To Be the Best

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  Madelana smiled up at him. Her face was radiant.

  He smiled back, lifted one hand, began to stroke her cheek, his eyes spilling with emotion. The truth was, he loved her. He had fallen in love with her that very first day. He was glad it had happened at Dunoon, and that they had first made love here. It seemed very right to him that something as important as this had taken place in his home. He knew that he would always love her. This was not a passing thing. There could be no other woman in his life now. Never, ever again.

  ‘You look thoughtful,’ she said, her eyes quizzical.

  He leaned over her, answered in a low voice, ‘It was too quick, Maddy. I’m sorry… anxiety on my part, I’m afraid.’ He laughed lightly, ruefully. ‘But I’d ached for you for days… fantasized about you.’

  ‘You were wonderful.’

  ‘Perhaps you’re prejudiced, darling.’

  He brought his mouth down on her breasts, began to kiss them, whilst stroking her body, running his hands all over her. Her skin felt like satin to him, and in the firelight it had a lovely roseate cast to it. He marvelled at the beauty of her lithe body, so slender, so delicately formed, her long legs, the heavy, voluptuous breasts, taut now under his touch.

  Lifting his head, he brought his mouth to her mouth, kissed her deeply, traced a line down her stomach with one finger, until his hand came to rest between her thighs. He caressed her lightly, adeptly, and she reached out for him, began to stroke him. As he felt her tense and spasm, he pushed her hand away from him, entered her, and again they were instantly swept away by the intensity and urgency of their passion for each other.

  They were together for a long time, and then he got up and left the bed. He strode over to the fireplace where he had discarded his clothes earlier, began to dress.

  She watched him as he moved around in front of the fire, thinking what a beautiful man he was. He had a wonderful body. He was over six feet and broad shouldered, and there was not an ounce of extra flesh on him; he was tanned from being constantly in the sun.

  Madelana had the sudden curious feeling that she had known him before… long ago. There was something so very familiar about him to her that it was startling. And yet they were strangers… albeit intimate strangers now.

  He came back to her, sat down on the edge of the bed, moved a strand of hair away from her eyes. Bending over her, he kissed her lightly, said, ‘This is just the beginning, Maddy darling.’

  ‘It’s the beginning of the end—’ She stopped abruptly, stared up at him, her eyes wide with surprise at her words.

  He scowled. ‘What an odd thing to say. What do you mean?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she exclaimed. ‘It was a thought that flashed through my head, and I said it without thinking.’

  ‘I’m not going to talk about the end of anything.’ He laughed dismissively, and pulled her into his arms, hugged her tightly. Then he let her go, stood up. ‘I’ll see you downstairs shortly. Dress casually, darling, it’s just the two of us.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said.

  She lay there for a while after he had gone. There was an indentation on the pillow next to her, where his head had been, and she reached out to touch the spot, slithered to his side of the bed, buried her face in the pillow. It smelled of him… of his hair and his cologne. She began to weep.

  An enormous sense of loss overwhelmed her and she was afraid.

  Chapter 21

  Hong Kong glittered. It was all colour and light and movement and noise.

  From the moment Jason Rickards’s private jet had thundered down the runway at Kai Tak airport five days ago, and Paula had alighted, she had been caught in the spell of the British Crown Colony.

  She had not been there for fourteen years, and she had forgotten what it was really like. It overpowered in every sense.

  Visually it reminded her of Manhattan, with its towering skyscrapers, air-conditioned shopping emporiums, boutiques, banks and businesses, stylish restaurants and elegant hotels. Yet withal, Hong Kong had a rhythm that was uniquely its own, a tempo that was rapid, pulsating, full of excitement and tumult.

  Paula felt movement all around her. Wherever she looked she saw perpetual motion. Great jets soared up into the misty blue skies above Victoria Peak; sailing boats and sampans, yachts and junks, hydrofoils and ferries ploughed the busy harbour waters around Central and Kowloon; automobiles, trams, buses, and rickshaws surged through the streets; and people jostled each other in swarming crowds as they rushed about their business. It was over-populated. Space was at a premium, on land and sea, and there was so much teeming life and deafening noise Paula had begun to feel slightly battered by it.

