WEBOFDARKNESS(1994)

HELENBROOKS

'Youareamurderer,Mr.Steel.'

Thehissofindrawnbreaththatsweptroundtheroomwasloston

Janie;shewasblindanddeaftoanythingbutthestone-hardfacein

frontofher.

‘Youhoundedmyfatherforthesakeofafewthousandpounds,until

helosteverything,includingthewilltolive.Whatdoesitfeelliketo

haveaman'sdeathonyourconscience,Mr.Steel,orhaven'tyoueven

thoughtaboutit?Yourruthlessgreedcostmyfatherhisbusiness,his

home,andultimatelyhislife.Everythingisgone,everything.'

JanieGordonwantedrevenge.Onlytherewasmoretoheradversary,

KaneSteel,thanmettheeye.Janiewascaughtinaweb.Themore

shestruggled,thegreatershebecameentangled.Itcouldbeonlybea

matteroftimebeforeKanewoulddescendonherlikethespiderthat

hewasanddestroyherinthesamewayhe'ddestroyedherfather.

CHAPTERONE

'Joe?Thatmanoverthere,theonethat'sjustcomeinwiththeblonde

woman,whoishe?'

'Where?'AsJoeturnedroundtofollowthelineofhereyes,hetookin

thegeneralentouragesurroundingthetall,powerfullybuiltman

standinginthehotelfoyer,andtheslenderyoungblondehanginglike

alimpetonhisarm,withawrysmile.

'Oh,that'sKaneSteel,sweetheart.Youknow,thebigpropertytycoon

whoownshalfofLondon?He'sprobablyhereforaPressconference.

Iwonderedwhatallthosereportersweredoinghangingaround.He's

justpulledoffoneofthebiggestmergerseverandthetabloidsare

greedyforinformation.Anyway,canweconcentrateonthebusiness

inhand?'

AsJoeturnedbacktotheadvertisingmaterialspreadoverthelow

tablewheretheyweresittinghavingcoffee,Janiecontinuedstaring

throughthethinlayerofglassseparatingthecoffee-loungefromthe

foyer.Shehadknownitwashim!Shehadonlyseenhisphotoonce

beforewhenshehadbeensortingthroughsomeofherfather'spapers

theweekafterhisdeath,buteveryfeatureofthatcruel,hardfacewas

burntintoherbrainwiththeforceofherhatred.Andnowhewas

here.Intheflesh.Andwhatwasshegoingtodoaboutit?

Shefoundshecouldn'ttakehereyesoffthehugefigureashestepped

intothelift,disappearingfrom sightasthedoorsclosedswiftly

behindhim.Shehadmadeavowtoherself,inthepouringrainather

father'sfuneral,thatifsheevermetthereveredheadofSteel

Enterpriseshewouldgetwhatwascomingtohim.

Shejusthadn'tanticipatedthemeetingoccurringinoneofLondon's

mostexclusivehotelsduringaPressconference.

Still,whatcanIlose?sheaskedherselfsilently.

Probablyherjob,thetinyflatthatwentwithitandherfriends,she

answeredmutelywithcoldhumour.JoeFlanderswasabossina

million,buthewasnotgoingtolikethisatall.Noone,noone

messedwiththegreatmachineofSteelEnterprises,themainman.

Excepther?Thethoughtputsteelinherbackboneandfireinher

eyes.She'dneversleepatnightifshedidn'tfollowthisthrough.She

owedittoherselfaswellasthemildtemperedmanwhohadgiven

herlife.

‘Janie?’Joe’stouchonherarmbroughthereyesbacktohimandhis

facestraightenedattheexpressiononhers.'Whatisit?Doyoufeel

ill?’

‘Iamsorry,Joe.'Shewasalreadyrisingasshespoke.‘I’llbebackin

aminute.There'ssomethingIhavetodo.'

'We'remeetingthemanageratfive,inhisoffice,'Joesaidanxiously

asheglancedathiswatch,'andIstillwanttodiscussthesephotosin

moredetail.Hurryup,willyou?TheLadiesistotheright.'

'OK.'Onceoutsideinthefoyer,shewalkedstraightpastthepowder-

roomandovertothelargereceptiondesk,keepingherfacestraight

andbusinesslike.

'MrSteel?'sheaskedcarefully.'Iunderstandhe'sholdingaPress

conferenceandI'mafraidI'malittlelate.Perhapsyoucoulddirect

me...?'

'Thirdfloor,'thegirlbehindthedesksaidinaboredtone.-'The

conference-roomistoyourrightasyoustepoutofthelift.'

'Thanks.'Janie'sheartwasbeginningtothudlikeapistonnow,but

shewasintheliftandoutatthethirdfloorbeforethetremblinginher

legsreallytookhold.Sheheardthenoisefirstand,asshequietly

openedthedoorandslippedintothelarge,richlycarpetedroom,her

eyesswungimmediatelytothelittlegroupseatedatthefarend

behindamagnificentdeskofvarnishedwalnutwhichwaspositioned

onasmallraisedplatform.

'Canyoutellushowmuchthedealisworth,MrSteel?'oneofthe

reporterscrowdingtheroombellowedinherearasJanieedgedher

waytothefrontamidafieldofflashingcameras.Hisreplywaslost

onherasshereachedthebriefareaofspacebeforetheplatform.

Anyonewatchingwouldhaveseenarathersmallgirl,alittleinclined

toplumpness,herdarkhairandeyesprobablyherbestfeatures,with

asmallheart-shapedfacethatwasaveragelypretty,nomore.What

KaneSteelsaw,asshemovedtostanddirectlyinfrontofhim,was

twoblazingeyesinadead-whitefacethatwerefilledwithsuchbitter

enmitythattheyfrozethepractisedreplyhehadbeenabouttomake

andnarrowedhisblueeyesintocoldslits.

'MrSteel?MrKaneSteel?'Thewordswerepiercinglyclearandthe

silencethathadgrippedthelittlegroupontheplatformspreadina

ripplingmotionovertherestoftheroomasthehardenedwarriorsof

thePresssensedanunexpectedbonus.

'Yes?'Hiseyesflashedoverherfacewithdevastatingthoroughness.

'I'msorry,Idon'tknowyou,doI?'Someoneedgedforwardinthe

watchingtableauastheroom helditsbreath,allthejournalists

craningtheirheads,notebooksready.

'Notexactly.'Thebitternesswassofiercethatshefoundshewas

actuallyhavingajobtospeak.'ButIknowyou,MrSteel.Ihavegood

reasontoknowyou.'

'Wouldyouliketobemoreexplicit?'heaskedicilyasheroseand

walkedroundthetable,steppingdownbesideheronthecarpetashe

gesturedfortheothersatthetabletobestill.

'Yes,Iwould.'Shestaredupathimfuriously,hercheeksscarlet.'My

nameisJanieGordon,MrSteel.MyfatherwasPaulGordon.Ring

anybells?'

'Bell-ringingisnotmyforte,MissGordon,'hesaidcoldly,'andIdo

notappreciateyourversionofWhat'sMyLine?inthemiddleofa

busyworkschedule.Ifyouhavesomethingtosaytomethengeton

withit.'Thefrostyeyesdaredhertocontinue.'Otherwisegetout.'

Foramomentthesheerarroganceofthemantookherbreathaway,

andthenthebitingragethathadswampedhertwoyearsagoreturned

inallitsdeadlysavagery.

'Youareamurderer,MrSteel.'Thehissofindrawnbreaththatswept

roundtheroomwaslostonher;shewasblindanddeaftoanything

butthestone-hardfaceinfrontofher.'Acold-blooded,despicable

brute.Youhoundedmyfatherforthesakeofafewthousandpounds,

whichmustbeadropintheoceantoyou,untilhelosteverything,

includingthewilltolive.Whatdoesitfeelliketolaveaman'sdeath

onyourconscience,MrSteel,orhaven'tyoueventhoughtaboutit?'

Thevividspotsofcolourburninghercheekbonesbroughtthedeathly

whitenessoftherestofherfaceintoevenmorestarkcontrastandno

onecoulddoubtthatshemeanteverywordshesaid.

'MissGordon,youarewayoutofline.'Therewasadangerous

softnessinthedeepvoicethatspokeoffuriousanger.'Ihavenever

evenheardofyourfather-----'

‘JessdonLabelling?'Sheoughttobefeelingintimidated,atiny

detachedpartofherbrainthoughtvaguely,but,surprisingly,shefelt

nothingbutpain,angerandrelief—reliefatbeingabletoletitallout

atlonglast.'Henamedthefirmaftermymother,'sheaddedtightly.

'JessicaGordon.'

Shesawatinysparkofawarenessflareintheicyblueeyesandinthe

nextinstantherhandconnectedwithhisfacewithsuchforcethathis

headshotbackacoupleofinches.Asallhellbrokeloosebehindher,

thebarrageofflashbulbsvyingwiththeshoutsandcallsofthe

reporters,Janieplungedintothecentreofthemelee,forcingherway

throughwithsheerphysicalforceandreachingtheliftoutsidethe

roomjustasthedoorsbegantoclose.Astheyslidtogethershewas

awareofatumultofbodiescascadingintothecorridor,thesoundof

raisedvoicesfadingasthelifttookherswiftlydownwards.

Onceinthefoyer,shewalkedrapidlyoutofthebuilding,glancing

neitherleftnorright,hereyesfixedstraightaheadandherfaceas

whiteassnow.Hehadhaditcoming.Hehadhaditcoming.She

continuedwalkingblindlyoutsideasherheadswamandhermind

buzzeddazedly.Hewaslessthanhuman,notevenfittobecalledan

animal,andshedidn'tregretathing,notathing!Thebiteofcold,

crispairthatcarriedahintoffrostinitswintrychillbroughtherback

torealityandshesuddenlyrealisedsheneededtogetoffthemain

thoroughfareinwhichthehotelwassituatedanddownoneofthe

side-streets,fast.Thebloodhoundswouldbeafterherwithinminutes

andshecouldn'tfaceanyonenow.Infact,shewasshakingsomuch

shecouldbarelystandupright.

Thesmallwinebarhalfwaydownthenarrowroadthatledoffthe

mainstreetwithitsflowingtrafficandbrightlightswasalmost

deserted,andasshecaughtthesurprisedeyesoftheyoungbarmanit

dawnedonherthathercoatandhandbagwerebackwithJoeatthe

hotel,herthinwooldresspatentlyunsuitableforoutdoorwear.

Damn,damn,damn...Oncethroughthedoortrendilymarked

'Lassies',sheleantagainstthecool,tiledwallsofthecloakroomasher

headspun.She'dhavetoaskthebarmanifshecouldusethephone.

MaybecallthehotelandaskJoetobringherthingshere?Sheshut

hereyestightly.He'dbefurious,morethanfurious,buttherewas

nothingelseshecoulddo.Evenherdoorkeywasinthatbag.

Thephonecallwasevenworsethanshehadanticipated,Joe'svoice

tightandstrange-sounding,buthepromisedtobewithherwithin

minutesandthatwasallshecaredabout.Shesatshiveringslightly,

morewithreactionthancold,inasmallalcovenexttothedoorasthe

fullawarenessofwhatshehaddonewashedoverherinasickening

flood.Herfatherwouldhavebeenhorrifiedathisonlyoffspring

causingsuchascene.Sheshookherheadpainfullyasshepicturedhis

mild,gentlefaceinhermind.Hehadbeensotrusting,sokind,the

perfectvictimforsomeoneasruthlessasKaneSteel:theproverbial

lambtotheslaughter.

'MissGordon?'Shefrozeforanendlessmomentbeforeturningher

headwithafeelingofindescribabledoomasthehatedvoicespoke

fromthedoorway.'Youdon'tgetawayaseasilyasthat.Outside,

now!'Shehadneveractuallyseenanyone'sfaceblackwithrage

before,butshewasseeingitnow,everyfeaturetwistedalmostoutof

recognitionbytheviolentfurythathadsuffusedhisfleshwithdark

colour.

'What-----?'Ashepulledhertoherfeethervoicewascutoffwiththe

speedwithwhichhepropelledherthroughthedoor.Justoutside,

parkedmoreonthepavementthantheroad,apoker-faced

chauffeursatsilentlyatthewheelofamagnificentsilver-grey

Bentley,hisimmaculateuniformtheexactsameshadeasthecarand

hiseyesstaringstraightaheadasKaneSteelgesturedangrilytowards

thevehicle.'Getin.'

'Youmustbejoking.'Shestruggledslightlyinhisirongrasp,readyto

makearunforitattheslightestopportunity.

'Isaidgetin,MissGordon.'Thetonewasastringentintheextreme.

'Iheardyou.'Shetriedtostopthefearthatwasmakingherheart

poundlikeadrumfromshowingeitherinherfaceorvoice,butwas

aware,withhumiliatingchagrin,thathecouldprobablyfeelthe

tremblingthatwasconsumingherbodythroughhisrigidholdonher

arm.Therewasn'tasoulabout.Sheglancedquicklyupanddownthe

deserted,discreetlylitstreetasicylittleshiversflickereddownher

spineandthepalmsofherhandsbecamedampwithpanic.Help,

wherewasJoe;wherewasanybody?Shecouldseethebrightlights

andheavyflowoftrafficatthejunctionoftheroad,buthere,inthis

quietlittlebackwater,allwasstill.

'IfyouarehopingJoeFlandersiscomingtoyourrescue,forgetit.'He

swungherroundnowsothatshewasforcedtostareupintothe

ruthlessface.'Lookinthere.'

SheglancedthroughtheopendooroftheBentleytoseehercoatand

handbagrestingontheseat.'Oh,great.'Therewasawealthof

bitternessinhervoice.'Howdidyoumanagethat?Usedabitofthe

powerandinfluencethatmakesyouthinkyouarealittletingod,I

suppose?'HowcouldJoeletherdownlikethis?Howcouldhe?

'Exactly,'hesaidbitingly.'IhavemetMrFlandersonmorethanone

occasionandhewaskindenoughtocomeforwardwhenmyassistant

madeenquiriesatReceptionandaskedforyournametobebroadcast

justasyouphoned.Heknowsme-----'

'Iknowyou,'sheinterruptedshakily,'andthat'spreciselywhyI'mnot

gettingintherewithyou.'

‘Thinkagain.'Hissmilewasmorelikeasnarl,finelyshapedlips

drawingbackoverwhitestrongteethmenacingly.'Youarevergingon

chargesofdefamationofcharacter,assault,causinganaffrayina

publicplace.NeedIgoon?'Theblueeyesweremerciless.'A

women'sprisonisnotthebestplacetospendChristmas,Miss

Gordon,butitcanbearranged,ifyouinsist.'

'Youwouldn't...'Asshestaredupintothehardfaceherdeepbrown

eyeswidenedwithhorrorasshesawthecoldnessinhisnarrowed

bluegaze.'Youwould,you'dactuallydothat?'

'Tootrue.'Heletgoofherarmabruptly,slidingintotheshadowed

depthsofthecarasheleftherstanding,trembling,onthepavement.

'Youhaveachoice,MissGordon,andyouwillmakeitinthenextten

seconds.Youcaneithergetinthisvehiclesowecandiscussyour

outrageousbehaviourprivately,orwecanletthewholematterbeput

inthehandsofofficialdom.Whichisittobe?'Thedeepvoicewas

merciless.

Shegnawedherlowerlipforasecondasshestoodshiveringinthe

coldeveningair.'Whereareyougoingtotakeme?'

'That'smybusiness.'Heleantforwardtofixherwiththepiercing

eyes.'Time'sup,MissGordon,nomoresweetpersuasion.'

'Youleavemewithnochoice,'shesaidbleakly,flinchingashe

laughedharshly.

'Deadright.'Hemovedovertotheoppositesideofthecarasshe

clamberedinmiserably,andasshesankbackshewasimmediately

envelopedinthedeliriouslyexpensivesmelloffineleather,discreetly

exclusiveaftershaveandtheunmistakableauraoffabulouswealth.

'Now.'Inthecloseconfinesofthecarhesuddenlyseemed

enormouslybigandforthefirsttimehersensesregisteredtheex-

ceptionallybroadshoulders,well-developedchestandsheerbreadth

thatwentwithextremeheight.'Areyougoingtogivemeyour

address?'

'No.'Sheforcedherselftolookfullintotheruggeddarkface.'Iam

not.'

'Verywell.'Heturnedhisheadandspoketothedriver,givingan

addressshehadneverheardof,beforesnappingtheglasspartition

shutwithadefiniteclick.'Don'tforget,Ididask,'hedrawled

sardonically.

'Nowjusthangonaminute.'Theapprehensionandfearshehadbeen

tryingtohideforthelastfiveminutesburstforth.'Youcan'tkidnap

me.'

'Kidnapyou,MissGordon?'Thefirm lipsdrew backinan

unmistakablesneer.'WhyonearthwouldIwanttokidnapsucha

disagreeable,patentlyunstablepersonasyourself?Ihaveenough

aggravationinmylifewithoutseekingmore.'

'Wherearewegoing,then?'Sheignoredtheinsultsforthemoment;

thereweremoreimportantthingstohand.

'You'llfindoutsoonenough.'Hesettledbackintheluxuriousseat

andclosedhiseyes.'IhavehadjustaboutallIamgoingtotake

tonightsoIsuggestyoukeepthatnastylittlemouthcloseduntilwe

reachourdestination.WhyIamevenbotheringtotryandfindout

whatthisisallaboutIdon'tknow.Imustbemad.'

'Youknowwhat-----'

'Bequiet,MissGordon.'Hedidn'topenhiseyesashespokebutthe

tonewasenoughtoshuthermouthwithalittlesnap.Hewas

formidable.Herheartthumpedagainstherchestwallsohardshewas

surehemusthearit.Hewaspowerfulanddangerous,andthesudden

realisationthatshehadgrabbedatigerbythetaildrovealllucid

thoughtfromherheadforafewminutesassheerpanichadher

glancingdesperatelyoutofthecarwindow.Couldshejumpoutatthe

nexttrafficlights?Hecouldn'texactlychaseherthroughthestreetsof

London.

'Baineshaslockedthedoorsautomatically,onmyinstructions.'The

deep,gravellyvoicemadeherjumpandashereyesshottohisface

shesawthattheeyelidswerestillfirmlyclosed.'Liebackandenjoy

theride,MissGordon.Youareinmyclutchesnow,whetheryoulike

itornot.'

'Idon't!'

'Good.'Heshiftedslightlyashespoke.'Consideritadownpayment

onyourpenance.'

'Mypenance?'shesqueakeddisbelievingly.'Nowjustlookhere;I

don'tknowwhatyou'vegotinmindbut—-

'That'sprobablyjustaswell.'Hewasquiteunmoved,lyingbackinthe

seatlikeagreat,dangerousblackcat.'Noonecrossesmeandgets

awaywithit,MissGordon.Bearthatinmind.'

Sheglaredathimsilentlyasthecarspedoninthenighttraffic,

althoughitwasquitewastedontheclosedeyes.Hewasavery

masculineman.Hergazeidlywanderedovertherugged,hard

featuresandthick,straightblackhairthathadtouchesofsilverabove

theears.Strong,vigorous,probablyveryvirile...

Shestiffenedwithhorroratthepathherthoughtshadtraversedonto.

Whatonearthwasshethinking?Shecouldn'tcarelessifhewasthe

mostvirilemanonearth—thiswasKaneSteel,theoriginalratontwo

legs.Sowhatifhewashandsome?Sheloathedhim,hatedhim...But

thenhewasn'treallyhandsome,washe?Shefoundherself

contemplatingtherelaxedfaceagain.No,notatall,really,andyet

therewassomething,amagnetism,abreathtakinglydynamicattract-

iveness,thatwasallmaleandmorecompellingthananypretty-boy

looks.Sheshookherheadatherowntreachery.Therewasnothing

goodaboutthisman,nothingatall,beitlooksoranythingelse.

Asthebigcarateupthemilesshebegantofeelmore and more

worried with each passinglandmark.Thiswasridiculous,

absolutelyridiculous.Iftheydidn'tstopsoonshewouldstart

screamingandbangingontheglasspartitionuntilthedriverstopped.

Shewasagrownwomanoftwenty-fouryearsofage,forgoodness'

sake,notsomeskitteryschoolgirlwhocouldn'tsaybootoagoose.

'Hadyoueaten?'

'What?'Shestartedsoviolentlyasthedeepvoicespokethatshe

completelymissedwhathehadsaid.

Theamazinglycompellingeyesopenedandfixedherwiththeirarctic

blueness.'Iaskedifyouhadeaten.Beforeyourwonderful

performanceinfrontofWapping'sfinest.'

'Itwasn'taperformance,itwas...'Hervoicetrailedawayasshe

couldn'tthinkofasuitablecomparisonandshestiffenedinoutrageas

hesmiledcoldly,hisfacefullofburninglyacidiccontempt.

'Iamnotsurprisedyouractionsleaveyouspeechless,'hesaidwithicy

bitinghumour.'Icanassureyoutheyhadexactlythesameeffecton

me.'

'Huh!'Sheeyedhimbalefully.'Well—'

'Isaid,hadyoueaten?'Therewasanoteintheresonantvoicenow

thatsuggestedshehadbetterreply,fast. .

'No,asamatteroffact,'shesaidtightly,hereyesflashingherhostility

anddislike.'Althoughwhatit'sgottodowithyou-----'

'Spareme.'Hecutoffherwordswithanirritablewaveofhishandas

heturnedtolookoutofthewindow.'We'rehere.'

'Where'shere?'sheaskedwarily,hergazewideningasthebeautiful

cardrovebetweentwowide-opengatessetinahighbrickwalland

journeyedondownahugegraveldrivetowardsanenormoushousein

thedistance.

'Myhome.'Heeyedherblandlyasvividcoloursurgedintoher

cheeks.'TheplacewheremywordislawandI'mobeyedimplicitly,

understand?'Hiseyesmockedherfear.

'Yourhome?'Hervoicehadriseninlinewithherapprehension.

'Look,Idon'tknowwhatyou'replayingatbut-----'

'Iamplayingatnothing,MissGordon,'hebitbacksharply,hiseyes

ascoldasiceandhisfacestony.'Thelastthingonmymindisgames.

Ihavebeenassaultedwithnowarning,accusedofallmannerof

diversecrimes,forcedtoleaveaPressconferenceintheworst

possiblecircumstances,knowingthatmyphotowillbesplashedall

overthefrontpagestomorrow morning,tothedelightofmy

competitors,allbecauseyouhavehadabrainstorm.Now,ifthat

countsasplayinginyourbookyouarecrazierthanIimagined.'

'Iamnotcrazy-----'Shestoppedabruptlywhenheuncoiledhisbig

bodyasthechauffeuropenedthedoor,andhereachedinassoonas

hewasoutside,almosthaulingheroutofthecar.

'Nowyouaregoingtocomeinthehouseandexplaintomewhatthis

isallabout,'hesaidcoldly,'andyou'dbetterpraywhileyou'reaboutit

thatyoucanconvincemeit'sjustified.'

'You'reabully,'shesaidweaklyasshestoodnexttohimonthe

drivewayinfrontoftheendlessmansion.Shedidn'tknowwhich

intimidatedhermore,thehuge,incrediblybeautifulhouseorthe

massivefigurenexttoher.Atthehotelshehadbeentooincensedand

bundwithragetotakeinhisgreatheight,butnowsherealisedhe

mustbeatleastafoottallerthanherfivefeetfourandhetowered

overherlikeanavengingangel.Orperhapsnotanangel,she

correctedherselfsilentlyashergazefastenedonthelethalcold

eyes—no,definitelynot!

'Youdon'tknowthehalf,'hesaidgrimlyasheusheredherupthe

massivestonestepstowardsthecrestedfrontdoor.'Youmademe

losemytempertonight,MissGordon,andthat'ssomethingIhaven't

doneinyears.Youwouldn'tlikeitasecondtime.'

'No?'Shestaredathimdefiantlyasherlegsshook.

'No,'hesaidslowly,'butI'vegotthemostdistinctfeelingit'sa

definitepossibility,sojustplayitcool,eh?'

'Cool?'Shejerkedherarmfromhishandandglaredupintothedark

facewithallthevenomshecouldmuster.'Cool!You'vegotacheek,

youreallyhave-----'

'Nowthatisaclearcaseofthepotcallingthekettleblack,'hesaid

tightlyasthechauffeurdrovethebigcarpastthemandtowardsa

largerowofgaragesinthedistance,'butI'vegotnointentionof

standingoutherebandyingwordswithyouanymore.You'llcomein,

you'llsitdownandyouwilltellmewhatthisisallabout.Gotit?'

Asheopenedthefrontdoorshehadthestrangestfeeling,forabrief

moment,thatshehadsteppedontothesetofafilm.Ifafamousfilm

starhadsuddenlyglideddownthehugewindingstaircasethat

dominatedthefarendofthemassivehallshewouldn'thavebeenat

allsurprised.DallasandDynasty,eatyourheartout,shethoughtwith

desperatehumourashereyestookintheankle-deepcreamcarpet,the

darkwoodandobviousantiquesandtheglitteringchandeliers

overhead.Andshehadhithim!Shehadneversufferedfromhysteria

before,buttherewassomethingfloodingintohersystemthatmustbe

akintoit.

'Inhere.'Hehadguidedheracrosstheenormousexpanseandthrough

anopendoorbeforesherealisedwhatwashappening,andshefound

herselfinaroomthatwouldhavegracedanystatelyhome.'Sitdown.'

Shesankgratefullyintothechair,whichimmediatelydwarfedher

smallshapeinitsvastness;herlegshadbeenbeginningtogiveway.

'Wouldyoulikeadrink?'heaskedexpressionlessly.

'I'msorry?'Shedraggedhereyesawayfromthebeautifullyfurnished

roomwithsomedifficultyandgazedvacantlyathisdarkfaceashe

gesturedtowardsalargedrinkscabinetatonesideofthemassive

fireplace.

'Adrink?'heaskedirritably.

Shenoddedtightly,herfacechary.'Sherry,please,butI'm not

stoppingherelong.I'llgetataxihome.'

HepouredastiffmeasureofScotchintoaheavycrystaltumblerand

whatlookedlikehalfabottleofpalecream sherryintoalarge

schoonerglassandwalkedovertoher,handingherthedrinkbefore

seatinghimselfinthelargearmchairoppositewhichhardlylocked

bigenoughtoholdhisbroadshape.Allthiswealth,allthisluxury;

howmuchofithadbeenobtainedbywreckingpeople'slivestheway

hehadtheirs?shewonderedsuddenly,withasurgeofanger.Driving

desperatebusinessmentothelimit,callingincreditors,withholding

loans,refusingtimeextensions...Thelistwasendlessandnodoubthe

knewallthetricks.

'OK,thesparkisbackinthosebrowneyes,'hesaidsoftly.'Let'shave

itall,andfromthebeginning,please.'

'What'sthepoint?'Shetookagulpofthesherryandtriedtofightback

thefloodofemotionthatwasthreateningtotakeherover.Allthis

money—herfather'slittlefirmhadbeenadropintheoceantohim!

‘Thepointisyoumadesomeprettyseriousaccusationstonight,'he

saidfuriously.'Plannedtogivememaximumaggravation.Nowthat

smellsbadtome,mypretty.Whatareyouafter?'

'After!'Shespatthewordathimasshesetthesherryglassdownwith

abangonthelittletablenexttothechairandstoodupinajerky

movementtopaceovertothecracklingfire.Shewascold,socold,

she'dneverbewarmagain.Sheshiveredviolently.Andshehatedthis

man.

'Here.'Herosequicklywhenhenoticedtheconvulsivemovementas

thewarmthflickedherfrozennerves.'Ididn'tgiveyouyourcoat,did

I?It'sstillinthecar.'Asshefelttheheavymaterialofhissuitjacket

slideoverhershouldersshestiffenedinprotest.Theclothwas

impregnatedwiththeclean,sensualsmellofhimandshedidn'twant

itnearher.

'Idon'twantit.'Sheshruggedthejacketoffhershouldersandhanded

itbacktohimabruptly,hereyesdarkinthewhitenessofherface.

Hiseyesnarrowedashetookthecoatfromherandsheknewhe

sensedherrevulsionofanycontactwithhim.Itwasthereinthe

stiffeningofthehardsquarejawandthefaintlycrueltighteningofthe

firmmouth.Thatraw,almosttangiblefascinationwasbackinfull

force,shenoteddespairingly,thewide,powerfulsetofhisshoulders

moreaccentuatednowunderthesilkyblueshirtheworeeasily,his

hardmasculinebodytautandstillashestareddownatherwithout

speakingforlong,tightseconds.

'You'repushingmetothelimit,'hesaidatlastinhard,measured

tones.'Idon'tmakeidlethreats,MissGordon.Idon'twanttohurt

you,but-----'

'Hurtme?'Itwouldhavebeenfunnyifithadn'tbeensopainfullysad,

shethoughtbitterlyasshesurveyedhimthrougheyesmistedwithhot

tears.'Hurtme!Youcan'tdoanythingtomethatyouhaven'talready

done,MrSteel,'shesaidshakilyasshestrovetomaintainhergripon

herself.'Yourruthlessgreedlostmyfatherhisbusiness,hishomeand

ultimatelyhislife.Everythingisgone,everything.Youhave

effectivelywipedoutthefirsttwenty-twoyearsofmylife.Howcould

youfollowthat?'Shepushedbackherheavyfoldofsilkyblackhair

fromhershoulderswithatremblinghandasshespoke.'Andthe

worstthingofallisthatyoudidn'tevenrememberhisname.'

Thetearsthathadbeenthreateningtooverflowallnightwouldn'tbe

deniedanylongerand,assheloweredherheadblindly,hercheeks

wetwiththewarm,saltyflow,sherealised,withastabofhorror,that

shewasgoingtomakeanevenworsefoolofherselfthanshehad

already.Andtherewasn'tathingshecoulddoaboutit,notathing.

CHAPTERTWO

Quitehowshefoundherselfcradledinthestrong,hardarmsJanie

neverdidknow,butthebigmasculinechestwasincredibly

comfortingasshehowledouthermisery,inspiteofitbelongingto

theperpetratorofallthepain.

Whenthetempesthadceasedandherweepinghaddiedtotheodd

hiccupingsob,heputherfirmlytooneside.

'Soyourgrievanceisgenuine,'hestatedexpressionlessly.Sheglanced

upathimquickly,notingthatthehardblueeyeswereguardedand

therewasasubtlechangeinhimshecouldn'tquitediscern.Hismouth

wasstillcruelandcynical,thedeeplinesgroovedeithersideofhis

nosestillfiercelyprominentandtheoverallimpressionwasstillone

ofruthlessferocity,andyet...therewassomething.

'IcanrecogniserealmiserywhenIseeit,MissGordon,'hesaid

slowly,'butyouractionsarestillinexcusable.Youcouldhavemade

anappointmenttospeakwithmeatanytimetosortoutthis

misunderstanding-----'

'Misunderstanding!'Shereareduplikeasmalltigress.'There'sno

misunderstanding,believeme,andyoucan'tfoolmelikethateither;

I'mnotstupid.'

'Iwon'tmaketheobviousretorttothatstatement,'hesaidcoldly.

'Youractionsspeakfarlouderthananywordsofminecoulddo.How

longhasitbeensinceyourfatherdied?'hefinishedabruptly.

'Twoyears.'Shestaredathimtightly.

'Didyoucrywhenhedied?'Heignoredthepainfultensingofher

body,hisfacedemandingananswer.

'Well,ofcourse...'Hervoicetrailedawayasherbrowpuckeredin

thought.'No,Isupposenot,notreally.'

'Thatisverybadforyoursoul.'Shestaredathiminsurprise.Itwas

thelastthingshehadexpectedfromacallous,harshentrepreneurlike

him.'Itcreatesadarkness,likeaweb,thatblanketseverything.'

'Look,I'mfine.'Shestraightenedslightlyasshespoke,herchin

juttingoutaggressively.'There'snothingwrongwithme.'Thelast

wordswerefullofmeaningandhenoddedslightly,hiseyes

hardening.

'Itakeitwe'rebacktotheaccusations?'

'Oh,youknowwhatImean.'Shebrushedastrandofhairfromher

dampfacewearily.'Youcan'thaveforgottensocompletely.Icould

seeyourememberedatthehotel.'

'Thenameofyourfather'sfirm,thatisall.'Shewasawareasthey

talked,inatinyseparatelittlecompartmentinhermind,thatherbody

wasstillregisteringthefeelandsmellofhimashehadheldherinhis

arms.Theknowledgewaspainfulandtreacherousandaltogether

unwelcome,butitwasthere.Shehadnevermetanyonelikehim

before.Shedidn'tlikethewayhemadeherfeel,butshecouldn'tdo

anythingaboutiteither.Everylittlecellinherbodyseemed

determinedtoholdontothetinglingelectricityhishardmaleshape

hadinduced.

'Look,startatthebeginning;humourme.'

Ashewalkedacrosstheroomtohischairhersensesregistereda

carefulnessinhiswalk,almostahesitancy,thatwasincongruousin

suchagiantofaman,butashesatdownshebrushedthefancyaside

irritably.Hewasgettingunderherskinforsomereasonandshecould

dowithoutit.

'Well,there'snotmuchtotellreally.'Shesniffeddismallyandlooked

acrossathimslowly.'Haveyougotahandkerchief?'

'Yes,I'vegotahandkerchief.'Heansweredherinthesamedulltone

inwhichshehadspokenandaburstofadrenalinputscarletinher

cheeksashereachedacrosswithalargesquareofwhitecotton.Had

shesoundedlikethat?She'dhavetowatchherself—itwouldn'tdofor

himtothinkhehadtheupperhand.Andhowdaredhemockher?

'MyfatherfoundedthefirmwithmymothertheyearIwasborn,'she

saidquietly,aftershehadblownhernoseandsettledbackinherseat.

"Theydidquitewelltoo—wehadanicehouseandtheusuallittle

luxuries.Notlikethis,ofcourse-—'hereyesbitathimwithheavy

sarcasm'—butwewerehappy.'

'Yes?'hepromptedherasshepaused,hereyescloudywithmemories.

'Thenmymothergotill,aheartcomplaint,whenIwasinmyearly

teens.Dadspentmoreandmoretimewithher.Idon'tthinksheknew

hemortgagedthehousetokeepthefirmgoing—Icertainlydidn't.

ShediedjustasIstarteduniversity.'

'I'msorry.'Thepiercingblueeyesneverleftherfaceforamoment,

thedeepvoicequitedevoidofexpression.

'Dadwasdevastated,naturally,butthenhethrewhimselfintothe

firm,tryingtoclawbackthetimehehadlost,Iguess,andhewas

doingquitewell.Wehadaloyalworkforceandhecouldspendas

manyhoursashewantedtherenowwithMumgone,whichhelped

himactually,tookhismindoffthings.He'djustsecuredabigcontract

whichhewasthrilledabout;itwouldhavemadethehousesafeagain

andhewantedthatforme,butthen-----'Shestoppedabruptlyand

raisedhereyesfullonhisface.'ThenSteelEnterprisessteppedin.'

'How?'heaskedgrimly.

'Don'tyouremember?'Shestaredathimangrily.'Itwasonlyjustover

twoyearsago;youcan'thaveforgottenthedetailssoquickly.'

