by Carol Rivers
He nodded, changing gear as he headed the car in the opposite direction.
Nick made coffee and served it in the lounge. He sat down on the settee and watched Ruby as she moved around the flat, swaying her hips to the strains of Frankie Laine’s ‘Answer Me’ coming from the record player.
He wondered if, at last, he was beginning to enjoy the diversion she had provided these past few months. Had he been on his own too long? Was he ready to settle down?
Perhaps. He enjoyed indulging her, trawling the shops for vases, pictures, rugs. Additions he wouldn’t have bothered with before. But Ruby had good taste, and she intrigued him.
She was young, lovely, affectionate, bright. And she could be brighter, he’d realized. He could make something of her, and the only obstacle so far was Anna.
He reached into his pocket for a Gauloise, felt the familiar shape of the packet, and lit up. His eyes slid back to Ruby’s petite, womanly figure. Her blonde hair lay across her shoulders in the latest style that many women, he noticed, tried and failed to carry off. She was wearing a soft blouse and the string of Hatton Garden pearls he’d given her. An impulsive investment, but why not?
His thoughts turned to Anna. Her tall, statuesque body and shrewd green eyes. Eyes that might tear a man apart and put him back together again, if the fancy so took her.
Ruby came to sit by his side. Evening in Paris. He liked the perfume. It suited her.
He offered her a cigarette and she shook her head as he knew she would.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ she said as she slipped off her shoes and tucked her feet under her.
He raised a quizzical eyebrow.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. ‘Anna told me to meet a rich American who would take me to dinner. Only it wasn’t dinner he had in mind. Instead he wanted me to go to his room. Of course, I left.’
‘What did Anna have to say to this?’
‘She was angry and said she could have lost money if Paula hadn’t been available to replace me.’
He drew her closer. ‘You did the right thing. In this life, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.’
‘That’s easy for you to say,’ she replied with a frown. ‘But men seem to treat women very badly sometimes.’
‘Yes,’ he agreed, trailing a finger across her cheek. ‘But I’m not one of them. And very rightly, you turned him down.’
‘But Anna said I was at fault,’ she continued to complain. ‘Even suggesting I should have somehow persuaded him to take me to dinner. Then afterwards given him an innocent kiss. That way, he couldn’t have telephoned her to complain he’d been let down.’
‘Darling, you are involved with a very astute business-woman,’ he answered with a wry smile. ‘Your first mistake was believing Anna was your friend, when in reality she has one thing only on her mind. Her agency and making big bucks.’
‘Why didn’t you warn me?’ Ruby complained, wondering why he hadn’t.
He crushed out the Gauloise cigarette. ‘Would you have listened? I think not. I realized I had to let you find out for yourself. It’s true in this life, experience is the best teacher.’ He kissed her mouth, running his fingers through her hair. ‘Anna intrigued you. She played her cards very well. You wouldn’t have heard a word against her. But I’ve known her for a long time. And she has earned her reputation as a hard woman.’
‘You sound as if you know her well.’
‘Well enough. As they say, all’s fair in love and war. And the war was very fiercely fought between us.’
Ruby snuggled against him. ‘But what shall I do if she asks me to be an escort again?’
‘Only you can decide that.’
‘I want to be a model, not an escort. But my contract says I have to do both.’
‘It’s called business.’
‘Yes, I know that. But even so, I don’t like it.’
He took her face in his hands and whispered, ‘You’re young, beautiful and determined. But often what we want we can’t have. Unless we sacrifice something for it.’
‘So, do you think I should?’
‘What?’
‘Do what Anna wants me to do.’
He laughed softly, looking into her eyes. ‘Ruby, you don’t need my advice. And as I said before, you probably wouldn’t take it if I offered it. Now, can we forget Anna and enjoy this moment?’ He drew her against him and decided that tonight he was going to make love to her.
Chapter Eighteen
‘You’re even more beautiful naked,’ he told her as they lay in bed.
Ruby shivered when he touched her. She wanted to make love but was afraid after what Paula had told her.
