Crescendo

He smiled then, the black eyes filled with amuse­ment. 'He was a warrior, that's all I know.'

'Are you?' she asked, because it was precisely the sort of name she had thought he should have and she was amused.

'Me?' He drew a long breath. 'I'm a business­man.'

'Are you here on holiday?'

The black lashes covered his cheeks. He was silent for a moment, then he said, 'Yes.'

Where are you staying?'

Again he hesitated. Then he said: 'I'm looking for somewhere to stay. They told me in the village that someone up here takes in visitors now and then.'

'Grandie does,' she said, laughing. 'That's who they meant—my grandfather. We've got a spare room at the cottage and in the season we often take in one or two guests. Married couples or two young- women.'

'Is the room free now?' he asked, and again she felt he already knew the answer to that question.

'Yes,' she said.

'Do you think he would let me rent it?'

'You would have to ask him that.'

He leant back on his elbow staring at her, the wind whipping through that black hair. 'Would you have any objection if I stayed?'

'Why should I?' she asked, meeting his stare. A little frown etched itself between her brows. What was he getting at? Why should she mind if he stayed?

He shrugged and rose. Offering his hand, he took her extended fingers and pulled her to her feet. 'Shall we go and ask your grandfather?'

Marina whistled to Ruffy, who reluctantly left the burrows around which he was scampering excitedly. He sometimes showed hostility to strangers, growl­ing and bristling. But he seemed delighted at the sight of the tall dark man, leaping up at him, lick­ing his hands, barking. Gideon Firth bent to pat him, rubbing those long sinewy brown hands over the dog's rough coat.

Marina was impressed. If Ruffy liked him he must be safe. She trusted the dog's judgment. A few weeks ago a young man in a T-shirt and jeans had walked past her on the cliff path without her noting him. Ruffy had growled, hair standing on end. The young man had gone on, but as Marina returned - along the path later he had suddenly leapt out at her and tried to grab her and pull her into the thick

shrub along the path. Ruffy had gone berserk and the young man had fled with the snarling little dog tearing at his ankles.

They walked back up the cliff. As they passed Gideon Firth's car Marina stared at it with admira­tion and surprise. It was a bright yellow sports car, small and compact yet with very elegant lines, streamlined for speed. She glanced at him sideways and he appraised her face with lifted brows. 'Like it?' he queried.

'It looks fast.'

'It is,' he said drily.

'Where do you live?' she asked him.

'London.' He made the reply curt. A faint mist had begun to rise from the sea, hanging in veils upon the horizon, slowly drifting in to shore. An early moon floated in the midst of it, so pale it looked almost transparent.

Marina led Gideon Firth up the shrouded garden path. The mist was already dripping from branch to branch above them, coiling around the small cottage in pale strands. Light flowered inside the small bow window looking over the garden.

Grandie came to the window to draw the cur­tains. He looked out with a smile as he heard Marina's footsteps, then his eye passed over her and she saw his face jerk and go rigid as he caught sight of the man behind her.

A frown touched her face. Grandie had gone white. He was staring at Gideon Firth as if he were seeing things.

She turned her head to look up at Gideon, her blue eyes asking him what was the matter.

Gideon was staring back at Grandie without ex­pression. Feeling her eyes on him he looked down suddenly, the black eyes narrowed.

'Does Grandie know you?' she asked in bewilder­ment.

'No,' said Gideon Firth, and there was a dry irony in his tone. 'No, he doesn't know me at all.'