by Celia Scott
Jason sat at one end of the table, his mother on his right; Lorna on his left. Kosti reluctantly left Ariadne's side and was seated next to Lorna. Ariadne sat demurely beside her mother, glancing shyly at her fiancé through lowered lashes.
Their meal, though unpretentious, was a gastronomical delight. Small chilled bouillon cups of cold egg-lemon soup; roast squab stuffed with rice and nuts flavoured with cognac; cucumber and tomato salad; and a chilled Rodyts Rose. After dessert—fresh fruit dressed with yoghurt and honey—they had coffee on the patio. Lorna refused the brandy that was offered, but Jason and his mother each took a small glass.
Tonight the moon was sometimes obscured by clouds which the wind sent spinning across the sky like scraps of cloth-of-silver. The perfume of thyme and rosemary filled the air. Lorna leaned back in her chair with a sigh of content.
'What a heavenly spot this is,' she said, 'when the moon comes out I can glimpse the sea.' She turned to her hostess. 'Have you always lived here, Madam Peritakis?'
'Not always. I was born in Chania. I came here as a bride. My husband's grandfather built the house. Before that generations of Peritakis farmed the land.'
Jason leaned forward and at that moment the moon came from behind a cloud. His strong face was washed with white light that accentuated the hard line of his jaw. 'The Peritakis orchards were started from a small family kipos,' he said. 'My ancestors built all this with their bare hands.' He gestured to the valley below. 'One day I hope to pass it on to my sons.'
Madam Peritakis's glass made a sharp click as she put it on the silver tray. 'You will have to hurry, Jason,' she said drily, 'you will be thirty-five on your next birthday.'
Ariadne giggled from the shadows where she sat with Kosti. 'First he has to see me safely married, Mama. In two weeks only will he be free to choose a wife.'
'These old traditions are surely dying kookla mou,' Kosti said, smiling indulgently at his fiancée. 'I am sure if Jason had wished it he could have married before this.'
'Indeed yes. I should not have stood in his way.' There was a hard edge to Madam Peritakis's voice, and Lorna felt pretty sure the conversation had drifted into dangerous territory.
Jason took his mother's hand and kissed it teasingly. 'But you know, Mama, that I am looking for a girl like you. To find such a one… it takes time.'
She pulled her hand away and slapped it lightly in reproof, but her face was alight with tenderness. It was clear this was a close-knit family, and for a moment Lorna felt a tremor of sadness.
She had not admitted to them how very much she did miss her brother and sister. Before her parents had died she had been the youngest of a boisterous, happy family. Then with a squeal of tyres her life had changed. All through those black months after the funeral she had clung to Ann and Simon like a drowning man to a raft. Gradually the shock and pain had passed, and life had resumed. Ann had met and married her husband. Simon had gone to Singapore, and Lorna had carved a niche for herself in her chosen profession. But always in the depths of her heart there was an empty space. Brought up to despise self-pity, she had buried her loneliness and flung herself into her work. But her need for love, and the security of a family was still there, lying dormant. Waiting to surface when she let down her guard.
Jason spoke her name softly, and when she didn't answer he said again, 'Lorna… Lorna would you like to come for a walk in the garden?'
'Sorry.' She shook her head, and her silky hair brushed her cheeks. 'Sorry… I was miles away. A walk? No… I don't think so thanks. I think I'll go and look at some prints I have drying in the dark-room… then I'll go to bed. I have to get up early.' In her weakened emotional condition a walk through the perfumed night with Jason was asking for trouble. If he tried to kiss her she was liable to respond with a hunger that might surprise him. Better play safe.
She had just replaced her delicate china coffee cup on the tray when there was a clatter of boots and Nikos came out on to the terrace. He carried a bunch of flowers, which looked suspiciously like the oleanders that grew along the Peritakis drive.
The atmosphere on the patio grew tense, and Lorna knew they were all trying to asses if Nikos had been drinking. When it became clear that he was sober she felt she could almost hear their collective sigh of relief.
Madam Peritakis welcomed her nephew in Greek and offered him coffee, which he refused. He noticed the bottle of Metaxa. 'Perhaps a little brandy?' he said in English.
