The willing hostage Page 6

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ROSALIE answered Philip's letter telling him that she was sorry she could not come to bis wedding but she had had the chance of a congenial position which entailed travelling south immediately, and she did not think she would be missed. In any case she had no suitable clothes. As soon as she had a settled address, she would send him a postcard. She did not mention her employer's name, and that she thought would have to do for die present. Later when she had reached Andalusia, she would write more fully and try to elucidate the whereabouts of the bracelet, for she was determined that somehow it must be returned to the Santaellas. In more normal circumstances, nothing would have prevented her from attending her twin's wedding, but Philip's so casual invitation, it hardly amounted to one, and his complete disregard of the financial difficulties involved had wounded her, nor could she overlook that he was, as Don Rafael had pointed out, subsisting upon the sale of die diamonds. She needed to get her letter posted and wondered if the Santaellas would raise any objection. Don Rafael appeared to be resigned to the situation, but he was unpredictable. She was still at a loss to account for the extraordinary way he had exploded when he had told her to get out. The only explanation seemed to be that he feared she was going to upset his plans. He had decided she would be useful as a companion for his mother and was annoyed when he drought she wanted to go to Paris, but that was a poor 80 excuse for such a burst of fury. She hoped she would not provoke another one when she told him she had written to her brother. The mail was collected when the postman delivered, and letters were left ready for him in the great hall. If he did not call, Jacobo would send one of his grandsons with it to die village. Determined not to descend to subterfuge, she said at breakfast: 'I've answered Phil's letter. I suppose you've no objec. don?' 'I hope you've told him you intend to stay in Spain,' die Condesa said anxiously. 'Yes, and that I've changed my job, but I didn't mention any names.' Rafael and his mother exchanged glances, and he laughed. 'Very discreet of you,' he approved. 'If you give me your missive, I myself will post it. I am going down to the village,' Then seeing her hesitation, he added: 'Unless you would prefer to post it yourself, but die road as you know is very hot and dusty and not entirely safe for ladies alone.' Rosalie dropped her eyes, unable to meet the mischief in his, and Dona Teresa said repressively: 'Nonsense, the road is perfectly safe, but it is not fitting diat you should wander about alone.' A reminder that she was about to become die Condesa's staid companion, conforming to Spanish rules of conduct and that Rafael would never kiss her again. She ought to be thankful for her changed status, but perversely she was regretful. That brought her up against somediing that she did not want to examine too closely. Her enthusiasm for Andalusia, her gratitude to Dona Teresa were superficial emotions imposed upon something much stronger. Underlying 81 them was an intense relief that she would not have to say11 goodbye to Rafael and for some weeks at least she would11 still be under his roof. She pushed the realisation deep|| down into her subconscious, for that the insolent, demand-11 ing Spaniard had made an impression upon her heart was11 a ludicrous supposition. Unfortunately her body betrayed11 her; she could not encounter him unexpectedly without a@ leap of die heart, and his proximity affected her nerves to11 an alarming extent. Furiously she insisted to herself that it1| was the aftermath of his bullying behaviour upon that first||. day, which had made an indelible trauma, but that did not|| explain why she had been so loath to go home and her( pleasure in her reprieve.HI The envelope that she handed to Don Rafael was in-@? scribed with her mother's Parisian address, but diat did not@ matter now. She was confident Don Rafael had abandoned@ his search for Philip and Consuelo.|| 'There is something I must return to you before we|j leave,' he told her, slipping die missive into his pocket.1| 'Come into my oficina.' This bare litde room was where heH kept his safe, and unlocking it, he handed her an envelopej containing her passport and money.|r 'Do you not wish to count it?' he asked, as she stuffed itJJ into her handbag. 'The rapacious Spaniard may have rob-|| bed you.'H 'I'm sure you would never do that,' she returned.Sj| 'Do not be too sure,' he told her with an enigmatical|| smile, 'a few pesetas are no temptation, but on largerjissues ...' He broke off, shrugging his shoulders. 