Written in the Stars (4 page)

He shrugged. ‘Can’t be helped; you didn’t know I was coming.’

She watched him closely as she spoke; saw a shadow of disappointment cross his brow as she outlined her busy workload, but he had not allowed it to etch itself into his face. So he’s not possessive, she thought, and that’s good.

‘The good news is I’ve arranged for someone to take care of things tonight so we can have some time together.’

‘Good, shall we go out to dinner, or would you like an exhibition of my culinary expertise? I picked up a couple of steaks on the way here, and found the makings of a salad in your fridge.’

‘And dessert?’

‘I’ll surprise you.’

‘That sounds fine.’

The steaks were done to perfection and the salad was prettily arranged. A touch of class was added to the meal by a bottle of New Zealand wine Steve had also bought. They finished the meal and sat back for a couple of minutes, but when Suzi made a move to clear the table he stopped her.

‘There’s more yet.’ A few minutes later he placed a covered dish on the table and then whisked the lid off with a flourish. ‘I hope it’s up to your standard.’

‘Crepes Suzette!’ She gave a cry of delight. ‘Hey, you’re a super cook.’

After they had cleared away the remains of their dinner Suzi produced a bottle of Aramaic that she kept for special occasions and poured them both a generous portion.

As they sipped the liqueur, Steve began to relate some of his past. ‘I was an orphan; I never knew my parents. Vince Pardoe and his wife, a wonderful couple, adopted me and raised me as their own.’ He went on to explain that he had a degree in engineering and was involved in the family business. ‘You see, my adoptive father had been the manager of an American agency specialising in the manufacture of pumping equipment, and when the company decided to concentrate their efforts on larger projects, Dad was offered the existing business at a knock down price. He went for it, and set up his own company and branched out into other areas as well.’ He smiled broadly as he thought about it. ‘We’ve been very successful, and now we’re looking for new markets.’

‘So, you’re not just a good looking guy who can cook, but a prosperous businessman as well?’ Suzi leant over and brushed her lips against his cheek. ‘Thank you for sharing with me.’

Steve stood up and stretched. ‘It’s been a long day.’

‘Yes, and a lovely evening.’ She gently pushed him towards the spare room. ‘Sleep well.’

Suzi had not surfaced the following morning by the time Steve set out to keep his rescheduled appointment. The receptionist was most apologetic when she informed him that the principal he was to have seen had been called away on an urgent matter.

‘It’s unlikely he’ll be back today, and he’s attending a board meeting on Monday,’ she explained. Rather than vent his frustration on the harried woman he asked her to make sure he could see the man on Tuesday.

‘That’s my last chance to see him,’ Steve said, ‘I fly home the day after.’ He spent the remainder of the day driving around the countryside, and once or twice considered calling into The Stow Restaurant, but resisted in case it embarrassed Suzi. Having seen all he wanted for one day, Steve went back to the house and relaxed in the lounge.

He was half asleep when Suzi finally arrived home at the end of the day. She looked exhausted. Steve made coffee, but when she began to drift off to sleep even while he was talking to her, he gently pulled her to her feet. ‘Bed for you, Suzi. You’re done in.’

Suzi slept late and staggered into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. After a leisurely brunch, they climbed into her car and headed for the Gower Peninsular, spending the afternoon poking along the coast. They stopped for a drink at a friendly little pub on the way home, and the appetizing aroma wafting from the kitchen reminded them that they hadn’t eaten much all day so they ordered a meal.

Neither of them said much as they drove home, and Suzi was acutely aware that these had been their last few days together. Soon, Steve would walk out of her life and she would never see him again. He had made it abundantly clear how deeply he was attracted to her, and she felt that under normal circumstances he would have taken advantage of the situation. After all, she had invited him into her home, and their close proximity had been conducive to further intimacy, but he had resisted any temptation he might have had.

‘You okay?’ His question cut across her thoughts. ‘You’re rather quiet.’

‘Yes, I’m all right.’ But as she closed the front door behind them she slipped easily into his arms. ‘Hold me close, Steve.’ They remained locked together in silence for a few minutes then Suzi broke free. ‘I’ll get us a drink.’ While they sipped their liquor, she sat as close to him as she could on the sofa, trying not to allow her emotions get the upper hand, but eventually she climbed to her feet. ‘You have to be up early tomorrow, so I should let you go to bed now.’

Steve showered and made his way into the bedroom, and was about to slide under the duvet when he heard a noise by the door. He looked up, surprised to see Suzi standing there, a beam of light from the hall shining through her wispy wrap, outlining every curve of her shapely legs, the soft roundness of her hips and the pouting breasts. All were silhouetted in sharp contrast to the dim surroundings of the room.

