CHAPTER SIX

ADRIENNE had little scientific knowledge. She did not fully understand that fingerprints could be matched up nor did she take into account the important connections he had made through his work. As with the DNA it was a simple matter to have his suspicions confirmed. Adrienne had indeed sent the letter to Marcus Sheffield. He confronted her with it in her office, watching her cheeks splotch with red.

" Didn't you think for one moment the shock might have killed him? " he asked.

Adrienne attempted a laugh. " I heard he was a tough old bird. I would have thought you'd be only too pleased to see him get his comeuppance, Nick, considering what he did to you. "

Had she checked on him? Did it matter? " Well then, you'd better tell me. What exactly did he do? "

" Come off it, Nick, " she jeered. " You check up on me. I check up on you. You have to grow a thick skin in this world. "

" You mean you set some investigator to work? "

" Well I couldn't go down there myself, " she retorted, sitting back in her chair. " Like you, I have to run a business. "

" But what was the point of it all? " he asked, standing, staring down at her.

" You don't think I was going to allow you to disappear from my life? " she said in an incredulous tone.

" Allow? " He honed in on that. " That's an odd word. You have no control over me. "

She literally wrung her hands. " You mustn't go back to that woman, Nick. As far as I can make out she's been responsible for most of the unhappiness in your life. "

He controlled his anger, told himself to sit down. " So you thought if you wrote to her father her father could sway her again? "

" Why not? " she retorted, still with hope in her voice. " These old families loathe scandal. What about the grandparents on the other side, Nick? Have you thought of them? The people who think your child is part of their family. All they have left of their son. Isn't that the way it goes? "

He stared at her in total silence, then with a horrendous understanding. " I had no idea you'd become so obsessive. "

" Why would you? " she countered bitterly. " I did my best to keep it hidden. Anyway, don't talk to me about obsession, Nick. It's got its great claws into you. "

" So you mustn't try to rescue me, Adrienne, " he warned. " It was a cruel thing you did sending that letter to Marcus Sheffield. He may not die but he'll be confined to a wheelchair, paralysed down the left side of his body. He hasn't regained his speech. He may never. Doesn't that fill you with deep regret? "

She blushed deeply again. " Don't be ridiculous, Nick. I don't know the man. "

" And to think I thought you had some capacity for heart. "

She sat bolt upright, fixing her amber eyes on his. " The only one I care about is you. Even my mother used to say I'm as tough as an old boot. Listen, darling, you have to stop feeling sorry for these people. Concentrate on the wrong they did you. I understand totally and condone your ambition to get square. You've done it now. You've gone to some pains to acquire their old ancestral home. Bravo! It must have come as a tremendous bombshell when they found out. "

" I suppose it did. " No way he could deny it. " But I would never have sent Marcus Sheffield your anonymous letter. Not when his health was already broken. You've destroyed our friendship, Adrienne, as surely as if you'd hacked it to pieces with a knife. I won't be seeing you again. " He stood up, full of a sad disgust, watching Adrienne come feverishly around her desk, her eyes very bright.

" Have you the smallest inkling how much I love you? " she asked, clutching at the lapels of his suit jacket.

" If I lost my company, Adrienne, you wouldn't love me at all. " He spoke dryly.

" But you're not going to do that. You're way too clever. No, Nick, you're on a flight to the stars. That's if you don't destroy yourself going back to this woman. God knows she made her husband unhappy enough. "

It was startling how much she had learned. " It's easy enough to become unhappy when one loses all self-esteem, " he said sombrely. " I'm sorry if you've been hurt, Adrienne, but I have to tell you I'm appalled by your behaviour. You'd be wise not to interfere in my life again. "

As formidable as he looked, Adrienne didn't shrink. " You'll come back to me, " she insisted on a mournful note. " It's her home, after all, your Suzannah cares about. Bellemont. Her home and her haven. I'd love it, too, if I'd been born in such a place. But no such luck. I've had to work damned hard for what I've got in this world. Your Suzannah married a man she didn't love so she wouldn't have to leave the family mansion. She rejected you because her father probably threatened to disinherit her. Now you're rich enough to give her back what she wants. But just remember, Nick, Bellemont comes first. "

There was an element of truth in it, he thought. Love of Bellemont ran generations deep. His own little daughter knew her roots. From that moment on the thought was always with him.

