by Margaret Way
'Stop it!' he said pretty forcefully, but quiet, 'or I'll abandon the rest of the afternoon just to see that you do.'
'I'd say no.'
'You'd say no! You said it yourself, Jaime, I could fashion you into anything I want.'
In her heart she knew this was true, and if it was true then she loved him. He was now an integral part of her. To have come so far in so short a time! One would have to believe Shakespeare. She had been marked out from the beginning to love Quinn Sterling. The tears came into her eyes, making them glitter like gemstones.
'Jaime!' he lingered over her name as though he loved her too, which was impossible. 'I swear if you cry, I'll just pick you up and walk out of here.'
'What about all these people ?'
'They wouldn't stop me.'
'I don't suppose they would. I think I'm a little sick with you, Quinn,' she confessed with complete self-abandonment.
'Don't despair, you'll get over it.'
'Is it so obvious?'
'These things are always mutual, Jaime. Do you think I can forget the sweet taste of your mouth? I don't delude myself about things like that, but you're just a child starting out and I'm determined to give you a start. If you've got any sense at all you'll tell me your other news.'
'It's about Derry,' she said, trying to concentrate. 'I rang him the other night. May I have another glass of wine, Quinn?'
'No. Go on.' He relented slightly and half filled the tulip-shaped goblet. 'You speak of him as though you're the parent.'
'I have a very responsible nature.'
'Yes,' he considered. 'In a lot of ways you're very mature for your age.'
'But not mature enough?'
'I regret it as much as you do, but cradle-snatching isn't in my line.'
'Then I'll tell you about Derry. He has a showing coming up in December. He's well and he misses me, and he's getting married again.'
'Good God! I thought you said that would never happen?'
'I may be a lot simpler than I thought. In fact it looks very much like it. Derry has decided he can't do without household help, or so he told me, and he doesn't see me coming back.' ! 'Tavia?' he asked simply.
'I believed so myself, but no. Her name is Gayle and she's seven years older than I am.'
'Then you'll be delighted to meet her.'
'No,' she said firmly.
'Too much of a surprise?'
'It shouldn't be, but it is.'
Quinn regarded her for some little time. She looked faintly disconsolate and he felt an unaccustomed, betraying tenderness. Her hair fell like thick silk on to her shoulders and her small elegant features had a rare delicacy and strength intermingled. Perhaps it was the expression more than anything, the intelligence and character that shone from her eyes. She had appointed herself her father's keeper and she had taken the job seriously. Now she appeared to be blaming herself for her father's suspected aberration. His voice when he spoke was cool and impassive, on neither side.
'Your father is a very attractive man, Jaime. He has charm and talent. I'm sure he could have made more of a mark in the art world had he really tried.'
'I know he could,' Jaime said sadly, 'but he's incurably lazy.'
'Gayle might help there. I know you find it hard to comprehend, but sometimes a wife can accomplish far more than tie most conscientious daughter. For example, Gayle may have a child. Raising a family takes money.'
'Not much was spent on me,' she pointed out.
'And you've done nicely enough without. Aren't you happy for him?'
'Of course I am! I just hope he's doing the right thing.'
'Naturally, but a young wife might be particularly pleasant.'
'What a pity he's not like you!' she said faintly caustically.
'Shame on you, Jaime!' he said solemnly. 'You scratch nicely when you're brushed up the wrong way.'
'It's ironical, though, isn't it?'
'It's life. Don't worry, Jaime, your father has always fallen on his feet and will continue to do so until the end of his days. Some people have that gift.'
'Then I'm happy, arid I hope he makes Gayle happy too.'
'She does have the whip hand. She's young. Your father will put himself out to keep her.'
'If I was really honest I'd say I was a little hurt,' she admitted.
'Your honesty, Jaime, makes you a very interesting person. As well you're beautiful and you're generous. You'll attend your father's wedding happily. I'm only hoping for an invitation.'
'I'm sure you'll get one—he sent his kindest regards. None to Grandfather and not a mention of the rest of them. There's no love lost there.' She glanced up and caught sight of a small group of people coming into the restaurant. Two of them she knew. 'I thought you said this place was quiet?'
