They live together?
Happily, Ellena declared frostily.
Happily unmarried?
I dont think getting married occurred to either of them, she replied honestly.
That sounds like Kit, Gideon muttered, and asked abruptly, Where is it nowthis infant?
She felt annoyed. Violette, she informed him stiffly. Her names Violette.
Violette? he echoedmuch in the same vein as if shed told him theyd called the child Rover.
They chose the name, not me! she snapped, and wondered if the stress was getting more than she could take, because her sense of humour seemed to be twitching for a smiling release at his reaction to the babys name. She did not smile, however, but informed him, Your brother Russell and his wife are looking after Violette white
Your sister left a four-month-old baby with that hard-nosed, money-grubbing bitch! he interrupted on a snarl.
Ellena blinked in surpriseall too evidently Gideon Langford had little time for his sister-in-law. She recalled that Justine had called Pamela a bit of a shrew; the one and only time she had spoken with her herself, she hadnt taken to her, either.
Your brother left the baby too! she defended. Anyway, as well as paying Pamela, Justine also engaged a temporary nanny.
Huh! he grunted, and Ellena started to actively dislike him. I phoned Russell just before I lefthe didnt say anything about looking after Kits infant!
Thats hardly my fault! she flew, her emotions all over the place, her temper seeming to be on a very short fuse. Since youre a family who only visit every six months, its a wonder to me you tell each other anything.
The chill factor went down another ten degrees as Gideon Langford favoured her with an icy look for her trouble. You know nothing! he rapped curtly.
I know... she went to explode. But then was suddenly so overcome by the events that had taken place that she came to a full stop, words failing her. She swallowed hard, emotion threatening to overwhelm her.
She turned swiftly about, her grief private, not to be shared. She looked down at the windowsill, concentrated hard on it, striving with all she had for control.
So hard was she battling not to break down that she momentarily forgot she wasnt alone in the room. A reminder of Gideon Langfords presence arrived, though, when, just as if he knew of her every thought and feeling, he moved behind her and took hold of her.
She felt his firm grip on her upper arms and began to like him again, even though all the evidence pointed to the reverse. Hang on, Ellena, he instructed low in her right ear, using her first name, making them more friends than the enemies theyd been a minute ago. Theyre not dead. I wont believe theyre dead.
She swallowed hard, but did not turn around. I cant believe it either, she said huskily.
For a minute more Gideon held her in that steadying grip. Then he was saying, We have to think of leaving.
I dont want to leaveI cant, she answered.
Yes, you can, he countered. Ill instruct everyone you can think of to contact me the moment they have the barest hint of news.
She tried to be sensible. Youve business to get back to, I expect.
It seems incidental, he repliedand Ellena knew that she really did like him. He had a multi-million pound conglomerate to run, but it meant nothing to him when his youngest brother was missing.
She realised, common sense giving her a nudge, that they could achieve nothing by staying. When do you want to leave? she asked, and felt him give her arms a small squeeze of encouragement.
As soon as youre ready, he answered, letting go his hold and moving away.
Ellena turned and looked at him. The icy look he had served her with before had gone, and, for all he was unsmiling, he seemed less harsh than he had been. Ill just get my things together, settle up here, and...
Ill settle, he stated, and, when she looked likely to proudly protest, Youre family, he said, and went, not knowing how warmed she felt. For, apart from Justine and Violette, she had no other family.
It took her next to no time to gather her belongings together. But in that short period Gideon Langford had settled their account with the hotel and organised their flight.
They were on their way back to the small airport when she realised hed found time to speak with other people too. The minister from the local church was kind enough to call, he informed her quietly as they reached their destination. He wondered if we would like him to carry out a service for Kit and Justine.
You thanked him, but said no I hope, she answered jerkily.
She realised that she and Gideon Langford must be pretty well near on the same wavelength when he replied, I did. It sounded too final. He, by the sound of it, was not ready to admit to that finality yetand neither was she.
