Ann Charlton - Steamy December
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Transcript of Ann Charlton - Steamy December
Mr.HighandMighty!
NorthKendrickwasaconnoisseur–helikedhiswomenbeautifulandhischampagnecold.HehadtakenonelookatAmiandmadeoneofhisfamoussnapjudjements.However,Amiwasdeterminedtoprovetohimthatappearancescouldbedeceptive.Asamake-upartistshecouldtransformherselfintoanyoneshewantedtobe… ButshesoondiscoveredthatmessingwithNorthwasaskingfortrouble.Andtroublewaswhatshegot–oftheheartbreakingkind.
'I'mamake-upartist,notaconfidencetrickster.'
'There'sadifference?'hesneered.
'I'mnotinterestedinyourmoney.NoramIinterestedinyou'
'DidIsaythat?'
'"Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested—andshewas,'"shesaid,mimickinghisvoice.'Well,hereitis,straightfromthehorse'smouth.Shewasn’t.'
'Idon'tbelieveyou,'hemurmured.Andthenheleanedforwardandkissedher.
AnnCharltonwantedtobeacommercialartistbutbecameasecretary.Shewantedtoplaythepianobutplaysguitarinstead,andsheneverplannedtobeawriter.Fromtimetotimesheabseils,whichsurprisesherbecausesheisafraidofheights.BorninSydney,AnnnowlivesinBrisbane.ShewouldliketodomoretapestryworkandpaintminiaturesandhasabsolutelynoplanstoresearchabookintheAmazonortolearntoplaythebouzouki.
Recenttitlesbythesameauthor:
HOTNOVEMBER
STEAMYDECEMBER
BY
ANNCHARLTON
MILLS&BOON
Inmemoryofmyfather,TedFlower
1901-1992DIDYOUPURCHASETHISBOOKWITHOUTACOVER?Ifyoudid,youshouldbeawareitisstolenpropertyasit
wasreportedunsoldanddestroyedbyaretailer.Neithertheauthornorthepublisherhasreceivedanypaymentforthisbook.
Allthecharactersinthisbookhavenoexistenceoutsidetheimaginationoftheauthor,andhavenorelationwhatsoevertoanyonebearingthesamenameornames.Theyarenotevendistantlyinspiredbyanyindividualknownorunknowntotheauthor,andalltheincidentsarepureinvention.
Allrightsreserved.Thetextofthispublicationoranypartthereofmaynotbereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,storageinaninformationretrievalsystem,orotherwise,withoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.
Thisbookissoldsubjecttotheconditionthatitshallnot,bywayoftradeorotherwise,belent,resold,hiredoutorotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepriorconsentofthepublisherinanyformofbindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthisconditionbeingimposedonthesubsequentpurchaser.
MILLS&BOONandtheRoseDevicearetrademarksofthepublisher.HarlequinMills&BoonLimited,EtonHouse,18-24ParadiseRoad,Richmond,Surrey,TW91SRThiseditionpublishedbyarrangementwithHarlequinEnterprisesB.V.
©AnnCharlton1995
ISBN0263793222
SetinTimesRoman10onllpt01-9512-60260C
HadeandprintedinGnatBritain
CHAPTERONE
UNTILthetwo,large,uniformedofficersshoweduptherewasnothingaboutthejobtoactuallyalarmher.
'Justafewhours,that'sallI'masking,'hermotherhadsaid.'Standingonastreet,askingquestions,withatape-recorderinyourbag.'Hermotherranapart-timeemploymentagencyandwasalwayslookingforstudentsandout-of-workactorsforallmanner-ofoddjobs.Asshehadforgedanewcareerintheatricalmake-upandspecialeffects,itwassometimesinceAmihadbeenanout-of-workactorbutshehadn'tyetfiguredawaytoremovehernamefrom hermother'sfiles.
'Whatkindofquestions—andisn'tthatillegal?Recordingpeople'sanswerswithouttheirknowledge?'
'Onlyifyourecordtheirnamesaswell,darling,'hermotherhadsaidimpatiently.'It'sformyfreelancewriter,who'sdoingresearchforabookandhe'sgotalistofquestionstoask—nothingdreadful,just"excuseme,haveyougotthetime"and"doyouknowwhereIcancatchabustoBalmain"andsoon.Hewantsayoung,attractivewomanwhohasnonervesaboutchattingtostrangers,sonaturallyIthoughtofyou.I'mtryingtotalkhimintocomingtothecharityartshownextweek.DidImentionhe'sthirtyish,good-lookinganddivorced?'
'Whatkindofbook?'Amiasked,pickingherwaythroughtheminefieldofLenoreWinterburn'smaritalaspirationsforheronlychild.
'It'salongstory,'hermotherhadsaid,notnoticingherownpunasusual.'Look,darling,Ijustdon'thaveanyoneelseonthebooksatthemomentwhocandoitandyouknowhowIhatelettingclientsdown.LetHelenruntheshopwithoutyouanddothislittlejobformeandyouwon'tbesorry.'
ButAmiwasfeelingherfirstrealtwingeofregretwhenoneofthelarge,uniformedmenplantedhimselfonthepavementinfrontofherandsaid,'Afternoon,madam.We'dlikeaword.'
Amiglancedattheinsigniaonhissleeve.Notapolicemanbutaprivatesecurityguard.Sherelaxed.'Whichwordwouldyoulike?'sheaskedbreezilyandgotahumourlessstare.
'Perhapswecouldtalkinside?'Abeefyhandindicatedtheglittering,glassedfoyerofthenear-completedAvalonHotel,outsidewhichworkmenwerelayingmarbleonawalkwayrimmingthesemicircularconcourse.Thehotelmotto,Comehometoheaven,wasscriptedingoldandwhitebythedoors.Severallife-sizedbronzesofvoluptuouswomentorchbearersonplinthslinedthepathwaytoheaven.Asigninformedpassers-bythatthesehadbeenreclaimedfrom thenineteenth-centuryhoteldemolishedtomakewayforthisnewone,atokenpieceofconservationthathadnotimpressedthosewhohadprotestedagainstthechange.
Amifrowned.'Talkaboutwhat?'
'Comealongnow,don'tplaydumb.You'vebeenwarnedonce.Wedon'twantanytrouble,dowe?'thesecondguardsaid,holdingoutahandasiftotakeherarm.
Suddenlygladtherewereplentyofpeoplearound,Amisidesteppedandraisedhervoice.'Idon'tknowwhatyoumean.Pleasegoaway.'
Theyseemedsensitivetotheattentionofbypassers,forthetwomentookalonglookather,thenretreatedtinthedirectionofthehotel.Uneasilyawareofthetape-inherbag,sheconsideredmovingawaybutwhyshouldshe?AmiturnedandsawtheguardswithsomeoneinsidetheAvalon'sglassdoorsbeforepassingpedestriansblockedherview.Nexttimesheturnedaround,shecamefacetofacewithexactlythekindofmanshewassupposedtoapproachforhermother'swriterclient.
Thirtytofortyagegroup.Thecutofthesuitindicatedupperincomebracket,businessmanorprofessional.HemethereyesverydirectlyandAmiblurtedouttheopeningquestionshe'daskedalltheothers.
'Excuseme,canyoutellmethetime?'
Sheassessedhim withquickeninginterest.Tall,wide-shouldered,aleanbodyandaleanface,coal-blackhair,nearblackbrowsdeadstraightasifdrawnwitharuler.Widemouth,almostasstraightasthebrowsbutunexpectedlyfullatthecornersasifhislipshadbeendrawninbysomeonewhohadn'twantedto
stop.Afacedesignedbyanarchitectwithalongingtopaint.Hehadgreyeyes,thicklyanddarklylashedandinanothermanthismighthaveproducedaboyish,smilingimpression.Buttheeyeswereshrewd,assured,coollycalculatingandcancelledoutanymellowingeffectfromtheirlushframing.
'Youmustbeanon-smoker,'hesaideasily.
'I'msorry?'
'Isn'tthestandardgambittoholdoutacigaretteandaskforalight?'
Itconjuredupasomewhattawdryimage.'MaybeIreallydojustwanttoknowthetime,'shesuggestedgently,showingherwristsbareofawatch.
'Ifyoureallydidjustwantthetime,youwouldhavenoticedthehotelclock,'hesaidmockinglyandturnedahawkishprofiletowardtheunfinishedhotellobbywhereanartclockwasclearlyvisiblethroughtheglass.Helookedather,loweredhischinandraisedhisbrows,asiftosay,'Yourmove.'
Challenged,Amipromptlyshadedhereyesandsquinted.'Oh,isthereaclock?Ihaven'tgotmyglasses,'sheimprovised,givinghimabrilliantsmile.
Heblinked,lookeddeepinhereyeslikeaneyespecialistdiagnosingtheexactnatureofhervisionimpairment.Thenhescrutinisedherfromherheeledboots,allthewayupherjeanstothejumbleofbluealphabetlettersknittedintohercream cottonsweater.Hisgazelingered,asifhesuspectedtheremightbeacompletewordtobefoundthereonherchest.
Heconsultedanexpensivewatch.'Six-fifteen,'hesaid.'Areyou—waitingforsomeoneinparticularor...?'
Herheartbeatquickened.Washegoingtotrytopickherup?Shewasconsciousofadualexcitementandrepugnanceattheidea.Hewaitedwithintenseinterestforheranswerandshebegantofeelshewasplayinginsomekindofcompetition.Orwasbeingplayedwith.Unsettled,shefellbackonanotheroftheroutinequestionsshe'dbeenasking.'DoyouknowwheretheBondiJunctionbusesleave?'
Whateverhe'dbeenexpectinghertosay,thatwasn'tit.Hiseyebrowsshotup.'Lostyournerve?'heaskedsoftly.'Maybeyouknowwhoyou'redealingwith?'
Puzzled,Amisaidagain,'Sorry?'
Hebeckonedhertofollow,walkedpastasculpturedtorchbearertopointtothebusterminallessthanhalfablockawayontheoppositesideofYorkStreet.'Ifit'saBondibusyouwant,'hesaidsardonically,'there'sone.'
'No,that'sgoingtoClovelly,'shesaid,easilyreadingthedestinationonthedistantbus.
'It'samiracle,'hedrawled.
'Whatis?'
'Youreyesightrestoredaftermeremomentsinmycompany.Andwithoutmeevenlayinghandsonyou.'Shefeltadecidedfrissonatthat.Involuntarilysheathishands.Onewasrelaxed,byhisside.Thewasspreadcasuallyonthevoluptuous,bronzedlegofthestatueonthedaisbesidehim.Histhumbrubbedatthecastimpressionofasandalstrap.
'I'vebeenwatchingyou.From myofficeupthere,'hesaid.Startled,Amilookedupatthemirroredblanknessoftheglassheindicated.
'Mysecuritythoughtatfirstthatyoumightbecasingtheplaceforarobberyorterroristaction,'hewentonconversationally.
Myoffice,mysecurity.Hisfingersflexed onthelavishcurvesofthetorchbearer'scalfmuscleasifherelishedthesmoothperfectionofthesurface.Amifounditimmenselyannoying.
'I'mNorthKendrick,'hewentonsmoothly.'Iownthisplace—moreorless.'
Andthatincludedthestatues,Amithought,dragginghereyesfrom theproprietarialhandonthebronze.North?Wasthatanameoracompassbearing?Awomanemergedfromthehoteldoorsandsignalledtohimwithaportablephone.Kendrickmadeaperemptorygesturethatsaid,'Wait.'
'Didyousayterrorists?'Amisaid,distracted.
'Abitextreme,Iagree,althoughwehadourtroubleswithSOPSduringdemolitionoftheoldAvalon.'Atherblankexpressionhesaidblandly,'SaveOldPubsSociety.Sometimessecurityoverreacts.'
'Obviously.I'm nothreattoyoursecurity.'Shesmiled,madeapalms-up,handstothesidegesturethatsaid,'Look—noweapons,'incasehehadhisarmedguardsabouttocloseinonher.
'I'mnotsosureaboutthat,'hemurmured,eyesnarrowedonherexpansivegestureandsmile.'Butthentheyrealisedyou'dbeenherebefore.Workingalonethistime,areyou?Isn'tthatunusual?'
'Whywouldthatbeunusual—whatdoyoumean,thistime?’
'There'sadescriptionofyouonfile,rightdowntothealphabetsweater.'
'Adescription?Well,itisn'tofme!I'veneverseenyoursecuritymenbefore.'
'Theyweren'ttheonesondutybefore.Andtheprobabilityoftwolong-leggedwomenwithblondehair,pantsandanalphabetsweaterchoosingmyhotelasa,shallwesayrendezvousisveryslight.'
Ami'seyesflashed.Therewasclearlysomeconfusion,andshecouldexplainwhyshewashereeasilyenough.But,shethoughtstubbornly,whyshouldshehavetoexplainherselftoaseriesofofficious,self-important,patronisingmales?'Firstyourguards,nowyou.Thisisvergingonharassment,yourealize.'
Helookedadmiring.'You'vegotclass,theydidn'tmentionthatinthefiles.Nordidtheymentionyoureyes.'
Amiblinked.'What?'
'Isupposeyou'rewearingcolouredlenses—thataquamarinecolourcan'tbetherealthing.'
'Can'tit,indeed?'shesaidcoldly.
Foramomenthelookeddubious,buthiseyesflickeddowntothelettersonhersweaterandwhatevertheyspelledoutforhimrestoredhiscoolassurance."Thethingis,Ican'thaveprospectivecustomersbeing—ah,canvassedrightoutsidemydoors.ItmightgivetheAvalonabadnameandmyinvestorswouldn'tlikeit.Spreadtheword,there'sagoodgirl.'
'Ihaven'tbeenagirlforatleasttenyears,'shesnapped.
'Iwon'taskhowlongitissinceyou'vebeengood.'Hismouthtwitchedathisownwit.Hetookherarminadeceptivelycasualgrip.
'Now,justoneminute!'Amipulledbackinalarm,butfailedtodislodgehim.
Heraisedahandtothewomanwaitingatthedoorsforhim.Thewomansaidsomethingintothephone.Henoddedtothecommissionaire.Themanwalkedoutandacab.'Iwantyoutoletgoofmyarm,'she»butthetrafficsurgedandhervoicewasdiminishedandthesummonedtaxisweptinalongside.Amicouldn'tbelieveitwhenKendrickguidedherstronglytowardit.
'Idon'twantacab,thankyou,'shesaidloudly.'Idon'texactlyknowwhatyou'retalkingaboutbutifyouatleastletme—'
'Haveityourway,'hesaid,notrelinquishinghisholdonher.'You'reprobablyjustanicegirlsellingmagazinesubscriptionsbutI'dpreferyoudidn'tdoithere.Orinsidemyhotelonceitopens,forthatmatter.It'sbeenmostenjoyable,butI'mpressedfortimesowhydon'twejustleaveitatthat?Nohardfeelings,hm?'
'Thisisapublicspace—youhavenorighttohustlemeaway.'
"Theremightbesomeargumentastowho'sdoingthehustling,sweetheart,'hesaid,amused.Hecrookedhisindexfinger.Thewomanhurriedovertohandhimthephone.Heturnedhisheadandnodded.Alimousinecreptintoview.
'Hustling?'shesaidfrostily.Thefingercrookedagain.Thedoormanhurriedover,straighteninghistie,adjustingtheflowerinhislapel.Withouttakinghiseyesoffherorreleasinghishold,Kendrickspokeoverhisshouldertothedoorman."Thisladyhasmadeamistake,Morgan.Shefindsherselfinthewrongplace.Shouldsheloseherwayagain,youwillbegoodenoughtoshowherintoacab.'
'Yes,Mr.Kendrick.'ThedoormanstudiedAmi.'Ineverforgetaface.'
'Thisisridiculous!'Scarlet-faced,shetriedtoopenherbagtoshowhimthetape-recorderandherbusinesscardbutKendricktookherbythewristandsteeredherintothecabwhilehespokeintothephone.Thegriphadallthecharm ofahandcuff,asshefoundwhenshetriedtoshakeitoff.Thedrivergawpedinsolently,theworkmenstoppedtowatchasshewasdepositedinthecab.Herfaceflamedinhumiliation.ThemancalledKendrickhandedbackthephoneandleanedin.Hiseyeswerepiercing,intense,andAmifoundthecab'sinteriorsuddenlysuffocating.
'Sydney'sabigplace.Don'tcomeback.I'mbeingniceaboutitthistimebutIdon'tlikecomplications,understand?'Hehesitated,eyesroamingoverherfaceandhair.'Life'stough,Iknow,'hesaid.'It'snothingpersonal,sweetheart.'Thenheturnedandpluckedthegardeniafrom Morgan'slapel.Amirecoiledasheleanedinagain,akneeondieseat.Thescentofthesingleflowerwasasoverpoweringastheloomingpresenceoftheman.Hetuckedtheflowerbehindherear.Hisfingersbrushedagainsthercheek,andsoftlydownthelengthofherhair.Hisgazewenttohermouthandhemovedforward,tiltedhishead.Ami'smouthparted,shestaredathim,heldinatrancestateashisbreathmingledwithhers.Buthedrewbackafractionjustwhenshewascertainhewasabouttokissher.Hishandcurvedaroundherjaw,histhumbstrokedacrossherlowerlipinasubstitutekiss.Underhisbreath,hesaid,'Whatapity.'Withthatheclosedthedoorandslappedtwiceontheroofofthetaxi,whichpulledawayinslavishobedience.KendrickgotintothelimousineandthetwocarswerebrieflyalongsideeachotherbeforetheyenteredtheYorkStreettrafficandshehadonelastglimpseofKendrick'sblackhairandhawkishprofile.Shesnatchedthegardeniafromherhair,grounditintoafragrantpulpwithherheel,cursingthatshe'dleftittoolateforKendricktoseewhatshethoughtofhispatronisinggesture.
'Whatapity!'AmimimickedtoherbestfriendnearlytwoweekslaterasshepulledoffhergreywiginoneoftheShoelaceTheatre'sdressingrooms.'AsifIwasa— nicebitofsculpturehewouldn'tmindputtingwithhishalf-nakedbronzes,ifonlyhehadn'tfoundoutitwasflawed.Superciliousswine.'
'Well,ifanyonecansetasuperciliousswinestraight,’Emmasaidasshestackedupthemetalchairsrecentlyvacatedbyadozenstudents.'Thatwasaterrificclass.Myworkshoppeoplewerequiteinspired.'
Amididn'tanswer.Thatwasthetrouble.Shehadn'tsethimstraightatall.Shethoughtofthespinelesswayshe'djustsatthereinthetaxiandletthatmantucktheflowerinherhair,touchherface...everybitasinanimateasoneofhisbronzetorchbearers,shethought,hatingherself.
'Areyouintendingtodrivehomeinfullmake-up?'Emmaenquired.'Youlookolderthanmygrandmother.I'mhavingsecondthoughtsaboutyoubeingmybridesmaid.'
SheindicatedAmi'sface,usedtodemonstrateherlatexageingeffects,whichhadturnedherintoaseventy-year-oldwomaninaroundninetyminutes.ButAmilookedbroodinglyinthemirror,notseeingherownmade-upreflection.Ifithadn'tbeenforthegardenia,shethought,shewouldhaveforgottenthewholethingbynow.Shedoubtedshewouldeveragainbeabletosmelltheperfumeofagardeniawithouttriggeringoffthememoryofherhumiliation.Ifonlyshehadthrowntheflowerathim,shewouldfeelsomuchbetter.
'Ami?'
Ruefully,shesmiled.Emmawasbackfromabriefreunionwithherfiancéathisplaceoutwest,glowingwithhappinessandconfidence,sereneaboutherweddingplansandkeentotalkaboutmaterialsamplesanddesigns.'SorrytosoundoffbutIjustcannotabidethatsmug,superiorkindofmale.Didn'tgivemeachancetoexplain,justhustledmeintoacabsayingithadbeen"mostenjoyable".AndtherewasthegardeniaandIthoughtforamomenthewasgoingto...Ishouldhavebittenhisthumboff,'shesaidblackly.
'Histhumb?'
'HissniffydoormanstudiedmeasifIwasonthetenmostwantedlistandI'mbannedfromgoinginsidethatfancyhotelofhis—canyoubelieveit?"Sydney'sabigplace,"'shesaidinmimicryofKendrick'sdeepvoice.'"Don'tcomeback."'Shesweptupanarmfulofusedtissuesandcotton-woolpadstotosstheminthewaste-binandlookedreflectivelyatEmma.'WhenIwasakid,ifsomeonetoldmeIwasn'tallowedtowalkonthegrass,Ijusthadtogoandputatleastonefootonit.'
Emma'sbrowswentup.'You'renotthinkingofputtingafootonKendrick'sturf,areyou?'
Amigrinned.'Ijustmight,atthat.'
Herfriendlookedsuddenlyalert.'NorthKendrick?CKC?Electronicsandtransportandalltherest?I'veheardabouthim.Hardasnailsandtwiceassharp.I'dsleepontheideaifIwereyou.YourpridemightnotwithstandbeingthrownoutasecondtimeandIwouldn'tgambleonthedoormannotrecognisingyou.Comeon,takeoffyourwrinkles.IkeepthinkingI'mtalkingtoastranger.'
Amifocusedatlastonherreflection.Sheblinkedtocentrethecloudycontactlensesthatturnedhereyesfromaquamarinetoanindeterminategrey-blue.Theslightirritationtheycausedgavehereyesaconvincingwaterylook.Withprofessionalpridesheproddedatthelifelikefoldsonherneck,thepliable,saggingjawlineundetectablefrom realskinevenforclosetelevisioncamerawork.'Itisgood,isn'tit?'shesaid,pleasedwithhercreation.
'Yourownmotherwouldn'tknowyou.I'mgoingtolockup.'
'Ihatetosimplytakeitalloffaftersomuchwork,'Amicomplained,raisinghervoiceasherfrienddisappearedtochecktheexitsandalarmsofhertheatre.'Itseemssuchawasteofeffort.'
Amisat,afingerteasingatthepinsholdingherlong,blondehairclosetoherscalp.Then,thoughtfully,sheputonthegreywigagainandadjustedit,leaningclose.„toscrutinizethecountenanceherownmother*trecognize.
Don'tcomeback.
Ineverforgetaface.
There'sadescriptionofyouonfile.
Ami'seyesgleamed.Asmileplayedaroundhermouth.Suchaterriblewastetosimplydismantleninetyminutesofwork.Wastenot,wantnot,shethoughtvirtuously.
'Emma,'sheyelled,unzippinghercranberryjumpsuit.'CanIborrowsomegearfromyourcostumedepartment?'
TheAvalonwasopenforbusiness,itssemicirculardrivecompletedandlinedwitharow ofpotted,pollardedfigtreesthatlookedlikethree-dimensionallollipops.Sydney'spigeonshad discovered thetorchbearers;therewasaspatteringofwhiteonthesmooth,bronzebreastsandshoulders.
Thesuavewatchdog,Morgan,onceagainworeagardeniaonhislapel.Themanwhoneverforgotafacelookedblanklyatherassheapproached,andAmi
felttheflushofelationshealwaysgotfromaconvincingpieceofwork.Emma'stheatrecostumedepartmenthadyieldedafloraldressandacheappinkcardigan,supportshoes,avinylhandbagandwhitegloves.'Ishouldn'tbehelpingyouwiththis—it'samadidea,'Emmahadsaid,butshehadbeenintheatreevenlongerthanAmiandhadn'tbeenabletoresisttheprofessionalchallengeoftransformation.BodypadsandahunchhadmodifiedAmi'stall,dancer'sbodyintoashorter,dumpiershape.Morganhadnomoreluckidentifyingherfigurethanherface.
'CanIhelpyou,madam?'hesaid.
'I'mgoingtohavealookatyourlovelynewhotel,'sheconfidedcosily,takingpleasureinlookinghimrightintheeye.'Andhaveacupofcoffeeinyourcoffeeshop.'
Morganquicklyreviewedherweatheredwrinkles,hermodestclothes,andhismannerbecamemorefamiliar.'It'snotagoodtimeforthattonight,dear.It'sanofficialopening,yousee,forVIPsandthepress—'
"That'sallright,Idon'tmindafew officials,'shesaidbroad-mindedly,suspectingthatMorganwastryingtokeepheroutforanentirelynewreason.Shefeltajoltattheinformation.KendrickwasboundtobehereiftheplacewascrawlingwithVIPsandpress.Justforamoment,shehungback.Emmawasright,itwasamadidea.ButthescentofMorgan'sgardeniawaftedtohernostrilsandwhenheturnedawaywithatoothywelcomeforbetter-dressedpeople,Amislippedthroughthedoors.
Amongsttheguestssherecognizedamediasportscelebrityandaretiredpoliticianwhosemake-upshe'ddoneonceforaTVtalkshow.Withthesportscelebritywasagirlfriendwearingglamour-punkblackandglitter,andwiththepoliticianabow-tied,distinguishedhusband.Allthebeautifulpeople.
Morganandhisboss,shethought,wouldnodoubtprefernottohaveimpoverishedoldladiesinpinkcardiestotteringaroundthelavishfoyerspoilingtheclassinessoftheplacewhiletheVIPswerepresent.Toobad.Sheinterceptedawaiterwhodubiouslygaveheraglassofchampagne.
Throughagapinthecrowd,shesaw Kendrick.Histall,leanfigurewasdistinguishedintheblackandwhiteofadinnersuit.Werehisshouldersreallysobroad?Probablyoverstuffedshoulderpads.Averyelegantbrunette,wearingfuchsiapinkandpearls,stayedclosebyhimashegreetedguestsandjournalists.Hesmiledandmadeanexpansivegestureasherelatedsomeanecdotetohisimmediateaudience.Theyalllaughed.Well,theywould,wouldn'tthey,shethought,rememberingtheleapofthetaxiwhenKendrickhadsignalled
Kendrick,shehad read sincehehad sentherpacking,wassuccesspersonified.Hewasintoelectronics,transport,propertyandamultitudeofprofitableventuresthathadsprungfromanunlikelystartasanengineerwithahandfulofpatenteddesigns.Hewasoneofjustafewoftheyoungturkswhohadavoidedthefinancialquicksandofthepastdecade,knownforacombinationofflair,ruthlessnessandaformidablepatienceforlong-term investment.Theonlyextravagantmistakehemighthavemade,accordingtothefinancialpages,wastobuildthishotel.Butamanwithhisresourcescouldaffordamistake.Beingonhisturfseemedsuddenlynotonlychildishbutdangerous.Amicouldn'thaveexplainedit,butsheusuallywentwithherintuition,soshewasalreadyplottinghercoursetothedoorthroughthecocktaildressesandthedinnersuitswhenayoungmanwearingahotelbadgetookherelbowandsaidsoftly,'Goodevening,madam.Allowmetocallyouacab.'
Leavingwasexactlywhatshe'dintendedbutwhenshefoundherselfbeinginexorablyassistedtodoso,shewasnettled.WhensheglancedoverandsawNorthKendrickfrowninginherdirection,nodoubtwatchingtoseethatshewasremoved,hertemperflared.Onewayoranother,hewasalwaysthrowingherout.'Oh,butIdon'twanttogoyet,'shesaidinaquaveringvoicethatneverthelessprojectednicelyinthesoaringvestibule.'Iwanttohavealookaroundyourlovelyhotel.'
Theyoungmanbesideherpastedanembarrassedsmileonhisfaceandmovedherthroughtheguests.Sheraisedhervoiceabit.
'Youngman,you'rehurtingmyarm.Idon'tunderstandwhyI'm beingtreatedlikeacriminaljustbecauseIwantedtohavealookaround.'
Kendrickwaslookingovernow withsharpenedinterest.Sowereseveralmembersofthepress.Australianslovedanunderdog.Amiwarmedtoherrole.
'Doyouhavetoberichandfamoustocomeintolookatthishotel?'sheaskedthenearestguests.'Icouldn'tstayhere—couldn'taffordthat,notonthepension.Butjusttolook— Thesentenceremainedpatheticallyunfinished.Bynowtherewasadecidedpalloverthecelebrations.Kendrickhadstoppedsmiling.Amiwasbeginningtoenjoyherself.'Tossedonthescrapheap,'shesaidwithperfectclarityandahintoftearsbecausethecontactlenseswerehurting.'That'sallright.I'llgo,'shesaidwithasniff.ShewasratherkeentomakethatexitnowbecauseKendrickwasapproachingthroughthecrowd,afrowndeeplyetchedonhisbrow.Hewasperturbed,embarrassedbecausehisguestswereembarrassed.Good.Amifeltjusticehadbeendoneandmovedtothedoorwithavigourthattookherescortbysurprise.
ItwasKendrickwhostoppedher,justasthemassiveglassdoorsslidapart.Hecarriedwithhimanalmostfullglassofchampagnebutmusthavemovedlikegreasedlightningwithoutspillingadrop,afactthatdoubledherapprehension.'Justamoment.'Hegaveheracleanwhitehandkerchief,tookherarm andhandedtheglasstotheyoungman.'Getsomeonetocollectthecurrentbatchofchampagneandreplaceitwithproperlychilledbottles.Ilikemychampagnecold,'hesaid.Theyoungmanvanishedonthecommand.Ami'sglassofchampagnehadfeltpositivelyicythroughhergloves.Kendrickwaseitheraperfectionistorjustlikedthrowinghisweightaround.'I'mNorthKendrick,'hesaid,bendingtowardherassheshrankintothehanky.'IownthishotelandIapologiseforanyunpleasantnessyoumighthaveencountered.Thehotelmanagementstaffmayhaveoverinterpretedtheirinstructions—'
Whatalovelyman,shethought.Droppingtheblameonthestaffwhocouldn'tanswerback.Amifeltthefirstrealpangsofalarmasheledherinsidethehotelasinexorablyashisemployeehadbeentryingtoleadherout.Wouldn'tyouknow it,shethoughtfuriously.Themanwasn'tgoingtoriskthepresswritingupsomethingunpleasantaboutapensionerbeingejectedfrom theAvalon.ClaspedtoKendrick'sside,shefeltneartopanic.
'Willyoutellusyourname?'Kendrickbentpersuasivelyoverher.HisbeautifulbrunettecompanioncameoverandintroducedherselfasFrancescaquiteloudlytoAmi,assumingthatdeafnessautomaticallywentwithwrinkles.
Amisawthattherewasnowayoutofthis.Shecouldhardlytakeoffherwigandadmitshewasafraud.Hisgung-hosecurityguardswouldprobablyclapherinironsasaSOPSinfiltrator.Shewouldsimplyhavetoimproviseuntilanopportunitytoescapepresenteditself.'MynameisAmelia,'shesaid,givingthefullversionofhernamesheneverused.ShewasratherdisconcertedtofindKendrick'swell-groomedheadtiltedaninchfromhermouth.Hisskinwastanandratherrough-grained,histhickhairgleamingaCelticblack.Hergazelockedontoasinglegreyhair,shininglikeatinysilverarrowjustabovehisear.Shiftinghereyesfromaclose-upofhishairtoaclose-upofhisresolutejaw,shealmostgavehimherreallastnameandhastilysubstitutedanalias.'AmeliaAnderson,'shesaid.Assoonasshesaidthename,shestartedconcoctingapersonalityforAmeliaAndersonandshefeltbetter.Safer.OrwasthatbecauseNorthKendrickhadmovedslightlyfartheraway?
'Mrs.Anderson—itifMrs?'heasked,glancingatherglovedlefthand.
'I'mawidow,'Amisaidcautiously.
'MayIcallyou Amelia?You realiseyou'vegatecrashed ouropeningcelebrations,Amelia,'hesaidonaplayful,yetchidingnote.
IfIreallywasseventyyearsold,shethought,Iwouldstrenuouslyobjecttobeingtreatedlikeanincompoop.'Ididn'tseeanysignsayingthepubliccouldn'tcomein.I'magatecrasherbecauseI'mnotrichandimportant,isn'tthatwhatyoumean,youngman?'
Kendricklookedtakenaback,anexpressionshefeltwassurelyalientohimandthatgavehersomeintensesatisfaction.'Youareimportant,Amelia.Infact—'Hepausedandshecouldalmostseethewheelsturningasheassessedthesituation.'Tomarkouropeningandyourkeeninterestinthehotel—'Itwassaidwiththebaresttraceofdryness.'Wewantyoutobeourguestforaweekend—absolutelyfree—inoneofourbestsuites.'
Ami'shorrorwasgenuine.'Oh,no,'shecried,asjournaliststooknotesandphotographerstookpictures.'Icouldn't!'
Kendricksmiledslightlyatthisresponse.'Ofcourseyoucould.Thedoormansaidyouwantedtocomeinforacupofcoffee.Well,Amelia,youshallhaveallthecoffeeyoucandrink,onthehouse.'
Itwasclearthatanylittleoldladyinsupportshoesandapinkcardieshouldbejumpingforjoyatsuchlargesse.Assheactedovercomeandflustered,herpanicsubsided.Thewholethinghadgotoutofhand,butwhywassheworried?Nobodyknewwhoshewas,thelightingwasdiscreetenoughforherlatextopassmusterandpeopleweren'tlookingallthatcloselyather.Shewasanoldladyandeveryonealreadythoughttheyknewjustwhatanoldladylookedlikesotherewasnoneedforclosescrutiny.Shewouldgoalongwiththisandsimplyfadeawayatthefirstopportunity.
Theopportunitytoescapedidn'tpresentitself.Whensheexcusedherselftogo,ostensiblytotheladiesroom,Francescawentwithher.Kendrickwasn'tgoingtoriskthenowhigh-profilewidowAndersonfallingandbreakingherhiponhispremises.Fortunately,FrancescawastooabsorbedintouchingupherownlovelyfacetonoticethatthewidowAndersondidn'ttakeoffhergloves.
Withrelentlessgenerosity,Kendrickincludedherinthetourofthegrandnewbuilding.Thepresslikedthequirkynotionofthestrayoldpensionerbeinggiventhekeystoaluxurysuite.Theydemandeddetails.Wheredidshelive?Wasshealoneintheworld?Hadsheeverstayedinaluxuryhotelbefore?Shewasshakilyvagueaboutheraddressandvolubleaboutherfamily.'Thenthere'smyyoungestsonBernardandmydaughter-in-law,Brenda,'shewaffledastheeyesofthepressglazedover.'Andthegrandkiddies...thetwins,lovable,cheekylittledevils.'
Thepartywentupintheelevators,totourthehotel'simpressivefunctionrooms,theballroom,therestaurantandcoffeeshop.Champagne,spiritsandcanapéswereofferedateverystop.Ami,whohadsomehowbeenelevatedtoguestofhonour,keptupasteadyflowofappreciation.
'Whatanice,cosyfeelithas,'shesaid,ofthestandoffishchromeandmarbleinteriorofthecoffeeshopwherethewidowAndersonwasdestinedtowhoopitupduringherstay.WhatwouldKendrickdowhenthewidowfailedtoturnupforherfreeholiday?'ButyouknowIcan'thelpthinkingalittlelamponeverytablewouldhavejustbeenthefinishingtouch.Withalittle,pleatedshadeoneachofthem,andmaybeatinyposyofartificialflowers.Imakethem,youknow.'ShebeamedatabemusedNorthKendrickwhomustsurelyberegrettinghisdecisiontoincludeherintheparty.'Lampshades.Imusthavemade—oh,hundredsoflampshadesinmytime.'
Withthisimpressivefeattomullover,theymovedontotheemptyballroomwhere,toAmi'sdismay,chandeliersblazed.But,atabarelyperceptiblenodofKendrick'shandsomehead,thelightsdimmedandthegreatwaltzfrom DerRosenkavalierswelledthroughhiddenspeakers.NowonderKendrickthoughthighlyofhimself—hispassagethroughlifewassmoothedbypeoplewhojuststoodaboutwaitingtodowhathewanted,whenhewanted,ataquirkofhiseyebrow.ThewidowAndersonmusthavecomeasanastysurprise,shethoughtmaliciously.
'Oh,my,'saidAmiclaspingherglovedhands.'HowIusedtolovetowaltz.Iusedtobequiteadancerinmytime,butIdon'tsupposeyoubelievethat,Mr.Kendrick—ormayIcallyouNorth?'shesaidroguishly.
'Waltzwithme,Amelia,'NorthKendricksaid,holdingouthisarms.Allthecameraswentupinreadiness.Francesca,whowasafashiondesigner,wearingherowncreation,lookeddisappointedthatthisprimepieceofexposurewasgoingtosomeonewithnothingtopromote.
Ami'sroguishsmiledisappeared.'Oh,Icouldn't— mylegsaren'twhattheyusedtobe.DancewithFrancesca.'
'Justonecircuit.'Hesmiled.Whatverygoodteethhehad,shethought,staringathim andcursingherimpulsiveness.Hemovedinandtherewasnowheretogobutintohisarms.
Hewasareasonablygooddancer.Asonewhohadtrainedinballetsincefouryearsold,shewasinclinedtojudgeharshly.Evenso,hewasverystylish,verycrisp,verypurposeful.Itwouldbeinterestingtodanceproperlywithhiminsteadofthismeasured,sedatecircuitofthefloorsuitableforadowager.Asthe
headymusicswelled,quickenedintoawhirlingpace,Amiwonderedwhatwouldhappenifshestraightenedoutofherstoop,threwbackherheadandslidherhandaroundthatratherinterestingangleofhisneck.Thethoughtsostartledherthatshestumbled.Hisarmtightenedinsupportandshewasdrawnupontohertoesthroughseveralbarsoffrolickingmusic,herfalsematronlybosomandthepinkcardigancrushedtohischest,hermouthnarrowlymissinghisbowtie.-'Areyouallright,Amelia?'
Genuineconcernbadsuchanamazingeffectonhisuncompromisingfeaturesthatshestaredunguardedlyforamoment.Hiseyesnarrowed.Ami'sheadfilledwiththedrumbeatofherpulse.Hadhercontactlensesslipped?Oh,lord,whyhadsheletherselfgetsocarriedaway?Themanwouldtearherlimbfromlimb.
Buthesmiledandsaid,'I'llbetyouneverlackedpartnerswhenyouwereagirl.'
'Well...'shesaidmodestly,almostsagginginrelief.
'Didyourhusbandliketodance?'
'No,'shesaid,unwillingtocomplicatematterswithadancinghusband.'Mostmendon'thavethefirstideaofdancing.Nowyou,North,'shesaidtruthfully,'you'reaverygooddancer.Youknowhowtolead.Somanymendon't.'
Helaughed.'It'stheageofequality,Amelia.Alotofwomendon'tappreciatemenwhotakecontrol.Consequentlymenarelessconfidentabouttakingtheleadinanythinglesttheybelabelledchauvinistpigs.'
Balderdash,shethought.'Dearme.Well,Icanseeyoudon'tlettheageofequalitybotheryou,North.'
Hisbrowswentup.Shesmiledseraphicallythoughthestrainofdisguisingherheight,theheatofthewigandthepaddingandthelatexweregettingtoher.Herheartbeatwasgallopingalongatapacethatwouldsurelymakehimcallanambulanceifhefeltthevibrations.Butmomentslater,smilingastheguestsapplauded,heledherfromthefloor.SheoughttosendhimabillconsideringthepublicrelationsvaluehewasgettingoutofAmeliaAnderson,shethoughtsourly.
Amaninawheelchairhadjoinedtheguestswhileshewasdancing,Aminoticed.Hewaselderlyandverythin,withafacelikeacreasedleathersatchelandlargehandswithknobbyknucklesandwrists.A superbdarksuitsatawkwardlyonhim,asifhewasdoneupinsomeoneelse'sSundaybest.NorthKendricklookeddispleasedattheman'spresenceandwenttohim atonce,bendingoverhimtosayafewwords.Theoldmanshookhisheadandsettled
intothechairwithanairofstubbornness.Ifhe'dbeenaskedtoleave,hewasn'tgoing,either.Kendrickhadhisshareofout-of-placeseniorcitizenstonight,Amithought,catchingtheeyeoftheinvalid.Helookedtiredbuthisgazewasunexpectedlysharp,andshenoddedandturnedawayquickly,unwillingtobeexaminedbyagenuineelder.Amifoundthoseeyesfocusedsteadilyonherasshewasheldinconversationbyvariouspeopleandforcedtoexpandonherfamilylife.SheexhaustedBernardandthetwinsandlaunchedhereldestson,Duncan,wholivedinCanada.Somethingaboutthewatchfuloldmanwasdisturbinglyfamiliar,andshefeltanewurgencytogetaway.ButnosoonerthethoughtthanNorthKendrickwasthere,takingherarmagainandsteeringhertothedisabledman.Wereoldwomenalwaysbundledaroundinthisbossymanner?
'Amelia,meetmyfather,'hesaid.'HarryKendrick.'
Hisfather?Shewastakenabackbutthesenseoffamiliaritywasexplained.Theman'seyeswerelikehisson'sexcepttherewasagleaminthemtosuggesthumourtomatchtheshrewdness.
'Howdoyoudo,Mr.Kendrick,'shesaidcarefully.
TheoldmanlistenedashissonexplainedAmelia'spresenceandherexpectedstayinapenthousesuiteasaguestofthemanagement.'Isthatso?'Harrysaid,raisingshaggyeyebrows.'AndisthereaMr.Anderson?'
'Ameliaiswidowed,too,Harry,'Northsaid.
AmihadthesuddencrazythoughtthatKendrickmightbematchingherupwithhisdad.ShealmostburstintoIhystericallaughter.Harrywasaskingherabouther/family,andshewentintoherpatteraboutherelderson,Duncan,wholivedinNewZealand.Assoonasshesaiditsheknewshe'dmadeaslip.DuncanlivedinCanada.Shestartedtofeelabitdesperate.
'Niceplace,NewZealand.AlotlikeCanada,Ibelieve,'Harrysaidblandlyandgaveherawink.Justthentherewasaconcertedmovetoanotherlocationandhepattedachairalongsidehimandsaid,'Sitdownandtakealoadoffyourfeetforawhile,Mrs.Anderson.'
Itwasanidealopportunitytoescape.Shesatdown,notcertainwhethershe'dbeenrumbled.WhenKendrickandthecrowddisappeared,shecountedtoten,butinsteadofleaving,sheturnedtomeetHarry'swatery,blue-greyeyes.Theywerecrinkledupinsilentlaughter.
'Ifyou'reapensioner,I'mtheprimeminister,'hesaid.
CHAPTERTWO
SHEcouldhavegonethen.Kendrickmightcomebackatanymoment.Butprofessionalcuriositydelayedher.'Whatgavemeaway?'
Harrydrewahandkerchieffrom hissuitpocketandwipedhiseyes.'Oh,nevermind.You'renotoneofthoseSOPSpeople,areyou?Isthereabombinthathandbag?'
