'Libby? What the hell's the matter with you? You look like death warmed up.'
'Thanks,' she said dryly. 'That makes me feel a lot better! You're a real tonic, Jeremy, do you know that?'
'Sorry,' he said, sitting down and reaching for the coffee pot. 'Didn't mean to sound quite so unflattering, but you do look a bit washed out. What is it? And where's Keir?'
'Still in bed,' Libby told him, and then sighed as a look of amused comprehension spread over Jeremy's face. 'And you needn't look like that! It's not like that at all. At least-' She caught herself up as Jeremy's grin grew wider. 'Jeremy, it's not funny. Keir had a phone call last night. From Pia. She's coming here.'
'Pia is?' Jeremy whistled softly. 'Well, I guess that's enough to keep anyone awake at nights! What was his reaction?'
Libby shrugged. 'He didn't know who she was. Didn't seem to react at all. I had to tell him.'
'You did? Well, I suppose you hadn't much choice.' Jeremy frowned. 'And then what? Did he have any memory at all?'
'No. He said it was like being told about a previous incarnation. But well, you know how he is about me.
He still thinks he's in love with me and this Contessa isn't going to make any difference.' Libby raised troubled grey eyes to Jeremy's face. 'But she is, isn't she? Keir must have loved her, too. How is be going to feel when he sees her again? It might all come back-and then he'll hate me all over again.' Her voice shook. 'And I don't think I can bear to be here when that happens, Jeremy.'
'No, I can see that.' Jeremy sucked in his lips. 'Not an easy situation for anyone, is it? Even Pia--coming here expecting God knows what. If only we knew what the situation was between them before Keir left'
Rome. But Pia's the only one who knows that, and she's the one person we can't ask.' He shook his head. 'Did she say when she’d be arriving?'
'I'm not sure. Keir didn't say.'
'Well, I guess-' Jeremy broke off as they heard sounds from inside the flat, and they both turned to see Keir coming through the big glass door, dressed in his towelling robe and rubbing his tousled hair.
'Oh, there you are, Libby,' he said. 'I've been looking for you everywhere. I woke up and you were gone-why didn't-' He caught sight of Jeremy and stopped, and Libby felt her face flame as she saw Jeremy's mouth twitch again. Well, there wasn't much use in denying what he obviously-and quite naturally thought. She got up and went past Keir to fetch another mug. Perhaps Keir could do some explaining for a change.
She didn't know, when she came back, whether he had done so or not. The two men were sitting at the table talking in low voices, and when she walked through the door they broke off quickly and turned towards her almost guiltily.
'Jeremy's been telling me about Pia,' Keir said, and there was an odd note, almost an apology, in his voice. 'It's more or less as you said, Libby-not much more to it. So we're no further forward, I'm afraid.
'And you don't know when she's coming?' Libby asked, pouring coffee.
Keir shrugged. 'No idea. She simply said-as far as I remember, I wasn't paying too much attention at the time-that she was coming and would be with me soon.' He glanced at Jeremy with something like desperation. 'I suppose I'll have to meet her, but I don't even know what she looks like. You'll have to come with me, Jeremy. At least you know tier.'
'Can't see that exactly being welcomed,' Jeremy remarked, 'but I suppose you're right. You know, this whole thing is getting crazier and crazier. I never realised a lost memory could cause so much trouble.'
'Well, at least it can't cause much more than this,' Keir said gloomily, drinking his coffee and staring out to sea.
Libby looked at him. He was looking tired now, and older than he had when she had watched him sleeping. She hoped he was right in saying that there couldn't be much more trouble to come-but she had an uneasy feeling that he might be wrong.
'Look,' she said, making up her mind, 'wouldn't it be better if I made myself scarce? It's going to be bad enough for you, Keir, meeting this Contessa, without me being on the scene. I think I'd better go-into Valletta, perhaps, or even back to England. I-'
'Go?' Keir raised his head and stared at her. 'Go? Libby, you can't mean it. When I need you more than ever before? You can't run out on me now.'
