Mr.HighandMighty!

NorthKendrickwasaconnoisseur–helikedhiswomenbeautifulandhischampagnecold.HehadtakenonelookatAmiandmadeoneofhisfamoussnapjudjements.However,Amiwasdeterminedtoprovetohimthatappearancescouldbedeceptive.Asamake-upartistshecouldtransformherselfintoanyoneshewantedtobe… ButshesoondiscoveredthatmessingwithNorthwasaskingfortrouble.Andtroublewaswhatshegot–oftheheartbreakingkind.

'I'mamake-upartist,notaconfidencetrickster.'

'There'sadifference?'hesneered.

'I'mnotinterestedinyourmoney.NoramIinterestedinyou'

'DidIsaythat?'

'"Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested—andshewas,'"shesaid,mimickinghisvoice.'Well,hereitis,straightfromthehorse'smouth.Shewasn’t.'

'Idon'tbelieveyou,'hemurmured.Andthenheleanedforwardandkissedher.

AnnCharltonwantedtobeacommercialartistbutbecameasecretary.Shewantedtoplaythepianobutplaysguitarinstead,andsheneverplannedtobeawriter.Fromtimetotimesheabseils,whichsurprisesherbecausesheisafraidofheights.BorninSydney,AnnnowlivesinBrisbane.ShewouldliketodomoretapestryworkandpaintminiaturesandhasabsolutelynoplanstoresearchabookintheAmazonortolearntoplaythebouzouki.

Recenttitlesbythesameauthor:

HOTNOVEMBER

STEAMYDECEMBER

BY

ANNCHARLTON

MILLS&BOON

Inmemoryofmyfather,TedFlower

1901-1992DIDYOUPURCHASETHISBOOKWITHOUTACOVER?Ifyoudid,youshouldbeawareitisstolenpropertyasit

wasreportedunsoldanddestroyedbyaretailer.Neithertheauthornorthepublisherhasreceivedanypaymentforthisbook.

Allthecharactersinthisbookhavenoexistenceoutsidetheimaginationoftheauthor,andhavenorelationwhatsoevertoanyonebearingthesamenameornames.Theyarenotevendistantlyinspiredbyanyindividualknownorunknowntotheauthor,andalltheincidentsarepureinvention.

Allrightsreserved.Thetextofthispublicationoranypartthereofmaynotbereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,storageinaninformationretrievalsystem,orotherwise,withoutthewrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

Thisbookissoldsubjecttotheconditionthatitshallnot,bywayoftradeorotherwise,belent,resold,hiredoutorotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepriorconsentofthepublisherinanyformofbindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitispublishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthisconditionbeingimposedonthesubsequentpurchaser.

MILLS&BOONandtheRoseDevicearetrademarksofthepublisher.HarlequinMills&BoonLimited,EtonHouse,18-24ParadiseRoad,Richmond,Surrey,TW91SRThiseditionpublishedbyarrangementwithHarlequinEnterprisesB.V.

©AnnCharlton1995

ISBN0263793222

SetinTimesRoman10onllpt01-9512-60260C

HadeandprintedinGnatBritain

CHAPTERONE

UNTILthetwo,large,uniformedofficersshoweduptherewasnothingaboutthejobtoactuallyalarmher.

'Justafewhours,that'sallI'masking,'hermotherhadsaid.'Standingonastreet,askingquestions,withatape-recorderinyourbag.'Hermotherranapart-timeemploymentagencyandwasalwayslookingforstudentsandout-of-workactorsforallmanner-ofoddjobs.Asshehadforgedanewcareerintheatricalmake-upandspecialeffects,itwassometimesinceAmihadbeenanout-of-workactorbutshehadn'tyetfiguredawaytoremovehernamefrom hermother'sfiles.

'Whatkindofquestions—andisn'tthatillegal?Recordingpeople'sanswerswithouttheirknowledge?'

'Onlyifyourecordtheirnamesaswell,darling,'hermotherhadsaidimpatiently.'It'sformyfreelancewriter,who'sdoingresearchforabookandhe'sgotalistofquestionstoask—nothingdreadful,just"excuseme,haveyougotthetime"and"doyouknowwhereIcancatchabustoBalmain"andsoon.Hewantsayoung,attractivewomanwhohasnonervesaboutchattingtostrangers,sonaturallyIthoughtofyou.I'mtryingtotalkhimintocomingtothecharityartshownextweek.DidImentionhe'sthirtyish,good-lookinganddivorced?'

'Whatkindofbook?'Amiasked,pickingherwaythroughtheminefieldofLenoreWinterburn'smaritalaspirationsforheronlychild.

'It'salongstory,'hermotherhadsaid,notnoticingherownpunasusual.'Look,darling,Ijustdon'thaveanyoneelseonthebooksatthemomentwhocandoitandyouknowhowIhatelettingclientsdown.LetHelenruntheshopwithoutyouanddothislittlejobformeandyouwon'tbesorry.'

ButAmiwasfeelingherfirstrealtwingeofregretwhenoneofthelarge,uniformedmenplantedhimselfonthepavementinfrontofherandsaid,'Afternoon,madam.We'dlikeaword.'

Amiglancedattheinsigniaonhissleeve.Notapolicemanbutaprivatesecurityguard.Sherelaxed.'Whichwordwouldyoulike?'sheaskedbreezilyandgotahumourlessstare.

'Perhapswecouldtalkinside?'Abeefyhandindicatedtheglittering,glassedfoyerofthenear-completedAvalonHotel,outsidewhichworkmenwerelayingmarbleonawalkwayrimmingthesemicircularconcourse.Thehotelmotto,Comehometoheaven,wasscriptedingoldandwhitebythedoors.Severallife-sizedbronzesofvoluptuouswomentorchbearersonplinthslinedthepathwaytoheaven.Asigninformedpassers-bythatthesehadbeenreclaimedfrom thenineteenth-centuryhoteldemolishedtomakewayforthisnewone,atokenpieceofconservationthathadnotimpressedthosewhohadprotestedagainstthechange.

Amifrowned.'Talkaboutwhat?'

'Comealongnow,don'tplaydumb.You'vebeenwarnedonce.Wedon'twantanytrouble,dowe?'thesecondguardsaid,holdingoutahandasiftotakeherarm.

Suddenlygladtherewereplentyofpeoplearound,Amisidesteppedandraisedhervoice.'Idon'tknowwhatyoumean.Pleasegoaway.'

Theyseemedsensitivetotheattentionofbypassers,forthetwomentookalonglookather,thenretreatedtinthedirectionofthehotel.Uneasilyawareofthetape-inherbag,sheconsideredmovingawaybutwhyshouldshe?AmiturnedandsawtheguardswithsomeoneinsidetheAvalon'sglassdoorsbeforepassingpedestriansblockedherview.Nexttimesheturnedaround,shecamefacetofacewithexactlythekindofmanshewassupposedtoapproachforhermother'swriterclient.

Thirtytofortyagegroup.Thecutofthesuitindicatedupperincomebracket,businessmanorprofessional.HemethereyesverydirectlyandAmiblurtedouttheopeningquestionshe'daskedalltheothers.

'Excuseme,canyoutellmethetime?'

Sheassessedhim withquickeninginterest.Tall,wide-shouldered,aleanbodyandaleanface,coal-blackhair,nearblackbrowsdeadstraightasifdrawnwitharuler.Widemouth,almostasstraightasthebrowsbutunexpectedlyfullatthecornersasifhislipshadbeendrawninbysomeonewhohadn'twantedto

stop.Afacedesignedbyanarchitectwithalongingtopaint.Hehadgreyeyes,thicklyanddarklylashedandinanothermanthismighthaveproducedaboyish,smilingimpression.Buttheeyeswereshrewd,assured,coollycalculatingandcancelledoutanymellowingeffectfromtheirlushframing.

'Youmustbeanon-smoker,'hesaideasily.

'I'msorry?'

'Isn'tthestandardgambittoholdoutacigaretteandaskforalight?'

Itconjuredupasomewhattawdryimage.'MaybeIreallydojustwanttoknowthetime,'shesuggestedgently,showingherwristsbareofawatch.

'Ifyoureallydidjustwantthetime,youwouldhavenoticedthehotelclock,'hesaidmockinglyandturnedahawkishprofiletowardtheunfinishedhotellobbywhereanartclockwasclearlyvisiblethroughtheglass.Helookedather,loweredhischinandraisedhisbrows,asiftosay,'Yourmove.'

Challenged,Amipromptlyshadedhereyesandsquinted.'Oh,isthereaclock?Ihaven'tgotmyglasses,'sheimprovised,givinghimabrilliantsmile.

Heblinked,lookeddeepinhereyeslikeaneyespecialistdiagnosingtheexactnatureofhervisionimpairment.Thenhescrutinisedherfromherheeledboots,allthewayupherjeanstothejumbleofbluealphabetlettersknittedintohercream cottonsweater.Hisgazelingered,asifhesuspectedtheremightbeacompletewordtobefoundthereonherchest.

Heconsultedanexpensivewatch.'Six-fifteen,'hesaid.'Areyou—waitingforsomeoneinparticularor...?'

Herheartbeatquickened.Washegoingtotrytopickherup?Shewasconsciousofadualexcitementandrepugnanceattheidea.Hewaitedwithintenseinterestforheranswerandshebegantofeelshewasplayinginsomekindofcompetition.Orwasbeingplayedwith.Unsettled,shefellbackonanotheroftheroutinequestionsshe'dbeenasking.'DoyouknowwheretheBondiJunctionbusesleave?'

Whateverhe'dbeenexpectinghertosay,thatwasn'tit.Hiseyebrowsshotup.'Lostyournerve?'heaskedsoftly.'Maybeyouknowwhoyou'redealingwith?'

Puzzled,Amisaidagain,'Sorry?'

Hebeckonedhertofollow,walkedpastasculpturedtorchbearertopointtothebusterminallessthanhalfablockawayontheoppositesideofYorkStreet.'Ifit'saBondibusyouwant,'hesaidsardonically,'there'sone.'

'No,that'sgoingtoClovelly,'shesaid,easilyreadingthedestinationonthedistantbus.

'It'samiracle,'hedrawled.

'Whatis?'

'Youreyesightrestoredaftermeremomentsinmycompany.Andwithoutmeevenlayinghandsonyou.'Shefeltadecidedfrissonatthat.Involuntarilysheathishands.Onewasrelaxed,byhisside.Thewasspreadcasuallyonthevoluptuous,bronzedlegofthestatueonthedaisbesidehim.Histhumbrubbedatthecastimpressionofasandalstrap.

'I'vebeenwatchingyou.From myofficeupthere,'hesaid.Startled,Amilookedupatthemirroredblanknessoftheglassheindicated.

'Mysecuritythoughtatfirstthatyoumightbecasingtheplaceforarobberyorterroristaction,'hewentonconversationally.

Myoffice,mysecurity.Hisfingersflexed onthelavishcurvesofthetorchbearer'scalfmuscleasifherelishedthesmoothperfectionofthesurface.Amifounditimmenselyannoying.

'I'mNorthKendrick,'hewentonsmoothly.'Iownthisplace—moreorless.'

Andthatincludedthestatues,Amithought,dragginghereyesfrom theproprietarialhandonthebronze.North?Wasthatanameoracompassbearing?Awomanemergedfromthehoteldoorsandsignalledtohimwithaportablephone.Kendrickmadeaperemptorygesturethatsaid,'Wait.'

'Didyousayterrorists?'Amisaid,distracted.

'Abitextreme,Iagree,althoughwehadourtroubleswithSOPSduringdemolitionoftheoldAvalon.'Atherblankexpressionhesaidblandly,'SaveOldPubsSociety.Sometimessecurityoverreacts.'

'Obviously.I'm nothreattoyoursecurity.'Shesmiled,madeapalms-up,handstothesidegesturethatsaid,'Look—noweapons,'incasehehadhisarmedguardsabouttocloseinonher.

'I'mnotsosureaboutthat,'hemurmured,eyesnarrowedonherexpansivegestureandsmile.'Butthentheyrealisedyou'dbeenherebefore.Workingalonethistime,areyou?Isn'tthatunusual?'

'Whywouldthatbeunusual—whatdoyoumean,thistime?’

'There'sadescriptionofyouonfile,rightdowntothealphabetsweater.'

'Adescription?Well,itisn'tofme!I'veneverseenyoursecuritymenbefore.'

'Theyweren'ttheonesondutybefore.Andtheprobabilityoftwolong-leggedwomenwithblondehair,pantsandanalphabetsweaterchoosingmyhotelasa,shallwesayrendezvousisveryslight.'

Ami'seyesflashed.Therewasclearlysomeconfusion,andshecouldexplainwhyshewashereeasilyenough.But,shethoughtstubbornly,whyshouldshehavetoexplainherselftoaseriesofofficious,self-important,patronisingmales?'Firstyourguards,nowyou.Thisisvergingonharassment,yourealize.'

Helookedadmiring.'You'vegotclass,theydidn'tmentionthatinthefiles.Nordidtheymentionyoureyes.'

Amiblinked.'What?'

'Isupposeyou'rewearingcolouredlenses—thataquamarinecolourcan'tbetherealthing.'

'Can'tit,indeed?'shesaidcoldly.

Foramomenthelookeddubious,buthiseyesflickeddowntothelettersonhersweaterandwhatevertheyspelledoutforhimrestoredhiscoolassurance."Thethingis,Ican'thaveprospectivecustomersbeing—ah,canvassedrightoutsidemydoors.ItmightgivetheAvalonabadnameandmyinvestorswouldn'tlikeit.Spreadtheword,there'sagoodgirl.'

'Ihaven'tbeenagirlforatleasttenyears,'shesnapped.

'Iwon'taskhowlongitissinceyou'vebeengood.'Hismouthtwitchedathisownwit.Hetookherarminadeceptivelycasualgrip.

'Now,justoneminute!'Amipulledbackinalarm,butfailedtodislodgehim.

Heraisedahandtothewomanwaitingatthedoorsforhim.Thewomansaidsomethingintothephone.Henoddedtothecommissionaire.Themanwalkedoutandacab.'Iwantyoutoletgoofmyarm,'she»butthetrafficsurgedandhervoicewasdiminishedandthesummonedtaxisweptinalongside.Amicouldn'tbelieveitwhenKendrickguidedherstronglytowardit.

'Idon'twantacab,thankyou,'shesaidloudly.'Idon'texactlyknowwhatyou'retalkingaboutbutifyouatleastletme—'

'Haveityourway,'hesaid,notrelinquishinghisholdonher.'You'reprobablyjustanicegirlsellingmagazinesubscriptionsbutI'dpreferyoudidn'tdoithere.Orinsidemyhotelonceitopens,forthatmatter.It'sbeenmostenjoyable,butI'mpressedfortimesowhydon'twejustleaveitatthat?Nohardfeelings,hm?'

'Thisisapublicspace—youhavenorighttohustlemeaway.'

"Theremightbesomeargumentastowho'sdoingthehustling,sweetheart,'hesaid,amused.Hecrookedhisindexfinger.Thewomanhurriedovertohandhimthephone.Heturnedhisheadandnodded.Alimousinecreptintoview.

'Hustling?'shesaidfrostily.Thefingercrookedagain.Thedoormanhurriedover,straighteninghistie,adjustingtheflowerinhislapel.Withouttakinghiseyesoffherorreleasinghishold,Kendrickspokeoverhisshouldertothedoorman."Thisladyhasmadeamistake,Morgan.Shefindsherselfinthewrongplace.Shouldsheloseherwayagain,youwillbegoodenoughtoshowherintoacab.'

'Yes,Mr.Kendrick.'ThedoormanstudiedAmi.'Ineverforgetaface.'

'Thisisridiculous!'Scarlet-faced,shetriedtoopenherbagtoshowhimthetape-recorderandherbusinesscardbutKendricktookherbythewristandsteeredherintothecabwhilehespokeintothephone.Thegriphadallthecharm ofahandcuff,asshefoundwhenshetriedtoshakeitoff.Thedrivergawpedinsolently,theworkmenstoppedtowatchasshewasdepositedinthecab.Herfaceflamedinhumiliation.ThemancalledKendrickhandedbackthephoneandleanedin.Hiseyeswerepiercing,intense,andAmifoundthecab'sinteriorsuddenlysuffocating.

'Sydney'sabigplace.Don'tcomeback.I'mbeingniceaboutitthistimebutIdon'tlikecomplications,understand?'Hehesitated,eyesroamingoverherfaceandhair.'Life'stough,Iknow,'hesaid.'It'snothingpersonal,sweetheart.'Thenheturnedandpluckedthegardeniafrom Morgan'slapel.Amirecoiledasheleanedinagain,akneeondieseat.Thescentofthesingleflowerwasasoverpoweringastheloomingpresenceoftheman.Hetuckedtheflowerbehindherear.Hisfingersbrushedagainsthercheek,andsoftlydownthelengthofherhair.Hisgazewenttohermouthandhemovedforward,tiltedhishead.Ami'smouthparted,shestaredathim,heldinatrancestateashisbreathmingledwithhers.Buthedrewbackafractionjustwhenshewascertainhewasabouttokissher.Hishandcurvedaroundherjaw,histhumbstrokedacrossherlowerlipinasubstitutekiss.Underhisbreath,hesaid,'Whatapity.'Withthatheclosedthedoorandslappedtwiceontheroofofthetaxi,whichpulledawayinslavishobedience.KendrickgotintothelimousineandthetwocarswerebrieflyalongsideeachotherbeforetheyenteredtheYorkStreettrafficandshehadonelastglimpseofKendrick'sblackhairandhawkishprofile.Shesnatchedthegardeniafromherhair,grounditintoafragrantpulpwithherheel,cursingthatshe'dleftittoolateforKendricktoseewhatshethoughtofhispatronisinggesture.

'Whatapity!'AmimimickedtoherbestfriendnearlytwoweekslaterasshepulledoffhergreywiginoneoftheShoelaceTheatre'sdressingrooms.'AsifIwasa— nicebitofsculpturehewouldn'tmindputtingwithhishalf-nakedbronzes,ifonlyhehadn'tfoundoutitwasflawed.Superciliousswine.'

'Well,ifanyonecansetasuperciliousswinestraight,’Emmasaidasshestackedupthemetalchairsrecentlyvacatedbyadozenstudents.'Thatwasaterrificclass.Myworkshoppeoplewerequiteinspired.'

Amididn'tanswer.Thatwasthetrouble.Shehadn'tsethimstraightatall.Shethoughtofthespinelesswayshe'djustsatthereinthetaxiandletthatmantucktheflowerinherhair,touchherface...everybitasinanimateasoneofhisbronzetorchbearers,shethought,hatingherself.

'Areyouintendingtodrivehomeinfullmake-up?'Emmaenquired.'Youlookolderthanmygrandmother.I'mhavingsecondthoughtsaboutyoubeingmybridesmaid.'

SheindicatedAmi'sface,usedtodemonstrateherlatexageingeffects,whichhadturnedherintoaseventy-year-oldwomaninaroundninetyminutes.ButAmilookedbroodinglyinthemirror,notseeingherownmade-upreflection.Ifithadn'tbeenforthegardenia,shethought,shewouldhaveforgottenthewholethingbynow.Shedoubtedshewouldeveragainbeabletosmelltheperfumeofagardeniawithouttriggeringoffthememoryofherhumiliation.Ifonlyshehadthrowntheflowerathim,shewouldfeelsomuchbetter.

'Ami?'

Ruefully,shesmiled.Emmawasbackfromabriefreunionwithherfiancéathisplaceoutwest,glowingwithhappinessandconfidence,sereneaboutherweddingplansandkeentotalkaboutmaterialsamplesanddesigns.'SorrytosoundoffbutIjustcannotabidethatsmug,superiorkindofmale.Didn'tgivemeachancetoexplain,justhustledmeintoacabsayingithadbeen"mostenjoyable".AndtherewasthegardeniaandIthoughtforamomenthewasgoingto...Ishouldhavebittenhisthumboff,'shesaidblackly.

'Histhumb?'

'HissniffydoormanstudiedmeasifIwasonthetenmostwantedlistandI'mbannedfromgoinginsidethatfancyhotelofhis—canyoubelieveit?"Sydney'sabigplace,"'shesaidinmimicryofKendrick'sdeepvoice.'"Don'tcomeback."'Shesweptupanarmfulofusedtissuesandcotton-woolpadstotosstheminthewaste-binandlookedreflectivelyatEmma.'WhenIwasakid,ifsomeonetoldmeIwasn'tallowedtowalkonthegrass,Ijusthadtogoandputatleastonefootonit.'

Emma'sbrowswentup.'You'renotthinkingofputtingafootonKendrick'sturf,areyou?'

Amigrinned.'Ijustmight,atthat.'

Herfriendlookedsuddenlyalert.'NorthKendrick?CKC?Electronicsandtransportandalltherest?I'veheardabouthim.Hardasnailsandtwiceassharp.I'dsleepontheideaifIwereyou.YourpridemightnotwithstandbeingthrownoutasecondtimeandIwouldn'tgambleonthedoormannotrecognisingyou.Comeon,takeoffyourwrinkles.IkeepthinkingI'mtalkingtoastranger.'

Amifocusedatlastonherreflection.Sheblinkedtocentrethecloudycontactlensesthatturnedhereyesfromaquamarinetoanindeterminategrey-blue.Theslightirritationtheycausedgavehereyesaconvincingwaterylook.Withprofessionalpridesheproddedatthelifelikefoldsonherneck,thepliable,saggingjawlineundetectablefrom realskinevenforclosetelevisioncamerawork.'Itisgood,isn'tit?'shesaid,pleasedwithhercreation.

'Yourownmotherwouldn'tknowyou.I'mgoingtolockup.'

'Ihatetosimplytakeitalloffaftersomuchwork,'Amicomplained,raisinghervoiceasherfrienddisappearedtochecktheexitsandalarmsofhertheatre.'Itseemssuchawasteofeffort.'

Amisat,afingerteasingatthepinsholdingherlong,blondehairclosetoherscalp.Then,thoughtfully,sheputonthegreywigagainandadjustedit,leaningclose.„toscrutinizethecountenanceherownmother*trecognize.

Don'tcomeback.

Ineverforgetaface.

There'sadescriptionofyouonfile.

Ami'seyesgleamed.Asmileplayedaroundhermouth.Suchaterriblewastetosimplydismantleninetyminutesofwork.Wastenot,wantnot,shethoughtvirtuously.

'Emma,'sheyelled,unzippinghercranberryjumpsuit.'CanIborrowsomegearfromyourcostumedepartment?'

TheAvalonwasopenforbusiness,itssemicirculardrivecompletedandlinedwitharow ofpotted,pollardedfigtreesthatlookedlikethree-dimensionallollipops.Sydney'spigeonshad discovered thetorchbearers;therewasaspatteringofwhiteonthesmooth,bronzebreastsandshoulders.

Thesuavewatchdog,Morgan,onceagainworeagardeniaonhislapel.Themanwhoneverforgotafacelookedblanklyatherassheapproached,andAmi

felttheflushofelationshealwaysgotfromaconvincingpieceofwork.Emma'stheatrecostumedepartmenthadyieldedafloraldressandacheappinkcardigan,supportshoes,avinylhandbagandwhitegloves.'Ishouldn'tbehelpingyouwiththis—it'samadidea,'Emmahadsaid,butshehadbeenintheatreevenlongerthanAmiandhadn'tbeenabletoresisttheprofessionalchallengeoftransformation.BodypadsandahunchhadmodifiedAmi'stall,dancer'sbodyintoashorter,dumpiershape.Morganhadnomoreluckidentifyingherfigurethanherface.

'CanIhelpyou,madam?'hesaid.

'I'mgoingtohavealookatyourlovelynewhotel,'sheconfidedcosily,takingpleasureinlookinghimrightintheeye.'Andhaveacupofcoffeeinyourcoffeeshop.'

Morganquicklyreviewedherweatheredwrinkles,hermodestclothes,andhismannerbecamemorefamiliar.'It'snotagoodtimeforthattonight,dear.It'sanofficialopening,yousee,forVIPsandthepress—'

"That'sallright,Idon'tmindafew officials,'shesaidbroad-mindedly,suspectingthatMorganwastryingtokeepheroutforanentirelynewreason.Shefeltajoltattheinformation.KendrickwasboundtobehereiftheplacewascrawlingwithVIPsandpress.Justforamoment,shehungback.Emmawasright,itwasamadidea.ButthescentofMorgan'sgardeniawaftedtohernostrilsandwhenheturnedawaywithatoothywelcomeforbetter-dressedpeople,Amislippedthroughthedoors.

Amongsttheguestssherecognizedamediasportscelebrityandaretiredpoliticianwhosemake-upshe'ddoneonceforaTVtalkshow.Withthesportscelebritywasagirlfriendwearingglamour-punkblackandglitter,andwiththepoliticianabow-tied,distinguishedhusband.Allthebeautifulpeople.

Morganandhisboss,shethought,wouldnodoubtprefernottohaveimpoverishedoldladiesinpinkcardiestotteringaroundthelavishfoyerspoilingtheclassinessoftheplacewhiletheVIPswerepresent.Toobad.Sheinterceptedawaiterwhodubiouslygaveheraglassofchampagne.

Throughagapinthecrowd,shesaw Kendrick.Histall,leanfigurewasdistinguishedintheblackandwhiteofadinnersuit.Werehisshouldersreallysobroad?Probablyoverstuffedshoulderpads.Averyelegantbrunette,wearingfuchsiapinkandpearls,stayedclosebyhimashegreetedguestsandjournalists.Hesmiledandmadeanexpansivegestureasherelatedsomeanecdotetohisimmediateaudience.Theyalllaughed.Well,theywould,wouldn'tthey,shethought,rememberingtheleapofthetaxiwhenKendrickhadsignalled

Kendrick,shehad read sincehehad sentherpacking,wassuccesspersonified.Hewasintoelectronics,transport,propertyandamultitudeofprofitableventuresthathadsprungfromanunlikelystartasanengineerwithahandfulofpatenteddesigns.Hewasoneofjustafewoftheyoungturkswhohadavoidedthefinancialquicksandofthepastdecade,knownforacombinationofflair,ruthlessnessandaformidablepatienceforlong-term investment.Theonlyextravagantmistakehemighthavemade,accordingtothefinancialpages,wastobuildthishotel.Butamanwithhisresourcescouldaffordamistake.Beingonhisturfseemedsuddenlynotonlychildishbutdangerous.Amicouldn'thaveexplainedit,butsheusuallywentwithherintuition,soshewasalreadyplottinghercoursetothedoorthroughthecocktaildressesandthedinnersuitswhenayoungmanwearingahotelbadgetookherelbowandsaidsoftly,'Goodevening,madam.Allowmetocallyouacab.'

Leavingwasexactlywhatshe'dintendedbutwhenshefoundherselfbeinginexorablyassistedtodoso,shewasnettled.WhensheglancedoverandsawNorthKendrickfrowninginherdirection,nodoubtwatchingtoseethatshewasremoved,hertemperflared.Onewayoranother,hewasalwaysthrowingherout.'Oh,butIdon'twanttogoyet,'shesaidinaquaveringvoicethatneverthelessprojectednicelyinthesoaringvestibule.'Iwanttohavealookaroundyourlovelyhotel.'

Theyoungmanbesideherpastedanembarrassedsmileonhisfaceandmovedherthroughtheguests.Sheraisedhervoiceabit.

'Youngman,you'rehurtingmyarm.Idon'tunderstandwhyI'm beingtreatedlikeacriminaljustbecauseIwantedtohavealookaround.'

Kendrickwaslookingovernow withsharpenedinterest.Sowereseveralmembersofthepress.Australianslovedanunderdog.Amiwarmedtoherrole.

'Doyouhavetoberichandfamoustocomeintolookatthishotel?'sheaskedthenearestguests.'Icouldn'tstayhere—couldn'taffordthat,notonthepension.Butjusttolook— Thesentenceremainedpatheticallyunfinished.Bynowtherewasadecidedpalloverthecelebrations.Kendrickhadstoppedsmiling.Amiwasbeginningtoenjoyherself.'Tossedonthescrapheap,'shesaidwithperfectclarityandahintoftearsbecausethecontactlenseswerehurting.'That'sallright.I'llgo,'shesaidwithasniff.ShewasratherkeentomakethatexitnowbecauseKendrickwasapproachingthroughthecrowd,afrowndeeplyetchedonhisbrow.Hewasperturbed,embarrassedbecausehisguestswereembarrassed.Good.Amifeltjusticehadbeendoneandmovedtothedoorwithavigourthattookherescortbysurprise.

ItwasKendrickwhostoppedher,justasthemassiveglassdoorsslidapart.Hecarriedwithhimanalmostfullglassofchampagnebutmusthavemovedlikegreasedlightningwithoutspillingadrop,afactthatdoubledherapprehension.'Justamoment.'Hegaveheracleanwhitehandkerchief,tookherarm andhandedtheglasstotheyoungman.'Getsomeonetocollectthecurrentbatchofchampagneandreplaceitwithproperlychilledbottles.Ilikemychampagnecold,'hesaid.Theyoungmanvanishedonthecommand.Ami'sglassofchampagnehadfeltpositivelyicythroughhergloves.Kendrickwaseitheraperfectionistorjustlikedthrowinghisweightaround.'I'mNorthKendrick,'hesaid,bendingtowardherassheshrankintothehanky.'IownthishotelandIapologiseforanyunpleasantnessyoumighthaveencountered.Thehotelmanagementstaffmayhaveoverinterpretedtheirinstructions—'

Whatalovelyman,shethought.Droppingtheblameonthestaffwhocouldn'tanswerback.Amifeltthefirstrealpangsofalarmasheledherinsidethehotelasinexorablyashisemployeehadbeentryingtoleadherout.Wouldn'tyouknow it,shethoughtfuriously.Themanwasn'tgoingtoriskthepresswritingupsomethingunpleasantaboutapensionerbeingejectedfrom theAvalon.ClaspedtoKendrick'sside,shefeltneartopanic.

'Willyoutellusyourname?'Kendrickbentpersuasivelyoverher.HisbeautifulbrunettecompanioncameoverandintroducedherselfasFrancescaquiteloudlytoAmi,assumingthatdeafnessautomaticallywentwithwrinkles.

Amisawthattherewasnowayoutofthis.Shecouldhardlytakeoffherwigandadmitshewasafraud.Hisgung-hosecurityguardswouldprobablyclapherinironsasaSOPSinfiltrator.Shewouldsimplyhavetoimproviseuntilanopportunitytoescapepresenteditself.'MynameisAmelia,'shesaid,givingthefullversionofhernamesheneverused.ShewasratherdisconcertedtofindKendrick'swell-groomedheadtiltedaninchfromhermouth.Hisskinwastanandratherrough-grained,histhickhairgleamingaCelticblack.Hergazelockedontoasinglegreyhair,shininglikeatinysilverarrowjustabovehisear.Shiftinghereyesfromaclose-upofhishairtoaclose-upofhisresolutejaw,shealmostgavehimherreallastnameandhastilysubstitutedanalias.'AmeliaAnderson,'shesaid.Assoonasshesaidthename,shestartedconcoctingapersonalityforAmeliaAndersonandshefeltbetter.Safer.OrwasthatbecauseNorthKendrickhadmovedslightlyfartheraway?

'Mrs.Anderson—itifMrs?'heasked,glancingatherglovedlefthand.

'I'mawidow,'Amisaidcautiously.

'MayIcallyou Amelia?You realiseyou'vegatecrashed ouropeningcelebrations,Amelia,'hesaidonaplayful,yetchidingnote.

IfIreallywasseventyyearsold,shethought,Iwouldstrenuouslyobjecttobeingtreatedlikeanincompoop.'Ididn'tseeanysignsayingthepubliccouldn'tcomein.I'magatecrasherbecauseI'mnotrichandimportant,isn'tthatwhatyoumean,youngman?'

Kendricklookedtakenaback,anexpressionshefeltwassurelyalientohimandthatgavehersomeintensesatisfaction.'Youareimportant,Amelia.Infact—'Hepausedandshecouldalmostseethewheelsturningasheassessedthesituation.'Tomarkouropeningandyourkeeninterestinthehotel—'Itwassaidwiththebaresttraceofdryness.'Wewantyoutobeourguestforaweekend—absolutelyfree—inoneofourbestsuites.'

Ami'shorrorwasgenuine.'Oh,no,'shecried,asjournaliststooknotesandphotographerstookpictures.'Icouldn't!'

Kendricksmiledslightlyatthisresponse.'Ofcourseyoucould.Thedoormansaidyouwantedtocomeinforacupofcoffee.Well,Amelia,youshallhaveallthecoffeeyoucandrink,onthehouse.'

Itwasclearthatanylittleoldladyinsupportshoesandapinkcardieshouldbejumpingforjoyatsuchlargesse.Assheactedovercomeandflustered,herpanicsubsided.Thewholethinghadgotoutofhand,butwhywassheworried?Nobodyknewwhoshewas,thelightingwasdiscreetenoughforherlatextopassmusterandpeopleweren'tlookingallthatcloselyather.Shewasanoldladyandeveryonealreadythoughttheyknewjustwhatanoldladylookedlikesotherewasnoneedforclosescrutiny.Shewouldgoalongwiththisandsimplyfadeawayatthefirstopportunity.

Theopportunitytoescapedidn'tpresentitself.Whensheexcusedherselftogo,ostensiblytotheladiesroom,Francescawentwithher.Kendrickwasn'tgoingtoriskthenowhigh-profilewidowAndersonfallingandbreakingherhiponhispremises.Fortunately,FrancescawastooabsorbedintouchingupherownlovelyfacetonoticethatthewidowAndersondidn'ttakeoffhergloves.

Withrelentlessgenerosity,Kendrickincludedherinthetourofthegrandnewbuilding.Thepresslikedthequirkynotionofthestrayoldpensionerbeinggiventhekeystoaluxurysuite.Theydemandeddetails.Wheredidshelive?Wasshealoneintheworld?Hadsheeverstayedinaluxuryhotelbefore?Shewasshakilyvagueaboutheraddressandvolubleaboutherfamily.'Thenthere'smyyoungestsonBernardandmydaughter-in-law,Brenda,'shewaffledastheeyesofthepressglazedover.'Andthegrandkiddies...thetwins,lovable,cheekylittledevils.'

Thepartywentupintheelevators,totourthehotel'simpressivefunctionrooms,theballroom,therestaurantandcoffeeshop.Champagne,spiritsandcanapéswereofferedateverystop.Ami,whohadsomehowbeenelevatedtoguestofhonour,keptupasteadyflowofappreciation.

'Whatanice,cosyfeelithas,'shesaid,ofthestandoffishchromeandmarbleinteriorofthecoffeeshopwherethewidowAndersonwasdestinedtowhoopitupduringherstay.WhatwouldKendrickdowhenthewidowfailedtoturnupforherfreeholiday?'ButyouknowIcan'thelpthinkingalittlelamponeverytablewouldhavejustbeenthefinishingtouch.Withalittle,pleatedshadeoneachofthem,andmaybeatinyposyofartificialflowers.Imakethem,youknow.'ShebeamedatabemusedNorthKendrickwhomustsurelyberegrettinghisdecisiontoincludeherintheparty.'Lampshades.Imusthavemade—oh,hundredsoflampshadesinmytime.'

Withthisimpressivefeattomullover,theymovedontotheemptyballroomwhere,toAmi'sdismay,chandeliersblazed.But,atabarelyperceptiblenodofKendrick'shandsomehead,thelightsdimmedandthegreatwaltzfrom DerRosenkavalierswelledthroughhiddenspeakers.NowonderKendrickthoughthighlyofhimself—hispassagethroughlifewassmoothedbypeoplewhojuststoodaboutwaitingtodowhathewanted,whenhewanted,ataquirkofhiseyebrow.ThewidowAndersonmusthavecomeasanastysurprise,shethoughtmaliciously.

'Oh,my,'saidAmiclaspingherglovedhands.'HowIusedtolovetowaltz.Iusedtobequiteadancerinmytime,butIdon'tsupposeyoubelievethat,Mr.Kendrick—ormayIcallyouNorth?'shesaidroguishly.

'Waltzwithme,Amelia,'NorthKendricksaid,holdingouthisarms.Allthecameraswentupinreadiness.Francesca,whowasafashiondesigner,wearingherowncreation,lookeddisappointedthatthisprimepieceofexposurewasgoingtosomeonewithnothingtopromote.

Ami'sroguishsmiledisappeared.'Oh,Icouldn't— mylegsaren'twhattheyusedtobe.DancewithFrancesca.'

'Justonecircuit.'Hesmiled.Whatverygoodteethhehad,shethought,staringathim andcursingherimpulsiveness.Hemovedinandtherewasnowheretogobutintohisarms.

Hewasareasonablygooddancer.Asonewhohadtrainedinballetsincefouryearsold,shewasinclinedtojudgeharshly.Evenso,hewasverystylish,verycrisp,verypurposeful.Itwouldbeinterestingtodanceproperlywithhiminsteadofthismeasured,sedatecircuitofthefloorsuitableforadowager.Asthe

headymusicswelled,quickenedintoawhirlingpace,Amiwonderedwhatwouldhappenifshestraightenedoutofherstoop,threwbackherheadandslidherhandaroundthatratherinterestingangleofhisneck.Thethoughtsostartledherthatshestumbled.Hisarmtightenedinsupportandshewasdrawnupontohertoesthroughseveralbarsoffrolickingmusic,herfalsematronlybosomandthepinkcardigancrushedtohischest,hermouthnarrowlymissinghisbowtie.-'Areyouallright,Amelia?'

Genuineconcernbadsuchanamazingeffectonhisuncompromisingfeaturesthatshestaredunguardedlyforamoment.Hiseyesnarrowed.Ami'sheadfilledwiththedrumbeatofherpulse.Hadhercontactlensesslipped?Oh,lord,whyhadsheletherselfgetsocarriedaway?Themanwouldtearherlimbfromlimb.

Buthesmiledandsaid,'I'llbetyouneverlackedpartnerswhenyouwereagirl.'

'Well...'shesaidmodestly,almostsagginginrelief.

'Didyourhusbandliketodance?'

'No,'shesaid,unwillingtocomplicatematterswithadancinghusband.'Mostmendon'thavethefirstideaofdancing.Nowyou,North,'shesaidtruthfully,'you'reaverygooddancer.Youknowhowtolead.Somanymendon't.'

Helaughed.'It'stheageofequality,Amelia.Alotofwomendon'tappreciatemenwhotakecontrol.Consequentlymenarelessconfidentabouttakingtheleadinanythinglesttheybelabelledchauvinistpigs.'

Balderdash,shethought.'Dearme.Well,Icanseeyoudon'tlettheageofequalitybotheryou,North.'

Hisbrowswentup.Shesmiledseraphicallythoughthestrainofdisguisingherheight,theheatofthewigandthepaddingandthelatexweregettingtoher.Herheartbeatwasgallopingalongatapacethatwouldsurelymakehimcallanambulanceifhefeltthevibrations.Butmomentslater,smilingastheguestsapplauded,heledherfromthefloor.SheoughttosendhimabillconsideringthepublicrelationsvaluehewasgettingoutofAmeliaAnderson,shethoughtsourly.

Amaninawheelchairhadjoinedtheguestswhileshewasdancing,Aminoticed.Hewaselderlyandverythin,withafacelikeacreasedleathersatchelandlargehandswithknobbyknucklesandwrists.A superbdarksuitsatawkwardlyonhim,asifhewasdoneupinsomeoneelse'sSundaybest.NorthKendricklookeddispleasedattheman'spresenceandwenttohim atonce,bendingoverhimtosayafewwords.Theoldmanshookhisheadandsettled

intothechairwithanairofstubbornness.Ifhe'dbeenaskedtoleave,hewasn'tgoing,either.Kendrickhadhisshareofout-of-placeseniorcitizenstonight,Amithought,catchingtheeyeoftheinvalid.Helookedtiredbuthisgazewasunexpectedlysharp,andshenoddedandturnedawayquickly,unwillingtobeexaminedbyagenuineelder.Amifoundthoseeyesfocusedsteadilyonherasshewasheldinconversationbyvariouspeopleandforcedtoexpandonherfamilylife.SheexhaustedBernardandthetwinsandlaunchedhereldestson,Duncan,wholivedinCanada.Somethingaboutthewatchfuloldmanwasdisturbinglyfamiliar,andshefeltanewurgencytogetaway.ButnosoonerthethoughtthanNorthKendrickwasthere,takingherarmagainandsteeringhertothedisabledman.Wereoldwomenalwaysbundledaroundinthisbossymanner?

'Amelia,meetmyfather,'hesaid.'HarryKendrick.'

Hisfather?Shewastakenabackbutthesenseoffamiliaritywasexplained.Theman'seyeswerelikehisson'sexcepttherewasagleaminthemtosuggesthumourtomatchtheshrewdness.

'Howdoyoudo,Mr.Kendrick,'shesaidcarefully.

TheoldmanlistenedashissonexplainedAmelia'spresenceandherexpectedstayinapenthousesuiteasaguestofthemanagement.'Isthatso?'Harrysaid,raisingshaggyeyebrows.'AndisthereaMr.Anderson?'

'Ameliaiswidowed,too,Harry,'Northsaid.

AmihadthesuddencrazythoughtthatKendrickmightbematchingherupwithhisdad.ShealmostburstintoIhystericallaughter.Harrywasaskingherabouther/family,andshewentintoherpatteraboutherelderson,Duncan,wholivedinNewZealand.Assoonasshesaiditsheknewshe'dmadeaslip.DuncanlivedinCanada.Shestartedtofeelabitdesperate.

'Niceplace,NewZealand.AlotlikeCanada,Ibelieve,'Harrysaidblandlyandgaveherawink.Justthentherewasaconcertedmovetoanotherlocationandhepattedachairalongsidehimandsaid,'Sitdownandtakealoadoffyourfeetforawhile,Mrs.Anderson.'

Itwasanidealopportunitytoescape.Shesatdown,notcertainwhethershe'dbeenrumbled.WhenKendrickandthecrowddisappeared,shecountedtoten,butinsteadofleaving,sheturnedtomeetHarry'swatery,blue-greyeyes.Theywerecrinkledupinsilentlaughter.

'Ifyou'reapensioner,I'mtheprimeminister,'hesaid.

CHAPTERTWO

SHEcouldhavegonethen.Kendrickmightcomebackatanymoment.Butprofessionalcuriositydelayedher.'Whatgavemeaway?'

Harrydrewahandkerchieffrom hissuitpocketandwipedhiseyes.'Oh,nevermind.You'renotoneofthoseSOPSpeople,areyou?Isthereabombinthathandbag?'

