"I've decided after all this time that I must do something with it. Not everyone has your flair, and I thought now is the perfect opportunity for you to exercise your talents. You can have free rein. Call in architects, knock it about as you see fit, decorate and furnish it any way you wish, I won't intrude. PJ will love it over there, and the sun and the sea will do her a world of good."
Raoul paused for a moment, and looked at Kris thoughtfully. "Maybe you will calm down and stop talking about leaving. There's a small cottage on the grounds where you can stay until repair on the big house is complete. The comfortable little place is also functional. Just think...you won't have to live with the builder's rubble and dust.
"I have several business commitments with Isabella and Philippe coming up in Europe, so it will be easy to pop down and see how you are getting along. Of course, I'll always let you know where I am, but in an emergency, you can contact me via the office. I was thinking about this the other day -- when it's fixed up, it would be a good base for me to work from, and then I could spend more time with my family."
When Kris cocked her brows, he stopped and looked sternly at her, carrying on almost defiantly. "I don't intend remaining single for the rest of my life, believe it, or not."
The pain she felt was almost as if he had hit her in the stomach. Who other than Isabella would he choose for his wife? The thought of him with any woman tore her heart in two. But she recovered sufficiently and replied, "Surely it would be your bride-to-be's pleasure to fix up her own home -- I know I wouldn't care for another woman to do it for me." Cattily, she continued, "Though, of course, your bride's talents may lie in other directions."
He swung towards her, and with firm hands, took her by the shoulders and shook her once, though drawing her closer. His powerful chest grazed hers and the fire of anger and desire burned brightly in his eyes. Clearly he was impatient with Kris' choice of words.
"What I choose to do is my own affair. I don't need you to question me." He paused, and in a softer voice said, "I have my reasons. Besides, for the moment, it suits me."
She dropped her eyes from his hot gaze, knowing she should have been silent. His hands on her shoulders brought her closer until they were pressed together intimately. Kris raised her head and watched as his mouth became slack, realizing with a little shock that he wanted to kiss her. His hands rose and his fingers twisted into her hair, messaging her scalp until his hands fisted. He urged her head back and crushed his lips down onto hers with a persuasive motion that forced her to open her mouth to his possession.
For a brief heady moment she lost herself in a wonderful surge of joy at being held so close in his arms. She started to respond to his passionate kisses, wanting them to go on forever. How many times had she longed for this to happen, for his loving touch, his ardent possession of her heart and soul?
However, as she closed her eyes, she could see flashbacks of his previous anger and knew she had to stop this wonderful madness. She broke free of his kiss and gasped in air to speak....
"Please, Raoul, let me go! This may suit you, but it doesn't happen to suit me. Not like this. Think of PJ."
Abruptly, he pulled away, his breath hot and harsh against her flushed face. "Why don't you think of PJ? She knows something's afoot between us. Anyway, what have you to lose?"
For Kris the magic was gone and she twisted out of his grasp.
Kris searched frantically and her gaze fell on PJ and her darting dog. The child wasn't within earshot. "Your whole attitude is hardly persuasive." Kris ran her hand heavily across her lips and heard his hiss of anger. She moved back a step, her cheeks flushed at letting down her guard.
Raoul realized Kris was playing havoc with his emotions. Though he hardly knew her, she stirred feelings in him he had thought long dead -- and not only feelings stemming from sexual urges. It worried him that he was beginning to truly care for her.
He shook himself out of his reverie. The reality he had to face was the tense atmosphere that took over his emotions whenever she was near. And he didn't like feeling out of control.
PJ had reached her rock and was on her way back. She slammed to a stop before them, grabbed their hands and looked brightly from one to the other.
"It's so nice just being here together -- you must think so too, Daddy. I saw you kiss Kris. I wish we could stay together without other people around. Except Uncle Luke...he's nice." She took a deep breath. "Daddy, tell me your surprise now. You promised you would when we came to the lake."
As always, the bubbling enthusiasm of his little daughter softened his mood. He smiled and picked her up into his arms, swinging her around.
"Well, darling, it's up to Kris if I can tell you yet." His eyes found Kris' with a clear challenge. "The ball is in your court, ma'am." He bowed in his curiously superior way.
PJ's big eyes were on hers, alive with anticipation and excitement. "Tell me, tell me, please...."
If looks could kill, Kris would have slain him then and there for his blackmail tactics. He knew she could not dash the little girl's hopes.
"Your father wants us to go to Portugal and stay near the sea. He has a house there and wants me to make it nice for him. Would you like to go?"
"And Daddy?" She looked anxiously at her father.
"I will come and stay when I can, sweetheart. I have lots of work in Europe, and if you are over there, I'll see more of you than if you are here. Besides, the sun and swimming in the sea will do you and Kris a lot of good. Especially after you have both worked hard together getting the house right. How does it sound to you?"
"Just us, Daddy? We don't have to ask grumpy Isabella, do we? She never joins in anything and is a real spoil sport."
