureIwasneverill!AfterthatIconcentratedonwork,andinthehospitalIgotareputationforbeingamisogynist.IfIneededagirltotaketoadanceI’dgowithGillyorGayle—whentheywereoldenough.That’showGaylegottheideaIwasinlovewithher.’
NataliewasalmostabouttotellhimthatGayledidn’tbelievethisforaminute,whenshestopped,knowinghewouldnotbelieveher.HesawGayleashelplessanddumb,anditwouldbehardtoconvincehimotherwise.PoorMiles,hemightbeabrilliantsurgeon,buttaketheknifeawayfromhimandhewasasingularlynaiveman.
‘Whyareyousmiling?’hedemanded.
‘Iwasthinkinghowsillyyouare,andthatI’mratherpleasedtobeabletosaveyou.’
‘Fromafateworsethandeath?’
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Themusicstopped,buthewasstillchucklingatherremarkastheyreturnedtothetable.SirEltonandhiswifewereabouttoleaveandNataliesawthatitwaslongpastmidnight.
‘We’llseeyoutomorrowevening,’LadyHuntersaidtoMiles.‘Canyoumakeitfordinner?’
‘I’mafraidIcan’t,’heansweredregretfully.‘Ihaveseverallateappointments,butI’llbealongshortlyafternine.’
Theymovedoutoftherestauranttothefoyer.
‘Canweexpectyoufortheweekend?’thewomancontinued.‘MynephewandhiswifeareflyinginfromtheStatesand—’
‘I’mtakingNataliedowntoseemymother,’Milesintervenedgently,andcouldnothavecreatedmoreofafuroreifhehadsuddenlydivestedhimselfofhisclothes.Itwas,Nataliethought,amasterstrokeonhisparttohavesaidhewasintroducinghertohismother,andshetookbackallthoughtofhisbeingnaive.
‘Anotherweekend,perhaps,’hecontinuedsmoothly,atthesametimeputtinghishandonNatalie’sarmsothatshehadtokeeppacewithhimastheyreachedtheentrance.
Silentlysheclimbedaheadofhimintotheirtaxi,andtheymoveddowntheStrand.
‘Ithoughtthatwentoffverywell,’hesaidinthedarkness.‘SirEltonlikedyou.’
‘Ilikedhim.’
ThetaxiturnedsharplydownKingswayandNatalieslidacrosstheseatintoMiles’sarms.Shewenttopullawayfromhim,buthewouldnotlethergo.
‘Ihopeyoudon’tmindmyco-optingyoufortheweekend?’hesaid.‘ButIthinkyou’llenjoyit.’
‘Youmeantitseriously?’Shewassurprisedandpleased.
‘Ofcourse.Ithoughthavingmymothermeetyouwasastrokeofgenius.She’llprattleonaboutitallweek,andifthatdoesn’tconvinceGayleandhermamathatI’mseriousaboutyou,nothingwill.’
DisappointedthatthiswastheonlyreasonforMiles’sinvitation,Natalierevertedtoherearliersarcasm.
‘Ihopeyouintendtellingyourmotherthetruthaboutus?’
‘That’snotpossible.Mymother’sadarlingbutaverypoorliar.’
‘Unlikeherson.’
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‘Don’tyoueverletup?’hedemandedroughly,andpulledhercloser.
Shestruggledtofreeherself,buthestillwouldnotlethergo.Claspinghermorefirmly,hepushedherbackagainstthesideofthetaxisothatitwasimpossibleforhertomove.
‘You’vebeenaskingforthiseversincewemet,’hemutteredinalow,throbbingvoice,‘soliestillandenjoyit!’
Thenhewaskissingher,hislipsfirmbutnotharduponherown,hishandsstrongonhershoulders,butsomehowcomforting.
Determinednottodemeanherselfbystrugglingwithhim,Natalieremainedquiescent.Butasthetouchofhismouthbecamegentle,sheinvoluntarilyresponded,andwhenhislipsbegantomovesoftlyacrosshers,sheechoedthemovement.Herbodyrelaxed,andhewasinstantlyawareofitandpulledherforwardtocradlehermorecomfortablyinhisarms,hishandssoftlycaressingherhairandthesideofherface.
‘You’rebeautiful,’hesaidhuskily.‘Beautiful,andIwantyou.’
Againtheirlipsmetandherspartedbeneathhis.Themomentaryfearshehadfeltwhenhehadfirstheldherhadgonecompletely,alongwithherantagonism.
ThetaxisloweddownandstoppedandMilesliftedhismouthfromhersandgavealittlemutter.Hurriedlyshesmoothedherhairandthenlethimhelpherfromthecab,whilehepaidoffthemanandthenunlockedthedoorofhisowncarforhertoclimbin.
Thestreetsweredesertedandtheyreachedherapartmentfarmorequicklythanshewouldhaveliked.
‘Iwon’taskyouupforadrink,’shesaid,openingthecardoor.
‘Pity,’hereplied.‘Iwouldn’thaverefused.’Hereachedacrosstoshutherinwithhim.‘Whytherush,Natalie?’
‘Becauseit’slateandI’msureyou’reoperatingearlyinthemorning.’
‘Iwouldn’tmindoperatinglateatnightaswell!’heteased,andshechuckled,foritwasthefirstopenlyhumorousremarkhehadmadetoher.ItwasunbelievablethatsheandMilesshouldbejokingtogether.
‘Ithoughtwe’dleavetownonSaturdayabouteleven,’hesaid.‘Thatwouldgetushomeintimeforlunch.’
‘Youreallydomeanmetocome?’
‘Iwouldlovemymothertomeetyou,’hesaidquietly,andleanednearer,asiftokissher,butshedrewback,unaccountablyshy.
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‘It’slate,’shesaidbreathlessly,andfumbledatthelocktoopenthedoor.
Hebenttodoitforher,hisfacesoclosethatshehadonlytopursehermouthtokisshischeek,andtheurgetodoitwassostrongthatshewasfrightened.
Ican’tbefeelingthiswayabouthim,shethoughtnervously.Ihardlyknowhim.
Quicklyshestumbledfromthecar,andasshemountedthestepstoherfrontdoor,foundhimbesideher.
Hetookthekeyfromherhandandopenedthelock.Shesteppedintothehallandwasilluminatedbyamoonbeamshiningdownthroughthefanlight.Itturnedherhairintoadarknimbusandsilveredherdress.
‘Evenwhenallthecolouringistakenawayfromyou,’hesaidsoftly,‘youstillseemtovibratewithit.’
Silentlyshestaredathim,notknowingwhattosay.
‘SeeingyouandGaylestandingsidebyside,’hewenton,‘mademelookatherwithdifferenteyes.’
‘Andmadeyourealisehowbeautifulshewas,’Natalierepliedcoolly,findinghervoice.
‘Howbeautiful,’heagreed,‘andhowempty.Sodifferentfromyou.’Hishandcameoutandtiltedupherchin.‘It’sthenastylightinthosegorgeouseyesofyoursthatIlike.Andthescorpion’stongueconcealedbyaCupid’smouth.’
Hisheadloweredandhespokeagainstherlips.
‘Goodnight,Natalie.I’llpickyouuphereonSaturday.’
Abruptlyhewasgone.Shewaiteduntilthesoundofhiscardiedaway,thenslowlyclimbedthestairstoherflat.WhatalongtimeitwasuntilSaturday!
Later,asshelayinbed,shemulledovertheireveningtogetherandtriednottothinkofthefuture.LovingamanlikeMilescouldbeatorment,forhewasfrighteninglyself-sufficientonemomentandastonishinglyvulnerablethenext.Toadmittoanawarenessofhisvulnerabilityfrightenedher,foritshowedthattheemotionhearousedinherwasdifferentfromanythingshehadexperiencedbefore.Shecouldcopewithdesire,butshedidnotknowhowtocopewithherurgetoprotectthistall,bone-thinmanwhoseemedsohappytoworkhimselfintotheground.
Unseeinglyshestaredintothedarkness,tryingtoguesswhatthefutureheldforher,andacceptingthefactthatifitdidnotholdmockingsherrygoldeyes,thenshewantednopartofit.
CHAPTERSEVEN
NATALIEhalfexpectedMilestocallheratsomestageduringthenexttwodaystosayhehad
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calledofftheweekend.Itwouldbeeasyforhimtofindanexcusetodoso.AllhehadtodowastopretendoneofhispatientsneededhiminLondon.
ButbySaturdaymorningtherewasstillnopostponement,andshesearchedoutasmallcaseandstartedtopack.Shewasreadylongbeforetimeand,withanuncertaintythatwasnotpartofhernormalcharacter,shewentthroughherclothestomakesureshehadtakenthecorrectones.IfMrsDentonwasasformalasLadyHunter,theremightbeabighouseparty,andshehadnointentionoflettingMilesfeelashamedofher.
Eleveno’clockarrivedwithnosignofhim.Thecalmshehaddeliberatelycultivatedwasslowlyebbing,andinitsplacecamethefearthathewouldnotturnup.
Byhalfpastelevenshewasabsolutelysurethiswasthecase,andwhenthebellfinallyrangattwelveshesprangacrosstothedoorandflungitopenasifchasedbytheDemonKinghimself.
Mileslookedoverhershoulder,somewhatstartled,asifexpectingtoseeanotherperson.Discomfited,shesteppedasidetolethimcomein.
‘Sorrytobelate,’hesaid,‘butIwasdetainedatthehospital.’
Thereasonwassoobvious,shewasannoyedfornothavingthoughtofitherself.
‘Iwasbeginningtothinkyou’dchangedyourmind,’sheblurtedout,andwashappytoseehisastonishment.
‘Inearlydid,’hesaid.‘Butonlytosuggestwegodownlastnightinstead.ButunfortunatelyoneofmypatientshadarelapseandIdidn’tfeelIshouldleavetown.’
‘Doyounow?’Natalieasked,evenhappiertoknowMileshadwantedtolengthentheirstayinthecountry.‘Ifyouwanttocallofftheweekend,I’mquitehappytostayhere.’
Helookedaroundhim.‘SowouldIbe.’
Therewasagleaminhiseyesashesteppedtowardsherandshehastilybackedaway.
‘Ithinkwe’dbettergoafterall!’
Hegrinnedandpickeduphercase.‘Whatagirlyouareforchangingyourmind!’
‘I’dratherbesafethansorry,’shequipped.
‘Howdoyouknowyouwouldbe?’
Itwaspreciselybecausesheknewshewouldn’tbesorrythatshewasscaredtostayherealonewithhim.Buttoadmitsuchathingwasdangerous,andignoringhisquestionshewentaheadofhimtothecar.
Thedaywasbeautiful,withbrightsunshineandabluesky,butitwouldhavebeenbeautifulto
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Nataliehaditbeenraining,andbecausesheknewthisshefeltvulnerable.
‘Whysoquiet?’heasked,givingheraquickglance.
‘I’mbeginningtogetcoldfeet.Isyourmotherasdifficultandoverbearingasyouare?’
‘That’smygirl,’heteased.‘I’vemissedyourknivesinthelastfewdays!’
‘Whydidn’tyouringme,then?’sheasked,andinstantlyregrettedthequestionwhenshesawhissurprise.
‘Iwantedto,butIdeliberatelydidn’t.Ihaveanideayou’rethesortofgirlwhodoesn’tliketobechased.’
‘UsuallyIdon’t,butIwasn’tsureifyouwantedtogoaheadwiththisplan.IknowyouthinkitwillconvinceGayle,butI’mnotsosure.She’ssoconfidentofropingyouineventuallythatIthinkshe’swillingtogiveyouplentyofroomtorunwild!’
‘MytakingyouhomehasnothingtodowithGayle,’hesaid,ignoringherothercomment.‘WhenIfirstmadethesuggestionitdid,butwhenI.thoughtitoverIrealiseditwaswhatIwantedtodo.’Heslowedthecarsothathecouldlookather.‘Ihopeyouwantittoo,Natalie?’
‘Verymuch,’shesaidinatremblingvoice,andhastilyavertedhergaze.Butsheheardhissoftlaughandtherewasnoescapingthepressureofhisfingersashislefthandreachedoutandclaspedhersonherlap.
Atone-thirtytheyreachedThreeLawns,andbowlingdownthelongdrivetowardsthegracioushousesetinspaciousterracedgardens,itwaseasytoseehowithadearneditsname.
NatalielookedatthetallspareframebehindthewheelofthecarandwonderedwhyMileshadmadenoconcessiontothefactthattheywerespendingtheweekendinthecountry.Hewasstillwearingaformalgreysuitandtie.
‘Don’tyoueverrelaxcompletely?’sheaskedimpetuously.
‘I’mrelaxednow.’
‘Imeantinjeansandsweater.’
‘I’mnotthejeanstype.Ifindthemdamneduncomfortabletowear.ButIpromiseyou’llseemeinbaggypantsI’
Hissmilewasswiftandsoftenedhisausterefeatures,givingthemapuckish,whimsicallook.
‘Whatdoyouthinkofthehouse?’hecontinued,astheycametoastoponawidecircularpatchofgravel.
Directlyfacingher,Nataliesawaflightofshallowstepsleadinguptoanarrowfrontdoorlying
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betweentwogracefulwindows.Thehousewassmallerthanshehadanticipatedfromherfirstglimpseofit,andbuiltofmellowstonesomehundredyearsago.Itlookedassereneandgraciousasthetall,grey-hairedwomanwhohadopenedthedoorandwascomingforwardtomeetthem.TherewasnoguessingrequiredtoknowitwasMiles’smother,forshehadthesameslenderfigureandsherrybrowneyesashertwochildren.
Nataliefoundtheeyeslookingatherintentlyastheysmiledawelcome,andherhandwastakeninafirmbutcoolgrasp.MrsDentonchattedgentlyinawell-modulatedvoiceassheusheredherguestthroughthesmall,squarehallanduptheelegantsweepingstaircase.WithinafewmomentsNataliefoundherselfinabedroomthatoverlookedthebackofthehouseandthepeacefulgardensbeyond.
‘Ihopeyou’llbecomfortablehere,’MrsDentonwassaying.‘Ifthere’sanythingyouneed,doletmeknow.’
‘ItlooksasifI’llhaveeverything,’Nataliereplied,lookingatthebedsidetablewhichheldasupplyofpaperbacks,acoupleoffashionmagazinesandasmallpotteryjarfilledwithdigestivebiscuits.
‘Justincaseyou’rehungryinthenight,’herhostessinformedher,adding:‘Once,whenmyhusbandwasalive,westayedwithsomedearfriendswhobothhadappetiteslikebirds.Wewerepracticallystarvingfortheentirethreedayswewerethere,andafterthatIvowedIwouldneverletthesamethinghappentomyownguests!’
‘IfI’mhungryIpromisetotellyou,’Natalielaughed,andMrsDentonleftheralonetounpackhercase,tellinghertocomedownassoonasshewasready.
Decidingitwasnotnecessarytochangeforlunch,Nataliepausedonlytocombherhairbeforegoingdownstairsandoutintothegarden.Itwasevenlovelierthanithadappearedfromadistance,foreverywherethescentofflowerswafteduptoherandtherewasnosoundintheairexcepttheoccasionaldroneofanaircraftandthebuzzingofabee.
Thelawnnearestthehousewaswelltended,butonthesecondone,whichwasonalowerlevel,busheswereallowedtogrowhaphazardly,givinganunexpectedimpressionofsizetowhatwasarelativelysmallarea.Thethirdsectionofthegardenwasbyfarthelargest,andalsothewildest,aswastheoneNatalieappreciatedmost.Heretherewasaprofusionofroses—herfavouriteflower—inabrilliantmassofscentedcolours,aswellasfloweringshrubsofeverydescriptionandage.Narrowpathswanderedhaphazardly,goingnowhereinparticular,andshestrolleddownoneandfoundherselfinfrontofasmallpergolacoveredwithpinkclimbingroses.Delightedlyshetouchedaclusterofblooms,admiringthevaryingshadesofpink.
‘Youlikeroses?’Milesasked,andsheswungroundandsawhewasstandingafewfeetawayfromher.
Ashehadpromised,hehadchangedintobaggypants,buttheydidnothingtodisguisehistallthinness.Yetthehalf-buttonedshirthewaswearingdisclosedarippleofmusclesacrosshischestandgaveanimpressionofwirystrength.Asasurgeon,sheknew,hewouldhavetobeinthepeakofcondition.Standingoperatingforhoursatastretchrequiredthehighestphysicalstamina.
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Butheshouldlearnnottoabuseit;shouldnotworksuchlonghoursandhavesolittlerecreation.
ShewonderedifGaylewasawareofthis,butcouldnotseetheblondegirlcaringforanyone’swellbeingotherthanherown.AwareofMileswatchingher,Natalierealisedshehadnotyetansweredhisquestion.
‘Rosesaremyfavouriteflower,’shesaid.
‘Youremindmeofaroseyourself.’
Shestraightened.‘Full-blownandgaudy?’
Hischucklewasappreciative.‘RichandheadyisthewayIwouldhaveputit.’Histhinfingerswerecoolonherchinastheytiltedherheadtofacehim.
‘IfIdidn’tknowyoutobealiberated,quick-temperedfirebrand,Iwouldsaythattodayyouarealmostshyofme.’
‘Quick-temperedfirebrandscanstillbecapableofshyness.’
‘Surelynotafterallthistime?’
‘Allthistime?’shecountered.‘Wehardlyknoweachother!’
Shesawhiseyesnarrowforaninstant.‘You’reright,’hesaidslowly,‘yetIfeelasifI’veknownyouforalongtime.Maybeit’sbecauseIfeelathomewithyou.’
‘I’marealhome-body,’shemocked.
‘It’sabodyIwouldverymuchliketobeathomewith,’hereplied,hissherrygoldeyesappraisinghercurves.
Sheblushedandpulledbackfromhim.MilesDentonwasasurprisingman;helookedasceticasasaintyethekissedwiththefireofSatan.
‘Comeon,’shesaidbrightly.‘Showmetherestofthegarden.’
Heledherthroughatangleoftallgrasstowhereastreammarkedthesouthernboundary,andtheylookedacrosstotherollinggreenfieldsbeyond.
‘Aren’tyouafraiditmightbebuilton?’sheasked,pointingtothesweepofland.
‘That’safarm,’hereplied,‘andIownit.’
Shewassurprised.‘Idon’tseeyouasafarmer.’
‘NordoI,’hesmiled.‘Hencethefactthatit’stenanted.ButthereisabeautifulfarmhousethatIplantooccupyoneday.’
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‘Whenthefarmerandhiswifemoveout?’
‘Thatwaspartoftheagreement.Butthey’llhaveanotherplacetogoto.’
Natalieknewwithoutaskingthatheplannedtoliveinthefarmhouseeitherwhenhemarriedorwhenheretired.Ashehadsaidhedidnotwishtochangehishappysinglestatus,sheassumedthatretirementwould‘comefirst—unlessGaylewontheday.Natalietriedtopushthethoughtoutofhermind.
‘Wouldyouliketoseethefarmhouse?’Milesasked.
‘Wedon’thavetimenow,’saidNatalie,strangelyreluctanttosayyes.‘Yourmothersaidlunchwouldbeservedsoon.’
‘Thenwe’dbettergoback.Wecangotothefarmanothertime.’
Wishingshehadnotrefusedtheofferafterall,sheturnedandfollowedhimbacktothehouse,reachingthetoplawnasMrsDentoncameoutthroughthefrenchwindows,asmallgonginherhands.
‘You’vesavedmecallingyou,’sheannounced,and’beckonedtheminside.
‘It’ssuchalovelydayIthoughtwewouldhavehadlunchontheterrace,’Milescommented,astheytooktheirplacesroundthebeautifullypolishedSheratontable.
‘MrsDorcashadalreadylaiditinhereandIhategivingherextrawork,’hismothersaid.‘Butwe’llhaveitontheterracetomorrowiftheweatherstillholds.Iassumeyouwon’thavetorushaway?’
‘Notunlessthere’sanemergency.’
‘Don’tyouevergetacompleteweekendtoyourself?’Natalieasked.
‘I’mfreenow,’hesmiled.‘Oneofmycolleaguesisstandinginforme,andhe’sverycapable.’
‘Butyousaidthatiftherewereanemergencyyouwouldhavetogo.’
‘Itisn’taquestionofhavingto,Natalie,it’saquestionofwantingtodoso.IfanythingseriouscroppedupwithoneofmypatientsIwouldexpectmycolleaguetoletmeknow.ThenitwouldbemydecisionwhetherornotIwishedtoreturn.’
‘Andofcourseyouwould,’hismotherstated.
‘Ofcourse,’hesaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld.
Natalie’seyesmetthoseofherhostessandthetwowomensmiled,asifsharingasecret.
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Youseehowdedicatedheis,theolderwomanseemedtobesaying.Itisn’tjustajobtohim,hereallycares.
YetitwasnotonlyabouthispatientsthatMilescared,Natalieknew,butalsoaboutthepeopleinhislife—hismother,withwhomheobviouslyhadagoodrelationship,andhissister.WhatafoolGillianwasnottorealisehehadherbestinterestsatheart.Sheshouldbegladshehadabrotherwhoworriedabouther,andnotgooutofherwaytodefyhim.YetifGillianhadnotdoneso,Mileswouldnotnowbeinherownlife.
Lunchover,theyreturnedtothegarden.MrsDentontookasewingbasketandwassoonabsorbedinsometapestry.NatalieleafedthroughamagazineandMilespromptlyfellasleepinachaise-longue,hisarmsagainsthissides,long,supplehandsdangling.
‘Heworkssohard,’MrsDentonsaidquietly,lookingathim.‘I’malwaysgladwhenhecangetdownforaweekend.Ifeelit’stheonlytimehehastohimself.’
‘Butheloveshiswork,’saidNatalie,andwonderedwhetherherhostesswishedthatGaylewassharingherson’sweekend.ButMrsDenton’snextwordswereadenialofthis.
‘It’slovelyhavingyouhere,Natalie.You’rethefirstgirlMileshasbroughtheretoseeme.Heusuallykeepshisprivatelifeveryprivate.’
Nataliewishedshewerenothereunderfalsepretences.‘Ihaven’tknownMilesverylong,’shesaidcarefully.
‘Butlongenoughforhimtobringyoutomeetme.’
‘Idon’tthinkmeetingaman’smothermeansasmuchthesedaysasitdidyearsago.’
‘ItmeansalottoMiles.Ifitdidn’t,he’dhavebroughtothergirl’shome.’
