Deceptions (39 page)

'No...' Stephanie moaned. She tried to move away or pull him on top of her, but Max still held down her hands. She closed her eyes, shame and desire mixed, as he took her into his mouth, taking small bites in the soft flesh. She tried to lie as rigid as her thoughts, to separate herself from the sharp pain and pleasure of his relentless mouth, but her hips moved of themselves, her neck arched, and then she cried out with the sudden release, astonished at the pleasure of it.

Dimly, within her body's response, Stephanie recognized the calculated skill of Max's hands and mouth, but she ignored it. When at last he freed her hands and lay on her, she looked up and met his flat gray eyes, watching her. He moved deliberately, entering her slowly until she could not wait; lifting her hips, she put her hands on his buttocks and fiercely pulled him deep inside her. The room was loud with the cacophony of her thoughts and her lips formed his name. And Max smiled.

'Honey,' said Alexandra as Stephanie poured tea in her office on Monday morning, 'you look tired.'

Stephanie's lips curved. 'I didn't get much sleep over the weekend. You look wonderful. 1 haven't seen you since our Italian dinner.'

'I thought I'd talk to you about that. Can I talk to you about Antonio?'

'If it would please you.'

'It would please me to know whether you're still thinking about manying him.'

'I'm not.'

'No doubtsT

'No doubts, Alexandra, he expects ... No, I shouldn't inflict my feelings on you.'

'Honey, how many times in the last year have you told me what he expects? And how many times have I told you what I'm looking for?'

Not knowing the answer, Stephanie looked at her in silence.

'I suppose you're thinking of my performance with Brooks last week.' She held out her cup for more tea and bit into a croissant. 'I did enjoy taking him apart, not because I like Gabrielle - actually, I think she's a fool - but because I get upset when I see self-satisfied men breaking their loyal little women in half. But the truth is, the whole time I knew he was the kind of man I wanted.'

'Brooks?'

Tarts of Brooks. Not the bastard who wants his little girl to adore him, but the other one > successful, sure of himself, building an empire and protecting it. That's what I want. I could trust a man like that to build my castle and help me run my life. I've done it alone long enough, you know; I'm tired of it. Antonio's rich enough to buy anything we could ever want, and he'll let me run part of his empire. I'll be more than a plaything; I'll be helping to build towns-how could I resist that? If he demands in return that I concentrate on him, stay at his side, that's a fair exchange. After all, how long will I be thirty-five? Or look it? What the hell, honey, I want a place to belong and be taken care of and have something of my own to do. I want the works. Isn't that what we all want?'

Stephanie swirled the tea in her cup. A few leaves at the bottom clustered like a four-petaled flower. Or a family. It's Monday, she thought. October twenty-second. Sabrina's X ray.

'Sabrina? You listening? You really do look tired.'

'I was wondering where love comes in the exchange.'

'Oh, love. Antonio says love comes later. It's an old Guarani legend. If we can be friends, I'll be satisfied. Maybe that's the best any of us can hope for.'

'Forgive me, my lady,' Brian interrupted, 'but Monsieur

Michel Bernard says it is important that he speak with you.'

Alexandra stood in a whirl of energy. *ril say goodbye, honey. We're off to Rio for a week.'

'Already?'

'Well, don't tell Antonio, but Alexandra thinks it's a good idea to see the lay of the land before getting knee-deep into coffee beans and Guarani Indians.'

'And what does Antonio think?'

'Antonio says he lost you because he was too patient. Forcefulness and speed are the order of the day, to sweep me into his arms. He told me a Guarani Indian legend to illustrate it. Too long to repeat. Come to think of it, too long to remember.'

They laughed. Impulsively, Stephanie hugged Alexandra and kissed her cheek, feeling her surprised, reflexive pulling back. A mistake, she thought; they don't do that. But what difference does it make? I won't be here when she gets back. I may never see her again.

'I'll call when we get back,' Alexandra said, and Stephanie nodded as she picked up the telephone.

'Michel? Weren't you going to call about four weeks ago?'

'I recall promising that and I apologize. I have been in Bonn and Jolie is in Turkey. I hear you had an accident at Lady Chasson's.'

'Yes. I was clumsy.'

'Truly amazing, for a graceful lady who knows fragile art so well. But then I heard also of a small contretemps with RoseRaddison.'

'You heard all that in Bonn?'

'No, Paris. Lady Chasson was visiting friends. It is a little world we live in, yes?'

'Yes.' With a rueful smile, Stephanie remembered how Sabrina's world had always seemed Umitless compared to the narrowness of Evanston. 'What is Johe doing in Turkey?'

