The Man at Mulera (27 page)

As four o
’
clock approached, Lou was surprisingly calm. She put on the powder-blue blouse and a white skirt, looking young and vulnerable as she helped Ali prepare the large tea trolley, and wheeled it close t
o
the french window. It was still too windy to eat outdoors, but the window was pegged open and let in only a breeze, which stirred the heavy curtains and rippled over the white mosquito netting which covered the trolley.

Mrs. Acland sewed, a gentle smile on her lips. Elinor lounged in her usual uncaring fashion, and she had not bothered to change from the faded silk she had donned this morning. Ross looked big and handsome, in off-white linen slacks and a short-sleeved white shirt that lay open at the neck, showing his teak-brown throat. When Martin
’
s car slid round the drive, he went down to meet the two Craddocks.

The three of them came in, Paula looking like a beautiful and rare delphinium between the two brown men. She
smiled
sweetly at Mrs. Acland, bent and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

“
Dear Aunt Maud. What a pity you can
’
t stay here with us always!
”

Mrs. Acland patted the coral-tipped fingers.
“
It
’
s one of my greatest regrets—especially this year.
”
Her meaning glance was almost pleading as she turned to Ross.
“
My dear, there
’
s nothing makes me happier than to be here with you and Paula and everyone else, like this. But I
think
that in the future you will have to transfer to England for a
c
ouple of months, instead. Not that there
’
s anything wrong with me,
”
she added hastily.
“
It
’
s simply that I long to be your hostess, for a change. Paula, how is that place of yours in Hampshire going along these days?
”

“
From all accounts, very well,
”
was the airy reply.
“
Jim Mordaunt, who manages the whole thing for me, is a wizard. He actually makes the estate pay its way.
”

“
Jim
’
s quite a fellow,
”
commented Ross.
“
He ought to have a place of his own.
”

Martin wrinkled his nose at his sister.
“
He wouldn
’
t put so much heart into it Jim hurls himself into the job because that
’
s what Paula demands of him.
”

“
Darling, you make me sound like a slave-driver. I
’
m fond of Jim.
”

“
So you should be. He makes possible those glamorous jewels you wear.
”
He turned to Lou.
“
Well, my child—and how are you? You look tired.
”

Paula, from her chair beside Mrs. Acland, smiled sharply
“
You
’
re overdoing the fatherly act Martin. Lou is merely discovering that the climate of Mulera doesn
’
t suit everyone.
”

Ross slid a glance over Lou
’
s face as she bent towards the trolley and removed the net
.
“
Been playing with Keith?
”
he asked.

“
No. He
’
s absorbed in those crocodile eggs. He swears one of them moved when he looked into the box this morning, and he only leaves them for long enough to swallow a little food. He doesn
’
t even answer when you speak to him.
”

Martin laughed.
“
That shows how high we rate in a child
’
s esteem. He
’
d swop the lot of us for a crocodile egg.
”

He went on speaking, easily, while Lou poured the tea, and Ross, in his unerringly deft fashion, handed the cups. She saw Martin in a new light—as a man who at last realized domestic happiness was
within
his grasp. No wonder he had been so kind and understanding to Elinor; no doubt he felt he must share the cautious happiness that was seeping into him. Lou felt so pleased for him that she would have liked to tell him that she understood his feelings. But he didn
’
t need understanding from Lou Prentice. Tomorrow he would leave for a week in Zomba, and when he returned he would probably announce his forthcoming marriage. Thank heaven, she thought soberly, that at least one of us is getting what he wants.

They chatted and laughed, Ali wheeled away the trolley and Elinor excused herself and went to her room. Mrs. Acland decided to rest for a while, but Lou
’
s normal offer of assistance was forestalled by Paula, who ignored Lou and sprang up, affectionately giving the older woman her arm.

“
Let me help you for once, Aunt Maud. I want a little chat with you, anyway, if you
’
re not too tired.
”

“
Of course I
’
m not, dear, but I do find it helps if I rest my back fairly often. We
’
ll talk in my room.
”

When they had gone, Lou stood hovering near the french window. But Ross said,
“
Come and sit down, Louise. You
’
re about as restful as the wind out there. Have a cigarette.
”

She held it to the flame he offered, felt his fingers brush hers as he withdrew the lighter. The cigarette tasted horrid, but she smoked it and looked away from the men, at the blowing trees in the garden. Petals flashed by, then an angry bird that hated being lifted by anything but its own volition. The men talked about an accident which had happened in the darkness on the wind-tossed Lake, about the cotton that should be picked as soon as possible, about an African court case which promised to hit the headlines.