'Doyouhaveanyideajusthowvastmycorporationis?'heasked

tightly.'AndIhaveotherbusinessinterestsabroadthattakealotof

mytimeandattention.Ican'tpersonallygetinvolvedineverything.'

'No,Isupposenot.'Thethoughthadn'toccurredtoherandhereyes

openedwideforaninstant.'Well,you—yourfirm,'shecorrected

hastily,'hadboughttherestoftheblockoursmallfactoryandoffice

wasinandyouwantedourspace.Therewasnowhereelsewecould

goimmediately—yourofferwasabysmallylow.Itwascommon

knowledgethatDad'sfirm washavingproblems,andwhenDad

refusedtosellyouputthesqueezeon.'

'Isee.'Hisfacewasblank,almostuninterested.

'Bankssuddenlyforeclosed,contractsdied,thewholecaboodlefolded

inonitself.'Sheglaredathim angrily.'It'salovelywaytodo

business,isn'tit,MrSteel,butIsupposeallisfairinloveandwar?

That'sobviouslytheprincipleyoupromote.Evenifyouyourself

weren'tpersonallyoverseeingthisparticulardeal,youcan'ttellme

youremployeeswouldgoagainsttherules,yournormaloperating

procedures.'

'Iwasn'tawareIhadtotellyouanything,'hesaidcoldlyandshe

flinchedattheicytone.Hewastalkingtoher,listening,butpartof

hismindseemedtobetickingonelsewhere.Shestaredathimhard.

Whatwashethinkingabout?

'Docontinue.'Heleantforwardslightly,themovementcausingher

hearttojumpintohermouthastheshirtstretchedtightforamoment

overhisbroadchest.Stopit,shechidedherselfangrily,you'reas

jumpyasakitten.

'Andgoodbyefirm.'Sheforcedherselftospeakcalmly.'Goodbye

house.Dadgotapart-timejobforapittanceandlodgedwithfriends,

andwithinfourmonthshewasdead.Thedoctorsaiditwas

pneumoniaaggravatedbyadoseofflu,buthejustgaveupthewillto

live,that'swhatkilledhim.'Shestaredathimpainfully.'Hewantedto

die;hetoldmeso.'

'Andyoublamemeforthat?'

'Totally.'Sheroseasshespoke.'Mydadusedtohaveasaying—the

buckstopshere.Doyouknowit?'Shesmiledgrimly.'Well,thebuck

stoppedfairandsquareatyourdoor,MrSteel,evenifyouaren'tman

enoughtopickitup.Yourcompanypoliciesstink,youremployees

stink—andyoustink.'

'Graphicallyput,'hesaidsardonically.

'Andthat'sit?'Twobrightspotsofcolourburntinhercheeksasshe

facedhim,herthickblackhairshiningredunderthebrightartificial

lights,herdarkbrowneyesenormous.'Atouchofsarcasmwhile

holdingontoyourpreciousdignity?Noapology,noregret,noguilt?'

'Ihavenothingtofeelguiltyabout.'Hetoohadrisen,towalkacross

toalongbell-cordinthecorneroftheroomwhichhepulledtwice.

Almostimmediatelythedooropenedtorevealapretty,petitemaid

completewithstarchedapronandmob-cap.'CouldyouaskMrs

Langtontostepinhereamoment,please,June?'heaskedsmoothly.

'I'dlikeawordwithher.'

'Yes,sir.'Themaid'sbigblueeyesopenedwideatthesightofJanie.

'I'msorry,sir,wedidn'tknowyouwerehome.Wethoughtyouwere

outfortheevening-----'

'Myplanschanged.'Thewordsweredismissiveandthesmallgirl

immediatelylefttheroomwithaquick,nervousnodofherhead.'I'm

goingtoorderusdinner.'AstheblueeyesfastenedonJanieshe

staredathiminhorror.

'Notforme,MrSteel,'shesaidquickly.'I'vehadmysay,Iwanttogo

home.'

'Noway.'Hisvoicewascurt.'Ihaven'tfinishedwithyouyet,notbya

longchalk,besideswhichIneedtocheckyourstory.'

'Notnow?'Sheglancedatthesmallgoldwrist-watchonherarm.'It's

waypastsixonaFridaynight.Therewon'tbeanyoneabout.'

'TherewillbepeopleaboutifIneedthemtobe,'hesaidcoldly,'and

thebarefactswillbedownonrecord.Themoredetailedfill-inwill

havetowaituntilIcanfindoutwhowasinchargeofthatparticular

deal.'

'Look,I'mgoing.'Shetookonesteptowardsthedoor,buttherigid

immobilityofthebigbodyinfrontofherfrozehernextstep.'Imean

it,Iwanttogohome.'

'Don'tbesochildish.'Theshockofhiswordsbroughttheangry

colourthathadjustdiedsurgingbackintohercheeks.'I'm just

offeringyoudinnerwhilecertainenquiriesaremade,that'sall.You

aremostfortunateyouaren'tbeingchargedatthelocalpolicestation

onvariouscounts.'

'Butyourevening?'Amentalpictureofthetall,slimblondeflashed

intohermind.'Youobviouslyintendedtobeouttonightand-----'

'It'salittlelatetostartconcerningyourselfaboutmysituation,don't

youthink?'heaskedsmoothly.'YoucanhaveanothersherrywhileI

makeafewcallsandthenwewilleat.'

Assheopenedhermouthtoarguethedooropened.'MrsLangton.'

KaneSteelsmiledatthestoutmiddle-agedwomanwhosteppedinto

theroom,heriron-greyhairtightlydrawnbackinaseverebunand

herstiffblackdresslookingasthoughitwouldretainitsshapewithor

withoutabodyinsideit.'MyplanshavechangedandInowrequire

dinnerfortwo.Isthatpossible?'

'Ofcourse,MrSteel.'MrsLangtonsmiledformally.'Inhalfanhour?'

'Fine.'AsthewomanleftwithasmileandanodinJanie'sdirection,

Janieglaredathimangrily.

'WhatdoIhavetodotoconvinceyouthatIdon'twantdinner?'

'Nothing,Iknowitalready,'hesaidimperturbably.

"Thenwhy?'

'Becauseyou'lldoasyou'retold.'Thestatementwasclearlya

completeanswerasfarashewasconcernedandshestaredathim

furiously,incensedbyhisarrogance.

'Youreallyarethemostincredibleman,'shesaidintonesofdeep

disgust,herfuryescalatingashesmiledmockingly,hisdarkface

alivewithcruelhumour.Hewasstillangry,veryangry.

'Youarenotthefirstfemaletosaythat,'hesaidtauntingly,'althoughI

havetoadmitthecircumstancesareafirst.Normallyitissaidwith

more...enthusiasm.'

'Isitindeed?'Shetriedtoinjectasmuchscornandderisionintoher

voiceasshecould.'Iwasalwaysundertheimpressionthatarealman

didn'thavetoboastabouthisperformanceinbed.'

'WasItalkingaboutbed?'heaskedsoftly,withsatiricalcoolness,but

shenoticedherinsulthadnarrowedtheice-blueeyesandstraightened

hismouth.'Youknow,thisbusinessaboutyourfatherapart,you

reallyarealittleshrew,aren'tyou?Don'tyoulikemen,MissJanie

Gordon?'

HehadrememberedherChristiannamefromthehotel.Assheglared

backintotheruggedfacethethoughthammeredinherbrain.Inspite

ofallthechaosandaggravation,hehadremembered,andshe

suddenlyknewitwasindicativeofthemanhimself.Hismindwas

razor-sharpandashardasnails;hewouldn'tforgetathing,ever.So

whythememory-lossregardingherfather'sfirm?Didshebelieve

him?Hadhebeeninvolvedwithitall?Hedidn'tseemthetypeof

mantoletanythingslipthroughhisfingers,leastofalltheknowledge

oftheacquisitionofaprimeblockofrealestate.Hewouldhave

knownanoutlineofthesituationatleast,especiallyinviewofthe

difficultiesinvolved.Hewouldhavehadto,surely?Andhehad

recognisedthenameofthefirm.

'Well?'Asshecamebacktothepresenthewasstillholdingherwith

thatrapier-sharpbluegaze.

'What?'Shehadlostthethreadoftheconversationcompletely.

'Men,doyoulikemen?'Hetookasteptowardsherasshetriedto

concentrateonwhathewassayingandnotherchurningthoughts.

'There'sonewaytofindout...'

Themannerinwhichhefoldedherintohisarmsspokeofanexpertise

thatonlyregisteredonJaniemuchlater;atthatprecisemomentshe

wastoobusystrugglingagainsthissuperiorstrength.Shefound,to

herfury,thatshewasquitehelplessinhisembrace.Thebigbodywas

allmuscledpowerandfirm,hardflesh,andshewascaughtas

securelyasatinyfishinanet.Thiswaspartofthepenance?

Ashismouthclosedonherssheforcedherselftostandstill.Her

movementswereonlybringinghermoreintimatelyintocontactwith

thathardmaleframe,besideswhichresistancewasuselessandthey

bothknewit.Thekisswasfirmandwarmandsensualandshehated

theexcitedtremblingittriggeredinalldifferentpartsofherbody—it

wasabetrayaltoherfatherandtoherself.Butshecouldn'thelpit.

Thethoughtweakenedherstillfurther.Whatwasitabouthim?She

hadneverhadakissaffectherlikethisbefore.

Hemovedhercloserintohimasheallowedonehandtoplayupand

downherbackinasoothing,hypnoticrhythmthatsetfirealarmsoff

alloverherbody.Sheshouldhavefeltfrightened,threatened-shewas

athismercyherewhenallwassaidanddone—butherwholebeing

wascopingwiththeripplesofpleasurethatwereflowingthroughher

bodyasheexploredthecontoursofhermouth,hislipsgentleand

eroticinturn.Hismouthwasasweettortureandtormentingly

knowingasitwanderedoverherclosedeyelids,herthroat,herears,

creatinghavoctohernervoussystemandawarmacheinherlower

stomachasitdiditsdevastatinglysensualwork.

Thenshewasfreeandhebrushedhislipslightlyoverhersoncemore

beforesteppingbacktosurveyherwithnarrowedeyesandcrossed

arms.'Verynice.'Hisvoicewassoftanddeepbutforthelifeofher

shecouldn'tsayawordasshegazedsilentlybackintotheharsh,

strongface.'Veryniceindeed,andnowyouaregoingtohaveanother

drinkandIamgoingtomakesomephonecalls.'

Shewasstillstandinginstunnedsilencewhenhelefttheroom

secondslaterafterfillingherglassandplacingitbackonthetable

nearherchair.Theswine!Herlegswerebeginningtoshakeandshe

almostcollapsedintoherseat,hermindwhirling,astheclickofthe

doorreleasedherfromthedazedtrance.Shedidn'tdoubtforaminute

thatthekisshadbeenintendedasapunishment.Shegroanedoutloud

intotheemptyroom.Sheshouldhaveshoutedathim whenhe

releasedher,toldhimexactlywhatshethoughtofhim,slappedhis

face-----Butshe'dalreadydonethatoncetonight.

Sheshuthereyestightlyforasecond.Thiswasalladream—ithadto

be;nothingelsewouldexplainthedizzystuporhislipshadevoked.

Shetookabiggulpofsherryassheglancedroundthemagnificent

roomagain,noticing,asshedidso,aphotographoftwomentoone

sideofthemantelpiece.Sherosetotakeacloserlook.Ithadtobe

KaneSteelandabrotherorcousin—thelikenesswasuncanny,

althoughthesmallermanwasofalighterbuildandhishairwas

fairer.Neverthelessthetwofacesboastedanunmistakablebloodtie.

Itmusthavebeentakenyearsago,shethoughtidlyasshelookedat

themuchyoungerKanesmilingbackather.Thedeeplinesthatwere

groovedintohisfacenowandthetouchesofgreyinhishairwere

missing,alongwiththerathertensewayinwhichheheldhimself.

Hedidlookolder,shethoughtsuddenly;thatwaswhyforamoment

shehadn'tbeensureifitwashimatthehotel.Thephotographthat

hadbeeninherfather'spapershadbeenofamuchyoungerman,too,

althoughadmittedlyithadbeentheusualpolishedposeofapublicity

shotand,consequently,remoteandunlifelike.Shewouldhavetogo

throughthosepapersagain.AftertheinitialEarfulsortingshehad

bundledeverythingintoabigboxandstuffeditintoacupboard,and

eversinceithadbeentoopainfultoresurrect.

Whenhereturned,tenminuteslater,shewasquitecomposedand

poised,atleastontheoutside.Insidewasaseethingmassofemotion

likeavolcanobeforethelidwasblown.

'Prawncocktailandsteakandsaladallright?'heaskedblandlyashe

enteredtheroom.'Withfreshpeachesinbrandyfordessert?'Heeyed

hernarrowly,hisfacegrim.

'Fine.'Shenoddedjerkily.Getthroughthenextcoupleofhoursthe

bestyoucanandthenyou'refree,shetoldherselfsilently,andyou

needn'teverseehimagain.Unlessitwasincourt,ofcourse.Nodoubt

thevicioustake-over,theruthlessbutlegaldestructionofallthather

fatherhadbuiltupforyears,wouldbeexplainedawaycalmlyand

logically,withSteelEnterprisescomingupsmellingofroses.She

didn'tknowwhyhewasgoingthroughthisfarce,butthatwas

undoubtedlywhatitwas.Corporategiantsweretotallyruthlessand

neveradmittedtobeinginthewrong.Rulenumberone.Andithad

beenlegal,sheremindedherselfagain.Cruel,wicked,heinousbut...

legal.

Asheseatedhimselfinhischairafterpouringanotherwhiskyshe

gesturedtothephotographun-smilingly.'Yourbrother?'

'Yes.'Hefollowedhergaze.'That'sKeith.'

'He'syoungerthanyou?'sheaskedcarefully.

'Byfouryears.'Hetookalongdraughtfromhisglassandsettledback

inhischair.'Thatwastakenthreeyearsagowhenwewereonholiday

inGreece.'

'Threeyears?'Shestaredathiminsurprise.Threeyears;shewould

havesaidatleastten.Hereadherfaceaccurately.

'I'mthirty-fouryearsold,MissGordon,'hesaidtightly,'andmy

brotherdiedlastyear.Canweleavethesubjectnow?'

'Ofcourse.'Shenoddedquicklyashercheeksburnthotly.Howwas

shesupposedtoknowhisbrotherwasdead?Andshewouldhaveput

KaneSteelatleasteightornineyearsolder,althoughthelean,hard

bodywasageless.Itwasthatdevastat-inglyattractivefacethathad

fooledher.Whathadhappenedtoputthoselinesroundhismouthand

eyes?Itmusthavebeensomethingcatastrophictohavemadesucha

differenceinthreeyears?Hisbrother'sdeathmaybe?Orwasthere

somethingelse?

Thedinnerwasexcellent,butthehugeornateroominwhichitwas

servedwasdaunting,tosaytheleast.WhenKanefirstledherintoit

shetookadeepbreathandprayedforaplomb;themassivedarkwood

dining-table,thickwhitecarpetandcream-texturedwalls,combined

withtheheavyvelvetdrapesinadarkrichburgundy,weregrandly

intimidating,anditwascolossal.

‘Doyoualwayseatinhere?'sheaskedhimquietlyasJuneclearedthe

dinner-platesfromthetablepreparatorytodessert.Thewholemeal

hadbeenconductedintight,painfulsilence.

'WhenIhaveguests.'Helookedatherclosely.Don'tyoulikethis

room?'

'Wheredoyoueatwhenyoudon'thaveguests?'sheprevaricated

quickly.

'Inmystudy,'hesaidshortly.'InfactIspendmostofmytimeinthis

houseinthere.Doyouwanttoeatdessertinthestudy?'heasked

suddenly.'Yes,please,'shesaidinstantly.Heblinkedandlooked

roundthedining-roombewilderedly.'What'swrongwithit?'

'Nothing,it'sbeautiful,'shesaidquickly,'butit'sjustsobig!Well,

let'sfaceit,it'sgigantic'

'Isit?'Heglancedroundtheroomagain.'Yes,Isupposeitisreally.I

neverthinkaboutit.'

Howtheotherhalflive,shethoughtwrylyasshefollowedhimacross

thevasthallintoamuchsmallerroomthantheothers,butonewhich

couldstillhaveswallowedhertinyflatwhole.Itwascosythough.A

cracklingfirewasburninginthehearth,onewallwaslinedwith

booksthatshonedullyinthesubduedglowfromthecopperwall-

lightsandthick,heavygolddrapesatthewindowhadbeenpulled

againstthecoldnight,givingahomelyfeeltotheroomthatwas

accentuatedbythelargetabbycatcurledupontheleathersetteeby

thefire.

'Youownacat?'Shehadn'tputhimdownas-ananimallover.

'Cats.Thisone'sJuniper—there'sanotherone,Cosmos,around

somewhere,'hesaidvaguely.AsMrsLangtonandJunesetthesmall

tablethatwastuckedawayinonecorneroftheroom,Janiestroked

thesoftfurofthelargetabbyandwatchedKaneSteelfromunderher

eyelashes.Inspiteofallhereffortstothecontrary,shecouldn'thelp

rememberinghowithadfelttobeheldclosetothatmagnificent

chest.Hereallydidhaveasuperbbody.Thethoughtmadeherblush

ashotlyasifshehadvoiceditandsheloweredhereyesquickly.The

soonershewasoutofherethebetter,andshehadbetterremember

thatthekisshadbeenamalepunishment,anofferingtohisdamaged

egoafterthesceneatthePressconference.Typicalofthesortofman

hewas,shethoughttightly.Itmusthavehithimhardtohavehisdirty

washinglaunderedinpublic.

Thepeachesinbrandy,heavilydousedwiththickdoublecream,were

delicious,butthesenseofunrealitythathadbeensteadilygrowingall

nightintensifiedastheyfinishedthedessert.'Coffee?'Helookedvery

bigandverydarkinthesmallerroom,thepiercingbluenessofhis

eyesatoddswiththetannedskin,andagaintheenigmaticappealof

themanreachedouttoher,strongandfierce,untilshefoundherheart

waspoundingoutofcontrol.

'No.'Shestoodupabruptlyandwalkedovertothelogfire.'No,thank

you,Ireallymustgo.'

'Why?'Hisvoicewascaustic.'Ithoughtwewerehavingawonderful

time.'Thesarcasmwasbitinglycold.

'Idon'tseewhatyou'resohotupabout,'shesaidfuriouslyasher

temperreachedboiling-point.

‘JoeFlandersknowswhatI'vedone,I'veprobablylostmyjobandmy

flat,nottomentioncredibility.You'resittingprettywithvirtue

intact,aren'tyou?I'mtheonewhowillbemadethescapegoat.'

'Madethescapegoat?'herepeatedincredulouslyashiseyesraked

overherhotface.'Idon'tbelieveI'mhearingthis!Doyouhaveany

ideaofwhatyoudidtonight,youngwoman?InthemiddleofaPress

conference,aPressconference,'herepeatedfuriously,'youaccused

meofbeingamurdererandaswindlerandgoodnessknowswhat

else.Thereisn'tajournalistinLondonwhowillmissascooplikethat

andIwouldn'twonderacoupleofthemgotanicejuicypictureof

yourhandconnectingwithmyfaceastheicingonthecake.Anything

yougetfromJoeFlandersyoudeserve.Tohaveplannedsomething

likethat-----'

'Ididn'tplanit,'shesaidindignantly,herbrowneyesflashingblack

sparks.'IwaswithJoeinthecoffee-lounge—wehadanappointment

withthemanageraboutsomeadvertisingwork—whenIsawyou

comein.Itwasanimpulsething.'

Heswore,softlyandfluently,asheshuthiseyesforasplit-second.'I

don'tknowifthatmakesitworseorbetter.Didn'tyoustopfora

momenttothinkabouttherepercussionsthatwereboundtofollow?'

'No.'Shestaredstraightintotheblueeyes.'ButifIhadI'dstillhave

doneexactlythesame.'

'Wouldyouindeed?'Hisfacewasblackwithrage.'Youreallywanta

goodwhippingtobringyoutoheel,younglady.'

'Youtouchmeagain,inanyway,andI'llbetheonebringingam

assaultcharge,'shesaidangrily.

'Gotit?'Heshookhisheadslowly.'You'reeatenupwiththis.'

'Whatdoyouexpect?'shesaidfiercelyasherhandsclenchedinto

fistsatherside.'Hewasmyfather,notsomevagueacquaintance.

Howwouldyoufeelifsomeonetreatedyourfatherlikethat?'

'Likemurder,'hesaidwithoutatraceofamusementinhisface,'but

it'sallsuppositionatthemoment,isn'tit?Ihaven'thadanythingcon-

firmedanditseemstomethatyou'veputyourowninterpretationon

events,inanycase.Youdon'tknowforsureexactlywhathappened

onthebusinesssideand,Irepeat,yourbehaviourisinexcusable.'

'Iknowenough.'Shefacedhimstiffly.'Morethanenough,andIwant

togonow.'

'OK,OK.'Hestoodupslowly,almostcarefully,andagainshegotthe

impressionthatthemovementwasdeliberate,thoughtoutinadvance.

'I'mexpectingacallinhalfanhour;youdon'twanttohangaroundfor

theoutcome?'

'No,Idon't,'shesaidcoldly.'Iknowmyfactsareaccurate,MrSteel,

andIalsoknowwhatyoursupposedenquirieswillreveal.'

‘Thenyou'rewayinfrontofme.'Hestaredather,hisfacetightand

mordant.'Tobehonest,I'vehadmorethanmyfillofyourparticular

brandofcharmforoneevening.'

‘Whybreakthehabitofalifetimebybeing

honestnow?'sheaskedbitingly,hereyesflashingsparks.

'IthinkIprobablyaskedforthat.'Theharshgroovesinhisface

deepenedasheturnedabruptlyaway.'Youdon'tmissanopportunity,

doyou?I'llhavetorememberthatforthefuture.'

‘Future?'sheaskedwithicycontempt.'Idoubtifourpathswillever

crossagain.Yourlifestyleandminearehardlyonapar,arethey?'

'Oh,youdon'tgetoffaslightlyasthat,'hesaidcoldly,hiseyeslethal.

'You'rewrong,MissGordon,andI'llproveittoyou,andwhenit's

confirmedthatyou'vemadeagraveerror-----'

'Itwon'tbe,'shesaidfirmly.'Itoldyouwhathappenedinthepastand

I'mstillfarfromsureyouaren'tfullyawareofitallanyway.Idon't

needtohavewhatI'vetoldyouconfirmedorotherwise.Iknowwhat

happened.I'dliketogonow.'

'Asyouwish.'Hepressedatinygoldbuttonatthesideofthe

fireplaceandwithinsecondsthelittlemaidhadpoppedherhead

roundthedoor.

Didn'theeverdoanythinghimself?Janiethoughtcynicallyasshe

watchedhimgivingorderstothesmallgirl.Buttonsforthis,orders

hereandthere,everyonejumpingtoattention.Herfacewascrypticas

heglancedbacktoherandthepiercinggazehadsweptoverher

featuresbeforeshecouldschoolthemintoamoreacceptablemask.

'Somuchhateinonesmallpackage.'Hisvoicewasdeepandsoftand,

forsomereason,tinyflickersoffireshivereddownherspineashe

walkedovertoher,liftingalockofsilkyblackhairandrubbingitin

hisfingersashelookedhardintoherdarkbrowneyes.'It'sverybad

foryou,youknow,'hesaidmockingly,hiseyesglitteringcoldly.

'Soyousaidbefore.'Sheflickedherhead,awaysharply.'DidI

understandthatyou'veaskedforthecartotakemehome?I'mquite

capableofphoningforataxi.'

'Ithinkyou'requitecapableofanything.'Therewasanoteinhis

voiceshecouldn'tquiteplace,butitmadethegoose-bumpsriseall

overherbody.'However,Iwouldprefertotakeyouhomemyself,

havingbroughtyouhereinthefirstplace.'

'You'recomingtoo?'Hervoicewasfranklydismayedandaglimmer

ofasmiletouchedthefrostyfaceforafleetingmoment.

'Iwasonlysayingtheotherdaytoacolleaguethatitwouldbea

pleasantchangetomeetagirlwhoseheadwasn'tturnedbytheSteel

name,'hesaidcynicallyashemovedbacktohisplaceinfrontofthe

fire.'Iforgotthatlittlelawthatsaysweshouldbecarefulwhatweask

forincasewegetit.'

Sheeyedhimwithoutspeaking—therewasnothingshecouldsay

afterall—andwithinsixtysecondsJunehadreturnedtoannouncethat

thecarwaswaitingatthemainentrance.

Astheyleftthebeautifullywarmhouseandspeededintothecold

night,thewindblewagainstJanie'sfacewithtinychipsofsleetand,

onceinthecar,shedrewhercoatofftheseatwhereitwaslyingwith

herhandbagandpulleditroundherselfgratefully.

‘Cold?'Hehadseatedhimselfoppositeher,likebefore,theblueeyes

watchful.

‘Alittle.'Sheglancedoutofthedarkwindowandsearchedfor

somethingimpersonalto'wherearewe?'

'Middlesex,'hesaidcoldly.'TheMotherofLondon,nearenoughto

maketravellingeasyandyetstillretainingcountrylaneswith

workingfarmsandthatchedcottagesthatwouldgraceanyvillagein

Yorkshire.'

'You'reacountryboyatheart?'sheaskedcynicallyasshepulledthe

coatstillcloserroundhershape.

'Youfindthathardtobelieve?'hesaidexpressionlessly.'Youhaveme

setintheNorthCircularRoadwithitsattendantmilesofbuildings

andTubestationsandsoon?OrmaybeintheheartofLondon,the

WestEndorChelsea?'

'Iwouldsaythelatterwouldsuityoubetter.'Shemadenoattemptto

softenherwords.'Ishouldthinktheonlyinterestyouwoulddisplay

invillagesandsuchlikeisintheirmarketvalue.'

'Thatiswhatyouwouldsay,isit?'Theblueeyeswerediamond-hard.

'Itisapitythatsuchattractivenessgoeshandinhandwithsuch

ignorance.'

'How dareyou?'Shereareduplikeasmallblackkittenwhen

confrontedbyasleek,full-grownpanther.

'HowdareI?'Hisvoicewasdeceptivelymildincomparisontothe

steel-hardsetofhisjaw.'Yourterminologyisallwrong,Miss

Gordon.ItisIwhoshouldbeaskingyouthat.Youknownothing

aboutme,nothingatall,beyondtherathervaguenotionthatIwas

responsibleforcausingyourfathersomegrief-----'

'Vague?'Hervoicewassoshrill,hewincedslightlybeforecontinuing

asthoughshehadn'tspoken.

'Andyoucontinuetobeobnoxiousateveryturn,refusingtolistento

commonsenseandaltogetherbehavinginamannermoresuitedtoan

infantthanagrownwomanof...?'Sheheldhisglance,hermouth

obstinatelyshut.'Twenty-three,twenty-four?'hepersistedwith

inflexibletenacity.

'Twenty-four,notthatit'sanyofyourbusiness,'shereturnedsharply,

'andwhataboutyourbehaviouranyway?'

'Mybehaviour?'Helifteddarkeyebrowswithsuchhaughtinessthat

Janiecouldhavehithim— again.'AsfarasIrecall,Imerelygave

youaliftinmycarwhenyouwerecoatlessandhatless,sotospeak,

andprovidedyouwithanadequatemeal.Thatconstitutesafelonyin

yourbook?'

'Idon'tmeanthat,'shesaidangrily,herragefloodinghersystemwith

suchwarmththatthecoatwasquiteunnecessary.'Imeanwhenyou-

----'Shestoppedabruptly.'Whenyoumanhandledme,'shefinished

tightly.

‘Imanhandledyou?’Theamazedoutragewasgenuine.'Myheadis

stillringingfromthecontactofyourhand,younglady;whenthehell

didImanhandleyou?'

"Inyourdrawing-room,'shesaidflatly,'whenyoukissedme.'

'Ah...'Thewordwasfullofmeaningandherheadsnappeduptofind

thedarkfacewassurveyingherwithmockingintentness.'Nowyou

aregoingtotryandtellmeyoudidn'tenjoyit?'

'No,Ididn't!'Sheglaredathim,almostincoherentwithtemper.'It

wassickening,absolutelysickening.I'veneverbeentreatedlikethat

inmylife.'

'Really?'Hesettledfurtherbackinhisseat,crossinghisarmsacross

hischestasthepiercingeyesnarrowedintoblueslitsoflightandshe

realised,quitesuddenly,thathewasplayingwithher,likeasleek

blackcatwithatinymouse.'Themalepopulationingeneralis

sensibleenoughtohavenothingtodowithyou?There'shopeforthe

universeyet.'

'Idon'tmeanI'veneverbeenkissed,'shesaidfuriously,'andyou

knowit.Imean-----'Shebrokeoff.Whatdidshemean?'Tobe

forced-----'

'Oh,come,come.'Heactuallyhadthenervetosmile.'Maybeforthe

firstmomentortwo,butafterthat?'Thehardmalefacewas

maddeninglycool.'Iwasthere,remember.'

'You'reapig,'shesaidweakly,'andI'mnotdiscussingthiswithyou.

InfactI'mnotdiscussinganythingwithyou.'Sheshuthereyes

determinedly,drawingthecoatmoretightlyroundhershoulders.

'I'mgladIwasthere,'thedeepvoicesaidreflectivelyafteralong

minutehadpassedinsilence.'I,atleast,foundtheexperiencemost

rewarding.'Shedidn'topenhereyesandseveralmilesflashedby

beforehespokeagain.'I'dappreciatesomeindicationofwhereweare

going?'

'Oh,youcandropmeanywhere.'Sheopenedhereyesquicklyand

glancedoutofthecarwindowintothesteadydownpourthathad

materialisedoutside.Cocoonedintheluxuriousinteriorofthe

Bentley,theworldoutsideseemedamillionmilesaway.

'Well,youareconsistent,I'llgiveyouthat,'hesaidcoldly.'That

commentmatchestherestoftherubbishyou'vespokenallnight.

Haveyounoticedit'sthrowingeverythingdownoutthereandyouare

inathinwooldressandcoatthatwouldn'tlastaminute?Now,an

address,please.'

'AberdeenGardens,'shesaidafteralongpause.

'Andthenumber?'

'Sixty-two.'AberdeenGardenswastwostreetsawayfromwhereher

flatwassituated,butshedidn'twanthimtoknowwhereshelived.

Shehadn'tworkedoutwhyyet,shejustknewwithdeepconviction

thatthelessheknewaboutherthebetter.

Hewasathreat,adefinitethreattoherpeaceofmindandnotjust

becauseofpasthistory.Shewasusedtodealingwithallsortsofmen

inherjobasJoeFlanders'personalsecretaryandcouldkeepthemost

obstreperousindividualsatbaywithafewwell-chosen,crushing

remarksorcarefuldiplomacy,butthisman...Sheglancedathim

againinthedimlightfromthepassingstreet-lamps,contemplating

thehardsquarejawandlethalbody.Thismanwasawholenewball

game.

AfterhehadgivenBainestheaddress,heslidtheglasspartitionback

firmlyintoplace,shuttingthemonceagainintheirowndisturbingly

intimateatmosphere.'Doyoulivealone?'Thequestionthrewherfora

briefmomentandshehopedhehadn'tnoticed.

'Yes.'Theonewordwasabrasiveandcurt.

'One-bedroomedflat?'Hewaspertinacious,shehadtogivehimthat.

'Yes.'Shelookedoutofthecarwindowasshespoke;thoseeyeswere

hypnotic.'It'sinahouseJoeowns;herentsittomeaspartofmyjob

package.'

'Isee.'Henoddedslowly.'Hencethelosingjob,losinghome

comment.Haveyouworkedforhimlong?'

'Eversinceleavinguniversity,justovertwoyears.'Shelookedinto

hisfacenow.'MyfatherdiedtwoweeksafterIgotmydegree.'

'Isee.'Hedidn't;howcouldhe?Shethoughtbitterly.Shehadbeen

countingthedaysuntilshecouldleaveuniversityandgetalittleflat

forthemboth,lookafterherfatherproperly,spoilhimalittle.

Andthen...

'Hereweare,AberdeenGardens.'Asthebigcarnosedcarefullyinto

thesecludedsquareofneatmaisonettes,Janiebreathedasilentsighof

relief.

'Sixty-two?'

'Yes.'Shesmiledcoldly.'Nowyoucanberidofme,can'tyou?'

'Forthemoment,MissGordon,forthemoment.'AstheBentleydrove

roundinasemicircle,shesatrigidlyontheedgeofherseat,waiting

forthemomentwhenshecouldescape.Whatanight,whatanight!

'I'msorry,sir.'Baineshadstoppedthecarwiththeenginerunningand

movedthepartitionaside.'Thenumbersonlygouptosixty.'

'Theycan'tdo,'Kanesaidirritablybeforehecaughtsightofherface.

'Butthenagain...JustamomentandI'llcomebacktoyou.'Heturned

toher,hiseyesicy.'Right,verycute,verycuteindeed,andnowwe'll

havetheproperaddress.I'mtoooldinthetoothtoplaythesechildish

games,MissGordon,andonemoremistakelikethatandyou'llfind

outwhatit'sliketobewellandtrulyspanked.Gotit?'

'Youwouldn'tdare.'Sheglaredathimfuriously.

'Youwanttobet?'Therewasnohumourinthedrkface,justpure

undilutedrage.'Youwanttakinginhand,mygirl.Now,theaddress?'

'Icanwalkfromhere,'shesaidobstinatelyandthenjumpedviolently

ashebangedafistontotheseat,snarlingunderhisbreathinthesame

moment.'Givemepatience’Hiseyeswereveryblueandassharpas

glass.'Idon'twanttocomeinandtuckyouintobed,MissGordon,I

wanttodeliveryouhometoyourfrontdoor,andthequickerthe

betterasfarasI'mconcerned.Youareeasilythemosttroublesome

femaleIhavehadtodealwithinaverylongtimeandIhavenowish

toprolongthispainfulencounteranylongerthanIhaveto.Now—

thedamnaddress’

ShewasawareofBainessittingrigidlystillinfrontandclearlyable

toheareveryword,andassheopenedhermouthtoarguethefutility

ofitallsweptoverher.Hewouldpersevereuntilhegottheaddress

andshehadthefeelinghiswillwasstrongerthanhers,muchasshe

hatedtoacknowledgeit.

'It'stwostreetsaway—MeldonCourt,numbersixty-two,'shesaid

flatlyashercheeksglowedbrightred.

'Areyousure?'Thesarcasmwasbiting.

'Yes,'shenoddedquickly.'Thenumberwasrightanyway.'

Hecastascathingglanceinherdirectionbeforeturningroundto

Baines.'Gotthat?'

'Yes,sir.'

'Thengetonwithit;thesoonerwedropthisunwelcomeparceloffthe

better.'Heslidtheglasstowithsuchforcethatshewouldn'thave

beensurprisedifithadshatteredalloverthem.

Sixtysecondslatertheydrewupoutsidethetallterracedhousein

whichJaniehadherflatandasBainesopenedthedoorshewasout

likeashot.

'Goodbye.'SheheldoutherhandasKanefollowedherintothestreet,

hereyesfiery.'Ican'tsayitwaspleasantmeetingyou.'

