Indiscretion (36 page)

‘You must start at the beginning,' he told her gently, taking off his spectacles and shutting the tome on his lap.

Alexandra hesitated a few moments more. Then, choosing her words with care, she told her father what she had heard. She related the incident of the arrow and described how since her arrival she had felt on several occasions that she was being watched.

Don Alonso listened silently, his elbows on the arm of the chair. A look of shock gradually gave way to confusion and concern. When she had finished, he passed a hand over his face.

‘Are you sure you didn't misunderstand what you overheard?' he asked.

She shook her head. ‘Absolutely not. I could hear every word they said.'

Alonso frowned and for a moment said nothing. Then he let out a deep sigh and gazed bleakly at his daughter. ‘Eugenia has always been jealous of Vanessa, even the memory of her. She knew how much your mother meant to me, I think it was always plain to see. And because of that, she was always going to be threatened by you too … my pretty eldest daughter,
Vanessa
's daughter, stealing the show from Mercedes. I suspected she was up to something but didn't think she would go to these lengths.'

‘I felt her animosity from the first moment she laid eyes on me. I showed respect and courtesy towards her when I arrived but she seemed determined to provoke me from the start.' Alexandra drew her feet up on the edge of the pouffe and hugged her knees tightly. ‘I don't know if there's any other way I could have behaved with her, played it differently …'

‘Dear child, you must understand that my wife decided long ago that Mercedes would marry Salvador. Your sister is in love with him and, as far as I can see, he isn't entirely indifferent to her. But my mother, who has always taken it upon herself to organize our lives as
she sees fit, has decided otherwise. You must have realized she has taken a great liking to you. In her opinion, you're the only member of the family suitable to support the heir of El Pavón in the running of the estate. Mother is a strong and wilful woman, and has always had her own way … and that, I'm afraid, is at the root of all the trouble. You've been caught up in family politics but I never thought—'

‘Family politics… is that all it is to you?' Alexandra said vehemently, cutting him off, ‘All this because “the heir of El Pavón” needs a suitable wife? I suppose, in your despotic and reactionary world, this behaviour seems quite normal to you.'

Her anger had been building gradually and now was ready to burst. On what grounds did these people imagine they could scheme, plot and meddle in her private affairs? What gave them the supreme right to manipulate her life, just as Salvador was always doing, pulling strings as though she were a puppet with no say in the matter?

Don Alonso sighed again. ‘No, no, you misunderstand me,
querida
. Though I know Eugenia can be difficult and fiercely protective of Mercedes, I didn't imagine she would try to scare you like this …' Once more he looked pensive. ‘It seems more likely that the plan was Lopez's.'

Alexandra was nearly bursting with exasperation at her father's refusal to grasp the situation. He was clearly so under his wife's thumb that he was incapable of admitting that Eugenia would go to any lengths to scare her, and certainly not on her own. She shook her head incredulously. ‘
Papá
, can't you see what's going on under your nose?'

The emotion in her voice made him look up. ‘I can understand your anger,' he said, his gaze resting on her face. ‘Eugenia and my mother have always fought a silent battle for supremacy as far as El Pavón is concerned, and Salvador being its heir …' He paused, fumbling for the explanation that seemed to be eluding him. ‘I know that our ways are often strange …'

‘Strange?' she retorted, jumping from her seat. ‘I can see why
Mamá
couldn't bear to live like this. Is it also part of your “ways” to
indulge in ridiculously underhand and threatening behaviour to get what you want? All this has nothing to do with the traditions of your country but with the dictatorial and downright ruthless nature of certain members of this family.'

She was shaking now, mutiny etched on every feature. ‘I don't know what folly made me come here in the first place,' she cried out, her hands clenched. ‘But I won't be threatened and manipulated into leaving until I'm ready to go. And I will certainly not play into the hands of my stepmother, my grandmother, or anyone else for that matter. I'll …'

‘Gently does it, my child, gently does it,' whispered Don Alonso, raising his hands, whether in an attempt to pacify his daughter or to fend her off, she didn't know. ‘This is a delicate matter that needs much thought and tact,' he added calmly, though his brow was now furrowed. ‘Leave it to me, I'll deal with it. From now on you'll have nothing more to fear from your stepmother, I promise, and even less from that scoundrel, Lopez. I know that life has been difficult for you at El Pavón … we're not an easy family to live with.' He paused. ‘Perhaps it would be worth your while considering a return to England if being here is making you unhappy. Let things blow over a bit.'

