Fear of Love

by Carole Mortimer

  He was beside her in seconds, swinging her round to face him. ‘You’ll listen to me for as long as I want you to,’ his grey eyes glittered down at her. ‘No matter what Gail says to you when you see her you’re to agree to it, do you understand?’

  She frowned, shaking off his restraining hand. ‘No, I don’t understand at all. What could Gail possibly say to me that I’m not going to agree with?’

  ‘You’ll see. And I want you to know that I’m no happier about the arrangement than you will be.’

  ‘What is it?’ she asked suspiciously.

  ‘Wait and see. Come on, let’s find Trevor.’

  They found him in Gail’s hospital room, sitting on the side of the bed holding his wife’s hand. Alexandra rushed straight to her sister, the ready tears falling unheeded down her cheeks.

  ‘Oh, Gail,’ she sobbed, ‘I’m sorry, so sorry.’

  Gail cradled her in her arms, laughing softly. ‘What on earth are you saying sorry for? It’s my own fault I’m here.’

  ‘I—It is?’ she looked uncertain.

  Gail pushed her young sister’s hair away from her tear-wet face. ‘Of course, silly. I knew my blood pressure was a little high, I should have slowed down.’

  ‘You mean I should have helped you more. I didn’t realise you were ill.’

  ‘I’m not ill, pet,’ Gail insisted. ‘And you do far too much at home already. Besides, I enjoy looking after the two of you.’

  ‘Well, now you have to pay for your obstinacy,’ Trevor put in lightly.

  ‘And you’ll have to sleep alone,’ his wife teased. ‘You’ll have no one to warm your cold feet on now.’

  He grimaced. ‘The bachelor quarters here aren’t very glamorous. But at least I’ll be able to visit you when I’m off duty.’

  Alexandra frowned. Somewhere along the line she had lost the meaning of this conversation.

  ‘Is it all right for you to move in?’ Gail asked Trevor worriedly. ‘Have they got a room?’

  Her husband squeezed her hand. ‘Everything is arranged. I just have to go home and collect a few things.’

  Gail looked at her sister. ‘You’ll be all right at Dominic’s, won’t you, Alexandra?’

  So that was it! She turned to look accusingly at Dominic Tempest and met only his icy disdain. He had known all along that it had been arranged for her to stay at his home with him. How on earth was she going to stand it? One look at Gail’s pale face told her that somehow she would have to, Gail simply wasn’t up to any more worries.

  ‘Of course I will,’ she assured her sister hurriedly. ‘I’m sure he’ll—he’ll take good care of me.’

  Dominic moved forward, the mockery in his eyes taunting her. ‘You know I will,’ he drawled. ‘You saw how I like to keep my guests entertained this morning.’

  Alexandra raised startled eyes. Yes, she had seen all too clearly how he had entertained his guest over the weekend, and she had no intention of being entertained in the same way. Arrogant devil!

  Gail looked interested. ‘You had someone staying with you this weekend?’

  ‘Just overnight.’ He met Alexandra’s scathing look with an unflinching stare.

  Trevor stood up. ‘I think it’s time we left you to get this rest you’re supposed to be having.’

  His wife pouted. ‘I’m sure it isn’t necessary. I shall be very lonely in here all on my own.’

  ‘Of course you won’t,’ Alexandra chided. ‘I shall visit you every day, and I’m sure you’ll have plenty of other visitors.’

  ‘Not least of all me.’ Trevor bent down and kissed his wife lingeringly on the lips. ‘I’ll be in to see you later.’

  Dominic kissed Gail’s cheek. ‘I’ll bring Alexandra in tomorrow,’ he promised.

  So already he had started to arrange her life for her! She buried her resentment for when they got outside, for the moment intent only on making sure Gail had nothing at all to worry about.

  ‘Look after yourself,’ she told her. ‘And as Dominic says, I’ll be in tomorrow.’ Not that he would be bringing her, she wanted as little to do with him as possible.

  They parted from Trevor once they were outside the room, he having to go back on duty for a few hours before going home to collect his things.

  Alexandra waited until they were in Dominic Tempest’s car before she exploded. ‘You knew about this,’ she accused angrily. ‘You knew I had to stay with you!’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘Your remorse didn’t last long.’

