by Julia Bell
“It seems that things aren’t going too well. He’s going to try and get here by this evening, or later tonight. If it’s too late he’ll go back to his own house and make the journey tomorrow morning. He said he’d ring if he has to do that. He asked to speak to you.”
“Oh, and I missed him!”
“Don’t worry, he’ll ring again. Or why don’t you ring him on his mobile?”
“Better not if he’s having a difficult time.”
Anna decided to go for a walk since the rain had stopped and the sun had come out again. If anything, it would clear her head that still felt terribly fuzzy. She made her way into the hall to collect her jacket, which she knew she had left over a chair. The chair was gone. Thinking her jacket might have been put in her bedroom she started upstairs, when the downstairs door opened and Fran came bustling through carrying a vacuum cleaner.
“You haven’t seen my jacket have you? I’m sure I left it over a chair in the hall,” asked Anna.
Fran thought for a moment. “I think that chair was put back in the morning room, miss. Sorry, miss, I should have told you.”
She found her jacket still hanging over the back of the chair and was just putting it on when she spotted movement by the bureau. She quickly turned as Tess’s large bulk came bounding towards her, making her cry out in fright. Tess had been sleeping in the warmth of the sun coming through the window and Anna’s entrance had startled her. She ran into Anna’s legs and then barked loudly before running through the door and out into the hall. Sudden contact with the dog had made Anna back up against the occasional table and she stumbled. Reaching out to steady herself, she felt her hand brush against the crystal vase. The vase rocked for just a few seconds and then fell towards the carpet, hitting the floor with a crash of glass, scattering the flowers and splashing water everywhere. Anna stared down at the broken vase in dismay. It looked expensive.
When Margaret rushed through the door moments later, she found Anna kneeling on the floor, picking up the shards of glass, her hand bleeding.
“Oh, my dear! What have you been doing?”
“I knocked the vase over. I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. Come to the kitchen and let me bathe your hand. The cut isn’t too bad. Nothing that a little antiseptic and a sticking plaster will put right.”
During the evening, Anna played snooker with Ben in the billiard room and then they joined the others in front of the television, an activity to which she felt unable to give her undivided attention, so absorbed was she in keeping her eyes on her watch.
Margaret patted her knee. “You’re worrying too much.”
Anna gave a smile. “Have I been that transparent?”
“Yes, you have. My philosophy is why worry unnecessarily about it. Of course, I used to worry as all mothers do, but then I came to the conclusion that no news is good news. He hasn’t rung to say he’s staying somewhere else tonight, so let’s assume that he’s on his way home this very moment. It’s only nine-thirty and he said ten or eleven, so there’s plenty of time yet.”
Anna smiled sadly. “We were going to play golf today.”
“There’s always tomorrow.”
“Yes, there’s always tomorrow,” Anna repeated.
There was no sleep for Anna when she finally went to bed. No matter how hard she tried to keep her eyes closed, they would open and fix on the curtain for the beam of headlights that she knew would have to shine past her window. Her ears strained for the sound of a car. Eventually, she looked at her watch. It was midnight. A new day and Jason still hadn’t returned. Agitated and concerned Anna jumped out of bed. Slipping into the silk kimono dressing gown that her husband had brought back from Japan, she pulled back the curtains and leaned her forehead against the window.
The rain seemed torrential, coming down in sheets that she could hardly see the lamp glowing in the drive never mind the second one in the distance by the gate. The wind bent the trees and howled through the chimney pots. But there was no sign of a vehicle. Margaret was so right; worrying didn’t help matters one bit. Jason was an excellent driver, of course he would take care, nothing was going to happen to him. Pulling a seat up below the window, she sat down and rested her arms on the window-sill, her chin on her hands, her eyes fastened on the hazy sheen at the end of the drive, its radiance, a beacon guiding Jason home. But as yet it had only succeeded in illuminating the trees, making them appear ghostly and forbidding as they swayed in the wind. Her eyes slowly closed in sleep.
When the noise of crunching gravel finally came and the beam of car headlights swept across her room, Anna wasn’t awake to see or hear. It was only when the barking of a dog filtered into her exhausted brain that she slowly surfaced from sleep. Then her precarious position of leaning on the window ledge proved to be the hazard it was. Her slumbering unsupported body slid gently off the sill and she fell sideways, almost tumbling onto the floor. Jerking awake, she rubbed the elbow that had banged on the edge of the chair. Was that Tess she had heard? She couldn’t be sure but glancing at the clock she saw it was half-past twelve.
She stood and stretched and then started walking about the room, knowing it was impossible to settle down properly until she knew Jason was safely home. There was nothing for it, but to go and see. Anna sneaked out of her room and tiptoed past Ben’s and then Mrs Wilby’s. She knew Jason’s room was on the next landing and up a short flight of seven stairs.
She reached the door and listened, but detecting no sound, turned to go back along the corridor. It was then that she noticed a small sliver of light under the door. Her heart leapt and she knocked very gently. There wasn’t any answer, but wanting to be certain that Jason was actually home, she twisted the handle and put her head round.
