She smiled at him. ‘Well, hello.’
‘I hope you don’t mind me barging in like this, but I heard about the accident and the fact that the whole party’s been delayed, and I came to say how pleased I was that Carl and everyone are safe.’
‘Thank you, that’s very nice of you.’
After a slight hesitation, he went on, ‘Ross mentioned that you would still be coming to the ball…’
Cathy was about to say she’d decided not to when Robert added tentatively, ‘And I wondered…as you’re on your own…if you’d like an escort?’
Guessing he’d had to psyche himself up to ask, and unwilling to disappoint him, she found herself saying, ‘Thank you, I’d love one. I didn’t fancy going alone.’
He looked so happy and relieved that she couldn’t regret her impulse.
Smiling at him, she picked up her evening bag and closed the door behind her.
Once outside, she could hear music and the sound of revelry and laughter.
Knowing she needed to make an effort, if only for Robert’s sake, she slipped her hand through his arm and said brightly, ‘Now I know there’s no need to worry about Carl, let’s go and have some fun.’
He smiled at her. ‘Let’s.’
When they reached the main hall it was a scene of festive gaiety. The massive logs in the fireplace were blazing, the chandeliers were lit, and all the lights were twinkling like softly falling snowflakes.
Since she had last seen it, a well-stocked portable bar had been set up at one end, and waiters were circulating with trays of champagne.
Chairs and small tables had been placed in groups around the perimeter of the hall, and, finding an empty one, Robert pulled out a chair for her.
A sizeable band had taken over the minstrels’ gallery and was playing a lively quickstep, to which quite a number of couples were circling the floor.
Amongst the throng of dancers, Cathy caught sight of Lena and Ross, and her heart seemed to turn over in her breast.
They made an outstandingly handsome couple, Ross in an immaculate dinner jacket and black tie, and Lena wearing a daring dress with no back and very little front. It was the colour of flame, with elaborate silver embroidery that ran from the bust line to where the skirt was split up to the thigh.
She looked a million dollars, her mouth and nails as vivid as the dress, and the diamonds at her throat and ears sparkling under the lights.
His blond head bent towards her gleaming black one, their steps matching perfectly, they were dancing as if they were made for each other.
Seeing them like that made Cathy feel a kind of numb despair.
Noticing the shadow that had passed across her face, Robert asked anxiously, ‘Anything wrong?’
‘No, no, nothing’s wrong,’ she assured him and forced a smile. ‘I was just thinking… Carl was really looking forward to the ball. It’s a shame he and the others have had to miss it.’
Then, wondering if her words might have deflated her companion, she added quickly, ‘I’m very lucky that you were free to escort me.’
The tips of his ears going pink, he mumbled, ‘It’s my pleasure.’ Then with his usual diffidence he asked, ‘Would you like a glass of champagne? Or perhaps there’s something you’d sooner have?’
‘Champagne will be lovely, thank you.’
Signalling a waiter, he helped himself to two glasses and handed one to Cathy.
‘Thank you.’
The band was playing a tango, and, guessing that Robert would sooner stay where he was, she mentioned how much she liked Scotland, or at least what she’d seen of it, and asked him whereabouts he’d been born and brought up.
Given an interested listener, he talked happily while they sat and sipped their champagne.
Though to all intents and purposes she gave Robert her full attention, Cathy’s eyes were frequently drawn to the dance floor as she found herself searching for a certain fair head. But for a while now she had seen no sign of Ross or his beautiful partner.
She had taken only a sip or two from her second glass of champagne when Ross appeared by her side.
Removing the glass from her nerveless fingers, he put it down on the table beside her bag and said to Robert, ‘If I may, I’d like to borrow Cathy for a minute or so?’
Though he looked a little surprised, Robert agreed accommodatingly, ‘Of course.’
Ross’s hand closed around her elbow, and before she could catch her breath she found herself being urged to her feet.
