Lexy sank slowly down on the step, her legs too weak to hold her. Did Dominic really think she was leaving him to try and captivate Evan Preston? He couldn't be serious, she had only been joking last night.
'That's not the reason and you know it,' she protested vainly. 'I just can't take any more of your snide comments, your . . . taunting me and . . .' she trailed off, miserably aware of his scornful look, his rigid stance. She licked her lips. What was the use to try to explain?
'I don't blame her!' Patience's voice surprised them. Neither had noticed her appearance at the top of the stairs. Her iron-gray hair flying every which way, her bathrobe pulled hastily over her gown, she frowned down at them. 'I think if you apologize for your sometimes hasty tongue, my boy, she'll go gladly. Do so, and get going. I need my rest and can't get it with you two shouting all over my house.' She stood stolidly by, fixing her nephew with a compelling eye.
Dominic stared at his aunt, then dropping his eyes to the woman crumpled on the steps. 'I beg your pardon for any unwarranted insults or hasty words I have said to you,' he said with exaggerated politeness.
Lexy's head jerked with his emphasis on unwarranted, but before she could speak, Patience again broke in.
'Good, good. Now get your things, Lexy. You can't ask better than that. Hurry up, girl. Dom's in a hurry and I'm tired.'
Lexy turned and slowly climbed the stairs, her shoulders drooping, her head lowered. Patience would never ally herself against her nephew, never countenance helping Lexy leave Dominic while he still had need of her help. Slowly she made her way to her room. The older woman watched her go past, remaining at the top of the stairs to bid her farewell.
Lexy gathered her clothes, folding them and stuffing them into her large denim shoulder bag. She opened the closet and took a long look at her pretty coral dress, letting the soft folds of material cascade through her fingers.
Briefly she remembered some of the magic she had felt when she had first put it on. But she would have no need of it in the future. She sighed, it had been fun to dress up again, primp and be feminine. Slowly she closed the door. Perhaps Patience would know somebody who could use it.
Patience was still waiting at the top of the stairs, of Dominic there was no sign. Lexy smiled tremulously at her hostess.
'Thank you for a nice visit, Patience. I didn't know we were supposed to leave so soon. Evan is coming by today, we were to go diving. Would you explain for me, apologize?'
'Sure, child.' Patience was worried. 'I hope I've done right. I think I have.' Her voice was low and troubled. 'You do love my nephew, don't you, Lexy?'
Lexy looked towards the door where Dominic had been standing; the tall, unyielding man she had known for such a short time. His dark hair so often tousled from the wind or from running his fingers through it when he worked; the blue eyes, so cold and condemning, yet able to be warm and appealing on occasions; his brown body, strong and dependable; his kindness when she was sick; the humor they had shared in Bridgetown; his rigid ideals and principles; his way with words, all going together to make him the complex individual he was. A clever man, writer of more than a dozen books, giving reading pleasure to millions. A quixotic, chivalrous man, faithful to his dead wife whom his aunt thought not good enough for him. She sighed gently and turned back.
'Yes, I love him so much I ache with it,' she confessed. 'But I think he hates me,' she whispered, pain and distress reflected in her eyes. She tried a smile, giving Patience a quick hug.
'Goodbye, I'm glad I met you.'
She hurried down the stairs, Patience's hearty goodbye ringing in her ears. As she went out the door to the first rays of the sun, she saw Dominic pacing impatiently on the terrace. Well, she was committed, she wouldn’t be leaving on the island ship, but going back to the isolated world she loved and hated. To be with him was a joy, when he offered friendship, a truce. His hard-cutting accusations a pain only to be borne. Would she ever escape from it?
'I'm ready,' she called.
As they walked quickly to the pier, Lexy skipping every so often to keep pace with his long stride, she paused once—was she really going with him? She could still pull back, though he would probably toss her over his shoulder and take her on board. She resumed walking. She hated scenes, and it wasn't fair on Patience. But the real reason she was on the pier walking towards the Marybeth was simple; she would rather be with him and have an occasional truce then never see him again. All too soon the day would come when he finished the book, the cruise would end, and she would be gone from his life. It was not in her to hasten that day now. She would try it a little longer.
