Patterson's Island Page 14

  Two bright spots appeared on her cheeks, partly through temper and partly through embarrassment. Trust him to bring that up ! Well, he'd know sooner or later, she thought miserably. 'No,' she answered in a low voice. 'Although I don't know why it should be of any interest to you,' she added spiritedly. 'It makes no difference whatsoever to what we're talking about. I still intend to leave, so there's no question of my

  taking over from Janice permanently.'

  `That's where you and I must agree to differ,' he drawled maddeningly. 'I think you'll find it's going to make a vast difference. However,' he said brightly, `I'm glad we've got that little issue sorted out. Now let's get down to work, shall we?'

  To Beth's confusion, that was just what they did do. There were no more interrogating questions, it was plain work from then on, and she had no time to work out the extraordinary remarks he had made, although it did occur to her that Janice had been right when she had said he was behaving oddly.

  `Well?' demanded Janice the minute she got back that evening. 'Are you working—or a paid-up member on the dole?'

  Beth tried to assume an indignant expression. 'Of course I'm working ! I told you how it would be, didn't I?' she gave Janice a mischievous look. 'He said he thought I'd be a model secretary. I didn't chatter as much as the last one ! ' She ducked hastily as her sister hurled a cushion at her.

  `Honestly,' pleaded Janice, 'did you get on all right? Does he really want you to take over from me?'

  `Presumably,' replied Beth darkly, sober now. 'But I refused.'

  `Beth, you didn't ! ' cried a scandalised Janice. 'Oh, how could you!'

  `Very easily, as a matter of fact,' Beth replied, not a bit moved by her sister's rebuke. 'I told him the same as I told you—that I was standing in for you, and was willing to work up until your marriage.'

  Janice's fingers nervously played with the tongue of her leather belt. 'I can imagine how well that went down,' she said miserably. 'Especially as he'd made a concession in your case. I mean, you haven't exactly got on, have you?'

  Beth gave a wry smile. 'Not exactly,' she affirmed. `And to be honest, I would probably have accepted, if I hadn't known the reason behind this kind offer.' She gave her sister an accusing look. 'You broke your promise, didn't you?' she said, 'He knew all about Nicholas and me; I must admit I was nonplussed as to why he should suddenly offer me this job—and not only that, actually be nice to me ! —but I worked it out on the way back. It's pretty obvious he's sorry for me, and it's put me in a terrible position. Before I know it, I shall be bulldozed into accepting the wretched job. I told you he was like Nicholas, didn't I? Nicholas decided I'd make a suitable wife, and Gavin Patterson's decided I'd make a good secretary —and neither listen to a word I say ! '

  At that particular moment Janice wasn't listening either, at least not to the latter part of the narration, her mind was still grappling with something Beth had said earlier. Did you say nice?' she asked incredulously. 'Gavin?'

  Giving her an impatient look, Beth nodded abruptly. 'That's what I said—and it's all your fault! If you'd kept your promise I wouldn't be in this mess.'

  Janice stared, and seemed to be having some trouble in concentrating on Beth's accusation, then she gave her an indignant look. 'I didn't break my promise. I didn't say a word to him, although good-

  ness knows he was curious enough ...' She broke off suddenly as if a thought had occurred to her, and whatever it was, it caused her some amusement. `Well, well,' she murmured, `so that was why he was so bad-tempered.'

  Beth gave her a suspicious look. Now what had got into her? She knew that look of old. 'Janice?' she said in a hesitant voice, 'you mean you didn't say anything?'

  Janice's wide grin confirmed her worst suspicions. `You can take that smile off your face,' squeaked Beth. 'You've had some goofy ideas in your time, but if this one is what I think it is, you've hit the jackpot ! ' The mere thought was mind-boggling, and although she knew she ought to lecture Janice on the way she sprang to conclusions, Beth had a sudden vision of Gavin on his knees proposing to her and it proved too much. She burst out laughing. 'Oh, Janice ...' she managed to get out in between paroxysms of laughter. `How c-could you!'

