Alex was about to button up his shirt. He looked up and stopped still, his eyes wandering over her.
‘What’s the matter?’ she queried, wondering if something was wrong.
‘Nothing at all,’ he said, grabbing his tie, and coming over to her. ‘I think you look beautiful. I’ll just be a moment,’ and headed for the bathroom.
When he reappeared, fully dressed, several minutes later, she took a cheeky look at her watch and shook her head in mock exasperation. ‘You men, you take such a time to get ready!’
As she turned for the door, Alex gave her a playful smack on her small behind and, laughing, she danced out of the flat ahead of him.
They found a parking place for the Porsche, and walked for a while, hand in hand, mingling with the Saturday morning joggers and dog walkers, talking about everything and nothing in particular. Finding an empty seat, they sat in companionable silence.
Alex was the first to speak. ‘Now we have the chance to talk, tell me a little about yourself, Catherine. I know your parents died when you were young.’
She turned her face up to his for a moment, her eyes registering indecision, then she looked away again. He placed his arm across her shoulders. After a moment she spoke.
‘My mother had connections to a well-to-do Irish family. She met my father when he and Uncle Lionel took a holiday in Ireland during the time they were students at Cambridge together. My father was studying Classics and Uncle Lionel the law. My mother herself came over to England to study at Cambridge and they all met again, and the romance between them blossomed from there. I can’t remember seeing much of Uncle Lionel until after their death.’
She looked up at him again, hesitant. ‘I’d like to tell you something.’
He placed his lips against her hair. ‘You can tell me anything you want, Catherine, you know that.’
‘I’ve never spoken of these things to anyone, except Sarah, and even she doesn’t know everything, but I’d like to tell you.’
She paused, took a deep breath and began. ‘On one occasion, Uncle Lionel informed me that he would be coming out to Switzerland to see me during one of the school holidays. I was quite pleased about that as it was something he had never done before. He contacted me and told me to meet him at a Geneva hotel. That evening I found there was another guest for dinner, an older Italian man, who uncle described as being an industrialist. The evening was just polite conversation, but I was encouraged to practice my Italian language skills. I didn’t like uncle’s guest, and I was glad when the meal was over and he left. Uncle Lionel accompanied him out and was gone for some time. When he returned, he was in an unpleasant mood. He said he was going to his room and I was free to return to my school the next morning. I didn’t understand what had gone wrong, so I did just that. Nothing more was ever said about the matter between us. I remember feeling as if I’d been interviewed for a job, and failed.’
Alex listened to her story in silence and came to his own conclusion as to the reason for the meeting: her uncle had used Catherine as marriage bait. His already low view of the man went even lower. He wasn’t sure what to say, and sensed there was still more to come.
After a moment or two, she started to speak again, and he realised she was talking about the incident which Sarah had mentioned to Jerry and himself.
‘There was always a grand ball held at the school for the girls who were finishing that year. That night I was passed a note, which even today I swear was in my uncle’s handwriting, asking me to meet him in a particular room in the school buildings. I complied with the request but found it was a young male student who was waiting for me.’
Catherine hesitated in her narration at this point, and went quiet for several moments. Alex reached out and took her hand. She looked at their fingers linked together, and then went on with her story.
‘It became something like the situation with Duncan Hamilton at Richmond. It was lucky that a member of staff found us. I was sent to my room and I learned later the boy was expelled from his college. The next morning the school Principal interviewed me and made it clear that she did not believe my story, but because of my good record I would not be punished and I would still achieve my passing out certificate. No one told me whether Uncle Lionel was informed. Afterwards I could never find the written note, and I have no idea what happened to it. It was hurtful not to be believed. I never dared mention it to my uncle, and he has never spoken of it to me. I still don’t understand what that was all about. One thing I do know is that Uncle Lionel wants to marry me to someone he chooses, and I’m frightened in case he could do it.’
Alex picked up her hand and kissed it. He kept his own thoughts to himself. Had her uncle staged the other meeting, too? Had the Italian turned down his offer, judging Catherine to be too young and inexperienced, and had her uncle then sought to take steps to educate her? It was manipulation of the worst sort, and almost amounted to sexual grooming; all for one purpose, it seemed. If he never met the man again, it would be a blessing, he thought.
Stroking Catherine’s hand, he said, ‘I realise now why you’re a little unsure around men. I’m glad you felt you could tell me about all this. But you must now try to forget it. It’s in the past, and your whole future is before you to enjoy and explore.’
‘As long as it’s with you, Alex.’ Anxious green eyes looked up at him, asking a question.
Still wracked by indecision, and unable to give her an answer, Alex changed the subject. ‘Shall we have a sandwich and a coffee at the park kiosk?’
After lunch they carried on with their walk. Alex found an empty bench in a more secluded area of the park, and suggested they sat together in the sun.