  She blushed. ‘Gail doesn’t seem to blame me’.

  He shrugged. ‘She wouldn’t.’

  ‘But you do.’

  ‘It’s not up to me to blame you.’

  ‘Then mind your own business! I’m not going to stay at your house, you know,’ she told him stubbornly.

  ‘Oh yes, you are,’ he said calmly.

  ‘I’m not. I can look after myself. I’m not afraid to stay at the house on my own.’

  ‘It isn’t because we thought you would be afraid that we made these arrangements.’

  ‘Then why? Why does Trevor have to move into the hospital? I’m perfectly capable of looking after him.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it,’ he said dryly.

  ‘So why all these elaborate plans?’

  Dominic sighed. ‘They aren’t elaborate. They’re the most reasonable course of action.’

  ‘Not to me they aren’t,’ she declared stubbornly.

  ‘No, they wouldn’t be. It wouldn’t occur to you to think of the damage you could do to Trevor’s career and his marriage to Gail by staying at the house with him.’

  ‘What on earth are you talking about?’ she scorned. ‘Trevor is my brother-in-law.’

  ‘You little fool, do you think that would matter to the people around here? Don’t be stupid. All that would matter to them would be that Gail, eight months pregnant, has been taken to hospital, and her husband and young sister are living alone together. This is a village community, Alex, things get around.’

  ‘But surely they wouldn’t—’ But she knew they would! ‘How disgusting!’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it?’

  ‘But I don’t see how I can be thought any safer living with you. We all know your reputation,’ she added bitchily.

  Dominic smiled, a cruel mocking smile. ‘But I have servants to chaperone us. And for what it’s worth, I’ve never found rebellious adolescents in the least attractive.’

  ‘I hate you!’ she said with feeling.

  ‘I couldn’t give a damn what you feel for me, I’m not that keen on you either. But I do intend to try and put up with you for the next few weeks, and I hope you will make a similar effort.’

  ‘Why should I? I can live at the house on my own, Gail doesn’t need to know.’

  ‘But she would.’

  ‘Why?’ she asked sharply. ‘Would you tell her? I’m sure you can’t be any more anxious to have me at your house than I am to stay there.’

  ‘I’m not,’ he agreed coldly. ‘But other people in the village are sure to visit Gail and it would only take one thoughtless person to mention where you’re living to put her in a state of nerves.’

  ‘But I could—’

  ‘For God’s sake grow up, Alexandra!’ he snapped. ‘Stop thinking of yourself so much. Gail can’t take any more, don’t you understand?’

  She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘I’m not at home a lot of the time anyway,’ he added by way of consolation. ‘I’m away all day Wednesday and Thursday recording the programme.’

  ‘Overnight too?’

  His mouth tightened. ‘Yes.’

  ‘So that’s when you intend seeing Miss Gilbert.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I bet you’ve got a harem going,’ she taunted.

  ‘One woman at a time is enough for me. Besides, I don’t have the time for all these women. Each programme I do involves a lot of research, research that has to be done in a matter of hours, not days
, if a political situation arises.’

  ‘You haven’t been away for some time,’ she remarked softly.

  He grinned. ‘Then you’ll just have to hope something comes up during the next four weeks to take me away. I’m sure nothing would please you more.’

  ‘It wouldn’t.’

  He was openly laughing at her now. ‘Sometimes you’re an enigma, but in your dislike of me I can see right through you.’

  ‘Good,’ she said childishly.

  ‘Oh, by the way,’ he remarked casually, ‘I don’t mind you having Young round occasionally, but I don’t want to keep tripping over him.’

  Alexandra glared at him. ‘Am I allowed to make the same comment about Miss Gilbert?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘I didn’t think I would be.’

  Dominic gave her an impatient look. ‘You aren’t a welcome guest, Alexandra, so I don’t intend letting your friends take over my house.’

  ‘I take it Miss Gilbert is a welcome guest?’

  ‘You take it right.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Dominic,’ she said sharply. ‘If I want to see any of my friends I’ll arrange to meet them elsewhere than your house.’

  ‘There’s no need to go to that extreme,’ he taunted.

