Madeleine & the Mind (16 page)

She closed her eyes and pressed her mouth to his.

When Steven released her, Madeleine sighed. "Where's my ring?"

"You can't wear it."

She bolted upright.

"Darling, we're almost at the end of this. If we give Franc just one clue…"

She nodded.

He slid the ring on her finger. "With this ring…"

"…until death do us part."

"Speaking of which…I need to phone your Inspector. We're going to need some help."

"This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. I can't believe this is happening. The smartest man in the world wants to marry me."

"You exaggerate. Don't you think our children will be beautiful?"

"Absolutely. The first time I saw you…whew, and when you started to take your clothes off in the gym. You're a naughty boy."

He laughed. "I just wanted to get a reaction out of you. It was better than I expected. You aren't very good at hiding your feelings."

"I hardly ever try to hide them from you. I wanted you to feel safe and valued."

"I wanted to wring your neck in the library, and I wanted to kill Franc. If you ever flirt with him again just to get a rise out of me, I'll do something explosive."

"You deserved it. Lying to me for so long after I trusted you with my heart."

"Your heart is safe, Madeleine. You could have crushed mine long ago, if only you'd known."

"That's not what I want to do with you." She fluttered her lashes provocatively.

"Tell me what you want. I'd give you anything."

"I want you to talk, and talk, and talk for hours until your voice gets hoarse and you can't talk anymore. I want to know everything about you...every detail. Like, when did your parents find out you were a genius? Have you always been irresistible to women? How long have you been in Spain? Can you speak any foreign languages?"

"Whoa, slow down. I promise to talk your ears off if you'll call Inspector Banderas and arrange for him to pick us up."

"Pick us up?"

"It wouldn't be safe for me to speak with him here on the grounds. And we've got to have a battle plan before you go off on a date with Franc. And, why in the name of heaven did you tell him yes?"

"To distract him from the book you were holding. Why wouldn't you bring it to the room where it would be safe?"

"And leave you alone with a terrorist? Never. Get to the phone, woman. I've got things to tell you, and I want to get this meeting with Banderas out of the way."

Madeleine phoned the Inspector.

"Senorita Price, how are you today?"

The Inspector seemed in high spirits.

"I am well. How are you, sir?"

"Splendid. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I would like very much for you to come and pick me up...and my patient. I'll have to bring him with me."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I have good news that's best shared in person, but it would be a lengthy story. Can you make it today?"

"Hmm, I'll call you back in five minutes."

"Now...where were we?" asked Madeleine.

"My love is like a red, red rose…"

"Did you mean that?"

"Yes. I gave you all sorts of signals. How many men take a woman to look at rings if they aren't committed?"

She frowned at him. "That was the problem. You were committed…to someone else. I almost kissed you once."

"You did kiss me. The first time you called me sweetums and tested the sore spot on my head."

She laughed. "I remember."

The phone rang.

"I'll see you in twenty minutes," said the Inspector.

Madeleine hung up. "We have twenty minutes. How would you like to spend it?"

"I'd like to kiss you again. Then you better take off that ring."

Madeleine twisted her ring back and forth. She started to cry. "I don't want to take it off."

"Darling, I have another surprise for you." He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a long gold chain. "This will keep it close to your heart."

She put her arms around his waist and pulled him close. "How did you know I wouldn't be able to wear it?"

"I knew I couldn't wait any longer. I already had the ring. When you said you were going back to the States, I got the chain. I wasn't going to let you walk out of my life without telling you the truth."

Madeleine pressed her head against his chest and closed her eyes. So many times she'd imagined feeling his strong arms hold her tightly against his chest. And now, she could smell him and feel him, and it was heaven.

"I'm so happy."

"Then you'll wear the necklace?"

"Of course. I'd never do anything to endanger you."

She took off the ring and handed it to him. He put it on the chain and fastened it around her neck.

"Where do you want to go on our honeymoon?"

