A waiter poured the champagne. Once they were alone he toasted her lavishly, leaned across the table and whispered, “I can’t wait to have you in my bed, ravishing you. I do love you so much, my darling Alicia. You do feel the same way, don’t you?”
“Absolutely! Of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?” She gave him a long, lingering look, and added, “Shall we leave now? Forget about supper?”
He laughed. Was obviously amused. “The staff are still at the flat. I always prefer us to be alone when we’re together. And we have the whole weekend to give each other pleasure.”
Alicia’s smile slipped, and she exclaimed, “Oh! Adam, I have to go to Cavendon tomorrow! I promised Cecily I’d help her with some chores this weekend. I can’t get out of it.”
He gaped at her, anger rushing through him. His face stiffened. And then he immediately let it soften, took control of himself when he said, “I do understand, but hell, I’ve been away for days and missed you so much, wanted you desperately. I just have to look at your beautiful face to become aroused. As I am right now.” He leaned back in his chair, a sad expression carefully arranged.
Being observant, Alicia had seen his face stiffen, but she had mistaken it for disappointment, not annoyance. Now, she said in a sudden rush of words, “Why don’t you come with me tomorrow? We can drive up there and have the weekend together. Anyway, I want you to meet the rest of my family. Please say yes.”
He was filled with excitement inside. He had her exactly where he wanted her. It was going to work for him. He said slowly, “I’ll say yes if you will say yes.”
“To what?”
He did not answer her. He slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and brought out a small red leather box, placed it in front of her. “Say yes to this, my darling, I’ll be very happy.”
He had surprised her, there was no doubt about that. She recognized the Cartier box at once. When she opened it, she gasped. Sitting there was the most dazzling diamond ring, a single stone with a baguette diamond on each side.
“Oh Adam, it’s simply gorgeous…” The ring had taken her breath away.
A smile tugged at his mouth. “Will you marry me, Alicia? Will you become my wife?”
She didn’t hesitate. Even though it had only been a few months, Alicia felt she’d known Adam forever. They were compatible, in step, of the same mind, really. “Yes, I will.” A smile of genuine happiness flooded her face, and she took the ring out of the box, sat staring at it.
“Please let me put it on your finger.” Adam stretched out his hand.
Alicia gave him the ring; he slipped it on the third finger of her left hand. “I’m thrilled that you’re going to be my wife. We’ll be together always, my darling. And yes, I will come to Cavendon tomorrow.” In a lowered voice, he asked, “Will I have to have a room of my own? I suppose so.”
She nodded her head. “Yes, you will. But I’ll slip in to visit you, don’t worry about that.”
“I’m really looking forward to finally seeing Cavendon. I’ve heard so much about it … one of the great stately homes in England, isn’t it?”
“Yes, although I only ever think of it as my home, the place where I grew up.”
“Who else will be there?” Adam asked, as always curious.
“Maybe my brother. You know Charlie, you met him at Greta’s.”
He nodded, then beckoned to a waiter. Looking at her, he gave her his most engaging smile, remembering how her talented brother had taken to him at once. “Shall we order something to eat? You must be hungry, you worked so hard today. And God bless you for that, darling Alicia, and for your glorious talent. What an extraordinary actress you are. Soon to be my wife.”
Alicia looked radiant, was glowing from his constant praise, lapping it up, not realizing how cunning he was.
* * *
After supper they returned to his flat in Bryanston Square. The staff had left by ten o’clock, and it was the small rosy glow of the lamps in the foyer that welcomed them.
Leading her into his bedroom, and then to the dressing room, Adam said, “Hurry up, please hurry up,” and opened the door for her.
Once alone, Alicia stood looking at herself in the mirror, remembering to take off her bright red lipstick and makeup. She undressed with speed, as aroused as he already was.
Tonight was going to be special. Perhaps the most special night of her life. She had become engaged to the man she loved, who loved her to distraction. He always made that patently clear.
The blue chiffon kimono was hanging there for her, and she slipped it on, went into the bedroom. He was waiting for her and hurried forward, pulled her close to him. Their kisses were as passionate as ever, and once they were on the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, their wild abandonment began. Tonight it seemed to them that their lovemaking was more intense than ever, and it carried them into the early hours of the morning.
His sensuality knew no bounds, and he brought her to ecstasy with his usual expertise; she responded to him with ardor, filled with a mixture of desire and adoration.
To Alicia, there was no man like him in the whole world, and when he whispered against her ear, “I hope we’re making a baby tonight,” she clung to him, bursting with happiness.
* * *
They arrived at Cavendon on Friday afternoon at three o’clock, well in time for tea. Adam had hired a car and driver, and they had made good time on the road from London.
Cecily greeted them in the grand foyer and welcomed Adam with cordiality, and then Alicia took him upstairs to the spacious suite of rooms, decorated in shades of pale green and white, which she had chosen for him.
At once Adam admired it, smiling at her, silently congratulating himself.
“I’m just going to tidy up, before tea,” Alicia said. “Any moment Eric will be bringing your suitcase.”
Swinging around, Adam nodded. “Shall I wait for you here?”
