Shewoketoastrangeworld.Aftermonthsinacoma,Belinda woketofindshe'dlostherjob,herapartmentandevenher fiance,Ricky.Hehadleftherforanotherwoman.She resolvedtogetonwiththingsandmakeanewlifefor herself.Butshehadn'treckonedonthemeddlingofRicky's brother,powerfulmerchantbrokerVincentGarrett.Gradually, despiteallherattemptstoevadehim,Belindawasforcedto acknowledgetheattractionsofaveryunconventional PrinceCharming...

SPELLBINDING CharlotteLamb ShewoketoastrangeworldAftermonthsinacoma,Belindawoketo findshe'dlostherjob,herapartmentandevenherfiance,Ricky.Hehad leftherforanotherwoman.Sheresolvedtogetonwiththingsandmakea newlifeforherself.Butshehadn'treckonedonthemeddlingofRicky's brother,powerfulmerchantbrokerVincentGarrett.Gradually,despiteall

herattempts

attractionsofaveryunconventionalPrinceCharming....

toevadehim,Belindawasforcedtoacknowledgethe

CHAPTERONE B ELINDA H UNT hadbeendeadformonths;dead,thatwas,toeverythingaroundher. Technicallyshewasalive;herheartstillbeat,herlungsbreathedinand out,buttheonlytimeshemovedwaswhenthenursesmovedher,to guardagainstthedangeroussideeffectsofimmobility.Belindawas unawareofthatasshelay,likeSnowWhiteinaglasscasket,herlids downoverhergreeneyes,herheadcompletelyshavedatfirst,untilthe goldstreaked,copperyhairgrewagain,insilkylittlecurlsandthenin full,richwaveswhichintensifiedthepallorofherface.Shewasinthe intensivecareunit,asmallbutconstantlybusydepartmentofaLondon hospital.Thenurseswhoworkedtherekeptupalivelychatterasthey lookedafterherinthehopethatonedaytheirvoicesmightpenetratethe deathlikedeepwhichhungoverherandstimulateareturntolife.'Doesn't

itmakeyoufeelsilly,talkingtosomeonewho

you'rethere?'anewprobationeraskedStaffNurseHayonemorning.'We don'thaveacluewhetherornotshecanhearus!'saidHay,aneatand cheerfulblondewomaninhertwenties.'Butwehavetokeeptrying.It's possiblethatconstantstimulationworks,soneverforgettotalk,toher whenyou'redoinganythingforher.'NurseLucasnoddedhurriedly.'Yes, StaffNurse!'Smallandmousy,shewaseagertomakeagoodimpression; thiswasherfirstward.StaffNurseHaywatchedherthoughtfully,then relaxedandsmiled,loweringhervoice.'Actually,Lucas,ithelpsus,too. Wemustn'tforgetshe'sahumanbeing,notjustadollwemovearound. Tellyourselfshecanhearyou,she'sjustasleep,anditmakesyour jobeasier.'Shebentdown,herusualcheerfulsmilesoundinginher voice.'Hello,Belinda,howareyoutoday?We'regoingtowashyou,now, andcombyourhairvisitingtimeinanhour!Youwanttolookyourbest, don'tyou?''Doherfamilyvisitoften?'theyoungergirlasked,helpingto liftBelindasothattheycouldwashher.Hayfrownedandsighed.'She hasn'treallygotafamily.Herfatherdiedyearsago,andhermother remarried.LivesinNewZealandnow.Sheflewbackaftertheaccident, andcameeverydayforamonth,butshegaveuphopingBelindawould comeoutofit.Shecouldn'tstayanyway;shehadotherchildren,bythe secondhusband,soshewenthomeagain.''ButBelindadoesget visitors?'Haysmiledratherwryly.'Oh,yes!Onevisitor'sasregular asclockwork,andthereareafewothers.'HaywaswashingBelinda'sface asshetalked,thenbegantobrushhercopperyhairslowly andgently.NurseLucas,whowaseighteen,withstraightdarkhairand darkeyes,watchedinsilence,thinkingthatBelindawasonlyafew yearsolderthanherself.'Howlonghasshebeenlikethis?'sheasked Hay.'Eightmonths.'Hay'svoicewasflat.'Eightmonths?Oh.So,evenif shedideverrecoverconsciousness,she'dprobablybebraindamaged?' Lucasburstoutinshock.StaffNursegaveherasternlook.'Wedon't knowthat!''But,probably'begantheyoungnurse,thenstoppedwitha gasp,staringdownatthepatient.
'Lucas,neverdiscussapatient'sprognosisinfrontofthem,

doesn'tevenknow

evenifthey'reunconscious!'StaffNurseHaysaid sharply.NurseLucaswhispered,'Staff!Staff...hereyelids moved!'StaffNurseHayfroze,staringatBelindawithout seeinganychange.Shecrosslysaid,'Justautomaticeye movement,Nurse'Shebrokeoff,ashiverofprimitiveshock runningdownherbackasthealmosttransparentblueveined lidsbegantolift.'Itoldyou...Itoldyou!'bubbledNurse Lucasexcitedly.Theybothgazeddownattheslantedgreen eyes.Belindawasn'tyetfocusingonanything;shewas staringlikeababyjustbeginningtoseetheworldaroundit, myopicallylookingintoadazzleoflight,blinking.Thenthe girl'spalelipspartedandabreathcamethroughthema sound,almostlikeasigh.StaffNurseHaypulledherself togetherand,withouttakinghereyesfromthepatient,spoke softlyandquicklytotheprobationer.'GetSister,she'sinher officeaskhertogetMrCourteney,thespecialist.Hurry, girl...don'tjuststandtheredithering.'NurseLucasreluctantly detachedhereyesfromBelindaandturnedtorun.The movementstartledthegirlinthebed;shesuddenlyseemed torealisethattherewereothersintheroom,anddrew anaudiblebreath,herpupilsdilatingasshelooked around.StaffNurseHaysummonedupasoothingsmile, bendingdown.'Hello,Belinda.There'snothingtoworry about.You'reinhospital,youwereinvolvedinanaccident, butyou'regoingtobefinenow,justfine.'BelindaHuntstared atthestrangeface,listening,feelingatroublingfamiliarityas iftheyhadmetinanotherworld,althoughshecouldn't
rememberit.Shewasbewildered,butshewasn'tabletothink

aboutanythingjustnow.Thelightwastoobright.Everythinginthe roomhadasharpnessandclaritythathurthereyes.Herlidsslowly begantodescendagain,andStaffNurseHayurgentlycaughtholdof herhand.'Please...don'tgobacktosleep,Belinda.Stayawake.Howdo youfeel?AnythingIcangetyou?'Belindalickedherdrylipsand thenurseatoncesaid,'Thirsty?Wouldyoulikesomewater?'Belindawas barelyawareofthequestion;shewasfrowning,tryingtothink.Where

wasshe?Whathadhappened?Shemovedherheadslowlyandlookedat thewomaninthewhiteandblueuniform.Whowasshe?Asifreadingthe questionfromherface,thewomansaidgently,'I'mStaffNurseHay.I've beenlookingafteryousinceyoucamein;we'reoldfriends,Belinda.'So farthegirlhadnotsaidaword;therewasnothinginherpale,blankface toindicatethatsheunderstoodwhatwasbeingsaidtoher,whereshe was ,anything! StaffNurseHay'sfirstexultantdelightinseeingBelinda'seyesopen begantodissolveintoanxiety.Hadirreparablebraindamagebeendone? Shehadgrownfondofherpatient,andthatwasamistake,sheruefully acknowledgedtoherself.Itwasunprofessionaltogetemotionally involvedwithapatient,thatwasoneofthefirstlessonsyoulearntwhen youenterednursing,yetHaycouldneverhelpit.Shelikedpeople,that waswhyshehadbecomeanurseinthefirstplace,and,althoughshe knewthescorewhereacomavictimwasconcerned,sheknewthat somepeopledidrecovercompletely,andshehadbeenhoping againsthopethatBelindawouldbeoneofthosewhomadeitbackto lifewithoutlastingconsequence. Belinda'slipspartedagain.StaffNurseHayleanedovertocatchthefaint, huskywhisper.'Ricky...'Belindasaid..'Where'sRicky?'Thenursepaled, frowning,anddidn'tanswer.ThedooropenedandSisterarrivedwithMr CourteneyandNufseLucasonherheels.Thestaffnursedrewbackfrom thebedtogreetthespecialist,whogaveheranod.SisterWilliamsquietly remindedhimofhername.SheknewMrCourteneyhadtrouble rememberingnames,althoughhehatedadmittingasmuch.'StaffNurse Hay,sir.''Iknowthat,Sister!'MrCourteneysaidtouchily.Anelegant manwithanausterelyhandsomefaceandsilvereddarkhair,thespecialist hadalwaysbeenadoredbythenurseswhoworkedforhim,andexpected theirhushedreverence.Beforeapproachingthepatient,hemurmured verysoftly,'Goodmorning,StaffNurseHaythisisexcellentnews!How longhasshebeenconscious?Anyideawhattriggeredit?Whathappened exactly?'Hayansweredasquietly,'Wewerewashingher,sir,when sheopenedhereyes.''Hmm...well,andhowdoessheseemtoyou?'asked MrCourteney,raisingonefinesilveredeyebrow.'Hasshesaid anything?'Haysighed.'Justonething,sir.Shesaid,"Where'sRicky?'"Mr Courteneydrewinhislip.'Ah.Wemayhaveaproblemthere.Whatdid youtellher?''Nothing,sir.YouarrivedwhileIwaswonderingwhatto say.'

