The Arrogance Of Love

‘He's fine, thanks. He's looking forward to seeing you. I told him I would bring him to lunch with you some time next week. I'm sending him to Fay's in a few days. He can stay there for a week or so. I know he doesn't like going, but it will do him good to get with children of his own age. He's far too precocious. That's what comes of always being with adults.'

Susan listened to this conversation with interest. Who was Jon? Her question was soon answered as Amanda said, by way of explanation:

‘Jon is Dominic's son. He's fifteen, and he lives in England most of the time. Dom doesn't take him with him on his travels, do you, Dom?'

Dominic's eyes narrowed. ‘Unfortunately not. I feel I'm neglecting him at times, but at others I realize that were we together more we would probably get in each other's way.'

Susan looked aghast. ‘What a thing to say!’ she exclaimed, before she could stop herself. ‘Poor boy!'

Dominic's eyes were mocking. ‘There's nothing poor about Jon, believe me,’ he remarked coolly. He looked at Amanda. ‘Is there, A.B.?'

‘No, I suppose not. But I can understand Susan's feelings. She has never known a parent's love; she was brought up in an orphanage. To hear you speak of Jon you would imagine he was an encumbrance to you.'

Dominic sighed, and drew deeply on his cigar. ‘Let's say Jon and I are too much alike to get along well together,’ he remarked. ‘We both like our own way too much.'

‘Besides,’ said Amanda dryly, ‘the kind of life you lead is not fitting for a child of that age.'

David, who had not been taking any part in this conversation, looked appalled at Amanda's candid manner of speaking. He was already looking a little green, and had stubbed out the cigar.

Susan, seeing this, said quickly, ‘Is that meal ready yet, Amanda? I'm starving!'

The meal was delicious and David soon lost his pallor. After dinner was over they returned to the armchairs, and everyone but David had brandy in delicately cut glass goblets, warmed to perfection.

Amanda began asking Dominic about his travels abroad and for a long while they listened while he recounted anecdotes about the people he had seen and the places he had visited.

He was a fascinating raconteur and Susan sat listening to him as though hypnotized by the sound of his deep, relaxed tones. She avoided looking at him as much as possible, but occasionally her eyes strayed in his direction and she discreetly studied the strong line of his jaw and the thick richness of his hair. His linen was immaculate and accentuated his dark colouring, and the lashes which veiled his eyes were long and thick.

But it was not his looks which attracted Susan. She had seen many handsome men who caused her not the slightest reaction. It was something more; a kind of animalism, which made her aware of the primitive emotions that run just below the surface of modern man. From Amanda's remarks she had gathered that, married or otherwise, Dominic Halstad was no saint, and the knowledge merely gave him an added attraction, a kind of dangerous temptation.

Realizing where her thoughts were leading her, she quickly brought them back to normalities. Why could not she remember she was an engaged woman, and act accordingly? She felt she was behaving, or feeling, like a schoolgirl with a crush on the headmaster.

It was eleven o'clock when David said, ‘I think we ought to be going, Susan. It's getting late.'

Amanda stretched. ‘It's only eleven, David.’ She shrugged. ‘But if you must, you must.'

Dominic rose to his feet. ‘Can I give you a lift anywhere?’ he asked.

‘Thank you, but I have my car outside,’ replied David. ‘And thank you, Amanda. I've enjoyed myself enormously.'

Amanda stood up also. ‘I'm so glad. We must do it again, eh, Susan?'

Susan nodded, and allowed David to wrap her cape about her.

‘Yes, we must,’ she said. ‘Mr. Halstad's conversation was quite fascinating.'

‘Yes, Dom ought to write a book,’ said Amanda, looking playfully at Dominic. ‘How about that, Dom?'

‘Well, I will if I can borrow your secretary to do my typing for me,’ he replied, watching Susan and seeing the hot colour surge into her cheeks.

David, too, saw his fiancée's embarrassment, and hastily drew her to the door.

‘We must go. Good night, Mr. Halstad. Good night, Amanda.'

Outside the air was freezing, and Susan shivered. ‘Central heating certainly makes you more vulnerable to the elements,’ she said. ‘Hurry up and let's get home, David.'

David put her into the car and then went to start it, but to Susan's dismay it would not start.

‘Oh, lord,’ muttered David. ‘What a thing to happen on a night like this! It must be the cold air. It seems to have knocked all the life out of the battery.'