  Yet in contrast, there were lovely little pockets of calm and tranquillity that caught her by surprise… the quiet hills of the New Territories, that rural area between Kowloon and mainland China… the temples and shrines… and even a spot down near the Star Ferry Pier, where every morning a group of Chinese men performed the slow, meditative movements of tai chi.

  To Paula, it was the many contrasts which so startled, and which made the deepest impression on her.

  Nowhere on earth was there such limitless wealth and grinding poverty within the same few miles, such breathtaking beauty rubbing shoulders with sickening squalor. Ritzy high life was perilously juxtaposed against dangerous low life. Grand and ancient families lived in close proximity to desperate refugees. Hong Kong was a place of old money and tai-pans, over one-hundred-and-forty years of British rule and colonial traditions, newly-made fortunes, stunning success stories, and mind-boggling business bonanzas. It also had one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

  It had captivated Paula, and she fully understood its extraordinary allure for residents and visitors alike.

  Until Paula’s arrival, Emily had been ensconced in the Peninsula in Tsimshatsui on Kowloon side. This was the hotel where she invariably stayed on her buying trips. It was convenient for her business dealings with mainland China, since she had ready access to the factories which manufactured the varied products she purchased for Genret.

  The night before Paula had flown in with Don Metcalfe of Rickards International on the company plane, Emily had moved Hong Kong side. She had checked into the vast and beautiful suite she had booked in the famous Mandarin Hotel in the heart of the Central District.

  ‘I’ve finished all my business, and Central’s much more convenient for us, and what we want to do,’ Emily had explained to Paula when she was settling in after her arrival. ‘It’s the shopping Mecca of Asia, and anyway, I think it’s much more interesting for you to be on Hong Kong Island itself.’ Paula had nodded and agreed. ‘Whatever you say, Emily. You’re in charge. And I love this hotel. It’s just beautiful.’

  Emily had planned a programme which hardly left them a moment to breathe. Nevertheless, Paula had been enthusiastic about doing everything, and tremendously energized by the sightseeing, the shopping, the visits to different restaurants and several of the other smart hotels, not to mention their tour of night clubs in Wanchai.

  The first evening she was there, Emily had taken her to Gaddi’s for dinner. It was considered to be the finest European restaurant in Hong Kong, and Rolf Heiniger, the renowned maître d’hôtel, had lived up to his reputation for knowledge and attentiveness, had suggested the most delicious dishes and the finest wines.

  The following morning they had gone browsing and shopping in Emily’s favourite boutiques, shops, markets and galleries. ‘Don’t forget, I’m an old China hand,’ she had confided to Paula with a grin. ‘Trust me and you’ll get the best bargains. Quality merchandise at the right prices.’

  Paula had laughed, had exclaimed, ‘Oh, I trust you all right, Emily. You had a sharp eye even as a child. I think that’s one of the reasons Grandy gave you Genret to run.’

  In the course of several hectic days they did all of their Christmas shopping, buying important gifts as well as stocking-fillers and tree presents. They purchased pearls, jade jewellery, cufflinks fo
r the men in the family, embroidered silks and brocades, Chinese evening jackets and cheongsams, beaded evening bags, unusual wooden toys, cloisonné, hand-embroidered linens, trinkets and knick-knacks.

  Emily had suggested they pay a visit to Hollywood Road, just above Central, explaining that this was an imperative, and Paula quickly discovered that she was right. Many of the more important antique shops and art galleries were located here, and as they had gone on the rounds Paula had been enchanted by the artifacts on display. She had bagged an ancient nefrite vase for Jason, who collected Oriental art, and a beautiful antique jade necklace for her mother.

  And in between the shopping expeditions and all manner of exotic meals in unique restaurants, Emily had arranged a few other fascinating excursions. She had taken Paula to Aberdeen Harbour, where thousands of Boat People lived and worked on junks and sampans; they had made a trip to the New Territories on Kowloon side; had driven up to the top of misty Victoria Peak to see the spectacular view; and visited various temples and shrines.

