Carole Mortimer - Romance of A Lifetime

by Romance of A Lifetime

  He looked at her questioningly, shaking his head as he seemed to find no answer there, starting to slowly pace the room, glancing at her every now and then as he frowned in thought.

  Beth felt at breaking-point, the tension almost unbearable. But this had to be done, no matter what her mother felt to the contrary. She had to . be true to herself, as well as Marcus.

  Marcus came to a sudden halt across the room from her. 'Martin Palmer is your husband,' he said slowly.

  'Was,' she corrected sharply;

  'Was,' he repeated tersely, his expression giving away nothing of his feelings at the realisation.

  'You see, Martin told you we weren't related to each other,' Beth rushed into speech as his silence continued. 'Which was true. But after that it would have been extremely difficult for me to have said, "Actually, we were once married to each other".'

  'You had the closest relationship any man or woman can have,' Marcus rasped.

  'In a successful marriage, perhaps,' she conceded. 'Ours wasn't.'

  'We talked about your marriage after that; wouldn't it have been better to have explained then?'

  'I wish I didn't have to tell you any of this at all,' she said emotionally. 'The marriage was—a disaster. And it's never pleasant to have to admit to one's mistakes.'

  'Why was he here this morning?'

  Something else she would rather not have to explain; telling the truth seemed to be a lot more complicated than the initial evasion!

  'Our marriage ended rather unpleasantly; last night was the first time we had seen each other for some time.'

  'Yes?' Marcus's gaze was compelling.

  She shook her head. 'He came here this morning because he seemed to think we had some unfinished business to discuss.'

  'And did you?'

  'No!'

  Marcus frowned. 'I seem to remember he was at the party with his fiancee…'

  'That's right,' Beth nodded abruptly. 'He was.'

  'A young woman with stars in her eyes,' he said slowly. 'The same young girl mentioned in the telephone message you received in Venice.'

  She had forgotten he had seen that message— 'M has announced his engagement to Brenda Carlisle' —blushing as she realised how damning her reaction to that news must now seem.

  'I must admit, I didn't make the connection lajst night,' Marcus murmured thoughtfully. 'Why did the announcement of your ex-husband's engagement to another woman make you rush back to England in the way that you did?'

  She sighed, wishing he had never seen that message. 'It was—a surprise.'

  'Why?'

  Her mouth firmed. Really, she didn't have to explain herself to anyone. And yet she could see how damning this must all look to Marcus.

  'Why was he here today, Beth?' Marcus persisted at her lack of a reply. 'Is it not over between the two of you, is that it?'

  'Oh, itrs over,' she scorned. 'So much so that I think Brenda needs warning!'

  T see,' Marcus nodded slowly.

  Beth frowned, not sure that he did at all. 'Do you?'

  'I think so,' he grated. 'You know, I had started to seriously doubt the things I had heard about you——-'

  'What things?' She gave him a startled look. 'What are you talking about?'

  'It doesn't matter——'

  'It matters to me!' she insisted indignantly. 'What have you heard about me? And from whom?'

  'I've said that doesn't matter,' Marcus rasped coldly. 'But you obviously are the spoilt little bitch I was told you were if you feel so vindictive about your ex-husband that you are willing to ruin his new relationship. I take it that was what was meant by "a girlish chat over coffee" with Brenda Carlisle?' he said disgustedly.

  Beth was pale at the unexpected attack. 'I wanted to talk to Brenda, yes——-'

  'And obviously Palmer is aware of exactly what you want to say to her!' His eyes blazed angrily. 'Or perhaps it isn't vindictiveness that drives you,' he scorned. 'Maybe it's jealousy. Do you regret your divorce?'

  'No, I——-'

  He shook his head, not listening to her. 'I can't Relieve I've been so foolish as to actually start to believe I was wrong about you.' His mouth twisted in self-derision. 'I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of admitting I could actually have come to care about you, because I realise now that's what all your little games were about——'

  'Games?' Beth echoed dazedly. 'What games?'

  'It almost worked, you know,' Marcus rasped. 'I can't believe I've been so stupid!'

