"Noth—nothing," she said, starting to back away, but a long arm shot out and his steely fingers bit into her shoulder, drawing her so close their bodies almost touched. Realizing she couldn't completely ignore the tableau right in front of her eyes, she added, "I heard Miss Demarest crying, but I… didn't want to intrude. I hope nothing's wrong."
He continued to stare at her, and his stormy gray eyes seemed to be looking into her very soul. Finally she whispered, "You're hurting me."
He loosened his hold abruptly, as though unaware until then of what he was doing, and Erin added in a little rush, "Is she ill? Is there anything I can do?"
He turned away from her and looked somberly at Helen. "No, she's just had some… rather upsetting news. Her grandmother in California is ill, and Helen is going to take a leave of absence."
"I'm so sorry," Erin managed.
"Yes, well, you can go back to your desk now." He looked at her impassively, obviously speculating on just how much she had heard and daring her to make use of it.
Erin accepted her release gratefully and fled down the corridor, trying to outrace her thoughts. Unable to face anyone yet, she ducked into the ladies room to hide until she could compose herself. Her mind was spinning, filled with anger and fear and an aching compassion. The sight of Helen—that bright, charming, friendly woman—sobbing in despair was burned into her brain. How could women be such fools over men? Jason Dimitriou's callous words still assaulted her ears. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," and "these things happen." The man was a monster! Did he think his money could buy him out of every moral responsibility? The worst of it was, it could. He ought to be arrested, but unfortunately it wasn't a crime to take advantage of a gullible girl.
Just yesterday they were discussing Helen's devotion to him. Remembering Mary's speculation about a possible relationship and how indignantly she had defended the other girl, Erin realized sadly how much she had to learn about life. But Helen was older and should have been wiser. How had she allowed this to happen? Didn't she know that a man with a reputation like his was only interested in a brief tawdry little affair? What was his power over women that they were willing to submit to him against all reason?
Maybe a few brief moments in his arms made it all worthwhile. Unbidden, his image appeared before her—that splendid body radiating masculinity. She was ashamed to admit it, but just being close to him had quickened her senses; the rapid beat of her heart was caused by more than fear.
She closed her eyes, seeking to drive away his hateful presence. Was it any wonder he was so successful when even Erin, who despised him, could be disturbed by his mere proximity? The sound of the door opening caused her to jump guiltily.
It was Terry Turnbull who glanced at her in surprise. "What are you doing here? I thought you had such a rush errand."
Erin looked at the papers still clutched in her hand and realized she would have to go back and leave them on Helen's desk. Her heart sank, but she tried to keep her voice natural as she answered, "That's where I'm headed now."
"You left ten minutes ago. What have you been doing?" Terry scrutinized her curiously. "One of the women heard there was something funny going on around here. Do you know what it's all about?"
It didn't take long for gossip to start, did it? Poor Helen—the news would be all over the office like a flash flood. It wasn't that they were cruel or unfeeling, but when a bunch of women are gathered together every day from nine until five, they're bound to take a proprietary interest in every little thing that happens. And this was far from a little thing. Would he think Erin had spread the news? It was a dreadful possibility. She would have to be terribly careful!
Turning toward the door, she said lightly, "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about, and I'd better deliver this report pronto."
Erin was quiet in the car going home that night, but her brother didn't seem to notice. His bad mood of the morning had completely vanished, to be replaced by a kind of repressed excitement. He kept giving her sidelong looks, waiting for her to ask the usual questions about his day. Although he rambled on about trivial things, Erin would have seen, if she hadn't been so preoccupied, that he was clearly bursting with news. When she merely answered in monosyllables, he finally asked, "What's wrong? You look sunk. Did something happen at work today?"
"No, I'm fine; you're the surprising one. Wasn't it just this morning you were singing mood indigo? What happened to brighten your day?"
He laughed. "Oh, you know me. I never stay down for long. Something always seems to turn up when you least expect it."
