Secrets After Dark (14 page)

‘Caves,’ Andrei replies, putting his other hand over mine where it rests on his arm. ‘We’re going into catacombs.’

Almost at once I begin to hear noise: music, a booming beat, the roar of a large crowd. We begin to move by other people, glamorous and strange in their masks as they stand in the passageway, holding glasses. As the passageway slopes away, I see other passages leading off towards small caves that are illuminated by candles glowing in sconces. I can’t quite see what’s happening in them, but I can make out movement.

Are they dancing?
I wonder, but we move on before I grasp what’s happening. Suddenly the passageway opens out and we reach a large chamber with a huge curved ceiling that makes me think of being inside a beehive or a wasp’s nest, as it rises in gentle stages to a soft dome. Men in black tie and women in gorgeous gowns, all masked in various ways, are drinking, talking and dancing. I can’t stop looking about: some wear gorgeous embellished Venetian masks, others simple eye-coverings in lace or silk. Others wear leather, embellished with studs and chains. A few men have animal heads on: wolf or lion masks. A woman in a stunning white silk dress has a white furry rabbit face with soft ears pointing perkily upwards.

Andrei leans in and murmurs in my ear, ‘When no one knows who you are, you can do precisely what you please. Now, let me get you a drink.’ He leads me towards an alcove where barmen stand behind a polished zinc counter, shaking cocktails for the people at the bar. Despite the crowds, a barman is instantly at Andrei’s disposal, and a moment later he’s passing me a vodka martini with a twist of lemon peel floating in it. He takes one himself and leads me away. I’m almost too busy looking about at the fascinating sights to notice that I’m holding a drink and that my arm is still over Andrei’s. But, I realise, I do need him. The floor is uneven and I’m wary of tripping in these extraordinary high shoes.

Then a thought strikes me.
How on earth am I going to recognise Dominic? Everyone is masked. All the men look the same in their dinner suits.
I feel a great wash of disappointment. The chances of meeting him in this strange place, with its many caves and passages, its throng of people, seem remote. I don’t have my phone with me, even if he knew I was here. My only hope is that somehow Andrei will know where we’re going to find the others. And he has his phone after all. We leave the main room and go up one of the passages to a cave that is roped off, a woman standing outside. She’s wearing a long red evening dress and her mask is plain black and very simple, just covering her eyes. She has bright blond, almost white, hair that ripples down her back and around her shoulders, and brightly painted full lips.

As we approach, she regards us curiously and Andrei mutters ‘Dubrovski’ to her.

She squeals and says, ‘Andrei! I didn’t recognise you at all. But you look marvellous.’ She leans forward and makes a kissing noise as her cheeks brush his. ‘How wonderful to see you.’

‘Thank you. How are you, Kitty?’

‘I’m very well, thank you. Doesn’t the party look gorgeous? We’re going to have a riotous time. Let me know if you want someone to show you around, but there’s plenty to amuse. And very private places if you find you need one. Just say the word. There’ll be a cabaret a little later as well.’

Cabaret...
A picture floats into my mind. I’m sitting in The Asylum, the private club that came to play such a role in my life. James is with me, and we’re watching a cabaret but it’s no ordinary show. It’s an erotic burlesque that ends with a display of flogging, and watching it are people quietly indulging themselves in all manner of activities. Afterwards, customers take private rooms to work out any lusts that have become inflamed after what they saw.

I realise suddenly and with great clarity that this is a party where anything goes. With the surfeit of beautiful people, the strange anonymity of the masks, the drink and the music – this is a place where no one wants to stop when their desires are sparked into life.

Oh my goodness, what have I done? What have I let myself in for? Is this going to become an orgy? Is that why Andrei wants me here with him?

These thoughts fly through my mind as Kitty unfastens the velvet rope and allows us inside the cave beyond. It is furnished with velvet banquettes, wide enough almost to be day beds, and small tables, and lit by Moroccan lanterns. No one else is there. We go in and sit down. I take a shaky sip of my drink. Everything has changed.

‘What’s wrong?’ Andrei says, watching me carefully.

I don’t say anything. Anger is roiling in the pit of my stomach. How dare he bring me to a place like this without any warning, any preparation?

As though he can read my mind, he says, ‘You will not see or do anything you do not want to see or do. While these parties are very free, they are also done with immaculate taste. Kitty makes sure of that. Only those who desire to cross boundaries do so.’