'Goodheavens,iseveryoneinthisplaceparanoidaboutbombs?'shesaidlightly,openingherbagtoshowhimthatitcontainednoexplosives.Shespunhimataleaboutwantingtotestoutherspecialeffectsinpublic,whichwas,afterall,closetothetruth.'Theyweresogood,'shesaidmodestly,'thatonethingledtoanotherand—hereIam.'
'AndNorthdoesn'thaveaclue!'Harrywentoffintowheezylaughteragain.'Ah,thisisararetreat.He'sasmartlad,yousee,smarterthanme.Ineverhadmucheducation,workedwithmyhandsallmylife,onbuildingsitesaroundthecity.NowadayspeoplelikemyboyknockdownthingsIhelpedtobuildandreplacethemwithfancytowerslikethis,'hesaidwithasighashesquintedoutthewindowattheglitteringcity.'North,now—hewasbrainyrightfrom thestart,wasrichbeforeheturnedthirty.Peoplehavebeenbowingandscrapingtohim,treatinghim likeagodforsolong,it'snowonderhethinksheknowseverything.'Hewentoffagain,gaspingandheaving.'Mypoorboy!Ithinkhewashopingtodoabitofmatchmakingbetweenmeandthewidow!'Hemoppedupagainandshewaswatchinghim stuffthehandkerchiefinhistoppocketwhenhisotherhandflashedoutandpluckedthewalletfromheropenbag.Itwasunfoldedandhewasreadingherbusinesscardbeforeshegatheredherwits.
'AmiWinterburn,'hereadoutloud.'PerformingArts,SpecialEffects,PerukeMaker,Illusion—TheatricalSupplies.Busygirl,aren'tyou?What'saperuke?'
'Awig,'shesaid,swipingherwalletfromhim.
'Andwhat'sIllusion?Ashoporsomething?'
Shetookthecardandtuckeditaway,notanswering.
Hehadretainedherdriver'slicenceandnowcheckedherdateofbirth.'Hm.Twenty-six.Single?'
'Yes.You'reanosyoldman,'shesaid,dismayedthathe'dseenherrealname.AmeliaAndersoncouldjustfadeintotheblue.AmiWinterburn,failedactress,makeupartistandwigmaker,waslistedinboldtypeinthephonebook.
'Andyou'reafraudulentoldbag,'heguffawed,surrenderingthelicence.'It'smybirthdaytoday.I'mseventy-one.'
'Well,happybirthday.'
Hegrinnedathertension.'Don'tworry.Iwon'ttellNorthyourrealname,'hesaidandassherelaxed,added,'butonlyifyoustayandcometothepenthouseinthatget-uptocelebratemybirthday.'
"That'sblackmail,'shesqueaked.
'That'sright,Mrs.Anderson.'
Headflungback,shestalkedtothedoor,forgettingthefrockandthepinkcardiganandthestoutshoes.Harrylookedonwithappreciation.
'Betyou'reagood-lookingwomanunderallthat.Butthatwon'tcutanyicewithNorthifhefindsoutwhatafoolyou'vemadeofhim.He'snotamanwholikestobemessedabout.'
'Youwouldn'ttellhim?'
ButHarryjustgrinned,andshe'dpassedupherchanceatescapebecauseNorthKendrickcamebackjustthen,withFrancescaandtheothersfollowinginthehighgoodhumourgeneratedbyalcoholandpamperedegos.
'North,myboy—Mrs.Anderson'sgotasurpriseforyou,'Harryannounced,withaprovocativelookatAmi.Horrified,shethoughthereallydidintendtogethisbirthdaykicksbyexposingherinfrontofeveryone.SheimaginedpeelingoffherdisguisetostandbeforeKendrick,imaginedthosegreyeyesonherrealface.Hernervebroke.
'I'm,er,Harrykindlyinvitedmetocelebratehisbirthdaywithyoutonight,'shetwittered.'UnlessofcourseIwouldbeintrudingonafamilyoccasion—'
Northbrokeinquiteeagerlytoassurehershewouldn'tbeintruding.Francescawouldn'tbestayingfordinner,butwouldescortthem upandhewouldjointhemwhenhisguestshadgone.AmithoughtshesawthewhitesofFrancesca'seyesatthis,butthewomanaccompaniedthemdutifully.
Thepenthousewassheerluxury.Inthemellowlightoftablelamps,apalelakeofmarblestretchedoutwithclusteredfurnitureonislandsofrugs.
Sculpturesinbronzeandstone,mirroredinthemarble,lookedlikeancientmonumentsstranded in water.A clump ofprehistoricpalm-likecycadsflourishedbeneathadomedskylight.Softlylitshelvessetintothewallshousedahostofarttreasures.Atablewassetfordinnerwithcandelabraandonatrolleywasalarge,perfectbirthdaycakecoveredincandles.Amithoughttherewouldbeexactlyseventy-one.Itwasalltasteful,perfect,elegant.Ithadthetouchofthehotel'scateringdepartmentonit.Impersonallyyours,shethought,rememberingthatbriefglimpseofirritationtonightwhenNorthKendrickhadfirstseenhisfather.ShewonderedwhathehadgivenHarryforhisbirthday.Adiamond-studdedtiecliporsomethingequallyfabulous,shesupposed.
Francescawasdrawntoapanoramicmirrorwheresheanxiouslysurveyedherlovelyface.
'Mirror,mirroronthewall,'Harrymutteredwithagrimace.'Youdon'tthinkhe'dmarryher,doyou?'
AmistudiedFrancescaanew atthisidea.Shewasn'tsurewhichoneshewouldpitymostinsuchaliaison.Butshedidn'tanswer,andHarryreachedoutandtouchedthewrinklesatthecornerofhereyes,smilingsmuglyatthesuccessofhismanoeuvres.
'DirtyHarry,'shewhispered from thecornerofhermouth.'I'm notaccustomedtobeingblackmailedintodoingthings.'
'Ah,mydaysasablackmailerarenumbered.Can'tcountonanotherbirthdayafterthisone.'
Shewasdisconcerted.'Youmeanthatyou're...?'
Harrygaveaphilosophicalshrugandagauntgrinthatcuttotheheartofher.Shemustbemadbutinspiteofeverything,shelikedthisreprehensibleoldmanwhoseemedsolonelyinthiselevatedbastionofgoodtaste.'Well,'shesaid.'Justkeepyourpartofthebargain.Andmakesurethatthelightsstaydownlow.Idon'twanttobeunmaskedoverthebirthdaycake.'
NorthKendrickarrivedthen,emergingsuddenlyfrombehindtheclumpofcycads,sheddinghisdinnerjacket,satisfactiontiltinghismouth,agleaminhiseyes.Hehadturnedapotentialdifficultyintoanadvantage,theeveninghadbeenasuccessandhehadthelookofawinner.Therewasasymbolicwarningheresomewhere,Amithought,thatinthishavenofsophisticationthemanshouldappear,triumphant,frombehindalushgrowthofplantsthatdatedbacktoprimitivetimes.Hetossedthejacketontoacouch,androlledupthesleevesofhiseveningshirt.Theoverallimpressionwasofbroad-shoulderedathleticism.
Ofcourse,hisleannesscouldbemereskinniness.Underthatloose,expensiveshirthewasprobablythinasarake,hisribsstickingout.
'Amelia,'hesaid,stretchinghishandstowardher.'Ican'ttellyouhowpleasedIamyou'rejoiningus.'Hiswarmthmadeheruneasy,guilty.Butshethoughtofhisenthusiasmtohaveacompletestrangerjoininafamilyaffairandwonderedifitwasrelief.Maybe,shespeculated,NorthKendrickjustdidn'twanttobealonewithhisfather.Herglovedhandswereheldinhisandhestoopedtowardher,lingeredforamoment,andshefeltthedrawofhisattractionashiseyescrinkledwithasmile.Oldladies,apparently,broughtoutacertainsweetnessinKendrick.Heclosedhiseyesbriefly,tookadeepbreathandAmifoundherselfgazingathim,fascinatedbythisuninhibitedboyishness.
"Thatremindsmeofmygrandmother,'hesaidwithanostalgicsad-sweetsmilethatcaughtather.
'Whatdoes?'
'Thatscent.Whatisit?'
'Oh.Justsometalc,'shesaidweakly.Atthetheatre,she'dshakensomeappleblossomtalcontodisguisethesmellofadhesive,andshewasjoltedthatherfraudhadbroughtbackanintimatememorytohim.Itseemedaveryrefinedformofcheating.Amifeltterrible.
NorthjoinedFrancescatofetchsomedrinks.
"Thebestbirthdaypresentofthemall,'Harrysaid,watchinghisson.'It'sthefirsttimesincehewasaboutfifteenthatIknow somethinghedoesn't.'Hepositivelyglowedwithhissecretknowledge.Amicouldn'tdecidewhichwassadder—Harry'smaliciouspleasureatherpresence,orhisson'spatentreliefatit.ShelookedoveratFrancescawhoappearedtobemixingmorethandrinkswithNorth.Thebrunetterestedherfingertipstonthejunctionofhisneckandshoulder,toemphasisesomepoint.Theremustbesomethingaboutthatpartof/hisneckthatwomenliked.Amithoughtofherownridiculousfixationonitwhenshe'ddancedwithhim.Herfingertipstingled.
'Whatdidyougetforyourbirthday,Harry?'shesaidabruptlyasshenoticedtheoldmankeenlyobservingherinterest.'OtherthanAmeliaAnderson,Imean.'
Harryguffawedsilently,reacheddownthesideofthewheelchairandproducedsomebirthdaycards,madebyhisgrandchildren.'Here'sacardfrommyneighbour-she'slookingaftermyhousewhileI'mstayinghere.Northwantsmetosellit,soIhopeitwillstillbeminewhenIwanttogoback,'hesaiddryly.
Shelookedathimaskance.'You'rejoking,aren'tyou?'
'Northlikestogethisway,'theoldmansaidwithastubbornsetofhisjawthatsuggestedwhereNorth'straitmighthavecomefrom.'Hegavemethisformybirthday,'hesaid,pushingbackhisshirtcuffandholdingouthislefthand.TherewasagoldRolexwatchonhisknobbywrist.'Shockproof,'theoldmansaid,lookingatthebeautifultimepiece.'Andwaterproofdownasfarastwohundredmetres.'TherewassomegentlehumourinhiseyesasheraisedthemtoAmi.'BettermakesureIdon'tlosemyheadandgodivingdeeperthanthat,eh?'
TheywerelaughingwhenNorthbroughtthedrinks.Francescamadesomepolite,expertsmalltalkinaloudvoiceforthebenefitoftheoldfolks,thensaidgoodbyeandNorthsaw hertotheelevator.Throughthecycad'spalm-likefrondsAmicaughtaglimpseofFrancescaclaspedinhisarms,orhim beingclaspedinFrancesca's,itwashardtotell.Thegoodbyekisswasbrief,anythingbutpassionate,probablybecausetheyhadnoprivacyatpresent.AshecamebackAmiwonderedwhatthatwaslike—beingkissedbyNorthKendrick.Theadolescentspeculationannoyedher.
Throughdinner,Harrycontinuedtoextractthemaximum enjoymentfromthesituation.Amicouldn'thelpfeelingthatalthoughHarrymightnothavethemoneyandpowerofhisson,hewasfarfromthehelpless,pitifuloldmanhe'dportrayedtoher.
'North.Suchanunusualname,'Amisaidcuriously.
'WenamedhimConnaught—hismother'smaidenname.AlwaysintendedtocallhimConnor,butassoonashecouldtalkhecalledhimselfNort...itkindofgrewintoNorth.Heinsistedonit,refusedtoanswertoConnor.Stubbornasamuleevenwhenhewasthree,'Harrysaidinmingledirritationandpride.
Connaught.AmiglancedatNorth,whowastakingallthischitchatabouthisbabyhoodwithsurprisingtolerance.Shepicturedhimachubbychildlispinghisownname,insistingonhisversionofit.Harryproducedbabypicturesafterdinner,passingthemtoAmiwithadrycommentaryguaranteedtowrecktheimageofagrownup,successfulson.Therewasoneofanear-nakedtoddleronabeach,concentratingfiercelyonshovellingsandintoabucket.Therewasafamilyshotofadark-hairedwomanwithNorthandanoldergirl,decoratingaChristmastree.'Wehadoneeveryyear,'Harrysaid.'Therewasthisplaceweusedtogetourtrees—don'tsupposeit'sthereanymore.Ah,takealookatthisone.'ItwasalaterphotographofNorth,sittingonthepillionseatofaDucatimotorbikeclingingtoadashing,leather-cladHarry.Ateightornine,hewasathinboyshowinglittlesignsofthecompellinglookshewouldhaveinmaturity.Hisintelligentfaceboreanexpressionofmingledpride,confidenceandanxiety.Amiwonderediftheconfidencehaddrivenoutalluncertaintiesorifthegrown
manhadsimplybecomemoreadeptatdisguising,hisinnerdoubts.AquickcomparisonwiththeadultNorthconvincedherthatthislatterideawasunlikely.NorthKendrickhadtheairofamanwhohadtheanswersandneverdoubtedhimself,whetherhewasbuyingacompanyorclearingthestreetsofunsuitablewomen.
'IusedtoraceCats.Ducatibikes,'Harryexplained.'Wonquiteabit,too.'TohissonHarrysaidgruffly,'Idon'tsupposeyouremembermuchaboutthat.'
Northlookedstartled.'OfcourseIremember,Harry,'hesaidsoemphaticallythatAmithoughthewasputtingonafrontandhadinfactconsignedHarry'sracingdaystotheforgottenfiles.AmiwonderedatwhatageNorthstoppedcallinghisfatherDad,orifheeverhad.
Thebirthdaycandleswerelitandextinguished,thecakecutandAmisaidhergoodbyes.
'I'llcomedownwithyou,'Northsaid,steeringherintothelift.Herheartthumped.
'No,there'snoneed,'shesaid,desperatetoescapeatlast.ButhepressedbuttonsandtheliftdoorsclosedonHarryinhiswheelchair,andshewasalonewithhisson.
'Canyouspareanotherfew minutes,Amelia?'Northsaidastheelevatorstoppedonthemezzaninefloor.Hegavehernotimetoanswer,butguidedherfromtheliftandalongahushed,carpetedcorridortoanoffice.Herpulsewasallbutdeafeningnow.Hemustknow,anditwasevenworsenow,becauseshewasbeginningtoquitelikehim,andherguiltwaskillingher.Kendrickflickedaswitch,whichturnedonadesklamp,anuplighterandseveraldiscreetlightsthatilluminatedpaintingsandanelegantsculptureonamarblebase.Morelikeaminiatureartgallerythananoffice,shethought,bracingherselfashestoodbeforeher,frowning,handsonhips.Howlonghadheknown?
'Iwantyouradvice,Amelia,'hesaid.
Shegapedathim.
'AboutHarry.'
Heguidedherintoalowchairalongsideacoffeetableandsheleanedback,weakwithrelief,wonderinghowmuchofthiskindofstressshecouldtake.HetalkedaboutHarry'sstubbornwishtogobacktomanagingaloneinhisownhouseinsteadofmovingintomoresuitablesurroundings.Itbecameclearthatitwasn'tadvicehewantedsomuchassimplytotalk.ItalsobecameclearthatHarryhaddeliberatelytuggedatherheartstringswithhintsthathewasn'tlong
forthisearth.Hewasn'tevenpermanentlyconfinedtoawheelchair,accordingtohisson,butrecoveringfrom anoperationonhisknees.Shegrittedherteeth,rememberinghowmovedshe'dbeenbyhisassertionsthattherewouldbenomorebirthdays.Thatoldphoney,shethoughtfuriously.Theironyofthathitheramomentlaterandshealmostlaughed.
'Ihaven'tseenhimsoanimatedinweeks.He'sbeenvery—depressed,infact,sincetheoperations.You'regoodforhim,Amelia.Ihoped,ifIcouldtellyouthewaythingsare,youmightbeabletogetmypointacrosstohimwhenyouseehimagain.You'rehiscontemporaryandIthinkhe'dlistentoyou.Afterall,youmustknowmanypeoplewhosehealthhasforcedthemtoreconsidertheirwayoflife.'
'Oh.Hm,'shemurmured.SothatexplainedNorth'saffectionforpooroldAmelia.ShemightcomeinusefultobringHarryaroundtoNorth'swayofthinking.Hecertainlyknewhowtogetabenefitoutofeverythingthatcamehisway.Shelikedhimlessandherconscienceeasedalittle.
Hewavedhishandatahotplatewhereajugofcoffeesimmered.'Coffee?'
Shedemurredandsaid,'Ireallymustgo.'
'Justafewminutes,please,'hesaidwithanaturalsmileofgreatcharm.Shestudiedhimwhilehetookachinacupfromacupboardandmilkfromasmallre-frigerator.Whenhewastalkingtoher,believinghertobeold,heseemedmorerelaxed,lessguarded.Sheshiftedalittletoensurethatthelampalongsidedidnotilluminateherface.Herattentionwasdrawntoanotebookandsomeinvoicesonthesidetable.AllboretheimprintofMonica'sExecutiveGiftsandasloganthatpromisedthatMonicacouldtakeallthehassleoutofgiftbuyingforbusyexecutives.Monica,itseemed,could'personalise'thegiftssothatthereceiverswouldneverknowthegiverhadn'tseteyesonthem.MaybeMonicahadselectedHarry'sbirthdaypresent,shethoughtcynically.
Northseatedhimselfinhismagnificentchair,astudyofmalerakishnessashelounged,drinkingcoffee,hishairblackasnight,hiswhiteshirtcarelesslyopenandcatchingthelight,hisskinaburnishedgoldinthemellowhighlightsthrownbythelamp.AmiwonderedjusthowbusyhekeptMonica'sgift-buyingservice.
'MysisterlivesinMelbourneandhasherhandsfullwithfourchildrenandtwostepchildren.Ideally,IshouldgetmarriedandhaveHarrylivewithme,'hesaid.'Ashiscontemporary,whatdoyouthinkaboutthat?'
'Married?ToFrancesca?'sheasked,findinganawfulfascinationinthescenario.Sophisticated,ambitiousNorthKendrick,thenarcissisticFrancesca—andHarry?
Hisnowratherheavy-liddedeyessettledonher.Hesmiled,moremellowthanever,andAmirememberedthathe'dhadtwobrandiesafterdinner.Alcoholcertainlytooktheharshedgeoffhim.Helookedsleepyandrelaxedandalmostcuddly.'DoIdetectanoteofdisapproval,Amelia?'
'Oh,goodnessme.It'snotmyplacetopasscomment,'shesaid,genuinelyflustered.'But—'
Heliftedhisbrowsinquery.'But?'
'Well—Imean,doesFrancescalikethatidea?OfhavingHarrylivingwithyou?'
'Ihaven'tactuallydiscusseditwithher.'
'Haveyouproposed?'sheasked,feelingacurioussympathysuddenlyfortheornamentalFrancesca.
Helethisheaddropbackonthechairandclosedhiseyes.'Notyet.I'monlythinkingaboutit.'
'Doyouloveher?'shesaidbeforeshecouldstopherself.
Hischestheavedwithasilentlaugh.'Doesthatseem importanttoyou,Amelia?'
'Ithelps,'shesaidtartly.
'IsupposeIthoughtthateventuallylovewouldcomemyway,but...ithasn't.'Hesighed.'I'mthirty-five,Amelia.WhenIwasyoungIwasalwaysaheadofmycontemporaries,andnowI'mstilloutofstep.Allmyfriendsaremarried.Imeetalotofwomenbuttheyareusuallytooyoungortooold,orreadytosettleforanymanwithmoney.Ifthey'renotmarriedthey'redivorcedandneurotic,orthey'refeministacademics.'Hefinishedwithashudder.
Poorman.Thewholefemalesexwasunsatisfactory.
'Francescasuitsmeinmanyways.She'squitebeautiful—asI'm sureyounoticed.IfranklyadmitIprefermywomentobebeautiful.'
Amitooksomedeepbreaths.Hepreferredhiswomentobebeautifulandhischampagnecold.
'I'veknownFrancescaandherhusbandalongtime.She'sseparatedandpossiblyfacedwithamessydivorceandshe'shappytohaveanuncomplicatedrelationship,someonetobeseenwith.Herhusbandhadanaffair,'heexplained.AmiwonderedifthatwasthereasonFrancescacheckedherappearancesooften,withthatslightlydazedair,wonderingwhatshedidn'thavethattheotherwomanhad.'Weenjoysimilarthings—shelikesentertainingandIhavetodoa
lotofthat.Shecomestomeforfinancialadvice—Ioftenfindhercontactsuseful—'
Asortofcorporateaffair,Amithought.Theyprobablyclaimedeachotherasataxdeduction.
'Youdon'tapprove,Icansee.You'rearomantic,Amelia.Maybeyou'dprefertoknowthatIcan,anddo,fallforthewrongkindofwoman.Ijustdon'tallowittodevelop.'
'Abitlikefrostbitestuntingthegrowthofanew,littleplant?'shesaid,withgentlespite.
Helaughed.'Nopointinlettingsomethingstartwhenyouknowitcanonlybetroubleinthelongterm.Therewasacaseinpointnotsolongago,awomanwhocaughtmyeye...'
Awomanwhocaughthiseye,likeaflashycar,oranicesportsjacket,Amithought.'Butshewasthewrongkindofwoman?Tch,tch.Neurotic?Feminist?Orjustnotbeautifulenough,Northdear?'
Heseemedamusedandentertainedbyhersarcasm.'Shewaslovely.Iwasinstantlyattractedtoher.'Hegotupandwenttothewindow.'Isawherfromhere,infact,notsolongago,butwhenIwentdowntotalktoher...'
'Shehadavoicelikeacrow?'Ameliasaidbeforesheregisteredwhathe'dsaid.Hereyeswidened.Isawherfromhere.Iwentdowntotalktoher.Shefroze,lookingathisbackashestoodstaringoverthehotelforecourtandthestreet.Hemustmeanher.Theknowledgetouchedhervanityforafleetingmoment.Iwasinstantlyattractedtoher.A flareoftriumphwasfollowedbydistaste.Indesperation,shecastaroundforescape,atrappedeavesdropper.
'Hervoicewasgood,too.Idoubtthecolourofhereyesandhairwasreal,butapartfromthattherewerenoapparentflawsinheratall—buthercircumstanceswere,shallwesay,unsavoury.'
Ami'snostrilsquivered.Noapparentflaws,indeed.Herself-loathingwasconsiderablyreducedbythisbreathtakingarrogance.
'Apity.Itmighthavebeeninteresting.'
'Shemightnothavefanciedyou,North,dear,haveyouthoughtofthat?'shesaid.
Hehadnot.'Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Amelia,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested,'hesaidwithasmileofreminiscence.'Shewas,anditwasn'tjustbusiness.'Heglancedatherthen,asifregrettingsuchafrank
referencetoanoldlady,presumablyshelteredfrom theknowledgeofsuchthingsasprostitution.
'Youcantell!Dearme,'shesaid,grippingherbagtightly.'Whataveryhandyknackthatmustbe.Howdoesitwork?'
Heblinkedandgaveaboyish,ruefullaugh.'Icouldn'tevenattempttoexplainit,Amelia.Butlet'sjustsay,IhaditongoodauthoritythatshewasnotthekindofgirlHarrywouldlikemetobringhometodinner,soI—passeduptheopportunity.'
Amiclutchedherhandbagandresistedtheurgetohithim withit.So,hethoughtshe'dbeeninterestedbuthe'dpasseduptheopportunitybecauseshewasn'tuptosnuff!Theself-opinionatedstuffedshirt.Hisphonebuzzedandhewentovertothedesk.
'Yes?'hesaid,snappingoutofhisnostalgicmood.Thereweresomecurtmonosyllablesandshegotup,seeingherchancetogetaway.NorthKendricklookedoverandshemadeflutterylittlegesturesofthanksandfarewell.
Buthesaid,'Holdon,'laidthereceiveronthedeskandcameover.Takingherbythearmagain,hewalkedtotheliftwithher,askingifsherequiredacartotakeherhome.Amisaidhastilythatshehadherown,whichsurprisedhimalittle.'Therehavebeenafewincidentsaroundhere,'hesaid.'I'llhaveMorganwalkyoutoyourcar.'
"Thankyou.'Shebeamed.Hewaslettinghergoalone.Thankheavens.Theelevatordoorclosed.Hewasgone.Shewassafe.
Morganwasattheconcierge'sdesktakingacallandsheslippedoutbeforehesawher.Amiletoutagreatsighofrelief.OnemoreminuteandshewouldhavehitKendrick.Icantellwhenawomanisinterested.Sherealisedshewasswingingherhandbaginafuriousarcandhoisteditoverherarm.UpthereinhisofficeKendrickmightbewatchinghernow,wonderingwhythewidow Andersonwasn'ttamelybeingescortedtohercarbyMorgan.Shewalkedalittlefaster,anxioustogettotheintersectionsothatshecouldabandonherelderlypaceandgetoutofhere.SheheardfootstepsovertakingherandforamomentherguiltyconsciencemadeherthinkitmightbeKendrick,abouttounmaskher.
Sheuppedherpaceafractionbutthefootstepsgainedonherjustbeforesheturnedthecorner,andwiththeacceleratedsoundcamethefirstprickleofapprehension.Sheglancedaroundandsawayouthbreakintoaruntowardher.Hegrabbedherhandbag,butthehandlecaughtonherwristandtightenedpainfullyashetriedtoboltwithit.Shecouldn'tgetaway,soshejabbedhimwithherelbowandlandedakickonhislegs.
'Ow!Letgo,youoldbag!Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?'Therewasanoteofinjuryinhisvoice,asifshewasbreakingsomeunwrittencodebyhittingbackatherattacker.Hesawthatherwristwasentwinedwiththehandleandbrutallyjerkedthehandbagfree.Theforcemighthavebrokenthearmofaseventy-year-oldwoman.ButAmiWinterburnwastwenty-sixandstrongfromyearsofballettrainingandshesawred.
'Youhorriblelittlecreep!'sheyelled,lopingaroundthecornerafterhim.'Attackingoldwomen!Coward!'
Thepursesnatcherlookedaroundwithdisbeliefasthisparticularoldwomansprintedalongsideandgavehimavigorouspush.Alarmedattheagedviragosnarlingathim,hestoppedandraisedaclenchedfistather.Amideliveredahighballetkickthatrippedherskirtandconnectedjustbelowhiselbow.Hismouthdroppedopeninpainandshock.Heflungdownthehandbagandfled.'Justthinktwicebeforeyoupickonoldladies,youcoward!'sheyelledafterhimandshakilybenttopickupafewthingsthathadspilledfrom herbag.Stillkneeling,shelookedalongthestreetandsaw amancomingtoherrescue,slowingnowasitwasobviousthedangerwaspast.
Sheblinked.ItwasNorthKendrick.Asherpulsecrashedthunderouslyfast»inherears,hisstepsgrewslowerstill.Sheclosedherhandbag,stoodup.Fromhiswindowhemusthaveseentheyouthfollowher.Howmuchhadheseenandheardofwhatcameaft»-that?
'Ohdear,'shesaidbreathlesslyenough,clutchingtherippedskirtoverherthigh,tryingtoshrugherbodypadsbackintoplace.'Mydress—torntoshreds,thatawfulboy,thankgoodnessyou'rehere,Mr.Kendrick.North.'
Hisdeadstraighteyebrowscrammedtogetherinadeepfrown.'Amelia?'hesaid.Shemadeamoveawaybuthesnappedhisarmaroundher,reflectivelyspreadhishandatherwaistasifrememberingwhenhedancedwithher.Amitriedtoleanawayfrom him,andhiseyesnarrowedattheyouthfulflexofmusclehecouldfeelbetweenthedisplacedbodypads.
'Oh,itwasterrible,thatawfulboy—I'mshakingallover,'shesaidtruthfully.'AndI'veskinnedmyknee.'
Shebitherlip,wishingshehadn'tdirectedhisattentionthere.Hisheadtilted,hetookatornedgeofherskirtandlifteditasidelikeacurtain.Evenintheblacksupportshoesherlegswerethefirm,shapelylegsofadancer.
'Whoareyou?'hesaidsoftly.Hetookherarminagriplesstenderthanshe'dbeenusedtofromhimandhauledherupclose.Herhandsbracedagainsthisupperarms.Itwasabadtimetodiscoverhewasanythingbutthin.Hardmuscle
rippledbeneathherfingersandAmitriedtoconsoleherselfthatNorthKendrickwassuretohaveasenseofhumouroverthis.Hewasboundtoseehowridiculousthewholethingwasandenjoyagoodlaugh.Giventime,hemightevenappreciatejusthowgoodhermake-upjobwas.AndtherewasHarry.She’dmadehisfatherveryhappyonhisseventy-firstbirthday,hadn'tshe?
Amilookedathissetjawandthemuscletwitchinginhischeekanddecidednottorelyonhissenseofhumour.
'Oh,dear,dear,'shesaidinaflustered,distressedvoice.
Itwasenoughtoshiftthebalanceofpower.North'sreasonwastellinghimonething,butshecouldseehewashamperedbythevisualsignalshisbrainwasinterpreting.Confused,herelaxedforamomentanddidn'texpectthestrengthbehindtheshoveshegavehim.Kendricksprawledonthefootpath,thesecondmanthatnightshe'dflooredinthatspot,shethoughtinpanickyhumour,andAmisprintedpastsomebaffledbystandersandturnedthenextcornerintothebackstreetwhereshe'dparkedhercar.Panting,shetookseveralstabswiththekeyandfinallygotthedooropen.Justintime,shegotinside,closedthedoorandsankdownbelowthedashboardasKendrickappearedatthecorner,lookingforherfleeingfigure.Aftermaybethirtyseconds,shecautiouslyraisedoneeyeandsawhimwalkalittlewaydown,thenbackagainasifhe'dgivenup,andquitesuddenlythestreetcornerwasdeserted.
Amibreatheddeeply,waitedagoodtenminutesforsafetythenstartedthecar.Shewassorattled,shetooktwowrongturnsinthecityandaddedafrustratinghalfhourtoherjourney.Athome,shepulledofftherippeddress,thebodypads,thesupportshoesandstockings,wrappedherselfinashort,silkrobeandmadeherselfsomestrongcoffee.Herdog,barricadedinsidethebackgarden,barkedawelcomeandademandforreleaseandAmiyelled,'Justaminute,Spritz.'
Sheputanadhesivestripoverherskinnedkneethenpulledoffthewigandtosseditonherdresser.Whenthedoorbellrang,shejumped,satfrozenforamoment.'Fool,'shemuttered,goingtoanswerthedoor.ItwouldbeEmmawithsamplefabricsforthewedding,wonderingwhyshe'dtakensolongtodrinkacupofcoffeeatKendrick'shotel.Sheopenedthedoor,talkingassheunfastenedthechain.'You'llhavetotalktomewhileIgetthisstuffoffmyface.Myskinisabsolutely—'Shestoppedwithhermouthopen.
Itwasn'tEmma.ItwasNorthKendrick.
CHAPTERTHREE
'IFITisn'tthewidowAnderson,'hedrawled,lookingatherlong,smoothlegsdisplayedbeneaththerobe.'Beenpaddlinginthefountainofyouth,Amelia?'
Shetriedtoclosethedoor,whichwasmad,becausenowthatheknewwhereshelived,itwasmuchtoolate.Buthestuckhisfootintheopening,laidonehandflatagainstthedoorandpusheditopen,thenwalkedpasther.
'Howdidyou—?'
'Findyou?'hefinished,walkingovertopeerintoherkitchen,thrustasidethecurtainofthediningnook.Comingbacktoher,hereachedpastandgavethedoorthemerestnudge.Itslammedbehindherandonceagainshejumped.'Youleftyourcard,Ms.A.Winterburn.'Hetweakedacreditcardfrom hisshirtpocketandflickeditatherfeet.Amiclutchedtherobeclosertoherbreastsandbenttopickupthe-card.
'Itdroppedfromyourpurseduringyourfree-for-allwiththebagsnatcher.AtleastAmeliaappearstobeyourrealname.That'ssomething/Isuppose.'
Shelickedherlips.'MostpeoplecallmeAmi.Look,Icanexplain—'
Hismouththinnedandheturnedaglaciallookonher.Whenhewassurehe'dfrozenhertothespothewalkedaway,downthenarrowhallway,lookingintoherbathroom,bedroom,herspareroom withhermake-updresserandwork-tablewithseveralpartlyfinishedwigsonforms.Shewonderedwhatheexpectedtofind—acoveyofoldladies?Ashecameback,hepickeduponeofthematronlyshoesthatshehaddiscardedinthelivingroom.
'Thehotelhasverygoodfacilitiesforcheckingoutsuspectcreditcards.You'dbesurprisedwhatIknowaboutyounow.Yourbusinesspartnership,whatyouearn.Whatyouowe.'Hestrolledallthewayback,turningovertheshoeandinspectingitcloselybeforehetosseditontoachair.Amithoughtsheshouldhaveheededthatwarningearlierwhenhe'dappearedfrombehindtheprimitiveplantlifeinhisapartment.'EverythingIneedtoknow,'hewenton.'Exceptwhatyoureallylooklike.'
Andwhenheknewthat,hewouldbeangrierstill.
'Solet'sgetthesweet,oldwrinklesoff,shallwe?'hesnapped,gesturingtowardsherspareroom.
'You'renotgoingtowatch?'shesaid,aghast.
Helookedatherbarelegsandfeetandtheclingingsilkrobeandgaveagrimsmile.'Idon'tintendtotakemyeyesoffyou,sweetheart.'
Amiwalkedtoherspareroom,consciousofhim followingclosebehind.Sweetheart.Perhapshewouldn'trememberherrealfacewhenhesawit.Perhapsitwasn'therhe'dmeantwhenhespokeofinstantattractions.Itwasprobablysomeotherwomanwho'dcaughthiseye,thearrogantswine.Themanwassodamnedsexistthatheprobablycouldn'trememberonewomanfromanother.
Amisatathermake-upmirrorandwatchedhimmanhandleachairtositastrideit,facingheroveritsback.Hereachedforthewig,studieditintently,amuscleflickeringinhischeek.Heslappeditacoupleoftimesagainsttheedgeofthetable.
'Becareful,'Amiprotested.'That'saveryexpensiveitem.RealEuropeanhaironthebestimportedlacebase,andithastogobackintostockattheshop—'
Shemethiseyesandherproteststuckinherthroat.Usingtweezers,shepeeledoffthetissue-thinedgesofthefoamlatexprostheticsonebyone.Theneckpieces,theforehead,theeyepouchesallmouldedtothecastofherownface.'Latex.Imakethemmyself,'shesaidnervously,forsomethingtosay,butitwasclearNorthKendrickwasnotinterestedinthetechnicalprocessthathadhoodwinkedhim.Coldlyheregardedeachpieceoftrickery,slappingtheexpensivewigagainsthishandfrom timetotime,sayingnothing,speakingvolumes.Amimovedslowly,unwillingtoberevealedtoNorthKendrick.Itwasasembarrassingasdoingastriptease.Shebentandsmotheredherfacewithwhitecleansingcream toremovetheremainingbitsofadhesiveandstippledcolour.'InElizabethandays,'shesaid,awarethattimewasrunningoutasshewipedthelasttracesofherdisguiseaway,'actorsusedtousechunksofpigfattoremovetheirmake-up.It'stheoriginofthenickname"hams"foractors.'
'Fascinating,'hegrowled.
Herfacewasalittlepink,butbacktonormal.Sheraisedherheadandlookedathiminthemirror.NorthKendrickstiffened.Therhythmicslappingofthegreywigstoppedsharply.
'Whatthehell—you!'
Amiexperiencedavainsatisfactionthathehadrememberedherface.Slowlysheremovedtheageingyellowstainfromherteeth,tew5Koutthecontactlensesthathadcloudedheraquamarineeyes.Shebrushedherflattenedhair.Itcrackledwithstaticelectricity,flyingoutfromherscalp,strandsclingingtoherface.He
graspedherchin,jerkedheraroundtohim,andshewhirledonherswivelstool.Thehard,greyeyeslookedintohers,blinkedrapidly.Hisnostrilsdistendedashesubjectedhertoalong,intensescrutiny.
'Allcoloursguaranteednatural,'shesaiddryly.
Shefelttheangryflexofhisfingersonherchin,theshortgustsofhisbreath.Abruptly,hetransferredhishandtothebackofherchair,andthemoveinchedthecastorsforwardsothatshewaspropelledclosertohim.
'Justwhatisyourgame?'
'Nottheoneyouthoughtitwas,'sheretorted.
'You'renotfromSOPS,Ichecked.Somekindofscam,then,'hesaidslowly,suspicionsquintinghisthick-lashedeyesintoslits.'Aconfidencetrick,maybe.Nowwhatareyouafter?Money,naturally,but—'
'No.ThefirsttimeIsawyouIwasjustdoingajobformymother,'shesaid.
Hegaveasnortofincredulity.'Ah,ajobonthestreetsforyourmother.Andwhatdowecallher—MadamWinterburn?'
Amigloweredathim,thinkinginothercircumstancesitwouldhavebeenhilarious.'Iwasdoingsomeresearchforheragency,asithappens,butthat'snoneofyourbusiness.Youandyourguardsconfusedmewithsomeoneelse,'shesaidshortly.'I'dneverbeennearyourhoteluntilthatday.I'mamake-upartist,notaconfidencetrickster.'
'There'sadifference?'hesneered.
'I'mnotinterestedinyourmoney.NoramIinterestedinyou.'
'DidIsaythat?'
'"Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested—andshewas,"'shesaid,mimickinghisvoice.'Well,hereitis,straightfromthehorse'smouth.Shewasn't.'
Hisnostrilsflaredandtherewasaflushofcolourhighonhischeeks.Northwasstillhavingtroublerememberingthateverythinghe'dsaidtoharmless,grandmotherlyAmeliahadactuallybeensaidtoAmiWinterburn.Sheshiftedslightly,herskinpricklingwiththeheatfromthelightbulbsaroundhermake-upmirror.
'Idon'tbelieveyou,'hemurmured.'I'mgoodatreadingsignals.'Therewasamomentwhenshecouldhaverunforcoverbutithadalreadypassedwhenheleanedforwardandthereflectionofadozenlightsglitteredinhiseyesasheclampedahandtohernapeandkissedher.Shemadeamuffledsoundof
outragethathewouldchoosethiswaytoexpresshisanger.Andhewasangry,shecouldfeeltherageshimmeringaroundhim,feelitintheimprisoninggraspofhislargehandonherneckandthefiercepressureofhismouthonhers.
Abruptly,hestopped,andAmidraggedahandostentatiouslyacrosshermouth.'Yuck,'shesaidwithgreatdeliberation.
Unexpectedly,helaughedwithoutmakingasound.'Itwasgoodforme.'
Herpulsesclamoured.'Itwasapowerplay,soitwouldbe,wouldn'tit?'Hehadnotreleasedherandshefelttheflexofhishandatthenapeofherneck,themeresttouchofhisbreathonherface.Herkneestouchedhisandshewashotlyawareoftheintimatecontact.
'Ishouldhaveknownyoucouldn’tbeonthegame,'hesaid,almosttohimself.'Becauseallthemenyouapproachedwalkedawayfromyouagain.'Hepausedamoment,gazingintohereyes."That'sacompliment.'
Amiglared.'Doyoureally,thinkso?'
Helookedathermouthandtoucheditwithhisthumb,thewayhehadthatdayinthecab.Herhearthammeredawayinherchest,herthroatfeltdry.
'Shallwetryitagain?'hesaid.
'Ican'tthinkofanythingI'dlikeless.'
'Liar.Youcriticisedmytechnique.That'spracticallyachallengetometodoitagain.'
Andthistimeitwasadifferentkindofpowerplay.Notadisplayofstrength,butoneofpersuasion.Hemovedhisheadslightly,fromsidetoside,rubbinghislipsacrosshers.Amikepthereyesopen,fiercelygazingintohistoshowhimthathisexpertisewaswasted.Hesmiledandtookitasanotherchallenge.Shesawthesuddenansweringgleaminhiseyesashisfingersslidintoherhairandhismouthpartedhersinaquick,confidentdemand.Hereyelidsdrooped.Kisses,inherexperience,wereinclinedtobesloppy,disappointingthings.North,shethoughtdistractedly,wasavirtuoso.Authoritywithgentleness,sensualitywithrestraint.Shehadwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketobekissedbyhimbuttherealityrockedher.Histonguedippedinside,languorouslywithdrewandhismouthslidacrosshercheektothesensitiveskinofhertempleanddownbeneathherear.Herhand,setagainsthiminrejection,nowcurvedtotheshapeofhisarm andshefeltthebulkofmuscleandthetextureoffinewoolbeneathherfingers.
'AmiWinterburn,'hesaidagainsthermouthasifhewascompletinghisidentificationofher.
Sheinchedback,mortifiedthatshecouldbeseducedbyphysicalmagnetismandaslicktechnique.Abruptlysheturnedherchaironitsswivel,camefacetofacewithherselfinthemirror.Hercheekswereflushed,andtherewasamoistshinetoherlips.Shetoreatissuefromtheboxandwipedthewantonlookfromhermouthasshemethiseyesinthemirror.
'LikeIsaid,'Northmurmured,acomplacentsmilecurvinghismouth.'Irarelygetitwrong.'
'Yougoteverythingwrongthefirsttimeyousawme,'sheremindedhim,tossingtheusedtissueintoabinandthetracesofhiskisswithit.'Yougoteverythingwrongthesecondtime.Somaybeyou'vegotitwrongyetagain,haveyouthoughtofthat?'
Helookedhardather,thewayhehadwhenhe'dfirstseenherfacewiththedisguiseremoved,asifhedidn'tquitetrusttheapparentgenuinenessofit.Foramanwhohadhardlyputafootwronginfifteenyears,itmustbegallingtobefooled.
'I'vethoughtagreatmanythingstonight,'hesaidinasoft,bitingtone.'Mostofthempunishablebylongsentencesinmaximumsecurityjails.'
Hegotupandwentintothehall.Shelookedatthewigandbitherlip.Themanwasawful,butshesupposedshedidowehimanapologytoconcludethisstupidbusiness.
Amihurriedafterhim,catchinghimashereachedforthefrontdoor.'Mr.Kendrick—North—atleastletmeapologisefor,um,Ameliaandexplainhow—'
Shegrabbedhisarmandhespunaround,shovingherhandoffasifitwasacontaminant.'Howthehellareyougoingtoexplainwhyyoudupedmyguests,involvedmeinsomekindof—ofsickjoke!'
Shethrew herarmsoutandsaid,'Allright!I'm sorry.ItescalatedintosomethingIneverintended,Iadmit,'shesaid.'Butitwasyourownfault,basically.'
