Anne Mather (5 page)

Amanda returned to work on the Saturday morning, for although it was half-day closing a lot of her work was done after closing hours. This made things easier for Caroline who decided to leave a note telling Amanda where she had gone, thus evading any further discussion of Adam's merits.

She washed her hair in the morning, scrambled an egg for lunch and was ready by two-thirty. She had dressed in Black Watch tartan trews and a bulky blue sweater and carried her duffel coat. With her silvery hair loose and wearing little make-up she looked young and wholesome.

She saw a low white continental car turn into the mews at a quarter to three and wondered idly whose car it was. She did not connect it with Adam until there was a knock at her door.

She hurried to open it, inwardly praying it wasn't Aunt Agnes, who sometimes took it into her head to visit Caroline on Saturday afternoons. However, when she opened the door and saw Adam she gasped and said:

'Why, Adam!' in a surprised tone. 'I've been watching for you, but I didn't see the car.'

He shrugged and walked past her into the room, looking about him with interest. 'Are you ready?' he asked. 'At least you look your age today.'

Caroline smiled. 'I'll take that as a compliment,' she answered lightly. 'But don't look round here. It's all so old and untidy, I'm afraid.'

Adam nodded critically. 'These old houses should all be demolished,' he said, noticing the damp patch under the windows which Amanda had unsuccessfully tried to hide with a leather print. 'A new block of flats would house twice as many people and be more hygienic.' He smiled at Caroline. 'Shall we go?'

Today he was dressed in dark slacks and a navy blue sweater over a blue shirt. He was wearing his sheepskin coat and looked big and handsome. Caroline inwardly hugged herself as they went down to the car. A whole afternoon and possibly evening too with him all to herself.

To her surprise, Adam crossed to the white car. It looked sleek and powerful and she felt excited as she got in.

'This is why I didn't see you,' she explained as he joined her in the automobile. 'I only looked for the Rolls.'

'Hm,' he murmured in reply. 'I decided the Rolls was in need of a check-up, so I brought this instead.'

'I like it,' exclaimed Caroline eagerly. 'It's more. . .well.. .'

'Intimate,' he suggested lazily, and she flushed.

'Casual,' she replied, then with a sigh of contentment she continued: 'Oh, I'm so glad you invited me to come with you today. By the way, how did you find our apartment?'

Adam started the car. 'Caro, honey, you work for me,' he answered, and Caroline smiled and nodded. No one else had ever abbreviated her name to 'Caro' and she adored it, just as she adored the way he said it.

The drive to his home was smooth and comfortable and very fast. They drove beyond Windsor to a village called Slayford and on the outskirts of the village they turned between the drive gates of a low, modern villa- bungalow. It was a massive place designed on Grecian lines with statuary in the forecourt and a fountain playing into a small pool. The drive swept round the fountain and Adam brought the car to a halt before double glass doors with a wrought iron grille covering the inside. Wide, shallow steps led up to these doors crossing a pillar-supported terrace.

'Gosh,' exclaimed Caroline, forestalling Adam as he would have helped her from the car, 'I never imagined anything like this. It's quite fabulous.'

'I'm glad you like it,' he replied, thrusting his hands deep into the pockets of his coat. 'I had it built five years ago to my own specifications.'

Drawing out his keys, he opened the doors and they stepped into a pile-carpeted hallway. Caroline's feet sank deep into the carpet and she stared about her in wonderment. If the mews cottage had been luxurious, this place was doubly so. The warmth of the central heating met you at your entrance while the air was kept fresh by a conditioning system.

The hall was wide and high and a crystal chandelier hung above them. A fan-shaped staircase lay ahead of them leading to the upper regions of the house and everywhere was carpeted in this heather-mixture coloured pile. The walls depicted hunting scenes in hand-painted murals, and Caroline felt sure she would never know which of the numerous doors opening off the hall opened into where.

Then a door at the far end of the hall opened and a middle-aged woman came hurrying through, a spaniel at her heels. The spaniel made a beeline for Adam, barking excitedly and wagging its short tail.

'Meet Mrs Jones and Nero,' said Adam, laughing at Caroline. 'Mrs Jones, this is Miss Sinclair.'

'How do you do, miss,' smiled the motherly little woman. 'And what a surprise this is,' she exclaimed, looking at Adam indulgently. 'But it's very glad we are to see you again, sir. Jones is chopping logs over at the woodshed just now, but he'll be back directly if you want to see him.'

'That's all right, Mrs Jones,' said Adam, removing his overcoat.

'The fire is lit in the lounge, just in case you wanted it,' went on Mrs Jones. 'If you'd like to go in there I'll bring you some tea just as soon as the kettle boils.'