  He pulled her roughly into his arms, his mouth punishing on hers as he ravaged her mouth without mercy.

  Just as suddenly he thrust her away from him, his gaze raking over her with complete contempt before he turned sharply and stormed out of the apartment.

  Beth slid slowly to the floor, her legs too weak to support her…

  CHAPTER NINE

  'MR carlisle will see you now.' The housekeeper smiled at Beth politely as she waited for her to follow her through to the lounge.

  Coming here this evening hadn't been easy for Beth, but she had telephoned Brenda several times and tried to speak to her, and the younger girl had consistently refused to even take the calls. Beth felt she had been given little choice but to contact Sean Carlisle himself.

  She knew Sean, of course; a big bluff Scotsman, with flaming red hair and a smile that could lull business rivals into a false sense of security concerning his ability. But he wasn't her father's partner for nothing, and if he could maintain his side of that relationship without sacrificing his own principles then he could attempt anything.

  He looked a little embarrassed as she came into the room, crossing the lounge to shake her hand. 'Nice to see you again, Beth,' he said gruffly.

  'Is it?' she doubted ruefully, sympathising with his awkwardness. It couldn't be every day he received a visit from his future son-in-law's ex-wife!

  Sean shrugged. 'You're Charles's daughter; of course I'm pleased to see you. I'm not quite sure of the reason for your visit, but…'

  I'm not only Charles's daughter, I was married to Martin,' she grimaced.

  'Ah,' he nodded.

  'That's what you were afraid of, hmm?' Beth made a face. I'm sorry about that.'

  I'm not,' he smiled. 'Sit down, why don't you? I'll organise some coffee for us both.' He rang the bell by the fireplace, a young maid entering seconds later.

  Beth sat down. She really wasn't looking forward to this conversation, had a feeling Sean would deeply regret his friendly hospitality before she had finished. If he took her warnings seriously then he wouldn't thank her for the upset she was about to cause; Brenda was the centre of his world, his wife having died years ago.

  'Would you like to pour?' he suggested once the coffee tray had been placed on the low table.

  Stay out of it, her mother had told her, but the more imminent Brenda's and Martin's marriage became the more uneasy Beth became about it all. She couldn't stand idly by.

  She poured their coffee. 'I don't think you should allow Brenda to marry Martin.'

  Auburn brows rose over warm brown eyes. "That's pretty blunt and to the point!'

  'Sorry,' she grimaced. 'But I don't know of any other way to say it.'

  'Oh, I'm not complaining,' he said, holding up dismissive hands. 'Straightforwardness is to be recommended, not rebuked.'

  'I hope you still think so by the time I leave,' she told him ruefully.

  'Tell me what you have to say, and let's see, hmm?' he prompted gently.

  Beth told him everything, leaving nothing out, sparing no one, not herself, not her father, and certainly not Martin. Sean listened without change of expression, occasionally asking the briefest of questions, but for the main part remaining silent.

  His very silence made it easier for Beth to talk without being overcome by emotion, but by the time she had finished she was shaking badly.

  'What would you say,' Sean spoke slowly a few seconds after she had fallen silent, 'if I were to tell you that, except for ac
tual conversations that took place, none of what you've just told me is a surprise to me?' He frowned.

  Beth swallowed hard. 'I would ask why you're letting your daughter marry Martin.' Surely no father could deliberately let his daughter walk into such a marriage?

  Why not? Her own father had! But Sean wasn't in the least like her father—was he…?

  He gave a rueful grimace. 'Why don't I get Brenda downstairs and let her explain that for herself?'

  Beth looked startled. 'Are you telling me that Brenda knows about all that too?'

  'I'll get her,' Sean said decisively, going upstairs himself to get his daughter rather than sending a maid.

  His absence gave Beth a few minutes to collect her thoughts together. Sean and Brenda actually knew what Martin was like and the young girl still intended marrying him? It was unbelievable!

  Brenda looked as fresh and young this evening as she had that night almost a week ago, and yet Beth looked at her with new eyes. The face was still slightly freckled, the eyes still a deep brown, and yet there was a maturity in their depths that Beth had never realised was there before. Whatever, Brenda didn't look like a wide-eyed innocent this evening, with stars in her eyes.

