Trust in Tomorrow

by Carole Mortimer

  Lucas shrugged unconcernedly. ‘I doubt it. But you’ve certainly shaken my household up since you arrived here. Maybe I should keep you around all the time,’ he added softly.

  The atmosphere had suddenly changed between them, become suddenly still, tense with an emotion Chelsea couldn’t fathom. But she did know she couldn’t break away from the warmth of Lucas’s eyes, or the way a nerve pulsed in his throat. And he seemed equally as mesmerised, their gazes locked and unlockable.

  The tension became unbearable as the moments passed, until finally Chelsea could stand it no longer, shaking her head. ‘Just for entertainment value, of course,’ she attempted to tease, her hands feeling clammy from the exchange, her heart seeming to beat at twice it’s normal rate.

  Lucas seemed to pull out of the mood of intimacy that had surrounded them, with effort too, his mouth tightening self-critically. ‘Of course,’ he answered abruptly. ‘You had better go and dress before breakfast,’ he suggested curtly.

  ‘And you,’ she nodded, reluctant to move, wishing she hadn’t broken that mood, wanting that closeness back again.

  But Lucas was already going back into his bedroom and closing the door. Chelsea’s own movements were slower. The morning had started out so badly, was a total disaster in fact, and yet now she felt good about it, had a warmth inside her that she couldn’t seem to place, a warmth that had begun with Lucas’s laughter.

  She had managed to make him laugh, as she had promised herself she would, although not quite in the way she had thought she would. But Lucas had one of those rare humours that was worth waiting for, a laugh that made those about him feel good too. Yes, it had definitely been worth waiting for.

  And somehow the thought of having to meet his mistress tonight didn’t please her at all.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  SHE was in her room changing for dinner when she heard Lucas arrive home from work, later this evening, the time shortly before seven o’clock.

  As Lucas had suggested she had spent a quiet day in the apartment, hadn’t ventured out at all, Mrs Harvey confirming when she went out shopping mid-morning that there were several reporters and cameramen waiting outside. The housekeeper had been most disgusted that they had actually tried to question her.

  Lucas had telephoned in the afternoon to make sure everything was all right, sounding like the lawyer once more, although now Chelsea had seen the softer side of him she didn’t feel quite so in awe of him.

  Remembering what little she had heard of Jennifer Sutton she chose her gown for the evening with that in mind. She never wore the colour black as it made her hair look brassy and false, the dark grey dress she chose making her hair appear more silver than ever, its close-fitting style emphasising the thrust of her breasts, shaped to her narrow waist to fall in gentle folds to just below her knees, her legs long and shapely, her height added to by sandals the same colour grey as her dress. She knew she looked attractive, older than her nineteen years, and that was the way she wanted it to be.

  Mrs Harvey had taken the afternoon off so that she could prepare and serve the dinner, a usual occurrence at any formal dinner Lucas gave, apparently, and Chelsea went in to the kitchen to watch the other woman once she was dressed, Lucas still in his room. Things had been a little strained between her and the housekeeper since the incident outside Lucas’s bedroom, although the older woman was still polite.

  ‘The fresh salmon looks delicious,’ Chelsea told her warmly, her mouth watering at the sight of the three appetisers laying so temptingly on the plate.

  ‘It’s Miss Sutton’s favourite,’ she was informed stiltedly.

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘And Mr McAdams,’ the housekeeper relented slightly at her crestfallen expression.

  ‘Does Miss Sutton eat here a lot?’ she asked with casual indifference.

  ‘Once or twice a month,’ Mrs Harvey dismissed.

  That didn’t sound such a lot, although that didn’t mean Lucas didn’t spend all the other evenings of the month eating out with Jennifer Sutton or at her apartment.

  ‘Is she beautiful?’ Chelsea felt tempted to ask.

  Dark brows were raised disapprovingly over light blue eyes. ‘“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”,’ Mrs Harvey quoted primly.

  Chelsea’s expression became mischievous. ‘And how does Miss Sutton “behold"?’

  The older woman’s expression softened slightly. ‘Very well,’ she admitted ruefully.

  ‘Blonde, or brunette, or neither?’

  ‘A redhead,’ the housekeeper confirmed.

