Trust in Summer Madness

by Carole Mortimer

  ‘Yes,’ Chris answered abruptly. ‘Yesterday. After work.’

  ‘She didn’t mention it.’

  ‘No?’

  ‘She still spends a lot of time up in her room,’ Sian frowned.

  ‘So I believe.’

  She chewed on her bottom lip. ‘I wish there were something I could do to help her.’

  ‘Don’t interfere in her problems, Sian,’ Chris snapped. ‘She’s a big girl now, old enough to decide her own life. And she won’t thank you for your advice.’

  ‘But I—’

  ‘Just leave her alone, Sian!’

  She was taken aback by his vehemence. Chris was in a really strange mood lately, one she didn’t understand, and one that she wasn’t sure she liked either. She hardly knew him like this, and it made her nervous.

  ‘I’ve done it again, haven’t I?’ he sighed a few minutes later. ‘I’m sorry, Sian, I shouldn’t have shouted at you.’

  ‘Is everything all right, Chris?’ she frowned. ‘At home, and at work?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ he answered tersely. ‘I can’t be in a good mood all the time, Sian,’ he added abruptly.

  She wanted to ask why he couldn’t, but thought better of it. He had a very successful career, a career that he loved, and they were going to be married in two weeks’ time; that should have been enough to make any man happy.

  He refused to come in for coffee, and she didn’t pressurise him, sensing his urgency to leave; their kiss goodnight was short and sweet.

  Sian was frowning heavily as she entered the house, although her expression brightened as she saw Bethany sitting in the lounge with their father. Her young sister seemed to have been avoiding her wherever possible lately, and it made a pleasant change for the three of them to spend a little time together.

  Her father looked at his wrist-watch. ‘You’re early, love,’ he said slowly. ‘It’s only ten o’clock.’

  She shrugged. ‘Chris was feeling tired.’

  ‘He’s working too hard,’ her father shook his head.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered absently. ‘Hello, Bethany,’ she greeted gently.

  ‘Hello,’ her sister returned abruptly.

  Their father frowned at them worriedly. ‘I think I’ll go to bed.’ He stood up.

  Sian frowned. ‘No coffee?’ She had never known her father to retire for the night without his cup of coffee.

  He smiled. ‘I’ll go and make some. Anyone else?’

  The two girls shook their heads, and he went off to the kitchen whistling softly to himself.

  Sian knew that her father had deliberately left them alone, also sensing Bethany’s awkwardness with her. ‘Is the film any good?’ she sat down.

  Her sister gave an uninterested shrug. ‘I haven’t been watching it.’

  Sian chewed on her bottom lip, undecided about Bethany’s mood. The younger girl had been so adamant about Jarrett, it must have been very humiliating for her to discover everything Sian had said about him was true. She knew that part of Bethany’s coolness towards her lately was out of embarrassment for those predictions coming true, and she wasn’t sure if Bethany was ready to forgive her for that yet.

  Bethany suddenly stood up. ‘I may as well go to bed too.’

  ‘Bethany—’

  ‘Hm?’ Her sister seemed to stiffen.

  ‘I—I’m sorry about Jarrett,’ she said almost appealingly. ‘I didn’t think he would turn out quite as bad as he has.’

  ‘Jarrett?’ Bethany looked startled.

  ‘Yes,’ she chewed on her bottom lip. ‘He treated me badly, but I had no idea he would so callous with you too.’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean,’ her sister said distantly. ‘I haven’t been seeing Jarrett, but it’s from my own choice.’

  Sian could see this was a matter of pride with Bethany, and she didn’t push the subject any further. ‘How is work?’ she asked interestedly.

  ‘The same as always,’ her sister shrugged, feigning a yawn. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Sian.’

  Sian sat back with a sigh once her sister had gone upstairs. It was going to be a long time before Bethany got over Jarrett. Damn him for hurting her sister! And thank God she hadn’t given in to his blackmail when pressed to.

  Jarrett kept to his word and came to the church on Sunday again, but he had no chance to talk to Sian this time. Chris and his parents were with her this week, and the four of them returned to the Newmans’ for lunch.

  Chris had remained taciturn and unapproachable, and as the wedding neared Sian could feel her own nerves stretching to breaking point, her own doubts and uncertainties beginning to take over the more withdrawn Chris became.

