by Hilary Wilde
No wonder James—and everyone else—wondered how Randel Lister could resist her! And what hope had Kate of making him believe her if Mr.
Lister had to chose between them?
She caught her breath as he came down the corridor, speaking cheerfully. “Ah, Kate, settled in all right?”
Kate thought it sounded too cheerful, and wondered what arrangements Mariana had wheedled out of him. Maybe she had suggested that Kate be on a month’s trial—maybe only a week. Whatever it was, they would make it as hard as they could, and Kate knew that the one thing she needed more than anything else to win Rosa’s confidence was— time.
Mr. Lister was introducing her to Mariana. “This is Kate Williams, and I’m sure you will find her a great help. Kate, this is Mariana Dominguez. I hope you two girls will become good friends.”
Kate stared at him and then at the beautiful Portuguese girl, and saw in her face the same amusement at the utter foolishness of men. Kate also saw in Mariana’s eyes the same suspicion she knew must be in her own, and for a moment felt swift sympathy with the lovely girl. If Mariana really loved Randel Lister, then this must be a bitter pill to swallow. But did she? James had implied that Mariana was selfish and that Randel already knew this, and that this was the reason for his hesitation. The next second, Kate lost all sympathy for Mariana, whose eyes hardened as she said frostily,
“It ess not easy for Eenglese and Portuguese girls to be friends. We have deeferent standards.”
Kate’s cheeks went bright red with anger and she noticed how swiftly Mr. Lister intervened.
“Of course you have. All nationalities differ — that’s what makes it so interesting to meet people from other lands.” He stared at Mariana’s cold face and Kate saw an odd look on his face — amusement, resignation, and something she thought looked like acceptance. Then he turned to Kate and she saw his face change again, become cloaked, impersonal, very polite.
“Have you met Rose?”
Mariana spoke quickly, giving Kate no time to answer. “It was not a success,” she said sadly, spreading out her hands expressively.
Kate, her cheeks still flushed, said, “We could hardly expect her to like me at sight. She is bound to see me as a stranger, at first.” But Mr. Lister was staring at her, frowning. “That’s odd. I would have thought ...” He hesitated.
Kate, glancing sideways, saw the triumph on Mariana’s face. How Kate wished that the wretched girl would go away and leave them alone. How could she make Mr. Lister understand the gravity of the situation with Mariana waiting to interrupt at any moment, able — and without the slightest effort — to divert and attract, as well as hold, his whole attention?
Kate took a deep breath.
“Mr. Lister,” she said with all the dignity her nineteen years could muster. “You must understand that this will not be easy. Rosa has never met me before — we were barely allowed time to speak to one another.
What hope had I of making friends in that time?” She could see that Mariana was beginning to speak, so she raised her voice and spoke faster.
“I don’t think it’s fair of you to expect me to become friends when I’m not even allowed to be alone with the child.”
There was an appalled silence. Mr. Lister stared at her, his eyes disbelieving. “But that’s ...”
“Nonsense?” Kate’s cheeks were burning now, her voice raised still more. “I assure you it’s not nonsense, Mr. Lister. When I arrived, Rosa was out.”
“Rose,” he said irritably.
She bit her lip and, glancing at Mariana, decided to let him have the point, temporarily. “Rose,” she went on, “was out for a walk. When she came in, I saw her for a few moments, and ...”
“She ran away screaming,” Mariana put in hastily, her voice malicious.
Randel Lister gazed from one to the other of the girls anxiously, still frowning. For a brief second Kate was sorry for him. But she was even sorrier for Rosa. She went on: “That is true. Something had been said to frighten her. I barely said Hullo to her and told her my name. She ran away screaming. I wanted to go after her — to talk to her, but I was not allowed to see her again. She did not eat with us — and afterwards Anna put her to bed. I have not seen her since. I don’t think, Mr. Lister, that it’s fair to blame me for not having made friends with her,” she finished breathlessly.
