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

furiously. There were nods of agreement, and Hillard Steed volunteered, ‘I think Monarch would be interested in signing a contract with Katharine.’ He swung his eyes away from Victor and let them rest appraisingly on Katharine, finishing, a trifle pompously, ‘How do you feel about that, young lady?’

      Before she could open her mouth, Victor cried, ‘Hold your horses, Hilly! Not so fast. Bellissima Productions has a verbal commitment from Katharine, and the contract is right here in my pocket.’ He patted the front of his jacket and, noting Hilly’s disbelief, he immediately pulled out an envelope. ‘Do you want to see it, Hilly?’

      Hilly shook his head, his disappointment apparent. ‘No, I believe you, Vic. And I don’t blame you. Congratulations to you too. You’ve got yourself a major new star on your hands.’ Another thought struck him, and he said quickly, ‘Would you be interested in a loan out? That is, if you don’t have another picture in mind for Katharine after Wuthering Heights? I’d like to talk about that possibility with you, even start negotiations.’

      Victor looked interested. ‘Do you have a particular property in mind, Hilly?’ he asked, knowing he undoubtedly did, otherwise he wouldn’t have made the proposal. Not Hilly Street, who was a veteran film maker.

      ‘Sure do, Victor.’ Hilly’s eyes narrowed, and he waited, purposely holding back, anticipating a string of pertinent questions from Victor, wanting his announcement to have the maximum effect.

      But Victor, also percipient, merely smiled, well versed in Hilly’s ploys and tactics, and not about to take the bait too swiftly. He lit a cigarette, out-waiting Hilly, and turning to Nick, he said, ‘Incidentally, talking of properties, did you read the script by Frank Lomax? The one the Morris office sent. Now that would be a great vehicle for Katharine.’

      Nick, understanding immediately Victor’s strategy, jumped in with, ‘It’s terrific. I think we should grab it, and Bellissima can produce it –’

      ‘Don’t be too hasty,’ Hilly interrupted sharply. ‘Not until you’ve heard me out.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I want Katharine for … the new Beau Stanton picture.’ He let his words sink in, and went on rapidly, ‘We’re all set to go, except for the female lead. Naturally, we’ve a few top stars in mind, but personally I think Katharine would play off marvellously against Beau. They’d make a great team. Script by Henry Romaine. The best in the business, as you know, Vic. Willy Adler directing. Morton Lane producing. Costumes by Edith Head. We start shooting in October. In Hollywood. Locations in San Francisco and New York. Twelve weeks shooting schedule.’

      Victor swallowed. This he had not expected, and he was tremendously impressed by the prestigious names attached to the film, all adding up to a quality production, and not the least was the male star. Richard Stanton, commonly known as Beau in the industry, was a big box-office name and had been for the past twenty years or so. An English actor who had first made it big in the Hollywood of the thirties, Beau was one of the longest-lasting perennials, handsome, debonair, suave, and ageless. He was a leading man of faultless grace, inimitable style, great elegance, and had an easy charm that wholly captivated women. His penchant for light, glossy, sophisticated comedy had become his forte, and his films were always highly commercial successes. If Katharine went into a picture with Beau immediately after starring opposite Vic himself, then her career in the movies was not merely launched but would be jet-propelled. Meteoric. She would be established as an international name instantaneously.

      Jesus! Vic thought. Concealing his excitement, he said evenly, with cool thoughtfulness, ‘Obviously I have to talk to Katharine first, explain about loan outs. And I would want to see the script before I make a final decision. But I’m not negative, Hilly, not at all. I think we’d better sit down and talk this out later in the week. In the meantime, shall we go to lunch? A celebration lunch. I’ve booked a table at Les Ambassadeurs. It’s champagne and the whole –’

      ‘Enchilada,’ Katharine finished for him. Her face, calm and inscrutable, revealed nothing. But her heart was pounding, her mind was racing and she could hardly breathe. She smiled a small secretive smile as she linked her arm through Victor’s and guided him towards the door.

      Nick took hold of Francesca’s hand and hurried her up the aisle after them. It’s all going too fast. Far too fast, he thought, shafted by dismay. There’s going to be trouble. Nothing but trouble. And suddenly he had an awful sense of foreboding, one so real to him he faltered momentarily. As they stepped into the lift Nick’s uneasiness increased, and then he laughed inwardly and told himself he was being over imaginative, even ridiculous. And he laughed again, trying to shake the feeling off. But he could not dispel it, and it was to linger in him for the rest of that day, and for many months to come.

       Chapter Twenty

      ‘And don’t worry about the old man; he’s going to be all right,’ Kim said, heaving Francesca’s suitcase up onto the luggage rack. He glanced down at her, and continued: ‘After all, he’s got Doris hovering like a ministering angel, pampering him like a baby, and he loves it. She seems to be enjoying the role too.’ Kim grinned and his eyes danced with mischief. ‘A latter-day Florence Nightingale, got up in Christian Dior and diamonds.’

      Francesca laughed, despite her concern for her father. ‘Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I think there’s definitely something afoot there, don’t you?’

      ‘I do indeed.’ Kim sat down on the edge of the seat opposite her, and searched around in the pocket of his suede and sheepskin jacket for his cigarettes. He brought out the packet, lit one, and added, ‘Wedding bells about to ring maybe?’ A brow shot up.

      ‘I’m not sure,’ Francesca responded. ‘Neither of them is very confiding. But Doris does have a decided sparkle in her eyes, and she’s adopted a rather proprietary attitude with Daddy. Not only that, she seems to have taken charge at Langley, and she’s never done that before. I don’t mind about Doris marrying Daddy, do you, Kim?’

      He shook his head. ‘No. Actually, I’m really rather glad about their relationship, and the new turn it’s taken. I hope they do get married. I think Doris is a good egg, and ideal for Father. He needs someone who’s fun loving and vivacious and kind. And very devoted, I might add. Besides, she’s got pots and pots of money –’

      ‘God, you are awful!’ Francesca exclaimed. ‘I’ve told you before, that wouldn’t influence Daddy one iota. How can you think such a dreadful thing!’ She shot him a disapproving glare.

      ‘Oh, I realize the old man isn’t interested in her money, Frankie. But all of those lovely dollars won’t do him any harm. Quite the contrary, I would say.’ Kim drew on his cigarette and blew out a smoke ring, watching it curl into the air, his grey eyes reflective. After a moment he said, ‘But getting back to Father’s health, do put the accident out of your mind.’

      ‘I’ll try to,’ Francesca promised, her good humour with him restored. ‘But I can’t help feeling it was all my fault –’

      ‘Stuff and nonsense! These things have a way of happening. You weren’t responsible.’

      ‘Still, if he hadn’t been on the step-ladder in the library, looking for that book for me, he would never have fallen.’

      Kim groaned mildly. ‘But he did fall, Frankie dear, and worrying about it, after the fact, won’t accomplish anything.’ Noting her glum expression, he tried to cheer her up. ‘Look, darling, Dr Fuller said he’s going to be fine, providing he stays on his back for a week or two, and Fuller is giving him medication to kill the pain. A fractured pelvic bone is a damnable thing, because it’s impossible to set, but as long as he rests it will mend properly.’

      ‘Yes, I know. It must be awfully uncomfortable though.’

      ‘I expect it is, but at least Father is rather bright at the moment, what with good old Doris hanging around. And also because of that marvellous little windfall, courtesy of you and Katharine.’