Baby Included!, page 6
A loud knock interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see Emily’s head appearing around the side of the door. ‘Dad said you might get lost. So he’s asked me to show you the way downstairs,’ the girl said, looking around the room. ‘This bedroom is a lot better, isn’t it?’
‘It sure is!’ Lois grinned, putting down her hairbrush and giving her make-up a last quick glance before rising to her feet. ‘Please thank your father for arranging everything,’ she added, anxious to have as little contact with Ace in the future as possible.
Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed as Emily informed her that she’d be able to thank him herself, since he was joining them for dinner. ‘You look absolutely brilliant—really wicked!’ the girl added, gazing with youthful admiration at the film star’s aquamarine blue silk shirt over slim black leggings.
‘I phoned my best friend and told her that you’re dead glamorous,’ Emily confided artlessly as she led the way out of the room. ‘She nearly had a fit. Talk about being jealous! And Mummy is going bananas, too. She’s practically foaming at the mouth with frustration—and can’t wait to meet all the film crew.’
Oh, Lord! Lois thought, feeling quite sick at the prospect of having to meet this young girl’s mother. If she’d known that Ace was a married man, she’d never have behaved so badly three months ago. In fact...
‘I think this is the right way,’ Emily muttered, pausing for a moment before turning left to lead Lois down the long corridor. ‘I still manage to get lost, since I’ve only been here for a few days,’ she explained. ‘And Dad’s not much better, either. He says that there are still lots of rooms he’s hardly seen.’
Lois glanced at her with a puzzled frown. ‘Surely your father must know this house like the back of his hand?’
Emily shook her head. ‘No, old Great-Uncle Hector only died a few months ago. Apparently he and my dad never really got on. So, when Dad inherited this house, he hadn’t a clue about the place. He’s not too keen about the title, either.’ She giggled. ‘But I think it’s quite cool. Especially as I’m now an “Honourable”!’
‘A what...?’
Emily shrugged her thin shoulders as she led the way down a huge, sweeping staircase. ‘Well, it’s only a courtesy title—and just a bit of a laugh, really. But of course Mummy is absolutely furious about not being a real Lady! I don’t get on too well with my mother,’ she explained, bounding down the stairs ahead of Lois. ‘But Dad says that’s just a sort of adolescent, generation gap thing.’
‘I’m sure he’s quite right,’ Lois muttered, trying to make some sort of sense out of the youngster’s artless flow of words. ‘I don’t quite understand...? Are you saying that your father has only recently inherited this house?’
Emily nodded. ‘He used to be a big hot-shot lawyer in London. But now he’s stuck with this awful old place. He calls it a “damned huge mausoleum”.’ She giggled. ‘But, even though he grumbles a lot about it, I think he’s quite enjoying having to live deep in the countryside and learn all about farming.’
‘And how do you feel about it?’
‘Well, it’s all right for Dad—he’s old and past it.’ The girl shrugged, casually consigning her father to the dump-bin of ancient history. ‘But I reckon the countryside is the absolute pits! Do you know, there isn’t a cinema—or even a decent video shop?—for miles and miles,’ she added in horrified tones. ‘London’s where it’s at. At least I’ve got some friends of my own age living there.’
‘Haven’t you any brothers or sisters?’
Emily shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t mind having a sister. But now, of course, what Dad really needs is a son.’
‘Why should he need a son...?’ Lois echoed blankly, feeling as if she’d somehow wandered into a strange, Alice in Wonderland world, where everyone else seemed to speak a different language.
‘To inherit the title, of course!’ Emily sighed, rolling her eyes to heaven at the dimness of some grown-ups as she pushed open a large, green baize-covered door and ran ahead down a wide, stone-flagged passage to the large kitchen.
Would this meal never end? Lois asked herself glumly. Leaning back in her chair and allowing the sounds of conversation and raucous laughter to flow over her head, she tried to think what to do about her increasingly difficult situation.
