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‘The Flawless concept is one of total freshness—naturalness—even purity,’ he was saying. ‘And this is what we want our Flawless Girl to represent.’
‘Well, that cuts me out,’ Gina whispered with a humorous grimace.
Carly forced a smile in return, but said nothing. Her mind was working feverishly. She’d made him notice her, but was it—would it be enough?
It means so much, she thought. It has to be enough. Has to.
‘My goodness!’ Gina’s eyes were widening. ‘Do you see who’s here—who’s actually arrived? How long do you think he’s been standing there?’ She took a breath. ‘I’m going over to say hello. Introduce myself. Coming with me?’
Carly shook her head. ‘I’ll catch up with you later, Gina. I—I need some air.’
It wasn’t an excuse. The force of her emotions was making her feel dizzy. She slipped out on to the balcony, and stood leaning on the stone balustrade looking down into the garden. Lamps had been lit now among the tall shrubs, and the scent of the roses was warm and strong in the evening air. Above the bulk of the hotel building, a crescent moon hung like a slash of gold in the sapphire sky.
Carly looked up at the moon, and inclined her head to it, as the old superstition dictated.
‘Oh, moon,’ she whispered silently. ‘I wish—oh, how I wish …’
‘Good evening.’ The sound of his voice from the doorway behind her made Carly start violently. She spun to face him, the fragile wine-glass falling from her hand to shatter on the tiles at her feet.
‘Are you all right?’ Two long strides brought him to her side. ‘You haven’t cut yourself?’
‘No,’ she forced from her taut throat. ‘I—it’s just some champagne on my dress.’
‘Damnation.’ He produced an immaculate handkerchief. ‘Let me see …’
She took a step backwards. ‘I can manage—really.’
He’d followed her, and that was incredible. But it was also too soon. He’d caught her off guard. She wasn’t ready for this confrontation—and she certainly wasn’t ready to be touched by him.
‘Just as you wish.’ He sounded faintly surprised, but he passed her the handkerchief, and she dabbed at her dress, her hands shaking, sharply aware that he was watching her.
He said abruptly, ‘You’re very nervous.’
‘What do you expect? You—startled me.’
‘I shouldn’t have sneaked up on you like that.’ Saul Kingsland’s smile contained both repentance and charm. He paused. ‘But then, you knew I’d follow you—didn’t you? Isn’t that exactly what you intended?’
He certainly believed in the direct approach, Carly thought, rallying her defences.
‘You’re a free agent, Mr Kingsland.’
He shook his head. ‘Not tonight. I’m here to do a job—fulfil an obligation. I have to find a face—a body around which an entire advertising campaign can pivot. Frankly, I thought it was impossible—a gimmick foisted on me by Septimus Creed. How could I choose anyone when I didn’t know what I was looking for—what special qualities I needed?’ He broke off, the cool eyes skimming over her, missing nothing.
Carly found the intensity of his scrutiny and the continuing silence unnerving. She broke it deliberately, moving backwards, resting an elbow on the balustrade. ‘And do you know now?’
He said slowly, ‘Yes, I think I do. It’s totally incredible.’
His gaze went down the curve of her body as she lounged against the stonework, lingering on breast and thigh. It was as if he’d put out a hand and touched her intimately, and she was hard put to it not to flinch.
She thought, I don’t know if I can go through with this. But I must …
She laughed. ‘Is this your usual line, Mr Kingsland? “Put yourself in my hands, little girl, and I’ll make you famous”?’ She pulled a face. ‘A little tacky, don’t you think?’
‘Yes—if it were true.’ He sounded impatient. ‘But I assure you I’m not just shooting a line. I should know your name. Why don’t I? Who’s your agent?’
‘My name is Carly North,’ she said. ‘My agent is Clive Monroe, and if you’re not careful, I shall begin to think you mean this.’
‘Believe it,’ he said shortly. His brows drew together in a frown. ‘Or is there some problem?’
She shrugged. ‘Perhaps I’m not sure I want to be the Flawless Girl.’
‘Then what are you doing here?’
‘Natural curiosity. Normally I avoid this kind of situation like the plague.’
‘Then we have something in common at least.’ He gave her a long, speculative look. ‘So, I have to persuade you, do I?’
‘Not easy,’ she said, lightly. ‘I have a mind of my own, and my career is going well. Ask Clive.’
‘I intend to. But that doesn’t let you off the hook.’ He paused. ‘I have to stay at this thing for a while, but will you have dinner with me when it’s over?’
‘With my agent?’
‘If necessary.’
‘He’s a family man. He might not be able to make it.’
‘All the better.’
‘You don’t waste any time.’
‘Why should I? The deadlines have been drawn—quite apart from any personal considerations.’
Carly’s brows lifted. ‘You seem to be living up to your reputation.’
‘I don’t have a reputation,’ he said. ‘These days, I’m a stranger in town.’
‘Hardly,’ she said. ‘There can’t be a person in the country who hasn’t heard of you.’
‘Professionally, maybe. On other levels, they know nothing, and nor do you. So, ignore rumour and hearsay. Use your own instincts—your own judgement about me, Carly North.’
‘Perhaps my instincts are warning me to run.’
‘Then they’re playing you false,’ he said slowly. ‘Besides, if that were true, why did you want me to notice you so badly just now?’
‘Is that what I did?’ Alarm tingled on her skin.
‘You know it is. And if it wasn’t for strictly professional reasons, then it must have had a personal basis.’
