Dear heavens, how could he say such a thing! Was he trying to make her out a modern Circe? Had she really invited his lovemaking? She refused to believe it.
She stifled a gasp, pressing a hand to her mouth. “That’s a horrible thing to say!”
“It’s the truth, Sara, whether you’re aware of it or not. You attract men like moths to a flame.”
She was aghast. Did he think that she was used to such a thing?” I think you’ve made a mistake—” she began.
“No, I haven’t,” he retorted forcefully, his voice cooling perceptibly. “But it’s late, and you’re tired, and we don’t want to start something we can’t finish.” His hand lifted and turned her shoulder gently. “We’ll go back. As I said before, I shouldn’t have come with you.”
“But you said there were things you wanted to discuss?” She scarcely knew what she was saying, her mind still reeled with shock, and she quivered as she felt the pressure of his guiding fingers through the thin material of her blouse. His hands dropped to his side as he released her and picked up her wrap. He shrugged, not looking at her. “Nothing that couldn’t have waited.”
Pulling her wrap close about her, she gave an indifferent movement of her shoulders and stared out to sea. The moon was behind a cloud and she could barely see where she was going. She stumbled and immediately his hand was beneath her elbow, but his touch now was impersonal as he helped her none too kindly up the narrow shadowed track from the beach.
Already she knew that he regretted having held her in his arms. He had used a charm which she had little claim to as an excuse for a moment of weakness. A man, a girl, and a moon. The ingredients had all been there, and he had mixed them. It was as simple as that.
Making a desperate, almost visible effort, to pull herself together, she walked on without replying.
Hugh checked his stride beside her, his dark face inscrutable. His drawl was infinitely mocking. “You don’t have to close up on me because I happen to be your employer. You make a habit of referring to your position—a fixed idea in that lovely, old-fashioned head of yours. Girls have been known to marry their boss.”
Unaccountably, Sara felt chilled. He was making it sound amusing. She might have forgiven his indifference, but not his ridicule. Swallowing her fury, she said stiffly, “I haven’t had many employers, Mr. Fraser.”
Even to her own ears, the way she spoke his name in that moment sounded incongruous. His fingers hurt again as he stopped abruptly and swim” her around. “From now on, my little spitfire.” he said, “you can call me Hugh. If you’ve learnt nothing more salutary from our small skirmish, let it be that.’’
Sara shivered. Obviously, her formality annoyed him, but better that than he should guess the aching response of her body to his compelling embrace. It was as well that he was going away. By the time he returned she might have learned to cope with the jumble of emotions within her, even to assuming a detachment she did not feel.
The castle loomed darkly. Somewhere amongst the trees a bird called, and a tremor ran through her as her gaze travelled from Hugh’s sardonic face to the windy sky above them. She was aware of herself as a woman as never before. She was also determined that he shouldn’t know it.
She took a deep breath and looked away so that he should not see the tears that stung her eyes. “I think I’d better go,” she said stiltedly, pulling herself free of his detaining hands. “I promised Biddy a drink and she’ll wonder where I’ve got to.” Turning, she walked quickly away from him through the huge front door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Hugh left early the following day for London. Sara, annoyed because she had overslept after a restless night, ran downstairs to find that he had already had breakfast and gone out. Relief mingled strangely with despair as she stared at his empty chair.
“He was in an awful hurry, miss,” Katie spoke with relish behind her. “He said you must be tired, and not to wake you, and wouldn’t wait for bacon and eggs. I’ve just taken Biddy some tea and she’s talking of getting up and starting work.”
“Oh, no!” With a positive gasp of dismay Sara flew back upstairs to reprimand the wayward Biddy. And by the time she had persuaded her to remain in bed there were several things needing her immediate attention, leaving her no time to snatch more than a cup of coffee and a piece of toast herself.
“Miss Jill’s feeling tired,” Katie remarked as she carefully prepared a tray. “She says she isn’t coming down before lunch.”
