Beware of the Beast Read Online Free Page B

any questions you wish to ask?"
    "I-I-"
    Charlotte was still staring at him desperately when Laura knocked at the open door. Alex glanced round, saw the wo man standing there, and indicated that she should place the tray on a low table near the couch,
    "Is there anything else, Charley?" Laura looked anxiously towards the girl, who hardly seemed aware of her presence. Charlotte heard the words as if from a distance, and swung about,
    "I'm sorry, Laura. No, no. That's fine, thank you."
    "What time would you like lunch?" Laura persisted, obviously reluctant to leave them, but Alex intervened.
    "Miss Mortimer will not be in for lunch," he stated firmly.
    Laura's eyes widened in dismay. "Not in? After I made this good food? Is that right, Charley?"
    Charlotte shook her head, trying to shake away the dazed feeling of unreality which had enveloped her with increasing speed since Alex Faulkner's arrival. "I - what? I don't know, Laura. Am I lunching out?" She turned to stare at Alex.
    "Yes. We'll eat at my apartment," he replied, ignoring Laura's exclamation of protest. "Oh - and by the way." He g lanced at Charlotte and then transferred his attention to the daily. "Miss Mortimer is getting married in a few days. She may wish you to stay on here, if she decides not to sell this house. Otherwise, she'll let you know."
    "What? What's this?" Laura stared disbelievingly at the girl she had known for five years. "Is this true, Charley? You getting married? Why didn't you tell me?"
    Charlotte swallowed convulsively. "It's not as simple as that, Laura." She cast a furious glance in Alex's direction. "Nothing's settled yet. Nothing's arranged."
    "On the contrary, everything's arranged," returned Alex smoothly. "Your - er - your employer is a little - bemused by her good fortune, that's all."
    "Why, you - " Charlotte bit back an epithet as realization of what a denial would mean struck her. This was really happening, he really expected her to go through with it. The moment of decision had come.
    Laura waited for Charlotte to go on, but when she didn't, she said imploringly: "Charley, I don't understand all this. You never said a word to me." She looked Alex up and down. "I never seen this man before, and I don't think you did, too."
    Charlotte felt as if she was nearing the end of her tether, and it was almost a relief to hear Alex say: "We've been - corresponding with one another. You know - pen-friends, that sort of thing. Miss Mortimer's father knew all about it. He - he would approve."
    Charlotte clenched her fists and turned away, unable to meet Laura's accusing stare. Patently, she didn't believe Alex, but equally she had no proof to the contrary. Besides, sooner or later she would have to believe it. It would be an indis putable fact.
    She heard Alex dismissing the West Indian woman, and then he gestured to the coffee. "I like mine black, with sugar, two spoons," he directed her coolly. "You might as well begin to learn your wifely duties here and now."
    Charlotte sank down wearily on to the couch. "You really expect me to go through with it, don't you?"
    "I know you will," he said, seating himself in the armchair opposite, legs apart, hands hanging loosely between. He had nice hands, she noticed inconsequently, long-fingered brown hands, rings on each of his little fingers. One was a kind of signet ring, gold, inset with a ruby; the other was filigree silver, thick and broad, a useful weapon in a fist fight.
    "So," he said, deliberately intercepting her gaze. "Let us have the coffee, then perhaps over lunch you'll think of things you need to know."
    Charlotte drank her coffee without tasting it. When she got to her feet, he rose also, and she looked at him apprehensively. "I - I need to change," she told him shortly.
    "Very well. I'll- wait here." He lounged into his chair again, but his eyes were watchful. "Don't be long."
    Charlotte made no reply, her lips clenched mutinously as she left the room, slamming the door behind her. In the