'Not long now,' Maisie assured her.
Eve nodded, tingling with the anticipation of seeing Bart again. 'I think I'll just go and finish my wash.'
'Take this with you.' Maisie poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her.
'Thanks,' she smiled gratefully.
It didn't take her long to wash and tidy her appearance. She added a light make-up, remembering that Bart disliked the heavy make-up she wore on stage as much as she did. Her eyes glowed, and there was a slight flush to her cheeks. She looked like a woman in love, and surely Bart would see that when he returned. Maisie had put the souffle in the oven when she rejoined her, and the two of them sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee together. Eve refused any idea of food.
The lunch would be ready soon enough. Besides, she was too keyed up to eat at the moment.
'I hope Adam wasn't offended by my hurried departure last night.' She knew the subject had to be brought up, much as it embarrassed her.
'He wasn't offended at all,' his mother dismissed. "He understands that you're here to be with Bart—'
'Oh, but I'm not! I mean---' Eve blushed uncomfortably as she realised how ridiculous her denial must sound in the light of what Maisie had seen last night. 'It isn't like that, Maisie,' she said lamely.
'So Bart told me before he left this morning. In a fine old temper he was too,' She eyed Eve questioningly, knowing she must have something to do with his bad mood.
'Like you said, he's tired and overworked,' Eve evaded.
'That he is, and sleepless nights don't help either.'
'Sleepless----? Oh, I'm sure he slept, Maisie.' For a couple of hours at least! After the way they had parted she wasn't so sure about later, but earlier in the study he had slept soundlessly. The housekeeper stood up to remove their empty cups. 'Not when he's woken up by noisy telephone calls in the middle of the night he doesn't,' she tutted her disapproval, whether just of late night calls or of telephones in general Eve wasn't sure. ' She frowned her puzzlement. 'Bart had a telephone call during the night?' It would explain the ringing she had heard.
'From Australia!' Maisie snorted. 'No respect for people trying to sleep.'
'I don't suppose they realised---'
'Oh, they realised all right. But it was urgent, they said. So urgent that Bart's had to go rushing over there this morning.'
Eve felt as if all the colour had left her cheeks. 'Bart's in Australia?' she asked weakly.
'Well, not yet he isn't,' Maisie teased. 'But he will be. And I pity whoever is waiting for him at the other end, his temper isn't likely to have been improved by that long flight. He hates flying at the best of times, says it bores him to death.'
Eve could imagine that such a dynamic man would find lengthy inactivity rather irksome. But all she could think of at that moment was that she wouldn't be able to talk to Bart after all, to tell him she loved him.
'I—Do you have any idea when he'll be back?'
Maisie shook her head. 'I doubt he knows himself. If he could have got hold of Sean Stevens this morning I think he would have wrung his neck.'
That sounded like Bart. 'His ex-assistant had something to do with Bart having to leave so suddenly?’
'Been up to his tricks over there too. Bart put him in charge over there for three months last year. They've just discovered his fiddling of the books.'
Embezzling, Bart had called it, but she realised Maisie was too down-to-earth to call it anything but what it was. 'So he could be gone for weeks?' she said in dismay.
'I really have no idea,' she was told regretfully. 'He did say he would call you, though,' Maisie added encouragingly.
'He did?' Eve's expression brightened.
'Mm. But he didn't say when.'
'Oh.'
'I'm really sorry, dear,' Maisie sympathised. 'But I'm sure he'll call you soon.'
She didn't expect a call that night, he wouldn't even have arrived yet, let alone thought about telephoning her. She barely slept, wishing the hours away until morning. Bart wouldn't call her here when he knew it was tight-time. He didn't call the next day either, or the day after that, his call finally coming on the third day, three days when Eve had lived only for the ringing of the telephone.
And she had to go and miss his call when it finally came! Maisie had been trying to persuade her to let Adam at least take her out for a drive, but she kept refusing. Until the day of Bart's telephone call! She had been so depressed with staying in all the time, frightened to move away from the telephone, that when Adam suggested driving her to the coast she had readily agreed.
