The Dark Side of Marriage by Margery Hilton

The Dark Side of Marriage by Margery Hilton

Author:Margery Hilton [Hilton, Margery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780263746150
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Published: 1977-12-31T18:30:00+00:00


CHAPTER EIGHT

AFTERWARDS, Karen could not remember the transition from Elizabeth’s

room to her own. Al she knew was the sick aching anger that drove out

all other thought and feeling, and left her weak and trembling. All she

could see was the image of those entwined figures, as though they were

etched in fire within her vision.

How could Lisa embrace Nick in so wanton a way, a way that made a

mockery of al her former show of coy affection and admiration for her

adoptive brother? Had she no scruples, no conscience?

Karen clenched her hands until the pain of her own nails digging into her

flesh transcended her anger. No use tel ing herself that Lisa’s exhibition out

there was the outcome of sheer panic and worry over her mother’s

condition. Or that it expressed only relief to see Nick and know his strength

was there to lean on should further crisis arise. No, it was more than that,

she thought bitterly. Those fallible human emotions and the one glimpsed

on Lisa’s face were as far apart as the poles.

And what of Nick?

Karen sank on the edge of her bed. If Nick had remained unaware he

must certainly know now.

‘Karen !’

She gasped as the door flew open. Nick stood there, his face a dark mask

of anger.

‘So there you are! Why didn’t you let me know?’

Karen sprang up. ‘Let you know? How dare you burst in here and shout at

me as though I were one of your minions? After-‘

‘I suppose you didn’t consider it important enough,’ he cut in, slinging his

briefcase and jacket across the other bed, ‘or couldn’t you be bothered? If

Lisa hadn’t phoned me last night I-‘

‘So it was Lisa! I might have known!’

For the first time since, he had stormed in he stopped and looked at her, as

though aware of her as herself and not a receptacle for his anger. ‘What

do you mean? You might have known?’

‘You shouldn’t need to ask.’ Karen’s mouth set in a tight line. ‘Cast your

mind back five minutes for the answer.’

The bitter, unguarded words slipped out before she realized they were

free. Nick, seizing a casual, chunky-knit jacket from the closet, stared at

her. ‘What the devil are you talking about?’

‘I’m talking about Lisa! I’m talking about her sneaking off to the phone

after we’d all discussed whether we should phone you and decided the

occasion didn’t warrant it.’

Despite her efforts at a semblance of control, Karen’s voice was rising. ‘And

I’m talking about Lisa flinging herself into your arms just now for the whole

world to see! As if as if…’

‘My God! So that’s it!’ Nick took a step forward, his eyes darkening and his

mouth twisting with contempt. ‘You mean you saw, you thought-!’ he

drew a rasping breath and a harsh laugh escaped him. ‘It’s too incredible

to believe!’

‘Is it?

‘Why don’t you say it?’ he gritted. ‘You’re accusing me of being in love with

Lisa.’

The force in him frightened Karen, but pride kept her there, facing him. ‘I

didn’t say that.’

‘But you’re implying it!’ He bal ed one fist as though he itched to strike her.

‘My God! That’s rich, coming from you of all people!’

Karen recoiled.



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.