Minutes before she had been the one berating Andrew, yet now it stung to hear David say such things. ‘How do you know? You’re passing judgement when you have no idea how he feels! Maybe he wanted to contact me, but felt that it would be kinder to leave well alone.’
‘Kinder? He lied to you, used you, and then abandoned you, and you think he’s been kind? Didn’t I say that love makes a woman blind?’ He picked up the cup and drained the coffee from it, then looked back at her with contempt. ‘You need to sort out exactly what you feel for Andrew, and to do that you have to stop fooling yourself into thinking that he cares a jot about you because frankly, Beth, from where I’m standing there’s little evidence of it!’
He left without another word and Beth turned back to the toast, knowing in her heart that he was right. Her emotions had been in such a muddle these past weeks, but somehow she had to decide once and for all what she really felt. She had loved Andrew so much that it seemed impossible that love could change so soon and yet...
She closed her eyes, trying to summon up a mental image of Andrew and recall the way he had made her feel when they were together, but for some reason his image wouldn’t take shape. When she closed her eyes all she could see was the face of a man with blond hair and eyes like steel...
* * *
She was tired. Spurred on by the strangely unsettling experience, Beth had finished her work then set about checking all the agencies she could find in the hope of finding somewhere to stay, but to no avail. The only room available in her price range had been on the sixth floor of a run-down building and common sense told her that she would never manage the steep flights of stairs in a few months’ time.
With a weary sigh she let herself into the flat and closed the door, wondering warily if David was home yet. She felt too tired to cope with another confrontation yet neither did she feel like smoothing things over with an apology. In her opinion he was as much to blame for their disagreement as she was!
The sudden sharp ring of the bell startled her and she spun round, feeling her head swirl with dizziness at the unguarded movement. Fighting against it, she opened the door then had to cling tightly to the frame for support as the room gave another alarming tilt.
‘Surprise, David! Ohhh!’
The woman was beautiful; Beth just had time to notice that one fact before concern crossed the woman’s face as she noticed the waxen pallor of Beth’s skin and the way she was clinging grimly to the woodwork.
‘Are you all right? You look dreadful. Let me help you.’ She slipped an arm round Beth’s waist as she stepped inside and helped her back to the sitting-room to settle her in a chair. ‘Stay right there. I’ll get you a glass of water.’
She hurried from the room, leaving a tantalising drift of some exotic perfume lingering in the air. Who was she? She obviously knew David and just as obviously knew her way round the flat, yet there had been surprise rather than animosity on her face when she’d seen Beth at the door.
‘Here you are. Can you manage to sit up? Better let me help you.’ The woman hurried back into the room and helped Beth up against the cushions before handing her the glass. Beth took a sip of the water, feeling the faintness receding. She set the glass down then ran a hand over her hair to smooth the wispy curls into place.
‘Feeling better? It’s rotten when you go dizzy like that. Has it happened to you before?’
Beth nodded, glancing unthinkingly down at the slight swell of her stomach where her waistband was unbuttoned, and heard the stranger gasp. Curious as to the reason for it, she looked at her in time to surprise an expression of shock on her face before she managed to collect herself and smile apologetically at Beth.
‘I’m sorry. You must think me terribly rude. It was just a surprise. I had no idea, you see.’
‘No idea about what?’ Beth tried to follow the strange shift in the conversation, but it was difficult when she was working at such a disadvantage.
‘About the baby, of course. When is it due? It must be a while yet.’ The woman sat down and crossed long, slender legs, smiling warmly at Beth. She really was exceptionally beautiful with her porcelain-fine skin, deep green eyes and thick, rich red hair which fell in glossy waves to her shoulders.
Beth studied her for a long moment, wondering if there wasn’t something familiar about her face, before forcing her attention back to the question that had been asked. ‘Some time in early April.’
‘You must be so excited.’ The woman laughed, her face lighting up. ‘I’ve not long ago had my second child, another girl, in fact. She’ll be four months old soon and I feel so lucky to have her. What are you hoping for, a boy or a girl?’
