rent a wife

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RentAWife

RachelLindsay

Howlongcouldshegoonpretending?

MilesDentonbelievedhe’duncoveredimmoralpracticesatthedatingagencywhereNataliewasworkingtemporarily.Threateningtohaveitcloseddown,heofferedonealternative:thatNataliepretendtobehisgirlfriend,toconvincecertainpeoplethatthisbachelordoctorwasnothusbandmaterial.

Andindeedhewasn’t,Nataliediscoveredastheweeksflewby.Atleast,notforjustanybody.

Hiswifewouldhavetobeveryspecial,abletounderstandamanlikeMilesandgivehimhersupportandlove.Someone,Natalieknew,exactlylikeherself!

MilesDenton—thenamewasliketheman…

CHAPTERONE

HALFWAYdownBondStreetNatalieBakerpausedtoadmireawindowfilledwithelegantdresses,andanumberofpassingmenpausedtoadmiretheadmirer.

Shewasabeautifulcreature;tallerthanaverage,withrusset-colouredhairwavingdowntohershoulders,andasoftlyroundedfigurewithanarrowwaistandfullbreasts.Anonlookermightbeforgivenforthinkingheranactressormodel,andevenherclosestfriendswereoccasionallysurprisedwhentheyrememberedshewasanurseryschoolteacher.

WithahalfsighNataliewalkedpastthewindow.Theexpensiveappareldisplayedwasasfaroutofherreachasthestars.Shedidnotpauseuntilshehadgoneafurthertwentyyardsandwasdirectlyalongsideasmallplaquefixedtothesideofawall,bearingthewordsWhitneyMarriageBureau,andFloor.ImagininghowpleasedherfriendMaggieWhitneywouldbetoseeher,Natalieclimbedthestairsandenteredasmallwaitingroom,emptyexceptforarowofchairsandatabledisplayingacopyofTheLadyandsomeout-of-datesewingmagazineswhich,shesurmisedhumorously,symptomisedthebulkofMaggie’sclients.

BrisklysheknockedonthedooroftheinnerofficeandaScottishvoicebadehercomein.Nataliedidso,grinningasshesawtheamazementonherfriend’sface.

‘Goodlord!’Maggieexclaimed.‘I’dnoideayouwereupinthisneckofthewoods.’

‘I’maKensingtonbirdnow,’Natalieremindedher.‘Andonsummerholidaytoo.’

‘Howdidthemovego?’Maggieasked.‘I’mdyingtoseeyourapartment.’



‘Themovewentverywell,’Nataliesmiled,‘andyou’llbeseeingmynestonFriday.Youhaven’tforgottenyou’recomingtodinner?’

‘Ofcoursenot.ButIthoughtI’dcomeoverafterwards.’AnoddexpressioncrossedMaggie’shomelyface.‘I’vebeengettingfearfulindigestionlatelyandI’mcarefulwhatIeat.’

‘TellmewhatyouwouldlikeandI’llmakeitforyou.’

‘AtthemomentIdon’tseemtolikeanything.Eventhethoughtoffoodnauseatesme.’

Natalielookedatherfriendmorecloselyandwasperturbedbytheyellowishtingeofherskin.

‘Haveyouseenadoctor?’sheasked.

‘Ihaven’thadtime.ButifI’mnotbetterbytheendoftheweek,I’llpopintoseehimonSaturday.Butenoughaboutme.Tellmeyournews.’

‘I’vegotnone.Ihavetwomonths’holidayaheadofmeandI’mthinkingoftakingatemporaryjob.MovingcostmemorethanIexpectedandIcoulddowithsomecash.’

Natalieperchedonthechairandpushedherhairawayfromhervividface.Thesunlightfiltereduponherfromthewindow,buteventhebrightlightcouldnotfindaflawinthecreamyskin,andmerelyemphasisedtheunusualgreenygoldshadeofherprovocative,slantingeyes.

‘You’recrazytogoonworkingforMrsHall,’Maggiesaidcrossly.‘Ifyouopenedyourownnurseryschoolyou’dbemakingawhackingprofitforyourselfinsteadofforsomebodyelse.’

‘MrsHalldoesn’tmakeawhackingprofit,’Nataliesmiled.

‘Well,sheshould,consideringthepittanceshepaysyouforlookingafterallthosechildren.Youshouldgotoyourbankmanagerandborrowthemoneytostartuponyourown.Insixmonths’time,Imightevenbeabletolendittoyoumyself.’

‘Ohyes?’Natalielookedinnocentlytowardstheemptywaitingroom.‘Idon’tseeclientsfallingoverthemselvesoutside.’

‘Idon’thavethesortofbusinesswhereclientsfalloverthemselvestogethere,’Maggiesaiddryly.‘Butthingshavebeenlookinguplatelyand—’

Shestoppedasthedooropened,andNatalieturnedquickly,readytomakeherselfscarce,untilshesawitwasMaggie’sbrother.Hewasfair-hairedandofaverageheight,withblueeyessetashadetoocloselytogether,givinghimafaintlyfoxylook.NataliewonderedifshejudgedRolandtooharshly,butshehadalwaysfoundsomethingunlikeableabouthim.ItwaspartlybecauseshehadalwaysthoughtitunfairofFatetohavegivenhimlooksandcharminsteadofhissister,whowouldhavefoundthemsomuchmoreuseful.

‘Hello,Roland,’shesaidflatly.‘IthoughtyouwereinAustralia.’



‘Icamebackamonthago.’Hesaunteredovertothewindowandleanedagainstthesideofit.‘Youlookasgorgeousasever.Stillwastingyourtimewiththetoddlers?’

‘It’sbetterthanwastingitinfrontofacamera.’Thiswassaidtoremindhimofthelastoccasiontheyhadmet—beforehehademigratedtotryhisluckinanothercountry—whenhehadtriedtopersuadehertoposeforsomehighlylucrativebutnudephotographswhichafriendofhishadwantedtotakeofher.

‘Istillthinkyouwereafooltoturndowntheoffer,’hesaid.‘Thesedays,whocaresaboutseeingnudewomen?’

‘Alotofpeople,’Nataliesaidpromptly,‘otherwiseyouwouldn’thaveofferedmesuchapricetoposeforyourfriend!’

Heshrugged,asiftoshowitwasallforgotten,andglancedathiswristwatch.ItwasanelegantgoldaffairandNataliewonderedifhehaddonewellforhimselfinAustralia.Yethesurelyhadn’treturnedhomesosoonforaholiday,andifhehadcomebackpermanently,whyhadn’tMaggiesaidanythingtoherwhentheyhadspokenonthetelephonelastweek?

‘SorryIcan’tinviteyououtforlunch,Natalie,’Rolandsaid,movingtothedoor,‘butIhaveadate.’

‘I’llstruggletolivewithoutyou,’Natalierejoined,andmanagedtogiveasmile,thoughitdidnotreachhereyes.Asthedoorclosedbehindhimshefacedherfriend.‘WhydidRolandcomeback?Ithoughthe’demigrated.’

‘Hedid,buthedidn’tlikeitthere.I’dnoideahewascominghome.Hejustwalkedinonme.’

‘What’shedoingnow?’

‘Helpingme,atthemoment.’MaggiecolouredasshenoticedNatalie’sbeautifullyshapedeyebrowsraisethemselvesquizzically.‘Iwishyoudidn’tdislikeRolandsomuch.’

‘SodoI.ButIcan’thelpit.Hetakesadvantageofyou,Maggie,anditgetsmybackup.’

‘Well,heisn’ttakingadvantageofmeatthemoment,’hissistersaidstoutly.‘WhenI’vebeentooilltocomeinhe’sbeenrunningthebusinesssingle-handed.’

‘Tooilltocomein?’Nataliewasshocked.‘Ithoughtyousaidyouwerejustabitoffcolour?’

‘Somedayshavebeenworsethanothers,’Maggieadmitted,lookingsorryshehadgivensomuchaway.‘Icancopewiththeindigestion,butthenauseagetsmedown.’

‘Ifyoudon’tpromisetoseethedoctorrightaway,’Natalieexploded,‘I’lldragyoutheremyself.’

‘Don’tfuss!’saidMaggie.‘ItoldyouI’llseeoneovertheweekend.Anyway,it’sbeengoodfor



Rolandtoruntheofficeonhisownfromtimetotime.Tobeginwithheonlydidittohelpout,butnowIthinkhe’sbecominginterestedinitforitsownsake.He’sawfullygoodwiththewomenclients.’

‘I’llbetheis,’Nataliesaid.

ItwasRoland’sabilitytocharmthefemalesexthathadsooftenledtohisdownfallinthepast.Ifsherememberedrightly,itwasaparticularlytorridaffairwithamarriedwomanwhichhadpromptedhimtoleaveEnglandsohurriedly.Butnowhewasbackandobviouslytryingtoinveiglehimselfintohissister’sbusiness.

‘Ithinkyou’dbeveryunwisetoletRolandworkherepermanently,’shesaidbluntly.

‘I’lleventuallyneedsomeonetohelpme,’Maggietoldher.‘AndI’dratherhavesomeoneIknow,thanastranger.Youhaven’tchangedyourmind,haveyou?’

‘‘Fraidnot.’Nataliewasregretful.‘Thissortofoccupationisn’tmyscene.IloveworkingwithyoungchildrenandI’dbeunhappydoinganythingelse.Iknowit’sold-fashionedofme,butIcan’thelpit.’

‘Itisn’told-fashioned,’Maggiedeclaredstoutly.‘Butcomingfromyou,it’sunexpected.Agirlwithyourlooksshouldbedoingsomethingglamorousandexciting.’

‘Don’tjudgethefruitbytheskin,’Nataliegrinned.‘Imaylookasexoticasapassionfruit,butinsideI’mahomelyapple!’

‘AGoldenDelicious!’Maggiegrinnedback.‘NeveraGrannySmith!’

Natalieflushedandstoodup.

‘IsitstillonforFriday,then?Ifyoufeeltoooffcolourtomakeit,let’soptforanothernight.’

‘No,Fridaywillbefine.Butnobigmeal,please.I’monlycomingtoseeyournewapartment.IfI’mabitlate,it’llbebecauseI’vestoppedinonthewaytoseethedoctor.’

Intheevent,Maggiedidnotcomeatall.ShewastakenviolentlyillwithstomachpainsasshewaspreparingtoleavetheofficeonFriday,andRolandtookherinataxitotheemergencydepartmentoftheMiddlesexHospital.

‘Theythinkit’shergallbladder,’Rolandsaid,whenhetelephonedNatalietoletherknowwhyMaggiehadnotturnedup.‘They’vekeptherinandthey’regoingtodosometests.Shesaidifyou’refreeatanytimeduringtheweekend,shewouldlovetoseeyou.’

‘I’llgotomorrow,’Nataliepromised,knowingshewouldnotbeeasyinherminduntilshehadseenherfriendforherself.DislikingRolandasmuchasshedid,shewasreluctanttobelieveanythinghesaid.

Promptlyatthreethenextafternoon,shewassittingbesideMaggieinalargehospitalward.She



wascarefultohideherdismayatthesightofthehaggardfaceonthepillowinfrontofher.Maggielookeddesperatelyillandtherewasadullnessinhereyesthatspokeofdrugstocombatthepain.

‘It’sdefinitelymygallbladder,’sheexplained,aftershehadthankedNataliefortheselectionofmagazinesshehadbrought.‘AngussaysI’llhavetohaveitout.’

‘Angus?Don’ttellmeyou’realreadyonfirstnameswithyoursurgeon?’

‘Heisn’tmysurgeon.He’saRegistrarhereandIknewhimyearsagoinAberdeen.’

‘YouScotsgeteverywhere,’Nataliesmiled.

‘That’scertainlytrueofAngus.He’sbeenallovertheworldsincehequalified—that’swhywelosttouchwitheachother.IhadnoideahewasbackinEnglandorattachedtothishospital.’

‘Soeverycloudhasasilverlining!’

Maggie’splainfacelookedunexpectedlyprettyascoloursuffusedit,andNataliewonderedifAnguscouldbearomanticpartofherfriend’spast.ShehadalwaysbeenextraordinarilyshywithmenanditwasthisthathadpromptedhertostarttheMarriageBureau.Shewasconvincedtherewereotherpeoplelikeherselfwhoweretooshytofindmembersoftheoppositesexwithoutsomeoneelse’shelp.

‘AndhowlongdoesthisAngusofyoursexpectyoutobeinhospital?’Natalieasked.

‘Abouttwoorthreeweeks.That’swhyI’msogladyou’vecometoseeme.Ihatetoaskyouthis,but-’

‘Theanswerisyes,’Natalieinterrupted,‘anddon’tbesosilly.OfcourseI’llhelpyou.’

ThelookofreliefonMaggie’sfacewassufficientcompensationforNatalie.Theprospectofspendinghertwomonths’holidaytakingcareoftheWhitneyMarriageBureauwasdistinctlydampening.ButsincethealternativewastoallowRolandtorunitonhisown,shehadnochoice.Shemightnotbethegreatestbusinesswoman,butshewasatleasthonest.

‘Youwon’tmindRolandhelpingyou?’Maggieaskedpleadingly.‘It’simportantforhimtohavesomethingtodo.He’swrittenofftovariouspeoplewhohavepromisedtohelphimfindajob,buthe’sstillwaitingtohear.’

‘Don’tworryaboutRoland.We’llmanagetosurvivewithoutkillingeachother.’

Natalieopenedherbagandsearchedforsomepaperandapen.‘I’msuretherearethingsIneedtoknowabouttheoffice,soifyoucouldputmeinthepicture….’

‘Thereisn’tallthatmuchtoknow.Themainthingistorememberthateveryonemustpaytheirintroductoryfeeandthatyoucan’tintroduceonepersontoanotherunlessthey’rebothonyourbooks.Ifyoudon’tfollowthatrule,youcanloseyourlicence.’



‘Idon’tseehowIcanintroducesomeonetoanybodywhoisn’tonthebooks,’Nataliegrinned.

‘WhatImeanisthatyoumustn’tstartintroducingpeopletoyourfriends.’

‘Whynot?’Natalieaskedpertly.‘SolongasImakemyfriendspaytheirintroductoryfee.’

Maggielaughed.‘Iknowweneedsomemoreclients,butIdon’twanttogetthemthatway.’

‘Howdoesonegetthem?’

‘Byadvertising—whichIcan’taffordtodoproperly—andbyrecommendation,whichiswhatIrelyonatthemoment.I’msureyou’lldosplendidly,’Maggiewentonthoughtfully.‘Itmightevenencourageyoutothinkintermsofmarriageforyourself.’

‘Ithinkofmarriagethewholetime,’Nataliesaidpromptly.‘ThetroubleisIcan’tfindamaletofitmyrequirements!’

‘Maybeyourequiretoomuch.’

‘Idon’tintendtolowermysightsyetawhile,’Nataliesaidfirmly.‘NotuntilI’monthewrongsideofthirty.’

‘You’llbemarriedlongbeforethen,’Maggieassuredher.‘Gosh,ifIwereasbeautifulasyou….’

‘Youhaveabeautifulcharacter,Maggie.That’smuchmorelastingthanabeautifulface.’

Maggiesuddenlyleanedbackagainstthepillows,lookingpaleandtired,andNataliequicklysaidhergoodbyesandlefttheward.

OutsidethehospitalsherealisedshehadforgottentoaskMaggieexactlywhatRolanddidattheoffice,anddecidedthatnomatterwhathehaddonewhenhissisterwasincharge,sheherselfwasgoingtocurtailhisactivities.Onethinghewasnotgoingtodowastohavehisfingersonanymoney.Maggiemightgenuinelybelieveherbrotherhadchangedforthebetterinthepastyear,butNataliedidnotbelievealeopardcouldchangeitsspots.Theymightfadeorappearlessnoticeableinadifferentlight,buttheywouldalwaysbethere.

Atnineo’clockonMondaymorningNatalieunlockedthedooroftheWhitneyMarriageBureauwithmorethanalittletrepidation.Itwasonethingtohelpherfriendout—whichshehadoccasionallydone—butquiteanothertobeleftinsolecharge.Butitwastoolatetobackout.Bynow,Maggiewasonherwaytotheoperatingtheatre,contentintheknowledgethatherbusinesswasincapablehands.

‘Ithadbetterbe,’Nataliemutteredaloud,knowinghowhardherfriendhadstruggledtomakeasuccessofthisventure.

Butitwasnotuntilshestartedtoexaminethebookstoseethecashflowpositionandwhatthe



expenseswerelikelytobeeachweekthatsherealisedhowtightthesituationstillwas.Theagencyhadquiteafewclients,andintheyearithadbeenoperating,ahighproportionofsuccesseshadbeenachieved.Buttherentofthistinyofficewashigh,andeventheminimumadvertisingwhichhadbeendonehadstillleftanappreciabledentinthefinances.TherewascertainlynomoneyavailabletopayRolandtheamounthehadbeendrawingeachweek,andshedeterminedthatnomoremoneywouldgohiswayunlessheearnedit.

Pickingupthelettersthathadcomeinonthesecondpost,NataliesatatMaggie’sdeskandopenedthem.Theyweremainlycircularsandbills,thoughonewasfromaclientwhowishedtohavehermoneyrefundedasshehaddecidednottocontinuewithanymoreintroductions.Letterinhand,Nataliewentovertothefilingcabinettolookupthetermsofengagement,andfoundthatifacertainnumberofintroductionshadalreadybeenarranged,thenthefeeswerenotreturnable.

Carefullyshecomposedareply,beingregretfulbutfirmandsuggestingthatsincetheagencywaslegallywithinitsrightsinnotreturninganyfee,theclientmightwishtoreconsiderherdecisionanduseuptherequisitenumberofintroductions.

ShewassigningtheletterwhenRolandwalkedin,andhiswarmsmileaddedtothediscomfitureshefeltatnotlikinghim.

‘Maggietoldmeyou’dagreedtocomeinfulltimeandholdthefort,’hesaid,perchingonthefrontofherdesk.‘Iwouldhavedonesomyselfifyouhadn’tvolunteered,butIthinkyou’llhandlethemenmuchbetterthanIwould.’

‘Womenaremuchmoreinyourline,’Natalieagreed,andfelthislightblueeyesrestspeculativelyonher.

Buthedecidedtoignoreanyhiddenmeaningbehindherremark,andslidingoffthedeskhesaunteredtothedoor.

‘I’vegotsomepersonalbusinesstoattendtothismorning,’hesaidcasually,‘butI’llbebackintimeforyoutogotolunch.’

‘Iintendedtoclosetheofficeduringthelunchhour,’Nataliesaid.

Rolandshookhishead.‘Maggiedoesn’t.Shesaysyouoftengetclientscominginbetweenoneandtwo.’

Natalienoddedwithoutactuallystatingwhetherornotshewasgoingtodoashesaid,knowingthatinthisway,ifshewishedtochangehermindshecoulddoso.

‘Beseeingyou,’hesaidwithawave,andsaunteredout.

Nataliestaredafterhim.WhateveritwasthatRolanddidtohelphissister,hishoursherewereobviouslylimited,whichmadeherfeelconsiderablylessguiltyatherdecisiontocutdownonthemoneyhewasdrawing.



Thetelephonerangandwithaquickenedheartbeatsheansweredit.Itwasawrongnumberandsheputbackthereceiverandlookedaroundmorosely.Noonecouldsaythejointwasjumping!Tomorrowshewouldbringinabooktoread.

AtlunchtimeRolandtelephonedtosaythatoneofhisappointmentswastakinglongerthanhehadexpectedandhedoubtedifhewouldbebackintimetostandinforherduringthelunchbreak.Assuringhimshecouldmanageonherown,Natalieimmediatelyhurrieddownthetwoflightsofstairstothestreetandintoanearbycoffeeshop.Tenminuteslatershewasbackintheofficewithamugofcoffeeandahealthysupplyofchickensandwiches.

Refreshedbythefoodandthebreathoffreshair,sheworkedquietlyuntilalmostfouro’clock,lookingthroughthefilesandseeingwhohadmetwhomandwhen,aswellashowmanymoreintroductionsstillneededtobemade.Shewasdebatingwhethertomakeherselfacupoftea—therewasonlypowderedmilk,butitwasbetterthannothing—whensheheardthedooroftheouterofficeopenandquick,firmstepscrossthefloor.

Shewaitedforaknock,butthedoorofherofficewaspushedforwardwithasharpnesswhichrustledthepapersofherdeskasatall,fiercelyangrymanstrodeforwardandstoppedabruptlyattheedgeofherdesk.

Eventhoughhesaidnothing,thefurythatemanatedfromhimwasalmosttangible-Itwasvisibleinthetautlineofhisjaw,thrustbelligerentlyforward,anditblazedfromstormyeyesthatwerealmostthecolourofsherry.Hewastall,butbone-thin,whichmadehimseemeventallerasheleanedmenacinglyforward.

‘Youdon’tlookcriminallynegligent—I’llsaythatforyou,’hesaidinasoftvoicemadeallthemorefrighteningbecauseitwasobviouslyunderthemosttightcontrol.‘Yetyouare,withoutdoubt,themostirresponsiblepersonIhaveeverhadthemisfortunetoencounter.Howyougotyourlicenceisbeyondme,butIassureyouitwon’tbeinyourpossessionformuchlonger!’

Thewordsceasedabruptly,asifthemomentumofhisangerhadlefthimspent,andNataliespokeintothesilence,surprisedtohearhervoicesocalm.

‘Youobviouslyexpectacoherentreplytoyouroutburst,butsinceIdon’thappentoknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,I’mafraidIcan’tgiveyouone,Mr—er—’

‘Denton,’hesnapped.‘MilesDenton,andI’mtalkingaboutmysister.’

Natalie’sblanklookmadetheman’sfacetightenwithtemperagain.

‘Iwouldn’thavethoughtyouhadsomanyclientsthatyoucan’trememberanyparticularoneofthem,’headdedsarcastically.

‘I’mafraid—’

‘You’veeveryrighttobeafraid,’hecutinruthlessly.‘BythetimeI’vefinishedwithyou,you’llneverbeabletoopenshopagaininLondon.Anddon’tthinkyou’llbeabletosetupthisracketofyoursanywhereelseeither!’



‘Itwouldbeahelpifyoutoldmewhatwe’resupposedtohavedone,thatyouconsidersoreprehensible.’

‘Don’tyouknow?’healmostshoutedthewords.‘Youtakemysisteronyourbooks—agirlsoyoungandprettythatnoreputableagencywouldevendreamofacceptingher—andyouthenintroducehertoanabsolutescoundrel!’

‘Ascoundrel?’Nataliequestioned.

‘Unlessyouthinkitnormalbehaviourforamantogetanintroductiontoagirlandthenletherpayforhimwhenhetakesheroutandacceptslavishpresentsintothebargain.Ifthat’swhatyoucallvettingeveryoneonyourbooks,’headded,extractingacopyoftheagencytermsandconditionsfromhispocketandslammingitdownonthedesk,‘thenyoumightaswelltearthisupandthrowitinthedustbin!’

Nataliebegantounderstandthereasonfortheman’sanger.Yetshewasstillnotcompletelyinthepicture.

‘Areyousayingouragencyintroducedyoursistertothisman?’

‘Youcatchonquickly.’

‘Morequicklythanyoursister,’Nataliesnapped,angeredbyhisrudeness.‘IfMissDentoncamehereseekingintroductionsthatmightleadtomarriage,then—’

‘Ateighteen?’hestormed.‘Ablondebombshellofeighteenneedingtohaveherboy-friendsfoundforher?Ifyou’dhadanyintegrityatall,you’dhavesentherpacking.’

SincethiswaspreciselywhatNataliewouldhavedone,shewasatalosswhattosay.HowcouldMaggiehavetakenthegirland,evenmorealarming,whowasthescoundrel?Yetshedarednotshowherthoughts.

‘AsfarasBritishlawisconcerned,’shesaidaloud,‘ifyoursisterisovereighteensheisabletomakeherowndecisions.Also,ifyoursisterhadhadnodifficultymeetingamanshewouldn’thavecomehere.’

ThesherrygoldeyesdarkenedwithfuryandNataliestiffenedinherchair,afraidthatthemanmightlungeforwardandhither.

Butwithanefforthecalmeddown,thoughhiseyesstillglitteredandhismouthwasanarrowline.

‘NoonewithintelligencewouldhavetakenGillianasaclient,andnoagencyofintegritywouldhaveacceptedamanlikeRodneyWhite.’

‘R-RodneyWhite?’Nataliestammered,adreadfulsuspicioncomingintohermind.



‘Don’ttellmeyoudon’trememberhimeither!’camethesarcasticcomment,asthemanlookedroundthesparselyfurnishedoffice.

‘IwasmerelyrepeatingthenametomakesureI’dhearditcorrectly,’Nataliesaidhastily.

‘Ihaveneverbeenaccusedofspeakingwithlessthanperfectdiction,’camethecoldreply.‘AndIhopethatwhatIamabouttosaynowwillalsobeperfectlyclear.Iconsideryouragencyashamandadisgrace,andIintendtoputyououtofbusiness.’

Heturnedhisheadagain,asiflookingforachair,thendecidedagainstitandwenttostandbythewindow.Thelightcomingfrombehindhimemphasisedhisleannessandhispalecomplexion.Itwasnotthepallorofill-health;hemerelylookedasifhespentnotimeinthesun,whichwassurprising,foritwasmid-Augustandtheweatherhadbeenperfectforweeks.Nataliewonderedanxiouslyifhehadjustcomeoutofprison,orifhewasamentalpatientwhohadescapedfromdetention.

‘Perhapsyou’dliketotellmeexactlywhathappenedtoyoursister,’shesaidsoothingly.‘Icanassureyouallourclientsareextremelysatisfiedwithusandwehaveneveryethadacomplaintfromanyone.’

‘Well,you’vegotonenow,’hesaidrudely,‘anditwillputyououtofbusiness.’Hisvoicehardened.‘Don’tyoumakeenquiriesaboutpeoplebeforeyouacceptthemasclients,orareyousohardupforthemthatyou’lltakeanyonewhohasmoneytowaste?’

‘Noneofourclientswastetheirmoney,’Nataliesaidsharply,‘andeveryonewetakeispersonallyvetted.’

‘ThenhowdidWhitegetthrough?Orisheanex-boy-friendofyours?’

‘Thatremarkisquiteuncalled-for!’Natalie’svoiceshookwithanger.‘Thoughwevetourclients,MrDenton,wedon’thavetheSecretServicedoarun-downonthem.Nordoweactaswatchdogwhentwoofourclientsareintroducedtoeachother.IfyoursisterwentDutchtreatwithMrWhiteorgavehimpresentsofwhichyoudisapprove,Isuggestyoudiscussitwithherratherthanwithus.’

‘Itisn’tthegivingofpresentsthatIdislike,’themanreplied,‘butthefactthatthescoundreltookthemandthenadaylatertriedtosellthem.IfyouconsiderRodneyWhiteamansuitableformarriage,thenI’dliketomeetthemanconsideredunsuitable!’

ThesuspicionNataliehadfeltonfirsthearingthenameRodneyWhitenowbecameafirmpossibility.

‘Areyousureyoursistermetthis—er—thisyoungmanhere?’

‘Yes.Theintroductioncamefromyou—andit’sthelastoneyou’llbegiving.That’swhatIcametotellyou.’

HeswungroundtothedoorandNataliejumpedtoherfeet.



‘MrDenton,’shecalled,‘whatareyougoingtodo?’

‘Makesureyourlicenceistakenaway.’

‘Youcan’tdothat!’

‘Trytostopme!’

Heflungopenthedoorandbangeditbehindhim.ThesoundofcrashingfootstepsreverberatedinNatalie’searsassherushedacrosstheroom,butevenasshereachedthestairs,shesawthetallthinfiguredisappearingthroughtheentrance.

Slowlyshereturnedtotheoffice.RodneyWhiteandRolandWhitney—itwastoomuchofacoincidencetobeone,andallherfearsaboutMaggie’sbrothersurfacedagain.Fromthemomenthehadreappearedtheotherdayshehadknownhewasuptonogood.WhatshedidnotknowwaswhyMaggiehadintroducedhimtooneofherclientswhenshehademphasisedthatonemustneverintroduceone’spersonalfriendsorrelativestoanyoneontheagencybooks.Shakingherheadinbewilderment,Nataliepacedthefloor.

IfMrDentoncarriedouthisthreat,itwouldbedisastrousforMaggie,andatthemomentshecouldnotthinkofanywayofstoppinghim.

CHAPTERTWO

NATALIEwasstillpacingthefloorwhenRolandstrolledin.Hehadtheairofamanwelllunchedandwellsatisfiedwithhimself,whichdidnothingwhatevertoendearhimtoNatalie.

‘Hello,’hesaidpleasantly.‘Hadagoodday?’

‘No.’

‘Aquietone,Itakeit?’

‘No.’

Hiseyebrowsroseatthetersenessofherrepliesandhewentovertothedesk,glancedatacoupleofletters,andthenputthemdownagain.

‘CanIhelpyou?’Natalieaskedquietly.

‘Isn’tthatmyquestion?’hesaid.

‘Theagencycanmanageverywellwithoutyourhelp,Roland.’

‘You’remakingthatprettyclear.Butthenyou’vealwaysmadeyouropinionofmeclear,haven’tyou?’



‘Itdoesn’tseemtoworryyou,’Nataliesaidshortly.

‘Whyshouldit?You’renottheonlyfishinthesea.’

‘That’sforsure.Andthere’soneparticularlittlefishIwanttotalkabout.’Shepaused.‘It’scalledDenton.’

AnydoubtsNataliemighthavehaddisappearedasshesawtheshiftylookinRoland’seyes.

‘I’mnotgoingtoaskifyouknowher,’shewenton,‘sinceyouobviouslydo.’

‘That’sright.’

‘Wasitalsorighttotakepresentsfromherandthensellthem?’

‘Sheknows?’Rolandlookedstartledandthenturnedanunbecomingred.

‘Herbrotherknows,’Nataliereplied,‘whichamountstothesamething.’

‘Itwasmybirthday,’hesaidsuddenly.‘Anditwasonlyasmallgift.’

‘ItcanstillcostMaggieherbusiness.Shehasnobusinesstointroduceyoutoaclient.’

‘Shedidn’tintroduceme.’

Thewordswerequiet,butloudenoughforNatalietohearthem,thoughittookheramomenttorealisewhattheymeant.

‘Soyouintroducedyourself?’shesaid.‘Areyousoshortofgirl-friendsthatyouhadtogothroughtheagencyfiles?’

‘Ofcoursenot.Butshehappenedtobeparticularlypretty.’

‘Andshecametoamarriagebureautomeetayoungman?’Nataliesaiddisbelievingly.

‘Lotsofyounggirlscomehere,’Rolandshrugged.‘Don’trunawaywiththeideathatmarriagebureausareonlyfordivorceesorspinstersormisfits.Therearelotsofyoungpeoplewhofinditdifficulttomeetothersoftheirownage.’

‘Sparemetherun-downonthetypeofclientswecanexpect,’shesaidcoldly,‘andtellmehowyoucametomeetMissDenton.’

Hehesitated,thenknowingshewasnotgoingtobeputoff,hegavealiftofhisshoulders.‘IwasintheotherofficewhenIsawhercomein.Ilikedthelookofheranditseemedagoodideatogiveheracall.’

‘Andpretendyou’dbeengivenhernumberbytheBureau?’



‘Tootrue.’

‘Don’tyouknowwe’renotallowedtodothat?’Natalieblazedathim.‘It’sillegaltointroduceaclienttosomeonewhoisn’tonyourbooks.’

‘Oh,haveaheart!’Rolandprotested.‘Who’sgoingtoknow?’

‘Herbrother.Hewashereanhourago,madasabullwithcorns.’

Rolandlookeddisquieted.‘Badluckstillseemstobefollowingmearound.’

‘Notbadluck,Roland—badmanagement.Ifyouwantedtogetmoneyoutofagirlyoushouldhaveplayedyourgamesfurtherawayfromhome.’

‘Okay,Imadeamistake.Ipromiseitwon’thappenagain.’

‘You’rerightonthatone,’shesaidcalmly,‘becauseMrDentonisgoingtogetMaggie’slicencerevoked.’

SheknewamomentarypleasureasshesawthecolourebbfromRoland’sface.

‘Hewouldn’tbesuchaswine!’

‘Hethinksyouaretheswine.’

‘Buthecan’tblametheagencyforwhatIdid!’

‘Unfortunatelyhedoes.Yousee,hehappenstobelieveweintroducedyoutohissister.’

‘Whydidn’tyoutellhimthatMaggieknewnothingaboutit?’

‘Becauseitwasn’tuntilheleftthatIbegantoworkitoutandrealisedwhathadhappened.’Shewavedahandathim.‘Andyouconfirmedit.’

MoodilyRolandkickedatthecarpet.‘Whatareyougoingtodo?’

‘Idon’tknow.’Shegavehimalookofcontempt.HowtypicalofRolandthatquestionwas!Not‘whatcanIdotoputthingsright?’but‘whatareyougoingtodo?’

Ofcourseshehadtodosomething.MuchasshedespisedRolandshecouldnotstandbyandseeMaggie’sbusinesscollapse.Sheglancedatherwatch.Itwasfiveo’clock.ToolateforMrDenton—nomatterhowhighhistemper—toreportthemtotheWestminsterCounciltoday.Theearliesthecoulddosowouldbetomorrowatten.Bythen,withanyluck,shemightbeabletochangehismind.

‘I’llhavetogoandseehim,’shesaid,andthenmutteredangrily:‘ExceptthatIdon’tknowwherehelivesandthereareprobablyhundredsofDentonsinthedirectory.’



‘HisfirstnameisMiles,’Rolandinformedher.‘Gillytoldme.MilesEdward,andhe’sadoctor.’

Reachingforthedirectory,NataliescannedthroughtheDentons.TherewasonlyoneWithMilesE.infrontofitandthatwasatanaddressinHarleyStreet,whereMrMilesE.Dentonhadbothhishomeandhisconsultingrooms.Theinitialsafterhisnametoldherhewasasurgeon,andahighlyqualifiedonetoo.Shejotteddowntheaddressandputitintoherhandbag.

‘I’mgoingtoseehimrightaway,’sheannounced.

‘Wouldyoulikemetodriveyouthere?’Rolandasked.‘Mycarisparkedroundthecorner.’

‘YoukeepasfarawayfromMrDentonaspossible,’shesnapped.‘ThelastthingIwantisforhimtoseemewithyou.’

Shelockedthedooroftheoffice,thenpushedpastRolandandrandownthestairs.

‘Don’tbothercomingintomorrow,’shecalleduptohim.‘IfIneedanyonetohelpmeout,I’llringtheSnakeHouseattheZoo!’

ShewasstillangryashertaxidroveslowlyupHarleyStreet,butitwasanangerdirectedagainstRolandratherthanatthemanshewasonherwaytosee.Indeed,shenowfoundshehadasneakingsympathyforMilesDenton,thoughshestillconsideredhehadbehavedlikeaboorwhenhehadcomeroundtoseeher.

Itwasnotuntilshewasfacingthehighlypolishedfrontdoor,withitsdistinguishedbrassplatebearingthenameM.E.Denton,thatshehadherfirstdoubtsatcominghere.Perhapssheshouldhavetelephonedfirst.Butifhehadrefusedtoseeher,itwouldhavemadeitimpossibleforhertocallonhim.Firmlyshepressedthebell,thenclaspedherfingersroundherhandbagandhelditinfrontofherdefensively.Thedooropenedandapleasant-facedmiddle-agedwomanaskedhername.

‘IwouldliketoseeMrDenton.’

‘MissBaker?’thewomanrepeated,andgaveaslightfrown.‘I’mafraidyournameisn’tonMrDenton’slistofappointments.’

‘Idon’thaveanappointment.’

‘MrDentonneverseesanyonewithoutan-’

‘Ihaven’tcometoseeMrDentonprofessionally,’Natalieinterposed.

‘Oh.’Thewomanwentslightlypink.‘Ihadn’trealiseditwaspersonal.I’llgoandtellMrDentonyou’rehere.’

Realisinghewouldn’tknowhername,Nataliesaidswiftly:‘Pleasetellhimit’stheyoungwomanhesawattheagencyearliertoday.’



Strugglingtohidehercuriosity,andnotsucceedingverywell,thereceptionistusheredNatalieintoalargewaitingroomthatfacedontoHarleyStreet,andtoldhertowait.

Alone,Natalielookedaroundher.Unlikemostroomsofthiskind,itwasbeautifullyfurnishedanddidnotlookasifithadbeenputtogetherwiththrow-outs.Ithadtheappearanceofanormalsitting-room,withanantiquePersiancarpetonthefloor,well-upholsteredsetteesinrosedamask,andalargeroundcentretablewhichwashighlypolishedandobviouslyvaluable.Itstopwascoveredwithmagazines,andshepickedoneup,thenputitdownagain,toonervoustoread.

Walkingovertothelargemirrorabovethemantelpiece,shetriedtoseeherselfinit.Butthelightwasdimandherfacepeeredbackatherindistinctly,thoughherhairglowedrussetgold,thecolourofmapleleavesinautumn.

‘MrDentonwillseeyounow.’

Natalieswungroundwithastart,thenhastilyfollowedthereceptionistintothehallanddownalongcorridorlinedwithexceptionallygoodwatercoloursateyelevel,andanequallygoodChineserunnerunderfoot.MrDentonmightbeshortonmanners,shethoughtscornfully,buthewaswellendowedwithworldlygoods.

Attheendofthecorridorthewomanstoppedandturnedthehandleofaleather-faceddoor,thenmotionedNatalietostepthrough.

Hidinghernervousness,Nataliedidso.Afewyardsinfrontofher,seatedbehindamassiveRegencydesk,satthemanshehadcometosee.Hehalfrose,thenseatedhimselfagainasthedoorclosedandtheywerealone.

‘Iwon’tkeepyouamoment,’hesaidwithoutexpression,andbentoversomepapers.Therewasthesoundofapenscratching,thenitwassetdownwithasingleprecisemovementandcoldsherry-colouredeyesstaredather.

‘Itwon’tdoanygoodtocomeandpleadwithme,Miss—’Heglancedatapadinfrontofhimandthenquicklyupather.‘MissBaker.MymindismadeupaboutwhatIintendtodo.’