  'Daddy tells me you've come to warn me against marrying Martin,' she said lightly as she dropped down into an armchair.

  No, definitely no wide-eyed innocent today. Beth wondered if Martin knew he had a tigress by the tail. My God, the two of them could even deserve each other. Now, wouldn't that be hysterically funny?

  'Do I need to bother?' Beth said self-derisively.

  Brenda gave a rueful shrug. 'Not really. Because I love him, you see, "warts and all". I have done since I was fifteen years old, only he married you while still believing I was a child. I could hardly believe my luck when the two of you separated so quickly, and then divorced,' she added without any sign of malice, just stating bare fact. 'I still loved him, you see; nothing had changed for me.'

  And Sean was prepared to let his darling daughter have anything, anyone, that made her happy; Beth could see that now. It was all so incredible.

  'I do see,' she said slowly. 'I don't understand, but I do see.'

  Brenda shrugged again. 'I'm not like you, Beth, I have my eyes wide open about just what sort of person Martin is.'

  'And you love him anyway,' she realised dazedly.

  Brenda smiled. 'Yes. And to finally answer your question of the other evening, Beth, yes, I do know about Chloe. I also know she's going to be out of his life so fast once the two of us are married that he'll wonder what happened. Our marriage will work, Beth, and on my terms, you'll see.' She spoke with complete confidence.

  And she was probably right, Beth realised, because she had the support and power of her father behind her rather than against her as Beth had.

  Beth gave a rueful shake of her head. 'I'm almost starting to feel sorry for Martin.'

  'Only almost?' Brenda laughed, looking quite lovely, and totally unconcerned about the success of her future.

  As well she might! Beth had felt totally despondent about this visit but she had a feeling she might leave feeling somewhat elated, definitely relieved at the very least. .

  'Yes, only almost,' she admitted drily. 'Are you really sure you want to go through with this, Brenda?' She sobered. 'Martin's never going to change, you know. He came to see me last Sunday to warn me off talking to you again."

  'He isn't the reason I didn't take your calls,' Brenda said gently. 'I just thought it would be easier on everyone if we stayed away from each other.' She stood up. 'I still think that's the best way to handle this because we really can't have any more to talk about. I certainly don't want to compare marriages!'

  'Neither do I,' Beth said with feeling.

  Brenda nodded. 'Then I had better go and get changed; I'm meeting Martin later.'

  Beth watched her leave the room, feeling more than a little dazed, wondering how any woman— for undoubtedly that was what Brenda was, no innocent young girl at all!—could marry a man she knew was untrustworthy before the wedding.

  She shook her head. 'If Brenda is fooling herself and really does believe she can change him——'

  'She isn't,' Sean assured her heavily. 'She loves him just as he is. I would rather have anyone else as a son-in-law.' He shook his head. 'But he's what Brenda wants…'

  And what Brenda wanted, she got. Beth had a feeling Martin had more than a few shocks waiting for him in the years to come.

  'It will be different with Brenda,' Sean assured her grimly. 'I know exactly what Martin is after, and how to deal with him. Don't worry, Beth; he won't get away with anything married to my daughter.'

  She could see that, felt an enormous sense of relief, as if the whole responsibility had been lifted from her shoulders. She couldn't help thinking Brenda was condemning herself to a lifetime of unhappiness with Martin, but she was doing it wilfully, so what more was there to be said?

  Beth stood up. 'There doesn't seem to be anything more to be said.' She shrugged.

  'No.' Sean gave a rueful smile, standing up too. "But I do thank you for your concern, Beth; I know that it couldn't have been easy for you to come here at all.'

  'Especially as it turned out to be so unnecessary,' she grimaced.

  He gave a gentle smile. 'Your father is a fool; I've told him so on numerous occasions.'

  'I'm sure he liked that.' She still found it difficult to talk about her father.

  Sean shrugged. 'I've never particularly cared whether he liked it or not. The first stupid thing he did was let your mother go; after that he just compounded things every time he saw her by acting like an idiot. He still loves her, you know.'

