She reached that conclusion at the same time as they reached the foot of the stairs, and, with a return of common sense, Maxi cleared her throat. ‘You can put me down now.’
Kerr took one look at her determined face and allowed her feet to slide to the floor. With his arm still about her waist, he continued to eye her sardonically. ‘There are only two ways you’re going up those stairs: either I carry you, or I help you. If you continue to be stubborn, I’ll simply throw you over my shoulder and have done with it. So what’s it to be?’
She never got the chance to tell him, for as she opened her mouth to scorn his piratical intentions Lady Ambro came hurrying into the hall from the back of the house.
‘Oh, Maxine, thank goodness you’re back!’ she exclaimed, in a flustered tone which was so far from normal that her daughter’s heart lurched.
‘What is it? What’s happened? Is it Father?’ she asked quickly, quite inordinately glad to have Kerr behind her. Suddenly their personal troubles had no bearing. Without thinking, she blindly held out her hand, and, when he unhesitatingly took it, felt a surge of emotion there was no time to explore.
‘Goodness, no, nothing like that, although it’s not good news,’ her mother quickly allayed her fears in one direction. ‘The police telephoned from London. They got this number from your agent, I think. Oh, darling, your flat has been broken into. They need you to go home and see what’s missing.’
Maxi felt the floor tilt and had to sit down abruptly on the bottom stair as her legs gave out. ‘But it can’t have been. Nobody can get through the doors unless the security man lets them!’ she exclaimed, not wanting to believe it. Stunned, her brain refused to work, and it was some seconds before she grasped that a glass was being pressed into her hand.
‘Drink it,’ Kerr ordered, and she realised, as she obediently took a sip, that he must have gone into the lounge to get some brandy.
Coughing as it caught her throat, she did slowly begin to feel less shocked. Still, it seemed difficult to get her brain working, and she raised a shaky hand to her forehead. ‘I’ll have to go, I suppose.’
‘I’ll drive you,’ Kerr said decisively.
‘There’s no need,’ she refused, clambering rather inelegantly to her feet, and in the process putting too much weight on her injured leg, nearly toppling over again.
‘You seem determined to crumple at my feet.’ Kerr’s strong hand righted her easily. ‘There’s every need and you know it. You’re in no fit state to drive all the way to town. For one thing you’re still in shock, and for another your leg won’t take another beating today. So no more arguments.’
Maxi wasn’t about to, for he was right. If she insisted, in the state she was in she’d probably crash the car. ‘All right, thank you. Actually I think I’ll be glad of the company.’ She shivered at the idea of a stranger being in her home, and knew she wouldn’t want to walk in there on her own. ‘I’ll just go and change into something warmer.’
Feeling rather like a sleepwalker, she went awkwardly up to her room and mechanically changed into cream denims and a rugby shirt. She assumed they would be away for the night, but any clothes she needed would be at her flat. It only remained to gather up a jacket and her handbag, and she was as ready as she was going to be.
Within half an hour they were on their way, the Porsche eating up the miles. Neither spoke, but Maxi found the soft music Kerr put on the cassette player soothed her nerves. It was strange how this journey differed from the last. Now she felt comforted, the mere fact of his presence making things seem not as bad as they could be. It was a paradox. How could one man make her feel all these different emotions? Drive her to the extremes of anger and passion, then this? The answer seemed to hover in a mist, and she hesitated about dispersing it, for fear of what she might discover.
As they approached the outskirts of the city, Kerr asked for directions, confessing to a knowledge of the area where her flat was situated. When they finally pulled up in the parking area before the building, Maxi was reluctant to get out. But there was no escaping the moment.
‘I telephoned your local police before we left,’ Kerr informed her as he joined her on the pavement. ‘Someone will meet us here shortly. Have you got your key?’
He took it from her when she produced it from her handbag, and let them into the lobby. The guard on duty was one of the night shift, and his commiserations were followed by his belaboured assurances that he would have done something had he seen or heard anything. It was scant comfort, after the event, but she thanked him and passed on to the lift.
