by Margaret Way
'How far is it to the ground?' she asked dryly.
'I have the penthouse apartment.' He glanced at her with sparkling black eyes. 'I would not suggest you flyaway from me like a bird.'
'The idea disturbs me all the same. I will see your apartment, Signor Corelli, if only to satisfy my own curiosity, but I will not be staying to dinner.'
'I'm sorry, didn't I tell you, we won't be alone. I have a butler-valet-good friend who looks after me. He is not a young man, but he is highly competent and I trust him completely. You may too, signorina!'
This was said very dryly and Brooke had the grace to blush. Evidently he didn't intend setting up a seduction scene but probably taking it in stages. She had pitched her determination against him, yet he had the ability to make her feel helpless. Even her overwhelming resentment was fading. Of course he had picked the exact evening when she never felt less like a battle.
She leaned her titian head back and sighed almost languorously, and Paul glanced at her briefly and just smiled.
The next morning Brooke came to the conclusion that he had done absolutely nothing to disturb or offend her but rather charm and endlessly fascinate her. Contrary to her expectations she had enjoyed herself immensely, even if her heart beat fast all the time. The apartment was a miracle of elegance and fastidiousness, even a shade ascetic and brilliantly furnished in the modern idiom with only a few fabulous antiques. Because she was scrupulously honest she had to concede that Paul Corelli had tremendous style and polish, and the building itself, The Columns, was very much admired, quite monumental in its proportions and purity of style. Paul Corelli was a highly complex man and she came to see she had to be very careful with him and very careful to guard herself against his awesome charisma, lest he suddenly reach out and claim her before she had time to realise what was happening.
Gianni, the manservant, had come and gone like a magic slave, preparing a superb dinner and watching them eat it. He seemed completely at home with his employer, more a relative than an employee, for it was obvious he regarded Paul with great pride and affection. Even as he refilled their wine glasses he refilled his own and carried it back to the kitchen, subjecting Brooke to a discreet but highly critical scrutiny. She wished too that she spoke fluent Italian; for then she could have undone the riddle of his remarks. Gianni had been almost as unexpected as his master, for there was something very dignified and well bred about him like a nobleman in disguise.
All through classes Brooke pondered on the evening before, until one of her Maths students suggested she was daydreaming. After that, she tried to pull herself together, but the aura of Paul Corelli clung to her like a second skin. As she often did when she wanted some advice she rang Maggie and they arranged to meet for lunch the next day.
'This is lovely!' Maggie said as she sat down; She looked especially smart in a soft classic dress and a cream straw hat decorated with spring flowers. 'Maud is looking after the shop for me. She's a treasure. She sold the Lord knows how many gold chains this morning―they seem to be in!' Her bright brown eyes roamed with pleasure over Brooke's young face and the flawless creamy matt skin. 'Before the girl comes, tell me what's on your mind.'
'I'd have told you before, but you've been busy with the auction. Wait for it .. .'
'Yes?' Maggie leaned forward eagerly.
'Paul Corelli has asked me to marry him.'
'Good gracious! ' Maggie looked her astonishment. 'I know he's an irresistible force, but surely you haven't. known one another long?'
'I don't know him, at all,' Brooke said moodily, her eyes almost as green as her peppermint-coloured dress. 'He's power-mad, or at least he thinks he can decide on a woman and that's the end of it.'
'And how is your mother taking it?' Maggie asked shrewdly.
'Last week was hell. This week I had dinner with him, so Mamma isn't speaking out quite so plainly.'
'And Lou?'
Brooke had to smile. 'Simple envy has given away to relief. It's quite true she wouldn't know how to handle him.'
'Which you are willing to do?'
'No!' Brooke's gleaming head shot up and she gave Maggie a speaking glance. 'He's very charming when he wants to be, very foreign, very compelling. He's shown me his apartment and you'd love it. He has a manservant, by the way, who's very attached to him, but I'm not content to marry a man because he's rich and fascinating,'
'Naturally,' Maggie said dryly. 'Why do you young girls have all the luck?'
'Be serious, Maggie! '
'I'm sorry, dear.' Maggie leaned across and patted her hand. 'Now, what are we going to have? I do believe you've lost weight.'
'The climate has been right for it, Brooke murmured, glancing down at the menu. 'I don't have to rush if you don't. Wednesday my girls go off to Sports.'
'Yes, I seem to remember.' Maggie too was gazing at the menu. 'I wish I was like you and didn't have to mind my figure. I frequently think our scientists should come up with something to control the metabolism instead of indulging in space travel.' She lifted her head and looked directly at Brooke. 'You know, dear, some. would think you the most fortunate girl in the world. He's quite a catch!'
'No doubt,' Brooke tilted her head, her eyes beginning to sparkle. 'but I don't in the least mind passing on my great good fortune. I know nothing about him except the sophisticated veneer. Underneath he may be a dreadful barbarian.'
'Come, come,' Maggie remonstrated, then as the waitress appeared at their table both of them had to take time off to order. 'Thank you !' Maggie handed the menus back with a little smile and the girl walked briskly away. 'Now then, I can't allow that to pass!'
