Wilbur Smith - Vicious Circle

Contents

This book is for my wife

MOKHINISO

who is the best thing

that has ever happened to me

HE CAME FULLY AWAKE before he moved or opened his eyes. He lay for a second assessing his situation, checking for danger, his warrior instincts taking control. Then he smelled her delicate perfume and heard her breathing as softly and regularly as the dying surf running up a distant beach. All was well, and he smiled and opened his eyes. Gently he rolled his head so as not to awaken her.

The early sun had found a chink in the curtains and through it had laid a sliver of beaten gold across the ceiling. It cast an intriguing light on her face and form. She lay on her back. Her face was in repose and it was lovely. She had kicked off the sheet and she was naked. The golden curls covering her mons Veneris were a shade darker than the splendid tangle of the locks that had fallen over her face. Now, so far along in her pregnancy, her bosoms were swollen to almost twice their normal size. He let his gaze drift down to her belly. The skin was stretched tight and glossy by the precious cargo it contained. As he stared at it he saw the small movement as the child stirred within her womb and his breathing was stifled for an instant by the weight and strength of his love for them both, his woman and his child.

Stop staring at my big fat belly and give me a kiss, she said without opening her eyes. He chuckled and leaned over her. She reached up with both arms around his neck and as her lips parted he smelled her sweet breath. After a while she whispered into his open mouth, Cant you keep this monster of yours on a leash? She reached down with one hand to his groin. Even he must know that at the moment there is no room at the inn.

Colour him brainless, he said. But you have never been any great help in keeping him under control. Unhand me, you brazen wench!

Just wait a few weeks and I will show you the true meaning of the word brazen, Hector Cross, she warned him. Now ring down to the kitchen for coffee.

While they waited for the coffee to be delivered he left the bed and drew back the curtains, letting the sunlight burst into the room.

The swans are in the Mill Pool, he called to her. She struggled upright using both hands to cradle her belly. He came back to her immediately and helped her to her feet. She picked up her blue satin bed robe from the chair and slipped into it as they crossed to the picture window.

I feel so ungainly! she complained as she tied the belt. He stood behind her and with both hands reached around and gently cradled her belly.

Somebody is kicking again, Hector whispered into her ear and then took the lobe between his teeth and nibbled it lightly.

Dont tell me. I feel like a ruddy football. She reached back over her shoulder and lightly slapped his cheek. Dont do that. You know it gives me goose bumps all over.

They looked down at the swans in silence. The cob and the pen were a dazzling white in the early sunlight, but the three cygnets were a grubby grey. The cob dipped his long sinuous neck into the green waters and reached down to feed on the aquatic plants at the bottom of the pool.

Beautiful, arent they? he asked at last.

They are just one of the many reasons I love England, Hazel whispered. What a perfect scene. We should have a good artist paint it.

The river spilled into the pool over a stone weir and the waters were limpid. They could look down ten feet and see the shadows of the big trout lying on the gravel bottom. Willows lined the banks and brushed the surface with their trailing fingers. The meadow beyond was a luscious green and the sheep grazing on it were as white as the swans.

Its the perfect place to raise our little girl. You know thats why I bought it. She sighed contentedly.

I know that. Youve told me often enough. What I dont know is what makes you so certain this is a girl. He caressed her stomach. Dont you really want to know for certain the gender, instead of just guessing?

I am not guessing. I know, she said smugly and covered his large brown hands with her slim white ones.

We could ask Alan when we get up to London this morning, he suggested. Alan Donnovan was her gynaecologist.

You are an awful nag. But dont you dare ask Alan and spoil my fun. Now put on your dressing gown. You dont want to terrify poor Mary when she comes with the coffee, she said fondly.

Moments later there was a discreet knock on the door. Come! said Hector and the chambermaid carried in the coffee tray.

Good morning to all! How are you and the baby, Mrs Cross? she said in her cheerful Irish brogue, placing the tray on the table.

All is well, Mary, but do I spy biscuits on that tray? Hazel demanded.

Only three small ones.

Take them away, please.

Two for Sir and just one for you. Plain oatmeal. No sugar, Mary wheedled.

Be a darling, Mary. Humour me. Take them away, please.

Poor little mite must be starving, Mary grumbled but she picked up the biscuit dish and marched from the room. Hazel sat on the sofa and poured a single mug of coffee so black and strong that its aroma filled the room.

God! It smells so good, she said wistfully as she handed it to him. Then she poured warm unsweetened skimmed milk into her own porcelain cup.

Ugh! she exclaimed with disgust as she tasted it, but she drank it down like medicine. So how are you going to keep yourself busy while I am with Alan? You know he will take at least a couple of hours. Hes very thorough.

I have to take my shotguns to Paul Roberts for storage, and then I have a suit fitting with my tailor.

You arent going to drive my beautiful Ferrari around in the London morning traffic, are you? Youd probably give it a ding, same as you did to the Rolls.

Will you never forget that? He spread his hands in mock outrage. The silly woman jumped the lights and drove into me.

You drive like a maniac, Cross, and you know it.

Okay, Ill take a cab to do my errands, he promised. I dont want to look like a football player in that poncey machine of yours. Anyway, my new Range Rover is waiting for me. Stratstones phoned me yesterday to let me know that its ready. If you are a good girl, which we all know you are, Ill take you to lunch in it.

Talking about lunch, where are we going? she demanded.

I dont know why I bother. We can get lettuce leaves anywhere, but I reserved our usual table at Alfreds Club.

Now I know you really love me!

You had better believe it, skinny.

Compliments! Compliments! She gave him a beatific smile.

*

Hazels red Ferrari coup was parked under the portico that sheltered the front door. It sparkled like an enormous ruby in the sunlight. Robert, her chauffeur, had polished it lovingly. It was his favourite amongst all the many cars parked in the underground garage. Hector made an arm for her down the front steps and helped her into the drivers seat. When she had wriggled her belly in behind the wheel he fussed over her, getting the adjustment of the seat just right and the safety belt comfortably looped under her bump.

Are you sure you dont want me to drive? he asked solicitously.

Never, she replied. Not after all the horrid things you said about her. She patted the steering wheel. Get in and lets go.

It was three-quarters of a mile from the manor house to the public highway, but the estate road was paved all the way. Where it looped into the approach to the bridge over the River Test there was a fine view back to the house. Hazel pulled over for a moment. She could seldom resist the temptation to gloat over what she humbly referred to as simply the finest Georgian building in existence.

Brandon Hall had been built in 1752 by Sir William Chambers for the Earl of Brandon. He was the same architect who had built Somerset House on The Strand. Brandon Hall had been shamefully neglected and rundown when Hazel acquired it. When Hector thought about how much money she had lavished upon the house to bring it to its present state of perfection he could barely suppress a shudder. However, he could never deny the beauty of its elegant and perfectly balanced lines. Last year Hazel had been placed seventh on Forbes magazines list of the richest women in the world. She could afford it.