Ivory Innocence (7 page)

"I'll have one, too!" Carla called peremptorily. "Only put some vodka in mine."

"Her majesty commands," Corin said drily. "Anyone would think she was already mistress here."

The jug seemed to slip in Ivory's hand, slopping lemonade onto the tray. "Mistress? How do you mean?"

"Lady of the manor. That's what she'll be when she marries Matthew."

"I'll get the vodka," Ivory said, and hurried away. Matthew couldn't marry that girl! she told herself furiously, startled by the stab of jealousy that ran through her. Jealousy? Ridiculous! It was Janey she was concerned for. Didn't Matthew know what marriage to Carla might do to his daughter?

When she returned with the bottle of vodka, it was obvious that some altercation had taken place. Carla sat slumped opposite her brother with a childish scowl, and Matthew looked like a storm cloud. He stood by the table wearing a pair of brief white shorts that made his tan look even darker, his well-muscled body still glistening wet and his hair plastered round a grim, set face.

"Thank you, Ivory," he said quietly, taking the bottle from her. His fingers brushed hers, sending a jolt-like an electric shock up her arm. With one twist of his wrist he undid the cap and poured nearly a quarter of the contents into a glass, adding a dash of lemonade. "Is that about the right strength?"

"Darling," Carla purred. "You're being beastly. How was I to know your new little nanny was too precious to walk to the house and back? A servant is a servant, as far as I'm concerned."

"But do you have to drink alcohol at this hour?" Matthew returned tightly.

Ivory smiled bitterly to herself. For one mad moment she had thought he was angry on her account, but actually he was annoyed by Carla's drinking habits. It wouldn't do to have the lady of the manor addicted to alcohol.

The redhead pouted seductively. "Sorry, darling. But it's not really early. It's almost five o'clock. Share some with me, yes?" She poured half the contents of her glass into Matthew's and leaned sinuously across to add some to Corin's drink, managing to display an alarming amount of cleavage. "Let's all have some. Does nanny want to join us? Oh, dear, we're short of a glass. Or will you take it straight from the bottle, Miss Andersen?"

"I wouldn't dream of robbing you of any," Ivory said sweetly, and turned on her heel to walk unhurriedly away. She heard Corin chuckle behind her.

That evening, when the gong sounded at seven forty-five, Ivory did not go down at once but waited until eight o'clock. Then she made her way to the dining room dressed in a simple skirt and blouse. Matthew was waiting by the door. His blue eyes narrowed as he watched her approach. Though he was fully dressed, she could not help remembering the darkly tanned skin stretched smoothly over taut muscles. Her fingers itched to know what his skin would feel like, but she curled them into her palms, shaking the thought away.

"Didn't you fancy an aperitif?" he demanded.

"I'm really not much of a drinker, Mr. Kendrake," she replied levelly. "I prefer to be in control of myself."

"So I've noticed," he said. "You kept beautifully cool this afternoon. But I can't help wondering if you ever go completely out of control."

"I seldom do," Ivory said.

"Indeed? I might take that as a challenge. But let's eat. I'm starving."

He said no more about the incident of that afternoon. He was polite, impersonal, even amusing at times, but Ivory kept herself aloof, remembering her purpose there. Becoming involved with Matthew Ken-drake was not part of her plan, even though he showed all the signs of wishing to make her another conquest on an undoubtedly long list.

During the following days, Ivory's life assumed a pattern that soon became routine. She had breakfast in the kitchen with Janey and the Barneses; Matthew apparently ate a frugal breakfast in the master suite after his morning workout. Mornings were for Janey's lessons, sometimes in the playroom and sometimes in the garden, depending on the weather. They both joined Matthew for lunch, unless he had a snack at his desk in the study, where he spent most of his time. And in the afternoons Ivory played with Janey, winning her confidence and working on her education in ways the child did not realize were "school." On warm afternoons, when she was sure her employer was out— either gone riding or up to the Home Farm to see the estate manager—she and Janey splashed in the pool. Ivory hoped that learning to swim would help Janey's return to full strength.

The evenings were the most difficult. She was obliged to have dinner alone with Matthew. At those times she was most aware of the tension building under his surface politeness, and occasionally she glimpsed the dangerous man behind the bland mask when his glance flickered over her. It was like waiting for a storm to break.

