Impasse

by Margaret Pargeter

  Lee smiled but retreated as he walked towards her, an unmistakable smouldering in his eyes. Tossing back her beautiful mane of gleaming hair, she slanted a teasing glance at him through ridiculously long lashes. 'I've made up my mind to stun everyone tonight, and I won't be side-tracked again.'

  'Not even for…?' His glance went meaningly to the bed.

  'No,' she said firmly, but her pulse began racing with renewed excitement as she saw colour creeping under his skin and she knew they might never get anywhere unless she insisted.

  The telephone rang, settling the silent battle between them. 'Yes?' Lee answered breathlessly.

  'Lee?' Julia exclaimed, 'You don't sound yourself. Are you all right?'

  'Yes,' Lee repeated, shaking her head at Slade as he asked by gestures who it was. 'I'm coming to the party—I'm on my way.'

  'We are,' said Slade.

  'Are you talking to someone?' Julia sounded puzzled.

  'The cat. See you in a few minutes.' Lee replaced the receiver quickly.

  'You haven't a cat,' frowned Slade, as she explained who it was.

  'You remind me of a big one,' she retorted sharply. 'And if you don't like the comparison, it was your own fault for interrupting. She heard you talking and I had to say something.'

  'Try the truth next time,' he advised dryly, with no obvious compunction as her cheeks went scarlet at the very thought.

  The party was well under way when they arrived. To Lee's surprise, Slade drove round the back of the house. 'Like you, I have to change,' he smiled. 'Go in the front and find your friends. I'll join you later.'

  He was gone before she could protest, leaving Lee to wander somewhat unhappily in the direction he had indicated. He had said he was taking her to the party, but who would get that impression when she went in alone? Was that what he had intended? Again she was cruelly reminded of how impossible it was to tell what Slade was thinking. An hour ago she had believed the future looked promising. Now she wasn't so sure again.

  Fortunately she spotted Julia and Nigel as soon as she walked through the front door. They had been looking out for her and didn't mind when she joined them. Julia glanced behind Lee, as if she expected to see someone accompanying her, and, on realising she was alone, gave her a strange look.

  Lee pretended not to see. 'There's quite a crowd,' she observed.

  'A lot here,' Nigel agreed. He smiled at both girls, his gaze lingering teasingly on his beloved. 'Julia didn't know where to begin. There's dancing outside and in and a buffet or a barbecue, whatever takes your fancy, and that's just for starters!'

  'It's a wonderful house,' said Julia in a kind of hushed voice. 'If I were the Westerns, I don't think I could bear to leave it. I'm glad you were able to come, Lee. I feared you might be going down with something. Have you been here before?'

  'Once or twice. I know Mrs Western.'

  'Yes, of course you must,' exclaimed Julia. 'Isn't Matt related…? Oh, sorry!' Her gentle eyes filled with self-impatience, 'I really do have a knack of putting my foot in it, don't I? That's why you didn't want to come.'

  'Nothing of the sort,' Lee denied crisply. 'If that had been the case I wouldn't have changed my mind, would I? Neither Matt or I are suffering from broken hearts.'

  At that moment Matt appeared with a laughing Sandra hanging on his arm. Matt looked so content that Lee was suddenly sure she was speaking the truth. It was the first time he and Lee had met since she had ended their engagement, but he didn't seem like a man with a broken heart. She actually felt nonplussed by the way he seemed to be enjoying himself with Sandra.

  Where was Slade? Lee wasn't enjoying the pitying glances she was receiving and wished he would rescue her. She couldn't see him anywhere. Surely he'd had enough time to change twice over? When she spotted him talking to a group of people, she regretted having wondered. He wasn't exactly rushing to her side, and her heart began its familiar aching.

  'There's Slade over there!' exclaimed Matt. 'Everybody's been wondering where he'd got to. I was beginning to think he wasn't coming.'

  'He's been away three weeks,' Nigel told Lee, unaware that she had counted every hour.

  Numbly she nodded. Ought she to pretend she hadn't known? A moment later Slade was behind her, relieving her of making the decision. She heard him asking in the manner of a genial host, 'Everyone enjoying themselves?'