'Possibly| you would like to do a litde shopping when we stop inH Cordoba?'l| 'Yes, I need some more artists' materials,' she saidjl eagerly.Jj 82I J'Claro, such dedication!' She guessed he had expected her to want to buy fripperies, but she did not want to waste money on unessentials. She went back to join her new employer and help with the preparations for their departure. They were to start early the next morning. The journey was to her one of sheer enchantment. Rosalie travelled in the back of Rafael's ageing but still serviceable car, while the Condesa sat beside her son. The dreary dun-coloured plains were left behind, when they reached the ragged battlements of the Sierra Morena. The sides of the Gorge of Despenaperros, which was the way through the mountains, were covered with a flower like a wild rose, among which the bees were busy. Romero, Dona Teresa said it was called, and romero-fiavouied honey was a speciy ality. The road descended to the plain where there were | asphodels, acanthus and aspidistras. The first cactuses ap1 peared, aloes and prickly ears, under a deep blue sky. It j was intensely hot. Rafael stopped at a whitewalled posada J with its sunblinds drawn down for a long cool drink. I Fuchsias, geraniums and ferns filled its windowboxes and J stood in pots along its walls. Rosalie felt that at last she was | seeing what she had thought of as Spain. ^ Cordoba appeared on the horizon, visible several miles ! away. | It had been the capital of the old Moorish Caliphate and was built upon die banks of the Guadalquivir. The river divides the province, the mining and stockbreeding zones being to the hilly north, the agricultural lands to the south. Don Rafael drove through the suburbs, over the Roman bridge and into the heart of the city, because he said dieir visitor ought to see a real Andalusian town. He pointed out the cathedral, still called the Mosque, but said they had not 83 got time to go inside it, also the Alcazar and various other buildings of interest in the old part of die town. There seemed to be Gothic churches named for every saint in the calendar, including San Rafael for whom Santaella was called. Finally he parked among the modern shops, and insisted upon accompanying Rosalie to make her purchases in case she had difficulty with the language. Dona Teresa left them to it, going off upon some errand of her own. Rosalie spent recklessly, for her art was to be her main diversion during her stay. Himerto she had worked with pencil and felt pens when she needed colour, for she had been unable to carry much with her. To her dismay, Rafael paid the bill, which die assistant presented to him as a matter of course. 'I must pay you back,' she said, fumbling widi her bag as they left the shop, Rafael carrying her parcel. 'Abswdo. This,' he tapped the parcel, 'will I hope keep you quiet and contented and that is worth the expenditure of a few pesetas.' A few! It had been several hundreds. The Casa Blanca was situated to die south of die city, in the rich lands of the Campina region. It was charming. As its name implied it was white with die typical wrought iron rejas and balconies. It was built round a patio bright widi flowers. Rosalie's room had a little balcony overlooking it, full of potted plants. Bougainvilleas, oleanders and other sub-tropical shrubs enclosed the whole edifice in a scented bower. Inside the long low-ceilinged rooms were dim and cool, even in the full heat of summer, for the walls were diick and Venetian blinds were drawn over the windows. Rosalie found her duties were not at all arduous. They 84 [consisted mainly in being there so that the Condesa had someone to whom to talk. While she drew and painted and the Condesa sewed, the latter enlarged upon her country's history and customs and was lavish with her information She also took Rosalie's Spanish in hand, insisting that she must speak the language like a Castilian, though all the people around them used the Andaluz patois. She declared ^ that she must also be able to write it. Sometimes it seemed | to Rosalie that she was more like a governess than an em-I ployer, but she supposed that it amused her to act as a I- teacher. It never occurred to her that there might be a j reason for all this intensive
