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She got the impression he was hoping she had failed, and her chin firmed resolutely. ‘It’s all fixed. Mr Ho was most apologetic, but assured me he’ll have a new lot ready by the required time. He did ask whether you would send the wrong consignment back.’

‘It’s on its way,’ Vane replied tersely. ‘I wish I was as convinced as you seem to me. We’ve had difficulties with them before. I hope that with you on the spot our troubles will be over.’

She glanced at him sharply. ‘You can count on me, Mr Oliver. Of course, if you’re not sure I’ve sorted things out satisfactorily you can go and see them yourself.’

The square jaw firmed, the grey eyes grew hard. ‘Have I said anything to make you feel I can’t trust you? If I hadn’t thought you could do the job, Miss Delaney, I wouldn’t have volunteered you for it.’

‘Then why the doubt?’ she flashed.

He sighed impatiently. ‘Simply because it’s a new job. You’ve not been trained for this sort of thing.'

‘Common sense is all that’s needed,’ she snapped, ‘and a knowledge of the trade, and I think I have that. We did have a very thorough training at the College of Art . I not only studied shoes and handbags, but dress design as well. The two go hand in hand, wouldn’t you say?’

He shrugged. ‘What else did you do with yourself yesterday? Mai Mai tells me you were very interested in the designs she’s currently working on.’

Debra was surprised. Mai Mai must have been waiting for him as soon as he arrived. Somehow the thought of the two of them together hurt.

Vane and Mai Mai, Vane and Liz. Why was she so against his friendship with any other woman? It was not as though she fancied him herself. Having Vane Oliver for a boy-friend was the last thing she wanted.

‘I did a few sketches,’ she said, ‘of belts and shoes that I thought would look good with them. Would you like to see?’

If she was hoping for encouragement she was disappointed. ‘Later,’ he said. ‘I have other things to do first. On your way out tell Mai Mai I want her again, will you?’

Back in her office Debra looked at the drawings she had done yesterday and in a fit of pique tore them from the drawing board and ripped them into shreds. For a while after that she prowled about her room like a caged tiger and when she could stand it no longer left the building, telling Mr Fu that she was going to check on Yam Ling Kee again in case they were still experiencing difficulties.

But all was well. They had actually finished machining most of the dresses and the girls were at work with the hand embroidery over which all the fuss had been made.

Debra was amazed they had got on so quickly and wondered whether they had worked through the night to have made such progress. The room was filled with benches at which sat rows and rows of Cantonese girls, all busily embroidering dresses for Vane Oliver.

She felt guilty, almost as though it was her own fault that these girls had been caused this extra work, but Mr Ho was politeness itself, apologising once again for the mistake that was, he said, their own fault.

During the course of their conversation Debra discovered that the Yam Ling Kee Company worked exclusively for Vane Oliver. If they lost his business it meant they were out of work. Suddenly she understood why they were so anxious to please.

It was lunchtime when she had finished, and she went into one of the hundreds of restaurants Hong Kong boasted, enjoying mushroom and rice soup and Cantonese roast chicken.

It was after two when she got back, and only seconds after she had entered her office Vane came striding in.

‘Where the devil have you been?’ he demanded angrily. ‘I wanted you. You had no right to go missing!’

Debra stared at him steadily. ‘I told Mr Fu where I was going. If he didn’t pass the message on then that’s not my fault.’

‘I got the message all right,’ he continued belligerently. ‘But why wasn’t I told personally? Don't you think that I should be the one who has the say in where you go and what you do?’

Debra was astounded, but endeavoured to keep her temper. ‘You were tied up with Mai Mai, I didn’t want to disturb you.’

‘Some excuse,’ he snapped. ‘We were not discussing anything so private that I could not have been interrupted.’

She must have looked disbelieving for he continued, ‘My God, Debra, don’t say you suspect me in that quarter as well? You seem to have a fixation about me associating with other women. I can assure you that my dealings with Mai Mai are strictly business. She’s good at her job, 1 value her work, but that’s all there is to it. Satisfied?’

‘You don’t have to explain,’ she said tightly. ‘It was just Mai Mai’s attitude that made me think ’ She broke off. ‘Oh, well, it doesn’t really matter. What I do object to is you going on at me about my job. If you wish me to ensure that your factories are carrying out the work correctly then you must allow me to visit them whenever I feel it necessary, without having to ask permission.’