  On the final Sunday when the banns were read her father insisted they should all go to church, and dragged the reluctant Bethany along too.

  Jarrett was there again, nodding recognition as they filed into the church to sit at a pew further down from him. Sian watched Bethany closely for any reaction to the encounter, but her sister seemed as pale and composed as usual, not at all her normal self, her vivaciousness completely dulled, even her beauty subdued in her unhappiness.

  As usual it was a beautiful service. The vicar was a man who talked to his congregation rather than breathing fire and brimstone on them.

  Sian stiffened as he came to the banns for Chris and herself, her gaze unwillingly drawn to Jarrett. He raised dark blond eyebrows in acknowledgement and shook his head slightly.

  She turned away sharply, biting her lip. He wasn’t going to give up. Against all the odds—his wife, her forthcoming marriage—Jarrett still believed she would go to him.

  And no matter how she denied her feelings for him she still felt aware of him whenever they were in the same room together, felt warm and loved from his gaze on her. And she couldn’t see past her wedding to Chris. No matter how she tried she couldn’t envisage their married life together, almost as if it were never going to happen. Maybe it was because she wasn’t actually leaving home, that she and Chris would be living with her father and Bethany. Whatever the reason, she felt a sense of unease.

  And it wasn’t helped by Jarrett’s approach after the service, his long strides bringing him quickly to their side. His greeting was terse, his gaze narrowing on Bethany’s pale face. ‘How are you?’ His tone was almost gentle.

  Her smile was nervy, her eyes fever-bright. ‘Fine—thank you,’ she said huskily.

  ‘Sian,’ he nodded to her, ignoring the glowering Chris at her side. Her father was a short distance away talking to some of his friends. ‘Just under a week to go to the wedding now,’ he derided.

  ‘Yes,’ she acknowledged coolly.

  ‘Is Bethany to be a bridesmaid?’

  ‘And Chris’s sister Ginny,’ she said tightly, knowing his polite interest in her wedding arrangements was only skin-deep, his gaze completely calculating.

  ‘I remember Ginny,’ he nodded. ‘You must be looking forward to your sister’s wedding to Chris, Bethany.’ His voice once again softened to gentleness.

  ‘Don’t let us keep you, King,’ Chris put in abruptly. ‘I’m sure a busy man like you must have somewhere else he would rather be.’

  ‘Not particularly,’ the other man drawled infuriatingly. ‘I usually keep my Sundays free. Bethany, are you sure you’re feeling all right?’ he frowned down at her. ‘You’re looking very pale.’

  ‘I—I—Excuse me!’ With a choked cry Bethany ran off, and people turned to look at her as she pushed by them.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ‘BETHANY—’

  ‘I’ll go,’ Chris muttered intensely.

  ‘But—’

  ‘Get your father to take you home,’ he instructed tersely, running after Bethany.

  Instead she turned furiously on Jarrett, her face white with concern ‘Why couldn’t you just leave her alone?’ she accused heatedly.

  ‘Me?’

  ‘Yes—you!’ she glared at him. ‘You’re completely selfish, Jarrett, you always were. You wanted
me, so you decided to get to me any way you could, you didn’t care who got hurt in the process. And that includes my young sister. You broke her heart, Jarrett—I hope you’re satisfied!’ She was breathing heavily in her agitation.

  He grasped her arm, pulling her out of earshot of the other people gathered in the churchyard. ‘I took Bethany out, on a casual basis, a couple of times,’ he bit out raggedly.

  ‘You knew she saw it as more than that!’

  ‘I’m sure she didn’t,’ he shook his head. ‘We had fun together, we talked. God, I think I only kissed her once or twice.’

  ‘And we both know when that was, don’t we!’ Sian scorned. ‘But I don’t believe you, Jarrett. I know you, I know your sensuality—’

  ‘My sex drive, you mean,’ he derided hardly.

  ‘Yes!’ she hissed. ‘You could never leave any woman alone. And Bethany wouldn’t be breaking her heart over a few casual dates. You warned me you would seduce her.’ Sian’s eyes widened accusingly. ‘My God, you did!’ she gasped.

