Revenge by Seduction

by Alex Ryder

  ‘Nothing in the world, Catriona,’ he agreed softly. ‘Except that I’d much rather spend the rest of my life here with you.’

  She lay staring into the darkness for a few minutes more, then she murmured, ‘Ryan…?’

  ‘I’m still awake.’

  ‘I’m feeling cold, darling, and so must you be. I think it would be more sensible if you brought your blanket over here, then we could both keep warm.’

  At first it didn’t look as if he was going to respond, and she held her breath. She wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye in the morning if he turned her down now. Had she made one more of her embarrassing mistakes?

  At last she heard the creak of the settee and she saw him rise and walk towards her. Naked in the soft moonlight, he made a magnificent figure, and she pushed the blankets aside and opened her arms in welcome.

  He lay down beside her and as their bodies entwined he whispered softly, ‘You will never, ever feel cold again, my darling. That’s a promise.’

  CHAPTER TEN

  THE entire population of Kindarroch had been at the wedding, either crammed into the tiny church or waiting outside to cheer and shower the bride and groom with confetti as they emerged.

  Now the traditional ceilidh was in full swing in the large lounge of the Harbour Hotel. The dancing and the wild Highland music would go on until the wee small hours of the following morning, or even later if the supply of whisky held out, but Ryan and Catriona would be well on their way to their honeymoon by then. A month of sheer bliss on a secluded island in the Caribbean.

  For the moment Catriona had retired to a quiet corner after a particularly energetic reel, and she was content just to sip her drink and watch the crowd enjoying themselves. She’d changed from her wedding gown into a flared skirt and cool cotton blouse. Then a voice at her side said, ‘Hello there, Mrs Hind. So this is where you’re hiding yourself.’

  She smiled at Ryan. How wonderful he looked, she told herself again…the handsomest man in the room. No…not just the room…the whole planet…the universe, even! Her heart was filled with pride. ‘I’ve been up for the last six dances,’ she explained with a smile. ‘My feet are demanding a ten-minute break or they’re going to go on strike.’

  Ryan grinned. ‘I never expected such a crowd. You’re a very popular woman in these parts, Mrs Hind. Everyone keeps telling me how lucky a man I am to get you as my wife. Not that I need telling.’

  ‘And you’re a very popular man, Mr Hind,’ she said. She reached up and gave him a resounding kiss. ‘Especially with me. Have you any idea how deliriously happy you’ve made me? Have you any idea at all?’

  ‘No.’ His grey eyes gleamed with good humour. ‘Would you like to whisper it in my ear?’

  ‘I would. But it would take the rest of the night. And I’d end up chewing your earlobe, it looks so delicious.’ She saw the infinite tenderness in his eyes as he smiled at her, and this time the lump in her throat was there for all the right reasons. But wouldn’t it be terrible if she started to cry now and spoiled everything? she thought. Smiling back at him, she murmured, ‘Anyway, there are better ways to show it than by talking. You’re going to find that out as soon as we’re alone.’

  His arms went around her waist and he playfully kissed the tip of her nose. ‘That sounds interesting. I can hardly wait. Body language is always more reliable than the spoken word.’ He was about to kiss her again when Madge elbowed her way through the crowd and confronted them.

  ‘Are you two love-birds going to stand there gazing into each others eyes like a pair of soppy kids for the rest of the night?’ She playfully prodded Ryan in the chest with her finger and said, ‘I’ve been trying to get a dance with you for the last hour, but someone always beats me to it.’ Then, with a look of irrepressible devilment, she immediately took possession of his arm and began dragging him back to the dance floor. Throwing Catriona a sweetly reproving smile, she said, ‘Don’t worry. I’m not going to kidnap him and hold him to ransom. I just want to borrow him for five minutes. You’ll have him for the rest of your life, you lucky thing, you.’

  Catriona laughed at the look of helpless apology on Ryan’s face before they were swallowed up by the crowd of dancers, then she sipped at her drink again, remembering Madge’s reaction when she’d told her the news over the phone three days ago…

  ‘You’re getting married on Saturday?’ Madge had repeated in astonishment. ‘Well, that’s absolutely wonderful. I’m delighted for you, Catriona, but it’s a bit sudden, isn’t it? Who on earth is the lucky man? One of your local ex-boyfriends?’

