By Fountains Wild Read online

  ‘He’s tall, so tall, and broad. And very dark—Wait, I’ll show you his photo.’ Vicky left the room, returning with a very small snapshot. ‘Aunt Margaret took it - though Julian didn’t like the idea. He’s so peculiar. Fancy objecting to having his photo taken.’ She handed it to Kim, who studied it for a moment while a frown slowly darkened her brow. No exaggeration at all. He was about the most formidable specimen of manhood Kim had ever seen.

  ‘How on earth did you come to fall for a man like this?’ she gasped, taking in the dark and lowering brow, the granite-like set of the jaw and the thin line of the mouth. Cruelty there, no doubt of that. His black hair did nothing to offset the impression of harshness conveyed by the steely glint of the very dark eyes. ‘Is this a good likeness?’ she asked, thinking that perhaps the snapshot was too small to be reliable

  ‘It’s him, exactly,’ Vicky declared with a shiver. ‘So you see, I couldn’t marry him, could I?’

  ‘Well, no,’ Kim had to agree, though she asked again how Vicky had come to fall for him in the first place.

  ‘It was peculiar, when I come to think of it,’ said Vicky, her brow puckered in concentration. ‘Imagine his asking me to marry him after only a fortnight. He kissed me - oh, he could kiss, Kim, it was something—’ Vicky broke off, flushing under the scathing glance of her friend. ‘Well, I just couldn’t resist him, and I said ... yes.’

  ‘A fortnight ...?’ Kim gazed in puzzlement at the photograph in her hand. She would never have suspected such a man of falling in love so quickly. In fact, she could not imagine his falling in love at all. Why then should he have wanted to marry Vicky? She wasn’t his type anyway - but what sort of woman was his type? More important, what woman would want to marry a man like that? Only an utter fool ... or someone like Vicky who was so pliable and soft. ... Slowly the frown faded from Kim’s brow as comprehension dawned. He was obviously a strong and virile man, a man with primitive needs and desires. A wife was essential to him, and he’d picked on poor little Vicky, a girl whom he had instantly known would be easily persuaded. To pick on a mere child, a child he could bend to his will without any opposition at all. He meant to exploit her in the way all men exploited women, meant to have her working for him, waiting on him hand and foot ... and in addition he would have her there, a slave to his desires. And when poor Vicky had seen through him, and his plans had threatened to go awry, he had become violent, looking like murder, trying to terrorize the poor girl. Kim’s mouth compressed. She would find some way of thwarting his invidious plan.

  ‘How did he manage to ingratiate himself with your aunt?’ she asked at last. ‘I shouldn’t have thought anyone could be taken in by a man like this.’

  ‘I’ve told you, she says I need disciplining. I ought to have a husband who’ll beat me.’

  ‘Beat you!’ gasped Kim unbelievingly. ‘Your aunt never said a thing like that!’

  Vicky’s long lashes came down, veiling her expression. She said, on a distinct sob,

  ‘She did, Kim. Honestly she did.’

  ‘But—’ Kim was speechless for a space and then, vehemently, ‘She’d condemn you to a life with this man, a life of misery?’

  ‘It’s because of my escapades,’ Vicky confessed, a tiny break of contrition in her voice. ‘I’ve been a dreadful trial to her, haven’t I?’

  ‘No doubt of that,’ came the prompt agreement. ‘Nevertheless, she can’t expect you to continue with this engagement. This Julian’s not in love with you, you do realize that?’

  ‘Not ...?’ Vicky looked hurt, despite the fact that she wished fervently to be rid of Julian Pamell as quickly as possible. ‘And he told me I was exactly what he wanted in a wife.’

  “Yes,’ said Kim on a grim note. “You are exactly what he wants in a wife.’

  Vicky stared and Kim went on to relate the conclusions she had just reached.

  ‘So you’ll help me?’ cried Vicky with unconcealed excitement. You’ll think of some way of getting rid of him?’

  ‘I most certainly shall,’ Kim declared, her brown eyes kindling. ‘Just you leave this to me. First we’ve to blacken him with your aunt. Once that’s achieved the rest is easy; she’ll insist on your throwing him over.’ Kim stared thoughtfully into the flames. Easy to make that statement, but not so easy to find a way of putting her plan into operation. That she was dealing with a clever man as well as an unscrupulous one she had no doubt, but once she had devised a method of besting him she would not hesitate to carry it out.