She felt like crying when she returned and Maisie told her Bart had called while she was out. The day hadn't been a success anyway. Heavy fain prevented her from going on to the beach, and missing talking to Bart just about finished her.
Her eyes filled with tears before she turned hastily away and ran up the stairs to her bedroom.
'Come on, now,' Maisie gently chided as she came into the room, sitting down beside Eve's prone body on the bed.
'He'll call again, I'm sure of it.'
Eve looked up with tear-drenched eyes. 'Do you really think so?' she sniffed.
‘Yes, really. Here,' Maisie handed her a tissue. 'Now come down and eat your dinner, or I'll be in trouble when Bart gets back. You look worse now than when he first brought you here.'
She knew that, but she was missing Bart so much she didn't feel like eating, and at night she just couldn't sleep. If only they hadn't parted so disastrously! If only she had told him that night that she loved him. There seemed to be a lot of 'ifs' in her life at the moment.
She went down to the kitchen with Maisie, having taken to spending most of her time in there with the older woman. 'Did he mention me at all?' she asked tentatively,
'Well, he asked for you, and when I said you were out----'
'Did you tell him I'd gone out with Adam?' Eve asked in dismay.
'Well, of course, dear. He wouldn't like to think I'd let you go wandering off on your own.'
He wouldn't like to think she had been out with Adam either, his behaviour the night he had found her playing cards in the kitchen with the other man telling her that much.
'Does he know when he's coming back yet?' She couldn't keep the eagerness out of her voice. It was too late for pretence where Maisie was concerned, she had given away her love for Bart a hundred different ways the last few days, but especially the night Maisie had found her sleeping on the sofa in Bart's study. She felt close to him there, could relive their intimacy, could almost imagine he was there with her. Almost...
'Another couple of days, he dunks,' the housekeeper told her now'
Her pulse quickened. 'So he could be back at the weekend?'
'Let's hope so, hmm,' Maisie said gently.
She did hope, it was the only thing that kept her going the next few days. Then on Friday evening Bart telephoned again. Eve was in the bath, but she quickly got out of the scented water when Maisie told her Bart was on the telephone wanting to talk to her.
'Hello,' she said huskily, her heart pounding so loud she thought he must be able to hear it.
'You sound breathless.' His voice sounded clear, making him seem very near. If only he was! 'You didn't run down the stairs, did you?' his tone was disapproving. 'Maisie said you were in your room.'
'I was in the bath,' she corrected. 'And now I’m — I'm in your bedroom.'
There was a lengthy silence. 'Are you sitting on my bed?' he asked at last.
'Yes. But don't worry, I'm dry----'
'I couldn't give a damn if you were soaking wet,' he dismissed tersely. 'God, it's good to talk to you,' he groaned suddenly.
'You too,' she said huskily.
'Did you enjoy your day out with Adam?'
He hadn't liked it, she had known he wouldn't. 'I didn't go with Adam,' she told him firmly. 'He just drove me. I waited and waited for your call.’ Her voice broke emotionally.
"Eve?' Bart queried sharply. 'Eve, are you crying?'
"No! Yes! Yes,' she admitted softly as fresh tears cascaded down her cheeks.
'For God's sake, why? he groaned.
'Because I miss you,' Eve told him huskily.
'If it's any consolation, I've missed you too.'
‘You have?'
He gave a husky laugh. 'Well, don't sound surprised! The way you left me the other night I haven't been able to get you out of my mind.'
'Bart, about the other night---'
'Not on the phone, Eve,' his voice was suddenly terse.
'But I want to explain----'
'And you can, when I get home.'
‘When will that be?' she asked eagerly.
The next couple of days. I'll call Adam from the airport when to come and pick me up.'
'I'll come with him,' she said instantly.
He drew a ragged breath. 'Eve, don't start something you can't finish,' he sighed.
'But I can!' She blushed. 'I mean----'
Bart gave a husky laugh. 'Yes, what did you mean?'
'I mean that you misunderstood me the other night.' Oh, she couldn't tell him she loved him over the telephone! But she could do the next best thing! 'I mean that I'm going to sleep in this bed tonight,' she said firmly. 'And every other night until you no longer want me.'
