Thank you, she mumbled, made hastily aware that she was in an aircraft and that in the next hour or so she could be hearing news that she did not want to hear.
Icy cold air hit them as the plane door opened. Ellena was glad of her thick trousers, sweater and sheepskin coat. Glad, too, of Gideon Langfords assistance because, for all he didnt seem to say much, and what he did say was curt and to the point, it was he who made what explanations were necessary. He took over, asking questionsthough there was no more news now than there had been then.
She had brought only the barest minimum in the way of luggage, and without humour wondered if perhaps she was more like her younger sister than she realised.
But then Ellena discounted this, realising that, unlike Justine, her reasons were practical. Gideon Langford had said, Ill have a plane standing by, so shed known it might only be a small aircraft with little room for a heavy and bulky suitcase.
Gideon saw to the small airport formalities and she followed him out to a waiting car. The cold no longer bothered her. It was late, dark and her nerves were stretched. She got into the car with no idea where they were goingshe just wanted to find Justine.
Kits brother was highly efficient, she discovered, for after they had been driving some while the driver pulled up outside a smart hotel. It was not the same one that had been pictured on Justines postcard.
The driver got out and opened the door for her. She found herself standing beside Gideon Langford while he relieved the driver of their small amount of luggage.
What are we doing? she asked, her wits seeming to be numb.
Ive booked a couple of rooms here, he replied. He had taken care of her accommodation too, apparently, and he was already turning to go into the hotel.
I want to go to... She wanted to say Justines name, but was caught out by an emotional moment and could not. The other hotel.
So do Iwell check in first, he decreed, and Ellena realised, as she followed him into the smart hotel and he summoned someone in authority, that Gideon Langford, once hed had an update on the situation, had always intended to go and check out the other hotel whether she went with him or not.
Ellena stood by him aware that he, or someone in his employ, must have phoned ahead so theyd have somewhere to stay. The local police had been informed that their plane had arrived, apparently, and they, with the hotel manager, adjourned to a private roombut only to hear that there were no new developments, that everything was as bleak as had been forecast. A well-rehearsed plan had been put into operation, with rescue teams combing the areathey had reported back that there was absolutely no chance of anyone caught in that avalanche surviving.
Ellena strove valiantly for control. She could not believe it, would not believe it. Nor, apparently, would Gideon Langford. Stiffly he thanked everyone for their efforts and, flicking a glance to where Ellena stood dry-eyed and taut with control, said. And now, Miss Spencer and I would like to see where our relatives were staying.
She hated that word were, the past tense, even if logic said loudly and clearly that since Justine and Kit were not around to occupy their hotel accommodation, were very clearly fitted.
They left their luggage to be taken up to their rooms, and drove away from their hotel in the same car in which they had arrived. This time, though, with a police escort. The reason was explainedand also why they were booked into a different hotelwhen they got to the place where Kit and Justine had been staying. Regardless of the lateness of the hour and the risk of frostbite, some of the press, having been blocked at the small airport, were keen to have an interview with the missing mans brother.
Ellena had been aware that Gideon Langford was well known. How well known was borne out by the fact that he knew some of the newsmen by their first names. You know as much as I do, John, he answered one reporter, while at the same time ushering Ellena inside the hotel.
Whos the lady? someone else askedthey did not get a reply.
The hotel manager showed them up to the room which Kit and Justine had used. I have not had the room disturbed, the Austrian assured them, and, receiving their polite thanks, sensitively went out, closing the door behind him.
Only then, alone with Gideon Langford, did it dawn on Ellena, having been in his company for some hours now, how little conversation had passed between them.
Nor did she feel like talking then. She stared round the twin-bedded compact room, imagined she could hear Justine and Kits laughter, the way they had been laughing that last Saturdayabruptly she blanked her mind off, and became aware of Gideon Langford opening drawers and poking about in wardrobes.
There are a few clothes herebut. no suitcases, he stated matter-of-factly.
Ellena went over to the open wardrobe and, standing next to him, observed a couple of ancient anoraks which she recognised as belonging to Kit and Justine.
