Jacqueline stared at him in dismay as an excited chatter burst forth from the guests, and she suddenly found herself surrounded by a blur of smiling faces, all eager to introduce themselves.
It was Martin who finally rescued her from the elderly, red-faced bank manager who clung to her hand as though he had intentions of devouring her.
"Drink this," he said, placing a glass of sherry between her trembling fingers.
"Why didn't you warn me?" Jacqueline asked accusingly as the music started again and the excitement died down?
"I was told to keep quiet in case you objected to attending," he replied simply.
The liquid burnt her throat as she swallowed it down too hastily. Meldon stood at the other end of the room, completely absorbed in what Tanya Mason was saying. Her crimson dress clung to every curve of her body as she leaned seductively towards him.
"I need some air," Jacqueline gasped, a stifled feeling in her chest.
"Let's get out of here," Martin agreed, and Jacqueline noticed that he too had been watching Tanya.
With Martin's arm about her shoulders, they walked out on to the terrace and down the steps into the ornamental garden. Jacqueline sat down on the edge of the lily pond and watched dejectedly as the water from the fountain was forced upward to come cascading down in a fine spray.
"Forgive me for prying, but do you happen to be in love with Tanya?" Jacqueline asked quietly as Martin sat down beside her.
"I was once," he said unemotionally. "But I soon realised she could never be interested in small fry like myself."
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, Jacqueline," he replied. The moon appeared from behind a cloud and lit up his smiling face. "You're a far lovelier person than Tanya could ever be and I'd be crazy to still hanker after her since knowing you."
"You're not... I mean-" She stopped, alarmed at what he was implying.
"I'm not in love with you, if that's what you're afraid of," he said seriously. "Though if I were given encouragement, I could fall heavily for you."
"Martin, I'm sorry, I-"
He stopped her by placing a finger against her lips. "You're a great pal, Jacky. I value your friendship far too much ever to do anything to spoil it."
He cupped her face in his hands and before she could stop him he was kissing her almost reverently on the lips.
"Forgive me for interrupting," a deep voice spoke beside them.
Martin released her instantly and they looked up to find Meldon Powers standing before them, the pearl buttons on his white shirt glinting in the moonlight.
"They're about to start the dancing and Tanya is looking for a partner. Would you oblige, Martin, while I have a few words with Jacqueline?"
Martin looked enquiringly at Jacqueline, but she stood 57 up and gestured that he should go.
"Does this gathering bore you to such an extent that you have to escape into the garden so soon after your arrival?" Meldon asked when they were alone. "Or was the prospect of spending a few moments in Martin Richter's arms more enticing than the guests who've come especially to meet you?"
"How dare you speak to me like that!" she blazed at him. "After that melodramatic introduction you gave me I had old men pawing at me as though I were some animal on show. If it hadn't been for Martin, I might have lost my temper with quite a few of your influential guests."
"So you rushed outside and into Martin's arms to have him kiss the hurt better," Meldon chided mockingly.
Before Jacqueline could stop herself, she had raised her hand to strike him, but she found her wrist caught in a fierce grip that made her cry out. The next moment her slender body was crushed against his lean, hard form in a ruthless embrace. His face was a blur in the dark before his mouth closed over hers in a cruel kiss that forced her lips apart, and left her weak and defenceless at this sudden onslaught.
He released her just as suddenly as he had taken her. "Next time you try something like that I shan't be so gentle with you."
Jacqueline stood trembling before him, a hand pressed against her bruised lips as the breeze stirred the soft folds of her skirt.
"I think I hate you," she said softly, her heart beating painfully against her ribs.
"Oh, come now, Jacqueline," Meldon laughed mockingly. "You deserved every bit of what you got."
"There was no need for you to—to—" she faltered, hating the arrogant set of his head and shoulders as he stood there before her.
"To kiss you?" he filled in smoothly. "Are those the words you're finding so difficult to utter?"
"Yes."
"I don't take kindly to having my face slapped," he said evenly. "If you should ever try that again, and succeed, I shall have no hesitation in pulling you over my knee and giving you the spanking you deserve."
"You wouldn't dare!" she gasped.
"Wouldn't I, Jacqueline?"
He came towards her menacingly and stepping back shr lost her balance and would have fallen into the lily pond had he not caught hold of her. Once more she found herself held against his broad chest, only this time she was clinging to him for support, his warm breath against her cheek. His lips brushed her temple while his hands against her back seemed to burn through the thin material of her dress.
"You could have fallen," he murmured, and a strange excitement quivered through Jacqueline as his hands moved down her back to press her closer to him.
Alarmed at this new emotion that was surging through her, she twisted free from his grasp.
"Am I interrupting?" a voice asked with sugary sweetness.
