‘Anything,’ I say eagerly, keen to help in any way. ‘Just name it.’
‘I’m glad that this job with Dubrovski has come to an end now, a little earlier than we anticipated. If you’re willing, then I’ll need you to help with the business. If you take it on, you’ll have to take over a great deal of my work. You can turn to me for advice, of course, but I won’t always be there from day to day. You’ll have to manage on your own, although Jane will help. Do you think you can do that?’
‘Of course I can.’ I’m delighted that there’s a way I can lighten his burden while he tackles the illness. ‘I’ve learned a lot from you and I’ll look after everything very carefully, I promise.’
Mark smiles at me. ‘Thank you. Your salary will be adjusted to be commensurate with your new responsibilities. But I’m afraid there’s something else that may not appeal to you quite as much.’
I look at him enquiringly. ‘What is it?’ Then I add, ‘I don’t mind, I’ll do anything that will help you, you know that.’
He gazes back at me, his expression apologetic. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to go St Petersburg with Dubrovski to have the Fra Angelico assessed at the Hermitage. There’s no way I can make such a trip. Can you do that for me, Beth? I know it’s a lot to ask.’
I can only stare back at him and stutter, ‘Of course, it’s no problem,’ but inside my heart is sinking.
Just when I thought I was free of him.
Chapter Nineteen
Laura senses my misery that evening, but I can’t begin to tell her about the situation with Dominic, or that I still haven’t heard from him. Instead, I explain about Mark’s illness.
‘Oh, Beth, that’s terrible, poor Mark! No wonder you’re so upset. That’s just awful,’ she says. Her sympathy makes everything worse, and I end up weeping it all out again on her shoulder.
‘You just need to be strong for Mark,’ she says, hugging me. ‘I know you will be – you can let it all out when you’re with me. He said his chances were good, you’ve got to hang on to that.’
I nod, and dry my eyes. ‘He wants to me to go to St Petersburg for him at the end of this week.’
‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it? You’ve never been to Russia, it sounds like an amazing opportunity.’ Laura’s expression is hopeful. She really wants to cheer me up.
‘I’ll be with Andrei, that’s all,’ I say dully. ‘We’re not getting on very well.’
‘Why not?’
I gaze into her candid eyes and feel rotten at not coming completely clean. I really want to confide in her about everything that’s happened but I don’t know where to start. Besides, it could lead to me having to explain things I’m really not ready to share. I shrug. ‘I don’t know. He’s busy. This deal...’
‘Have you had a chance to talk to Dominic?’
I shake my head and feel the weight of depression falling on me again. ‘He’s busy too.’
Laura frowns. ‘Now, come on, Beth, this isn’t like you. Where’s your fighting spirit? So Andrei’s being off with you? Charm him when you travel with him to Russia and win him back on your side. And if Dominic’s busy, well... tell him to make time for you, or else!’
I laugh despite myself. She makes it all sound so simple. ‘I’ll try,’ I say.
‘You can do better than that. I know Mark’s illness is a blow but it’s something to deal with. That’s what life is, right?’
‘Right.’ I feel better listening to her.
‘So go out and get ’em!’
Laura’s pep talk is what I need. I’m still tormented by the situation with Dominic but now I feel that when I do see him, I’m going to demand answers. He’s going to tell me the truth, the whole truth, once and for all. If he turns out to be a liar and a cheat, I’ll handle that and walk away with my pride intact. If he isn’t, he still has some explaining to do.
I hope with all my heart that he’s not sleeping with Anna – not just because of the pain of betrayal but because I’m beginning to understand quite how devious and unpleasant she is. It’s a puzzle though – why is she set on wrecking my relationship with Dominic when she’s happily loved up with Andrei? Or, if she’s sleeping with Dominic, why is he happy for her to sleep with Andrei too? Possible answers and what-ifs float through my mind and soon I’m envisaging so many strange scenarios that I can’t begin to grapple with them all.
Rein in your imagination, I instruct myself. Stick to the facts, like James does, and be logical. That’s the only way out of this unholy mess.