'Myfault?Myfaultthatanimportantnightofmylifewasdominatedbya—aphoneypensionergibberingaboutbloodylampshades?'heroared.'Andtheworstofitis—Ilikedher!'
Hestoodverystill,handsonhips,lookingattheceilingfortwentyseconds.Hischestroseandfellashetookdeep,calmingbreaths.Amicrossedherfingersthatitwouldwork.Shelookedaroundforaweaponincaseitdidn't.MaybesheshouldletSpritzinside.Thedogwasmakingaracketatthebackdoor.Sheinchedtowardit.
'Ijustwantedtogetintoyourhotel,'shesaidreasonably,usinghermostsoothingvoice.'You'dthrownmeoutonthestrengthofsomesecond-handde-scription,insultedme.Bannedme,toldMorgannevertoletmedarkenyourdooragain.SonaturallyIhadtogoinsidejustonce.Torestoremyself-esteem.'
Hiseyescamedownfromtheceilingtofix,incredulously,onher.'Yourself-esteem.'
'Ijusthappenedtohavetheagedmake-upon,soIthought—Morganwouldneverrecognisemelikethis.'Sheturnedherheadandshoutedthroughthedoor.'Bequiet,Spritz!'
'Youjusthappenedtolooklikesomeone'sgrandmother!'
'I'dgivenaspecial-effectsdemonstrationtosomestudents,'shesaid,slowlyandcarefullysoasnottoenragehimfurther.'IttakesagoodninetyminutestoapplyandI'ddonesuchagoodjobitseemedapitytowasteit.'Hismouthactuallyhungopenforamoment.Hecloseditwithasnapofhisjawworthyofafreshwatercrocodileandshejudgedthatitwastoolatetosoothehim.Franklyshewenton,'Look,Iwouldhavebeenintothecoffeeshopandoutagainandno-onethewiserifIhadn'tbeentreatedlikeasecond-classcitizen—yetagain.'
'Don'tyoudaretrytojustifythisfraud!'
'Comehometoheaven—butnotifyoudon'tlookrightfortheoccasion.Notifyou'reoldanddon'tmatchthefurnishingsandlookpowerlessenoughtojustbeshovedoff.Morganhadthenervetotellmetorunalonghomeandcomebackanothertime,yousentthatyoungmantoshowmethedoor—'
'Ididnosuchthing,'hesnapped.
'Oh,well,thenMorganmusthave,sohethoughthewasonlyinterpretingyourwishes.Andyoupatronisedme—yetagain.'
'Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?'heyelledoverSpritz'sescalatingyelps.
'"Youshallhaveallthecoffeeyoucandrink,"'shemimicked,pattingthenearestloungechairinimitationofhisconsolingmannerwithAmelia.
Itwasthewrongthingtosayonseveralcounts.Hiseyesglitteredandshewasremindedthatitwasnotmuchmorethananhoursinceshewassittinginhisofficewhilehepouredoutcoffeeandconfidences.
'YouhavethegalltotalkaboutsocialinjusticewhenIwasphotographedbythepress,waltzingwithanoldwomanwhoisactuallytwenty-sixyearsold!Waltzing,'herepeatedandhisheadwentbackasifhewasonlynowcollatingthe
manyseparategrudgeshehadagainsther.Washethinkingofthatmomentwhenshe'dslippedandendedupcloseinhisarms?
'Well,youshouldn'thaveaskedAmeliatodance,shouldyou?Itriedtorefusebutyouwerejusttoomasterfulforyourowngood.Consideringthepublicre-lationsvalueyougotfromwaltzingwithpooroldAmelia,it'schurlishofyoutoresentitnow.'
'Churlish!'heshouted.'Youunprincipledlittle— YouletHarryinnocentlyinviteher—youtodinner,youacceptedmyhospitality,madefoolsofanoldmanandmeandyoudaretocriticiseme?Spritzwasgoingcrazyinthebackgarden,andhalftheneighbourhooddogswerebarkinginsympathy.Northstrodetothebackdoor,flungitopenandbellowed,'Bequiet!'
Theracketstopped.HeslammedthedoorandAmijumped.HisjawgrittedandAmithoughtithighlylikelythathewasgrindinghisteeth.Acontinuing,obedientsilencefrom outsideenhancedherwariness.Spritzseemedhardlyreliableasasecretweaponifshecouldbesilencedsoreadily.Itdidn'tseemthetimetotellNorththatonlyhehadbeenthefool,thatinnocentoldHarryhadbeeninonthejokeallalong.Hewouldrealisethatsoonenough.
'WhatcanIsay?I'mnotsorryIdiditbecauseyoudrovemetoit,butIamsorryitwentsofar,'shesaidagain,herarmsspreadwideinapology.NorthKendrickstaredatherintheoddestway.'Thereisnorealharmdone,isthere?Ididn'tgivetheagencythetape-recording.Itwouldn'tbeethicalbecauseyougaveyournameand—'
'Tape-recording!'Heseizedher,histhumbspressingintothesoftfleshinsideherelbows.Shewasnofeatherweightbutthepressureliftedherforward,ontotheballsofherfeetandtoocloseinsidetherangeofhishard,greyeyes.'Whattape-recording?When?Wherethehelldidyouplantamicrophone?Whoareyouworkingfor?'
'You'rehurtingme,'shesaid,wincingatthebruisingstrengthofhishands.Thepressureeasedslightly,notenough.'Look,I'mnotsomekindofcorporatespy,ifthat'swhatyou'rethinking.Areallbusinessmensoparanoid?Ithoughtactorswerebadenough.Itwasinmyhandbag.Doyouwantit?Thetape,Imean.'
'Well,Idon'twantyourbloodyhandbag,'hesaidbetweenhisteeth.
Amihurriedtofetchthetapefrom herlivingroom.'Youcanhaveit.Naturally,itallendshere.YouhavemywordthatIwon'ttellanyoneaboutit—mydisguise,Imean,andhowsuccessfulitwas.'
'Yourword,'hesaid,curlinghislip.
'Yes.Myword!'Sheslappedthetapeintohishandandhetookafewmomentstoconsideritbeforehetuckeditintohisinsidepocket.Itcostherdearly,butAmiheldoutherhandtohim inastaunchgestureofgoodwill.Anythingtomakeanendtothisawfulbusiness.'Nohardfeelings,Ihope?'Toolatesherealisedthatitsoundedlikeamockingmimicryofhisownwordstoherthedayofthegardenia.
Northlookedheroverasifshewasanalienlifeform.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedoutsidethenlookedbackather.Hisvoicewasverylow,verycontrolled.'You'retheonewhohasitallwrong,MissWinterburn,ifyouthinkthisiswhereitends.'
Heclosedthedoorbehindhim andshebracedherselfforanotherslam.Instead,itmadeasmall,sinistersnick.Amilistenedforthesoundofacardepartingandit,too,wasmoderate,controlled.Itwouldhavemadeherfeellessanxioushadheslammedafewdoorsandrevvedhismotor.
AmiphonedEmmawithamucheditedversionoftheevening'sactivitiesandmadeadatetoseeherthefollowingevening.ShefedSpritzanddidsomechoresandfailedtorelaxinadeep,warmbath.NorthKendrick.Lesslikeaman'snameandmorelikeanaddress.Whereareyougoing?ToNorthKendrick.
ItwasunfortunatethatKendrickseemedtobeassociatedwithsomanypowerfulsensualtriggers.Smell.Theheavyscentofgardenia.Hearing.Theinsistentsoundofthewaltzthatechoedinherhead.Touch.Hiskiss.Shetouchedherlips,recallingthesensationofhismouthonhers,andherbodyreactedwithaprimitivethrill.Ihardlyknowhim,shethought,shocked.Idon'twanttoknowhim.Amiclamberedfromthebathandwrappedherselftightlyinatowellingrobe.Justwhere,shewondered,woulditallend
CHAPTERFOUR
'WEMUSTdecideonChristmasdecorationsfortheshop,'herpartnersaidthenextdaywhenAmihadfarewelledherweeklymake-upstudents,allwearingscarsandbruisesoftheirowncreation.
Amigroaned.'Helen—September'sonlyjustfinished!'
'TimeslipsawayandtheChristmascardsarealreadyoutinthesupermarket,'Helensaidwithahuntedair.'I'vestartedmyChristmasshopping.ThisyearIamnot,absolutelynotgoingtogetstuckwithlast-minuteshopping.'
Amistraightenedsomeeye-shadowpalettesandfantasyeyelashes.Usingtheshelfasabarre,sheperformedafewballetstretchestogetoutthekinksfromanhourofcloseworkbendingoverfakewoundsandcontusions.'You'renotgoingtoinsistonartificialsnowonthewindowsthisyear,areyou?'
'Whynot?'
'It'sridiculous.Hereweare,swelteringinahotsouthlandfullofgumsandpalmtreesandwesprayfakesnowonourwindowsandstickblobsofcottonwoolonfirtreesandtrytomakethesub-tropicslooklikeVictorianEnglandinwinter.'
Helenlookedshocked.'ButyoumusthaveapinetreeforChristmas,andsnow.Andstars.WealwaysputgoldstarsonourfrontwindowathomeforChristmas.Everyoneinthestreetexpectsit.'
Amidippedlow,archingherarmdownsothatherfingersskimmedthefloor.'AllthoseportlymensweatingawayoncitystreetsinSantasuits.EvenwhenIwasalittlekid,IwonderedwhysomanySantassweated.Heneverdidinstorybooks.Bytheway,I'veorderedinsomeSantabeardsforChristmas.'
Helensaidsomethingshedidn'thear.'Ami,'sheadded,louder,togetherattention.
Asshestraightened,Amisawtherewasacustomerintheshop.Shewassmilingherdazzlingsmileofwelcomebeforeshesawwhoitwas.Thesmileswitchedoff.Bydaylighthelookedmoretannedandphysical,evenintheprecisedrapeofapin-stripeddouble-breastedsuit.Eyeinghiswidthofshoulder,shewonderedhow shehadeverthoughthemightbeskinny.Purewishfulthinking,tryingtocuthimdowntosize.
'Ami,'Helensaid,'thisisMr.Kendrick.Hecameinearlier,aboutmake-upforapromotion,whileyouwerewiththeclass.ThisisAmiWinterburn,ourprincipalandgeniuswithmake-upandJspecialeffects.'HelensmiledratherarchlyatNorthKendrick.'Perhapsyou'dliketoseesomeofAmi'swork—'
'I'vealreadyseensomeofMissWinterburn'swork.'Hetookalong,measuringlookatAmi'ssveltefigureinshirt,vestandblackpantstuckedintoshortboots,herstreakyblondehairtwitchedcasuallyintoabunchononesideofherhead.'Geniusmightbeanexaggeration,butIthinkshe'squitegood,'hesaidtoHelen,keepinghiseyesonAmi.
'I'malmostsureitwouldtakeageniustofoolyou,Mr.Kendrick,'Amisaidwithfalseadmiration.
Hisruler-straightmouthcrimpedabitatthat.
'Youmightliketoseeourdesignsamples,'Helensaid,frowningatAmi'slackofenthusiasm foraprospectivecustomer.Crouchingdown,Helensortedthroughtheirphotocollectionofmake-updesigns,slidingfoldersontothecountersurface.
NorthKendrickwalkedaway,lookingaroundthesmallspaceatthedisplaysofstock.Afteraslighthesitation,Amifollowedhim.Hestudiedawigmadeen-tirelyofcurledsilverfoilstrips,tookajaundicedviewofadisplayboardoffalsenoses.'Whatcouldthequeenofillusionpossiblyhaveagainstfakesnow atChristmas?'hesaidsardonically.
'Ijustdon'tlikepretendsnowinsummer.'
'Butyou'reorderinginSantabeards.'
Amishrugged,flashedthepalmsofherhands."That'sbusiness.'
He held up a bottle ofartificialtearsand perspiration.'Ifind itcontradictory—notatallwhatIwouldexpect.'
'Imustbeawfullycomplex,then,'shesaidwithgentlesarcasm.
Hesmiled.'Iseeyourpartnerdoesn'tknowaboutyourescapade.Didn'tsheseeyoursweetlittleoldfacealongsidemineinthenewspaperthismorning?'
GuiltmadeAmiflush.Thepicturehadbeenalargeone,ofherandNorth,waltzing.GatecrashingGranny,theinanecaptionwent.Shehadlookedfantastic—oldenoughtobehismother.HerthrillofprofessionalpridehadonlylasteduntilEmmaphonedhertoaskherifshewasoutofhermindandtoofferthenameofaverygoodlawyer.'Ihaven'ttoldHelenyet.Butifthat'swhatittakestosatisfyyou,goaheadandtellheryourself.'
Turningasmallpotinhishand,heglancedather,saidambiguously,'Thatisn'twhatitwilltaketosatisfyme.'
Amisnorted.'AmIsupposedtobethrownintomaidenlyconfusionbythat?'
'Areyoueverthrownintomaidenlyconfusion?'
Byhimshewas,shethought,buthewouldbethelasttoknowit.
Heheldupthetinypot.'What'sthis?'
'Congealedblood,'shesaidfeelingly.
Heputitdown,liftedamake-uppaletteandviewedtheassortmentofyellows,greensandpurples.'Andyou'dusethesecoloursfor?'
'Bruises,'shesaid,pickingoutaperfectsiteforoneonthearrogantlineofhisjaw.
Hiseyeswenttoarealisticbruiseonherwrist,whereshe'ddemonstratedforherstudents.'Moreofyourwork?'heasked,lookingatitwithgenuineinterest.Amiwastemptedtosaythatshehadsomerealbruisesjustemerging,fromhisbrutishhandlingthenightbefore.'Veryrealistic.Iwanttotalktoyou.Cometothehoteltomorrow.'
Acommand,notaninvitation.'Tomorrow?Thursday?'shesaidindismay.
'One-thirtysharp.Comeasyourself—ifyouknowwhatthatis.ThewidowAndersonisnotrequired.'
'I'mtiedupwithamake-upclasstomorrow.Ican'tbebackbyone-thirty.'
'Morelessonsinillusion?'hesaidderisively.'Teachingothershowtoappearwhattheyaren't?Cancelit.'
Shewastempted.Ifheonlyknew,everyweekshewishedforalegitimatereasontocancelthisparticularclass.Andthatwaswhysheneverdid.'Absolutelynot.'
HestudiedherwithsuchcarethatAmiwonderedwhensomeonehadlastsaidnotohim.'YouknowIcouldruinyouifIchoseto?'hesaidsoftly.
Herheartgaveabump.Ruin?Intheircurrentstateofbusiness,thatwouldn'ttakemuchdoing.Withhisresourceshecouldbuythebuilding,putuptheirrent.Thatalonewouldbeenoughtofinishthemoff.Guardedly,Amimethiseyes.'Isupposeyoucould,'shesaid,picturingherselfandHelenasthepunytargetofamultimillion-dollarenterprise.'Icanmakeitbytwo-thirty.IfIdon'tarriveontime,thenyou'vestillgotallafternoontoruinme.'
Helaughed,thesuddenflashofteethtakingherbysurprise.'Allright,two-thirty.'NorthinclinedhisheadbywayofconcessionbutAmihadafeelingthatshehadjustbeenoutmanoeuvredbyanexpert.Whileshe'dbeenbusyassertingherselfoverwhichtime,shehadquiteforgottenthatsheshouldhaverefusedtogoatall.Shetriedtodisguiseamoueofvexation.
Smiling,hethrustthepaletteintoherhand.'Yourbruises,MissWinterburn.'
Thedoorclosedbehindhim.Amiletoutadeepbreath.Helenhadfollowedthefinalfolderupwardsandleanedonthedesk,dismayedatthecustomerwho'dgotaway.
'Ami,what'sgoingon?Whywereyousoaggressivewiththeman?Hewasthegoodnews!'
AmilaughedsomuchthatintheendshehadtoexplaintoHelenwhyNorthKendrickcouldn'tbeconsideredgoodnews.'Histalkaboutamake-upjobwasjustaploytotakeacloserlookattheshop,haveasniffaround.Themanisn'tgoingtoletmegetawaywithmakingafoolofhim.'
DazedbyAmi'squick-fireconfessionaboutherdisguise,shesaid,'Areyousurehedidn'tguess?Helookstooshrewdtobefooledbyanythingoranyone.'
'Aboutmoney,maybe,aboutnumbersandpercentages,butMr.Kendrickisn'tsohotwhenitcomestopeople.'Shepaused,thinkingofthefragilestateofNorth'srelationshipwithhisfather,wonderedwhyshefeltsosadaboutitwhenhehardlydeservedsympathy.
'Andthepresstookphotographs?'
Amisquirmed.Shebracedherselfforrecriminations,foraperfectlyjustifiedbawlingoutbyherpartner,forjuvenilebehaviour.ButwhenHelenhadbeenshownthenewspaperphotoandassimilatedthestory,whatshesaidwas,'Whatwasheliketodancewith?'
Amiwenttothehotelthenextdayattwo-thirty.Lethimcalltheshotsandwastehertimeifitmadehim feelbetter.Hewasentitledtohisanger,sheadmittedgrudgingly.ShekepthersunglassesonassheenteredandoverrodeherdepressedThursdaymoodwithsomesemblanceofbreezinessforthesakeofpride.
Morganwasonthedoor.Helookedswiftlyoverherblackpants,baggylilaccottonsweater,shortbootsandthreeinchesofsilverbanglesandgaveherasheepishsmiletoshowthathisinstructionshadbeenreversedsincethedayofthegardenia.
'Neverforgetaface,Mr.Morgan?OrshouldIsay,afaceortwo?'sheadded,unabletoresistremindinghimthatshe'dgotpasthiminherdisguise.
ThedoormanlookedblanklyatherandAmirealisedhedidn'tknowthatsheandtheoldladywhohadcausedafusswereoneandthesame.
'Mr.Kendrickwillbedowninamoment,MissWinterburn.'
Shesatdownandfeltveryill-usedwhenhekeptherwaitingfifteenminutes.Hearrivedatlast,notahairoutofplace,notapuckeronhischarcoalsuitjacket.Silktieandmatchingpockethandkerchief.Itwasanintimidatingpicturehe
made,thehandsome,successfulman,stridingacrosshismarblefloorwithhisvasthotelfoyerasabackdrop,staffmembersallbuttuggingtheirforelocksandwomenguestsoglinghim.
'Youhaven'ttoldMorganaboutmystintasthewidow,'shesaidbreezily,todenythefeelingofintimidation.
'Notyet.YoucanapologisetoMorgananothertime.Rightnowyouhaveamoreimportantapologytomake.'
Shefrownedoverthisastheyenteredhisprivatelift.'I'vealreadyapologisedbutifyouwantmetogrovel,letmedoitnowtosavetime.'
Hedidn'tanswer,justsilentlyreviewedherappearanceandwhentheliftopenedonhisfoyer,tookherelbowtourgeherintothelake-and-islandlivingroom.
'Youcangroveltomelater.Ithoughtwe'dhavelunchandpreliminarygrovellingfirst—withHarry.'
'Harry?'shesaid,falteringatthesteely,significantlookhebestowedonher.
'HewasasleepwhenIreturnedlastnightsoIhaven'ttoldhimyet,either.Youcanhavethatpleasure,'hesaid.
Ami'seyesopenedwide.'Oh,but—Imean,Harry-'
Hemisreadherdismay,gaveasardonicsmile.'I'mgladtoseeevenyouhavesomeconscience.I'llbemostinterestedtoseehowyoutellmyfatherthatthewidowAndersonisafraud.'HegesturedaheadtotheterracewhereHarrysatinhiswheelchair,studyingthecitythroughapairofbinoculars.AmilookedatHarry,lickedherlipsandonceagainhemistookthereasonforherdismay.She'dthoughtbynow thatHarrywouldhavebeengloatingaboutthedeception.Surely,whenNorthhadreflectedonithewouldhaveguessedHarryknew?Takinginhisglacialsmileofsatisfaction,shefeltasuddenshaftofpity.Clever,shrewd,arrogantNorthKendrickhadn'tevenconsideredthathisfatherwasinonthejoke.Itwasanappealingblindspotinsuchacleverman.Butshefeltterrible,privytoahumiliatingknowledge.Impulsively,shegrabbedhissleeve,heldbackhisrelentlessforwardprogress.'Look,Idon'tthinkyou—couldyoustopforaminute—North!'Shedraggedonhisarmandhestoppedsuddenly,slidinganarmaroundherwaisttosteadythemboth.
'Ami!'hesaid,mockingherurgenttone.Hisbreathsweptacrosshercheek,andhisarmtightenedaroundherinextravagant,loverlikefashion.'Didn'tyousaythat'swhatyourfriendscallyou?'hesaidinherear,asifitwasanendearmentratherthanarhetoricalquestion.
Amiwasdisconcerted,shakenbytheheatgeneratedbyhisvoiceandthetouchofhisarmhardaroundher.Iwasattractedtoher...Shepulledback,awareofatinyflareoftriumphthattheattractionwasstillactive,feelingtheforceoftheearthynatureofit.Herheartthumped,herbreathseemedstrangledinherthroat.ItwassomekindofchemistrybutsurelyshewasonlyreceptivetoitbecauseshewasinheremotionalThursdayafternoonstate.
'Youaskedmewhatwouldsatisfyme,'hemurmured,strokinganindexfingerdownherhair.'Nowyouknow.'
Hersilverbraceletsjangledasshebattedhishandawayandglaredathim.Helaughed,liftedhersunglassesoffandregardedherquizzically.'Redeyes.Tch,tch,haveImadeyoucry,Ami?'
Takingbacktheglasses,Amisaid,'Ionlycryaboutimportantthings.I'vejustbeendemonstratingforstudentsagain.'
'It'saverysubtleeffect,'hesaid,frowning.
'Ofcourse.Allmyworkisverygood.That'swhyI'm here,isn'tit?'shemocked.
'Areallmake-upgirlssoconceited?'
'Areallchiefexecutivessopatronising?'
Helookedenquiringlyather.
'IfIweretwenty-sixandmale,wouldyourefertomeasamake-upboy?'shesaid,wanningtohertheme.'Iamamake-upartist.Iamnotagirl.Iamawoman'
'Ihearyouroar,'hesaidblandly.
Takingherelbowagain,hemarchedhertowardtheterrace.Asmalltablewassettolooklikeacookery-booklunchillustration.Starchednapkins,abasketofcrustybreadrolls,aglass-domedcheeseplatter.Greenandpurplegrapesinahigh-stemmedgoblet.Chilledglassesandabottleofwineinanicebucket.EvenKendrick'slunchlookedlikeaworkofart.
Harryloweredhisbinocularsandinjustamomentwouldlooktheirway.'North,I'mtryingtotellyouthat,um,Harry,well,Harry—'Shelickedherlipsandrushedtofinishastheoldmanturnedhiswheelchair.'Harryalreadyknows.'
Northstoppeddead,lookedatHarryandhiseyesflew openwideasifsomeonehadclashedcymbalsinhisear.Foramomenthelookedasoddlyvulnerableashehadinthatphotoofhimasaboy.Amifeltarushoftenderness
forhim,anastonishingwishtoputherarmsaroundthearrogant,complacentman.
Thewheelchaircamehummingover.HarryinspectedAmifromheadtotoewithintenseappreciation.Awheezinglaughbrokefromhim.'Isaidyou'dbeagood-lookingwomanunderthosewrinkles,didn'tI?
BesideherNorthstiffened.Harryguffawedandtookawhitehandkerchieffromhispockettowipehiseyes.Amistoodmiserablyinthedrawn-outsilencebrokenonlybyHarry'swheezinglaughterandthemuffledsoundofcitytrafficbelow.
'Andwhatmadeyouthinkshewasn'twhatsheseemed?'Northsaidharshly.
'Itwasherjointsthatgaveheraway.'
'Joints?'NorthKendricksaid,bitingdownonthewordasifitwasindeedabone.Aflushofcolourappearedhighontheyoungerman'scheeks.Hisjawclenchedsohard,amuscletwitchedinhischeek.'Andthebirthdaydinner?Thatwascookedupbetweenyou?'hesaid,grindingoutthepun.'Allthatcosychitchataboutmymisdemeanorsasakid,thebabyphotographs,thedoubleentendres...'HisvoiceroseandcutoffabruptlybeforehesaidtoAmi,'Youevenhadmeramblingonabouthowyouremindedmeofmygrandmother.'
'Oh,Iknowthat'sunforgivable,'shesaid,distressed.'Andquiteunintended.Ifeltaterriblecheat—'
'That'sbecauseyouareacheat.'
'Youweren'tsupposedevertoknow,'shesaid,coloursurgingintoherface.'ItwasjustajokeHarrywasgoingtoenjoyprivately.'North'snostrilsflaredandshewasremindedthatitwasonlyashorttimeagothatshewastellinghimaboutherownprivatejokethathadgonewrong.'Ifithadn'tbeenforthatpursesnatcheryouneverwouldhaveknown.Ameliawouldhavedisappearedandyounonethewiser.'
Theideaofbeingnonethewiserseemedtohavenoappealforhim,either.'Anddiditentertainyou?'heasked,inalow,dangerousvoicethatsentshiversdownherspine.Harrywentoffintoparoxysmsagain.
'Isallthissniggeringgoodforyou,Harry?'Northbitout.
'Oh,comeon,boy.Where'syoursenseofhumour?Youseemtohavelostitsinceyou'vebecomesohighandmighty.Youalwayswereabittooseriousforyourowngoodbutyou'regettingtobearealstuffedshirtthesedays.'
GenuineamazementbrokeuptheiceonNorth'sface.'Astuffedshirt?'Heseemedstartled,evenhurtbythecriticism butrecoveredquickly.'Idon’tappreciateyouconnivingwithatotalstrangerandrakingoverprivatefamilymatterswithher.Howdareyouabusemyprivacybyinvitingaconscienceless,maliciousfraudintomyhometoridiculeme!'Hisvoicehadrisentoashout.Inawfulfascination,Amisawthathiscontrolwasalmostbroken.Angertensedeverylineofhisbody.Theflickeringmuscleinhischeekquickened.Hemadearagefulsweepwithonefistandshewinced,halfexpectingthestill-lifelunchtogoflying.
'Yeah,well,I'mnottoothrilled,either,'Harrysaidinatonequitedifferentfromhisusualgeniality.Itwassurprisinglylikehisson's.'Youknowwhyyou'reinsuchatemper?Becauseyoucan'tbelieveyourdumboldmancouldworksomethingoutthatfooledyou,thegenius!'
OnceagainNorthwasvisiblyaffectedbytheattackfromhisfather,andAmiwishedpassionatelythatshewasn'theretowitnessit.Healreadyheldsomanygrudgesagainsther.Afteramomentheturnedaway.
"That'sright—justturnyourbackonme.Itdoesn'tmatt»whatIthink,doesit?'Harryroared.'I'm justasickoldmanyoupickedupfrom thehospitalbecauseyouthoughtitwasyourduty.'
'That'senough,Harry,'Northsaidthroughgrittedteeth.'Idon'tintendtodiscussprivatemattersinfrontofthis—'Hisjawworkedashesearchedwithoutsuccessforawordtodescribeher.'Asforyou,MissWinterburn—youhavetenminutestosayyourgoodbyesandbeoutonthestreet.'
Whereyoubelong.Theunspokenphraseresounded.Thrownoutagain.Amiturnedscarlet.
'Ifmyfriendsaren'twelcomehere,Iwon'tbestaying,either,'HarrybellowedasNorthstrodeaway.ThistimeNorthdidn'tstop.Hedisappearedinside,untilhisprogresswasameremovementbehindthewallsofglassthatreflectedtowersandshiftingcloud.Amicouldn'tstandtheman,butshewouldn'twishthesituationonherworstenemy.Sympathyforhimwanedwithherfuryathishigh-handed,insultingmanner.Shewasangrywithbothofthem,sadforbothofthem.Herownfamilylifemightbechaoticattimesbutneverlikethis.Therewasasolidaffectionthatunderpinnedherrelationshipwithherparents,andthisstormyexchangeleftherfeelingshakyandbattered.
Theoldmansaidgruffly,'Stayaminute,haveagrape.'Heofferedherthefruitthenheldoutthebinocularstoheranditwouldn'thavemadeherstayexceptthathishandtrembled.Shetooktheglassesandlookedwherehe
directed,atabuildinghehadworkedoninhisyouth.'TheoldCenturyHotel.Ididanicebitofpanellinginthediningroom.Wonderifit'sstillthere?'hesaidtohimself.'Ithought,ifIlethimbringmehereaftertheoperation,we'dmaybeworkouthowtogetalongtogetheratlast,Northandme,'hesaidsadly.'ButIsupposeit'stoolateforthatnow.'
Whensheleft,hewheeledalongsidehertotheelevator,gaveheraslipofpaperwithhisaddressandphonenumberonit.'ComeandseemewhenI'mbackinmyownplace,Ami.'
Shekissedhischeek,thinkingitwasunlikelyshewouldvisitHarry.WhereHarrywas,Northmightbeanditwasariskshewouldrathernottake.ThesoonershegottheKendrickmenoutofherlife,thebetter.
AweekpassedwithoutasignofNorthKendrick.CKCwasfinalisingthepurchaseofawell-knownelectronicschainandbusinesswriterswerehintingthatNorthKendrickwouldsoonturnhisattentiontobuyingintothemedia.Shrewd,clever,realistic,aconsummateplayer,theycalledhim.Yetshrewd,cleverNorthKendrickhaddisplayedanaivefaithinhisfather'sloyalty,hadevenbeenoutraged/onhisfather'sbehalfwhenhethoughtAmihaddeceivedHarry,too.Therewasnothingsosavageasrighteousoutragediscoveredtobeunnecessary.Nothingsohumiliatingasblindfaithshattered.AftersuchacolossallossoffaceNorthKendrickprobablywouldn'tseekheroutagain,evenforrevenge.Itwasacauseforcelebrationthatleftherfeelingcuriouslyflat.
'Ami,dear,I'vegotajobthat'srightupyourstreet-walkingtwoBorzoidogsonehouraday.Itneedssomeonewhocansing.'
'Sing?Why?'
'Thedogsliketobesungtoduringtheirwalk.Theowner'slosthervoice.Ithoughtofyouatonce,yousingsonicely.'
'Mother—'Amigroanedintothephone,turningoverinbedtopeeratherclock.ItwasbarelysevenonFridaymorning.'No—notanotherjobthat'srightupmystreet.Pleasetakemynameoffyourbooks.'
'Ami,mylove,youmustknowthatadaughter'snamewillalwaysbeonamother'sbooks,'hermothersaidaffectionately.'Butallright,ifyoudon'twanttheBorzoijob,Iwon'thoundyou,'shewentonwithherunfalteringflairforwords.'Don'tforgettheartexhibitiontonight.It'samarvellousnineteenth-centuryprivatecollection,Iunderstand,andthisistheonlychancetoseeitinSydney.Theowner'sgrowntiredofitandisdonatingittoagalleryin
Melbourne,Ibelieve.Pre-Raphaelite,artnouveau—I'vegotyourticket.Docome.We'retryingtopersuadethecollectortodonateaworkofarttousforafundraiser,andagoodturn-upwouldmakeastrongargument.'
Amiwrinkledhernose.'Ihatenineteenth-centuryart.Allthoselistlesswomenwithpeekaboobreastsandredhair,languishingoverbowlsoffruitandsheafsofwheat.'
'That'sallright,dear.It'sart.Youdon'thavetolikeit.'
But,infact,Amihadtoadmitevenifshedidn'tlikethestyleitwasafinecollection,showntocuriousadvantageinamodernhousethatoccupiedseverallevelsonasteep,rockysiteoverlookingPittwater.Asoloviolinistplayedtotheviewersofpaintings,posters,sculptures,lamps,glassware,allofwhichincorporateddragons,deities,anguishedmaidens,voluminousrobesandlilies.Therewasevenafountain,fullyoperationalandmossyinashelteredcourtyard,spoutingwaterfrom theopenmouthsofseveralfishthatclusteredaroundabraceofunderdressedwomen.Lookingattheeightripe,barebreastspointinginanangleidenticaltothatofthefishes,Amithoughtitwasamercythatthewaterwasgushingwhereitwas.
'Wonderful,isn'tit?'LenoreWinterburnsaidtoher.
'Hideous,butbeautifullyexecuted,'sheallowed.Amistoppedabruptlytoeyearowofsculptednymphsthatwouldn'tlookoutofplaceoutsidetheAvalon.ShecouldalmostimagineNorthKendrickalongsideoneofthem,ahandproprietariallyonaperfectwhitemarblethigh.'Doesthisownerhaveanyfurnitureotherthancollector'sitems?'Amiasked,lookingaroundattheopenspacesbetweenexhibits.
'Hedoesn'tlivehereanymore,actually.Toomanystairsforhimnow,Ericasaid,soIsupposethepoormanmusthavetroublewithhismobility.There'sjusthiscollectionandthesecuritypeoplehere,whichiswhyheagreedtotheexhibition,becauseitdoesn'tinterferewithhisprivacyanymore.Ibelievethehouseistoberentedoutsoon,andthecollectionwillallbepackedupandsenttoMelbourne.'Shelookedspeculativelyatthequartetofgarlandedfemalefigures.'Iwonderifhewouldgivethesocietyoneofthosenymphstoraffle.'
Amilaughed.'Youcan'traffleanymph.It'sdisrespectful.'
ButhermotherhadturnedtolookbehindherforthecommitteepresidentwhowasdoingtheroundswithvariouscharityVIPs,makingintroductions.'IsupposethatmustbetheownerwithErica—theoneinthewheelchair,'LenoremurmuredinAmi'sear.
'Wheelchair?'Amisaid,feelingapricklingsensationbetweenhershoulder-blades.Sheturned.NorthKendrickwasbehindher,nomorethananymphaway.
CHAPTERFIVE
HERpulse,grownsluggishattheprospectofyetmoresculpturesandsmalltalkwithhermother'scharitycommitteefriends,racedintoahecticrhythm.Hewasinprofilebyasculpturegivingitsprovenancetothreeveryattentivewomen.Astheymadecomments,hebenthisdarkheadandnodded.HeplacedahandonthesculpturedkneeofanymphandAmiheardhimsay,'Exquisite.'
Asifhergazehadalertedhim,heturnedhishead.Hedidn'trecogniseherinstantly,probablybecauseitwasthelastplaceheexpectedtoseeher.Alsoprobablybecauseshehadmadeaconcessiontohermother'sfavouritecharityanddressedinanelegant,thin-strappeddressofcaramelsilkandoiledbackherlonghairintoaclassicdancer'sknot.Adelicate,beadedplaithungeachsideofherface.Herskirtwasabovethekneeandherlonglegslookedlongerstillinhighheels,afactthatKendrickappearedtobenoting.Hishandwithdrewfromthenymph'swhitethighwhenherealisedwhoselegshewasadmiring.Athunderouslooktransformedhim,tothedismayofthecharitycommittee,forwhomallhadbeengoingsowell.
Heexcusedhimselfandwalkedforward.'MissWinterburn,wemeetyetagain.'
Shesmiledwithagreatdealmorecomposurethanshefeltasheeyedherintently.'Mr.Kendrick.'
'Whatdoyouthinkoftheshow?'
'Theviolinistisverygood,'shesaidearnestly.
Asardonicsmiletiltedhismouth.Herakedanotherlookoverhersleek,oil-darkenedhair,herbareshouldersandthehintofcleavageshowingatherneckline.'Disguisedagain?Doyoueverlookthesametwice?'
Amideterminedtokeephertemper.Hermother,summonedawaybythecommitteepresident,wouldneverforgiveherifshemadeascenewiththecommittee'sbenevolentartcollector.
'Harry'swithyou,Isee,'shesaid,lookinghopefullyinHarry'sdirection,buthehadn'tseenheryet.
North'seyesnarrowed.'Yes,heis,nothankstoyou.'
Shebitherliptoholdbackasharpretort,resentfulthatheshouldtrytoblameherforwideningariftinarelationshipthatwasalreadyintrouble."Thisisyourcollectionthen?'shewentondoggedly.'Ididn'tknow.'
'Really?Youkeepturningupinmylife,MissWinterburn.Youcan'texpectmetobelieveit'ssheercoincidence.Whatareyoudoinghere?'
Ami'sgoodintentionsslippedaway.'Oh,I'mcasingthejoint,'shemocked.'IthoughtImightnickanymphortwo.'
Hismouthsmiledbuthiseyesremainedcoolandwatchful.Heglancedaroundquickly,asifsearchingforconspirators.
'I'mworkingaloneagain,'shedrawled,remindinghimofpreviouserrorsofjudgement.
'You'regoodvalue,I'llgiveyouthat,'hesaid,laughing.'Comewithme.'
Hetookherarmandwalkedherthroughthescatteredcrowdandshecouldhardlymakeafusswithoutruiningtheoccasion.Everyonetookaninterest.AmiraisedahandtoHarry,whowavedcheerfullyatherand,toherchagrin,didn'tevenattempttocomeafterher.Andhermother,whoneverhesitatedtobuttinwhereshewasn'twanted,nowfailedtobuttinexactlywhereshewaswanted.
Red-faced,shesaid,'Whereareyoutakingme?Goingtohandmeovertoyourgung-hosecurityofficersforinterrogation?'
'Whyshouldtheyhaveallthefun?'Heguidedherintoaroommercifullyfreeofthewhiplashcurvesofartnouveau.Itwasfurnishedwithalarge,plaindesk,acoupleofchairsandadrinkscabinet.Agreen-shadedtablelampwasswitchedon,illuminatingsomepaperwork.Hewenttothedrinkscabinet,tookouttwoglassesandabottleofchampagnefromanicebucket.Hepouredthewine,camebacktohandheraglass.
'Thisisaverycivilisedinterrogation,'shesaidlightly,takingasip.Hedrankfromhisglass,watchingherashedidso,andasilencestretchedoutintheroom.Thecollectivehum ofvoiceswaftedthroughfrom theexhibition.Downtherockyslope,treesshushedinthesaltbreeze,thesoundamimesisofthatotherrhythmicrushofwateronsandbelow.TheviolinplayedanEnglishfolksong,adescantoverthemellowmurmurings.
Amigrewuneasy.Hishard-eyedlookremindedherthatshehadbeenprivytohishumiliationonThursday.'IamsorryaboutThursday,'shesaidsincerely.'IfI'drealisedearlierthatyoudidn'tknowthatHarryknew—Icouldhavesavedyouthe,er,embarrassment.'
Hisjaw hardenedandhisheadwentbacktoanarrogantangle.'Don'tpatroniseme,MissWinterburn.Anddon'tmakethemistakeofthinkingI'manykindoffooljustbecauseyouandmyfatherpulledafastoneonme.'
'Idon'tthinkthatmakesyouafoolatall,'shesaid,shrugging.'Ithinkit'srathersweetandtrustingthatitdidn'toccurtoyouthatyourfatherwouldengineerajokeatyourexpense.'
'Sweet?'hesaid,chokingonamouthfulofgood,drychampagneasifitwaspuresaccharine.'GoodGod,IthinkI'dpreferyouthoughtmeafool.'
'Well,whateveryouprefer,North,'shesaiddemurely.
Helaughedsilently,findinghergoodvalueagain,shesupposed.Oneday,shethoughtmaliciously,watchinghisshouldersheave,hewouldprobablyhaveoneofthoseawful,wheezylaughslikeHarry.
'Now—tellmewhat'sgoingon,'hesaid.
'Goingon?Where?'
'Iwasn'tbornyesterday,Ami.Youhangaboutoutsidemyhotel,youturnupacoupleofweekslaterindisguiseandinsinuateyourwayintoaprivatefunction,thenintomyprivatequarters.Nowyouturnupagainatmyformerhome.Ifitisn'tsomecongameyou'replaying,whatthehellisit?'
'Insinuate?I'vetoldyouhow thathappened.Thereisnogame,doyouunderstand?Mymotherinvitedmeheretonight—'
'Ah,yourmotheragain!Yourinventivenessisgrowingthreadbare.'
Amieyedhimwithdislike.'Look,thinkwhatyoulike.Ididn'twanttocomehere,evenwhenIdidn'tknowitwasyourplace.Iam notfondofthepre-Raphaelitesorartnouveau,butitwasforadeservingcharityandIpromisedmymother.'
'AmiWinterburn,philanthropist,dutifuldaughter,'hemarvelled.'Widow,grandmother,cheat.MyGod,whenIsaidyouwerethekindofgirlHarrywouldn'tlikemetotakehometodinner,ImightnothavegotitquiterightbutIwasn'twrong,either.'
Amicompressedhermouth.'What'sbuggingyouisthatitwasHarrywhoaskedmetodinner.'
Theshaftwenthome.Hiseyesglittered.'Yes;thatdoesbugme,'hesaidsoftly.'ButIcanlivewithit.Thequestionis,whatamIgoingtodoaboutyou?'
Amibackedupastep,suddenlyapprehensivesofarfrom thecrowd.CommonsensetoldherthatitwasunlikelyNorthKendrickwoulddoanythingviolentwithahousefulofguestsjustascreamaway.Amitookanotherstepback.
'It'shappenedbefore,'hetoldher.
'Whathas?'
'Awoman,turningupatoddtimesagainandagainwhenIleastexpectedit.Itwentonformonths.'
'That'sthepriceyoupayforbeingsoirresistible,'shesnapped.'Suchabore—waitaminute!AreyouimplyingthatIam—thatIamchasingyoulikethisotherpoor,misguidedwoman?'
'You fittheprofile.Attention-seeking behaviour,tape-recordersanddisguises,insinuatingyourwayintomyprivatelife,comingtofunctionsI'llbeattending.Youmakeacareeroffoolingpeople,'hesaidthoughtfully.
'Idon'tfitanyprofile,youpompous,conceitedoaf.'
'Icouldbewrong,'headmitted,comingtowardher.
'Youare.'Shebackedoffagain,thenturnedandstrodeoutasbestshecouldinhighheelsonthethickcarpet.Heedingawarningcrackinherweakerankle,shestoppedandtookoffhershoes.Northregardedwithsomewarinessthetwometal-tippedspikedheelspointingathim.
Heputhishandsupinmocksurrender.'I'munarmed.'
Amieyedhimdispassionately.'Menlikeyouareneverunarmed.'
'Disarmed,then.'Hesmiled.'IfI'msuspiciousit'sbecauseIneverknowwhattomakeofyou.I'mforcedtoconsiderthewildestpossibilities.'
Herheartthumped.Hestoodtherewithastripeoflightjustmissinghiseyes,castingaglitterinthem.
'Thatbagsnatchermightnothavebeenunarmed,'hesaidsoftly.'Didyouthinkofthatwhenyouchasedhim?'
'Italwayscrossesawoman'smind,Isuppose,butIwassofuriousthathewouldattackanoldladyIjust—'Shelifted,oneshoulder.'Hecouldeasilyhavebrokenanarmonanelderlywomanwitharthritis,orosteoporosis.'
