Island for Dreams (19 page)

Nora
’
s sense of humour got the better of her. She had to laugh at his arrogance.

On a quiet ripple of mirth, she gurgled,
‘
You
’
d make an excellent father. How
’
s the paternal instinct?
’

Narrow-eyed, he looked down at her darkly.

‘
Is that an invitation to start a family?
’
he queried.
‘
Or are you being precocious?
’

Nora sobered to stare up at him with bright alarmed eyes. But he did not wait for her to speak.

He bent down to draw her out of her chair.

‘
You
’
d better go to bed,
’
he said grimly.

‘
Yes, I had.
’
His arms had dropped and she turned away.
‘
If you have no objection,
’
she answered.

‘
None whatever.
’
Moments ticked by as he looked down at the golden hair forming a halo around her face under the light. She looked young and defenceless, as vulnerable as
Aimée
. There was something else too—she was scared of him.

He bent his head and his fingers gripped the upper part of her arms. His kiss bruised, forcing back her head. Nora was in no position to understand that he was showing his resentment at her lack of trust in him. It was like teetering on the brink of a furnace with her body being scorched by the heat. She closed her eyes. A kind of bliss churned inside her, followed by a flaring need.

He let her go as suddenly as he had taken her, glaring down at her with hard glittering eyes.

‘
That
’
s what you
’
re afraid of, isn
’
t it? The kind of preliminaries leading to actual lovemaking. Only it isn
’
t anything like that.
’
He drew a deep exasperating breath.
‘
Let
’
s regard it as a goodnight kiss from Prince Charming. It might not be twelve o
’
clock, but this prince is taking himself off. I
’
ll be in
Aimée
’
s room, so you can forget I
’
m here. Goodnight.
’

Nora was still gasping when she heard him close the door of the guest room
.
It seemed incredible
t
o the point of fantasy that Juan should behave the way he had. What he had done was completely out of character. Yet was it not a fact that in thinking along such lines she had proved how little she really knew him?

She hardly knew what she was doing as she prepared for bed. Had the fire and need experienced in his arms been an illusion brought on by his manly charms? Was that the reason the flat changed its personality when he was there? One thing was for certain: she was not the same Nora Bain who had come to the island so lightheartedly.

That person had not known the sharp stab of desire, the hunger of need for someone who could not have cared
l
ess.

CHAPTER
EIGHT

The i
nstant Nora awoke memory came flooding back. Those moments in Juan
’
s arms, despite the rough handling, had been bitter-sweet and spiced with danger. This morning she had to face him as if nothing had happened, and she dreaded it. Her watch said nine o
’
clock. She had overslept.

She had one leg out of bed to get up when
Aimée
came in fully dressed and carrying a cup of tea.

Brightly she chirped,
‘
I
’
ve been up ages. Juan said to let you sleep. He went out to fetch his shaving things.
’
She giggled.
‘
He rubbed his chin around my face when I awoke this morning. It was rough and funny.
’

Nora pushed herself up in bed and accepted the tea.
‘
How is the toothache?
’
she queried.

Aimée
sighed with blissful inconsequence.
‘
It
’
s gone.
’
She sat on the bed and whispered conspiratorially,
‘
Do you know what? Juan sat up with me all night in case I woke up with toothache. Wasn
’
t he kind? He pulled all kind of faces when he woke up in the chair. He is funny. He
’
s getting breakfast.
’

With the inconsequential nonchalance of the young
Aimée
chatted on while waiting for Nora to drink her tea. If only I could be as free and easy with Juan as
Aimée
is, Nora thought dismally. It was going to be very difficult meeting Juan again without embarrassment after what had happened. But it had to be done.

The morning was sunny and promising. Nora washed and dressed quickly, put on a sun dress in
pri
mr
ose and white and went along the small corridor to the lounge where breakfast was already laid on the table.

‘
Good morning. Sleep well?
’
Juan
’
s brows went up accompanied by a charming smile.

Evidently he had already forgotten about last night as he pulled out her chair.

‘
I overslept,
’
she confessed.
‘
I hope you did?
’
She laughed.
‘
Had a good night, I mean.
’

That small laugh seemed to clear the air, and Nora found herself staring down at the slice of melon and brown boiled egg set in front of her.

Juan had sat down to watch her reaction with a trace of the old mockery glinting beneath his smile.

‘
I trust the egg is done to your liking,
’
he said, his regard steady and tantalising.