She asked him about his computer.
'I’ve taken Simon’s. He’ll get the new one when it’s delivered. He got the data from the hard drive and loaded it on his machine. I’m right where I should be and am anxious to get back to work. Once the sails are set and we're on course, I'll get to it right away. I hate the delay when I'm in the mood.'
'We should have put on water . . .' she trailed off as he helped her on board, his hands sending waves of awareness up her arms.
'Water, gas, fruits, restocked can goods, all taken care of yesterday. What did you think I did all day while you and Aunt Patience were out buying up Santa Theresa?'
She made no comment. She’d have several hours respite before having to face him once he began work, and her spirits rose a little. They were aboard the Marybeth and she loved sailing—life wasn't all bad.
They reached the island long before sunset, having had a good steady wind off the starboard quarter all the way. Lexy's face broke into a delighted smile when she sighted it on the horizon. She was surprised at the strong feeling of homecoming that washed over her. Tomorrow, she would swim and dive, maybe fetch the dinghy and go to the fresh-water pool. It was good to be back.
CHAPTER TEN
The next few days passed idyllically for Lexy. She rediscovered the pleasures of the lagoon, and she found the somewhat battered dinghy high on the beach where Dominic had dragged it after the storm. Dragging it back to the water's edge was no easy task, but Dominic was already at work and Lexy wanted no delay. It floated, but look as she might, only one small part of an oar came to light. So she swam back to the sloop. In the back of her mind was the picture of another set of oars. She tried the outside lockers, but no luck.
Slowly she went below. If she fixed Dominic's lunch, when he ate it, she could ask him about the extra oars. He was oblivious to her presence, his eyes fixed on the laptop’s screen, the words pouring across. Even when Lexy placed the lunch before him, he did not notice.
'Lunch, Dominic,' she said firmly.
'Huh?' He stopped typing with a frown. 'What?'
'Lunch.' She pointed to his plate on the table.
He stretched his arms out, rotating his shoulders to loosen the tension. Unexpectedly he smiled at her. 'Shall we eat it topside? It's warm down here.'
Surprised, she concurred, warily wondering what he was up to.
To Lexy's continued surprise, he was pleasant throughout the entire break.
'How did you spend your morning?' he inquired when they were settled by the helm, their feet almost touching in the well.
'I swam to the beach, got the dinghy re-floated, but can't find the oars.' She was having a difficult time keeping her eyes off him, so great was the change. He was almost the man she had known in Bridgetown, had liked so much. How long would this last?
'Spare oars are with the foul-weather gear,' he offered casually. 'Go inland at all?'
'No, thought I might later.'
'Umm. If you go after three or so, I'll come too,' he said, studying the island, seeing little change evident from the lagoon save the vegetation debris scattered along the once pristine beach.
Lexy swallowed her amazement and gave a small noncommittal reply. She really didn't know what to make of this change.
She swam later in the afternoon, and went with Dominic to see what damage had been done from the recent storm. They exp
lored on a friendly footing, both pleased so little had changed. There were dead palm fronds and bits of debris along some of the pathways, but most of the tropical vegetation had escaped any real damage.
Lexy gave up trying to understand Dominic's behavior, glad he was calling a halt to hostilities, pleased he would spend some time with her.
As the days slowly passed, they continued in their new-found peace. While Dominic worked as if driven many hours each day to make up for the time lost, he would deliberately take time out to dine with Lexy, swim with her occasionally, or row to the island and aimlessly walk around, following the faint paths and trails together. Their talk was stilted at first, as topics were gingerly offered, slowly explored. Dominic spoke of his life in the West Indies, his childhood, escapades he and Robin had been involved in over the last twenty years. He and Lexy discussed books, plays, ideal cars, or a fantasy vacation—Lexy's at the Ritz in Paris, Dominic's skiing in
the Alps. Once or twice Lexy inadvertently let slip something of her life with Miles Jackson, or her early years in England. Dominic would grow distant then, cutting short whatever activity they were engaged in, curt and formal until the next time.
