'You can't judge her until you've met her;,' Jan pointed out, wondering if she had inadvertently painted an unflattering picture of her cousin. Renata was too easygoing to be jealous of a mother-in-law, but she would not give her a great deal of consideration. 'And I haven't got a drachma of dowry,' she went on, anxious to emphasise her ^eligibility. 'I'm an orphan, dependent upon my uncle, except for the pittance he gives me for doing his typing. But I'm intending to launch out on my own, get an independent job as soon as I return to England and become a career girl.'
She could hardly expect Mrs. Leandris to be interested in her plans, but she was anxious to make clear that she was not yearning after Alex.
'When you get back to England,' Lydia observed significantly. 'For the moment you're my secretary and I must pay you a salary.'
'Of course not,' Jan cried. 'It's only a temporary arrangement, so that my uncle won't know that Alex... er ...' she paused.
'Abducted you,' Lydia concluded for her.
'In mistake for Rena.'
'Which your uncle would deplore.'
'Could you expect him to do otherwise?'
'No, except that if he wants to secure Alex, he could have used the circumstances to put pressure on him to marry her,' Lydia remarked shrewdly. 'But I'm glad the plan misfired. Enforced marriages are not conducive to happiness, and I want Alex to be happy.'
'So do I,' Jan said sincerely.
She bore Alex no ill will for his treatment of her, and it was sheer bad luck that she had come to love him. He did not want her love and she had no wish to bestow it, but the thing had happened, and she was grateful to him for enriching her life. Whatever happened to her in the future, she would always have her brief association with him to look back upon, a glamorous memory to lighten the bleakness ahead.
As for Lydia's suggestion that she might make him a better wife than Renata, the idea was ludicrous; she was quite unfitted for such a position and he would never consider her seriously. To him she was plain Janet, an odd little creature whom it amused him to tease, and he had never wholly forgotten her first and freely expressed opinion of him. It had been a triumph for him to overcome her resistance to the point where she had responded to his lovemaking, and that was why he had done it, but she did not for one moment credit that she was more to him than a diversion to while away an idle hour. Lydia's attitude was prompted by her wish for a malleable daughter-in-law, a mouse-like woman who would not question her supremacy in her son's life, but she misjudged her guest, for Jan was neither mouse-like nor meek, though she might appear insignificant. It was unfortunate that Mrs. Leandris seemed prejudiced against Renata without even having met her, but she might change her mind when she saw her. She could not fail to realise that Renata Reynolds was ideally suited to preside over Alex's establishment and that she would impress his friends.
'You must help me to ensure it,' Lydia declared, watching Jan closely.
The girl made a gesture of dissent. She did not want to be further involved in the Alex-Renata complication. If she could have followed her own inclination, she would have left for England there and then without seeing either of them again, but she could not do so without assistance in her travel arrangements, the necessary funds and her passport. At that moment she was penniless and without credentials.
'You won't need any help from me,' she said. 'It's all more or less settled.'
Renata would not hesitate now. Though she had baulked at becoming Alex's mistress, she would jump at being his wife. It was what she had angled for all along, while Alex had committed himself too far to draw back, unless he were the cad which Jan had once thought, but no longer believed him to be.
'I've no further part to play,' she went on, striving to speak lightly. 'I shall quietly fade out.'
Involuntarily a disconsolate note crept into her voice, and her hostess noticed it. She eyed the girl with a little inscrutable smile hovering about her still pretty mouth at some secret thought of her own, but dropped the subject and started to talk of other things.
They moved out on to the terrace where subsequently lunch was brought out to them on a trolley— iced melon, shellfish salads and fruit. Jan tried not to think of the meeting taking place at the airport, and to concentrate on her novel surroundings. She was privileged to visit one of the most historic spots in Europe, the gateway to the Mediterranean which had been a focal point throughout the history of what had once been known as Constantinople, and Lydia began to describe the glories of the Ottoman Empire which was now shrunken and impoverished.
