Dangerous Alliance

by Jane Corrie

  Kent's shocked eyes followed his back as he walked away from her. One very small consolation crept through to her bemused senses—he had believed what she had told him about pretending she loved him. It wasn't much, but it was something. He had as good as told her he thought she was promiscuous;

  his whole attitude had suggested it, not to mention the look in his eyes.

  As such, he would have no respect for her. His warning was a real one indeed. If he thought she was fair game—her breath caught in her throat and a wave of panic assailed her and galvanised her into action. She must find Mr Lawn.

  CHAPTER NINE

  IT seemed an age to Kent before John Lawn joined her in the club lounge; and during her wait she was convinced Oliver had dumped the letter down in some remote spot of his father's room where it wouldn't be found probably until they were due to leave for the airport.

  She had not taken into account that the lunch period in this part of the globe could last from noon to four in the afternoon, and as she worriedly glanced at her watch, which told her the time was two-thirty, she was in two minds whether to 'start looking for him, or to stay, and was on the point of leaving when she saw him enter the room.

  Her relief made her breathless as she greeted him effusively. `I was afraid you hadn't got my letter,' she said.

  John Lawn had known Kent since her childhood and noted her agitation with some concern. Sitting down beside her, he asked gently, `What's wrong, Kent?'

  Kent swallowed hard and resisted the urge to throw herself on to his shoulder and ease some of her

  misery out of her. Instead, she gave him a shaky smile, and murmured, 'Don't look so worried, Uncle John, it's not as bad as all that. I just wanted to ask you something.'

  'Uncle John', as Kent had called him, was now convinced something was seriously wrong. She never used the term 'Uncle' unless she was in trouble, and it was an endearment she hadn't used for years. His grey eyes taking in her flushed face and overbright , eyes, he waited watchfully.

  Kent swallowed again and went on, 'You once said you wanted me to work for you,' and added breathlessly, 'does that still go?'

  Whatever he had expected the trouble to be, it was not this sort of trouble, and his brows raised in surprise as he answered unhesitatingly, 'Of course, just say the word and I'll fix things my end.'

  'Oh, I'll never be able to thank you enough,' she said gratefully, 'I'd like to start as soon as possible, if that's all right with you?' she added hesitantly.

  Nodding gravely, John Lawn pursed his lips in thought for a moment, then asked suddenly, 'Am I to know why you've decided to leave your father's firm?'

  This, Kent thought, could be tricky, but she owed him some sort of an explanation. She sighed, and her fingers traced the pattern of leaves indented on the small table she sat by. 'Did you know Father was going to make me a partner in the firm?' she asked slowly.

  'No—I'm not surprised he did, though,' answered Mr Lawn. 'You were all he had.'

  Kent nodded absentmindedly. 'I don't suppose I was really surprised,' she said, 'only it was the clause that went with it that really put the cat among the pigeons.' She looked up quickly at him as she said this wondering whether he had had any inkling of what had been in her father's mind, but there was no change of expression on Mr Lawn's face, just interest.

  'You see,' she went on carefully, 'I was expected to join the firm forthwith and spend a year on location. If I refused, then I inherited nothing.' She shrugged. 'It didn't seem an unusual request at the time—I mean, I knew Father wanted me to work for the firm. I just didn't,' she added bitterly, 'realise what it entailed.'

  Surprise was clearly shown on John Lawn's face as he commented, 'But you knew about location work, Kent, I would have thought you'd have no trouble in settling down.'

  She eyed him moodily for a moment or so, then said wearily, 'I wouldn't have had, if it hadn't been for the fact that I had to marry Matt King before I could fulfil the conditions in the will.' She eyed the ring on her finger distastefully, and looked back at her companion, noticing with annoyance that his eyes held a definite look of amusement.

  'That,' she said, answering that look with a glint

  in her eye, 'is the way everybody takes it. It's just one big joke.'