He was wearing a silk knit white sweater with a polo neck. Against it his face was mahogany brown, his teeth startlingly white.

Aimée
was munching toast.
‘
Juan has brought your morning paper,
’
she said.

Nora glanced at the folded newspaper near to her elbow on the table, and murmured her thanks. Her egg was done exactly how she liked it. When the top had been taken off she looked up to see Juan watching her. He seemed to have his tongue in his cheek.

‘
Cooked to perfection,
’
she said.

‘
Glad you like it,
’
he said lazily.

Aimée
did most of the talking, and they left soon after breakfast.

When
Aimée
went into the bedroom for her outsize teddy bear, Juan said in an undertone,
‘
I apologise for last night. I was angry with you. I shouldn
’
t have been, because you gave us unstinted hospitality.
Aimée
is over the moon because she
’
s stayed in your flat. She
’
ll talk about it for days.
’

Nora
’
s dear eyes met his disarmingly.
‘
That
’
s all right. I
’
m glad she enjoyed herself,
’
she answered frankly.

He pushed his hands into his pockets and surveyed her enigmatically.

‘
We are friends, aren
’
t we?
’
he asked.

Before Nora could answer
Aimée
returned carrying the teddy bear. Nora still did not answer
—
whether because
Aimée
was there or some more subtle inference from Juan
’
s manner and words she could not have said.

Juan spoke again.
‘
Be seeing you. Thanks for having us, and to
Aimée
,
‘
Thank Nora before we
g
o
.
’

Aim
é
e pushed the teddy bear into Juan
’
s arms and grabbed Nora to kiss her soundly.

‘
Thank you, Nora. You will be coming to my birthday party on Saturday, won
’
t you?
’

Nora nodded, avoiding Juan
’
s eyes. She said goodbye and closed the door of her flat with mixed feelings. It was fantastic to her way of thinking that Juan Cregeen should become an issue during her short stay on the island. But there it was. In some subtle fashion the magnetism of his personality lingered on, permeating the whole flat. Such was the power of his personality that it was impossible to dismiss him from her thoughts and Nora knew that he would continue to dominate her life while she was there.

It did not help to know that she had promised
Aimée
to go to her birthday party. But she could not disappoint the child. Nevertheless it would bring her in contact with Juan.

On Saturday morning Nora went for a swim, had a leisurely breakfast, then visited the supermarket in the shopping precinct. Juan was calling for her
a
fter lunch to take her to
Aimée
’
s birthday party, and he telephoned while she was having breakfast to remind her what day it was. The sound of his deep voice on the telephone set her nerves on edge and she was unable to concentrate fully on what she was doing.

Nora was quivering when she dressed after lunch, but her reflected image calmed her somewhat. The sun-dress with its wide skirt and trim nipped-in waist showed off her apricot tan to perfection. The matching little jacket in brown paisley cotton against a white background brought out the brown in her eyes.

But the composure she built up collapsed like a pack of cards when she met Juan. He seemed to be taller than ever and his white smile more mocking.

He said,
‘
Nice to find you ready and waiting, and so enchantingly sweet.
’

Nora wished futilely that she could forget that kiss he had given her as easily as he appeared to. Or had he forgotten? The glint in his eyes told her nothing.

‘
There was no reason why you should call for me,
’
she told him perversely.
‘
I could have gone in my own car. The trouble is that you have to wait until the person who takes you is inclined to bring you back.
’

He nodded.
‘
And that worries you, does it? Or are you worried about going with me because you aren
’
t quite sure what to expect?
’

He opened the car door as he spoke and waited for her to get in. If he was annoyed he did not show it but stood there with the infuriating nonchalance of a man who did not care what she felt or thought. Nora bit hard on her lip. Just keep like that, she thought, tantalising and uncaring. It will keep me on my mettle.

Aloud, she said firmly,
‘
Am I the only person you
’
re picking up?
’

His eyes narrowed.
‘
Were you hoping that there would be others?
’
He took the parcels containing presents for
Aimée
from her arms and put them on the back seat.
‘
Hop in,
’
he commanded curtly.

He bent down to push her skirt clear of the car door, then went round to the driving seat. Soon they were making for the open country. The loveliness of the tree-shaded roads and the fresh breeze blowing in warmly through the half open window lifted her spirits.

‘
How is
Aimée
?
’
she asked lightly.
‘
No more toothache, I hope?
’

‘
No.
’
He took a swift sideways glance at her glowing cheeks, and the delicate skin at her temples revealed by her hair lifting in the breeze.
‘
For a lass with a delicate air you can be quite militant,
’
he added with a candid grin.