Susan saw the funny side and giggled. ‘Well, shall I push, or will you?'

‘Don't be ridiculous,’ snapped David, unable to see anything amusing in their predicament.

‘All right, all right. I was only trying to cheer you up.’ Susan hunched her shoulders, and waited while David cranked the engine furiously.

‘Shall I try and catch it on the accelerator?’ she ventured, a few moments later.

‘No.'

David was fuming, and Susan sighed. This would have to happen. Just when David was seeming a little more human, this occurred, and now he was sure to find it Amanda's fault in some way.

‘If we hadn't spent so long in there, the damn car wouldn't have frozen like this,’ he muttered, and Susan sighed again. Here it came! The same old story of recriminations. Anything but the real reason the car had defaulted.

Suddenly, the swing doors of the apartment building opened again, and a tall figure emerged, dressed in a thick fur-collared overcoat. It was Dominic Halstad, and Susan groaned inwardly. This would really settle things. David hated seeming at a disadvantage.

Dominic merely nodded to them and walked across to a dark-green Mercedes saloon that was parked just ahead of them.

David straightened up and looked at Susan. ‘Shall I ask him if he will give you a lift?’ he asked abruptly.

‘No, of course not. I'll wait and go with you. We'll get away soon.'

David looked relieved. ‘I'm sorry I bellowed at you,’ he said awkwardly. ‘I'm a bad-tempered cuss.'

‘Don't be silly,’ said Susan, smiling. ‘Just hurry up and let's get going.'

Dominic Halstad had now opened the boot of his car and was producing a coil of plastic-covered rope which he brought to David, saying casually:

‘Would a tow be of any use?'

David lifted his head. ‘Why … yes, it would. It's just the battery, I think. It's a bit flat.

‘Okay. You fasten your end and I'll fasten mine. Give me a blast on your horn when you start up, right?'

‘Right.'

David hastily tied the tope to his car, while Dominic connected the other end, and nodded briefly at Susan before sliding into the driving seat and starting up.

It only took a couple of hundred yards before David's engine fired and he tooted his horn to tell Dominic Halstad that he could continue under his own power.

The cars halted, the rope was put away and Dominic raised his hand in farewell, before re-entering his car and driving away.

‘Good chap!’ remarked David warmly. ‘Not many men in his position would have been so helpful.'

‘No,’ agreed Susan. ‘He didn't waste any time either.'

David nodded, and putting the car into gear they drove on to Susan's flat.

After arranging to spend the following day with David, Susan left him to enter the flat, which seemed very lonely tonight, knowing that Delia would not be returning.

She made herself a cup of cocoa, and carried it into the bedroom to drink while she undressed. But once in bed sleep was far from soon in coming. Her thoughts were too chaotic to allow her any peaceful rest, and restlessly she switched on the light again and reached for a half-finished novel she was réading.

As she read the words, however, they meant little to her. She found her mind drifting off at a tangent, and she found herself wondering again where Dominic Halstad's wife could be. He had not mentioned her and neither had Amanda.

Amanda had mentioned the life Dominic led as being unsuitable for a child and that could only mean one thing, surely! It was very puzzling.

Susan felt suddenly angry. It was not like her to indulge in idle speculation about anybody, least of all a man who could not possibly be of any importance in her life.

CHAPTER THREE

THE following week passed uneventfully until Friday. Delia had arrived back from Bristol full of excitement. Alan's parents had been dears, and had made her feel completely at home.

‘I'm sure everything is going to turn out right for us,’ she exclaimed on Monday morning while they were having their breakfast. ‘Alan was marvellous to me and I really felt as though his parents liked me.'

‘And why shouldn't they?’ demanded Susan. ‘You're a very likeable person.'

Delia sighed. ‘Yes, but I mean, really liked me. You know … as a daughter-in-law. I'm sure Alan is going to ask me to marry him. Oh, Susan, wouldn't it be divine?'

Susan herself felt rather envious. If only David's mother had been like that, warm and welcoming. But she was glad for Delia's sake as Delia always seemed afraid that people would not like her.

When she arrived at the apartment on Friday morning, Amanda was not seated at her desk as usual. She always did her correspondence first thing in the morning, and Susan was surprised.

‘I've arrived,’ she called, before walking over to a radiator and warming her cold fingers.

