Rachel Lindsay - Alien Corn

by Rachel Lindsay

  He laughed. 'You are never at a loss for words, are you, Lorna? You should have had red hair!'

  'Perhaps I'll dye it for you.'

  'Never!' he said emphatically. 'Being natural is part of your charm.'

  'Thank you, senhor. That's the first real compliment you've paid me.'

  'My name is Rafael. I would like you to use it'

  Her reply was forestalled as they turned sharply through heavy, wrought iron gates covered with wistaria and drove through a wild tract of land before entering an avenue bordered by well planned gardens. At once the house came into view; built in the shape of an L, its mediaeval appearance was heightened by a large number of windows and a stone archway above the door emblazoned with the Castro coat of arms.

  Inez and her parents were at the step to greet them and Lorna was shown immediately to her room. As was usual in Portuguese houses the shutters were closed tight, and she pushed them open and leaned out, breathing in the warm, scented air. It was a matter of minutes to store her clothes away in the ebony wardrobe and by the time she was ready, the first dinner gong echoed from the hall.

  There were at least twenty people at the long dining table, with Inez and Rafael side by side at the far end. Lorna was placed between two men who spoke neither English nor French, but she was too interested in her surroundings to mind.

  The room was exceptionally lovely. Coloured tiles patterned the walls like paintings and the ceiling was covered with medallions illustrating the art of Bullfighting. Tall corner cupboards held priceless objects d'art and hand-woven curtains were drawn back to show a cloistered passage-way with a small fountain playing at the end of it.

  It was only when they retired to the drawing-room and Inez still made no effort to draw her into the conversation that Lorna began to feel restless, bored, and then annoyed. Rafael, the centre of a group of men, did not look once in her direction, and she refused to acknowledge that she was hurt at his complete lack of interest.

  She stood up to say good night and immediately he was at her side.

  'Do you want anything?'

  'No, thank you, I'm going to bed.'

  'It's early yet'

  doubt if I'll be missed.'

  I'm sorry you feel lonely.' His mouth tightened as he looked at Inez in the far corner of the room.

  'I'm not lonely,' she said quickly, "but it was a long drive and I really am tired.'

  He said no more as she bade good night to her host and hostess and was already engrossed in conversation when she went upstairs;

  In her room Lorna pondered the strangeness of Inez's behaviour. The girl had not addressed one word to her the whole evening, and even when her parents had spoken in English she had quickly changed the conversation back into Portuguese. Yet they were a people who prided themselves on their hospitality, and Inez's rudeness was as unaccountable as it was strange. Unwittingly the word jealousy came into her mind, but she dismissed it as being absurd. What reason could this beautiful young aristocrat have for being jealous of her ?

  Coming back from the bathroom she was startled to see Rafael leaning against the doorpost of her room. Her heart jumped, but only by the widening of her eyes did she betray any surprise.

  'I have been waiting for you, Lorna,' he said softly. 'I wanted to speak to you.'

  'There was plenty of opportunity downstairs.'

  He hesitated. 'The situation was a little difficult. It. might have been embarrassing if I had singled you out.'

  'I have no desire to be singled out,' she said coldly. 'I don't know why you should assume I have. Really, senhor, you can't ignore me the whole evening and then expect me to welcome you with open arms.'

  'I don't think you'd welcome any man with open arms, Lorna, you are too cold. Sometimes I wonder whether you are capable of any passion and warmth at all.'

  There's no need to be insulting!'

  'How typical of you to be insulted when I talk of passion! Have you no feelings, Lorna ? I wish I knew what went on behind that beautiful face.'

  Before she could move his arms were tight about her, his body straining close and his mouth, on hers, alive with desire. Instinctively her hands came up to the back of his neck, and at her touch his control snapped. Gone was the man who was master of his emotions - now they were mastering him, and Lorna was carried away on the flood of a passion that threatened to conquer her.

  'Rafael, no! No!'

  Instantly he released her. 'You are frightened, pequena, I am sorry, I wouldn't hurt you for the world.'

