by Jane Corrie
Kent was miserably aware of what he meant. He really did think her a simpleton, and she couldn't blame him; she was finding it hard to believe they were actually having a conversation on these lines,
and as for warning her to keep her distance ... well, really ! Her grey green eyes met his squarely. `Do you honestly think I'd behave like that?' she asked bluntly.
He shrugged his powerful shoulders. 'As I said, that ring can sorta change things.'
'Well, you have my word it won't make ,the slightest difference to me,' she snapped back at him. 'I'm booked, remember?' She frowned as a thought occurred to her, then asked suddenly, 'Why is it necessary to get married? Couldn't we pretend to be engaged? I'd still have your protection, wouldn't I?'
For this she received another pitying look. 'As I've said,' he murmured, 'you don't know much, do you? Point one,' he began, by ticking off one square-shaped finger. 'We're short of accommodation; the men are having to bunk up as it is. Even Tony Sims has to share with two other administration staff. Point two,' another finger was ticked off, 'I make a rule of camping out away from the operating area. It's necessary, not only from the stress side of things, and I also have to have somewhere to entertain our clients—in this case a very rich oil man, and to lay it on the line, a very devout Roman Catholic who is quite likely to cut up rough when he finds you in residence on his next visit; any more questions?'
Kent thought about this for a while. In a way all he said made sense, although she wasn't quite sure about the oil man—things were different these days,
weren't they? However, on second thoughts she decided not to put forward this query, she might not like the way Matt answered it, so she gave a slight shrug and said coldly, 'None,' adding haughtily, 'And you've nothing to fear from me. I just don't happen to be promiscuous.'
'What if I suddenly demanded my rights?' he drawled casually, his eyes roaming insolently over her slight figure.
Kent was not in the least shocked. She knew he was baiting her; slowly she was beginning to understand this man. Giving him a considering look, she said, 'I wouldn't advise you to try,' and added dryly, 'Contrary to what some people think, it's not that easy, so stop trying to bait me.'
Matt grimaced in mock alarm. 'Now I can see the old man in you,' he said.
'Good,' she replied crisply, feeling on a firmer footing with him. 'Now we can get down to brass tacks. You can't afford to buy me out, at least, not straightaway, that's what it amounts to, doesn't it?' she said, and not waiting for his answer carried on in the same business-like tone, `so we have to put up a front to preserve certain sensibilities,' she shrugged. 'We marry.'
Matt grinned satirically. 'Are you proposing, ma'am?' he asked with some amusement.
Kent got up swiftly; she was furious. She had tried to keep things on a business footing and here he was making a game of it. 'When you feel more able to
discuss this matter in a sober manner I'll be in my room,' she ground out, and walked to the door. 'Hold it ! '
Kent turned round slowly, her brows raised at the terse command. He was no longer amused; nor was his voice.
'I'm good and sober now,' he grated out. 'I guess for a second I found it amusing to find my future mapped out for me by a slip of a kid.'
Kent's eyes sparked green shoots. 'I am twenty-three years of age. Mr King. and I would advise you to keep that in mind in future and something else you might care to think about. I'm not used to having my future mapped out for me by a complete stranger either ! '
Matt's eyes narrowed. 'A stranger?' he repeated slowly.
Kent flushed; without him her father's business would have collapsed years ago. and he knew it, she thought wretchedly. 'I beg your pardon,' she said stiffly. 'But we hadn't met, had we?'
For a second or two he said nothing, but continued to survey her with ice-flecked eyes, then he said quietly, 'I shall expect a few more apologies from you—in fact, a hell of a lot more if you keep up this boss's daughter attitude. It cuts no ice with me, lady. I'm the boss now—get that into your high and mighty head. From now on you do as you're told. I'd dearly like to tell you and your money-grabbing boyfriend to get lost, but your father kinda fixed things
good, didn't he? So we're stuck with it.'