Throughout the evening she’d been careful to avoid any eye contact with Ace, sitting at the far end of the massively long, scrubbed pine kitchen table. Nevertheless, Lois had been fully aware at all times of his dynamically masculine figure, and the many glances despatched in her direction by those grey eyes, glinting with wry amusement beneath their heavy lids.
He might find something humorous about this situation—but he doesn’t know the half of it, she told herself grimly. Telling his wife and daughter that I’m now expecting his baby would soon wipe that sardonic smile off his arrogant face!
Not, that she’d ever do such a terrible thing, Lois quickly corrected herself, ashamed of even thinking such an unworthy thought. Besides, the most important thing on her mind at the moment was to make sure that Ace didn’t discover the truth about her condition.
Stifling a weary yawn, she wondered again if it was her pregnancy which was causing her to feel so tired and exhausted a lot of the time. Because she usually had an enormous amount of energy—an absolutely essential ingredient for anyone in the film business. Getting up at four or five in the morning, to be on set ready for make-up, was no joke. It required a quiet, disciplined life and, most important of all, a strong, healthy body. Which was just what she didn’t seem to have at the moment, she thought, suddenly assailed by a brief feeling of nausea.
Slowly sipping a glass of water, and determined not to give in to any weakness, Lois turned as the stout, sturdy figure of an elderly woman settled down in the vacant chair beside her.
‘Are you all right, dearie?’ the woman asked, her dark, twinkling little boot-button eyes gazing searchingly at the pale, strained features of the beautiful red-headed girl.
‘Yes, yes...I’m fine,’ Lois murmured, suddenly realising that she did indeed, feel a whole lot better. Maybe that slight wave of nausea had been caused by something she’d eaten—nothing to do with the baby? ‘I don’t think we’ve met,’ she added, smiling at the plump, elderly figure beside her.
‘Nor we have,’ the woman agreed. ‘Of course I know who you are, seeing as how my late husband, Fred, used to be one of your biggest fans,’ she added with an infectious chuckle of laughter. ‘However, the name’s Nora, dearie. Mrs Nora Barker.’
‘Well, it’s nice to meet you, Nora. Are you anything to do with this film?’
The woman laughed. ‘Good Lord, no! His nibs has just dragged me out of retirement, to help run this house,’ she explained, nodding to where Ace sat at the other end of the table. ‘I used to be his old nanny—and now I’m his new housekeeper. So, it looks as though we’ve both gone up the world, doesn’t it?’
Lois couldn’t help grinning as the elderly woman gave another burst of rollicking laughter. She didn’t know anything about English domestic servants—but this woman was clearly an unusual character.
‘I hear his nibs got you out of that nasty State Bedroom—and a good thing too. You’ll be much more comfortable in our side of the house,’ the housekeeper told Lois, giving the younger woman another keen, searching glance before rising slowly to her feet. ‘If you need anything—anything at all—you just let me know. All right, dearie?’
Lois smiled. ‘Yes, Nora, I’ll definitely give you a shout if I need anything,’ she said, deciding that she really liked this plump, comfortable-looking woman, who clearly had her feet very firmly planted on the ground.
Which was more than could be said for the majority of the people in the film world, she thought, glancing idly around the tables in the huge medieval-looking kitchen. However, the crew on this film seemed to be a sensible bunch. With everyone aware of an early call in the morning, there was very little evidence of any hard drinking. And if she, too, was due to be on set first thing tomorrow, maybe it would be a good idea to slip away as soon as possible...?
Glancing through her eyelashes at the tall figure of Ace, as he bent his dark, arrogant head towards one of the young, pretty actresses sitting beside him, Lois decided that this was clearly as good a time as any.
Having made what she hoped was an inconspicuous exit from the kitchen, she walked swiftly down the stone-paved corridor to the hall. However, while looking for the light switch—and congratulating herself on having successfully avoided Ace—she nearly jumped out of her skin when he suddenly materialised by her side.
‘Oh, Lord! You...you gave me a fright,’ she gasped, peering at his shadowy figure in the dim light. ‘I...I haven’t thanked you for changing my bedroom. I’m really... er... really very grateful.’
But Ace didn’t seem particularly interested in discussing her change of accommodation.