  Without a word she slipped past him into her room and turned the key in the door. There was nothing to say, no explanation to make. He had kissed her and she had responded to him. Better to leave it at that

  When Lorna went down for breakfast Inez was already seated at the table. The Portuguese girl looked pale and tired and greeted her with a conspicuous lack of warmth.

  'I hope you slept well, Miss Fairfax.'

  'Very well, thanks, but it's much warmer here than Estoril. I had to keep the windows wide open all night.'

  'Because you're not used to the heat. There are a great many differences between your country and mine, senhorita, make no mistake about that. Climate is the most obvious one: temperament can too easily be overlooked.'

  Instinctively Lorna felt she was being warned. But against what? Inez herself supplied the answer.

  'Portuguese men are used to being the masters, and women like myself are brought up to believe that that is the way it should be.'

  Lorna smiled politely. 'We have a proverb that says 'An Englishman's home is his castle".'

  'You might say that, but women of your sort don't believe it! No, I have been to England and seen your kind of marriages - cold, businesslike arrangements where the woman gives the orders.'

  Lorna smiled. 'You're completely wrong, but I don't want to argue with you. What I would like to know is why you are telling me all this? I mean, you must have some reason.'

  The amber eyes were veiled. 'Because I don't want you to get hurt. Rafael is attractive and very unscrupulous when it comes to "affaires de coeur"!'

  Lorna's heart jumped. "What has that to do with me?'

  Inez shrugged. 'It is obvious you like him. I don't blame you, most women do. But he really shouldn't use our quarrels as a chance to flirt with every pretty girl that comes along. I keep telling him he will do it once too often, but he never believes me.'

  Lorna forced herself to look into the beautiful, calm face. 'I think you are imagining things, Miss Castro. If I like Senhor Rodriguez it is because he is interesting and intelligent to talk to. I am surprised you should see more in it than that.'

  'I. did not want you to get hurt. That was all.'

  'You. have no need to worry about me. I am perfectly able to take care of myself.' Lorna bent her head to her breakfast. The sight of the food repelled her, but she forced herself to eat. Not for anything would she give Inez, the satisfaction of knowing that her shafts had gone home.

  'Good morning, Inez - Lorna.' Together with his host Rafael came into the room. 'You are both up early.' He turned to Lorna. 'Have you recovered from the journey?'

  'It was hot for Miss Fairfax,' Inez interrupted. 'She could not sleep. I was just telling her it was a pity Amalia could not come. If I had known I would have invited a few more people who spoke English.'

  'Never mind.' For the first time Senhor Castro spoke. 'It will give me a chance to practise mine!' He sat down and piled his plate with croissants. 'I thought we would all go up to see the bulls this morning. I am sure it is what Miss Fairfax has been looking forward to.'

  'We are going riding this morning, Papa,' Inez said quickly. 'It will be too hot this afternoon. I am sure you can take Miss Fairfax on your own. Rafael won't want to see the bulls again.'

  'Not at all,' Rafael said, 'I would like nothing better. We can all go and see the herd this afternoon.'

  Left to her own devices, Lorna mused over the morning's conversation. Subtlety was not the Portuguese
girl's strong point and she had made the position between herself and Rafael quite clear. Stupid to have believed that a man of his culture and wealth could be interested in someone like herself. It was as well Inez had explained the reason for his quixotic behaviour — to be forewarned was to be forearmed.

  It was midday before the other women guests came downstairs, and Lorna found that her hostess and several of the other ladies present spoke English passably well once they had overcome their fear of not being understood.

  As soon as lunch was over they piled into cars and drove the short distance to the bull ring, a large field enclosed by a high fence of sheet-iron. A low platform had been built alongside, and Lorna climbed on to it with others and looked down on a series of pens. Beside the last one stood a heavy horse-cart, and she looked at it curiously.

  The bull is driven into that when it's wanted for the arena.'

  Rafael spoke into her ear, and Lorna drew back with a start, her reply drowned by pounding hooves as her host, mounted on a beautiful white stallion, rode into the enclosure, followed by twelve men on horseback. Each one wore the same livery of white shirt, red jerkin and leather shorts, in their hands long pikes with which to protect themselves.