"Now, now, PJ...what have you got against poor Isabella? She tries hard to be nice to you. She hasn't had much to do with children, you know?"
PJ blinked at him and replied tonelessly, "Kris has no children and she manages -- all my friends like her, too."
Raoul looked over at Kris with speculation, unable to prevent himself from acknowledging his daughter's perception of the differences between the two women.
"People are different, PJ. Of course she will come and stay there. And don't pull that face. I've noticed you behaving badly with her and I won't have it. Understand? I do business with her and Philippe and they are very special people, do you hear me?"
Kris stiffened at his defense of Isabella and the fact that he was angry with his daughter. A niggly feeling crept into her mind. Perhaps they were using her to complete something that Isabella wasn't interested in doing herself. After all, towing after her brother on business trips allowed her to be with Raoul most of the time. Kris knew of the wedding rumors, so nothing stood in their way. Everyone in high society expected that the two of them would get married. Nevertheless, Kris felt that it would merely be a marriage of convenience for financial and business reasons.
How handy to have someone capable to fix up your beach villa and baby-sit at the same time while you went ahead with wedding preparations that would be of elaborate proportions. After all, it was the first time for Isabella, and she would see to it that it was lavish to excess. Kris tried to tell herself that she had no right to feel as she did. After all, he had known Isabella a long time, and if she had expressed any desire to revamp the place, surely he would not have stood in her way. This was purely a business arrangement. Both of them were extremely busy people, and neither were particularly interested in the nitty-gritty of interior decorating. Besides, if they trusted Kris' judgment, why not leave it to her? It would be far less hassle for them in the long run. At the same time, he had his daughter's well-being at heart by wanting to spend more time with her.
If only he would stop making advances to her at odd times. She was perplexed by his attitude, swinging from friendly to hostile like a yo-yo. One part of her wanted to rebel, make a clean break, the other screamed at her to hold her horses. She admitted that deep down she didn't really want to part from her small charge --
or her brooding, cynical father.
The challenge would be good for her, and as he said, he would not be there much at present due to business commitments. Isabella would no doubt accompany him when he did visit, he had said as much to PJ. So, there would be less likelihood of further passes. Besides, if things became unbearable, she could always resign. Why did the thought of being without them not sit well?
"Hey, Kris..." Raoul called impatiently.
Kris found she had walked rapidly ahead of him and PJ.
"For goodness sake, won't you at least give us an answer before dashing off like a scalded cat?" She turned to meet the unfathomable depths of his grey eyes and the anxious expectancy in PJ's.
"I'm sorry, I--I need a little time to think about it." Her hands lifted briefly in a gesture of helpless resignation.
"Oh, Kris, please tell Daddy now so we can start getting excited about it!" PJ stood in front of her with sparkling eyes. "Please..." Raoul's eyebrows arched quizzically, awaiting her reply.
She looked from one to the other. "I guess there is no real reason why I'm hesitating. Yes, we will go and stay by the sea, PJ, but..." She stared Raoul straight in the eye as she spoke the rest. "...only if I can straighten up a few things with your father."
"Oh, I'm so glad, 'cos we'll all be together more and I know we will make Daddy happy doing the work on his house."
"That's settled then. I must return to my guests. Are you coming?"
With a let down feeling, Kris followed the eagerly chattering girl and her impossible father. Almost as an afterthought, he turned back to her.
"We'll talk about your 'things' later." He strode off as though the subject were dismissed.
Kris knew it would not be long before Isabella knew -- or did she know the plans already? She was bound to have some caustic comment to pass along, even if the arrangements did suit her. She cursed herself for allowing the subject to sidetrack her so easily when it had been her intention to dig in her heels and cut loose from the pair before she became too involved. She had to admit, the job was a dream come true in other circumstances. Surely she could sort things out.
...x...
"Would you call it a promotion, this so-called interior decorating move to Portugal? Raoul told me you accepted his proposal -- how gracious of you."
Kris had expected Isabella's sarcasm, but refused to lower herself into issuing a sharp retort. Isabella hadn't been able to keep the news to herself and had spoken to the house guests as though she had some influence over the decision. Their reaction was one of stunned surprise, but their response had amazed Kris. Everyone knew about the closed house, but any mention of it had been taboo. And here he was talking easily about his plans to give Kris carte blanche to alter and decorate it. It was quite the conversation piece, and most of Raoul's friends were warmly enthusiastic when they spoke to her about it. Several of the guests went to the Algarve every January, to get away from the worst of the English weather.
"You'll love Lagos, Kris, and you'll have no difficulty with the language. Everyone speaks English mostly; I suppose because it's a touristy area. It's all so laid back and everyone is so friendly, you'll feel as though you're on holiday every day."
To Isabella's chagrin, Kris was quite the centre of attention because of the new talking point. And it seemed everyone had something to add.