smilingathim.'Whatareyourdemandsinawoman,Ricky?'andhehad kissedherandsaidshemetthemall,shewasjustperfect.Hehadnever hiddenthefactthathe'ddatedlotsofothergirlsinthepast,buthehadn't mentionedanyonecalledMegwhatdidshelooklike?Belindahad wonderedjealously.Pretty?HadRickylovedher?OrwasVincentGarrett lying?'Idon'tbelieveyou!'shehadwhisperedhuskily,shakingher head.'Youdon'thavetobelieveme,'Vincenthadshrugged.'Just askRicky.'Shehadinwardlywinced,alreadyhalfbelieving,buthating himforhavingtoldher,andhadbrokenout,'Yousaidyouweregoingto bebrutallyfrank,MrGarrett,sotellmethisthetruthisthatyourfamily don'tthinkI'mgoodenoughforRicky.I'mjustanordinaryworkinggirl,I don'tcomefromyourworld,andyoudon'twantmemarryingyour brother,doyou?'Shehadforceddownhermiseryandfear,andfacedhim inchallenge,hergreeneyesspittingangryresentment.VincentGarrethad staredcoollyather,aglintofcuriosityinhiseyes,butotherwise impervioustoanythingshecouldthrowathim,ahardbitten,remote manarmouredinhiswealthandassurance.'No,Idon'twantyou marryingmybrother,'hehadadmittedwithadrysmile.'Andthisother girl...theoneyouclaimheisengagedto...sheissuitable,Isuppose?' Belindahadsaidbitterly.'Whichmeansshehasafamilybackground, moneyallthethingsIdon'thave?''Meg'sfamilydoeshavemoney,'he grated,'butthathasnothingtodowithit.' 'Oh,ofcoursenot!'Belindahadlaughedwithoutamusement.'Itsoundsto measifyouandyourfamilyhavepickedoutawifeforRicky,andhe refusestobeagoodlittleboy.Heactuallywantstopickhisownwife!It mustbeinfuriatingforyou.''Nothingofthekind!'VincentGarretthad snapped,andshehadeyedhimscornfully.'No?Well,ifanyofthatfarrago ofnonsenseyoujusttoldmeistrue,Rickyhimselfcantellme.I'mcertain RickylovesmeIknowhedoesandhewouldn'tlietome,butIdon't trustyou,sopleasegoaway.'Shehadmarchedtothedoorandflungit openandhehadadvancedtowardsher,frowningblackly,buthehadn't left,hehadgrabbedherbytheshouldersandshakenherlikearagdoll, hislongfingershurtingher.'Haveyoubeensleepingwithhim?Isthat whyyou'resosurehelovesyou?'hehaddemandedhoarsely.Shehad pulledfree,darkredandtremblingwithrage.'Mindyourown business!''I'mmakingthismybusiness!Iwanttoknowhowfarthis hasgonesotellme!Haveyousleptwithhim?'Hisvoicehadbeenharsh, hisfaceathreat,inchesawayfromhers,andshehadobstinatelyrefused totellhimthetruth.'WhatifIhave?Ithasnothingtodowithyou!'He hadalmosthurledherawayfromhim,andthenextinstanthehadgone,

andshehadstoodtheretremblingviolentlyasifshehadbeenexposedto ahurricane,atempest,someelementalthingwhichdestroyedandrushed onleavingeverythingwreckedinitspath.VincentGarretthadadarkness inhim,acoreofviolencewhichterrifiedher,leavingherunabletomove forwhatseemedaverylongtime. ShehadrungRickyhalfanhourlater,whenshehaddressedinjeansand asweater,tiedherhairbackfromherfaceinaponytail,putonsome makeup,madeherselffeelmorenormalandabletotalkwithoutlosing controlorburstingintotears.Rickyhadbeenexpectinghercall,that muchwasobvious.'I'msorry,Itriedtotellyouoverandoveragain,'he saidmiserably.'Darling,Icouldn't...Iwasafraidoflosingyouifyouknew abouther,butyouseeit'sover,herandme,finishedagesago,onceI'd metyou.Iloveyou,darling;sayyouforgivemeforkeepingitfromyou.I wanttomarryyou,notMeg...'Shehadforgivenhim;shelovedhimtoo muchtodoanythingelse.Thatweekendtheyhaddrivendowntohis familyhometofacethewholefamily:parents,brothers,sister.Rickyhad saidhehadtoldthemhowhefelt,andthathewasgoingtomarry Belinda,notMeg,andtheyacceptedit,butBelindahadstillbeenshaky withnervesastheydrovethroughsummersunshine.'Whataboutyour brother?'shehadaskedanxiously,andRickyhadpulledaface,'Oh, Vincentwillcomeround...'Hehadn'tsoundedtoosure,andBelinda hadn'tbeenveryoptimisticeither.ShehatedVincentGarrettandshe fearedhim,inmoreorlessequalproportions,andshedidnothavemuch hopethathewouldsoftentowardsher.Hedidn'twanthermarryinghis brother,andhisoppositionwouldbeformidable.Shehadnotbeen lookingforwardtoseeinghimagain.Thatwasthelastthingshe rememberedthatdrivethroughthecountryside.Shelaytherethinking aboutit,realisingwhatmusthavehappenedshedidn'trememberan accident.OneminuteshehadbeeninthecarwithRicky,feelingedgyand drymouthed,andthenextshe'dbeenswallowedupintoagreatblack voidtoemerge here,inthisroom,knowingnothingofwhathadintervened.Howlong hadshebeenhere?Howhadtheaccidenthappened?Whathadhappened toRicky?Shedidn'tknow,butwhenshefeltstrongenough,maybewhen hermotherwasheretobackherup,shewasgoingtomakethehospital staffgiveherafewanswers.Thedoorofherroomopenedandsheturned herheadreluctantly,expectingtoseeStaffNurseHaywithherlatest medication,orMrCourteneywithanotherofhislittleexaminationsin mind.Itwasneitherofthem.Itwasatall,blackhairedmaninanavy bluecashmereovercoat.Acrossthesmallroomtheireyesmet:his

hard,grey,searchingherfacewithanintensescrutiny;herswide andshockedandappalled.Sherememberedhimonlytoowellfromtheir oneandonlymeeting.HowcouldsheeverforgetorforgiveVincent Garrett?

CHAPTERTWO 'You!'Belindamuttered,herhandsgrippingthesheetina jerkymovement,asifshemeanttoyankituptoherfaceand hidebehindit,which,infact,shewastemptedtodo,except thatshewouldn'tgivehimthesatisfactionofseeingher betrayherfearofhim.'Whatareyoudoinghere?'Hecame intotheroomandquietlyclosedthedoor,then walkedtowardsherbed,stillstaringather,makinghervery awareofthewaythedelicate,lacetrimmedwhitenightdress shewaswearingrevealedherbareshouldersandthedeep valleybetweenherbreasts.Shehadonlyjustbeguntowear herownclothesagainaftermonthsofwearingwhitecotton hospitalgowns.StaffNursehadproducedthisnightdress, sayingthathermotherhadboughtitforhernotlongafter theaccidentand,sincehermotherwasexpectedthat eveningandmightvisitherassoonasshearrived,shehad decidedtoputonthenightdress,butnowshewishedshe hadn't.Shedidn'tlikethewayVincentGarrett'scooleyes flickedoverherbodyandbackuptoherface.'Iwas beginningtothinkyou'dneveropenyoureyesagain,' thatdeep,darkvoicesaid,andthefamiliarityofitwasa shocktoher,somehow.Shehadn'texpectedtorememberhim sosharply.Shefrownedhadhebeeninthisroombefore? Seenherunconscious,unawareofhispresence?Shehated thethoughtofthat;itmadeheredgytoimagineVincent Garrettstandingbesideherwatchingherwhileshewasso totallyobliviousofhim.Hewascarryingsomethingwhichhe hadheldoutofherlineofvisionuntilnowwhenheliftedit andlaiditonherbedsidetable.'You'vewokenupjustintime

forspring!' Shestaredatthehugebouquetofspringflowers:golden daffodils,whitenarcissis,pinktulips,blueirises.Herface burnedinthesurpriseofit,butofcoursehehadbroughther flowersoutofcourtesypeoplealwaysbroughtyouflowers whenyouwereinhospital,didn'tthey?Itwasanautomatic gesture.Sheanswereditwithequallyautomatic politeness.'Thankyou,they'relovely.'Shedidn'tfeellike beingpolitetohim,butithadbeenkindofhimtovisither. Whyhadhecome,though?Hehadscarcelyknownher;he certainlyhadnotlikedher.Sowhywashehere?She suddenlyrememberedRicky'sbringingherflowers,theday theyhadfirstmet.Hereyesglazedwithunshedtearsandher throathurtwhenshetriedtoswallow.Sheknew,didn'tshe? SheknewwhyRicky'sbrotherhadcometovisither. BewaretheGreekswhentheycomebearinggifts,wasn'tthat whatpeoplesaid?Well,nodoubthefeltguiltyabouthis hostilitytohernow.Belindabitdownonherinnerlip,tasting thesaltofblood,andfoughttogetcontrolofherself.She didn'tlookatVincent,butsheknewhewaswatchingher withremote,hardeyes.Hissmoothcashmerecoathungopen overoneofthoseformalcitysuitsheandRickyalways seemedtowearforwork;justastheyworeredor bluestripedtailoredshirts,withstiffcollars,andquietly elegantsilkties.ShehadhatedtoseeRickyinthem.They madehimseemalientoher.VincentGarrettwouldalwaysbe alientoher,whateverhewore.Hewasarmouredinhis wealthandarrogance.Heshruggedoutofthecoatandlaidit overachair,pulledupanotherchairandsatdown,crossing onelegovertheothercasually,asifhemeanttostayfor sometime.Shewaitedforhimtosaysomething,totellher whathehadcomeheretosay,buttherewasasilence,soshe tookadeepbreath,tookhercourageinbothhandsandsaid

bravely,'Tellme.'Hejustwentonstaringatherasifhe didn'tknowwhatshemeant,butheknew,ofcourseheknew. Withamixtureofangerandfearshesaid,'Tellmeabout Ricky.'Therewasasilence,andshewatchedhim,hermouth quivering,herskinashen.Vincent'seyesprobedherface shecouldguesshewastryingtodecidewhetherornotshe wasstrongenoughtohearthenewsandshefixedlygazed back,wordsexplodingfromherlikelavafromavolcano.'I've gottoknow.Tellme.I'vebeenaskingabouthimeversince Iwokeup,butnobodywillsayanything,andit'sdrivingme crazy.He'sdead,isn'the?Hewaskilledinthecrash,that's whytheywon'ttellme,they'reafraidtheshockwillbebad forme,butthesuspenseisworse,believeme!Icanstandit, whateveritis;pleasetellme!'Vincentconsideredhercoolly, hisgreyeyesnarrowedonherasifshewereaspecimen underamicroscope,thenshruggedhisbroadshoulders. 'Well,youhavetoknowsoonerorlater,Isuppose.Ipromised yourspecialistIwouldn'ttellyouyet,butIthinkyou'reright guessingandnotbeingtoldisprobablyworsethanthe truth.Rickyisn'tdead''Oh....'Belindashookwithsuch urgentreliefthatitwaslikeastabofpain.Sheclosedher eyes,sighingdeeply,andforamomentVincentGarrettdidn't goon,hejustsatinsilencewatchingher,untilsheopened hereyesagainandgavehimasearchinglookasherrelief gavewaytofreshanxiety.'Buthewashurt?Badly?Ishein thehospitalhere?''No,hewasn'thurtatleast,notbadly.A fewcutsandgrazes,acoupleofbrokenribs,nothingmuch. Hewaslucky.'Vincent'shardmouthtwistedcoldly.'Ricky alwaysis.' Belindastaredatnothing,frowning.AmIgettingparanoid? Hay?Idon'tbelieveshewouldconspireagainstme.Itwasan oddcoincidence,though,thatheshouldturnupsosoon afterwards,wasn'tit?Haycameintotheroomafewminutes