  On the flight from Sydney, Paula’s travelling companion, Don Metcalfe, had said he would like to take her and Emily out to dinner before they left for New York. And this he had done the previous night. They had gone with him on the hydrofoil to Macau, the Portuguese enclave at the entrance to the Pearl River, just fifty minutes away, where they had dined in an elaborate restaurant before visiting some of the famous gambling casinos. It had been a memorable evening. They had enjoyed themselves tremendously with Don, who had kept them laughing and highly entertained; Emily, in particular, had been excited by the trip to Macau, where she had never been and had always wanted to go.

  In the early hours of the morning, when Paula had finally fallen into bed exhausted, it struck her that they had packed in more in a few days than she had imagined possible. Every minute of her stay in Hong Kong had been enjoyable, and being alone with Emily had been an added bonus. It reminded her of the trips they had taken together as girls, and she felt young again, lighthearted, almost carefree.

  ***

  Today was their last day in Hong Kong; they were taking the night flight to New York. Emily had been determined that she see the beautiful Regent hotel in Kowloon, and the unparalleled view of Hong Kong Island from this vantage point. And so they had gone there for lunch. She had had to get up very early to do her packing first, but it had been worth making the effort. The lunch and the view would linger in her mind and memory for a long time.

  Immediately after lunch, they had caught the Star Ferry back to Central. Emily had made for the hotel to finish her suitcases; Paula had returned to the jewellery shop where she had seen a pair of exquisite earrings, which she wanted to buy as a Christmas gift for Emily.

  Once inside the shop, Paula had bargained in the way she had seen Emily doing it for the last few days. Much to her surprise and enormous delight, she had won the earrings at a far better price than she had expected. And now, as she walked the short distance to the hotel, she was filled with a great sense of satisfaction at this small success.

  Hurrying across the lobby of the Mandarin, Paula realized she was twenty minutes late to meet her cousin for tea. And so she headed straight for their point of rendezvous, the Clipper Lounge, which floated like a gallery above the lobby on the mezzanine floor, and ran lightly up the steps.

  Emily saw her, raised her hand in greeting.

  Paula waved back.

  A moment later she was sitting down in one of the comfortable chairs facing Emily.

  ‘Sorry I’m late. The last hour just flew by,’ Paula said with an apologetic smile.

  ‘It’s all right. I’ve not been here long, and you know I love this place. I feel as if I’m on a boat, what with the brass portholes and all this mahogany. Oh, and before I forget—’ Emily opened her handbag, fished around, handed Paula two small envelopes, and finished, ‘These were in the suite waiting for you when I got back after lunch.’

  ‘Oh telexes! Thanks, darling.’ Paula took them, opened the first, scanned it quickly, then read the second. She pursed her lips, filling with disappointment. One was from Michael Kallinski in London, the other from Harvey Rawson in New York, and both effectively said the same thing: Peale and Doone, the small chain of stores in the Midwest, had been sold right under their noses to another buyer. Too bad, she thought, the chain would have been a good beginning for my expansion programme. On the other hand, she had never been quite as enthusiastic as Michael about the locations of the shops. This thought consoled her a little.

  Emily was watching Paula closely. She said, ‘Is something wrong at home?’

  ‘No, no, nothing like that,’ Paula responded quickly, reassuringly. ‘These are business telexes.’

  ‘Oh. Who from?’ Emily probed, as usual inquisitive.

  ‘One’s from Michael, the other from a Wall Street lawyer who was doing some work for me.’ Paula smiled faintly. ‘A deal we wanted didn’t come off. Now, let’s order. I think I’m going to have the mulberry tea again. I’ve grown rather partial to it.’

  ‘Yes, I’ll have the same.’ Emily swung her blonde head, caught the attention of the waiter, motioned to him.