  The amusement was still there as he said gently, `I'm sorry, Kent, you have my sympathy, but Matt's the last person one expects to find in this sort of position. beginning to see what was in your father's mind when he put that clause in.'

  'Precisely,' said Kent unhappily, 'and so did Matt! He was absolutely furious, and he had every right to be. He was hardly a willing groom, but he insisted on going through with it, and I let him talk me into it on the grounds that we get an annulment in a year's time, when my stint would be up and I could inherit my half of the business.'

  John eyed the miserable Kent, now back to tracing out the pattern on the table. 'But it didn't work out?' he said gently.

  Her lips straightened as she replied, No—and it never will. It was hardly the basis for a happy partnership, was it? Oh, I admit I was partly to blame at the start, I was so furious to find myself in such an embarrassing position I guess I took it out on Matt, and vice versa. We just fought it out round by round.'

  'He could have sent you to the London office,' John mused thoughtfully.

  Kent looked at him pensively. 'Tony Sims said

  much the same thing,' she said slowly, 'but if that were so, I think I know why he didn't. You see, Father wrote a letter to him to be sent after his

  death. I haven't read it, but I gather he asked him to look out for me. Matt, thinking I was a boy, didn't think much about the request at the time, when he found out I wasn't,' she shrugged, 'he was stuck with me. I guess he felt—still feels—responsible for me. I don't care about the money,' she declared passionately, 'I hate the position I'm in, and I don't want to be beholden to Matt King, either. I want to earn my living,' she cast him a pleading look, 'and that's why I want you to give me a job.'

  Patting her on the hand, John said sadly, 'Poor Kent! I blame myself for all this, you know.'

  She looked at him, puzzled. 'It's not your fault, Uncle John,' she began, but he shook his head slowly.

  'If I hadn't lost touch with your father during these last few years,' he said quietly, 'I don't think you would have been landed in this predicament. Oliver, you see,' he said gently. 'I'm afraid I devoted all my time to his welfare, seeing specialist after specialist, hoping for some sort of miracle,' he sighed. 'I had no right to desert all my friends. Bob would have left you in my care, if things had been different. As it was, I don't suppose he felt he wanted to worry me,' he smiled at Kent. 'However, things are different now. I'll have a word with Matt. He knows Bob and I were close friends, and I'm sure there'll be no objection to my taking on your welfare. As far as the inheritance goes, I'm sure something will be worked out, Matt's a just man, and

  he'll see that you're well provided for?

  About to make an objection to his reporting their conversation to Matt, Kent, after a second's thought, had to admit to herself that he would have to be told. John Lawn couldn't very well snatch her off the site without Matt's consent. Not if he wanted to retain friendly relations with him!

  It wasn't as if she had gone behind his back, he knew how she felt, and hadn't he told her to stay away from him? There couldn't have been a better solution.

  'I'd like to join you as soon as possible,' Kent said wistfully. 'I'll try and get a flight on Monday if I can.'

  'Why not come back with us tonight?' he said suddenly. 'Or is it a question of packing?'

  Kent brightened visibly. 'Could I?' she said quickly. 'I've got everything I brought over with me—I didn't bring all that much. Oh, Uncle John, if only I could! '

  'Just leave it to me,' he answered with a smile and getting up said, 'I'd better make those reservations straight away. All you have to do is make your farewells I Oh, by the way,' he turned back to Kent, 'have you any idea where Matt is
now?'

  Thinking of what Matt had said when she had asked that very question, Kent blushed, and Mr Lawn, mistaking the reason, said hurriedly, 'Well, never mind, I suppose he'll be in to dinner later.'

  Kent's heart was light as she made her way to the

  pool to find Tony and advise him of her departure. But his surprise and doubtful, 'Does Matt know?' quelled her spirits for a moment.

  `Not yet,' she said quickly. 'If he's not back for dinner, Mr Lawn will have to leave him a note. We're catching the nine o'clock flight.'

  `He won't like that,' predicted Tony gloomily. 'He likes first-hand information.'

