Strangers May Marry

by Anne Hampson

  'I was thinking of Phil and his refusal to take Mandy. You see, they were such good friends.

  'Your dress is going to catch in the door.' The shortness of his voice came as a shock and Laura stared at him, utterly bewildered by the change. She drew in the skirt and he closed the door. 'Once you've found Joseph Warburton and handed his child over to him, you'll be happy?' The shortness was still there, still as puzzling.

  'I suppose so,' she said falteringly. 'But… well, the wrench will be awful.'

  'For both of you,' was his grim rejoinder.

  'She's so secure with me, as she was with my mother.'

  'Your mother must have been an exceptional woman.' The car surged forward once it was out of the hotel drive and on the main road. Smoothly it ran, and with an almost noiseless purr of the engine.

  'She was exceptional.' Laura's heart had warmed to him instantly, for she had loved her mother fervently. 'She took the blame for Irene's misdemeanour, but she was rewarded by the happiness Mandy gave her.'

  'And I presume the child has given you a great deal of happiness?'

  Where was this leading? Laura wondered. 'Yes, indeed. Life is so interesting when you have a child about the house. There's always a novel situation cropping up. There are a hundred questions to answer, dozens of little jobs to do. Yes, life has been very happy since I took Mandy.'

  'Why are you talking about me?' came the question from the back. 'Will you please speak a bit louder because I can't hear properly?'

  The man at the wheel laughed, and as Laura turned her head she caught her breath at the attractiveness of his profile.

  'What we are saying is not for your ears, young lady,' he said.

  'But if you're talking about me, Mr.—Mr.—oh, can I call you Uncle?'

  'Certainly. Uncle Paul.'

  'Paul?' echoed Laura without thinking. 'The taxi-driver…' She came to a slow stop, embarrassed by what she was saying. Her companion appeared not to notice as he continued for her,'… said my name was Pavlos? You didn't know that Pavlos is Greek for your Paul? I prefer Paul, and since Mandy is going to use it you might as well do the same.'

  'Oh, but—'

  'Don't be shy because I am intending to call you Laura.'

  She said nothing but knew the colour had risen in her cheeks. This man was travelling far too fast for her, she thought. He was arranging her stay here, taking over her life, in fact… And for them to be using given names seemed far too familiar. For the second time Laura experienced a slight twinge of uneasiness, but search as she would, there was no concrete reason she could find for it. And so, as before, she dismissed it as of no importance. What was important was the finding of the man she had come to see, but also she intended to spend some of her time in trying to locate her sister; she could then at least warn her of the danger she was in.

  As they drove along the road she had travelled in the taxi the previous evening, she allowed her thoughts to wander back to the conversation which had taken place while she and her host were drinking coffee after dinner. He had been most convincing in his assertion that she could do nothing for her sister and she ought to be looking for the child's father. And yet through it all had emerged the curious and inexplicable conviction that he was in no particular hurry for her to find the child's father.

  And afterwards, she had lain awake in her bed, her mind in a turmoil for she was troubled by so many things, not least of which was that she had arranged to stay here in Crete for five or six days only, being optimistic enough to visualise finding Joseph Warburton immediately, which was not unreasonable since she had been given an address at which she believed he lived.

  Yes, she had lain awake far into the night, thinking first of Irene and the mess she was making of her life, even forgetting the probable danger, whatever form that might take. Then there was Mandy's future and the almost unbearable prospect of parting with her. Lastly there was her own happiness with Phil, and for some reason it became nebulous, the future lost in a mist she was unable to penetrate.

  The rooms given to Laura and Mandy were the acme of perfection as regarded Laura's idea of taste. The large airy room she herself was to occupy was done in three shades of blue—delicate eggshell blue on the walls, a soft turquoise for the bedspread and drapes, and an entrancing aquamarine for the wall-to-wall carpeting. The furniture was modern and light in colour, with many mirrors forming the wardrobe doors and these spread over the entire length of one wall. The bathroom was similarly coloured and feathery plants contributed to its appeal, for Laura was a keen advocate of houseplants of all sizes and shapes. Mandy's room was smaller and the bed was a single one with a dainty lace cover over a deep mauve counterpane. The thick-pile carpet was in deep purple; the drapes at the windows and the head of the bed were in mauve.