‘Ifyou’rethesortofmanwhoneverchangeshismindwheneventschange,MrDenton,I’msorryforyourpatients!’

Colourtingedhisface,buthesaidnothing,andNatalieknewhewaswaitingforhertoexplainherself.Itwasnoteasytodo,forifsheadmittedtherealidentityofRodneyWhite,andsaidwhatanunsavourycharacterhewas,shewouldbeputtingMaggieinavulnerableposition.Thoughwildhorseswouldnothavemadeherconfessherrealfeelingstothemaninfrontofher,deepinherheartsheconsideredherfriendverymuchtoblamefornotrealisingthesortofpersonherbrotherwas.Tohaveallowedhimtoworkintheoffice,surroundedbywomenwhoselonelinessandneedofcompanionshipputtheminaparticularlyvulnerableposition,hadbeenfoolhardyintheextreme.

‘Well,MissBaker?’MilesDentonsaidimpatiently.‘Pleasesaywhatyou’vecomeheretosayandthengo.I’mabusyman.’



‘Nooneelseiswaitingtoseeyou.’

‘I’vehadabusyday,’hesaidicily.‘Iwasoperatingateightanddidn’tfinishuntilthree,whenIthendidmyroundsofthewardsbeforereturninghere.IntwohoursfromnowI’mduetospeakatamedicaldinner.Iamneitherinthemood,nordoIhavethewishtolistentoanyexcusesyoumayhaveconcoctedinyourdefence.’

TempergaveNataliecourage.‘Youfoundthetimetocomeandaccusemeunjustly,’shereplied,‘soyoushouldatleastsparethetimetohearmyexplanation.’

Shetookastepforwardandthenstopped,butitwasenoughforhimtorememberhismanners,andinsilencehepointedtoachair.Sheperchedontheendofit,herbagonherlap,gladthatitsweighthelpedtostillthetremblingofherlegs.

‘Themanwhomyoursistermet,’shebegan,‘wasnotaclientoftheAgency.He—heisn’tonourbooks.Heis—heisarelationofMissWhitneywhoownstheagency.’

IfMilesDentonwassurprised,hehiditwell.

‘Whatsortofrelation?’

‘Abrother.’

‘Andyou?’

‘I’mjustafriendwho’shelpingherout.MissWhitneywastakenillyesterdayandhadanemergencyoperationthismorning.Shewon’tbeavailableforseveralweeks.’

‘Howconvenient!’

‘YoucanseeherintheMiddlesexHospitalifyoudon’tbelieveme,’Natalieflashed.‘I’msureitwilldowondersforherrecoverytoknowyou’replanningtotakeawayherlivelihood.’

‘Sparemethesentiment,’hesaidcoldly.‘IfyoucameheretohelpMissWhitney,I’mafraidyou’vedoneexactlytheopposite.Presumablysheknowsthesortofmanherbrotheris,andtointroducehimtoanyone—mostofallagirlofeighteen—iscriminallynegligent.Shedeservestohaveherbusinesslicencetakenaway.’

‘Noonewilldothatwithoutfirsthearinghersideofthestory.’

‘Really?’IhappentoknowthechairmanoftheWestminsterLicensingCommittee.’

Itwasaquellingthought,butNatalierefusedtobevanquished.

‘Maggie—MissWhitneyneverintroducedRolandtoyoursister.Shewouldbehorrifiedifsheeventhoughtthey’dmet.ButRolandglimpsedyoursisterwhenshecameinandhe—hecontactedher.Soyousee,theagencyisnottoblame.’



‘Onthecontrary.YouaretellingmethattheagencyissobadlyrunthatanyTom,Dickor—Rolandcangetholdofaclient’sname.’

‘Itwasn’tlikethat,’Nataliesaiddesperately.‘RolandwashelpingoutattheAgencybecauseMaggiewasfeelingill.She’dbehorrifiedifsheknewhe’dlookedinanyofthefilesandusedtheinformationforhispersonalbenefit.’

‘Aren’ttheykeptlocked?’

‘Ofcoursetheyare.Butonlyatnight,notduringtheday.Maggieneverleavestheofficeandthere’snooneelsethere.’

‘Exceptane’er-do-wellwhosnoopedaroundandfoundwhathewanted.MissWhitneyshouldknowbetterthantoemployuntrustworthypeople.’

‘Shedoesn’tknowherbrotherisuntrustworthy,’Natalieasserted.‘That’sthetrouble.Shemerelythinkshe’sirresponsible.HeemigratedtoAustralialastyearandcamebackafewweeksago.Hehasn’tfoundajobyet,andasshewasn’tfeelingwell,heofferedtohelpher.’

‘Andtohelphimself.’

AfrighteningthoughtstruckNatalie.

‘Doyouthinktherewereotherwomenbesidesyoursister?’shegasped.

‘That’sforyoutofindout,’themansaidimpatiently.‘ButIwouldbesurprisedifmysisterwastheonlyone.Menofthattypeliketohaveseveralstringstotheirbow.ButmyonlyconcernisforGillian.’

‘Shedidn’tcometoanyharm,’Natalieventuredslowly.‘Imean,shemusthave—shemusthavelikedRolandtohavegoneoutwithhimandgivenhimapresent.Thecufflinkswereforhisbirthday,’sheadded,hopingthiswassufficientexcuse,‘soitwasn’tsoterribleforRolandtohaveacceptedthem.’

‘Wehavedifferentstandardsofwhatisacceptable,MissBaker,’themanrepliedevenly.

‘Haven’tyoueveracceptedabirthdaypresentfromawoman,MrDenton?’

‘Nottothevalueoffivehundredpounds.’

‘What?’

Hisexpressiongrewmocking.‘Yes,MissBaker,Ididsayfivehundredpounds.Thecufflinksweregoldanddiamondones.’

‘Ididn’trealise.’Natalielookeddownatherhands.‘I—er—ofcourseI’llmakesureRolandreturnsthem.’



‘Howcanhewhenhe’salreadysoldthem?’MilesDentonstoodup.‘Butthat’sallinthepast.Myconcernisforthefuture.IfMissWhitneydoesn’tunderstandthesortofmanherbrotheris,thenshe’snotagoodenoughjudgeofcharactertobeinchargeofamarriagebureau.’

‘She’sanexcellentjudgeofcharacter,’Nataliecorrected.‘She’sbeenenormouslysuccessfulsinceshestarted.Doyouknowthatfortypercentofthepeopleonherbookshavealreadymettheirpartners?That’sawfullyhigh,youknow.’

‘Idon’tknow,nordoIcare.’

‘Butyoushouldcare.Youshouldcareterriblybeforeyouputsomeoneoutofbusiness.It’sanawfulthingtodo.’DistressmadeNatalie’svoicebreak.‘IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatRolandwillneverseeyoursisteragain.Iwon’tlethimcomebacktotheAgencyandI’llmakesureMaggieknowsthetruthassoonasshe’sbetter.Butyoumustn’tgettheAgencyclosed.Itwouldn’tbefair!’

Withoutrealisingit,shehadjumpedupandwasfacingMilesDenton.Herheadwastiltedback,thebettertoplead,andshewasunawareofthelovelypictureshemade.Hereyeswereluminouswithtearsandherhairwavedgentlydowneachsideofherface,itsrichcolourgainingaddedlustrefromthelampwhichshonebehindher.

‘Please,MrDenton,’shesaidhuskily,‘MaggiehasputeverypennysheownsintotheAgency.Ifyoutakeawayherlicenceshe’llhavenothing.Youcan’tbesocruel!’

‘Beingcrueltoyourfriendmightbeakindnesstoalotofotherwomen,’camethequietstatement.

‘ButRolandwon’tcomeback,’Natalierepeated.‘Igiveyoumywordonthat,andI’llgiveyouMaggie’sword,too.’

‘Youcan’tspeakforanotherperson.’

‘Thentakemyword,’shepleaded.‘Please,MrDenton.’

Thoughtfullyherubbedhischin.Nowthathewasnolongerangryitdidnothavethesamebelligerentlook,thoughitwasstillfirm,aswerethefingersthatmovedalongit.Thinfingers,shenoticed,longandwithbeautifullyshapednails.Thehandsofasurgeon.

Shelookedquicklyawayfromhim,thenasquicklybroughthereyesbacktohisface,determinednottolessenhisembarrassment;andshecouldseethathewasembarrassedfromthewayhenibbledathislowerlip.Surprisinglyitwasnotasthinasshehadfirstimagined.Releasedfromitsearliertautness,itlookedfullerandwellshaped.Hisfeaturesreallywereamassofcontradictions,andshesuspectedthatthesamecouldbesaidofhischaracter.

‘You’vepleadedexcellentlyforapoorcause,MissBaker,’hesaidsuddenly.‘ButI’mstillnotconvincedIshoulddoasyouask.’



‘Ofcourseyoushoulddoit,’shesaidimpetuously,andflungoutherhand.Ittouchedhisarmandhedrewbacksoswiftlythatherfacefloodedwithcolour.‘I’msorry,’shesaidstiffly.‘Iwasn’tthreateningyou.’

‘I’mnotfrightened,’hesaiddryly,andmovedtothedoor.‘I’llthinkoverwhatyou’vesaid,MissBaker.Iwon’tmakeanypromises,butIshallgiveyoumyanswertomorrow.’

‘Doyouenjoyprolongingtheagony?’sheaskedacidly.

‘Ofcourse,’hereplied.‘That’swhyI’masurgeon.’

Sheknewshedeservedtherebukebutcouldnotbringherselftoapologise.Headhigh,shewenttothedoor.

‘I’llwaittohearfromyou,MrDenton.’

Shewashalfwaydownthecorridorwhensheheardhimbehindher.

‘Imustopenthedoorforyou,’hesaideasily.‘Myreceptionisthasalreadygone.’

Silentlyshecontinuedtowalkuntiltheyreachedthefrontdoor.

Asheopeneditforher,ataxistoppedalmostdirectlyoppositeitandabeautifulgirl,alllongslimlegsandsleekblondehair,emergedfromitandracedupthesteps.

‘Milesdarling,’shesaidinasoft,breathlessvoice.‘Ihopethisisyourlastpatient.’

‘Notapatientatall,’hesaidswiftly,bestowingalightkissonthefacehelduptohim.

Watchingthewayhisexpressionchanged,Nataliecouldnotbelieveitwasthesameman,forhelookedsomuchyoungerandfriendlierasheallowedthevolublytalkinggirltocatchholdofhisarmandclingtoit.

‘ThenI’mnottooearly,’shesaidadoringly.‘IknowyousaidIshouldn’tarrivebeforeseven,butIfinishedmyshoppingagesagoandIdidn’tknowwhattodowithmyself.’

‘You’reherenow,’hesaidgently,andextricatedhimselffromherhold.HeopenedthedoorwiderandlookedpointedlyatNatalie.‘I’llcallyoutomorrow,’hesaid.

Nataliegavehimadirectlookandwentdownthesteps.

‘Whydoyouhavetocallher,darling?’sheheardthegirlaskplaintively.‘Whoisshe?’

Theman’sanswerwasshutoffbytheclosingofthedoor,andonlythendidNatalieglanceroundandlookatthehouse,noticinghowbeautifullykeptitwas.Thestepswerepristinewhite,asiftheyhadbeenfreshlycleaned,andthesinglebrassplateonthefrontdoorsignifiedthatonlyonepersonhadhisconsultingroomsthere.ItwasMilesDenton’shometoo,sheremembered,andpulledafaceattheknowledgethatthewholehousewashis.Hemustbeahighlysuccessful



surgeonindeed.Whatcouldamanlikethatknowofhardshipandthedifficultiesofrunningabusinesswithinsufficientcapital?ShethoughtofMaggieandmutteredgrimlytoherself.

‘Hecan’truinher.Iwon’tlethim!’

Theywerefinewords,andtheybolsteredhercourageforashortwhile.Butbythetimeshereachedherownhomeshehadacknowledgedthat,inthelastresort,therewasverylittleshecoulddotostophim.

CHAPTERTHREE

NATALIEspenttherestoftheeveningconsideringwaysofpersuadingMilesDenton—horribleman—tochangehismindabouttryingtorevokethelicenceoftheMarriageBureau.ShetoyedwiththeideaofgettingMaggietotelephonehimfromhersickbed,butwasbynomeansconvincedthiswouldhaveanyeffectonhim.Asasurgeonhewasusedtosickpeopleandwouldbesufficientlyhard-heartedtoignoreanypleas,nomatterhowjustifiable.Thethoughtofhimincreasedheranger,andhertemperbubbleddangerouslyneartoboilingpoint.

Shewasstillsimmeringwithragewhensheunlockedthedooroftheofficethenextmorning,almostanticipatingthataninspectorwouldbeonherdoorstep.Butallwascalm.

Shecollectedthepost,changedtheflowersonthedeskandthensatdownandbegantogothroughthepost.Atteno’clockRolandarrived,lookingasnonchalantasever.

Sheglaredathim.

‘IthoughtItoldyounottocomehereanymore?’

‘Youdid,’hesaid,‘butthisisstillmysister’sagency,notyours.’

‘AslongasI’minchargeIwantyoutostayaway.’

Hesatdowninthehardchairfacingthedesk,managingbysomeextraordinaryfeattolookquitecomfortableinit.

‘I’mabitshortofthereadysincecomingbackfromAustralia,’heannounced.‘HencemyofferingtohelpMaggieout.’

‘Andhelpingyourselfintothebargain,I’llbebound.WhenMaggiefindsoutwhatyoudid….’

‘Areyougoingtobetheonetotellher?’Rolandsneered.‘Itwillhardlyhelphertomakeaspeedyrecovery.’

‘I’veeveryintentionoftellingherassoonasshegetsbetter,’Natalieasserted.‘Didyoureallybelieveyouwouldn’tbefoundout?’

‘Yes,Idid.IneverthoughtGillywouldrushofflikeanidiotandconfideinbigbrother.’



‘Idon’tknowthatshedid,’saidNatalie,andwasimmediatelysorryshehadspoken,forshesawRoland’sinterestperkupandknewhewasre-assessingthesituation.IfGillianDentonhadtoldherbrotherabouthim,itwouldhavemeantshewasfuriouswithRoland.Butifshehadn’t,theremightstillbeapossibilitythatshecouldbeusedagain.

Swallowingtheangerwhichwaswellingupinsideher,Nataliesaid:‘Don’tgetanyideasaboutstartingupwithGillianDentonagain.Ifherbrotherfindsoutyou’restillseeingher,hewouldnotonlyputusoutofbusiness,buthaveyouputbehindbarsforfalsepretences!’

‘Ididn’tdoanythingcriminal,’Rolandsaidsulkily,hiseyesavoidinghers,andshewassurehewasnotasconfidentashetriedtopretend.Criminalhisactionmightnothavebeen,butitwassufficientlyreprehensibletoharmareputationthatwasalreadyunsavoury.

‘Thepolicehavelongmemories,Roland,’shesaid.‘IfMrDentonwenttoseethemandcomplainedaboutyou,theymightrememberafewotherthingsyou’vedone.’

‘Don’tgivemethat.’Rolandstoodupandbrushedsomedustfromhisjacket.‘There’snoharminsellingafewdudcars,andthere’snothingcriminalinrunningoffwithyourboss’swife.’Hegaveheraninsolentsmile.‘ButthesooneryougivemesomemoneythesoonerI’llgetoutofyourhair.Fiftypoundswilldoforthemoment.’

‘WheredoyouthinkI’mgoingtogetthatamount?There’sonlytenpoundsinthepettycash.’

‘Youcanwritemeacheque,angel.You’readirectorofMaggie’scompany,aren’tyou?’

‘Thatstilldoesn’tgivemetherighttosignyoursister’schequebook,’Nataliesaidcoldly.

‘ThenI’llhavetogotothehospitalandaskhertodoitinstead.Shewasgoingtogivemesomemoneyanyway,butitslippedhermindwhenshewastakenill.’

UnwillingtohavehimpesterMaggie,andknowinghewasquitecapableofdoingso,Natalietookoutherownchequebookandwroteouttheamounthehadaskedfor.

‘There’llbenomoreafterthis,’shesaid,handingittohim.‘Ifyoucan’tfindajobtosuityourambition,Isuggestyoubecomearefusecollector.You’vemadeenoughmessofyourlifetostartdoingsomeclearingup!’

‘Veryfunny,’hesaidsourly.

‘OryoucouldgobacktoAustralia,’shesuggested.

‘You’dlikethat,wouldn’tyou?’Hefoldedthecheque.‘Butdon’tbankonit,angel.’Hestrolledtothedoorandcloseditquietlybehindhim.

ResolutelyNatalieconcentratedonthecorrespondenceandtriedtoputRolandoutofhermind.ButshecouldnothelpwonderinghowmanyotherwomenhehadcontactedapartfromGillian,andifshewouldhavetodealwithanymoreiraterelations.



Luckilyforherpeaceofmind,thereweretwonewclientsthatmorning,oneawomanofforty,andtheotheradivorcedmaninhisfiftieswho,afterthirtyyearsofmarriage,wasnotfindingiteasytomakefriendsagain.

‘WhenmywifeandIsplitup,ourfriendswerewaryofme,’hesaid.‘Thehusbandswerehappytogoonseeingme,butthewiveswereafraidImightgivetheirmenfolkideas.’Hehalfsmiled.‘Youknowthesortofthing;thatI’dtellthemhowwonderfulitwastobesingleandwhatfuntheyweremissing.’Thehalfsmiledisappearedandhelookedsad.‘Theydon’trealiseIhateeveryminuteofmyfreedom.Thedivorcewasn’tmyidea,youknow,butIwasn’tgivenmuchchoice.’

Natalietriednottolethersympathyaffectherjudgmentasshelistenedtotheman’sstoryandmadedetailednotesabouthim.

‘Ittookmealongtimetomakeupmymindtocomehere,’heconfessedashestooduptoleave.‘Itseemsalmostindecenttoadmityoucan’tfindapartnerforyourselfandneedsomeoneelsetodoitforyou.’

‘We’realwaysgettingotherpeopletodothingsforus,’Natalieassuredhim.‘That’swhatexpertsarefor.You’renotembarrassedtogotoadoctorwhenyou’reill,ortoatailorwhenyouneedanewsuit.Rightnowyou’reshoppingforawife,soyousensiblycometoamarriagebureau.’

‘Ineverthoughtofitthatway,’themansaidinsurprise.

‘Notmanypeopledo.’

‘Well,ifyoucansortmeout,Iknowafewotherslikemyself,who’dbemorethandelightedtocomehere.’

Promisingtodoherbestforhim,Natalieclosedthedoorandsettleddowntoeathersandwichlunch.ShewouldhaveclosedtheofficeandtakenaproperbreakhaditnotbeenforthefearthatMilesDentonmighttelephoneher.Ifherangandshewasout,hewouldprobablythinkshewasnotworriedaboutwhathemightdo,andhemightthenconceivablygoanddoit.

Heranxietyincreasedandthesandwichshewastryingtoeatstuckinherthroat.Shewascoughingsohardshedidnotheartheknockonthedoor,anditwasonlywhenitopenedthatshelookedupandsawthetall,leanmanstandingthere,lookingatherwithdisapproval.

Scarlet-faced,shewipedthecrumbsfromhermouth.‘MrDenton,’shemumbled,pushingtheplateofsandwichesoutofsight.‘Iwasn’texpectingyou.’

‘Soitappears.Don’tyoueverhaveanyclientstosee?’

‘We’vealreadyhadtwonewonesthismorning,’sheinformedhimacidly.

‘Businessmustbebooming!’Helookedrounddisparagingly.‘DoesthisplacebringinenoughtogivebothyouandMissWhitneyadecentsalary?’



‘I’vealreadyexplainedthatIdon’tworkhereonapermanentbasis,’Nataliereplied.‘I’mhelpingMaggieoutwhileshe’sinhospital.’Shehesitated.‘I’monholidayfromschool.’

Sherrygoldeyesappraisedher.‘Don’ttellmeyou’reateacher?’

‘Iwasn’tgoingtotellyouanything,’shesaidhaughtily.

‘Whatexactlydoyouteach?’hepersisted.

‘I’manurseryschoolteacher.’

Hismouththinned.‘Youdon’tlookthetype.’

‘WhattypedoIlook?’

Theglintinhiseyesmadeherregretherquestion,andshespokeagainquickly.‘Don’tbothertellingme,MrDenton.I’mnotinterestedinyouropinion.’

‘Butyou’reinterestedinwhatIintenddoingaboutthisplace,aren’tyou?’hesaiddryly.‘Forsomeonewhowantsafavourfromme,you’renotveryplacatory.’

‘Doyouwantmetobeg?’sheaskedinafrigidvoice.‘OrshouldIkneelinfrontofyou?Tobehonest,MrDenton,ifitwillhelpMaggie,I’mwillingtodoboth.’

‘Neitherwillbenecessary,’hesaidinaclippedtone.

Withoutwaitingtobeasked,hesatdownandcrossedonelonglegovertheother.Hisshoeswerehighlypolishedandtherewasaglimpseofablacksockbeneaththedarktrousers.Despiteitbeingawarmsummerday,hehadmadenoconcessiontotheseasonbutworeacrispwhiteshirtwithadarksuitandtie.Allheneeded,shethoughtirritably,wasabowlerhatandatightlyrolledumbrella.Itwouldgowellwithhistightlittlecharacter.

‘I’vedecidedtoputyoutothetest,’hesaidwithoutpreamble.‘Ifyoucomeoutofitwell,I’lloverlookwhathappenedtomysister.’

Nataliestaredathimandwaitedforhimtoexplainhisuseoftheword‘test’.Surprisingly,hedidnotmeethereyesbutfidgetedwiththechairarm.

‘ItmightbepossibleforthisAgencytohelpme,’hesaidabruptly.

Natalietriedtohideherastonishment.TothinkamanlikeMilesDentonshouldrequireamarriagebureau!Still,itwasnotsosurprising:hewasprobablyanimpossiblemantolove.

‘We’lldoourbesttohelpyou,MrDenton,’shesaidsweetly.‘Ifyoucouldtellmetheageandtypeyou’reinterestedinmeeting….’

Foraninstanthelookedatherinblankastonishment,thenhegaveanirritableshakeofhishead.



‘Idon’trequireawife,MissBaker,butahusbandforsomeoneelse.IfI—’

‘Yoursister?’

‘Don’tyoueverletanyonefinishwhatthey’regoingtosaywithoutinterruptingthem?’heaskedforcefully.

Nataliehadthegracetoblush.‘I’mlikethatwiththechildren,’sheadmitted.‘Someofthemareabitslowintellingmewhattheywant,so….’

‘I’mnotachild,noramIabitslow,’herejoined.‘AndIwouldthankyoutoletmethinkandspeakformyself.’

Resistingtheurgetoslaphisthin,aristocratic-lookingface,Nataliemotionedhimtocontinue.

‘IwishtofindasuitablemasculinediversionforayoungwomannamedGayleHunter,’hecontinued,andlookedatNatalieasifheexpectedhertoproduceasuitablespecimenimmediately.

‘Ithinkyou’vecometothewrongplace,MrDenton.We’renotanescortagency.Weaimtofindsuitablepartnersforourclients,notdiversions.’

‘AllthebetterifyoufoundGayleahusband,’hesaidinstantly.‘Butfailingthat,ifyoucouldatleastdivertheritwouldbeofinestimablehelptome.You’vealreadymether,’headdedlaconically.‘She’sthegirlwhoarrivedasyouwereleavingmyhouseyesterday.’

Nataliehidhersurprise.‘Thebaby-voicedblondewhogotoutofthetaxi?’

Helookeddisconcertedbythedescription,andthennodded.‘That’stheone.’

‘Ithoughtshewasyourgirl-friend.’

‘Unfortunately,sodoesshe.’

ThistimeNatalie’ssurpriseshowedonherface.

‘IsupposeI’dbetterbeginatthebeginning,’hesighed.‘MissHunter’smotherandmyownhavebeenfriendssincetheywereschoolgirls,andfromthetimeGaylewasbornthey’venourishedthehopethatwewouldgrowupandmarryeachother.Unfortunately,it’sanideawhichhasfoundgreatfavourwithGayle.’

‘Butnotwithyou?’

‘Obviouslynot.’

‘Thenwhynottellher?’



‘I’vetriedtodoso,butIcan’tseemtomakeherbelieveme.’

ForabriefsecondNataliethoughthewasjoking,butthelookonhisfacetoldherhewasserious.

‘Maybeyouhaven’tbeenconvincingenough,’sheventured.‘Perhapsyoureallyloveher.’

‘Idon’twanttogetmarried,’hereplied.‘ButIcan’tgethertobelieveme.Shethinksherselfinlovewithme.’

‘Howunfortunateforher!’

Hismouthtightened.‘Idon’texpectyoutounderstand,MissBaker,thoughitmighthelpifyouweretotry.Afterall,thecontinuationofyourAgencydependsonit.’

Seeingirritationonhisface,Nataliefoldedherhandsprimlyinherlapandlookedathimwithanairofsweetinnocence.

‘Pleasegoon,MrDenton.’

‘Isupposeyoufindthisprettyamusing,’hesaidsavagely,‘butIcanassureyouit’snojoketome.I’mcontentedwithmypresentmodeoflifeandhavenowishtochangeitsuncomplicatedpatternforoneofdomesticity—nomatterhowblissful.’

‘PerhapsyoushouldbemorebluntwithMissHunter.’

‘IfIwereanyblunteritcouldwellendhermother’sfriendshipwithmyown,andthat’ssomethingI’mloathtodo.I’vetoyedwiththeideaofgoingoutwithotherwomen,butinmyprofessionthat’simpossible.’

‘Why?Youaren’tamonk.’

Hiseyesnarrowedintogoldslits.

‘Youobviouslydon’trealisethelonghoursIwork.Itleavesmelittletimeforsocialising,andevenlessinclination.’

‘Areyouasuccessfulsurgeon?’Natalieasked,andsawhimgiveheranaffrontedlook.

‘Extremely.’

‘Thenifyou’reatthetop,surelyyoucanfindalittlemoretimeforsocialising?’

‘Notquitethetop,MissBaker.Infactthat’sonereasonwhyI’mreluctanttoquarrelwithGayle.’

Hepausedandpulledathisearlobe.ItwasanunexpectedlyboyishgestureandNataliefeltherattitudetowardshimsoften.



‘MuchasIwanttogetGayleoutofmylife,’hecontinued,‘itwouldbemostembarrassingformetohaveanoutrightrowwithher.’

‘Becauseofyourmothers.’Natalieremindedhimthathehadalreadytoldherthestory.

‘AndalsobecauseofGayle’sfather,’hesaidstiffly.‘I’mbeingconsideredforthepositionofSeniorConsultantatmyhospital,andthemansteppingdownfromthepost—andwhocanrecommendmeforit—isSirEltonHunter.’

Natalie’ssympathyvanished.Thislaststatementmadesenseofwhat,untilnow,shehadfoundincomprehensible.ShehadneverbelievedMilesDentontobeincapableofmakinghisopinionsknown.InthatrespecthewasasconciseastheOxfordDictionary.No,hewantedtoberidofGayleHunterwithoutdoinganyharmtohiscareer.

‘Istilldon’tseehowthisagencycanhelpyou,’shesaid.

‘I’vejusttoldyouIwantGayletomeetothermen—oneswholikethesamesortofthingsshedoes—dancing,tennis,skiing.ShemightthenrealiseI’mnottheonlyfishinthesea.’

‘Whydon’tyousimplymakeyourselfunavailable?’Natalieasked.

‘IthoughtI’dmadeitclearwhyIdon’twanttoquarrelwithher.’

‘BecauseofSirElton,’Nataliesaidwaspishly.

‘Becauseofhermother’sfriendshipwithmyown,’hecorrected.

Nataliestaredathimandhelookedbackatherasthoughdefyinghertoarguewithhim.Shewonderedifhebelievedwhathewassaying,orwhetherhecouldnotbringhimselftoadmitthatitwashisunwillingnesstoannoySirEltonthatwasmakinghimactsooutofcharactertowardsagirlwho,asfarasshecouldtell,wasadesigningyoungwoman.

Shewishednowthatshehadpaidgreaterattentiontothegirl,butcouldremembernothingapartfromababyvoiceandlong-leggedgrace.

‘I’mafraidwecan’tputMissHunteronourbooks.Shemustcomehereherselfandenrol,’shesaid.

‘I’mgladtofindyouaresoscrupulous,’MilesDentonsaidunpleasantly.‘Butpleaserememberthatyourlicencewillberevokedifyoudon’thelpme.’

Natalieleanedbackinherchairandlookedathim.

‘You’reveryunscrupulous,MrDenton.’

‘I’madeterminedman,MissBaker.’



Determinedtoridhimselfofathreattohisbachelorstatuswithoutcausingathreattohiscareer!Nataliethoughtofhimintheoperatingtheatreandfounditeasytoenvisagehimwieldingaknife.

‘Whatareyouthinking?’heaskedabruptly.

‘Howwellyouwouldwieldascalpel,’shesaidwithoutevasion.

Theexpulsionofhisbreathwasaudibleandhiseyesblazedwithanger,remindingherofthemanwhohadcomeintoherofficeyesterday.

‘Thechoiceisyours,MissBaker,’hesaid.‘TheAgencyhelps—ortheAgencycloses.IwillexpectyouatHarleyStreetatsixo’clockthiseveningwithalistofmenwhomyouconsidersuitable.’

Natalieswallowedherownanger.‘HowwillMissHuntermeetthem?I’vealreadytoldyoushehastoenrolherepersonally.’

‘Findmeafewsuitablemenforher,andI’llfiguresomethingout.’

‘Idon’tevenknowthesortofmenshelikes,’Nataliewentondesperately.

‘Menlikeme.’

‘Wedon’thavesuchparagonsonourbooks!’

MilesDentonscowledbutignoredthecomment.‘Gayle’stwenty-two.ShewenttoboardingschoolinSwitzerland;she’sanexcellentathleteandlovesdancing,travellingandmeetingpeople.’Hepaused.‘Isthereanythingelseyouneedtoknow?’

‘Whatsizeshoesdoesshewear?’

FinelyarchedeyebrowsmetaboveMilesDenton’slong,straightnose.‘I’llseeyouatmyroomsatsix,’hesaid,andwithoutwaitingforherreply,walkedout.

CHAPTERFOUR

NATALIEknewshehadnooptionbuttodoasMilesDentonhadasked.Hewasthepiperwhocalledthetuneandshewasforcedtodancetoit.

DiligentlyshesearchedthroughthelistofmenwhomightbeeligibletointroducetoGayleHunter,buttheyweredismallyfew.Youngmenwhowouldappealtosuchalovely-lookingcreaturewerenotlikelytobefoundonthebooksofamarriagebureau,anymorethanonewouldfindsuchagirlenrolling.Thismadeherwonderagainwhathadbroughtthesurgeon’ssisterontotheirbooks.Fromallaccounts,GillianDentonwasequallyeyecatching.ItwasapityshehadnotaskedRoland;hewasboundtoknow.Still,thelessshespoketohimaboutGillianthebetter.

Armedatlastwiththenecessarylist—asparseonebutallshecouldmuster—Nataliestoodon



thestepsofthehouseinHarleyStreetandpressedthebellmarkedVisitors.Itwasexactlysixo’clockandshehopedMrDentonwouldappreciateherpunctuality.Therewasnoanswerand,afteramoment,shepressedthebellagain,wonderinghopefullywhetherthemanhadhadsecondthoughtsabouthisrequest.Butifhehad,surelyhewouldnotlethercallhereonafalseerrand?

Shewasdebatingwhethertoringforthethirdtimewhenthedoorwasflungbackandshefoundherselflookingatagirlafewyearsherjunior.

Natalie’sfirstthoughtwasthatMilesDentonseemedtobesurroundedbybeautifulyoungwomen,forthisone,thoughdifferentintypefromGayleHunter,wasequallypretty.Shehadlightbrownhairandtawnyeyeswithincrediblylonglashes.Itwasobviousfromtheopenbarofchocolatesheheldinherhandthatshewasquiteathomehere.

‘MrDentonisexpectingme,’Nataliesaid.

‘AreyouMissBaker?’

‘Yes.’

Thegirlopenedthedoorwider.‘MrsEvanstoldmeyouwereexpectedandIpromisedtoshowyouupstairs.She’sgenerallyhereuntilsixo’clock,butshewasn’tfeelingwell,soIsentheroffearly.’

Stillspeaking,thegirlledthewaytoasmalllift.

‘AreyouafriendofMiles?Ihaven’tseenyouaroundbefore.ButthenI’mnothereasoftenasIusedtobe.IoncehadmyownkeyandcouldgetinwhenIliked,butthenMileswentandchangedallthelocks.’

‘Shouldyoubetellingmethis?’Natalieasked,faintlydiscomfited.

Foraninstantthegirllookedsurprised,thensheflungbackherheadandlaughed.‘Goodlord,I’mnothisgirl-friend,I’mhissister!’

Nataliecouldn’thelpsmiling.SothiswasGillianDenton.Shecouldsuddenlyseethelikeness,andfounditincrediblethatthegirlshouldhavecometotheWhitneyMarriageBureau.

‘HowlonghaveyouknownMiles?’GillianDentonasked,openingthedooroftheelevatorandfollowingNataliein.

‘I’mnotafriendofhis.I’m—I’mabusinessacquaintance.’

Gillian’ssherrygoldeyesappraisedher.Theywereremarkablylikeherbrother’s,Nataliethought.

‘Howintriguing,’thegirlasked.‘Areyouanurseoradoctor?’

‘I’manurseryschoolteacher.’



‘Youdon’tlookit,’Gillianreplied.‘Iwouldn’thavepatiencewithchildren.MilessaysIdon’thavepatienceforanything,butthenhe’sratherhardonme.’

Theelevatorstoppedatthethirdfloorandtheygotout.TheymadetheirwayalongathicklycarpetedcorridorandGillianopenedthedoorofalargesitting-room.Deep-piledwhitecarpetlaywalltowall,anduponitstoodseveralarmchairsandalowchesterfield,coveredindeepbluevelvet.Silk-drapedwallsweresmotheredwithanabundanceofhighlycolouredmodernpaintings,allabstract,andthetallwindowsweresoftenedbydrapeswhosematerialpickedoutthemoredominantcoloursofthelargeMarkRothkoabovethemantelshelf.

‘Howdifferentfromthewaitingroomdownstairs!’Natalieexclaimed.

‘Gayledidthedecorforthisone,’Gillianexplained,andthenlookedembarrassed.‘Doyou—er—knowher?’

‘Iknowofher.’

‘Thankgoodnessforthat!Milesisalwaystellingmeoffforbeingindiscreet.’

Nataliehidasmile,knowingthatGillianstillassumedhertobeherbrother’sgirl-friend.

‘Gaylewantstohaveagoatthewaitingroomnext,’thegirlwenton,‘butMileshasmanagedtoputheroff.’

‘Why?’

‘Becauseheabsolutelyloathesthewayshedidthisroom,andhe’stoopolitetosayso.’

ItwasimpossibleforNatalietoimaginethesurgeonbeingpolitetoanyone,untilsherememberedhewouldnotwishtoberudetothedaughterofthemanwhocouldchopoffthenextstepoftheladderhewishedtoclimb.

Shesatdownononeoftheeasychairsandlookedatherwatch.

‘Willyourbrotherbelong?’

‘Dependsonthepatient.Iknowit’shislastone.’GillianDentonperchedonthearmofachairandidlyswungashapelyleg.‘Areyousureyouaren’tapersonalfriendofMiles?’shequestioned.‘ItwouldbeoneintheeyeforGayleifyouwere.’

‘IcanassureyouI’mnot,’Nataliesmiled.‘ThoughImustadmitIknowwhatyoumean.’

‘Good.MuchasIcouldsometimeskillmybrother,Iwouldhatetoseehimmarriedtothatpseud.Onceheputtheringonherfingershe’dtakeitoffandtrytoputitthroughhisnose!’

‘Really?’Nataliequestioned,hopingtohearmore.



Gillianleanedforward.‘Inmyopinionshe’snowhereasdumbasshemakesout.’

‘Alotofgirlsputonthatsortofact.’

‘TrytellingittoMilesandhe’llbiteyourheadoff.Hemaybeabrilliantsurgeon—heisbrilliant,infact—buthe’sadimwitwherewomenareconcerned.Theonlytimeheunderstandsawomaniswhenshe’sunconsciousontheoperatingtableinfrontofhim!’

Natalieburstoutlaughingandafterasecondtheothergirljoinedin.Butthelaughterstoppedabruptlyasthedooropenedandtheobjectoftheirmirthfacedthem.

‘Goodbye,Gilly,’hesaidabruptly.

‘Doyouwantmetogo?’hissisteraskedartlessly,andgettingtoherfeet,flungNataliealookofamusementbeforebouncingoutoftheroom.

‘Itakeitmysisterdoesn’tknowwhyyouarehereorwhoyouare?’hesaidinavoicedevoidofexpression,yetmanagingtoconveydisapproval.

‘No,shedoesn’t,’Nataliesaidabruptly.

‘Good.She’sasdiscreetasaSundaytabloid.’

‘Butfarmoreinnocent,’Natalieflashed,andforthefirsttimesawagenuinesmilecrosshisface.

Itmadearemarkabledifferencetohim,andsherealisedthathewasnotonlyyoungbutalsoverygood-looking.

‘Wouldyoulikeadrink?’heasked.

‘No,thankyou.’Shewassorrythemomentshehadanswered,forhisfacetookonitssharplookagainashesatdownonthesettee.

‘MayIchangemymind,’shemurmured,‘andhaveaginandtonic?’

Immediatelyheroseandcrossedtothesideboardinthefarcorner.Shewatchedhishandsmovingdeftlyashepouredthedrinks.Theywerelong,beautifullyshapedhandsthatsuddenlymadeherseehimasamanwhosavedlives.Sherememberedthesarcasmthathadwagedbetweenthemandfeltcheapenedbyit.Ifonlyshecouldhavemethiminmorenormalcircumstances!

‘MissBaker?’

Withastartshesawhewasstandinginfrontofher,profferingaglass.Shetookit.

‘Iassumeyou’vebeenabletodoasIasked?’hesaidquestioningly.