‘I...I haven’t really thought about it.’ Beth took a deep breath, realising that she had to say something before the situation became even more awkward. ‘Look, I’m very sorry, but I’m rather in the dark. Who are you?’
Something flashed in the woman’s eyes, a mixture of pain and regret, then abruptly she stood up and walked to the window to stare out over the trees just as Beth had done that time when David had offered her the job and a place to live. The comparison between her and the other woman was so stark that Beth felt a sharp little tug of pain. Set alongside her, she would pale into insignificance, and she was woman enough to dislike the idea.
‘It’s I who should apologise. I just assumed that you would know who I am, but why should you?’ She turned, a brilliant yet artificial smile on her lips. ‘I’m Maggie Kane.’
‘Maggie Kane...then you must be David’s...’ Beth couldn’t seem to get the words out as shock enveloped her.
‘That’s right: David’s sister-in-law. I’m married to his brother, Matthew, although I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he hasn’t said much about either of us.’
Beth swallowed hard, unwilling to admit that she’d been terrified of what Maggie had been about to say. For a moment there she’d imagined that she was going to claim to be David’s wife, and she couldn’t have borne the shock of that, of having history repeat itself. ‘I’m afraid David hasn’t mentioned you to me.’ She stood up, feeling clumsy and ill at ease. ‘I’m Beth Thomas.’
‘Thomas? Then you and David aren’t...?’ Maggie stopped, glancing pointedly at Beth’s stomach, and Beth felt colour flare in her face.
‘No! Look, I think it’s time that I did some explaining now. David and I aren’t—’
‘Married. And Beth feels very self-conscious about her present state. We shall have to do something about it, I think.’
Beth hadn’t heard the door opening and she jumped nervously as David suddenly appeared. He came over to where she was standing and slid an arm around her shoulders. Beth flinched and started to move away, then stopped when his hand fastened on her shoulder to hold her by his side. What was going on here? He had never really touched her before, yet now the way his arm was resting around her shoulders implied a degree of intimacy which made her uneasy.
‘How have you been, Maggie?’ His voice was cool, so cool that Beth forgot her unease in sheer surprise. This was his brother’s wife so surely she should warrant a touch more warmth than that coldly polite enquiry?
‘Fine. And how about you, David? I hear that the business is doing very well. You must be pleased.’
‘Naturally. It makes all the hard work worth while.’ His fingers tightened on Beth’s shoulder for a moment before he moved away to pour himself a large glass of whisky. Beth’s eyes widened; David never drank this early in the day and definitely never filled a glass that full. What was wrong with him?
‘Would you like a drink, Maggie?’ he offered politely.
Maggie shook her head. ‘I’d better not. The baby wouldn’t appreciate it. I’m still nursing her.’
David’s face tightened, then he looked away as he busied himself adding ice to his glass. ‘I heard you’d had another child. Congratulations.’
‘Thank you. Another girl. Janey was thrilled to have a little sister. We called her Elizabeth.’ She turned to Be
th with something like relief, as though she was glad to shift the conversation round to her. ‘Is that your real name too?’
Beth shook her head, glancing quickly from Maggie’s strained face to David’s equally set one. She felt like an onlooker standing in the wings watching a play unfold step by slow, painful step. What had happened in this family to make the meeting between Maggie and David so tense? ‘No. I was actually christened Beth. It’s not a diminutive. But I must say that I like the name Elizabeth. It has a lovely sound to it.’
She was talking to cover the silence and Maggie shot her a grateful look. ‘That’s what Matthew and I thought, too. We spent ages trying to find a name we could both agree on then finally arrived at that. That’s part of the fun of having a baby, as you must well know yourselves...choosing the name.’
It was obvious what she thought and Beth tried again to set the record straight. ‘Oh, but this baby isn’t—’
‘Isn’t going to have a name from the way things are going. It is surprisingly difficult to agree on one, isn’t it, Beth?’
