Rachel Lindsay - Rough Diamond Lover

by Rachel Lindsay

"I knew you were too intelligent not to realize that," he said on a sigh.

  "We're done for, aren't we?" she whispered again.

  He did not answer but she felt his body tense and then slowly relax as if he realized the futility of lying.

  "I've never thought much about death," he said huskily, "but if it has to be now, then I'm glad I'm with you."

  Shock held her in its grip. Then all fear and lassitude dissolved as she absorbed what he had said.

  "I'm glad, too," she replied. "It's silly to pretend any more. I love you. I have for a long time."

  "You're the only girl I've wanted to marry." He moved his hand and found her face. "If we get out of here alive, will you marry me?"

  "Even though I'm a thief?"

  "You're… no thief." Languor slurred his words. "I don't care what the… the night watchman said. You might have been the only redheaded female at Grant- ley's, but it… couldn't have been you in my office that night."

  She had waited a long time to hear him say this but was too numb to feel any sense of joy. No longer did her body belong to her. All she possessed was a mind and even that seemed to be floating free, hovering above her control. Tim… Elaine… Jake… There was so much to say but the words would not come. She drew a gasping breath. Her heart was pounding in her ears, each beat an explosion, and the explosions grew louder and louder, resounding through the cavern and shaking the ground.

  "Laura!" he cried. "Darling, hold on! They're trying to crack the boulder. Laura…"

  The rest of his words faded and she slipped into oblivion.

  A brilliant light, beating down into her eyes with the intensity of a hundred suns, forced her to cry out, and the sound brought the touch of cool hands to her face.

  With an effort Laura opened her eyes on a world of daylight, white walls and a nurse bending over her.

  "Begorrah," a strong Irish voice said, "and it's nice to see you with your eyes open. You've slept the clock around."

  "Jake!" she cried. "Is he alive?"

  "Very much so. He left the hospital this morning. Bright as a leprechaun!"

  Naturally! Laura thought crossly and, her mind at rest, slipped back into slumber.

  When she awoke again it was evening and her father and Beth were sitting beside the bed.

  She stared at them in surprise. "I thought you were on your honeymoon?"

  "We came back when we heard the news on the radio," her father replied.

  "That wasn't necessary. I'm fine." Weak tears slid down her cheeks." I've spoiled everything for you. I'm so sorry."

  "Don't be daft." Beth sounded as practical as ever. "There's nothing like a bit of extra excitement to liven up a honeymoon!"

  "What's wrong with me?" her new husband inquired.

  "I'll answer that when we're alone." Beth patted Laura's cheek. "Don't look so miserable, love. You'll be fine in a couple of days."

  "I'm well enough to leave the hospital now," Laura mumbled. "You're to go back on your honeymoon. Promise me!"

  "We promise," Beth soothed. "Now close your eyes and rest."

  "Only for a few minutes," Laura agreed and fell fast asleep again.

  The next time she awoke it was to a world of daylight. Energy had returned to her body and with it came the return of memory. No longer was the future bleak. It was as bright and promising as the day outside. If only Jake were with her to reaffirm what he had said. Poor Elaine, she thought, and wondered how the girl would accept her defeat.

  Breakfast over, Laura combed her hair and put on lipstick. Her face was pale and there were dark shadows under her eyes. But the eyes themselves glowed with happiness.

  At noon the glow was less pronounced. There had been no word from Jake, and when lunchtime came she could only toy with her food, pushing it from one side of her plate to the other. Surely he could have left the office for an hour in order to see her? In fact it was strange he had not come last night with her father and Beth. Panic made her reach for the bell and she kept her finger on it until a nurse hurried in.

  "Were you telling me the truth about Mr. Andrews?" she asked. "Is he alive or dead?"

  "Alive, of course. What a question! I told you yesterday he was perfectly well."

  "I wasn't sure… I was expecting to see him…"

  "You haven't been allowed any visitors except your family until today. I'm sure he'll be along this afternoon."

  The relief that flooded Laura was almost like a pain and she lay against the pillows. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I won't bother you again."

  "Then you'll be an angel, not a patient!" the nurse said cynically and whisked out of the door.