Somehow I manage to get to sleep, but I’m woken in the night by a text message coming through to my phone. I pick it up and click on it so that the screen illuminates, glowing bright in the darkness. It’s Dominic, at last.
Sorry, honey, it’s been so crazy here. We’re still going at 3 a.m.! But this thing is going to be finished in the next two hours, one way or the other. It looks like it’s going our way though. I’m going to get some sleep afterwards but I want to see you tonight, okay? I’ll text again later. Dx
Another text follows almost at once:
Hey, I hope I didn’t wake you! Forgot you would probably be asleep. Sleep tight, honey, see you tomorrow. x
I stare at the message for ages. He sounds completely normal, as though he has nothing to hide. And the moment I’ve been longing for is finally almost here, when Dominic will be free of this Gordian knot of a deal, and then free of Andrei. And Anna...
But rather than feeling happy, I’m apprehensive. So it’ll be tonight, then – the moment when I find out the truth.
In the morning, my eyes are dry and I feel groggy from my broken night. It took over an hour to get back to sleep after Dominic’s messages. I’d better warn him not to text me in the middle of the night again unless it’s a real emergency. Another message is waiting on my phone when I get back from my shower.
Success!!! We’re done!!! I’m heading home to sleep, I’ll see you later. Can’t wait. x
I close it. So that’s it. Dominic’s a rich man, Andrei’s even wealthier. He can start making his dreams come true.
But at the moment, I have no idea if I want to be a part of those dreams, or not.
I’m on my way to Mark’s house when I get a message from Andrei asking me to call in at Albany, so I change my route. I guess he’s back from the all-night session and has seen the results of my work. He either loves it or hates it.
Surely he can’t hate it, I think as I climb on a bus headed up Piccadilly. A cold chill makes me shiver lightly despite the dark coat I’m wearing. Unless he hates the Fragonard. I might have got that badly wrong. Oh well, I guess I’m about to find out.
I’d thought that the end of this hanging commission would mean the end of my relationship with Dubrovski but I see that isn’t the case – at least, not yet. While Mark is ill, I’m going to be working directly for him. As long as he knows he can’t push me around, I suppose we’ll manage to get along for as long as we have to.
I walk back into Albany. I thought I’d left for good but here I am again, going along the covered walkway, looking at the huge lanterns suspended from the ceiling. The bodyguard, still silent and stony-faced, answers my knock on the front door and lets me in. I go through to the drawing room, struck again by the transformation that the hanging of the pictures has wrought. They bring soul and character to the apartment.
Napoleon is still there, hanging where I first found him, glamorous and warlike on his charger. I wish for a moment my little reader was opposite him as I once imagined but I’m happy with the choices I’ve made. A series of Impressionist oils of gardens, in tones of green, orange, gold and lavender, bring the note of serenity I’d looked for, to balance the fury and violence opposite.
I’m still considering the effect, when Andrei walks in, his hair still wet from a shower.
‘Beth!’ he says when he sees me, a huge smile on his face. He walks towards me and takes my hand, shaking it hard, and before I know what’s happening, he’s pressed two strong kisse
s on to my cheeks. ‘I want to thank you. I’ve just taken a shower with the most beautiful girl you can imagine.’
Anna? I think, then suddenly realise what he means. ‘The Fragonard—’
His blue eyes are almost warm as he smiles down at me. ‘She’s gorgeous. What an inspired choice. I love her.’
‘I’m delighted,’ I say sincerely. I really am thrilled he likes the painting. Then he adopts a solemn expression.
‘Did she cost a very great deal?’ he asks seriously.
‘Yes,’ I say simply.
‘Good!’ He roars with laughter. ‘And as from today, we can afford plenty more. Mark can choose them, and you can hang them for me.’ He gazes at me for a moment, and says, ‘I know things have been difficult between us, but I hope we can continue to work together.’
‘Andrei, like I said, I want to be your friend,’ I say quickly, ‘and that’s the point – being your friend is all I want to be. Nothing more.’
‘I understand and accept, naturally. It would be dishonourable to do anything else.’ His expression is grave and I can’t help believing him. Then something occurs to me.