M-my sister was going to buy new, she informed him chokily. She wasisoh, dammit... Her voice broke; she turned from him, determined to gain control. Justine wasnt dead, she wasnt, and she wasnt going to cry. Justine is going to buy a whole new wardrobe, she made herself continue.
She guessed Gideon was having a hard time with his emotions as well, when he retorted shortly, Kit didnt have any money!
Even so, that annoyed her. It gave her the stiffening she needed, anyhow, as she retorted straight back: Then perhaps its just as well Justine had her own moneyshe probably paid for this trip. Immediately the acid words were out she felt contrite. She flicked a glance at him, saw he didnt seem to view her as his favourite person, and at once she apologised, Im sorry, Mr Langford, Im trying so hard not to go to pieces. I d-didnt mean to give you the rough end of it.
Whether he accepted her apology she had no idea, for he just stood and stared at her from those steady slate-grey eyes. But she rather guessed she had been forgiven when, turning from her, he grunted, Gideon.
She felt she should curtsy, then wondered if stress had made her light-headed. But she forgot everything save Justine when she spied in one of the open drawers a sweater she had lent her one time.
No. definitely no suitcases, Gideon announced, sounding positive.
If youre thinking that they may have packed up and leftand you cant wish it any more than II have to tell you, Justine in the main is so happy-go-lucky. She planned to buy anything she needed hereshes just as likely to have arrived without luggage.
Or followed Kits example and packed anything she might have thought of in a plastic carrier, he documented, adding, As you remarked, a pair well met.
They stayed another few minutes in the room but there were no more clues to be picked up; only a few toiletries were left in the bathroom. Ellena could feel her emotions on the brink of spilling over, and had not Gideon suggested they leave she would have made the suggestion herself.
They had chance of a private word with the hotelier, who promised he would contact them instantly, should his guests return. Then, again running the gauntlet of a couple of hardy pressmen, they returned to their own hotel.
Gideon Langford had a room opposite hers and, having escorted her up in the lift, he went into her room with her. Will you be all right here? he enquired courteously.
Yes, thank you, she replied politely.
He didnt leave straight away, but stayed to suggest, Youll want to phone your parents.
My parents are dead, she answered tonelessly.
Youre on your own?
No, she denied. No way was she ready to accept that Justine wasnt coming back.
You live with someone? he asked sharply, and she just knew he meant some man.
I live alone, she responded curtly.
Goodnight! Gideon Langford turned away from her, obviously fed up.
Im sorry, she found herself apologising. Imon edge.
He halted at the door and turned round, relenting, We both are. And then proceeded to instruct, Try and get some rest. Have anything you need brought to your room. With a few pressmen around, youd better stay where you are until I come for you. He made to leave, thought for a moment, and then said, I may be out some time tomorrow. Ill contact you as soon as I get back.
Where are you going?
He hesitated, but then did her the courtesy of being honest with her. Out to the avalanche site.
Im coming with you, she said at once, no please or thank you.
I dont think
Im coming! she butted in. If he thought she was going to stay here while he went therewhere Justine and Kit might behe could think again!
He shrugged, Suit yourself, and left her.
Ellena supposed she must have slept at some timeit didnt feel like it. She was up at six, showered and dressed and waiting for Gideon Langfords call.
It wasnt long in coming. He would see her in half an hours time. Meanwhile, he had some breakfast sent up to her room. Ellena wasnt hungry, but drank some strong hot coffee and belatedly remembered work she was supposed to be doing that day.
She put through a call to Andrea in England and explained why, and where she was. Im not sure when Ill be back, she warned.
Dont worry about it, Andrea answered warmly. Take as long as you need, Ellena, she suggested gently. Well all be hoping for you.
Gideon Langford, when he knocked on her door, was not in talkative mood. Theres no news? she asked urgently.
He shook his head. Ready?
Wordlessly she went with him out of the hotel and to the waiting car, and said not another word in the hour-long drive to where the disaster had occurred.