Such was the irony of life it was Nick's money that paid for her father's care. Marcus Sheffield was shifted from hospital into an exclusive nursing home on the outskirts of town where he had around-the-clock attention. Physiotherapists worked on him in intensive sessions to the extent he regained most of the mobility in his limbs but his speech remained badly impaired. Nevertheless he was mentally alert and had no difficulty recognising Suzannah and Charlotte. Suzannah called in on her father each day, sitting quietly with him, whether he was asleep or awake, holding his hand.

" You're so good to him, dear, " Carol Williams, his private nurse, told her approvingly. " Such a comfort. It's easy to see how much he loves you. "

She took Charlotte frequently, mostly for a short time after school. Marcus Sheffield's faded eyes followed the child as she moved quietly around the room, arranging things to please him. The lovely flowers Mummy always brought, little personal things from home, his silver-backed brushes, family photos in silver frames, a painting on the wall, lovely silk rugs to make Grandpa feel more at home. Often she spent her time sitting at her grandfather's feet as he sat in his wheelchair, one of his trembling hands resting lightly on her shoulder. She never complained, never tried to move away. Grandpa had written on his pad, the one he used to tell people what he meant, he " adored her". She was his favourite little girl in all the world. It made Charlotte feel happy even when she felt bad. It was so sad to see Grandpa so thin and old. So sad not to hear his big deep voice even though it used to boom at her.

Strangely it was a time of peace and reconciliation, these hours when all three of them sat quietly having conversations in their minds. If Suzannah had ever feared her father would turn on Charley now that he knew Nick was her father, the very opposite had happened. They had never seemed closer. The little girl all loving attentiveness, her grandfather holding back tears when she was leaving.

When Nick came down one weekend, Suzannah mentioned it to him.

" Speak to his doctors, see what they think. If they believe good quality home care can be managed, I don't see why he can't move back into Bellemont. He would need his private nurse on a full-time basis. It would establish a good reason for you and Charlotte to live there. " This was said very dryly as Suzannah, a little frightened of what it might entail, had stayed on in the cottage.

Suzannah wondered what her father would make of Nick's amazingly generous offer. Reject it? But he did not. More than anything he wanted to see Bellemont once again.

It was not to happen. As preparations were underway, essential changes made at the house, Marcus Sheffield passed away in his sleep. On his bedside table lay his communicating pad and pen.

The last message read: Forgive me I was wrong.

It was the beginning of December now, a few more weeks to Christmas, the festive season, the time to be at peace with the world. Yet Suzannah could not pull herself out of her depression. She tried very hard to be cheerful in front of Charley, who was home on the summer vacation, but Charley was very sensitive to her mother's pain.

When Suzannah saw her little daughter hiding away in the garden, quietly wiping her wet face on her sleeve, she felt a great wave of protective love. Charley, too, had been deprived of her loved ones, her grandfather and the man she had been reared to believe was her father. She would have to shake herself out of her own terrible lethargy and take control. Both of them were feeling Nick's continuing absence. He had flown to California on business. Almost two weeks had passed since he had come down to Bellemont, though they still lived in the cottage where Suzannah felt her father's lingering presence. A breathing space, she reasoned, before the return to her beloved Bellemont.

She began the task of recruiting and in many cases rerecruiting staff. Finally the very nature of the task convinced her the best place to operate from was Bellemont itself. Nick, on his return, rang her frequently but to all intents and purposes theirs might have been a business arrangement, never a partnership, let alone a relationship between two people who intended to marry primarily, it seemed, for the sake of their child. Nick was the boss. She was the valued employee and she had to admit he made her feel valued. It wasn't simply that he had wonderful skills when it came to handling people. He expected a great deal, challenging one's own ability to get on with the job. But he was unstinting in his praise when she moved all the right people into position. Of recent times he had come to asking for Charley to be put on the phone as well, amusing her with his conversation so that Charley always got off the phone laughing.

" I love Nick so much, " she told her mother, rolling her eyes in a child's delight. " He makes me feel so happy! "

" Yes, Nick's good at doing that. " Suzannah always turned away before Charley saw her sad expression. The future was looking rosy but she knew full well she would have to atone for the past.

Nick rang fairly late one evening, causing Suzannah to awake in panic, her breath shaking in her chest. She had retired earlier than usual after a long, busy day walking the vineyards with Hans and Kurt discussing their combined plans. Nick wanted more acres planted with vines, some four thousand semillon, the major white table wine variety of Australia and later, as an experiment, some three thousand vines of Sauvignon Blanc. Hans and Kurt had found Nick's plans inspirational, raising not a murmur against Nick's decision to bring in a brilliant young oenology graduate and grandson of a family with extensive viticultural experience. As well, in the afternoon she had to interview several applicants to take over the running of the riding school. Two men, four women, all with the right background and skills and so enthusiastic to get started she scarcely knew whom to pick. She had fallen asleep instantly, too tired out to be haunted by dreams, but the strident sound of the phone cutting into the night brought back stark memories. She was perpetually in anguish about Martin. Even though he and her father had virtually coerced her into marriage she was sick with combined regrets.