By this time Catherine had started to feel that he had something on his mind. He seemed more withdrawn, deep in thought. At one point she was going to enquire if something was wrong, but thought better of it. Had he changed his mind about staying with her? Had she upset him again in some way? Perhaps she shouldn’t have told him about the things that had happened to her. She began to feel afraid, but resolved that this time she would not let her emotions show, no matter what. She must try to prove to him that she was grown up.
Startling her, Alex rose from the bench and walked a few steps away, then stood looking out over the vista for some time. He then turned and regarded her for several moments. His grey eyes were serious, and there seemed a sudden tenseness about him. She sat still, returning his look, trying not to let him see her fear. He came and sat beside her again, and took one of her hands in his. She felt herself begin to shake.
‘Catherine, will you marry me?’
There was no way Alex could interpret the various emotions he saw cross Catherine’s face, and her continuing silence unnerved him. Was it too soon for this? Had he been a complete fool, or had she just not understood him the first time?
‘Will you marry me, please?’
To his relief, with a happy cry, she threw her arms around his neck. ‘Oh yes please, Alex. I thought… I thought you’d changed your mind about me.’
‘There was no chance of that, but I had to be sure I was doing the right thing. For us both.’
She planted a loving kiss on his cheek. ‘I’ll do all I can to make sure you never regret that decision. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, looking after you.’
He held her close and kissed her, feeling her response.
‘I suppose you want the white dress, church bells and all the rest?’ he queried, rather breathless, several moments later.
She snuggled up to him. ‘No, I’m not bothered about that at all. I just want to be your wife, as soon as possible. I would marry you today if I could!’
He laughed down at her. ‘I think that’s a little bit too quick for everyone, including me. I’m flattered, of course, but there are certain formalities. If you’re sure, I’ll see what I can do about it when everywhere
opens up on Monday.’
After a while, still wrapped in each other’s arms, they walked back through the park. Alex was amused as every now and then Catherine broke away from him, to dance off down the path ahead of him, and then rush back to either plant a kiss on his cheek or snuggle herself in his arms again. It was an exuberant display of pure happiness, and although he felt an immense happiness himself at the idea of a lifetime in the company of this remarkable young woman, he still felt uneasy about not being able to be honest with her.
Back at Kensington, after a light meal, they sat close together on the settee with their coffee, sometimes talking, at other times quiet, music playing in the background. As their intermittent idle conversation died away, Alex could sense the atmosphere changing and evolving into one of sweet anticipation. He looked down at Catherine curled in his arms. She had changed into a soft green shirt and black jeans and he could see a gold chain glinting at her throat. He wanted to kiss the soft skin beneath it, but he was afraid of frightening her. Yet as she looked up at him, her eyes suggested that she also wanted more.
However, he had to be sure that she was ready to take this next step. If he recognised there was the slightest doubt in her, he would have to stop – somehow!
He put his hand against her neck and let his fingers slide under the heavy gold links before letting them fall back against her skin. There was a slight tremor in her body as he moved his fingers along her shoulder under the soft material of her shirt. With his eyes intent on her face he let his hand glide down until it reached the soft curve of her breast. She made no sound, and was lying relaxed under his touch. He cupped the small breast in his hand and saw nothing but pleasure reflected in her eyes. He lowered his head and kissed her mouth, long and hard. Picking her up in his arms, he carried her through to the bedroom. Throwing back the covers he laid her on the bed and turned on the small bedside lamp, angling the light away from her eyes. She was trying to undo the remaining buttons on her shirt, but he stopped her with a gentle hand.
‘Leave that to me, my sweet,’ and he kissed her again.
CHAPTER 20
Catherine didn’t want to be disturbed from the warm comforting cocoon surrounding her, but the gentle touch and soft voice were becoming more insistent. With a slight protest she lifted heavy eyelids, and looked straight into soft grey eyes, full of desire.
‘I’ve been waiting for you to wake up, sleepy-head!’
His voice was warm and indulgent, his hand light on her cheek.
As her mind replayed the recent events, despite herself she felt warm colour flood up through her skin. There was no way his sharp eyes missed her reaction, and he gave her a quick kiss.
‘Oh yes, it happened alright!’
She remembered not being conscious of him removing her clothes, all her senses absorbed by the feel of his lips and hands on her body. At one point he left her and she thought he had changed his mind. She cried out, but then he was there with her again, calming her agitation, and she realised that he had removed his own clothes. He held her for a while, letting her become used to the feel of their bodies against each other. With music still playing in the background, he began to arouse her to a degree she had never thought possible. It reached a stage where she felt that she might scream if she couldn’t find a way to release the pressure building inside her. She remembered pleading with him for help of some sort, and his soft, soothing replies. Then his body joined hers, and after a small moment of discomfort she knew that this was her answer, and allowed her instincts to take over. It seemed a long time before she was able to even think again. Alex had held her close, and she felt so warm and relaxed that she had curled herself tighter against him as she slid into sleep.
Her thoughts still dwelling on her delicious memories, she heard Alex murmur, ‘I think we might try that again, don’t you? I have the feeling we both enjoyed it the first time. I want you to remember tonight, my love.’