  There was a general murmur of assent and Julia and Sandra stared at him curiously. Matt introduced the girls briefly, then said carefully, 'I believe you've already met Lee?'

  'Yes.' To Lee's surprise, just as she was beginning to feel abandoned, Slade slipped a proprietorial arm around her. 'We go back a long time, don't we, Lee?'

  She glanced at him quickly, over her shoulder. He was dressed formally in a dark jacket and tie and was so handsome that she returned his smile involuntarily, but she wished he hadn't phrased his remark quite so blatantly. She didn't have to see the sudden suspicion in Matt's eyes to know it was there. Nigel was staring too, though his glance was trained more on the arm Slade had around her waist.

  'I used to work for Mrs Western,' she said quickly. Slade grinned and pulled her closer. 'My mother thought the world of her, and so did I.'

  Sandra nudged Matt, sharing his suspicious glance, and Lee felt a hint of disquiet. What was Slade thinking about? Was he playing one of his devious games, or was he trying to establish their former friendship so that any announcement they might make wouldn't cause too much surprise? Settling on the latter, for her own peace of mind, she smiled at him radiantly again when he asked her to come with him for a drink.

  Still with his arm round her, they wandered outside to the bar, which had been set up in a huge marquee. They attracted attention even in that short distance, and though she was loath to, Lee wriggled away from him. Until she was sure of Slade's motives, she didn't want to risk having people feeling sorry for her later.

  He raised a mocking brow as she put space between them. 'That's not very friendly.' 'But wiser.'

  His demoniacal brow didn't lower. 'Since when have you been noted for your wisdom, my darling?'

  His words were so taunting she shivered. 'You don't have to rub it in. As far as you're concerned, I don't think I have any.'

  She accepted a Martini. Without consulting her, Slade had asked the barman to mix it just as she liked it. While she thanked him, she was sure she wasn't imagining the slight frost in his manner. He had asked her to trust him and sensed that she still didn't.

  'Where's your mother?' As he threw back a whisky, Lee glanced around, trying to spot her.

  'You'd hardly find her in here.'

  'I know!' she resented his dryness, 'but I haven't said hello yet.'

  'You spent the day with her on the river. Surely that was enough?'

  His voice had cooled. Lee sensed his displeasure, which did nothing to dispel the things bothering her. 'Trigg Mansfield was with us. I had him for the day.'

  'While his charming parents were out enjoying themselves?'

  Lee was surprised to find herself defending them stiffly. 'George goes to London every day, but Dulcie rarely goes with him, and everyone needs to get away sometimes. There are so few people Dulcie feels she can ask to look after Trigg. Not many are keen to have him for fear of his asthma.'

  'Ah, yes,' shrugged Slade, 'I forgot about the asthma.'

  'Most people would rather forget about it!' she said angrily.

  'I'm sure not intentionally.' Frowning, he touched her heated cheek. 'Why so mad?'

  'I only get mad when people are indifferent to what's going on about them.'

  'You think I am?' He sounded hurt.

  'Unless it suits you.'

  'I never forget about you, do I?'

  His taunting tone incensed her. 'You find ways of keeping tabs on me, but I can't feel flattered.'

  Slade laughed, his eyes suddenly amused. 'Lee, my love, we shouldn't be fighting this evening, of all evenings, should we?'

  Lee coloured enchantingly at th
e intimate note in his voice, instantly diverted. 'What—what's so special about this one?' she faltered, her face suddenly glowing. Let him tell me he wants to marry me, she prayed. It wouldn't matter if he didn't love her as much as she loved him. She couldn't bear the thought of any other kind of relationship now. She wanted to be his wife!

  A wary expression on his handsome face, Slade said smoothly, 'Doesn't it seem a special night to you? This is no ordinary party, and you can't have forgotten the events leading up to it. I'll never be able to sit on a river bank and think only about the scenery again.'

  Lee thought of Paris, the Seine. He hadn't thought only of the scenery then. Helplessly she sighed. If he had read her mind, that didn't prove he was putting her off deliberately. He could hardly propose to her now, with so many people around. He must be thinking of it, though, or he wouldn't be looking at her the way he was doing? Deciding to do nothing to dampen his ardour, she smiled at him and enjoyed hearing his breath catch.