Maggie said seriously. 'He hasn't done anything to offend you, has he?'
'Nothing beyond asking me to marry him.'
The drink waiter approached and Maggie waved him away. 'Not in the middle of the day. You didn't want anything, did you, dear?'
'No, thank you.' Brooke said absently. 'I don't think, Maggie, he knows how to take no for an answer. There's one other thing, he has a daughter.'
There was silence for a moment and Maggie looked down at her clasped hands; 'Family means a great deal to Italians. Where is the child?'
'She's not a child exactly. She's sixteen and she's living in Kenya at the moment with her aunt, Paul's sister.'
'He must have been very young,' Maggie mused. 'He's only in his early thirties now, isn't he?'
'Thirty-five,' Brooke admitted. She looked at the older woman and there was still a trace of shock in her face. 'He told me very little about it beyond the fact that he wasn't married.'
'Amazing !' Maggie said slowly. 'At least he didn't lie to you. I can't pretend I'm not surprised, but these things happen. Obviously he has custody of the child, or he will have. If you're not going to marry him, I shouldn't worry about it.'
'Mamma will be very upset and angry.'
'I can't understand your mother.' said Maggie. 'Yet you have to hand it to her, nothing deters her. First Louise was-the fortunate one, now that he's wisely chosen you, there's nothing to be done about it except you should marry him. Extraordinary! '
'He's promised to support Mamma and Lou in style.'
'And your mother wasn't upset by the suggestion?'
'She can't help it, Maggie.' Brooke said loyally. 'She's had no training for anything except being looked after. If I marry Corelli life will go on for her as it has in the past. Whatever happens Louise won't have to marry anyone she doesn't love.'
'But no one can force you, dear !' Maggie exclaimed, a little shocked in her turn.
'No, but I believe him when he says Mamma will never have to worry again. If I marry him he'll carry out all the restoration work on Wintersweet and we'll live there.'
'Lillian too?' Maggie asked in wonderment.
'I believe he intends to set her up royally elsewhere.'
'And he's right!' Maggie drew a sigh of relief as if she couldn't help it. 'Here I am so absorbed I didn't notice the food arriving. Eat up, child, and re
lax. There are shadows under your eyes even if they only emphasise their beauty. I should accept Signor Corelli in a flash, but then I'm of an age not to worry about dangerous men.'
Brooke recalled herself to the purpose of eating, while a concerned Maggie kept casting little glances over her down-bent face. She deliberately spoke of other things, pleasant things, while they were eating, but she could see .Brooke was upset and nothing to be done about it;
'I think I'll have to brick myself into a wall to get away from him !' Brooke announced suddenly, looking so angry and. amused both of them burst out laughing.
'Nobody wants you to do that,' said Maggie, pressing her instinctive liking and admiration for Corelli.
'Let him take you out, let him spoil you, You deserve to be happier than you are. You have time to decide if you truly can't come to care for him.'
'That's the maddening thing,' Brooke said soberly, and for a second her hand crept to her breast as though to still the striking heartbeats. 'I feel myself moving imperceptibly towards him every moment I spend with him. The other evening was a mistake. I found myself enjoying it too much.'
'You're not usually so timid, dear,' Maggie commented gently.
'Perhaps I'm afraid of a golden cage. Anyway, being a good friend to a teenage girl is quite a responsibility.'
'You handle them very well at school. Miss Richards is very pleased with you, I believe.'
'That's different, Maggie.' Brooke said desolately. 'You like him, don't you?'
'I must confess I do. He's hard-headed, but I'm sure he has a tender streak. He cares about his daughter, why shouldn't he care about you? Living in the shadow of your mother and sister has given you a false idea about yourself. You're a very attractive girl and yon have a delightful personality. Don't you think for one moment Paul hasn't noticed this? I'd say he knows very well what he's about.'
'Then your advice is, marry him?'
'Not marry him just like that !' Maggie protested with faint dismay. 'Get to know him better. Enjoy yourself. Surely he doesn't want to rush you off to a register office on the morrow?'
'I'm sure he's thinking on lines of a big church wedding,'
Brooke replied uneasily. 'So is Mamma, and you have to admit Lou would make an entrancing bridesmaid.'
'Adorable,' agreed Maggie, and steeled herself against the delicious sweets trolley. 'When are you seeing him again?'
'He's giving a dinner party on Saturday night. He wants me to meet his friends.'
'And will you?' Maggie kept watching her young friend's strained face.
'I haven't decided.' Brooke's green eyes glinted through her long sweeping lashes. 'When he turns on the charm .he can be quite dazzling, but just between the two of us I'm no better than Lou. He petrifies me. I don't want to be dominated. I'm a woman of spirit, I must be independent in thought and action. Much as I love Mamma she's accused me of having no respect for her feelings when I feel she ought to look at it my way. I can't marry just money! I'd lose all my dignity, yet Mamma thinks I'm just being argumentative. I detest all our little scenes, and even Lou told me I was being tedious going on about it.'
'Then of course Louise has always taken for granted she would do what Lillian told her without question. You surely understand such a marriage would solve a lot of problems, and you've already admitted he's a very desirable man.'
