by Anne Hampson
‘I like Gasper,’ she just had to say, because it was true, and even if he was a flirt and a philanderer, she could not see how this would ever affect her. ‘He’s jolly, and amiable—’
‘Too jolly and amiable,’ interposed Carlos grittingly. ‘There’s already a good deal of talk going on regarding our marriage, and I don’t intend to encourage additional gossip by allowing you to run around with a man whose moral character is well-known to all the family.’
‘Talk?’ she repeated, bypassing all the rest, and staring at him questioningly. ‘What kind of talk?’
‘Doreen was stupid enough to tell my sister the circumstances leading up to our marriage—’
‘And Isobella repeated them to you?’
‘Not to me, but to every other member of the family.’ He stopped, his mouth compressing angrily. ‘She’s said something to you, no doubt?’
‘I’d rather not talk about it,’ returned Hydee in a taut voice that was bound to rivet his attention.
‘So she has been talking to you.’ Anger seemed to have left him, but his brow was darkened by a frown. ‘I’d like to know what she said.’ Implacable the tone, demanding and masterful. Hydee’s hesitation was only temporary, for she knew that obedience to his wishes must override her reluctance to disclose what Isobella had said to her.
‘She was disappointed that you didn’t marry Arminda.’
The dark, foreign eyes narrowed to mere slits. ‘She actually told you that?’ There was incredulity in his tone, but Hydee knew he believed her when she said yes, Isobella had in fact told her that.
‘I can understand her disappointment but not her deliberate vindictiveness,’ Hydee added on a bitter note.
‘What else did she say?’ demanded Carlos, ignoring what Hydee had just said.
‘She knows it’s a marriage of convenience.’
‘She does?’ with an arrogant lift of his brows. ‘Well, she’ll know differently if, in the not-too-distant future, you have a child.’
A child. . . . Yes, it was natural that he should expect a child to come eventually.
‘You would like us to have a child?’ A wave of pure happiness swept over her at the idea of having Carlos’s child.
‘Of course. Wouldn’t you?’ His eyes were actually smiling now, and her happiness increased.
‘Yes, Carlos, I would like that very much.’
The smile reached his lips. ‘Luisa and Ramos would like it, too. I rather think that Luisa would completely lose interest in her dolls.’ All his ill-humour had evaporated, and there seemed to be a hint of tenderness in the glance he gave her before saying, ‘Don’t go out with Gasper again, Hydee. It would displease and anger me, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.’
She looked up into his stern, set face, aware of the change in the atmosphere as she hesitated before answering him. ‘I don’t want to displease you, Carlos, but Gasper has become important in my life—’
‘Important?’ he snapped, eyes kindling.
‘As a friend. Oh, Carlos, I did tell you I needed him, and it’s true! Please don’t forbid me his company. You must know you can trust me!’
‘I don’t trust Gasper,’ was his quietly spoken rejoinder, ‘and, therefore, I am asking you not to go out with him again.’
She bit her lip, aware of her husband’s mastery, aware that it would be far more comfortable to obey him without argument or pleading, yet she found herself saying, ‘There’s no harm in our friendship, Carlos.’
‘Except that gossip is bound to result, and as I have just said, I will not tolerate it.’ His voice was implacable, edged with finality, and so it was no surprise to Hydee when he turned on his heel and left her there alone, her misted eyes fixed on the closed door for a long moment after he had gone.
Chapter Ten
Night had fallen softly to clothe the drowsy landscape with a deep purple sheen, increased in its intensity by the vibrance of the sky. On the whispering eddies of the breeze there floated the tang of herbs, while high above, in the star-misted dome of the heavens, clouds in moonglow appeared like lace, spun in silver by some fairy hand.
Hydee’s mouth curved in a contented smile as she stood by the fountain, her dreamy eyes scanning the exotic scene around her. She and Carlos had dined and had been about to go to the green-and-gold salon for their coffee when he had been called to the telephone, and as he had come back to warn her that the call would take some time, she had said she would wander out to the garden and wait for him there.