She had not done much typing this week, apart from Amanda's letters, as Amanda had not yet begun a new novel and there was nothing else for her to do. They had spent most of the week driving in Amanda's car, sometimes with Susan at the wheel and sometimes with Sarah's husband, Bill, driving them. Bill had a regular job but acted as chauffeur for Amanda when she required him.

Amanda appeared just then from her bedroom and said, ‘Hello, dear. I'm glad you're early. We've got a lot to do. Now, how would you like a trip to Paris?'

‘Paris?’ echoed Susan blankly.

‘Yes, darling. Both of us, of course.'

‘But when?’ Susan was puzzled.

‘Well, darling, we'll fly out this afternoon, spend the weekend in Paris and return home on Monday.'

Susan was still uncomprehending, and Amanda smiled. ‘You know I had dinner with Dominic and Jon last night, don't you?'

‘Yes.’ Amanda had had dinner at Dominic Halstad's apartment here in town. Apparently he had a penthouse which he used whenever he was in London. Although he had intended bringing Jon for lunch one day, he had not found the time, and consequently he had invited Amanda to have dinner with them instead. Susan had been rather disappointed as she had been looking forward to meeting Jon, and to seeing Dominic Halstad again, although she did not like to admit the latter was true.

‘Well,’ continued Amanda, ‘Jon is flying out to his aunt's today, to spend a week or so with her. Fay, Dom's sister, is married to a French count. They have a château near Fontainebleau, and although Jon is quite capable of conducting himself there, Dom has to be very careful that he's properly chaperoned.'

‘Why?'

‘Well, occasionally there've been threats of kidnapping and so on, and a man as powerful as Dominic is bound to have enemies, don't you agree?'

‘But he has no bodyguard.'

‘No, I know. But that's not to say he shouldn't have. At any rate, Dom is rather a different kettle of fish. We're only concerned with Jon here. Well, what do you think?'

Susan sighed. ‘I don't know what to think.'

‘Why? Don't you find the prospect of a trip to France stimulating?'

‘Of course, I do. It's just … well … it is the weekend, isn't it? And David is bound to expect me to spend my free time with him. I know he usually works on Saturdays, but there's all day Sunday —'

Amanda shrugged impatiently. ‘It's only one day, Susan. Anyway, think it over for a few minutes while I go and help Sarah with my packing, and you can let me know your decision when I return.’ She felt the coffee percolator on a nearby table and continued, ‘The coffee is lovely and hot. Help yourself. I won't be long.'

Susan poured a cup of coffee, and sank weakly down on to a low chair. Here was her opportunity to get to know Dominic Halstad's son, at least. The prospect was exciting, and she felt her pulse leaping at the thoughts that invaded her head. It was all too tempting and Amanda was well aware of it.

Susan bit her lip hard. But what about David? Truthfully, he would only have one day to fill in, and anyway, last Sunday had been spent mainly in Medlar Grove and she could not face another day there in a hurry.

His mother had found fault with everything she had done, and as David spent most of the day working in the minute garden at the back of the old house, she had not seen much of him. Surely he would not mind if she went away, just this once, when he seemed to find plenty with which to fill time.

When Amanda returned, Susan said, ‘I'd like to come. But what about reservations and things?'

Amanda smiled. ‘They're already made. Dominic arranged it all last night.'

‘You were sure I'd agree,’ murmured Susan dryly.

‘Well … yes, darling. After all, if you don't see the world while you have the chance, once you're married to David you won't get a great deal of time. I can see that young man tying you down with an armful of children and then taking himself off to enjoy life. His type always do. He's very possessive, you know, and that way at least you aren't free to go wandering off if the fancy should take you.'

‘Amanda, you're incorrigible!’ exclaimed Susan helplessly, although she wondered if there was something in what Amanda said. David did tend to dwell often on the prospects of a family, and although Susan wanted children, too, she did not want to start a family straight away. ‘Anyway,’ she went on, ‘why isn't his father travelling with him?'

‘Oh, Dom isn't keen on acting as nursemaid.'

‘To a fifteen-year-old? Good heavens, he doesn't need a nursemaid!'

‘I know, but Dom has his work, too, you know.'

‘Excuses, excuses,’ said Susan, sighing. ‘It seems to me your friend doesn't take his duties as a father seriously.'

