by Jane Corrie
Armed with a book on the history of old Seville, Mary advanced upon the party that was, she noted with some relief, a small gathering. Just Rafael and Isabel, and two young men, who at that moment were engaged upon a hot dispute on the merits of a certain matador and broke off the discussion on Mary's arrival.
After the introductions had been made, more for politeness' sake than for anything else, Mary felt that they really needn't have bothered, as apart from Isabel's
raised brows and, 'No swimsuit?' query, not even waiting for a reply; for her attention then turned towards the boys who were shouting with laughter at something that had amused them the other side of the pool, no other attention was paid her, and she looked around for Don Emilio, grateful for the small diversion that had turned the spotlight away from her arrival.
Her hopeful look towards a shaded seat a little 'way beyond the pool did not go unnoticed by the observant Rafael. 'My father,' he told her with a slight derisive note in his voice, 'will be joining us later.' His eyes rested on the book she held in her hand. 'History of Seville,' he said softly. 'How clever of you. It's my father's favourite subject!'
Mary's cheeks flushed at the implied innuendo, and she knew that it would be useless for her to point out the fact that she was genuinely interested in the subject and was not out to impress his father. Nevertheless her pride made her reply sharply with eyes that flashed with temper, 'I, too, have an interest in the past. I hope to visit the Cathedral and other places of interest while I'm here. It would be stupid of me,' she went on, injecting what she hoped sounded like sweet reasoning in her voice, 'to pass the chance up, wouldn't it'?'
She saw his eyes narrow in speculation as he stared at her, and it suddenly occurred to her that her words must have sounded more like a threat than a reasonable statement, and she hadn't meant them to.
'Thinking of leaving, are you?' he asked, his dark eyes fixed on her flushed cheeks.
Mary was suddenly aware of the fact that she was in the spotlight again as Isabel was now listening intently to the conversation, while Jose and. Carlos, the two
young men who made up the party had stopped their bantering conversation with the boys across the distance of the pool. Her colour heightened; really, it was too much! Without even trying she had been put on the defensive again. Oh, how she wished she could leave then and there! though Don Emilio would have something to say about that, and the thought of his reverting to a certain plan of his to keep her in Spain made her reply hastily, 'In time, yes; but not until things are settled here.'
Her words echoed in her brain as she realised with horror that she had said the wrong thing again! She knew exactly what Rafael Alvarados was thinking; when she had received enough of a settlement to make her departure worthwhile! The knowing smile of derision she received from him proved her assumption correct, and his softly said,' Quite ' echoed his sentiments entirely.
Mary felt like waving a white flag; the opposition was just a little too strong for her. The more she attempted to defend herself the deeper into the quagmire she sank, and all she could do was to retire gracefully from the combat. She chose a lounger that was not being used, and placing her book on it started to pull it away from the poolside and towards the shady spot where a chair had been placed for Don Emilio's use. It was within the vicinity, yet far enough away to inhibit conversation with the bathers, and as such was ideal for Mary's purpose of bowing out of further involvement.
let me do that,' said Rafael, with a note of sarcasm in his voice, yet Mary was sure that he was relieved that she was moving away from the pool and leaving the
party to enjoy themselves without the presence of an unwelcome stranger.
As Mary followed his tall form as he held the lounger aloft and went on ahead to place it beside the chair, she was acutely aware of his wide bare shoulders that glistened with the water from the pool, and as he turned towards her after he had put the lounger beside the chair, her eyes rested on his bare chest thick with black silky hair, the strands of which also glistened with drops of water and then down to the band of his trunks that fitted his slim waist. She was conscious of strength, of a masculinity that she had never encountered before, and it frightened her. She felt like the maiden aunt who got flustered at the very thought of entertaining a male to tea, be it the vicar or an old acquaintance. It was ridiculous, yet her fear was very real.
It was not until she looked up again at him that she realised that she must have been staring at him, and he was well aware of the fact by the very knowing look in his dark eyes as he gave her an abrupt nod and strode back to join his guests, leaving Mary feeling as if she had committed a cardinal sin.
With hands that trembled a little she settled herself down on the lounger and opened her book, determined to lose herself in it and escape from the confusion of her thoughts.
The opening paragraph was of no particular help to her in her heightened awareness of Rafael. 'How many stories of passionate and cruel love has Seville discovered?' read the introduction, and Mary felt the tears prick behind her lids but determinedly blinked them back, wondering if she had chosen the right book.
In spite of a reference a little further on that Seville
was Don Juan's city where he had lived his licentious life until he had a change of heart caused by an apparition, the book was all that she had hoped it would be, and gave details of fine sculptures to be found around the city, and a whole chapter devoted to the Cathedral and its treasures.
Lost in the descriptive literature, Mary did not at first hear Enrique calling out to her to witness the race about to be held between the boys and the men, who it appeared had challenged the boys to a race, and his indignant, 'Watch me, Madre! ' at last pierced through to her, and she was forced to witness the event.
She was now wearing her sunglasses and she was grateful for the cover they gave her, enabling her to look in Rafael's direction without fear of his noticing the fact She would have seen him anyway, as he stood next to Enrique, a tall 'towering figure against his nephew's slight one. Mary caught her breath; the likeness between them was indeed incredible, and she was sure that this fact had not escaped Isabel, now lounging as an onlooker by the side of the pool.