'Likewise.'Hetookherhandinhis,hislargebrownfingersburying

hersmallhand.'Ihopeforyoursaketheheadlinesaredifferentfrom

whatIexpecttomorrow,'hesaidthreateningly.

Shehadexpectedhimtoshakeherhand,butasheraisedittohislips,

turningthepalmoveratthelastmoment,sheforcedherselftostand

perfectlystillevenastinylittletinglingsscatteredthroughher

nervoussystem.Ashiswarm,firm lipsconnectedwiththesoft

interiorofherpalm,thebreathstoppedinherthroatandthenpounded

downintoherchestinasurgeoffeelingthatmadeherquitedizzy.

Thebrilliantblueeyeswereonalevelwithhershockedbrownones

asheraisedhisheadafteralongmoment,andashestraightenedshe

sawhewasn'tsmiling.

'Goodnight,Janie,'hesaidexpressionlessly.

'Goodbye,MrSteel.'Hervoicewasn'tascoolasshewouldhaveliked

ittobeandtheknowledgewashumiliatingasshefumbledwiththe

doorkey,allfingersandthumbs,steppingintothehallasthedoor

openedandshuttingthedoorbehindherwithoutabackwardglance.

Sheleantagainstthecoldwallforamomentbeforeracingupthetwo

flightsofstairstoherflat,droppingthekeytwicetoinsertitintothe

lock,andonlyfeelingsafeasshestumbledintohertinyhomeand

slammedthedoorshutbehindher.

CHAPTERTHREE

ThesenseofanticlimaxwhenJanieawokelateonSaturdaymorning

wasasunwelcomeasitwasunsettling.Shehadlainawakeforhalf

thenight,hertiredminddoingendlesspost-mortemsoneveryword,

everygesturetheyhadexchangeduntilshehadfeltshewasgoing

mad.Shewasgladshehadconfrontedhim,shewas,shetoldherself

fiercelytimeandtimeagainthroughtheendlessdarkhours.Allshe

neededtodonowwastoletgoofitall.Butshecouldn't.Shehad

thumpedherpillowinhelplessfrustrationbeforefallingasleepas

pinktouchedthenightsky.

Theshrilltoneofthephoneasshesatgloomilynursingamugof

scalding-hotcoffeebroughtherheartshootingintohermouth.'Don't

besostupid,'shemutteredangrilytoherselfasshereachedacrossthe

tinybreakfast-bartopluckthephoneoffthewall.Itwouldn'tbehim;

ofcourseitwouldn'tbehim.Itwasn't.

'Janie?'JoeFlanders'voicewasaboutasirateasshehadeverheardit.

'Haveyouseenthepapers?Whateverpossessedyou,girl?'

'Thepapers?'sheaskedhelplesslyasherheartsank.'Aretheybad?'

Aharshexpletivefollowed."Theworst!'heremployerbarkedintothe

phone.'Areyougoingtoexplaintome?'

'Ofcourse.'Shetookadeepbreath.'It'salongstory.'

'Itmustbe.'Joe'svoicewaswry.'I'mjustamazedyou'restillaround

totellit.'

Thephrase"extenuatingcircumstances"doesapply,Joe,'shesaid

weakly,'andI'mreallysorryaboutleavinglikethat.'

'Iwasworriedaboutyou,'Joesaidmorequietly.‘Veryworried.I

wasn'tsureifI'ddonetheright’inlettinghimhaveyourthings,but

hewasveryinsistent.'

'Icanimagine,'shesaiddrily.'Look,canIexplainproperlyon

MondaywhenIseeyou?AndIamsorry,Joe,really.Don'twriteme

offyet,please.'

'Iwon't,'hesaidquietly.'I'llseeyouattheofficethen,but,ifyou

shouldneedmebeforethat,you'vegotthenumber.'

'Iknow,thanks.'

Theweekenddraggedbyinspiteofaninvitetoaratheroff-beatparty

onSaturdaynightandSundaylunchwithanoldschoolfriend,andby

thetimeshearrivedattheofficeonMondaymorningshewasmore

thangladtobebackinthehurly-burlyofJoe'shecticadvertising

agencydespitethepunishingpace.

SheoutlinedthebarefactsbrieflytoJoebeforetheday'sworkreally

startedandwasgratefulwhenherestrainedhiscommentstoacursory

raisingofhiseyebrowsandashakingofhisgreyhead.Thedayraced

byasitalwaysdid,buteveninthemostchaoticmomentsshewas

awarethatatinysegmentofhermindwasthinkingaboutaverytall,

darkmanandwasexasperatedwithherlackofcontrol.Wouldhe

contactheragain?Thethoughtthathadbeendrumminginthebackof

herheadallweekendhadfreereinonthebus-ridehomeasshesat

sandwichedbetweentwoyounggirlswhowereexchangingavid

gossipaboutamutualacquaintancewithsalubriousenjoyment.She

hopednot.Atinydartofdisquietinghonestyprickedatthebackof

hermindquestioningly.Shedidhopenot.Ifsheeversawhimagain

inthewholeofherlifeitwouldbetoosoon.Buthe'dcontacther.She

rememberedthegraphicheadlinesinthenewspapersandflinched

helplessly.

Thecrispknockonthedoorasshebegantopreparehersolitarymeal

laterthateveningcausedamoment'spanicbeforeshespokesternlyto

herself.'Calmdown;youcan'tactlikethisindefinitely.'Itwasbound

tobeAnniefromnextdooraskingforthesparekeyshekeptinJanie's

flat.Shewasalwayslockingherselfout.

AssheopenedthedoorandraisedhereyesupanduptomeetKane

Steel'scool,sardonicgaze,sherealisedshewasn'tatallsurprised;she

hadsomehowknownthathewouldn'tbeabletoleavematterslong—

hewasn'tthattypeofman.Hewouldhavetodotthe'i'sandcrossthe

't'stohisownsatisfactionandextracthislastpoundoffleshinthe

process.

'I'vebeenexpectingyou,'shesaidcarefullythroughthemadpounding

ofherheart.'Isawthepapers,too.Areyoualone?'Shehalfexpected

asolicitortopopupbehindhim.

'CanIcomein?'Hecutthroughthenicetieswithatersenodofhis

headtotheroombeyond.

'Iguess.'Whatonearthwashegoingtothinkofhertinylittleflat?

shethoughthelplesslyasshegesturedhimintotheminutelounge.He

almostfilledthesmallroomashestoodwaitingforherandshe

summonedupallhercouragetolookhimfullintheface,hersenses

registeringawhiffofthefamiliaraftershaveatthesametimeasher

toescurledatthesheerattractivenessoftheman.Hedidlookso...

good,shethoughtdesperatelyasshetookintherugged,hardface,

andshedidn'twanttothinklikethis,shedidn'twanttoatall.The

manwasprobablyheretodemandallmannerofretribution.

'I'mheretosayyouwereright—partly,'hesaidimmediatelyhereyes

methis,'andI'mpreparedtoadmitthereweresomemistakesmade

withthewaySteelEnterprisestookholdofyourfather'sbusiness.'

'Oh.'Itwasthelastthingshehadexpectedandittookalllucid

thoughtfromhermind.

'Thatdoesn'texcuseyourdisgracefulbehaviouronFridayevening,'he

continuedtightly,'therepercussionsofwhichIshallhavetodealwith

foralong,longtime.'

'Well,excuseme,'shesaidwithhotsarcasm,'butyou'llunderstandif

thatlittledetaildoesn'tbothermetoomuchinviewofthefactthat

youareatleastaroundtodealwiththem,unlikemyfather.'She

glaredathimangrily.

'Youunderstanditwasperfectlylegal?'heaskedcoldlyasheheldher

glance.'Withinthelaw?'

Sherepeatedthewordasthoughitwasrepugnanttoher.'Andthat

makeseverythingallright.Isuppose?'

'Ofcoursenot,'hesaidsharply.'Iwasmerelymakingthepointfor

futurereference.'

'Well,bullyforyou.'Shesatdownonthesetteeasherlegsbeganto

shake.'Butyouaren'tataboardmeetingnow.Can'tyoutalkin

normallanguage?"

Hestaredatherforalongmomentandthenleftthebreathout

throughhisteethinaslowhiss.'I'mnervous,'hesaidwithdevastating

honesty.'Thisisnewterritory—I'mnotusedtoadmittingwe'vegotit

wrong.'

'NowthatIcanbelieve,'shesaidwithlessacerbitythanshewould

haveliked.Thealmostfiercetruthfulnesswastotallydisarming.But

maybethatwaswhathewashopingtoachieve?Hewasamulti-

millionaireusedtomanipulatinghundredsofpeopletohiswill.What

chancedidshestandagainstamindlikethat?Aboutthesameasher

father,shewouldthink.

'You'renotgoingtogiveaninch,areyou?'Heliftedherchin

suddenly,hishandfirm,lookingdeepintohereyesasheshookhis

headslowly.'Youreyesarebiganddarkandfullofawarykindof

hate,'hesaidquietly.'Ithoughtwomenweresupposedtobethe

weakersex?'

Hermouthwasdryandshefoundshecouldn'tgetthewordsshe

wantedtosaypastherparchedlips.Shewetthemwithhertongue,

awarethattherazor-sharpgazefollowedthegestureashiseyes

narrowed.

'Whatareyougoingtodo?'sheaskeddefiantlyasshejerkedherself

freefromhishold.'Iknowyou'refuriouswithme,thepaperswere

everybitisbadasyouhadguessed,sowhat'sthenextstep?'Shetook

astepbackwardsasshespoke,feelingalittlesaferasthespace

increasedbetweenthem.'I'dratherknownow,ifyoudon'tmind.I

don'tlikethecat-and-mousegamesyouseemtoenjoy.'

'Isthatafact?'Thewordswereabruptandfierceandthenheseemed

totakeanalmostconsciousholdonhistemper,straighteninghis

featuresashelookedatheragain.'Thethingis,frommyinves-

tigationssofarit'sclearmistakesweremade,ofamoralnature,you

understand?'

'Oh,Iunderstandallright,'shesaidflatly.

'Fortherecord,itisnotthenormalwayweconductnegotiations,but

someonewasrathertooenthusiastic'

'Tooenthusiastic?'sherepeatedicily.'Well,ifyoucallusingsome

heavypressuretogetbankstorefuseloanextensionsandcausing

contractstodiemid-stream"enthusiasm",you'reinaworsestateof

moraldeclinethanIthought.Yourcompanyranmyfatheroutof

business,withinthelaw,ofcourse,'sheaddedsarcastically,'and

pickedupthepremisesforasong.TheMafiacouldn'thavehandledit

better.'

'Aslightexaggeration,'hesaidtightly.

'Doyouknowwhowasinchargeofitall?'sheaskedsuddenly.

Possibly,'hesaidwithavaguewaveofhishand.

'Possibly.'Shelookedathimangrily.'Andwhatareyougoingtodo

aboutit?'

'Ithinkyoucanleavethatwithme.'Theblueeyesflickedoverherhot

face.'Wouldyouliketodiscussyourfateoverdinner?'heasked

expressionlessly,hiseyeshooded.

'What?'Shestaredathimintotalamazement.'Mehavedinnerwith

you?'

'Whatissooutrageousaboutthat?'heaskedsoftly.

'MrSteel,Iwouldn'thavedinnerwithyouagainifyouwerethelast

manonearth,'shesaidflatly.'I'mnotatallsureyouweren'tspear-

headingthisthingforastartand,evenifyouweren't,Idon'tbelieve

youwouldn'thavehadsomeknowledgeofitatthetime.Youcantell

memyfatenow.'

'Areyoucallingmealiar?'Thedeepvoicewasevensofternow,but

withacoldnessthatchilledherblood.

'Ithinkthat'sexactlywhatIwassaying,yes.'Hervoicewascutting.'I

appreciateyourcominghere-----'

'Well,that'sastartatleast.'Hereachedhersideinonestrideand

stoodlookingdownather,hisheightaccentuatedevenmorebythe

bulkydarkovercoathewaswearing.'WhatdoIhavetodotothat

closedlittlemindtoopenjustthemerestclick?'Theazureeyes

wanderedoverherfacelazilyandshetookadeepsilentbreathasthe

subtlemagnetismthatwasanintegralpartofhismake-upreachedout

toher.Hisfacewasdisturbing,acynicalsensualitycarvedintoits

harshlinesthatwassavagelyattractive,buttherewasmoretohis

appealthanmerelooks.Itwaseverythingaboutlam,shethought

weakly:theintimidatingself-control,thefierceauthoritythatwasin

everylance,everyaction,andwenthandinhandwithtotal

domination.Hewaswalkingdynamiteandsheknewnothingatall

aboutexplosives.

'Whybother,MrSteel?'sheaskedwithasmuchacidityasshecould

muster.'I'mjustyouraverageworkinggirl;there'snothingspecial

aboutme.'

'Wrong.'Thecoolarrogancewasincrediblyinfuriating.

Sheshruggedascasuallyasshecould,consideringhewasfartoo

closeforcomfort.'Mostpeoplewoulddisagreewithyou,'shesaid

shortly.

'Thenmostpeoplearefools.'Hisexpressionwasimpossibletofathom

andshestaredathimforamoment,silentlytryingtogaugethe

hiddenthoughtsinthatcold,analyticalmind.Thiswasatrapofsome

kind,butshecouldn'tworkoutwhat.

Duringalunchtimesandwichtakenatherofficedeskshehadasked

Joe,verynonchalantly,justwhatsortofamanhethoughtKaneSteel

wasandsherememberedthesharp,piercinglookofconcernthathad

straightenedJoe'sbluntfeatures.

'Notyoursort,'hehadrepliedimmediately,'althoughitwould

surprisemeifhehadbeeninonthelittledealyoumentioned.That's

nothisusualwayofdoingthings.He'sverytough,veryruthless,

quitewithoutashredofself-doubtorremorse,buthe'sstraight—orI

thoughthewas.'Heremployer'seyeshadbeennarrowedwithalarm.

'Don'tgetinterestedinhim,Janie;he'stotallyoutofyourleague.

Apartfromhiswealthandpower,themanhasabigappetite,know

whatImean?'

'Youmeanwomen?'she'daskedquietly.

'Definitelytheplural,'Joehadsaiddrily.'Andtheylovehim.I'veyet

toseehimwiththesameonetwice.'

'Oh.'Shehadglanceddownatthepapersonherdeskassheputthe

suddenlytastelesssandwichbackontheplate.'Ijustwondered.'

'Quitwondering.'Joe'svoicehadbeenahardwarning.

Theconversationhadcutdeepandnow,asshelookedupatthe

chiselledfeatures,shewonderedwhy.Shedidn'tknowhim,shedidn't

wanttoknowhim.Itdidn'tmattertoherifhehadfiveorfiftywomen

intow!

'Well,Iappreciateyourcoming,MrSteel-----'shebeganagain,only

tocometoanabrupthaltasheputafirmfingeroverherlips.

'You'vealreadysaidthat.'Hisdeepvoicewaslikesilk.'Yourealise,

ofcourse,thatwe'vegotratheralottodiscuss?Besidesyourpenance,

thatis.'

'NotthatI'mawareof.'Shestaredathimmilitantlyasshetookastep

ortwobackwards.'Ireallycan'tthinkofathing.'

'Well,forastartthere'stheamountyourfather'sfirmwasacquired

for.'Hewaswatchingherintently.'Areyoufamiliarwiththefigures?'

‘Really,'sheadmittedslowly.'I'vegotthepaperssomewhere,of

course,butIhaven'tlookedatthemsincehedied.Ijustnoticedthen

itwasagive-away,butIthinkhe'dgottothepointwherehewas

gratefulhewasn'tgoingtohavetodeclarebankruptcy.Thingsgot

prettynastyforawhile.'Hereyeswerebrightwithaccusation.

‘I’vegotpeopleworkingonamorerealisticfigure.'hesaidquietly,

'andofcourse,ashisdaughter,youwouldreceivethepayment.'

Idon'twantyourmoney!'Asthefullrealisationofwherethe

conversationwasheadingdawnedonher,Janieflushedscarlet,her

eyeshorridastheymethiscoolbluegaze.'Thisisn'taboutmoney—is

thatwhatyouthought?IwantedtotellyouexactlywhatIthoughtof

you,thatwasall.Iwouldn'ttakeapennyofyourmoney.'

'Ifit'safairpriceforthepropertyit'shardlymymoney,isit?'hesaid

reasonably.'We'retalkingaboutwhatyourfatherwasdue——'

'Butyoucan'tgivehimwhathewasdue,'shesaidhotly.'It'stoolate

forthat.Idon'twantmoney.Iwantmyfatheraliveandwell;but

that'simpossible.'

'Iknowthisisanemotionalsubjectbutcan'tyoubealittlemore

reasonable?'heaskedtightlyassheglaredupathim,hereyes

flashing.'Itwasyouwholampoonedme,remember!'

'ThatwasnothingtowhatI'dhavelikedtohavedoneandIdon'twant

bloodmoney,can'tyougetthatthroughyourhead?Youcan'tbuyoff

aguiltyconsciencelikethat.You'llhavetolivewithwhatyoudid,'

shesaidbitterly.

'Forcryingoutloud!'Heputhishandtohisheadasheswunground

angrilyandwalkedacrosstothetinywindowthatoverlookedthedark

streetbelow.‘Ididn'tdoanything;I'vetoldyou.'

'Soyouhave.'Shedidn'tknowquitewhatwasdrivinghertoactlike

this,butsheknewitwasmorethantheoldhurtandpainforher

father.Beyondthatherbrainrefusedtothink.'I'dlikeyoutoleave

now,MrSteel.'

'Certainly.'Heswunground,butindoingsostumbledslightlyas

thoughthemovementhadcaughthimoffbalanceand,again,her

sensesregisteredthatunsteadinessinhisbearingthatwasrecovered

instantlyashestrodeacrosstheroom,hisfaceblackwithrage.'You

areaveryexasperatingyoungwoman,MissJanieGordon,'hesaid

tightlyashemovedintothetinyhall.

'Iwon'ttellyouwhatIthinkofyou,'shereturnedderisively,herface

fullofburningcontempt.'Butit'snotgood.'

Foraninstanthiseyesslidoverthedark,silkyshoulder-lengthhair,

angryredmouthandburningvelvet-browneyes,andhisgaze

narrowedforebodingly.'Youdon'thaveto,'hesaidmockingly,'and,

asyouconsidermetobethelowestofthelow,I'llfastplaytrueto

type.'

Ashecaughtholdofherslenderwrists,imprisoningthemsecurelyin

onelargebrownhand,shefelttheleashedstrengththatthebigbody

hadunderperfectcontrol,andrealisedthathehadn'thistemper,that

thiswasacold-bloodedexerciseinpunishmentofherdefiance.She

madeatokeneffortofresistancebut,havingfeltthehardnessofhis

armsbefore,knewitwasuselessevenasshetwistedinhisgrasp.

'Youareyourownworstenemy;hasanyoneelseevertoldyouthat?'

heaskedsoftlyashismouthdescendedonhersinbruising

exploration.

Evenasherbodyfilledwithoutrageatthelibertyhewastaking,

another,moreinsidious,frighteningemotiontookitsplace.Histouch

wassosensual,sofascinatingthatevenasshefoughttoretainher

defencestheywereallsweptaway.He'sjusttoogoodatthis,she

thoughtdespairingly.Hedidn'tuseoneiotamoreforcethanhehadto

inordertosubdueher,hislipspossessiveanderoticratherthan

violent,butasanelectrifyingexplosionofwarmthsearedalongher

limbssherealisedhehadanticipatedherresponse.Hewasamanwho

understoodwomen,shethoughtblindly,knewhowtomouldthemto

hiswill.

Hisfreehandhadmovedherbodyintohis,hisarmvice-likeround

thesmallofherback,andthesheerpowerinthebigmaleframefitted

againsthersoftnesscausedhertoshudderwithexcitementandfear.

Howdidshefighthim,sheaskedherselfdesperately,whenallher

bodyandmindwasengagedinthestrugglenottosuccumb

completelytothetremblingpleasurethatwasfloodingeverynerve-

end,everycellofherbodywithflickeringwarmth?

Thekisscouldonlyhavelastedforminutes,butwhenhereleasedher

shefeltstrange,almostdrugged,anditwasasecondortwobefore

shepulledherselftogethersufficientlytomoveaway.'Ihateyou.'Her

voicewasthickandshaky.

'Maybe.'Assheraisedhereyestohisfacesheexpectedmockery,

perhapsevencontemptathiseasymasteryofherdefences,butthe

hard,attractivefacewasinscrutable,betrayingnothing.'Maybenot.'

'Ido.'Thereliefoftearswasaluxuryshecouldn'tindulgein,not

now,notinfrontofhim,andshebitherlipsohard,shefeltthetaste

ofbloodinhermouth.'Ineverwanttoseeyouagaininmylife.'

'Ican'tpromisethat,'hesaidsoftlyasheopenedthefrontdoorwith

coldarrogance.'You'lljusthavetoliveinhope,won'tyou?'

Asthedoorshutbehindhimsheleaptacrossthehallandshotthebolt

loudlyintoplace,herhandstrembling.Hewasdespicable,worseeven

thanshehadthought,acold-heartedbullywithoutatraceofnormal

humanwarmth...Shefoundherselfpacingtheflatblindlyandputher

handstoherhotfaceasshesankdownontotheworncarpetwitha

littleshudderingcry.Shehatedhim;shereallydid.Hewaseverything

shedespisedinaman...

Thenextfewdaysbroughttheirownkindofcomfortintheirvery

routineandnormalityand,astheweekdrewtoaclose,shebeganto

breathemoreeasily.Hewouldn'ttryandmakecontactagain,she

reassuredherselffortheumpteenthtimeasshesatwritingChristmas

cardsinthewarmglowfromherlittlegasfirewhilethewindhurled

sleetoficeoverthewindowonanicy,wintrySundayafternoon.

Itwasallover,finished,adifficultandhumiliatingepisodeinherlife

which,withhindsight,shehadhandledwithmorefurythanwisdom,

butithadbeensomethingshehadhadtoseethrough.She

noddedasshesealedthelastofthewhitesquareenvelopes.Sowhy

wasshefeelingso...odd?

Shepacedrestlesslyintothetinykitchenandmadeherselfamugof

strongblackcoffee.Shewouldn'tallowherselftobecomemaudlin,

notforaminute!Shewanderedbackintotheloungeandswitchedon

hersmallportableTVsetaimlessly.Immediately,thetinyroomwas

filledwiththestrainsof'SilentNight'asacircleofbright-eyed

childrenstaredbackatherfromtheflickeringscreen.

TwoweekstoChristmas.Sheglancedatthepileofcards

thoughtfully.Sinceherfatherhaddiedshehadspentthelasttwo

Christmaseswithheraunt'sfamily—hermother'ssister—arrivingon

ChristmasEveandstayinguntilBoxingDayafternoon,andhad

thoroughlyenjoyedthebreakwithherauntanduncleandcousins.

Theyhadinvitedheragainthisyearandshewaslookingforwardto

it—oneofhercousinshadjusthadtwinsandshecouldn'twaittosee

thetwotinyboys.

Andonherreturnhereshehadseveralpartyinvitationsandnumerous

requeststojoinfriendsfor'drinks'.Shewasmostfortunate.She

noddedagainsharply.Shewas.Andrightfromthisminuteshewas

goingtoputallthoughtsofacertainmantotallyandcompletelyout

ofhermindandgetonwithherlife.

Theflubughittheofficethenextweekandwithindaysthe

workforcewashalved.'JustbeforeChristmas,'Joemuttered

desperatelyontheFridayafternoonashearrivedbackfromaphoto

sessionthathadgonepainfullywrongonlytofindyetanotherofhis

staffgone.'Idon'tsupposeyoucouldworkthisweekend,Janie?'he

addedhopefullyashelookedroundtheemptydesksinthemain

office.

'Consideritdone,'shesaidcheerfully,feelingslightlyguiltyatJoe's

effusivethanks.Tobehonest,theemptyflathadoppressedherthe

lastfewdaysandshecouldn'tthinkwhy.Theextraworkwouldkeep

hermindoccupiedand,besides,shelovedherjob;workingwithJoe

wasalwaysinterestingandoftenhilariousandhewasagoodfriend

besidesbeingherboss.

BythefollowingFridayshehadworkedtwelvedaysfromeightinthe

morninguntilnineatnightwithoutabreakandwasfeelingthestrain.

Thepacewasevenmorehecticthanusualand,althoughsomeofthe

originalstaffwereback,othershadtakentheirplacesonthesicklist.

OnSaturdaytherewasamajorpanicthatnecessitatedherstayingin

theofficeuntilalmostmidnightandreturningatseventhenext

morningandwhensheawokeontheMondaywithheavyachingeyes

andadullthrobatthebackofherheadsheputitdowntonear

exhaustion,crawlingintoworkontremblinglegswithtendermuscles

sheneverknewshehad.

Wednesday,ChristmasEve,tookontheappearanceofanoasisinthe

desertand,althoughshetriedtoconvinceherselfthatanotherforty-

eighthourswerenotbeyondher,bymid-afternoononMondayshe

hadadmittedtoherselfthatthesymptomswerefluandwasonher

wayhomeinthebackofJoe'sItaliansportscarfeelinglikedeath.

'Areyougoingtobeallright?'Joestoodinhertinyhall,obviously

itchingtogetbacktothechaosinhisoffice,andshewavedhimaway

withafirmnod.

'Ishalltakesomeaspirinandgotobed,'shesaidweakly.

'Well,staythereuntilyoufeelbetter,'hesaidashebackedtowards

thedoor.'Ishan'texpecttoseeyouagainuntilafterChristmas.Your

Christmasboxisinthecard.'Heplacedalargeenvelopeonthehall

tableandwasgone.

Shefeltworsethenextday,crawlingoutofbedfortheoddhotdrink

andaspirinandthenfallingbackintothewelcomingwarmthwith

dizzythankfulness.

ChristmasEvedawnedtothesoundoficyrainbeatingatattoo

againstthewindowandtheknowledgethattherewasnowayshe

couldinflictherselfonheraunt'shousehold,especiallywithtwonew-

bornbabiesinresidence.Shephonedherauntoncetherestofthe

worldwasawakeandthenspentmostofthedayinasemi-doze,

feelingtremendouslysorryforherselfwhenevershesurfacedoutof

thethickstupor.

'WhataChristmas,'shemutteredtoherselfinthelateeveningwhen

herachingbackdroveherfromherbedintoanarmchairinfrontof

thefirewhereshesatcocoonedinahugepatchworkquiltwithalarge

boxoftissuesandacheesesandwichthatshecouldn'tbringherselfto

eat.

Whenthedoorbellrangitseemedlikethefinalstraw.Sheignoredit

twicebutonthethirdviciousjabitbecameapparentthatwhoever

wasoutsidecouldhearherTVanddidn'tintendtogoaway.'Damn,

damn,damn...'Shestaggeredtoherfeetwiththequiltstillwrapped

roundherandatissueineachhand,catchingsightofherselfinthe

thinfull-lengthmirrorinthehalljustbeforesheopenedthedoor.

Whatamess!Tangledhair,whiteface,rednose—notexactlythe

spiritofChristmas,shethought,withawrygrimaceatthepale

reflectionthatstaredbackatherwithpink-rimmedeyes.Unlessit

wasacaricatureofoneofSanta'sgnomes.Andshefeltsolight-

headed,sodizzy.

'I'vehadsomepapersdrawnup.'Asthedoorswungopenthatfamiliar

deepvoicesoundedsomewhereoverherheadatthesametimeasher

stunnedmindregisteredanenormousfigureinadarkovercoat,

completewithbriefcase,standingintheopening.'Janie...?'

Nopoweronearthcouldhavepreventedherfromfallingintothe

rushingblacknessthatwasenvelopingeverypartofherbody,andas

shesankhelplesslytothefloorshewasaware,withatinydetached

partofherbrainthatstillseemedtobefunctioningnormally,that

KaneSteel'sfacewasapictureofhorrifiedpanicandalarm,andshe

knewamomentofdeepandgratifyingsatisfactionthatfaronceshe

hadcaughthimcompletelyataloss.

CHAPTERFOUR

Janiecametoonawaveofexhaustedweakness,tofindherself

immersedinthedepthsofthepatchworkquilt,proppedcocoon-

fashioninthearmchair,withKaneSteel'sdarkfaceaninchfromher

own.

'Everything'sallright.Don'tbefrightened.'Itcametoher,ashisdeep

richvoicespokesoftlyinherear,thathewastheonlypersononearth

shehadanyreasontofearandthethoughtbroughtabubbleofalmost

hystericalamusementtothesurfaceasshestruggledtotakeagripon

herself.'Howdoyoufeel?'heaskedgentlyasshecontinuedtostare

dazedlyintohisface.

'Likedeathwarmedup,'shewhisperedhonestly.Aburstoflaughter

from theTVbrokejarringlyintotheroom andheindicatedthe

televisionwithasharpwaveofhishand.

'CanIturnitoff?'

'Yes,do.'Shewatchedhimashemovedtoflickthesmallswitch,

noticingthedarkhairgleamingwithlifeandthetinydropsofwater

from theunremittingsleetoutside,thebig,capablebodyand

attractive,harshface.Hisvitalityandstrengthfilledthesmallroom

withenergyandvividforce,andshefeltamoment'sbreathlesspanic

atherownfrailty.Shefeltvulnerableandweakandmiserable,and

sheneededtobestronginfrontofthisman,always.Hewould

capitaliseonanyfeebleness,goingstraightforthejugular,sheknew

it.Compassionwassomethingalientohim.LookatallJoehadtold

her,whathehaddonetoherfather,everything...

Hebrokeintoherracingfeverishthoughtsbyturningbacktoherand

takinghersmallhandinhis.'Howlonghaveyoubeenlikethis?'he

askedsoftly.

Shehadforgottentherivetingbluenessofhiseyes,shethought

irrelevantlyasshetriedtoforceareplyfromthecottonwoolinher

head.Theymustbethemoststunninglybeautifuleyesshehadever

seen:ice-blueandalmostdepthless.

'Janie?'Hesqueezedherhandgently.'Howlonghaveyoubeenill?'

'SinceMonday.'Sheforcedthethicknessfrom herbrainwith

tremendouseffort.'It'sonlytheflu.Everyone'shaditatwork.'

'Isee.'Heroseandstoodlookingdownatherforamomentbefore

walkingthroughtothetinykitchen.'Doyouwantteaorcoffee?'he

calledblandly.

'There'snoneed-----'Shestoppedabruptlyashereappearedinthe

doorway,darkeyebrowsraisedsternlyoverdeterminedeyes.'Tea,

please,'shefinishedweakly.

'Haveyouhadthedoctor?'Hehadreturnedwithtwomugsof

steamingteainanincrediblyshorttimeandasshesippedthehot

liquidgratefullyshefelttearsprickingatthebacksofhereyesforno

reasonatallthatshecouldthinkof.Itwasannoyingtofeelsoweak

whensheneededtobestrong.

'Ofcoursenot.'Shepushedbackhermopoftangledblackcurlswitha

shakyhand.'Itoldyou,it'sjusttheflu.'

'There'snosuchthingas"justtheflu",'hesaidsharply.'Itcanbethe

verydevil,inallsortsofways.Doesyourchesthurt?Earache?'

'Oh,forgoodness'sake...'Sheeyedhimbale-fully.'Doyoumakethis

muchfusswhenyou'reill?AfewdaysandI'llbeasrightasrain.I

feelbetteralready,actually,'sheliedunconvincingly.

'Well,youlookdreadful,'hesaidflatly.

'Charming.'Adeeperstainofredjoinedthefeverishflushonher

cheekbones.'That'sjustwhatIneededtohear.'

'Who'slookingafteryou?'Hisglancemovedroundthetinyroomas

thoughheexpectedsomeonetomaterialiseoutofthewoodwork.

'Yourfridgeisallbutempty—that'sthelastdropofmilkinthetea.'

'I'mlookingafterme,'shesaid,'andyoucangonow.Ireallycan't

lookatanypapersnow,'sheaddedasshecaughtsightofhisbriefcase

againstthecoffee-table.'Aretheyhostileorfriendly?'

'Youmeanthereisn'tanyonelookinginonyou,doingtheerrandsand

soon?'heasked,ignoringthelatterpartofherwordswithregal

indifference.'AreyouspendingChristmaswithanyone—relatives?'

‘Iwasgoingto.'Shefiddledwiththeedgeofthequiltwithoutlooking

athim.'ButthenIgotfluadmycousinhasjusthadtwinboys;I

couldn'triskthemcatchingthis.'

Isee.'Hestoodupslowly.'Soineffectyouareallalonewithhardly

anyfoodinthehouseandit'sfiveo'clockonChristmasEve.Whodid

youexpectfeedyouforthenextcoupleofdays—Santa

Claus?'

‘There'snoneedforsarcasm,'shesaidtightlyasangerhealways

seemedtoignitesurgedthroughhersystem.'Idon'tfeellikeeating

anyway.'

Heshookhisheadslowlyashestoodlookingdownather,an

expressioninhiseyesthatshecouldn'tquitefathom.'Idon'tthinkI've

evermetanyonequitelikeyouinmylife,'hesaidquietly."Wareyou

bornthisdifficultandindependent,ordidyoutakelessons?'

'Look,Ididn'taskyoutocomeheretonight,'shesaidtensely,'and

howIrunmylifeisuptomeandmealone.Iwouldn'texactlysay

you'reinapositiontocriticiseotherpeople'sshortcomings,certainly

notfromwhereI'mstanding.'

‘Sitting.'Heseemedquiteunmovedbyheroutburst.

'What?'Shestaredathiminconfusion.

'You'resitting,notstanding,'hesaidshortly,'andthereisnowayI'm

walkingoutofhereandleavingyoualoneinthestateyou'rein.'

'I'mnotinastate,'sheobjectedindignantly,'orIwasn'tuntilyou

came.'Itwasblatantlyuntruebutjustatthatmomentshedidn'tcare.

'Ishallbeperfectlyallright.I'mwarm,I'vegottheTV-----'

'Andnofood,nocompany.'Heeyedherimpassively.‘Thiswill

certainlybeaChristmastoremember,won'tit?'

Sheshuthereyesforamomentasawaveofdizzinesssweptoverher.

Itwashavingtolookupathim,shethoughtirritably.Hereallywas

themostarrogantlymaddeningmanshehadevermetinherlife.And

themostattractive.Hereyesopenedwideasthethoughtpopped

unbiddenintohermindandshestaredathimforamoment,horror-

stricken.'Look,justgo,willyou?'shesaidweakly.

'Sorry.'Hesmiledimperturbably.'Ican'tdothat.Now,where'syour

toothbrush?'

'Mytoothbrush?'Shewashallucinatingnow,shethoughtdesperately,

butithadsoundedforalltheworldasthoughhehadaskedwhereher

toothbrushwas.

'Yes,yourtoothbrush,'hesaidwithenormousandobviouspatience.

'Infact,allyourtoiletries,andyou'dbetterbringachangeof

nightclothes,too.Isupposethere'sasuitcaseinthebedroom

somewhere?'

Asheglancedroundfortheappropriatedoorsheletoutasqueakof

purepanic.'Nowjusthangonamoment.Whatonearthdoyouthink

you'resuggesting?'sheaskedfaintly.