Beth gaped at him in surprise. They had never discussed baby’s names, had never discussed anything apart from the practicalities involved in her sharing the flat.
‘Then you and Matthew must be more alike than I thought! He was worse than me, rejecting one name after another.’
There was warmth in Maggie’s voice, but it wasn’t echoed in David’s. ‘I doubt my dear brother would appreciate you making the comparison between us, Maggie.’
‘He’s changed, David. Really he has. I...I wish you two would meet and try to patch things up.’ Maggie glanced at Beth, a faint hope showing on her face. ‘And this could be the ideal opportunity.’
David followed the look, frowning as he too stared at Beth. ‘There would never be an ideal opportunity and you know it, Maggie. There’s too much water under the bridge for Matthew and me ever to get together again.’
‘I wish you wouldn’t say that! It’s wrong for two brothers to be at odds like this.’
‘It’s life, Maggie, and you can’t change it.’ He lifted the glass and took a long swallow of the whisky. Beth caught her breath at the expression which showed so fleetingly on his face. Was this what had caused him so much pain, this disagreement with his brother?
‘I won’t argue with you.’ Maggie’s voice was soft, her eyes almost pleading. ‘I didn’t come here for that. I came to tell you that we’re moving back to London. There have been some problems with the practice and Matthew feels that it’s time he was back here in control once more. You’ve probably heard rumours about it.’
He shook his head, light bouncing off the smooth golden hair which lay close to his well-shaped head. He looked relaxed as he stood there holding the glass, but Beth could sense the tension in him. Instinctively she edged closer to him, not really understanding why she felt he needed her support at that moment. He shot her a quick glance then slowly held out his hand. Beth took the last couple of steps and slid her hand into his, feeling the way his fingers tightened around hers.
‘I don’t have time to listen to rumours, Maggie, especially not those about things which no longer concern me. That part of my life is past and I don’t miss it.’
Maggie glanced at them, her eyes dropping to where Beth’s hand lay in his, and Beth had the strangest feeling that she saw relief on the other woman’s face.
‘I’m sure you don’t. Not now that you have so many other things to think about. I’m so pleased for you both. Congratulations.’
Was it honesty that prompted her to speak? Beth had no idea, but suddenly she couldn’t stand this a moment longer. ‘Look, Maggie, I don’t know what you think is—’
She got no further, the words stopped on her lips as David pulled her round and kissed her hard on the mouth. Beth shuddered, feeling the touch of his lips like a brand. When he let her go she stared at him, shock flaring in the depths of her eyes.
‘Stop it, Beth. Maggie isn’t going to sit in judgement on you. You’re far too sensitive.’
‘Of course I’m not!’ Maggie smiled, smoothing the skirt of her suit. ‘Anyway, I have to go. I just wanted to let you know that we’re back so it wouldn’t come as a shock if you ran across Matthew.’ She held her hand out to Beth, her green eyes filled with a very genuine warmth. ‘It has been lovely meeting you, Beth. I hope we shall get the chance to get to know one another better.’
Beth took her hand, murmuring some pleasantry she was scarcely aware of. All she could think of, feel, taste was the touch of David’s mouth on hers for those brief seconds. She closed her eyes, using the few minutes it took for him to see Maggie to the door to try to get herself back under control again, but when he came back into the room she couldn’t stop the shiver which ran hotly along her veins.
‘David, I...’ It was difficult to speak around the knot of tension, but she had to try. ‘What was going on just now? Why did you allow Maggie to think the...the baby is yours?’ Her face flamed at the very idea and he studied her for a moment before calmly picking up the glass again.
‘It seemed easier than to start explaining the truth.’
‘”Easier”? You allowed her to think that you are the father of this child and you call that “easier”?’ She clenched her fists until her knuckles gleamed white. ‘Who gave you the right to do that? What sort of game are you playing?’
‘Why should I be playing at anything? Maggie made a natural assumption and it didn’t seem worth the effort to explain the true facts to her.’