  ‘No, Madge.’ She’d hesitated for only a moment before remembering that Madge had been around long enough to take even news like this in her stride. ‘It’s Ryan Hind,’ she said quickly.

  There was a sharp intake of breath and Catriona could just picture Madge fumbling in her packet, then producing and hurriedly lighting a cigarette. She was right. There was a familiar cough, then Madge said, ‘Excuse me. There must be something wrong with the connection. I could have sworn that you said “Ryan Hind,” there.’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong with the phone, Madge. You heard right. Believe it or not, but we’re in love and I’m the happiest girl in the world. We were both terribly wrong about him, Madge. Honestly, as soon as you get to know him you’ll understand just what I mean.’

  There was another bout of coughing, then something that sounded like a groan. ‘Well, I suppose you know your own mind, my dear girl, but I sincerely hope you aren’t making a terrible mistake. I mean, I wouldn’t like to see him leaving you standing at the altar with egg on your face.’

  ‘He won’t do that, Madge,’ she assured her. ‘He’s already bought the ring and made the arrangements at the church. All the invitations have been sent out. And after the wedding there’ll be a grand ceilidh in the hotel.’

  ‘A grand what?’

  ‘A huge party. With singing and dancing and eating and drinking.’

  ‘Oh, well, that’s not so bad,’ Madge said, sounding relieved. ‘If he’s bought the ring then that means that you can always sue him for breach of promise if he jilts you at the last moment.’

  Catriona laughed. ‘You’re a terrible old cynic, Madge. Now, I insist that you be here for the wedding. Ryan has already made all the travel arrangements to get you here. A limousine will pick you up just after lunch on Friday, you’ll stay overnight in a five-star hotel in Edinburgh, and if you leave just after breakfast the next morning you should be up here in plenty of time for the ceremony. Please tell me you’ll come.’

  Madge laughed dryly. ‘Are you joking? To watch the Golden Hind striking his colours and being brought into harbour by a slip of a girl? Of course I’ll come. My dear girl, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!’

  Well, Madge had arrived today with time to spare, and had immediately demanded an explanation for this sudden change of heart. She had taken a lot of convincing, but finally seemed satisfied that Catriona hadn’t lost her marbles and that Ryan wasn’t keeping his car engine warmed up for a fast getaway.

  After that it had been time to introduce Madge to her parents, and Catriona would have been lying to herself if she hadn’t admitted that that had been a daunting prospect. But she needn’t have worried. She should have had more faith in Madge, who had immediately sized up the situation and had magically transformed herself into everyone’s favourite maiden aunt. She’d even refrained from smoking in their presence, and her mother had taken to her straight away.

  ‘She’s a really charming lady,’ her mother had said when she’d got the first chance to confide in Catriona. ‘Very genteel and gracious. You can tell that she comes from a good family. Good breeding always tells, doesn’t it? I’ve already told her how grateful I am for the way she gave you a job and looked after you in London. She really seems to think the world of you.’

  Glad, and wise enough to leave it at that, she’d hugged her mother and said, ‘And I think the world of you, Mum.’

 
Madge and Ryan were still on the dance floor, demonstrating their own interpretation of Scottish country dancing to the delight and cheers of the other guests, and Catriona spotted old Morag, sitting by herself on the other side of the room.

  She made her way through the crowd and looked down fondly. ‘Hello, Morag. Are you enjoying the ceilidh? Would you like another drink? Or maybe a wee morsel of cold chicken?’

  Morag smiled up at her. ‘That’s very kind and thoughtful of you, Catriona.’ She held out her empty glass. ‘Just a small whisky and water would be fine. It’s grand for putting life back into these tired old bones.’

  Catriona took the glass and gave an understanding smile. ‘I’ll be right back.’ She made her way over to the buffet: two long tables placed end to end and sagging under the weight of sides of ham, roast beef, lamb, venison, duck, smoked salmon and illegally caught grouse—to which Police Sergeant McCabe was tactfully turning a blind eye, although he wasn’t averse to helping himself to a slice or two now and again, to everyone’s amusement.

