Distant Voices Page 38

  My happiness was reinforced by the visit I had made to the family lawyer.

  Old Mr Kenton had stared at me in amazement when I had told him a carefully edited version of my story. ‘Well, of course I knew your cousin Minna had made her share of the inheritance over to Mr Bradshaw,’ he said. ‘Frankly, it did not surprise me. I understand she has always lived in the States and she can have no emotional ties to the land, but there is no way the will can be broken, Katherine, other than by agreement. The bequest was quite unconditional.’

  ‘So Richard cannot force me to part with Kingley Farm?’

  He stared at me, his faded eyes concerned. ‘There is no question of it. Kingley Farm and Marshes are yours and yours alone. That is definite.’

  And without my consent Richard could not ever lay his hands on them.

  Richard himself arrived at the Manor two weeks later. I had heard nothing of his arrival and was quite unprepared when the ringing of the phone brought me in from the garden where I had been weeding the rose beds whilst Father was resting.

  ‘Oh Miss Kate!’ It was Mrs Dawson on the line, and I could hear she had been crying. ‘Mr Richard is here and he has sacked us all!’

  For a moment I could not believe my ears, then I knew what I had to do.

  ‘I’m coming straight over,’ I said.

  It was beginning.

  It was less than a mile up to the manor house and it looked the same as usual as I drove up, the mellow timbers and pink-washed walls dozing in the sunlight. Only the sapphire-blue Rolls-Royce outside was different and I knew that already I had become a stranger there.

  I went in without knocking, instinctively making for my grandfather’s study.

  Only when I was several feet into the room, propelled by my anger, did I see who the sole occupant of the study was. Sara Dashwood was poring over some papers on the desk. Her eyes widened as she recognised me and a slow smile spread across her features.

  ‘Kate!’ she said, her low voice purring. ‘Welcome!’

  I could feel my muscles tensing with dislike, but somehow I managed to smile. ‘Is Dave Conway here?’ I asked as pleasantly as I could. I was wondering if Jacqueline too had come to England, and if Richard had ever found out about her part in my escape.

  She shook her head. ‘Sorry Katie. Dave drove to London to collect some papers. He won’t be back until tomorrow. Richard is here though. But I expect you know that. Richard!’ She raised her voice only slightly to call him and I realised that the door into the library was open.

  Seconds later Richard appeared. He was more handsome than ever, dressed in an open-necked blue shirt and slacks, his face deeply tanned, and I felt my heart give an illogical little jump at the sight of him.

  ‘So, Katherine. How kind of you to call,’ he said quietly. I had forgotten what a pleasant voice he had, but something in its tone frightened me.

  I was not going to give my fear its head, however. This was, or had been, my territory, and I had a mission.

  ‘I should like to speak to you alone, Richard,’ I said looking pointedly at Sara. She had moved behind me to the door and as I watched she reached for the key and turned it. She smiled at me sweetly. ‘Just in case you feel like leaving suddenly again,’ she said. She tossed the key onto the desk and walked into the library.

  I bit back my anger at her childishness. ‘I came to speak to you about the staff,’ I said stiffly, turning back to Richard.

  He sat down on the edge of the desk watching me attentively, but as he said nothing, I went on: ‘They have been with my grandfather for years. Kingley is their home. You cannot sack them.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘Grandfather is dead, Katherine. His ancient retainers are no use to me. But I assure you I am not as hard as you think. I am not completely insensitive. They are all being given pensions.’

  ‘Money isn’t everything!’ I retorted hotly, wishing he wasn’t so damned attractive. ‘They are broken-hearted. They were looking forward to working for you.’

  He gave a faint smile. ‘Then I’m sorry to disappoint them, but I’m not a charitable institution.’

  ‘Then you should be,’ I said. ‘It is part of the duty of a landowner to care for the people on his land.’

  ‘I’ll tell you what,’ he said helpfully. ‘Supposing I make cottages available for them on the estate and increase their pensions, would that appease your?’

  I looked up suspiciously and met his glance. ‘Is there a catch?’ I asked.

  He laughed softly. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Your signature in exchange for their peace of mind.’