Consequently her voice was low and husky, carrying emotional fright. ` Bellemont Farm. May I help you? "

" Did I wake you? " Nick asked.

" Yes. " She sat up, leaning over to switch on the bedside lamp, a bronze figure of a beautiful winged nymph holding up a Nile-green fringed shade. Nick had found it in an out-ofthe-way antique shop, repaired its broken wing beautifully and given it to her for her sixteenth birthday. In a houseful of superb antiques she treasured it.

" You sound like you're in pain or frightened? " His vibrant voice came across the wires with such immediacy he might have been with her in the room.

How well he knew her! " No, just an early night, " she said evasively. " I'll go back to sleep after my report to you. The paddocks are ploughed. The posts, wire and irrigation lines in place. All we need now are workers to do the actual planting and fit up the vine guards. "

" Fine. " He brushed that aside. " But let's get back to you. You sound far from happy. "

" On the basis of a few spoken words, Nick? "

" You forget I know you too well. Every nuance in your voice. "

It was an odd time for her to long for him, for the power of his flesh.

" I'm still in mourning, Nick, " she pointed out.

" Of course. We must have time for our grief, " he answered. " But you shouldn't be alone. I'm coming as soon as I can. In fact, I've put together a team to join the locals in the planting. My own people from the company. Friends. A weekend affair. How do you feel about organising it? "

She had learned early how to play hostess. " When are we talking about, Nick? " she asked, sitting straighter in the bed, her mind already working on the idea.

" I thought Hans wanted to start the planting as soon as possible? "

" The preparation is complete. Richer soils are on the top of the ridges, deep sandy loams in the valley. No problem. The planting pattern has been decided on, uniform vine spacing, long straight rows. A good turning space at the end. We've taken everything into consideration.

" So what about this weeekend? " he asked. " It's Tuesday tomorrow. Enough time? I want you to take charge of everything. Organisation side of it, of course. I expect you to hire people to help out. Caterers, etc. I know you won't want me to make it obvious you're my hostess, neither do I want you to play down your place in the scheme of things. I want Charlotte to enjoy herself as well. Perhaps she could ask along some of her little friends. Make it a community affair. Let the people of the district join in. "

Pleasure leapt into her troubled mind, so she tumbled back against the pillows. " I'm sure I can pull it all together. "

" I know you can, " he said in a soft, smooth voice. " You scared the daylights out of me when you were eight years old. Poised enough, imperious enough to be a little princess. I don't think I've ever been so much in awe of anyone in my life. "

Like a miracle the years fell away. " Didn't I ever tell you I was scared of you, too? " she retorted, unaware her own voice had turned to honey. " The way you stood, the way you moved, the way you spoke with this foreign accent. How wonderfully handsome you were, like a god from another planet. You weren't like any other child I ever knew. To this day I don't know anyone like you. Even as a boy you had enough in you to put my father on guard. "

" It took years for him to forbid you to see me, " he said.

" He asked your forgiveness in the end, Nick, " she told him gently.

" Maybe he was scared of what lay ahead? "

" Repentance doesn't catch up with all of us, " she pointed out.

" I'll have to sleep on that. "

It seemed wise to change the subject. " You'll have to let me know the numbers, male and female guests, " she said, suddenly businesslike. " The women you've thrown over. I hope none of them is coming? " She had a sudden picture of the woman called Adrienne's staring, unblinking gaze. Nick had never told her who had sent the letter to her father but she felt she knew.

" The only one who has ever made the blood roar through my veins is you, Suzannah, " he reminded her, holding her enthralled. " What are you wearing right now? Tell me. "

Seduction over the phone. She glanced down at her pale yellow nightdress, a deep convulsive shiver running the length of her body. " Cotton pyjamas, " she said perversely.

He laughed, such a terribly attractive sound. " You didn't even favour them when you were a child. No, Suzannah, I see you in a sheath of silk. The colour is soft and luminous. Maybe pink, maybe peach. It has thin little straps over the shoulders and the neckline dips low into your beautiful breasts. You wear nothing beneath it. If you stood up I could see right through it. I can see it lying in a soft pool at your feet. I can see myself worshipping your body, my little sacrificial lamb, " he added with the familiar edge of mockery.