'Butyouweren'tanelderlywomanwitharthritis,'hesaidinacurioustone.
'What'sthatgottodowithit?'sheasked,throwingherarmsout.'Hedidn'tknowthat,littlecreep.''Hemightbeareformedlittlecreepnow.Thathighkickreallyconnected.'
'Yes,itdid,didn'tit?'shesaid7withghoulishsatisfaction.
'Balletlessons?'heenquired.
'SinceIwasfour.'
Theywalkedtothenextdoorway.
'Wereyouanygood?'
'Yes,'shesaidwithoutfalsemodesty.'MyambitionwastojoinaclassicalballetcompanybutitisverycompetitiveandIgrewtootallandacquiredaweakankle,so—'Sheshrugged.
'Andwhatdoesafailedballetdancerdo?'
Irritatedatthephrase,shesaidairily,'Oh—teach,joinamoderndancecompanyordocabaret.Or,'sheaddedwithaglintinhereye,'becomeanexoticdancer.'
'Andwhichdidyoudo?'
'Whatdoyouthink?'
'LikeIsaid—Ialwaysconsiderwildpossibilitieswhereyou'reconcerned.'
'Areyou actually entertaining ideasofmestripping in somesleazynightclub?'shechallenged,ahandonherhip.
'Mm.I,er,hadn'tgotasfarasthesleazynightclub,'hemurmured,slantingheralookthatsaidexactlyhowfarhehadgot.
AmimistimedhernextsteptothedoorwayandcollidedwithNorthasheleanedpasthertonudgethepartlycloseddooraside.Shejerkedawaybutthedoorframewasdirectlybehindherandbroughtherupwithajoltnofartherfromhimthanbefore.TheroomhadthechillofemptinessandshefelttheradiationofheatfromNorth'sbodyonhershouldersandthroughthethindress.Helaidhishandonherbarearmandsheshiveredwiththewarmthofit.
'North—'
'Ami,'hesaidinthemockingwayhe'dsaidittheotherday.Andhebentandputhismouthtoherbareshoulder,nudgingasideasilkshoestringstrapwithhisfingertips.Shedrewinasharpbreathandhestraightenedtolookattheeffecthe'dhadonher.Whateverhesawpleasedhim.
'Iwanttogobacktoyourawfulnymphs,'shesaidhuskily.
'I'mnotstoppingyou,'hesaid,breathingthewordsonhertemple.'ButIwishyou'dstay.'
Hewaitedamoment,perhapstogivehertimetoleave,andwhenshedidn't,hiseyesglintedintriumphandhebentagain,kissedherneckbelowherear,nuzzledinsothatthetinyplaitswayed,itsbeadsmakingsmallclinkingnoisesthatseemedsomehowlinkedwiththesoftsoundsofNorth'slipsonherskin.Thefabricofhisjacketbrushedagainstherbareskin,pleasantlyabrasive.Thesmellofhim,citronandchampagne,roseinhernostrilsandshereachedoutwithherfreehandtohishair.Thick,springyhair.Herfingerspushedthroughit,urgently.Northmadeathroatysoundandputhishandstoherwaist,liftedherclearofthedoorwayandsetherdown,haulinghercloseagainsthim.Herbreathescapedinastartledsigh.Herhandsslidbeneathhisjacketuntilherarmswerearoundhimandshefelttheheatofhisskinthroughthefinefabricofhisshirt.Northtiltedhisheadandlookedblazinglyatherforafewsecondsandshewasalreadyrisingonhertoestowardshim whenhekissedher.Herlipspartedbeneathhispersuasive,fleetingcaresses.Shepressedclosetohim,cravingmore,wantingtheteasing,nomadictouchtosettleanddeepen.Sheturnedherheadsothatshecapturedhiswanderingmouthwithherown,kissinghim wildly,excitementtremblinginherbody.Ithadneverbeenlikethis.Sheheardherownbreathysighjustamomentbeforetheothervoice.
'Ami,dear,whereareyou?'
Itwashermother,buttinginwhereshewasn'twanted.
AmiboltedfromNorth'sarms,loopingherstrap,smoothingherdresswithtremblingfingersassheamendedthetraitorousthought.Itwashermother,buttinginexactlywhereshewaswantedforonce.Amiranhertongueoverherlips.Outofthecornerofhereye,shesawNorthquicklysmoothhishairthatshehadruffledsopassionately.Wasshecrazy?Sheknewwhatkindofgamehewasplaying,butshedidn'thavetomakeiteasyforhim.Lenorecastathoughtfullookoverherdaughter'sstockingedfeet,theshoestuckedunderonearm,theflushonhercheeks.ThensheturnedherattentiontoNorth.Amicursedsilentlyasshesawthegleaminhermother'seyes.
'Well,Iknowhe'snotakissingcousin,'Lenoresaid,removinganydoubtsthatshemighthavearrivedtoolatetoseetheminaclinch.'Introduceme,Ami,mylove.'
'Mum,meetNorthKendrick.Mymother,LenoreWinterburn.'
Atleastthatappearedtoshakehim—themythicalmothersocloseathandandsoobviouslygenuine.Onlyamotherhadsuchimmaculatetiming.
'MadamWinterburn,'Amiaddeddrylyinanundertone.
Colourappearedhighonhischeekbonesashecourteouslyshookhermother'shandandweatheredascrutinyalmostasthoroughasanyhehadgivenAmi.Northputahandtohistieandflexedhisneck.Evenhissuperbself-confidencewasrockedbytheprospectofmaternalcriticism.Not,shenotedsourly,thathermotherappearedtobefindingmuchtocriticise.
'Northistheownerofthecollection—allthosewonderfulnymphsthathe'sgrowntiredof,'shesaidwithslymalice.ItwouldserveMr.NorthKendrickright,togetthethirddegreefromhermother,averitabletigresswhenitcametoraisingmoneyfordisadvantagedchildren.Amiputonhershoesandbeatahastyretreatfromtheemptyroomswhereshealmostfanciedtheechoofherownsighofpleasurehungontheairforeveryonetohear.
Asithappened,LenoreWinterburnspentagoodtwentyminuteswithNorth,duringwhichtimeevenFrancesca,stunninginblackandsilvermesh,hadtotakeabackseat.Everynowandthen,NorthlookedthoughtfullyinAmi'sdirectionandshecouldn'thelpfeelingthatthedonationofanymphwasnottheonlysubjectunderdiscussion.
Hermoth»lookedmightilypleasedwithherselfwhensherejoinedAmi.'Whatacharmingman,'shesaid.'Andsomodest.Hemakesnothingofthefactthathewasaboygenius.'
'Oh,washe?'Amisaidflatly,eyeingtheboygenius.Hewasstrikinglyhandsomeinalightgreydouble-breastedsuitoffinestwool.Awolfinsheep'sclothing.
'Ericatoldme.Hewasaprodigy—wasinventingthingswhenhewasonlyfifteenandoneofhisschoolmastersfortunatelyhadthewittotakeoutpatentsforhim.Hewonallsortsofscholarshipsandwentintohighschoolanduniversityyearsaheadofhispeers,becausehewassoclever.'
Thatmusthavebeenwhathemeant,Amidecided,whenhe'dsaidhewasalwaysaheadofhiscontemporaries.Outofstep.Sheponderedthesignificanceofaboyhoodspent,notwithotherkidshisownage,butinthecompanyofolderpeople.Insteadofcarefreeyearsatprimaryschool,hewentearlyintohighschool.WhenhispeersweremessingaboutinhighschoolmusicalsandsneakingintonightclubswithfalsifiedIDs,hewasalreadyatuniversity.Andtheboygeniusmightverywellhavebeenintellectuallymature,buttherewasevery
chancehehadbeenemotionallystillalittlekid.ItoccurredtoAmithatbeingintellectuallyadvancedmighthavebeenalonelybusiness.
'Yes,hewasbrilliantatmathematicsandscience,'hermotherwassaying,'andoncehegotintofinance,hewasbrilliantatthat,too.'
'Mathematicsandscience,'Amisaiddryly,lookingaroundatthelanguishingmaidens,dragonsandarumlilymotifs.'Thatexplainsalot.'
Harrysoughtherouteventually.Heseemedoutofsorts,sayingthathe'donlycometonighttogetawayfrom thehotelprison.'Idon'tknow whyhemovedthere.Tobeinthelimelightwhenthehotelopened,Isuppose,'hesaidpettishly.
Amifrownedathistone.'Isn'tthatabitungrateful,Harry?FromwhatIcangather,Northmovedoutofthisplacebecauseallthelevelsandstairsweregoingtobeaproblemforyouwhileyourecoveredfromyourop.Thisisalovelyhousewithafabulousview.Idon'tsupposeheparticularlywantedtoleaveit.Atleastatthehotel,hecanbenearyouwithanofficeinthesamebuilding,andyouhavetoadmititiseasierforyouwiththeliftsandstaffwhenhe'saway.'
Harrycastheralookofsuchcunningthatshewonderedifshe'dmissedsomething.Butitwasgoneinaninstantandhewasaskingifshewoulddrivehimbacktothehotel.'North'sgoingtobehereforawhileandI'mabitweary.'
'Idon'tthinkyoursonwouldlikethat.'
'He'lllikeit.LethimandFrancescahavesometimealone—theymightwanttostopoffsomewhereandpark,eh?'Asuggestivewinkwentwiththis.
'Don'tyouthinkthey'retoooldforhanky-pankyinthebackseatofacar?'shesnapped,withamentalimageofFrancescaandNorthstraighteningtheirclothes,smoothingruffledhair.Hercheeksburned.
'Nevertooold,'theoldmansaid,givinghiswheezylaugh.
'Anyway,Igottheimpressionyouweren'tinfavourofamatchbetweenNorthandFrancesca,'shewentonspikily.
'North'sreadytosettledown,Icanreadthesigns.I'mstartingtothinkImighthavetofacetheinevitable,'Harrysaidwithasighandasharplookather.
Inevitable.Amiglancedatthetwoprospectivepartners,wonderingifthemergerwastogoaheadafterall.ShethoughtagainofNorth,kissingherinhisemptyhousetonight,and hertemperflared.Whatkind ofman couldcontemplateaunionofmarriagewithonewomanwhilefancyinganother?Acollector,that'swho,shethought,hereyesrangingovertheexhibits.Shehadthe
panickyfeelingthatshemustnotstandstillorshemightjointherowofnymphs.Shehadavisionofherself,castinbronzestandingonaplinthinafrozenpose,withNorth'shandpossessivelyonherthigh.
'Well,allrightthen.I'lldriveyou,'shesaidtoHarry.Athisrequest,AmidroppedHarryinthehotelcarparkratherthanthefrontconcourse.Sheunfoldedthewheelchair,helpedhimintoitand,atHarry'sinsistence,lefthimwaitingbytheelevator.Shewaved,wonderingifshewouldseehimagain.Theideaoflosingtouchdismayedher.But,unlessshecouldbecertainNorthKendrickwassafelyoutofthecountry,shewouldn'tbecallingonhisfather.
Hewasn'toutofthecountrythenextdaywhenAmijoggedbackfromaruntotheparkwithSpritz.Shesawalarge,palecarparkednearherhouse,itsoutlinefuzzedbysunshine.Thefootpathwasalongstraitaheadofher,patchedwithbrightstripsofsunandthelacyshadeofarchingcotoneasterbranches.AmileapedintheairtotouchabranchandSpritzyelpedandleapedwithherastheycoveredthelastfew yardstothefrontgate.Laughing,exhilaratedbytheexercise,Amispunintoahighpirouette,takingwithhertheblurredimpressionofamanleaningonthecar.Shewasintheairwhensomeintuitiontoldherwhoitwas.
Panting,heartpounding,feetfirmlyontheground,sheadjustedherdampheadbandandstaredathim.
'Verycarefree,'hesaidsardonically,eyeinghertrackshoes,gymshortsandsweatshirt.'AmiWinterburn,fitnessenthusiast.'Heannounceditasifitwasanotherroleshewasplaying,anotherdisguiseshewaswearing.
Hedidn'tlookcarefreeatallbutbaggy-eyedandbad-temperedandraffishlyunshaven.Heworejeansandalightcottonsweaterthatcalledattentiontohisshoulders.Hisarmswerecrossedandthefingersofonehandtappedoutafastrhythmonhisbiceps.Spritzfailedtoabsorbtheseantisocialsignalsandleapeduptolickhishandasifhewasalong-lostfriendinsteadofthebarbarianwhohadbellowedatheronTuesdaynight.
'Marvellous!Mylife'sinchaosandyou'refrolickingwiththedog.'
'IalwaysfrolicwiththedogonSaturday,'shesaid.'What'sthematter?Oneofyourlanguishingredheadsgonemissing?Lostadryad?'Sheopenedhereyeswide.'You'vedecidedarttheftisthereasonIinsinuatedmyselfintoyourlife.'
'Alwayssochirpy.Doesn'titbotheryouthatIcouldturnnastyandlaychargesagainstyou?'hesaid,andtherewaslessthreatthancuriosityinthegazethatsettledonher.
Amigrinned.'Turnnasty?You?'
'It'sbeenknown,'hesaidwithoutshame.
'I'msure.Anyway,whatchargescouldyoubringagainstme?'
'Let'ssee.'Hestraightenedandslottedhishandsintohisbackjeanspockets,astrategythataddedunnecessaryinchestohisshoulderspan.'Fraud?Falsepretences?I'dhavetoputitbeforemylawyers.'
Shelaughed.'Youwouldn't.You'dlookridiculous.'
Northlookedattheskytocomposeanewsitem.'Hotelmagnatesuestheatricalartistforfalsepretences.Incourttoday,failedactress,dancerandmake-up artist,Ms.AmiWinterburn,pleaded guiltytochargesoffalsepretences—'
'You'dhavetoadmitthatKendricktheinfalliblewastotallytakeninbyameremake-upgirl,'shepointedout.'Wouldn'tthatsendsharepricesinCKCplummeting?'
'Hotelmagnatesuestheatricalcompany,Illusion,forfalsepretences.Incourttoday,perukemaker,faileddancerandfailedactressAmiWinterburnandherpartner,Helen—'
Amiwavedherhandsurgently.'ThishasnothingtodowithHelenortheshop.'
'—answeredchargesthattheypracticedamalicioushoaxonConnaughtKendrick,asapublicitystuntfortheirenterpise.'
'That'snottrueandyouknowit!'
Heshrugged.'Thatdoesn'tmatter.Everyonecouldbelieveyoushow-biztypeswilldoanythingforpublicity.'
'It'sonlyyouregothat'shurt.Itrulydon'tbelieveyou'dbesopetty.'
'Menfightwarsfortheirego,'hesaiddryly.'Whydon'twetalkinside?'
Heshovedthegardengateopenandwavedherthrough,tryingtoestablishhisdominanceonherownterritory.Andasifheneededanyhelp,Spritzleapedalongsidehimandlickedhishand.
'Sycophant,'shemuttered.'Heel,Spritz.'
Instead,Spritzrushedahead,upthefrontpatiostairs,tofetchagnawedtennisballinherjaws.
'Goodboy,'Northsaid,crouchingasthedogbroughttheballtohim.
'It'sashe.Agoodgirl,'Amisaiddryly.HetossedtheballandSpritzgallopedtobringitbackandlayitathisfeetwithaslavishlook.'I'llhavetotakeherbacktoobedienceschoolforarefreshercourse.Shethinksjustanyoneisafriend.'
Heslantedalookupwardsather,hiseyescrinkledagainstthesun.'Theysayanimalsandchildrencanalwaystell.Doyouthinkthat'strue?'
'Idon'tknow.Whatareyoulikewithchildren?'
'Theydoteonme.'
'Oh,really?'shesaidsceptically.'Whichchildrenarethese?'
'Threenieces,anephewandtwostep-nephewsinMelbourne.I'mgodfathertotwoofthemandtofourotherkidsbesides.'
'Sixgodchildren?'shesaid,surprised,tryingtoimaginehimholdingababyatachristeningfont.Un-clippingherjogger'sdrinkbottlefrom hershortswaistband,Amiadjustedtheplasticstrawandtookacoolingdraughtofwater.
'Marriedpeoplealwaystrytofindsomerolefortheirsinglefriends—bestmanatthewedding,godfatheratthechristening,SantaClausatChristmas.Youmusthaveexperiencedthesamething.'
Shesplutteredalittleonthedrink,failingmiserablytoimaginehiminaSantabeardandredsuit.'I'mgenerallythoughttobetootalltobeinpeople'sweddingphotos.'
'Neverthebridesmaid?'hequipped.
'Oh,yes,once,yearsago.AndI'mtobebridesmaidagainsoonforthesamefriend.Hersecondmarriage.Emma'sthesameheightasme,'shesaidinexplanation,smilingatthethoughtofEmma'swedding.
Hereviewedherheightconsideringlyfrom hiskneelingposition.'Twoofyou,'hesaidandgavealowwhistle.'Ihopethegroomistheassertivetype.Hemightdisappearwithoutatrace.'
AmigaveagurgleoflaughteratthethoughtofthebearlikeMackenziesinkingwithoutatrace.'No,no.
Matt'salotlikeyou—peoplemighthatehim,orlovehim,butthey'llneveroverlookhim.'
'Andwhichisityoufeelforme?'
Shesnorted.'Whatdoyouthink?'
'Ifthatwashatelastnight,thenhatemesomemore,AmiWinterburn.'
Thebloodrosetoherface.Itwasonlyakiss,forheaven'ssake,shethoughtinannoyance.Butshewasn'tinthehabitofgettingintoclincheswithunsuitablemen,howeverattractive,anditwasthesecondtimeithadhappened.SheavertedhereyesfromNorthKendrick'sself-satisfiedsmile,findingitveryeasytohatehim.
'YourfriendEmmaiseitherveryconfidentorverybeautiful,'hecommented,runninghishandinalongcaressdownSpritz'sback.Withoutmeaningto,Amifollowedthemotion,registeringatingledownherownspine.
'She'sboth.Why?'
Hiseyescamebacktoher,roamedfromanklestothetopofherhead.'Youwouldmakea—distractingfeatureinanyone'sweddingpictures.'
Amiblinked,notentirelypleased.A'distractingfeature'couldjustaswellbeachandelieroraflowerarrangement.Hiscomplimentsalwaysrousedthisdualpleasureandaversion.Itwasasifhisveryadmirationwasatrap.
HisadmirationwascertainlygettingawarmresponsefromSpritz.ThedogdrooledandgrinnedatasmilingNorth,intheunqualifiedaffectionthatcanexistbetweenahumanandananimal.Themanlookedsuddenlymorerelaxed.'Iusedtohaveadog.Asheepdog.Hewasveryintelligent,'Northsaid,givingSpritzalastpatbeforehestoodup.
'Whatdidyoucallhim?'
'Meg.'
'AboydogcalledMeg?'
'ShortforMegabyte,'hesaid,withafaintsmileofreminiscence.'Iwasprecociousandkeenoncomputers.'
'Yes,Iheard.Theboygenius,'shesaid,leadingthewayintothehouse.
Inside,shedumpedherdrinkbottledownandpulledtheelasticfrom herhair.Sheshookherhead,rubbedatitwithatowel.ScowlingatNorth,shesaid,'Justfortherecord,Iamnotafailedactress.'
"Thatstung,didit?'
'I'vehadseveralgoodparts.'
'Yearsago.Insoupcommercials.Andpartyturnsasasingingtelegramgirl,whateverthatentails.Exoticdancing,perhaps?'
'Eventhebestperformershaveback-upcareersbecauseitcanbehardtostayinwork.Igotintomakeupandspecialeffectsasasidelineanditbecamemorefascinatingthanactinganddancing.Itoftenhappens.'
Hisgreyeyesdidn'twaver.Liar,theyseemedtosay.'Afterall,youstartedoffinventingthingsandnowyousitatadeskaddingnoughtstonumbersonpaper.'
Hefrownedatthisandshewentoncuriously,'Whatkindofthingsdidyouinvent?'
Northshovedhishandsintohispockets.'Nothingyouwouldrecognize.Smallelectronicscomponents.Inventionsareworthnothingunlessyougetthemintoproduction.Ispentacoupleofyearsjustgettinginvestmentfundsandfindingproductionpartnersandthewholethingblewupintoahugeoperation.'
'Andyouneverdidgetbacktoinventing.Doyoumissit?'
'WhyshouldI?Itwasmerelyaspringboardtobetterthings.'
ButAmilookedlevellyathimandhiseyesflickedawaytoatablethatheldaheadformwithawigfoundationpartlytuftedwithblackhair.Hefingeredthehairandgrimaced.'Whatisthisstuffyou'resewingon?'
'Notsewing,ventilating,'shesaid.'I'mventilatingsynthetichairontothelacefoundation.It'stobeanEgyptianpharaohwig—cheap—foranamateurtheatregroupIhelpoutnowandthen.Look,youdidn'tcometoaskquestionsaboutwigmaking.'
Greyeyesheldhers.'No.'
Amiwaitedamomentandwhenheremainedsilent,shespreadherhandsinasilentinvitationtogoon.Northfollowedherhandmovementsashealwaysseemedtoandsomethinginhiseyesmadeherheartbeatquicken.Nowthattheglowofexercisewasdiminishing,shefeltachilltinglealongherspineanddownbetweenherbreasts.'Well?'sheprompted,huskily.
'DoyouknowwhereHarryis?'
Amiblinkedinsurprise.'No.Don'tyou?'
Hismouthcompressed.'Hashephonedyou?'
'No,'shesaid.Then,flippantly,'Don'ttellmeHarryhasrunawayfromhome?'
Hisheadwentbackandhelookeddownhisnose.'Harrytoldmehewasgoinghomebycablastnight,butmyinformationisthatitwasyouwhodroppedhimoffatthehotel.Soyouworethelastpersontospeaktohim.Iaskagain,haveyouseenhimorheardfromhim?'
Myinformation.Handsonhips,shesaid,'AndI'mtellingyouagain,no,Ihavenot.Ilefthimatthecarparkelevator.'
'Butthen,youareafirst-classliar.Youwon'tmindifIlookaround?'
Heheadedoffdownthehall,pushingwidethedoorsthewayhehadthatothertime.Amifollowedindignantly.'Yes,Idomind.Harry'snothidinginmywardrobe!'
Helookedsuspiciouslyaroundherbedroombeforehisgazecametorestonherunmadedoublebed.Anyotherdayoftheweekitwouldbechastelymadeupandsmoothedbynow,butitwasSaturday,thedayshechangedthesheets,andthepillowswereawryandthebedclothesintherumpledstateoccasionedbyhersprawlingsleepinghabits.Herbedalwayslookedasiftwopeople,notone,hadsleptinit,afactnotlostonNorthKendrick.
'Heavynight?'hedrawled.
Amiflushed.Shelookedhimintheeyeandreachedpasthimtocloseherdoorwithaneloquentlittlesnap.'Harry'snothere.'
'Iwantyoutoletmeknowifhecontactsyou.'
AvaguealarmonHarry'sbehalf,butshedismissedit.Afterall,thatdayontheroof,theoldmanhadshoutedthathewouldn'tstaywherehisfriendsweren'twelcome.Atpresent,Harryhadnochoicebuttostay,buthewasprobablyhidingoutwithafriendsomewhereintokenindependence,toworryNorthalittle,makehim feelguilty,even.Harry,shethoughtwithoutanyillusions,wasamanipulativeolddevil.AmisurveyedNorth'sappearanceandwonderedifitwasguiltorconcernthathadputthebagsunderhiseyesandpre-ventedhimfromshaving.'Whendidyounoticehewasmissing?'
'Igothomeaftertwothismorningandstoppedbyhisroom,foundhisbedhadn'tbeensleptin.Therewasnonote.'
Aftertwo,shethought.Thebagsandthebristlesweremorelikelytheaftermathofsomeserioussocialisinginthatcase.WithFrancesca,shewondered?InthebackseatofthatmagnoliaJaguar?Amidismissedtheidea.Themanownedahotelfullofmagnificentrooms.HewouldnotneedtoresorttothebackseatofacarifFrancescatiredofanuncomplicatedlovelifewhileherdivorcecamethrough.'Someonemusthaveseenhim leavethehotel.Yourparanoidsecuritypeople?Thehawk-eyedMorgan?'
Heshookhisbead.'Hedidn'tgotohisownhouse,so...Iwantyoutoringmeifyouhearfromhim.'
Iwantagain.Deliberatelysheshruggedoneshoulderasshewalkedintothekitchen.'I'llthinkaboutit.'Shesnatchedupherdrinkbottlefromthecounterandtippedituptodrinkfromit.
'You'dbewisetocooperateunlessyouwanttohearfrommylawyers,'hesaidharshly.
Amispunaround,armsoutflung.Afewdropsofbarleywaterflewfromthedrinkbottle.'WhatisitaboutyouKendrickmen?HarrythreatenstotellyoumyrealnameifIdon'tperformmypensioneractforhisbirthday,youthreatentotakemetocourtifIdon'tcooperate!'
'Ah—heforcedyourhand,didhe?Thecunningolddevil,'Northsaid,agleaminhiseyes.'Servesyouright.'
'Youadmirethat,don'tyou?'shesaidincredulously.'Byforcingmyhand,hemadeacompleteidiotofyou,butevensoyoucan'thelpadmiringhim forgettingthebetterofme.Men!'
'Youmightlosethegame,butyouhavetoappreciatetheskilloftheotherplayers,'hesaidwithwhatheclearlybelievedwasinarguablelogic.
Amishookherhead,baffledbytheabilityofmalestofightwitheachotheryetatthesametimeremaintheirowngreatestfans.
'Well,Idon'tfindblackmailandmanipulationadmirable.Don'teitherofyoueverjustaskpeopletodothingsforyou—say"wouldyouplease"insteadof"Iwant"?Butthen,maybeyoubothlikethebuzzofmakingpeoplejumpthroughhoops!'
'Itworked.Youdidstayforhisbirthday,'hepointedoutmockinglyasiftheblackmailwasjustifiedbytheresult.'Itcanonlyhavebeensympathyforhimorfearofmethatdidthetrick.AndevenHarrycouldn'thavecommandedyoursympathyinsuchashorttime.'
Amilaughed.'Fear?Don'timaginethereisanythingaboutyoupersonallythatIfear,North.Onlyyourinfluence.Youhavepowerandlikemostmenyouabuseit.Ifearthat.'Northdidn'tlikethat,shenoticed.
Hesneered.'Ontheotherhand,maybeyoudiditbecauseyouenjoyedit.Aspartofyourvariedcareer,haveyouoftendresseduptoentertainmenfortheirbirthdays?Oreven,'headded,flickinganinsolentglanceoverherbody,'dresseddown?'
Amidrewinanaudiblebreathandletitoutinahiss.Shejerkedherhandtowardshimandliquidfromherdrinkbottleshotoutinanarcoverhisfaceandchest.
CHAPTERSIX
BARLEYwaterdrippedfromhishair.Itraninrivuletsovertheconcaveplanesofhischeeks,alonghisbristlyjawtodripfromhischin.Impassively,helookeddownathisdrenchedsweater,tweakedthefabricbetweenfingerandthumb.
'Oh,'shesaidlamely.'Here—havemytowel.'Shedraggeditfromaroundherneckandthrustitathimandheflinched,asifthismightbesomenewattack.Regardingherthroughspikylashes,hetookthetowel,moppedhisface.
'Thatwasinexcusable,'hesaidatlast.
'Don'tyoulecturemeonbehaviour,'shesaidheatedlyoutofcombinedpiqueandguilt.
'Imean,whatIsaidwasinexcusable.'
Amiopenedandshuthermouth.Withalopsidedsmile,headded,'Iwonderwhyweseemtobringouttheworstineachother.'
Andwhileshewasstilladjustingtothisphilosophicalreactiontohavingadrinkflunginhisface,heloopedthetoweloverhershoulder,crossedhisarmsandpulledoffhissweatersothatshewassuddenlyconfrontedwithahalf-nakedNorthKendrick.Shehadanimpressionofawide,deepchestwithaspatteringofdarkhairontanskinasheturnedaway.Perfunctorily,hesaid,'Doyoumind?'andproceededtowringhiswetsweateroverthebasin.InthecourseofhermixedcareerAmihadseenagreatmanymenwithouttheirshirts,someofthemfamousfortheirphysique.Sowhysheshouldfindthesightofthisman,performingahomelytaskatherkitchensink,soriveting,shecouldn'tsay.Itwastrue,hewasverynicelybuilt.Withoutclothes,helookedmuchbigger,moremuscular.Shewatchedtheflexandplayofmuscleinhisupperbackasheshookoutthesweater.Hisshouldersroseandfellwiththeaction,and,withhisarmsheldupasheinspectedthesweaterfordamage,madeoneofthoseirresistiblecontourlinessopersuasivelymale.Powerandbeautytogether,shethought,franklyadmiringthebulgeofbicepsandhissmooth,lightlytannedskin.
Heflippedthewetsweateroveroneshoulderandtookupaleaningstanceagainstthecounter.PureJamesDean,shethoughtderisively.Thecharismaticdrifterlook.Ifhehadseemedformidableinhishigh-pricedsuitinhishigh-pricedhotelfoyer,nowhelookedpositivelydangerouswithhisunshavenjaw
andhisdamphairhangingoverhisforehead.From onekindofpowertoanother,shethought.Itwassounfair.
'Iapologize,'hesaid.
Foraconfusedmomentshethoughthewasapologizingforhissexappeal.Inthefewblankmomentswhenshestaredathim,hegaveacat-got-the-creamsmile,noddedatthedrinkbottleonthecounter.'Ihopethere'snodrinkleftinthatthing.I'mgettingnervouswithyoustaringatmelikethat.'
Whichwasasgoodawayasanytoletherknowthatheknewshewasgapingathim.'You'resafe,'shesaidambivalently.'Unlessyouinsultmeagain.'
'IsupposeIshouldapologizeforthatothercomment,too—promptedbythestateofyourbed.'
'Isupposeyoushould,'shesaidtightly.'It'snoneofyourbusinesswhetherI'vehadaheavynightornot.'
'Putitdowntojealousy,'hesaid.'Iwishitwasmewhohadrumpledyoursheets.'
Shemighthavethoughtshehadn'theardright,exceptthathisexpressionconfirmedhiswords.Amifelttheattraction,themagnetism oftheman,theflutterofherownpleasureathisearthystatementofdesire.Hewashandsome,wealthy,powerfulandmanywomenprobablylosttheirheadwhensuchamanannouncedhisintentions.Amimadeaconcertedefforttokeephersasheturnedtoleave,andshefollowedhimtothedoor,unabletoavoidthesightofhislovelybarebackandhisrear,jauntilyencasedindenim.Aweaknessmadeherkneeswaver.Iwanthim,shethoughtinastonishment,andsheimaginedherselflayingherhandsonthatbroadback,slidingthemintothebackpocketsofhisjeans...Socompellingwasit,thatsherushed,breathless,togethimout,reachingpasthimforthedoor.Helookedatherarm.
'YougivelessonsinillusiononaSaturday?'hemocked,indicatingthefour-day-oldbruiseinsideherelbow.'Orcan'tyoubeartowashoffyourownwork?'
'Yourwork,actually,'shesaid,beforeshethought.
'What?'Startled,hetookherarmandlookedcloserattherealbruiseinsideherelbow.'Ididn'tseethislastnight.'
'I'mamake-upgirl,'shemocked,intenselyconsciousofhistouch.'Icanmakeabruisegowherethereisn'tone,andIcanconcealarealone.Youdidn'tseeitbecauseIdidn'twantitseen.'
Asheassimilatedhowandwhenhemighthavedoneit,hetookherotherarmandfoundthematchingmarkthere.Adullflushsettledonhischeekbonesandhestoodthereholdingherarms,histhumbscirclinggentlyonthediscolourationsasifhemighterasethem.Thesensationreachedbeyondtheskinhetouched,rippleddownherspine,zippedalonghertemplestothetopofherhead.Amitouchedhertonguetoherlowerlipand,asifhewaswaitingforsomesuchsignal,Northraisedherleftarmandbenttoputhismouthtothebruise.Hedidn'ttakehiseyesoffher,andshestaredathim,bemused,hereyelidsflickeringinresponsetothewarm,delicatetouchofhislipsonherskin.Amijumpedattheslytouchofhistongue.Lowdowninherbodyshefeltagainthatpangofdesire.Stillholdinghergaze,confidentnowanddeliberate,hereachedforherotherarmandAmibackedawayinalarm,wonderingifshe'dbeenhypnotized.Shefeltvaguelydisappointedthattheglimpseofsincerityinhimhadbeensosooneclipsedbyopportunism.
Northsmiled.'Ifit'sanyconsolation,yougavemeabruise,too,thatnight,whenyoufelledme.'
Oh,good,shethought.'Well,Iwon'toffertokissitbetter.'
Helaughedsoftly,showinghisveryniceteeth.'Ishouldbesolucky.'Herubbedoneleanflank,toindicatethepositionofthebruise,andAmifeltanotherjoltofsensationattheearthinessofit.ShehadvastlyunderestimatedNorthKendrick,sherealized,assheopenedherfrontdoorandlethimouttoajoyouswelcomefromSpritz.Hislackofpeopleskillsdidnotpreventhimbeingexpertatseduction.Butthenseductiondidn'tactuallycomeunderpeopleskills.Moreanexerciseinappreciation,liketheexpertiseofthewineconnoisseurortheartcollector.NorthKendrickwantedherforthesamereasonthatshehadneededtogetthroughhisglassdoors.Theybothwantedtorestoretheirself-esteem bymakingtheirmarkontheother'sterritory.Butforher,theterritoryhadbeenhishotel.Forhim,shewastheterritory.
Marvellous,shethought,asshegotonwithherchoreswhenhewasgone.Hehadaccusedherofinsinuatingherselfintohislife,butthemanhadinsinuatedhimselfintohers.Thekitchenwasn'tquitethesamenowthathe'dstrippedhalfnakedinit,andasforthebedroom...Amirippedtheoldsheetsfromthebedforwashing,andreplacedthemwithfreshones.Iwishitwasmewho'drumpledyoursheets.'Huh!'shesaidoutloud,energeticallysmoothingrumplesfromthecleansheetstoeraseanyimagesofhiminherbed.Thenshehadanother,irrelevantvisionofNorth,cominginattwointhemorningandstoppingbyHarry'sroom.Didhealwaysstopbyhisfather'sroomwhenhecamehome?Didhetiptoe?Sneakthedoorajarsoasnottodisturbtheoldman?Northastheconcerned,
caringson?Sheslidthepillowsintonewcasesandbashedthemintoahuddledgroup.Shesmoothedthequiltcover,catchingsightofthebruisesonherarmswitheverymove.Later,whenshe'dhungoutherwashingandshowered,sheusedsomeflesh-colouredconcealeroverthebruises.Whenshe'dfinished,sheviewedtheresultswithprofessionalsatisfaction.Noonewouldknowtherewerebruisesthere.NooneexceptherandNorthKendrick.
Northswivelledhischairtolookdownatthehotelconcourse.Hewaitedforthethrillofpossession,offulfilledambitionbutitwaswearingoffalready.Hegrimaced.Evenayearago,he'dstillexperiencedanintensepleasurefrombringingoffnewdeals,makingnewacquisitions,fulfillingambitionsthathadonceseemedlaughable.Thishotelwasoneofthem.Afoolishventureinsomeways,whenhecouldhavesimplyboughtaprofitableexistinghotelandmanagementpackage,orpumpedfundsintoanunprofitableone.Plentyofthosearoundatpresent.Butitwasalongtimesincehisinventivedaysandhe'dwantedtobuildsomethinghecouldactuallysee,sohehad,againstalladvice.Notwithhisownhands,ofcourse,butwithhisbrainandacumenandpowersofpersuasionwithhisinvestors.He'dexpectedittobethegreatestthrillofhislife,butsomehowitwasfallingratherflat.Maybeheshouldtakeupparachuting—anadrenalin-highsport—asanantidotetoboredom.
Thephonebuzzedandheflickedaswitch.'Mr.Kendrick,'aharriedfemalevoicesaid.'I'mfromroomservice.Ijusttooksomeofyourfather'sfavouritecakeupformorningteaand—I'msorry,buthe'sgone.'
Northfeltthestingofanxiety.'Gone?Again?'Hesighed.'Allright.Thankyou.Leaveitwithme.'
Hewentthroughtheroutineagain.Checkedforanote,checkedwithfloorstaff,withMorgan.Someoneinthekitchensrememberedan'oldgeezer'passingthroughwithwalkingsticks.No-oneknewwhereHarryhadgonethistime.No-one,Norththoughtgrimly,knewwherehe'dbeenlasttime.He'darrivedbacktwodayslaterandsaidhe'dbeenlookingupafewfriendshehadn'tseensincetheolddays,andchanceswerethat'swherehe'dgoneagain.Northdidn'tknowwhotheywere.Afearthathadn'tfinishedgrowinggnawedathisinsides,butherefusedtogiveitaname.Instead,heappliedhimselftotheproblem.Harrymusthavetoldsomeonewherehe'dbeen.Hewasatalkeranditwasn'tnaturalforHarrytobesoclose-lipped.Sowhowouldheconfidein?HethoughtofconfidencesandinevitablythoughtofAmiwhohadheardsomanyofhisown.HeknewHarryhadphonedher.Yes.AmiWinterburnwouldknowsomething.Logically,heshouldwaitalittlelongerincaseHarryturnedup,buthe
convincedhimselfheshouldspeaktoAmiassoonaspossible.Itwasnearlytwoweekssincehe'dseenher,leapingalongthefootpathwithherdog.
Northfeltarushofexhilaration,asifhe'dbeenpumpedfullofastimulantorparachutedoutthehatch.Hefeltthechallengeasifshe'dlookedrightthroughhimwiththosefeyaquamarineeyes,tauntedhimwithoneofthoseextravaganthandmovements.Rightnow,shewasprobablyoutinherbackroomathershop,creatingascaronthebackofherhandorshowingsomeonehowtolookbald.
ButAmiwasn'tattheshop.AmiwasconductingherThursdayclass,Helensaiddubiously,butwhenheworkedonheralittle,shegavehimtheaddress.Withanew surgeofenergy,heorderedhiscartobebroughttothehotelentrance.
TheclasswasbeingheldinanofficebuildingatNorthSydney.Therewasadoublefoyer,theouteroneasmalljungleofpottedplants.Throughtheglassdoor,hesawAmiwalkintothisouterfoyer.Sheroundedthedoorwayandsteppedbackagainstthepartitionwhereshewasoutofsightofherstudents,whoseheadsNorthcouldjustaboutmakeout,bobbingbeyondascreen.Ami'sheadwentback,hereyesclosedandforafewsecondsherbodysaggedbeforeshetookadeepbreath,gatheredherselfup.Smiling,shemadelight-heartedcommentsasherstudentspassedintothefoyerontheirwayout.HerThursdayclassthatshehadadamantlyrefusedtocancel.HerememberedthatotherThursdayweeksago,andherreddenedeyesthatmighthavebeenatributetohermake-upskill,butthenagain,mightnot.
Thestudentscamethroughtheouterdoor,andNorthsawwhythiswasonemake-upclassshewouldn'tcancelevenunderthreatofruin.ThattheycameoutlaughingtoldhimmoreaboutAmiWinterburnthanhe'devergleanedfromhiscomputerenquiriesorevenfromhermother.
Thelasttimehe'dseenfaceslikethesehadbeeninahospital.Thereweresixstudents,fivewomen,oneman,casualtiesofaccidentanddisease.Northhadtocontroltheurgetodrophiseyesastheyglancedathim.Hestoodthereawhile,watchingthemwalkaway,thinkingofdifferentkindsofcourage.Thinkingofhisshallow assumptions aboutAmi's profession,aboutAmiherself.HisconsiderableachievementssuddenlyseemedtoshrinkcomparedtothissmallgroupofmaimedpeoplewhocouldleaveAmiWinterburn'sclasssmiling.Teachingotherstoappearwhattheyaren't,'he'dsaidinloftyignorance.Hecringedatthememory.
Hefoundherashe'dneverexpectedtofindtheflippant,happy-go-luckyAmiWinterburn.Hunchedoverherpartlypackedmake-upkit,weepingintoatissue.Sheturnedatthesoundofhisapproachandhereyeswidenedinsurprise.She
madenoattempttohidehertears.'Specialeffects,'shesaidwithasniff.'I'llbetyoucan'ttellthemfromgenuinetears.'
'Isawyourstudents,'hesaidsoftly,makingshortworkofthatlittlebitofbravado.Shesuppressedahiccupandlookedbalefullyathim.Whyhadheturnedupsuddenlyoutoftheblue?Northlookedathersteadily,thewayhehadthatnightwhenshe'dtakenoffherwrinklesandhe'dwantedtoknowwhatlaybeneath.Well,themanwholikedhiswomenbeautifulwasn'tseeinganyonehewouldfancythistime,shethought,withfiercesatisfaction.Hernosealwaysreddenedwhenshecried,herskinturnedblotchyandhereyelidsswelled.
HereIam,shethought,facinghimsquarely,areal,hurtingperson—notanattractivepieceoffemalemerchandise—seehow youlikethis,Mr.NorthKendrick.Heheld hergaze,fished in hispocketand found afoldedhandkerchief,whichheofferedtoher.
'Youcanhavemyshouldertocryonifyouprefer,'hesaid,whenshedidn'ttakethehandkerchief.
Amilookedatbothhisshoulders,outlinedintailoredfinewool.Shemighthaveadmiredthembuthadn'tconsideredthemasanchorsinastorm,hadn'tthoughtofNorthKendrickassomeoneshemightleanoninamomentofweakness.Herheartbeatfaster.Shepluckedthehandkerchieffromhimandhegaveasardonicsmileatherchoice.
Amidabbedhereyesandblew hernosenoisily.'Irunseveralcosmetictherapycourseseachyear.EverytimeIstartasix-weekcourse,Ithink,thistimeIcanhandleit,andmosttimesIcan.I'vemadeitthroughtothefifthweekthistimewithout—'Shewaggledherfingersathertearyface.'Theydon'twantsympathy,justpracticalsolutions.'Sheturnedawaytoslottubesandjarsintotheirallottedplacesinherfold-outmake-upcase.Sheswallowedhard,busiedherselfwithfasteningthecase.Butthistimethetearswouldn'tstopcoming.
'Youcan'tdriveinthatstate,'Northsaidandtookherarm."There'sadeliacrosstheroad.I'mbuyingyouacoffee.'
Thedelicatessenhadanalcovewithlowlightsandcanvaschairs.Theairwassteamilywarm,scentedbygroundcoffeebeans,freshbreadandthebunchesofdryingrosemaryandthymethathungovertheirmarble-toppedtable.Northorderedcoffeeandsandwiches.Hetookoffhisjacket,loosenedhistieandsatback,sayingnothingasAmiblewhernoseagain.
