Looking defiant, the younger man insisted, ‘Well, I’ve told you she’s an out-and-out liar.’
‘I am most definitely not!’ Anna interjected, outraged.
‘One of you certainly is. Though I doubt if it’s Anna.’ Gideon laid a comforting hand on Anna’s shoulder, which she shook off immediately.
‘So she’s got to you, too?’ David jeered. ‘I always thought she was—’ Seeing a white line appear around Gideon’s mouth, he broke off abruptly.
After a moment, when no one spoke, he muttered, ‘I suppose I shouldn’t have said that. But women like her can act the innocent, twist a man around their little finger, and when there’s no actual proof—’
‘Ah, but there is some actual proof. Jackie saw the girl you brought here, and she’s convinced it wasn’t Anna.’
‘She only saw her for a split second. She couldn’t possibly be sure.’
‘I’m quite sure,’ Jacqueline said calmly. ‘And when Mary Morrison gets back—’
‘Oh, her! Apart from the fact that she’s always disliked me, she’ll swear to anything to keep in the new master’s good books,’ David said nastily.
Then, evidently realising he’d overstepped the mark, he mumbled, ‘Sorry. But I get so frustrated when no one will listen to the truth.’
Gideon dropped a hand on his shoulder. ‘I’m not only prepared to listen to the truth, I’ll do whatever it takes to get the truth out of you,’ he declared with silky menace.
As the younger man blenched, he added, ‘So I think, in order to spare the ladies’ feelings, we’d better have our…little talk…in the study.’
‘It’s all right,’ Jacqueline said with cheerful unconcern. ‘I don’t mind a spot of bloodshed in a good cause.’
Upset and anxious, Anna had began, ‘Oh, but—’ when a speaking look from the other woman silenced her.
‘Suppose we get it over with?’ Stepping back, Gideon gestured for the younger man to precede him.
Looking badly frightened now, David appealed to his aunt. ‘You’re not going to stand by and let him beat me up?’
‘You’re every bit as big as he is,’ she pointed out calmly.
It was true that both men were much the same height and weight, but against Gideon’s mature width of shoulder, his air of toughness and determination, the younger man looked soft and spineless.
As though to prove it, he almost whimpered, ‘But you know as well as I do that I won’t stand a chance. Don’t you care about me at all?’
‘As a matter of fact I do. That’s why I think it’s high time someone straightened you out before you get into more serious trouble. Ever since the old man disowned you, you’ve been taking Gideon for a ride. Instead of standing on your own two feet, you’ve begged and borrowed, sponged off him shamelessly. I’ve tried to warn him what you were like, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s been far too generous, too soft with you altogether…’
Gideon raised a dark brow at her.
Jackie ploughed on regardless. ‘I know you’ve had it hard in some ways, and I’m fond of you… In fact too fond to stand by and see you turn into a real bad lot—’
‘But I’m not—’
Taking no heed of David’s attempt to protest, she continued to flay him with her tongue. ‘You’ve lied and schemed and cheated. Now it seems you’re even willing to steal. Or are you going to try and pretend this other dark-haired woman was the culprit?’
‘All right,’ he burst out. ‘So I did take the blasted manuscripts. If that old bat hadn’t kicked up such a fuss no one would even have noticed.’
Then, to Gideon, ‘It was no skin off your nose. You’ve made a fortune in the States as well as inheriting Grandfather’s estate. I’m a Strange too. I should at least have been given a proper allowance. The old devil had no right to turn me out without a penny.’
‘He had every right,’ Gideon disagreed icily. ‘He’d paid for your schooling and sent you to a good university. You’d been given the opportunity to make something of yourself, but thanks to your wild ways you got sent down.’
‘They kicked up a lot of fuss about nothing,’ David grumbled.
Gideon’s face hardened. ‘I’d hardly call drinking and gambling and smuggling in a succession of women nothing. You broke all the rules of acceptable behaviour, and you’ve been doing it ever since.’
‘Oh, don’t sound so damned sanctimonious,’ David cried. ‘Have you never broken any rules? Done things you maybe shouldn’t have done?’
‘Yes. I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life. Who hasn’t? But I’ve never made a habit of lying and cheating; I’ve never taken anything that wasn’t mine; and, even more important, I’ve never involved an innocent person in my schemes. You lied to Anna, cheated her, knowingly put her in the position of handling stolen property… And then, to save your own skin, you tried to make out that she was a thief.’
‘When you suddenly asked me about the manuscripts, I panicked… Debbie, the girl who’d been with me, wasn’t unlike Anna in colouring, and you thought I was still with Anna, so—’
His green eyes glacial, Gideon said, ‘So putting the blame on a woman you hadn’t seen for more than a year, and never expected me to find, no doubt seemed the ideal solution…’ Then, curtly, ‘What happened to this Debbie?’
‘She knew I’d taken the manuscripts, and the little bitch tried to blackmail me.’
‘What did you do?’
‘I lost my temper and slapped her…’
Looking disgusted, Gideon queried, ‘And?’
‘I told her that if she said a word, I’d swear it was she who had taken them. The next day while I was at work she packed her bags and left, taking everything of value she could lay her hands on. I told you about that.’
