Roberta Leigh - Give A Man A Bad Name

by Roberta Leigh

  'That's one thing I've never tasted.'

  'Each time I go home to Edinburgh she gives me one to put in the freezer. Have dinner at my flat one night, and I'll serve it to you.'

  Why not? Marly mused. She was under no illusion he had more than serving haggis in mind, and let him know in as many words that she didn't hop into bed after a few pleasant dates.

  'I never thought you did,' Gordon answered, frowning. 'And that's a plus in my book. I'm very attracted to you, Marly, as I'm sure you know, but I'm willing to wait until you feel ready.'

  Fine words, she mused, but how would he feel if he knew it might be a very long wait? She gave a deep sigh, not knowing where it came from nor how to hold it back.

  'Care to tell me what's troubling you?' he encouraged sympathetically. 'I don't have to be a mind-reader to guess you're trying to get over someone.'

  'You're right, but I'd rather not discuss it.'

  'If ever you do, I'm something of an expert on broken hearts, and I'll be happy to help mend yours!'

  Marly half smiled. 'You could be on a hiding to nothing.'

  'I happen to think you're a risk worth taking.' He raised his glass of wine to hers. 'To friends and—I hope—lovers!'

  When he kissed her goodnight outside her front door, she did her best to respond, and though she had to feign it, it had nothing to do with his expertise. His touch was confident, his hands light but knowing how to arouse, yet all she could think of was Alex's hands, Alex's mouth, Alex's body.

  But it's early days yet, she consoled herself as she undressed and slipped under the duvet. As long as Gordon remained content not to rush her, he might, given time, turn out to be, if not the man of her dreams, a very good substitute.

  The consolation she gained from this notion was brief, for it was dramatically shattered the following evening. Jenny was at a business seminar and would not be home till late, and she and Tony, comfortable in tracksuits and slippers, were watching television in the living-room when the doorbell rang.

  As Marly was nearest the door, she went to open it and, stupefied, saw the unmistakable figure of Alex. The blood drained from her head and she felt she was going to faint.

  'Wh-what are you doing here?'

  'Not selling encyclopaedias!' he growled. 'What do you think I'm doing? I've come to see you.'

  'You must be insane!'

  'Over you.' He rattled the door-chain. 'This doesn't feel particularly strong and I'm prepared to break it, so be sensible and let me in.'

  'No. I've nothing to say to you.'

  'I've plenty for both of us.' He caught hold of the chain. 'Well?'

  The roughness in his voice brooked no denial, and short of having a slanging match on the front doorstep she had to do as he asked. With trembling fingers she undid the chain and stepped aside to let him enter.

  In the bright light of the hall she noticed for the first time how haggard he was. Deeply etched lines were carved down either side of his nose and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes. His skin too had lost its glow, and despite its usual tan appeared sallow. It was as if he had been ill and had not fully recovered. Her heart lurched and she quickly averted her gaze. If this was what a happy marriage had done, heaven help him if he ever contemplated divorce!

  'You're more beautiful than ever,' he stated flatly. 'I haven't been able to forget you and I had to see you again. I——- ' He broke off as they entered the sitting-room and he saw Tony sprawled on the sofa.

  Stiltedly she introduced them. 'Tony Parker, Alex Hamilton. Alex is the man I worked for in Bangkok.' 'A great place to live,' Tony said genially.

  'Yes.' Alex stood rigid as a post. 'Forgive me for barging in. I didn't realise——————'

  'Don't worry about interrupting the programme.' Misunderstanding, Tony flicked off the television and rose. 'I can watch the rest of the play in the bedroom. I dare say you and Marly have things to talk over.'

  He sauntered out and Alex swung round to Marly, his grey eyes steely, his mouth a hard line. 'He's a cool customer. In the same circumstances I'd be damned if I'd leave you alone.'

  Instantly she knew he had misinterpreted the situation, and gratefully seized on it to end a meeting which was causing her unbearable anguish. How could Alex be so two-faced? Knowing Andrea was married to him filled her with such nausea that she had to turn away.

  'How long has your friend been living here?' Alex questioned into the silence.