'Tellme,'hesaid.
Amiblinkedatthebaldinvitation.'Oneofmystudents.Miranda.Eighteen.Shewasinacaraccidentandherfacewasbadlyscarred.Herboyfriendsawherinhospitalwhenthebandagescameoffandnevercameback.Herfathercrieswhenheseesher.She'sabrightkidwithheapsofpersonalityandhumourandcouragebutpeoplearetreatingherasifshe'slosttheonlythingthatmatters...herlooks.Suddenlyshe'stheinvisiblewoman.Shekeepstalkingabouthowplasticsurgerymightmakeherprettyagain.'
'Andwillit?'
'Probably.Youcangetridoftheexternalscarssometimes.Butonceyou'vebeeninvisibleyoumustalwaysbeafraidyou'llfadeawayagain.'
Helookedthoughtfullyather,reachedacrossandlaidhishandoverhersinawarm,humantouchthatcouldnottranslateintoactualwords.Amistaredathim.Shedidn'twantsympathy,either.Amiwasn'tsurejustwhatshedidwant,butincredibleasitseemed,atthismoment,NorthKendrickcameclosetofillingthebill.Tellme.NospurioussentimentfromNorth,noclichédcomfort,orslickphrasetosumupthetragedyofaneighteen-year-oldgirl.Atleastherecognisedthedepthofhisignoranceonthesubjectandgaveittherespectofkeepingquiet,unlikemanypeople.Ormaybeitwasalackoffeelingthatkepthimquiet.Theonlytimehe'dshownstrongfeelingswaswhenhisownlifewastouched.Maybehedidn'tfeelforothers.ButAmilookeddownathishandoverhersandexperiencedasenseofcomradeshipthatshesurelycouldneverhavewithsomeonesodisabled.Intuitivelyshefelttheywereonthesamewavelength.Startled,shemethiseyes.Hewasserious,silentlyenquiring.Asthemomentwenton,though,hiseyessubtlywarmed,hisnostrilsflaredandhisheadraisedafraction,likeahuntersniffingthewind.Flushed,shepulledherhandfrombeneathhis.Thiswasthemanwholovedachallenge,sheremindedherself.TherewasmorethanonewaytoaconquestforaclevermanlikeNorth.
Sheputawaythedamphandkerchief.'How'sHarry?'sheasked.
Northtooksometimeputtingdownhiscoffeecup.
'Ithoughtyoumighttellme,'hesaidlevelly.'He'sgoneagain.'
Shedidn'tquitehidealaugh.Atseventy-one,HarryhadbecometheworrisomerunawayteenagerandNorthhisanxiouskeeper.
Hegloweredather.'Youthinkthisisfunny?'
'Ithinkyoutakeyourresponsibilitiesseriously.MaybeHarryistryingtotellyouthathe'snotreadytobeyourresponsibility.'
'He'snotmyresponsibility—he'smyfather.'
Amilookedmorecarefullyathim.'Whenhe'sready,I'msurehe'llturnupagain,likehedidlasttime,'shesaid.
Northtoyedwithateaspoon,diggingitintothesugartoloadit,holdingitupalittletoletthesugartrickleout.Hehadaworriedlookofconcentrationthatremindedherofthephotoofhimasachild,inthesandwithhisbucketandspade.
'He'sbeentryingtotraceoldpalsofhis,writingtorelativeshehasn'tbeenintouchwithfordecades.'Heshovelledsugarwithdedication.'Almostasifhe's—tyinguplooseends.'
Amanofseventy-one,tyinguplooseends?Amifeltapangofanxiety,closelyfollowedbydenial.NotHarry—shecouldn'tloseHarry,notwhenshe'donlyjustmethim.'He'sjustbeeninhospital,probablyhadtimetothinkaboutallthethingshe'sbeentoobusytodoanddecidedtocatchuponoldfriendsandfamily.Acrisiscanmakeyouvaluethosethings.'
'Yes,you'reprobablyright,'hesaid,visiblyrelaxing.
'Hesaidyouweretryingtotalkhimintosellinghishouse,'shesaid,strivingtokeepanyhintofcriticismfromhervoice.
Hegavearuefullaugh.'TalkingHarryintoanythingismoredifficultthanIimagined.Ihaven'tseenalotofhimoverthepasttenyears.I'dforgottenhowdeterminedhecanbe.Hesetshismindonsomethinganddoesn'tletgountilhehashisway.'
'Likefather,likeson?'shesaiddryly.
Hiseyesglittered.'IusuallygetwhatIwant.'
'Evenifyouhavetodeprivesomeoneelse,'shemocked,thinkingofthebusinessopponentswhohadcausetoregrethisdetermination.
Hissmileuncurled,slowandlanguidassmoke.'Idon'tthinksomeoneelsewouldnecessarilyfeeldeprived,'hesaid,obviouslynotthinkingofhisbusinessopponents.
Amiliftedhercupalittletooquicklyandfrothslippeddowntheside.'Howwouldyoueverknow?Doyouaskthepeopleyou'vetakenoveriftheyfeeldeprived?Doyouaskyourconquestsiftheymindbeingconquered?'
Hisirritatingcomplacencygrew.'I'vehadnocomplaints.'
'Maybetheyfakeit.'
Andthereminderofherownsuccessfulfakingtookthecomplacenttiltoffhishandsomemouth.Amiregardedhimoverhercoffeecup,pleasedthatshestill
hadanedge.Shefeltasudden,urgentneedforitbecauseshewastreadingdangerouspaths,imagininghimasaloverandherselfashis.Stupid,whensheknew hispursuitwasmoretodowithpaybackthanloveordesire.Maybenothingshortofpossessingherwouldrestorehim,thatage-oldsymboloftriumphandmalesuperiority.Shesethercupdownhard.Coffeesloppedontothetable.
'ItmustbedifficultforHarry,beingimmobilized,'shesaidtocorrectthisdangerousdetour.'Igettheimpressionhe'salwaysbeenveryactive.'
Northacknowledgedtheretreatwithaquizzicalsmile.
'Activeisanunderstatement.Heusedtotakethebackstepsthreeatatime,hehadsomuchenergy.Irememberhim climbinguptolopthepoincianatree,heftinganaxe—heusedthataxetocutdownaChristmastreeeveryyear,too—'Northpickedupateaspoon,turneditoverandover,lookingintothedistortedreflectionsasifitwasshowinghimpicturesofthepast.
'Youhadthemgrowing—Christmastrees?'
'WeusedtodriveouttowardstheBlueMountainstoafarmeveryChristmasEve.ThebestpartofChristmas—walkingaroundthepaddockofpines,decidingwhichtree.'
'AndHarrycutitdown?'
'Acoupleofstrikeswiththeaxeand—'NorthusedthesideofhishandtorecreateHarry'sdecisivestrikesandthetopplingofthetree,withthemaleappreciationfortechnique.'Harrywasverygoodatthingslikethat.Anaturalathlete.Herodeinbikehillscramblesandthat'sasroughasitcomes.'
'Youdorememberhisracingdays,then?'
Hegaveasnort.'Doesakidforgetathinglikethat?Iusedtogoandwatchhimrace,workonthebikeswithhim,whenhe'dletme,untilwejustseemedto...forcompetitionsheworelong,blackbikebootswithstrapsandsilverbuckles.'Afarawaysmiletransfiguredhisface.'God,howIwantedthoseboots—youknowthewayakidcovetsadultthings.Theywerehuge,butHarryusedtotellmeonedayImightbebigenoughtofitintothem.'Hegaveanoddself-deprecatorysmile.'WhenIsawhiminhospital,theninthewheelchair,Icouldn'tbelieveit.He'dchanged—Idon'tknow,grownsmallerorsomething,andIhadn'tnoticed.Theonlythingthathasn'tchangedisthathe'sjustashardtogetalongwith,'hesaid,hismouthset.Amistudiedhim,thinkingofhisirritationsohardontheheelsofbarelydisguisedhero-worship.
'AreyouannoyedwithHarryforgettingold?'sheasked.
Northlookedatherindislike.'No,IamnotannoyedwithHarryforgettingold,'hemimicked.Hetossedtheteaspoonontothetableandstudiedherforafewunnervingseconds.'Yourmothertoldmeyourfatherisadoctor.'
'Asurgeon.Didn'tyourcreditcardinvestigationtellyouthat?'shemocked.
'Shealsotoldmeaboutheragencyandherwriterclient.Yourmothersaidyouoftentakeonunusualjobs.'
'Mymotherseemstohavesaidagreatdeal.'
Themerestflickerofhiseyelidsgavehimaway.Amigrinned.'She'shardtostoponceshegetsstarted,isn'tshe?Servesyouright.Didshepersuadeyoutopartwithanymphfortheraffle?'
'I'veagreedtoapainting.We're...negotiatingonthenymph,'hesaidstraight-faced.'Shallwego?'
Negotiating.Amididn'tliketheongoingsoundofit.
Outsideonthepavement,heturnedtoherandsaid,'IfHarrycontactsyouIwouldappreciateacall.I'd—justliketoknowthathe'sokay.'
Iwouldappreciate.NotIwant.Northmustbemoreworriedthanshethought.'Istheresomethingyou'renottellingmeaboutHarry'sdeparturethistime?'
Hestudiedthepassingtrafficforamoment.'Hedidn'ttakeanyclothesandhelefthiswheelchairbehind,'hesaid,hisbrowcreasing.Northshuffledhisfeetandbentanintensegazeonaboutiquewindow display.'Iwouldn'tbesoconcernedaboutthatexceptthathehadhissolicitorcallaroundtheotherday.Tofinaliseafewthings,hesaid.'Northhesitatedthenwenton.'Itsoundsstupid,Iknow,butsometimesI'm afraidhemight—'Northtookadeepbreathandsidesteppedtheobviousphraseasiftonameitwouldbetomakeitmorepossible.'Heseemsrather...depressed,'hesaidlamely.'Ithoughthemightbehidingsomeconditionfromme,somethingincurable,butItalkedtohisdoctorandshesaidthereisnothinglikethat.'
'Harrywouldn'tdoanythingsilly,'shesaidbutsherememberedsomethingHarryhadsaid.There'llbenomorebirthdaysafterthisone.And,It'stoolateforthat,now.SomethingmusthaveshowninherfaceforNorthtookherarmandsaid,'What'sthematter?'
'It'snothing.Wheredidyouseehimlast?Whatwashedoing?'
'Ontheterrace,lookingthroughthosebinoculars.'
SomethingstirredinAmi'smemory.Harryandthebinocularsandsomethinghe'dsaid.'Heshowedmeahotelhe'dworkedonasayoungman,'sheofferedslowly.'Saiditstilloperatedasahotelandhewouldliketoseeitagain.Iwonder...'
TheydrovetotheAvaloninNorth'smagnoliaJaguar.AmistoodonNorth'sterraceandsearchedwithbinocularsfortheoldhotelbuildingHarryhadshownher.Ittookhernearlytenminutestolocateit.'There,'shesaid.'Icanjustmakeoutthename—theCentury.'
***
HarrywasseatedatthebaroftheCenturyHotel,walkingsticksleaningagainsthisstool.Hehadaschoonerofbeerinonehand,aforbiddencigaretteintheother,andlookedfarfromsuicidal.HebrokeofffromaconversationwiththebarmanwhenhesawNorthandAmiandmadeaninvoluntaryefforttohidethecigarettebeforehedefiantlychangedhismindandflauntedit.'Whatareyoutwodoinghere?'
'Harry—areyouokay?Whydidn'tyoutellmewhereyouweregoing?Youleftyourwheelchair,you'llendupinhospitalagain,'Northsaidinatight,scoldingtonethatfailedtoconveytheconcernAmihadsoclearlyseen.
Irritationflittedovertheoldman'sface.'Idon'thavetotellyouwhatI'mdoingeveryminute,'hesaidmulishly.'IjustcamedownhereforadrinkandtolookattheworkIdidonthatcedarpanelling,see?I'llbebackfordinner,allright?You'reasightforsoreeyes,Amelia,'headded,hisfadedblueeyessharplyspeculativeaboutherarrivalwithNorth.Thefollowingcommunicationbetweenthetwomenwasterse.AllNorth'sstiffpersuasionfailedtomovetheoldman,whosaidhewouldcallacabandcomehomewhenhewasgoodandready.
Northwassilentashedroveherbacktopickuphercar.Amiglancedseveraltimesathisprofile,whichreliefhadrenderednolesssevere.'ThosebootsHarryusedtowearforbikeracing,'shesaidlightly,forsomethingtosay.'Didtheyliveuptoyourexpectationswhenyoueventuallygrewintothan?'
NorthconcentratedonswingingtheJaguarinnexttohercar.'Inevergottotrythem.HarrygavethemawaywhenIwassixteen,'hesaid,glancingather.
'Oh.'
Northopenedthedoorforher,walkedtohercarwithher.
'Thankyouforyourhelp,'hesaid.'Iwouldn'thavebelievedAmiWinterburncouldcontributetomypeaceofmind,buttoday,youhave.'
'Ah,well,youdon'tknowmeverywell,'shesaidlightly.
'No.ThatmighttakemoretimethanIthought.'Heeyedherwithacertaincalculationthatmadeherthinkoftakeoversandfinancialcoups.
'Moretimethanyou'repreparedtospend,'shetoldhim.'Iamverycomplex.'
'I'maquickstudy.Iwasaboygenius,remember?'
Smugdevil.Sheresentedthewayhemadeherfeelfrailandhunted.Lethimhunt.Shewasn'tgoingtofallforhisstrategies.Gettingtoknowherwasn'thisaim,exceptinthebiblicalsense.'Youcanforgetit,North,'shesnapped.'Youaren'tgoingtorumplemysheets!'
Heburstoutlaughingandforthefirsttimeitwasaudible,apleasant,tenorsoundthatwaswarmanduncomplicated.Howveryamusinghefoundher,shethoughtwrathfully.
'Imeanit,North,'shesaid.'Itwasthepurestaccidentthatwemet.Youaredefinitelynotmytype.'
Hisexpansivegoodhumourdisappearedinahurry,shewasdelightedtosee.Mr.NorthKendrick,handsome,rich,eligible,wasusedtojudgingwomenbutnot,perhaps,usedtobeingjudgedunsuitablehimself.'Iwonderhowyoukissmenwhoareyourtype,'hesaidsardonically.'Thepoordevilsmustmeltdownintheheat.'Whenshedidn'trespond,hesaid,'Well—ifI'mnotyourtype,Ihavetoacceptit.Idon'tmakeahabitofpursuingwomenwhodon'twanttobepursued.'
Amiregardedhimwithsuspicion.'Verycivilizedofyou.'
'Butwhydon'tweagreetoatrucerelationship,forHarry'ssake?'Heheldahandouttoherandshelookedatit,herbackagainsthercarandanoddfeelingthatshemightaswellhavebeenagainstabrickwall.'He'sfondofyou.Itwouldbesillyifyoufeltyoucouldn'tvisithimbecauseofany,er,tensionbetweenus.'
'I'm surprisedyou'dencouragemyfriendshipwithHarry,consideringthewayImethim.Doesn'tithaveunpleasantassociationsforyou?'
'Andsomeextremelypleasant,'hesaidwithanostalgicair.
'Thisdoesn'tsoundlikeatrucerelationshiptome.'
'WillithelpifIdon'tmentionthepleasureyou'vebroughtme?'heenquired.'WhatelseshouldInotmention?Youreyes—yourmouth...'Heleanedanarmonhercarsothathisfacewastiltedquiteclosetohers.'Betternotmentionyourhair,yourlegs,thosearmmovements...'
'IfyouthinkI'mflatteredbythis,I'mnot,'shesaid,fightingthecandlelightmoodhewasgeneratinginaparkinglotinbrilliantsunshine.'I'magreatdealmorethansuperficialthingslikelegsand—andgreeneyes.I'm alotofother
things,too,anentireperson,notjustacollectionofcurvybitslikeyoursculptures.Sodon'timagineyou'regoingtoaddmetoyourcollection.'
'That'snotwhatIimagine,'hetoldher,hisgreyeyeswarm.ItwouldbesoeasytohaveaphysicalaffairwithNorthKendrick.Shewouldhateherselfforitafterwards.Butoh,shewouldloveitforalittlewhile.
Colouring,shesaidtartly,'Whatdidyoumean—armmovements?'
Hestraightened,threwhisarmswideinmimicryofherhabitualgesture.Histeethshowedinasmilethattookherbreathaway.'Igetthismadurgetorunintothem.'
Hehadalwaysstaredatherwhenshedidthat,sheremembered,rightfromthestart.NorthKendrick,runningintoherarms.Itshouldbeludicrousbutitwasn't,itwasappealing.Herheartbeatheavily,faster.Amadurge.Shehadn'tthoughtofhimasamanwhohadmadurges...Shecaughtherselfintime.
Hewasvery,verygood.Herfaceflamedassheturnedawaytosetthekeyinthelock.Northhadsimplychangedtactics.Shewasbeingshownanexampleofthelong-term planningforwhichhewasfamous.Ifhehadanymadurgeassociatedwithher,itwasaverybasicone.
Sowhen heheld outhishand again,shetookitforHarry'ssake,understandingthatNorth'sideaofatrucewassimplyanothermoveinthegame.Andaslongassheknewthat,shewasinnodanger,wasshe?Hishandclosedstronglyaroundhersandhelookedintohereyeswithsomeindefinableexpressionthatmadeherassuranceseemfoolhardy.
'Cometodinnertomorrow.WithHarry,ofcourse,'hesaid.
'Sorry,Ican't.Ihaveanappointmentwiththedressmaker.Mybridesmaid'sdress.It'surgentbecausethewedding'sonlyacoupleofweeksaway,andit'soutwestsoIhavetobereadytoleavedaysbefore,'shesaid,babblingoutunnecessaryexcuses.'Someothertime?'
ShedroveawaythinkingthatalmosteveryfemalesheknewwouldthinkshewascrazytoturndownKendrick.Onepartofhersaid,well—whynotletittakeitscourse?HoweverbaseNorth'smotivation,hewouldbeagreatlover.Hetreatedhiscollector'sitemsverywell,whilehetreasuredthem.Shescreechedtoahaltattrafficlights,wishingshecouldrelegatehimtotheranksofthepurelysuperficial.ButshethoughtinsteadofNorth,thecool,level-headedmanofbusiness,worriedaboutlosinghisfather.Andshethoughtofthefatherwho'dbeensuchaforgetfulherothathe'dgivenawaytosomeoneelsesomethinghe'dpromisedhisson.
Shewasmoved,asshealwayswasbyNorth'svulnerableside.'Oh,growup!'shesaidoutloud.Themanhadhadtoomuchpowertoosoonandwasunbearable.Hewasacollector,rememberthat.Andanyway,hewasprobablyalousylover.
CHAPTERSEVEN
AMIslidunderhercar.IthadbeenquitecoolthatmorningwhensheandHarryhadsetoutaftertheirovernightstop,quitetolerablywarmbythetimeshehaddroppedhimoffatSwagman'sCreek,towhichtinycountrytownhehadtracedyetanotherofhisoldcronies.Butwhenshe'dtravelledonalone,thedayhadheatedupasmiddayapproachedandpassed.Amihaddevelopedaparched,painfulthroatandanaggingheadachefromthedustandhotair.Atleast,shethought,itwasmarginallycoolerunderthecar.
Sheunrolledthecanvastoolkit,moretocounterthedismalfeelingofhelplessnessthananything.Somehowshefelttheexactnatureofthedamagewasmorelikelytorevealitselftosomeonewithaspannerorahammerintheirhand.
'Ugh,'shemuttered,wigglingaroundaspillofsomeoilyblacksubstance.Shehadonlypulledoverforafewminutestodrinksomewaterandtakeanaspirin,andwhenshehadheadedbacktotheroadthewheelshaddippedintoarutandthecarhadhitsomething.Invain,shetriedtoseesignsofdamagebutrealizedshewouldneedthetorch.
Assheslidoutagain,sheheardthescrapeofleatheronstones.Intheaperturebetweenthegroundandtheundersideofthecar,shesawclumpsofgrasscrushedbeneathtwoshoes.Help,atlast.Hastily,shewriggledout,almostblindedinthesunlightafterminutesincomparativedarkness.Theshoeswereattachedtowidelyplantedlegscladindenim.Abuckleglintedbetweentwolargehandsclaspedaroundtheleatherofabelt.
Glarehazedtheman'sfacebutsherecognizedthosehands.Shelayflatonthestonyground,hearthammering,wonderingifthiswasoneofthosefamousoutbackmirages.BecauseNorthcouldn'tbehere.HewasonabusinesstripinMalaysia,accordingtoHarry.Expectedtobeawayfivedays.
'Veryappetizing,'hesaid,lookingoverherbarelegs,thecrumpledshorts,thethincottonshirt,soakedwithperspirationandclingingtoherbreasts.'Butaskingfortroubleonalonelyroad.'
Shescrabbledtoleapupandherheaddidn'tquiteclearthecarunderside.Ahollowclangechoedinsideherheadasshehitherself,butsheyankedtheblackdenimcapdownonherheadandshookoffNorth'shelpinghandtostaggerupfighting,aspannerinherhand.
'Askingfortrouble?Appetizing?'sherasped.'I'vebeenstrandedhereforoveranhour,waitingforhelp!Myhandsareamess—'Shethrustouthergreasyhandsthatwerecutandgrazed.'HalfamillionflieshavediscoveredI'mtheonlymovingthingformilesaroundandIhaven'tgotanythinglefttodrink!'Shethrewthespannerdowninafinetemperandputherhandsonherhips.'AndallyoucandoisleerandtellmeI'maskingfortroublebybeingprovocativeenoughtowearshortsinone-hundreddegreeheat!Trouble?'sheyelledinhisface.'I'vealreadygottrouble,soyoucantakeyourleerandyourdamnedmalesuperiorityandshoveoff!'
Hervoicescreamedonthestill,hotair.Amiheardthenoteofhysteriainitandhopedshewasn'tgoingtocry.Northslowlyremovedhissunglassesandblinkedather,aslightfrowncuttingabovehishandsomenose.Andevenasshenoticedthebeguilinglookofconcerninhisgreyeyes,halfhisfacedisappeared.Inpanic,shereachedouttohim,graspinghissolidshoulder.'Ican'tseeyouproperly.North,what'shappening?Ican'tseeyou!'
Hemadesomeexclamation,tookherbythearm.'Sitdown.'
'North?'shesaid,onarisingnote.Shescreweduphereyes,rubbedatthemandoneofherhandscameawaystickyandwarmwithblood.HerkneeswentweakandshesatdownunderthepressureofNorth'shandsonhershoulders.Sheheardhim walkaway,openacardoor,andshecalledinsuddenpanic,swivellingherheadforapartialviewofhim.'Whereareyougoing?Don'tleaveme.Oh,yourotten,chauvinisticswine.Isupposeyou'lltakemeatmywordnowandshoveoffjustwhenIneedyou!'Shestoodandwipedineffectuallyathercloudedeye,thrustherarmsoutwideinentreatyandyelled,'North!'
Adarkshapeloomedupandhesaid,'I'm here,'andsteppedinsideheroutstretchedarmstopullherclose.Herarmswentaroundhimandsheheldontohim andsnuffledintohisshoulder.Aftertheprivationsoftheday,thefrustrationsandthepain,itwasheaventoletherselfgoandcry.Hometoheaven,shethoughtirrelevantly,slidingherarmsaroundhisback,turninghercheekagainsthisnecksothatherlipsbrushedhiswarmskinandshesmelledthefreshtangofhim.
Self-consciouslyshewithdrewherarmsfromaroundhimandfoundherselfguidedontotheground,nudgedagainstatree.Heremovedhercap,usedaclothtowipehereyeandwhensheblinkedagain,hersightwasblurrybutalmostbacktonormal.Heshowedheravacuumflaskandpouredorangejuiceintothelid.Thejangleoficecubeswasasoundsosweetthatshefeltanoverwhelmingaffectionforthemanwhoprovidedit.
'NorthKendrick,ItakebackallthedisagreeablethoughtsI'veeverhadaboutyou,'shesaidfervently,swampingdownhalfthejuicewithsuchenthusiasmthatitdribbleddownherchin.
'Allofthem—justfororangejuice?'hemurmured.'WhatwouldIgetforFrenchchampagne?'
"Therespeaksthemanofbusiness—lookingforareturnoneverything.Profitfrom moneyinvested,favoursinexchangeforgifts.AnyadvanceonFrenchchampagne?'
'Theworlddoestendtoworkthatway,doesn'tit?Butpleaseconsidertheorangejuiceagift.Nostrings,'hesaiddrylyand,kneelingbesideher,openedafirst-aidkit.Heleanedovertopartherhair,walkedhisfingertipsthroughituntilhefoundthesourceofthebleeding.Heremovedahairpinandtookherfaceinbothhands,tippingherheadsothathecouldsee.Amiclosedhereyes,listenedtothebuzzoffliesandthewarbleofmagpiesandthedeepsilenceofthecountryside.Shefelttheheatofthesun,dappledonherskin,andthepleasurable,drywarmthofNorth'slargehandsacrosshertemplesandears.Nice,shethoughthazily,wonderingifshemightbeconcussed.
"Thatblowpressedthehairpinintoyourscalpandcuttheskin.Thebloodsoakedintoyourcapthentrickleddownintoyoureye,blindingyouforthemoment,'hesaid,shakingsomeantisepticontocottonwool.ThestingofthecuthaddulledtoathrobandAmifoundthetinytugsonherscalp,thetenderprogressofhisfingersthroughherhairunexpectedlysoothing.
Heshiftedsothathesatcross-leggedbesideher,liftingherlegoverhiskneessothathecouldcleanthegreasefromalongscratchonherthigh.Amijumpedattheintimatetouch.Orangejuicesloppedoverhershorts.
'Icandothatmyself,'shesaid.
'Sitstill.'Hewipedthescratchcleanandpressedanadhesivestripoverit.Everytinyprodofhisfingersproducedaflow-oneffect,likepebblestossedintoapoolthatmaderipplesandstillmoreripples.Hecurvedhishandstoherthighandliftedherlegfromhisknees,thensat,lookingherover.
'Better?'heasked.
Betterandworse.Shenodded.Northgotupandbenttohaulherontoherfeet,andthesuddenchangemadeherdizzyenoughtograbhimforsupport.'Sorry.Isawstars,'shemutteredintothejunctionofhisneckandshoulder,whichwashunchedintoaprotectivecurveforherbenefit.Shewishedshedidn'thavethisabsurdwishtotouchhim there,wishedshehadn'tclutchedathismusculararmssoneedily.
Northheldherwithonearm,lettinghergetherbalance,notsuspecting,shehoped,thatitwasachievingtheopposite.'Areyouokay?'hesaid,soclosetoherearthatshefelttheebbandflowofhisbreath.Hetiltedhisheaddownwardandhismouthbrushedacrosshertemple,hercheek,touchedthecornerofhermouth.Abreezerippledthetreeaboveandgoldenflecksofsunlightshimmeredonhisfaceashelookeddownather,hiseyesgleamingsilver,hismouthpartedandsensual.Shemeanttosaysomethingprosaiclike,'I'mokay,'or,'Canyousendabreakdowntruck,'butsheleftittoolateandNorth'smouthcamedownonhers.Hekissedherlightlyandwithdrew,rimmedherlipswiththetipofhistongue,leavingthemmoistandtemporarilycoolinginthewarmbreeze,whilehepressedhismouthtimeandagaintoherneck,herear.Andhishandswereinherhair,lightlyonhershoulders,slidingbeneaththeshirtcollar.Heinchedhershirtasideandbenttokissherexposedshoulder,strokedhismouthalonghercollarboneand,assheswayedbackagainstthetree,unfastenedhershirtbuttonsandloweredhismouthtotheuppercurvesofherbreasts.Ami'sheaddroppedbackagainsttheroughbarkofthetree.Brightspecksofsundazzledherandgiddilysheclosedhereyes,murmuringherpleasureatNorth'stouch.Shestrokedthecontoursofhisshouldersandarms,recreatingtheimageofhimbehindherclosedeyelidsfromtouchandsmellandthemessagesjammingthelinesofhernervoussystem.Herfingerstrailedalongthatintriguinglineofhisshoulderandneckandshesmileddreamilyasheshudderedinresponse.Theshorthaironthebackofhisneckbristledbeneathherexploringfingersandstillshekepthereyesclosed,lostinaworldoftextureandsensation,scarcelyabletotellwhetheritwasNorth,orthebreeze,orthesunthattouchedherskinwithexquisitetenderness.
Buthishandscircledherhips,tippedhertowardshim inanearthylittlemovementthatpenetratedherdreamyself-indulgence.Hewantedher,ofcoursehedid.Herhandsflexedonhisfabulousarms,shegaveanaudiblegaspandhereyesflewopentoseethegleamoftriumphinhis.Adeliciouspanicassailedher,asenseofhavingcometoapointofnoreturn.Excitementwelledupinherandadesirethatrockedhertothesolesofherfeet.
North'undippedthefrontofherbra,brushedasidethelaceandcradledherbreastsinhisbighands,bendingtodrawanippleintohismouth.Ami'sbrokensighofpleasurehungonthehot,stillair,wasdrawnagainfromherasNorthrepeatedthemagic.Acurioushummingsoundwasinherhead,growingeverloudertowardscrescendo.Inmountingpassion,shespreadherhandsonNorth'sbackside,tracedthehollowedsidesandthehardmuscularityofhisflanks.AgrowlcamefromhimandAmiexultedinthesound,intheclenchofhisbodyagainsthers.And thehumming sound suddenly wasa roarwith anaccompanyingrushofairbornedust.A carhornhonkedandmen'svoicesshouted.
Amipushedherselfawayfromthetree,clutchingatherunfastenedbraandshirt.Hornstillhonking,atruckcrawledawaydowntheroadwithamanleaningfromthepassengerwindowandanother,inthebackofthetruck,wavinghishatandgrinning.Northputhishandsonhishipsandgavearuefulsmile.'Notrafficforthepasthourandtheyhadtoturnupnow.Theirtimingisasimmaculateasyourmother's.'
Theirtiming,Amithought,turningawaytofastenherclothes,wasabouttenminutestoolate.Tenminutes?
Wasthathowlongthey'dbeenhere,makingloveunderanironbarktreeonthesideoftheroad?Herfaceturnedscarlet.Tenminutes,fifteen.Thirty.Shehadhadnoawarenessoftimepassing.Shehadbeeninadreamworld,allsenseanddelicacysuspended.
Northcameclosebehindher,slidanarmaroundherwaist.
'Okay?'hesaidsoftly,droppingalightkissonherneck.Amipulledawaywithsuchfervourthatdizzinessovertookher.Sheputahandtoherhead,whichwasachingbadly.Now shewassharplyremindedofthestingofcutsandbruises.Herknucklesached.Herkneesandelbows.Everything.
North'seyesnarrowed.'Suddenlyyouobjecttometouchingyou?Ithoughtwe'dpassedthatpoint.'
Sheclampedahandtoherhead.Concussion.Itwastheonlyreasonshecouldhavebeensodaft.'Wehaven'tpassedanypoint.'
'Weweremakinglove,Ami,'hesaid.'Inbroaddaylight,inpublicandneitherofusgaveadamn.Ifthetruckhadn'tcome,we'dstillbemakinglove.'Hisnos-trilsflared.'Iwishwewere.Iwantyou.Andyouwantme.'
Shetookastepbackbuthedidn'tmove,juststoodtherestaringatherwiththatneedtopossesswrittenonhisface,thedesireofthecollectorforanother
acquisition.Anditwasn'tjustthat,shethought,appalledtorealizehowcloseshe'dcometobeingcollected.
'I'mhalfconcussed,'shesnapped.'Andyoutookfulladvantageofit,didn'tyou?Nothingfornothing,that'syourmotto,North.'
'Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?'
'You'reanopportunist,alwayslookingforaweakness,alwaysworkingastrategytogetwhatyouwant.'Shepickedupthespanner,thecanvastoolkit,andherheadswam,butshestrodetohercar,openingtheboot.Thetoolsclankedwhenshetossedtheminside.Northcameupalongsideher.
'Opportunist?'hesaidbetweengrittedteeth.'Explain.'
'WhenIturnedupasAmelia,yousoonusedhertoturnapotentialdisasterintoaPRtriumph.ThenyoudecidedtouseherasanelderlysoundingboardforyourproblemswithHarry.Oh,yes.YouwerequicktofindauseforAmeliatocompensateforanytroubleshecostyou.AndwhenIturnedupagainasmyself—youhadauseforme,too,didn'tyou?Youneverwasteanything.Ishouldhaveknownwhenyouwereplayingdoctors,tendingmywounds,thattherewouldbeapriceforallthatlullingtenderness.Youinvestedprecioustimeanointingmyscratches,sowhynotexpectalittlereturnonyourinvestment?Afterall,that'sthewaytheworldworks,isn'tthatwhatyousaid?'
North'sfacewasacoldmask,flushedonthecheekbones,whiteatthecornersofhismouth.Hereachedpastherandslammedthebootclosed.
'I'mlookingforHarry,'hesaidbetweenhisteeth.
'You'realwayslookingforHarry,'shesaid,hearingthewordsthickenonhertongue.'Whydidyoucomeallthisway?'
'Iflewbackearly.IhaveafewdaysunexpectedlyspareandIwanttospendthemwithmyfather,'hesnapped.'Atleastthistimeheleftmeanotetosayhewasheadedinthisdirectionwithyou.Isupposethat'sprogress.Whereishe?'
'Hewantedtolookupanoldmateofhiswhohadmovedoutwest.Youwereoverseasonbusiness,andIwaspassingthroughthetownonmywaytoEmma'swedding,soIofferedtodrophimoff.He'swithKenDrummondinSwagman'sCreeknow.Youpassedtheturn-offawayback.'Shewavedherhandinthegeneraldirection.'IlefthimandSpritztherethismorningandI'llpickthanuponmywaybackfrom Catastropheinthreedays.That'swheremyfriendisgettingmarried.
I'msupposedtobetheretonight,'shesaid,withadisconsolatelookatherstrandedcar.
Hewalkedtohisownvehicle.'IfyouwantaliftbacktoSwagman'sCreek,getin.'
'I'llwaitwithmycar,thanks,'shesaidstiffly,then,crushingherpride,said,'couldIaskyoutosendatowtruckout,please?'
Hesmilednastily.'Aren'tyouafraidofwhatitmightcostyou?'
ShewatchedthefrostedmagnoliaJaguargo,itsimagedissolvingintheheatwavesonthecrestoftheroad.Ashorttimelateranotherimageappeared,comingtowardsher.Itwasthetruckthathadpassedearlier.Themen'sgrinsweredetectablefromadistanceandshewaspainfullyawareofhowshemusthavelookedlasttimetheysawher.Halfundressed,writhinginaman'sarms.Andnowthatmanwasgoneandshewasstillhere.Sheopenedhercardoor,undecidedastowhetherthiswasrescueortrouble,whenahornblastedinthedistanceandtheJaguarappeared.Northhadcomeback.
Thetruckhadslowed,butwhenthemensawtheJag,theyspeededupandpassedher,shoutingsomethingvulgaraboutwhattreatsshehadmissed.Iftheyhadbeenofferingrescue,theyhadbeenofferingtroublefirst.North'scarscreechedalongsideher,raisingacloudofdust.ThepassengerdoorsprangopenandAmigotin.Sheheldahandtoherhead.Itfeltfuzzyandachedabominably.ThebigcarturnedaroundandracedtowardsSwagman'sCreek.Itwasair-conditionedanddeliciouslycool.NodirtandsweatforNorth.Theseatsweresoftestleather,cushioningherhurts.Hometoheaven,shethoughtyetagain.Afterawhile,sheglancedatNorth'sgraniteprofileandsaid,"Thankyou.'
'Theywereparkedontheroadsidefartherup,eating,andwhentheysawmepassbyalone,theyturnedback,'hesaidgrimly."TherearetimeswhenI'mashamedtobemale.'
'MaybetheythoughtIwasjustanicegirlsellingmagazinesubscriptions,'shesaid,unabletoresistthebarb.
North'smouthcontractedtothecountoften.'Whenwegettothetown,youcanshowmethewaytothisplacewhereHarryisstaying,thenI'lldropyouatthelocalgarage.'
Amiswallowedhard.Herthroatwasraw,herheadpoundedandshethoughtmiserablyofhavingtomakearrangementsforatow truck,havingtowaitaroundintheheatwhilerepairsweredone,whenwhatshereallywouldlikewastoliedownsomewherecoolonasoftmattress.'Fine.Thanks,'shesaidhoarselyandfeltNorthglanceather.Hereyesclosedandshedriftedoffintoacuriousspacedottedwithbright,sparklythings.Afterawhile,sheheardherownvoice,counting.'...Fifty-one,fifty-two...'
'Fifty-twowhat?'Northsaid.
'Stars,'shesaid,openinghereyes.'Ihavetocountthestars.Oh!'shesaidinannoyance.'Ishouldn'thaveopenedmyeyes.I'velostcount—havetostartagain.'Shelayback,closedhereyes.'One,two...'
Thecarcametoahalt.Shefeltahandonherforehead,adelightfullycoolhand.Amitookholdofitwithbothherownandheldittoherhotcheek,rubbingagainstit.
'You'reburningup,'Northsaidinacuriousvoice.'I'llgetsomeaspirinfromthefirst-aidkit.'
'Burningup,'Amirepeated.'Neverplaywithfire,'shesaidsolemnly.Sheswallowedtheaspirinshegaveher,washedthem downwithamouthfuloforangejuiceandclosedhereyes.'Eight,nine,ten—oh!'Shegaveagroan.
'Whatisit,Ami?'
'I'velostmyplaceagain.'
***
TheaspirinsbroughtherfeverdownandshewaslucidwhenNorthusheredherintoahotelroominthetinycountrytownwhereHarrywasstayingwithhisfriend.
"Thedoctorwillbeheresoon,'hetoldher,pushingherdownontothebed.Amicaughtsightofherselfinthetilteddressing-tablemirror.Herhairwasmatted,fleckedwithbitsofleafandtwig,strandsstucktogetherwhereNorthhadtriedtowashofftheblood.Tearstainsmadeacleantrackthroughgreaseanddirtonhercheeks.Amibitherlip,madeafewhalf-heartedstabsattidyingherhairandgaveup,exhausted.Tearswelledinhereyes.
'Liedown,'Northsaid.Hepushedherdown,liftedherlegsontothebedandleanedoverher.'Thefever'srisingagain.'
Therewererust-colouredpatchesandgreaseontheshoulderofhislovely,finecottonshirt,Amisaw.Shemusthavetransferredbloodanddirttohimwhenheheldher.Staringupathim,shethoughtvaguelythatitwasfunnyforNorthtokisssuchascarecrow.Helikedhiswomenbeautiful.'Ilookterrible.Nothinglikeanicepieceofsculpture,notevenachippedone,'shesaidpugnaciously,incasehethoughtshedidn'tknowhowawfulshelooked.
'Aworkofartyouarenot,'hesaiddryly.
Amismiled.'Good,'shesaid.
Sowhyonearthdidthatpleasehersomuch?Northshowedthedoctorinandwaitedoutside.Mostbeautifulwomenwouldberiledatsuchacomment,andeventhoughshewassick,hehadmeanttorileher.AmiWinterburn.Amostcontrarywoman.Andeveninamess,stillappealing.Inthebeginning,hehadwantedherforthatface,thecreamyperfectionofherskin,thefull,fabulousmouth,thestunningaquamarineeyes.Thatstreakyhairthatalmostcrackledwithenergy.Andhe'dwantedherforherdancer'sbody—tallandslim andathletic.Longlegsandthosebreasts.Heclosedhiseyesbrieflyanddidhomagetoherbreasts.Abeautifulwoman,AmiWinterburn.Adesirablewoman.Hewantedher.But.
Butitwasn'tgoingtobeenough,hethoughtsuddenly,inastonishment.Topleasureherandtakepleasurefromher.Itwouldbeextraordinary,exhilarating.HispulsesquickenedatthementalpictureofAmiinhisarms,inhisbed.Whereasoncethepicturehadbeenagoal,anendinitself,nowhefeltacuriousincompletenessaboutit.Notenough?Whynot?Nowthatheknewshewantedhim,nowthathehadcomeclosetohavingwhathewantedfromher,therewassomethingelseeludinghim.Hermind,hethought,tryingtogetalaughoutofit.HowmanymenthoughtaboutAmiWinterburn'smindwhenthatlovelyexteriorwassodistracting?Butthetruthwas,hedidn'tquiteknowwhatorwhohewasdealingwith.Hell,hehadn'tevensentherflowersyet.Northconsideredtheomissioninsurprise.Itwaswhatheusuallydidwhenhewasinterestedinawoman.Flowers.FlytoMelbournefordinner.Perfume.Eventuallyjewellery.Itallseemedsoshallownow,facedwithAmiWinterburn.Hewasarichmanbuthehadafeelingtherewasnothinghecouldbuyforherthatwouldimpressher.Itengenderedareluctantadmirationinhim,butirritationtoobecausebuyingthingswaseasy—hehadaveryefficientgift-buyingserviceforbusyexecutives.Allhehadtodowasphonethem,giveadescriptionandvitalstatisticsandaper-fectlywrappedgiftwasdeliveredwithinhours,withadiscreetdescriptionofthecontentssenttohim.Hewasusedtowomenwhorespondedwithapprovalandpleasuretohismerestefforts.OfcoursethenatureofhisrelationshipwithAmiwassuchthatithadprecludedgifts.Shewouldhavetossedthembackathim.Perhapsnow...HeimaginedgivingherdescriptionoverthephonetoMonica,thegiftbuyerextraordinaire—how thehelldidyoudescribeAmi?Blonde,aquamarineeyes,fivefootten,longneck,longlegs,bandsthathadalanguagealltheirown—theobviousfeaturesonlytoldhalfthestory,anyway.Heimaginedthoseeyesquizzinghimsteadilyoveralavishbouquetofflowersoraflagonofexpensiveperfumeandsaidoutloud,'Oh,yeah,'unsettlingtwopassingguests.Grinningweaklyatthem,hethoughtindismaythatthedamnedwomanhad
virtuallybroughtonanidentitycrisisforhim.Shehadmadehim doubttheworthofhisowncareer,nowshewasmakinghimfeelthatevenhiswealthgavehim noadvantages.'Ridiculous,'hesaid.Apassinghousemaidthrew him acautiouslook.Northscowled.Hewasmutteringtohimselflikesomeoldhobo,allbecauseofamate-upgirl.