  Apparently Janice could, and did. For no amount of straight talking would change her opinion on the subject, and Beth gave up. As long as Gavin didn't know what Janice had in mind, no harm would be done, although, mused Beth, he seemed to catch on to her train of thinking with an astuteness that was discomforting, and she thanked her lucky stars that he had granted Janice an extra fortnight off, ostensibly to prepare for her wedding, which meant in fact that she would not be going back to work full time, but would pop in to clear up any queries for the new

  secretary. At least, Beth presumed for the new secretary, for she was more than ever determined to finish after the wedding, in spite of Gavin's refusal to take her decision seriously.

  In the meantime, Beth was enjoying the work, and there were times when she was tempted to fling caution to the winds and accept the work permanently, but she had a vague uncomfortable feeling that Gavin was biding his time—over what, she had no idea. It was just that she felt that things couldn't go on as they were. It was somehow unreal, and she actually caught herself looking for signs of Janice's prediction coming true. She had now seen the other side of Gavin, and was beginning to understand why Janice had become so fond of him.

  He was never too busy to spare the time to listen to what sometimes appeared to Beth as petty complaints from some of the island traders, and would give his opinion gravely on each trifling argument, and whatever side he supported, the losing contender would accept his judgment with a docility that was somehow touching.

  All these things Beth noted, and stored away in a secret place in her heart. As for any confirmation of Janice's hopes, for that really was all they were, she had to admit sadly to herself, there was no sign. It was true he no longer teased her, or treated her as an adolescent, and she felt this was sad, too. It was as if they had started again, and Beth wasn't too sure she liked the new image. Hers—or his!

  Perhaps that was. what she was waiting for? For

  one of them to break the treaty, for that was what she felt it was, and she wondered which of the two of them it would be. She was not to know at that time that it would take a third person to bring things to a head.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THERE was now only one week to go to Janice's wedding, and the atmosphere at the cottage was one of feverish activity. Beth was only too pleased to leave Janice and Mabel to it as she left each morning for Chartways.

  As Gavin had not said anything about getting a permanent replacement for Janice, Beth had left well alone, suspecting that he was determined she would fill the position, and her suspicions were given a kind of confirmation when a call came through for Gavin from Amanda Winton, and as he was in the office at the time, Beth handed him the phone.

  `Good morning Amanda,' he said breezily. 'What can I do for you?' and after a moment or so replied in the same airy manner, 'Oh, well, I'm afraid we're not up to the dinner party stage yet, are we, Beth?' he asked the startled Beth, who wondered what it had to do with her.

  `It's not up to me,' she said hastily. 'You're the boss.'

  This appeared to please him, and his eyes twinkled as he remarked, 'It's nice to be appreciated,' making Beth colour. 'As I've said,' he carried on to Amanda, `not yet. Perhaps a garden party after Janice's wedding. We'll see.'

  Putting the receiver down, he met Beth's accusing eyes. He did mean her to stay on, she thought. 'I think

  Amanda's missing the high life,' he commented. `Thinks it's about time we threw a dinner party.'

  Taking significant note of the 'we', Beth had all the confirmation she needed, and thinking about it afterwards, she knew she ought to have been furious at the way he had manipulated events to suit his purpose, but somehow she couldn't work up any such feelings, for she felt a tiny spark of relief inside her that her future was being taken care o
f. All right, she told herself, so he was another Nicholas—but in this case she had no objection—and it was no use trying to kid herself that it was because she would be near Janice !

  The following day Janice brought her a letter that had been delivered to the cottage after. Beth had left for work. Glancing at the small neat writing, Beth knew it was Nicholas, and she was almost afraid to open it; it either meant that he was still coming to the wedding, or that he had thought things over and had gracefully bowed out of her life. She read the letter, and felt a wave of depression settle over her. There was no question of him accepting her decision, he made that quite clear by the way he phrased, `Mother sends her love, and hopes it won't be too long before we're settled back at home'.

  Janice, who had perched herself on her desk, watched her closely. 'It's from Nicholas, isn't it?' she demanded.

  Beth nodded. 'He's coming to the wedding,' she said slowly, adding heavily. 'He said he would, but I hoped he'd change his mind.'