Shenodded,andwishedfleetinglythathehadnotmadeitsoobviousthathewantedhertosaywhatshehadtosayandbegone.

‘IhopeIcanhelpyou,’shemurmured.‘AsIsaidearlier,wedon’thavemanyyoungmenonourbooks,butI’vebroughtyoualistofthosethatareavailable.’

Sheopenedherbagandtookoutatypewrittenlist.MilesDentonhadresumedhisseatbesideherandwasnursingawhiskytumblerbetweenhislongflexiblefingers.

‘Goon,’hesaidquietly.‘Givemearun-downofthem.’

Shebegantodoso,anditwassomefifteenminutesbeforeshestoppedandlookedathim.Hewasrestinghisheadagainstthesetteeandasoftlockofhairhadfallenacrosshisforehead.Hewasmorerelaxedthanshehadeverseenhimandhisnormallypaleskinwaswhisky-warm.Againshewishedtheyhadmetindifferentcircumstances,andwasdismayedthatsheshouldbethinkinglikethis.Determinedlyshepushedthethoughtawayandspoke.

‘Whichofthemendoyoulike,MrDenton?’

‘None.’

‘Surelythearchitect—’

‘He’sfartoooldforGayle.Anyway,he’sbeendivorced,andherparentswouldneverapprove.’

‘WhataboutSteveLoring,theengineer?’

‘Gayledoesn’tlikemenwhowearglasses.’Hejumpedup.‘They’reallhopeless.Youmustdobetterthanthat.’

‘I’vealreadycombedthebooks,’shestated.

‘Thencombthemagain.IthoughtImadeitquiteclearthesortofmanIwanted.’

‘Oh,youdid,’shescoffed.‘Afacsimileofyourself.Butthat’squiteimpossible,MrDenton.Theydon’tmakemanymenlikeyou.’

‘Sparemeyoursarcasm,MissBaker.’

TheunusualedginesswhichNataliehadbeenexperiencingforthelasthalfhoursuddenlyeruptedintoablazeoftempershewastotallyunabletocontrol.

‘Iwasn’tbeingsarcastic,MrDenton.Theydon’tmakemanymenlikeyou—andthankgoodnessforthat!IfyouwanttofindMissHunterareplacementforyourself,thenyou’dbettergotoMadameTussaudsandaskthemtomakeaneffigyofyou—becauseIdon’tthinkthere’samarriagebureauintheworldthatwillhaveanyoneaswonderfulasyouontheirbooks!’

Therewasalengthysilence,duringwhichMilesDentonsetdownhisglassandfoldedhisarms



acrosshischest.

‘I’mgladyouappreciatemyworth,MissBaker.You’reawomanofperception.’

Natalierefusedtorisetothebait.‘I’vegivenyouacompletelistofeveryonethat’sanywherenearsuitable,’shesaidcoldly,‘andyou’veturnedthemalldown.We’renotabigbureau,MrDenton,andIcan’tfindclientsoutofthinair.’

‘Whataboutyourownboy-friends?’

Incredulouslyshestaredathim.

‘Myownboy-friends?’

‘Youdohavesome,Iassume.’Hiseyesmovedoverher,fromthetopofherrussetbrownhair,pastthefullcurveofherbreastsandsmallwaist,totheshapelyhipsthatlengthenedintoslenderlegs,‘Youdohaveboy-friends?’herepeated.

Indignantlysheglaredathim.‘You’renotsuggestingIintroducethemtoMissHunter,areyou?’

‘Whynot?Iwouldn’texpectyoutointroducehertoanyoneofwhomyou’reparticularlyfond.’

‘Thanks,’shesaiddryly,andnoticedaglintinthebackofhiseyesthatmadeherwonderhowserioushissuggestionhadbeen.

‘Doyoureallymeanit,MrDenton?Aboutmyproducingmyownboy-friends?’

Heshrugged.‘Ifyouknowofanyonesuitable,whatwouldbetheharmingettingthemtogether?Wecouldalwaysgooutinafoursomeoneevening.’

‘It’squiteoutofthequestion!’Natalie’scheeksburned,andasshetriedtoregainhercomposure,thesuggestionhehadmadefiredanotheroneinherownmind.‘SinceIcan’tfindanyoneforMissHunter,whydon’twetrytofindsomeoneforyou?Iknowyoudon’twanttogetinvolvedwithanotherwoman,butyoucouldperhapspretendlongenoughforMissHuntertogetthemessage.’

‘AndhowdoyousuggestIgetridofthisfemalewhenInolongerwanttopretend?’

‘I’msureyouwouldn’tfinditdifficult,MrDenton.YourhandsareonlytiedwithMissHunterbecauseofherfather.’

Inthesilencethatmetherremark,sheheardthewhineoftheelevator,followedbytheclangingofadoorandlightfootstepscomingalongthecorridor.

‘Miles!’asoftvoicecalled.‘Milesdarling,I’mhere!’

Withaswiftglanceatthesurgeon,Nataliebracedherselfforthelookofsurprisewhichshe



knewshewouldseeonGayleHunter’sfaceasshesteppedintothesitting-roomandsaw‘Milesdarling’withthesameredheadshehadseenyesterday.

ItallhappenedsoexactlyasNatalieenvisagedthatshewashardputtoitnottolaugh.

‘Ididn’tknowyouwerestillbusy,darling,’Gaylesaidreproachfully,thenlookeddirectlyatNatalie.‘We’vemetbefore,Ithink.’

Natalienoddedbutdidnotvouchsafeanyinformation.LetMilesDentongetoutofthispredicamentasbesthecould!

‘MissBakerisafriendofmine,’hesaid,crossingtothesideboard.‘Yourusual,Gayle?’

‘Thankyou,darling.’Sheglidedovertohimashetookhalfabottleofchampagnefromanicebucket,anddeftlyopenedit.HeglancedroundatNatalie.

‘Wouldyoucareforaglass?’heasked.

‘No,thanks,Imustbegoing.’

‘Don’tmindme,’saidGayle.‘IfyoutwohaveanybusinesstotalkoverI’lljustsitquietlyandrelax.’

‘Ourbusinessisfinished,’saidNatalie,risingtoleave.‘Don’tbotherseeingmedown,’shesaidquicklyasMilesDentonfollowedhertothedoor.‘Icanfindmyownwayout.’

Notgivinghimachancetoreply,shehurriedtotheelevator.BehindhersheheardGayle’svoice,highandamusedasshespoke,uncaringwhetherornotNataliewouldhearher.

‘Ithoughtyoudidn’tlikebiggirls,darling.ThoughI’lladmitshe’sverycolourful.Whatbrighthair!’

CarefullyNatalie,closedthedooroftheelevator,butgavethebellasavagepress,andwasstillseethingwithtemperasshesteppedoutontothegroundfloor.Shewasatthefrontdoorwhensheheardswiftstepspoundingdownthestairs,andturningherhead,shesawMilesDentonstridingtowardsher.

‘I’mgladIcaughtyou,’hesaidbreathlessly,andpausedtodrawairintohislungs.‘Ireallymusttakemoreexercise.I’malwaystellingmypatientstodoso,butIneverfollowmyowninstructions.’

‘Doctorsgenerallydon’t.’

Hegaveahalfsmileandthenbecameserious.‘Ithinkyoucameupwithanexcellentideaamomentago,MissBaker.’

Shewasataloss.‘Whatidea?’



‘ThatyoushouldfindsomeoneformeinsteadofforGayle.Idoseeitwouldbedifficultforyoutointroducehertoanyonewhowouldcomparefavourablywithmyself.’

Nataliestaredathim,andhisexpressiontoldherhewasmockingher.

‘Goon,’shesaiddarkly.‘Whatdeviousplotareyouhatchingnow?’

‘SomethingIshouldhavehatchedyesterday,ifI’dhadanysense.IwantGayletobelieveI’vefallenmadlyinlovewithanotherwoman.’

‘WhenIsuggestedit,yousaid—’

‘IknowwhatIsaid,’heinterrupted.‘ButIdidn’twanttogetinvolvedwithanotherwomanincaseIjumpedoutofthefryingpanintothefire.Butwithyou,therewouldn’tbeanyfire.’

‘WhathaveIgottodowithit?’sheasked,knowinginstantlywhathemeant,butrefusingtoadmitit.

‘I’mgoingtopretendI’minlovewithyou,’hesaidwithsatisfaction.‘YousawthewayGaylereactedwhenshefoundyouupstairs.It’stheidealsolution.’

‘Onthecontrary,it’sabsolutelyridiculous!’

‘Why?Whatharmwillitdotopretendforafewweeks?’

‘Youwon’tfoolher,’sheassuredhim.

‘I’vealreadyfooledher.She’sabsolutelyfuriousbecauseIraceddownafteryou.ItwillbetheeasiestthingintheworldtomakeherbelieveI’vefallenforyou.’MilesDentonlookedverypleasedwithhimself.‘I’msureI’llbeabletoputonaconvincingact.’

‘UnfortunatelyIwon’t,’Nataliesaidtartly.

‘You’llhavetotry,MissBaker.Mymind’smadeup.Afterall,youyourselfsuggestedthissolution.’

‘WhenIsaidyoushouldfindanothergirl-friend,Ididn’tmeanme.’

‘What’swrongwithyou?Itwouldbeextremelyunfairtointroducemetoabonafideclient,bearinginmindthatI’venointentionofgettingmarried.You’retheidealstand-in,MissBaker.’

‘AndwhatwillhappenwhenourpretendedloveaffairendsandMissHunterwalksbackintoyourlife?’

‘I’mhopingherpridewon’tlether.’

‘Ifshelovesyou,shewon’tletpridestandinherway.Itwouldn’tstopme.’



‘You’readifferenttypefromGayle.’

‘Luckilyforyou,’shesaid,andpullingopenthedoor,hurriedoutintothestreet.

Effortlesslythemankeptpacewithher.

‘I’llseeyoutomorrow,’hesaid.‘Behereatthesametime.’

‘Whatfor?’

‘Sowecanbeginourloveaffair.’

‘Never!’

‘It’sonlypretence,’heassuredher.‘EitheryoudoasIaskor—’

‘Idon’twanttohear,’shesaidfuriously.‘Ifitweren’tforMaggie….’

Avacanttaxicruisedbyandshesignalledittostop.MilesDentonopenedthedoorforherandsheclimbedin,thenlookedathimthroughtheopenwindow.

‘Iliveat18KidderminsterTerrace,’shesaidsoftly.‘It’sthetopfloorapartment.I’llexpectyouateight.’

‘But—’

‘It’susualforthegentlemantocallforthelady,’shesaidsweetly,‘sodon’tbelate—MilesdarlingI’

CHAPTERFIVE

THEtaxitookNataliestraightfromHarleyStreettothehospital,whereMaggiewaslookingdistinctlypeakyafterheroperation.

‘I’mafraidIwon’tbeoutofhereasquicklyasI’dhoped,’sheconfessed.‘AngussaystherewereafewcomplicationsandI’llneedsomeextratreatment.’

‘It’snottheendoftheworld,’Nataliesaidinarallyingtone.‘I’mcopingbeautifullyattheoffice.We’veevenhadsomenewclientstoday.’

‘Honestly?’

‘Honestly.Itookdownalltheparticulars,andoneoftheclients—adivorcedmanoffifty—saysheknowslotsofothermenwho’dbehappytocometous,oncewe’dgothimsettled.’

Maggiebrightened.‘There’snoshortageofwomenonourbooks.Ifyouneedmetoadviseyou,bringsomeofthecardsinwithyoutomorrow.’



‘Notonyourlife,’Nataliesaidfirmly.‘I’mrunningthebusinessforthemoment,andIcanmanagewithoutyouradvice.’

Maggieleanedbackagainstthepillows.‘Idon’tknowwhatI’dhavedonewithoutyou.You’reanangel,Natalie.’

‘Andyou’dhavebecomeoneifyouhadn’tbeentakentohospital.You’reaclot,Maggie.Don’tyouknowthatbeingwellismoreimportantthananythingelse?’

‘Idonow,’Maggieadmitted,andlookedpalerthanever.‘Rolandhasn’tbeentoseemetoday.’

‘Norme,’saidNatalie,andthendecidedtobeblunt.‘Itoldhimnottocomeintotheoffice.Werubeachotherthewrongway.’

‘Doyouknowwhathe’sdoing?’Maggielookedworried.

‘No.ButhesaidhehadoneortwothingsintheoffingandIgavehimsomemoney—fiftypounds.’

Maggiefrowned.‘Ididn’tleaveyouanysignedcheques.’

‘Sowhat?Icanalwayslayoutmyownmoneyandyoucanpaymebackafterwards.’

‘TheymustbepayingteachersmorethanIrealised,’Maggiesmiled.‘Youreallyshouldstartyourownnurseryschool.’

‘AtthemomentI’mmoreconcernedwithyourmarriagebureau.Ifindtheworkfascinating.’

FortheremainderofthevisitingtimeNatalieregaledherfriendwithgossipandwasrelievedtoseeMaggielosesomeofherlistlessness.Nataliewasthelastvisitortoleavetheward,andonlyasshereachedthecorridordidsherealisehowhungryshewas.Shequickenedherpaceandroundedacornersoabruptlythatsheranfulltiltintoamuscularbodythat,disengagingitselffromher,turnedouttobeMaggie’sfriendAngus.

Hefrowneddownather,thensuddenlysmiled.‘You’reNatalie,aren’tyou?’

‘That’sright.Andyou’rejustthemanIwantedtosee.I’dliketoknowhowMaggieis.’

‘Haven’tyouseenher?’

‘Ofcourse.ButIwantaprofessionalopinion.’

‘She’saswellascanbeexpected.’HesawNatalie’sexpressionandgrinned.‘WhenIwasastudentIvowedIwouldnevergivestockanswerslikethat,andhereIamdoingit!’Hemovedclosertothewallinordernottobeinthewayofoncomingpeople,andNataliefollowedhim.

‘Actually,Maggie’shadaprettyroughtime,’hecontinued.‘She’llbehereanothertwoweeksatleast,andafterthatshe’llneedtoconvalesceforamonth.’



‘Aslongasthat?’

‘Ifpossible.Willyoubeabletohelpheroutforthatlengthoftime?’

‘Justabout.Istartschoolagaininfiveweeks.Idon’tknowwhatMaggiewilldoifyouwon’tletherbeginworkbythen.’

‘She’llhavetoclosethebusinessuntilshe’sbetter.’

‘Thatmaynotbesoeasytodo,’Nataliewarned.‘Theofficeissmall,buttherentisn’t.’

AfrownmarkedAngus’sfaceandhelookedlikeaworriedbulldog.

‘We’llhavetotryandthinkofsomething,’hemuttered.‘ButmeanwhileIdon’twantMaggieworried.’

‘NordoI,’Natalieassuredhim,‘soI’mkeepingtheproblemstomyself.’

‘Aretheremany?’heasked.

Nataliehesitatedbeforereplying.

‘DoyouknowMaggie’sbrotherRoland?’

‘Wewereatschooltogether.That’showIfirstmetMaggie.Ineverlikedhimverymuch.’

‘Thenyou’dlikehimevenlessnow.’

‘Ishestilllookingfortheeasybuck?’

‘Andtheeasydoe,’Nataliesaiddryly,andbrieflytoldAnguswhathadhappenedwithGillianDenton.

DuringtherecitalAngussteeredherintothecafeteria,wherehepliedherwithcoffeeandstickybunsandlistenedattentivelytothewholestory.

‘IneverrealisedMrDentonwassuchanoddball,’hesaidasshefinished.

OnlythendidNatalierealisehowindiscreetshehadbeen.MilesDentonwas,afterall,inthesameprofessionasAngus.

‘Heisn’toddatall,’sheamendedhastily.‘Hejustfindsitdifficulttocopewithdesigningwomen—oneinparticular,anyway.’

‘I’veseenGayleHunteraround,’Angussaid.‘She’sadish,thoughevidentlynottoDenton’staste.’



‘Idon’tthinkhewantstogetmarriedtoanyone.’

‘Awkwardforhim.OldHunter’sretiringsoonandrumourhasitthatDentonwillbetakinghisplace.Icanseewhyhedoesn’twanttooffendtheoldboybyturningdownhisdaughter.’

Natalienodded,andagainwishedshehadnotblabberedtotheextentshehaddone.Butitwastoolatetoretractanything.

‘Usingmeasaredherringwasjustanideaofhis,’sheexplained.

‘Someherring!’Angusgrinned.‘Butitwon’twork.I’mnotmuchofapsychologist,butevenIknowthattheworstthingpossibletodowithagirllikeGayleistobringanotherwomanonthescene.Farfromleavinghim,she’llbemoredeterminedthanevertohookhim.’

Nataliewasannoyedshehadnotthoughtofthisherself,particularlyasshewasawomanwhoshouldhaveknownhowsomebodylikeGaylewouldreact.ButshehadbeensodisturbedbyMilesDenton’sthreatsthatshehadbeenunabletothinkclearly;andnow,ofcourse,itwastoolatetotellhim,forshehadalreadycommittedherselftodoashewanted.

‘Youwon’ttellMaggiewhat’sgoingon,willyou?’sheimplored.

‘Notaword.AndifRolandcomesin,I’llmakesurehedoesn’tsayanythingeither.’

‘Rolanddoesn’tknowthatI’veagreedtohelpMrDenton,’Nataliesaidhastily.‘ItoldhimnottohangaroundtheofficeandIhaven’tseenhimsince.ForGod’ssakedon’tmentionanyofthistohim.’

Promisingtobethesoulofdiscretion,AnguspartedfromNatalieatthehospitaldoor,andshereturnedtoherflatwonderingifaromancecouldbeblossomingbetweenAngusandMaggie.HowwonderfulifMaggielostagallbladderandfoundahusband!Itseemedanexcellentexchangeandoneshewouldnotmindforherself.ButnotwithAngus,ofcourse.Shethoughtoftheraw-bonedScotandfoundtheimagesupersededbyatall,austerefigurewithwideshoulders.Itwassuchastartlingthoughtthatshehurriedlywentintoherlittlekitchentomakeherselfsomesupper.Shehadnoteatensincelunchandwasobviouslybecominglightheaded.

Butevenwhensustainedbywholemealbreadandtwoboiledeggs,shestillcouldnotgetMilesDentonoutofhermind.Beingangrywithamanmadeone,thinkofhimfartoomuch,shedecided,andshewishedwholeheartedlythatshehadneverseteyesonhim.

Inthemorningsheawokewithavaguefeelingofirritability.Itaccompaniedhertotheofficeandmadeherdealalmostsharplywiththetelephonecallsthatcamein.

‘Idon’tknowwhyyoushouldbesoannoyedwithmebecauseIdon’tlikeMrRogers,’cameaplaintivecommentfromoneclient.

Concedingthatthewomanwasright,Natalieforcedherselfintoacalmerframeofmind.ShewasheretohelpMaggiekeeptheagencygoing;nottoletherownirritationwithMilesDentonbringaboutitsdemise.



‘I’mterriblysorry,MissPeebles,’sheplacated.‘It’sjustthatwethoughtMrRogerswassosuitableforyou.Butifyoudon’tlikehim,we’llintroduceyoutosomeoneelse.’

BylunchtimeNatalie’sequilibriumwastotallyrestored.Shehadenrolledtwofurthernewclientsandfeltaffluentenoughtoringdowntothecaféandaskthemtosendherupapotofcoffeeandasalad.-Asshebeganeating,thetelephonerangagain,andsheswallowedamouthfulofsalamiandsaidhello.

‘MilesDentonhere.’

ItwasthefirsttimeNataliehadheardhimspeakwithoutseeinghim,anditmadehermoreconsciousofthedeepnessofhisvoice.Shecouldimaginehowreassuringitwouldbetohearwhenonewaswakingupfromananaesthetic.Sheshookherhead,asiftoclearitofsuchastupidthought,andsaidsweetly:

‘Haveyourunguptotellmeyou’vechangedyourmind,MrDenton?’

‘I’mringingtosayI’dliketocallforyouatseven.I’vemanagedtogetticketsforthenewmusicalattheRegencyTheatre.’

Nataliewassurprisedbyhischoice.Thoughthereviewsfortheshowhadbeengood,shewouldhaveassumedhimtohavepreferredsomethingmorecerebral.

‘IfoundoutthismorningthatSirEltonistakinghisfamilytoseetheshowtonight,’MilesDentonwenton,makingitclearwhyhehadgotthetickets.‘Ithoughtitwouldbeanexcellentopportunitytoparadeourassociation.’

Shegrinnedatthereceiver.Hemadetheword‘association’soundsolurid.

‘Doyouwantmetowearascarletdress?’sheaskedguilelessly.

Therewasashortsilence.

‘Itwouldclashwithyourhair.’

‘Whataboutgreen?’shesuggested.‘ThatmightechothecolourofMissHunter’sfacewhensheseesmewithyou.’

Therewasanothersilence,brokenthistimebyhisgivinganunmistakablechuckle.

‘Wearanythingyoulike,MissBaker.You’renaturallyvoluptuousandwilllookit,eveninapotatosack.’

Natalierememberedthiscommentasshesearchedthroughherwardrobethatevening.Despitehisdeterminationtoremainunmarried,MrDentonhadasubtlewayofpayingacompliment.Butthenwhyshouldthatbesurprising?Becauseamanwishedtoremainfree,itdidnotmeanhealsowantedtolivethelifeofacelibate.



Shewasstillponderingonthis,aswellasonwhattowear,whenthedoorbellrang.Withherheartbeatingatanunaccountablepace,sheslippedintoahousecoatandhurriedtoopenthedoor.

MilesDentonsteppedintothesmallhallway.Thedarknessofhisdinnerjacketmadehimlookevenmoreausterethanusual,andshecouldimaginehimputtingthefearofdeathintosomenervousyoungstudentnurse.Thenhesmiledather,andNatalieimmediatelyrevisedheropinionandwonderedhowshecouldhave.forgottentheheart-stoppingcolourofsherrygoldeyes.

Quicklysteppingback,sheledhimintothesitting-room.

‘Helpyourselftoadrink,MrDenton.Iwon’tbelong.’

‘Idon’twantadrink,thanks.’

Hewenttostandbythemantelshelf.Themirrorbehindhimreflectedthebackofhisheadandshenoticedheworehishairlongerthanshehadthought.Itwasthickhair,andawarmershadeofbrownthanshehadremembered.

‘Willyoubereadysoon?’heasked.

‘Ionlyhavetoputonmydress.’

‘What’swrongwiththeoneyou’rewearing?’

Shelookeddownatherlongbluehousecoatandthenupathim,notsureifhewasjoking.Buthisexpressiontoldherhewasserious,andshecouldnothelplaughing.

‘Asaneveningdress,thisisveryOrphanAnnie!Waittillyouseemeintherealthing.It’sguaranteedtomakeMissHuntergiveupthefight!’

‘Excellent.’

Histonewasdry,buttherewasaglintinhiseyesthatmadeNataliedecidehehadasenseofhumour.Adeeplyburiedone,itseemed,butthere,nonetheless.

‘You’dbetterhurry,’hesaidquietly.‘Idon’twantustobelate.’

Shewentswiftlyintoherbedroomandputonamintgreendress.Itwasoneofhernicestandshehadnotintendedtowearit.Butsomethinghadmadeherchangehermind,thoughwhatthatsomethingwassherefusedtoanalyse.

Butthereasonconfrontedherwhenshereturnedtotheotherroom,thoughtoherchagrinMilesDentonmadenocommentonherappearance.Buthiscoolappraisalofherawakenedhertothetransparencyofthesilkchiffonthatcoveredhershouldersandarms,placingafilmofhazygreenoverthepeachyglowofherskin.Althoughnotlow-cut,thedelicateruffleofmaterialthatlayacrossherbreastsmovedtantalisinglyasshebreathed,drawingattentiontothefullcurvesthey



hid.

Shewasgrippedbynervousness—asshealwaysseemedtobewhenshewaswithhim—andtoldherselfithadnothingtodowiththemanassuch,butwithwhatherepresented:athreattoMaggie’slivelihood.

Determinedlyshegazedathim,willingherselftobecalm.Hewasstillviewingherwithdetachment,andshedecidedhewassousedtoseeingwomeninvaryingstatesofundressthatonemoremadenodifferencetohim,especiallyonewhomhewastakingoutmerelyasameanstoanend.Butnottheendthatayoung,virilemaleusuallyhadinmind,shethought,humourgettingthebetterofher,butasanendtoGayleHunter.

‘Ready?’heenquiredand,athernod,ledherdowntohiscar.

Itwasnotthesedatesaloonshehadexpected,butwaslow-slungandrakish.Intheclosenessofitsinteriorshewasevenmoreawareofhimasamanthananaloofsurgeon.Hedrovesurprisinglyfastbutcompetently,andknowinghewasgivingallhisattentiontotheroad,shewasabletostudyhimatlength.Inprofilehisfeaturesappearedhighlychiselled,whichlentanausteritytohisexpression.Theremightwellbeamanofdeepfeelingbeneaththefacade,butonewouldhavetodigalongwayinordertofindit.

‘Howlonghaveyoubeenasurgeon?’sheasked.

‘Ibegyourpardon?’

Shehidasmileathisstartledtone.‘It’snotthatI’mgreatlyinterestedinyou,MrDenton,’sheliedwithcandour,‘butifI’msupposedtobeyourgirlfriend,Ishouldknowalittlebitaboutyou,don’tyouthink?’

‘Ofcourse.’Hespokefast.‘Idon’ttakesugarincoffee,nordoIlikeitwithmilk.Irarelydrinktea.Ihaveafondnessforwine—redinpreferencetowhite—andIalwayshavetwowhiskieswhenIcomehomeintheevening.Isthatthesortofthingagirl-friendshouldknow?’

‘Doyouwearpyjamasinbed?’

Thecarjerkedslightly.

‘Yes,’hesaid.‘Butonlythejacket.Whataboutyou?’

Colourcameandwentinhercheeks,butsheknewshedeservedthequestion.

‘Idon’twearpyjamas,andmynightdressesaremoreutilitarianthanglamorous.’

‘Youhaveanaturalglamour,MissBaker,’hesaidprosaically.‘Youhaveabeautifulfaceandanexcellentfigure.’

‘Ihaveallmyownteethtoo,’shesaidbrightly.



‘PerhapsI’llbeabletoascertainthatformyselfatamoreauspicioustime.’

Hisanswerwaspatandthistimethecolourcameintohercheeksandstayedthere.

‘Bytheway,’hesaidabruptly,‘Idon’tknowyourfirstname.’

‘Natalie.’‘

Henodded,thenslowedthecarandstopped.Lookingthroughthewindow,shewassurprisedtoseetheywereoutsidehishouseinHarleyStreet.

‘Ithoughtweweregoingtothetheatre?’sheexclaimed.

‘It’simpossiblydifficulttoparkintheWestEnd,’hereplied,helpingheroutandlockingthedoorswithamazingspeed.‘Thiswayit’sfarlessbother,’headded,flaggingdownacruisingtaxiandusheringherin.‘We’llcomebackhereafterwardsandIcandriveyouhome.’

‘Thankyou.’

‘Don’tmentionit,’hesaidpolitely.‘You’redoingmeagreatfavour.’

‘AmI?’Shelookedathimsteadily.‘IhadtheimpressionIwasbeingorderedtoobeyyouunderduress.’

Hedidnotanswer,butsomethingpreventedherfromlettingthesubjectdrop.

‘WhatmadeyoursistercometotheWhitneyBureau,MrDenton?Ican’timagineherhavinganydifficultyinfindingboy-friends.’

Hewassilentforsolongthatshewassurehewasnotgoingtoanswer,buteventuallyhedid.

‘Itwasmyfaultthatshewent.Sinceshewasseventeenshe’sbeenfallinginandoutoflovewiththemostimpossibleyoungmen.ThelasttimeshecreatedabitmorehavocthanIcouldtolerate,andIwarnedherthatifshedidn’tbehaveherselfIwouldcutherallowance.’

‘Doesn’tshework?’

‘Fitfully.ShehasanincomefromatrustfundwhichImanageforher,andit’sfarmorethansheneeds.I’mherguardianuntilshe’stwenty-five,whichisanotherreasonwhyshelikestoprovokeme.’

‘Youstillhaven’tsaidwhyshewenttoamarriagebureau.’

‘ItwasbecauseIsuggestedshestopwastinghertimewithhippiesandMaoists.Inatempershewenttoseeyourfriendand,asfarasIcangather,gaveheradescriptionofamanwhomshethoughtwouldmeetwithmyapproval.ThenextthingthathappenedwasthatshereceivedacallfromRolandWhitney.Therestyouknow.’



‘Notquite.Onlythatyoursisterboughthimsomecufflinksandthatyoufoundoutwhenhewenttosellthem.’

‘Thecufflinkswerethelastinalonglineofpresents,’hesaidtonelessly.‘Hetookmoneyfromhertoo.Apparentlyhespunherayarnaboutbeingshortofcash.’

‘Howdidyoufindoutaboutthelinks?’Natalieaskedcuriously.

‘My,sisterboughtthematthefamilyjewellersandpretendedshewasbuyingthemforme.WhenWhitneytookthembacktosellthem,theyassumedhehadstolenthem—whichinawayhehad—andtheykepthimtherewhiletheycontactedme.’

‘Whatdidyoudo?’

Thebeautifullytailoredjacketmovedastheman’sshouldersliftedinashrugofhelplessness.‘Itoldthemtheyweren’tmineandthattheymustdoastheypleased.AscandalwasthelastthingIwanted.However,ItackledGillianandgotthewholestoryfromher.That’swhenIdecidedtocomeandseeyou.’

‘ToseetheWhitneyMarriageBureau,’Nataliecorrected.‘I’monlyhelpingMaggieonatemporarybasis.’

‘Butyoutakeherwellbeingverymuchtoheart,don’tyou?’hesaid.

‘She’sasimportanttomeasyourgoodnameistoyou,’Natalierepliedstolidly.‘OtherwiseIwouldn’tbeherewithyounow.’

‘Iappreciatewhyyou’redoingit,MissBaker,andIpromiseyouthatifyoudon’tletmedown,yourfriendwillhavenothingtoworryabout.’

‘Aslongasyoupromisenottoblamemeifyoudon’tfoolMissHunter,’shesaidquickly.

Hislidsblinkedrapidly.‘Idon’tfollowyou.’

‘MissHuntermaynotbeputoffbyyourhavinganothergirl-friend.Infact,itcouldmakeherallthemorekeen.’

‘Surelynot?’

‘Wouldn’titmakeyoukeenerifsomeoneyoulikedwentoutwithanotherman?’

‘No,’hesaidincisively.‘IfIwereeverfoolishenoughtofallinloveandthegirldidn’thavethegoodsenseto—’

Natalie’sgigglecuthimshortandhelookedatheraffrontedly.‘What’sfunnyaboutthat?’

‘Everything.You’reunbelievable,MrDenton.IfIthoughtyoueverhadachanceofmarrying,I’dbesorryforyourwife.’



‘It’spurelybecauseIhavemorethanachance,’hesaidquietly,‘thatyouhappentobeheretonight.Andpleasedon’tcallmeMrDentoninfrontofSirEltonandhiswife.’

‘Don’tworry,darling,’saidNatalie,chokingbackanothergiggle,‘I’llcooatyoulikeadove.’

Thetaxistoppedandshesawtheywereatthetheatre.Courteouslyhehandedheroutandescortedherintothefoyer.

‘Natalie,’hesaidinherear,andshestoppedsoabruptlythatshebumpedintohim.

‘Whatisit?’

‘Nothing.Iwasjustrehearsingyourname.’Hiseyeslookedintohersandthewalllightsaroundthefoyerwerereflectedinthem.‘Fiveyears,’hesaidsoftly.

‘Fiveyears?’sherepeateduncomprehendingly,notsureifhemeanthermentalageorwhetherheanticipatedusingherservicesforthatlengthoftime.

‘SinceIbecameasurgeon,’heexplained.

‘Howoldareyou?’

‘Thirty-five.’

‘Youlookolder.’

‘Thanks!’

‘That’sbecauseyoubehavesostuffily!’

Hishandcameoutandcaughtherarm.Sheexpectedhimtomakesomesharpcomeback,butinsteadherelaxedhisgrip,thoughhestillretainedhisholdonher.Throughherfinefoldsofchiffonshefeltthegentlenessofhisfingertips,theirtouchaslightasafeather,yetstrangelyfirmandreassuring.

‘Thelastbellhasgone,’hemurmured.‘Wemustgoin.’

Theymovedunhurriedlytotheirseatsandsettleddown.Natalieletoutasigh.TheplayshewasabouttoseepromisedtobefarlessexcitingthantheoneinwhichsheandMilesDentonwereparticipating.

CHAPTERSIX

ALTHOUGHthemusicalwasbrash,ithadcatchytunesandanearthyhumour,andNataliediscoveredthatMilesDenton’slaughwascompletelyuninhibited.

‘Thisisarareluxuryforme,’hesaid,asthecurtaincamedownonthefirstact.‘Irarelyfinish



beforeseven-thirtyintheevening.’

‘Ithoughtsurgeonsonlyoperatedinthemorning.’

‘IntheafternoonIseepatients,’heexplainedwithaslightsmile.‘Ialsohavetogoroundthewards.Hospitalworkinvolveslonghours.’

‘Butyouenjoyit?’

‘Ohyes.IcouldhavemorefreetimeifIwished,’headmitted,‘butmyworkisalsomypleasure.Idotrytokeepmyweekendsfree,though.Ioftengoandstaywithmymotherinthecountry.ShelivesnearAyles-bury.’

Natalie’scuriositywasaroused,butshedidnotwanthimtothinkshewasinterestedinhimanddeliberatelyrefrainedfromaskinghimanymore.Althoughhewasrelaxedandchattingeasily,shesensedhisfatigueandnoticedthefinelinesatthecornersofhiseyes,andthemoredeeplyetchedonesatthesidesofhismouth.

‘Whattimedidyoustartoperatingtoday?’sheasked.

Helookedtakenabackatherquestion,butansweredit.‘Eighto’clock.Iexpectedtofinishatnoon,butIhadanemergencythattookthreehours,soIdidn’tleavethetheatreuntilhalf-pasttwo.’

Hewouldthenhavedonehisroundsofthewardsandnodoubtahundredandoneotherthings,Nataliethought,knowingitwouldhavedonehimfarmoregoodtohavegonehome,takenabathandsteppedrightintobed.Yetifshesaidasmuch,howsurprisedhewouldbebyhersolicitude;almostassurprisedasshewastoexperienceit.

‘We’rebeingwatched,’hemurmured,andgaveheratendersmileasifhewerewhisperingsweetnothingsintoherear.

‘Where?’shewhisperedback.

‘Onyourleft,butforheaven’ssakedon’tturnaround.’

Itwasaneffortnottodoso,forshewouldliketohaveseenGayleHunter’sface.

‘I’msurewe’llbeinvitedtohaveadrinkwithSirEltonduringtheinterval,’Milessaid.

‘Won’thebeannoyedtoseeyouherewithme?’Nataliequestioned.

‘Hisattitudewilldependonhowcharmingyouaretohim.’

Theanswerwasquickandcool,asifthoughthadalreadybeengiventoit.

‘IfyoucanpersuadeSirEltonofyourbeautyandintelligence,hemightbemoreunderstandingofmyfallfromgrace!’



‘Iwon’tneedtoconvincehimofmybeauty,’Nataliesaidsmoothly.‘He’samanandcanseethatforhimself.Butitmightbedifficulttoconvincehimofmyintelligence.Onlyafoolwouldgooutwithyou!’

Tawnyeyesglittered.‘You’reneveratalossforareply,areyou,mydarling?’

‘ThinkhowdisappointedyouwouldbeifIwere!’

TheywalkeduptheaisletowardsthebarandNataliewasconsciousofthemanyadmiringglancestheydrew;maleeyesdrawntoherownsparklingbeauty,andfemaleonesintriguedbythealoofdetachmentofherhighlypersonableescort.Shewonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketobeoutwithhimbecausehewantedtobewithher,andfeltunexpectedlydepressedtoknowthiswasnotthecasenow.

‘Herewego,’hewhispered,andcuppingherelbowwithhishandheurgedhertowardsthetall,grey-hairedmanstandingbesideawomanwhowasanolderversionofGayle.Gayleherselflookedexceptionallypretty.Herlongblondehairwaspulledbackfromher’faceandsheworeaGrecianstyledressinwhitejerseysilkwhichmadeherlookmuchtallerthanshewas.

‘Natalie,I’dlikeyoutomeetSirEltonandLadyHunter.Gayle,ofcourse,youalreadyknow.’

NataliesmiledattheoldercoupleandmorebrieflyatGayle,whoreturneditwithalookofsmoulderingdislikebeforespeakingtoMiles.

‘Youdidn’ttellmeyouwerecomingtothetheatretonight.’Hervoicewasquietbutpenetrating.

‘Nataliegottheticketsatthelastmoment,’Milessaid,lyingwithaneasethatNataliefoundastonishing.

‘YourtasteisdifferentfromGayle’s,then,’SirEltonsaidtoher.‘Sheonlycamewithustonightbecauseit’sourtwenty-thirdweddinganniversary.’

‘I’mnotreallykeenonthistypeofshow,’Natalieadmitted,‘butIthinkit’sagoodwayofhelpingMilestorelax.Muchmoresothanifhe’dconcentratedonsomedeepplaywithamessage.’

‘Ithinkonecanrelaxevenifoneconcentrates,’saidLadyHunter.‘Bridgeisaprimeexample.’

‘I’mafraidIdon’tplaybridge,’Nataliesmiled.

‘You’dbetterlearnifyouwanttoseemuchofMiles,’Gaylesaidwaspishly.‘Youhaven’tforgottenyou’remakingafoursomewithustomorrownight,haveyou?’

‘Ofcoursenot,’Milesreplied,andthenlookeddirectlyatNatalie.‘IdidtellyouIwasplayingbridgetomorrow,didn’tI,sweetie?’

‘Why,yes,’shereplied,onlyjustmanagingtohideherastonishmentathiscasualtone.



Awaiterapproachedwithatrayofdrinks,andNatalieacceptedaglassofchampagneandwaitedwhileMilestoastedtheanniversarycouple.

