Legacy of the Past

by Anne Mather

  The waiters removed the dishes and after serving coffee they left Nicholas rose to his feet and crossed to the tray of drinks.

  ‘Which liqueur would you like with your coffee?’ he asked casually.

  ‘Liqueur?’ Madeline shook her head. ‘I really don’t think….’

  ‘Nonsense.’ He smiled. ‘I was going to suggest Green Chartreuse, but I think perhaps a fruit brandy might be less lethal.’

  ‘So long as it is,’ she answered, with a sigh. ‘That really was a marvellous meal.’

  ‘You ate very little,’ he commented, handing her a glass of Maraschino.

  Madeline looked regretful. ‘I’m afraid I’m not used to such close attention while I’m eating.’

  ‘I see. It won’t happen again, then. But did you prefer it to the formality of the restaurant?’

  ‘Apart from that, yes.’ She smiled. ‘This is delicious.’ She indicated the brandy.

  ‘Good.’ He walked round the table. ‘Shall we sit on more comfortable seats?’

  Madeline nodded and rose to her feet, and Nicholas drew back her chair. They crossed to one of the low loungers and Madeline sank down luxuriously on to the satin upholstery. To her surprise, Nicholas seated himself beside her and lay back looking at her, intently.

  ‘Tell me more about yourself,’ he said.

  Madeline sat forward, and gave a light smile. ‘There’s nothing to tell. By the way, what time is it?’

  Nicholas glanced at his watch. ‘A quarter after nine.’

  ‘Already?’ Madeline was astounded. She had not been conscious of the passage of time and it seemed to have flown.

  ‘It’s early yet,’ he remarked indolently. ‘Don’t change the subject. I want to know about Diana’s father. What was he like?’

  Madeline felt her hands grow clammy. Uneasiness probed its fingers into her system.

  ‘You…you mean…Joe?’

  ‘Naturally. Tell me about him. What was he like?’

  Madeline stiffened her shoulders. ‘Joe was just an ordinary person….’

  ‘What have you to hide?’ exclaimed Nicholas impatiently, and Madeline shivered. He looked relaxed and yet she was sure his mind was as active as ever. He had the look of a preying animal when it is preparing to pounce.

  ‘Nothing,’ denied Madeline, at once, forcing a smile to her lips. ‘It’s simply that my affairs are very dull compared to the life you lead.’

  Nicholas looked sceptical. She was convinced he did not believe her. But there again, there was nothing he could possibly suspect.

  ‘You’re on edge,’ he remarked bluntly, and leaning forward he placed his empty glass on a nearby table. Madeline’s eyes were drawn to him. His darkness itself was an attraction. She wondered whether his Italian blood gave him that animal appeal; that physical magnetism.

  ‘I…er…I think I ought to be going,’ she murmured. She bent her head for a moment, studying the gold band of her wedding ring. Unknown to her, her hair swung against her cheek like a silky curtain, veiling her face. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt his fingers lift the hair and curl it back behind her ear. His hard fingers were cool and they brushed deliberately against her warm cheek.

  She looked across at him. He looked as relaxed as ever, but now she knew he was not. His fingers left her cheek and curved caressingly round the nape of her neck, under her hair. His thumb moved in a circular movement, arousing her emotions and frightening her with their intensity. She was aware that his expertise came from considerable experience, but it did not change the effect he was having on her.

  ‘Please,’ she protested softly, putting up a hand to stop him. To her surprise he caught her hand in his and carried it to his lips, turning it over and kissing her palm with warm insistence.

  ‘You’re so scared,’ he murmured, half-amused and half-impatient. ‘Don’t be. I won’t hurt you.’

  ‘I’m not scared!’ she exclaimed hotly. ‘Just because I don’t swoon when you come near me and behave in a normal manner.’

  ‘Come here, then,’ he interrupted her quietly, his voice mocking.

  Madeline rose to her feet abruptly, drawing her hand away from him. She realized she was scared, miserably so. Adrian was right. She was no match for Nicholas Vitale. He knew all the right answers. She didn’t.

  She half-expected him to rise too, but he simply remained negligently on the lounger and watched her agitated confusion.