‘But Andrei, has Mark been in touch with you?’
He shakes his head.
‘Let’s sit down. I’ve got something to tell you.’
We sit together on the sofa and Andrei listens as I explain the new situation. At once he is on his feet, striding about, reaching for his phone. ‘I’ll find the best specialists in the world,’ he says. ‘We’ll have Mark flown wherever he can get the best treatment. I’ll take care of the bills.’
I get up too and put a hand on his arm to restrain him. ‘No, Andrei. You mustn’t interfere. Mark is handling it at the moment, he wouldn’t like you taking over. I’ll let you know if you can be of real help to him if that time comes.’
He stands still and stares at me, his blue eyes glowering slightly. Then his expression softens. ‘“No, Andrei”,’ he says in a low voice. ‘Very few people say that to me without regretting it.’ We stare at one another for a moment. I refuse to look away and then he relents. ‘All right. I’ll do as you say. As long as you promise to let me know when I can help.’ His eyes soften. ‘I’m sorry, Beth. I know how fond you are of Mark. I am, too. It’s very sad news.’
I think of Mark, so gaunt and thin and ill, but so brave, treating his illness with such contempt he won’t even name it. My eyes fill with tears and I blink hard. I don’t want to cry in front of Andrei but he must see anyway, because he puts a comforting arm around my shoulder. ‘There, there, Beth. It will be all right.’
‘It’s one thing money can’t buy,’ I say, still a little choked but managing to control myself. ‘Good health.’ I think of something I ought to tell him. ‘And it looks as though I’ll be going with you to St Petersburg – if you still want the Fra Angelico assessed.’
He raises his eyebrows with surprise. ‘Ah! Of course, Mark cannot go.’ He smiles at me. ‘Well, I hope you will get something from this trip, despite your hatred of being with me.’
‘I don’t hate you,’ I protest, anxious that he thinks the very worst of me. ‘I was rude to you when we last met, and I’m sorry for that. Can we start afresh, now that we’re going to be working together?’
‘I would like that very much,’ he says softly, staring at me. ‘And I’m very glad to hear that you don’t hate me.’
There’s a long moment and I feel that ripple in the air between us again, the crackle of something connecting and causing a spark. Oh no. I don’t need this. ‘How is Anna?’ I say pointedly. I wonder if she is in Andrei’s bed at this moment, if they’ve been celebrating the closing of the deal in their traditional way. I never want to see her again, but perhaps it won’t be possible to avoid her now that I’m working with Andrei again. I wonder briefly what I’ll say and how I’ll feel when she walks into a room I’m in. I’ll handle her, don’t worry about that.
‘Anna is no longer in my employment,’ Andrei says in a throwaway manner. ‘We have agreed that it is better if she works elsewhere.’
Because it’s not ethical to be fucking your employee? Is this so that you two can be together properly? I’m startled by a violent emotion that rushes up inside me. I know for sure that I don’t want Andrei to marry Anna, not at all. Why? The question echoes through my mind but I instantly supply the answer. Because she’s one crazy bitch who cannot be trusted! She’ll make his life hell. And I would hate someone like her to get the satisfaction.
Yes, that’s it. I don’t want to see her devious nature rewarded with Andrei’s love. It’s not right. But, I remind myself, it’s also not my problem.
‘I hope you’ll be very happy together,’ I say firmly.
‘What?’ Andrei frowns, puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You and Anna. Are you making your relationship public now?’
His face clears and he laughs. ‘No, Beth. She’s out of my life for good. Completely. In every sphere. You don’t need to worry about that.’
‘I’m not worried,’ I say crossly. We’re not starting this again, are we? ‘Why have you broken up with her?’
‘I think I will keep that to myself but suffice it to say, I have my reasons.’
I flush, embarrassed. ‘I’m sorry, it’s none of my business. Please forgive me.’
‘Certainly I will,’ he says pleasantly. ‘Perhaps one day I will explain. But not now.’
