Deceit of Angels (11 page)

She
grimaced.  “Oh well, it’s not fair to judge them by today’s standards.  It was
a different time and different thinking.  I suppose a man had to make a living
or his family starved to death.”

“I’m
glad you understand.” 

“Did
his children join him in that business?”

“He
had about four children, but only one survived to adulthood, a son, who
followed him into the family business.  If I remember rightly he was injured in
a duel and walked with a limp from then on.”

“And
I expect the duel was over a woman!”

“Most
probably.”

She
sniffed with disdain.  “Why do men have to make fools of themselves over
women?”

“Oh,
testosterone, I should think.  It’s a natural process,” he said, his lips
twitching slightly.

“But
marriage should be…” She stopped, horrified, before saying, “Let’s get on with
the tour.”

Jason
walked across the hall and opened a door.  Anna preceded him and entered a room
that filled her with delight.  The sun streamed through long windows, sending
shafts of light bouncing off the furniture and walls.  She looked about her in
wonder.  This room was similar to the parlour, although slightly larger and
boasted a huge fireplace and oak panelled walls. Dotted around were armchairs
and couches, of which there must have been a complement of at least three
suites. In the corner was a small mahogany desk. 

“This
is a gorgeous room,” she said.

“Yes,
it’s the morning room and where the marriage ceremonies will be held.  After
it’s been decorated, of course.”

They
moved back into the hall, where he continued to guide her through the remaining
rooms, the library, Margaret’s study and the games room that sported a snooker
table, before taking her down to the kitchen to introduce her to the staff that
helped Margaret to run the Grange.  He informed her as they walked about the
history of each room, his love for the house so apparent.

Wonder
and awe engulfed Anna as she followed Jason into the final room on their tour. 
She made her way to the centre of the floor and stared about her. She was in
the most magnificent place she had ever seen, obviously the ballroom, since it
was spacious and light with five great windows set in bays.  Two chandeliers
hung from the ceiling and the floor was polished wood covered with a thick
burgundy carpet. On the walls was plush red and gold wallpaper and a sculptured
gold frieze depicted birds, foliage and fruit.  But the most impressive feature
was the huge white marble fireplace, one at each end of the room.

“Jason.
I’m speechless. I’ve never seen anything so...so..!”  She began to giggle at
her inept attempts to find the right words.

“It
is lovely, isn’t it.”

“Do
you ever use it for a social occasion?”

“Oh
yes! Whenever it’s thought appropriate. It’s been used for business dinner
dances and award ceremonies.  And it’s used for family functions.  We’ll be in
this room for Mother’s birthday dance and she always organises a party on New
Year’s Eve.  We’ll all be there so if you’d like to come too, you’d be very
welcome.”  Anna didn’t answer.  Instead, she circled the room and drank in its
wonderful splendour.  “Would you like to see the estate now? I can take you to
the farm, if you wish.”

“That
would be lovely.  Has it any cows?”

They
spent a wonderful afternoon together. As they drove to the farm, Jason pointed
out the main features on the estate, telling her that there was over a thousand
acres of land consisting of parks and woods as well as some very profitable
farmland.  For Anna, the lands belonging to the Grange seemed to stretch in
every direction.

Mr
Durrant and his wife were overjoyed to see ‘Master’ Jason and his young lady
friend and spent a good hour telling Anna of all the scrapes he had got into as
a boy. Eventually, feeling completely embarrassed, he decided it was time to
go.  As they drove back in the warm evening sun, Anna found it difficult to
keep back her giggles as she remembered the stories she had heard.

Jason
became exasperated.  “If you don’t stop laughing, I’ll pull over and throw you
out!”

“Never!
And make me walk back?” she chuckled. 

“I
wouldn’t give it a second thought!”

The evening was
spent in the parlour, Mrs Wilby and Margaret catching up on news while Ben
engrossed himself with the crossword in his paper. 

“Anna,
do you fancy a game of whist?” Jason asked, opening a drawer in the wall unit
and getting out a pack of cards.

“Yes.  
But don’t we need more players?”

“Everyone
seems otherwise occupied, so I’m afraid it’s me and thee.”  She sat down
opposite him and he held out the pack.  “You choose trumps.”

She
split the cards and turned them over.  “Hearts are trumps,” she smiled.

An
hour passed quietly until Margaret ordered some coffee.

Anna
picked up a card and held it to the light.  “Are these cards marked?” she asked
scornfully. 

Jason
feigned indignation.  “Certainly not!  Are you accusing me of cheating?”

“Well,
I’m finding it difficult to beat you,” she said, pulling a face at him.

“I
think you’re doing OK.”

“If
I’m doing OK, then how come you’re winning!”  She gave him a sly grin.  “You
seem to forget I know the little tricks you pull with your clients.”

He opened his
mouth to protest but was saved from answering by the arrival of Fran with the
coffee.

“Would
you like to go out for a stroll?” Jason asked Anna, after they had finished
their coffee.  

Anna
nodded.  “Sounds wonderful.  I’d love to see a bit of the garden before the
light goes.”

Tess
rose to her feet, sensing a walk was being offered. She yawned and stretched.

“No,
you stay here,” ordered Jason. “I want Anna to myself for a change.”

Tess
pricked her ears and tilted her head to one side. At eleven years old, her old
bones couldn’t cope with much strenuous exercise and the soft rug was more
tempting.  She resumed her place, resting her chin on her paws. 

Outside
it was very mild.  The stars shone brightly in a clear sky and the air was
heavy with the scent of late summer flowers and newly mown grass.  They walked
along the drive and Anna turned to survey the building they had just left. 
Light poured from the windows and the ivy caught the glow and shone with a
luminescence all of its own.   Anna gasped at the sight.

