Rescued by the Brooding Tycoon

CHAPTER NINE

HARRIET opened the door a crack and saw him. He’d removed his jacket and bow tie and his shirt was torn open at the throat.

‘Can I talk to you?’

She stood back as he went past her. She would have turned on the bedside lamp but he stayed her hand.

‘Better just let me talk. I owe you an apology for my behaviour tonight.’

‘Do you? You didn’t offend me.’

‘That’s very sweet of you, but I got a bit possessive in a way that I promised not to. Just friends we said but I didn’t really stick to that, did I? I hadn’t expected you to look so beautiful-’

‘Thanks,’ she said wryly.

‘No, I didn’t mean that,’ he said hastily. ‘Oh, heavens, I’m making a mess of this. I only wanted to say that you were a hundred times more wonderful than I’d dared to hope and…Harriet!’

Then his arms were around her, pulling her tightly against him, and all the sensible restraint drained out of her as she received the kiss she’d been longing for, never completely admitting her own desire. Now there was no chance of denying it to herself or him. She felt herself soften and fall against him, reaching out so that he was enfolded in her arms as she was enfolded in his.

Her hands were exploring him, the fingers weaving into his hair before drifting down to his face. He raised his head from hers, looking down with a question in his eyes, as though wondering if he only imagined her passionate response.

‘Harriet,’ he whispered, ‘why have we…?’

‘Shh!’ She silenced him with her fingertips over his mouth. ‘Don’t speak. Words are dangerous. They mean nothing.’

She was right, he realised with a sense of relief. Words were nothing when he had her body against his. He could feel the cheap cotton against his hands and wondered how any woman could feel so lusciously desirable in those almost masculine pyjamas. They taunted him, hiding her beautiful body while suggesting just enough of it to strain his self-control.

Harriet felt as though she had lived this moment before, earlier that evening when he’d allowed his hand to drift indiscreetly behind her dress, but then been forced by propriety to restrain himself. She hadn’t wanted restraint either in him or herself, but she’d had no choice.

But she had choice now. She could choose to be warm, intimate, seductive, enticing, passionate. Anything but restrained. Her breathing came fast as he kissed her again and again, little swift kisses covering her face, her forehead, her nose, her eyes, mouth, then sliding lower to her neck.

He was so skilled, she thought in delirious delight. They might have been one person, so sensitively did he know the right way to rouse her-to make her want him-want him more-

‘Make sure you keep her for good…’

Without warning, the words screamed at her. Frantically, she fought them off but they danced in her consciousness.

‘You’re a clever man…’

She’d known that but never thought what it meant-until now-

‘Keep her for good…the clever thing to do…the clever thing to do…’

‘Kiss me,’ he whispered. ‘Kiss me as I kiss you…please…’

The clever thing to do. The words went through her like ice, quenching the storm within her.

‘Kiss me…’

‘Darius, wait…please wait…’

‘I don’t want to wait any more-Harriet, let me…’

She drew back to meet his eyes, and what he saw in her cooled his ardour as mere words could never have done.

‘This wasn’t part of the bargain,’ she said calmly. ‘Friends, remember?’

‘The bargain,’ he said slowly. ‘Ah, yes, the bargain. How could I have forgotten?’

‘Exactly. You, of all people, should know about bargains.’ As she said it she even managed a faint smile. ‘Let’s not complicate things by breaking ours.’

She could feel him shaking but he brought himself under control and stepped away.

‘You’re right, of course. I’ll say goodnight…er…sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

The door closed behind him, too quietly to hear, and then there was only darkness.

It was a long night. Darius spent it trying to order his thoughts, dismayed that they were suddenly rebellious, going their own way instead of obeying him as in the past.

Now he was alone he could admit that he was troubled by what he’d learned that night. How painful Harriet’s secrets must be for her to conceal them so determinedly. How sad must be her inner life. And he’d imagined that he knew her.