'Goodheavens,iseveryoneinthisplaceparanoidaboutbombs?'shesaidlightly,openingherbagtoshowhimthatitcontainednoexplosives.Shespunhimataleaboutwantingtotestoutherspecialeffectsinpublic,whichwas,afterall,closetothetruth.'Theyweresogood,'shesaidmodestly,'thatonethingledtoanotherand—hereIam.'

'AndNorthdoesn'thaveaclue!'Harrywentoffintowheezylaughteragain.'Ah,thisisararetreat.He'sasmartlad,yousee,smarterthanme.Ineverhadmucheducation,workedwithmyhandsallmylife,onbuildingsitesaroundthecity.NowadayspeoplelikemyboyknockdownthingsIhelpedtobuildandreplacethemwithfancytowerslikethis,'hesaidwithasighashesquintedoutthewindowattheglitteringcity.'North,now—hewasbrainyrightfrom thestart,wasrichbeforeheturnedthirty.Peoplehavebeenbowingandscrapingtohim,treatinghim likeagodforsolong,it'snowonderhethinksheknowseverything.'Hewentoffagain,gaspingandheaving.'Mypoorboy!Ithinkhewashopingtodoabitofmatchmakingbetweenmeandthewidow!'Hemoppedupagainandshewaswatchinghim stuffthehandkerchiefinhistoppocketwhenhisotherhandflashedoutandpluckedthewalletfromheropenbag.Itwasunfoldedandhewasreadingherbusinesscardbeforeshegatheredherwits.

'AmiWinterburn,'hereadoutloud.'PerformingArts,SpecialEffects,PerukeMaker,Illusion—TheatricalSupplies.Busygirl,aren'tyou?What'saperuke?'

'Awig,'shesaid,swipingherwalletfromhim.

'Andwhat'sIllusion?Ashoporsomething?'

Shetookthecardandtuckeditaway,notanswering.

Hehadretainedherdriver'slicenceandnowcheckedherdateofbirth.'Hm.Twenty-six.Single?'

'Yes.You'reanosyoldman,'shesaid,dismayedthathe'dseenherrealname.AmeliaAndersoncouldjustfadeintotheblue.AmiWinterburn,failedactress,makeupartistandwigmaker,waslistedinboldtypeinthephonebook.

'Andyou'reafraudulentoldbag,'heguffawed,surrenderingthelicence.'It'smybirthdaytoday.I'mseventy-one.'

'Well,happybirthday.'

Hegrinnedathertension.'Don'tworry.Iwon'ttellNorthyourrealname,'hesaidandassherelaxed,added,'butonlyifyoustayandcometothepenthouseinthatget-uptocelebratemybirthday.'

"That'sblackmail,'shesqueaked.

'That'sright,Mrs.Anderson.'

Headflungback,shestalkedtothedoor,forgettingthefrockandthepinkcardiganandthestoutshoes.Harrylookedonwithappreciation.

'Betyou'reagood-lookingwomanunderallthat.Butthatwon'tcutanyicewithNorthifhefindsoutwhatafoolyou'vemadeofhim.He'snotamanwholikestobemessedabout.'

'Youwouldn'ttellhim?'

ButHarryjustgrinned,andshe'dpassedupherchanceatescapebecauseNorthKendrickcamebackjustthen,withFrancescaandtheothersfollowinginthehighgoodhumourgeneratedbyalcoholandpamperedegos.

'North,myboy—Mrs.Anderson'sgotasurpriseforyou,'Harryannounced,withaprovocativelookatAmi.Horrified,shethoughthereallydidintendtogethisbirthdaykicksbyexposingherinfrontofeveryone.SheimaginedpeelingoffherdisguisetostandbeforeKendrick,imaginedthosegreyeyesonherrealface.Hernervebroke.

'I'm,er,Harrykindlyinvitedmetocelebratehisbirthdaywithyoutonight,'shetwittered.'UnlessofcourseIwouldbeintrudingonafamilyoccasion—'

Northbrokeinquiteeagerlytoassurehershewouldn'tbeintruding.Francescawouldn'tbestayingfordinner,butwouldescortthem upandhewouldjointhemwhenhisguestshadgone.AmithoughtshesawthewhitesofFrancesca'seyesatthis,butthewomanaccompaniedthemdutifully.

Thepenthousewassheerluxury.Inthemellowlightoftablelamps,apalelakeofmarblestretchedoutwithclusteredfurnitureonislandsofrugs.

Sculpturesinbronzeandstone,mirroredinthemarble,lookedlikeancientmonumentsstranded in water.A clump ofprehistoricpalm-likecycadsflourishedbeneathadomedskylight.Softlylitshelvessetintothewallshousedahostofarttreasures.Atablewassetfordinnerwithcandelabraandonatrolleywasalarge,perfectbirthdaycakecoveredincandles.Amithoughttherewouldbeexactlyseventy-one.Itwasalltasteful,perfect,elegant.Ithadthetouchofthehotel'scateringdepartmentonit.Impersonallyyours,shethought,rememberingthatbriefglimpseofirritationtonightwhenNorthKendrickhadfirstseenhisfather.ShewonderedwhathehadgivenHarryforhisbirthday.Adiamond-studdedtiecliporsomethingequallyfabulous,shesupposed.

Francescawasdrawntoapanoramicmirrorwheresheanxiouslysurveyedherlovelyface.

'Mirror,mirroronthewall,'Harrymutteredwithagrimace.'Youdon'tthinkhe'dmarryher,doyou?'

AmistudiedFrancescaanew atthisidea.Shewasn'tsurewhichoneshewouldpitymostinsuchaliaison.Butshedidn'tanswer,andHarryreachedoutandtouchedthewrinklesatthecornerofhereyes,smilingsmuglyatthesuccessofhismanoeuvres.

'DirtyHarry,'shewhispered from thecornerofhermouth.'I'm notaccustomedtobeingblackmailedintodoingthings.'

'Ah,mydaysasablackmailerarenumbered.Can'tcountonanotherbirthdayafterthisone.'

Shewasdisconcerted.'Youmeanthatyou're...?'

Harrygaveaphilosophicalshrugandagauntgrinthatcuttotheheartofher.Shemustbemadbutinspiteofeverything,shelikedthisreprehensibleoldmanwhoseemedsolonelyinthiselevatedbastionofgoodtaste.'Well,'shesaid.'Justkeepyourpartofthebargain.Andmakesurethatthelightsstaydownlow.Idon'twanttobeunmaskedoverthebirthdaycake.'

NorthKendrickarrivedthen,emergingsuddenlyfrombehindtheclumpofcycads,sheddinghisdinnerjacket,satisfactiontiltinghismouth,agleaminhiseyes.Hehadturnedapotentialdifficultyintoanadvantage,theeveninghadbeenasuccessandhehadthelookofawinner.Therewasasymbolicwarningheresomewhere,Amithought,thatinthishavenofsophisticationthemanshouldappear,triumphant,frombehindalushgrowthofplantsthatdatedbacktoprimitivetimes.Hetossedthejacketontoacouch,androlledupthesleevesofhiseveningshirt.Theoverallimpressionwasofbroad-shoulderedathleticism.

Ofcourse,hisleannesscouldbemereskinniness.Underthatloose,expensiveshirthewasprobablythinasarake,hisribsstickingout.

'Amelia,'hesaid,stretchinghishandstowardher.'Ican'ttellyouhowpleasedIamyou'rejoiningus.'Hiswarmthmadeheruneasy,guilty.Butshethoughtofhisenthusiasmtohaveacompletestrangerjoininafamilyaffairandwonderedifitwasrelief.Maybe,shespeculated,NorthKendrickjustdidn'twanttobealonewithhisfather.Herglovedhandswereheldinhisandhestoopedtowardher,lingeredforamoment,andshefeltthedrawofhisattractionashiseyescrinkledwithasmile.Oldladies,apparently,broughtoutacertainsweetnessinKendrick.Heclosedhiseyesbriefly,tookadeepbreathandAmifoundherselfgazingathim,fascinatedbythisuninhibitedboyishness.

"Thatremindsmeofmygrandmother,'hesaidwithanostalgicsad-sweetsmilethatcaughtather.

'Whatdoes?'

'Thatscent.Whatisit?'

'Oh.Justsometalc,'shesaidweakly.Atthetheatre,she'dshakensomeappleblossomtalcontodisguisethesmellofadhesive,andshewasjoltedthatherfraudhadbroughtbackanintimatememorytohim.Itseemedaveryrefinedformofcheating.Amifeltterrible.

NorthjoinedFrancescatofetchsomedrinks.

"Thebestbirthdaypresentofthemall,'Harrysaid,watchinghisson.'It'sthefirsttimesincehewasaboutfifteenthatIknow somethinghedoesn't.'Hepositivelyglowedwithhissecretknowledge.Amicouldn'tdecidewhichwassadder—Harry'smaliciouspleasureatherpresence,orhisson'spatentreliefatit.ShelookedoveratFrancescawhoappearedtobemixingmorethandrinkswithNorth.Thebrunetterestedherfingertipstonthejunctionofhisneckandshoulder,toemphasisesomepoint.Theremustbesomethingaboutthatpartof/hisneckthatwomenliked.Amithoughtofherownridiculousfixationonitwhenshe'ddancedwithhim.Herfingertipstingled.

'Whatdidyougetforyourbirthday,Harry?'shesaidabruptlyasshenoticedtheoldmankeenlyobservingherinterest.'OtherthanAmeliaAnderson,Imean.'

Harryguffawedsilently,reacheddownthesideofthewheelchairandproducedsomebirthdaycards,madebyhisgrandchildren.'Here'sacardfrommyneighbour-she'slookingaftermyhousewhileI'mstayinghere.Northwantsmetosellit,soIhopeitwillstillbeminewhenIwanttogoback,'hesaiddryly.

Shelookedathimaskance.'You'rejoking,aren'tyou?'

'Northlikestogethisway,'theoldmansaidwithastubbornsetofhisjawthatsuggestedwhereNorth'straitmighthavecomefrom.'Hegavemethisformybirthday,'hesaid,pushingbackhisshirtcuffandholdingouthislefthand.TherewasagoldRolexwatchonhisknobbywrist.'Shockproof,'theoldmansaid,lookingatthebeautifultimepiece.'Andwaterproofdownasfarastwohundredmetres.'TherewassomegentlehumourinhiseyesasheraisedthemtoAmi.'BettermakesureIdon'tlosemyheadandgodivingdeeperthanthat,eh?'

TheywerelaughingwhenNorthbroughtthedrinks.Francescamadesomepolite,expertsmalltalkinaloudvoiceforthebenefitoftheoldfolks,thensaidgoodbyeandNorthsaw hertotheelevator.Throughthecycad'spalm-likefrondsAmicaughtaglimpseofFrancescaclaspedinhisarms,orhim beingclaspedinFrancesca's,itwashardtotell.Thegoodbyekisswasbrief,anythingbutpassionate,probablybecausetheyhadnoprivacyatpresent.AshecamebackAmiwonderedwhatthatwaslike—beingkissedbyNorthKendrick.Theadolescentspeculationannoyedher.

Throughdinner,Harrycontinuedtoextractthemaximum enjoymentfromthesituation.Amicouldn'thelpfeelingthatalthoughHarrymightnothavethemoneyandpowerofhisson,hewasfarfromthehelpless,pitifuloldmanhe'dportrayedtoher.

'North.Suchanunusualname,'Amisaidcuriously.

'WenamedhimConnaught—hismother'smaidenname.AlwaysintendedtocallhimConnor,butassoonashecouldtalkhecalledhimselfNort...itkindofgrewintoNorth.Heinsistedonit,refusedtoanswertoConnor.Stubbornasamuleevenwhenhewasthree,'Harrysaidinmingledirritationandpride.

Connaught.AmiglancedatNorth,whowastakingallthischitchatabouthisbabyhoodwithsurprisingtolerance.Shepicturedhimachubbychildlispinghisownname,insistingonhisversionofit.Harryproducedbabypicturesafterdinner,passingthemtoAmiwithadrycommentaryguaranteedtowrecktheimageofagrownup,successfulson.Therewasoneofanear-nakedtoddleronabeach,concentratingfiercelyonshovellingsandintoabucket.Therewasafamilyshotofadark-hairedwomanwithNorthandanoldergirl,decoratingaChristmastree.'Wehadoneeveryyear,'Harrysaid.'Therewasthisplaceweusedtogetourtrees—don'tsupposeit'sthereanymore.Ah,takealookatthisone.'ItwasalaterphotographofNorth,sittingonthepillionseatofaDucatimotorbikeclingingtoadashing,leather-cladHarry.Ateightornine,hewasathinboyshowinglittlesignsofthecompellinglookshewouldhaveinmaturity.Hisintelligentfaceboreanexpressionofmingledpride,confidenceandanxiety.Amiwonderediftheconfidencehaddrivenoutalluncertaintiesorifthegrown

manhadsimplybecomemoreadeptatdisguising,hisinnerdoubts.AquickcomparisonwiththeadultNorthconvincedherthatthislatterideawasunlikely.NorthKendrickhadtheairofamanwhohadtheanswersandneverdoubtedhimself,whetherhewasbuyingacompanyorclearingthestreetsofunsuitablewomen.

'IusedtoraceCats.Ducatibikes,'Harryexplained.'Wonquiteabit,too.'TohissonHarrysaidgruffly,'Idon'tsupposeyouremembermuchaboutthat.'

Northlookedstartled.'OfcourseIremember,Harry,'hesaidsoemphaticallythatAmithoughthewasputtingonafrontandhadinfactconsignedHarry'sracingdaystotheforgottenfiles.AmiwonderedatwhatageNorthstoppedcallinghisfatherDad,orifheeverhad.

Thebirthdaycandleswerelitandextinguished,thecakecutandAmisaidhergoodbyes.

'I'llcomedownwithyou,'Northsaid,steeringherintothelift.Herheartthumped.

'No,there'snoneed,'shesaid,desperatetoescapeatlast.ButhepressedbuttonsandtheliftdoorsclosedonHarryinhiswheelchair,andshewasalonewithhisson.

'Canyouspareanotherfew minutes,Amelia?'Northsaidastheelevatorstoppedonthemezzaninefloor.Hegavehernotimetoanswer,butguidedherfromtheliftandalongahushed,carpetedcorridortoanoffice.Herpulsewasallbutdeafeningnow.Hemustknow,anditwasevenworsenow,becauseshewasbeginningtoquitelikehim,andherguiltwaskillingher.Kendrickflickedaswitch,whichturnedonadesklamp,anuplighterandseveraldiscreetlightsthatilluminatedpaintingsandanelegantsculptureonamarblebase.Morelikeaminiatureartgallerythananoffice,shethought,bracingherselfashestoodbeforeher,frowning,handsonhips.Howlonghadheknown?

'Iwantyouradvice,Amelia,'hesaid.

Shegapedathim.

'AboutHarry.'

Heguidedherintoalowchairalongsideacoffeetableandsheleanedback,weakwithrelief,wonderinghowmuchofthiskindofstressshecouldtake.HetalkedaboutHarry'sstubbornwishtogobacktomanagingaloneinhisownhouseinsteadofmovingintomoresuitablesurroundings.Itbecameclearthatitwasn'tadvicehewantedsomuchassimplytotalk.ItalsobecameclearthatHarryhaddeliberatelytuggedatherheartstringswithhintsthathewasn'tlong

forthisearth.Hewasn'tevenpermanentlyconfinedtoawheelchair,accordingtohisson,butrecoveringfrom anoperationonhisknees.Shegrittedherteeth,rememberinghowmovedshe'dbeenbyhisassertionsthattherewouldbenomorebirthdays.Thatoldphoney,shethoughtfuriously.Theironyofthathitheramomentlaterandshealmostlaughed.

'Ihaven'tseenhimsoanimatedinweeks.He'sbeenvery—depressed,infact,sincetheoperations.You'regoodforhim,Amelia.Ihoped,ifIcouldtellyouthewaythingsare,youmightbeabletogetmypointacrosstohimwhenyouseehimagain.You'rehiscontemporaryandIthinkhe'dlistentoyou.Afterall,youmustknowmanypeoplewhosehealthhasforcedthemtoreconsidertheirwayoflife.'

'Oh.Hm,'shemurmured.SothatexplainedNorth'saffectionforpooroldAmelia.ShemightcomeinusefultobringHarryaroundtoNorth'swayofthinking.Hecertainlyknewhowtogetabenefitoutofeverythingthatcamehisway.Shelikedhimlessandherconscienceeasedalittle.

Hewavedhishandatahotplatewhereajugofcoffeesimmered.'Coffee?'

Shedemurredandsaid,'Ireallymustgo.'

'Justafewminutes,please,'hesaidwithanaturalsmileofgreatcharm.Shestudiedhimwhilehetookachinacupfromacupboardandmilkfromasmallre-frigerator.Whenhewastalkingtoher,believinghertobeold,heseemedmorerelaxed,lessguarded.Sheshiftedalittletoensurethatthelampalongsidedidnotilluminateherface.Herattentionwasdrawntoanotebookandsomeinvoicesonthesidetable.AllboretheimprintofMonica'sExecutiveGiftsandasloganthatpromisedthatMonicacouldtakeallthehassleoutofgiftbuyingforbusyexecutives.Monica,itseemed,could'personalise'thegiftssothatthereceiverswouldneverknowthegiverhadn'tseteyesonthem.MaybeMonicahadselectedHarry'sbirthdaypresent,shethoughtcynically.

Northseatedhimselfinhismagnificentchair,astudyofmalerakishnessashelounged,drinkingcoffee,hishairblackasnight,hiswhiteshirtcarelesslyopenandcatchingthelight,hisskinaburnishedgoldinthemellowhighlightsthrownbythelamp.AmiwonderedjusthowbusyhekeptMonica'sgift-buyingservice.

'MysisterlivesinMelbourneandhasherhandsfullwithfourchildrenandtwostepchildren.Ideally,IshouldgetmarriedandhaveHarrylivewithme,'hesaid.'Ashiscontemporary,whatdoyouthinkaboutthat?'

'Married?ToFrancesca?'sheasked,findinganawfulfascinationinthescenario.Sophisticated,ambitiousNorthKendrick,thenarcissisticFrancesca—andHarry?

Hisnowratherheavy-liddedeyessettledonher.Hesmiled,moremellowthanever,andAmirememberedthathe'dhadtwobrandiesafterdinner.Alcoholcertainlytooktheharshedgeoffhim.Helookedsleepyandrelaxedandalmostcuddly.'DoIdetectanoteofdisapproval,Amelia?'

'Oh,goodnessme.It'snotmyplacetopasscomment,'shesaid,genuinelyflustered.'But—'

Heliftedhisbrowsinquery.'But?'

'Well—Imean,doesFrancescalikethatidea?OfhavingHarrylivingwithyou?'

'Ihaven'tactuallydiscusseditwithher.'

'Haveyouproposed?'sheasked,feelingacurioussympathysuddenlyfortheornamentalFrancesca.

Helethisheaddropbackonthechairandclosedhiseyes.'Notyet.I'monlythinkingaboutit.'

'Doyouloveher?'shesaidbeforeshecouldstopherself.

Hischestheavedwithasilentlaugh.'Doesthatseem importanttoyou,Amelia?'

'Ithelps,'shesaidtartly.

'IsupposeIthoughtthateventuallylovewouldcomemyway,but...ithasn't.'Hesighed.'I'mthirty-five,Amelia.WhenIwasyoungIwasalwaysaheadofmycontemporaries,andnowI'mstilloutofstep.Allmyfriendsaremarried.Imeetalotofwomenbuttheyareusuallytooyoungortooold,orreadytosettleforanymanwithmoney.Ifthey'renotmarriedthey'redivorcedandneurotic,orthey'refeministacademics.'Hefinishedwithashudder.

Poorman.Thewholefemalesexwasunsatisfactory.

'Francescasuitsmeinmanyways.She'squitebeautiful—asI'm sureyounoticed.IfranklyadmitIprefermywomentobebeautiful.'

Amitooksomedeepbreaths.Hepreferredhiswomentobebeautifulandhischampagnecold.

'I'veknownFrancescaandherhusbandalongtime.She'sseparatedandpossiblyfacedwithamessydivorceandshe'shappytohaveanuncomplicatedrelationship,someonetobeseenwith.Herhusbandhadanaffair,'heexplained.AmiwonderedifthatwasthereasonFrancescacheckedherappearancesooften,withthatslightlydazedair,wonderingwhatshedidn'thavethattheotherwomanhad.'Weenjoysimilarthings—shelikesentertainingandIhavetodoa

lotofthat.Shecomestomeforfinancialadvice—Ioftenfindhercontactsuseful—'

Asortofcorporateaffair,Amithought.Theyprobablyclaimedeachotherasataxdeduction.

'Youdon'tapprove,Icansee.You'rearomantic,Amelia.Maybeyou'dprefertoknowthatIcan,anddo,fallforthewrongkindofwoman.Ijustdon'tallowittodevelop.'

'Abitlikefrostbitestuntingthegrowthofanew,littleplant?'shesaid,withgentlespite.

Helaughed.'Nopointinlettingsomethingstartwhenyouknowitcanonlybetroubleinthelongterm.Therewasacaseinpointnotsolongago,awomanwhocaughtmyeye...'

Awomanwhocaughthiseye,likeaflashycar,oranicesportsjacket,Amithought.'Butshewasthewrongkindofwoman?Tch,tch.Neurotic?Feminist?Orjustnotbeautifulenough,Northdear?'

Heseemedamusedandentertainedbyhersarcasm.'Shewaslovely.Iwasinstantlyattractedtoher.'Hegotupandwenttothewindow.'Isawherfromhere,infact,notsolongago,butwhenIwentdowntotalktoher...'

'Shehadavoicelikeacrow?'Ameliasaidbeforesheregisteredwhathe'dsaid.Hereyeswidened.Isawherfromhere.Iwentdowntotalktoher.Shefroze,lookingathisbackashestoodstaringoverthehotelforecourtandthestreet.Hemustmeanher.Theknowledgetouchedhervanityforafleetingmoment.Iwasinstantlyattractedtoher.A flareoftriumphwasfollowedbydistaste.Indesperation,shecastaroundforescape,atrappedeavesdropper.

'Hervoicewasgood,too.Idoubtthecolourofhereyesandhairwasreal,butapartfromthattherewerenoapparentflawsinheratall—buthercircumstanceswere,shallwesay,unsavoury.'

Ami'snostrilsquivered.Noapparentflaws,indeed.Herself-loathingwasconsiderablyreducedbythisbreathtakingarrogance.

'Apity.Itmighthavebeeninteresting.'

'Shemightnothavefanciedyou,North,dear,haveyouthoughtofthat?'shesaid.

Hehadnot.'Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Amelia,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested,'hesaidwithasmileofreminiscence.'Shewas,anditwasn'tjustbusiness.'Heglancedatherthen,asifregrettingsuchafrank

referencetoanoldlady,presumablyshelteredfrom theknowledgeofsuchthingsasprostitution.

'Youcantell!Dearme,'shesaid,grippingherbagtightly.'Whataveryhandyknackthatmustbe.Howdoesitwork?'

Heblinkedandgaveaboyish,ruefullaugh.'Icouldn'tevenattempttoexplainit,Amelia.Butlet'sjustsay,IhaditongoodauthoritythatshewasnotthekindofgirlHarrywouldlikemetobringhometodinner,soI—passeduptheopportunity.'

Amiclutchedherhandbagandresistedtheurgetohithim withit.So,hethoughtshe'dbeeninterestedbuthe'dpasseduptheopportunitybecauseshewasn'tuptosnuff!Theself-opinionatedstuffedshirt.Hisphonebuzzedandhewentovertothedesk.

'Yes?'hesaid,snappingoutofhisnostalgicmood.Thereweresomecurtmonosyllablesandshegotup,seeingherchancetogetaway.NorthKendricklookedoverandshemadeflutterylittlegesturesofthanksandfarewell.

Buthesaid,'Holdon,'laidthereceiveronthedeskandcameover.Takingherbythearmagain,hewalkedtotheliftwithher,askingifsherequiredacartotakeherhome.Amisaidhastilythatshehadherown,whichsurprisedhimalittle.'Therehavebeenafewincidentsaroundhere,'hesaid.'I'llhaveMorganwalkyoutoyourcar.'

"Thankyou.'Shebeamed.Hewaslettinghergoalone.Thankheavens.Theelevatordoorclosed.Hewasgone.Shewassafe.

Morganwasattheconcierge'sdesktakingacallandsheslippedoutbeforehesawher.Amiletoutagreatsighofrelief.OnemoreminuteandshewouldhavehitKendrick.Icantellwhenawomanisinterested.Sherealisedshewasswingingherhandbaginafuriousarcandhoisteditoverherarm.UpthereinhisofficeKendrickmightbewatchinghernow,wonderingwhythewidow Andersonwasn'ttamelybeingescortedtohercarbyMorgan.Shewalkedalittlefaster,anxioustogettotheintersectionsothatshecouldabandonherelderlypaceandgetoutofhere.SheheardfootstepsovertakingherandforamomentherguiltyconsciencemadeherthinkitmightbeKendrick,abouttounmaskher.

Sheuppedherpaceafractionbutthefootstepsgainedonherjustbeforesheturnedthecorner,andwiththeacceleratedsoundcamethefirstprickleofapprehension.Sheglancedaroundandsawayouthbreakintoaruntowardher.Hegrabbedherhandbag,butthehandlecaughtonherwristandtightenedpainfullyashetriedtoboltwithit.Shecouldn'tgetaway,soshejabbedhimwithherelbowandlandedakickonhislegs.

'Ow!Letgo,youoldbag!Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?'Therewasanoteofinjuryinhisvoice,asifshewasbreakingsomeunwrittencodebyhittingbackatherattacker.Hesawthatherwristwasentwinedwiththehandleandbrutallyjerkedthehandbagfree.Theforcemighthavebrokenthearmofaseventy-year-oldwoman.ButAmiWinterburnwastwenty-sixandstrongfromyearsofballettrainingandshesawred.

'Youhorriblelittlecreep!'sheyelled,lopingaroundthecornerafterhim.'Attackingoldwomen!Coward!'

Thepursesnatcherlookedaroundwithdisbeliefasthisparticularoldwomansprintedalongsideandgavehimavigorouspush.Alarmedattheagedviragosnarlingathim,hestoppedandraisedaclenchedfistather.Amideliveredahighballetkickthatrippedherskirtandconnectedjustbelowhiselbow.Hismouthdroppedopeninpainandshock.Heflungdownthehandbagandfled.'Justthinktwicebeforeyoupickonoldladies,youcoward!'sheyelledafterhimandshakilybenttopickupafewthingsthathadspilledfrom herbag.Stillkneeling,shelookedalongthestreetandsaw amancomingtoherrescue,slowingnowasitwasobviousthedangerwaspast.

Sheblinked.ItwasNorthKendrick.Asherpulsecrashedthunderouslyfast»inherears,hisstepsgrewslowerstill.Sheclosedherhandbag,stoodup.Fromhiswindowhemusthaveseentheyouthfollowher.Howmuchhadheseenandheardofwhatcameaft»-that?

'Ohdear,'shesaidbreathlesslyenough,clutchingtherippedskirtoverherthigh,tryingtoshrugherbodypadsbackintoplace.'Mydress—torntoshreds,thatawfulboy,thankgoodnessyou'rehere,Mr.Kendrick.North.'

Hisdeadstraighteyebrowscrammedtogetherinadeepfrown.'Amelia?'hesaid.Shemadeamoveawaybuthesnappedhisarmaroundher,reflectivelyspreadhishandatherwaistasifrememberingwhenhedancedwithher.Amitriedtoleanawayfrom him,andhiseyesnarrowedattheyouthfulflexofmusclehecouldfeelbetweenthedisplacedbodypads.

'Oh,itwasterrible,thatawfulboy—I'mshakingallover,'shesaidtruthfully.'AndI'veskinnedmyknee.'

Shebitherlip,wishingshehadn'tdirectedhisattentionthere.Hisheadtilted,hetookatornedgeofherskirtandlifteditasidelikeacurtain.Evenintheblacksupportshoesherlegswerethefirm,shapelylegsofadancer.

'Whoareyou?'hesaidsoftly.Hetookherarminagriplesstenderthanshe'dbeenusedtofromhimandhauledherupclose.Herhandsbracedagainsthisupperarms.Itwasabadtimetodiscoverhewasanythingbutthin.Hardmuscle

rippledbeneathherfingersandAmitriedtoconsoleherselfthatNorthKendrickwassuretohaveasenseofhumouroverthis.Hewasboundtoseehowridiculousthewholethingwasandenjoyagoodlaugh.Giventime,hemightevenappreciatejusthowgoodhermake-upjobwas.AndtherewasHarry.She’dmadehisfatherveryhappyonhisseventy-firstbirthday,hadn'tshe?

Amilookedathissetjawandthemuscletwitchinginhischeekanddecidednottorelyonhissenseofhumour.

'Oh,dear,dear,'shesaidinaflustered,distressedvoice.

Itwasenoughtoshiftthebalanceofpower.North'sreasonwastellinghimonething,butshecouldseehewashamperedbythevisualsignalshisbrainwasinterpreting.Confused,herelaxedforamomentanddidn'texpectthestrengthbehindtheshoveshegavehim.Kendricksprawledonthefootpath,thesecondmanthatnightshe'dflooredinthatspot,shethoughtinpanickyhumour,andAmisprintedpastsomebaffledbystandersandturnedthenextcornerintothebackstreetwhereshe'dparkedhercar.Panting,shetookseveralstabswiththekeyandfinallygotthedooropen.Justintime,shegotinside,closedthedoorandsankdownbelowthedashboardasKendrickappearedatthecorner,lookingforherfleeingfigure.Aftermaybethirtyseconds,shecautiouslyraisedoneeyeandsawhimwalkalittlewaydown,thenbackagainasifhe'dgivenup,andquitesuddenlythestreetcornerwasdeserted.

Amibreatheddeeply,waitedagoodtenminutesforsafetythenstartedthecar.Shewassorattled,shetooktwowrongturnsinthecityandaddedafrustratinghalfhourtoherjourney.Athome,shepulledofftherippeddress,thebodypads,thesupportshoesandstockings,wrappedherselfinashort,silkrobeandmadeherselfsomestrongcoffee.Herdog,barricadedinsidethebackgarden,barkedawelcomeandademandforreleaseandAmiyelled,'Justaminute,Spritz.'

Sheputanadhesivestripoverherskinnedkneethenpulledoffthewigandtosseditonherdresser.Whenthedoorbellrang,shejumped,satfrozenforamoment.'Fool,'shemuttered,goingtoanswerthedoor.ItwouldbeEmmawithsamplefabricsforthewedding,wonderingwhyshe'dtakensolongtodrinkacupofcoffeeatKendrick'shotel.Sheopenedthedoor,talkingassheunfastenedthechain.'You'llhavetotalktomewhileIgetthisstuffoffmyface.Myskinisabsolutely—'Shestoppedwithhermouthopen.

Itwasn'tEmma.ItwasNorthKendrick.

CHAPTERTHREE

'IFITisn'tthewidowAnderson,'hedrawled,lookingatherlong,smoothlegsdisplayedbeneaththerobe.'Beenpaddlinginthefountainofyouth,Amelia?'

Shetriedtoclosethedoor,whichwasmad,becausenowthatheknewwhereshelived,itwasmuchtoolate.Buthestuckhisfootintheopening,laidonehandflatagainstthedoorandpusheditopen,thenwalkedpasther.

'Howdidyou—?'

'Findyou?'hefinished,walkingovertopeerintoherkitchen,thrustasidethecurtainofthediningnook.Comingbacktoher,hereachedpastandgavethedoorthemerestnudge.Itslammedbehindherandonceagainshejumped.'Youleftyourcard,Ms.A.Winterburn.'Hetweakedacreditcardfrom hisshirtpocketandflickeditatherfeet.Amiclutchedtherobeclosertoherbreastsandbenttopickupthe-card.

'Itdroppedfromyourpurseduringyourfree-for-allwiththebagsnatcher.AtleastAmeliaappearstobeyourrealname.That'ssomething/Isuppose.'

Shelickedherlips.'MostpeoplecallmeAmi.Look,Icanexplain—'

Hismouththinnedandheturnedaglaciallookonher.Whenhewassurehe'dfrozenhertothespothewalkedaway,downthenarrowhallway,lookingintoherbathroom,bedroom,herspareroom withhermake-updresserandwork-tablewithseveralpartlyfinishedwigsonforms.Shewonderedwhatheexpectedtofind—acoveyofoldladies?Ashecameback,hepickeduponeofthematronlyshoesthatshehaddiscardedinthelivingroom.

'Thehotelhasverygoodfacilitiesforcheckingoutsuspectcreditcards.You'dbesurprisedwhatIknowaboutyounow.Yourbusinesspartnership,whatyouearn.Whatyouowe.'Hestrolledallthewayback,turningovertheshoeandinspectingitcloselybeforehetosseditontoachair.Amithoughtsheshouldhaveheededthatwarningearlierwhenhe'dappearedfrombehindtheprimitiveplantlifeinhisapartment.'EverythingIneedtoknow,'hewenton.'Exceptwhatyoureallylooklike.'

Andwhenheknewthat,hewouldbeangrierstill.

'Solet'sgetthesweet,oldwrinklesoff,shallwe?'hesnapped,gesturingtowardsherspareroom.

'You'renotgoingtowatch?'shesaid,aghast.

Helookedatherbarelegsandfeetandtheclingingsilkrobeandgaveagrimsmile.'Idon'tintendtotakemyeyesoffyou,sweetheart.'

Amiwalkedtoherspareroom,consciousofhim followingclosebehind.Sweetheart.Perhapshewouldn'trememberherrealfacewhenhesawit.Perhapsitwasn'therhe'dmeantwhenhespokeofinstantattractions.Itwasprobablysomeotherwomanwho'dcaughthiseye,thearrogantswine.Themanwassodamnedsexistthatheprobablycouldn'trememberonewomanfromanother.

Amisatathermake-upmirrorandwatchedhimmanhandleachairtositastrideit,facingheroveritsback.Hereachedforthewig,studieditintently,amuscleflickeringinhischeek.Heslappeditacoupleoftimesagainsttheedgeofthetable.

'Becareful,'Amiprotested.'That'saveryexpensiveitem.RealEuropeanhaironthebestimportedlacebase,andithastogobackintostockattheshop—'

Shemethiseyesandherproteststuckinherthroat.Usingtweezers,shepeeledoffthetissue-thinedgesofthefoamlatexprostheticsonebyone.Theneckpieces,theforehead,theeyepouchesallmouldedtothecastofherownface.'Latex.Imakethemmyself,'shesaidnervously,forsomethingtosay,butitwasclearNorthKendrickwasnotinterestedinthetechnicalprocessthathadhoodwinkedhim.Coldlyheregardedeachpieceoftrickery,slappingtheexpensivewigagainsthishandfrom timetotime,sayingnothing,speakingvolumes.Amimovedslowly,unwillingtoberevealedtoNorthKendrick.Itwasasembarrassingasdoingastriptease.Shebentandsmotheredherfacewithwhitecleansingcream toremovetheremainingbitsofadhesiveandstippledcolour.'InElizabethandays,'shesaid,awarethattimewasrunningoutasshewipedthelasttracesofherdisguiseaway,'actorsusedtousechunksofpigfattoremovetheirmake-up.It'stheoriginofthenickname"hams"foractors.'

'Fascinating,'hegrowled.

Herfacewasalittlepink,butbacktonormal.Sheraisedherheadandlookedathiminthemirror.NorthKendrickstiffened.Therhythmicslappingofthegreywigstoppedsharply.

'Whatthehell—you!'

Amiexperiencedavainsatisfactionthathehadrememberedherface.Slowlysheremovedtheageingyellowstainfromherteeth,tew5Koutthecontactlensesthathadcloudedheraquamarineeyes.Shebrushedherflattenedhair.Itcrackledwithstaticelectricity,flyingoutfromherscalp,strandsclingingtoherface.He

graspedherchin,jerkedheraroundtohim,andshewhirledonherswivelstool.Thehard,greyeyeslookedintohers,blinkedrapidly.Hisnostrilsdistendedashesubjectedhertoalong,intensescrutiny.

'Allcoloursguaranteednatural,'shesaiddryly.

Shefelttheangryflexofhisfingersonherchin,theshortgustsofhisbreath.Abruptly,hetransferredhishandtothebackofherchair,andthemoveinchedthecastorsforwardsothatshewaspropelledclosertohim.

'Justwhatisyourgame?'

'Nottheoneyouthoughtitwas,'sheretorted.

'You'renotfromSOPS,Ichecked.Somekindofscam,then,'hesaidslowly,suspicionsquintinghisthick-lashedeyesintoslits.'Aconfidencetrick,maybe.Nowwhatareyouafter?Money,naturally,but—'

'No.ThefirsttimeIsawyouIwasjustdoingajobformymother,'shesaid.

Hegaveasnortofincredulity.'Ah,ajobonthestreetsforyourmother.Andwhatdowecallher—MadamWinterburn?'

Amigloweredathim,thinkinginothercircumstancesitwouldhavebeenhilarious.'Iwasdoingsomeresearchforheragency,asithappens,butthat'snoneofyourbusiness.Youandyourguardsconfusedmewithsomeoneelse,'shesaidshortly.'I'dneverbeennearyourhoteluntilthatday.I'mamake-upartist,notaconfidencetrickster.'

'There'sadifference?'hesneered.

'I'mnotinterestedinyourmoney.NoramIinterestedinyou.'

'DidIsaythat?'

'"Withoutwishingtosoundconceited,Icantellwhenawomanisinterested—andshewas,"'shesaid,mimickinghisvoice.'Well,hereitis,straightfromthehorse'smouth.Shewasn't.'

Hisnostrilsflaredandtherewasaflushofcolourhighonhischeeks.Northwasstillhavingtroublerememberingthateverythinghe'dsaidtoharmless,grandmotherlyAmeliahadactuallybeensaidtoAmiWinterburn.Sheshiftedslightly,herskinpricklingwiththeheatfromthelightbulbsaroundhermake-upmirror.

'Idon'tbelieveyou,'hemurmured.'I'mgoodatreadingsignals.'Therewasamomentwhenshecouldhaverunforcoverbutithadalreadypassedwhenheleanedforwardandthereflectionofadozenlightsglitteredinhiseyesasheclampedahandtohernapeandkissedher.Shemadeamuffledsoundof

outragethathewouldchoosethiswaytoexpresshisanger.Andhewasangry,shecouldfeeltherageshimmeringaroundhim,feelitintheimprisoninggraspofhislargehandonherneckandthefiercepressureofhismouthonhers.

Abruptly,hestopped,andAmidraggedahandostentatiouslyacrosshermouth.'Yuck,'shesaidwithgreatdeliberation.

Unexpectedly,helaughedwithoutmakingasound.'Itwasgoodforme.'

Herpulsesclamoured.'Itwasapowerplay,soitwouldbe,wouldn'tit?'Hehadnotreleasedherandshefelttheflexofhishandatthenapeofherneck,themeresttouchofhisbreathonherface.Herkneestouchedhisandshewashotlyawareoftheintimatecontact.

'Ishouldhaveknownyoucouldn’tbeonthegame,'hesaid,almosttohimself.'Becauseallthemenyouapproachedwalkedawayfromyouagain.'Hepausedamoment,gazingintohereyes."That'sacompliment.'

Amiglared.'Doyoureally,thinkso?'

Helookedathermouthandtoucheditwithhisthumb,thewayhehadthatdayinthecab.Herhearthammeredawayinherchest,herthroatfeltdry.

'Shallwetryitagain?'hesaid.

'Ican'tthinkofanythingI'dlikeless.'

'Liar.Youcriticisedmytechnique.That'spracticallyachallengetometodoitagain.'

Andthistimeitwasadifferentkindofpowerplay.Notadisplayofstrength,butoneofpersuasion.Hemovedhisheadslightly,fromsidetoside,rubbinghislipsacrosshers.Amikepthereyesopen,fiercelygazingintohistoshowhimthathisexpertisewaswasted.Hesmiledandtookitasanotherchallenge.Shesawthesuddenansweringgleaminhiseyesashisfingersslidintoherhairandhismouthpartedhersinaquick,confidentdemand.Hereyelidsdrooped.Kisses,inherexperience,wereinclinedtobesloppy,disappointingthings.North,shethoughtdistractedly,wasavirtuoso.Authoritywithgentleness,sensualitywithrestraint.Shehadwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketobekissedbyhimbuttherealityrockedher.Histonguedippedinside,languorouslywithdrewandhismouthslidacrosshercheektothesensitiveskinofhertempleanddownbeneathherear.Herhand,setagainsthiminrejection,nowcurvedtotheshapeofhisarm andshefeltthebulkofmuscleandthetextureoffinewoolbeneathherfingers.

'AmiWinterburn,'hesaidagainsthermouthasifhewascompletinghisidentificationofher.

Sheinchedback,mortifiedthatshecouldbeseducedbyphysicalmagnetismandaslicktechnique.Abruptlysheturnedherchaironitsswivel,camefacetofacewithherselfinthemirror.Hercheekswereflushed,andtherewasamoistshinetoherlips.Shetoreatissuefromtheboxandwipedthewantonlookfromhermouthasshemethiseyesinthemirror.

'LikeIsaid,'Northmurmured,acomplacentsmilecurvinghismouth.'Irarelygetitwrong.'

'Yougoteverythingwrongthefirsttimeyousawme,'sheremindedhim,tossingtheusedtissueintoabinandthetracesofhiskisswithit.'Yougoteverythingwrongthesecondtime.Somaybeyou'vegotitwrongyetagain,haveyouthoughtofthat?'

Helookedhardather,thewayhehadwhenhe'dfirstseenherfacewiththedisguiseremoved,asifhedidn'tquitetrusttheapparentgenuinenessofit.Foramanwhohadhardlyputafootwronginfifteenyears,itmustbegallingtobefooled.

'I'vethoughtagreatmanythingstonight,'hesaidinasoft,bitingtone.'Mostofthempunishablebylongsentencesinmaximumsecurityjails.'

Hegotupandwentintothehall.Shelookedatthewigandbitherlip.Themanwasawful,butshesupposedshedidowehimanapologytoconcludethisstupidbusiness.

Amihurriedafterhim,catchinghimashereachedforthefrontdoor.'Mr.Kendrick—North—atleastletmeapologisefor,um,Ameliaandexplainhow—'

Shegrabbedhisarmandhespunaround,shovingherhandoffasifitwasacontaminant.'Howthehellareyougoingtoexplainwhyyoudupedmyguests,involvedmeinsomekindof—ofsickjoke!'

Shethrew herarmsoutandsaid,'Allright!I'm sorry.ItescalatedintosomethingIneverintended,Iadmit,'shesaid.'Butitwasyourownfault,basically.'

'Myfault?Myfaultthatanimportantnightofmylifewasdominatedbya—aphoneypensionergibberingaboutbloodylampshades?'heroared.'Andtheworstofitis—Ilikedher!'

