“I gather that when you finally realized how much money was involved you came to your senses?” Elly knew the sarcasm simmered in her voice, but she made no real effort to quench it. She was feeling too much pain to worry about good manners.
Jess’s expression darkened. He took another long swallow of brandy. “It wasn’t just the money. By the time I discovered what was happening on that front I had also begun to realize that I was growing sick of Marina’s brand of thrills. The excitement she could generate began to wear thin. And I was disgusted with myself for letting her put me through the wringer. I was getting plain tired of the aftereffects of her bizarre life-style. Marina, herself, finally realized I wasn’t reacting to the old cycle of blazing jealousy followed by blazing sex. When I cut off the endless supply of cash, she opted to head for greener pastures. As it happened, I was already filing for divorce.”
“Sounds like the parting of the ways was a mutual decision. How modern.”
The line of Jess’s jaw seemed to tighten but he didn’t respond to her sarcasm. “She left my life the way she had entered it: On the arm of another man. I was incredibly relieved to see her go. I was just as relieved to be rid of her twin. In a strange way, I guess I owe them both something, though.”
Elly looked up, eyes widening with further anguish. “What do you owe them?”
Jess’s mouth twisted wryly. “It was during the aftermath, when my life was finally settling back down to normal, that I began to look around and ask just what kind of future I was building for myself. Then I asked myself if it was what I really wanted. I finally took stock of myself and my surroundings and began to restructure my thinking. I took a good hard look at every element of my life and began implementing changes. It was then that I started thinking of easing my way out of the business world and making the transition to another kind of environment.”
“That was when you decided that what you were really cut out to do was run a quaint little inn on the coast?”
“That’s when the idea began to crystallize, yes. But I also made a lot of other fundamental decisions. I knew I no longer needed or wanted the kind of destructive excitement a man gets from a woman like Marina. Once was enough. I would never allow myself to be manipulated like that again. And, above all, I knew I’d never let myself get so close again to being out of control either physically or emotionally.”
“You decided you wanted a placid, serene, controlled sort of existence, is that it?” Elly asked tightly, staring hard at his profile. “An uncomplicated life-style that didn’t offer too much annoying excitement.”
Jess’s eyes narrowed faintly. “Something like that.”
“And when you met me you decided I’d be just the kind of placid, serene, unexciting sort of wife to fit into that life-style,” Elly concluded.
“Elly, you’re twisting my words. You don’t understand what I’m trying to say.”
“Don’t I?” she said, her voice flaring. “I know that for two months you haven’t shown much interest in making love to the woman you said you wanted to marry. I know that when I decide to take the chance of finding out if you’re ever going to want to make love, the first thing that happens is you start seeing Marina’s ghost. You did say she was dead, didn’t you?”
“Elly, listen to me, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“When did she die?”
Jess made an impatient movement, coming away from the mantle toward her. “I heard she was killed in a boating accident a couple of years ago. Elly, that’s not important now. I want you to listen to me. I wasn’t seeing ghosts tonight.” He sat down beside her on the sofa and tried to pull her into his arms. “I saw someone who looked a little like her. That’s all.”
“You called to her,” Elly reminded him bleakly. She evaded his arms and got to her feet. “You called her name.”
“Hell, I was startled. It’s always startling to see a face out of the fog peering in through the window. Especially one that looks familiar. Elly, you’re making too much out of this. It’s not like you to get so upset. I want you to calm down and forget about what happened.”
“That’s not likely, is it? And how do you know it’s not like me to get this upset? Even we serene, placid, unexciting types occasionally have our moments. We may not cause quite the sensation you’re accustomed to getting, but we’re not totally predictable and comfortable, either.”
“Elly, you’re losing your temper.”
“Damn right.” She shoved her trembling fingers into the back pockets of her jeans and stood facing him. Challenge and defiance were written in her stance. “I hate to tell you this, but, while losing my temper is rare, it’s not exactly the first time it’s happened. Believe it or not, I do have a temper.”
“I’m beginning to believe it.” Slowly Jess got to his feet, his eyes softening as he studied her rigid stance. “But I’m afraid you’re not going to be able to terrorize me with it.”
“Why not? Because you’ve been terrorized by much more exciting displays of temper? You’re immune to my more mundane explosions?”
Jess reached out and tugged her gently but forcefully against him, his arms locking around her with undeniable strength. Helpless, Elly stood stiffly, aware of her captor’s lips in her tangled hair.
“You aren’t going to be able to drive me away from you with a show of temper, honey. I know you too well. Believe me, after my experience with the Carringtons, I became an excellent judge of human nature, my own as well as others. I know you’re exactly the kind of woman I want and need. When you’ve calmed down you’ll realize that I’ll be a good husband for you.”
“If you really think I’d marry you after what happened tonight…!”
Very gently Jess shut off the flow of hot words by putting his fingers against her mouth. He shook his head warningly. “Don’t say things you’ll only regret in the morning. Trust me, honey. I know what I’m doing, and I know what’s best for both of us. We’re going to have a good marriage.”
“Even if it is a little on the dull side?”