" Do you think we will ever love each other again the way we used to? " she asked, touched by fear.

There was a long silence, thick with images. " The last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings, " he said.

" For God's sake! " She recovered in an instant. " I wouldn't want you to, Nick. "

This time his low laugh was somewhat discordant. " Hating, loving, what's the difference, " he said. " You claimed my soul a long time ago. "

Charley was absolutely thrilled when she heard about what was planned.

" You mean I can ask Lucy and Amanda? " She clasped her arms around her mother's neck, naming her White " cousins".

" Certainly, darling, if they would like to come. " Suzannah had spoken many times to her White in-laws, all of them had been close up until Martin's death, but she couldn't shake off the feeling they blamed her in some way for Martin's final disintegration, if not for the actual accident. It was only natural, she supposed. God knows what they would think when they learned, as they inevitably would, she had, for the best of reasons, pulled the wool over their eyes.

Charley was Nick's child. The older she got the more it began to show. She was so highly intelligent she stood out from the rest of the children. As well as being academic, she had artistic skills. She could draw, not as children usually did with bright crayons and stick people. She had a definite gift. Her piano teacher at school went around calling Charley her " little wunderkind". She could swim. She could ride. She could hold her own in conversations with adults. She had a way of turning her head, directing a questioning eyebrow. The baby rosebud mouth was taking on a new shape, with definite upraised edges. The sable dark hair out of its plaits was developing a deep wave. Suzannah's own hair, though thick with lots of bounce, was perfectly straight. Charley didn't have her hairline, either. Charley was developing Nick's pronounced widow's peak.

" Please God, help me. " Suzannah, locked into a dilemma often prayed. " Forgive me for being such a failure. " Failure was a word no one else had ever applied to Suzannah. She had been her father's hostess from an early age. She knew all about running things. Orchestrating functions at short notice, highly successful luncheons, dinner parties, gala evenings, balls, the humbler community gettogether. Best of all she knew how to make people feel wonderfully comfortable. It was a role that suited her right down to the ground, a combination of natural friendliness and charm and years of making herself indispensable to a father who had to entertain a good deal.

Nick eventually rang back with his numbers. He'd invited ten people in all, equally divided between male and female guests. The unattached males would be happy to bunk in the staff quarters, which included the cottage attached to the stables. The rest could share the guest bedrooms if she could take in Charley for the night.

The sound of his voice embraced her, warming the frozen reaches of her heart. What was it about Nick that had always enveloped and welcomed her? She had felt his presence around her all these past years. Riding through the eucalypt-scented woods, down by the river, their special pool, looking up at the blazing stars. She had lost her heart to him in childhood. Given it into his hands using a child's instincts. She knew now a child's instincts were true. Charley had turned into Nick's arms as though she had known and loved him all her life. Like mother. Like daughter.

Organising every aspect of the weekend kept her so busy she had little time to dwell on the sad changes in her life. The townspeople were wonderfully enthusiastic, welcoming the prospect of doing the planting with the promise of an alfresco barbecue, which Suzannah intended to set up near the rose gardens. Historically Bellemont's beautiful rose gardens had always been a feature of the farm. The hundreds of bushes had been planted not only for their near year-long glory and wonderful perfume, but as an early warning system for the precious vines. The same diseases that attacked the vines showed up first in the rosebushes. Suzannah had thought as a child the roses were eternally looking after the grapes.

The busy period was good for Charley, too. Her normally high spirits bounced back as she rushed to and fro taking messages, trying to help her mother with numerous little jobs, watching enthralled as the big marquee was set up on the lawn, chatting on the phone to her cousins" who were as excited about being a part of it all as Charley. In a sense she was running wild, free of the restraints her grandfather's illness and subsequent uncertain temper had imposed upon her. Suzannah saw no harm in it, rather it was a therapy as Charley returned to normal behaviour.

There was no need to call in professional caterers, either. Suzannah organised all the food and drink, calling on the excellent local produce as she had done so many times in the past. The women of the town would be on hand to help her. Every last one had offered their services including Martin's two sisters, who with their husbands would be helping to plant the new semillon vines.

It was almost like the old days, Suzannah thought. If only she could move her mind to another place. It seemed to be her lot to carry her burden of grief wherever she went, but she couldn't bear to inflict it on Charley.

Never had she wanted Nick more.

He and his friends swooped on her towards dusk Friday evening. Nick in his Jaguar with a woman passenger, a short plumpish very pleasant-looking person who had to be his devoted Bebe. The others whooping like contestants in a car rally leaping from Land Cruisers, all dressed alike in casual shirts and jeans. The evening sky was an intoxicating gauzy mauve but soon darkness would fall as theatrically as a theatre curtain.