  Janice took the letter from Beth's nerveless fingers and read it. 'Well, of all the pompous ... ! ' she exploded.

  `Hullo, who's upset our Janice?' asked Gavin as he strode into the office.

  Thrusting the letter towards him, Janice muttered through pursed lips, 'Read that ! '

  `Janice ! ' exclaimed Beth indignantly. 'Don't mind me ! ' but as usual no one took any notice of her.

  Gavin's eyes met hers after he had perused the contents of the letter. 'You don't seem to have convinced him, do you?' he asked amiably.

  Beth stared at him—of all the people to talk ! 'It seems to be a weakness of mine,' she replied furiously, taking refuge in anger, for his calm way of accepting Nicholas's determination to marry her now more than she had thought possible. She didn't know quite how she had expected him to react, but it hadn't been with amusement, she thought miserably. It appeared she was still one big joke with him. All these weeks had counted for nothing, and she had really thought they had reached some sort of understanding—Oh, nothing romantic, such as Janice had hoped—or to be honest, as she had dared to dream, but it wasn't a bit like that. For all she knew, he had probably already got a secretary lined up ready to take over at a moment's notice. He was just amusing himself by keeping her on a string. It was simple really, she thought bitterly, that way he could monitor her movements!

  Feeling very near to tears, she held her hand out. `May I have the letter back?' she said quietly, and tucked it away in her bag.

  `What shall we do?' Janice asked Gavin, further infuriating Beth. Here she was dragging him into it now!

  `It's not a question of "we",' she said firmly to Janice. 'This is my business, and my business alone.' She looked from her sister to Gavin, who stood watching her with narrowed eyes. 'I think it's about time I was left to manage my own affairs. This is between Nicholas and me, and however well-meant your interference might be, I prefer to do it my way.'

  Janice gave an indignant, 'Beth! ' taking exception to the 'interference' bit.

  Beth's lips straightened. 'I mean it, Janice. What no one seems to remember is that I owe Nicholas something.'

  Janice snorted at this, and Beth gave her a straight look. 'You had John, and Gavin,' she reminded her ruthlessly. 'Nicholas was my rod during that nightmarish time, and I haven't forgotten it.'

  `And he won't let you forget it ! ' wailed Janice. 'He plays on that, and you won't see it ! '

  Gavin opened the door, and looked at Janice. 'Leave it, Janice,' he ordered.

  Janice looked a little bewildered at him and then at the open door. He was telling her to go, and she had no option, she knew Gavin by now. She sniffed, 'Very well,' and glanced back at her sister's set face. 'Perhaps Gavin can make you see sense,' she muttered, and left.

  `She's right, you know,' said Gavin, when they were alone. 'Owing someone something doesn't mean you have to marry them.'

  Beth sat down at her desk. 'I've no wish to discuss

  it,' she said waspishly, getting out some paper and carbons, meaning to start work.

  `Leave that ! ' he commanded harshly.

  Her lips set mutinously; he was the boss. She left it, and sat with hands twisting together, willing him to leave and let her wallow in her misery.

  He sighed elaborately. 'There appears to be a sad lack of communication between us,' he told her, 'not to mention distrust, and I had hoped that by this time .

  He left the rest of the sentence in the air, and Beth, glancing up at him swiftly, was surprised by the intense look of purpose in those very blue eyes of his, and her knees felt weak. Take no notice, whispered the voice of caution in her heart; he's doing the same as Nicholas is doing, playing on your sensitivities.

  Whatever Beth had prepared herself for, it was no proof against the shock of his next words. 'You'll have to get yourself married off, won't you?' he said conversationally, adding as an afterthought, 'Engaged first, of course.'

  Inside her, she felt the bitterness rise up and threaten to choke her. Who would he suggest? she wondered. There weren't that many bachelors around! Of course there was Mr Fisher ! 'Poor Mr Fisher,' she said scathingly, 'I really don't think it's fair to embarrass the poor man, do you?'

  `Who said anything about Mr Fisher?' he demanded. 'You could try me.'