'But how do I know you need me?' Libby asked. Out of the corner of her eye she was aware of Jeremy, getting up quietly and leaving them together, and was grateful for his diplomacy. 'You may not need me at all-you may see Pia and remember everything, including the fact that you hate me.' She couldn't help her voice trembling as she said that; now, more than ever, she knew how badly she needed Keir to love her, not hate her. 'Keir, it can only make things worse if I'm here. Let me go, at least until you know where you are-'
'I know where I am now,' he broke. in. 'With the girl I love. And that isn't any Italian Contessa, it's you.
Haven't you got that into that stubborn little head of yours yet? Just what do I have to do to prove it to you?'
'You don't have to do anything,' Libby told him through a shine of tears. 'I believe you, Keir, but I can't forget that your mind is still back on Dartmoor, two years ago. I believed you then, too-and then it all changed. It could change again, don't you see? And you've loved Pia since that time. How can I be sure, how can you be sure, that you won't love her again?'
'Because I never did love her!' Keir exclaimed in exasperation. 'Libby, I couldn't have loved her-I've loved you all the time. Whatever there was between me and Pia, It was never real, not like you and I had between us. God, I'd lost you, hadn't I-I hadn't seen you for what, a year, eighteen months-I didn't expect ever to see you again. Do you expect me to have lived like a monk all that time? For the rest of my life?
But that didn't mean I was going to love any other woman. It was something completely separate. '
Libby gazed at him. It could all be true. But there was no way she could be sure-until Pia herself had arrived and made the situation clear.
'I still think I ought to go,' she said stubbornly. 'All right, I won't leave Malta, but I can't stay in this flat.
What is she going to think if she finds me here?'
'She won't think anything,' Keir said flatly, 'because I shall tell her. I shall tell her about you and what-'
'Keir, you can't!' Libby was beginning to feel almost sorry for the Contessa, arriving to so many shocks.
She tried to imagine herself in the other girl's place. 'Look, whatever you feel about her, she may genuinely love you. Haven't you thought of that? Don't be too cruel, Keir.'
I must be mad, she thought miserably. I love Keir, and he says he loves me, yet here I am doing all I can to push him into another woman's arms. I'm crazy, I just have to be.
Well, there was a limit to how altruistic anyone could be, and she certainly wasn't going to try much harder. But, almost to her disappointment, Keir didn't push her any further. He stared out down the valley towards the sea where the gaily-painted little boats were carrying more loads of tourists to see the beauties of the Blue Grotto, and said no more. He seemed almost to forget that Libby was there, and after a few moments she got up and went quietly back into the flat.
Jeremy was in the kitchen, making a sandwich from a fresh Maltese loaf he must have brought with him, and some ham. He turned enquiringly as Libby came in, and she sat down wearily at the table.
'He insists she means nothing to him,' she reported. 'But we can't be sure of that, can we? Jeremy, I just don't know how to cope. He won't let me go back to England, doesn't even want me to move out of the flat. It's going to be an impossible situation for all of us. I just don't know what to do!'
Jeremy eyed her thoughtfully. 'What do you want to
do? I mean, what would you do if there were no complications?'
'If Keir hadn't lost his memory, you mean?' Libby shrugged. 'Well, if he wanted me I'd marry him. But then, he probably wouldn't want me-in fact, I'm sure he wouldn't or he'd have come for me before.'
'Unless he was equally sure you wouldn'
t want him.
All right, let's suppose that he did remember everything, and still wanted you. What would you do then?'
'Whatever he wanted,' Libby said simply. 'It was my fault, you know, that we broke up. I-I blamed Keir for something that happened-my father dying. I was upset and overwrought, and my mother was so bitter, that I sent him away. It was all totally unfair and Keir was quite justified in never wanting to see me again.
And he's going to feel like that again, when he remembers. That's why I wanted to tell him the truth-and now, I wish I had!' She covered her face with her hands, feeling the hopelessness of the situation like a deep, dark well into which she was being dragged.
Jeremy was silent. He finished making his sandwich, but he didn't eat it. Instead, he stood looking down into the road, watching the Maltese women who stood in chattering groups on the corner. The sound of their voices rose into the kitchen, a cheerful hubbub that seemed worlds away from the despair that Libby was feeling.
'I really think I'd better go,' she said in a low voice. 'I just don't want to be here when Pia arrives, Jeremy. I don't want to see the look on Keir's face when they meet.'
