He rambled on with a casual ease that soothed her jangled nerves. "I'd like to have gone to the beach tomorrow, but I've got to go and sort out some business with the lawyers. If it doesn't take too long, I'll give you a call when I get back and I'll come and have a natter."
"Let me keep the kids for you. I'm sure they'd rather play with PJ than go with you to town."
"That would be great, thanks!"
After saying their good-byes, Kris put down the phone. Feeling considerably more cheerful, she decided to work on her ideas for the property.
...x...
Kris really enjoyed the chatter and laughter of the four children as they played. Their earnest faces while they peered at some new wonder in the rocks and pools made her feel human again. Carl joined them right before lunch, bringing junk food at its best. But most enjoyable, especially when washed down with a local rough red wine he had snuck into the basket. With the warm sand and the cool breeze against her skin, she let herself unwind and relax.
Shortly after, they wandered down to the water where the children were playing. As Carl plunged his hands into a dark crevice between the rocks, the children laughed excitedly as he lifted a large and beautiful shell, complete with inhabitant, into the air. He cursed roundly as a small fishhook snagged in the rocks, caught his sleeve and ripped it jaggedly, scratching his forearm in the process.
"I think we've had enough beach for one day. Come on up to the house and I'll play doctor while we have some tea." She laughed as he pulled a typically male face. "Now, don't be a big baby."
The children watched as Kris cleaned the wound and then they jumped wildly when Carl hollered loudly after she dabbed the medicine on with cotton wool. She nearly dropped the bottle. When they realised he was joking and that it hadn't hurt that badly, they all fell to the floor laughing.
"Almeira, you are amazing," Kris said as the old lady arrived with tea and cream scones -- her specialty for English visitors.
"It is so wonderful to have children around," she said. "I know they are always hungry, so I made them."
Kris thought that it was pleasant sitting on the veranda, gossiping and watching the kids. The sun had nearly set when Carl said, "Come, you lot. Let's get you home. It's been a long day."
"I'll get your shirt mended for you. I bet you didn't think I was that domesticated, did you?"
He laughed, "Don't cheat, now. I bet Almeira's a bullet at mending."
"Oh, go home," she laughed and swatted his behind as the shirtless Carl and his brood left for their cottage.
...x...
Raoul returned Saturday afternoon, unannounced, despite his promise that they would always know his movements. Kris heard his deep voice calling to PJ, who was busy riding her red monster on the little paths that meandered through the wooded section of the lovely garden.
She smiled at the sight of the child rushing into his arms. He swung her high onto his shoulders and they laughing, turning and walking her way. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, with a strange light in his eyes as he said, "Hi." His physical proximity disturbed her -- he was too close. Kouros, the Yves St. Laurent after-shave he used, surrounded him in a sensual and magnetic haze. Something sparked between them and Kris held her breath waiting for a kind word from him, a welcoming smile.
Before her eyes in only a matter of seconds, he drew away emotionally, as though the connection between them had never happened. He leaned forward and dumped PJ onto the sofa, following her down to tickle her until she squealed in delight. His smile was soft and loving. It warmed Kris' heart to see him so at easy with his daughter.
"I've had enough of yacht life, so I decided to come home. I've also been asked to attend a function tonight and expect you to come with me."
A shadow flitted across her face and his tone immediately took on a flatter tone. "Something wrong?"
Don't settle for a compromise. He expects me to jump when he says jump, and this time I damn well won't do it!
"Oh, no, nothing is wrong...except that I already have a date for this evening."
Abruptly, Raoul's whole manner changed. His body stiffened and he looked at her with angry eyes glinting in disapproval. The scar on his face appeared white compared to the flushed red behind it. His mouth hardened when he brusquely snapped, "Cancel it, you are coming with me."
She stiffened, drawing herself up to her full height with her eyes flashing. "PJ, why don't you go ride your bike again? I'll call you later." The child sensed that it was not the time to argue and trotted off. Kris turned and squared up to him.
"How dare you talk to me that way! You come back, unannounced, and expect me to drop everything because you say so. I know you hired me, but I also have time off and a right to go out with whomever I choose. I do not intend to drop a confirmed date simply because you've said to cancel it. Sorry, Raoul, but I feel you are being unreasonable. Give me notice when you expect me to accompany you, or act as hostess, and I will gladly accommodate you, but don't spring things on me. My parents taught me that when you made appointments, you kept them and you certainly don't drop someone because something else turns up. I would have thought you, of all people, would know this and behaved accordingly." She stared at him defiantly, raising her chin with stubborn determination.
Finally, his eyes narrowed until he turned and stormed out of the room.
For the rest of the day she kept to the cottage, busying herself with personal correspondence. Her anger kept her in an active and aggressive frame of mind.
PJ came rushing in excitedly. "Daddy wants to know if we can have the keys to your car. He wants to take me for a ride with the top down."