While Charley ran on ahead, streaking like an arrow to Nick, who whirled her off the ground, Suzannah took a little time walking from the porch, down the short flight of stone stairs and out onto the driveway. Thank God the woman Adrienne wasn't there. Adrienne, she felt, was a woman who could hurt her. All the others were smiling happily, dispelling any feeling of awkwardness as though the exact reason for her presence was the last thing on their minds.

Nick reached her first, took her hand, then bent to kiss her cheek. " Come and say hello. Everyone's dying to meet you. " He felt the slight tremble in her hand and tightened his grasp. She was wearing a flower embroidered summery dress in a shade of turquoise that turned her eyes into glittering jewels. She was so beautiful, so damned aristocratic, the blood swirled around through his veins so it became an actual ache. This woman who had such a profound capacity to hurt him. Bebe, looking around her with some awe, the magnificent homestead, the gardens, the rolling hills and the green and gold vineyards, thought the young woman walking towards her, holding on to Nick's hand, was the answer to any man's prayers. She didn't need any confidence from Nick, either, to tell this was definitely the woman in his life. But there were many mysteries to ponder. For instance, why would a little girl who looked almost exactly like her mother remind Bebe of Nick? My goodness, there was a story there, Bebe thought.

The friendliness, the contagious enthusiasm made Suzannah expand with joy. Almost exclusively, with the exception of Bebe and a distinguished-looking older man, a professor, these were young people around her own age and she found their company fresh and uplifting. She'd had no time to recover from her family tragedies, both events had left permanent scars, but it was wonderful to look into so many smiling faces and see their instant approval and liking.

" You're a great hit! " Nick murmured, his arm around her shoulder as they all went into the house. " I knew you would be. "

It took no time at all to fix everyone up happily with accommodation within the homestead itself. The young married couples together, single males, single females sharing. Bebe with a charming room overlooking the rose gardens to herself, Noel Geddes, a widower in his mid-fifties and one of Nick's early mentors next door. Suzannah had gained the impression Nick was promoting a romance between Bebe and Noel. She had noticed herself how the light came into Bebe's face every time Noel turned to speak to her. She wished them luck. Life was nothing without love.

" Isn't it wonderful! " Charley kept saying, dashing excitedly in and out of each room. " I love having visitors. "

" That's a lovely little girl you've got there! " Bebe turned away from her rapt admiration of the rose gardens to smile at Suzannah. " So much like you and as bright as a button. She tells me she's going to play the piano for me before dinner. "

" She's very capable, too. " Suzannah smiled back, her eyes proclaiming the depth of her love. " But I'm not going to let her monopolise you, Bebe. So don't worry. "

" As if she would. I love children, " Bebe said. " Never married of course. I had a few offers but "

" Nick did mention you have an invalid mother, " Suzannah said sympathetically.

Bebe looked down at her ringless hands. " And I love her dearly. It's Nick who's made our lives incomparably easier. It was a great day I decided to cut loose from a go-nowhere safe job and follow Nick. He's a genius. Even better, he has the kindest heart imaginable. "

Such a smile of sorrowing joy touched Suzannah's mouth, Bebe was both fascinated and perplexed. She knew the moment she saw Nick and Suzannah together they were hopelessly entwined. Yet how could this beautiful young creature with her heart-breaking smile, so obviously deeply affected by Nick, have married someone else?

Suzannah had arranged dinner as a buffet with the guests at ease wandering around the broad covered terrace with its overview of the floodlit swimming pool and on the far side of the meandering creek. They piled their plates high with delicious food, taking up positions on the circular tables that had been set up on the terrace or the inbuilt cushioned banquettes that surrounded the swimming pool on the lower level. The emphasis was on informality and soon the country landscape was echoing with laughter and the soothing music that filtered From the house.

Charley was ecstatic about being allowed up hut by eight o'clock Suzannah grasped her by the hand and led her away to choruses of, " Night, night, Charley, sleep tight! "

" You'll come up, too, won't you? " Charley begged Nick as they encountered him in the hallway, her small face beseeching.

" Show the way! " He swept out a gallant hand, which further tickled Charley's sense of humour.

" Don't get her too excited, Nick, " Suzannah murmured, as Nick folded the child into his arms.

" I want you to stay here forever, Nick, " Charley said. " You're the very first person to carry me to my room except Mummy when I was little. "

" Okay, but you're feeling a bit heavy. " He pretended to stagger.