'I'm sorry, Libby,' Jeremy said, his voice oddly quiet. 'I think you've left it too late. There's a car drawing up outside-and if I'm not very much mistaken, that's Pia herself, getting out of it.' He turned and faced Libby, his brown eyes grave. 'Try not to worry, Libby, I'll be here if you need anyone to tum to. But you're going to have to face it.' He put both hands on her shoulders and gave her a quick, firm kiss. 'All I can say now is-good luck!'
He went swiftly through the flat to warn Keir, and Libby stared after him before going to the window herself to look down. The woman below was just paying off a taxi, and Libby could see little more than the top of her head. And then she turned and glanced around her, looking up at the flats, and Libby gasped and drew back.
Good luck! She was going to need more than luck if she hoped to keep Keir's love in the face of this girl's opposition. She was just about the most beautiful woman Libby had ever seen. And she didn't look likely to be thwarted by a dark-haired little English girl. The Italian Contessa looked the kind of woman who got what she wanted-every time.
CHAPTER SEVEN
PIA had evidently known just which of the flats was Keir's, and she was at the door before any of them could go down to meet her. Libby, still frozen in the kitchen, heard the bell chime and then footsteps going through the hall. The door opened and there was a murmur of voices, and she closed her eyes, wondering just how Keir was feeling as he saw the woman he had lived with and now did not remember.
'Libby,' said a soft voice, and her eyes flew open. She stared dazedly at Keir, who hadn't gone to the door after all, but was standing close to her in the kitchen. It must have been Jeremy who had gone to let Pia in . . . Her eyes were wide, almost silver as she looked up at Keir. Oh, if only she'd left days ago! This was a situation she just couldn't cope with.
'Go on, Keir,' she said, trying to keep her voice steady. 'You've got a visitor. Don't skulk out in the kitchen and keep her waiting.'
He glanced down expressively at the towelling robe that, was his only covering, and Libby added with a bitterness that surprised them both: 'You needn't worry. I'm sure she's seen you like that plenty of times!'
She saw his lips tighten at that, and felt sorry at once.
It wasn't Keir's fault that this situation had arisen. But before she could speak, he turned away and she knew by the set of his back that she had touched a raw nerve. And then the murmur of voices became louder, and Jeremy appeared in the doorway.
'Pia's here, Keir,' he said quietly. 'She's out on the balcony. Will you come?'
Keir shook his head decisively. 'Not until I've showered and dressed,' he said, and Libby realised that he was nervous of this strange reunion. 'Give her some coffee, Jeremy, will you, and-and talk to her.' He glanced uncertainly at Libby and she waited for him to suggest that she too went out to keep his mistress ex-mistress company. But he didn't, he just shrugged helplessly and once again she felt sorry for the position he was in.
'I'll go out,' she said quickly. 'No, Jeremy, I can only be an embarrassment. I'll catch the bus into Valletta and do some shopping. I've been wanting the chance to have another look around there.'
But none of them was allowed to carry out these plans, for at that moment a shadow fell across the doorway and a husky voice broke in on their words. Pia had evidently grown tired of waiting-and had come to look for Keir herself.
'So this is where you hide yourself, carol' she said, and the three of them looked round, startled and confused. Pia, however, was completely in command. Tall, with a voluptuous figure that narrowed in to a tiny waist, she surveyed them through deep violet eyes under a mass of rich, bronze hair that fell in shining waves past her bare shoulders. A smile hovered round her full lips and Libby saw small white teeth catch provocatively at the lower lip before she spoke again. 'Keir, why are you lurking in a corner like this? Aren't you pleased to see me?'
Keir moved slowly forward. He was looking at her and Libby felt a stab of fear. Had he already remembered? Did he recognise Pia as the woman whose palazzo he had shared-as the woman he loved? But his sapphire eyes, although intent, gave away nothing.