instruction. ^ Of Rafael Rosalie did not see a great deal. He was out in R the mornings before she came down from the breakfast that ;' was brought to her room by one of the maids, of which there were several, labour being cheap in that province, and often did not come in all day. Very occasionally he joined them for their midday meal, but dinner, which appeared about ten o'clock, was the only time when they met regularly, and sometimes he would sit with them in the patio afterwards while they took their coffee. Even then he was usually withdrawn, though Rosalie often found his dark eyes watching her with a speculative look. She liked having him there where she could eye him furtively from under her long lashes, and listen to his deep voice while he talked to his mother in sonorous Spanish, only half of which she could understandjhe Condesa insisted that he should not speak English or Rosalie would never become fluent in their tongue. Being uncertain of her own proficiency in it, she seldom spoke, and he rarely addressed her directly He seemed to wish to emphasise that it was solely on his mother s account that she was there, and if that was the way he wanted it, she had no intention of trying to attract his 85 notice. Nor did he show any interest in her artistic efforts, though die Condesa occasionally asked her to display her work. Rosalie would hand him some innocuous study of trees or plants, and he would compliment her perfunctorily. It was during die golden afternoons, while the Condesa took her siesta, diat Rosalie did her real work, die imaginative forerunners of die pictures which she hoped one day to reproduce in oils. They depicted dramatic landscapes with fretted peaks, the Sierra Morena, or stretches of barren sun-struck plain surrounding a ruined casde. Only rough sketches as yet, but containing the germ of genius diat would one day flower. She favoured browns, blacks and ochre, with occasional splashes of scarlet to colour her impressions of the harsh, cruel land of the black legend, scarred by the pitiless elements. Her imagination found it more inspiring than die more obvious beauty of die soudi, which had already been so often immortalised. She was creating a background for her central figure and that was to be that of a man who had no softness in his make-up, who was ruthless, strong and arrogant and who would epitomise the very soul of Spain. Though only outlines appeared on her paper, the features were clearly recognisable, in profile, full face and three quarters, the proud, aloof face that she was able to study every evening. She had often drawn the Condesa, who was so like him, but her masterpiece, if she ever were able to realise her dream, would be that of the man alone, a stark, lonely figure, arresting in its simplicity. She worked in the watercolours and crayons which she had bought in Cordoba, the paraphernalia necessary for oil painting being too bulky to accommodate at the Casa, but die finished product would be in oils. 86 ^ While she worked, she dreamed, not realising that an obsession with the living man was the root of her creation | or if she dimly sensed it, she knew he was too far beyond g her reach to accept him on a man-woman basis It was ; enough that if she fulfilled her ambitions, she would im: mortalise him with her talent. | So the timeless, sunbaked days passed slowly until Eloisa ^ Carvelio descended upon the Casa Blanca, shattering its ; peace and serenity with the'impact of a bomb. She drove up one afternoon at the end of the siesta hour Rafael for once had come in for lunch, and had lingered to let the heat abate. He and the two women were in the patio Dona Teresa busy with her embroidery silks, while Rosalie was studying a Spanish grammar book, and covertly watching Rafael, as he lounged half asleep in a canvas chair smoking a cheroot. His Cordoban hat lay discarded beside mm, his shirt collar was open, with a twist of scarlet scarf about his throat, his long legs clad in breeches and boots, for he kept a horse at Casa Blanca, and would be riding round the estate as soon as it was cooler. He looked alluring, masculine and remote. The sound of the car was audible from the patio, so also a woman s shrill voice, enquiring if die Condesa were at home. Rafael's black brows descended at the sound of it 'Mal suerte; he growled. 'I should have been on my way Now it is too late.' y' Dona Teresa glanced at him meaningly. 'I hear Senor Carvelio prospers nowadays. Eloisa will have a substantial dowry.' Tor Dios, from Consuelo to that is a long step down'' But his manner was courteous, even charming as the visitor was ushered into the patio. 87 Eloisa Carvelio was small and plump with a round face, beady black eyes and smooth dark hair, reminding Rosalie of a Dutch doll. What she lacked in personal distinction she made up for in her clodies. Rosalie saw the Condesa look quizzically at die very short scarlet skirt, transparent blouse and black sleeveless jacket. She sat down in the chair Rafael set for her, crossing silken legs which were dius revealed nearly up to her crotch. Rosalie noticed Rafael glance at them with a smile, while he poured for her a glass of cognac. Disdaining the usual Sangria, she had asked for spirits. 'I like something with a kick in it,' she had said, and Dona Teresa looked disapproving. But she enquired politely about the girl's family. It transpired she had parents and a brother living with her. Their estate was not far away, and Senor Carvelio grew oranges and vines, but now he was launching out into a hotel. Rosalie was introduced to her by Dona Teresa as: 'An English girl who took pity on my loneliness and is spending the summer with me.' Eloisa gave the English girl a contemptuous stare. 