  Somehow I controlled my anger. ‘Just why do you want that land so badly?’ I asked. ‘It’s right on the edge of the estate, and its clearance doesn’t affect the efficiency of the rest of the place at all.’ I held his gaze as calmly as I could and was incensed to see the humour in his eyes.

  ‘Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t,’ he said. ‘My reasons are not relevant.’

  ‘They are to me,’ I retorted. ‘You can’t ride roughshod over people like this!’ I had begun to pace up and down the carpet. ‘There is more to life than money! There is such a thing as beauty and kindness and loyalty and – love!’ To my shame I could feel tears of anger pricking my eyelids.

  He hadn’t moved from the desk but I could see his eyes following me. He was grinning. ‘You know, I can’t help admiring you,’ he said. ‘You’ve got a lot more spirit than a great many of my business opponents. I like that in a woman.’

  ‘That’s not what I’ve heard!’ I said sharply.

  His eyes narrowed. ‘Have you also heard that I am never defeated in a business battle?’ he murmured. ‘I think I shall enjoy defeating you, Katherine. It is a pity that Grandfather’s old servants must suffer for your intransigence.’

  ‘They won’t suffer!’ I had already thought what I was going to do. ‘They can come to Kingley Farm.’

  He laughed out loud. ‘And how will you pay them?’

  ‘From my inheritance. Grandfather left me some money too, you know.’

  ‘I know exactly how much money Grandfather left you,’ he said. ‘If you spend it on a pack of idle servants you will be left penniless.’ He stood up and walked over to the open window. The scent of the grass and fresh earth drifted in across the sill and I could see him breathing it in. Then he turned back to me.

  ‘You really care about them, don’t you,’ he said.

  ‘They are family to me,’ I replied. ‘I’ve known most of them since I was a baby.’

  He was looking at me rather quizzically. ‘Sentiment is not something I admire,’ he went on. ‘It leaves people vulnerable. But you have courage and as you said, loyalty, which I do admire. It makes you a worthy opponent. I suggest we take our battle of words further. But not here. Over dinner at the White Hart which I hear is not a bad hostelry.’

  I was speechless for a moment at his change of tactics, but not so Sara, who had obviously been listening from the library the whole time. She erupted through the door, her green eyes blazing. ‘You promised you would take me there tonight!’ she accused.

  Richard gave her a look of pure contempt. ‘Another time,’ he snapped. ‘This is business.’

  I should have turned him down there and then, but something made me agree to go out with him. Partly I think it was to get back at Sara, whom I had begun to dislike excessively, partly because now that my anger rather than my fear was uppermost, I had almost begun to enjoy sparring with him. But most of all, if I admitted the truth to myself, because I was finding him more and more attractive.

  He drove me home first and waited in the Rolls whilst I changed. I did not ask him in to meet my father, who was in the event still asleep anyway, so I left him a note, then having donned a cream linen dress and my pearl earrings, I made my way out to the car once more.

  Richard had obviously made up his mind not to mention our quarrel at all, nor did he mention Jacqueline. Not once did he antagonise me as we sat opposite each other in the ca
ndlelight and, baffled by his change of tactics, I found myself relaxing under his charm, almost enjoying myself as I sipped the wine.

  In one corner of my mind I kept reminding myself that this man was dangerous and I must not trust him, but slowly my caution, and my antagonism, were slipping away. Without my noticing he ordered a second bottle of the Chateau Lafitte and, with my cheeks burning from the candles and the warmth of the room, I drank far more than I was used to. At last I saw the flames begin to blur and waver before my eyes and I caught myself nodding dangerously close to them. Finally Richard reached across the table and touched my hand and I jerked myself upright as if he had stung me.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I said.

  ‘You’re tired.’ He looked concerned. ‘Perhaps it would be better if I took you home?’

  I must have dozed again on the drive back for when I awoke we were drawing up outside the Manor.

  ‘I thought you were taking me home!’ I said, looking round in alarm.

  ‘A coffee first, I think,’ he replied firmly, and I had no alternative but to allow him to help me out of the car.

  He was still holding my arm as we walked slowly up the moss-covered steps when the oak front door swung open and Sara stood there framed in the light of the hall.