  Alexandra looked out of the car window as they approached the mansion that was to be her home for the next month. How on earth could she stand to share a house with this arrogant mocking man, see him every day for four weeks, when she found it difficult to be polite to him just during Sunday lunch? It appeared she had little choice but to try.

  Charles met them in the reception area. ‘I have prepared Miss Paige’s room, sir.’

  His employer nodded, and threw his car keys down on the side-table. ‘Thank you, Charles. Perhaps you would like to freshen up before tea, Alexandra?’

  She didn’t think this was going to be the normal cup of tea and a biscuit she and Gail usually shared in the afternoon, and her denims and tee shirt suddenly seemed out of place in these elegant surroundings.

  ‘Thank you,’ she accepted softly, ‘I’d like that.’

  ‘I’ll take you upstairs now,’ Charles said gravely.

  It was a lovely room he showed her into, all lemon and white decor. It had its own adjoining bathroom, a luxury she had never had before. She and Trevor usually fought over who would get into the bathroom first in the morning.

  The adjoining bathroom was in lemon and brown, but she didn’t stay to admire it, quickly rinsing her face and hands before brushing her hair and applying a lip-gloss. The rumblings of her stomach were far too strong for her to waste any more time. She hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast this morning and she was starving hungry.

  Dominic was sitting in the lounge when she came hesitantly into the room, stubbing his cheroot out in the ashtray at her entrance. His elegant light grey trousers and black fitted shirt only seemed to emphasise her own scruffiness. Well, how was she supposed to know she would be taking tea with the famous Dominic Tempest!

  ‘Sit down, Alexandra,’ he said impatiently. ‘You might as well play hostess.’

  She blushed at his scathing mockery. ‘I’d rather not.’

  ‘Oh, come on, Alex,’ he encouraged shortly. ‘I’m as hungry as you are. I missed out on lunch too, remember?’

  She picked up the china teapot. ‘I didn’t know you admitted to such human feelings as hunger.’

  His grey eyes taunted. ‘I admit to much more human feelings than that.’

  She should have known her effort to hit out at him would only rebound on her. ‘Lemon, milk and sugar?’ she asked tightly.

  ‘Just lemon, please. I’m sweet enough already.’

  ‘That’s a matter of opinion!’

  He laughed, showing even white teeth in his tanned face. ‘Somehow I knew you would say that.’

  ‘Then I’m glad you weren’t disappointed.’

  He took the proffered cup of tea. ‘You never disappoint me, Alex. You’re very entertaining.’

  She poured her own tea. ‘I’m glad I’m of some use!’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘Oh dear, is it feel sorry for Alex day?’

  Her blue eyes showed her anger. ‘No, it isn’t! And my name is Alexandra.’

  ‘So it is,’ he appeared unconcerned. ‘But I prefer Alex. Much more friendly.’

  ‘As I have no intention of becoming a friend of yours I would prefer you to use my full name.’

  ‘And I would prefer not to. Oh, shut up, Alex,’ he ordered abruptly as she went to speak again. ‘And pass me a sandwich.’

  Her cup landed with a clatter on the table. ‘I may have to stay here with you, but I’m certainly not going to be reduced to the level of another servant for you to order about!’

  ‘If you were a servant we might get on better,’ he retorted. ‘I happen to like all my employees. But I would certainly never take from them what I’ve taken from you today.’

  ‘Don’t expect the next month to be any different.’ She bit hungrily into a ham sandwich. ‘Staying here won’t make me like you any the more.’

  Dominic raised his eyes heavenwards, pushing the blond hair back off his forehead. ‘Thank God you’ll be out of the house most of the time.’

  ‘I will?’

  ‘I hope so. College should—oh no!’ he groaned. ‘College has finished for the summer, hasn’t it?’

  She smiled sweetly. ‘It has.’

  ‘Oh hell!’

  ‘Temper, temper,’ she taunted. ‘Anyone would think you weren’t going to enjoy having me about.’

  ‘Anyone would be right,’ he said dryly.

  ‘Shame!’ Alexandra laughed. ‘Could I use your telephone, please?’

  ‘I’m surprised you bothered to ask.’

