Lovelink (5 page)

She took a rare afternoon off and drove over to Churchton. She felt a tingle of excitement and realised she'd forgotten just how much she enjoyed shopping for clothes. It had been ages since she'd splashed out on anything. She smiled, ready for an afternoon of indulgence.

Vicky was surprised to find that Churchton was actually rather well stocked with both good stores and dozens of suitable boutiques. She found lots of dresses she wanted to buy but eventually settled on a plain, black, velvet dress cut daringly low in the front with a side split travelling the length of her long legs.

“It looks wonderful on you, madam,” the sales girl enthused.

“You don't think it's a little…”

“Oh no. You've got the perfect figure for it and the colour compliments your auburn hair beautifully.”

Vicky smiled. She'd fallen in love with the dress the moment she'd set eyes on it in the shop window. She didn't have much black in her wardrobe. Peter didn't like the colour so she'd always avoided dark clothes in the past. If she bought the dress she knew she'd be in some small way defying the past and Peter. It wasn't quite the sort of thing she was used to buying but then she'd never been invited to a function quite like this before. She was certain there'd be dozens of women in a similar style at the party. After all, the horse-racing world was noted for its glamorous figures. Even she knew that much. No, she decided, the dress was perfect. And just at the back of her mind was the thought that in a dress like this she'd be able to give Lucinda Dayton a run for her money.

She left the boutique and went over to a nearby café for a cup of tea. Sitting at a window seat, with her purchase carefully stowed beside her, she studied the ever-changing street scene.

It was then that she saw him!

No, it couldn't be, she thought. Utterly flustered she looked quickly away and then when she dared to glance up again he'd disappeared, deep into the crowd of busy shoppers.

Vicky felt shaken. She'd thought she'd recognised the tall, fair man in the crowd. There'd been something terribly familiar in the angle he held his head, his stride. But she'd only seen him for a second. Didn't it just go to prove that the eye played tricks on the mind? No, it wasn't possible that Peter was here in Churchton.

By the time Saturday evening arrived, Vicky had all but convinced herself that it couldn't have been Peter she'd seen in Churchton. He was hundreds of miles away in York. She concentrated instead on pampering herself, getting ready for the evening at Nuneton House.

With her auburn hair cascading over her shoulders, it partly hid the fact that the dress was backless, showing off her honey gold tan to perfection. She lightly made up her face, drawing emphasis to the green of her eyes. With a final spray of her favourite perfume, Vicky surveyed the overall effect in the mirror. She smiled. For once, even she was pleased with her appearance.

Caroline drew up outside the cottage promptly.

“Vicky, you look terrific!” she said as they met on the driveway.

Noting the pale pink dress her friend was wearing Vicky said, “Thank you, Caroline. So do you.”

Rolling her eyes, she said quietly to Vicky, “You wouldn't believe all that's happened to Marcus and me today. How we got back here in time for the party tonight I'll never know.”

“Why, what happened?”

“Early this morning I went to the races with Marcus. He said it would be the best thing for me to be miles away from Nuneton today. Everything was ready for tonight and if I was here I'd only fuss. It was a great idea until the Land Rover broke down on the motorway and took hours to be fixed. We only got back an hour ago.”

“God, how awful,” Vicky agreed as Caroline introduced her to the couple in the back of the car who she'd already collected in Churchton.

They were Joseph and Sheila Parker who had a part share in one of the thoroughbreds Marcus trained. They were a pleasant, jovial couple and the four of them chatted happily until they reached Nuneton.

The driveway at Nuneton was full of cars. It was noisy with shouted greetings and car doors slamming. Vicky was pleased to note that she'd chosen just the right dress for the occasion after seeing all the designer dresses the ladies were wearing.

Everyone was congregating in the main dining room and Nuneton was bubbling with activity. Caroline handed Vicky a glass of champagne and then, apologising, said, “Sorry but I'll have to circulate. You'll be all right with Joe and Sheila?”

“Of course, I'll be fine.”