She saw that she might just as well have held her tongue. Mariana had tucked her hand through his arm, and was leaning lightly against him, smiling. And Mr. Lister was looking at Kate with distaste on his face. “I think you must be very tired to be so hysterical,” he said coldly. “That is a very different story from what I have already heard. I think if you go to bed early and have a good rest, the situation will appear completely different.” He gave her a card. “This is my office address in town. I shall expect to see you tomorrow at eleven o’clock, when we can discuss the matter more fully. You will need to buy your clothes. I expect you’re finding it hot.’
His voice had softened, and Kate wondered if the dismay and shock she was feeling was visible on her face. She felt as if the ground had been cut away beneath her feet. He did not believe her. He had no intention of believing her. Already he was accepting Mariana’s lies and not giving Kate a chance to prove them false. She caught her breath, feeling the tears suddenly near, longing with all her heart for her mother’s brisk sympathy, for her advice. What would her mother have said? Battle to the end, darling, but don’t let them see you’re hurt. Now she forced a smile on her face and said politely,
“I am, a little.”
“You have a comfortable room?” he asked with equal formality.
“Yes, thank you. I have the most heavenly view.”
Mr. Lister looked relieved. Kate had a feeling he was shirking the issue and knew it, and was a little ashamed of his own behavior. It made her feel sorry for him again. Maybe it was not easy for a man — especially if he loved someone like Mariana.
Now he turned away. “Good, I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Rose may be used to you and ...” He stopped, for Mariana had lifted his hand and was holding it to her cheek, smiling at him through her long lashes.
“Randel — my Randel ...” she said softly. And then began to talk to him in Portuguese. It sounded so liquid, so lovely that Kate’s throat tightened for a moment. It sounded like ... like a love song. Watching Mr.
Lister’s face, Kate guessed that it was probably that — just that. Mariana was obviously pleading, teasing him, and finally getting what she wanted.
Then she smiled, looking quickly at Kate with a triumphant smile, and said, “Ah — I knew you would agree, my Randel.” She looked directly at Kate and said, “Tell my mother, mees, that I shall be late tonight.” Kate stood still, watching them go. Mr. Lister had said goodbye rather abruptly, and had looked ill at ease. He had said he was busy, yet he was taking Mariana out somewhere — somewhere that was a good way away if they were going to be late that night.
Miserably, she went back to her bedroom. Round Number Two to the Dominguez, she thought unhappily. She took off her dress, drew the curtains and lay on her bed, feeling the hot tears burning her eyes. She tried not to cry; maybe he was right and she was very tired. Actually she felt utterly exhausted. Everything was so different from what she expected.
What would her mother have said? It was obvious that Mr. Lister did not live with the Dominguez — but surely he had a governess for his little girl, and if he had a real desire to make her English, he would have Rosa and Kate to live in his house? Kate turned over, burying her face in the pillow, wishing with all her heart that Mr. Lister had never gone to Mr. Stowe’s and so walked into her life. And she remembered Rosa ... and was glad that he had.
C H A P T E R F O U R
WHEN Kate woke, she heard music. Dressing hurriedly, she went in search of it and found the Senhora sitting alone, still embroidering, and listening to the radio. Her dark, forbidding face turned towards Kate.
“Yes, mees?”
Kate repeated Mariana’s message and saw the Senhora’s face come alive with pleasure. “Ah — but that is good.” Then her face went blank again. “Doubtless you will find something with which to interest yourself.” Kate stared at her. “Where is Rose — Rosa?’
The Senhora bent over her needlework. She did not even bother to look up as she answered, “She has gone for her walk as usual.” Kate stood there and there was silence from the Portuguese woman, even though she waited until the silence became embarrassing. Then Kate turned away and left the room, feeling both furious and completely helpless. How could she combat such a campaign? If she was never allowed to see the child ...
She stared miserably at the sea and then thought of something. She went back and told the Senhora she was going for a walk and hurried down the stairs to the hall. The girl she had seen before was entering figures in a ledger. When she looked up and saw Kate, she smiled. “I am Natala Viera,” she said politely.