Maxi’s flat was on the top floor, one of two. Unlocking the door, Kerr threw it wide, and the sight which met their eyes made her gasp aloud. It was as if a bomb had been dropped on the place. Kerr’s face was grim as he helped her inside, for this was no ordinary burglary; the place had been very nearly wrecked.
They trailed silently from room to room in mounting horror. In her bedroom, Maxi stared blindly at the mess, for not only had the duvet been slashed, but her entire wardrobe seemed to be a mass of tatters.
‘This was no burglar,’ Kerr declared in a tone of voice that threatened trouble for somebody. ‘Whoever did this had a violent hatred for you.’
Maxi had to swallow hard on a wave of nausea before she could speak. ‘But who? Why?’
‘You’re more likely to know than me. Have you made any enemies?’
One sprang instantly to mind, but was just as instantly disregarded. She pulled a face. ‘In my business, you don’t always make friends. Let’s go in the other room,’ she suggested, sickened by the destruction. At least in the lounge the damage was less vicious.
Furniture was overturned and ornaments smashed, but nothing was ripped apart.
‘I could do with some coffee,’ Kerr announced flatly, nudging what looked like the remains of a Dresden shepherdess with the toe of his shoe.
‘I’ll make it,’ Maxi responded, glad of something to do.
The kitchen had fared best of all, actually having little damage save for a few broken cups. It was like a haven of peace in the midst of a hurricane. Maxi put the kettle on to boil then hesitated as she reached to open a cupboard.
‘I suppose it’s all right to touch this?’
Kerr pulled out a stool at the breakfast bar. ‘We’ll risk it, but it’s probably best not to touch anything in the other rooms until after we’ve spoken with the police.’ While she busied herself, he idly turned over the large pile of mail she had left on the counter on Friday. ‘Do you always get this much?’
Glancing over her shoulder, Maxi shook her head. ‘That’s quite small, really. We get quite a lot of fan mail, you know. That’s what’s left after they’ve weeded it out at the agency. The good stuff, not the hate mail, or the letters from weirdos.’
‘Hate mail?’ Kerr latched on to that like a terrier. ‘Do you get much?’
Carrying across two mugs, she placed one in front of him before pulling out the opposite stool and sliding on to it. ‘Only my share, I suppose. Some people can’t bear another’s success. We don’t take it over seriously or else we’d go mad,’ she explained, then her eyes widened as she caught his stony expression. ‘You surely don’t think one of them...?’
‘It’s a possibility. It could give the police something to go on,’ Kerr pronounced thoughtfully, and indeed the detective who arrived not very long afterwards was extremely interested.
On closer inspection of her flat, Maxi couldn’t see that anything was actually missing. Such items of valuable jewellery that she possessed were still in the wall safe which was untouched.
‘It would appear to be more in the nature of a personal attack, then, miss,’ the detective observed, closing his notebook. ‘However, we do have some fingerprints which we’ll try to match up. We’ll look into the mail business too, but if you discover anything missing, or find something that doesn’t belong here, or can think of anyone who might bear a grudge, get in touch.’ He handed her a card with his name and numb
er, and left.
His departure was like a catalyst. It had been a rotten day, and as Maxi stood there surveying the ruin of her home, everything became too much. She burst into tears. Without hesitation, strong arms gathered her in to a broad chest, cradling her there while she sobbed her heart out, one hand rhythmically stroking her hair. Then when she hiccuped to a stop, a handkerchief was thrust into her hand, and she sniffed and blew inelegantly. She longed to remain where she was, for there had been so much comfort in his arms, but she realised the foolishness of it, and eased herself free.
‘Sorry,’ she apologised for her emotional outburst diffidently.
‘Having seen this, if anyone is entitled to cry, you are,’ Kerr declared wryly. ‘I almost felt like weeping myself. It must have been a lovely home.’
She heaved a big sigh and pocketed his handkerchief, meaning to wash it and return it. ‘It was.’