He surveyed her coldly. 'Okay, we marry; but get this good, you try and overstep the relationship and you'll be asking for trouble. I've nothing to lose— you've plenty, so don't annoy me. If you've any sense you'll keep out of my way. There's plenty of work for you at the plant; I believed your father when he said you were good at your job; he wasn't given to understatements.' He waved a casual arm towards the door. 'There's also plenty of room here. The wing you're in, will remain yours. Don't develop any wifely habits, will you? such as clearing up the place. I don't give a damn what you do in your section, but stay out of mine or take the consequences. In my book, there's only one place for a woman, and only then when necessary.'
Kent stood rooted to the spot, feeling as if she had been hit by a cyclone hr eys echoing her feelings.
Taking in her reaction, he nodded grimly. 'I thought you'd appreciate a few home truths,' he said caustically. 'You're pretty fond of handing them out yourself, aren't you? Well, now we know where we stand. I suggest we get it over on Saturday.'
Her mouth was dry. By `get it over'. he meant the marriage. She hadn't really thought of what marriage to him would mean. and now he had spelled it out sufficiently enough to make her want to head for the hills!
To have to watch her words and bite back sharp retorts, in fact to completely change her nature-
for a whole year? She couldn't do it I She had never had to mince her words, she had too much of her father in her. What had he called Jack? 'Your money-grabbing boy-friend'. Kent swallowed. Wasn't it true? Wasn't that why it had hurt so much before? What other man would calmly wave his beloved off on a trip thousands of miles away—and not even complain about the time factor? Even now, she could hear Jack's smooth voice assuring her that time would pass quickly, they both had so much to do. Even when the situation was explained to him, Kent couldn't see him complaining. He would point out that a clever woman could manipulate strings to avoid unpleasantness.
It all depended, she thought sourly, on the other half of the act, and as she stole a surreptitious look at Matt still closely watching her, she had to admit she wasn't at all clever!
There was a lot she had been prepared to do for Jack, but not this! She didn't care about the money, and at this moment in time she didn't much care about Jack, she could do without both!
On reaching this decision she found herself once more in control of her own destiny, and felt slightly lightheaded.
'Well?'
Kent jumped and came out of her reverie; the answer was a loud No, and as much as she wanted to shout it out at him, she made herself reply sedately, 'I don't think so, do you?' and almost grinned at his
surprised expression, quickly masked as she went on, 'I'm very grateful to you for pointing out the snags. As you said, I didn't quite realise the entailments. The whole situation is impossible. I'm sure a clever lawyer can get us out of it—and if he can't,' she went on airily, 'it doesn't matter anyway, the firm is yours now. I shall go home,' she said stoutly. 'I'll have no trouble in getting a job.'
'Got enough for the return fare?' he drawled.
Kent started and flushed. She had a horrible thought that he knew how she was placed, and he did!
'I really scared you, didn't I?' Matt said softly, making her flush deepen. 'And what about Jack? Won't he be a trifle disappointed?'
Kent swallowed but held her chin out defiantly. 'He'll understand,' she said, trying to make her voice sound firm. It was a lie, and Matt knew it was a lie, but she had to try to keep up appearances.
'What exactly are you afraid of?' he asked abruptly. 'That I'll overstep the line, or don't you trust yourself ?'
'Neither,' she lied; adding hotly, 'can't you understand, I want to go home!'
'Where's hom
e?' he asked casually, too casually, and Kent's fears that he knew a lot more about her situation than he had let on were now realised.
'Shall we stop beating about the bush?' he said brusquely. 'Perhaps if I told you I received a letter from my late partner sent directly after his death, it
may persuade you to be a bit more forthcoming. For instance, you have no home as such; your father's lease on the luxury flat he rented ran out on his death. I didn't see much point in his giving me such information at the time. I just thought he was underlining the fact that, and here I quote, "Kent will have no home to return to when the university period is up." No mention, you see, that Kent just happened to be a girl. I was still labouring under the impression that his heir was a son, and judging by the way the letter was framed, that he wished me to take him into the business and keep a weather eye on him.'