Lying in bed that night, with the curtains pulled back and moonlight flooding her room, she wondered about the future. Raoul had been quite obviously ignoring her all evening. Isabella had clung to him possessively and made sure that he never strayed into a circle of discussion that included Kris. Baffled by the contradictions, she didn't understand how he could insist -- no demand -- that she take on the villa with a free hand, and then either ignore her presence or speak to her with a curtness bordering on being rude. What was wrong with him? It really was a strange set-up.
Kris let her thoughts linger on the encounter at the lake's edge. He'd offered her the job of a lifetime, and to accept and enjoy it, it would be imperative that she didn't let her personal feelings get in the way. Unless she put armour around her heart, she could be hurt. She was certain Raoul could see through her, though. He was ruthless enough to use her talents, and at the same time, take physical advantage of her should the urge grab him.
She shivered. Their relationship was the kind that one could read on the back page of a disreputable gossip magazine. Immediately she realised with a shock that her emotions were in a more chaotic state than she had first thought. Was she crazy to think she could handle all of this?
The next day, Isabella told everyone that she and Raoul would be leaving together because "We have so many important private and business matters to discuss," thereby, firing much speculation about their future. Kris kept herself busy seeing to the departing guests and becoming angry when she realised the possibility of discussing matters with Raoul before he left would be minimal. He was on the lawn kissing PJ goodbye when she saw him beckoning to her.
Raoul managed a small smile. "You managed this whole weekend with great efficiency. I want to thank you. It was a great success and a lot of good business has resulted. About Portugal, I'll give you a ring when I've finalized a few things. Au revoir."
Just like that. He had some nerve, automatically assuming that marriage was what she wanted. Before he could turn on his heel and stride off, she stopped him. "It's not all cut and dried about Portugal, you know? I told you I had things of my own to discuss. Can you ever find the time? Or don't you give a damn?"
He turned back with a cold stare, his smile twisted into a snarl. "I said I will call you when I have my plans in order. This is not the time or the place. Au revoir, Kris." He bowed with that now familiar, infuriating little nod of the head and strode across the lawn to his car.
As the drone of the powerful engine died away into the distance, silence descended, leaving Kris disappointed, frustrated and more than a little ashamed. It had been one of the few times Raoul had been nice to her. He had held out an olive branch, and she had broken it in two.
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Chapter Fourteen
"Mrs. Castell, please hold for Mr. Metier."
"Good morning, Kris. Can you spare a minute?" She loved the timbre of his voice. "If it's all the same with you, I'd like to fly to the Algarve at the end of the week. In the meantime, if you want to sort your affairs out at your flat, that's fine by me. I've arranged care-taking where you are, so you don't have to worry about finding someone. Give me a call when you get to your place. There may be a few odds and ends we want to discuss."
There was a long pause. "You're not going to do a bunk on me again, are you?" He continued quickly, "No, I'm sorry. That was a bit below the belt. How's PJ taking it?"
Kris' reserve melted with his apology, and despite her resolve to remain cool, she responded warmly. "I'm sorry. I was rude too, especially after everything you're offering me. PJ can hardly wait, though she's a bit nervous of flying. Apart from anything else, being in the sun will do her a world of good."
"I'm glad we are, at last, on the same wavelength about this. Give me a call tomorrow. 'Bye."
The following day she and PJ left after a flurry of packing. There was also the matter of Jump. When it came to keeping PJ happy, Raoul would move heaven and earth, and this was PJ's primary reservation about going to the new house. Once she had spoken to him, they agreed that because they'd be gone for so long, Jump could go, too. So, his transportation was also in hand. On arrival at her place, Kris phoned Raoul.
"I'd like you to call at the office and pick up a cheque. The weather's not like it is here." He laughed as he spoke. "You'll both need clothes and costumes and things to take over there. If you come as soon as possible, it'll give you time to do a bit of shopping. I'll also give you the plans and my wife's sketches so you can start planning things in your mind's eye. I'll be able to tell you what time we'll be leaving for Faro by then, too."
His generosity n
ever ceased to amaze her. Yet -- and it was probably a form of guilt -- it seemed as if he were buying her appointment, ensuring she would not rocket off into the blue again.
...x...
"If I'd known this was in the offering, I'd have taken the job with Metier myself," Lauren laughed as Kris showed her the plans of the villa. "Amongst other things, you are tackling an interior decorator's dream. Don't look at me like that! I know you want my professional advice. I don't come cheap, so be careful." Both women laughed merrily.
"Joking apart, this is the job of a lifetime and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person, you deserve it. I presume you've resolved your problems with Raoul, right?" Lauren cocked her head to one side. "You have haven't you?"
"Lauren, he's a funny guy. One minute he can be charming and quite normal, and the next he's offhand and sarcastic. Isabella is openly hinting about their marriage. I feel that once he has committed himself, balance will restore itself within him once again. His wife has only recently passed. Even though it dragged on for so long and was clearly inevitable, that doesn't lessen the fact that it was still a traumatic experience. He needs to go through some sort of emotional adjustment. I can't see Isabella ever really taking care of PJ, so once they are married I guess I'll still be needed for her. But I won't be his emotional springboard any more."
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