He waited while she straightened in her seat and then pulled away again. He reached out and switched on the radio. A slow, gentle melody covered the strained silence and cooled his temper as he drove along. This wasn’t how he’d thought it would turn out. If she disliked him as much as it appeared there was no point even bothering with her, and yet he was still fascinated by her. Those flashing green eyes earlier had given him the crazy impulse to kiss her, and keep doing so until she gave in to him.
Finally drawing to a halt on the gravel driveway, he switched off the radio. Aware of the awkward silence, he realised she hadn’t moved and turned to look at her.
‘There you are Miss Franklin. Safe and sound,’ and with sudden wicked amusement he leant across to the door lock on her side, ‘or are you just a little disappointed?’
Her face was close to his and those remarkable green eyes were huge. With deliberate intent he looked down at her mouth. Her lips parted, and despite himself he felt the reaction in him. He cursed under his breath. What was it that made him want to flirt with her? Taking a deep breath, he nodded outside to where Carl stood in the shadows of the front door, and Arthur was approaching from the direction of the garage.
‘The door is open and you will, no doubt, be pleased to see that you have two chaperones. Perhaps you’d better get out now or they might be having ideas!’
She gathered up her belongings with a rush. With a glance at him she murmured ‘Thank you for the lift’, tumbled out of the car and almost raced inside the house.
Alex nodded to Carl and Arthur and turned out of the driveway, glad to be heading home. He could smell her perfume in the car, and opened the window, as if that would do any good! For weeks now her fragrance was always with him, like a tantalising presence.
As he drove away a curtain closed at an upstairs window of the house.
*
Catherine dumped the shopping bags on her bed and sat down. She felt as if she’d run a marathon. What was it that was making her act like this when he was around? She had been trained to have poise and composure in social situations, but it all seemed to evaporate when she was with him. She wanted him to like her and yet she always caused him to be exasperated with her. What was wrong? Then she knew, and her cheeks grew hot at the thought. In the car she had been conscious of his strong hands on the wheel and his thigh close to hers, and just now for one wild moment she had thought he was going to kiss her, and she knew she wanted him to. Then she had realised that he was teasing her again and wouldn’t have done anything anyway, even if there had not been an audience.
She knew her original opinion of him was wrong, but it had been made out of a sense of panic and desperation she hadn’t understood. Now she was sure that he would not treat any woman with anything less than respect. Was it possible she could try to change his view of her? She sensed that he didn’t have a very good one, and now it was even worse. It was all so confusing. Then again, she remembered her uncle’s comments. He wouldn’t let her associate with the likes of Alex Hartman anyway, even if they could be friends now.
With a heavy heart she knew she must face the fact that in a short while she would never see him again. The thought was painful, and with an unhappy sigh she started to prepare for bed.
CHAPTER 10
The following day she received an unexpected call from Duncan Hamilton. His father was a friend of her uncle’s, and one of her trustees, and on a couple of occasions she had spent some time with the family in Scotland. Duncan ran their farming estate in Ayrshire and came to London when his infrequent duties as a company director made it necessary. She knew he had always professed an interest in her, but she was never that keen. There was something hard and selfish about him, and he made her feel uncomfortable. She knew her uncle would have no objection to any alliance, but she managed as much as possible to avoid any discussion on the matter.
She tried to sound pleasant when, with reluctance, she answered his call. ‘Hello Duncan. Are you in town?’
‘Yes, my dear, for a day or two. Wondered if you would like to join me tonight. We could have a drink somewhere.’
She could have lied, but knew her uncle would be displeased if he found out.
‘Yes, alright then, Duncan.’
‘Excellent.’ He sounded almost relieved, she thought. ‘Shall I pick you up about eight o’clock?’
‘Yes, that would be fine. Thank you. I’ll see you then.’
She put down the phone and already dreaded the coming evening. She decided not to tell anyone yet that she would be out that night. For some reason she didn’t want Alex Hartman to be made aware of it; why, she couldn’t say.
She waited until she heard the Porsche pull away and then went through to seek out Sergeant Johnson to tell him that she would be going out. She had the odd feeling that he guessed she had been deliberate in not mentioning it to anyone before. He just raised his eyebrows and hoped she would have a nice time.
By eight o’clock she was ready. She had decided to wear a cream suit with a green fitted blouse. She knew Duncan had arrived but when she went downstairs Grace told her that he was in with her uncle. It was nearly eight-thirty before the two men came out of the study together, both in obvious good spirits. She could feel Duncan’s eyes looking over her body, and already she wished she had declined his invitation.
The evening deteriorated further. He took her to a bistro pub and found a table in a secluded corner. She tried to be a polite guest, and asked him about his work in Scotland and anything else she could think of. She asked for a glass of white wine but noticed he was drinking whisky. Making sure he was sitting close to her, Duncan draped his arm on the back of her chair. As she had taken off her jacket she could feel his hand touching her through the material of the blouse. She felt more and more uncomfortable. She drank very little of her wine, but Duncan ordered another drink for himself. She hoped he would be sober enough to drive.