“Yes, I’m only a few steps away.” Taking hold of his hands she led him from the sitting room into the adjoining bedroom, showed him around, pointed out the bathroom. “You’ll find everything you need in there.”
As they walked back into the sitting room, she said, “I’m glad you’re here, Adam. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Are you going to wear my ring and tell them you’re engaged?” he asked.
“Naturally I am.” Holding his hand, she pulled him out of the room, took him across the corridor, and opened a door. She said, “This is my room, should you need me.”
“That is a given,” he answered, his boyish smile surfacing. Finally he was where he belonged. In a great house on a great estate and about to become a member of a family of enormous wealth and distinction.
Thirty-two
The old farmhouse was called Seamere. It was not far from Aldington, close to Romney Marsh. On the drive down to Kent, Christopher told Victoria that his parents had bought it five years before he was born, had simply furnished it with antiques bought locally, and that he had revamped it three years ago.
Now, as the Daimler slid up the long driveway through a thickly wooded area, Christopher took hold of her hand and squeezed it.
Victoria turned to look at him, as always a smile on his face.
He said softly, “This place is very important to me, Vicki. I spend a lot of time here … I hope you’ll love it as much as I do, that you’ll be here with me. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about you.”
“I think so.” She felt that rush of longing, the need to be closer to him, in his arms, and kept herself steady. Until he made a move she must remain self-contained and in control of her emotions. She was well aware they could run rampant. To love someone and not be able to say it was pure torture.
Leaning closer to her, he kissed her cheek, then said, “I have chosen a suite of rooms I think you’ll enjoy—” He broke off and chuckled. “Well, here we are at last!”
Victoria saw that the Daimler had entered a large courtyard. Freddy drove right
into the middle of it and braked. The black van, driven by Bruce, parked behind them.
“Go on, Vicki! Jump out! Get your first view of Seamere,” Christopher said, that hint of earlier laughter still in his voice.
She did as he told her, got out of the car and stood looking up at this house which meant so much to him. And caught her breath, startled by its unique beauty.
The old farmhouse was not exactly Elizabethan, yet it had a distinct Tudor air about it. Long and low, it was perfectly proportioned, with tall chimneys, a sloping roof, and many windows.
Suddenly, there he was beside her in his wheelchair. Looking up at her, he asked, “Well, what’s your verdict?”
She put her hand on his shoulder. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I could live here forever, Christopher.”
I hope you mean that, he thought, and swiveled his head at the sound of running steps. Victoria followed the direction of his gaze.
A tall, well-built man was hurrying toward them. He wore a fisherman’s sweater, corduroys, and an old tweed jacket. There was a cheery smile on his ruggedly handsome face as he said, “I’m Alex. Alex Poniatowski, Miss Brown. Welcome.”
“I’m glad to be here, Mr. Poniatowski.”
“Please, call me Alex.”
In response she said, “The whole world calls me Victoria.”
Alex nodded and went to Christopher, gave him a huge bear hug. Their mutual affection for each other was apparent.
Alex now said, “We’d better go inside. It’s growing colder, and the dark will be down on us shortly. Remember, you always want to be here at that special time, Christopher.”
Striding forward, pushing the wheelchair, Alex headed for the house determinedly. Victoria understood why he was doing this when she saw that there were several stone steps in front of the huge front door. The wheelchair had to be pushed up manually.
She knew who Alex was. Christopher had told her about him the other day. He was his senior personal assistant. Alex ran the veterans charity, handled the public events Christopher had to attend, and managed his business affairs in general.
He was a Pole who had fled his native country just before the Nazis had devastated it, turned it into rubble, destroyed its elite. Once in London, he had joined the Polish division of the British Army.
He and Christopher had become friends during the war, introduced to each other by a mutual friend.
Victoria was aware that Alex had worked for Christopher since 1946 and was devoted to him.
Once they were inside the house, Victoria’s photographer’s eye quickly took in dark beams, white walls, polished wooden floors, a few modern paintings on the walls. She also realized it was a much larger house than it had seemed from the outside.
Alex was standing, waiting for her in the large front hall. He said, “Christopher has gone to his library.” He turned around and indicated the corridor. “It’s down there. I’ll have Bruce bring your luggage. Do you want the housekeeper to unpack for you?”
“Thank you, but I can do it myself. I haven’t brought much.”
“Christopher will show you your room later. There’s something he wants you to see. Now. Something outside. Better hurry.”
She rushed down the corridor, and at the first open door she looked in. It was indeed a library. There were blue-and-cream walls and hundreds of books. Several lamps had been turned on, and a fire blazed in the hearth.
“I’m down here, near the window,” Christopher said on hearing her arrival.
“Yes, I see you.” She walked down the room, her heels clicking on the wooden floor. There were no carpets in the Hampstead house, either. Of course. Nothing to impede the wheelchair.
The window Christopher had referred to was, in fact, French doors, which were open. Immediately outside, there was a terrace facing the gardens.
She stepped outside to join him and discovered there was already a chair for her there, a bucket of champagne, and two glasses on a small table.
“Shall I pour?” she asked.
“That would be grand, my lovely.”
After handing him a flute, she took her own glass and sat down next to him.
