The Arrogant Duke (9 page)

Juliet felt Teresa stiffen with anger. 'Tio Felipe, I cannot stay here on the sand alone!'

'Why not?' The Duque left them, mounting the cliff path with ease, to get the flask of coffee from the car.

Teresa gave Juliet an angry stare. 'So,
senhorita
, you think you have won.'

Juliet sighed. 'It's not a battle, Teresa. For heaven's sake, why can't you just accept my company? I'm not trying to hurt you. I want to help you!'

'I don't need any help!'

'Well, I think you do.' Juliet rose to her feet. 'Don't you want to walk again?'

'Of course I do,' Teresa exclaimed.

'Well then, try and see that by using your limbs you will regain the power over them!'

'How?'

'Swimming!'

'No, thanks.' Teresa glanced round and saw the Duque descending the path again. 'You're just like Laura Weston, do you know that?'

'The other companion?'

'Yes. I'll bet my uncle did not tell you why she was dismissed.'

'He said you didn't like her.
^'

'No, I didn't.' Teresa sneered. 'But that wasn't why she was dismissed.' She put the tips of her fingers together. 'She made a fool of herself over Felipe, that's why she was dismissed!'

Juliet felt the colour wash over her body. 'Well,' she said, speaking quickly before the Duque arrived, 'you need have no anxiety in that direction, so far as I am concerned.'

'No?'

'No.'

The Duque reached them. 'There you are, Teresa,' he said, smiling. 'Some coffee, and some dark glasses. We won't be very long.'

Teresa shrugged, apparently accepting the situation, but Juliet wondered whether her mind was already pondering possibilities of her new companion making a fool of herself over her uncle, and thus bringing about her own dismissal.

In consequence, as they walked across the sand together, Juliet felt tongue-tied, and the Duque studied her expression thoughtfully.

'I am quite aware of my niece's facility for causing dissension,' he remarked surprisingly. 'Teresa is young and painfully aware of her vulnerability. Maybe that is why she clings to me.'

Juliet shrugged, not answering, and he said, a little impatiently: '
Senhorita
, at the risk of appearing conceited, I must confess you do not appear to enjoy my company as much as any other woman of my acquaintance.'

Juliet stared at him now, her cheeks burning. 'I am sorry,
senhor
. I was thinking of other things.'

'Obviously. Might one ask what "things"?'

She sighed. 'You didn't tell me Miss Weston was dismissed because -she became - well, infatuated with you.'

He smiled now, completely without mockery, and Juliet was struck again by the magnetic appeal he emanated. '
Deus
,' he exclaimed, 'you are the most forthright young woman I have ever met. You do not - how do you say - pull your punches, do you?'

'Is it true?'

He shrugged. 'Maybe.'

'In other words - yes.'

He did not reply, and then they reached the boat- house, and he extracted a bunch of keys from the pocket of his riding breeches, and inserted one in the lock.

Inside, it was gloomy and a little damp-smelling, as though the wood might be rotting in places. There was a sleek motor boat, painted red and white, lying in the centre, and along -the sides of the building were hung rubber diving suits, oxygen cylinders, masks and goggles, and all the other paraphernalia common to skin-diving.

Leaving the door wide to admit the light, the Duque showed Juliet how the cylinders worked, and she had to appear completely ignorant of the technicalities.

The Duque climbed into the motor boat, examining the fuel gauge, turning on the ignition, doing all the usual checks a boatman might do. He went down on his haunches, climbing into the small covered cabin of the craft, while Juliet interested herself in a map she had found hanging on the wall. When the Duque emerged again, swinging up on to the wooden planking, several of the buttons of his shirt had become loosened, leaving his chest bare to his waist, darkly tanned, and covered with dark hairs. He walked past Juliet, wiped his hands on a cloth, and said:

'I see you are examining the chart. The crosses mark the dives that have already been made.' He came to stand beside her, but that was too much for Juliet. There was something wholly disturbing about his almost animal sensuality, and her own emotions were rapidly disturbing her.

