Robyn Donald - Mistresses - Blackmailed With Diamonds / Shackled with Rubies

‘Don’t I know it,’ I said grumpily. ‘My ears are aching. Doesn’t he ever talk about anyone except himself?’

‘I don’t think he knows there is anyone except himself. ’

We laughed together and it was like being back at the Hotel de Paris, when we’d chatted for hours and known each other better in that short time than some people do in a lifetime.

The music was smoochy. He drew me close, so that my head rested on his shoulder, and dropped his own head, turning it slightly into my neck so that his lips brushed my skin.

It was physically exciting, and added to my frustration that I couldn’t have him. But it was also strangely cosy. The warmth that swept me was contentment. I could gladly nestle against him like this for ever.

Only it wasn’t going to be for ever. Another week. Perhaps less. Already I felt more in tune with him than was wise, but I knew I couldn’t be wise. Not with Jack. There was all the rest of my life for wisdom.

And sadness. And loneliness. And being grey and dreary, and knowing that the best and loveliest was behind me.

At last the party broke up and we went down to our cabins.

That kiss in the pool had confirmed something about Jack that I’d started to guess. He was far more complex than he seemed. However it looked, he was always actually in control. Last night had proved it.

Tonight I watched for the ominous signs, determined to get my retaliation in first. The sight of the pillow, firmly placed in the centre of the bed, decided me. I bagged the first bath and emerged yawning.

‘I’m so tired,’ I said. ‘I just want to sleep for an age. Goodnight.’

Not giving him time to say a word, I rolled into bed, pulled the sheet over my head and lay there.

That would show him!

We stopped one night in Cagliari, in southern Sardinia, and explored the old town while the boat took on supplies. I did a bit of shopping with Jenny, who was still watching Jack and me, thrilled by what she took to be our progress.

‘I’m so glad he found you,’ she said as we sat over coffee. ‘I just know you’re the one for him.’

‘Don’t be so sure,’ I said, trying to resist the enchanting picture this conjured up.

‘You’ve saved him. But for you, Selina would have had him on toast.’

‘I don’t think so,’ I said, suddenly realising the truth. ‘Jack seems easy-going, but I think he’s very stubborn underneath.’

Jenny considered this and nodded. ‘Good for you. It takes most people ages to learn that. You really understand him.’

I had to force myself to bring the conversation to an end. I was enjoying it too much.

When we were back on board Jack ceremoniously presented me with a cheque.

‘Your first week’s pay,’ he said. ‘And every penny well earned.’

I tucked it away, ready to be cashed as soon as we reached England, thinking how many problems it would solve

After Cagliari, we made a brief stop in Barcelona, then began to head home. A different mood was creeping over everyone. People who had come on the cruise with something in mind began to sense that time was running out. It was now or never. Perhaps that was why Jack kept me closer than ever.

Or perhaps he was keeping an eye on Raymond, who was drinking too much and making a great play of flirting with two women at once. I was never one of them.

There was another dance. I played my part for a while, then slipped away because the atmosphere was stuffy and I needed to breathe. I found a quiet place on deck and stood by the rail, looking out over the water, with the wash stretching away into the darkness.

That would be my life after this, I thought, leading away into a distance that I could not fathom. The only thing I knew for certain was that Jack would not be a part of it. And I knew now that without him it would mean nothing.

‘So there you are,’ he said, coming up behind me.

‘I just came out for some fresh air.’

‘Good idea. I’ll be glad when we reach Southampton in a few days.’

A few days! Then it would all be over, and he was looking forward to it. But I’d known the terms from the start, and I wasn’t going to complain now.

‘You’re not planning to desert me as soon as we land, I hope,’ were his next words. ‘We’ll have to stay together a while or the others will smell a rat.’

‘I can manage a while,’ I said, trying not to look too idiotically joyful.

‘A few weeks?’

‘Yes, probably.’

‘But not certainly? Do you have other appointments?’

‘You could put it that way,’ I said cautiously.

He took my hands. ‘We’ll get rid of the others and go to my apartment in town. I still officially share a roof with Grace, but I insist on my own place, where I can relax. Your being there will give me the perfect excuse to move in full time.’

So it was still very much a business arrangement. But I was too happy at the reprieve to worry about that. Just a little longer. That was all I asked.

As we began to wander back we heard a shout.

‘Hey, Jack! Come and listen to this.’

A group of men were on deck, laughing and cheering over some tipsy joke.

‘I’d better go and calm them down,’ he said. ‘See you later.’

I watched as he joined them, laughing, and gradually drew them inside. I was just thinking of following when a voice in the shadows said, ‘I thought I’d never catch you alone.’

It was Raymond Keller. I tried to appear pleasant, but said, ‘I was just going in.’

‘You can spare me a moment. You’ll be glad when you see what I want to give you.’

He’d planted himself in front of me, and before I could protest he opened a box, revealing a really fabulous necklace. Diamonds, of course.

‘I’ve seen how you like diamonds,’ he said.

‘Raymond, I can’t accept these. Please take them away.’

‘Oh, come on. I bought them specially for you.’

‘You shouldn’t have done.’

‘Look, you’re not going to be with Jack for ever. He’s not the faithful type. I don’t suppose you are either, but we could have some fun together. How about we leave the ship together—?’

‘Get lost,’ I said.

‘Now, look, I’m making you a fair offer—’

‘No, you’re making a pest of yourself.’

‘You think you can do better than me?’

‘I think anyone’s better than you. Now, get out of my way.’

‘Oh, no, not yet. You’ve led me on—’

He pounced on me, and there was a short, undignified struggle which ended with me escaping him and holding the box with the necklace over the side.

‘Back off,’ I said breathlessly, ‘or I’ll drop it in the water.’

He made a noise between a groan and a shriek. ‘You wouldn’t do that.’

‘I will if you give me any more trouble.’

‘What’s going on?’ It was Jack, who’d heard the noise and come to see what was causing it.

Raymond was beside himself with temper and petulance.

‘Your little tart’s been leading me on,’ he raged.

‘If you don’t stop saying that I really will drop it in,’ I threatened. ‘Maybe then you’ll believe I’m not interested. ’

‘You think you’ve got richer pickings, don’t you—?’

That was all Raymond managed to say before Jack floored him.

Raymond sat rubbing his face, more surprised than hurt. Then he leapt up and made for me. I was just drawing my arm back from over the side, but I didn’t quite make it. His lunge took me by surprise, and before I could stop it the box was spinning down into the water.

‘Serves you right,’ Jack said curtly. ‘Now, get out of my sight before you follow it.’

Raymond glared, but didn’t answer back. He’d seen something in Jack’s eyes that made him scuttle away quickly. I’d seen it too, and it startled me. It wasn’t the look of a man protecting a business deal. Just what it did mean, I wouldn’t let myself speculate. I might get fanciful and think it was jealousy.