At that instant Lena hurried up and, putting a possessive, red-tipped hand on Ross’s arm, said, ‘When I came back from powdering my nose you’d vanished. Where on earth did you disappear to?’
‘I was in my study taking a phone call. Now, if you’ll excuse us,’ he said firmly. ‘I’m sure Robert will take care of you for a little while.’
Robert, who had risen to his feet, said with an attempt at polite gallantry that almost hid his lack of enthusiasm, ‘I’ll be pleased to.’ Pulling out a chair for Lena, he added, ‘Would you like a glass of champagne?’
Clearly ruffled, she told him shortly, ‘I never drink alcohol. It’s bad for my complexion.’
Robert’s prominent Adam’s apple moved up and down as he swallowed uncomfortably. ‘Then, a soft drink of some kind?’
Before she heard the answer, Cathy found herself hurried in the direction of Ross’s study, still carrying in her mind’s eye a picture of Lena’s angry, suspicious face.
CHAPTER TEN
AS THE study door closed behind them, fearing there might have been some bad news, Cathy asked anxiously, ‘You’ve heard from Kevin?’
‘Yes, a little while ago. I now know more or less what happened.’
Taking her elbow, he led her to the fire and settled her into an armchair before dropping into a chair opposite.
Her eyes on his face, she waited.
Impressed by her quiet self-control, he began without preamble. ‘The group were making a steep descent on Scoran when one of the men in the party lost his footing and fell into a deep fissure.
‘When they failed to get any response to their shouts, Carl went down after him with a rope and a lightweight harness… I’ve no idea why Carl went rather than Kevin…’
‘Though skiing has always been his first love, Carl is an experienced mountaineer,’ Cathy said. ‘His father started to take him climbing almost as soon as he could walk. By the time he was fifteen, after tackling various orientation, winter survival and mountain rescue courses, he was as skilled as many a man twice his age.’ Then, realizing what she’d said, she added hastily, ‘Or so he once told me.’
‘I see. That explains it. Well, the man who fell had been knocked unconscious, so Carl fitted the harness and the rope, and they got ready to pull him up. But because loose, jagged rocks beneath the snow and ice made it particularly dangerous, Carl climbed with him.
‘They were almost at the top when a large chunk of snow and ice broke off and fell, taking some of the rocks with it. Carl succeeded in shielding the injured man but was himself struck on the shoulder, and one arm was put out of action.
‘Somehow he managed to hold on to the rope, and after a struggle they were both pulled to safety. Kevin had already been in touch with the Mountain Rescue Service, and, to cut a long story short, both the injured men were picked up by air ambulance and flown to the Glendesh Hospital.
‘The rest of the party, some of whom were badly shaken, made it to the nearest road, where rescue vehicles were waiting to take them into Glendesh.
‘The latest report from the hospital is that both men are comfortable. Carl has a dislocated shoulder, while the man he saved seems to have escaped with cuts and bruises.
‘Just as a precaution they’re both being kept in overnight for observation, while the rest have been put up at the Glendesh Hotel. But the whole party confidently expect to be driven back to Dunbar in time for Christmas lunch.’
Cathy sent up a silent prayer of thanks.
/> In the wide grate a log settled, sending a shower of bright sparks up the chimney.
Watching her face in the flickering firelight, the winged brows, the lovely curve of her mouth, the shadow of her long lashes on her cheeks, Ross sighed.
In spite, or perhaps because, of all the unheavals she had had to face, she had a quality of stillness, an inner strength, a kind of serenity that found an answering echo in himself.
Seeing her and Lena together had dispersed any faint doubts that might have lingered at the back of his mind. Now he knew exactly where he was going and what was right for him.
In the warmth from the fire her eyelids had started to droop, and he guessed that in another minute or so she would be fast asleep.
He wanted to stay here with her in this quiet room, but there were people waiting for them and, as host, he had certain duties to perform.
Reluctantly he said, ‘Well, I suppose we’d better be moving.’ As she blinked, he added, ‘Your escort will be getting worried.’