‘You’reembarrassingNatalie,Mother.’Milessuddenlyspoke,hisvoiceclipped,surprisingbothwomen.‘Ifyouaren’tcareful,she’llturntailandrunbacktoLondon.’
‘No,Iwon’t,’Natalierepliedstoutly.‘YoupromisedmeacountryweekendandacountryweekendI’mgoingtohave.’
‘Ithoughtyouweresleeping,’MrsDentonsaidtohim,‘noteavesdropping.’
‘Itwasnotintentional,Mamma,’hersonsmiled,‘merelythehabitofyears.I’vebecomeusedtosleepingwithoneearalertforthetelephonetoring.’
‘Well,notelephonebellwillwakenyouthisafternoon,sogotosleepagain.’
‘Onlyifyoupromisenottotalkaboutme.’
‘I’msureyourmotherandIcanthinkofmoreamusingsubjectsthanyou,’Natalierejoined.
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‘Idon’tbelieveit,’hereplied,andclosinghiseyesagain,wasalmostinstantlyasleep.
‘Mencandothat,’MrsDentonsaid,lookingathimfondly.‘I’veevenknownhimtodoitwhenwe’vebeeninthemiddleofaquarrel.’
Nataliechuckled.‘Howinfuriating!’
‘Itisrather,’MrsDentonsmiledback.‘NotthatIquarrelwithhimveryoften.He’sawonderfulson.Ouronlydisharmonyisbecausehe’sstillabachelor.I’vebeenwantinghimtomarryforyears.’
Notanxioustobetherecipientofherhostess’sconfidences,Natalierosefromherdeckchairandpretendedaninterestinanunusual-lookingbushafewyardsaway.MrsDentonwasakeengardenerandwassoonhappilyabsorbedintellingheraboutararespeciesoflavender,andthengoingontoshowvariousotherkinds.BythetimeNataliehadlearnedeverythingshewantedtoknowaboutlavenderbushes,aservantwaswheelingatrolleyontothelawn.Homemadesconessurroundedadelicious-lookingfruitcakewhosesweetaromarousedMilesfromhissleep,andmadehimsitupandannouncethathewasfamished.
‘Afteryourenormouslunch!’Natalieexclaimed.‘Ican’tseewhereyou’regoingtoputanymorefood.’
‘I’vegothollowlegs,’hesaid,profferingherasconeanddemolishingonehimself.‘Anyway,mynervousenergyconsumesallthecaloriesIeat.’
‘Ithoughtitwasyourbadtemperthatdidthat,’shesaidsweetly.
‘I’monlybad-temperedwithyou,’herejoinedwithaglintinhiseyes.‘NormallyI’mthemostdocileofmen.’
ThinkingofthewayhehadallowedGayletoplayhavocwithhislife,shewasalmostreadytobelievehim,butitwasanunpalatablethoughtthatMiles’sambitionwasstrongenoughtoallowhimtobeforcedtothebrinkofamarriagehedidnotwant,andnotforthefirsttimeNataliewonderedhowhehadplannedtogetoutofthesituationhadsheherselfnotcomeonthescene.
‘Whatareyouthinkingabout?’Milesaskedsoftly,andNataliesawthatMrsDentonhadmovedoutofearshottofondlearedsetterthathadambledontothelawn.
‘AboutyouandGayle,’Nataliesaidtruthfully.‘Iwonderifyou’llreallymanagetoescapefromherclutches.’
‘Itmightbeaquestionofgoingfromthefryingpanintothefire.’
‘Whatdoyoumean?’
Hegaveheranoddlook.‘AtleastIfindGayleeasytounderstandandnotthatdifficulttomanage;whereasanotherwomanmightbeconsiderablymoredifficulttotame.You,forexample,couldverywellturnroundandbitethehandthat’sfeedingyou!’
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‘SinceIconsiderIwouldbeprovidingpartofthefood,’Natalieretorted,‘Iwouldbiteanyhandthatthoughtitwasfeedingmeentirely!’
‘Oh,lord,’hegroaned.‘Awomanwhowantstostandonherownfeet!Ishouldhaveknownyouwouldn’tseemarriageasenoughtokeepyouhappy.’
‘Wouldyou?’
‘WouldIwhat?’
‘Wouldyoustopbeingasurgeonifyouhadawife?’Beforehecouldanswershewenton:‘Thenwhyshouldyouexpectthewomanyoumarrytogiveuphercareer?’
‘BecauseIconsiderthattakingcareofahomeandchildrenisafull-timecareerinitself.Atleastuntilthechildrenareoldenoughtotakecareofthemselves.’
‘Bywhichtimethewomanfeelstoooldtogobacktoherjob,ordiscoversthatherknowledgeissooutofdatethatshe’sgottoretrain.’
‘Igrantyouit’saproblem,’hesaid,‘butit’sonethatawomanhastoface.Andonedayyou’llhavetofaceittoo.Unlessyouplantomarryamanwho’llstayhomeandletyougotowork!’
Beforeshecouldopenhermouthtoprotest,hereachedacrossandputhisfingersuponherlips.
‘We’rehavinganunnecessaryargument,Natalie.Youhaveajobthatwillturnyouintoanidealwife.Ifyou’reusedtocaringforotherpeople’stoddlers,youcaneasilylookafterhalfadozenofyourown.’
Forasecond,indignationflashedfromhereyes,butthenthehumourofhisremarkgotthebetterofhertemper,andashefeltherlipstwitchbeneathhistouch,hedroppedhisfingersawayfromthem.
‘Yousee,’hecontinuedsmoothly,‘youhaveeverythingtorecommendyou.’
‘I’llgetyoutowriteoutareference,’shesaidpromptly.
‘Imustmakeafewothertestsfirst.’
Thegleaminhiseyeswarnedhernottoaskwhathemeant,andinsteadshehelpedherselftoanotherscone.
Afterteatheywentforawalkacrosstothefarmhouse,whichwaseverybitasbeautifulasshehadanticipated.TheydidnotgointoitbutadmireditstimberedgracefromadistancebeforereturningacrossthefieldstoThreeLawns.Milesleftheratthedoorofherroomandthenwenttohisownfurtherdownthecorridor.
‘Dowegetdressedfordinner?’shecalledsoftly.
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‘Onlyintosomethingcomfortable,’heanswered.
Surveyingtheclothesshehadwithher,Nataliewasgladshehadbroughtagoodselection.HowawfultohavegonedowninchiffonandfoundMilesandhismotherincashmereandslacks.
Deliberatelyshechosealooseflowingsilkthatreliedforitsresultonthecurvesofthefigurewhichitcovered.ThewildrosecolouremphasisedtheflushinhercheeksandgaveunexpecteddepthtoherTitianhair.
WhensheenteredthesittingroomMilesandhismotherwerealreadythere.Hewasunexpectedlysuaveinnarrowfittingblacksuedepantsandabrownvelvetjacketalmostthesamecolourashiseyes.Sohecould,becomethemanabouttownwhenitsuitedhim!Itwasaninterestingthoughtandshewonderedwhatotherpossibilitieslaybehindhisusuallyausterefacade.
Yettodayhehadnotbeenausterewithher,butcharmingandfriendlywithahintofsomethingdeeperbehindit.Yetsheknewenoughnottoreadtoomuchintohisfriendliness,nomatterthathehadsaidhehadaskedherhomebecausehehadwantedtodoso.
WithaneffortshefocusedherattentiononwhatMrsDentonwassaying,butfoundithardtopreventherattentionfromwanderingasMilescameoverwithabrimmingglass.Therimwasfrosted,andshelookedatitinastonishment.
‘Whatisit?’sheasked.‘Sugar?’
‘Salt.’Seeingshedidnotbelievehim,hesmiled.‘Itreallyissalt,Natalie.Itgoeswiththisparticulardrink.’
‘YoumeanIsipitandgetamouthfulofsaltatthesametime?’Shestilldidnotbelievehim.
‘Hardlyamouthful,justaslighttaste.There’sonlyafaintpowderingofsaltroundtheedgeoftheglass.’
Doubtfullyshetookitandsipped,findingitperfectlydelicious.‘Whatisit?’sheasked.
‘It’scalledaMarguerita.IwasfirstgivenitwhenIwasinMexico.It’samixtureoftequila,drysackandalittlefreshlime.’
‘Icoulddevelopatasteforthis,’shesaid.
Mileschuckled,asdidhismotherwho,inafloralsilkdresswithalongflowingskirt,lookedconsiderablyyoungerandverymuchlikeherdaughterGillian.
WhenNataliehadfinishedherdrinktheymovedacrosstothediningroom.Dinnerwasapredominantlycoldmeal,withonlyahotsoupservedasafirstcourse.Butthefoodwasampleanddeliciouslycooked:freshsalmonwasheddownbyafairlydryChablis,andadeliciousicedalmondgâteauaccompaniedbyaBarsac,thefirsttrulysweetwineNataliecouldeverremember
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havingtasted.
‘Icanseeyouhaveasweettooth,’Milescommented,watchingherlookofappreciationasshesippedfromthesmallglass.
‘Ididn’tthinkIhad,’sheconfessed,‘butImustsay’Ifindthiswineabsolutelymarvellous.’
‘Goeasyonit,’MrsDentoncautioned.‘Ioncemadethemistakeofthinkingitwasnon-alcoholicbecauseitwassosweet.’
Natalie,whohaddrunkherglassratherquickly,wasbeginningtobeawareoftheeffect.SheshookherheadwhenMileswantedtoreplenishherglass,butheignoredthegesture.
‘Ishallgetdrunk,’sheprotested.
‘Thethoughthadoccurredtome,’hesaidcarefully,‘anditmightbeinterestingtoseewhatyoudo.’
‘Somethingdisgraceful,Ishouldthink!’
‘Ifyoudid,itwouldn’tgofurtherthanthesefourwalls,’hesaidsolemnly,thoughhiseyeswereglowinggold,whichsheknewtobeasignthathewasinahighgoodhumour.
‘DoyourememberwhenGaylehadtoomuchtodrink?’MrsDentonsaidsuddenly.
HerwordsactedlikeadoucheofcoldwateruponNatalie’sspirits,remindingheronceagainthatshewouldbewisenottoforgetshewashereforaspecificpurpose.
‘Icertainlydoremember,’Milesansweredhismother.‘Shegotfrightfullypeevishtoo.’HeglancedatNatalie.‘Ithinkinvinoveritasisaremarkablytruesaying,don’tyou?’
‘AsIdon’tknowhowIbehavewhenI’mdrunk,I’mgoingtoletthatpasswithoutcomment,’Nataliesmiled.
‘Well,Ican’timagineyoubeingpeevish.Downrightbad-temperedismuchmoreyourline!’
‘Miles!’hismotherexpostulated.‘Howcanyoubesorude?’
‘MilesandIhaveaparticularlytruthfulrelationship,’Nataliesaidquickly,wishingitwerenotquitethecase.‘Whenwefirstmet,wedecidedwewouldneverlietooneanother.’
‘Howdidyoumeet?’askedMrsDentonwithinterest.
Nataliewasatalosshowtoanswer,butMileshadnohesitation.
‘ThroughGillie,’hesaid,settingdownhisemptywineglassandtouchinghisnapkintohismouth.
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‘Ididn’trealiseyouwereafriendofGillie’s,’MrsDentonsaidtoNatalie.
‘Notreallyafriend,’Nataliereplied.‘Moreofanacquaintance.’
Anxioustochangethesubject,shesaidthefirstthingthatcameintoherhead.‘Ilovethedecorofthisroom.Didyoudoit,orwasitlikethiswhenyoumovedin?’
‘ItwasalmostashellwhenmyhusbandandIboughtit,’MrsDentonreplied.‘Wespentthebestpartoftenyearslovinglyre-doingeveryroom,andtheyearafterwefinishedit,myhusbanddied.’
Natalielookedsympatheticbutsaidnothing,feelingthatanywordssheutteredwouldbeinadequate.
‘Itwasverysudden,’MrsDentonwenton.‘Oneminutehewassittinginhisarmchairtalkingtome,andthenextminutehewasgone.Itwasadreadfulshock.’Herlipstrembledandforamomenttherewassilence.‘ButMilesandGilliewerewonderfultome,’thewomancontinued,‘andnowIcanthinkofitwithouttoomuchpain.’Sheleanedbackinherchair,aslim,regalfigure.‘MyhusbandwasconsiderablyolderthanIam.Hewasfortywhenhemarried.That’swhyIdon’twantMilestowaittoolong.Ithinkoneshouldgrowupwithone’schildren.’
‘Iagree,’Nataliesaid,‘butonecan’tgetmarrieduntiltherightpersoncomesalong.’
‘Ifyougoroundwithyoureyesclosed,howwillyoufindthem?’
‘Idon’tgoaroundwithmyeyesclosed,’Milesprotested.‘Afterall,IfoundNatalie.’
Natalieflunghimalookofreproach,wishinghewerenotpretendingquitesowellinfrontofhismother.ShelikedMrsDentonconsiderably—afactwhichdidnothingtolessentheguiltshefelt.
‘Idon’twanttowaituntilI’mseventybeforeIseesomegrandchildren,’MrsDentoncontinued.‘It’stimewehadchildrenplayingonthelawnagain.’
‘Ifyou’reaskingmetoconfessmysinsandbringthemhome,’hersonteased,‘I’mperfectlywillingtodoso.’
‘Miles!Youknowverywellthatisn’twhatImeant.’
‘Iknowwhatyoumean,Mammadear,butyouwon’tmakemechangemymindbynaggingatme.Leaveyourlittlechickensaloneandthey’llcomehometoroostallingoodtime.’
NataliefeltMrsDenton’seyesuponherandthoughshepretendedtobeunawareofit,shefeltthecolourinhercheeksintensify.
LuckilyMrsDorcaschosethatmomenttocomeinwiththecoffee,andMileswanderedovertothestereotoputonsomemusic.
‘Eversincehewasachild,musichashelpedhimtorelax,’MrsDentonconfided,glancingatthe
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tallthinfigureofhersonintentlyscanningthroughsomecassettes.‘He’sanexcellentviolinist.Atonetimewethoughthewasgoingtotakeitupprofessionally,butthensurgerytookprecedence.’Shehalfsmiled.‘Notsurprising,really,whenoneconsidershowwellknownJameswasinhisprofession.’
‘Ihadn’trealisedMiles’sfatherwasasurgeontoo,’Nataliecommented,andwishedMileshadtoldher.
OneoftheBrandenburgConcertosfilledtheroomwithsound,andlisteningtotheclearnotesshedecidedhowmuchlikeMilesBach’smusicwas,beingfullofcontrolledpassionandwithadepthoffeelingonecouldonlyappreciatethemoreonelistenedtoit.
Milessatinanarmchair,bodytotallyrelaxed,onehandmovingintimewiththetempo.TheBachwasfollowedbyMahler’sEighthSymphony,andduringthelastpartMrsDentonstoodup,mouthed‘Goodnight’andlefttheroom.
Milesroseandsilentlywentwithhertothedoor,thenreturnedtositbesideNatalieonthesettee.Hislonglegsmadeadarklineabarethreeinchesfromherrose-colouredskirts.
Hegavenosignofbeingawareofherbutsheknewhehadnotcometositbesidehermerelybecauseitwasmorecomfortable,andshewasnotsurprisedwhen,amomentlater,hishandcameoutandclaspedhers.Therewasatremorinhistouchshehadnotanticipated,andshewouldhavegivenagreatdealtohaveknownwhetheritwasfromnervousnessordesire.
Themusiccametoanendandneitherofthemmoved.
‘Youlookevenlovelierthanusualtonight,Natalie,’hesaidsoftly,anddrewhergentlyintohisarms.
Shedidnotresisthimbutremainedpassiveashetiltedupherchinwithonehandandlookedintohereyes.
‘I’mnotforcingmyselfuponyouthistime,’hecontinued.‘Ifyoudon’twantmetokissyou,allyouhavetodoistosayno.’
Silentlyshecontinuedtostareintohiseyes,andtheglowinthemdeepenedaspassionaroseinhim.Movingslowly,asifhehadallthetimeintheworld,hismouthcamedownuponhersandhepushedhergentlylowerontothesettee.Herthicksilkyhairsplayedoutaroundherandhewoundhisfingersthroughitashewentonkissingher.
Histouchsearedthroughherlikeaflameandshewrappedherarmsaroundhim,forgettingshehadwantedtoplaythisscenecoolly.Allshewasawareofwastheneedtorespondtohim—totrytoassuagetheclamorousurgethathiskissesarousedinherbody.Hishandsmoveduponherbreastsandshefeltthepressureofthemthroughthesilkyfoldsofherdress.
‘Somuchmaterial,’hewhisperedwithwryhumour.‘Didyouwearitbydesignoraccident?’
‘Adesigningaccident!’
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Hechuckledand,halfraisingher,skilfullywenttolowerthezip.Buttheveryproficiencyofhismovementscausedhertopullawayfromhim.
‘Forsomeonewhoprofessestohavelimitedexperiencewithwomen,’shesaidshakily,‘you’reveryadeptatundressingthem.’
‘AsamedicalstudentIoftenhadtodoso.’
‘Insteadofthenurses?’
‘Theyweren’talwaysavailable.’Hishandsremainedonhershoulders.‘ThoughIsaidmyexperiencewaslimited,Ican’tremembersayinghowlimited!’
‘Itisn’tevenawordyoushoulduse,’shesaid.‘Ithinkyou’reanexperienced,artfulman,MilesDenton.’
‘Obviouslynotartfulenough.’Hecuppedherbreastsagainandthenletthemgoandputhishandsonherback,pressingherbodytightlyagainsthisown.Hewastremblingnoticeably.‘IfIsaidIdidn’tnormallybehavelikethis,youwouldn’tbelieveme.’
‘Howrightyouare!’
‘Neverthelessithappenstobetrue.Youtantaliseme.Itmustbethatwine-redhairofyours,makingmedrunk.’
Itwasoneoftheprettiestcomplimentseverpaidtothecolourofherhair,andsheclungtohimandtiltedherfaceup—agesturewhichhereadcorrectly,forhestoppedspeakingandstartedtokissheragain.Then,stillkeepinghismouthpressedtohers,hedrewherdownontothesetteeoncemore.Hemadenoattempttolowerherdress,andthoughshewassorry,shewasnonethelessglad.Evenhiskissesarousedhertoadesireshehadrarelyfeltbefore,andthefearshehadexperiencedwithhimdeepened,forsheknewshewasnolongertotteringonthebrinkoffallinginlovewithhim;shehadalreadydoneso.
HerlipspartedandMilesgentlymovedthetipofhistonguealongtheinneredgeofthem.Sheknewhewoulddonomoreunlesssheencouragedhim,andherownneedout-weighedhercaution.Gently,shetootracedhislipswithhertongue,andfeelingthemoistsweetnessofher,hedeepenedhiskiss,withsensuousmovementsthatsentdesirestormingthroughher.
‘Darling,’hesaidhoarsely,andthenwithaconvulsiveshiverpushedherawayfromhimandstoodup.Hestrodeovertothemantelpieceandrestedhisclenchedhandsuponthemarbletop.
‘I’mnotasmuchincontrolasIthought,’hemuttered.
‘NoramI,’Natalieconfessed.‘Itmightbebetterifwesaidgoodnight.’
‘No.Idon’twantyoutogoyet.’Heglancedatheroverhisshoulder.‘I’llsitonthefarsideoftheroom.It’stooearlyforyoutogotobed.Iwanttogoonlookingatyou.’
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Onceagainhewasprovinghimselfnomeangiverofcompliments,sosherestedherheadagainstthebrocadesetteeandwatchedashesettledintoanarmchairseveralyardsaway,withtheeasyco-ordinationthatwassomuchapartofhim.
‘Youhaven’tputonanothercassette,’sheremindedhim.
Helookedsurprised,thenrosetodoso,thistimechoosingMaxBruch’sViolinConcerto,aparticularfavouriteofNatalie’s.Shehadtorestrainherdesiretohumalongwiththemusic,untilshewassuddenlyawareofadroningsoundandrealisedthatMileshimselfwashummingthetune,oratleastwhatpassedforit.
‘Whatadreadfulvoiceyou’vegot!’shelaughed,delightedtofindsomethinghedidnotdowell.Hegaveheranimpishgrinandwentonsinging.
‘I’mgladyoudidn’ttakeupmusicprofessionally,’shelaughedwhentheconcertocametoanend.
‘Ihaveperfectpitch,’hesaidmildly.‘It’sjustunfortunatethatalthoughIknowthesound,itdoesn’tcomeoutthewayIhearit.PutmeinfrontofaninstrumentandI’mfine.’
‘Doyouhaveaviolinnow?’
‘Yes,butI’mnotgoingtoplaytonight.I’mtired.’Hehesitated.‘I’llplayforyouanothernightifyoulike.’
Shesawhemeantitandwastouched,themoresosincehiscommentsignifiedthattherewouldbeothernightswhentheywouldbealonetogether.IfonlyshecouldbelievethathiswantingtobewithherhadnothingtodowithGayle!Shelongedtoaskhim,yetdarednot,andinsteadmurmuredthatitwaslateandthatshewasgoingtobed.
‘Careforanightcap?’heasked.
‘Nomoretodrink,’shesaid,andlefthimstandingbythedecanter.
Shewasstillatthedressingtablebrushingherhair,whensheheardhisstepinthecorridor.Itdidnothesitateoutsideherroom,thoughtherewasaslightdifferenceinthesound,asifhewerequickeninghispaceratherthanslowingit,andherlipscurvedinasmile.Shewentonwithherbrushing,notpausinguntilshehadreachedthehundredthstroke.
‘MilesDenton.’Shesaidthenamealoud.Howwellthenamesuitedhim—firmyetunadorned.‘MilesDenton.MrsMilesDenton.’
Sheputdownherhairbrushandmethereyesinthemirror.Theywerebrightasstars.
‘Don’tmakeafoolofyourself,’shewarnedherimage.‘Thisisthe1980s,notthe1880s.Afewkissesdon’tmeananything.Milesdoesn’twanttogetmarried—he’salreadymadethatclear—buthe’sripeforaloveaffairandallyouneeddoissayyes.’
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Butwhentheaffairwasover,whatthen?
Theanswertoherquestionwasasoberingone,andcontemplatinghowbleakherfuturewouldbewithoutMilesinit,sheknewshehadleftittoolatetorunaway.
