Man with two Faces

by Jane Corrie

  `What exactly does that mean?' he asked in an ominous voice.

  Rebecca took a deep breath. She could have strangled Laura. 'I've decided to accept Mr Leon's offer of employment,' she said, adding somewhat lamely, 'I've always wanted to travel,' and left it at' that.

  John threw Janus a 'look of pure dislike, and Rebecca thought it was a good thing that Janus was leaving that morning. 'What about your job?' asked John, giving her a pleading look. 'You just can't walk out like that,' he added indignantly.

  `Oh, I'll give the usual month's notice,' Rebecca said quietly, cross with John now for making life difficult for her. He had no right to tell her what to do.

  `I'm afraid that's out,' Janus said firmly. 'I can't wait that long, you see. There's another four weeks yet until the start of term, isn't there? That would make it two months before Rebecca could join me, and I'm not prepared to wait that long.'

  `Seems to me you've no choice,' John said jeeringly. 'Not unless you find someone else. I shouldn't think you'd have much difficulty. You're quite famous, aren't you?' he added maliciously.

  Janus turned his blue stare on Rebecca. 'It seems to me it's up to you,' he said softly. 'Either you

  want the job or not. I need someone now, not in two months' time.'

  Rebecca looked away from his searing eyes. What he was really saying was that either she abided by his terms or he would carry out his threat to expose her. In other words, she had no choice.

  To Rebecca's relief, Sir George then joined them, and the conversation broke off as they returned his morning greeting, but John for one was not going to give way that easily.

  `Well, that's settled, then,' he said in evident satisfaction, and smiled at Rebecca. `You're much too conscientious to walk out of your job. You'll have to look elsewhere, won't you?' he said to Janus, giving him a thin-lipped smile.

  `I say,' began Laura indignantly, 'that's a bit hard, isn't it? Rebecca wants the job. Why should she lose it because she's conscientious?' she demanded.

  Sir George made his way to the table and placing his plate down on the place laid beside his daughter, asked what all the fuss was about.

  `Rebecca's been offered a job by Janus, who needs help now, but John says she can't take it because she has to give notice at the College,' Laura explained caustically.

  `I didn't say she couldn't take it,' John got in quickly, 'only that she owes the College some consideration,' he ended piously.

  `Well, it amounted to the same thing, didn't it?' Laura retorted angrily. 'Look, Rebecca's worked for the College since she was eighteen, and that's four years, isn't it? Surely she's entitled to leave for

  a better job if she's offered one. What do you say, Daddy?' she asked her father, who was just settling down to enjoy his breakfast.

  `Of course she is,' replied Sir George heartily as he speared a piece of sausage. 'Don't see what all the fuss is about.'

  All through these exchanges, Rebecca had said nothing. She might not have been there, only Janus's bright glance resting on her now and again as if assessing her thoughts told her that even if the other's seemed to have forgotten her presence, he hadn't.

  `Giving in her notice,' said Laura, determined to champion Rebecca. 'Janus can't wait that long.'

  Sir George finished chewing his slice of sausage. `Still don't see that that matters,' he kid, wiping his mouth on his napkin. 'They were lucky to keep her that long. We never had permanent staff in time. Existed on temporaries; from ,what I can remember. Only Miss Prudence stayed,' he gave a reminiscent smile. 'Prudence by name and by nature. The temporaries brought a bit of high life into the bursary, from what I remember.'

  `Same in my time, Sir George,' Janus said quickly, in a voice that plainly commended his host for taking his side.

  Sir George took a sip of his coffee, then remarked to Rebecca, 'You take the job, my dear. Daresay they'll soon replace you.'

  John frowned at his father, and turned to Rebecca. 'You'll do what you want, of course, but I can't see why there has to be all this rush,' and at Laura's snort of annoyance, he added quickly, 'Oh, I can understand Leon's reasoning, but you're not

  going to be easy to replace. It's not as if you were unhappy in your work, is it?' he said querulously.

