Unknown (3 page)

‘No pain at all?’

‘No.’

‘I’ll just check for broken bones then I’ll carry you up to the Land-Rover.’

She felt his hands move over her body, firm and impersonal, but with skill. ‘Nothing broken and no bleeding. How lucky can you get?’

‘My car?’

‘Not so lucky, I’m afraid—it’s a write-off. You could not have had your seatbelt on. Most reprehensible, but this time it saved your life because you must have been flung out on the way down.’

‘I forgot. I wasn't thinking straight.’

The man’s well-defined lips curved into another smile. ‘You weren’t driving straight either. If you had been I would have been flattened. Thanks for dodging me even if you risked your own neck to do it. What is your name?’

‘Serenity James.’

‘My, that does suit you. Mine is Hudson Grey. Take my hand and see if you can stand.’

Serenity took his hand and pulled herself to her feet, then her knees shook so badly she clung to him to save herself from falling. ‘I'm sorry about this . .

Again his smile charmed her. Those deep attractive grooves showed he must smile often. ‘I’ll carry you.’

She found herself lifted effortlessly and slipped her arm about his neck to balance herself. ‘It’s all uphill. Can you make it?’

He laughed, ‘You’re as light as a feather.’ He whistled the dogs and they rushed past with the small deer in hot pursuit.

Snuggled safely against his tartan bush-shirt, she felt more secure than she could ever remember, like a baby being comforted. ‘Is that a tame deer?’

‘Yes, that’s Bambi. Not an original name, but it suits him. My housekeeper raised him, and now he won’t stay at home. I’ve put a collar on him studded with reflectors so that he won’t get shot by mistake.’

He paused by a large fallen tree. ‘You sit here while I catch my breath, then tell me what you’ll want from your car.’

He lowered her to her feet, and she said, ‘I told you I was heavy. I’m thin but I’m fairly tall.’

‘Heart-high,’ he offered with a grin.

She smiled shakily, but he was right, so he must be very tall himself. ‘Oh, look at my car! What a mess!’

‘Are you insured?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Then don’t worry about it. If you’d been inside, it would have been curtains, I’m afraid. I think I'd better take everything. We don’t have much thieving out this way, but you can never tell.’

She watched him leap over the broken trees and quickly retrieve her cases from the boot which was comparatively free from damage. Then he leaned into the car and lifted out her overnight bag and her wedding gown in its plastic cover, and came back to her.

‘I’m afraid anything in the front is worthless. It’s more like kindling wood there. Was there anything of special value?’

‘No, only road maps and a book I was reading. . .and my purse. I should like that.’

‘I’ve got that—it must have been thrown over the back. Getting married soon?’ He held the dress up.

‘No. I don’t know. That’s funny, I can’t remember anything about it. Why I’m carrying it. . .’

‘Don’t worry, it’ll all come back. You’ve had a pretty bad shake-up, probably temporary amnesia, and therefore I’d like to get you home as soon as possible. I’ve left my sheep on the road and I don’t want anyone else ploughing into them. Some clot left my road gate open last night and I lost the lot.’

Serenity made an attempt to stand but her knees buckled and she collapsed back on the log.

‘Just sit there,’ Hudson said sharply. ‘I’ll take this stuff up to the Land-Rover and be right back'.’

She watched him stride easily up the steep bank carrying her two heavy cases as if they were empty, and her wedding dress draped incongruously over his broad back only seemed to emphasise the sheer physical strength of the man. She felt a tinge of resentment at his peremptory order to sit quiet and wait, as if he was used to giving orders and equally used to having them obeyed, then knew that she was being ridiculous because she had no choice in the matter.

‘Ready now?’

She looked up surprised at Hudson Grey’s swift return and was again struck by the essential good humour and kindness in his expressive grey-green eyes.

‘Sorry to be such a nuisance.’

His grin widened showing strong even white teeth, ‘I wouldn’t describe you that way, Serenity.’

As he scooped her up in his arms, she again felt incredibly secure and protected and something else . . . strangely exhilarated, as if some of his magnificent vitality was being transferred to her. She was disgusted at herself. She was actually enjoying being treated as a weak and helpless female and that was entirely contrary to her nature. She had always avoided strong, domineering men and yet here she was lapping up this new sensation and finding it exceedingly pleasant. It must be the result of the accident, concussion probably.

