by Anne Hampson
‘Tell me about your fiancé,’ he invited unexpectedly, almost as if he read her thoughts. ‘I once suggested that it was good to talk sometimes, and it is, Teri. Although you might not believe it I do make a good listener.’ He stopped, smiling at her expression. ‘I baffle you even more, that’s plain. Nevertheless, try to forget that and talk. Tell Uncle Brand the whole; you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel.’
‘I came because of Jon - and you,’ she evaded. ‘You’ll still be his friend?’
‘No woman could ever affect a friendship of mine.’
‘They’re not worth it, you mean?’ she just had to retort, and received an exasperated glance for her trouble.
‘I asked you to talk about your fiancé,’ he reminded her curtly, and after a small hesitation she found herself wanting to talk. She told Brand everything - how they had the flat all ready, the presents pouring in, the invitations sent out, her wedding dress made and hanging in the wardrobe.
‘He jilted me almost at the last moment - but Jon will have told you that,’ she ended, flushing now that she had told Brand the whole story - or nearly the whole story. How shocked he would be were he to know what really happened at the end! He said quietly, and with a strange gentleness in his deep rich voice, ‘He had met someone else?’ Brand watched her closely as she raised her eyes to his. ‘Jon didn’t say - in fact, he seemed to shut up like a clam all at once so I didn’t get the whole story from him.’
‘Kemp did find someone else, yes.’
Brand became thoughtful.
‘This must have happened just about the time Jon’s wife died?’
Teri nodded, wishing suddenly that she could confide in Brand completely, but of course she could not.
‘It was about the same time, yes.’
‘It all seems clear and uncomplicated,’ Brand said at length, but added, a frown between his eyes, ‘I still sense some mystery, though.’
Swiftly she shook her head.
‘There isn’t any mystery,’ she began, when he interrupted her.
‘There is, so don’t go deeply into lies which you’ll come to regret.’
‘I had no intention of lying,’ she flushed indignantly.
‘You lied when you said there was no mystery. You see, Jon is also evasive - not that I’ve questioned him very much, but if ever the past does crop up in conversation he instantly becomes guarded. As you’re both the frank, open kind of people this guardedness is noticeable.’ Teri made no comment and after a moment or two of silence Brand changed the subject, asking Teri if she had had her dinner.
‘We had an early meal. Jon can’t eat very much yet, so I made something light.’
‘So I can’t persuade you to share my dinner?’ A flicker of a smile touched the fine outline of his mouth and something stirred within Teri. Hastily, defensively, she said,
‘No, thank you...’ And yet she tailed off. She had not eaten much, mainly on account of her misery at what she had done and the conviction that the result of her rudeness to Brand would be a break in the friendship between him and Jon. She now felt hungry. Moreover, she knew a strange eagerness at the prospect of sharing a meal with Brand ... just the two of them in that lovely candlelit dining-room.
‘You look as if you could do with something substantial,’ Brand decided, and rang the bell. The servant nodded as Brand spoke to him, and his glance in Teri’s direction told her that Brand had ordered another place to be set. Teri could not help tilting her chin at this further demonstration of Brand’s high-handedness and he murmured wamingly, ‘We’ll dine together and don’t you dare argue. Remember that strong hand, Teri. I’ve a sure conviction that you’ll feel it before you’re very much older.’ He was teasing her, she decided, and managed a shaky laugh, surprising Brand as much as herself.
‘Heaven help the woman who is rash enough to choose you for a husband!’ she retorted, and the side of his mouth lifted in that quirk which Teri had begun to find most attractive.
‘She will have learned, before she marries me, to practise caution. Also, I shall do the choosing.’
Teri picked up her glass and took a drink, dwelling on what Linda had said about Brand doing the chasing, as she had called it.
‘How pompous you are!’ Teri put her glass to her mouth and regarded Brand from over the rim. ‘Surely the woman must choose too. Masterful as you consider yourself to be, you can’t very well coerce a woman into marrying you. She must be willing.’