Lexy remembered the fun she’d had with him in Bridgetown when they’d seen Sam Lord’s Castle, their shared laughter, their close ideas in so many things. Some of that closeness found them here on the island. They would laugh again and be carefree for a time.
Lexy began to hope, to grow optimistic for the first time in a long while. She knew they were growing closer, an understanding seemed to be springing up between them. For herself she would guard it well. She loved him so and cherished each moment spent with him. There would be no Joey Compton to shatter it this time.
One afternoon, while Dominic was working, Lexy took one of his earlier books to the pond and stayed all afternoon to reread it, the dappled shade of the trees sheltering her from the fierce sun. It was a good, well-written story. She recognized his style and one or two phrases that he had carried over to his current effort.
She lay back and wondered how much longer it would take him to finish this book. With all supplies replenished, they could stay here at the island another four weeks or so before restocking. He’d be close to finishing the draft in another week if he kept up this rate. She remembered what he’d said, that was the worst part of a book, writing the first draft. Then he had to polish it, refine it, tighten it up; and run through it again for continuity. Then it would be ready for his publishers.
She watched the palm fronds move slowly against the blue sky, their spikes overlapping as each higher frond cut more light. In all likelihood, they would have to replenish supplies once more before he was finished. Then what? Would he say anything? Ask her to stay, or was this pleasant interlude just his way of making it easier all round to work in peace and harmony. Would he be glad when the book was finished and he didn't require Lexy Kent's crewing services any longer? Was he just biding his time until then?
Sighing, she renewed her plans for immigrating to Canada. She really liked the West Indian climate, who wouldn't, but it would be so much harder to stay now, always living with the chance she would run into Dominic, the hope she would. Closing her eyes, she tried to relax, giving up temporarily all thoughts and worries of the future—time enough for that later. She dozed off.
When she awoke, slowly and peacefully, she glanced around. The sun was gone from behind the palm trees, shining now lower in the western sky. It was far longer than she had planned to be gone, but she obviously had needed the sleep. Since the loss of the sleeping pills, she had difficulty in falling asleep at night. She rubbed her eyes, then stretched, ending by sitting up. With a rueful laugh, she reflected she would probably have trouble sleeping this night as well.
Lexy was surprised to see another boat in the lagoon when she reached the white sandy beach. For a brief moment she thought that Bob Driscoll had returned, but quickly saw the boat was not Bob's large Chriscraft, but a smaller, dark blue cruiser, its stern turned away, its registration conveying nothing to her. She rowed the dinghy to the sloop, making it fast and clambering aboard. She could hear the low murmur of voices in the cabin. As she went down the steep stairs she experienced a strong feeling of deja vu. Dominic was sitting on one bench of the table, facing her, like he had been that fateful morning in Bridgetown. Across from him a man with brown hair sat, talking, now turning to see the newcomer.
'Whew,' Lexy let out a sigh of relief. 'Hello Evan, I didn't expect you.' She smiled and dropped her book on the counter. She had stood just here that morning. But Evan was no Joey. She had no reason to fear his visit.
'He said you did expect him,' Dominic said evenly. 'Said you discussed his coming here so you two could do some diving.'
Evan smiled at her, certain of his welcome. 'Here I am. Sorry I missed you the other day.'
'I am too; I didn't realize we were leaving Santa Theresa so soon. But I am surprised to see you.' She shot a quick glance to Dominic. 'I know we talked about it, but nothing definite was set. I thought you needed to find the co-ordinates from Dominic.'
'Patience knew them.' Evan said cheerily. 'I filled my tanks and here I am. I say, it is all right, Dom?' A shadow of doubt crept in.
'Sure, just don't expect me to join in. I'm busy.' Dominic's voice was cold; his eyes already back on his computer.