Sara didn’t mind. It would give her time to finish Hugh’s letters and he could sign them before he went.
When she did see him he didn’t seem at all worried about Jill’s fatigue.
“It’s only to be expected, I suppose,” he said crisply. “The journey here must have tired her, and it will probably take her several days to get over it. I can’t see her being much of a nuisance before I get back.” Obviously he wasn’t going to commiserate! Without wasting more time he signed the letters and dealt swiftly with the morning’s mail.
“I’ll be off shortly,” he remarked, rapidly clearing the top of his desk before glancing consideringly at Sara’s pale face. “I expect you’ll cope very well, but in case any sort of emergency should blow up I’ll leave you my office number. I’ll leave the one for my flat as well, so you should have no difficulty in contacting me.”
Sara stared moodily at the top of his dark head as he bent to jot down the telephone numbers. He had changed into a neat town suit, and the colours of the modern striped shirt he wore with it were clean and cool, accentuating his dark masculinity. A pulse beat spasmodically in her throat as she remembered things which were better forgotten, and she forced her eyes away from his enigmatic face.
He straightened, his gaze drifting over her slowly, coming to rest on the neat patch of plaster on her arm. A slightly mocking smile touched the corners of his mouth. “No doubt Dr. McKenzie will be keeping an eye on that.” He touched the patch lightly with one taunting finger. “Don’t fall for him too hard, Sara.”
She moved her arm abruptly, ignoring what he said. She tried to pretend indifference, but his remark hurt. “You’ll probably be back before he is,” she replied.
She looked up and found his eyes narrowed upon her, and for a brief moment was hypnotized by their dark penetration. Rigidly she tried to keep her mind on the few details still to be cleared up, refusing to let it wander back to the evening before. Even so she felt the pink colour stain her cheeks as she hastily gathered together the bundles of correspondence.
He said slowly, deliberately, she thought, “I doubt it. My guess is that you will be seeing him today. In my job I’ve learnt to assess men and situations. Men like McKenzie aren’t easily impressed, but when they are wild horses couldn’t stop them.”
Did his words hold a subtle note of warning? Clearly he intended that she should be aware of Ian’s intentions—if he had any! But surely he wasn’t her keeper? Ian had, at least, been consistently courteous, while Hugh could be nice one minute and utterly disparaging the next.
Stung by the mockery in his eyes, she retorted rashly, “You seemed very impressed yourself the other day, with Miss Asquith and her flat tyre!”
His withdrawal was immediate, a physical detachment of his mind from hers. Sara’s palms were suddenly moist as she realized the enormity of her indiscretion. But when he spoke again his voice was even, although the mockery still lingered.
“Perhaps it’s a case of the morning after the night before, for both of us.” He shrugged lightly. It was the only reference he made to their walk on the beach, and she flushed wildly.
For a moment Hugh considered the wild rose colour in her cheeks as she tipped back her shining head and stared at him. His face was very close and she averted her own again.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized helplessly above her heartbeats, without being wholly aware of what she was saying.
His eyes glinted with unfathomable humour as he gently flicked her hot cheek before turning abruptly. “I�
��ll see you when I get back,” he said quietly over his shoulder, as he strode through the door.
Unable to settle in the house after lunch, Sara decided to go down to the village to post her letters. Biddy required a few things, and had also asked if she would go and see her sister. Biddy had been going to visit her sister that afternoon, but as it was now impossible for her to go, Sara had promised to see if her sister would come to the castle for an hour or two.
She felt a sense of relief to get away from the castle, which seemed strangely empty now that Hugh had gone. Jill hadn’t come downstairs until after he left, and then spent the remainder of the morning wandering restlessly from room to room. Sara did suggest that she came with her to Salen, but to her surprise she refused.
“I just can’t be bothered,” she said, frankly yawning, her small pink mouth petulant. “I’d only be bored. You’ll enjoy yourself better without me.”
