Part 12 (2/2)

'That's right'

'Then in G.o.d's name, why-why did you-'

'Do you love Laura?' she asked daringly, and he ran a weary hand round the back of his neck.

'I don't have to,' he said heavily, and she was still staring at him when the door was propelled open behind her, almost knocking her off her feet. It was Elizabeth who stood in the aperture, flushed and vaguely dishevelled for once, in her working clothes, with obviously little satisfaction in finding them alone together.

'You're back, Jared,' she stated unnecessarily. 'I was-surprised when Susie told me.'

'Were you?' Catherine heard a note of impatience in Jared's voice. 'I don't see why. Considering all the plans you've been making for me in my absence.'

Elizabeth glanced angrily at Catherine. 'What has she been saying?'

'Catherine?' Now he looked surprised. 'Catherine hasn't said anything. Why? What could she have said?'

Elizabeth made a frustrated gesture. 'I just thought-oh, it's not important.'

'What's this party Laura's told me about?'

Elizabeth cast another meaningful glance in Catherine's direction.

'Can't we discuss this later, darling?'

'I can go,' said Catherine at once, but Jared's look checked her.

'It's not a private affair, is it, Liz?' he inquired, coolly. 'As I understand it, half the island has been invited.'

Elizabeth expelled her breath noisily. 'Oh, all right. It's just a party Marion wants to give for the two of you.'

'With your a.s.sistance?'

'I admit-I thought: it was a good idea.'

'Well, I don't,' said Jared cuttingly. 'Cancel it!'

'Cancel it?' Elizabeth was staggered, and there was venom in the look she exchanged with Catherine. She would not easily forgive the girl for witnessing her humiliation. 'I can't cancel it. The invitations have already gone out.'

'Then you'll have to get them back again, won't you?' Jared told her unfeelingly. 'You should have consulted me before going ahead with those kind of arrangements.'

'But, darling, we discussed it...'

'Correction-we discussed the wedding. And that's something else I want to talk about.'

'Oh, not now, Jared.'

Elizabeth was imploring, and he seemed to take pity on her as he nodded, hunching his shoulders and pus.h.i.+ng his hands deep into the pockets of his pants.

'All right.' He paused. 'And now I'm taking Catherine out for lunch.' His tone brooked no argument, his eyes challenging Catherine's to deny him, but she could only stand by weakly while he dealt with his stepmother.

'You're--taking-Catherine-out-for lunch?' Elizabeth echoed faintly.

'Yes.' He inclined his head. 'You have no objections, I trust?'

Elizabeth probably had dozens, thought Catherine, unable to keep pace with his swift changes of mood. Why was he taking her out for lunch? What did it all mean? Did he believe her after all?

'Laura may be coming over,' Elizabeth pointed out uneasily.

'I'm sure you'll tell her where I've gone,' returned her stepson briefly. 'Catherine? Are you ready?'

Catherine wasn't at all sure she ought to go with him. She was almost convinced she was still running a temperature, and his company did nothing to relieve that. And yet how could she refuse him, when she so badly wanted to go with him?

Elizabeth made one last attempt to stay them. 'Catherine has been in bed for the last three days, Jared. I don't think Doctor Matthews would approve of her getting up and going straight out, however well she feels.' She surveyed the girl coldly. 'And quite honestly, I don't think she looks at all well.'

Catherine squared her shoulders. 'I'll be fine, thank you, Mrs Royal.' She looked at Jared. 'I'm ready. Shall we go?'

The convertible stood on the drive, dusty with sand thrown up on it from the beach. Before starting the engine, Jared raised the hood to protect her from the glare of the sun, and she gave him a surprised look of grat.i.tude.

'I agree with Liz, actually,' he muttered roughly, levering his length behind the wheel. 'You ought not to have come out.'

Catherine gasped. 'But--you asked me!'

'I know I did.'

'You--wanted me to refuse?'

He gave her an impatient look. 'Is that likely?' He flicked the ignition 'What I want and what I achieve-don't always sympathise.'

Catherine was confused. 'You wanted me to come?'

Jared glanced sideways at her. 'Do I have to answer that?' he demanded, and the naked pa.s.sion in his eyes constricted her throat. She shook her head, and with an evident effort, he resumed his concentration on his driving.

He turned south on the coast road, and Catherine was content just to sit beside him and relax. He s.h.i.+fted slightly so that his thigh was touching hers, and every time he moved his leg, she was made intensely aware of him Realising she had to cool the situation before they arrived wherever he was taking her, she ventured softly: 'Did you-did you finish the commission?'

Jared's fingers tightened on the wheel. 'No.'

'Oh.' Catherine licked her lips. 'I'm sorry.'

'So am I.' Jared heaved a deep breath. 'How are you feeling now?'

Catherine looked back over her shoulder at a group of dark-skinned children cycling along the road. 'Aren't they adorable?' she exclaimed, forcing what she hoped was a casual tone. Then: 'I'm fine, honestly.'

'You like children?' he inquired harshly.

Catherine flushed. 'Of course. Don't you?'

'I guess I'm going to have to,' he retorted enigmatically, and swung the car across the road and through the gates of an hotel set in semi-tropical surroundings, and boasting a magnificent view of the ocean.

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