Indiscretions - Elizabeth Adler [105]
Fitz sat silently in the car next to Venetia, waiting for her to speak. She wasn’t crying, she was just sitting there, but he could feel her trembling.
“I’m sorry,” she said at last, “but I didn’t expect it … I mean, to meet Rory Grant like that.”
“You know him?” Fitz had had the impression that they were seeing each other for the first time.
“No. I just knew of him. He was my mother’s lover. Her last lover. Apparently she lavished all her love and attention, and her money, on him. Jenny made him a star. Bill Kaufmann told me that, Fitz. And then he left her.”
Fitz thought of what she’d told him earlier, how the other two had abandoned Jenny. And now this one. Something was very wrong with this whole situation, very wrong.
“I can’t explain why,” whispered Venetia, “but I have the feeling that Rory Grant was more involved in my mother’s financial difficulties than Bill Kaufmann would say. He swore that Grant was a nice guy. I’ve never heard Bill call anyone a nice guy before. Oh, it’s all wrong. I know it. I just know it.”
“Venetia, will you let me look into this for you and your sisters? You are entitled to know what happened to your mother’s money.”
“But there is no money.”
“Wait,” he said soothingly. “Let me see, okay? If it’s not there I want to know why. Exactly why. Do I have your permission, Venetia?”
She nodded. “Would you?”
He pulled himself back from her tender eyes.
“Consider it done,” he said, switching on the ignition.
They were silent on the drive back to the harbor. He was too aware of her, thought Fitz, much too aware of Jenny’s daughter, Morgan’s girl.
The Fiesta wore her full-dress lights, sparkling across the water like diamonds as they sat in the little speedboat, heading toward her. Venetia was looking at him with those tender blue eyes as he switched off the engine and turned to her. He couldn’t help what happened next; for once in his life Fitz McBain lost control. His arms went around her and his mouth came down on hers in a kiss that was far from tender.
Venetia knew she had been right. This is what should happen—the surging, trembling, ecstatic sensation—and she knew she never wanted it to end.
Fitz pulled himself away at last. He should never have done it. It was a mistake. Forcing himself to act he turned away.
“Please forgive that,” he said. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
“But … Fitz, I …”
He held out his hand. “Come on, I’ll help you onto the steps.”
Doesn’t he know how I feel? Venetia wondered. Then how do you tell a man, a man you barely know, that you are in love with him?
She thought Fitz wasn’t going to kiss her again, she was sure of it. And then he did, just her fingers, like before—held for a moment in his as he said good-night.
“You’re very much like your mother, Venetia,” he said as she smiled up at him. “Sleep well—and forget about Rory Grant.”
Rory Grant was a million miles away—a visitor from another planet.
Venetia watched as Fitz walked toward the stern deck, where there was still the sound of voices and music. I’m in love, she thought happily. It is love; when it happens, then you know. She brushed a hand across her lips, recalling his mouth on hers. She would die just to feel Fitz’s arms around her again, his mouth on hers just one more time.
It wasn’t a loud ring, just a soft purr, and it was some time before Venetia realized that it was the telephone. Forcing herself from a lengthy dream in which she’d been lying in Fitz’s arms on some soft island beach, shaded by palms and cooled by wafting breezes, she sat up and reached for the receiver.
“Vennie?”
Morgan’s voice jolted her as fully awake as a cold shower.
“Vennie? Are you there?”
“Morgan—it’s you … I thought you were in Rio.”
“I am, sweetheart, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there to meet you. Did my father explain?”
“Yes … yes, he explained….”
“Good. I hope he’s looking after you all right?”
“Oh … yes …”
“Don’t let him work you too hard—he’s a workaholic, you know, and he thinks everybody else is too. I miss you, Venetia.”
“Yes …” Venetia wound the cord