Sara might have said that she wasn’t exactly going on a pleasure trip, and that a run out sometimes cheered one up, but she felt it more discreet to say nothing. Obviously, for reasons known only to herself, Jill was in a bad mood, and shrugged off Sara’s suggestion that she would feel better as her health improved.
“I’m not an invalid,” she insisted crossly, seemingly irritated by Sara’s cheerfulness.
Sara smiled, although reluctantly. Jill she felt was easily antagonized, but if they were to live together for the next few weeks it would be pleasanter to remain on good terms. She left her playing records too loudly on her stereo and ran out to get the car.
She approached the Jaguar cautiously. Hugh had told her that morning to take it providing she went carefully.
“It’s just a matter of common sense,” he had said impatiently, when she protested that she hadn’t yet driven it.
Now she hoped fervently that he was right as she reversed the big car cautiously from the garage. In spite of his tolerance she could imagine his withering remarks if she had an accident and did any damage. They might be worse, she thought, than those which he might have made when she mentioned Beth Asquith. His restraint had been remarkable, considering the normal sharpness of his tongue.
As she drove along she wondered unhappily if Beth had gone to London with him, then told herself firmly that it was none of her business. There was no reason at all why they shouldn’t go to London together, especially if they were thinking of getting married. Nor was there any logical reason why she should feel so depressed herself at the thought of it. Resolutely she tried to keep her mind on the road.
In Salen Sara quickly posted the letters and purchased the one or two items on Biddy’s list. After stowing everything away in the boot of the car she decided to have a look for Biddy’s sister. Biddy hadn’t been very explicit. She had told Sara to look for a small house on the far side of the town. “Anyone would tell you,” she had said.
But Sara couldn’t see anyone to ask, and felt cross with herself for not inquiring at the post office. Biddy had given her the name of the house, so not being in any particular hurry she started to explore. It was a fine afternoon, and such an errand would provide an excuse to have a look around. If she didn’t find Crag Cottage very soon, she would be surprised.
Then suddenly, around the next corner, she saw Katie, talking to the man with the beard. They were standing close together, half concealed by trees, and deep in conversation.
Sara came to a startled halt and stared. She seemed destined to bump into him—first in Tobermory, and now here. The surprise this time was finding him talking to Katie. He must surely be one of the islanders? He could even be Katie’s boy-friend, although Katie had said that her boy-friend was away from home. On the other hand he might just be passing through and asking Katie the way. There could be many explanations.
Losing interest, Sara turned away to continue her search. She found Miss Black, Biddy’s sister, at the other end of the village, and after explaining who she was, waited while the woman put on her best coat and hat.
“Nothing but the best will do for the Castle,” Miss Black said cryptically, as she settled down beside Sara. “I remember old Mr. Fraser saying that when he first came here. Later he said it about the island. I’m wondering if the young Mr. Fraser will be thinking the same way.”
Sara knew that she was referring to Hugh, and probably curious, as they all were, to know if he intended to make Lochgoil his home. With her bright, rather bird-like appearance, Miss Black’s disappointment was almost tangible as Sara murmured unhelpfully that she had no idea. She might have added with a sigh, that she wished he would make up his mind. Perhaps it gave him a feeling of importance to keep so many people in suspense, patiently waiting his decision, but it certainly wasn’t doing anything for his secretary!
Trying to avoid her uneasy thoughts, Sara started chatting about Biddy, and was glad to find Miss Black easily diverted. “I hope she’ll feel better in a day or two,” she said.
Miss Black sniffed impatiently. “I’ve told her it’s high time she retired. Not that she’s killed with age, mind you, but her pains will get the better of her if she’s not careful.”
Once started there was no stopping her, and Sara let her talk on, listening with scant attention as her thoughts kept returning to Katie and the stranger.