His patience gave a little under the taunting. Jess removed his fingers from her mouth and kissed her, a quick, hard, possessive caress that was unlike any other she’d ever had from him. It was definitely not of the more familiar, more casual variety she had become so well acquainted with during the past two months.
“I don’t think we’re going to have to worry about boring each other, do you?” he asked with suspicious blandness as he watched the color flood her cheeks. Then he relented, pushing her face gently down onto his shoulder. “Stop worrying, Elly. Everything’s going to be fine. You know you want to marry me. You know that you’re going to say yes.”
“No, I do not know that. And you can give up any idea that I’m going to be pushed into making a decision this weekend. I want more time, Jess. A lot more time. I have a great deal more to consider now. It seems there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”
“That’s not true, Elly. You know the real me.”
She lifted her head, her eyes overly bright from the effects of unshed tears. “Do I? What happens if you get a sudden craving for the old style of excitement? What if you start seeing Marina’s ghost in our bedroom? I’m not sure I can cope with that, Jess.”
His face hardened. “Stop it, Elly. You’re being ridiculous.”
She moved away from him, and he let her go. “You may be right. It’s been a traumatic night. Unlike you, I’m not accustomed to so much excitement. I think I’ll go to bed.”
“Elly—”
“You can have the sofa. There are some sheets and blankets in the hall closet. Help yourself.” Without waiting for him to respond, she turned and headed toward the staircase. Her foot was on the first tread when he caught up with her.
“Elly, you’re upset and you’re overreacting. You need reassurance.”
“No kidding.” She didn’t look at him.
He hesitated and then said deliber
ately. “I don’t think you should spend the night alone.”
Her eyes swung to his. Then, half in shock and half in sudden fury, she said, “Are you by any chance offering to reassure me in bed?”
“Why not? After all, what’s really changed, Elly? Earlier this evening you made it clear you needed exactly that kind of reassurance. You were begging me for it, in fact. I’m willing to give it to you. By morning you’ll know that everything’s going to be all right.”
Elly was beginning to seethe. “Your generosity overwhelms me. As I said, I just don’t think I can handle all this excitement. Good night, Jess. Let me know if you see any more familiar prowlers.”
She flung herself up the stairs and into her bedroom. There she closed and locked the door behind her. Then, trembling so violently she was afraid she’d lose her balance, she collapsed onto the bed.
Three
It was the ringing of the telephone that brought Elly out of a fitful sleep the next morning. She struggled awake, vaguely aware that she had forgotten to unplug the instrument downstairs and bring it up to her bedroom before going to bed. Now it was screeching demandingly from the living room and would probably continue to do so until she got downstairs. Then it would undoubtedly stop ringing just as she reached for it.
To her disgusted surprise it ceased clamoring ahead of schedule. She had barely gotten her robe out of the closet when the ringing stopped. Belatedly she realized that Jess must have answered it. She opened her door in time to hear him firmly tell the caller that she was still asleep.
“It’s all right, Jess,” she said from the top of the stairs. “I’ll take it.” Hastily fastening her comfortable, warm red flannel robe, she traipsed barefooted down the stairs. Even her robe suited the image Jess had of her, she thought unhappily. Not particularly sexy or exciting, but reliable and comfortable. The mass of tangled chestnut hair hanging around her shoulders probably went with the image, too. She should have taken the time to put on her fluffy bunny slippers. That would have really completed the look.
Jess stood holding the phone, his expression intent as she came down the stairs. He was already dressed, and she wondered just how late it was. Or perhaps he was simply in a hurry to get out of her house. A glance out the window showed that the fog had cleared. Elly let her eyes slide away from his as she took the receiver from him.
“Hello?” When the caller identified herself, the small element of interest Elly had managed to summon up disappeared from her voice. “Oh, it’s you, Aunt Clara.”
“Elly, dear, I’m calling to tell you that the family has made its decision.” Her aunt’s aloof, rather arrogant tones held all the certainty in the world.
“I see.” Elly slanted a quick glance at Jess, who was listening unabashedly. “And what is the decision?” As if she couldn’t guess. She had known from the beginning how the rest of the family intended to vote. She had also known the kind of pressure she would be under once the decision had been made. “And what did you decide, Aunt Clara?”
“We have decided to sell Trentco Switches. I just wanted to let you know so that you would be prepared to vote at the meeting. I think it is essential that we present a united front. You know Harrigan will fight us.”
Good for Harrigan, Elly thought. But she kept her voice carefully polite as she said, “Thank you for telling me your decision, Aunt Clara. I will certainly take it into consideration.”
“Come now, Elly, you know there’s no need to consider the matter.” Aunt Clara’s tone was suddenly sharp. “We have let you know what we intend to do, and it will be best for all concerned if you refrain from causing trouble. You have absolutely no knowledge of this sort of thing. What could you possibly know about buyouts and merger offers? Oh, maybe once upon a time you could have dealt with these matters, but not any longer. The business world has passed you by, and you should have sense enough to know it. Living out there with that bunch of ex-hippies, the way you do, it’s a wonder you’re not on food stamps and welfare. I feel so sorry for your parents. I can’t imagine what they must think these days. And if it had been your mother calling this morning she would have been shocked to the core.”