She had come into his arms, physically and, he’d hoped, emotionally, only for that hope to be dashed when she’d hastily retreated. The message was clear. Briefly she’d weakened, but then her husband’s ghost had waked and that was the end. As, perhaps, it would always be.

He opened his window and stood listening to faint noises from next door. Her movements sounded restless, but what was she thinking? And would she ever tell him?

After a while he heard her window close, and then there was nothing to do but go to bed.

Harriet arose next morning with her mind made up. Cool, calm and collected, that was it. But also with a touch of their usual humour, to emphasise that nothing had changed.

In contrast to her glamour of last night, she donned a pair of functional jeans and a plain blouse. Her reflection stared back at her, asking if she really wanted this no-nonsense look when she could have something more enjoyable?

But I can’t! It’s a trap. No-nonsense suits me fine!

Not any longer. Never mind, it would have to do.

A waiter served breakfast in her room, and as he retreated Darius appeared at the door with a bread roll in one hand and a coffee in the other.

‘Glad to see you up,’ he said cheerfully. ‘I was afraid the evening might have tired you too much.’

‘I’m always up with the lark,’ she assured him. ‘Sit down. I’ll be ready in a moment. I’ve packed up the jewellery ready to go back,’ she said, indicating the box. ‘Perhaps you’d better check it.’

Looking intent, Darius fingered the contents of the box until he came to the diamond pendant, which he lifted out.

‘Not this,’ he said. ‘It’s yours.’

‘But it can’t be. You hired this stuff.’

‘Everything else, yes, but-oh, dear, did I forget to mention that I bought this one?’

‘You certainly did.’

‘Well, it’s done now. Put it away safely.’

His expression was too innocent to be convincing, and she stared at him, open-mouthed with disbelief.

‘Who do you think you’re kidding?’ she demanded.

His face was full of wicked delight. ‘Not you, obviously.’

‘You deceived me.’

‘Yes, and I made a pretty good job of it too,’ he said, defiantly unrepentant.

‘You know I wouldn’t have let you buy me anything as expensive as this.’

‘Ah, well, I’m not used to people telling me what they’ll let me do. It doesn’t suit my autocratic, overbearing nature. I just do what I want and they have to put up with it. So there you are.’ He assumed a grim expression. ‘Put up with it.’

‘You…you…’

He sighed. ‘I know it’s a great burden, but you’ll learn to endure it.’

‘It’s…it’s so beautiful,’ she sighed. ‘But you shouldn’t have done it.’

‘Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do.’

‘Yes, but-’

‘Stop arguing. That’s an order.’

It might be an order but it was delivered with a grin that made her heart turn over.

‘Stop bullying me,’ she demanded.

His grin broadened. ‘I shall bully you if I want to. Now, put it away safely and don’t lose it, otherwise I shall have to bully you even more by buying another.’

She ducked her head quickly so that he shouldn’t see she was on the verge of tears.

Darius drank his coffee and went downstairs to pay the bill, congratulating himself on having tricked her into accepting his gift without risking the emotion that would have made her reject it.

When he returned she was on the phone to Phantom.

‘I’m coming home, darling-see you later today-’

But by now Darius had himself in hand and could cope.

A car took them to the airport, where they boarded the helicopter and were soon soaring to the south and over the ocean, where the brilliant sun made the little waves sparkle.

‘I love this time of year,’ Harriet said, looking down to where Herringdean was just coming into view. ‘The island is at its best.’

‘I don’t suppose you get called out on the lifeboat so often,’ Darius observed.

‘It depends. There aren’t so many storms, but the fine weather tempts more people out in boats, so things still happen.’

Now they were crossing the coastline, covering the island until they reached the far side, and there below was the beach where they had first met.

‘Look who I can see,’ Darius said.

‘Phantom!’ she cried joyfully.

They could just make out the dog racing madly along the beach in pursuit of a ball thrown by a middle-aged woman, bringing it back to her, begging for it to be thrown again, which it always was.