'And it isn't?'
'Leigh and a friend just came in. They're heading this way, quite unmindful of Carlo's directions.'
'A stroke of unlooked-for bad luck. Don't panic, Jaime. No one is going to attack you when I'm around.'
'Possibly, I wouldn't know. Leigh is kind of gone on you, isn't she?'
'A wreck.' His black eyes wandered over her. 'I've just had a brainwave. As a kind of cover would you consider getting engaged to me?'
'The best plan in the world!' she said absently, used to his amiable nonsense.
'When do you think we should announce it?'
'Why not now?'
'Right!' he said with rapier-sharp alertness, one black eyebrow lifting in appraisal. 'And I couldn't have chosen a more dazzling fiancée, a little on the young side, though I'd be the last man to hold such a child to her promise. Think , of it as temporary protection for both of us.'
Something in his tone made her look away from the advancing party and right into his sparkling black eyes. 'Quinn?' she asked distractedly, her breath catching.
'Leave it to me,' he said firmly. 'I've got your very best interests at heart, not to mention my own. Ah, Leigh, Carolyn!' He stood up suavely, the most charming false smile on his chiselled mouth.
'Why, hello there!' Both girls stopped at the table, Leigh acknowledging her cousin with a gleaming gaze, Carolyn smiling, enjoying every moment. Both of them looked directly back at Quinn, intensely handsome with a magnetism no woman could fail to recognise. 'And what are you two doing here?' Leigh demanded, tossing her blonde head.
'Shall we?' Quinn asked, capturing Jaime's distracted gaze.
She sat there, speechless and completely unresolved. Had he gone mad? He had, for he began to explain himself to the two girls. 'Actually, Leigh, Carolyn, you interrupted an extremely tender moment. You know my fiancée. You must admit she's beautiful—and clever, which isn't strictly necessary.'
An earthquake couldn't have rocked them more. Leigh visibly lost colour, and her hand went to her throat as though her white jade pendant was choking her. 'You're joking!' she said, wildly in need of reassurance. 'I know how you like to throw people into an uproar!'
'Call it what you like,' he said pleasantly, 'but Jaime and I are unofficially engaged.'
'You can't possibly mean it.'
'The announcement will be made in a day or two.'
'No!'
'I'd say yes!' Carolyn contradicted her friend dryly.
'Have you told anyone else? Grandfather?' Leigh said desperately, a kind of venom creeping in.
'Not as yet,' Quinn answered for the unnaturally silent Jaime.
'You should have found out first if it was all right with him,' Leigh persisted.
'We'll call him later on and ask. Jaime, darling, I don't like to hurry you, but I'm due back at the office. We'll skip coffee if it's all right with you.'
'As long as you make it up to me this evening,' she managed, falling back on her experience with the school dramatic society.
'Harping already?' he responded. 'What a wife you'll make!'
Leigh couldn't smile, couldn't speak. And Jaime felt her heart move out in pity. She was genuinely sorry to see her cousin so stricken
. None of this was really penetrating her own mind; Quinn was a skilled manipulator of people, but surely he didn't have to go to extremes? If he was setting a trap to catch her, she had fallen right in. On the other hand, it was reasonable to believe that he was acting for the best. A fiancé was an acceptable guarantor in a business project.
They were all on their feet now, with Leigh looking like a witness to some appalling disaster, yet she kept doggedly on. 'I won't congratulate you,' she said in a throttled voice, her eyes on Quinn's face, 'because you're making a frightful mistake!'
'Please, Leigh!' Carolyn said, seizing her friend's hand.
'Do go on!' Quinn nodded his arrogant dark head, not in the least sorry for her.
Leigh responded, her lips scarcely moving, seeing and hearing no one but Quinn. 'You can't!' she said pathetically. 'It's not possible. You're up to something as usual. You spend your entire life trying to outflank and outmanoeuvre everyone.'
'Don't be absurd, Leigh,' he said dryly, 'I don't try. It really works.'
'My God, and you know how I feel about you!'
'Please, Leigh, no scenes here!' Carolyn begged. 'There are people we know here.'
'There could be millions for all I care!' Leigh threatened, her pale green eyes flaming!