  ‘I suppose you think this is very amusing,’ she said at last, her hands twisting together.

  Nicholas shrugged. In truth he did not want to analyse his own feelings. Usually, he was quite willing to break down a woman’s resistance simply by the force of his own personality. With Madeline he felt an almost violent need to protect her; from herself if need be.

  ‘Sit down,’ he said, leaning forward, legs apart.

  Madeline shook her head. ‘No. I must go.’

  Nicholas at last rose to his feet and looked down on her. He was much taller than she was and she felt immediately at a disadvantage. Also, she was experiencing almost wanton feelings of desire for this man and she couldn’t force her legs to move away and put the necessary distance between them.

  When she looked up at him his eyes were dark and unfathomable and she thought there was a trace of amusement playing around his mouth.

  ‘Well,’ he murmured softly.

  ‘Well what?’ she asked, her quickened breathing almost stifling her.

  He smiled and his hands gripped her shoulders and drew her close against him. She could feel the hardness of his body and she felt herself yield and lie against him. He bent his head and put his mouth to the side of her neck, its warm, caressing touch more heady than any of the wine she had drunk that evening. He kissed her shoulders, her throat, the soft nape of her neck, and Madeline was on fire for him to kiss her mouth. But he didn’t.

  Her arms slid up round his neck and she said: ‘Please. Stop tormenting me,’ in an aching voice.

  He looked down at her, his face serious now, his eyes dark and yet demanding. Her lips parted and with a groan he bent his head and put his mouth to hers.

  Madeline wound her arms tighter round his neck, pressing herself against him, glorying in the unexplored delights she was experiencing. Her passion matched his and she was unaware of his inner torment until he suddenly released her, and gently pushed her away from him.

  ‘God!’ he muttered, and walked slowly over to the tray of drinks. He poured himself a stiff whisky and after drinking it he turned round and leaned against the table, studying her. ‘I was right,’ he muttered. ‘Madeline, I’m only human. Have you any idea how dangerous I could be?’

  Madeline flushed under his scrutiny, but she did not look ashamed. She had realized, only too well, that she had never experienced this kind of lovemaking before, but she still remembered the last few minutes with a feeling of ecstasy.

  ‘I don’t think you frighten me any more,’ she murmured softly, her eyes, dancing. ‘On the contrary, I find you quite…well…stimulating.’

  Nicholas gave a muffled exclamation and crossed the room to her side. Holding her firmly by the shoulders, he said: ‘Madeline, you innocent, you shouldn’t act like this! It’s not right. Hell, why do you trust me? You’ve no idea how near I came to losing complete control of myself.’

  Madeline wriggled free of his hands. ‘All right,’ she said, her voice cooler. ‘You’ve made your point.’ She turned and walked across the room for her coat. ‘Thank you for a very pleasant and edifying evening, Mr. Vitale.’

  Nicholas sighed and walked swiftly over to her, throwing her coat to one side and pulling her back against him. She felt his mouth move against her hair, and his breathing was uneven.

  ‘Honey,’ he groaned, ‘I’m in no condition to hold you like this and talk normally. I want you, God, how I want you, but what I feel for you is not the same as I’ve felt for anyone else.’ He swung her round to face him, and she saw his face was a little paler under his tan. ‘M
adeline, don’t make me hate myself.’

  Madeline slid her arms round his neck. ‘Do you think I’m promiscuous?’ she asked.

  He buried his face in the softness of her hair. ‘No, of course not. I knew you felt the same last night I can’t imagine why.’

  Madeline shook her head. ‘Nicholas, you’re crazy. Besides, you’ll probably regret all this tomorrow morning.’

  He raised his head, and a half-smile touched his mouth. ‘Honey, if I wanted to make love to you, could you refuse me?’

  Madeline could not hide her embarrassment, but she bent her head in silent denial.

  ‘So,’ he said softly, ‘I’m being very gallant, don’t you think?’ He pushed her away. ‘Now, don’t be foolish. I’ll take you home.’