‘What is it?’ he asked softly. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I don’t want a baby,’ she blurted.
‘Neither do I,’ he said, kissing her parted lips. ‘Just trust me and I’ll make sure you’re safe.’
She began to give in to the sensations he aroused in her. His fingers gently teased her, driving away the concerns as her body arched and shuddered; a fire burned inside her belly. She knew there was no other man on earth for her. This was what she wanted.
‘You’re something else,’ Nick whispered. ‘Relax, my darling, I won’t come inside you.’
Ruby barely heard. But she knew at the height of her passion she would be safe. And after, as they lay exhausted, he drew her against him.
‘You see, there was nothing to worry about,’ he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
Ruby had no way to express her feelings. Nick had kept his word and she had been made love to in the most perfect way possible without having to consider the advice that Paula had given her.
‘Hi,’ Nick greeted her, casually strolling into the bedroom, a wide smile on his face. He was carrying a tray and wearing a deep blue bathrobe. It was the first time she had ever seen him unshaven. ‘Did you sleep well?’
She sat up in bed, pulling the sheet over her. ‘You should know the answer to that.’
Sinking down beside her, he said, ‘Breakfast, but I’m afraid to say it’s just coffee and toast. I had no idea a special guest was coming to stay.’
‘Last time I stayed overnight you gave me soup to drink and cream for my grazed knees,’ she said, sipping the coffee. ‘I was feeling very sorry for myself after Charles.’
He chuckled. ‘You did look like some waif or stray.’
‘I felt very silly.’
He took a slice of toast and fed her. ‘Eat up, pretty silly, open those cupid bow lips.’
She was so happy. Nick was so caring and considerate. Suddenly she was curious about his past. ‘Have you ever been married?’
He smiled wryly and reached over to pour the tea. ‘Once, a long, long time ago.’
‘What happened?’
‘What always happens. People fall out of love.’
‘I don’t ever want that to happen to me.’
He smiled ruefully. ‘Is that why you’ve chosen an older man to make love to you?’
‘I’ve never thought about age.’
‘I’m thirty-five and was sixteen when you were born.’ He finished the toast and licked his lips. ‘So what do you say to that?’
‘Only that I don’t care.’ She only knew that today everything had changed. Was she in love? She could be. But did she know what love was? Could it be this feeling she had for Nick?
‘And who are the men in your life?’ he asked, arching an eyebrow. ‘What competition have I got? Could it be that young Romeo I first saw you with at Fortuno’s?’
Ruby blushed. ‘Bernie’s just a friend.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I am!’
‘I would prefer to know where we stood. If we’re going to be a couple, that is.’
Ruby felt a shiver go over her. He wanted them to be together! He wasn’t disappointed in her. Last night was important to him too.
‘You’re the only man in my life,’ she assured him, leaning across to kiss
his waiting lips. ‘I haven’t any secrets. You know everything about me.’
He grinned, taking the tray. Then he slipped off his robe and climbed back into bed. ‘I was going to suggest we went for lunch at the Jester. But now, for some reason, I’ve gone off the idea.’
Ruby held her breath as he pulled her down beside him. She loved his strong hands on her, making her feel safe and protected. She would never get used to the way his body felt; strong and muscular. But unlike other men in her life, he didn’t use his sex or strength to coax or intimidate her. She was fascinated, aware that as an older man he was experienced. Could she satisfy him as he had satisfied her?
Other than Bernie, she’d never let anyone go the whole way. She had sworn, after such a disastrous experience, never to take sex lightly again. And after Paula’s advice . . . she shuddered.
Nick had made her feel confident. And confidence was something no one could take away from her.
Early on Monday, Nick drove her back to Dower Street. ‘Have you decided what you’re going to do?’ he asked as he stopped the car.
‘I’m going to be as businesslike as Anna,’ Ruby replied. ‘I’d be useless as an escort. But I’m a good model. It’s in her interests to find me the right work. After all, she doesn’t want another telephone complaint.’
‘That’s a tough line to take.’