"What was it this time?" Even when she was upset, Erin could always manage to be interested in anything that concerned her brother.
"It was the darndest thing. You know how sometimes you feel like you're at a dead end and all of a sudden somebody puts a road map in your hand? Well, this morning, Mr. Dimitriou called me into his office and—"
Erin sat up very straight in her seat. "If it concerns that man, I don't want to hear it."
" 'That man,' as you call him, happens to be our boss, remember?" he asked dryly.
"Not mine for very long, I hope. I'm going to start looking for another job."
Bob was so startled he inadvertently slammed on the brakes, almost causing an accident. Over the blare of angry horns he asked, "Are you crazy?"
"I don't think so," she answered grimly. "I just want out."
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Never mind, I just do," she told him.
"Where do you think you'll get another job?"
"I'll find something," she promised.
"Are you kidding? You were lucky to get this one with no experience. They only took you on because I happened to know the personnel manager and he was sorry for us. If you quit after just three months, who do you think is going to hire you? Or do you expect him to give you a reference?" he asked sarcastically.
The worst of it was, he was right and she knew it. At least for the time being, she was trapped at DSL because she couldn't afford the luxury of unemployment. But it was going to be torture!
"I'm not trying to be mean, Erin," Bob said earnestly. "I'm just pointing out the hard facts."
Making a face, she said grudgingly, "Oh, all right."
He was not fully convinced. "Promise me you won't do anything foolish," he urged.
"I said all right," she muttered rebelliously. "Let's change the subject. Can you be ready by six o'clock? I'd like to get to Aunt Ellen's a little early."
"Tonight?" He gave her a startled look. "I can't go anywhere with you tonight. I have a date."
"Robert Brady, are you trying to be exasperating or just doing it accidentally?"
After the kind of day she had had, this was the final straw. Although the last thing in the world she felt like doing was going to a party, they had accepted this date weeks ago. But even if the invitation had arrived this morning, it would have carried the same obligation. Aunt Ellen was the closest thing they had to a relative, and, besides being their godmother, she was their favorite person.
When they were small, Aunt Ellen could always be counted on for ice cream bars and Saturday movie money. When they got older, she was a successful mediator of parental prohibitions like using the family car for a date or wearing high heels to school. Erin enumerated all these things plus more, ending with the fact that Aunt Ellen was expecting them, and Bob had better know that his little sister wasn't going to make excuses for him anymore.
He was somewhat taken aback by her vehemence. "You don't have to get so steamed about it. I just forgot, that's all, and I have this date…"
"Well, I guess you could bring her. I'm sure Aunt Ellen wouldn't mind."
"It isn't that kind of date. I've been invited to a party." His eyes narrowed in thought and he stole a sideways look at her. Evidently making up his mind about something, he said, "Forget it. I'll be ready."
Erin selected a plum-colored dirndl skirt and a cream-colored silk blouse with long ful
l sleeves and a wide, ruffled, drawstring neck that tied over one shoulder in a tiny self bow. Picking up a matching jacket and a small satin purse, she headed for the door, satisfied that she looked presentable. The outfit wasn't new—there wasn't money for that sort of thing now—but it was well made and looked kind of Christmasy.
Bob was waiting for her, and, instead of being sullen about having to give up his plans as Erin had feared, he was remarkably cheerful. She felt a pang of guilt. His well-being was always paramount in her mind, just as his approval was absolutely essential. She vowed to make it up to him and tried to be especially entertaining on the short drive to their godmother's. Whether she diverted him or not was questionable, but Erin gave him such full attention that she didn't notice they were driving through unfamiliar streets. It was only when he crossed the short bridge onto one of the lush islands off the causeway that she realized they had taken the wrong route.
"Where are we, Bob? This isn't the way to Aunt Ellen's."
He pulled up in front of a sprawling white mansion and cut the motor. "I have to make a stop first."
"What do you mean? Where are we?"
