Daniel Thorpe.’ He stopped beside the stool on which she’d deposited her clothing. ‘Have you seen a doctor?’
‘No. I’m not sick, Mr Thorpe. If you’d just—’
‘You need a doctor. Do you have one, or shall I call for an ambulance?’
‘An ambulance?’ Miranda stared at him. ‘I don’t need an ambulance.’
‘A doctor, then.’
‘I don’t need a doctor, either. For God’s sake, do you know what that would cost?’
His lips drew back from his teeth. ‘Yes, that’s right. I suppose that’s one of the problems with your line of work. The fringe benefits are none too good.’
Colour rushed into her face. ‘Put me down, please.’
‘So you can fall on that pretty face of yours? No, darling, I don’t think so.’
‘My name,’ Miranda said quietly, ‘is Miranda Stuart. And if you’re really interested in whether or not I fall on my face you’ll be decent enough to find a telephone and call my friend for me.’
‘Another friend?’ He smiled unpleasantly. ‘It must be wonderful to be so popular, Miss Stuart.’
‘Her name is Mina,’ Miranda said coldly. ‘Just give her this address, and she’ll come and get me.’
Daniel Thorpe went on staring at her, his face empty of any expression, and then he nodded.
‘Right. Can you stand?’
Could she? Not that it mattered. She would stand, somehow; anything was better than lying in his arms this way while he looked at her as if she were something unsavoury he’d found in the street.
‘Yes.’
‘And can you get dressed without help?’
Miranda’s mouth thinned. ‘Absolutely.’
He nodded again, then lowered her carefully to her feet. ‘Go on, then. Get into your clothing.’
Her brows rose. ‘Not while you’re watching,’ she said coolly.
A little smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. ‘No, of course not.’ He bent and lifted the fallen screen from the littered floor. ‘We wouldn’t want to offend your sensibilities, now, would we?’ He slapped the screen into place. ‘You’ve two minutes to dress and then I’ll assume you can’t manage without my help.’
Safe within the screen’s privacy, Miranda sank back against the wall. She’d hoped Thorpe would leave, but then, he’d come to see Ernst Mueller. He had every right to stay.
‘One minute, Miss Stuart, and counting.’
Her head sprang up. Would he really try to dress her if she didn’t move quickly enough to suit him? A wave of heat raced from the top of her head down to her toes. Yes, he probably would. Quickly, before she had to put that judgement to the test, Miranda stripped off the smock, flung it aside, and began pulling on her clothes.
She was composed when she stepped out from behind the screen. Daniel Thorpe was leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, watching her. She thought she glimpsed distaste in his face as he took in her somewhat faded denim skirt, her black sweater, her silver necklace and earrings.
‘Street chic,’ he said, his mouth curling with distaste.
Miranda’s spine stiffened. She knew her outfit left a lot to be desired, despite what Mina had said this morning, but she had no intention of being insulted by this stranger.
‘It suits me just fine.’
His mouth twisted. ‘Yes. I’m sure it’s a hit at Fancy Free.’
Heat flooded her face. Fancy Free was one of the bars where you could purchase and smoke marijuana legally.
‘I hate to disappoint you,’ she said coldly, ‘but I’ve never been there.’
‘Forgive me, Miss Stuart.’ Sarcasm edged his tone. ‘I’m sure there are other places that suit your tastes far better.’
Miranda’s chin lifted. ‘Yes,’ she said, lying through her teeth, ‘there certainly are. Not that it’s any of your business—’
He shrugged his shoulders dismissively as he walked towards her. ‘You’re right. How you look—and how you live—is strictly your affair.’
‘I’m glad we agree on something,’ she said as she dug into her bag. She looked up, face still flushed with indignation, and held out her hand.
Thorpe looked at the coins shining against her palm. ‘What’s that for?’
‘It’s for the telephone. You agreed to call my friend and—’
‘You need a physician, not a girlfriend.’ His hand closed firmly on her elbow. ‘Let’s go.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. I told you, I’m not sick.’
‘Suppose you let someone qualified make that decision. Is this your jacket?’
‘Yes. But—but—’
‘No arguments,’ he said as he hustled her out of the door and to the steps. Suddenly he paused and turned her towards him. ‘Or are you so eager to see Mueller that you’d risk passing out again?’
Mueller. Lord, in all the confusion she’d forgotten about him! Her luck had held so far, but surely he’d show up eventually, expecting her to pose? A shudder went through her. She couldn’t afford to wait here for Mina, not if she wanted to avoid a confrontation.
‘You’re right,’ she lied. ‘I’d better stop at a clinic.’
Her gaze flew to the steep stairs, knifing down into the late-afternoon shadows. Just staring down into the darkness sent a wave of dizziness shuddering through her, but she forced herself to take a step forward. Instantly Thorpe’s arm curved around her.
‘I’ll see you out.’
She ached to tell him she didn’t need his help. But the truth was that it would have been a lie. She could never have made her way down the stairs on her own. Her legs felt as if someone had taken out the muscles and put overcooked pasta in their place. Still, he didn’t have to hold her quite so closely, nor splay his hand so possessively across her hip.
The second they came out into bright sunlight Miranda stepped away from him and forced a polite smile to her face.
‘Thank you for your help, Mr Thorpe. It’s been—interesting.’
His hand fell on her shoulder as she began to turn away.
‘I’ve a car just around the corner. I’ll drive you to your doctor’s office.’
‘No. Thanks for the offer, but—’