  'Those are the campinos. It is their job to attract the bulls.' Rafael indicated with his hand. 'Look over there and you can see them.'

  She looked in the direction he was pointing and saw the herd standing quietly at the far end of the enclosure. Almost immediately the campinos fanned out and rode straight at them. The bulls tossed their heads, snorted angrily, and attacked.

  At once the range was covered with charging animals and a cloud of dust rose into the air; Senhor Castro, erect on his white horse, sprang into the fray and the other riders galloped away leaving him to face the bulls. Half turning, he raced past the platform, the raging animals hard on his heels. Lorna's heart stood still as she saw that he was riding directly into another herd which had suddenly appeared in the distance. There could be no escape for him: without even a pike to protect him from the murderous horns he would be tossed to his death. But as he approached the new danger the bulls miraculously made a path for him and he rode straight through! With a gasp Lorna covered her. mouth, and Rafael caught her arm.

  'There's no danger,' he said soothingly. They are the bell cows and are used to entice the bulls into their pens. Look and you will see what I mean.'

  As the two herds intermingled the bulls quietened down and, guided by the sharp pikes of the campinos, went docilely into their pens.

  'The performance is now concluded.' The man looked at her white face and trembling lips. 'I think you have seen quite enough for one afternoon. I suggest something to bring you back to a more peaceful frame of mind.'

  With an effort Lorna smiled. 'A hot tup of tea, I think!' 'A drive in the country would be a better suggestion.

  Excuse me.'

  With a nod he walked to where Inez was standing with his mother. Although they were some distance away Lorna saw the young girl frown and make a gesture of protest, but Rafael turned on his heel and came back to her side.

  'Ready ?' he caught her elbow to guide her down the steps.

  'Aren't the others coming?' she inquired.

  'My mother is tired,' he said calmly, 'and Inez refused.'

  Furious that she had not done the same, Lorna followed him to the car. If she changed her mind now he would want to know why: better to acquiesce and pretend it did not matter one way or the other.

  She sat quietly by his side as they drove through some of the most wonderful country she had ever seen. In the hot, hazy sunshine every tree glittered as if it were alight; great heaps of grain and straw of palest gold lay drying on the earth, and the lumbering oxen, sweating in the sun, placidly pulled their carts along.

  'It's all so beautiful,' she murmured.

  'So were you last night. Like a golden candle - pure and cold - yet burning to the touch! I am sorry you ran into your room so quickly. There was no need to be afraid of me.'

  'I am not afraid of you, senhor, but I have reached the age when I find flirtations rather dull.'

  His mouth tightened. 'You never miss an opportunity to hurt, do you? One day I will remind you of all the unpleasant things you said to me.'

  'I don't want to hurt you,' she protested, 'but I honestly don't know what to make of you.'

  'Why make anything at all?' He glanced at her — a warm, vibrant look. 'Do not analyse and prove, pequena, accept things as they come. It is much better so.'

  There was nothing to say to this and she looked away. When he spoke to her so intimately she could almost believe Inez was lying. Yet the very fact that he was staying with the Castro family indicated that he had every intention of marrying the daughter.

  They had tea in the garden of a red and white tiled pension, and Lorna saw another side of Rafael as he teased, the fat, smiling patron into providing a tea more suitable for a banquet. Large, fiat pancakes swimming in syrup and cream; crunchy rolls dipped in wild strawberry jam and then lightly toasted and an .amazing assortment of small, rich pastries, the whole washed down by jasmine-scented tea.

  Half way through, Lorna confessed herself full. 'You'll have to finish the rest. I couldn't manage another thing.'

  'But I ordered it for you. I know English people like a — how do you call it - high tea ?'

  'Not quite as high as this!' she laughed. 'I'm not used to such rich food.'

  He looked at her carefully. 'You could do with it, though. You have so much spirit and independence it is difficult to realize you are so fragile. I could break your wrist between my fingers.' He leaned forward and caught her hand. 'I wonder if you realize how tantalizing you can be. Fire and warmth one minute, icy disdain the next. A man might become annoyed with you, Lorna, but he would never become bored.'