‘It’stimeyouthoughtofmarriagetoo,Miles,’saidLadyHunter.‘AndGayleaswell,’sheadded.‘YourmotherandIweretalkingaboutthetwoofyouonlyyesterday.’

‘Andthedaybeforethattoo,I’llbebound,’saidherhusband.‘That’sallyouandAilsatalkabout.Thesethingscan’tberushed.Thechildrenwillgetmarriedintheirowntime.’

Nataliesippedherchampagneandkeptfirmlyoutoftheconversation,silentlyapplaudingMilesformaintaininganinnocentexpressionandthewayinwhichhethenmanagedtochangethesubject.Whilehewasexpressinganassessmentoftheshow,SirEltongavehisattentiontoNatalie.

‘HaveyouknownMileslong,mydear?’

‘Onlyafewweeks.’

‘Sothat’swhyIdidn’tseeyouatthehospitaldance.Thedoctorsarealwaysexpectedtoinvitealltheprettywomentheyknow!’

‘You’reluckyinhavingtwotobring,’Nataliesmiled.

‘Yes,Iam,aren’tI?’hesaidappreciatively,andgazedfondlyfromhiswifetohisdaughter,whowasstilltalkingearnestlytoMiles.

Thebuzzersoundedinthebarandpeoplebegantomovetowardstheauditorium.

‘Ifyouhaven’tcommittedyourselvestogoinganywherespecialafterwards,’theoldermanasked,‘wewouldbedelightedifyouwouldjoinusfordinner.’

‘Wewouldn’tdreamofintruding,’Milessaidhastily.

‘Don’tbesilly,Miles,’LadyHuntergushed.‘Howonearthcanyoubeintrudingwhenyou’reoneofthefamily?’

‘Inthatcasewewouldbedelightedtojoinyou,’Milesreplied,thoughhelookedanythingbutpleasedasheescortedNataliebacktotheirseats.HisobviousirritationmadeherfeelsurprisinglydespondentandshewonderedifhewasannoyedbecausehehadtobewithGayleafterall,orbecausethetimewithherselfwasgoingtobeprolonged.

Decidingitmustbethelatterreason,shesaidquietly:‘I’msorryyou’llbestuckwithmeafterthetheatre.’

Helookedatherblankly,thensuddenlysmiled.

‘Iwasn’tintendingtorushyoustraighthome,’heinformedherdryly.‘Atleastnotwithout



feedingyoufirst!’

‘Itwouldn’tharmmetomissameal.’ShefeltsuddenlypleasedhehadnotintendedtoshunheronceGaylewasoutofsight.

‘Don’ttellmeyou’reoneofthosefemaleswhoareeverlastinglyonadiet?’

Shesmiled.‘Notatall.Ilovemyfoodtoomuchforthat!’

‘SodoI.’

Sheeyedhim.‘Ican’tbelievethat.’

‘It’strue.ButnomatterhowmuchIeat,Ineverputonanounce.’Hewaited.‘Aren’tyougoingtosayit?’

‘What?’

‘ThatIburnitoffwithbadtemper!’

‘Morelikelyyouburnitoffwithyourperfectionism.Youareaperfectionist,aren’tyou,whenitcomestoyourwork?’

‘Howdidyouguess?’

‘You’reeasytoread.’Itwasnottheanswershewantedtogive,butitwastheonlyoneshedaredutter.Hewouldlaughatherifshetoldhimsheintuitivelyknewexactlythekindofsurgeonhewas:adedicatedandkindonewhowouldtreatallhispatientsalike,whethertheywererichorpoor.

‘WhatwillhappenifSirEltondoesn’trecommendyoutotakeoverfromhim?’sheaskedimpetuously.

‘Itwouldbeablowtomyprestige.I’dprobablyacceptanofferfromanotherhospital.’

‘ThendoyouthinkitwisetoantagoniseGayle?’

‘Idon’tneedtomarryinOrdertofurthermycareer,’hesaidcoldly.

‘Butshe’sverybeautiful.’

‘Soareflamingoes,butIdon’twantoneasawife!’

Thetartnessofhistonepreventedherfromlaughing,butasthelightsintheauditoriumlowered,shemadeamentalnoteofhiscommenttotellMaggie—whenitwassafeforherfriendtohearthewholestory.

NotunexpectedlySirEltonhadbookedatableattheSavoy,andtherewasnodifficultyintheir



beingmovedtoalargeronethatwouldaccommodatehistwoextraguests.

‘We’rewiththeloveliestwomenintheroom,’hesaidbenignlytoMileswhentheywereseated.

‘That’sacomplimentwewomencanecho,’saidNatalie,andheardhimchuckle,thoughwhenhespoke,itwastoMiles.

‘Thisdeargirlisasbrightasshe’slovely.’

HewentonchattingandNatalieglancedsurreptitiouslyatLadyHunter,noticingthestrengthofcharacterbehindthechocolate-boxprettiness,andthehardnessthatlayinthedepthsofeyesonlyslightlylessbluethanthoseofherdaughter.NataliethenstudiedGayle,whowasgazingadoringlyinto,Mile’sface,givingnosignofbeingawarethathewaswithanothergirl.

‘Dolet’sdancebeforewestarteating,’saidGayle,andpulledMilestohisfeet.

Reluctantlyhefollowedherontothefloor,lookingextremelytallincloseproximitytotheslenderblondebesidehim.

‘Whatalovelycoupletheymake,’LadyHuntersighed.‘Don’tyouthinkso,Elton?’

‘YouknowIdo,mydear.’

ThewomangaveNatalieabeadyglance.‘MilesandGaylehaveknowneachothersincetheywerechildren.HismotherandIalwayshoped….’

‘Iknow,’Nataliesaidgently,‘Mileshastoldme.’

LadyHunterlookedstartledandNatalietookadvantageofit.ShedidnotknowexactlywhyshewantedtohelpMiles,onlythatshedid,andthatithadnothingwhatevertodowithherdesiretosavetheMarriageBureau.

‘MileshasoftenspokenofyouandGayleandtoldmehowfondheisofyouall.HethinksofGayleasanothersister.’

‘Shedoesn’tseehimasabrother.’

‘Whatapity,’saidNatalie,andmettheblueeyesdefiantly.

‘Let’sorder,shallwe?’saidSirElton.‘Andperhapsourchoicewillinspiretheothertwowhentheycomebacktothetable.’

MilesandGaylereturnedinasurprisinglyshorttime,withGayle’seyesflashingominouslyinNatalie’sdirection.WhateveritwasthatMileshadsaid,shehadobviouslyfounditdispleasing.

Thedinnerwasperfect,andtheywereatthecoffeestagewhenMilesaskedhishostesstodance.SirEltonchosethistimetoputinacalltothehospital,leavingNatalieandGaylealonetogether.



‘Youwon’tgethim,youknow,’Gaylesnapped,nolongerbotheringtomakehervoicedulcet.‘MilesismineandImeantohavehim.’

‘Perhapsyou’dbettertellMilesso,beforeyoutellme.’

‘You’retheoneI’mconcernedwith,’Gaylesnapped.‘Iwouldhateyoutogoonwastingyourtime.’

‘Idon’tthinkIamwastingit.’

ColourfloodedintoGayle’sface,givinganunpleasantrednesstothepeachesandcreamskin.‘There’smanyaslipbetweencupandlip,MissBaker,andyou’renowherenearthecupyet.’

‘Thingshavechanged.’NataliewasbeginningtofeelsorryforGayle.‘Justbecauseamandoesn’tsay"no",it’sunwisetothinkhemeans"yes".Milesdoesn’tloveyou-Ifhedid,hewouldn’tbeseeingme.’

‘Perhapsyou’remoreaccommodatingthanIam.’

IttookasecondforNatalietounderstandwhatGaylemeant,thenitwasherturntochangecolour,andshewasstillflushedwhenMilesreturnedtothetable.Hedidnotsitdown,butputhishandonhershoulderanddrewherontothefloor.

‘ItlooksasifIjustgotbacktothetableintime,’hesaidcalmly.‘We’reyoutwofightingoverme?’

‘Oh,shutup,’shesaidcrossly,andfelthimmissastep.

‘Soyouwere,’hecontinued.‘WhatdidGaylesay?’

‘Whatmarvellousweatherwewerehaving.’

Hisholdtightened.‘You’reverylovelywhenyou’reinatemper,Natalie,butrelaxnow.You’replayingintoGayle’shandsbygettingannoyed.’

‘Therespeakssomeonewho’splayedintoherhandsforyears!’

Unwittinglyso,’hesaidonasigh,andsuddenlytwirledherroundinanintricatestep.

Takenbysurprise,Nataliestumbledandhisgriptightened.‘Thatwasgood,’hesaid,andproceededagain.‘Oncemoreforluck,’hemurmured,andtwirledherroundagain.

Hewasanexcellentdancerandmovedwithaprecisionthatmadehimeasytofollow.Graduallyhertensenessevaporatedandshelostherselfinthemusic,awareonlyofthetempochangingfromaquicksteptosomethingslowandlanguorouswhichenabledhimtorelaxhisgripanddrawhercloserstill.Shewasconsciousofhisheightandthoughtinvoluntarilythatitwasagoodthingoperatingtableswerehigh,orhewouldgetaterriblebackache.Shegiggledandheloweredhisheadandlookedintoherface.



‘What’sthejoke?’

‘Nothingimportant.’

Hedidn’tpressthepoint,butrestedhischinonherhairagain.Itwaspleasanttofeeltheweightofitandthewarmthofhisbreathwhichoccasionallytickledherear.Thoughhehadurgedhertorelax,shesensedthathewasstilltense,andsheglancedupathimandsawanervetwitchingatthesideofhiseyes.Itmadehimlooksovulnerablethatshelongedtocomforthim.

‘Gayleisabitch,’sheheardherselfsaysoftly,andwonderedwherethewordshadcomefrom.Buthisreactionwasequallyastonishing,forheflungbackhisheadandlaughedloudly.

‘Comingfromyou,that’sagreatadmission,’hesaid,atlast.

‘MeaningI’mabitchtoo?’

‘Ohno,’hesaidinstantly.‘Meaningthatuntilnow,you’vetriedtofindreasonsformenottorunawayfromher.’

‘ImerelysaidIfounditridiculousthatyoushouldhavetorun.’

‘Youwouldn’tfinditridiculousifyouknewmymother,’hetoldher.‘She’ssetherheartonhavingGayleasadaughter-in-law,andIhaven’twantedtohurtherbysayingafirm"no".Shehasabadheart,’headded,bywayofexplanation,‘andeveryoneinthefamilyiscarefulnottoupsether.’

‘Don’tyouthinkitwillupsethermoreifyoulethergoonbelievingsomethingwillhappenwhenyouknowitwon’t?’

‘Yes,’headmitted,pullinghercloser.‘That’swhybeingseenwithyouwassuchagoodidea.’

‘Ifyou’reseenanyclosertome,’shesaidtartly,‘we’llmergetogether.’

‘Whatalovelyidea!’

‘Savetheverbalflattery—noonecanhearyou.’

‘WhatmakesyouthinkIdon’tmeanit?’

‘Forawoman-hateryou’reaveryfastworker,MrDenton.’

‘Ididn’tsayIwasawoman-hater,’heprotested.‘MerelythatIdon’twanttogetmarried.’

‘Thenyou’reverysafe,’shereplied,‘becauseIdon’teither.’

Sheknewasshespokethatshewaslying,andthatshehadonlydonesotoprotectherself.DidMilesDentonseeherassomeonewithwhomhecouldflirtandthendiscard,thewayGaylehad



suggestedonlyashorttimeago?

Workinggirlslikeherselfwereprobablyconsideredfairgamebymeninhissocialworld.Theverythoughtofthismadeherlongtolashoutathim,andshedidso,notcaringwhatshesaid.

‘I’monlyhelpingyoubecauseyoublackmailedmeintoit.IfIhadachoiceinthematterIwouldnevergooutwithamanlikeyou.’

Hisjawclenched.‘WhatamIlike?’

‘Self-opinionatedandarrogant.You’reconceitedtoo.Youbelieveyouonlyhavetosmileatawomanforhertofallforyou.Andyetyou’resocontemptuousofthem.Idislikethatmorethananything.’

‘I’mnotcontemptuous,’hesaid.‘I’mscared.’

Foramomentshewastoosurprisedtospeak.Givingthematterthought,andtakinghisbackgroundintoaccount,itwasnotasludicrousasitseemed.

‘Haveyoualwaysbeenscaredofwomen?’sheasked.

‘FromthetimeIrealisedthattheywereattractedtome.’

‘Thatmusthavebeenwhenyouwerefive!’

Hesmiled.‘Fifteen,actually.TheMatronatmyschoolsuddenlybegantonoticeme—inthewrongway.’

‘Howawful!’Nataliewasindignant.‘Didn’tyoutellyourparents?’

‘Iwastooashamed.’

‘Sowhatdidyoudo?’

‘MadedamnsureIwasneverill!AfterthatIconcentratedonwork,andinthehospitalIgotareputationforbeingamisogynist.IfIneededagirltotaketoadanceI’dgowithGillyorGayle—whentheywereoldenough.That’showGaylegottheideaIwasinlovewithher.’

NataliewasalmostabouttotellhimthatGayledidn’tbelievethisforaminute,whenshestopped,knowinghewouldnotbelieveher.HesawGayleashelplessanddumb,anditwouldbehardtoconvincehimotherwise.PoorMiles,hemightbeabrilliantsurgeon,buttaketheknifeawayfromhimandhewasasingularlynaiveman.

‘Whyareyousmiling?’hedemanded.

‘Iwasthinkinghowsillyyouare,andthatI’mratherpleasedtobeabletosaveyou.’

‘Fromafateworsethandeath?’



Themusicstopped,buthewasstillchucklingatherremarkastheyreturnedtothetable.SirEltonandhiswifewereabouttoleaveandNataliesawthatitwaslongpastmidnight.

‘We’llseeyoutomorrowevening,’LadyHuntersaidtoMiles.‘Canyoumakeitfordinner?’

‘I’mafraidIcan’t,’heansweredregretfully.‘Ihaveseverallateappointments,butI’llbealongshortlyafternine.’

Theymovedoutoftherestauranttothefoyer.

‘Canweexpectyoufortheweekend?’thewomancontinued.‘MynephewandhiswifeareflyinginfromtheStatesand—’

‘I’mtakingNataliedowntoseemymother,’Milesintervenedgently,andcouldnothavecreatedmoreofafuroreifhehadsuddenlydivestedhimselfofhisclothes.Itwas,Nataliethought,amasterstrokeonhisparttohavesaidhewasintroducinghertohismother,andshetookbackallthoughtofhisbeingnaive.

‘Anotherweekend,perhaps,’hecontinuedsmoothly,atthesametimeputtinghishandonNatalie’sarmsothatshehadtokeeppacewithhimastheyreachedtheentrance.

Silentlysheclimbedaheadofhimintotheirtaxi,andtheymoveddowntheStrand.

‘Ithoughtthatwentoffverywell,’hesaidinthedarkness.‘SirEltonlikedyou.’

‘Ilikedhim.’

ThetaxiturnedsharplydownKingswayandNatalieslidacrosstheseatintoMiles’sarms.Shewenttopullawayfromhim,buthewouldnotlethergo.

‘Ihopeyoudon’tmindmyco-optingyoufortheweekend?’hesaid.‘ButIthinkyou’llenjoyit.’

‘Youmeantitseriously?’Shewassurprisedandpleased.

‘Ofcourse.Ithoughthavingmymothermeetyouwasastrokeofgenius.She’llprattleonaboutitallweek,andifthatdoesn’tconvinceGayleandhermamathatI’mseriousaboutyou,nothingwill.’

DisappointedthatthiswastheonlyreasonforMiles’sinvitation,Natalierevertedtoherearliersarcasm.

‘Ihopeyouintendtellingyourmotherthetruthaboutus?’

‘That’snotpossible.Mymother’sadarlingbutaverypoorliar.’

‘Unlikeherson.’



‘Don’tyoueverletup?’hedemandedroughly,andpulledhercloser.

Shestruggledtofreeherself,buthestillwouldnotlethergo.Claspinghermorefirmly,hepushedherbackagainstthesideofthetaxisothatitwasimpossibleforhertomove.

‘You’vebeenaskingforthiseversincewemet,’hemutteredinalow,throbbingvoice,‘soliestillandenjoyit!’

Thenhewaskissingher,hislipsfirmbutnotharduponherown,hishandsstrongonhershoulders,butsomehowcomforting.

Determinednottodemeanherselfbystrugglingwithhim,Natalieremainedquiescent.Butasthetouchofhismouthbecamegentle,sheinvoluntarilyresponded,andwhenhislipsbegantomovesoftlyacrosshers,sheechoedthemovement.Herbodyrelaxed,andhewasinstantlyawareofitandpulledherforwardtocradlehermorecomfortablyinhisarms,hishandssoftlycaressingherhairandthesideofherface.

‘You’rebeautiful,’hesaidhuskily.‘Beautiful,andIwantyou.’

Againtheirlipsmetandherspartedbeneathhis.Themomentaryfearshehadfeltwhenhehadfirstheldherhadgonecompletely,alongwithherantagonism.

ThetaxisloweddownandstoppedandMilesliftedhismouthfromhersandgavealittlemutter.Hurriedlyshesmoothedherhairandthenlethimhelpherfromthecab,whilehepaidoffthemanandthenunlockedthedoorofhisowncarforhertoclimbin.

Thestreetsweredesertedandtheyreachedherapartmentfarmorequicklythanshewouldhaveliked.

‘Iwon’taskyouupforadrink,’shesaid,openingthecardoor.

‘Pity,’hereplied.‘Iwouldn’thaverefused.’Hereachedacrosstoshutherinwithhim.‘Whytherush,Natalie?’

‘Becauseit’slateandI’msureyou’reoperatingearlyinthemorning.’

‘Iwouldn’tmindoperatinglateatnightaswell!’heteased,andshechuckled,foritwasthefirstopenlyhumorousremarkhehadmadetoher.ItwasunbelievablethatsheandMilesshouldbejokingtogether.

‘Ithoughtwe’dleavetownonSaturdayabouteleven,’hesaid.‘Thatwouldgetushomeintimeforlunch.’

‘Youreallydomeanmetocome?’

‘Iwouldlovemymothertomeetyou,’hesaidquietly,andleanednearer,asiftokissher,butshedrewback,unaccountablyshy.



‘It’slate,’shesaidbreathlessly,andfumbledatthelocktoopenthedoor.

Hebenttodoitforher,hisfacesoclosethatshehadonlytopursehermouthtokisshischeek,andtheurgetodoitwassostrongthatshewasfrightened.

Ican’tbefeelingthiswayabouthim,shethoughtnervously.Ihardlyknowhim.

Quicklyshestumbledfromthecar,andasshemountedthestepstoherfrontdoor,foundhimbesideher.

Hetookthekeyfromherhandandopenedthelock.Shesteppedintothehallandwasilluminatedbyamoonbeamshiningdownthroughthefanlight.Itturnedherhairintoadarknimbusandsilveredherdress.

‘Evenwhenallthecolouringistakenawayfromyou,’hesaidsoftly,‘youstillseemtovibratewithit.’

Silentlyshestaredathim,notknowingwhattosay.

‘SeeingyouandGaylestandingsidebyside,’hewenton,‘mademelookatherwithdifferenteyes.’

‘Andmadeyourealisehowbeautifulshewas,’Natalierepliedcoolly,findinghervoice.

‘Howbeautiful,’heagreed,‘andhowempty.Sodifferentfromyou.’Hishandcameoutandtiltedupherchin.‘It’sthenastylightinthosegorgeouseyesofyoursthatIlike.Andthescorpion’stongueconcealedbyaCupid’smouth.’

Hisheadloweredandhespokeagainstherlips.

‘Goodnight,Natalie.I’llpickyouuphereonSaturday.’

Abruptlyhewasgone.Shewaiteduntilthesoundofhiscardiedaway,thenslowlyclimbedthestairstoherflat.WhatalongtimeitwasuntilSaturday!

Later,asshelayinbed,shemulledovertheireveningtogetherandtriednottothinkofthefuture.LovingamanlikeMilescouldbeatorment,forhewasfrighteninglyself-sufficientonemomentandastonishinglyvulnerablethenext.Toadmittoanawarenessofhisvulnerabilityfrightenedher,foritshowedthattheemotionhearousedinherwasdifferentfromanythingshehadexperiencedbefore.Shecouldcopewithdesire,butshedidnotknowhowtocopewithherurgetoprotectthistall,bone-thinmanwhoseemedsohappytoworkhimselfintotheground.

Unseeinglyshestaredintothedarkness,tryingtoguesswhatthefutureheldforher,andacceptingthefactthatifitdidnotholdmockingsherrygoldeyes,thenshewantednopartofit.

CHAPTERSEVEN

NATALIEhalfexpectedMilestocallheratsomestageduringthenexttwodaystosayhehad



calledofftheweekend.Itwouldbeeasyforhimtofindanexcusetodoso.AllhehadtodowastopretendoneofhispatientsneededhiminLondon.

ButbySaturdaymorningtherewasstillnopostponement,andshesearchedoutasmallcaseandstartedtopack.Shewasreadylongbeforetimeand,withanuncertaintythatwasnotpartofhernormalcharacter,shewentthroughherclothestomakesureshehadtakenthecorrectones.IfMrsDentonwasasformalasLadyHunter,theremightbeabighouseparty,andshehadnointentionoflettingMilesfeelashamedofher.

Eleveno’clockarrivedwithnosignofhim.Thecalmshehaddeliberatelycultivatedwasslowlyebbing,andinitsplacecamethefearthathewouldnotturnup.

Byhalfpastelevenshewasabsolutelysurethiswasthecase,andwhenthebellfinallyrangattwelveshesprangacrosstothedoorandflungitopenasifchasedbytheDemonKinghimself.

Mileslookedoverhershoulder,somewhatstartled,asifexpectingtoseeanotherperson.Discomfited,shesteppedasidetolethimcomein.

‘Sorrytobelate,’hesaid,‘butIwasdetainedatthehospital.’

Thereasonwassoobvious,shewasannoyedfornothavingthoughtofitherself.

‘Iwasbeginningtothinkyou’dchangedyourmind,’sheblurtedout,andwashappytoseehisastonishment.

‘Inearlydid,’hesaid.‘Butonlytosuggestwegodownlastnightinstead.ButunfortunatelyoneofmypatientshadarelapseandIdidn’tfeelIshouldleavetown.’

‘Doyounow?’Natalieasked,evenhappiertoknowMileshadwantedtolengthentheirstayinthecountry.‘Ifyouwanttocallofftheweekend,I’mquitehappytostayhere.’

Helookedaroundhim.‘SowouldIbe.’

Therewasagleaminhiseyesashesteppedtowardsherandshehastilybackedaway.

‘Ithinkwe’dbettergoafterall!’

Hegrinnedandpickeduphercase.‘Whatagirlyouareforchangingyourmind!’

‘I’dratherbesafethansorry,’shequipped.

‘Howdoyouknowyouwouldbe?’

Itwaspreciselybecausesheknewshewouldn’tbesorrythatshewasscaredtostayherealonewithhim.Buttoadmitsuchathingwasdangerous,andignoringhisquestionshewentaheadofhimtothecar.

Thedaywasbeautiful,withbrightsunshineandabluesky,butitwouldhavebeenbeautifulto



Nataliehaditbeenraining,andbecausesheknewthisshefeltvulnerable.

‘Whysoquiet?’heasked,givingheraquickglance.

‘I’mbeginningtogetcoldfeet.Isyourmotherasdifficultandoverbearingasyouare?’

‘That’smygirl,’heteased.‘I’vemissedyourknivesinthelastfewdays!’

‘Whydidn’tyouringme,then?’sheasked,andinstantlyregrettedthequestionwhenshesawhissurprise.

‘Iwantedto,butIdeliberatelydidn’t.Ihaveanideayou’rethesortofgirlwhodoesn’tliketobechased.’

‘UsuallyIdon’t,butIwasn’tsureifyouwantedtogoaheadwiththisplan.IknowyouthinkitwillconvinceGayle,butI’mnotsosure.She’ssoconfidentofropingyouineventuallythatIthinkshe’swillingtogiveyouplentyofroomtorunwild!’

‘MytakingyouhomehasnothingtodowithGayle,’hesaid,ignoringherothercomment.‘WhenIfirstmadethesuggestionitdid,butwhenI.thoughtitoverIrealiseditwaswhatIwantedtodo.’Heslowedthecarsothathecouldlookather.‘Ihopeyouwantittoo,Natalie?’

‘Verymuch,’shesaidinatremblingvoice,andhastilyavertedhergaze.Butsheheardhissoftlaughandtherewasnoescapingthepressureofhisfingersashislefthandreachedoutandclaspedhersonherlap.

Atone-thirtytheyreachedThreeLawns,andbowlingdownthelongdrivetowardsthegracioushousesetinspaciousterracedgardens,itwaseasytoseehowithadearneditsname.

NatalielookedatthetallspareframebehindthewheelofthecarandwonderedwhyMileshadmadenoconcessiontothefactthattheywerespendingtheweekendinthecountry.Hewasstillwearingaformalgreysuitandtie.

‘Don’tyoueverrelaxcompletely?’sheaskedimpetuously.

‘I’mrelaxednow.’

‘Imeantinjeansandsweater.’

‘I’mnotthejeanstype.Ifindthemdamneduncomfortabletowear.ButIpromiseyou’llseemeinbaggypantsI’

Hissmilewasswiftandsoftenedhisausterefeatures,givingthemapuckish,whimsicallook.

‘Whatdoyouthinkofthehouse?’hecontinued,astheycametoastoponawidecircularpatchofgravel.

Directlyfacingher,Nataliesawaflightofshallowstepsleadinguptoanarrowfrontdoorlying



betweentwogracefulwindows.Thehousewassmallerthanshehadanticipatedfromherfirstglimpseofit,andbuiltofmellowstonesomehundredyearsago.Itlookedassereneandgraciousasthetall,grey-hairedwomanwhohadopenedthedoorandwascomingforwardtomeetthem.TherewasnoguessingrequiredtoknowitwasMiles’smother,forshehadthesameslenderfigureandsherrybrowneyesashertwochildren.

Nataliefoundtheeyeslookingatherintentlyastheysmiledawelcome,andherhandwastakeninafirmbutcoolgrasp.MrsDentonchattedgentlyinawell-modulatedvoiceassheusheredherguestthroughthesmall,squarehallanduptheelegantsweepingstaircase.WithinafewmomentsNataliefoundherselfinabedroomthatoverlookedthebackofthehouseandthepeacefulgardensbeyond.

‘Ihopeyou’llbecomfortablehere,’MrsDentonwassaying.‘Ifthere’sanythingyouneed,doletmeknow.’

‘ItlooksasifI’llhaveeverything,’Nataliereplied,lookingatthebedsidetablewhichheldasupplyofpaperbacks,acoupleoffashionmagazinesandasmallpotteryjarfilledwithdigestivebiscuits.

‘Justincaseyou’rehungryinthenight,’herhostessinformedher,adding:‘Once,whenmyhusbandwasalive,westayedwithsomedearfriendswhobothhadappetiteslikebirds.Wewerepracticallystarvingfortheentirethreedayswewerethere,andafterthatIvowedIwouldneverletthesamethinghappentomyownguests!’

‘IfI’mhungryIpromisetotellyou,’Natalielaughed,andMrsDentonleftheralonetounpackhercase,tellinghertocomedownassoonasshewasready.

Decidingitwasnotnecessarytochangeforlunch,Nataliepausedonlytocombherhairbeforegoingdownstairsandoutintothegarden.Itwasevenlovelierthanithadappearedfromadistance,foreverywherethescentofflowerswafteduptoherandtherewasnosoundintheairexcepttheoccasionaldroneofanaircraftandthebuzzingofabee.

Thelawnnearestthehousewaswelltended,butonthesecondone,whichwasonalowerlevel,busheswereallowedtogrowhaphazardly,givinganunexpectedimpressionofsizetowhatwasarelativelysmallarea.Thethirdsectionofthegardenwasbyfarthelargest,andalsothewildest,aswastheoneNatalieappreciatedmost.Heretherewasaprofusionofroses—herfavouriteflower—inabrilliantmassofscentedcolours,aswellasfloweringshrubsofeverydescriptionandage.Narrowpathswanderedhaphazardly,goingnowhereinparticular,andshestrolleddownoneandfoundherselfinfrontofasmallpergolacoveredwithpinkclimbingroses.Delightedlyshetouchedaclusterofblooms,admiringthevaryingshadesofpink.

‘Youlikeroses?’Milesasked,andsheswungroundandsawhewasstandingafewfeetawayfromher.

Ashehadpromised,hehadchangedintobaggypants,buttheydidnothingtodisguisehistallthinness.Yetthehalf-buttonedshirthewaswearingdisclosedarippleofmusclesacrosshischestandgaveanimpressionofwirystrength.Asasurgeon,sheknew,hewouldhavetobeinthepeakofcondition.Standingoperatingforhoursatastretchrequiredthehighestphysicalstamina.



Butheshouldlearnnottoabuseit;shouldnotworksuchlonghoursandhavesolittlerecreation.

ShewonderedifGaylewasawareofthis,butcouldnotseetheblondegirlcaringforanyone’swellbeingotherthanherown.AwareofMileswatchingher,Natalierealisedshehadnotyetansweredhisquestion.

‘Rosesaremyfavouriteflower,’shesaid.

‘Youremindmeofaroseyourself.’

Shestraightened.‘Full-blownandgaudy?’

Hischucklewasappreciative.‘RichandheadyisthewayIwouldhaveputit.’Histhinfingerswerecoolonherchinastheytiltedherheadtofacehim.

‘IfIdidn’tknowyoutobealiberated,quick-temperedfirebrand,Iwouldsaythattodayyouarealmostshyofme.’

‘Quick-temperedfirebrandscanstillbecapableofshyness.’

‘Surelynotafterallthistime?’

‘Allthistime?’shecountered.‘Wehardlyknoweachother!’

Shesawhiseyesnarrowforaninstant.‘You’reright,’hesaidslowly,‘yetIfeelasifI’veknownyouforalongtime.Maybeit’sbecauseIfeelathomewithyou.’

‘I’marealhome-body,’shemocked.

‘It’sabodyIwouldverymuchliketobeathomewith,’hereplied,hissherrygoldeyesappraisinghercurves.

Sheblushedandpulledbackfromhim.MilesDentonwasasurprisingman;helookedasceticasasaintyethekissedwiththefireofSatan.

‘Comeon,’shesaidbrightly.‘Showmetherestofthegarden.’

Heledherthroughatangleoftallgrasstowhereastreammarkedthesouthernboundary,andtheylookedacrosstotherollinggreenfieldsbeyond.

‘Aren’tyouafraiditmightbebuilton?’sheasked,pointingtothesweepofland.

‘That’safarm,’hereplied,‘andIownit.’

Shewassurprised.‘Idon’tseeyouasafarmer.’

‘NordoI,’hesmiled.‘Hencethefactthatit’stenanted.ButthereisabeautifulfarmhousethatIplantooccupyoneday.’



‘Whenthefarmerandhiswifemoveout?’

‘Thatwaspartoftheagreement.Butthey’llhaveanotherplacetogoto.’

Natalieknewwithoutaskingthatheplannedtoliveinthefarmhouseeitherwhenhemarriedorwhenheretired.Ashehadsaidhedidnotwishtochangehishappysinglestatus,sheassumedthatretirementwould‘comefirst—unlessGaylewontheday.Natalietriedtopushthethoughtoutofhermind.

‘Wouldyouliketoseethefarmhouse?’Milesasked.

‘Wedon’thavetimenow,’saidNatalie,strangelyreluctanttosayyes.‘Yourmothersaidlunchwouldbeservedsoon.’

‘Thenwe’dbettergoback.Wecangotothefarmanothertime.’

Wishingshehadnotrefusedtheofferafterall,sheturnedandfollowedhimbacktothehouse,reachingthetoplawnasMrsDentoncameoutthroughthefrenchwindows,asmallgonginherhands.

‘You’vesavedmecallingyou,’sheannounced,and’beckonedtheminside.

‘It’ssuchalovelydayIthoughtwewouldhavehadlunchontheterrace,’Milescommented,astheytooktheirplacesroundthebeautifullypolishedSheratontable.

‘MrsDorcashadalreadylaiditinhereandIhategivingherextrawork,’hismothersaid.‘Butwe’llhaveitontheterracetomorrowiftheweatherstillholds.Iassumeyouwon’thavetorushaway?’

‘Notunlessthere’sanemergency.’

‘Don’tyouevergetacompleteweekendtoyourself?’Natalieasked.

‘I’mfreenow,’hesmiled.‘Oneofmycolleaguesisstandinginforme,andhe’sverycapable.’

‘Butyousaidthatiftherewereanemergencyyouwouldhavetogo.’

‘Itisn’taquestionofhavingto,Natalie,it’saquestionofwantingtodoso.IfanythingseriouscroppedupwithoneofmypatientsIwouldexpectmycolleaguetoletmeknow.ThenitwouldbemydecisionwhetherornotIwishedtoreturn.’

‘Andofcourseyouwould,’hismotherstated.

‘Ofcourse,’hesaid,asifitwerethemostnaturalthingintheworld.

Natalie’seyesmetthoseofherhostessandthetwowomensmiled,asifsharingasecret.



Youseehowdedicatedheis,theolderwomanseemedtobesaying.Itisn’tjustajobtohim,hereallycares.

YetitwasnotonlyabouthispatientsthatMilescared,Natalieknew,butalsoaboutthepeopleinhislife—hismother,withwhomheobviouslyhadagoodrelationship,andhissister.WhatafoolGillianwasnottorealisehehadherbestinterestsatheart.Sheshouldbegladshehadabrotherwhoworriedabouther,andnotgooutofherwaytodefyhim.YetifGillianhadnotdoneso,Mileswouldnotnowbeinherownlife.

Lunchover,theyreturnedtothegarden.MrsDentontookasewingbasketandwassoonabsorbedinsometapestry.NatalieleafedthroughamagazineandMilespromptlyfellasleepinachaise-longue,hisarmsagainsthissides,long,supplehandsdangling.

‘Heworkssohard,’MrsDentonsaidquietly,lookingathim.‘I’malwaysgladwhenhecangetdownforaweekend.Ifeelit’stheonlytimehehastohimself.’

‘Butheloveshiswork,’saidNatalie,andwonderedwhetherherhostesswishedthatGaylewassharingherson’sweekend.ButMrsDenton’snextwordswereadenialofthis.

‘It’slovelyhavingyouhere,Natalie.You’rethefirstgirlMileshasbroughtheretoseeme.Heusuallykeepshisprivatelifeveryprivate.’

Nataliewishedshewerenothereunderfalsepretences.‘Ihaven’tknownMilesverylong,’shesaidcarefully.

‘Butlongenoughforhimtobringyoutomeetme.’

‘Idon’tthinkmeetingaman’smothermeansasmuchthesedaysasitdidyearsago.’

‘ItmeansalottoMiles.Ifitdidn’t,he’dhavebroughtothergirl’shome.’

‘You’reembarrassingNatalie,Mother.’Milessuddenlyspoke,hisvoiceclipped,surprisingbothwomen.‘Ifyouaren’tcareful,she’llturntailandrunbacktoLondon.’

‘No,Iwon’t,’Natalierepliedstoutly.‘YoupromisedmeacountryweekendandacountryweekendI’mgoingtohave.’

‘Ithoughtyouweresleeping,’MrsDentonsaidtohim,‘noteavesdropping.’

‘Itwasnotintentional,Mamma,’hersonsmiled,‘merelythehabitofyears.I’vebecomeusedtosleepingwithoneearalertforthetelephonetoring.’

‘Well,notelephonebellwillwakenyouthisafternoon,sogotosleepagain.’

‘Onlyifyoupromisenottotalkaboutme.’

‘I’msureyourmotherandIcanthinkofmoreamusingsubjectsthanyou,’Natalierejoined.



‘Idon’tbelieveit,’hereplied,andclosinghiseyesagain,wasalmostinstantlyasleep.

‘Mencandothat,’MrsDentonsaid,lookingathimfondly.‘I’veevenknownhimtodoitwhenwe’vebeeninthemiddleofaquarrel.’

Nataliechuckled.‘Howinfuriating!’

‘Itisrather,’MrsDentonsmiledback.‘NotthatIquarrelwithhimveryoften.He’sawonderfulson.Ouronlydisharmonyisbecausehe’sstillabachelor.I’vebeenwantinghimtomarryforyears.’

Notanxioustobetherecipientofherhostess’sconfidences,Natalierosefromherdeckchairandpretendedaninterestinanunusual-lookingbushafewyardsaway.MrsDentonwasakeengardenerandwassoonhappilyabsorbedintellingheraboutararespeciesoflavender,andthengoingontoshowvariousotherkinds.BythetimeNataliehadlearnedeverythingshewantedtoknowaboutlavenderbushes,aservantwaswheelingatrolleyontothelawn.Homemadesconessurroundedadelicious-lookingfruitcakewhosesweetaromarousedMilesfromhissleep,andmadehimsitupandannouncethathewasfamished.

‘Afteryourenormouslunch!’Natalieexclaimed.‘Ican’tseewhereyou’regoingtoputanymorefood.’

‘I’vegothollowlegs,’hesaid,profferingherasconeanddemolishingonehimself.‘Anyway,mynervousenergyconsumesallthecaloriesIeat.’

‘Ithoughtitwasyourbadtemperthatdidthat,’shesaidsweetly.

‘I’monlybad-temperedwithyou,’herejoinedwithaglintinhiseyes.‘NormallyI’mthemostdocileofmen.’

ThinkingofthewayhehadallowedGayletoplayhavocwithhislife,shewasalmostreadytobelievehim,butitwasanunpalatablethoughtthatMiles’sambitionwasstrongenoughtoallowhimtobeforcedtothebrinkofamarriagehedidnotwant,andnotforthefirsttimeNataliewonderedhowhehadplannedtogetoutofthesituationhadsheherselfnotcomeonthescene.

‘Whatareyouthinkingabout?’Milesaskedsoftly,andNataliesawthatMrsDentonhadmovedoutofearshottofondlearedsetterthathadambledontothelawn.

