Part 18 (1/2)

Evening, Mrs Eager,' Owen drawled. Thanks for taking Lily out today.'

A pleasure,' Barbara said, And please, call me Barbara.'

The door to Low Mede opened, and Verity Cranton stood at the threshold. Barbara felt herself tense up, but Verity seemed quite relaxed. She smiled and said, h.e.l.lo. Come in.'

The hall of Low Mede was bathed in low light, and the air was thick with the scent of flowers, underscored by the smell of wood polish. A huge display of fresh blooms erupted over the hall table. The floorboards gleamed dully around the edge of the Persian rug that covered most of the floor.

Verity led the way into the lounge. She was wearing a long, black dress, her hair pinned up in a chignon. Barbara thought she looked about thirty-five, but a very attractive thirty-five. What would Othman think of her? Would he be attracted by Verity's precise aloofness?

This is Peverel Othman,' Barbara said to Verity, and then, And this is my husband, Barney.'

Verity submitted the men to a brief inspection, inclining her head to each.

And this is my sister, Lily,' said Owen. I don't think you've met.

No,' said Verity, not looking at Owen. h.e.l.lo.'

Lily shrugged awkwardly. Hi.'

Verity glided over to a sideboard. What would everyone like to drink?'

Barbara was surprised by Verity's demeanour. She seemed the perfect hostess. As the drinks orders were taken, Louis came into the room, leaning on his stick. His face betrayed his pain, but only slightly. Louis brought with him a more congenial atmosphere. He greeted Barney with loud joviality, joked with the Winter twins, complimented Lily on her outfit. Lily went red in a pretty fas.h.i.+on, and bashfully accepted the praise. Everyone was directed to seats, while Verity drifted among them, dispensing drinks from a silver tray.

Daniel Cranton hovered outside the room, listening to the laughter and conversation coming through the door. He felt awkward about joining the party, embarra.s.sed about seeing Owen in this unfamiliar setting. It all seemed so false to him, a travesty. What was Owen thinking now, having to sit amongst all that chit-chat, that silly, shallow socialising? There would be sarcastic comments to follow, Daniel was sure. He braced himself and went into the room.

Owen looked completely at home, sprawled on the sofa next to his sister. He glanced at Daniel as he came through the door, flas.h.i.+ng a heart-stopping smile.

Daniel! You might have changed!' Verity scolded, and then as the atmosphere congealed around her harsh tone, softened it with a mocking laugh.

Daniel was dressed in ripped jeans and an old, faded black T-s.h.i.+rt. Louis couldn't help wincing inside, conscious of the fact that the Winters had at least made an effort. Typical of Daniel, he supposed. Drink, son?' he said.

Daniel nodded sulkily, immediately aware he had made a mistake in his choice of clothes - a choice over which he had deliberated for at least an hour. He'd been convinced Owen would turn up looking extremely scruffy and had dressed down in an attempt to defuse the situation. Yet here was Owen looking groomed and splendid, his sister as elegant and appealing as a slender super-model beside him.

Presently, Verity disappeared discretely from the room, only to put her head around the door a few minutes later to announce that dinner was ready. Louis offered Lily his arm in a gallant fas.h.i.+on and they led the way across the hall. Louis caught a glimpse of himself in the long mirror beside the front door. So long since a beautiful woman had held his arm. He liked the picture, and experienced the first, faint stirrings of desire, after a long desert of arid feeling.

Behind him, Barbara froze upon her husband's arm. Was this pretty little waif going to captivate every man Barbara was interested in? She had noticed Louis' glance into the mirror, and read its significance only too keenly.

You ladies are outnumbered tonight,' Louis said as they all sat down. He had suggested the Winter twins sit either side of him near the top of the table. But it seems we gentlemen must consider ourselves fortunate to be in the company of such lovely creatures as yourselves!'

Verity smiled thinly from the other end of the table, wondering how much her father had had to drink before the guests arrived.

Barbara tells me you write,' Louis said to Lily as they began the soup.

She coloured again. Well, a little.' She wished Barbara wouldn't tell people that.

I hope you'll come to our meetings soon,' he continued.

I don't think I'm ready for that yet,' Lily answered, and then, because she thought that might have sounded rude, I need to practise a bit first.'

Lily's being very coy about her writing,' Barbara said, stranded further down the table. She was sitting next to Barney, with Daniel Cranton opposite. Peverel Othman was being very quiet and reserved, concentrating on his soup, and not looking at anyone.

Lily couldn't help feeling Barbara's remark was a little barbed. Had she done something to offend the woman?