‘That’s my neighbour, Jenny Bates,’ Harriet said. ‘She’s wonderful with him. Hey, what’s he doing now?’

Suddenly Phantom had changed course and raced into the sea. Mrs Bates ran to the water’s edge and called him but he took no notice.

‘Oh, no!’ Harriet wailed.

‘He’ll be all right,’ Darius said. ‘He’s swum often enough.’

‘Yes, when I was with him. But without me he’ll do something idiotic like going too far. Oh, look how far out he is! Come back, you stupid dog!’

‘Land as close to the beach as you can,’ Darius told the pilot quickly.

Down they went, finishing in almost the same place as on that first day, a lifetime ago, leaping out and running down onto the beach where Mrs Bates was wailing, ‘I can’t swim, I’m sorry-he’s never done that before-’

‘No problem,’ Darius said. ‘I’ll go and-’

He’d been about to say that he would go after Phantom, but Harriet was way ahead of him, powering her way through the waves, calling Phantom urgently. He heard her and looked around, woofed in delight and began to paddle back to her. They met in deep water, greeting each other ecstatically with much crying and barking.

Darius remained where he was, knowing he wasn’t needed.

As they emerged from the water Phantom recognised him, yelped joyfully and began to charge up the beach, spraying water everywhere. Quick as a flash, Harriet hurled herself onto the hound, taking him down to the sand.

‘Oh, no, you don’t,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Let the poor man have at least one suit that you don’t ruin.’ She looked up at Darius. ‘You’d better run for it. I can’t hold him much longer. Hurry up! Go quickly. Thank you for a lovely time, but go before he gets away from me. Go!’

There was nothing for it but to do as she said, so he returned to the helicopter. As it took off he looked down and discovered that history was repeating itself in that she was totally absorbed in Phantom, without even a glance to spare for himself.

It was only when he reached home he discovered that he still had her luggage. Briefly, he considered returning it in person, but settled for sending it in a taxi. He knew if he took it himself she would greet him politely while longing for him to be gone so that she could be alone with the one she really cared about.

And he couldn’t face that. He could have dealt with her hostility, but her cool politeness would flatten him.

Coward, he thought wryly.

Amos would be ashamed of him.

But Amos could go and jump in the lake.

For a while things seemed peaceful. Harriet slipped back into her old routine, bathing in the mornings, sometimes seeing Darius on the beach for a few minutes, chatting about nothing much, cracking a few jokes before saying a polite goodbye.

One evening, while she was working late in her shop, a knock at the door made her look up and see him through the glass. She unlocked the door.

‘Sorry, sir, we’re closed for business,’ she said cheekily.

‘Thanks for the welcome. Hiya, Phantom. Careful not to knock any of these antiques around.’

‘He doesn’t need you to tell him to behave perfectly,’ she said indignantly. ‘He’s always perfect.’

‘Sure, that’s why you pinned him to the ground when we landed.’

‘Oh, well, that was different. What brings you here at this hour?’

‘I’ll be honest; I have an ulterior motive. And don’t say it.’

‘Say what?’ she asked innocently.

‘That I never do anything without an ulterior motive.’

‘I wasn’t going to say that.’

‘No, but you were thinking it.’

‘Very perceptive of you. All right, what’s the ulterior motive?’

He held up his mobile phone.

‘The kids call me every evening and they always ask to talk to you. I have to invent excuses why you’re not there.’

‘But surely they don’t think we’re living together?’

‘Well…no, but they’re surprised that you’re never around.’

‘But when they call tonight I will be around?’ she hazarded.

‘Exactly.’

‘Unless I make a run for it.’

‘You’re too good a friend to do that.’

Before she could answer, the phone rang. Darius answered and his face lit up.

‘Frankie, lovely to hear from you, darling. What have you been doing today?’

