Desire (#2) (5 page)

He walked back over to our table beaming, carrying a tray.

“This is a Bakewell tart,” he said, lifting a plate with what looked like a pie base filled with icing. “And this is a Victoria sponge, named after Queen Victoria, who was partial to a slice with her afternoon tea,” he said, looking pleased with himself.

After he returned the tray, he sat beside me and placed a hand over mine. “I hope you don’t think I’m prying, Kate, but you did seem upset earlier …”

“I’m not sure why I reacted like that. It’s always been one of my favourite paintings, and seeing it like that … so beautiful.” I shook my head. “I’m just being silly. Ignore me,” I said and reached for the little jug of milk.

As Colin stirred his coffee, I looked at him shyly. Perhaps I owed him an explanation. I saw him rolling his eyes earlier when Benjamin mentioned he would pay for anything I wanted to do today, and Colin had seemed a little colder with me since he discovered Benjamin and I were … seeing each other.

“This is a little awkward, Colin,” I said, trying to choose my words carefully.

He looked up. “What’s wrong?”

“I want you to know that I’m not interested in Benjamin because of his money or the Easton family name…”

The words were difficult for me to say and embarrassing, but it was important to me that Colin understood. I liked him, and I didn’t want him to think I was a cold-hearted gold-digger.

“I’ve never thought that, Kate.”

I shrugged, feeling awkward. “Well, I thought you seemed a little put out recently.”

“Oh, Kate.” Colin set down his cup of coffee and sighed. “It’s nothing to do with your relationship with Benjamin.” He shook his head and gazed around the room for a moment, before speaking again. “Benjamin and I have had a few disagreements lately, but it’s nothing to do with you. Mostly, we argue about security procedures. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Security?”

He took a sip of his coffee and nodded. “Benjamin is the head of a billion-dollar company, yet he refuses to employ a personal security detail. Just last week, he went missing for two whole hours.”

“Missing?”

“He drove back from Boston, and his phone battery was dead. But none of us knew where he was. He doesn’t seem to understand the possible dangers.”

I bit down on my lip and wondered if I should mention the man I saw acting suspiciously in the lobby then thought better of it. He hadn’t really done anything out of the ordinary. I only noticed him because of my paranoia about my past.

“But that isn’t something for you to worry about.” He smiled. “Now, let’s try the cake.”

The Victoria sponge was light and fluffy, and the strawberry jam in the centre was absolutely delicious. The Bakewell tart was just as good, tasting of sweet almonds.

Thoroughly stuffed, we continued our tour of the Tate, and I did my best to banish Benjamin from my thoughts, but it wasn’t easy.

As we stood admiring a watercolour by Monet, Colin turned to me and said, “I hope you’re not pinning all your hopes on Benjamin.”

I felt my cheeks grow warm. “What do you mean?”

Colin pursed his lips into a hard line.

“Colin, what do you mean?”

“Forgive me. You’re a lovely girl, Kate. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Hurt? Why would I get hurt?”

Colin exhaled heavily. “It wouldn’t be the first time. Look, Benjamin has this … charisma about him. It draws people towards him, especially women. I’m sure he likes you very much, but I think you should be aware he’s not the commitment type.”

For a moment, I was lost for words. Colin was trying to be kind, and put me on my guard, but I hated him for it. “I see.”

“The red paint,” Colin said.

I looked up, confused. “Red paint?”

Colin nodded. “Yes. The red paint on the mural, the one you repaired, how do you think it got damaged?”

I shook my head and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“His last lover,” Colin said, with a wry smile. “She didn’t take too kindly to his rejection.”

My insides felt like ice. I had known all along that this relationship wouldn’t last, so why did Colin’s words hurt so much?

“So that must have happened recently?”

Colin nodded. “About a month ago.”

“Only a month? Wow, I hadn’t realised.” I guess Benjamin didn’t feel the need to wait around between his conquests. How could I have been so stupid? I almost convinced myself he cared, with this trip to the gallery, organised just for me.

“I’m sorry if that isn’t what you wanted to hear, Kate. But I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

I shook my head and forced a smile. “Oh, it’s not like that with Benjamin and me. It’s just a casual thing. Nothing serious.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth.