The room was empty, but there were signs of occupation, since the small bedside light was on and Jason’s watch lay next to it. His jacket hung on the back of a chair and on the seat lay a buff folder. Looking around, she suddenly realised she could hear the noise of running water coming from an adjoining room and the knowledge he must be taking a shower, made her smile with relief.
She crossed the room, picked up the folder and made herself comfortable in the chair, waiting patiently for him to finish. The folder intrigued her and although not wanting to be inquisitive, she opened the flap and slipped the papers out. After all, she was Jason’s personal assistant and they would probably land on her desk sooner or later.
All of them were about the merchant vessel The Lucky Lady just arrived from Iran with a cargo of carpets and leather goods. Most were customs and excise documents and various other permits relating to the shipment and as Anna read them, she realised that Jason must have had a nightmare of a day, trying to sort out the problem.
She grimaced and looked towards the bathroom, where the noise of running water had now stopped. If he was totally exhausted and chances were he would be, then he would want to sleep as soon as possible. Her presence was going to delay this and anxious not to cause him undue fatigue, she decided to go. Now she was satisfied that all was well, she was content to leave their reunion until the morning.
As she reached out to turn the handle, the bathroom door opened and Jason strode into the bedroom, a towel round his waist, another one about his neck. At first he didn’t see her, since he was busy drying his face, but then his head turned and he gave a cry of delight.
“My goodness! You’re a sight for sore eyes. Come here!”
She was propelled towards him as though he were a magnet. Her arms entwined round his neck, and he covered her face and lips with wonderful warm kisses.
“I thought you were never coming home. I was looking out of the window, but I fell asleep for a few minutes and didn’t hear your car.”
“So you thought you’d come and track me down. Oh, it feels so good to hold you close after the day I’ve had!” His arms tightened round her as he pulled her nearer.
“Was it very bad?” she asked breathlessly.
“W
ell, it could have been better. Who would have thought a ship named The Lucky Lady could be so unlucky.”
“Why was she held up?”
“Just red tape, really. You’d have thought we were gun running instead of importing carpets and leather goods. But things are so tense in the Middle East that everyone gets jittery. The client was with me and he was getting very annoyed. I thought he was going to punch one official on the nose.”
“Would you have stopped him, if he’d tried?” said Anna, smiling.
“No way! He had a great deal of money tied up in the shipment and his lorries and men were standing around idle, so he had a right to lose his temper. We were all relieved when the cargo was released for unloading.” He gave a small chuckle. “And none more so than the captain and his crew. They were keen to get home to their families as soon as possible. Anyway, enough about me. What have you been doing today?”
“Just this and that really. I missed you so much.”
His lips brushed hers briefly, before he lifted his face and smiled mischievously. “Hey! You’re in my room!”
“I know that. So what?”
“But wasn’t that a dangerous thing to do? Coming to my room in the dead of night.”
“Well, my intention was to make sure you were home safely. I don’t know what your intentions are.” He raised his eyebrows, but disappointment crossed his face when she added coyly, “But I know that a gentleman like you, would never take advantage of a lady just because he had the opportunity.”
“Then you’d better go back to your own room, before I forget I’m a gentleman!” In spite of his words, he didn’t let go.
She swallowed painfully. The thought of going back to her lonely room didn’t appeal to her at all, now that the anxieties of the day were finally at an end. She wanted to stay with him, to feel his body close to hers, to satisfy the deep yearning that had been building up inside her. She pressed her cheek into his shoulder and hung onto him for a few seconds more. Tomorrow she would have to tell him everything, but until then there was still tonight.
“Jason.”
“Mmm!” Eyes closed, he was resting his face on top of her head.
“Can I stay with you tonight?” she whispered.
He stood quite still as if contemplating some insurmountable problem. “Do you really mean that, Anna? I told you I can wait.” He rubbed his cheek against her hair.
“I want to stay with you. That’s unless you don’t want me to. I mean, you’ve had such an awful day and you must be tired out.”
His hand moved gently down her back and he gave a low moan. “Sweetheart, invitations like that have a habit of chasing away any tiredness a man might have, believe me!” His arms tightened as he pressed light, soft kisses on her face and neck. “Lord, you smell nice. I could eat you!” Clinging tightly against him, her body started to tingle as he manoeuvred her over towards the bed. Once there, they both toppled on top of the duvet and she peeled off the kimono, letting it fall to the floor. His kisses became more demanding and spread to her shoulders and arms and then finally back to her lips. They slipped between the sheets. Jason threw his towels across the room and helped her out of her nightdress. “You’re so beautiful,” he moaned, his mouth moving to her breasts, his tongue stimulating her nipples so they hardened under his touch. His arm slid under the small of her back, raising her up, as his kisses spread to her stomach.
At first everything seemed so wonderful and she drifted along with the sweet sensation of being loved and desired, responding to his caresses. It was only when his lovemaking became much more sensual and intimate, Anna heard the voice of her husband screaming inside her head, “How dare you criticise me, when your behaviour is no better!”
She stiffened and put her fist to her mouth, pushing the knuckles against her teeth. Tears began to trickle down her face and she let out a mournful sob. Jason had felt her body tense and stopped his caressing. Taking her in his arms, he let her work the tears out of her system, while he kissed her.
