Will I see you before you leave, sir? Yes. Nicholas felt his heart
wrung again. Of course. We could sail again? I'm sorry, my boy. We
won't have time. Not today. Very well, sir. Peter walked to the end
of the terrace, very erect and dignified, then suddenly he began to run,
taking the steps down two at a time, and he fled into the pine forest
beyond the boathouse as though pursued, feet flying and arms pumping
wildly.
He needs you, Nicky/said Chantelle softly.
You should have thought about that two years ago. She poured fresh
coffee into his cup. Both of us have been stupid - all right, worse
than that. We've been wicked. I have had my Duncan, and you have had
that American child. Don't make me angry now/ he warned her softly.
You've done enough for one day. It's as simple as this, Nicholas. I
love you, I have always loved you - God, since I was a gawky
school-girl/ she had never been that, but Nicholas let it pass, 'since I
saw you that first day on the bridge of old Golden Eagle, the dashing
ship's captain -I Chantelle. All we have to discuss is Golden Dawn and
Christy Marine. No, Nicholas. We were born for each other, Daddy saw
that immediately, we both knew it at the same time - it was only a
madness, a crazy whim that made me doubt it for a moment.
'Stop it, Chantelle. Duncan was a stupid mistake. But it's unimportant
No, it's not unimportant. It changed everything. It can never be the
same again, besides - I Besides, what? Nicky, what were you going to
say? Besides, I am building myself another life now.
With another very different person. Oh God, Nicky, you aren't serious?
I She laughed then, genuine amusement, clapping her hands delightedly.
My dear, she's young enough to be your daughter. It's the forty
syndrome, the Lolita complex. Then she saw his real anger, and she was
quick, retrieving the situation neatly, aware that she had carried it
too far.
I'm sorry, Nicky. I should never have said that. She paused, and then
went on. I will say she's a pretty little thing, and I'm sure she's
sweet - Peter liked her. She damned Samantha with light condescension,
and then dismissed her as though she were merely a childlike prank of
Nicholas', a light and passing folly of no real significance.
I understand, Nicholas, truly I do. However, when you are ready, as you
will be soon, then Peter and I and Christy Marine are waiting for you
still. This is your world, Nicholas. She made a gesture which embraced
it all. This is your world, you will never really leave it.
'You are wrong, Chantelle. No. She shook her head. I am very seldom
wrong, and on this I cannot be wrong. Last night proved that, it is
still there - every bit of it. But let's discuss the other thing now,
Golden Dawn and Christy Marine. Chantelle Alexander lifted her face to
the sky and watched the big silver bird fly, It climbed nose high,
glinting in the sunlight, twin trails of dark unconsumed fuel spinning
out behind it as the engines howled under the full thrust.
With the wind in this quarter, the extended centreline of the main Nice
runway brought it out over Cap Ferrat.
Beside Chantelle, only an inch or two shorter than she was, Peter stood