Alexandra felt as though she'd received a cold shower. Biting back the retort that quivered on the tip of her tongue, she shook her head mutely. She should have known this would be his reaction. Her father had always been weak and, in this instance, she had no doubt, the tide would be too strong for him to fight. The only time he made a stand for himself had been when he'd married her mother, and look how that ended. Alexandra had to face up to it; she was on her own. She managed a pale smile but couldn't hide the sadness in her eyes.

Her father's expression held sadness too, she noticed. Did he realize he had hurt her? Maybe, but it would make no difference in the end. She had no doubt he had difficulty imagining his daughter settling in Spain; after all, Vanessa hadn't managed to do so and he'd repeatedly told Alexandra she reminded him of her mother, the only woman he'd ever loved. It was plain that her father thought it best if
she left and that Mercedes, despite her immaturity, would make a perfectly good wife for Salvador.

Standing up, Don Alonso said, ‘Come, I'll walk out with you.' They left the room through the French doors and, as they emerged on to the terrace, they saw Marujita sauntering across it, her hips swaying provocatively as usual. It was obvious to Alexandra that she had come from Salvador's apartments. The gypsy girl was wearing a clingy dress of very fine silk, which emphasized the curves of her voluptuous young body. With her lustrous black hair swinging softly to her hips, she looked bewitching and alluring. Don Alonso stopped her as she was passing.

‘Where have you been?' he asked in a severe tone Alexandra had never heard him use before.

‘
Señor
Salvador's apartments,' replied the gypsy girl with a smirk.

‘You're aware of the rules. Her Grace the
Duquesa
has strictly forbidden you to set foot in this house. You have your own quarters and simply no business here,' he told her coldly.

Marujita threw back her head in that defiant Amazonian gesture so typical of her people. Briefly, she looked Alexandra up and down. ‘It was
Señor
Salvador himself who asked me to come,' she said, giving them a quizzical half-smile. ‘He needed my services.'

‘That can be done at your own place,' retorted Don Alonso, struggling to keep his cool.

‘But he wanted me here, now, immediately,' she went on shamelessly, stressing each word in the slightly husky voice Alexandra had no doubt was enticing for most men. She felt her blood boil.

‘I am here every night …' The gypsy girl looked daggers at Alexandra, a sly glint of triumph in her eyes. ‘I satisfy his hunger, quench his thirst. Without my warmth, my fire, his body lies cold and lifeless, tortured by a need only I can fulfil. He is my master and …'

‘That's enough,' cut in Don Alonso sharply, clearly shocked by the graphic, shameless impudence of the girl. ‘I'll have you remember
who you're talking to, girl. And I'll have your story checked, believe me. Go on, get out — leave now!'

Alerted by the noise, José hurried out and grabbed the girl by her shoulders. Marujita fought like a wild cat, scratching and stamping her feet.

‘He'll never be able to do without me!' she shouted after them in a shrill voice as the major domo dragged her from the terrace. ‘I'm the match that lights his fire. Without me, he's nothing, he's no good. And by the
Madre Santa
he knows it!'

After they'd gone, Don Alonso shook his head. ‘This has gone far enough, it's getting quite out of control,' he sighed, as if to himself. Alexandra watched dumbly as, taking leave of his daughter, he retired once more to the sanctuary of his office. His ostrich policy had obviously served him well in the past and this was no exception.

She made her way to the front garden, a stream of sombre thoughts tumbling through her mind. This was the final straw. Hot anger smouldered within her as she totted up everything pitted against her: Salvador's casual and chauvinistic attitude to women, her father's cowardice, Marujita's effrontery … and that was the least of it. She strolled on to the front lawn. Enough was enough, she would no longer put up with it.