One Saturday in June, a few days of cool, rainy weather gave way to blue skies and breezy sunlight. Having been housebound during the wet spell, Ivory decided to take Janey up to Top Farm to meet Rebecca. Janey appeared to be coming out of her shell, and Ivory thought it high time she made a friend near her own age. She intended to ask Matthew's permission over lunch.

But Matthew did not appear for lunch. Mrs. Barnes said he was, "Up to his eyes getting ready for a board meeting next week. He said he wasn't to be disturbed for anything, short of the house burning down. Anyway, dear, he won't mind Janey going out as long as you're with her. He just doesn't like her straying out of the grounds on her own. He's afraid she might get hurt again."

"Again?" Ivory queried, glancing toward the corner where Janey was feeding her goldfish.

"Yes. She was in an accident. Didn't you know?"

"I understood she'd been ill," Ivory said. "You mean those scars on her leg… I haven't liked to inquire too deeply. Mr. Kendrake doesn't take kindly to personal questions."

"I know, dear. He keeps himself to himself, doesn't he, poor man? But that's what I was told: Janey was hurt in a motor accident. Actually…" She lowered her voice and leaned closer to confide. "If you ask me, that was when her mother was killed, in that same accident. I've got reason to suspect that because of something I heard Miss Forsythe say. You'll have noticed that Janey never mentions her mother."

"Yes, I have."

"Well, that's why, dear. Too painful. You never know what a thing like that does to a child's mind, do you? Best not to stir things up."

Ivory looked thoughtfully at the curly-headed child who was watching her goldfish swim round his bowl. If what Mrs. Barnes said was true, it might explain a great deal about Janey.

After lunch, she and Janey set out to walk up the hill to Top Farm, using the side gate that lay opposite the old Meldrum cottage. Bright new pantiles graced the roof, and inside, plasterers and joiners were at work. Without its thatch, the cottage looked so different that Ivory could hardly believe it had once been her home.

Beneath the chestnut trees they encountered Rebecca, coming home from a ride. She slid from the pony's saddle and greeted Janey in a friendly way. As Ivory introduced the two, Janey's huge brown eyes stared wonderingly at the older girl.

"Does Janey ride?" Rebecca asked.

"Ask her," Ivory suggested.

Janey said that she did know how, but she didn't ride very well, and Rebecca generously offered the use of her pony. "Just down to the farm. And I'll have to lead him."

Janey's face was a picture of delight as Ivory helped her into the saddle, then walked alongside to make sure her young charge was secure. When they reached the farm, Rebecca offered to let Janey help her rub the pony down. "And then we can go to my room and I'll show you my toys, if you like."

Janey went off with her new friend, both of them leading the pony.

"Is that your new student?" Rob inquired, emerging from the house.

"Yes, it is," Ivory said. "I thought I'd bring her along to meet Becky."

"It's been a long time," he said, mildly reproving. "You've been here three weeks already. Haven't you had any days off?"

"No, not really. My free time comes in brief snatches. It's not like an office job."

"It sounds a bit like farming," Rob said with a grimace. "I don't get proper days off either. I've got to fetch the cows in for milking now. Are you in a hurry, or can you wait until I've finished?"

"We don't have to be back until six," Ivory replied.

Pleasure lit his freckled face. "Great! Then after milking we could go for a ride. Tansy and Pepper could do with some exercise. I suppose you do remember how to ride? Mum will look after Janey for an hour. What do you say?"

Ivory hesitated, but she had been constantly responsible for Janey for three weeks without a break, and now that she was away from the Hall—away from Matthew Kendrake—the pressure seemed less intense. "I'd love to, Rob," she said eventually.

Once up on Tansy's back, Ivory discovered that her brain had not forgotten the techniques of riding, though her muscles were out of practice. She rode with Rob to the woods behind Hedley Hall, where the horses trod carefully along a well-marked bridleway. Sunlight dappled down through swaying leaves and birds flitted among the branches. Somewhere not far off, a cuckoo called.

"So how are you enjoying the new job?" Rob asked.

"I'm beginning to make progress," Ivory said slowly. "Janey's mixed up, but there are signs that I'm getting through to her."

"And her father?"

