Caroline

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Adam passed her and walked down the hall, removing his overcoat as he went.

‘You can leave your wrap here,’ he said coolly, and Caroline slipped off her coat and laid it on an exquisitely-carved polished chest which stood at one end of the hall. On the chest was a vase of chrysanthemums whose curly yellow petals made a splash of colour against the dark woodwork. It really was the most attractive hall Caroline had ever seen and curiosity getting the better of her she followed Adam down the hall and through a doorway. She found herself in yet another exquisitely decorated room. This was a low lounge with a pseudo-log fire burning in a wide fireplace of white brick. The carpet here changed to sapphire blue and low couches of white velvet invited the visitor. A carved cocktail cabinet stood beneath windows which were now hidden by blue velvet curtains and the whole effect was one of luxurious relaxation. Adam stood on the hearth regarding her as she hesitated just within the doorway.

‘Well?’ he asked expectantly, ‘do you like it?’

Caroline raised her shoulders helplessly. Getting her voice back, she murmured, ‘You know it’s quite fabulous.’ She sighed. ‘My opinion can be of no interest to you.’

Adam shrugged and then crossed to the cocktail cabinet. ‘Will you have a drink?’

Immediately her earlier fears returned and Adam, looking at her, must have sensed this, for he said:

‘Don’t bother to refuse. I think a small brandy might restore your confidence.’

Caroline shrugged and took the glass when he handed it to her. Amusement playing over his handsome face, he deliberately crossed to the double white doors and closed them firmly. Then turning once more to Caroline he indicated a low couch. ‘Won’t you sit down?’

Caroline subsided quickly, glad to be off her rather shaky legs. To her dismay, Adam seated himself beside her and lay back lazily resting his dark head against the white velvet. Caroline, glancing at him, was overwhelmingly aware of his physical attraction that reached out to her like a magnet and made her feel breathlessly weak.

‘Now,’ he said slowly, ‘let’s get one thing straight, shall we?’

Caroline frowned. ‘What’s that?’ she asked nervously.

Adam stretched his legs luxuriously. ‘Well,’ he murmured, ‘you are under a misapprehension regarding both yourself and me.’ He lit a cigarette slowly before continuing. ‘When we first met you were very relaxed with me and I liked that. I know at first you didn’t know who I was, but even after you did you were still relaxed…natural. Now, suddenly, after all this brainwashing by your so-called friends you’re terrified of me. Why? What do you expect me to do? Attack you?’

Caroline flushed. She felt suddenly very stupid.

He frowned and went on: ‘And tonight you arrive to meet me looking like nothing on earth! That dress would suit a woman of thirty. It’s far too old for you. Sure I baited you about being sophisticated because I was so mad that you should think you have to dress like that to suit me. You’ve transformed yourself into just another female. I hadn’t booked a table at the Mozambo at all. I just wondered how far that veneer of sophistication would take you. If you’d agreed to go to that night-club I would have put you over my knee. Now do you understand? I asked you out because you were what you were…fresh, young, innocent if you like, but not because I wanted a dressed-up doll to take to dinner. God, don’t you think I get sick of women flinging themselves at me, women who look just like you do tonight? That’s not bigheadedness either. I guess money appeals to most women.’

He rose to his feet suddenly and crossed to the cocktail cabinet and poured himself another drink.

Caroline sipped her drink. She felt about six years old and about as many inches high. ‘What now?’ she murmured, her voice husky and near to tears. She had a pain in her inside that threatened to overwhelm her and she couldn’t understand it.

He shrugged and replaced his glass beside the decanter. ‘I guess we’ll have to start again,’ he replied with a lazy smile. Then seeing the tears in Caroline’s eyes he exclaimed: ‘Hey, did you think I just brought you here to lecture you and then never see you again?’

Caroline nodded and brushed a hand over her eyes. Relief flooded over her and with a piercing insight she realised why she had been so frightened; why she had not wanted it to end! She was in love with this man; loved him so completely that she knew she would never be the same again.

She forced herself to look at him without emotion when he flung himself beside her again and said:

‘Now, tomorrow is Saturday. Would you like to drive into the country with me and come and see my house near Windsor? This place is just somewhere in town where I can stay or work if necessary. I have a housekeeper, but I believe she’s away for the weekend. At any rate she didn’t expect me this evening.’

‘I’d adore to come,’ exclaimed Caroline eagerly, smiling at him. ‘Does this mean we’re alone here at the moment?’

‘Yes,’ he murmured with a sigh. ‘But don’t get any more ideas. I’m going to take you home right now.’ He rose to his feet and offered her a hand to get up. Taking it, Caroline’s stomach plunged. Far from wanting to leave she longed to cling to him, suddenly afraid at the tumult of feelings he had aroused.

It did not take long to reach Gloucester Court and Caroline slid reluctantly out of the warm intimacy of the big car. Adam escorted her to the entrance of the flats.