Enrique's son's arrival must have awakened bitter memories for her, Mary thought. Even though she had 'not loved Enrique, her pride must have taken a blow. Her thoughtful eyes rested on Isabel and the bright green bikini she wore that emphasised her lovely figure. Surely she ought to have been relieved that the engagement had been broken? Or had she not meant to go through with it anyway? Had she just used Enrique as an excuse to see more of Rafael, as Joan had said? Of course she had! Mary was utterly convinced of this. She had gambled on the chance of ensnaring Rafael before she honoured her pledge to Enrique. In any case, she would have found some good excuse as to Why she
should delay the wedding. She had had no intention of marrying Rafael's brother. Her fingers curled into. her palm; she was glad Enrique had found Sheila—even " though their love had such a short space of time to fulfil itself. At least he had been happy—and so had Sheila.
A sudden shout and a loud splash told her the race was on, and her attention went back to the swimmers. As only one length of the pool was to be completed the race did not take long, and Mary watched Rafael's easy, almost languid crawl stroke overtake the rest of the competitors. Juan was second, and Enrique just failed to take third place from Carlos, with Jose coming in a tired last.
Isabel's call of 'Bravo, Rafael ' reminded Mary that she ought to congratulate Enrique on what was a stupendous effort on his part, considering that he had not been a strong swimmer and must have put in a lot of practice to even compete! 'Well done, darling,' she called, and felt Rafael's eyes on her as if in rebuke for her enthusiastic comment.
Without her realising it her chin went up in a gesture of defiance mixed with a certain amount of disdain, and she turned her attention back to Enrique who now stood with slightly hunched shoulders and jutting bottom lip
that told Mary that he was embarrassed by her endearment. She sighed inwardly; he hated endearments, and she ought to have remembered this. The trouble was, she thought sadly, she couldn't get used to calling him Enrique, so if she had called, 'Well done, Paul,' that would not have pleased him either! This apparently was not going to be her day!
To Mary's vast relief Don Emilio joined them as refreshments were brought out to them. He walked slowly and behind him, keeping at a respectable dis
tance, came his manservant, intent on making sure that his master did not overtire himself, and ready to give assistance if required.
He was more than ready to sit down by the time he had reached Mary, but even so his panama hat was removed in courteous greeting to her before he sat down beside her.
As Mary accepted a cup of tea handed to her by a young maidservant, she saw that Isabel was now wearing a bathing wrap over her brief costume and assumed that she had taken the precaution of not offending Don Emilio's strict code of propriety.
There were soft drinks and delicious looking cakes for the children, who fell upon the offered fare with gusto. Isabel had scorned the tea and settled for a long cold drink, as had the rest of the party, but Don Emilio joined Mary and partook the same beverage but without milk or sugar.
The fact that Mary sat apart from the rest of the party did not go unnoticed by Don Emilio, and his anxious frown as he asked solicitously, 'Not swimming, Mary?' showed his concern.
Refusing a dish of rich looking pastries that had just been offered to her, Mary smiled at him. 'I'm not too sure about exposure to the sun as yet,' she told him. 'I felt it might be wiser if I did it gradually. I'm one of those unfortunate creatures that turn brick red under exposure, and I take ages to acquire a tan.'
She hoped he would accept her explanation, since it was the truth; she had a fair complexion that did not take kindly to sudden exposure. It still did not explain why she had elected to sit at a distance from the rest of the party, for most of the pool loungers had canopies. 'It looked so inviting here under the shade of the trees,'
she tacked on hastily to forestall any further contemplation on Don Emilio's part.
The explanation appeared to have the desired result, and he nodded and smiled back at her. 'Very wise,' he commented thoughtfully in a way that told Mary that he was not heartily convinced of this, but was willing to accept it.
To Mary's pleasure Enrique and Juan came over to join them, each clutching a drink in one hand and a pastry in the other, and settled themselves solemnly on the grass beside Mary and Don Emilio's chairs.
That the children had elected to join their company gave both Mary and Don Emilio a lift of the heart. To Don Emilio, just to look upon the offspring of his son that looked so like his father, and to Mary, who had felt rather neglected these last few days by the child she looked upon as her own, the comforting knowledge that in spite of Enrique's newly acquired aplomb, she was still regarded as his property and this was his way of underlining the fact.
As before, Enrique was a little in awe of his grandfather, and Juan, mindful of the fact that Don Emilio was his father's employer, kept a respectful demeanour.
`Well, Enrique,' said Don Emilio, 'are you enjoying . yourself?'
Enrique nodded emphatically in confirmation and hastily swallowed the last of his pastry, then stared up at his grandfather, his black eyes intent. 'How do you say "grandfather" in Spanish?' he asked solemnly.
The question pleased Don Emilio, who was about to give the translation when Juan; unable to contain himself said, 'Abuelo!'
Enrique gave him an indignant look that plainly said, 'I was asking my grandfather, not you!' and Juan
unceremoniously
gave an .apologetic grin and lapsed into silence again.
