The Arrogant Duke (11 page)

The Duque seemed astounded. 'Is this so? Then I am very pleased. Senhorita Summers, I am very grateful to you.'

Juliet managed a slight smile, concentrating on the rolls on her plate. She wondered why he was so pleased - because of his affection for Teresa and his desire to see her well, or his desire to marry Estelle Vinceiro.

Teresa tugged at his hand, attracting his attention. 'I have also been in the water, Felipe. I cannot swim, but the Senhorita and Francisco, they help me!'

The Duque frowned. 'Francisco? Francisco Valmos?'

'That's right,
senhor
,' said Juliet, looking up. 'He is a friend of yours, is he not?'

'A friend of Estelle's perhaps,' remarked the Duque dourly. 'Tell me,
senhorita
, have you seen much of this young man?'

'We have spent much time with him,' interposed Teresa. 'He is an entertaining companion.'

The Duque snapped his fingers impatiently. 'Nevertheless, I would prefer it if in future you consult with me before making arrangements to go out with him,
senhorita
,' he said to Juliet, his eyes dark and enigmatic.

It was the first encounter Juliet had really had with him since the day on the beach at Lauganca Bay, and she felt the faint stirrings of torment which she was growing used to associating with him.

'Naturally as Senor Valmos was a guest in your house before you went away I assumed he was a friend of yours,' replied Juliet stiffly.

'It does not do to assume anything,' remarked the Duque bleakly. 'Well, Teresa, I am glad to see you looking so much better. It is to be hoped the improvement will continue.'

'I - I'm sure it will,' said Teresa, showing a trace of disappointment in her uncle's terse manner. 'Felipe, was the trip successful?'

The Duque had been staring across the patio broodingly, and seemed to find it difficult to draw his mind back to the present. 'What - oh - oh, yes, thank you, Teresa. Most successful.'

'That is good. And now that your business is over, perhaps you will be able to spend some time with us.'

The Duque shrugged his broad shoulders. Then he seemed to decide something, for he said: 'Tell me, Teresa, how well are you? Well enough to attend a small party this evening?'

Teresa's eyes darkened. 'Oh, I don't know, Felipe.'

Juliet finished her coffee, dabbed her mouth with her napkin and rose to her feet. If the Duque was about to begin making assignations with Teresa he could undo all the good Juliet had done.

'Will you excuse me,
senhor
,' she murmured politely, seeking the shade of the verandah.

'Wait!' The Duque's tone was peremptory, and she turned.

'Yes?'

'I should like you to attend this party also, Senhorita Summers.'

Juliet hesitated, and then said: 'No, thank you,
senhor
. I - well, I should feel out of place with your friends. Thank you for inviting me, but I must decline.'

Teresa was staring at him now, her eyes brighter. 'Then I shall go, Felipe,' she said. 'Yes, as Senhorita Summers says, it is time I began breaking out of the cocoon I have built around myself. Soon - soon I shall be able to walk, and I want to meet your friends before then.'

The Duque looked moody now, his eyes surveying Juliet with something like anger in their depths.

'Very well, Teresa,' he said tautly, looking at his niece now. 'You shall accompany me. It is a pity your companion is so staid, but I suppose it would not do for us all to be alike.'

Juliet listened to no more. She hurried indoors, aware of suppressing the strongest desire she had ever experienced. That of going out to a party with the arrogant Duque de Castro.

The following day, Teresa developed a severe cold. Long spells even in the warm waters of the Caribbean, had taken their toll, for once into the water, she never wanted to come out.

Juliet visited her, commiserated with her, and then left her to the doting ministrations of Nurse Madison.

She encountered the Duque in the main hall. Dressed as usual in riding gear, he had been out early, riding about the estate. When he was at home he invariably rode in the early mornings, so Teresa had told her. His lazy eyes surveyed the attractive picture she made in a short white pleated skirt, and a halter-necked blouse of red silk.

'So,
senhorita
,' he murmured, 'you have been visiting our patient.'

'Yes,
senhor.
I am afraid Teresa took too gladly to the roar of the waves.'

He inclined his head in silent agreement, and then said: 'And you,
senhorita.
What do you plan to do today?'

Juliet's legs felt a little weak. 'I - well, I suppose I will swim a little, or maybe play tennis with Miguel.'