‘I hope you’ve been comfortable here,’ she said, in a voice barely above a whisper. ‘If there’s anything you…’ She stopped and looked at him, with a beseeching smile on her lips. In a flash, she knew that Steve was unable to resist his desire for her any longer. He moved quickly across the room and gathered her into his arms. Then, all restraint gone, she led him to her own room and pulled him down onto her bed, with a small cry of delight as their lips met.

Steve groaned softly. She sensed his arousal, and realised his control was holding him in check, but knew now that his longing for her had completely enveloped him.

‘It’s all right, Steve. I want you,’ she said, lifting his head to look into his eyes. As if they had been lovers for years, time seemed to stand still as they moved together. Sated and spent, they clung to each other long after, and then love’s slumber claimed them. As the first rays of the false dawn lit up the sky, they disentangled. Steve raised himself up on his elbow to look at her.

‘You have touched something deep inside me, Suzi Lysle Spencer,’ he said, softly, tracing his finger gently across her brow.

‘Same for me,’ she murmured. ‘I wish you were staying; I wish you never had to…’ When he remained silent, she sat up and continued. ‘Steve, I feel there’s someone special in your life; someone waiting for you back in New Zealand, someone to whom you are committed.’ When he began to speak, Suzi placed a finger against his lips. ‘I’d like to be able to say I don’t care, but I do.’

‘It’s a complicated situation and I don’t know how to explain it to you, Suzi.’

‘Then don’t try. And don’t make any promises you can’t keep.’ A soft smile lit up her face. ‘I was determined to share that wonderful night of love with you, regardless of the outcome. It was even better than ever I could have imagined.’ She gazed deep into his eyes. ‘Now, I’ll be able to cherish the memory of it when you’re no longer here.’ Steve was about to say something, but Suzi stopped him again. ‘Hold me again, kiss me again, and love me one last time.’

There seemed little to say afterwards, and then they both showered and dressed in comparative silence. Steve packed his bags while Suzi prepared breakfast. An air of disbelief hung over them as they ate, as if neither was willing to accept the depth of feeling they had for each other. As Suzi watched Steve battle with his feelings, she had a brief moment of remorse. Maybe she should have resisted the temptation to seduce him. Then she pushed the thought from her mind, because she knew that they would both look back on their night of love with a great deal of joy. She had never felt so sure about anyone or anything in her life before. She had been able to open her heart to him without any reservation, and nothing could mar that experience; it would stay with her for ever.

Steve held her close for a long time as they said their farewells, and then he kissed her gently before whispering goodbye. He hesitated as he climbed into the car, then ran back up the steps to where she stood watching him. He tugged at a dress ring he wore on his little finger and pressed it into her hand. ‘A token,’ he said, and then kissed her cheek again.

Tears welled up as he drove away and she sniffed noisily. Clutching the token, she made her way indoors and sat down in an easy chair to savour the memory of their precious hours together. She placed the ring on one of her fingers, but then decided to put it away for a while. Wanting to take her mind off their parting, she stripped the two beds, tidied up the rooms, then cleaned away the breakfast things and made more coffee. She was idly toying with the spoon half an hour later, and still mulling over the events of the past few days, when the ringing telephone pulled her out of her daydreams. It was Charlize.

Chapter Four

The receptionist looked up as Steve approached her desk, and for a moment he was afraid that she was about to tell him there was another problem. Then she smiled and reached for the intercom machine.

‘Mr Pardoe is here, Mr Duncan.’ She listened to the garbled reply and then stood up. ‘Please come this way.’

With some difficulty, the paunchy solicitor struggled to his feet and extended his hand when Steve entered the room.

‘Please have a seat, Mr Pardoe.’ He gestured at a chair. ‘Now, let me see. Ah, it’s about Caxton Manor.’ He peered at Steve from beneath bushy eyebrows. ‘You replied to our advertisement.’

Steve looked at him in disbelief. They had been corresponding for weeks, he had phoned from New Zealand to say he was coming to the U.K. specifically to address the matter, and now he was being treated as if he had just walked in off the street. He cleared his throat noisily and glared at the older man.

‘I sent you photocopies of my birth certificate along with those of my deceased parents and their marriage certificate, which you have acknowledged.’ He paused in an effort to keep his voice under control. ‘The purpose of this visit was to look at the property, and to show you the original documents in order to verify them and set the wheels in motion.’

‘Yes, of course, Mr Pardoe.’

‘I believe that I am the only relative of the late Bartholomew Armitage. My adoptive parents assure me that he never had any children, legitimate or otherwise and that, as far as they knew, there are no other living relatives.’ He paused again. ‘It would appear that I am the sole beneficiary.’

Mr Duncan looked over the top of his steepled fingers. ‘Yes, but your adoptive parents are probably not fully conversant with the situation, and evidently unaware that he had another relative from way back.’

‘What are you saying, sir?’

‘I am saying that there is another claimant to the estate.’

‘Another claimant?’