‘Not worth the effort?’ Fury rose in a flash, consuming her, filling her with fire. ‘You can’t go around lying to people about something like this!’
‘Why not? It’s obvious that you are embarrassed about being pregnant so what was I supposed to do? Start going into all the unsavoury details with a stranger?’
‘But she isn’t a stranger to you! Dammit, David, she’s your brother’s wife. She deserves to be told the truth!’
‘Does she?’ For a moment there was naked fury on his face and Beth took an unconscious step backwards. Then, just as swiftly, the mask slid back into place and he was once more David, smooth, urbane, master of his emotions.
‘I told Maggie exactly what she wanted to hear, Beth. Perhaps I told her something which would be the solution to all our problems.’
‘What? I don’t understand.’
He laughed shortly and set the glass down before moving closer to look directly into her eyes. ‘Think about it, then. Wouldn’t it solve your problems if you were married and had someone to lean on in the coming months? So why not marry me, Beth? We’ve already proved that we can live together in some degree of harmony and that’s more than I could say for most women.’
‘Marry you? I...but... No!’ She backed away, anger glittering in her eyes. ‘If this is some kind of a joke, David Kane, then it’s in very poor taste!’
‘It’s not a joke.’ He came after her. ‘You need someone to support you and the child, and, if you are honest, you need the security that marriage can give you. I can offer you both.’
‘But why? What do you stand to gain from this?’ She laughed shrilly. ‘No one is that much of a Good Samaritan!’
‘Of course not. I have my reasons, Beth.’ He turned away to drop down into one of the chairs, his face composed.
‘And have you any intention of explaining what they are?’ She drew in a shuddery little breath, striving for calm, for understanding, for any single thing that would help her make sense of the offer, and slowly it came to her. ‘Are you doing this because it will help heal the rift between you and your brother somehow?’
His face closed and he stared down at the floor for a moment before lifting his eyes back to hers. ‘Partly. Maggie was right: it is time this feud was ended, especially in view of the fact that they’re back in London. Our paths are bound to cross from time to time.’
What was he holding back? Beth knew there was something, but she couldn’t discern much from his expression. ‘I
may be obtuse, but how will marrying me help end this feud? I shouldn’t have imagined it would make one iota of difference to you or your brother or the quarrel you’ve had in the past!’
‘I’m afraid I’m not prepared to go into details at present. What happened between Matthew and me is our business, no one else’s.’
‘Not even mine? Not even when you’re proposing marriage to me to help clear it all up? Come on, David, don’t you think I have a right to know all the facts?’ Anger and a strange hurt rippled through her at his refusal to tell her the truth.
‘I’ve told you all I intend to tell you, Beth. Just take my word for it that marriage between us would be the ideal solution to all our problems. I can’t make a fairer offer than that.’
His arrogance almost took her breath away. ‘Then I’m afraid that I shall have to turn your offer down! I’ve already made one huge error in my life and I’ll be damned if I’ll leap blindly into making another!’ She turned to hurry from the room, feeling her heart beating painfully. Marry David Kane? Marry a man who refused to tell her the real truth about why he should wish such a thing? The idea should have shocked her; the fact that it didn’t shocked her even more. Just for a moment there before she’d come to her senses she’d been almost tempted to accept!
‘Promise me that you will at least think about what I’ve said, Beth?’ His voice was deep and compelling, drawing her to a halt when all she wanted was to run before common sense fled in the face of temptation. Had he known exactly what to say to make her pause, used the very words—the only ones—that would stop her from dismissing his offer right away once she’d calmed down? Probably. Yet even admitting it couldn’t prevent her from turning back.
‘Promise me, Beth?’ He held her gaze across the room, his eyes deep and shadowed, and Beth knew then that she was lost. She closed her eyes, desperately trying to think of all the sane and sensible reasons why she should tell him to go to hell, but all that came into her mind was how he looked sitting in that chair, watching her and waiting.
Promise Me Love (Harlequin Treasury 1990's) Page 4