There were some officials waiting for them, but when, after walking some way, they stood back and pointed and explained about the mass of snow, and the boulders and rocks it had brought down in its wake, Ellena could see for herself that anyone foolhardy enough to chance ski-ing in that area would not have stood a chance.
She felt what little colour she had in her face drain away, felt gut-wrenching pain and wanted to scream, and to go on screaming. She turned away, collided into someone. It was Gideon. His arms came around her. He held her. They held each other, two human beings in need of solace. She guessed that, like her, he had always looked out for his younger sibling and it had been a role taken on willingly. She wanted the holding to go on.
Ellena broke from him, her mind in a turmoil. Somehow she got back to the car; somehow Gideon was there too. The car was moving, she staring unseeing out of one window on one side, he staring unseeing out of the window on the other side.
They had been driving on the return journey for some while. Ellena was still feeling stunned, shaken, and still not ready to believe it, to believe that she had lost her sister, that poor little Violette had lost her parents, when suddenly it hit her that the. poor little scrap might have been orphaned.
Oh, no! escaped her on an anguished cry of sound, and as Gideon Langford turned from his non-contemplation of the view, she whispered, What about the baby!
Baby? he echoed, and sounded so startled that Ellena came to, realising she was not alone. What baby? he questioned tautly.
She moved from her own non-contemplation of the view to look at him. And it was her turn to be startled. For clearly Gideon Langford had no idea that Kit had a baby daughter. A daughter of four months old.
Astonished, she realised that Gideon Langford had no idea at all that he was an uncle!
CHAPTER TWO
YOU didnt know? Ellena gasped.
Baby? he clipped, clearly wanting to know more, and quickly.
There was no way to dress it up, nor, a shock though it might be to him, try to hide it. Justine and Kit have a four-month-old daughter, she replied, and saw a muscle jerk in his strong, good-looking face. Saw him take what she had said on boardand realised that a dozen and one pertinent questions were on their way. But then she saw him flick a glance at their driver, who understood a little Englishand Gideon turned from her to renew his non-contemplation of the view from the vehicles side window. He had obviously swallowed down those questions but Ellena did not doubt that she would be on the receiving end of them the moment there were no other ears around to overhear what they were saying. Gideon Langford, was well known but, indisputably, he valued his family privacyand there were pressmen about.
A cold, stiff silence stretched between them and lasted until they arrived at their hotel. Gideon Langford asked for the keys to their rooms. He hung onto them as they went up in the lift and inserted the key into the door of her room. He pushed the door open. She preceded him into her room, knowing that he would follow.
Ellena went over to the window, again looking out but registering nothing very much. She heard the sound of the door behind her being closed. She turned. She was not mistaken, she saw: Gideon Langford had not merely opened the door and left her to it, he was right there with her. Those questions werent going to wait any longerhe wanted answers.
Why she should feel hostile to his questioning she had no idea, a self-defence mechanism perhaps? But when he began, This child... for short, pithy starters, she discovered an aggressiveness in her that rushed out to meet anything he had to say head-on.
Kit and Justines baby, you mean? she challenged before he could get further.
Her aggressiveness glanced off him, barely touching him, though she didnt miss the way his eyes narrowed slightly at her tone. Youre saying my brother is the father of your sisters child?
Of course he is! she erupted.
Youre sure of it?
How dared he? Listen, you, she attacked hotly, Justine may have been a bit wild, a bit of a rebel, and their relationship may have had itsits stormy moments, but theres been no other man for her but Kit, since the moment she met and fell in love with him!
But theyre not married?
Griefhes your brotherdont you know anything about him?
I know a whole lot about him, including the fact that there was no woman on the scene when I last visited him six months ago.
Your bi-annual visit, was it? she threw in tartly, though she almost apologised for that remark when he flicked her an acid look. Then she wondered why the hell should she? Who did he think he was, trying to deny Kit was the babys father? Justine lived at home with me until the baby was bornKit collected them from the hospital and there didnt seem to be any question that he would take them back to his flat.