Jason poured him a small glass and Nikos took it with a hand that trembled slightly. After a quick gulp he handed the bouquet of creamy blossoms to Lorna. 'For you, Lorna,' he said, 'to welcome you to my aunt's house. May you be happy here.'
Lorna found to her embarrassment that she was the centre of attention. Kosti and Ariadne seemed amused, Madam Peritakis was curious, and Jason looked on with an air of monumental disdain. 'How kind of you, Nikos,' she mumbled, 'I'm being thoroughly spoiled this evening.'
'I expected to find you working hard in your darkroom,' Nikos said. 'I went there first. I was sure you would be there.' He addressed the group. 'Naughty Lorna works far too hard,' he informed them. 'I am hoping that now she has come to stay with you she will take more time for resting. You must insist on it Thia Katerina,' he said to Madam Peritakis, 'she needs looking after, I think.'
Lorna bit her lip. What on earth would the Peritakis think? 'I'd be grateful if you didn't talk about me as if I was some kind of half-wit, Nikos,' she said.
'But it is true,' Jason cut in, 'you work very hard. Why, just now you refused to go walking because you still wished to work in the dark-room… which is where Nikos expected to find you.' His lips were thin with distaste, and with a sinking heart Lorna realised that he assumed that she had arranged an assignation. And from the way his green eyes were blazing it was clear he was furious.
Clasping her flowers she got to her feet. Jason's silent anger was unnerving and her legs shook under her, but she managed to keep her voice steady. She even managed a smile. 'After all this talk about how hard I work I suddenly feel exhausted. So I think I'll skip the dark-room and go straight to bed… if you'll all excuse me.'
Nikos immediately objected that he'd only just arrived, but Kosti got to his feet declaring that it was late and he too had to leave, so the party broke up.
In the hall Jason turned to his cousin. 'I am driving now to Iraklion,' he said, 'I will drop you off at your house. It is on the way.' And Nikos sulkily thanked him.
Lorna had just started to climb the stairs when Jason came up to her. He spoke so softly only she could hear him. 'I trust I have not disrupted your plans for tonight?'
She was standing on the third stair, so she was above him, looking down into his face which was lit from the hanging hall lamp. He was quivering like a strung wire, and his nostrils were dilated with rage. He looked like the minotaur about to charge. She said, as grandly as she could under the circumstances, 'As usual I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Jason. And now you'd better get going. Your passengers are waiting.' He glared at her for a moment before turning on his heel to join the two men who were still waiting for him in the doorway, and shakily she made her way upstairs.
Once in her room she kicked off her shoes, collapsed on the sofa and said aloud—'Damn, damn, damn!'— What was the matter with Nikos? Surely she'd made it plain she wasn't interested in him? Why did he talk of her in front of others in such an asinine way? Did he think he would win her by such behaviour? Wear down her resistance like water on a stone?
And now Jason was livid with her, and she cared what he thought. She finally had to admit it. She cared. Not that it could lead anywhere she cautioned herself. They came from such different worlds there could be no future for them. Besides, she knew he only wanted to make a conquest. Get her into bed. And he'd probably boast about it afterwards, she thought morosely, briefly indulging in an unpleasant day-dream of Jason bragging to his cronies at the cafe where she'd seen him dance that first evening. Firmly she banished this
sordid picture. But in spite of the comfortable bed she slept badly that night, and the next day her eyes were shadowed. This led to a lot of good-natured teasing at work about her hectic social life 'up at the villa'. She went along with the gag, but for the first time since coming to Crete the day seemed endless, and she was thankful when it finally came to an end.
CHAPTER FIVE
On the day of the party Lorna decided to go for broke. Ariadne had told her it was to be formal, so she unpacked a turquoise chiffon evening dress she'd only popped into her luggage at the last minute on the proposition that a girl should travel with at least one evening dress, just in case of emergencies.
When she'd bathed and made-up she surveyed herself critically in the long glass in her bathroom. Her dress was fashioned in the Empire style, cut high under the breasts. Two slender shoulder-straps held the bodice in place. She discovered that even the flimsiest bra showed, so she went without one for tonight, and felt rather wicked as a result. When she'd been in Athens she had bought a pair of low-heeled gold sandals with narrow thongs studded with turquoise-coloured stones. These not only went perfectly with this gown, but were very comfortable, which would be great for dancing, and Lorna loved to dance.