laterandBelindalookedintoherfriendlyeyesuneasily, wishingshedidnotfeelthisawfulsuspicion.Haywasso nice.Howcouldshesuspecther?ButVincentGarrettwasan attractivemanapowerfulone,too.Belindahatedtheman, butshehadpickedupthedistinctimpressionthatallthe nursesratherfanciedhim.'Didyoueveraskthealmonerto comeandseeme,Hay?'shequietlyasked,andHaysmiled, nodding.'Yes,shesaidshewoulddealwithit.Hasshebeen yet?''Notyet,'Belindasaid,wonderingifithadbeenthe hospitalauthoritieswhohadletVincentGarrettknowshe wasplanningtoconsultasolicitor.Shepreferredtobelieve that.ShelikedHay.'I'lljoghermemory!'Haysaidcheerfully, tidyingtheroominherusualdeft,efficientway.'No,giveher anotherdayorso;she'sprobablybusy,'saidBelinda,whowas curioustoseeifthealmonerwouldactuallycomeatall.She didn't.ToBelindathatseemedtoprovethecaseagainst thisunknownwoman.ShemusthaverungVincent.Nodoubt hehadaskedhertokeephiminformedofBelinda'sprogress. Hehadprobablysaidthat,asRicky'sbrother,hefelt responsibleforher;hemusthaveclaimedsomesortofright toknowhowshewas!Whyelseshouldthealmonerhavetold himshewastalkingofseeingasolicitor?Andnodoubthe hadpromptlytoldthealmonerhewoulddealwiththe situation,sheneednotgoandseeBelinda,shecould leaveitalltohim!Oh,yes!Thatwashisstyle.Thebland arrogance,thesmilingdeterminationtogethisown way.Belindahadplentyoftimetothinkabouthim.Shelay awakeatnightalotlately;shehadspentsomuchtime asleep,shesupposed,thatitwasquitenaturalforhertohave atouchofinsomnia,andthinkingabouttheiniquitiesof VincentGarretthelpedherthroughthelongnight.Itwas severalweeksbeforeshewasconsideredstrongenough toleavethehospitalforamonthinaconvalescenthome.She

wasexcitedbythethoughtofgoingoutintotheoutside world,eventhoughshefeltatthesametimea frisson ofnervesattheprospect.'We'llmissyou,'Haysaid,almost tearful,whenBelindagavehertheredandblackrawsilk scarfshehadgotTracytobuyforher,alongwithlittlegifts fortheothernursesshehadgrowntoknowsowell.'Thanks foreverythingyou'vedone;IknowhowmuchIowe you,'Belindasaidshylytothemall,buttheybrushedher thanksaside.'Itwasapleasure,'Haysaidforthemall.'That's ourjob.Weenjoylookingafterpeople,infact,that'swhywe doit,andit'sgreattoseesomeonemakingsuchawonderful recoveryafterbeingsoill.You'vemadeusallfeeltenfeettall bygettingbetter,believeme.''Ihopethenursesatthis convalescenthomeareasnice,'saidBelinda,smiling.'Ionly wishyouwereallcomingwithme!''Oh,theatmospherewill bequitedifferentthere.Morelikeahotelthanahospital.You won'tbeneedingnursingnow.'Haylookedatthewatch pinnedtoherapronbib.'Thecarshouldbeheresoon.Have yougoteverything?I'llcomedowntowaveyouoff!' Belindamadeitintotheliftanddownstairsonherowntwo feet,andwassoproudofthisachievementthatshewas flushingandlaughingasshesaidgoodbyetoHaywhilethe hospitalporterputherluggageintothewaitingcar.'Sendusa postcard,letusknowhowyouare!'remindedHayas theyhuggedeachother.'OfcourseIwill!'Belindasaid huskily.Hayhadbecomeafriendovertheselong,painful weeksofrecovery.Belindaowedhermorethanshecould everrepay,butshelikedher,too.Thehospitalhadbecome herhomeandshewasafraidofleavingit.Tearsspilleddown herface;sheturnedanddivedintothecartohideher emotion,butturnedherheadtowavebackatHayasthecar begantomoveawaysmoothly,downthelongdrivetowards

thehospitalgates.Onlyasthelittlegrouponthestepsofthe hospitalvanishedfromhersightdidsheturnhereyesonto themaninthedrivingseat,andthenherbodyjerkedinicy shock.'Whatthe...what'sgoingon?'shebrokeout,hervoice hoarsewithbreathlessincredulityandjaggedalarm.She hardlybelievedhereyes.Whatwashedoingbehindthe wheelofthecar?'Doupyourseatbelt,'wasallVincent Garrettsaidwithoutevenlookingather,andthatdidn'thelp toalleviateherfears.Shedidn'tobeyhim;shesaidinavoice shetriedwithoutsuccesstokeepverylevel,'Stopthiscarat onceandletmeout!'Ifshesoundedconfidentenough,he mighttakeherseriously.'Doupyourseatbelt,'herepeatedin thatcold,authoritativevoice.Shecouldonlyseepartofhis face,inthedrivingmirror:hisdarkhair,thewingedlineof hisbrows,thoseremote,palegreyeyes.Hewasascoolasan icecube.'Areyoukidnappingme?'Belindachallenged angrily.Inthemirrorhiseyesnarrowedonherfacebriefly, beforereturningtotheirscrutinyoftheroad.'Nothingso melodramatic.I'mmerelydrivingyoutotheconvalescent home.Now,doupyourseatbelt,willyou?'Hisvoicestung likeawhip.Sheautomaticallydidupthebelt,frowning. Beinginacaragainremindedherofthelasttime.'Howdid theaccidenthappen?'shewonderedaloud.Hethrewher anothersharp,searchingglanceinthemirror.'Youmean nobodytoldyouthedetails?Anothercarwentoutof controlandspunstraightintothepathofRicky'scar.He brakedashardashecould,andthecrashwouldhavebeena damnsightworseifRickyhadn'tbeensoquickthinking.'Her mouthtwisted.'Well?Goon.Finishit.''Finishwhat?''The pointyou'remaking.''Andwhat'sthat?''ThatIshouldn't blameRickyforwhathappened,andImustgiveupanyidea ofclaimingcompensation.That'swhatyou'rereally saying,isn'tit?''Iwasjusttellingyouwhatnobodyhad

apparentlytoldyoubeforethetruefactsoftheaccident.' 'Howyouseethem,youmean.We'llletacourtdecidehow trueyourversionis,shallwe?I'mnotreadytoacceptyour wordforanything.'Sheturnedandlookedsidewaysoutof thecaratthegreyLondonsuburbanstreetsthroughwhich theywerenowdriving.SheknewLondonquitewell,butshe didnotrecogniseanylandmarks,untilshesuddenlycaught sightofaroadsign.Theywereheadingnorth,itseemed.'Why areyoudrivingme?'shethoughtaloud.'You'reabusyman; averyimportantman,asyouwenttogreatpainstomakeme realisethefirsttimewemet.YoumadeitclearthatIwasa nobody,notfittocleanyourshoes.Sowhyareyouwasting yourveryvaluabletimedrivingmeabout?Andwhereare youtakingme,anyway?''Didn'ttheytellyou?'heanswered smoothly,pickingupspeedasheenteredanorthbound motorwayjunction.'Aprivatenursinghomecalled DillinghamPlace.Verycomfortable,delightfulgardensand afriendlyatmosphere.You'llenjoyyourstaythere.''Whereis it?'sheaskedwithsuspicion.Hehadn'tansweredher firstquestion.Whywashedrivingher?Whyhim,nota hospitaldriver?Orevenataxidriver?'Buckinghamshire,'he saidcalmly,andherwholebodystiffened.'Buckinghamshire? Butthat'swhere...''Wheremyfamilylive,'heagreed.'Yes.'She staredathisreflectedfaceinthelittlemirror.Itdidn't revealanythingofwhatmightbeinhismind.'Howfarfrom theirhouseisthisnursinghome?'she demanded.'Approximately?'hedrawledinthatinfuriatingly blandtone,andthebackofherneckprickled. 'Exactlyhowfar?''Exactly?'Hepretendedtoconsider,his headtooneside.'Oh,halfamile,Isuppose.'Hermind whirledwithquestions,butitwasalittlewhilebefore shecouldmanagetoaskanyofthem.'WhyamIgoingtoa

nursinghomewhichissoclosetowhereyourfamilylive? Don'ttrytokidmethatit'sacoincidence,becauseIwon'tbuy it.You'reuptosomethingwhatisit?'Heanswered smoothlyfartoosmoothly.'DillinghamPlaceisaprivate nursinghomerunbyacompanywhichhappenstobeaclient ofmybank.''Oh,itjusthappenstobeoneofyourclients, doesit?'shebitout.'Well,Ican'taffordthecostofprivate treatment!''Youwon'thavetopay.''Whowillbepaying,then?' Shebitherlip,hereyeswideandglazedwithunshedtears. 'Ricky?It'sRicky,isn'tit?He'sgoingtopayformetohavethis monthinaprivatehome?Well,I'mnottakingapennyfrom him!'Shehadforgottenforamomentherswornresolveto makeRickypayforwhathehaddonetoher.'Heisn'tbuying hiswayoutoftrouble,'shemuttered.'Heneedn'tthinkheis! TakemebacktoLondon,I'mnotbookingintothisnursing home!''Rickyisn'tpaying!'Vincentsaidwhenshestopped, hervoiceshakingandhusky.Shelookedathimscornfully.'It hastobehim;don'ttryandlietome.Whoelsecoulditbe?''I ampaying,'hesaid,andshestoppeddead,reallytaken abacknow. 'You?'Shecouldn'tthinkstraightforamoment;Vincenthad takenhercompletelybysurprise,butthenhermindbeganto workagainandsherealisedwhatitallmeant.Didtheyreally thinkshewassostupidthatshewouldn'tseethroughtheir littleplot?'Ofcourse,'shesaidwithsarcasm.'Itwouldbeyou whowouldpay.ThatwayRickywouldn'tbeacceptingor admittinganyresponsibilityformycondition.Clever.Which ofyouthoughtthatoneup?''Rickyisn'tinvolvedatall.He doesn'tevenknowyouhavecomeoutofthecomayet,' Vincentsaidquietly,andajabofpainwentthroughher.Ricky wasonhishoneymoon;hehadforgottenallabouther. Shefellsilent,fightingwiththemiseryofknowingthatthe manshehadlovedsomuchwasinthearmsofanother