Her heart gave its familiar twist. As she smiled at him an unexpected sweet breath of air sent the golden hair across her eyes. Nora brushed it aside with pearl-tipped fingers.

‘
What
’
s wrong with having a mind of your own?
’
she demanded sweetly.

‘
Nothing,
’
he replied with a smile in his voice.
‘
The last time I saw you I asked you a question which you didn
’
t answer. Are we friends?
’

‘
Of course we are. How many are coming to the party?
’

‘
A dozen children with as many helpers. The number has to be equal these days if the house has to be kept standing.
’
He flashed a grin at her.
‘
I hope you
’
re prepared for a rough and tumble?
Aimée
has to be protected a bit until she
’
s stronger. Mind you, she
’
s rather like you in a way. Her delicate appearance can be deceptive.
’

‘
That
’
s how girls should look. Feminine, just as you look big and protective.
’

‘
Is that how I appear to you?
’
he
jibed.

‘
It
’
s how I hope you will be,
’
she corrected.

Juan said thoughtfully, dangerously,
‘
Now you have me wondering
just how far is meant by protective?
’

Involuntarily she laughed, and relaxed.
‘
Now you
’
re teasing.
’
A pause.
‘
I suppose Tricia will be helping?
’

‘
Sure. Finn has done most of the preparing, as you
’
ll see. He was talking about roping in the kids from the orphanage.
’

Nora saw what Juan meant when they arrived at the Armitage. A marquee had been erected upon the back lawn for the birthday tea. Children and some helpers were already gathered there when she arrived with Juan. Tricia gave her a careless nod which
Aimée
more than made up for by her rapturous welcome. Nora
’
s birthday gifts were taken inside the house to be opened later and the fun began.

There were games and a puppet theatre and by the time tea was ready the fun was fast and furious. Everyone, children and grown-ups alike, sank gratefully into their chairs. Juan had worked harder than most. He had been indefatigable.

It was much later when the party was over and the children had gone that dinner that evening got under way.
Aimée
was given the place of honour at the head of the table with Finn.

No one had changed into evening dress. Because of
Aimée
the well-fitted bar at the end of the lounge had been left unlit. They had all sat down in the luxurious dining area to a champagne dinner.
Aimée
was allowed a small glass and she stood up to shyly voice her thanks to Finn and to all the helpers.

She ended on a wistful note,
‘
This is the first birthday I
’
ve had without Daddy, but Juan has been great. He stayed all night at Nora
’
s flat when I had toothache, and rubbed his rough chin round my face like Daddy used to do to wake me the next morning.
’
She wrinkled her nose as she glanced at Juan seated not far away down the glittering table.
‘
He kisses nicely too—not grown-up kisses though like the ones he gives to Nora, but kind of Daddy kisses.
’

The silence which followed the naive little speech was lost on
Aimée
, who sat down quite unaware of having dropped a bombshell. The vicar and his wife looked shattered and Nora did not know what to do with her face. She looked across the table at Juan, who had flushed beneath his tan.

Finn had his tongue in his cheek, but Tricia was the furious one.

‘
Well, well!
’
she exclaimed.
‘
You shouldn
’
t tell tales out of school,
Aimée
. I
’
m sure you
’
re making it up.
’

‘
Why should she make it up? It was all perfectly above board,
’
Juan put in lazily without turning a hair.
‘
May I present
Mr
s
.
Juan Cregeen?
’

Nora broke out in a cold sweat as he stood up and gestured to her to do the same. There was a strained silence while she rose on trembling legs with her nails digging into the palms of her hands. Everyone said congratulations, except Tricia, who looked strangely white.

‘
And to think that my own daughter knew and never told me
!’
she exclaimed.

Aimée
said,
‘
But it isn
’
t for keeps, Mummy. I only lent Juan to Nora until I grow up. Then I
’
m going to marry him.
’

Everyone laughed at this bit of childish logic and a toast for the happy couple was called for. Not long after
Aimée
was sent to bed and Tricia went up with her. But she was soon down again, asking Juan to go up in her place.