Then she must be the same as Dad,' Verity said, daintily sipping her soup. She'd sensed that Barbara was jealous of Lily Winter, and decided to play a card of her own. This dinner might be even more interesting than she'd hoped. Othman was looking at her. My father refuses to show me any of his work.'

Othman smiled. Verity felt her spine stiffen. His glance made her feel more conscious of herself, her elegant gown, the long sweep of her neck. All in all, she felt very attractive that night. The diners seemed like toys lined up, ready for her to begin play.

Louis had begun to laugh. Aren't they cruel to us!' he said to Lily.

To Daniel, the meal seemed to be progressing in the excruciating manner he'd dreaded. The sharp comments, the subtle interplay between the diners, grated on his nerves. Also, the stranger he was sitting next to unnerved him. What was he doing here? First, Daniel had heard that Owen had befriended the man, then this interloper had invaded Low Mede. From his appearance, Daniel guessed he might be interested in Owen's secret activities in the woods. Had Owen taken him to the High Place already? Had he told him about Daniel?

Barbara had begun to talk. She was aware that her voice was a trifle too loud, and her accent more cultivated than usual. Inside, she was a maelstrom of conflicting feelings, dominated by a bright green stripe of pure jealousy. She couldn't help it. Verity and Lily looked so lovely in the candlelight, which played on their creamy, young skins, and highlighted their rich, red hair. Verity looked like Audrey Hepburn in her prime; Lily like Kate Moss at her most gamine. While Barbara felt her age, conscious of her wide hips, her less than creamy breast which was partially exposed by the low top of her trouser suit. Apart from Barney, and Daniel, who didn't count, because he was hardly more than a child, she was in the company of extremely attractive men. Normally, in these conditions, she would be sparkling. But tonight, the sparkle seemed gaudy, obvious and tarnished. Not fresh. Not fresh at all. Pev's very interested in our local history,' Barbara said. He's been poking around our old ruins.' Why, at that moment, did she have to catch Verity Cranton's eye?

Verity smiled in a long, slow fas.h.i.+on, fascinated by the flush of red that crept up Barbara's bosom to her neck. Is that so?' she said to Othman, in a sultry, pointed manner.

I've been delving around the old manor house, Long Eden,' Othman said, pus.h.i.+ng his empty soup plate away a little. The place seems shrouded in mystery.'

Really? In what way?' Verity had never been interested in Little Moor's history, and was only dimly aware Long Eden existed. Now, because this puzzling man - puzzling simply because he was here in this company - was interested in the house, she suddenly became interested herself.

The Murkasters, the family who lived there, simply upped and left some years ago,' Othman explained. No reason given. The house is empty and boarded up, yet it hasn't been sold. It seems odd, wouldn't you say? No-one seems to know much about the Murkasters, or rather, if you ask any of the locals about them, they get extremely cagey. Personally, I find that very fascinating.'

You like mysteries then?' Verity enquired.

Very much so. I have a nose for them. I'm wondering whether some scandal happened at Long Eden. You never know, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d heirs to the place might actually still be living here in Little Moor, but unaware of what they are.'

Verity laughed. That's quite a conclusion to jump to in so short a time! You obviously like scandals as much as you like mysteries.'

Often the two go hand in hand,' Othman said. He smiled at Owen.

Lily was staring at her plate. How dare he! He must be alluding to herself and Owen.

But don't you think there might be a danger in probing other people's secrets?' Owen said with utter sang froid. He took a sip of wine. Especially if there are scandals involved. You never know who you might upset, and what they might be capable of.'

I a.s.sure you, I'm always aware of what people are capable of,' Othman answered coolly, perhaps more so than they do themselves.'

Daniel was by this time convinced Othman knew all about what went on at the High Place. He felt the man was tormenting him personally with his hidden knowledge.

Verity stood up. If you'll excuse me, I'll just see to the next course.' She began to gather up the soup plates.

I'll help,' Owen offered, jumping to his feet and collecting plates before Verity could protest.

He followed her into the darkened kitchen. Verity hurriedly slammed down her cargo on the table and ran to turn on the light.

It's getting a bit heated in there,' Owen said.

Just put those by the sink,' Verity answered, refusing to comment on his remark. It was hard for her to equate this slim, beautiful young man with the scruffy yob she usually encountered. The transformation confused her, yet she sensed Owen was completely in control of how he appeared to people. That unnerved her. It made her think he was, therefore, not to be controlled by her.

Is there anything I can do?' Owen asked her.

Verity fussed over a hostess trolley, where the main course was being kept warm. Not really. Everything's here.'