“Oh, well good. I feel better now.” He gave me a crooked smile. “I guess that means you won’t be vandalising the Easton estate’s artwork then?”

I did my best to laugh along with him. “Your artwork is safe from me, Colin.”

COLIN HAD OFFERED TO take me to lunch after the gallery, but I told him I had a headache and wanted to get back to the hotel. I kept up my sunny performance, until I was safely in my hotel suite, then I flopped on the bed and started to cry.

Why had I picked him? Why had I fallen for a man who would never love me back? I buried my face in the pillow. I lay there for over an hour until my cell phone rang.

It was Benjamin.

I looked at the caller display and chewed my lip. I didn’t know if I could speak to him right now.

I answered the phone, and his warm deep voice sent tingles down to my toes and made fresh tears prick the corner of my eyes.

“Can you be ready for six? I’ll send the car to take you to Hampshire. I’m not going to get back in time to see you off, but…”

“That’s fine,” I interrupted. “Look, to be honest, it will do me good to have a little space.”

He was silent on the other end of the phone.

“I’m not really sure this is going anywhere,” I said.

“Where do you want it to go?” he asked. He kept his voice light, but there was a steely edge to it.

“I’m starting to feel like a sex object,” I snapped.

He laughed. “There are worse things.”

I bristled. He was laughing at me. I was not surprised his last conquest threw red paint over his prized mural. It was probably the only way she could get him to take her seriously.

“Look, Kate. I’m in the middle of a meeting. Can we talk about this later?”

“Fine,” I said and hung up on him.

I set the phone down on the bed and stared at it. Had I really just hung up on him? He wouldn’t like that. I waited to see if he would call back, but of course, he didn’t.

I hauled myself off the bed and started to pack.

I guess it really sank in when the Mercedes showed up to take me to Hampshire. There was no sign of Benjamin. Some small part of me hoped he would turn up and convince me that I did matter to him. That I was different to all the other women.

I wheeled my case forward to the edge of the sidewalk, and the grey-haired driver smiled as he took it from me and loaded it into the trunk. The evening air had turned chilly, so I wrapped my jacket around me tightly.

After I settled myself in the backseat, the driver asked if I’d like to listen to any music.

“Sure,” I said, fastening my seatbelt.

“I have a classic FM CD if that suits you. Or would you prefer something more modern?”

“Classical music’s fine.”

The low haunting notes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata filled the car as the driver pulled away from the front of Claridge’s and merged into the early evening traffic. The buildings passed in a blur and rain drops trailed down the window. I was moping, but I couldn’t help myself.

I heard a sharp beep and pulled my cell phone from my handbag.

I had a message from Benjamin. Hope blossomed in my traitorous heart.

His message was abrupt and to the point. He didn’t waste any words on niceties.

Did the driver pick you up?

I gritted my teeth. Well, fine. I could be abrupt and to the point too.

I typed, Yes. In the car now.

Once we were traveling on the motorway, I closed my eyes and concentrated on the music, trying to empty my head of all thoughts of Benjamin. I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew I was shaken awake by the car traveling down a narrow, bumpy country lane.

I peered out into the darkness, but I saw nothing but hedgerows and fields. The driver noticed I was awake and caught my eye in his rear-view mirror.

“Nearly there now,” he said.

I straightened in my seat and patted down my hair, hoping my clothes weren’t too dishevelled. I didn’t want to give Lady Vastor any more reasons to look down on me. I’d ordered oil paints, canvas and pallet knives to be delivered to the Vastor’s country house. Tomorrow, I would just sketch Lady Vastor, but I would need the supplies in the next day or two.

“This is it,” the driver said, and I leaned forward to get my first glimpse of the Vastors’ Hampshire home.

The drive was lined by a tall hedge, hiding the house until we turned the next corner. When it finally came into view, the driver gave a low whistle.

I agreed with him. The place was huge. I didn’t know much about English houses, but knew enough to guess the house was over a hundred years old, probably older. Tall columns stood at the entrance, and at least fifty stone steps led up to the front door. Huge stone lions stood proudly guarding either side of the entrance.

As the driver opened my door, I shivered.