'I'mnot"suggesting"anything,Janie,'hesaiddrily,hiseyesfastening

backonherswiththatdisturbingintentnessthatwasquiteunnerving.

'I'mtakingyouhomewithme,ofcourse.'

'You'renot,youknow,'shesaidsharply,withaflashofherold

fightingspirit.'I'vegotflu,notbraindamage!I'mnotgoinganywhere

withyou.'

Iseemtorememberwe'vehadthisconversationbefore,'hedrawled

expressionlesslyashepointedtowardsoneofthedoorsleadingoff

thetinylounge.'Isthatthebedroom?'

‘Willyoulisten?'Sherose,withextremedifficultybyconsidering

thatthequiltwaswrappedroundherbodylikeswaddlingclothes,and

movedtostandinfrontofhim,hersmallfacelifteduptothesardonic

darknessofhis.'IcanmanageperfectlywellhereandI'vegotno

intentionofgoingtoyourhouseagain,especiallyatChristmaswhen

allyourarrangementsmustbemade.Ifyouwanttodoanythingatall,

aquickvisittothecornershopwouldsufficeforsomemilkandstuff.

OK?'

'I'velistened.'Thefaintlyboredexpressionhadn'talteredatall.'Now,

where'sthesuitcase—ormaybeyou'rehappytocomejustasyouare?

Andsitdown.I'vealreadypickedyouupofftheflooronceandyou

wereadeadweight,'hefinishedungallantly.

'Oh,you—you-----'

'Iknow,Iknow.'Hesmiledmockingly.'Youloatheanddetestthe

verygroundIwalkon—we'lltakethatasread—butneverthelessyou

areleavingherewithmeinthenextsixtyseconds—withorwithout

yourpermission.'

'It'llbewithout,'shesnappedfuriouslyandhenoddedslowly,hiseyes

glitteringbluefire.

'Fine.'Hehadwhiskedherupintohisarmsbeforeshehadtimeto

protestandforamomentthestunnedsurprise,combinedwithher

muzzyhead,madeanyspeechimpossible.'Areyourkeysinyour

handbag?'Heflickedthebagoffaside-tablewithonefingerashe

walkedwithhertothedoor.

'Yes,but-----'

'Nomorebuts.'Helookeddownatherseriouslyandsuddenlyshe

wasawarethatherheartwasthumpingviolently—andnotwith

anger—asshebecameawareoftheall-envelopingpoweroftheman.

Thestrong,capablearmsthatheldhersosecurelyweredrainingher

willtoresist.Itfeltgoodtobelookedafter,caredfor,andasshe

closedhereyesandletherheadsinkagainstthehardmalechestshe

missedthetighteningofhissensualmouthwhenheglanceddownat

herbenthead.Itwasridiculous,crazy,andshewasgoingtoregretit

bitterlywhensanityreasserteditself,shethoughtweakly,butjustnow

thetemptationtolethimtakecontrolwastoostrongtoresist.Shefelt

tiredandillandconfused,andthethoughtofbeingabletoleanon

someoneelse,albeitforjustashortwhile,wasseductivelygood.

Hedidn'tsayaworduntilhehadinstalledherinthebackofthe

BentleyalthoughshecaughttheincredulousfaceofBainesinthe

frontseatforafleetingmomentbeforeKaneplacedher,verygently,

intothecar'swarminterior.'Ishallneedthekeystoturnoffthe

lights,'hesaidquietlyasheplacedherhandbagonherlap.'Istherea

neighbouryouwantmetoleaveamessagewith,toassurethemI'm

notawhite-slavetraderorsomething?'

They'reallaway.'Shespokebeforeshehadtimetothinkandhe

shookhisheadslowlyashiseyeswanderedoverherface.

‘AndyouweregoingtobethereallaloneoverChristmasperiod?'he

saidcondemningly.

‘Ididn'tplantobe,'shesaidquickly.'Isaidtoyou,thetwinsand

everything.'Shesquaredhershouldersundertheheavyquilt.

'Anyway,Icanlookaftermyself.'

'ItseemedlikeitwhenIpickedyouupoffthecarpet.'Hetookthe

keysfromherhandwithalittlenodandturnedaway,shuttingthe

doorbehindhim.

'Kane!'Shebangedonthewindowtoattracthisattentionandhe

openedthedooragain.'Mytoothbrushandthingsareonthe

windowsillinthebathroom,'shesaidinaverysmallvoice,'andthere

aresomeotherclothesandasuitcaseinthewardrobeinthebedroom.'

'Right.'Hisvoicewasblandbutthedarkfaceexpressedsatisfactionat

hercapitulation.'Canwekeepitatthatnow?'heaskedmildlyashe

remainedlookingintothecar'sinterior.

'What?'Shestaredathimbewilderedly.

'Kane.'Heeyedherwickedly.'Wearen'tgoingtodigressbacktoMr

Steelwhenyou'recomposmentis,arewe?'

Sheheldhisglanceforalongmomentbeforeallowingasmallsmile

totouchtheedgeofhermouth.'No,'sheadmittedreluctantly.'It's

Kanenow.'

'AndherewasIthinkingIwastoooldtowritetoFatherChristmas,'

hedrawledmockingly,'buttheoldmancamethroughafterall.'He

hadshutthecardooragainbeforeshecouldreply,whichwasjustas

wellastherewassomethinginhisfaceshedidn'tcaretodefine.

ShejumpedviolentlyasBainesdrewbacktheglasspartitionasecond

later,andthemiddle-agedmannoddedapologeticallyinherdirection.

'Sorry,miss,didn'tmeantomakeyoujump.You'renotwell,then?'

'Flu.'Shegaveawansmile.'I'vebeenfineallyearandthen,justat

Christmas...'

'Alwaystheway,miss,alwaystheway.'Heglancedatherwhiteface

consideringly.'I'dliebackandcloseyoureyesnow,miss;youlook

allin.'Shedidashesuggested,listeningtotheharshdrivingrain

lashingagainstthecarwindowsasshesnuggleddeeperintothewarm

quilt,hertiredmindgoingintoasuspendedanimationwhereonlythe

physicalsenseswerereal:warmth,comfortandtotalrelaxation.

ShemusthaveactuallysleptinthefewminutesbeforeKanereturned

withheroldbatteredsuitcasebecauseshewokewithastrangesense

ofdisorientationasheclamberedbackintothecar,icyparticlesof

rainclingingtohiscoatandhair.

'Whatanight!'HesettleddownbesideherandnoddedatBainesto

driveoff.'Andlookwhatthewind'sblownin.'Therewassomething

deepandsoftinhisvoiceashispiercingeyesstrokedtheircloseness

overherfacewhileshesatlookingathimquietly.

Thisisverykindofyou,'shesaidafterafullminutehadelapsedand

hercheekswereglowingwithcolour.

‘Youthinkso?'heaskedsoftly.'It'snotreally.Icouldhardlyleave

youinsuchaconditionandgobacktoeataheartyChristmasdinner,

couldI?CouldI?'Therugged,attractivefacebrokeintoasmilethat

stoppedherheartbeatingforasplit-second,onlyforittoroaraway

likeanexpresstrain.Wasthisthefaceheshowedhiswomen?her

mindaskedheramomentlaterwhenherpoundingheartwasunder

controlagain.Ifso,shedidn'tdoubtthetruthofJoe'swords—they

wouldlovehim.Thecombinationoffiercemasculinityandtender

warmthwasfrighteninglyseductive,butsheknewtheotherside.She

shuthereyesashermindgroundrelentlesslyon.Herfatherhad

experiencedatfirsthandtheparticularbrandofruthlesscallousness

thismanwassogoodat,whetherdirectlyfromhimselforoneofhis

minionswhonodoubthadbeenencouragedtothinktheywereacting

asthegreatmanhimselfwould.

Shemustn'tforgetthepast.Thethoughthammeredinhermindasthe

bigcarateupthemileswitheffortlessease.Allthiscareandattention

spokeheavilyofaguiltyconsciencewhichwasanindictmentin

itself,andifsheforgotallthatshe'dbeentoldand,moreimportantly,

whatsheknewtheconsequenceswouldbefairandsquarelyonher

ownhead.Andyetwashereallyasheartlessasshehadsupposed?

Forthelasttwoyearstheverythoughtofthismanhadbeenenough

tomakeherfleshcreep,butnow?Sheglancedathimfromunderher

thick,silkylashes.Ifherfleshcreptnowitwasforquiteadifferent

reason.Andthatjustwasn'tgoodenough.Sheshouldneverhavelet

himpersuadehertocomewithhim,shethought,suddenlypanic-

stricken.Shewasplayingwithfire.

'You'refrowningagain.'

'What?'Ashereyessnappedtomeethisshesawhisdarkfacewas

fullofmockery.

'Youwerethinkingofmethen,weren'tyou?'hesaiddrily.'Stirringup

thefiresofrageandrecrimination?Can'tyoujustliebackandbeill

andletmetaketheload?Iamofferingyouthehospitalityofmy

homeforacoupleofdaysuntilyoucanstandonyourowntwofeet

again,that'sall,Ipromise.I'ddothesameforanyone.'

'Wouldyou?'sheaskeddoubtfullyandthenflushedviolentlyashe

burstintoabellowofdelightedlaughter.

'You'repriceless,doyouknowthat?Youhavethemostexpressive

faceofanyfemaleIknow.Areyoualwaysthiscandid?'

'Yes.'Shefacedhimsquarelynow,herbrowneyeshugeinthedim

light.'Always.Myfatherwasagreatoneforhonestywhetherin

businessorprivate.Heusedtosaythat,althoughitmightcost

sometimes,inthelongruntobeanydifferenttookagreaterprice

fromtheessenceofone'sspirit.'Hisfacestraightenedatthebitterness

thatfloodedintohereyes.'Butyouwouldn'tunderstandthat,of

course.'

‘Ofcourse.'Hisvoicewassplinter-sharp.Shehadexpectedhimto

defendhimself,toreitratehisinnocence,butastheblueeyesfastened

nherface,theirarcticcolourashardasstone,hesettledbackinhis

seatwithadeepsigh.'Relax,Janie,'hesaidflatlyashisfeatures

settledintoanexpressionlessmask.'Iknowexactlywhatyouthinkof

meandIlikemywomentobereceptive,ifnotwilling.Youare

perfectlysafe.'

Theydidn'tspeakagainuntilthebigcarnosedit’swaytothebottom

ofthewidestonestepsleadinguptothehugefrontdoorandbythen

JaniefelttooilltoobjectwhenKanereachedintothecarandlifted

heroutintohisarms.Herheadwaspoundingandshefeltincredibly

tired.Thebriefspellofactivityhadexhaustedhermorethanshe

wouldhavethoughtpossible.'I'mgoingtotakeyoustraightupstairs

andMrsLangtonwilltakecareofyou,'hesaidquietlyasBaines

openedthefrontdoorjustinfrontofthem.

'OK?'

ShenoddedwearilyandthengaspedwithwonderasKanestepped

intothewarmthofthehouse.AhugeChristmastree,itsgreen

branchesheavilyladenwithtinsel,glassbaublesandtiny,beautifully

wrappedparcelsinvaryingshadesofredandgolddominatedthevast

hall,thesweetsmellofpineredolentinthewarmair.'Isitreal?'He

washalfwayacrossthehallwhenshespokeandhepausedtolook

downather,hisdarkfaceexpressionless.

'Oh,yes,quitereal,'hesaidsoftly.'Doyouapprove?'

'It'sbeautiful.'ForthefirsttimetherealitythatitreallywasChristmas

washedoverher.Thefranticpaceattheofficeforthelasttwoweeks,

combinedwiththeattackofflu,hadtakentheserenemagicshe

normallyfeltatthebirthoftheChristchildoutofhermind.

'Absolutelybeautiful.'Sheraisedhereyestohisfaceandsawthe

sternmouthwassmilingslightlyatherundisguiseddelight.

'WetendtogooverthetopatChristmas,'hesaidwithnoapparent

signofremorse,'butthenitisaspecialtimeoftheyear,isn'tit?'The

blueeyessoftenedasheheldhergaze.

'Atimeofrejoicing,ofhappiness,of...forgiveness?'

Thelastwordwasaquestionshewasincapableofansweringandas

shestaredathimmutelyshebegantofeelasthough-shewould

drownintheblueofhiseyes.Hisfacewasclose,soclose,andthe

deliciousaftershaveheworereachedouttopullherevencloser.

'HappyChristmas,Janie.'Ashelightlybrushedherlipswithhisown

shefelttheircontactasthoughtheyburntandthejerkofherheadwas

moreshockthanwithdrawal,butviolentnevertheless.

Hismouthtightenedatthegesture,butinthenextinstantMrs

LangtonandJunehadarrivedonthescene,theirexclamationsof

concerndemandingexplanationasKanecarriedhertowardsthe

stairs.

'Aretheguestbedroomsmadeup,MrsLangton?'heaskedoverhis

shoulderashebegantoclimbthemassivestaircase.

Yes,sir,withtwospare,'thehousekeeperrepliedbehindhim.'Iwould

suggestyouputMissGordoninthemauvesuite.Facingthegardens

astdoes,it'salittlequieterthansomeoftheothers.'

'Yes,thatwouldbeideal.'Theyreachedonehugelandingthatwound

awayintothedistanceinamassofankle-deepcarpetingandcream-

linenwalls,andthentheywereclimbingmorestairs.Onthenext

floorKaneturnedsharplytotherightandwaitedasMrsLangton

openedabeautifullycarvedoakdoorinfrontofhimtoreveala

sumptuouslyluxurioussitting-room,tastefullydecoratedinshadesof

mauveandcompletewithahugeTV,softupholsteredarmchairsand

occasionaltables.Hecarriedherstraightthroughthisfirstroomand

intoonebeyondwhichboastedtwofull-sizedoublebeds,whatlooked

likeawalk-inwardrobealldownonewall,heavyvelvetdrapeswhich

MrsLangtonquicklypulledagainstthedrivingrainoutsideanda

generalfeelingofcomfortandluxurythatwasquitebeyondJanie's

normalcomprehension.

'MrsLangtonwillsettleyouinandthenwe'llseeaboutameal,'Kane

saidshortlyasheplacedhercarefullyintoalargecanechairwhilethe

housekeeperandlittlemaidquicklypulledbackthecoversofthe

nearestbed,switchingontheelectricblanketastheydidso,andthen

helpedheroutoftheswathsofthepatchworkquiltonceKanehadleft

theroom.'Whatashame,miss,onChristmasEve'n'all,'thelittle

maidsaidchattilyasJanieslidthankfullyunderthecovers.Adefinite

senseofunrealityhadherheadspinningasthesuddenchangeinher

circumstancesoverwhelmedher.Thevastroomwasthelastwordin

comfortandshefeltdazedatthethoughtthatsuchrichopulencewas

perfectlyordinarytohim—commonplace.

Whyhadsheeverapproachedhimthatfatefulevening?shethought

numblyasgreatwavesoftirednesssweptoverherinaconsuming

flood.Whyhadn'tshebeencontenttohatehimfromafar?Itwould

havebeenbetter,somuchbetter...ShewasUnawarethatshehad

fallenasleepevenasMrsLangtonaskedheraboutameal,unawareof

thetwowomenslippingquietlyoutoftheroomandshuttingthedoor

gentlybehindthem,unawareofianythingatall...

'MissGordon?'Sherosefromthicklayersofsleepwithherlimbs

feelinglikeleadandamuzzysensationinherheadwhichclouded

thought.'Youreallymusttryandeatsomethingandthenwe'llleave

youinpeace.'MrsLangtonandJunewerestandingatthesideofthe

bed,thelittlemaidholdingatrayonwhichasteamingbowlofsoup

andtwobreadrollsreposed,alongwithasmallglassoffreshorange

juice.

'Whattimeisit?'Janiestruggledintoasittingpositionandglanced

aboutherdazedly,herheadthudding.

'Nineo'clock,'thehousekeeperrepliedquietly.'You'vebeenasleep

foranhourorso,butMrSteelwantsyoutotryandhavesome

nourishmentbeforeyousettledownforthenight.'

shehadneverfeltlesslikefoodinherlife,buttheeagleeyesofMrs

Langtonshemanagedtoforcedownafewmouthfulsofsoupandhalf

aroll,andfinishtheglassoforangejuice,goodgirl.'AsMrsLangton

whiskedthetrayawayandhelpedhereasebackdownunderthe

coversshefeltlikeasmallchildagain;thehousekeeperwasmost

formidable.

Kaneenteredtheroomasthetall,severewomanleftandimmediately

Janie'snerveswentintoover-drive.Hehadchangedintocasual

clothesandlookedincrediblytallandattractiveinathickAran

jumperandlightcreamtrousersthatmadehisdark even more

bronzed.Shefeltstickyandcrumpledandstrangelycrushed,andit

didn'thelptoseehimfairlybrimmingwithhealthandvitality.

‘Youmanagedalittlefood?'hesaidapprovingly.'IthoughtifIsent

MrsLangtoninfortheGalassaultitmightwork.Therearen'tmany

peoplewhocanrefuseherwhenshe'sathermostdetermined.'

'Icanimagine,'Janieagreedweakly.

'She'sgotaheartofgold,though,'hecontinuedquietlyashemoved

thechairclosertothebedandsatdown,crossingonemuscledleg

overtheother.Broughtupsixchildrensingle-handedwhenher

husbanddied,leavingherawidowattheageofthirty-two,andallof

themdoingwellforthemselves.'

'Oh.'Hisclosenesswasgivingherbody'sheatingsystemcausefor

concern;frombeingshiveryandshakyshenowfeltwarmalloverto

thepointwhereshewassurehercheeksandnosewereglowingan

unattractiveshadeofred.

'Youlookverysmallandveryvulnerableinthere,'hesaidsuddenly

ashiseyesstrokedoverherhotfaceconsideringly,'andvery

beautiful.'

'Beautiful?'Herfaceexpressedherdisbelief.'Ilookamess.'

'Abeautifulmess.'Hisvoicewasdeepandsoftandseductivelywarm,

andalittleshiverstartedatthetopofherspineandworkeditsway

downtohertoes.'WhowouldhavethoughtI'dbespendingChristmas

Evesittinginachairatthesideofyourbed?'headdedwickedlyas

theglowspreadupintoherhair.

'Whoindeed?'shesaidsarcasticallyasshetriedtopullherself

together.'Isupposeinitwouldbemoreinyourusuallineofthings.'

'Doyouindeed?'Hesettledbackinthechairandsurveyedher

throughcool,narrowed'eyes.'Beenhearingstoriesaboutthebigbad

wolf?'Hissmiledidn'treachhiseyes.'Whathaveyougotmedown

as—aravagerofmaidensandadespoilerofvirgins?'

'Don'tberidiculous.'Theconversationwasfastgettingoutofcontrol

andshesearchedforawaytoendit.'There'snoneedforyoutostay

hereanyway.Idon'twanttospoilyourChristmas,'sheaddedweakly.

'Ilikebeinghere.'Hereachedacrossandtouchedherburningcheeks

withacoolhand.'ButI'mnotatallsureIshouldn'tcallthedoctor.'

'Don'tyoudare!'Sheflickedawayhishandirritably."Thisonly

normallylastsforty-eighthours,butIwasabittiredbeforeithitme.I

shallbeasrightasraintomorrow.'

'Idoubtit.'Hereachedacrosstothesmallbookcaseinanalcoveby

thebedandselectedanovelbeforeseatinghimselfagain.'Gotosleep

likeagoodgirl,then,'hesaidcomfortablyasheopenedthebook.

'Ican'tsleepwithyousittingthere,'shesaidinamazementasher

stomachcontractedatthethought.

'Whynot?'Heeyedherthroughhalf-closedlids.

'Becauseit'snot—Ican't-----'Shestumbledtoanabrupthalt.'Ijust

can't,that'sall,'shefinishedsharply.

'Don'tbesuchaprude,'hesaidsmoothlyashisgazefixedfullyonher

faceagain.'WhatdoyouthinkI'mgoingtodo—leaponyouassoon

asyou'reasleep?'

'Ofcoursenot.'Shewouldn'thavethoughtitwaspossibleforherface

togetanyhotter,butitdid.'Ijustdon'tthinkit'snecessary,that'sall.'

'Well,Ido,'hesaidimperturbably.'You'vefaintedonce,you'revery

hotandfeverishandIshan'tleavehereuntilI'msatisfiedyou'reall

right.Now,gotosleep.'

'Areyoualwaysthispigheaded?'sheaskedcrosslyasheglanced

downatthebookagain.

'Always.'Hedidn'traisehisheadashespokeandshelaylookingat

himforamoment,uncertainofwhattosaynext.Thethickblackhair

wastrulyblack,shethoughtinconsequentiallyasshenoticedafaintly

bluegleamtotheshiningstrandsintheartificiallight.Thatwas

unusualwhentakenwiththecool,ice-blueeyes.

'AreyourparentsIrish?'sheaskedsuddenlyasthethoughtpopped

intohermind.

'Myparents?'Shehadsurprisedhim,shethoughtgleefullyashe

raisedstartledeyestoherface.'Idon'tunderstand.'

'Yourcolouring,'sheexplainedquickly.'It'suncommontofindsuch

darkhairandblueeyes.'

'Mymother'sIrish,'hesaidafteralongmoment.'Blameitonher.My

fatherisasEnglishastheycome.'

'They'restillalive?'sheaskedcuriously.

'Aliveandkicking.'Thatbreathtakinglysweetsmileshehadseen

oncebeforemadeabriefappearance.'TheyliveinFrancenow,

though.Myfathersuffersfromarthritisandfindsthemildclimateof

Provencemoretohisliking.'Shenoddedslowly.'You'llprobably

meetthemtomorrow,'hefinishedsurprisingly.'They'restayingwith

meforafewdays.'

'Youdidn'tinheritallthis,then?'Ifshehadbeenfullyawakeshe

probablywouldn'thaveaskedsuchimpertinentquestions,butthe

dozywarmththatshehadslidinto,combinedwiththeunrealityofthe

situation,seemedtohaveputthemonadifferentplane.

'Partly.'Heseemedquiteunperturbedbyhercuriosity.'Mymaternal

grandparentswereveryrichandlefteverythingtobedividedequally

betweenmybrotherandmyself.AboutthesametimetheydiedI

discoveredIhadaflairforwheelinganddealingdespiteavery

adequateuniversityeducationwhichIchosetoignore.Therest,as

theysay,ishistory.'

Shenoddedagain.Hereyelidswerereallyveryheavy—she'djustshut

themforafewmoments.Asshedidsoheroseandturnedoffthe

mainlight,switchingasmallbedsidelightonamomentlaterand

turningitroundtoshinefullyonhisseat.

'Goodnight,Janie.'Shefelthislipsbrushhers,theirtexturefirmand

warm,butpretendedshewasasleepasherheartthuddedintoher

throat,andtherewasalongmomentofsilencebeforesheheardhim

settlehimselfbackintheseat.Andthensheslept.

CHAPTERFIVE

WhenJanieawokethenextmorningitwastoanemptyroomandthe

knowledgethatshefeltimmeasurablybetter.Shelayforamomentin

thewarmthofthebigbedasshestretchedcarefully,relievedtofind

thatthegrindingachesandpainsthathadrackedherbodyforthelast

fewdayswerejustanunpleasantmemory.

ThepoliteknockatthedoorandJune'sentranceweresimultaneous,

andastheyoungmaidsawherstrugglingtositupinthefleecydepths

ofthebedshesmiledcheerfully,herbrightfaceaglow.'You're

awake,then,miss,'shesaidheartilyassheplacedacupofteaonthe

bedsidecabinetandwalkedacrosstopulltheheavycurtains.'Mr

Steelsaidthefeverhadbrokenlastnightwhenheleftyourroomand

thatyouweresleepinglikeababy.Mymumalwayssaysthatsleep's

thebestmedicinesheknows.'

'Doesshe?'Janiesmiledastheyounggirlwalkedbacktostandatthe

sideofthebed.'I'dhavethoughtyouwouldhavegonehomefor

Christmas,butperhapsMrSteelcouldn'tspareyou?'

'Oh,no,miss;hesaidIcouldhavetheweekoffifIwanted,'Junesaid

quickly,'butthere'stenofusathomeinathree-bedroomedflatand

it'smurder.I'dmuchratherbehere.Ihavetoshareabedroomwith

mythreelittlesistersathome,andyouknowwhatkidsare.Here,I've

gotmyownroomandTVandbathroom—Iloveit.'Shesmiled

guiltily.'Thatsoundsawful,doesn'tit?Idolovemymumanddad.'

'I'msureyoudo,'Janiesaidcomfortingly.

'OnceChristmasdinnerisoverthefamilytendtolookafter

themselvesandwe'refreetodowhatwewant,'Junecontinued

chattilyasshefluffedupthepillowsbehindJanie'sbackandhanded

herthecupoftea.'Myboyfriendlivesjustdowntheroadawayinthe

nexttown.I'mgoingtherelater.'

'Youobviouslylikeithere,'Janiesaidquietly.

'Oh,Iloveit,miss,'Junesaidwarmly.'MrSteel'ssmashingtowork

forandit'sarealhappyhouse.Notlikesomemymatesarein—the

thingsIcouldtellyou...'Sheraisedexpressiveeyestotheceiling.

Janiewasdisconcertedtofindthatshewasfaintlyannoyedatthe

effusivepraise.Shehadneverputherselfdownassmall-mindedand

itwasgallingtorecognisethatshewouldhavebeenhappiertofind

thatKanewassomethingofanogreathome.Whatonearthisthe

matterwithme?shethoughtirritablyasJunebreezedoutoftheroom

tofetchherbreakfasttray.Itwasn'tlikehertobechurlishor

querulous.Ofcoursethemanwouldhaveafewgoodpoints;eventhe

worstvillainsthroughouthistoryhadhadsomethinggoodintheir

make-up.

Itwasasthoughitfrightenedhertoaccepthehadasofterside,her

mindchurnedonasshesippedthehot,sweettea,becausethatmight

openotherdoorsshewouldprefertokeepclosed.Ofcoursethat

wasn'tit!Sherepudiatedtheideafiercelyevenasittookform,andif

shedidn'tstopthismentalcross-examinationshealwaysseemedto

indulgeinwheneverhermindveeredinhisdirectionshewouldsend

herselfcrazy!Itwouldseemshewasherefortodayatleast,and

owingtocircumstanceswhichhadbeencompletelyoutofhercontrol,

shetoldherselfquickly,andthelogicalthingtodowastotakeeach

minute,eachhourasitcameandtotrytoemergeunscathedfromthe

lion'sden.

'Goodmorning.'ItwastheKingoftheBeastshimselfandthecolour

flaredsavagelyintoherfaceashestoodlazilyinthedoorway,his

darkfaceclean-shavenandundeniablyattractive.'Ilookedinearlier

butyouwerestillasleep,'hecontinuedcasuallyashesauntered

slowlyintotheroom,hiseyesfaintlynarrowedagainstthebright

wintersunshinestreamingintotheroomandhisbigbodyrelaxedand

atease.'It'sabeautifuldayoutside—thestormsareallover.'

'Arethey?'Notthisroaringtempestinsideofme,shethought

breathlesslyashestoppedattheendofthebed,hisdarkface

inscrutable.Hewasdevastatinglycasualinjeansandawhitepolo-

necksweater,andthewaytheclothessatonhistall,leanfigurewould

haveboostedthesalessky-highinanyadvertisement.'Howlonghave

Ibeenasleep?'

'Well,it'steno'clocknow,soImakethataboutthirteenhours,'hesaid

lightly.'Youlookmuchbetter.Howdoyoufeel?'

'Fine.'Shesmiledwarily.'Istillcan'tbelieveI'mhere,actually.'

'NeithercanI.'Hisvoicewasdeepandcoolandtherewasn'tatraceof

amusementintheruggedface.'Doyouregretit?'

Shestaredathimsilentlyasshewonderedhowtoreply.Yes,she

regrettedit,witheveryfibreofherbeing!Shewasinthemiddleof

somethingthatseemedtohavegallopedawayoutofhercontroland

theknowledgewasfrightening.Shewasdrawntohimphysicallyina

wayshehadneverexperiencedbeforeandwouldn'thavethought

possibleoutsideofstory-books,andeveryexcitedbeatofherheart,

everytrembleinherstomachwasabrutalbetrayalofherfather,the

worstsortoftreacherytherecouldbe.'Kane—-'

'No,don'tsayit.'Heheldupalargehandasanexpressionofdry

cynicismreplacedthestrangewaitinglookglitteringintheblueeyes.

'Idon'twantyoutolietomeandthetruthwouldbetoocrushing.

Yourfacesaiditallanyway.I'msuitablychastened.'Shedidn'tquite

understandthelaconic,wrymockeryandshestaredathimwide-eyed

asheseatedhimselfinthechairhehadoccupiedthenightbefore.

'Anddon'tlooksotragic,sweetheart;itmakesanicechangetobethe

hunterratherthanthehunted.'

'What?'Shehadlostthethreadsomewhere,shethought,onlyhalf

listeningtotheslow,drawlingvoiceasshestruggledtocometoterms

withwhathisnearnesswasdoingtoherbody.

'Drinkyourtea.'Henoddedtowardsthehalf-fullcupinherhands.

'Juneisbringingyoualightbreakfastinamomentandlunchisat

one.Doyouthinkyou'llbeabletocomedownstairstoeat?'

'OfcourseIwill.'Hisimmaculateappearancewasmakingherfeel

evenmoredishevelledandsheraisedahandtohertousledhairasshe

spoke.'I'lltryandmakemyselfmorepresentable,'sheaddedasshe

settheemptycuponthebedsidecabinet.

'Youlookperfectjustasyouare.'Heleantforwardsuddenlyand

strokedthesilkycurveofherfacewiththetipofafinger.'Mylittle

prisoner.'Ashemovedtoleanoverhersheknew,withaburstof

blazingdisloyalty,thatshehadbeenhopinghewouldkissherfrom

themomenthehadcomeintotheroomand,ashislipsfoundhers,

whathadbeenmeantasagentlecaressrapidlyturnedintosomething

passionateandfierce.Sheheardhimgroandeepinhisthroatashis

handswentroundhertopullhermorecloselyagainsthim,andthen

hewassittingonthebedwithherbodymouldedagainsthishardness

andhismouthdevouringhers.Andtheawfulthingwasthatshedidn't

wanthimtostop,shethoughtwithasurgeofhorror.Sheknewitwas

herresponsethatwastriggeringthisfireinhim,butshecouldn'thide

whathewasdoingtoheranymorethanshecouldstopbreathing.

Itwasthesoundofhisnamebeingcalledfrom downstairsthat

stoppedthemadness,theintrusioncausinghisbodytostiffenfora

secondbeforehestoodupabruptlyandwalkedstraightoutofthe

roomwithoutaword.Shestaredafterhimblankly,hersensesrushing

andherbodyaflamewithmortifyingshameandhumiliation.How

couldshe?Howcouldshehavedonethat?sheaskedherselfin

stunnedamazement.Itwasn'tevenasifshewasusedtofallingintoa

man'sarmsatamoment'snotice,althoughhewouldneverbelieve

thatnow,shethoughtbleakly.

Threeyearsinthefreeandeasyatmosphereofuniversityhadmade

herevaluateherpersonalmoralcodeatanearlyageand,although

someofherclosestfriendshadbeenabletofallinandoutofbedwith

everyboyfriendonthefirstdate,shehadknownthatwasnotforher.

Shewouldn'thavebeenabletogiveherselfandthenjustwalkaway

withasmileandnotraceofregret—shewasn'tmadethatway—and

onceshehadcometotermswithhowshefeltithadbeeneasytolive

herlifeaccordingly.Butthenshehadnevermetanyonelikehim,her

mindjabbedathersharply;shehadneverknownthatamancould

possesssuchsensualpower.

'Hereweare,miss.'AsJunebreezedhappilyintotheroom,herpretty

faceaglow,Janieforcedaquicksmiletoherfaceandtookthetray

containingtoast,scrambledeggsandfreshlysqueezedorangejuice

fromthemaidwithaquicknodofthanks.

'Thatlookslovely,thankyou,'shesaidquietly.

'MrsLangtondidn'twanttospoilyourappetitefordinner,'June

explainedquickly,'sothereisn'tmuch.Wouldyoulikemetorunyou

abathwhileyoueatorwouldyoupreferashower?'

'Abath,Ithink,please,'Janiesaidgratefully.Thethoughtofsoaking

awaytheeffectsofthelastfewdaysinatubofwarm,scentedwater

wasirresistible.

'Rightyouare.'Astheyounggirlbustledawayintotheadjoining

bathroomJaniebitintoasliceofwarmtoastandreflectedthatthere

wassomethingtobesaidforgraciousliving,especiallywhenonewas

recoveringfromflu.Shewouldhavetobeonherguard,shethought

wryly.Thiswholesetupwasdefinitelyaluretoanordinaryworking

girllikeherself.Andthatwasallshewas.Whateverhadprompted

KaneSteeltocallroundthenightbefore,whetheritwasadesirefor

revengeormaybethisstrangephysicalattractionthatwastoorealto

bedenied,therewasnowayanyrelationshipbetweenthemcould

work.Evenfriendshipwasout.Thepastwasstilltoopainfulandhe

wasn'tthesortofmanagirllikehergotinvolvedwith,sheknewthat.

Avividpictureoftheetherealblondeshehadseenhimwithonthat

firstnightswamstarklyintohermind.Shehadneitherthelooks,the

wealthnorthepoisetocompetewithbeautieslikethat,andshedidn't

intendtoanyway!Hemightbethemostattractivemanshehadever

metinherlife,buthisdarkersideeclipsedthefatalcharmentirely

and,thatwaswhatshehadtoconcentrateon.

Shehadprobablydentedthatpowerfulegoismthatwasanessential

partofanymale,shethoughtlaterasshelaysoakinginthewarmbath

inacloudofexpensivelyperfumedbubbles.Ithadbeenall-outwar

fromthefirstmomenttheyhadmetandperhapsthisinteresthe

seemedtobedisplayinginherwasanattempttosubjecthertohis

will,toforgealinkthathecouldusetosubdueandtameher.Yes,

thatwasit.Shesatupsuddenlyinthesilkywater.Ofcoursethatwas

it.

'Well,itwon'twork,MrSteel,'shesaidloudlyintotheemptyroom.

'I'mnobody'sfoolandI'mnottakeninbythissoftly,softlyapproach

forasecond.'Sheglancedatherselfafewminuteslaterwhenshe

steppedoutofthebath,criticallyrunningoverherfaceandfigurein

thebig-mirroredwallthatranthelengthofthebathroom.Notbad,

shethoughtwithanalyticalimpartiality,butthere'snothingtodrivea

manwildwithpassion,isthere?Especiallynotahard,ruthlessmulti-

millionairewithaneyefortheladiesandalifestylethatcouldeasily

featureinthemoreglossymagazines.

Shedressedslowly,findingshewasshakierthanshehadthought,

dryingherhaircarefullyasshesatatthehugedressing-tableand

lettingitfallinsoft,silkycullstohershoulders.ThedressthatKane

hadpackedforherwasalightwoolfabricinsoftgoldthatshehad

onlyboughtrecently,andthechiccutmadeherlooktallerand

slimmerthanshereallywas.

