A strange, yet expectant, look spread across his face, one that she had never seen before as he waited eagerly for her reaction. When her eyes narrowed in suspicion, she heard his quick intake of breath, and then the moment passed.
She sprang back, defiantly, as though he had bitten her. "I can't accept that. I already told you, I'm only staying until you find someone to replace my position. I was going to give you my notice with better timing than this, but I...I can't possibly take it. I'm sorry."
He released her arm and took a step back. "And I'm not having my daughter driven around in that contraption!" he snapped. "So long as you are here, that is what you will drive. My God, you are touchy. I'll take your things inside then I'm off; I'm late as it is. Maybe you will have cooled off by the time I see you again."
She caught a glimpse of his stormy, steely grey eyes before he turned away.
Angrily he pulled her case from the back seat, strode into the house, and dumped it unceremoniously inside her bedroom. He threw the keys to the new car onto the dressing table, followed by an envelope.
Turning to leave, he sneered, "Be so kind as to pick PJ up for me. And at this stage, for God's sake, don't tell her you are thinking of leaving again. Your sense of timing leaves much to be desired."
Still in a daze, she listened as he descended the stairs. Seconds later, she heard the front door slam shut, and the powerful motor of his car roar into life as his tires screeched on tar, accelerating at every passing second. Kris sat in silence, feeling a cold emptiness inside of her.
She picked up the envelope with her name written in bold black lettering. She opened it and pulled out a wad of bank notes and a letter. She hissed in a breath, her eyes narrowed. She couldn't believe it. What was he trying to prove?
Kris laid the money aside, opened the folded letter and started to read: Kris,
The money is for you to use for the festive season. Please sign the enclosed papers and take them to town as soon as you can. The car is yours. Please enjoy it.
Raoul
How could she accept a car from him? Since she'd started working here, he had made it obvious that he did not like her. A man had certain needs, and she had been handy when he needed her the most. But as the tension and grief grew, he'd appear days later disappointed and disgusted with himself. Most of the time they seemed to rub together like sandpaper. She couldn't understand what had possessed him to give her such a gift. She'd accept him telling her that it was a perk-part of the job -- But as a personal gift? -- No, she couldn't accept that explanation. Besides, the money expense was more than she expected. Was he trying to buy her off, a handout in return for no trouble? Maybe he wanted to keep her calm, or perhaps keep her quiet. She shuddered as thoughts of her late husband Tony ran through her mind.
She felt lonely and disillusioned, but determined more than ever that she would definitely not stay there longer than she must. PJ or no PJ, why suffer harsh feelings? The memory of how happy and free she had felt when she first moved into her flat flooded back. Despite the society circles she was accustomed to, she was basically what most called a simple soul. There was nothing aggressive or ambitious about her. She had had enough problems caused by other people to last a lifetime. For now, a hassle-free life with fewer people and their troubles frequenting it seemed inviting.
Nevertheless, she felt a thrill of anticipation at seeing PJ, and decided to take Jump along for the ride. That would liven up things a bit, and certainly put a smile onto the child's face. The two had become inseparable.
Defiantly, she glared at the new car and climbed into her own familiar vehicle. There would be time enough to decide her next move.
...x...
As she walked into the hospital, there was an excited shriek. PJ, packed and ready to go, waited impatiently with the receptionist.
"They changed their minds and said I could go home today, I just knew you would come. I guessed what Daddy was talking about, and you see, I was right." Her chubby arms wound around Kris' neck.
As Kris held her close, she felt an overwhelming sense of need and an outgoing flow of her own love.
"Come on, then. I have someone special waiting for you outside."
A nurse extricated the small form and carried her out to the car. Jump's yelps of delight announced to the world that two friends were reunited.
Laughing, Kris got behind the wheel and nearly shouted, "Hey, steady on chaps! Calm down or we will never make it home. Besides, young lady, you have to take it easy."
By the time they reached home, her spirits had soared.
"Who's staying with us?" PJ queried as they entered the drive. "I've never seen that car before."
"It was a surprise for me. Your dad doesn't like my poor old car, so he bought that one for us to use." That should satisfy the child, she thought. "I was too scared to drive it. Nice, isn't it? We'll try it out tomorrow. Now, let's get you in bed before you get too excited. I don't need you getting sick on me again."
The phone rang as she tucked her into bed, and her heart lurched as she heard Raoul's deep voice. "Everything all right? How's PJ?"
The invisible barrier between them made her snap back, "I'll call her and you can ask her yourself."
With ill-concealed anger, Kris put the phone down none too gently on the dresser. Kris turned to PJ, a strained smile on her face. Blissfully unaware of the tension between the two adults, she hurried over to talk to her father.
PJ perked up when she heard her father's hello. "Daddy, you know what? Kris brought Jump to collect me; she says he can sleep in my room tonight. Do you think he'll climb on my bed in the middle of the night? And you know what else? There was a charm bracelet under my pillow because I've been so good. When are you coming? I want to show it to you. Kris says we are going for a ride in the new car tomorrow. Can't you come soon?"