"What are our choices and how much longer are we going to have to stay here?"

"We can leave almost right away. Those design plans are pretty self-explanatory. I figure a week...tops."

"And the answer to my other question?"

He grinned. "I'll take you anywhere."

"Will you take me home to meet your parents?"

"Will you marry me first?"

"I'd marry you today."

"You mean that?"

"Yes."

"I have a license. We can be married today."

She stared at him, shaking her head. "But how, where?"

"From the American consulate."

"I'll just ask one question. Where do you want to spend your first night as a married couple?"

"I guess that means we'll be waiting until this is over."

His chagrined face made her laugh.

"Once we can be together, I don't want to have to think about anything else. But I'll marry you today if you want."

"That's exactly what I want, but I think you're right. It isn't safe for us to be together, not here."

When Inspector Banderas arrived, they were waiting out front. Madeleine let Steven sit in the front because she wanted to see the Inspector's reaction when Steven spoke to him.

After they drove away, Steven turned to the Inspector. "Thank you for coming to see us, Inspector."

Madeleine had to give him his due. The Inspector looked across at Steven and smiled. "What a nice surprise, Dr. Faraday. I've wondered about you, young man. Especially when you attacked Miss Price's assailant. So, if we have been well for some time, what has brought about the sudden need for a conference?"

"Madeleine found the design I had hidden. That was the only thing I couldn't remember."

The story came tumbling out with many interjections from Madeleine. By the time they had reached the downtown police station, the Inspector knew all.

"So, the plans are hidden again. Miss Price has a date with our foe tomorrow night, and we need some way to bring his true nature out in the open. What is the bait? Miss Price or the plans?"

"I don't want Madeleine involved." Steven's voice was harsh.

The Inspector stroked his chin. Since they'd first met, Madeleine had seen him do it several times. It must be a habit.

"I don't see how we can exclude her now. She is supposed to be the one with the book, and she has the date with Dr. Giliteau. As I see it, you have two choices. We can put a wire on Miss Price and follow her on her date where she will tell Dr. Giliteau she has found some papers in the book, or, you go back to the Institute, she mentions to Dr. Giliteau she found the papers and offers to bring them with her the next night. It's taking a chance. I expect him to come to your rooms while you are sleeping. He can't afford to risk Miss Price showing the documents to Dr. Hanover."

"Why does he have to go to Madeleine's room? What if she says she left them on my desk because she tried to get me to look at them?" Steven asked.

"Would that be in keeping with your usual behavior?"

"Yes," said Madeleine. "Everyone knows I pester Steven with new things all the time."

"You think our wisest course of action will be for you to entice Dr. Giliteau with the plans. I'll need to get officers in both of your rooms. In fact, I see no reason for you to be in your room, Dr. Faraday. We can put one of my men in your bed and you can stay with Miss Price and another officer in her room."

As long as she and Steven wouldn't be alone together all night. Her future husband would be too much of a temptation.

He turned and smiled at her, and her face flamed.

They made plans with Inspector Banderas. Madeleine would meet with Dr. Giliteau during the day. She would explain how she had found the papers and offer to show them to him the next evening during their date. The inspector and two of his men would meet Steven at the pool entrance at ten o'clock. That would be late enough for Steven and the officers to get upstairs without being seen. They decided not to tell Mike what they were doing.

"Before we leave the police station, there's something we need. I have only one copy of my design. Would it be possible to copy all the plans?"

Inspector Banderas looked at Steven. "I was thinking the Embassy, but if Miss Price is shadowed by those working with Dr. Giliteau, it wouldn't be safe for you to visit there. What did you have in mind?"

"We have no choice but to hide a second set somewhere in the Institute. I can't risk losing the only copy I have."

Inspector Banderas drove them back. For the rest of the day, Madeleine and Steven had to pretend that nothing had changed. They would have to spend time at the pool, the maze, the gym, everywhere she usually took Steven.