Amanda shrugged. ‘I wouldn't say that, Susan. Dominic and Jon are great friends. It's simply that Dom can't be bothered with the little things, the trivialities which some men enjoy. When you know him better you'll realize that for yourself.'

‘I'm not likely to know him better,’ remarked Susan, and sipped her coffee speculatively.

‘Well, you'd better contact that young man and warn him that you won't be available until Monday evening,’ said Amanda, changing the subject firmly.

‘Dear me, I suppose I better had,’ Susan grimaced. ‘He doesn't like me to ring him at work.'

‘Why, for heaven's sake? He's a partner in the firm, isn't he?'

‘Yes, but he likes to keep his working life separate from his private life. He says I disturb his concentration when he's busy.'

Amanda raised her eyes heavenward and then turned away. ‘Well, get it over with. There isn't a lot of time and you'll have to go home again and pack a suitcase. You'll need a change of clothes and an evening dress of some sort.'

‘Why an evening dress? Are we going somewhere in particular?'

‘We're flying out today, and spending tonight at Dom's apartment in Paris. Then, in the morning, we'll drive down to Fontainebleau with Jon. We're spending the night there and returning to Paris on Sunday. We might do a little sightseeing in Paris, stay Sunday night at the apartment again, and return home on Monday.'

‘Oh! But I can't stay at this château. I mean, I don't know these people at all really, except through you. They won't be expecting me.'

‘Yes, they will. Dom phoned Fay while I was there last evening. And he told her that you would probably be accompanying me, and then afterwards I spoke to Fay myself and she was most enthusiastic. You'll like Fay. She's only thirty-four. She was married when she was seventeen, and has three lovely children. Her husband, the Count, is a darling.'

Susan felt completely out of her depth. Going to Paris for a weekend was one thing; staying in a French château with a count and his family was quite another. She would not know what to talk about.

‘Oh, really, Amanda, I think I'm going to back out of this,’ she murmured self-consciously. ‘I thought we were just taking this boy to Paris. I didn't imagine we were going to stay with Mr. Halstad's sister.'

‘I know you didn't. But what does that matter? As I've said, you'll like Fay. She's not at all snobbish, if that's what you're afraid of. And the children are terrors. Quite ordinary and all that.'

‘But a count …’ said Susan helplessly. ‘I wouldn't know how to address him.'

‘Knowing Raoul, I should imagine he'll suggest you call him by his Christian name,’ returned Amanda smoothly. ‘Now come along, get that phone call made, and then get along home for your things.'

Susan felt she was being swept along on a strong tide that would not allow her to get away, and, unable to resist the temptation, she lifted the telephone. She thought, dryly, that Amanda had probably known about this trip earlier in the week, but had not said anything because she knew that, given time to think about it, Susan would certainly have refused, or allowed David to change her mind for her.

To her relief, David did not sound irritable when he answered the telephone and she said, tentatively: ‘Darling, do you mind terribly if I go away with Amanda this weekend?'

David's good humour vanished, and he sounded annoyed. ‘Away? Where to?'

‘Paris. Amanda has to – deliver something to Paris, and has decided to go herself and spend the weekend there. She wants me to go – in case – in case she has any time for working.'

‘That sounds rather fishy,’ remarked David coldly. ‘Now why are you really going?'

Susan sighed. ‘Oh, really, David, don't you believe me? It's true. Amanda is taking some – one – to Paris.'

‘Not something!'

‘No. Jon Halstad.’ Susan sounded a little weary.

‘I thought as much. And is Dominic Halstad going too?'

‘Of course not. Just Amanda and me and this boy. Oh, darling, you know last weekend you didn't have much time for me. Couldn't you agree for once that I'll have a much more exciting time there than spending the whole of Sunday with your mother?'

David snorted. ‘My mother! I thought she would be brought into this. Just why did you ring me, Susan? Your mind is already made up, isn't it? You've decided to go and you're only letting me know, not asking me.'

Susan clenched her fists. David was right, of course. She had decided to go and she was merely going through the formalities by asking him for permission. She was being selfish, too, she supposed, but it sounded such a wonderful experience and spring in Paris was supposed to be quite something.

Aware that David was speaking again, she brought her thoughts back to the present.

‘… and when may I expect to see you again? Monday?'

‘Of course. We'll be back Monday morning. I'll be able to tell you all about it on Monday night.'