'You are fortunate, senorita,'' she said coldly. 'The Casa Blanca is a delightful place to spend a summer,' and from thenceforth ignored her, chattering away in Spanish. 'You have kept your coming very quiet,' she said to Rafael. 'It is only by chance that Luis discovered you were here. I came at once to pay my respects, and to tell you that Papa has opened a guest house since you were last here. We now have a swimming pool and a tennis court which you must come and sample.' 'I am a very busy man,' he returned, 'and have little time for such amusements, and surely these amenities are intended for your patrons?' 88 ^ 'We are not very full at the moment,' Eloisa admitted. ; 'But it is only our first season and none are more welcome than you.' 'Thank you, but I have no great love for the society of foreign riff-raff,' he told her with a touch of disdain. 'And I ; see you are already copying their habits.' He eyed her legs. 'I am surprised your father allows you to run about the country alone.' She laughed gaily, quite unabashed. 'We must move with the times, Don Rafael, and we girls are no longer content to sit at home twiddling our thumbs waiting for husbands to be found for us.' 'You prefer to go and hunt for them yourselves?' She laughed again, but a little uncertainly. 'You are pleased to joke, Don Rafael, but yes, the foreign girls have shown us a thing or two.' 'So I perceive,' he returned drily. 'The day of the duena is over,' she declared dramatically The Condesa said: 'What does your mother think about these innovations?' Eloisa shrugged and smiled. 'I have not asked her, but I can guess. She is old-fashioned.' Don Rafael rose to his feet and apologised for having to 'Duty calls. I have to superintend the spraying of some fruit trees.' r ^ & Eloisa jumped up. 'Let me come with you, there has been much talk of this spraying of trees and I would like to tell my father how it is done.' Rafael's smile was saturnine. 'Quite the farmer's daughter, but I was going to ride.' 'Is it too far to walk? I can follow you with my car. Or better still, drive you to wherever it is.' 89 'Bueno, that is an excellent idea. I shall be honoured with your company.' He stood aside to let her pass, but she halted by his side, slipping her arm through his and looking up into his unresponsive face. 'We have kindred interests, have we not?' she said provocatively and lightly tapped his cheek. 'Do not look so solemn, amigo, I prefer you when you smile.' They left the patio and die Condesa looked at Rosalie. 'Brazen hussy,' she said calmly. 'In the old days if a girl permitted a man to as much as touch her she was considered unfitted to be a wife and mother. Eloisa must have heard of Consuelo's elopement and hopes to catch Rafael on the rebound.' She threaded a needle deliberately. 'She might be quite a good match.' 'But I thought you had already selected a candidate,' Rosalie said, surprised. 'I mean ... Don Rafael did mention something about some foreign girl.' 'How very indiscreet, and to you of all people!' Dona Teresa exclaimed. She regarded Rosalie meditatively. 'It is true I had someone in mind, but on second thoughts, Eloisa might be an easier proposition, and she is Spanish.' 'And is Don R
afael content for you to choose his wife?' Rosalie asked, stung out of caution by her indignation at such indifference on Rafael's part towards the woman he was to marry. 'It is usual for the parents to arrange marriages in Spain,' the Condesa said calmly. 'Or rather I should say, it was usual. As Eloisa has been telling us we are entering upon a new era. I will admit that Eloisa Carvelio is not my choice for a daughter-in-law, her people are what you call jumped up, and she has no modesty and no dignity, but if she can console my poor son for his disappointment, I shall not 90 oppose their union.' The glance she gave Rosalie was definitely sly, and the girl winced inwardly. Did the Condesa imagine that she herself was cherishing a yen for Rafael?, She said carelessly: 'I'm sure I hope she can.' 