She'dfooledhimonceandthememoryofitstillburned.Andbeneaththatwrinkleddisguiseshe'dwornhadbeenthefacehe'dfirstseen.Thethingwas,whatwasunderneaththatface?Amirefusedtofallintoanycategoryhe'deverencountered.Shewassoadeptatillusionthatshe'dmadehimbelieveheranoldwoman,sohowwouldheeverbesurethathercurrentfacewastherealone?Neveronetoabandonalineofactiononcehe'ddecideduponit,NorthneverthelessthoughtitmightbewisetobackofffromAmiWinterburn.Therewerelesscomplicatedways,morecomfortablewaystohaveawomaninhislife,surely.Butashewaited,hearingthemurmurofhervoicethroughthedoor,hecouldonlythinkofAmi,holdingoutherarmstohim inoneofthosebig,embracinggesturesshewasalwaysmaking.He'djokedaboutitwithher,usingitdeliberatelytotrytoseduceherwithsomesmalltalk.Uncomfortably,herealizedthat,asusualwithajoke,therewastruthbehindit.Hedidwanttorunintoherarms.Today,whenshe'dheldthemouttohimandsaidsheneededhim,whenshe'drubbedhercheekonhishandlikeakitten,he'dfeltalmostasif...Thedooropenedandthedoctoremerged.Northwassingularlypleasedtohavehisthoughtsinterrupted.
Inherdreams,AmicriedthatshewouldbelateforEmma'swedding.Northappearedandshegrabbedhishandandbabbledoutherfearsthatsomeonewouldstealherbridesmaid'sdressfromherabandonedcar.Then,inthedream,herdressappeared,coveredinplastic.'Hereitis,'NorthKendricksaid,hangingitonthewardrobedoorhandlewhereshecouldseeit.'Everythingisfine.'Inherdreams,too,sheburnedindesertwastelandsandstoodundercoolshowersuntilsheshivered.AndshearguedwithNorth,whoworeacheapcheckeredshirtandwhosometimesstrippedherclothesfrom her,andsometimesdressedherinthemagain.
Butwhensheeventuallywoke,thedressforEmma'sweddingwashangingonthedoorhandle,justwhereithadbeeninthedream,andshewonderedifmaybetherestofithadreallyhappened,too.Amomentofanxietypassed.Butofcourse,itwasalladream.NorthKendrickwouldn'tbeseendeadinacheapcheckeredshirt.
Shesatup,feelingseedybutminusthepainthathadpoundedinherheadandbody.Anxiously,shewenttothebridesmaid'sdress,fingeringitthroughtheplastictoreassureherselfthatitwasokay.Asthedooropened,sheturnedtoofastandstaggered.'North,'shesaid.Hecaughtheraroundthewaist,bentandliftedher.Herhandsgrabbedathisshoulders,tookholdofcottonmaterialcolouredblue,redandgrey.
'You'rewearingacheapcheckeredshirt!'sheaccused.
'Snob,'Northsaid,walkingtothebedwithher.'Iranoutofclothesandthemanager'swifeboughtitformeatachainstoreacrosstheroad.'Hestoodamoment,holdingheraloft,lookingcloselyather.'Nofever.Youlookbetter.'
Amireleasedhisshirt,self-consciouslyfeltherhandsslidealittleoverhisshoulders.Helookedasifhecoulduseashave.Hishair,insteadofbeingneatlybrushedback,hadfalleninadark,wavymassontohisforehead.Thecheckeredshirtfittedclosely,shecouldseethestrainonthestichingaroundhiswell-muscledshoulders.Amiliftedherfingersfromfurthertemptation,triedtofindanuncontroversialplacetoputthem,butcouldn't.Shetriedtohuntdownthedetailsofthosedreamsfeaturingtheblue,redandgreyshirtbutallshecouldrecallwasakaleidoscopeoffracturedimages,mostoftheminvolvinghernakedbody.Hercolourrose.
'Memorytroublingyou?'hesaid,perceptively.
Shebitherlip.'IthoughtIdreamedthecheckedshirt,alongwithalltherest—'
Northsetherdowninabusinesslikemanneronthetangledsheetsofherbed.
'Don'ttroubleyourself.Youweresick.Ididwhatneededtobedone,nomore,inspiteofmyopportunisticstreak.'
Amistaredathim,surprisedtoseethatitstillrankled.Hehadundressedher,lookedathernaked,touchedher.Amifeltshe'dbeenstrippedofmorethanclothes.Shewasbereftofdefences.Thismanhadstartedoffbywatchingherwhileshewasinblitheignoranceofhimandnowheknewthingsaboutherthatshewouldneverwillinglyhavelethim see.Herfistsbunchedinfrustration.NorthKendrickalreadyhadsomuchpower.Whydidfatehavetohandhimstillmore?
'Well,'shesaidstiffly.'IsupposeIshouldthankyou.'
'Don'tchokeonit,'hesaid,movingtothedoor.'I'llseeifthekitchencanrustleyouupsomethingtoeat.Nowthatyou'rebetter,I'llgovisitHarry.'
Shenodded,suddenlyravenous.'Wait!'shesaid,asheopenedthedoor.'Whatdoyoumean—youranoutofclothes?HowlonghaveI—'shelookedoverattheothersinglebed'—webeenhere?'
'Twonights.'
Withasmallscream,sheslidoutofbed.'Twonights!ThentodayisFriday—Emma'sgettingmarriedtomorrow.Andmycar—'
'Yourcariswiththemechanic.ItneedspartsfreightedinfromSydneyandwillbereadyaftertheweekend.'
'Butthen—Ihaveto—Emmawillbewondering— wherearemyclothes?'Distractedly,shepluckedatherpyjamas,lookedaroundinvainforsomestreetclothes.Northputahandonhershoulderandsteeredherbacktobed.
'I'vebeengivingregularbulletinstoEmma.Youhadherphonenumberinyourdiary.SheandMattareexpectingyoutheretonight,sobeagoodgirlandgobacktobed.'
Sheglaredathim.'Don'tpatroniseme.Ihavetomakearrangementstogetthere.Hireacar—'
'Nohirecarsavailable,Iasked,'hesaidsmoothly..'I'mdrivingyou.'
'Butit'sahundredmilesaway,'sheobjected,thinkingofahundredmilesinthemagnoliaJaguarwithNorth,aprospectbothintriguingandoffputting.'AndhowwillIgetbackhere?'
"Thesameway.I'vetalkedsooftentoEmmaandMatt,we'repracticallyoldfriends.They'veinvitedmetotheirwedding.Isn'tthatnice?'
'Emma—how couldyouinvitehim tothewedding?'Amisaidinanundertonetoherfriendthatnight.
'HowcouldInot?'saidEmma.'Hewasnursingyouonyoursickbed,offeringtobringyouherebecauseyourcarwasdefunct.Besides,hesoundednice.'Emma'seyesstrayedtoNorth,whoappearedtohavestruckupaninstantrapportwiththegroom.Andwhynot,Amithoughtdarkly.MattMackenziewasanotherarrogantmaleusedtogettinghisownway,eveniffallingforEmmahadbroughtouthisbetterside.ShedeliberatelyrecalledMackenzieashe'dbeentwoyearsback,ragingintohershoplookingforAmi,ratherthanthesensitivemanwho'dhadtocometotermswiththelossofaclosefriendjustmonthsago.
'Nice?'Amihissed.'Peoplewhoareusedtohavinganythingtheywantwhentheywantitarerarelynice.He'saverysuccessfulmanipulatorandhisstrategiesdon'tendathisofficedesk.NorthKendrickneverstopsdoingdeals.'
'Whatdealwashedoingwhenhewasspongingyourfeveredbrow?'
Amiflushed.'IknowIsoundungrateful,butyoudon'tknowhim.TherearenofreelunchesasfarasNorthisconcerned.Bothheandhisfatherdoit—ma-nipulatepeople.'
'That'snotwhat'stroublingyou,'Emmasaid,eyeingAmishrewdly.'You'vealreadyhalffallenforhim,haven'tyou?'
'Halffallenisaretrievableposition,'Amisaidstoutly,notbotheringwithdenialstothisfriendwhoknewherverywell.'IcouldneverreallyfallforamanunlessIknewhecouldseemoreaboutmethanmyfaceandfigure.'
Herfriendpulledaface.'Youmeanyoucouldbelieveinhissincerityifyouwereplainanddumpy?'
'That'sjustthepoint.Iwouldn'thaveanyproblemwithNorthifIwasplainanddumpy.I'dbeinvisibletohim.'
'Youhavethesameproblemastheoriginalpoorlittlerichgirl.Theonlywayshecaneverbesureamanwantsherforherselfandnothermoney,istogetridofthemoney,'Emmasaid,hergazesettlingfondlyonherhusband-to-be.'Menaresuchcomplicatedcreatures— theyoftenhidethebestaboutthemselvesandflaunttheworst.Ifyouthinkhe'ssosuperficialandyou'vehalffallenforhimanyway,maybeyourintuitionistryingtotellyousomething.'
'Myintuition,ha!Ifwomen'sintuitionissogood,whyaren'twerunningtheworld?'
Thefourofthemhaddrinksontheverandaandwatchedthestarscomeout.
'Doyouthinkitwillraintomorrow?'Emmasaidwistfully,asmanyabridemusthavesaidontheeveofherwedding.
MattMackenziestudiedtheskywithanexperiencedeye.
'Notachance,'hesaid.
'Oh,darn,'Emmasaidwithasigh.Amilaughedsoftly.AtNorth'slookofsurprise,Emmasaidbywayofexplanation,'Mackenziegrewupinadrought.We'rebothratherpartialtorain.'SheandMackenzieexchangedaslow,smoulderingsmile.'Butwe'lljusthavetomakedowithsunshine.'
EmmaSpencerandMattMackenzieweremarriedinthesunshine,inthecourtyardofhishomestead,Falkner'sPlace.Mattlookedmagnificentinformalclothes,Emmaglowedinivorysilk,flowersinherplaitedhair.Alumpinherthroat,AmistoodalongsideSteveMackenzie,thebestman.Emmahadplannednevertomarryagainafteradisastrousattemptyearsearlier,butblunt,bearlikeMattMackenziehadchangedhermind.Ifevertherewasamomentthatconfirmedtheexistenceofreallove,thiswasit.Ithadgrownfrom manythings—instantattraction,friendship,hardshipandpassion,andintheend,patientcompromiseonthepartofbothofthemtoovercomeahostofdifficultiesanddelays.Theyhadliterallyrunthroughfiretogether.MattandEmmalookedineachother'seyesandmadetheirpromisesfromtheheart.Theywereloversandfriends.Therewasmutualrespectandlikingaswellaslovebetweenthem.Theirmarriagewouldbebuiltonbedrock,Amithought,feelingatwingeofenvy.That'swhatIwant.SheglancedarounduntilshesawNorth'sblackhairandhawkishprofile.That,ornothing.
ItwassometimeaftertheformalitiesbeforeshecameacrossNorthinthecrowd.'Yourscarshavevanished,'hesaid.'Isthataquickhealingprocess,orademonstrationofyourgiftforillusion?'
HehadborrowedatuxedofromoneofMatt'smanyfriendsanditwasalittleold-fashionedand,shenoticedcrossly,veryfittingaroundtheshoulders.Amidrankalargemouthfulofpunch,herintuitiontwanginglikeabowthathadjustreleasedanarrow.Halffallenwasaretrievableposition,she'dtoldEmma.Oh,lord,whatafoolshewas.Ifshewasanywhereelse,shewouldcutandrunrightnow.Butitwasherbestfriend'sweddingandshecouldn'twalkout.IfNorthaskedhertodance,shewouldbereadywitharefusal.
'Oh,it'spureillusion,'shesaid,rallyingwithalighttoneandholdingoutherhandtodisplaythetouched-upscars.'Thescarsarestillthere.Youcanseethemifyoulookclosely.'
'Youcarrythattheatricalbagoftricksthewayadoctorcarrieshismedicalbag,'hesaid,and,lookingataverybrown,verylinedwomaninhersixties,saiddryly,'I'mtemptedtothinkthat'smoreofyourworkandthatshe'sreallyonlytwenty-six.'
Emmalaughed.'No.JoyceisMatt'saunt,thegenuinearticle.'
'Thegenuinearticle,'herepeated,givingAmianoddlookthatskimmedoverherclassicallyknottedhairwiththesprayofdelicateflowers,herpalegreensilktabardandskirt.Foramomentshewascertainhewasabouttoaskhertodanceandherheartbeatquickened.Instead,hesaid,'Imustmaketheacquaintanceofthisrarecreature.'
Withthatheexcusedhimselfandafewmomentslater,AmisawhimdancingwithJoyce.Afterthat,hedancedwithanynumberofappreciativewomen,someyoung,someold.HeneverdidaskAmitodancealthoughsheremainedreadywitharefusalallevening.Itnettledherthatshedidn'thaveachancetosaynotohim.Andthat,bystayingawayfrom her,hehadmanagedtodominateherthoughtsjustasmuchashewouldhadhepursuedher.
ThebridethrewherbouquetanditwascaughtbySaraHardy,alocalwomanandwriterwhohadfoundunexpectedsuccesswithEmma'sproductionofherfirstplay.Shepluckedasinglerosefromthebouquetandtosseditbacktothebrideinthanks.
EmmaandMattflewawayinhishelicopterandtheguestspartiedonforawhilethengraduallydriftedhomeuntil"onlythoseguestsstayingovernightatMatt'shomesteadwereleft.Aftercoffee,Amiwenttobed,leavingtheothersdrinkingbrandyandplayingpoker.Northdidn'tevenlookupwhenshesaidgood-night,justmutteredapreoccupied,"Night.'Whichwasfinebyher.Justfine.Amishoweredandslippedintoasilknightshift,reflectingthatshe'dgotaccustomedtobeingpursuedandthissuddenchangeforthebettertooksomeadjustingto.Theviralillnesshadlefthermoretiredthanusualandshedriftedintoarestlesssleepdominatedbydreamsofscarsandtighttuxedos.
CHAPTEREIGHT
SHEwokewithasuddenthirsthourslaterandfoundthetumbleronherbedsidetableempty.Halfasleep,shewentintotheadjacentbathroomtofilltheglass,navigatingherwaybythemoonlightfloodinginfrom theuncurtainedwindows.Whenshecameback,Northwasbyheropenbedroomdoor.
Hewasshoulderedinagainstthedoorframe,thepictureofdisreputableglamour—inneedofashave,hisruffledshirtopenhalfwaydownhischest,hisbow tiehangingunknottedunderhiscollar,traditionalbracesholdinghisborrowedpantsafractiontoohigh.'BeautifulAmi,'hesaid,crinklinghiseyes.'CanIhavethisdance?'
Herheartthudded.'Areyoudrunk?'shesaid.
'Justafewbrandies.'Helookedappreciativelyatthethin-strappednightshift,whichonlyjustcoveredherthighs.Amiwentintoherroom,setdownthewater
andsnatchedupherrobeandwhenshelookedback,Northhadsteppedinsideandclosedthedoor.
'Everyone'sgonetobed,'hesaid.'Don'twanttodisturbthem.'Heputafingeronhislipsintheclassicmannerandshemighthavelaughedexceptthathisef-fortsnottodisturbotherssodisturbedher.Pullingherwraparoundherselfshebeltedittightly,asifshemightsuppressanyresponsetothisboyish,captivatingKendrick.
Heeyedherbed,whichwasintheusualriotoustangle.Bynowhewaswellandtrulyawarethatherrumpledsheetswereroutine,nottheresultof'heavynights.'
'It'snearlythreeinthemorning.Whyareyouhere?'
'Totellyouwe'redrivingbackatninetomorrow.Okay?'
Shenodded.
Northheldouthishands.'Andtoaskyoutodance.'
Shegavehimasnortofimpatience.'It'sabitlateforthat.Youshouldhaveaskedmeearlier,whenthebandwasplaying,butyouweretoobusybeingMrPopularity.'
'Iwantedtoaskyoutodancebut—thoughtitbestnotto.Can'tkeepmydistanceifI'mholdingyouinmyarms,canI?'
Herpulsesthunderedinherears.'Why,suddenly,doyouwanttokeepyourdistance?'
'You'retoomuchforme,'hesaidseriously.'BettertosticktosomeonelikeFran.IknowFran,understandher,understandwhatmotivatesher.Can'tfigureyouout.Mightneverknowwhat'sunderneath.'Hereachedoutanddrewafingeroverhercheekbone,downtoherchin,almostasifheexpectedtheskintopeelofflikeamask.'IsthistherealAmiWinterburntonight?Lookslikeatemptress,actslikeaseverenurse?'
'Atemptress?'shesnapped.Well,then,lethimsticktoFranandthatbarrenrelationship,shethoughtinsuddenrage.Theycouldformacorporation.PoorFrancesca,shethoughtinsuddensympathy.
Heputahandtoherwaist.'Shallwewaltz?'hesaidironically.'Wewaltzwelltogether.'
Hishandprintwassurelyetchedontoherskin.He'sgoingtosticktoFran,sheremindedherself.Hestillwantsyoubuthe'snotgoingtochaseyouanymore.What,shewondered,hadmadeNorthabandonthechase?Butitwas
theconvictionthathehadthatstoppedherpullingaway.Itmightbethelasttimehetouchedher.'IfI'm toomuchforyouandyouwanttokeepyourdistance,whyaskmetodancenow?'
Northpulledherclose,lookeddownatheraffectionately.'I'm drunk,'heexplained,grinning.
Shegaveashakylaughbutthelaughterquicklydiedasheclaspedherhandandhuncheddown,cheektocheek,shufflinghisfeetinaparodyofdancing.'Mm,'hemurmured,nuzzlingherneck.'AmiWinterburn,'hesaid,rollinghernameoutlikethefirstlineofapoem.Heoftensaidherfullnamelikethat,asiftherewassomethingelsetocomeafteritifhecouldjustthinkofthenextfine.
Amiattemptedtofreeherself,butshewashalf-heartedandintheprocessherarmsslippedaroundhisbroadbackandhermouthtouchedhisneckandthescentofhisskinassailedher.Amiclosedhereyes.Justonecuddlewhilehewasinthisodd,boyishmood.LuckyFrancesca,shethought,knifedbyjealousy.Theyshuffledafewstepsthisway,thenthat,andsuddenlyNorthstopped.Helookedather,hishairfallingoverhisforehead,andshesawtheglitterofdesireinhiseyes.
'AmiWinterburn,'hewhispered,layingahandalongthesideofherface,andhernamehungthere,oddlyunfinished,ashestrokeddownward,pluckedtheendofthesilkybeltandunravelledit.Athisfeather-lighttouch,therobeslitheredfromhershoulders.Northheldherclose,benthisheadtonuzzleinclose,gatheredupahandfulofhairtoexposeherneckforhiskiss.Itwastoomuch—thesilkencaressofhispalm throughhershift,theplayofhisfingersthroughherhair,themoistwarmthofhismouthonherskin.Heslippedtheshiftoverherhead,tosseditintotheairanditflutteredinfilmyslowmotiontothefloor.Hedrewbacktolookather,nakednowexceptforbriefs.'BeautifulAmi,'hesaid.Inanewdance,theycircled,lockedineachother'sgaze.Amifelttheedgeofthebedbehindherandsatdown.Northkneltandranhishandsoverherinadelicate,tormentingexploration.'Superb,'hesaidashekissedherthigh.'Magnificent—'hebreathed,hisheadatherbreasts.AndAmiarchedback,barelysupportingherselfashesuckledandfondledandpleasurerippledthroughherbody.Asighbrokefromher.Northlaughedsoftlyandstooduptopullhisshirtfreeofhiswaistband.Moonlightthrewshadowsdownonesideofhisbody,accentuatingthehollowbeneathhiscollarbone,thesculpturedcurveofhischestandthesmall,neatnipples.Herfingerstingled.Amireachedupandstrokedthejunctionofhisneckandshoulder.North'seyesclosed.'DothatagainwhenIhavemyhandsfree,'hesaidhuskilyandhurriedtogetthecufflinks
fromhisshirtsleeves.Shestoodandputhermouthtothesameplaceandhegroanedandgaveadelicateshiver,liftinghisshoulderintoadefensivecurve.
'Howtomakeanangleintoacurve,'shewhisperedagainsthisneck.
'Physicsatatimelikethis?'hesaidhuskily,doublinghisefforts.'Damnallcufflinks!'
Smiling,sheletherfingerstraillower,tohiswaist.North'schestheaved.Lookingathim,seeingtheexpressionofdeliciousstrainonhisface,shefeltaheadyrushofpower.Shedippedlowerstilluntilsheheldhiminthepalmsofherhands.
Hemutteredsomethingunderhisbreath,ferociouslyshookhisshirtsleevesfree.Laughingsoftly,shestretchedoutonthebedandwatchedhim inthemoonlight,admiringtheaestheticlinesofhisshouldersandarms,anticipatinghisstrength,alazysensualitycirculatinginherbody.Sheheardthesoftburrofazip,therustleofhistrousers,aclatterasametalbracesclipcaughttheframeofthebed.Thenthebedbouncedunderhisweightandshewasinhisarms,kissinghimwildly,lostinastarryspace.Hegraspedherhipsandtiltedherevocativelyagainsthim,anunnecessaryactionforshewasalreadybreathlesswiththecolumnedpromiseofthebeautiful,powerfulbodybeneathher.Northtooksomedeepbreaths,whichsherodeindeliciousanticipation.
'Ami,'hemurmured.Hisstrongbandswereinherhair,gatheringitupwithtenderness,forcinghereyelidsclosedwiththesheerhypnoticpleasureofthesmallcaressesonherscalp.'Isitsafe?'
Safe.Sherubbedhercheekagainsthishand,asmindlessandsensualasacat.'Safeforwhat?'
'Forustomakelove.'
Shesmiled.SexyNorthKendrickwasalsothoughtfulandresponsible.Shefeltasurgeofloveforhim.'Yes.Thankyouforasking.'Shekissedhimpassionatelythenslidoffthebedtostepfromherbriefs,deliberatelyslowingthemoment,lettingtheanticipationbuild.
'Mm,'Northgroaned,watchingher.Herolledonhissideandreachedouttocurveahandtoherthigh.'Exquisite,'hesaid.
Itwasasifsomethingswitchedinherhead.Shelookeddownathim,sawtheheavy-liddedlookoftheloverandherbodythrobbedinresponse.Butwhenheraisedhiseyestoherface,shesawtheglitteroftriumphthere.Andhereshewas,asfrozenasoneofthebronzetorch-bearersoutsidehishotel,withhishandonherinownership.Hisfingertipsmovedgentlyonherskinasifhewas
appreciatingherflesh-and-bloodsmoothnessthewayhe'dappreciatedthesmoothnessofthebronze.Beautiful.Magnificent.Exquisite.Shewasalmostpartofhiscollection.Shereversedthedirectionofherbriefs.'MaybeIshouldbeholdingatorch,'shesaid,raisingherarm,strikingapose.
Northstaredather,hisspurnedhandpoisedinafrozencaress.'Atorch!'
'Orasheafofwheatorsomething,'shemuttered.Ignoringthesilkshiftonthefloor,shesnatchedupherrobeandturnedherbacktoputiton.Wasthereany-thingmoreembarrassingthanreclaimingincoldsobernesstheclothesdiscardedinmindlesspassion?Shewinced,switchedonthebedlampandgaveherselfafewmomentsbeforeshelookedatNorth.Hewashitchedupononearm,hishairblackasnight,hislong,muscularbodygoldeninthelamplight.Amiclosedhereyesasherresolveweakened.
'Wheat?'herepeatedcarefully.'Youdidsay—wheat?'
'You'reverygood,'shesaidcoolly.
Hiseyesnarrowed.'Youstoppedbeforeyoufoundoutjusthowgood.'
Sheflushed.'Youshouldbeonthestage,North.Youhadmereallybelievinginthatboyish,affectionatepersona.'
'DidI?'hesaidharshly.
'Youaren'tdrunk.Idaresayyou'vehadabrandyortwobutyou'recoldsoberandascalculatingasever.'
Northgotupandputhishandsonhiships.Aformidablesight,almostnakedashewas.Hishandsslanteddownandinwardlikearrowsandsheturnedawayasherbodymournedthepleasuresshewasrejecting.
'Youdointendtoenlightenme,Ihope?Idon'tknowwhatthehellyou'retalkingabout.'
'Oh,yes,'shesaidwhirlingaround,pickinguphisclothes,herfaceburningassherememberedhelpinghimoffwithhisshirt,aidingandabettinghiminherownacquisition.'Itwasagoodidea—agreatidea.Thisiswhatyou'vebeenaimingforsincethemomentyoudecidedyouhadtopaymebackforhumiliatingyou.Youhadtohaveme!KendricktheConqueror!Allthatrubbishabouttruces!JustKendricktacticslikethecharminglittle-boy-lostact—soappealingandfrankbecauseyou'vehadtoomuchbrandy.Well,itdidn'twork!'shesaid,throwinghisclothesathim.
North'sheadwentbackashecaughtthebundleandthebracesflickedathisface.Hiseyeslookedcoldasice.'Italmostworked,'hesaid.Toemphasizehis
point,heleaneddownandpickedupthesilkshift,tosseditintheair,anditsslow-motiondescentcreatedatimewarp.Amiwatchedit,hermouthdryasthesighttriggeredarushofdesire.
'LikeIsaid,youareverygoodatusingyouropportunities,'shesnapped.
Heshovedhisarmsintothesleevesofthefrilledshirtandshethoughtsheheardthesoundoftearingstitches.'IreallymustinsistthatIwas—am—theworseforwearfromtoomuchbrandy.WhywouldIbesostupidastogetmixedupwithyouagain,otherwise?'
'Soworseforwearthatyoucouldcoollycheckon—on—whetherornotI—'
'Onbirthcontrolarrangements?'
'Isupposeyoucamewithaprophylactictuckedawayinyourpocket!'shesaidcontemptuously.'Becauseyoucameheretonightwithonepurposeinmind.'
Northpulledonhispantsandsnappedthezip.Helookedatherwithdislike.'Youdon'tknowthat.Evenifitwastrue,youcan'thaveitbothways.Amanwhodoesn'tgiveadamnisinsensitiveandirresponsible.Amanwhocomespreparediscalculating.'
Sheblinkedatthetruthofthat,knewshewasbeingunfairbutshehadtopersistbecausehewasstillhereandinspiteofeverythingsheknewabouthimandthewayhethought,shecouldsoeasilygotohimandmakelovewithhimuntilmorning,thenwakeuptofindherselfanotherexhibitinNorth'slife.Therewasthestaccatosoundofazip.Thebracestwanged.
AtthedoorNorthlookedagainatthebed,whichwasnow practicallydenudedoflinen,thecoverletandtopsheetflunginfoldsonthefloor,themattresscovershowing.'I'mafraidI'verumpledyoursheets,'hedrawledbeforeheleft.
AmishutthedoorwithaslamthatbroughtmuffledqueriesfromotherroomsandsetMatt'scattledogsbarking.'HowcouldI?'Amimutteredassheremadethebed.'BecauseIamanidiot!'Burningwithself-censure,shegotintobedtoreflectuponherfoolishness.Butasthedogsquietenedandthehousefellsilentoncemore,shereflectedinsteadonwhatshewouldbedoinghadNorthstayed.Shewouldevennowbeinthosestrongarmshadshenotcometohersenses.Shewouldbestretchedoverhisbeautiful,hardbodynowifshehadnotseenhowdegradingitallwas.Shewouldbeholdinghim insidehernow,feelingtheintimateflexofhismuscles,deliciouslyawareofthelatentpowerinhimashemoved,justalittleatfirst...IfshehadnotseenthroughNorth'sgames-playingintime.Asthesilentmorninghourspassedshetoldherselfitwasaluckythingthat
shewasn'tsomeyoung,foolishgirltofallforhischarmandexpertise.Eventuallyshesleptanddreamedshewasayoung,foolishgirl.
ItwaslatemorningbythetimetheyarrivedatKenDrummond'splaceinSwagman'sCreekthefollowingday.Afterknockingfruitlesslyatthefrontdoor,theywalkedaroundthebackofthesmall,timberhouseandfoundHarryproppedonhiswalkingstickbesideamotorbike,thebest-preservedofseveraldilapidatedvehiclesthatwerescatteredaroundthelarge,untidyallotmentontheedgeofthetinytown.Hisoldfriendwashunkereddownbesidehim,pointingoutsomethingwiththezealoftheenthusiast.Spritzcameboundingtowardsthem,aspleasedtoseeNorth,Amithoughtresentfully,astheownerwholovinglyfedandgroomedher.
Northcametoahalt,watchinghisfather.HeworesunglassesashehadduringthejourneyandAmicouldonlyguessthatthedegreeoffrostinhiseyesparalleledthatinhisvoice.Northwaseithergenuinelyoffendedbyheraccusationslastnight,orjustabadloser.Sheoptedforthelatter.HismoodimprovedwithSpritz'sunqualifiedadoration,butdissipatedquicklywhenHarrygreetedthem.
'Drivingbackwithus?'HarrysaideagerlytoAmi.Sheshookherhead.
'Mycarisready.I'mdrivingbackjustassoonasIpickitup.'
Harrywasclearlydisappointed.'Inthatcase,maybeitwouldbebetterifIwaitedanddrovebackwithAmi,'hesaidundiplomaticallytohisson.Harrycouldn'tmakeitclearerthathepreferredhercompanytothatofhissononthelongdrivebacktoSydney.
North'sjaw tightenedandAmiwouldhaveleftthenexceptthatHarry'sbachelorfriendpointedwithsheepishpridetoaramshackleoutdoortablesetwithfourmismatchedteacups,apintjugofmilk,aplateofthickfruitcakeslicesandatinofbiscuits.'Don'toftenhavecompany,'hesaid,pink-faced,toexplainsuchanelaboratetable.'I'llbringtheteapot.'
Hedulybroughtitandwentbacktocontemplatethebikewiththeothertwomen.Amisighed,realizingthatshehadbeenassignedtopourtheteaasanaturalconsequenceofbeingtheonlyfemalepresent.Asshedidso,themotorbikestartedupwithanancientshriek.Tohersurprise,shesawNorthwasridingit,skillfullydodgingthevariousbackyardobstacles,includingasheepthatplacidlycroppedgrassinthemiddayshadeofarowofcamphorlaureltreesthatstretchedtothebackboundary.HarryandKenabsentlytooktheteashehandedthem,watchingNorth'sprogresswiththekindofattentionandapproval
onlymalescangivesuchanactivity.OnHarry'sfacewasalsoalookofdeepenvy.HegrimacedatAmi.'I'dgivealottogetonabikeagain,butmylegs—'hesaidwistfully.
North,hisblackmoodconsiderablyreducedbytheride,throttleddownandparkedandthethreemenhadanearnestexchangebasedonthesoundoftherevs.AmistaredatNorth,theusuallyimmaculatecompanydirectorandartcollectorwhowasnowcroucheddown,sunglassesoff,pointingoutsomethinginarustingoldheapofmachinerythatemittedanunearthlysound.Thenoisewouldbehorrendoustoamanwhoreallyhadimbibedtoomuchbrandythenightbefore,shethought,unabletodetecttheslightestflickerofhiseyelids.Harryranafondhandoverthebikehandlesandthefairingand,followingthemovement,Northsaid,'Whateverhappenedtoyourbikes,Harry?'
'I'vestillgotone.It'sinmyshed.Wasalwaysgoingtofixitbutit'llneverrunagain,'hesaidflatly.'Igavetheothersaway.'
Harry,Amithought,hadgivenalotofthingsaway.Northlookedthoughtfulandthethreemenstoodinacircle,armsfolded,unitedinthemysteriousmasculinepassionformachinery.AmitookadvantageoftheirpreoccupationtoleavebeforeshewasdraggedintoafightbetweenNorthandhisfatheraboutthejourneyback.Sheleftanoteonthetabletosaythatshewaswalkingtothegaragetopickuphercar,tookhersuitcasefromtheJaguarandsetoffuptheroadwithSpritzbesideher.Thedroneofthemotorbikemadeherlookback.Beyondthestripeofthecamphorlaurels'denseblueshade,theroughgroundofKen'spaddockwasahazyyellowinthesun.Shecaughtaglimpseofthebikeinthebrightspacesbetweenthetreesuntilitemergedintotheopen.Amilaughed.
'Oh,Spritz,lookatthat,'shesaid,shadinghereyes.ShethoughtofthatphotographofayoungNorth,hisfaceshowinganxietyandpleasureandpride,ridingpillionbehindHarryallthoseyearsago.NowitwasNorthwithHarrybehindhim,holdingon,makinggoodhiswishtogetonabikeagain.Unseen,shestoodandwatcheduntilthebiketurnedandflickeredfromviewbehindthelineoftrees.
Amiwalkedondownthelane,hereyeswatering.WhydiditmattertoherwhetherNorthmadepeacewithhisfather?Whyonearthshouldshefeelthisflutterofanxietylesthemakeamessofwhatmightbeatentativereconciliation?Becauseshecared.'Oh,youstupid!'shesaidoutloud,kickingatwigofftheroadasifshewaskickingNorthoutofhermind.Spritzpouncedonitandbroughtitbacktoher.Amitosseditintothescrubatthesideofthelane.Halffallenwasaretrievableposition.Ithadtobetrue.Shecouldn'tfacetheprospectoffallinginlovewithamanwholikedhischampagnecoldandhiswomenbeautiful.The
dustylanestretchedoutahead.Thesunlightlimnedtallseedheadsinthewaist-highgrassalongtheroad.Thesoundofthemotorbikefollowedherinfitsandstartslikethesoundofanexuberantinsectonthestill,countryair.
Spritzbroughtthestickbackagainandagainandinsistedontakingitintothecar.ItwasstillinthecarwhentheyreachedSydneywhereshetosseditout.Outofsight,outofmind.UnfortunatelythesamecouldnotbesaidforNorth.
NorthhimselfphonedherontheFridayfollowingEmma'swedding.
'Ami,'hesaidbriskly.'Ihaven'tgotmuchtime.Canyoucomeovertothehotel?'
Shefelttheusualdualirritationandexcitementathisvoiceandtheprospectofseeinghimagain.'Ihaven'tgotmuchtime,either,'shesaidcoolly.'Whatisitabout?IsHarryallright?'
'He'sfine,'hesaidimpatiently.'Ican'tgointoitonthephone.Howlongwillittakeyoutogethere?Halfanhour—forty-fiveminutes?'
'Justaminute!I'mnotgoingtodropeverything—'
'Anddon'tmakeanyplansforthisweekend,'hesaid.
Shetookadeep,deepbreath.Adrenalinpumpedintohersystem."Theweekend?'Theraggednatureofherheartbeataggravatedher.'Look,'shesaid,optingforangerratherthanthisweak-kneedspeculation.'Myweekendsarenoneofyourbusiness.'
'Thisonewillbe,'hesaidsmoothly.'I'mcallinginafavour,AmiWinterburn.Andifyoudon'tlikeit,toobad.Youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tintendtofinish.'Hegaveheramomenttodigestthatandadded,'Ifyousetoutnow,youcanbehereinfortyminutes.'
Shebridledatthegallofit.'AndIsupposeifIdon'tIcanexpectaletterfromyourlawyers?'
Shethoughtsheheardhimswearunderhisbreathbutwhenhespoke,hisvoicewassilkilyearnest.'Iwouldhatetoimplicateyourpartnerintheirresponsiblehoaxthatwas,afterall,exclusivelyyouridea,but—'
'Allright,'shesnapped.'Youreallyarethelowest—'
ButNorthhadrungoff.
Thethreatwaspossiblyabluffbutshewasn'tsureenoughofhimtocallit.Evenifthingshadimprovedwithhisfather,hismoodwouldbeanythingbut
benignwhereshewasconcerned.ItwouldnotbeoftenthatNorthwasrejectedinthemiddleoflovemaking.Inthemiddleofhisbest-laidplans.
Almost-laidplans.
Herfaceflamedaspreciseimagesfromthatnightpresentedthemselvesyetagaintoher.Shehadlethimtakeherinhisarmsagainstherbetterjudgment.Shehaddancedwithhiminherbedroomwhenshe'dplannedallalongtorefuse,whensheshouldhaverefused.She'dsprawledonthebed,ogledhim.She'dcaressedhim,heldhiminthemostintimateway...herfingerstingled.Shedriftedoffforafewhecticmoments.
Howunfortunatethetiminghadbeen.EveryyearwhenEmmaandMattcelebratedtheirweddinganniversary,shewouldbeforcedtorememberherfollywithNorthinthewest.Shegaveawrylaugh.
Thememorytriggersweremountingup.ThewaltzfromRosenkavaliercouldsetherthinkingaboutNorth.Thefragranceofagardenia.Herbestfriend'sweddingdate.Thedog.Motorbikes.SantaClaussuits.Viruses.Cheapcheckeredshirts.Thekitchensink...
Asshedrovetothehotel,shedissectedhiswords,readbetweenthelines.Youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tintendtofinish.Adeepforebodingfilledher.Whatifhewantedtofinishwhatshehadstartedthatnight?No,surelynot.ManipulationandblackmailmightbeintheKendrickgenes,butshecouldn'tseeNorthdemandingsexualfavoursinexchangeforamnestyoverhermasqueradeasAmelia.
Still,shesailedpastthetorchbearerswithadistractedair.Shenearlymissedseeingthetallwomaninthetight,blackleggingsandthebluesweaterwithalphabetlettersprintedonthefront.ButsheturnedattheAvalondoorsandsawtheblondeapproachaman,withanunlitcigarettebetweenherextendedfingers.Amisawherlipsmoveintheclassicwords,'Gotalight?'
Sothatwasherdoppelganger,shethought.ItdidnothingtoendearhertoNorth,knowingthatshedidlooselyfitthedescriptiononhissecurityrecords.Evenifshehadturnedouttobethewomanonthestreet,hehadnobusinessbeingsopatronising,sodownrightarrogantonthedayofthegardenia.Amifeltlikewarningthewomanthatshewasprobablyevennowundersurveillance,butwhenshelookedagain,shehaddisappeared.Thehawk-eyedMorgan,shesaw,asshepassedthroughthedoors,hadnotnoticedthewoman,whichgaveherspiritsacuriouslittlelift.
TheconciergesenthertothefloorbelowNorth'spenthouse.'You'llfindMr.KendrickintheCelestialSuite.'
ThedoorwasajarandAmiwentin.NorthwasstandingbyaglasswallthatoverlookedabreathtakingviewofSydneyseenthroughswathesofsheerfabric.Hewasonthephoneandturnedaroundwhensheentered.Hewavedhertowardsthelushlyupholsteredarmchairs.Amiwasforcedtocoolherheelswhilehecontinuedhiscallandshethoughtbitterlyhowverywellheusedthetoolsoftechnologytogivehimselfanadvantage.Shepacedthelengthoftheroom,whichwasfurnishedratherfloridlywithdivansandchairscoveredinmauveandturquoisebrocadewithtasselledcushions.Onlowtablesstoodhugeorientaljarsfilledwithtigerlilies,strelitziaandjasmine,theoriginoftheperfumeintheair.Thelavishinteriorhintedmoreofearthlythancelestialmatters.Allitneededwasasheikhandadancinggirlwithadiamondinhernavel.HereyesflickedfromthelushfabricstothefranklysexualtigerliliestoNorthhimself.Hiseyesfollowedhereverymove.Whatdidhewant?Whatdidhemean—youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tmeantofinish'!
Heputthephonedownandhermusclestensedashestudiedeachsmalldetailofherappearance.Ifhetookasmuchinterestintheinnerwomanashedidintheouter,shethoughtprudishly,hewouldbeaprinceamongmen.Heworeoneofhissuperbthree-piecesuitswithablueshirtthattingedhisgreyeyeswithitscolour.
'YoutookoffrathersuddenlyfromKen'splace,'hesaid.'Iwouldhavedrivenyoutothegarageeventually.'
'What'sthisabout,North?WhatisthisfavourIoweyou?Ifit'spaymentyouwantfornursingmethroughaviralillness,thenI'dprefertowriteyouachequeforyourtime.'
Therewasapause,duringwhichAmirealizedjusthow insultingthatsounded,eventosomeonelikeNorth,whothoughttheworldoperatedonthoseterms.Hiseyesglittered.'No,no,'hesaidinthatsilkyvoicethatfilledherwithmisgivings.'Ifeelyourepaidthatdebtthenightofthewedding.Perhapsnotquiteinfull—'Hegaveawolfishsmile,asifrememberinghowclosetofullpaymentshehadbeen.'I'mstillpuzzlingoveryourreferencetoasheafofwheat.Itwaswheat?Doyouhaveacerealfetish,orsomething?'
Flushed,Amilookedathimwithdislikeandsuspicion.'I'mverybusy.Whatdoyouwant?'
'LikeIsaid,I'm callinginafavour—youoweme,AmiWinterburn...'Asusual,hernamedidnotquitefinishthesentence.Buttherewasnomoretocomesaveaveryexplicitscrutinythatmadeherwonderiftheroomwasunseasonablyheated.
'Howdoyoulikeyoursuite?'hesaidatlast.
Amistaredaroundattheopulentinterior.‘Mysuite?'
'Yours,'heconfirmed,watchingherthewayacatwatchesamouse.
'Whatareyoutalkingabout?'
'I—feelIwantyounear,'hesaid,walkingaroundher,lookingherover.'Sothatwecanfinishthisbusinessonceandforall.I'llbehereinSydneyovertheweekendanditwouldbe—convenientifyouwerehandy.'
'Convenient!'Apulsehammeredinhertemple.
'I'magenerousman.I'veevenprovidedanewwardrobeforyoutousewhileyou're,er,stayingwithme.'
'Youcan'tthinkwhatIthinkyoumean!'
'Youonceaskedwhatwouldsatisfyme,'hemurmured.'Youcan'tbesonaivenottoknowtheanswer.'
Shefeltashaminglittlethrillthatmadehercuttheaircontemptuouslywiththeedgeofherhand.'Forgetit.I'ddiveintoatankfulofsharksbeforeI'dgotobedwithyou.'
Hisbrowswentupinmocksurpriseatsuchplainspeaking.'IsupposethatexplainsthatlittleinterludewesharedafterEmma'swedding,'hesaidblandly.'Youcouldn'tfindatankfulofsharks?Scarceintheoutback.'
'Veryamusing,'shesnapped,feelingafurnaceheatinhercheeks.
'Youmadeafoolofme,AmiWinterburn.Ididn'tlikethat.'
Amitriedtoreadtheconflictingmessagesinhiseyesbutwasdefeatedbyarecollectionofhiminhisunderwear,bylamplight—thefrustrated,baffledlover.Shefeltsomevaguepangsofguiltinspiteofherknowledgeofhisdeviousbehaviour.