'Eve!' he groaned.
'I mean it, Bart,' she told him strongly.
'I really think you do.' There was wonder in his voice.
'I do.'
'God, you pick the damnedest times ...! I'm thousands of miles away, Eve, and you can still arouse me.'
She blushed at the intimacy of his words, but her determination wasn't diminished. Bart had once told her that if she ever wanted him to kiss her again she was going to have to ask. Well, she wanted more than kisses, and she was no longer afraid to say so.
'Then just think how much better it will be when you get home,' she encouraged softly.
'I'm thinking. God, we can't make love over the telephone!' he moaned.
Eve gave a breathless laugh. We aren't doing so badly!' Except that she ached for the flesh-and-blood man beside her. And she knew that he felt the same. Bart was a man who was ultimately honest about his feelings, and the only way to reach him was with the same honesty. 'Do you sleep on either side of the bed or just in the middle?'
'The middle. Why?' he sounded puzzled by the question.
'Because I want to sleep where you sleep. That way I can feel closer to you.'
'Eve, I have to get off this phone!' he said in a strangulated voice. 'Just hold that mood until I get home.'
'I will,' she promised huskily. 'And it isn’t a mood, Bart, it's the way I feel about you.’
'Eve—Look, I have to go now.' His voice was suddenly brisk, telling her that wherever he was he was no longer alone. 'Keep the bed warm for me,' he added in a lowered voice. 'I'll be back as soon as I can.'
She must have floated back to her own room, and was towelling her hair dry when Maisie limped into the room. She had learnt from talking to the other woman that her hip had been damaged during the war. It didn't seem to give her any pain, she just had the permanent limp.
'Everything all right now?' She viewed Eve's sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks with a knowing smile.
'Everything is—wonderful,' Eve confirmed, standing up to dance lightly around the room.
'And is Bart in the same state of euphoria?' Maisie asked dryly.
She flushed with pleasure. 'I think so.'
'Dare I ask when he's coming home?'
'Soon. Very soon.'
Maisie nodded, as if she had expected it. 'I knew he loved you as soon as I saw the two of you together.'
Eve bit her lip, shaking her head. 'I—He—No, he doesn't love me, Maisie.'
‘Don't be silly, of course he does.'
Maybe it would be better to let Maisie believe that. After all, Maisie was going to be here long after she, Eve, had gone from Bart's life.
'Maybe,'she agreed lightly.
'Are you going to eat some dinner now? You haven't been eating enough to keep a bird alive,' Maisie scolded.
'Tonight you can prepare me a banquet!' Eve gave a glowing smile.
‘I’ll do my best,' the other woman laughed, obviously relieved at seeing her so happy. She spent the night in Bart's bed as she had promised him she would, burying her face in the pillows to breathe in his aftershave. For the first time in nights she slept well, although she managed to make1 the bed and get back to her own room before Maisie brought up her morning tea. Maisie would have to know of her relationship with Bart sooner or later, but she would rather Bart were here when it happened.
No word came from Bart that day, although she did have a call from Derek. Apparently he and David Halstead were coming over from New York for a few days, and he intended visiting her while he was here.
'Is Bart's sister coming over too?' she asked interestedly.
'Not that I know of. But she could be. David may have taken me under his wing, at Bart's request, I think, but he certainly doesn't confide his private life to me.'
'I'd better tell Bart just in case.' He might want her out of the way if a member of his family was coming to visit.
'How are you getting on with him now? Still hating his guts?' She could hear the smile in Derek's voice.
'Just the opposite,' she told him lightly, smiling herself when she heard his gasp of surprise.
'You love him?'
Eve gave a happy laugh. 'Yes.'
'Good God!'
'Don't tell me you're speechless, Derek?' she teased.
'Just about,' he admitted. 'Look, I have to get on now, but you can tell me all about this sudden change of feeling when I get back to England. Just wait until I tell Judy!’ came his dazed parting comment. Bart didn't call that evening either, but she once again spent the night in his bed, just longing for the time he would share it with her.