“Katie’s your niece, I believe?” she remarked swiftly, when fortuitously Miss Black made a remark about the girl. She didn’t know why she asked the question, but suddenly it seemed important.
“Not niece, exactly,” Miss Black explained. “A sort of a cousin a few times removed would be more like it. And she was lucky to get a job at the castle when she didn’t go to work on the mainland.”
“Why not? I mean ...” Sara hesitated, not wishing to offend by appearing over-curious, “it must be quiet here for a young girl like Katie?”
“Yes, in a way.” Miss Black, just getting into her stride, didn’t seem to think there was anything unusual about Sara’s query. “For most young people it is a bit quiet, although it’s probably the shortage of jobs which is the real problem. But you see, Katie’s mother died when Katie was a baby, and Katie was left with Biddy and me. She spent a lot of time at the castle when she was a wee girl, and played with Miss Jill whenever she was there on holiday. I suppose you might say they grew up together, though their circumstances were different, if you know what I mean? Even now the two of them are as thick as thieves, and this was one of the reasons why Katie went to work there when she left school.”
Sara, after this somewhat lengthy explanation, was beginning to understand. “Jill has just arrived,” she smiled. “I expect Katie Was pleased to see her.” Then, carefully, “I think I caught a glimpse of Katie while I was looking for your house in Salen, but perhaps I was mistaken.”
“No, you wouldn’t be, at that.” The little woman shook her neat grey head, a frown on her brown, sea-tanned face. “But I hope you’ll not be thinking that she is taking time off behind your back. She peeped in for a minute to see me, and told me that she was taking a message from Miss Jill to a friend. She didn’t say who the friend was, but as soon as she’s been she is returning to the castle. That’s what she said.”
The sky above them darkened and suddenly heavy raindrops swept the windscreen. Sara groped swiftly for the wiper switch and flicked it on, clearing the windscreen instantly. “I hope she doesn’t get wet,” she smiled wryly, as the big car leapt forward.
“It’s just a shower, I expect, and she doesn’t mind the rain. We get quite a lot of it here.” Obviously reassured by Sara’s casual remark, Miss Black settled back in her seat again with a contented sigh.
Sara glanced at her quickly, her mind churning over the aspects of this new disclosure. It seemed a bit peculiar that Jill had sent Katie to Salen with a message, especially after saying that she was tired and couldn’t be bothered with anything. And surely most of the people Jill knew would be easily available by telephone? It all seemed to point to some secret intrigue, but at the same time, Katie could have m
ade up the story as an excuse to get away while Biddy was in bed. Sara frowned, impatient with herself for worrying.
Then suddenly a frightening thought struck her. That mysterious stranger with the beard had talked with a definite south country accent! It didn’t bear thinking about, but could he possibly be the artist whom Jill was supposed to be in love with? But of course such a thought was quite ridiculous. He had got off the same boat as she had, almost three weeks ago. If he had been Jill’s friend he would have waited until she had arrived before he came himself. She mustn’t let her imagination and an over-developed sense of responsibility run away with her.
She drove slowly into the castle courtyard, and after helping Miss Black from the car took her up to see Biddy. After promising a cup of tea she left them talking.
As she was going through the door Biddy remembered to tell her that the doctor had called, and that he might come back in the morning.
“I don’t rightly understand it,” she complained impatiently to Sara. “Three times in as many days he is visiting me! I’m nearly scared to put my feet over the side of the bed, although my pains are almost gone!”
So Ian had come, Sara mused, as she ran downstairs. Hugh had been right. Or had he? She was no authority on the ways of a Highland doctor. Surely one or two visits to see a patient couldn’t be construed as anything else but medical vigilance!
Jill, much to Sara’s surprise, was in the kitchen. She swung around when she heard Sara, her face alight with anticipation which faded rapidly when she saw who it was. It would seem that she had expected someone else, and turned away with a frown as Sara, after a brief word of greeting, switched on the electric kettle to make the promised cup of tea.
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