She said coolly, ‘That’s a rather arrogant assumption.’
Saul Kingsland shrugged. ‘Then that could be something else we have in common.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Isn’t it a form of arrogance to come here tonight, looking as you do, when you don’t really want the Flawless job?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ she said quickly. ‘I said I wasn’t sure.’
‘So, I’m asking again, will you have dinner with me later, and let me convince you?’
She felt as if she was being swept along, caught in a current she couldn’t control. A voice in her head was screaming at her to refuse, warning her frantically that this was all too much, too soon.
She said, ‘Very well.’ She shot him a veiled look. ‘But I’m promising nothing.’
‘Professionally?’ Saul Kingsland asked silkily. ‘Or personally?’
‘Both.’
‘Fine,’ he said equably. ‘Then we know where we stand.’ He smiled at her. ‘And now I’d better justify my presence here—mix a little—talk to some people.’ He paused. ‘Don’t run away.’
‘I gave that up,’ she said, ‘a long time ago.’
She watched him walk away, back into the lighted room. Leaving her alone.
Relief flooded through her, making her feel almost light-headed. She sagged against the balustrade, her legs trembling, staring sightlessly in front of her as her mind revolved over and over again everything that had happened, everything that had been said between them.
In the end, it had been easy. Too easy, perhaps. Certainly not what she’d expected.
What have I done? she thought, a pang of unease shivering through her. What have I started? I’ve got a tiger by the tail, and I can’t—I dare not let go.
There was no turning back, not now. And perhaps there never was.
Squaring her shoulders, she went to find Clive.
CHAPTER TWO (#u1af7ac8e-d8f1-5a34-bbc6-a32f6a869863)
SAUL KINGSLAND’S CAR was long, sleek and powerful. Of course, Carly thought, her lip curling as she settled herself into the passenger seat.
Their departure from the reception together had caused something of a sensation. The atmosphere of disappointment and frustration among the other girls had been almost tangible.
‘I just hope you know what you’re doing, that’s all,’ had been Clive’s valediction.
And Marge had said softly, ‘Oh, I’m sure she does.’
I shall have to be careful with Marge, Carly thought, as Saul eased the car into the traffic. She’s altogether too shrewd.
‘Do you like Italian food?’ Saul asked. ‘Or are you on some kind of permanent diet?’
‘Good lord, no.’ She gave a slight shrug. ‘I suppose I’m lucky. I seem to burn up a lot of calories.’
‘Yes, I can believe that. You’re very cool on the surface, but underneath I suspect there’s a mass of tension.’
She bit her lip. ‘Not that I’m aware of.’ She gave him a small cool smile. ‘I’m a very uncomplicated person, actually.’
‘I’ll let you know about that,’ he said, ‘when we’re better acquainted.’
‘Comments like that make me nervous,’ she replied. ‘I like my privacy.’
‘But if we’re going to work together—achieve some kind of rapport, we can’t remain strangers.’
‘You think it’s all decided, don’t you? All sewn up.’ There was an edge to her voice.
‘I’m taking nothing for granted where you’re concerned, lady. That’s why we’re having this meal together—to see if we can establish some kind of basis to proceed from.’
‘And if we can’t?’
It was Saul’s turn to shrug. ‘Then I find another Flawless Girl from somewhere. No one’s irreplaceable, after all.’
‘Is that Public Warning Number One?’
‘You’re in the business,’ he said. ‘You know the score as well as I do.’ There was a brief silence, then, ‘Your agent really doesn’t want you to do this, does he?’
‘Clive has—reservations.’
‘But he said it was your decision.’ He sent her a sideways glance. ‘He made me wonder if you were just playing games with me—playing hard to get.’
‘Of course not. Why on earth should I?’ Her mouth was dry suddenly.
‘You tell me,’ he said laconically.
Carly was quiet for a moment. Then she said, ‘Perhaps I should put my cards on the table. I was in two minds about the Flawless assignment when I went to the reception tonight. I—I still am, come to that.’ She ran the tip of her tongue along her lower lip. ‘But you were right about one thing—I did want you to notice me, and that was even before I realised who you were.’
‘I’m flattered.’
‘And I’m ashamed,’ she returned. ‘I shocked myself this evening. I don’t usually—come on so strong.’ She forced a little laugh. ‘There—confession over.’
‘You won’t be made to do penance,’ he said. ‘I’m glad to know the attraction was mutual. Now, all we have to do is relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.’
He found a parking space, and they walked the remaining hundred yards to the restaurant’s entrance. Carly had half expected Saul to put his hand under her arm, or clasp her fingers with his as they walked along, but he made no attempt to touch her even in a casual way. In view of her recent admission, she found this restraint intriguing, but she was relieved by it too.
It wasn’t a large restaurant, and it relied heavily on the intimacy of its atmosphere. The lights were low, the tables screened from each other by trellis-work covered in climbing plants, and in one corner a lone guitarist played music which was pleasant without being obtrusive.
‘The food here used to be wonderful,’ Saul remarked, handing her a menu.
It still was. They ate stuffed courgette flowers, and scallops grilled in their shells, followed by osso buco and roast quails with polenta. To finish the meal Carly had a frothy chocolate concoction, rich with cream and liqueur, and Saul asked for cheese. The coffee was strong, black and aromatic, and served with Strega.
While they ate, the conversation had been general. Carly had encouraged Saul to talk about his life in America, and the glossy magazine scene in New York. He also told her about a book he had coming out.