"So many questions, baby. Don't you go running around too much and getting sick again, you hear? I'll be back just as soon as I can. Now, may I talk to Kris, please? Sleep well, angel."
Kris was surprised when PJ handed her the phone. "Yes, Raoul?"
"I just want to thank you for your assistance and your kindness to PJ. The bracelet was a lovely touch, she needs a woman such as yourself to do things like that for her."
Was he being sarcastic? It sounded genuine enough.
"Oh, it's nothing really. I love her, you know?"
There was an awkward pause before he spoke. "I know. However, I trust that you not using the car to pick up PJ was an oversight...one that won't be repeated."
Kris could hear the implied threat in his voice and nodded her agreement. She toughened her skin when he pulled himself up to his full height, knowing something worse was coming.
"By the way, there's been a change of plans. Isabella will be coming down, so you can prepare her room."
Kris wondered if he was yo-yoing with her emotions on purpose. Damn him, she thought. She felt as though she was on a roller coaster whenever he spoke to her.
Tersely she said, "Isabella's room is always ready for her...Sir!" She slammed the phone down before he could say anything else that might force her into saying something she might regret.
Within seconds after hanging up the phone, it rang again. This time it was Luke on the line.
"I've seen Raoul drive off with Isabella and Philippe, so I guessed you must be with PJ," Luke said. "For God's sake, Kris, don't go rocking the boat again. It's been like a madhouse with the old man tearing out his hair and bawling everyone out for no reason at all."
His voice softened a little, "Listen to me, girl, nothing can be that bad that you can't talk to your Uncle Luke. Between us, we can sort anything out. I'll be down early tomorrow, but I am dying to tell you my news. Marie Louise returned from her trip with her father, and he has agreed to our meeting in a normal manner. We can actually be seen in public together! Anyway, it seems that she has convinced him about her feelings for me, or rather my honourable intentions. It will be formal, but I can't begin to tell you how thril
led we are. As soon as we can, I want you to meet her. I know you'll love her."
Luke's rambling on about their plans made Kris feel happy and excited for her friend. She thought it was funny how Luke had taken to her so quickly and how he felt comfortable in confiding in her as though he'd known her for a long time. She looked forward to seeing him again.
Later, as she brushed her hair until it gleamed before the mirror, she tried to fathom why her leaving had affected Raoul so. After all, he only had to phone Mrs. Cree and she would take over in any emergency, so it wasn't the end of the world. He never failed to send her mixed signals and she wondered why he had reacted so strongly to her desire to leave. Was he afraid he might lose her? What was going through his mind?
She dismissed her thoughts with a sigh. Raoul was a very complex man. How could she possibly fathom his thinking?
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* * *
Chapter Twelve
The next day, Kris made up for lost time as she prepared for the weekend. She phoned caterers, confirmed the open bar provision, spoke to the band, and generally ran around like a scalded cat. Fortunately, she had made most of the arrangements before she had taken off, and she was confidant that things were on track.
Raoul wanted the party to be fairly early in the festive season because, by early November, people looked forward to enjoying themselves. It was all a case of stage-managing, rather than actually doing things herself. Although, she did like to arrange the flowers and would see to the more personal touches for the tables when the marquee was set up. She got along well with all the helpers and things moved along smoothly.
The day passed quickly and before she knew it, the first of the houseguests arrived. She slicked on some glossy lipstick and went to the door. By now, she knew most of Raoul's friends. They all liked her and the unruffled way she entertained. She didn't hassle as most women do and it was easy to relax. The fact that she worked in jeans and a jersey, didn't bother them, or her. Raoul's guests felt that an invitation to the Metier Country House was a privilege. Before long, additional guests arrived. She served tea and crumpets in front of the log fire in the paneled billiard room.
When she'd first started working at the house, she was horrified to see a beautifully proportioned room had lost its appeal and became a glorified storeroom. Slowly, she had moved the rubbish to the outhouses, and by judiciously pinching of furniture from other parts of the house, she had created a room that was friendly and comfortable and ready to serve the purpose for which it had been intended. She had said nothing to Raoul about her activities and had taken money from his allowance to have some of the older chairs reconditioned. She bought new curtains and cushions in a colour scheme of russet and browns accented with a striking yellow and turquoise to bring the room together.
Therefore, it was to this inviting room, past the more formal and austere sitting room, that PJ excitedly brought Raoul with the glamorous Isabella clinging limpet-like to his arm. As the door thrust open, the scene before him surprised him more than he could have believed possible.
Half a dozen of his friends watched a game in progress on the television while others sat in small groups and played chess. Kris noticed that some read the newspaper, or chatted while drinking their tea. Fresh brightly colored flowers and the sparkle of brass and copper added a pleasant domestic scene that gave the room harmony, which usually wasn't possible with such a large number of people. Even the most aloof guest seemed to have mellowed. The casual clothes everyone had changed into made for a relaxed gathering.
