Sea Gem (31 page)

‘Go on,’ she groaned. ‘Now what is it?’

‘Let me point out something else first,’

James said slowly. ‘You are a well known family and so is your financial stability. Can’t you imagine what an extra field day the press would have if it became a straight fight
between a rich Noyen and a poor, little widow lady? Goodness me! You could all end up being pilloried and I am sure Madam Noyen senior would not take kindly to that. From what I know about her, she
sets great store in upholding the family name.’

Mary nodded slowly. He was right, as usual. It was her own fault for charging off like a demented bull to try and buy the place herself. She had made a complete fiasco of it all.

‘You’re right,’ she agreed in a low voice then saw a smile twitch his lips. She was puzzled.

What
was
so amusing?

‘If you really want those premises you will have to better the other offer even if it is outrageous.’

‘That poor, little widow, as you call her, is as dangerous as an uncaged tiger and her acting ability could take her to Hollywood!’ she said, then shrugged her shoulders, her lips
twitching a little. She had been caught in her own trap and Tante would never let her live it down.

‘So do you want me to make an offer on your behalf of just over three hundred pounds?’ James asked, struggling to control his mirth.

‘Oh very well!’ Mary said with exasperation. ‘But it’s daylight robbery. Damn Victor le Page!’

James broke into a bellow of laughter unable to hold it back any longer. Mary looked at him in bewilderment.

‘All right,’ she said slowly. ‘What have I done that I shouldn’t have done which is making me the joke of the day?’

‘Fallen into the beginner’s trap,’ he grinned, then broke into another open chuckle which transformed his features from the severe lawyer to one of almost a young man.

Mary knew she was going pink. Very slowly, a tiny suspicion had started to send a shoot in her mind. She frowned and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. Surely he did not mean—? ‘It was
a put-up job!’

James nodded, laughing at her again. ‘I’m afraid so,’ he agreed, sitting back in his chair.

‘Victor le Page!’ Mary accused hotly. ‘It’s him again!’

James nodded, his merriment at the trick, sending him into another gale of laughter that reverberated through the room.

‘I found out two days ago when I began to investigate after you had given me the facts,’ he told her, trying to control himself from such undignified behaviour. ‘Madam Martell
is a close relation of Mrs le Page. Her maiden name was Oselton and, yes, that’s right, she came from Alderney originally. She told her niece, who informed Victor and heads were then put
together very quickly. I have a shrewd suspicion, which I hasten to add I cannot prove enough for a law court, that the extra hundred pounds will be split evenly between Mrs Martell and Mrs le
Page—all nicely done at your expense.’ Then his face became serious as he leaned forward towards her. ‘I know that you and Victor le Page have had your differences. I’m
afraid you will have to accept this as a subtle revenge; his need to take you down a peg or two to even the score.’

Mary was furious, then her honesty arose and she saw the financial joke was upon herself with a vengeance. She examined it for a moment or two and ruefully shook her head with admiration. Never
again would she attempt to buy a property herself. It had been a painful lesson but Mary never required two. Slowly, her good humour returned and she grinned back at him.

‘I’d like to wring his neck,’ she said softly. ‘How clever though and I fell for it.’

‘Well, if you have that urge bad enough why don’t you go and take a short drive down to the Point?’ he asked creamily.

Mary became extra alert. She could see it all now. Victor knew exactly what was going to happen. He had also made sure she knew exactly where he would be if she chose to see him; cocky in his
victory. Confound him, she told herself. Of course she would see him and to her surprise her heart gave a few extra strong flips as her blood quickened. How many years ago was it since they had
talked privately together; not since she had been forced to shoot him. The years had flown past and they were both into their thirties with, she suddenly hoped, more sense and control. She stood
up, her eyebrows arched looking at James.

‘Madam!’ James said, with tongue in his cheek. ‘Please leave my drinking friend sound of wind and limb!’

Mary gave him a long dignified look. ‘I haven’t the faintest idea what you mean,’ she replied blandly.

Not much, James thought as he saw her from his office and watched her walk to her car. When the meeting had been arranged the previous evening James had spoken strongly and pointedly to his
friend.

‘Don’t press your luck!’ he warned him coldly.