'Youcostmeanarmandaleg,'she'aidsoberlytothegoldreflection

inthemirror,'butyouwerewortheverypenny.'Sheshuthereyesfor

amomentasherheadswamandthencleared.Whenshegothome

tonightshewouldhibernateforacoupleofdaysuntilshewas

completelybacktonormal.Ifshecouldjustgetthroughthenextfew

hourswithoutcourtingdisaster...

'Janie...'Ithadseemedtotakeheranagetomakeherwaydownstairs

andshewasfightingthetemptationtobecompletelyoverawedwith

everyounceofwill-powershepossessed.Thiswasjustahouse,he

wasjustaman,hisfamilywerejustflesh-and-bloodpeople...Kane

movedimmediatelytohersideasshewalkedhesitantlyintothevast

drawing-roomwhereshehadbeenanunwillingguestthatfirstnight.

'I'mgladyoujoinedus,butyoulookverypale;comeandsitbythe

fireandI'llintroduceyoutoeveryone.'

Atherfirstnervousglancethehugeroomhadseemedtobefullof

people,butonceshewassittingdownwithaglassofsherryinher

hand,andKaneperchedonthearmofthechairatherside,she

realisedthat,besidesKane,therewereonlythreeotheradultsandtwo

smallchildrenpresent.

'MotherandFather.'Kaneindicatedtheelderlygood-lookingcouple

seatedsidebysideonatwo-seatersetteeanarmstretchaway.'And

thetwolittleangelsinthecornerarenotsoangeliconceyougetto

knowthem.'

Hegrinned atthechildren who grinned back immediately.

'ChristopherandCharlotteandtheirmother,Tina,mybrother's

family.'Tinanoddedherheadunsmilingly,hercoolfaceholdingjust

therightamountofreservetoremindJaniethatshewasastrangerin

theirmidst.

Kane'sparentswerebothgraciousandfriendly,absorbingherintothe

generalconversationasthoughshehadknownthemallforyearsas

theychattedaboutthisandthatandplayedwiththechildren,who

wereextremelywell-behavedforsuchtinytots.

'HaveyouknownKanelong?'Tinaaskedsuddenlyinalullinthe

conversation,lookingdirectlyatJanieforthefirsttime,hercarefully

made-upblueeyesassharpashonedsteel.ThequestioncaughtJanie

bysurpriseand,asshestaredbackintotheotherwoman'sflawless,

aristocraticfaceframedbyitshaloofsleekblondehaircutex-

pensivelyintoanexquisitelyshapedbob,sherealised,quiteabruptly,

thatKeith'swifehadtakenaninstantdisliketoher.

'No,notlong,'sherepliedquietly,holdingthetightbluegazewithout

flinchinguntiltheotherwomanloweredhereyestothelong-stemmed

wineglassinherpale,manicuredhand.

'Wheredidyoumeet?'Tinaraisedherheadagainasshetookasipof

wineandthediamondstudsinherearsflashedbrilliantlyinthebright

sunlightfilteringintothewarmroom,theelegant,finelycutsuitin

rawsilkthatsheworesocasuallyscreaminganexclusivepricelabel.

'Kanegetsaboutallovertheplace,don'tyou,darling?'Thebluegaze

didn'tsoftenasitrestedonherbrother-in-law'sdarkface.

Whatwasallthisabout?JaniethoughtcuriouslyasshefeltKane

stiffenbesideher.Assheopenedhermouthtoreply,Kanewasthere

beforeher,hisdeep,richvoiceblandandsmoothwiththemeresthint

ofanedgetoitashelookeddirectlyatTina'sbeautifulface.

'Wemetataconference,'hesaidquietly,'aboutthreeweeksago,

wasn'tit,darling?'Ashiseyesswungdowntohershegazedupathim

foralongmomentinamazement.Darling?Darling?'Andthenwhen

Janiewastakenillitseemedlogicalforhertospendsometimehere.'

Thehardhandonherarmwarnedhertokeepquiet.

'Ishouldthinkso,too,'hismothersaidcomfortably.'Youliveby

yourself,don'tyou,Janie?'

'Yes.'Shesmiledintothelinedbutstilllovelyfaceinfrontofher,

gratefulforthediversion.She'dhaveawordwithKanelaterabout

this'darling'businessandtheimpressionheseemedtohavegivenhis

familyregardinghisrelationshipwithher.Howdaredheactas

thoughshewashisgirlfriend?

AsthetalkswungbackontosafertopicsshewasawareofTina's

hardgazeburningintothesideofherhead,andwhensheturnedto

meettheotherwoman'seyestheywerefullofnakedhostilityasthey

movedslowlyanddeliberatelydownherbody,mentallycalculating

thecostofherdressandhairstyle.Asthefinelyshapedmouthdrew

upslightlyatonesideinanunmistakablelittlesneerJaniefeltherself

flushhotlyatthepurposefulsnub.Whatanunpleasantwoman,she

thoughtangrilyassheturnedbacktoanswersomethingKane's

motherhadasked.Whatathoroughlyunpleasantwoman.Thesooner

shewasoutofthisplacethebetter.Shewasunawarethatasecond

pairofice-coldeyeshadbeenwatchingthelittleexchange,their

bluenessglacial.

'Shallwegothroughtothedining-room?'Kaneaskedsmoothlyafter

afewmoreminuteshadelapsed,andJanienoticed,astheyallleftthe

drawing-room,thathebentdownandmurmuredsomethingquietlyin

Tina'searthatsenttheblonde'scool,remotefaceanuglyshadeof

puce,beforereturningtoJanie'ssideandtakingherarmasthey

followedtheothersfromtheroom.

'Whatdidyousaytoher?'Janieaskeddirectlyastheystoodfora

secondinthehugehall,theothershavingdisappearedintothedining-

room.'Itwassomethingtodowithme,wasn'tit?'

'Whatsharplittleeyesyouhave,'hesaidunemotionally,indicating

thedining-roomwithawaveofhishand.'Comealong.'

'Whatwasit?'shepersistedobstinately,remainingstock-stillashe

madetostartwalkingagain.'Iwanttoknow.'

Helookeddownather,withamixtureofexasperationand

amusementturning theblueeyesbrilliant,and sighed with

exaggeratedpatienceasheshookhisheadslowly.'Whatanobstinate

littlemuleyouare,sweetheart.'Hiswarm,lazyvoiceturnedthe

wordsintoacomplimentratherthananinsult.'IcanseeI'mnotgoing

togetawaywithathingwhereyou'reconcerned.'Shedidn'tanswer

butremainedstaringupintohisdarkfaceuntilhebowedwith

mockingcapitulation.'Yes,itwasaboutyou,'hesaidslowly.

'Satisfied?'

'No.'Sheheldhisgazedefiantly.'Youhaven'ttoldmewhatyet.'

'Imerelywarnedtheladytokeepheracidtongueundercontrolwhere

youareconcerned,'hesaidmildly.'Isuggesteditmightputadamper

onthefestiveseasonifIwasforcedtopackheroffhome,that'sall.'

'That'sall?'SherememberedTina'scold,superiorfaceandbeautiful,

cuttingeyesandfeltamoment'sgrudgingrespectforKane'snerve.

'That'squitealot!She'sratherdaunting,isn'tshe?'

'Tina?'Hewasfranklyamazed.'She'sjustaspoiltlittledaddy'sgirl

whohasyettorealisewhatlifeisallaboutdespitebeingwidowed

withtwochildren.Theworldisfullofnastylittlecatslikeher,Janie.

Unfortunatelymybrotherchosetofallinlovewiththatparticularone

andtherefore...'Heshruggedeloquently.'Butshetoesthelinewith

meorexpectstheconsequences.'

'Isee.'Shedidn'tquiteknowwhattosaynext.

'Matterclosed?'heaskedquietlyandshenoddedquickly.'Good.

Comealong,then;nodoubtMrsLangtonischampingatthebit

becausewearen'treadyandwaiting.Nowsheisadauntinglady!'

Astheyenteredthedining-room,thehugetableavisionofChristmas

extravagancebeautifullydecoratedinfestalcoloursofgreen,redand

gold,Janiewasremindingherselfyetagainjusthowastuteand

perceptivethismanwas.Shedoubtedifanyoftheothershadnoticed

Tina'santagonism,buthehad,instantly,andhadjustasinstantlydealt

withit.Howcouldshebelievehehadn'thadanythingtodowithher

father'sdisastroustransactionoratleasthadsomeknowledgeofthe

ruthlessnegotiations?Theacquisitionoftheirbusinesshadenabled

thewholeblocktocomeundertheownershipofSteelEnterprises,

whichhadturneditintoaveryimportantdeal,importantenoughto

costherfatherhislife.Andyet...Wouldhelietoherso

coldbloodedly?Sheglancedathimunderhereyelashesastheytook

theirplacesatthetable.Shedidn'tknow;shejustdidn'tknow.She

noticed,asKanewassittingdown,thathemovedawkwardlyand

somethingakintoaflashofpainsearedacrosstheruggedfeaturesfor

abriefinstant.Hismother,seatedonhisright,putherhandonhis

arminanunspokenquestionandhesmiledatherashesettledhimself

intheseat,pattingherhandasheshookhisheadslightly.

Anothermystery?Shefeltamomentofirritation.Didn'tanyonecome

rightoutandsaywhattheywantedtointhishouse?

'Janie?'ShesuddenlyrealisedthatKane'sfatherhadbeenspeakingto

herandshehadn'theardaword.

I'msorry?'Shesmiledapologetically.

'Iaskedhowyouarefaringinhandlingthissonofmine,'hesaid

comfortably.'Youhavetowatchhim,youknow.'

'Yes.'Herfirmvoicecarriedmorehonestythantactandheblinked

slightlyathervehemence.'Idoknow.'

'Good.'Herecoveredquickly.'Good.'

'YoucouldsayI'vemetmymatchatlonglast.'Kane'sdeepvoice

joinedtheconversationwithdry,sardonicamusement.'Isn'tthatright,

sweetheart?'

Asshemethiseyesoverthetableshesawthatalthoughhisfacewas

smilingandoutwardlyamused,givinganimpressionofdry

indulgence,thedarkfireburninginthehardeyeswasfarfrom

convivial.Hehadheardtheexchangeandhadn'tlikedit,she

conjecturedquickly.Good!Justsolongashegotthemessage.She

shruggedlightlywithoutanswering,turningtohisfatherandasking

howoldthechildrenwere.Theyhadbeenwhiskedupstairssometime

agobythecapableJune,Tinaannouncingtotheroomingeneralthat

itwas'justtootiresometohavethemeatwiththeadultsandthey

neededanapanyway'.

Themealwasquitedelicious,startingwithconsommechasseur,a

light,clearsoupconsistingofcookedgameandgoodportwine,

garnishedwithtinystripsofcookedvegetablesknownasjulienne,

followedbythetraditionalturkeywithallthetrimmingsandfinishing

withahugeplumpuddingheavilydousedwithbrandyandlashingsof

thickdoublecream.Bythetimeshehadfinished,Janiefeltasthough

shecouldhardlymove.Itwasthefirstrealmealshehadeatenin

days,andshesuddenlyfeltsotired,itwasanefforttoputonelegin

frontoftheotherastheywalkedthroughtothedrawing-roomafter

coffee.

ShewasstiflingherthirdyawninasmanyminuteswhenKane's

motherleantacrossandtouchedherhandgently.'Whydon'tyougo

andhaveanap,mydear?'shesaidsoftly.'Youdon'twanttooverdo

it.Fluneedstobetreatedwithrespect.'

'Wouldyoumind?'Janieincludedthewholeroominthesweepofher

head.'Idofeelridiculouslytired.'

'Notatall.'Kaneansweredforallofthem,hisvoicebland.'I'llcome

andtuckyouinaminute.'

Sheeyedhimtightlywithoutanswering;thatlittlegibehadbeen

retributionforherconversationwithhisfatherearlier.Hisparents

laughedeasilyatwhattheyconsideredKane'slittlejoke,butnotso

Tina-shesentaglanceofpurevenomJanie'sway,andasJanierose

shewasconsciousthattheotherwomanwaswatchingherevery

move,hergazeonlybreakingawaywhenthechildrenboundedinto

theroom,theirsmallroundfacesstillflushedwithsleepandasbright

asbuttons.

'Canyoufindthewaytoyourroom?'Kanehadfollowedhertothe

footofthestairsandassheturnedtoreplyshesawthathewas

holdingathinrectangularparcelinhishand,beautifullywrappedin

festivegoldpaper.'Foryou.'Hehadplaceditinherhandbeforeshe

couldgatherherwits.'Weexchangedpresentsveryearlythis

morning.ChristopherandCharlottesawtothat.'Hesmiledruefully.

'Fiveo'clock,ifyouwantthegorydetails.'

'But...'Shestaredathimhelplessly.'Howcouldyouhave...?You

didn'tknowIwascoming.Ihaven'tgotanythingforanyone.'

'Ofcourseyouhaven't,'hesaidcomfortably.'Asithappens,this

belongedtomygrandmotherandIwouldlikeyoutohaveit.'

'Yourgrandmother?'Shestareddownattheslenderpackagefora

momentasthoughitwerealive.'Ican'tpossiblyacceptanythingthat

belongedtoyourgrandmother,Kane;youknowIcan't.Ihardlyknow

you...'

'Doesthatmatter?'heaskedlazily,theintentnessofhisgazebelying

thedrawlingvoice.

'Ofcourseitmatters.'Sheshookherheadslightlyattheabsurdnessof

thesituation.'Yourparentswouldn'tlike-----'

'Myparentshavenothingtodowiththis,'hesaidquietlybutwitha

threadofsteelinthesoftness.'Andyoudon'tevenknowwhatitis

yet.'

Asshecarefullytorethepaperandopenedthelongboxhiseyeswere

tightonher,andassheliftedthecobweb-thingoldchainholdinga

tinygoldstarinwhichnestledasmallblood-redrubyhespokeagain,

hisvoicesoftanddeep.

'Itisn'tveryvaluable.Mymaternalgrandfatherwasapoorfarmlad

whenhemetmygrandmother,whoseparentsownedhalfofIreland.

Theycourtedinsecretforayearandhesavedmostofhiswageeach

weekformonthstobuyherthependantonhereighteenthbirthday.It

provedtobethecatalystwhichrevealedtheirrelationshiptoher

parentsandultimatelyledtotheirmarriage—aftermanymonthsof

heartacheandpain,Imightadd.Herparentshadapparentlygotsome

lordorearllinedupforher.Mygrandfatherwasapoorsubstitutein

theireyes.'

'Andinyourgrandmother'seyes?'sheaskedsoftly,fascinatedbythe

story.

"Theylovedeachothertillthedaytheydied,'hesaidjustassoftly.

'Shehaddiamondsandfursandjewellerythathadbeeninthefamily

forgenerations,butIneversawherwithanythingbutaplaingold

bandonthethirdfingerofherlefthandandthependantroundher

neck.'

Shestaredathimaghastnow,hereyeswideandtroubled.'Butyou

can'tpossiblygiveittomewithahistorylikethat;it'sfartoo

precious,'shesaidurgently.'Yourmother-----'

'WillunderstandperfectlywhenIexplaintoherthatIwantedtogive

youaChristmasgift,'heinterruptedsmoothly,hisfaceclosingand

hiseyessuddenlyveiledasheturnedandwalkedbackacrossthehall

towardsthedrawing-room.

'ButKane-----'Hervoicewaslostasheclosedthedoorfirmlyafter

him,butsheknewhehadheardher,andasshestareddownatthe

delicatelittlestarherstomachturnedoverinpanic.Shedidn't

understandthis,shedidn'tunderstandanyofit,butfemaleintuition

toldhershewasinwayoverherhead.

Whatdiditallmean?Assheclimbedthestairstoherroomher

thoughtswerespinning.Didthehistoryofthependantmeananything

tohim?Itmustdo,surely;thewayinwhichhehadrelateditwasso...

personal,sointimate.Butifitdid,whyhadhegivenittoherofall

people?Shepausedatthedoortoherroomsandshookherhead

slightly.Ormaybeheregardeditasmerelyanitemofjewellery,of

littleintrinsicvalueandthereforesuitableasagifttosomeonehe

barelyknew?Butthatwasn'tit.Sheknewthatwasn'tit.

Onceinthebedroomshevirtuallycollapsedonthebed,hertired

mindheavyanddull.Thiswasalladream,astrange,crazydream

wherepeopledidandsaidunfathomablethingsthatwouldmeltaway

inthelightofday.Shelookedagainattheinoffensivependantand

thenstartedviolentlyasalargeshapesuddenlyjumpedupontothe

bedbesideher.'Juniper...Youscaredmehalftodeath.'Thebigtabby

catblinkedlazilyashecurledupbesideherandshesmiledruefullyas

Cosmos,aslightlysmallerversionofthestripedfeline,joinedhis

fatheronthebed,purringloudly.

MrsLangton'sstrictrulewasnoanimalsupstairs.She'dreallyhaveto

shoothemoutinaminute,shethoughtheavilyasthewarmbodies

snuggledintoherside,softandfurrylikeliveteddybears.Shewas

asleepthenextsecond,onearmunconsciouslycuddlingJuniperinto

herandtheotherflungoverherhead,stillholdingthependanttightly

inherhand.

Shewasunawareofatall,darkfigurecomingintotheroomafew

minuteslatertostandwatchinghersilentlyforlong,tautmoments.

JuniperandCosmosraisedgleamingeyesforamoment,relaxing

againwhentheysawthattheirmasterwasmoreinterestedintheir

companionthaninthem,theirsoftpurringindicatingthattheyfound

thesituationverysatisfactory.

Beforeheleft,KanethrewthecoverletofftheotherbedoverJanie's

sleepingform,halfburyingthecatsintheprocess,whoremained

stock-still,determinedtoleaveonlyunderprotest,andashebent

downandbrushedherlipslightlywithhisownhesighed,thesound

deepandhardandseemingtocomefromtheverydepthsofhimashe

glancedagainatthependant,delicateandbrightandshininginher

relaxedfingers.

CHAPTERSIX

TheroomwasfilledwithshadowswhenJanieopenedhereyes,the

catslongsincegone.Shelayforamomentinthewarmdarkness,

wonderingwhathadwokenher,untiltheknockonthedoorwas

repeated.

'Yes?Comein.'Assheswungherfeetoverthesideofthebed

Baines'sheadpoppedroundthehalf-opendoor.

Excuseme,miss,sorrytowakeyou,butIwonderedifyou'dlike

theseinhere?'Hecamefullyintotheroomandshesawhewas

carryingherothersuitcaseandthelargeflightbagsheusedforover-

nightvisits.

‘I’msorry?'Shestaredathimvacantly.

'Yourthings,miss.IthoughtI'dleavetheminhere.Bitheavyforyou

tocarrythrough,'thechauffeursaidcheerfully.

'Mythings?'A floodofangersweptthroughherasrealisation

dawned.'Whataretheydoinghere?Whotoldyou-----?'

'Idid.'Thecold,deepvoicebroughtbothsetsofeyessnappinground

totherelaxedfigureinthedoorwayandBainesputthebagsonthe

floorbeforeleavingquietlyandquickly,hisfacecarefullyblank.

‘Youtoldhimtogoandgetmyclothesfromtheflat?'Sheglaredinto

Kane'sexpressionlessface,hereyesfiery.'YouknowI'mleaving

tonight!'

'Youaren'twellenough.'Hemovedintotheroom,hisstepsindolent

andunhurried,seeminglyunaffectedbyherrage.

'I'llbethejudgeofthat,'shesaidfuriously.'IfIwantedastrangeman

pokingaboutamongmybelongings-----'

'MrsLangtonpackedtheclothesandonlyfromthewardrobeyou

mentionedtomeonChristmasEve,'hesaidshortly.'Myemployees

arenotinthehabitofhavinglightfingers,ifthat'swhat'sworrying

you.'

'Ofcourseit'snotthat!'Shehadneverknownanyonewhocouldmake

hersomadsoquickly,shereflectedangrilyasshestaredintothecool

blueeyes.'I'msuretheyareallcompletelytrustworthyandIhaven't

gotanythingworthtakinganyway.'

'Good.Endofproblem.'Hesmiledsardonically,hismouthhard.

'Icouldhityou.'Sheglaredathimfuriously.

'Again?'Hetouchedhischeekwithhishand,hismouthstillsmiling,

buthiseyesascoldasice.'Iwouldn'trecommendit,Janie.Oncewas

amistake,twicewouldbe...mostunfortunate.'

'Youhadnorighttobringmythingshere.'Shealmoststampedher

footlikeanangrychild,butstoppedherselfjustintime.Hewasso

damnablysmug!'YouagreedI'dleavetonight-----'

'Ididnosuchthing.'Heleantbackagainstthewall,foldinghisarms

andnarrowinghiseyesashewatchedhermountingragewithwhat

lookedlikecoolinterest.'Imighthavementionedyoucouldleave

whenyouwerewellenough,whichyouaren't.Incaseyou've

forgotten,itwasonlythistimeyesterdaythatyoupassedoutonme

mostthoroughlyandyoutoldmeyourselfyouhaven'tbeeneating

properlyinthelastfewdays.Youarephysicallyexhaustedandallbut

burntoutandthereisnowayI'mallowingyoutogohometoan

emptybuildinguntilyouarewellandtrulyoverthisthing—soyou

mayaswellresignyourselftothefact.'

'Yourconsciencewouldbotheryou?'sheaskedtightlywithheavy

sarcasm.

'Somethinglikethat.'Heeyedherexpression-lessly.

"Idon'tbelieveyou'vegotone!'Shehadneverfeltsoutterlyhelpless

inallherlifeandtheurgetolashoutwasparamount.'Orifyouhave

it'saveryconvenientlittlepieceofequipment,isn'tit,switchedon

andoffjustwhenitsuitsyou?'

'Don'tbe,tiresome.'Ashecoveredthefewfeettohersideandpulled

hertoherfeetshestiffenedinstinctively.'Idon'tintendtostandhere

andengageinsuchafutileconversationwhenIcanthinkofafar

moreinterestingpastime.'

'Iwarnedyoubefore-----'

'Soyoudid.'Hecutoffherwordsbythesimpleexpedientofplacing

hislipsonhersasheimprisonedherinhisarms,hisheightand

breadthdwarfinghersmallframeandthesheermalenessofhishard

bodydeliriouslytantalising.

Shehadtofighthimthistime.Themessageburntintohernervous

systemandasherlimbsobeyedthecalltoarmsshebegantostruggle

andtwist,turningherheadfromsidetosideinanefforttoavoidhis

searchingmouth.

'Bestill.'Themutteredwordsagainstherfaceheldaninexcusable

noteofamusement.Howdaredhefindthishumorous,howdaredhe?

shethoughthotlyasshefreedherhandsfromhersideandbeganto

beatagainsttherock-hardchestwithallhermight.

'Ihateyou.Youknowthat,don'tyou?'shespatangrilyashe

effortlesslyenclosedherwristsinonegreatfist,holdingthem

securelybehindherback.

'Maybe.'Therewasnotraceoflaughterinthedeepvoicenow,justa

thickhuskyhungerthatjoinedwithsomethingdeepinsideherto

produceanactualshudderthatranthroughherbodylikefire.

'Ido,'shesaidraggedly,lookingathismouthasitdescendedonhers

withasenseofdoomedhelplessness.Howcouldshefighthimand

herself?shethoughtdesperatelyashistonguepillagedthesecret

placesofherinnermouthwitharrogantforce,causingatremblingin

herbodythatwasimpossibletohide.Butshehadto,shehadto;she

justcouldn'tthinkwhywhenhewassoclose.Theheavilymuscled

armsandshoulders,thebig,broadchestthatspokeoflean,hard

power,themesmerisingmalenessthatoozedoutofeveryporeand

tissue—itwastoopotent,toocompelling...

Shewascrushedagainsthimnow,hislipsdevouringhermouth,her

throat,hishandsrunningoverherbodywithaknowledgethat

broughtfireintoherlimbsandatremblingdeepinherstomachthat

spreadhotwarmththrougheveryvein.Ashegentlyloweredheronto

thebedshecouldn'tresist;everypartofher,hadmeltedintohim,and

hewastheonlyrealthinginthisspinningkaleidoscopeoftouchand

tasteandsmell.

Shemadeasmallsoundofprotestasheunzippedherdress,folding

thesoftmaterialoffherlimbsinoneswiftmovementthatspokeofan

expertisethatonlyfullydawnedonhermuchlater,butnowhishands

werestrokingalongthesilkyfleshonlypartlycoveredbythethin

ivorysilkslipshewaswearing,and,again,nothingelsematteredbut

thefeelofhisbodyagainsthers.

'You'redelicious,absolutelydelicious,doyouknowthat...?'Ashe

pulledhercloseagainsthim,mouldinghersoftnessintothepowerful

contoursofhisbody,shefeltthehardridgethatswelledtightly

againsthisclothingandspokeofhisarousalmoreloudlythanany

words.Shestiffened,suddenlypanic-strickenasharshrealityflooded

inlikeanicycolddeluge.Whatwasshedoing?Whatonearthwas

shedoing?She'dtakenleaveofhersenses.Toinvitethis,andwith

him?

Hesensedherwithdrawalimmediatelyandmadenoefforttocajole

herasshefeared,turningoverinsteadtoswinghisfeetovertheside

ofthebedandrunhisfingersthroughhisspringyblackhairbefore

risingslowly.

'You'llstayforadayortwo?'heaskedhuskilyasheturnedtoface

her,andforamomentthelookonhisfacemadeherdumb.Shehad

expectedtriumph,satisfaction,perhapsevenannoyanceorirritationat

thesuddenterminationoftheirlove-making,butthisexpressionthat

wastwistingtheraggedfeatureswasnoneofthosethings.Justwhatit

wasshecouldn'tfathom,butitwasdevastatinglyseductive.'Ipromise

youthiswon'thappenagain.Itwasn'tplanned,Janie,doyoubelieve

that?'

'Idon'tknow.'Sheshookherheadslightlyashercheeksburntred.

Theonlythingshewassureaboutatthemomentwasthatshewasn't

sureaboutanything!Thisthingthatseemedtoleapintolifebetween

themassoonastheirbodiestouchedwasfierceandpotent,buthow

wasshetoknowifitaffectedhimthewayitdidher,whetheritwas

underhiscontrolandbeingusedforhis-ownpurposes?Hewas

capableofgreatruthlessnessandanobjectivitywithregardtoother

humanbeingswhichwasquitealientoher.Thiscouldallbeagame

tohim.Hewasrichenough,andprobablyspoiltenough,tofancya

littlediversionwithsomeoneasunworldlyasherself,achangefrom

hisusualdietofgracefulcoolblondesandexquisitelydressedmodel-

types.

'You'llstaytillSunday.'Suddenlythetonewasdifferentandher

hacklesroseimmediatelyattheauthoritativenote.'Myfamilywill

thinkitstrangeifyousuddenlydashoffnow,besideswhichmy

motherislookingforwardtohavingyouaroundalittlelonger.She

doesn'tgetontoowellwithTina.'

Hiseyeswerehoodedandhiddenfromher,hismouthhard.

'Ican'timaginewhy,'Janiesaidsarcasticallyasshepulledtheduvet

aroundherwithasmuchnonchalanceasshecouldmusterconsidering

shewashalfnakedandhewasascoolasacucumber.'Andforthe

recordI'mnotheretodoyouanyfavoursregardingyourmotheror

anythingelse.WhenIthinkofhowyoutreatedmyfather-----'

'Lookonitaspouringburningcoalsonmyhead,then,ifthatmakes

youfeelbetter,'hesaidcoldly,hiseyesice-blueandtotallywithout

warmth.

'Wouldn'titbesimplerallroundifIjustleft?'Janieaskedwithatrace

ofbewildermentinhervoice.'Idon'tunderstandwhyyouwantmeto

stay.ItwaskindofyoutoacttheGoodSamaritan,butthere'sno

need-----'

'Maybeyouwererightinthefirstplace—aguiltyconscienceor

somethingsimilar.'Hemovedtowardsthedoor,hisfaceclosedand

dark,andforamomentshecouldseewhyhewassosuccessfulin

suchacut-throatworld.Hewasfrightening.Wasthisreallythesame

manwhohadheldherclosejustafewminutesbefore,murmuring

wordsofpassionanddoingthingstoherthatshehadneverimagined

werepossible?'Dinnerisateight.'

Thedoorhadclosedbehindhimbeforeshecouldreactandshestared

intotheemptyroomstupidly,heremotionsachurningmassofanger,

irritation,helplessfrustrationatherownvulnerabilityandsomething

else...somethingshedidn'tdaredwellonforevenamomentbecause

somehowinspiteofallthathadhappened,allsheknewabouthim,in

thedeeprecessesofherheartshewantedtostay,andthatwaswhat

wasterrifyingherbeyondcoherentthought.

'Janie...areyourested?'Kane'smotherwasimmediatelyathersideas

sheenteredthedrawing-roomlaterthateveningwheretheothers

wereenjoyingpre-dinnerdrinks.Theatmospherewasrelaxedand

graceful,thesurroundingsluxuriousandbeautifulandthepeople

elegant,andJaniehadneverwantedtobesomewhereelseso

desperately.Shehaddressedcarefully,blessingthefactthatthe

advertisingworldinwhichshelivedhadnecessitatedseveralgood

andexpensiveoutfitsforeveningfunctions,andnow,assheglanced

attheothertwowomen,sheknewherchoiceofeveningwearhad

beenappropriate.Thesimpleclassicallinesoftheexpertlycut

'original'littleblackdresscomplementedhercurvesanddeepenedthe

richbrownofhereyesand,combinedwiththeupswepthairstyle

softenedbytheoddtendrilofhaircurlingalluringlyagainstherwhite

skin,thewholeeffectwasoneofsubtlesophistication.

ShesmiledatKane'smotherasshenoddedquietly.'Yes,thankyou.

I'msorryIseemtobesofeebleatthemoment.I'mneverillnormally.'

'Fluisnorespecterofthenorm.'MrSteelsmiledeasilyashejoined

hiswifeatJanie'sside.'Now,whatwouldyouliketodrink?I'mdoing

thehonoursatthemoment.'

Kane'snothere?'Sheglancedroundtheroomsickly.

‘PhonecallfromtheStatesthatcouldn'tbeignored,'hismothersaid

withatouchofasperity‘orsohesaid.'Thesoftblueeyeslooked

straightintoJanie'sbrownones.'Heneedstakinginhand,

mydear,taughttoletgoabit.Hehasneverbeenverygoodat

delegatingandheworksfartoohard.Especially-----'Shestopped

abruptlyasKane'sfathercoughedwarningly.'Well,youknowwhatI

mean,'shefinishedlamely.

Yes,IthinkIprobablydo,Janiethoughttightlyassheforcedanon-

committalsmilepastthesuddenfloodofbitternessdarkeningher

eyes.'Neververygoodatdelegating',andfromthehorse'smouth—

orthehorse'smother'smouth,shecorrectedsilently.She'djustbethe

wasn't,shehadknownthatfromthestart,andhehonestlyexpected

hertobelievehehadn'tbeeninvolvedwithherfather'stake-over?

'OnChristmasDay,too,'hismothernatteredon,blithelyunawareof

Janie'sbarelyconcealedanger.'Itreallyisn'tgoodenough.You

shouldhaveawordwiththeboy,George.'

'IthinkKanecutloosefromtheapronstringsagoodfewyearsago,'

hisfatherreturneddrilyashiseyesglintedwithexasperation,'andI

reallydon'tthinkJaniewantstolistentoyougrumbling,mydear.

Now,thatdrink?'HeturnedtoJaniewithawarmsmile.

'Whitewineifyouhaveit,MrSteel,'Janiesaidpolitelyandreceived

asqueakofprotestfromhiswife.

'CallusAileenandGeorge,dear,'shesaidquickly.'Don'tstandon

ceremony.'

Janiehadjusttakenasipofwine,concentratingwithiron

determinationonignoringthenarrowed,cat-likestarefromTina,as

Kaneenteredtheroom,andthejoltthatwentthroughhersystem

totallyunnervedher.Thecool,remoteblueeyesimmediatelysought

herpresence,restingonherfaceforalongmomentbeforemovingto

theothersintheroom.'Ihopeyou'reallhungry.MrsLangtonseems

tohaveexcelledherself,'hesaideasilyashewalkedlazilytoJanie's

side,andforamomentapictureoftheirbodiesentwinedonherbed

flashedsovividlyintohermindthatthebreathcaughtinherthroat.

Thiscold,austereman,fabulouslywealthyandfrighteningly

powerful,hadalmost-----Sheshuthereyesforaninfinitesimal

second.Shewouldn'tthinkofit.Ithadbeenamistakethatwouldnot

berepeated.

'Youlookquitebeautiful.'Thesoft,deepvoiceinherearsentgoose-

pimplesalloverherbody.

'Thank you.'Shedidn'tmeethiseyes,trying forseasoned

sophisticationassheglancedsomewhereintheregionofhisleftear.

'Icouldeatyoualive.'Thewhisperwasforherearsaloneandasher

shockedbrowneyesshottomeethisshesawthatthedarkfacewas

wickedlybland,theimportofhiswordsonlyshowingintheheat

burninginthedepthsofthenarrowedeyes.

Shepulledherselftogetherwithvisibleeffortandsmiledascoollyas

shecould,hervoicedry.'Youcouldtry,'shesaidwithmeaningful

sarcasm,'butIcanassureyouyouwouldn'tgetveryfar.'Hewas

showingtoshowhistruecoloursnow,washe?shethoughttightlyas

hermindracedcrazily.Thesquireofthemanorassertinghisrightsto

acquireanymaidenhesodesired?Somethingalongthoselines?Well,

thisparticularsquirewasinforashock!Shehadn'tforgottenallhis

threatsandshedidn'ttrusthimaninch.

'Spoilsport.'Heleanedforwardtosaymore,butTina'svoice

interruptedhimfromacrosstheroomwhereshehadbeensittingas

straightasaramrod,herfaceandbodystiffandthebeautifuleyes

staringatJaniewithterrifyingintent.

'ThisnastyflubugmusthavespoiltallyourplansforChristmas,'she

saidcoldlywithalittletwisttohermouththatJaniedidn'tunderstand.

'ItwasluckyyoucoulddropeverythingwhenKanearrivedonyour

doorstep.'

'Yes,Isupposeso,'Janieagreedwithatouchofbewildermentinher

voice.Itwasclearthebeautifulblondewastryingtomakeapointof

somekind,butjustwhatitwaseludedJanieforthemoment.

'Hecalledbychance?'Tinacontinuedsmoothly.'Youdidn'tknowhe

wascoming?'

'No.'Janiemettheotherwoman'seyesfirmly,butwiththefeeling

thatshewaspreparingtofaceanadversaryblindfolded.

'Isee.'TinaopenedhermouthtosaymorewhenKane'sfathercutinto

theconversation,speakingdirectlytoKane.

'Howdidthecallgo?'heaskedquietly.'Situationanybetter?'

'Notreally,'Kaneansweredshortly.

'Well,oldCollinshasgottofacefactssoonerorlater,'hisfather

continued,seeminglyunawareofKane'sclosedface.'Hisfirm's

finished;everyoneknowsit.'

'Perhaps.'Kane'svoicewasgrim.

