Chapter 4.

Sir Marcus arrived back at his Mayfair apartment at lunchtime, depressed and miserable, dismissing his chauffeur for the remainder of the weekend.

Having discarded his clothes, he threw on a silk dressing gown, poured himself a large gin and tonic and sat down in the lounge, his mind and thoughts saturated with images of Harry.

He emptied two full bottles of Gordon's throughout the afternoon, evening and late into the night, finally crashing out into a fitful, drunken slumber plagued with dreams of her beautiful features and body.

When he awoke the next morning, despite a fearful hangover, he knew he just had to see her again - and be near her again.

At Winfield Hall, Harry, James, Freddy and Alice were enjoying the hot, summer's afternoon.

Lunch had been another table full of delicious cold meat salad and for dessert, a choice of various ice cream flavours or chef's home made lemon meringue pie, were on offer.

Fresh coffee or iced tea were available too.

Red wine, warmed exactly to room temperature or white wine chilled to perfection, graced the sideboard in the dining room.

Having retired outside to a garden table on the terrace, they sat under a large umbrella, clutching their preferred drinks.

"Freddy darling that was a scrumptious lunch." applauded Alice, sipping her chilled Chardonnay. "I must walk it off."

"I rather think it's a bit hot to go walking, Alice, my dear." replied Freddy. "It must be approaching ninety degrees now. But you could always go for a dip in the pool, you know."

"Oh, I couldn't!" replied Alice, alarmed and wafting herself with an antique Japanese gunsen fan.

"Why not Aunt Alice?" asked Harry, sounding surprised.

"And let this dish of a man see all my wobbly bits!" she squealed, looking coyly at Dempsey, and swishing her fan furiously.

"But Aunt Alice, you're in great shape!" laughed Harry, "I'll be more than happy to have a figure like yours when I'm your age! And anyway, the pool is very private."

"You're too kind, Harriet darling." she replied, placing the fan on her lap. "Too kind, but I still think I look frightening in a bathing costume."

She began to look wistful.

"Oh dear." she said, suddenly. "And I do miss Marcus so."

Harry, Dempsey and Freddy exchanged glances, Harry thinking 'Damn it to hell! I thought we'd heard the last of him for this weekend!'

"Now now, Alice." said Freddy, speaking for the three of them. "You'll find another beau, my dear, I'm sure. He wasn't for you, you know."

"I know." she answered, looking down and studying her fan. "He's a blasted scoundrel but that's what attracts me to him!"

Harry glanced at Dempsey and rolled her eyes, he shaking his head slightly.

"How did you meet him?" enquired Harry, sensing an opportunity.

Dempsey was all ears too, as was Freddy.

At a dinner party." she replied. "He was charm personified. Bowled me over completely darling."

"Have you known him very long?" asked Dempsey, lighting a cigar.

"Nearly three months, James, darling." she answered. "I don't see him much during the week and once a month he flies off to Spain."

"Is that on business, then?" asked Harry, intrigued.

"Well I think so." replied Alice, the fan starting up again. "But I must say, he doesn't take any suits with him. I know, because I've seen him packing."

Harry and James frowned, their radar homing in on each other.

"How long is he there for?" asked Dempsey, blowing thick smoke into the light breeze and watching it quickly disperse.

"Oh, he flies out on a Friday evening and returns early Monday morning, darling."

"What part of Spain?" asked Harry, as nonchalantly as possible, conscious that Alice may suddenly object to the third degree questioning.

"Erm - er, Marbella?." she said, clearly trying to remember. "Yes I think it's Marbella, darling - well close to it - San somewhere or other."

"I can just imagine the fabulous hotels he must stay in." remarked Harry, deliberately leading her in to an answer, anxious to continue without her recognising she was being pumped mercilessly for information. "He's looks very wealthy."

"Oh! he is very rich, darling." replied Alice. "I think he's got more money than he knows what to do with actually. I don't think he stays in hotels, though. A house, I think."

"A house huh?" said Dempsey, dragging on his cigar. "I thought people lived in villas and apartments out there."

"Oh most do, James." said Alice. "But this is a mansion, darling."

"Really." said Harry, resisting the urge to lean in closer. "Is it his?"

"No, I don't think so, Harriet." she replied, working her fan furiously again. "A friend of his owns it as far as I know."

Again Harry and Dempsey glanced at each other.