Elly bristled. “Why would my mother have been shocked, Aunt Clara?”
“Don’t play games with me, Elly. You know perfectly well I’m talking about the fact that a strange man answered your phone this morning. I have to assume that’s a regular occurrence these days. Only to be expected considering the sort of life-style you’re leading. If I were you, I would at least instruct your male friends not to answer the telephone at seven forty-five in the morning. It gives a very bad impression. But, of course, I suppose that’s your business.”
Elly’s fingers tightened around the receiver. “Yes, Aunt Clara. Considering the fact that I’m thirty years old and self-supporting, I’d say it definitely is my business. Now, if you don’t mind, I haven’t even had coffee yet, and I’m due to open the store in an hour. I appreciate you informing me of your decision. As I said, I will take it under advisement. Goodbye, Aunt Clara.”
She hung up the phone before her aunt had finished sputtering in her ear. “This is not starting out to be one of my more scintillating days. Did you know you give a very bad impression on the phone, Jess?”
“I’ll have to work on my telephone manners.” He spoke offhandedly as he watched her face. “That rather rude woman is your aunt?”
“Unfortunately.” Elly stalked toward the kitchen. “Any coffee?”
“Not yet. I just came in from outside. Haven’t had time to make it.” He followed her to the kitchen door, his eyes never leaving her as she busied herself with the coffee pot.
“What were you doing outside? Are you a jogging freak or something?” Elly asked irritably as she ran water into the pot. The way he was watching her made her more aware than ever of her rumpled, unexciting appearance. None of the fantasies she had ever had about her first morning with Jess Winter had gone quite like this.
“No. I just wanted to have a look around to see if I could find any trace of last night’s visitor.”
Elly’s head came up quickly. “And did you?”
“Afraid not. It rained around four in the morning. Whatever evidence there might have been was long gone by the time I got outside. Don’t look at me like that, Elly,” he added too mildly. “There really was someone out there.”
“I’m not going to argue the point. Lord knows I’ve got enough of an argument on my hands as it is.”
“Something to do with your Aunt Clara?” Jess dropped casually into a seat by the window.
“Aunt Clara and most of my other relatives except my parents who are, thank goodness, out of the country.”
“What’s the problem?”
Elly sighed. “It’s a long story. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”
“Nope. Not a thing. Tell me the story, Elly.”
“Look, Jess, I have to be at work in an hour. I don’t have time for a long chat. Do you mind?” She hovered grimly over the coffee machine, waiting impatiently for it to brew.
“You can talk and make breakfast at the same time.”
“Good grief. You’re as bad as Aunt Clara. Why is everyone in my life so damned arrogant?”
“I don’t think of myself as being arrogant. I think of it as being assertive.”
She caught the thread of amusement in the words and glanced up sharply. Jess smiled benignly.
“Maybe I should take notes on assertiveness. It certainly seems to work for the rest of you,” Elly grumbled. She poured coffee and began rummaging around in a cupboard for some granola cereal.
“Oh? Is it going to work for your aunt, then? Going to give her whatever it is she wants?”
“Not if I can help it. If she thinks I’m going to sell off the family inheritance, she’s out of her mind,” Elly said, flashing a determined look.
“What puts you in the position of even being able to sell off a family inheritance?”
>
Elly groaned. “You never give up, do you? You just keep pushing and prodding until you have an answer.” She carried the canister of cereal and a carton of milk over to the table and they both sat down.
“I told you: assertiveness.”
It was Elly who gave up. “I’ll give you a short summary of the situation. My father’s brother, Uncle Toby, founded a company called Trentco. When he died he left a sizable block of shares to me—controlling interest, in fact. Not that I wanted them, mind you, but because good old Uncle Toby knew his own relatives. He had a pretty fair hunch they’d sell off the company if they got the chance. Having put his life’s blood into the firm, my uncle wanted to see it kept intact for the next generation of Trents. He had hopes someone like me or possibly my cousin Dave, or even one of the younger kids, might take charge of the firm someday. Now the rest of the family has decided they want to sell Trentco. We’ve had a good offer, and they’ve all had delusions of instant wealth.”
“So the rest of the family is putting pressure on you to vote the controlling block of shares in favor of the sale?”
“No wonder you were so good in business. You’re so fast on your feet.”
Jess grinned. “You are grouchy in the mornings, aren’t you? What does Trentco make?”
“Widgits.”
He arched one heavy eyebrow. “Widgits?”
“You know, little things like switches and wiring and stuff.”
“Oh. Widgits.”
“Yes. And I’m not going to vote to sell the company because my cousin Dave has shown a serious interest in it. He wants to keep it. He’s studying business, and he seems to have an aptitude for that. In a few more years he’ll be able to handle it. He has every right to his inheritance. And I’ve got a couple of little nieces whose mother needs the steady income, although she doesn’t always think far enough ahead to realize it. She’s too interested in the prospect of quick money.”
Cautious Lover Page 4