Harriet studied his face, taking in its warmth and pleasure. Her resolution to keep him at a polite distance was fading with every moment.

‘What’s that?’ Darius asked. ‘Harriet? Well…I’m not sure if…’ He looked at her with pleading eyes. ‘I’ll see if she’s here,’ he said. ‘I’m just going looking now.’

Silently, he mouthed, Please. Harriet relented and took the phone.

‘Hi, Frankie! Boy, am I glad you called and gave me a chance to sit down! Your dad and I are working our socks off. I’ve just had a delivery at my shop and he’s helping me unpack and put things away-he’s doing very well.’

From the other end of the phone Darius could hear his little girl chuckling. He grinned.

‘Yes, I’m really making him work,’ Harriet said. ‘He’s surprisingly good. Let’s face it, he looks like a wimp-oh, dear, I shouldn’t have said that. If you could see how he’s glaring at me-’

‘I’m not,’ Darius said indignantly.

‘Anyway, he’s not as much of a wimp as he looks. He can manage heavy weights-much to my surprise-’

Darius’s indignation had faded and he was looking at her with resigned amusement. She laughed back at him, sending a silent message. That’ll teach you! And receiving his message in return. Just you wait!

Harriet rattled away for a while, enjoying the sound of Frankie’s delight. Then Mark took over, wanting to know if she’d been sailing. She’d taken her little yacht out only that morning and had plenty to tell him. It was a happy conversation.

At last she handed the phone back to Darius.

‘It’s a conspiracy,’ he told his son. ‘She’s as bad as you are, or you’re as bad as she is. I’m not sure which.’

Sounding relaxed and happy, he bid his children goodnight, then turned to her, laughing and exasperated in equal measure.

‘Harriet, you little wretch! What are you trying to do to me? Wimp, indeed!’

‘Shame!’ she soothed him. ‘All those hours spent in the gym, for nothing.’

‘All right, enjoy your laugh. I suppose I asked for it. And thank you. You did far more than I hoped for.’ He looked around at the large boxes. ‘You really have just had a delivery, haven’t you?’

‘Yes, a big one. Hey, what are you doing?’

‘Well, I’ve got to prove I’m not a wimp, haven’t I?’ he said, beginning to unpack. ‘Call it my gratitude.’

He wouldn’t let her refuse, but worked for two hours fetching, carrying, lifting weights, finally breathing out hard and saying, ‘I’m ready for a drink. Come on.’

The glass of ale in the pub that followed was in the same spirit of cheerful friendliness, and when they finally said goodnight she was able to feel confident that she’d successfully returned their relationship to safe territory.

She was to discover her mistake.

It was three days before she saw him again, racing towards her on the beach as she and Phantom emerged from the water, seizing her shoulders as soon as he reached her.

‘You’ve got to help me,’ he said. ‘I know you won’t want to but-’

‘Why wouldn’t I want to?’

‘Well, I never stop asking for things, do I? It’s always you giving and me taking-’

‘Darius, calm down and tell me what it is.’

‘Mary called me. The kids can’t stay with their gran; she’s gone down with a bug. It’s not serious but they have to leave, and they want to come here.’

‘Of course they want to be with you.’

‘Yes, but Mary will only agree if you’re part of the deal. I reckon it’s really you they want to see rather than me.’

‘Nonsense, you’re their father.’

‘Yes, but I’m still learning. Mary relies on you. If you don’t say yes, she won’t say yes. Please, Harriet.’

It was unfair of him, she thought, to look at her like that. How could she be sensible in the face of that imploring gaze, reminding her of his nicer side-the one that brought her dangerously close to falling in love?

‘Of course I’ll help you,’ she said, ‘as long as we agree beforehand what we’re going to-’

She stopped as his cellphone had rung.

‘Mary?’ he said urgently. ‘Yes, I’ve asked her and she’s agreeable. It’s going to be all right-what’s that?-she’s right here.’ He handed her the phone.