  His mouth set in a grim line. ‘I didn’t touch her.’ he rasped. ‘And if she’s told you otherwise then she’s lying.’

  ‘She hasn’t told me anything,’ Sian said dully. ‘She hasn’t been talking much at all the last couple of weeks.’

  ‘Then I suggest you look elsewhere than me for the cause of that,’ he told her coldly. ‘Because despite my threats to you I wouldn’t harm a hair on your sister’s head. How could I?’ his voice lowered softly. ‘When you love her.’

  Sian swallowed hard, seeing the sincerity of his gaze. ‘You really never meant to go through with that?’

  ‘Never,’ he said firmly.

  She bit her bottom lip. ‘Then I owe you an apology. I thought—I’m sorry,’ she said abruptly. ‘I felt sure—I have to go, Jarrett. I have to get my father. And I’m really sorry I misjudged you.’

  ‘Sian, can we talk—’

  ‘Not just now,’ she shook her head, already looking for her father. ‘I have to get home to Bethany.’

  He grasped her wrist, his green eyes compelling. ‘You do believe I didn’t touch her?’

  She couldn’t doubt it. Jarrett might be many things, but he wouldn’t lie to her about something as important as this. The memory of the way he had once lied to her about something just as important flashed into her mind—and was instantly dismissed.

  But her shake of her head looked like denial to Jarrett. He pushed her roughly away from him. ‘Go and find your father,’ he instructed harshly.

  ‘Jarrett—’

  He was already walking away, and she saw her father hurrying towards her, obviously having been told of Bethany’s desperate flight.

  They talked little on the drive home, but they didn’t see Bethany either, so Chris must have already picked her up and taken her home.

  Sian knew she would have to explain to Jarrett that she had believed him, but for now that could wait. Bethany had to be her first consideration now.

  Chris’s car was in the driveway and she left her father parking his car on the road and went quickly into the house, the sound of murmuring voices drawing her towards the lounge. Oh, she hoped Chris had been able to calm Bethany down.

  She pushed open the door, freezing in the act of speaking as she took in the scene in front of her. Bethany was crying quietly, Chris talking soothingly, his arms about her sister as he comforted her.

  ‘Please don’t cry, Bethany,’ he pleaded huskily. ‘It will all work out, you’ll see. We’ll talk to Sian, explain to her—’

  ‘No!’ Bethany cried. ‘I won’t have her hurt again!’

  ‘Darling…!’ Chris groaned before his head bent and he kissed her with demanding passion.

  Sian looked at them with numbed disbelief, sure that this couldn’t be happening a second time—and not with her own sister!

  ‘Good God!’ her father gasped behind her, having come in without Sian being aware of it, as shocked as she was by what he was witnessing.

  Bethany and Chris sprang apart and turned guiltily, Bethany’s expression stricken, Chris’s dismayed.

  To Sian it was all like a scene from a farcical comedy, and she had played this scene before, time and time again with sickening repetition, only then it had been Jarrett with Nina Marshall; seeing Chris with Bethany just left her numb.

  Her sister gave a choked cry before running out of the room, her face pale and haunted, her eyes huge troubled pools of storm-tossed blue.

  ‘Bethany—’

  ‘Leave her!’ their father instructed Chris harshly, walking purposefully into the room. ‘How dare you come here and abuse the trust you’ve been shown, betraying Sian’s love for you?’

  ‘George, it isn’t like that,’ Chris pleaded. ‘I—’

  ‘I think it would be best if you left, Chris.’ The other man was watching Sian, correctly assessing the deep shock she was in. ‘You and Sian have to talk, but it can’t be now.’

  Chris looked at Sian too, his face paling at how ill she looked. ‘Darling, I’m sorry,’ he moved towards her to clasp her hands, surprised at how cold they were, the day warm. ‘I didn’t mean for this to happen. I just didn’t seem to be able to stop myself. Sian, I—’

  ‘I said leave it, Chris,’ her father spoke strongly. ‘Can’t you see she’s almost at collapsing point?’ His arms came about her protectively. ‘Come back later,’ he ordered the other man. ‘Maybe she’ll be up to listening to you then. Although I wouldn’t count on it,’ he added grimly as he guided Sian out of the room.