Hestoodverystill,handsonhips,lookingattheceilingfortwentyseconds.Hischestroseandfellashetookdeep,calmingbreaths.Amicrossedherfingersthatitwouldwork.Shelookedaroundforaweaponincaseitdidn't.MaybesheshouldletSpritzinside.Thedogwasmakingaracketatthebackdoor.Sheinchedtowardit.

'Ijustwantedtogetintoyourhotel,'shesaidreasonably,usinghermostsoothingvoice.'You'dthrownmeoutonthestrengthofsomesecond-handde-scription,insultedme.Bannedme,toldMorgannevertoletmedarkenyourdooragain.SonaturallyIhadtogoinsidejustonce.Torestoremyself-esteem.'

Hiseyescamedownfromtheceilingtofix,incredulously,onher.'Yourself-esteem.'

'Ijusthappenedtohavetheagedmake-upon,soIthought—Morganwouldneverrecognisemelikethis.'Sheturnedherheadandshoutedthroughthedoor.'Bequiet,Spritz!'

'Youjusthappenedtolooklikesomeone'sgrandmother!'

'I'dgivenaspecial-effectsdemonstrationtosomestudents,'shesaid,slowlyandcarefullysoasnottoenragehimfurther.'IttakesagoodninetyminutestoapplyandI'ddonesuchagoodjobitseemedapitytowasteit.'Hismouthactuallyhungopenforamoment.Hecloseditwithasnapofhisjawworthyofafreshwatercrocodileandshejudgedthatitwastoolatetosoothehim.Franklyshewenton,'Look,Iwouldhavebeenintothecoffeeshopandoutagainandno-onethewiserifIhadn'tbeentreatedlikeasecond-classcitizen—yetagain.'

'Don'tyoudaretrytojustifythisfraud!'

'Comehometoheaven—butnotifyoudon'tlookrightfortheoccasion.Notifyou'reoldanddon'tmatchthefurnishingsandlookpowerlessenoughtojustbeshovedoff.Morganhadthenervetotellmetorunalonghomeandcomebackanothertime,yousentthatyoungmantoshowmethedoor—'

'Ididnosuchthing,'hesnapped.

'Oh,well,thenMorganmusthave,sohethoughthewasonlyinterpretingyourwishes.Andyoupatronisedme—yetagain.'

'Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?'heyelledoverSpritz'sescalatingyelps.

'"Youshallhaveallthecoffeeyoucandrink,"'shemimicked,pattingthenearestloungechairinimitationofhisconsolingmannerwithAmelia.

Itwasthewrongthingtosayonseveralcounts.Hiseyesglitteredandshewasremindedthatitwasnotmuchmorethananhoursinceshewassittinginhisofficewhilehepouredoutcoffeeandconfidences.

'YouhavethegalltotalkaboutsocialinjusticewhenIwasphotographedbythepress,waltzingwithanoldwomanwhoisactuallytwenty-sixyearsold!Waltzing,'herepeatedandhisheadwentbackasifhewasonlynowcollatingthe

manyseparategrudgeshehadagainsther.Washethinkingofthatmomentwhenshe'dslippedandendedupcloseinhisarms?

'Well,youshouldn'thaveaskedAmeliatodance,shouldyou?Itriedtorefusebutyouwerejusttoomasterfulforyourowngood.Consideringthepublicre-lationsvalueyougotfromwaltzingwithpooroldAmelia,it'schurlishofyoutoresentitnow.'

'Churlish!'heshouted.'Youunprincipledlittle— YouletHarryinnocentlyinviteher—youtodinner,youacceptedmyhospitality,madefoolsofanoldmanandmeandyoudaretocriticiseme?Spritzwasgoingcrazyinthebackgarden,andhalftheneighbourhooddogswerebarkinginsympathy.Northstrodetothebackdoor,flungitopenandbellowed,'Bequiet!'

Theracketstopped.HeslammedthedoorandAmijumped.HisjawgrittedandAmithoughtithighlylikelythathewasgrindinghisteeth.Acontinuing,obedientsilencefrom outsideenhancedherwariness.Spritzseemedhardlyreliableasasecretweaponifshecouldbesilencedsoreadily.Itdidn'tseemthetimetotellNorththatonlyhehadbeenthefool,thatinnocentoldHarryhadbeeninonthejokeallalong.Hewouldrealisethatsoonenough.

'WhatcanIsay?I'mnotsorryIdiditbecauseyoudrovemetoit,butIamsorryitwentsofar,'shesaidagain,herarmsspreadwideinapology.NorthKendrickstaredatherintheoddestway.'Thereisnorealharmdone,isthere?Ididn'tgivetheagencythetape-recording.Itwouldn'tbeethicalbecauseyougaveyournameand—'

'Tape-recording!'Heseizedher,histhumbspressingintothesoftfleshinsideherelbows.Shewasnofeatherweightbutthepressureliftedherforward,ontotheballsofherfeetandtoocloseinsidetherangeofhishard,greyeyes.'Whattape-recording?When?Wherethehelldidyouplantamicrophone?Whoareyouworkingfor?'

'You'rehurtingme,'shesaid,wincingatthebruisingstrengthofhishands.Thepressureeasedslightly,notenough.'Look,I'mnotsomekindofcorporatespy,ifthat'swhatyou'rethinking.Areallbusinessmensoparanoid?Ithoughtactorswerebadenough.Itwasinmyhandbag.Doyouwantit?Thetape,Imean.'

'Well,Idon'twantyourbloodyhandbag,'hesaidbetweenhisteeth.

Amihurriedtofetchthetapefrom herlivingroom.'Youcanhaveit.Naturally,itallendshere.YouhavemywordthatIwon'ttellanyoneaboutit—mydisguise,Imean,andhowsuccessfulitwas.'

'Yourword,'hesaid,curlinghislip.

'Yes.Myword!'Sheslappedthetapeintohishandandhetookafewmomentstoconsideritbeforehetuckeditintohisinsidepocket.Itcostherdearly,butAmiheldoutherhandtohim inastaunchgestureofgoodwill.Anythingtomakeanendtothisawfulbusiness.'Nohardfeelings,Ihope?'Toolatesherealisedthatitsoundedlikeamockingmimicryofhisownwordstoherthedayofthegardenia.

Northlookedheroverasifshewasanalienlifeform.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedoutsidethenlookedbackather.Hisvoicewasverylow,verycontrolled.'You'retheonewhohasitallwrong,MissWinterburn,ifyouthinkthisiswhereitends.'

Heclosedthedoorbehindhim andshebracedherselfforanotherslam.Instead,itmadeasmall,sinistersnick.Amilistenedforthesoundofacardepartingandit,too,wasmoderate,controlled.Itwouldhavemadeherfeellessanxioushadheslammedafewdoorsandrevvedhismotor.

AmiphonedEmmawithamucheditedversionoftheevening'sactivitiesandmadeadatetoseeherthefollowingevening.ShefedSpritzanddidsomechoresandfailedtorelaxinadeep,warmbath.NorthKendrick.Lesslikeaman'snameandmorelikeanaddress.Whereareyougoing?ToNorthKendrick.

ItwasunfortunatethatKendrickseemedtobeassociatedwithsomanypowerfulsensualtriggers.Smell.Theheavyscentofgardenia.Hearing.Theinsistentsoundofthewaltzthatechoedinherhead.Touch.Hiskiss.Shetouchedherlips,recallingthesensationofhismouthonhers,andherbodyreactedwithaprimitivethrill.Ihardlyknowhim,shethought,shocked.Idon'twanttoknowhim.Amiclamberedfromthebathandwrappedherselftightlyinatowellingrobe.Justwhere,shewondered,woulditallend

CHAPTERFOUR

'WEMUSTdecideonChristmasdecorationsfortheshop,'herpartnersaidthenextdaywhenAmihadfarewelledherweeklymake-upstudents,allwearingscarsandbruisesoftheirowncreation.

Amigroaned.'Helen—September'sonlyjustfinished!'

'TimeslipsawayandtheChristmascardsarealreadyoutinthesupermarket,'Helensaidwithahuntedair.'I'vestartedmyChristmasshopping.ThisyearIamnot,absolutelynotgoingtogetstuckwithlast-minuteshopping.'

Amistraightenedsomeeye-shadowpalettesandfantasyeyelashes.Usingtheshelfasabarre,sheperformedafewballetstretchestogetoutthekinksfromanhourofcloseworkbendingoverfakewoundsandcontusions.'You'renotgoingtoinsistonartificialsnowonthewindowsthisyear,areyou?'

'Whynot?'

'It'sridiculous.Hereweare,swelteringinahotsouthlandfullofgumsandpalmtreesandwesprayfakesnowonourwindowsandstickblobsofcottonwoolonfirtreesandtrytomakethesub-tropicslooklikeVictorianEnglandinwinter.'

Helenlookedshocked.'ButyoumusthaveapinetreeforChristmas,andsnow.Andstars.WealwaysputgoldstarsonourfrontwindowathomeforChristmas.Everyoneinthestreetexpectsit.'

Amidippedlow,archingherarmdownsothatherfingersskimmedthefloor.'AllthoseportlymensweatingawayoncitystreetsinSantasuits.EvenwhenIwasalittlekid,IwonderedwhysomanySantassweated.Heneverdidinstorybooks.Bytheway,I'veorderedinsomeSantabeardsforChristmas.'

Helensaidsomethingshedidn'thear.'Ami,'sheadded,louder,togetherattention.

Asshestraightened,Amisawtherewasacustomerintheshop.Shewassmilingherdazzlingsmileofwelcomebeforeshesawwhoitwas.Thesmileswitchedoff.Bydaylighthelookedmoretannedandphysical,evenintheprecisedrapeofapin-stripeddouble-breastedsuit.Eyeinghiswidthofshoulder,shewonderedhow shehadeverthoughthemightbeskinny.Purewishfulthinking,tryingtocuthimdowntosize.

'Ami,'Helensaid,'thisisMr.Kendrick.Hecameinearlier,aboutmake-upforapromotion,whileyouwerewiththeclass.ThisisAmiWinterburn,ourprincipalandgeniuswithmake-upandJspecialeffects.'HelensmiledratherarchlyatNorthKendrick.'Perhapsyou'dliketoseesomeofAmi'swork—'

'I'vealreadyseensomeofMissWinterburn'swork.'Hetookalong,measuringlookatAmi'ssveltefigureinshirt,vestandblackpantstuckedintoshortboots,herstreakyblondehairtwitchedcasuallyintoabunchononesideofherhead.'Geniusmightbeanexaggeration,butIthinkshe'squitegood,'hesaidtoHelen,keepinghiseyesonAmi.

'I'malmostsureitwouldtakeageniustofoolyou,Mr.Kendrick,'Amisaidwithfalseadmiration.

Hisruler-straightmouthcrimpedabitatthat.

'Youmightliketoseeourdesignsamples,'Helensaid,frowningatAmi'slackofenthusiasm foraprospectivecustomer.Crouchingdown,Helensortedthroughtheirphotocollectionofmake-updesigns,slidingfoldersontothecountersurface.

NorthKendrickwalkedaway,lookingaroundthesmallspaceatthedisplaysofstock.Afteraslighthesitation,Amifollowedhim.Hestudiedawigmadeen-tirelyofcurledsilverfoilstrips,tookajaundicedviewofadisplayboardoffalsenoses.'Whatcouldthequeenofillusionpossiblyhaveagainstfakesnow atChristmas?'hesaidsardonically.

'Ijustdon'tlikepretendsnowinsummer.'

'Butyou'reorderinginSantabeards.'

Amishrugged,flashedthepalmsofherhands."That'sbusiness.'

He held up a bottle ofartificialtearsand perspiration.'Ifind itcontradictory—notatallwhatIwouldexpect.'

'Imustbeawfullycomplex,then,'shesaidwithgentlesarcasm.

Hesmiled.'Iseeyourpartnerdoesn'tknowaboutyourescapade.Didn'tsheseeyoursweetlittleoldfacealongsidemineinthenewspaperthismorning?'

GuiltmadeAmiflush.Thepicturehadbeenalargeone,ofherandNorth,waltzing.GatecrashingGranny,theinanecaptionwent.Shehadlookedfantastic—oldenoughtobehismother.HerthrillofprofessionalpridehadonlylasteduntilEmmaphonedhertoaskherifshewasoutofhermindandtoofferthenameofaverygoodlawyer.'Ihaven'ttoldHelenyet.Butifthat'swhatittakestosatisfyyou,goaheadandtellheryourself.'

Turningasmallpotinhishand,heglancedather,saidambiguously,'Thatisn'twhatitwilltaketosatisfyme.'

Amisnorted.'AmIsupposedtobethrownintomaidenlyconfusionbythat?'

'Areyoueverthrownintomaidenlyconfusion?'

Byhimshewas,shethought,buthewouldbethelasttoknowit.

Heheldupthetinypot.'What'sthis?'

'Congealedblood,'shesaidfeelingly.

Heputitdown,liftedamake-uppaletteandviewedtheassortmentofyellows,greensandpurples.'Andyou'dusethesecoloursfor?'

'Bruises,'shesaid,pickingoutaperfectsiteforoneonthearrogantlineofhisjaw.

Hiseyeswenttoarealisticbruiseonherwrist,whereshe'ddemonstratedforherstudents.'Moreofyourwork?'heasked,lookingatitwithgenuineinterest.Amiwastemptedtosaythatshehadsomerealbruisesjustemerging,fromhisbrutishhandlingthenightbefore.'Veryrealistic.Iwanttotalktoyou.Cometothehoteltomorrow.'

Acommand,notaninvitation.'Tomorrow?Thursday?'shesaidindismay.

'One-thirtysharp.Comeasyourself—ifyouknowwhatthatis.ThewidowAndersonisnotrequired.'

'I'mtiedupwithamake-upclasstomorrow.Ican'tbebackbyone-thirty.'

'Morelessonsinillusion?'hesaidderisively.'Teachingothershowtoappearwhattheyaren't?Cancelit.'

Shewastempted.Ifheonlyknew,everyweekshewishedforalegitimatereasontocancelthisparticularclass.Andthatwaswhysheneverdid.'Absolutelynot.'

HestudiedherwithsuchcarethatAmiwonderedwhensomeonehadlastsaidnotohim.'YouknowIcouldruinyouifIchoseto?'hesaidsoftly.

Herheartgaveabump.Ruin?Intheircurrentstateofbusiness,thatwouldn'ttakemuchdoing.Withhisresourceshecouldbuythebuilding,putuptheirrent.Thatalonewouldbeenoughtofinishthemoff.Guardedly,Amimethiseyes.'Isupposeyoucould,'shesaid,picturingherselfandHelenasthepunytargetofamultimillion-dollarenterprise.'Icanmakeitbytwo-thirty.IfIdon'tarriveontime,thenyou'vestillgotallafternoontoruinme.'

Helaughed,thesuddenflashofteethtakingherbysurprise.'Allright,two-thirty.'NorthinclinedhisheadbywayofconcessionbutAmihadafeelingthatshehadjustbeenoutmanoeuvredbyanexpert.Whileshe'dbeenbusyassertingherselfoverwhichtime,shehadquiteforgottenthatsheshouldhaverefusedtogoatall.Shetriedtodisguiseamoueofvexation.

Smiling,hethrustthepaletteintoherhand.'Yourbruises,MissWinterburn.'

Thedoorclosedbehindhim.Amiletoutadeepbreath.Helenhadfollowedthefinalfolderupwardsandleanedonthedesk,dismayedatthecustomerwho'dgotaway.

'Ami,what'sgoingon?Whywereyousoaggressivewiththeman?Hewasthegoodnews!'

AmilaughedsomuchthatintheendshehadtoexplaintoHelenwhyNorthKendrickcouldn'tbeconsideredgoodnews.'Histalkaboutamake-upjobwasjustaploytotakeacloserlookattheshop,haveasniffaround.Themanisn'tgoingtoletmegetawaywithmakingafoolofhim.'

DazedbyAmi'squick-fireconfessionaboutherdisguise,shesaid,'Areyousurehedidn'tguess?Helookstooshrewdtobefooledbyanythingoranyone.'

'Aboutmoney,maybe,aboutnumbersandpercentages,butMr.Kendrickisn'tsohotwhenitcomestopeople.'Shepaused,thinkingofthefragilestateofNorth'srelationshipwithhisfather,wonderedwhyshefeltsosadaboutitwhenhehardlydeservedsympathy.

'Andthepresstookphotographs?'

Amisquirmed.Shebracedherselfforrecriminations,foraperfectlyjustifiedbawlingoutbyherpartner,forjuvenilebehaviour.ButwhenHelenhadbeenshownthenewspaperphotoandassimilatedthestory,whatshesaidwas,'Whatwasheliketodancewith?'

Amiwenttothehotelthenextdayattwo-thirty.Lethimcalltheshotsandwastehertimeifitmadehim feelbetter.Hewasentitledtohisanger,sheadmittedgrudgingly.ShekepthersunglassesonassheenteredandoverrodeherdepressedThursdaymoodwithsomesemblanceofbreezinessforthesakeofpride.

Morganwasonthedoor.Helookedswiftlyoverherblackpants,baggylilaccottonsweater,shortbootsandthreeinchesofsilverbanglesandgaveherasheepishsmiletoshowthathisinstructionshadbeenreversedsincethedayofthegardenia.

'Neverforgetaface,Mr.Morgan?OrshouldIsay,afaceortwo?'sheadded,unabletoresistremindinghimthatshe'dgotpasthiminherdisguise.

ThedoormanlookedblanklyatherandAmirealisedhedidn'tknowthatsheandtheoldladywhohadcausedafusswereoneandthesame.

'Mr.Kendrickwillbedowninamoment,MissWinterburn.'

Shesatdownandfeltveryill-usedwhenhekeptherwaitingfifteenminutes.Hearrivedatlast,notahairoutofplace,notapuckeronhischarcoalsuitjacket.Silktieandmatchingpockethandkerchief.Itwasanintimidatingpicturehe

made,thehandsome,successfulman,stridingacrosshismarblefloorwithhisvasthotelfoyerasabackdrop,staffmembersallbuttuggingtheirforelocksandwomenguestsoglinghim.

'Youhaven'ttoldMorganaboutmystintasthewidow,'shesaidbreezily,todenythefeelingofintimidation.

'Notyet.YoucanapologisetoMorgananothertime.Rightnowyouhaveamoreimportantapologytomake.'

Shefrownedoverthisastheyenteredhisprivatelift.'I'vealreadyapologisedbutifyouwantmetogrovel,letmedoitnowtosavetime.'

Hedidn'tanswer,justsilentlyreviewedherappearanceandwhentheliftopenedonhisfoyer,tookherelbowtourgeherintothelake-and-islandlivingroom.

'Youcangroveltomelater.Ithoughtwe'dhavelunchandpreliminarygrovellingfirst—withHarry.'

'Harry?'shesaid,falteringatthesteely,significantlookhebestowedonher.

'HewasasleepwhenIreturnedlastnightsoIhaven'ttoldhimyet,either.Youcanhavethatpleasure,'hesaid.

Ami'seyesopenedwide.'Oh,but—Imean,Harry-'

Hemisreadherdismay,gaveasardonicsmile.'I'mgladtoseeevenyouhavesomeconscience.I'llbemostinterestedtoseehowyoutellmyfatherthatthewidowAndersonisafraud.'HegesturedaheadtotheterracewhereHarrysatinhiswheelchair,studyingthecitythroughapairofbinoculars.AmilookedatHarry,lickedherlipsandonceagainhemistookthereasonforherdismay.She'dthoughtbynow thatHarrywouldhavebeengloatingaboutthedeception.Surely,whenNorthhadreflectedonithewouldhaveguessedHarryknew?Takinginhisglacialsmileofsatisfaction,shefeltasuddenshaftofpity.Clever,shrewd,arrogantNorthKendrickhadn'tevenconsideredthathisfatherwasinonthejoke.Itwasanappealingblindspotinsuchacleverman.Butshefeltterrible,privytoahumiliatingknowledge.Impulsively,shegrabbedhissleeve,heldbackhisrelentlessforwardprogress.'Look,Idon'tthinkyou—couldyoustopforaminute—North!'Shedraggedonhisarmandhestoppedsuddenly,slidinganarmaroundherwaisttosteadythemboth.

'Ami!'hesaid,mockingherurgenttone.Hisbreathsweptacrosshercheek,andhisarmtightenedaroundherinextravagant,loverlikefashion.'Didn'tyousaythat'swhatyourfriendscallyou?'hesaidinherear,asifitwasanendearmentratherthanarhetoricalquestion.

Amiwasdisconcerted,shakenbytheheatgeneratedbyhisvoiceandthetouchofhisarmhardaroundher.Iwasattractedtoher...Shepulledback,awareofatinyflareoftriumphthattheattractionwasstillactive,feelingtheforceoftheearthynatureofit.Herheartthumped,herbreathseemedstrangledinherthroat.ItwassomekindofchemistrybutsurelyshewasonlyreceptivetoitbecauseshewasinheremotionalThursdayafternoonstate.

'Youaskedmewhatwouldsatisfyme,'hemurmured,strokinganindexfingerdownherhair.'Nowyouknow.'

Hersilverbraceletsjangledasshebattedhishandawayandglaredathim.Helaughed,liftedhersunglassesoffandregardedherquizzically.'Redeyes.Tch,tch,haveImadeyoucry,Ami?'

Takingbacktheglasses,Amisaid,'Ionlycryaboutimportantthings.I'vejustbeendemonstratingforstudentsagain.'

'It'saverysubtleeffect,'hesaid,frowning.

'Ofcourse.Allmyworkisverygood.That'swhyI'm here,isn'tit?'shemocked.

'Areallmake-upgirlssoconceited?'

'Areallchiefexecutivessopatronising?'

Helookedenquiringlyather.

'IfIweretwenty-sixandmale,wouldyourefertomeasamake-upboy?'shesaid,wanningtohertheme.'Iamamake-upartist.Iamnotagirl.Iamawoman'

'Ihearyouroar,'hesaidblandly.

Takingherelbowagain,hemarchedhertowardtheterrace.Asmalltablewassettolooklikeacookery-booklunchillustration.Starchednapkins,abasketofcrustybreadrolls,aglass-domedcheeseplatter.Greenandpurplegrapesinahigh-stemmedgoblet.Chilledglassesandabottleofwineinanicebucket.EvenKendrick'slunchlookedlikeaworkofart.

Harryloweredhisbinocularsandinjustamomentwouldlooktheirway.'North,I'mtryingtotellyouthat,um,Harry,well,Harry—'Shelickedherlipsandrushedtofinishastheoldmanturnedhiswheelchair.'Harryalreadyknows.'

Northstoppeddead,lookedatHarryandhiseyesflew openwideasifsomeonehadclashedcymbalsinhisear.Foramomenthelookedasoddlyvulnerableashehadinthatphotoofhimasaboy.Amifeltarushoftenderness

forhim,anastonishingwishtoputherarmsaroundthearrogant,complacentman.

Thewheelchaircamehummingover.HarryinspectedAmifromheadtotoewithintenseappreciation.Awheezinglaughbrokefromhim.'Isaidyou'dbeagood-lookingwomanunderthosewrinkles,didn'tI?

BesideherNorthstiffened.Harryguffawedandtookawhitehandkerchieffromhispockettowipehiseyes.Amistoodmiserablyinthedrawn-outsilencebrokenonlybyHarry'swheezinglaughterandthemuffledsoundofcitytrafficbelow.

'Andwhatmadeyouthinkshewasn'twhatsheseemed?'Northsaidharshly.

'Itwasherjointsthatgaveheraway.'

'Joints?'NorthKendricksaid,bitingdownonthewordasifitwasindeedabone.Aflushofcolourappearedhighontheyoungerman'scheeks.Hisjawclenchedsohard,amuscletwitchedinhischeek.'Andthebirthdaydinner?Thatwascookedupbetweenyou?'hesaid,grindingoutthepun.'Allthatcosychitchataboutmymisdemeanorsasakid,thebabyphotographs,thedoubleentendres...'HisvoiceroseandcutoffabruptlybeforehesaidtoAmi,'Youevenhadmeramblingonabouthowyouremindedmeofmygrandmother.'

'Oh,Iknowthat'sunforgivable,'shesaid,distressed.'Andquiteunintended.Ifeltaterriblecheat—'

'That'sbecauseyouareacheat.'

'Youweren'tsupposedevertoknow,'shesaid,coloursurgingintoherface.'ItwasjustajokeHarrywasgoingtoenjoyprivately.'North'snostrilsflaredandshewasremindedthatitwasonlyashorttimeagothatshewastellinghimaboutherownprivatejokethathadgonewrong.'Ifithadn'tbeenforthatpursesnatcheryouneverwouldhaveknown.Ameliawouldhavedisappearedandyounonethewiser.'

Theideaofbeingnonethewiserseemedtohavenoappealforhim,either.'Anddiditentertainyou?'heasked,inalow,dangerousvoicethatsentshiversdownherspine.Harrywentoffintoparoxysmsagain.

'Isallthissniggeringgoodforyou,Harry?'Northbitout.

'Oh,comeon,boy.Where'syoursenseofhumour?Youseemtohavelostitsinceyou'vebecomesohighandmighty.Youalwayswereabittooseriousforyourowngoodbutyou'regettingtobearealstuffedshirtthesedays.'

GenuineamazementbrokeuptheiceonNorth'sface.'Astuffedshirt?'Heseemedstartled,evenhurtbythecriticism butrecoveredquickly.'Idon’tappreciateyouconnivingwithatotalstrangerandrakingoverprivatefamilymatterswithher.Howdareyouabusemyprivacybyinvitingaconscienceless,maliciousfraudintomyhometoridiculeme!'Hisvoicehadrisentoashout.Inawfulfascination,Amisawthathiscontrolwasalmostbroken.Angertensedeverylineofhisbody.Theflickeringmuscleinhischeekquickened.Hemadearagefulsweepwithonefistandshewinced,halfexpectingthestill-lifelunchtogoflying.

'Yeah,well,I'mnottoothrilled,either,'Harrysaidinatonequitedifferentfromhisusualgeniality.Itwassurprisinglylikehisson's.'Youknowwhyyou'reinsuchatemper?Becauseyoucan'tbelieveyourdumboldmancouldworksomethingoutthatfooledyou,thegenius!'

OnceagainNorthwasvisiblyaffectedbytheattackfromhisfather,andAmiwishedpassionatelythatshewasn'theretowitnessit.Healreadyheldsomanygrudgesagainsther.Afteramomentheturnedaway.

"That'sright—justturnyourbackonme.Itdoesn'tmatt»whatIthink,doesit?'Harryroared.'I'm justasickoldmanyoupickedupfrom thehospitalbecauseyouthoughtitwasyourduty.'

'That'senough,Harry,'Northsaidthroughgrittedteeth.'Idon'tintendtodiscussprivatemattersinfrontofthis—'Hisjawworkedashesearchedwithoutsuccessforawordtodescribeher.'Asforyou,MissWinterburn—youhavetenminutestosayyourgoodbyesandbeoutonthestreet.'

Whereyoubelong.Theunspokenphraseresounded.Thrownoutagain.Amiturnedscarlet.

'Ifmyfriendsaren'twelcomehere,Iwon'tbestaying,either,'HarrybellowedasNorthstrodeaway.ThistimeNorthdidn'tstop.Hedisappearedinside,untilhisprogresswasameremovementbehindthewallsofglassthatreflectedtowersandshiftingcloud.Amicouldn'tstandtheman,butshewouldn'twishthesituationonherworstenemy.Sympathyforhimwanedwithherfuryathishigh-handed,insultingmanner.Shewasangrywithbothofthem,sadforbothofthem.Herownfamilylifemightbechaoticattimesbutneverlikethis.Therewasasolidaffectionthatunderpinnedherrelationshipwithherparents,andthisstormyexchangeleftherfeelingshakyandbattered.

Theoldmansaidgruffly,'Stayaminute,haveagrape.'Heofferedherthefruitthenheldoutthebinocularstoheranditwouldn'thavemadeherstayexceptthathishandtrembled.Shetooktheglassesandlookedwherehe

directed,atabuildinghehadworkedoninhisyouth.'TheoldCenturyHotel.Ididanicebitofpanellinginthediningroom.Wonderifit'sstillthere?'hesaidtohimself.'Ithought,ifIlethimbringmehereaftertheoperation,we'dmaybeworkouthowtogetalongtogetheratlast,Northandme,'hesaidsadly.'ButIsupposeit'stoolateforthatnow.'

Whensheleft,hewheeledalongsidehertotheelevator,gaveheraslipofpaperwithhisaddressandphonenumberonit.'ComeandseemewhenI'mbackinmyownplace,Ami.'

Shekissedhischeek,thinkingitwasunlikelyshewouldvisitHarry.WhereHarrywas,Northmightbeanditwasariskshewouldrathernottake.ThesoonershegottheKendrickmenoutofherlife,thebetter.

AweekpassedwithoutasignofNorthKendrick.CKCwasfinalisingthepurchaseofawell-knownelectronicschainandbusinesswriterswerehintingthatNorthKendrickwouldsoonturnhisattentiontobuyingintothemedia.Shrewd,clever,realistic,aconsummateplayer,theycalledhim.Yetshrewd,cleverNorthKendrickhaddisplayedanaivefaithinhisfather'sloyalty,hadevenbeenoutraged/onhisfather'sbehalfwhenhethoughtAmihaddeceivedHarry,too.Therewasnothingsosavageasrighteousoutragediscoveredtobeunnecessary.Nothingsohumiliatingasblindfaithshattered.AftersuchacolossallossoffaceNorthKendrickprobablywouldn'tseekheroutagain,evenforrevenge.Itwasacauseforcelebrationthatleftherfeelingcuriouslyflat.

'Ami,dear,I'vegotajobthat'srightupyourstreet-walkingtwoBorzoidogsonehouraday.Itneedssomeonewhocansing.'

'Sing?Why?'

'Thedogsliketobesungtoduringtheirwalk.Theowner'slosthervoice.Ithoughtofyouatonce,yousingsonicely.'

'Mother—'Amigroanedintothephone,turningoverinbedtopeeratherclock.ItwasbarelysevenonFridaymorning.'No—notanotherjobthat'srightupmystreet.Pleasetakemynameoffyourbooks.'

'Ami,mylove,youmustknowthatadaughter'snamewillalwaysbeonamother'sbooks,'hermothersaidaffectionately.'Butallright,ifyoudon'twanttheBorzoijob,Iwon'thoundyou,'shewentonwithherunfalteringflairforwords.'Don'tforgettheartexhibitiontonight.It'samarvellousnineteenth-centuryprivatecollection,Iunderstand,andthisistheonlychancetoseeitinSydney.Theowner'sgrowntiredofitandisdonatingittoagalleryin

Melbourne,Ibelieve.Pre-Raphaelite,artnouveau—I'vegotyourticket.Docome.We'retryingtopersuadethecollectortodonateaworkofarttousforafundraiser,andagoodturn-upwouldmakeastrongargument.'

Amiwrinkledhernose.'Ihatenineteenth-centuryart.Allthoselistlesswomenwithpeekaboobreastsandredhair,languishingoverbowlsoffruitandsheafsofwheat.'

'That'sallright,dear.It'sart.Youdon'thavetolikeit.'

But,infact,Amihadtoadmitevenifshedidn'tlikethestyleitwasafinecollection,showntocuriousadvantageinamodernhousethatoccupiedseverallevelsonasteep,rockysiteoverlookingPittwater.Asoloviolinistplayedtotheviewersofpaintings,posters,sculptures,lamps,glassware,allofwhichincorporateddragons,deities,anguishedmaidens,voluminousrobesandlilies.Therewasevenafountain,fullyoperationalandmossyinashelteredcourtyard,spoutingwaterfrom theopenmouthsofseveralfishthatclusteredaroundabraceofunderdressedwomen.Lookingattheeightripe,barebreastspointinginanangleidenticaltothatofthefishes,Amithoughtitwasamercythatthewaterwasgushingwhereitwas.

'Wonderful,isn'tit?'LenoreWinterburnsaidtoher.

'Hideous,butbeautifullyexecuted,'sheallowed.Amistoppedabruptlytoeyearowofsculptednymphsthatwouldn'tlookoutofplaceoutsidetheAvalon.ShecouldalmostimagineNorthKendrickalongsideoneofthem,ahandproprietariallyonaperfectwhitemarblethigh.'Doesthisownerhaveanyfurnitureotherthancollector'sitems?'Amiasked,lookingaroundattheopenspacesbetweenexhibits.

'Hedoesn'tlivehereanymore,actually.Toomanystairsforhimnow,Ericasaid,soIsupposethepoormanmusthavetroublewithhismobility.There'sjusthiscollectionandthesecuritypeoplehere,whichiswhyheagreedtotheexhibition,becauseitdoesn'tinterferewithhisprivacyanymore.Ibelievethehouseistoberentedoutsoon,andthecollectionwillallbepackedupandsenttoMelbourne.'Shelookedspeculativelyatthequartetofgarlandedfemalefigures.'Iwonderifhewouldgivethesocietyoneofthosenymphstoraffle.'

Amilaughed.'Youcan'traffleanymph.It'sdisrespectful.'

ButhermotherhadturnedtolookbehindherforthecommitteepresidentwhowasdoingtheroundswithvariouscharityVIPs,makingintroductions.'IsupposethatmustbetheownerwithErica—theoneinthewheelchair,'LenoremurmuredinAmi'sear.

'Wheelchair?'Amisaid,feelingapricklingsensationbetweenhershoulder-blades.Sheturned.NorthKendrickwasbehindher,nomorethananymphaway.

CHAPTERFIVE

HERpulse,grownsluggishattheprospectofyetmoresculpturesandsmalltalkwithhermother'scharitycommitteefriends,racedintoahecticrhythm.Hewasinprofilebyasculpturegivingitsprovenancetothreeveryattentivewomen.Astheymadecomments,hebenthisdarkheadandnodded.HeplacedahandonthesculpturedkneeofanymphandAmiheardhimsay,'Exquisite.'

Asifhergazehadalertedhim,heturnedhishead.Hedidn'trecogniseherinstantly,probablybecauseitwasthelastplaceheexpectedtoseeher.Alsoprobablybecauseshehadmadeaconcessiontohermother'sfavouritecharityanddressedinanelegant,thin-strappeddressofcaramelsilkandoiledbackherlonghairintoaclassicdancer'sknot.Adelicate,beadedplaithungeachsideofherface.Herskirtwasabovethekneeandherlonglegslookedlongerstillinhighheels,afactthatKendrickappearedtobenoting.Hishandwithdrewfromthenymph'swhitethighwhenherealisedwhoselegshewasadmiring.Athunderouslooktransformedhim,tothedismayofthecharitycommittee,forwhomallhadbeengoingsowell.

Heexcusedhimselfandwalkedforward.'MissWinterburn,wemeetyetagain.'

Shesmiledwithagreatdealmorecomposurethanshefeltasheeyedherintently.'Mr.Kendrick.'

'Whatdoyouthinkoftheshow?'

'Theviolinistisverygood,'shesaidearnestly.

Asardonicsmiletiltedhismouth.Herakedanotherlookoverhersleek,oil-darkenedhair,herbareshouldersandthehintofcleavageshowingatherneckline.'Disguisedagain?Doyoueverlookthesametwice?'

Amideterminedtokeephertemper.Hermother,summonedawaybythecommitteepresident,wouldneverforgiveherifshemadeascenewiththecommittee'sbenevolentartcollector.

'Harry'swithyou,Isee,'shesaid,lookinghopefullyinHarry'sdirection,buthehadn'tseenheryet.

North'seyesnarrowed.'Yes,heis,nothankstoyou.'

Shebitherliptoholdbackasharpretort,resentfulthatheshouldtrytoblameherforwideningariftinarelationshipthatwasalreadyintrouble."Thisisyourcollectionthen?'shewentondoggedly.'Ididn'tknow.'

'Really?Youkeepturningupinmylife,MissWinterburn.Youcan'texpectmetobelieveit'ssheercoincidence.Whatareyoudoinghere?'

Ami'sgoodintentionsslippedaway.'Oh,I'mcasingthejoint,'shemocked.'IthoughtImightnickanymphortwo.'

Hismouthsmiledbuthiseyesremainedcoolandwatchful.Heglancedaroundquickly,asifsearchingforconspirators.

'I'mworkingaloneagain,'shedrawled,remindinghimofpreviouserrorsofjudgement.

'You'regoodvalue,I'llgiveyouthat,'hesaid,laughing.'Comewithme.'

Hetookherarmandwalkedherthroughthescatteredcrowdandshecouldhardlymakeafusswithoutruiningtheoccasion.Everyonetookaninterest.AmiraisedahandtoHarry,whowavedcheerfullyatherand,toherchagrin,didn'tevenattempttocomeafterher.Andhermother,whoneverhesitatedtobuttinwhereshewasn'twanted,nowfailedtobuttinexactlywhereshewaswanted.

Red-faced,shesaid,'Whereareyoutakingme?Goingtohandmeovertoyourgung-hosecurityofficersforinterrogation?'

'Whyshouldtheyhaveallthefun?'Heguidedherintoaroommercifullyfreeofthewhiplashcurvesofartnouveau.Itwasfurnishedwithalarge,plaindesk,acoupleofchairsandadrinkscabinet.Agreen-shadedtablelampwasswitchedon,illuminatingsomepaperwork.Hewenttothedrinkscabinet,tookouttwoglassesandabottleofchampagnefromanicebucket.Hepouredthewine,camebacktohandheraglass.

'Thisisaverycivilisedinterrogation,'shesaidlightly,takingasip.Hedrankfromhisglass,watchingherashedidso,andasilencestretchedoutintheroom.Thecollectivehum ofvoiceswaftedthroughfrom theexhibition.Downtherockyslope,treesshushedinthesaltbreeze,thesoundamimesisofthatotherrhythmicrushofwateronsandbelow.TheviolinplayedanEnglishfolksong,adescantoverthemellowmurmurings.

Amigrewuneasy.Hishard-eyedlookremindedherthatshehadbeenprivytohishumiliationonThursday.'IamsorryaboutThursday,'shesaidsincerely.'IfI'drealisedearlierthatyoudidn'tknowthatHarryknew—Icouldhavesavedyouthe,er,embarrassment.'

Hisjaw hardenedandhisheadwentbacktoanarrogantangle.'Don'tpatroniseme,MissWinterburn.Anddon'tmakethemistakeofthinkingI'manykindoffooljustbecauseyouandmyfatherpulledafastoneonme.'

'Idon'tthinkthatmakesyouafoolatall,'shesaid,shrugging.'Ithinkit'srathersweetandtrustingthatitdidn'toccurtoyouthatyourfatherwouldengineerajokeatyourexpense.'

'Sweet?'hesaid,chokingonamouthfulofgood,drychampagneasifitwaspuresaccharine.'GoodGod,IthinkI'dpreferyouthoughtmeafool.'

'Well,whateveryouprefer,North,'shesaiddemurely.

Helaughedsilently,findinghergoodvalueagain,shesupposed.Oneday,shethoughtmaliciously,watchinghisshouldersheave,hewouldprobablyhaveoneofthoseawful,wheezylaughslikeHarry.

'Now—tellmewhat'sgoingon,'hesaid.

'Goingon?Where?'

'Iwasn'tbornyesterday,Ami.Youhangaboutoutsidemyhotel,youturnupacoupleofweekslaterindisguiseandinsinuateyourwayintoaprivatefunction,thenintomyprivatequarters.Nowyouturnupagainatmyformerhome.Ifitisn'tsomecongameyou'replaying,whatthehellisit?'

'Insinuate?I'vetoldyouhow thathappened.Thereisnogame,doyouunderstand?Mymotherinvitedmeheretonight—'

'Ah,yourmotheragain!Yourinventivenessisgrowingthreadbare.'

Amieyedhimwithdislike.'Look,thinkwhatyoulike.Ididn'twanttocomehere,evenwhenIdidn'tknowitwasyourplace.Iam notfondofthepre-Raphaelitesorartnouveau,butitwasforadeservingcharityandIpromisedmymother.'

'AmiWinterburn,philanthropist,dutifuldaughter,'hemarvelled.'Widow,grandmother,cheat.MyGod,whenIsaidyouwerethekindofgirlHarrywouldn'tlikemetotakehometodinner,ImightnothavegotitquiterightbutIwasn'twrong,either.'

Amicompressedhermouth.'What'sbuggingyouisthatitwasHarrywhoaskedmetodinner.'

Theshaftwenthome.Hiseyesglittered.'Yes;thatdoesbugme,'hesaidsoftly.'ButIcanlivewithit.Thequestionis,whatamIgoingtodoaboutyou?'

Amibackedupastep,suddenlyapprehensivesofarfrom thecrowd.CommonsensetoldherthatitwasunlikelyNorthKendrickwoulddoanythingviolentwithahousefulofguestsjustascreamaway.Amitookanotherstepback.

'It'shappenedbefore,'hetoldher.

'Whathas?'

'Awoman,turningupatoddtimesagainandagainwhenIleastexpectedit.Itwentonformonths.'

'That'sthepriceyoupayforbeingsoirresistible,'shesnapped.'Suchabore—waitaminute!AreyouimplyingthatIam—thatIamchasingyoulikethisotherpoor,misguidedwoman?'

'You fittheprofile.Attention-seeking behaviour,tape-recordersanddisguises,insinuatingyourwayintomyprivatelife,comingtofunctionsI'llbeattending.Youmakeacareeroffoolingpeople,'hesaidthoughtfully.

'Idon'tfitanyprofile,youpompous,conceitedoaf.'

'Icouldbewrong,'headmitted,comingtowardher.

'Youare.'Shebackedoffagain,thenturnedandstrodeoutasbestshecouldinhighheelsonthethickcarpet.Heedingawarningcrackinherweakerankle,shestoppedandtookoffhershoes.Northregardedwithsomewarinessthetwometal-tippedspikedheelspointingathim.

Heputhishandsupinmocksurrender.'I'munarmed.'

Amieyedhimdispassionately.'Menlikeyouareneverunarmed.'

'Disarmed,then.'Hesmiled.'IfI'msuspiciousit'sbecauseIneverknowwhattomakeofyou.I'mforcedtoconsiderthewildestpossibilities.'

Herheartthumped.Hestoodtherewithastripeoflightjustmissinghiseyes,castingaglitterinthem.

'Thatbagsnatchermightnothavebeenunarmed,'hesaidsoftly.'Didyouthinkofthatwhenyouchasedhim?'

'Italwayscrossesawoman'smind,Isuppose,butIwassofuriousthathewouldattackanoldladyIjust—'Shelifted,oneshoulder.'Hecouldeasilyhavebrokenanarmonanelderlywomanwitharthritis,orosteoporosis.'