  His face darkened as their eyes met. 'For God's sake, Lee,' he said thickly, 'don't flutter your lashes at me here, unless you're prepared to take the consequences, which could be a lot more embarrassing for you than me.'

  Lee flushed and bristled. 'You wouldn't dare!'

  'Even a kiss would be enough to set tongues wagging for a month.'

  As her eyes widened, he must have felt she was sufficiently punished, for he squeezed her hand comfortingly. 'Matt doesn't seem to be suffering too badly, though he definitely didn't like my arm around you.'

  'You aren't very tactful, are you?' she sighed.

  'Cruel to be kind,' he retorted indifferently.

  'I think he's discovering a fondness for Sandra.' If there was a rueful note in her voice, Lee had no idea it was there, but there was no mistaking Slade's tight-lipped anger.

  'Regretting him already, are we?'

  She could have started another minor battle, with some justification, but she was learning restraint. Slade and she couldn't be forever at loggerheads. Yet she couldn't stop the impulsive remark that leapt to her lips. 'The only thing I ever regret is you!'

  His anger was replaced by a silky iciness which scared her even more. 'You may feel you regret the past, Lee, but when you're older…'

  'I'm older now,' she cut in.

  'And I like you better,' a little warmth returned to his eyes. 'Before, you worried me too much. Now you're more mature, you can't pretend not to know what you're doing, and I find you infinitely more satisfying.'

  Would she ever be able to read between the lines of what he was saying? She might be older, but she was in no way more competent in that respect. Lee gazed at him in confusion, not knowing what to think.

  'Are you hungry yet?' he asked, a more tolerant gleam in his eye when she was obviously silenced by his last statement.

  'No, not yet.' A few minutes ago she had been, but now her appetite seemed strangely depleted.

  Taking her half full glass, he set it aside. 'As you're neither hungry nor apparently thirsty, let's dance.'

  Wishing she had declared she was ravenous, Lee allowed herself to be guided outside again. There were people everywhere, the dance floor was crowded and Slade had to hold her very close for her own protection. Or so he said. Somehow, she wasn't sure that she wanted to be in his arms, but as soon as they closed around her, she melted into them, as always feeling part of him when he was so near.

  They circled the floor, oblivious to their surroundings, for several dances until Slade heaved a rueful sigh. 'If Lydia spends much longer trying to attract my attention unobtrusively, she's going to get in difficulties. I'd better go and see what she wants.'

  Lee felt guilty. 'You're neglecting your duties.'

  'I suppose I am,' he admitted. 'You can come and share the blame.'

  Lydia Western had a charming smile for Lee but a more reproachful one for her son. 'I've lost count of the people asking to speak to you, Slade, wondering where you are.'

  'I haven't been hiding,' he said dryly, 'but I'll circulate for half an hour, if you like, before Lee and I eat.' He added a postscript, 'Don't let Lee out of your sight.'

  'Is he frightened someone's going to run away with you?' Lydia sounded amused, but her eyes were thoughtful as they followed her son before she turned back to Lee. 'You two seem—friendlier,' she remarked tentatively.

  'Yes,' Lee replied cautiously. Mrs Western must remember the antagonism which had existed between them. It surprised Lee that she did, after so long.

  Lydia sighed and asked what she thought of the party.

  Lee congratulated her warmly and with sincere admiration for such a superb feat of organisation. 'I don't know how you've managed it.'

  'Ann Bowie is with me,' replied Lydia. 'I meant to mention it when we were on the river. She's been an enormous help.'

  Lee felt suddenly cold. The Bowies had been the cause of the trouble between herself and Slade. 'She had a son, hasn't she?' she asked nervously.

  'Ray—yes,' Mrs Western frowned. 'He went abroad a few years ago, Slade found him a job, but Ann still worries over him.'

  'I thought Slade didn't like him?' Lee exclaimed.

  'I think he didn't approve of the life the boy was leading, but Slade's bark is often worse than his bite. He certainly helped Ray a lot, once the boy was willing to listen to him.'