  ‘I can’t see how we can blacken him with Aunt Margaret,’ said Vicky a little dejectedly. ‘She thinks the world of him.’ ‘Then I don’t think much of her taste, or judgment,’ came the quick retort. ‘And don’t you be so sure we can’t blacken him with her—’

  “You’ve thought of something?’ Vicky asked, her dejection dissolving with the customary rapid change to which Vicky was

  so prone. ‘Oh, what is it?’ she went on excitedly. ‘Tell me, Kim, at once!’

  ‘Not so quick,’ Kim returned musingly, her gaze still on the blazing coals. ‘We can’t just rush into this. We’re dealing with a very clever man and it would be disastrous if he should see through the trick.’ Disastrous for me, Kim thought with a shiver. For she was to be the one in danger - if this plan which she had just conceived were to be put into operation. And after some further thought she had to admit herself beaten as to the formulation of any alternative method of bringing about poor Vicky’s release from this Julian Parnell.

  ‘Oh, do tell me.’ Vicky could not keep still on the couch and at last she got up and went into the kitchen, saying she would make the coffee. Kim was glad to be left alone and in the silence that followed Vicky’s departure, Kim’s plan worked itself out to perfection. Once or twice she called out a question, which Vicky obligingly answered. Yes, it was a good plan, Kim finally decided; she could find no flaw in it at all. It was as simple a plan as she could make it and, therefore, there was not very much that could go wrong.

  A short while later, as they sat by the glowing fire drinking their tea, Kim carefully outlined the procedure by which Vicky was to be released from her engagement.

  ‘You’re a genius,’ Vicky breathed, her eyes bright with admiration. ‘I knew you’d do it. Oh, you’re so clever, Kim. Julian just doesn’t know what he’s up against!’

  ‘I think I’m a match for him,’ Kim admitted without being immodest. ‘And I feel I shall actually enjoy thwarting him.’ She took a biscuit from the plate offered to her and nibbled it thoughtfully. “You’re quite sure he’ll offer me a drink?’

  ‘Quite sure; he always has the drinks ready.’ A drunkard, into the bargain, Kim suspected. But those men usually did like their drink.

  As she was going Kim once again reminded Vicky of what she must do.

  ‘Whatever happens, be there at the exact time,’ she warned

  finally. ‘The whole success of the plan depends on you and your aunt turning up at the right moment.’

  ‘I know - yes, I have it all correct.’ Vicky’s excitement seemed a little too pronounced, but Kim dismissed the idea. She knew Vicky well, and she evinced excitement at the least thing. ‘We must be there at exactly half-past nine.’

  ‘That’s right. You do have a few minutes either way -probably five - but aim for nine-thirty exactly.’

  ‘It’s so good of you,’ Vicky said gratefully as she saw Kim to the door. ‘I do thank you, Kim - and I think you’re wonderful to concoct a plan like this to get the better of that horrible man.’ She paused and then added uncertainly, ‘You do believe he’s as horrid as I said at first?’

  ‘Most certainly I do.’

  ‘He is, Kim, I swear it. And he would do dreadful things to a woman, if he had the chance, the sort of things only wicked men do, like - like seducing women,’ she said awfully.

  ‘Well, forget it,’ said Kim in soothing tones. ‘In any case, he won’t have the chance of doing dreadful things to you, so don’t worry your head any more about it
.’

  Vicky smiled as Kim got into the car, and she stood on the step waving until the car was lost to sight down the road. Kim waved back, her lovely face set and grim. Frivolous and flighty Vicky might be, but she was really an innocent little thing ... and certainly no match for a rake like Julian Parnell.

  How would he feel when he realized that his plan had misfired? In spite of herself Kim shivered. She would not be there to see his reaction, and for that she was most profoundly thankful.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Kim drove her car into the forecourt of the flats and parked it neatly. Then she lifted the bonnet and took out the distributor head, closing the bonnet again very quietly. For a moment after

  straightening up she stared at the lighted window above her. Vicky had told her that Julian lived in the Park Lane flats, and it was because she knew that the ground floor flat was empty that Kim had been able so easily to devise her plan. With determined steps she mounted the stone staircase and knocked on Julian Parnell’s door. His firm tread was heard and then Kim was staring up at him. No mistaking him; the photograph gave a true impression. Vaguely she heard the running away of water as if from a bath. Julian was in his dressing-gown and his hair was wet. Incredible, but even fate was on her side. He stood looking down at her, a question in his dark eyes. Kim gave him one of her most enchanting smiles.