'Perhaps,' Quinn said gently, 'your mother might. I can't see all that clearly, but two of her dearest friends are over there. You missed them on the way through.'
'You did this!' Leigh transferred her burning acid glance to Jaime, her face working.
'No, Leigh.'
'For heaven's sake,' Carolyn gritted, 'we aren't children. There's no need for a brawl.'
'Yes, and if you don't move Leigh along it would get worse,' Quinn warned her gently. 'It's strange, but I thought you would be pleased.'
Leigh's eyes were seeing him again and Carolyn suddenly got her hand under her friend's arm with such strength and determination that Leigh found herself being borne away against her will.
'What a pity!' Quinn murmured. 'I'd like to have heard the rest.' He took several notes from his wallet and placed them on the table, weighing the edges down with a bread and butter plate.
Jaime watched him, unable to match his poise but feeling she had to pass a remark. 'You're cruel!' she whispered.
'What was that?'
'I said you're cruel.'
'So I am,' he agreed brightly, taking her by the arm and steering her towards the door. 'I should have damned well got engaged to Leigh or even Sue. It just so happens I chanced on you.'
'You're insensitive,' she continued, low-voiced, staring straight in front of her. 'To choose this moment. You know she loves you.'
'Rubbish!' he said violently.
'Well, she thinks she does, and no one told her not to. It's unbelievable!'
He said nothing until they were well clear of the restaurant, the full sunshine beating down on their heads. Then he looked at her in a hard and controlled way. 'Stop acting like your cousin, Jaime; or I'll break off our engagement.'
'I can't see how you can,' she retaliated instantly. 'I'll sue you. Breach of promise.'
'That's my girl! That kind of thing is important.'
'It has to be!'
'It so happens I think we'll enjoy it.'
'And when it's all over?'
'You'll be a much better girl for it.'
'So you say!' she said dryly, her heart fluttering.
'Anyway, I think I know what's in your mind.'
'Do tell me,' he invited, and looked so easy and relaxed that she really wondered.
'I somehow fit into your plans,' she suggested rapidly. 'I mean, I'm useful to you.'
'I thought it was the other way round, but never mind. I certainly desire you, Jaime.'
'Not that!' she said, her head spinning. 'And don't you dare laugh. I feel giddy.'
'The wine. I did try to stop you. The thing is, I do need you, Jaime. You do fit into my plans and yes, I won't deny it. You're so shrewd you see through me.'
'And it was all premeditated?' she persisted.
'No, more of a spur-of-the-moment thing. For all we know you could head a multi-million dollar fashion house some time in the foreseeable future. That's what you want, isn't it? A fiancé seems a small price to pay.'
'I want to put Australia on the map,' she said with a glorious vision. 'I want to dress my own countrywomen superlatively well. Maybe our children too. I have great ideas for the kids as well.'
'Bravo! There you are, Jaime,' he said, resonantly congratulating her, 'and they don't call me a tycoon for nothing either. Why, a girl like you could go zoom to the top and I'm going to be there when you arrive.'
'And that's all there is to it?' She was so giddy that she couldn't for the life of her see how she would get home.
He smiled. 'Must we discuss this in broad daylight? I'm seeing you tonight, aren't I? I'll call at Falconer and confront the Old Man. The rest don't matter.'
'It should be an eventful evening,' she said vaguely. 'Just don't drink anything Sue-Ellen might pass you.'
'It's comical, isn't it?' he asked charmingly. 'Three beautiful girls all anxious to marry me.'
'Two,' she corrected sharply. 'I'm not marrying anyone for years yet. I'll be much too busy. I mightn't even marry at all.'
'I know exactly how you feel.' His tone was warm and sympathetic. 'Just don't leave it until that shining black hair turns a nondescript grey.'
'Not these days,' she said, reacting seriously. 'No one need put up with a single diabolical strand.'
'Just be quiet for a moment, would you? My own head is starting to whirl.' He was regarding her closely, then he suddenly caught her shoulders and almost turned her into his arms. 'By the time you get home you'll find the glad tidings have gone before you. Not all the angels are in heaven. I'll tell you what I'm going to do now. I'm going to drop you off at my unit and you can spend an hour or so there. You'll be quite alone and there should be plenty to interest you. No doubt you'll want to suggest a few telling changes, curtains and slip covers and so forth. Take a cab home at about four. I'll give you the money ...'