CHAPTEREIGHT
SEVERALofMrsDenton’sfriendsdroppedinforpre-lunchdrinksonSunday,anditwasmid-afternoonbeforelunchwasfinished.
Earlier,MileshadtakentheretrieverforalongwalkacrossthefieldswhileNatalie,notfeelingenergetic,hadelectedtostaybehindwithherhostess.Shefoundherselflikingthewomanmoreandmoreandinevitablyfeelingguiltierthaneverforbeinghereunderfalsepretences.
ShethoughtofthisnowasshewatchedMilessleepinginadeckchair,hisfacedappledbythelateafternoonsunshine.
‘Henevertakesaholidaylongenoughtorelax,’MrsDentonsaid,seeingNatalie’seyesrestingonherson’sface.‘It’ssobadforhim.That’swhyI’dlikehimtogetmarried.Ifhehadsomeoneelse’swell-beingtocareabout,he’dtakemorecareofhimself.’
‘Hecaresdeeplyabouthispatients.’
‘Notinthesamewaythathewouldabouthiswife.IalwayshopedheandGayle….’MrsDentonsighed.‘I’msorry,mydear.It’snotverytactfulofmetohavesaidthattoyou.’
‘Itdoesn’tmatter.MilestoldmeyouandLadyHunterhavealwayshopedtheywouldfallinlovewitheachother.’
‘.GaylewouldmarryMilestoday,ifheaskedher.’
‘Perhapsifyoudidn’tpushherathim,hemightnotbesoobstinate,’Nataliesaidevenly,marvellingathercomposure.
‘It’sveryforbearingofyoutosaysuchathing,’MrsDentonmurmured.‘YouandMilesareobviouslyfondofeachother.’Therewasapause.‘Areyouinlovewithhim?’
ColourfloodedNatalie’sfaceandsheglancedatMiles,thankfulthathewasasleep.Buthercalmnessvanishedasshesawoneeyelidhalfliftandthenswiftlycloseagain.Whatabeasthewas;hehadbeenawakethewholetime.
‘MilesandIareonlyfriends,’shesaidfirmly,ignoringhisshutteredface.‘Theonlythingseriousaboutusisourintentionnottogetmarried.’
‘Butyouseemsocompatible,’MrsDentonsaid.‘FromthemomentIsawyoutogetherIhadthefeelingyouwereimportanttohim.’
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Natalie’sinterestwasaroused,andshegazedintentlyatherhostess,willinghertogoon.ItwouldatleastgivetheGreatPretendersomethingtothinkabout.
‘Milesissoconsideratewithyou,’MrsDentoncontinued,‘andheisn’tbynatureaconsiderateman.He’sanextremelykindoneandhe’lldoanythingforanybody,butlittlegesturesofthoughtfulnessarenotinhischaracter.AtleastIdidn’tthinksountilIsawhimwithyou.’
‘Ihaven’tfoundhimparticularlythoughtful,’Nataliesaidsweetly.
‘That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowwhathe’susuallylike,’MrsDentonchuckled.‘Butheseemstobeonpinsandneedleswheneveryou’reoutoftheroomandhiseyesfollowyouaroundthewholetime.’Theolderwomanhesitated,herexpressionthoughtful.‘I’vewantedGayleforadaughter-in-lawforaslongasIcanremember,yetnow,meetingyou,Ifindyouaresomuchmorerestful.It’soddreally,butIfeelasifI’veknownyouforyears.Maybeit’sbecauseIknowhowmuchyoulikemyson.’
ThiswascomingtooclosetohomeandNatalieglancedacrossatMiles,whowasstillkeepinghiseyesclosed,thoughshewaspreparedtobetacenttoadollarthathewaswideawake.
‘I’venevergivenathoughttomarriage,’shesaidbrightly.‘IwarnedMilesyoumightgetthewrongideaifIcamedownfortheweekend.’
‘Ialwaysseemtobegettingthewrongidea,’MrsDentonsaidregretfully,andlookedtowardsherson.SuddenlysheseemedtonoticethathislidswereflickeringandshesmiledconspiratoriallyatNatalie,indicatingthatsheshouldlookattherecumbentfigure.
NatalieglancedatMilesandfoundherselfgrinningasherhostess,havingdiscoveredhersonwasfoxing,nowseemedtotakeitforgrantedthateveryanswerNataliehadgiventoherquestionshadbeendeliberatelywordedtoteaseMiles.
Rising,MrsDentontiptoedaway,andNataliesettledherselfmorecomfortablyinherchairandwaitedforMilestorealisetheywerealonetogether.
‘Ithinkyoursonisfartooselfishandbad-temperedtomakeagoodhusband,’shesaidconversationally.‘Idon’texpectyoutoanswerme,MrsDenton,becauseyou’rebiasedinhisfavour.Butquitehonestly,IthinkhedeservesGayleasawife.She’sexactlythesnobbylittlehorrorheneeds!’
Milessatupinonesweepingmovement,hiswholeexpressiononeofindignation.InaninstanthesawthatheandNataliewerealone,andhegavealoudshoutoflaughter.
‘MyGod,you’reabitch!Foramomentyoufooledmecompletely.’Hestoodupandstretched.‘ImustsayIexpectedtohearfarmorepleasantthingsaboutmyself.’
‘Youknowwhattheysayabouteavesdroppers,’Nataliereplied.‘Anyway,it’scrueltoletyourmotherthinkwe’reseriousabouteachother.’
‘Itisn’tcrueltoletherknowIlikeyou.’Sherrygoldeyesglitteredather.‘YouknewIwasonly
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pretendingtobeasleep,soIdiscounteverythingyousaid.Ifyouhadn’tknownIwasawake,youwouldhaveansweredherquitedifferently.’
‘Oh,sure,’Nataliesaidcalmly.‘I’dhavetoldherIadoreyoumadlyandthatmyoneambitioninlifeistobeyourdoormat.’
‘Notaverysoftone,’hesaid,straight-faced.‘Butfullofsharpprickles.Still,I’dsoonsoftenthem.’
‘Theonethingyouaren’tshortofisconceit!’
‘BecauseIknowmyworth?’Lithelyhestretchedhismusclesagain.‘Don’tyouthinkIhavethemakingsofanexcellenthusband?’
‘Ifyouwereonourbooks,I’dgetyousettledinnotime.’
‘Iamonyourbooks,’heremindedher,‘andIhaveafeelingthatinnexttonotimeyouwillgetmesettled.’Heleanedforwardanddroppedalightkissonthetopofherhead.‘Come,mysweet,wemustbegettingback.Ihaveafewpatientstoseeatthenursinghomebeforetheysettledownforthenight.’
‘Youweresupposedtohavetheweekendcompletelyfree.’
‘IfIstayedhereanothernightwithyouImightneverbefreeagain.’
Thetwitchofhismouthshowedhewasteasing,andwishingheweren’t,Nataliewentintodoherpacking.
HerfarewelltoMrsDentonwasaffectionate,andalltoosoontheywerespeedingtowardsLondon.Milesseemedpreoccupied,andNataliewonderedifhewasthinkingofhispatientsorabouttheweekendtheyhadjustspenttogether—well,notquitetogether.Shefelltomusingonwhatitmighthavebeenlikehadtheyreallybeenalone,andexperiencedsuchanuprushofdesirethatshewasshocked.Somuchforherindependenceofmindandbody,shethoughtdespairingly,whenateasingman—whomadeitclearhedidnotwantmarriage—couldbringhertothisstateinamatterofdays.
Itwasseveno’clockwhenMilesdrewthecartoastopoutsideherapartmentblock,andshejumpedoutalmostbeforehehadswitchedofftheengine.
‘Thanksforawonderfulweekend,Miles.’
‘What’stherush?’hedemanded,gettingoutofthecarandcomingroundtowardsher.‘Theweekendisn’toveryet.I’llbefreeagaininaboutanhourandwecangooutforsupper.’
Becausetheurgetosayyeswasstrong,sheforcedherselftosayno.
‘I’mtired,’shelied,‘andIhavesomethingstopreparefortomorrow.IhavetoarrangeinterviewsfortwonewclientsandImuststudytheirfiles.’
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‘Youaren’tgoingbacktotheofficetonight,areyou?’
‘Ibroughtthemhomewithme.’
‘Howefficientyouare!’
‘Itrytobe,’shesaidlightly,andonanimpulseputherhandsonhisarm.‘YoudobelievethatMaggieandIdidn’tknowanythingaboutRolandcontactingyoursister?Shedoesn’trealisethesortofpersonheis,butevenifhewerethegreatestcatchintheworldshe’dneverdoanythingsounethicalastoallowhimtomeetaclient.’
‘Ibelieveyou,’Milessaidquietly,‘andrightnowIfeelsurprisinglymagnanimoustowardsRoland.Butforhim,I’dneverhavemetyou.’Heputhishandsoverhersandwenttodrawherclose.
Shestiffenedandheldherselfawayfromhim.Shedidnotwanthimtoconsiderhertooeasy.
‘AtleastifyoubelieveIknewnothingofwhatRolandwasdoing,’shewhispered,‘Iwon’tfeelourfriendshipis—’Shestopped,notwishingtogiveherselfaway.
‘Let’spretendwemetforthefirsttimethisweekend,’saidMiles,andloweringhishead,gentlytouchedhismouthtohers.‘AreyoufreetoseemeonTuesdaynight?’heasked.
WishingonlythathehadmadeitMonday,shenodded.
‘ThenI’llpickyouuphereabouteight,’hesaid.‘ButbearwithmeifI’mnotontime.Ineverknowtotheexacthalfhour.’
Happilyshebadehimgoodnight.Shewantedtoreliveeverymomentofthelasttwodaysand,assheunpackedhercaseandchangedintoacomfortablehousecoat,shechewedovereachincidentlikeadogonabone,savouringeverysinglebitofit.
Natalie’smoodofhappinesscarriedoverintothenextday,andshewassingingcheerfullyunderherbreathassheunlockedthedooroftheBondStreetofficeandpickedupthepileofcircularsandletterswhichlayonthemat.Thecircularsshedumpedintothewastepaperbasket,andafterreadingtheletterssheputthemintoherhandbagtoshowMaggiewhenshevisitedherthatevening.HowdelightedherfriendwouldbetohearfromtwoclientswhohadsentweddinginvitationsandglowingthankstoMaggieforintroducingthemtotheirpartners.
Nataliewonderedifonedayshewouldbeabletosaysomethingsimilartoherfriend,andlaughedoutloudattheidea.Butafterall,shehadmetMilesthroughtheWhitneyMarriageBureau,soitwouldnotbetoofar-fetchedifonedaysheandMilesweretotelltheirchildrenthatthiswasthewaytheirparentshadfoundeachother.
Don’tthinkofmarriageuntilyou’vereceivedaproposal,shechidedherself,yetcouldnotstophererrantthoughts.Regardlessofwhathesaid,Mileswasnotthesortofmantoputanyotherproposaltoher;itwouldbemarriageornothing.
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Thethoughtthatitmightwellbenothingwasadisconcertingone,butsheforcedherselftoacknowledgeit.Despitehismother’shopes,Mileshadorganisedhisprivatelifeverywell.Hehadabeautifulhome,anobviouslydevotedsecretary,andnodoubtcountlessminionstodohisbidding.Whatneeddidhehaveforawife?Rememberingthecontrolledpassionwithwhichhehadkissedher,shethoughtjealouslyoftheothergirlsheknew.ThoughhewastoowaryofGayletomakelovetoher,itwasacertaintythathedidnotgotobedaloneeverynight.
Withaneffortsheconcentratedonthefoldersinfrontofher,andwasdelightedwhentheentryofaclientforcedhertoconcentrateonsomeoneelse’sproblemsratherthanherown.ItwasaMrCalthorpe,whohadalreadybeenintroducedtofivewomenwithoutfindinganyofthemtohisliking.
‘ImerelycameintotellyouthatmyfirmismovingmetoParisforsixmonths,’hesaid,‘andIwonderedhowthisisgoingtoaffectmewithyou.’
TryingtoguesswhatMaggiewoulddointhecircumstances,NataliesuggestedthathisfilebekeptinabeyanceuntilheinformedthemhewasavailableforintroductionsagaininLondon.
‘I’llcontactyouwhenIgetback,’heassuredher,andgaveheranadmiringlook.‘Someonelikeyouwouldsuitmefine.’
Promisingtoseeiftheyhadanyredheadswhometwithhisrequirements,shebadehimgoodbye,thenputhisfileaway.Therewasanotherfolderinthe‘abeyance’section,andsheglancedatit.Itbelongedtoamanwho,afterpayinghisintroductoryfee,hadsuddenlyfoundhimselfsentofftoAfricafortwoyears.NataliesawthatMaggiehadimmediatelyofferedtorefundhismoney,buthehadrefusedtoacceptit,sayingthatsinceMissWhitneyhadalreadyintroducedhimtoseveralnicewomen,oneofwhomhadpromisedtowritetohim,hefeltthathavingpaidhisfeehadhelpedtochangehisluck.
MaybetheWhitneyMarriageBureauhadchangedherlucktoo,Nataliethought,andwonderedwhatMileswasdoingatthismoment.Washeoperatingorwashegoingroundthewards,pouringhischarmuponhispatients?Howmanyofthemwerewomen,andweresomeofthemyoungandbeautiful?Shecouldimaginemanyofthemfallinginlovewithhimanddonningtheirprettiestnightdresseswhentheyknewhewascomingtoseethem.
‘Don’tbeanass,’shemuttered.‘Milesisn’tthetypetobebowledoverbyanightdress.He’sfartoodedicatedadoctortoseeapatientasanythingelse.’
Yetontheotherhandhewasfartoodedicatedtoseeapatientonlyasacase;hewouldseethemasahumanbeing,andoncethehumanfactorcamein,thenemotioncouldcreepintoo.
Herthoughtsbecamemoredisquietingandshewasgladwhenlunchtimecamearound,anddecidedtoclosetheofficeandusethetimetobuyherselfanewdressforherdatewithMilesthefollowingevening.Somethingdiaphanous,shedecidedasshelockedthedoorandpinnedanoteonitsayingshewouldbebackattwo-thirty.
Theshopsinthevicinityweretoolargetooffertheindividualserviceshepreferred,andbecause
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timewasshortshetookataxitoKnightsbridgeandwandereddownthesmallturningsandpastvariousindividualboutiqueswheresheusuallyboughtherclothes.Inherfavouriteoneshefoundwhatshewanted:apalesilkjerseydress,thecolourofcream,whoselongflowinglineswereguaranteedtoraisethewolfinthemostsheepishofmen.
Carryingtheparcelwithher,shereturnedtoBondStreet.Thedresswastooexpensivetowarranttakinganothertaxi,soshegotabusinstead.AsshealightedatFortnum’sandsetoffalongOldBondStreet,atantalisingsmellofcoffeeremindedherthatshehadmissedherlunch.Thedeliciousaromacamefromasmallbistroandshewentin,luckilysecuringatablebythewindow.
Shewassippinghercoffeewhenatall,fair-hairedmancameintoviewwithagirlonhisarm.Theywereagood-lookingcouple,shethoughtidly,beforerealisingwithashockthatitwasRolandandGillianDenton.Somuchforhispromisenottoseethegirlagain!
Theyweretoointentoneachothertobeawareofherwatchingthem,andshesawtheywereearnestlyengagedinconversationastheywalkedpastandcrossedtheroad,tostopoutsidethejewellery-filledwindowsofAspreys.HeretheyspokeforseveralmoreminutesbeforeRolandleaneddownandkissedGillian,obviouslysayingsomethingflattering,foritbroughtahappysmiletoherface.Thenhehailedataxiandgotin,andGillianwavedtohimuntilthecabhaddisappearedbeforeshewentintoAspreysalone.
Withoutstoppingtothink,Natalierushedtothecounter,paidherbillanddashedacrosstheroad.ShehadtoseeGillian.Shewasnotsurewhatshewouldsaytoher,butshecouldnotstandbyandwatchRolandmakeafoolofthegirlanylonger.
AspreyswassurprisinglyfullandittookNatalieamomentortwobeforeshelocatedGillianDentoninthemen’swatchdepartment.Herapprehensiongrew.
‘Hello,MissDenton,’shesaidcasually,stoppingbesideher.‘Whatasurprisetoseeyouhere!’
GillianDentonturnedandstaredatNatalieblanklyforaninstant,thengaveawidesmile.
‘Why,hellothere.Didyouhaveaniceweekend?’
‘Itwaslovely.Ithoughtyoumighthavecomedowntoo.’
‘Iwasgoingtocome,but….’Gillianstopped,andtherosepinkofhercheeksgaveawaywhatshehadhopedhersilencewouldhide.
NataliewasconvincedMiles’ssisterhadseenRolandduringtheweekend.Shemighteven—horrorofhorrors—havespentitwithhim!ItwasnotthemoralaspectofthiswhichworriedherasmuchasthefactthatRolandwassuchanunsavourycharacter.
‘Youwerewith—Rodney,weren’tyou?’Nataliestatedmatter-of-factly,andthistimethecolourleftGillian’sface.
‘You—youknowhim?’
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‘He’sthebrotherofmyclosestfriend.AtthemomentMaggieisinhospitalandI’mlookingafterheroffice.’Thenshesaiddeliberately:‘It’samarriagebureau.HisnameisRolandWhitney,notRodneyWhite.’
AstonishmentkeptGillianspeechless.Thenotheremotionsflittedoverherfaceandthecolourseepedbackintoit.
‘WasthathowyoumetMiles?Youworkwithyourfriendand—and….’
‘OnlytemporarilywhileMaggie’sill.’Nataliewasawareofoneoftheassistantswatchingthem.‘I’dverymuchliketotalktoyou,MissDenton.Haveyoutimeforacupofcoffeewithme?’
‘Isitanyusemysayingwehavenothingtotalkabout?’Gillianaskedresignedly,andwithabriefmurmurtotheassistantthatshewouldbebacklater,shefollowedNatalieacrosstheroadtothecaféwhere,fortunately,thewindowtablewasstillempty.
OnlywhentwocupsofcoffeehadbeensetbeforethemdidNataliespeak,plunginginwithoutworryingaboutdiplomacy,knowingthatwhatshehadtosaymustbesaidbluntly.
‘YourbrothercametotheWhitneyMarriageBureaubecausehewasfuriousthatwe’dintroducedyoutosomeonewhoheconsideredwasuptonogood.’
‘Mybrotherthinksallmyboy-friendsarenogood.’
‘InRoland’scase,heisn’twrong.’
‘Whathashedonethat’ssoterrible?’Gillianaskeddefiantly.
‘WouldyoubelievemeifItoldyou?’Natalieansweredgrimly,andthencontinuedbeforethegirlcouldreply.‘HewenttoAustraliabecauseitwasgettingtoohotforhimhere,andIthinkheprobablycamebackforthesamereason.He’stooclevertodoanythingthat’soutrightcriminal,butonedayhe’lloverstepthemark.’
‘Butwhathashedone?’Gilliandemanded.
‘Solddudcars,passeddudcheques,connedricholdwomen—andnowrichyoungones.’
‘You’venorighttosaythat!’
‘Haven’tI?Iknowhemetyouunderfalsepretencesandtoldyouhe’dbeengivenyournamebytheWhitneyMarriageBureau.Ialsoknowyou’vebeenbuyinghimexpensivepresentsandthathe’sresoldoneofthem.Cufflinks,’Natalieaddedforgoodmeasure.
‘Becauseheneededthemoneyanddidn’tliketoaskmeforit.What’ssoterribleaboutthat?Anyway,onceI’dgiventhemtohimhecoulddowhathelikedwiththem.’
‘Youdon’thonestlybelievethat,doyou?’Nataliesaidscornfully.‘Afive-hundred-poundpair
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ofcufflinksisn’tsomethingonesellsimmediatelyonegetsthem.Notunlesshe’dangledfortheminthefirstplace.’
‘Hedidn’tangle,’saidGillian.‘Igavethemtohimforhisbirthday.Buthehadsomedebtstopayandhe—hewantedtostartoffwithacleanslate.’
‘Anewgirl-friendandanewleaf?’
‘Isthatsohardtobelieve?’
‘WithRoland—yes.’Natalieshookherhead.‘Maggie’swipedcountlessslatescleanforhimalready,butithasn’tstoppedhimfrommessingupanotheronestraightaway.He’snogood,MissDenton.Neithertoyounortoanyothergirl.’
‘Whatgivesyoutherighttoorganisemylife?’Gillianasked.‘Justbecauseyou’regoingoutwithMilesitdoesn’t—’
‘MyseeingMileshasnothingtodowithit.I’mtellingyouaboutRolandbecauseIdon’twantyoutobehurt.’
‘That’sraybusiness.AndIwishyou’dmindyourown!’Gilliansnapped,andatoncelookeddiscomfited.‘I’msorry,Ididn’tmeantoberude,butIreallydon’tneedyoutogivemeanyadvice.’
‘Youneedit,’Nataliecorrected,‘butyouobviouslywon’ttakeit.I’msureMileshasalreadyspokentoyou,butifyouwon’tlistentohim,Isupposeit’stoomuchtohopeyouwilllistentome.ButIhadtotry,especiallywhenIsawyouandRolandtogether.Ishouldhaveknownhewouldn’tkeephispromisenottoseeyouanymore.’
‘Whendidhepromisethat?’
‘Whenyourbrotherthreatenedtoputourbureauoutofbusiness.’
‘What?’Gillianlookedfurious.‘HowdareMilesmakeathreatlikethat!’
‘Hewasquitewithinhisrights,’Nataliereplied,andsparedaninstanttomarvelthatsheshouldbedefendingMiles’saction.‘Iwouldhavedoneexactlythesameinhisposition.IfhereportedtheWhitneyBureautotheCouncil,myfriendcouldbeinserioustrouble.Rolandhadnobusinesstogothroughthefilesandsearchforyourtelephonenumber,andthenpretendhewasanintroductionfromus.’
‘I’mnotsayingRod—Rolandwasright,’Gilliansaidstubbornly,‘butIdon’tseethatitwassocriminal.Inanycase,thisisallinthepast.’
‘Whataboutthefuture?’Natalieasked.‘Itwouldn’tbeaverypleasantoneforyouifyou’rethinkingofsharingitwithRoland.’Sheleanedforward,unconsciouslyusingthegirl’sfirstname.‘You’renot,areyou,Gillian?’
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‘Ihaven’tthoughtthatfarahead.’Thereplywasmuted,asifthegirlwereunwillingtospeakaliewithanyforce.