‘It was nothing,’ he said, with a dismissive wave of his hand, ‘I’m far more interested in the fact that it’s time you and I had a long talk.’
‘Yes, well...unfortunately, I’m feeling very tired just at the moment...’ she muttered nervously. ‘Maybe tomorrow...?’
‘I don’t think so.’ He gave a low, sardonic laugh. ‘There are one or two items we need to get sorted out straight away. Such as, whatever happened to “Eloise”...?’ he added, with another low rumble of laughter.
‘Forget her!’ Lois told him breathlessly, desperately searching for an avenue of escape from the tall, dominant figure looming over her in the dark hall. ‘She never existed beyond my eighteenth birthday, in any case. So, please forget her—now and for ever!’
‘Believe me—I’ve tried! But, unfortunately, for some strange reason I can’t seem to get her out of my mind,’ he murmured, and she shivered at the deep, disturbing note of sensuality in his voice as he moved closer to her trembling body.
Despite its large space, the tension in the dimly lit hall now felt so thick and claustrophobic she could almost cut it with a knife, Lois thought hysterically. Her mouth was dry with fear and apprehension. Her heart seemed to be pounding and thumping like a sledgehammer, a rip-tide of sexual response racing through her veins as he clasped hold of her arm, and she could feel the touch of his long, muscular thigh against her own.
‘Go away! Leave...leave me alone!’ she croaked huskily, summoning all her dwindling reserves of strength as she twisted away from his grip, before swiftly spinning around on her heels and bolting up the broad staircase.
‘It’s no good running away from me,’ Ace called after her fast disappearing figure. “We’re going to have to talk sooner or later, you know.’
Not if I’ve got anything to do with it! Lois promised herself grimly, desperately trying to remember the way back to her room as she sped down one long, dark corridor after another.
CHAPTER FOUR
EVENTUALLY, more by luck than judgement, Lois finally managed to reach the sanctuary of her bedroom.
Quickly discarding her clothes, she made her way into the bathroom and turned on the shower, almost groaning with pleasure as the warmth and comfort of the hot water gently soothed her tired body.
Had it been one hell of a day—or what? she asked herself wearily, realising that, much as she might hate the prospect, she now had no option but to have a long talk with Ace.
In fact, it had obviously been a totally crazy idea to think that she could somehow manage to evade any contact with him. Even if Ace was willing to forget their past encounter—and he had, unfortunately, just made it very clear that he wasn’t!—she was going to find it impossible to avoid him altogether during the next six weeks. So, she had no alternative. She was going to have to take the bull by the horns, and swear him to secrecy about their brief encounter three months ago.
It wasn’t going to be easy, of course. Especially as Lois knew she was going to have to come up with a really good, valid reason why Ace must never divulge their previous meeting. And that wasn’t all. She was also going to need a good explanation of why she needed to ensure his silence as far as Emily was concerned, as well.
Obviously no parent liked to hear criticism of their child. But, unfortunately, while his daughter was clearly an engaging and interesting girl, it was equally clear that she was also a hopelessly incorrigible chatterbox. Lois shivered at the thought of just how easily the youngster, with one or two careless remarks, could so quickly manage to torpedo this film.
On top of which...there was also the question of Emily’s mother. It was obviously vitally important that Ace’s wife was kept in the dark, too.
‘O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive...’
Lois grimaced at the truth of the old saying. A ‘tangled web’ was the perfect description for the predicament in which she now found herself. In fact, just trying to think of all the various ramifications was enough to give her a bad headache. If she didn’t watch out, she’d probably forget which particular version of events she’d told to whom! Still, it was her own stupid fault for getting into this mess—and she’d just have to somehow dig herself out of it.
Quite apart from anything else, she certainly had no intention of causing any problems in Ace’s marriage. It was obviously important for them both to realise that their romantic encounter on that lovely Philippine island had been merely a brief, totally regrettable incident, and one which must be buried and forgotten as swiftly as possible. The fact that she found herself insanely attracted to Ace’s tall, dark handsome figure, was clearly yet another problem which she was going to have to sort out for herself.