Hudson eased her gently on to the wide leather seat of his Land-Rover and closed the door before striding round to the driver’s seat.

‘Here’s a can of soft drink. Sorry I haven’t anything stronger to offer at the moment. It will only take a few minutes to get these sheep in the gate; and then I’ll take you home.’

Serenity ripped off the tab and thankfully swallowed the lukewarm drink. She didn’t feel faint, but her mouth was dry and nervous and her body was quivering with unexpected vibrations. It was as if all the tension and worry of the past weeks and the sleepless nights and compulsive driving towards this valley had caught up on her. She felt simultaneously drained of energy and listless, yet bubbling with an excitement that was beyond her control.

Almost objectively she watched Hudson Grey concentrate on his work, driving the vehicle up to the stragglers of the mob of sheep, whistling and commanding his dogs and thumping the side of the door to urge the sheep faster. He seemed entirely absorbed, his whole concentration riveted on the job, then he unexpectedly flashed a quick glance at her.

‘You okay?’

‘Certainly,’ Serenity replied a little primly.

‘Great.’ His smile was full of charm and he turned back to the droving.

As the last sheep crossed the wide wooden bridge which spanned a deep brown stream at the entrance gate, Hudson called in his dogs and drove across, then braked and went back to shut the gate.

She turned in her seat to watch him swing the gate to, and with the same ease and economy of movement that marked his every action, he fastened the chain, strode back to the Land-Rover, and slipped into his place. The sunlight glinted on his thick auburn hair and again highlighted the unusual planes of his face and strong jawline. He was an exceedingly attractive man and Serenity was appalled to find his very presence beside her was the cause of the excitement she had noted previously.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the seat and took several deep breaths.

‘Are you in pain, Serenity?’ Hudson demanded, concern obvious in his voice.

At the touch of his hand on her shoulder her grey eyes flew open and she smiled at him for the first time. ‘No. Confused maybe, and a little shocked, but definitely no pain.’

His intelligent eyes scrutinised her for another moment before being assured of the truth of her statement, then, lightly flicking her cheek with his hand, he eased the Land-Rover forward. ‘The sooner I get you home the better. You’d spoil a good bath.’

It was only then that she became aware of her torn dress and laddered stockings and the fact that she was well bedaubed with mud and one shoe was missing.

‘I’m a real mess,’ she stated but without concern.

‘What’s a bit of mud? You’ve had a fantastically lucky escape. When I think of your car with the engine pushed in on the front seat . . . ! And we’re eighty miles from a hospital here.’

Yes, she had escaped death by inches and that would account for this sense of peace and happiness that filled her being. Or was that something to do with Hudson Grey himself? She knew that the warmth of his smile and the deep tones in his voice had melted something hidden within herself and it triggered little alarm bells of apprehension. Serenity became aware that he was whistling a gay lilting tune that matched her mood. She was sure she knew the tune but could not think of the words.

She leaned over then touched his arm to get his attention, her attractive face bright with interest, ‘What
are
you whistling? It’s so familiar yet I can’t place it.’

He grinned, ‘It’s very appropriate. Listen.’ And in a smooth and pleasant baritone began to sing.

‘Early one morning, just as the sun was rising,

I heard a maiden singing in the valley below.'

‘Of course,’ Serenity laughed and joined in with him to finish it.

'Oh don’t deceive me. Oh, never leave me.

How could you use a poor maiden so?’

‘I haven’t sung that since I was in school,’ Hudson said. ‘It just flashed into my mind. You weren’t exactly singing, but you were in the valley below, and just as the sun was rising. But I can assure you I have no intention of deceiving you, nor of holding you prisoner. You may leave when you wish.’

‘Thank you. It was a school song of mine, too, but I can only remember a part of the next verse.

'Oh, gay are the garlands and red are the roses,

I culled from the garden to bind on my brow.

‘Yes, that’s it, very sad and romantic, but a pretty tune. I don’t often have adventures, especially not romantic ones, and I plan to enjoy this one.’