‘Well,doso,’Nataliepleaded.‘Roland’snogood.Makeyourownenquiriesabouthimifyoudon’twanttobelieveme.Hehasn’tgotajob,norwasithisbirthdaywhenheacceptedthecufflinksasapresentfromyou.’
‘He’salreadytoldmethathimself,’Gilliansaid.‘Iknowyou’retalkingtomelikethisformyowngood,butI’mnotachild.That’ssomethingMileshasneverseemedtorealise.I’llbenineteeninafewweeks,andlotsofgirlsarealreadymarriedatthatage.’
‘Lotsofgirlsatthatagehavebeenearningalivingforseveralyears,notlivinginrichidleness.’Nataliewasdeliberatelyrude,feelingthatshemightaswellgothewholehogandtellGillianafewmorehometruths.Therewasnothingtobelostandtheremightstillbesomethingtobegained.‘You’veledashelteredlife,andyou’reextremelyyoungforyourage.Ifyouweren’t,youwouldhaveseenthroughRolandyourself.Andifyoubelievethattheonlywaytokeephimistobuyhimexpensivepresents,thenyou’reastupidfool!’
‘Whatahatefulthingtosay!’Gilliancried,andstareddownathercoffeecupwithhereyesmasked.ShedidnotlooknearlysomuchlikeMiles,andNatalie’sexasperationwithhergrew.Thelittlefooldeservedwhatshe’dgetifshetiedherselfupwitharatterlikeRoland.ThenGilliantiltedherhead,andasshesawthegoldenirises,Natalie’sheartseemedtoturnoverinherbreastandshewishedshecouldretracteverythingshehadjustsaid.
‘Isupposeyouwon’tbelieveI’mtalkingtoyoulikethisforyourowngood.’
‘Well,itcertainlycan’tbeforyourgood.’Gillianwassearchinginherhandbagforherhandkerchief.‘SinceyouknowIwon’tlistentoMiles,Ican’tthinkwhyyoushouldimagineI’lllistentoyou.’
‘Becauseatleastmyopinionisunbiased.Look,Gillian,ifyoudointendtocontinueseeingRoland,can’tyouatleastbehavelikeanormalnineteen-year-oldandlethimdothechasing?’
‘He’sbeendoingthechasing,’Gilliansaidinstantly.‘Ineverringhimup.’
‘Butyouspendmoneyonhim,’Nataliesaidgently.
‘Onlybecausehehasn’tfoundajobyet.’
‘Heisn’tpenniless.’Natalieputsomemoneyonthetableandstoodup.‘Ican’tpreventyouseeinghim,butIhopeyouwon’tgoonbuyinghiscompany.’
‘Howdareyousaythat?’
‘Provemewrong,then.Seeifhestillwantsyouifyoukeepyourhandsinyourpockets.Mybetisthatafterafewdateswherehe’stheonetoforkoutthecash,he’llgobacktohisoldwaysandhisoldwomen!’
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WithoutwaitingforGilliantoreply,NataliestormedoutandwashalfwayupBondStreetbeforehertemperhadcooledsufficientlyforhertoregretthelossofit.Shedidn’thaveredhairfornothing,shethoughtwryly.
Shewasunlockingthedooroftheofficewhensheheardthetelephoneringing,andsherushedacrosstoanswerit,tremblingwithpleasurewhensheheardMiles’svoice.
‘Whereonearthhaveyoubeen?’hedemanded.‘ThisisthesecondtimeI’vetriedtogetyou.’
‘Iwentouttolunch.I’veonlyjustgotback’
‘Itmusthavebeenaverysuccessfullunch.’
Sheglancedatherwatchandsawitwasthreeo’clock.Shewasonthevergeoftellinghimshehadbeenwithhissister,whenshestopped.IfshementionedGillian,itwouldmeanmentioningRoland,andshedidnotwanttodothisoverthetelephone.
‘Areyoubusy?’sheasked,justhappytotalktohim,andnotreallycaringwhatshesaid.
‘I’muptomyeyes,’hereplied,‘butIhadtohearyourvoice.Youwouldn’tbefreetonight,byanychance?’
‘ItjustsohappensIwould.’Shewassodelightedshecouldhavestoodonherhead,thoughsomeofherdelightevaporatedassherememberedshehadplannedtoseeMaggie.’
‘Whattimewereyouthinkingof?’sheasked.
Thenyoudohavesomethingelsetodo?’
‘IwasgoingtopopinonMaggie,’sheadmitted.
‘I’lltakeyou.’
‘Iwouldn’tdreamoflettingyou,’shesaidwithalaugh.‘Thatwouldbeabusman’sholidayforyou.I’llgoandseeMaggieandthenmeetyoubackatyourflat.’
‘Whatanexcellentidea.’Hisvoicewassofullofhumourthatsheknewinstantlyhewasgrinningfromeartoear.
Hermouthcurvedinanansweringsmile.‘Maybeit’snotsuchagoodidea.Maybeweshouldmeetinarestaurantinstead.Itakeittheinvitationdidincludedinner?’
‘Whatagirlyouareforthinkingofherstomach!’Thistimehechuckledaudibly.‘I’llseeyouatmyapartmentateight-thirtyandthengoontotheBerkeley.’
AstepintheouterofficemadeherturnherheadandRolandcameintotheoffice.
‘That’sadate.Beseeingyou,’shesaidquickly,andputdownthereceiver.
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‘Chattinguptheboy-friend?’Rolandsaideasily.
‘Whatdoyouwant?’sheaskedpointedly.
‘Fiftyquid.Ihavetoseeamanaboutaveryexpensivedog.’
‘Whenareyouseeingamanaboutajob?’
‘Ihaveseveralintheoffing,butthere’snopointrushingintosomething.’Hesatdown,elegantasalwaysinafaultlesslycutsuit,hisexpressionbland.‘Youlookblooming,Natalieoldgirl.Beinginlovemustagreewithyou.’
‘I’mnotinlove.’
‘ThenhowcomeyouspenttheweekendwithMilesDenton?’Hegrinnedashesawherdiscomfiture.‘Youshouldn’ttrytokeepsecretsfromyourUncleRoland.’
‘Itisn’tasecret,’shesnapped,‘andIdidn’tspendtheweekendwithhim.Iwasstayingwithhismother.’
‘Curiouserandcuriouser.’Rolandwasopenlymocking.‘NowIknowhemustbeseriousaboutyou.WhenamanlikeDentontakesyouhometomeethismum….’
Ignoringhim,Nataliereachedforherchequebookandwroteoutacheque.‘Ifyouwantanymoremoneyafterthis,’shesaid,handingittohim,‘you’llhavetodealwithMaggie.Idon’tintendtokeepsubsidisingyouonherbehalf.’
‘I’llpayitallbackwhenmyshipcomesin.’
‘Notifit’sthegoodshipGillie!’Nataliesaidbitingly.‘Ifshesetssailwithyou,itwillbewithoutacargo—herbrotherwillseetothat.’
‘My,youaresharptoday,’saidRolandadmiringly.‘Butluckilyyourthreatsdon’tbotherme.Orhaveyouforgottenitisn’tthebusinessofthepottocallthekettleblack?’
‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat,’Natalieretorted.‘Butyougavemeyourwordyou’dstopseeingGillian,andbecauseofthat,MilesDentondidn’tgetourlicencetakenaway.Ifhefindsoutyou’vebrokenyourpromisehe’ll—’
‘Hewon’tfindout,’Rolandinterrupted,‘becauseyouaren’tgoingtotellhim.’
‘Imostcertainlywill,’Nataliesaidangrily.‘I’llalsotellhimtostophissister’sallowance.Ifyouwanttogoonseeingheryou’llhavetopayforthepleasure.Andletmeremindyouthatshe’sbarelynineteenanddoesn’tinherithermoneyuntilshe’stwenty-five.Soifyou’replanningafuturewithher,you’llhavetoearnyourlivingforthenextsixyearsatleast.’Natalie’svoicewasheavywithscorn.‘AndsinceIdon’tbelieveyou’recapableofearningyourlivingforsixmonths,itwillgiveGillianampletimetorealisewhatano-goodswineyouarelongbeforeshe
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comesintoherfortune.’
‘You’vegoteverythingworkedout,haven’tyou?’Rolandsneered,andleanedbackinhischair.
Itwasanoddlycomposedgestureforonewhooughttobelookingdiscomfited,andwithafaintstaboffearNataliewonderedwhattrickhehadlefttoplay.Shewasnotleftlongindoubt.
‘Beforeyoustartdishingoutthethreats,oldthing,’hedrawled,‘youshouldmakesureofyourownposition.IfyoutellBigBrotherI’mstillseeinghissister,hewon’tneedtogoandgettheBureau’slicencetakenaway,becauseI’lldoitforhim.’
Natalieglaredathimindisbelief.‘You’llwhat?’
‘Ifyoutellonme,I’lltellonyou.’
‘What’stheretotell?Ihaven’tdoneanythingwrong.’
‘Onlystartedgoingoutwithaclient—whichisexactlywhatyouaccusemeofdoing.’
NatalieopenedhermouthtodenywhatRolandhadsaid,thencloseditagain.
‘Youseehoweasyitistomakeamistake,’hewentontriumphantly.‘Icameuptotheofficelastweekwhenyouweren’there,andhadalittlelookaround.’
‘Howdidyougetin?’
‘Withakey.’Hereachedintohispocketandhelditouttoshowher.‘WhatIfoundoutwasveryinteresting.MilesDentonisonyourbooksasaclient.Atleastthereceiptbookshowshepaidthefeeforgoingonthebooks,soIassumehemustbelookingforawife.’
‘Hehappenedtobelookingfor—’Nataliestopped,knowingthattotellRolandMileshadwantedsomeoneforGaylewouldfurnishhimwithyetanotherpossiblesourceofmischief.
‘Milesgavemethatmoneyforsomethingprivate,’shesaid.
‘Theexactamountitcoststoenrol?You’llhavetodobetterthanthat,oldthing.’
‘Stopcallingme"oldthing"!’
‘Sorry,’hesmiled,andfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.‘Anyway,nomatterwhatyousaythemoneywasfor,I’mpreparedtogototheCouncilandsayitwasbecausehewantedyoutofindhimawife.Idon’tblameyouforputtingyourselfforward—afterall,he’sagoodcatch—butIdon’tthinktheCouncilwouldapproveofyourmethods.’
‘Ifyouwenttothemwithastorylikethat,I’dtellthemyouwerelying.’
‘Theymightbelieveyou,’hereplied,‘butontheotherhandtheymightnot.Ifyou’repreparedtotakeagambleonit….’
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Nataliestaredathim.‘WouldyoureallygoandchanceruiningMaggie’sbusiness?’
‘That’suptoyou.’Rolandreturnedherstare.‘Ifyoudon’tinterferewithme,Iwon’tinterferewithyou.’
‘Butyoucan’tbeseriousaboutGillianDenton!’
‘Doesthatmeanyou’reseriousaboutBigBrother?’Hissmilewasfoxy.‘My,my,nowonderyou’resohotunderthecollar!’Heroseandstrolledovertothedesk.‘Lookhere,Natalie,thelastthingIwantistoqueeryourpitch.Ifyoucanbringhimtotheboil,goodlucktoyou.ButleavemealonetogoonseeingGillie.IpromiseIwon’tmarryher.’
‘Youjustintendtouseher,’Natalieaccused.
‘Shelovesme,’hesaidsmugly,‘andIfindheramusingandpretty.’
‘Andrich.’
‘Andrich,’heagreed.‘ButI’mgivingyouthechoice.ForgetaboutmyseeingGillianandI’llforgetyou’reseeingherbrother.It’sassimpleasthat.’Hepausedbythedoor.‘Enjoyyourselfthisevening,oldthing.’
ThedoorclosedandNataliestaredatitforalongtimebeforegettingupandgoingovertothefilingcabinet.Shelookedthroughthefoldermarked‘D’andfoundthereceiptshehadmadeoutforMilesDenton.Ifonlyshehadnotacceptedtheenrolmentmoneyfromhim!Butwhenhehadaskedhertofindaboy-friendforGayle,hehadthrownawadofnotesontothedeskandcurtlytoldhertomakeitabusinesstransaction.StupidlyshehadnotmadeouttheenrolmentinGayle’sname,buttoMileshimself,andherewasacopyofthereceiptshehadgivenhim.Butwhywasitaphoto-copy?Wherewastheactualone?
ItrequiredlittleintelligencetoknowitwasreposingsomewhereamongRoland’spossessions.Somuchforherhopeofdestroyingit!
Closingthefilingcabinet,shesatdown.Shewasshakingwithnervesandshetriedtocalmherself.Shehadtothinkclearly,notonlybecauseofMaggie,butforherownfuturewithMiles.BothwouldbesafeprovidingshekepthermouthshutandallowedRolandtocontinueseeingGillianDenton.Damnthegirl!Lethermakeafoolofherself.
‘Ican’t,’Nataliesaidaloud,andhearinghervoiceinthequietnessoftheroom,acknowledgedruefullythatconsciencewouldnotletherkeepquiet.ShewouldtellMaggiethewholestory.IfMaggiethenspoketoRolandhewouldsurelynothavethegalltoadmitthathewouldshophisownsister.
Onthishopefulthought,Nataliefeltbetterabletofacetheafternoon,andwasgladwhentelephonecallsandatentativevisitfromanelderlywomanseekingahusbandkepthertoooccupiedtothinkofanythingotherthanthebusinessinhand.
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CHAPTERNINE
ASNataliewalkedalongthehospitalcorridor,shesawtherawbonedfigureofAnguswalkingtowardsher.
‘You’rejustthemanIwanttosee,’shesaid,impulsivelydecidingtotellhimofherproblemandaskwhetheritwouldbewisetoburdenherfriendwithit.‘Doyouhaveafewminutestospare?’
Seeingfromherexpressionthatsomethingwaswrong,hedrewherintoasmallofficealongsidetheward,andlistenedintentlyasshetoldhimofRoland’slatestthreatandherdesiretoenlistMaggie’shelpinstoppinghim.
‘Youdaren’tworryherwithallthis,’Angussaidemphatically.‘She’sstillsufferingfromhypertension,andifshethoughtherbusinessmightbeknockedoutfromunderher—byherownbrothertoo—itcouldgiveherarelapse.’
‘Ididn’trealiseshewasstillsoill,’Nataliesaidindismay.
‘Maggie’sthetypewhohideshersymptomsuntilshereachesbreakingpointandcollapses.’
‘Howlongwillitbebeforeshe’swell?’
‘Sheshouldbeleavinghospitalintendays,butIdon’tthinkshe’llbefitforatleastamonth.’Hepressedhislips.‘Sheneedstoconvalescesomewhere.’
‘Shecanstaywithme,’Nataliesaidinstantly.
‘InaflatinLondon?Thatisn’twhatImeanbyconvalescing.I’mgoingtosuggestshestaywithmyparentsinStirling.’
Natalielookedstartled.‘Isn’titrathercoldupthere?’
‘Notatthistimeoftheyear.Anyway,Maggie’sahardyScot.Andbesides,’headdedcasually,‘Ishallbetakingmyholidayroundaboutthesametime,soI’llbeabletoseesheobeysdoctor’sorders.’
TherewassomethinginhistonethattoldNatalietheorderswouldincludealovingembracefromtimetotime,andshehopedwholeheartedlythattheromanceshesuspectedwas,infact,blossoming.
‘Iknowyou’reinatrickyposition,’Anguswenton,pattingNatalie’shandawkwardly,‘butyou’vecopedsowellthatanothermonthwon’tmakeallthatdifference.Apartfromwhich,Idon’tseewhyyoushouldfeelresponsibleforGillianDenton.’
‘BecauseIlikeMiles,andifIdon’ttellhimhissisterisstillseeingRoland,hewillbefuriouswithme.’
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‘Hewon’tbefuriouswhenyoutellhimthereasonyoukeptquiet.’
Itwasalogicalassertion,butitdidnotgiveNataliemuchcomfort.MileswouldfeelthatinnottellinghimaboutRolandatonce,shehadacteddeceitfully.HewouldprobablyevensayshehadputherfriendshipforMaggiebeforeherfeelingsforhim.Yetthoughthiswastrue,didn’tMaggie’sillnessmakethisjustifiablebehaviour?SurelyMiles,asasurgeon,wouldappreciatethis?
‘Cheerup,’Angusurged.‘Thingsaren’tthatbad.’
‘Theycouldgetworse,’sheagreeddolefully.‘WhathappensifGillianmarriesRoland?’
‘Ithoughtyousaidshedoesn’tgethermoneyforanothersixyears?’
‘ItmightnotstopRoland.Onceshewashiswifehe’dbankonthefactthattheDentonswouldn’tstandbyandseeherlivinginpenury.’
‘Sowhyshouldyoucare?Shemightevenbehappywithhim.
‘Never.He’sarealswine.IfGillianmarriedhim,Mileswouldneverforgivemeforkeepingquiet.’
AnguslookedatNataliewithdawningwonderment.‘You’reinlovewithDenton,aren’tyou?Ihadn’trealisedthat.Nowonderyou’resoconcernedabouthissister!’Heranahandthroughhisroughredhair.‘ButIstillhopeyouwon’ttellMaggie.IfshemakesgoodprogressI’lltellherthestorymyself.I’llevengoandseeRolandandtrytoknocksomesenseintohim,ifyoulike.’
‘Itisn’tsensethatshouldbeknockedintohim,’Nataliesaidgrimly,‘it’sdecency.’
ResolutelyshesetoffinthedirectionofMaggie’sward,awareofAnguswatchingherbutstillnotsurewhethershecouldabidebyhiswishes.ItwasonlywhenshesawMaggiesittingupagainstthepillows,herfacepinchedanddevoidofcolour,thatsheknewshewoulddoasheasked,regardlessofhowdifficultitmadeherownposition.
‘Hellothere,’shesaidbriskly,placingaboxofchocolatesonthebedsidetableandpullingupachair.‘You’relookingheapsbetter.’
‘Liar,’Maggiesaidtruthfully.‘Ilookdreadful,thoughImustadmitIfeelmuchbetter.’
‘Thenthat’sallthatcounts.Onceyou’reoutofhereyou’llsoongetyourcolourback.IhearStirlingisverybracing.’
Maggielookedembarrassed.‘Ihaven’tyetagreedtoAngus’ssuggestion.I’llonlygoifyoudon’tmindstayingonattheBureauabitlonger.Ifyoucan’t,forheaven’ssakebehonestandsayso.Ifeelguiltyenoughforruiningyourholiday.’
‘ItoldyouIwasn’tgoingtohaveone.MovingapartmentcostmesomuchmoneythatworkingattheBureauisjustwhatIneed.Aslongasyoucomebackbeforemyschoolstartsagain,I’m
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fine.’
‘I’llbebacklongbeforethen,’Maggiepromised.‘Anguswantsmetostaywithhisparentsforamonth,butIshallonlymakeittwoweeks.’
Nataliewassilent,certainthatonceMaggiewasinScotland,Anguswouldmakesuresheremainedthereuntilshewascompletelywell.Withoutrealisingitshesighed,andherfriendlookedatheranxiously.
‘ThingsareallrightattheBureau,aren’tthey,Nat?You’renothidinganythingfromme?’
‘Theycouldn’tbebetter,’Nataliesmiled,andbroughtoutabundleoflettersfromappreciativeclients.
Maggiereadthemandthenputtheminherbedsidedrawer.I’llshowthemtoAngus,’shemurmuredsoftly.‘He’salwayssayingmarriagebureausareawasteoftime.’
‘Lethimenrolandfindoutforhimself.We’vegotloadsofladyclientswho’dgivetheireye-teethtomeetaneligibledoctor—evenifheisarawbonedScot!’
‘Heisn’trawboned,’Maggiesaidindignantly,thenknowingshehadfallenintoNatalie’strap,shegaveatremulouslaugh.‘You’reabeast,Nat!’
‘Butacleverone.Angushashiseyeonyou,soputonthepoorlittleinvalidact,andhe’llbeeatingoutofyourhand.’
Maggiesmiledand,refusingtorisetoanyfurtherbaiting,changedtheconversation,unfortunatelybringingitroundtoRoland.
‘Hehasn’tbeenintoseemethisweek.Idohopehe’snotinanytrouble.’
‘He’sinthepinkofcondition,’Nataliesaidwithoutexpression.‘Igavehimanotherfiftypoundstotidehimoverandhehopestofindajobprettysoon.Ifhedoesn’t,.’shewenton,determinedthatillornot,Maggieshouldn’tliveinatotalfool’sparadise,‘you’dbecrazyifyougavehimanotherpenny.’
‘Iknow.Beingillhasmademefacethetruthabouthim.’
‘Good.Nowallyouneeddoistogetwellandcomebacktotheoffice.Yournewclientsneedyou.’
‘NotasmuchasIneedthem,’Maggiesighed.‘Myleasecomesupforrenewalsoon,andImustmakeupmymindwhetherornotIshouldcontinuewiththeBureau.’
Natalie’sheartthumpedloudly.IfMaggiewasnotgoingtocarryon,itwouldnotmatterifthelicencewastakenaway.ThatmeantitwouldbepossibletotellMilesabouthissisterandRoland.
‘However,ifyouwerebeingtruthfulaboutallthenewclientswehave,’Maggiebrokeinto
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Natalie’sthoughts,‘thenI’llwritetothelandlordsandsayIwanttorenewmytenancy.That’swhyit’simportantformetoknowyouaren’tjusttryingtoreassureme.’
‘I’llbringyouallthecardsofthenewclients,’Nataliereplied,‘thenyoucanseeforyourself.’
ThereliefonMaggie’sfacewasgreat,andafraidthatherowndisappointmentmightshow,Nataliestoodup.
‘Mustyouleavesosoon?’Maggiepleaded.
‘Ihaveadate.’
Nataliedidnotsaywithwhom,butgaveherfriendahugandpromisedtocomeandseeheragainwithinafewdays.
ItwasexactlyhalfpasteightwhensherangthedoorofMiles’shouse.Shenoticedagainhowresplendentitwas,aswashe,asthedoorswungbackandhestoodbeforeherinasuperblycutnavysuit.Thedarknessemphasisedhispallorandnarrowpatricianfeatures.Hewasnotamantotakedeceitlightly,shethought,noticingthefirmlineofhismouthandjaw,andfoundherselfunabletomeethiseyesasshesteppedintothehouse.
‘Apunctualwoman,’hecommented,takingholdofherhand.‘Don’tyouhaveanyvices—apartfromyourdreadfultemper?’
