Charlotte Lamb - Pagan Encounter

by Charlotte Lamb

  In her flat later she sat listening to a cassette of Bach's Violin Concerto, her mind more on Matt than on the music, even though Menuhin's playing wound itself delicately into her ear and tugged at her attention.

  Could she be wrong about Mattieson Hume? Mrs. Sam's view of him was so opposed to her own. She had seen him as a hard-headed, egotistical man who had made cold plans to marry Cathy Lord because she was a suitable wife, while intending to carry on with his casual seductions afterwards. Now she wondered if he were possibly in love with Cathy.

  She bit her lip, her teeth worrying the soft skin irritably. It would be easy enough for him to fall in love with Cathy Lord. She was very pretty, very presentable, a girl from his own world who would understand exactly how to adapt to fit his life style.

  Unable to sit still, she moved around the flat, frowning, touching books, a vase, a pile of cassettes, her hands cold.

  She didn't give a damn whether Matt loved Cathy Lord or not, she told herself impatiently. The only feelings she had towards him were ones of angry self- contempt because of the effect he had on her senses. He had none at all on her emotions. She despised herself because she felt that violent pull of attraction. It was purely a chemical reaction, she reminded herself. She didn't feel anything more.

  She stood in front of a mirror, staring at her own reflection. She was wearing a soft blue silk blouse and a pair of white jeans which clung to her body like a second skin, giving her a slender outline which curved softly from waist to knee. Her silken hair was loose because she had washed it. It glittered in the lamplight, the fine strands like threads of white-gold silk against her skin. A warm colour rose in her face as she remembered the moments yesterday when she had been in Matt's arms, the mundane world abandoned, responsive only to his mouth.

  Could a man who was in love with another girl make love like that?

  Her eyes frowned and she moved away irritably. Matt puzzled and annoyed her. She didn't understand him. The contradictory puzzle of his mind was locked against her. He had seemed so simple at first, but now Mrs. Sam had disturbed her view of him. She did not know what to make of him. She only knew that she could not get him out of her mind, and that that fact disturbed her deeply.

  Next morning Sam drove her to the great plate-glass edifice of World Gazette and dropped her outside while he drove on into the car park beneath the building.

  Leigh went into the lobby and was greeted at once by a security man, who glanced at her pass, given to her by Sam that morning as an afterthought. 'Have to be hot on security, Leigh,' he explained. 'You get a lot of nuts wandering in off the street otherwise--not to mention criminals and terrorists. Now, don't lose that pass or you'll have a lot of trouble getting into the building.'

  Leigh went up in the lift and found Matt's offices empty. She began to wander around, learning the feel of the place, quite enjoying the sensation of being alone there for a while. Barbara arrived at nine-fifteen, flushed and excited.

  She grinned at Leigh. 'Oh, lord, you're early and I'm late. I'm sorry, I missed my bus.'

  'It doesn't matter,' Leigh said pleasantly. 'I had to get here early as I shall be getting a lift to work by car and that's the only time I can arrive.'

  'Lucky you,' said Barbara enviously. 'Found somewhere to live?'

  'Yes,' said Leigh, not mentioning that it was with Sam. She sensed it might be best to be discreet about that. It might cause comment, and she preferred to find her own way around before arousing talk.

  The telephone rang and Barbara made a face. 'Here we go,' she said. 'Once it starts it never stops!'

  The day went past rapidly. At lunchtime Barbara took Leigh to the office canteen, a long white-tiled room crammed with people, the noise rising in waves until it bounced off the ceiling.

  'Like feeding time at the Zoo,' Barbara commented drily.

  The food was inexpensive and edible, although it mainly seemed to consist of things with chips. Leigh chose one of the three salads displayed in a cold cupboard. Barbara, eating the day's special of shepherd's pie, gave her a wry grin.

  'I ought to eat salad, but I'm starving,' she said. Her eyes ran over Leigh's slender, elegant figure in the cream suit she was wearing. 'Did you say there was a man in your life? Because if there isn't you'll soon be snowed under with offers, judging by the looks you're getting from the reporters over there!'

  Involuntarily Leigh glanced in the direction Barbara had indicated and met several pairs of curious, admiring eyes. She glanced away again without expression and looked back at Barbara.