Kent had an uncomfortable feeling he was going to swing the 'I feel responsible for you' argument at her and quickly intervened, But I am a girl—and it's all been a ghastly mix-up. It's not your fault— and I can afford the fare back.' At least, she told herself it wasn't a direct lie; she had enough to get her to the United States, where she hoped to be able to get some sort of employment to enable her to save for the ticket home.
'Jack financed you, did he?' he shot out at her.
`No—at least, I didn't need financing,' she replied, hastily recovering from her earlier slip. If she'd had her wits about her she would, have replied yes, to that, and saved any further embarrassment.
Matt gave her a long considering look, and said softly, 'Shall I tell you what I think? I don't think you've enough on you to get as far as the United
States! And I'll tell you why; apart from what your father said in the letter, I knew him pretty well. I'd bet my last dollar he didn't leave you one red cent; he wouldn't risk your Jack getting his hands on it. Now,' he said meeting her startled eyes and locking them in an inescapable hold, 'tell me I'm wrong! '
Vainly trying to break the hold of those blue eyes, Kent was forced to answer against her will. Her voice was weary; she was tired of the fight. She hadn't much to fight with, she thought bitterly. Life had more or less ganged up' on her in more ways than one.
Having forced the truth out of her, Matt was content to leave it at that. `So let's get down to basics,' he said curtly. 'You 'll soon find out my bark's worse than my bite. What I said before still goes, there's work here for you if you really want to earn your living.'
She sensed he was trying to rile her into accepting the situation, but she refused to rise to the bait and kept a wary eye on him.
'A year's not long,' he said. 'And you've plenty to gain—not only in cash, but in experience, too.' He shot her a quick look. 'Forget what I said earlier,' he said gruffly. 'You're as safe as the Bank of England with me. I don't believe in mixing business with pleasure. Bob asked me to look out for you, and I mean to do just that.' He paused for a second or two, then when Kent still didn't speak, he said, 'After the year's up you can either stay with the firm
—we're negotiating for work in Denmark right now—which means conditions will be easier all round, or you can move on and I'll buy you out. It's up to you. An annulment of the marriage will be made,' he added hastily, in case she hadn't quite understood.
It all sounded fair enough, but Kent wished she had as much confidence as he had that it would work out, though she had a nagging suspicion that things weren't going to be that easy.
CHAPTER THREE
Two days was all Kent had to get used to the idea that she had somehow been bulldozed into marrying Matt King.
Thinking about it afterwards, she had to admit she hadn't had much say in the matter. He had got it all cut and dried and presented it in such a way that it would have been downright foolish to disagree with the arrangement. Not only that, but the fact that she was sure he would have taken her refusal as a direct insult, made her hold her tongue when perhaps she might have asked for time to consider his proposal.
Her luggage was brought in, and she was installed in the rear wing of the chalet. There was no complaint about her quarters; there was a room next to her bedroom which could be used as a sitting-room, although it was meant to be a third bedroom, and inspecting it later Kent wondered whether it was possible to locate some furniture, say an easy chair and a table of sorts, although she very much doubted she would have much success. From what she had seen of the chalet furnishings so far it was typical of
rented accommodation; only the bare minimum of requirements had been supplied.
Taking it up with Matt later, she was surprised to find him quite amenable on the subject. 'As long as you leave me something to sit on, and the table in the study, you can have what you want,' he had told her.
Kent hoped she would not have to remove any furniture from the study. it appeared to be the one room Matt used frequently, and she was relieved when a further foray round the chalet produced a room probably used as a utility room, in which oddments of furniture had been stacked, in all probability by Matt to provide him with more space in which to move.
A smile lingered round Kent's mouth as she imagined the big man losing patience with the dainty spindle-legged chairs and no less dainty small ornate occasional tables.
