by Anne Mather
She gave a small laugh. ‘It’s not meant to be worn for entertaining. Do you like it?’
He put her away from him, a little roughly. ‘Yes, I like it,’ he muttered harshly, ‘perhaps too much.’
Tamar smiled, and taking his hand, led him to the couch. ‘Come on,’ she said, ‘sit down. We have a lot to talk about.’
Ross sat down beside her, keeping his distance with difficulty. Tamar lit two cigarettes and gave him one, and then said:
‘How did you find me this time? And so late?’
He smiled lazily, and lay back, resting his dark head against the soft upholstery. ‘It’s a long story. Father Donahue told me about you yesterday, but it was evening before I saw him and too late to go to find you. Then when I reached Limerick, you had already left, and I was stumped. Then I had this brilliant idea of driving to Killarney, to see Ben.’
‘Ben! You saw Ben?’
‘Yes,’ Ross gave her a sidelong glance. ‘I told him I was going to marry you.’
‘You were arrogant,’ said Tamar softly.
Ross’s hard fingers curved about the back of her neck. ‘Was I?’
‘Hmn. What if I refuse?’
He pulled her to him. ‘Please, Tamar, don’t torment me,’ he muttered, ‘I’ve waited too long already.’
Tamar repented, pressing her lips to his eyes and cheeks tenderly, until Ross lost control and found her mouth again. For a long time there was silence in the apartment, and when he dragged himself away from her he said thickly. ‘Don’t try me too far, Tamar. I haven’t much self-control left. and I want you very badly.’
Tamar blushed becomingly and said: ‘Go on. Tell me about Ben.’
Ross shook his head, took a long draw on his cigarette and said: ‘Oh, yes, Ben. Well, he was astounded at first, but not altogether, I don’t think. At any rate, he seemed to know how you felt about me.’
‘I told him - yesterday,’ said Tamar reflectively. ‘Oh, Ross, that seems such a long time ago.’
Ross’s eyes narrowed tenderly. ‘Yes, well, he was already booked on this charter flight to London, taking the car, and Margaret with him.’
‘Oh, yes, Margaret.’ Tamar looked thoughtful.
Ross smiled. ‘Were you jealous of Margaret?’
‘Did you intend me to be?’
‘Yes, I guess I did. If I consciously thought about it
at all. When I found out that you were engaged to Hastings, I don’t think my actions were particularly human, let alone anything else.’
‘And Ben gave you my address?’
‘Yes. But I couldn’t get a flight at first, and then when I did it was delayed.’
‘You didn’t tell me how you found Ben, though.’
He laughed. ‘Didn’t I? Well, I went to several hotels, until I found his. There aren’t so many hotels a man like Ben Hastings would stay at. Quite the detective, wasn’t I?’
Tamar nodded, suddenly remembering. ‘I - I wish you’d found me - years ago,’ she murmured softly.’
‘Seven years ago?’
‘Yes. Oh, Ross, marry me soon. Don’t let’s waste any more time!’
‘I don’t intend that we should,’ he murmured in return.
‘And Lucy?’
He stiffened. ‘What about Lucy?’
Tamar sighed. ‘Are you still going to be difficult?’
‘Oh, I see.’ He relaxed. ‘You mean her schooling?’
‘What else?’
‘I - I - well, it did cross my mind that you might object to another woman’s child!’
‘Oh, Ross!’ Tamar stared at him. ‘Of course not. Lucy is your child. And I adore her. But you will let her be educated now, won’t you? I mean - well, your pats on the back have arrived, haven’t they?’
‘You and your sayings!’ he muttered lazily. ‘All
right. If that’s what is best for her. You really think it is?’
‘Yes. Somewhere near us, so she can see us every week-end, and in the holidays we’ll all be together.’ Tamar sighed. ‘And Steven and Shelagh will have to find a home of their own — which will please Shelagh - because Falcon’s Head is going to become too crowded when we start having our children—’
Ross stopped her inconsequential chatter with his lips. ‘I adore you,’ he murmured. ‘But there’s still one problem.’
Tamar frowned. ‘What?’
‘Your work.’
‘Why should it be a problem?’
‘Well, you will need to be in London for exhibitions and—’
‘No, not in London, darling. No more exhibitions in London. I shan’t say I’ll give it up, because I love it too much, and it brought us together, after all, but it will no longer be the most important thing in my life.’
Ross kissed her lingeringly. ‘We’ll go back to Falcon’s Wherry tomorrow, hm? Or rather, today.’
‘Oh yes. I wonder how Emma will take to that idea.’
‘The dragon who let me in?’
‘She’s not a dragon, and you shouldn’t say that. She was only just before you arrived asserting that I ought to go back and see you and tell you the truth!’
‘Is that so? She’s a friend for life!’
Tamar sighed, and then she said: ‘Ross, you do believe
that Virginia said - well, what she said?’
Ross looked at her solemnly. ‘Yes, I believe it. Virginia was completely ruthless when it came to getting what she wanted. I learned that. If only you’d told me, I would have shown you how stupid were her words!’ He shook his head.
Tamar pressed herself against him. ‘I was so stupid, too,’ she murmured. ‘Oh, Ross, I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be. Not now. It’s over. Virginia - well, she can’t hurt us any more.’
‘No. Poor Virginia!’ Tamar had it in her heart to feel sorry for her now. She sighed, and snuggled closer to Ross. ‘I love you,’ she whispered.
‘But I shall have to be thinking of leaving,’ murmured Ross reluctantly, listening to the rain beating at the windows of the apartment.
‘Must you?’ Tamar looked at him through the veil of her lashes.
Ross half-smiled. ‘You’re not suggesting we should shock the good Emma, are you, Tamar?’ he murmured huskily, his eyes caressing.
Tamar smiled. ‘Well, we do have this couch,’ she murmured, allowing her lashes to veil her eyes completely.