Strolling over to a rustic seat she sat down, her mind filled with the new relationship that had come to her and Carlos. Even now, after almost a week, it seemed a miracle that he wanted her in that way. Yet he did; she had no doubts whatsoever as to the pleasure he derived from her body, just as she derived pleasure from his. But she was always aware that he did not love her, and now and then a ruthless stab of jealousy would inflict its pain because of Arminda and Carlos’s feelings for her. Twice Hydee had been urged by some force beyond her control to mention the girl, to put a casual question. On both occasions he had answered curtly and she was unhappily conscious of being snubbed. Gasper had phoned twice, the second time to try to pin her down to a definite date. Hydee had deftly managed to avoid being pressed to make a decision, but although for the present she was obeying her husband’s order, it was with a feeling of indignation at not being able to have a little freedom to do what she wanted to do. After all, Carlos was out for most of the day, or in his study, and being left to her own devices, Hydee would very much have liked to be able to enjoy Gasper’s company without any fear of stirring her husband’s anger.
However, for the present Hydee was content to let things sail along as they were, her early mornings and afternoons taken up with the children and her evenings and nights spent most pleasantly with her husband. And, to add to her happiness, she had received a letter from Ellie saying that she and Ray were getting married two days before Christmas and asking tentatively if it would be all right for them to come over for their honeymoon. Hydee had shown her husband the letter, watching his handsome face anxiously, relieved when, on handing it back to her, he had produced a smile.
‘A honeymoon couple joining us for Christmas. That will be something new. Yes, Hydee, let them come, by all means. We have a houseful, so two more won’t upset either the menu or the accommodation arrangements.’
Hydee had warmed to Carlos even more then, happy to know he did not intend to despise her friends. What the rest of the family would have to say was something else altogether, she mused with a grimace, but as she cared not one jot for their opinion, she managed without difficulty to thrust the matter from her mind.
Suddenly her heart caught, and sheer joy spread through her being as she saw the tall silhouette of her husband’s figure swinging along the path as if he walked on air.
‘Sorry to leave you all that time,’ he apologised gracefully as he stood there, towering above her so that she felt small and insignificant, and very much under his domination. But in her lovely eyes there was eagerness and excitement, and her whole body felt as if it floated on a warm silken carpet of pure magic. As if fully aware of her heightened emotions, Carlos reached down to take her hand in a firm and masterful grip that brought her to her feet and drew her close. His other hand spread its long lean fingers from her waist to the small of her back, lingering awhile to let her feel its strength and its warmth before travelling in a slow, sensuous motion to her bare shoulder, tracing a line along the tender curve of her throat to tease with experienced finesse the sensitive places behind her ear and along the nape of her neck. His caresses were gentle, sophisticated, yet calculated to arouse her desires, as were the kisses he rained on her temples, her eyes, her eager, moistly glowing lips.
Her tremors of rapture very soon made him realise that this was no place to be, and he silently led her back to the house, his arm about her waist, his fingers sensuously probing and kneading, enticing her readiness for him even before they reached t
heir suite. Once there, he left her, to return ten minutes or so later when the pervasive scent of his newly applied after-shave apprised Hydee of the fact that, like her, he had showered. He wore a blue silk dressing gown loosely fastened by a cord; Hydee’s négligé covered a dainty see-through nightdress bought a couple of days ago and of a kind she had never worn before. She made no demur when her husband slid the négligé from her shoulders and threw it onto a chair, and even her reaction to his removal of the nightdress was no more than a little halfhearted protest which was immediately smothered by his kiss. But she coloured delicately and Carlos seemed amused that she could blush as easily as she had a week ago.
‘You’re very lovely when you blush like that.’ No smile, but an undertone of fondness in his voice which eradicated the impression of severity. ‘I’m your husband, so there’s no need for embarrassment, surely?’