His frown deepened. ‘My dear Miss Delaney, just as soon as you’re acquainted with the job you’ll be given free rein. Until that time I want you to remain here unless I personally send you out.’

Infuriated by his arrogant manner, Debra said, ‘You mean, if it’s discovered that someone’s made an awful mistake and you’re out of the office I can’t go along and correct it?’

‘I mean nothing of the sort!’ he yelled. ‘You’d use your discretion. You know damn well what I mean, why be so awkward?’

Because you’re being bloody-minded, she wanted to answer, but at that moment Mr Fu walked in, and no way could she offend the old gentleman by such unladylike remarks.

The two men left the office and Debra sat down limply. Arguing with Vane took everything out of her. She did not feel she had the energy to do anything else that afternoon.

Exactly why he had objected to her going out she could not imagine. It was not as though it was private business. Her lips tightened. If he was always going to be so unreasonable working here would be sheer purgatory.

She was glad Mr Fu had called him away. His dominant presence filled the room until it became overpowering. She felt stifled, despite the air-conditioning, and slid open the windows.

But Hong Kong’s heat made no impression. If anything it was warmer still, and she flopped down again at her desk, looking forward to five o’clock and the welcome journey home. Up on the Peak it was cooler, at least ten degrees, and although humid, it was certainly fresher than down here.

She was just beginning to unwind when Vane came back, still in the same foul mood, and clearly quite prepared to do further battle.

‘Where are those sketches you did yesterday?’ He dropped into a chair on the other side of her desk, his hand held out in readiness.

Debra indicated the waste paper bin. ‘In there,’ she said bluntly. ‘Would you like me to stick the pieces together for you? I’m sure there must be a reel of Sellotape around somewhere.’

‘Don’t be funny,’ he snapped. ‘What are they doing in there? Weren’t you satisfied with them? From what you said this morning I thought you were pleased.’ He studied her face for a few moments. ‘No, don’t tell me, I can guess. You were annoyed with me and tore them up in a fit of temper.’

Embarrassed that he had read her so clearly, Debra said defiantly, ‘They weren't much good anyway. I’ll do some more, if that’s what you want.’

‘I do,’ he said peremptorily. ‘It’s a job I was going to give you in any case. I was pleased to hear that you had the initiative to begin work on them yourself.’

Debra felt flattered and began to smile, until he continued:

‘Pleased with my own judgment in selecting you from the numerous candidates who applied.’ He rose and walked towards the door. ‘Don’t let me down, Debra. I’m going out now. I’ll see you back at home this evening.’

Her thoughts immediately turned to Liz. ‘You’re going to the villa?’

He did not have to answer for her to know that her guess had been accurate.

‘It’s a long day for a girl to be on her own,’ he excused himself.

‘Then why don’t you hurry and find that tutor you promised?’ she demanded. ‘Then she wouldn’t have time to feel bored. Or you could bring her here, of course. I’m sure there must be some work she could do.’

He grinned derisively, ‘your green eye’s showing again, Debra. I think you need to watch yourself rather than me.’

Before she could answer he had closed the door. Jealousy indeed! It was concern for Liz’s welfare that bothered her, and well he knew it. But how she was going to get through to him that he was doing more harm than good she had no idea.

Vane Oliver was a law unto himself. If he wanted to do anything he did it, regardless of whose feelings he trampled in the process.

Debra was shattered when she arrived back at the villa to discover that Liz and Vane were out again. Things were moving at far too great a pace for her peace of mind.

She found it difficult to relax, only picking at the delicious dishes prepared by Vane Oliver’s splendid cook. Later she walked in the garden, glancing frequently towards the gateway, wondering where they were, what they were doing, how long they would be.

Liz had no experience of men such as Vane; he could do irreparable harm. Oh, why had she ever allowed herself to be persuaded to come here? She should have stuck to her guns and remained in London. He had probably only been bluffing when he said she would not have the job of designer if she did not go to Hong Kong.

At eleven Debra was still on edge. Liz never stayed out this late. Had anything happened? Why hadn’t they left a message as to where they had gone?