" Daddy never did, " Charley said, giggling at Nick's antics. " A lot of time he used to forget about me. "

At that, Nick's gaze fixed itself on Suzannah's dismayed face but he didn't say anything until Charley was safely tucked into bed, her eyes already closing.

Outside in the quiet corridor he took Suzannah's arm, spinning her to face him. " So Martin knew? "

She tried to step back but he manoeuvred her against the wall, the sconce above her throwing a light like golden sunshine all over her face. " He didn't. He just wasn't much good at demonstrating his affection. 1"

" When he was literally crazy about you. " He shook his head, disgusted. " When he wanted to crush me into the ground. Are you such a coward you can't tell me the truth? "

She looked up at his smouldering face, the contempt in it an unending heartache. " Don't tell me you intend to start an argument with your friends in the house? "

" Curiously, right at this moment, I don't care. Charlotte must have had a miserable time of it? "

Tell the truth when she felt so much guilt. " That's not right. My father doted on her. He doted on her right up until the end. Even when he knew Charley was your daughter. "

" So much the better for him if he had to face his Maker, " he rasped. " I'm talking about Martin. Did he love you and shut my daughter out? " Anger was so deep it refused to budge.

" I won't talk about this now, Nick, " she protested, a pulse beating nervously in her throat. Why did anger provoke an erotic abyss? Underneath everything was her sexual longing for him.

" Because you don't dare? " he challenged her.

" Not when you're holding a pistol at my head. "

He laughed; his beautiful mouth twisted. " If anyone was cruel it was you, Suzannah. "

She could see the signs of his own fermenting desire. " You've got to stop this, Nick, " she warned.

" Why? " As always he was caught up in her aura. The ethereal yet spirited, high-strung quality. One side of her gleaming hair fell forward in a thick inturned curve, the other was tucked very fetchingly behind her ear. She had changed her dress. This one some kind of gauzy slip, was the exact deep pink of the roses that grew in the garden.

" I don't want you to punish me like this. "

His face was as boldly carved as a sculpture. " So what might compensate for all the pain you've delivered, " he taunted. " Can I come to your room later? Peel off that dress? Could I wrap you around with my body, imprison you with my limbs? Could I make love to you until you're clinging to me, crying out to me to give you what you want? "

She felt her whole body go hot. " You want a mistress not a wife, " she said bitterly.

" In you I can get both. How long is it since we were together? "

She averted her head swiftly. " I don't remember. "

" All right. I'll tell you. " His laugh was soft and humourless. " Six years, nine months and thirteen days. It's a hell of a long time to want a woman as much as I want you. It's like some relentless obsession. You'd think I'd finally be able to fling you off. "

It was so killingly new. This hostility. " But you can't can you? Because you want Charlotte. "

" Of course. That's what it is. The days when our relationship was perfect are long gone. "

She blinked rapidly, fighting back tears, and he caught the point of her chin, seeped in a corrosive desire, pulses throbbing, possessed by her physical beauty.

The power of his kiss moved from her tongue and her lips to her throat. Drove deep into her breasts, right down to her stomach and the quivering area between her legs, cutting like a knife.

" Sleep with me. " The words burst from him. " I want you tonight. " Now he gripped her body to his. Let her feel his sizzling desire.

" You despise me, " she said fiercely. " Do you think I can't read what goes on behind your eyes? "

" Why not? That's only one of your many skills. Swear you'll come to me or I'll come to you. " His eyes glittered like black diamonds in his bronze face.

" I must have been mad to get into this situation, " she agonised, seared by the thought.

" You are mad in my arms. " He lifted his hand and grazed her flushed cheek.

" Call and I'll run? "

" Did I really say that? " he mocked.

" I hope not because I'm saying no! I have to reestablish myself, Nick, not lose myself in you. "

So closely were they standing, so utterly intent on each other, they didn't hear Bebe's approach. Bebe, who'd had a sudden compulsion to check if everything was all right, stopped in confusion at the top of the stairs; one hand pressed to her heart. They hadn't been talking in whispers-she had caught some of the conversation and now she saw with her own eyes. Passion swirled around them so scorching Bebe actually felt its heat. For as long as she had known Nick he had never said a word about Suzannah, this woman so central to his past, so crucial to his future. Bebe wondered whatever could have happened, that they could confront each other in this manner. She found herself wishing with all her heart they could overcome the forces that had misshaped their lives. It was obvious to her now that both had been dealt some crushing blow to the psyche.