woman.Shehadbeensosureshehadfoundareallove,one thatwouldlastforever.Butithaddiedwithouthereven knowing;shehadsleptwhileRickylefther.Shewishedshe couldhateRickythewayshehatedhisbrother,butlove,or thememoryofit,clunglikepoisonivy;itstunglikeit, too.Hermotherhadalwayssaidshewasobstinate.'Stubborn asanox,Bellaren'tyou?'shewouldsigh.'Youwon'tchange yourmindorbudgeaninch.Onedayyou'llhurtyourself.' Well,shewashurtingherselfnow.Sheshouldstartforgetting Rickythewayhehadforgottenher;sheknewthat,butshe didn'tknowhow.Herheartwasasobstinateashermind.She leanedbackinsilence,staringoutofthecar.Theywere travellingthroughgreencountrysidenow,withanoccasional village,andglimpsesofblackandwhitecowsgrazing inmeadowswhosehedgeswerewhitewithMayflowers,the honeyscented,starryblossomsofthehawthorn.Bluebells madeahazybluesmokeunderthetreesinalittlewood. Springwashalfwaytosummer.Shehadmissedseveral seasons,sleptthroughthem,likeahibernatinganimal,and therealisationmadeherlookateverythingwithagreater clarityofvision,withamorepoignantsenseofhowlovelyit allwas,andhowfleeting.Thecarslowed.'We'rehere,' Vincentsaid.Belindasatup,focusingontheopengates throughwhichheswungthecar.Aheadshesawalongdrive betweenbeechtrees;theirsmooth,silverybarkglisteningin sunlight.Yellowcatkinsclusteredamongthelight,green leaves,shakenbyaspringwindtodriftdowntheairas goldendustwhichclungtothewindscreenofthecar.The housewasagraciousEdwardianbuildingwitharedtiled roofandwhitewalls.Belindalookedforsignsofother patients,orhospitalstaff,buttherewasonlyagardener,in greencordtrousersandboots,pushingawheelbarrowalong apathroundthesideofthehouse.Vincentpulledup,gotout,

andstroderoundtoopenherdoorandhelpheroutofthe car.Belindawouldhaverefusedtoleavethecar,butshewas exhaustedbythejourney.Shedidnothavetheenergyto argue.Herlegshadgonetosleepduringthelongdrive;she stumbledasshetookherfirststep,andclutchedatVincent instinctively.Heputanarmaroundher,staringintoherpale face,thenpickedherupintohisarmsandcarriedher towardsthehouse.'Putmedown!'shebrokeout,asflushed nowasshehadbeenpale.'You'renotuptowalking!'Vincent saiddrily,andtightenedhishold.Shewasdisturbedbybeing heldinhisarms,herheadagainsthischest,hisheartbeating rightunderherear.Thatclosephysicalcontactwashavinga strangeandworryingeffectonher.Hatredhad didn'thego?Hispresencegratedonherandshewasreally feelingwearynow.Shewasdyingtoliedown,tosleep.'You havenofamilyinEnglandnow,Igather?'JessMintern asked,andBelindalookedup,nodding,awistfullookinher eyesforasecondbeforeshehiditbylookingaway.'Well,no closerelatives,anyway.Myfatherisdead,andmymotherhas remarried.ShelivesinNewZealandnow.'Shedidn'tlook atVincentGarrett,butshewasaiminghernextwordsathim, hervoicesmokilyhostile.'I'vepromisedtojointhemthere whenI'mwellenoughforthelongflight.Imustringthem tomorrowtoletthemknowwhereIam.Isthereapayphone here?'ShelookedenquiringlyatJess,whogavehera sympatheticsmile.'Youcanusethephonewheneveryoulike, dear.There'soneinyourroom.''Oh,thankyou.Iwon'tmake longdistancecallsallthetime,don'tworry,butIwouldlike toringNewZealandjustthisonce.TheyknewIwasmoving toaconvalescenthome,butIdidn'tletthemknowthe address.Isupposetheycanalwaysgetitfromthe

hospitalauthorities,butIwouldliketotalktomymotherfor fiveminutes.'ShewantedVincenttoknowshehadafamily whowouldbeconcernedabouther.Heneedn'tthinkshewas aloneintheworld,anddefenceless.Shegavehimaswift, warylookandfoundhimwatchingher,hisfacecold.'They alreadyknow,'hesaidtersely,andshedidadoubletake then,herfacepaleanddisbelieving.'Theyknow?Whatdo youmean?Howcouldthey...?Imean,whatmakesyouthink that?Didthehospitalletthemknow,isthatwhatyoumean?' 'Idid.Itoldyourmotheronthetelephone,beforemaking thearrangements.IfeltIshouldaskherpermissiontogo ahead,andshewashappytogiveit.'Belindawasstunned. HermotherknewallaboutRicky,thepainhehadcausedher, thebitterlegacyoftheirbrokenloveaffair,andthepartthe Garrettfamily,and,aboveall,VincentGarrett,hadplayedin hisbetrayal.Hermothermustsurelyhaverealisedhowshe wouldhatebeinghereasVincent'sguest,eatingfoodhehad paidfor,havingtoputupwithhiscompanyevenifshe couldn'tguessthatitwouldmeanbeinginsomestrange fashioninhispower,forthatwashowitfelt,asthough Vincenthadbroughtherhereaprisonerandmeanttokeep herone,too.Belindapushedbacktherichcopperywavesof hairwhichhadfallenoverherface.Shedidn'tbelievehim; hermotherwouldn'thaveagreed.UnlessVincenthadliedto her.Whathadhereallytoldhermother?'SomeMadeira cake?'askedJessMinternkindly,asliceofthecakeproffered onaplate,butBelindashookherhead,swallowing.'No, thankyou.I...IreallythinkI'dliketogotobednow.' Sheshrankbackinherchair,afraidthathewouldtrytocarry herupthestairsthewayhehadcarriedherintothishouse, butatthatinstantthetelephonerang,andJessturnedher headtolisten,thenlookedatVincentwithawrylittle smile.'ThatwillbeMagdalen.'Vincentfrozeinhistracks.

'What?'Hisvoicewassharp,hisfeaturestaut.Belinda stiffened,watchinghimalertly.Jesswaswatchinghim,too, herexpressionunreadabletoBelinda.'Yes,shehasrungthree timesthisafternoonalready.Itoldheryouwouldbeback aroundteatime.' 'Youdidn'ttellher?'Vincentbrokeoffthequestion,giving Belindaastrangesidelongglance.Belindastaredback, startledtoseeafaintrednessinhisface.'No,Ididn't,'Jess saiddrily,clearlyunderstandingwhateverhehadnot said.'Thanks,Jess.'Vincentgaveheraruefulsmile.'You'd betteranswerthatbeforeitstopsringing!'Jessmerely said,shakingherheadathimasifinreprimand.Vincent lopedtowardsthedoor,thenvanishedintothehallway.After afewseconds,thephonestoppedringing.Belinda vaguelypickedupthesoundofhisdeepvoicetalking somewhere;sheheardhislaughing,andherselfbeganto frown.WhowasMagdalen?Hislatestwoman?Wasit serious,orjustapassingaffair?Notthatitmatteredtoher,of course!Shewasjustcurious.Andwhathadn'thewantedJess totellthisotherwoman?Aboutme?shewondered.Wasthat it?HadVincentbeenafraidthatJessmighthaveletitdrop thathewasdrivingBelindadownfromLondon?IfMagdalen meantmoretohimthanjustalightromance,shemight knowhisfamilyandmighthaveheardallaboutBelinda. MaybeVincentwasafraidhisgirlfriendwouldgetthewrong idea?Maybeshewasthejealoussort?Belinda'sgreeneyes flashed.Magdalenneednotfret,therewasnodangerofher stealingVincentGarrettinfact,shewouldn'thavehimona silverplatterwithanappleinhismouth!Althoughtheimage wascertainlyanintriguingone,shethoughtwithbleak humour.Ofcourse,itmightbesimplerthanthat.Vincent mightnothavetoldhisfamilythathewasbringingBelinda toDillinghamPlace;hemightnotwantthemtoknowofher

presencesoclosetotheirownhome,andmightbeafraid thatMagdalenwouldtellthemifshefoundout.Yes,that mademoresense.Hewouldn'twanthisfamilytoknow hewasstillseeingthegirlwhohadalmostruinedtheirplans forRicky.Theyprobablyhopedshewouldnevershowupin theirlivesagain.Theymustthinkshewasaproblemsolved, allhernuisancevaluedealtwithbyRicky'smarriage.Herface hardened,herpallorintensifying.Well,theywerewrong.She meanttobeathornintheirfleshforalongtimetocome. Theyhadruinedherlife,andshemeanttoreturnthe compliment,evenifshehadtousetheirweaponstodoit. Moneywasalltheyunderstoodsoshewouldusemoneyto hurtthem.Vincentneednotthinkthatbypayingforher convalescenceherehewasgoingtosoftenherheartand makeherchangehermindaboutsuinghisbrother.Somehow orother,shewasgoingtomakethemallpayforwhatthey haddonetoher,especiallyVincenthimself.'Well,ifyou'dlike togotoyourroomnow...'Jesssaid,breakinginonher broodingthoughts,andBelindapulledherselftogether tosmile.'Oh,yes,thankyou.'Jessmovedtohelpherup,but Belindashookherhead.'Icanmanage,honestly!'Jessstood back,smiling,butfollowedhertothedoor,staying closeenoughtohelpifBelindafaltered.TheymetVincentin thehall,stridingtowardsthem.'Ihavetogo,'hesaid,hiscool eyesflickingoverBelindainawayshedidnotlike.'Goodbye, MrGarrett,'shesaidicily. 'I'llbeseeingyou,'hedrilyreturned,andtoBelindathat soundedlikeathreat.Thelastthingshewantedwastosee VincentGarrettagain.'Ifyouneedme,Jess,youknowwhere tofindme,'hesaidasheleft,thenthefrontdoorslammed andBelindawearilyclimbedthestairswithJessrightbehind her,asthoughafraidshemightsuddenlytumblebackdown again.'Thisisyourroom,'Jesssaid,flingingopenadooron