Then Martin said quietly,
“
Decided what to do about your aunt, Ross?
”

Ross nodded.
“
I think so. I
’
m sending her home. She doesn
’
t complain but it
’
s obvious she won
’
t be thoroughly well while she
’
s here. But I don
’
t want her to travel home alone.
”
He sounded impatient as he added,
“
Nothing moves quickly when you want it to. I
’
d like to take Maud to England myself, but I
’
m so tied that I
’
m afraid it won
’
t be possible.
”

“
Have you thought of asking Elinor Weston to take it on?
”

“
Yes. It would be the best way of paying her fare; she
’
s too darned proud to accept it for nothing.
”

Lou looked round at the men quickly.
“
I don
’
t think Elinor wants to go to England. I was hoping someone would
think
of some way of keeping her here.
”

Martin leaned forward, his rugged face kind and smiling.
“
That
’
s what we
’
ve been doing,
”
he said.
“
She told me a week ago that she couldn
’
t stay another day, and Ross persuaded her to relax for a bit
.
”

“
You did?
”
said Lou slowly, looking at Ross.
“
Why should you want her to stay?
”

But Ross apparently had become intolerant of the subject.
“
Both Martin and I had what we hoped was a good reason but it
’
s gradually fading out
.
We
’
ll give it a few more days, and after that we
’
ll come to a decision. What
’
s it to you, young Louise?
”

“
I
’
d like Elinor to be happy.
”

“
Oh, sure, you
’
d like everyone to be happy. I suggest you concentrate on yourself for a change.
”

“
I
’
m tired of myself
.
”

Martin was alarmed.
“
That
’
s no way to be, at your age
!
I was hoping you
’
d found someone in Greg Allwyn who
’
d make you happy for the rest of your life.
”

Lou went scarlet
.
Ross looked coldly satirical.

“
I forgot to tell you, Martin. Allwyn doesn
’
t want to stay after his three months
’
trial. I thought he wouldn
’
t
.
”

“
What will you do?
”

“
Get hold of a young lea
rn
er-planter. They
’
re always earnest and stay for at least two years. If I get a good one, I
’
ll cut
him
a share of the plantation to keep him. It
’
s the
only
way.
”

But Martin returned to his first query.
“
Why are you tired of yourself, Lou?
”

They waited for her reply, Martin concernedly, and Ross with that dark intent look in his eyes. She wished to heaven she hadn
’
t made the statement
.

“
I suppose I feel useless and ineffectual,
”
she said,
“
and I do like to have a glimpse of the foreseeable future.
”

“
Why should you worry about the future?
”
put in Ross.
“
Let things move at their own pace. You
’
ll be taken care of.
”

“
I don
’
t want to be taken care of.
”

“
Yes, you do,
”
he said caustically.
“
You want a good many things you
’
re not aware of.
”

“
And one or two things I
am
aware of!
”
she returned.
“
I want a job like the one I left in England, and I want to be free.
”

Ross was unmoved. He shrugged.
“
They
’
re screaming out for teachers all over the place. And no one is free, my child.
”

“
No one except Ross Gilmore?
”
she demanded.

“
Even
I
,
”
he said with a maddening smile,
“
am no exception. For years I
’
ve let Mulera run my life. I
’
ve decided to put an end to it but when I do there
’
ll be something—or someone—else I
’
ll have to consider. I wouldn
’
t want things any different.
”

Martin looked pleased.
“
Glad to hear you speak like that old chap. It
’
s a welcome change. About Elinor Weston—I might be able to fix her up with a post while I
’
m in Zomba.
”

Ross gave him a cool half-wink.
“
You
’
ll have enough to do fixing up for yourself. I still feel we ought to wait a while.
”

“
Wait for what?
”
asked Lou, a little vexed.
“
Elinor
’
s capable of packing up and leaving within an hour or two, if she decides on it
.
”

“
I
’
ll deal with it, little one. Just think about yourself for a change. Let things slide, and stop going overboard
for every man who looks as if he might be willing to take on Keith as well as a wife.
”

Martin
’
s eyes widened, but before he could comment, Lou said angrily,
“
Go on, Mr. Gilmore, tell the world! One of these days I
’
ll be able to say to you exactly what I think. It
’
ll be a field day!
”

“
C
ome now,
”
Ross said, mockingly.
“
You
’
re a young and normally lighthearted person; your dearest wish is to see everyone happy—we all know that. Surely you
’
d like me to be happy too?
”