‘I suppose we should look on the bright side, and be thankful whoever did this didn’t start chucking jam jars and sauce bottles at the walls. Come on, we may as well start cleaning up. It’s bad enough walking in on this once; you don’t want to do it again.’
She heartily agreed with that, and disappeared into the kitchen to collect dustpan and broom, and several black plastic bags. Working methodically, righting furniture as they went, it proved remarkably easy to remove the signs of the vandalism. Only the gaps on the shelves where the broken ornaments should have been told the tale. Finally, Maxi left Kerr competently hoovering the carpet while she went back into her bedroom.
Stripping the bed, she dumped everything in the plastic bags. Even had they been repairable, she wouldn’t have used them again. There had been so much hate and anger in every cut that she doubted she’d ever want to sleep in the room again. Turning to the wardrobe with a shudder, she was studying the contents when Kerr walked in. He caught sight of her puzzled frown and crossed to her side.
‘What is it?’
Maxi fingered a dark green suit. ‘I’ve just noticed that these are undamaged. They’re what you’d call my everyday clothes. The ones that were slashed were all my glamour dresses. The ones I use when I’m working.’
‘That would certainly back up the theory that someone is jealous of your success.’
Maxi shuddered again, wondering if she would ever stop. ‘It’s horrible to think of anyone hating me so much. That they’ve actually been here in my home, going through my personal things. It makes me feel...violated. If they got in once, what’s to stop them coming back?’
‘That’s precisely why you’re coming back to my house tonight.’
She caught her breath. Go to his house? Suddenly the tension, which had been missing ever since she had heard the news, returned with a vengeance. However kind he might have been, he was still her adversary.
‘That won’t be necessary. I can go to a hotel,’ she countered quickly, and saw his eyes narrow speculatively. She was pretty sure he knew exactly what she was thinking.
However, much to her surprise, he didn’t argue. ‘Why don’t you get a few things together while I clean up in the kitchen, hmm?’ he suggested, with an encouraging smile.
Relieved that for once she had had her own way, she went to do as he said. Walking into the bedroom made her flesh crawl, and she wondered if she’d ever feel safe there again. The thought made her disinclined to linger, and by the time she had collected together all she’d need for an overnight stay, Kerr had tidied up and was waiting in the lounge. Switching off the lights, they left.
When they were in the car and on their way again, Maxi let her gaze drift to Kerr. He handled the car with skill and assurance, with the same consummate ease he handled everything in his life. It wasn’t assumed. It was as natural as breathing, and it had supported her when she needed it most. ‘I want to thank you for coming with me. It was kind of you.’
‘Kindness had nothing to do with it. I owed it to your family,’ he replied forthrightly, and she winced at the way it cut her.
With a wry smile of self-derision twisting her lips, because she knew she should have expected his response, she inclined her head. ‘Then my family thank you,’ she drawled ironically, turning her attention to the world outside. ‘I’d forgotten it was high season. Do you think the hotels will have rooms available?’
‘I should think so. Tourism isn’t what it was a year ago,’ Kerr answered as he changed lanes.
Maxi relaxed into her seat. ‘I didn’t know you had a house here in London.’
To her surprise, considering he was a conscientious driver, Kerr took his eyes from the road to give her a penetrating look. ‘Didn’t you?’ he challenged sardonically. ‘I think you must have, or why else didn’t you want to go there?’
Maxi frowned. ‘Of course I didn’t know. How could I? And the only reason I didn’t want to go there was because I didn’t want to put you out,’ she returned swiftly, ending on a lie because the truth was out of the question.
Kerr’s attention returned to the traffic. ‘Life is full of surprises,’ he murmured cryptically, then shrugged. ‘I bought the place because I couldn’t face all the commuting, although your father didn’t seem to mind it. I use my London house during the week, and spend the weekends at the family home. But with my parents now living in New Zealand, and Andy having a place of his own, I rather rattle around in it,’ he explained as he neatly threaded the car through the traffic.
‘You could sell it,’ Maxi suggested.
His shake of the head was firm. ‘Uh-uh. I love the old place too much. No, I go more for the idea of getting myself a wife and family.’