When they arrived at the Institute, they went straight to their rooms. Lunch was waiting, and it was cold.

Madeleine picked at her food. "Do you realize how many cold meals I've eaten for you?"

"You were always so determined to put me ahead of yourself. I think you're wonderful."

"I could listen to you laugh for the rest of my life. Hey, you promised to talk to me all day. How will you talk if we have to make appearances in public?"

"I'm sorry, darling. We'll go out to the maze, and I'll whisper in your ear…as I nibble it."

"I heard you talking with Mike one night. At the time, I didn't know it was you, but I guess it must have been."

"I know. You told me you heard Mike. I wondered if you were trying to gauge my response. When did you know you were in love with me?"

"When you kissed my hand...when Janice was here. I was in denial before that. It was at the back of my mind. I just didn't want to face it. When did you know?"

"When I turned around and saw you at the bottom of the pool. I was crying for God to save you. When I pulled you out, you weren't breathing. I begged God to help me. I couldn't lose you."

"He's been watching out for the both of us."

"Especially you. Have you always been such a magnet for danger?"

"Not until I got to Spain. I've lived the most ordinary, boring existence."

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe. You're the most exciting woman I've ever met."

"Will you still think so when this is over?"

"Madeleine, the best times with you have been the quiet times, sitting in the maze, staring at clouds, which I have to say I had never done before, and listening to you read God's Word. You have such a passion for your faith. Are you ready to settle down with an old fuddy-duddy scientist?"

"Nothing would make me happier." She kissed him on the nose.

"I don't think so." He reached for her. "Those little kisses were fine when you were treating me like your child. I want a real kiss now."

Before leaving for a work-out at the gym, they had to choose a hiding place for the plans. They put the book of love sonnets in a shelf with Steven's science journals. The spare set of plans were rolled up and dropped down the pole of a floor lamp.

Madeleine and Steven finally got to the gym. Though they couldn't speak, their smiles and subtle glances spoke volumes to each other. Madeleine felt quite giddy by the time they arrived at the pool to cool off.

There wasn't anyone in the pool, but there were sunbathers, so they felt safe. Madeleine dove in and let the bracing water refresh her. She splashed around for a while then looked for Steven. He was leaning back against the ladder, watching her. She gave him a shy smile, and he swam over to her.

"You know," she said, "Ever since you've been teaching me to lift weights I have more strength in my arms and legs. I bet I could almost keep up with you in a race." She laughed. "Remember the first time?" He nodded his head. "You were at the end of the pool before I ever got to the deep water. Are you ready? Go."

They swam to the end. Madeleine concentrated on swimming and ignored the desire to giggle. There was something almost comical about the pretense they were living out in front of witnesses. Steven won the race, but she had improved greatly.

"All thanks to you. I suppose I'll have to stay in shape when I get home...maybe join a gym. Are you ready to go inside and read?"

They left the pool and went upstairs to change and dry off. Thirty minutes later, they walked toward the maze.

Steven paused and pulled a red rose off the bush. The petals were just opening up, the color at its brightest. He held it to Madeleine's face, and she closed her eyes to inhale the soft fragrance. He reached up and tucked the rose behind her ear then took her hand and pulled her into the maze.

"I have to kiss you," he whispered.

"Not outside. What if someone sees us?"

"No one can see us in here, not even from the top floor." He put an arm around her back. "My love is like the red, red rose…"

Madeleine gave him a soft kiss on the lips then pulled away and ran through the maze. She knew the twists and turns well. Because he wasn't expecting her to hide, she was able to lose him. But she wasn't able to hide her laughter, and she heard Steven rushing through the maze to find her.

She reached the grape arbor just ahead of him, and he caught her in his arms. They tumbled to the ground, laughing softly. By the time they left the maze, Madeleine couldn't stop smiling.

"You know it's almost time for dinner. Don't you think it would be an opportune time to make an appearance at the lab?"

"Aboslutely. Set the plan in motion, but don't let Franc touch you."