‘Masterful?’ He seemed amused as he fell silent, considering this. Teri watched him in the bright light from the lamps on the stoep. She noticed the hollowed cheeks which brought out the strong jawline, outthrust and severe; she allowed her gaze to rest for a while on the firm chin, then her eyes dropped to his hands, clasped and resting on the table - brown hands, strong and slender. She remembered her very early admission that Brand Royce had the most shapely and attractive hands of any man she had ever met. ‘Tell me, Teri, would you yourself prefer a wet fish for a husband?’
Her eyes widened in surprise. She reminded him that she was not in the least interested in acquiring a husband and added,
‘In any case, there’s a wide gap between a man as domineering as you and a wet fish. Husband and wife should be partners.’
‘You have a point there,’ was his unexpected response. But he seemed forced to add, ‘Yet there’s a fundamental weakness about all women which inspires mastery on the part of the male.’
‘I’m not weak!’ she flashed, her blue eyes sparkling, and a soft laugh escaped her companion.
‘You are, my dear, and that’s what makes you so attractive.’
Attractive ... That word again. Something stirred in Teri’s heart, an almost imperceptible quiver of emotion not experienced since the idyllic days of her courtship and engagement. She donned an armour of defence, saying lightly,
‘You talk in riddles, Brand,’ whereupon he swiftly responded with, ‘Why don’t you have a try at solving the riddles? You could, you know, but you’re so stubborn.’
She frowned at him, colour tinting her cheeks. Was this his subtle way of steering the course towards an affair? His interest in Kemp, and his hints that Teri attracted him - these were pointers sufficiently plain to anyone with an ounce of perception. Yet somehow Teri could not associate this sort of behaviour with Brand, mainly because he was her brother’s friend. Could it possibly be that he was seriously interested? This seemed equally improbable, and as she could find nothing to say she took refuge in her drink, sipping it slowly as if to prolong the silence which had fallen between them, a silence broken only by the pulse of nocturnal cicadas in the mango trees outside. A glim-mer of a smile curved Brand’s lips and his glance was quizzical.
‘What an expert you are at evasion!’ He laughed suddenly. ‘Has it not occurred to you that your repeated evasions can in themselves be illuminating?’ Teri shook her head in perplexity.
‘I don’t understand you at all. How can evasion be illuminating?’
He shrugged. It was a gesture of asperity.
‘I’m not obtuse. You’re fighting all the while. But beware that your cautious heart doesn’t lose all feeling. Marriage and a family are a woman’s destiny and one unfortunate experience cannot change all that.’
Teri lowered her eyes. This plain speaking was altogether too embarrassing. In addition, the trend of conversation was becoming more and more intimate with every moment that passed. Where would it end?
‘My unfortunate experience was enough to turn me from men—’
‘All men? Is that logical?’
‘I shall never trust a man again,’ she stated with emphasis, bringing an impatient sigh from Brand.
‘When the right man comes along you’ll be swept away, just like any other woman.’
‘Swept on a tide of disillusionment?’ Teri spoke in scoffing tones. ‘Not likely!’
‘Why are you so sure that history will repeat itself?’ ‘I’m not sure, but I don’t intend taking an
y chances.’
Brand looked at her for a long unsmiling moment and then he said,
‘Let’s change the subject, shall we? How’s the dog? I expect I shall see a difference in his size. He’ll be a fairly big animal when he’s fully grown - but I did warn you of that.’
Teri nodded, and spoke of the dog, and Wendy’s affection for it, but the conversation was strained, naturally, owing to the abrupt way Brand had suggested they change it. And after a little while an uncomfortable silence fell between them and in order to end it Teri said a trifle nervously,
‘I’m not dressed for dining out,’ at which the strain ended as a quiet laugh escaped Brand. But he did not embarrass her by letting her know that he was aware of the reason for her unnecessary statement. On the contrary he said she looked quite charming, and another moment of silence followed as he took in details of her appearance - the plain cotton dress with its low-cut neckline and tiny sleeves. It was then that he became fully aware of the blotches on her arms, flaming and angry.
‘Sunburn?’ he said, frowning heavily. ‘You had your sleeves down when I saw you.’
‘Then, I did - but earlier I had them rolled up.’ Automatically she touched her shoulder, and winced slightly.
