Caroline. Anne Mather

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      When he opened her door, the automatic light in the car illuminated her frightened face and he sighed and said:

      ‘Don’t look like that. I’m not going to harm you. Come on. Out!’

      Mutely, shivering slightly, Caroline slid out. She felt stiff and awkward and somehow fatalistic. Whatever was going to happen would happen whatever she did.

      With another half-disgusted look at her, Adam opened the door and switched on the light inside. Then he drew back to allow her to precede him inside. When they were both standing in the low hallway he closed the door. Caroline was conscious of a ruby red carpet beneath her feet which spread up the wide shallow staircase. The walls were darkly panelled and the lighting was concealed, casting a warm glow about them.

      Adam passed her and walked down the hall, removing his overcoat as he went.

      ‘You can leave your wrap here,’ he said coolly, and Caroline slipped off her coat and laid it on an exquisitely-carved polished chest which stood at one end of the hall. On the chest was a vase of chrysanthemums whose curly yellow petals made a splash of colour against the dark woodwork. It really was the most attractive hall Caroline had ever seen and curiosity getting the better of her she followed Adam down the hall and through a doorway. She found herself in yet another exquisitely decorated room. This was a low lounge with a pseudo-log fire burning in a wide fireplace of white brick. The carpet here changed to sapphire blue and low couches of white velvet invited the visitor. A carved cocktail cabinet stood beneath windows which were now hidden by blue velvet curtains and the whole effect was one of luxurious relaxation. Adam stood on the hearth regarding her as she hesitated just within the doorway.

      ‘Well?’ he asked expectantly, ‘do you like it?’

      Caroline raised her shoulders helplessly. Getting her voice back, she murmured, ‘You know it’s quite fabulous.’ She sighed. ‘My opinion can be of no interest to you.’

      Adam shrugged and then crossed to the cocktail cabinet. ‘Will you have a drink?’

      Immediately her earlier fears returned and Adam, looking at her, must have sensed this, for he said:

      ‘Don’t bother to refuse. I think a small brandy might restore your confidence.’

      Caroline shrugged and took the glass when he handed it to her. Amusement playing over his handsome face, he deliberately crossed to the double white doors and closed them firmly. Then turning once more to Caroline he indicated a low couch. ‘Won’t you sit down?’

      Caroline subsided quickly, glad to be off her rather shaky legs. To her dismay, Adam seated himself beside her and lay back lazily resting his dark head against the white velvet. Caroline, glancing at him, was overwhelmingly aware of his physical attraction that reached out to her like a magnet and made her feel breathlessly weak.

      ‘Now,’ he said slowly, ‘let’s get one thing straight, shall we?’

      Caroline frowned. ‘What’s that?’ she asked nervously.

      Adam stretched his legs luxuriously. ‘Well,’ he murmured, ‘you are under a misapprehension regarding both yourself and me.’ He lit a cigarette slowly before continuing. ‘When we first met you were very relaxed with me and I liked that. I know at first you didn’t know who I was, but even after you did you were still relaxed…natural. Now, suddenly, after all this brainwashing by your so-called friends you’re terrified of me. Why? What do you expect me to do? Attack you?’

      Caroline flushed. She felt suddenly very stupid.

      He frowned and went on: ‘And tonight you arrive to meet me looking like nothing on earth! That dress would suit a woman of thirty. It’s far too old for you. Sure I baited you about being sophisticated because I was so mad that you should think you have to dress like that to suit me. You’ve transformed yourself into just another female. I hadn’t booked a table at the Mozambo at all. I just wondered how far that veneer of sophistication would take you. If you’d agreed to go to that night-club I would have put you over my knee. Now do you understand? I asked you out because you were what you were…fresh, young, innocent if you like, but not because I wanted a dressed-up doll to take to dinner. God, don’t you think I get sick of women flinging themselves at me, women who look just like you do tonight? That’s not bigheadedness either. I guess money appeals to most women.’

      He rose to his feet suddenly and crossed to the cocktail cabinet and poured himself another drink.

      Caroline sipped her drink. She felt about six years old and about as many inches high. ‘What now?’ she murmured, her voice husky and near to tears. She had a pain in her inside that threatened to overwhelm her and she couldn’t understand it.

      He shrugged and replaced his glass beside the decanter. ‘I guess we’ll have to start again,’ he replied with a lazy smile. Then seeing the tears in Caroline’s eyes he exclaimed: ‘Hey, did you think I just brought you here to lecture you and then never see you again?’

      Caroline nodded and brushed a hand over her eyes. Relief flooded over her and with a piercing insight she realised why she had been so frightened; why she had not wanted it to end! She was in love with this man; loved him so completely that she knew she would never be the same again.

      She forced herself to look at him without emotion when he flung himself beside her again and said:

      ‘Now, tomorrow is Saturday. Would you like to drive into the country with me and come and see my house near Windsor? This place is just somewhere in town where I can stay or work if necessary. I have a housekeeper, but I believe she’s away for the weekend. At any rate she didn’t expect me this evening.’

      ‘I’d adore to come,’ exclaimed Caroline eagerly, smiling at him. ‘Does this mean we’re alone here at the moment?’

      ‘Yes,’ he murmured with a sigh. ‘But don’t get any more ideas. I’m going to take you home right now.’ He rose to his feet and offered her a hand to get up. Taking it, Caroline’s stomach plunged. Far from wanting to leave she longed to cling to him, suddenly afraid at the tumult of feelings he had aroused.

      It did not take long to reach Gloucester Court and Caroline slid reluctantly out of the warm intimacy of the big car. Adam escorted her to the entrance of the flats.

      ‘I’ll collect you from here at about three o’clock tomorrow afternoon,’ he said, smiling down at her. ‘Just wear something casual.’

      She laughed softly, looking up at him. ‘Leopard-skin tights and a backless sweater,’ she teased him.

      ‘God, no,’ he muttered, turning away. ‘Go on. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.’

      Amanda was not asleep when Caroline entered the bedroom and she had to relate the night’s events. She omitted the visit to his mews residence, however, but although it was already eleven-thirty, Amanda seemed satisfied that they had come straight home. Caroline resolved not to discuss Adam with Amanda or Ruth in future. Their knowledge was only based on hearsay; Caroline felt she knew Adam much better than that.

      Amanda returned to work on the Saturday morning, for although it was half-day closing a lot of her work was done after closing hours. This made things easier for Caroline who decided to leave a note telling Amanda where she had gone, thus evading any further discussion of Adam’s merits.

      She washed her hair in the morning, scrambled СКАЧАТЬ