‘
You
’
re a fast worker, I must say,
’
Tricia caught up with Nora when everyone left the dining table to seek the comfortable chairs in the-lounge.
‘
Nothing
Aimée
said made sense, but what you
’
ve done does. I suppose it
’
s all to do with the will. I didn
’
t think you had it in you. It just goes to show it never pays to go by appearances.
’

‘
I suppose it came as a bit of a shock,
’
Nora said almost apologetically. She almost admitted that it was a shock to herself to find she was married to Juan without a ceremony.

He had acted like the gentleman he was to shield her from gossip. But where did they go from here? In that moment Nora bitterly regretted coming to the birthday party.

She told
J
uan so when he was driving her back to the flat.

‘
Why take that attitude?
’
he said reasonably.
‘
Now admit that this whole thing about the will of a senile old man has been getting you down.
’

‘
Mr.
Kelly was not senile!
’
she began hotly, then simmered down.
‘
There
’
s something in what you say, but why add to my troubles by saying we
’
re married?
’

‘
It
’
s a way out for you—a temporary marriage. With a husband behind you things will start moving. Why, Richard Garrant, your lawyer, was over the moon this evening when he congratulated us. He
’
s delighted that he can clear the matter up instead of having it on his hands.
’

Nora bit her lip. She said unhappily,
‘
Pretending that we
’
re interested in each other and being married are two very different things. Besides, how
do we get married without anyone knowing about it?
’

‘
Easy enough. I know someone who
’
ll do it for us. After all, you have your birth certificate here and all the necessary information. I can get the necessary forms and the proprietary legalities can be got through very quickly.
’

‘
You make it sound so easy, as if you
’
ve planned it all out long ago.
’

He said sardonically,
‘
My brain can work quickly in an emergency. Besides, I
’
ve found that some troubles have a way of working to a satisfactory solution on their own. This could be one of them.
’

Nora tried to convince herself that this could be true, but only half-heartedly.

‘
I hope you
’
re right,
’
she said wearily.

Preoccupied with her unhappy thoughts, she was only dimly aware of arriving at the entrance door to her flat. Coming to herself with a jerk, she turned to face Juan in the muted light of the car. Her face was white and strained.

‘
I
’
m grateful to you for what you
’
ve done, since it
’
s as distasteful to you as it is for me. You had no other option. About tonight..
.
’
She broke off nervously.

‘
You mean our supposed married state?
’
He raised a dark brow.
‘
Nothing to worry about. I shall sleep on the boat. We
’
re in the yacht race tomorrow morning and we return at ten o
’
clock tomorrow evening. On Monday I shall go to Douglas to collect the necessary forms for our marriage. Once the legal requirements have been gone through we can tie the knot.
’

He spoke so calmly, as if he was discussing some business arrangement, while Nora had the sensation of being on the edge of something very dangerous and alarming.

She said quiveringly,
‘
I could go home. That would be the easy way out, wouldn
’
t it?
’

There was a short silence while he gave her a searching look.
‘
The coward
’
s way out,
’
he mocked, and lifted a hand as she was about to speak.
‘
Just a moment. You seem to have the wrong impression. You must understand that it
’
s a formality, a contract between two people that can be broken at any time.
’

She sighed as if not entirely convinced.
‘
Shall you want me to go with you on Monday for the marriage forms?
’

‘
It
’
s a good idea if you do, taking your birth certificate and other documents.
’
He smiled.
‘
If anyone had told me a week ago that I
’
d be going on the yacht race a doomed man I would have said that they were round the bend!
’

‘
But you
’
ve just said there
’
s nothing to it?
’

‘
There isn
’
t. Oh, come on, smile
!
You haven
’
t been really happy since you came here, have you?
’

Curious and slightly incredulous, Nora stared at him.
‘
How do you know?
’

He lifted wide shoulders.
‘
When you
’
re not restless, you
’
re on the defensive and you don
’
t smile much. I refuse to believe it
’
s the real you.
’
He placed an arm around her shoulders.
‘
Just think
—
when it
’
s all cleared up you can have a good time with no worries, knowing you
’
ve done the right thing by Jed Kelly.
’

He put his tanned cheek against her soft one and Nora just ached to enjoy the sanctuary of his arms. But he was comforting her as he would
Aimée
.

‘
I suppose I
’
m tired,
’
she said, moving out of his hold.
‘
It
’
s been quite a day.
’

With a murmured goodnight, she opened the door of the car, slid out and went swiftly to the flat entrance. I
’
m in love with the man, and he hasn
’
t the least idea of it, she thought despondently. I
’
m just another
Aimée
to him, someone who arouses his chivalry, someone he has to look after.