No. I know you are not, but if only The three most dangerous and
inflammatory phrases in the English language, he stopped her. 'They are
'you always' and 'you never' and only'. Chantelle, I came here to help
you with a problem. Let's discuss that - only. She stood up quickly,
and he knew her well enough to recognize the fury in the snapping dark
eyes and the quick dancing steps that carried her to the mantelpiece,
and she stood looking up at the Degas with her small fists clenched at
her sides.
Are you sleeping with that child? she asked, and now the fury was raw
in her voice.
Nicholas stood up from the sofa.
Goodbye, Chantelle. She turned and flew to him, taking his arm.
Oh, Nicholas, that was unforgivable, I don't know what possessed me.
Please don't go. And when he tried to dislodge her hand. I beg you,
for the first time ever, I beg you, Nicholas. Please don't go. He was
still stiff with anger when he sank back on the sofa, and they were
silent for nearly a minute while she regained her composure, This is all
going so terribly badly, I didn't want this to happen. All right, let's
get on to safer ground. Nicholas, she started, you and Daddy created
Christy Marine. If anything, it was more yours than his. The great
days were the last ten years when you were Chairman, all the tremendous
achievements of those years He made a gesture of denial and impatience,
but she went on softly.
Too much of your life is locked up in Christy Marine, you are still
deeply involved, Nicholas. There are only two things I am involved with
now/ he told her harshly, Ocean Salvage and Nicholas Berg. We both know
that is not true/ she whispered. You are a special type of man. She
sighed. It took me so long to recognize that. I thought all men were
like you. I believed strength and nobility of mind were common goods on
the market -'she shrugged. Some people learn the hard way, and she
smiled, but it was an uncertain, twisted little smile.
He said nothing for a moment, thinking of all that was revealed by those
words, then he replied.
If you believe that, then tell me what is worrying you. Nicholas,
something is terribly wrong with Christy Marine. There is something
happening there that I don't understand. Tell me. She turned her head
away for a moment, and then looked back at him. Her eyes seemed to
change shape and colour, growing darker and sadder. It is so difficult
not to be disloyal, so difficult to find expression for vague doubts and
fears/ she stopped and bit her lower lip softly. Nicholas, I have
transferred my shares Christy Marine to Duncan as my nominee, with
voting rights. Nicholas felt the shock of it Jump down his nerves and
string them tight. He shifted restlessly on the sofa and stared at her,
and she nodded.
I know it was madness. The madness of those crazy days a year ago. I
would have given him anything he asked for. He felt the premonition
that she had not yet told him all and he waited while she rose and went
to the window, looked out guiltily and then turned back to him.
May I get you a drink? He glanced at his Rolex. The sun over the
yard-arm, what about Duncan? These days he is never home before eight