She looked good. The strong colour emphasised her tan and made her eyes seem darker, but something else was needed. She thought for a moment then went to her jewel-box and took out a small turquoise ring and matching bracelet that had belonged to her mother. She also found two enamelled clips for her hair. Shaped like butterflies, they matched the drift of white butterflies scatteringly printed down one side of her skirt.
She parted her thick hair in the middle and drew it back off her face, fastening it with the clips. This accented her high cheekbones and made her look more sophisticated. Satisfied, she picked up her evening purse and headed for the sitting room where they were to meet and arrange transportation to the party.
Madam Peritakis, stately in wine silk, was the only one in the room. She greeted Lorna warmly. 'What a very pretty dress,' she said, 'did it come from Canada?'
'As a matter of fact a friend of mine designed it,' Lorna told her. She described her previous job as a fashion photographer.
When she'd finished Madam Peritakis said, 'Your life has been so interesting Miss McCann. It must be very boring for you here in our village.'
'Oh no!' Lorna flushed with animation. 'I got dreadfully bored photographing fashion all the time, and spending all my time with people from that world. It may sound exciting, but believe me it's very unsatisfying and… and shallow… I can't imagine ever being bored here in Crete. Surrounded as you are by beauty, and history, and people who have more to occupy them than the latest styles from Paris. So you see,' she went on, 'this job is particularly great for me. In spite of the long spells of routine work on the dig… and the hard slogging… I still feel as if I've been released from a dreary room and let loose in a world that's full of magic.' The older woman smiled. 'I know that sounds a bit far-fetched,' Lorna said, 'but it really is the way I feel.'
'My dear child I do not smile because I find you amusing. But the… how do you call it… similarity … of your emotions about your work… and Ariadne's about her coming marriage struck me. She too speaks of being in a magic world.'
'Oh yes! The magic of love.'
'And have you never been in love?' Madam Peritakis asked.
'I've thought I was a couple of times. But never enough to get married.'
She remembered a conversation she'd had with her sister that past Christmas. 'The trouble with you, Lorna, is that you're just too choosy,' Ann had chided her.
'And what about you?' Lorna had challenged. 'You weren't choosy at all I suppose?'
'Me! Oh! I was just lucky,' Ann had grinned, and the discussion had been dropped.
'When the right man comes along you will know,' Madam Peritakis said firmly. 'There will be no mistaking it.'
At that moment the door flew open and a swirl of pale yellow net, the colour of ripe wheat, burst into the room. Ariadne dramatically held up a small nosegay of minute cream-and-orange orchids and addressed her mother in a torrent of passionate Greek.
At first Madam Peritakis answered her in that language, then she switched to English. 'Calm yourself, Ariadne,' she said. 'Lorna can no doubt help us. She tells me she has experience in the fashion world.' Her green eyes met Lorna's and both women acknowledged her use of Lorna's Christian name.
Ariadne histrionically held out the orchids. 'Oh! Lorna what shall I do? Kosti has sent me these, but they look awful on this dress. They are… swallowed up by it.'
Her dress was fashioned to fall off her shoulders in a deep frill, and indeed the flowers were lost on it. 'How about in your hair?' Lorna asked, but had to agree that that wouldn't work either. Ariadne's hair had been dressed high and braided and looped with a string of crystals. It was far too elaborate for the tiny bouquet.
Inspiration came. 'I've got it!' Lorna cried, and started giving orders as if she was taking photos on location. 'I'll need some wire… and some ribbon that will tone with your dress, and a needle and thread.'
A maid was sent for these articles and Lorna began to carefully undo the coppery flowers and delicate leaves. She smiled up into Ariadne's worried face. 'Don't panic. It's going to look terrific! I promise.'
When the things arrived she worked deftly. After measuring a piece of wire to fit the girl's wrist she sewed a length of velvet ribbon around it and stitched the orchids and leaves on to it. Then she bent it into a circlet for Ariadne's wrist. It looked charming and went with the flounced Victorian-style gown perfectly.