‘It hasn’t been long yet, Carlos,’ she returned softly, her eyes watching his make their now familiar exploration of her body. It was a cool appraisal at first, but it warmed ardently as he assessed the potential delight of her curves. With an overpowering strength, he drew her into an embrace which brought her naked body to his. Her own need pulsated to life as his lips possessed hers, hard and demanding and insistent with primitive mastery.
The feel of his hand on her breast, fingers teasing the nipple to the hardness of desire, sent ecstasy quivering through her veins. All embarrassment dissolved by her desperate need of him, Hydee slid a finger into the loop of the cord and let his dressing gown come open. She strained against the rippling muscles of his nakedness, all her love outflowing, fused with the abandon of her primitive desire to give herself to him in tenderness and sweet surrender. And when at last she did surrender, her reward was the flow of a drenching rapture that swept her to the edge of paradise . . . and beyond.
The following two weeks passed happily for Hydee, who, on asking Carlos if she could learn to drive, was immediately provided with an instructor from the driving school in the nearest town. She remembered that Gasper had promised to teach her, but she naturally made no mention of this to Carlos.
Gasper rang again when Carlos was out and asked if he could call for her and give her a lunch at his home. She made an excuse, but still resented having to forfeit the harmless pleasure of his bright company. During the fortnight the children had a four-day break from school, and that, too, had been a happy interlude for Hydee. Apart from the time taken up by her driving lessons, she was with them throughout the entire day. They swam in the pool, played ball on the lawn and went for rambles into the surrounding countryside.
Then, right out of the blue, Carlos said he was going to London on business. Hydee would very much have liked to go with him, and for some time considered making a tentative suggestion, bearing in mind what Carlos had said about Caterina being competent to look after the children. However, she reluctantly concluded that if Carlos had wanted her with him he would have been the one to make the suggestion. He did not do so, and on Thursday morning very early he left, being driven to the airport by Geraldo, one of the chauffeurs.
‘When will you be back?’ Hydee asked, having risen early so as to have her breakfast with him.
‘I can’t say for sure, Hydee. My business might take a week or, on the other hand, it could be concluded in a few days. I’ll phone you from my hotel.’ His smile was amicable enough but lacked the near-tenderness to which Hydee had recently become used. His general attitude, too, seemed to be offhand, and a chill settled on her heart. It was absurd, she knew, to feel like this, because her husband’s manner in all probability resulted from his having to be off extra early to catch the plane, and perhaps from his concentration on the business which necessitated his travelling to London. She had made tentative and subtle inquiries about this business, but refrained after she had been almost snubbed. She could not understand why he was so reticent about it, especially in light of the new relationship which now existed between them. She had become a proper wife physically, so why not his confidante and friend as well?
Such a relationship might come eventually, she told herself as she stood at the head of the white marble steps and waved as the car drew off the forecourt. Then she felt flat, drained, and although she gave herself a mental shake, she still felt depressed when she saw the children off to school two hours later.
At half-past ten her driving instructor arrived and the lesson made a break from the sort of nerve-twisting tension that was beginning to assail her. She did not know what was the matter with her but was relieved to learn that her driving had not suffered.
‘You’re doing very well indeed,’ praised the man, Jorge, speaking good but broken English. ‘It is a long time since I had such an apt pupil.’
He left her at the door, and the tension returned immediately. She would phone Gasper, she decided on the spur of the moment, just for a chat, that was all.
‘Hello!’ he greeted her eagerly. ‘How are things with my beautiful cousin-in-law?’
‘Not too bad,’ she began, then wished she had forced a little more brightness into her voice.
‘Sounds somewhat suspicious,’ he said, gravity replacing the previous jocular tone of his voice. ‘Something wrong?’
‘Nothing at all, Gasper. How are you these days?’