Don Emilio repeated the word, pronouncing it for Enrique's benefit. After several tries, and a chuckle from Juan, Enrique was able to pronounce it correctly, for which he received a nod of approval from the de lighted Don Emilio.
'We must find a tutor for him,' the old gentleman said to Mary.
Mary's relaxed countenance now grew thoughtful. Was he to be taught at the villa, she wondered, or would he be sent to school? She sighed inwardly; there were so many things to discuss, but now was not the time. .
`To teach me Spanish?' asked Enrique with a trace of pleading in his voice.
At Don Emilio's confirmation of this, he gave a whoop of joy and looked at Juan. 'Now I shall know what you are calling me,' he said triumphantly, but with an inflection in his voice that told Juan that he had better watch his step from now on.
A shout of laughter from the group by the pool drew their attention in that direction, and they saw Jose attempting a highly ambitious balancing trick with several glasses, and one that seemed doomed to failure as they watched the top section of the small pyramid he had built perilously wobble and then come tumbling down. An alert Rafael caught two of the glasses, and there' was a mad scramble from Isabel and Carlos to retrieve the rest, amid much laughter.
This was too much for the boys, who
took their leave of Mary and Don Emilio and rushed over to join the section where all the fun was going on.
As Don Emilio had not brought a book with him,
Mary did not attempt to read hers, particularly as she was mindful of a certain remark of Rafael's, and while Don Emilio's attention was still fixed on the revelry at. the pool, she unobtrusively laid the book by the side of her chair and out of sight.
The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly enough, for Mary. With Don Emilio's company she felt less of an intruder, and with an ease she had never felt with anyone else she found herself relating events in the past that would be of interest to Don. Emilio. But then he was interested in everything connected with her family, she realised with a spurt of surprise. With anyone else she might have felt embarrassed at discussing her personal affairs, but not with this kindly man. Before she knew it she found herself telling him about her previous worry of having to find another job at a reasonable distance from her home,, and the reason why such a move would have been inevitable in time.
Don Emilio's understanding of the situation was shown by his later comment of, 'There is nothing so unsettling as the thought of someone waiting on the sidelines to fill your place. It always makes one strive that little bit harder, and the results are not always. , successful.'
Mary heartily agreed with this observation, knowing that if her case it was perfectly true. She had to be constantly on guard and not do or say anything that might bring recriminations on her head at a later date. She gave a sigh of relief at the thought that she was no longer under any such obligation.
As slight as the sigh had been, Don Emilio had caught it, and the underlying reason behind it, and gently patted Mary's hand. 'All that is over with now, Mary. Your future is here, to do as you wish,' and at
her alarmed look at the thought of perpetual idleness, he gave a knowing smile. 'Don't worry about the future,' he told her gently. 'Things have a way of working out, you know. Just enjoy yourself and take what life offers.'
It was all very well, Mary thought afterwards, for Don Emilio to take a philosophical view of the future, but if he were still hoping to make a match between her and Rafael, his dreams were doomed to failure. Jose's balancing trick had had more chance of success than such a scheme!
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE following week Isabel came to stay at the villa for a few weeks, and Mary's heart had sunk at the news, since it meant that Rafael would not be departing for London as soon as Mary had hoped he would as it was inconceivable that Isabel would stay if he was away.
Although nothing was said Mary was sure that the arrangement had not pleased Don Emilio, but he was much too kindly a man to voice his feelings on the matter, for Isabel's father was visiting friends of his in South America and she had elected to stay in Seville.
The arrangement did not please Enrique either, for he resented Isabel's intrusion on the outings planned by R
afael where previously there had been only the two of them.
`She's sloppy!' he had declared to Mary in disgust after returning from a visit to meet some cousins of his who lived on the outskirts of old Seville, a visit that Mary had excused herself from on the excuse of wanting to catch up on her correspondence.
`What did you think of your cousins?' she asked to take his mind off his discontent,
'They're all right,' he replied in an offhand way, and refusing to be sidetracked continued with his complaints. 'She kept trying to hold my hand, and. I wouldn't let her,' he stated with a glint in his eye that was soon replaced by a spark of appreciation as he remembered something else. 'Uncle Rafael told her I was perfectly able to walk on my own,' he added in a satisfied tone. 'He let me sit beside him in the sports car, and she had to sift behind us,' he tacked on, a little maliciously to Mary's way of thinking. 'She didn't like that!' he declared happily.
Mary picked up the socks that he had discarded together with his shoes that he had left strewn over the bedroom floor as he prepared for his evening bath.
'How long is she going to stay?' he demanded after a short pause while he struggled with the buttons of his shirt.
She gave him what she hoped was a reproachful look.. 'Only for a week or two, dear, so do try not to be rude to her. Remember she's your uncle's guest,', she told
him as she rescued a button about to be torn from the material by the impatient Enrique.
'Well, I don't like her ! ' he declared emphatically, and gave Mary an indignant look. 'She's rude,' he stated. 'She keeps on interrupting when I'm talking to Uncle Rafael and asking questions, and,' he tacked on fervently, 'she doesn't like me. She makes out she does, but she doesn't!'