'You must be sure to visit the Topkapi Palace while you're here,' she told her. 'It is now a museum, and the collection of treasures there gives some idea of the Sultan's former magnificence.'
Jan said she had done so, though at that moment she was entirely indifferent to treasures past or present.
Lydia, it transpired, had acquired the Mediterranean habit of taking a siesta during the hottest part of the afternoon and advised her guest to do likewise. She conducted her up to the room which had been prepared for her. It was above the sitting room with a broad balcony outside its french windows overlooking the terrace. The balcony ran along the front of the upper floor of the house, the rooms on either side of hers also opening on to it, though it was divided from them by low trellised fences. The room itself was furnished elegantly with white and gilt French furniture, the low wide bed covered with a lace coverlet, and there was a bathroom connected to it.
'I hope you'll be comfortable in here,' Lydia said.
'It's lovely, much too good for a mere secretary.'
Lydia laughed. 'Don't be so humble. It pays to take all you're offered without qualifications, as if it were your right.'
'But I've no right to expect anything from you, and I'm grateful for your kindness,' Jan told her, suspecting a deeper meaning behind Lydia's words. Mrs. Leandris could not know that the circumstances of Jan's life had taught her to expect little consideration from anybody. Her aunt, though vaguely kind, had impressed upon her that she owed her uncle's family service for giving her a home.
She noticed her case had been brought up, and when she was alone she opened it, hoping that her own luggage would soon arrive from the airport, since she had none of the necessities for her stay.
Renata's cloak was on top and she shook it out with a wry smile, recalling the occasion upon which she had borrowed it. How little she had foreseen what was going to happen! Underneath it was the shift dress in which she had come aboard, and the toilet things that she had used on the ship, also the nightdress Alex had made her don when he had threatened to strip her. Finally she came upon the chiffon and diamante evening dress she had worn at Lesbos.
Ariadne must have been instructed to include the night gear, etc., in the case in the event of her own possessions being delayed, an act of thoughtfulness which caused her eyes to mist, for Alex must have instigated it. Contradictory creature, he considered her comfort, even while baiting her. But there was no need to include the dress. She lifted it out and found pinned to it a piece of paper on which was inscribed in a bold sprawling hand:
'Please accept this small memento of a delightful evening. I could not bear to see anyone else wearing it after you had graced it.'
Jan stared at the writing for a long time. She had not seen his calligraphy before and it was typical of the man. What a generous gesture, but she could not accept it. Somehow she must find a way to return his gift to him; she could not allow him to give her clothes. Then she recollected that the dress she was wearing was also his. As soon as her own things arrived, she would make a parcel of the borrowed garments and ask one of the servants to deliver it to him. She fingered the skirt of the dress a little wistfully. She had never owned anything so stylish, and even her inexperienced eye could see it was a model gown, but it was impossible she could ever wear it again.
But about that she changed her mind, for when she came downstairs after a refreshing sleep which she needed after her bad night, Lydia told her, over
a cup of tea, for she adhered to that English habit, that Alex had telephoned to say he was bringing the Reynolds to dine with them that night.
Jan's reaction to that news was an impulse to develop a headache and plead that she was not up to attending a dinner party, but Lydia divined her thought from her expression and said firmly:
'You must support me, my dear. They're your relations and I'm sure your learned uncle will be formidable, so please, no excuses, and indeed you look much better for your rest.'
So Jan overcame her cowardly wish to absent herself, though Jeremy was not at all formidable, as she hastened to assure her hostess. She would have to be reunited with her family some time, it was only that she shrank from seeing Alex and Renata together, but that was something she would have to become accustomed to, and Renata owed her some thanks. She and her father might even be pleased to see her.
'They are bringing your luggage with them,' Lydia told her. 'But I suppose you've something to wear tonight?'
Jan nodded. 'I have.'
