Free The Strange Story of Linda Lee by Dennis Wheatley Page A

to get off the bed. After a moment, she said, ‘I suppose you’re right. But it’s very hard on both of us.’
    He gave her an appraising look and nodded. A pregnant silence followed. She broke it by saying, ‘I owe so much to Rowley that I don’t want to be unfaithful to him. But having to give it up altogether … well, there are times when I can’t help thinking about it. Would you … would you think me very awful if I didit with someone else? After all, Rowley would never know.’
    ‘Not if you were careful. Is some young spark chasing you?’
    ‘No; oh no!’ She leaned forward a little, so that her dressing gown fell slightly open, giving him a glimpse of one of her breasts under her chiffon nightie. ‘But I thought perhaps …’
    ‘What did you think?’
    ‘Well,’ she hedged. ‘I was thinking that … that if I’m as lovely as you say I am, I shouldn’t have much difficulty in finding a lover.’
    ‘No, you weren’t,’ he suddenly snapped at her. ‘You were thinking of me!’
    Leaning forward, his chin jutting out and his blue eyes blazing, he went on angrily, ‘You slut! How you have the gall to come to my room half naked and try your wiles on me passes my comprehension. Damn it, I’m Rowley’s best friend! He’s been much more than a brother to me. Is it likely that I’d take his girl behind his back? If you want it that much, find yourself a boy friend. There are plenty of guys who’d be delighted to jump into bed with you but it won’t be me. Now get to hell out of here.’
    Linda was utterly devastated by his outburst. Tears welled up into her big eyes. Giving a little, strangled cry, she slid off the bed and ran toward the door.
    In a flash he was out of bed and after her. Grabbing her by the arm, he pulled her back, swung her round and threw her down in the armchair. For a moment he stared down at her, then he spoke hoarsely:
    ‘I’m sorry, Linda. Of course you’re not a slut, and I should never have said you were. I should have thought you would know that I wouldn’t
tromp
éRowley. But I suppose a lot of fellows would have, and you must have realised for months that I’m in love with you.’
    She had buried her face in her hands and was weeping bitterly. At his last words, she looked up and sobbed. ‘I … I know. And I am with you. It … it wasn’t only … just needing a man. Although I do … desperately at times.’
    ‘You poor darling.’ He laid a hand gently on her hair. ‘How I wish to God it could be me. But it can’t. I’d never be able to look old Rowley in the face again.’
    She nodded. ‘I understand. Of course I understand. I should have realised how you would feel about us both deceiving him. I should never have come here. It was wicked of me.’
    ‘No. The devil of it is though that the damage is done now.’
    ‘But it’s not!’ She looked at him in surprise and moved to stand up. ‘You haven’t succumbed to wanting me, and I’m going back to my room.’
    ‘My dear, it is done.’ He shook his head unhappily. ‘As long as we only knew that we loved each other and kept it to ourselves, everything was “Roger”. But now we’ve told each other so, things can never be the same again. How can I possibly continue to come here, knowing that you’re mine for the asking? I simply couldn’t bear it. I’ll have to take off for some place abroad.’
    ‘Oh, no!’ The cry came from Linda’s heart. ‘Without being able to look forward to seeing you now and again, I’d be utterly miserable. And Rowley! Think of Rowley! He’d miss your visits terribly. I’d have it on my conscience that I’d broken up your friendship with him.’
    ‘I realise all that. God knows, I’ll miss you, too. But what’s the alternative? There are some emotions one can’t hide all the time. From now on, unless I bow out, just the way we look at each other will give it away to Rowley that we’re in love. And what then? First suspicion, then certainty, will eat like a