Shemadeherselfsmile.‘I’veoccasionallybeenknowntothrowthings,butIneverhittheobjectofmydislike!’
Hechuckledandledhertowardsthesmallelevator.‘Ithoughtwewouldhaveadrinkhereandthengoouttodinner—unlessyou’drathergooutrightaway?’
Unwillingtofacetheintimacyofbeingalonewithhim,shesaidshewouldprefertogoout,andknewthatherswiftanswerhadsurprisedanddisappointedhim.
‘I’veputsomechampagneonice,’hesaid,‘butifyou’rehungry…’
‘Iamrather,’shelied,andwaitedasheclosedtheelevatordooragainandledherbackacrossthehallandoutofthehouse.
‘Ididn’tbookatableafterall,’hesaid.‘Asweweremeetinghere,Ithoughtwe’dgotoasmallItalianrestaurantcloseby.AcolleagueremindedmeofitthisafternoonandIthoughtyoumightfinditmoreamusingthananhotel.’
‘IlikeItalianfood,’Nataliesmiled.
‘Ifyou’dalsolikeafive-minutewalk,weneedn’ttakethecar.’
Shenodded,hopingthefreshairwouldblowawayherfeelingsofguiltandenablehertoactmorenaturallywithhim.Ifitdidn’t,theeveningaheadwasgoingtobeadifficultone,forhe
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hadnoticedherconstraintanditwasaffectinghisownattitude.SidebysidetheywalkeddownHarleyStreetandshewasconsciousofhowtallhewas,easilytoppingherownfivefeetsixinchesandmakingherfeelunusuallypetite.
‘Doyouevergetbackache?’sheasked.
‘Backache?’Helookedsurprisedbythequestion.
‘Becauseofhavingtobendovertheoperatingtable.’
‘Wehaveitatworkingheight,’hesaidwithsomeamusement.‘Unliketheaveragehousewife,Idon’thavetoputupwithwrongkitchenequipment!’
Shelaughed.‘Itwasasillyquestionformetoask.’
‘Noneofyourquestionsaresilly,Natalie.Youhaveagoodbrain.’Heputhishandunderherelbowtoguideheracrosstheroadandthenkeptitthere.‘Whatmadeyoudecidetobecomeanurseryschoolteacher,insteadofamodelorsomethingequallyglamorous?’
‘Iwouldhatetobeamodeloranythingelsethatyoucallglamorous.I’vealwayslikedchildren.I’veevenwrittenstoriesforthem,’sheconfessed,gladtobeabletotalkaboutasubjectwhichwasn’tdangerous.‘AsamatteroffactI’vewrittenabookofchildren’sstoriesandhaveevenfoundapublisherwho’skeentodothemassoonashecanfindasuitableillustrator.’
‘That’smarvellous.’Milessoundedgenuinelydelighted.‘Youmustletmereadthem,Doyouhaveacopyofyourmanuscript?’
‘Yes,butI’mafraidyouwouldfindthemratherchildish.’
‘Iknowyoudidn’twritethemforfogeyoldsurgeons,’hesmiled,‘butIwouldliketoreadthemnonetheless.ItwillmakemefeelIknowyoubetter.’
Hisfingersgentlysqueezedherelbowandherguiltincreased.DamnRoland!Hewasgoingtosourwhatcouldhavebeenanidealfriendshipthatmight—ifshewerelucky—haveledtomuchmore.
‘Hereweare,’saidMiles,stoppingoutsideanarrow-frontedGeorgianhouse,inacul-de-sacborderingonRegent’sPark.
‘Whatanunusualplaceforarestaurant!’sheexclaimed.
‘It’sanunusualrestaurant.Thosewhoknowitkeepquietaboutitincaseitgetssopopularthatitsstandardsdeteriorate.’
Theywentuptheshallowstepsintoanarrowhall,andthenceintoaroomthatrantheentiredepthofthehouse.Thereweresomedozentables,alloccupiedexceptfortheonetowhichtheywereshown.
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SeveralpairsofinterestedeyeswatchedthemandthreepeoplenoddedatMiles.
‘IalwaysmeetpeopleIknowhere,’heexplainedbriefly.‘Themanwepassedjustnowisacolleagueofmineatthehospital.’
‘Thatremindsme,’saidNatalie,‘howisSirElton?’
‘Inthebestofspirits.Infactheaskedmetogiveyouhisbestwishes.’
‘Heknowsyou’restillseeingme?’
‘Ofcourse.’
‘Ofcourse,’sheechoed,andtriednottofeeldespondent.‘That’sthewholeobjectoftheexercise.’
‘Thatwastheoriginalobject,’Milescorrected,andmighthavesaidmoreifthewaiterhadnotchosenthatmomenttoapproachtheirtablewiththemenus.
Natalietookoneandbrandisheditinfrontofherlikeashield,unwillingtoletMilesseeherface.‘I’lljusthaveasteakandsalad,’shesaid.‘Andmelontobeginwith,please.’
‘Thatsoundslikeadieter’sdinner,’Milessmiledand,leaningforward,tippeddownhermenuinordertostareathermoreclosely.‘Areyoufeelingwelltonight,Natalie?Orhasthevisittothehospitalupsetyou?Isyourfriendworse?’
‘Ohno,she’sfine.AndI’mnotupsetintheleast.’Hurriedlyshecontinuedtospeak.‘MaggieisgoinguptoStirlingtoconvalescenextweek.She’sstoppingwithAngus’sparents.AngusistheRegistraratthehospitalandhasknownMaggiesincetheywerechildren,thoughtheylosttouchwitheachotherforyears—untilheroperation,infact.’
‘Afortuitousoperation,’Milessmiled.
‘I’mhopingso.’
‘Doesthatmeanyou’llhavetolookaftertheBureauuntilshereturns?’
‘Yes.I’llprobablybethereuntilIhavetostartschoolagain.’
‘Iwouldlovetoseeyouwithyourtoddlers,’hesaidsoftly,continuingtolookintoherface.
HiswordsconjuredupforherapictureofwhatMiles’schildrenmightbelike,werehetohaveany,andquicklyshefocusedonthemenuagain.‘IthinkI’llchangemymindaboutsteak—itdoessounddull,Isuppose—andhaveavealescalopeinstead.’
‘TheydoanexcellentSteakWellingtonhere,’Milessaid,‘buttheportionsarefortwo.Ifyouwouldbewillingtoshareitwithme—?’
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‘I’veneverheardofaSteakWellington,’sheconfessed.
‘It’sasmallwholefilletcoveredwithmustardandpâtéandthenwrappedinpastry.’
‘Itsoundsdelicious,’shesmiled.‘You’vetalkedmeintoit.’
‘Thenletmetalkyouintosomethingmoreexcitingthanmelon.Theydodeliciousseafoodpancakes.’
Againshenodded,hopingthegoodfoodwouldhelphertorelaxandenablehertopushasideallthoughtsofRolandandwhathemightbedoing,andwithwhom.
MilesorderedahalfbottleofMersaultfollowedbyabottleofBurgundy,whichdidmorethanthefoodtohelpherforgetRoland,andbythetimeshewassippinghercoffee,shewasquiterelaxed.Itwasonlywhenhestartedtotalkabouthissisterthatherguiltfloodedback.
‘IneverthoughtIwouldbegratefulforGillian’serraticchoiceofboy-friends,’Milessaid.‘Butifshehadn’tgonetotheWhitneyBureau,itmighthavetakenmemuchlongertofindyou.’
‘Youmightneverhavefoundme,’shesmiled.
‘Irefusetobelievethat.Itwasinthestarsthatwewouldmeet.’
‘I’msureyoudon’tbelieveinthestars!’
‘Idon’t,’hegrinned,‘butmostwomendo.EvenmyRegistrar,whoisahighlyefficient,logicallady,admitsthatshereadsherhoroscopeeveryday.Shesayssheonlydoesitforfun,butI’msureshehalfbelievesit.’
‘Doyouonlybelieveinthingsthatcanbeproved?’
‘Itdependswhatyoumeanbyproof.ButIrefusetobelievethatstars,millionsandmillionsoflightyearsawayfromus,canhaveanyeffectuponourbehaviour.Isupposeyouthinkthat’sveryprosaicofme?’
‘Yes,Ido.Butit’swhatIexpected.You’realogicalman,Miles.It’spartofyourtraining.Ishouldn’tthinkyoubelieveinintuitioneither.’
‘You’rewrongthere.Idobelieveinit,onlyIcallitlightningfastdeduction.That’swhatintuitionis—theabilityofthebraintounconsciouslyassimilateallfacts,andhundredsoflittlenuancesthatleadittocometoaconclusionwiththerapidityofacomputer.’
‘Ohdear!’Shepulledaface.‘SoGeminiintuitiongoesbytheboardtoo.Whatelsedon’tyoubelieve?’
‘Romanticlove,’hesaidpromptly.‘It’sahoaxdreamedupbytheadvertisingmedia.Menandwomenmarrybecausetheywantcompanionshiporafamilyorsomeonetotakecareofthem.Thebeliefthatonlyoneparticularmanorwomancanappeaseyourneedisutterrot.’
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Natalieforcedherselftoremainsilent,thoughshelongedtoannihilatehisargument.Ahoaxoftheadvertisingmedia,indeed!Themanmustbemad.WereShakespeare’ssonnetsahoax?OrthePsalmsofDavid?Andwhataboutthethousands—themillionsofpeoplewhosharedtheirliveswiththepartnersoftheirchoiceandweredesolatewhentheydied?Milescouldnotmeanwhathesaid.Feminineintuition—whichhedeploredsoforcibly—toldherhewasonlyspeakinglikethisinanefforttofightagainstthedeepattractionhefeltforher.Puttingitonamundanelevelwashiswayoftryingtoretainhisdetachment.
‘Well,’hequestioned,‘aren’tyougoingtomakeanycomment?’
‘Onlythatyousoundlikeamanwhoisstrugglingwithhimself,’shesaidwithoutanyexpressioninhervoiceoronherface.
‘Howdamnrightyouare!’Hisownlookwasrueful.‘UntilafewdaysagoIbelievedeverythingIjustsaid.Lovewasforothers—notme.Iwasoneoftheluckyoneswholivedonanentirelydifferentplane.IcouldgothroughmylifetakingonlywhatIwantedtotake.’
‘Andnow?’
‘NowIfindI’vebeentaken.YouknowwhatI’msayingtoyou,don’tyou,Natalie?’
Tohavedenieditwouldhavemadeherlookmorenaivethanhewouldhavebelievedpossible.Yetifsheadmittedsheunderstoodhim,hewouldexpecthertogivevoicetoherownfeelingsabouthim,andshefounditimpossibletodothiswhileshewasstillunabletotellhimthatRolandwasatthisverymomenttryingtoseducehissister.Lovemeanttruthandfrankness,notliesandsecrecy.
‘IsthequestionIaskedyousodifficulttoanswer?’Milesmurmured.
‘I’mnotsurewhattosay,’sheblurtedout.
‘Thensaynothing.’
Hisvoicewasmatter-of-fact,butitdidnothidethebleaknessinhiseyes,andsheknewhewashurtthat,havingconfessedhisownfeelings,sheshouldfinditsodifficulttoconfesshers;orperhapshethoughtshedidnotlovehim.
‘Miles,I—’
‘Don’tsayanything,’hecutinswiftly.‘I’verushedyouandI’msorry.Itendtoforgetthatotherpeoplesometimestakelongertomakeuptheirmindsaboutthings.’
‘Haveyouneverregrettedaquickdecision?’
‘No.’Itwasaclippedsound.‘ButIdoknowwhentoretract.’
‘Don’tretractthistime,’shesaidquickly.‘I’mjustaskingyouto—totemporarilywithdraw.’
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‘Byallmeans.’Hewaspoliteanddistant,andwithashutteredlookonhisfacehesignalledthewaitertobringtheirbill.
Slowlytheywalkedbackalongthedarkstreets.Lamplightthrewmellowsilverpoolsonthepavementandtheairwaswarmbutdusty.
‘Ienvyyourmotherlivinginthecountry,’shesaidsoftly.‘Don’tyoueverfeelyouwouldliketoliveoutoftown?’
‘Quiteoften.Butitisn’tconvenientforabachelortodothat.InHarleyStreetIhaveeverythingatmyfingertips—myconsultingroom,myhome,ahousekeeper,asecretary.’
Hehesitated,asifwishingtosaysomethingmore,thenhequickenedhisstep,sothatbythetimeNataliereachedhishouseshewasalmostbreathless.
‘Willyoucomeupforadrink?’Milesaskedperfunctorily,‘ordoyouwantmetotakeyouhomestraightaway?’
Commonsensetoldhertosayshewouldgohome,butshewasafraidthatifshelefthimwhilehewasinthismood,shemightneverhearfromhimagain.Mutelyshelookedatthedoor,andinterpretingthegesturecorrectly,heunlockeditandledherinside.Silentlytheywentuptothetopfloorintheelevatorandalongthethicklycarpetedpassagetothesittingroom.
Asalwaysitsopulentmodernitydismayedher,thoughitwassoftenedbytherose-shapedlamps.
‘Idon’tthinkthisroomisincharacterwithyou,’shesaid,sinkingdownontothesettee.
‘Idon’tlikeiteither,butI’mneverherelongenoughtoletitworryme.’Hewenttothesideboard.‘ShallIopenthechampagne,orwouldyoupreferabrandy?’
‘ActuallyIdon’twantanything.’
‘NeitherdoI,’hesaid,andswingingroundabruptly,cameovertositbesideher.‘Iwantedyoutocomeupherewithme,’hewenton,‘butIhadtogiveyoutheopportunitytorefuse.’
‘Why?’
‘BecauseIwasn’tsureifyouwantedmeasmuchasIwantyou.’
Shewasquicktonoticehedidnotusethewordlove,butinviewofherearlierlackofforthcomingness,shecouldnotblamehim.Shefelttheslowbeatingofhisheart.Itssteadinesswasreassuringandgaveherunexpectedcourage.Regardlessofwhatanyoneelsesaid,shehadtotellhimaboutRoland.
‘Miles,Iwanttotalktoyou.’
‘Kissmefirst,’hesaidthroatily.‘You’vedonenothingthewholeeveningexcepttalk.’
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Abruptlyhecoveredhermouthwithhisown,atthesametimelyingbackuponthesetteeandpullingherontopofhim.Herhairswungforward,thesilkenstrandsenvelopinghiminafragrantcloudofdarkred.Shefeltthewarmthofhishandsthroughthethincrêpeofherdressandwasveryconsciousofthesoftfullnessofherbreastsrestinguponhischest.Shemovedslightly,buthisgriptightenedandhepulledhercloserstill.
‘You’reveryenticing,’hewhisperedagainstherlips.
‘Andyou’reverystrong.’
‘Withyou,IfeellikeSamson.’
‘Beforeorafterhehadhislocksshorn?’
Shefelthisbreathashechuckled.‘Definitelyafter!You’vemademeweak,butIdon’tregretit.’
‘Howweak?’
‘Strongenoughforthis,’hesaidhuskily,loweringherzip.
Thebodiceofherdressfellawayfromhershouldersandhewasinstantlyawarethatsheworenobra.Hisbreathcameoutonahalfsighoflonging,thenheplacedhislipsbetweentheshadowedhollowandmovedthemalongacreamycurvetothepink-centredheart.Itstiffenedathistouchand,awareofit,hisneedofherbecametooapparentforhertoignore.
‘Miles,I—’
ThetelephonebellcutacrossherwordsandMilessatupandgentlyliftedherawayfromhimbeforereachingoutforthereceiver.
‘Dentonspeaking,’hesaidsoftly,andthenlistened.
Watchinghim,Nataliesawtheperceptiblechangeinhisbody:astiffeningofthemusclesandatighteningofthejawlineashisadrenalinbegantoflowandthewould-belovergavewaytothesurgeon.
‘I’llbewithyouintenminutes,’hesaidintothetelephone.‘Preparethetheatre.Youdidrighttocallme.’Hereplacedthereceiverandroseatthesametime.‘Ihaveanemergencyoperationatthehospital.’
‘I’llseemyselfhome,’Nataliesaidquickly,andknewfromtheblanklookhegaveherthathehadnotevenconsidereddoingsohimself.Shewasnolongerinhismind,butshewasnothurtbytheknowledge.Itwouldalwaysbelikethis.Nomatterhowintimatetheoccasionbetweenthem,therewouldalwaysbeonepartofhisbrainpoised,readyforthemomentofdangertobesignalled.This,afterall,waswhathehadbeentrainedfor,andwhatwastheveryfabricofhislife.
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‘I’msorry,Natalie.’Hewasmovingtothedoorashespoke.
‘Don’tapologiseforbeingasurgeon,’shereplied,andprecededhimintotheelevator.‘Wouldyoulikemetocometothehospitalwithyouandwait?’sheaskedastheyreachedthestreet.
‘Goodheavens,no!Imightbeacoupleofhours.Butyoucancomewithmeandgetataxifromthehospital.Idon’twanttoleaveyoustandinghere.’
‘I’llbefine,’shesaid,realisinghedidnotreallywanthertogowithhim.Heneededtomarshallhisthoughtsfortheoperationahead.‘Dogo,Miles.’Sheglanceduptheroad.‘Icanseeataxicoming,itwillbehereinamoment.’
WithanodMilesslippedinfrontofthewheel.Shewatchedthetaillightsofhiscardisappeararoundthecorner,thenignoringthetaxislowlychuggingtowardsher,shebegantowalkinthedirectionofOxfordStreet.
IfonlythetelephonehadrungafewmomentslaterandgivenherthechancetotalktoMilesaboutRoland!Whatafoolshehadbeentohesitateandnottellhimthetruthatdinner.IfMileslovedher—andshewassurenowthathedid—hewoulddefinitelynotdoanythingtoharmMaggie.NorwouldhebelievethatsheherselfhadanythingwhatevertodowithRoland’ssiegeofGillian.Thisseemedsocleartohernowthatshewasastonishedithadnotbeencleartoherbefore.ButperhapsithadneededMiles’sshowofpassionatetendernesstogivehertheconfidencetoknowshecouldbetruthfulwithouthisdoubtingher.
Sheslowedhersteps,savouringthefewmomentstheyhadhadtogetherandrevellinginthememoryofhistouchandthefeelofhisbody.Shethoughtofgettingtoknowhimbetterandknewthattheircourtshipwasgoingtobeafastandheadyone.‘Imakeupmymindquickly,’hehadsaid,andsheknewittobetrue,fortheyhadbarelyknownoneanotheracoupleofweeks.
Anothertaxichuggedpastandthistimeshesignalledittostopandclimbedin.Wherewouldherhomebeinthreemonths’time?Thequestionbroughtasmiletoherlipsandshestaredunseeinglythroughthewindow,hermindtoobusywiththefuturetogivemuchthoughttothepresent.
CHAPTERTEN
INSTEADofthetwohoursMileshadanticipated,theoperationtookhimfour,andforseveraldarkmomentsithadlookedasifhemightlosethepatientcompletely.Evennowhewasnotsurethemanwouldpullthroughthenextcriticalseventy-twohours.Buthehaddonehisbest,andnowitwasinthehands—ifhandstheycouldbecalled—oftheelectronicmachinesthatwouldmonitoreverybreathandheartbeat,everyfluctuationintheman’ssystem.
WearilyMileswalkedacrossthehospitalcourtyardtohiscar.Thenightairhadfreshenedandaslightbreezeruffledhishair,butthesmellofetherstillclungtohimandstoodforamomentbythebonnetbeforeclimbinginandstartingforhome.
Hewasbone-tiredfromconcentration,yetheknewthatwhenhewenttobedhewouldbeunabletosleep.Hewouldliewakeful,goingovereverystepoftheoperationhehadjustdone.He
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frowned.Rarelydidheallowhimselftoreachthestatehewasintonight,andnormallyhewouldhaveseenitasasignthatheneededaholiday.YethehadreturnedfromonebarelytwomonthsagoandheknewhisrestlessnessandtensionwasduetotheemotionalstateinwhichhisunexpectedfeelingsforNataliehadputhim.
Theverythoughtofhernameconjuredupeachroundedcurveofher,eachflowinglinesoclearlyetchedinhismindthathisfingerscurledroundthewheelalmostasiftheyweretouchingherbody.Andnowhelongedtotouchit!Ifthetelephonehadnotdisturbedthemtonight,heavenaloneknewwhatwouldhavehappened.Hegaveaslightsmile.Itdidn’trequireheaventotellhimsuchathing,sinceheknewonlytoowellforhimself.God,hewantedher!Butmorethanthat,heneededher.Itwasasurprisingadmission—assurprisingaswhenhehadfirstacknowledgedtohimselfthatthisyoungwomanhadgotunderhisskin.Ifhewerenotacautiousmanhewouldhaveaskedhertomarryhimtonight,anditwasherownunexpectedcoolnessduringdinnerwhichhadstoppedhim.
Helovedher—thatmuchheknew—butheregardedmarriageasabindingcontractnottobelightlyentered,andthoughhishearttoldhimhelovedNataliethewayhehadlovednootherwoman,hisbraincounselledcaution.Thesamecautionthathadkepthisknifepoisedabovehispatienttonight.Thehesitationhadprobablysavedalife,andhesawthisasanomenforhisownbehaviour.
Don’trushthings,hewarnedhimself.SeeasmuchofNatalieasshe’llallow;ifthingsworkoutwell,youcanstillbemarriedbytheendoftheyear.Theideaofwaitingfourmonthsmadehimgroan,andhearingthesoundintheconfinesofhiscar,hesmiled.AsthewallsofJerichohadtumbleddownatthesoundofthetrumpetsoftheIsraelites,sohadhisdefencescrumbledatthesoundofNatalie’svoice.Allhispreconceivedideasofremainingacarefreebachelorhadbeendissolvedbyonelookfromhergloriouseyes,onetouchofhersoftmouth.Hesavouredthepleasurethatlayaheadofthembothwhenultimatelytheysharedtheirlifetogether.
Washeconceitedtothinkshelovedhim?Afterall,hewasagoodcatch;Gaylehadmadethatmorethanplain,andsohadmostoftheotherwomenwithwhomhehadcomeintocontact.YetNataliehadtreatedhimwithscantrespect—haddonetheopposite,infact—whichhadprobablyappealedtohimmore.Herhumourandsharpintelligencehadkepthimonthequivive,andthedayswhenhehadnotseenherhadbeenlong,drearyones.Hewastooanalyticalnottohaveknownwherehewasheading,buthehadmadenoattempttodrawback—almostasifhehadknownthathecouldn’t.Thebachelorstatuswhichhehadcherishedforsolonghadnowbecomemeaningless,andhecouldnotwaittogiveitup.Howquicklythemightyhadfallen!