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dinner was to be at a late hour, and it was dark when Jan went up to dress for it. There was an electric fire in her room, provided in case the night turned chill, and she rinsed out her nylon underwear and put it to dry in front of it while she bathed. The bathroom was furnished with various jars of bath essences and salts; Jan revelled in the scent of sandalwood from the liquid she poured into the bath. Hadn't Lydia told her to make the most of what was offered to her?
She had no option but to wear Alex's gift, for she could not shame her hostess by appearing in a day shift or the slightly soiled dress she had been wearing. It hurt her pride to do so, for it had occurred to her that Alex had bestowed it as a sop for his cavalier treatment of her, and as such she resented it. But he would not notice her appearance tonight with Renata present. Since there would be five of them she must resign herself to her usual position of odd man out, but at least she would be becomingly clad.
Jan had not Ariadne's skill with her hair, and finally she gave up her efforts to do it in the classic style and parting it in two long swathes, drew one over each shoulder, tying it with the silver ribbons which had been included with the dress.
When she came down, Lydia was already in the sitting room, wearing black, which was almost a uniform for Greek widows; a severely cut satin dress relieved by a splendid diamond necklace, and there were diamonds on her wrists, fingers and in her ears, but they were not large enough to be ostentatious, though they did indicate the Leandrises' wealth. Renata would be envious of them and hope to acquire some herself.
Lydia complimented Jan upon her appearance.
'So sweet and natural, child.'
Which did not please Jan at all, who wanted to appear sophisticated and did not consider herself a child. It was her hair which spoilt the dignity of her gown, and she wished again she had had it cut short. She wondered how old Lydia thought she was, but before she could enlighten her, Alex arrived with his guests. He was looking very distinguished in a black dinner jacket, and as soon as he entered the room, his virile personality seemed to pervade it. Jeremy was attired in a slightly crumpled suit and appeared very much the absent-minded professor, but Renata was a gorgeous vision in a golden sheath, her beautiful hair backcombed into a flaming aureole about her vivid face. The introductions were performed, and Jan saw Lydia look a little startled as Renata was presented to her. Her eyes went past her to her son, who gave her an ironic smile. Renata's manner was almost gushing as she praised the house and her kindness in inviting them. This was Alex's mother and it was necessary to win her a probation, until the knot was tied.
Jeremy wandered over to Jan who was standing in the background.
'You were a naughty girl to sneak off like that,' he told her. 'We couldn't think where you'd got to until Alex's message arrived. I hope you're making yourself useful'
'Very useful,' Lydia told him with a sly smile, overhearing him.
Renata turned to stare at her cousin.
'Where on earth did you get that preposterous gown?'
'Oh, haven't you seen it before?' Jan asked with apparent nonchalance. 'I thought it was rather nice.'
'You couldn't have got it in Kusadasi.' Renata had recognised the Parisian line.
'No. It... it was a present.'
'Who from? You?' She looked at Lydia.
'No, from me.' Alex came to Jan's side. 'Since Jan left in such a hurry she forgot to pack a case, I lent her a dress out of the communal wardrobe, and it suited her so well I told her to keep it.'
'I don't see why she needed an evening dress, and one like that is most unsuitable.' Renata's eyes narrowed. 'When did you arrive in Istanbul, Jan?'
'This morning,' Jan told her guilelessly.
'This morning? Where on earth have you been since leaving Kusadasi?'
'I had urgent business which necessitated a call at Lesbos,' Alex again intervened. 'That delayed us.'
'In spite of your mother's urgent need of a secretary?' Renata sneered.
'The firm's business takes priority,' he returned. Jan was dismayed by her cousin's obvious hostility. It was in her service that she had been carried off in the Artemis and she should be sympathetic, not angry. The green eyes were still eyeing her suspiciously, as Renata said :
'Then I hope you behaved discreetly and stayed down below while the yacht was in port.'
'I took her out to dine at Mithimna,' Alex informed her. 'The poor girl deserved some entertainment since she was ready to help my mother out in an emergency.' His eyes met Renata's with a definite challenge. Both knew what a fabrication that emergency was, and Renata was furious. Jan realised with a feeling of shock that she was jealous, jealous of herself and Alex in a situation which she had brought about by her own cowardice.