‘You know you’re a very beautiful girl, Catherine,’ he murmured into her hair. ‘You could send a man mad if you lightened up a bit.’
‘Don’t be silly, Duncan.’ She tried to extract herself from his arm, but his grip was tight.
‘You know I’ve always fancied you.’ He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head away.
‘Duncan, not here, please.’
She realised that this was the wrong thing to say when he rose to his feet and held out her jacket for her.
‘We’ll find somewhere else then, my dear.’
‘Duncan, take me home, please,’ she said, trying to sound firm, ‘or I’ll get a taxi.’
‘Alright, Miss Iceberg, I’ll take you home,’ he said with a smile she didn’t like.
She was relieved when they reached Richmond and his car turned into the driveway. She climbed out in a hurry, but he followed her round to the front door.
‘Don’t I get a thank-you for taking you out?’
Before she knew it, he had manoeuvred her back against the brick support of the porch and was pressing his body against hers. He trapped one of her arms against him and held her head while he kissed her. She tried to push him away but his weight was too much. Trying to place his knee between her legs, he pushed one hand inside her blouse, reaching for her breast, which he enclosed in a painful grip. His breathing was heavy, and she could smell the whisky. Then his mouth was on hers, forcing her lips back against her teeth. She managed to free herself enough to cry out for him to stop and tried to beat at his back.
A voice spoke from the darkness. ‘Do you need any assistance, Miss Franklin?’
It was Sergeant Johnson. Relief made her feel weak but she managed to push the startled Duncan away from her and heard him swear, hard and vicious, under his breath. She thought for a moment he was going to strike out, but he must have taken in the impassive stare and easy stance of the older man and thought better of it. With another oath he stumbled off to h
is car and drove away in a swirl of gravel.
‘Thank you so much Sergeant Johnson,’ Catherine managed to blurt out before doubling over as a wave of nausea washed over her. Her heaving stomach subsided without the loss of that dignity, but her torn blouse was very obvious and she felt embarrassed.
‘Come along now, let’s get you inside, Miss.’
Taking her arm he led her round the side of the house into the warmth of the kitchen. He made her sit in one of the big wooden chairs near the Aga and disappeared for a moment to return with a glass of liquid and stood over her until she had drunk it. The brandy made her cough and her eyes started watering; whether from the drink or emotion, she couldn’t say. She was still finding it difficult to even think straight, and she knew that was the last thing she wanted to do.
‘Good job I was about and heard you call out, Miss. Not a pleasant way to end an evening, if I may say so.’
Catherine nodded her agreement, fumbling with her blouse. She knew he had noticed, and with gentle fingers he buttoned up the jacket to conceal her.
‘I think it would be a good idea if you went off to bed now, Miss. I’ll have a warm drink brought up for you if you like.’
She smiled up at him, tears pricking the back of her eyes. ‘Yes, I think I will go up now, and it would be nice to have a drink if it’s no bother, Sergeant Johnson… Why don’t you call me Catherine?’
He smiled at her. ‘Then I think it’s fair if I’m calling you Catherine that you call me Dougie.’
She stood up and moved over to the hall door. On impulse she turned and walked back to him and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
‘Thank you, Dougie,’ she whispered, and left the room with as much dignity as she could manage.
Dougie gazed after her, swore loud and hard, and then reached for the internal phone.
Catherine was undressed and ready for bed when Grace knocked and entered with a mug and biscuits on a tray.
‘Dougie thought you might like these, Catherine.’
‘Thank you, Grace. I’m sorry you were bothered at this time of night.’
She turned away so the other woman wouldn’t see the tears springing to her eyes again.
‘Dougie told me what happened. Are you alright, my dear? Do you want a doctor or anything?’
‘Goodness, no, not a doctor! I’ll be fine, just a bit shaken up, I suppose.’
‘These men! I don’t know what the world is coming to these days. We shouldn’t have to put up with it. A pity Sergeant Johnson didn’t teach him a lesson.’
‘I think I’d have been cheering him on!’ Catherine tried to make light of it. She could see Grace was upset. ‘Never mind. It’s over now and I’m going to enjoy my drink and then I’ll get to bed. Thank you, Grace. Good night.’
When Grace had left, Catherine sat on the bed and drank some of the cocoa, but she still felt sick. Why were men always like this with her? There must be a man out there somewhere who could love her with gentleness and caring. Unbidden, a figure with dark hair and grey eyes came into her mind. Her heart told her that if this man loved a woman it would be with total dedication, and for ever. She wanted, no, needed to be that woman, but her head told her that there was no way it could be when he thought so little of her… and with her uncle’s commands to be obeyed. With a deep sigh she climbed into bed, but sleep was a long time coming.
*
The Judge surprised Grace in the kitchen before breakfast the next morning, demanding a cup of coffee, and then retired to his study asking that Catherine be sent to him as soon as she was up. Grace decided to refrain from speaking about what had happened the night before.