Turning off the shower and wrapping her slim figure in a warm, fluffy towel, Lois plugged in her hairdryer and began to blow-dry her long, curly red hair.
Dismayed to note that her hands were still trembling slightly with nervous tension, she made a determined effort to pull herself together. After all, she was a successful actress, right? So, she shouldn’t have any problem convincing everyone that Ace was a complete stranger. Or treating both he and his daughter—not to mention his wife and the rest of the film crew—in a perfectly normal and friendly manner.
Switching off the dryer, and vigorously brushing the tangles from her hair, Lois tried to concentrate on coming up with an explanation which would satisfy Ace. Maybe she could capitalise on his ignorance of the film business? Would he swallow the idea that because of her star status she must appear as pure as the driven snow...? And, thus, even a whisper about their previous liaison could seriously damage her reputation...?
It might work, she told herself, putting down her brush and slipping into a thin, ivory silk dressing gown. In any case, it was certainly worth a try. Feeling a lot more cheerful, she opened the door and walked slowly back into the bedroom.
A fraction of a second later, she stiffened like a wary animal, her slim figure rigid and tense with an intuitive feeling of impending danger.
‘Danger’ is exactly the right word! was the first thought to flash through her brain as in the pale, warm glow of the bedside lights she spied Ace’s tall, rangy figure lounging at his ease in one of the blue armchairs.
‘How in the hell did you get in here?’ she demanded angrily.
‘Well, it wasn’t very difficult,’ he drawled, his voice heavy with sardonic amusement. ‘I merely walked up the corridor and opened your door.’
‘Well, you can open it again—and walk right back down the corridor!’ she informed him bluntly. ‘Besides, this is my bedroom, and you’ve no right to be here. None at all!’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that...’ he murmured mockingly, making absolutely no attempt to comply with her request. ‘After all, this is my house—and you wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t rescued you from that monstrous State Bedroom.’
‘OK...OK, I’ve already said that I’m very grateful,’ Lois snapped, before suddenly becoming conscious not only of being stark naked beneath her dressing gown, but also of her bare feet and the tangled cloud of newly washed hair flowing down over her shoulders.
‘All right...let’s cut the cackle—and get down to brass tacks,’ she continued breathlessly, painfully aware of the nervous quake in her voice. ‘What do you want?’
Ace laughed. ‘Oh, come on, Lois! That has to be one of the most stupid questions I’ve ever heard. Surely it must be obvious...’ He paused, his gleaming grey eyes beneath their heavy lids moving slowly down over her slim figure, clothed only in the thin silk gown. ‘Well, let’s put it this way: even a raving idiot should be able to work out exactly what I want!’
‘In your dreams, buddy!’ she retorted fiercely, her cheeks flushing with anger.
How dared he mentally undress her—a well-established Hollywood star, for heaven’s sake!—in such a crude, disgusting manner? Did he think she was some floozy starlet, who might be prepared to put up with such nonsense? Because, if so, he was very much mistaken!
‘Believe me,’ she continued grimly, ‘whatever idea you may have in that nasty mind of yours—you’re definitely not getting it!’
However, if she’d hoped that her blunt rebuttal would put him sharply in his place, Lois realised that nothing—other than possibly an atomic explosion—was going to shift this man from the room. Or put him out of countenance in any way.
‘Actually,’ he drawled smoothly, stretching out his legs and leaning back in the chair, ‘I’m quite old enough to know that what I want and what I can get are two quite different things. So, in the meantime, why don’t we settle for a good long talk?’
Lois wrapped her arms nervously about her figure, glaring down at the man lounging so casually in the armchair.
Despite the fact that it was a large room, it seemed filled to overflowing with his dominant presence. Beneath the slim-fitting dark trousers and the soft, pale lovat-green cashmere sweater over a casual white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck to display his strongly tanned throat, Ace’s lean, tautly muscled frame seemed to ooze with an overwhelming impression of power and confidence. There was clearly very little which escaped those glinting grey eyes beneath their heavy lids. And his air of relaxed, sensual charm was already badly effecting her pulse-rate.