He turned to face her. In the muted light from a street lamp, his jaw was set. "Look, Erin, I said I'd go with you to Aunt Ellen's and I will. But first you have to stop off at a party with me. That's fair, isn't it?"
"I don't even know where we are," she said, bewildered by this turn of events.
His eyes didn't quite meet hers as he said, "I was going to tell you on the way home from work today, but you were so worked up about Mr. Dimitriou that I figured this way would be better."
"Do you mean—"
"Yes, this is his house. He's the one who invited me to the party." When she would have interrupted, he dismissed her protests. "Listen, Erin, this means a lot to me. Mr. Dimitriou called me into his office today and said he was having a little Christmas gathering for a select group in the company."
"He said that?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, he didn't exactly put it that way, but that was the general idea. He even told me to call him Jason. That's going to take a little getting used to," Bob mused in an awed tone of voice. "He said he wanted to get to know his people better. So you can see now why I had to come, can't you? It's almost a command performance."
"It seems to me he knows some of his people too well already," Erin snapped.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, never mind," she told him, and muttered almost to herself, "His conscience is probably bothering him. He's decided to be nice to the little people."
"Listen, I don't know what's eating you, but we're going inside and that's final!"
"Nothing in this world could induce me to step foot in that house," Erin cried. But when confronted by his very real anger, she added in a softer tone, "Besides, he didn't invite me, so it wouldn't even be right."
"He told me I could bring a date if I wanted," he assured her. "What's the difference if I bring my sister instead?"
They discussed it heatedly, but Erin could tell this was an argument she had no chance of winning. And in spite of her anger over his deception, she could understand her brother's jubilation at the invitation. Maybe it really was the long-awaited break. Maybe they had their eye on him and he was being considered for a better position. She mustn't let her prejudice jeopardize his chances.
"Bob, I hope this means as much as you think it does. You know I wish you all the luck in the world—and you're going to need it working for that man." She couldn't help adding, "But I… just think it would be better if you went without me. I'll wait here in the car for you."
"Are you out of your mind? There will be people going in and out, high-level people that I should get to know. What are they going to think when they see you sitting here in the car? They're bound to think it was my idea because no sensible person would choose to wait outside when there's a party going on inside."
"How would they know I'm waiting for you?"
"Are you kidding? Who else in that crowd drives a five-year-old sedan?"
"Nobody has to see me. I'll scrunch down in the corner," Erin told him, not very hopefully in the face of his disgusted look.
They argued the point at length. When he finally threatened not to take her to Aunt Ellen's at all, she knew she was beaten. There was no other transportation within miles, and Bob was capable of carrying out his threat.
Erin followed her brother up the long path to the stately front doors, dragging her feet as much as she dared. A butler answered his ring, and they found themselves in a massive entrance hall with a gleaming floor of polished marble. A graceful curving staircase was opposite the entry, and sounds of revelry were coming from a room on the left. After taking her wrap, the butler ushered them into the largest living room Erin had ever seen. There were so many people present that it was difficult to fully appreciate the exquisite furnishings. She got the impression of heavy sea-foam drapes and luxurious damask sofas and chairs scattered throughout the room. In the far corner was a huge grand piano that was perfectly in keeping with the scale of this massive salon.
A few people were gathered around a man who was seated at the piano playing soft music, but most of the others were chatting in small or large groups. A white-coated waiter carrying a tray of champagne cocktails paused to offer them one. Their host—or, rather, Bob's host, Erin corrected herself—was nowhere in sight.
"I don't know a soul here, do you?" she whispered.
"Well, I know a few people by sight but nobody to actually go up and say hello to."
At his tone, she glanced up and saw that he looked as lost and lonely as she felt. For all his bravado and pretended sophistication, Erin could tell he was out of his element in this glittering gathering. She wanted to slip her hand in his for comfort. We're like two little waifs with our noses pressed against the candy-store window, she thought wryly. Maybe now he'll realize we don't belong here. If I can just convince him to have this drink and go, we won't get to Aunt Ellen's too late after all.