‘You idiot!’ Rising from his chair, he came and stood over her, looking down at the sunburnt arms. ‘Come on inside and I’ll give you something for it.’ His voice was stem as he added, ‘No more, remember. Some of my men will be over in the morning - and just you dare refuse their help!’ He gestured towards the french window and Teri preceded him into the house. Brand went off somewhere, returning with a medicine box from which he took a tube of ointment.
‘Thank you.’ Teri held out her hand for the tube; Brand quirked a smile at her and proceeded to unscrew the top.
‘I’ll do it - and if you’re thinking of making a fuss, then don’t. It won’t get you anywhere.’
She flashed him a glance, but on noting his expression decided to take his advice. So she stood still while the ointment was applied, first to one arm and then the other. It was cool and soothing, but it was the touch of Brand’s fingers which had the greatest effect on her. It was like an electric shock, spreading like lightning through her whole body. She quivered, angry with herself for being so profoundly conscious of the touch of this man’s hand on her bare flesh. But she had no control over her reaction and, both to her own surprise and his, she smiled when, on having finished his task, Brand looked down into her face as he fixed the cap back into place. His eyes flickered strangely and a softness entered their depths.
‘It’s so nice to see you smile, Teri,’ he murmured in gentle tones. ‘You very seldom do, you know.’ He continued to watch her; she stiffened at his words because they were spoken almost caressingly, and he bent his head at the same time ... just as if he had half decided to kiss her. ‘I’ll send a message over to Karunda, just to let Jaru know where you are. Jon and Wendy were asleep, you said?’ and when Teri nodded, ‘Then all . that’s necessary is that Jaru should know you’re here - in case you’re wanted.’
‘Thank you.’ She watched him cross the room, carrying the medicine box. So majestic he seemed, with those broad arrogant shoulders and the swinging lightness of his strides. Teri’s feelings were mixed as she sat there waiting for his return. On the one hand she experienced a sort of pleasurable anticipation at the idea of sharing a meal with Brand, but on the other hand there was a wariness somewhere deep in her sub-conscious which seemed to warn that it would be safer to go home, away from this man by whose personality she was affected, quite against her will.
‘We’re going to drop all hostility while we eat,’ Brand was saying as they sat down at the table. ‘We’ve fought enough for one day, don’t you agree?’ His tones were edged with banter, his eyes twinkling. Teri responded to his mood and from then on the meal was eaten to the accompaniment of light conversation and even laughter. Brand was certainly intent on making her comfortable and at home; his small attentions were received graciously yet with hidden surprise by Teri, who had never imagined Brand to be possessed of such considerable charm of manner, which was understandable, she supposed, seeing that he had been downright rude to her on so many occasions.
‘I was really hungry,’ she admitted later as they sat in the lounge drinking coffee. ‘I hadn’t had very much.’
‘I could see that.’ Brand paused and smiled. ‘Too worried about the outcome of our quarrel,’ he couldn’t help saying, and Teri went red.
‘I’d feel awful if you stopped being Jon’s friend,’ she admitted at length. ‘He relies on you so much.’
Brand leant back in his chair.
‘Jon’s doing very well. This time next year he’ll be standing on his own feet — managing without my help.’ Brand spoke as if the farm belonged solely to Jon, but Teri took no exception to this. The evening had been so pleasant that she had no desire to say anything which would result in a resumption of the hostility which so often existed between them.
Brand insisted on taking her back in his car, saying one of his men could drive the station wagon over the following morning. Jon was awake and Brand stayed a little while, chatting with him. Jon’s eyes flickered strangely when he learned that Teri had dined with Brand, but naturally he made no comment.
‘He’ll be all right now.’ Brand assured Teri as she went out with him to the car. ‘Jon’s hard and tough, and although he’s had a nasty bout there’ll not be any after-effects.’ He stood for a moment beside Teri, in the still silence of an African night. From above, the outsize moon spilled its metallic brilliance over the Karunda homestead and its gardens and lands beyond; the air was balmy with the scent of flowers and the subtle tang of the drowsy bushveld which spread darkly towards the distant rising foothills. Magic pervaded the whole atmosphere, intense, alive. Caught in its spell, Teri became more aware of her companion than ever; for one astounding moment he and she seemed to be the only two people existing on the whole of this vast continent.