'I see. In other words, you have nothing planned.'

'No,
senhor.'

'No? That is good. I suggest we spend the day at Lauganca Bay. I will give you a few tentative lessons in skin-diving,
sim?'

'Senhor!
' She stared at him in surprise.

'Well? Does not the idea appeal to you?'

'Yes, but - well - I mean - Teresa!'

'Nurse Madison is only too willing to take care of your charge. And I must confess I do not feel like working today after such a long period of absence. So? Is this all right?'

Juliet compressed her lips. 'Very well,
senhor.'

'Good. Get your swimming things and I will meet you on the forecourt in half an hour.'

'Yes,
senhor.'

In her room, her fingers trembled as she stripped off her skirt and blouse and put on the black, one-piece swimsuit. Then she put on her clothes again, thrusting her bra and panties into the bag with her towel and beach coat. Sliding dark glasses on to her nose, she descended the stairs in time to meet Nurse Madison at the bottom.

'Are you going out, Miss Summers?' asked Nurse Madison curiously.

Juliet sighed. 'Just - just to the beach,' she replied casually.

'There's a letter for you,' said Nurse Madison. 'I was about to bring it up to you. Here you are!'

Juliet took the letter, recognizing Rosemary's handwriting at once. 'Thanks,' she said awkwardly, expecting the nurse to turn and go, but she didn't, and Juliet thrust the letter into the bag, said
Cheerio
in a light tone, and walked out through the main doors on to the forecourt where a dark blue sports car was parked, with the Duque leaning against the bonnet, smoking a cheroot. Nurse Madison's eyes widened spitefully, and Juliet heaved a heavy sigh as she approached the car.

The Duque frowned. 'Is something wrong?'

'Nurse Madison will be hotfoot to tell Teresa that we are going out together,' she said exasperatedly.

The Duque grinned lazily, and opened the car door for her. 'Do you mind?'

Juliet gave him an old-fashioned look. 'Of course. Teresa is beginning to believe in me. I don't want her trust shattered.'

The Duque shrugged, as he climbed in beside her. 'Well, it is too late to worry now.' He switched on the ignition, put the car into gear, and they drove away fast. 'What do you think she will tell Teresa?'

'Oh, just the truth, I suppose. With certain additives.'

'Like what?'

'Like we might be . ..' Her voice trailed away.

'Like we might be what? Having an affair?' The Duque's tone was mocking.

'Something like that.'

'And that troubles you.'

Juliet gasped. 'You know perfectly well that Teresa is jealous of everyone who looks at you!'

He frowned. 'You exaggerate.'

'Not much, believe me. That's why she and Senhora Vinceiro could never be friends.'

'Why Senhora Vinceiro? Because she is my cousin? Because she is beautiful?'

'You are being deliberately obtuse,' said Juliet, forgetting for a moment to whom she was speaking.

The Duque raised his dark eyebrows. 'Indeed?'

'Yes, indeed. Oh,
senhor
, you know I'm right.'

'I know that I am growing tired of you calling me
senhor
,' he murmured, his eyes on her for a moment.

Juliet flushed. 'Would you have me call you Your Grace?'

'No.' His tone was taut now. 'I would have you call me Felipe.'

Her stomach plunged sickeningly, righted itself, and then plunged again. She pressed a hand to her middle, and forbore to answer his remark.

Lauganca Bay looked even more beautiful than it had done before. Maybe that was because they were alone, she acceded to herself. The Duque was a stimulating companion, stimulating and disturbing!

They carried rugs, airbeds, and a hamper down to the beach, and Juliet busied herself arranging everything. The Duque had parked the car nearer the headland where the boathouse was situated, and it was only a stone's throw away from where they were picnicking.

Tell me,
^'
said Juliet, watching him with fascinated eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt, 'do not the conventions practised by your countrymen apply here?'

He frowned, pulling his shirt out of his pants lazily. 'In what way - er - what is your name?'

'Rosemary, but call me Juliet. I like it better.'

'So do I. Now - what conventions?'

'Well, I always understood that a Portuguese girl of good family would never spend time alone with a man unless they were married, or engaged, at least.'

He took off his shirt. '
Sim
, this is so.'

Juliet looked exasperated. 'Then what are we doing here?'

'You are not Portuguese,
senhorita
. You are English.
^'

'So that gives you the right to spend time alone with me?'