'Hissonmightbeafriendofyours,Kane,butCollins'empireisgoing

tofoldwithinweeksratherthanmonths.Betteryouthanoneofthe

mogulswhowon'tplayfair.Atleast-----'

'Idon'tthinkthewomenareinterestedinbusiness,Dad,'Kanesaid

firmlyashisfatherwouldhavecontinued.'Let'schangethesubject.'

'Oh,please...'Tinagaveahugelyexaggeratedsighofdistaste.'It'sjust

tooboring.Ifthissillylittlemanhasbeenstupidenoughtolosehis

businessit'shisownfaultandKanehaseveryrighttomovein,

haven'tyou,darling...?'Herblueeyeswerediamond-hardandas

brightascrystal.'Ijustcan'tbearpeoplewhodon'tknowwhentogive

up;soembarrassing...'

Kane'smothercutoffhisvoicebyrisingswiftlyandspeakingloudly

asshecaughtholdofhisarmfirmly.'It'seighto'clock,darling;Mrs

Langtonwillbeafterusifwearen'tinthedining-roominthenextten

seconds.Comealong,do.'Kanelookedathismother'ssoftly

imploringfaceforalongmoment,thetwoofthemcommunicating

tartlyasshekeptatightgriponhisarm,andthen

sigheddeeplyashegesturedfortheotherstorise.

'Gothrough,everyone.'

Janiestaredathimassheremainedsittinginherchair,thetritenessof

Tina'scrueltyhittinganervethatwasstillrawandbleeding.Wasthis

howherfather'sbusinesshadbeendiscussed,casually,coldly,asa

littlepreludetodinner?Howcouldheletthatwomanbesocallous,

soheartless,withoutsayingsomething?Whatwasthematterwiththis

familyanyway?Didn'ttheyrealisethattheywerediscussingtheday-

to-daylivesofhundredsofordinaryfolkwhoworkedbecausethey

hadto,becausetheyneededtokeeparoofovertheirheads?Butthey

couldtreattheheartbreakinvolvedquiteabstractedly,afterall,

becausetheyweresafeandsecureinthisgold-linedpalace.Well,

enoughwasenough!

'Idon'tthinkI'mhungry.'Janie'svoicewasclearandfirmasshe

spokestraightintoKane'sfacebeforeturningandglaringatTina,

whoroseindolentlytoherfeet.'Somethingseemstohaveruinedmy

appetite.'

'We'lljoinyouinaminute.'Kanehadusheredtheothersoutofthe

roomandshutthedooralmostbeforeanyonecoulddrawbreath,and

asheturnedtofaceJanieagainshesawthathiseyeswereveiledand

cold,allemotionmasked.

'Iwanttoleavenow,Kane.'Shefacedhimsquarely,hereyesblazing.

'You'realllikealiensfromanotherplanetandI'vehadenough.How

youcanletTinabehavelikethatI'llneverknow.Whoeverthis

Collinsis,he'sobviouslydesperateifhehastoringyouonChristmas

Day.Whatwasheaskingfor,mercy?'

'Somethinglikethat,'hesaidexpressionlessly.

'Butbigbusinessdoesn'tknowthemeaningofthatword,doesit?'she

statedbitterly.'Well,Ican'tbeapartytoanymoreconversationslike

theoneIjustheard.Itmakesmefeel...dirty,sick.'

'Notanotherword!'Theexplosion,whenitcame,tookhercompletely

bysurprise.Oneminutehehadbeenstandingwatchingher,hisdark

facestillandunreadable,thenexthehadreachedacrosswithdeadly

intenttoshakeherroughly,hiseyesmurderous.Sheshouldhave

known,shethoughtfleetinglyintheonetimelesssecondbeforethe

onslaughtcame.Thepokerfacewasaninvaluablebusinessweapon

whichhehadperfectedtofulladvantage,butshehadseenaglimpse

ofthisothersideofhimthatfirstnightafterthePressconference

whentherealKaneSteelhaderuptedinterrifyingfury.

'YouaregoingtoshutupandsitstillandlistentoeverywordIsay.'

Healmostflungherintothechairshehadjustvacated,leaningover

hermenacingly,hishandsrestingonthearmsofthechairandhisface

inchesfromhers.'Youtalkaboutbeingsick?Well,I'msick—sickof

beingcastintheroleofbigbadvillainKane,sickofseeingthatlook

inyoureyeseverytimesomethingremindsyouofyourfather,sickof

youdamnwellnotlisteningtome!'

Shewaslisteningnow,shethoughtwithchillingerror;shedarednot

doanythingelse.Theblackragetwistingtheharshfeatureswasraw

andbiting,asferocitydeadly.

‘Youtalkaboutaconversationyou'vejustheard.Areyoutotally

stupid?'hebitoutangrily,hisvoiceshaking.'Youlistenedtothat

blackwidowspidermybrothermarriedputtingmorevenomintothis

room,that'swhatyoulistenedto.Tinaisthesortofwomanwho

wouldhavebeenburntatthestakeyearsago.She'sevil,believeme.

Fromthemomentshemarriedmybrothershehumiliatedhiminthe

worstpossibleway,demeaninghismanhooddayin,dayout.Hewas

rich,butnotrichenough.Hewaspowerful,butnotpowerfulenough.

Shewantedahard,ruthlesstypewhowouldwhiphertowithinan

inchofherlifeifshesteppedoutofline,andshegotKeithinstead.

Allhedid,allheaimedfor,wastobethesortofmanshewantedhim

tobe.'

'Kane-----'

Thebrillianteyesnarrowed.'Isaidshutup.'Sheshutup.'She

despisedhimandheknewit,buthecouldn'tletgo;helovedher.'

Therewasableaknessintheharshvoicethatspokeofunbearable

pain.'Fromachildhewasgentleandtenderandkind;youonlyhadto

seehimwithhischildrentounderstandthat;theyabsolutelyadored

him.ButthosequalitiesspeltweaknesstoTinaandsoheforcedan

image,cultivatedaconceptthatdestroyedhim mentallyand

physically.'

'Youhateher,don'tyou?'Janiestaredathim,hervoicelittlemore

thanawhisper.

'AsIsaid,Keithlovedher.'Heshruggedwearily,theangerdyingas

helookedintothepast.'Andnowhe'sgonetherearethechildren.My

motherlivesforthem.Shecouldn'tbelieveitwhenherchilddied;it

toreherapart,butcaringforhischildrenhealsalittleofthehurtday

byday.Andshehasthemoften.'Hisvoicewasbitter.'Tinalikesthe

highlifeand,besidesbeingarichwidow,herownfatherisvery

wealthyandverypowerful.Ifshetookitintoherheadtomove

elsewhere,denymyparentsvisitingrights,itwouldbealong,hard,

bitterfightthroughthecourtstomakeitotherwise.'

'Andshe'ddothat.'Janiespokealmosttoherself.

'Yes,she'ddothatallright.'Hesuddenlylookedverytiredashesat

downinthechairopposite.'ThefinalbitterironyisthatIwas

responsibleforintroducingthem.'Asshelookeddeepintohisfacethe

urgetoreachoutandcomforthimwassostrongthatshecouldtaste

it,anacheinherthroatasshesawtheundisguisedpainonhisface

thatalmoststoppedherbreath.Atthesametimesomeinstinctofself-

preservationkepthermotionlessandsilent,herhandsclenched.

'Anyway,Ithoughtyoushouldbeputinthepicturebeforeyoujudge

myparentsinthesamewayasTina.'Heturnedtoher,hiseyes

hoodedandbleak,unawareofherambivalence.'Myparentsaregood

people;takeitfromme.'

"Youintroducedthem?'Sheforcedherselftoask,tomove,inan

efforttostoptheurgetotakehiminherarmsthatwasgrowing

secondbysecond.

Shemustn'tforgetallthemonthsofheartache,thedamagethisman

andhisorganisationhadwroughtherfamily;itwouldbesheer

suicide,but...somehowshefoundallthereasoningmeltingawayithe

faceofhisnakedagony.Shehadneverthoughttoseehimsoopen,so

vulnerableanditpiercedsomethingdeepinsidethatactuallycauseda

physicalacheinherchest.

Henoddedslowly,leaningbackinthechairwearilyandshuttinghis

eyes.'I'dmetherafewmonthsbeforeatarathergrandluncheonher

fatherhadtakenherto.Businessandpleasure,youknow.'Janie

didn't,butmadetheappropriateresponse.'Wehadadrinktogether

onceortwiceafterthat,atheatredate,andthenfinito.'

'Isee.'Thesickfeelinginthepitofherstomachwasasunwelcomeas

itwassurprising.

'KeithandIwerediningoutonenightafteralong,involvedbusiness

deal—Iwastryingtoamalgamatehimintothecompanyashisown

careerhadjusttakenanosedive—andTinacameacrosstoourtable.

Theyseemedtohititoffimmediately.Shewascharmitself.'His

mouthcurledscathingly.

'Andyoudidn'tmind?'sheaskedcarefullyasherheartpounded

painfully.

'What?'Heopenedhiseyesnow,straighteninginthechairslowly.

'Mind?WhythehellshouldImind?Shewasjustacasual

acquaintanceasfarasIwasconcerned,oneofthoseshipsthatpassin

thenight.Iwassurprisedshewasmybrother'stypeoncehe'dgotto

knowher,though—untilTinaourtasteinwomenhadbeenquite

compatible.Ithoughthe'dsee-----'

'See?'shepromptedhimashestoppedabruptly.

'Seeherforwhatsheis,'hefinishedquietly,withatightshrugofhis

broadshoulders.

'Thewayyoudid.'Suddenlyitallfellintoplaceandasshestared

acrossattheattractive,ruggedfaceoppositeherJaniefeltamoment's

piercingamazementthatthisastute,clevermancouldn'tseewhatwas

underhisverynose.TinahadfallenforKaneSteel,desperately.The

barelyconcealedhostilityatanotheryoungwomanbeingbroughtinto

hishouseatChristmaswhenshehadexpectedacosyfamilytete-a-

tete,theobviousdissatisfactionwithlifeingeneralandhertreatment

ofhisbrotherwhenhehadbeenalive,itallboileddowntothefact

thatshehadmarriedthewrongmanandsheknewit.Whathad

promptedhertomarryKeithwhenshehadwantedhisbrother?Janie

feltaflashofveryrealbewildermentattheduplicityofhuman

beings.HaditbeentoenablehertostaynearKane?Toliveonthe

perimeterofhislifeifshecouldn'tbethecentralpoint?AndKeith.

HadhehadanyideathatthemouldTinahadbeentryingtoforcehim

intowasacaricatureofhisolderbrother— dominating,powerful,

ruthlessand,toTina,fascinating?AndKanehadsaidshewastangled

inadarkweb!shethoughtironically.

'Well,nowyouknow.'Foramomentshethoughthehadreadher

mindandthensherealisedhewasbaringtohisrevelationaboutthe

stateofhisbrother'smarriageandwhythefamilytoleratedanow.

MaybeKanehadknownhowTinafelt?

Shelookedathisdarkfaceclosely.Itwasimpossibletotell;hewas

asimperturbableasalways.

‘Noonewillconvincemethatshedidn'tbreakineventually,but

there'snotadamnthingIcandoaboutit.Idon'tknowhowmuch

Keithtoldmymotherwhenhewasalive,butIdoubtitwasmuch,

ofanything.Heonlyconfidedinmetowardstheendwhenhewas

desperate.'

'Butatleastyouwerearoundtolisten,'shesaidquickly.

'Onlybecause-—'Hestoppedabruptly.'Yes,Iguessso.'Shelooked

athimsearchingly.Hehadbeenabouttosaysomethingelse,shewas

sureofit.'Thehellofitis,heneverstoppedlovingher,'Kanesaid

bleakly.Heshookhisheadslowlyasheheldhertroubledbrowneyes

withhisownblueones.'Canyouunderstandalovelikethat?'

'Canyou?'Sheknewitwasthecoward'swayout,butforsomereason

shecouldn'tanswerhisquestion.Ithadcausedsuchafloodofpanic

toracethroughhersystemthatshefeltalmostfaint.

'Yes.'Therewasatensenessabouthimthatwasreflectedinhisvoice.

'Heavenhelpme,Ican.'

Theysatunmovingforlongmoments,theireyeslocked,beforehe

movedtokneelonthecarpetinfrontofher,takingherinhisarms

withadesperationthatshockedher.

Hismouthwasurgentandhungryonhers,hisbreathingragged,and

foramomentJaniefeltasthoughshewasbeingtorntopieceswith

theconflictingemotionsthatshotthroughher.Shewantedtothinkof

himascompletelycruelandruthless,neededto—itwastheonly

defenceshehad—buthekeptgettingintheway.Thethoughtofany

relationshipwithhim,anyatall,wasaleapintotheunknownofsuch

magnitudethatshecouldn'tfaceitandyet...Whatifshewaswrong?

Justsupposingshewaswrong?Andthen,assuddenlyashehad

kissedher,shewasfree.

'You'llhavedinner?'Hehadrisentostand,lookingdownather,that

maskthatheworesooftenslippingintoplaceevenassheglancedup

athim.Shetookthehandheoffered,herheadwhirlingasthey

walkedthroughtojointheothersatthemagnificenttable,andjustfor

amoment,astheysatdown,shecaughtTina'sgaze.Hereyeswere

fullofsuch malevolence,such naked jealousy,thatitwas

confirmationofallJanie'ssuspicions,butthenthecarefullydarkened

eyelidsblanketedthevenomastheotherwomanlookeddownather

wineglass,herblondehairswinginglikeacurtainoverherpale

cheeks.

Thefoodwascookedtoperfection,butJaniedidn'ttasteathing,

eating,talkingandsmilingmechanically,herthoughtscentredonthe

bigdarkmanseatedattheheadofthetable.Thisthingthatshehad

recognisedtonightwaslikeatimebomb,anunstable,volatilevolcano

justwaitingtogooffanddestroythiswholefamily.Itwasclearthat

Kanehadlovedhisbrotherverymuch.Sheglancedathisfaceashe

smileddutifullyatoneofhisfather'sjokes.Whatwouldhappenif

Tinaeveraidedtothetwistedmotivesbehindhertreatmentofher

husband?Howwouldhecopewiththat?

Stopit,Janie,shethoughtangrilyafterKane'smotherhadhadto

repeatsomethingtwicetogetherattention.Thisisnothingtodowith

you—heisnothingtodowithyou.Stopthinkingabouthim;loneof

thismatters.Butitdid.Shedidn'twanthimhurt.Theknowledge

broughtherbrowneyesrideopenforasplit-secondassheshook

herselfmentally.Oh,she'dhavetoleavethisplacesoon,

verysoon.

'Fancyabreathoffreshair?'Kane'svoicewascasualastheywalked

backintothedrawing-roombehindtheothers.'Itmightputtheroses

backinyourcheeks.'

'Now?'Shestaredathiminastonishment.'It'sdark.'

'Soitis.'Hesmiledmockingly.'Butyoucanwrapupwarmandthe

gardensarefloodlit.'

'OK,'sheagreeddoubtfully.Shedidn'twanttowalkalonewithhimin

theshadoweddarkness,butneithercouldshefaceanhourortwoof

politeconversationwithTina'sresentmentcolouringtheveryairshe

breathed.'But-----'Shestoppedabruptly.

Therewasnowayshecouldputthiswithoutappearingeithervery

gaucheorprovokinglyhostile.

'But?'Theice-blueeyesheldasatiricallight.'I'mtobeonmybest

behaviour,right?'

'Somethinglikethat.'Sheraisedhereyestohisdefiantly.'That'snot

toomuchtoask,isit?'

'You'llneverknow.'Thetonewasruefulwithadeepnessintherich

voicethatmadehertremble.

'But-----'Hepausedmockingly.'I'msurethisisgoodformysoul.Go

andgetyourcoat.'

Whenshejoinedhiminthehallafewminuteslaterhewasstanding

waitingforher,hisbigbodydarkanddominatingintheblack

overcoathewaswearingandhisthick,springyhairshininginthe

lightoverhead.'Putthison.'Hehandedheragreycashmerescarf.

'There'saheavyfrost.'Asshewoundthescarfroundherneckthe

subtlescentofhisaftershavereachedouttojerkhersensesinto

overdrive.

'Isthisyours?'sheaskedabruptly.

'Yes.'Helookedatherinsurprise.'Doesthatmatter?'

'No.'Sheloweredhereyesinconfusion.Thiswasdrivinghermad.

Hewasdrivinghermad.

Astheysteppedoutofthefrontdoorthesuddenshockofthe

breathtakinglyfrostyairmadehergaspslightly.Theystoodfora

momentatthetopofthesteps,breathinginthecold,crispsharpness

afterthecloyingwarmthofthehouse,andshesawthatthetreesand

busheswerealreadyclothedinwispsofwhite,magicalunderthedim

lightsthatlitthegarden.Thenightwasbeautifullyclear,theskya

blanketofblackvelvetpiercedwithtwinklingstarsandfloodedwith

awhisperingstillnessthatheldnatureinamystic,etherealpaleness.

'Isn'tthisbetterthanthehouse?'Kaneaskedsoftlyashetookherarm,

threadingitthroughhis,andtheybegantowalk.

'Yes.'Herbreathwasacloudofwhiteintheicyairandshewasvery

consciousoftheheightandbreadthofhimastheywalked,hishard,

dominantmalenesssomehowmagnifiedinthepale,stillworldin

whichtheystrolled.

Thegroundswerebeautifullylaidout,thesmallnarrowpathwinding

throughtherollinglawnsdottedwithtreessurroundingthehouse

leading,afterafewminutes,toalargewalledgardenthatwas

intricatelydesignedwithtinyshrubs,smalltreesandmoss-covered

terracedwalls.'Thisisawonderfulplacetositinthesummer,'Kane

saidquietlyasheindicatedatinysummer-houseatthefarend,partly

hiddenbyanoverhanginglilactree.'Mostoftheshrubsareheavily

perfumedandthebeesandbutterfliescomefrommilesaroundtojoin

ourregularbirdcommunity.'

'Doyoucomeouthere?'sheaskedinsurprise.Shehadn'tthoughtof

himasaconnoisseurofnatureineventhesmallestway.

'Youaredeterminednottoacceptthatthereeouldbeanythinggood

aboutme,aren'tyou?'Theflat,expressionlesswayinwhichhespoke

causedhertowonderforabriefmomentifshehadmisheardthedeep

voice.

'Kane-----'

'Whenareyougoingtoletthatshielddown,justafraction?'heasked

softlyasheturnedhertofacehim,themoonathincurveoflight

overhead.'You'llhavetosoonerorlater,youknow.'?.

'Why?'Shestaredupathim,hereyesenormousintheshadowed

garden.

'BecauseInevergiveup,'hesaidsimply.'Iwantyou,Janie,youmust

knowthat,andIalwaysgetwhatIwant.'

'Always?'Shecouldn'treadanythinginthenarrowedeyeslooking

downather.'Surelynot.'

'Always.'Therewasn'tatraceofhumourinhisface.

'Nowonderyou'resoarrogant.'Sheforcedanoteofhostilityintoher

voiceevenasthesuddenlongingtorestherfaceagainstthebroad

chestreareditshead.'It'sabouttimeyourealisedthatyou'renot

omnipotent,KaneSteel.'

'Isthatwhyyouaren'twearingit?'heaskedquietly.'Anothertokenof

defiance?'

'What?'Shestaredathimforasecondbeforerealisationdawned.'Oh,

youmeanthependant?'

Henodded,hislipscurlingwithself-derisoryamusementthatdidn't

reachhiscoldeyes.'Imeanthependant,'heaffirmedsoftly.

'YoumustseeIcan'tacceptit,'shesaidquicklyasshetriedtofathom

whatwasgoingonbehindthatcoolexterior.'Consideringthehistory

behindit,yourgrandmotherandeverything,youshouldneverhave

givenittome.'

'I'mgettingalittletiredoflisteningtowhatIshouldandshouldn'tdo,'

hesaidsoftly.'Youreallyareabossylittlefemale,aren'tyou?'The

lastwordswerespokenmoreasacaressthanarebukeandinspiteof

herselfashiverofexcitementtrembleddownherspine.Itmadeher

despiseherselfstillmoreforthatpervadingweaknesswhichtook

overtheminuteshewasinhispresence.Didallwomenreactlikethis

tohim?Shewouldn'tbesurprised;shewouldn'tbesurprisedatall.

Nowonderhisegowascolossal.

'Comehere.'Hisvoicewasthickanddeep.'There'sonlyonewayI

knowtokeepyouquiet.'

'No,Kane!'Ashereachedouttotakeherinhisarmsshesprangback

soviolentlyshealmostfell.'Idon'twantyoutotouchme;Imeanit.'

'That'snotthetruth.'Heeyedherbroodingly,hisdarkfaceamassof

craggyshadowsinwhichtheblueofhiseyesglitteredstrangely.'It

mightbewhatyourmouthissayingbutyourbodytellsmesomething

quitedifferent.Youwantme,Janie.Dousbothafavourandadmitit.'

'You'resosureofyourself,aren'tyou?'Thesheerarroganceofthe

manwasbreathtaking.'Isupposeallyourwomencollapseinyour

armsattheblinkofaneye?Well,notthisone.Youdonothingforme

exceptdisgustme.Ihateyourlifestyle,yourmorals,everythingabout

you,doyouhearme?'Shewasconsciousthatshewasforcingthede-

fiance,thecruelwords,pastagrowingweaknessthatwasprompting

hertogiveintohisdemands.Theywereatalisman,aprotection...

'Loudandclear.'Heleanedbackagainstthegnarledtrunkofanold

bentappletreeashewatchedherthroughhard,narrowedeyes.'And

youmeantosaythatifItookyouinmyarmsIcouldn'thaveyou

willingwithinfiveminutes?'

'You'retalkingaboutsex,'shesaidflatly,'andIdon'tdoubtfora

minutethatyou'reanexpertinthatdepartment.'Notforaminute,she

thoughtpainfully.

Hebentoverinasmallmockingbow.'Acompliment?'

'Itwasn'tmeantlikethat,'shesaidweakly,'andyouknowit.'How

couldhebesocool?Hewasmadeofice.

'You'reseriouslytellingmeyouexpectmetohaveremainedcelibate

attheageofthirty-four?'heaskedincredulously.

'Notcelibate,ofcoursenot,'sheansweredquickly.'ButfromwhatI

hearthere'sneverbeenanydangerofthatandcasualaffairsaren'tmy

style.

'Fromwhatyouhear?'Hemovedclosernowandshesawhismouth

wasathinstraightline.'Andwhatexactlyhaveyouheard,mybusy

littlebee?'

'Thisandthat.'Thetautnessofhisbodywasfrighteningherandshe

turnedwithaflickofherheadtowardsthedirectionofthehouse.'I'm

cold;I'mgoingback.'

'Thehellyouare,'hesaidgrimlyashejerkedherroundtofacehim

again.'Now,whathaveyouheardandfromwhom?'

'It'scommonknowledgeyoulikewomen,lotsofwomen.'The

bruisinggriponherarmwashurtingbutshewouldn'tadmititforthe

world.'Canyoudenythat?'sheaskeddesperately.

'Commonknowledge?'Hislipcurledawayfromhisteethandfora

momentheresembledahugeblackwolfpreparingtopounce.'You

listentogossip,isthatit,and,moretothepoint,havethestupidityto

believeit?'

'Youaredenyingit?'Hertonewascausticandherheadhigh,butthe

weaknessthatwasinvadingherlimbstoldhershewantedhimto

repudiateherwords,badly.

'Iwouldn'tlowermyselfeventotakesuchrubbishthatfar,'hesaid

cuttingly.'IfyoulistentothegutterPress,Janie,youhavetoexpectto

besoiledbythecontact.'

'Butsomeone-----'Shestoppedabruptly.'Itwasongoodauthority,'

shefinishedweakly,herheartthudding.

'Well,Ishouldbealittlemorediscerninginmychoiceofcompanyin

thefuture,ifIwereyou,'hesaidderisively,histonesharpand

stinging.'Ihaven'tbeendeadfromtheneckdownwardsregarding

womensincepuberty,no,butneitherhaveIbeenputouttostud,as

youwouldseemtosuggest.Butthat'smyownaffair,surely?'The

blueeyesweredevastatinglycold.'It'sofnointeresttoyouoneway

ortheother,isit?Thatmuchyouhavemadeperfectlyplain.'

Shestaredathim forasecond,utterlyunabletoreplyasthe

realisationthatshewouldneveragainmeetanyoneelselikehim

searedthroughherbrain.Hetooktheword'arrogant'toanew

dimension;hewascold,ruthless,seeminglywithoutpityforthose

whofellfoulofhim,andyet-----Thequestionmarkwasbackagain

strongerthanever.Thereweretimeswhenhewassodifferent,

fascinatinglysensual,warm,tender,gentle...

'Kane!’

'Nomoretonight,Janie.Ireallycouldn'ttakeanymorewithoutdoing

somethingwe'dbothregret.Youhavethedubiousdistinctionofbeing

theonlywomanI'veevermetwhohastheabilitytodrivemetothe

verylimitandthat'spreciselywhereIamnow.Inspiteofthefactthat

it'sseveraldegreesbelowzero,thetemptationtotakeyourighthere

andnowisfastbecomingtoostrongtoresist,butitwouldbethe

wrongtimeinmorewaysthanoneandtoprovesomethingyouaren't

readytoacknowledgeyet.'

'But-----'

'Comeon.'Hecutofffurtherconversationbytakingherhandinagrip

thatwasfarfromgentleandalmosthaulingheralongathissideashe

strodebacktowardsthehouse,hisfacegrimandtightandhiseyes

lookingstraightahead.

Asshetrottedalonginanundignifiedjogallherenergywas

concentratedonnotslippingontheicygroundandfindingherselfina

moreridiculouspositionthanthepresentone,butlaterthatnight,in

thesafetyofherroom,asshesnuggleddeepintothehugebed,she

wanderedbackandforthovertheirconversationuntilshewas

thoroughlyconfusedandclosetotears,andwhenJuniperjoinedher

onthebed,hisbig,warmbodyvibratingwiththeminiatureexpress

trainpurringdeepinsidehim,itwasthefinalstraw.Thesurprisedcat

foundhimselfbeingheldverytightly,hisfurgettingdamperbythe

secondasJaniecriedherselftosleepinawayshehadn'tdonesince

shewasasmallchild.

CHAPTERSEVEN

BoxingDaylunchwasacoldbuffetandasJaniehelpedherselffrom

theladentableshefoundTinaatherside,theblonde'scoolblueeyes

sharponJanie'sface.'Quitewellagain,Isee?'Thetonewasfarfrom

pleasant.'We'renotusedtosuchdramaatChristmas.Junetellsmeit

waslikeascenefrom anoldmoviewhenKanecarriedyouin

ChristmasEve—alittlewaifandstrayrescuedbyherdreamhero.'

'Hardly.'JanieturnedtofaceTina,staringfullyintothehard,

beautifulface.'I'mnostrayandKanehasn'tfeaturedinanydreams

thatI'vebeenawareof,andyes,Ifeelfinenow.'Thatwasalie,her

legsfeltpeculiarlyweaknowandagainandherheadstillhad

momentsofleavingherbody,butnotfortheworldwouldshebetray

anyweaknesstothereptilian-like,unblinkingeyeswatchingherso

closely.

'Thiscoolroutineisveryclever,'Tinasaidconversationallyasshe

followedJanietothehugewindow-seatatthefarendoftheroom,

plateinhand.'Itcertainlyseemstohavehim interestedforthe

moment—menaresogullible.'

'Areyoualwaysthisunpleasant?'Janieaskeddirectly,suddenlytiring

oftheotherwoman'scat-and-mousegame.'It'sveryboring.'

'Really?'Inspiteofthechillytoneasurgeofhotcolourstainedthe

highcheekbonesredandJanieknewherremarkhadhithome.'Well,I

doapologiseforbeingtedious,darling,butthenmaybeyouaren't

usedtothenicetiesofsocialintercourse?Iunderstandyou'realittle

secretarysomewhere?'Tinaraisedonefinelyshapedeyebrowin

quizzicalcontempt.

'Iworkformyliving,ifthat'swhatyoumean,'Janiesaidquietly,'and

thoroughlyenjoyeveryminute.Doesyourlifegiveyoupleasureand

fulfilment?'Itwasbelowthebeltbutshefelttheotherwoman

deservedit,andasTinadrewbackwithatighteningofherthin,well-

shapedlips,herblueeyesnarrowing,Janiesawherhandsclench

violentlyinherlap.

She'dlikethattobemythroat,Janiethoughtwithalittleshiverof

darkamusementastheotherwomanleantforwardagain,hervoicea

lowhiss.

'Youthinkyou'resoclever,don'tyou,catchinghiseyeandbeing

invitedforChristmas?Well,don'tgetanybrightideas,littleMiss

Know-it-all.Hemaybeslummingforthemoment,butyouarejust

anotherfancythatwillgothewayofalltherest.You'vegotnothing

thatcouldholdhim-----'

'Whyareyousoconcernedanyway?'Janiehadwantedhervoicetobe

coolandclearbuttheotherwoman'snakedvindictivenesshadturned

herstomach.'Kane'spersonallifeisabsolutelynothingtodowith

you.'

That'swhatyouthink!'Therewasanoteinhervoice,anobsessional

intensityinhereyesdmmadeJanie'sfleshcreep.Justatthatmoment

theobjectoftheirconversionappearedinthedoorway,hiseyes

narrowingsheglancedacrosstothetwowomenandsawthelookon

Janie's-face.Hehadbeenclosetedinhisstudysincebreakfast,much

tohismother'sdisgust,MrsSteelhavingmadeherobjectionsvery

plainthatmorning.'Really,Kane,thisissupposedtobeaholiday,'

shehadsaiddisapprovinglyashersonhadexcusedhimselffromthe

walktheotherswereplanningastheyfinishedcoffeeinthebreakfast-

room.'Doyouhavetowork?'

'Afraidso.'HehadglancedatJanie,theblueeyesguardedanddistant.

'Doyoumind?'he'daskedexpressionlessly.

'Me?Ofcoursenot,'she'danswered,immediatelyearninga:long

sardoniclookintheprocessthathadmadeherheartthud

uncomfortably.

'No,Ithoughtnot,'he'dsaiddrily,hismeaningplaintoheralone.'I'm

afraidthere'ssomethingthatwon'twait.'

'TheCollinsdeal?'Hisfather'svoicehadbeenunderstandingand

Kanehadnoddedquietly.

'Afraidso,butdon'tletmespoiltheday.'Hiseyeshadflickedover

thetwosmallheadsofthechildren,whoweresittingfinishingmugs

ofwarmmilk.'Enjoythetimewiththekiddies;thepool'sheatedup

likeahotbath,butperhapsyou'dprefertotakethem inthis

afternoon?'

Hisfatherhadnoddedslowly.'Youcan'tsaveit,Kane,'he'dsaid

quietly.'Letitgo,son.Givehimagoodpriceandleaveitatthat.You

can'thelpCollinsifJohnwon'tagree.'

'We'llsee.'Kane'svoicehadbeencurtandthenhe'dcheckedhimself,

hiseyessofteningastheyglancedattheolderman.'Enjoyyourwalk.'

ThememoryofthatconversationhadbotheredJanieallmorningand

now,asshecaughtKane'seyesovertheheadsoftheothers,shesaw

thathewascomingstraighttowhereshesat.

'Gettingtoknoweachother?'heaskedTina,hiseyestightonthe

blonde'sbeautifulface,whichwascoolandsuperioragain.

'Yes.'Hissister-in-lawstoodupgracefully,thefaintsmiletouching

thehardmouthassheglancedathisdarkfacedyinginstantlywhen

shenoticedtheexpressionintheblueeyes.'I'lljusthelpAileenwith

thechildren.'

'Ishouldn'tbotherifIwereyou.She'susedtolookingafterthemon

herown,'KanesaidgrimlyashetookTina'sarmwhenshemadeto

walkaway.'Pleasedocontinuetheconversationyouwerehaving

beforeIsorudelyinterrupted.'

'Itwasnothingimportant;Ireallycan'tremember,'Tinasaidcoldlyas

hereyesflickedoverhisface.'Girltalk,youknow...'

'Notreally.'Kanepressedherdownonthewindow-seatwithjust

enoughforcetoletherknowhemeantbusiness.'Butperhapsyou'd

liketoenlightenme?'

"Wewerejustsayinghowluckyitwasthatyoubroughtmeon

ChristmasEve,'Janiesaidlightlyafterheavysecondshadtickedby.

Tina'sfacehadreddened,butitwasn'tthroughanyfinerfeelings

towardstheblondethatJaniesteppedintobreach.Shehadseen

Kane'smotherglancingoverattheirlittlehuddleseveraltimesinthe

lastminuteandknewtheolderladysensedthatsome-thingwas

wrong.AileenhadshownJanienothingbutkindnessandshedidn't

wantherupset.

Isee.'KanereleasedhishandfromTina'sshoulderasoneofthe

childrenbegantowail,dearlytired.'Well,maybeyou'dbetterbreak

thehabitofalifetimeandseetothechildren,Tina,'hesaidscathingly

ashesteppedbacktolettheblondestandup.'Andperhapswe'llhave

timetohavealittlechatlater,eh?'Itwasastatement,notaquestion,

andtwopairsofblueeyesdidviciousbattleforasecond.

AsTinadisappeared,mutteringsomethingunpleasantunderher

breath,herfacetight,JanielookedupatKanewarily.'Howhasyour

morninggone?'sheaskedlightly,herstomachmusclescontractingas

shetookinthesheerattractivenessoftheruggedfacewatchingherso

intently.Theroomhadcomealiveassoonashehadenteredit,she

thoughtdespairingly.Shecouldn'tcopewithalltheseemotionsthat

wereturningherupside-down-shejustcouldn't.

'Damnmymorning,'hesaidtightlyashesatbyherside,thefeelof

hishard-muscledthighagainstherscausingherhearttopoundinto

herthroat.

'Shewasbotheringyou,wasn'tshe?Thewoman'samenace.'

'I'mabiggirlnow.'Shecouldn'tbringherselftolookathim;the

tremblingthathispresencehadstartedinherbodymightbereflected

inhereyes.'Icanlookaftermyself.'

'PerhapsIdon'twantyoutolookafteryourself,'hesaidhuskily.

'PerhapsIwanttotakethatjobon.'

'Don't.'Sheclosedhereyesforamoment,herheartracing.'Don'tsay

thingslikethat.'

'Whynot?'Hetookoneofherhandsandspreadouthersmallfingers

onhisbigpalm.'Wouldthatbesobad?'

'YouknowhowIfeel——'

Hecutintoherfalteringvoiceabruptly,entwiningherfingerstightin

his.

'No.Iknowhowyoutrytofeel,butyou'refightingsomethingthat's

strongerthanbothofus.Trustmealittle,Janie.Lightacandleto

banishthedarkness;breaktheweb.'

'Ican't.'Hervoicewasalittlemoan.'SurelyyoucanunderstandthatI

can't.'

'Youwill.'Therewasnotriumphorviolenceinhisvoice,justadeep

certaintythatstirredtheverydepthsofherbeinginspiteof

everything.Shehadthesuddencrazyimpulse,whichhadhappened

morethanoncelately,torestherheadonthebroadnessofhischest,

tolethimdowhathewould,tosuccumbtoawillgreaterthanher

own;butthatwouldbenothingshortofsuicide.