‘I wonder,’ said Brand in casual tones, ‘what you would do were I to kiss you.’
She blinked, then stared.
‘You wouldn’t dare!’
‘Is that a challenge?’ he inquired softly.
‘No, of course it isn’t !’
‘Wise girl. I’m only too ready to accept a challenge - especially from a girl as attractive as you.’
‘That sounds as if you’ve accepted many a challenge !’
He said nothing, merely quirking his lip, and his hazel eyes laughed even though they held hers, inescapably. She felt spellbound under this compelling gaze and even when Brand moved closer she remained transfixed.
‘I shall have to kiss you,’ he decided, and only then did Teri escape from the spell ... but not quickly enough, for even as she took a backward step Brand had caught her wrist and she found herself being drawn into his embrace.
‘Stop it—!’ The rest was smothered as his lips found hers.
‘Delightful,’ he observed on holding her away from him and laughing at her outraged expression. ‘I’ve been wanting to do that for some time.’
‘How dare you!’ She was close to tears because his action seemed to have spoiled the whole lovely evening. ‘I thought you were a gentleman.’
‘Don’t be trite.’ He looked pained for an instant, but then he smiled, almost tenderly. ‘It appears that I’ve offended you—’
‘That’s putting it mildly !’
‘And I suppose I should apologize,’ he continued, ignoring the interruption. ‘But I cannot with sincerity because, at the first opportunity, I shall do it again.’ So cool he was, and enveloped in a cloak of supreme confidence. Plainly he believed he could kiss her just whenever he felt like doing so. Teri was speechless both with anger and amazement at his audacity, and she made no reply when he bade her a cheerful good night and slid into his car. It crunched along the gravel, headlights flaring, picking out the trees growing along the Sakubu River. Teri stood on the stoep, watching i
t wind along the road, saw it turn into Brand’s long drive, and she went inside only when the headlights were extinguished and the car could no longer be seen.
Brand Royce must be avoided from now on, she decided firmly. He was becoming far too authoritative, but in addition she herself had changed in some indefinable way so that she found difficulty in ignoring Brand’s compelling personality; he was too intensely masculine, too dangerous by far. From her own new awareness could spring a situation in which she would again find herself vulnerable to hurt. This would not happen, though, because she intended that from now on Brand would be kept at a safe distance.
CHAPTER SIX
IT was half past six and the sun appeared above the dark rim of the earth. Teri looked from her bedroom window as the miracle began to unfold before her eyes. Brilliant gold followed fiery red, bursting across the heavens and diffusing its glory over the gardens and the river and the trees bordering its banks. Dull palm fronds flared to amber and the cannas to orange-rose; petals fluttered down, borne on a gentle zephyr, while in the trees themselves birds flashed their coloured plumage as they flew from branch to branch. The bush- veld sprang to life, vibrant and smiling, and high above saffron-tinted cirrus clouds hung motionless in the sky.
Teri had become used to the glorious sunrises during the six months she had lived at Karunda, but they still held her spellbound and she felt they always would. Turning away from the window at last, she washed her face and hands in the bowl which she kept on a stand ill the comer, for Jon always occupied the bathroom first thing in the morning. She combed her hair, regarding herself in the mirror as she did so. The hollows in her cheeks had filled up, her eyes were brighter and her lips were full and soft, just as they used to be before the tenseness within her caused them to become drawn and tight. Strange how the past could fade like this, much more swiftly than she would ever have imagined it could do. The new life had completely overshadowed it, filled as it was with interest and providing the self-satisfaction and sublime contentment that achievement always brings. Jon too seemed to have recovered from the blow; he laughed often, and for the last month or so Teri had never once noticed the bitterness which earlier had so often entered his eyes. He and Teri had joined the club in Oaksville and they often dined and danced there, usually with Brand and Linda. They also played tennis and on the strength of the bumper maize crop and several other minor crops they managed to entertain, within limits; and Teri had her new unit and another on order. She and Linda had stripped the kitchen walls and applied some bright tiles and Brand had got a couple of boys to enlarge the window.