  Slowly the sunbeams ceased their dance at the foot of Laura's bed and the bright afternoon light melted into molten gold. Every few minutes she glanced at her watch, but rosy fingers of sunset were streaking the purpling sky before a knock came at the door.

  "Come… come in," she called and leaned forward, excitement sending the blood to her cheeks.

  The door opened and her joy seeped away like water into sand.

  "Darling," Robert murmured, and placed a box of grapes on her bedside table.

  Disappointment made it impossible for her to speak, but Robert assumed she was still tired and cheerfully talked the time away. After a little while she was able to smile at him, though what he said to her and what she replied remained forever afterward a blank. All she remembered was seeing him standing at the door, ready to leave.

  "I suppose there's no hope of your changing your mind and staying in Eddlestone?"

  "Why should I change my mind?"she parried.

  "Because I have a feeling you don't want to go back to London. You're only leaving because of Jake, aren't you? You're in love with him."

  "Must we talk about it now?" she demanded, on the verge of tears.

  "Oh Laura, I'm sorry." He was beside the bed again, contrition making him bend over her. "It's just that I hate seeing you make a fool of yourself. I've known for weeks that it's Jake Andrews you love, but I wouldn't admit it to myself. Then when I came in here and you saw me and looked so miserable, I knew you'd been expecting him!"

  "I wasn't," she lied. "You don't know what you're saying. I wasn't expecting him."

  "Then you won't be disappointed to know he's with Elaine. I saw him heading to her place as I came to the hospital. She's been away for a few days and he was tearing up to see her."

  "I don't want to know." Laura managed to hold on to her control, but the effort brought a film of perspiration to her forehead. "Would you mind going, Robert? I'm rather tired."

  "Sure." He went to the door, hesitated as if he wished to say something further, then shrugged and left.

  Only as the door closed behind him did Laura bury her face in her hands. She hated Robert for telling her about Jake but knew she should be grateful to him. At least he had ended her foolish dreams.

  Jake… Elaine… The two names hammered in her head with each beat of her pulse. What a fool she had been to believe all he had said to her when they had been trapped in the cavern. Convinced they were going to die, Jake had only talked of love and marriage in order to comfort her. The knowledge robbed her of her last shred of pride, leaving her spirit raw.

  Outside in the corridor there was the clatter of a trolley and her door opened. Though her life was over, hospital routine must continue.

  "I don't want a wash," she said in a tight voice.

  " I don't intend to give you one,'' a deep voice replied.

  For a moment it seemed as though time stopped, and even the clouds scudding across the darkening sky remained suspended, motionless.

  Slowly she lifted her head and saw Jake. He looked at her in silence, then dumped a bunch of flowers on the bed. They slithered across the blanket and fell with a rustle to the floor.

  "They'll be crushed," she said stupidly.

  "Who cares?"

  Before she knew what was happening, he pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly that the buttons on his j
acket dug into her skin. He was large and warm and exuded the vitality she always associated with him. But it was fatal to let herself be aware of him, and she pushed him violently away.

  "No, Jake. Let me go."

  He took no notice and she pushed him again, her hands clenched into fists. Realizing she meant what she said, he released her.

  "What's the matter, Laura?"

  "Nothing. But it isn't necessary for you to go on with the act."

  "What act? Have you gone daft?"

  The rudeness of the question was so typically Jake that she started to laugh. It bubbled up in her throat and would not stop; peal after peal of hysterical laughter.

  "Laura, be quiet!" He shook her roughly but the laughter went on, and suddenly he bent his head and pressed his mouth on hers. The laughter died on a choking breath and she gasped, shuddered and then lay quiet. He lifted his head away but still remained close, his weight heavy on the side of her bed.

  "Now for heaven's sake, woman, tell me what's troubling you."

  "Nothing's troubling me," she whispered. "That's why you needn't pretend any more. We're no longer in the cavern and we're not going to die. You're perfectly free to go back to Elaine."

  "I see." His expression told her that he did. "And what would you say if I told you I don't want Elaine?"

  "I'd say you were a liar! You've just been with her. And don't bother denying it because—"

  "I've no intention of denying it. I had to see her. Until I'd done so I didn't feel free to see you." His grip tightened on her again. "Do you think I was joking when I said I loved you? How can you be such a fool! I've always loved you, but I never realized how much until I thought we were going to die. That's what I had to tell Elaine."