  Alexandra ignored his mockery. ‘Well, can I?’

  ‘I suppose you’re going to call lover boy?’

  Her head rose haughtily. ‘If you mean Roger, then yes, I am.’

  Dominic looked bored. ‘Go ahead. But remember what I said about inviting him round here. I’m not as liberal as Gail and Trevor, I won’t allow you to take him upstairs to your bedroom. I’m too much aware of the temptation involved.’

  ‘You would be. Roger and I don’t regard it in that light. We merely go to my room to listen to records.’

  ‘More fool you.’ He stood up. ‘I’m going to my study, so you can use the telephone in here. I would appreciate it if you didn’t disturb me, I have some work to do.’

  ‘I have no intention of disturbing you,’ she said indignantly.

  ‘Fine. When you’ve finished with the tea things just ring for Charles and he’ll clear away. Dinner is at eight, by the way.’

  ‘Am I expected to dress up for that?’

  ‘Not particularly.’ His eyes travelled slowly over her slender body. ‘But I think I would prefer you to put on something more feminine than denims.’

  ‘Your likes and dislikes don’t come into it,’ she told him sharply. ‘But I have to go back to the house and pack a few things, so I might manage to change for dinner.’

  ‘You’re going to the house now?’

  She gave him a challenging look. ‘Do you have any objections?’

  ‘None, as long as you don’t use it as a meeting place for yourself and your boy-friend.’

  ‘You have a disgusting mind, Mr Tempest!’

  He laughed at her outrage. ‘I’m just realistic, Alex.’

  She was still glowering at him as he left the room. She couldn’t stay here with him, she just couldn’t. They didn’t even like each other. But she didn’t see what else she could do; Gail’s health depended on her not causing trouble.

  She put a call through to the hospital before calling Roger, and was told that Mrs Tempest was asleep and not to be disturbed. It seemed to underline the fact that Gail’s health was very delicate at the moment. She left a message for them to tell Gail of her call and she sent her love.

  Her call to Roger wasn’t quite so easy, knowing he wou
ldn’t understand her reasons for being at Dominic Tempest’s house any better than she did herself. She was right, he didn’t.

  ‘You could come and stay here,’ he suggested. ‘My mother and father would love to have you.’

  ‘I—I never thought of that.’ Hope quickened her heart. ‘Do you really think they wouldn’t mind?’

  ‘I know they wouldn’t.’

  ‘Wait a minute, then, and I’ll go and see what Dominic says,’ she said eagerly.

  ‘What does it matter what he says?’ Roger demanded crossly. ‘After the way he spoke to you earlier I can’t believe it would bother him where you stay.’

  ‘You’re right, it doesn’t. But I—Look, I’ll just see what he thinks of the idea.’ She put the telephone down before he could raise any more objections. She knocked briskly on Dominic’s study door before entering.

  He looked up at her, an impatient frown marking his forehead. ‘I thought I said I wasn’t to be disturbed,’ he snapped coldly. ‘God, you’ve only been in the house an hour and already you’re making a nuisance of yourself.’

  Angry colour flared into her cheeks. ‘I did knock!’

  Dominic sat back, his eyes narrowed. ‘So I heard, but I don’t remember inviting you in.’

  ‘You’re impossible!’

  ‘Instead of standing there getting angry I think you would be better spending the time telling me what you came in here for, because in two minutes you’re going to be thrown out again.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter!’ She turned on her heel.

  ‘Alexandra!’ her name sounded like a whiplash. ‘Get back in here.’

  She blinked back the tears. ‘No, I won’t.’

  Dominic sighed. ‘You came to ask me something, you might as well do that now you’re here.’

  ‘I said it doesn’t matter,’ she said obstinately.

  ‘You have one minute left,’ he warned.

  Alexandra turned angrily. ‘Is your time so valuable you don’t have two minutes to spare?’

  ‘At the moment, yes. I have a schedule to meet. So what’s wrong?’

  ‘Roger’s on the telephone, he says I can stay at his house.’

  ‘No.’

  Her eyes were a deeper blue as her anger increased. ‘What do you mean, no? Why can’t I? Who’s to say I can’t anyway?’