“It’s
so pretty,” she said.  “It looks like a totally different place in the evening
than it does during the day.”

Jason
nodded in agreement.  “It’s always the same.  It seems to change with the
seasons and the weather.  But then Mother does it credit with her gardening
skill.” 

At
the end of the drive they followed the path that skirted the lawns and yew
topiary bushes making their way round to the rose garden.  As they talked
together, Jason suddenly reached out and took Anna’s hand.  His touch was like
an electrical charge shooting up her arm and she jerked away in surprise.

He
stopped walking.  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you any offence,” he
said.  “I remembered how good it felt when you took my hand the day we
scattered Kiera’s ashes.”

Anna’s
reaction had been instinctive and the last thing she wanted was to hurt his
feelings.  But the sensations she had experienced had been too much for her. 
She slipped her hand through his arm and smiled. 

“It’s
OK.  It just surprised me for a second.”  She was answered by his hand covering
hers.  They continued their walk, until eventually they found themselves back
at the entrance.  She looked around her once more.  “In the twilight it looks
like a fairytale castle from one of Hans Christian Anderson’s stories.  You can
almost imagine a beautiful princess and a handsome prince living in it.”  Anna
let her imagination run away with her, as she took in the vision of the windows
filled with a soft glow.

“Well,
we’ve got our beautiful princess. All we need now is to find the handsome
prince,” Jason answered, smiling.

“Don’t
be silly. I’m far from being a beautiful princess!”

“Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder, Anna.”  He kissed her hand.  “You have a
wonderful innocence about you that I find very appealing.”  She turned her head
away to hide her embarrassment.  He lifted her face towards him with the edge
of his forefinger and murmured softly,  “Have you had a pleasant day, your
first day in the fairytale castle?”

“Oh,
yes, except for meeting Elizabeth Harrington, who I shall hate for the rest of
my days.”

“Why,
for goodness sake?”

“Because
I’m not totally convinced you employed me on my own merits. I’m sure she had
something to do with it.”

He
shook his head.  “She didn’t, I assure you,” he whispered.

His
arms came slowly round her, pulling her nearer, his face pressed against her
hair. When he started to brush his lips gently on her cheek, Anna felt herself
melting. The thrill that ran down her spine was something she had never
experienced before, but then a terrible thought came to her that she was
behaving little better than her husband and for a few seconds she tensed.  Even
so, the emotions that were overwhelming her and making her legs go weak, had an
irresistible force which compelled her to remain still.  No, she wasn’t like
her husband.  Dave was not part of her life any more, they had separated and
she wasn’t hurting anyone by her conduct.

Ignoring
her mind, she focused attention on her body, welcoming his caress until
gradually, his lips moved closer to hers and when they finally met, her
feelings surrendered.

Anna
couldn’t remember how long they kissed.  She didn’t even care.  She was only
aware of her palpitating heart and the blood surging round her body and the
knowledge she wanted more.  His tongue explored her mouth tenderly, causing her
to sink against him, her arms reaching up to encircle his neck.  Dave had never
kissed her like this.  This was so different.  More sensual and demanding and
somehow, more fulfilling.

Jason
lifted his head, his eyes shining with relief and excitement at her response.
He was certain of one thing; he wanted Anna in his bed.

“If
you only knew how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he murmured, holding the side
of her face and stroking her lips with his thumb. “I’ve fallen in love with
you, Anna.”

She
couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  “Jason. I don’t think I...” Her voice
faded into space.

“I
realise you might think it too soon after Kiera, but let me assure you, it was
over long ago between my wife and me.  However, if you want more time then I
don’t mind waiting.”

It
sounded wonderful, his soft words mesmerising her, and yet deep within her soul
was such a terrible, black secret, she thought it would surely rise up and
choke his words forever.

She
tried to see his face, but the gloom was too intense.  “You’ve no idea what
you’ll be taking on!” she said.

“Well,
I’ve always enjoyed a challenge,” he said and in spite of the shadows she knew he
was smiling.

“I
need some time to think.”

“Of
course.” His fingers caressed her cheek, before he added, “Would you like to go
to the golf club tomorrow?  I could teach you how to play golf and then we
could have a spot of lunch.”

“That
sounds wonderful.  But what makes you think I can’t play golf?”

“Can
you?” he said. 

His
surprise made her grin.  “I was only captain of the ladies team for twelve
months.”

“Well,
goodness me!  You never mentioned it,” he said.  He gave a low chuckle. 
“What’s your handicap?”

Anna
thought for a moment.  “Shan’t tell.  I wouldn’t want to put you off your game
knowing you had such a formidable opponent.”

He
pulled her more closely towards him.  “I think tomorrow is going to be very
interesting.  Come on. Let’s go inside.  The temperature seems to be dropping.”

She
took his hand and they started their way back.  “Strange. I don’t feel cold at
all,” Anna sighed, as they climbed the steps to the main door.

CHAPTER
SIX

I
t was
early when Anna awoke the next morning and she immediately remembered the
previous night.  Jason had kissed her and told her he loved her.  He had
aroused passions in her that she never knew existed.  Dave had never done
that.  Never whispered how much she meant to him, or that he needed her. 
Jason’s endearments had come from his heart, she was sure of it. He had meant
what he had said and what’s more, he had asked nothing of her, prepared to wait
and give her time.

The
thought of Dave made her heart leap and she sat up in bed, clutching a pillow
tightly to her breast.  She must do something and quickly.  Events were moving
too fast and the knowledge they might get out of control, frightened her beyond
belief.  Swinging her legs over the side of the mattress, she came to a
decision.  They would have their game of golf and during lunch she would tell
him about her husband and why she had lied on her CV.  He would understand, she
felt sure of it, but if he was upset, then she only had herself to blame.