  ‘I’m so sorry to disturb you,’ she said, ‘but I’m interested in the flat below. Can you tell me anything about it? I mean, is it to let?’

  A small silence. Julian Parnell’s eyes flickered strangely before he said, in a soft and even tone,

  ‘There’s a large notice in the garden, and one in the window—’

  ‘Oh, yes, I’ve seen those,’ Kim hastily put in. ‘But you know how quickly these flats are snapped up, and I wondered if the notices still applied - if the flat is in fact still vacant?’

  Julian suppressed a yawn.

  ‘As I’m not the agent I can’t enlighten you. I suggest you wait until the morning and go to the address supplied on the board.’

  ‘Yes, I’ll do that,’ she smiled. ‘Thank you very much - and I do hope I haven’t disturbed you.’

  His eyes flickered again, taking in everything about her from head to foot. Kim had difficulty in quelling the angry colour that threatened to rise in her cheeks. The man was insolent; his eyes stripped her and she had no difficulty at all in believing all Vicky had said about him. ‘Good night,’ she managed politely, turning to go downstairs.

  ‘Good night. Be careful, there’s a dark spot as you near the centre.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Kim heard the door close as she reached the bottom step. A few minutes later she was again knocking at his door. She was all agitation and apology. ‘I’m so dreadfully sorry to trouble you a second time,’ she murmured, ‘but I wonder if I can use your telephone? My car won’t start.’

  He frowned.

  ‘It was all right when you drove in?’

  Kim nodded, and he offered to have a look at it.

  ‘No,’ she said hastily. ‘It’s often difficult to start, and I have to ring up the garage. It’s an awful nuisance.’ She gave a little shrug and waited expectantly. Was her plan to go wrong at this early stage? To her relief he opened the door wider and invited her in.

  ‘If it’s always going wrong the sensible thing is to get it done properly once and for all.’ With a careless sweep of his hand he indicated a door on her left. ‘In there. Have you the number or do you want me to find it for you?’

  ‘I know the number,’ she said, and entered the room. It was a sort of a study, with maps on the walls and a filing cabinet in one corner. Kim picked up the receiver and dialled the number, moving to look through the half open door. The door to the other room was closed - so Julian couldn’t hear what she was saying, she thought with relief.

  ‘—in half an hour, yes. No, not sooner as I shan’t be here. Thank you....’

  Gently she tapped on the other door.

  ‘Come in.’

  They can’t come for half an hour or so,’ she said, again producing one of her most enchanting smiles. ‘I’ll wait in the car—’ She broke off, shivering. ‘This would happen tonight, just when I’m not feeling too good. It’s ’flu, I expect,’ she added ruefully. ‘There’s such a lot of it about.’ She made to go. ‘I must apologize again for causing you this trouble.’

  Julian had been reading in the big chair by the fire, but on her entry he rose, staring disconcertingly at her as she spoke.

  ‘There’s no sense in sitting down there in the cold,’ he said. ‘Take a seat. And you’d better take your coat off, otherwise

  you’ll not feel the benefit when you go out.’

  ‘Oh, but—’ Kim broke off; she had a shrewd suspicion that any protest would bring forth an indifferent shrug and she might just find herself outside. She slipped out of her coat and put it over the back of the chair. ‘It’s most kind.’ She occupied the chair indicated. ‘Thank you very much,’ she said shyly, and looked primly down at her hands. Julian still stared at her and she gave an involuntary shiver — or what appeared to be an involuntary shiver.

  ‘I’d offer you a drink, but you’ll be driving,’ he said.

  She looked startled. Would he not offer her a drink? Somehow she had not thought he would be concerned about her drinking and driving. Julian Parnell had given her her first surprise.

  ‘I’d be grateful for a small whisky,’ she ventured. ‘Just to warm me. I’m most dreadfully cold.’