Heslowedthecarasataxiswungsharplyoutofasideturning,andresistedtheurgetochaseafteritandgivethemanapieceofhismind—anothersignofhisstateoftension.
Liftinghisfootfromtheacceleratorheslowedhisspeedasherealisedhewasexceedingthelimit.Maybehewasatfaultandnotthetaxi.Chastenedtorealisehehadbeengoingtoofast,hebegantocrawl,thenturnedlefttocutthroughoneofthesquarestoOxfordStreet.Onhisrighthesawthelightedentranceofafashionablediscotheque.
Severalpeoplewerecomingoutofit,amongthemaslendergirlwiththesamelong,lightbrownhairashissister.Heglancedatthegirlasecondtimeand,ashedidso,shesteppedunderthe
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lightofastreetlampandlookedupathercompanion.WithanexclamationhesawitwasindeedGillian.Butitwasthemanbesideherwhogavehimthebiggestshock,forherecognisedthefoxyfeaturesofRolandWhitney.
FuryalmostmadeMilesstopthecar,butsomehowhekeptgoing,hisfootontheaccelerator,anddrovepastthecouple,onlyslowingdownasheroundedthesquareandturnedintoSouthAudleyStreet.
SomuchforNatalie’spromisethatRolandwouldleaveGillianalone!Herstrangebehaviouroftonight,whichhadperplexedhimforagreatpartoftheevening,suddenlybecameexplicable.Itwasguiltthathadmadeheractsoawkwardlywithhim,andgivenherthatoddlydistraughtairwhichhehadstupidlyassumedtobenervousness.
NotforonemomentdiditenterhisheadthatNataliehadnotknownwhatwasgoingon.RolandhadmetGillianthroughtheMarriageBureauandNatalienowworkedthere.Equallyimportant,shewasagreatfriendofRoland’ssister.HewouldnotputitpastthemtohavestartedtheBureauasameansofgettingallthreeofthemeligiblemarriagepartners.Itwascertainlyonewayofmeetingasmanypeopleaspossible,andcheckingontheircredentialsbeforemakinganycommitment.
Hisangerincreased,directedasmuchathimselfforhisgullibilityasatNatalieforcausingit.Aheadofhimtrafficlightsglowedred,andheswunghiscarsharplyintheoppositedirectionandheadedawayfromHarleyStreetandhometowardsKensingtonandNatalie.Itwaslateandshewouldbeasleep,buthedidnotcare.Hecouldnotrestuntilhesawher,anditwasbettertodothatthanliewakefulthroughwhatwasleftofthenight.Darnitall,ifshehadknownRolandwasstillseeingGillian,whyhadn’tshetoldhimthetruth?
Nataliewasawakenedoutofadeepsleepbytheinsistentpealingofabellthatbuzzeddeepintoherconsciousness,causinghertothrashandturnrestlesslybeforeitfinallybroughtherabruptlyintoasittingposition.Forafewsecondsshelistenedinthedarkness,thensleepilysheslippedonadressinggownandslippersandpaddedintothehall.ShepeepedthroughthespyholeandsawwithastonishmentthatitwasMiles.Happilysheshotbacktheboltandopenedthedoor.
Instantlyhesteppedintothehallandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hisfacewasgreywithfatigueandtheskinseemedsotightlystretchedacrossthecheekbonesthatitgavehimthelookofadeadman.Onlyhiseyesshowedanysignoflife,glowingwithahiddenfirethatmadethemalmostblindingintheirbrilliance.
‘What’swrong?’shegasped,andputoutherhandstohim.‘Didsomethinghappentoyourpatient?Oh,Miles….’
‘I’mnotherebecauseofmypatient,’hecutin.‘I’mherebecauseofGillianandthatswinewho’sstillseeingher.’
Natalie’shandsdroppedtohersidesandhereyeswentluminous.‘Soyouknow?’
IftherehadbeenanylingeringdoubtsinMiles’smind,theydiedthatinstant,andastabofunbearablepainshotthroughhim.
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‘Yes,Iknow.AndIwishtoGodyou’dhadthegutstotellme.’
‘Iwasafraid.’
‘ThatIwouldtrytostopit?’
‘Ofcoursenot!’shecried.‘Howcouldyouthinksuchathing?’
‘Thenwhydidn’tyoutellme?OrdidyouthinkI’dchangedmymindabouthimanddidn’tcareanymore?’
‘Icouldn’ttellyou.Maggie’smyfriendand—’
‘Andshe’smoreimportanttoyouthanIam,’hefinishedfuriously.
‘That’snottrue!Please,Miles,you’remisunderstandingme.’
‘Imisunderstoodyoualongtimeago.Ishouldhaveknownwhatgameyouwereplayingwhenyoutriedtostopmefromtakingyourlicenceaway.Thatwasallyoucaredabout,wasn’tit?KeepingyourrottenlittlebusinessgoingregardlessofwhathappenedtoGillian!’
‘Don’tsaythingslikethat,’Nataliebegged.‘OfcourseIcarewhathappenstoyoursister.WhydoyouthinkIranafterherthisafternoon?’Shepausedandgaveherheadahalfshake.‘Imeanyesterday.’
Stilldisorientatedbythesuddennesswithwhichshehadbeenawakened,andthetiradewhichMileshadunleasheduponher,shebegantofeelitseffectsandthehallwayrevolvedaroundher.
‘WhendidyouseeGillian?’Milesdemanded.
‘Afterlunch—yesterdayitwas.’Natalieranashakinghandacrossherforehead.‘IsawherwithRoland,andwhentheyparted,Ifollowedher.Ibeggedhernottogoonseeinghim,butshewouldn’tlistentome.’
‘Whydidn’tyoutellme?’
‘Iwantedto,but….’
‘Butyoudecidedagainstit,’Milessneered.‘Don’tbotherlyingtomeanymore.Thatwholemarriagebureauofyoursisacon.Itwouldn’tsurprisemeifyouandyourgirlfriendaren’tinleaguewithWhitney.Ibetyouevensupplyhimwithwomentofleece,thewayyousuppliedhimwithmyidiotsister!’
‘She’sanidiotallright!’Natalie’stemperhadrisenduringthisunjustifiedattackuponhercharacter,andnothingcouldstopitfromexploding.‘Isthatwhyyouwokemeinthemiddleofthenight?BecauseyouthinkMaggieandIhavetogoroundlookingforstupidgirlstofallforRoland?Well,justfortherecord,letmetellyoutherearesomanystupidwomenaroundthatwe
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don’tneedtofindthemforhim!AndI’masstupidastherestofthemforallowingmyselftobeconnedbyyou!’
‘You’requicktotryandturnthetables,aren’tyou?’hesaidfuriously.‘Buttryingtomakemefeelguiltywon’twork.Ifyoumeantwhatyousaid,youwouldhavetoldmethewholestorywhenwehaddinnerthisevening.ButyoukeptquietbecauseyouwantRolandtostayinGillian’slife.Everythingyou’vesaidtothecontraryhasbeenalie.Maybeyou’reoneofRoland’swomentoo!’
‘Howdareyousaythat!’Nataliecried.
‘Isittoonearthetruth,then?’Milestaunted.
‘Ifyouthinkthat,thenwe’venothingtosaytoeachother.’
‘Don’tbotherplayingtheinnocentwithme!Itwon’twashanymore.You’reacleveryoungwoman,Natalie,butnotcleverenough.’
‘Clever?’sheraged.‘Imusthavebeenthebiggestfoolonearthtohavewantedtohelpyou!’
‘Maybeyouwantedtohelpyourself.’
‘Towhat?’
‘Tome,’hesaidsuccinctly.‘Youwouldhavetolookalongwaytodoanybetter.’
‘Why,youconceited….’Wordsfailedherandshedrewashudderingbreath.‘Ifyouhonestlybelievewhatyou’vejustsaid,’shecontinuedinatremblingvoice,‘thenthesooneryougetoutofmylifethebetter!’
‘Itcan’tbesoonenoughforme.’Hisvoicewasshakingtoo:itwasathroatysoundthatalmostmadeitinaudible.‘OnedayIsupposeI’llthankmysisterformakingmewakeupintime.IfIhadn’t,Imighthavemadethebiggestmistakeofmylife.’
‘I’msureyou’llstillmanagetodothat,’shesaidtonelessly,thinkingofGayle,whowouldbealltoowillingtopickupthepieces.
Asifheguessedwhatwasgoingthroughhermind,Milesgaveabittersmile.‘IwouldratherhaveGayle’snaivetythanyourcunning.Shemightboreme,butatleastshewouldn’tcheatonme.’
Natalieclenchedherhands.HertemperhadabatedandshewasoverwhelmedbydesolationatthethoughtofMileswalkingoutofherlifeinthisway.
‘IwantedtotellyouaboutRoland,butIwasscared.Hethreatened—’
‘Sparemethefairystory,’Milesinterrupted.‘Youcouldn’tsayanythingtomakemebelieveyou.’
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‘Noteventhetruth?’
Heronlyanswerwasthequietclosingofthefrontdoor,andshestumbledbackintoherbedroomandcollapsedinashiveringheaponthebed.Milescouldnotmeanwhathehadsaid.Hehadcometoherafteranarduousoperation,whenhewasattheendofhistether,bothphysicallyandemotionally.ShedidnotknowhowhehaddiscoveredthatGillianwasstillseeingRoland,butobviouslyhehadonlyjustlearnedofitandtheshockhadcomeatatimewhenhewastooexhaustedtothinkclearly.
Withshakinghandsshepushedasidethebedclothesandclimbedintobed,hopingthewarmthofthecoverswouldstopherfromtrembling,andknowingthatthechatteringofherteethcamenotfromcold,butfromadullnessofthesoul.
Miles’sbehaviourhadnullifiedeverythinghehadsaidearlierthisevening.Allhisso-calledloveforher,histalkofthefuture,hadbeensomanyemptypromises.Whenhisfeelingsforherhadbeenputtothetesttheyhaddissolvedlikesnowinsunshine.
Soonerorlaterhewouldlearnthetruth,ofcourse.Allheneededwastotalktohissister,andoncehehad,hewouldseehowunjustifiedhisharshaccusationshadbeen.ButwhenthattimecameNatalieknewthatnomatterhowmuchhepleadedwithhertoforgivehim,shewouldneverbeabletodoso.
Mileswasamanwhodoubtedawoman’sintegrity;whosebasicdistrustofthefemalesexwassodeeplyingrainedthat,attheslightesttest,theloveheprofessedtofeelcrumbledtonothing.Certainlyhehadsaidthingstoherthatnomanhadeversaidbefore.Shepulledthesheetsupagainstherchinandlaybackagainstthepillows.Shewouldhavegivenanythingifshecouldhaveturnedbacktheclocksothatthelasthourwouldceasetoexistandshecouldgoonlivinginafool’sparadise.Butthatwasimpossible.
FortheremainderofthenightNatalielayawake,andasdaylightfilteredacrosstheroom,shegotupandmadeherselfsomecoffee,thentookahotbathinthehopethatitwouldwashawayhermisery.
Shewasatherdeskwellbeforenine.Brisklyshewentthroughtheearlymorningpost,gladthereweresomehalfdozenlettersthatneededtobeanswered.Thiswouldoccupyherforthebestpartofthedayandstopherfromwallowinginherownmisery.Shedarednotlosehercontrol.Onceshedid,shewouldhowllikeababy.
Thetelephonerangandshealmostjumpedoutofherchair.Herhandwasshakingsomuchshecouldhardlyliftthereceiver,andonlywhensheheardanunfamiliarvoiceattheotherenddidhernervessteadyenoughforhertospeak.HowstupidofhertosupposeMileswouldringtoapologise.Anyway,shecouldnotforgivehim.Atleastthatwaswhatshetoldherself,thoughsheknewinherheartofheartsthatshouldheringtoexpressanyregretwhatsoever,shewouldbemorethanhappytomeethimhalfway.
Withpainfulsilencethedaydraggedon,andwhenatlastitwasfive-thirty,sherushedstraightbacktoherapartment,tellingherselfshewasnotdoingsobecauseshehopedMileswouldcall
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herthere.Yetsheknewthiswasexactlyherreason.
Tuesdaysetthepatternfortherestoftheweek.ItwasnotuntilFridaythatitchanged,wheninsteadofreturninghomeshewenttoseeMaggie,whowasleavinghospitalthenextmorningandtravellingtoStirlingwithAngus.
‘He’llbestayingfortwoweeksonly,’Maggieexplained,‘andwhenhecomesback,sowillI.Sodon’ttakeanynoticeifhetellsyouI’llbethereforamonth.Ifeelheapsbetteralready,andtwoweekswillbequitelongenough.’
Lookingatherfriend’sanimatedface,Nataliecouldalmostbelievethistobetrue,thoughMaggie’sextremeslendernessstillleftherwithsomeelementofdoubt.
‘Don’tcommityourselftoadateofreturn,’shesaid.‘AsI’vealreadytoldyou,I’mquitehappytostayintheBureauuntilschoolstartsagain.’
OnlywhenshewasbackinherownplacedidNatalieadmittosomeregretatwhatshehadsaid,knowingshewouldnotbeabletoputMilesoutofherminduntilshelefttheBureauforgood.Asitwas,goingineachdaymadeherthinkofhimcontinually.TheonlygoodthingwasthatRolandhadkeptoutofherway,andthoughMaggiehadnotmentionedhim,shelearnedfromAngusthathehadnotevenbeentothehospitalfortendays.Withricherfishtofry,Rolandcouldsparenotimeforanyoneelse.
TheweekendwentbyandNatalieforcedherselftogooutbothSaturdayandSunday.Whenshewasin,thetelephoneremainedbalefullysilent,andshefoundherselfglaringatitasthoughitwerealiveanddeliberatelytryingtoaggravateher.Shesleptbadlyandthefewhours’restthatshedidmanagetogetwerepunctuatedbyunpleasantdreams.ShemightbeabletokeepMilesatbayduringherwakinghours,butatnighthereturnedtohaunther.
Sheacceptedinvitationstotwopartiesandonbothoccasionswasescortedhomebythemosteligibleyoungmanthere,whichwasgoodforhermoralebutnotformuchelse,sinceshecouldnotfacetheprospectofgoingoutwithanothermansosoonafterMiles.Itwasquitecrazy,forshehadonlyknownhimafewweeks,yetitwasimpossibletogethimoutofhermind.
AnotherweekendwentbyandagainitwasMonday.TherewasashortnotefromMaggie,whoseemedtobehavingawonderfultimeandmadenomentionofwhenshewasreturning.TherewasnowordfromRolandeither,andNataliewascurioustoknowwhatwasgoingonandwhetherhewasstillseeingGillian,orifMileshadsuccessfullyintervenedinhissister’slife.
Idon’tcarewhattheDentonsdo,shetoldherself.OnlyforMrsDentondidshefeelapangofsympathy;shecouldimaginehowdismayedthatladywouldbeifherdaughtermarriedamanlikeRoland.Ontheotherhand,ifMilesmarriedGayle,shewouldatleasthavesomecompensation,Nataliethoughtbleakly.
TwoweekstothedaythatMaggiehadleftLondon,shewalkedintotheoffice.Nataliestaredatherwithdelight.
‘ItoldyouwhenI’dbeback,’saidMaggie.‘Youhavenoreasontolooksoastonished.’
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‘IthoughtAnguswouldpersuadeyoutostayon.’
‘Thedoctorinhimwantedto,’Maggiesaidhumorously,‘butthemaninhimcouldn’tbearustobeparted.’Sheheldoutherlefthand,whichsportedapearlandrubyantiqueringonthethirdfinger.Nataliejumpedupandhuggedher,delightedthatatleastoneofthemhadgotherman.
‘I’mgoingtoclosedowntheBureau,’Maggieconfidedsomehourslater,whentheywerecomfortablysittinginacoffeebar,withtimetosparebeforeAnguswasfree.‘Evenwithournewclientswe’reonlyjustkeepingourheadsabovewater,andthewholethingisn’tworththeworryanymore.’HerplainfacebecameilluminatedwithhappinessattheprospectofherfuturewithAngus.‘Isupposeyouthinkit’sold-fashionedofmetobecontentedjustwiththethoughtofbeingawife?’
‘Don’tusetheword"just",’Nataliesaidstolidly.‘Formostwomen,beingawifeandmotherisafull-timeoccupation.’
‘Woulditbeforyou?’
‘Itmight.Butatthemomentthere’snomanintheoffing.’
‘WhataboutMilesDenton?’
ThequestiontookNataliebysurpriseandshewentscarlet.Shehadimaginedherfriendtobetoofullofherownhappinessatthemomenttostartthinkingofanyoneelse.ButdoubtlessMaggie’sperceptiveeyehadnoticedherthinnessandthevioletshadowswhichfatiguehadplacedonherlids.
‘I’mnotbeingnosy.’MaggiedidnotlookonewhitabashedbyNatalie’sheightenedcolour.‘Angustoldmeabouthim,andhealsotoldmewhattroubleyouwerehavingwithRoland.Youshouldn’thavekeptittoyourself.’
‘Ididn’t,’Natalieretorted.‘Itoldthatbig-mouthfiancéofyours.’
Maggiegaveahalfsmile.‘Andquiterightlyhetoldme—whichiswhatyoushouldhavedone.Iappreciatewhyyoudidn’t,but….’ShepulledherchairclosertoherfriendandputherhandonNatalie’sarm.‘ButnowIwanttoknowthetruth.Youlooklikedeathwarmedup,whichleadsmetosupposethatthingsaren’tgoingtoowellbetweenyouandMilesDenton.’
‘Theyaren’tgoingatall,’Nataliesaidwithanattemptatlightness.‘We’vestoppedseeingeachother.’
‘Why?’
‘ForthesamereasonwhyIdon’tseelotsofmyboyfriends.Onelikesthemforatimeandthenonestopslikingthem.’
‘Youdon’tlikeMilesDentonanymore?’
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‘Iloathehim!’
‘Isthatwhyyoulooksodreadful?’saidMaggiepleasantly’.
‘Idon’tlookdreadful.’Natalietookouthercompactandpeeredatherselfinitssmallmirror.‘I’mthinner,’sheadmitted,‘butIthinkitsuitsme.Itmakesmelookethereal.’
‘Etherealtodaycanbeghostlytomorrow,’MaggierespondedwithScottishpracticality.‘AmIwronginassumingyoubowedtoRoland’sthreatsanddidn’tcallhisbluff?’
Natalieputdownhercompactandstaredatherfriendindismay.‘Angusreallyhasbeentalking,hasn’the?’
‘SinceI’mgivinguptheBureauhesawnopointinnottellingme.’Maggiesighed.‘Itwasn’teasyforhimtotellmemybrotherisafirst-classrotter.ButatleastknowingIhaveAngusmakesiteasierformetobear.’
‘I’mdelightedaboutthat,’Nataliesaidsincerely.
‘WhendidyouseeRolandlast?’Maggieasked.
‘BeforeyouwenttoScotland.Idon’tknowifhe’sstillseeingGillianDenton,butitmakesnodifferencetome.NotafterthethingsMilessaid.’
‘Tellmeeverythingthathappened,’Maggieinstructed.
Afteramoment’shesitation,compoundedofembarrassmentandadesirenottorelivetheagonyofMiles’saccusations,Nataliedidso.Tohersurpriseshefounditgoodtobeabletotellsomeone,andhearingthestoryaloudhelpedhertoputitintoperspective.Butitdidnotridherofthebitterness.Enoughstillremainedforittochangehervoiceasshereachedtheendofthestory.
‘It’sknowingthathethoughtIwaspretendingtolikehim—thatIsawhimasagoodcatch—thathurtmemorethanhisbelievingIwasincahootswithRoland.’
‘Youcan’tblamethemanforthinkinghe’sagoodcatch,’Maggiesaidprosaically,‘whenhesoobviouslyis!Doyouthinkhe’stakenupwithGayleHunteragain?’
‘Hedeservesher,’Nataliesnorted.‘She’saselfishbitofgoods.’
‘SheandRolandwouldmakeanidealcouple,’Maggiegrinned.
Nataliecouldnothelplaughingattheidea.‘Ican’tseeGaylebeingtakeninbyhim.Behindthosebabyblueeyesofhersthere’samindlikeasteeltrap.’
‘ReadytogripontoMilesDenton?’
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‘Iexpectso.’Nataliejumpedup,asifthewordshadcausedherpain.‘Shallwego?Youmustn’tkeepAnguswaiting.’
AfewmomentslatertheywerewalkingdownBondStreet.
‘Imustpayyouforthetimeyou’vebeenrunningtheBureau,’saidMaggie.
‘Idon’twanttobepaid,’Natalieretorted.‘Ihelped-outasafriend—nothingmore.’
‘Iinsistongivingyousomething,’Maggiesaid.‘Itisn’twhatyoudeserve—Ican’taffordthat—butatleastitwillhelpyouwithsomeexpenses.AndIalsooweyouforthemoneyyougavetoRoland.WhenIthinkofthatbrotherofmineIcouldstranglehim!’
‘Here’syourchance,’Nataliesaidinatightvoice,andjerkedherheadinthedirectionofthefair-hairedmansaunteringupthestreettowardsthem.
‘Hello,Maggie,’hesaid,greetingherasifhehadonlyseenheryesterday.‘Iwasjustcominguptotheofficetoseeifyouwereback.’
‘Howkindofyoutocare,’hissistersaiddryly.
‘Don’tbelikethat,oldthing.IknewyouwereingoodhandswithAngus.Whichremindsme,howishe?’
‘Soontobeyourbrother-in-law.’
‘That’sthebestnewsI’veheardinyearsI’
Rolandlookedgenuinelypleased,andwatchinghim,Nataliewonderedatthedichotomyinhischaracterthatcouldmakehimthreatenhissisterharmonemomentandbedelightedatherhappinessthenext.ButthenMaggieseemedabletodissembletoo,forshewaslettingRolandhugheraffectionatelybeforesuddenlypushinghimawayfromherandasking:
‘What’sallthisaboutyouthreateningtogetmyBureaulicencetakenaway?’