  Once she had given the order, she leaned across the table, levelled her shrewd green eyes at her cousin. ‘What kind of deal didn’t come off?’ When Paula did not immediately answer, Emily remarked, ‘It must have been something important to you. I noticed how put out you looked.’

  Paula nodded. ‘Actually, I was disappointed, Emily. I was hoping to buy a small chain of stores in the States. Unfortunately, we missed getting them by a hair’s breadth.’

  ‘Why do you want to buy more stores?’ Emily was perplexed, and she frowned.

  ‘I’ve been wanting to expand Harte’s in America. Buying an existing chain seems to be the best way to go about it to me, Emily.’

  ‘One store in America was enough for Gran. Why would you want more?’

  ‘Times have changed radically. You know that as well as I do. I must expand, darling, it’s the only way to survive as a retailer today.’

  Emily said, in her blunt way, ‘I think you’re biting off more than you can chew, if you ask me.’

  Paula laughed. ‘Now how many times did our grandmother tell us that everyone said that to her, and throughout her life, too, and she never paid a blind bit of notice.’

  Ignoring this comment, Emily said strongly, ‘I bet Shane agrees with me. What does he think about this expansion idea of yours?’

  ‘Well, very frankly, Emily, I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet. This summer the south of France was so hectic, and there seemed no point in bringing it up until there was a chain available. And the week we were together, before I left for Australia, was so rushed, you know.’

  ‘I don’t think he’ll like it, Paula. You’ve enough to keep you pretty busy, what with Harte’s in London, Paris and Yorkshire, Sitex Oil, and the boutiques in the hotels.’

  ‘Grandy used to tell us that organization was the key to everything, and that an organized woman had the world by the balls.’

  ‘That’s true, she did say that. Nevertheless, Shane won’t be happy. And there’s something else, Paula. I don’t think Gran would approve of this idea of yours if she were alive.’

  ‘Nonsense! Of course she would! She’d see the wisdom behind my plans,’ Paula cried spiritedly, sounding confident. She drew closer to Emily, and began to outline her plans for the future of the Harte stores in the United States.

  Emily listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

  Both women were so absorbed in their conversation neither of them saw the man who was regarding them intently from the stairs leading up to the Clipper Lounge.

  He was stunned at the sight of the two women, and was momentarily rooted to the spot. Recovering himself rapidly, he pivoted, ran down the steps, sped across the lobby, and went out through the front door.

  ***

  The blood rushed to the man’s head, and he filled with a fulminating rage as he raced back
to Pedder Street, dodging in and out, pushing past people almost violently in his haste and anxiousness to put distance between himself and the Mandarin.

  Exactly two minutes after leaving the hotel, he was standing in the elevator, riding up to the top floor of the skyscraper where his company, Janus and Janus Holdings Ltd, was housed. Avoiding the front entrance, and in so doing bypassing the large outer offices where his staff worked, he hurried down the long corridor, let himself in through the private door.

  This opened into a foyer, handsomely furnished with Chinese antiques, which in turn led through double mahogany doors to his inner sanctum, luxuriously appointed, with a stunning view of Victoria Harbour visible through a wall of plate glass.

  Going straight to the small mirrored bar, he poured himself a straight vodka. To his annoyance his hand shook as he lifted the glass to his mouth. He downed the drink, strode over to his desk, flipped on the intercom.

  ‘Yes, sir?’ his English secretary said.

  ‘Please have Lin Wu bring the Daimler around to the front, Peggy, I’m leaving early today. And I’ll sign my letters now.’

  ‘Yes, sir, I’ll be right in with them.’ He arranged a suitably inscrutable expression on his face, and sat down, willing his anger to subside.

  Chapter 22

  His rage lingered.

  He carried it with him in the Daimler on the drive up the Peak to his home. It was still with him now as he sat in the library of his elegant duplex apartment, going through his personal mail. The rage was of a kind he had not experienced for the longest time, and the fact that he had reacted so strongly when he had seen the two women had unnerved him. He seethed inside, and with good reason. However, he knew he must bring the anger under control. He dare not allow emotion to cloud his vision or flaw his judgement.