Later that night when the household had settled, Suzannah checked on Charley, settled the covers lovingly around her, then returned to the room that had been hers and Martin's, quietly turning the lock in the door. So overwhelming was her need for Nick she felt as much compelled to lock herself in as lock him out. She desperately wanted to go to him but knew she could not. All his feelings were in contradiction, like love and hate. She knew she would never win his trust again. No amount of passionate lovemaking could do that. One could never escape the past or its effects.

I n the morning she was up early, organising breakfast, a selection of juices, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, cereal for anyone who wanted it, luscious pawpaws and mangoes from North Queensland, to be followed by bacon, sausages and eggs with hash browns, toast, tea and coffee. She needed no help to prepare this first meal of the day but when she turned from slicing mangoes into a bowl, Nick, looking impossibly vibrant, entered the large kitchen.

" Sleep well? " he enquired so sardonically the blood rushed to her cheeks.

" Like a baby. "

" That's why you have the softest shadows on your creamy skin. Can I help? "

" I believe I have everything under control. "

" Well it's true you're a dab hand at orchestrating these things, but I didn't picture you in an apron. "

" Sorry to shock you, " she said coolly when the truth was it was the most wonderful thing to have him there with her.

" Can I set the table? " He put his arm around her and dropped a kiss on her head. " Where are we going to have it? "

His very touch was dizzying. " I thought the pavilion. " She referred to an octagonal structure lined with French doors that led off into the garden. It had a marvellous contemporary glass chandelier poised low over a long glasstopped table that could seat a dozen people. Golden canes in huge green glazed pots created a fern-house atmosphere.

" What a good idea! " He sounded pleased. " I just love a woman with flair. "

Suzannah ran her hands under the tap, dried them then leaned back against the sink to face him. " How many women have you loved? Besides me? "

His eyes were jet-black. " Suzy, darling, you can't expect me to tell you about my affairs. "

" Why? Is it so terribly hard? " she challenged.

The old spirit was back in her eyes but she looked as fragile as a lily. " You're the only constant in my life, Suzannah, " he said. " I've had affairs, pleasant affairs to make life tolerable but nothing with a great deal of substance. I didn't for instance get married. "

" Stop, " she said. How could there be forgiveness when there was such bitterness?

" Some day soon, Suzannah, we have to talk this through, " he told her, more harshly than he intended. " Didn't you realise you were pregnant with my child? "

" No, " she lied, shaking her head when she remembered the very day. The day she had emptied out her stomach hiding away in the vineyards in sickness and panic. At least Mrs. Konrads will know what to do, she had thought. She'll advise me, help me to find Nick.

" We can't turn the clock back, can we? " he said sombrely.

" It's very painful for me, too. " She pushed on to another job.

" I know. " He brought his hand to her cheek. " The answer is to get on with life. "

" When you hate me? " Her voice almost broke.

" Hate you? " He took a long, slow breath. " Never. Despite everything I could never hate you, Suzannah. Death wouldn't change that. "

Thirty minutes later the horde descended, everyone in high spirits, hungry for breakfast and eager to get out into the vineyards.

The townspeople arrived by nine o'clock, the women with picnic baskets containing additional goodies to add to the feast. It was going to be hot, hard, thirsty work but there was a beautiful, river-scented breeze blowing, a cacophony of birdsong, one wide sweep of white cloud chasing across a cobalt-blue sky. Charley sat cross-legged on the lawn with her cousins, all of them dressed in shorts and cotton shirts, sneakers on their feet, waiting patiently for directions.

Finally they were all off to create their instant vineyard, men, women and children, ready to dig, plant then fit up the new vines with guards like miniature greenhouses, before watering the vines in. It was a wonderful community turnout. As Suzannah did her bit, crouching low over the ploughed soil, calm returned and entered her soul. This was what caring for Mother Earth was all about. Eventually these vines would put forth berries in abundance producing wines of a distinctive and distinguished flavour. She was thrilled and gratified Nick, for all the intense pressures on him with his business, had taken on the responsibility of putting the Bellemont Farm vineyard and winery back on its feet. More, to make it grow and prosper. It was his German blood that made him love it all so much. German settlers, and the Schroeders were a prime example of this, were of major importance in the history of wine in Australia.

Everyone hastened down from the hills at midday to enjoy the lavish barbecue that had been prepared for so many dedicated workers. Great hopes were held for their efforts, the prospect of drinking wine from the vines they had planted. Many of the families who were there had members who had harvested Bellemont's grapes for fifty years and more. Marcus Sheffield had always paid his workers well but he had never put on a spread like this or encouraged such community participation. Nick Konrads's venture, clearly backed by Marcus Sheffield's daughter, generated immense goodwill. Even the local rural fire brigade was there with its water tanker. Pastoralists from all over the district, come to observe, found themselves happily helping out, caught up by the pervading sense of enthusiasm and achievement.