'I don't want it!'
'Will you be? When you get there, just keep saying Quinn will be calling this evening. Got it?'
'Got it!' she said like an automaton. 'Quinn will be calling this evening. Where are we going, by the way?'
'Do I detect a definite pick-up of interest? I think we'll have dinner with Grandmamma. Rosemount isn't Falconer, but I like it a whole lot better.'
'Rosemount is beautiful.'
'My grandmother is content with it. She won't hear of any improvements or changes. The house speaks to her of the old days, happier times. I can't think of many myself.'
'Maybe you're neurotic?' she suggested.
'Oh, I love that!'
'A very smart neurotic, self-sufficient and secure, but complex nevertheless!' She looked at him, her beautiful thoughtful eyes on his face. 'Are you going to tell your grandmother of the master plan? I couldn't bear to deceive her or Grandfather. I've become very fond of him. He's my grandfather whatever he's done, and he's done a lot of good as well as pulling a few people down.'
'He has, you know.'
'Done a lot of good?'
'Forget it. Don't take any notice!' Quinn's face was intensely alive, darkly, vividly handsome, the sombre look completely dispelled. 'Surely you're content to be engaged to me for a while? I assure you I'll act the part.'
'The point is, I don't want you to!'
'You haven't yet mastered the outright lie. We do not propose to deceive anyone Jaime. We are getting engaged, and who knows, by the time you're ready to consider marriage I might have sufficient life in me to consider it myself. That way we won't break up what I'm sure will be a most promising and rewarding business relationship.'
His hand had fallen on her shoulder and she twisted her head up to him. 'You're an expert at this kind of thing.'
'Yes, I am. Anyway, Jaime, at this particular point of time, I don't thi
nk you could survive in the cruel world without me. I represent protection for the working girl, and believe me you need it. Your father is too far away and content to stay there and your grandfather is beginning to die right in front of our eyes. It's not necessary to mention your other relations. One other thing,' he said coolly, 'you may take it as gospel that I won't attempt to seduce you.'
'I couldn't be tempted,' she said, shocked so much that the words left her throat with a stammer.
'We'll debate that at a later date. Just when I'm ready to kiss that petal-smooth mouth.'
'A kiss is not consummation.'
'No, but can't you see where it could lead? Anyway, Jaime, we have an agreement.'
'Until it's broken,' she amended.
'I happen to want to stick to it. I swear I only wish to cherish and respect you, little Miss Teen.'
She gave a muffled little sound that could have been interpreted as outrage. 'I don't care a damn about that. I'm determined to match you.'
'Thank you, Jaime,' he drawled, his brilliant gaze very lazy and misleading.
'It wasn't a compliment.'
'Yes, it was. You know it was. You're half way to being in love with me already.'
'I must be if you say so.'
'Get in the car like a good girl,' he said crisply, 'I can't stand around talking nonsense all day. I'm like a general, I always have to be around for briefings!'
'You're brilliant!' she said, trying to bury her sparkling female antagonism.
'I expect you're quite right.' He almost pushed her into the car, and she had to clench the dashboard to prevent herself from hitting him.
'Come, come!' he said, and caught her fist. 'That's no way for a fiancée to act.'
'I'm wishing I'd denied it.'
'No chance of that!' he said softly. 'You're right up to your neck. Who else is there to back you in Just Jaime?'
'That's a great name!' she burst out involuntarily, her violet eyes dilating.
'And it's part of the deal.'
His dark face was very close to her and unconsciously she brought up her hand and touched her mouth in concentration, as if the feel of his mouth was engraved upon it. It proved fatal, for he bent his head swiftly and covered her mouth with his own. 'Does that solve the mystery?'
Lights seemed to be dancing all around his head and she couldn't tell if she was showing, the tumultuous shock of feeling she was experiencing. 'You scare me,' she said truthfully. 'I shouldn't have expected no strings to be attached.'