  `Well, he'll have to put up with it!' snapped Kent. 'And I think you'll find this is one lot of information he won't mind receiving second-hand.'

  `Any idea where he is?' queried Tony.

  Kent's lips straightened. `No, I haven't!' she answered crossly. 'My hair is not red, in case you haven't noticed.'

  Tony laid an arm around her shoulders, 'Poor Kent,' he smiled.

  `If anybody else says "Poor Kent" to me, I'll ... I'll ...' she faltered, lost for words, then went on determinedly, `I'm sick of people feeling sorry for me, even if Matt,' she gulped dangerously close to tears, 'well, you know what I mean,' she got out. 'I'm sure he was right, Tony, when he said the altitude was affecting me. When I get back to London, I'll be okay, you just see if I'm not,' she stated stoutly.

  Tony's soothing, 'Sure,' did nothing to help her low spirits, and she soon said her final goodbye and thanked him for his help.

  `I'll look you up,' he called as she made her way back to the clubhouse, 'and bring some sweets for

  the kids you're sure to have hanging round your skirts when I next see you ! '

  Her eyes were bright with unshed tears as she walked towards her room. She might as well pack and be done with it. She could leave her suitcase with the porter ready for departure, that way she wouldn't run the risk of meeting Matt on her own. She was having dinner with John Lawn and Oliver, and she could safely leave John Lawn to do all the talking if Matt did turn up for dinner.

  Her suitcase was half packed when the event she was hoping to avoid took place, and Matt stood in the doorway glaring at her.

  'I'd appreciate it if you'd let me know your plans in future,' he said furiously. 'I've just had an enlightened talk with John Lawn. Seems you're all-fired set to join his company.'

  Eyeing him warily, Kent said nothing; he wasn't through yet.

  'Thinking of making a takeover bid, were you?' he asked silkily.

  Stung to answer, she replied indignantly, 'Of course not ! ' She gave him a look of dislike. 'I'm taking your advice, aren't I? So I'm joining Lawn Engineering.'

  'And you'll go on taking my advice,' he said grimly. 'You're not joining Lawn Engineering for a start! ' he all but shouted at her.

  'Just who's going to stop me?' _she queried with the light of battle in her grey green eyes, knowing

  the answer full well; the large chunk of masculinity standing in front of her!

  Not even bothering to answer such a stupid question, Matt carried on as if she hadn't spoken. 'In case you've forgotten,' he said pithily, 'you're a partner in this firm, and partners don't walk out of one firm and into another.'

  'Well, this one does,' Kent re-joined moodily. 'I've resigned—or whatever it is one does. No matter what you say, I'm going!'

  'Scared I might get under your guard again?' he said softly.

  Kent flushed; he was referring to last night again, and he would go on referring to it as long as she was around to taunt.

  Meeting his eyes firmly, she nodded noticing with a little satisfaction the start he gave at her reluctant admission. 'In a way, you're right,' she said coldly. 'You once asked me if I was afraid of you. I wasn't then. I am now. Any more questions?' she asked, fearing the answer.

  Matt's lips thinned as he replied harshly, 'A hell of a lot more, but they can wait for now.' His eyes left hers and fastened on the bedroom window, now narrowed in thought. 'It might be best, at that,' he said abruptly. 'Okay—you leave.'

  Her heartbeats increased; he was releasing her?

  Turning back to face her, Matt caught the look of utter relief on her face and a sardonic glint appeared in his eyes. 'Here, I mean: not the firm,' he

  said bluntly. 'You'll go to our London office. I've no objection to your travelling back with Lawn,' he added autocratically, 'but in case you've forgotten one other little detail,' his eyes went to her hand, the one with his ring on, 'you're still Mrs King. What I said before still goes, and it goes for my wife too— paper marriage or no paper marriage, and Matt King's wife does not join the opposition. Savvy?'