'How generous of you,' the Condesa observed ambiguously, and Rosalie flushed. Hastily she began to talk about something else. Naturally an adoring mother would expect her to be attracted to her son, but really Don Rafael's matrimonial concerns were of no interest to her whatever. He was an arrogant Spaniard and not the type of man who would appeal to her at all, but... and here her reflections wavered ... he did have a strange sort of fascination, and he had impressed his image upon her imagination very thoroughly. She remembered guiltily all the drawings that she had made of him and the disturbing effect he so often had upon her, but that meant nothing, it was a girl's natural reaction to a good-looking man, and she only studied him because she found him so inspiring, the ideal model for her Spanish pictures. All the same, she felt uncomfortable under the Condesa's quizzical regard. A three-cornered situation with herself and Eloisa competing for Rafael's favours was one that would appeal to her, and she had no intention of providing her with that sort of entertainment. Cutting through Rosalie's commonplaces. Dona Teresa remarked: 'Eloisa was angling for Don Rafael all last summer, but she did not make much headway, he preferred Consuelo, so perhaps my original plan will be best. It was I, you know, who suggested that match to Senor Nunez. It seemed such a good idea.' She sighed. 91 'Then I'm sure I wish you better success with your next one,' Rosalie told her a litde tardy. 'I am sure I will have,' the Condesa returned, and beamed at her. Eloisa prolonged her stay until dusk was falling. She was endeavouring to persuade the Santaellas to visit her father's guest house, of which Don Rafael could barely conceal his disapproval. She found an unexpected ally in the Condesa, who announced that she would like to see the place, and of course Rosalie must accompany her. 'Claro,' Eloisa agreed unwillingly, adding spitefully, 'If you feel you will need her support.' Rafael said: 'Then you will not need my escort. Mama. I will drop you there and come to fetch you.' Eloisa protested loudly and again the Condesa came to her assistance. 'That would not be very courteous to Senor and Seiiora Carvelio,' she pointed out. 'I am sure you can spare one day from your labours, Rafael.' Her son looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression. He knew she did not like Eloisa's family and was at a loss to account for her acceptance, but in view of her rebuke he had no option but to fall in with her wishes. When Eloisa had gone after fixing a day and an hour, he asked: 'Why do you wish to encourage these people. Mama? I am amazed that you want to visit dlis posada that Carvelio has made his latest investment.' 'I have my reasons,' Dona Teresa told him, but did not divulge what they were. In spite of what she had said previously, Rosalie concluded that she was seriously considering Eloisa as a successor to Consuelo, or perhaps she only wished to keep her in reserve in case her other negotiations 92 fell through. She had no desire to have any further contact with that young woman herself, and suggested that she might be allowed to stay behind. 'That would not do at all,' her employer objected. 'I shall require your presence to sustain me among the turis tas.' 'You will be more at home with diem dian we shall be,' Rafael told her. 'After your time at the parador.' Rosalie was about to say diat there she had been in a radier different position, but checked herself in time. For her position was not greatly different, she was still an employee, and that Eloisa had guessed at once. Her manner had shown it. As such she must concur with Dona Teresa's orders, and once she got there she must expect to be ignored. That did not prove to be the case. The Caryellos had built a huge white erection amid their orange groves in the same style as die hotels along die coast, diough diey advertised it as a select retreat amid the peace of die countryside for those who sought refuge from the crowds of package tourists. Though it did not have the lure of the sea, diere were mountains not far away and it was within easy reach of Cordoba. Senor Carvelio had provided facilities for riding, built a large swimming pool, and laid out tennis courts, there was even a golf course at a litde distance where the hills began. Senor Carvelio was a short rotund man who greeted his august guests with deference. He was bursting with pride in his new achievement. 'Already we have many bookings for the holiday season,' he said happily. 'Many family parties with los ninos. You should cash in while you can, Conde, on the tourist boom. That castillo of yours would make a fine hotel.' 'I have not the capital to convert it,' Rafael said shordy. 'But loans can be raised...' The other man raised his 93 head haughtily, and Senor Carvelio subsided. 'You know your own business best,' he muttered. 'I certainly do,' Rafael informed him. The Condesa was settled in the shade by the side of the swimming pool where deck chairs and loungers were set out. Eloisa began to badger Rafael to sample the pool. 'And die Senorita Smeeth also,' suggested her brother, Luis. He had joined them at die pool's edge, already dressed, or rather undressed, in a pair of swimming trunks. He was a slight, bronzed young man, very little taller than Rosalie, and he was much better looking than his sister, and had startlingly blue eyes in a diin brown face. They must be some legacy from a Castilian forebear, for not all Spaniards are dark. 