  ‘Perhaps.’ He seemed reluctant, but after a moment he made up his mind. ‘Just a small one, then.’ His voice was still soft, but firm and authoritative. After pouring the drink he bent down to put it on a small table by her elbow. His face came rather close to hers; no smell of drink or stale tobacco, but a masculine smell of shaving lotion, and a scent of shampoo, which reminded her of heather and moorlands and fresh winds blowing. Kim experienced surprise number two, for she was sure he was the sort of man who, when sitting alone, would indulge in quite immoderate smoking and drinking.

  ‘Soda?’

  ‘Yes.’ Goodness, she was forgetting! ‘I’ll help myself if you don’t mind,’ she added swiftly.

  ‘Not at all; go ahead.’ He turned from her and was about to sit down when, on hearing her, he spun round.

  ‘How careless - oh, dear, I’m so terribly sorry!’ Kim’s face took on a look of disgust as she stared at the front of her dress. It was soaking wet. ‘How could I have done a thing like that?’

  ‘I really don’t know,’ he said, eyeing her oddly. ‘You must have kept your finger on it.’

  ‘Yes....’ Kim eased her dress away from her legs. ‘Oh, it’s so cold!’

  ‘You’d better take it off,’ he advised.

  ‘Take it off?’ She feigned reluctance, and a sardonic smile twisted his lips.

  ‘Go into the bathroom and take it off,’ he said in the inflexible tones of authority. ‘If you lay it over the radiator it’ll be dry by the time your car’s ready.’ Kim rose from her chair and looked at him inquiringly. ‘The door right opposite as you go out.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She put on the charm, smiling as she spoke. His dark eyes raked her again, coming to rest on the wet patch on her dress. Kim’s smile faded as a strange tremor passed through her. What was he thinking? And would it be safe to take off her dress? It did not require very much to give this type of man ideas. Recalling Vicky’s assertion that he could do dreadful things to women, Kim’s apprehension grew. But it was a risk she would have to take, she firmly decided, thinking about Vicky’s confidence in her ability to free her from this man s clutches. No, she would never let her friend down. Kim was at the door when Julian spoke.

  ‘You’d better take this.’ He handed her her coat. You’ll need it,’ he added, not without a hint of amusement. Kim took it from him, a flush rising at the idea that she could have forgotten to pick it up, and Julian’s expression underwent a sudden change. No insult in his glance now but ... co
uld it be interest? Kim turned abruptly and left the room.

  Despite the faint qualms she experienced she could not help feeling elated — and extremely pleased with herself and her plan. It was going with the smoothness she had hoped for, and without any of the snags she had known were possible. Julian had acted exactly as she had meant him to. And now all that was required was for Vicky and her aunt to turn up within the next five minutes.

  ‘Let me bring your chair nearer the fire,’ Julian offered as she returned to the sitting-room. ‘There, you should be quite warm now. The central heating’s all right, but it’s never quite adequate if the weather’s at all cold.’ He sat down opposite to her and as she glanced at the table she saw he had mopped up the mess and poured her another drink. She picked up her glass, amazed that he had not poured himself a drink. After a while she leant back in her chair, holding her glass and staring down into it. A slight movement brought her gaze back to Julian and again she examined his features. So harsh and forbidding ... and yet.... His action in bringing up her chair to the fire proved that he must have felt some concern for her comfort. Could it be that he was not quite so heartless as Vicky made out? But his action was only that of cool politeness which anyone would have extended to her in similar circumstances. One had merely to look at this man’s face to realize just how detestable he was.

  Kim glanced away and examined the contents of the room. The furniture was in excellent taste, modern so as to be in keeping with the room itself, yet sober in design and of the highest quality. What was his business? she fell to wondering, recalling that Vicky had said he was very rich. He must be, having bought that great place in Wales, the monastery of which Vicky had spoken. He must be odd even to think about buying a monastery, thought Kim, her gaze coming to rest on the rug at her feet. It was Turkish, and so was the carpet which almost covered the room. In one corner there stood a magnificent record player, and in another stood an illuminated tank of tropical fish.

  Kim began to sip her drink, her ears alert for footsteps on the stairs. But her mind wandered, for a strange disquiet descended upon her which could in no way be described as nervousness. Was it tension? — the strain of waiting through minutes that seemed like hours? That appeared to be the only explanation, and yet the sensation did not altogether disappear when at last she heard that for which she had been so intently listening. Her eyes flew to Julian’s as he rose to answer the bell.