'Butyouweren'tanelderlywomanwitharthritis,'hesaidinacurioustone.

'What'sthatgottodowithit?'sheasked,throwingherarmsout.'Hedidn'tknowthat,littlecreep.''Hemightbeareformedlittlecreepnow.Thathighkickreallyconnected.'

'Yes,itdid,didn'tit?'shesaid7withghoulishsatisfaction.

'Balletlessons?'heenquired.

'SinceIwasfour.'

Theywalkedtothenextdoorway.

'Wereyouanygood?'

'Yes,'shesaidwithoutfalsemodesty.'MyambitionwastojoinaclassicalballetcompanybutitisverycompetitiveandIgrewtootallandacquiredaweakankle,so—'Sheshrugged.

'Andwhatdoesafailedballetdancerdo?'

Irritatedatthephrase,shesaidairily,'Oh—teach,joinamoderndancecompanyordocabaret.Or,'sheaddedwithaglintinhereye,'becomeanexoticdancer.'

'Andwhichdidyoudo?'

'Whatdoyouthink?'

'LikeIsaid—Ialwaysconsiderwildpossibilitieswhereyou'reconcerned.'

'Areyou actually entertaining ideasofmestripping in somesleazynightclub?'shechallenged,ahandonherhip.

'Mm.I,er,hadn'tgotasfarasthesleazynightclub,'hemurmured,slantingheralookthatsaidexactlyhowfarhehadgot.

AmimistimedhernextsteptothedoorwayandcollidedwithNorthasheleanedpasthertonudgethepartlycloseddooraside.Shejerkedawaybutthedoorframewasdirectlybehindherandbroughtherupwithajoltnofartherfromhimthanbefore.TheroomhadthechillofemptinessandshefelttheradiationofheatfromNorth'sbodyonhershouldersandthroughthethindress.Helaidhishandonherbarearmandsheshiveredwiththewarmthofit.

'North—'

'Ami,'hesaidinthemockingwayhe'dsaidittheotherday.Andhebentandputhismouthtoherbareshoulder,nudgingasideasilkshoestringstrapwithhisfingertips.Shedrewinasharpbreathandhestraightenedtolookattheeffecthe'dhadonher.Whateverhesawpleasedhim.

'Iwanttogobacktoyourawfulnymphs,'shesaidhuskily.

'I'mnotstoppingyou,'hesaid,breathingthewordsonhertemple.'ButIwishyou'dstay.'

Hewaitedamoment,perhapstogivehertimetoleave,andwhenshedidn't,hiseyesglintedintriumphandhebentagain,kissedherneckbelowherear,nuzzledinsothatthetinyplaitswayed,itsbeadsmakingsmallclinkingnoisesthatseemedsomehowlinkedwiththesoftsoundsofNorth'slipsonherskin.Thefabricofhisjacketbrushedagainstherbareskin,pleasantlyabrasive.Thesmellofhim,citronandchampagne,roseinhernostrilsandshereachedoutwithherfreehandtohishair.Thick,springyhair.Herfingerspushedthroughit,urgently.Northmadeathroatysoundandputhishandstoherwaist,liftedherclearofthedoorwayandsetherdown,haulinghercloseagainsthim.Herbreathescapedinastartledsigh.Herhandsslidbeneathhisjacketuntilherarmswerearoundhimandshefelttheheatofhisskinthroughthefinefabricofhisshirt.Northtiltedhisheadandlookedblazinglyatherforafewsecondsandshewasalreadyrisingonhertoestowardshim whenhekissedher.Herlipspartedbeneathhispersuasive,fleetingcaresses.Shepressedclosetohim,cravingmore,wantingtheteasing,nomadictouchtosettleanddeepen.Sheturnedherheadsothatshecapturedhiswanderingmouthwithherown,kissinghim wildly,excitementtremblinginherbody.Ithadneverbeenlikethis.Sheheardherownbreathysighjustamomentbeforetheothervoice.

'Ami,dear,whereareyou?'

Itwashermother,buttinginwhereshewasn'twanted.

AmiboltedfromNorth'sarms,loopingherstrap,smoothingherdresswithtremblingfingersassheamendedthetraitorousthought.Itwashermother,buttinginexactlywhereshewaswantedforonce.Amiranhertongueoverherlips.Outofthecornerofhereye,shesawNorthquicklysmoothhishairthatshehadruffledsopassionately.Wasshecrazy?Sheknewwhatkindofgamehewasplaying,butshedidn'thavetomakeiteasyforhim.Lenorecastathoughtfullookoverherdaughter'sstockingedfeet,theshoestuckedunderonearm,theflushonhercheeks.ThensheturnedherattentiontoNorth.Amicursedsilentlyasshesawthegleaminhermother'seyes.

'Well,Iknowhe'snotakissingcousin,'Lenoresaid,removinganydoubtsthatshemighthavearrivedtoolatetoseetheminaclinch.'Introduceme,Ami,mylove.'

'Mum,meetNorthKendrick.Mymother,LenoreWinterburn.'

Atleastthatappearedtoshakehim—themythicalmothersocloseathandandsoobviouslygenuine.Onlyamotherhadsuchimmaculatetiming.

'MadamWinterburn,'Amiaddeddrylyinanundertone.

Colourappearedhighonhischeekbonesashecourteouslyshookhermother'shandandweatheredascrutinyalmostasthoroughasanyhehadgivenAmi.Northputahandtohistieandflexedhisneck.Evenhissuperbself-confidencewasrockedbytheprospectofmaternalcriticism.Not,shenotedsourly,thathermotherappearedtobefindingmuchtocriticise.

'Northistheownerofthecollection—allthosewonderfulnymphsthathe'sgrowntiredof,'shesaidwithslymalice.ItwouldserveMr.NorthKendrickright,togetthethirddegreefromhermother,averitabletigresswhenitcametoraisingmoneyfordisadvantagedchildren.Amiputonhershoesandbeatahastyretreatfromtheemptyroomswhereshealmostfanciedtheechoofherownsighofpleasurehungontheairforeveryonetohear.

Asithappened,LenoreWinterburnspentagoodtwentyminuteswithNorth,duringwhichtimeevenFrancesca,stunninginblackandsilvermesh,hadtotakeabackseat.Everynowandthen,NorthlookedthoughtfullyinAmi'sdirectionandshecouldn'thelpfeelingthatthedonationofanymphwasnottheonlysubjectunderdiscussion.

Hermoth»lookedmightilypleasedwithherselfwhensherejoinedAmi.'Whatacharmingman,'shesaid.'Andsomodest.Hemakesnothingofthefactthathewasaboygenius.'

'Oh,washe?'Amisaidflatly,eyeingtheboygenius.Hewasstrikinglyhandsomeinalightgreydouble-breastedsuitoffinestwool.Awolfinsheep'sclothing.

'Ericatoldme.Hewasaprodigy—wasinventingthingswhenhewasonlyfifteenandoneofhisschoolmastersfortunatelyhadthewittotakeoutpatentsforhim.Hewonallsortsofscholarshipsandwentintohighschoolanduniversityyearsaheadofhispeers,becausehewassoclever.'

Thatmusthavebeenwhathemeant,Amidecided,whenhe'dsaidhewasalwaysaheadofhiscontemporaries.Outofstep.Sheponderedthesignificanceofaboyhoodspent,notwithotherkidshisownage,butinthecompanyofolderpeople.Insteadofcarefreeyearsatprimaryschool,hewentearlyintohighschool.WhenhispeersweremessingaboutinhighschoolmusicalsandsneakingintonightclubswithfalsifiedIDs,hewasalreadyatuniversity.Andtheboygeniusmightverywellhavebeenintellectuallymature,buttherewasevery

chancehehadbeenemotionallystillalittlekid.ItoccurredtoAmithatbeingintellectuallyadvancedmighthavebeenalonelybusiness.

'Yes,hewasbrilliantatmathematicsandscience,'hermotherwassaying,'andoncehegotintofinance,hewasbrilliantatthat,too.'

'Mathematicsandscience,'Amisaiddryly,lookingaroundatthelanguishingmaidens,dragonsandarumlilymotifs.'Thatexplainsalot.'

Harrysoughtherouteventually.Heseemedoutofsorts,sayingthathe'donlycometonighttogetawayfrom thehotelprison.'Idon'tknow whyhemovedthere.Tobeinthelimelightwhenthehotelopened,Isuppose,'hesaidpettishly.

Amifrownedathistone.'Isn'tthatabitungrateful,Harry?FromwhatIcangather,Northmovedoutofthisplacebecauseallthelevelsandstairsweregoingtobeaproblemforyouwhileyourecoveredfromyourop.Thisisalovelyhousewithafabulousview.Idon'tsupposeheparticularlywantedtoleaveit.Atleastatthehotel,hecanbenearyouwithanofficeinthesamebuilding,andyouhavetoadmititiseasierforyouwiththeliftsandstaffwhenhe'saway.'

Harrycastheralookofsuchcunningthatshewonderedifshe'dmissedsomething.Butitwasgoneinaninstantandhewasaskingifshewoulddrivehimbacktothehotel.'North'sgoingtobehereforawhileandI'mabitweary.'

'Idon'tthinkyoursonwouldlikethat.'

'He'lllikeit.LethimandFrancescahavesometimealone—theymightwanttostopoffsomewhereandpark,eh?'Asuggestivewinkwentwiththis.

'Don'tyouthinkthey'retoooldforhanky-pankyinthebackseatofacar?'shesnapped,withamentalimageofFrancescaandNorthstraighteningtheirclothes,smoothingruffledhair.Hercheeksburned.

'Nevertooold,'theoldmansaid,givinghiswheezylaugh.

'Anyway,Igottheimpressionyouweren'tinfavourofamatchbetweenNorthandFrancesca,'shewentonspikily.

'North'sreadytosettledown,Icanreadthesigns.I'mstartingtothinkImighthavetofacetheinevitable,'Harrysaidwithasighandasharplookather.

Inevitable.Amiglancedatthetwoprospectivepartners,wonderingifthemergerwastogoaheadafterall.ShethoughtagainofNorth,kissingherinhisemptyhousetonight,and hertemperflared.Whatkind ofman couldcontemplateaunionofmarriagewithonewomanwhilefancyinganother?Acollector,that'swho,shethought,hereyesrangingovertheexhibits.Shehadthe

panickyfeelingthatshemustnotstandstillorshemightjointherowofnymphs.Shehadavisionofherself,castinbronzestandingonaplinthinafrozenpose,withNorth'shandpossessivelyonherthigh.

'Well,allrightthen.I'lldriveyou,'shesaidtoHarry.Athisrequest,AmidroppedHarryinthehotelcarparkratherthanthefrontconcourse.Sheunfoldedthewheelchair,helpedhimintoitand,atHarry'sinsistence,lefthimwaitingbytheelevator.Shewaved,wonderingifshewouldseehimagain.Theideaoflosingtouchdismayedher.But,unlessshecouldbecertainNorthKendrickwassafelyoutofthecountry,shewouldn'tbecallingonhisfather.

Hewasn'toutofthecountrythenextdaywhenAmijoggedbackfromaruntotheparkwithSpritz.Shesawalarge,palecarparkednearherhouse,itsoutlinefuzzedbysunshine.Thefootpathwasalongstraitaheadofher,patchedwithbrightstripsofsunandthelacyshadeofarchingcotoneasterbranches.AmileapedintheairtotouchabranchandSpritzyelpedandleapedwithherastheycoveredthelastfew yardstothefrontgate.Laughing,exhilaratedbytheexercise,Amispunintoahighpirouette,takingwithhertheblurredimpressionofamanleaningonthecar.Shewasintheairwhensomeintuitiontoldherwhoitwas.

Panting,heartpounding,feetfirmlyontheground,sheadjustedherdampheadbandandstaredathim.

'Verycarefree,'hesaidsardonically,eyeinghertrackshoes,gymshortsandsweatshirt.'AmiWinterburn,fitnessenthusiast.'Heannounceditasifitwasanotherroleshewasplaying,anotherdisguiseshewaswearing.

Hedidn'tlookcarefreeatallbutbaggy-eyedandbad-temperedandraffishlyunshaven.Heworejeansandalightcottonsweaterthatcalledattentiontohisshoulders.Hisarmswerecrossedandthefingersofonehandtappedoutafastrhythmonhisbiceps.Spritzfailedtoabsorbtheseantisocialsignalsandleapeduptolickhishandasifhewasalong-lostfriendinsteadofthebarbarianwhohadbellowedatheronTuesdaynight.

'Marvellous!Mylife'sinchaosandyou'refrolickingwiththedog.'

'IalwaysfrolicwiththedogonSaturday,'shesaid.'What'sthematter?Oneofyourlanguishingredheadsgonemissing?Lostadryad?'Sheopenedhereyeswide.'You'vedecidedarttheftisthereasonIinsinuatedmyselfintoyourlife.'

'Alwayssochirpy.Doesn'titbotheryouthatIcouldturnnastyandlaychargesagainstyou?'hesaid,andtherewaslessthreatthancuriosityinthegazethatsettledonher.

Amigrinned.'Turnnasty?You?'

'It'sbeenknown,'hesaidwithoutshame.

'I'msure.Anyway,whatchargescouldyoubringagainstme?'

'Let'ssee.'Hestraightenedandslottedhishandsintohisbackjeanspockets,astrategythataddedunnecessaryinchestohisshoulderspan.'Fraud?Falsepretences?I'dhavetoputitbeforemylawyers.'

Shelaughed.'Youwouldn't.You'dlookridiculous.'

Northlookedattheskytocomposeanewsitem.'Hotelmagnatesuestheatricalartistforfalsepretences.Incourttoday,failedactress,dancerandmake-up artist,Ms.AmiWinterburn,pleaded guiltytochargesoffalsepretences—'

'You'dhavetoadmitthatKendricktheinfalliblewastotallytakeninbyameremake-upgirl,'shepointedout.'Wouldn'tthatsendsharepricesinCKCplummeting?'

'Hotelmagnatesuestheatricalcompany,Illusion,forfalsepretences.Incourttoday,perukemaker,faileddancerandfailedactressAmiWinterburnandherpartner,Helen—'

Amiwavedherhandsurgently.'ThishasnothingtodowithHelenortheshop.'

'—answeredchargesthattheypracticedamalicioushoaxonConnaughtKendrick,asapublicitystuntfortheirenterpise.'

'That'snottrueandyouknowit!'

Heshrugged.'Thatdoesn'tmatter.Everyonecouldbelieveyoushow-biztypeswilldoanythingforpublicity.'

'It'sonlyyouregothat'shurt.Itrulydon'tbelieveyou'dbesopetty.'

'Menfightwarsfortheirego,'hesaiddryly.'Whydon'twetalkinside?'

Heshovedthegardengateopenandwavedherthrough,tryingtoestablishhisdominanceonherownterritory.Andasifheneededanyhelp,Spritzleapedalongsidehimandlickedhishand.

'Sycophant,'shemuttered.'Heel,Spritz.'

Instead,Spritzrushedahead,upthefrontpatiostairs,tofetchagnawedtennisballinherjaws.

'Goodboy,'Northsaid,crouchingasthedogbroughttheballtohim.

'It'sashe.Agoodgirl,'Amisaiddryly.HetossedtheballandSpritzgallopedtobringitbackandlayitathisfeetwithaslavishlook.'I'llhavetotakeherbacktoobedienceschoolforarefreshercourse.Shethinksjustanyoneisafriend.'

Heslantedalookupwardsather,hiseyescrinkledagainstthesun.'Theysayanimalsandchildrencanalwaystell.Doyouthinkthat'strue?'

'Idon'tknow.Whatareyoulikewithchildren?'

'Theydoteonme.'

'Oh,really?'shesaidsceptically.'Whichchildrenarethese?'

'Threenieces,anephewandtwostep-nephewsinMelbourne.I'mgodfathertotwoofthemandtofourotherkidsbesides.'

'Sixgodchildren?'shesaid,surprised,tryingtoimaginehimholdingababyatachristeningfont.Un-clippingherjogger'sdrinkbottlefrom hershortswaistband,Amiadjustedtheplasticstrawandtookacoolingdraughtofwater.

'Marriedpeoplealwaystrytofindsomerolefortheirsinglefriends—bestmanatthewedding,godfatheratthechristening,SantaClausatChristmas.Youmusthaveexperiencedthesamething.'

Shesplutteredalittleonthedrink,failingmiserablytoimaginehiminaSantabeardandredsuit.'I'mgenerallythoughttobetootalltobeinpeople'sweddingphotos.'

'Neverthebridesmaid?'hequipped.

'Oh,yes,once,yearsago.AndI'mtobebridesmaidagainsoonforthesamefriend.Hersecondmarriage.Emma'sthesameheightasme,'shesaidinexplanation,smilingatthethoughtofEmma'swedding.

Hereviewedherheightconsideringlyfrom hiskneelingposition.'Twoofyou,'hesaidandgavealowwhistle.'Ihopethegroomistheassertivetype.Hemightdisappearwithoutatrace.'

AmigaveagurgleoflaughteratthethoughtofthebearlikeMackenziesinkingwithoutatrace.'No,no.

Matt'salotlikeyou—peoplemighthatehim,orlovehim,butthey'llneveroverlookhim.'

'Andwhichisityoufeelforme?'

Shesnorted.'Whatdoyouthink?'

'Ifthatwashatelastnight,thenhatemesomemore,AmiWinterburn.'

Thebloodrosetoherface.Itwasonlyakiss,forheaven'ssake,shethoughtinannoyance.Butshewasn'tinthehabitofgettingintoclincheswithunsuitablemen,howeverattractive,anditwasthesecondtimeithadhappened.SheavertedhereyesfromNorthKendrick'sself-satisfiedsmile,findingitveryeasytohatehim.

'YourfriendEmmaiseitherveryconfidentorverybeautiful,'hecommented,runninghishandinalongcaressdownSpritz'sback.Withoutmeaningto,Amifollowedthemotion,registeringatingledownherownspine.

'She'sboth.Why?'

Hiseyescamebacktoher,roamedfromanklestothetopofherhead.'Youwouldmakea—distractingfeatureinanyone'sweddingpictures.'

Amiblinked,notentirelypleased.A'distractingfeature'couldjustaswellbeachandelieroraflowerarrangement.Hiscomplimentsalwaysrousedthisdualpleasureandaversion.Itwasasifhisveryadmirationwasatrap.

HisadmirationwascertainlygettingawarmresponsefromSpritz.ThedogdrooledandgrinnedatasmilingNorth,intheunqualifiedaffectionthatcanexistbetweenahumanandananimal.Themanlookedsuddenlymorerelaxed.'Iusedtohaveadog.Asheepdog.Hewasveryintelligent,'Northsaid,givingSpritzalastpatbeforehestoodup.

'Whatdidyoucallhim?'

'Meg.'

'AboydogcalledMeg?'

'ShortforMegabyte,'hesaid,withafaintsmileofreminiscence.'Iwasprecociousandkeenoncomputers.'

'Yes,Iheard.Theboygenius,'shesaid,leadingthewayintothehouse.

Inside,shedumpedherdrinkbottledownandpulledtheelasticfrom herhair.Sheshookherhead,rubbedatitwithatowel.ScowlingatNorth,shesaid,'Justfortherecord,Iamnotafailedactress.'

"Thatstung,didit?'

'I'vehadseveralgoodparts.'

'Yearsago.Insoupcommercials.Andpartyturnsasasingingtelegramgirl,whateverthatentails.Exoticdancing,perhaps?'

'Eventhebestperformershaveback-upcareersbecauseitcanbehardtostayinwork.Igotintomakeupandspecialeffectsasasidelineanditbecamemorefascinatingthanactinganddancing.Itoftenhappens.'

Hisgreyeyesdidn'twaver.Liar,theyseemedtosay.'Afterall,youstartedoffinventingthingsandnowyousitatadeskaddingnoughtstonumbersonpaper.'

Hefrownedatthisandshewentoncuriously,'Whatkindofthingsdidyouinvent?'

Northshovedhishandsintohispockets.'Nothingyouwouldrecognize.Smallelectronicscomponents.Inventionsareworthnothingunlessyougetthemintoproduction.Ispentacoupleofyearsjustgettinginvestmentfundsandfindingproductionpartnersandthewholethingblewupintoahugeoperation.'

'Andyouneverdidgetbacktoinventing.Doyoumissit?'

'WhyshouldI?Itwasmerelyaspringboardtobetterthings.'

ButAmilookedlevellyathimandhiseyesflickedawaytoatablethatheldaheadformwithawigfoundationpartlytuftedwithblackhair.Hefingeredthehairandgrimaced.'Whatisthisstuffyou'resewingon?'

'Notsewing,ventilating,'shesaid.'I'mventilatingsynthetichairontothelacefoundation.It'stobeanEgyptianpharaohwig—cheap—foranamateurtheatregroupIhelpoutnowandthen.Look,youdidn'tcometoaskquestionsaboutwigmaking.'

Greyeyesheldhers.'No.'

Amiwaitedamomentandwhenheremainedsilent,shespreadherhandsinasilentinvitationtogoon.Northfollowedherhandmovementsashealwaysseemedtoandsomethinginhiseyesmadeherheartbeatquicken.Nowthattheglowofexercisewasdiminishing,shefeltachilltinglealongherspineanddownbetweenherbreasts.'Well?'sheprompted,huskily.

'DoyouknowwhereHarryis?'

Amiblinkedinsurprise.'No.Don'tyou?'

Hismouthcompressed.'Hashephonedyou?'

'No,'shesaid.Then,flippantly,'Don'ttellmeHarryhasrunawayfromhome?'

Hisheadwentbackandhelookeddownhisnose.'Harrytoldmehewasgoinghomebycablastnight,butmyinformationisthatitwasyouwhodroppedhimoffatthehotel.Soyouworethelastpersontospeaktohim.Iaskagain,haveyouseenhimorheardfromhim?'

Myinformation.Handsonhips,shesaid,'AndI'mtellingyouagain,no,Ihavenot.Ilefthimatthecarparkelevator.'

'Butthen,youareafirst-classliar.Youwon'tmindifIlookaround?'

Heheadedoffdownthehall,pushingwidethedoorsthewayhehadthatothertime.Amifollowedindignantly.'Yes,Idomind.Harry'snothidinginmywardrobe!'

Helookedsuspiciouslyaroundherbedroombeforehisgazecametorestonherunmadedoublebed.Anyotherdayoftheweekitwouldbechastelymadeupandsmoothedbynow,butitwasSaturday,thedayshechangedthesheets,andthepillowswereawryandthebedclothesintherumpledstateoccasionedbyhersprawlingsleepinghabits.Herbedalwayslookedasiftwopeople,notone,hadsleptinit,afactnotlostonNorthKendrick.

'Heavynight?'hedrawled.

Amiflushed.Shelookedhimintheeyeandreachedpasthimtocloseherdoorwithaneloquentlittlesnap.'Harry'snothere.'

'Iwantyoutoletmeknowifhecontactsyou.'

AvaguealarmonHarry'sbehalf,butshedismissedit.Afterall,thatdayontheroof,theoldmanhadshoutedthathewouldn'tstaywherehisfriendsweren'twelcome.Atpresent,Harryhadnochoicebuttostay,buthewasprobablyhidingoutwithafriendsomewhereintokenindependence,toworryNorthalittle,makehim feelguilty,even.Harry,shethoughtwithoutanyillusions,wasamanipulativeolddevil.AmisurveyedNorth'sappearanceandwonderedifitwasguiltorconcernthathadputthebagsunderhiseyesandpre-ventedhimfromshaving.'Whendidyounoticehewasmissing?'

'Igothomeaftertwothismorningandstoppedbyhisroom,foundhisbedhadn'tbeensleptin.Therewasnonote.'

Aftertwo,shethought.Thebagsandthebristlesweremorelikelytheaftermathofsomeserioussocialisinginthatcase.WithFrancesca,shewondered?InthebackseatofthatmagnoliaJaguar?Amidismissedtheidea.Themanownedahotelfullofmagnificentrooms.HewouldnotneedtoresorttothebackseatofacarifFrancescatiredofanuncomplicatedlovelifewhileherdivorcecamethrough.'Someonemusthaveseenhim leavethehotel.Yourparanoidsecuritypeople?Thehawk-eyedMorgan?'

Heshookhisbead.'Hedidn'tgotohisownhouse,so...Iwantyoutoringmeifyouhearfromhim.'

Iwantagain.Deliberatelysheshruggedoneshoulderasshewalkedintothekitchen.'I'llthinkaboutit.'Shesnatchedupherdrinkbottlefromthecounterandtippedituptodrinkfromit.

'You'dbewisetocooperateunlessyouwanttohearfrommylawyers,'hesaidharshly.

Amispunaround,armsoutflung.Afewdropsofbarleywaterflewfromthedrinkbottle.'WhatisitaboutyouKendrickmen?HarrythreatenstotellyoumyrealnameifIdon'tperformmypensioneractforhisbirthday,youthreatentotakemetocourtifIdon'tcooperate!'

'Ah—heforcedyourhand,didhe?Thecunningolddevil,'Northsaid,agleaminhiseyes.'Servesyouright.'

'Youadmirethat,don'tyou?'shesaidincredulously.'Byforcingmyhand,hemadeacompleteidiotofyou,butevensoyoucan'thelpadmiringhim forgettingthebetterofme.Men!'

'Youmightlosethegame,butyouhavetoappreciatetheskilloftheotherplayers,'hesaidwithwhatheclearlybelievedwasinarguablelogic.

Amishookherhead,baffledbytheabilityofmalestofightwitheachotheryetatthesametimeremaintheirowngreatestfans.

'Well,Idon'tfindblackmailandmanipulationadmirable.Don'teitherofyoueverjustaskpeopletodothingsforyou—say"wouldyouplease"insteadof"Iwant"?Butthen,maybeyoubothlikethebuzzofmakingpeoplejumpthroughhoops!'

'Itworked.Youdidstayforhisbirthday,'hepointedoutmockinglyasiftheblackmailwasjustifiedbytheresult.'Itcanonlyhavebeensympathyforhimorfearofmethatdidthetrick.AndevenHarrycouldn'thavecommandedyoursympathyinsuchashorttime.'

Amilaughed.'Fear?Don'timaginethereisanythingaboutyoupersonallythatIfear,North.Onlyyourinfluence.Youhavepowerandlikemostmenyouabuseit.Ifearthat.'Northdidn'tlikethat,shenoticed.

Hesneered.'Ontheotherhand,maybeyoudiditbecauseyouenjoyedit.Aspartofyourvariedcareer,haveyouoftendresseduptoentertainmenfortheirbirthdays?Oreven,'headded,flickinganinsolentglanceoverherbody,'dresseddown?'

Amidrewinanaudiblebreathandletitoutinahiss.Shejerkedherhandtowardshimandliquidfromherdrinkbottleshotoutinanarcoverhisfaceandchest.

CHAPTERSIX

BARLEYwaterdrippedfromhishair.Itraninrivuletsovertheconcaveplanesofhischeeks,alonghisbristlyjawtodripfromhischin.Impassively,helookeddownathisdrenchedsweater,tweakedthefabricbetweenfingerandthumb.

'Oh,'shesaidlamely.'Here—havemytowel.'Shedraggeditfromaroundherneckandthrustitathimandheflinched,asifthismightbesomenewattack.Regardingherthroughspikylashes,hetookthetowel,moppedhisface.

'Thatwasinexcusable,'hesaidatlast.

'Don'tyoulecturemeonbehaviour,'shesaidheatedlyoutofcombinedpiqueandguilt.

'Imean,whatIsaidwasinexcusable.'

Amiopenedandshuthermouth.Withalopsidedsmile,headded,'Iwonderwhyweseemtobringouttheworstineachother.'

Andwhileshewasstilladjustingtothisphilosophicalreactiontohavingadrinkflunginhisface,heloopedthetoweloverhershoulder,crossedhisarmsandpulledoffhissweatersothatshewassuddenlyconfrontedwithahalf-nakedNorthKendrick.Shehadanimpressionofawide,deepchestwithaspatteringofdarkhairontanskinasheturnedaway.Perfunctorily,hesaid,'Doyoumind?'andproceededtowringhiswetsweateroverthebasin.InthecourseofhermixedcareerAmihadseenagreatmanymenwithouttheirshirts,someofthemfamousfortheirphysique.Sowhysheshouldfindthesightofthisman,performingahomelytaskatherkitchensink,soriveting,shecouldn'tsay.Itwastrue,hewasverynicelybuilt.Withoutclothes,helookedmuchbigger,moremuscular.Shewatchedtheflexandplayofmuscleinhisupperbackasheshookoutthesweater.Hisshouldersroseandfellwiththeaction,and,withhisarmsheldupasheinspectedthesweaterfordamage,madeoneofthoseirresistiblecontourlinessopersuasivelymale.Powerandbeautytogether,shethought,franklyadmiringthebulgeofbicepsandhissmooth,lightlytannedskin.

Heflippedthewetsweateroveroneshoulderandtookupaleaningstanceagainstthecounter.PureJamesDean,shethoughtderisively.Thecharismaticdrifterlook.Ifhehadseemedformidableinhishigh-pricedsuitinhishigh-pricedhotelfoyer,nowhelookedpositivelydangerouswithhisunshavenjaw

andhisdamphairhangingoverhisforehead.From onekindofpowertoanother,shethought.Itwassounfair.

'Iapologize,'hesaid.

Foraconfusedmomentshethoughthewasapologizingforhissexappeal.Inthefewblankmomentswhenshestaredathim,hegaveacat-got-the-creamsmile,noddedatthedrinkbottleonthecounter.'Ihopethere'snodrinkleftinthatthing.I'mgettingnervouswithyoustaringatmelikethat.'

Whichwasasgoodawayasanytoletherknowthatheknewshewasgapingathim.'You'resafe,'shesaidambivalently.'Unlessyouinsultmeagain.'

'IsupposeIshouldapologizeforthatothercomment,too—promptedbythestateofyourbed.'

'Isupposeyoushould,'shesaidtightly.'It'snoneofyourbusinesswhetherI'vehadaheavynightornot.'

'Putitdowntojealousy,'hesaid.'Iwishitwasmewhohadrumpledyoursheets.'

Shemighthavethoughtshehadn'theardright,exceptthathisexpressionconfirmedhiswords.Amifelttheattraction,themagnetism oftheman,theflutterofherownpleasureathisearthystatementofdesire.Hewashandsome,wealthy,powerfulandmanywomenprobablylosttheirheadwhensuchamanannouncedhisintentions.Amimadeaconcertedefforttokeephersasheturnedtoleave,andshefollowedhimtothedoor,unabletoavoidthesightofhislovelybarebackandhisrear,jauntilyencasedindenim.Aweaknessmadeherkneeswaver.Iwanthim,shethoughtinastonishment,andsheimaginedherselflayingherhandsonthatbroadback,slidingthemintothebackpocketsofhisjeans...Socompellingwasit,thatsherushed,breathless,togethimout,reachingpasthimforthedoor.Helookedatherarm.

'YougivelessonsinillusiononaSaturday?'hemocked,indicatingthefour-day-oldbruiseinsideherelbow.'Orcan'tyoubeartowashoffyourownwork?'

'Yourwork,actually,'shesaid,beforeshethought.

'What?'Startled,hetookherarmandlookedcloserattherealbruiseinsideherelbow.'Ididn'tseethislastnight.'

'I'mamake-upgirl,'shemocked,intenselyconsciousofhistouch.'Icanmakeabruisegowherethereisn'tone,andIcanconcealarealone.Youdidn'tseeitbecauseIdidn'twantitseen.'

Asheassimilatedhowandwhenhemighthavedoneit,hetookherotherarmandfoundthematchingmarkthere.Adullflushsettledonhischeekbonesandhestoodthereholdingherarms,histhumbscirclinggentlyonthediscolourationsasifhemighterasethem.Thesensationreachedbeyondtheskinhetouched,rippleddownherspine,zippedalonghertemplestothetopofherhead.Amitouchedhertonguetoherlowerlipand,asifhewaswaitingforsomesuchsignal,Northraisedherleftarmandbenttoputhismouthtothebruise.Hedidn'ttakehiseyesoffher,andshestaredathim,bemused,hereyelidsflickeringinresponsetothewarm,delicatetouchofhislipsonherskin.Amijumpedattheslytouchofhistongue.Lowdowninherbodyshefeltagainthatpangofdesire.Stillholdinghergaze,confidentnowanddeliberate,hereachedforherotherarmandAmibackedawayinalarm,wonderingifshe'dbeenhypnotized.Shefeltvaguelydisappointedthattheglimpseofsincerityinhimhadbeensosooneclipsedbyopportunism.

Northsmiled.'Ifit'sanyconsolation,yougavemeabruise,too,thatnight,whenyoufelledme.'

Oh,good,shethought.'Well,Iwon'toffertokissitbetter.'

Helaughedsoftly,showinghisveryniceteeth.'Ishouldbesolucky.'Herubbedoneleanflank,toindicatethepositionofthebruise,andAmifeltanotherjoltofsensationattheearthinessofit.ShehadvastlyunderestimatedNorthKendrick,sherealized,assheopenedherfrontdoorandlethimouttoajoyouswelcomefromSpritz.Hislackofpeopleskillsdidnotpreventhimbeingexpertatseduction.Butthenseductiondidn'tactuallycomeunderpeopleskills.Moreanexerciseinappreciation,liketheexpertiseofthewineconnoisseurortheartcollector.NorthKendrickwantedherforthesamereasonthatshehadneededtogetthroughhisglassdoors.Theybothwantedtorestoretheirself-esteem bymakingtheirmarkontheother'sterritory.Butforher,theterritoryhadbeenhishotel.Forhim,shewastheterritory.

Marvellous,shethought,asshegotonwithherchoreswhenhewasgone.Hehadaccusedherofinsinuatingherselfintohislife,butthemanhadinsinuatedhimselfintohers.Thekitchenwasn'tquitethesamenowthathe'dstrippedhalfnakedinit,andasforthebedroom...Amirippedtheoldsheetsfromthebedforwashing,andreplacedthemwithfreshones.Iwishitwasmewho'drumpledyoursheets.'Huh!'shesaidoutloud,energeticallysmoothingrumplesfromthecleansheetstoeraseanyimagesofhiminherbed.Thenshehadanother,irrelevantvisionofNorth,cominginattwointhemorningandstoppingbyHarry'sroom.Didhealwaysstopbyhisfather'sroomwhenhecamehome?Didhetiptoe?Sneakthedoorajarsoasnottodisturbtheoldman?Northastheconcerned,

caringson?Sheslidthepillowsintonewcasesandbashedthemintoahuddledgroup.Shesmoothedthequiltcover,catchingsightofthebruisesonherarmswitheverymove.Later,whenshe'dhungoutherwashingandshowered,sheusedsomeflesh-colouredconcealeroverthebruises.Whenshe'dfinished,sheviewedtheresultswithprofessionalsatisfaction.Noonewouldknowtherewerebruisesthere.NooneexceptherandNorthKendrick.

Northswivelledhischairtolookdownatthehotelconcourse.Hewaitedforthethrillofpossession,offulfilledambitionbutitwaswearingoffalready.Hegrimaced.Evenayearago,he'dstillexperiencedanintensepleasurefrombringingoffnewdeals,makingnewacquisitions,fulfillingambitionsthathadonceseemedlaughable.Thishotelwasoneofthem.Afoolishventureinsomeways,whenhecouldhavesimplyboughtaprofitableexistinghotelandmanagementpackage,orpumpedfundsintoanunprofitableone.Plentyofthosearoundatpresent.Butitwasalongtimesincehisinventivedaysandhe'dwantedtobuildsomethinghecouldactuallysee,sohehad,againstalladvice.Notwithhisownhands,ofcourse,butwithhisbrainandacumenandpowersofpersuasionwithhisinvestors.He'dexpectedittobethegreatestthrillofhislife,butsomehowitwasfallingratherflat.Maybeheshouldtakeupparachuting—anadrenalin-highsport—asanantidotetoboredom.

Thephonebuzzedandheflickedaswitch.'Mr.Kendrick,'aharriedfemalevoicesaid.'I'mfromroomservice.Ijusttooksomeofyourfather'sfavouritecakeupformorningteaand—I'msorry,buthe'sgone.'

Northfeltthestingofanxiety.'Gone?Again?'Hesighed.'Allright.Thankyou.Leaveitwithme.'

Hewentthroughtheroutineagain.Checkedforanote,checkedwithfloorstaff,withMorgan.Someoneinthekitchensrememberedan'oldgeezer'passingthroughwithwalkingsticks.No-oneknewwhereHarryhadgonethistime.No-one,Norththoughtgrimly,knewwherehe'dbeenlasttime.He'darrivedbacktwodayslaterandsaidhe'dbeenlookingupafewfriendshehadn'tseensincetheolddays,andchanceswerethat'swherehe'dgoneagain.Northdidn'tknowwhotheywere.Afearthathadn'tfinishedgrowinggnawedathisinsides,butherefusedtogiveitaname.Instead,heappliedhimselftotheproblem.Harrymusthavetoldsomeonewherehe'dbeen.Hewasatalkeranditwasn'tnaturalforHarrytobesoclose-lipped.Sowhowouldheconfidein?HethoughtofconfidencesandinevitablythoughtofAmiwhohadheardsomanyofhisown.HeknewHarryhadphonedher.Yes.AmiWinterburnwouldknowsomething.Logically,heshouldwaitalittlelongerincaseHarryturnedup,buthe

convincedhimselfheshouldspeaktoAmiassoonaspossible.Itwasnearlytwoweekssincehe'dseenher,leapingalongthefootpathwithherdog.

Northfeltarushofexhilaration,asifhe'dbeenpumpedfullofastimulantorparachutedoutthehatch.Hefeltthechallengeasifshe'dlookedrightthroughhimwiththosefeyaquamarineeyes,tauntedhimwithoneofthoseextravaganthandmovements.Rightnow,shewasprobablyoutinherbackroomathershop,creatingascaronthebackofherhandorshowingsomeonehowtolookbald.

ButAmiwasn'tattheshop.AmiwasconductingherThursdayclass,Helensaiddubiously,butwhenheworkedonheralittle,shegavehimtheaddress.Withanew surgeofenergy,heorderedhiscartobebroughttothehotelentrance.

TheclasswasbeingheldinanofficebuildingatNorthSydney.Therewasadoublefoyer,theouteroneasmalljungleofpottedplants.Throughtheglassdoor,hesawAmiwalkintothisouterfoyer.Sheroundedthedoorwayandsteppedbackagainstthepartitionwhereshewasoutofsightofherstudents,whoseheadsNorthcouldjustaboutmakeout,bobbingbeyondascreen.Ami'sheadwentback,hereyesclosedandforafewsecondsherbodysaggedbeforeshetookadeepbreath,gatheredherselfup.Smiling,shemadelight-heartedcommentsasherstudentspassedintothefoyerontheirwayout.HerThursdayclassthatshehadadamantlyrefusedtocancel.HerememberedthatotherThursdayweeksago,andherreddenedeyesthatmighthavebeenatributetohermake-upskill,butthenagain,mightnot.

Thestudentscamethroughtheouterdoor,andNorthsawwhythiswasonemake-upclassshewouldn'tcancelevenunderthreatofruin.ThattheycameoutlaughingtoldhimmoreaboutAmiWinterburnthanhe'devergleanedfromhiscomputerenquiriesorevenfromhermother.

Thelasttimehe'dseenfaceslikethesehadbeeninahospital.Thereweresixstudents,fivewomen,oneman,casualtiesofaccidentanddisease.Northhadtocontroltheurgetodrophiseyesastheyglancedathim.Hestoodthereawhile,watchingthemwalkaway,thinkingofdifferentkindsofcourage.Thinkingofhisshallow assumptions aboutAmi's profession,aboutAmiherself.HisconsiderableachievementssuddenlyseemedtoshrinkcomparedtothissmallgroupofmaimedpeoplewhocouldleaveAmiWinterburn'sclasssmiling.Teachingotherstoappearwhattheyaren't,'he'dsaidinloftyignorance.Hecringedatthememory.

Hefoundherashe'dneverexpectedtofindtheflippant,happy-go-luckyAmiWinterburn.Hunchedoverherpartlypackedmake-upkit,weepingintoatissue.Sheturnedatthesoundofhisapproachandhereyeswidenedinsurprise.She

madenoattempttohidehertears.'Specialeffects,'shesaidwithasniff.'I'llbetyoucan'ttellthemfromgenuinetears.'

'Isawyourstudents,'hesaidsoftly,makingshortworkofthatlittlebitofbravado.Shesuppressedahiccupandlookedbalefullyathim.Whyhadheturnedupsuddenlyoutoftheblue?Northlookedathersteadily,thewayhehadthatnightwhenshe'dtakenoffherwrinklesandhe'dwantedtoknowwhatlaybeneath.Well,themanwholikedhiswomenbeautifulwasn'tseeinganyonehewouldfancythistime,shethought,withfiercesatisfaction.Hernosealwaysreddenedwhenshecried,herskinturnedblotchyandhereyelidsswelled.

HereIam,shethought,facinghimsquarely,areal,hurtingperson—notanattractivepieceoffemalemerchandise—seehow youlikethis,Mr.NorthKendrick.Heheld hergaze,fished in hispocketand found afoldedhandkerchief,whichheofferedtoher.

'Youcanhavemyshouldertocryonifyouprefer,'hesaid,whenshedidn'ttakethehandkerchief.

Amilookedatbothhisshoulders,outlinedintailoredfinewool.Shemighthaveadmiredthembuthadn'tconsideredthemasanchorsinastorm,hadn'tthoughtofNorthKendrickassomeoneshemightleanoninamomentofweakness.Herheartbeatfaster.Shepluckedthehandkerchieffromhimandhegaveasardonicsmileatherchoice.

Amidabbedhereyesandblew hernosenoisily.'Irunseveralcosmetictherapycourseseachyear.EverytimeIstartasix-weekcourse,Ithink,thistimeIcanhandleit,andmosttimesIcan.I'vemadeitthroughtothefifthweekthistimewithout—'Shewaggledherfingersathertearyface.'Theydon'twantsympathy,justpracticalsolutions.'Sheturnedawaytoslottubesandjarsintotheirallottedplacesinherfold-outmake-upcase.Sheswallowedhard,busiedherselfwithfasteningthecase.Butthistimethetearswouldn'tstopcoming.

'Youcan'tdriveinthatstate,'Northsaidandtookherarm."There'sadeliacrosstheroad.I'mbuyingyouacoffee.'

Thedelicatessenhadanalcovewithlowlightsandcanvaschairs.Theairwassteamilywarm,scentedbygroundcoffeebeans,freshbreadandthebunchesofdryingrosemaryandthymethathungovertheirmarble-toppedtable.Northorderedcoffeeandsandwiches.Hetookoffhisjacket,loosenedhistieandsatback,sayingnothingasAmiblewhernoseagain.