‘AboutyouandGayle,’Nataliesaidtruthfully.‘Iwonderifyou’llreallymanagetoescapefromherclutches.’

‘Itmightbeaquestionofgoingfromthefryingpanintothefire.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’

Hegaveheranoddlook.‘AtleastIfindGayleeasytounderstandandnotthatdifficulttomanage;whereasanotherwomanmightbeconsiderablymoredifficulttotame.You,forexample,couldverywellturnroundandbitethehandthat’sfeedingyou!’



‘SinceIconsiderIwouldbeprovidingpartofthefood,’Natalieretorted,‘Iwouldbiteanyhandthatthoughtitwasfeedingmeentirely!’

‘Oh,lord,’hegroaned.‘Awomanwhowantstostandonherownfeet!Ishouldhaveknownyouwouldn’tseemarriageasenoughtokeepyouhappy.’

‘Wouldyou?’

‘WouldIwhat?’

‘Wouldyoustopbeingasurgeonifyouhadawife?’Beforehecouldanswershewenton:‘Thenwhyshouldyouexpectthewomanyoumarrytogiveuphercareer?’

‘BecauseIconsiderthattakingcareofahomeandchildrenisafull-timecareerinitself.Atleastuntilthechildrenareoldenoughtotakecareofthemselves.’

‘Bywhichtimethewomanfeelstoooldtogobacktoherjob,ordiscoversthatherknowledgeissooutofdatethatshe’sgottoretrain.’

‘Igrantyouit’saproblem,’hesaid,‘butit’sonethatawomanhastoface.Andonedayyou’llhavetofaceittoo.Unlessyouplantomarryamanwho’llstayhomeandletyougotowork!’

Beforeshecouldopenhermouthtoprotest,hereachedacrossandputhisfingersuponherlips.

‘We’rehavinganunnecessaryargument,Natalie.Youhaveajobthatwillturnyouintoanidealwife.Ifyou’reusedtocaringforotherpeople’stoddlers,youcaneasilylookafterhalfadozenofyourown.’

Forasecond,indignationflashedfromhereyes,butthenthehumourofhisremarkgotthebetterofhertemper,andashefeltherlipstwitchbeneathhistouch,hedroppedhisfingersawayfromthem.

‘Yousee,’hecontinuedsmoothly,‘youhaveeverythingtorecommendyou.’

‘I’llgetyoutowriteoutareference,’shesaidpromptly.

‘Imustmakeafewothertestsfirst.’

Thegleaminhiseyeswarnedhernottoaskwhathemeant,andinsteadshehelpedherselftoanotherscone.

Afterteatheywentforawalkacrosstothefarmhouse,whichwaseverybitasbeautifulasshehadanticipated.TheydidnotgointoitbutadmireditstimberedgracefromadistancebeforereturningacrossthefieldstoThreeLawns.Milesleftheratthedoorofherroomandthenwenttohisownfurtherdownthecorridor.

‘Dowegetdressedfordinner?’shecalledsoftly.



‘Onlyintosomethingcomfortable,’heanswered.

Surveyingtheclothesshehadwithher,Nataliewasgladshehadbroughtagoodselection.HowawfultohavegonedowninchiffonandfoundMilesandhismotherincashmereandslacks.

Deliberatelyshechosealooseflowingsilkthatreliedforitsresultonthecurvesofthefigurewhichitcovered.ThewildrosecolouremphasisedtheflushinhercheeksandgaveunexpecteddepthtoherTitianhair.

WhensheenteredthesittingroomMilesandhismotherwerealreadythere.Hewasunexpectedlysuaveinnarrowfittingblacksuedepantsandabrownvelvetjacketalmostthesamecolourashiseyes.Sohecould,becomethemanabouttownwhenitsuitedhim!Itwasaninterestingthoughtandshewonderedwhatotherpossibilitieslaybehindhisusuallyausterefacade.

Yettodayhehadnotbeenausterewithher,butcharmingandfriendlywithahintofsomethingdeeperbehindit.Yetsheknewenoughnottoreadtoomuchintohisfriendliness,nomatterthathehadsaidhehadaskedherhomebecausehehadwantedtodoso.

WithaneffortshefocusedherattentiononwhatMrsDentonwassaying,butfoundithardtopreventherattentionfromwanderingasMilescameoverwithabrimmingglass.Therimwasfrosted,andshelookedatitinastonishment.

‘Whatisit?’sheasked.‘Sugar?’

‘Salt.’Seeingshedidnotbelievehim,hesmiled.‘Itreallyissalt,Natalie.Itgoeswiththisparticulardrink.’

‘YoumeanIsipitandgetamouthfulofsaltatthesametime?’Shestilldidnotbelievehim.

‘Hardlyamouthful,justaslighttaste.There’sonlyafaintpowderingofsaltroundtheedgeoftheglass.’

Doubtfullyshetookitandsipped,findingitperfectlydelicious.‘Whatisit?’sheasked.

‘It’scalledaMarguerita.IwasfirstgivenitwhenIwasinMexico.It’samixtureoftequila,drysackandalittlefreshlime.’

‘Icoulddevelopatasteforthis,’shesaid.

Mileschuckled,asdidhismotherwho,inafloralsilkdresswithalongflowingskirt,lookedconsiderablyyoungerandverymuchlikeherdaughterGillian.

WhenNataliehadfinishedherdrinktheymovedacrosstothediningroom.Dinnerwasapredominantlycoldmeal,withonlyahotsoupservedasafirstcourse.Butthefoodwasampleanddeliciouslycooked:freshsalmonwasheddownbyafairlydryChablis,andadeliciousicedalmondgâteauaccompaniedbyaBarsac,thefirsttrulysweetwineNataliecouldeverremember



havingtasted.

‘Icanseeyouhaveasweettooth,’Milescommented,watchingherlookofappreciationasshesippedfromthesmallglass.

‘Ididn’tthinkIhad,’sheconfessed,‘butImustsay’Ifindthiswineabsolutelymarvellous.’

‘Goeasyonit,’MrsDentoncautioned.‘Ioncemadethemistakeofthinkingitwasnon-alcoholicbecauseitwassosweet.’

Natalie,whohaddrunkherglassratherquickly,wasbeginningtobeawareoftheeffect.SheshookherheadwhenMileswantedtoreplenishherglass,butheignoredthegesture.

‘Ishallgetdrunk,’sheprotested.

‘Thethoughthadoccurredtome,’hesaidcarefully,‘anditmightbeinterestingtoseewhatyoudo.’

‘Somethingdisgraceful,Ishouldthink!’

‘Ifyoudid,itwouldn’tgofurtherthanthesefourwalls,’hesaidsolemnly,thoughhiseyeswereglowinggold,whichsheknewtobeasignthathewasinahighgoodhumour.

‘DoyourememberwhenGaylehadtoomuchtodrink?’MrsDentonsaidsuddenly.

HerwordsactedlikeadoucheofcoldwateruponNatalie’sspirits,remindingheronceagainthatshewouldbewisenottoforgetshewashereforaspecificpurpose.

‘Icertainlydoremember,’Milesansweredhismother.‘Shegotfrightfullypeevishtoo.’HeglancedatNatalie.‘Ithinkinvinoveritasisaremarkablytruesaying,don’tyou?’

‘AsIdon’tknowhowIbehavewhenI’mdrunk,I’mgoingtoletthatpasswithoutcomment,’Nataliesmiled.

‘Well,Ican’timagineyoubeingpeevish.Downrightbad-temperedismuchmoreyourline!’

‘Miles!’hismotherexpostulated.‘Howcanyoubesorude?’

‘MilesandIhaveaparticularlytruthfulrelationship,’Nataliesaidquickly,wishingitwerenotquitethecase.‘Whenwefirstmet,wedecidedwewouldneverlietooneanother.’

‘Howdidyoumeet?’askedMrsDentonwithinterest.

Nataliewasatalosshowtoanswer,butMileshadnohesitation.

‘ThroughGillie,’hesaid,settingdownhisemptywineglassandtouchinghisnapkintohismouth.



‘Ididn’trealiseyouwereafriendofGillie’s,’MrsDentonsaidtoNatalie.

‘Notreallyafriend,’Nataliereplied.‘Moreofanacquaintance.’

Anxioustochangethesubject,shesaidthefirstthingthatcameintoherhead.‘Ilovethedecorofthisroom.Didyoudoit,orwasitlikethiswhenyoumovedin?’

‘ItwasalmostashellwhenmyhusbandandIboughtit,’MrsDentonreplied.‘Wespentthebestpartoftenyearslovinglyre-doingeveryroom,andtheyearafterwefinishedit,myhusbanddied.’

Natalielookedsympatheticbutsaidnothing,feelingthatanywordssheutteredwouldbeinadequate.

‘Itwasverysudden,’MrsDentonwenton.‘Oneminutehewassittinginhisarmchairtalkingtome,andthenextminutehewasgone.Itwasadreadfulshock.’Herlipstrembledandforamomenttherewassilence.‘ButMilesandGilliewerewonderfultome,’thewomancontinued,‘andnowIcanthinkofitwithouttoomuchpain.’Sheleanedbackinherchair,aslim,regalfigure.‘MyhusbandwasconsiderablyolderthanIam.Hewasfortywhenhemarried.That’swhyIdon’twantMilestowaittoolong.Ithinkoneshouldgrowupwithone’schildren.’

‘Iagree,’Nataliesaid,‘butonecan’tgetmarrieduntiltherightpersoncomesalong.’

‘Ifyougoroundwithyoureyesclosed,howwillyoufindthem?’

‘Idon’tgoaroundwithmyeyesclosed,’Milesprotested.‘Afterall,IfoundNatalie.’

Natalieflunghimalookofreproach,wishinghewerenotpretendingquitesowellinfrontofhismother.ShelikedMrsDentonconsiderably—afactwhichdidnothingtolessentheguiltshefelt.

‘Idon’twanttowaituntilI’mseventybeforeIseesomegrandchildren,’MrsDentoncontinued.‘It’stimewehadchildrenplayingonthelawnagain.’

‘Ifyou’reaskingmetoconfessmysinsandbringthemhome,’hersonteased,‘I’mperfectlywillingtodoso.’

‘Miles!Youknowverywellthatisn’twhatImeant.’

‘Iknowwhatyoumean,Mammadear,butyouwon’tmakemechangemymindbynaggingatme.Leaveyourlittlechickensaloneandthey’llcomehometoroostallingoodtime.’

NataliefeltMrsDenton’seyesuponherandthoughshepretendedtobeunawareofit,shefeltthecolourinhercheeksintensify.

LuckilyMrsDorcaschosethatmomenttocomeinwiththecoffee,andMileswanderedovertothestereotoputonsomemusic.

‘Eversincehewasachild,musichashelpedhimtorelax,’MrsDentonconfided,glancingatthe



tallthinfigureofhersonintentlyscanningthroughsomecassettes.‘He’sanexcellentviolinist.Atonetimewethoughthewasgoingtotakeitupprofessionally,butthensurgerytookprecedence.’Shehalfsmiled.‘Notsurprising,really,whenoneconsidershowwellknownJameswasinhisprofession.’

‘Ihadn’trealisedMiles’sfatherwasasurgeontoo,’Nataliecommented,andwishedMileshadtoldher.

OneoftheBrandenburgConcertosfilledtheroomwithsound,andlisteningtotheclearnotesshedecidedhowmuchlikeMilesBach’smusicwas,beingfullofcontrolledpassionandwithadepthoffeelingonecouldonlyappreciatethemoreonelistenedtoit.

Milessatinanarmchair,bodytotallyrelaxed,onehandmovingintimewiththetempo.TheBachwasfollowedbyMahler’sEighthSymphony,andduringthelastpartMrsDentonstoodup,mouthed‘Goodnight’andlefttheroom.

Milesroseandsilentlywentwithhertothedoor,thenreturnedtositbesideNatalieonthesettee.Hislonglegsmadeadarklineabarethreeinchesfromherrose-colouredskirts.

Hegavenosignofbeingawareofherbutsheknewhehadnotcometositbesidehermerelybecauseitwasmorecomfortable,andshewasnotsurprisedwhen,amomentlater,hishandcameoutandclaspedhers.Therewasatremorinhistouchshehadnotanticipated,andshewouldhavegivenagreatdealtohaveknownwhetheritwasfromnervousnessordesire.

Themusiccametoanendandneitherofthemmoved.

‘Youlookevenlovelierthanusualtonight,Natalie,’hesaidsoftly,anddrewhergentlyintohisarms.

Shedidnotresisthimbutremainedpassiveashetiltedupherchinwithonehandandlookedintohereyes.

‘I’mnotforcingmyselfuponyouthistime,’hecontinued.‘Ifyoudon’twantmetokissyou,allyouhavetodoistosayno.’

Silentlyshecontinuedtostareintohiseyes,andtheglowinthemdeepenedaspassionaroseinhim.Movingslowly,asifhehadallthetimeintheworld,hismouthcamedownuponhersandhepushedhergentlylowerontothesettee.Herthicksilkyhairsplayedoutaroundherandhewoundhisfingersthroughitashewentonkissingher.

Histouchsearedthroughherlikeaflameandshewrappedherarmsaroundhim,forgettingshehadwantedtoplaythisscenecoolly.Allshewasawareofwastheneedtorespondtohim—totrytoassuagetheclamorousurgethathiskissesarousedinherbody.Hishandsmoveduponherbreastsandshefeltthepressureofthemthroughthesilkyfoldsofherdress.

‘Somuchmaterial,’hewhisperedwithwryhumour.‘Didyouwearitbydesignoraccident?’

‘Adesigningaccident!’



Hechuckledand,halfraisingher,skilfullywenttolowerthezip.Buttheveryproficiencyofhismovementscausedhertopullawayfromhim.

‘Forsomeonewhoprofessestohavelimitedexperiencewithwomen,’shesaidshakily,‘you’reveryadeptatundressingthem.’

‘AsamedicalstudentIoftenhadtodoso.’

‘Insteadofthenurses?’

‘Theyweren’talwaysavailable.’Hishandsremainedonhershoulders.‘ThoughIsaidmyexperiencewaslimited,Ican’tremembersayinghowlimited!’

‘Itisn’tevenawordyoushoulduse,’shesaid.‘Ithinkyou’reanexperienced,artfulman,MilesDenton.’

‘Obviouslynotartfulenough.’Hecuppedherbreastsagainandthenletthemgoandputhishandsonherback,pressingherbodytightlyagainsthisown.Hewastremblingnoticeably.‘IfIsaidIdidn’tnormallybehavelikethis,youwouldn’tbelieveme.’

‘Howrightyouare!’

‘Neverthelessithappenstobetrue.Youtantaliseme.Itmustbethatwine-redhairofyours,makingmedrunk.’

Itwasoneoftheprettiestcomplimentseverpaidtothecolourofherhair,andsheclungtohimandtiltedherfaceup—agesturewhichhereadcorrectly,forhestoppedspeakingandstartedtokissheragain.Then,stillkeepinghismouthpressedtohers,hedrewherdownontothesetteeoncemore.Hemadenoattempttolowerherdress,andthoughshewassorry,shewasnonethelessglad.Evenhiskissesarousedhertoadesireshehadrarelyfeltbefore,andthefearshehadexperiencedwithhimdeepened,forsheknewshewasnolongertotteringonthebrinkoffallinginlovewithhim;shehadalreadydoneso.

HerlipspartedandMilesgentlymovedthetipofhistonguealongtheinneredgeofthem.Sheknewhewoulddonomoreunlesssheencouragedhim,andherownneedout-weighedhercaution.Gently,shetootracedhislipswithhertongue,andfeelingthemoistsweetnessofher,hedeepenedhiskiss,withsensuousmovementsthatsentdesirestormingthroughher.

‘Darling,’hesaidhoarsely,andthenwithaconvulsiveshiverpushedherawayfromhimandstoodup.Hestrodeovertothemantelpieceandrestedhisclenchedhandsuponthemarbletop.

‘I’mnotasmuchincontrolasIthought,’hemuttered.

‘NoramI,’Natalieconfessed.‘Itmightbebetterifwesaidgoodnight.’

‘No.Idon’twantyoutogoyet.’Heglancedatheroverhisshoulder.‘I’llsitonthefarsideoftheroom.It’stooearlyforyoutogotobed.Iwanttogoonlookingatyou.’



Onceagainhewasprovinghimselfnomeangiverofcompliments,sosherestedherheadagainstthebrocadesetteeandwatchedashesettledintoanarmchairseveralyardsaway,withtheeasyco-ordinationthatwassomuchapartofhim.

‘Youhaven’tputonanothercassette,’sheremindedhim.

Helookedsurprised,thenrosetodoso,thistimechoosingMaxBruch’sViolinConcerto,aparticularfavouriteofNatalie’s.Shehadtorestrainherdesiretohumalongwiththemusic,untilshewassuddenlyawareofadroningsoundandrealisedthatMileshimselfwashummingthetune,oratleastwhatpassedforit.

‘Whatadreadfulvoiceyou’vegot!’shelaughed,delightedtofindsomethinghedidnotdowell.Hegaveheranimpishgrinandwentonsinging.

‘I’mgladyoudidn’ttakeupmusicprofessionally,’shelaughedwhentheconcertocametoanend.

‘Ihaveperfectpitch,’hesaidmildly.‘It’sjustunfortunatethatalthoughIknowthesound,itdoesn’tcomeoutthewayIhearit.PutmeinfrontofaninstrumentandI’mfine.’

‘Doyouhaveaviolinnow?’

‘Yes,butI’mnotgoingtoplaytonight.I’mtired.’Hehesitated.‘I’llplayforyouanothernightifyoulike.’

Shesawhemeantitandwastouched,themoresosincehiscommentsignifiedthattherewouldbeothernightswhentheywouldbealonetogether.IfonlyshecouldbelievethathiswantingtobewithherhadnothingtodowithGayle!Shelongedtoaskhim,yetdarednot,andinsteadmurmuredthatitwaslateandthatshewasgoingtobed.

‘Careforanightcap?’heasked.

‘Nomoretodrink,’shesaid,andlefthimstandingbythedecanter.

Shewasstillatthedressingtablebrushingherhair,whensheheardhisstepinthecorridor.Itdidnothesitateoutsideherroom,thoughtherewasaslightdifferenceinthesound,asifhewerequickeninghispaceratherthanslowingit,andherlipscurvedinasmile.Shewentonwithherbrushing,notpausinguntilshehadreachedthehundredthstroke.

‘MilesDenton.’Shesaidthenamealoud.Howwellthenamesuitedhim—firmyetunadorned.‘MilesDenton.MrsMilesDenton.’

Sheputdownherhairbrushandmethereyesinthemirror.Theywerebrightasstars.

‘Don’tmakeafoolofyourself,’shewarnedherimage.‘Thisisthe1980s,notthe1880s.Afewkissesdon’tmeananything.Milesdoesn’twanttogetmarried—he’salreadymadethatclear—buthe’sripeforaloveaffairandallyouneeddoissayyes.’



Butwhentheaffairwasover,whatthen?

Theanswertoherquestionwasasoberingone,andcontemplatinghowbleakherfuturewouldbewithoutMilesinit,sheknewshehadleftittoolatetorunaway.

CHAPTEREIGHT

SEVERALofMrsDenton’sfriendsdroppedinforpre-lunchdrinksonSunday,anditwasmid-afternoonbeforelunchwasfinished.

Earlier,MileshadtakentheretrieverforalongwalkacrossthefieldswhileNatalie,notfeelingenergetic,hadelectedtostaybehindwithherhostess.Shefoundherselflikingthewomanmoreandmoreandinevitablyfeelingguiltierthaneverforbeinghereunderfalsepretences.

ShethoughtofthisnowasshewatchedMilessleepinginadeckchair,hisfacedappledbythelateafternoonsunshine.

‘Henevertakesaholidaylongenoughtorelax,’MrsDentonsaid,seeingNatalie’seyesrestingonherson’sface.‘It’ssobadforhim.That’swhyI’dlikehimtogetmarried.Ifhehadsomeoneelse’swell-beingtocareabout,he’dtakemorecareofhimself.’

‘Hecaresdeeplyabouthispatients.’

‘Notinthesamewaythathewouldabouthiswife.IalwayshopedheandGayle….’MrsDentonsighed.‘I’msorry,mydear.It’snotverytactfulofmetohavesaidthattoyou.’

‘Itdoesn’tmatter.MilestoldmeyouandLadyHunterhavealwayshopedtheywouldfallinlovewitheachother.’

‘.GaylewouldmarryMilestoday,ifheaskedher.’

‘Perhapsifyoudidn’tpushherathim,hemightnotbesoobstinate,’Nataliesaidevenly,marvellingathercomposure.

‘It’sveryforbearingofyoutosaysuchathing,’MrsDentonmurmured.‘YouandMilesareobviouslyfondofeachother.’Therewasapause.‘Areyouinlovewithhim?’

ColourfloodedNatalie’sfaceandsheglancedatMiles,thankfulthathewasasleep.Buthercalmnessvanishedasshesawoneeyelidhalfliftandthenswiftlycloseagain.Whatabeasthewas;hehadbeenawakethewholetime.

‘MilesandIareonlyfriends,’shesaidfirmly,ignoringhisshutteredface.‘Theonlythingseriousaboutusisourintentionnottogetmarried.’

‘Butyouseemsocompatible,’MrsDentonsaid.‘FromthemomentIsawyoutogetherIhadthefeelingyouwereimportanttohim.’



Natalie’sinterestwasaroused,andshegazedintentlyatherhostess,willinghertogoon.ItwouldatleastgivetheGreatPretendersomethingtothinkabout.

‘Milesissoconsideratewithyou,’MrsDentoncontinued,‘andheisn’tbynatureaconsiderateman.He’sanextremelykindoneandhe’lldoanythingforanybody,butlittlegesturesofthoughtfulnessarenotinhischaracter.AtleastIdidn’tthinksountilIsawhimwithyou.’

‘Ihaven’tfoundhimparticularlythoughtful,’Nataliesaidsweetly.

‘That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowwhathe’susuallylike,’MrsDentonchuckled.‘Butheseemstobeonpinsandneedleswheneveryou’reoutoftheroomandhiseyesfollowyouaroundthewholetime.’Theolderwomanhesitated,herexpressionthoughtful.‘I’vewantedGayleforadaughter-in-lawforaslongasIcanremember,yetnow,meetingyou,Ifindyouaresomuchmorerestful.It’soddreally,butIfeelasifI’veknownyouforyears.Maybeit’sbecauseIknowhowmuchyoulikemyson.’

ThiswascomingtooclosetohomeandNatalieglancedacrossatMiles,whowasstillkeepinghiseyesclosed,thoughshewaspreparedtobetacenttoadollarthathewaswideawake.

‘I’venevergivenathoughttomarriage,’shesaidbrightly.‘IwarnedMilesyoumightgetthewrongideaifIcamedownfortheweekend.’

‘Ialwaysseemtobegettingthewrongidea,’MrsDentonsaidregretfully,andlookedtowardsherson.SuddenlysheseemedtonoticethathislidswereflickeringandshesmiledconspiratoriallyatNatalie,indicatingthatsheshouldlookattherecumbentfigure.

NatalieglancedatMilesandfoundherselfgrinningasherhostess,havingdiscoveredhersonwasfoxing,nowseemedtotakeitforgrantedthateveryanswerNataliehadgiventoherquestionshadbeendeliberatelywordedtoteaseMiles.

Rising,MrsDentontiptoedaway,andNataliesettledherselfmorecomfortablyinherchairandwaitedforMilestorealisetheywerealonetogether.

‘Ithinkyoursonisfartooselfishandbad-temperedtomakeagoodhusband,’shesaidconversationally.‘Idon’texpectyoutoanswerme,MrsDenton,becauseyou’rebiasedinhisfavour.Butquitehonestly,IthinkhedeservesGayleasawife.She’sexactlythesnobbylittlehorrorheneeds!’

Milessatupinonesweepingmovement,hiswholeexpressiononeofindignation.InaninstanthesawthatheandNataliewerealone,andhegavealoudshoutoflaughter.

‘MyGod,you’reabitch!Foramomentyoufooledmecompletely.’Hestoodupandstretched.‘ImustsayIexpectedtohearfarmorepleasantthingsaboutmyself.’

‘Youknowwhattheysayabouteavesdroppers,’Nataliereplied.‘Anyway,it’scrueltoletyourmotherthinkwe’reseriousabouteachother.’

‘Itisn’tcrueltoletherknowIlikeyou.’Sherrygoldeyesglitteredather.‘YouknewIwasonly



pretendingtobeasleep,soIdiscounteverythingyousaid.Ifyouhadn’tknownIwasawake,youwouldhaveansweredherquitedifferently.’

‘Oh,sure,’Nataliesaidcalmly.‘I’dhavetoldherIadoreyoumadlyandthatmyoneambitioninlifeistobeyourdoormat.’

‘Notaverysoftone,’hesaid,straight-faced.‘Butfullofsharpprickles.Still,I’dsoonsoftenthem.’

‘Theonethingyouaren’tshortofisconceit!’

‘BecauseIknowmyworth?’Lithelyhestretchedhismusclesagain.‘Don’tyouthinkIhavethemakingsofanexcellenthusband?’

‘Ifyouwereonourbooks,I’dgetyousettledinnotime.’

‘Iamonyourbooks,’heremindedher,‘andIhaveafeelingthatinnexttonotimeyouwillgetmesettled.’Heleanedforwardanddroppedalightkissonthetopofherhead.‘Come,mysweet,wemustbegettingback.Ihaveafewpatientstoseeatthenursinghomebeforetheysettledownforthenight.’

‘Youweresupposedtohavetheweekendcompletelyfree.’

‘IfIstayedhereanothernightwithyouImightneverbefreeagain.’

Thetwitchofhismouthshowedhewasteasing,andwishingheweren’t,Nataliewentintodoherpacking.

HerfarewelltoMrsDentonwasaffectionate,andalltoosoontheywerespeedingtowardsLondon.Milesseemedpreoccupied,andNataliewonderedifhewasthinkingofhispatientsorabouttheweekendtheyhadjustspenttogether—well,notquitetogether.Shefelltomusingonwhatitmighthavebeenlikehadtheyreallybeenalone,andexperiencedsuchanuprushofdesirethatshewasshocked.Somuchforherindependenceofmindandbody,shethoughtdespairingly,whenateasingman—whomadeitclearhedidnotwantmarriage—couldbringhertothisstateinamatterofdays.

Itwasseveno’clockwhenMilesdrewthecartoastopoutsideherapartmentblock,andshejumpedoutalmostbeforehehadswitchedofftheengine.

‘Thanksforawonderfulweekend,Miles.’

‘What’stherush?’hedemanded,gettingoutofthecarandcomingroundtowardsher.‘Theweekendisn’toveryet.I’llbefreeagaininaboutanhourandwecangooutforsupper.’

Becausetheurgetosayyeswasstrong,sheforcedherselftosayno.

‘I’mtired,’shelied,‘andIhavesomethingstopreparefortomorrow.IhavetoarrangeinterviewsfortwonewclientsandImuststudytheirfiles.’



‘Youaren’tgoingbacktotheofficetonight,areyou?’

‘Ibroughtthemhomewithme.’

‘Howefficientyouare!’

‘Itrytobe,’shesaidlightly,andonanimpulseputherhandsonhisarm.‘YoudobelievethatMaggieandIdidn’tknowanythingaboutRolandcontactingyoursister?Shedoesn’trealisethesortofpersonheis,butevenifhewerethegreatestcatchintheworldshe’dneverdoanythingsounethicalastoallowhimtomeetaclient.’

‘Ibelieveyou,’Milessaidquietly,‘andrightnowIfeelsurprisinglymagnanimoustowardsRoland.Butforhim,I’dneverhavemetyou.’Heputhishandsoverhersandwenttodrawherclose.

Shestiffenedandheldherselfawayfromhim.Shedidnotwanthimtoconsiderhertooeasy.

‘AtleastifyoubelieveIknewnothingofwhatRolandwasdoing,’shewhispered,‘Iwon’tfeelourfriendshipis—’Shestopped,notwishingtogiveherselfaway.

‘Let’spretendwemetforthefirsttimethisweekend,’saidMiles,andloweringhishead,gentlytouchedhismouthtohers.‘AreyoufreetoseemeonTuesdaynight?’heasked.

WishingonlythathehadmadeitMonday,shenodded.

‘ThenI’llpickyouuphereabouteight,’hesaid.‘ButbearwithmeifI’mnotontime.Ineverknowtotheexacthalfhour.’

Happilyshebadehimgoodnight.Shewantedtoreliveeverymomentofthelasttwodaysand,assheunpackedhercaseandchangedintoacomfortablehousecoat,shechewedovereachincidentlikeadogonabone,savouringeverysinglebitofit.

Natalie’smoodofhappinesscarriedoverintothenextday,andshewassingingcheerfullyunderherbreathassheunlockedthedooroftheBondStreetofficeandpickedupthepileofcircularsandletterswhichlayonthemat.Thecircularsshedumpedintothewastepaperbasket,andafterreadingtheletterssheputthemintoherhandbagtoshowMaggiewhenshevisitedherthatevening.HowdelightedherfriendwouldbetohearfromtwoclientswhohadsentweddinginvitationsandglowingthankstoMaggieforintroducingthemtotheirpartners.

Nataliewonderedifonedayshewouldbeabletosaysomethingsimilartoherfriend,andlaughedoutloudattheidea.Butafterall,shehadmetMilesthroughtheWhitneyMarriageBureau,soitwouldnotbetoofar-fetchedifonedaysheandMilesweretotelltheirchildrenthatthiswasthewaytheirparentshadfoundeachother.

Don’tthinkofmarriageuntilyou’vereceivedaproposal,shechidedherself,yetcouldnotstophererrantthoughts.Regardlessofwhathesaid,Mileswasnotthesortofmantoputanyotherproposaltoher;itwouldbemarriageornothing.



Thethoughtthatitmightwellbenothingwasadisconcertingone,butsheforcedherselftoacknowledgeit.Despitehismother’shopes,Mileshadorganisedhisprivatelifeverywell.Hehadabeautifulhome,anobviouslydevotedsecretary,andnodoubtcountlessminionstodohisbidding.Whatneeddidhehaveforawife?Rememberingthecontrolledpassionwithwhichhehadkissedher,shethoughtjealouslyoftheothergirlsheknew.ThoughhewastoowaryofGayletomakelovetoher,itwasacertaintythathedidnotgotobedaloneeverynight.

Withaneffortsheconcentratedonthefoldersinfrontofher,andwasdelightedwhentheentryofaclientforcedhertoconcentrateonsomeoneelse’sproblemsratherthanherown.ItwasaMrCalthorpe,whohadalreadybeenintroducedtofivewomenwithoutfindinganyofthemtohisliking.

‘ImerelycameintotellyouthatmyfirmismovingmetoParisforsixmonths,’hesaid,‘andIwonderedhowthisisgoingtoaffectmewithyou.’

TryingtoguesswhatMaggiewoulddointhecircumstances,NataliesuggestedthathisfilebekeptinabeyanceuntilheinformedthemhewasavailableforintroductionsagaininLondon.

‘I’llcontactyouwhenIgetback,’heassuredher,andgaveheranadmiringlook.‘Someonelikeyouwouldsuitmefine.’

Promisingtoseeiftheyhadanyredheadswhometwithhisrequirements,shebadehimgoodbye,thenputhisfileaway.Therewasanotherfolderinthe‘abeyance’section,andsheglancedatit.Itbelongedtoamanwho,afterpayinghisintroductoryfee,hadsuddenlyfoundhimselfsentofftoAfricafortwoyears.NataliesawthatMaggiehadimmediatelyofferedtorefundhismoney,buthehadrefusedtoacceptit,sayingthatsinceMissWhitneyhadalreadyintroducedhimtoseveralnicewomen,oneofwhomhadpromisedtowritetohim,hefeltthathavingpaidhisfeehadhelpedtochangehisluck.

MaybetheWhitneyMarriageBureauhadchangedherlucktoo,Nataliethought,andwonderedwhatMileswasdoingatthismoment.Washeoperatingorwashegoingroundthewards,pouringhischarmuponhispatients?Howmanyofthemwerewomen,andweresomeofthemyoungandbeautiful?Shecouldimaginemanyofthemfallinginlovewithhimanddonningtheirprettiestnightdresseswhentheyknewhewascomingtoseethem.

‘Don’tbeanass,’shemuttered.‘Milesisn’tthetypetobebowledoverbyanightdress.He’sfartoodedicatedadoctortoseeapatientasanythingelse.’

Yetontheotherhandhewasfartoodedicatedtoseeapatientonlyasacase;hewouldseethemasahumanbeing,andoncethehumanfactorcamein,thenemotioncouldcreepintoo.

Herthoughtsbecamemoredisquietingandshewasgladwhenlunchtimecamearound,anddecidedtoclosetheofficeandusethetimetobuyherselfanewdressforherdatewithMilesthefollowingevening.Somethingdiaphanous,shedecidedasshelockedthedoorandpinnedanoteonitsayingshewouldbebackattwo-thirty.

Theshopsinthevicinityweretoolargetooffertheindividualserviceshepreferred,andbecause



timewasshortshetookataxitoKnightsbridgeandwandereddownthesmallturningsandpastvariousindividualboutiqueswheresheusuallyboughtherclothes.Inherfavouriteoneshefoundwhatshewanted:apalesilkjerseydress,thecolourofcream,whoselongflowinglineswereguaranteedtoraisethewolfinthemostsheepishofmen.

Carryingtheparcelwithher,shereturnedtoBondStreet.Thedresswastooexpensivetowarranttakinganothertaxi,soshegotabusinstead.AsshealightedatFortnum’sandsetoffalongOldBondStreet,atantalisingsmellofcoffeeremindedherthatshehadmissedherlunch.Thedeliciousaromacamefromasmallbistroandshewentin,luckilysecuringatablebythewindow.

Shewassippinghercoffeewhenatall,fair-hairedmancameintoviewwithagirlonhisarm.Theywereagood-lookingcouple,shethoughtidly,beforerealisingwithashockthatitwasRolandandGillianDenton.Somuchforhispromisenottoseethegirlagain!

Theyweretoointentoneachothertobeawareofherwatchingthem,andshesawtheywereearnestlyengagedinconversationastheywalkedpastandcrossedtheroad,tostopoutsidethejewellery-filledwindowsofAspreys.HeretheyspokeforseveralmoreminutesbeforeRolandleaneddownandkissedGillian,obviouslysayingsomethingflattering,foritbroughtahappysmiletoherface.Thenhehailedataxiandgotin,andGillianwavedtohimuntilthecabhaddisappearedbeforeshewentintoAspreysalone.

Withoutstoppingtothink,Natalierushedtothecounter,paidherbillanddashedacrosstheroad.ShehadtoseeGillian.Shewasnotsurewhatshewouldsaytoher,butshecouldnotstandbyandwatchRolandmakeafoolofthegirlanylonger.

AspreyswassurprisinglyfullandittookNatalieamomentortwobeforeshelocatedGillianDentoninthemen’swatchdepartment.Herapprehensiongrew.

‘Hello,MissDenton,’shesaidcasually,stoppingbesideher.‘Whatasurprisetoseeyouhere!’

GillianDentonturnedandstaredatNatalieblanklyforaninstant,thengaveawidesmile.

‘Why,hellothere.Didyouhaveaniceweekend?’

‘Itwaslovely.Ithoughtyoumighthavecomedowntoo.’

‘Iwasgoingtocome,but….’Gillianstopped,andtherosepinkofhercheeksgaveawaywhatshehadhopedhersilencewouldhide.

NataliewasconvincedMiles’ssisterhadseenRolandduringtheweekend.Shemighteven—horrorofhorrors—havespentitwithhim!ItwasnotthemoralaspectofthiswhichworriedherasmuchasthefactthatRolandwassuchanunsavourycharacter.

‘Youwerewith—Rodney,weren’tyou?’Nataliestatedmatter-of-factly,andthistimethecolourleftGillian’sface.

‘You—youknowhim?’



‘He’sthebrotherofmyclosestfriend.AtthemomentMaggieisinhospitalandI’mlookingafterheroffice.’Thenshesaiddeliberately:‘It’samarriagebureau.HisnameisRolandWhitney,notRodneyWhite.’

AstonishmentkeptGillianspeechless.Thenotheremotionsflittedoverherfaceandthecolourseepedbackintoit.

‘WasthathowyoumetMiles?Youworkwithyourfriendand—and….’

‘OnlytemporarilywhileMaggie’sill.’Nataliewasawareofoneoftheassistantswatchingthem.‘I’dverymuchliketotalktoyou,MissDenton.Haveyoutimeforacupofcoffeewithme?’

‘Isitanyusemysayingwehavenothingtotalkabout?’Gillianaskedresignedly,andwithabriefmurmurtotheassistantthatshewouldbebacklater,shefollowedNatalieacrosstheroadtothecaféwhere,fortunately,thewindowtablewasstillempty.

OnlywhentwocupsofcoffeehadbeensetbeforethemdidNataliespeak,plunginginwithoutworryingaboutdiplomacy,knowingthatwhatshehadtosaymustbesaidbluntly.

‘YourbrothercametotheWhitneyMarriageBureaubecausehewasfuriousthatwe’dintroducedyoutosomeonewhoheconsideredwasuptonogood.’

‘Mybrotherthinksallmyboy-friendsarenogood.’

‘InRoland’scase,heisn’twrong.’

‘Whathashedonethat’ssoterrible?’Gillianaskeddefiantly.

‘WouldyoubelievemeifItoldyou?’Natalieansweredgrimly,andthencontinuedbeforethegirlcouldreply.‘HewenttoAustraliabecauseitwasgettingtoohotforhimhere,andIthinkheprobablycamebackforthesamereason.He’stooclevertodoanythingthat’soutrightcriminal,butonedayhe’lloverstepthemark.’

‘Butwhathashedone?’Gilliandemanded.

‘Solddudcars,passeddudcheques,connedricholdwomen—andnowrichyoungones.’

‘You’venorighttosaythat!’

‘Haven’tI?Iknowhemetyouunderfalsepretencesandtoldyouhe’dbeengivenyournamebytheWhitneyMarriageBureau.Ialsoknowyou’vebeenbuyinghimexpensivepresentsandthathe’sresoldoneofthem.Cufflinks,’Natalieaddedforgoodmeasure.