  'Ooh, I love it!' Mandy danced about all over the floor. 'Can we stay here for a long time?'

  'No, dear, only a few days.'

  'I saw a swimming pool. I want to learn to swim. Will Uncle Paul teach me, do you think?'

  'I might, if you ask nicely.' The deep rich voice came from the open doorway and Laura swung around. Mandy was already running towards him, and Paul stooped to swing her up into his arms.

  'I just thought I'd come up to see if everything is all right for you.' His blue eyes swept the room fleetingly. 'Do you like it, Mandy?'

  'I think it's beautiful! Mind you,' she added, her face close to his, 'my room at home's beautiful, too. Aunty Laura did all the wallpapering herself, and the man came from where she works to put the lovely carpet down for me. It was when I was four, and it was part of my birthday present.'

  'Only part?' Paul set her down again, watched by Laura whose forehead was creased in a frown. Yes, this man was going too fast for her. 'What else did you have for your birthday?'

  'A teddy bear and a doll from Aunty Laura, and a pram for my doll from Uncle Phil. I think Aunty Laura and Uncle Phil are going to get married,' she added, wrinkling her nose. 'They love each other!'

  'How do you know?' Paul's voice was terse.

  'I saw them kissing—two times.'

  Laura turned away to hide her embarrassment. 'I ought to be unpacking,' she said, 'and then I can go along to visit some of your workers on the estate, as you suggested last night. Surely I'll learn something.' She felt awkward, wishing he would go. Already she was half regretting her agreeing to come here. She could not understand the sense of deep depression that seemed to be creeping over her.

  'Yes, I'll leave you. And if Mandy has a costume either I, or one of the girls, will go into the pool with her. Can she do anything at all in the water?'

  'She's been trying to swim—Phil and I took her to the baths once or twice.'

  'We'll soon have you going across the pool,' he promised, and ruffling her dark curls, he left them to their unpacking.

  Chapter Four

  Laura stood by the side of the pool, watching the two in the water—Paul and his young admirer who was clinging to his shoulders, legs straddled across his back as he swam the length of the pool. Tenderness gave a limpid quality to Laura's eyes; Paul glanced up and his own eyes widened in an unfathomable expression before they became veiled. What was he thinking? It was not the first time Laura would have liked to know what lay behind those vivid blue eyes set in that extraordinarily handsome face.

  He called, 'Come on in,' but she shook her head and gave a sigh, the weight of depression immediately beginning to drag at her mind and heart and nerves. For although she had spent some time going round the estate workers' villas, she had drawn a complete blank as to her hopes of discovering the whereabouts of the two people she was seeking. None of the estate workers had been told anything except that Joseph had left Paul's employ.

  'Did they disappear within minutes of one another?' she had enquired of Paul exasperatedly. 'No one seems aware of the separation—which I didn't mention, of course. But surely people knew that Joseph had been left with the children?'

  'What happened was that Irene w
ent, but Joseph, believing she'd come back if only for the sake of the babies, told his colleagues that she had gone to England to visit a sick relative. When it was obvious that Irene wouldn't return, Joseph gave in his notice and left.'

  'It seems crazy to throw up his job.'

  'I can understand how he felt.' Paul's face had been grim and forbidding as he added, 'No man wants to face the humiliation of friends knowing his wife has deserted him.'

  'Everyone believed they were married?'

  'She called herself Mrs. Warburton. I had to be told because I was arranging for the work permits. You see, your sister, forgetting about such things as permits, asked if she could work part-time here in the house— before the first baby came, that was.'

  'Here?' in some surprise. Laura could not for one moment imagine Irene's doing anything so menial as housework.

  'She needed money for clothes, she said.'