‘Very well. But don't make a habit of it.'

Feeling like a prisoner who has been let out of jail on a weekend pass, Susan couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice, as she said:

‘Thank you, darling. I'll be good.'

David grunted something in reply and rang off, and Susan replaced her receiver meticulously.

‘That's settled, then,’ said Amanda, and Susan became aware of her at her elbow.

‘Yes, it's settled. But I do feel guilty, Amanda. I can't help it.'

Amanda shrugged. ‘That will wear off,’ she said bluntly. ‘Now, you take a taxi back to the flat and collect your things. It's ten now; be back soon after eleven and we'll have an early lunch before leaving for the airport. Bill will take us. By the way, Jon is lunching here. He'll probably be here when you get back.'

‘All right.’ Susan rose to her feet. ‘My tummy feels as though a rotor has been installed.'

Amanda grinned. ‘Good. Bit of excitement is good for the juices. Don't be long.'

Susan packed her suitcase swiftly, then she climbed back into a taxi and drove to the store where Delia worked. She managed to contact Delia in the canteen and explained the position.

‘How heavenly!’ gasped Delia. ‘A weekend in France. It sounds marvellous! Just the thing to tone you up. You've looked pretty fed-up at times this week. I was beginning to get quite worried about you.'

‘Were you now? Well, there's no need. I'm fine.'

‘You are now. You look as different again. You've lost that bored expression. What did David say?'

‘Oh, the usual things. He wasn't very pleased, and I can understand that. After all, I don't suppose I'd like him to go flying off for a weekend on the continent without me.'

Delia linked her hands. ‘Is this Dominic Halstad going to be there?'

‘Good heavens, no! That's the reason we're going. If he were going there would be no need for Amanda to take the boy, would there?'

‘No. I guess not. Well, have a good time.'

‘Thanks. Actually, I'm a mass of nerves. How do you address a count?'

‘Don't be silly, you'll be all right. If I know Amanda Blake she'll give you a marvellous time. Look at last year when you went to Portugal. You had a terrific time!'

Susan nodded slowly, and then glanced at her watch. ‘Gosh, I must go. It's after eleven. See you Monday.'

‘Okay,’ Delia smiled, and Susan dashed off to find another taxi, feeling recklessly extravagant.

When she entered Amanda's apartment she immediately saw Jon Halstad. She would have recognized him anywhere. He was very like Dominic, with the same dark complexion, and lean good looks. His hair was curly, and he was dressed in a dark-grey suit with close-fitting trousers, and a white shirt. He looked about eighteen, and if she had expected some pale, wan, neglected teenager, dressed in jeans and a sweater, she was much mistaken. Jon Halstad was a strong, self-possessed young man, and he gave Susan a thorough appraisal as she removed her coat and advanced into the room.

His eyes took in the slim-fitting green suit with the fur collar, and the nylon-clad legs. Although he was not as tall as his father, he was still a little taller than Susan and in her high heels their eyes were on a level.

‘Jon?’ she ventured slowly.

‘Yes. You must be Susan.’ He smiled. ‘My father told me you would be going with us. Tell me, do you know my father well?'

Susan flushed. ‘Not very, why? Didn't he explain that I'm Amanda's secretary?'

‘Oh, yes, he told me that. But I wondered …’ His gaze slid away, and Susan felt mortified. Did he mean what she thought he was meaning? Surely not? Oh, God, she thought, what have I let myself in for?

She was relieved when Amanda came into the room, smiling cheerfully. ‘Ah, there you are, Susan. Have you met Jon?'

‘We've introduced ourselves,’ said Susan, swallowing hard. ‘Is there anything you want me to do?'

‘No, I don't think so.’ Amanda shook her head. ‘Well, Jon, are you looking forward to going to your aunt's?'

Jon shook his head. ‘Not particularly. Those kids are a bind.'

Amanda frowned. ‘Jeremy is only a year younger than you,’ she said. ‘You ought to be good friends. And Yvonne is the same age as you, isn't she?'

‘Oh, sure.’ Jon shrugged. ‘There's nothing to do there, though. Except go swimming in the lake.'

‘And what thrills do you indulge in here in town?’ asked Amanda dryly. ‘You're not old enough to go night-clubbing yet, or has your father already initiated you into that art?'

Jon laughed, and Susan found herself laughing too. Amanda's expression was so comical.