Chapter 7
Nicola stood for several endless moments outside the door before she could summon up the strength to go into her own room.
Why had Robert behaved in such a way? Could it, unlikely though it seemed, mean he was jealous of Paul? He must have seen Paul kiss her in the car. He had tried to warn her against him, but why? Was Paul as unscrupulous as Robert said? Did he genuinely distrust him or was it simply jealousy? Could Robert, the handsome, rich, charming Robert Wilmington, be jealous over her, ordinary, not especially pretty Nicola Browne? He had been particularly friendly and polite and had even called her pretty, but he had also said quite plainly he enjoyed kissing girls. Was that the only reason he had kissed her, then and before? Yet in his kiss there had been a great deal of anger and he might for some obscure reason be wanting to hurt her. There were many times when he showed flashes of fury for no obvious cause.
Slowly she took off the lovely dress and hung it in the wardrobe. She suddenly recalled Paul's remarks and shuddered. When he had kissed her she had not wanted to drown in the ecstasy of it as she had with Robert, but had wanted to push him away from her as quickly as possible. She would most certainly not wear it on Saturday when she went out with him again.
Why, she asked herself angrily, had she been so idiotic as to accept Paul's invitation? She did not like him and his openly expressed admiration was unwelcome. Even worse, she had lost the opportunity of going with Robert to a party. She had not thought quickly enough to pretend she could not go with Paul, and so put him off. Yet he would have been bound to discover it if she had abandoned him for Robert, and it would have caused unpleasantness.
Weary, confused, knowing only that Robert had cast a spell over her she was powerless to resist, she at last fell into bed, but sleep was far away. She tossed and turned, got up to have a drink of water, dozed, woke again to feel the wet tears on her cheeks, tried to read and then took a couple of aspirins. Nothing had any effect and Robert's handsome face floated before her mind's eye, smiling, frowning, puzzled or angry, but always there.
She longed to go to the kitchen to make a cup of hot chocolate, but did not dare venture out of her room for fear she disturbed Robert and he met her again. She needed time to sort out her emotions before confronting him. When the early dawn crept in through her open window she rose again from her crumpled bed and determined to go for a swim.
*
Nicola pulled on her blue bikini and let herself out of the french windows onto the patio. The pool was heated but she needed the more astringent temperature of the sea, and the opposition of the waves to battle against. The air was already warm but as she ran down to the beach the water lapped about her feet with breathtaking coldness. She forced herself to go on past the shallow islands and into the deep channel used by the boats.
When the water was deep enough she screwed up her courage and dived under the waves, gasping with the shock of it but revelling in the action as she struck out away from the shore.
The swimming soon made her feel warm and she turned over to float for a while, staring up at the pale morning sky where the gulls wheeled high above.
Her thoughts returned to the problem of Robert and her feelings for him, and what she could do about them, but she could see no solution to the problems.
Slowly Nicola swam back to the shore, for thinking of the previous evening had brought back in full force the problems she had been unable to resolve during her sleepless night. Why had Robert kissed her? Why had he appeared angry as he had done so? Far down the list of questions were those concerning Paul. Could he be trusted? She recalled some odd facts which she had not had time to dwell on the previous evening. He had not answered her questions about his own business with the photographer, indeed had not seemed to know he was supposed to have any. And from what Robert had said Jane had been aware before she had issued her strange invitation that Nicola would be alone.
Was that why she had invited her to dinner? But why?
Nicola suddenly stopped swimming and swallowed a mouthful of sea water.
Coughing, she spluttered and spat it out, then, using a smooth breast stroke swam on, thinking hard. Jane had used Paul's business as the reason for his presence at the disastrous dinner party, but he had not appeared to know about it. Had Jane engineered it all so that she and Paul would be thrown together? Had he enlisted her help in order to meet Nicola again? It seemed unlikely, for he had been far from bashful in proffering invitations and she had accepted one already. Did Jane intend to set Robert against her by involving her with Paul? That seemed a far likelier explanation, and it could indicate Jane thought Robert was paying her too much attention. In which case, she told herself, not quite able to believe it, he might indeed be attracted to her.