‘I can be tough when I want something.’
Nick whistled through his teeth. ‘My brave little warrior.’ He pulled her to him and kissed her. ‘Telephone me. We’ll do something special next weekend. Perhaps stay a night or two in the country.’
‘I’d like that.’
He kissed her once more and Ruby climbed out of the car. She watched the Buick join the early morning traffic, then hurried up the steps. She wanted to think about Nick and the most romantic night of her life. But first, she had to face Anna, and try to keep a business head on her shoulders.
Ruby went into the lemon room where she expected to find Anna at her desk. But it was Paula who sat there instead.
‘You look pleased with yourself,’ Paula said, touching her long red hair that was drawn up to the back of her head in a pleat. She was wearing her silk wrap-over, but her make-up was perfectly in place.
‘I might be,’ Ruby agreed with a smile. ‘Where’s Anna?’
‘She’s away for the day and left this job for you.’ She held out a piece of paper.
Ruby looked at the address. ‘Steadman’s? I thought Anna was sending Cindy, not me.’
‘The rumour is that Cindy flopped.’
Ruby felt even more determined now to call Anna’s bluff. Steadman’s held high standards and sending someone as inexperienced as Cindy just hadn’t worked out.
‘You must have redeemed yourself,’ Paula said, reading her mind. ‘Look, I’d like to talk more, but I have some news of my own. Jesse is taking me out for lunch and I want to wear something special. He said we’re going to celebrate.’ She tossed her head, raising her eyebrows. ‘I want to look glam when he names the day.’
‘So he’s going to propose?’ Ruby asked as they walked upstairs together.
‘On Saturday we looked in the jewellery shops. He bought me a pair of real gold earrings. I would have preferred a ring, but realize the diamonds will come next. As an oil man as well as a cowboy, he does things the Texan way.’
‘Diamonds will cost him a fortune.’
‘A few thousand pounds are a drop in the ocean to a man like Jesse Marlon. And if he wants to take me to bed, he’ll have to marry me first.’
‘But what will life be like in America?’ Ruby wondered. ‘What if you’re stuck on a ranch all day? With no company except for the horses and cows?’
Paula laughed. ‘I’m sure I’ll have a car or two to drive anywhere I want.’
‘I hope that’ll be enough. You do like living the high life.’
Paula shrugged. ‘It’s an exchange I’m quite willing to make.’
‘Well, I hope you’ll be happy.’
‘It looks like you’ve won your battle with Anna.’
‘I hope so.’
‘She knows when she’s on to a good thing. And you are very much that. It’s all about money with Anna. And she won’t want to lose you.’
Ruby frowned. ‘What will she say when you tell her you’re leaving for America?’
They stopped outside Ruby’s room. ‘I’m not looking forward to the showdown,’ Paula whispered, glancing over Ruby’s shoulder to make certain they were alone. ‘She’ll be losing an income. And to her, such a loss is unacceptable. I expect her to kick up rough.’
‘But isn’t Anna an old friend of yours?’
‘My dear, you have no friends in this business. There’s far too much competition. It’s dog eat dog, I’m afraid.’
This truth was beginning to dawn on Ruby. If she wanted to be a model, she would have to fight her corner. Was it really so difficult to be businesslike? She had hoped she was Anna’s friend. But she realized this couldn’t be.
‘Enjoy your day,’ Paula said as she took her leave. ‘I’m sure Elsie will be pleased to see her favourite model. As for me, next time we meet, I’ll be engaged to be married to one of the richest men in all of Texas.’
As Ruby bathed in the luxury of a bath full of soapy, fragranced hot water, using the soaps and creams in the bathroom that were always replenished as if by some magic hand, she allowed her thoughts to go to Nick and the nights they had spent together. He was a wonderful lover, kind and considerate, but also very passionate. She had never felt like this before. He was everything she had dreamed of in a man. There was a chemistry between them and she couldn’t wait to be with him again.
