Part 15 (2/2)

'Of course.' Catherine understood the time change. 'Six o'clock.

Was there nothing earlier in the day?'

Tony half smiled. 'Don't be so eager! Besides, it's the direct flight. I thought you'd prefer that.'

'Yes, I would.' Catherine moved restlessly, the skirt of the long amber-coloured caftan she was wearing swirling about her slender legs. 'I suppose-I suppose I'll, have to tell Jared.'

'No need. I already did.'

'What?' She stared at him.

'I did. He was sitting on the veranda when Manners got back this afternoon, and when I wheeled the old chair out to meet my man, he was there. So I told him.'

Catherine felt sick. 'What did he say?'

Tony frowned. 'He didn't say much at all at first, so I also told him what I thought of him for disbelieving all the work you've put in towards the centre-'

'Oh, Tony!'

'Well, why not? I don't see why he should go on hugging that particular belief. I told him he could verify everything I said by contacting the committee in London, but I don't think he'll do that.'

'Tony, you should have left that alone.'

'Why? I wanted him to feel bad. Why should you suffer all the humiliation for nothing?'

'So-so what did he say then?'

Tony shrugged. 'Not a lot. Actually, he asked some pertinent questions about what we're trying to do, and asked how much money we needed.'

Catherine folded her arms across her body. Although it was a warm evening, she felt chilled. Her last evening in Barbados, she thought bleakly. She should be feeling relieved, not devastated.

'So that's settled,' added Tony comfortably. 'And I've a.s.suaged my conscience. I couldn't leave here without telling Royal the truth.'

'Catherine!' She started, but it was only Elizabeth coming into the room behind her, holding out a hand. 'I've just heard the news! You're leaving us!'

Catherine turned to face the older woman reluctantly. She knew the triumph she would see in her eyes, and she was not disappointed. 'Did Jared tell you?' she asked tightly.

'Jared?' Elizabeth's eyes flickered. 'Is he here? I-no, he didn't tell me. It was Susie, actually. I understand you're leaving with Tony and Mr Manners. It was he who let it out to the servants. You ought to have told me,' she added reproachfully. 'I could have arranged a little going-away party.'

To replace the one Jared had cancelled, thought Catherine bitterly. Poor John had been most put out when she told him.

'I don't think Catherine would want anything like that,' put in Tony. 'But it was a kind thought. Is Jared joining us for dinner?'

'I don't know.' Elizabeth looked agitated for a moment. 'I haven't seen him today. I thought he was down at the beach house.'

'He was here earlier,' said Tony.

'I'm here now,' remarked Jared briefly, and Catherine glanced round as he walked into the room. 'Can I offer you all a drink?'

While he mixed their drinks, Elizabeth made small talk, mentioning the flight back to London, asking Catherine how long it would take to get from the airport to her flat.

'I expect you're looking forward to seeing all your old friends,'

she observed, still with a trace of malice. 'A girl like you must have lots of- friends.'

'Of course she does,' exclaimed Tony staunchly. 'And they're not all paraplegics either!'

Elizabeth's smile was forced. 'I can see you're very fond of her, Tony,' she told him coyly.

'I am,' he a.s.serted, reaching for Catherine's hand. 'I'd marry her tomorrow, if I was a whole man.'

'Tony!'

Catherine was embarra.s.sed, but he just squeezed her hand more tightly. 'What's the matter, old love? I'm only saying what's true.

You know I've always been your slave.'

'Dinner is served, Mr Royal.'

Lily's announcement could not have come soon enough for Catherine, and releasing Tony's hand, she moved round to take charge of his chair. As she did so, she encountered Jared's eyes upon her, but she looked away from the cold penetration of his gaze.

The meal seemed endless, and Catherine longed to escape to her room and do her packing. Even Tony's company had no appeal this evening, and as soon as she reasonably could, she excused herself, and left the room. But footsteps followed hers, and in the hall, Jared's voice arrested her.

'Catherine! I want to speak to you.'

She turned reluctantly to face him. 'Oh? Why? You haven't had anything to say all week.'

His brow creased angrily, 'You don't imagine I'm going to let you leave, do you?' he demanded.

Catherine swallowed convulsively. 'What do you mean?'

'I think we should go into the library. We can talk privately there.'

'I don't want to go into the library,' she replied tremulously.

'Nevertheless, you will,' he told her, and when she would have resisted him, he took her arm and half dragged her after him along the corridor and in through the open double doors. He closed them and then turned to face her. 'Now-I repeat: you are not leaving!'

Catherine was suddenly very calm. Tony was right. Jared could not force her to remain here. 'You can't stop me,' she said.

'Catherine, for G.o.d's sake-'

'I'm leaving, Jared. I should never have come here. You never really wanted me to. I've caused nothing but trouble. You should be glad to see me go.'

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