An external light flashed on as the driver carried my case up the steps. A moment later the front door opened, and a young Filipina maid beckoned me to come in. She wore a light blue uniform and a white apron.

I turned to the driver, flustered. Was I supposed to give him a tip? As I fumbled in my bag for my purse, he waved me away and headed back down the steps to his car.

“Would you like to go to your room?” the maid asked me and grabbed my suitcase.

“Oh, um, yes. Should I see Lady Vastor first?” I asked her, but she was already heading for the stairs.

“Later,” the maid said bobbing her head. “Lord and Lady Vastor will not be home until ten o’clock, I think.”

I blinked at her. “They’ve gone out?”

The maid bobbed her head again. “A village function. Lady Vastor said she’d see you when she got back.”

I bit down on the side of my mouth. If they weren’t even going to be here this evening, why was it so imperative I arrive today?

Was it Benjamin’s doing? Was he trying to get me out of the way?

The maid showed me to my room, which was at the far end of the hall. The room was pleasant, but had surprisingly understated décor compared the entrance and hallway.

I thanked the maid, and she left me to unpack. I dumped the suitcase on the floor, sat down on the bed and typed out an angry message to Benjamin.

Arrived at Vastors’ house, but Vastors are not here.

I stared dawn at the phone, willing him to respond, but he didn’t. I glanced down at my watch. Nine pm. I still had an hour to kill before the Vastors came home. I thought about exploring the house, but I thought that might be rude.

Perhaps I should call Benjamin. I had been acting like a spoiled brat. He didn’t promise me a long-term commitment. I reached for my phone and pulled up his number from my contacts. I could have called and apologised, but that was a bad idea. I dropped my phone back on the bed and kicked off my shoes. I needed to make a clean break. The last thing I needed was to hear his deep voice.

It was almost eleven before the Vastors returned. The young maid knocked on my bedroom door, informing me Lady Vastor would like to see me.

Fuming, I followed the maid downstairs. Why would they keep me waiting like this?

Lord Vastor was pouring himself a large measure of whiskey from a crystal decanter as I entered the room. Lady Vastor looked up but didn’t stand to greet me.

“Hello again, Kate,” she said smoothly. “I’m sorry we kept you waiting tonight.”

“That’s okay,” I said, even though it wasn’t really. I tried very hard to smile and be polite. She was my new client after all.

“I’m eager to make a start on the portrait tomorrow,” she said. “I won’t have to sit still for long, will I? I hate sitting still,” she said.

“I will need you to sit for the portrait,” I said carefully. “How long I’ll need you to sit for depends on how well the portrait progresses.”

Lady Vastor looked thoughtful, then she nodded. “Fine. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said and turned her attention to her husband.

As they began to chatter about the event they attended this evening, I stood awkwardly in the doorway. Then I flushed. That had been a dismissal, Lady Vastor’s way of putting me in my place, letting me know I was an employee, not a guest. Her husband hadn’t even offered me a drink.

I stomped up the stairs entertaining thoughts of putting a huge, pointed witch’s nose, complete with hairy wart, on Lady Vastor’s portrait. It made me feel a little better and by the time I reached the guest room I had a smile on my face.

I closed the door behind me and heard the cheerful ringtone of my cell phone. Benjamin? I snatched up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Kate. This is Colin. Is Benjamin with you?”

I frowned. “No. I’m in Hampshire, at Lord Vastor’s house.”

“I know,” Colin said. “I hoped Benjamin might be there with you. When did you last speak to him?”

“Um… ” I ran a hand through my hair and tried to think. “I spoke to him on the phone this afternoon. I think around four...”

“And you haven’t heard from him since?”

I heard the note of panic in Colin’s voice, and my blood turned to ice. Where was Benjamin? Had he been hurt?

“I had a text message from him, when I was in the car, around six. I haven’t heard from him since then. Do you think something has happened to him?”

“I … I don’t know. It’s probably nothing. He’s sure to turn up soon and tell me I worry too much.”

“If you hear from him, will you call me, Colin? It doesn’t matter how late it is.”

“Of course, Kate. I’m sorry I worried you. I’m sure he’ll get back to the hotel any minute now.”