  As Madeline retrieved her coat, Nicholas watched her. Never in his life had he met a woman who so violently disturbed his emotions. When he had invited her for dinner the previous evening he had been aware that something momentous was happening, but until now he had not realized just how powerful it was. Since Joanna’s death he had known dozens of women, and was quite aware of the charms of money allied to good looks. Madeline, he knew, was different. He couldn’t really understand how he knew that, but she was so far removed from any woman he had ever known that he was convinced he was right. He no longer felt the desire to be ruthless with her. She was almost an unknown quantity and he wanted to know her mind, her thoughts, as well as the delights of her curving body. This was entirely new to him and he felt an unreasonable jealousy for the unknown Joe.

  Madeline pulled on her woollen coat and turned round. ‘I’m ready,’ she said quietly.

  Nicholas noded and straightened up from the chair he had been leaning against. ‘When do I see you again?’ he murmured.

  Madeline shrugged her slim shoulders. ‘I don’t know.’

  Nicholas reached for his thick coat and put it on. ‘Don’t you?’ he remarked softly.

  Madeline looked helplessly at him. ‘Don’t tease me,’ she murmured, and bent her head, the silky hair falling about her ears.

  Nicholas buttoned his coat. He didn’t trust himself to touch her again. He wasn’t used to denying himself anything, and Madeline looked so appealing that he longed to keep her with him.

  ‘Okay,’ he said huskily. ‘Tomorrow.’

  Madeline looked up. ‘But tomorrow…Diana will think the worst.’ She sighed. ‘Ought I to leave her two nights running?’

  Nicholas shrugged. ‘Why not?’ he frowned. ‘Look, okay, bring her with you and I’ll invite Maria to have a meal with us. How’s that?’

  He hated saying the words, but he had to see her tomorrow, somehow.

  Madeline smiled. ‘Thank you, darling,’ she whispered, but he turned away. ‘Can I ring you tomorrow to confirm it?’

  Nicholas nodded and grimaced. ‘Sure. Would it sound disgraceful, if I say I hope she refuses?’ he grinned. ‘Come on, let’s go.’

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THE drive back to Evenwood Gardens was soon accomplished and Madeline felt regretful that the evening was over. She had enjoyed herself so much and parting from him now was like parting from part of herself.

  ‘Where shall I ring you tomorrow?’ she asked as they drew up outside the flats.

  ‘It had better be at the factory. I shall be there most of the day. You know the number, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes. Will they put me through to you without any interrogation?’

  Nicholas grinned. ‘They will if I tell them to.’ He sighed. ‘I shall look forward to it. I only wish you hadn’t a job to do. I guess I could take some time off if you were free.’

  Madeline sighed too. ‘Hmm, that would be nice. But I must go in now. It’s getting so late. Thank you again, Nicholas.’

  ‘Just make it Nick,’ he said softly. A smile lit his eyes. ‘As in the uncomplimentary title given to the devil. Quite appropriate, don’t you think? After all, most people think I am quite amoral.’

  ‘And are you?’ she asked, her smile lighting the contours of her warm face.

  He shrugged. ‘You’ll have to judge that for yourself,’ he replied, and she slid out of the car chuckling.

  He slammed the door behind her and leaned out of the window. ‘Be good,’ he murmured, and then set the car moving swiftly down the Gardens.

  Diana was still awake, sitting up in bed reading when Madeline got in. It was only ten o’clock, but Diana looked angry.

  ‘You’ve been sitting in that car for nearly ten minutes!’ she said accusingly.

  Madeline looked astonished. ‘Have you been spying on me?’

  Diana had the grace to look shamefaced. ‘I heard the car arrive,’ she retorted, in explanation. ‘I looked out of the window to see who it was. I recognized the car as being a foreign one, so I presumed it was you.’

  ‘I see.’ Madeline took off her coat and hung it in the wardrobe. ‘Tell me,’ she said, ‘did you like him?’

  Diana made a moue with her lips. ‘I didn’t really have much chance to either like or dislike him,’ she replied coldly. ‘He seemed all right.’

  Madeline’s heart lifted a little. ‘Diana,’ she said tentatively, ‘he has a daughter, slightly younger than you are. Would you like to have dinner with them tomorrow evening?’