“I am Kate Williams,” Kate said, and went down to her. Kate added out of her bitterness, “It’s nice to find someone who will talk to me.” She recognized the comprehension and compassion on Natala’s face.
“Ah, Mees Williams, I am afraid it is not easy for you,” Natala said gently.
Kate took a deep breath and managed a smile. “You’re right — it isn’t.
I say, do call me Kate, and may I call you Natala? What a pretty name it is.”
For a second Natala’s face glowed with pleasure. Kate wondered if it was her first compliment. Natala gave her the impression of being very sensitive and sad.
“I thank you very much. I will be happy to call you Kate.” She pronounced it “Ket,” and somehow it made it sound pretty and no longer sensible. I, too, am lonely.”
“That’s wrong — why, you’re young and—” Kate began.
Natala moved her hand a little. “People stare at me — they pity me, and are then ashamed. They are not at ease.” She searched for a word and Kate waited. “I am an embarrassment, she finished sadly.
“Not to me,” Kate told her. “You need lots of courage and I admire you for it. You’re a spastic, aren’t you?” Kate went on as Natala nodded. “At the hospital where I trained as a children’s nurse there was a spastic department. I knew a lot of children with it, and I know how very difficult life can be.”
Natala beamed. “Oh, you cannot know how good it is to have someone speak about it so openly. They whisper. They look, and then look away, as if ... as if I was a — a leper.”
“They must be poor types,” Kate finished flatly. “Anyone with any education or intelligence recognizes that spastics can be helped a great deal today and that everything depends on their own courage and endurance.
They ought to admire you – as I do.” She spoke sincerely and was glad to see the girl look happier. A warm rush of affection filled Kate. She put her hand on Natala’s. “I need a friend, Natala. Will you be mine?” Natala’s fingers curled round Kate’s. “Oh, thank you! Yes, please,” she said softly.
After that they chatted for a while, both avoiding the subject of her job.
Kate guessed Natala was being tactful — but she herself was hesitating because she felt it was disloyal to her employer to discuss him. Finally Kate said she thought she might go exploring.
“Rosa has gone out and I wondered what to do. I can’t just sit in my bedroom all day.” Even as she spoke, Kate wondered why she had not thought of it before. “I’ll telephone Mrs. McCormack,” she decided.
As Natala got the number for her, Kate told her a little about her shipboard friend. “She was wonderful to me, so kind.” Natala’s eyes were bright. “I think that it would be easy to be kind to you,” she said a little shyly.
As Kate took the telephone, she smiled at her new friend. “I wish other people thought the same,” she said.
It was wonderful to hear Mrs. McCormack’s voice — just like going home. It was easy to find the house, Kate thought as she walked down the road, glad of the shade of the trees planted either side.
Villa Paradis, where the McCormacks lived, was a large white building with a wide patio and a balcony above it. The tiled garden had wide beds of gay flowers. It was just the sort of house Kate had mentally pictured Randel Lister living in.
Even before she could touch the bell, the front door was flung open and there was Mrs. McCormack, looking cool and comfortable in a loose silk blue dress. She almost took Kate in her arms, crying eagerly:
“But this is lovely, my dear. I never hoped to hear from you so soon.” It was a beautiful house, a heavenly house to live in, Kate thought at once. Large airy rooms were filled with soft draperies and jars of flowers; there were light wicker, surprisingly comfortable armchairs. The shining floors were scattered with deep crimson and blue rugs. Kate and Mrs.
McCormack sat talking, with long golden ice-cold drinks that soothed Kate’s dry throat.
Kate had not had time to prepare what she was going to tell Mrs.
McCormack, though she had vaguely intended not telling her the whole truth — but Mrs. McCormack was one of those people who seem to get every detail out of you without effort.
As the words poured out of Kate’s mouth, she watched, on Mrs.
McCormack’s face, all those conflicting emotions she had felt that day —
surprise, dismay, disbelief, amusement, shock — disappointment.