‘And is that what you do?’ I say, my voice tight.

‘I do whatever I wish. You should do the same.’ He leans a little closer to me. ‘You English girls can find it a little difficult to please yourselves and follow your deepest desires. You can be very repressed. You should let go.’

‘You know nothing about me.’ I’m almost spitting the words out. I’m furious that he should speak to me like this, about a side of my life that belongs to me.
Just because he’s got money doesn’t mean he can buy people or see into their souls.
‘Nothing at all. How dare you assume anything about me or my life?’

Andrei looks surprised, then his eyes flash with temper. But a second later, his expression softens and he looks almost repentant. ‘You’re right. I’m sorry. That was rude. Unforgiveable. I’ve made a mistake. I shouldn’t have brought you here. Finish your drink and we will leave.’

‘Perhaps that’s best,’ I reply icily. I don’t want to meet Dominic here, like this. It’s not what I want at all. I take another sip of my drink. It’s strong, citrusy and burns a little as it slips down my throat.

‘You think this is sordid,’ he says. ‘But I would hate such a thing myself. I would not tolerate it. I love beauty, you know that. We’re here because it is a wonderful, liberating experience to be anonymous, free to enjoy yourself, to dance and drink and forget everything for a few hours. I was wrong to imply anything about you personally. I’ve been thinking only of myself and my desire to relax in safety.’

My anger diminishes as I see it from his point of view: he’s a famous man, a rich man, who can trust nobody. Here, masked, he’s unknown, like everyone else, not having to judge motives, watch his back, or worry that he’s being furtively filmed or whispered about. I realise suddenly how attractive that must be.
This is ridiculous – now I’m feeling sorry for him! He shouldn’t have spoken to me in that way but...

I gaze into my drink thoughtfully, and look up to find his blue eyes on me. ‘We can stay a little longer,’ I say. ‘You don’t have to hurry away on my account. I don’t want to spoil your evening. We have only just arrived, after all.’

Before he can reply, there is a movement outside and two people enter the cave, a man and a woman, both masked. As soon as they are inside, the woman says, ‘Andrei’ in a deep purr, and I recognise Anna Poliakov. A burning breath opens up my lungs as I look at the man beside her. His dark eyes are almost impossible to make out behind his black mask, but they glitter in a way I know very well, and instantly I recognise the graceful shape of his nose, the full lips with their faintly pirate look, and the beautiful broadness of his shoulders. I look at his hands. There is no mistaking him. It’s Dominic.

My heart begins to beat wildly, my breath coming short and hot. I’m staring at him but he’s barely glancing at me. Why would he? He has no idea I’m here. Anna is taking his attention as she sits down and leans over to brush her scarlet lips across Andrei’s cheek. She looks ripe and voluptuous in a strapless black gown that pushes her breasts up high into ivory mounds and clings to her every curve. Dominic is watching her as she presses close to Andrei, who is returning her kiss.

She’s so beautiful. Doesn’t Andrei see it or feel it? I’m surprised any man can resist her.

An awful thought comes into my head. The last two times I’ve seen Dominic, he’s been in Anna’s company. They are obviously spending a great deal of time together, and now he’s observing her as she sits close to Andrei, his mouth set and his eyes glittering. It looks as though he can’t take his eyes off her, and as though he’s eaten up to see her so close to Andrei.

A fiery jealousy suddenly burns in my stomach. She is so gorgeous and Dominic is as red-blooded as they come. Can he really resist her? Or has she managed to dazzle him with those exotic looks and her obvious sensuality? I’m horrified at the idea but I can’t shut it out once it’s taken root in my imagination.

Andrei looks up at Dominic. ‘Hello, you made it.’

‘Good evening, Andrei,’ he returns, polite but emotionless. ‘I’m very glad to be back. Siberia is not my favourite place in the world.’

‘You need a drink,’ Andrei says with a grin, and he lifts a small golden bell from the table and rings it. A girl in a black cat-suit and black eye mask appears at once. ‘Champagne,’ he says. ‘Very cold.’ As she disappears to obey, his gaze falls on me. ‘I nearly forgot. I’ve brought a companion for the evening, the newest member of my team. You remember Beth Villiers, the little art expert who joined us in Croatia?’

Anna says, ‘Of course. How charming, you look wonderful, Beth. I would never have recognised you in that magnificent mask – and what a pretty dress.’