  ‘With a temper to match?’

  She stiffened. ‘I don’t think I should be discussing Mr McAdams’s guest in this way.’ She straightened as the doorbell rang. ‘That will be Miss Sutton now.’

  Chelsea tensed, smoothing down her dress with unsteady hands. ‘Yes,’ she acknowledged with reluctance. ‘Wish me luck.’

  Mrs Harvey shook her head, smiling her rebuke. ‘You won’t need it, Miss Sutton is a very graciously polite young woman.’

  Maybe she was normally, but the circumstances of Chelsea being here, and the publicity attached to it were a little unusual to say the least. If the roles had been reversed Chelsea knew she wouldn’t have been disposed to be polite to the other woman!

  She could hear the murmur of voices in the lounge as she paused outside the door, clearing her throat noisily to let them know of her impending presence; just because Lucas didn’t look like the demonstrative type didn’t mean he wasn’t.

  The look of irritation he shot her way clearly stated he understood her ploy—and that he didn’t like it one little bit. With a rueful shrug she turned towards his guest. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but there was only one word to describe Jennifer Sutton, and that was sexy.

  From the top of her shiny red hair to the tips of her dainty feet Jennifer Sutton oozed sensuality! Small and delicate in the clinging black dress that was strapless as well as almost backless Jennifer Sutton must be a weapon in herself when she was in court—surely no man could resist her! She also made Chelsea feel big and clumsy—and overdressed.

  As Chelsea continued to look at the older woman she took in the perfection of her make-up, dark shadow over sparkling green eyes, long dark mascaraed lashes, a pert nose, and wide smiling mouth painted the same colour as her shining nail-gloss. Chelsea disliked her on sight.

  And the feeling appeared to be mutual as green eyes narrowed on her in critical assessment, the sharp intelligence in those green eyes at variance with the otherwise kittenish appearance. Intelligence as well as this beautiful sexuality, surely Lucas couldn’t do better!

  ‘Miss Sutton,’ she greeted abruptly, wishing she could find something to criticise about the woman besides the fact that she just didn’t like her, but there was nothing to criticise, everything about Jennifer Sutton was perfection. With any luck she would have a Minnie Mouse voice!

  ‘Miss Stevens.’ No such luck! Her voice was low and husky, as sultrily sexy as the rest of her.

  It just wasn’t fair! No one woman had the right to be so damned perfect. How could Lucas resist the other woman—Why did she want him to?

  She had been aware all day of a feeling of anticipation in regard to seeing Lucas again, had been excited at the thought. And her jealousy now over his long-time mistress gave her an uneasy feeling. She was here to get over the heartache of losing her mother, not to give herself another heartache by falling in love with a totally unsuitable man. And she was becoming increasingly attracted to Lucas, was aware of his gaze upon her even now. He was probably comparing her to Jennifer and finding her wanting!

  ‘I’m sure it can be Jennifer and Chelsea,’ he put in smoothly. ‘It’s going to be very tedious listening to the two of you saying Miss Sutton and Miss Stevens all evening!’

  ‘Of course, darling,’ Jennifer smiled at him, even her teeth very straight and gleamingly white. ‘I hear you’re a fashion-designer, Chelsea?’ she added in a bored voice.

  ‘Tra
ining to be,’ she corrected. ‘I believe you’re in law,’ she added disinterestedly.

  ‘One isn’t in law, Chelsea,’ the other woman told her with condescension. ‘It’s something that you believe in and try to uphold.’

  Chelsea remained unmoved by the other woman’s attitude. ‘How interesting,’ her tone implied the opposite. ‘I’m sure you look very attractive in your court-room garb.’

  Anger flashed briefly in the green eyes before it was quickly controlled. ‘One doesn’t enter a profession to look attractive!’ Her voice had lost its silky flow now.

  So the woman did have a fault after all, she took herself and life too seriously, her profession especially. Although perhaps to Lucas that was an asset not a fault; he obviously felt the same way.

  ‘Would you care for a drink, Chelsea?’ Once again Lucas cut in on the conversation, his expression warning as he looked at her.

  Well she hadn’t started this, for goodness’ sake! Couldn’t Lucas tell that his girlfriend wasn’t being all that polite and friendly either? Ah well, they said love was blind, and perhaps it was.