When she had selected what she needed, Juan carried the furniture back for her, and before long . Kent had a reasonably well furnished sitting-room.
They were married in La Paz, the nearest city to the location, a mere ninety miles away. Matt had secured a special licence, and the short ceremony was over before Kent had fully registered the fact, and the ring was being put on her finger.
Staring down at the thick gold band in a kind of daze she vaguely wondered where Matt had got it from; he had had no time to buy a ring. It was de-
finitely a wedding ring and very old. It was also a little on the loose side, she noticed.
Matt's deep voice came through to her bemused senses. 'I do.'
A slightly startled Kent focused her attention on the small American registrar who was officiating at the ceremony, completely unable to look at Matt, for her mind was on an earlier comment of his. 'That ring sorta does things,' he'd said.
Outside in the brilliant sunshine, Matt curtly remarked, 'If you've any shopping to do, I suggest you do it now. I promised to be back by four. You've got thirty minutes.'
Sensing that his abrupt manner was due to embarrassment, Kent pulled herself together. The city was the nearest place she would get to civilisation for quite some time. She frowned in concentration, thinking crossly that if he'd only mentioned this before, she could have made a list of her requirements.
Matt's impatience reached through to her as he said tersely, 'Well?'
Kent shrugged. Perhaps if she wandered around for a while in. the shopping precincts—'Could you meet me somewhere when I'm through?' she asked, devoutly hoping he wouldn't insist on accompanying her.
'Sure,' he answered with no little relief, showing Kent he had as much enthusiasm for accompanying her as she had for his company.
He drove her to the main shopping area, and
after he had parked the car, he pointed to an imposing clutch of buildings in front of them. 'Government buildings,' he said. 'Be outside them in precisely thirty minutes,' and he drove off, leaving Kent feeling slightly bewildered by his curtness.
She stood for a moment or so lost in thought; it was too late to wish she hadn't gone through with the marriage. All her earlier fears looked like being realised from the word go.
Gazing into the shop windows, she tried to shake off her despondency. The ring on her left hand felt strange and she found her eyes drawn to it as if by a magnet. It was stupid really, she thought; it hadn't changed anything. She was still Kent Stainer, no different from the girl who had arrived but a few days ago.
She paused outside a cosmetic shop. Surely there was something she needed there? If only her brain would start to function again Determinedly entering the store, she told herself it was al
l Matt's fault. If he hadn't put that ridiculous notion in her head of the ring doing things to people, she wouldn't be in this state of nerves.
She was careful not to overspend. She found the items she needed were more costly than she had anticipated. Moisture cream was a must; luxury items like perfumed bath salts, and talcum powder, were just a few purchases she had to forgo because of the price.
As she opened her shoulder bag to pay for the
things she had bought, her eyes fell on a roll of notes lying on the top of her notecase. For a second she stared at it, then with heightened colour she swiftly paid for her purchases, then pushed them into the bag and closed it.
It had to be Matt; but how or when he had put the money there was beyond her understanding. If it had been tucked into a pocket of a dress or suit, she would have understood, but the simple silk dress she wore had no such convenience. He must have put the money in the bag before they started out— she remembered leaving it on the hall table for a short while before they had left.
As she left the store, her eyes pricked with unshed tears. She didn't want his money! She hadn't earned any yet. Had putting the ring on her finger made him feel obliged to make some contribution? Now who was letting the ring change things, she thought grimly, after all he'd said, too!
Steadfastly refusing to even look at anything she might be tempted to buy with his money, Kent started back to the rendezvous.
Although she was early, the Chrysler was waiting for her. Matt roused himself out of his reverie when she arrived, and pointedly looked for her parcels, slightly raising his brows when seeing none.
'It might be a long time before you have another chance like this,' he commented dryly.
She met his eyes squarely and replied quietly, 'I have all I want.' Opening her bag, she brought out