ForabriefinstantalookofcomicsurpriseflashedacrossRoland’sfeatures,buthewasnotaconmanfornothing,andhegavehissisteradisarmingsmile.
‘Nataliewassillyenoughtotakemeseriously.ButIwouldneverhavedoneit,Sis,youknowthat.’
‘Oh,sure,’saidhissister.‘Butitdoesn’tmatteranylonger,becauseI’mclosingthebusinessdown.’
‘Thenall’swellthatendswell,’hesmiled.
‘HowisitendingwithyouandGillianDenton?’Maggieasked.
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‘Itisn’tyet.’HestareddefiantlyatNatalie.‘HerbrotherknowsI’mseeingher,butheisn’tinterfering.Soyouwerewrongaboutthat,weren’tyou?’
‘Iwaswrongaboutalotofthings,’saidNatalie.‘Butneverwronginthinkingyouwerelowerthanasnake’sbelly.’
Withoutgivinghimachancetoreplyshewalkedaway,andMaggiecaughtupwithheramomentlater.
‘I’msorrywebumpedintohim,Nat,’sheapologised.‘Idon’tblameyouforfeelingthewayyoudo.Buthe’sstillmybrotherandIcan’tcuthimoutofmylife.’
‘Idon’texpectyoutodothat.’
Natalietouchedherfriend’sarmtoshowtherewerenohardfeelings.ShewascontenttoleaveMaggie’sfutureinAngus’scapablehands,knowingthatwithhimasherhusbandMaggiewouldnotbeopentothesamepressuresfromherbrother.
BythetimeNataliereturnedhomeshefoundthatthehappinessofherfriendservedtohighlighttheemptinessofherownlife.Forthefirsttimesheexperiencedadeepsenseofself-pitywhichmadehergladthatfromtomorrowshewouldbefreetoleadherownlifeagain.Butsomehowthethoughtofspendingherdayswithtoddlers,eventhoughshelovedthem,nolongerseemedtherightthingtodo,andshewonderedifitwouldn’tbewisertofindajobwhichwouldbringherintouchwithpeopleofherownage.Oldemotionsweremoreeasilyforgotteniftheywerereplacedbynewones,anditwasthisknowledgethatpromptedhertoringupanex-boy-friendwhowasnowdirectorofanadvertisingagency,andaskifshecouldcomeandtalktohim.
‘Byallmeans,’hesaidatonce.‘I’mfreetonight,ifyouare,andI’vegotticketsforthenewshowattheRoyal.Wecantalkafterwardsoverdinner.’
Itwaschurlishtorefuse.Besides,anactivesociallifewaspartofthecureshewasplanningforherself.
‘I’dlovetocome,’shesaid.
‘I’llcollectyouatseven.Dressup,angel,andwe’llgodancinglater.’
CHAPTERELEVEN
WHENsheopenedthedoortoDavidSumneranhourlater,thelookNataliesawonhisfacewasamplecompensationforthetimeshehadtakenwithherappearance.
‘Noneedtoaskifyou’rewell,’hesaidappreciatively.‘Youlookradiant!’
Hiseyestravelledslowlyfromthedarkredclusterofcurlswhichcrownedherhead,downthecolumnofherslenderthroat,pasttiltedbreaststorestonawaistthatwasconsiderablysmallerthanwhenhehadseenitlast.‘You’rethinner,’headded,‘butitsuitsyou.’
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‘Thinenoughtobeamodel?’shequestioned.
‘Don’ttellmeyou’rereadytogiveuppottingtoddlers!’
Shelaughed.‘I’mthinkingofit.That’swhyIwantedtotalktoyou.’
‘Youaren’tdumbenoughtobeamodel.’Hetuckedhisarmbeneathhersandledhertoawaitingtaxi.‘I’veamuchbetterideaforyou,’hecontinued.‘Whynottakeajobinmyoffice?Itwouldbemuchmoreinlinewithyourbrains—andyourbeautywon’tcomeamissthereeither.’Heleanedforwardandnibbledherear.‘I’mgladyoucalledme,Natalie,andIreallycoulduseyouintheoffice.You’reintelligentandeducated,andsixmonthsfromnowyoucouldbetakingonyourownaccounts.’
‘Youreallythinkso?’
‘I’msureofit.We’lltalkaboutitduringdinner.’
Shenodded,andthoughshewouldhavelikedtocontinuewiththediscussionnow,knewitwouldseemtoopushyifshedid.ItwasmonthssinceshehadseenDavidandshethoughthimasgood-lookingnowaswhenshehadmethim.Butthesparkhadneverbeenthere,asfarasshewasconcerned,andshehaddecidednottoseehimanymore.Nowshedidnotwanthimtogetthewrongidea,andsheponderedhowtoputthistactfully.
‘Ihopeyou’llliketheplay.’David’svoicebrokeintoherthoughtsandshesawhewastakingoutsomemoneytopaythetaxi.‘Don’tblamemeifit’snogood.’
‘I’llbearthatinmindbeforeIrunoutonyou,’sheteased,andfollowedhimintotheauditorium.
Itwascrowded,andthemajorityoftheaudiencewereineveningdress.Photographers’flashbulbspoppedascelebritiespausedobligingly.SeveralpeoplewatchedNatalie’sprogressintothestallsandwithamusementshewasawareofDavid’sprideinhercompany.
‘Ibeteverymaninthetheatreisenvyingme,’hewhisperedastheysatdown.‘You’restillthemoststunninglookinggirlIknow.’
‘Ibetyousaythattoallyourgirl-friends!’
‘IwishIcould,’hesaidruefully,‘butitonlyappliestoyou.’
Aflippantreplydiedinherthroatashergazerestedontheoccupantsofaboxafewyardsaway.EvendistancecouldnotdisguiseMilesDenton’saristocraticfeatures,norhidethegleaminhiseyesastheyrestedonher.Sheknewinstinctivelythathehadwatchedherprogressdowntoherseat,andshewasdelightedshewaswithsuchapersonableescort.
Casually,asifshehadnotseenhim,NatalieturnedherattentiontoDavid,butwasunabletoseeanythingotherthanthememoryofMilesandthehoney-blondegirlbesidehim.WhyshouldIbesurprisedbecausehe’swithGayle?shethoughtangrily,butstillfounditimpossibletofocusonwhatDavidwassaying.
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‘Don’tyouthinkso?’hequeriedwithasmile.
‘Ido,’shenodded,andwasrelievedtofindshehadsaidtherightthing.
Atthatmomentthelightsdimmedandthecurtainparted,andNatalieletoutasighandfocusedhereyesuponthestage.
Forthefirstfiveminutesshewasobliviousofwhatwashappeningthere,butgraduallysheconqueredherturmoilandwasabletoconcentrateontheactiontakingplaceinfrontofher.SheknewthatintheintervalDavidwouldexpecthertomakesomeintelligentcomment,andresolutelyshetriednottolookupattheboxwhereMileswassitting.Yetfromtimetotimeshecouldnotpreventherself.Thesightofhisclear-cutprofileandthepalegleamofGaylebesidehimhurthermorethanshehadbelievedpossible.
Theywerewithanothercouple,notSirEltonandhiswife,andshewasrelieved,fortheymighthavespokentoherduringtheinterval.ButGaylewillkeepamileawayfromme,shethoughtironically,andMileswillignoreme,sothere’snoneedtosittremblinglikeanidiot!
Whenthecurtaincamedownonthefirstact,shefollowedDavidtothebar,whereheorderedchampagne.
‘Therearesomefriendsofmineoverthere,’hesaid,andwavedhishandtowardsImogenHoulder,awell-knownactress,andherhusband,whoimmediatelycameovertojointhem.
Natalierelaxed,gladtolettheconversationcarryonaroundher,andoccasionallygaveasmiletodisguisethefactthatherthoughtsweremilesaway.Everyfibreofherbodyseemedtobeconcentratedonthedoor,asifwaitingforMilestocomethroughit,andwhenheatlastappearedwithGayleclingingtohisarm,shefeltastabofintensejealousy.
Feverishlysheenteredintotheconversation,utteringabonmotwhichmadeeveryonelaugh,andatleastprovingtoherselfthatshewasstillcapableofputtingonanactthatcouldfoolanyone.
‘Let’shavedinnertogetherafterwards,’ImogenHouldersuggested.
‘Nottonight,angel.’DavidglancedfromtheactresstoNatalie,andImogen,seeingthelook,gavehimaknowingsmile.
‘No,dear,’Davidsaid,‘I’mnotlayingsiegetoNatalie,butwedohavebusinesstotalkabout.’
‘Monkeybusiness,’drawledtheactressdryly.‘Irefusetobelieveyouwouldevertalkbusinesstoabeautifulredheadaftertenp.m.!’
Nataliesmiled,butfeltthecurveofherlipsstiffenasshesawGaylecomeintoviewbeyondImogen’sshoulder.
‘Hello,Natalie,’theyoungergirlsaidinartlesstones.‘It’sagessincewemet.’
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Wishingitcouldhavebeenlonger,Nataliegaveherapolitesmileandhopedthegirlwouldmoveon.ButGayleremainedwhereshewas,smilingfirstatImogenandherhusbandandthenatDavid.Nataliewasobligedtointroducehimtoher,andGaylespunoutthepleasantriesforsolongthatMiles,turningawayfromthebarwithtwodrinksinhishand,wasforcedtobringthemover.
Asheapproached,Nataliefoundhertremblingceasedasthoughbymagic,andfromsomewherecameastrengthshehadnotthoughtshepossessed.ItenabledhertogivehimacoolsmileandtospeaktohiminhoneyedtonesassheputherhandinDavid’sandintroducedthetwomen.
‘Denton?’Davidrepeatedthename.‘Youwouldn’tbeanythingtodowithDentonEngineering?’
‘JackDentonismyuncle,’Milessaid,‘butI’mnotinthesamelineofbusiness.’
‘Milesisasurgeon,’saidNatalie.‘Hecutspeopleup.’
‘Inmylife,’Davidgrinned,‘it’sthewomenwhodothat!’
MilesgaveaslightsmileandhandedGayleherdrink.Seenatcloserange,Nataliefound,hewasexactlyasshehadrememberedhim.Yetnotquitethesame,forthoughhehadalwaysbeenthin,hewasnowvergingonthehaggard.Thisinnowaydetractedfromhislooks;ifanythingitmadehimlookmoredistinguished.Hiseyesglowedlikeambercoalsandshecouldimaginehowvividtheymustappearwhentherestofhisfacewascoveredbyasurgicalmask.Sherememberedthelasttimeshehadseenhimglowingdownatherandwonderedifheeverrememberedthatmomentwhentheyhadlaintogetheronthesetteeandhadsonearlyallowedtheirmutualdesiretoreachfulfilment;mighthavedonesotoo,ifthetelephonehadnotrung.
Theglassinherhandtrembledandsomechampagnespilledonherfingers.
‘Here,letmetakethat,’Davidsaid,anddidso,gentlywipingherhand.
NataliewonderedwhyGayledidnotmoveaway,butitseemedshehadcomeforapurposeandwasnottobedissuadedfromit.
‘IsupposeyouknowofMiles’snewappointmentatthehospital?’shecooed.
‘Nooneisinterestedinthat,’Milesintervened,andputhishandonGayle’sarmasiftodrawheraway.
‘I’dlovetohearaboutyournewappointment.’Nataliespokedirectlytohim,anxioustoshowthattheangerwithwhichshehadfacedhimamonthagohadbeencompletelyforgotten.‘Ihadn’trealisedSirEltonwasretiringquitesosoon,’shecontinued.
‘Hehadaslightheartattack,’Milestoldher,hiseyesstillimpersonalastheymethers.‘Thatsomewhatprecipitatedthings.’
‘Sonowyou’vereachedthetopoftheladder?’
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‘Theyoungestsurgeonevertoholdsuchaposition,’Gayletrilled,andleanedclosetoMiles,herlongblondehairbrushinghischinassheclungtohisarm.‘ButhehatesitwhenItelleveryone.’
‘It’sajoblikeanyother,’heshrugged.
‘Butyou’rebrilliantatit,darling,’Gaylepouted.‘Whyshouldn’tIbeproudofyou?’
MilesshruggedandspoketoDavid.‘Youmentionedmyuncle.Doyouknowhim?’
‘Verywell.Mycompanyhandleshisadvertising.’
‘Nowyou’reinatoughbusiness,’Milessmiled.‘Prettycut-throat,too,Ishouldimagine.’
‘That’swhatNatalieusedtosay.Thoughnowshe’sjumpingontothebandwagon,I’mgladtosay.’
NataliewishedshehadwarnedDavidnottomentionherplans,butitwastoolate,forMileswaslookingatherwithanenigmaticsmile.
‘Soyou’rerenouncingthetoddlersforsomethingmorelucrative?Youalwaysgavemetheimpressionthatyoucaredaboutthem.’
‘Istilldo.ButIalsocareaboutenjoyingmyownlife,’shesaid.‘I’vebeenlookingafterchildrenforfiveyearsandIneedabreak.’
‘Shecanalwaysreturntoitwhenshegetsmarried,’Davidputin,andslippedhisarmaroundherwaist.
Natalieleanedagainsthim.‘Youneverknow,’shesmiled,andthoughshedespisedherselfforflirting,shewasdeterminedtoshowMilesshewasheartwhole.
‘Canwegobacktoourseatsnow,darling?’GayleaskedMiles,asifshehadsaidallshewishedtosay.
HenoddedtoNatalieandDavid,smiledattheirfriends,andledGayleaway.
‘Agood-lookingcouple,’Imogencommented,hereyesontheman.‘Anddefinitelythemarryingkind.’
Doctorshavetobe,’herhusbandreplied.‘Itmakestheirwomenpatientsfeelsafewiththem.’
‘Iwouldn’twanttofeelsafewithMrDenton!’
‘Youwould,ifhehadyouonanoperatingtable.’
‘Thatisn’twhereIwasthinkingofhimputtingme!’Imogen’swarmglanceatherhusbandmadeitclearshewasjoking,andhisreturningglanceshowedthatheknewit.
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DavidsmiledatNatalie.‘YouseemedtoknowDenton.Isheafriendofyours?’
‘Iwentoutwithhimacoupleoftimes,butIwouldn’tcallhimafriend.’
‘Good.’
Thetheatrebellrangandtheyreturnedtotheirseats.ItrequiredallNatalie’sstrengthofmindforhertopayattentiontotheplay,andshewasrelievedwhenthecurtainfinallycamedown.
InthefoyersheagaincamefacetofacewithGayle,whowaswaitingwhileMileswenttogetthecar.
‘Youwaitheretoo,darling,’saidDavid.‘It’sraininghardanditmaytakemeawhiletogetacab.’
ToremainalonewithGaylewasthelastthingNataliewanted,butDaviddisappearedinthecrushbeforeshecouldfollowhim,andGayleedgedcloserandsuccessfullystuckatherelbow.
‘Mileslookstired,don’tyouthink?’shemurmured.
‘Ididn’tlookathimcloselyenoughtonotice,’Natalierepliedindifferently.
‘He’sworkingterriblyhard,’Gaylewenton,‘andwe’rehouse-huntingtoo.MilesandIboththinkhishouseinHarleyStreetistooinconvenienttobemadeintoaproperhome.Anyway,I’dhatetoliveinamedicalatmosphere.’
Natalie’stonguewasdryandshecouldnottwistitintoanywords,butGayledidnotseemtonoticethesilenceandwentonchatting.
‘WhenIsaywe’rehouse-hunting,IreallymeanIam.Milesisleavingitmainlytome.Afterall,I’mtheonewho’llbetheremostofthetime.’Theartlessvoicestoppedmomentarilybeforecontinuing.‘Ididtellyouwe’regettingmarried,didn’tI?’
‘Iassumedyouwouldn’tbelivinginsin!’Nataliewaspleasedshecouldfinallymanagetospeak,andinthenoiseandrusharoundthemshehopedtheshakinessofhervoicewasnotapparent.
‘Mileswantsustokeepitquietuntiltheexcitementofhisnewappointmenthasdieddown,’Gayleadded.‘OtherwisepeoplemightthinkhemarriedmebecauseofwhoDaddyis.’
‘Surelynoonecouldthinksuchanobviousthing,’Nataliesaidsmoothly,andwaspleasedtoseethecolourcomeupandgointhepaleskininfrontofher.
ButGaylewastooclevertorisetothejibeandsheturnedherheadasthoughlookingforMiles.Thenmuttering:‘IthinkIcanseehim,’shewoveherwaythroughthecrowds.
Nataliewaitedforseveralmomentsbeforefollowing,givingMilestimetopullawaybefore
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goingoutside.SheimmediatelysawDavid’swildgesticulationsfromthewindowofacab,andsherantowardsitandjumpedin.Shelongedtotellhimtotakeherhome,butdecideditwouldbeeasiertofacehimacrossatableandhuddledbackinacornerofthetaxi.Shewasshiveringthoughshewasnotcold,andknewhertremblingcamefromnerves.Shewantedtoburstintotears.HowcouldMilesbefoolishenoughtomarryGayle?Evenifhehaddecidedthatlovingherselfwaswrongforhim,hesurelycouldn’tbelievethatlovingGaylewasright?
‘Youhaven’tforgottenyou’retakingmedancing,’shesaidtoDavid,inanartificiallygayvoice.
‘I’vebeenthinkingofitallevening.It’stheonlywayIevergettoholdyou.’Hecaughtherhand.‘It’llbewonderfultohaveyouworkingwithme.’
‘Ihaven’tmadeadecisionyet,’shewarned.‘Iwanttothinkaboutit.’
‘You’llforgivemeifItrytobealittlemorepersuasivebeforetheeveningends?’
‘Don’tbetoopersuasiveoryou’llfrightenmeoff!’
Takingthehint,Davidbehavedinanexemplaryfashionfortherestoftheevening;flirtingwithher,yetremainingcasual,asifheknewthatnowwasnotthetimeforanythingmore.
‘Ihopeyou’lldecidetojoinmeattheagency,’hesaidwhenheleftheroutsideherfrontdoor.‘Itwilldoyougoodtochangejobs,Natalie.’
Promisingtothinkcarefullybeforemakinguphermind,Natalielefthimandpreparedforbed.Muchasshewantedtofindworkthatwouldoccupyhermind,sheknewthatworkingforDavidmightcreatemoreproblemsthanitsolved,andthatitwouldbebettertoworkwithpeoplewhodidnotknowher.
Yetwhereversheworkedshewasboundtomeetmenwhowouldwanttotakeherout.Thatwaspartofthepenaltyoflookingthewayshedid.Yetithadfartoomanycompensationsforhertoregretit.Thetruthwasthattherewasonlyonemanwhomshewanted,andseeinghimagainhadmadethatalltooclear.
CHAPTERTWELVE
AFEWdayslaterNataliedroppedDavidanotetosayshehaddecidedagainstleavingthenurseryschool.Asshehadexpected,shereceivedaniratetelephonecallfromhim,demandingtoknowwhyshehadmadesuchafoolishdecision.Butshewouldnotallowherselftobedissuadedfromit.
‘Allright,’hesaidfinally,‘sostaywiththetots.Butthatdoesn’tmeanyouhavetodropoutofmylife.I’mstillcrazyaboutyou,Natalie.’
‘ThatwaswhyIstoppedseeingyoulasttime,’sheremindedhim.‘Idon’twantyoutobehurt.’
‘I’mabigboyandIcantakecareofmyself.’
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‘I’llcallyou,’shepromised,knowingshewoulddonosuchthing,andhungupbeforehehadachancetoremonstratewithher.
Timepassedslowly.ItwasnowamonthsinceshehadseenMilesatthetheatre,butshestillkeptre-livingeverywordofherlastscenewithGayle.Itwassovividthateverythingthegirlhadsaidwasetchedonhermind.ShewishedGaylehadalsotoldherwhentheweddingwouldbe.KnowingtheworstmighthelphertofaceuptothefactthatMileshadcompletelygonefromherlife.
Itwasincrediblethathehadcometomeansomuchtoherinsoshortatime.Whyshouldonefeelsostronglyattractedtowardsonehumanbeingandnottoanother?Afterall,fromalogicalpointofviewDavidwasaseligibleasMiles.Hewasbetter-lookingtoo,andwouldcertainlybeafareasierhusband,sincehewasamusing,undemanding,andwouldhavemuchmoretimetodevotetoher.
Miles,ontheotherhand,wasundoubtedlyquick-tempered,andheworkedlonganderratichoursthatwouldinevitablyaffecthissociallife.Yethowhappilyshewouldhavemarriedhim,knowingallthis.Marriedhimandlovedhimfortherestofherlife.
Buttherestofherlifehadtobelivedwithouthim,andthoughatthemomentshecouldnotconsiderputtinganyothermaninhisplace,sheknewthathernaturalresiliencewouldonedaymakethispossible.Butnotyet.Firstshehadtocopewiththeproblemofday-to-daylivingandtellherselfthatthepainshefelttodaywouldlessenandeventuallydisappear.
Yettheshadowsofsleeplessnesslaylikebruisesbeneathhereyesandherslendernessincreased—afactwhichbothMaggieandAnguscommentedonwhensheattendedtheirwedding.
ShehaddeliberatelyseenlessofMaggiesinceherfriendhadreturnedfromScotland,knowingshewasbusysellingherbusinessaswellaslookingforaflatforherselfandAngus.
Overandabovethesereasons,shedidnotwanttobumpintoRolandwho,asfarasshecouldgatherfromMaggie’slasttelephonecalltoher,wasstillseeingGillian.ItseemedasifMileswasunable—orwasnolongerconcerned—topreventhissisterfromcontinuingtomakeafoolofherself.Nataliewonderedcynicallyifhehaddecidedhewasbeingpresumptuousintryingtocontrolthelivesofotherpeople,nomatterhowdeartheyweretohim.
RolandhimselfsuppliedtheanswertothiswhenNataliesawhimatMaggie’swedding.AllofAngus’sfamilyhadcomedownfromScotlandfortheevent,andtherewasalargecrowdofpeoplebothinthechurchandatthereception,whichwasheldinasmallbutextremelypleasantBayswaterhotel.
Maggiewasradiantwithhappiness,andthoughevenasabrideshecouldnothavebeencalledbeautiful,itwaseasytoseefromAngus’sadoringeyesthattohimsheepitomisedeverythinghewantedinawife.
‘Youmustgetmarriednext,’saidMaggie,comingovertomakesureNataliewasenjoyingherself.
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‘Waituntilyou’reanoldmarriedwomanbeforeyoustartmatchmaking,’Nataliewarned.