Sipping her wine, Vicky was conscious of only half listening to Sheila's conversation. Her eyes were busy scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Marcus. When finally she saw him, so tall his head was above the others in the crowd, she felt her breath catch in her throat, always amazed at the power of his attraction. He caught her eye and winked. She smiled back, ridiculously pleased that he'd noticed her.

Returning, Caroline updated Vicky on the gossip concerning the guests, making sure to introduce them first so Vicky would know exactly who was involved with whom.

Then suddenly Lucinda was at their side, looking stunning in a cream, tightly fitting dress, embroidered with a sprinkling of silver sequins. She looked beautiful and extremely glamorous.

Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she breathed, “Caroline. How lovely to see you? Don't you look…nice.”

Vicky saw the glint of anger in Caroline's eyes, once more reminded uncannily of her likeness to Marcus.

“Thank you, Lucinda. I've always liked you, too, in that dress.”

Vicky was surprised. She hadn't thought Caroline would be capable of retaliating so successfully. However Lucinda ignored the comment and fixing Vicky with her cold smile, said, “I don't think we've been introduced.”

“I'm Vicky Lewis,” she said, holding out her hand in greeting.

“Oh yes,” she scoffed. “You run that dating agency. What's it called, Wallflowers or something?”

“Lovelink. Were you interested in joining?”

Lucinda laughed and then excusing herself, said to Caroline, “Marvellous sense of humour. I must go and find that brother of yours. Have fun.”

Vicky and Caroline exchanged smiles.

“I didn't know you had it in you,” Caroline said.

“Me!” Vicky wore an expression of mock innocence.

Once the buffet had finished and been cleared away, Vicky and Caroline went upstairs to freshen up. They were just descending the sweeping staircase when she was aware that Marcus was on the bottom stair.

“Marcus! There you are. We're having a wonderful time,” Caroline said.

Reaching him, she linked her arm through her brother's.

“Good.” He smiled and then, turning to look at Vicky, said, “I assume my sister's told you how helpful she was today on the motorway. Yelling on the hard shoulder isn't usually the way to fix broken down vehicles.”

They all laughed and then he spoke once more to Caroline.

“Seriously, though, don't overdo the dancing, Caro. Not after today's events.”

She nudged him in the ribs and wrinkled her nose. “I know. Same old story…You'll have to dance with Vicky, later,” she said.

Marcus smiled and turned his attention to Vicky, his eyes appreciatively taking in her slim figure and the swell of her breasts in the revealing line of the dress.

“You look gorgeous, Vicky.”

She blushed and said, “Thank you. It's a great party. I'm really enjoying it.”

“So am I. Now.” He smiled, slowly.

“Come on, Vicky, the dancing's started,” Caroline said, as eager as a puppy.

“You'd better go. My sister's very impatient.”

Once the band had begun to play, Vicky found she was hardly ever off the floor, dancing with lots of different partners. In fact, her feet were beginning to throb in her high heels. She'd just accepted another glass of wine when she felt a light touch on her elbow.

“Would you like to dance with me, now?” Marcus asked.

She nodded, feeling both pleased and a sharp pang of disappointment. If only he'd genuinely wanted to dance with me, she thought, knowing he'd only asked her because Caroline had told him to do so.

“Yes, I would. Thank you.”

He led her onto the packed dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Instantly, her body responded to his touch. She felt her heart quicken its beat. Vehemently, she tried to remain oblivious to the effect he was having on her. Ever mindful of his relationship with Lucinda, she reminded herself that she had no wish to become part of another emotional triangle. But then she felt his warm breath on her cheek and electric tingles ran the course of her spine.

Was it really possible that she was attracted to this dark, brooding man whose attitude she sometimes found intimidating but always intriguing?

Enveloped in his arms, she knew the answer. As hard as she fought against it, the longing he inspired in her was too powerful to be denied.

They swayed in perfect rhythm to the music. He said nothing to her, instead he let his fingers, which gently massaged the flesh of her bare back, communicate a secret message of desire to her.