‘Harriet?’ said Mary’s urgent voice. ‘Oh, thank heavens. We’ve got a disaster on our hands but I know you can take care of it.’

‘Calm down; I’ll be glad to help, and I’m sure they’ll love the island.’

‘Oh, yes, if you could have heard them talking after you spoke to them the other day. All I need to know is that you’ll be there.’

‘And I will.’

‘They’re well-behaved children. You won’t have any trouble making them go to bed at the right time, and they’re not picky eaters-’

‘Mary, hang on, I didn’t mean-’

But it was too late. With mounting dismay, Harriet realised that Mary had assumed that she was living with Darius and would be there for the children all the time.

‘You don’t understand,’ she said frantically. ‘I’m not actually-’

But she was watching Darius, and what she saw checked her. He’d followed her thoughts and was silently begging her not to destroy his hope.

‘Not what?’ Mary asked.

‘I’m not-’ She could tell that he was holding his breath. ‘Not…not a very good cook,’ she floundered.

‘That’s all right,’ Mary assured her cheerfully. ‘He says Kate’s a terrific cook. All I’m asking you to do is be nice to them, and I know you will because-’

Harriet barely heard the rest. Dismayed, she realised that she’d committed herself to moving in with him, living close to him day and night, unable to escape the attraction that threatened to overwhelm her.

She’d been caught unawares, but now it was done and it was too late to undo. She could never bring herself to kill the blazing hope she could see in him. Dazed, she bid Mary farewell, handed over the phone and wandered to the water’s edge.

What have I done? she whispered to herself. Whatever have I done?

Then she heard him calling her name, and turned to see him following her. The next moment he’d flung his arms around her.

‘Thank you!’ he said. ‘Thank you!’

He didn’t try to kiss her, just held her with hands that gripped so tight it was almost painful. But she didn’t even think of escape. There was a sweetness in his passionate gratitude that made her heart beat faster.

He drew back and she almost gasped at the sight of his face, lined with emotion, confusion, anguish and a kind of fierce joy that he himself didn’t truly believe existed.

‘Thank you,’ he whispered again. ‘Thank you, thank you.’

Now she knew what she’d done, and nothing in the world would ever make her regret it.

‘I’m going to collect them in London tomorrow,’ he said. ‘Will you come with me?’

‘If I can. I’ll have to call the lifeboat station so that they’ve got a replacement on call. I’ll do it now.’

At the station she was assured that there was no problem. There were plenty of volunteers to fill her place.

‘It doesn’t give you much time to move in,’ Darius said, ‘but I’ll help you. And don’t worry about anything. I know you didn’t mean to live there but you can make everything just as you like it. Your word will be law, and you can choose your room. I won’t trouble you, my word on it, and if you-’

‘Stop, stop!’ she said, laughing and touching his lips gently. ‘You’re babbling.’

He removed her fingers, but not before laying the lightest possible kiss on them, just enough to be felt, not enough for offence.

‘I can’t help it,’ he said humbly. ‘It matters so much, I can’t risk anything going wrong.’

‘Nothing’s going to go wrong,’ she promised. ‘Now, we have a lot of work to do.’

‘Yes, let’s make a start. And you.’ This last was addressed to Phantom, who’d nudged his hand.

‘He’s included?’ Harriet asked eagerly.

‘You don’t think I’d leave him out, do you? The kids will love him. Now I come to think of it, he’s almost more essential than you are.’

She chuckled. ‘I think so too. Let’s go.’

As they walked home his business side reasserted itself.

‘What about your shop? You’ll hardly have any time there for the next few weeks.’

‘My assistant is reliable, and there’s a temporary worker I sometimes use. She’s very good.’

‘Fine, hire her full-time at my expense. I pay her wages, is that clear? No argument.’

‘I wasn’t going to give you one,’ she said. ‘You’re not the only one who can do business.’

She danced ahead of him, whistling.