" I can't remember when I enjoyed myself more, " Martin's sister Nicole said to Suzannah when the family was leaving, hugging her, her friendliness restoring the balance of their plummeting relationship.

It was a comment Suzannah and Nick were to hear many, many times over. If only this had happened before! But then, how could it? The formidable Marcus Sheffield had followed the very traditional path that established an unbridgeable gap between landowner and worker. All of that apparently was about to change. The town liked it.

As Suzannah and Nick stood waving people off the property, Frank Harris, the local police chief, dressed in a checked shirt and denim jeans, slid out of his private car and approached them. " Afternoon, Suzannah, " he called. " Everyone seems to have had a whale of a day. "

" Mr. Konrads. " He acknowledged Nick with respect. " I wondered if I might have a word with you? "

" May I ask about what? " Nick's tone was quiet but undeniably steely.

" Something I'd like to get off my chest. " Frank Harris said in a straight voice. " I can say it in front of Suzannah here, if you want. But she's had too much laid on her for a long time. "

" Mummy, Mummy, " Charley called excitedly from the top of the steps. " Why don't we get the Christmas tree out? Bebe says it's December. "

" I wouldn't think Bebe had any energy left, " Suzannah laughed. " I'll be with you in a moment, darling. " She turned back to Frank. " I'll leave you to have your talk, Frank. I hope Nancy is feeling better? " Nancy was his wife.

" Nothing an operation won't put right, " Frank said, smiling bravely.

Some ten minutes later Suzannah heard Nick re-enter the house. " What was that all about? " she whispered, going to join him at the door.

His severe expression softened and his voice became gentle. " You sound like a little girl. "

" I don't want anyone to hear, " she said, holding up a finger to her lips.

Her eyes were a deep violet. Her expression sweet and concerned. He ached to say, " Suzannah, I love you. I love you with all my heart, " but such an admission, amounting to a confession, required the right conditions and they never seemed to happen. Instead he took her hand, drawing her back onto the porch where they were out of earshot. " Guilt, " he said with black humour. " Poor old Frank has been feeling guilt all these years. "

" That's it? " She stared up at him, relief on her face.

He nodded. " He wanted my forgiveness for the part he played in running me out of town. He wasn't happy about it, he says. In fact the incident upset him for years. But your father was a very important man and he'd brought charges which Frank didn't properly allow me to defend. He cut the whole thing short. He turfed me out. "

" That was terrible, " Suzannah said.

" You listened to your father. Why not Frank? " He couldn't stop himself saying it.

" I truly didn't believe him, Nick. Not in my heart. So what are you going to do now? I'm sure you could get Frank into a lot of trouble. "

" And how would that make me feel better? " He looked at her questioningly. " He's not a bad man. He buckled in to your father at the time. I understand his wife's condition is more serious than he's letting on. "

Suzannah was silent for a bit, nibbling on her lip. " I must call in and see her. I spoke to her recently in town. She was her old cheerful self. To forgive Frank is an act of mercy, Nick. "

" Blessed are the merciful, " he responded in a light, ironic tone. " Frank's job is safe. But why didn't he have some guts at the time? "

" We both cried after you were gone, Nick, " Suzannah said.

In the end everyone helped decorate the tree, Suzannah seizing Charley every now and again to hug her, her joy was so infectious.

They used all the ornaments of Christmas. Balls and baubles in rich Christmas colours of scarlet, emerald, silver and gold, sparkling tinsel winding around the pendulous branches, coloured lights to cast a bright glow, fastened into position by Nick. At the very top was the Star of Bethlehem, symbol of peace, a beautiful ornament that had been in the Sheffield family for many many years, its surface encrusted with Austrian crystals that glittered like diamonds.

" All we need now is presents, " Charley said, clasping Nick's hand and looking up cajolingly into his face. " You will come back, won't you, Nick? You will come back for Christmas. "

Bebe wasn't the only one to witness the love that flashed into his eyes, stayed there shimmering, spreading over the child.

" Lord, will you look at that! " Bebe whisperedd to Noel Geddes, who stood beside her holding her hand.

" Oh yes, he loves the child, " Noel murmured back. He knew his former pupil very well.

⇐ Предыдущая 2 3 4 5 678 9 10 11 Следующая ⇒