But I’m watching Dominic. At Andrei’s words, he’s stiffened and is staring down at me, his lips slightly parted in astonishment. I can tell he’s fighting for control.

Why is it, Dominic?
I feel as though my insides are curdling.
Because you don’t want me here, spoiling your chances with Anna? Or are you two already together, and it’s torturing you to watch her cosying up to Andrei?

Don’t let your imagination run away with you, cautions a voice in my head, but I’m already past caring as scenarios zoom past my mind’s eye, of Dominic and Anna together.

‘Yes, of course, I remember Beth,’ Dominic says slowly. I can see that his fists are clenched, the knuckles white. ‘Nice to meet you again.’

So here we are. I don’t think this is what you want, is it, Dominic? You’d prefer to keep me well away from Andrei and Anna. Your little secret.
I say softly, ‘You too.’

‘Where is that champagne?’ demands Andrei, just as the cat-suited girl returns with a tray holding an ice bucket with a champagne bottle and four glasses. In a moment, she has put down the glasses and opened the bottle. The pause gives me time to get back a little control, and Dominic looks infinitesimally more relaxed.

‘Darling, such a time we’ve had!’ cries Anna, tossing back her long dark hair. ‘The negotiations were the most strung out I’ve ever experienced. But in the end, we got everything you wanted. Are you pleased?’

‘Very pleased,’ Andrei says, handing out the glasses of fizzing liquid. ‘We’ll toast your success.’ He lifts his glass and we all follow suit. ‘To iron ore and the Dubrovski mines – long may they flourish.’

We all lift our glasses and then sip the champagne. It prickles over my tongue. I feel a little light-headed – not surprising considering I’ve just drunk a martini – but I also feel brave and powerful in the middle of my pain. This wasn’t what I wanted but this is how it is. I will wait for Dominic to make the next move.

Anna is chattering away to Andrei, telling him about the talks with the Chinese. Dominic comes and sits down beside me. We seem to be listening to Anna but actually he is so close that his firm thigh is pressing against mine and I can feel the heat of his body.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ he murmurs into my ear, making everything in me buzz in response.

‘Am I spoiling the party?’ I whisper lightly. ‘I’m so sorry if I’m getting in the way.’

‘What are you talking about?’ he mutters. ‘Why has Andrei brought you here?’

I don’t say anything, worried that we can be heard.

‘Talk to me, dammit. Why are you here with him?’ he hisses, and Anna stops talking and looks over enquiringly. Andrei turns as well.

Dominic keeps perfect control. ‘I’m afraid that Beth is finding our business talk a little dull. I’ll take her out and show her around the party while you two catch up. I’ll bring her back safely, don’t worry.’ His hand closes round my arm, tight as a vice, and he pulls me to my feet. Only I can feel how hard he’s doing it but I manage to bite back an exclamation of pain.

Before the others can say anything, he has manoeuvred me across the room and out in to the passageway. Once we’re outside, he drops all pretence and properly yanks me along the path. People are milling about and he bumps us both past them without apology, and onwards to a quieter part of the caves.

‘You’re hurting me,’ I protest. His hand is still gripping my arm hard, his fingers digging into my skin. ‘Let go!’

‘You’re coming with me,’ he says through clenched teeth. The next moment we have stopped in front of an area curtained off from the main passageway. A girl in a cat-suit and mask, like our waitress, is standing outside. ‘We’re going in,’ he snaps at her. ‘I want privacy. No one else to come in, do you understand?’

The girl nods and draws back the curtain. Dominic pulls me inside with him. We’re in a large cave furnished with an enormous bed, big enough for at least half a dozen people. There are mirrors everywhere reflecting its broad expanse, and surrounding it are smaller places for sitting and reclining, covered in cushions. I take it all in, slightly horrified. So there are orgies here, obviously – for those who like to take part and those who like to watch. But we do not stop. Dominic takes me through the room and to a door on the opposite side. He opens it and we go in. Now we are in a smaller cave, hung with blue silk and twinkling with electric stars in the ceiling. Here are toys of a kind I’ve seen before: whips and ticklers, floggers and paddles, all laid out on shelves or hanging from racks. Here is a different kind of apparatus: not a cosy soft bed, but hard leather seats with stirrups and cuffs; there are bars against one wall, and a cabinet full of more instruments of pain and pleasure. I can’t help the thrill that rolls through me at the sight. It reminds me vividly of my nights of exploration with Dominic.