In contrast to the silence that had existed between them on the journey out, they had been in the air around ten minutes when Gideon Langford looked across the small aisle at her and enquired, You mentioned your sister has money of her own; does that mean that neither of you has to work?
Justine never did get the hang of working, Ellena replied truthfully. Though the way shes spending, shell be lucky if her money lasts her longer than a couple of years.
It was an inheritance?
Money our parents invested for both of us to have when we reached twenty.
Yourehow old?
Ellena stared at him from frank blue eyes. Nothing like asking! Hed be demanding how much the investment was next. Twenty-two, she answered. I received my money two years ago.
But youve still some of it left?
Was there a purpose behind his questioningit escaped her if there was. Some of it wentcars for Justine and me, clothes, and... But, yes, theres still a little left, she owned.
From your remarks about your sister not getting the hang of workingand thats not criticism, he slipped in, causing her to realise she must have bridled a touch without knowing it, Kit is very much the same, he soothed any ruffled feathers. But, to get back, I take it that you do know the meaning of the word work?
I enjoy my job so much I hardly think of it as work, she owned.
What sort of work would that be?
He had a certain kind of charm, she realised. Sufficient, anyway, to have her put her present worries to the back of her mind for a short while. Im an accountant, she answered, and, because that sounded, a little like showing off, Though Ive only recently qualified.
Who are you with? he wanted to know.
A. Keyte and Company, she replied, and, realising it was a very small business compared with the enormous accountancy firm he must deal with, she added, Its only a tiny company, but I love it there. Agonising thoughts and worries were soon back as she relayed, I rang Andrea this morning. She said to take as much time as I... Her voice tapered- off. Ellena looked away from him as she fought for and gained control of her emotions. Anyhow, much as I enjoy working for her, I may have to look elsewhere.
You have some problem?
She glanced across at him again. He had seemed so much on her wavelength about almost everything, it surprised her that he wasnt this time. Well, Ill obviously try to make some arrangements that will mean I dont have to leave my present employer, but if all else fails, I shall have to try and find a firm that has crèche facilities. V
You have some problem?
She glanced across at him again. He had seemed so much on her wavelength about almost everything, it surprised her that he wasnt this time. Well, Ill obviously try to make some arrangements that will mean I dont have to leave my present employer, but if all else fails, I shall have to try and find a firm that has crèche facilities. V
Youre thinking of taking that baby to live with you? He seemed astounded at the very idea!
But that he should be astounded at something which, to her mind, was a foregone conclusion, annoyed her. Naturally, Im taking her, she stated forcefully. Adding, for good measure, That baby is my niece!
Only to be left staring at him open-mouthed when, And mine! he stated quietly, purposefully.
Ellena closed her mouth, but was still staring at him incredulously, still not believing the deliberate intent behind his quietly spoken words. She just could not take in that he seemed to be saying that he wanted charge of Violette. Then her feeling of shock gave way to a feeling of furyfury born of panic. Over her dead body! You cant possibly want her! she erupted furiously. Youve had nothing to do with her. Ive seen her most every weekend! she staked her claim. In the week, too, if her parents needed a babysitter, she tacked on for extra strength. Why, she hurried on, barely pausing for breath, you didnt even know of Violettes existence until I told you about
So now I do know, he cut in calmly. And I have as much right as you to...
No, you havent! she denied. You dont know her, you dont love her, you...
You live in a flat near Croydon. When had she told him that? She was too het up to remember. I have a house in open country.
Who said her flat wasnt in open country? It was a wasted argument, she realised. You led me on! she accused him furiously.
How the devil did I do that? he challenged harshly.
You know! she hurled back. Finding out that while I have some funds theyre peanuts in relation to your wealth. Finding out that I have to work, so I wont be able to be with Violette all the time. Youre despicable! Youre...
Youre off your head! he countered. It hadnt so much as occurred to me that youd want guardianship of that infant when I indulged in a littlepolite conversationto help the flight along.
Polite conversation, my aunt Fanny! she tossed at him rudely, not believing it for a minute. Well, you may make a claim for her, Mr Langford, but Im having her! No way was she going to let the poor mite live with this brute!
