Part 10 (2/2)
”Shuddup! Shuddup! Back to work all of you! Out, Out” Aaron broke up thethe door behind them
”Shu!” He looked to heaven ”What a business! Noe can weigh the stones” When they had weighed and tallied the stones, and Aaron had locked the up the Ring” Aaron froze and looked across the desk at Benedict
Between them there was always the pretence that their relationshi+p was legitiistered stones caems were sent to Switzerland
”Why?”Aaron asked carefully
”I am a rich man now Withand invested A very rich er need to take the risks”
”Such problems I wish I had But perhaps you are wise I would not think to argue with you”
”There will be one or two es Then it will be finished” Aaron nodded ”I understand, he said ”Like all good things it must end” It was a little after noon when Benedict parked the Bentley outside the rave Square He want to shower immediately he was horown accustorime-laden atmosphere, and he bathed or showered at least three ti in the shower, and then enveloped in a huge bath towel he left a string of dae where hetaste of the drink
The phone rang
”Van der Byl,” he said into the ed as he listened Quickly he put down the glass and used both hands to hold the telephone receiver
”What on earth are you doing here?” His tone of astonishment was not faked
”What a wonderful surprise When can I see you? How about right now for lunch? That's great! No, nothing I can't put off - this is a pretty special occasion, you know
Where are you staying? The Lancaster Fine Look, give -Glass Roohtful - I've said that already See you in three-quarters of an hour” He replaced the receiver, sed the remains of his Martini and headed for his bedrooood day into a truly reht, as he quickly selected a silk shi+rt He looked at his reflection in the rinned
”The ball has really started bouncing your way, Benedict,” he whispered
She was not at the bar, nor in the Looking-Glass Roolimpse of one of London's finest views across Hyde Park and the Serpentine It was a smoky blue day, and the pale sun added bronze to the autuold and red in the park
He turned fro the rooht for she also was pale gold with the coppery sheen of sun on her long legs and bare are was as he re down of narrow feet on the thick pile of the carpet
He stood quite still, letting her come to hiolden creature Benedict knew suddenly and clearly that he wanted this woman for himself
”hello, Benedict,” she said, and he stepped forward to take her hand in both of his
”Ruby Lance!” He squeezed her long fingers gently ”It's so good to see you again” The use of her surnaed to the one man in the world that Benedict most envied and hated For this reason she was infinitely desirable
”Let us celebrate with a little drink I think the occasion deserves at the very least a chas neatly crossed, leaning back in her chair, holding the steht to her shoulders, like soold, and her eyes watched him with a catlike candour, a calm feline intentness that seemed to look into his soul
”I should not have bothered you,” she said ”But I know so few people here”
”How long can you stay?” He brushed aside the disclaiements”
”A week” She otiation
”Oh, no!” His voice was mock distressed ”You can do better than that on't be able to do half what I had planned in so short a tireed, and lifted the glass an inch ”It's good to see you”
”And you” Benedict agreed with e each other's eyes
here others must eeks and ht A smile and a murmured word, and theatre tickets were his or the doors of fashi+onable restaurants opened ht he took her to the National Theatre, then for dinner at Le Coeur de France where a very famous movie actor stopped at their table
(hello, Benedict We are all going on to the yacht later for a hit of a party join us, won't you?” And those legendary eyes turned to Ruby ”And bring your beautiful friend with you” They ate breakfast under the awning on the after-deck of the yacht, eggs and bacon and Veuve Clicquot chane, and watched the hubbub of dawn traffic on the wondrously sirl in the party without a fur to cheat the chill of the river dawn
Benedict made a mental note of the fact
On the way hos curled under her in the seat of the Bentley, still sleek and golden despite the night's exertions, but with the lightest touch of blue beneath her eyes
”I can't re so much, Benedict”
She patted a tiny pink-lipped yawn ”You're a wonderful coain?”he asked
”Yes, please,”she ency in him, when she ca He came quickly to meet her as she stepped out of the lift, and the quiet assurance hich he kissed her cheek and took her arm surprised her
They were silent as he snaked the Bentley through the evening traffic Ruby realized that at the tips of her long tapered fingers, within touching distance, was a fortune such as she had never before allowed herself to drea rasp for ever She would never have a chance like this again, and she was afraid to move, almost paralysed with fear The decision she knew she would have to make very soon would be fateful
Must she encounter his advance ithdrawal, or must she meet it as frankly as it was inside
She was so deeply involved with her thoughts that when the Bentley came to a standstill she looked up with surprise
They were parked in aflat
Benedict came round and opened her door, and led her without protest into the flat
She looked about her curiously, recognizing some of the art works on display in the entrance hall Benedict took her through into the long lounge and settled her solicitously into the tapestry-covered chair which doone She felt queenlike in her control She kneith certainty that this would all be hers
Benedict stood in the centre of the rooan to speak She listened quietly, her expression showing no hint of the triue of her spirits, and when he stopped to wait for her reply she did not hesitate
”Yes,” she said
”I will be with you when you tell him,” Benedict promised