  `You can tell them she's had an offer she couldn't refuse,' said Janus with a wicked grin.

  Rebecca again experienced a wish to wipe that self-satisfied smug expression off Janus Leon's handsome face. No doubt the phrase 'couldn't turn down' amused him. She also knew a sense of guilt. John had successfully touched her conscience. He was right—she had been happy at the College, and in spite of Sir George's airy comments, she felt it was unfair to just walk out of her job.

  At this point a vision of an elderly lady rose before her and she drew in a swift breath of relief. Miss Johnson! Why hadn't she thought of her before? Miss Johnson had been the Bursar's secretary before her retirement four years ago when Rebecca had taken over the job, after receiving six months' training, mainly because of Miss Johnson's reluctance to leave.

  Rebecca had met her several times since her retirement, as she lived within a short distance of the College, and she had made no secret of the fact that she missed the company of her college friends and found life lonely. Without a doubt Rebecca knew she would jump at the chance of helping out.

  `There's always Miss Johnson,' she said quietly, voicing her thoughts aloud. 'I'm sure she'll be only too pleased to help out.'

  `She's ancient!' John protested pithily.

  Rebecca's eyes widened. 'At sixty-five?' she said

  tartly, 'I only hope I've as much energy as she has at that age!'

  The arrival of Mrs Carmichael at this point prevented any further argument from John, for her quick, 'Has it been found?' question to Sir George as she walked into the dining room brought all their thoughts back to the missing brooch, and at Sir George's sigh at having such a disagreeable subject brought up so early in the morning, and his abrupt shake of the head, Caroline Carmichael gave Laura a hard stare that made the girl send Rebecca a half hopeful yet despairing look. 'In that case,' Mrs Carmichael said grimly, 'I insist on calling in the police.'

  Sir George was about to protest his feelings on the matter when Janus cut in with a smooth, 'I've been thinking. You know there was one place we didn't search thoroughly.' By now he had the attention of Mrs Carmichael, who had been about to leave the dining room in search of the telephone, and had now paused at the door. 'The conservatory,' he announced calmly. 'It's just a chance, but worth trying don't you think?' he asked.

  Had it been anyone else who had made this suggestion, Caroline Carmichael would not have listened, she was too intent on causing Sir George as much trouble as possible. Her hope of being asked to stay on at Pinehurst had not come to fruition, and she had at last come to the undeniable conclusion that whatever hopes she had nurtured where Sir George was concerned were never going to be fulfilled In this frame of mind, she was in no mood for compromise, and more than a little spiteful, but as it was Janus who had made the

  suggestion, she came back into the room. 'It's nice to think that someone cares,' she said tartly, throwing Sir George a malicious look.

  Sir George stood up and without a word made for the conservatory, closely followed by the rest, with Caroline bringing up the rear.

  The brooch was found by Sir George a few minutes later, and triumphantly held aloft for all to see before it was snatched away from him by Caroline Carmichael, in case it vanished again.

  Rebecca watched this byplay with a cynical eye. It was very clever of Janus to produce the rabbit out of the hat, in this case the missing brooch, in such a manner as to cause no suspicions whatsoever, for she had to admit that, left to her, and should it have been she who had made the suggestion to search the conservatory, Caroline's suspicions would have been aroused, particularly as she suspected Laura of the crime. Not to mention Rebecca's own doubts of being able to carry it through. Deception was not her strong point, and she felt s
he would have given the game away if pressed.

  `It seems you weren't the only one to have that idea,' said Laura, as Mrs Carmichael all but hugged Janus, as they all settled down at the breakfast table again and Sir George rang for coffee.

  Amid the general hubbub of conversation, Caroline's high voice could be heard remarking to Janus, But for you, I doubt if the brooch would have been found. George sees nothing but those wretched orchids of his!'

  Had Sir George been fostering any regrets where Caroline was concerned, these words dispelled any

  such thoughts, and he sent her a look of distaste and told her that the car would be ready when she was, giving her no opportunity to delay her stay.