  ‘I’ll wait and talk to you now, George,’ Chris told him dully. ‘I’d like to explain.’

  Her father nodded. ‘I think someone had better start doing that,’ he rasped.

  Sian said nothing as her father took her upstairs to her room, although her father spoke soothingly all the time, pulling back the coverlet on the bed to help her lie down, smoothing her hair back from her brow.

  ‘Don’t think just now, Sian,’ he advised softly. ‘I’m sure it didn’t mean anything. Bethany has been upset lately, Chris was comforting her and it got a little out of hand. I’m sure that’s all it was, love.’

  She looked up at him with shadowed hazel eyes. Her father hadn’t heard the conversation before the kiss, or the way Chris called Bethany ‘darling’, but she had, and she had heard the love behind the endearment too. Whether Chris had actually said the words or not, she had a feeling he was in love with Bethany—and that she returned the feeling!

  ‘I’ll go down and talk to him now,’ her father soothed. ‘You just rest. You can sort this misunderstanding out with him later.’

  She nodded wordlessly, knowing that her father was deeply disturbed by what was going on around him.

  And she was disturbed herself, more than disturbed. Chris’s taciturn moods, and Bethany’s withdrawal into herself, suddenly seemed explained. Chris and Bethany were in love, with each other!

  She turned into the pillow with a choked cry, hearing her father mutter something under his breath before he left the room.

  Her father couldn’t be unaware of the similarity to three years ago, the fact that Chris, like Jarrett, no longer loved her but someone else.

  Her own stifled sobs were echoed from Bethany’s room, and finally she couldn’t stand it any longer, and got up to pull on her jacket, knowing she had to get out of the house, had to get away and think.

  She could hear the two men talking together as she came down the stairs, knowing the two of them were in the lounge. Her movements out of the house were unhurried, feeling as if in a dream, a numbed haze clouding her brain so that she couldn’t think any more.

  But she didn’t need to think to find her refuge, her walk to the willow unhurried and sure, the place where she always came to be alone, both now and in the past.

  The scene of some of the most beautiful ecstasy she had ever known, the willow soon had its soothing effect on her, and with the return of feelings came the renewal of pain.

  She hadn’t loved
Chris as she had once loved Jarrett, she knew that, had known it the moment she saw him kissing Bethany and felt betrayal rather than jealousy. But she did feel hurt at the way Chris had kept his feelings for Bethany a secret until now, a week before their own wedding should have taken place. Should have. Already she was talking in the past tense, knew there was no future for herself and Chris.

  What was wrong with her that men found it so difficult to be faithful to her? What was it about her that caused men to eventually reject her?

  ‘Sian.’

  She closed her eyes at the sound of that husky voice, too vulnerable to turn and face Jarrett, knowing that if she did she would break down and tell him everything. And she didn’t want his pity, followed by his triumph. She wanted—oh, she wanted—

  She spun round, her eyes fever-bright, barely taking in the fact that he still wore the navy blue suit and pale blue shirt he had worn to church. His hair had grown longer since his return, long over his collar, fine lines beside his eyes and mouth adding to his maturity. Sian longed to smooth away those lines, to run her hands through the thickness of his hair, longed to touch him, to know once again the total oblivion Jarrett gave her through the senses.

  ‘What is it?’ he frowned at her wild-eyed look. ‘I saw you walking this way from my hotel window,’ he said slowly. ‘But you didn’t seem to be seeing anyone. Sian, what’s happened?’ His voice sharpened with concern.

  ‘Will you make love to me?’

  His frown deepened, a pulse beating erratically in his cheek. ‘Sian—’

  ‘Do you want to make love to me or don’t you?’ she asked shakily, her hands trembling so badly she felt as if they would never stop.

  ‘You know I do—’

  ‘Well?’

  ‘Not like this, darling,’ he refused softly. ‘Something has happened, something that’s shaken you so badly you don’t know what you’re doing.’

  She gave a scornful laugh. ‘I never knew what I was doing when you made love to me!’

  His expression darkened at her bitterness. ‘No,’ he rasped in acknowledgement of the fact. ‘Why do you want me to make love to you, Sian?’ he frowned. ‘Why now?’

  She sighed tremulously. ‘Because I need you now,’ she told him softly.