‘It’sjustthatI’msohappy,Iwantyoutobehappytoo.’
‘Whyassumeonecanonlybehappyinthemarriedstate?Don’tyouknowhowold-fashionedthatideais?’
‘Itmaybeold-fashionedforsomepeople,butnotforus.’Maggieloweredhervoice.‘DidyouknowRolandisn’tseeingGillianDentonanymore?’
‘No.’Natalie’sheartthumpedheavilyinherchest.‘Whathappened?’
‘Idon’tknow.AllRolandsaysisthathegotboredwithher.’
‘Idon’tbelieveyourbrotherwouldevergetboredwitharichgirl,’Nataliesaidfrankly.‘Shemusthavegivenhimthepush.’
Maggiesighedandthensmiled,refusingtoletherworriesaboutRolandmarthisparticularday.‘HemaybegoingtoCanada,’shecontinued.‘He’sbeenofferedajobthere.’
‘Thefurtherfromyouthebetter,’Nataliereplied.‘YouknowwhatIthinkofhim.’
‘Onlytoowell,’Maggiesmiled,andturnedtotalktosomeofherotherguests.
NotforamomentdidNataliebelieveRoland’sstory,andshewouldhavedearlylikedtoknowwhathadfinallymadeGilliandecidetobreakwithhim.Orhadpropinquitydonethetrickwherethreatsandpressurehadfailed?
Shelookedupassomeoneslidintothechairnexttoher,andsawwithdismaythatitwasRoland.
‘Iknowhowdelightedyouaretoseeme,’hedrawled,‘sodon’tbothertowidenyoursmile.’
‘AsamatteroffactIwasthinkingaboutyou,’shesaidwithhonesty.‘Ihearyou’renotseeingGillianDenton.’
‘Hasthatmadeyouhappy?’
‘I’mhappyforanygirlwhocomestohersenseswhereyou’reconcerned.’
‘Stillmydevotedadmirer,Isee!’
‘WhenareyougoingtoCanada?’
RolandlaughedandNatalie,hearingherselfputthequestion,hadtolaughtoo.
‘Yes,’sheadmitted,‘Ican’twaitforyoutogetoutofMaggie’shair.Notthatyou’llfindher
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suchaneasytouchnowshe’smarriedtoAngus.’
‘Iknow,’hesaidruefully.‘Ihaven’tlostalittlesister,butI’vegainedabigbrotherI’Heglancedathissmoothhands.‘I’llbeleavingEnglandinafortnightand,ifIdon’tlikeCanada,I’llgoontotheStates.’
‘WhathappenedbetweenyouandGillian?’Natalieasked,andregrettedtheimpulsivenesswhichhadmadeheraskthequestion,forsheknewRolandwouldnotbeabletoresisttryingtohurtherwithhisreply.
‘Itwasamutualpartingoftheways,’hesaid.‘I’msorryitcametoolatetopreventyourbreak-upwiththewonderfulsurgeon,butIhopeit’staughtyounottointerfereinotherpeople’saffairs.’
‘I’llalwaysenjoyinterferinginyouraffairs,Roland—ifonlytosaveafemalefromruiningherlife.’Nataliekeptacoolsmileonherfaceandresistedtheurgetoliftherhandbagandbringitdownuponhishead.‘IsupposeGillianfinallyrealisedwhataswineyouwere.Ordidaricherbirdcomeyourway?’
‘I’llleaveyoutoguesstheanswer.Iwouldn’twanttopreventyourfertilelittleimaginationfromworkingovertime.’Hemovedawayandthenstoppedandlookedatheroverhisshoulder.‘Ofcourseyoucouldringupthesurgeonandaskhim.I’msurehe’dlovetotellyou.’
NataliewatchedRolanddisappearbehindagroupofpeople,andwishedbitterlythathehadnevercomeintoherlife.AtleastshewouldnothavemetMiles.Sheglancedatherwatch,butknewshecouldnotleavethereceptionuntilAngusandMaggiehadleftfortheirhoneymoon.Thismeantatleastanotherhouroffalsegaietyforher.
Drainingherglassofchampagne,shewentovertothebartogetanotherone.Toomuchofitwouldgiveheraheadache,butatleastitwouldblotoutthemiserywhichpervadedher.
‘Natalie!’HernamewascalledandshesawMaggiewavingtoher.‘AngusandIareleavinginamoment,’herfriendwhisperedasshereachedherside.‘Butwewanttogooffasquietlyaswecan,otherwisewe’llgetshoweredwithconfettiandrice.’
‘Idon’tseehowyoucanavoidit.’
‘We’vegotitallworkedout,’saidMaggie.‘I’llleavetheroomwithyouandeveryonewillthinkwe’regoingofftohavealastgirlishgossip.ThenafewminuteslaterAnguswillslipoutandmeetmeatthesideentranceofthehotel.That’swherehe’sparkedhiscar.’
‘Withalltheoldbootstiedtoit!’Nataliechuckled.
‘Anguscollectedhisnewcaryesterday,’Maggiesaidproudly,‘sonooneevenknowswhichoneishis.’
‘Whatacunning,wellmatchedcoupleyouare.IbetyoumetthroughtheWhitneyMarriageBureau!’
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Laughingtogether,thegirlslinkedarmsandwalkedoutoftheroom.Onceinthecorridor,theymadetheirwaysmartlydownthestairstothelobby.
‘Isawyoutalkingtomyin-laws,’saidMaggie,stillmovingquickly.‘They’renice,aren’tthey?’
‘Very.Theyaskedmetohavedinnerwiththemthisevening.’
‘Youdidn’tsayyouwould?’Maggieaskedinstantly.
‘No,Ididn’t.ButI’mbeginningtoregretit.IhavenothingelsefixedandIdon’tfancygoinghomealone.’
‘I’msureyouwon’tdothat.’
TheyreachedtherearentranceofthehotelandMaggiepaused.‘Wemightaswellwaithereforaminute,’shesaid.‘Anguswon’thaveleftthereceptionyet.’
‘Doyouwantmetowaitwithyou,’Natalieasked,‘orshallIgoback?’
‘Certainlynot!’Maggiecaughtherarminavicelikegrip.‘StayandtalktomeuntilAnguscomes.’
NataliedidsoforsomefiveminutesbeforeAngus’stallfigureloomedoverthem.
‘Noonesuspectsathing,’hesaidtruthfully.‘TheythinkI’vegoneoffinsearchofyou,andtheyareallmassinginthefoyerforthebigsend-off.’
‘I’mbeginningtofeelsorryforeverybody.’Maggie’slaughingvoicebeliedherwordsandshecaughtAngusbythehandastheywentouttothestreet.Carswererangedalongonesideoftheroad,bumpertobonnet,andAngusstoppedbyabrightbluesaloon.
‘Abitdifferentfrommyoldjalopy,’hesaidproudly.
‘Areyoutalkingaboutyournewwife?’Nataliequestioned,andAnguslaughedandswungroundtogiveherahug.
‘I’llneverforgetwhatyoudidforMaggiewhenshewasill,’hesaid,‘andIhopeyou’lllookonmeasafriendtoo.’
‘Idoalready,’shesaidwarmly,andhuggedhimback,thenblinkedawayhertearsasshekissedMaggieandhelpedhertogetintothecar.
Angusseemedtobetakinganinordinatelylongtimetoputthekeyintotheignition,andNatalielookedanxiouslybackatthehotel.‘Dohurryupandgobeforesomeonecomesroundfromthefrontandseesyou.’
‘We’llbeawaysoon,’hemuttered,takingthekeyoutagainandlookingatit.‘Thiscan’tbethe
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rightone,’hefrowned,andsearchedamongthebunchforanother.
NatalielookedatMaggie,whosmiledbackather,notseemingatallputoutbyherhusband’sinabilitytostartthecar.OnceagainAnguswenttoswitchontheignitionandonceagaintheenginefailedtostart.
‘Isupposethisisyourcar?’Natalieasked,bendingdowntospeaktohimthroughthewindow.
‘Ofcourseitis.’Thecornersofhismouthweretwitchingslightly.Obviouslyhethoughtitfunnythattheywereunabletogo,especiallyaftertheeffortstheyhadmadetothwarttheirfriends.
UnexpectedlyMaggiegavehimasharpnudgeandhesuddenlyseemedtofindtherightkeyandputitintothelock.TheengineracedandAngusslowlyedgedthecarout.
MaggieblewNatalieakiss.‘‘Bye,darling.Havealovelyevening!’
‘Andyou,’Nataliecalled,thengiggledandwentonwavinguntilthecarswungfurtheroutandmovednippilyaway.
ForalongmomentNatalieremainedwhereshewas.Thenwithaheavysighsheturnedbacktothepavement.Herbodycameupagainstahardunyieldingforceandwithamurmurofapologyshelookedup.ThestrengthseemedtodrainfromherasshestaredintoMiles’sclearcutface.
‘Goodness!’shesaidabruptly.‘Wealwaysseemtobebumpingintoeachother.’
‘Itwasn’tanaccidentthistime.’Heclearedhisthroat.‘I—er—I’mafraidIwaslate.’
‘Late?’sherepeateduncomprehendingly.
‘Icouldn’tfindaparkingspotnearby,andIwasstillatthetopoftheroadwhenIsawAngusclimbingintohiscar.’Ahalfsmileplayedroundthecornersofhismouthashesawherlookingathimasifhehadgoneoutofhismind.‘I’mtryingtoexplainwhyAnguswassodenseaboutgettinghiscarstarted,’Milessaid.‘Hewasgivingmetimetocatchupwithyou.’
‘Youmeanhe—youmeanheknewyouwerecominghere?’
‘Theybothdid.’
Nataliewasstunned;butonlymomentarily.‘Thenyoucouldallhavesavedyourselftheeffort.Ihavenothingtosaytoyou.’
SummarilysheturnedandbegantowalkawayfromMiles.Butherintentionwasfoiledbyhisadroitlysidesteppingandblockingherway.
‘Iwanttotalktoyoufirst,Natalie.Ifyouwanttoleaveafteryou’veheardme,Iwon’tstopyou.’
Hisimplacableexpressionwarnedhershewouldnotbeabletopushpasthim,andshegaveanod.
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‘Wecan’ttalkhere,’hecontinued,andgrippingherfirmlyroundthewaist,marchedhertowherehiscarwasparked.Quicklyheopenedthedoorandpushedherdownintothepassengerseat,thenrapidlymovedroundthecarandseatedhimselfnexttoher.
‘Idon’tgrovelverywell,’hesaidabruptly,‘butifitwillhelpyoutoforgiveme,I’lldoitwillingly.’
‘Isupposeyou’rereferringtoGillianandRoland?’
‘Whatelse?It’stheonlythingwequarrelledabout.’
‘Notquite,’Nataliesaidcarefully.‘Ourquarrelwasconcernedwithotherthingstoo.’
‘Whatotherthings?’
‘Yourbasicdistrustofwomen.Yourfearofmarriage.Thosewerethethingsthatmadeyoudoubtme.’
‘Rubbish!’
‘Thosewerethereasonswhyyouaskedmetopretendtobeyourgirl-friend,’shepersisted.‘Ifyouhadn’tbeenscaredofgettingmarried,Gaylewouldhavehookedyouyearsago.’
‘DiditneverstrikeyouthatIremainedunhooked—asyousocharminglyputit—becauseIwasn’tinlovewithGayle?’
‘Isthatwhyyou’regoingtomarryhernow?’FuriouslyNatalieturnedherbackonhimandstaredoutofthesidewindow.‘Ifyouwanttoappeaseyourconsciencebyapologisingforwhatyousaid,takeitasdone.Butpleasedon’tmakemestayhereandlistentoanythingmore.I’mnotinthemood.’
Therewassilence.
‘BecauseI’mgoingtomarryGayle?’heaskedfinally.
‘You’reintelligentenoughtodowhat’sbestforyou,’shesaidcoldly.
‘WhichiswhyI’mhere,’hereplied,andNataliefelthimmovealongtheseatuntilhisvoicewascloseinherear.‘IprobablydeservetomarryatoughlittlenutlikeGayle,butluckilywedon’talwaysgetwhatwedeserve.Ifwedid,Iwouldn’thaveahopeinhellofgettingyou.’
‘Don’tworryaboutit,’shesnapped,‘youwon’t!’
‘Won’tI?’Soquicklythatshewastakenbysurprise,hisarmscamearoundherandhishandswerehardagainstherwaist.‘Iloveyou,Natalie,andI’mgoingtomakeyoubelievemeifIhavetospendthewholeweekendrepeatingit.’
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Hisclosenessmadehertremble,butitdidnotlessenthebitternessshefeltatthewayhehadmisjudgedher.
‘There’snolovewithouttrust,Miles,andyoumadeyourlackoftrustalltooclear.’
‘Iknow,’hesaidhuskily.‘IhatedmyselfforitalmostassoonasI’dsaidit.IwantedtotellyouweeksagothatIlovedyou,butIcouldn’tfindthecourage.ThenbythetimeImadeupmymindtocomeroundtoyourapartment,itwastoolate.’
‘Toolate?’sheaskedinastiltedvoice.
‘Isawyouatthetheatre.YoulookedsoradiantlybeautifulandhappythatI—thatitseemedImeannothingtoyou.’
Shedrewadeepshudderingbreath,astonishedhecouldhavethoughtshelookedhappywhenshehadbeencryingoutwithlongingforhim.
‘Ifyoujudgeyourpatients’conditionsascleverly,’shesnapped,‘youprobablykillmorethanyoucure!’
‘I’mnotblindedbylovewhenIdealwithmypatients,’hesaidroughly,andpulledherroundtofacehim.
Apatchofredstainedeithercheek,givinghimunusualcolourandtellinghermoreclearlythananythinghecouldhavesaidwhataheightenedstateoftensionhewasin.Gonewasthecoolsurgeonwhowasalwaysincommandofhimself.Herewasamantornapartbytheneedtomakeamendsandnotcaringhowdeeplyhehadtoabjecthimselfinordertodoit.
‘WhenIaccusedyouoffindingwomenforRoland,IknewIwastalkinglikeamadman.ButIwasinsuchaflamingtemperwithyouthatIdidn’tcarewhatIsaid.BythetimeIgothomethatnightIalreadyregrettedit,butIwasafraidtocomebackandtellyouincaseyouthrewmeoutagain.’
‘WhichIwouldhavedone.’
‘That’swhyIleftit,’herepeated.‘AndthelongerIstayedawaythemorescaredIbecametogobacktoseeyou.’
ThiswassounlikethepositivemanshebelievedhimtobethatNataliefoundithardtoaccepthewasspeakingthetruth.HerlookgaveawayherthoughtsandMilessigheddeeplyandrubbedonehandacrosshisforehead.
‘Seeitfrommypointofview,Natalie,’hemurmured.‘You’rebeautifulandfulloflife—fartoobeautifultowanttotieyourselftoadullsticklikeme.Ieventoldmyselfthatmarriagetomewouldruinyourlifeandthatyoudeservedsomeonebetter,someonewhocouldgiveyouanactivesociallifewhereyoucanshine.AllIcangiveyouisanoverworkedmanwithatetchydisposition.’
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‘Don’tunderestimateyourself,’shecriedvehemently,andputherhandsoneithersideofhisface.‘Idon’twantanactivesociallifewhereIcanshine.Iwantyou,youstupid,stupidthing!’
‘Iamastupidthing,’heagreed,andgatheredherclose.
Hewastremblingasviolentlyasshewas,andseemedcontentmerelytoholdheragainsthimandbreatheinthescentofher.
‘You’rerightaboutmybeingscaredofwomen,’heconfessedsoftly,‘I’vealwaysfoundthemdifficulttotalktoandimpossibletounderstand.GaylewastheonlyonewithwhomIfeltatease—whichiswhyIletherbecomesoinvolvedinmylife.’
Nataliesnuggledintohisshoulder.‘It’sagoodthingIcamealongandsavedyou.Otherwiseyoumighthaveendedupmarryingher.’
‘ThatstupidI’mnot,’hesaidwithconviction.‘Butitwouldhavemeantaprettypainfulrow.InsteadofwhichIevolvedthebrilliantschemeofusingyou,whichkilledonebirdandfoundmeanother.Yousee,IknewfromthefirstmomentImetyouthatIwasn’tgoingtoletyouwalkoutofmylife.’
‘Idon’tbelievethat,’shesaid,tiltingherheadtolookathim.
‘It’strue,mydarling.Themomentyoustartedyellingbackatme,withyoureyessparklingwithfury,IknewI’dfoundthewomanforme.’Hislipsmoveddownandrestedagainstthesideofhermouth.‘WhyelsedoyouthinkItookyouhometomeetmymothersoquickly?Iwasscaredoflosingyou.IjustusedGayleasanexcuse.’
‘YetyoustilldoubtedmeoverRoland.’EvennowNataliedidnotfinditeasytoforgivehim.
‘Youhaveeveryrighttobebitter,’hesaidgravely.‘TheonlywayIcanpromiseitwon’toccuragainisforyoutolivewithmeandhelpmetounderstandmyselfmore.’
Withamurmursherelaxedcompletelyagainsthim,andhekissedherdeeply,asifwantingtodrawthesweetnessofherintohimself.
‘Let’sgobacktomyhouse,’hesaidhuskily.
Shenoddedandhemovedbackandsetthecarinmotion.Milesdrovefast,notspeakingbutoccasionallyhalfturningtogiveherasmilethatsetherheartpounding.FinallyhedrewupinHarleyStreetandledherupthestepsofhishouse.
Hishandswerejerkyasheunlockedthefrontdoorandpulledherintothehall.Onlythendidhecometoafullstop,staringatherwithablankintensitythatmadeherfeelhewasnotseeingheratall.
‘What’swrong,Miles?Whyareyoulookingatmesooddly?’
‘BecauseI—’Hestoppedandmoistenedhislips.‘Becauseholdingyoubackthereinthecar
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mademerealisewhatmylifewouldbelikeifyoudidn’tforgiveme.That’swhyI’vebroughtyouhere.Ihadtogetyoualone;Ihadtoconvinceyouhowmuchyoumeantome.’
Blindlyhereachedoutforher.Hisbodywasshudderingandhepushedherbackagainstthewallandpressedhimselfuponher,histhighsheavingagainstherown.
‘Iloveyou,Natalie,Iloveyou,’hesaidoverandoveragain.‘AndI’mnevergoingtoletyougo.’
Hegavehernochancetoreply,kissingherwithaferocityhehadnevershownbefore.Shefeltthefiercepressureofhisfingersastheydugintohershouldersandinstinctivelysheknewthattofighthimwouldbedangerous.Insteadsheforcedherselftogolimpandsaggedagainsthimlikearagdoll.Forafewsecondshewentonpressingkissesalongthesideofherthroat.Thenhebecameawareoftheweightofher,andwithanincoherentexclamationheswungherupintohisarms.
‘Darling,forgiveme!Ididn’tmeantohurtyou.’
Effortlesslyhecarriedheracrossthehalltohisconsultingroom.Hekickedopenthedoorandstrodeacrosstoplacehercarefullydownontheexaminationcouch.Onlyashewenttostepbackdidshereachoutandcatchhishand.
‘I’mallright,Miles,’shesaidsoftly.‘It’sjustthatyou—thatyoufrightenedme.’
‘Iwasbeginningtofrightenmyself.’Soberlyheleanedoverandregardedher.‘LiestillandI’llgetyousomethingtotake.’
‘Idon’tneedanything.’Shestillkeptholdofhishand.‘TellmewhathappenedbetweenGillianandRoland.’
‘Mustwetalkaboutthemnow?’
‘Yes,please.ThenweneednevertalkaboutRolandagain.’
‘Great!’Hislookwaswry.‘Gillianfinallycametohersenses.Imadeitclearthatifshemarriedhimshewouldn’tgetapennyfromherTrust.Shesaidshedidn’tbelieveme,buttohercreditsheapparentlyhadenoughsensetomakeRolandbelievethatImeantit.Therestyoucanworkoutforyourself.’
‘HislovedisappearedandCanadabeckoned.’
Milesnodded.‘AtleastoneoftheDentonsshowedsomeintelligence.WhenIrememberthethingsIsaidtoyou….’
‘Stopremembering,’shechided.‘Thinkofthefutureinstead.’
‘Ourfuture,’hesaid,loweringhisheadtoresthismouthonhers.‘Ihopeyoudon’twantalongengagement?’
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‘Threemonths,’shewhispered,gazingintohiseyes.
‘Makeitthreeweeks,thenAngusandMaggiewillbeback.’
‘Whatmadeyoucometotheirwedding?’Natalieasked.‘Ididn’tevenknowyouknewthem.’
‘IwascalledintoseeapatientinAngus’shospitalandhewasthedoctorincharge.Wehadtospeaktogetherprivately,andhetooktheopportunitytocallmeacowardfornothavingthecouragetoapologisetoyou.Whenajuniordoctortalkstoyouinthatway,youknowhefeelsprettydeeplyaboutit.’
DarlingAngus,Nataliethought,andhereyesfilledwithtearsofjoy.Seeingthem,Mileswrappedhisarmsaroundherandloweredhimselfuponthecouchuntilherestedhisheaduponherbreasts.
‘It’sagoodthingtheMedicalCouncilcan’tseemenow,’hewhispered.‘Thisisdefinitelynotwhatadoctor’scouchisfor!’
‘ButI’mnotthedoctor’spatient,’shemurmured.
‘Norareyouthedoctor’swife,’hereplied.‘Thoughifyougoonlookingatmesoenticingly,youcouldwellbecomeonebeforethelegalknotistied.’
MemoryofsomethingGaylehadsaidmadeNataliepushhimslightlyaway.‘Gayletoldmeyouwerelookingforanotherhousetolivein.’
‘Iam,’hesaid.‘ButI’llgladlystayhereifyouwouldpreferit.’
‘I’lldowhateveryouwish.Allthatmattersisthatwe’retogether.’
Hegaveheralopsidedsmile,lookingsoboyishthatshefeltherheartturnoverinherbreast.‘Butifweremainhere,’shesaid,‘I’dliketochangethedecorupstairs.’
‘Let’sgoandhavealookatit,’hereplied,pullinghertoherfeetandleadingherslowlytotheelevator.
Inthesmallspacetheyclungtogetherunashamedlyastheyroseslowlytothetopfloor.Itwastakingthemheavenwards,thoughtNatalie,andknewthatwhereverMileswas,thatwaswhereherheavenwouldalwaysbe.