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'I'm tired,' she admitted.

'What a wife you'd make!'

She giggled. 'The psychological headache? I really am tired, though. I've been helping Jane to pack, and it's beginning to catch up on me.'

'You and your not so subtle hints!' Matt smiled. 'I'll get the bill.'

They drove back leisurely through the dark country lanes until they reached the motorway, then Matt put his foot hard down on the accelerator.

'Aren't you afraid of being booked?' Caroline asked, watching the speedometer touch ninety.

'Yes, but there's no point having a car like this if you can't let her go flat out once in a while. Does it worry you, my driving so fast?'

'No. I'm too frightened myself to go at more than fifty, but I like being driven at speed.'

'So you've finally admitted you're a fast girl.'

'Only in a car.'

'Great. I'll find a lay-by.' Matt made to slow down and feeling her tense up, he chuckled. 'You must mind what you say to me, Caroline.'

'I will,' she said with such fervour that he chuckled again.

'Will you get someone to take Jane's place?' he continued.

'Not now I can afford the rent on my own. It will be nice entertaining friends without worrying about disturbing anyone else.'

'No bumping into boy-friends taking morning tea in the kitchen?'

'I don't spend the night with men at my flat. Nor did Jane,' she answered frigidly. 'So if you're fishing for an invitation again, you're wasting your time.'

'I find it unbelievable that someone as beautiful as you '

'Perhaps it's because I am so beautiful that I can afford to hold out for marriage,' she interrupted coolly. 'Don't keep trying with me. I meant what I said before. I don't play around.'

'How do you. know I'm playing?' he replied, and with a sudden swerve drew off the road into a lay-by.

Leaning over, he roughly pulled her into his arms, his mouth fastening on hers, warm and demanding. In spite of her anger she could not stop her instinctive response, and aroused, by it, he became more ardent, and he tried to part her lips.

She wrenched away from him. 'No, Matt.'

'You're a girl with a whim of iron.' Lightly he kissed her mouth. 'But iron can rust if left too long. So be warned!'

They started to drive again and went some miles before he spoke. 'Are you free to see me on Saturday?'

'Do you want to?'

'I told you I never give up.'

'I find it rather boring to have to keep saying no,' she sighed.

'I won't keep asking you,' he promised. 'I'll just keep sipping hot milk and feeling miserable!'

She laughed. 'I'm only going out with you because I like your sense of humour.'

'I don't care what the reason is.' He caught hold of her hand and squeezed it. 'Saturday, then?'

'I was going down to my aunt's for the weekend.'

'I'm glad you used the past tense. And keep Sunday free too.'

'Do you always give your girl-friends such a rush?' Caroline asked drily.

'Always.'

It was not quite the answer she wanted, but it reminded her not to take him seriously. It would be all too easy to fall for him. Unaccountably, she thought of Helen Warner and knew the girl could be an implacable enemy. She might be Mark's fiancée, but she saw herself as Matt Bishop's wife.

Idly she watched him as he drove, liking his command of the car, and knowing he would not be happy until he was commanding her in the same way. He wanted her to be Trilby to his Svengali, and she hoped she had the strength to retain a will of her own!

 

CHAPTER FOUR

Caroline
slept fitfully, her mind too active for sound sleep, and the alarm clock awakened her too early to feel refreshed.

Penny telephoned her to fill her in on the arrangements for her trip to France, saying that she and Tom were to fly down with Lee Lloyd the photographer, who was also taking his fiancée.

'Fiancée?' Caroline queried.

'She's his assistant as well. You've all been booked in to the Hotel Riviera. It's a few miles from Antibes. You're getting the de luxe treatment, old girl. My ex and I spent a long weekend there before we married, when he was trying to impress me with his money!'

Caroline wondered if Matt were trying to do the same. 'How long will we be away?'

'About ten days. By the way, how are you getting on with Matt? Still seeing him?'

'Yes. We went to Maidenhead for dinner last night.'

'Take care you don't fall for him,' warned Penny. 'He has a reputation for lovin' and leavin'.'

'Yes, Mum!'

Penny laughed. 'I'm only warning you. You're the type that takes things to heart, and I don't want you to get hurt.'