'Have l?' Brooke seemed too overwrought to argue. 'I suppose he is, but essentially he's a hunting animal, a cat-man.'
'There aren't many left!' Maggie chose to be flippant.
'There's even the danger that I'll rush into his arms completely against my own convictions. I'm not given to dramatics, but honestly, Maggie; that's nearly the way I feel. I hate it when Mamma disapproves of me.'
Maggie wisely said nothing. Lillian would be far from subtle in her treatment of an errant daughter, yet she could detect in her young friend a strange lack of confidence to withstand Paul Corelli. 'Perhaps you're too conscious of his racial heritage, dear,' she said soothingly, 'the charm, the volatility, the sheer physical virility. I realise he's quite a big change from the type of young man you and Louise have been used to, but don't hold it against him. Live your life, every minute of it. Goodness knows, youth is fleeting. I sympathise with you, of course, but I can't help being drawn to your Signor Corelli. My advice is, go along to the dinner party. I can't think of anyone offhand who wouldn't be very pleased and flattered to go. He can't compel you to marry him, and you may discover in him qualities you can admire. In any event, no harm could come of it.' Maggie lifted her face and smiled and after a minute Brooke smiled back, regaining her usual cool self-control.
It wasn't until long afterwards that Brooke was to remind Maggie of her words.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE rest of the week flew past on wings. Brooke was glad she had met Maggie for lunch, for now the question of going to the dinner party was settled in her mind. She had tortured herself for days and now her decision had restored Mamma to high good humour, and that included Louise, of course. Both now turned to her warmheartedly and Brooke revelled in their approval even while she worried about its cause. All Paul had to do was watch and wait. It was a role Brooke thought suited his whole aura, for she couldn't rid herself of her mental picture of him and the notion that she was being stalked with extreme cunning.
On the back seat of the car was her new dinner dress. Mamma and Louise had come in to town especially to help her pick it out. Under no circumstances would Mamma permit a re-run of the beautiful burnished gold, but the dress all three of them had finally chosen was quite lovely in a different way-white, almost virginal, Brooke supposed, and her cheeks flushed. Mamma had been very generous and Louise had told her in her kind, sweet way that it suited her beautifully. Nothing is going according to my plans! Brooke thought almost despairingly. She wished she had never laid eyes on Paul Corelli even as she found herself taking the high, winding road that led to the exclusive avenue where he lived.
She steered the car automatically, wondering if he wasn't directing her subconscious as well. It was a beautiful afternoon and here and there she could catch. glimpses of the heavenly deep blue of the water. Of course she could always tell herself she was curious to see The Columns again. The apartment building had impressed her immediately, just as at one time it had been quite a talking point in the city. To know that he had worked closely with the architect and even suggested the design gave her a feeling of kinship, a tenuous feeling to be sure, but at least it was there. Her dear father had been an architect and she had worshipped him as a small child.
Her thick upturned hair swept her shoulders and she pushed it back with one hand. She was letting it grow longer because Maggie had told her it suited her 'tall, beautifully proportioned body'. Dear Maggie! she showed her affection in many ways and she had made a study of building up Brooke's confidence in herself. It had been rather awful in a way, shooting up over Mamma and Louise's head and not seeing the charm of her own slender supple body. Her red hair she' couldn't do anything about. It was too bright a colour, even if her girls at school frequently told her it was wonderful. Thinking of them she smiled, for she couldn't help knowing she was very popular.
She seemed to be alone on the road, admiring the lovely old homes and the exquisite gardens aglow with the spring flowering. Shade trees lined the avenue on both sides, refreshing the eye, and filtering the dazzling sunlight. She was going quite a bit out of her way, but she told herself she wanted to see The Columns again. It was splendid, and certainly the soaring white columns were classical in design. From the penthouse one had a magnificent view of the glittering city lights by night and the shining blue harbour by day. The dark, ageing Gianni's manner towards his employer was rather endearing, Brooke thought. Probably there was a Story there, as well.
Wattles filled the afternoon with their sweet, heady perfume and there just ahead was the impressive white building she had come to see. She drove on rather slowly, filled with a mingled disquiet and exciteme
nt. She was almost like a woman acting under hypnosis. Only a short time ago (she could hardly remember) she had violently declared her dislike of Paul Corelli. Now she seemed almost tied to him.
A dark blue Volvo was parked outside the building and as Brooke cruised nearer two people walked down from the portico and towards the car. Her heart leapt with shock and she stared disbelievingly as she brought the car to a halt outside a Spanish villa with an enormous feathery jacaranda shading the nature strip.
Her heart was bumping so much it was making her ill. All she wanted to do was go bake the way she had come, but she was compelled to sit there watching the man who had asked her to marry him putting another woman tenderly into her car. She knew the car now, and the woman. It was Cathy Benton, her long dark hair sheened with sunlight, spectacularly dressed, as she usually was, She was in the car now tilting her head to the man who leaned in, unsmiling, but somehow loverlike in his attitude. The whole easy set of his head and body was filled with an animal grace, totally eye-riveting, totally given over to obeying no other law but his own. They looked two handsome, sophisticated people playing sophisticated games with each other.