'Let us go into dinner,' Lydia interposed, sensing a strained atmosphere. 'Alex, give me your arm.'
Having thus forestalled Renata's movement towards her son, Lydia marched on ahead leaving the other three to follow.
The dining room was at the back of the house, being mostly filled with a vast sideboard of marble-topped ormolu and the dining table. This was laid with silver, crystal and vases of flowers, and lit by a magnificent chandelier. Lydia sat at the head of her table with Alex at its foot, with Renata on his right and Jan on his left. Jeremy was placed between his daughter and his hostess. Renata threw a satisfied glance round at the appointments of the room. It was not to her taste, but it bore witness to the Leandrises' affluence. Jan's presence opposite to her seemed to offend her, and after glancing at her disparagingly she returned to the attack.
'What an absurd childish way to do your hair! Why not your usual bun, that at least is dignified.'
Jan flushed miserably and looked at her plate.
'I like it,' Alex said firmly, and that silenced Renata.
Jan gave him a grateful look and he smiled at her. Renata noticed the smile and frowned, but she left Jan alone for the rest of the meal, chattering brightly to Alex about her impressions of the country. He listened to her politely, with a little satirical smile, ignoring Jan's presence beside him. Since her uncle and Lydia were discussing Ephesian art, Jan ate her food in silence, which was her usual fate. She had never resented being overlooked before, but after she had been the sole focus of Alex's attention, his neglect was painful. She told herself it was what she must expect, and tried to keep her eyes from straying to his handsome profile. She had little appetite and refused most of the rich dishes offered to her by soft-footed servants, but naturally nobody noticed, and she was thankful for that.
Back in the sitting room, coffee was served to them, and then, suddenly putting down her cup, Renata addressed her cousin.
'You borrowed my cloak when you rushed off. I hope you haven't lost it.'
'Of course I haven't, it's upstairs.'
'Then let's go and get it,' Renata commanded. 'I'll find it useful in this place.'
Jan rose reluctantly, knowing this was an excuse to spea
k to her alone, and she dreaded what Renata was going to say. As she passed him, Alex looked up at her with a glint in his eyes, and she turned her head away.
'Want me to come and support you?' he said under his breath.
She shook her head dumbly and led the way out of the room.
In her bedroom, Renata turned on her.
'You rotten little cheat!' she blazed, her green eyes sparkling 'Trying to steal a march on me! Sneaking off with Alex when you pretended you couldn't stand him. What lies did you tell him to persuade him to take you?'
Jan went very white. 'You've got it all wrong, Rena. I had to go on the yacht to deliver your message because Alex wasn't on the quay.'
'You could have given it to the sailors.'
'They didn't understand English.'
'Well then, when you got on board, you'd only to speak up and he'd have had you put ashore again.'
'He wasn't there. I was locked up in a cabin until the yacht sailed.'
Renata stared at her incredulously.
'Do you expect me to believe that yarn?'
'But it's the truth, Rena. He thought I was you and he ... he wanted to keep intruders out until he was ready to come to you.' Jan began to giggle. 'You should have seen Alex's expression when he opened the door and saw me standing there!'
Somewhat mollified, Renata's face cleared, and she too began to laugh. 'I bet it was a shock!' Her brows drew together. 'But he could have sent you back from Lesbos.'
'There didn't seem to be any transport, and as you were to meet him here, he said it wasn't worth while.'
'I suppose there was reason in that,' Renata agreed reluctantly. 'But to accept a dress ...' She glowered at the green chiffon.
'I'd nothing with me,' Jan reminded her. 'Only the frock I came aboard in.'
'You didn't need anything else if you were locked in your cabin.'
'I wasn't, not after the first night.'
'Oh yes, dinner at Mithima—most indiscreet.' Renata's eyes narrowed spitefully. 'Couldn't he find something better looking if he needed a companion? But don't tell me he bought that dress in Lesbds. It has Paris written all over it.'
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