'We're just good friends,' Caroline assured her.

'I've heard that one before!'

Penny rang off and Caroline was left to think over her warning.

 

The next few weeks flew by. Matt occupied all her free time, taking her out to expensive restaurants and clubs. He was a knowledgeable and amusing companion, and though absorbed in his business he took an interest in many other things. He knew far more about art and classical music than she did and they spent several Sundays browsing round the galleries or attending concerts at the Festival Hall. He rarely spoke to her about his work, as if frightened of boring her, but questioned her often about her own.

He also enjoyed a childish prank, as she learned one evening when they were out to dinner. An old school friend spotted her and came over with her husband. When she introduced them to Matt it was obvious from their expressions that they recognised his name and were very impressed. He responded to their plummy effusions by speaking with an almost incomprehensible Yorkshire accent, and kept a straight face as he observed their bemused looks when they tried to understand him. Immediately they were out of earshot he burst into laughter, and Caroline couldn't help joining in.

'Why did you speak that way?' she asked.

'I only spoke in the way they expected me to.'

'I don't think they expected it at all,' she protested. 'You're too conscious of your background, Matt. England's not a class-ridden society any more.'

'That's what you think.'

She recognised his tone and did not argue with him.

He was silent for several moments, then leaned over and lightly touched her hand.

'You're a nice girl, Caroline, and clever too.'

'Why do you say that?' She was surprised by the compliment, for although he paid her many they had all been physical ones.

'Because you know when not to argue with me. If more women had that sort of sensitivity, there'd be fewer unhappy marriages.'

'I'll remember that.'

'I'll bet you will!'

On Saturday he telephoned her early and told her to fish out her passport and be ready in half an hour. Giving her no time to question him, he rang off.

They drove to London Airport and boarded a Paris plane. On arrival, a chauffeur-driven car awaited them, and they toured the city, rounding off a glorious day with dinner at Maxim's.

Since first kissing her, he had behaved with complete propriety, keeping his emotions so well checked that Caroline began to wonder at his restraint. Deciding to give him some encouragement, and show him that she trusted him now, she invited him to her flat for dinner the following night.

'About time too,' he said. 'You've boasted so much about your cooking, I was beginning to wonder if it was a myth.'

He arrived carrying a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne and a large bunch of roses. 'I thought we'd celebrate our anniversary,' he said as he kissed her.

'Anniversary?' she queried.

'We've known each other five weeks and I've not had my evil way with you once!'

'Is that a record?'

'One I shouldn't like to play too often!'

'Give me the champagne,' she said quickly. 'I'll put it in the refrigerator.'

'There's no need. It's already cold. I've been keeping it on ice.'

'I have the feeling you've been doing the same thing with me for the past few weeks! I hope you don't expect me to melt tonight.'

'What a suspicious mind
you
have,' he Replied, and filled their glasses. 'Haven't I behaved like a gentleman?'

'Perhaps that's because you know I'm a lady!' Caroline said demurely as they took their glasses over to the dining table.

The meal she had prepared was so good that even Matt, with his fastidious palate, was impressed, particularly with the coq au vin and her wafer-thin crepes Suzettes brought flaming to the table.

Afterwards they sat relaxed on the settee. Matt sipping his brandy and Caroline her black coffee. She had refused his offer to help with the dishes.

'I'm rather glad you did,' he confessed. 'I'm all fingers and thumbs when it comes to domestic chores. Always have been.'

'I didn't think you were the type of bachelor who'd spent much time in the kitchen.'

'The bedroom is more my line,' he agreed, edging closer to her.

'Would you like some coffee?' she asked hastily.

'No, thanks, I'd much rather have you,' he said huskily, and pulling her into his arms gently pressed her down on the couch. His mouth fastened on hers,
its pressure intensifying as he felt her respond, while his hands gently massaged her breasts. His touch awakened her desire and set her body alight, and she became increasingly aware of the urgency in him as his body lay tightly pressed against her own. She felt as if she were drowning in his hold, and the sensual endearments he murmured—combined with the movements of his hand as he expertly started to undo the zip of her dress—made her realise that unless she resisted him now she would be lost. Pushing him away, she sat up.