‘Becauseheneededthemoneyanddidn’tliketoaskmeforit.What’ssoterribleaboutthat?Anyway,onceI’dgiventhemtohimhecoulddowhathelikedwiththem.’

‘Youdon’thonestlybelievethat,doyou?’Nataliesaidscornfully.‘Afive-hundred-poundpair



ofcufflinksisn’tsomethingonesellsimmediatelyonegetsthem.Notunlesshe’dangledfortheminthefirstplace.’

‘Hedidn’tangle,’saidGillian.‘Igavethemtohimforhisbirthday.Buthehadsomedebtstopayandhe—hewantedtostartoffwithacleanslate.’

‘Anewgirl-friendandanewleaf?’

‘Isthatsohardtobelieve?’

‘WithRoland—yes.’Natalieshookherhead.‘Maggie’swipedcountlessslatescleanforhimalready,butithasn’tstoppedhimfrommessingupanotheronestraightaway.He’snogood,MissDenton.Neithertoyounortoanyothergirl.’

‘Whatgivesyoutherighttoorganisemylife?’Gillianasked.‘Justbecauseyou’regoingoutwithMilesitdoesn’t—’

‘MyseeingMileshasnothingtodowithit.I’mtellingyouaboutRolandbecauseIdon’twantyoutobehurt.’

‘That’sraybusiness.AndIwishyou’dmindyourown!’Gilliansnapped,andatoncelookeddiscomfited.‘I’msorry,Ididn’tmeantoberude,butIreallydon’tneedyoutogivemeanyadvice.’

‘Youneedit,’Nataliecorrected,‘butyouobviouslywon’ttakeit.I’msureMileshasalreadyspokentoyou,butifyouwon’tlistentohim,Isupposeit’stoomuchtohopeyouwilllistentome.ButIhadtotry,especiallywhenIsawyouandRolandtogether.Ishouldhaveknownhewouldn’tkeephispromisenottoseeyouanymore.’

‘Whendidhepromisethat?’

‘Whenyourbrotherthreatenedtoputourbureauoutofbusiness.’

‘What?’Gillianlookedfurious.‘HowdareMilesmakeathreatlikethat!’

‘Hewasquitewithinhisrights,’Nataliereplied,andsparedaninstanttomarvelthatsheshouldbedefendingMiles’saction.‘Iwouldhavedoneexactlythesameinhisposition.IfhereportedtheWhitneyBureautotheCouncil,myfriendcouldbeinserioustrouble.Rolandhadnobusinesstogothroughthefilesandsearchforyourtelephonenumber,andthenpretendhewasanintroductionfromus.’

‘I’mnotsayingRod—Rolandwasright,’Gilliansaidstubbornly,‘butIdon’tseethatitwassocriminal.Inanycase,thisisallinthepast.’

‘Whataboutthefuture?’Natalieasked.‘Itwouldn’tbeaverypleasantoneforyouifyou’rethinkingofsharingitwithRoland.’Sheleanedforward,unconsciouslyusingthegirl’sfirstname.‘You’renot,areyou,Gillian?’



‘Ihaven’tthoughtthatfarahead.’Thereplywasmuted,asifthegirlwereunwillingtospeakaliewithanyforce.

‘Well,doso,’Nataliepleaded.‘Roland’snogood.Makeyourownenquiriesabouthimifyoudon’twanttobelieveme.Hehasn’tgotajob,norwasithisbirthdaywhenheacceptedthecufflinksasapresentfromyou.’

‘He’salreadytoldmethathimself,’Gilliansaid.‘Iknowyou’retalkingtomelikethisformyowngood,butI’mnotachild.That’ssomethingMileshasneverseemedtorealise.I’llbenineteeninafewweeks,andlotsofgirlsarealreadymarriedatthatage.’

‘Lotsofgirlsatthatagehavebeenearningalivingforseveralyears,notlivinginrichidleness.’Nataliewasdeliberatelyrude,feelingthatshemightaswellgothewholehogandtellGillianafewmorehometruths.Therewasnothingtobelostandtheremightstillbesomethingtobegained.‘You’veledashelteredlife,andyou’reextremelyyoungforyourage.Ifyouweren’t,youwouldhaveseenthroughRolandyourself.Andifyoubelievethattheonlywaytokeephimistobuyhimexpensivepresents,thenyou’reastupidfool!’

‘Whatahatefulthingtosay!’Gilliancried,andstareddownathercoffeecupwithhereyesmasked.ShedidnotlooknearlysomuchlikeMiles,andNatalie’sexasperationwithhergrew.Thelittlefooldeservedwhatshe’dgetifshetiedherselfupwitharatterlikeRoland.ThenGilliantiltedherhead,andasshesawthegoldenirises,Natalie’sheartseemedtoturnoverinherbreastandshewishedshecouldretracteverythingshehadjustsaid.

‘Isupposeyouwon’tbelieveI’mtalkingtoyoulikethisforyourowngood.’

‘Well,itcertainlycan’tbeforyourgood.’Gillianwassearchinginherhandbagforherhandkerchief.‘SinceyouknowIwon’tlistentoMiles,Ican’tthinkwhyyoushouldimagineI’lllistentoyou.’

‘Becauseatleastmyopinionisunbiased.Look,Gillian,ifyoudointendtocontinueseeingRoland,can’tyouatleastbehavelikeanormalnineteen-year-oldandlethimdothechasing?’

‘He’sbeendoingthechasing,’Gilliansaidinstantly.‘Ineverringhimup.’

‘Butyouspendmoneyonhim,’Nataliesaidgently.

‘Onlybecausehehasn’tfoundajobyet.’

‘Heisn’tpenniless.’Natalieputsomemoneyonthetableandstoodup.‘Ican’tpreventyouseeinghim,butIhopeyouwon’tgoonbuyinghiscompany.’

‘Howdareyousaythat?’

‘Provemewrong,then.Seeifhestillwantsyouifyoukeepyourhandsinyourpockets.Mybetisthatafterafewdateswherehe’stheonetoforkoutthecash,he’llgobacktohisoldwaysandhisoldwomen!’



WithoutwaitingforGilliantoreply,NataliestormedoutandwashalfwayupBondStreetbeforehertemperhadcooledsufficientlyforhertoregretthelossofit.Shedidn’thaveredhairfornothing,shethoughtwryly.

Shewasunlockingthedooroftheofficewhensheheardthetelephoneringing,andsherushedacrosstoanswerit,tremblingwithpleasurewhensheheardMiles’svoice.

‘Whereonearthhaveyoubeen?’hedemanded.‘ThisisthesecondtimeI’vetriedtogetyou.’

‘Iwentouttolunch.I’veonlyjustgotback’

‘Itmusthavebeenaverysuccessfullunch.’

Sheglancedatherwatchandsawitwasthreeo’clock.Shewasonthevergeoftellinghimshehadbeenwithhissister,whenshestopped.IfshementionedGillian,itwouldmeanmentioningRoland,andshedidnotwanttodothisoverthetelephone.

‘Areyoubusy?’sheasked,justhappytotalktohim,andnotreallycaringwhatshesaid.

‘I’muptomyeyes,’hereplied,‘butIhadtohearyourvoice.Youwouldn’tbefreetonight,byanychance?’

‘ItjustsohappensIwould.’Shewassodelightedshecouldhavestoodonherhead,thoughsomeofherdelightevaporatedassherememberedshehadplannedtoseeMaggie.’

‘Whattimewereyouthinkingof?’sheasked.

Thenyoudohavesomethingelsetodo?’

‘IwasgoingtopopinonMaggie,’sheadmitted.

‘I’lltakeyou.’

‘Iwouldn’tdreamoflettingyou,’shesaidwithalaugh.‘Thatwouldbeabusman’sholidayforyou.I’llgoandseeMaggieandthenmeetyoubackatyourflat.’

‘Whatanexcellentidea.’Hisvoicewassofullofhumourthatsheknewinstantlyhewasgrinningfromeartoear.

Hermouthcurvedinanansweringsmile.‘Maybeit’snotsuchagoodidea.Maybeweshouldmeetinarestaurantinstead.Itakeittheinvitationdidincludedinner?’

‘Whatagirlyouareforthinkingofherstomach!’Thistimehechuckledaudibly.‘I’llseeyouatmyapartmentateight-thirtyandthengoontotheBerkeley.’

AstepintheouterofficemadeherturnherheadandRolandcameintotheoffice.

‘That’sadate.Beseeingyou,’shesaidquickly,andputdownthereceiver.



‘Chattinguptheboy-friend?’Rolandsaideasily.

‘Whatdoyouwant?’sheaskedpointedly.

‘Fiftyquid.Ihavetoseeamanaboutaveryexpensivedog.’

‘Whenareyouseeingamanaboutajob?’

‘Ihaveseveralintheoffing,butthere’snopointrushingintosomething.’Hesatdown,elegantasalwaysinafaultlesslycutsuit,hisexpressionbland.‘Youlookblooming,Natalieoldgirl.Beinginlovemustagreewithyou.’

‘I’mnotinlove.’

‘ThenhowcomeyouspenttheweekendwithMilesDenton?’Hegrinnedashesawherdiscomfiture.‘Youshouldn’ttrytokeepsecretsfromyourUncleRoland.’

‘Itisn’tasecret,’shesnapped,‘andIdidn’tspendtheweekendwithhim.Iwasstayingwithhismother.’

‘Curiouserandcuriouser.’Rolandwasopenlymocking.‘NowIknowhemustbeseriousaboutyou.WhenamanlikeDentontakesyouhometomeethismum….’

Ignoringhim,Nataliereachedforherchequebookandwroteoutacheque.‘Ifyouwantanymoremoneyafterthis,’shesaid,handingittohim,‘you’llhavetodealwithMaggie.Idon’tintendtokeepsubsidisingyouonherbehalf.’

‘I’llpayitallbackwhenmyshipcomesin.’

‘Notifit’sthegoodshipGillie!’Nataliesaidbitingly.‘Ifshesetssailwithyou,itwillbewithoutacargo—herbrotherwillseetothat.’

‘My,youaresharptoday,’saidRolandadmiringly.‘Butluckilyyourthreatsdon’tbotherme.Orhaveyouforgottenitisn’tthebusinessofthepottocallthekettleblack?’

‘Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat,’Natalieretorted.‘Butyougavemeyourwordyou’dstopseeingGillian,andbecauseofthat,MilesDentondidn’tgetourlicencetakenaway.Ifhefindsoutyou’vebrokenyourpromisehe’ll—’

‘Hewon’tfindout,’Rolandinterrupted,‘becauseyouaren’tgoingtotellhim.’

‘Imostcertainlywill,’Nataliesaidangrily.‘I’llalsotellhimtostophissister’sallowance.Ifyouwanttogoonseeingheryou’llhavetopayforthepleasure.Andletmeremindyouthatshe’sbarelynineteenanddoesn’tinherithermoneyuntilshe’stwenty-five.Soifyou’replanningafuturewithher,you’llhavetoearnyourlivingforthenextsixyearsatleast.’Natalie’svoicewasheavywithscorn.‘AndsinceIdon’tbelieveyou’recapableofearningyourlivingforsixmonths,itwillgiveGillianampletimetorealisewhatano-goodswineyouarelongbeforeshe



comesintoherfortune.’

‘You’vegoteverythingworkedout,haven’tyou?’Rolandsneered,andleanedbackinhischair.

Itwasanoddlycomposedgestureforonewhooughttobelookingdiscomfited,andwithafaintstaboffearNataliewonderedwhattrickhehadlefttoplay.Shewasnotleftlongindoubt.

‘Beforeyoustartdishingoutthethreats,oldthing,’hedrawled,‘youshouldmakesureofyourownposition.IfyoutellBigBrotherI’mstillseeinghissister,hewon’tneedtogoandgettheBureau’slicencetakenaway,becauseI’lldoitforhim.’

Natalieglaredathimindisbelief.‘You’llwhat?’

‘Ifyoutellonme,I’lltellonyou.’

‘What’stheretotell?Ihaven’tdoneanythingwrong.’

‘Onlystartedgoingoutwithaclient—whichisexactlywhatyouaccusemeofdoing.’

NatalieopenedhermouthtodenywhatRolandhadsaid,thencloseditagain.

‘Youseehoweasyitistomakeamistake,’hewentontriumphantly.‘Icameuptotheofficelastweekwhenyouweren’there,andhadalittlelookaround.’

‘Howdidyougetin?’

‘Withakey.’Hereachedintohispocketandhelditouttoshowher.‘WhatIfoundoutwasveryinteresting.MilesDentonisonyourbooksasaclient.Atleastthereceiptbookshowshepaidthefeeforgoingonthebooks,soIassumehemustbelookingforawife.’

‘Hehappenedtobelookingfor—’Nataliestopped,knowingthattotellRolandMileshadwantedsomeoneforGaylewouldfurnishhimwithyetanotherpossiblesourceofmischief.

‘Milesgavemethatmoneyforsomethingprivate,’shesaid.

‘Theexactamountitcoststoenrol?You’llhavetodobetterthanthat,oldthing.’

‘Stopcallingme"oldthing"!’

‘Sorry,’hesmiled,andfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.‘Anyway,nomatterwhatyousaythemoneywasfor,I’mpreparedtogototheCouncilandsayitwasbecausehewantedyoutofindhimawife.Idon’tblameyouforputtingyourselfforward—afterall,he’sagoodcatch—butIdon’tthinktheCouncilwouldapproveofyourmethods.’

‘Ifyouwenttothemwithastorylikethat,I’dtellthemyouwerelying.’

‘Theymightbelieveyou,’hereplied,‘butontheotherhandtheymightnot.Ifyou’repreparedtotakeagambleonit….’



Nataliestaredathim.‘WouldyoureallygoandchanceruiningMaggie’sbusiness?’

‘That’suptoyou.’Rolandreturnedherstare.‘Ifyoudon’tinterferewithme,Iwon’tinterferewithyou.’

‘Butyoucan’tbeseriousaboutGillianDenton!’

‘Doesthatmeanyou’reseriousaboutBigBrother?’Hissmilewasfoxy.‘My,my,nowonderyou’resohotunderthecollar!’Heroseandstrolledovertothedesk.‘Lookhere,Natalie,thelastthingIwantistoqueeryourpitch.Ifyoucanbringhimtotheboil,goodlucktoyou.ButleavemealonetogoonseeingGillie.IpromiseIwon’tmarryher.’

‘Youjustintendtouseher,’Natalieaccused.

‘Shelovesme,’hesaidsmugly,‘andIfindheramusingandpretty.’

‘Andrich.’

‘Andrich,’heagreed.‘ButI’mgivingyouthechoice.ForgetaboutmyseeingGillianandI’llforgetyou’reseeingherbrother.It’sassimpleasthat.’Hepausedbythedoor.‘Enjoyyourselfthisevening,oldthing.’

ThedoorclosedandNataliestaredatitforalongtimebeforegettingupandgoingovertothefilingcabinet.Shelookedthroughthefoldermarked‘D’andfoundthereceiptshehadmadeoutforMilesDenton.Ifonlyshehadnotacceptedtheenrolmentmoneyfromhim!Butwhenhehadaskedhertofindaboy-friendforGayle,hehadthrownawadofnotesontothedeskandcurtlytoldhertomakeitabusinesstransaction.StupidlyshehadnotmadeouttheenrolmentinGayle’sname,buttoMileshimself,andherewasacopyofthereceiptshehadgivenhim.Butwhywasitaphoto-copy?Wherewastheactualone?

ItrequiredlittleintelligencetoknowitwasreposingsomewhereamongRoland’spossessions.Somuchforherhopeofdestroyingit!

Closingthefilingcabinet,shesatdown.Shewasshakingwithnervesandshetriedtocalmherself.Shehadtothinkclearly,notonlybecauseofMaggie,butforherownfuturewithMiles.BothwouldbesafeprovidingshekepthermouthshutandallowedRolandtocontinueseeingGillianDenton.Damnthegirl!Lethermakeafoolofherself.

‘Ican’t,’Nataliesaidaloud,andhearinghervoiceinthequietnessoftheroom,acknowledgedruefullythatconsciencewouldnotletherkeepquiet.ShewouldtellMaggiethewholestory.IfMaggiethenspoketoRolandhewouldsurelynothavethegalltoadmitthathewouldshophisownsister.

Onthishopefulthought,Nataliefeltbetterabletofacetheafternoon,andwasgladwhentelephonecallsandatentativevisitfromanelderlywomanseekingahusbandkepthertoooccupiedtothinkofanythingotherthanthebusinessinhand.



CHAPTERNINE

ASNataliewalkedalongthehospitalcorridor,shesawtherawbonedfigureofAnguswalkingtowardsher.

‘You’rejustthemanIwanttosee,’shesaid,impulsivelydecidingtotellhimofherproblemandaskwhetheritwouldbewisetoburdenherfriendwithit.‘Doyouhaveafewminutestospare?’

Seeingfromherexpressionthatsomethingwaswrong,hedrewherintoasmallofficealongsidetheward,andlistenedintentlyasshetoldhimofRoland’slatestthreatandherdesiretoenlistMaggie’shelpinstoppinghim.

‘Youdaren’tworryherwithallthis,’Angussaidemphatically.‘She’sstillsufferingfromhypertension,andifshethoughtherbusinessmightbeknockedoutfromunderher—byherownbrothertoo—itcouldgiveherarelapse.’

‘Ididn’trealiseshewasstillsoill,’Nataliesaidindismay.

‘Maggie’sthetypewhohideshersymptomsuntilshereachesbreakingpointandcollapses.’

‘Howlongwillitbebeforeshe’swell?’

‘Sheshouldbeleavinghospitalintendays,butIdon’tthinkshe’llbefitforatleastamonth.’Hepressedhislips.‘Sheneedstoconvalescesomewhere.’

‘Shecanstaywithme,’Nataliesaidinstantly.

‘InaflatinLondon?Thatisn’twhatImeanbyconvalescing.I’mgoingtosuggestshestaywithmyparentsinStirling.’

Natalielookedstartled.‘Isn’titrathercoldupthere?’

‘Notatthistimeoftheyear.Anyway,Maggie’sahardyScot.Andbesides,’headdedcasually,‘Ishallbetakingmyholidayroundaboutthesametime,soI’llbeabletoseesheobeysdoctor’sorders.’

TherewassomethinginhistonethattoldNatalietheorderswouldincludealovingembracefromtimetotime,andshehopedwholeheartedlythattheromanceshesuspectedwas,infact,blossoming.

‘Iknowyou’reinatrickyposition,’Anguswenton,pattingNatalie’shandawkwardly,‘butyou’vecopedsowellthatanothermonthwon’tmakeallthatdifference.Apartfromwhich,Idon’tseewhyyoushouldfeelresponsibleforGillianDenton.’

‘BecauseIlikeMiles,andifIdon’ttellhimhissisterisstillseeingRoland,hewillbefuriouswithme.’



‘Hewon’tbefuriouswhenyoutellhimthereasonyoukeptquiet.’

Itwasalogicalassertion,butitdidnotgiveNataliemuchcomfort.MileswouldfeelthatinnottellinghimaboutRolandatonce,shehadacteddeceitfully.HewouldprobablyevensayshehadputherfriendshipforMaggiebeforeherfeelingsforhim.Yetthoughthiswastrue,didn’tMaggie’sillnessmakethisjustifiablebehaviour?SurelyMiles,asasurgeon,wouldappreciatethis?

‘Cheerup,’Angusurged.‘Thingsaren’tthatbad.’

‘Theycouldgetworse,’sheagreeddolefully.‘WhathappensifGillianmarriesRoland?’

‘Ithoughtyousaidshedoesn’tgethermoneyforanothersixyears?’

‘ItmightnotstopRoland.Onceshewashiswifehe’dbankonthefactthattheDentonswouldn’tstandbyandseeherlivinginpenury.’

‘Sowhyshouldyoucare?Shemightevenbehappywithhim.

‘Never.He’sarealswine.IfGillianmarriedhim,Mileswouldneverforgivemeforkeepingquiet.’

AnguslookedatNataliewithdawningwonderment.‘You’reinlovewithDenton,aren’tyou?Ihadn’trealisedthat.Nowonderyou’resoconcernedabouthissister!’Heranahandthroughhisroughredhair.‘ButIstillhopeyouwon’ttellMaggie.IfshemakesgoodprogressI’lltellherthestorymyself.I’llevengoandseeRolandandtrytoknocksomesenseintohim,ifyoulike.’

‘Itisn’tsensethatshouldbeknockedintohim,’Nataliesaidgrimly,‘it’sdecency.’

ResolutelyshesetoffinthedirectionofMaggie’sward,awareofAnguswatchingherbutstillnotsurewhethershecouldabidebyhiswishes.ItwasonlywhenshesawMaggiesittingupagainstthepillows,herfacepinchedanddevoidofcolour,thatsheknewshewoulddoasheasked,regardlessofhowdifficultitmadeherownposition.

‘Hellothere,’shesaidbriskly,placingaboxofchocolatesonthebedsidetableandpullingupachair.‘You’relookingheapsbetter.’

‘Liar,’Maggiesaidtruthfully.‘Ilookdreadful,thoughImustadmitIfeelmuchbetter.’

‘Thenthat’sallthatcounts.Onceyou’reoutofhereyou’llsoongetyourcolourback.IhearStirlingisverybracing.’

Maggielookedembarrassed.‘Ihaven’tyetagreedtoAngus’ssuggestion.I’llonlygoifyoudon’tmindstayingonattheBureauabitlonger.Ifyoucan’t,forheaven’ssakebehonestandsayso.Ifeelguiltyenoughforruiningyourholiday.’

‘ItoldyouIwasn’tgoingtohaveone.MovingapartmentcostmesomuchmoneythatworkingattheBureauisjustwhatIneed.Aslongasyoucomebackbeforemyschoolstartsagain,I’m



fine.’

‘I’llbebacklongbeforethen,’Maggiepromised.‘Anguswantsmetostaywithhisparentsforamonth,butIshallonlymakeittwoweeks.’

Nataliewassilent,certainthatonceMaggiewasinScotland,Anguswouldmakesuresheremainedthereuntilshewascompletelywell.Withoutrealisingitshesighed,andherfriendlookedatheranxiously.

‘ThingsareallrightattheBureau,aren’tthey,Nat?You’renothidinganythingfromme?’

‘Theycouldn’tbebetter,’Nataliesmiled,andbroughtoutabundleoflettersfromappreciativeclients.

Maggiereadthemandthenputtheminherbedsidedrawer.I’llshowthemtoAngus,’shemurmuredsoftly.‘He’salwayssayingmarriagebureausareawasteoftime.’

‘Lethimenrolandfindoutforhimself.We’vegotloadsofladyclientswho’dgivetheireye-teethtomeetaneligibledoctor—evenifheisarawbonedScot!’

‘Heisn’trawboned,’Maggiesaidindignantly,thenknowingshehadfallenintoNatalie’strap,shegaveatremulouslaugh.‘You’reabeast,Nat!’

‘Butacleverone.Angushashiseyeonyou,soputonthepoorlittleinvalidact,andhe’llbeeatingoutofyourhand.’

Maggiesmiledand,refusingtorisetoanyfurtherbaiting,changedtheconversation,unfortunatelybringingitroundtoRoland.

‘Hehasn’tbeenintoseemethisweek.Idohopehe’snotinanytrouble.’

‘He’sinthepinkofcondition,’Nataliesaidwithoutexpression.‘Igavehimanotherfiftypoundstotidehimoverandhehopestofindajobprettysoon.Ifhedoesn’t,.’shewenton,determinedthatillornot,Maggieshouldn’tliveinatotalfool’sparadise,‘you’dbecrazyifyougavehimanotherpenny.’

‘Iknow.Beingillhasmademefacethetruthabouthim.’

‘Good.Nowallyouneeddoistogetwellandcomebacktotheoffice.Yournewclientsneedyou.’

‘NotasmuchasIneedthem,’Maggiesighed.‘Myleasecomesupforrenewalsoon,andImustmakeupmymindwhetherornotIshouldcontinuewiththeBureau.’

Natalie’sheartthumpedloudly.IfMaggiewasnotgoingtocarryon,itwouldnotmatterifthelicencewastakenaway.ThatmeantitwouldbepossibletotellMilesabouthissisterandRoland.

‘However,ifyouwerebeingtruthfulaboutallthenewclientswehave,’Maggiebrokeinto



Natalie’sthoughts,‘thenI’llwritetothelandlordsandsayIwanttorenewmytenancy.That’swhyit’simportantformetoknowyouaren’tjusttryingtoreassureme.’

‘I’llbringyouallthecardsofthenewclients,’Nataliereplied,‘thenyoucanseeforyourself.’

ThereliefonMaggie’sfacewasgreat,andafraidthatherowndisappointmentmightshow,Nataliestoodup.

‘Mustyouleavesosoon?’Maggiepleaded.

‘Ihaveadate.’

Nataliedidnotsaywithwhom,butgaveherfriendahugandpromisedtocomeandseeheragainwithinafewdays.

ItwasexactlyhalfpasteightwhensherangthedoorofMiles’shouse.Shenoticedagainhowresplendentitwas,aswashe,asthedoorswungbackandhestoodbeforeherinasuperblycutnavysuit.Thedarknessemphasisedhispallorandnarrowpatricianfeatures.Hewasnotamantotakedeceitlightly,shethought,noticingthefirmlineofhismouthandjaw,andfoundherselfunabletomeethiseyesasshesteppedintothehouse.

‘Apunctualwoman,’hecommented,takingholdofherhand.‘Don’tyouhaveanyvices—apartfromyourdreadfultemper?’

Shemadeherselfsmile.‘I’veoccasionallybeenknowntothrowthings,butIneverhittheobjectofmydislike!’

Hechuckledandledhertowardsthesmallelevator.‘Ithoughtwewouldhaveadrinkhereandthengoouttodinner—unlessyou’drathergooutrightaway?’

Unwillingtofacetheintimacyofbeingalonewithhim,shesaidshewouldprefertogoout,andknewthatherswiftanswerhadsurprisedanddisappointedhim.

‘I’veputsomechampagneonice,’hesaid,‘butifyou’rehungry…’

‘Iamrather,’shelied,andwaitedasheclosedtheelevatordooragainandledherbackacrossthehallandoutofthehouse.

‘Ididn’tbookatableafterall,’hesaid.‘Asweweremeetinghere,Ithoughtwe’dgotoasmallItalianrestaurantcloseby.AcolleagueremindedmeofitthisafternoonandIthoughtyoumightfinditmoreamusingthananhotel.’

‘IlikeItalianfood,’Nataliesmiled.

‘Ifyou’dalsolikeafive-minutewalk,weneedn’ttakethecar.’

Shenodded,hopingthefreshairwouldblowawayherfeelingsofguiltandenablehertoactmorenaturallywithhim.Ifitdidn’t,theeveningaheadwasgoingtobeadifficultone,forhe



hadnoticedherconstraintanditwasaffectinghisownattitude.SidebysidetheywalkeddownHarleyStreetandshewasconsciousofhowtallhewas,easilytoppingherownfivefeetsixinchesandmakingherfeelunusuallypetite.

‘Doyouevergetbackache?’sheasked.

‘Backache?’Helookedsurprisedbythequestion.

‘Becauseofhavingtobendovertheoperatingtable.’

‘Wehaveitatworkingheight,’hesaidwithsomeamusement.‘Unliketheaveragehousewife,Idon’thavetoputupwithwrongkitchenequipment!’

Shelaughed.‘Itwasasillyquestionformetoask.’

‘Noneofyourquestionsaresilly,Natalie.Youhaveagoodbrain.’Heputhishandunderherelbowtoguideheracrosstheroadandthenkeptitthere.‘Whatmadeyoudecidetobecomeanurseryschoolteacher,insteadofamodelorsomethingequallyglamorous?’

‘Iwouldhatetobeamodeloranythingelsethatyoucallglamorous.I’vealwayslikedchildren.I’veevenwrittenstoriesforthem,’sheconfessed,gladtobeabletotalkaboutasubjectwhichwasn’tdangerous.‘AsamatteroffactI’vewrittenabookofchildren’sstoriesandhaveevenfoundapublisherwho’skeentodothemassoonashecanfindasuitableillustrator.’

‘That’smarvellous.’Milessoundedgenuinelydelighted.‘Youmustletmereadthem,Doyouhaveacopyofyourmanuscript?’

‘Yes,butI’mafraidyouwouldfindthemratherchildish.’

‘Iknowyoudidn’twritethemforfogeyoldsurgeons,’hesmiled,‘butIwouldliketoreadthemnonetheless.ItwillmakemefeelIknowyoubetter.’

Hisfingersgentlysqueezedherelbowandherguiltincreased.DamnRoland!Hewasgoingtosourwhatcouldhavebeenanidealfriendshipthatmight—ifshewerelucky—haveledtomuchmore.

‘Hereweare,’saidMiles,stoppingoutsideanarrow-frontedGeorgianhouse,inacul-de-sacborderingonRegent’sPark.

‘Whatanunusualplaceforarestaurant!’sheexclaimed.

‘It’sanunusualrestaurant.Thosewhoknowitkeepquietaboutitincaseitgetssopopularthatitsstandardsdeteriorate.’

Theywentuptheshallowstepsintoanarrowhall,andthenceintoaroomthatrantheentiredepthofthehouse.Thereweresomedozentables,alloccupiedexceptfortheonetowhichtheywereshown.



SeveralpairsofinterestedeyeswatchedthemandthreepeoplenoddedatMiles.

‘IalwaysmeetpeopleIknowhere,’heexplainedbriefly.‘Themanwepassedjustnowisacolleagueofmineatthehospital.’

‘Thatremindsme,’saidNatalie,‘howisSirElton?’

‘Inthebestofspirits.Infactheaskedmetogiveyouhisbestwishes.’

‘Heknowsyou’restillseeingme?’

‘Ofcourse.’

‘Ofcourse,’sheechoed,andtriednottofeeldespondent.‘That’sthewholeobjectoftheexercise.’

‘Thatwastheoriginalobject,’Milescorrected,andmighthavesaidmoreifthewaiterhadnotchosenthatmomenttoapproachtheirtablewiththemenus.

Natalietookoneandbrandisheditinfrontofherlikeashield,unwillingtoletMilesseeherface.‘I’lljusthaveasteakandsalad,’shesaid.‘Andmelontobeginwith,please.’

‘Thatsoundslikeadieter’sdinner,’Milessmiledand,leaningforward,tippeddownhermenuinordertostareathermoreclosely.‘Areyoufeelingwelltonight,Natalie?Orhasthevisittothehospitalupsetyou?Isyourfriendworse?’

‘Ohno,she’sfine.AndI’mnotupsetintheleast.’Hurriedlyshecontinuedtospeak.‘MaggieisgoinguptoStirlingtoconvalescenextweek.She’sstoppingwithAngus’sparents.AngusistheRegistraratthehospitalandhasknownMaggiesincetheywerechildren,thoughtheylosttouchwitheachotherforyears—untilheroperation,infact.’

‘Afortuitousoperation,’Milessmiled.

‘I’mhopingso.’

‘Doesthatmeanyou’llhavetolookaftertheBureauuntilshereturns?’

‘Yes.I’llprobablybethereuntilIhavetostartschoolagain.’

‘Iwouldlovetoseeyouwithyourtoddlers,’hesaidsoftly,continuingtolookintoherface.

HiswordsconjuredupforherapictureofwhatMiles’schildrenmightbelike,werehetohaveany,andquicklyshefocusedonthemenuagain.‘IthinkI’llchangemymindaboutsteak—itdoessounddull,Isuppose—andhaveavealescalopeinstead.’

‘TheydoanexcellentSteakWellingtonhere,’Milessaid,‘buttheportionsarefortwo.Ifyouwouldbewillingtoshareitwithme—?’



‘I’veneverheardofaSteakWellington,’sheconfessed.

‘It’sasmallwholefilletcoveredwithmustardandpâtéandthenwrappedinpastry.’

‘Itsoundsdelicious,’shesmiled.‘You’vetalkedmeintoit.’

‘Thenletmetalkyouintosomethingmoreexcitingthanmelon.Theydodeliciousseafoodpancakes.’

Againshenodded,hopingthegoodfoodwouldhelphertorelaxandenablehertopushasideallthoughtsofRolandandwhathemightbedoing,andwithwhom.

MilesorderedahalfbottleofMersaultfollowedbyabottleofBurgundy,whichdidmorethanthefoodtohelpherforgetRoland,andbythetimeshewassippinghercoffee,shewasquiterelaxed.Itwasonlywhenhestartedtotalkabouthissisterthatherguiltfloodedback.

‘IneverthoughtIwouldbegratefulforGillian’serraticchoiceofboy-friends,’Milessaid.‘Butifshehadn’tgonetotheWhitneyBureau,itmighthavetakenmemuchlongertofindyou.’

‘Youmightneverhavefoundme,’shesmiled.

‘Irefusetobelievethat.Itwasinthestarsthatwewouldmeet.’

‘I’msureyoudon’tbelieveinthestars!’

‘Idon’t,’hegrinned,‘butmostwomendo.EvenmyRegistrar,whoisahighlyefficient,logicallady,admitsthatshereadsherhoroscopeeveryday.Shesayssheonlydoesitforfun,butI’msureshehalfbelievesit.’

‘Doyouonlybelieveinthingsthatcanbeproved?’

‘Itdependswhatyoumeanbyproof.ButIrefusetobelievethatstars,millionsandmillionsoflightyearsawayfromus,canhaveanyeffectuponourbehaviour.Isupposeyouthinkthat’sveryprosaicofme?’

‘Yes,Ido.Butit’swhatIexpected.You’realogicalman,Miles.It’spartofyourtraining.Ishouldn’tthinkyoubelieveinintuitioneither.’

‘You’rewrongthere.Idobelieveinit,onlyIcallitlightningfastdeduction.That’swhatintuitionis—theabilityofthebraintounconsciouslyassimilateallfacts,andhundredsoflittlenuancesthatleadittocometoaconclusionwiththerapidityofacomputer.’

‘Ohdear!’Shepulledaface.‘SoGeminiintuitiongoesbytheboardtoo.Whatelsedon’tyoubelieve?’

‘Romanticlove,’hesaidpromptly.‘It’sahoaxdreamedupbytheadvertisingmedia.Menandwomenmarrybecausetheywantcompanionshiporafamilyorsomeonetotakecareofthem.Thebeliefthatonlyoneparticularmanorwomancanappeaseyourneedisutterrot.’



Natalieforcedherselftoremainsilent,thoughshelongedtoannihilatehisargument.Ahoaxoftheadvertisingmedia,indeed!Themanmustbemad.WereShakespeare’ssonnetsahoax?OrthePsalmsofDavid?Andwhataboutthethousands—themillionsofpeoplewhosharedtheirliveswiththepartnersoftheirchoiceandweredesolatewhentheydied?Milescouldnotmeanwhathesaid.Feminineintuition—whichhedeploredsoforcibly—toldherhewasonlyspeakinglikethisinanefforttofightagainstthedeepattractionhefeltforher.Puttingitonamundanelevelwashiswayoftryingtoretainhisdetachment.

‘Well,’hequestioned,‘aren’tyougoingtomakeanycomment?’

‘Onlythatyousoundlikeamanwhoisstrugglingwithhimself,’shesaidwithoutanyexpressioninhervoiceoronherface.

‘Howdamnrightyouare!’Hisownlookwasrueful.‘UntilafewdaysagoIbelievedeverythingIjustsaid.Lovewasforothers—notme.Iwasoneoftheluckyoneswholivedonanentirelydifferentplane.IcouldgothroughmylifetakingonlywhatIwantedtotake.’

‘Andnow?’

‘NowIfindI’vebeentaken.YouknowwhatI’msayingtoyou,don’tyou,Natalie?’

Tohavedenieditwouldhavemadeherlookmorenaivethanhewouldhavebelievedpossible.Yetifsheadmittedsheunderstoodhim,hewouldexpecthertogivevoicetoherownfeelingsabouthim,andshefounditimpossibletodothiswhileshewasstillunabletotellhimthatRolandwasatthisverymomenttryingtoseducehissister.Lovemeanttruthandfrankness,notliesandsecrecy.

‘IsthequestionIaskedyousodifficulttoanswer?’Milesmurmured.

‘I’mnotsurewhattosay,’sheblurtedout.

‘Thensaynothing.’

Hisvoicewasmatter-of-fact,butitdidnothidethebleaknessinhiseyes,andsheknewhewashurtthat,havingconfessedhisownfeelings,sheshouldfinditsodifficulttoconfesshers;orperhapshethoughtshedidnotlovehim.

‘Miles,I—’

‘Don’tsayanything,’hecutinswiftly.‘I’verushedyouandI’msorry.Itendtoforgetthatotherpeoplesometimestakelongertomakeuptheirmindsaboutthings.’

‘Haveyouneverregrettedaquickdecision?’

‘No.’Itwasaclippedsound.‘ButIdoknowwhentoretract.’

‘Don’tretractthistime,’shesaidquickly.‘I’mjustaskingyouto—totemporarilywithdraw.’



‘Byallmeans.’Hewaspoliteanddistant,andwithashutteredlookonhisfacehesignalledthewaitertobringtheirbill.

Slowlytheywalkedbackalongthedarkstreets.Lamplightthrewmellowsilverpoolsonthepavementandtheairwaswarmbutdusty.

‘Ienvyyourmotherlivinginthecountry,’shesaidsoftly.‘Don’tyoueverfeelyouwouldliketoliveoutoftown?’

‘Quiteoften.Butitisn’tconvenientforabachelortodothat.InHarleyStreetIhaveeverythingatmyfingertips—myconsultingroom,myhome,ahousekeeper,asecretary.’

Hehesitated,asifwishingtosaysomethingmore,thenhequickenedhisstep,sothatbythetimeNataliereachedhishouseshewasalmostbreathless.

‘Willyoucomeupforadrink?’Milesaskedperfunctorily,‘ordoyouwantmetotakeyouhomestraightaway?’

Commonsensetoldhertosayshewouldgohome,butshewasafraidthatifshelefthimwhilehewasinthismood,shemightneverhearfromhimagain.Mutelyshelookedatthedoor,andinterpretingthegesturecorrectly,heunlockeditandledherinside.Silentlytheywentuptothetopfloorintheelevatorandalongthethicklycarpetedpassagetothesittingroom.