With jerky movements, she brushed past him, intending to get out into the sunshine as soon as was possible, but her foot slipped on the planks, her ankle turned, and she stumbled and would have fallen had he not caught her, grasping her arms, and pulling her up so that momentarily she was against the hard warmth of his chest. She felt the smoothness of his skin with its overlying layer of hair beneath her fingers, and knew that she wanted to slide her arms round his neck, and put her mouth against the firm lips of the Duque. Everything Teresa had said swam dizzily through her mind, and with a wrench she was out of his arms and out of the boathouse with superhuman speed.

T
HE
journey back to the
quinta
was uneventful. Only Teresa seemed aware that something was amiss, and her eyes had narrowed curiously at Juliet's sudden return to her on the beach, minus the Duque. He came a little while later, strolling lazily across the sand after locking up the boathouse again. He spoke to Teresa, relaxed with her, and completely ignored Juliet:

After lunch, which was a silent meal, the Duque Excused himself, Teresa was taken by Nurse Madison for her rest, and Juliet was left to her own devices. She decided to stay in her own room, and read a little before lying down and allowing her thoughts free rein.

She determinedly thrust all thoughts of Duque Felipe de Castro out of her mind, and thought instead about Rosemary, and her father. She wondered whether he had made any progress in endeavouring to find her. It seemed much more than six days since she left England. The life there, her friends and activities, seemed a world away. A world moreover to which she had no desire to return. That was the frightening thing. Whereas, in the beginning, it had begun almost as an escapade, now it had achieved the proportions of something large and important, and she no longer wanted to jeopardize her chances of remaining on Venterra, even if it meant humouring Teresa.

In this, of course, she was helped by Estelle Vinceiro's attitude, and also that of the Duque himself.

The Duque!

Her thoughts raced. What had happened in the boathouse that morning? Had he been aware of her nervousness, of the primitive sensations he aroused in her? Had he sensed her controlled withdrawal had been brought about by a supreme test of will-power?

She rolled on to her stomach, recalling the feel of his body against hers. She had never felt that way before. She had swum with boys, kissed boys in bathing suits, so why did the Duque disturb her so much? She had always criticized girls who allowed their emotions to rule their heads. She had always thought they were foolish and weak-willed. But now she was beginning to feel the strength of an attraction that cared little for will-power, or convention. After all, the Duque was much older than she was, and obviously more experienced. Who could say but that maybe he had indulged in a light affair with this girl, Laura Weston, and then after her dismissal had pretended she had been the guilty party! Maybe he indulged in affairs often. Maybe, as she was young, and a new face around the
quinta
, he thought she might enjoy it too.

Then she squashed these ideas. Whatever else the Duque might be he was not promiscuous. She didn't know exactly how she knew this, but she did. A man who lived life lightly, uncaring of a person's feelings, could not inspire such love and devotion in his people as she had witnessed in Venterra that morning.

She rolled on to her back again. It was ridiculous really, she thought, sighing. Even indulging in this kind of mental pondering. After all, sooner or later Robert Lindsay would find her, and then . ..

The Duque had visitors for dinner that evening, so Juliet asked Consuelo if she could have her dinner in her room. It seemed apparent that Nurse Madison intended keeping Teresa with her for the remainder of the afternoon when her siesta was over, so that Juliet's involvement with the girl was very slight. Apart from the morning, she was obviously going to be left to herself, and she had no desire to intrude on any dinner party the Duque might be giving. Consuelo had told her that there were to be six for dinner: Estelle Vinceiro; the Duque's sister Amalia and her husband, Juan Bestado; a young Spaniard called Francisco Valmos, as well as Teresa and the Duque himself.

The next morning, she breakfasted with Teresa as usual, and then had Miguel assist her to persuade the girl to go in the car. They drove to Venterra, and Teresa stayed moodily in the car while Juliet did some personal shopping. She had offered to assist the girl into her wheelchair, but she wouldn't listen to her, and in consequence Juliet felt guilty again.

The Duque was not present for lunch, and Consuelo said: 'Your uncle asked me to give you a message,
senhorita.
^'

Teresa looked more alert than she had done all morning. 'Yes?'

'He has had to fly to Barbados on business, and may not be back for a few days,
senhorita.
Apparently it was a sudden decision, brought about by a telephone call this morning.'

Teresa looked sullen. 'Oh, really!' She chewed at her lip angrily. 'Is that all?'