  I would have stopped, but Richard did not hesitate, urging me on until we passed through the wisteria-covered porch. Only then did I see the expression on Sara’s face.

  She was laughing. ‘So, you got her drunk,’ she said gleefully. ‘How very clever. I might have known it wasn’t the pleasure of her company you wanted!’

  I drew back but Richard’s arm was round me, propelling me forward into the study, and as I watched Sara slammed the door behind me. This time, when she had locked it, she dropped the key triumphantly into her cleavage.

  Richard pushed me into one of the chairs then he turned to her. ‘Go and make some coffee,’ he said curtly, and I was aware that he had her by the elbow and was hustling her towards the door to the library beyond which lay the kitchens. Closing it behind her he strode back to me.

  My head had begun to ache unbearably. ‘You got me drunk deliberately,’ I managed to say. ‘I had begun to trust you.’

  He laughed softly. ‘That was a bad mistake, Katherine,’ he said. ‘No one should ever trust me. But I assure you, I did not get you drunk deliberately. I had imagined you would have a harder head than this. Why should I want to, anyway?’ He sat down on the arm of my chair very close to me. ‘Did you think I wanted to seduce you?’ He was still laughing as his head dropped dose to mine. ‘I assure you, if I want a woman, I’ll take her. I don’t need to get her drunk!’

  His lips were firm and warm, and I did not resist as his hands moved gently over my shoulders to slip inside my dress, caressing my breasts. All I knew was that I wanted him more than I had ever wanted any man in my life before.

  ‘What the hell is going on?’ Sara’s sudden hiss of fury pierced my dazed thoughts and I shrank away from him, but he merely straightened up slowly and turned to her, mildly annoyed.

  ‘I suggest you learn to knock on doors,’ he said with awful quietness.

  ‘And I suggest you stick to getting her signature!’ she almost spat at him.

  Shock cleared my head a little and I staggered to my feet, ducking under his arm. He did not appear to notice. They were regarding each other with too much anger and I was beginning to wonder if she would physically attack him when the silence between them was broken by the doorbell.

  ‘See who that is!’ he ordered abruptly.

  She glared at him, then began to fumble in her blouse for the key. When she finally found it and opened the door I shot out of the room after her.

  ‘Are you leaving so soon?’ Richard had followed me into the hall, but he made no effort to restrain me.

  ‘I am indeed,’ I said as Sara pulled open the door and I saw the way of escape appear across the moonlit gravel before me. On the doorstep stood Dave Conway.

  ‘I thought I’d come back tonight after all,’ he said.

  ‘Good.’ Suavely Richard blocked his way. ‘You are just in time to drive Katherine home.’

  I saw the surprise on Dave’s face, but already I was past him. ‘There’s no need,’ I called over my shoulder. ‘I’ll drive myself.’

  ‘You’re had too much to drink,’ Richard shouted sharply. ‘Let Dave take you.’

  I swung to face him. ‘These are private roads. I’ll be a danger to no one but myself, and I seem to have sobered up astonishingly,’ I replied.

  He was still standing in the hall and the light showed he was smiling. ‘You have indeed,’ he said. ‘Very well. We’ll continue our little talk another time. And conclude our business transactions then as well.’

  I held his gaze for a moment across that narrow stretch of gravel and I did not like what I saw there at all. All his charm had vanished. He was once more my antagonist and a dangerous man.

  I accomplished the drive home without mishap and found my rather waiting up for me.

  ‘Katie! I was worried. Did Richard not drive you back?’

  I shook my head. ‘I had my car at the Manor so he dropped me there.’ I didn’t want him to see my face, but it was too late.

  ‘Katie? Is something wrong? Have you and Richard quarrelled?’

  There was no use denying it. I was too agitated. ‘I suppose we have,’ I admitted. ‘Nothing serious, but I do think I should go away for a few days. Just to calm down a little.’ I forced myself to laugh, as I knelt beside his chair. ‘Will you promise me something so I can go? Will you have Mrs Dawson and Hill to work for you here?’

  He smiled sadly. ‘So it is true that Richard has sacked everyone up at the Manor?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Is that why you quarrelled?’

  I nodded again and he reached for my hand. ‘It’s his decision to make Katie, but I should like people to help here. We’ll afford it somehow.’