Asalwaysitsopulentmodernitydismayedher,thoughitwassoftenedbytherose-shapedlamps.

‘Idon’tthinkthisroomisincharacterwithyou,’shesaid,sinkingdownontothesettee.

‘Idon’tlikeiteither,butI’mneverherelongenoughtoletitworryme.’Hewenttothesideboard.‘ShallIopenthechampagne,orwouldyoupreferabrandy?’

‘ActuallyIdon’twantanything.’

‘NeitherdoI,’hesaid,andswingingroundabruptly,cameovertositbesideher.‘Iwantedyoutocomeupherewithme,’hewenton,‘butIhadtogiveyoutheopportunitytorefuse.’

‘Why?’

‘BecauseIwasn’tsureifyouwantedmeasmuchasIwantyou.’

Shewasquicktonoticehedidnotusethewordlove,butinviewofherearlierlackofforthcomingness,shecouldnotblamehim.Shefelttheslowbeatingofhisheart.Itssteadinesswasreassuringandgaveherunexpectedcourage.Regardlessofwhatanyoneelsesaid,shehadtotellhimaboutRoland.

‘Miles,Iwanttotalktoyou.’

‘Kissmefirst,’hesaidthroatily.‘You’vedonenothingthewholeeveningexcepttalk.’



Abruptlyhecoveredhermouthwithhisown,atthesametimelyingbackuponthesetteeandpullingherontopofhim.Herhairswungforward,thesilkenstrandsenvelopinghiminafragrantcloudofdarkred.Shefeltthewarmthofhishandsthroughthethincrêpeofherdressandwasveryconsciousofthesoftfullnessofherbreastsrestinguponhischest.Shemovedslightly,buthisgriptightenedandhepulledhercloserstill.

‘You’reveryenticing,’hewhisperedagainstherlips.

‘Andyou’reverystrong.’

‘Withyou,IfeellikeSamson.’

‘Beforeorafterhehadhislocksshorn?’

Shefelthisbreathashechuckled.‘Definitelyafter!You’vemademeweak,butIdon’tregretit.’

‘Howweak?’

‘Strongenoughforthis,’hesaidhuskily,loweringherzip.

Thebodiceofherdressfellawayfromhershouldersandhewasinstantlyawarethatsheworenobra.Hisbreathcameoutonahalfsighoflonging,thenheplacedhislipsbetweentheshadowedhollowandmovedthemalongacreamycurvetothepink-centredheart.Itstiffenedathistouchand,awareofit,hisneedofherbecametooapparentforhertoignore.

‘Miles,I—’

ThetelephonebellcutacrossherwordsandMilessatupandgentlyliftedherawayfromhimbeforereachingoutforthereceiver.

‘Dentonspeaking,’hesaidsoftly,andthenlistened.

Watchinghim,Nataliesawtheperceptiblechangeinhisbody:astiffeningofthemusclesandatighteningofthejawlineashisadrenalinbegantoflowandthewould-belovergavewaytothesurgeon.

‘I’llbewithyouintenminutes,’hesaidintothetelephone.‘Preparethetheatre.Youdidrighttocallme.’Hereplacedthereceiverandroseatthesametime.‘Ihaveanemergencyoperationatthehospital.’

‘I’llseemyselfhome,’Nataliesaidquickly,andknewfromtheblanklookhegaveherthathehadnotevenconsidereddoingsohimself.Shewasnolongerinhismind,butshewasnothurtbytheknowledge.Itwouldalwaysbelikethis.Nomatterhowintimatetheoccasionbetweenthem,therewouldalwaysbeonepartofhisbrainpoised,readyforthemomentofdangertobesignalled.This,afterall,waswhathehadbeentrainedfor,andwhatwastheveryfabricofhislife.



‘I’msorry,Natalie.’Hewasmovingtothedoorashespoke.

‘Don’tapologiseforbeingasurgeon,’shereplied,andprecededhimintotheelevator.‘Wouldyoulikemetocometothehospitalwithyouandwait?’sheaskedastheyreachedthestreet.

‘Goodheavens,no!Imightbeacoupleofhours.Butyoucancomewithmeandgetataxifromthehospital.Idon’twanttoleaveyoustandinghere.’

‘I’llbefine,’shesaid,realisinghedidnotreallywanthertogowithhim.Heneededtomarshallhisthoughtsfortheoperationahead.‘Dogo,Miles.’Sheglanceduptheroad.‘Icanseeataxicoming,itwillbehereinamoment.’

WithanodMilesslippedinfrontofthewheel.Shewatchedthetaillightsofhiscardisappeararoundthecorner,thenignoringthetaxislowlychuggingtowardsher,shebegantowalkinthedirectionofOxfordStreet.

IfonlythetelephonehadrungafewmomentslaterandgivenherthechancetotalktoMilesaboutRoland!Whatafoolshehadbeentohesitateandnottellhimthetruthatdinner.IfMileslovedher—andshewassurenowthathedid—hewoulddefinitelynotdoanythingtoharmMaggie.NorwouldhebelievethatsheherselfhadanythingwhatevertodowithRoland’ssiegeofGillian.Thisseemedsocleartohernowthatshewasastonishedithadnotbeencleartoherbefore.ButperhapsithadneededMiles’sshowofpassionatetendernesstogivehertheconfidencetoknowshecouldbetruthfulwithouthisdoubtingher.

Sheslowedhersteps,savouringthefewmomentstheyhadhadtogetherandrevellinginthememoryofhistouchandthefeelofhisbody.Shethoughtofgettingtoknowhimbetterandknewthattheircourtshipwasgoingtobeafastandheadyone.‘Imakeupmymindquickly,’hehadsaid,andsheknewittobetrue,fortheyhadbarelyknownoneanotheracoupleofweeks.

Anothertaxichuggedpastandthistimeshesignalledittostopandclimbedin.Wherewouldherhomebeinthreemonths’time?Thequestionbroughtasmiletoherlipsandshestaredunseeinglythroughthewindow,hermindtoobusywiththefuturetogivemuchthoughttothepresent.

CHAPTERTEN

INSTEADofthetwohoursMileshadanticipated,theoperationtookhimfour,andforseveraldarkmomentsithadlookedasifhemightlosethepatientcompletely.Evennowhewasnotsurethemanwouldpullthroughthenextcriticalseventy-twohours.Buthehaddonehisbest,andnowitwasinthehands—ifhandstheycouldbecalled—oftheelectronicmachinesthatwouldmonitoreverybreathandheartbeat,everyfluctuationintheman’ssystem.

WearilyMileswalkedacrossthehospitalcourtyardtohiscar.Thenightairhadfreshenedandaslightbreezeruffledhishair,butthesmellofetherstillclungtohimandstoodforamomentbythebonnetbeforeclimbinginandstartingforhome.

Hewasbone-tiredfromconcentration,yetheknewthatwhenhewenttobedhewouldbeunabletosleep.Hewouldliewakeful,goingovereverystepoftheoperationhehadjustdone.He



frowned.Rarelydidheallowhimselftoreachthestatehewasintonight,andnormallyhewouldhaveseenitasasignthatheneededaholiday.YethehadreturnedfromonebarelytwomonthsagoandheknewhisrestlessnessandtensionwasduetotheemotionalstateinwhichhisunexpectedfeelingsforNataliehadputhim.

Theverythoughtofhernameconjuredupeachroundedcurveofher,eachflowinglinesoclearlyetchedinhismindthathisfingerscurledroundthewheelalmostasiftheyweretouchingherbody.Andnowhelongedtotouchit!Ifthetelephonehadnotdisturbedthemtonight,heavenaloneknewwhatwouldhavehappened.Hegaveaslightsmile.Itdidn’trequireheaventotellhimsuchathing,sinceheknewonlytoowellforhimself.God,hewantedher!Butmorethanthat,heneededher.Itwasasurprisingadmission—assurprisingaswhenhehadfirstacknowledgedtohimselfthatthisyoungwomanhadgotunderhisskin.Ifhewerenotacautiousmanhewouldhaveaskedhertomarryhimtonight,anditwasherownunexpectedcoolnessduringdinnerwhichhadstoppedhim.

Helovedher—thatmuchheknew—butheregardedmarriageasabindingcontractnottobelightlyentered,andthoughhishearttoldhimhelovedNataliethewayhehadlovednootherwoman,hisbraincounselledcaution.Thesamecautionthathadkepthisknifepoisedabovehispatienttonight.Thehesitationhadprobablysavedalife,andhesawthisasanomenforhisownbehaviour.

Don’trushthings,hewarnedhimself.SeeasmuchofNatalieasshe’llallow;ifthingsworkoutwell,youcanstillbemarriedbytheendoftheyear.Theideaofwaitingfourmonthsmadehimgroan,andhearingthesoundintheconfinesofhiscar,hesmiled.AsthewallsofJerichohadtumbleddownatthesoundofthetrumpetsoftheIsraelites,sohadhisdefencescrumbledatthesoundofNatalie’svoice.Allhispreconceivedideasofremainingacarefreebachelorhadbeendissolvedbyonelookfromhergloriouseyes,onetouchofhersoftmouth.Hesavouredthepleasurethatlayaheadofthembothwhenultimatelytheysharedtheirlifetogether.

Washeconceitedtothinkshelovedhim?Afterall,hewasagoodcatch;Gaylehadmadethatmorethanplain,andsohadmostoftheotherwomenwithwhomhehadcomeintocontact.YetNataliehadtreatedhimwithscantrespect—haddonetheopposite,infact—whichhadprobablyappealedtohimmore.Herhumourandsharpintelligencehadkepthimonthequivive,andthedayswhenhehadnotseenherhadbeenlong,drearyones.Hewastooanalyticalnottohaveknownwherehewasheading,buthehadmadenoattempttodrawback—almostasifhehadknownthathecouldn’t.Thebachelorstatuswhichhehadcherishedforsolonghadnowbecomemeaningless,andhecouldnotwaittogiveitup.Howquicklythemightyhadfallen!

Heslowedthecarasataxiswungsharplyoutofasideturning,andresistedtheurgetochaseafteritandgivethemanapieceofhismind—anothersignofhisstateoftension.

Liftinghisfootfromtheacceleratorheslowedhisspeedasherealisedhewasexceedingthelimit.Maybehewasatfaultandnotthetaxi.Chastenedtorealisehehadbeengoingtoofast,hebegantocrawl,thenturnedlefttocutthroughoneofthesquarestoOxfordStreet.Onhisrighthesawthelightedentranceofafashionablediscotheque.

Severalpeoplewerecomingoutofit,amongthemaslendergirlwiththesamelong,lightbrownhairashissister.Heglancedatthegirlasecondtimeand,ashedidso,shesteppedunderthe



lightofastreetlampandlookedupathercompanion.WithanexclamationhesawitwasindeedGillian.Butitwasthemanbesideherwhogavehimthebiggestshock,forherecognisedthefoxyfeaturesofRolandWhitney.

FuryalmostmadeMilesstopthecar,butsomehowhekeptgoing,hisfootontheaccelerator,anddrovepastthecouple,onlyslowingdownasheroundedthesquareandturnedintoSouthAudleyStreet.

SomuchforNatalie’spromisethatRolandwouldleaveGillianalone!Herstrangebehaviouroftonight,whichhadperplexedhimforagreatpartoftheevening,suddenlybecameexplicable.Itwasguiltthathadmadeheractsoawkwardlywithhim,andgivenherthatoddlydistraughtairwhichhehadstupidlyassumedtobenervousness.

NotforonemomentdiditenterhisheadthatNataliehadnotknownwhatwasgoingon.RolandhadmetGillianthroughtheMarriageBureauandNatalienowworkedthere.Equallyimportant,shewasagreatfriendofRoland’ssister.HewouldnotputitpastthemtohavestartedtheBureauasameansofgettingallthreeofthemeligiblemarriagepartners.Itwascertainlyonewayofmeetingasmanypeopleaspossible,andcheckingontheircredentialsbeforemakinganycommitment.

Hisangerincreased,directedasmuchathimselfforhisgullibilityasatNatalieforcausingit.Aheadofhimtrafficlightsglowedred,andheswunghiscarsharplyintheoppositedirectionandheadedawayfromHarleyStreetandhometowardsKensingtonandNatalie.Itwaslateandshewouldbeasleep,buthedidnotcare.Hecouldnotrestuntilhesawher,anditwasbettertodothatthanliewakefulthroughwhatwasleftofthenight.Darnitall,ifshehadknownRolandwasstillseeingGillian,whyhadn’tshetoldhimthetruth?

Nataliewasawakenedoutofadeepsleepbytheinsistentpealingofabellthatbuzzeddeepintoherconsciousness,causinghertothrashandturnrestlesslybeforeitfinallybroughtherabruptlyintoasittingposition.Forafewsecondsshelistenedinthedarkness,thensleepilysheslippedonadressinggownandslippersandpaddedintothehall.ShepeepedthroughthespyholeandsawwithastonishmentthatitwasMiles.Happilysheshotbacktheboltandopenedthedoor.

Instantlyhesteppedintothehallandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hisfacewasgreywithfatigueandtheskinseemedsotightlystretchedacrossthecheekbonesthatitgavehimthelookofadeadman.Onlyhiseyesshowedanysignoflife,glowingwithahiddenfirethatmadethemalmostblindingintheirbrilliance.

‘What’swrong?’shegasped,andputoutherhandstohim.‘Didsomethinghappentoyourpatient?Oh,Miles….’

‘I’mnotherebecauseofmypatient,’hecutin.‘I’mherebecauseofGillianandthatswinewho’sstillseeingher.’

Natalie’shandsdroppedtohersidesandhereyeswentluminous.‘Soyouknow?’

IftherehadbeenanylingeringdoubtsinMiles’smind,theydiedthatinstant,andastabofunbearablepainshotthroughhim.



‘Yes,Iknow.AndIwishtoGodyou’dhadthegutstotellme.’

‘Iwasafraid.’

‘ThatIwouldtrytostopit?’

‘Ofcoursenot!’shecried.‘Howcouldyouthinksuchathing?’

‘Thenwhydidn’tyoutellme?OrdidyouthinkI’dchangedmymindabouthimanddidn’tcareanymore?’

‘Icouldn’ttellyou.Maggie’smyfriendand—’

‘Andshe’smoreimportanttoyouthanIam,’hefinishedfuriously.

‘That’snottrue!Please,Miles,you’remisunderstandingme.’

‘Imisunderstoodyoualongtimeago.Ishouldhaveknownwhatgameyouwereplayingwhenyoutriedtostopmefromtakingyourlicenceaway.Thatwasallyoucaredabout,wasn’tit?KeepingyourrottenlittlebusinessgoingregardlessofwhathappenedtoGillian!’

‘Don’tsaythingslikethat,’Nataliebegged.‘OfcourseIcarewhathappenstoyoursister.WhydoyouthinkIranafterherthisafternoon?’Shepausedandgaveherheadahalfshake.‘Imeanyesterday.’

Stilldisorientatedbythesuddennesswithwhichshehadbeenawakened,andthetiradewhichMileshadunleasheduponher,shebegantofeelitseffectsandthehallwayrevolvedaroundher.

‘WhendidyouseeGillian?’Milesdemanded.

‘Afterlunch—yesterdayitwas.’Natalieranashakinghandacrossherforehead.‘IsawherwithRoland,andwhentheyparted,Ifollowedher.Ibeggedhernottogoonseeinghim,butshewouldn’tlistentome.’

‘Whydidn’tyoutellme?’

‘Iwantedto,but….’

‘Butyoudecidedagainstit,’Milessneered.‘Don’tbotherlyingtomeanymore.Thatwholemarriagebureauofyoursisacon.Itwouldn’tsurprisemeifyouandyourgirlfriendaren’tinleaguewithWhitney.Ibetyouevensupplyhimwithwomentofleece,thewayyousuppliedhimwithmyidiotsister!’

‘She’sanidiotallright!’Natalie’stemperhadrisenduringthisunjustifiedattackuponhercharacter,andnothingcouldstopitfromexploding.‘Isthatwhyyouwokemeinthemiddleofthenight?BecauseyouthinkMaggieandIhavetogoroundlookingforstupidgirlstofallforRoland?Well,justfortherecord,letmetellyoutherearesomanystupidwomenaroundthatwe



don’tneedtofindthemforhim!AndI’masstupidastherestofthemforallowingmyselftobeconnedbyyou!’

‘You’requicktotryandturnthetables,aren’tyou?’hesaidfuriously.‘Buttryingtomakemefeelguiltywon’twork.Ifyoumeantwhatyousaid,youwouldhavetoldmethewholestorywhenwehaddinnerthisevening.ButyoukeptquietbecauseyouwantRolandtostayinGillian’slife.Everythingyou’vesaidtothecontraryhasbeenalie.Maybeyou’reoneofRoland’swomentoo!’

‘Howdareyousaythat!’Nataliecried.

‘Isittoonearthetruth,then?’Milestaunted.

‘Ifyouthinkthat,thenwe’venothingtosaytoeachother.’

‘Don’tbotherplayingtheinnocentwithme!Itwon’twashanymore.You’reacleveryoungwoman,Natalie,butnotcleverenough.’

‘Clever?’sheraged.‘Imusthavebeenthebiggestfoolonearthtohavewantedtohelpyou!’

‘Maybeyouwantedtohelpyourself.’

‘Towhat?’

‘Tome,’hesaidsuccinctly.‘Youwouldhavetolookalongwaytodoanybetter.’

‘Why,youconceited….’Wordsfailedherandshedrewashudderingbreath.‘Ifyouhonestlybelievewhatyou’vejustsaid,’shecontinuedinatremblingvoice,‘thenthesooneryougetoutofmylifethebetter!’

‘Itcan’tbesoonenoughforme.’Hisvoicewasshakingtoo:itwasathroatysoundthatalmostmadeitinaudible.‘OnedayIsupposeI’llthankmysisterformakingmewakeupintime.IfIhadn’t,Imighthavemadethebiggestmistakeofmylife.’

‘I’msureyou’llstillmanagetodothat,’shesaidtonelessly,thinkingofGayle,whowouldbealltoowillingtopickupthepieces.

Asifheguessedwhatwasgoingthroughhermind,Milesgaveabittersmile.‘IwouldratherhaveGayle’snaivetythanyourcunning.Shemightboreme,butatleastshewouldn’tcheatonme.’

Natalieclenchedherhands.HertemperhadabatedandshewasoverwhelmedbydesolationatthethoughtofMileswalkingoutofherlifeinthisway.

‘IwantedtotellyouaboutRoland,butIwasscared.Hethreatened—’

‘Sparemethefairystory,’Milesinterrupted.‘Youcouldn’tsayanythingtomakemebelieveyou.’



‘Noteventhetruth?’

Heronlyanswerwasthequietclosingofthefrontdoor,andshestumbledbackintoherbedroomandcollapsedinashiveringheaponthebed.Milescouldnotmeanwhathehadsaid.Hehadcometoherafteranarduousoperation,whenhewasattheendofhistether,bothphysicallyandemotionally.ShedidnotknowhowhehaddiscoveredthatGillianwasstillseeingRoland,butobviouslyhehadonlyjustlearnedofitandtheshockhadcomeatatimewhenhewastooexhaustedtothinkclearly.

Withshakinghandsshepushedasidethebedclothesandclimbedintobed,hopingthewarmthofthecoverswouldstopherfromtrembling,andknowingthatthechatteringofherteethcamenotfromcold,butfromadullnessofthesoul.

Miles’sbehaviourhadnullifiedeverythinghehadsaidearlierthisevening.Allhisso-calledloveforher,histalkofthefuture,hadbeensomanyemptypromises.Whenhisfeelingsforherhadbeenputtothetesttheyhaddissolvedlikesnowinsunshine.

Soonerorlaterhewouldlearnthetruth,ofcourse.Allheneededwastotalktohissister,andoncehehad,hewouldseehowunjustifiedhisharshaccusationshadbeen.ButwhenthattimecameNatalieknewthatnomatterhowmuchhepleadedwithhertoforgivehim,shewouldneverbeabletodoso.

Mileswasamanwhodoubtedawoman’sintegrity;whosebasicdistrustofthefemalesexwassodeeplyingrainedthat,attheslightesttest,theloveheprofessedtofeelcrumbledtonothing.Certainlyhehadsaidthingstoherthatnomanhadeversaidbefore.Shepulledthesheetsupagainstherchinandlaybackagainstthepillows.Shewouldhavegivenanythingifshecouldhaveturnedbacktheclocksothatthelasthourwouldceasetoexistandshecouldgoonlivinginafool’sparadise.Butthatwasimpossible.

FortheremainderofthenightNatalielayawake,andasdaylightfilteredacrosstheroom,shegotupandmadeherselfsomecoffee,thentookahotbathinthehopethatitwouldwashawayhermisery.

Shewasatherdeskwellbeforenine.Brisklyshewentthroughtheearlymorningpost,gladthereweresomehalfdozenlettersthatneededtobeanswered.Thiswouldoccupyherforthebestpartofthedayandstopherfromwallowinginherownmisery.Shedarednotlosehercontrol.Onceshedid,shewouldhowllikeababy.

Thetelephonerangandshealmostjumpedoutofherchair.Herhandwasshakingsomuchshecouldhardlyliftthereceiver,andonlywhensheheardanunfamiliarvoiceattheotherenddidhernervessteadyenoughforhertospeak.HowstupidofhertosupposeMileswouldringtoapologise.Anyway,shecouldnotforgivehim.Atleastthatwaswhatshetoldherself,thoughsheknewinherheartofheartsthatshouldheringtoexpressanyregretwhatsoever,shewouldbemorethanhappytomeethimhalfway.

Withpainfulsilencethedaydraggedon,andwhenatlastitwasfive-thirty,sherushedstraightbacktoherapartment,tellingherselfshewasnotdoingsobecauseshehopedMileswouldcall



herthere.Yetsheknewthiswasexactlyherreason.

Tuesdaysetthepatternfortherestoftheweek.ItwasnotuntilFridaythatitchanged,wheninsteadofreturninghomeshewenttoseeMaggie,whowasleavinghospitalthenextmorningandtravellingtoStirlingwithAngus.

‘He’llbestayingfortwoweeksonly,’Maggieexplained,‘andwhenhecomesback,sowillI.Sodon’ttakeanynoticeifhetellsyouI’llbethereforamonth.Ifeelheapsbetteralready,andtwoweekswillbequitelongenough.’

Lookingatherfriend’sanimatedface,Nataliecouldalmostbelievethistobetrue,thoughMaggie’sextremeslendernessstillleftherwithsomeelementofdoubt.

‘Don’tcommityourselftoadateofreturn,’shesaid.‘AsI’vealreadytoldyou,I’mquitehappytostayintheBureauuntilschoolstartsagain.’

OnlywhenshewasbackinherownplacedidNatalieadmittosomeregretatwhatshehadsaid,knowingshewouldnotbeabletoputMilesoutofherminduntilshelefttheBureauforgood.Asitwas,goingineachdaymadeherthinkofhimcontinually.TheonlygoodthingwasthatRolandhadkeptoutofherway,andthoughMaggiehadnotmentionedhim,shelearnedfromAngusthathehadnotevenbeentothehospitalfortendays.Withricherfishtofry,Rolandcouldsparenotimeforanyoneelse.

TheweekendwentbyandNatalieforcedherselftogooutbothSaturdayandSunday.Whenshewasin,thetelephoneremainedbalefullysilent,andshefoundherselfglaringatitasthoughitwerealiveanddeliberatelytryingtoaggravateher.Shesleptbadlyandthefewhours’restthatshedidmanagetogetwerepunctuatedbyunpleasantdreams.ShemightbeabletokeepMilesatbayduringherwakinghours,butatnighthereturnedtohaunther.

Sheacceptedinvitationstotwopartiesandonbothoccasionswasescortedhomebythemosteligibleyoungmanthere,whichwasgoodforhermoralebutnotformuchelse,sinceshecouldnotfacetheprospectofgoingoutwithanothermansosoonafterMiles.Itwasquitecrazy,forshehadonlyknownhimafewweeks,yetitwasimpossibletogethimoutofhermind.

AnotherweekendwentbyandagainitwasMonday.TherewasashortnotefromMaggie,whoseemedtobehavingawonderfultimeandmadenomentionofwhenshewasreturning.TherewasnowordfromRolandeither,andNataliewascurioustoknowwhatwasgoingonandwhetherhewasstillseeingGillian,orifMileshadsuccessfullyintervenedinhissister’slife.

Idon’tcarewhattheDentonsdo,shetoldherself.OnlyforMrsDentondidshefeelapangofsympathy;shecouldimaginehowdismayedthatladywouldbeifherdaughtermarriedamanlikeRoland.Ontheotherhand,ifMilesmarriedGayle,shewouldatleasthavesomecompensation,Nataliethoughtbleakly.

TwoweekstothedaythatMaggiehadleftLondon,shewalkedintotheoffice.Nataliestaredatherwithdelight.

‘ItoldyouwhenI’dbeback,’saidMaggie.‘Youhavenoreasontolooksoastonished.’



‘IthoughtAnguswouldpersuadeyoutostayon.’

‘Thedoctorinhimwantedto,’Maggiesaidhumorously,‘butthemaninhimcouldn’tbearustobeparted.’Sheheldoutherlefthand,whichsportedapearlandrubyantiqueringonthethirdfinger.Nataliejumpedupandhuggedher,delightedthatatleastoneofthemhadgotherman.

‘I’mgoingtoclosedowntheBureau,’Maggieconfidedsomehourslater,whentheywerecomfortablysittinginacoffeebar,withtimetosparebeforeAnguswasfree.‘Evenwithournewclientswe’reonlyjustkeepingourheadsabovewater,andthewholethingisn’tworththeworryanymore.’HerplainfacebecameilluminatedwithhappinessattheprospectofherfuturewithAngus.‘Isupposeyouthinkit’sold-fashionedofmetobecontentedjustwiththethoughtofbeingawife?’

‘Don’tusetheword"just",’Nataliesaidstolidly.‘Formostwomen,beingawifeandmotherisafull-timeoccupation.’

‘Woulditbeforyou?’

‘Itmight.Butatthemomentthere’snomanintheoffing.’

‘WhataboutMilesDenton?’

ThequestiontookNataliebysurpriseandshewentscarlet.Shehadimaginedherfriendtobetoofullofherownhappinessatthemomenttostartthinkingofanyoneelse.ButdoubtlessMaggie’sperceptiveeyehadnoticedherthinnessandthevioletshadowswhichfatiguehadplacedonherlids.

‘I’mnotbeingnosy.’MaggiedidnotlookonewhitabashedbyNatalie’sheightenedcolour.‘Angustoldmeabouthim,andhealsotoldmewhattroubleyouwerehavingwithRoland.Youshouldn’thavekeptittoyourself.’

‘Ididn’t,’Natalieretorted.‘Itoldthatbig-mouthfiancéofyours.’

Maggiegaveahalfsmile.‘Andquiterightlyhetoldme—whichiswhatyoushouldhavedone.Iappreciatewhyyoudidn’t,but….’ShepulledherchairclosertoherfriendandputherhandonNatalie’sarm.‘ButnowIwanttoknowthetruth.Youlooklikedeathwarmedup,whichleadsmetosupposethatthingsaren’tgoingtoowellbetweenyouandMilesDenton.’

‘Theyaren’tgoingatall,’Nataliesaidwithanattemptatlightness.‘We’vestoppedseeingeachother.’

‘Why?’

‘ForthesamereasonwhyIdon’tseelotsofmyboyfriends.Onelikesthemforatimeandthenonestopslikingthem.’

‘Youdon’tlikeMilesDentonanymore?’



‘Iloathehim!’

‘Isthatwhyyoulooksodreadful?’saidMaggiepleasantly’.

‘Idon’tlookdreadful.’Natalietookouthercompactandpeeredatherselfinitssmallmirror.‘I’mthinner,’sheadmitted,‘butIthinkitsuitsme.Itmakesmelookethereal.’

‘Etherealtodaycanbeghostlytomorrow,’MaggierespondedwithScottishpracticality.‘AmIwronginassumingyoubowedtoRoland’sthreatsanddidn’tcallhisbluff?’

Natalieputdownhercompactandstaredatherfriendindismay.‘Angusreallyhasbeentalking,hasn’the?’

‘SinceI’mgivinguptheBureauhesawnopointinnottellingme.’Maggiesighed.‘Itwasn’teasyforhimtotellmemybrotherisafirst-classrotter.ButatleastknowingIhaveAngusmakesiteasierformetobear.’

‘I’mdelightedaboutthat,’Nataliesaidsincerely.

‘WhendidyouseeRolandlast?’Maggieasked.

‘BeforeyouwenttoScotland.Idon’tknowifhe’sstillseeingGillianDenton,butitmakesnodifferencetome.NotafterthethingsMilessaid.’

‘Tellmeeverythingthathappened,’Maggieinstructed.

Afteramoment’shesitation,compoundedofembarrassmentandadesirenottorelivetheagonyofMiles’saccusations,Nataliedidso.Tohersurpriseshefounditgoodtobeabletotellsomeone,andhearingthestoryaloudhelpedhertoputitintoperspective.Butitdidnotridherofthebitterness.Enoughstillremainedforittochangehervoiceasshereachedtheendofthestory.

‘It’sknowingthathethoughtIwaspretendingtolikehim—thatIsawhimasagoodcatch—thathurtmemorethanhisbelievingIwasincahootswithRoland.’

‘Youcan’tblamethemanforthinkinghe’sagoodcatch,’Maggiesaidprosaically,‘whenhesoobviouslyis!Doyouthinkhe’stakenupwithGayleHunteragain?’

‘Hedeservesher,’Nataliesnorted.‘She’saselfishbitofgoods.’

‘SheandRolandwouldmakeanidealcouple,’Maggiegrinned.

Nataliecouldnothelplaughingattheidea.‘Ican’tseeGaylebeingtakeninbyhim.Behindthosebabyblueeyesofhersthere’samindlikeasteeltrap.’

‘ReadytogripontoMilesDenton?’



‘Iexpectso.’Nataliejumpedup,asifthewordshadcausedherpain.‘Shallwego?Youmustn’tkeepAnguswaiting.’

AfewmomentslatertheywerewalkingdownBondStreet.

‘Imustpayyouforthetimeyou’vebeenrunningtheBureau,’saidMaggie.

‘Idon’twanttobepaid,’Natalieretorted.‘Ihelped-outasafriend—nothingmore.’

‘Iinsistongivingyousomething,’Maggiesaid.‘Itisn’twhatyoudeserve—Ican’taffordthat—butatleastitwillhelpyouwithsomeexpenses.AndIalsooweyouforthemoneyyougavetoRoland.WhenIthinkofthatbrotherofmineIcouldstranglehim!’

‘Here’syourchance,’Nataliesaidinatightvoice,andjerkedherheadinthedirectionofthefair-hairedmansaunteringupthestreettowardsthem.

‘Hello,Maggie,’hesaid,greetingherasifhehadonlyseenheryesterday.‘Iwasjustcominguptotheofficetoseeifyouwereback.’

‘Howkindofyoutocare,’hissistersaiddryly.

‘Don’tbelikethat,oldthing.IknewyouwereingoodhandswithAngus.Whichremindsme,howishe?’

‘Soontobeyourbrother-in-law.’

‘That’sthebestnewsI’veheardinyearsI’

Rolandlookedgenuinelypleased,andwatchinghim,Nataliewonderedatthedichotomyinhischaracterthatcouldmakehimthreatenhissisterharmonemomentandbedelightedatherhappinessthenext.ButthenMaggieseemedabletodissembletoo,forshewaslettingRolandhugheraffectionatelybeforesuddenlypushinghimawayfromherandasking:

‘What’sallthisaboutyouthreateningtogetmyBureaulicencetakenaway?’

ForabriefinstantalookofcomicsurpriseflashedacrossRoland’sfeatures,buthewasnotaconmanfornothing,andhegavehissisteradisarmingsmile.

‘Nataliewassillyenoughtotakemeseriously.ButIwouldneverhavedoneit,Sis,youknowthat.’

‘Oh,sure,’saidhissister.‘Butitdoesn’tmatteranylonger,becauseI’mclosingthebusinessdown.’

‘Thenall’swellthatendswell,’hesmiled.

‘HowisitendingwithyouandGillianDenton?’Maggieasked.



‘Itisn’tyet.’HestareddefiantlyatNatalie.‘HerbrotherknowsI’mseeingher,butheisn’tinterfering.Soyouwerewrongaboutthat,weren’tyou?’

‘Iwaswrongaboutalotofthings,’saidNatalie.‘Butneverwronginthinkingyouwerelowerthanasnake’sbelly.’

Withoutgivinghimachancetoreplyshewalkedaway,andMaggiecaughtupwithheramomentlater.

‘I’msorrywebumpedintohim,Nat,’sheapologised.‘Idon’tblameyouforfeelingthewayyoudo.Buthe’sstillmybrotherandIcan’tcuthimoutofmylife.’

‘Idon’texpectyoutodothat.’

Natalietouchedherfriend’sarmtoshowtherewerenohardfeelings.ShewascontenttoleaveMaggie’sfutureinAngus’scapablehands,knowingthatwithhimasherhusbandMaggiewouldnotbeopentothesamepressuresfromherbrother.

BythetimeNataliereturnedhomeshefoundthatthehappinessofherfriendservedtohighlighttheemptinessofherownlife.Forthefirsttimesheexperiencedadeepsenseofself-pitywhichmadehergladthatfromtomorrowshewouldbefreetoleadherownlifeagain.Butsomehowthethoughtofspendingherdayswithtoddlers,eventhoughshelovedthem,nolongerseemedtherightthingtodo,andshewonderedifitwouldn’tbewisertofindajobwhichwouldbringherintouchwithpeopleofherownage.Oldemotionsweremoreeasilyforgotteniftheywerereplacedbynewones,anditwasthisknowledgethatpromptedhertoringupanex-boy-friendwhowasnowdirectorofanadvertisingagency,andaskifshecouldcomeandtalktohim.

‘Byallmeans,’hesaidatonce.‘I’mfreetonight,ifyouare,andI’vegotticketsforthenewshowattheRoyal.Wecantalkafterwardsoverdinner.’

Itwaschurlishtorefuse.Besides,anactivesociallifewaspartofthecureshewasplanningforherself.

‘I’dlovetocome,’shesaid.

‘I’llcollectyouatseven.Dressup,angel,andwe’llgodancinglater.’

CHAPTERELEVEN

WHENsheopenedthedoortoDavidSumneranhourlater,thelookNataliesawonhisfacewasamplecompensationforthetimeshehadtakenwithherappearance.

‘Noneedtoaskifyou’rewell,’hesaidappreciatively.‘Youlookradiant!’

Hiseyestravelledslowlyfromthedarkredclusterofcurlswhichcrownedherhead,downthecolumnofherslenderthroat,pasttiltedbreaststorestonawaistthatwasconsiderablysmallerthanwhenhehadseenitlast.‘You’rethinner,’headded,‘butitsuitsyou.’



‘Thinenoughtobeamodel?’shequestioned.

‘Don’ttellmeyou’rereadytogiveuppottingtoddlers!’

Shelaughed.‘I’mthinkingofit.That’swhyIwantedtotalktoyou.’

‘Youaren’tdumbenoughtobeamodel.’Hetuckedhisarmbeneathhersandledhertoawaitingtaxi.‘I’veamuchbetterideaforyou,’hecontinued.‘Whynottakeajobinmyoffice?Itwouldbemuchmoreinlinewithyourbrains—andyourbeautywon’tcomeamissthereeither.’Heleanedforwardandnibbledherear.‘I’mgladyoucalledme,Natalie,andIreallycoulduseyouintheoffice.You’reintelligentandeducated,andsixmonthsfromnowyoucouldbetakingonyourownaccounts.’

‘Youreallythinkso?’

‘I’msureofit.We’lltalkaboutitduringdinner.’

Shenodded,andthoughshewouldhavelikedtocontinuewiththediscussionnow,knewitwouldseemtoopushyifshedid.ItwasmonthssinceshehadseenDavidandshethoughthimasgood-lookingnowaswhenshehadmethim.Butthesparkhadneverbeenthere,asfarasshewasconcerned,andshehaddecidednottoseehimanymore.Nowshedidnotwanthimtogetthewrongidea,andsheponderedhowtoputthistactfully.

‘Ihopeyou’llliketheplay.’David’svoicebrokeintoherthoughtsandshesawhewastakingoutsomemoneytopaythetaxi.‘Don’tblamemeifit’snogood.’

‘I’llbearthatinmindbeforeIrunoutonyou,’sheteased,andfollowedhimintotheauditorium.

Itwascrowded,andthemajorityoftheaudiencewereineveningdress.Photographers’flashbulbspoppedascelebritiespausedobligingly.SeveralpeoplewatchedNatalie’sprogressintothestallsandwithamusementshewasawareofDavid’sprideinhercompany.

‘Ibeteverymaninthetheatreisenvyingme,’hewhisperedastheysatdown.‘You’restillthemoststunninglookinggirlIknow.’

‘Ibetyousaythattoallyourgirl-friends!’

‘IwishIcould,’hesaidruefully,‘butitonlyappliestoyou.’

Aflippantreplydiedinherthroatashergazerestedontheoccupantsofaboxafewyardsaway.EvendistancecouldnotdisguiseMilesDenton’saristocraticfeatures,norhidethegleaminhiseyesastheyrestedonher.Sheknewinstinctivelythathehadwatchedherprogressdowntoherseat,andshewasdelightedshewaswithsuchapersonableescort.

Casually,asifshehadnotseenhim,NatalieturnedherattentiontoDavid,butwasunabletoseeanythingotherthanthememoryofMilesandthehoney-blondegirlbesidehim.WhyshouldIbesurprisedbecausehe’swithGayle?shethoughtangrily,butstillfounditimpossibletofocusonwhatDavidwassaying.



‘Don’tyouthinkso?’hequeriedwithasmile.

‘Ido,’shenodded,andwasrelievedtofindshehadsaidtherightthing.

Atthatmomentthelightsdimmedandthecurtainparted,andNatalieletoutasighandfocusedhereyesuponthestage.