Tina'swordsbitstarklyintohermind.'Hemaybeslummingforthe

moment,butyouarejustanotherfancythatwillgothewayofallthe

rest.'

Shehadbeenbeingspiteful,butthewordsaddedfearsinJanie'sown

heart.Hewasagiantamongmeninmorewaysthanone,rich,

powerful,incrediblyattractive.Hewouldonlywantherforashort

timeandthenhewouldexpecthertodisappearasgracefullyashis

otherwomen,oncetheaffairwasover.

Butshewasn'tmadelikethat.Shealmostmoanedaloud.Ifshegave

herselftohim itwouldmeanmorethanjustacasualholiday

diversion...Thethoughtbroughtherabruptlybacktosanity.Whywas

shethinkinglikethis?Herfatherhadn'tevenfeaturedinheranguish.

Howcouldshehaveforgottenthepast?

'Letmegetyouaglassofwine.'Hestoodupslowly,unawareofher

turmoil,andashewalkedacrosstheroomshenoticedagainaslight

unsteadinessinhisstepthatwasimmediatelycorrected.Therehad

beennumerouslittleinstanceslikethatalloverChristmas,she

thoughtsuddenlyasseparateeventsslottedintothescreenofher

mind,ahundredandoneoccasionswhenthebigbodyhadalmost

seemedoutofbalanceforafleetingmoment.Sheshruggedmentally;

shewasimaginingthings.

'Tellmealittleaboutyourjob,Janie.'Aileenhadjoinedher,theolder

woman'skindeyesbrightwithgenuineinterest,andasJanie

describedherworkKanereturned,listeningintentlyasshetalked.

AnhourcreptbyandaslongasJaniekeptremindingherselfnotto

meettheice-blueeyesthathadthepowertodrawherinextricably

closeshecouldgivetheimpressionthatshewasquitecomposedand

ateasewheninwardlytheveryoppositewastrue.

'You'restayingfortheparty,Janie?'Aileenaskedastheywere

finishingcoffeeinthedrawing-room,theatmospherealittleeasier

sinceTinahaddisappearedtohersuiteofrooms.

'Ofcoursesheis,'Kanesaidcalmlyanddistinctlyashetookthetwo

women'scoffee-cupsandplacedthemonthetray.'AlthoughJanie

doesn'tknowaboutityet.We'llgoforadriveifyoulikeandI'll

explain,'headded,turningtoJanie.Helookeddownather,hiseyesa

pearlybluefromtheshaftsofsunlightstreamingintotheroomfrom

thehugewindows.'You'llbequitewarmenoughinthecar.'

'Oh,butyoucouldn'tleaveeveryone,'shesaidquickly.

'Nonsense,'Aileensaidheartily.'IheardGeorgeplanningtousethe

poolthisafternoonwiththechildrenandIthinkIintendtohavea

littlenap.Anicerelaxingdrivewilldoyoutheworldofgood,Janie,

andthere'snoneedtohurryback.Wealljusteatwhenwefeellikeit

onBoxingDay.'

'Anicerelaxingdrive'?Janiesmiledcarefullyattheolderwoman,

determinednottomeetKane'seyes.Therewouldbenothingrelaxing

aboutbeingalonewithKaneinaconfinedspace.

'Thereyouare,'Kanedrawledmockinglyashismotherwanderedoff

withabeamingsmile.'Youhavenoexcuse.'

'IcouldsayIjustdon'twanttocome,'Janiesaidquietly,stiffeningas

hebrushedanerrantstrandofhairoffhercheek,thetouchofhisfirm

fleshsendingatinglingthroughherskin.

'Youcould.'Heeyedherquizzically.'Butyouaren'tgoingto.An

afternooninTina'scompanyismorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand

soIshallcarryyououttothecarbyforceifIhaveto.'

'Wecouldswim,'shesaidobstinately.'Ihaven'tseenyourindoorpool

yetand-----'

'Thepoolwillkeep.'Sheflinched,sharplyandabruptly,ashecaught

herhand,raisingittohismouthandkissingthesoftskinlingeringly

whilehewatchedherwithhard,glitteringeyes.'We'regoingfora

drive,Janie.Goandgetyourcoat.'

Theweaksunshineheldnowarmthastheywalkedtowardsthe

garagesafewminuteslater,butthewhitelightturnedtheskya

blindinglyclearblueandtheicyairwascleanandinvigoratingcon-

sideringtheyweresituatedontheoutskirtsofthenation'scapital.

'You'redriving?'sheaskedinsurpriseasshenoticedthekeysinhis

hand.

'Youfindthatsurprising?'Heeyedhersardonically.'Ididmanageto

getaroundbeforeBaineswasemployed,youknow.Ievenhada

coupleofmotorbikesuntil—'Hestoppedabruptly.'Untilacoupleof

yearsago,'hefinishedflatly.

'Youdecidedyouryearsofhell-raisingwereover?'sheaskedlightly

andhenoddedslowly,hiseyeswarmastheyrestedonherupturned

face.

'Somethinglikethat.'

Itwouldbesoeasytolethim getunderherskin,shethought

helplesslyasheopenedthegaragedoorsanddisappearedinthe

nearestone.Hemadeherfeelfullyaliveforthefirsttimeinherlife

andthesensationwasintoxicatingaswellasfrightening.Didshe

reallybelievehehadknownaboutthecircumstancesinvolvedinher

father'sdemise?Sheshookherheaddespairinglyassomewhereinthe

depthsofthegarageanengineroaredintolife.Idon'tknow,she

thoughtweakly,Ireallydon't.Shehadneverfeltsomuddledand

bewilderedinallherlife.

Forsomereason,shehadexpectedtheBentleytodrawslowlyoutof

thegarage,butthesleekredJaguarthatsuddenlyleapttohersidewas

asfarremovedfromitsgaragecompanionasitwaspossibletobe.

'Whatagorgeouscar.'AssheslidintothefrontseatbesideKaneshe

glancedathimquickly.'Itmusthavecostyouafortune.'

'It'sanindulgence,'headmittedwithaslightlyshamefacedgrinthat

jerkedatherheart-strings,'butwhenIgotridofthebikesIfeltthe

needforspeedonfourwheels.It'sthefastestproductioncarinthe

world.'

'Itlooksit.'Shesmiledattheobviousprideonhisface.'I'm

impressed.'

'Itwasworthit,then.'Therewasadeepnessinthedarkvoicethatsent

alittleshiverflickeringdownherspineandsheglancedoutofthe

windowhastily,hernervesjumping.Ifanyonehadevertoldherthat

themeresoundofaman'svoicecoulddothestrangestthingsto

certainpartsofheranatomyshewouldneverhavebelievedthem,she

thoughtwrylyasthepowerfulcarpurredobedientlydownthelong,

windingdrive.Nowonderthiscarhadappealedtohim.Theywere

twoofakind:arrogant,dangerousandwiththeabilitytocaptivate

anddemandimmediatehomage.

OnceonthemainroadoutsidetheestateKaneveeredsharplytothe

right,downanarrowwindinglanethatranbetweenthewallsofhis

groundsandfarmfieldsontheleft,thesleekcargrowlingwith

impatienceathavingtorestrainitsspeed.Theskywasbeginningto

turnabrilliantgold,thefirstfaintflushofpinkstealingacrossthe

wideexpanse.'It'slaterthanIthought.'Kaneglancedatherswiftly.

'It'salreadyturningdusk.There'salittlecountrypubIknowabout

twentyminutesaway.Fancycallinginforaswiftone?'

'Fine.'Janienoddedwithoutlookingathim.Thesensationofbeingin

suchapowerful,expensivecarwastakingalittlegettingusedto.In

factthiswholeexperiencewasmorethanalittlemind-boggling.She

castasecretglanceathimfromunderherlashes,andherheart

poundedviolentlyasshetookinthedarkprofile.Hewaswearinga

fur-linedblackleatherjacketandblackdrivingglovesandthewhole

imageofcarandmanblendedtogetherintopureunadulterated

sensuality.

Tina'sgibeflashedintohermind:'alittlewaifandstrayrescuedby

herdreamhero'.Perhapstheotherwomanhadn'tbeenfarwrong,she

reflectedwithdryself-mockery.Youcertainlydidn'tgetmanymen

likehimshoppinginthelocalsupermarketorvisitingthelaunderette

onaSaturdaynight.Shesmiledtoherselfatthethought.

'Pennyforthem.'Shehadn'trealisedhewaslookingatherandshe

flushedguiltily.

'Oh,itwasnothing,'sheprevaricatedquickly.

'Janie,IcancountononehandthetimesI'veseenyousmileinmy

company,'hesaidcaustically.'Youcouldatleasttellmewhyonthis

occasion.'

'Doyoureallywanttoknow?'sheaskedwarn-ingly.'Youmightnot

likeit.'

'Idon'tdoubtthatforasecond,'hesaidflatly.'Comeon,then,shoot.'

'Iwasjustwonderinghowofteninyourlifeyou'vevisitedthe

launderette.'Shefeltamoment'sridiculoussatisfactionatthelookof

amazementonhisface.'That'sall.Youprobablydon'tevenknow

whatoneis,though,'sheaddedblandly,butwithatouchof

underlyingsarcasmthathedidn'tmiss.

'Quiteafewtimes,asithappens.'Hedrewabruptlyintoasmalllay-

bythatoverlookedasmallvillage,thesunagoldenballinthe

distance,andswitchedofftheengineasheturnedtolookather.'Idid

dothreeyearsatuniversity,youknow,andthenItookoffround

Europeforacoupleofyears,bummingaround.'

'Butyouhadlotsofmoney’

'No.'Hestaredatherhard.'Ididn'twanttobedifferentfrommy

particulargroupoffriendsandnoneofthemhadadime.Weusedto

sleeponthebeaches,inthelocaldoss-houses,younameit.'Theblue

eyestwinkledwickedlyatheramazement.'Oneofthelessreputable

establishmentswaseveninfestedwithfleas.Disgusting,asI

remember,'headdedreflectively,hiseyeslookinginwardsnow.'But

wehadagreatcoupleofyears.'

'Doyoustillseeanyofthemnow?'sheaskedcuriously,ashesat

staringoutintothewinterafternoon,fascinatedbythisunexpected

glimpseintohislife.

'Uh-huh.'Thevividblueeyesfocusedonheragain.'CharlieandBen

aredoctorsnow,bothmarried.Mike'sstillbummingfromonejobto

another—itchyfeet—andNathan'stheoriginalfamilymanwitha

broodofsixinfantsatthelastcount.'

'Six?'Sheeyedhimlaughingly.

"TheyliveinalittleterracedhouseinthemiddleofNewcastle,where

he'savet,andit'sbedlam,'Kanesaidquietlywithalookonhisface

shecouldn'tquitefathom.'It'salsothehappiestplaceonearth.'

'Isit?'Shestoppedsmilingashenoddedslowly,hiseyespiercingly

hypnoticonherface.

'Theyloveeachother,yousee,'hesaidsoftly.'Thesortoflovethat

comesonceinalifetime.'

Theairgrewheavyandquietandshesoughtdesperatelyforawayto

breakthebondofintimacythathadcreptintothestillness.'Andthat's

allofthem?'

'No.'Hisvoicechangedandheturnedawayfromhernow,hisprofile

tightening.'Mybestfriend,John,isinAmericafightingdesperately

withallhepossessestosavehisfather'sbusinessfromthewolves.

JohnCollins.'Helookedatherhard.'Thetroubleis,hewon'taccept

favoursthathecan'trepayandthedamnfooliseffectivelytyingmy

handsatthesametimeashisfatherisbeggingforhelp.Hellofa

situation,isn'tit?'Heshookhisheadslowly.'Headsortails,everyone

loses.Look,canweleavethisnow?'Hisfacewasalmosthostileashe

firedtheignition,hismouthstraight.‘I’lltellyouaboutitproperly

sometime,butnotnow.'

'Ofcourse,I'msorry,'shesaidquietlyasheswungoutintotheroad

again.'Ididn'tmeantopry.'

Heshruggedlightly.'Youdidn't.'Heglancedatherswiftly,hiseyes

softening.'I'mjustnottoogoodatbaringmysoul;it'snotsomethingI

normallyindulgein.'Thesmilehegavehermeltedherbones.'Let's

goandfindthatpub,shallwe?'

Idon'twantthis.Idon'twantthis.Thewordswereapersistent

drummingrefraininherheadastheydroveslowlythroughthesmall

village,whichwasnothingbutatinyclusterofhousesgroupedround

thelocalpostofficeandcornershop,andupagradualinclineonthe

otherside,passingthroughamoreheavilybuilt-upareawithin

minutesbeforeturningonceagainintoawindingcountrylanewith

fieldseithersideinwhichplacidlychewingbovineseyedthesleek

caruninterestedly.Somethingwashappeningtoheranditscaredher

todeath.Howsooncouldshedecentlymakeherescape?Asthough

hehadreadhermindhespokequietlyintothesilencethathadfallen.

'Thepartymymothermentionedisjustasmallonetoroundoff

Christmas.You'llstay,ofcourse?'

Byenormouswill-powershekepthervoicecoolandblandasshe

replied,herfaceexpressionless,'Idon'tthinkso,thanks.Ioughttobe

gettinghome.Itwasverykindofyou-----'

'Don'tstartallthatagain.'Immediatecolourflaredintoherfaceathis

clippedtone.

'Don'tstartallwhatagain?'sheaskedindignantly.

'The"escapefromthewolf'slair"routine,'hesaidtestily.'Thepartyis

onSunday.AreyouexpectedatworkonMonday?'

'Yes.'Shewasn'tsureifJoeexpectedherbackthenornot,butthat

wasincidental.

"ThenIwillrunyouhomeafterwards,'hesaidcoolly.

'ButIdon'twantto-----'

'Dammit,Janie!'Thebarkwassosuddenthatshejumpedvisibly.

'Whatthehellisthematterwithyou,girl?I'maskingyoutostayfora

party,notasessionontherack.Atleastdomethecourtesyof

pretendingthatallthisisn'ttoorepellent.'

'It'snotrepellent,'shesaidweaklyasshenoticedthathisknuckles

werewhitewherehishandsgrippedthesteering-wheel.'It'sjustthat-

----'Shestopped,unabletogoon.

'Yes?'Histonewashardlyconducivetofurtherconversation.

Shetookadeepbreath,hereyescloudywithemotion.'It'sjustthatI

don'tknowwhatyouexpectofme,'shesaidmiserablyafteralong

moment.'YouknowhowIfeel,aboutmyfatherandeverything.Ijust

findithardto...'Shesearchedfortherightwords.

'Trustme?'hefinishedquietly,hiseyeslookingstraightahead.

'Isupposeso.'Shedidn'tdarelookathimnowastheytravelled

throughthedusk-filledevening,theskyadeepredagainstwhichthe

starkblackoutlinesofthebaretreesstoodoutinmagnificentcontrast.

'Ididn'thaveanyknowledgeofitwhenitwashappening,Janie,you

canbelievethat,'hesaidsoftlyastheydrewintotheroughsquareof

partlyconcretedlandthatwasthepubcarpark.'Iwouldn'tlietoyou

aboutthis.'

Aftercuttingtheengineheleantbackinhisseatwithonearm

stretchedalongthebackofhers,hisblueeyesfixedonhertroubled

face.'Soonerorlateryouaregoingtohavetotakeafewchancesin

life,'hesaidsoftlyafterafullminutehadpassed.'Whynotstartnow,

withme?I'm notaskingthatyouimmediatelydeclareundying

devotion,Janie,justthatyoutryandopenyourmindalittleandtake

eachdayasitcomes.Isthatreallytoomuchtoask?'

'WhatwerethepapersyoubroughtroundChristmasEve?'sheasked

suddenly.Somehowtheywereimportanttothepresentconversation

althoughshewasn'tsurewhy.

Thepiercingeyesdidn'tleaveherfaceashereplied,hisvoiceslow

andsteady,'Mostlyaresultofmyinvestigations,'hesaidsoftly.

"Therewasaninjusticedone,butIhadn'trealisedatfirsthowserious

itwas.Thepapersaredocumentsthatprovethisandalsodetailthe

amountyourfathershouldhavebeenpaid.Iwantyoutohavethe

money,Janie-----'Hestoppedabruptlyasshemovedin

protestandheraisedanauthoritativehandquickly.'No,letme

continue.Onceit'spaidtoyouyoucandowhateveryoulikewithit—

giveitawaytocharityifyoustillconsiderit'sbloodmoney—butI

wantyoutoacceptit.'

'Guiltyconscience?'sheaskedquietly.

Henoddedagreement.'Asyousaidwhenwefirstmet,thebuckstops

here.Whateverthecircumstances,thetransactionsweremadeinthe

nameofSteelEnterprisesandthatmeansIcollectthecheque.I've

neveryetknowinglycheatedsomeoneoutoftheirrightfuldue,andI

wouldn'tliketosetaprecedentwithyourfather.Ican'tundothe

damagethatresulted,IcanonlyrepeatthatIhadnothingtodowithit.

Youhavetodecideifyoubelievemeandalsoifthat'senoughtoset

thecandleflickering.'

"Thecandle?'Shestaredathimmesmerisedinthedimlightfromthe

duskytwilightthatfilledthesilentcar.Thetremblinghispresence

alwaysinducedwasthereatthepitofherstomach,thesensually

delicioussmellofhimfilledhernostrils,theoveralldynamicpower

ofthemanseemedintensifiedahundredtimesinthecloseconfinesof

thecar.

'Thelighttobanishthedarkness,'hesaidsoftly.

'Butwhy-----?'Shestoppedabruptly.Whatshehadbeenabouttosay

wasverygauche.

'Why?'

Oh,blowit,shethoughtwithasuddensurgeofstrength.Shehadto

ask,howevergaucheitsounded.'Whyareyouinterestedinme

anyway?Ifyouare,'sheaddedhastilyasthecoolfacedidn'tchange

expression.'Imean,theworldisyouroyster,afterall,andthewomen

youcouldchoose-----'

'Well,correctmeifI'mwrong,butatthelastlookIcouldhavesworn

youwereawoman,'hesaid,hissmileholdingatingeofmockery.'So

whynotyou?'

'I'mnotexactlyyourtype,amI?'shemurmuredquietly,hercheeks

hotwithembarrassment.'Imean—-'

'Whosaysyouaren'tmytype?'Hisvoicewasverythickandvery

deepandthebutterfliesinherstomachsuddenlywentcrazy.

'Kane-----'

'Comehere.'Asherlipspartedhismouthtookpossessionofhers,the

explorativepowerofhistonguesendingaboltofelectricitydownto

hertoes.Shecouldkisshimforever,shethoughtwithatingeof

horrorashelockedheragainsthim.Shehadnevercomeacrosssuch

pureevocativepowerinamerekissbefore.Hishandscameupto

frameherfacetenderly,hismouthstillhardonhers,andthenhislips

beganadevastatinglyseductivewanderoverhercheeks,hereyelids,

herears,untilshebegantothinkshewasgoingtomeltathisfeet.

'Now.'Hesettledbackinhisseatagain,onehandplayingwithher

neckunderitsveilofsilkyblackhair.'Canyouhonestlytellmethat

youdon'tgetalittleinklingthatIfindyoumorethanacceptable?'The

gleamofhumourlightingtheblueeyesplayedhavocwithherjangled

nerves.'Andforthemomentyouaregoingtodoasyou'retold,Janie

Gordon.Wearegoingtogointhepubandhaveacosydrinkbefore

dinnerandthenyouaregoingtospendtherestoftheevening

devotingyourselfexclusivelytomycompany.Beforelongyouare

goingtobeliketherestofmywomen,fallingdowninadorationat

myfeet!'Thewordsweresaidwithhumour,adryself-mockeryap-

parentineveryone,butasherepeatedtheremarkshehadflungat

himearlierinangerapiercingboltoflightningseemedtospearherin

twoassheadmittedtoherselfthatthatwasexactlywhatshehadbeen

fearingallalong.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Saturdaypassedinarose-coloureddazethatevenTina'ssubtle,

poisonousremarkscouldn'tpenetrate.I'mfallinginlovewithhim,

Janieacknowledgedlaterthatnightasshelaycurledupinbedwith

JuniperandCosmosatherside.Itwasagainstallreason,alllogic,

andshedidn'twanttobut...shehuggedherpillowtightly...she

couldn'thelpit.Couldshereallyloveanyoneshedidn'ttrust?she

askedherselfsometimelaterwhensleepprovedelusive.Anddidshe

trusthim?Shewriggledinthebed,totheannoyanceofthetwocats.

Shedidn'tknow.Shedidn'tknowanythinganymore.Oneminuteshe

wishedshe'dnevermethimandthenext...

Sherememberedthelongwalkthey'dgoneonthatafternooninthe

crisp,cleanairthatwasfragrantwithwoodsmokeandwinter.The

easywaythey’dtalkedandlaughedtogether,thelove-making-----She

shiveredsuddenlyandmadeasmallanguishedsoundinherthroat.

Shewasprobablythebiggestfoolonearth,buthowcouldshebe

sure...?

JunebroughtherabreakfasttrayearlyonSundaymorning,heryoung

facepreoccupiedandbusy.'It'sarighttwoandeightdownstairs,

miss,'shesaidcheerfullyasshepulledthecurtains.

‘MrsLangton'sbeenupsincefivepreparingforthisparty.You'dhave

thoughtwewerehavingtheQueenvisiting,atleast.'

'CanIhelpatall?'Janieaskedquickly.

'Goodgriefno,miss,'Junesaid,horror-stricken.'MrsLangton'dhave

abluefit.Thecaterersaredownthereatthemomentdoingthisand

that,butnothingisrightasfarasshe'sconcerned.We'reonlyhaving

fortyorso.Idon'tknowwhyshe'ssoconcerned.'

'Fortyorso?'Janieaskedasherheartsank.'Ithoughtitwasjusta

littleparty?'

'Well,itis,miss,'Junesaidbewilderedly."There'sbeentwohundred

herebeforenowwhenMrSteelhasfeltlikeentertaining,especiallyin

thesummerwiththegardensandall.Fortyisnothing.'

Assoonasshe'dfinishedbreakfastJaniepaddedovertothewardrobe

andlookeddismallyatherclothes.She'dworntheblackdressanda

chocolate-boxcocktaildresshere—theywouldn'tdo.Hereyesroved

overthefewgoodeveningclothesMrsLangtonhadpacked.Maybe

whitesilktrousersteamedwiththesleevelesscut-awaytopshe'd

boughtinParisonadaytriplastyear?Shehauleditoutofthe

wardrobeandlaiditonthebed.Thesequinnedtopwasdramaticin

blackandwhite,almostbackless,withtinyshoulder-strapsanda

plungingneckline.Thatoutfitwouldgiveanyonearunfortheir

money,shethoughtapprovinglyassheeyeditonthebed.Shedidn't

dwellonexactlywhom.Nodoubttherewouldbemorethanafew

model-slimshapesheretonight.Andshe'dhaveherhairdown.She

rememberedKane'shandsashe'dplayedwithherhairtheafternoon

before,hiseyeshungry,andsatdownonthebedwithasmallplop.

Thiswascrazy;shewascrazy!

Bythetimethefirstguestshadbeguntoarrivejustbeforeteatime,

Janiehadworkedherselfupintoastateofbrittlefatalism.Thiswas

probablyallgoingtogowrong,shethoughthelplesslyasthefirst

persontowalkthroughthedoorwastheetherealblondeshehadseen

KanewithatthePressconference.She'dbeenmadeventoconsider

thathewasseriousabouther.

'Thereyouare.'AsKaneslippedapossessivelyfirmarmroundher

waistsheblinkedupathiminsurprise.'Sorry,Igotdelayed—phone

call.'Hewasdevastatinglyattractiveinbeautifullycutcasualtrousers

andapuresilkshirtthatsatonthebig,hardchestlikeadelicious

advertisementforthebodybeneath.Shehadn'tseenhimformostof

theafternoon;hehadbeenclosetedinthestudyagainandshehad

determinedfromhisfatherthathewasstillfightingouttheCollins

mergerwithfatherandsonrespectively.

'Successfulphonecall?'sheaskedlightly,tryingtoconcentrateon

anythingbutthefeelofhishardthighnexttohers.

'Maybe,atlast,'hesaidslowly.'I'vegottheoldmanandJohntalking

togethernowsoperhapswecanreachsomesortofcompromise—

jointpartnershipwithSteelEnterprises—somethingalongthoselines.

John'ssodamnproud...'Hesmiledsardonically.'Andnocomments

aboutthemaleego.'

'Iwouldn'tdreamofit,'shesaidsmoothlyastheblondewalkedby

withouthimevennoticingher.

'You'reonedge.Don'tbe,'hesaidalittlewhilelater,hisgazewarm

onherface.'Youlookbeautiful,Janie.There'snotawomaninthe

roomwhocouldcompetewithyou.'

'Alittleungallanttowardstherestofus,Kane?'Tina'sfacewas

smoothandsmilingassherestedherhandlightlyonhisarmfora

momentasshepassedbyinaswirlofblacksatinandflashingdia-

monds.Kaneraisedexpressiveblackeyebrowsinanexpressionof

cynicalamusementastheywerejoinedbyanothercouplebutasJanie

staredafterthetallblondeshefeltalittleshiversnakedownher

spine.Thewomanwaspoison.Sheerpoison.Andnevermoresothan

whenshewasfeigningrefinement.

Itwasn'tuntilJaniewashelpingherselffromthemagnificentbuffet

thatTinasidleduptoher,butshehadfelttheblonde'svenomoushard

gazefollowingherallnight,thesapphireeyesglowingwithhate.'I

thinkKanemusthavehadeverywomaninthisroomatsometimeor

other,'theblonde'scultured,quietvoicesaidconversationallyin

Janie'srightear,'oratleastthoseunderthirty,anyway.'

'Ibegyourpardon?'Janiehadmentallypreparedherselfforsomesort

ofonslaught,butthesheervulgarityofthesoftlyhissedwordstook

hercompletelybysurprise.

'It'samazingreally,whenyouconsiderit,'Tinacontinuedsmoothly,

hereyesfixedonthefoodasshecarefullyfilledherplate.'Howhe

remainsfriendswiththemallafterwards.Still,heisquiteanunusual

man.'Shespearedapieceofhamwithherfork.'Don'tyouthink?'She

glancedatJanienow,thenarrowedeyesmalevolent.

'Idon'tthinkthisconversation-----'

'DidyouknowIwentoutwithhimforatime,beforeKeithandImet,

thatis?'TinacutthroughJanie'sstiffvoicewithavoiceofsteel

wrappedinsilk.'SoIdospeakfromexperience,ofcourse.'She

smiledmeaningfully,herfacevicious.

'Areyousayingyousleptwithhim?'Janieaskedcoldlyasshemetthe

otherwoman'sflickeringgazehead-on.

'Darling,howverydirectofyou,'Tinadrawledmaliciously.

'BecauseifyouareIwouldhavetocallyoualiar,'Janiesaidtightly,

prayingthatthechurninginherstomachwouldn'trevealitselfinher

voice.'IunderstandfromKaneyoumetcasually,threetimes,andthat

wastheendofit.'AsTina'seyesslidawayfromhersshetookastep

forward,herfacecomposedandcalm.'Wouldyouliketotellme

different?'

'Oh,it'salloldhistorynow,isn'tit,darling?'Tinasaidslowlyaftera

longmomentofsilence,herblueeyesnarrowingintohardslits.'You

don'twanttoknowallthesordiddetails.'

'You'repathetic,Tina.'Janie'sfacewasgrimnowandhereyesdark

withdislike.'Patheticandsickandtwisted.'

'How dareyou?'Thebeautifulfacewasdarkwithafiendish

malevolencethatturnedJanie'sstomach.'Howdareyouspeaktome

likethat?Iwon'thaveit,Itellyou-----'

'AndIwon'tlistentoyourliesandinnuendoes,'Janiesaiddistinctly

asshekepthervoicecoolandclearwithtremendouseffort.'Notnow

andnotinthefuture.'

'Future?'Tina'svoicewasshakingwithrage.'Future?Youseriously

thinkyouaregoingtohaveafuturewithKane?Andyouhavethe

nervetocallmepathetic!Hewon'tstaywithyou;hewon'tstaywith

anyone,don'tyousee?He'saman,aproperman,theonlyoneI've

evermet,andhecan'tbecagedbyanyone.Iseethat—Iknowhowhe

thinks;Icanseewhatheneeds...'ItwasthelookofhorrorinJanie's

eyesthatbroughtthelow,hissingvoicetoahaltasecondbefore

Kane'sdeep,coldvoicespokeoutbehindTina'stensebody.

'Gotoyourroom,Tina.'AstheblondeturnedtofacehimJanie

couldn'tseethelookonherface,butKane'swasterribletobehold.

'Andpackyourthings.Bainesistakingyouhome.'

'Kane-----'

Hecutoffthewhimperwithaferociousshakeofhishead.‘Now,or

sohelpmeIwon'tberesponsibleformyactions.'

'Youcan'tdothistome,Kane.'TherewasastrangenoteinTina's

voicenow,almostasing-songblandnessthatmadeJanie'sflesh

creep,andsherealised,forthefirsttime,thefullenormityofwhatit

musthavemeanttohisbrothertolivewithsuchawomanforsolong.

Nowonderithadkilledhim.'I'mapartofyourfamilywhetheryou

likeitornot.Youcan'ttreatmelikeyoutreattheothers.'

'Comewithme,Tina.'Hetookherarm,leadingherfromtheroom

withanexpressionlessface,andJaniefeltshakywithreliefthatshe

hadgonequietly,althoughthelastlonglookTinahadsentinher

directionhadbeenheavywithviciousspite,andsomethingelse—a

weirdkindofsanemadness.

ItwasalongtimebeforeKanereturnedandalreadyoneortwoofthe

guestshadleft,andintheensuingleave-takingandeffusivegoodbyes

therewasnoopportunitytospeakprivatelywithhim.

Itwasastheywerewavinggoodbyetothelastguestfrom the

doorwayalongwithhisparentsthatKanespoke.'Tina'sleft,Mother.'

HeturnedtofaceAileendirectlyastheysteppedbackintothehall

andclosedthefrontdoor.

'Left?'Hismotherstaredathiminastonishment.'Tonight?Whowith?

Andwherearethechildren?'

'Upstairs,fastasleep,'hesaidquietly.'Tina'sfathercollectedher.I

understandtheyareplanningsomesortofworldcruiseandhe

suggesteditmightbeagoodideaforhertogoalongwiththemfor

thenextfewmonths.Herfatherfeelssheneedsabreakwithoutthe

childrenandheknowstheywillbehappyandsecurewithyou.He's

goingtoringtomorrowtodiscussdetailsandtieupanylooseends.'

'Thisisverysudden.'Hismotherstaredathimblankly.'ButthenI've

neverunderstoodTinaandsheisn'tverymaternal.Doyouthinkthe

lasttwelvemonthshaveaffectedhermorethanshehassaid?'she

askedherhusbandsuddenly,herfaceguilt-stricken.

'Idoubtit,'Georgesaiddrily,'butTinadoesn'tdivulgetoomuchto

anyone,doesshe?Ithinkthisisprobablyexactlywhateveryone

needed.Itwillgiveusabreaktosortthingsout,'headdedquietly

afteralong,hardglanceathisson'sgrimface.

Asheledhiswifeawayhepeeredonceoverhisshoulder,hiseyes

questioning,butKaneshookhisheadquickly,afingeronhislips.

'Seeyoutomorrow,Dad.'Thewordswereblandbuthisfathernodded

slowly,theunspokenmessagereceivedandunderstood.

'Janie?'AshisparentsdisappearedtotheirroomsKaneputhishand

onherarm,hisfacegreywithreaction.'Ineedtotalktoyou,tobe

withsomeonenormal;doyoumind?'

'Ofcoursenot.'Thenakedpaininhiseyeswasheart-wrenchingand,

guidedbyinstinctratherthanherhead,shereachedupandpulledhis

facedowntoherlips,kissinghimofherownvolitionforthefirst

timebeforerestingherheadforasecondagainsthishardchest.

'Inhere.'Heledherintohisstudy,thefirearedglowinthedark

room,kickingthedoorshutwiththebackofhisfootashepulledher

immediatelyintohisarms,hismouthhungryonhers.Sheknewwhat

shewasinvitingasshekissedhimback,butsomehownothingelse

matteredbeyondbringinghimcomfort.

'Ineedyou,Janie,sobadly...'Andashespokeeverysensitisednerve

inherbodyrespondedtohishuskygroan.Hishandsurgedherbody

moreintimatelyagainsthis,hisbreathingraggedandhoarse,hiskiss

deepening,andsheknewshewaslost.Lostinamountingwhirlwind

thatwastakingallreasoningintoitsvoid,wherenothingmatteredbut

Kane.

Theyfelltogetherontothesettee,limbsinstinctivelyentwiningas

theirmouthsandhandssoughtforgreatercontact,andasherfingers

slidinsidehishalf-openedshirthetensedforasecondbefore

capturinghermouthagain.Hisbodywashardandmuscledand

warm,thethick,curlingbodyhairthatcoveredthebroadchest

wonderfullyeroticunderherexploringfingers.

Hisownhandsmoveddownthelengthofherback,slowlyand

caressingly,beforeslippinginsidethethintopandfeelingthesilky

satinofherskin.Hislipswerethrillingandtormentinglyteasingin

turnasheloweredhisheadtoherthroatandbeyondtothesoftswell

ofherfirmbreasts.'Janie,you'redrivingmemad...'

Astheirlovemakingreachednewheightsthepleasurethatswept

throughherbodywasalmostunbearable,andthenhepulledawaya

little,leveringhimselfuponhishandsashelaycrouchedoverher,

hiseyesbrilliantinthelightfromthefire.

'Iwantyou,Janie.Now,properly...'Thedarkfacemeltedintothe

shadowsoftheroom,theglitteringeyestheonlythingshecould

focuson.'Doyouunderstandme?'

Asrealitywashedinonatidalwaveofcoldawarenesssherecognised

inoneblindinglyclearmoment,thathehadconsciouslygivenherthe

choice.Hewasexperienced,versedinalltheresponses.Heknewshe

hadbeenhisforthetaking,buthehaddrawnbackandpurposely

givenherthechoice.Why?Why"?Andsuddenly,unreasonably,she

feltblindpanic.

'Kane,thisisallhappeningtoofast...'Asshestruggledtosituphe

wascompletelystillforonelong,tensemomentbeforeslidingoffthe

setteeandwalkingovertostandinfrontofthedyingfire,hisbackto

her.'I'msorry,really...'Shetookadeepbreathattherigidback.'Ijust

don'tknowhowIfeelanymorewhatIreallywant,'shefinishedona

littlesob.

'IknowexactlywhatIwant.'Asheturnedroundveryslowlyshe

couldn'tseehisfaceintheshadows,justhisblackoutline,bigand

menacingagainsttheglowfromtheredcoals.'Morethanatanytime

inmylife.'

Therewasalong,deepmomentofscreamingsilencebeforeshe

brushedherhandacrosshereyes,feelingimpossiblyclosetotears.

'I'msorry,'shewhisperedagain,hervoiceshakinginspiteofallher

effortstocontrolit.'Ididn'tmeanforthingstogetoutofhandlike

that.'