thewidelanding.Belindawastootiredtolookattheroom; sheconcentratedontakingalastfewsteps,andhardly noticedanythingbeforeshemadeittoapinkvelvetchair andsankdownwithalongsigh.Jesswasthereatonce, concerninherface.'AreyouOK?'ShepickedupBelinda's wristandtookherpulse,watchingherpalefaceclosely.'Any headache?Dizziness?''No,nothinglikethat.I'lllive,'Belinda saidwithawrysmileasshegotherbreathback.'Thestairs werejusttoomuchforme,Isuppose.''Well,let'sgetyouinto bednow.Iwon'tbekeepingyouthere,don'tworry.From tomorrowyoucansuityourself,butjustfortodayIthink you'dbebetteroffinbed,don'tyou?'Belindawasn'targuing. Shegotundressedandintobed,andJessclosedthecurtains, plungingtheroomintoblueishshadow.Outsideinthe gardenBelindaheardbirdscallinginthedusk,andin thehouseacomfortablesilencereigned.'There'sajugof wateronthebedsidetable,andaglass,'saidJess.'Doyou thinkyou'llbeabletoeatdinner?' Belindashookherhead,herlidsheavy.'I'msorry,wouldyou mindifIskipittonight?I'djustliketogotosleep.''Ithink you'reverywise.ThedrivefromLondonwas probablyexhausting,especiallyasitwasthefirsttimeyou've beeninacarsinceyouraccident.Ifyouneedme,there'sa bellpushrightnexttoyoudoyouseeit?'Jesspointedand Belindalookedobedientlyattheredbutton,nodding.Her eyelidswereasheavyasleadnow.ShelongedforJessto go.Jesswenttothedoorandlookedback.'Goodnight,then. Surethere'snothingelseIcandoforyou?'Belindaletherlids droop;throughthemshesawtheroominahazeandJess seemedveryfaraway.SleepilyBelindaopenedher mouth,meaningtojustsaygoodnight.Instead,sinceJesswas sodistantandthequestionwasonhermind,sheasked,'Are youreallyanurse?''Fullyqualified,'saidJess,watchingher

withafaintfrown.'Iworkedinahospitalforyearswhy,are youinpain?Don'tkeepittoyourselfifsomething'swrong tellme!''Nothing'swrong,Ijustwondered...isthisanursing home?''Anursinghome?Ofcourseitisn't.'Jesscameback, anxietyinhervoice,andputahandonBelinda'sforehead. 'Areyoufeverish?No,temperature'slow,ifanything.Itmust bebecauseyou'resotiredthatyou'rebabbling.Gotosleep now,there'sagoodgirl.'Shesmoothedahanddownover Belinda'seyes.'Gotosleep.'Belindadid,consumedbysleep asifitweresomegiantwavecrashingdownoverherand swallowingherup.Whenshewokeuptheroomwasfullof palesunlight,andshewasquiterecovered,allherweariness gone.Shelayinthebedlookingaroundwithalerteyeswhich tookineverything.Itwasaspacious room,furnisheddelightfully.Thebedwasultracomfortable, shehadsleptlikeanangelunderagoosefeatherduvetwhich wasinsideagorgeouspinkandcreamLibertyprintcover. Thewholeroomechoedthatdesign;thiswasanEdwardian room,yetwithmoderncomforts.Shelovedtherosepinkart nouveaucurtains,thecreamdeeppiledcarpet,theart nouveauwallpaperwhichcarriedthesamedesignasthe curtains,theexquisitelyframedmirrorofthesameperiod, theCelticstylecarvingonthedressingtablelegs,andon thewardrobeandchestwhichmatchedit.Belindawas enchanted,andlaythereforages,staring.Afterthestarch andstarknessofthehospital,thisroomwasinanother world.Shehadn'tbeenexpectinganythingsobeautiful. Surelyallnursinghomesweren'tlikethis?shethought,then ithitherthememoryofherbriefexchangewithJesslast night,inthemomentsbeforesleephadengulfedher.Thiswas notanursinghome!Jesshadsaidso,hadn'tshe?Ofcourseit wasn'tanursinghome,shehadsaid,lookingatBelindaasif herbrainmighthavegivenway!Belindawentcoldwithshock

atthememory.Butifthiswasn'tanursinghome,whyhad VincentGarrettbroughtherhere?Whatwasthisplace?Who wasJess?Anothermemorycamebacktoher.Jesswasat leastaqualifiednurse.Thatwassomething.Orwasit?If thiswasnotanursinghome,whywasaqualifiednurse actingasherhostess?Whatwashappeningtoher?Fearmade hermouthdry,and,realisinghowthirstyshewas,she reachedforthejugofwaterbesideher,onlytoknockasmall clockoffthebedsidetable.Theresultingcrashmadeher jumpandsitupright,horrified.Sheleanedovertopickup theclock.Please,pleasedon'tbebroken!she thoughtasshelookeddownatit,andwasrelievedtohearit ticking,andtoseenovisiblesignsofdamage.Amomentlater thedoorswungopenandsheflinched,lookingacrossthe roomatJess.'Areyouallright?Iheardabang.'Theolder womanhurriedtowardsher,andBelindashakilyconfessedto theaccident.'Idon'tthinktheclockisbroken,though.'Jess tookitfromherandreplaceditonthetable,smilingat her.'Don'tworryaboutit.Howdoyoufeelthismorning?You lookbetter,butI'dbettertakeyourtemperatureandpulse beforeIletyougetup,justtomakesure.'Bothwerefine,and Jessallowedhertogetupandtakeabathbeforegetting dressedinasimplewhiteblouseandpleatedgreyskirt, hersmallwaistencircledbyanarrowblackleatherbelt. Belindastaredatherselfinthemirrorasshebrushedher long,copperyhairandtieditbackatthenapewithawhite ribbonbow.Herfacebetrayedheruncertaintyandalarm;she foughttolookcalm.Shemustseemrelaxed;shehadtomake Jessthinkshewasjustfine.Shewantedtomakefriendswith Jess.Sheinstinctivelylikedher,andshecouldn'tbelieveJess wouldbeinvolvedinanythingdangerousorillegal,soeither Vincenthadnottoldherthetruthaboutwhateverhewas upto,orBelindawasimaginingthingsandtherewasnothing

sinistergoingonatall.'Wereyoualwaysthistiny,orhaveyou lostalotofweightsinceyouraccident?'askedJesswitha grinasBelindajoinedherdownstairs.'Iwasalwaysslim,but notthisskinny!'Belindasaid,grimacing.'Apparentlytheyhad meonadripwhileIwas.unconscious,butI Hereyesheldsomethingmoreanagonyofshame andbewilderment.Theyquestionedher.Why?Whydidyou letithappen?Whydidyoulethimdothattoyou?Whatis thematterwithyou?Shecouldn'tunderstandherselfany more.Shedidn'trecogniseherself.Herbehaviourwasso inexplicable,sodisturbingwhyhadsheletamanshehated anddespisedmakelovetoher?Why?Shestaredintoher torturedeyesandsuddenlyherskinseemedtofreezetoher bones.Therewas,afterall,oneobviousexplanationofall this.Itcouldbealegacyofhercoma.Hadshesufferedbrain damage,afterall?Shewasactingunpredictably,doingstupid things,puzzlingthings,losingcontrolofherself.Wasshe goingcrazy?

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE ItwashalfanhourbeforeBelindacouldfaceunlockingher door,andbythenshewaslookingalmostnormal,herhair brushed,herclothesneat,herfacewearingmakeupthathid theravagesofhertears.Nobodyhadknockedonherdoor,so eitherJesshadn'tmissedherorVincentGarretthadwarned heragainstgoingupstairstofindoutwhyshewasinher room.Butwhatonearthcouldhesay?shethought,thena bitterhumourmadehergrimace.Thatwouldbenoproblem, hewouldlie,ofcourse.Whatelsedidheeverdo?Shewould doalittlelyingherself.Shelookedforapaperbackofoneof herfavouritebooks, JaneEyre, whichoneofthenurseshadgivenherasafarewellpresent. Itwouldmakeagoodexcuseforhavinggonebacktoher room.WhenshewentdownstairsagainshemetJessinthe hall.'Oh,thereyouare!'saidJesscheerfully,butBelindafelt shewasbeinggivenathoughtful,probinglook,fromwhich shehalfturnedherheadsothatJessonlygotherprofile.'I wasjustlookingforthis!'shesaid,holdingupherbook.'Oh, you'vegotsomethingtoread!Iwasgoingtoofferyou somemagazines.Ithoughtyoumightliketositinthegarden thismorningsoI'veputachairoutonthelawn;youcanread outthereinthesun,'Jesstoldher,andBelindaeagerly accepted.ShewasunlikelytohaveanytroublefromVincent Garrettoutthere,infullviewofthehouse,anditwouldgive hertimealone,tothink.Jesstookheroutthere,sawher settledinthedeepcushionedwickerchair,withawhiteand greenstripedgardenumbrellaarrangedtokeepthesunoff

herface,andalowwickertablebesideher,onwhichJess hadarrangedajug'oficedlemonade,aglass,anda littleplateofbiscuits. Lookingatthem,Belindagrinned.'Areyoutryingtofatten meup?'Jessjustlaughed.'Ifyouwantme,ringthis.'She pointedtothelittlebrassbellonthetableandthenshewent backtothehouse.Belindasatback,herbookopenonher lap,pretendingtoread.Hermindwashuntingfeverishlyfor awayoutofthetrapVincenthadlaidforher.Shehadtoget awayfromhere;shecouldn'tstayinthishouse.Shenever wantedtoseehimagain.Shedidn'tyetknowhis preciseintentions,butshesuspectedtheywerenotgood. Whathadhesaid?Thathewantedhersomewhere'safe'? Whatdidthatmean?Ashiverrandownherspine.Shedidn't trusthimorlikehim.Butevenifshecouldescapewherewas shetogo?Shehadnohomenow,andhermotherwasonthe otherside,oftheworld.Shehadsomemoneyinthebank,of course.Shecouldgotoahotel,orfindherselfanewflat,but sheknewshewasn'tyetovertheeffectsofherinjuries.She stillhaddizzyspellsfromtimetotime,sheoftenfelttiredor weak,andshegotheadaches,althoughtheywereno longersuchbadones,andtheycamemoreandmorerarely.It wouldbedangeroustobealone,though,ornottohave immediatemedicalhelponhand.Thatwasthewholeideaof goingtoaconvalescenthome.Perhapsshecouldgobackto thehospitalandaskthemtofindherarealconvalescent home?Alittleflushcreptupherfaceattheideaof explaining.Whatcouldshesay,forheaven'ssake?Itwould besoembarrassing,itwouldmakehersoundcrazy...She closedhereyes,flinching.I'mnot.Iamnotcrazy.Imustn't letmyselfthinksuchathing.VincentGarrettwouldlikeme tobelieveit,nodoubt.Hewantstoundermineme,destroy

myselfconfidence,stopmesuinghisbrotherforafortune. Thatiswhatthisisallabout. Money.Heisdetermined.nottogivemeanymoney,ifhe canhelpit,andheisreadytouseanyweaponthatcomesto hand.Evensex.Herstomachchurned.Shecouldn'tbearto rememberherselfinhisarms;shehatedtheverythoughtof howshehadfeltduringthosefewmoments.He's unscrupulous,anopportunist,shethought,herface hardening.Shelookedupandstaredacrossthegardenata whiteroseinbloom,butdidnotreallyseeitatall.Instead, shesawadark,ruthlessface,andherhandsscrewedinto fistsonherlap.Shehadtogetawayfromhim,awayfrom here.Shecouldringhermotherandsayshewascomingto NewZealand,thenbookaflightandjustgo.Howcouldhe stopher?Therewasaphoneinherroom,andJesshad promisedshecouldringhermother.Shewoulddothatlater today.Assoonasshehadtalkedtohermother,shewould bookthefirstpossibleflight,thenshewouldpackandring forataxiandspendanightinahotelneartheairport.Itwas allverysimple,really,afterall,andsheleanedbackwith asigh,suddenlyverytired.Shehadbeengettingworkedup overnothing.VincentGarrettwasn'tsuperhuman;hehadno poweroverher.Sheonlyhadtoputhermindtoitandshe couldwalkawayfromhim,andhewouldnotbeabletostop her,shortofusingphysicalforce,andevenhewouldn'tdo that.Whyhadsheletherselfgetintosuchastateoverhim? Sheclosedhereyesagain,anddriftedintohalfsleep,the sunwarmonherarmsandlegs,butthecoolshadeofthe umbrellaprotectingherface,andtheairfreshandsweetwith thescentofroses.'Lunchisready,'avoicesaid,andshewoke withastarttofindJessbesideherlookingamused.'You've beenasleepforanhour!' smilingathim.'Whatareyourdemandsinawoman,Ricky?'

