Free Lovelink by Tess Niland Kimber Page B

brink of telling him everything…
    But then something prevented her. She realised simultaneously that she couldn’t confess to him. How could she tell him, when she’d suspected he was behind it all in the first place? And dreadful though the admission was, as kind as he’d been to her this evening, she still suspected him.
    Whoever had nailed the wreath to her door, knew that although her Metro was parked outside, she wasn’t in. It was the first time, since moving to Brookleigh, she’d gone out socially for the evening. There weren’t that many people who were aware she was going to the party at Nuneton tonight. As she mentally ticked them off, she realised that Marcus Foster’s name was on that short list.
    Maybe that was why he’d been so insistent that he drove her home, so that he could see the effect his latest trick had had on her. Maybe he’d even kissed her in the car so that she might least suspect him. And when she thought back to it, wasn’t he nearly always about when something happened to her?
    Her mind spun with accusations and explanations.
    Oh, she just didn’t know anymore. What was going on? Who could she trust?
    Slowly, she shook her head.
    â€œNo, Marcus. I’m sorry but I…I can’t tell you what’s been happening. I can’t tell anyone. I’m just not sure I even know myself what’s going on. Please, don’t make me.”
    He studied her for what felt like ages and then sighed, pushing a hand though his dark tangle of hair.
    â€œAll right but if you don’t trust me then maybe you’ll feel better talking to the police. They should be involved. Someone obviously wants to wreck your business. I’ve gathered that much. Now they’re using scare tactics. I don’t like the idea of you being here alone. You’re too accessible. Whoever it is has proved tonight they know where you live.”
    Vicky was surprised at his suggestion to call in the police. Surely, if he was guilty, as she suspected, then he would hardly want the police to be involved.
    But was he bluffing? Was this just another of his clever tricks to try to lull her into falsely believing she could trust him? Either way she didn’t want them to be contacted. Violently, she shook her head, seizing on a viable explanation she could give him.
    â€œPlease Marcus, don’t call the police. They’ll have won then anyway if you do.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThink about it. Would you go to a dating agency if it was anything but confidential? I base my business on being able to keep everything totally private. If the police are involved, it’ll put people off. I’ve got to keep the business running.” She sounded desperate even to her own ears.
    He sighed and then said, “Okay I see your point but I don’t want you staying here alone tonight. Come back to Nuneton House with me. We’ve plenty of room.”
    Once more, she declined his offer.
    â€œThank you, Marcus. It’s kind of you to suggest it but I don’t want to leave my home. They aren’t forcing me out of my cottage. Anyway if I leave here tonight, I might be too scared to come back again. This is where I live. I’ve got to feel safe here.”
    â€œOkay but I’m not leaving you, yet.”
    She smiled. “Thanks, Marcus.”
    Long into the night they sat together, side by side on the sofa, in the cosy lounge. They didn’t speak much, Vicky’s thoughts were too jumbled to be able to share them with anyone. But it was good to know that if she needed to talk, he’d be there.
    So much had happened tonight that it was difficult for her to take it all in—the evening at Nuneton; Marcus kissing her; the wreath; Marcus comforting her.
    As she sat beside him, she marvelled at how they’d managed, through all the events of the night, to have reached a new understanding, a closeness. She remembered the