Mrs Jones was round and fat and jolly, and Caroline took an immediate liking to her. As for Nero, he was a bundle of mischief and pranced round them as they entered the lounge. A big log fire burned in the grate and the room looked cosily inviting. Here the carpet changed to moss green while the low couches and armchairs were upholstered in dark red brocade. The wide windows overlooked the rear of the house where green lawns stretched down to a large swimming pool which had been emptied for the winter. Beyond the pool were tennis courts, but Adam drew the rich curtains across the windows as it was already quite dark, and switched on a tall standard lamp, thus curtailing Caroline's gaze.

'This is the only room in the house where there is an open fire,' he remarked as she seated herself on one of the couches near the fire. 'It's simply that I enjoy seeing a real fire now and again.'

'Oh, so do I,' agreed Caroline, a sense of well-being stealing over her.

Adam came to sit beside her, and Caroline wondered whether he had any idea of the effect he had on her. She thought gloomily that he probably considered her simply as a rather nice child to whom he was giving a treat.

He stretched out his legs towards the blaze lazily and smiled at her.

'This is the life,' he remarked, lighting two cigarettes and handing her one. 'Away from big business, trusts, high finance, land speculation. . .' He groaned and closed his eyes.

Caroline smiled, looking intently at him. It was hard to conceive that on this man the livelihoods of several hundred employees rested. Just how many people depended upon his judgement? The Steinbeck Building housed a lot of different companies all owned by the Steinbeck Corporation and each one relied to a certain extent on Adam Steinbeck. He was the chairman of the board, he had the deciding vote if such a thing was necessary and he was responsible if there were any mistakes. She wished she had the courage to move closer to him and massage his temples. Aunt Agnes used to like her to do that; she said it soothed away all her tension.

Suddenly there was a tap at the door and Mrs Jones entered with a tray of tea, sandwiches and hot homemade scones.

Adam opened his eyes and sat up reluctantly. 'Thank you, Mrs Jones. Do you think we could have dinner at about seven-thirty?'

'Surely,' she replied with a twinkle in her eye. 'Now, you have a nice hot scone, and ring if you want more tea.'

'Bless you,' said Adam, and Mrs Jones chuckled as she went out.

Nero, who had settled himself in front of the fire also, now smelt food and Caroline allowed him to eat some of her sandwiches.

'You'll make him fat,' remarked Adam with a grin. 'He's been badly spoiled by the Joneses.'

Caroline shrugged. 'I know.. .but his eyes positively implore for more. He's very persuasive and very lovable.'

'Lucky Nero,' said Adam rather dryly, and drank his tea.

When they had finished with the tray, Caroline placed it on the table near the door.

'Ought I to take it through?' she offered anxiously. She wasn't used to having everything done for her in such a manner, pleasant though it might be.

'No,' he drawled lazily. 'Come and sit beside me and tell me all about yourself.'

Caroline's heart pounded as she seated herself beside him, intensely aware of his thigh only inches away from her own and of his head turned her way, eyes watching her, as he relaxed against the red brocade. The lighting from the standard lamp was not bright and Caroline hoped he was unaware of how much he disturbed her.

'There's not much to tell,' she murmured quietly, gazing into the fire. 'My parents died when I was very young. An aunt brought me up and then I moved in with Amanda six months ago.'

'Very exciting,' he remarked with a smile. 'No romance?'

The intimacy of this situation washed over her and she shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. How could she make light-hearted conversation about a subject so newly apparent?

Adam moved slightly, until his thigh was touching hers, and cupped her face with one hand, forcing her to look at him. His eyes scanned her features intently, and she was sure he must be able to hear the thudding of her heart. She trembled violently, and jerked her face away before he could read what must be in her eyes. She felt his fingers playing with her hair, touch- ing the nape of her neck, disturbing her emotions, so that she was forced to look at him again. Then, slowly and deliberately, he leant forward, and placed his mouth against hers, exploring its softness expertly, until her lips parted involuntarily, and the kiss hardened and lengthened into something much more demanding. Caroline had never dreamed a man's mouth could arouse such sensations, and it was with a sense of loss she felt him release her and get up, with almost savage movements.

Caroline remained where she was, unknowingly provocative in her untried innocence.

Adam angrily kicked a log in the fire with his shoe, and stood staring down into the flames.

'Why don't you say something?' he muttered. 'Like, for instance, what about last night's lecture?'

Caroline sighed. 'Are you sorry you kissed me, Adam?' she asked softly.

Adam swung round. 'You know what I want to do!' he groaned violently. 'Me! The so-called platonic adviser of last night!' He frowned angrily. 'And I thought I could bring you here and take you back without incident.' He ran a hand over his hair. 'I must have been mad!'

Caroline shook her head. 'Stop torturing yourself, Adam,' she said quietly. 'It was my fault.'

Adam breathed swiftly. 'Caroline, don't make it any harder!'

Caroline rose to her feet, slim and unconsciously, alluring before him. 'Why need it be hard?' she murmured. 'You sound as though you want to forget it, and neither of us could do that.'