  'Do I gather that the various departments tend to sit together?' she asked.

  Barbara laughed. 'More or less. They sit with friends, of course, and that usually means whoever they work with. The printers tend to rush off to the nearest pub. It's very hot down in the printing works and they're dying for a drink by the time they knock off for lunch, or supper. Some of the older ones drink in here with a meal, but usually the young ones go to the pub.'

  Leigh nodded. Barbara's eyes lifted with amusement as someone approached their table. 'Hallo, Kit,' she said, her smile teasing. 'I wondered how long it would take you to get here.'

  Leigh glanced round and met a pair of friendly dark eyes. The newcomer was a tall, attractive man in his late twenties, his casual jacket and open-necked shirt giving him a slightly rakish look when it was combined with the long, dark brown hair and dark eyes.

  'Kit's on our crime desk,' Barbara said to her. 'He's half Greek, so remember the old proverb and beware if he comes bearing gifts. He always has an ulterior motive.'

  'Stop this sabotage and introduce us,' he said charmingly, smiling down at Leigh, his eyes approving her appearance.

  'I wonder if I should,' Barbara said teasingly. 'Leigh's new to London, and she hasn't got her bearings in this sinful city yet. I don't think she's up to dealing with you yet. Kit.'

  He gave her a little grin. Turning to Leigh, he said, 'As Ba refuses to play host, let me introduce myself. I'm Christopher Lianos. And you're the Great White Chief's new Girl Friday.'

  'Leigh West,' she supplied, offering her hand.

  He took it and bent to kiss the back of it gracefully. 'How do you spell that?' he asked as he straightened.

  She told him and he raised an eyebrow.

  'Unusual, but it suits you. No rings, either, I notice,' he went on wickedly. 'The trouble with Ba is that she's been wearing that ring on her left hand for so long she's immune.'

  "Very soon now I'll have two on my left hand,' Barbara said in satisfaction.

  'And we'll mourn your absence for the rest of our lives,' Kit assured her soulfully.

  Leigh laughed and he gave her a quick, warm smile. 'So you're new to London,' he said thoughtfully. 'Haven't seen much of it yet, I suppose?'

  'Careful,' Barbara said softly. 'Here comes the proposition!'

  He grinned. 'I just wondered if Leigh would like a guide to the fleshpots of London tonight,' he protested. 'Dinner, the cinema ... a native's eye view of the great metropolis.'

  Leigh smiled at him. 'Thank you, but I'm still settling into my new flat and I have a lot to do.'

  'Tomorrow night?' he asked, undeterred. 'Or on Wednesday?'

  Barbara gave Leigh a sparkling glance. 'He's the original bloodhound when he's on the trail of an unattached pretty girl,' she warned.

  Leigh was amused by his direct and cheerful manner, and she thought of her silent flat and her lack of friends in London.

  'Well ...' she began, weakening.

  'Name the day and time,' he said at once, his face brightening. 'Hey, I might get tickets for the theatre. What sort of show would you like to see?'

  'I like straight plays,' Leigh told him. 'Any sort of play, in fact. I love going to the theatre.'

  'Then I'll pick out something,' he said. 'Tomorrow?'

  'Wednesday,' she said, smiling.

  'Give me your address and I'll pick you up,' he offered, getting out a diary and pencil.

  'I'll meet you,' she sa
id, thinking quickly. She did not want anyone to know she had a flat in Sam's house. 'I doubt if it will be worth while going home after work.'

  'Right,' he said cheerfully. 'I finish at six. What time shall we meet?' He gave her a broad grin. 'Six? In the lobby?'

  Leigh was amused again, if you like,' she agreed.

  He straightened, a look of satisfaction on his face. 'Right, I'll see you on Wednesday, then.'

  When he had gone, Barbara began to laugh. 'Quick work, Leigh,' she said. 'He's the best-looking of the reporters and he's unattached. I rather like him, too. He can be a bit flirtatious, but he's a very nice man.'

  Leigh smiled. 'I've already discovered that London is a very lonely place,' she said. 'It will be nice to have friends.'

  Barbara grinned. 'I doubt if you'll lack for them, Leigh, with a face and figure like yours.'