andhehadkissedherandsaidshemetthemall,shewasjust perfect.Hehadneverhiddenthefactthathe'ddatedlotsof othergirlsinthepast,buthehadn'tmentionedanyonecalled Megwhatdidshelooklike?Belindahadwondered jealously.Pretty?HadRickylovedher?OrwasVincent Garrettlying?'Idon'tbelieveyou!'shehadwhisperedhuskily, shakingherhead.'Youdon'thavetobelieveme,'Vincenthad shrugged.'JustaskRicky.'Shehadinwardlywinced,already halfbelieving,buthatinghimforhavingtoldher,andhad brokenout,'Yousaidyouweregoingtobebrutallyfrank,Mr Garrett,sotellmethisthetruthisthatyourfamilydon't thinkI'mgoodenoughforRicky.I'mjustanordinaryworking girl,Idon'tcomefromyourworld,andyoudon'twant memarryingyourbrother,doyou?'Shehadforceddownher miseryandfear,andfacedhiminchallenge,hergreeneyes spittingangryresentment.VincentGarrethadstaredcoollyat her,aglintofcuriosityinhiseyes,butotherwiseimpervious toanythingshecouldthrowathim,ahardbitten,remote manarmouredinhiswealthandassurance.'No,Idon'twant youmarryingmybrother,'hehadadmittedwithadry smile.'Andthisothergirl...theoneyouclaimheisengaged to...sheissuitable,Isuppose?'Belindahadsaidbitterly. 'Whichmeansshehasafamilybackground,moneyallthe thingsIdon'thave?''Meg'sfamilydoeshavemoney,'he grated,'butthathasnothingtodowithit.'

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN 'Thehellyouwill!'Vincentsaidthroughtightlips.'Now,youlistentome ''I'mneverlisteningtoyouagain.I'velistenedtoyouoncetoo often,'Belindasnappedback.'I'vemadeupmymind,sodon'tbother toargue.IamgoingtoseeRicky,evenifitisonlyforthelast time.'Fortunately,theywererapidlyapproachingthelittlejetty outsideSeanandBridie'shotel,andshecouldseeBridiewavingto themfromthegarden.'Youaren'twreckingmybrother'smarriagebefore ithasstarted!'Vincentsaidwithviolence,andshelookedathimwith distanteyes.'Don'tkeeptalkingaboutit,becauseI'mnotlistening.'She knewthatifshelethimsayanythinghewouldonlycomeupwith morelies,someotherveryplausiblestorytokeepherawayfrom Ricky.Themoreshethoughtaboutit,themoreconvincedshewas thateverythinghehaddonesincesherecoveredconsciousnesshad beendesignedtokeepherandRickyapart.ShewavedtoBridie,somehow conjuringupabrightsmile.'There'sBridie.You'dbetterstopscowlingor she'llwonderwhatonearthhashappened,especiallywhensheseesmy wethair.'Vincentwaswatchingherwithglitteringeyes;shecouldfeel therageinsidehim,andwasrelievedastheboatbumpedintothewooden pilesofthejettyandBridielaughedandcamerunningtohelpthemtie up,herfacemischievous.'Hey!Ithoughtyouwereafamousoarsman, Vincent.Don'truinSean'sboatorhe'llstrangleyou.ForaminutethereI thoughtyouweregoingtosmashintoourlandingstage.''Sorry,'Vincent mumbled,afaintrednessinhisface.'Imustbeoutofpractice.'Bridie gaveBelindaahandontodryland,thendidacomicaldoubletake, staringatherhair.'Don'ttellmeyoufellin!'Hereyesdancedwith amusement.'Whathaveyoutwobeenuptoontheriver?Orshouldn'tI ask?''Wehaven'tbeenuptoanything,'Vincentsaidshortly,stalkingaway upthroughthegardens.'Oops!'Bridiesaid,staringafterhim,thengave Belindaasidewayslookoflaughingenquiry.'DoIpickupanatmosphere? I'veneverseenVincentinamoodlikethatbefore.''Well,aren'tyoulucky?' Belindasaidrathersourly,thencaughtBridie'ssurprisedexpressionand relented,sighing.'Sorry,Ididn'tmeantobiteyourheadoff,butI'mrather offVincentGarrettatthemoment.'Shepushedbackherdamphair, grimacing.'Myhairsmellsoftheriversorrytobeanuisance,butcouldI

?''Washyourhair?Ofcourse,bemyguest.'Bridieshowedherupstairsto aprettylavenderbathroom,providedherwithacleantowel,shampoo, andahairdrier,andlefthertoit.Belindawashedandrinsedherhairthen towelleditlightlybeforeblowingitquitedryandrestoringittoitsusual condition.ShewentbacktothehotelloungetofindVincentwithSean andBridie,havingteaandsconesatthetablelookingoutontheriver. Itwasdistinctlynerverackingtowalkacrosstheroomtowardsthemwith Vincent'smenacingeyesonheralltheway,butshestiffenedherspine andheldherheadup,andmadeitwithoutablink.'Youlookgorgeous again,damnyou!'Bridiesaid,grinninginafriendlyway. 'Thankyou,'Belindasaid,smilingback,veryawareofVincent butrefusingtolookinhisdirection.'Havesomehomemadescones. Sean'sveryproudofthemmadewithsourmilk,theIrishway,'said Bridie.'Lightasafeather,aren'tthey,Vincent?'Vincentmadeagrunting noisethatmighthavemeantanything.Belindawasdeterminedtobe moregraciousthanthat,soshesmiledwarmlyatSeanandBridieand saidshewasverytempted,shedidlovescones,butreallyshehadeaten fartoomuchthatdayalready.Shehadacupoftea,however,buthad barelydrunkhalfofitbeforeVincentsuddenlygotupandsaid impatientlythattheymustbegoing.'We'vebeenoutforhoursand Belindashouldberesting;shehasonlyjustrecoveredfromabad accident,afterall.''Comebackandseeusagainsoon,'saidSeanand Bridieastheywavedthemoffoutsidethehotel.Herwhitehatfirmly anchoredonherhead,Belindanoddedandwavedback.Vincentdidn't sayanything,buthegavehisfriendsanodandwavedonceasthey turnedthecornertovanishfromsight.Belindawasexpectinghimto attackheratonce,tostartanotherfuriousargumentaboutherdecision toseeRicky,buttoherastonishmenthedidn'tsayaword.Completely silent,hisfaceinprofiletoher,hisjawlinetaut,hismouthbrooding,and hiseyesfixedontheroad,hedrovelikethewind,ataspeedthatmade herverytense.Itwasunnerving,andshealmostwishedhewouldexplode ather,shout,bullyheranythingratherthanthisterriblesilence. Thetroublewas,shedidn'tknowwhatthesilencemeant,orwhat wasgoingoninsidehishead;andnotknowingwasevenmoredisturbing becauseVincentwascapableofanything.Sowhatwashe planningexactly?Shewishedsheknew.Theywerealmostbackathis housewhenshesuddenlyrealisedthathehadtakenadifferentroad,and thattheywouldbepassinghisparents'house.Shesatupstraight,staring, wonderingifshewasmistaken,butno,shesawitamomentlaterasthey tookabendintheroad.Bigandwhite,itshimmeredlikeamirageinthe

lateafternoonsunlightamongaclusteroflimetreesandoaktrees.She lookedroundatVincent,hergreeneyeswideanduncertain.'That'syour familyhome!''Ididrecogniseit,'hesaidterselywithoutgivingherso muchasaglance.'Whatarewedoinghere?''Yousaidyouwantedtosee mybrother.'Thecarwasslowingdown;shecouldn'tbelieveitashespun thewheelandturnedinthroughthe,gatesofthehouse.Whyhadhe broughtherhere?Whywashemakingitpossibleforhertoseehis brotherafterhehadgonetosomuchtroubletokeepthemapart?Her dazedeyesflashedoverthesplendourofthehouse;itstilloverawedher, justasthethoughtofmeetingVincent'sparentsdid.Thegardenswere verybeautiful,tooformalgardens,withrosesandlavendergrowing betweenneat,geometricdesignsmadebyboxhedges,withmossy classicalstatuesatthecentreofelaboratepatternsbisectedbygrassy gravelpaths.ItwasanEnglishgardeninthetraditionalmould,setamong anacreofsmoothlymownlawns,andthisafternoontherewerepeople apparentlyeverywhere.'Acroquetparty,'Vincentsaiddrily.'Doyouplay?' 'No...yes...''Verycoherent,'hesaid,ashebrakedandparkedonthedrive infrontofthehouse.Hecameroundandopenedherdoor,viewing herwithsardoniccoldness.'Well,doyouwanttoseemybrotherordon't you?'Bewilderedandutterlythrownoffbalance,shegotoutofthecar. 'Ican'ttalktohiminfrontofacrowdofpeople!'sheprotested,andwas givenalookthatperturbedher.'That'stheonlywayyouaregoingtosee him,'Vincentgrimlytoldher.'Letmeremindyouyetagainheis married.IonlybroughtyouherebecauseIhopethatifyouactuallyset eyesonhimagainyou'llstopbeingsoobsessedwithhim.Frankly,Ican't understandwhatyoueversawinhim,anyway;he'squiteboring,you know,evenifheisanattractiveenoughmaleanimal.'Hetookherarmin afirm,compellinggripandheadedforthepartyonthecroquetlawn,and Belindawastoostunnedtoargueortrytobreakfree.Vincenthad surprisedheryetagain;hewasalwaysdoingthattoher,makingherrock backonherheelsbydoingsomethingunexpected.BeingaroundVincent Garrettwasratherlikelivingwithajackintheboxwhichleaptoutat youwhenyouwereoffguard.Theplayersintheirlightsummerclothes, someofthemenin.white,thegirlsinflimsy,flutteringdresses,strolling elegantlyandidlyaboutwiththeirmallets,glancedroundtowardsthe newarrivals.Belindaheardsomeonesay,'It'sVincent!'Someoneelsesaid, 'Butwho'sthat?' Hernervouseyesflashedaroundthefaces,recognisedthoseof hisparents,sawtheiralarmanddisbelief.ThenshesawRicky.Hewas turningslowly,smiling,butthesmilevanishedashelookedatherand