  Kent did 'savvy', guiltily remembering Tony's remarks about Matt marrying her in good faith. She hadn't thought out the consequences of her joining Lawn Engineering. As far as the business world was concerned Stainer Construction and Lawn Engineering were rivals, had been for years, and she could well imagine how the news would be met by outsiders. Matt would become a target for snide remarks and gossipmongering.

  She swallowed painfully. As usual he was right; she could not join Lawn Engineering. Unable to look at him, she said quietly, 'Very well, I join our London firm.'

  There was a pregnant silence after her slow but distinct capitulation.

  Matt's next words made her glance swiftly up at him. 'You'll have to come to terms with it one day,' he drawled.

  Kent stared at him; come to terms with what? She thought crossly that she would never understand him. She turned away from him and started her packing, hoping he would leave.

  Her hopes were fulfilled as he walked to the door, but he had one last snipe at her before he left. 'No farewell kiss?' he asked goadingly, showing a flash of white teeth at her sudden flush, then he said airily, 'You know, in some cases, absence does make the heart grow fonder,' and was gone before Kent could think up a suitable rejoinder to this, to her way of thinking, sarcastic jibe.

  In other words, he was glad to see the back of her!

  CHAPTER TEN

  KENT spent the night of the first day back with the Lawn family at their London home.

  John Lawn's easy acceptance of the fact that she would not now be joining his firm immediately removed the anxiety she had felt on hearing Matt's adamant stipulation that she must stay with Stainer Construction.

  That Matt had made his views known to John Lawn was also apparent by the knowledgeable smile he had given Kent on her slightly embarrassed explanation that she had decided to stay with her father's firm.

  Everything, she found, had been catered for, even where she would stay, and this caused her some trepidation when she realised the quarters assigned to her above their London office premises was Matt's personal flat. She would have much preferred to have stayed with the Lawn family, and they would have been only too pleased to accommodate her, but here again, it appeared Matt had forestalled her in the choice of accommodation as it was John Lawn who had told her of the arrangement.

  At first, Kent had found it hard to believe she was expected to take over his flat, but after giving the matter a little thought she came to the undeniable conclusion that he was making sure she behaved herself. No doubt her comings and goings would be noted by the office manager's family who occupied the adjoining apartment. So collecting the rest of her luggage that she had left with a student friend of hers, prior to leaving for Bolivia, she moved into the flat.

  Due to start work the following day, she had the best part of that day to settle in, and after ascertaining which of the two bedrooms was the guest room, started to unpack her belongings.

  It was what might be considered a luxury flat, that included a reasonably sized dining room, lounge, and small study off the dining room, plus the usual offices. When she had unpacked, she wandered round the flat acclimatising herself to her new surroundings. It was not as austere as she had thought it might be. The flat had a homely atmosphere that surprised her, for she had expected to find only the barest necessit
ies, instead she found a home, somewhere where one could relax from everyday pressures.

  The dark green velvet suite she found in the lounge was made for comfort rather than show, even though its rich upholstery discreetly suggested wealth; as did the rest of the furnishings.

  Nothing ostentatious, and all in good taste, and as

  Kent gazed about her she had to admit there was not one piece of furniture, or one shade of colour she would have changed, providing, of course, she was ever given the opportunity!

  Her eye caught a small framed photograph on a bureau and she walked over to it for closer inspection. It was an old print of a middle-aged woman, and she was certain she was looking at a photograph of Matt's mother. Had it been in colour, she was sure the woman's eyes would be the same brilliant blue as her son's.

  Gazing at it, Kent sighed. She wouldn't have thought Matt was the kind of person to have a sentimental streak. The print had creases in it as if it had been pushed into a wallet and carried round for some time, presumably by Matt. Now it was framed in a silver inlaid frame, as if waiting for him when he came back. Kent frowned as she bent closer to the snap, and drew a deep breath as she confirmed. the thought that had just struck her.

  The wedding ring on the woman's hand was the same ring Matt had put on her finger

  She knew an urge to weep her heart out; if he'd loved her it could have meant so much; as it was, it was the only wedding ring he could lay his hands on at short notice, making it just a matter of convenience.