Anne Mather (4 page)

It was she who first saw the Rolls turn into the cul-de-sac and turning come to halt by the door below.

'I guess this is him,' she said slowly, while Caroline felt her stomach palpitate alarmingly.

'I'll go down,' she said, opening the door.

'Be good,' remarked Amanda with a wry smile. Then more seriously, 'And be careful.'

Caroline nodded, and then closing the door she descended the stairs.

When she reached the street she found Adam leaning against the bonnet of the car, smoking a cigarette. Tonight he was wearing a charcoal grey suit and a dark grey gabardine overcoat. He looked bigger than ever as he straightened at her approach.

'Hello,' she murmured, and his eyes narrowed rather mockingly before he too smiled at her.

'Good evening,' he answered suavely, and opened the car door for her to slide in.

When he was seated beside her he gave her an appraising look. 'You look quite beautiful, my dear,' he said rather sardonically. 'And very sophisticated too. Are you?'

Not liking his tone, Caroline shivered suddenly. 'I.. .1 don't think I quite understand you,' she replied, trying to see his face in the semi-darkness.

He sounded amused and said: 'Forget it.'

The car was as smooth and luxurious as Caroline remembered and she relaxed slightly in her seat.

'I've booked a table at the Mozambo for eight o'clock,' he remarked as the car joined the busier traffic of the King's Road. The Mozambo was a newly- opened night-club and Caroline knew she ought not to go anywhere like that as she was not yet eighteen.

Adam glanced at her when she did not reply. 'What's wrong?' he asked blandly. 'Don't you like the idea? I'm sure it's just the place for an outfit like that.'

'It's not that I don't want to go,' she answered uncomfortably. 'But as I'm not eighteen until March...'

'Ah, I had forgotten,' he said slowly, although she had the feeling he had not forgotten at all. 'Then we will go somewhere more innocuous.'

Caroline felt dreadfully young and gauche. 'Oh, really,' she murmured. 'I feel rather ridiculous.'

'Why? You can't help your age. Besides, night-clubs are not particularly my metier.'

Caroline sighed, still feeling uncomfortable. 'Then where are we going?'

Adam looked thoughtful. 'I think perhaps we will have dinner at the Caprice and then I'll get tickets for a show. Is there any particular show you would care to see?'

'I really don't mind,' exclaimed Caroline, half relieved. 'Are you sure I'm not spoiling your evening?'

He smiled wryly. 'You couldn't do that,' he replied smoothly.

The Caprice was as exciting as she had imagined. She recognised some famous celebrities as they were shown to their table and she felt amazed at the ease with which Adam dealt with the waiters. Although the restaurant was extremely busy he had had no difficulty in acquiring a table, and it was obvious he was both liked and respected.

Before ordering the meal Adam ordered himself a whisky, but Caroline was given a lime and lemon, much to her chagrin. She accepted the cigarette he offered her and said: 'Do you think it's safe for me to have this?' in a rather dry tone.

Adam smiled, studying the menu with an experienced eye. 'Have you decided what you want to eat?' he asked, ignoring her remark.

'No. I'll leave it to you. I'm afraid I'm not used to dining in places like this.' She sounded rather wistful and for a moment Adam's rather sardonic expression relaxed. Then drawing deeply on his cigarette he returned to his contemplation of the menu.

Once the meal was ordered, Adam transferred his attention to his companion.

'I'm glad you decided to come,' he said easily.

'Did you think I might not?' she asked, surprised.

'Well, I must admit I had my doubts,' he replied lazily. 'I imagine all your friends have been warning you against getting mixed up with a man like me?'

'How did you ..?' she began, and then stopped, flushing.

'So I was right,' he murmured. 'And what was your reason for not taking their advice?'

'I told them I was quite capable of taking care of myself,' she replied, refusing to meet his eyes.

'I see.' He nodded. 'And do you really believe that?'