recognisedher.Heturnedpale,eyesrounding,thewhitesshowingas theydidonafrightenedanimal.Hedroppedthemallethehadbeen holding.Belindahadafeelinghewasgoingtofaint;hevisibly swayed.Seeingherwasclearlyadeepshocktohim,and,althoughshe wasprepared,itwasstillanequalshocktohertoseeRicky.She wentcold,herheartbeatslowlyandheavily,hersightclouded.She stoppedinhertracksandstaredathim,andRickyjuststoodthere,his eyeseatingherup,thenhebegantoruntowardsher.Sheshookfreeof Vincentandbegantoruntoo,halflaughing,halfcrying,herhandsheld outtowardsRicky.ShefeltVincentmakeamovement,asiftopullher back,,buthewastoolate,shewasoutofhisreach.'Bell!'Rickycalledout beforehereachedher.'Oh,Bell,isitreallyyou?'Thenhewasthere,in frontofher,hishandsout,touchingherface,herhair,holdingher shoulderswhilehestaredandstared.'IthoughtIwasseeingthings,'he saidshakily.'IthoughtI'dgonemad.I'vebeensoguiltyaboutyou,I couldn'tbehappyknowingthatyou...andhereyouare,lookingso'He brokeoff,laughing,hiseyeswet,hisblondhairtumblingdownoverhis forehead.Heputahandtohisface,pushedthelockofhairback,rubbed hiseyes,gaveachoked,embarrassedlittlelaugh.'Sorry,I'mbeingstupid, butyoucan'tknowhowIfeel.Toseeyoulikethis...whenIdidn'tthinkI everwouldagain,thatyouwerelostforever,becauseofme...Oh,Bell,it's amiracle!' 'Youdidn'tknow?'sheaskedslowly,althoughshewascertainnowthathe hadnotbeentold,andRickyshookhishead,stillverypale.'Know?Of coursenot,I'dnoidea...whendidithappen?Imean,howlonghaveyou been...Ican'tgetoverhowwellyoulook,asifnothinghadever happened!''Irecoveredconsciousnessweeksago,'shesaid.'Weeksago?' herepeated,lookingshaken.'Whatdoyoumean,weeksago?Howlong ago?'Quietlyshetoldhimthedate,andRickygaveastart,looking veryodd,thelastvestigeofcolourebbingaway.'Butthatwas...''Was what?'sheasked,andRickylookedpastherslowly,staringathisbrother, whowasstandingjustbehindthem.'Didyouknowshehadcomeoutof hercoma?''Itwasmewhobroughtherheretoday,wasn'tit?'Vincent returnedinalevelvoice.Ricky'sjawtightenedandhiseyeshaddarkness inthem.'YouknowwhatImeantdidyouknowonthedayshecameout ofthecoma,orwereyoutoldlater?''IfIhadknown,'Vincentsaidcoolly, 'whatonearthwouldhavebeenthepointoftellingyouandspoilingthat dayforyouandMeg?'Belindahadbeenpuzzledforamoment,but suddenlysheknew;oh,sheknewwhathadmadeRickygowhiteand looksoshaken.

andquietforafewdays,andIthinkitwouldbebetterifshedoesn'tsee youagainforquiteawhile,Ricky.Irealiseyou'reconcerned,naturally youare,anditdoesyoucredit,butyou'remarriednow,andyourfirst loyaltyistoMeg,and,anyway,youcan'tdoBelindaanygood.Sorrytobe sobrutal,butthebestthingyoucandoforheristostayaway.''Ifeelso terribleaboutthis,'Rickysaid,bitinghislip,thenbegantobackaway, eyeingBelindawithuneasysympathy.'I'msorry,Bellaboutthe accident,Imean.Itwasn'tmyfault,Ihopeyourealisethat.Thelorryjust cameoutofnowhereandIcouldn'tavoidit,butevensoIfeelguilty.I wishthereweresomethingIcoulddotomakeallthisuptoyou.It'sbeen suchadreadfultimeforyou,Iknowthat.AnythingIcandoforyou,just ask,remember.Anythingatall.'Helookedjustlikeananxiouslittleboy allatseaastowhatheshoulddo.PoorRicky.Shesmiledreassuringlyat him.'Don'tworry,I'mfine,ignorewhatyourbrothersaid.I'mgoingtobe OK,really!'Thatseemedtomakehimfeelworse;hesmiledshakily.'Oh, Bell,you'rewonderful,'hesaid,andthenhefled.Belindaturnedon VincentonceRickywasoutofearshot.'Well,Ihopeyou'resatisfiedwith yourself!'sheshouted.'Thenerveofit!TellinghimI'moffmyhead!I'd beenaskingmyselfwhatmoreyoucoulddotome.You'vetaken everythingelseawayfrommewhatelsecouldyoudo?Iwondered. NowIknow!YoucanmakeeveryonethinkI'mcrazyandnotresponsible forwhatIsayordo.Well,I'mnotgoingtoletyougetawaywithit.You cantellRickythetruth.Doyouhearme?Youknowyouwerelying.You knowperfectlywellthatIknowexactlywhatI'msayinganddoing!'He listeneduntilshecametoabreathlesshalt,thensaid,hisgreyeyes gleamingwithmockery,'OfcourseIknowyou'reperfectlysane,andI'm delightedyouknowwhatyou'resaying,becauseyou justtoldtheworldthatweweregettingmarriedandyou'regoingto havetogothroughwithit.'

CHAPTEREIGHT Foralong,longmomentBelindajuststaredatVincent,dumbfounded, thenshesaidscornfully,,'Thatisn'tfunny.''Itwasn'tmeanttobe,'hesaid, inacasualmanner,hisgazewanderingawayfromhertowardsthe croquetparty.Hisfacechanged.'Andnowthatyou'veseenmybrother, we'llbeonourway,'hesaidabruptly.Belinda'seyeshadautomatically followedhisandseenwhathesaw:hisparentsheadingtowardsthem withset,angryfaces.Shestartedtolaugh.'Nowyou'reforit!Yourmother andfatherlookasifthey'rereadytokillyou.'Shedidnotdisguisethe factthatshewouldqueuetowatchthemdoit,too.Vincentgavehera hardstare,thenfastenedhislongfingersaroundherwristandbeganto strideaway,draggingherreluctantlyafterhim.'Notsofast!I'mtired,'she protested,andheatonceslowed,givingherasearchinglook.'Yes,youdo looktired.Damn!Ishouldn'thavebroughtyouhere.Itwastoomuchfor youattheendofyourfirstdayout!'Belindalaughedsuddenly,forcedto behonestforsomereason.Hehaddrivenhercrazy,hewasdeviousand ruthless,butshefeltasurgeofgratitudebecauseshehadbeenlocked awayfromtheworldforsolong,andtoday,forthefirsttimeinmany months,shehadfeltreallyalive,thankstohim.'Oh,butIhadsuchfun!' shesaid,hergreeneyesbright,hersmilealittletremulous.'Thankyou formydayout.' Hestareddownatheroddly,hisownsmilecrooked.'Notatall.Ienjoyed it,too.'Therewasabriefpauseastheystaredateachother,then detachinghiseyesfromherfaceinaslowway,helookedoverher shoulderandgroaned.'Myparentsdon'tgiveup,dothey?Look,getin thecarIwon'tbeaminute.'Heputherintothepassengerseatofthecar andwalkedawaytomeetMrandMrsGarrett.Hisfatherhadgreyinghair now,butithadoncebeenVincent'scolour,andtherewereother resemblances,too,inheightandfeatures.Youcouldseeataglancethat theywerefatherandson;thelikenesswasquitestriking.Hismotherwas morelikeRicky;shehadsilveryfairhairandblueeyesandwasfine boned.InthefamilyphotographswhichBelindahadseeninVincent's housetheyhadbeensmiling,buttheywerenotlookingveryhappy now.Belindawatchedfromadistance,wonderingwhattheywere

sayingtoVincent.Somethingveryangry,fromtheirexpressions! Ofcourse,itservedhimright,announcingwithoutwarningthat theywereengagedsimplytostopRicky'swifefromaskingany awkwardquestions.Belindahadbeenfuriouswithhim,andthen Magdalenhadcomealongandshehadactedonimpulse,inatemper, andforthesheerhellofit.ShehadwantedtoannoyVincent,forone thing;foranothershehadwantedherrevengeforallthethingshehad saidanddonetohereversincetheymet.Therewasanotherreasonif shewashonest!ShehaddislikedMagdaleninstantly,fromseeingher photograph,evenbeforetheymet.Fornoparticularreason;itwas nothingtodowithVincentshejustdidn'tlikeMagdalen'sface. Vincentsuddenlyspunonhisheelandstrodebacktowardsthe car,scowling.Belindaconsideredhisexpressionruefully.Oh,dear, shethought.Nowhereallyisinatemper.Heopenedhiscardoor,slid inside,slammedthedoorshut,startedtheengineanddroveawayall withoutlookingatherorutteringasmuchasasyllable.Belindasatvery stillinherseat,viewinghimsidewaysthroughloweredlashes,deciding thatitwouldbemuchwisertoholdhertongueforthemoment.Vincent wasquiteformidableatmosttimes,butwhenhelookedlikethathe reallyratherscaredher.Shecouldimaginewhateffecthehadon hisbusinessopponents.Nowonderhewassosuccessful.Theyarrived backatDillinghamPlacewithoutspeaking,andwhilehewasputtingthe carawayBelindahurriedintothehousewithasighofreliefathaving escapedfromhisbroodingpresence.Shehadhadthefeelingthatany minutenowhemightexplodeintowrath.Jessmetherinthehalland lookedscoldinglyather.'Soyou'rebackatlast!Iwasbeginningtoget reallyworried.You'vebeengoneforhours!I'msurprisedatVincent, keepingyououtallthistime.Heshouldknowbetterthanthat.You'restill supposedtobegoingcarefully.Thisisaconvalescentperiod,remember. Youcan'tjustracketaboutalloverthecountryasyoulike.Isupposeyou didn'thaveyourrestinthemiddleoftheafternoon?'Belindashookher head,givingJessacoaxing,apologeticsmile.'I'msorryifyouwere worried,butI'mfine,really.Wehadawonderfultime,hadthemost deliciouslunch,thenwentontheriverinarowingboat''Ihopeyou didn'tdoanyoftherowing!''No,Vincentdidallthework.' 'Well,uptobedatonce.Ithinkyoushouldhaveaverylightsupperin bedtonightandgetsomegoodrest.I'llbringyourmealuponatrayin halfanhour.'Jessshooedherupthestairswithawaveofherhandsand