'Why did you stop me?' he asked, his voice low. 'You know you want me as much as I want you.'

'Maybe, but that doesn't alter my principles.'

'For God's sake,' he said irritably. 'We've known each other for five weeks.'

'I'd feel the same if it were five years.' She studied his face. 'I rather hoped you realised that—or are all women fair game to you?'

'Why shouldn't they be?'

'Because you're old enough to have more sense.'

'Peter Pan's my middle name,' he shrugged.

'Well, mine isn't Wendy,' she said tartly.

He looked so sceptical that her annoyance increased.

'Haven't you
ever
been in love, Matt?' she asked.

'How do you define love?'

'As respect and trust. Desire too, of course.'

'I had respect for a woman once,' he said.

'If it's left you feeling so bitter you must have loved her very much.'

'Enough to marry her.'

The reply was so unexpected, it was difficult to keep the shock out of her face. Yet what she felt was more
than shock; it was bitter disappointment too.

'I didn't realise you were married.'

'Was,' he corrected. 'I've been divorced for thirteen years.'

'I'm sorry,' she said softly, and tried to hide her relief.

'I'm not,' he retorted. 'She was a scheming bitch!'

His voice was hard and Caroline could see he was angry. Not wanting to arouse his memories by questioning him further, she remained silent, although she longed to hear the whole story.

'Thanks for controlling your curiosity,' he said unexpectedly. 'But I'll willingly answer any questions.'

'Does it still hurt you to speak about her?'

'No. But I won't let myself get hurt again.' He took out a cheroot, lit it and dragged at it hungrily. 'When I think what a fool I
was...'

'You were young,' Caroline placated.

'I was more than young, I was naive and idealistic. I was twenty-two when I met Sarah. It was at a party given by Harold Maitland, my boss. I was flattered as hell to be invited. For a boy from the slums of Bradford this was really living, and when Sarah started to chat me up, I couldn't believe my luck. She was the prettiest girl in the room and she made it clear that she fancied me.' He stopped momentarily and pulled at his cheroot. 'Six weeks later I asked her to marry me, and I couldn't believe it when she said yes. What was more surprising was the way her family welcomed me, though a few days after we were married I learned the reason why.'

He paused again as though he found it difficult to carry on, and Caroline was sure he was reliving the hurt of his past. A hurt that was still close to him, no matter what he said to the contrary.

'Sarah told me she was three months pregnant,' he said flatly, 'and she didn't even know whose child it was!'

'You mean '

'That she was anybody's for the asking! All her friends and family knew it, that's why she picked
me
out!'

'Why hadn't she had an abortion? With money— even in those days—it would have been possible.'

'Because of her religion. Her conscience wouldn't allow it—though it didn't stop her making a damn fool of me!'

'What did you do?' Caroline asked.

'Left her to spend her honeymoon alone,' he stated matter-of-factly. 'Sarah never believed I could do it. Her father was a close friend of Harold Maitland and she was certain I wouldn't want to jeopardise my career. That was her first mistake. Her second one was trying to pretend I was the father of her child.' He stopped for a moment, his face taking on a haunted look. 'I spent every penny I'd saved to. get the best divorce lawyer I could. Her name was dirt when I got through with her, and she learned that no one plays me for a fool and gets away with it.'

Caroline did not like the raw hatred in his voice, although she could understand it. It reminded her of the ruthlessness in him which, hidden by charm when he was with her, none the less lay just below the surface.

'It all happened a long time ago,' she murmured. 'You shouldn't let it sour the rest of your life.'

'I haven't. But I refuse to be taken in by innocence again.'

'I'm not trying to take you in, Matt,' Caroline said bluntly. 'And the way I feel about certain things is not an act. If you don't believe me, we shouldn't see each other any more.'

'Of course I believe you. But I also believe I can make you change your mind. You've led the life of a nun for so long that you've got into the habit!' He paused. 'I'd like you to come down to the country with me for the weekend if you're free. Don't worry,' he reassured her, 'we'll be well chaperoned by Helen and Mark,'

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