His smile was full of charm and Serenity found his buoyant good humour highly contagious and smiled in return. Not that she wanted any romance or adventure, she had had enough drama to satisfy her for a lifetime.

Serenity
was feeling slightly breathless as the Land- Rover swept in a wide circle and stopped in front of a large attractive white homestead which she had sighted through the morning mist across the lake.

‘I thought the windows were made of pure gold, it looked so very beautiful.’

‘I know. It’s the way it’s situated on this plateau and the first rays of the rising sun have that effect. Now, let’s be having you.’

‘I’m sure I can walk. You can’t carry me everywhere.’

‘Rubbish.’ He picked her up almost carelessly and strode along the cement path and into a modern-styled kitchen and down a step into a large comfortably furnished lounge, then placed her on a sofa.

‘Sit there while I get you a stiff brandy.’

‘I really don’t need a stimulant,’ she protested.

As if she hadn’t spoken he moved to a drinks cabinet and poured out two generous measures and returned. ‘Here’s yours. Drink it and don’t argue. You may not need it but I do. You’re not the only one who’s lucky to be alive this morning. You didn’t miss me by all that much.’

Shaken by the remembrance of how close she had been to him, she downed her drink and grimaced.

‘Not your favourite tipple?’ he asked with an amused grin. ‘Never mind, it will do you good. Now I’ll run you a bath.’

‘I’m quite capable of running my own bath if you’ll show me the bathroom,’ Serenity said, but was annoyed to find herself talking to thin air. Hudson had already disappeared through another door and soon she heard the sound of running water. He really was a hard man to argue with, or should she say an impossible man?

Then, as the effect of the brandy hit her, she felt warmed and relaxed and looked about her, appreciating the pleasant proportions of the lounge and the magnificent view of the valley from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Off the kitchen and on a slightly higher level she could see a dining room with a large oval table, and a floor of polished wood. The whole atmosphere was attractive, spacious and airy, welcoming and comfortable. She liked the massive fireplace and stone surround, and the massive
kauri
mantelpiece that ran the full width of the far wall. A wonderful stag’s head with upswept antlers was on one wall and silver cups and family photographs on the mantelpiece, then behind her she heard a soft whirring sound and looked to see two huge native pigeons alight on a flowering tree almost within hand’s reach from the window.

What a wonderful place to live. Then she saw Hudson crossing the patio carrying her cases, and he was still whistling his song. She giggled a little. He was still enjoying his romantic adventure.

‘Which case do you want open?’ He deposited them in front of her. ‘I'll put your purse and wedding gown in your room while you fish out some clean gear.’

As he spoke her purse catapulted open and the contents flew over the floor. ‘Sorry about that. I noticed the catch was broken when I took it from the car and I was being careful.’

He knelt and quickly replaced her things, then held the photo of John up for closer inspection. ’Is this the lucky guy?’

‘I suppose so,’ Serenity muttered.

‘You suppose so! Don’t you know? You’re wearing his ring, aren’t you?’ He gave her a sharp glance.

‘Yes, I’m wearing his ring, but whether he’s lucky or not is a matter for conjecture,’ she said with considerable asperity.

He turned the photo over and to her annoyance read out loud John’s silly verse.

'Serenity James is tall and slim,

Serenity James has an enchanting grin,

Serenity James has a figure divine,

And Serenity James is mine... all mine.

Well, he seems pretty sure he’s got it made, quite boastful in fact.’

Serenity stared out the window. Yes, John had been so boastful about their engagement, about her loving him . . .

‘Hey, you’re not still having trouble remembering, are you?’ Hudson was all concern. He stuffed the photo back in the purse. ‘I’m an idiot.’

‘No. It’s okay. Everything’s coming back now.’ The trouble was that she had been gloriously free of regrets and resentments for the past hour, and she didn’t want it all coming back. She had actually been enjoying herself, laughing, even singing.

‘I’ve made you cry, I’m sorry. You’re probably more shaken up than you realise. I’ve got to get you into a bath then into bed, and then you can ring this chap up and tell him you’re safe and well. Which case do you want opened?’