Adam stared at her for a moment, and then pulled her into his arms. 'Caroline, this is foolish!' he muttered, but he was trembling, too, and Caroline slid her arms round his neck, destroying his attempt to act sensibly. His mouth found hers again, and now his kisses were the passionate demand of a man for a woman, and Caroline responded without thought of resistance. This was Adam, and she loved him, and she wanted to make him aware of it. Adam's self- control was slipping dangerously low; the warmth and intimacy of this charming room were weaving their own spell, and they seemed alone in a wonderful world of their own making.

And then, suddenly, a car door slammed, breaking the stillness. A man's and woman's voices could be heard loudly as they came to the front doors, the sounds echoing harshly in the frosty evening air.

With a groan, Adam reluctantly released her, putting her away from him, running a hand through his short, curling hair. Caroline heaved a sigh, and pressed the palms of her hands to her cheeks.

'Who is it?' she whispered, her cheeks burning from their lovemaking, her full young mouth bare of all lipstick. Adam's eyes softened as he looked at her, then he lifted his shoulders helplessly.

'I think it's John,' he replied. 'My son. And it seems he's brought a guest.'

CHAPTER THREE

C
aroline
gasped at his words. 'Adam!' she exclaimed. 'I—I should go. Could—could I leave without them seeing me?'

Adam frowned down at her. 'Why should you want to do that?' he asked coldly.

'Well, I mean. ..' Caroline groped for words. How could she explain that she might embarrass him by her presence? After all, she was such a nobody.

'You're ashamed of being here with me in what might be termed a "compromising situation",' he accused her, his voice like a whiplash.

Caroline grimaced, and shook her head. 'Oh, Adam, you're completely wrong,' she denied, sliding her arms round his arm and clinging to him. 'It's you I'm thinking of. I don't care about myself, but you're his father.'

Adam looked relieved, and bent his head momentarily to hers, his mouth brushing her lips. 'Then maybe it's just as well they have arrived,' he murmured softly. 'We almost forgot I'm old enough to be yours.'

Caroline looked angrily at him. 'Stop talking like that,' she cried, pressing herself against him, 'age doesn't count between us.'

Adam had no time to answer this because there was the sound of footsteps and the door burst open to admit a tall, slim, dark young man and a dazzling blonde.

'Here we are, Dad!' the young man was carolling when he saw Caroline, still in possession of Adam's arm. 'Oh!' he exclaimed abruptly, halted and looked absolutely astounded. In the awkward pause that followed, Caroline found John's eyes appraising her insolently, while the girl seemed to find Adam fascinating.

Adam released himself from Caroline gently and then crossed the room to greet his son.

'How long are you staying?' he asked, and then turned to the blonde with his casual smile. 'And you are. ..?'

'Toni Landon,' the girl supplied eagerly. 'I've heard such a lot about you, Mr Steinbeck. I'm so thrilled to meet you in person.'

Adam merely nodded. He was completely in control of the situation and Caroline marvelled at his composure. She realised his business training gave him all the confidence he needed.

'We're staying until tomorrow night,' said John, looking at his father. 'That is, if we're not intruding.'

Adam raised his shoulders slightly, ignoring the remark, and turning, drew Caroline forward deliberately.

'I want you to meet my son John and his friend Miss Landon, Caro,' he said, smiling. 'John, Toni, this is Miss Caroline Sinclair.'

His method of introduction was not lost on John and Toni and they exchanged a puzzled glance. Who was this girl? And why did she look at Adam like that?

It was nearly six o'clock and they were all relieved when Mrs Jones came bustling in to find out what was going on; who was staying, etc. After a discussion, she went off to show Toni Landon to her room while John joined his father on the couch. Caroline perched on the edge of an armchair feeling utterly miserable now. Their time together had been so short and she resented the intrusion. Already she was feeling possessive towards Adam.

As Adam and John talked she allowed her mind to drift back over the events of the afternoon. If only John and his girl-friend had not arrived at such an inopportune moment. Who could tell whether Adam would ever allow himself to act that way again? His code of honour might be too strong and besides, he might not want to be put into such an intimate situation.

Mrs Jones brought more tea, beaming at John. He too, was obviously well liked by the buxom housekeeper and Caroline felt quite alone. She took over the business of pouring the tea, however, but when she handed a cup to John she could sense his antagonism towards her. His eyes were cold and unfriendly and Caroline felt even worse. She realised what a shock it must have been to discover her here with his father, virtually alone in the house and obviously not unaware of the fact. He must feel curious, she supposed, and puzzled at this turn of events.

At last, he too rose to go and wash, and Caroline and Adam were left alone again. Adam's eyes were caressing and Caroline left her chair to be near him on the couch.

'Oh, darling,' she breathed, sliding her arms round him, revelling in the feel of his lips against her silky hair. Then with a sigh she said: 'I think I ought to go.'