  They chatted for a while, relaxed as they always were in each other's company and finding plenty to talk about. When Slade returned, his mother released Lee reluctantly. 'If I don't get another chance to speak to you, dear, I'll give you a ring soon and perhaps you'll come to dinner.'

  'Ignore that,' Slade snapped tersely, almost dragging Lee towards the buffet.

  'Why?' she asked tightly, while her heart sank.

  'You won't have time.'

  She couldn't be sure that he had hesitated before he replied, or why she found his reply somewhat less than reassuring.

  Julia and Sandra were in the buffet with Nigel and Matt dancing attendance. 'We could have eaten at the barbecue,' Slade's glance followed hers across the room, 'but I knew your friends were here. Shall we join them?'

  Lee could have sworn that an hour ago he had intended carrying a trayful of food from the barbecue to some shadowed corner of the grounds, where they could be alone. Obviously he had changed his mind. Stifling a sigh of regret, she nodded.

  He was charming to Julia and Sandra, and Lee wasn't surprised that they were soon captivated. Nigel, after seeming slightly overwhelmed by Slade's presence, soon joined in the conversation, making them all laugh with his dry humour which helped to draw attention from the increasingly speculative glances Matt was throwing in their direction.

  They finished a delectable feast just in time to see the fireworks display. 'Something gave me an enormous appetite this evening,' Slade teased as the first rocket went up. 'Do you remember our three o'clock in the morning feasts?' he whispered in her ear.

  She flushed deeply and pretended to be absorbed by the explosion of multi-coloured stars in the sky, but he put a hand to her cheek and gave a satisfied chuckle at the heat he found there.

  'I don't know where Mother gets all her ideas from,' Slade mused indulgently when the display was over and they wandered in the gardens.

  'Or her energy.'

  Slade frowned. 'She hasn't as much of that as she used to have, though she wouldn't admit it. I've told her that after this she must take things easy.'

  'She was saying she could do with another secretary,' Lee remarked without thinking. 'I was surprised when she said she's never had one, since me.'

  'Don't you dare accept if she asks you again,' he commanded sharply. 'I've other plans for you.'

  Lee wondered what they were. If Slade asked her to marry him, as his wife, he surely wouldn't object if she helped his mother occasionally.

  He paused beside a tinkling fountain set in a wide pool of moon-spangled water. With green lawns, herbaceous borders, conifers and broad-leafed trees for a background, the whole effect was incredib
ly lovely. Lee thought the coloured lights in the trees gave an exotic, Japanese effect. She had once visited Japan and never forgotten the beauty of their gardens.

  Slade bent his head and kissed her lightly when she finished enthusing. 'You're the most beautiful thing around here. There isn't a man this evening who's not wishing he were in my shoes.'

  She smiled and kissed him back, reluctant to even think of other men, content to revel in the close sense of companionship she felt between them as they wandered on.

  After a while, Slade said wryly, 'I'm going to have to tear myself away for another spell of duty, but after that we can leave.'

  Back in the house, Lee told him she would look for Julia and Sandra, but before she could find them she was waylaid by other friends, and then a man whom she knew vaguely asked her to dance. From that moment she was on the floor continually. At one time, there were actually several young men queuing up to dance with her.

  It was as she finished dancing with one of them that someone carrying a brightly coloured drink bumped into her, spilling most of it over her. Amidst a flurry of embarrassed apologies, someone advised Lee to try and find some place to rinse as much of the cocktail out of her dress as she could, before it left a stain.

  Thinking it might be the best thing to do, with some of her skirt sticking to her like glue, Lee hurried upstairs. Remembering where the bathrooms were, she ran past the first, which someone was using, into the second. She bolted the door as she decided it would be easier to remove the stain if she took her dress off, but she needn't have bothered, for the bathroom was well along the corridor, and no one else came.

  The operation completed successfully, Less hastily tidied herself, and she hadn't taken more than two steps back along the corridor when Slade pounced on her.

  'Where the devil have you been?' he snapped.

  Lee shrank from the black rage in his eyes, but before she could defend herself he added furiously, 'Not content to flirt with every man who comes near you, you start poking around up here!'

  'I wasn't flirting with other men,' she choked, feeling incredibly hurt. 'You shouldn't misconstrue being ordinarily pleasant…'