Belindadidnotargue;shewasquitehappytoobey,especiallyasitwould meanescapingfromVincentandanyrepercussionsfromtheeventsathis familyhome.Shegotundressed,hadabathandgotintobedsomefifteen minuteslater.Sheheardthetelephoneringasshepickedupthebook shehadbeenreadinglastnight.Magdalen?shewondered,her mouthtwisting.Well,evenifitwerewasitherbusiness?Whyshould shecareifadozenwomenrangVincentGarrett?Hewasnothingtoher. Shestaredatapage,allthelittleblackwordsblurringbeforeher eyes.Thisreallywasaveryboringbook.Whywasshewastinghertimeon it?Thedooropenedandshesatupright,staringfixedlyatthepage.'Here youare,'saidJess,comingacrosstheroom,andBelinda'sheart unaccountablysank.'Oh,thankyou,'shemumbled,pushingherbook asideandallowingJesstosetthetraydownacrossherknees.'Ijustmade yousometoastandscrambledeggs,'Jesssaid,neglectingtomentionthe snippetsofsmokedsalmonshehadwhiskedintotheegg.'Andthen strawberriesandcream.''Gorgeous!'Belindasaid,ratherwanlypickingup herfork.ShetastedtheeggswhileJesswatched,andknewshehadto displayenthusiasmorhurtJess'sfeelings.'Mmm.Theymeltinthe mouth!'shesaid. Jesslookedsatisfied,andturnedtogo.'I'llbebackforthetrayandto turnoutyourlightinalittlewhile.''I'mnotfiveyearsold!'Belinda protested.'Youjustactlikeit?'Belindapretendedtobeamused,which wasn'teasy.Smiling,JesswentandBelindaatehermealwithoutanyreal appetite,thenputthetraydownonthefloorandsettledbackinbed. WhohadshebeenexpectingwhenJessarrived?sheirritablyasked herself.NotVincent.Shedidn'twanttoseeVincent,andyetshehadfelt herheartmissabeatwhenthedooropened,feltstupiddisappointmentas shesawitwasJess.Surelyshewasn'tbeginningto?Sheshutoffthat thought,horrified.No!Shewasn'tinanywayattractedtoVincent Garrett;shedislikedhimintensely.Itwasjustthatemotionswere confusing;itwassometimeshardtodisentanglethethreadsofthem, burieddeepinsideyourself.StrangehowlittleshenowfeltaboutRicky, forinstance.Eversinceshehadrecoveredconsciousnessshehadbelieved shewasachingtoseehimagain.Shehadwokenupthatfirstdayas deeplyinloveasshehadbeenonthedayofthecrash,andshewasn't quitesurewhenherfeelingshadchanged.CertainlynotwhenVincent hadtoldherRickyhadabandonedherandmarriedMeg.Alittlefrown creasedherforeheadassherememberedwhatRickyhadblurtedout. ShehadrecoveredconsciousnessonthedayhemarriedMeg!Wasn'tthat

strange?Itcouldn'tbeacoincidence,surely?Howhadsheknown, though?Hadsheheardpeopletalking,eventhoughshe wasunconscious?Howelsecouldshehavepickedupthefactthat Rickywasmarryingsomeoneelse?Thenursesmusthavegossiped aboutthewedding,itwouldonlyhavebeennatural.Itwasodd,though. Well,howeverithadhappened,ithadbroughtaboutthemiracle sheneededithadbroughtherbacktolife.Shehadbeenbitterly unhappywhenVincenthadtoldherabouttheweddingandforalong timeafterthatyetnowitnolongermattered.Thechangeinher feelingshadbeensubterraneanandverygradual,butshefacedthefact now.ShenolongerlovedRicky.Shedidn'tblamehimforwhathad happened,either.Rickyhadn'tcausedthecrash;hehadbeenweak,he hadrunoutonherwhensheneededhim,buthecouldn'thelphisown nature,andshecouldseenowthatshewouldneverhavebeenhappy withhim.Herloveforhimhadbeenanillusion.Nowthatshesawhim moreclearlyshefeltanaffectionatetoleranceforhim.Nowthatsheno longerlovedRickyshecouldlikehim.ShelikedMeg,too.Shehadliked heronsightjustasshehaddislikedMagdalenthatfast.Shegrimaced ruefully,recognisingherowninstantreactionsasadangerousrisk.Wasn't thathowshehadconvincedherselfshewasmadlyinlovewithRicky?

Onelookandshewastellingherselfshewasinlove.Howstupidcould youget?Awrysmilelitherface,assherememberedRicky's expressionwhenhehadfirstseenhercomingtowardshim.Hehadbeen soshaken.Forasecondshehadbeenovercometoseehim;forasecond heremotionshadbeenunbearable,andshecouldunderstandhowhehad

felt,becauseshehadbeenexpecting

toseeherandhisshockhadbeenvisible.Butithadn'tbeenloveinhis face.Rickyhadfeltreliefanddelight,becauseshehadrecovered,mingled withshameandguiltoverhisownbehaviour;acomplexcocktoilof emotionsforsomeonelikeRicky,wholikedhislifesmoothand easy.Belindayawned.SeeingRickyhadcompletedtheprocess ofrecoveryinsomeway.Shewascertainnowthatshenolongerlove evenifyouhadtomarrymetodoit?Well,Idon'twantcompensation thatbadly.Infact,I'mplanningtoflytoNewZealandtojoinmyfamily thereverysoon,andI'llleavemydecisionaboutclaimingcompensation untilI'vehadachancetotalkthingsoverwithmymotherand stepfather.'TheybothheardalittlechimeofteacupsandthenJess appearedwithaloadedtray.Shegavethembothoneofherquick, shrewdlooks.'Youtwoaren'tsquabblingagain,areyou?Belinda,sit down,do.Youmustn'tovertireyourself.Vincent,don'tbeso thoughtless.Leaveheralone.'ShebegantopourteaandVincentswung awayimpatiently;hewenttostandbythewindow,staringout,ahand ontheframe,hisleanbodyposedwithgracefultension,his fingerstappingaterserhythmonthewindow.Belindathrewhimalook, couldn'thelpfollowingthelineofhisbody,andfelthermouthdry suddenly.Hewastooattractive,damnhim.'TakeBelindahertea,'Jess orderedandhecamerathersulkily,hismouthturneddownatthe corners.'Oh,Iforgotthescones!'Jesssaid,clickinghertongue,and vanishedagain.VincentloomedoverBelinda,tookherchinbetween hislingersandforcedbackherhead.'Youaren'tgoingtoNewZealand!'he informedhercurtly.'Youaren'tgoinganywhere.Iwantyourightunder myeyes,whereIcanmakesureyoudon'tcauseanymoretrouble,and, anyway,yourfamilyisn'tathomeatthemoment.They'vegoneonalong campingholidayandwon'tbebackforsomeweeks.'Hereyessharpwith suspicion,shestaredback.'Howdoyouknowthat?' Heshrugged.'Theytoldmetheywereleaving.''When?'shedemanded, watchinghimwithdistrust.Healwaysseemedtobeajumpaheadofher. Whateversheplanned,hehadthoughtofitfirstandmanagedtoblock

toseehim.Rickyhadn'texpected

her.'Iringthemonceaweek,'hesaidblandly,andhereyeswidened.'But why?Imean,Ididn'trealiseyouknewthem.Howlonghaveyoubeen doingthat?''Oh,quiteawhile.Afterall,I'mstandinginfor them!''Standinginforthem?'Shewentslightlypink,andhegrinned.'As yourfamily,'hegravelysaid.'I'vekeptintouchwithyourmotherever sinceshehadtogobacktoNewZealand,whileyouwereunconscious. Shecouldn'taffordtokeepringingthehospital,soIrangher.'Belindabit herlip.'Thatwasverykindofyou,'shesaidstiffly.Heshrugged.'Ilike yourmother.Iwashappytodoit.She'sbeenveryworriedaboutyou,and sheneedsaholiday,althoughsheonlywentwhenIassuredheryou wouldbeinthebestofhands.'Hiseyesglinted,andherbreathing thickenedasshepickedupthedoublemeaning.'Ispoketoherrecently. Whydidn'tshetellmetheyweregoingaway?'sheaskedcrossly.'Iasked hernotto.Ithoughtyoumightfeeldeserted.''Oh.'Hewasright knowingthathermotherwasnotattheendofatelephonediddisturb her,buthowdidVincentguessthat?Hewas suchacomplicatedman;hecouldbesothoughtfulandkindat oneminuteandsoruthlessthenext.Wouldsheeverunderstandhim?'Am Iright?'heasked,asmileinhiseyes,andshenoddedwryly.Thesmile deepened,andherheartturnedover.Jessbustledbackwithaplateof sconesandputthemdown.'Now,doyouwantbutter,orjamandcream, Belinda?'sheasked.'Nevermindthat,'saidVincent.'We'vegotnewsfor you.BelindaandIjustgotengaged.'Belindaleapttoherfeet.'Oh!You knowI...Whydoyou...?'Helaughed,grabbingherasshemadeforthe door.'She'ssoshy,'hetoldJess.'Lookather,allpinkandshaky,likean unsetblancmange.''Oh,youreallyarethemost!'hissedBelinda,hitting himandstrugglingtogetawayfromthearmaroundherwaist.Jesswas toobusyexclaimingandbeamingtorealisewhatwasreallygoingon betweenthem.'Oh,now,Belinda,don'tscoldhim.Icanseehe'sso excitedthathecan'tkeepthesecretanotherminute,andthat's wonderful.Itmeanshe'sreallyinlove.'Belindafeltherfaceburnandher breathingstopforafractionofasecond.Shelookeddown,butsheknew Vincentwaslaughingandwatchingher.'AndI'mnotreallyamazed,you know,'burbledJess.'Ihadmysuspicions,I'mnotblind!'Shesmiled,her eyesalittlemisty.'Iknewsomethingwasgoingon,withVincentbringing youhome,takingsuchgoodcareofyou.Iwasn'texpectingan engagementthisquickly,mindyou,butI'mthrilled,bothofyou,andI hopeyou're