  Beth's outraged feelings were further enraged by the laughter in his eyes. 'For a consideration, of course,' he went on smoothly. 'With you as my wife,

  I wouldn't need a secretary, would I? Could be quite a saving, come to think of it,' he mused.

  Her hands clenched. How could he make fun at a time like this? It just went to show his real feelings on the matter. 'Thanks for the offer,' she managed to answer casually, 'but I won't scare you to death by accepting. Mr Fisher's more in my line ! ' she added a little maliciously.

  `You have got it in for poor Mr Fisher, haven't you?' he said smoothly, though Beth caught an underlying dangerous note in his voice. 'I think,' he said slowly and very deliberately. 'I'm going to lose my patience with you any minute now. However,' he added airily, 'I did rather spring it on you. Sleep on it—the offer still stands, in spite of your determination to look a gift horse in the mouth.'

  Now what, Beth thought, did he mean by that? Gift horse, indeed ! Was he making sure she didn't try to capitalise on it? 'I've no need to sleep on it,' she answered quickly, 'I meant what I said to Janice. This is my affair. I don't need anyone's help,' adding hastily as she saw the glints appear in his eyes, 'but thank you all the same.'

  `You might well find that you get that help anyway,' he growled. 'So don't say I didn't warn you,' and with that he left the office, leaving Beth with the definite impression that he was an exceedingly angry man.

  As Nicholas had not given the date of his arrival, and

  Beth had assumed it would be a day or so before the

  wedding, she was a little confounded when he walked

  into the office the next day shortly before she was due to finish for the day. Having been given, as a defending counsel might have put it, no time to prepare her case, she looked up at him blinking a little, as if to assure herself that he wasn't a mirage. 'Nicholas ! ' she exclaimed, glad that there was the desk between her and him, as he strode into the office intent on giving her his usual welcome.

  `I didn't expect you until Friday at least,' she murmured, refusing to budge from the shelter of the desk.

  He glared at the desk as if it had done him a personal injury, and stood waiting for Beth to greet him, and when she didn't, gave her a hard look and commented, 'Janice said you'd taken over her job. I can't think why; it's not as if you'll be staying here permanently.' He interrupted her as she began to answer by, 'And I want nomore nonsense about finding somewhere to live either. I ought to have put my foot down much earlier—Mother was right about that. She's extremely upset by the whole thing, seems to think it's something to do with her, but I'm sure it's not. You never said you didn't want her to live with us, did you?'

  And so it went on; and was much as Beth had fear
ed it would be. Was it too much for him to expect her to give him some consideration for his love and loyalty when she had been completely alone in the world? Did her sister mean more to her than he did? Was she so devoid of sensibility that she could do this to him?

  To all his condemnations, Beth had to plead guilty,

  for she was guilty. She had taken so much from him, and given so little, not even her heart, she was made to feel the lowest of the low, and indeed had to agree wholeheartedly with all he said.

  Her heart went out to him as he stood there with bent head, -giving the indication that he was a broken man, and Beth couldn't take any more. It wasn't what she wanted, but ... 'Nicholas ...' and there was something in her voice that made him look up eagerly.

  `I'm all for the last farewell bit,' drawled Gavin as he strolled into the office, But as a newly engaged man, I do wish to protect my interests.' He looked from Nicholas's astounded face to Beth's paper white one, and saw with a flash of fury that she was trembling.

  Going to her side, he put an arm round her shoulders and held her tight against him. The action said more than words, and Nicholas's amazement changed to fury. 'Just what the devil do you mean?' he demanded.

  `I should think it was obvious,' answered Gavin softly, and there was just as much fury in his voice as there was on Nicholas's face. He looked down at the stunned Beth: 'Darling, Harbin's a man of the world. He understands that these things happen. Stop whipping yourself. If he's half the man I think he is, he'll take it on the chin—perhaps even attend our wedding.' He gave Nicholas a challenging look. 'We're making it a double wedding,' he said meaningly. `You're very welcome to come.'

  Beth closed her eyes, if any remark was calculated

  to infuriate Nicholas, that was it! She waited with bated breath for his reprisal.