Caroline flushed deeper. 'Well, of course,' she exclaimed quickly. 'If I didn't I shouldn't have come.'

'Worthy sentiments,' he remarked dryly, but when she did look up at him his eyes were mocking.

His eyes strayed across the revealing lace of her dress, almost insolently, and Caroline had the urge to cover herself. She wished she had never bought this particular dress, but something more in keeping with her age and personality.

When his eyes returned to hers she felt she was blushing all over and he smiled mockingly. 'Not quite so sophisticated?' he enquired sardonically, and Caroline felt her nerves jumping. Suddenly the advice she had been given by Amanda and Ruth became reasonable.

The meal, when it was served, was delicious, but Caroline ate very little. During the intervals between the numerous courses Adam spoke casually about his journeys abroad and for a while Caroline's tension relaxed and she enjoyed listening to him. He was a fascinating raconteur and his stories were often amusing and edifying.

Afterwards, Caroline decided on a show she would like to see and the evening became less of a strain. The show was a light musical comedy and it helped to relieve Caroline's uncertainty. Adam was a good companion when he was not mocking her and she gradually relaxed completely.

When the show was over they walked back to where the car was awaiting them and got inside swiftly out of the cold night air. Adam started the engine and drove out into the main stream of traffic with expert technique. Caroline was so fascinated by his lean hands on the wheel that at first she did not realise they were not heading in the direction of the flat. When she did realise it they were already turning into a quiet mews in Mayfair. Caroline clasped her handbag tightly.

Where on earth was he taking her? She was so shocked that she sat in speechless amazement when he stopped the car below a low doorway of what seemed to be a mews cottage. The mews was completely private, lit by one lamp, and only this one dwelling opened on to it. All the newspaper stories she had read of girls getting attacked and murdered flooded into her terrified mind as she sat there while Adam slid out and walked round the bonnet to her side.

When he opened her door, the automatic light in the car illuminated her frightened face and he sighed and said:

'Don't look like that. I'm not going to harm you. Come on. Out!'

Mutely, shivering slightly, Caroline slid out. She felt stiff and awkward and somehow fatalistic. Whatever was going to happen would happen whatever she did.

With another half-disgusted look at her, Adam opened the door and switched on the light inside. Then he drew back to allow her to precede him inside. When they were both standing in the low hallway he closed the door. Caroline was conscious of a ruby red carpet beneath her feet which spread up the wide shallow staircase. The walls were darkly panelled and the lighting was concealed, casting a warm glow about them.

Adam passed her and walked down the hall, removing his overcoat as he went.

'You can leave your wrap here,' he said coolly, and Caroline slipped off her coat and laid it on an exquisitely-carved polished chest which stood at one end of the hall. On the chest was a vase of chrysanthemums whose curly yellow petals made a splash of colour against the dark woodwork. It really was the most attractive hall Caroline had ever seen and curiosity getting the better of her she followed Adam down the hall and through a doorway. She found herself in yet another exquisitely decorated room. This was a low lounge with a pseudo-log fire burning in a wide fireplace of white brick. The carpet here changed to sapphire blue and low couches of white velvet invited the visitor. A carved cocktail cabinet stood beneath windows which were now hidden by blue velvet curtains and the whole effect was one of luxurious relaxation. Adam stood on the hearth regarding her as she hesitated just within the doorway.

'Well?' he asked expectantly, 'do you like it?'

Caroline raised her shoulders helplessly. Getting her voice back, she murmured, 'You know it's quite fabulous.' She sighed. 'My opinion can be of no interest to you.'

Adam shrugged and then crossed to the cocktail cabinet. 'Will you have a drink?'

Immediately her earlier fears returned and Adam, looking at her, must have sensed this, for he said:

'Don't bother to refuse. I think a small brandy might restore your confidence.'

Caroline shrugged and took the glass when he handed it to her. Amusement playing over his handsome face, he deliberately crossed to the double white doors and closed them firmly. Then turning once more to Caroline he indicated a low couch. 'Won't you sit down?'