  This all too polite offer of Sir George's brought Caroline back to a proper sense of proportion, and she tried a little too late to cover her previous lapse from grace with a girlish giggle, and asked if Sir George was trying to get rid of her, and wouldn't' the car be needed for Miss Lindsey.

  Before Rebecca, or anyone else come to that, could reply, Janus said casually, 'Oh, Miss Lindsey will be travelling with me.'

  There was a small silence after this, while Rebecca for one digested this cool statement of his. She knew she was going to be his secretary, but had not foreseen how soon she would be expected-to carry out her duties.

  `Rebecca was due to spend another week with us,' John protested angrily. 'This is her holiday period, you know,' he added meaningly.

  Janus, however, was not to be moved. 'I'll make it up to her,' he remarked casually. 'We're off to Madeira in three weeks' time. There'll be some work, of course, but mostly done in the sunshine.'

  Whatever reply John might have given to this statement was forestalled by Laura's eager, 'Are you going to set your next story in Madeira?'

  Janus shook his head. 'It's where Atlantean Studios happen to be shooting their latest film. Mine's next on the agenda. I'm going over there to vet a few hopefuls they've lined up for the leading roles.'

  Laura gave a groan of pure envy. 'I don't want

  to hear any more,' she declared gloomily. 'I can't bear it!'

  Sir George also beat John to it by asking interestedly, 'Are you allowed to make your own choice? I thought that once they'd bought the film rights they could do what they liked.'

  Janus smiled. 'I made a special point of it. They were so keen to get it that they didn't stop to argue.'

  There followed a discussion on the location to be used, which would be Australia, as the story was set there, and included many scenes of the bush.

  Rebecca, who had not read the book and had therefore no idea of what was required, remained silent. So did John, but the unhappy looks that he sent her while everyone else was occupied needed no verbal confirmation, and Rebecca was relieved when the company finally broke up after their delayed breakfast.

  Her head felt like cotton wool, and she just nodded her confirmation at Janus's authoritative, order that she should pack and be ready to leave at ten-thirty. Things were happening a little too fast for her, and she felt she could have done with a little breathing space. However, when she saw that John was preparing to waylay her, she took the coward's way out and went to her bedroom to pack, assisted by Laura, uttering groans of envy now and again, and being admonished to remember to write and tell her all that was going on.

  With Laura's help she was ready in good time, and thanking Sir George for her week's stay at Pinehurst, before she was whisked into the front

  seat of Janus Leon's Bentley, trying desperately to look happy and contented, while her brain was still reeling under the suddenness of events, and she only half heard John's parting words that should she ever regret her decision, she knew where to find him. He would have said much more, but Janus gave him no time to dwell on the matter by starting up the motor as soon as the farewells had been said.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  As the car sped smoothly along the country lanes that led to the main road, Rebecca stared ahead of her, trying not to focus all her attention on the silent man beside her, whose strong hands held the wheel of the car.

  The miles passed and to the apprehensive Rebecca the silence was oppressive. She was well aware that in some intangible way their relationship had altered. He was the boss and she was a paid retainer. At least, she presumed she would get a salary, although there had been no mention of this since she had accepted the position. She sighed inwardly. Considering the speed of events, this was not surprising. No doubt Janus would find the time to bring up the subject in the near future.

  Her wide lovely eyes scanned the passing scenery. Were they going back to his hotel, she wondered, and would she be expected to start work straight

  away? Unable to bear the silence any longer, she

  shifted restlessly. 'Where are we going?' she asked.

  Janus shot her a look that suggested that she had broke into some private thought of his, and he replied almost uninterestedly, Cambridge, of course, to pick up the rest of your luggage.' He jerked his head back in the direction of the boot. `You'll want more luggage than that. Besides, you'll have to leave your resignation, won't you?'

  Rebecca did not reply to this. She was not expected to. It was plain that from now on it would be Janus Leon who gave the orders, and all she had to do was to obey them.