Without realising it she had drifted with the currents and come in to the beach on the far side of the channel where the boats were moored. She had to swim back round them, coming out of the water where the beach shelved slowly. By the time she had waded ashore her teeth were chattering and she began to run across the lawns towards the house, for she had not brought a towel out with her. As she gained the patio she started with surprise for Robert's window opened and he appeared, carrying a huge beach towel. He was in swimming trunks, she realised, and then saw his hair was wet and knew he too had been swimming.
'Come here,' he ordered, and unthinkingly she obeyed the note of natural command in his voice. He came swiftly towards her and wrapped the voluminous towel about her, swathing her completely in it.
'Haven't you got more sense than to get cold so soon after you were ill?' he demanded, and suddenly pulled her to him, burying his face in her wet hair, then, as she struggled to free her arms from the enveloping towel, he laughed slightly and kissed her firmly on the lips.
'Mm, I prefer salt to pepper,' he murmured. 'I've never thought of this way of controlling someone before,' he added, pulling the constricting towel tight about her shoulders. As his lips descended on hers again his eyes laughed down at her.
She surrendered to the thrill of it, feeling warm all over, and eventually freeing her arms so that she could cling to him, running her fingers through his hair and pulling his face down to hers again when he released her and raised his head.
'Go and soak in a hot bath,' he said suddenly, and released her, pushing her slightly towards her own room. 'It's far too early for Mrs Trotter to be here, so I'll cook breakfast. Shall I act the maid and bring it to you?'
'No, I'll come upstairs,' she said hurriedly, and blushed as he laughed teasingly. She escaped into her room and ran a bath, washing the salt out of her hair and winding a towel round her head when, a short while later, she pulled on jeans and a cool white cotton top and went shyly up into the kitchen. Robert was already there, looking marvellous in tight black trousers and an open-necked black shirt. The delicious smell of frying bacon greeted her, and as he broke eggs into the pan she laid the table.
'We seem to be eating in the kitchen most of the time now,' he said easily. 'We'd best be finished before Mrs Trotter arrives. She doesn't really approve.'
They were clearing away together companionably when the telephone rang. Nicola, who was nearest the extension, picked it up. It was Jane.
'Hello Nicola, is Robert there?'
'It's Jane for you,' Nicola said, and Robert caught her to him as she passed him the receiver. She wriggled to escape from his hold but he laughed softly and held on to her even more firmly so she was pressed up against him as he leaned with his shoulder against the wall, and she could hear both sides of the conversation.
'Jane? Robert here.'
'Darling, I rang to ask what time you were going to see Sarah tonight?'
'The same as usual, I hope, getting there about six. Why do you ask?'
'Well, my car needs some new parts and I have to leave it at the garage in Bournemouth until tomorrow while they fix it. It struck me I've been terribly remiss in not visiting poor little Sarah before now, only really I think she has possibly had enough visitors to
cope with during the first few days. I know I didn't want anyone to see me when I was looking ghastly. But I wondered if you could give me a lift back? I'll spend the day shopping and go to the hospital about six to meet you. Is that OK.'
'Yes, of course. I'm sure Sarah will be pleased to see you.'
'The dear child. How was she last night?'
'Much better. I hope it's nothing serious with your car? What is wrong?'
Jane laughed. 'Robert, darling, you should know I'm the world's worst mechanic. I can't even change an electric plug. Remember the number of times you've had to help me out with what I am sure are dreadfully simply things when you've been over here?'
Nicola, squirming in embarrassment, felt certain Robert dropped a kiss lightly on her ear, but it could have been his open-necked shirt collar brushing it.
'We'll see you at the hospital then,' he said.
'What do you think Sarah would like? Is she overflowing with grapes? Visitors are so unimaginative, aren't they? I thought she might like some exotic perfume?'