'Tellme,'hesaid.

Amiblinkedatthebaldinvitation.'Oneofmystudents.Miranda.Eighteen.Shewasinacaraccidentandherfacewasbadlyscarred.Herboyfriendsawherinhospitalwhenthebandagescameoffandnevercameback.Herfathercrieswhenheseesher.She'sabrightkidwithheapsofpersonalityandhumourandcouragebutpeoplearetreatingherasifshe'slosttheonlythingthatmatters...herlooks.Suddenlyshe'stheinvisiblewoman.Shekeepstalkingabouthowplasticsurgerymightmakeherprettyagain.'

'Andwillit?'

'Probably.Youcangetridoftheexternalscarssometimes.Butonceyou'vebeeninvisibleyoumustalwaysbeafraidyou'llfadeawayagain.'

Helookedthoughtfullyather,reachedacrossandlaidhishandoverhersinawarm,humantouchthatcouldnottranslateintoactualwords.Amistaredathim.Shedidn'twantsympathy,either.Amiwasn'tsurejustwhatshedidwant,butincredibleasitseemed,atthismoment,NorthKendrickcameclosetofillingthebill.Tellme.NospurioussentimentfromNorth,noclichédcomfort,orslickphrasetosumupthetragedyofaneighteen-year-oldgirl.Atleastherecognisedthedepthofhisignoranceonthesubjectandgaveittherespectofkeepingquiet,unlikemanypeople.Ormaybeitwasalackoffeelingthatkepthimquiet.Theonlytimehe'dshownstrongfeelingswaswhenhisownlifewastouched.Maybehedidn'tfeelforothers.ButAmilookeddownathishandoverhersandexperiencedasenseofcomradeshipthatshesurelycouldneverhavewithsomeonesodisabled.Intuitivelyshefelttheywereonthesamewavelength.Startled,shemethiseyes.Hewasserious,silentlyenquiring.Asthemomentwenton,though,hiseyessubtlywarmed,hisnostrilsflaredandhisheadraisedafraction,likeahuntersniffingthewind.Flushed,shepulledherhandfrombeneathhis.Thiswasthemanwholovedachallenge,sheremindedherself.TherewasmorethanonewaytoaconquestforaclevermanlikeNorth.

Sheputawaythedamphandkerchief.'How'sHarry?'sheasked.

Northtooksometimeputtingdownhiscoffeecup.

'Ithoughtyoumighttellme,'hesaidlevelly.'He'sgoneagain.'

Shedidn'tquitehidealaugh.Atseventy-one,HarryhadbecometheworrisomerunawayteenagerandNorthhisanxiouskeeper.

Hegloweredather.'Youthinkthisisfunny?'

'Ithinkyoutakeyourresponsibilitiesseriously.MaybeHarryistryingtotellyouthathe'snotreadytobeyourresponsibility.'

'He'snotmyresponsibility—he'smyfather.'

Amilookedmorecarefullyathim.'Whenhe'sready,I'msurehe'llturnupagain,likehedidlasttime,'shesaid.

Northtoyedwithateaspoon,diggingitintothesugartoloadit,holdingitupalittletoletthesugartrickleout.Hehadaworriedlookofconcentrationthatremindedherofthephotoofhimasachild,inthesandwithhisbucketandspade.

'He'sbeentryingtotraceoldpalsofhis,writingtorelativeshehasn'tbeenintouchwithfordecades.'Heshovelledsugarwithdedication.'Almostasifhe's—tyinguplooseends.'

Amanofseventy-one,tyinguplooseends?Amifeltapangofanxiety,closelyfollowedbydenial.NotHarry—shecouldn'tloseHarry,notwhenshe'donlyjustmethim.'He'sjustbeeninhospital,probablyhadtimetothinkaboutallthethingshe'sbeentoobusytodoanddecidedtocatchuponoldfriendsandfamily.Acrisiscanmakeyouvaluethosethings.'

'Yes,you'reprobablyright,'hesaid,visiblyrelaxing.

'Hesaidyouweretryingtotalkhimintosellinghishouse,'shesaid,strivingtokeepanyhintofcriticismfromhervoice.

Hegavearuefullaugh.'TalkingHarryintoanythingismoredifficultthanIimagined.Ihaven'tseenalotofhimoverthepasttenyears.I'dforgottenhowdeterminedhecanbe.Hesetshismindonsomethinganddoesn'tletgountilhehashisway.'

'Likefather,likeson?'shesaiddryly.

Hiseyesglittered.'IusuallygetwhatIwant.'

'Evenifyouhavetodeprivesomeoneelse,'shemocked,thinkingofthebusinessopponentswhohadcausetoregrethisdetermination.

Hissmileuncurled,slowandlanguidassmoke.'Idon'tthinksomeoneelsewouldnecessarilyfeeldeprived,'hesaid,obviouslynotthinkingofhisbusinessopponents.

Amiliftedhercupalittletooquicklyandfrothslippeddowntheside.'Howwouldyoueverknow?Doyouaskthepeopleyou'vetakenoveriftheyfeeldeprived?Doyouaskyourconquestsiftheymindbeingconquered?'

Hisirritatingcomplacencygrew.'I'vehadnocomplaints.'

'Maybetheyfakeit.'

Andthereminderofherownsuccessfulfakingtookthecomplacenttiltoffhishandsomemouth.Amiregardedhimoverhercoffeecup,pleasedthatshestill

hadanedge.Shefeltasudden,urgentneedforitbecauseshewastreadingdangerouspaths,imagininghimasaloverandherselfashis.Stupid,whensheknew hispursuitwasmoretodowithpaybackthanloveordesire.Maybenothingshortofpossessingherwouldrestorehim,thatage-oldsymboloftriumphandmalesuperiority.Shesethercupdownhard.Coffeesloppedontothetable.

'ItmustbedifficultforHarry,beingimmobilized,'shesaidtocorrectthisdangerousdetour.'Igettheimpressionhe'salwaysbeenveryactive.'

Northacknowledgedtheretreatwithaquizzicalsmile.

'Activeisanunderstatement.Heusedtotakethebackstepsthreeatatime,hehadsomuchenergy.Irememberhim climbinguptolopthepoincianatree,heftinganaxe—heusedthataxetocutdownaChristmastreeeveryyear,too—'Northpickedupateaspoon,turneditoverandover,lookingintothedistortedreflectionsasifitwasshowinghimpicturesofthepast.

'Youhadthemgrowing—Christmastrees?'

'WeusedtodriveouttowardstheBlueMountainstoafarmeveryChristmasEve.ThebestpartofChristmas—walkingaroundthepaddockofpines,decidingwhichtree.'

'AndHarrycutitdown?'

'Acoupleofstrikeswiththeaxeand—'NorthusedthesideofhishandtorecreateHarry'sdecisivestrikesandthetopplingofthetree,withthemaleappreciationfortechnique.'Harrywasverygoodatthingslikethat.Anaturalathlete.Herodeinbikehillscramblesandthat'sasroughasitcomes.'

'Youdorememberhisracingdays,then?'

Hegaveasnort.'Doesakidforgetathinglikethat?Iusedtogoandwatchhimrace,workonthebikeswithhim,whenhe'dletme,untilwejustseemedto...forcompetitionsheworelong,blackbikebootswithstrapsandsilverbuckles.'Afarawaysmiletransfiguredhisface.'God,howIwantedthoseboots—youknowthewayakidcovetsadultthings.Theywerehuge,butHarryusedtotellmeonedayImightbebigenoughtofitintothem.'Hegaveanoddself-deprecatorysmile.'WhenIsawhiminhospital,theninthewheelchair,Icouldn'tbelieveit.He'dchanged—Idon'tknow,grownsmallerorsomething,andIhadn'tnoticed.Theonlythingthathasn'tchangedisthathe'sjustashardtogetalongwith,'hesaid,hismouthset.Amistudiedhim,thinkingofhisirritationsohardontheheelsofbarelydisguisedhero-worship.

'AreyouannoyedwithHarryforgettingold?'sheasked.

Northlookedatherindislike.'No,IamnotannoyedwithHarryforgettingold,'hemimicked.Hetossedtheteaspoonontothetableandstudiedherforafewunnervingseconds.'Yourmothertoldmeyourfatherisadoctor.'

'Asurgeon.Didn'tyourcreditcardinvestigationtellyouthat?'shemocked.

'Shealsotoldmeaboutheragencyandherwriterclient.Yourmothersaidyouoftentakeonunusualjobs.'

'Mymotherseemstohavesaidagreatdeal.'

Themerestflickerofhiseyelidsgavehimaway.Amigrinned.'She'shardtostoponceshegetsstarted,isn'tshe?Servesyouright.Didshepersuadeyoutopartwithanymphfortheraffle?'

'I'veagreedtoapainting.We're...negotiatingonthenymph,'hesaidstraight-faced.'Shallwego?'

Negotiating.Amididn'tliketheongoingsoundofit.

Outsideonthepavement,heturnedtoherandsaid,'IfHarrycontactsyouIwouldappreciateacall.I'd—justliketoknowthathe'sokay.'

Iwouldappreciate.NotIwant.Northmustbemoreworriedthanshethought.'Istheresomethingyou'renottellingmeaboutHarry'sdeparturethistime?'

Hestudiedthepassingtrafficforamoment.'Hedidn'ttakeanyclothesandhelefthiswheelchairbehind,'hesaid,hisbrowcreasing.Northshuffledhisfeetandbentanintensegazeonaboutiquewindow display.'Iwouldn'tbesoconcernedaboutthatexceptthathehadhissolicitorcallaroundtheotherday.Tofinaliseafewthings,hesaid.'Northhesitatedthenwenton.'Itsoundsstupid,Iknow,butsometimesI'm afraidhemight—'Northtookadeepbreathandsidesteppedtheobviousphraseasiftonameitwouldbetomakeitmorepossible.'Heseemsrather...depressed,'hesaidlamely.'Ithoughthemightbehidingsomeconditionfromme,somethingincurable,butItalkedtohisdoctorandshesaidthereisnothinglikethat.'

'Harrywouldn'tdoanythingsilly,'shesaidbutsherememberedsomethingHarryhadsaid.There'llbenomorebirthdaysafterthisone.And,It'stoolateforthat,now.SomethingmusthaveshowninherfaceforNorthtookherarmandsaid,'What'sthematter?'

'It'snothing.Wheredidyouseehimlast?Whatwashedoing?'

'Ontheterrace,lookingthroughthosebinoculars.'

SomethingstirredinAmi'smemory.Harryandthebinocularsandsomethinghe'dsaid.'Heshowedmeahotelhe'dworkedonasayoungman,'sheofferedslowly.'Saiditstilloperatedasahotelandhewouldliketoseeitagain.Iwonder...'

TheydrovetotheAvaloninNorth'smagnoliaJaguar.AmistoodonNorth'sterraceandsearchedwithbinocularsfortheoldhotelbuildingHarryhadshownher.Ittookhernearlytenminutestolocateit.'There,'shesaid.'Icanjustmakeoutthename—theCentury.'

***

HarrywasseatedatthebaroftheCenturyHotel,walkingsticksleaningagainsthisstool.Hehadaschoonerofbeerinonehand,aforbiddencigaretteintheother,andlookedfarfromsuicidal.HebrokeofffromaconversationwiththebarmanwhenhesawNorthandAmiandmadeaninvoluntaryefforttohidethecigarettebeforehedefiantlychangedhismindandflauntedit.'Whatareyoutwodoinghere?'

'Harry—areyouokay?Whydidn'tyoutellmewhereyouweregoing?Youleftyourwheelchair,you'llendupinhospitalagain,'Northsaidinatight,scoldingtonethatfailedtoconveytheconcernAmihadsoclearlyseen.

Irritationflittedovertheoldman'sface.'Idon'thavetotellyouwhatI'mdoingeveryminute,'hesaidmulishly.'IjustcamedownhereforadrinkandtolookattheworkIdidonthatcedarpanelling,see?I'llbebackfordinner,allright?You'reasightforsoreeyes,Amelia,'headded,hisfadedblueeyessharplyspeculativeaboutherarrivalwithNorth.Thefollowingcommunicationbetweenthetwomenwasterse.AllNorth'sstiffpersuasionfailedtomovetheoldman,whosaidhewouldcallacabandcomehomewhenhewasgoodandready.

Northwassilentashedroveherbacktopickuphercar.Amiglancedseveraltimesathisprofile,whichreliefhadrenderednolesssevere.'ThosebootsHarryusedtowearforbikeracing,'shesaidlightly,forsomethingtosay.'Didtheyliveuptoyourexpectationswhenyoueventuallygrewintothan?'

NorthconcentratedonswingingtheJaguarinnexttohercar.'Inevergottotrythem.HarrygavethemawaywhenIwassixteen,'hesaid,glancingather.

'Oh.'

Northopenedthedoorforher,walkedtohercarwithher.

'Thankyouforyourhelp,'hesaid.'Iwouldn'thavebelievedAmiWinterburncouldcontributetomypeaceofmind,buttoday,youhave.'

'Ah,well,youdon'tknowmeverywell,'shesaidlightly.

'No.ThatmighttakemoretimethanIthought.'Heeyedherwithacertaincalculationthatmadeherthinkoftakeoversandfinancialcoups.

'Moretimethanyou'repreparedtospend,'shetoldhim.'Iamverycomplex.'

'I'maquickstudy.Iwasaboygenius,remember?'

Smugdevil.Sheresentedthewayhemadeherfeelfrailandhunted.Lethimhunt.Shewasn'tgoingtofallforhisstrategies.Gettingtoknowherwasn'thisaim,exceptinthebiblicalsense.'Youcanforgetit,North,'shesnapped.'Youaren'tgoingtorumplemysheets!'

Heburstoutlaughingandforthefirsttimeitwasaudible,apleasant,tenorsoundthatwaswarmanduncomplicated.Howveryamusinghefoundher,shethoughtwrathfully.

'Imeanit,North,'shesaid.'Itwasthepurestaccidentthatwemet.Youaredefinitelynotmytype.'

Hisexpansivegoodhumourdisappearedinahurry,shewasdelightedtosee.Mr.NorthKendrick,handsome,rich,eligible,wasusedtojudgingwomenbutnot,perhaps,usedtobeingjudgedunsuitablehimself.'Iwonderhowyoukissmenwhoareyourtype,'hesaidsardonically.'Thepoordevilsmustmeltdownintheheat.'Whenshedidn'trespond,hesaid,'Well—ifI'mnotyourtype,Ihavetoacceptit.Idon'tmakeahabitofpursuingwomenwhodon'twanttobepursued.'

Amiregardedhimwithsuspicion.'Verycivilizedofyou.'

'Butwhydon'tweagreetoatrucerelationship,forHarry'ssake?'Heheldahandouttoherandshelookedatit,herbackagainsthercarandanoddfeelingthatshemightaswellhavebeenagainstabrickwall.'He'sfondofyou.Itwouldbesillyifyoufeltyoucouldn'tvisithimbecauseofany,er,tensionbetweenus.'

'I'm surprisedyou'dencouragemyfriendshipwithHarry,consideringthewayImethim.Doesn'tithaveunpleasantassociationsforyou?'

'Andsomeextremelypleasant,'hesaidwithanostalgicair.

'Thisdoesn'tsoundlikeatrucerelationshiptome.'

'WillithelpifIdon'tmentionthepleasureyou'vebroughtme?'heenquired.'WhatelseshouldInotmention?Youreyes—yourmouth...'Heleanedanarmonhercarsothathisfacewastiltedquiteclosetohers.'Betternotmentionyourhair,yourlegs,thosearmmovements...'

'IfyouthinkI'mflatteredbythis,I'mnot,'shesaid,fightingthecandlelightmoodhewasgeneratinginaparkinglotinbrilliantsunshine.'I'magreatdealmorethansuperficialthingslikelegsand—andgreeneyes.I'm alotofother

things,too,anentireperson,notjustacollectionofcurvybitslikeyoursculptures.Sodon'timagineyou'regoingtoaddmetoyourcollection.'

'That'snotwhatIimagine,'hetoldher,hisgreyeyeswarm.ItwouldbesoeasytohaveaphysicalaffairwithNorthKendrick.Shewouldhateherselfforitafterwards.Butoh,shewouldloveitforalittlewhile.

Colouring,shesaidtartly,'Whatdidyoumean—armmovements?'

Hestraightened,threwhisarmswideinmimicryofherhabitualgesture.Histeethshowedinasmilethattookherbreathaway.'Igetthismadurgetorunintothem.'

Hehadalwaysstaredatherwhenshedidthat,sheremembered,rightfromthestart.NorthKendrick,runningintoherarms.Itshouldbeludicrousbutitwasn't,itwasappealing.Herheartbeatheavily,faster.Amadurge.Shehadn'tthoughtofhimasamanwhohadmadurges...Shecaughtherselfintime.

Hewasvery,verygood.Herfaceflamedassheturnedawaytosetthekeyinthelock.Northhadsimplychangedtactics.Shewasbeingshownanexampleofthelong-term planningforwhichhewasfamous.Ifhehadanymadurgeassociatedwithher,itwasaverybasicone.

Sowhen heheld outhishand again,shetookitforHarry'ssake,understandingthatNorth'sideaofatrucewassimplyanothermoveinthegame.Andaslongassheknewthat,shewasinnodanger,wasshe?Hishandclosedstronglyaroundhersandhelookedintohereyeswithsomeindefinableexpressionthatmadeherassuranceseemfoolhardy.

'Cometodinnertomorrow.WithHarry,ofcourse,'hesaid.

'Sorry,Ican't.Ihaveanappointmentwiththedressmaker.Mybridesmaid'sdress.It'surgentbecausethewedding'sonlyacoupleofweeksaway,andit'soutwestsoIhavetobereadytoleavedaysbefore,'shesaid,babblingoutunnecessaryexcuses.'Someothertime?'

ShedroveawaythinkingthatalmosteveryfemalesheknewwouldthinkshewascrazytoturndownKendrick.Onepartofhersaid,well—whynotletittakeitscourse?HoweverbaseNorth'smotivation,hewouldbeagreatlover.Hetreatedhiscollector'sitemsverywell,whilehetreasuredthem.Shescreechedtoahaltattrafficlights,wishingshecouldrelegatehimtotheranksofthepurelysuperficial.ButshethoughtinsteadofNorth,thecool,level-headedmanofbusiness,worriedaboutlosinghisfather.Andshethoughtofthefatherwho'dbeensuchaforgetfulherothathe'dgivenawaytosomeoneelsesomethinghe'dpromisedhisson.

Shewasmoved,asshealwayswasbyNorth'svulnerableside.'Oh,growup!'shesaidoutloud.Themanhadhadtoomuchpowertoosoonandwasunbearable.Hewasacollector,rememberthat.Andanyway,hewasprobablyalousylover.

CHAPTERSEVEN

AMIslidunderhercar.IthadbeenquitecoolthatmorningwhensheandHarryhadsetoutaftertheirovernightstop,quitetolerablywarmbythetimeshehaddroppedhimoffatSwagman'sCreek,towhichtinycountrytownhehadtracedyetanotherofhisoldcronies.Butwhenshe'dtravelledonalone,thedayhadheatedupasmiddayapproachedandpassed.Amihaddevelopedaparched,painfulthroatandanaggingheadachefromthedustandhotair.Atleast,shethought,itwasmarginallycoolerunderthecar.

Sheunrolledthecanvastoolkit,moretocounterthedismalfeelingofhelplessnessthananything.Somehowshefelttheexactnatureofthedamagewasmorelikelytorevealitselftosomeonewithaspannerorahammerintheirhand.

'Ugh,'shemuttered,wigglingaroundaspillofsomeoilyblacksubstance.Shehadonlypulledoverforafewminutestodrinksomewaterandtakeanaspirin,andwhenshehadheadedbacktotheroadthewheelshaddippedintoarutandthecarhadhitsomething.Invain,shetriedtoseesignsofdamagebutrealizedshewouldneedthetorch.

Assheslidoutagain,sheheardthescrapeofleatheronstones.Intheaperturebetweenthegroundandtheundersideofthecar,shesawclumpsofgrasscrushedbeneathtwoshoes.Help,atlast.Hastily,shewriggledout,almostblindedinthesunlightafterminutesincomparativedarkness.Theshoeswereattachedtowidelyplantedlegscladindenim.Abuckleglintedbetweentwolargehandsclaspedaroundtheleatherofabelt.

Glarehazedtheman'sfacebutsherecognizedthosehands.Shelayflatonthestonyground,hearthammering,wonderingifthiswasoneofthosefamousoutbackmirages.BecauseNorthcouldn'tbehere.HewasonabusinesstripinMalaysia,accordingtoHarry.Expectedtobeawayfivedays.

'Veryappetizing,'hesaid,lookingoverherbarelegs,thecrumpledshorts,thethincottonshirt,soakedwithperspirationandclingingtoherbreasts.'Butaskingfortroubleonalonelyroad.'

Shescrabbledtoleapupandherheaddidn'tquiteclearthecarunderside.Ahollowclangechoedinsideherheadasshehitherself,butsheyankedtheblackdenimcapdownonherheadandshookoffNorth'shelpinghandtostaggerupfighting,aspannerinherhand.

'Askingfortrouble?Appetizing?'sherasped.'I'vebeenstrandedhereforoveranhour,waitingforhelp!Myhandsareamess—'Shethrustouthergreasyhandsthatwerecutandgrazed.'HalfamillionflieshavediscoveredI'mtheonlymovingthingformilesaroundandIhaven'tgotanythinglefttodrink!'Shethrewthespannerdowninafinetemperandputherhandsonherhips.'AndallyoucandoisleerandtellmeI'maskingfortroublebybeingprovocativeenoughtowearshortsinone-hundreddegreeheat!Trouble?'sheyelledinhisface.'I'vealreadygottrouble,soyoucantakeyourleerandyourdamnedmalesuperiorityandshoveoff!'

Hervoicescreamedonthestill,hotair.Amiheardthenoteofhysteriainitandhopedshewasn'tgoingtocry.Northslowlyremovedhissunglassesandblinkedather,aslightfrowncuttingabovehishandsomenose.Andevenasshenoticedthebeguilinglookofconcerninhisgreyeyes,halfhisfacedisappeared.Inpanic,shereachedouttohim,graspinghissolidshoulder.'Ican'tseeyouproperly.North,what'shappening?Ican'tseeyou!'

Hemadesomeexclamation,tookherbythearm.'Sitdown.'

'North?'shesaid,onarisingnote.Shescreweduphereyes,rubbedatthemandoneofherhandscameawaystickyandwarmwithblood.HerkneeswentweakandshesatdownunderthepressureofNorth'shandsonhershoulders.Sheheardhim walkaway,openacardoor,andshecalledinsuddenpanic,swivellingherheadforapartialviewofhim.'Whereareyougoing?Don'tleaveme.Oh,yourotten,chauvinisticswine.Isupposeyou'lltakemeatmywordnowandshoveoffjustwhenIneedyou!'Shestoodandwipedineffectuallyathercloudedeye,thrustherarmsoutwideinentreatyandyelled,'North!'

Adarkshapeloomedupandhesaid,'I'm here,'andsteppedinsideheroutstretchedarmstopullherclose.Herarmswentaroundhimandsheheldontohim andsnuffledintohisshoulder.Aftertheprivationsoftheday,thefrustrationsandthepain,itwasheaventoletherselfgoandcry.Hometoheaven,shethoughtirrelevantly,slidingherarmsaroundhisback,turninghercheekagainsthisnecksothatherlipsbrushedhiswarmskinandshesmelledthefreshtangofhim.

Self-consciouslyshewithdrewherarmsfromaroundhimandfoundherselfguidedontotheground,nudgedagainstatree.Heremovedhercap,usedaclothtowipehereyeandwhensheblinkedagain,hersightwasblurrybutalmostbacktonormal.Heshowedheravacuumflaskandpouredorangejuiceintothelid.Thejangleoficecubeswasasoundsosweetthatshefeltanoverwhelmingaffectionforthemanwhoprovidedit.

'NorthKendrick,ItakebackallthedisagreeablethoughtsI'veeverhadaboutyou,'shesaidfervently,swampingdownhalfthejuicewithsuchenthusiasmthatitdribbleddownherchin.

'Allofthem—justfororangejuice?'hemurmured.'WhatwouldIgetforFrenchchampagne?'

"Therespeaksthemanofbusiness—lookingforareturnoneverything.Profitfrom moneyinvested,favoursinexchangeforgifts.AnyadvanceonFrenchchampagne?'

'Theworlddoestendtoworkthatway,doesn'tit?Butpleaseconsidertheorangejuiceagift.Nostrings,'hesaiddrylyand,kneelingbesideher,openedafirst-aidkit.Heleanedovertopartherhair,walkedhisfingertipsthroughituntilhefoundthesourceofthebleeding.Heremovedahairpinandtookherfaceinbothhands,tippingherheadsothathecouldsee.Amiclosedhereyes,listenedtothebuzzoffliesandthewarbleofmagpiesandthedeepsilenceofthecountryside.Shefelttheheatofthesun,dappledonherskin,andthepleasurable,drywarmthofNorth'slargehandsacrosshertemplesandears.Nice,shethoughthazily,wonderingifshemightbeconcussed.

"Thatblowpressedthehairpinintoyourscalpandcuttheskin.Thebloodsoakedintoyourcapthentrickleddownintoyoureye,blindingyouforthemoment,'hesaid,shakingsomeantisepticontocottonwool.ThestingofthecuthaddulledtoathrobandAmifoundthetinytugsonherscalp,thetenderprogressofhisfingersthroughherhairunexpectedlysoothing.

Heshiftedsothathesatcross-leggedbesideher,liftingherlegoverhiskneessothathecouldcleanthegreasefromalongscratchonherthigh.Amijumpedattheintimatetouch.Orangejuicesloppedoverhershorts.

'Icandothatmyself,'shesaid.

'Sitstill.'Hewipedthescratchcleanandpressedanadhesivestripoverit.Everytinyprodofhisfingersproducedaflow-oneffect,likepebblestossedintoapoolthatmaderipplesandstillmoreripples.Hecurvedhishandstoherthighandliftedherlegfromhisknees,thensat,lookingherover.

'Better?'heasked.

Betterandworse.Shenodded.Northgotupandbenttohaulherontoherfeet,andthesuddenchangemadeherdizzyenoughtograbhimforsupport.'Sorry.Isawstars,'shemutteredintothejunctionofhisneckandshoulder,whichwashunchedintoaprotectivecurveforherbenefit.Shewishedshedidn'thavethisabsurdwishtotouchhim there,wishedshehadn'tclutchedathismusculararmssoneedily.

Northheldherwithonearm,lettinghergetherbalance,notsuspecting,shehoped,thatitwasachievingtheopposite.'Areyouokay?'hesaid,soclosetoherearthatshefelttheebbandflowofhisbreath.Hetiltedhisheaddownwardandhismouthbrushedacrosshertemple,hercheek,touchedthecornerofhermouth.Abreezerippledthetreeaboveandgoldenflecksofsunlightshimmeredonhisfaceashelookeddownather,hiseyesgleamingsilver,hismouthpartedandsensual.Shemeanttosaysomethingprosaiclike,'I'mokay,'or,'Canyousendabreakdowntruck,'butsheleftittoolateandNorth'smouthcamedownonhers.Hekissedherlightlyandwithdrew,rimmedherlipswiththetipofhistongue,leavingthemmoistandtemporarilycoolinginthewarmbreeze,whilehepressedhismouthtimeandagaintoherneck,herear.Andhishandswereinherhair,lightlyonhershoulders,slidingbeneaththeshirtcollar.Heinchedhershirtasideandbenttokissherexposedshoulder,strokedhismouthalonghercollarboneand,assheswayedbackagainstthetree,unfastenedhershirtbuttonsandloweredhismouthtotheuppercurvesofherbreasts.Ami'sheaddroppedbackagainsttheroughbarkofthetree.Brightspecksofsundazzledherandgiddilysheclosedhereyes,murmuringherpleasureatNorth'stouch.Shestrokedthecontoursofhisshouldersandarms,recreatingtheimageofhimbehindherclosedeyelidsfromtouchandsmellandthemessagesjammingthelinesofhernervoussystem.Herfingerstrailedalongthatintriguinglineofhisshoulderandneckandshesmileddreamilyasheshudderedinresponse.Theshorthaironthebackofhisneckbristledbeneathherexploringfingersandstillshekepthereyesclosed,lostinaworldoftextureandsensation,scarcelyabletotellwhetheritwasNorth,orthebreeze,orthesunthattouchedherskinwithexquisitetenderness.

Buthishandscircledherhips,tippedhertowardshim inanearthylittlemovementthatpenetratedherdreamyself-indulgence.Hewantedher,ofcoursehedid.Herhandsflexedonhisfabulousarms,shegaveanaudiblegaspandhereyesflewopentoseethegleamoftriumphinhis.Adeliciouspanicassailedher,asenseofhavingcometoapointofnoreturn.Excitementwelledupinherandadesirethatrockedhertothesolesofherfeet.

North'undippedthefrontofherbra,brushedasidethelaceandcradledherbreastsinhisbighands,bendingtodrawanippleintohismouth.Ami'sbrokensighofpleasurehungonthehot,stillair,wasdrawnagainfromherasNorthrepeatedthemagic.Acurioushummingsoundwasinherhead,growingeverloudertowardscrescendo.Inmountingpassion,shespreadherhandsonNorth'sbackside,tracedthehollowedsidesandthehardmuscularityofhisflanks.AgrowlcamefromhimandAmiexultedinthesound,intheclenchofhisbodyagainsthers.And thehumming sound suddenly wasa roarwith anaccompanyingrushofairbornedust.A carhornhonkedandmen'svoicesshouted.

Amipushedherselfawayfromthetree,clutchingatherunfastenedbraandshirt.Hornstillhonking,atruckcrawledawaydowntheroadwithamanleaningfromthepassengerwindowandanother,inthebackofthetruck,wavinghishatandgrinning.Northputhishandsonhishipsandgavearuefulsmile.'Notrafficforthepasthourandtheyhadtoturnupnow.Theirtimingisasimmaculateasyourmother's.'

Theirtiming,Amithought,turningawaytofastenherclothes,wasabouttenminutestoolate.Tenminutes?

Wasthathowlongthey'dbeenhere,makingloveunderanironbarktreeonthesideoftheroad?Herfaceturnedscarlet.Tenminutes,fifteen.Thirty.Shehadhadnoawarenessoftimepassing.Shehadbeeninadreamworld,allsenseanddelicacysuspended.

Northcameclosebehindher,slidanarmaroundherwaist.

'Okay?'hesaidsoftly,droppingalightkissonherneck.Amipulledawaywithsuchfervourthatdizzinessovertookher.Sheputahandtoherhead,whichwasachingbadly.Now shewassharplyremindedofthestingofcutsandbruises.Herknucklesached.Herkneesandelbows.Everything.

North'seyesnarrowed.'Suddenlyyouobjecttometouchingyou?Ithoughtwe'dpassedthatpoint.'

Sheclampedahandtoherhead.Concussion.Itwastheonlyreasonshecouldhavebeensodaft.'Wehaven'tpassedanypoint.'

'Weweremakinglove,Ami,'hesaid.'Inbroaddaylight,inpublicandneitherofusgaveadamn.Ifthetruckhadn'tcome,we'dstillbemakinglove.'Hisnos-trilsflared.'Iwishwewere.Iwantyou.Andyouwantme.'

Shetookastepbackbuthedidn'tmove,juststoodtherestaringatherwiththatneedtopossesswrittenonhisface,thedesireofthecollectorforanother

acquisition.Anditwasn'tjustthat,shethought,appalledtorealizehowcloseshe'dcometobeingcollected.

'I'mhalfconcussed,'shesnapped.'Andyoutookfulladvantageofit,didn'tyou?Nothingfornothing,that'syourmotto,North.'

'Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?'

'You'reanopportunist,alwayslookingforaweakness,alwaysworkingastrategytogetwhatyouwant.'Shepickedupthespanner,thecanvastoolkit,andherheadswam,butshestrodetohercar,openingtheboot.Thetoolsclankedwhenshetossedtheminside.Northcameupalongsideher.

'Opportunist?'hesaidbetweengrittedteeth.'Explain.'

'WhenIturnedupasAmelia,yousoonusedhertoturnapotentialdisasterintoaPRtriumph.ThenyoudecidedtouseherasanelderlysoundingboardforyourproblemswithHarry.Oh,yes.YouwerequicktofindauseforAmeliatocompensateforanytroubleshecostyou.AndwhenIturnedupagainasmyself—youhadauseforme,too,didn'tyou?Youneverwasteanything.Ishouldhaveknownwhenyouwereplayingdoctors,tendingmywounds,thattherewouldbeapriceforallthatlullingtenderness.Youinvestedprecioustimeanointingmyscratches,sowhynotexpectalittlereturnonyourinvestment?Afterall,that'sthewaytheworldworks,isn'tthatwhatyousaid?'

North'sfacewasacoldmask,flushedonthecheekbones,whiteatthecornersofhismouth.Hereachedpastherandslammedthebootclosed.

'I'mlookingforHarry,'hesaidbetweenhisteeth.

'You'realwayslookingforHarry,'shesaid,hearingthewordsthickenonhertongue.'Whydidyoucomeallthisway?'

'Iflewbackearly.IhaveafewdaysunexpectedlyspareandIwanttospendthemwithmyfather,'hesnapped.'Atleastthistimeheleftmeanotetosayhewasheadedinthisdirectionwithyou.Isupposethat'sprogress.Whereishe?'

'Hewantedtolookupanoldmateofhiswhohadmovedoutwest.Youwereoverseasonbusiness,andIwaspassingthroughthetownonmywaytoEmma'swedding,soIofferedtodrophimoff.He'swithKenDrummondinSwagman'sCreeknow.Youpassedtheturn-offawayback.'Shewavedherhandinthegeneraldirection.'IlefthimandSpritztherethismorningandI'llpickthanuponmywaybackfrom Catastropheinthreedays.That'swheremyfriendisgettingmarried.

I'msupposedtobetheretonight,'shesaid,withadisconsolatelookatherstrandedcar.

Hewalkedtohisownvehicle.'IfyouwantaliftbacktoSwagman'sCreek,getin.'

'I'llwaitwithmycar,thanks,'shesaidstiffly,then,crushingherpride,said,'couldIaskyoutosendatowtruckout,please?'

Hesmilednastily.'Aren'tyouafraidofwhatitmightcostyou?'

ShewatchedthefrostedmagnoliaJaguargo,itsimagedissolvingintheheatwavesonthecrestoftheroad.Ashorttimelateranotherimageappeared,comingtowardsher.Itwasthetruckthathadpassedearlier.Themen'sgrinsweredetectablefromadistanceandshewaspainfullyawareofhowshemusthavelookedlasttimetheysawher.Halfundressed,writhinginaman'sarms.Andnowthatmanwasgoneandshewasstillhere.Sheopenedhercardoor,undecidedastowhetherthiswasrescueortrouble,whenahornblastedinthedistanceandtheJaguarappeared.Northhadcomeback.

Thetruckhadslowed,butwhenthemensawtheJag,theyspeededupandpassedher,shoutingsomethingvulgaraboutwhattreatsshehadmissed.Iftheyhadbeenofferingrescue,theyhadbeenofferingtroublefirst.North'scarscreechedalongsideher,raisingacloudofdust.ThepassengerdoorsprangopenandAmigotin.Sheheldahandtoherhead.Itfeltfuzzyandachedabominably.ThebigcarturnedaroundandracedtowardsSwagman'sCreek.Itwasair-conditionedanddeliciouslycool.NodirtandsweatforNorth.Theseatsweresoftestleather,cushioningherhurts.Hometoheaven,shethoughtyetagain.Afterawhile,sheglancedatNorth'sgraniteprofileandsaid,"Thankyou.'

'Theywereparkedontheroadsidefartherup,eating,andwhentheysawmepassbyalone,theyturnedback,'hesaidgrimly."TherearetimeswhenI'mashamedtobemale.'

'MaybetheythoughtIwasjustanicegirlsellingmagazinesubscriptions,'shesaid,unabletoresistthebarb.

North'smouthcontractedtothecountoften.'Whenwegettothetown,youcanshowmethewaytothisplacewhereHarryisstaying,thenI'lldropyouatthelocalgarage.'

Amiswallowedhard.Herthroatwasraw,herheadpoundedandshethoughtmiserablyofhavingtomakearrangementsforatow truck,havingtowaitaroundintheheatwhilerepairsweredone,whenwhatshereallywouldlikewastoliedownsomewherecoolonasoftmattress.'Fine.Thanks,'shesaidhoarselyandfeltNorthglanceather.Hereyesclosedandshedriftedoffintoacuriousspacedottedwithbright,sparklythings.Afterawhile,sheheardherownvoice,counting.'...Fifty-one,fifty-two...'

'Fifty-twowhat?'Northsaid.

'Stars,'shesaid,openinghereyes.'Ihavetocountthestars.Oh!'shesaidinannoyance.'Ishouldn'thaveopenedmyeyes.I'velostcount—havetostartagain.'Shelayback,closedhereyes.'One,two...'

Thecarcametoahalt.Shefeltahandonherforehead,adelightfullycoolhand.Amitookholdofitwithbothherownandheldittoherhotcheek,rubbingagainstit.

'You'reburningup,'Northsaidinacuriousvoice.'I'llgetsomeaspirinfromthefirst-aidkit.'

'Burningup,'Amirepeated.'Neverplaywithfire,'shesaidsolemnly.Sheswallowedtheaspirinshegaveher,washedthem downwithamouthfuloforangejuiceandclosedhereyes.'Eight,nine,ten—oh!'Shegaveagroan.

'Whatisit,Ami?'

'I'velostmyplaceagain.'

***

TheaspirinsbroughtherfeverdownandshewaslucidwhenNorthusheredherintoahotelroominthetinycountrytownwhereHarrywasstayingwithhisfriend.

"Thedoctorwillbeheresoon,'hetoldher,pushingherdownontothebed.Amicaughtsightofherselfinthetilteddressing-tablemirror.Herhairwasmatted,fleckedwithbitsofleafandtwig,strandsstucktogetherwhereNorthhadtriedtowashofftheblood.Tearstainsmadeacleantrackthroughgreaseanddirtonhercheeks.Amibitherlip,madeafewhalf-heartedstabsattidyingherhairandgaveup,exhausted.Tearswelledinhereyes.

'Liedown,'Northsaid.Hepushedherdown,liftedherlegsontothebedandleanedoverher.'Thefever'srisingagain.'

Therewererust-colouredpatchesandgreaseontheshoulderofhislovely,finecottonshirt,Amisaw.Shemusthavetransferredbloodanddirttohimwhenheheldher.Staringupathim,shethoughtvaguelythatitwasfunnyforNorthtokisssuchascarecrow.Helikedhiswomenbeautiful.'Ilookterrible.Nothinglikeanicepieceofsculpture,notevenachippedone,'shesaidpugnaciously,incasehethoughtshedidn'tknowhowawfulshelooked.

'Aworkofartyouarenot,'hesaiddryly.

Amismiled.'Good,'shesaid.

Sowhyonearthdidthatpleasehersomuch?Northshowedthedoctorinandwaitedoutside.Mostbeautifulwomenwouldberiledatsuchacomment,andeventhoughshewassick,hehadmeanttorileher.AmiWinterburn.Amostcontrarywoman.Andeveninamess,stillappealing.Inthebeginning,hehadwantedherforthatface,thecreamyperfectionofherskin,thefull,fabulousmouth,thestunningaquamarineeyes.Thatstreakyhairthatalmostcrackledwithenergy.Andhe'dwantedherforherdancer'sbody—tallandslim andathletic.Longlegsandthosebreasts.Heclosedhiseyesbrieflyanddidhomagetoherbreasts.Abeautifulwoman,AmiWinterburn.Adesirablewoman.Hewantedher.But.

Butitwasn'tgoingtobeenough,hethoughtsuddenly,inastonishment.Topleasureherandtakepleasurefromher.Itwouldbeextraordinary,exhilarating.HispulsesquickenedatthementalpictureofAmiinhisarms,inhisbed.Whereasoncethepicturehadbeenagoal,anendinitself,nowhefeltacuriousincompletenessaboutit.Notenough?Whynot?Nowthatheknewshewantedhim,nowthathehadcomeclosetohavingwhathewantedfromher,therewassomethingelseeludinghim.Hermind,hethought,tryingtogetalaughoutofit.HowmanymenthoughtaboutAmiWinterburn'smindwhenthatlovelyexteriorwassodistracting?Butthetruthwas,hedidn'tquiteknowwhatorwhohewasdealingwith.Hell,hehadn'tevensentherflowersyet.Northconsideredtheomissioninsurprise.Itwaswhatheusuallydidwhenhewasinterestedinawoman.Flowers.FlytoMelbournefordinner.Perfume.Eventuallyjewellery.Itallseemedsoshallownow,facedwithAmiWinterburn.Hewasarichmanbuthehadafeelingtherewasnothinghecouldbuyforherthatwouldimpressher.Itengenderedareluctantadmirationinhim,butirritationtoobecausebuyingthingswaseasy—hehadaveryefficientgift-buyingserviceforbusyexecutives.Allhehadtodowasphonethem,giveadescriptionandvitalstatisticsandaper-fectlywrappedgiftwasdeliveredwithinhours,withadiscreetdescriptionofthecontentssenttohim.Hewasusedtowomenwhorespondedwithapprovalandpleasuretohismerestefforts.OfcoursethenatureofhisrelationshipwithAmiwassuchthatithadprecludedgifts.Shewouldhavetossedthembackathim.Perhapsnow...HeimaginedgivingherdescriptionoverthephonetoMonica,thegiftbuyerextraordinaire—how thehelldidyoudescribeAmi?Blonde,aquamarineeyes,fivefootten,longneck,longlegs,bandsthathadalanguagealltheirown—theobviousfeaturesonlytoldhalfthestory,anyway.Heimaginedthoseeyesquizzinghimsteadilyoveralavishbouquetofflowersoraflagonofexpensiveperfumeandsaidoutloud,'Oh,yeah,'unsettlingtwopassingguests.Grinningweaklyatthem,hethoughtindismaythatthedamnedwomanhad

virtuallybroughtonanidentitycrisisforhim.Shehadmadehim doubttheworthofhisowncareer,nowshewasmakinghimfeelthatevenhiswealthgavehim noadvantages.'Ridiculous,'hesaid.Apassinghousemaidthrew him acautiouslook.Northscowled.Hewasmutteringtohimselflikesomeoldhobo,allbecauseofamate-upgirl.