'Photographing a cache of vases confiscated as they were being smuggled out of the country. I am calling to ask for your help. We are sure now that the forgeries are a sideline, not the main operation. The big money is in smuggling from

countries where governments have banned the export of art and antiquities. Someone funds groups in these countries to rob museums and tombs and ancient temples, and then this someone smuggles the stuff out and sells it in Europe and America. You have heard of this?'

•Some ...'

'Well, it does not affect you so much because you don't sell these things - art and jewelry from tombs in Turkey and Egypt, sculpture from temples in Cambodia, Thailand, Colombia; entire seaions of the temples themselves -doorways, walls, altars.'

'But how can I help you if I don't sell them?'

'We think that Ivan Lazlo, who is listed as the owner of Westbridge Imports, and his salesman, Rory Carr, store the smuggled pieces in their warehouse. Some are smuggled out for specific buyers; others are sold along with legitimate antiques. But it seems Ivan and Rory wanted to make money on their own. So they dabble in forgeries.'

'But who really owns Westbridge?'

'Ah, that is our mysterious Mr Big Man whom we have not yet found. When we do, the last piece is in place. But now we hear rumblings that the little men and the big one may be quarreling over money and also over the risk of the smuggling being exposed if the forgeries are discovered and account books examined and questions asked. Thieves always fall out, yesl So we thought you might hear something. Gossip about salesmen suddenly being fired or quitting, dealers finding new partners, maybe many rare items dumped on the market all at once. If you do, will you call us here in Paris? In two weeks we will be in London. Save us a night and we will take you to dinner. Yes?'

'Yes.' I will be gone, she thought.

Brian brought in the mail. 'Gabrielle de Martel called, my lady. She asks that you return her call. And may I bring you some lunch?'

'No, thank you, Brian, I may go out.'

She leafed through the mail while dialing.

'Sabrina.' said Gabrielle. 'Brooks called.'

There was a letter from Sabrina; she tore it open.

'I didn't talk to him; I told Mrs Thirkell to say I was out.'

News from Evanston; news of the family. Chatty, nothing personal.

'But now I think I should call him back. He gets angry when—'

How could that be? Nothing personal in a letter about her own family?

'But 1 didn't want to do anything until I talked to you. What if I do the wrong thing?'

No mention of Garth.

'It's just that I'm not sure what to say.'

They hadn't talked for a week. Stephanie hadn't wanted to talk; her thoughts were too full of Max.

'Sabrina? Have you heard me?'

'Yes, Gaby.' Beneath her thoughts, she had been listening. 'I don't think you should call him back.'

'You think I should wait for him.'

'Don't you think you should? To make sure you both know what you're doing, and what you want to do? You shouldn't .,. deceive each other. Or yourself.'

Gabrielle sighed. 'I suppose so. God. I hate being sensible.'

It was not yet dawn in Evanston; hours before Sabrina's appointment with Nat Goldner, hours before she called to tell Stephanie what he had found. For awhile, then, Stephanie could think about Max. A weekend of Max, in his house, eating the food his butler brought from London's finest restaurants and served at the desk in the study. His maid had brought a suitcase for him and he wore a purple dressing gown, and Stephanie a blue velvet one that wrapped twice around her waist. She folded up the sleeves and tied them at her elbows with twine left by the movers. Her hair was tumbled, her eyes bright, every nerve alive to changes in temperature, a breath of air. the touch of sunlight on her skin and Max's hand on her breast, strong coffee in the morning and the dry bite of Burgundy wine at night, glowing darkly in the hght of dying flames in the bedroom fireplace.

She glided on a fine edge of desire and excitement, flushed

with the triumph of discovery. 'Exquisite/ Max said. 'My stunning beauty.'

'High praise, from a connoisseur,' she said lightly, but the look of triumph was bright in her eyes.

But on Monday, sitting in her office - what triumph? she asked herself. Not the triumph of intimacy or affection, or even friendship. The triumph of passion. And that, she realized, was the last item on my checklist. I wanted to do all that Sabrina had done, experience her life in all the ways it was different from mine. And this was the last: the calculated sensuality of Max Stuyvesant.

She shivered. Her pride in Ambassadors, the decorating of Max's house, her caring for Gabrielle, her affection for Alexandra. It was all a dream.

But even if I could keep it, she thought, it still wouldn't be enough. I want love and cherishing and commitment. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a place to belong.