“Alex told me to hurry. That there was something you wanted me to see outside. What is it?”
“There’s a change at this time down on the marsh. I have always thought it to be a magical moment. Then later, after supper, if it’s a clear night, you will see the lights of France. But now we must wait and I’ll explain it to you.”
There was a pause. “I can’t tell you how happy you make me, just being next to me, my Vicki.”
* * *
Looking at Victoria, Christopher said, “Seamere is built on a rise, so it’s a little higher than the gardens. If you look closely, you’ll see that they slope downward.”
Victoria did as he said, stared ahead, then nodded. “Yes, I see they’re almost level here, gradually drop away.”
“Then there are several acres of flat land, as you’ll notice, and beyond miles of low-lying marsh, some of which is below sea level. That’s why the sea looks as if it’s up high in the sky.”
“You’re right! It does. A visual illusion. The mists are rising over the marsh now, Christopher. Oh yes, it is magical!” She turned to face him, her eyes sparkling.
“It was my father who explained this to me when I was a child, and I still enjoy sitting out here when the mists rise up, float around, remembering the old stories he told me about the smugglers, for which the marsh is notorious, and other romantic, ancient tales.” He took hold of her hand. “This was something I wanted to share with you, Vicki.”
“I’m happy you did. I want to share everything with you,” she murmured, putting emphasis on the word “everything.”
He picked up on this immediately and said, “Another reason I wished you to come here for a few days was for us to get to know each other better. Be under the same roof together, see how we tolerate each other on a daily basis.” A faint smile touched his mouth. “Later, I wish to talk to you about a few other things. Now, I hope you won’t mind if Alex joins us for supper. As I’m sure you’ve gathered, we are close friends, and I rely on him.”
“I don’t mind at all, I’m your guest here.”
“We do spend quite a lot of time together, Vicki, he and I, and that won’t change.” He paused, staring at her intently, his expression quizzical.
She smiled at him. “As long as I am with you also.”
“I hope you will be. You’ll meet Vita and Joe shortly. They live here, run the house for me, look after everything, and Vita is a good cook. She’s making leek-and-potato soup first, hot not cold, and then a fish pie, which is delicious. I know you like fish.”
“All the English do, don’t they? After all, we grew up on an island, we didn’t have much choice.”
He grinned. “Let’s have another bit of bubbly before dinner, shall we?”
Rising, she filled their glasses and sat down again, glanced at him. “I’ve never seen you drink much alcohol. Actually, I thought you were something of a teetotaler.”
“I suppose I am, in a sense. I feel I must always have my wits about me, since I’m in this chair a lot, navigating myself. But tonight is very special to me. To have you here in the place I love the most gives me such a thrill. To share it with you, see your reaction. Tomorrow I’ll give you a tour of the whole house, take you up to the bedroom I had as a child.” Noticing the puzzled look on her face, he explained, “I installed a lift when I revamped the house.”
Victoria wondered what he wanted to talk to her about. He sounded serious. She hoped he would answer the questions in her mind without having to ask.
* * *
A short while later Christopher wheeled himself back into the library and out into the corridor. He paused, waiting for her. “This is your suite of rooms here,” he said, indicating an open door. “Go in, have a quick look, Vicki.”
As she walked in she saw how lovely it was. Opening off the small hall was the bedroom.
A four-poster bed took pride of place; the room was a mixture of soft, faded blues and greens with white.
She moved on, went through an open archway; found herself in the sitting room. A fire burned in the grate, and there were French doors opening onto the terrace.
A repeat of the same pale colors gave the two rooms a flowing feeling, and she noted the big comfortable chairs, a sofa, a desk, and shelves of books. And her suitcase standing there.
When she returned to the corridor, she touched his shoulder, her face full of smiles. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
He nodded, remained silent, but his dark brown eyes sparkled with pleasure as he went down the corridor. “I hope you’re hungry,” he said as he reached the foyer and continued on down another, shorter corridor.
Before she could answer, he added, “Actually, I’m ravenous.” He rolled himself into a medium-sized dining room where a fire burned and lamps had been turned on. The room was painted a pale peach, and candles were burning brightly on the table, adding to the rosy glow.
Wheeling himself to the round table, he said, “Sit next to me here, my lovely, and Alex will be on my other side. Oh, here he comes now.”
Alex came in, smiling and cordial, and sat down next to Christopher. Victoria noticed that he had changed his clothes. He was wearing a dark blazer, checked shirt, and woolen tie, with gray trousers.
Christopher had not changed, but he was already in a smart tweed jacket, a pale blue shirt, and darker blue tie.
She couldn’t help wondering if she should have changed, but there hadn’t been time. There was nothing she could do now, and anyway the pale green cashmere dress and jacket were suitable for supper in the country.
Alex was asking her if she liked her suite, when Vita, a middle-aged woman, came in to greet Christopher and welcome her to Seamere. After they exchanged greetings, she hurried off, explaining she would now serve dinner.
Christopher said, “She may seem a bit standoffish at first, Victoria, but it’s simply shyness. Her husband, Joe, is much more garrulous. They were here with my parents and have worked at Seamere for years.”
Secrets of Cavendon Page 24