I’m still feeling awkward, though, so I reach for my bag. ‘I’d better be going, Andrei. I’m so glad you’re happy with the pictures.’
‘Yes, I am,’ he replies simply. ‘I knew you would do an excellent job, and you have.’
‘Let me know about the arrangements for St Petersburg.’
‘I will have Marcia send you all the necessary details.’ He smiles at me. ‘Until then, Beth.’
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Until then.’
I go back to Mark’s house, feeling a little lighter in my mind. Anna is out of the Dubrovski organisation. The news is very welcome. I was dreading having to see her again and now I won’t have to. I wonder why Andrei has taken that step, and then it occurs to me that perhaps Anna wasn’t sacked, but she did what Dominic intends to do and resigned immediately the dotted lines of the deal were signed.
Another thought floats into my mind. What if she and Dominic are planning to go into business together? What if they are lovers, and now want to be business partners as well?
It’s a horrible, bitter idea that makes me feel sick. Then I remember that tonight, I’ll know everything.
Mark is resting when I arrive at the house, so I go into the office and start making myself acquainted with the current state of affairs. I’m poring over some invoices when there’s a knock on the door and Mark’s maid Gianna comes in.
‘A parcel has just been delivered for you, miss,’ she says, bringing it over to me. It’s a small cardboard box.
‘Thank you, Gianna.’ When she’s gone, I open it. Within it is another box, a dark green one this time, and a small card with the monogrammed A. On the card is written in scrawled handwriting:
This time, take them, for God’s sake! With my thanks, A
I open the box and there they are, the gorgeous red ruby earrings that I left in the guest bedroom at Andrei’s after the party. It looks like they are going to be hard to get rid of, if Andrei has anything to do with it. I laugh softly, admiring their beautiful depth of colour. Well, perhaps I can accept them. After all, if I made commission on the Fragonard, I would easily be able to afford them... I guess I can take them in that spirit.
I write a thank-you note to Andrei, accepting the earrings, and put it on the tray for posting later. I put the earrings on, and look at their lustrous gleam in the mirror. They are proper jewels. I’ll treasure them.
Then I try to concentrate on my work and put the upcoming conversation with Dominic out of my mind.
Chapter Twenty
The expression on Dominic’s face as he opens the door to his apartmen
t makes me feel even more wretched. He’s beaming, his eyes are sparkling and he’s radiating energy and excitement. He looks happier than I’ve seen him for a long time.
This deal has obviously been weighing down on him hard. He even looks younger than he did when I last saw him.
Beth!’ He gives me a smacking kiss on the lips and grabs my hand. ‘It’s wonderful to see you.’ He pulls me inside the apartment and as soon as we are in the hall, he gets me into a dancing hold and skips me round the apartment as if we’re at a barn dance. ‘It’s over!’ he whoops. ‘We’re free!’ And he crows and cheers as he whirls me about, until I’m laughing and breathless, unable to resist his good mood. At last he stops and we flop down onto the sofa together. I look around the room. It’s so masculine and stylish, in its tones of black and taupe. I realise that I haven’t been in here since Dominic left. We’ve spent all our time together in the boudoir two floors above, which Dominic acquired especially to provide a private place for our adventurous play.
He takes my hand in his and smiles as he stares into my eyes. ‘I can’t tell you how happy I am, Beth. The deal is done, my funds are secured. Tomorrow, I’m going to resign. Then we’re both free. I feel like a new man. It’s fantastic.’
I try to smile but it twists somehow on my lips. This is awful. What should be a wonderful, joyous moment has been utterly poisoned for me by what Anna told me. Lies? Or the truth?
Dominic is frowning at me, his expression puzzled. ‘What’s wrong?’
I can’t speak. I can only look down at his large hand wrapped around mine – his smooth, lovely hand that’s brought me such pleasure – and feel a lump in my throat. I want so badly to believe that everything is all right, that he loves me and that Anna is a devious meddler who wants to wreck everything between us... but there are questions that need answering before my faith can be restored. I hate the doubts, I want them out of my head, but they’re tenacious. Only Dominic has the power to exorcise them.
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