Ill see you in court, he drawledand that infuriated her. Just because he had more money, a house in the country, he thought he could ride roughshod over other people. She loved the baby but he didnt even know her!
You wont stand a chance! Surely love came before money?
How do you figure that?
She hadnt yet. But, thus challenged, she slammed at him, Ive an unsullied reputation, for one thing!
His look said, How boring. You mean with the opposite sex? he drawled, and she wished shed kept her mouth closed. But that How boring expression niggled her, forcing her on.
Which is more than can be said for you! she attacked sniffily.
Its true, Ive had my moments, he admitted mockingly. But are you saying that youve never had any member of the opposite sexerstaying over?
Thats got nothing to do with you! she retorted hotly, starting to feel a shade warm around the ears.
It has, if you intend to stand up in court and swear to it, he derided.
He was infuriating. True, her experience of men was limited, though she was certain that there couldnt be many around like him! Im prepared to do that if I have to, she told him snappily.
Ye gods! he exclaimed, seeming to find it incredible that shed reached twenty-two without being tempted.
And that annoyed her. From what I hear, you were chief practitioner of the love em and leave em ethic.
He shrugged. Charm has its own reward, he owned modestly. But, apparently done with ribbing her, Straight upare you a virgin? he wanted to know.
It wasnt just her ears that felt warm. She was certain her cheeks positively glowed. Its nothing to be ashamed of! she snapped.
Did I say it was?
He hadnt. But she didnt want this conversation, though she wasnt sure if it hadnt been her who had started it. Were getting away from the point, she said heatedly.
Which is?
Give her strength! The point is, you, with your lifestyle. Well, youre hardly the type to be responsible for the upbringing of a young girl, are you?
If shes only four months old, Id guess she isnt even walking yet!
Shell grow! Ellena retorted, glaring at him, feeling panickily that she was somehow getting the worst of this.
She was positive of it when, having tired of the argument, it seemed, he decreed, Perhaps well leave it for some judge to decide.
Ellena did not answer. Suddenly it dawned on her that she and Gideon were talking as if Justine and Kit werent coming backand they were. They were! Whether the same thought had just struck Gideon she couldnt have said, but she thought she caught a glimpse of a bleak look come to his expression a moment before he turned his head away.
Ellena turned her face to her window too. Conversation between them, polite or otherwise, was done with, and she spent the rest of the flight on trying to keep thoughts that Justine might be dead out of her mind. Instead she endeavoured to concentrate on what must be done to ensure that Violette had a safe, warm and loving upbringing.
From the sound of it, Gideon Langford was fully prepared to go to court to battle for custody of the baby. With his money, he was going to be able to afford to employ the very best of lawyers.
What she must do, she realised, was to get herself in a position to combat everything he threw at her. Had a house in the country, did he? Well, albeit that hers would probably be pokey by comparison, shed get a house in the country too.
Shed probably got enough money left to put down a deposit on something small. And she was earning more now, so a mortgage of not too vast proportions was within her means. Shed got enough furniture to furnish somewhere modest andand...
Her thoughts fractured and her mind hurried on to taking the babys cot and all necessities from Kits flat. She gained control and decided she would only borrow them for the short term, until Kit and Justine came for Violette.
Ellena fought another battle for controland managed to win. She was making all these plans unnecessarily. Justine and Kit would be back soon. As likely as they were to take themselves off ski-ing in a prohibited area, they were equally as likelyleaving bits and pieces of clothing behindto up sticks and move on somewhere else, if the mood took them. The very worrying thing about that, though, was that whatever else Justine was or was not, she was scrupulously honest. No way would she dream of doing a flit without paying her hotel bill, Ellena just knew it. It just wasnt in her sisters make-upand yet, that hotel bill had not been paid.
Telling herself that everybody was allowed one lapse, and that, what with having just had a baby and everything, Justines hormones were probably still all over the placesufficiently, anyhow, for her to act in a way she wouldnt normallyEllena suddenly had one very bright positive thought, that was startling in its simplicity.