  'I can return the compliment.'

  The devil you can!' His lips curled in a half smile and he stroked her fingers. 'Lorna, Lorna, you have so little confidence in yourself and your beauty. That is what I like best about you. You are like a violet when I have always been used to orchids.'

  She drew her hand away and busied herself with the teapot. 'New things have a novelty that is apt to wear off.'

  'Possibly.' His face resumed its closed look and they finished their tea in silence.

  It was late when they reached the Quinta and together they walked up the steps to the main salon. Manoel stood up at their entrance.

  'What are you doing here? Rafael was the first to speak. 'When did you arrive ?'

  'Early this afternoon. Amalia was feeling better, so I decided to come along.'

  'What a good idea! She can do with a change of atmosphere.' Lorna made for the door. 'I'll run up and see her. Which is her room ?

  'Amalia's in Estoril,' Manoel said casually. 'I thought the drive would be too tiring for her.'

  Do you mean she's alone in the house?'

  The maids are there.'

  'That beside the point. You're her husband and it's your duty —'

  'Be quiet, Lorna!' Rafael's voice cut across hers. Do not talk to my cousin like that.'

  The colour drained from Lorna's face and she drew back as if she had been slapped. Rafael took a step towards her, but she evaded his arm and without a word ran from the room.

  To her disgust everyone accepted Manoel's appearance without his wife as if it were the normal code of behaviour, and Lorna knew that Inez had been speaking the truth when she said there was a difference in outlook between England and Portugal.

  The evening dragged interminably. Twice Rafael tried to attract her attention, but resolutely she looked away. They had nothing to say to each other. Indeed, his rounding on her in defence of Manoel had hurt so much she was afraid to analyse why.

  As soon as she could she excused herself on the pretext of a headache, and moving quickly about her bedroom began to pack.

  She left early the following morning before anyone except the servants were afoot, and arrived at th
e shuttered house in Estoril as dusk was falling. Without pausing to take off her coat Lorna sped up the stairs to her friend's room.

  Amalia greeted her with swollen eyes. 'Lorna darling, I didn't hear you come in! What's the matter? Where's the family?'

  'Nothing's the matter, and the family are still in Algarve.' Puffing slightly, she sat down on the bed. 'I've had enough of Portuguese customs for one weekend!'

  'How did you get here? Did anyone drive you?'

  Train, my love. And what a train! I could have walked more quickly! I don't think they've ever heard of restaurant cars and when I asked the ticket collector he thought I was mad. Still, I'm here, and that's the main thing.'

  Amalia's eyes spilled with tears and she groped for her handkerchief. 'Oh, Lorna, you did it for me. You came because Manoel left me alone! You needn't deny it, because I know it's true.'

  'Well, what if it is.?' Resolutely Lorna kept her voice cheerful; it would not take very much for her to cry with

  Amalia. 'I was looking for an excuse to get away, and you.

  were as good as any.'

  'What did Rafael say when you told him? I bet he was furious.'

  'He doesn't know - at least not until I'd already left.' She squared her shoulders. 'He might be the head of your family, my dear, but he's not the head of mine. I came here to be with you and no one is going to stop me.'

  This last speech was too much for Amalia and she threw herself into Lorna's arms, sobbing as if her heart would break.

  'Oh, Lorna, I don't know what I'd do without you! I never knew this house was so big or — lonely. I tried so hard to get better for Manoel, and the minute I said I felt fine he left me!'

  There's no point in talking about it now.' Lorna changed the subject. 'All this is between you and Manoel and I'd wait until you're feeling more like yourself before you have it out with him. Now come on. Put on your dressing-gown and come downstairs for dinner.'

  Over a light meal Lorna recounted her weekend, and as she told the story of her afternoon's excursion with Rafael, Amalia's eyes glinted.

  'Inez won't invite you there again if I know anything about her. The minute Rafael looks at another woman her claws come out. Not that she's had any reason to be jealous before,' she amended quickly. 'If Rafael's ever had any affairs he's always been most circumspect about them.'