'NeitherdidI.'Hisvoicewaslowandsoft.'ButwhenI'maroundyou

"things"justtendtohappen,don'tthey?'Themockinghumourhurta

littleandsherealised,withatinyjoltofself-disgust,thatshewanted

himtofeelasdesperateasshedidatthismoment,wantedhimto

sweepallherobjectionsaside,wantedhimtoconsummatetheirre-

lationshipintheage-oldway.Herinconsistencycausedaburning

floodofhumiliationtocolourhercheeksscarlet.

'Willyoutakemehome?'sheaskedinasmallvoice.

'Ifyoupromisetohavedinnerwithmetomorrownight,'hesaid

immediately,hisvoicewarmandsteady.

'WouldTuesdaydo?'sheaskedasherhearthammeredagainsther

chest.'Ineedtogettheflatsorted,washmyhair,theusualthings...'

'Sobeit.'Thedeepvoicesentshiverstricklingdownherspineashis

malenessmadeherhandsdamp.Howcouldshewanthimasbadlyas

this?Whenhadthisfeelingovertakenhersocompletely?Wherehad

allthecoldlogicandreasoninggone?

BaineshadalreadyloadedherluggageintothebackoftheBentley,

whichwasparkedinthedrive,waitingpatientlyunderafullround

moonthatturnedthepaintworkintopuresilver.Kaneclimbedinto

thefrontseataftersettlingheronthepassengersidebesidehim.'Not

asseductiveastheJag,'hemurmuredwithmockinghumourashe

startedthepowerfulengine,'butmaybethat'sjustaswelltonight.'

Shewantedtotreatthewholematteraslightlyasheseemedtobe

abletodo,buttherewasahugerestrictioninthebaseofherthroat

thatwasmakingitdifficult.Ifhehadn'tstopped,rightnowshewould

befeelingverydifferently.Sheshuthereyestightlyforasecond.

Whetheritwouldhavebeenbetterorworseshewaspastknowingat

themoment;hewasstilltoocloseforcoherentthought.Thebigcar

movedswiftlythroughthebeautifulmoonlitnight,theroadsalmost

desertedattwoo'clockinthemorning,andassherememberedher

journeydownherejustfourdaysearliershecouldn'tbelievehow

totallyhehadtakenoverherthoughtsandemotions,howcompletely

hehadannihilatedeverydefence.Andshewasstillsofarfromeven

beginningtounderstandwhatmadehimtick,evenwhatsortofperson

hereallywas.Didshetrustherheadorherheart?Theemptystreets

gavehernohelptosortoutareply.

'Hereweare.'Ashedrewupoutsidethehouseshestaredathimfora

momentinthedimlight,takingineachharshfeature,eachlineofhis

face,asthoughshewouldneverseeitagain.Thismanhadturnedher

lifeupside-downinjustafewdays,butthemostterrifyingthingwas,

shecouldn'timaginethepossibilityofneverseeinghimagain.

'I'mgladyouworeittonight.'Hetouchedherthroatinalightgesture

ashebrushedthependantwiththetipofonefinger.'Itspowerto

catalyseisundiminished.'

'Idon'tunderstand.'Shestaredathimbeforenoddingquickly.'Oh,

youmeanTina.'

'Notexactly,'hesaiddrily.

'She'sgoingaway?'Itwassuddenlymuchsafertoconcentrateonhis

sister-in-law.'Leavingthechildren?'

'Yes.'Hesighedharshlyasheturnedtolookoutthroughthe

windscreen.'HerfatherwasmoreunderstandingthanIcouldhave

hoped.Itappearshelovesherinspiteofherselfratherthanwearing

therose-colouredspectaclesI'dassumedwerefirmlyinplace.He

likedKeith,hemadethatclear,andIthinkhe'dgotaprettygoodidea

ofhowthelandlay.He'splanningtobeawayfortwelvemonths,

perhapsevenlonger,andwe'llmakeitofficialinduecourseregarding

thechildren.Tinahasneverhadanytimeforthem;shecanbarely

standhavingthemaroundattimes.Mymotheristhemotherthey

shouldhavehad.'

'Tinawillagreetothat?'Janieaskedinamazement.'Herown

children?'

'Whenamothersharkgivesbirthtoheryoungtheyareperfectly

formedintheirownlittlesackswithumbilicalcordattached,justlike

humanoffspring,'Kanesaidinahard,painfulvoice.'Thesecondthey

areoutintheoceantheyareontheirown—Imeanreallyontheir

own—shehasnothingmoretodowiththem.Occasionally,very

occasionally,natureplaysamacabrejokeandfashionsitsown

walkingsharkontwolegs.EnterTina.'Heeyedhersoberly.'Thereis

nothingnaturalaboutthewomaninanyway,Janie.Shehasneglected

them,ignoredthem,sincetheywereborn.Keithnearlywentmadfor

atimeuntilheacceptedthat,likeeverythingelse.Hebecamemother

andfathertothemand,ofcourse,mymotherhelped.'

'Howdidhedie,Kane?'Shehadneverfeltshecouldaskbefore,but

here,inthedarkness,timeseemedsuspendedandunreal.

'Caraccident,'hesaidbriefly.'Thecircumstanceswereodd.He

apparentlydrovestraightatabrickwallandtherewerenotyremarks

toindicatethatheswervedforanyreason,butitwasmidnightona

desertedroadwithnowitnesses.'Heshruggedflatly.'Itwaseasierto

letmymotherbelieveitwasanaccident.'

'Youthinksuicide?'sheasked,horror-stricken.

Henoddedslowly.'Tinahadturnedhimintothesortofmanhe

loathed,Janie,'hesaidtiredly.'He'ddonethings,saidthingsthathad

searedhissoulandstillshewasn'tsatisfied.Hewasweak,heknewit,

andhepaidtheultimateprice.'Heturnedtohersuddenly,takingher

lipsinahard,fiercekissthatstopped,herbreath.'Areyousureyou

canwaittwowholedaysbeforeyouseemeagain?'heaskedsoftlyas

hetookherfaceinhishands.Sheacceptedthechangeofconversation

withoutcomment.Sometimestalkingaboutherfatherhadprovedtoo

painfulafteratime,especiallyintheearlydayswhenthebitterness

hadreachedouttoclawherstomachuntilshefeltactualnausea.No

wonderheloathedTinawithsuchintensity.

'I'lltry,'shesaidlightlyassheopenedthecardoorandclimbedout

intothefrostynight.Ifshestayedinthereanotherminuteshe'dbe

askinghimtoturnthecarroundandtakeherhomewithhimagain,

hometohisbed!

‘Foolishgirl...'Hefollowedhertothefrontdoor,takingherinhis

armsagainbeforeshecouldprotestandkissingheruntilthebreath

leftherbody.'Openthedoor,'hesaidcoollywhenheeventually

releasedher,hotandshaking.Sheeyedhimfuriously.Howcouldhe

beso...irritatinglyimperturbable?

'Youneedn'tcomeup,'sheprotestedquicklyashefollowedherinto

thesmallhall.'There'snoneed-----'

'You'vebeenawayforfourdaysandthehousehasbeenempty,'he

saidcalmly,totallyunruffled.'Ishallcheckyou'reOKandthen

vanish,unlessyou'dlikemetowarm yourcoldbed?'heasked

wickedly.

Bythetimehelefthernerveswerestretchedastightaspianowire

andshehadneverfeltsoconfusedinallherlife,thesenseofrelief

shefeltashisfootstepsdisappeareddownthestairsonlymatchedby

thesurgeofstunninglypainfulregretathisdeparture.

Theflatwaslikeanice-boxandasshelayshiveringinbedafew

minuteslater,missingthewarmbodiesofJuniperandCosmosmore

thanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,sheknewshewasgoingtocry

herselftosleep.

CHAPTERNINE

Workthenextdayprovedtobeanunmitigateddisasterofthehighest

proportions,withJaniemakingthemostelementarymistakestime

andtimeagain.Bytheendofthedaysheknewitwasonlythefact

thatJoethoughtshewasstillsufferingfromfluthatpreventedhim

comingoutwithallgunsfiring.

'I'dtakeanothercoupleofdaysoff,Janie,'hesaidquietlyasshe

slippedintohercoatthatnight,forcinganoteofconcernintohis

voiceevenashiseyessweptoveranotherreportshehadgotall

wrong.'Youaren'tyourselfyet.'

I'llneverbemyselfagain,shethoughtsilentlyasshenoddedareply

andpickedupherbagfromthefloor.Idon'tevenknowwhatmyself

isanymore.'Thanks,Joe.'Shewavedbrieflyfromthedoorwayasshe

left.'SorryaboutthemessI'vemadeofthingstoday.'

Oncehome,sheswitchedonthesmallgasfireinthepocket-size

lounge,madeherselfteaandtoast,andthensatwarminghertoesin

frontoftheredheatassheate.Shewashedherhair,cleanedthetiny

flatfromtoptobottom,butstilltherestlessenergythathadher

stomachchurningandherhandsshakingalldayhadn'tabated.And

shewasn'tseeingKanetilltomorrow.

'Ineedtodosomething,'shetoldherselfirritablyafterflicking

throughthechannelsofhersmallTVaimlessly.Herfather'spapers.

Shegraspedthethoughtquickly.Kane'sintentiontorefundthemoney

hefeltshewasowednecessitatedacarefulcheckoverthefinancial

sideofthetransactionsometime.Shefeltuncomfortableaccepting

anythingatallandwiththeemotionthatseemedtohavedeveloped

betweenthemhemightjustproveover-generous,whichshecouldn't

bear.

Didshefeelstrongenoughtodigoutthatboxwithallitspainful

remindersofherfather'sanguishandherowndesperation?Shesat

backonherheelsonthecarpetinfrontofthesmallTV.Amazingly,

yes,shedid.Shesatthereforlongminutesas,forthefirsttimeintwo

years,akindofpeacestoleintoherheart,blanketingthehurtand

sorrowwithaslowacceptanceofwhatshecouldn'tchange.Shehad

toletgo,hadtoreachout,hadtotrustwhatherheartwassaying.The

bitternessshehadfeltforsomanymonthshadbeendirectedata

distantgiant,anall-powerfuldictatorwiththecapacityforactsof

brutalcrueltyandheartlessness,butnow...NowsheknewKane.And

shelovedhim.

Howlongshesatinthequietofhersmallloungeabsorbingthe

knowledgethatshehadbeenfightingfordaysshedidn'tknow,but

whenatlastshestoodupandfetchedtheboxofpaperstherevelation

hadbecomefact.Shedidn'tknowwhatthefuturewouldhold—he

hadspokennowordsoflove,afterall,andhisworldwasn'ther

world—butstillshewantedtobewithhimforaslongashewanted

her.

Therawheartachehefeltoverhisbrother'sdeath,hiscompassionand

understandingovertheCollinsdealbothforhisbestfriendandJohn's

father,hisconcernforhismother,hisloveofKeith'schildren...This

wasn'tamanwhocouldcallouslycheatamiddle-agedmanoutofhis

life'sworkandwalkawaywithoutabackwardglance.Shebelieved

that;shehadtobelieveit.

Shebrushedastrandofblackhairoffherfaceasshethoughtback

overthelastfewdays.Theamazinglytenderprivatesidethathehad

showntohermoreandmorewhentheywerealonehadbeen

everythingshecouldhavewantedinaman,hisstrengthnotthebrutal

kindthatsomanymenthoughtwasmachoandcool,butthesortthat

could have herwalking into any situation with him,any

circumstances,knowingthathewouldprotectheratthecostofhis

ownsafety.Shecouldn'tdoubthisintegrityanymore,wouldn't.

Herthoughtswingedbacktothenightbeforeandthelovemakingthat

hadbeenonadifferentplanefrom anythingshehaddreamed

possible.Itwouldhavebeentheeasiestthingintheworldforhimto

havetakenheratthatmoment;shehadbeenhelplessandwilling

beneathhisbody,utterlyyieldingtohismaledomination.Buthehad

stopped.

Shebreathedhardinthestillroom.Hedidn'twantjustherbody,he

wantedallofher,sheknewit.Butwherewouldthatleaveherwhenit

ended,ifitended?Howwouldshecopewiththeaftermath,therestof

herlife?

Hiswordscamebacktoherasclearlyasthoughhewereintheroom

withher.'Soonerorlateryouaregoingtohavetotakeafewchances

inlife.Whynotstartnow,withme?'

Yes,whynot,Kane?shetoldhimsilentlyassheglancedroundthe

smallroom.Shewasn'tgoingtofeartheunknownanymorebutface

ithead-on,withhim,andmaybe...sheshookherheadslowly...just

maybehewouldgrowtoreallyloveher?

Aftershakingoffalarge,deadspiderandanetworkoffilmy

cobwebs,sheemptiedthepapersontothecarpetandbegantosort

themmethodicallyintodateorder.Theheapwasdauntingbutshehad

alleveningandoncethepilewasestablishedshesatbackandbegan

toreadeachone,makingtheoddnoteasshedidso.

Herfatherhadputupquiteafight.Severalofthepaperswere

smearedwithtearsbeforeshewashalfwaythrough.Hehadn't

begged,hehadn'tthreatened,hehadbeencourteousthroughout,but

theBritishbulldoghadreareditshead.andsunkitsteethindeepto

whatitowned.

Afterseveralcupsofblackcoffeesheonlyhadafewpapersleft.She

glancedathernotesandsighedsoftly.Thefinancialreimbursement

wasconsiderable.DidKaneknow?Sheshookherheadslowly.He

couldafforditbutshedidn'twanthismoney.Itsomehowseemed

unfairalthoughthatwasagainstalllogic.

Oneo'clockinthemorning.Sheglancedatherwatchanddecidedto

flickquicklythroughthefewremainingpapersbeforegoingtobed.

Shefeltshecouldsleepnow.Theletterthatsenthermindspinning

intoadeepblackvoidwasthethirdletterfromthebottomandone

shehadnevernoticedbefore.Shereaditthroughquickly,thenagain

moreslowly,asherheartpoundedsohard,shefeltshewasgoingto

die,thenathirdtime,asthelettersonthepagebecameimprintedin

hermindinburning-hotweals.Thetypewriterusedwasonethat

printedabeautifullyflowingitalicprintthatyelledwealthandpower.

DearMrGordon,

Itisalwayspainfultoputatimelimitonnegotiationsofadelicate

naturesuchasours,butIfeelSteelEnterprisescanacceptnomore

delay.Yourprocrastinationhasalreadylostyouaconsiderable

financialrewardandIfeelourofferismostgenerousinthesomewhat

desperatecircumstancesinwhichyoupresentlyfindyourself.Ifyou

donotacceptourtermsandconditionsforthetake-overofyour

companywithinforty-eighthours,SteelEnterpriseswillwithdraw

fromthetransaction.Ourknowledgeofyourfinancialdifficulties

wouldsuggestthatyourpositionwouldthenbecomeuntenable.Itis

alwaysasadandhumiliatingexperienceforafamilynametosuffer

theindignityofcourtproceedingsandIwouldlikeyoutotakethis

intoconsiderationinyourdecision.

Theusualofficialwind-uptosuchaletterfollowed,butitwasthe

signatureatthebottomofthethickbondpaperthatcausedaharsh,

rawacheinJanie'schest.'K.Steel'.Aflowing,boldsignature.And

underneath:'ChairmanandManagingDirector'.

Thatwasit,then.Sheraisedherheadandstaredblindlyatthe

oppositewall.Hehadknown.Hehadknown.Evenifhehadn'tbeena

partytothesubtlepressurethathaddroppedthepricetoathirdofthe

originalofferoveraperiodofmonthsasherfatherhadheldout,and

bribedorforcedorcoercedbanksandotherinstitutionstopulloutthe

proverbialrugsfromunderherfather'sshakyfeet.Evenifhehadn't

instigatedallthat,thisletterprovedthat,inthefinalanalysis,hehad

approvedhisemployees'methods.Andhewouldn'tsignaletterlike

thiswithoutknowingthefullhistoryofthetransaction.Nothe,not

KaneSteel.

Janiedidn'tcry.Shegotreadyforbedautomaticallyandlay,eyes

wideopen,untildawnlightenedthebedroomandthenewdaybegan.

Shefeltnumb,dead;theveryessenceofherhaddiedandshrivelled

away—shewasnothingnow.Howcouldshehavebeensostupid?

Howcouldshe?

Shedidn'tgointowork—shecouldn'thavefunctionedatall—andthe

daydraggedby,hourbyhour,minutebyminute.TomorrowwasNew

Year'sEve.She'dhadsuchhopesforthisnewyear.Sheshuthereyes

tightas,forasecond,pain,hotandsearing,brokethroughtheice

roundherheartandbroughtherhandsroundhermiddleinatighthug

whilesheswayedbackandforthintheslowlydarkeningroom.She

wouldn'tthinknow.Mustn't.Hewouldbehereinthenexthour,and

afterthat...Theshudderthatrackedherbodychilledhersoul.

Whenhisknockcameshewalkedacrossandopenedthedoorslowly,

likeanoldwoman,andashecaughtsightofherwhitefacehisown

grinofwelcomediedswiftly.

'Whatisit?'Hethrewdownthehugebouquetofroseshehadbeen

holdingashefollowedherintotheflat.'Whatonearth'shappened?'

'Ifoundaletter.'Hervoice,whenithadbeenforcedpasttheblockage

inherthroat,soundedalmostnormal,shethoughtwithastrangede-

tachment.Thefirstsightofhimhadjoltedhersobadly,shehadfelt

faintforamoment,butnow,forthefirsttimesinceshehadfoundthe

letter,asavage,hotangerwasbubblinginsideher,strengtheningher

limbsandenablinghertoturnandlookathimwithoutbreaking

down.

'Aletter?'Helookedatherblankly.'Whatsortofletter?Janie—-'

Ashereachedouttohershesteppedbacksosharply,herneck

snapped.'Wouldyouliketoreadtheletter?'sheasked,hervoice

bitinglyclear.'Ithinkyoushould.'

Heremainedstock-stillasshewalkedovertotheboxinthecornerof

theroomandliftedtheletterfromthetopofthepapers.'Here.'

Hetookitfromher,carefulnottotouchherhand,andglanceddown

thepageswiftly,hisfacetighteningashedidso.

'Well?'Hervoicewastooshrillandshetookadeepbreathbeforeshe

triedagain.'Isthatyoursignature?'

'Icanexplainthis,Janie.'Ashemethereyesshesawamiseryinhis

thatwasreflectedsuddenlyinhers.

'Howcouldyoulietomelikethat,Kane?'Shehadasudden,fierce

impulsetothrowherselfonhimandclawhisfacetoribbons.'How

couldyoupretendyouweresoinnocentwhenallthistime-----?'

'Iwas.'Hetookanothersteptowardsher,butshebackedawayfrom

him,hercheeksburning.'Listentome,please.'

'Don'ttouchme,Kane.I'llkillyouifyoutouchme.'

'Listentome,Janie-----'

'Idon'twanttolistentoyouanymore!'Shewasscreamingnow,the

angersointense,therewasactuallyaredmistbeforehereyes.'Idon't

wanttohearanymorelies!Doyouhearme?'

'Ithinkthewholehousecanhearyou,'hesaidangrilyasaflushofred

stainedhishighcheekbonesandhiseyeschilled.'Icanappreciate

howthisseemstoyou,butthereisagoodreasonforit.Ifyou'djust

stopholleringlongenough-----'

'Ihateyou!Ihateyou!'Whensheflewathimittookallhisstrength

toholdheratarm'slengthasshefoughtandkickedwithherarmsand

legs,thebitterragethatswampedherbodygivinghersuperhuman

power.Afterlongminutesshesankdownslowlyontothecarpet,still

flailingoutathimasshedidso,utterlyspent.

'Areyougoingtolistentomenow?'Hestoodlookingdownather,

hisfacedrawnandgrimasdarkemotionmadehiseyesalmostblack.

'Givemeachancetoexplain?'

'I'velistenedtoyouenough,'shesaidslowly.'Nowonderyouwanted

togivemesomemoney—Icanseeitallnow—andtothinkthatIfelt

guiltyaboutconsideringacceptinganythingfromyou.Well,Idon't

wantyourmoney,KaneSteel;Idon'twantanythingfromyou!'

Hervoicehadrisentoashoutagainandheshookhisheadslowly,his

facegrey.'Ican'ttalktoyouwhenyou'relikethis,'hesaidquietly.

'Now,calmdown.'

'Calmdown?'Itwasfuelforthefireanditburnthotly.'Howdareyou

saythat?You'realiarandacheatandIcanseewhyTinaisso

mentallyunbalancedifshehadanythingtodowithyourfamilyfor

long.'Itwasbelowthebeltandsheknewit,regrettingthespiteful,

cruelwordsassoonastheywerevoiced,butsheglaredathim

defiantly,determinednottoweaken..

'Thisisdoingneitherofusanygood,'hesaidcoldly,hiseyesturning

intochipsofsteelasheturnedandwalkedtowardsthedoor.'I'll

returnwhenyouareincontrolofyourself.'

'Don'tbother!'Hepaused,hisbodystiffeningshespatthewordsafter

him,andthencarriedontothefrontdoor.

'MaybeIwon't,atthat.'Hisvoicewasicycoldasthedoorshut.He'd

gone?Shepulledherselfuprightandcreptintotheeasy-chairinfront

ofthefire,herheadspinning.He'dreallygone?Well,shewasglad,

glad.Ifsheeversawhimagaininherlifeitwouldbetoosoon.

Thedelugeoftearstookhercompletelybysurprisebut,oncestarted,

shefoundthemimpossibletostop.Everytimeshethoughtshehad

gainedcontrol,afreshfloodhadhereyesstreamingandherfacewet,

andatlastshecrawledintobedwithacupofcocoaandahot-water

bottleandlayinthedarknessfeelingutterlyspent.

Shehadn'texpectedtosleep,butthesleeplessnightthenightbefore,

andthetraumaandemotionofthelasttwenty-fourhours,hadtaken

itstollsothatwhenshenextopenedhereyesbright,coldsunlight

wasstreamingintotheroomthroughachinkinthecurtains.Shelay

foramomentinthedrowsywarmth,wonderingwhatthebigblack

shadowwasthathadblanketedhermind—andthensheremembered.

Thebathroommirrorrevealedablotchedwhitefaceandeyesswollen

tosuchadegree,shefeltshewaspeeringoutattheworldthrough

tinyslits.Shefeltalittlebetterafteralongwarmshower,butonlya

little,andthen,asshewasfixingbreakfast,thetearsstartedagain.

'Pullyourselftogether,Janie.'Shespokeoutloudintotheempty

room.'Youcan'tcarryonlikethis-youlooksuchamess...'Theday

wasworsethantheonebefore;atleastthenshehadbeenfrozenintoa

weirdkindofvacuum,justwaitingforhimtoarrivewithhermind

coldandstunnedandherbrainice-bound.Nowthetearserupted

everyfewminutesanditfrightenedherthatshecouldn'tcontrolthem.

She'dneverfeltlikethisbeforeinherlife,notevenwhenherfather

died,andshehadthoughtforatimethenthatshehadreachedrock-

bottom.

Iloathehim,Idetesthim,shethoughtlaterthatmorningasshewent

forawalkinthecolddrizzleoutside,lookingaimlesslyinshop

windowsandwatchingtherestoftheworldscurryingaboutinthe

waytheyalwaysdidinLondon,quiteunawarethatoneoftheirfellow

humanbeingswashurting.Sowhy,ifshefeltlikethat,didshelove

himsomuchtoo?Thethoughtcausedhertostopdeadinthestreet,

herstomachsomersaulting.Shedidn't,shedidn't,butevenasshe

foughtagainstthedebilitatingknowledgesheknewitwasthetruth.

Shelovedhim,helplessly,hopelessly,anditwasbeyondherpowerto

turnthefeelingoff.

ShewalkedthroughtooneofLondon'stinysquaresofgreenpark,

edgedbyrailings,andsatonthewetwoodenseatlookingatthe

droopinggreeneryblindly.Shehadn'tlistenedtohim,hadn'tlethim

evenofferanexcuse...Couldtherebeanexplanationforitall?She

shookherheadslowly.Onlytheone,shehadconcluded.Shecouldn't

liveinhopeofanythingelse.Maybeheregretteditbitterly;maybehe

hadburiedthemeanactsodeep,hecouldn'tbringittothesurface...

Stopkiddingyourself,shethoughtangrilyafteralongtimehad

draggedpast.Hehadknownwhathewasdoing.Butshehadn't

listened.Ifhecameback—if—shewouldhearhimout,ifonlyto

exorcisetheghost.Butshehadlosthim,whicheverwaythingswent;

shehadlosthimandsheknew,suddenly,thatwiththelossofKane

wentamillionandoneotherthingsshehadalwaysanticipatedforthe

future.Marriage,children,herownfamilyhomesharedwiththeman

sheloved.Buthe'druinedallthat,rightfromthedaythey'dmet,

becausemarriagecouldn'tpossiblyhavefeaturedinhisschemeof

thingsevenifthisbombshellhadn'tfallen.And,afterknowinghim,

noothermanwoulddo.

Shehadjustthrownthemealshe'dcookedforherselfuntouchedinto

thebinwhenhisknocksoundedatthedoor.Sheknewitwashim.

Sheopenedthedoorslowlyandlookeduptoseehimstaringdownat

herwarily,hisfacetiredandstrained.'CanIcomein?'heasked

quietly.

Shemovedasidewithoutspeakingandwalkedbackintotheflat,

hearinghimshutthedoorbehindhimashefollowedherintothetiny

lounge.'IfIbegintotalk,explain,willyoupromisemenottosaya

worduntilI'vefinished?'heaskedsoftlyasshesatdownonthechair,

hereyesfixedonhisface.

'AHright.'Sheindicatedtheothereasy-chairwithawaveofherhand

butheshookhisheadslowly,thetouchesofsilverabovehisears

glintingintheartificiallightandcausinganacheinherchestthat

suddenlygrippedherwithaterrifyingintensity.Shemustn'tcrynow,

shemustn't,shetoldherselffiercely;shehadtocontrolherself.This

wasprobablygoingtobethelasttimesheeversawhimandithadto

endwithsomesortofdignity.

'ThesignatureontheletteristhatofK.Steel,'Kanesaidtightlyashe

begantopacethesmallroom,hishandsthrustdeepintohispockets

andhisbigbodystoopedslightlyasthoughhewasinpain.'Andthat's

right.'Helookedatherforasplit-secondandshemethiseyes

steadilyevenasherwholebeingcriedoutagainstwhathewassaying.

'ButitwasKeithSteel,notKane,Janie.'Hehadstoppedforabrief

moment,butnowthepacingbeganagainandshefoundherself

almostunabletotakeinwhathewassaying,shewaslisteningsohard

throughthepoundinginherears.

'Twoyearsagomybrothersteppedinandlookedaftermybusiness

formeforalmosttwelvemonthsandIgavehimcompleteauthorityin

everyarea.IknewIcouldtrusthim;helovedmeasmuchasIloved

him,andhewastheonlypersonatthattimeIhadconfidenceinand

whoknewthebonesofeverything.Hewasgoingthroughhellatthe

timewithTina,anditwasprobablytheworstpossibletimeforhimto

doit,butitwasnecessaryandheinsisted.'

Hestoppedthepacingagainandlookedstraightather.'BythetimeI

tookthereinsagainothermatterswereinthefrontlineandyour

father'sfirmwasmerelyanameonalistIwasgivenregarding

acquisition.Can you believethat?'Shenodded dumbly,the

breathtakingreliefandsurgeofjoyshehadfeltathisexplanation

stilledbythelookonhisface.

'WhenImetyouthatfirstnightIdidn'tknowwhattothinkatfirst,

whetheryouwerethrowingsomepublicitystuntforoneofmyless

noblecompetitorsorfordarkermotivesofyourown,evenifthere

wasagrainoftruthinyouramazingaccusations.AndIwasfurious,

ragingmad.IwantedrevengeandIintendedtohaveit.But,fromthe

momentIheldyouinmyarmswhenyoucried,Iknewyou,atleast,

thoughtyourstorywasaccurateandthatwaswhenthefirstlittleseed

ofsuspicionwasplanted.Myinvestigationsconfirmedmyworst

fears.

'Ilovedmybrother,Janie.'Therewasanoteofsomethingalmostlike

bewildermentinhisstrainedvoiceand,asshewenttorisetogoto

him,hewavedherbackdown,hisexpressionsuddenlytight.

'No.Ihavetofinishthis.Ididn'twantyoutoknowitwasKeithwho

haddestroyedyourfather'sbusinessandhislife—partlybecausehe

wasmybrotherandIlovedhim,partlybecausehewouldneverhave

actedlikethatifTinahadn'tscrewedhimuptothepointwherehis

wholelifewasgearedtotryingtoprovehimselfruthless,hard,

dynamic,whateveryou wantto callit,and partlybecause-

----'

Hestoppedabruptly,turningfromherandwalkingacrosstothehigh,

narrowlittlewindowthatlookedoutontothecoldstreet,staring

downintothedarknesswithhisbacktoher.'BecauseI'dfalleninlove

withyouthatfirstnightandIthoughtifyouknewmyfamilywere

responsiblefordestroyingyourstherewouldbenochanceforusat

all.WhenItoldyouaboutKeithkillinghimselfIintendedto

completethestoryandtellyouitwasbecauseofmistakeshe'dmade

liketheonewithyourfather,butIcouldn't.'Thebigfigurehunched

over.'ItwouldhavebeenasifIwaskillingallI'dgotleftofmykid

brother,betrayinghim.Ican'texplainit,anditwaspartlymyfault,

too.'

'Yourfault?'Shewenttohimnow,turninghimroundtofaceherand

lookingupintohisface,noticingasshedidsothattheblueeyeswere

glitteringwithunshedtears.

'Kane...'Shehuggedhimtight,reachinguptodrawhisfacedownto

hers,buthestoppedherquickly,pushingherawaygentlybutfirmly

andwalkingacrosstheothersideoftheroom,asiftoputspace

betweenthem.

'Ihaven'tfinished,Janie.'Thenoteinhisvoicefrozeherinstinctive

impulsetorushacrossandflingherselfintohisarms,andshestared

athim,hereyeswidewithapprehension.'Itwaspartlymyfault,'he

saidslowly.'I'dintroducedKeithtoTinainthefirstplace.Iknewshe

marriedhimwhenshebelieved,inatwisted,sickway,shelovedme,

butIcouldn'ttellhim.'

Hiseyeswereanguished.'Ijustcouldn't.Ithoughtshe'dgrowtolove

him,appreciatethemanhewas.IfI'dknownthemiseryshewas

goingtocauseI'dhaveacteddifferently,butbythenitwasfar,fartoo

late.Ididn'ttellhimbecauseIdidn'twanttolosehislove,andthat

waswrong—Ihavetolivewiththat.'

'Buthowcouldyouhaveknown?'sheaskedsoftly.'Howcould

anyonenormalimagineaminilikeTina's?She'ssick,Kane,really

sick.'

'Janie,didIgetitwrongwithus?'heaskedabruptly,hiseyes

desperate.'Ineedtoknowthetruth.Wereyoubeginningtocareabout

me?'

'Idocare,Kane,'shesaidsoftly.'Morethan’

'There'ssomethingelseyoumustknow.'Hehadstoppedher

admissionwithsuchasavagegesturethatsheshrankbackfromhim,

herheartpounding.'ThereasonKeithtookoverthebusinesswasto

helpme.'Heeyedherpainfully.'Hisowncareerhadfailedbecause

he'dbeentooeasy,tookind,andTinaneverlethimforgetitfora

second.Ishouldhaveknownhe'dover-compensate,butitwasa

gambleItook,andwealllost.TheonlyexcuseIhaveisthatatthe

timeIwastooilltoassessthingsproperly.'

'Ill?'Shestaredathiminamazement.Kaneill?Hewassobig,so

strong,soformidable.Otherpeoplecouldbeill,butKane?

'Ihadamajorskiingaccidenttwoyearsagothatleftmeparalysed,'he

saidexpressionlessly,onlyhiseyesbetrayingthehorrorofitall.

'Therewasanopthathadafifty-fiftychanceofsuccess—headsI

won,tailsIdidn'tcomethroughatall—andifitwasasuccessit

meantphysioforyearsandacertaindegreeofpainfortherestofmy

life.'

'Kane...'Herlegsweretremblingsoviolently,shehadtosinkdown

onthechair.Thosetouchesofsilverinhisthickhair,thedeeplines

thathadgottenintohisflesh,thelossofbalanceshehadslicedtime

andtimeagain—itallfitted.'I'veahellofascardownmyspine,

Janie,soifyou'resqueamishnow'sthetimetotellme,'hesaidgrimly

ashiseyesrovedoverherwhiteface.

'Butbeforeyoudo,letmetellyousomething.Thatcrazymerry-go-

roundI'dbeenon?ItallslottedintoplaceasIlaythereunableto

movefordaysandweeks,andIhadtofacethefactthatI'dmadea

hellofamessofmypersonallifeuptothatpoint.Iwasrichand

successfulandeverythingItouchedturnedtogold,butI'dgotnothing

thatmeantanythinginthefinalanalysis.Doyouknowhowthat

feels?IlookedbackoverthewomenI'dknownandtherewasn'toneI

couldhavecontemplatedspendingaweekwith,letalonetherestof

mylife,butIrealisedIneededsomeonewhowastotallymine,thatI'd

neededthatforalongtimewithoutknowingit.

‘But-----'heshruggedslowly'—Ididn'tstrikegold.Untilonenight

fourweeksago,whenasmallbrunettewitheyesoffireaccusedmeof

murderandslappedmyfaceinfrontofhalftheworld.'

'Kane-----'Shestillcouldn'tmove.Itwastoomuch.She'dbeen

handedheavenonearthanditwasjusttoomuch.

'Theironyofitis,thegirlIfellmlovewiththatnightloathedthevery

groundIwalkedon,andthereweremoreobstaclesthanevenIcould

dealwith.Idon'tknowhowyoureallyfeel,Janie,butifthere'sa

chance,howeverslim,tellme.'Thelastwordswereagroanandnow

shemoved,flyingtohisarmswithalittlemoanofwonder.

'Iwantitall,Janie.'Hemovedherbackslightlytolookdownintoher

faceandshesawthatthedoubtwasstillthere.'Iwanttomarryyou.It

hastobemeandnooneelse,notever,youunderstandme?AndI'll

neverbeabletodancethenightawayagain-----'

'Icanthinkofbetterthingstodothanthattopassthenightaway,'she

saidsoftly,herfacealightwiththeforceofherloveasshereachedup

andtracedtheharshoutlineofhismouth.

Along,shudderingsighthatseemedtocomefromtheverydepthsof

himpassedintoherandthenhetookhermouthinascorchingkiss

thattoldofhishungermoreadequatelythanwords.

'Iloveyou,Janie.'Helookeddownather,hiseyesglitteringwith

fiercepassion.'Ihavefromthatfirstnight;thatwaswhatIwastrying

totellyouwhenIgaveyoumygrandmother'snecklace.Iloveyou,

adoreyou;you'reallI'veeverwantedandmore.Ishan'tbeableto

keepmyhandsoffyou;willyoumind?'

'I'm notsure.'Sheraisedstarryeyestohis,hermouthsmiling.

'Perhapsyou'dbettershowmewhatyoumeanandthenI'lltellyou.'

Sohedid.

END