'I'm sure she would,' Robert said, and his tone sounded amused.
'Good. I'll see what I can find. Primitif or Tabu, I suppose. Bye, darling.'
*
Robert replaced the receiver, but before he could pull Nicola to face him they heard footsteps on the path outside and he released her as Mrs Trotter came through the door. Scarlet cheeked, Nicola made some excuse and fled out of the kitchen. She kept out of the way until she was certain Robert had gone down to the stables, and only then did she take a book and sunbathe on the terrace.
Her emotions were in turmoil. Last night when he had kissed her he had been furiously angry and she had not known whether it was with her or due to jealousy of Paul. This morning, though, it was totally different. He had shown anger, true, but only because she was cold. It was anger for her, on her behalf.
His kiss had been both passionate and tender, and when they had had breakfast in the kitchen they had seemed almost, and she blushed at the thought, like an old married couple. Then the phone call had come and he had deliberately forced her to listen when he could not have known what Jane would say. He had not appeared especially friendly towards Jane, merely polite, but having Nicola in his arms he could hardly have used endearments to another woman. Yet he had agreed to Jane's request so he clearly did not object to her company. And her presence would ruin the rest of the evening for Nicola, she admitted, for Robert would not take her out and possibly to a dance as she hoped. To spend an evening clasped in his arms and dancing to romantic music would be delightful, but it was not to be, and soon Sarah would be home and the opportunity for it, the excuses to go out together, would be gone.
Nicola felt decidedly guilty at the pang the thought gave her. Of course she did not wish for Sarah to have to stay in hospital longer than necessary, but once she was back home they would have to stay in to keep her company, if he did not send them to Penzance as he had suggested. It was likely Robert was merely amusing himself with her and would not create occasions for taking her out. Probably, she thought gloomily, he felt obliged to entertain her while everyone else was away.
He could not mean anything serious, she told herself firmly. She was not nearly so lovely as Jane, nor so sophisticated, and a man like Robert Wilmington who could have his pick of women would never pay more than casual attentions to a not-very-pretty girl years younger than he was. Her very eagerness to accept his embraces would no doubt repel him. She thought guiltily of the manner in which she had surrendered to his kisses that morning, flinging her arms about his neck and begging, positively demanding, more and more kisses.
She had convinced herself he was playing with her and by lunchtime had determined to avoid a threesome that evening, even just on the drive back from Bournemouth. When they sat down to grilled steak and salad at lunchtime she told him she would like to borrow the Fiat that afternoon.
'Of course. Whenever you like. I thought that as we have to take Jane home in the Beaulieu direction this evening we'd have dinner at the restaurant at Buckler's Hard. It has a superb view across the river.'
So he was going to be polite and take both of them to dinner, Nicola thought. She was certain Jane would dislike that intensely, for it must be rare she had to share a man's attention.
And I won't either, Nicola suddenly resolved. I'll not accept charity from him. He probably finds it amusing and may – the thought struck her with sudden blinding intensity – be using her to make Jane jealous. Possibly, for all the indications to the contrary, it was Jane who was reluctant. Maybe Robert wanted to marry her and she, divorced once, might fight shy of another marriage. After all it was mainly from Sarah Nicola had formed the impression that Jane was pursuing Robert. Paul had told her they had been lovers and might indeed still be, and there was no reason to disbelieve him and accept Sarah's opinion, especially as Sarah seemed antagonistic towards her brother and could hardly be expected to know the true position if it was as Paul had said.
Then there was what Jane herself had said about Robert's broken engagements, which seemed to be borne out by Sarah's remarks about the girl Rose. If that had been true, and Jane must know him far better than she could, there might be reasons she was not aware of why Jane might baulk at marriage.
These confusing thoughts flashed through her mind and she glanced quickly at Robert.
'Actually I need to go to Bournemouth this afternoon. There are – there are things I need. That is why I wanted the Fiat. I think I know the way now. I thought I would call on Sarah this afternoon. I – there is a programme I particularly wanted to watch this evening on television.'