"Not at all, Tanya," Meldon replied, unperturbed by her sudden appearance. "Were you looking for me?"
Jacqueline did not wait to hear her reply but made use of this opportunity to escape. She was dancing with Martin when Meldon and Tanya entered the room a short while later. Stealing a glance in their direction, she saw Tanya slip into Meldon's arms as they began to move across the floor in time to the music. Tanya raised her face to Meldon, displaying her long, graceful neck to its fullest. She whispered something which caused him to laugh, and Jacqueline became aware of a dull ache in her throat at the thought that she might be the object of their mirth.
Martin was looking down at her strangely, obviously waiting for a reply to something he had said.
"You were miles away just then," he remarked pleasantly.
The carpet had been removed prior to the party especially to accommodate those who cared to dance, and at that moment the vast living room floor was crowded to such an extent that dancing became almost impossible.
"I'm hungry," Jacqueline announced suddenly, realising that she had not eaten a thing since early that morning.
"Why didn't you say so before?" Martin laughed, releasing her. "Follow me."
They struggled through the dancing couples until they came to the tables laden with food. Meldon obviously had an excellent staff, for everything was prepared to perfection. Martin picked up two plates and handed one to Jacqueline.
"There's enough food here to feed an army," he remarked while helping himself to some salads.
"Who normally does the catering for these rare parties Dr. Powers condescends to give?" she asked when they had filled their plates.
"Normally, he lets his staff see to everything," he replied, spying a secluded corner and leading her there. "Recently, of course, Tanya has taken it upon herself to see to everything."
They sat down beside a wooden barrel in which a rubber plant grew lustrously. Jacqueline admired the heavy wax like leaves that were so smooth to the touch.
"You may not realise it, my dear," Martin continued, "but Tanya is actually your hostess this evening."
Jacqueline digested this calmly and then, with a shrug, she applied herself to the food.
"Would you like something to drink?" Martin asked later while disposing of their plates.
"Not now, thank you."
The music stopped suddenly and someone shouted: "Hey, Meldon, how
about playing something for us?"
There was an excited murmur amongst the guests and Jacqueline felt her own excitement mounting. So Meldon did play the piano after all!
"This is something you've just got to hear to believe," Martin spoke softly beside her.
There was a hush as Meldon stepped up to the piano and opened the lid. He ran his fingers lightly over the keyboard and then broke into the opening chords of Mendelssohn's 'Bees' Wedding.' Hardly daring to breathe, Jacqueline stood fascinated at the effortless ease with which his fingers were moving over the keys. His touch was gentle yet firm, and the music came alive for the select audience listening with such rapt admiration.
A loud applause followed the final chords and Meldon obliged by playing a Chopin Polonaise. He ended off in lighter vein with 'Show Me' from 'My Fair Lady'.
"That was marvellous," Jacqueline breathed rapturously, applauding along with the rest of the guests. "I never knew that Dr. Powers could play so well."
Meldon stepped down from the piano and with Tanya, who was fast becoming a permanent fixture at his side, he made his way towards Jacqueline and Martin.
"Don't you agree that Meldon plays beautifully," Tanya sighed ecstatically when they came together.
"I would rather say you played masterfully, Dr. Powers," Jacqueline corrected, looking up at him.
"Would you say that I did everything else masterfully, Jacqueline?
Blushing crimson, she veiled her eyes with her golden lashes as she remembered the way he had kissed her and the emotions he had awakened in her by the touch of his hands. Meldon, she was sure, intended her to remember those moments in the garden alone with him.
Tanya glanced up at Meldon and then turned once more to Jacqueline, who was shocked at the venomous expression in those amber eyes. She placed a manicured hand on Meldon's arm. "Fetch us something to drink, darling."
Meldon enquired what they would prefer, then sauntered over to the improvised bar.
"You're very quiet." Tanya turned her attention to Martin who was standing silently Beside Jacqueline. He shrugged but made no effort to reply, and Tanya, ignoring him completely, decided instead to focus her attention entirely on Jacqueline, who stood uncomfortably next to Martin fiddling with the clasp of her purse.
"Don't you find Meldon's home fascinating?" she asked with an attempt at politeness.
"I'm afraid I haven't seen much of it at all," Jacqueline replied amiably.
"What a pity."
Jacqueline was sure that if it were in Tanya's power, she would never be invited to Bergvliet again. The guests were in a joyful mood, yet between the three people standing in the alcove leading into the hallway, there was an uncomfortable silence until Meldon reappeared.
"Darling, you were simply ages," Tanya reprimanded possessively, pouting her scarlet lips.
Meldon smiled lazily down at her as he handed them their drinks.
"To you, Jacqueline." Meldon lifted his glass. "May your stay here in Barryvale be a long and happy one."
