A Lady Under Siege(74)
Sylvanne made no move. He came toward her until he could see her in profile, the afternoon light illuminating the soft curve of her neck. “My heart has changed, and it’s thanks to Meghan. For one last time, I ask that you listen, so that she might hear. Let me say it and be done.”
His manner was humble and respectful, his face unguarded and honest. Despite herself, Sylvanne felt a softening of her heart. With the slightest nod of her head, she bade him continue.
“Meghan, when we meet in dreams, I perceive you through the eyes and mind of Derek. I feel what he feels, and suffer his joys and longings, his pleasures and disappointments—just exactly as you must experience the life of this lovely young lady I so nearly wronged. But there’s a difference in our circumstances: this poor woman wrestles with demons, and hates me at least by half, while Derek feels only love. He feels love for you in many forms, most especially love at its most lusty. He desires you. He wants you in his bed. I know the effect you have upon him, for I share it fully, and surpass it, even. When he suggested that you make love to him as a way to reach me, it seemed as if you brushed the idea aside. But if you are willing to let me have the last word, then let me speak from the heart.
“If you were to make love to him, I’m certain you would reach my own heart and soul. Dear Meghan, in Sylvanne’s eyes I’ve glimpsed your presence as a ray of pure light that peeks out from behind her torn loyalty. I ask you to likewise search for me in Derek’s eyes—he’ll be only too happy to let you. I wager that for you, his eyes will open wide as the hungry throat of a newly-hatched songbird.
“I know your opinion of Derek is not highly favourable, Meghan, but truly, he is not a wicked man. He’s neither spiteful nor malevolent, merely a drunkard and a reveller in strange substances unknown to me, whose properties play tricks upon the mind. His vices are weaknesses that harm only himself. Leave aside his vices, and consider his virtues. Most importantly, consider this: if there’s an earthly garden of tender adoration where you and I might join together as one, it’s through Derek that we will reach it.”
He fell silent. Sylvanne lifted her eyes to look at him. “Are you finished?” she said.
“Yes.”
“Truly finished? Henceforth you’ll no longer speak of this Meghan?”
“I must put forward a single caveat. If Daphne’s health were to worsen, so that I again feared for her life, then I would need to consult her.”
“But otherwise, you’ll only speak to me, from now forward?”
“I will do my best. You must trust me. In time you’ll see the proof of my sincerity.”
“It’s not your sincerity I doubt. It’s your sanity.”
“I’m not surprised. Henceforth there’ll be no more chatter about a woman I’ve met only in dreams. Meghan says you’ll find that a relief.”
“She’s the sole reason you’ve spoken to me at all. What motive will bring you to me now?”
“A good question. I’m not sure. I suppose I’m used to you. Isn’t that strange? I’ve told you I admire you, in many ways. You’re a woman of fine character. I don’t like the thought of ceasing to talk with you. I like being in your presence. You’re something of a habit. A good one.”
“Or maybe you wish to soften my heart, in order to win me, and thus win your Meghan too.”
“You’re clever to think of that, for that was exactly Derek’s idea. But Meghan disallowed that plan. She forbade it. She’s on your side now. The women have banded together. And I suppose the men have too.”
37
Anne had opened her office window, hoping to catch a breeze on this muggy afternoon, and now noise from the street intruded. Grinding truck gears and the roar of transit buses combined with the stifling heat to give Meghan a nasty headache. Anne fetched her a glass of water and she drank the whole thing down in one go, finishing off with a gasp of satisfaction. “Whew, that’s better, I hope it helps—I’m not thinking straight,” she complained.
“Don’t worry about it,” Anne replied. “Often the best sessions happen when people aren’t a hundred percent. Things pop up from the subconscious that surprise you. Now catch me up. What’s been happening to you?”
Meghan dutifully described it to her—how Sylvanne had lured Thomas to her bed, and swiped at him with the knife, and how he had subdued her, and then so nearly taken her. “I’ve been feeling so guilty about it, because Derek encouraged him to go through with it, and I did nothing to dissuade him.”