'Ihaveto—howdidyouputit?Restoremyself-esteem.AllIwantisyour—company,forashorttime.To,um,finishtheaffairproperly,'hesaidwithalooksowolfishitjusthadtobefake.Shefrownedathim,suddenlyrealizingthatherintuitionwastellinghertherewassomethingwronghere.Buthisexpressiongrewsosmugthathernormalthoughtprocesseswereblockedbyanger.
'Come,takealookattheclothesI'veboughtforyou,'hesaid,showinghisteeth,andsheabandonedherbattlingintuition.Shewasstilltrappedinthatdangeroushabitwomenhad,shethoughtinself-disgust—tryinghardtobelievethatnomatterhowmanipulativeandselfishamanwas,hecouldn'tbeallbad.
Northwalkedthroughanadjoiningdoorwonderingifsheercuriositywouldmakeherfollowhim.Itdid.Hesmiledasheheardtheoutragedrustleofherclothesbehindhim.Thereweremassivejardinièreshere,fullofexoticorchidsinthefleshypinksanddecadentpurplesthedecoratorsdeemedcorrectforthismostbordellolikesuiteinthehotel.Therewasanenormous,cushionedbedonadais,silk-drapedfromtheceiling.Tasselseverywhere.Northmountedthedaisanddelicatelytestedthemattresswithspreadfingertips.Purecorn,hethought,glancingovertoseeifshehadtwiggedyet.
Shewasclearlytornbetweenfuryandahystericaldesiretolaugh.Buthernormalveryreliablesenseoftheridiculouswasbeingsuppressedbysomeotherstrongfeelingandshefellforit.Northwaselated.HestillhadsomeoldscorestosettlewithAmiWinterburn.
'Youcan'tbeserious?'shesaidscathingly.
'Beingseriousisafailingofmine,'hesaid.'I'msureyourecallHarrypointingthatout.Here'sthewardrobe.'
Athistouch,largecarveddoorsopenedtorevealsomeclothesstillwearingthemaker'stags.
'Ican'tbelieveevenyouwouldbesocrassasto—topropositiononewomanwhileyou'reonthebrinkofmarriagetoanother.'
Heblinkedabitatthat,notawarethathewasonthebrinkofmarriagebutquitepreparedtoplayalongwithit.'Butasyou'veremarkedinthepast,Ineverwasteanopportunity,'hesaiddryly,thinkingofthatnightthatwassofrustratinglyhazywhenhetriedtorememberjusthowithadfelttohavehernakedinhisarms,yetsopainfullyclearwhenitcametoherdenouncementafterwards.Hetookoutagarmentandarrangeditoverhisforearm,asifhewasanold-fashioneddraper,invitingherapproval.
Shedidhesitateforamomentthen,asifshewaspickingupthecluesbutsomethingwasinterferingwithherjudgment.Theconfident,articulateMissWinterburnwasred-faced,hermagnificentbreastswereheavingasshegrabbedthedressandflungitonthefloor.'Keepyourharemclothesforsomeother—'Thefallengarmentcaughthereyeatlast.Powderbluelinen.Longsleeves,buttonedatthewrist.Tinypearlbuttonsuptotheneck.Neatcollarwithguipurelace.
Shespunaroundtothewardrobe,riffledthroughtheclothes.Northgrinnedwhenherstraightbackstiffenedasshegotacloserlookattheharemclothes.A
dove-greydressandjacket.Apleatedskirt,amatronlyblouseandcashmerecardigan.Refinedclothesfortheolderwoman.Monicafromtheexecutivegiftsservicehadn'tturnedahairwhenhe'dgivenadescriptionandestimatedvitalstatisticsofthewidowAnderson.
Amiseizedapairofshoesfromashelf.Hersize,buthigh-cut,lace-upswithsensibleheels.
'Builtinarchsupports,'Northsaidhelpfully,pointingoverhershoulder.'Soessentialforlegsthathavebeenthroughsomuch.'Hesmiledfondlyather.'Amelia.'
Sheswallowed,putahandtoherforeheadasshefinallytwigged.MissWinterburnwasveryslowontheuptaketoday,whichmeantthatwhateverwasonhermindwassomethingveryweightyindeed.Northfounditasourceofgreatoptimism.'Youmean—stayhereasAmeliaAnderson?''Myfavouriteoldlady.Iinvitedhertostay,freeofcharge,remember?'
CHAPTERNINE
SHEhadforgottenallaboutAmeliaAnderson,hadlosthercoolentirelyandplungedheadlongintoassumptionsthatmightbealltoorevealing.Amiclosedhereyesbriefly,wincedattheechoofherbabbleaboutsharksandharms.Shehadcomeherewithherthoughtsfirmlystuckinthattimewarp,thenightofEmma'sweddingwhenthey'dstartedsomethingandhadn'tfinishedit.Withluck,hewouldgetsomuchenjoymentoutofmakinganidiotofherthathewouldn'tnotice.
'I'vebeenpesteredbyreporterswantingtofollowupontheheart-warmingstoryoftheelderlygatecrasherhavingherfreeholidayintheAvalon.I'vemanagedtoputthemoffwithexcusesuntilnow.You'llbeinterestedtoknowthatsinceshegatecrashedmyparty,AmeliahashadanastyboutoffluandhasbeentovisithersoninNewZealand—orwasitCanada?'
Sheglowered,nottrustingherselftospeak.
'SomehowIassumedtheywouldloseinterestinthewidowbutit'snearlyChristmasandyouknow how thepaperslovehumanintereststoriesintheseasonofgoodwill.'
'Butit'sarisk,'shesaid,aghast.'WhatifI'msprungthistime?'
'Thisisn'tlikeyou,MissWinterburn,'hechided,givingheraheartyslapontheback.'Whereisallthatimmodestconfidenceinyourskill?Besides,I'mnotgivingyouachoice.HowwoulditlookifIcan'tproducethewidowAndersoncosilyenjoyingtheholidayIpromisedher?SomenosyreportermightrunacheckonsocialsecurityanddiscoverthereisnoAmeliaAnderson.
Thereareonlytwoconclusionsthatcouldbereachedfromthat—one,thatIwasproperlyfooled,or,two,thatIknew abouttheimpersonationandknowinglymadeidiotsofmyguestsandthepress.I,'hetoldhersoftly,'havenointentionofbeinglabelledeitherfoolorcheat.You'vebeensuccessfulinauditionatlast,MissWinterburn,'hesaidmaliciously.'ThepartofAmeliaAndersonisyours.Playingthisweekendbypopularrequest.'
Shestared.Sothat'swhathemeantbyfinishingwhatshe'dstarted.Tofinishtheaffairproperly,he'dsaid.TheaffairofAmeliaAnderson.Theaffairofthegardenia.Therewasacertaincrazylogictoit,shesupposed.Shecouldonceandforallallaythosefeelingsofguiltshehadovertheimpersonation.Makeupforwitnessinghishumiliation,giveHarryonelastthrillbutthistimewithhissoninonthejoke,whichwouldhelptopaperovertheroughedgesbetweenthetwomen.Ratherthanatedious,unsatisfyingfade-out,adefiniteeventtomarkTHEEND.ItappealedtoAmi'ssenseofdrama.Amelia'sswansongwouldbehers,too.Sheswallowed.
'Surelynottheentireweekend,'sheobjected.'Itwouldonlytakeanhourforapressphotographertotakesomeshots.'
'Twopressphotographers,'hecorrected.'OneonSaturdaynight,oneonSundaysometime.You'llstayovernightandmakeyourselfseenaroundthehotel.SeveralguestshaveenquiredaboutdearoldAmelia.Youhavetuggedatsomanyheartstrings.'
'AndwhatamIsupposedtodoaboutSpritz?'
'I'llspringforthecostofakennel—whichismorethanfairinthecircumstances,'hesaid.'Afterall,IdidnotcreatethewidowAnderson.'
'Youcouldhavesimplytoldmethepresswerebeinganuisance,'shesaid,withasigh.'Idohavesomesenseofresponsibility,youknow.Idon'thavetobecoercedintohelpinginasituationIhelpedcreate.'
'Iknowthat,'hesaid,amused.'Butyouhavesuchapooropinionofme—Icouldn'tresiststringingyoualongwhenIsawyoursuspicionswrittenalloveryou.'
Shesnorted.'Childish.'
'Putitdowntomyatrophiedsenseofhumour,'hesaidironicallyandshesawwithsurprisethatHarry'scriticism stillstung.Hebenttopickthebluelinendressfromthefloor.Flickingherawickedglance,heshookit,slippeditonthehangerandputitaway.Amihadtopressherlipstogethertoholdbackalaughattherecollectionofherself,flingingittothefloorasifitwasablacklacenegligeewithstringsattached.
'Youmadequiteafewassumptionsthere,'hecommented,touchingalongspikeoforchids.Theflowerstrembledandhepluckedone,casuallyraisedittohisnoseastheywalkedouttothesittingroom.'JumpedtoconclusionsthatI'dinveigledyouheretoforceyouintobedwithme.'Hepaused,lookedexpectantlyatherbutsherefusedtobite.'Psychologicallyspeaking,wetendtomakeassumptionsbasedonwhatwefearmighthappen,oronwhatwewanttohappen.Whichwasitinthiscase—maybeabitofboth?'
'Maybeyoushouldapplythattheorytosomeofyourownassumptions,North,'sheretorted.'You'vejumpedtoconclusionsalmosteverytimeyou'vemetme.Andeverytimethey'veledyoutowanttothrow meout.'Shepausedalongsidehim,lookedmockinglyathim.'Psychologicallyspeaking,wetendtowanttoexcludethingsthatfrightenus,oraretoocomplexforustodealwith.Whatwasitinmycase,North?Maybeacombinationofboth?'
'Touché,'hemurmured,staringintohereyes.
Itirritatedher,thatpolite,sportsmanlikeacknowledgmentofapointscored—thekindofgraciousnessextendedbychampionswhoknewtheywouldwinintheendanywayandcouldaffordtobegenerous.Butthespurtofirritationwasnotenoughtosetherfeetmoving.Herheightenedsensespickedupaheadydriftofjasmine,thefaint,risingsoundsofthecitythroughtheopenterracedoors,thetremorofthebreezeinthesheer,swathedcurtains.Shestoodthere,heldinsomemysteriouscommunicationthatwaschangingnaturesecondbysecond.Puzzled,shesoughttodescribeit,butitseemedindependentofanywordstheyhadexchanged.Inhisgreyeyesshesaw thesamefaintsurprise,followedbyacceptance.Apleasantwarmthcametoher,andthemagneticpullofattraction.North,shethought,asifitwasonamap.Adirection.Adestination.MagneticNorth.
Theymovedatthesametime,headstilteduntiltheirlipsmet.Ascarce,tendertouchasiftheywereteenagersanditwastheirfirstkiss.Northsighedandshefeltthewarm rushofhisbreathinhermouth.Againtheykissed,leisurely,equallyopenonetotheother.Therewasnootherpointofcontactbetweenthem,justmouthonmouth,tonguespeakingdirecttotonguewithnodistractions.Language seemed obsolete.There wassimply thistender,
electrifying,intensecommunicationonsomelevelAmihadneverbeforeencountered.Inperfectsynchronisation,theymovedapartagain,seeingtheshakenrealizationineachother'seyes,thatsomethingnew hadhappened,somethingthattranscendedanythingthatwentbefore.Ami'schestfelttight,emotionwelledupinherandforamomentshethoughtshemightcryatthepuzzlingsenseofsomethingbeautifulandelusive.
Northsavedherfromanythingsofoolish.Hebrokethecontact,leanedoverandtuckedtheorchidintoherhair.
'Iwon'tthrowyououtthisweekend,'hesaid,givingherfacealittlepat.
Somuchforamysterious,mutualcommunication,shethought,deridingherself.Somuchfortranscendenceandrecognitionandsomeelevatedleveloftransmissionbetweentwopeople.ItwasallskillandtechniqueforNorthanditwasallwishfulthinkingonherparttoimagineitwasanythingelse.
Itwasonlywhenshegotbacktotheshopthatsherealizedwhysomanypeoplehadstaredatheralongtheway.North'sorchidwasstilltuckedbehindherear,markinghisplace.Onceagainsheremovedittoolateandwasonlyprevented from throwingitoutbyHelen,whonevergotorchidsand,scandalisedbythewaste,snatchedittothesafetyofawaterglasswhereitmock»]Amifortheremainderoftheday.
AmidulymadeherappearancesinthehotelonSaturdayafternoon,togivecredencetotheideathatAmeliaAndersonwasaguest.AccompaniedbyNorth,shedrankcoffeeinthecoffeeshopwherehehadhisrevengebyinsistingonanin-depthdiscussionoflampshademakingwhichtestedherpowersofinvention.ShevisitedtheindoorpoolandwasintroducedtoseveralguestsbyasolicitousNorthwhowatchedherperformancecriticallywiththesatisfactionofonewhowasinonthejokeatlast.OnSaturdayevening,whenherskinwasitchingfromthelongcontactwithadhesive,sheposedforanumberofshots,endingupintherestaurant,wherethenewspaperphotographertookshotsofthepension»beingwinedanddinedbythebenevolententrepreneur.TheentirebusinesshadthehallmarkofNorth'sorganizationuponit.Itwashewhodecidedwhereshewouldbephotographed,toensurethebestpossibleconditionsfordeception,andforonceshewaspleasedthathishigh-handednessinvitednoargumentfromthecameraman.AreporterturnedupandAmihadreasontobegratefulagain,thistimeforthesemiinvisibilityofanoldwoman,evenonesupposedlyinthelimelight.Northhardlylethersayawordandtheyoungmalereporterdidn'tfinditoddatall,thatamanwasrunningtheshowandspokeonbehalfofawomantwicehisage.
Becauseoftheinterestgeneratedamongstotherpatrons,Northinsistedthattheysitthroughtheremainderofdinnerafterthepresshadgone,whenAmiwasbreakinghernecktoescapetoherroom andtakeoffhermake-up.Hewasexpansiveandcomplacentandsheglaredathim.
'Wouldn'tyouratherweskippeddessert?'shesaidprimly.'I'msureyou'dprefertospendtimewithFrancescaonaSaturdaynight.'
Helaughedandtookherhand,pattingitkindly.'It'syouIwanttobewithAmelia,honestly.'Hetookherhandandlightlybestowedakissonthemade-upsurface.
'Thewarmandhumansideofbigbusiness,'shesaidsardonicallyunderherbreath."TheveryimportantNorthKendrickbeingnicetoanimpoverished,elderlynobody.'
Therewasagleamofangerinhisgreyeyesashepaused,herhandstillraisedinhis.Heturnedherhandover.'Theveryirritated,besottedNorthKendricktryingtofind achinkin thearmouroftheinfuriating,desirableAmiWinterburn...'hemurmured.Eyesneverleavinghers,heputhismouthtoherpalm,theonlyavailablepartofherthatwasnotdefendedbydisguise.Thewarmcaressofhislipssentafrissondownherback.Shejumpedattheslytouchofhistongue.
Besotted?shethought,staringintothosesilvery-greyeyes.
'Didyousay—'shebegan,whenFrancescashowedup,elegantinblackwithatiger-skin-patternedsilkscarfthrownaboutherneck,itsendsfloatingtoherknees.
Francescasaidapolitehellotothewidow Anderson,avertinghereyesquicklyfrom thethreateningvisionofageandwrinkles.'You'vebeensimplyages,'shesaidtoNorth,anexcitedlightinherlovelyeyes.'I'mdyingtotalktoyou.'
Besotted,Amithoughtderisively,astheylefttherestaurant.Ofcoursehehadn'tsaidbesotted.Orifhehad,itwasanironicturnofphrase.
Gloomilyshetriedtoachievesomeprofessionalsatisfactionatcarryingoutyetanotherperformancewithoutgivingthegameaway.Onemoreperformancethefollowingdayandtheaffairwouldbefinishedonceandforall.ButhermindwasonNorthandFrancesca,whohaddisappeared,armslinked,havingescortedAmitoherroom.Bynowtheywereprobablyontheirwaytosomeintimatelittleplacewheretheycoulddancecheektocheek...andFrancescacouldwhisperinNorth'searwhateveritwasshewasdyingtotellhim.
Harryphonedherwhenshehadfinallycleansedherfaceandlettheskinbreathe.'Comeonupandhaveadrinkwithme,'hesaid.
ButwhenshegottothepenthouseshefoundthatNorthandFrancescawerenotinanycosylittlerestaurant,theywereherewithHarry.
FrancescalookedatAmiinpuzzlementwhenno-oneintroducedhertothestranger.'IthoughtyousaidMrs.Andersonwascominguptostayawhilewithyou,Harry?'
Theoldmangaveawheezylaugh.'Oh,thisisher,er,goddaughter,Ami,'hesaidatlast.
'Thefairygoddaughter,'Northmurmured,agleaminhiseyes.
TheyleftandAmistayedforanhourinNorth'shome,vowingnevertocomehereagain.AsshetalkedtoHarry,hereyewasdrawnfromoneworkofarttoanother— paintings,sculptures,theancientGrecianpotsintheirlitdisplaydome.HowlongwouldNorthkeepthese,shewondered,beforehisenthusiasmwaned?Besottedoneminute,indifferentthenext.PoorFrancesca.
Backinhersuiteshewassorestlesssheknewshewouldn'tsleep.Itwasafterelevenwhenshechangedintotheleotardandtightsshehadpacked,putonsomebatteredpracticedanceshoesandattemptedawork-out.Shegaveupinfrustration,forthesuite,thoughspacious,wasnotnearlyspaciousenoughtogiveventtoherfeelings.Shewouldneedaspacethesizeofaballroomtodothattonight.
Aballroom.
Ami'sheartbeatquickened.Shevisualisedthatvastspace.Itwasprobablyhiredoutforaweddingortwenty-firstbirthdayparty,crowdedwithtablesandchairsandguests.Butitwoulddonoharmtolook.Shepulledonalongsweateroverhertights,cinchedherhairintoaponytailandmadeherwaytotheAvalonballroom.Itwasemptysaveforclusteredtables,alecternandstackedchairsatoneendleftoverfromaconference.
Shefoundaswitch,turnedonsomerecessedlighting,whichshedacandle-likeglowalongthemirroredsideofthehugeroom.Usingoneofthechairsasabarre,shewarmedupwithsomeexercises.Thensheremovedhersweaterandprogressedtocentrepractice,slow,fluidmovements,thensmalljumps.Theshinyexpanseallaroundherwenttoherheadandshemovedintoquickermovements,travellingthelengthoftheballroominaseriesofleapsandturns,herfeetmakingsoft,rhythmicthudsonthefloor,herimageflickeringalongsideinthemirror.Shestoppedatlastforabreatherandwarm-down,onelegraised
onthebackofachair,herheadthrownback.Andshesawtheotherimageinthemirror.
North.Herheartbeat,slowingalreadyaftertheworkout,bumpedintoreverse.Thesoundofherbreathingseemedabnormallyloudasshelookedathiminthemirror,wonderingifshehadgonerightofftherailsnowandwasconjuringuphisimagelikeafeyballetheroinelanguishingoverherimaginedprince.Musicstartedup,inherheadorinrealityshewasn'tsure.
'It'saftermidnight,'hesaid,removinganydoubtofhisearthlynature.Thesoundofhisshoes,measuredonthefineparquetryflooring,kepttimewiththeboomofherheartbeat.'Ithoughtfairygoddaughtersweresupposedtoturnintopumpkinsatmidnight.'Closernow,hisgazedrippedwarmlydownoverherbody.
Supremelyawareofhim,shecontinuedherwarm-downexercisestothemusicthatwas,sherealized,comingfromthehiddenspeakers.ItwasthetailendofsomethingbyoneoftheStraussesanditconcludedwitharousingblastbeforesilencefell.'Ihopeyoudon'tmindmeusingtheballroom,'shesaidhuskily.
'Isawyoudance.Youtakemybreathaway.'
He'dtakenhers.Amistaredathim,whileontheedgeofhervisionshecouldmakeouthisimageandhersinthemirror,facingeachothermotionlessliketwoinhabitantsofaDegaspainting.Shewithalegraisedandoutstretched,onefootstillrestingonthebackofachair,hewithanarm outstretchedtothesamerestingplace,hishandbesideherfoot.Themusicstartedagain,thefirstcelebratorywhoopsoforchestrabrassfollowedbystringsasthemusicswelledfromtheintroductionintothewaltzfromDerRosenkavalier.Therewerewordstothismusic,shethought.Somethingaboutthenightbeingtoolong...
"They'replayingoursong,AmiWinterburn...'
Somepartofherlistenedfortheunsaidwordsfollowinghername,buttherewasonlythemusic.
'Dancewithme,'hesaid.
She'dmeantnottodancewithhimthelasttime.Thereweremorereasonsthanevertorefusenow.Reasonnumberone—lookwhathappenedlasttime.Reasonnumbertwo—ifshekeptclearofNorth,shewouldbefinishedwiththisaffairinamatterofhours.Reasonnumberthree—shewasmorethanhalfinlovewithhim,buthewasstillthewrongkindofmanforher.Four— Francesca.Five—lookwhathappenedlasttime.Six—Francesca...
'WhataboutFrancesca?'shesaidabruptly.
'Shedoesn'twanttodancewithme.'
'Howdoyouknow?'
'Shetoldmetonight.Doesn'twanttodancewithme,ever,'hesaid,placinghishandfirmlyonherankle.Amidrewinasharpbreathatthatimprisoning,pleasantgrip.'ShesaidshethoughtIwasasexybrutebutshecouldn'teverfallinlovewithme.'
'That'swhatshewasdyingtotellyou?'
'That'sit,broadlyspeaking.'
'Butyouweregoingtomarryher,alwayssupposingshewouldhaveyou,'shesaiddryly.
'Imighthaveconsideredit,inmyignorance,before—'
Beforewhat?Shewaitedbuthedidn'tfinishit.Itwasahabitwithhim,shethought,thoseunfinishedsentences.HehadbeengoingtostickwithFran.WhetherhewouldhaveornotwaspurelyacademicbecauseFranwasnotgoingtostickwithhim.Thiswasnothingtocelebrate,shetoldherselfasherheartbeatspedup.Thismadenodifferencetoher.Hewasstillthekindofmanwhocouldcontemplatesuchalukewarmbutconvenientpartnership.Themanwholikedhiswomenbeautiful,hischampagnecoldandhiscollector'sitemsnewandfresh.HewouldfindanotherFrancescaintime.Buthewasherenow,histouchwarmonherbody,andherbloodpoundedinherveinsandthetempoofthewaltzwasinsideher.Howdidthewordsgo?Something,something,keinenachtistzulang.Thenightwastoolong?ShestruggledwithherschoolgirlGermantotranslate.Something,something,nonightistoolong.
Impatiently,hedraggedthechairaside,removingthebarrierbetweenthemwitharaspofchairlegsonthepolishedfloor.Thenhecaughtherclosetohimandtheywaitedthereamomentstaringintoeachother'seyeswhilethemusicslowedtooneofthosebreathlesspauseswheneverynerveinthebodyanticipatedtheresumptionofthesound.Whenitcame,theywentwithit,slowlyatfirst,lockedtogether,intentoneachother,hardlyadmittingthemusic.Butastherhythmquickened,theyspuntotheexuberantrhythm.ThistimeAmiwasn'tpretendingtobeanyoneelse,wasn'tpretendinganythingatall.Theballroomwhirledby,abluroflightandshadow,theonlyconstantNorthhimself,smiling,holdingherfastinadizzyworld.Withyou,withyou,nonightistoolong.Iloveyou,shethought,feelingtheforbiddenwordsbubbletothesurface,notquitespoken.Themusicslowedandreleasedthem,breathlessandexhilarated.
'Iwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketodancelikethatwithyou,thatnightwhenyouwaltzedmearoundcautiouslyasifImightbreak.'AmithrewbackherheadandlaughedandNorthcaughtinadeepbreath,haulingherhardagainsthim.
'Idon'tthinkIcanbecautioustonight.Willyoubreak?'
Hiseyesglittered,hisnostrilsgentlyflaredandshefeltarushofdesire,aheightenedsenseofdangerandaliveness.Liketeeteringonahigh,narrowledge,theriskoflosinglifemakinglifemoreintense.
'WhatwouldyoudoifIdid?'
Northputhismouthtoherear.Shecouldfeelhissmileonherskin.'I'dmendyou,'hemurmured,suturinganimaginarylinealongherneckwithaseriesofkissesandflicksofthetonguethatmadehergaspouthisname.
Shefeltthejoltofhisresponsetoherraggedcry.Hecrushedherinhisarms,kissedhermouth,hotlyforginganentrance,fillinghermouthwiththetasteofhim.Stooping,hepickedherupbodilyandwalkedfromtheballroom,hismouthonhers,herarmswrappedaroundhisshoulders.
'Letmedown,'shesaidindistinctlyastheystoppedbytheliftandhepunchedabuttonwithhiselbow.'Someonemightsee.'
'Idon'tgiveadamniftheydo,'hegrowled.Hejabbedthebutton.'What'stakingthedamnedliftsolong?'
'AmIgettingtooheavy?'shesaidinnocently,takinganibbleathisearlobe.
Hegaveheralooksowarmthatshewonderedifherhairwassinged.'No.Butiftheelevatordoesn'tcomesoon,Imightmakelovetoyouhereonthefloor.'
Andsointunewithhimwasshethattheprospectwashardlyshockingatall.ButtheliftcameandbythetimetheywereinsideAmi'ssuite,herhairwasstreaminglooseandNorth'sshirtwasunbuttonedbeneathhisjacketandhistiehungoverhisbeautifulbarechest.Northsetherdownandhishandsrovedtheresistant,seamlessLycradancegearandhisurgent,escalatingeffortstoremoveitsentshiversofdelightandapprehensionthroughherbody.Hewassostrong,sopassionate,soimpatientandshesuddenlypanickedashiswillcarriedhertoofast,toosoon.Whetherornothesensedsomething,hepaused,hishandsstilled,defeatedbytheimpenetrable,skin-tightLycra.
'AmiWinterburn...stillencasedinarmour,'hesaidhuskily,holdingheratarm'slengthsuddenly.Hetookseveraldeepbreathsandcurbedhisferocity.Amisawthegleaminhiseyesasheforcedhimselfbackfromthebrink.Hermouthwentdry.Iftherewasanythingmoreguaranteedtoraisehertemperature
thanNorthimpatienttomakelove,itwasNorthdisciplininghimselftomatchherpace.Makinghimselfwait.Shesmiled,dazzledbyhim.
'Icouldmakelovetoyounow,thismoment,anywhere,Idon'tcare.'Hetookherhand,raisedittohismouth.'ButIwanttomakeitlast...'
Hemadeitlastandsodidshe,forhowlongshecouldn'tsay.Atender,mutualexplorationthatsethersensesreeling,madeherwonderifshe'deverknownwhatitwasliketobereallyaliveoutsidehisarms.Northwasalovertocherish,shealreadyknewthat.Astrong,vigorousloverwhokepthispowerincheck,makingitallthemoreexciting.ShestoodbeforehimassheshedthetightsandNorthtookalong,longtimetosmoothherunderwearfrom herwithlingering,seductivestrokesdownherthighsandcalves.Hepulledheralongwithhim andsatonadivan,spinningheratthelastmomentsothatshesprawledonhislap,herbackagainsthisbarechest,herheaddroppedbackintothemellowcurveofhisneckinaposeofsheerabandonment.Andifshethoughtshehadbeenarousedbefore,shefoundnowthattherewerehigherplanesofarousalandhigherstillasNorthplayedherbodylikeaninstrument,hishardheatbehindher,hisfingersmovingoverherskin,fondling,findingallthesecretpartsofher.'North,'shecriedraggedly,urgently.
'Northitis,'hemurmuredinherearandmovedhishandsnorthwardstoherbreasts,whereheproducedsensationsthatkeptheronaplateauofpleasurewiththepromiseofhighmountainsandanendlesssky.Andjustwhenshethoughtshemightmakethejourneyalone,heturnedhertofacehimandshewrappedherlonglegsaroundhimandhespreadhishandsoverherhipsandlookeddeepinhereyes.'AmiWinterburn,'hesaidsoftly,loweringhertohim,inchbytormentinginch.Hereyesalmostclosedwithpleasurebutsheforcedthemopen,watchingNorth'sflickeringlashes,theglazeinhiseyes,theflushhighonhischeeksasheenteredher.Shekissedhim,filledwithloveandapeculiarjoyshe'dneverexperienced.Lockedtogetherinintimacy,theywerestill,herheadonhisshoulder,hisarmsclosearoundher.Everynerveinherbodytingledwithanticipation,waitingforthemusictoresume.Andwhenitstarted,itranawaywiththem,fast»andfaster.ThroughthewindowbehindNorth,theglitteringcitywasamassofshiftinglightpoints—starsslippingfromtheirplacesinthesky.Hermouthwasagainsthisforehead,herarmsclosearoundtheripplingmusclesofhisback,andshethoughtshemighthavecalledoutsomethingaboutlovewhensheleftthegloriousplateauforthemountainsandthenthesky,thegreat,glittering,immenseskythatwentonforever...
Later,smiling,theystretchedoutonthedivanwithitscushionsscatteredtothefourwindsintestimonytotheiractivities.Theyworethetowellingrobes
providedbythehotelandsippedatcoffeemadebyAmi.Sheflushed,graduallygrowingself-consciousasNorth'seyesroamedoverher,hisintimateknowledgeofhermakingthemwarmandlazy.Theheatofpassionbegantoseemjustatinybitsillyasherheadcooled.'Thatwas—'shebegan,andbitherlip.
'What?'Northprompted,liftingaheavyswatheofhairfromherfacewithanindexfinger.'Good,bad,indifferent?'
Hisgrinwassocomplacent'thatshewaspeeved.NodoubtsforNorthKendrick.Nolingeringlittleworriesthathemightnothavebeenasatisfactorylover.She'dlefthiminnodoubtwithhermoansandcries.Therewereeventhemarksofherfingernailsvisibleonthatjunctureofhisneckandshoulderexposedbyhislooselytiedrobe.Amiavertedhereyesfromthem,irkedthatshehadleftthevisiblesignsofherpleasureforhimoranyoneelsetosee.Red-faced,shesaidrathermoresharplythansheintended,'IsupposeIshouldbegladwemadeitasfarasthedivan.Youdidtalkaboutthrowingmedowninthecorridor...'Hercolourdeepenedattheideathathadn'tturnedahairofherheadwhenshe'dbeeninthethroesofdesire.
Northlookedatherwithgreatinterest.'Wasitabittoounconventionalforyou,Ami?'
'Yes.No!Imean—oh!'shesaidcrossly,pullingtheedgesoftherobeprimlyoverherknees,amovethatamusedNorthnoend.Whatonearthdidshedonow?Wouldhegetupandleave?Thanksforthecoffee.Seeyouinthemorning.Itwasn'tasifshe'dneverhadalover,butthiswasNorthandshewasalreadydyingofembarrassment.Itmadeheracerbic.'Itjustseemsmore—civilisedtouseabedroom,'shesaid,scowling.
'You'reembarrassed,'hesaidsoftly.
'Notatall.'
'AmiWinterburn...'hesaid,smoothingherhairagain,andshethoughtforamomenthewasgoingtoaddsomethingtohername.'FearlessAmi,embarrassedbyherownfervour.'
'Fervour?'shesaid,attemptingnonchalanceinvain.
'Youareatigress,'hesaid,growlinginthebackofhisthroat.
'Anembarrassedtigress?Isn'tthatratherunlikely?'
'Youareawomanofgreatcontradictions.Thiscoffeeisgood.'
'Doesthatsurpriseyou?'
'Notatall.It'shardtogowrongwithinstantcoffee,'hesaidequably.
Sheglaredathim.'Imeant—thatI'mapersonofcontradictions?'
'Nothingaboutyoucouldsurprisemeanymore,'hesaid,puttingdownhiscoffeecup.Herose,tookherhandandpulledhertoherfeet.Ami'sheartbeganaheavy,poundingbeatasshefoundherselfinthecircleofhisarms,hismouthlightlyonhertemple.Takingherbythehand,hesetoffacrosstheroom.
'Whatareyoudoing?'shesaid.
North smiled wickedly ather.'I'vegotthissudden craving to beconventional,'hetoldherashetuggedherintothebedroomwithitssilk-drapedbedonadais.Shestaredathimasherbodyrevvedintohighgearagain.Histowellingrobegapedtothewaist,showinglargetractsofverydesirableman.Hiseyeshadthesheenofthehunterandshefoundthatsuddenlymuchmoreexcitingthanworrying.Shewantedtotouchhim,tobeinhisarmsagain.
'Areyousure?'shesaid,feelingarushofeuphoria.
Hegrinned,lethiseyesflickdownwardsonce.'Verysure.'
'Butyou'vejustgotthroughbeing««conventional,'shesaidashedrewherclosertothebed.
'Youwantproof?'Heyankedherdownontohistowelling-cladbodyandirrefutableproof.Andthistime,itwasAmi'scaressesthatbroughtinarticulatelittlesoundstothearticulateNorthKendrick'slips.Itwasherhandsandhermouththatstrokedandfondledandencompasseduntilhesighedandbegged—'Yes,yes-no,no,stop!'Andwhenshelaughedintriumphatherpoweroverhim,herolledoverandspreadheronthesoft,quiltedbedandcoveredherbody,filleditwithhissothatshecouldn'tthinkatall,onlyfeelastheycombinedtheirpowertoclimbtheheights.
Eventuallytheylaytogether,lazilyloving.Northnuzzledherear,said,'Conventionalenoughforyou?'
Positivelyprimitive,shethought,assmallshiversofcompletionstillrippledonherskin.'Verycivilised,'shesaiddemurely.
Northwasgoneinthemorning.He'dleftadozenredrosesonthepillownexttoher,withanote.Smilinglazily,Amiopenedtheenvelope,wonderinghowmanymencouldlaytheirhandsonadozendewyredrosesonaSundaymorning.Hewouldprobablyappearthroughthedoorwayinamomentwithfresh-bakedcroissantsandbrewedcoffee.
'Darling,'thenotebeganinlarge,hastyscript.Darling.Ami'ssmilewidenedandshelaybackonthepillowsandclosedhereyesdreamilyforamoment,thenoteheldtoherchest.Herfirstloveletterfromhim.Shefeltlikeaschoolgirl.
"Thesecondnewspaperhascancelled,sothewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.'
Amisatup,frowningatthisunloverliketone.
'SomethingurgenthascomeupandIhavetoflytoUKforafew days.Damnedawfultiming.KeepWednesdaynightfreeforme.North.P.S.Lastnightwaswonderful.'
Sheturnedthenoteover,hopingforsomethingmore.Butitwasnoloveletterinspiteofthepostscript,shethoughtwryly.Amipickeduptherosesandbreathedintheirperfume,awareofaniggleofdisquiet.Wordshadalwaysbeenimportanttoher.Shecouldpickupapageofscriptandaninnocuousphrasewouldleapoutather,seeminglymoresignificantthantherest.Butsherereadthenoteandfailedtoidentifythepartthatwasbotheringher.Itwasjust,shedecided,thatshewasdisappointednottoseeNorthtodaywhenshewasfilledwithtendernessforhim.Flushedwiththepleasuresoflastnight,shewantedtolookathimoverbreakfast,touchhishand,sharethelookofloverswhokneweachotherintimately.ButNorthhadgonenorth.Shelaughedsoftly.'Iloveyou,North,'shesaidtotheroses,thenphonedHarrytotellhimshewasgoinghome,assheandherdisguisewerenolongerneeded.
'Comeonupbeforeyougo,'hesaid.'I'llsendtheliftforyou.'
TherewassomedelaywiththeprivateelevatorbuteventuallyAmiwasdeliveredtothepenthouse,hereyesavertedfromthemirroredliftwalls.OnelookatherandshefeltcertainthatHarrywouldknowshehadbeencavortingallnightwithhisson.
Asshesteppedintothepenthousefoyer,sheheardawoman'svoice,risingandfadingasifshewaswalkingaboutfacingoneway,thenanother.Francesca'svoice,fullofgaietyandarchnessandraisedasitalwayswaswhenshespoketoHarry,convincedasshewasthatallelderlypeopleweredeaf.'Ishouldn'tbesayinganythingbecausewe'rekeepingitquietjustyet,Harry,butNorthmusthavealreadytoldyou—'Amicaughttheworddivorceloudandclear,thenanindistinctjumblebeforethenextdistinguishablephrasesthatcamesorapidlyandbreathlesslyAmithoughtthebrunettemustbeturningpirouettes,'—secondwedding—sothrilled—forkeepsthistime—whitewedding,justlike..
'Well,congratulations.That'sthebestnewsI'veheardinalongtime!'HarrysaidandAmiflinchedattheheartyapprovalinhisvoice.
'Oh,hereitis!Thankheavens,'saidFrancesca.'It'smyfavouritescarf,I'dhatetoloseit.'
Amibackedintothelift,driventoescapebeforeFrancescacouldappear,waftingthatfilmy,tiger-stripedscarflikeavictorypennant.Secondwedding.Shefeltquitecalmasthedoorssilentlyclosedandsheglancedatherreflection.Nosecretstobeseenintheinscrutablefacethatlookedbackather.Northmusthavealreadytoldyou.
FromhersuiteshephonedHarryandsaidshehadtogo,wouldseehimlater.Stillinanumbedstateofcalm,sheleft,pickedupSpritzfromthekennelsandwenthome,didherchores,washedthecar,mowedthegrass.
ThewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.Amipushedthemowertocutanotherstraightswatheonthehalf-mownlawn.Sheturnedforthereturntripandyankedtheheavymoweraroundwithsuddensavagery.Itwasahotdayandshehadn'tbotheredwithgardeningglovesandherhandswerealreadydevelopingsorespots,butthehurtinsideherwassobad,sheonlyfaintlyregisteredthelesserpain.ShehadbeensosureshecouldtrustNorth.Sosuretherewassomethingspecialbetweenthem.Therehadbeenmomentswhenshefeltawordlesscommunicationinhim.Thetimeinthatgaudysuite,wasitonlytwodaysago?She'dlookedathimandheatherandshecouldhaveswornthat...'Agh!'Hergutturalraspofpainandhumiliationwasmaskedbytheracketofthemotormower.Shegrittedherteeth.Whathadshethoughtitwas?Amomentofcosmicrecognition?Ameaningfulmeetingoftwosouls?'Hal'
Shetraversedthelengthofthegardenagainwithescalatingspeedandscantattentiontothetaskinhand,notcaringthathernormallystraightmowinglineswerewandering.Perhaps,shethought,inpathetichopefulness,therewassomeexplanation?TheNorthshehadcometoknowwasnotsuchalouse,surely?MaybeFrancescahadmisinterpretedsomethinghe'dsaid.Amiponderedtheideaasshetoreupanddownthegarden,watchingthelushsummergrowthofgrassandfloweringweedemergeflatanduniform from beneaththeblades.Northmightbeamanipulative,compulsivewinnerbuthesurelyhadmorestylethanthat.Moreintegrity.Moresincerity.
Buthewasamanwhowasusedtoplanninghisstrategies.Oneofthereasonshehadsurvivedaharshfinancialclimatewhenothershadgoneunderwashiswillingnesstowaitforhisinvestmentstoyieldfruit.SomaybeallthatstyleandintegrityandsincerityshethoughtshehaddiscoveredinhimwerejustanotherKendrickmanoeuvre.Allthatcharm,allthatromantichand-kissingnonsensehadbeenamood-settingstrategy.
Sheturnedoffthemower.Therewereblistersonherhands.Thelawnwaschewedup,bareinpatches,andsherealisedshehadforgottentoadjusttheheightoftheblades.Theoverspillofgrassfromthecatcherlayinlittle,crookedlines,showingwhereshehaddepartedfromthestraightandnarrow.SheshouldhavelistenedtoEmma.SheshouldneverhavegoneandwalkedonNorthKendrick'sturf.
CHAPTERTEN
APARCEL,bearingthestampofaclassyjeweller,air-rivedattheshoponMonday.InavelvetboxwasasilverbracelettomatchtheonesAmisooftenwore,butthisonewasstuddedwithdiamonds.
'It'sfantastic,'Helenbreathed,lookingoverhershoulder.'You'renotsendingitback!'sheexclaimed,whenAmirepackagedit.
'Absolutely,'shesaid.'Ionlyopenedittosee—'Toseejusthowwonderfulhehadjudgedtheothernight.HerfaceflamedasshescrawledNorth'snameandthehoteladdressonthewrapping.Hadhisexecutivegift-buyingserviceorganisedthislittletokenfromhim?Wasthisbywayofreimbursementforawillinglover?Shefeltcheapanddegraded.
'Youtosshisorchidsinthebinandsendhisdiamondsback!Mostwomenwouldgivetheireyeteethtobeinyourposition.'
'I'm veryattachedtomyeyeteeth.'Ifitwasonlyamatterofeyeteeth,shethoughtwryly.Shehadgiventoomuchofgreaterimportance.Herself-respect.Herlove.Besides,manywomenprobablyhadbeeninherposition—ex-lover,ex-ornamentinNorthKendrick'slife.Theonlyofferinghecouldmakewasmaterial,whichwaswhyFrancescareallywastheperfectpartnerforhim.Shefeltacertainstrengthflowbackwhensherealisedthatnothinghadchanged.So,shehadconfirmedthatNorthwasamanipulativebastard—she'dalwaysknownthat.So,shehadmadelovewithhim.Shewasagrownwomanandeveryonewasentitledtoonebigaffair,onebigmistake.So,itwasafleetingromance,allover.Itwasbestthatway.EvenifNorthlovedher,hewasnotforher.Helikedhischampagnecoldandhiswomenbeautiful.Shehadtoknowthatthemaninherlifeappreciatedthosethingsaboutherthatwouldlast,notjusttheoutwardthingsthatbychancepleasedhimrightnow.SherefusedtobelikeFrancesca,checkingineveryreflectivesurface,fearingherlookshaddiminishedandher
lovablenesswiththem.PoorFrancesca.SheworkedhardtopitythewomanwhowouldhaveNorthforawhile,atleast.
Shereceivedamessagefrom NorthviahissecretaryonWednesday.'Mr.KendrickregretshehasbeendelayedinnegotiationsinLondonandcan'tmakeyourappointmentthisevening,'shetoldAmi.
'Surprise,surprise!'Amidrawled.
Disconcerted,thewomansaid,'He'll,er,beintouchsoon.'
Toretrievesomeshredofself-respect,shespentthatnightcomposingalettertoNorth.Shewasdarnedifshewouldplaythepartofthestarry-eyedlover,thelasttoknowthatitwasallover.