Maxi found she was staring out of the window without seeing anything. ‘That sounds rather clinical,’ she said huskily, aware of her heart giving a sickening lurch.
Kerr steered the car into a quiet street of elegant town houses, drawing up before one in the middle of the row. ‘Does it? I prefer to think of it as a matter of common sense. The house needs children, and I want them to be mine. For that I’ll need a wife.’
How crazy it was to feel as if her heart was being torn from her at his cynical attitude. ‘But what about love?’ she argued in a strained voice.
Kerr laughed. ‘Love? Love, my dear Maxi, is for fools. It’s a romantic nonsense which blinds people to the truth, dressing up lust into something more socially acceptable. Love doesn’t exist,’ he declared harshly, switching off the engine and the lights, but making no move to get out.
In the gloom, they seemed isolated from the world outside. ‘How can you be so certain?’ Maxi found her heart was beating achingly fast as she asked the question.
There was just enough light to see grey eyes glittering. ‘How? Because I once imagined I was in love,’ he answered derisively, and Maxi caught her breath.
‘What happened?’
‘I came to my senses. I realised I’d made the mistake of confusing love with lust. The object of my—affection—found someone else she wanted more than me. With the blinkers gone, I realised I was well rid of her, and of the notion of love.’
Maxi was so appalled, it was difficult to find words. Surely he could see how wrong he was? ‘I’m sorry if she hurt you, Kerr. She obviously didn’t love you, but you’re far too intelligent to let one bad experience affect your life,’ she whispered huskily.
At her words, he climbed abruptly from the car. ‘Why should you be sorry?’ Kerr exclaimed over his shoulder. ‘I’m not. I learnt a lesson I won’t forget in a hurry. As you say, I’m far too intelligent to make the same mistake again.’
That wasn’t what she had said at all, but she realised the futility of arguing with him. Wearily she followed him out, and only when she stood beside him on the pavement did she look at her surroundings.
‘Where are we?’ Her eyes quartered the darkened building before her. ‘This isn’t a hotel,’ she accused, turning on him in annoyance.
Taking a firm grip on her arm, he urged her to mount the steps to the front door. ‘Full marks for observation. This, a
s you’ve probably also guessed by now, is my house.’
She had indeed fathomed that out, and consequently resisted him at every step. ‘You said you’d take me to a hotel!’
‘Uh-uh! You said that, I didn’t,’ he corrected. ‘I said you were coming home with me.’
A reminder she didn’t need, but which had her grinding her teeth in impotent anger. She couldn’t run away because she didn’t even know where they were. Yet when she reluctantly stood beside him as he hunted for the latchkey she experienced an uncanny sensation of déjà vu. Her heart unaccountably picked up its pace. The feeling increased as she followed Kerr inside. Her breath caught in her throat. Everything was unfamiliar, and yet so much in the right place that it was instantly familiar. She hesitated in the doorway, and found Kerr watching her, a strangely intent look in his eye.
‘Something wrong?’ he queried, voice softly mocking.
It was almost as if he was waiting for something, and she walked further in. ‘I don’t...’ She broke off, eyes going to a door at the end of the hall. Suddenly she knew. One look beyond that barrier would confirm her staggering idea. Without waiting for permission, she walked swiftly to the door and went through into the room. It was a library, but the books didn’t hold her attention; that was fixed on the glass doors in the far wall. They opened at her touch, and Maxi found herself in the leafy shadows of a Victorian conservatory.
Without her volition, her feet carried her forwards, to where she knew, out of sight, stood a wrought-iron seat. There she stopped, eyes mirroring an unforgotten pain. ‘It was your house.’ The words issued tonelessly to the silent figure she sensed behind her.
For a moment he didn’t answer. ‘I thought you knew.’
Maxi’s fingers tightened around the cold metal. ‘How could I? I didn’t know who the house belonged to, and we never did exchange names, did we? You were just—’
An Old Enchantment (Harlequin Treasury 1990's) Page 11