She muttered, "It's his car. He doesn't need to be calling it my car." She wanted to fling the keys at Raoul's face and scream an angry retort, but controlled herself. Without a word, she handed them over calmly. After all, PJ was not a part of Raoul's crazy moodiness. However, the little girl sensed there was something wrong.
"It is all right for me to go, isn't it?"
Giving PJ a quick hug, Kris said, "Of course it's all right. Off you go and have a good time." As the child left the room she didn't notice the sad little smile on Kris' face.
It was only after she had dressed for the evening and was inspecting herself in the full-length mirror that depression hit her. A sophisticated reflection stared back at her, the fiery spark in her eyes and the flush on her cheeks made her look outstanding. A sheath of midnight blue silk molded her slim figure. A wide upstanding collar framed a low V neckline; it's height at the back of her neck emphasized the slenderness of her throat. Her small head, topped with its shining upswept hair, gave her a sophisticated, yet relaxed look. The long tapered skirt, slashed to the thigh, would allow occasional tantalizing glimpses of her long tanned legs. As she looked at her reflection, she knew she had bought the dress with the intention of pleasing Raoul. But here she was, wearing it in an act of defiance. And the laugh was on her since she was going out with her brother, not some dashing Romeo on a romantic date.
She felt that Raoul's only concern with her appearance was that she needed to look like a million bucks...to satisfy his ego. He certainly didn't give a damn about her and her personal life. She did not intend to tell him about her relationship with her escort. In a perverse sort of way, she hoped he would see her in this lovely dress and think that she was going to enjoy her evening with a tall handsome partner, and Carl most certainly was handsome.
She put a touch of Opium to her pulse points and as she picked up her bag, she heard Carl's car crunch to a standstill on the gravel drive. She went to meet him.
Kris put out both hands to Carl and tilted her face to meet his light kiss on her lips. Drawing away, she glanced over her shoulder as the front door opened and her eyes met and held the unfathomable depths in Raoul's hooded grey eyes. The light falling on his scarred face made him appear arrogant and cruel. She had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of an introduction. Turning away and taking Carl's arm, she walked towards
his car.
"Presumably you've made provision for PJ this evening, correct?" Although his voice was not raised, the harsh tone cut across the distance between the house and the vehicle like thunder.
Kris deliberately came to a standstill. "Naturally." She felt Carl stiffen and begin to turn to confront her employer for his rudeness. Quickly threading her arm through his, she drew him back, whispering, "It's all right Carl, leave it alone." As he opened the car door for her she smiled up at him. "Thanks, anyway."
Kris slid gracefully into the seat, but as they drove away she turned her head toward the window, unshed tears stinging her eyes.
"What was that about? He's an odd bird if ever there was one. I was about to introduce myself, but with that nasty attitude, I thought better of it. How can you work for someone who speaks to you so rudely? Must be hell always having to find a smart answer."
Carl looked across the seat at the lovely girl beside him and saw her tears spilling over. "Hey, baby sister!" He reached into his pocket and handed her a white handkerchief. "Blow...go on...properly." As she dried her eyes and blew her nose obediently, Carl chuckled. "I never thought I would have to say that to you again."
"Oh, stop it, Carl." Despite her sadness, she managed a laugh.
When they were out of sight of the house, he drew onto the side of the road and switched off the ignition.
"How about repairing your face and telling me your woes?"
He put on the inside light and she peered at herself in the mirror of the small compact in her bag. "What a mess," she said ruefully and dabbed at her nose. "It's nothing really, Carl. He makes me so mad at times because he can make me feel so bumbling and ineffective. And you know how it is...a snappy answer only comes to you in the middle of the night. Come, I'm all right now." She turned to her brother with a bright smile. "I'm looking forward to this evening, so let's go."
He regarded her thoughtfully as he started the car and eased it on to the road.
The evening turned out wonderful and was full of atmosphere, lively conversation and music -- all from the best guests, who obviously lived in the higher income bracket than most. Many had retired to the Algarve to avoid the vagaries of the English weather, and the rest were an amazing mix of nationalities. Carl seemed to know many of them, and Kris elegantly held her position when he introduced her. However, most of the names went in one ear and out of the other. There were too many to memorize and she would probably never see half of them again.
Her cool sophistication attracted a good deal of attention, and there was many a quip asking where Carl had been hiding such a shining light. Kris smiled mechanically and did her best to be bright, but despite what she had said to Carl earlier, she would have given anything to be back at the cottage -- alone.
The Baroness Olga Von Zorsky, a surprisingly natural lady for all her obvious wealth, sought her out. Kris warmed to her as they started talking and the older woman seemed genuinely interested in the beautiful newcomer. As they talked, she led her onto a balcony overlooking a rose garden. The perfume from the flowers drifted up on a gentle breeze blowing in from the sea.
"My dear, Carl tells me you live with Raoul Metier -- I'm sorry, let me rephrase," she laughed lightly. "Carl tells me you work for him. Such a charming man, I wonder why he wasn't here tonight. I'm sure he was invited." She gazed at Kris questioningly.