“I knew it was too soon,” he sighed.
She sobbed into his shoulder. “I did want us to be together tonight. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”
They clung together, while he stroked her shaking body and murmured words of comfort in her hair. Eventually, the tears subsided and she became still. When he raised his face to look at her, he found she had fallen asleep with complete exhaustion.
He kissed her lips gently. “I know you have a secret, Anna. When are you going to tell me?” he whispered.
CHAPTER SEVEN
In the early hours of the morning, Anna suddenly awoke and was horrified to see she was lying naked in bed next to Jason. She remembered the previous hours and the disaster of their lovemaking, but most of all she was filled with a great sense of propriety and the desire not to be discovered in such a compromising situation by Margaret and the others. His arms were still tightly round her and although she wanted to stay warm and comfortable, she decided she must go. She leaned over and tenderly kissed his sleeping eyes before slipping out of bed. She found her kimono and wrapping it round herself, left the room, closing the door quietly.
The journey back was filled with shadows that jumped out at her as she groped her way along the wall. Only the small night-time noises could be heard, but they were enough to cause her to hasten her steps. Once in her own room, she jumped straight into bed. The sheets were cold against her bare flesh and she shivered. And then she closed her eyes.
It was nine o’clock when Anna finally stirred from sleep. She jumped out of bed and crossed the room to open the window and breathe in the cool, fresh country air; the glory of the day spread before her. The rain had stopped and the sun shone brightly in a brilliant blue sky. The branches on the trees swayed slightly with the breeze and she could smell the sweet moisture of the grass.
There was a knock on her door. Closing the window, she reached for her robe and covered herself, since she was still in the same state of nakedness she had been in when returning to her own bed. Jason was standing in the corridor, already up and dressed and carrying an oyster-pink nightgown over his arm.
“You left this last night.”
“Oh, you haven’t come here carrying my nightie, have you!” she cried in alarm, looking out to see if there was anyone about.
“Everyone’s at breakfast, Anna. They’ll be off to church soon. It was quite safe.”
“But what would’ve happened if your mother had seen you!”
“You do worry about what people are going to say, don’t you. Is that why you left me last night? Because you didn’t want anyone to see us in bed together.”
Grabbing the nightgown from his arm, she pulled him into the room, astonished at his brashness.
“Shhh! Someone might hear you!”
“We are consenting adults, you know. What we decide to do is nobody’s business but our own.”
“I know it is, but I’d feel embarrassed if they found out.”
“Really? And there’s me thinking of telling them at breakfast.” He was teasing her, but Anna stared past him, her expression serious.
“I don’t want to offend your mother. She’s been so good to me,” she explained anxiously.
“And she likes you a lot.”
“When did she tell you that?”
“Yesterday morning, before I set off for Bristol. In fact, she said I should consider settling down again since being forty, time is not on my side.”
“You’re having me on! She wouldn’t say that so soon after Kiera.”
“Well, Mother has a habit of moving on with life.”
Anna felt a coldness pass over her. Was he going to ask her to marry him? The explanation of her situation was awkward enough as employer and employee, but after last night it had become distressing now they had become romantically involved.
She decided to get rid of him. “Go away, Jason! Let me get dressed. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”
She pushed him out of the roo
m, but failed to avoid his sudden grasp and the kiss he placed firmly on her mouth. Then he was gone.
Anna took her time getting dressed and before she left her room, she scrutinised herself in the long mirror. She pulled out her tongue at her reflection and sighed sadly. It was a special day in more ways than one, but who would know that? She went down to breakfast. Margaret, Ben and Mrs Wilby were leaving for church. They all kissed her and wished her a good morning, before disappearing out into the sharp morning air.
In the dining room, Jason sat on his own, reading the paper.
“Don’t you want to go to church?” she asked him, as she took her place and poured herself some coffee from a silver pot.
“I only go if I’m forced to. Anyway, I’ve more important things to do today.”
Anna felt overwhelmed with disappointment. After the events of the previous day, she had hoped to spend a little time with him and get this awful business out of the way. If it had to be delayed any longer, she would become a gibbering idiot.
“Do you have to go somewhere?” Her question came in a small voice, her eyes not daring to meet his.
“Not exactly. I want to give you your birthday present,” he said nonchalantly. He looked up and smiled. “Happy birthday.”
Anna almost choked on her coffee. “How on earth did you know it was my birthday?”
“First of September. It was on your CV,” he said turning the page of his newspaper. He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “After you’ve had your breakfast we’ll go and find your present.”
Her mind started spinning. What did he mean ‘find it’? She nibbled some toast and held back the overpowering desire to ask him more questions. He, on the other hand, became absorbed in his paper and didn’t look up once.
Breakfast over, they stood and he took her hand. “You’ll need your jacket. We’re going outside and it’s a little chilly this morning.”
“What’s this all about, Jason. You’re not playing a joke on me are you?”
“Certainly not! I don’t go around playing practical jokes on people.” She squinted eagerly at his expression, trying to understand, but all she saw was his charming smile and an intriguing glint in his eyes.
