Sinful Nights(86)

She was way, way out of her depth here, realised Claire, marvelling at  her hostess's casual acceptance of her possessions and life-style.

Celeste opened a door. I've given you two rooms, and a small sitting-room.'

All three rooms were decorated with French Empirestyle furnishings and  fitments; all three were luxurious and glamorous, as were the two en  suite bathrooms, but it was not the luxury of her surroundings that made  Claire go tense with shock; it was the realisation that Celeste had  given her and Jay a bedroom that possessed an enormous king-sized bed.

The girls' room had two twins, but she could hardly suggest that she and  Jay sleep in there, and there was certainly no question of anyone  sleeping on the delicate chaise-longue at the bottom of the bed.

Dolores will unpack for you; she and her family have been looking after  us for the last ten years. It was Thomas, her son, who drove you here.  We don't have dinner until eight, and you'll want to rest before then.  Shall I send up some tea for you now, and leave you to settle in?'

Claire was too strung up now to rest, so she shook her head. I'm  tired,' she admitted, but if I let the girls sleep now, they'll never  want to go to bed.'

Well, if I'm any judge, the men will be talking business in John's den.  We'll go down there and rout them out, and then we'll have tea in the  courtyard. The air-conditioning keeps it lovely and cool, and the fact  that it's enclosed protects it from the dreadful winds we get here.'

As they went back downstairs, Claire learned that this evening they  would be dining alone with their host and hostess, but that for the rest  of their stay the Goldbergs planned to entertain and introduce them to  several of their friends.

John is so thrilled with the work Jay has done for him. Initially he  was worried that such a small company wouldn't have the manpower to cope  with a large contract, but Jay's dedication and know-how has finally  convinced him. I think it was the news that Jay had re-married that  finally convinced him,' Celeste added with a brief sideways look at  Claire. John is a keen advocate of the benefits of a secure and strong  marriage. I think it's very romantic how the two of you met and  married.' She looked meaningfully at Lucy and Heather, who were  preceding them down the stairs. And anyone can see how happy those two  little girls are. I scarcely recognised Heather. She used to be such an  unhappy, withdrawn child.'    

 



 

You've met Heather before?'

Only briefly, when John and I were visiting London. Jay invited us back  to the house for drinks, only when we got there it was plain that Susan  wasn't at all pleased. Poor Jay-I felt terribly embarrassed for him,  and we weren't really surprised when he heard that they'd split up, but  John believes that divorce has a very unsettling effect on a man; it  stops him from concentrating totally on business.' Celeste added the  last few words with a wry grimace. I'm afraid my husband is something  of a workaholic, but having said that, I wouldn't swop him for anyone  else. Come on, we'll go and rout them out of John's den.'

As she listened to the conversation flowing around her, Claire could see  what Celeste meant about John being a workaholic, but at least he did  not, as many men did, presume that because they were female they could  have no conceivable interest or worthwhile comments to add to the  conversation, and she could see that he valued Celeste's opinion.

It had been rather a shock to hear Celeste describing their marriage as  romantic'. Did she think that she and Jay were wildly in love, then?  Obviously she must do. Even more disquieting, though, had been her  innocent revelations about John's views on men and marriage. Was it  possible that Jay had married her not just for Heather's benefit, but  possibly for his own?

It was too late by a long time to start querying his motives now, she  told herself, and anyway, what did it really matter? It mattered  because, having discovered that she loved him, she found that it hurt to  think that to him their marriage was just a sensible business  manoeuvre. She had thought, before Christmas, that there was a closeness  developing between them, a closeness which she had foolishly cherished.

I think I'll take the girls upstairs now. It's gone six o'clock and they're both beginning to look tired.'

They'll want something to eat  … ' began Celeste, but Claire shook her  head. No, the sandwiches they've just eaten and the food they had on  the plane will be enough. If they have another meal now, they won't  sleep.'

I'll come and give you a hand.' Jay smiled easily at John Goldberg. I  miss out so often on saying goodnight to them that I like to share their  bedtime whenever I can.'