Pia seemed to have no inhibitions, but perhaps Jeremy hadn't had time to explain the situation. She moved forward to meet Keir, her body graceful and sensuous as she raised her arms to link them behind his head and pressed her curves lightly against his body. She was almost as tall as he was, and her lips touched his with only a slight raising of her body on her toes. For what seemed an age, they stood together, lips meeting, and Libby turned away, unable to watch. Then Pia dropped lightly back and her voice was cool as she said: 'Not pleased to see me after all, caro? That was not the kiss I expected after so many weeks apart. Or perhaps-' she flicked a glance over Jeremy and Libby '-perhaps you prefer more privacy for our first meeting. Send them away-Jeremy and your maid.'
'Maid?' Keir exclaimed, and Libby felt the colour flood into her face. Surely he wasn't going to tell Pia the whole story now - here in the crowded little kitchen. He evidently realised what she was thinking and his lips twitched. 'All right, Pia. Let's go back to the balcony and you can tell me about your journey. Where have you come from, what have you been doing?' He was searching for clues; Libby realised, and thought how difficult this must be for him. Hadn't Jeremy told Pia anything?
Pia's delicate brows crinkled with doubt as she looked at Keir.,she put out a hand and drew her fingertips slowly down the towelling sleeve of his robe, then slid them up inside over his skin. Libby saw him shiver slightly. He would never be able to resist this woman, she thought desolately. Even if he didn't remember her, the Contessa would win him all over again with ease; she knew all the tricks, and Libby had to admit that as a couple they were perfectly matched.
'Poor Keir,' Pia said softly in her throaty voice. 'Jeremy told me that you had had an accident and couldn't always remember things. But you will be all right now, caro mio. I will help you to remember. How could you forget the happiness we shared? It will all come back, I promise you. '
Her hand still on his wrist inside the loose sleeve, she drew him through the door; and as she turned, she gave Libby a flashing glance. 'Make some fresh coffee, will you?' she commanded. 'And bring out some orange juice, freshly squeezed, and something to eat. I have been travelling and I am hungry.'
Libby took a breath, but Keir gave her a warning glance and she subsided. He had promised to tell Pia the truth, and she could only hope that he would. She forgot that she had been on the verge of feeling sorry for the unknown Contessa. That had been before she saw her. Now, she knew that Pia needed nobody else to fight her battles. She could look after herself-no matter who else got hurt in the process. .
'Well?' Jeremy murmured in her ear. 'What are you waiting for? Coffee, the lady ordered. And orange juice. And "something to eat". Aren't you going to get on with it?'
Libby lo
oked at him witheringly. 'No, I'm not,' she said in a terse voice. 'That woman's just trying to put me down. She knows full well I'm not a maid, she's just asserting her own superiority. She can make her own coffee and squeeze her own oranges-I'm not waiting on her!'
Jeremy grinned. 'Well said,' he approved. 'I see you have the same view of the beautiful Contessa as I have. I won't make her any coffee, either. Although, as Keir's employee, I suppose she has more right to expect me to do it.'
Libby wandered over to the window and stared down.
The taxi had gone, and so had the chattering women.
The street was deserted, hot and empty in the late morning sun. She wondered what would happen next, and what she ought to do. She could go back to the balcony, of course-but she just couldn't face Pia again, and her blatant attempts to attract Keir.
Well, she wouldn't have to try for very long, Libby thought. She was clearly experienced with men, and with Keir in particular. She would know just what had attracted him before, and a repeat performance would be no trouble at all.
She went back to her own room and stood there, undecided. Through the open window came the murmur of voices-Keir and Pia, on the balcony. Tension gripped her body like a cramp, and she sat down on the bed, hands clasped together. The whole situation was impossible! How could she stay here now? Pia had brought suitcases, though Libby doubted whether the Contessa had carried them to the flat herself.
But she evidently meant to stay and although there was another bedroom, Libby didn't think Pia would expect to use it. No, there just wasn't room for three of them, and Libby didn't have much hope that her being on the spot first would give her precedence-in Pia's eyes, at least.
She got up and moved over to the window. Why shouldn't it, she thought suddenly? Why shouldn't her presence here be as important as Pia's arrival? She was the one Keir remembered and believed himself to be in love with; she was the one he wanted, at the moment anyway. You've got all the cards in your hand, she told herself sternly. Surely you're not going to throw them down on the table and leave the game! Get out there and fight!
Microsoft Word - rooted sorrow.doc Page 11