  Marly drew a deep breath. 'Two years. We bought the flat together.' It was no he, though she was guilty of the sin of omission, having not mentioned Jenny, who was a third partner in the purchase.

  'So you were living with him when you embarked on your charade with me?' Alex went on.

  'Yes.'

  'Dammit! Have you no shame? The way you led me on, the things you said and—— '

  'It was an act,' she cut in. 'Where's your sense of humour?'

  'Drowned in the waters off Phuket,' he said heavily. 'Do you ever think of that night on the boat, Marly, when you lay in my arms? If the coastguards hadn't appeared you'd have given yourself to me. I take it your boyfriend doesn't know thatV

  'Shall I ask him to come in so you can tell him?'

  'God! You're a cool customer.'

  *

  'So are you.'

  She clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging so hard into her palms that she knew she would bear the marks for days. She longed to scream Andrea's name, to tell him she knew he was married and that his wife was her close friend. Yet if she let her anger erupt, her love for him might erupt with it, and Alex, being the vile and clever man he was, would realise that if he continued laying siege to her she might eventually succumb to him.

  'Are you going to marry Tony Parker?'

  'What?' Deafened by her thoughts, Marly stared at him uncomprehendingly.

  'Are you going to marry him?'

  'It's none of your business.'

  'You're right. It isn't. I shouldn't have come here. You were right about that too.' Brushing past her, he went into the hall. 'We don't have anything to say to each other. Goodbye, Marly, I wish you the luck you deserve.'

  She heard the front door open and close, but even then she was incapable of moving. Damn him for coming back into her life! For showing her she wanted him as much as ever; that she loved him as much as ever; and that any hope of forgetting him was as much a dream as ever.

  Marly was not surprised to hear from Andrea next morning. Since Alex's visit she had surmised that her friend was in London and would be in touch with her.

  'You're a lousy correspondent,' Andrea complained. 'It's lucky for our friendship that I'll be staying here for the next year!'

  It was bad news for Marly though she managed to hide it. 'I've been meaning to send you a newsy letter but life's been absolutely hectic.'

  'Anyone special?'

  'Why should it be a man? Maybe it's my work!'

  'Phooey! Who is he?'

  'Someone for whom I'm currently working. But it's early days yet. Let's get back to you. When did you arrive?'

  'Late yesterday afternoon.'

  Marly trembled. Alex certainly hadn't wasted time coming to see her. Whatever reason he had given his unsuspecting wife, one thing was indisputable: it hadn't been the truth!

  'When can we see you?' Andrea demanded. 'I'm dying for you to meet Alex.'

  'I'm terribly busy at the moment and———- '

  'Too busy to meet your best friend's husband?' came the incredulous screech. 'What's wrong, Marly? Are you ill or something?'

  At the concern in Andrea's voice, Marly knew she had no choice. 'I'm fine. But I've been working like a demon and I'm exhausted and look a mess. Won't next week———— ?'

  'Absolutely not. I want to see you this evening. If you lave a date, bring him along too.'

  'I don't have a date.'

  'Then come straight from work and we can chew the at before Alex arrives. He's tied up with meetings till dght.' Andrea's voice
held laughter. 'I can't wait for him o meet you. When he discovers that the girl who created uch a brilliant software program for Hamilton Hotels's my closest friend, he'll be astonished.'

  He certainly will, Marly thought, and not least be- ause he'll be dead scared I might tell you he also asked ne to marry him!

  At seven that evening, Marly found herself laughing ind crying as she hugged the tall, slim, radiant blonde n the multi-coloured Lacroix two-piece.

  'You look like a million dollars!' she exclaimed.

  'Not quite as expensive as that,' Andrea giggled. 'My loving bridegroom took me shopping in Paris on our way here.' She held Marly at arm's length and examined her. 'You look pretty fantastic yourself. What's this nonsense about looking a mess?'

  Not waiting for a reply, she pulled Marly into the vast living-room, where sliding glass doors framed a flower- filled terrace affording a bird's-eye view of Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. Gesturing her to sit on one of the cream suede sofas, Andrea filled two glasses with champagne and handed her one.