Full of some nameless emotion she lifted a hand to run her fingers down the side of his face and touch his mouth.
‘Yes please, Alex.’
Without another word, he worked his magic on her again, coaxing those same feelings in her, but she sensed that this time there was more urgency in his movements, and when he came into her she felt his full power and realised that before he had shown great consideration for her first time. Unafraid now, she matched his passion, and they both reached their peak together in a breathless tangle of arms and legs. As she drifted into sleep again, held in his arms, she was bathed in the warmth of pure happiness, something which she knew she had been longing for all her life.
*
The red glow of a cigarette penetrated the darkness between the pools of light from two street lamps. The man stamped his feet in the pre-dawn chill. Soon it would be time to leave and make his report to Clarke, he thought. The Porsche was still parked outside and the man had stayed the night again. Alright for some. They’d be a damn sight warmer than he was.
*
The sun in her eyes woke her, and Catherine stretched with pleasure as she remembered last night’s events. Turning her head, she found Alex already awake and studying her, a smile hovering round his mouth.
‘I’m used to waking at this time each morning,’ he said, reading her unspoken thoughts. ‘I should be out running by now, but somehow I don’t have the energy this morning!’
She pretended to ignore his remark, which made him chuckle with amusement. ‘Anyway, my love. Did you sleep well, after all your exertions?’
‘I had a wonderful sleep, and I’m not sure what exertions you’re referring to.’
She wasn’t going to rise to his teasing banter, despite the wicked gleam in his eyes which did strange things to the pit of her stomach, as did the memories that flooded back, but she was never going to let him see that.
‘That’s a pity. I was hoping you’d remembered something. Perhaps we’ll have to keep repeating it until you do!’
His grin told her that he had seen through her deception. He buried his face in her neck and kissed her.
She ran her hand down his cheek. ‘I didn’t imagine it could feel like that, Alex. I know you were kind to me, weren’t you.’ She wanted him to understand that she had realised this.
‘A man should have consideration in such circumstances.’
‘I’m not certain it would be true in all cases,’ she murmured, feeling a sudden coldness at the thought of how it might have been. Some of the men her uncle had encouraged her to associate with she now knew would not have shown her such consideration.
‘Catherine?’ Alex was looking at her, searching her eyes and reading her fear. He held her close again. ‘It won’t happen. You’re mine now.’
She pressed herself against him and reached up to kiss his mouth. ‘I love you. Do you know?’
‘Yes, I think I do.’ With gentleness he turned her on to her back. ‘Shall we practice some more?’ She knew it was an attempt to divert her earlier unwelcome fear and again she felt a warm glow of gratitude to this man for his understanding.
Breaking into her thoughts she heard the telephone ringing, and trying not show her embarrassment Catherine slipped out of bed, put on her robe and went to answer it.
‘Oh… Sarah.’ She listened for a moment or two. ‘That’s a shame for you. So you’re not going to be back until Monday now… OK. I’ll see you then at some point.’ She listened again. ‘Yes, I’m just fine, Sarah. See you soon.’
Putting down the phone she returned to the bedroom. ‘Sarah and Jerry have been caught up in traffic by an accident and they won’t make it back to London tonight. They’re going to put up somewhere overnight and drive on tomorrow morning.’ As a sudden thought occurred to her, she climbed back on the bed. ‘That means you could stay tonight, couldn’t you? Please!’ She smiled at Alex and placed her arms around his neck.
He slid his hands around
her small waist and pulled her close to him. ‘I think you’re leading me astray, young lady, but I must admit the idea appeals. I’ll have to leave at the crack of dawn, though, to get back to my flat and change before I go into work.’
Catherine gave him a coy smile from underneath her lashes. ‘We seem to wake up at that time of the morning anyway!’
Alex looked at her, his eyes steady but turning darker. ‘So we do. Now, I wonder how we can fill in the time?’
The rest of Sunday passed in carefree talk, passionate interludes and contented sleep. After a late meal they ignored the washing up and curled close together again on the settee. Alex apologised to her for wanting to watch a TV news broadcast, and Catherine realised with a start that the weekend was almost over. Tomorrow, Sarah would be back; and what would happen then?
Before too long Alex’s attention turned from the daily news to an overwhelming interest in the soft skin at the neck of her gown and he turned off the TV and carried her to the bedroom.
*
Alex woke and sensed she was not beside him. He listened, but everywhere was quiet. Some premonition that all was not well made him slide out of bed and pad through into the lounge. In the dim light he could see Catherine standing at the window. He moved over to her and placed his arms round her waist. He felt her jump as he caught her unawares.
‘What’s wrong, Catherine?’
She sighed, and he held her closer.
‘I woke and started thinking and realised that I’d been stupid and not behaved in a grown up way, yet again! I should have been more sensible. I’m wondering if, after a while you might find things like that about me irritating: not behaving the way an adult should. So I would quite understand if you wanted to change your mind about marrying me. I could maybe find a place of my own and be with you whenever you wanted. I would still like that.’
Generations of Love Page 14