She'dfooledhimonceandthememoryofitstillburned.Andbeneaththatwrinkleddisguiseshe'dwornhadbeenthefacehe'dfirstseen.Thethingwas,whatwasunderneaththatface?Amirefusedtofallintoanycategoryhe'deverencountered.Shewassoadeptatillusionthatshe'dmadehimbelieveheranoldwoman,sohowwouldheeverbesurethathercurrentfacewastherealone?Neveronetoabandonalineofactiononcehe'ddecideduponit,NorthneverthelessthoughtitmightbewisetobackofffromAmiWinterburn.Therewerelesscomplicatedways,morecomfortablewaystohaveawomaninhislife,surely.Butashewaited,hearingthemurmurofhervoicethroughthedoor,hecouldonlythinkofAmi,holdingoutherarmstohim inoneofthosebig,embracinggesturesshewasalwaysmaking.He'djokedaboutitwithher,usingitdeliberatelytotrytoseduceherwithsomesmalltalk.Uncomfortably,herealizedthat,asusualwithajoke,therewastruthbehindit.Hedidwanttorunintoherarms.Today,whenshe'dheldthemouttohimandsaidsheneededhim,whenshe'drubbedhercheekonhishandlikeakitten,he'dfeltalmostasif...Thedooropenedandthedoctoremerged.Northwassingularlypleasedtohavehisthoughtsinterrupted.

Inherdreams,AmicriedthatshewouldbelateforEmma'swedding.Northappearedandshegrabbedhishandandbabbledoutherfearsthatsomeonewouldstealherbridesmaid'sdressfromherabandonedcar.Then,inthedream,herdressappeared,coveredinplastic.'Hereitis,'NorthKendricksaid,hangingitonthewardrobedoorhandlewhereshecouldseeit.'Everythingisfine.'Inherdreams,too,sheburnedindesertwastelandsandstoodundercoolshowersuntilsheshivered.AndshearguedwithNorth,whoworeacheapcheckeredshirtandwhosometimesstrippedherclothesfrom her,andsometimesdressedherinthemagain.

Butwhensheeventuallywoke,thedressforEmma'sweddingwashangingonthedoorhandle,justwhereithadbeeninthedream,andshewonderedifmaybetherestofithadreallyhappened,too.Amomentofanxietypassed.Butofcourse,itwasalladream.NorthKendrickwouldn'tbeseendeadinacheapcheckeredshirt.

Shesatup,feelingseedybutminusthepainthathadpoundedinherheadandbody.Anxiously,shewenttothebridesmaid'sdress,fingeringitthroughtheplastictoreassureherselfthatitwasokay.Asthedooropened,sheturnedtoofastandstaggered.'North,'shesaid.Hecaughtheraroundthewaist,bentandliftedher.Herhandsgrabbedathisshoulders,tookholdofcottonmaterialcolouredblue,redandgrey.

'You'rewearingacheapcheckeredshirt!'sheaccused.

'Snob,'Northsaid,walkingtothebedwithher.'Iranoutofclothesandthemanager'swifeboughtitformeatachainstoreacrosstheroad.'Hestoodamoment,holdingheraloft,lookingcloselyather.'Nofever.Youlookbetter.'

Amireleasedhisshirt,self-consciouslyfeltherhandsslidealittleoverhisshoulders.Helookedasifhecoulduseashave.Hishair,insteadofbeingneatlybrushedback,hadfalleninadark,wavymassontohisforehead.Thecheckeredshirtfittedclosely,shecouldseethestrainonthestichingaroundhiswell-muscledshoulders.Amiliftedherfingersfromfurthertemptation,triedtofindanuncontroversialplacetoputthem,butcouldn't.Shetriedtohuntdownthedetailsofthosedreamsfeaturingtheblue,redandgreyshirtbutallshecouldrecallwasakaleidoscopeoffracturedimages,mostoftheminvolvinghernakedbody.Hercolourrose.

'Memorytroublingyou?'hesaid,perceptively.

Shebitherlip.'IthoughtIdreamedthecheckedshirt,alongwithalltherest—'

Northsetherdowninabusinesslikemanneronthetangledsheetsofherbed.

'Don'ttroubleyourself.Youweresick.Ididwhatneededtobedone,nomore,inspiteofmyopportunisticstreak.'

Amistaredathim,surprisedtoseethatitstillrankled.Hehadundressedher,lookedathernaked,touchedher.Amifeltshe'dbeenstrippedofmorethanclothes.Shewasbereftofdefences.Thismanhadstartedoffbywatchingherwhileshewasinblitheignoranceofhimandnowheknewthingsaboutherthatshewouldneverwillinglyhavelethim see.Herfistsbunchedinfrustration.NorthKendrickalreadyhadsomuchpower.Whydidfatehavetohandhimstillmore?

'Well,'shesaidstiffly.'IsupposeIshouldthankyou.'

'Don'tchokeonit,'hesaid,movingtothedoor.'I'llseeifthekitchencanrustleyouupsomethingtoeat.Nowthatyou'rebetter,I'llgovisitHarry.'

Shenodded,suddenlyravenous.'Wait!'shesaid,asheopenedthedoor.'Whatdoyoumean—youranoutofclothes?HowlonghaveI—'shelookedoverattheothersinglebed'—webeenhere?'

'Twonights.'

Withasmallscream,sheslidoutofbed.'Twonights!ThentodayisFriday—Emma'sgettingmarriedtomorrow.Andmycar—'

'Yourcariswiththemechanic.ItneedspartsfreightedinfromSydneyandwillbereadyaftertheweekend.'

'Butthen—Ihaveto—Emmawillbewondering— wherearemyclothes?'Distractedly,shepluckedatherpyjamas,lookedaroundinvainforsomestreetclothes.Northputahandonhershoulderandsteeredherbacktobed.

'I'vebeengivingregularbulletinstoEmma.Youhadherphonenumberinyourdiary.SheandMattareexpectingyoutheretonight,sobeagoodgirlandgobacktobed.'

Sheglaredathim.'Don'tpatroniseme.Ihavetomakearrangementstogetthere.Hireacar—'

'Nohirecarsavailable,Iasked,'hesaidsmoothly..'I'mdrivingyou.'

'Butit'sahundredmilesaway,'sheobjected,thinkingofahundredmilesinthemagnoliaJaguarwithNorth,aprospectbothintriguingandoffputting.'AndhowwillIgetbackhere?'

"Thesameway.I'vetalkedsooftentoEmmaandMatt,we'repracticallyoldfriends.They'veinvitedmetotheirwedding.Isn'tthatnice?'

'Emma—how couldyouinvitehim tothewedding?'Amisaidinanundertonetoherfriendthatnight.

'HowcouldInot?'saidEmma.'Hewasnursingyouonyoursickbed,offeringtobringyouherebecauseyourcarwasdefunct.Besides,hesoundednice.'Emma'seyesstrayedtoNorth,whoappearedtohavestruckupaninstantrapportwiththegroom.Andwhynot,Amithoughtdarkly.MattMackenziewasanotherarrogantmaleusedtogettinghisownway,eveniffallingforEmmahadbroughtouthisbetterside.ShedeliberatelyrecalledMackenzieashe'dbeentwoyearsback,ragingintohershoplookingforAmi,ratherthanthesensitivemanwho'dhadtocometotermswiththelossofaclosefriendjustmonthsago.

'Nice?'Amihissed.'Peoplewhoareusedtohavinganythingtheywantwhentheywantitarerarelynice.He'saverysuccessfulmanipulatorandhisstrategiesdon'tendathisofficedesk.NorthKendrickneverstopsdoingdeals.'

'Whatdealwashedoingwhenhewasspongingyourfeveredbrow?'

Amiflushed.'IknowIsoundungrateful,butyoudon'tknowhim.TherearenofreelunchesasfarasNorthisconcerned.Bothheandhisfatherdoit—ma-nipulatepeople.'

'That'snotwhat'stroublingyou,'Emmasaid,eyeingAmishrewdly.'You'vealreadyhalffallenforhim,haven'tyou?'

'Halffallenisaretrievableposition,'Amisaidstoutly,notbotheringwithdenialstothisfriendwhoknewherverywell.'IcouldneverreallyfallforamanunlessIknewhecouldseemoreaboutmethanmyfaceandfigure.'

Herfriendpulledaface.'Youmeanyoucouldbelieveinhissincerityifyouwereplainanddumpy?'

'That'sjustthepoint.Iwouldn'thaveanyproblemwithNorthifIwasplainanddumpy.I'dbeinvisibletohim.'

'Youhavethesameproblemastheoriginalpoorlittlerichgirl.Theonlywayshecaneverbesureamanwantsherforherselfandnothermoney,istogetridofthemoney,'Emmasaid,hergazesettlingfondlyonherhusband-to-be.'Menaresuchcomplicatedcreatures— theyoftenhidethebestaboutthemselvesandflaunttheworst.Ifyouthinkhe'ssosuperficialandyou'vehalffallenforhimanyway,maybeyourintuitionistryingtotellyousomething.'

'Myintuition,ha!Ifwomen'sintuitionissogood,whyaren'twerunningtheworld?'

Thefourofthemhaddrinksontheverandaandwatchedthestarscomeout.

'Doyouthinkitwillraintomorrow?'Emmasaidwistfully,asmanyabridemusthavesaidontheeveofherwedding.

MattMackenziestudiedtheskywithanexperiencedeye.

'Notachance,'hesaid.

'Oh,darn,'Emmasaidwithasigh.Amilaughedsoftly.AtNorth'slookofsurprise,Emmasaidbywayofexplanation,'Mackenziegrewupinadrought.We'rebothratherpartialtorain.'SheandMackenzieexchangedaslow,smoulderingsmile.'Butwe'lljusthavetomakedowithsunshine.'

EmmaSpencerandMattMackenzieweremarriedinthesunshine,inthecourtyardofhishomestead,Falkner'sPlace.Mattlookedmagnificentinformalclothes,Emmaglowedinivorysilk,flowersinherplaitedhair.Alumpinherthroat,AmistoodalongsideSteveMackenzie,thebestman.Emmahadplannednevertomarryagainafteradisastrousattemptyearsearlier,butblunt,bearlikeMattMackenziehadchangedhermind.Ifevertherewasamomentthatconfirmedtheexistenceofreallove,thiswasit.Ithadgrownfrom manythings—instantattraction,friendship,hardshipandpassion,andintheend,patientcompromiseonthepartofbothofthemtoovercomeahostofdifficultiesanddelays.Theyhadliterallyrunthroughfiretogether.MattandEmmalookedineachother'seyesandmadetheirpromisesfromtheheart.Theywereloversandfriends.Therewasmutualrespectandlikingaswellaslovebetweenthem.Theirmarriagewouldbebuiltonbedrock,Amithought,feelingatwingeofenvy.That'swhatIwant.SheglancedarounduntilshesawNorth'sblackhairandhawkishprofile.That,ornothing.

ItwassometimeaftertheformalitiesbeforeshecameacrossNorthinthecrowd.'Yourscarshavevanished,'hesaid.'Isthataquickhealingprocess,orademonstrationofyourgiftforillusion?'

HehadborrowedatuxedofromoneofMatt'smanyfriendsanditwasalittleold-fashionedand,shenoticedcrossly,veryfittingaroundtheshoulders.Amidrankalargemouthfulofpunch,herintuitiontwanginglikeabowthathadjustreleasedanarrow.Halffallenwasaretrievableposition,she'dtoldEmma.Oh,lord,whatafoolshewas.Ifshewasanywhereelse,shewouldcutandrunrightnow.Butitwasherbestfriend'sweddingandshecouldn'twalkout.IfNorthaskedhertodance,shewouldbereadywitharefusal.

'Oh,it'spureillusion,'shesaid,rallyingwithalighttoneandholdingoutherhandtodisplaythetouched-upscars.'Thescarsarestillthere.Youcanseethemifyoulookclosely.'

'Youcarrythattheatricalbagoftricksthewayadoctorcarrieshismedicalbag,'hesaid,and,lookingataverybrown,verylinedwomaninhersixties,saiddryly,'I'mtemptedtothinkthat'smoreofyourworkandthatshe'sreallyonlytwenty-six.'

Emmalaughed.'No.JoyceisMatt'saunt,thegenuinearticle.'

'Thegenuinearticle,'herepeated,givingAmianoddlookthatskimmedoverherclassicallyknottedhairwiththesprayofdelicateflowers,herpalegreensilktabardandskirt.Foramomentshewascertainhewasabouttoaskhertodanceandherheartbeatquickened.Instead,hesaid,'Imustmaketheacquaintanceofthisrarecreature.'

Withthatheexcusedhimselfandafewmomentslater,AmisawhimdancingwithJoyce.Afterthat,hedancedwithanynumberofappreciativewomen,someyoung,someold.HeneverdidaskAmitodancealthoughsheremainedreadywitharefusalallevening.Itnettledherthatshedidn'thaveachancetosaynotohim.Andthat,bystayingawayfrom her,hehadmanagedtodominateherthoughtsjustasmuchashewouldhadhepursuedher.

ThebridethrewherbouquetanditwascaughtbySaraHardy,alocalwomanandwriterwhohadfoundunexpectedsuccesswithEmma'sproductionofherfirstplay.Shepluckedasinglerosefromthebouquetandtosseditbacktothebrideinthanks.

EmmaandMattflewawayinhishelicopterandtheguestspartiedonforawhilethengraduallydriftedhomeuntil"onlythoseguestsstayingovernightatMatt'shomesteadwereleft.Aftercoffee,Amiwenttobed,leavingtheothersdrinkingbrandyandplayingpoker.Northdidn'tevenlookupwhenshesaidgood-night,justmutteredapreoccupied,"Night.'Whichwasfinebyher.Justfine.Amishoweredandslippedintoasilknightshift,reflectingthatshe'dgotaccustomedtobeingpursuedandthissuddenchangeforthebettertooksomeadjustingto.Theviralillnesshadlefthermoretiredthanusualandshedriftedintoarestlesssleepdominatedbydreamsofscarsandtighttuxedos.

CHAPTEREIGHT

SHEwokewithasuddenthirsthourslaterandfoundthetumbleronherbedsidetableempty.Halfasleep,shewentintotheadjacentbathroomtofilltheglass,navigatingherwaybythemoonlightfloodinginfrom theuncurtainedwindows.Whenshecameback,Northwasbyheropenbedroomdoor.

Hewasshoulderedinagainstthedoorframe,thepictureofdisreputableglamour—inneedofashave,hisruffledshirtopenhalfwaydownhischest,hisbow tiehangingunknottedunderhiscollar,traditionalbracesholdinghisborrowedpantsafractiontoohigh.'BeautifulAmi,'hesaid,crinklinghiseyes.'CanIhavethisdance?'

Herheartthudded.'Areyoudrunk?'shesaid.

'Justafewbrandies.'Helookedappreciativelyatthethin-strappednightshift,whichonlyjustcoveredherthighs.Amiwentintoherroom,setdownthewater

andsnatchedupherrobeandwhenshelookedback,Northhadsteppedinsideandclosedthedoor.

'Everyone'sgonetobed,'hesaid.'Don'twanttodisturbthem.'Heputafingeronhislipsintheclassicmannerandshemighthavelaughedexceptthathisef-fortsnottodisturbotherssodisturbedher.Pullingherwraparoundherselfshebeltedittightly,asifshemightsuppressanyresponsetothisboyish,captivatingKendrick.

Heeyedherbed,whichwasintheusualriotoustangle.Bynowhewaswellandtrulyawarethatherrumpledsheetswereroutine,nottheresultof'heavynights.'

'It'snearlythreeinthemorning.Whyareyouhere?'

'Totellyouwe'redrivingbackatninetomorrow.Okay?'

Shenodded.

Northheldouthishands.'Andtoaskyoutodance.'

Shegavehimasnortofimpatience.'It'sabitlateforthat.Youshouldhaveaskedmeearlier,whenthebandwasplaying,butyouweretoobusybeingMrPopularity.'

'Iwantedtoaskyoutodancebut—thoughtitbestnotto.Can'tkeepmydistanceifI'mholdingyouinmyarms,canI?'

Herpulsesthunderedinherears.'Why,suddenly,doyouwanttokeepyourdistance?'

'You'retoomuchforme,'hesaidseriously.'BettertosticktosomeonelikeFran.IknowFran,understandher,understandwhatmotivatesher.Can'tfigureyouout.Mightneverknowwhat'sunderneath.'Hereachedoutanddrewafingeroverhercheekbone,downtoherchin,almostasifheexpectedtheskintopeelofflikeamask.'IsthistherealAmiWinterburntonight?Lookslikeatemptress,actslikeaseverenurse?'

'Atemptress?'shesnapped.Well,then,lethimsticktoFranandthatbarrenrelationship,shethoughtinsuddenrage.Theycouldformacorporation.PoorFrancesca,shethoughtinsuddensympathy.

Heputahandtoherwaist.'Shallwewaltz?'hesaidironically.'Wewaltzwelltogether.'

Hishandprintwassurelyetchedontoherskin.He'sgoingtosticktoFran,sheremindedherself.Hestillwantsyoubuthe'snotgoingtochaseyouanymore.What,shewondered,hadmadeNorthabandonthechase?Butitwas

theconvictionthathehadthatstoppedherpullingaway.Itmightbethelasttimehetouchedher.'IfI'm toomuchforyouandyouwanttokeepyourdistance,whyaskmetodancenow?'

Northpulledherclose,lookeddownatheraffectionately.'I'm drunk,'heexplained,grinning.

Shegaveashakylaughbutthelaughterquicklydiedasheclaspedherhandandhuncheddown,cheektocheek,shufflinghisfeetinaparodyofdancing.'Mm,'hemurmured,nuzzlingherneck.'AmiWinterburn,'hesaid,rollinghernameoutlikethefirstlineofapoem.Heoftensaidherfullnamelikethat,asiftherewassomethingelsetocomeafteritifhecouldjustthinkofthenextfine.

Amiattemptedtofreeherself,butshewashalf-heartedandintheprocessherarmsslippedaroundhisbroadbackandhermouthtouchedhisneckandthescentofhisskinassailedher.Amiclosedhereyes.Justonecuddlewhilehewasinthisodd,boyishmood.LuckyFrancesca,shethought,knifedbyjealousy.Theyshuffledafewstepsthisway,thenthat,andsuddenlyNorthstopped.Helookedather,hishairfallingoverhisforehead,andshesawtheglitterofdesireinhiseyes.

'AmiWinterburn,'hewhispered,layingahandalongthesideofherface,andhernamehungthere,oddlyunfinished,ashestrokeddownward,pluckedtheendofthesilkybeltandunravelledit.Athisfeather-lighttouch,therobeslitheredfromhershoulders.Northheldherclose,benthisheadtonuzzleinclose,gatheredupahandfulofhairtoexposeherneckforhiskiss.Itwastoomuch—thesilkencaressofhispalm throughhershift,theplayofhisfingersthroughherhair,themoistwarmthofhismouthonherskin.Heslippedtheshiftoverherhead,tosseditintotheairanditflutteredinfilmyslowmotiontothefloor.Hedrewbacktolookather,nakednowexceptforbriefs.'BeautifulAmi,'hesaid.Inanewdance,theycircled,lockedineachother'sgaze.Amifelttheedgeofthebedbehindherandsatdown.Northkneltandranhishandsoverherinadelicate,tormentingexploration.'Superb,'hesaidashekissedherthigh.'Magnificent—'hebreathed,hisheadatherbreasts.AndAmiarchedback,barelysupportingherselfashesuckledandfondledandpleasurerippledthroughherbody.Asighbrokefromher.Northlaughedsoftlyandstooduptopullhisshirtfreeofhiswaistband.Moonlightthrewshadowsdownonesideofhisbody,accentuatingthehollowbeneathhiscollarbone,thesculpturedcurveofhischestandthesmall,neatnipples.Herfingerstingled.Amireachedupandstrokedthejunctionofhisneckandshoulder.North'seyesclosed.'DothatagainwhenIhavemyhandsfree,'hesaidhuskilyandhurriedtogetthecufflinks

fromhisshirtsleeves.Shestoodandputhermouthtothesameplaceandhegroanedandgaveadelicateshiver,liftinghisshoulderintoadefensivecurve.

'Howtomakeanangleintoacurve,'shewhisperedagainsthisneck.

'Physicsatatimelikethis?'hesaidhuskily,doublinghisefforts.'Damnallcufflinks!'

Smiling,sheletherfingerstraillower,tohiswaist.North'schestheaved.Lookingathim,seeingtheexpressionofdeliciousstrainonhisface,shefeltaheadyrushofpower.Shedippedlowerstilluntilsheheldhiminthepalmsofherhands.

Hemutteredsomethingunderhisbreath,ferociouslyshookhisshirtsleevesfree.Laughingsoftly,shestretchedoutonthebedandwatchedhim inthemoonlight,admiringtheaestheticlinesofhisshouldersandarms,anticipatinghisstrength,alazysensualitycirculatinginherbody.Sheheardthesoftburrofazip,therustleofhistrousers,aclatterasametalbracesclipcaughttheframeofthebed.Thenthebedbouncedunderhisweightandshewasinhisarms,kissinghimwildly,lostinastarryspace.Hegraspedherhipsandtiltedherevocativelyagainsthim,anunnecessaryactionforshewasalreadybreathlesswiththecolumnedpromiseofthebeautiful,powerfulbodybeneathher.Northtooksomedeepbreaths,whichsherodeindeliciousanticipation.

'Ami,'hemurmured.Hisstrongbandswereinherhair,gatheringitupwithtenderness,forcinghereyelidsclosedwiththesheerhypnoticpleasureofthesmallcaressesonherscalp.'Isitsafe?'

Safe.Sherubbedhercheekagainsthishand,asmindlessandsensualasacat.'Safeforwhat?'

'Forustomakelove.'

Shesmiled.SexyNorthKendrickwasalsothoughtfulandresponsible.Shefeltasurgeofloveforhim.'Yes.Thankyouforasking.'Shekissedhimpassionatelythenslidoffthebedtostepfromherbriefs,deliberatelyslowingthemoment,lettingtheanticipationbuild.

'Mm,'Northgroaned,watchingher.Herolledonhissideandreachedouttocurveahandtoherthigh.'Exquisite,'hesaid.

Itwasasifsomethingswitchedinherhead.Shelookeddownathim,sawtheheavy-liddedlookoftheloverandherbodythrobbedinresponse.Butwhenheraisedhiseyestoherface,shesawtheglitteroftriumphthere.Andhereshewas,asfrozenasoneofthebronzetorch-bearersoutsidehishotel,withhishandonherinownership.Hisfingertipsmovedgentlyonherskinasifhewas

appreciatingherflesh-and-bloodsmoothnessthewayhe'dappreciatedthesmoothnessofthebronze.Beautiful.Magnificent.Exquisite.Shewasalmostpartofhiscollection.Shereversedthedirectionofherbriefs.'MaybeIshouldbeholdingatorch,'shesaid,raisingherarm,strikingapose.

Northstaredather,hisspurnedhandpoisedinafrozencaress.'Atorch!'

'Orasheafofwheatorsomething,'shemuttered.Ignoringthesilkshiftonthefloor,shesnatchedupherrobeandturnedherbacktoputiton.Wasthereany-thingmoreembarrassingthanreclaimingincoldsobernesstheclothesdiscardedinmindlesspassion?Shewinced,switchedonthebedlampandgaveherselfafewmomentsbeforeshelookedatNorth.Hewashitchedupononearm,hishairblackasnight,hislong,muscularbodygoldeninthelamplight.Amiclosedhereyesasherresolveweakened.

'Wheat?'herepeatedcarefully.'Youdidsay—wheat?'

'You'reverygood,'shesaidcoolly.

Hiseyesnarrowed.'Youstoppedbeforeyoufoundoutjusthowgood.'

Sheflushed.'Youshouldbeonthestage,North.Youhadmereallybelievinginthatboyish,affectionatepersona.'

'DidI?'hesaidharshly.

'Youaren'tdrunk.Idaresayyou'vehadabrandyortwobutyou'recoldsoberandascalculatingasever.'

Northgotupandputhishandsonhiships.Aformidablesight,almostnakedashewas.Hishandsslanteddownandinwardlikearrowsandsheturnedawayasherbodymournedthepleasuresshewasrejecting.

'Youdointendtoenlightenme,Ihope?Idon'tknowwhatthehellyou'retalkingabout.'

'Oh,yes,'shesaidwhirlingaround,pickinguphisclothes,herfaceburningassherememberedhelpinghimoffwithhisshirt,aidingandabettinghiminherownacquisition.'Itwasagoodidea—agreatidea.Thisiswhatyou'vebeenaimingforsincethemomentyoudecidedyouhadtopaymebackforhumiliatingyou.Youhadtohaveme!KendricktheConqueror!Allthatrubbishabouttruces!JustKendricktacticslikethecharminglittle-boy-lostact—soappealingandfrankbecauseyou'vehadtoomuchbrandy.Well,itdidn'twork!'shesaid,throwinghisclothesathim.

North'sheadwentbackashecaughtthebundleandthebracesflickedathisface.Hiseyeslookedcoldasice.'Italmostworked,'hesaid.Toemphasizehis

point,heleaneddownandpickedupthesilkshift,tosseditintheair,anditsslow-motiondescentcreatedatimewarp.Amiwatchedit,hermouthdryasthesighttriggeredarushofdesire.

'LikeIsaid,youareverygoodatusingyouropportunities,'shesnapped.

Heshovedhisarmsintothesleevesofthefrilledshirtandshethoughtsheheardthesoundoftearingstitches.'IreallymustinsistthatIwas—am—theworseforwearfromtoomuchbrandy.WhywouldIbesostupidastogetmixedupwithyouagain,otherwise?'

'Soworseforwearthatyoucouldcoollycheckon—on—whetherornotI—'

'Onbirthcontrolarrangements?'

'Isupposeyoucamewithaprophylactictuckedawayinyourpocket!'shesaidcontemptuously.'Becauseyoucameheretonightwithonepurposeinmind.'

Northpulledonhispantsandsnappedthezip.Helookedatherwithdislike.'Youdon'tknowthat.Evenifitwastrue,youcan'thaveitbothways.Amanwhodoesn'tgiveadamnisinsensitiveandirresponsible.Amanwhocomespreparediscalculating.'

Sheblinkedatthetruthofthat,knewshewasbeingunfairbutshehadtopersistbecausehewasstillhereandinspiteofeverythingsheknewabouthimandthewayhethought,shecouldsoeasilygotohimandmakelovewithhimuntilmorning,thenwakeuptofindherselfanotherexhibitinNorth'slife.Therewasthestaccatosoundofazip.Thebracestwanged.

AtthedoorNorthlookedagainatthebed,whichwasnow practicallydenudedoflinen,thecoverletandtopsheetflunginfoldsonthefloor,themattresscovershowing.'I'mafraidI'verumpledyoursheets,'hedrawledbeforeheleft.

AmishutthedoorwithaslamthatbroughtmuffledqueriesfromotherroomsandsetMatt'scattledogsbarking.'HowcouldI?'Amimutteredassheremadethebed.'BecauseIamanidiot!'Burningwithself-censure,shegotintobedtoreflectuponherfoolishness.Butasthedogsquietenedandthehousefellsilentoncemore,shereflectedinsteadonwhatshewouldbedoinghadNorthstayed.Shewouldevennowbeinthosestrongarmshadshenotcometohersenses.Shewouldbestretchedoverhisbeautiful,hardbodynowifshehadnotseenhowdegradingitallwas.Shewouldbeholdinghim insidehernow,feelingtheintimateflexofhismuscles,deliciouslyawareofthelatentpowerinhimashemoved,justalittleatfirst...IfshehadnotseenthroughNorth'sgames-playingintime.Asthesilentmorninghourspassedshetoldherselfitwasaluckythingthat

shewasn'tsomeyoung,foolishgirltofallforhischarmandexpertise.Eventuallyshesleptanddreamedshewasayoung,foolishgirl.

ItwaslatemorningbythetimetheyarrivedatKenDrummond'splaceinSwagman'sCreekthefollowingday.Afterknockingfruitlesslyatthefrontdoor,theywalkedaroundthebackofthesmall,timberhouseandfoundHarryproppedonhiswalkingstickbesideamotorbike,thebest-preservedofseveraldilapidatedvehiclesthatwerescatteredaroundthelarge,untidyallotmentontheedgeofthetinytown.Hisoldfriendwashunkereddownbesidehim,pointingoutsomethingwiththezealoftheenthusiast.Spritzcameboundingtowardsthem,aspleasedtoseeNorth,Amithoughtresentfully,astheownerwholovinglyfedandgroomedher.

Northcametoahalt,watchinghisfather.HeworesunglassesashehadduringthejourneyandAmicouldonlyguessthatthedegreeoffrostinhiseyesparalleledthatinhisvoice.Northwaseithergenuinelyoffendedbyheraccusationslastnight,orjustabadloser.Sheoptedforthelatter.HismoodimprovedwithSpritz'sunqualifiedadoration,butdissipatedquicklywhenHarrygreetedthem.

'Drivingbackwithus?'HarrysaideagerlytoAmi.Sheshookherhead.

'Mycarisready.I'mdrivingbackjustassoonasIpickitup.'

Harrywasclearlydisappointed.'Inthatcase,maybeitwouldbebetterifIwaitedanddrovebackwithAmi,'hesaidundiplomaticallytohisson.Harrycouldn'tmakeitclearerthathepreferredhercompanytothatofhissononthelongdrivebacktoSydney.

North'sjaw tightenedandAmiwouldhaveleftthenexceptthatHarry'sbachelorfriendpointedwithsheepishpridetoaramshackleoutdoortablesetwithfourmismatchedteacups,apintjugofmilk,aplateofthickfruitcakeslicesandatinofbiscuits.'Don'toftenhavecompany,'hesaid,pink-faced,toexplainsuchanelaboratetable.'I'llbringtheteapot.'

Hedulybroughtitandwentbacktocontemplatethebikewiththeothertwomen.Amisighed,realizingthatshehadbeenassignedtopourtheteaasanaturalconsequenceofbeingtheonlyfemalepresent.Asshedidso,themotorbikestartedupwithanancientshriek.Tohersurprise,shesawNorthwasridingit,skillfullydodgingthevariousbackyardobstacles,includingasheepthatplacidlycroppedgrassinthemiddayshadeofarowofcamphorlaureltreesthatstretchedtothebackboundary.HarryandKenabsentlytooktheteashehandedthem,watchingNorth'sprogresswiththekindofattentionandapproval

onlymalescangivesuchanactivity.OnHarry'sfacewasalsoalookofdeepenvy.HegrimacedatAmi.'I'dgivealottogetonabikeagain,butmylegs—'hesaidwistfully.

North,hisblackmoodconsiderablyreducedbytheride,throttleddownandparkedandthethreemenhadanearnestexchangebasedonthesoundoftherevs.AmistaredatNorth,theusuallyimmaculatecompanydirectorandartcollectorwhowasnowcroucheddown,sunglassesoff,pointingoutsomethinginarustingoldheapofmachinerythatemittedanunearthlysound.Thenoisewouldbehorrendoustoamanwhoreallyhadimbibedtoomuchbrandythenightbefore,shethought,unabletodetecttheslightestflickerofhiseyelids.Harryranafondhandoverthebikehandlesandthefairingand,followingthemovement,Northsaid,'Whateverhappenedtoyourbikes,Harry?'

'I'vestillgotone.It'sinmyshed.Wasalwaysgoingtofixitbutit'llneverrunagain,'hesaidflatly.'Igavetheothersaway.'

Harry,Amithought,hadgivenalotofthingsaway.Northlookedthoughtfulandthethreemenstoodinacircle,armsfolded,unitedinthemysteriousmasculinepassionformachinery.AmitookadvantageoftheirpreoccupationtoleavebeforeshewasdraggedintoafightbetweenNorthandhisfatheraboutthejourneyback.Sheleftanoteonthetabletosaythatshewaswalkingtothegaragetopickuphercar,tookhersuitcasefromtheJaguarandsetoffuptheroadwithSpritzbesideher.Thedroneofthemotorbikemadeherlookback.Beyondthestripeofthecamphorlaurels'denseblueshade,theroughgroundofKen'spaddockwasahazyyellowinthesun.Shecaughtaglimpseofthebikeinthebrightspacesbetweenthetreesuntilitemergedintotheopen.Amilaughed.

'Oh,Spritz,lookatthat,'shesaid,shadinghereyes.ShethoughtofthatphotographofayoungNorth,hisfaceshowinganxietyandpleasureandpride,ridingpillionbehindHarryallthoseyearsago.NowitwasNorthwithHarrybehindhim,holdingon,makinggoodhiswishtogetonabikeagain.Unseen,shestoodandwatcheduntilthebiketurnedandflickeredfromviewbehindthelineoftrees.

Amiwalkedondownthelane,hereyeswatering.WhydiditmattertoherwhetherNorthmadepeacewithhisfather?Whyonearthshouldshefeelthisflutterofanxietylesthemakeamessofwhatmightbeatentativereconciliation?Becauseshecared.'Oh,youstupid!'shesaidoutloud,kickingatwigofftheroadasifshewaskickingNorthoutofhermind.Spritzpouncedonitandbroughtitbacktoher.Amitosseditintothescrubatthesideofthelane.Halffallenwasaretrievableposition.Ithadtobetrue.Shecouldn'tfacetheprospectoffallinginlovewithamanwholikedhischampagnecoldandhiswomenbeautiful.The

dustylanestretchedoutahead.Thesunlightlimnedtallseedheadsinthewaist-highgrassalongtheroad.Thesoundofthemotorbikefollowedherinfitsandstartslikethesoundofanexuberantinsectonthestill,countryair.

Spritzbroughtthestickbackagainandagainandinsistedontakingitintothecar.ItwasstillinthecarwhentheyreachedSydneywhereshetosseditout.Outofsight,outofmind.UnfortunatelythesamecouldnotbesaidforNorth.

NorthhimselfphonedherontheFridayfollowingEmma'swedding.

'Ami,'hesaidbriskly.'Ihaven'tgotmuchtime.Canyoucomeovertothehotel?'

Shefelttheusualdualirritationandexcitementathisvoiceandtheprospectofseeinghimagain.'Ihaven'tgotmuchtime,either,'shesaidcoolly.'Whatisitabout?IsHarryallright?'

'He'sfine,'hesaidimpatiently.'Ican'tgointoitonthephone.Howlongwillittakeyoutogethere?Halfanhour—forty-fiveminutes?'

'Justaminute!I'mnotgoingtodropeverything—'

'Anddon'tmakeanyplansforthisweekend,'hesaid.

Shetookadeep,deepbreath.Adrenalinpumpedintohersystem."Theweekend?'Theraggednatureofherheartbeataggravatedher.'Look,'shesaid,optingforangerratherthanthisweak-kneedspeculation.'Myweekendsarenoneofyourbusiness.'

'Thisonewillbe,'hesaidsmoothly.'I'mcallinginafavour,AmiWinterburn.Andifyoudon'tlikeit,toobad.Youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tintendtofinish.'Hegaveheramomenttodigestthatandadded,'Ifyousetoutnow,youcanbehereinfortyminutes.'

Shebridledatthegallofit.'AndIsupposeifIdon'tIcanexpectaletterfromyourlawyers?'

Shethoughtsheheardhimswearunderhisbreathbutwhenhespoke,hisvoicewassilkilyearnest.'Iwouldhatetoimplicateyourpartnerintheirresponsiblehoaxthatwas,afterall,exclusivelyyouridea,but—'

'Allright,'shesnapped.'Youreallyarethelowest—'

ButNorthhadrungoff.

Thethreatwaspossiblyabluffbutshewasn'tsureenoughofhimtocallit.Evenifthingshadimprovedwithhisfather,hismoodwouldbeanythingbut

benignwhereshewasconcerned.ItwouldnotbeoftenthatNorthwasrejectedinthemiddleoflovemaking.Inthemiddleofhisbest-laidplans.

Almost-laidplans.

Herfaceflamedaspreciseimagesfromthatnightpresentedthemselvesyetagaintoher.Shehadlethimtakeherinhisarmsagainstherbetterjudgment.Shehaddancedwithhiminherbedroomwhenshe'dplannedallalongtorefuse,whensheshouldhaverefused.She'dsprawledonthebed,ogledhim.She'dcaressedhim,heldhiminthemostintimateway...herfingerstingled.Shedriftedoffforafewhecticmoments.

Howunfortunatethetiminghadbeen.EveryyearwhenEmmaandMattcelebratedtheirweddinganniversary,shewouldbeforcedtorememberherfollywithNorthinthewest.Shegaveawrylaugh.

Thememorytriggersweremountingup.ThewaltzfromRosenkavaliercouldsetherthinkingaboutNorth.Thefragranceofagardenia.Herbestfriend'sweddingdate.Thedog.Motorbikes.SantaClaussuits.Viruses.Cheapcheckeredshirts.Thekitchensink...

Asshedrovetothehotel,shedissectedhiswords,readbetweenthelines.Youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tintendtofinish.Adeepforebodingfilledher.Whatifhewantedtofinishwhatshehadstartedthatnight?No,surelynot.ManipulationandblackmailmightbeintheKendrickgenes,butshecouldn'tseeNorthdemandingsexualfavoursinexchangeforamnestyoverhermasqueradeasAmelia.

Still,shesailedpastthetorchbearerswithadistractedair.Shenearlymissedseeingthetallwomaninthetight,blackleggingsandthebluesweaterwithalphabetlettersprintedonthefront.ButsheturnedattheAvalondoorsandsawtheblondeapproachaman,withanunlitcigarettebetweenherextendedfingers.Amisawherlipsmoveintheclassicwords,'Gotalight?'

Sothatwasherdoppelganger,shethought.ItdidnothingtoendearhertoNorth,knowingthatshedidlooselyfitthedescriptiononhissecurityrecords.Evenifshehadturnedouttobethewomanonthestreet,hehadnobusinessbeingsopatronising,sodownrightarrogantonthedayofthegardenia.Amifeltlikewarningthewomanthatshewasprobablyevennowundersurveillance,butwhenshelookedagain,shehaddisappeared.Thehawk-eyedMorgan,shesaw,asshepassedthroughthedoors,hadnotnoticedthewoman,whichgaveherspiritsacuriouslittlelift.

TheconciergesenthertothefloorbelowNorth'spenthouse.'You'llfindMr.KendrickintheCelestialSuite.'

ThedoorwasajarandAmiwentin.NorthwasstandingbyaglasswallthatoverlookedabreathtakingviewofSydneyseenthroughswathesofsheerfabric.Hewasonthephoneandturnedaroundwhensheentered.Hewavedhertowardsthelushlyupholsteredarmchairs.Amiwasforcedtocoolherheelswhilehecontinuedhiscallandshethoughtbitterlyhowverywellheusedthetoolsoftechnologytogivehimselfanadvantage.Shepacedthelengthoftheroom,whichwasfurnishedratherfloridlywithdivansandchairscoveredinmauveandturquoisebrocadewithtasselledcushions.Onlowtablesstoodhugeorientaljarsfilledwithtigerlilies,strelitziaandjasmine,theoriginoftheperfumeintheair.Thelavishinteriorhintedmoreofearthlythancelestialmatters.Allitneededwasasheikhandadancinggirlwithadiamondinhernavel.HereyesflickedfromthelushfabricstothefranklysexualtigerliliestoNorthhimself.Hiseyesfollowedhereverymove.Whatdidhewant?Whatdidhemean—youshouldn'tstartthingsyoudon'tmeantofinish'!

Heputthephonedownandhermusclestensedashestudiedeachsmalldetailofherappearance.Ifhetookasmuchinterestintheinnerwomanashedidintheouter,shethoughtprudishly,hewouldbeaprinceamongmen.Heworeoneofhissuperbthree-piecesuitswithablueshirtthattingedhisgreyeyeswithitscolour.

'YoutookoffrathersuddenlyfromKen'splace,'hesaid.'Iwouldhavedrivenyoutothegarageeventually.'

'What'sthisabout,North?WhatisthisfavourIoweyou?Ifit'spaymentyouwantfornursingmethroughaviralillness,thenI'dprefertowriteyouachequeforyourtime.'

Therewasapause,duringwhichAmirealizedjusthow insultingthatsounded,eventosomeonelikeNorth,whothoughttheworldoperatedonthoseterms.Hiseyesglittered.'No,no,'hesaidinthatsilkyvoicethatfilledherwithmisgivings.'Ifeelyourepaidthatdebtthenightofthewedding.Perhapsnotquiteinfull—'Hegaveawolfishsmile,asifrememberinghowclosetofullpaymentshehadbeen.'I'mstillpuzzlingoveryourreferencetoasheafofwheat.Itwaswheat?Doyouhaveacerealfetish,orsomething?'

Flushed,Amilookedathimwithdislikeandsuspicion.'I'mverybusy.Whatdoyouwant?'

'LikeIsaid,I'm callinginafavour—youoweme,AmiWinterburn...'Asusual,hernamedidnotquitefinishthesentence.Buttherewasnomoretocomesaveaveryexplicitscrutinythatmadeherwonderiftheroomwasunseasonablyheated.

'Howdoyoulikeyoursuite?'hesaidatlast.

Amistaredaroundattheopulentinterior.‘Mysuite?'

'Yours,'heconfirmed,watchingherthewayacatwatchesamouse.

'Whatareyoutalkingabout?'

'I—feelIwantyounear,'hesaid,walkingaroundher,lookingherover.'Sothatwecanfinishthisbusinessonceandforall.I'llbehereinSydneyovertheweekendanditwouldbe—convenientifyouwerehandy.'

'Convenient!'Apulsehammeredinhertemple.

'I'magenerousman.I'veevenprovidedanewwardrobeforyoutousewhileyou're,er,stayingwithme.'

'Youcan'tthinkwhatIthinkyoumean!'

'Youonceaskedwhatwouldsatisfyme,'hemurmured.'Youcan'tbesonaivenottoknowtheanswer.'

Shefeltashaminglittlethrillthatmadehercuttheaircontemptuouslywiththeedgeofherhand.'Forgetit.I'ddiveintoatankfulofsharksbeforeI'dgotobedwithyou.'

Hisbrowswentupinmocksurpriseatsuchplainspeaking.'IsupposethatexplainsthatlittleinterludewesharedafterEmma'swedding,'hesaidblandly.'Youcouldn'tfindatankfulofsharks?Scarceintheoutback.'

'Veryamusing,'shesnapped,feelingafurnaceheatinhercheeks.

'Youmadeafoolofme,AmiWinterburn.Ididn'tlikethat.'

Amitriedtoreadtheconflictingmessagesinhiseyesbutwasdefeatedbyarecollectionofhiminhisunderwear,bylamplight—thefrustrated,baffledlover.Shefeltsomevaguepangsofguiltinspiteofherknowledgeofhisdeviousbehaviour.