'I think so,
senhorita.
If you had been at home at the time—'

'Of course.
If!'
muttered Teresa, with passion. She looked at Juliet. 'I suppose you imagine this will give you the chance to treat me as you like.'

Juliet gasped. 'Of course not!'

'It is as well, for you will be disappointed!' said Teresa harshly.

Juliet gave a sigh. 'Why must you persist in this ridiculous antagonism?' she exclaimed wearily. 'Can't you see I'm here now, and there's nothing you can do about it!'

'Isn't there? Isn't there just!' Teresa wheeled her chair away from the table. 'Consuelo! Get Nurse Madison. I want to go to my room.'

Teresa's rooms, Juliet knew, were on the ground floor for convenience, but as she had never been invited there, she didn't know where they were.

Leaving the table herself, she walked outside on to the patio, wishing Teresa was a simple ordinary girl, with ordinary tastes, and ordinary likes and dislikes, not ruled by an obsessive passion for her uncle.

With decision, she went up to her room, donned her black swimsuit, and throwing a striped black and white | towelling beach coat over all, she descended the stairs ! again, and crossed the gardens to the path leading I down to the beach.

Shading her eyes with dark glasses, she sunbathed for a while before plunging into the cooling waters of the Caribbean. Although the water was warm, it was refreshing, and she swam lazily, turning on to her back and floating.

Afterwards she lay on the beach again, and then returned to the
quinta
in time for afternoon tea, which was invariably served in her room. However, today as she crossed the' marble hall, Estelle Vinceiro appeared from the direction of the lounge, and said:

'Excuse me, Senhorita Summers. Have you a moment? Will you have tea with me?'

Juliet smiled. 'Well, if you will allow me to dress first,' she exclaimed ruefully.

Estelle inclined her small, delicately moulded head.
₍
'Of course. I shall await you in the lounge.'

The lounge was a large but comfortable room, well endowed with deep armchairs and settees, its elegance coming from an intricately carved ceiling and tapestry- hung walls. A superb collection of china and porcelain were in a large cabinet, and there was a chiming French clock on the mantel above a magnificent fireplace.

When Juliet returned, feeling; more relaxed in a slim-fitting white shift of embroidered cotton, she found Estelle sitting on a skin-covered couch, in command of a silver tea service and wafer thin cups and saucers.

'Cream and sugar,
senhorita
?' she questioned.

'Just cream, thank you,' said Juliet, sitting down opposite her. 'It's a beautiful day.'

'Yes, isn't it? There you are!' She handed Juliet a cup of tea, offered sandwiches and cakes, and then taking her own cup, lay back lazily, crossing her legs, for all the world as though she were already mistress of the
quinta.

Juliet sipped her tea, thinking desperately of something to say. 'The - er - Duque left this morning for Barbados,' she ventured.

Estelle smiled silkily. 'Yes, I know. Naturally, he telephoned me before his departure.'

Juliet smiled, nodded, returned her attention to her tea. Estelle was scrutinizing her very thoroughly, and although she liked the, woman, she did not like such appraising scrutiny.

Finally, Estelle said: 'Tell me,
senhorita
, how are you getting on with Teresa?'

Juliet sighed. She did not want to offend the other woman but nor did she particularly want to discuss Teresa with her.

'We - we are making - slow progress,' she said awkwardly.

'That I can believe. And the Duque? Does he take Teresa's part so that your job is doubly difficult?'

'No. That is - I don't think so.'

Estelle nodded, as though well satisfied. 'You may not know, Senhorita Summers, but at the time Teresa's accident occurred, Felipe - that is, the Duque and I, were planning to get married.'

Juliet stiffened. 'Oh, yes?'

'Yes. That is why, naturally, I am endeavouring to find someone to whom Teresa will take a liking. It is difficult, you understand. Felipe will not consider marriage while Teresa is so helpless - so dependent upon him.
^'

'I see.' Juliet finished her tea and stood down her cup. Estelle flicked open a cigarette box on the table, and said:

'Do you smoke,
senhorita?
^'

Juliet said she did, took a cigarette, and accepted a light. Estelle did hot smoke, but folded her hands, and continued to survey her companion.