Yes, they grow up all too quickly,' John Goldberg agreed. I often  regret that I didn't have more time to spare for our two when they were  kids.'

Claire was surprised by Jay's behaviour. After all, this was essentially  a business trip, even if the Goldbergs had specially wanted him to  bring his family to meet them, and she had expected Jay to remain  downstairs talking to John while she got the girls into bed.

She said as much as they went to their suite, careful to keep her voice down so that Lucy and Heather wouldn't overheard her.

We're here for four days,' Jay pointed out. Plenty of time to discuss  business matters, and besides, John's already told me that his advisers  have finally agreed the contract. I'm not the sort of man who wants to  sacrifice everything on the altar of material success, Claire. Oh, I  enjoy my work: I like producing something that I know is good, and I  like the success of selling it-but it isn't the be-all and end-all of my  existence. I don't want either Lucy or Heather growing up thinking of  me as a casual participant in their lives who can be relied on for  expensive presents and not much else. Parenting is a dual role.'

They had reached the outer door to their suite. Claire hung back while  the two girls rushed eagerly inside. Reluctantly she followed them.

Jay  … ' she began.

Mmm?'

Celeste has only given us one room-with a double bed.'

His eyebrows lifted, and he asked in amusement, For all four of us?'

Claire could feel the hot colour flooding betrayingly over her skin. No, of course not.'

Don't worry about it.' Suddenly for some reason his voice sounded  clipped, angry almost. If I know anything about American beds, it will  be large enough for us and at least half a dozen bolsters.'

Claire felt her mouth compress. It irritated her that he should be able  to treat the matter so casually, and yet, what had she expected? Horror  at the thought of having to share the bed with her? Pleasure?

Mummy, come and look-this bath is big enough for Lucy and me!'

Distractedly Claire pushed aside her disturbing thoughts and went through to the girls' bathroom.

NO, TRULY, I COULDN'T EAT another mouthful.'    

 



 

In point of fact, she was totally exhausted, realised Claire, as she  refused another helping of sweet. Jet-lag was obviously catching up with  her. In contrast the other three, including Jay, all seemed unfairly  wide awake.

Not even two cups of coffee in the white and gold drawing-room that  overlooked the sweep of lawns at the front of the house could lighten  her heavy eyelids and Jay, catching sight of her smothering yet another  yawn, said quietly, Why don't you go up to bed? John and I still have  one or two things to discuss, and I can see that you're tired.'

Yes, please don't stand on ceremony, honey,' insisted Celeste, and  don't worry about having a lie-in in the morning. We've all suffered  from jet-lag at one time or another, and we all know what it's like.'

Having been assured that her host and hostess wouldn't think her rude,  Claire went gratefully upstairs. She was so tired she could barely walk.

She almost fell asleep in the bath, a huge affair with an in-built jacuzzi effect that she was too exhausted to try.

It was sheer luxury to find that all their luggage had been unpacked and  put away. After a couple of attempts she managed to locate her  nightdress-in the same drawer as Jay's silk pyjamas-and ridiculously,  her last muddled thought as sleep claimed her was to wonder on which  side of the bed Jay preferred to sleep. Well, it was too bad if she had  chosen the wrong one, she thought grumpily; he would just have to wake  her up.

He did, but only very briefly and only because she was an extremely light sleeper.

It was the bedroom door opening that brought her out of a strangely  confused dream to the odd knowledge that she was feeling extremely cold.  She said as much, very crossly, to Jay as he apologised for waking her,  and heard him laugh.

It's probably the air-conditioning-it's still on, and the temperature does drop quite a lot at night.'

She was almost asleep by the time he came out of the bathroom, one small  part of her registering the fact that he was sliding into bed beside  her.

As though he sensed her awareness of him, he said calmly, Go back to sleep, Claire, there's nothing to be afraid of  … '

Nine-tenths asleep, she mumbled back, I'm not afraid, I'm cold.'

He laughed again, and the sound held a faint hint of indulgent  affection. If you were the little girl you sound like I could cuddle  you until you get warm, but  … '