  'I see…' Irene had always been extravagant; she had always earned an excellent salary which she kept mostly for herself and so, when she was at home, she had had plenty of money for her own pocket. As a dependent on Joseph she would not receive anything like the money she had had before. 'Do you suppose Joseph might know where Irene is?' added Laura after a pause.

  'I shouldn't think so. If he did, then he'd probably dump the two children on her, because he can't very well take a job if he has two babies to look after.'

  'When Irene left him—how did he manage?'

  'I sent Lefki over to his villa.'

  A deep sigh escaped Laura and she fell into a thoughtful silence for a while before saying, 'I hadn't thought about his being—well, hampered already. I can't think that even if I find him, he'll be persuaded to take Mandy, not under these present circumstances.'

  Paul had looked at her curiously. 'Didn't that occur to you at the beginning?' he asked.

  'No, and I don't think it occurred to you, either.'

  'It did, but it wasn't my business. Besides, your future depends on getting the child off your hands.' His voice held a strange, unfathomable inflection which set Laura thinking that Paul had been fairly sure, right from the first, that even if she did make contact with Joseph, he would not be willing to take Mandy. But why, then, hadn't he discussed this possible rejection with her… and advised her to go home? Instead, he had brought her here, into his home… why?

  Laura was thinking about these puzzling matters as she watched Paul carrying Mandy on his back across the blue, crystal-clear water of the swimming pool. Of irregular shape, it was surrounded by a broad patio shaded by vines growing over trellis work, and in addition there were numerous tall ferns, small pines, and other beautiful plants flourishing in bronze and earthenware receptacles. On the patio, which was covered with a weatherproof green carpet, were colourful loungers, rattan tables and chairs. The sun was pouring down from a brittle Grecian sky where the only sign of clouds was the trailing veils of altocirrus, almost transparent against the pure sapphire, and tinted gold by the sun.

  A faint smile touched her lips as Paul's eyes again met hers. She had been here for a mere two days but already she was owning to being affected by the distinguished and attractive man who was her host. She tried only to think of Phil at those times, when, alone with Paul, she felt the awakening of emotions which actually made her blush. She had never met a man quite like Paul, with his extraordinary charm of manner, which was reminiscent of times long past when male gallantry was the rule rather than the exception, as it was in her country today. And yet she sensed that beneath the veneer of urbanity and polished manners there lay other characteristics not nearly so attractive. In fact, she had the strong conviction that, were he to be crossed, he could show a side so ruthless as to be almost cruel.

  Laura hoped she would never cross him, but even as the thought entered her mind it was dismissed as of no importance. She would not be here long enough to cross him, and in any case, she could not visualise an occasion where any such eventuality could occur. They were little more than strangers and they would stay that way. But how little she knew…

  He was coming out, firm against the protests of Mandy who said she wanted to stay in the pool all day.

  'You've had enough,' he told her and lifted her on to the side. 'She's as light as a doll.' He laughed, taking up a green and gold striped towel he had left handy on a chair. Laura reached for another towel and began drying Mandy, rubbing briskly, arms about her, lovingly. At times like this Laura felt it would be impossible to part with the child she had known practically from birth, the tiny mite she had taken in from her mother's doorstep. Mandy was growing into a lovely child, and not only in looks. Her personality was all any parent or guardian could have wished. A happy, unselfish child, sometimes quiet and self-absorbed, but more often vivacious, with mischief gleaming from those big brown eyes of hers. And as if Nature had been generously disposed, owing to the circumstances of her birth and the early loss of her parents, Mandy had been endowed with the high intelligence of which Phil had spoken, and which, in a way, had added force to his objection to taking her. He had known that she would one day be costing money, if her full potential was not to be denied her.

  Aware suddenly of Paul's whole attention on her, Laura paused in her task and glanced up.

  'You know,' he murmured in that deep, finely timbred voice of his, 'you ought to have been a mother long ago.'

  She coloured delicately, averted her head, and continued rubbing Mandy down.

  'Why didn't you come for a swim?' Mandy wanted to know, putting her arms around Laura's neck and planting a resounding kiss on her cheek. 'The water's lovely and warm!'