"I echo that," Martin agreed smilingly.
"Thank you," Jacqueline whispered, aware that Tanya did not include herself in their good wishes.
"You should wear lilac more often, Jacqueline," Meldon commented pleasantly. "It suits you."
Jacqueline, flustered by this sudden compliment, was at a loss for words, and the tension mounted within her. 'My Bonny Lies over the Ocean', a voice sang out lustily from the other end of the room, and as Meldon turned to glance in that direction Tanya chose to make use of the opportunity by emptying her glass down the back of Jacqueline's dress.
"Oh!" Jacqueline gasped as she felt the dampness against her skin and inspected the damage done to her dress.
Martin, who had seen this deliberate action, was about to say something when Jacqueline stopped him with the pressure of her fingers on his arm,
"How did this happen?" Meldon asked furiously, surveying Jacqueline's dress.
"Someone bumped against me," Tanya replied, her eyes defying Jacqueline to deny this. "I'm most dreadfully sorry, my dear."
"I'll get one of the servants to dry out your dress and remove the stain," Meldon offered.
"Please don't do that," Jacqueline said quickly, placing a tentative hand on his sleeve as he was about to leave the room. "Besides, it's time I went home."
"You're not leaving now," he said sharply.
"I think I should, Dr. Powers. I have to be on duty early tomorrow morning."
Martin swallowed down the last of his beer. "I'm ready when you are, Jacky."
"Thank you for the wonderful party, Dr. Powers, and forgive me for leaving so soon," Jacqueline said apologetically as Martin swept her past them, into the hallway and out to the car.
"That was a deliberate and vindictive act on Tanya's part to spoil your evening," Martin fumed as they drove away.
"I can't understand what made her do it." Jacqueline frowned at the road ahead. "I hardly spoke to her all evening."
"Don't be dim, Jacky," Martin bit out. "All the time you were alone in the garden with the Chief, Tanya was like a cat on hot bricks. To crown it all he paid you a compliment, which is rare for him."
"But that's no reason for her to pour her drink all over my dress," she persisted.
"Didn't I warn you that she was out to get him? She knows him, perhaps far better than either of us do, and considered that he was paying too much attention to you. Pouring her drink over your dress was one way of getting rid of you quickly."
"I'm appalled to think that a woman could degrade herself by going to such lengths to win a man," Jacqueline retorted.
"Mark my words," Martin concluded, "you haven't yet seen the worst of Tanya Mason."
Martin drove in silence the rest of the way and they eventually wished each other a subdued good night at Jacqueline's door. Little did she realise that the very next day she would once again come up against Tanya Mason.
The following afternoon Sally Meyer called Jacqueline to a patient of Tanya Mason's who was complaining of acute abdominal pains.
"He was admitted yesterday afternoon for ulcer treatment and a possible operation," Sally explained when they reached the patient's bedside, where he lay doubled up with pain.
"I realise that you're Dr. Mason's patient," Jacqueline spoke gently to him, "but would you object if I examined you quickly?"
"Go ahead," he moaned. "As long as you give me something for this terrible pain in my stomach."
Jacqueline pulled down the sheets and with her small, experienced hands gently probed his abdomen.
"Any vomiting?" she enquired.
"Yes," he groaned as she touched a sensitive spot.
"Did the pain start after you'd eaten?"
"Before," he replied, gritting his teeth and glancing up at her pleadingly. "Can you do something for me, Doctor?"
"I'll do my best," Jacqueline smiled down at him reassuringly.
Sally followed her out of the ward. "What do you think, Jacky?"
"Appendicitis," she replied briefly.
"Appendicitis?" Sally echoed, her eyes widening. "But Dr. Mason had him admitted for his ulcer."
"I know," Jacqueline nodded. "There are going to be ructions, Sally, but that man has no more an ulcer than I have."
Sally whistled softly. "Are you going to get in touch with Dr. Mason?"
"No. I'll contact Dr. Powers and let him decide what's to be done, and whatever it is, it had better be done quickly or we could have a ruptured appendix on our hands."
Jacqueline telephoned Meldon at his home, and sensing the urgency in her voice he agreed to come to the hospital immediately. He arrived within a short space of time looking quite out of place in his casual clothes.
"What's the problem?" he wanted to know.
Sally Meyer left them alone in her office to attend to her duties while Jacqueline explained briefly what had occurred. Meldon listened attentively until she had finished, his eyes never leaving her face.
/> "Are you certain your diagnosis is correct?" he asked eventually.
"Yes," she replied confidently. "I know the symptoms of appendicitis and an ulcer can quite often be the same, but I'm positive that this man is suffering from acute appendicitis, and unless we do something quickly it might rupture."
East of Barryvale Page 6