‘But you made me believe it was Anna.’
‘Oh, David,’ Jacqueline exclaimed, ‘how could you!’
‘I had no option,’ he muttered sullenly.
Turning to Anna, she said with a sigh, ‘You really must hate our family.’
Anna shook her head. ‘I’m just relieved you know the truth, and glad that Gideon’s got at least four of the manuscripts back.’
‘Speaking of manuscripts—’ Gideon addressed his nephew ‘—what happened to the others?’
‘I managed to sell a couple. The ones I hadn’t got rid of, Debbie tore up. It’s a pity I ever met the vindictive little trollop,’ he added viciously. ‘If I hadn’t, Anna would have moved in with me and things might have been different—’
‘You mean you could have continued to palm her off with stolen goods so you’d have a source of extra income to help finance your high living?’
When David, looking shamefaced now, stayed silent, Gideon pursued, ‘So I take it Debbie was the woman you were in bed with when Anna came round?’
‘Yes.’
‘Incidentally, why didn’t you tell me when Anna first walked out on you?’
‘I thought you might ask about the ring.’
‘And as there never was a ring…where did such a large amount of money go to?’
‘Well, I—’
‘Let me guess… To pay gambling debts, no doubt?’
‘I’d had a run of bad luck and Joey was threatening to turn nasty.’
‘And I suppose your latest plea for money is also due to “Joey threatening to turn nasty”?’
David’s face was answer enough.
‘Well, I’ve got news for you. I’m through paying your gambling debts, and you can go back to Joey and tell him so.’
His face a sickly grey colour, David stammered, ‘No! No, I—I can’t. You promised me a cheque.’
‘That was when I believed you wanted money to start your own business.’
‘I can’t see that it matters what it’s for. You’ve got more money than you know what to do with.’
‘And apart from the relatively modest amount your grandfather left, which I’ve put on one side for you, I earned every penny of it.’
David�
�s cockiness returned with a bound. ‘Well, if you’re giving me what Grandfather left, I’ll use that to pay Joey.’
‘You will not. I’m putting it in trust for you until you reach the age of thirty. By that time you might have learnt a little sense.’
‘But if I don’t pay what I owe I may not live to be thirty. You don’t know what Joey’s boys are like. They’re already getting impatient…’
Jacqueline grimaced. ‘So that’s why you left town in such a hurry and joined us at Dainton. I wondered what had made you suddenly opt for a family Christmas in the wilds.’
‘I was trying to gain a little time,’ her nephew admitted hoarsely. ‘But if I’m not back by tomorrow, they’ll come looking for me…’ He broke off with a shudder. ‘Gideon, please… You’ve just got to help me!’
‘Very well, on certain conditions, I’ll pay your gambling debts this one last time—’
‘Thanks, I—’
‘Don’t thank me until you’ve heard what the conditions are. They may not be acceptable. Firstly, you will apologise to Anna.’
His face a little red, and without looking at her, David mumbled, ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Hardly a gracious apology,’ Gideon remarked coldly. Then, to Anna, ‘What do you think? Will it do, or not?’
Looking at David in disbelief, as though she couldn’t possibly imagine how she’d ever loved him, she said, ‘It’ll have to do.’
Fixing his nephew with a steely look, Gideon went on, ‘Secondly, as I hope and believe you’re weak rather than wicked, I want you to get right away, leave London and Joey’s casino behind you.’
‘How do I do that?’
‘I gather you don’t like your present job, so I’m offering you a chance to help run the American side of my computer software business. Though I can do a lot over the internet, it would be handy to have a man I can trust on the spot. You’ll find the pay is good, and there’s a house goes with the job. The Californian lifestyle should suit you, so long as you try to keep your excesses under control—’
‘It sounds wonderful,’ David burst out eagerly.
Ignoring the interruption, Gideon continued, ‘Thirdly, a little at a time and from your wages, you will repay Anna every penny she has lost through being involved in your dishonest schemes. If you agree to these conditions, I’ll book you a flight and you’ll leave for the States as soon as your affairs at this end are settled.’
‘I agree.’
Taking a folded cheque from his pocket, Gideon passed it to his nephew. ‘Will that be enough to cover everything?’
‘In the circumstances, it’s more than generous,’ David admitted, his relief obvious.
‘Just one word of warning. Though you’re family, and both Jackie and I are still fond of you, this is your last chance. Make a go of it, and the world’s your oyster. Mess it up, and you’re out. On your own. Understand?’
‘Yes, I understand. I won’t let you down.’
‘Well, on that satisfactory note,’ his aunt said cheerily, ‘suppose we get back to Dainton and join the others? I told them we wouldn’t be more than an hour or so. In any case, I’d like to get home before it freezes.’
Turning to Gideon, she suggested, ‘What about you and Anna coming back with us? I know you’ll be more than welcome.’
‘Thanks, but I think not.’
As they turned to the door, having quickly weighed up the pros and cons, and unwilling to be left alone with Gideon in case no taxi turned up, Anna asked hastily, ‘Are you by any chance going through town? If you are, could you possibly give me a lift?’