'DearNorth,'shewrote.'ItiswithgreatdifficultythatIwritethis.'Thatatleastwasthetruth.'WehavehadaturbulentrelationshipsinceourfirstmeetinganditwasinevitableIsupposethatwewouldmakeloveeventually.IwasattractedtoyoufromthestartandIknowitwasmutual.Theothernightwasextremelypleasurable.Iwillrememberitfondly,'shewrote,herhandclenchedintoaclawonthepenasshestroveforthetoneoftheliberatedwomanwholikedherloversbutdidn'twantthemhangingaroundunderfoot.'However,formetheothernightwasanisolatedincident.IdohopewecanremainfriendsforHarry'ssake.'
Aftersomeconsideration shecrossed out'extremely pleasurable'andsubstituted'mostenjoyable.'WhygiveNorth'segoanunnecessaryboost?Shecopiedoutthefinaldraftandsentittohissecretarywitharequesttoforwarditon,thenaskedHelentosayshewasoutintheunlikelycircumstancethatNorthphonedtheshop.Herphonerangonceortwiceathomeintheevening,butshedidn'tanswerit.Anotherdozenroses,yellowthistime,arrivedattheshopwithacardthatsaid,'Missingyou.North.'ShegavethemtoHelen.AweeklaterabouquetofNovemberliliesarrived.'Thinkingofyou.Love,North.'
Love,North.Thewordsleaptfrom thecard,almostfluorescentwithsignificance.Amiwantedtobelieveit.Holdingtheflowers,shefeltthetreacherousleapofhope.Maybehewasn'tjustplayinggames.Maybehereallydidcare,reallydidmissherandthinkofher.ButtherewasFrancesca.Whatwasshegoingtodo?shethought,unableforthefirsttimeinherlifetothinkherproblemsthroughclearly.Washeanunprincipledswineornot?Love,North.Thewordsechoedinherhead,scatteringreason.Andtostopherselfmooningsheforcedherselftoconsideranobviousreasonforthiscontinuedcourting.Northmighthaveinmindanaffairtorunconcurrentlywithhisengagementand
eventualmarriage.IthelpedherworkupanicefeelingofoutrageandsheplunkedtheexoticflowersinHelen'sarms.
HarrymovedoutoftheAvalon,backtohisownhouse.Bywayofcompromise,hehadallowedNorthtoarrangeaweeklycallfromanurse-helper.AmigatheredthatHarryhadplannedontraininganiceyoungwomantohisownwayofthinking.AsNorthhadhiredacrew-cutmalenurse-helperwithmuscles,atattooandamotorbike,Harrywasenlivenedbyanewchallenge.TheoldmanphonedAmiseveraltimes,anxiousoverhisChristmasplans.HisdaughterandherfamilywerecomingfromMelbournetostaywithhim.'Ihadonehellofafree-for-allwithNorthoverit,'hesaidwiththerelishofawinner.'HadtopromisetogetTheTerminatorintohelpwiththearrangements.HehadthefamilySantasuitdry-cleanedandboughtmeoneofthosefold-upChristmastrees—Isupposeit'llhavetodo.'
Ami'sparentsplannedtoflytoTasmaniatoLenore'ssisterforthecelebration.'Iwishyou'dcomewithus,'hermothersaid.'IhatetothinkofyoustuckinSydneyaloneforChristmas.'
'Iwon'tbealone,'Amiassuredher.'I'veheapsofinvitations.'
OnefromHarry,tojoinhimandhisfamilyonChristmasEve,andshewasn'tlikelytoacceptthat.Onefrom EmmaandMatt,andonlyaninsensitiveclodwouldintrudeonthefirstChristmasofnewlyweds.OnefromHelen,fordrinksinherstarry-windowedlounge.Severalfromfriends.Heapsofinvitations.
AsDecemberheatedup,AmisolddozensofherlightweighttropicalSantabeardsandeyebrows.Sydney'sChristmaslightswereswitchedon,thecity'sbuildingsweredeckedwithholly,Santas,reindeerandropesofflashinglights.AgiantChristmastreewentupinMartinPlace,andtheflowersellers'stallswerestockedwithChristmasbellsandbronze-redfloweringnativeChristmasbush.Silverandgoldstarseverywhere.AttheAvalon,Amisawasshepassedonce,thelollipoptreesweretastefullyhungwithbauble-likeredapplesandthepotswereswathedinVictorian-stylegarlands.Morganhadasprigofhollyinhislapel.NotagarishSanta,reindeerorflashinglighttobeseen.Nostars.Hometoheaven.
AmiassumedNorthmusthavereceivedherletterandcancelledanyfurthertributeswithMonica'sgift-buyingservice,whichwasjustaswellbecauseHelen'shusbandhadflownintoajealousragewhenshekepttakingflowershome.AmiwonderedifNorthwouldbeputtingonthefamilySantasuit.Sheimaginedhimdressedinit,apillowtiedaroundhismiddle,heavingasackoftoysforhisniecesandnephews.Lousy,manipulative,selfish,chauvinisticUncleNorth.HislasheswouldbeimpossiblythickandblackforaSanta.Histeethim-
possiblywhite.Shouldersathleticallybroad.'AndwhatdoyouwantforChristmas,AmiWinterburn...'
PeaceonEarth.
Goodwilltoall.
Amnesia.
Ho,ho,ho.
Salesslackenedoffattheshopastheschoolsperformedtheirend-of-yearplaysandwounddownforthesummerholidays.Shethrew herselfintoareorganisationoftheshop,andfelloffaladderwhileclearingatopshelfattheshop.Herweakeranklewasbadlysprained,andshespenttwodaysrestingit.Hermother,whohadnursedAmi'sweakanklethroughyearsofballet,insistedonsendingsomeonefromtheagencytocook,cleanthehouseandanswerthephone.Hermotheralsosentmagazines,andinoneofthemwasanarticleaboutFrancescaentitled,'TheSecondTimeAround.'ShetosseditasidebutthephotographofthefashiondesignerinthearmsofhermanlandedupsidedownonthecarpetandAmicouldn'tresistapeek.Butevenbeforesheturnedthepicturerightwayup,shecouldseethemanwasnotNorth.Amifrowned,seizedthemagazine.'FashiondesignerFrancescaParelli,marryingforthesecondtimenextmonth,willhaveahardtimefindingthetraditional"somethingnew."Shewillbemarriedinthechurchwhereshewasfirstmarried,willwearthesamedressandbeattendedbythesamebridesmaids.Eventhegroom willbethesame.'
'What?'Amireaditagain,attemptingtoholdbackanidioticpleasurethatFrancesca'sbridegroomwaslosinghishairandhadamoustache.
'Francescaand Antony willcelebratetheirreunion afterasix-monthseparationbyrenewingtheirvows."Thistime,"Francescasays,snugglinguptoherfirstandsecondhusband,"itisforkeeps."'
Amigaveanembarrassedlaugh,mortifiedthatshe'dsobadlyinterpretedafragmentofconversationyetrelievedthatNorthhadnotliedtoherafterall.Herintuitionhadbeenright.Hewasn'tthekindofmantoproposetoonewomanandsweepanotheroffherfeetallwithintwenty-fourhours.ThenewsFrancescahadbeendyingtotellhimthatnightwasnotthatsheandherhusbandweretobedivorced,butremarried.Amifeltasurgeofspiritsthatwanedassherememberedthelettershehadsenthim.Bitingherlip,shewishedshehad
waitedalittlelongerbeforemailingit.Butonreflection,shedecideditwasjustaswell.
Itwasawarm,wetnightaweekbeforeChristmaswhenshegaveherlastclassfortheyearattheShoelaceTheatre.Toprotectherankle,shemadeuseofsomestagecrutchestomovebetweenthestudentsastheyemulatedhermake-uptechniques.Onceagain,shehaddemonstratedfirstonherownface.
'Ican'tbelieveyoucanlooksogross,'oneofherstudentssaidasthelessondrewtoaclose.'Uglyassin-onyourleftside,anyway.'
'Beautyisonlyskindeep,'Amisaidwithahorriblegrin.
Thesubjecttonighthadbeendistortion,theruinedPhantom oftheOperaface,andshehaddisfiguredonesideofherface,closedoneeyetoamereslitanddrawntheliddownward,puckeredherskin,twistedhermouthandslashedahorrible,partlyhealedscaracrossonecheekbone.
'Beardsandmoustachesnextweek,'shetoldthemastheyclearedawaytheirequipmenttoleave.'Bringphotosandfalsehairforpractice.'
Theyleftandshestackedthechairs,gatheredupthewastetissuesinabin,turnedoffallbutthenominallightingintheauditorium.Beforeshecouldremovehermake-up,sheheardadoorshutandfootstepsintheauditorium.Shewentthroughthewingsontothehalf-litstage.'Isthatyou,MrMcShane?'shecalled,lookingaroundtherowsofseatsforthesecurityguard.
'No.'
Herheartflipped.Shefollowedthevoice,sawNorthovertoherleft.Helookedmarvellousandshedrankinthosedetailsofhispresenceavailabletoher,likeawomanoffereddrinkinthedesert.Thedarkhair,glisteningwithraindrops,thehandsomenose,shadowedandemphasizedbythesidelighting,thecontoursofhisleancheeks.Heworedarkjeansandashinyblackrainjacketwiththecollarturnedup.Hishandswerethrustintothepocketsashestaredbroodinglyatthestagefromthetieredauditorium.
'Youlooklikeamoviebadguy,'shesaidwithanervouslaugh.
'Youtypecastmelongago,'hesaiddryly.'How'syourleg?Ionlyfoundoutaboutyouraccidentlastweek.Harrytoldmeyouwereinhospitalbutwereokaynow.'
'How didheknow?'shesaidinanely,asifshecaredwhenNorthwasstandingouttherealongsiderowM.
'Hephonedyourplaceandspoketoanurseorsomeone.'
'Oh,'shesaid.Adeepsilenceensued.Hospital?shethought.She'donlybeeninthecasualtyward,whereHelenhadfranticallytakenher,forafewhourstoX-rayforfractures.Northstayedwherehewas,leaningontheseatbesidehimsothathisbodytookonasidewaysslant.
'Ihavebeentryingtogetintouchwithyoueversince—'
Hestoppedshortandshewonderedjustwhatphrasehewouldusetodescribetheoccasion.Eversinceourone-nightstand?EversinceIleftadozenrosesinmyplaceandranout?
'Youcouldhavewritten,'shesaidstroppily.
'Idon'texpressmyselfwellinwriting,'hesaid.
'Youmadeyourmeaningveryplainintheonenoteyouleftforme.'
'DidI?'hesaidharshly."That'smorethan1cansayofthatpieceofhypocritical,pseudo-feministgarbageyousentme.'
'Yournotewasmoreinthenatureofaninterofficememo—"thewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.PleasekeepWednesdaynightfree,"'shemimickedinadeepvoice.'Youonlymanagedtorememberhowwonderfulournighttogetherhadbeeninthepostscript!'
HemoveddowntorowK,theraindropsonhishairandjacketturningredashepassedaneonexitsign.
'Icouldhavesaidournighttogetherwas"mostenjoyable,"'hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.'IcouldhavesaidI'drememberit"fondly."'
'Well,'shesaid,flushingslightly.'It'strue.'
'Don'tyoubloodydarerememberitfondly.'
'You'reapowerfulmanbutyoucan'tdictatemymemories.'
'Iwillnotberememberedfondly!'hesaidlouder.'Likea—adiscardedteddybear!'
ShelaughedbutNorthstaredatherwithathwartedexpression.Hewasserious,shethought,swallowinghard.Herheartbeatraced.
'WhenIgotthatletter,'hesaiddeliberately,'Ithought,tohellwithher.Stoptryingtophonehereverynightandeveryday.Stopsendingflowers.Stopthinkingabouther.Don'tseeheragain.'Heflickedadescendingraindropfromhisforeheadwithasmall,violentgesture,addedwithself-contempt,'ButhereIam.'
'Um,IwasupsetwhenIwrotethatletter.IheardthatFrancescawasgettingmarriedagainandIthoughtitwastoyou,andthatyou'dliedtomeaboutyourinvolvementwithhersothatIwould,er...'
Therewasavisiblestraighteningofhisspineasifhe'dbeengivenaninfusionofconfidence.Hishandscameoutofhispockets,wenttohiships,pushedbacktheblackjacket.Amihastilyreviewedwhatshe'dsaidtoaccountforthissuddenpowerswinginhisfavour.
'YouthoughtImadelovetoyouwhileIwasplanningtomarryFran?'hesaid,shakinghishead.'Youreallydohavemecastasthevillain,don'tyou?'
'I'msorry,'shesaid,shrugging.'Butyouhavetoadmitthatbasically,whatIwroteistrue.Imean,youandI—we—well,it'saphysicalthing,really,andverynice,but—'
'Verynice?Verybloodynice?'heroared.'Idon'tknowwhatyoufeelforme,butIloveyou,AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou.'
Itsoundedlikeadeclarationofwarratherthanadeclarationoflove.Butthephraseechoedaroundbeneaththerafters,provingthattheexpenseofacousticliningshadbeenwarranted.AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou.AcoupletsweetasanyShakespearehadwritten.
'Well—saysomething!'
Herheartbeatwasdeafening.'I—I—'shecroakedandheseemedtofindsomethingencouraginginherstutteringresponse.
HecutdownthroughrowEtothecentreaisle,movingfast,belowhernow,amanwithasenseofpurpose.Hewaspoweringtowardsthestagewhenhelookedupatheragainandstopped,horroronhisface.'Ami—oh,myGod,Amidarling—theaccident—Harrydidn'ttellme.'
Hestoodstock-still,hisfaceworking.Hisnostrilsflared.'Youdidn'ttellme,'heaccused,pointingafingerather.'Whythehelldidn'tyoutellme?'
Amigapedathim.Sheputahandtotheartificiallydistortedsideofherface,visiblenow tohim.Northwastalkingaboutthat,staringatitin—what?Revulsion?Loathing?Panic?Shesaw thepallorinhisface,andtheblooddrainedfrom herownhead.Norththoughtherfacehadbeeninjuredintheaccident,too.Shewatchedhimabsorbthisnew,hideousimageofherandwaitedinafatalisticcalm.Perhapshewasalreadydiscoveringthathecouldn'tloveher,afterall.Northpreferredhiswomenbeautiful.
'Imaginewakingnexttoafacelikethis,'shesaid,makingastabatalight-heartedtone.Inamomentshewouldhavetotellhimitwasn'tgenuine.Andthat
wouldbeworsestill.Shewonderedwhatwouldhurthimthemost—hishorroratherruinedfaceorhisreliefthatitwasafake.'I'mafraidthisfacedoesn'tmeetyourhighaestheticstandards,North,'shesaidinahigh,strainedvoice.
Whitepatchesshowedbesidehismouth.'Highaestheticstandards!Youmakemesoundlikeabloodyqualitycontrolofficerorsomething.'North'seyesnar-rowedonhersuddenlyasasuspicionstruckhim.'Hell,'hesaid,clappingahandtohisforehead.'I'vefallenforitagain.'Hegroundhisteeththenstrodeacrosstheauditoriumtoasidedoor.Amiheardthestampofhisfootstepsupthesteps,acrossaconcreteapron,traversingthecontrolconsoleuntiltheyechoedonthestageitself.Sheturnedawkwardlytoconfronthim.Northglaredattheleftsideofherface.Heranafingertipoverthetextureofit.'Allyourownwork,ofcourse,'hesaidtautly.
Shenodded.
'Soitisjustyouranklethatyouinjured—you'renothurtotherwise?'
'Ionlyfelloffaladder,'shesaid.'Andthereasonyouonlyheardaboutityesterdaywasbecauseitonlyhappenedyesterday.'
'What?Harrysaid—Igottheimpressionitwasmoreserious,thatyou'dbeenlaidupinhospitalforaweek.'Hegaveadrylaugh.'Thatoldmeddler,playingcupid,Isuppose.'Hehauledherclose,suddenlyangryagain.'Ishouldhaverealisedyouwouldn'tbewalkingaroundwithweek-oldinjurieslikethis,butlogicdesertsmewhereyou'reconcerned.'Andhekissedherwithsavagepassion,bendingherbackwardsbeneaththeforceofit.Hishandssweptoverherbackinaroughcaress,spreadonherrear,tiltinghermoreintimatelyagainsthim.Amigasped,droppedoneofthecrutchesanditclatteredunheededtothefloor.Itwassolongsinceshe'dbeeninhisarms,smelledthemixoffragrancesandodoursthatweredistinctivelyhis,kissedhim.Makingupforlosttime,shekissedhim now,feelingthefrictionofhisteethonhertongue,tastingthesweetnessoforangesinhismouth.Hestraightenedsuddenly,lookingatherwithaglitterofcombineddesireandangerinhiseyes.
'So.Ifailedthetest,Isuppose,'hesaidharshly,underhisownbreath.'That'swhyyoudidn'ttellmeyouweremade-up,isn'tit?Youthought,let'sseeifthismanofsuperficialfeelingsandtrivialvalueswillsayhelovesmewithscarredskinandadroopingeye.'
'North,itwasn'tlikethat.Ihadjustfinisheddoingaclass.WhenyouwalkedinI—forgotIwaswearingmake-up.Whenyousawityouassumeditwasreal—'
'Andyouletme!BecauseyouthoughtI'drunscreaming,didn'tyou?'Heclaspedherarmstightly,gaveherasmallshake.'Allthatstuffaboutwantingtheentireyou,notjustyourlovelyhide—youhadtocheckitout,didn'tyou?'
Shetwistedawayfromhim,angered.'Andthefactis,Istilldon'tknow,doI?'shesnapped.
Hisfacelookedashenincontrasttohisblackclothes.
'Well,then,you'regoingtohavetoworkitoutforyourself,aren'tyou,Ami?'hesaidquietly.'Idon'tunderstandthisobsessionofyours.'
Hesteppedback,lethergo,onlygrabbingherarm oncemoreforafewsecondstosupportherasshewobbled.Hepickedupthesecondcrutchandhandedittoher.'Iloveyou,'hesaidroughly.'IwantyousobadIcouldmakelovetoyourightnow,standingup,onthisstage,andIwouldn'tcaretoomuch,frankly,iftherewasanaudiencehere.'Amiflushedadarkred.
'Butthen,Iwouldsaythat,wouldn'tI?BecauseIknowyou'rereallybeautifulunderthatstuffandtrivial,shallowtypeslikemecan'tcontemplateanythingelse,'hesaidinalow,gutturalvoice.'I'dbetterleavebeforewehaveanotherisolatedincident.'
Heleftthen,retracinghisstepsuntilthesoundofhisleavingfadedintothespaceofhisarrival.Amiwasshattered,remorseful,angry.Tearsinhereyes,sheremovedtheillusoryeffectsfromherface,notcaringifshetoretheflimsypiecesoflatex.Wasshemisjudginghim?Shewantedtobelieveit,butyearsofaccumulatedfearsandthemanyMirandasshehadknowngotintheway.
HismoodwasunsociableandheshouldhavedeclinedLenoreWinterburn'sinvitationtoherharbourhometodiscussthedonationofasculpturefromhiscollection.Curiosity and a renewed hopefulness,which he refused toacknowledge,madehimgo.ThiswaswhereAmihadlived,hethought,lookingaroundthelovelyhousethatwasexpensivelybutunpretentiouslyfurnishedforcomfort.Aclusterofphotographsdrewhisattention,andhestopped,pickedupaprintofaplain,skinnylittlegirl,allarmsandlegs,pushingaminiaturewheel-barrow.Heranafingerovertheface,smilingatthatfamiliar,levelexpressioninthechild'seyes.'Oh,I'msorry,'hesaid,puttingthephotodownashefeltAmi'smotherwatching.Heflushed.Ifhewasnotcareful,hewouldfindhimselfwallowinginsentiment,hethoughtindisgust,singingburstsof'OntheStreetWhereYouLive.'
'Comeandmeetmyhusband,'Lenoresaidcosily.Northwasnotmisled.LenoreWinterburnwasashrewd,intelligentwoman,sharplyobservantandstubbornasanox,heguessed,onceshe'dmadeuphermind.Hischancesofgettingawaywithoutdonatingasculpturetohercharitywerenil.Aformidablewoman.Likemother,likedaughter.
StevenWinterburnwasinhisstudy,alargeroomlinedwithbookshelvesandhungwithstartlingbefore-and-afterphotographs—facessmooth,facesruinedanddistorted.Aftertheformalities,North'seyesweredrawntothem.Hefrowned.'IthoughtforamomenttheywerephotographsofAmi'swork,'hesaid,takingacloserlook.
'Mine,actually,'saidherfatherwithasmile.'ButIseewhatyoumean.'
'Stevenisareconstructivesurgeon,'Lenoresaid.'Thesearesomeofhispatientsbeforeandaftersurgery.'
Northlookedmorecarefully.Notfacesruined,butfacesrestored.'IsupposeAmitookonthetherapeuticcosmeticsbecauseofyourinvolvementinrecon-struction,'hesaid,thinkinghard.
'Yes.Shehasalwaysbeeninterestedinmywork,'herfathersaid.'Fromthetimeshewasalittlegirlshewouldcomeinhereandaskaboutthepeopleinthephotos.Notthemostpleasantsideoflifeforachildtoconfront,'hesaiddryly.'ButAmiwasneverthekindofchildwhocouldbefobbedoffwithprettyanswers.Shewasquitecriticaloffairytales,Iremember.'Hesmiled.
'Icanimagine.Snowinsummer,'Northsaidhalftohimself,movingfromportraittoportrait.
'Quite,'Ami'sfathersaiduncertainly.'Cosmetictherapistsarefewandfarbetween—thestressofdealingwithdisfiguredpeoplegetstothem,yousee.Whenwelostourlastoneandtherewasno-onetoreferpatientsto,Amitookiton.Shesaysshecopeswithitokay.'
'Shecries,butnotinfrontofherstudents,'Northsaidabsently.
Ami'sparentsexchangedaspeakingglance.'Youmustknowourdaughterverywell,'herfathersaid,lookinghimoverwithamorecriticaleye.
'IthinkIknowheralittlebetternow,'hesaid,withalastlookatthestudiesoffacesruinedandmended.Hethoughtofalittlegirl,growingupwiththisacuteawarenessoftheevanescenceofbeautyornormalityandtheneedtolookbeneaththesurface.Inarushofenlightenment,herememberedsomethingHarryhadsaid.Joking,Northhadstudiedastooped,linedwomanpassingbyandsaid,"ThankstoAmi,Icanneverseeanoldpersonanymorewithout
wonderingifthere'ssomeoneyoungunderneath.'AndHarryhadsaid,'Don'twonder,son.Therealwaysis.'
WithunderstandingcameafeelingofhelplessnessthatmadeNorthgrindhisteeth.HowthehellwashegoingtoconvinceAmithathelovedher,therealher?Histrackrecorddidn'thelphim,headmittedruefully.She'lovedhim,heknewit,feltit.Butshehadgrownupwiththosephotographsandthesmall,tragicstoriesthatwentwiththemandshehadhimtapedasexactlythekindofmanshecouldn'tbewith—amanwithonlysomeofhissensesinworkingorder,blindtoherqualitiessavethosethataffordedhimdirectpleasure.Surely,shecouldseethatmighthavebeentrueonce,butnotanymore?Butshewassodamnedstubborn,sostrong,sodetermined.
Beforeheleft,hedonatedanymphtoLenore'scharity.Likemother,likedaughter,hethought,hisheadreelingfromtheexperience.Hecalledupafour-letterwordhehadn'tusedsinceearlyadolescence.'Help,'hesaidoutloudashedroveaway.
ApostcardcamefromEmma,stilltravellinginEuropeonherhoneymoon.Thesmallspacewascrammedwithtouristanecdotesandglowingdescriptionaswellassomepithyadvice.'Regardingthatsuperciliousswine.Don'tbetoohasty.Anymanwhocannurseyouthroughavirusandstillfancyyou—andbe"justgoodfriends"withthegorgeousFrancesca—isnotanemptyvessel.Homeontwenty-third.Havingawonderfultime.Donotwishyouwerehere.'
Hermotherphoned.'Darling,youremembermywriter?He'sabandonedthatbookhewasworkingonandwantssomeonetotap-danceinanelevatorsothathecanstudythereactionsoftheoccupants.Naturally,Ithoughtofyou.Yourankle'sokaynow,isn'tit?Haveyoustillgotyourtapshoes?'
'He'sabandonedthebook!'Amishouted.'Iwaitandaskedhisstupidquestions,whichchangedmyentirelife,andhe'sabandonedthebook?No,Iwillnottap-danceinanelevator!'
'Isee,'hermothersaid.'Bytheway,wegotournymph.'
Ami'ssensesquickened.'Oh?'
'Northcametoseeus.Areyouinlovewithhimasmuchasheiswithyou?'
Sheclutchedatthephone.'Whatmakesyouthinkhe'sinlovewithme?'
'Itmusthavebeenthewayhemoonedoverthatpictureofyouonthehalltable.Imean,Iloveyoudearly,Amidarling,butevenIhavetoadmityouwere
theplainestlittlethingontwolegsuntilyouwerefifteen.HelookedasinspiredasifyouwereHelenofTroy.Poorman,heblushedwhenhesawthatInoticed.'
'Blushed—North?'
'Soyouwon'ttakethetap-dancingjob?'Lenorewentonaggravatingly,whenAmiwouldhavelikedtohearmoreaboutthismooning,blushingNorth.'Ican'tsayIblameyou.I'mnotkeenonelevatorsmyself.Bye— yourfatherandIwillphoneChristmasDayfromTassie.'
Amihungupandsatawhile.Shepickedupthephone,tookadeepbreathandkeyedinNorth'sofficenumberattheAvalon.ItwasonlyatemporaryarrangementandMr.KendrickhadmovedbacktohiscustomaryofficeinCrowsNest,awomantoldhex.ButNorthwasn'tthere,either.
ChristmasEve.Sydney'sweatherwassultry,theskiesblue.Theofficepartieswereover.Last-minuteshoppingandtrading.Christmasdecorationsweregoingcheap.
TheSalvationArmyplayedChristmascarolsforthefortunateandpreparedChristmasdinnersforthoselessso.CarspackedhighheadedinslowlinesacrosstheHarbourBridge,headingnorth,headingsouthtobeaches,campgrounds,holidayhouses,toChristmasreunionswithparents,children,family,friends.Thecity'schurchesproclaimedthebirthoftheChristchild.AmislippedintoSt.James,nearHydePark,toreflectonloveandhopeandpeaceonearth.TheyclosedtheshopatnoonandAmideliveredgiftstospecialcustomersandfriends.ShekeptHarry'spresenttilllast.
Harry'shousewasamodestbrickbungalow inanoldinner-westsuburbgreenedbymatureoaksandfigtreesandwoodyroses.Amifoundaparkingspotinarowofvisitors'carsparkedinthestreetandwalkedupapathacrossalawnborderedwithplumbagohedges.Therewasnoanswertoherknockand,afterawhile,shewalkedaroundtothebackofthehouse.Thebackgardenwaslongandnarrowwiththeparasolcanopyofapoincianatreebearinggarlandsofredflowers.Attheendofthegarden,beneaththearchingboughs,wasalargeshed.Itstimberdoorswereflungwideopenand,framedintheaperture,litbybrightsunlightagainstthedarkinterior,wereHarryandapartlydismantledmotorbike.AndNorth.Amifeltarushofpuredelight,asuddenpiercinghappiness.Thesightofhim,onhisknees,obviouslydoingHarry'sbiddingmadeherthinkofthedayhe'dbeenonhiskneesbesideher,daubingherwithantiseptic.
'No,no,no,'Harrywassaying,shakinghisheadandpointing.'Theotherone!'
'Aw,Dad—givemeachance!'Northprotested.Heworkedsomethinglooseandshowedittohisfatherthenwipedahandacrosshisface.'Ifyou'regoingtosuperviseeverynutandboltinthisproject,IthinkI'll—'HebrokeoffashesawAmi.
Thesenseofbuoyancyheightened.ShesmiledatNorth,unabletokeepthefeelingtoherself.Somewhere,inherreflectionsonloveandhope,shehadmadeaquantum leappastherdoubts.Thiswasright.Northwasright.Iloveyou,North.Hestoodupslowly,eyesfixedonherface,readingthescatteredcluestherewithalltheintensespeculationhehadoncedevotedtoheralphabetsweater.Heworefadedoverallsthatweretootightovertheshoulders.Thereweresmearsofdirtandgreaseonhisface,hishairfloppedoverhisforehead,heneededashave.Themanwasamess.Helookedwonderful,strongandvibrant,amaninhisprime.
'AmiWinterburn,'hesaid,turninghernameoveronhistongueasifitwasthefirsttimehe'dsaidit.Hestuckhishandsonhishipsbutinspiteofthemuscularassertivenessoftheposehelookeduncertain.
Shewalkeddowntothem.Harrybeamedawelcomeather.
'We'rerenovatingoneofmyoldracingbikes,'hetoldAmi.
'YoumeanI'mrenovatingyouroldracingbike— you'resupervising,'Northsaidwithasnort.
'He'salwaysaroundherelately,tinkeringwithstuffontheworkbench.Moreinventing,Ishouldn'twonder,'Harrysaid.
‘Tinkering?'Amilookedatthebike.Notpartlydismantled,afterall,butpartlyrebuilt,whichwasquitedifferent.Smiling,shelookedatNorthashesteppedoutfrombehindtheDucati.Hergazecametorest,askance,ontherolled-uptrouserlegsofhisoverallsthathungincongruouslyoverboots.
'Whatdoyouthinkofthem?'Harrysaid,seeingherinterest.'Theboots.Iusedtoraceinthem.'
Blackbikebootswithstrapsandsilverbuckles.TheonesNorthhadcovetedasakid,theonesHarryhadsaidhemightgrowintooneday.
'Ithoughtyougavethanawaytosomeoneelse,Harry!'
'Itoldhimthat,justtopunishhim,'Harryadmittedsheepishly.'Hewasthickasthievessuddenlywithhisscienceteacher—theonethattookoutpatentsforhim.Hedidn'tneedmeanymore,Ithought.He'dleftmebehind,soIhidthe
bootsawayandtoldhimI'dgiventhemtosomeoneelse.'Theoldmanpulledaface.'Thoughthemighthavegrownintothem atlastsoIgavethem tohimtoday.Andwhatdoyouthink—they'reaperfectfit.'HarrygavehiswheezinglaughandwinkedatAmi.
Northdidn'tnotice.HisattentionwasonAmi,compellingherattentionbacktohim.Hisgreyeyesbeamedawarmthherwaythathadnothingtodowiththebrilliantsunshine.Itwasalookshehadseenmanytimes.Whenshe'dbeendirtyandscratchedanddishevelledbytheroadside,whenshe'dbeensweatingandsickwithavirus,thelasttimeshe'dbeendisguisedasanelderlywidow,wrinkledandwornwithtime.Atherbestandatherworsthehadlookedatherjustlikethis.
HarryflickedalookbetweenNorthandAmi.'Well,I'vegotthingstodo.TherestofthefamilyarearrivingabouttentonightandIstilldon'tlikethatdarnedChristmastree...tooglittery,ifyouaskme.'
'Idon'twanttointerruptanything,'Amisaid.
'NorthonlycalledinforsomeadviceandI'vegivenhimthat,'Harrysaid,scarcelyleaningonhisstickashewalkedtowardsthehouse,hummingunderhisbreath.
ThescreendoorbangedostentatiouslybehindHarry.AmilookedatNorth.Heyankedthefrontoftheoverallsandpoppedthestuds,thenpeeledthefadeddrilldown,shookitfreefromhisbootedlegs.UnderneathheworeaburgundyT-shirtandjeanstuckedintoHarry'soldbikeboots.Hetossedtheoverallsasideandsurveyedher,handsonhips,thathintofuncertaintyabouthimmakingherheartturnover.
'You,theboygenius,askingforadvice?'shesaidwithanervouslaugh,thinkinghowithadputaspringinHarry'sstep.
'Whereyou'reconcernedIcoulduseapanelofadvisers.'
'Iheardyou'ddonatedanymphtoMum'scharity.Thatwasgenerousofyou.'
'Wise,anyway.Iwouldn'twanttostartoffonthewrongfootwithmyfuturemother-in-law.'Hiseyesnarrowedasheassessedtheeffectofthisbreathtakingassumption.
Herheartbeatquickened.'North,whatareyousaying?'
'JustthatI'vemettheonlywomanIeverwant—asmymother-in-law.'
'Theonlywoman?'
'It'sherorno-one.Doyouthinkshe'll—liketheidea?'
Amismiledbrilliantly.AnyminutenowshewaslikelytopirouettearoundHarry'sbackgarden.'She'lllovetheidea.'
'You'resureaboutthat?'
'Absolutely.'
'She'llsayyes?'
'Oh,yes.'
'Inthatcase,I'llaskher—whenthetimeisright.'
'Youweren'tgoingtoriskano?Coward.'
'Absolutely.'
Hesmiledatherandsheathimanditwashappeningagain.Thatpeculiarcommunicationwithoutwords,athingatonceprimitiveandmoresophisticatedthananyartificialmeansofcommunicationdevisedbyhumanity.IfHarrywaspeekingthroughhiswindowhewouldseethemstandingmetresapartbuttheywereascloseastwopeoplecouldbewithouttouching.
'Iwentintoyourfather'sstudywhenIcalledatyourhouse.Isawthefacesofhispatientsinthosephotostudies.Itmademerealizehowseriousyouareaboutsuperficiality,howyoumightguardagainstit.Itseemedobsessivetome,Ididn'tunderstand,butIthinkIdonow.Icameawayadesperateman,wonderingifI'deverbeabletoconvinceyouthatIloveyou—thewholeyou,notjusttheprettybits.'
'Iknewyoudid.Itwasburieddeep,that'sall—underfearandcowardice.Ijustneededtime.'
"That'swhatHarrysaid,whenIaskedhisadvice.Hesaidyoulovedme,thatIshouldbepatient,andwait.'Northstudiedhercarefully,foldedhisarmsandleanedagainstthesheddoor,waiting,thepictureofpatiencespoiledonlybythegrowinggleaminhiseyes.
'Butyouhavetoadmit,'shesaid,reactingtohisgrowingcomplacence,'thatyouseemedtobeallthethingsIalwayssaidIwouldavoid.Forastart,youweresoarrogant—'
Heopenedhiseyeswideinsurprise.
'Talkingaboutwomenasiftheyweremerecommoditiesinourlife—allthewomenyoumetwereeither"tooyoung,tooold,marriedorfeministacademics,"'shequoted.
'Ah.Yes,'hesaid,concedingthepointwithagrimace.
'Youcollectedpaintingandsculpturesandwhenyougottiredofthemjustpackedthemupandsentthansomewhereelse.Itseemedtomethatyoumightregardwomenlikethosenymphs—nicetoownforawhilebutreplaceable.IthoughtImightenduplikeoneofthosetorchbearersoutsidetheAvalon,orlikeoneofyourmooning,palepre-Raphaeliteheroines.'
'Justfortherecord,Inevertiredofthan.Butthecollectionhasgrownsolargeandasoutherncollegehasbeenpesteringmeforyearstoturnitovertothemasapublicexhibitionandresourceforstudentsand—'Heshrugged.'Upuntilafewmonthsagotherehadbeenacertainlackofmeaninginmylife,soIdecidedpublicworksmightbeagood—'Hestopped,struckbyathought.'Thewheat!'hesaid.'Pre-Raphaelitewomen—that'swhatyoumeant.'
'Hasthatbeenbotheringyou?'
'Whenthewomanofyourdreamsleapsnakedfrom yourarmsbabblingaboutwheat,itcausessomeseriousproblemsforthemalepsyche.'
'Oh,really,'shesaidsceptically.
'Ifoundmyselfgoingoverthatnighttryingtothinkwhereitmighthavegonewrongandhowthehellwheatcameintoit.Itwasallabithazybecauseofthebrandy.Thatwastrue,youknow.'
'Ifyouhadahangoverthenextday,youwereheroicallyunmovedbythesoundofKen'smotorbike,'shesaiddryly.
'Iwassothrown,theheadachethenextdaywastheleastpainfulthingaboutit.ButIkeptrelivingeverymomentofthenightthatIcouldremember.'
'Everymoment?'
'Overandover.'
"Thatmusthavebeenveryirritating.'
'Onthecontrary.Ifoundit"mostenjoyable".'
Shechuckled.'InmyfirstdraftIsaid"extremelypleasurable".'
Histeethflashedinacockygrinthatmadeherheartbump.Amiheldherarmswideandhetooktwogiantstepsandhauledherclose,heldherthereamomentbeforehekissedherhardonthemouth.'Womanofathousandfaces,'hemutteredintoherhair.'Iloveallofthem—allofyou.ThereneverwillbejustonefacetoAmiWinterburn,willthere?'Heframedherfaceinbothhands.'ForsomeonesupposedtobesmartIcanbeveryslow.'
'Surelynot!'shesaid,openinghereyeswide.
'ButIfinallysawitwasstupidtoresentyoufoolingmewithyourAmeliadisguisebecausethatwasyou,too,justinanotherform.You'llalwaysbechanging—growing—there'llalwaysbeanewface.Ilovethat.'
Hegatheredhercloseandkissedheragain,thoroughly.'AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou,'hemurmured.'AndIwantyou...andwhileIcouldeasilymakelovetoyouonaroadsideorstandinguponastage,Idrawthelineatmyfather'sbackyard.'
Holdinghands,theywalkeddowntothehouse.
'ComeforadrivewithmeandHarry?'heasked.''I'dloveto.'
'Don'tyouwanttoknowwhereto?'
'Nope.'
'Itmightbealong,longway.'
'Ihopeitis,'shesaid.
Itwasoveranhour'sdrive,west,straightintoablazinglateafternoonsunthatwasdroppingdowntowardsthecraggyBlueMountainsrange.
'Youmeanyou'relookingfor...'Harrysaid,ashefiguredoutwheretheyweregoingandthen,'itwon'tstillbehere.Probablygottownhousesbuiltonitnow.Orbeenturnedintoaminigolfcourseorsomething.'
Butithadn'tbeen.Ahand-paintedsign,proppedonasideroad,announcedChristmasTrees—SelectYourOwn.Downalong,dustydrivewaytheywent,followinghand-paintedarrowspastahousetoanuntidyplantationofslashpinesinlonggrass.Thereweretwosmallgroupsofpeople,onewanderingabout,anothercuttingtheirtree.Theirvoicesandtheringingcutsoftheaxecarriedontheair.Musicdriftedfromthehouse.
Harrysighed.'Fancythat—somethingsdon'tchange.Thesamepeoplemustlivehere.'
"Thedaughterofthepeopleweusedtosee,'Northsaid.
Harryswallowedhardandsaidstroppily.'Betyoudidn'tbringtheaxe.'
'It'sintheboot,'Northsaid.
Harrysighedagainandgotoutofthecar,headedoffbetweenarowoftrees,slappingataslendertrunknowandthentotestforsomeobscurequality.North
stoodamomentwatchinghim,then,smiling,tookouttheaxeandasmallhandsaw.
'Wealwayscutthetreeseveralfeetabovetheground.Thatwayitdoesn'tdiebutgrowsagain.Once,whenIwasfifteen,wecutourtreefromthesameonewe'dhadwhenIwasfive.'
Amilookedaroundattheclumping,erraticregrowthfrom thepost-highstumps,evidenceofpastChristmases.ShethoughtofNorthbroughthereasaboybyhisfather,choosingatree.HewatchedHarry'sprogress,smilingslightly.'Ithinkwe'llletHarrypickthetree.Heseemstoknowwhathe'slookingfor.'
Northheftedtheaxeoverhisshoulder,tookAmi'shand.Astheymovedontotheroughgroundbetweenthepineshemadeamuffledsoundandhobbledabit.Amilookedenquiringlyathim.
'Thoseboots—'shebegan.
'Don'tyoudaretellhimthey'retoosmall,'hegrowled.
AmirememberedHarry'swinkandlaughed,herheartcontractingatNorth'sprotectiveness.'Iloveyou,'shesaid.'Mymotherandmybestfriendvouchedforyou,soitisn'tsurprising.'
'I'vealwaysbelievedinthesuperiorperceptionofwomen,'hesaidbrazenly.
'ButIthinkitwasthegardeniathatdidit.'
'Thegardenia?'
'Ifithadn'tbeenforthatIwouldn'thavefeltsoupsetaboutyouthrowingmeout.Butyoutuckedthatflowerinmyhairsogentlythatitruinedmyimageofyouasanout-and-outrotter.IdoubtthatIwouldhaveturnedupasAmeliatogatecrashyourparty,ifithadn'tbeenforthegardenia.Icouldn'tforgiveyouforitbecauseitmadeyouunforgettable.'
'YoumeantherewasonlyaflowerbetweenmeandlifewithoutAmiWinterburn?RemindmetorecommendaraiseforMorgan.'
Theairwasmauvewithearlyduskandshimmeringstillwiththedepartedradianceofthesun.Shehadthestrangestfeelingoftimelessnessasshewalked,herhandinNorth's,throughthefieldoftreesharvested,growing,regrown.Thelinksoftradition.Parentsandchildren.Childrenandparents.Christmasespast.Today,this'ChristmasEve.Christmasestocome.'We'llcomehereforourChristmastrees,'shesaid.
'Ithoughtyoudidn'tapproveofallthispine-treestuffinthelandofgumtreesandpalms.'
Amithrewherarmswide.'Oh,IalwayssaythatinSeptember,'shesaid.'ButbyDecember,Ialwayscomearoundtotheideaofpinetreesandsummersnow.'
Harry'svoicecarriedonthestillair.'Nowthat,'hesaid,'iswhatIcallaChristmastree!'
TherewassomebickeringbetweenfatherandsonasNorthshapeduptocutHarry'stree.Happiness,Amithought,wassomethingyoueitherrememberedoryearnedfor.Hardlyeverdidyourecogniseitattheprecisemoment.Butthis,rightnow—thiswaspurehappiness,watchingNorthhefttheaxeinbothhands.Hisshouldersandbackrippledashebroughtthesmalltreedownwithacoupleofstrokes.Harryseizeditanddraggeditofftowardsthecar,refusingalloffersofhelp.
Northusedthesawtoneatenthecut.Theduskdeepenedandthefirststarappearedinthesky.HethrewdownthesawandlookedatitawhilewithAmi.Thenheheldhisarmswide,andwhereelsewouldshegoexceptintothem?'Iloveyou,North,'shesaid,wrappingherarmsaroundhisneckasshekissedhim.ItwastoofarawaytobepossiblebutAmithoughtsheheardawheezykindoflaughter.Hereyesclosed.'Fifteen,'shesaid,afterawhile.
'Fifteenwhat?'
'Stars.Orwasitsixteen?Ilostcount.'Hesmiled,lookingdeepinhereyes.'Justhavetostartagain.'
Amisighed.'DarlingNorth.Thatsoundsmostenjoyable.'