Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 4-Book Collection. Barbara Taylor Bradford

‘Terry being out with a sore throat made it doubly tough for me this evening, Kim. Peter Mallory is a bit wooden as an actor. In fact, I more or less had to carry the play.’

      ‘Yes, so Norman told me, when you were in the bedroom changing. He also mentioned how marvellous your performance was.’ Kim’s admiring eyes swept over her. ‘I must admit, you do look delectable, my pet.’

      ‘Thank you, kind sir,’ she smiled prettily.

      Earlier, after she had introduced Kim and Norman, Katharine had excused herself and left them to talk, hurrying into the bedroom, where she had quickly changed out of her black cashmere sweater and red skirt. She had chosen a long house robe, cut something in the style of the Chinese cheongsam, except that it was much looser and flowing, with long sleeves, wide at the cuffs. Made of brocade, in a clear turquoise embroidered with tiny gold leaves, the shade perfectly matched the colour of her eyes, seemed to emphasize their depth and brilliance and intensity.

      Kim thought, as he gazed at her lovingly, that he had never seen her looking more beautiful than she did at this moment. Her exquisite face, with its sculptured features, had a vulnerability, the texture almost translucent, like the most fragile of transparent bone china, and there was a delicate sheen to her skin. Her chestnut hair was hanging loosely around her face in waves and curls and there were tendrils at the temples. Katharine had complained several times of feeling tired, and perhaps she did, but as he carefully scrutinized her Kim could see no trace of weariness in that remarkable face, the most perfect face he had ever beheld.

      Kim pulled his eyes away, aware that he was staring at her rudely, and made a show of finishing the chicken leg, although he no longer felt hungry. He drank his wine, poured another glass, and then lit a cigarette, leaning back on the sofa. He had been surprised to see Norman, and even a bit put out at first, miffed really, believing Katharine had invited him to join them for supper. She had quickly made it clear this was not the case and Kim had been able to relax, realizing they would eventually be by themselves. Now he sighed. It seemed to him that they had not had much time alone together lately, and he was not only dismayed about this situation but unusually irritated. There were so many things he wanted to talk to her about … most especially their feelings for each other and the future. He also supposed he ought to discuss her attitude to her career and ask her about her family, certain points Francesca had made to him earlier that evening, albeit in a veiled way, but nonetheless he had received the message loud and clear. Francesca had not wanted to admit it, but he was absolutely convinced their father had been asking probing questions. Somehow I never get the opportunity to talk to Katharine seriously, he said to himself. Perhaps tonight he would.

      Katharine broke the silence and his train of thought. ‘If you don’t want anything else to eat, I think I’ll take these dishes away, Kim darling.’ She sat up abruptly as she spoke, and made a move to rise.

      ‘No. No, I’ll do it,’ Kim cried, stubbing out his cigarette and leaping to his feet. ‘You stay here and take it easy. It won’t take me a minute; I’m a dab hand at this. Francesca’s expert drilling over the years.’ Before she could protest he had gently pushed her against the mound of pillows and was collecting some of the plates of food.

      Katharine did as he said, lying back and closing her eyes, endeavouring to relax. But she was finding it difficult to do so, as she had since leaving the theatre. Her brain was far too busy. Deep down in her heart of hearts, she was truly fond of Kim, and cared for him more than she had ever cared for any other man, but at this precise moment she wished he would leave. She knew there was little chance of his doing so, since he seemed intent on dragging out the evening into the early hours. A few seconds before, when she had glanced at the clock on the mantel shelf, she had been startled to see it was turned one-thirty. Oh hell, she thought dismally, he’ll stay for another hour at least, if I know him. She wondered how to get rid of Kim, with tact, and gave up. Whatever she said, he would hang on until the bitter end, as he always did, until she bustled him out firmly, claiming total exhaustion.

      Katharine had not had to feign tiredness tonight. She really did feel weary; her back and legs ached, and there was an acute tightness across her shoulders which reached up into the back of her neck. But her mind was alert, as it sifted through the events of the past twelve hours. What an extraordinary day it had been, starting with her curious encounter with Estelle Morgan and finishing with Norman and the problems with Terry. Oh how she wanted to be alone, to concentrate her energies on her next moves, all of which she knew must be foolproof and properly implemented if they were to succeed. Her priority was talking to Victor. In the bedroom, after she had changed into her robe, she had tried to reach him at Claridge’s. There had been no reply from his suite. She had left another message, saying she would ’phone the following morning, realizing it would be extremely awkward speaking in front of Kim, should Victor return her call that night. What she had to convey was confidential. She smiled to herself. Victor was going to be delighted with her. Norman had voiced the opinion that her schemes were too complex and, therefore, dicey. She did not agree.

      ‘There! I’m all finished,’ Kim exclaimed, bounding back into the living room for the third time. ‘I put the food in the fridge, and stacked the dirty plates in the sink.’

      Katharine opened her eyes languorously. ‘Thanks, Kim. That was so sweet of you.’

      ‘Now, darling, how about a cup of coffee?’

      ‘No. No thanks. Really.’

      ‘Then I won’t have any either. We’ll just finish the wine and relax. Shall I put a record on?’ he continued, full of joie de vivre. He headed in the direction of the small built-in cupboard next to the fireplace which housed the record player. ‘I wouldn’t mind a bit of romantic music –’

      ‘Please, Kim, I’m awfully tired,’ Katharine exclaimed. ‘I can do without music, if you don’t mind.’

      ‘Oh, sorry,’ he apologized. ‘Well then, let’s sit and talk for a while. It’s ages since I’ve had you to myself.’

      Before Katharine had a chance to suggest it was time for him to leave, Kim was lowering himself next to her on the floor. He smiled as he gazed down at her. There was something emphatically feline about her just now, in the way her eyes slanted as they regarded him almost warily, under the long silky black lashes, in the graceful pose she had struck, reclining elegantly on the pillows, her head tilted to one side ever so slightly. All of the niggling questions he had been on the point of asking her immediately fled. His mind went blank as he continued to observe that tantalizing and seductive face. And he was entranced with her, mesmerized.

      Kim touched her cheek with his index finger. ‘My dearest, sweetest Katharine,’ he murmured so softly she scarcely heard him, and then, leaning forward, he took her in his arms and kissed her swiftly, catching her offguard. It was a light and tender kiss initially, and Katharine did not struggle, even though she was far too preoccupied for his kisses.

      Slowly the pressure of Kim’s mouth increased. He pressed her down into the pillows, his tongue feverishly seeking hers, one hand stroking her neck. A moment later, his other hand was on her breast, warm and gentle as it caressed, and then it strayed down, following the curve of her hip on to her thigh, moving in longer firmer strokes. Kim shifted his body slightly, so that it was partially covering hers, and she felt his hardness through his trousers and the thin silk of her robe and was suddenly aware of the rapid pounding of his heart, his laboured breathing as he paused briefly between his kisses. And those kisses began to increase and intensify in their voluptuousness and force and fervency, his ardour running unchecked.

      A mixture of panic and fear assaulted Katharine, and she held her breath, squeezing her eyes tightly shut, seeking a way to make him stop without offending him. She did not want him to continue his lovemaking, and a tremor rippled through her, and then again, and again and again.

      Kim, overwhelmed by his strong and deeply-felt emotions, mistook her trembling, believing it to be an echo of his own urgent need … the overwhelming need to possess her fully, to become one with her, to join his body with hers … irrevocably. He had wanted her for so long now, all these endless months, and apparently so had she. Even though she had not really shown it before.