Looking more than a little surprised, Jacqueline said, ‘Of course, if that’s what you want.’
‘I’d prefer it if you’d stay,’ Gideon said evenly. ‘I’d like to talk to you.’
Avoiding his eyes, Anna shook her head. ‘I really must go. I’ve things to do.’ Then, to Jacqueline, ‘Can you hang on a couple of minutes while I collect my belongings?’
‘Certainly.’
Having pulled on her coat and boots, Anna gathered up her bag and hastened upstairs, leaving the others to exchange a few more words as they sauntered across the hall.
While she pushed her clothes into her case, she found herself wondering why, after that token objection, Gideon had let her go so easily.
But perhaps, having thrashed everything out to his satisfaction, he had no further interest in her? Or maybe, having misjudged her and inadvertently done her more wrong than David had, he felt uncomfortable and was only too willing to see the back of her?
Whichever, she was more than pleased to be able to get away.
CHAPTER TEN
WHEN, a minute or so later, she descended the stairs, Anna saw to her surprise that the spacious panelled hall was empty.
Had they gone back to the kitchen for some reason? Or were they waiting in the car?
A quick peep in the kitchen showed it was empty, though the fire had been made up.
She was making her way back across the hall when the study door opened and Gideon emerged, the mobile phone in his hand and a slightly wary look on his handsome face.
Dropping the phone into his pocket, he came towards her and took the case out of her hand. ‘Allow me.’
Unwilling to go without a word, she said stiffly, ‘I’d better say goodbye, and thank you for Christmas.’
‘Then while we’re being so formal,’ he mocked, ‘perhaps I’d better say it was nice having you.’
Watching her face flame with colour, he added sardonically, ‘It’s pleasant to find a guest, even a reluctant one, with such good manners… Though, as it happens, making your farewells is a little premature.’
‘What do you mean premature?’
‘I’m afraid they’ve gone. Jackie said to tell you—’
‘I don’t believe it.’
Hurrying to the front door, Anna pulled it open. Dusk had already started to gather over the snowy scene. Between the black skeletal trees the sky was a clear light blue with a single shining star, and the air was bitterly cold.
The only vehicle there was her own, still partially buried. Tyre marks in the snow showed where the Range Rover had turned and driven away.
‘But she promised to wait…’ Anna protested helplessly.
‘I persuaded her not to. I explained that there were important things we needed to talk about, and I wanted you to stay.’
‘As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing left to talk about, and I don’t want to stay.’
She tried to take back her case, but he refused to relinquish it and, reaching past her, closed the door with his free hand.
Turning on him like a fury, she cried, ‘I’ve told you, I’ve no intention of staying.’
‘And I’ve no intention of letting you go until you’ve at least listened to what I have to say.’
‘I don’t want to listen to anything you have to say. I’m leaving now, this instant.’
‘Then you’re prepared to walk back to town?’
‘If necessary.’
He was nothing if not quick. ‘So you did use my phone. I thought it wasn’t exactly where I left it. Who did you call?’
‘There should be a taxi here any minute. I’m setting off now to meet it,’ she added defiantly, ‘and you can’t stop me.’
His green eyes glinted. ‘I shouldn’t bet on it.’
‘You can’t keep me here against my will!’ But even as she spoke she knew that he could. He was quite capable of it.
Made desperate by the thought, she told him, ‘If you don’t let me go, when the taxi gets here I’ll ask the driver to call the police.’
He raised a quizzical brow at her.
‘I mean it,’ she warned, clutching her bag. ‘I want to leave.’
‘Then before the taxi arrives I’ll have to make you change your mind, make you want to stay.’
Before she realised his intention, Gideon tossed the case aside, pulled her close, and, taking her face between his palms, began to kis
s her.
Her bag slipped from her shoulder and fell unheeded to the floor.
That first night when he’d kissed her at the door, it had been light, easy, a Christmas kiss beneath the mistletoe. Even so it had shaken her profoundly.
Now he kissed her as a man kissed a woman when they’d been lovers. Deeply, passionately, reaffirming his ownership.
While his mouth claimed hers, his hands slid beneath her coat and began to move over her slender body, moulding it to his, soft curves to hard muscle.
Everything in her responded to his kiss, the touch of his hands—and, disturbed to her very soul, she found her sense of purpose undermined, her resolution weakening.
But, no, she couldn’t, wouldn’t stay. After all that had happened, her pride, her self-respect, the remembrance of her humiliation wouldn’t let her.
Gathering every last ounce of will-power, she tore herself free and, shaking like a leaf, stooped to pick up her bag.
‘Why don’t you leave me alone?’ she demanded bitterly. ‘Haven’t you and your precious nephew done enough?’
‘More than enough,’ Gideon admitted soberly. ‘And I’m a great deal more to blame than he is. That’s one of the reasons I want you to stay. I have to find out how best to make amends.’
‘I’m not asking you to make amends. I just want you to let me go. I never want to set eyes on you again.’
Just as she finished speaking, Anna heard the unmistakable sound of an engine, and the crunch of tyres on the now crisp snow. A moment later a vehicle was drawing to a halt outside.
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