  Donnie, who was in charge of dispensing the drinks refilled the glass and Catriona took it back to Morag, then sat down beside her. For a moment they watched the dancers whirling by, then Morag sipped at her drink and smiled. ‘Your friend from London, Madge, seems to be having a good time.’

  Catriona nodded in agreement. ‘Aye. But that’s hardly surprising when you get to know her. Madge is one of those larger than life people who could have a good time if she was stuck on a desert island with only the Reverend McPhee for company. She was very good to me when I was down in London. A real friend. She was the one who—’ Suddenly she stopped in embarrassment, then gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘Of course I don’t need to tell you, do I? You were the one who told me before I’d even left that I’d meet someone who’d help me. You even said that it would be a woman. And you also told me that I’d meet a rich and handsome man just waiting to fall in love with me. Well, everything you told me has come true, Morag. I should never have doubted you for a moment.’

  Morag regarded her fondly. ‘And has Ryan come up to your expectations?’

  She felt that hard lump settle in her throat again and she nodded. ‘He…he’s more than I ever dared to hope for, Morag. Not even in my wildest dreams. He’s the most wonderful man in the world and I’m going to love him to bits for the rest of my life.’ She paused and gave a sheepish grin. ‘Mind you, we had a few problems to begin with, but that’s all sorted out now.’

  ‘Aye…’ said Morag quietly. ‘He’s a handsome-looking man, right enough, but he needs someone like you. I’ve a feeling that you were just made for each other. He’ll be a good and kind husband.’

  ‘I know that now,’ Catriona admitted. She felt she owed Morag the whole story, but decided against it. All those stupid mistakes and misunderstandings…they were best forgotten. The future was all that mattered. A future bright with promise.

  ‘It was nice of you to bring him up to the house for a visit yesterday,’ Morag said with a quiet twinkle in her eye. ‘Whose idea was it, Catriona? Yours or his?’

  Now that was an odd question, she thought, giving Morag a quizzical look. ‘Well…to tell the truth,’ she said, feeling slightly embarrassed, ‘it was his. When Ryan first saw your house up on the hill he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off it. Then he asked me who lived there. I told him about you and he…he said that he wanted to meet you. I…I was reluctant to bring him at first. I thought he was only interested in buying your house because of the view. I thought he just wanted to convert it and rent it out as a holiday home.’

  Morag’s eyes were suddenly distant and quite unfathomable as she nodded and said quietly, ‘Aye, he liked the view, right enough. And he seemed to like all my old bits and pieces of furniture. In fact he seemed quite at home, I thought.’ Her eyes came alive with pleasure and she patted the back of Catriona’s hand affectionately. ‘Anyway, he told me that he hoped I’d live to enjoy it for many years to come and that if ever there was anything I needed I was only to let him know. Now wasn’t that a very generous promise for a perfect stranger to make?’

  ‘Ryan is a very generous man, Morag,’ she said, realising more than ever now just how wrong she’d been about him at the start.

  The dance came to an end and they were joined by Madge and Ryan. Madge’s face was flushed and she put a hand to her brow and gasped, ‘You people up here really know how to enjoy a party.’ She smiled at Catriona. ‘I think I’ll wander over in the direction of the bar and recharge my batteries.’ She gave Ryan an affectionate peck on the cheek and said, ‘Now just you remember what I told you. You’d better be kind and loving to your new wife or you’ll have Auntie Madge to reckon with.’

  The band struck up again, but this time it was a very slow and romantic waltz. Ryan turned, seemed to hesitate, then looked at Morag and bowed gallantly. ‘Morag?’ he asked with grave politeness. ‘Will you do me the honour of having this dance with me?’

  Catriona frowned. He should have known better than to ask that! Morag was far too old and stiff to attempt dancing. She was about to come to the old woman’s rescue when Morag beamed at him, put her drink aside and reached for his hand as he helped her from her seat. ‘Aye…’ she said softly. ‘I’d like that fine.’