‘I’ll collect you from here at about three o’clock tomorrow afternoon,’ he said, smiling down at her. ‘Just wear something casual.’

She laughed softly, looking up at him. ‘Leopard-skin tights and a backless sweater,’ she teased him.

‘God, no,’ he muttered, turning away. ‘Go on. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.’

Amanda was not asleep when Caroline entered the bedroom and she had to relate the night’s events. She omitted the visit to his mews residence, however, but although it was already eleven-thirty, Amanda seemed satisfied that they had come straight home. Caroline resolved not to discuss Adam with Amanda or Ruth in future. Their knowledge was only based on hearsay; Caroline felt she knew Adam much better than that.

Amanda returned to work on the Saturday morning, for although it was half-day closing a lot of her work was done after closing hours. This made things easier for Caroline who decided to leave a note telling Amanda where she had gone, thus evading any further discussion of Adam’s merits.

She washed her hair in the morning, scrambled an egg for lunch and was ready by two-thirty. She had dressed in Black Watch tartan trews and a bulky blue sweater and carried her duffel coat. With her silvery hair loose and wearing little make-up she looked young and wholesome.

She saw a low white continental car turn into the mews at a quarter to three and wondered idly whose car it was. She did not connect it with Adam until there was a knock at her door.

She hurried to open it, inwardly praying it wasn’t Aunt Agnes, who sometimes took it into her head to visit Caroline on Saturday afternoons. However, when she opened the door and saw Adam she gasped and said:

‘Why, Adam!’ in a surprised tone. ‘I’ve been watching for you, but I didn’t see the car.’

He shrugged and walked past her into the room, looking about him with interest. ‘Are you ready?’ he asked. ‘At least you look your age today.’

Caroline smiled. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment,’ she answered lightly. ‘But don’t look round here. It’s all so old and untidy, I’m afraid.’

Adam nodded critically. ‘These old houses should all be demolished,’ he said, noticing the damp patch under the windows which Amanda had unsuccessfully tried to hide with a leather print. ‘A new block of flats would house twice as many people and be more hygienic’ He smiled at Caroline. ‘Shall we go?’

Today he was dressed in dark slacks and a navy blue sweater over a blue shirt. He was wearing his sheepskin coat and looked big and handsome. Caroline inwardly hugged herself as they went down to the car. A whole afternoon and possibly evening too with him all to herself.

To her surprise, Adam crossed to the white car. It looked sleek and powerful and she felt excited as she got in.

‘This is why I didn’t see you,’ she explained as he joined her in the automobile. ‘I only looked for the Rolls.’

‘Hm,’ he murmured in reply. ‘I decided the Rolls was in need of a check-up, so I brought this instead.’

‘I like it,’ exclaimed Caroline eagerly. ‘It’s more…well…’

‘Intimate,’ he suggested lazily, and she flushed.

‘Casual,’ she replied, then with a sigh of contentment she continued: ‘Oh, I’m so glad you invited me to come with you today. By the way, how did you find our apartment?’

Adam started the car. ‘Caro, honey, you work for me,’ he answered, and Caroline smiled and nodded. No one else had ever abbreviated her name to ‘Caro’ and she adored it, just as she adored the way he said it.

The drive to his home was smooth and comfortable and very fast. They drove beyond Windsor to a village called Slayford and on the outskirts of the village they turned between the drive gates of a low, modern villa-bungalow. It was a massive place designed on Grecian lines with statuary in the forecourt and a fountain playing into a small pool. The drive swept round the fountain and Adam brought the car to a halt before double glass doors with a wrought iron grille covering the inside. Wide, shallow steps led up to these doors crossing a pillar-supported terrace.

‘Gosh,’ exclaimed Caroline, forestalling Adam as he would have helped her from the car, ‘I never imagined anything like this. It’s quite fabulous.’

‘I’m glad you like it,’ he replied, thrusting his hands deep into the pockets of his coat. ‘I had it built five years ago to my own specifications.’

Drawing out his keys, he opened the doors and they stepped into a pile-carpeted hallway. Caroline’s feet sank deep into the carpet and she stared about her in wonderment. If the mews cottage had been luxurious, this place was doubly so. The warmth of the central heating met you at your entrance while the air was kept fresh by a conditioning system.

The hall was wide and high and a crystal chandelier hung above them. A fan-shaped staircase lay ahead of them leading to the upper regions of the house and everywhere was carpeted in this heather-mixture coloured pile. The walls depicted hunting scenes in hand-painted murals, and Caroline felt sure she would never know which of the numerous doors opening off the hall opened into where.

Then a door at the far end of the hall opened and a middle-aged woman came hurrying through, a spaniel at her heels. The spaniel made a beeline for Adam, barking excitedly and wagging its short tail.