Just as the door burst open, Kris glanced up and met the bemused look on the face of her employer. When he had taken in the scene, his gaze returned to her and she held his eyes defiantly, not knowing what to expect.
He nodded his dark head and said, "You never cease to amaze me." Isabella, on the other hand, moved to Kris' side and assumed a superior expression. In a bored tone she said softly, "Well, Kris, this informality is certainly a different approach to things. I only hope you don't take it too far. I am quite sure Raoul expects something a little more sophisticated for his party."
Kris matched her cool voice. "Naturally." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I am not an idiot when it comes to these things, you know."
Isabella tossed her head and drew in her breath with a sharp hissing sound. She turned back to Raoul who had taken off his jacket and started to greet his friends. Kris smiled as she watched him make his way around the room, indicating to her that the mood of the room was infectious.
"PJ, toss me a crumpet and then come and talk to me. It's so good to see you getting better so quickly." He patted the child on the head before strolling over to Kris to pour him a cup of tea.
She was conscious of his closeness and the moment when his grey eyes looked lazily over her. "I hope you don't mind our using this room. I tried to--"
"Why are you trying to justify yourself? It's great, just great."
She felt a flush diffuse her face and neck. Why, oh, why did he always make her feel so juvenile? What was it she really felt? Anger, jealousy, or frustration?
Later, when she told PJ that it was time for bed, she was a little taken aback when the child went to Raoul saying, "Daddy, if I go by myself right now, won't you and Kris come and kiss me goodnight, please?" The seemingly simple request sent a shiver down Kris' spine. She had no wish to be alone with the man, yet she didn't know how to get out of the situation without upsetting PJ, so she said nothing.
In the loving way he always had for the child, he playfully smacked her bottom and said, "Off you go, then. We'll give you ten minutes, ready, or not, then we'll be there." He moved away when she left the room, as though he had lost interest.
Immediately, Isabella raced to his side. "Darling, this is divine, so clever of Kris," she said. "No point in me asking if there is anything I can do tomorrow to help. I'm sure she has everything totally organized, so perhaps you can take me to the village in the morning, and then we can go for a drive. I've never really seen the countryside around here, and I'm sure Kris doesn't want us under her feet." She tugged on his arm. "Get me a drink, sweetheart. I'd rather a sherry than tea at this time of the day."
Kris had heard the conversation and indicated to Raoul that drinks and glasses were in a cabinet against one wall, then she moved out of the way.
However, he turned to Isabella saying, "Help yourself, my dear. We're just going to chivvy PJ along. She looked a bit overexcited, and I don't want her getting sick again." He took Kris by the elbow and led her to the door.
He didn't say a word as they walked up to PJ's bedroom. She was ecstatic. "Oh, Daddy...I just wanted you and Kris to say goodnight to me, not anyone else. It's so nice when it's only us. Daddy, when I was in hospital you said we should go on holiday. Can't you and Kris and I go away by ourselves? We would have fun, the three of us."
Raoul's eyes met Kris' over the top of PJ's head. His gave nothing away.
Kris was sure panic registered in her own gaze. The last thing she wanted was to deceive PJ, and the timing was not right to tell her that she had planned to leave as soon as she could.
Kris laughed and said, "Now then, Penny J, your daddy is here for a party and has lots of guests to think about. We'll talk about this some other time." She kissed her quickly and busied herself tidying the room.
Raoul's deep voice filled the small room. "I promise we'll talk about it this weekend. In fact, I have a good idea, especially since Kris is so clever at making houses come alive. Let me sort something out with her, then I'll let you know of the surprise. Remind me on Sunday, okay?"
Kris stood stock-still while he straightened himself up after kissing his daughter good-night. They faced each other across the bed and it seemed like ages before he spoke. "I want you to stay, even if I have to bribe you."
She opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted her with a dry laugh. "Don't say it, I know your thoughts. I'll raise it again when we have time to talk." He switched off the bedside light and
made for the door, waiting for Kris to move ahead of him.
As she passed him he whispered sternly in her ear, "I need you to stay, and what I want, I usually get. Don't forget that."
How dare he speak to her that way! She gave him a long hard glare, tossed her head, and turned her back on him. She made off for her room without so much as a backward glance.
"Pompous brute. No way is he going to manipulate me like one of his minions," she muttered angrily as she slammed the door behind her. Yanking at her ponytail, she shook her hair free of its confinement.
Kris stomped over to the window and banged her fists angrily in frustration on the sill. Unable to hold still in her rage, she stamped her foot once, twice and growled deeply in her throat, wishing she could scream at the top of her lungs.
...x...
Informality was the order of the day and Kris had arranged to serve pizza and salad with a red Italian Pasqua wine, followed by fresh fruit and cream. Later in the day, there was Irish coffee for those that like it. She excused herself early and left them all to it. She wanted to be alone. The last thing she wanted to do was walk around smiling and making small talk. Tomorrow would be a busy day and an early night would do her good.
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