Caroline subsided quickly, glad to be off her rather shaky legs. To her dismay, Adam seated himself beside her and lay back lazily resting his dark head against

the white velvet. Caroline, glancing at him, was overwhelmingly aware of his physical attraction that reached out to her like a magnet and made her feel breathlessly weak.

'Now,' he said slowly, 'let's get one thing straight, shall we?'

Caroline frowned. 'What's that?' she asked nervously.

Adam stretched his legs luxuriously. 'Well,' he murmured, 'you are under a misapprehension regarding both yourself and me.' He lit a cigarette slowly before continuing. 'When we first met you were very relaxed with me and I liked that. I know at first you didn't know who I was, but even after you did you were still relaxed. . .natural. Now, suddenly, after all this brainwashing by your so-called friends you're terrified of me. Why? What do you expect me to do? Attack you?'

Caroline flushed. She felt suddenly very stupid.

He frowned and went on: 'And tonight you arrive to meet me looking like nothing on earth! That dress would suit a woman of thirty. It's far too old for you. Sure I baited you about being sophisticated because I was so mad that you should think you have to dress like that to suit me. You've transformed yourself into just another female. I hadn't booked a table at the Mozambo at all. I just wondered how far that veneer of sophistication would take you. If you'd agreed to go to that night-club I would have put you over my knee. Now do you understand? I asked you out because you were what you were. . .fresh, young, innocent if you like, but not because I wanted a dressed-up doll to take to dinner. God, don't you think I get sick of

women flinging themselves at me, women who look just like you do tonight? That's not bigheadedness either. I guess money appeals to most women.'

He rose to his feet suddenly and crossed to the cocktail cabinet and poured himself another drink.

Caroline sipped her drink. She felt about six years old and about as many inches high. 'What now?' she murmured, her voice husky and near to tears. She had a pain in her inside that threatened to overwhelm her and she couldn't understand it.

He shrugged and replaced his glass beside the decanter. 'I guess we'll have to start again,' he replied with a lazy smile. Then seeing the tears in Caroline's eyes he exclaimed: 'Hey, did you think I just brought you here to lecture you and then never see you again?'

Caroline nodded and brushed a hand over her eyes. Relief flooded over her and with a piercing insight she realised why she had been so frightened; why she had not wanted it to end! She was in love with this man; loved him so completely that she knew she would never be the same again.

She forced herself to look at him without emotion when he flung himself beside her again and said:

'Now, tomorrow is Saturday. Would you like to drive into the country with me and come and see my house near Windsor? This place is just somewhere in town where I can stay or work if necessary. I have a housekeeper, but J believe she's away for the weekend. At any rate she didn't expect me this evening.'

'I'd adore to come,' exclaimed Caroline eagerly, smiling at him. 'Does this mean we're alone here at the moment?'

'Yes,' he murmured with a sigh. 'But don't get any more ideas. I'm going to take you home right now.' He rose to his feet and offered her a hand to get up. Taking it, Caroline's stomach plunged. Far from wanting to leave she longed to cling to him, suddenly afraid at the tumult of feelings he had aroused.

It did not take long to reach Gloucester Court and Caroline slid reluctantly out of the warm intimacy of the big car. Adam escorted her to the entrance of the flats.

'I'll collect you from here at about three o'clock tomorrow afternoon,' he said, smiling down at her. 'Just wear something casual.'

She laughed softly, looking up at him. 'Leopard-skin tights and a backless sweater,' she teased him.

'God, no,' he muttered, turning away. 'Go on. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.'

Amanda was not asleep when Caroline entered the bedroom and she had to relate the night's events. She omitted the visit to his mews residence, however, but although it was already eleven-thirty, Amanda seemed satisfied that they had come straight home. Caroline resolved not to discuss Adam with Amanda or Ruth in future. Their knowledge was only based on hearsay; Caroline felt she knew Adam much better than that.