  ‘Am I allowed?’ she mocked him.

  His mouth tightened. ‘I believe a small sherry would be suitable,’ he bit out.

  She flushed as he returned her sarcasm. ‘I’d prefer a glass of wine,’ she said abruptly.

  ‘Very well.’ He gave an arrogant inclination of his head, going over to the drinks cabinet, leaving the two women alone while he did so.

  ‘Your mother’s death must have been a shock for you?’

  Chelsea turned sharply at the question. ‘Yes,’ she answered the other woman abruptly.

  Jennifer indicated with a sweep of her hand that they should sit down, positioning herself gracefully in the armchair opposite Chelsea. ‘Lucas seems uncertain of how long you intend staying here?’

  Her mouth tightened. ‘I don’t think we’ve actually discussed it.’

  The green eyes narrowed. ‘Of course I understand why your father sent you here, but you must realise that it isn’t exactly—convenient for an eligible bachelor like Lucas to have a young girl staying with him indefinitely.’

  Chelsea met the other woman’s gaze steadily, realising that while Lucas was out of earshot the gloves of politeness were off. ‘It isn’t?’ she returned softly, suggestively, angered into a retaliation.

  ‘Of course not. After all—’

  ‘Your drink,’ Lucas cut across the conversation, sitting beside Chelsea as she sat on the sofa.

  Jennifer Sutton looked far from pleased at the arrangement. ‘Is dinner almost ready? I’m hungry,’ she said waspishly. ‘I missed lunch, if you remember, darling?’ she added purringly.

  Chelsea wondered why the two of them had missed lunch, as she knew she was supposed to do. But she couldn’t help herself, the idea of Lucas possibly being so overwhelmed with passion for this kittenish woman that he had rushed her off to bed at lunchtime disgusted her.

  ‘Hanson is your client,’ Lucas shrugged. ‘I only agreed to see him because you were unavailable; it was only right that we should get together to discuss that meeting.’

  Jennifer looked even less pleased as Lucas revealed the reason they had both missed lunch. ‘That’s what partners are for,’ she snapped.

  ‘You aren’t a partner yet.’

  ‘Lucas!’ She looked shocked.

  ‘It’s only a matter of time, you know that,’ he dismissed as if bored by the subject.

  ‘And Peter’s approval,’ Jennifer reminded harshly. ‘I don’t know why he’s being so difficult, I—’

  ‘I’m sure we must be boring Chelsea with this conversation,’ Lucas pointedly reminded her they weren’t alone.

  Chelsea looked at them with widely innocent eyes. ‘On the contrary, I find it fascinating.’

  Lucas’s mouth tightened as he saw the mockery behind her interest. ‘Fascinating or not,’ he snapped, ‘I’m sure dinner must be ready by now.’

  For all the other woman was supposed to be so hungry she ate very sparingly of the delicious food set before them, although she monopolised most of the conversation, and Lucas along with it. But that was all right with Chelsea, she had already decided she had nothing in common with the other woman.

  She offered to go and prepare the coffee after the meal as Mrs Harvey had already left for the evening, relieved to have the time away from the assertive comments of the other woman.

  ‘You’re very quiet—Careful!’ Lucas moved quickly to catch the cup she had dropped at his unexpected appearance in the kitchen. ‘Nervous too.’ He set the cup down safely on the tray with the others, looking at her closely. ‘Has this evening been too much for you?’

  She stiffened warily. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You can hardly feel like socialising, and Jennifer isn’t the most restful of people.’

  ‘On the contrary,’ Chelsea drawled. ‘I find her very restful.’

  His mouth twisted. ‘Yes, I noticed you almost fell asleep during dessert.’

  She looked up at him with guilt-stricken eyes, dismayed to realise that the boredom with the other woman’s conversation that had indeed made her feel sleepy as she ate the rich sherry trifle had been noticed by this man. She hadn’t realised he was even looking at her. But there was no admonishment in his eyes, only reluctant humour, a repressed devilment, almost as if they shared a joke.

  ‘Do you think Jennifer noticed?’ she grimaced.

  ‘Do you?’ he derided.

