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by way of an explanation, and she gave a polite nod.
The whisper of Deborah's wheelchair across the carpet warned them of her
approach, but Caroline was almost relieved. Although James and Clive were
talking amicably enough, she could sense their unspoken antipathy, and she
felt a strong sense of resentment towards her employer. What game was he
playing? How dared he display such a proprietorial interest in her affairs?
Didn't he care that others might notice? And after what he had said to her
that morning ...
'Well, now, is everyone enjoying themselves?'
Deborah's cheerful interruption seemed quite spontaneous. «
'What else could we say after that magnificent dinner you devised for us?'
responded Clive gallantly. 'As always, Deborah, the perfect hostess.'
His eyes flickered sardonically towards James as he said this, and for an
awful moment Caroline thought he would say something more, but he didn't.
Deborah smiled with satisfaction, looking up affectionately at her husband.
'Clive says the sweetest things, doesn't he, darling?' Her gaze moved on to
Caroline's vaguely apprehensive features. 'Don't you think so, Miss
Douglas? I've noticed our errant bachelor has had plenty to say to you this
evening.'
Caroline moved awkwardly. 'Mr ' She cleared her throat. 'Mr. Lester and I
hardly know one another.'
'Ah, but Clive's not a man to let the grass grow under his feet,' Deborah
declared mischievously. 'It's time he found himself a wife, isn't it, James? A
man needs a woman.'
Glancing at James' set face, Caroline wondered at Deborah's lack of
perception. Couldn't she see that she was not arousing the right response?
Didn't she sense the tension here?'Clive's not the marrying kind,' said James
at last, his voice cool and controlled.
'You could be wrong,' retorted Clive, looking down at Caroline. 'Like
Deborah says, it's time I began thinking seriously about settling down.'
'This is very sudden, isn't it?' James's eyes challenged the other man's.
'Well, you know how it is. One day it just - hits you.'
Caroline could stand no more of this. She got to her feet and gesturing
towards the wall cabinet nearby, she said jerkily: 'Did you collect this jade,
Mrs. Booth?'
Deborah's tongue appeared for a moment, running exploringly over her
upper lip. Then she made a moue. 'I think we're embarrassing Miss Douglas,
Clive. Oh dear, and I was enjoying myself.'
'So was I,' said Clive, but he was looking directly at her husband.
'Whatever turns you on,' remarked James quietly.
'What turns you on, James?'
'Can we put some records on, Daddy?'
Luckily, Clive's offensive was neutralized by Laura choosing that moment
to interrupt them. Trevor was at her side, and she looked more animated than
Caroline had ever seen her. Deborah on the other hand seemed to have burnt
out her energy, and seemed none too pleased that James should acquiesce to
his daughter's request, and walk away with the two young people.
Clive fumbled in his pocket for his cigarettes. 'Well, Deborah, perhaps it's
time I was taking my leave.'
'Oh, no, not yet.' Deborah roused herself sufficiently to protest. She looked
up at Caroline. 'What would Miss Douglas do if you left?'
'Actually, I'm feeling rather tired ...' began Caroline uncomfortably, but
Deborah wouldn't let her get away with that.
'Nonsense! Perhaps it's the atmosphere in here.' Deborah's lips twisted. 'It is
rather - close. Clive, why don't you take Miss Douglas for a spin in your
car?'
'Oh, no, really '
Caroline's desperate denial was ignored, and Clive had brightened up
considerably. 'Hey, Deborah, that's a good idea. You're sure you don't
mind?'
'Why should I mind?' Deborah was looking very pleased with herself again.
'After all, this can't be much fun for you - two old married couples and a pair
of teenagers. You go ahead, enjoy yourselves.'
Caroline could feel her nails digging into her palms. They were treating her
like a schoolgirl being offered an unexpected outing. She was tempted to tell
them that she had no desire to go riding with Clive Lester, that she was tired
and she was going to bed.
But the memory of James's behaviour made her hesitate. If she did refuse to
go out with him, what interpretation would Clive put on it? He was already
suspicious of James's attitude towards her. Could she risk arousing a similar
suspicion about her own feelings? She knew she could not, but she felt an
impotent sense of frustration towards Deborah for putting her in this
position. Why couldn't she mind her own business? Why should she care
whether the governess was enjoying herself? Unwillingly, she remembered
the things Laura had told her. But what was she getting out of this?
Clive slipped a hand under her elbow. 'Is that all right with you, Caroline?'
Caroline moved her shoulders helplessly. 'I - oh, yes. Yes, all right.'
Clive's smile was smug. 'Then you'd better get a wrap. My car's a
convertible, and I rather fancy the idea of having the top down.'
Avoiding James's eyes, Caroline left the room. He was busy with Laura and
Trevor, examining the records stacked in a cabinet below a perspex-covered
hi-fi deck. Already the music of Simon and Garfunkel was flooding the
room, and Caroline felt a pang remembering that she had once danced with
James to that particular tune. Was t he remembering it, too? And if so, what
memories did it evoke for him?
'Where do you want to go?' asked Clive, negotiating the gates of Maitlands
which Dodds had opened for them and turning out on to the Fenbourne road.
'Anywhere you like.' Caroline secured a chiffon scarf over her hair.
'That's very enthusiastic,' commented Clive dryly. 'I know you didn't want to
come out with me, but really, I think it was the safest thing to do.'
'Wh - what?' Caroline was startled.
'You know what I mean,' returned Clive smoothly. 'James! Didn't you notice
the amount he'd been drinking? Another fifteen minutes and he wouldn't
have given a damn what he said.'
Caroline caught her breath. 'I don't know what you mean.'
'Yes, you do. I'll admit, he got under my skin, too. But he does have a hell of
life with that bitch, and I can't altogether blame him for being attracted to
you.'
Caroline swallowed hard. 'Where are we going?'
'There you go, changing the subject again. What is it with you, Caroline?
Surely you've got more sense than to get involved with your pupil's father!'
Caroline turned her head to stare out of the side windows of the car. 'Must
we always talk about me? I could take you up on the things you said, you
know.'
'What things?'
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