“Well,” Mrs. McCormack said finally. “You have surprised me. I would have thought Mr. Lister was a man of far greater discernment than that. I feel, my dear, that he has behaved extremely badly. Whatever happened, he should have introduced you to the Dominguez and to his daughter. That would have made the situation plain from the beginning.”
“He had an appointment,” Kate put in, a little dismayed that she had apparently painted Mr. Lister in such a bad light.
“So had you,” Mrs. McCormack said dryly. “A far more important appointment where the child is concerned. Then — then he must surely appreciate that the Dominguez family resent you, even if he, somewhat stupidly, hoped they would not.”
She wanted to know about the little girl, and was as shocked as Kate had been by the child’s obvious fear. “Yet, Kate dear, I see it as a very good sign that the child sought you out of her own accord. It seems to me that her curiosity about you may be your best weapon. As you say, you must go slowly.”
Later, Mrs. McCormack said thoughtfully, “Kate, maybe we’re making a mountain out of the proverbial molehill. Men can be such fools, and obviously Randel Lister won’t see two inches beyond his nose if he doesn’t want to. When you see him tomorrow, you must be more businesslike.” She smiled at the quiet, tired unhappy girl – the girl who appeared so different from the happy Kate of the ship. “My dear, I know it isn’t easy at nineteen to stand up to a cosmopolitan, experienced, and perhaps sarcastic man.” Her eyes twinkled sympathetically at Kate’s quick denial. “Yes, dear, I do understand that it was very hot and he had a busy day and that we must make allowances. At the same time, you must stand up for yourself, or the Dominguez will just crush you with ... with steamroller precision.” Mrs. McCormack beamed for a moment. Kate knew how the older woman loved what she called an “apt phrase.”
“But how?” Kate asked, rather helplessly, remembering Mr. Lister’s cold eyes, that look of distaste that still seemed to shrivel her up as she remembered it.
“He must define your duties. Make him see that you appreciate that it’s difficult for the Dominguez to accept you. That it’s difficult for you living under their roof. Ask him to make it plain that, now you are here, the girl Anna is redundant.” She beamed again. “That’s a good word to remember, my dear. Redundant. I’m sure if you make him see how impossible the situation is, he will respond. After all, he did engage you to look after the child.”
Later, as Kate prepared to leave — for she did not like to stay away too long, although the thought of going back to that gloomy flat was terrifying
— Mrs. McCormack told Kate th
at Randel Lister lived at the Aviz Hotel and had never taken a villa because of his frequent absences. But that she imagined that now, things would be different. Kate wondered what James had told his mother as Mrs. McCormack continued: “I happen to know that he is staying in Lourengo Marques for the next six months and so he may rent a furnished villa. That would be the most sensible plan, for then you and the child could be with him.”
“That would be wonderful,” Kate said eagerly, and then wondered if she had been just a little too eager as she saw Mrs. McCormack’s shrewd eyes on her. She colored and said hastily, “It’s so dark and dingy in that flat. Also it isn’t easy with the Dominguez disliking me so and ... and making everything so hard.” She thought of something, hoping it would distract Mrs. McCormack’s attention. It did. “Mariana,” Kate said, “is very lovely.”
“So James says. Tell me about her.”
Kate tried to obey. It was difficult to capture Mariana’s fiery beauty, her husky voice, those compelling eyes, that seductive manner, the rather possessive way she spoke to Mr. Lister one moment, and the next was appealing, begging, almost like a slave. ‘
“Is he in love with her?” Mrs. McCormack made that emotional state sound like a disease.
“I don’t know,” Kate said. “I don’t see how he could fail to be. She is really ... really most exceptional.” How inadequate words were! “She has such a personality as well as beauty. Such arrogance ... self-confidence.
When she looks at me I feel just like a country mouse.” Mrs. McCormack looked disapproving “You look just what you are —
a well brought up young English girl.”
Kate smiled a little. “How dull and boring that sounds! I think it must be wonderful to look like Mariana.”
‘“Maybe,” Mrs. McCormack said with a little sniff and that habit of hers of always having the last word. “But remember that Mr. Lister engaged you to look after his child.”