Dougie had told her that he was going to tell Alex as soon as he arrived, and leave it for him to make any decision. She wondered what Alex would say. She had often caught him watching Catherine, and they seemed to spark something between them when they were together.
To her surprise Catherine appeared a moment later, dressed in trousers and a high-necked angora jumper. She looked a little pale and there were dark circles under her eyes as if she hadn’t slept. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, Grace told her about her uncle’s request.
‘I’d better go and see him then, I suppose.’
When Dougie came in from the garden a moment later, Grace brought him up to date on the movements so far. He too was surprised at the early risers.
‘I hope her uncle gives her an easy day today,’ commented Grace, then both of them looked at each other in consternation as loud voices were heard coming from the Judge’s study.
‘I’ve heard them quarrel before, more when Catherine first came to live here, but then less and less. This is the first time I’ve heard them now for some time. A pity it has to be today,’ said Grace.
‘It always happens. Anyway, Alex will be here in a moment, I’d better get outside to meet him.’
As he left, Grace heard light footsteps in the hall and then a door close, and all was quiet. She shrugged, and carried on preparing breakfast.
*
Alex was himself running ahead of time, but as he pulled into the driveway Dougie was already outside waiting for him. He had the distinct impression that Dougie was doing just that, waiting for him. As he approached, Alex looked closer at the other man and began to feel a sense of apprehension.
‘We had a little problem here last night, Boss.’ Dougie began. ‘Miss Catherine went out with a young man and when they came back the young fool tried to take advantage of her. I was in the vicinity and heard scuffling and then she called out. The young man’s attentions were not welcome. I made my presence known. I thought for one moment he was going to clobber me, and I would have just loved that, but he beat a hasty retreat once he realised there was no use making an issue of it.’
‘Miss Franklin, is she alright?’
‘A bit shook up but I kept her in the kitchen at first and gave her a brandy, and when she looked steady enough I sent her to bed and asked Grace to look in on her with a hot drink. Grace said she thought she would be alright.’
Alex felt a build-up of unreasoning anger. ‘If it had been me that found them I would have floored him, the little bastard. How far… I mean…’
‘He tore her blouse, so you know what that meant, and he was trying something else when I got there. She was attempting to fight but he had her pinned against the brick pillar in the porch. I don’t know how it would have ended if no one had been about.’
Alex thought of the girl having to cope with this violation, and was furious now. He could see Dougie regarding him with a wary look. He was well aware his colleague had been around in the past when his temper had almost got the better of him. He must be wondering what his boss intended to do. Alex took a deep, steadying breath.
‘Does the Judge know?’
‘No one has mentioned it to him yet. I wanted to see you first. He seemed quite chummy last night with the young man in question. His name is Duncan Hamilton. His father is something big in the banking world in the City and is a friend of the Judge. Catherine knows the family. Hamilton and the Judge spent some time together in the Judge’s study before he and Catherine went out. It looked as if the young man had a small parcel with him when he arrived, which didn’t look like a box of chocolates. He didn’t have it with him when he and Catherine left, I noticed.’
He then brought Alex up to date with the events so far that morning.
‘God, what a mess! This is all we need. Oh well, I’d better see Franklin, I suppose. Can you hang on here for a bit Dougie?’
‘Yes, sure thing, no problem. If he wants a first-hand account I’m happy to speak to him.’
‘Thanks, Dougie, and thanks for last night. I think we ought to make a formal note of what happened, and perhaps you can let me have that?’
‘Any time, Boss.’
Alex went inside, and on entering the kitc
hen, Grace informed him that his presence had been requested by the Judge as soon as he came on duty.
‘How is Catherine, I mean Miss Franklin, Grace?’
She noticed the Christian name but made no comment. ‘Quiet, but I haven’t seen much of her so far.’
Alex nodded and went through into the hall and knocked on the study door.
The Judge looked up as he entered.
‘Well, Hartman, what have you to say about your colleague’s meddling last night.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Alex was not prepared for this sort of remark.
‘What are your people doing, interfering in private affairs instead of going about their own business as requested?’
Alex was still startled at this line of attack, but managed to retort, ‘If by “private affairs” you mean common assault which could even have led to rape, I think my colleague acted with commendable restraint. Your niece was in danger, and as an officer of the law, appropriate action was taken.’
‘Rape? Appropriate action? Inspector Hartman, you are a man of the world. You know women. They all understand that it’s not the done thing for them to give in at first but that doesn’t always mean they are adverse to the whole idea. Another five minutes and things could have been very different.’
Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. ‘So you mean that my officer should have hung back for a while just to see how matters went, and meanwhile your niece could have been in serious trouble?’
‘If your watchdogs hadn’t been here at all, that’s how it would have been.’
Alex’s brain was working again and an icy calm settled on him.
‘Who told you about last night? I gather you have spoken with your niece this morning. Did she mention it to you?’
‘If you must know, Inspector, I received an irate telephone call last night from the young man in question, complaining about his treatment.’
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