'Ihaveto—howdidyouputit?Restoremyself-esteem.AllIwantisyour—company,forashorttime.To,um,finishtheaffairproperly,'hesaidwithalooksowolfishitjusthadtobefake.Shefrownedathim,suddenlyrealizingthatherintuitionwastellinghertherewassomethingwronghere.Buthisexpressiongrewsosmugthathernormalthoughtprocesseswereblockedbyanger.

'Come,takealookattheclothesI'veboughtforyou,'hesaid,showinghisteeth,andsheabandonedherbattlingintuition.Shewasstilltrappedinthatdangeroushabitwomenhad,shethoughtinself-disgust—tryinghardtobelievethatnomatterhowmanipulativeandselfishamanwas,hecouldn'tbeallbad.

Northwalkedthroughanadjoiningdoorwonderingifsheercuriositywouldmakeherfollowhim.Itdid.Hesmiledasheheardtheoutragedrustleofherclothesbehindhim.Thereweremassivejardinièreshere,fullofexoticorchidsinthefleshypinksanddecadentpurplesthedecoratorsdeemedcorrectforthismostbordellolikesuiteinthehotel.Therewasanenormous,cushionedbedonadais,silk-drapedfromtheceiling.Tasselseverywhere.Northmountedthedaisanddelicatelytestedthemattresswithspreadfingertips.Purecorn,hethought,glancingovertoseeifshehadtwiggedyet.

Shewasclearlytornbetweenfuryandahystericaldesiretolaugh.Buthernormalveryreliablesenseoftheridiculouswasbeingsuppressedbysomeotherstrongfeelingandshefellforit.Northwaselated.HestillhadsomeoldscorestosettlewithAmiWinterburn.

'Youcan'tbeserious?'shesaidscathingly.

'Beingseriousisafailingofmine,'hesaid.'I'msureyourecallHarrypointingthatout.Here'sthewardrobe.'

Athistouch,largecarveddoorsopenedtorevealsomeclothesstillwearingthemaker'stags.

'Ican'tbelieveevenyouwouldbesocrassasto—topropositiononewomanwhileyou'reonthebrinkofmarriagetoanother.'

Heblinkedabitatthat,notawarethathewasonthebrinkofmarriagebutquitepreparedtoplayalongwithit.'Butasyou'veremarkedinthepast,Ineverwasteanopportunity,'hesaiddryly,thinkingofthatnightthatwassofrustratinglyhazywhenhetriedtorememberjusthowithadfelttohavehernakedinhisarms,yetsopainfullyclearwhenitcametoherdenouncementafterwards.Hetookoutagarmentandarrangeditoverhisforearm,asifhewasanold-fashioneddraper,invitingherapproval.

Shedidhesitateforamomentthen,asifshewaspickingupthecluesbutsomethingwasinterferingwithherjudgment.Theconfident,articulateMissWinterburnwasred-faced,hermagnificentbreastswereheavingasshegrabbedthedressandflungitonthefloor.'Keepyourharemclothesforsomeother—'Thefallengarmentcaughthereyeatlast.Powderbluelinen.Longsleeves,buttonedatthewrist.Tinypearlbuttonsuptotheneck.Neatcollarwithguipurelace.

Shespunaroundtothewardrobe,riffledthroughtheclothes.Northgrinnedwhenherstraightbackstiffenedasshegotacloserlookattheharemclothes.A

dove-greydressandjacket.Apleatedskirt,amatronlyblouseandcashmerecardigan.Refinedclothesfortheolderwoman.Monicafromtheexecutivegiftsservicehadn'tturnedahairwhenhe'dgivenadescriptionandestimatedvitalstatisticsofthewidowAnderson.

Amiseizedapairofshoesfromashelf.Hersize,buthigh-cut,lace-upswithsensibleheels.

'Builtinarchsupports,'Northsaidhelpfully,pointingoverhershoulder.'Soessentialforlegsthathavebeenthroughsomuch.'Hesmiledfondlyather.'Amelia.'

Sheswallowed,putahandtoherforeheadasshefinallytwigged.MissWinterburnwasveryslowontheuptaketoday,whichmeantthatwhateverwasonhermindwassomethingveryweightyindeed.Northfounditasourceofgreatoptimism.'Youmean—stayhereasAmeliaAnderson?''Myfavouriteoldlady.Iinvitedhertostay,freeofcharge,remember?'

CHAPTERNINE

SHEhadforgottenallaboutAmeliaAnderson,hadlosthercoolentirelyandplungedheadlongintoassumptionsthatmightbealltoorevealing.Amiclosedhereyesbriefly,wincedattheechoofherbabbleaboutsharksandharms.Shehadcomeherewithherthoughtsfirmlystuckinthattimewarp,thenightofEmma'sweddingwhenthey'dstartedsomethingandhadn'tfinishedit.Withluck,hewouldgetsomuchenjoymentoutofmakinganidiotofherthathewouldn'tnotice.

'I'vebeenpesteredbyreporterswantingtofollowupontheheart-warmingstoryoftheelderlygatecrasherhavingherfreeholidayintheAvalon.I'vemanagedtoputthemoffwithexcusesuntilnow.You'llbeinterestedtoknowthatsinceshegatecrashedmyparty,AmeliahashadanastyboutoffluandhasbeentovisithersoninNewZealand—orwasitCanada?'

Sheglowered,nottrustingherselftospeak.

'SomehowIassumedtheywouldloseinterestinthewidowbutit'snearlyChristmasandyouknow how thepaperslovehumanintereststoriesintheseasonofgoodwill.'

'Butit'sarisk,'shesaid,aghast.'WhatifI'msprungthistime?'

'Thisisn'tlikeyou,MissWinterburn,'hechided,givingheraheartyslapontheback.'Whereisallthatimmodestconfidenceinyourskill?Besides,I'mnotgivingyouachoice.HowwoulditlookifIcan'tproducethewidowAndersoncosilyenjoyingtheholidayIpromisedher?SomenosyreportermightrunacheckonsocialsecurityanddiscoverthereisnoAmeliaAnderson.

Thereareonlytwoconclusionsthatcouldbereachedfromthat—one,thatIwasproperlyfooled,or,two,thatIknew abouttheimpersonationandknowinglymadeidiotsofmyguestsandthepress.I,'hetoldhersoftly,'havenointentionofbeinglabelledeitherfoolorcheat.You'vebeensuccessfulinauditionatlast,MissWinterburn,'hesaidmaliciously.'ThepartofAmeliaAndersonisyours.Playingthisweekendbypopularrequest.'

Shestared.Sothat'swhathemeantbyfinishingwhatshe'dstarted.Tofinishtheaffairproperly,he'dsaid.TheaffairofAmeliaAnderson.Theaffairofthegardenia.Therewasacertaincrazylogictoit,shesupposed.Shecouldonceandforallallaythosefeelingsofguiltshehadovertheimpersonation.Makeupforwitnessinghishumiliation,giveHarryonelastthrillbutthistimewithhissoninonthejoke,whichwouldhelptopaperovertheroughedgesbetweenthetwomen.Ratherthanatedious,unsatisfyingfade-out,adefiniteeventtomarkTHEEND.ItappealedtoAmi'ssenseofdrama.Amelia'sswansongwouldbehers,too.Sheswallowed.

'Surelynottheentireweekend,'sheobjected.'Itwouldonlytakeanhourforapressphotographertotakesomeshots.'

'Twopressphotographers,'hecorrected.'OneonSaturdaynight,oneonSundaysometime.You'llstayovernightandmakeyourselfseenaroundthehotel.SeveralguestshaveenquiredaboutdearoldAmelia.Youhavetuggedatsomanyheartstrings.'

'AndwhatamIsupposedtodoaboutSpritz?'

'I'llspringforthecostofakennel—whichismorethanfairinthecircumstances,'hesaid.'Afterall,IdidnotcreatethewidowAnderson.'

'Youcouldhavesimplytoldmethepresswerebeinganuisance,'shesaid,withasigh.'Idohavesomesenseofresponsibility,youknow.Idon'thavetobecoercedintohelpinginasituationIhelpedcreate.'

'Iknowthat,'hesaid,amused.'Butyouhavesuchapooropinionofme—Icouldn'tresiststringingyoualongwhenIsawyoursuspicionswrittenalloveryou.'

Shesnorted.'Childish.'

'Putitdowntomyatrophiedsenseofhumour,'hesaidironicallyandshesawwithsurprisethatHarry'scriticism stillstung.Hebenttopickthebluelinendressfromthefloor.Flickingherawickedglance,heshookit,slippeditonthehangerandputitaway.Amihadtopressherlipstogethertoholdbackalaughattherecollectionofherself,flingingittothefloorasifitwasablacklacenegligeewithstringsattached.

'Youmadequiteafewassumptionsthere,'hecommented,touchingalongspikeoforchids.Theflowerstrembledandhepluckedone,casuallyraisedittohisnoseastheywalkedouttothesittingroom.'JumpedtoconclusionsthatI'dinveigledyouheretoforceyouintobedwithme.'Hepaused,lookedexpectantlyatherbutsherefusedtobite.'Psychologicallyspeaking,wetendtomakeassumptionsbasedonwhatwefearmighthappen,oronwhatwewanttohappen.Whichwasitinthiscase—maybeabitofboth?'

'Maybeyoushouldapplythattheorytosomeofyourownassumptions,North,'sheretorted.'You'vejumpedtoconclusionsalmosteverytimeyou'vemetme.Andeverytimethey'veledyoutowanttothrow meout.'Shepausedalongsidehim,lookedmockinglyathim.'Psychologicallyspeaking,wetendtowanttoexcludethingsthatfrightenus,oraretoocomplexforustodealwith.Whatwasitinmycase,North?Maybeacombinationofboth?'

'Touché,'hemurmured,staringintohereyes.

Itirritatedher,thatpolite,sportsmanlikeacknowledgmentofapointscored—thekindofgraciousnessextendedbychampionswhoknewtheywouldwinintheendanywayandcouldaffordtobegenerous.Butthespurtofirritationwasnotenoughtosetherfeetmoving.Herheightenedsensespickedupaheadydriftofjasmine,thefaint,risingsoundsofthecitythroughtheopenterracedoors,thetremorofthebreezeinthesheer,swathedcurtains.Shestoodthere,heldinsomemysteriouscommunicationthatwaschangingnaturesecondbysecond.Puzzled,shesoughttodescribeit,butitseemedindependentofanywordstheyhadexchanged.Inhisgreyeyesshesaw thesamefaintsurprise,followedbyacceptance.Apleasantwarmthcametoher,andthemagneticpullofattraction.North,shethought,asifitwasonamap.Adirection.Adestination.MagneticNorth.

Theymovedatthesametime,headstilteduntiltheirlipsmet.Ascarce,tendertouchasiftheywereteenagersanditwastheirfirstkiss.Northsighedandshefeltthewarm rushofhisbreathinhermouth.Againtheykissed,leisurely,equallyopenonetotheother.Therewasnootherpointofcontactbetweenthem,justmouthonmouth,tonguespeakingdirecttotonguewithnodistractions.Language seemed obsolete.There wassimply thistender,

electrifying,intensecommunicationonsomelevelAmihadneverbeforeencountered.Inperfectsynchronisation,theymovedapartagain,seeingtheshakenrealizationineachother'seyes,thatsomethingnew hadhappened,somethingthattranscendedanythingthatwentbefore.Ami'schestfelttight,emotionwelledupinherandforamomentshethoughtshemightcryatthepuzzlingsenseofsomethingbeautifulandelusive.

Northsavedherfromanythingsofoolish.Hebrokethecontact,leanedoverandtuckedtheorchidintoherhair.

'Iwon'tthrowyououtthisweekend,'hesaid,givingherfacealittlepat.

Somuchforamysterious,mutualcommunication,shethought,deridingherself.Somuchfortranscendenceandrecognitionandsomeelevatedleveloftransmissionbetweentwopeople.ItwasallskillandtechniqueforNorthanditwasallwishfulthinkingonherparttoimagineitwasanythingelse.

Itwasonlywhenshegotbacktotheshopthatsherealizedwhysomanypeoplehadstaredatheralongtheway.North'sorchidwasstilltuckedbehindherear,markinghisplace.Onceagainsheremovedittoolateandwasonlyprevented from throwingitoutbyHelen,whonevergotorchidsand,scandalisedbythewaste,snatchedittothesafetyofawaterglasswhereitmock»]Amifortheremainderoftheday.

AmidulymadeherappearancesinthehotelonSaturdayafternoon,togivecredencetotheideathatAmeliaAndersonwasaguest.AccompaniedbyNorth,shedrankcoffeeinthecoffeeshopwherehehadhisrevengebyinsistingonanin-depthdiscussionoflampshademakingwhichtestedherpowersofinvention.ShevisitedtheindoorpoolandwasintroducedtoseveralguestsbyasolicitousNorthwhowatchedherperformancecriticallywiththesatisfactionofonewhowasinonthejokeatlast.OnSaturdayevening,whenherskinwasitchingfromthelongcontactwithadhesive,sheposedforanumberofshots,endingupintherestaurant,wherethenewspaperphotographertookshotsofthepension»beingwinedanddinedbythebenevolententrepreneur.TheentirebusinesshadthehallmarkofNorth'sorganizationuponit.Itwashewhodecidedwhereshewouldbephotographed,toensurethebestpossibleconditionsfordeception,andforonceshewaspleasedthathishigh-handednessinvitednoargumentfromthecameraman.AreporterturnedupandAmihadreasontobegratefulagain,thistimeforthesemiinvisibilityofanoldwoman,evenonesupposedlyinthelimelight.Northhardlylethersayawordandtheyoungmalereporterdidn'tfinditoddatall,thatamanwasrunningtheshowandspokeonbehalfofawomantwicehisage.

Becauseoftheinterestgeneratedamongstotherpatrons,Northinsistedthattheysitthroughtheremainderofdinnerafterthepresshadgone,whenAmiwasbreakinghernecktoescapetoherroom andtakeoffhermake-up.Hewasexpansiveandcomplacentandsheglaredathim.

'Wouldn'tyouratherweskippeddessert?'shesaidprimly.'I'msureyou'dprefertospendtimewithFrancescaonaSaturdaynight.'

Helaughedandtookherhand,pattingitkindly.'It'syouIwanttobewithAmelia,honestly.'Hetookherhandandlightlybestowedakissonthemade-upsurface.

'Thewarmandhumansideofbigbusiness,'shesaidsardonicallyunderherbreath."TheveryimportantNorthKendrickbeingnicetoanimpoverished,elderlynobody.'

Therewasagleamofangerinhisgreyeyesashepaused,herhandstillraisedinhis.Heturnedherhandover.'Theveryirritated,besottedNorthKendricktryingtofind achinkin thearmouroftheinfuriating,desirableAmiWinterburn...'hemurmured.Eyesneverleavinghers,heputhismouthtoherpalm,theonlyavailablepartofherthatwasnotdefendedbydisguise.Thewarmcaressofhislipssentafrissondownherback.Shejumpedattheslytouchofhistongue.

Besotted?shethought,staringintothosesilvery-greyeyes.

'Didyousay—'shebegan,whenFrancescashowedup,elegantinblackwithatiger-skin-patternedsilkscarfthrownaboutherneck,itsendsfloatingtoherknees.

Francescasaidapolitehellotothewidow Anderson,avertinghereyesquicklyfrom thethreateningvisionofageandwrinkles.'You'vebeensimplyages,'shesaidtoNorth,anexcitedlightinherlovelyeyes.'I'mdyingtotalktoyou.'

Besotted,Amithoughtderisively,astheylefttherestaurant.Ofcoursehehadn'tsaidbesotted.Orifhehad,itwasanironicturnofphrase.

Gloomilyshetriedtoachievesomeprofessionalsatisfactionatcarryingoutyetanotherperformancewithoutgivingthegameaway.Onemoreperformancethefollowingdayandtheaffairwouldbefinishedonceandforall.ButhermindwasonNorthandFrancesca,whohaddisappeared,armslinked,havingescortedAmitoherroom.Bynowtheywereprobablyontheirwaytosomeintimatelittleplacewheretheycoulddancecheektocheek...andFrancescacouldwhisperinNorth'searwhateveritwasshewasdyingtotellhim.

Harryphonedherwhenshehadfinallycleansedherfaceandlettheskinbreathe.'Comeonupandhaveadrinkwithme,'hesaid.

ButwhenshegottothepenthouseshefoundthatNorthandFrancescawerenotinanycosylittlerestaurant,theywereherewithHarry.

FrancescalookedatAmiinpuzzlementwhenno-oneintroducedhertothestranger.'IthoughtyousaidMrs.Andersonwascominguptostayawhilewithyou,Harry?'

Theoldmangaveawheezylaugh.'Oh,thisisher,er,goddaughter,Ami,'hesaidatlast.

'Thefairygoddaughter,'Northmurmured,agleaminhiseyes.

TheyleftandAmistayedforanhourinNorth'shome,vowingnevertocomehereagain.AsshetalkedtoHarry,hereyewasdrawnfromoneworkofarttoanother— paintings,sculptures,theancientGrecianpotsintheirlitdisplaydome.HowlongwouldNorthkeepthese,shewondered,beforehisenthusiasmwaned?Besottedoneminute,indifferentthenext.PoorFrancesca.

Backinhersuiteshewassorestlesssheknewshewouldn'tsleep.Itwasafterelevenwhenshechangedintotheleotardandtightsshehadpacked,putonsomebatteredpracticedanceshoesandattemptedawork-out.Shegaveupinfrustration,forthesuite,thoughspacious,wasnotnearlyspaciousenoughtogiveventtoherfeelings.Shewouldneedaspacethesizeofaballroomtodothattonight.

Aballroom.

Ami'sheartbeatquickened.Shevisualisedthatvastspace.Itwasprobablyhiredoutforaweddingortwenty-firstbirthdayparty,crowdedwithtablesandchairsandguests.Butitwoulddonoharmtolook.Shepulledonalongsweateroverhertights,cinchedherhairintoaponytailandmadeherwaytotheAvalonballroom.Itwasemptysaveforclusteredtables,alecternandstackedchairsatoneendleftoverfromaconference.

Shefoundaswitch,turnedonsomerecessedlighting,whichshedacandle-likeglowalongthemirroredsideofthehugeroom.Usingoneofthechairsasabarre,shewarmedupwithsomeexercises.Thensheremovedhersweaterandprogressedtocentrepractice,slow,fluidmovements,thensmalljumps.Theshinyexpanseallaroundherwenttoherheadandshemovedintoquickermovements,travellingthelengthoftheballroominaseriesofleapsandturns,herfeetmakingsoft,rhythmicthudsonthefloor,herimageflickeringalongsideinthemirror.Shestoppedatlastforabreatherandwarm-down,onelegraised

onthebackofachair,herheadthrownback.Andshesawtheotherimageinthemirror.

North.Herheartbeat,slowingalreadyaftertheworkout,bumpedintoreverse.Thesoundofherbreathingseemedabnormallyloudasshelookedathiminthemirror,wonderingifshehadgonerightofftherailsnowandwasconjuringuphisimagelikeafeyballetheroinelanguishingoverherimaginedprince.Musicstartedup,inherheadorinrealityshewasn'tsure.

'It'saftermidnight,'hesaid,removinganydoubtofhisearthlynature.Thesoundofhisshoes,measuredonthefineparquetryflooring,kepttimewiththeboomofherheartbeat.'Ithoughtfairygoddaughtersweresupposedtoturnintopumpkinsatmidnight.'Closernow,hisgazedrippedwarmlydownoverherbody.

Supremelyawareofhim,shecontinuedherwarm-downexercisestothemusicthatwas,sherealized,comingfromthehiddenspeakers.ItwasthetailendofsomethingbyoneoftheStraussesanditconcludedwitharousingblastbeforesilencefell.'Ihopeyoudon'tmindmeusingtheballroom,'shesaidhuskily.

'Isawyoudance.Youtakemybreathaway.'

He'dtakenhers.Amistaredathim,whileontheedgeofhervisionshecouldmakeouthisimageandhersinthemirror,facingeachothermotionlessliketwoinhabitantsofaDegaspainting.Shewithalegraisedandoutstretched,onefootstillrestingonthebackofachair,hewithanarm outstretchedtothesamerestingplace,hishandbesideherfoot.Themusicstartedagain,thefirstcelebratorywhoopsoforchestrabrassfollowedbystringsasthemusicswelledfromtheintroductionintothewaltzfromDerRosenkavalier.Therewerewordstothismusic,shethought.Somethingaboutthenightbeingtoolong...

"They'replayingoursong,AmiWinterburn...'

Somepartofherlistenedfortheunsaidwordsfollowinghername,buttherewasonlythemusic.

'Dancewithme,'hesaid.

She'dmeantnottodancewithhimthelasttime.Thereweremorereasonsthanevertorefusenow.Reasonnumberone—lookwhathappenedlasttime.Reasonnumbertwo—ifshekeptclearofNorth,shewouldbefinishedwiththisaffairinamatterofhours.Reasonnumberthree—shewasmorethanhalfinlovewithhim,buthewasstillthewrongkindofmanforher.Four— Francesca.Five—lookwhathappenedlasttime.Six—Francesca...

'WhataboutFrancesca?'shesaidabruptly.

'Shedoesn'twanttodancewithme.'

'Howdoyouknow?'

'Shetoldmetonight.Doesn'twanttodancewithme,ever,'hesaid,placinghishandfirmlyonherankle.Amidrewinasharpbreathatthatimprisoning,pleasantgrip.'ShesaidshethoughtIwasasexybrutebutshecouldn'teverfallinlovewithme.'

'That'swhatshewasdyingtotellyou?'

'That'sit,broadlyspeaking.'

'Butyouweregoingtomarryher,alwayssupposingshewouldhaveyou,'shesaiddryly.

'Imighthaveconsideredit,inmyignorance,before—'

Beforewhat?Shewaitedbuthedidn'tfinishit.Itwasahabitwithhim,shethought,thoseunfinishedsentences.HehadbeengoingtostickwithFran.WhetherhewouldhaveornotwaspurelyacademicbecauseFranwasnotgoingtostickwithhim.Thiswasnothingtocelebrate,shetoldherselfasherheartbeatspedup.Thismadenodifferencetoher.Hewasstillthekindofmanwhocouldcontemplatesuchalukewarmbutconvenientpartnership.Themanwholikedhiswomenbeautiful,hischampagnecoldandhiscollector'sitemsnewandfresh.HewouldfindanotherFrancescaintime.Buthewasherenow,histouchwarmonherbody,andherbloodpoundedinherveinsandthetempoofthewaltzwasinsideher.Howdidthewordsgo?Something,something,keinenachtistzulang.Thenightwastoolong?ShestruggledwithherschoolgirlGermantotranslate.Something,something,nonightistoolong.

Impatiently,hedraggedthechairaside,removingthebarrierbetweenthemwitharaspofchairlegsonthepolishedfloor.Thenhecaughtherclosetohimandtheywaitedthereamomentstaringintoeachother'seyeswhilethemusicslowedtooneofthosebreathlesspauseswheneverynerveinthebodyanticipatedtheresumptionofthesound.Whenitcame,theywentwithit,slowlyatfirst,lockedtogether,intentoneachother,hardlyadmittingthemusic.Butastherhythmquickened,theyspuntotheexuberantrhythm.ThistimeAmiwasn'tpretendingtobeanyoneelse,wasn'tpretendinganythingatall.Theballroomwhirledby,abluroflightandshadow,theonlyconstantNorthhimself,smiling,holdingherfastinadizzyworld.Withyou,withyou,nonightistoolong.Iloveyou,shethought,feelingtheforbiddenwordsbubbletothesurface,notquitespoken.Themusicslowedandreleasedthem,breathlessandexhilarated.

'Iwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketodancelikethatwithyou,thatnightwhenyouwaltzedmearoundcautiouslyasifImightbreak.'AmithrewbackherheadandlaughedandNorthcaughtinadeepbreath,haulingherhardagainsthim.

'Idon'tthinkIcanbecautioustonight.Willyoubreak?'

Hiseyesglittered,hisnostrilsgentlyflaredandshefeltarushofdesire,aheightenedsenseofdangerandaliveness.Liketeeteringonahigh,narrowledge,theriskoflosinglifemakinglifemoreintense.

'WhatwouldyoudoifIdid?'

Northputhismouthtoherear.Shecouldfeelhissmileonherskin.'I'dmendyou,'hemurmured,suturinganimaginarylinealongherneckwithaseriesofkissesandflicksofthetonguethatmadehergaspouthisname.

Shefeltthejoltofhisresponsetoherraggedcry.Hecrushedherinhisarms,kissedhermouth,hotlyforginganentrance,fillinghermouthwiththetasteofhim.Stooping,hepickedherupbodilyandwalkedfromtheballroom,hismouthonhers,herarmswrappedaroundhisshoulders.

'Letmedown,'shesaidindistinctlyastheystoppedbytheliftandhepunchedabuttonwithhiselbow.'Someonemightsee.'

'Idon'tgiveadamniftheydo,'hegrowled.Hejabbedthebutton.'What'stakingthedamnedliftsolong?'

'AmIgettingtooheavy?'shesaidinnocently,takinganibbleathisearlobe.

Hegaveheralooksowarmthatshewonderedifherhairwassinged.'No.Butiftheelevatordoesn'tcomesoon,Imightmakelovetoyouhereonthefloor.'

Andsointunewithhimwasshethattheprospectwashardlyshockingatall.ButtheliftcameandbythetimetheywereinsideAmi'ssuite,herhairwasstreaminglooseandNorth'sshirtwasunbuttonedbeneathhisjacketandhistiehungoverhisbeautifulbarechest.Northsetherdownandhishandsrovedtheresistant,seamlessLycradancegearandhisurgent,escalatingeffortstoremoveitsentshiversofdelightandapprehensionthroughherbody.Hewassostrong,sopassionate,soimpatientandshesuddenlypanickedashiswillcarriedhertoofast,toosoon.Whetherornothesensedsomething,hepaused,hishandsstilled,defeatedbytheimpenetrable,skin-tightLycra.

'AmiWinterburn...stillencasedinarmour,'hesaidhuskily,holdingheratarm'slengthsuddenly.Hetookseveraldeepbreathsandcurbedhisferocity.Amisawthegleaminhiseyesasheforcedhimselfbackfromthebrink.Hermouthwentdry.Iftherewasanythingmoreguaranteedtoraisehertemperature

thanNorthimpatienttomakelove,itwasNorthdisciplininghimselftomatchherpace.Makinghimselfwait.Shesmiled,dazzledbyhim.

'Icouldmakelovetoyounow,thismoment,anywhere,Idon'tcare.'Hetookherhand,raisedittohismouth.'ButIwanttomakeitlast...'

Hemadeitlastandsodidshe,forhowlongshecouldn'tsay.Atender,mutualexplorationthatsethersensesreeling,madeherwonderifshe'deverknownwhatitwasliketobereallyaliveoutsidehisarms.Northwasalovertocherish,shealreadyknewthat.Astrong,vigorousloverwhokepthispowerincheck,makingitallthemoreexciting.ShestoodbeforehimassheshedthetightsandNorthtookalong,longtimetosmoothherunderwearfrom herwithlingering,seductivestrokesdownherthighsandcalves.Hepulledheralongwithhim andsatonadivan,spinningheratthelastmomentsothatshesprawledonhislap,herbackagainsthisbarechest,herheaddroppedbackintothemellowcurveofhisneckinaposeofsheerabandonment.Andifshethoughtshehadbeenarousedbefore,shefoundnowthattherewerehigherplanesofarousalandhigherstillasNorthplayedherbodylikeaninstrument,hishardheatbehindher,hisfingersmovingoverherskin,fondling,findingallthesecretpartsofher.'North,'shecriedraggedly,urgently.

'Northitis,'hemurmuredinherearandmovedhishandsnorthwardstoherbreasts,whereheproducedsensationsthatkeptheronaplateauofpleasurewiththepromiseofhighmountainsandanendlesssky.Andjustwhenshethoughtshemightmakethejourneyalone,heturnedhertofacehimandshewrappedherlonglegsaroundhimandhespreadhishandsoverherhipsandlookeddeepinhereyes.'AmiWinterburn,'hesaidsoftly,loweringhertohim,inchbytormentinginch.Hereyesalmostclosedwithpleasurebutsheforcedthemopen,watchingNorth'sflickeringlashes,theglazeinhiseyes,theflushhighonhischeeksasheenteredher.Shekissedhim,filledwithloveandapeculiarjoyshe'dneverexperienced.Lockedtogetherinintimacy,theywerestill,herheadonhisshoulder,hisarmsclosearoundher.Everynerveinherbodytingledwithanticipation,waitingforthemusictoresume.Andwhenitstarted,itranawaywiththem,fast»andfaster.ThroughthewindowbehindNorth,theglitteringcitywasamassofshiftinglightpoints—starsslippingfromtheirplacesinthesky.Hermouthwasagainsthisforehead,herarmsclosearoundtheripplingmusclesofhisback,andshethoughtshemighthavecalledoutsomethingaboutlovewhensheleftthegloriousplateauforthemountainsandthenthesky,thegreat,glittering,immenseskythatwentonforever...

Later,smiling,theystretchedoutonthedivanwithitscushionsscatteredtothefourwindsintestimonytotheiractivities.Theyworethetowellingrobes

providedbythehotelandsippedatcoffeemadebyAmi.Sheflushed,graduallygrowingself-consciousasNorth'seyesroamedoverher,hisintimateknowledgeofhermakingthemwarmandlazy.Theheatofpassionbegantoseemjustatinybitsillyasherheadcooled.'Thatwas—'shebegan,andbitherlip.

'What?'Northprompted,liftingaheavyswatheofhairfromherfacewithanindexfinger.'Good,bad,indifferent?'

Hisgrinwassocomplacent'thatshewaspeeved.NodoubtsforNorthKendrick.Nolingeringlittleworriesthathemightnothavebeenasatisfactorylover.She'dlefthiminnodoubtwithhermoansandcries.Therewereeventhemarksofherfingernailsvisibleonthatjunctureofhisneckandshoulderexposedbyhislooselytiedrobe.Amiavertedhereyesfromthem,irkedthatshehadleftthevisiblesignsofherpleasureforhimoranyoneelsetosee.Red-faced,shesaidrathermoresharplythansheintended,'IsupposeIshouldbegladwemadeitasfarasthedivan.Youdidtalkaboutthrowingmedowninthecorridor...'Hercolourdeepenedattheideathathadn'tturnedahairofherheadwhenshe'dbeeninthethroesofdesire.

Northlookedatherwithgreatinterest.'Wasitabittoounconventionalforyou,Ami?'

'Yes.No!Imean—oh!'shesaidcrossly,pullingtheedgesoftherobeprimlyoverherknees,amovethatamusedNorthnoend.Whatonearthdidshedonow?Wouldhegetupandleave?Thanksforthecoffee.Seeyouinthemorning.Itwasn'tasifshe'dneverhadalover,butthiswasNorthandshewasalreadydyingofembarrassment.Itmadeheracerbic.'Itjustseemsmore—civilisedtouseabedroom,'shesaid,scowling.

'You'reembarrassed,'hesaidsoftly.

'Notatall.'

'AmiWinterburn...'hesaid,smoothingherhairagain,andshethoughtforamomenthewasgoingtoaddsomethingtohername.'FearlessAmi,embarrassedbyherownfervour.'

'Fervour?'shesaid,attemptingnonchalanceinvain.

'Youareatigress,'hesaid,growlinginthebackofhisthroat.

'Anembarrassedtigress?Isn'tthatratherunlikely?'

'Youareawomanofgreatcontradictions.Thiscoffeeisgood.'

'Doesthatsurpriseyou?'

'Notatall.It'shardtogowrongwithinstantcoffee,'hesaidequably.

Sheglaredathim.'Imeant—thatI'mapersonofcontradictions?'

'Nothingaboutyoucouldsurprisemeanymore,'hesaid,puttingdownhiscoffeecup.Herose,tookherhandandpulledhertoherfeet.Ami'sheartbeganaheavy,poundingbeatasshefoundherselfinthecircleofhisarms,hismouthlightlyonhertemple.Takingherbythehand,hesetoffacrosstheroom.

'Whatareyoudoing?'shesaid.

North smiled wickedly ather.'I'vegotthissudden craving to beconventional,'hetoldherashetuggedherintothebedroomwithitssilk-drapedbedonadais.Shestaredathimasherbodyrevvedintohighgearagain.Histowellingrobegapedtothewaist,showinglargetractsofverydesirableman.Hiseyeshadthesheenofthehunterandshefoundthatsuddenlymuchmoreexcitingthanworrying.Shewantedtotouchhim,tobeinhisarmsagain.

'Areyousure?'shesaid,feelingarushofeuphoria.

Hegrinned,lethiseyesflickdownwardsonce.'Verysure.'

'Butyou'vejustgotthroughbeing««conventional,'shesaidashedrewherclosertothebed.

'Youwantproof?'Heyankedherdownontohistowelling-cladbodyandirrefutableproof.Andthistime,itwasAmi'scaressesthatbroughtinarticulatelittlesoundstothearticulateNorthKendrick'slips.Itwasherhandsandhermouththatstrokedandfondledandencompasseduntilhesighedandbegged—'Yes,yes-no,no,stop!'Andwhenshelaughedintriumphatherpoweroverhim,herolledoverandspreadheronthesoft,quiltedbedandcoveredherbody,filleditwithhissothatshecouldn'tthinkatall,onlyfeelastheycombinedtheirpowertoclimbtheheights.

Eventuallytheylaytogether,lazilyloving.Northnuzzledherear,said,'Conventionalenoughforyou?'

Positivelyprimitive,shethought,assmallshiversofcompletionstillrippledonherskin.'Verycivilised,'shesaiddemurely.

Northwasgoneinthemorning.He'dleftadozenredrosesonthepillownexttoher,withanote.Smilinglazily,Amiopenedtheenvelope,wonderinghowmanymencouldlaytheirhandsonadozendewyredrosesonaSundaymorning.Hewouldprobablyappearthroughthedoorwayinamomentwithfresh-bakedcroissantsandbrewedcoffee.

'Darling,'thenotebeganinlarge,hastyscript.Darling.Ami'ssmilewidenedandshelaybackonthepillowsandclosedhereyesdreamilyforamoment,thenoteheldtoherchest.Herfirstloveletterfromhim.Shefeltlikeaschoolgirl.

"Thesecondnewspaperhascancelled,sothewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.'

Amisatup,frowningatthisunloverliketone.

'SomethingurgenthascomeupandIhavetoflytoUKforafew days.Damnedawfultiming.KeepWednesdaynightfreeforme.North.P.S.Lastnightwaswonderful.'

Sheturnedthenoteover,hopingforsomethingmore.Butitwasnoloveletterinspiteofthepostscript,shethoughtwryly.Amipickeduptherosesandbreathedintheirperfume,awareofaniggleofdisquiet.Wordshadalwaysbeenimportanttoher.Shecouldpickupapageofscriptandaninnocuousphrasewouldleapoutather,seeminglymoresignificantthantherest.Butsherereadthenoteandfailedtoidentifythepartthatwasbotheringher.Itwasjust,shedecided,thatshewasdisappointednottoseeNorthtodaywhenshewasfilledwithtendernessforhim.Flushedwiththepleasuresoflastnight,shewantedtolookathimoverbreakfast,touchhishand,sharethelookofloverswhokneweachotherintimately.ButNorthhadgonenorth.Shelaughedsoftly.'Iloveyou,North,'shesaidtotheroses,thenphonedHarrytotellhimshewasgoinghome,assheandherdisguisewerenolongerneeded.

'Comeonupbeforeyougo,'hesaid.'I'llsendtheliftforyou.'

TherewassomedelaywiththeprivateelevatorbuteventuallyAmiwasdeliveredtothepenthouse,hereyesavertedfromthemirroredliftwalls.OnelookatherandshefeltcertainthatHarrywouldknowshehadbeencavortingallnightwithhisson.

Asshesteppedintothepenthousefoyer,sheheardawoman'svoice,risingandfadingasifshewaswalkingaboutfacingoneway,thenanother.Francesca'svoice,fullofgaietyandarchnessandraisedasitalwayswaswhenshespoketoHarry,convincedasshewasthatallelderlypeopleweredeaf.'Ishouldn'tbesayinganythingbecausewe'rekeepingitquietjustyet,Harry,butNorthmusthavealreadytoldyou—'Amicaughttheworddivorceloudandclear,thenanindistinctjumblebeforethenextdistinguishablephrasesthatcamesorapidlyandbreathlesslyAmithoughtthebrunettemustbeturningpirouettes,'—secondwedding—sothrilled—forkeepsthistime—whitewedding,justlike..

'Well,congratulations.That'sthebestnewsI'veheardinalongtime!'HarrysaidandAmiflinchedattheheartyapprovalinhisvoice.

'Oh,hereitis!Thankheavens,'saidFrancesca.'It'smyfavouritescarf,I'dhatetoloseit.'

Amibackedintothelift,driventoescapebeforeFrancescacouldappear,waftingthatfilmy,tiger-stripedscarflikeavictorypennant.Secondwedding.Shefeltquitecalmasthedoorssilentlyclosedandsheglancedatherreflection.Nosecretstobeseenintheinscrutablefacethatlookedbackather.Northmusthavealreadytoldyou.

FromhersuiteshephonedHarryandsaidshehadtogo,wouldseehimlater.Stillinanumbedstateofcalm,sheleft,pickedupSpritzfromthekennelsandwenthome,didherchores,washedthecar,mowedthegrass.

ThewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.Amipushedthemowertocutanotherstraightswatheonthehalf-mownlawn.Sheturnedforthereturntripandyankedtheheavymoweraroundwithsuddensavagery.Itwasahotdayandshehadn'tbotheredwithgardeningglovesandherhandswerealreadydevelopingsorespots,butthehurtinsideherwassobad,sheonlyfaintlyregisteredthelesserpain.ShehadbeensosureshecouldtrustNorth.Sosuretherewassomethingspecialbetweenthem.Therehadbeenmomentswhenshefeltawordlesscommunicationinhim.Thetimeinthatgaudysuite,wasitonlytwodaysago?She'dlookedathimandheatherandshecouldhaveswornthat...'Agh!'Hergutturalraspofpainandhumiliationwasmaskedbytheracketofthemotormower.Shegrittedherteeth.Whathadshethoughtitwas?Amomentofcosmicrecognition?Ameaningfulmeetingoftwosouls?'Hal'

Shetraversedthelengthofthegardenagainwithescalatingspeedandscantattentiontothetaskinhand,notcaringthathernormallystraightmowinglineswerewandering.Perhaps,shethought,inpathetichopefulness,therewassomeexplanation?TheNorthshehadcometoknowwasnotsuchalouse,surely?MaybeFrancescahadmisinterpretedsomethinghe'dsaid.Amiponderedtheideaasshetoreupanddownthegarden,watchingthelushsummergrowthofgrassandfloweringweedemergeflatanduniform from beneaththeblades.Northmightbeamanipulative,compulsivewinnerbuthesurelyhadmorestylethanthat.Moreintegrity.Moresincerity.

Buthewasamanwhowasusedtoplanninghisstrategies.Oneofthereasonshehadsurvivedaharshfinancialclimatewhenothershadgoneunderwashiswillingnesstowaitforhisinvestmentstoyieldfruit.SomaybeallthatstyleandintegrityandsincerityshethoughtshehaddiscoveredinhimwerejustanotherKendrickmanoeuvre.Allthatcharm,allthatromantichand-kissingnonsensehadbeenamood-settingstrategy.

Sheturnedoffthemower.Therewereblistersonherhands.Thelawnwaschewedup,bareinpatches,andsherealisedshehadforgottentoadjusttheheightoftheblades.Theoverspillofgrassfromthecatcherlayinlittle,crookedlines,showingwhereshehaddepartedfromthestraightandnarrow.SheshouldhavelistenedtoEmma.SheshouldneverhavegoneandwalkedonNorthKendrick'sturf.

CHAPTERTEN

APARCEL,bearingthestampofaclassyjeweller,air-rivedattheshoponMonday.InavelvetboxwasasilverbracelettomatchtheonesAmisooftenwore,butthisonewasstuddedwithdiamonds.

'It'sfantastic,'Helenbreathed,lookingoverhershoulder.'You'renotsendingitback!'sheexclaimed,whenAmirepackagedit.

'Absolutely,'shesaid.'Ionlyopenedittosee—'Toseejusthowwonderfulhehadjudgedtheothernight.HerfaceflamedasshescrawledNorth'snameandthehoteladdressonthewrapping.Hadhisexecutivegift-buyingserviceorganisedthislittletokenfromhim?Wasthisbywayofreimbursementforawillinglover?Shefeltcheapanddegraded.

'Youtosshisorchidsinthebinandsendhisdiamondsback!Mostwomenwouldgivetheireyeteethtobeinyourposition.'

'I'm veryattachedtomyeyeteeth.'Ifitwasonlyamatterofeyeteeth,shethoughtwryly.Shehadgiventoomuchofgreaterimportance.Herself-respect.Herlove.Besides,manywomenprobablyhadbeeninherposition—ex-lover,ex-ornamentinNorthKendrick'slife.Theonlyofferinghecouldmakewasmaterial,whichwaswhyFrancescareallywastheperfectpartnerforhim.Shefeltacertainstrengthflowbackwhensherealisedthatnothinghadchanged.So,shehadconfirmedthatNorthwasamanipulativebastard—she'dalwaysknownthat.So,shehadmadelovewithhim.Shewasagrownwomanandeveryonewasentitledtoonebigaffair,onebigmistake.So,itwasafleetingromance,allover.Itwasbestthatway.EvenifNorthlovedher,hewasnotforher.Helikedhischampagnecoldandhiswomenbeautiful.Shehadtoknowthatthemaninherlifeappreciatedthosethingsaboutherthatwouldlast,notjusttheoutwardthingsthatbychancepleasedhimrightnow.SherefusedtobelikeFrancesca,checkingineveryreflectivesurface,fearingherlookshaddiminishedandher

lovablenesswiththem.PoorFrancesca.SheworkedhardtopitythewomanwhowouldhaveNorthforawhile,atleast.

Shereceivedamessagefrom NorthviahissecretaryonWednesday.'Mr.KendrickregretshehasbeendelayedinnegotiationsinLondonandcan'tmakeyourappointmentthisevening,'shetoldAmi.

'Surprise,surprise!'Amidrawled.

Disconcerted,thewomansaid,'He'll,er,beintouchsoon.'

Toretrievesomeshredofself-respect,shespentthatnightcomposingalettertoNorth.Shewasdarnedifshewouldplaythepartofthestarry-eyedlover,thelasttoknowthatitwasallover.