"Have you been there with him, Alice?" asked Freddy, having watched Harry and Dempsey's interest growing throughout the conversation and sensing they needed another questioner for balance.

"Nooo." she replied. "I just happened to overhear him talking to someone at a 'do' somewhere. My ears are everywhere, darling, I can listen to four conversations at once!"

"You're incorrigible Aunt Alice!" chuckled Harry. "We'll have to be careful you're not in earshot tomorrow then!"

Alice grinned at them, tapping the side of her nose, eyes twinkling and sending them into fits of laughter.

Whilst Freddy and Alice retired to their rooms for a siesta, Harry and James spent the afternoon in the open air swimming pool, which was tucked away behind beautfully trimmed and manicured hedges.

Although both good, strong swimmers, Harry was like a little fish and would dive under the surface, sneak up on Dempsey from behind and pull his swimming trunks to his ankles, wriggling away quickly before he could grab her.

He'd get his own back by catching her unawares and dunking her, laughing as she surfaced, spluttering, coughing and swearing blue murder at him.

Inevitably the hot sun, cool breeze, warm water, total privacy and their near nakedness was irresistible and it wasn't long before they'd surrendered to their burning passion for each other.

Sitting on the poolside later, allowing the setting sun to dry them, Harry kissed him.

"Good job there weren't any fish about, darling." she said, giggling. "We'd have frightened them senseless!"

"Fish!?" uttered Dempsey, incredulously. "In a swimming pool!?"

"Well, you know what I mean!"

"Yeah!" he replied, a wide grin spread across his face. "Say, that was an interesting conversation with Aunt Alice, huh angel?"

"My God, yes." she agreed. "I don't think we need three guesses as to whose villa Sir Marcus visits."

"No, but we do at guessing why." remarked Dempsey.

"Perhaps we should try digging a bit more at dinner, what do you think?"

"I dunno, honey." replied Dempsey. "I think Aunt Alice has told us all she knows. This afternoon's little chat was spontaneous. I don't think we should push it. Maybe if the subject comes up again naturally we might, but otherwise - no."

"Yes, maybe you're right. " agreed Harry. "Come on, I think shower, clothes and evening cocktails beckon."

"Mmmm, shower." said James, his voice low and expectant. "I'll scrub your back for you."

"Oh no you won't!" she said, emphatically. "Good God Dempsey, hasn't your libido been satified enough this afternoon!?"

"Er...!"

"Hmmm, you can have a shower all right!" she said, butting in before he could answer, yet unable to keep a smile off her face. "A freezing cold one!"

He pretended to lean in for a kiss, but just when their lips were about to touch, he tipped her into the pool then sprinted away to the house, Harry shouting all manner of ribaldry at him as she clambered out and gave chase.

Freddy and Alice were already dressed for the evening and enjoying a glass of champagne when Harry scampered by, cursing and laughing in pursuit.

"I don't think I've ever seen Harriet so happy, Freddy darling." she remarked. "They do make an exquisite couple, don't they."

"Yes Alice, my dear." answered Freddy, nodding happily. " She was all but destroyed in that ruddy marriage, but I do believe now it's true love for her, and for James, and solid in its foundations too."

"That's wonderful." said Alice, placing her hand on Freddy's, and smiling up at him. "Simply wonderful!"

When the two of them joined Alice and Freddy for cocktails, Harry brought a small wrapped gift and handed it to her father.

Inside was a first edition of "Casino Royale", Ian Fleming's first famous James Bond adventure.

"There's a box in my room Daddy, with all the other first editions of the entire Bond series." she said, then, after kissing him, continued. "I know how you love them. Happy birthday."

"Harry darling, how absolutely thoughtful of you." said Freddy. "I met Ian Fleming several times during the war when he was attached to naval intelligence."

"Yes, I know." replied Harry. "I've been tracking down all his Bond books for months!"

They spent the remainder of the evening listening to Alice regaling them with all manner of stories of her life and times followed by Freddy recounting the assignments Fleming got up to in the war and how much of it acted as the basis for his famous spy.

But there was little opportunity to press Alice further on the subject of Sir Marcus.

They all finally retired to bed, Dempsey wooing Harry, who found little reason to resist him.

At seven o'clock the next morning, a variety of contractors trucks, together with caterers and electricians vans arrived.