  They both knew Jennifer had been so engrossed with her own conversation that she wouldn’t have cared if she had noticed. ‘Oh, Lucas,’ Chelsea smiled her relief. ‘I was so afraid just now that you were going to be angry about it.’

  He frowned. ‘Would that have bothered you?’

  She looked at him with revealing eyes. ‘You know it would,’ she said huskily.

  A nerve pulsed in his cheek. ‘Chelsea—’

  ‘What’s keeping you two?’ Jennifer burst into the kitchen, looking at them both challengingly as they stood so close together, Lucas’s dark evening jacket brushing against Chelsea’s dress. Jennifer arched auburn brows questioningly. ‘I thought you only came to check on Chelsea, darling?’ she challenged Lucas.

  He straightened, crossing the room to her side. ‘I did,’ he acknowledged blandly. ‘And I have. As you can see, she’s managing just fine.’

  Fury flared briefly in deep green eyes. ‘More than fine, I would have said,’ she snapped.

  ‘Sorry?’ Chelsea queried softly.

  ‘You appear to have recovered very well from the grief of your mother’s death,’ the other woman scorned.

  Chelsea paled at the accusation. ‘Life has to continue,’ she said dully.

  ‘So it does,’ the other woman bit out, a fierce determination in her tightly set mouth.

  ‘Let’s go back into the lounge, Jennifer,’ Lucas suggested in an impatient voice. ‘The coffee is almost ready.’

  ‘Coffee?’ she echoed softly, her gaze on Chelsea. ‘Ah yes, the coffee,’ she scorned.

  Chelsea felt the constricted breath leave her body once the other couple had left the kitchen. If she had thought she had imagined that momentary flare of awareness between Lucas and herself then she was convinced it had happened by Jennifer’s bitchiness when she burst in on them in that way.

  What did it mean? She had been aware that her attraction towards Lucas was returning, but how did he feel about her? If he did feel attracted to her she felt sure it wasn’t something he wanted to encourage. And it was something Jennifer Sutton certainly didn’t want encouraged!

  The other couple were sitting close together on the sofa when she came in with the tray of coffee, Jennifer’s hand resting intimately against Lucas’s chest as she talked up at him animatedly. They made a striking couple, Lucas so big and dark, Jennifer so petite and delicate.

  An as yet unacknowledged emotion twisted in Chelsea’s chest as she looked at them together, a shutter coming down over her emotions as Jennif
er turned to her with triumphant eyes.

  Feeling a decidedly unwanted third as she did it would have been the easiest thing in the world for her to have made her excuses and taken her own cup of coffee to her bedroom with her. But a perverse sense of not wanting to give the other woman that satisfaction made her sit in the lounge with them for another half an hour, giving no indication that she intended going to bed just yet.

  Lucas seemed quite at ease with the arrangement, although Jennifer’s conversation became more and more brittle as Chelsea continued to sit there, a half smile on her lips. Finally she knew she would have to leave them alone, and the thought of them being in each other’s arms when she did so made her frown. She didn’t like the idea of Lucas kissing that scarlet-painted mouth, possibly making love to the other woman.

  ‘It’s been a long day,’ she stood up abruptly. ‘I think I’ll go to bed.’

  ‘What a good idea,’ Jennifer purred her satisfaction. ‘I mean, you must be tired,’ she added with feigned innocence.

  Chelsea’s mouth twisted. ‘Yes, I am. It’s been nice meeting you, Jennifer,’ she said with the same insincerity the other woman had used when speaking to her all evening.

  ‘I’m sure we’ll meet again,’ Jennifer told her confidently.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered without enthusiasm. ‘Good night, Lucas.’ She looked at him with suddenly shy eyes.

  His smile lacked the warmth it had when they were in the kitchen together earlier. ‘Good night, Chelsea.’

  ‘I—er—I’ll see you in the morning.’ Still she lingered, wanting something more from him, and yet not knowing quite what.

  ‘Yes,’ he nodded abruptly, watching her warily.

  It was that wariness, and Jennifer Sutton’s gloating expression at finally being alone with Lucas, that compelled her into her next reckless action. She moved across the room, bent slightly, and kissed Lucas lingeringly on one firm cheek!