  'To happy marriages,' she toasted. 'May the next one be yours!'

  Marly drank deeply, hoping the champagne would lessen the deep depression that weighed on her like a leaden shroud. Yet it grew heavier as she listened to her friend extol the virtues of her husband, who was not only the most loving and passionate man in the world, but also the kindest and tenderest.

  'I remember how cynical you were about rakes reforming,' she concluded, 'but the other night Alex said the idea of returning to the hfe he led before he met me gives him nightmares.'

  'I'm glad I was wrong,' Marly ground out, marvelling that the anguish inside her wasn't outwardly visible. But painstakingly apphed cosmetics and an emerald silk wisp of a dress were sufficiently eye-catching to draw attention away from the haunted look in her eyes.

  'Now tell me what's been happening to you,' Andrea requested.

  Seeing it as a way of stopping further tales of how wonderful Alex was, Marly launched into a fictitious account of the socially exciting hfe she was leading. She had exhausted the topic of Gordon and two invented boyfriends, when she heard the door of the vestibule slam shut. Alex had arrived! Her mouth went dry and she could not utter a word. Not that Andrea noticed, for she had jumped to her feet and was already half out of the room.

  'Darling!' she cried. 'I've missed you.'

  Marly didn't hear the reply, but a faint sound made it plain that a passionate embrace was ensuing. On trembling legs she rose and went to stand by the window; anything to help keep her distance from Alex. Blindly she stared through the glass, praying for the courage to carry off the meeting without dissolving into tears.

  'Alex, I want you to meet the girl who created what you said was a brilliant software package for your hotels—and who also happens to be my very best friend!'

  The moment Marly had dreaded had arrived, and head high she turned to face him. The greeting she had rehearsed died on her lips. This man wasn't Alex! It was a total stranger.

  Unaware of her astonishment, he caught her hand in a warm clasp. 'I'm delighted to meet you, though it beats me why Andrea kept it secret that she knew you. Incidentally, she wasn't exaggerating over the software you created for us. It's reaping praise from staff and guests alike in all our hotels.'

  Still speechless, Marly went on staring at him. His colouring was the same as the Alex she knew, but his features were less definite and he was not as tall or as well built.

  'You must know my cousin,' he went on.

  'Your c-cousin?'

  'Alex. He was at our Bangkok hotel when you were there. Not very clever, our mothers giving us the same name.' He chuckled reminiscently. 'Particularly as he was the serious type with httle time for girls, and I was only interested in sport and had an eye for the ladies when I was in my pram! When we were at school together he was always getting it in the neck for my misdeeds. It created quite a problem.'

  Little did he know it was still creating problems! Marly thought miserably. For it had caused her to reject the proposal of the man she loved.

  'Luckily in the business I'm called Alexander, and I'm doing my best to make Andrea call me that too.'

  'I'm trying,' his wife protested, 'but you first introduced yourself as Alex, and it's stuck in my mind.'

  'Not to worry. By our silver wedding you should get used to it!'

  Andrea laughed and turned to Marly, suddenly noticing how pale she was. 'Are you feeling all right?'

  'I'm fine. But I've had a long day and it's catching up with me.'

  'Me too,' Alexander said. 'Let's go to dinner. A good meal will give us a lift.'

  Marly would have liked nothing better than to say goodnight and go in search of Alex. Remembering the mocking things she had said when he had flown from Hawaii to see her in Bangkok—that she hadn't loved him and it had all been a pretence—she had to know why he had come to see her again last night. She had assumed it was because he wanted an adulterous affair with her, but now that she knew he wasn't married…

  She knew more, of course: that he hadn't two-timed Andrea, that he wasn't a philanderer, and had meant all he had said to her in Phuket. Her heart pounded heavily and she drew a steadying breath. Had he come to see her last night because he still loved her despite believing she didn't care for him? If so, no wonder he had walked away when she had let him think Tony was her lover! Worse, that he had been her lover all the while she had been play-acting in Thailand!