'You accepted my invitation - er - Juliet, did you not?'

Juliet hunched her shoulders, kicking the sand with her bare feet. 'I - I suppose so.' She moved restlessly. 'But I don't like the idea of being treated like - like a peasant!'

The Duque shook his head, and walked across to the boathouse, emerging a few moments later with a black rubber suit. He took off his trousers, revealing a pair of swimming trunks, much to Juliet's amused relief, and then proceeded to pull on the suit.

Within a few minutes he was ready, and said: 'Don't go away. I'll be right back,' and walked away into the water, disappearing after a few minutes into the depths.

Juliet sighed again, sat down on the sand, drew up her knees, and wrapping her arms round them, prepared to wait.

It seemed hours before he returned, and she was beginning to feel faint twinges of anxiety. Then he came up, out of the waves, like some black, shiny sea- monster.

He pulled off his goggles and head covering as he approached her, smiling quite relaxedly.

'The water is turbulent,' he remarked, unzipping the body of the suit to his waist. 'But if we stay in the shallows, you should be all right. Can you get the other suit?' Juliet hesitated. 'What is wrong? Are you nervous?'

'No,' she denied fiercely, and walking into the boat- house, pulled off her skirt and blouse.

It wasn't as easy putting on the skin-tight suit as she had imagined. It clung to her hot skin, and she was sweating visibly when he appeared in the doorway.

'Go away!' she exclaimed irritatedly. 'I can manage.'

He merely smiled, and with a deft upward movement, brought the suit up her body, so that she just had to slide in her arms. She refused to thank him, feeling childishly annoyed that he had had to help her, and then emerged into the sunlight again, while he collected an oxygen cylinder.

It was not the most successful of lessons. Juliet was intent on not appearing too knowledgeable, and in consequence was doubly stupid. The Duque was marvellously patient, but at last she waded out of the water, pulling off the heavy cylinder which was almost weightless in the water.

'I'm tired,' she exclaimed, 'and hungry. Can we eat now?'

The Duque nodded amiably. 'If you like. Tell me, have you ever dived before?'

'Why do you ask that?' she prevaricated.

'Because I'd say you knew what you were doing, but didn't intend that I should know that. Did this - er - elderly woman you were companion to go skin- diving, too? As well as driving through the Swiss Alps?'

Juliet found herself smiling at him, and then turned away before she was tempted to confide in him.

After lunch, a delicious meal of cold chicken and salad, with fruit and ice cream in small ice-cooled containers, followed by aromatic continental coffee, Juliet felt replete. After her dip in the sea, she had put on her clothes in the boathouse, not feeling relaxed enough to lounge around in a swimsuit with the Duque. Although today he seemed relaxed and informal, she could not forget his identity, and the touch of hauteur he seemed to maintain confirmed this belief.

Sitting, staring out to sea, watching the foaming breakers of the Atlantic splashing unceasingly over the rocks, she felt almost content. Her companion was lounging back on the sand, a cheroot between his teeth, studying the chart from the wall of the boathouse. Juliet smiled to herself. They could be any couple out for a picnic together, and it seemed incredible to realize that she was his niece's companion, and he was the aristocratic ruler of Venterra.

Only the thought of what Nurse Madison might have told Teresa disturbed her peace of mind. The older woman would use every weapon she could muster to get rid of Juliet, and this trip was a double- edged sword.

The Duque was watching her now, seeing the fleeting expressions crossing her revealing face. 'So, Juliet, what is wrong?' he murmured. 'You are bored, perhaps?'

Juliet shook her head vigorously. 'No, I'm not bored,' she denied swiftly.

'So? What is wrong?'

Juliet heaved a sigh. 'Oh, I was just thinking about Teresa.'

'Oh, yes?'

'Yes.' She looked at him for a moment, unwillingly feeling the traitorous stir of her senses. But it was only a physical thing, she told herself fiercely, only a physical attraction!

'Juliet, tell me about yourself. Are your parents alive?'

'My father is. My mother died when I was born.'

'And he does not object to you crossing half the world to take a job in the West Indies?'

Juliet flushed. That was a difficult one. 'He - well, he doesn't have a great deal of time to think of anything,' she said honestly. 'He's a businessman, and he spends most of his time working.'