  They were the first couple up on the floor, and suddenly everyone else seemed to be holding back. Like Catriona, they watched in wide-eyed silence. Old Morag up dancing? Surely not! Everyone knew she had arthritis and at times she could barely walk! They looked at each other with misgivings and shook their heads in wonder.

  Then someone, probably Donnie the barman, dimmed the main lights and a soft overhead spotlight picked out the couple. Everyone watching held their breath as the years seemed to be magically slipping away from Morag… Her shoulders straightened and she looked somehow taller, and graceful in her movements, and it didn’t take much imagination to see how beautiful she must have been as a young girl.

  When the waltz ended the crowd whistled and stamped in applause as Ryan led her off the floor.

  Catriona eyed her with concern as she helped her back into her seat. ‘Are you feeling all right, Morag? Not dizzy or anything?’

  ‘I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,’ said Morag with a strange smile of contentment. ‘Your husband is a wonderful dancer, and tell me what harm any woman could come to with his strong arms to support her?’ She reclaimed her drink, then chided Ryan gently, ‘Now it’s time you were paying more attention to your wife. I think the pair of you should slip outside for a while. The fresh air will do you good and it’ll give you a chance to tell her how much you love her.’

  Ryan’s kiss was as warm and tender as the night itself, and Catriona nestled her head into his shoulder dreamily and murmured, ‘That was a good idea of Morag’s about stealing a moment to ourselves. Do you realise that this is the first time today we’ve had a chance to be by ourselves?’ They’d been walking hand in hand along the beach on the south side of the harbour, both silent and just content to be with each other, listening to the surf whispering across the sand. Now they had stopped to kiss and look at the stars and talk.

  ‘That was a really wonderful thing you did back there,’ she murmured dreamily.

  He stroked her hair gently and grinned. ‘It’s been a day for wonderful things. Especially putting that ring on your finger. But which one in particular are you talking about?’

  She kissed him again. ‘I’m talking about you asking old Morag up to dance.’ A tiny frown settled on her forehead and she admitted, ‘I was a bit worried at first because…well, she’s so frail that I thought it would be too much of a strain for her. But I don’t think anyone here has ever seen her look so happy. And now I’m glad that you thought of it.’

  It was his turn to give a puzzled frown and he tugged at his ear thoughtfully. ‘It’s strange you should mention that. The truth is that I was going to ask you to dance, and then I had this strange urge to ask Morag instead. I just sort of felt that…that she wanted
me to. It was the damned oddest feeling I’ve ever had in my life.’

  She gave a dry laugh. ‘Aye. Morag has that effect on people sometimes.’

  They walked on again, their hands round each other’s waists, until Ryan stopped and pointed. ‘That’s where our house is going to be.’

  She stared excitedly across the moonlit scene. ‘Where? Show me.’

  Taking her by the hand, he led her up from the beach onto a flat piece of ground covered in soft, springy grass and surrounded with silver birch and pine trees. ‘Right here,’ he said with a flourish. ‘What do you think?’

  She gazed around, then nodded. ‘We used to play here when we were kids. Not the boys. Just the girls. We called it the fairies’ garden. It’s hidden from the road over yonder by the trees.’ Giving his hand a squeeze, she murmured, ‘It’s perfect, darling. You couldn’t have chosen a lovelier place. It’ll be our private little piece of heaven on earth.’

  Pleased at her reaction, he squeezed her hand in return, then said, ‘They’ll be making a start on the foundations tomorrow.’ He took his bearings, then paced out a few steps and said, ‘Now, this will be the main living room, here. With a patio overlooking a large garden. And over there will be the kitchen, with…’

  ‘Never mind the kitchen,’ she said, stopping him in mid-flow and pulling him impatiently a few more yards. ‘My mind isn’t on cooking at the moment. Just show me where our bedroom is going to be.’

  ‘You’re standing right in the middle of it.’

  She looked down and took a little step sideways. ‘Hmm… I like the carpet. And the curtains.’ She walked another few paces and opened an imaginary door and exclaimed in delight, ‘And this must be the en suite bathroom and shower. It’s beautiful.’

  He smiled and shook his head. ‘No. That happens to be the built-in wardrobe. You want this door here.’ He took a few steps to the left and opened another imaginary door.