But before she could frame her suggestion in a tactful way, they were hailed by a man who obviously belonged at this party. His suit was a mastery of understated elegance—in fact, everything about his attire was impeccable—but it was his casually assured manner that stamped him a member of Jason Dimitriou's crowd.
"Hello, I don't believe I've seen you around here before. In fact, I'm certain of it. Please tell me you're not a tourist who's going to disappear in the morning. I couldn't bear the disappointment." His hazel eyes laughed down at Erin out of a bronzed face crowned by sun-bleached hair. Almost as an afterthought, the gaze flickered over to Bob—but only for a moment. "I'm Bradford Honeywell," he added.
Before Erin could respond, her brother answered for both of them. "It's nice to know you. I'm Robert Brady and this is my sister, Erin."
Honeywell's face lit up and his manner became expansive, openly including Bob this time. "Oh! Brother and sister, isn't that nice. Are you both friends of Jason's?"
Erin thought she detected a special questioning note as he looked at her. He's probably trying to find out in a subtle way if I'm one of Mr. Dimitriou's women, she thought with distaste. Before she could frame a suitable reply, Bob answered for her.
"I'm associated in business with Jason," he said, "and Erin is my guest this evening."
That was marginally true, of course, but it made her uneasy. To give the impression that he held a big position at DSL seemed unwise. And why hadn't Bob mentioned that she worked there, too? Their jobs might not be very grand, but they were nothing to be ashamed of. However, Erin remained uncomfortably silent, as he knew she would.
"Well, that's just great," their new-found friend said heartily. "I wonder why I haven't met you before?" Bob was spared an answer as Brad turned to Erin, saying, "We have a lot of time to make up. Why don't we go over there in the corner and get acquainted?"
"The three of us?" she asked mischievously.
"They say three's a crowd
," he drawled. "Besides, I'm sure brother Bob is dying to say hello to some of his friends."
She stole a look at her brother's face and saw panic there at the prospect of being left all alone in this alien environment. It would serve him right, Erin thought. But she couldn't do it to him, so she smiled sweetly and said, "Even though we're related, he's still my date. I don't think I should leave him."
"All right, if you say so, but at least let's get out of the doorway." Brad seemed to understand and accept her answer with good grace. Putting a casual arm around her shoulders, he propelled her gently into the room. "You look like you have one foot out the door, and I don't intend to let you get away that easily."
"As a matter of fact, we can only stay a short time," she told him, ignoring her brother's scowl. "We're due at another party."
"You don't have to impress me with your popularity; I can tell that by looking at you," Brad said, his eyes wandering appreciatively over her.
Erin colored self-consciously. "I didn't mean it to sound that way. It's just that we have this other appointment."
"But we don't have to leave yet," Bob added hastily.
"That's good, because there are some people you really should meet," and he led them to a group of men and women who were chatting together in the middle of the room.
When the introductions were made, Erin recognized several of the men as business associates of Jason Dimitriou's. One was a vice president at DSL and another was the head of a bank. There was also a beautiful woman whose name appeared often in the society columns.
Erin wondered what these people would think if they knew who the Bradys really were. It worried her that they were here under slightly false pretenses, but the thought evidently didn't occur to Bob. He expanded visibly in this rarefied atmosphere.
"Now that big brother is adequately launched, why don't we go for a stroll in the moonlight?" Brad whispered in her ear.
She turned smilingly toward him, but the feeling of being watched made her glance over his shoulder, straight into the eyes of Jason Dimitriou, who was standing across the room, his smoldering gaze riveted on her. Even from a distance, she could tell that he was furiously angry. Erin had felt he wouldn't be pleased to find her in his home, but she didn't expect such a violent reaction. A pulse started to throb in her temple. It was madness to come here. Why hadn't Bob listened to her? Now they would be unmasked in front of everyone! He looked angry enough to say anything.
Holiday in Jamaica Page 2