Could he sense the change in her feelings for him? She didn't care. Right now, all she wanted was to stay forever in his arms, savoring each precious second.

“Oh, Vicky,” he sighed as the music faded.

Almost immediately, as they left the dance floor to join Caroline, Lucinda pounced on Marcus and said, “Darling, you promised me the next dance.”

Frowning slightly, he said to Lucinda, “Of course.” And then turning to Vicky and Caroline said, “Excuse me, ladies.”

Vicky watched as Marcus, with Lucinda on his arm, disappeared into the crowd of dancers. She felt a surge of disappointment.

Finally, the evening was coming to an end. People were beginning to take their leave. Vicky had intended walking home to the cottage. It was only a short distance but as her feet were aching so much from all the dancing she wasn't sorry when Caroline offered, “I'll drive you home in a minute.”

“That's all right, Caroline, I'll escort Vicky home.” It was Marcus.

“But…”

“No, it's settled. Come on.”

Yet again, he'd taken command of the situation and not listened to what she had to say. She felt a flash of anger towards him. Once more he proved his arrogance, confident she was totally in his power. Well, she'd show him she was in control somehow. She decided to be as cool as possible towards him, giving him no reason to suspect the effect he had on her.

“Thank you,” she said, curtly.

Then she turned her attention to Caroline and warmly thanked her for the evening, hoping Marcus noted the contrast.

Gently cupping her elbow, he guided her to the Mercedes. She was conscious of the touch of his hand on her bare skin. She shivered, not altogether certain it was from the chill of the night air.

“Cold?” he asked, placing his jacket around her shoulders.

“A bit.”

“I should think so. That dress is hardly practical.”

His words stung.

“I didn't want to look practical,” she said. “I didn't notice any of my dancing partners objecting.”

“Dancing? Oh, is that what you were doing? I thought you were drumming up trade for that dating agency of yours, by working your way through half the single men in Brookleigh.”

Her heart was thumping with rage. He was so incredibly offensive.

“I don't know what it is that you have against me, Marcus Foster, but I didn't ask you to drive me home. If all you wanted was another excuse to be rude to me then don't bother. I'll walk.”

“Don't be so stupid. Get in.”

If her feet hadn't been so painful, Vicky would have walked home rather than spend one more minute with this man. Instead, she did as he said and made a silent vow not to speak to him on the journey home.

Once cocooned in the luxury of the car, she tried to calm down. Yet again, he'd succeeded in infuriating her.

Marcus started the engine, turning the radio cassette on low. Peaceful music swam over her.

It wasn't difficult for Vicky to keep her vow of silence as Marcus concentrated solely on driving and didn't speak to her again. She stole a furtive glance at him and watched as he clenched his jaw. She regretted that once again they hadn't been able to forge an amnesty. If only he could always be as pleasant towards her as he had been when they'd danced.

He drew up outside the cottage and Vicky reached across to unlock the door. His hand covered hers and she turned towards him, his face dangerously close to her own.

“Vicky, I'm sorry. It's just that you make me so angry sometimes. You're so…innocent.”

“Innocent?”

“Yes. Don't you realise the effect you have on men? The effect you had on all those men you were dancing with tonight? The effect you have on me.”

With that he kissed her, his mouth roughly covering hers. Vicky was so surprised that for a moment she was frozen. She felt spellbound, incapable of doing anything. Recovering slightly, her instant reaction was to push him away but when she put her hands up against the solid wall of his chest to do so, she found instead that she was sliding her hands around the back of his neck and returning his kiss with an ardour she hadn't known she possessed. Her anger towards him had disappeared. This was the real Marcus now. Not the cold, bitter man whose harsh words hurt her so much.

“Oh, Vicky,” he murmured against her throat as he covered the skin with a chain of light kisses.

From somewhere deep inside her head, a voice warned her that this was wrong. He had a girlfriend. How could she allow him to play with her emotions like this? She was vulnerable and this could only lead to her being hurt even more. Mustering all her strength, she pushed him violently away.

“No, Marcus. I'm sorry.”