  They reached the College just before midday, Rebecca experiencing a feeling of nostalgia as they passed the familiar front entrance and drove round to one of the entrances used by staff and tradesmen during the vacation period.

  At the appearance of the lodge porter at Janus's hoot of the horn, Rebecca leant forward for recognition before the gates were opened, but old Jack Grandy, the porter, had eyes only for the driver of the car. `Mr Leon! It's nice to see you again, sir,' he said, as he opened the gates, and only when the car passed through them into the College grounds did he see Rebecca. 'Miss Lindsey, too,' he said with a grin, then looked at Janus Leon again. 'Staying, sir, or just visiting?' he asked.

  `Visiting,' Janus replied airily. 'It shouldn't be above an hour before we have to worry you again.'

  'No trouble at all, sir,' answered old Jack heartily. 'Liked that last book of yours, sir,' he said, his voice showing a deep respect that Rebecca

  had never heard from Jack Grandy before usually he was the most cantankerous of men.

  Janus had accepted the compliment with his usual bonhomie, and Rebecca, recalling how she had gone out of her way to rebuff him the previous week, could understand why she was now in this position, and why he had wanted to get back at her in the only way he could.

  She thought of the coming interviews with the likely candidates for the lead in the film soon to be produced of one of his novels. She did not know much about the world of movies, but as the film was likely to be a box-office attraction, there would be no shortage of hopeful applicants. As for the leading lady Rebecca almost smiled as her imagination flowed on, seeing Janus besieged by a bevy of beauties hoping to influence his final decision. The stakes were high, for whoever got the part would achieve overnight success.

  Her thoughts were so far away from the College precincts that when Janus eventually drew up by the entrance to the Bursar's office, she looked surprised at suddenly finding herself there, and only his abrupt, 'Well, I presume your quarters are around here somewhere,' reminded her why they were there, and she got out of the car.

  `I'll be calling on an old friend of mine,' Janus told her, as he started up the car. 'I'll give you half an hour,' and before she could ask him for more time, the car swept away from her.

  Rebecca walked towards the entrance of the office block, hoping that the doors would be locked and she would be unable to gain entrance to her

  quarters that were in the right wing of the building, but fate it seemed, was on Janus Leon's side, for the large heavily studded doors, although closed, were not locked, and she met with no obstacle to prevent her reaching her rooms.

  The bookish smell of the old building penetrated through to her rooms, and for a
moment she stood in its familiar enclosure that spoke of timelessness and safety, as if nothing could change, all was as it had been, and would always be.

  It was not surprising that back in the peace and sureness of the old College atmosphere, Rebecca should experience the first pangs of panic. What on earth had she done? What kind of a man had she got entangled with? What if his earlier scathing comments of not being attracted to her proved a fallacy and he took advantage of her at the first available opportunity?

  She shook her head numbly in an effort to dispel this unpalatable thought. Unpalatable in more ways than one. Deep within her she knew that if Leon broke his word she would never trust another man. She did not like him, but she respected him. If she had not respected him, wild horses would not have made her place herself in his power. She would sooner have done the disappearing act until things had settled down.

  For one wild moment she considered slipping out the back way of the building and making her way towards one of the other gates of the College. She was known by all the porters and would have no trouble in getting out.

  On second thoughts she abandoned this idea.

  She had given her word and to back out now was not to be contemplated.

  Before she gave herself time to indulge in any other form of escapism, she started packing. She had waited a precious ten minutes in useless prevarications.

  As the rooms were furnished, and Rebecca was not a collector of odd items, her packing consisted only of her personal belongs, and by the time the half hour was up she was closing her large case.

  After one last, almost sad look around what had been her home for the past four years, she lugged her case to the door, carrying two coats over her left arm and her overnight case in her hand, wondering how she was going to manage everything in one swoop, but this was not feasible and in the end she settled for just her large case on the first trip down.