'You almost never watch television,' he exclaimed, astonished.
'You don't know what I do,' she retorted. 'And I do have some shopping to do.'
'Will you come to dinner after your programme, if I call here for you on the way back?'
Why did he have to make it so difficult for her, Nicola asked herself in despair.
'I – it will make it rather too late, the programme goes on rather a long time,' she countered, praying he would not ask her what it was, for she had not the faintest idea what was on that evening.
Robert merely looked darkly at her and then frowned.
'I've told you you need not make excuses if you prefer to spend your time differently,' he said curtly.
'I'm not going out with Paul Moncrieff!' Nicola snapped.
'No, that is tomorrow, isn't it? No doubt you will prefer to visit Sarah alone then too?'
'Yes, I would,' Nicola shot back at him, and he was cold and frostily polite for the remainder of the meal.
*
Afterwards Nicola escaped as quickly as she could and spent an hour with Sarah, who protested angrily when she heard Jane was proposing to visit her.
'She only wants to come so she'll be with Robert. Until these holidays I would have been quite pleased if she had married him because then he might have been more sympathetic to me. But he has changed, I think, and she has shown her claws more. I wish it was because he is getting tired of her and she's worried,' Sarah said with a sigh.
Nicola firmly resisted the temptation to ask Sarah about her brother's former girlfriends and the broken engagements, but her hurt against Jane was too great for her to leave the topic completely. Trying to make her tone light and not resentful, she began to describe the dinner party of the previous night. She soon had Sarah chortling about how overdressed she had felt, and how the photographer had fallen asleep.
'Oh, how I'd love to have seen Jane's face,' Sarah giggled. 'But why did she invite you to her party? I didn't think she was being particularly friendly towards you.'
'She just needed an extra woman and there was no one else free,' Nicola replied quickly. 'Paul was telling me about Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard on the way there. We must go and see them when you are out of hospital. They sounded so interesting.' She thrust away the reflection that she had that very morning refused an opportunity to to go Buckler's Hard.
&nb
sp; 'There are lots of places yet. There's the Rufus Stone, where William Rufus was shot by an arrow, and the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, and when I can walk properly again, lots of special walks. There are some quite rare trees in that area. And we haven't been sailing yet. We must go to the Island. Robert will have more time when the Novice Cup is over.'
'What is this Cup? It is obviously important.'
'It's probably the major competition in the south of England for young jumpers. Many people think it is the most difficult in the whole country, and horses that do well in it are set for a good career. Most of the good breeders enter their best horses, and the studs of the winners are amongst the best afterwards even if they weren't before. Robert hasn't won it yet, but he's been third twice. This year he's sure he's got a winner in Night Demon. That's one reason he was so livid with me when I rode him. He thought I would do the wretched animal harm.'
'Does Robert ride himself in the Cup?'
'Yes, he won't trust anyone else, even Jane, and she's been in it herself a few times when she could get someone to provide her with a horse. She's good, really, and being lighter than the men has an advantage sometimes. She wanted to ride Night Demon but Robert told her ages ago he wouldn't allow it. She chose to think it was because he was concerned about her being injured, but really it's because she gets mad at the horses if they do something wrong. When Jane loses her temper she can be really vicious.'
'I would have thought your brother more likely to lose his temper,' Nicola said with a slight laugh.
'Never with the horses,' Sarah said seriously. Then she giggled. 'I'd be much more in favour with him if I were a horse.'
*
When Nicola left she wandered aimlessly round the town and bought herself a completely unnecessary pair of sandals so that she would have some proof of her supposedly urgent shopping if Robert asked. She did not wish to return to The Lodge until well after Robert had left, and delayed her return until after most of the shops had closed. She was sitting in a small café near the car park where she had left the Fiat when she heard a familiar voice. The tables were separated by high partitions and only those to the side could be seen, but Nicola was certain she had heard Jane's voice behind her.
Fires in the Forest Page 10