  "Off with the old before on with the new," she said bitterly.

  "If you like to put it that way, you can," he said uncomfortably. "Though I never asked her to marry me. I give you my word on that. She amused me and flattered me but I never considered marrying her. I don't expect you to understand why I started taking her out, but it sort of began, and then it… it went on."

  "I think I know why," she said, remembering all Beth had told her of his background.

  "Then if you do, surely you can see why I had to talk to her before I could come here?" He sighed. "It was quite a scene, I can tell you."

  "She said you'd ruined her life and you were the only man she ever loved?"

  "Something like that," he said sheepishly. "But I don't believe it. She only wanted me because I was hard to get."

  "Yet you were willing to let me go back to London," she reminded him. "I even had my train ticket."

  "So had I," he confessed and took a crumpled green card from his pocket. "I intended to follow you. On Saturday, at the wedding, I knew I couldn't let you go. I wanted to tell Elaine the way I felt but I didn't get the chance. Straight after the reception she went to Liverpool to see a girl friend who was going off to Canada, and I realized I'd have to wait until she got back."

  "You really meant to follow me to London?"

  "Yes."

  "Even though you thought I was a thief?"

  "I didn't think that anymore. What I said in the cavern was true. I knew you were innocent no matter what the night watchman said."

  Foolishly she started to cry. Not gentle tears but harsh sobs that shook her body. Jake stroked her hair, kissing her burning forehead and her damp curls.

  "Don't cry," he pleaded. "I love you." He tried to tilt her chin but she wouldn't let him, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

  "No, I look dreadful when I cry."

  "You could never look dreadful to me." He went on stroking her hair. "You're beautiful, Laura. Beautiful, brave and loyal."

  There was something in the way he said the last word that made her look at him.

  "Yes," he said slowly, "I know about Tim. Your father came to see me before he and Beth left this morning."

  "I didn't wantyou to know."

  "I can understand that. But I'm glad I do. I was a fool ever to have doubted you. Can you forgive me?"

  His tone was so pleading that she could not bear it. "Don't be humble, Jake," she said shakily, "or you'll be a stranger to me. I've only known you as rude, sarcastic or passionate!"

  "What a brute you make me sound. My only excuse is that I was scared of falling for you. From the moment I met you I never had a moment's peace."

  "You didn't need to fight me,"she said.

  "Oh yes, I did," he grinned. "I've always been scared of bossy redheaded women!"

  "I'll never succeed in bossing you."

  "That still won't stop you trying," he replied and gently touched his lips to hers.

  Her mouth moved beneath his and her response aroused a greater response in him. His hands caressed her throat and shoulders, touching the soft skin of her breasts. She shivered with desire and pulled him closer, but he gave a sudden groan and pushed her back upon the pillows.

  "Laura, don't! I've a lot of control," he said thickly, "but you're in a pretty vulnerable position!" Rising from the bed, he went to stand by the window. "Don't make me wait long. Marry me soon."

  "As soon as you wish."

  "The minute you get out of here. I'll get a special license and—"

  "I can't get married without my father," she protested. "He'd be awfully upset."

  "No, he won't. I as good as told him what to expect by the time he got back from his honeymoon!"

  "You were very sure of me, weren't you?"

  "I have to be sure of you." He was beside her again, bending close yet not touching her, his face serious. "Apart from my mother, you are the only woman I have ever loved. And now that you know it, you can use it against me for the rest of my life."

  "Against you?"

  "Aye. As a weapon that can destroy me or as a shield that can give me strength."

  "Only strength," she said huskily. "I could never do anything to hurt you. Never."

  He caught her hand and raised it to his lips. "How will you feel about making Eddlestone your home? "

  "Home is where you are.''

  His laugh was buoyant and happier than anything she had yet heard from him.

  "When I'm boss of Grantley's, as I will be, one day, we can live in London."

  "You'll still never be a Londoner," she teased. "You'll always be my rough diamond lover."

  "I like the last word best," he whispered.

  "So do I,"she smiled. "Oh darling, so do I."