Where do 1 belong? Wherever I can be connected to other people. Once I had that, or thought I did, and then I lost it. And now I've discovered that Sabrina's life isn't the one I want, either.

But how will I know what I want until I go back to Garth and find out? Garth. Penny. Chff. My home. 'I miss them.' she said aloud, startling herself in the silence. 'And I need them.'

Have they missed me and needed me?

Don't be ridiculous.

They don't even know I've been gone.

The telephone rang. Brian was out, so she answered it herself and heard the smooth tones of Max's voice.

'Without planning it, I seem to have moved into my new house over the weekend. Now I'm stumbling over workers. I think I should disappear for a few days.'

*0h.' A stab of dismay; she heard it in her voice.

'I thought a cruise would be pleasant. The Mediterranean is magnificent this time of year. The workers could then finish without obstructions.*

•Yes.'

'Can they finish without your direction?*

She sighed. She had forgotten one more item on the list of

things she wanted to do: a cruise. Sabrina had had so many; all Stephanie wanted was one. Then I'll go back, she thought, to what is waiting for me. I'll go back to Garth and we'll find the love we used to have. I can do so much now. I've learned so much about myself. I will tiy. I promise.

But first I want one more dream. Only one.

'Brian can direct the construction crew," she said.

'We'll sail fi'om Monaco to the Italian Riviera; about four or five days. Will that suit you?'

'Yes.'

'Excellent. We'll take three other couples; you'll find them pleasant. We leave Wednesday morning, the 24th; can you be ready at nine?'

'Yes.'

Hanging up, she moved her chair to look through the office door, down the length of the showroom to the street beyond the paned window. The day was overcast but warm, the silvery air like a screen between Stephanie and the people hurrying past. She would call Sabrina and find out about the X ray; tell her she would be away for a few days. And then the adventure would end.

Everything was coming to a close. Mrs Thirkell would watch over Gaby, and it was only a matter of time before Brooks came for her. Alexandra was with Antonio. The forged Meissen stork was broken and she had told Rory Carr to stay away. Ambassadors had done well under her care: she had sold some large pieces, earned an impressive fee for Max's house, taken on new commissions for next month.

When Brian came in she stood up and slipped on her j acket. There were things she had to do: call Sabrina, rearrange drawers and closets on Cadogan Square that she had made her own, decide what to pack for the cruise. She stood in the middle of the showroom, memorizing it, and then made a last, silent farewell to Ambassadors.

Chapter 15

Sabrina stirred, half awake. October 6, she thought. Garth is going to California. But when she opened her eyes she saw it was barely dawn, the first pale light turning the windows pearl gray. In the maple tree, a bird sang. Sabrina stirred again and felt her hand in Garth's, their fingers entwined. Then the night rushed back, enveloping her - Garth's mouth whispering against her breasts, his body covering hers, the passion of her response. Not a dream; she had let it happen. But, no» I couldn*t help?—

Garth's hand tightened in his sleep. Sabrina felt the warmth flowing between them and reaUzed suddenly how changed the world could seem with a hand clasping hers in the darkness.

She was frightened. ?uU away. Your world has not changed. But the thought faded as she slept again. When she woke, sunlight streamed through the clear, bright windows and she was alone in the bed.

She looked around the room. Garth's suitcase, packed but still open, was on the chair. I should get up, she thought, and see if he needs help. But she was afraid to face him. Stephanie, please forgive me. I didn't mean it. Vlease understand ... Unexpectedly, she remembered the terrible joy of feeling him inside her and the swift feelings of loss and guilt that followed.

/ will never know what we might have had.

But she had no right to think that and, ashamed, she closed her eyes again, like a child hiding from herself. Because she could not deny that she had wanted to make love to Garth. And she would never know if that was why last night, for the first time, he had turned to her not with a question but with the assurance of a husband.

But he wouldn't have waited indefinitely, she thought; we were foolish to think he would. The risk was always there; it just finally caught up with me. It meant nothing.

She heard his quiet footsteps on the stairs and quickly shut her tyts. He came to the bed, kissed her. picked up his suitcase and left the room.

And then he was gone. An extraordinary feeling of lightness swept over Sabrina. Last night had been an accident. She hadn't really felt anything; no more than a brief response. It wasn't important.

You wanted him and he knew it. Your arms held him, and all night long your hand was in his.

One episode, she told herself firmly. I was tired and let down my guard. That was the risk. It was no more than that.

Liar.

There is nothing for Stephanie to worry about. Whatever I felt, I can easily forget. I have a job to do here, and a time to leave. I am not involved in any other way.