'DearNorth,'shewrote.'ItiswithgreatdifficultythatIwritethis.'Thatatleastwasthetruth.'WehavehadaturbulentrelationshipsinceourfirstmeetinganditwasinevitableIsupposethatwewouldmakeloveeventually.IwasattractedtoyoufromthestartandIknowitwasmutual.Theothernightwasextremelypleasurable.Iwillrememberitfondly,'shewrote,herhandclenchedintoaclawonthepenasshestroveforthetoneoftheliberatedwomanwholikedherloversbutdidn'twantthemhangingaroundunderfoot.'However,formetheothernightwasanisolatedincident.IdohopewecanremainfriendsforHarry'ssake.'

Aftersomeconsideration shecrossed out'extremely pleasurable'andsubstituted'mostenjoyable.'WhygiveNorth'segoanunnecessaryboost?Shecopiedoutthefinaldraftandsentittohissecretarywitharequesttoforwarditon,thenaskedHelentosayshewasoutintheunlikelycircumstancethatNorthphonedtheshop.Herphonerangonceortwiceathomeintheevening,butshedidn'tanswerit.Anotherdozenroses,yellowthistime,arrivedattheshopwithacardthatsaid,'Missingyou.North.'ShegavethemtoHelen.AweeklaterabouquetofNovemberliliesarrived.'Thinkingofyou.Love,North.'

Love,North.Thewordsleaptfrom thecard,almostfluorescentwithsignificance.Amiwantedtobelieveit.Holdingtheflowers,shefeltthetreacherousleapofhope.Maybehewasn'tjustplayinggames.Maybehereallydidcare,reallydidmissherandthinkofher.ButtherewasFrancesca.Whatwasshegoingtodo?shethought,unableforthefirsttimeinherlifetothinkherproblemsthroughclearly.Washeanunprincipledswineornot?Love,North.Thewordsechoedinherhead,scatteringreason.Andtostopherselfmooningsheforcedherselftoconsideranobviousreasonforthiscontinuedcourting.Northmighthaveinmindanaffairtorunconcurrentlywithhisengagementand

eventualmarriage.IthelpedherworkupanicefeelingofoutrageandsheplunkedtheexoticflowersinHelen'sarms.

HarrymovedoutoftheAvalon,backtohisownhouse.Bywayofcompromise,hehadallowedNorthtoarrangeaweeklycallfromanurse-helper.AmigatheredthatHarryhadplannedontraininganiceyoungwomantohisownwayofthinking.AsNorthhadhiredacrew-cutmalenurse-helperwithmuscles,atattooandamotorbike,Harrywasenlivenedbyanewchallenge.TheoldmanphonedAmiseveraltimes,anxiousoverhisChristmasplans.HisdaughterandherfamilywerecomingfromMelbournetostaywithhim.'Ihadonehellofafree-for-allwithNorthoverit,'hesaidwiththerelishofawinner.'HadtopromisetogetTheTerminatorintohelpwiththearrangements.HehadthefamilySantasuitdry-cleanedandboughtmeoneofthosefold-upChristmastrees—Isupposeit'llhavetodo.'

Ami'sparentsplannedtoflytoTasmaniatoLenore'ssisterforthecelebration.'Iwishyou'dcomewithus,'hermothersaid.'IhatetothinkofyoustuckinSydneyaloneforChristmas.'

'Iwon'tbealone,'Amiassuredher.'I'veheapsofinvitations.'

OnefromHarry,tojoinhimandhisfamilyonChristmasEve,andshewasn'tlikelytoacceptthat.Onefrom EmmaandMatt,andonlyaninsensitiveclodwouldintrudeonthefirstChristmasofnewlyweds.OnefromHelen,fordrinksinherstarry-windowedlounge.Severalfromfriends.Heapsofinvitations.

AsDecemberheatedup,AmisolddozensofherlightweighttropicalSantabeardsandeyebrows.Sydney'sChristmaslightswereswitchedon,thecity'sbuildingsweredeckedwithholly,Santas,reindeerandropesofflashinglights.AgiantChristmastreewentupinMartinPlace,andtheflowersellers'stallswerestockedwithChristmasbellsandbronze-redfloweringnativeChristmasbush.Silverandgoldstarseverywhere.AttheAvalon,Amisawasshepassedonce,thelollipoptreesweretastefullyhungwithbauble-likeredapplesandthepotswereswathedinVictorian-stylegarlands.Morganhadasprigofhollyinhislapel.NotagarishSanta,reindeerorflashinglighttobeseen.Nostars.Hometoheaven.

AmiassumedNorthmusthavereceivedherletterandcancelledanyfurthertributeswithMonica'sgift-buyingservice,whichwasjustaswellbecauseHelen'shusbandhadflownintoajealousragewhenshekepttakingflowershome.AmiwonderedifNorthwouldbeputtingonthefamilySantasuit.Sheimaginedhimdressedinit,apillowtiedaroundhismiddle,heavingasackoftoysforhisniecesandnephews.Lousy,manipulative,selfish,chauvinisticUncleNorth.HislasheswouldbeimpossiblythickandblackforaSanta.Histeethim-

possiblywhite.Shouldersathleticallybroad.'AndwhatdoyouwantforChristmas,AmiWinterburn...'

PeaceonEarth.

Goodwilltoall.

Amnesia.

Ho,ho,ho.

Salesslackenedoffattheshopastheschoolsperformedtheirend-of-yearplaysandwounddownforthesummerholidays.Shethrew herselfintoareorganisationoftheshop,andfelloffaladderwhileclearingatopshelfattheshop.Herweakeranklewasbadlysprained,andshespenttwodaysrestingit.Hermother,whohadnursedAmi'sweakanklethroughyearsofballet,insistedonsendingsomeonefromtheagencytocook,cleanthehouseandanswerthephone.Hermotheralsosentmagazines,andinoneofthemwasanarticleaboutFrancescaentitled,'TheSecondTimeAround.'ShetosseditasidebutthephotographofthefashiondesignerinthearmsofhermanlandedupsidedownonthecarpetandAmicouldn'tresistapeek.Butevenbeforesheturnedthepicturerightwayup,shecouldseethemanwasnotNorth.Amifrowned,seizedthemagazine.'FashiondesignerFrancescaParelli,marryingforthesecondtimenextmonth,willhaveahardtimefindingthetraditional"somethingnew."Shewillbemarriedinthechurchwhereshewasfirstmarried,willwearthesamedressandbeattendedbythesamebridesmaids.Eventhegroom willbethesame.'

'What?'Amireaditagain,attemptingtoholdbackanidioticpleasurethatFrancesca'sbridegroomwaslosinghishairandhadamoustache.

'Francescaand Antony willcelebratetheirreunion afterasix-monthseparationbyrenewingtheirvows."Thistime,"Francescasays,snugglinguptoherfirstandsecondhusband,"itisforkeeps."'

Amigaveanembarrassedlaugh,mortifiedthatshe'dsobadlyinterpretedafragmentofconversationyetrelievedthatNorthhadnotliedtoherafterall.Herintuitionhadbeenright.Hewasn'tthekindofmantoproposetoonewomanandsweepanotheroffherfeetallwithintwenty-fourhours.ThenewsFrancescahadbeendyingtotellhimthatnightwasnotthatsheandherhusbandweretobedivorced,butremarried.Amifeltasurgeofspiritsthatwanedassherememberedthelettershehadsenthim.Bitingherlip,shewishedshehad

waitedalittlelongerbeforemailingit.Butonreflection,shedecideditwasjustaswell.

Itwasawarm,wetnightaweekbeforeChristmaswhenshegaveherlastclassfortheyearattheShoelaceTheatre.Toprotectherankle,shemadeuseofsomestagecrutchestomovebetweenthestudentsastheyemulatedhermake-uptechniques.Onceagain,shehaddemonstratedfirstonherownface.

'Ican'tbelieveyoucanlooksogross,'oneofherstudentssaidasthelessondrewtoaclose.'Uglyassin-onyourleftside,anyway.'

'Beautyisonlyskindeep,'Amisaidwithahorriblegrin.

Thesubjecttonighthadbeendistortion,theruinedPhantom oftheOperaface,andshehaddisfiguredonesideofherface,closedoneeyetoamereslitanddrawntheliddownward,puckeredherskin,twistedhermouthandslashedahorrible,partlyhealedscaracrossonecheekbone.

'Beardsandmoustachesnextweek,'shetoldthemastheyclearedawaytheirequipmenttoleave.'Bringphotosandfalsehairforpractice.'

Theyleftandshestackedthechairs,gatheredupthewastetissuesinabin,turnedoffallbutthenominallightingintheauditorium.Beforeshecouldremovehermake-up,sheheardadoorshutandfootstepsintheauditorium.Shewentthroughthewingsontothehalf-litstage.'Isthatyou,MrMcShane?'shecalled,lookingaroundtherowsofseatsforthesecurityguard.

'No.'

Herheartflipped.Shefollowedthevoice,sawNorthovertoherleft.Helookedmarvellousandshedrankinthosedetailsofhispresenceavailabletoher,likeawomanoffereddrinkinthedesert.Thedarkhair,glisteningwithraindrops,thehandsomenose,shadowedandemphasizedbythesidelighting,thecontoursofhisleancheeks.Heworedarkjeansandashinyblackrainjacketwiththecollarturnedup.Hishandswerethrustintothepocketsashestaredbroodinglyatthestagefromthetieredauditorium.

'Youlooklikeamoviebadguy,'shesaidwithanervouslaugh.

'Youtypecastmelongago,'hesaiddryly.'How'syourleg?Ionlyfoundoutaboutyouraccidentlastweek.Harrytoldmeyouwereinhospitalbutwereokaynow.'

'How didheknow?'shesaidinanely,asifshecaredwhenNorthwasstandingouttherealongsiderowM.

'Hephonedyourplaceandspoketoanurseorsomeone.'

'Oh,'shesaid.Adeepsilenceensued.Hospital?shethought.She'donlybeeninthecasualtyward,whereHelenhadfranticallytakenher,forafewhourstoX-rayforfractures.Northstayedwherehewas,leaningontheseatbesidehimsothathisbodytookonasidewaysslant.

'Ihavebeentryingtogetintouchwithyoueversince—'

Hestoppedshortandshewonderedjustwhatphrasehewouldusetodescribetheoccasion.Eversinceourone-nightstand?EversinceIleftadozenrosesinmyplaceandranout?

'Youcouldhavewritten,'shesaidstroppily.

'Idon'texpressmyselfwellinwriting,'hesaid.

'Youmadeyourmeaningveryplainintheonenoteyouleftforme.'

'DidI?'hesaidharshly."That'smorethan1cansayofthatpieceofhypocritical,pseudo-feministgarbageyousentme.'

'Yournotewasmoreinthenatureofaninterofficememo—"thewidowAndersonisnolongerrequired.PleasekeepWednesdaynightfree,"'shemimickedinadeepvoice.'Youonlymanagedtorememberhowwonderfulournighttogetherhadbeeninthepostscript!'

HemoveddowntorowK,theraindropsonhishairandjacketturningredashepassedaneonexitsign.

'Icouldhavesaidournighttogetherwas"mostenjoyable,"'hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.'IcouldhavesaidI'drememberit"fondly."'

'Well,'shesaid,flushingslightly.'It'strue.'

'Don'tyoubloodydarerememberitfondly.'

'You'reapowerfulmanbutyoucan'tdictatemymemories.'

'Iwillnotberememberedfondly!'hesaidlouder.'Likea—adiscardedteddybear!'

ShelaughedbutNorthstaredatherwithathwartedexpression.Hewasserious,shethought,swallowinghard.Herheartbeatraced.

'WhenIgotthatletter,'hesaiddeliberately,'Ithought,tohellwithher.Stoptryingtophonehereverynightandeveryday.Stopsendingflowers.Stopthinkingabouther.Don'tseeheragain.'Heflickedadescendingraindropfromhisforeheadwithasmall,violentgesture,addedwithself-contempt,'ButhereIam.'

'Um,IwasupsetwhenIwrotethatletter.IheardthatFrancescawasgettingmarriedagainandIthoughtitwastoyou,andthatyou'dliedtomeaboutyourinvolvementwithhersothatIwould,er...'

Therewasavisiblestraighteningofhisspineasifhe'dbeengivenaninfusionofconfidence.Hishandscameoutofhispockets,wenttohiships,pushedbacktheblackjacket.Amihastilyreviewedwhatshe'dsaidtoaccountforthissuddenpowerswinginhisfavour.

'YouthoughtImadelovetoyouwhileIwasplanningtomarryFran?'hesaid,shakinghishead.'Youreallydohavemecastasthevillain,don'tyou?'

'I'msorry,'shesaid,shrugging.'Butyouhavetoadmitthatbasically,whatIwroteistrue.Imean,youandI—we—well,it'saphysicalthing,really,andverynice,but—'

'Verynice?Verybloodynice?'heroared.'Idon'tknowwhatyoufeelforme,butIloveyou,AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou.'

Itsoundedlikeadeclarationofwarratherthanadeclarationoflove.Butthephraseechoedaroundbeneaththerafters,provingthattheexpenseofacousticliningshadbeenwarranted.AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou.AcoupletsweetasanyShakespearehadwritten.

'Well—saysomething!'

Herheartbeatwasdeafening.'I—I—'shecroakedandheseemedtofindsomethingencouraginginherstutteringresponse.

HecutdownthroughrowEtothecentreaisle,movingfast,belowhernow,amanwithasenseofpurpose.Hewaspoweringtowardsthestagewhenhelookedupatheragainandstopped,horroronhisface.'Ami—oh,myGod,Amidarling—theaccident—Harrydidn'ttellme.'

Hestoodstock-still,hisfaceworking.Hisnostrilsflared.'Youdidn'ttellme,'heaccused,pointingafingerather.'Whythehelldidn'tyoutellme?'

Amigapedathim.Sheputahandtotheartificiallydistortedsideofherface,visiblenow tohim.Northwastalkingaboutthat,staringatitin—what?Revulsion?Loathing?Panic?Shesaw thepallorinhisface,andtheblooddrainedfrom herownhead.Norththoughtherfacehadbeeninjuredintheaccident,too.Shewatchedhimabsorbthisnew,hideousimageofherandwaitedinafatalisticcalm.Perhapshewasalreadydiscoveringthathecouldn'tloveher,afterall.Northpreferredhiswomenbeautiful.

'Imaginewakingnexttoafacelikethis,'shesaid,makingastabatalight-heartedtone.Inamomentshewouldhavetotellhimitwasn'tgenuine.Andthat

wouldbeworsestill.Shewonderedwhatwouldhurthimthemost—hishorroratherruinedfaceorhisreliefthatitwasafake.'I'mafraidthisfacedoesn'tmeetyourhighaestheticstandards,North,'shesaidinahigh,strainedvoice.

Whitepatchesshowedbesidehismouth.'Highaestheticstandards!Youmakemesoundlikeabloodyqualitycontrolofficerorsomething.'North'seyesnar-rowedonhersuddenlyasasuspicionstruckhim.'Hell,'hesaid,clappingahandtohisforehead.'I'vefallenforitagain.'Hegroundhisteeththenstrodeacrosstheauditoriumtoasidedoor.Amiheardthestampofhisfootstepsupthesteps,acrossaconcreteapron,traversingthecontrolconsoleuntiltheyechoedonthestageitself.Sheturnedawkwardlytoconfronthim.Northglaredattheleftsideofherface.Heranafingertipoverthetextureofit.'Allyourownwork,ofcourse,'hesaidtautly.

Shenodded.

'Soitisjustyouranklethatyouinjured—you'renothurtotherwise?'

'Ionlyfelloffaladder,'shesaid.'Andthereasonyouonlyheardaboutityesterdaywasbecauseitonlyhappenedyesterday.'

'What?Harrysaid—Igottheimpressionitwasmoreserious,thatyou'dbeenlaidupinhospitalforaweek.'Hegaveadrylaugh.'Thatoldmeddler,playingcupid,Isuppose.'Hehauledherclose,suddenlyangryagain.'Ishouldhaverealisedyouwouldn'tbewalkingaroundwithweek-oldinjurieslikethis,butlogicdesertsmewhereyou'reconcerned.'Andhekissedherwithsavagepassion,bendingherbackwardsbeneaththeforceofit.Hishandssweptoverherbackinaroughcaress,spreadonherrear,tiltinghermoreintimatelyagainsthim.Amigasped,droppedoneofthecrutchesanditclatteredunheededtothefloor.Itwassolongsinceshe'dbeeninhisarms,smelledthemixoffragrancesandodoursthatweredistinctivelyhis,kissedhim.Makingupforlosttime,shekissedhim now,feelingthefrictionofhisteethonhertongue,tastingthesweetnessoforangesinhismouth.Hestraightenedsuddenly,lookingatherwithaglitterofcombineddesireandangerinhiseyes.

'So.Ifailedthetest,Isuppose,'hesaidharshly,underhisownbreath.'That'swhyyoudidn'ttellmeyouweremade-up,isn'tit?Youthought,let'sseeifthismanofsuperficialfeelingsandtrivialvalueswillsayhelovesmewithscarredskinandadroopingeye.'

'North,itwasn'tlikethat.Ihadjustfinisheddoingaclass.WhenyouwalkedinI—forgotIwaswearingmake-up.Whenyousawityouassumeditwasreal—'

'Andyouletme!BecauseyouthoughtI'drunscreaming,didn'tyou?'Heclaspedherarmstightly,gaveherasmallshake.'Allthatstuffaboutwantingtheentireyou,notjustyourlovelyhide—youhadtocheckitout,didn'tyou?'

Shetwistedawayfromhim,angered.'Andthefactis,Istilldon'tknow,doI?'shesnapped.

Hisfacelookedashenincontrasttohisblackclothes.

'Well,then,you'regoingtohavetoworkitoutforyourself,aren'tyou,Ami?'hesaidquietly.'Idon'tunderstandthisobsessionofyours.'

Hesteppedback,lethergo,onlygrabbingherarm oncemoreforafewsecondstosupportherasshewobbled.Hepickedupthesecondcrutchandhandedittoher.'Iloveyou,'hesaidroughly.'IwantyousobadIcouldmakelovetoyourightnow,standingup,onthisstage,andIwouldn'tcaretoomuch,frankly,iftherewasanaudiencehere.'Amiflushedadarkred.

'Butthen,Iwouldsaythat,wouldn'tI?BecauseIknowyou'rereallybeautifulunderthatstuffandtrivial,shallowtypeslikemecan'tcontemplateanythingelse,'hesaidinalow,gutturalvoice.'I'dbetterleavebeforewehaveanotherisolatedincident.'

Heleftthen,retracinghisstepsuntilthesoundofhisleavingfadedintothespaceofhisarrival.Amiwasshattered,remorseful,angry.Tearsinhereyes,sheremovedtheillusoryeffectsfromherface,notcaringifshetoretheflimsypiecesoflatex.Wasshemisjudginghim?Shewantedtobelieveit,butyearsofaccumulatedfearsandthemanyMirandasshehadknowngotintheway.

HismoodwasunsociableandheshouldhavedeclinedLenoreWinterburn'sinvitationtoherharbourhometodiscussthedonationofasculpturefromhiscollection.Curiosity and a renewed hopefulness,which he refused toacknowledge,madehimgo.ThiswaswhereAmihadlived,hethought,lookingaroundthelovelyhousethatwasexpensivelybutunpretentiouslyfurnishedforcomfort.Aclusterofphotographsdrewhisattention,andhestopped,pickedupaprintofaplain,skinnylittlegirl,allarmsandlegs,pushingaminiaturewheel-barrow.Heranafingerovertheface,smilingatthatfamiliar,levelexpressioninthechild'seyes.'Oh,I'msorry,'hesaid,puttingthephotodownashefeltAmi'smotherwatching.Heflushed.Ifhewasnotcareful,hewouldfindhimselfwallowinginsentiment,hethoughtindisgust,singingburstsof'OntheStreetWhereYouLive.'

'Comeandmeetmyhusband,'Lenoresaidcosily.Northwasnotmisled.LenoreWinterburnwasashrewd,intelligentwoman,sharplyobservantandstubbornasanox,heguessed,onceshe'dmadeuphermind.Hischancesofgettingawaywithoutdonatingasculpturetohercharitywerenil.Aformidablewoman.Likemother,likedaughter.

StevenWinterburnwasinhisstudy,alargeroomlinedwithbookshelvesandhungwithstartlingbefore-and-afterphotographs—facessmooth,facesruinedanddistorted.Aftertheformalities,North'seyesweredrawntothem.Hefrowned.'IthoughtforamomenttheywerephotographsofAmi'swork,'hesaid,takingacloserlook.

'Mine,actually,'saidherfatherwithasmile.'ButIseewhatyoumean.'

'Stevenisareconstructivesurgeon,'Lenoresaid.'Thesearesomeofhispatientsbeforeandaftersurgery.'

Northlookedmorecarefully.Notfacesruined,butfacesrestored.'IsupposeAmitookonthetherapeuticcosmeticsbecauseofyourinvolvementinrecon-struction,'hesaid,thinkinghard.

'Yes.Shehasalwaysbeeninterestedinmywork,'herfathersaid.'Fromthetimeshewasalittlegirlshewouldcomeinhereandaskaboutthepeopleinthephotos.Notthemostpleasantsideoflifeforachildtoconfront,'hesaiddryly.'ButAmiwasneverthekindofchildwhocouldbefobbedoffwithprettyanswers.Shewasquitecriticaloffairytales,Iremember.'Hesmiled.

'Icanimagine.Snowinsummer,'Northsaidhalftohimself,movingfromportraittoportrait.

'Quite,'Ami'sfathersaiduncertainly.'Cosmetictherapistsarefewandfarbetween—thestressofdealingwithdisfiguredpeoplegetstothem,yousee.Whenwelostourlastoneandtherewasno-onetoreferpatientsto,Amitookiton.Shesaysshecopeswithitokay.'

'Shecries,butnotinfrontofherstudents,'Northsaidabsently.

Ami'sparentsexchangedaspeakingglance.'Youmustknowourdaughterverywell,'herfathersaid,lookinghimoverwithamorecriticaleye.

'IthinkIknowheralittlebetternow,'hesaid,withalastlookatthestudiesoffacesruinedandmended.Hethoughtofalittlegirl,growingupwiththisacuteawarenessoftheevanescenceofbeautyornormalityandtheneedtolookbeneaththesurface.Inarushofenlightenment,herememberedsomethingHarryhadsaid.Joking,Northhadstudiedastooped,linedwomanpassingbyandsaid,"ThankstoAmi,Icanneverseeanoldpersonanymorewithout

wonderingifthere'ssomeoneyoungunderneath.'AndHarryhadsaid,'Don'twonder,son.Therealwaysis.'

WithunderstandingcameafeelingofhelplessnessthatmadeNorthgrindhisteeth.HowthehellwashegoingtoconvinceAmithathelovedher,therealher?Histrackrecorddidn'thelphim,headmittedruefully.She'lovedhim,heknewit,feltit.Butshehadgrownupwiththosephotographsandthesmall,tragicstoriesthatwentwiththemandshehadhimtapedasexactlythekindofmanshecouldn'tbewith—amanwithonlysomeofhissensesinworkingorder,blindtoherqualitiessavethosethataffordedhimdirectpleasure.Surely,shecouldseethatmighthavebeentrueonce,butnotanymore?Butshewassodamnedstubborn,sostrong,sodetermined.

Beforeheleft,hedonatedanymphtoLenore'scharity.Likemother,likedaughter,hethought,hisheadreelingfromtheexperience.Hecalledupafour-letterwordhehadn'tusedsinceearlyadolescence.'Help,'hesaidoutloudashedroveaway.

ApostcardcamefromEmma,stilltravellinginEuropeonherhoneymoon.Thesmallspacewascrammedwithtouristanecdotesandglowingdescriptionaswellassomepithyadvice.'Regardingthatsuperciliousswine.Don'tbetoohasty.Anymanwhocannurseyouthroughavirusandstillfancyyou—andbe"justgoodfriends"withthegorgeousFrancesca—isnotanemptyvessel.Homeontwenty-third.Havingawonderfultime.Donotwishyouwerehere.'

Hermotherphoned.'Darling,youremembermywriter?He'sabandonedthatbookhewasworkingonandwantssomeonetotap-danceinanelevatorsothathecanstudythereactionsoftheoccupants.Naturally,Ithoughtofyou.Yourankle'sokaynow,isn'tit?Haveyoustillgotyourtapshoes?'

'He'sabandonedthebook!'Amishouted.'Iwaitandaskedhisstupidquestions,whichchangedmyentirelife,andhe'sabandonedthebook?No,Iwillnottap-danceinanelevator!'

'Isee,'hermothersaid.'Bytheway,wegotournymph.'

Ami'ssensesquickened.'Oh?'

'Northcametoseeus.Areyouinlovewithhimasmuchasheiswithyou?'

Sheclutchedatthephone.'Whatmakesyouthinkhe'sinlovewithme?'

'Itmusthavebeenthewayhemoonedoverthatpictureofyouonthehalltable.Imean,Iloveyoudearly,Amidarling,butevenIhavetoadmityouwere

theplainestlittlethingontwolegsuntilyouwerefifteen.HelookedasinspiredasifyouwereHelenofTroy.Poorman,heblushedwhenhesawthatInoticed.'

'Blushed—North?'

'Soyouwon'ttakethetap-dancingjob?'Lenorewentonaggravatingly,whenAmiwouldhavelikedtohearmoreaboutthismooning,blushingNorth.'Ican'tsayIblameyou.I'mnotkeenonelevatorsmyself.Bye— yourfatherandIwillphoneChristmasDayfromTassie.'

Amihungupandsatawhile.Shepickedupthephone,tookadeepbreathandkeyedinNorth'sofficenumberattheAvalon.ItwasonlyatemporaryarrangementandMr.KendrickhadmovedbacktohiscustomaryofficeinCrowsNest,awomantoldhex.ButNorthwasn'tthere,either.

ChristmasEve.Sydney'sweatherwassultry,theskiesblue.Theofficepartieswereover.Last-minuteshoppingandtrading.Christmasdecorationsweregoingcheap.

TheSalvationArmyplayedChristmascarolsforthefortunateandpreparedChristmasdinnersforthoselessso.CarspackedhighheadedinslowlinesacrosstheHarbourBridge,headingnorth,headingsouthtobeaches,campgrounds,holidayhouses,toChristmasreunionswithparents,children,family,friends.Thecity'schurchesproclaimedthebirthoftheChristchild.AmislippedintoSt.James,nearHydePark,toreflectonloveandhopeandpeaceonearth.TheyclosedtheshopatnoonandAmideliveredgiftstospecialcustomersandfriends.ShekeptHarry'spresenttilllast.

Harry'shousewasamodestbrickbungalow inanoldinner-westsuburbgreenedbymatureoaksandfigtreesandwoodyroses.Amifoundaparkingspotinarowofvisitors'carsparkedinthestreetandwalkedupapathacrossalawnborderedwithplumbagohedges.Therewasnoanswertoherknockand,afterawhile,shewalkedaroundtothebackofthehouse.Thebackgardenwaslongandnarrowwiththeparasolcanopyofapoincianatreebearinggarlandsofredflowers.Attheendofthegarden,beneaththearchingboughs,wasalargeshed.Itstimberdoorswereflungwideopenand,framedintheaperture,litbybrightsunlightagainstthedarkinterior,wereHarryandapartlydismantledmotorbike.AndNorth.Amifeltarushofpuredelight,asuddenpiercinghappiness.Thesightofhim,onhisknees,obviouslydoingHarry'sbiddingmadeherthinkofthedayhe'dbeenonhiskneesbesideher,daubingherwithantiseptic.

'No,no,no,'Harrywassaying,shakinghisheadandpointing.'Theotherone!'

'Aw,Dad—givemeachance!'Northprotested.Heworkedsomethinglooseandshowedittohisfatherthenwipedahandacrosshisface.'Ifyou'regoingtosuperviseeverynutandboltinthisproject,IthinkI'll—'HebrokeoffashesawAmi.

Thesenseofbuoyancyheightened.ShesmiledatNorth,unabletokeepthefeelingtoherself.Somewhere,inherreflectionsonloveandhope,shehadmadeaquantum leappastherdoubts.Thiswasright.Northwasright.Iloveyou,North.Hestoodupslowly,eyesfixedonherface,readingthescatteredcluestherewithalltheintensespeculationhehadoncedevotedtoheralphabetsweater.Heworefadedoverallsthatweretootightovertheshoulders.Thereweresmearsofdirtandgreaseonhisface,hishairfloppedoverhisforehead,heneededashave.Themanwasamess.Helookedwonderful,strongandvibrant,amaninhisprime.

'AmiWinterburn,'hesaid,turninghernameoveronhistongueasifitwasthefirsttimehe'dsaidit.Hestuckhishandsonhishipsbutinspiteofthemuscularassertivenessoftheposehelookeduncertain.

Shewalkeddowntothem.Harrybeamedawelcomeather.

'We'rerenovatingoneofmyoldracingbikes,'hetoldAmi.

'YoumeanI'mrenovatingyouroldracingbike— you'resupervising,'Northsaidwithasnort.

'He'salwaysaroundherelately,tinkeringwithstuffontheworkbench.Moreinventing,Ishouldn'twonder,'Harrysaid.

‘Tinkering?'Amilookedatthebike.Notpartlydismantled,afterall,butpartlyrebuilt,whichwasquitedifferent.Smiling,shelookedatNorthashesteppedoutfrombehindtheDucati.Hergazecametorest,askance,ontherolled-uptrouserlegsofhisoverallsthathungincongruouslyoverboots.

'Whatdoyouthinkofthem?'Harrysaid,seeingherinterest.'Theboots.Iusedtoraceinthem.'

Blackbikebootswithstrapsandsilverbuckles.TheonesNorthhadcovetedasakid,theonesHarryhadsaidhemightgrowintooneday.

'Ithoughtyougavethanawaytosomeoneelse,Harry!'

'Itoldhimthat,justtopunishhim,'Harryadmittedsheepishly.'Hewasthickasthievessuddenlywithhisscienceteacher—theonethattookoutpatentsforhim.Hedidn'tneedmeanymore,Ithought.He'dleftmebehind,soIhidthe

bootsawayandtoldhimI'dgiventhemtosomeoneelse.'Theoldmanpulledaface.'Thoughthemighthavegrownintothem atlastsoIgavethem tohimtoday.Andwhatdoyouthink—they'reaperfectfit.'HarrygavehiswheezinglaughandwinkedatAmi.

Northdidn'tnotice.HisattentionwasonAmi,compellingherattentionbacktohim.Hisgreyeyesbeamedawarmthherwaythathadnothingtodowiththebrilliantsunshine.Itwasalookshehadseenmanytimes.Whenshe'dbeendirtyandscratchedanddishevelledbytheroadside,whenshe'dbeensweatingandsickwithavirus,thelasttimeshe'dbeendisguisedasanelderlywidow,wrinkledandwornwithtime.Atherbestandatherworsthehadlookedatherjustlikethis.

HarryflickedalookbetweenNorthandAmi.'Well,I'vegotthingstodo.TherestofthefamilyarearrivingabouttentonightandIstilldon'tlikethatdarnedChristmastree...tooglittery,ifyouaskme.'

'Idon'twanttointerruptanything,'Amisaid.

'NorthonlycalledinforsomeadviceandI'vegivenhimthat,'Harrysaid,scarcelyleaningonhisstickashewalkedtowardsthehouse,hummingunderhisbreath.

ThescreendoorbangedostentatiouslybehindHarry.AmilookedatNorth.Heyankedthefrontoftheoverallsandpoppedthestuds,thenpeeledthefadeddrilldown,shookitfreefromhisbootedlegs.UnderneathheworeaburgundyT-shirtandjeanstuckedintoHarry'soldbikeboots.Hetossedtheoverallsasideandsurveyedher,handsonhips,thathintofuncertaintyabouthimmakingherheartturnover.

'You,theboygenius,askingforadvice?'shesaidwithanervouslaugh,thinkinghowithadputaspringinHarry'sstep.

'Whereyou'reconcernedIcoulduseapanelofadvisers.'

'Iheardyou'ddonatedanymphtoMum'scharity.Thatwasgenerousofyou.'

'Wise,anyway.Iwouldn'twanttostartoffonthewrongfootwithmyfuturemother-in-law.'Hiseyesnarrowedasheassessedtheeffectofthisbreathtakingassumption.

Herheartbeatquickened.'North,whatareyousaying?'

'JustthatI'vemettheonlywomanIeverwant—asmymother-in-law.'

'Theonlywoman?'

'It'sherorno-one.Doyouthinkshe'll—liketheidea?'

Amismiledbrilliantly.AnyminutenowshewaslikelytopirouettearoundHarry'sbackgarden.'She'lllovetheidea.'

'You'resureaboutthat?'

'Absolutely.'

'She'llsayyes?'

'Oh,yes.'

'Inthatcase,I'llaskher—whenthetimeisright.'

'Youweren'tgoingtoriskano?Coward.'

'Absolutely.'

Hesmiledatherandsheathimanditwashappeningagain.Thatpeculiarcommunicationwithoutwords,athingatonceprimitiveandmoresophisticatedthananyartificialmeansofcommunicationdevisedbyhumanity.IfHarrywaspeekingthroughhiswindowhewouldseethemstandingmetresapartbuttheywereascloseastwopeoplecouldbewithouttouching.

'Iwentintoyourfather'sstudywhenIcalledatyourhouse.Isawthefacesofhispatientsinthosephotostudies.Itmademerealizehowseriousyouareaboutsuperficiality,howyoumightguardagainstit.Itseemedobsessivetome,Ididn'tunderstand,butIthinkIdonow.Icameawayadesperateman,wonderingifI'deverbeabletoconvinceyouthatIloveyou—thewholeyou,notjusttheprettybits.'

'Iknewyoudid.Itwasburieddeep,that'sall—underfearandcowardice.Ijustneededtime.'

"That'swhatHarrysaid,whenIaskedhisadvice.Hesaidyoulovedme,thatIshouldbepatient,andwait.'Northstudiedhercarefully,foldedhisarmsandleanedagainstthesheddoor,waiting,thepictureofpatiencespoiledonlybythegrowinggleaminhiseyes.

'Butyouhavetoadmit,'shesaid,reactingtohisgrowingcomplacence,'thatyouseemedtobeallthethingsIalwayssaidIwouldavoid.Forastart,youweresoarrogant—'

Heopenedhiseyeswideinsurprise.

'Talkingaboutwomenasiftheyweremerecommoditiesinourlife—allthewomenyoumetwereeither"tooyoung,tooold,marriedorfeministacademics,"'shequoted.

'Ah.Yes,'hesaid,concedingthepointwithagrimace.

'Youcollectedpaintingandsculpturesandwhenyougottiredofthemjustpackedthemupandsentthansomewhereelse.Itseemedtomethatyoumightregardwomenlikethosenymphs—nicetoownforawhilebutreplaceable.IthoughtImightenduplikeoneofthosetorchbearersoutsidetheAvalon,orlikeoneofyourmooning,palepre-Raphaeliteheroines.'

'Justfortherecord,Inevertiredofthan.Butthecollectionhasgrownsolargeandasoutherncollegehasbeenpesteringmeforyearstoturnitovertothemasapublicexhibitionandresourceforstudentsand—'Heshrugged.'Upuntilafewmonthsagotherehadbeenacertainlackofmeaninginmylife,soIdecidedpublicworksmightbeagood—'Hestopped,struckbyathought.'Thewheat!'hesaid.'Pre-Raphaelitewomen—that'swhatyoumeant.'

'Hasthatbeenbotheringyou?'

'Whenthewomanofyourdreamsleapsnakedfrom yourarmsbabblingaboutwheat,itcausessomeseriousproblemsforthemalepsyche.'

'Oh,really,'shesaidsceptically.

'Ifoundmyselfgoingoverthatnighttryingtothinkwhereitmighthavegonewrongandhowthehellwheatcameintoit.Itwasallabithazybecauseofthebrandy.Thatwastrue,youknow.'

'Ifyouhadahangoverthenextday,youwereheroicallyunmovedbythesoundofKen'smotorbike,'shesaiddryly.

'Iwassothrown,theheadachethenextdaywastheleastpainfulthingaboutit.ButIkeptrelivingeverymomentofthenightthatIcouldremember.'

'Everymoment?'

'Overandover.'

"Thatmusthavebeenveryirritating.'

'Onthecontrary.Ifoundit"mostenjoyable".'

Shechuckled.'InmyfirstdraftIsaid"extremelypleasurable".'

Histeethflashedinacockygrinthatmadeherheartbump.Amiheldherarmswideandhetooktwogiantstepsandhauledherclose,heldherthereamomentbeforehekissedherhardonthemouth.'Womanofathousandfaces,'hemutteredintoherhair.'Iloveallofthem—allofyou.ThereneverwillbejustonefacetoAmiWinterburn,willthere?'Heframedherfaceinbothhands.'ForsomeonesupposedtobesmartIcanbeveryslow.'

'Surelynot!'shesaid,openinghereyeswide.

'ButIfinallysawitwasstupidtoresentyoufoolingmewithyourAmeliadisguisebecausethatwasyou,too,justinanotherform.You'llalwaysbechanging—growing—there'llalwaysbeanewface.Ilovethat.'

Hegatheredhercloseandkissedheragain,thoroughly.'AmiWinterburn,Iloveyou,'hemurmured.'AndIwantyou...andwhileIcouldeasilymakelovetoyouonaroadsideorstandinguponastage,Idrawthelineatmyfather'sbackyard.'

Holdinghands,theywalkeddowntothehouse.

'ComeforadrivewithmeandHarry?'heasked.''I'dloveto.'

'Don'tyouwanttoknowwhereto?'

'Nope.'

'Itmightbealong,longway.'

'Ihopeitis,'shesaid.

Itwasoveranhour'sdrive,west,straightintoablazinglateafternoonsunthatwasdroppingdowntowardsthecraggyBlueMountainsrange.

'Youmeanyou'relookingfor...'Harrysaid,ashefiguredoutwheretheyweregoingandthen,'itwon'tstillbehere.Probablygottownhousesbuiltonitnow.Orbeenturnedintoaminigolfcourseorsomething.'

Butithadn'tbeen.Ahand-paintedsign,proppedonasideroad,announcedChristmasTrees—SelectYourOwn.Downalong,dustydrivewaytheywent,followinghand-paintedarrowspastahousetoanuntidyplantationofslashpinesinlonggrass.Thereweretwosmallgroupsofpeople,onewanderingabout,anothercuttingtheirtree.Theirvoicesandtheringingcutsoftheaxecarriedontheair.Musicdriftedfromthehouse.

Harrysighed.'Fancythat—somethingsdon'tchange.Thesamepeoplemustlivehere.'

"Thedaughterofthepeopleweusedtosee,'Northsaid.

Harryswallowedhardandsaidstroppily.'Betyoudidn'tbringtheaxe.'

'It'sintheboot,'Northsaid.

Harrysighedagainandgotoutofthecar,headedoffbetweenarowoftrees,slappingataslendertrunknowandthentotestforsomeobscurequality.North

stoodamomentwatchinghim,then,smiling,tookouttheaxeandasmallhandsaw.

'Wealwayscutthetreeseveralfeetabovetheground.Thatwayitdoesn'tdiebutgrowsagain.Once,whenIwasfifteen,wecutourtreefromthesameonewe'dhadwhenIwasfive.'

Amilookedaroundattheclumping,erraticregrowthfrom thepost-highstumps,evidenceofpastChristmases.ShethoughtofNorthbroughthereasaboybyhisfather,choosingatree.HewatchedHarry'sprogress,smilingslightly.'Ithinkwe'llletHarrypickthetree.Heseemstoknowwhathe'slookingfor.'

Northheftedtheaxeoverhisshoulder,tookAmi'shand.Astheymovedontotheroughgroundbetweenthepineshemadeamuffledsoundandhobbledabit.Amilookedenquiringlyathim.

'Thoseboots—'shebegan.

'Don'tyoudaretellhimthey'retoosmall,'hegrowled.

AmirememberedHarry'swinkandlaughed,herheartcontractingatNorth'sprotectiveness.'Iloveyou,'shesaid.'Mymotherandmybestfriendvouchedforyou,soitisn'tsurprising.'

'I'vealwaysbelievedinthesuperiorperceptionofwomen,'hesaidbrazenly.

'ButIthinkitwasthegardeniathatdidit.'

'Thegardenia?'

'Ifithadn'tbeenforthatIwouldn'thavefeltsoupsetaboutyouthrowingmeout.Butyoutuckedthatflowerinmyhairsogentlythatitruinedmyimageofyouasanout-and-outrotter.IdoubtthatIwouldhaveturnedupasAmeliatogatecrashyourparty,ifithadn'tbeenforthegardenia.Icouldn'tforgiveyouforitbecauseitmadeyouunforgettable.'

'YoumeantherewasonlyaflowerbetweenmeandlifewithoutAmiWinterburn?RemindmetorecommendaraiseforMorgan.'

Theairwasmauvewithearlyduskandshimmeringstillwiththedepartedradianceofthesun.Shehadthestrangestfeelingoftimelessnessasshewalked,herhandinNorth's,throughthefieldoftreesharvested,growing,regrown.Thelinksoftradition.Parentsandchildren.Childrenandparents.Christmasespast.Today,this'ChristmasEve.Christmasestocome.'We'llcomehereforourChristmastrees,'shesaid.

'Ithoughtyoudidn'tapproveofallthispine-treestuffinthelandofgumtreesandpalms.'

Amithrewherarmswide.'Oh,IalwayssaythatinSeptember,'shesaid.'ButbyDecember,Ialwayscomearoundtotheideaofpinetreesandsummersnow.'

Harry'svoicecarriedonthestillair.'Nowthat,'hesaid,'iswhatIcallaChristmastree!'

TherewassomebickeringbetweenfatherandsonasNorthshapeduptocutHarry'stree.Happiness,Amithought,wassomethingyoueitherrememberedoryearnedfor.Hardlyeverdidyourecogniseitattheprecisemoment.Butthis,rightnow—thiswaspurehappiness,watchingNorthhefttheaxeinbothhands.Hisshouldersandbackrippledashebroughtthesmalltreedownwithacoupleofstrokes.Harryseizeditanddraggeditofftowardsthecar,refusingalloffersofhelp.

Northusedthesawtoneatenthecut.Theduskdeepenedandthefirststarappearedinthesky.HethrewdownthesawandlookedatitawhilewithAmi.Thenheheldhisarmswide,andwhereelsewouldshegoexceptintothem?'Iloveyou,North,'shesaid,wrappingherarmsaroundhisneckasshekissedhim.ItwastoofarawaytobepossiblebutAmithoughtsheheardawheezykindoflaughter.Hereyesclosed.'Fifteen,'shesaid,afterawhile.

'Fifteenwhat?'

'Stars.Orwasitsixteen?Ilostcount.'Hesmiled,lookingdeepinhereyes.'Justhavetostartagain.'

Amisighed.'DarlingNorth.Thatsoundsmostenjoyable.'