The Arrogance Of Love

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 rеading.

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 (#ulink_04c3f83b-1baf-50b3-b7e7-add78b4f420e)

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 ch?teau 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.