* * *

Mary drove slowly to Jerbourg Point with her natural sense of humour bubbling. What an idiot she had made of herself. As she parked her car, her eyes roved around looking for
him while her heart was at its usual disgraceful thundering. He was not in sight so Mary stepped out, crossing the grass and looked down the steps to the waves far below. The sea gurgled, then
threatened as it tried to strangle the rocks but she still could not see him. She walked back past the car in the other direction, then spotted him in the distance. He lifted one arm and waved
casually.

Her heart increased its tempo and blood pounded in her temples. She noted he made no move to come to her. Why should he? By the time she reached him she was puffing slightly.

‘Hello!’ he cried, then taking her arm quite casually, he pointed down and out. ‘Look! Don’t the Pea Stacks Rocks look fine with the sea pounding them?’

Quite naturally they held hands and watched as the incoming tide assaulted the columns of rocks, famous for their weird shapes and the way they dared defy the waves. The sky held a gentle sun
whose golden rays turned the water to a subtle mixture of dark and light greens and where these surged around the Pea Stacks, these colours vanished to white. The whole made a pleasing combination
to the eye.

‘Goodness!’ Mary gasped. ‘It’s breezy here!’

‘It usually is,’ he agreed. ‘In winter the winds howl in and blow all the cobwebs away. Let’s sit in that hollow. We can be sheltered but still watch the sea and I
promise to behave myself if you’ll not act like a Hollywood cowboy,’ he joked gently.

Mary chuckled at him and allowed him to guide her down. It was true, down here, although still in some wind, it was not so unpleasant as standing to face the main assault of the weather. Quite
naturally, he slipped his left arm around her and she leaned against him. He smelt of pure maleness. She had noticed this before; it was as if his aura could also produce scent. He was fresh, clean
and virile while the arm around her was rock hard with developed, fit muscles. She peeped at his eyes and saw they were violet.

‘Please ma’am, can I have a kiss without being shot?’ he quipped.

Mary turned and let her lips feel his and he responded in a flash. There was a faint tinge of tobacco on his but it was not unpleasant, it seemed to blend in with him. With both his arms around
her his kiss went on and on and now he was gentle though still firm and dominant.

‘Oh Victor!’ she murmured and buried her head in his chest letting his arms protect her from life, allowing herself a rare few minutes of utter relaxation.

‘Ssh!’ he soothed, stroking and kissing her ears and neck, feeling his heart swell so much it became an ache. From her came a scent of perfume as light as if made from spring
flowers. He could feel the swell of her breasts against him which, in turn, made his groin harden enough for him to have to stifle a groan of anguish. She always aroused him even when they did not
touch but this close sweetness was agonising though he had learned his lesson too. He would never go farther or faster than she wanted. Indeed, he had sworn to himself that though she would be his
one day she must come to him; there must be a reversal of the natural roles. Only by doing that would he know for sure she came of her own volition.

Slowly Mary sat up, looking at him wistfully, a sad smile on her face with her eyes gentle and caring.

‘Oh! You stubborn little madam!’ he chided in a low voice, kissing her again. ‘All these wasted years!’

‘What’s done is done,’ Mary told him in a low voice tinged with sadness. ‘Anyhow I’ll not come directly between husband and wife especially now you and Nicole get
on so well. It would be grossly unfair of me and think how your children would hate me—and you!’

Victor nodded in slow agreement. She was right in many ways because he had developed a queer stilted affection for Nicole and adored his children. It would break his heart if they turned against
him and he was well aware that the mother’s place in the hearts of children was usually before that of the father. Nicole trusted him, he thought, and for a few seconds a heavy gloom
descended.

Mary wriggled back a few inches and grinned. ‘Do you know something? We are not fighting for once!’ she teased as her eyes danced with mischief.

He fell in with her mood. ‘I’ll be astonished if it stays like that,’ he shot back, ‘but—’ He allowed the rest of the sentence to hang unsaid in the air
between them.

Mary knew what he meant. ‘I’m having that shop and paying that outrageous price too,’ she informed him. ‘Goodness me, you certainly came out of that smelling of roses. It
was cleverly done, Heathcliff,’ she praised.