Maisie was busy making scones for tea when Eve came down for breakfast. 'Bart's favourite,' she looked up to explain.
Eve's pulse quickened, her breath suddenly catching in her throat. 'Does that mean—Is he---' She was so excited she couldn't speak.
'He's already home,' Maisie answered her unfinished questions. 'At least, he should be in about half an hour.'
Eve frowned, her excitement slowly fading. 'Half an hour Maisie nodded. 'Adam's gone to pick him up from the airport.'
'Oh no!' she groaned. 'I wanted to go with him,' she explained at the other woman's questioning look. 'I told Bart I would.'
'Well, there's no need to get yourself into a state about it. Bart will understand.'
But would he? Meeting him at the airport was supposed to have been the start of their relationship. When she didn't turn up with Adam he would think she had changed her mind and that this was her way of telling him. One look at his face when he got home was enough to tell her that was exactly what he did think; the shutters were firmly down over his luminous green eyes, his mouth a thin, uncompromising line.
'It's good to have you back!' Maisie gave him an affectionate hug, undeterred by his grimness. Eve wished she had the nerve to act so spontaneously, but the chill in Bart's eyes as he looked over Maisie's head at her seemed to freeze her to the spot.
She ran clammy palms down her denim-clad thighs. ‘Welcome home, Bart,' she greeted nervously.
'Eve,' he gave her an abrupt nod of acknowledgment.
'You—you're looking well.'
'I wish the same could be said for you.' His gaze flickered disapprovingly over her too-slender curves. 'You're thinner than ever.'
She flushed. 'I----'
'Now don't go starting on the girl as soon as you get home,' Maisie rushed to her defence. 'She's been eating really well the last couple of days.'
'Really?' Bart's expression didn't alter. 'It doesn't look like it,' he said dismissively. Eve flinched. This wasn't going at all as she had planned it, Bart's cruelty instantly brought tears into her eyes. He frowned at the shimmering tears. 'Maybe I sh
ould get Edgar out to take a look at you.'
'Get who you want!' she choked. 'I won't see them!' She ran blindly up the stairs.
'Now look what you've done!' she could hear Maisie scold. 'And she's been so looking forward to your coming home.'
Eve turned at the top of the stairs, looking down to find both Maisie and Bart staring back at her, Maisie with concern, Bart with an anger he didn't attempt to hide.
'I wish he'd never come home,' she shouted. 'Never!' She turned and slammed into her bedroom. The pounding feet on the stairs warned her of Bait's coming before he exploded into the room, his face a livid, angry mask. Eve cringed back on the bed, frightened of his white-hot anger as he slammed the door behind him.
'I came home,' he ground out fiercely, 'because this is my home. Have you forgotten that?'
"No...'
'I should damn well think not,' he snapped, his eyes blazing. 'And don't you ever order me out of it again.'
‘Oh, I—I didn't-----'
'Yes, you did, damn you!' He came over to kneel on the bed, grasping her shoulders to shake her roughly. 'If anyone leaves here it will be you. Do. you understand?'
Shaking her caused fresh tears to cascade down her cheeks, but he seemed immune to them. 'When do you want me to go?' she quavered.
'Now!' He flung her viciously back down onto the bed, his mouth twisted contemptuously. 'Just pack your things and get out. It can't be soon enough for me.'
'I—Bart-----‘
‘Get out, Eve!' he shouted before slamming back out of the bedroom.
Eve sobbed uncontrollably for several minutes, then she stood up to open the wardrobe and begin packing.
CHAPTER NINE
SHE was still packing when Maisie came quietly into the room a few minutes later. Eve glanced at her, but she was too miserable to even attempt to make conversation.
'What are you doing, child?' Maisie watched her agitated movements.
Tacking,' she stated the obvious. 'But why?'
Once again Eve glanced up. 'Because Bart told me to, because he no longer wants me here.'
Maisie frowned. 'Did he say that?’
'Oh yes,' she gave a choked laugh, 'he made his feeling more than clear.'
The other woman sighed. 'He didn't mean it,' she said gently. 'He's tired, and when you're tired you tend to say and do things you don't mean.'
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