"I-I had no idea. He did mention an invitation for tonight, but you know my job is to look after his daughter and to see to the redecoration of the big house. He's a very busy man, and unless things involve his little girl, he doesn't always choose to tell me his plans. Besides, his social and private life have nothing to do with me."
The woman looked at Kris thoughtfully for a moment before continuing. "I've been acquainted with Raoul for many years, more so when he bought the house for his wife. What a lovely girl, tragic to go so soon. After her accident, he seemed to shut a door on many things, becoming aloof and withdrawn. He refused to date anyone seriously." She pulled a face. "Some mothers do push their offspring, don't they? I understand he's been seeing quite a bit of Isabella da Costa. I've also heard that with his wife's passing, she is pushing for a commitment. Between you and the gatepost, my dear, Raoul is too nice for her. She's simply a pretty, brittle socialite with a lot of money, and he can do far better. But, who are we to talk to people about affairs of the heart, 'eh?"
She looked deep into Kris' eyes and patted her arm. "For his daughter's sake maybe you should become involved in getting him out of his shell. Why not try to bring him over to my place sometime. You are welcome, you know." She patted Kris' hand and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "He is a wealthy catch and very good looking, don't you agree?"
Kris stiffened, the idea that they may think her a gold-digging employee was offensive.
"He's not really my type," she answered rather sharply. "Besides, he really is very attached to Isabella da Costa."
"She's a hussy that will only lead him to disaster." Either Kris' tone had been lost on the elegant woman, or she chose to ignore it as she continued. "Young blood could revitalize him; he's getting old before his time." She smiled at Kris' serious face. "Don't get uppity, my dear. Even marriages of convenience can work out, and he's told me you are a vital part of his daughter's life. Love can follow."
Kris stared back stonily; this sort of conversation was pointless, and most embarrassing. "You must excuse me, I see Carl beckoning to me."
Her head started to ache. In no time she felt that she was the original wet rag, unable to enjoy things anymore. Crossing the room, she watched Carl earnestly as he talked to a slim, gamin girl. They were standing close, too close for casual acquaintances and as she watched, he took the girl into his arms to dance. It was easy to see they were in a world of their own.
She waited patiently on the darkened balcony until the music stopped, then she crossed over to the engrossed couple. Carl put his arm around her shoulders. "Enjoying yourself, sister of mine?"
Before she could answer he continued, "I want you to meet an old friend of mine, Angela Motta. I haven't seen her for a while. Can you believe it? She arrived this afternoon and is in the villa next to mine. Can you credit my luck with the long lost!"
The girl blushed prettily.
They chatted for a while then she leaned in close to Carl. "I don't feel so well. Won't you call a taxi for me and I'll slip off to bed?" She put a finger on his lips as he was about to protest. "It's nothing serious, don't let me spoil your evening. Let me go alone."
"Rubbish, I'll take you and come back. I didn't leave all of my manners back in Africa.
"Angela, my dear, I'll be back in about ten minutes." He looked long into her dark shining eyes. It didn't escape Kris' notice that romance was in the air. The girl seemed sweet and her brother deserved a good woman.
She leaned wearily against the seat of the car as they drove along the quiet road.
"Are you sure you'll be okay, Kris?" Carl asked, genuinely concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine. Perhaps a touch of the sun, that's all."
He came around to the passenger's side of the car when they arrived at the cottage. Solicitously, he put his arm around her, his face close to hers as he peered at her in the dim light. "When you are ready, little girl, big brother is here to talk. You can't kid me, you know, even after all of these years."
She reached up and kissed his cheek as they rounded the corner. "Go, Carl. A very nice girl is waiting for you. I'll give you a call tomorrow."
He started to walk away then turned and gave her a big smile and a thumbs up before he turned and left.
Kris was pleased that, for him, the night was still young.
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* * *
Chapter Sixteen
The evening was glorious as only a whisper of a breeze stirred the leaves, and the heavy air scented of flowers. As she watched the ripples on the pool, a mischievous look crossed her face. On an impulse, she stepped into her room, unzipped the fitted
dress and slipped out of her underclothes. Picking up a terrycloth robe, she walked naked to the pool. Dropping the robe by the water's edge, she slid into the cool water. She swam lazily back and forth a few times.
She gasped as she looked towards the open door. A tall familiar figure nonchalantly leaned against one of the pillars on the veranda, her robe grasped tightly in his hands. "Oh, my God! You nearly frightened me to death." She sensed the tension in his lean frame and knew he was watching her intently.
He moved forward and stood near the steps of the shallow end.
Embarrassed, although she shouldn't be, she demanded, "Put that down and get the hell out of here." When he didn't move, she added, "Please, go."
"Bashful all of a sudden?" His voice was rough with emotion. "Come and get it, or have you forgotten that I've seen you naked before?"
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