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  LEIGH found it easy to adapt to the full routine of the working day in the office. Despite the complicated nature of the work, she was so fascinated by what she was learning about the newspaper industry that she was too interested in what she was doing to find it difficult. Barbara surveyed her on the Wednesday afternoon with a smile. 'You're a natural for this job,' she congratulated her. 'You never flap or lose your temper and you pick things up very quickly. Matt's got himself a jewel of a secretary, and I'll tell him so.'

  Leigh noted the use of the christian name curiously. She smiled her gratitude for the compliments and replied, 'I'm enjoying every minute of it.'

  'Going out with Kit tonight?' Barbara asked her. 'Still on, is it?'

  'Yes,' Leigh agreed. 'He rang this morning to confirm that I was coming.'

  'I bet he did,' Barbara grinned. 'He's the envy of the reporters' room. A girl with your looks doesn't often turn up in the canteen here, so Kit got in before anyone else could stake a claim.'

  Leigh laughed. 'I'm flattered by all the interest.'

  The telephone rang and she moved to answer it, dealing quietly with the query from the advertising office while Barbara watched in approval.

  At five-thirty Barbara dashed off to get home, but Leigh stayed in the office, tidying some files, her eyes abstracted. She was wearing a jade green silk dress which she had just bought in Oxford Street. The material clung delicately to her slender body as she moved around the room, the slightly flared skirt swirling around her thighs.

  Someone suddenly pushed open the door and she turned in some surprise to find herself confronting Cathy Lord. The other girl stared at her with open hostility.

  'So you took the job after all?' the girl asked.

  'Mr. Hume persuaded me it would suit me,' said Leigh, tongue in cheek, feeling a prickle of irritation at the peculiar mixture of childish vulnerability and feminine spite in the enormous green eyes.

  Cathy studied her sullenly. 'You dress very well for a secretary,' she commented, her glance running over the silk dress.

  Leigh suppressed a smile. 'I have a date tonight,' she said softly.-

  The green eyes brightened. 'A date? Oh, I see.'

  Seeing that her admission had delighted the girl, Leigh quite deliberately told her, 'I'm going out with one of the crime reporters. Kit Lianos.'

  'I don't think I know him,' said Cathy, her brows furrowed, 'is he attractive?'

  'Extremely,' Leigh said with a faint smile.

  Cathy smiled fully then, a charming, childlike sweetness in her pretty face. 'You were quick to make friends.'

  'Kit is a very forceful young man,' Leigh said lightly.

  'I met him in the canteen on my first day and he asked me out on the spot.'

  'I'm not surprised,' said Cathy, a faint spark of admiration in her eyes. 'You're very beautiful, aren't you?'

  Leigh found something touching in the compliment, as though Cathy were trying to make amends for her earlier rudeness.

  'Thank you,' she said, smiling back. 'So are you.'

  Cathy blushed. 'I'm not beautiful,' she said in a flat voice. 'I wish I was. If I were I'd be certain of Matt.' Her dark lashes flickered down, her face growing pink. 'He's a very hard man to pin down.'

  Leigh froze. She did not want Cathy Lord to discuss Matt with her. She glanced at her watch, saying, 'Oh, good heavens, it's past six, and I promised to meet Kit at six in the lobby. I'm so sorry. Miss Lord. I have to rush. Was there anything I could do for you first?'

  'I'm just waiting for Matt,' Cathy said frankly. 'He's getting back from New York some time this evening. I'm not sure when, but he's coming straight here, so I thought I'd be here when he arrives to surprise him.'

  Leigh gave her a troubled, compassionate look. 'Well, in that case, I'll leave you if I may,' she said politely.

  'Oh, yes, don't keep your date waiting.' Cathy said cheerfully. 'I'll just sit in Matt's office chair and twirl around. I like doing that.'

  Leigh's eyes widened. A child, she thought. A pretty, vulnerable, helplessly infatuated child. God help her!

  She caught the lift down to the lobby and walked out, her slender body graceful in the jade green silk, her blonde hair smooth behind the calm oval of her face. Kit was standing opposite the lifts, a faint frown on his face. As Leigh stepped out it disappeared and he came forward to greet her, smiling broadly.

  'I thought you were standing me up for a moment,' he confessed, lightly.'