The contractors got to work erecting circular umbrellas with mahogany coloured stands, their brilliant white canopies spanning twenty feet in diameter.

Each one covered a matching table, with a pale blue table cloth and twelve chairs, each with a soft button cushion on the seat, another for the backrest and in a contrasting shade of lilac.

The terrace was completely covered with a white awning under which long, trestle tables were placed, the same pale blue being used for the table cloths.

Once constructed, the caterers began placing piles of dinner plates, side plates, cutlery, condiments and napkins on them.

To one side a bar was set up with beer or lager on tap and optics offering every conceivable spirit. Portable refridgerators were hidden under the bar itself to keep the ice frozen and mixers cold.

Champagne would be served on arrival to the guests by an array of waiters and waitresses, including an option to mix it with freshly squeezed orange juice.

An array of six types of wine - two white, two rose and two red - completed the choices.

The electricians strung multi coloured fairy lights through the trees and under both the umbrellas and awning. These would be switched on as dusk fell later.

Finally they wired up a dozen speakers, placed strategically throughout the grounds, the music to be controlled by a local disc jockey, who would arrive to provide the evening entertainment.

Around eighty guests were due from midday and by eleven-thirty everything was in place.

Freddy and Alice were enjoying a glass of chilled champagne when Harry and James joined them.

"Oh Harriet darling." said Alice, as she walked up to them." You look utterly divine. And James, so handsome!"

Harry had elected to wear a white pleated midi skirt, with side pockets, which finished two inches above the knee and complimented by a light brown leather belt with a brass buckle.

A mint green blouse in stretched cotton poplin contrasted perfectly, the first four buttons left undone exposing a hint of her decolletage.

She had left the collar turned up and on her feet were a pair of simple white open toe'd sandals.

Her make up was light, since the sun had already tanned her skin and with a hint of light pink lipstick matching the colour of her nails and toenails, she looked stunning.

Apart from her solid silver Cartier watch, she didn't wear any other jewelry.

Dempsey wore a pair of dark blue linen, summer weight, slacks, a white leather belt with silver buckle and a chester check short sleeved shirt in marina and pacific blue. His feet were encased in white slip on loafers and no socks.

"Thank you Aunt Alice." replied Harry. "You look lovely too, I adore your cerise summer dress."

"Oh do you think so, darling?" answered Alice. "Not too young for me then?"

"No, Aunt Alice, of course not." said Harry, glancing at her father. "And Daddy, so fetching in those pale yellow trousers!"

"Oh I'm glad you approve, Harry my darling." laughed Freddy, his blue eyes accentuated by a deeply tanned face and snow white hair.

By two o'clock all the guests had arrived, Alice having commandeered Dempsey and, with her arm linked through his, was busy proudly introducing him to everyone she came across, parading him around as Harry's soon to be fiance.

This wasn't lost on some of her distant male cousins, all of whom had always harboured a secret desire to step out with her. Many had tried over the years and failed miserably.

Dempsey was especially intrigued. 'Fiance? well I guess it could be true some day' he thought.

For her part, Harry was on Freddy's arm, casually chatting to old friends of the family but always conscious of where Dempsey was and often catching his eye as they circulated.

Finally, as everyone casually strolled over to fill their plates with the delicious food on offer, they came together.

"Aunt Alice looking after you, darling?" she asked, amused by the look of exhaustion on his face."

"Phew! You can say that again, angel." he replied, taking a long draught of chilled lager. "All this socialisin's hard work!"

Harry chuckled, then went silent, a look of horror on her face.

"Oh my God." she said slowly, glancing over Dempsey's shoulder. "Look who's had the audacity to turn up!"

Walking in to the party strolled Sir Marcus, his eyes shaded by dark sunglasses but it was obvious who his eyes were fixed upon and he made a beeline for her.

"Hello Miss Makepeace, you look beautiful." he said, leaving Harry cold. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday." The tip of his tongue whipped across his lips.

Harry looked away and closed her eyes, taking Dempsey's hand and steadying herself.

He took the lead, stood very close and gripped Sir Marcus by his elbow, his eyes boring into him.

"Listen bozo." he said, in a low, threatening voice and squeezing tight. "You ain't wanted here, so I suggest you take a hike - pronto!"

"Now look here chum, there's no n..."