  'I've been busy,' returned Laura. She had stripped Mandy of her swimsuit but she left the towel round her while she went over to the lounger on which the child's clothes lay in an untidy heap where Mandy had left them. Tiny frilly pants were swiftly put on, followed by a matching petticoat, and finally, the blue and white gingham dress which was one of many designed and made by Teresa.

  Mandy ran off to chase a butterfly. Laura's eyes turned to the man standing there, towel dangling in his hand. He had watched with interest every action, every gesture, and as she lifted her eyes to his she caught the most unfathomable expression on his face.

  'I've been into the village,' she said swiftly, uneasily. 'I thought that a few questions in some of the shops might give me a clue.'

  'But you had no success?' Paul reached for a towelling wrap and put it on, covering the magnificent body to which Laura's eyes had been drawn several times— covertly, it was true, but she hadn't been able to resist the draw… or the comparison with Phil's more stocky, less muscled frame.

  'No. It's very difficult to know just how to begin the questioning. I went into a small cafeneion and was in conversation with the proprietor, who said his name was Andreas. I mentioned Joseph and he knew him. It seems that Joseph and Irene used to go in occasionally for morning coffee when they were out shopping. Andreas was puzzled that he hadn't seen them lately, but he knew nothing about Joseph having left your employ.'

  'Nor, of course, anything about Irene's escapade?'

  'No, and I didn't mention it, naturally.'

  Paul flicked a hand, indicating that she should sit down, which she did, but sat at the table. Paul took possession of the chair opposite to her.

  'I can appreciate your difficulty in the manner of your approach. You don't want to give rise to gossip because you can never tell where it will end.'

  She sighed wearily. 'I think I had better go home—' she said.

  'Home?' with a sudden frown. 'Already?'

  'I came only for six days at the most.'

  'And you've been on the island for three. You haven't given yourself a chance to find Joseph.'

  She looked directly at him. 'Do you believe it is possible to find him?' she asked.

  Paul avoided her gaze as he replied, 'He must be somewhere, and with time, he can be found.'

  'But you've agreed that it's unlikely he'll take Mandy even if I
do find him.'

  'I still feel he should be told of her existence. The choice is then his.'

  'It's too much for me to cope with alone.' The appeal was evident; she had hoped that in some way Paul would have offered assistance. Instead, he had merely left her to her own devices, to make her own enquiries, all of which had proved to be fruitless. 'Do you mind if I use your phone?' she asked with sudden decision. 'I'd like to ring Phil and ask him what I ought to do.'

  The blue eyes became veiled again. 'I expect he'll advise you to continue with your enquiries.'

  'If I explain, he might just tell me to come home and he'll be willing to have Mandy.'

  Silence, filled with tension. Laura felt the fine gold hairs on her arms lift as a quiver ran through her body. Paul spoke after what seemed an eternity of inexplicable suspense.

  'Do you suppose there is any possibility of that? From what you've told me he appears to be adamant.'

  She bit her lip, nodding despairingly. 'I know it's a mere thread of hope that I have, but you never know. If he loves me, then surely he'll take Mandy.'

  'If he loved you he'd never have let you come here in the first place—not alone, that is. His place is with you at a time like this.'

  'You're suggesting he doesn't love me?' Laura's voice sharpened with indignation.

  'I think you know, Laura, that his love is not as strong as it ought to be.' Paul no longer drew the veil over his eyes; he was looking straightly at her, a challenge in the steady gaze.

  'It's—understandable that he is hesitant about taking another man's child.' She was trying to be loyal even while admitting that Paul was right when he said that Phil's love was not as strong as it ought to be.

  'Use the phone by all means,' said Paul. 'You will then know exactly where you are with this man you want to marry.'

  'Thank you. May I use it now?'

  'Of course.'

  She rose and moved away, aware that his eyes would be following her. Questions were running riot in her brain, the most insistent being: why was this man so interested in her, and yet not even remotely concerned about her future as regards its being linked with Phil?