Forthefirstfiveminutesshewasobliviousofwhatwashappeningthere,butgraduallysheconqueredherturmoilandwasabletoconcentrateontheactiontakingplaceinfrontofher.SheknewthatintheintervalDavidwouldexpecthertomakesomeintelligentcomment,andresolutelyshetriednottolookupattheboxwhereMileswassitting.Yetfromtimetotimeshecouldnotpreventherself.Thesightofhisclear-cutprofileandthepalegleamofGaylebesidehimhurthermorethanshehadbelievedpossible.

Theywerewithanothercouple,notSirEltonandhiswife,andshewasrelieved,fortheymighthavespokentoherduringtheinterval.ButGaylewillkeepamileawayfromme,shethoughtironically,andMileswillignoreme,sothere’snoneedtosittremblinglikeanidiot!

Whenthecurtaincamedownonthefirstact,shefollowedDavidtothebar,whereheorderedchampagne.

‘Therearesomefriendsofmineoverthere,’hesaid,andwavedhishandtowardsImogenHoulder,awell-knownactress,andherhusband,whoimmediatelycameovertojointhem.

Natalierelaxed,gladtolettheconversationcarryonaroundher,andoccasionallygaveasmiletodisguisethefactthatherthoughtsweremilesaway.Everyfibreofherbodyseemedtobeconcentratedonthedoor,asifwaitingforMilestocomethroughit,andwhenheatlastappearedwithGayleclingingtohisarm,shefeltastabofintensejealousy.

Feverishlysheenteredintotheconversation,utteringabonmotwhichmadeeveryonelaugh,andatleastprovingtoherselfthatshewasstillcapableofputtingonanactthatcouldfoolanyone.

‘Let’shavedinnertogetherafterwards,’ImogenHouldersuggested.

‘Nottonight,angel.’DavidglancedfromtheactresstoNatalie,andImogen,seeingthelook,gavehimaknowingsmile.

‘No,dear,’Davidsaid,‘I’mnotlayingsiegetoNatalie,butwedohavebusinesstotalkabout.’

‘Monkeybusiness,’drawledtheactressdryly.‘Irefusetobelieveyouwouldevertalkbusinesstoabeautifulredheadaftertenp.m.!’

Nataliesmiled,butfeltthecurveofherlipsstiffenasshesawGaylecomeintoviewbeyondImogen’sshoulder.

‘Hello,Natalie,’theyoungergirlsaidinartlesstones.‘It’sagessincewemet.’



Wishingitcouldhavebeenlonger,Nataliegaveherapolitesmileandhopedthegirlwouldmoveon.ButGayleremainedwhereshewas,smilingfirstatImogenandherhusbandandthenatDavid.Nataliewasobligedtointroducehimtoher,andGaylespunoutthepleasantriesforsolongthatMiles,turningawayfromthebarwithtwodrinksinhishand,wasforcedtobringthemover.

Asheapproached,Nataliefoundhertremblingceasedasthoughbymagic,andfromsomewherecameastrengthshehadnotthoughtshepossessed.ItenabledhertogivehimacoolsmileandtospeaktohiminhoneyedtonesassheputherhandinDavid’sandintroducedthetwomen.

‘Denton?’Davidrepeatedthename.‘Youwouldn’tbeanythingtodowithDentonEngineering?’

‘JackDentonismyuncle,’Milessaid,‘butI’mnotinthesamelineofbusiness.’

‘Milesisasurgeon,’saidNatalie.‘Hecutspeopleup.’

‘Inmylife,’Davidgrinned,‘it’sthewomenwhodothat!’

MilesgaveaslightsmileandhandedGayleherdrink.Seenatcloserange,Nataliefound,hewasexactlyasshehadrememberedhim.Yetnotquitethesame,forthoughhehadalwaysbeenthin,hewasnowvergingonthehaggard.Thisinnowaydetractedfromhislooks;ifanythingitmadehimlookmoredistinguished.Hiseyesglowedlikeambercoalsandshecouldimaginehowvividtheymustappearwhentherestofhisfacewascoveredbyasurgicalmask.Sherememberedthelasttimeshehadseenhimglowingdownatherandwonderedifheeverrememberedthatmomentwhentheyhadlaintogetheronthesetteeandhadsonearlyallowedtheirmutualdesiretoreachfulfilment;mighthavedonesotoo,ifthetelephonehadnotrung.

Theglassinherhandtrembledandsomechampagnespilledonherfingers.

‘Here,letmetakethat,’Davidsaid,anddidso,gentlywipingherhand.

NataliewonderedwhyGayledidnotmoveaway,butitseemedshehadcomeforapurposeandwasnottobedissuadedfromit.

‘IsupposeyouknowofMiles’snewappointmentatthehospital?’shecooed.

‘Nooneisinterestedinthat,’Milesintervened,andputhishandonGayle’sarmasiftodrawheraway.

‘I’dlovetohearaboutyournewappointment.’Nataliespokedirectlytohim,anxioustoshowthattheangerwithwhichshehadfacedhimamonthagohadbeencompletelyforgotten.‘Ihadn’trealisedSirEltonwasretiringquitesosoon,’shecontinued.

‘Hehadaslightheartattack,’Milestoldher,hiseyesstillimpersonalastheymethers.‘Thatsomewhatprecipitatedthings.’

‘Sonowyou’vereachedthetopoftheladder?’



‘Theyoungestsurgeonevertoholdsuchaposition,’Gayletrilled,andleanedclosetoMiles,herlongblondehairbrushinghischinassheclungtohisarm.‘ButhehatesitwhenItelleveryone.’

‘It’sajoblikeanyother,’heshrugged.

‘Butyou’rebrilliantatit,darling,’Gaylepouted.‘Whyshouldn’tIbeproudofyou?’

MilesshruggedandspoketoDavid.‘Youmentionedmyuncle.Doyouknowhim?’

‘Verywell.Mycompanyhandleshisadvertising.’

‘Nowyou’reinatoughbusiness,’Milessmiled.‘Prettycut-throat,too,Ishouldimagine.’

‘That’swhatNatalieusedtosay.Thoughnowshe’sjumpingontothebandwagon,I’mgladtosay.’

NataliewishedshehadwarnedDavidnottomentionherplans,butitwastoolate,forMileswaslookingatherwithanenigmaticsmile.

‘Soyou’rerenouncingthetoddlersforsomethingmorelucrative?Youalwaysgavemetheimpressionthatyoucaredaboutthem.’

‘Istilldo.ButIalsocareaboutenjoyingmyownlife,’shesaid.‘I’vebeenlookingafterchildrenforfiveyearsandIneedabreak.’

‘Shecanalwaysreturntoitwhenshegetsmarried,’Davidputin,andslippedhisarmaroundherwaist.

Natalieleanedagainsthim.‘Youneverknow,’shesmiled,andthoughshedespisedherselfforflirting,shewasdeterminedtoshowMilesshewasheartwhole.

‘Canwegobacktoourseatsnow,darling?’GayleaskedMiles,asifshehadsaidallshewishedtosay.

HenoddedtoNatalieandDavid,smiledattheirfriends,andledGayleaway.

‘Agood-lookingcouple,’Imogencommented,hereyesontheman.‘Anddefinitelythemarryingkind.’

Doctorshavetobe,’herhusbandreplied.‘Itmakestheirwomenpatientsfeelsafewiththem.’

‘Iwouldn’twanttofeelsafewithMrDenton!’

‘Youwould,ifhehadyouonanoperatingtable.’

‘Thatisn’twhereIwasthinkingofhimputtingme!’Imogen’swarmglanceatherhusbandmadeitclearshewasjoking,andhisreturningglanceshowedthatheknewit.



DavidsmiledatNatalie.‘YouseemedtoknowDenton.Isheafriendofyours?’

‘Iwentoutwithhimacoupleoftimes,butIwouldn’tcallhimafriend.’

‘Good.’

Thetheatrebellrangandtheyreturnedtotheirseats.ItrequiredallNatalie’sstrengthofmindforhertopayattentiontotheplay,andshewasrelievedwhenthecurtainfinallycamedown.

InthefoyersheagaincamefacetofacewithGayle,whowaswaitingwhileMileswenttogetthecar.

‘Youwaitheretoo,darling,’saidDavid.‘It’sraininghardanditmaytakemeawhiletogetacab.’

ToremainalonewithGaylewasthelastthingNataliewanted,butDaviddisappearedinthecrushbeforeshecouldfollowhim,andGayleedgedcloserandsuccessfullystuckatherelbow.

‘Mileslookstired,don’tyouthink?’shemurmured.

‘Ididn’tlookathimcloselyenoughtonotice,’Natalierepliedindifferently.

‘He’sworkingterriblyhard,’Gaylewenton,‘andwe’rehouse-huntingtoo.MilesandIboththinkhishouseinHarleyStreetistooinconvenienttobemadeintoaproperhome.Anyway,I’dhatetoliveinamedicalatmosphere.’

Natalie’stonguewasdryandshecouldnottwistitintoanywords,butGayledidnotseemtonoticethesilenceandwentonchatting.

‘WhenIsaywe’rehouse-hunting,IreallymeanIam.Milesisleavingitmainlytome.Afterall,I’mtheonewho’llbetheremostofthetime.’Theartlessvoicestoppedmomentarilybeforecontinuing.‘Ididtellyouwe’regettingmarried,didn’tI?’

‘Iassumedyouwouldn’tbelivinginsin!’Nataliewaspleasedshecouldfinallymanagetospeak,andinthenoiseandrusharoundthemshehopedtheshakinessofhervoicewasnotapparent.

‘Mileswantsustokeepitquietuntiltheexcitementofhisnewappointmenthasdieddown,’Gayleadded.‘OtherwisepeoplemightthinkhemarriedmebecauseofwhoDaddyis.’

‘Surelynoonecouldthinksuchanobviousthing,’Nataliesaidsmoothly,andwaspleasedtoseethecolourcomeupandgointhepaleskininfrontofher.

ButGaylewastooclevertorisetothejibeandsheturnedherheadasthoughlookingforMiles.Thenmuttering:‘IthinkIcanseehim,’shewoveherwaythroughthecrowds.

Nataliewaitedforseveralmomentsbeforefollowing,givingMilestimetopullawaybefore



goingoutside.SheimmediatelysawDavid’swildgesticulationsfromthewindowofacab,andsherantowardsitandjumpedin.Shelongedtotellhimtotakeherhome,butdecideditwouldbeeasiertofacehimacrossatableandhuddledbackinacornerofthetaxi.Shewasshiveringthoughshewasnotcold,andknewhertremblingcamefromnerves.Shewantedtoburstintotears.HowcouldMilesbefoolishenoughtomarryGayle?Evenifhehaddecidedthatlovingherselfwaswrongforhim,hesurelycouldn’tbelievethatlovingGaylewasright?

‘Youhaven’tforgottenyou’retakingmedancing,’shesaidtoDavid,inanartificiallygayvoice.

‘I’vebeenthinkingofitallevening.It’stheonlywayIevergettoholdyou.’Hecaughtherhand.‘It’llbewonderfultohaveyouworkingwithme.’

‘Ihaven’tmadeadecisionyet,’shewarned.‘Iwanttothinkaboutit.’

‘You’llforgivemeifItrytobealittlemorepersuasivebeforetheeveningends?’

‘Don’tbetoopersuasiveoryou’llfrightenmeoff!’

Takingthehint,Davidbehavedinanexemplaryfashionfortherestoftheevening;flirtingwithher,yetremainingcasual,asifheknewthatnowwasnotthetimeforanythingmore.

‘Ihopeyou’lldecidetojoinmeattheagency,’hesaidwhenheleftheroutsideherfrontdoor.‘Itwilldoyougoodtochangejobs,Natalie.’

Promisingtothinkcarefullybeforemakinguphermind,Natalielefthimandpreparedforbed.Muchasshewantedtofindworkthatwouldoccupyhermind,sheknewthatworkingforDavidmightcreatemoreproblemsthanitsolved,andthatitwouldbebettertoworkwithpeoplewhodidnotknowher.

Yetwhereversheworkedshewasboundtomeetmenwhowouldwanttotakeherout.Thatwaspartofthepenaltyoflookingthewayshedid.Yetithadfartoomanycompensationsforhertoregretit.Thetruthwasthattherewasonlyonemanwhomshewanted,andseeinghimagainhadmadethatalltooclear.

CHAPTERTWELVE

AFEWdayslaterNataliedroppedDavidanotetosayshehaddecidedagainstleavingthenurseryschool.Asshehadexpected,shereceivedaniratetelephonecallfromhim,demandingtoknowwhyshehadmadesuchafoolishdecision.Butshewouldnotallowherselftobedissuadedfromit.

‘Allright,’hesaidfinally,‘sostaywiththetots.Butthatdoesn’tmeanyouhavetodropoutofmylife.I’mstillcrazyaboutyou,Natalie.’

‘ThatwaswhyIstoppedseeingyoulasttime,’sheremindedhim.‘Idon’twantyoutobehurt.’

‘I’mabigboyandIcantakecareofmyself.’



‘I’llcallyou,’shepromised,knowingshewoulddonosuchthing,andhungupbeforehehadachancetoremonstratewithher.

Timepassedslowly.ItwasnowamonthsinceshehadseenMilesatthetheatre,butshestillkeptre-livingeverywordofherlastscenewithGayle.Itwassovividthateverythingthegirlhadsaidwasetchedonhermind.ShewishedGaylehadalsotoldherwhentheweddingwouldbe.KnowingtheworstmighthelphertofaceuptothefactthatMileshadcompletelygonefromherlife.

Itwasincrediblethathehadcometomeansomuchtoherinsoshortatime.Whyshouldonefeelsostronglyattractedtowardsonehumanbeingandnottoanother?Afterall,fromalogicalpointofviewDavidwasaseligibleasMiles.Hewasbetter-lookingtoo,andwouldcertainlybeafareasierhusband,sincehewasamusing,undemanding,andwouldhavemuchmoretimetodevotetoher.

Miles,ontheotherhand,wasundoubtedlyquick-tempered,andheworkedlonganderratichoursthatwouldinevitablyaffecthissociallife.Yethowhappilyshewouldhavemarriedhim,knowingallthis.Marriedhimandlovedhimfortherestofherlife.

Buttherestofherlifehadtobelivedwithouthim,andthoughatthemomentshecouldnotconsiderputtinganyothermaninhisplace,sheknewthathernaturalresiliencewouldonedaymakethispossible.Butnotyet.Firstshehadtocopewiththeproblemofday-to-daylivingandtellherselfthatthepainshefelttodaywouldlessenandeventuallydisappear.

Yettheshadowsofsleeplessnesslaylikebruisesbeneathhereyesandherslendernessincreased—afactwhichbothMaggieandAnguscommentedonwhensheattendedtheirwedding.

ShehaddeliberatelyseenlessofMaggiesinceherfriendhadreturnedfromScotland,knowingshewasbusysellingherbusinessaswellaslookingforaflatforherselfandAngus.

Overandabovethesereasons,shedidnotwanttobumpintoRolandwho,asfarasshecouldgatherfromMaggie’slasttelephonecalltoher,wasstillseeingGillian.ItseemedasifMileswasunable—orwasnolongerconcerned—topreventhissisterfromcontinuingtomakeafoolofherself.Nataliewonderedcynicallyifhehaddecidedhewasbeingpresumptuousintryingtocontrolthelivesofotherpeople,nomatterhowdeartheyweretohim.

RolandhimselfsuppliedtheanswertothiswhenNataliesawhimatMaggie’swedding.AllofAngus’sfamilyhadcomedownfromScotlandfortheevent,andtherewasalargecrowdofpeoplebothinthechurchandatthereception,whichwasheldinasmallbutextremelypleasantBayswaterhotel.

Maggiewasradiantwithhappiness,andthoughevenasabrideshecouldnothavebeencalledbeautiful,itwaseasytoseefromAngus’sadoringeyesthattohimsheepitomisedeverythinghewantedinawife.

‘Youmustgetmarriednext,’saidMaggie,comingovertomakesureNataliewasenjoyingherself.



‘Waituntilyou’reanoldmarriedwomanbeforeyoustartmatchmaking,’Nataliewarned.

‘It’sjustthatI’msohappy,Iwantyoutobehappytoo.’

‘Whyassumeonecanonlybehappyinthemarriedstate?Don’tyouknowhowold-fashionedthatideais?’

‘Itmaybeold-fashionedforsomepeople,butnotforus.’Maggieloweredhervoice.‘DidyouknowRolandisn’tseeingGillianDentonanymore?’

‘No.’Natalie’sheartthumpedheavilyinherchest.‘Whathappened?’

‘Idon’tknow.AllRolandsaysisthathegotboredwithher.’

‘Idon’tbelieveyourbrotherwouldevergetboredwitharichgirl,’Nataliesaidfrankly.‘Shemusthavegivenhimthepush.’

Maggiesighedandthensmiled,refusingtoletherworriesaboutRolandmarthisparticularday.‘HemaybegoingtoCanada,’shecontinued.‘He’sbeenofferedajobthere.’

‘Thefurtherfromyouthebetter,’Nataliereplied.‘YouknowwhatIthinkofhim.’

‘Onlytoowell,’Maggiesmiled,andturnedtotalktosomeofherotherguests.

NotforamomentdidNataliebelieveRoland’sstory,andshewouldhavedearlylikedtoknowwhathadfinallymadeGilliandecidetobreakwithhim.Orhadpropinquitydonethetrickwherethreatsandpressurehadfailed?

Shelookedupassomeoneslidintothechairnexttoher,andsawwithdismaythatitwasRoland.

‘Iknowhowdelightedyouaretoseeme,’hedrawled,‘sodon’tbothertowidenyoursmile.’

‘AsamatteroffactIwasthinkingaboutyou,’shesaidwithhonesty.‘Ihearyou’renotseeingGillianDenton.’

‘Hasthatmadeyouhappy?’

‘I’mhappyforanygirlwhocomestohersenseswhereyou’reconcerned.’

‘Stillmydevotedadmirer,Isee!’

‘WhenareyougoingtoCanada?’

RolandlaughedandNatalie,hearingherselfputthequestion,hadtolaughtoo.

‘Yes,’sheadmitted,‘Ican’twaitforyoutogetoutofMaggie’shair.Notthatyou’llfindher



suchaneasytouchnowshe’smarriedtoAngus.’

‘Iknow,’hesaidruefully.‘Ihaven’tlostalittlesister,butI’vegainedabigbrotherI’Heglancedathissmoothhands.‘I’llbeleavingEnglandinafortnightand,ifIdon’tlikeCanada,I’llgoontotheStates.’

‘WhathappenedbetweenyouandGillian?’Natalieasked,andregrettedtheimpulsivenesswhichhadmadeheraskthequestion,forsheknewRolandwouldnotbeabletoresisttryingtohurtherwithhisreply.

‘Itwasamutualpartingoftheways,’hesaid.‘I’msorryitcametoolatetopreventyourbreak-upwiththewonderfulsurgeon,butIhopeit’staughtyounottointerfereinotherpeople’saffairs.’

‘I’llalwaysenjoyinterferinginyouraffairs,Roland—ifonlytosaveafemalefromruiningherlife.’Nataliekeptacoolsmileonherfaceandresistedtheurgetoliftherhandbagandbringitdownuponhishead.‘IsupposeGillianfinallyrealisedwhataswineyouwere.Ordidaricherbirdcomeyourway?’

‘I’llleaveyoutoguesstheanswer.Iwouldn’twanttopreventyourfertilelittleimaginationfromworkingovertime.’Hemovedawayandthenstoppedandlookedatheroverhisshoulder.‘Ofcourseyoucouldringupthesurgeonandaskhim.I’msurehe’dlovetotellyou.’

NataliewatchedRolanddisappearbehindagroupofpeople,andwishedbitterlythathehadnevercomeintoherlife.AtleastshewouldnothavemetMiles.Sheglancedatherwatch,butknewshecouldnotleavethereceptionuntilAngusandMaggiehadleftfortheirhoneymoon.Thismeantatleastanotherhouroffalsegaietyforher.

Drainingherglassofchampagne,shewentovertothebartogetanotherone.Toomuchofitwouldgiveheraheadache,butatleastitwouldblotoutthemiserywhichpervadedher.

‘Natalie!’HernamewascalledandshesawMaggiewavingtoher.‘AngusandIareleavinginamoment,’herfriendwhisperedasshereachedherside.‘Butwewanttogooffasquietlyaswecan,otherwisewe’llgetshoweredwithconfettiandrice.’

‘Idon’tseehowyoucanavoidit.’

‘We’vegotitallworkedout,’saidMaggie.‘I’llleavetheroomwithyouandeveryonewillthinkwe’regoingofftohavealastgirlishgossip.ThenafewminuteslaterAnguswillslipoutandmeetmeatthesideentranceofthehotel.That’swherehe’sparkedhiscar.’

‘Withalltheoldbootstiedtoit!’Nataliechuckled.

‘Anguscollectedhisnewcaryesterday,’Maggiesaidproudly,‘sonooneevenknowswhichoneishis.’

‘Whatacunning,wellmatchedcoupleyouare.IbetyoumetthroughtheWhitneyMarriageBureau!’



Laughingtogether,thegirlslinkedarmsandwalkedoutoftheroom.Onceinthecorridor,theymadetheirwaysmartlydownthestairstothelobby.

‘Isawyoutalkingtomyin-laws,’saidMaggie,stillmovingquickly.‘They’renice,aren’tthey?’

‘Very.Theyaskedmetohavedinnerwiththemthisevening.’

‘Youdidn’tsayyouwould?’Maggieaskedinstantly.

‘No,Ididn’t.ButI’mbeginningtoregretit.IhavenothingelsefixedandIdon’tfancygoinghomealone.’

‘I’msureyouwon’tdothat.’

TheyreachedtherearentranceofthehotelandMaggiepaused.‘Wemightaswellwaithereforaminute,’shesaid.‘Anguswon’thaveleftthereceptionyet.’

‘Doyouwantmetowaitwithyou,’Natalieasked,‘orshallIgoback?’

‘Certainlynot!’Maggiecaughtherarminavicelikegrip.‘StayandtalktomeuntilAnguscomes.’

NataliedidsoforsomefiveminutesbeforeAngus’stallfigureloomedoverthem.

‘Noonesuspectsathing,’hesaidtruthfully.‘TheythinkI’vegoneoffinsearchofyou,andtheyareallmassinginthefoyerforthebigsend-off.’

‘I’mbeginningtofeelsorryforeverybody.’Maggie’slaughingvoicebeliedherwordsandshecaughtAngusbythehandastheywentouttothestreet.Carswererangedalongonesideoftheroad,bumpertobonnet,andAngusstoppedbyabrightbluesaloon.

‘Abitdifferentfrommyoldjalopy,’hesaidproudly.

‘Areyoutalkingaboutyournewwife?’Nataliequestioned,andAnguslaughedandswungroundtogiveherahug.

‘I’llneverforgetwhatyoudidforMaggiewhenshewasill,’hesaid,‘andIhopeyou’lllookonmeasafriendtoo.’

‘Idoalready,’shesaidwarmly,andhuggedhimback,thenblinkedawayhertearsasshekissedMaggieandhelpedhertogetintothecar.

Angusseemedtobetakinganinordinatelylongtimetoputthekeyintotheignition,andNatalielookedanxiouslybackatthehotel.‘Dohurryupandgobeforesomeonecomesroundfromthefrontandseesyou.’

‘We’llbeawaysoon,’hemuttered,takingthekeyoutagainandlookingatit.‘Thiscan’tbethe



rightone,’hefrowned,andsearchedamongthebunchforanother.

NatalielookedatMaggie,whosmiledbackather,notseemingatallputoutbyherhusband’sinabilitytostartthecar.OnceagainAnguswenttoswitchontheignitionandonceagaintheenginefailedtostart.

‘Isupposethisisyourcar?’Natalieasked,bendingdowntospeaktohimthroughthewindow.

‘Ofcourseitis.’Thecornersofhismouthweretwitchingslightly.Obviouslyhethoughtitfunnythattheywereunabletogo,especiallyaftertheeffortstheyhadmadetothwarttheirfriends.

UnexpectedlyMaggiegavehimasharpnudgeandhesuddenlyseemedtofindtherightkeyandputitintothelock.TheengineracedandAngusslowlyedgedthecarout.

MaggieblewNatalieakiss.‘‘Bye,darling.Havealovelyevening!’

‘Andyou,’Nataliecalled,thengiggledandwentonwavinguntilthecarswungfurtheroutandmovednippilyaway.

ForalongmomentNatalieremainedwhereshewas.Thenwithaheavysighsheturnedbacktothepavement.Herbodycameupagainstahardunyieldingforceandwithamurmurofapologyshelookedup.ThestrengthseemedtodrainfromherasshestaredintoMiles’sclearcutface.

‘Goodness!’shesaidabruptly.‘Wealwaysseemtobebumpingintoeachother.’

‘Itwasn’tanaccidentthistime.’Heclearedhisthroat.‘I—er—I’mafraidIwaslate.’

‘Late?’sherepeateduncomprehendingly.

‘Icouldn’tfindaparkingspotnearby,andIwasstillatthetopoftheroadwhenIsawAngusclimbingintohiscar.’Ahalfsmileplayedroundthecornersofhismouthashesawherlookingathimasifhehadgoneoutofhismind.‘I’mtryingtoexplainwhyAnguswassodenseaboutgettinghiscarstarted,’Milessaid.‘Hewasgivingmetimetocatchupwithyou.’

‘Youmeanhe—youmeanheknewyouwerecominghere?’

‘Theybothdid.’

Nataliewasstunned;butonlymomentarily.‘Thenyoucouldallhavesavedyourselftheeffort.Ihavenothingtosaytoyou.’

SummarilysheturnedandbegantowalkawayfromMiles.Butherintentionwasfoiledbyhisadroitlysidesteppingandblockingherway.

‘Iwanttotalktoyoufirst,Natalie.Ifyouwanttoleaveafteryou’veheardme,Iwon’tstopyou.’

Hisimplacableexpressionwarnedhershewouldnotbeabletopushpasthim,andshegaveanod.



‘Wecan’ttalkhere,’hecontinued,andgrippingherfirmlyroundthewaist,marchedhertowherehiscarwasparked.Quicklyheopenedthedoorandpushedherdownintothepassengerseat,thenrapidlymovedroundthecarandseatedhimselfnexttoher.

‘Idon’tgrovelverywell,’hesaidabruptly,‘butifitwillhelpyoutoforgiveme,I’lldoitwillingly.’

‘Isupposeyou’rereferringtoGillianandRoland?’

‘Whatelse?It’stheonlythingwequarrelledabout.’

‘Notquite,’Nataliesaidcarefully.‘Ourquarrelwasconcernedwithotherthingstoo.’

‘Whatotherthings?’

‘Yourbasicdistrustofwomen.Yourfearofmarriage.Thosewerethethingsthatmadeyoudoubtme.’

‘Rubbish!’

‘Thosewerethereasonswhyyouaskedmetopretendtobeyourgirl-friend,’shepersisted.‘Ifyouhadn’tbeenscaredofgettingmarried,Gaylewouldhavehookedyouyearsago.’

‘DiditneverstrikeyouthatIremainedunhooked—asyousocharminglyputit—becauseIwasn’tinlovewithGayle?’

‘Isthatwhyyou’regoingtomarryhernow?’FuriouslyNatalieturnedherbackonhimandstaredoutofthesidewindow.‘Ifyouwanttoappeaseyourconsciencebyapologisingforwhatyousaid,takeitasdone.Butpleasedon’tmakemestayhereandlistentoanythingmore.I’mnotinthemood.’

Therewassilence.

‘BecauseI’mgoingtomarryGayle?’heaskedfinally.

‘You’reintelligentenoughtodowhat’sbestforyou,’shesaidcoldly.

‘WhichiswhyI’mhere,’hereplied,andNataliefelthimmovealongtheseatuntilhisvoicewascloseinherear.‘IprobablydeservetomarryatoughlittlenutlikeGayle,butluckilywedon’talwaysgetwhatwedeserve.Ifwedid,Iwouldn’thaveahopeinhellofgettingyou.’

‘Don’tworryaboutit,’shesnapped,‘youwon’t!’

‘Won’tI?’Soquicklythatshewastakenbysurprise,hisarmscamearoundherandhishandswerehardagainstherwaist.‘Iloveyou,Natalie,andI’mgoingtomakeyoubelievemeifIhavetospendthewholeweekendrepeatingit.’



Hisclosenessmadehertremble,butitdidnotlessenthebitternessshefeltatthewayhehadmisjudgedher.

‘There’snolovewithouttrust,Miles,andyoumadeyourlackoftrustalltooclear.’

‘Iknow,’hesaidhuskily.‘IhatedmyselfforitalmostassoonasI’dsaidit.IwantedtotellyouweeksagothatIlovedyou,butIcouldn’tfindthecourage.ThenbythetimeImadeupmymindtocomeroundtoyourapartment,itwastoolate.’

‘Toolate?’sheaskedinastiltedvoice.

‘Isawyouatthetheatre.YoulookedsoradiantlybeautifulandhappythatI—thatitseemedImeannothingtoyou.’

Shedrewadeepshudderingbreath,astonishedhecouldhavethoughtshelookedhappywhenshehadbeencryingoutwithlongingforhim.

‘Ifyoujudgeyourpatients’conditionsascleverly,’shesnapped,‘youprobablykillmorethanyoucure!’

‘I’mnotblindedbylovewhenIdealwithmypatients,’hesaidroughly,andpulledherroundtofacehim.

Apatchofredstainedeithercheek,givinghimunusualcolourandtellinghermoreclearlythananythinghecouldhavesaidwhataheightenedstateoftensionhewasin.Gonewasthecoolsurgeonwhowasalwaysincommandofhimself.Herewasamantornapartbytheneedtomakeamendsandnotcaringhowdeeplyhehadtoabjecthimselfinordertodoit.

‘WhenIaccusedyouoffindingwomenforRoland,IknewIwastalkinglikeamadman.ButIwasinsuchaflamingtemperwithyouthatIdidn’tcarewhatIsaid.BythetimeIgothomethatnightIalreadyregrettedit,butIwasafraidtocomebackandtellyouincaseyouthrewmeoutagain.’

‘WhichIwouldhavedone.’

‘That’swhyIleftit,’herepeated.‘AndthelongerIstayedawaythemorescaredIbecametogobacktoseeyou.’

ThiswassounlikethepositivemanshebelievedhimtobethatNataliefoundithardtoaccepthewasspeakingthetruth.HerlookgaveawayherthoughtsandMilessigheddeeplyandrubbedonehandacrosshisforehead.

‘Seeitfrommypointofview,Natalie,’hemurmured.‘You’rebeautifulandfulloflife—fartoobeautifultowanttotieyourselftoadullsticklikeme.Ieventoldmyselfthatmarriagetomewouldruinyourlifeandthatyoudeservedsomeonebetter,someonewhocouldgiveyouanactivesociallifewhereyoucanshine.AllIcangiveyouisanoverworkedmanwithatetchydisposition.’



‘Don’tunderestimateyourself,’shecriedvehemently,andputherhandsoneithersideofhisface.‘Idon’twantanactivesociallifewhereIcanshine.Iwantyou,youstupid,stupidthing!’

‘Iamastupidthing,’heagreed,andgatheredherclose.

Hewastremblingasviolentlyasshewas,andseemedcontentmerelytoholdheragainsthimandbreatheinthescentofher.

‘You’rerightaboutmybeingscaredofwomen,’heconfessedsoftly,‘I’vealwaysfoundthemdifficulttotalktoandimpossibletounderstand.GaylewastheonlyonewithwhomIfeltatease—whichiswhyIletherbecomesoinvolvedinmylife.’

Nataliesnuggledintohisshoulder.‘It’sagoodthingIcamealongandsavedyou.Otherwiseyoumighthaveendedupmarryingher.’

‘ThatstupidI’mnot,’hesaidwithconviction.‘Butitwouldhavemeantaprettypainfulrow.InsteadofwhichIevolvedthebrilliantschemeofusingyou,whichkilledonebirdandfoundmeanother.Yousee,IknewfromthefirstmomentImetyouthatIwasn’tgoingtoletyouwalkoutofmylife.’

‘Idon’tbelievethat,’shesaid,tiltingherheadtolookathim.

‘It’strue,mydarling.Themomentyoustartedyellingbackatme,withyoureyessparklingwithfury,IknewI’dfoundthewomanforme.’Hislipsmoveddownandrestedagainstthesideofhermouth.‘WhyelsedoyouthinkItookyouhometomeetmymothersoquickly?Iwasscaredoflosingyou.IjustusedGayleasanexcuse.’

‘YetyoustilldoubtedmeoverRoland.’EvennowNataliedidnotfinditeasytoforgivehim.

‘Youhaveeveryrighttobebitter,’hesaidgravely.‘TheonlywayIcanpromiseitwon’toccuragainisforyoutolivewithmeandhelpmetounderstandmyselfmore.’

Withamurmursherelaxedcompletelyagainsthim,andhekissedherdeeply,asifwantingtodrawthesweetnessofherintohimself.

‘Let’sgobacktomyhouse,’hesaidhuskily.

Shenoddedandhemovedbackandsetthecarinmotion.Milesdrovefast,notspeakingbutoccasionallyhalfturningtogiveherasmilethatsetherheartpounding.FinallyhedrewupinHarleyStreetandledherupthestepsofhishouse.

Hishandswerejerkyasheunlockedthefrontdoorandpulledherintothehall.Onlythendidhecometoafullstop,staringatherwithablankintensitythatmadeherfeelhewasnotseeingheratall.

‘What’swrong,Miles?Whyareyoulookingatmesooddly?’

‘BecauseI—’Hestoppedandmoistenedhislips.‘Becauseholdingyoubackthereinthecar



mademerealisewhatmylifewouldbelikeifyoudidn’tforgiveme.That’swhyI’vebroughtyouhere.Ihadtogetyoualone;Ihadtoconvinceyouhowmuchyoumeantome.’

Blindlyhereachedoutforher.Hisbodywasshudderingandhepushedherbackagainstthewallandpressedhimselfuponher,histhighsheavingagainstherown.

‘Iloveyou,Natalie,Iloveyou,’hesaidoverandoveragain.‘AndI’mnevergoingtoletyougo.’

Hegavehernochancetoreply,kissingherwithaferocityhehadnevershownbefore.Shefeltthefiercepressureofhisfingersastheydugintohershouldersandinstinctivelysheknewthattofighthimwouldbedangerous.Insteadsheforcedherselftogolimpandsaggedagainsthimlikearagdoll.Forafewsecondshewentonpressingkissesalongthesideofherthroat.Thenhebecameawareoftheweightofher,andwithanincoherentexclamationheswungherupintohisarms.

‘Darling,forgiveme!Ididn’tmeantohurtyou.’

Effortlesslyhecarriedheracrossthehalltohisconsultingroom.Hekickedopenthedoorandstrodeacrosstoplacehercarefullydownontheexaminationcouch.Onlyashewenttostepbackdidshereachoutandcatchhishand.

‘I’mallright,Miles,’shesaidsoftly.‘It’sjustthatyou—thatyoufrightenedme.’

‘Iwasbeginningtofrightenmyself.’Soberlyheleanedoverandregardedher.‘LiestillandI’llgetyousomethingtotake.’

‘Idon’tneedanything.’Shestillkeptholdofhishand.‘TellmewhathappenedbetweenGillianandRoland.’

‘Mustwetalkaboutthemnow?’

‘Yes,please.ThenweneednevertalkaboutRolandagain.’

‘Great!’Hislookwaswry.‘Gillianfinallycametohersenses.Imadeitclearthatifshemarriedhimshewouldn’tgetapennyfromherTrust.Shesaidshedidn’tbelieveme,buttohercreditsheapparentlyhadenoughsensetomakeRolandbelievethatImeantit.Therestyoucanworkoutforyourself.’

‘HislovedisappearedandCanadabeckoned.’

Milesnodded.‘AtleastoneoftheDentonsshowedsomeintelligence.WhenIrememberthethingsIsaidtoyou….’

‘Stopremembering,’shechided.‘Thinkofthefutureinstead.’

‘Ourfuture,’hesaid,loweringhisheadtoresthismouthonhers.‘Ihopeyoudon’twantalongengagement?’



‘Threemonths,’shewhispered,gazingintohiseyes.

‘Makeitthreeweeks,thenAngusandMaggiewillbeback.’

‘Whatmadeyoucometotheirwedding?’Natalieasked.‘Ididn’tevenknowyouknewthem.’

‘IwascalledintoseeapatientinAngus’shospitalandhewasthedoctorincharge.Wehadtospeaktogetherprivately,andhetooktheopportunitytocallmeacowardfornothavingthecouragetoapologisetoyou.Whenajuniordoctortalkstoyouinthatway,youknowhefeelsprettydeeplyaboutit.’

DarlingAngus,Nataliethought,andhereyesfilledwithtearsofjoy.Seeingthem,Mileswrappedhisarmsaroundherandloweredhimselfuponthecouchuntilherestedhisheaduponherbreasts.

‘It’sagoodthingtheMedicalCouncilcan’tseemenow,’hewhispered.‘Thisisdefinitelynotwhatadoctor’scouchisfor!’

‘ButI’mnotthedoctor’spatient,’shemurmured.

‘Norareyouthedoctor’swife,’hereplied.‘Thoughifyougoonlookingatmesoenticingly,youcouldwellbecomeonebeforethelegalknotistied.’

MemoryofsomethingGaylehadsaidmadeNataliepushhimslightlyaway.‘Gayletoldmeyouwerelookingforanotherhousetolivein.’

‘Iam,’hesaid.‘ButI’llgladlystayhereifyouwouldpreferit.’

‘I’lldowhateveryouwish.Allthatmattersisthatwe’retogether.’

Hegaveheralopsidedsmile,lookingsoboyishthatshefeltherheartturnoverinherbreast.‘Butifweremainhere,’shesaid,‘I’dliketochangethedecorupstairs.’

‘Let’sgoandhavealookatit,’hereplied,pullinghertoherfeetandleadingherslowlytotheelevator.

Inthesmallspacetheyclungtogetherunashamedlyastheyroseslowlytothetopfloor.Itwastakingthemheavenwards,thoughtNatalie,andknewthatwhereverMileswas,thatwaswhereherheavenwouldalwaysbe.

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