‘Great, as always. But we were talking about you. You’ve been putting me off all the time, so I conclude you’ve had orders not to cultivate me. Right?’
‘Carlos says you’re a flirt, and it’s true.’
‘Admitted, but he knows I wouldn’t flirt with his wife.’ A slight pause ensued. ‘Where is he now? In his study with his nose to his books?’
‘He went off to London this morning early.’
‘He did!’ Silence, so prolonged that Hydee wondered if they’d been cut off.
‘Are you still there, Gasper?’ she said.
‘Yes, of course. London, eh? Did he say why he was going there?’
‘On business.’ Nerves twisted in Hydee’s stomach as if she knew instinctively that there must be a very good reason for the way she had been feeling this morning. ‘Why are you acting so strangely?’ she just had to inquire.
‘Strangely?’ Hydee had the impression he was pulling himself together. ‘That’s a funny thing to say, Hydee. Why on earth should I act strangely?’ And when she offered no answer, he asked if he could come over and take her to lunch, either to his own house or to a restaurant.
She hesitated, but only for a few seconds. She was far too depressed to refuse the opportunity of being cheered up.
‘All right, Gasper.’ She glanced at her wristwatch. ‘It’s a quarter to twelve now. What time should I expect you?’
‘I’ll be on my way in a couple of minutes.’ The line went dead. Hydee stared at the receiver for a long moment before replacing it on its rest. Gasper’s attitude had been strange, no matter how he denied it, she thought, making her way up the beautiful balustraded staircase to her bedroom on the wide semicircular corridor at the top of it.
She looked especially charming when she met Gasper in the cool, marble-floored hallway with its fluted pillars and the crest embellishing the wide arch through which could be seen the broad and sweeping stairway.
Gasper stood there, waiting for Bento to disappear before he said, a soft whistle having already issued from his lips, ‘You’re a real beauty if ever there was one! Hydee, why didn’t I meet you before that lucky and unappreciative cousin of mine?’
Having decided to assume a light and casual front, Hydee forced herself to laugh. ‘You’re incorrigible, Gasper. But keep your flirting for those who enjoy it. I’m a married woman and very conscious of the fact.’
‘Married?’ with a lift of one noble eyebrow. ’In name only—is that a marriage?’
She coloured but turned at the same time, embarrassed, and wished there was some casual way of informing him of the new relationship she had with her husband.
‘Shall we go into the salon and have a drink?
’ she suggested, moving away even before he could speak.
They sat together on a couch, Hydee with a long cooling drink and Gasper with something stronger, their conversation light and general even though the questions which both wished to ask hovered on the edge of their minds.
At last Gasper said, regarding Hydee intently as he lifted his glass to sip its sparkling amber contents, ‘So Carlos went off to London this morning, did he? And how long is he to be away?’
‘It could be a week, but probably a little less.’
A strange silence prevailed, and when she saw that Gasper was deep in thought and not ready to comment, Hydee just had to ask, ’Why did you sound so strange on the phone, Gasper?—no, don’t deny it again, please.’ She lifted a hand to strengthen the plea. ‘Right at the beginning there was an understanding between you and me that frankness would be important in our friendship. Well, Gasper, you are not at present being frank with me. Just what are you trying to hide?’
‘Are you omniscient?’ he demanded, faintly angry.
Hydee’s smile was slow and thin. ‘I don’t have to possess abnormal powers of observation to see that you know something about Carlos’s visit to London that I don’t.’
Gasper watched her move her glass so that the ice tinkled on its sides and said frowningly, ‘I feel that the frankness you speak of might not be either desirable or in any way advantageous under the circumstances.’
It was Hydee’s turn to frown. She tried to dismiss the matter, but her curiosity was too strong. Besides, that nagging tension remained with her, increased by Gasper’s manner, gnawing into her consciousness to form a persistent irritation to her nerves. She must know what he was keeping from her! She would not allow him any peace until he submitted a forthright answer to her question.