It was well past midnight when she heard his car. She was in the drawing room, in darkness. Now she got up and switched on a lamp, throwing the delicate room into shadows, disguising the loveliness of the silk-clad walls.

She picked up a magazine, sat in the circle of light and pretended to be reading, only looking up when the door was pushed open and Liz burst in excitedly.

‘Debra, you needn’t have waited up.’ She was vibrant and glowing, like someone in love, thought Debra painfully.

‘I’ve not waited particularly,’ she replied with an attempt at lightheartedness, not wishing to prick Liz’s bubble of happiness in front of Vane. She could wait until she got her alone. The girl must be warned—if it was not too late. ‘I was engrossed in a story, I hardly noticed the time.’

Vane, who had followed Liz into the room, plucked the book from her fingers. ‘Clever girl, reading upside down.’

Debra shrugged self-consciously. ‘Okay, so I was waiting. Isn’t it natural I should feel worried? I had no idea where you’d gone.’

‘Liz is quite safe with me,’ said Vane, as though it was obvious.

‘Of course,’ added the younger girl, clinging to his arm and gazing adoringly up into his eyes. ‘We’ve been to the opera and then for a meal. I’ve had a wonderful time!’

Debra could hardly believe that. She knew what Chinese operas were about—gaudy costumes, elaborately made-up faces, and plenty of noise.

No, it was the man himself who was the attraction, and the more time they spent together the less Debra liked it. To him it was all a game, there was no way that he could fall for a slip of a girl like Liz. It was merely a way of passing the time, satisfying his craving for female company.

Women were his life. Women surrounded him. He designed clothes for them, they modelled for him, worked for him, and in between he wined and dined them, and undoubtedly made love to them.

But he was not going to make love to Liz, not if Debra had anything to do with it. She said tightly, ‘I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yourself, Liz. I think it’s time you went to bed now, though. You’re not used to such late nights.’

Liz pouted and looked appealingly at Vane. He smiled ruefully and nodded. ‘Debra’s right—a pretty girl like you must have her beauty sleep.’ He kissed the tip of her nose and pushed her gently away. ‘Goodnight, sweetheart, pleasant dreams.’

She went then, reluctantly, but because Vane had insisted she did not argue as she would have done with Debra.

As soon as they were alone Debra turned on him. ‘You had no right to take Liz out like that! Hasn’t anything I’ve said made any difference?’

Amusement lurked in his dark eyes. ‘Not a bit. How about a nightcap?’

‘Don’t change the subject,’ she snapped, watching him angrily as he filled two glasses, handing one to her and swallowing the contents of the other as though badly in need of it.

She looked at him tightly. ‘Are you trying to tell me that you’ll take Liz out as often as you like, regardless of how I feel?’

He shrugged lazily, leaning back against the mantelpiece, eyes half hooded in that sensual way he had. ‘But of course. Liz enjoys it, she’s emerging from her grief. Why shouldn’t I entertain her?’

‘Why should you?’ cried Debra. ‘She’s too young, for one thing. God, I never knew you were a cradle-snatcher!’

‘I’m sure you’ve got-it all wrong,’ he said heavily. ‘We’re friends, that’s all. I’m helping her readjust.’

‘Is that what you call it?’ tossed Debra scornfully. ‘You’re a fool if you think I’ll believe that.’ She did not care that she was talking to her employer—let him sack her if he liked, it might be for the best.

Unperturbed, he lifted his wide shoulders, saying evenly, ‘Don’t let your prejudice spoil you, Debra.’

She gasped. ‘Can’t you see what you’re doing? Leave Liz alone, please, before it’s too late.’

His eyes gleamed. ‘Perhaps I should turn my attentions to you. Would that make you happier?’

She looked at him aghast, at the same time noticing the way his short dark hair followed the lines of his well shaped head, the hollows in his cheeks giving him a hungry look, as though he didn’t bother too much about eating.

Unbidden came the thought of his kiss out there in the garden, and the quickening of her pulses told her that she was not as immune to him as she made out.

‘It would revolt me,’ she said desperately, in an endeavour to hide the true state of her feelings.

He stepped forward, a brief frown creasing his brow. ‘Brave words, my little Debra. I’ve a notion to prove you’re a liar.’