Ariadne was ecstatic. She held up her arm, admiring the pretty effect of the flowers next to her skin. 'Oh! Mama look! It is perfect I think.' She kissed Lorna's cheek. 'You are an angel, Lorna. And so clever. Is she not, Mama?'
Her mother patted her daughter's shoulder. 'Very clever, indeed. I certainly hope you will be close by when we dress the bride, Lorna,' she laughed, 'otherwise I am liable to have the nervous breakdown.'
'Look, Jason!' Ariadne flung herself at her brother, who had just come into the room. 'Look what Lorna has made for me… out of Kosti's flowers… Is it not pretty?'
'Very pretty kookla mou. And so are you,' he said, but his eyes were on Lorna, who stood motionless, a turquoise-and-gold flower against the white wall. Her heart fluttered under the thin chiffon, but she held her flaxen head high and gazed back at him without blinking, so that he was the one who was forced to lower his eyes.
He went to his mother and kissed her cheek. 'Kalispera, Mama. Forgive me for being late. I did not finish work as soon as I had hoped.' Again he faced Lorna and nodded his gleaming dark head austerely. 'Kalispera, Lorna,' was all he said.
She inclined her head in answer. Under the lights her hair looked like polished satin.
He addressed the three of them. 'Manolis is waiting with the limousine, Mama. I propose to drive Ariadne myself. I suggest that you and Lorna go with Manolis. That way there will be a car at your disposal should you wish to leave the party before us.'
'What of Nikos?' Madam Peritakis asked. 'Are we to wait for him here?'
'Nikos informs me he will make his own way to Iraklion.' Jason's face was like carved granite. 'So you will have to wait to see him at the party, Lorna.'
Lorna raised her delicate eyebrows, but all she said was, 'I had no particular plans to meet Nikos.' He looked at her sceptically, then picking up his mother's light silk wrap silently escorted the women to the waiting cars.
During the drive to Iraklion Lorna listened politely while her hostess described some of the guests she would meet, and their relationship to the Peritakis family. But her mind was brooding on that short, chill meeting with Jason just now. She told herself that it was just as well he thought she was involved with Nikos because that meant he would leave her alone, and that was what she wanted. That way she was protected from herself. Because she had to admit that she found him devastatingly attractive, and she knew s
he wouldn't be able to resist him. She knew herself well enough to recognise that a brief summer affair with Jason Peritakis would only make her unhappy, and there was no way it could ever be more than that. Much more sensible to let him think she was unavailable and wait for her infatuation to pass.
All the time she was giving herself this silent advice her heart sank lower and lower, and the moonlight seemed to lose its sparkle.
At the Iraklion harbour they found the area around Kosti's yacht—the Calliope—roped off. The whole place was ablaze with lights which were strung on the rigging, and also outlined the magnificent vessel. Her decks were thronged with beautifully dressed people. The women glittering with jewels and silks. Lorna took a deep breath and headed for the ladies room to powder her nose.
A stateroom had been set aside for the ladies' use during the party. Lorna had a jumbled impression of mahogany panelling and apple-green satin, pot-bellied brass lamps, and deep pile carpet. Leading off from this was the bathroom, tiled in green with an ivory porcelain washbasin painted with mermaids, and gold plated taps shaped like dolphins.
Wow! she said to herself as she carefully re-did her mouth, you're among the idle rich tonight, my girl. Better try to enjoy yourself in spite of Jason. And she proceeded to do just that.
Kosti introduced her to a group of young men from Athens, all relatives of his. They all spoke good English, and they all took one look at Lorna and didn't look at any other woman for the rest of the evening. She was plied with champagne, given a tour of the ship, danced off her feet, and kissed once, by a particularly ardent admirer when he found her alone on the deserted lower deck where she'd gone to catch her breath.
It was pleasant being admired and kissed, and Lorna, like any young woman, enjoyed being made a fuss of. But something was missing, and she wasn't really as carefree as she appeared. Although she floated round the dance floor in the arms of a succession of partners, she was overwhelmingly conscious that it was Jason's arms she wanted round her; Jason's hand in the small of her back guiding her firmly. And if anyone was going to kiss her, it was Jason's lips she wanted to feel on hers.