‘Good afternoon, Doña Alexandra.' She jumped, rudely forced out of her deep reflection, to find Don Felipe at her side. Evidently she had been so wrapped in her thoughts that she hadn't heard his car draw up.

‘Don Felipe,' she exclaimed. ‘How lovely to see you. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you arrive.'

‘I came by horse and carriage and left it further down the drive. I thought you might like to take a ride with me.'

She smiled as the young man brought her hand to his lips.

His dark, burning eyes scrutinized her face. ‘You look very doleful today. Is anything the matter?' he asked.

‘You're very perceptive,' Alexandra said, still smiling. ‘I think I could do with some pleasant company at the moment.'

The idea of escaping the stultifying atmosphere of the hacienda, with all its intrigues, made the
torero
's offer particularly appealing. Don Felipe had always been courteous towards her, and although he had perhaps been somewhat over-assiduous in his attentions, Alexandra saw no reason not to reciprocate his friendliness. It was difficult to make out why Salvador held him in such contempt. Certainly, he was flirtatious, and she imagined that sometimes the mischievous glint twinkling in his eyes might have landed him in trouble, but he was consistently cheerful and charming. And, quite frankly, today she needed someone to make her feel good about herself for a change.

‘I was on my way in to Puerto de Santa María for my weekly visit to our
bodegas
, and wondered if you'd care to accompany me …'

‘You've taken me rather by surprise,' she said hesitantly.

‘I'm quite aware that I should have dropped my card earlier and given you more notice,' he said apologetically. ‘My only excuse was my eagerness to see you again.'

Alexandra hesitated a few seconds. Shouldn't she tell someone where she was going? Perhaps ask Sarita to accompany her? Suppose someone was to look for her? Aunt Geraldine had warned her against the narrow-minded bigotry of the Spanish and the de Fallas were no exception, as she'd now seen for herself. They were sure to condemn her behaviour: one did not go out in the company of a young man without a chaperone. She mentioned her reservations to Don Felipe.

‘It's only three o'clock,' he reassured her. ‘I promise you'll be back before dark, and well before dinner. Our
bodegas
aren't far, just a few kilometres between here and Santa María, on the sea.' He gave her his most engaging smile. ‘Don't worry, I'm a trusted friend of the family. You'll be perfectly safe with me, I assure you.'

For a second, Alexandra thought of Salvador, whom she felt wouldn't quite agree on his ‘trusted' epithet, but then she laughed and pushed her qualms to one side. After all, she wasn't a prisoner in this house and Don Felipe had promised she would be back by dinner. Anyhow, she doubted anyone would miss her. She had a habit
of going out for long walks in the grounds and so far no one had ever come looking for her. If they did today, well then, she would just have to face the consequences …

‘Oh, goodness, why not?'

‘Wonderful!' The
torero
took Alexandra's arm and hurried her rather energetically down the drive towards the gig, whose horse was patiently waiting, munching on grass. ‘We must leave straight away so as not to waste any more time.' He helped her into the carriage and took up his seat beside her.

‘Thank you,' Alexandra said with a grateful smile. ‘I really did need to get away.'

‘Don't thank me, beautiful
señorita
, the pleasure is all mine,' he declared gallantly, with a crack of his whip.

The sky was azure-gold and hazy, the afternoon sun beating down on the fields both sides of the road, where vines stretched to the horizon. No wonder fruit and vegetables ripened here so rapidly. What else could they do under such sultry persuasion? This was the route Alexandra had taken with Ramón on that long-ago night of her arrival. It was
siesta
time and there were few pedestrians. To her right, almond trees edged the road mile after unbroken mile, their sweet-smelling blossom now coming to the end of its life, covering the ground like a snow-white carpet.
What an exquisite sight
, she thought.

‘There's a legend attached to the almond blossom,' said Don Felipe, whose watchful eye seemed to have read her mind. ‘It goes back to the days when we were ruled by the Moors, and tells the story of the sultan who brought a beautiful princess back from Scandinavia.'

Alexandra laughed lightly. ‘I think I should be writing a book of Spanish legends instead of a romance, I've collected so many.'