He was stopped short by Aunt Alice, who, having suddenly spotted him from the other side of the garden, came marching across the lawn, meaning business.

"Marcus!?" she thundered, pointing to the house. "In!"

"My goodness!" remarked Harry, as they watched Sir Marcus sheepishly follow Alice through an open door. "Aunt Alice can be pretty fearsome when her hackles are up, can't she!"

"Yeah, an' I'm real glad she's on my team!" answered Dempsey, grinning.

"Was that that blackguard Battersby-Thorpe I saw with Alice?" said Freddy, as he approached them.

"Yes Daddy it was." answered Harry. "And Aunt Alice was non too pleased either."

"No I don't suppose she was." replied Freddy. "But knowing how she feels about him, don't expect him to be leaving any time soon!"

"Do you think we should grill him again." suggested Harry. "This time about his Spanish trips?"

"No, I don't." replied Dempsey. "Tempting though it is, I think we should wait until we're back at SI-10 tomorrow. We can start looking at the frequency of his flights for instance, then if need be, pay him a visit."

"James, is right, Harry darling." agreed Freddy. "Here and now is not the time."

"All I'll say Freddy, is if that guy makes a nuisance of himself to Harry, I'm throwing him out!" warned Dempsey.

"And I will help you." stated Freddy, his eyes betraying his determination. "Sister or no sister."

After around half an hour, Alice rejoined the party with Sir Marcus on her arm and began introducing him to everyone, clearly having forgiven him.

As the light began to fade and night approached, the fairy lights were switched on, throwing their magical aura over the entire area.

The disc jockey, who had arrived in late afternoon and played easy listening background music, now stepped up the beat with some old classics, attracting many couples onto a nearby patio, doubling as a dance floor.

Harry and Dempsey had the first dance together, but then were often parted, as a stream of men vied for her attention, keeping her occupied for a full forty-five minutes non stop.

Finally excusing herself she joined him at a table, flopping down next to him and taking a long drink of white wine.

"Happy honey?" enquired Dempsey, grinning at her exhaustion.

"I think I've done my bit." she answered, smiling back at him. "Now I can concentrate on you!"

The unmistakeable intro to 'Strangers In The Night' began, and the familiar, unique voice of Frank Sinatra crooned into the night air.

"Ooh, one of my favourites." sighed Harry, grabbing Dempsey's hand. "Come on darling, smooch with me!"

They wandered onto the dance floor, Harry throwing her arms around Dempsey's neck, deep love in her eyes as she looked at him, deliberately pressing the centre of her body into his.

"I love you darling." she said, kissing his lips.

"I love you too - you minx!" said Dempsey, quietly, as he responded to her.

"Just a foretaste of what's to come later." she whispered, her blue eyes sultry and wanting.

Watching all this from the sidelines was Sir Marcus, who had spent the majority of his time since arriving, glancing surreptitiously at Harry whenever he got he chance.

Watching him though, had been Freddy and sensing Sir Marcus might let his feelings for his daughter get the better of him, took his opportunity when Alice went to powder her nose.

"Sir Marcus." he said, drawing him close. "I can't help but notice that you seem a little too interested in my daughter."

"No, no I ..." he stammered.

"Come, come Sir Marcus," continued Freddy. "I've spent too long around scoundrels like you to know when I'm being lied to, so you don't fool me. My daughter is off limits for one thing, secondly, her partner can be, how shall I put it, very protective of her and thirdly, you're stepping out with my sister, so if you do anything to hurt her, you will have my wrath to deal with. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly, Lord Winfield." answered Sir Marcus, his tongue licking around his thin lips.

"Good." replied Freddy. "Then I suggest you concentrate on making Alice happy."

Just then, Abbott stepped up alongside Freddy and whispered in his ear.

"Oh right, I'll fetch them." he said and strode over to the edge of the dance floor, beckoning Harry and Dempsey's attention.

"What is it Daddy?" said Harry, when they reached him.

"Telephone call for you both. Take it in my study."

Harry and Dempsey looked at each other, knowing instinctively that something was amiss and made their way to Freddy's study, emerging ten minutes later.

"Anything important?" asked Freddy as they joined him.

"Yes Daddy." replied Harry. "That was Spikings. A dead body has been discovered in a wood in Warwickshire. A young black girl and she's been strangled."

In earshot was Sir Marcus.

And he went cold, then pale.