  'I'm sorry I'm late,' she smiled, I was detained.'

  'It doesn't matter,' he said, taking her hand. 'You're here, that's all that matters.'

  'Are you giving me carte blanche to be late whenever I like?' she teased. 'That's a dangerous thing to do to a woman.'

  Kit gave her a teasing smile. 'You're a dangerous woman,' he said softly. '1 can feel my rivals breathing down my neck already. One of the sports writers offered me two tickets for Wimbledon to swop for this date with you.'

  Leigh broke into laughter, her blue eyes dancing, and turned to walk across the lobby with him. Her smile vanished as she met Matt's steely grey eyes. He had just come into the building, a briefcase under one arm, and she could feel anger in the set of his body as he looked at them both.

  Kit hadn't even noticed him. He was talking lightly about the play they were going to see, his head turned to look at Leigh's face.

  As they drew level with Matt she tried to walk past him without a word, her pulses racing violently, but he did not move, forcing her to halt and look at him.

  Somehow her voice came out coolly. 'Good evening, Mr. Hume.'

  Kit looked at him in hurried recognition, chiming in a polite greeting.

  Matt barely glanced at him before looking back at Leigh. His face was a cold mask, the grey eyes narrowed. 'How are you settling in, Miss West?' he asked icily.

  'Very well, thank you,' she said, although the words cost her an enormous effort.

  'Finding your feet in London?' he asked, and beneath the apparent courtesy she felt the deliberate sting of a barb.

  She summoned a smile. 'Oh, yes,' she said, sounding as calm as he did. 'Very much so.'

  Matt nodded, gave Kit another glance. 'Going somewhere special, Lianos?' he asked.

  'A theatre and dinner,' Kit answered. 'I've appointed myself Leigh's guide to London.'

  Matt looked back at her, a chilly smile on his hard mouth. 'How splendid,' he drawled, the faintest flintiness in his voice. 'Well, have a pleasant evening.' He turned to go-

  'We will,' Kit said cheerfully, and Leigh felt Matt halt for a mere second, as though he were about to turn and say something. Then he walked across to the lifts and she and Kit went out of the door.

  The evening was deeply enjoyable. Kit had spared no expense to get good seats and he took her to a very expensive, very attractive Italian restaurant in the West End of London. Leigh tried hard to enter into the fun of the evening. Kit was a friendly, pleasant companion, and she liked him, but the memory of Matt's cold grey eyes and barbed voice remained within her mind every moment of the time. Had they not met him in the lobby she would have been entirely at her ease, bu
t that brief meeting had ruined the evening for her.

  For Kit's sake she pretended to be enjoying herself, however, laughing, talking with him, smiling at him from time to time, listening to his talk of his family and of the paper.

  When he took her home it was midnight. They sat outside the house in the dark and Kit turned to look at her, a faintly uncertain look on his attractive face.

  'Do I have to shake hands, or are you going to let me kiss you, Leigh?' he asked, a little humorously.

  She smiled. 'You make me sound alarming,' she said lightly.

  'You are,' he said. 'All evening I've had the feeling you weren't really with me. Is there some chap in the background, Leigh?'

  She flushed. 'I'm sorry if the evening was a disappointment, Kit.'

  'It wasn't that exactly,' he said quickly. 'You're a very lovely girl and you make a pleasant companion, but I'm not getting through to you, am I?' He gave her a wry grin.

  'I'm not complaining. You're something special and I was proud to be with you tonight.

  That's good for the ego to take out a girl who attracts the attention you do.'

  Leigh laughed. 'I like your frankness!'

  Kit laughed too. 'At least you're really looking at me now,' he said, then he bent down to kiss her, and she was taken by surprise by the sudden movement, and made no effort to resist.

  It was a light, exploratory kiss, and Leigh deliberately did nothing to encourage it, although not resisting. After a moment Kit drew away, making a face.

  'Yeah.' he said on a soft sigh.

  Leigh was amused by his wry face. 'I've only known you three days. Kit,' she said, as direct as himself. 'What do you expect?'

  'Bright lights, fairground music and fireworks,' he said ruefully.

  'I must go,' she said, amused. She got out of the car, saying goodnight as she bent to close the door. Kit watched her go up the steps into the house, then drove away.