‘Yes, indeed, and it would appear the claim is as valid as your own.’

Steve stared him as if he couldn’t believe what the man was saying.

‘And you have kept me waiting for three weeks, and dragged me half way around the world to tell me this?’ When the solicitor remained silent, he continued in an abrasive tone of voice. ‘So who is this other person?’

‘I’m sorry, Mr Pardoe, but I am unable to divulge the identity of the other claimant. All I am prepared to say is that this person resides in this country. Now, let me get on with the matter, Mr Pardoe. I have another client waiting.’ The solicitor sighed and looked annoyed as Steve continued to glare at him. He placed his pen on the desk, clasped his hands together, and leaned back in his chair as he returned Steve’s glare. ‘Mr Pardoe… please; I really must ask you to stop pressing me to divulge the identity of the other claimant. You will discover who it is all in good time, and not before.’ His tone of voice had sharpened now. ‘I would remind you that it is your claim to the estate that we are discussing, and no one else’s. So please, let us proceed.’

It was as though Steve had not heard the man. ‘Does this other person have a greater claim than I do?’

The solicitor totally ignored the question. ‘Now then, Mr Pardoe, this is as far as we go today. I have all your documents and the name of your solicitors in Auckland, and I shall notify them immediately when the matter is resolved.’

Steve climbed to his feet and walked out of the office without saying another word. He shook his head in disbelief as he climbed into the hire car and headed for the M4. As he sped up the motorway, a thousand thoughts chased through his mind, each one seeming more ridiculous than the last. He was almost tempted to turn back, to drive to Suzi’s and confide in her. He took a deep breath, deciding to leave things as they were for the moment, accepting that he had to think things through. He was smarting with indignation as his thoughts surfaced; had he known someone else was involved he’d never have bothered to come all this way.
Why should I?
he thought.
I’m content with my life; I enjoy my work, and I get on famously with my adoptive parents.
As far as he was concerned, what he had already was far more important than half an old building of dubious worth. He shrugged impatiently and concentrated on the road.

It was only after he had checked the car in at the airport that he remembered how his adopted granny would always counsel him that everything happened for a reason. Her words echoed in his brain. ‘Your destiny is written, Stevie… nothing happens by chance.’

The long flight back to New Zealand enabled Steve to put things in perspective. His bitter remark to the solicitor about wasting his time had been uncalled for really, but it had felt good to get if off his chest. However the trip had not been without some compensation. It had been good to meet up with Pieter Boersma once again, and he had enjoyed his visit to Wales. And of course there was Suzi Lysle Spencer. He smiled as he recalled their time together. She had touched a part of his heart that no other woman had ever reached before, and although he did not like using that overrated word, love, it was appropriate. It was the only expression that truly described his feelings for her.

Of course it was natural to dwell on the pleasurable side of their time together. However, his conscience had been pricked when she told him of her intuitive feelings the morning after they had slept together. He recalled her words as they nestled in each other’s arms: “I feel that there is someone else in your life, someone to whom you are committed in one way or another.”

Steve knew he should have told her about Kirsty; should have explained their unusual relationship and the obligations it imposed on him. He could have explained that he felt trapped by the circumstances surrounding their union. However, he had not wanted to spoil the closeness they had just experienced in each other’s arms. And telling her would have achieved nothing, anyway.

His mind slipped back to the day his mother told him they were going to foster a girl. A playmate for you, she had said at the time. He recalled how the gap in their ages had been a barrier as they grew up, but when he returned home after university, that had changed; he found the gawky, adolescent girl had become an attractive young woman.

Steve had accompanied her to a party one night where both of them had too much to drink. When he woke up the next morning, Kirsty was by his side. Still slightly hung-over and only half awake, he had turned over in bed and pulled her into his arms. Almost immediately she had grasped his manhood and coaxed it to full erection. His eyes had snapped open and he realised with a shock who it was as she pushed him onto his back and straddled his thighs. But by then it was too late.

He had never been able to analyse his feelings at that time. The sight of her naked body astride him seemed to limit his ability to think clearly. He should have stopped it right then, but her gentle rhythm was so hypnotic that he could only gaze up into her deep brown eyes and sigh contentedly. As they lay together afterwards, Steve realised that he had wanted to bed Kirsty ever since he had accidentally surprised her one morning when she stepped naked out of the shower shortly after he returned home from university. They had laughed about it at the time, but it had ignited a slow-burning fuse of desire.

Unable to resist the allure of her nubile body, Steve sneaked into her room the next night, and the night after, following that first time. Because they were not related in any way neither felt there was any stigma attached to their actions. But their nightly dalliances had not gone unnoticed. Vince, had called them into his study one evening and expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms.