  Diana stared at her mother. ‘On my own?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Madeline sighed. ‘The four of us.’

  Diana shrugged and did not answer for a moment. She was wondering whether or not she should agree. On the one hand, if she refused, Madeline would probably go and have dinner alone with him again, but alternatively, if she agreed to go they might think she was pleased with their association. And that certainly was not so.

  Madeline undressed as she waited. She prayed Diana would agree. At least she would have the chance then of judging Nicholas for a longer period.

  Diana was certainly having a battle within herself. At last she decided she would go after all. Her curiosity got the better of her. It would be something to tell the girls at school, having dinner with the owner of the new factory.

  ‘All right,’ she said, at last, albeit a little sullenly. ‘But don’t expect me to go into raptures over him. He’s probably just amusing himself at our expense. How the other half lives!’

  ‘I’m glad you’ve agreed to go,’ said Madeline in a quiet voice. She did not trust herself to say any more. Diana was deliberately trying to antagonize her. Knowing her daughter as she did Madeline thought that Diana hoped to make trouble by going.

  On Wednesday Madeline found it was almost impossible to concentrate on her work. The evening ahead loomed ominously. She was anxious about Diana. What if she behaved outrageously? She was so possessive. Never before had anyone shown this kind of interest in her mother.

  Madeline took the opportunity to ring Nicholas during her morning coffee break. She rang him from the privacy of the canteen office, not wishing to start another argument with Adrian if he should find out.

  Nicholas answered almost immediately, and it was good to hear his husky voice.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘what’s the verdict?’

  ‘She says she’ll come,’ said Madeline swiftly, ‘but I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.’

  ‘Why?’ He sounded amused.

  ‘You don’t know Diana as I do. I’m afraid she might do something terrible and embarrass us all.’

  He laughed, and Madeline bit her lip.

  ‘Relax!’ he exclaimed. ‘She’s only a child! I’m quite capable of handling children.’

  ‘I wish I was as confident!’ exclaimed Madeline with a sigh.

  ‘You can be. I’ll take care of Diana, should the need arise.’

  ‘And if anything unforeseen happens, you won’t take any notice of anything she says?’

  ‘Of course not. Madeline, my love, I have a daughter of my own. Apart from which, I think I know a little more about the ways of the world, and men and woman in particular, than you do. Don’t worry. I think it’s almost im
possible that anything she says should surprise me.’

  Madeline pondered these words, long after she had rung off. She wondered if indeed he was right, and if so, what might he think when he knew her story? He thought she was young and innocent and delightful. Would he still think so when he heard the facts?

  That evening they were dressed and ready to go when Nicholas arrived to collect them at seven-fifteen. Madeline was wearing a short-skirted green jersey dress which suited her fair colouring, and Diana wore a strawberry pink linen shift. They both looked very attractive, and when the doorbell rang and Nicholas was admitted he did not fail to say so.

  Diana looked sceptical, but she had to admit that Nicholas was a very attractive man. Dressed tonight in a light blue lounge suit, he looked suave and assured, and Madeline herself felt her head do its usual acrobatics at the sight of him.

  They drove to the Stag and went straight up to Nicholas’s suite. Diana had said very little on the journey; she had been too engrossed in absorbing the atmosphere around her and the hotel and its environs were as opulent as she had imagined. The suite lounge took her breath away, as it had done Madeline’s, and at first she did not see the small dark girl who rose from the couch on which she had been lounging and came to greet them.

  ‘Madeline, this is Maria,’ said Nicholas, his fingers on Madeline’s wrist. ‘Maria, this is Mrs. Scott.’

  Maria Vitale was vastly different from the irresponsible teenager Nicholas had described. Her hair was long and caught up in a loop of curls around her ears; she was wearing a trouser suit of dark blue velvet which bore the hallmark of expensive designing.

  ‘How do you do?’ she murmured, shaking hands with Madeline, her eyes warm and friendly.

  ‘Hello, Maria,’ said Madeline, smiling, and glanced at Nicholas. His eyes were enigmatic, but she felt sure he was amused by her astonished expression.

  He turned and said: ‘Diana, come and meet my daughter.’