  I only managed four hours’ sleep. By eight next morning my case was in the car and I was driving through waist-high mist towards the main road, an enormous sense of relief bolstering me. Without my signature my woods were safe and as long as I was out of reach, Richard could not win.

  I had not told my father where I was going. Sally and Duncan Graham were my best friends and the only people in England I could think of to whom I could tell my story. It was a good two-hour drive to their house and I found myself glancing constantly in the driving mirror for the sign that I was being followed, but as far as I could see there was no one behind me and with every mile I felt happier and more relaxed.

  Coffee with a slug of Scotch was their first remedy. Then they listened intently to my story.

  ‘My God, Kate! The man sounds a fiend,’ Sally said with feeling. ‘Yet if I read you right,’ she looked at me sideways, ‘you fancy him, don’t you?’

  I could feel my cheeks growing hot. ‘Is it so obvious?’ I said.

  She laughed. ‘Only to an expert like me.’

  Duncan was frowning, however. ‘I think you could be in real danger Kate,’ he said. ‘Not of your life or anything like that, but I suspect a man like that knows how to put the pressure on. He sounds most unsavoury to me.’ Something Minna had echoed every time I had phoned her.

  The Grahams’ solution was immediate. They were leaving for a holiday at their Scottish cottage, and I should go with them. Duncan seemed to think that once I had dropped completely out of Richard’s sight, I would be safe. ‘He’ll get tired of the new estate and get involved in some new deal, then you can slip home,’ he said with a grin.

  Twenty-four hours later I was ensconced with them in a stone-built cottage on the west coast of Scotland, a lifetime away from Kingley and Richard Bradshaw.

  But my relief was all too short-lived. After dinner that first evening as we sat with our coffee around the crackling driftwood fire I asked Duncan if I could ring my father. I let the dialling tone purr in my ear for a long time before I admitted no one wa
s going to answer and hung up.

  ‘Surely he could have gone out?’ Sally said, shrewdly watching my face.

  I shook my head slowly. ‘He practically never does. And even if he had, someone should be there.’

  I tried again an hour later and finally, just before we went to bed. Then I rang the Manor. An American voice answered.

  ‘Who is that?’ I asked cautiously. The receiver felt clammy in my hands.

  ‘David Conway. May I help you?’

  ‘Dave? Listen, do you know where my father is?’

  ‘Kate? Where are you?’

  ‘Never mind where I am. Where is my father?’

  There was a short silence, then I heard him say cautiously, ‘Kate, I think you had better come home.’

  I felt panic beginning to mount in my throat, and I knew my face had gone white. Sally had risen to her feet and came to stand beside me, her hand on my arm. Somehow I managed to repeat my question.

  ‘He’s in Switzerland, Kate.’

  ‘Switzerland?’

  Duncan had stood up and came to stand beside Sally. They both had their eyes fixed on my face.

  ‘He had a bad turn, Kate. Nothing too serious. Richard heard about it and naturally he wanted to help. He had a specialist come in and they arranged for Mr Parrish to be taken to a clinic in Switzerland.’

  ‘Where is it? Give me the address.’ My voice was shaking.

  ‘I can’t do that Kate,’ he said softly. ‘Richard has all the details. He’s in New York just now, but he’ll be back on Friday. You’ll have to speak to him. In person, Kate.’

  ‘You can’t go!’ Sally said later. ‘It’s a trap, you must see that.’

  I knew she was right. And I also knew that I had no choice. Richard had found my weak point. Miserably I repacked my case and asked Duncan to drive me to catch the first train from Oban next morning.

  Dave was waiting for me at King’s Cross with the Rolls. ‘I don’t usually get involved in Richard’s personal affairs, Kate,’ he said as we threaded our way through the traffic. ‘But in business I know him. He is completely ruthless honey, and without sentiment. He doesn’t understand or care what you feel about that land. To him it’s acreage on a piece of paper; more for his empire. You are a challenge and so, true to form, he’s found your Achilles heel and gone straight for it.’ He glanced across at me, his hazel eyes worried. ‘Don’t fight him, Kate. For God’s sake. Do I have to spell out what I’m trying to say?’