Something about the gleam in his eye made her accuse, ‘You sent Robert to fetch me.’
‘Not at all. I merely happened to mention that, with Carl being away, you wouldn’t have an escort. I knew you’d come like a lamb with Robert, so it seemed the easiest way to do it.’
‘You devious swine,’ she muttered.
He clicked his tongue in reproof. ‘That’s no way for a nicely brought up young lady to talk.’ Then, before she could retaliate he said, ‘Now, let’s go, otherwise Lena will have reduced poor Robert to a nervous wreck.’
As they neared the table they saw the two were sitting in silence. Lena appeared to be bored stiff, while Robert wore a hunted look.
He rose to his feet at Cathy’s approach, his expression changing to one of relief.
Lena rose, too, and, her voice plaintive, said to Ross, ‘Just listen to what the band’s playing. I was starting to think you were going to let me miss my favourite number.’
Looking down at her, he said, ‘My dear Lena, I can’t believe a woman as beautiful as you wouldn’t have a choice of partners.’
‘But, darling,’ she purred, ‘it wouldn’t be the same with anyone else.’
‘In that case—’ Ross turned to the other two ‘—if you’ll excuse us?’
Sinking onto her chair, Cathy was wondering how soon she could escape without hurting Robert’s feelings, when Ross caught her eye and held it.
A warning note in his voice, he said, ‘I’ll be back in a while to claim a dance, and after that perhaps we can all go into supper together.’
Cathy was horrified, and, judging by the silence that followed his proposal, neither of the others were enamoured of the idea either.
Lena was the only one to voice a protest. ‘But, Ross, wouldn’t it be nicer to—’
He gave her a cool glance that effectively stopped the little rush of words.
With a shrug of her bare shoulders, she gave in and allowed herself to be led onto the floor.
When Lena and Ross began to move to a rhumba rhythm, Robert turned to Cathy and, clearing his throat, asked, ‘Would you like to dance?’
He sounded anything but eager, and aware that he was scared of doing Latin American she said, ‘Thank you, but I’d just as soon sit and watch for a while.’ Smiling his relief, he relaxed.
She told him about the phone call and, when that topic of conversation had been exhausted, asked him about his job.
It was immediately apparent that he enjoyed what he did and that he was more than willing to talk about the running of the estate.
He had just finished telling her about the new herd of deer they were introducing, when Margaret and Janet appeared from the throng.
‘So, there you are,’ Margaret said cheerfully. ‘I’m so glad you decided to come. Ross said he’d try and persuade you. After all, what’s the point of sitting on your own?
‘It’s a pity that Carl and the others couldn’t be here, but it’s such a relief to know they’re all safe and relatively unharmed. When I talked to Kevin on the phone earlier, he said your husband’s a real hero, and if it hadn’t been for his skill and courage, the accident might have had a much more serious outcome.’
‘As it is,’ Janet chimed in, ‘they’ll all be home safe tomorrow, thank the Lord. It’s lovely having Christmas lunch at Dunbar…’
Margaret agreed, adding, ‘But it would have been a great deal more enjoyable if Lena hadn’t turned up. Her visits always unsettle Ross. I don’t think he ever properly got over her. I don’t know why she keeps coming… It’s as if the dratted woman can’t bear to let go—’ Then, looking flustered, she said, ‘I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have spoken so frankly…’
‘Why shouldn’t you?’ Janet said stoutly. ‘After all, it’s what everyone’s thinking. By the way, when I was talking to her earlier, I noticed she wasn’t wearing her engagement ring. And she asked pointedly if Ross had a personal guest for Christmas. I think she’s all set to get her hooks into him again. I hope to goodness he has more sense than to take her back…’
Catching Margaret’s warning glance, she said defiantly, ‘Well, it’s not as if anyone likes her. You don’t like her, do you, Rob?’
Obviously disconcerted at being put on the spot, Robert stammered, ‘I…I don’t really know her all that well.’