‘I’m having difficulty to know how to begin,’ he said, looking from one to the other. ‘Your mother and I are not too old to know what’s going on when we hear the noise that you two are making in the middle of the night.’ He had paused to let his words sink in. ‘I turned a blind eye to it the first few times because I felt sure it was just a flash in the pan. But it’s become a regular occurrence, hasn’t it?’

When neither of them answered he rounded on Steve. ‘You do realise your mother is responsible for Kirsty, don’t you? And that it’s our responsibility to see that she comes to no harm.’ He glowered as they both listened in silence. ‘I expected better from you, Steve. You should know better.’

‘We didn’t…’ Kirsty’s voice broke as tears filled her eyes.

Vince looked at her with a mixture of censure and pity and then turned to Steve. ‘Right this is the score. If you want to continue to sleep together on a permanent basis, you’d both better think about the consequences.’ He had held up a hand to stop Kirsty’s protest. ‘I don’t think either of you would have any trouble finding someone to bed, so this… this…’ He stopped and glared at them as he pummelled his fist on the desk.

‘It’s a bit more than just a roll in the hay now,’ Steve said, quietly.

Vince did not let him continue. ‘Whatever, let me make one thing clear, I want no illegitimate offspring running around this house.’ He had glared at them again. ‘If you both feel so strongly about each other then you’d better get married. Make it legal, and then no one can point a finger at either of you.’

‘But nobody else knows.’

‘Oh, but they will,’ Vince said, brusquely. ‘Oh, yes they’ll know, in due course. Somehow or other someone will twig what’s going on… you mark my words. Now just you both think about what I have just said.’ He had then dismissed them with a swift wave of his hand.

Steve had been extremely upset by Vince’s tirade. He could never remember his father speaking to him in that tone of voice before, or being so angry. He was still upset when his mother confronted him.

‘I want you to know that your father and I hoped that the pair of you would come to your senses after the first week.’ Norah bit her lip before continuing. ‘We were loath to make an issue of it, because we didn’t want either of you leaving home at this stage.’ She grasped Steve’s hand. ‘You know how much he depends on you now.’

‘Is that the only reason?’

‘No, of course not. We love you both and we don’t want to lose either of you,’ Norah had replied. ‘However, you know we’re concerned about Kirsty. She has a dark side to her nature. We guessed she’d been sleeping around before you returned home, but we could do nothing about it.’

‘But that’s pretty normal behaviour these days.’

‘Yes, but it’s the company she has been keeping. Some of them are… well, shall we just say they’re not law abiding?’

‘Do you think she’ll stop associating with them because of me?’

Norah bit her lip again before answering.

‘Some of the people she’s mixing with have criminal records.’ She grasped his hand. ‘If you make a commitment to her, it might change things. You’ll help keep everything under the one roof, and no one will be able to destroy the family unit.’

Steve had been stunned by his mother’s remarks, but when he thought about it later, he understood better. However, it had put him in an awkward position. Although his relationship with Kirsty had developed into something akin to love, he did not want to commit himself to marriage. However, he did care enough about her to want to protect her from her own foolishness and wayward actions. He had to do the right thing by her; he owed that to his parents as well.

Although he and Kirsty agreed not to sleep together until they had resolved the situation, two nights later she slipped into his room, shrugged off her nightie and snuggled down beside him. As she lay sleeping in his arms he decided he had to accept his parents’ conditions. After all, it was the right thing to do. That was nearly two years ago and they still hadn’t set a date. However, most of their acquaintances acted as if the event had already taken place, and so did their parents. There seemed no way out of it now.

His thoughts were interrupted by a voice at his side. He turned to see a flight attendant bending over him.

‘We’re about to land, sir. Would you please put the seat in an upright position and fasten your seat belt.’

Kirsty waved frantically at him as he cleared customs and walked out into the main concourse. She clung to him for a long time after they kissed. ‘I’ve missed you something terrible, Steve,’ she murmured, into his hair. ‘I’m never going to let you go off again like that… never. You belong here, with me.’

Vince Pardoe almost echoed her words that evening. ‘Next time you go gallivanting around on the other side of the world you must take Kirsty with you. We’re not going to put up with her shenanigans while you’re away.’

They had all questioned him at length about the trip, and when he told them there was another claimant to the manor they were both surprised and upset. When Vince asked if he had met the person in question, he explained that he could not be told who it was, and went on to talk about the break-in and the burglary. His mind dwelled on Suzi for a while, but he was careful not to mention her by name; he simply referred to her as the woman who had found him in the house and called an ambulance.

Kirsty was extremely loving that night and by the time they went to sleep, Steve was exhausted. She slid into his arms again the next morning, but when he reached over to touch her face she grasped his hand and held it up.

‘Your ring. Where’s your ring? You promised never to take it off.’

‘Maybe it slipped off when I washed my hands somewhere,’ Steve replied, in a deliberate off-hand way. ‘You know how easy it is to lose something that way.’