Surprised, Ivory looked across and found him frowning at her, speckled sunlight playing across his tousled hair. "What about him?"

"Do you see much of him?"

"No, not really. He closets himself in the study when he's not out somewhere. We meet at lunch and dinner, but then we usually talk about Janey's progress. Why?"

"Just wondering," Rob said, a stubborn look on his face.

Ivory knew very well what he was wondering, and she resented it. It was none of his business what went on between her and Matthew Kendrake—not that anything was going on that she could put a name to. But even if they had been embarked on a wild affair, Rob had no right to make any comment or disapprove, as he clearly did.

She watched the damp earth of the bridleway where marks of other hooves were imprinted after the rain, then suddenly drew Tansy to a halt. "I think we'd better go back, Rob."

"Why?" he demanded. "We've hardly been out twenty minutes."

"I know, but I don't want Janey to get overexcited. She's my responsibility. Besides, my legs are starting to ache. I'd forgotten how hard riding is on the thigh muscles."

Rob sighed and said grudgingly, "Oh, all right. But you'll come out again, won't you? You've a right to some free time, time to see your friends."

"I'll see what I can arrange," she said.

They turned back along the woodland path and were almost in sight of the road when Ivory saw, with a pang of dismay, the rangy figure of Matthew Kendrake strolling towards them. At the same moment he recognized her and his brows came down in the now-familiar frown.

"Where's Janey?" he demanded, striding to stand at Ivory's stirrup with one hand on the reins, his dark head flung back as he frowned up at her.

"She's perfectly safe," Ivory assured him, disturbed by the anger glowing in bright blue eyes. "I've left her with Mrs. Garth at Top Farm."

"And who the hell is Mrs. Garth to have charge of my daughter? What do you think I'm paying you good money for? Go back and fetch her at once."

Rob nudged Pepper forward, saying, "It's all right, Mr. Kendrake. My mother will—"

"You stay out of this!" Matthew snapped. "Did you hear me, Ivory? I want Janey back at the Hall within half an hour. If any harm's come to her—"

"Would I have left her if I'd thought she would come to harm?" Ivory flared, furious with herself for her physical awareness of him, the hand near hers on the rein and the brown column of his throat disappearing into an open-necked shirt. "What do you take me for? Very well, I'll go and bring her straight home. I just thought it might do her good to be let off the leash for a while. And me, too!"

Stabbing her heels into the horse's flanks, she set it to a gallop that made Matthew step back as she rode headlong for the road, pausing only long enough to make sure the way was clear before making for the farm track. Behind her, Rob rode to catch up. But he failed to reach her until she was sliding from the saddle in the farmyard.

"I'll have to leave you to rub her down, I'm afraid," she said, brusque with anger.

"But… You're not going to let him get away with that, are you? You've got a right to some free time."

"So you keep saying!" she cried. "Oh, don't talk to me, Rob. I'm ready for a fight, and if I stay here I'll fight with you."

She rushed into the farmhouse and found Janey peacefully tucking into homemade bread and jam with Rebecca. Apologizing to Mrs. Garth, Ivory explained that they had to leave. Janey didn't want to go, which meant more argument, and by the time Ivory managed to get the child outside they were both ill-tempered. But Rob was waiting with his car to drive them back to the Hall.

Taking a deep breath, Ivory forced herself to calm down as the car bumped up the track. "Thanks, Rob. I'm very grateful."

"That's what friends are for," he said, giving her a sidelong look. "But I'm none too happy about this whole thing. He may be paying your wages, but that doesn't mean he owns you. Since when has he been calling you by your first name?"

"Since I gave him permission to!" Ivory exclaimed. It wasn't exactly the truth but she was too furious to care.

"I see," Rob said flatly. "I see."

"You don't see at all," she retorted. "You never did see further than the end of your nose, Rob Garth."

He was silent, concentrating on his driving until he pulled up by the Hall gateway. "This do you?"

"Yes. Thank you," Ivory said stiffly, helping Janey out.

As Rob drove away, she thought bitterly that this was another point to score against Matthew Kendrake. Now he had made her quarrel with Rob.

The argument in the car had stilled Janey's tantrums. She looked up at Ivory with worried brown eyes. "What's the matter, Ivory? Did I do something wrong?"