‘Go on, be honest.’
‘Well, no… To tell you the truth, I don’t.’
To save him any further embarrassment Margaret changed the subject, and they discussed the ball and how well it was all going.
Pressed to sit down, Margaret and Janet refused, on the grounds that they would need to circulate, and drifted away.
When the Latin American session ended and the band began to play an old Gershwin tune, with a smile of relief, Robert led Cathy onto the floor.
But while her feet moved in time to the music, her mind was obsessed with thoughts of Ross and Lena and a growing certainty that he would take her back.
Some half an hour later they were still dancing when she caught sight of Ross and his sister returning from the direction of the study. As she watched, Margaret stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, before she walked away, smiling.
The last number before supper was announced, and at the same instant Ross appeared at Cathy’s side and said smoothly, ‘My dance, I think.’
Robert relinquished his partner, and Ross took Cathy in his arms.
It was a slow foxtrot, dreamy and romantic. But, remembering how Lena had melted against him, and wondering why he’d insisted on having this dance, she held herself stiffly, keeping several inches of space between their two bodies.
Ross bent his head and, his lips brushing her cheek, murmured softly, ‘Anyone might think you hated having to dance with me.’
‘Anyone might be right,’ she said rebelliously.
He paid her back for that remark by nipping the edge of her ear between his teeth.
She gave a little indignant gasp.
‘Perhaps you’d prefer me to kiss you?’
When she said nothing, his lips traced the pure curve of her cheek and jaw and began to wander down the side of her neck.
Shuddering, she whispered hoarsely, ‘Please, don’t do that.’
‘I’ll stop when you relax and try to look as if you enjoy dancing with me.’
She said, ‘I’ll try, but it won’t be easy,’ and heard his soft laugh.
However, the mood of the music was beginning to weave its magic and when, almost unconsciously, she started to relax, his arm tightened around her, drawing her closer.
It would probably be the last time they would ever dance together, she realized, the last time she would feel his arms around her, so if that was the case, she might as well try to enjoy it.
By the time the band moved on to another romantic tune, a poignant melody with the shiver of strings, her eyes were closed, her head was on his shoulder and his cheek was against her hair.
The music ended, and Cathy came out of he
r dream to find herself face to face with Lena. The other woman’s expression held such jealous rage that she almost flinched.
But that look was instantly gone as, turning to smile at Ross, Lena asked gaily, ‘Supper now?’
She had been dancing with a good-looking young man who, clearly bedazzled by his partner, seemed about to accompany them. But she shook him off with such an icy glare that Cathy felt sorry for him.
As they moved towards the supper room Lena stopped at one of the tables to pick up a triangular stole with silver embroidery that matched her dress.
As Ross put the beautiful thing around her shoulders, she said, ‘Thank you, darling,’ and, tilting her head sideways, offered her gleaming red lips for his kiss.
But he didn’t appear to notice, and when Robert came up to join them and handed Cathy her bag, the moment had passed.
The large supper room was very nicely decorated, and a substantial buffet had been laid out along the length of one wall.
Cathy had never felt less like eating, but together with everyone else she helped herself to a plate of food before they sat down at one of the tables.
Though Ross, effortlessly assuming the role of host, put Lena’s stole carefully over the back of her chair, poured wine for them all and talked lightly and easily, the little gathering was a strained one.
Cathy could find nothing to say, and Lena, obviously put out by Ross’s refusal to kiss her, seemed to be brooding, so it was the two men who carried the conversation.
A selection of delectable sweets was brought around on trolleys, followed, after a decent interval, by coffee and liqueurs.
Cups, cream, sugar and a pot of coffee had just been placed on their table by one of the waiters, when Robert turned to Cathy and began, ‘I understand that Carl—’
A split second later Cathy cried out with shock as the pot full of hot black liquid overturned and went cascading down her.
She sprang to her feet, aware only of the searing pain as the clinging material of her dress held the scalding coffee against her skin.
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