  Hardly aware of what she was doing, Marly found herself seated at a window-table in the Summit

  Restaurant, and not until Andrea had twice asked he r if she was happy to stick with champagne or preferred ♦claret with her duck did she make an effort to return to the present, but oh, how hard it was when her every thought was with Alex, and how hurt he must have been when he had left her last night.

  Suddenly she knew she could no longer sit here making meaningless conversation. She had to go to him at once.

  'Your cousin came to see me last night,' she stated baldly. 'But I don't know where he's staying and I need to talk to him.'

  Andrea flung her a puzzled glance and Marly met it with a bland one. Time to tell her friend the whole story later, when all the misunderstandings had been cleared away.

  'You won't get him tonight, I'm afraid,' Alexander said, glancing at his watch. 'He's halfway to San Francisco by now.'

  'San Francisco?'

  'He's on a month's tour of our American hotels.'

  Marly's spirits plunged. Had Alex been staying in one place she would have asked for a week off and flown to see him, but as it was, it seemed advisable to wait till he returned to England.

  A thought struck her and she voiced it. 'Is he still based in Bangkok?'

  'No. My uncle unexpectedly decided to retire and Alex took over the reins, which means he'll be here most of the time.' Grey eyes, very like his cousin's, probed her face. 'If you need to talk to him urgently, I can give you a number where you can contact him tomorrow.'

  Aware that what she had to say could not be broached on the telephone, Marly shook her head. 'No, thanks, I'll wait till I see him.'

  'He'll be back the day of our wedding reception—four weeks from Friday,' Andrea added. 'So you'll see him tliere.'

  It was all Marly could think of as she drove home later, her thoughts with the man who was winging his way forty thousand feet above the Atiantic Ocean. Four weeks seemed light-years away. Perhaps she deserved the punishment of waiting. She had been so busy despising Alex for what she had imagined him to be that she had not seen him for the man he really was; a man who, once he gave his love to a woman, would love her enough to return to her even when she had thrown his love back in his face.

  She tried to envisage their next meeting, wondering what she would do, what she would say. An image of his face as she had seen it last night, etched with lines, pain-shadowed, swamped her, and she knew that words alone could not atone for her actions. Yet words were all she had, and she prayed with every fibre of
her being that the three words she would say to him would be sufficient to gain his forgiveness.

  I love you.

  I love you.

  Please forgive me.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Marly surveyed herself in the mirror. Her bed was strewn with dresses she had tried on and discarded, and finally she was satisfied. Not only was the cherry-red crepe eye-catching enough to turn male heads, but the scooped neckline emphasised the full curves of her breasts—that owed nothing to a bra—and the clinging short skirt showed a disturbing expanse of shapely legs.

  Her hair had presented a more intransigent problem. First she had allowed it to hang in a long, straight black silk curtain down her back. Secondly she had pulled it away from her face and twined it into a thick plait, but both styles had reminded her of an image Amalia Bradshaw was determined to put behind her.

  Hot tongs had done the trick and now her hair was a riot of soft curls. Happily she ran her fingers through them. The bouncy feminine style emphasised her slenderness, and she applied her make-up to suit this picture, retaining her natural pallor but drawing attention to her full mouth and long, straight, doll-like eyelashes.

  Promptly to time she entered the Park Suite on the tenth floor of the hotel. Her heart was racing, her limbs trembling, and every nerve-end frantically vibrating to pick up Alex Hamilton's presence. But in vain. There was neither sight nor sound of him.

  Dismay robbed her of the joy that had filled her all day, though she masked it with her usual bright smile as she moved forward to congratulate the happy couple. Even in the midst of her turmoil she was quick to notice how happy Andrea and her husband were, and she hugged her friend close.

  'Alex isn't here yet,' Andrea murmured, her comment signifying that she knew Marly's anxiety to see him had more to do with personal reasons than business ones. 'But he flew in last night so he'll definitely be coming. Still won't tell me what gives between the two of you?'

  Since Andrea had repeated this question whenever they had talked on the telephone, Marly smiled and shook her head. 'For the tenth time, no. Now quit nagging and greet the rest of your guests.'

  'There are several eligible Hamilton cousins I want to introduce to you.'