  Beth gave him a startled, disbelieving look. 'He can't do.' She shook her head.

  'But he does S Sean nodded. 'The only problem is that his ambition and drive are obsessional with him, and even people he loves are sacrificed to that end.'

  'I know that better than most,' Beth said with remembered bitterness.

  'He's been the loser,' Sean sighed. 'But he always will be, especially while there are people like Martin to benefit from his obsession. But you mustn't worry about that situation any more, my dear,' he said again firmly. 'I'm not without power and ambition myself.'

  He would never have survived as her father's partner all these years otherwise, Beth realised. And where Sean's daughter's happiness was concerned he wouldn't hesitate to use his power, just as he wouldn't hesitate to destroy anyone who threatened that happiness. But she knew now that Brenda had a lot of her father's strength and determination, that she would probably never have need of his power, being quite capable of managing her own life in any way that suited her.

  She left to go and meet her mother for dinner, although she was still slightly shaken from the meeting with father and daughter.

  'She always was a spoilt little minx,' her mother said ruefully when Beth had related the conversation to her. 'I thought the finishing school in Switzerland might have changed all that.'

  'And instead her apparent docility is just a trap to ensnare Martin,' Beth said ruefully. ,

  'She sounds just what he deserves,' her mother said with satisfaction. 'Two of a kind.'

  Beth nodded. 'They do seem very alike. I just hope Brenda doesn't end up getting hurt in spite of herself.'

  Her mother shook her head. 'I doubt it. You'll see, in twenty years' time the two of them will still be married, and Martin will be totally bewildered by it all.'

  It conjured up an amusing picture, and Beth couldn't help but smile.

  "That's better.' Her mother nodded her satisfaction. 'I've been worried about you the last few days.' She looked at Beth closely. 'Has some-dung happened to upset you?'

  Beth hadn't seen Marcus since the morning after the party when she had told him the truth about Martin and he had said those awful things to her. But she had far from forgotten the incident, was still stunned by it. Marcus had spoken as if he had been warned against her, and she couldn't think of
anyone—other than her father and Martin, and he obviously didn't know either of them—who disliked her enough to do such a thing. She also wondered exactly what he had been told to make nun believe such things of her.

  But she didn't know where he lived when he was hi London, had no intention of embarrassing herself by asking the Trents for his telephone number, and so the situation had remained, as far as she was concerned, unresolved.

  'Beth?' her mother prompted at her continued silence. 'You haven't heard anything from Marcus; is that the problem?'

  Her mother had no idea the two of them had spoken again after the party, and Beth had no intention of telling her otherwise. That humiliation was better kept to herself.

  'Of course not,' she answered sharply.

  'Sure?'

  'Very,' she replied vehemently to the gentle probing. 'I… He was too much in the same mould as Charles for me to ever feel comfortable with him.' And yet she had enjoyed his company, she knew she had, had been halfway to falling in love with him!

  Her mother frowned at this. 'I don't think he's at all like your father in the ways that would affect you.' She said slowly. 'He's capable, yes, very self-assured too, but I don't think there's any cruelty in him.'

  Maybe he wouldn't be deliberately cruel, but he had hurt Beth, and he seemed willing to believe his informant about her, whoever he or she might be, rather than giving her the opportunity to defend herself.

  'Speak of the devil,' her mother murmured.

  Beth looked up sharply, following her mother's gaze across the room.

  Marcus had just entered the fashionable restaurant, a younger man at his side, although there was a certain family resemblance in the thick dark hair, grey eyes, and the slender but powerful build. Marcus hadn't mentioned having a brother, only an older sister, and yet Beth couldn't see the younger man being anything but a blood relative of his. A son, perhaps? That was a possibility she had never thought of. If Marcus also had a broken marriage behind him… But even so, that was no excuse for the way he had behaved towards her, especially as he didn't really know what he was talking about.

  'He's coming over,' her mother muttered.

  Oh, God, now what was she supposed to do? They could hardly be polite to each other after the contemptuous way he had dismissed her on Sunday.