‘Meet Mrs Jones and Nero,’ said Adam, laughing at Caroline. ‘Mrs Jones, this is Miss Sinclair.’

‘How do you do, miss,’ smiled the motherly little woman. ‘And what a surprise this is,’ she exclaimed, looking at Adam indulgently. ‘But it’s very glad we are to see you again, sir. Jones is chopping logs over at the woodshed just now, but he’ll be back directly if you want to see him.’

‘That’s all right, Mrs Jones,’ said Adam, removing his overcoat.

‘The fire is lit in the lounge, just in case you wanted it,’ went on Mrs Jones. ‘If you’d like to go in there I’ll bring you some tea just as soon as the kettle boils.’

Mrs Jones was round and fat and jolly, and Caroline took an immediate liking to her. As for Nero, he was a bundle of mischief and pranced round them as they entered the lounge. A big log fire burned in the grate and the room looked cosily inviting. Here the carpet changed to moss green while the low couches and armchairs were upholstered in dark red brocade. The wide windows overlooked the rear of the house where green lawns stretched down to a large swimming pool which had been emptied for the winter. Beyond the pool were tennis courts, but Adam drew the rich curtains across the windows as it was already quite dark, and switched on a tall standard lamp, thus curtailing Caroline’s gaze.

‘This is the only room in the house where there is an open fire,’ he remarked as she seated herself on one of the couches near the fire. ‘It’s simply that I enjoy seeing a real fire now and again.’

‘Oh, so do I,’ agreed Caroline, a sense of well-being stealing over her.

Adam came to sit beside her, and Caroline wondered whether he had any idea of the effect he had on her. She thought gloomily that he probably considered her simply as a rather nice child to whom he was giving a treat.

He stretched out his legs towards the blaze lazily and smiled at her.

‘This is the life,’ he remarked, lighting two cigarettes and handing her one. ‘Away from big business, trusts, high finance, land speculation…’ He groaned and closed his eyes.

Caroline smiled, looking intently at him. It was hard to conceive that on this man the livelihoods of several hundred employees rested. Just how many people depended upon his judgement? The Steinbeck Building housed a lot of different companies all owned by the Steinbeck Corporation and each one relied to a certain extent on Adam Steinbeck. He was the chairman of the board, he had the deciding vote if such a thing was necessary and he was responsible if there were any mistakes. She wished she had the courage to move closer to him and massage his temples. Aunt Agnes used to like her to do that; she said it soothed away all her tension.

Suddenly there was a tap at the door and Mrs Jones entered with a tray of tea, sandwiches and hot homemade scones.

Adam opened his eyes and sat up reluctantly. ‘Thank you, Mrs Jones. Do you think we could have dinner at about seven-thirty?’

‘Surely,’ she replied with a twinkle in her eye. ‘Now, you have a nice hot scone, and ring if you want more tea.’

‘Bless you,’ said Adam, and Mrs Jones chuckled as she went out.

Nero, who had settled himself in front of the fire also, now smelt food and Caroline allowed him to eat some of her sandwiches.

‘You’ll make him fat,’ remarked Adam with a grin. ‘He’s been badly spoiled by the Joneses.’

Caroline shrugged. ‘I know…but his eyes positively implore for more. He’s very persuasive and very lovable.’

‘Lucky Nero,’ said Adam rather dryly, and drank his tea.

When they had finished with the tray, Caroline placed it on the table near the door.

‘Ought I to take it through?’ she offered anxiously. She wasn’t used to having everything done for her in such a manner, pleasant though it might be.

‘No,’ he drawled lazily. ‘Come and sit beside me and tell me all about yourself

Caroline’s heart pounded as she seated herself beside him, intensely aware of his thigh only inches away from her own and of his head turned her way, eyes watching her, as he relaxed against the red brocade. The lighting from the standard lamp was not bright and Caroline hoped he was unaware of how much he disturbed her.

‘There’s not much to tell,’ she murmured quietly, gazing into the fire. ‘My parents died when I was very young. An aunt brought me up and then I moved in with Amanda six months ago.’

‘Very exciting,’ he remarked with a smile. ‘No romance?’

The intimacy of this situation washed over her and she shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. How could she make light-hearted conversation about a subject so newly apparent?

Adam moved slightly, until his thigh was touching hers, and cupped her face with one hand, forcing her to look at him. His eyes scanned her features intently, and she was sure he must be able to hear the thudding of her heart. She trembled violently, and jerked her face away before he could read what must be in her eyes. She felt his fingers playing with her hair, touching the nape of her neck, disturbing her emotions, so that she was forced to look at him again. Then, slowly and deliberately, he leant forward, and placed his mouth against hers, exploring its softness expertly, until her lips parted involuntarily, and the kiss hardened and lengthened into something much more demanding. Caroline had never dreamed a man’s mouth could arouse such sensations, and it was with a sense of loss she felt him release her and get up, with almost savage movements.