Lexy took his hint. 'Come out on deck with me, Evan, he’s busy.' She grabbed three drinks from the cooler, opening them and putting one beside Dominic. Taking the others she led the way topside, going towards the bow, sitting on the deck and leaning against the cabin wall. She motioned with her hand for Evan to sit beside her, and offered him a bottle.
'No problem in my coming, is there?' he asked uncertainly.
'No,' she said calmly, gazing off to the beach. Would it be a problem? Would he cause a change again?
'Dominic works hours every day on his book, really works. One of the requirements for my job was to leave him alone to get on with it. He. . . oh, I guess he loses his train of thought if interrupted and then gets annoyed. Actually he'll probably thank you for swimming with me, save him more aggravation.'
Evan relaxed with that. 'Why's that?'
Lexy explained their arrangement for swimming, and then changed the subject to find out more about the diving gear Evan had brought. It was too late to dive that day, but they made plans to try it first thing in the morning.
'I've got to fix supper now,' Lexy said, draining her bottle. 'I don't know what Dominic will want to do about it. You're welcome to eat with us, but a lot of days Dominic doesn't stop to eat, just eats as he works and I eat up here.'
'Come over and eat on my boat,' Evan offered.
Shaking her head slowly, she declined. It might be fun, but would surely give Dominic reason to think she was slacking on her job, and she would be seeing enough of Evan.
And so it proved over the next few days. Lexy enjoyed Evan's company. They used his diving tanks, exploring the entire lagoon, recharging the tanks when they got low with the compressor he brought which ran on a generator. She showed him over the island, rediscovering parts of it she had seen with Dominic, pleased Evan found it as enchanting as she did. They swam and sunbathed together, talked and laughed. Gone was the friendly time with Dominic, however. He was working now, hours every day and into the night on two occasions. Lexy regretted their lost closeness, regretted Evan's coming, but there was nothing she could do about any of it now, just play the cards fate kept dealing her.
Evan and Lexy spent every morning together, but she always returned to the sloop in time to fix Dominic's lunch, resting in the afternoon as Evan did during the heat of the day, only to meet again for more swimming. She ate on his boat one night, preparing Dominic's meal first as he declined the invitation in order to work.
The holiday atmosphere continued until, inevitably, one morning on the beach, Evan kissed her. They had been exploring over the island, clad in jeans and pullover shirts to protect them from the bra
nches and bushes. Collecting some of the many flowers growing wild around the island, they gaily made their way back to the beach, promptly festooning the dinghy with the colorful blooms. In the exuberance of the moment, Evan caught her close and kissed her.
Lexy smiled slightly at his kiss, but her eyes were wary.
'Just for friendship's sake, and because I'm in such a good mood,' he explained. 'Row me back to my boat and I'll take your picture in this bower of flowers.'
She relaxed. 'All right. Then I'll fix Dom's lunch and rest. Are we diving later?'
'I say, most assuredly.'
Lexy dropped Evan at his boat, posed for the picture, then with a saucy grin, rowed for the sloop. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Dominic's dark visage watching her from the deck of the Marybeth. She secured the dinghy and climbed reluctantly aboard.
'Your machinations seem well under way,' he said when she reached the deck.
'What do you mean?' Her heart sank. He was angry again.
'Your calculated plan to captivate a wealthy patron, what else? What strong lures did you throw out for Evan to follow you here, after only one evening's acquaintance, and have him hang around for the best part of a week?'
'We are just friends, that's all. As to his staying, maybe he’s taking a holiday.' She felt the old pain wash over her. It had meant nothing, all the happy hours when she thought that they might be drawing closer, reaching an understanding. It all had meant nothing to Dominic.
'Complete with shipboard romance. How far has it gone, when you and Evan go off into the island for hours at a time, how far do you go? Has he made love to you yet? Does he know how many men you have slept with before? Does he know what a little liar you are?' Dominic bit the words off, his voice cold and expressionless.
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