He chuckled. ‘Damn it all, Catherine. You simply cannot be allowed to win all the time. It’s bad for you.’

‘So that innocent, little widow lady will receive one pound over the price you offered for the shop and stock with all taxes paid up to date. I’ll drop the
Haro
and
won’t mention any fraud,’ she finished sweetly.

‘Fraud? What are you on about?’ he blurted with alarm.

‘Well, didn’t you and the widow conspire together to raise the price after I had made an offer
and
paid a deposit
and
shaken hands on the deal? she asked in a voice
of syrup.

‘Well,’ he halted, floundering a little now. Then he read the mischief in her eyes and shook his head. ‘You sea witch! This is your idea!’ he accused.

‘Of course!’ she agreed daintily. ‘I can’t let you think you have had a complete victory, now can I? It would only go to your head, wouldn’t it?’

‘You are impertinent, Madam!’

‘Yes!’ she agreed blithely, enjoying the shock she had just given him. He gave her a gentle shake, then settled her back down in the crook of his arm again and they watched the sea
in companionable silence.

‘There’s something else you should know,’ he said softly.

Mary pulled away from him in alarm. Now what was wrong?

‘Michael is in love!’ he said softly.

Mary blinked, having to collect her thoughts. ‘He’s only a child.’

‘I’m not so sure of that,’ he told her slowly. ‘In many ways Mike is a serious boy, very advanced for his age. When I talk to him I often forget he’s only thirteen.
Sometimes he could be in his late teens the way he thinks.’

Mary understood. William too had a precocious, adult manner which often shocked her and which she neither liked nor considered healthy. Boys of his age should be mischievous rascals so it was
peculiar that Michael and William had something in common.

‘Mike can come out with statements that rock me at times,’ he said quietly.

‘Who is the light of his young life?’ Mary jested.

He gave her a firm look. ‘Your Margaret!’

‘What!’

‘I have a feeling he means it too,’ Victor added carefully. ‘Don’t underestimate the feelings of the young. They grow up more quickly than we did.’

‘It’s just a childish infatuation.’

He shook his head. ‘I don’t think it is!’ he replied gently. ‘Michael can be very obstinate in his quiet manner,’ he explained, ‘and if he says he is in love
with Margaret and is going to marry her when adult, he will do exactly that.’

Mary felt miffed. ‘Margaret might have something to say about that!’ she pointed out.

‘What if she happened to agree?’ he asked steadily. ‘How do you feel about our families being joined through our children?’

‘I still think you are running ahead of this,’ she protested.

‘What I’m leading up to is this,’ he told her. ‘In the summer holidays those two will want to spend time together. I hope you won’t be antagonistic. Don’t
pour scorn on young love. It is innocent and very beautiful. Your daughter is going to grow into a lovely woman and Michael is a handsome lad,’ he said, managing not to make any joke about
taking after his father. Her expression was a trifle too bleak for that. ‘It means of course, you could end up with a tribe at your home because, don’t forget, Mike is a
twin!’

‘I don’t mind that,’ Mary told him quickly, ‘it’s just that children should be children and not develop crushes at such a young age!’

‘What about Romeo and Juliet and then there’s Heloise and Abelard—!’

‘Stop!’ she cried. ‘It’s bad enough with you always on about Catherine and Heathcliff. Don’t drag in more literary figures!’

‘You’ll be gentle with them though?’

Mary nodded, recognising his anxiety, her heart going out to him afresh, though what Nicole le Page would chose to say was something she didn’t care to think about. On the few occasions
when she had bumped into Madam le Page in the market, the other woman had often paused in whatever she was doing, to throw Mary an odd, keen look which was neither friendly nor hostile but which
left Mary feeling peculiar. Madam le Page had picked up gossip and, Mary knew that no matter what she might say or protest, Nicole obviously did not like the Noyens and herself in particular. So if
Victor’s crazy thoughts moved to fruition in due course, how would Michael’s mother like the idea of a Noyen daughter-in-law? The thought made Mary a little uneasy, then she gave
herself a brisk shake. She would cross that bridge when she reached it.

‘I promise!’ she told him. ‘But I still think your imagination is overworked and that of your son too!’