As she dressed in a smart, peach-coloured two-piece costume, tan gloves and high heels, a combination she knew would impress Elsie, she was still thinking of Nick and the way he had made love to her. And of their one last kiss and his whispered words that assured her they were now a couple.
Her mind was still occupied with the thought of next weekend and sharing his bed again, when, as she hurried downstairs, she saw Cindy.
‘I hear you’ve been given the job at Steadman’s,’ Cindy said, looking upset. Ruby thought although very pretty how immature Cindy was. She tended to slouch and look sullen. A smile was worth a million dollars, so it was said in the modelling world.
‘Yes, that’s right, I have,’ Ruby responded with a smile of her own.
‘You know, don’t you, that I was given the job last time?’
‘Yes, I do.’
‘Elsie promised she would be seeing me today.’
Ruby frowned. ‘Anna makes those decisions, not Elsie. And as you’ll learn, nothing is guaranteed in this line of work.’
Cindy pouted. ‘I don’t need you to tell me that.’ She turned on her high heels and ran up the stairs.
Ruby watched the tall, slim figure dressed in a dark blue sheath dress disappear from view. From the top floor of the house there was a bang as a door slammed shut. It was clear Cindy had a mind of her own, Ruby decided, and a temper too. But a tantrum wouldn’t be appreciated by Anna, as Cindy would soon find out.
Elsie was nowhere to be found when Ruby walked into the fashion department. The little woman dressed in black with a pincushion tied to her wrist always accompanied her to the dressing rooms. But where was she this morning?
‘Good morning, Miss Payne,’ a voice said and Ruby saw Mr Steadman junior’s assistant striding towards her.
‘Good morning, Mr Kent.’ Ruby smiled her winning smile although she had hardly spoken to Mr Steadman’s secretary, a grey-haired older man wearing a formal pinstripe suit. He was rarely seen on the shop floor.
‘You are to go downstairs and wait at the rear exit.’
Ruby was startled. This had never happened before. ‘Why?’ she asked in surprise.
‘On Mr Steadman’s orders you’ll be going elsewhere today.’
‘Do you know where?’
‘No. Please hurry along.’
Ruby shrugged. She was disappointed as she liked the store and would miss having Elsie to help her.
Mr Kent nodded to the double doors marked STAIRS. He quickly walked off, back to his office. Ruby made her way down the back stairs to the rear exit. It was very gloomy down here and led onto the side road behind the building where all the rubbish bins were kept and the lorries came into their loading bays.
She waited a few minutes until a large black limousine drew up beside her and a chauffeur in uniform got out. He opened the back door, gesturing Ruby to enter.
Ruby looked in. Mr Steadman junior was sitting there. ‘Please have a seat, Miss Payne.’
‘Thank you.’
The chauffeur touched Ruby’s elbow. She climbed in and smiled at her employer, who didn’t return her greeting but told the chauffeur to drive on instead.
Ruby sat in silence, the only noise in the car the soft purr of the engine. Mr Steadman was staring straight in front of him, through the glass partition that separated them from the driver. Ruby wanted to ask where they were going. And what sort of fashions he wanted her to model. She assumed that wherever it was they ended up her clothes would be waiting for her. However, it felt highly unusual to be sitting in Mr Steadman’s own car.
Discreetly she studied his profile. He always looked a little pompous when he walked through the department with his nose in the air. A small man with a square moustache, thin lips and receding hairline, he looked more like a bank manager.
Ruby felt flattered. He could have chosen any of Anna’s models. Yet here she was, sitting next to him, on their way to what must be a very select event.
She looked out of the window and saw they were in the part of the city full of stately apartment blocks and luxury hotels. Was she to model in one of these?
The car turned off the road and into a small lane. At the end of it was a garage where other cars like this were parked. She was very excited when she saw one or two women, dressed very fashionably, climbing out of them.
So that was it! Ruby decided, her heart thudding. This was to be a private display, where Mr Steadman’s wealthier customers would view the latest creations. She had learned from Elsie that sometimes hundreds, even thousands of pounds of clothing could be sold to just one customer at a private showing. Ruby couldn’t believe her luck!