'I haven't brought a costume,' Rosalie sought to excuse herself. 'One can be found for you, I am sure,' Luis insisted. . 'Thank you, senor, but I prefer to stay widi the Condesa.' 'Absurdo,' that lady said vigorously. 'I have brought you here to enjoy yourself, not to wait upon me.' She then proceeded to direct operations. Eloisa unwillingly produced a bathing-suit, not a bikini but a discreet one-piece affair in dark green, to Rosalie's relief. She had no wish to make herself conspicuous, or offend the Condesa's old-fashioned ideas. She was not an expert swimmer, as she told Luis when she came out of the changing room and found him waiting for her. 'Then it will be my privilege to make you become so,' he said gallantly, looking appreciatively at her long limbs. 'Trust yourself to me, senorita, and I will permit none of die show-offs to submerge you.' Rosalie wondered if he were referring to Rafael, who was 94 already in the pool with Eloisa, the only other occupants being a couple of middle-aged men who did not look enterprising. He was shooting down its full length under water, and when he emerged at the end she saw he was wearing a complete costume, and remembered that was favoured in Spain instead of trunks only, though the convention was rapidly being ignored by the younger men. He climbed up on the diving board, a lean brown and black figure, and then swooped back into the water like a swallow. Eloisa, clad in the scantiest of bikinis, was holding on to die handrail and kicking at die shallow end. She could not swim. She called to Rafael to come and support her out into the middle of die pool, which he did unwillingly, amid much squealing upon die girl's part, to die amusement of the onlookers sitting round the water. Rafael was not amused, and was scowling as he towed Eloisa into deeper water. Seeing his expression, Rosalie thought die Spanish girl was being foolhardy. He looked quite capable of deliberately ducking her. But her whole attention was soon claimed by Luis, who, after she had done her modest breast stroke across the pool, insisted that she should try something more ambitious. It was pleasantly cool in die water, which was shaded by the palms and tamarisks with which it was surrounded, and there was no mistaking the honest admiration in Luis's eyes. In spite of the opportunities her tuition gave him, he did not take advantage of them. Rosalie began to enjoy herself. When she began to tire, Luis guided her to the steps and springing up ahead of her, held out his hand to give her unneeded assistance. Still retaining her hand, he led her to two chairs set a little apart from the others, and
found for her a voluminous towel. The sunlight dripped through the trees in golden spotlights as she rubbed her wet head, Eloisa had not provided a cap, finding threads of 95 shining copper among the brown. Unasked, Luis offered her a comb, and sinking into the chair beside her regarded her appraisingly. 'Muy guapa,' was his verdict. A flash of memory recalled to her where she had last heard those words. She had been insolendy accosted upon a dusty road, and a short while later imprisoned by a pair of sinewy arms. Her eyes sought for Rafael in the pool. He was standing waist deep, holding Eloisa by her middle, and she was kicking and squealing. Luis moved uncomfortably. 'My sister makes her desires too obvious,' he said distastefully. 'She seems to be enjoying herself,' Rosalie observed. 'Enjoyment can be bought too dear,' he told her. He looked at her languishingly. 'But look at me, not at them. Tell me all about yourself, and how you come to be here.' An awkward question to answer truthfully. She said frankly that she had always wanted to visit Spain but could only do so if she worked. At present she was die Condesa's companion and considered herself lucky to have obtained such an easy job. Reminded of her employer, she looked across to the opposite side of the pool where the Condesa was sitting and saw she was watching them widi a litde satisfied smile. Far from disapproving, she seemed pleased that Rosalie had found an admirer. Whatever doubts she might have about Eloisa's suitability for her son, a Carvelio was quite good enough for her companion. 'What are you thinking about so seriously, amigaY Luis asked. 'I do not think you have heard what I have been ' saying.' Rosalie blushed guiltily. 'Sorry,' she apologised. 'I was half asleep. What was it?' 96 His eyes were reproachful. 'You find me tedious?' 'Not in the least.' She made an effort to rouse herself. 'You've made my day. But for you I'd be sitting over there beside the Condesa, looking on.' : 'I think you have done too much looking on at life. It is | time you took an active part in it.' He leaned towards her ^ and his blue eyes became ardent. 'Let me teach you how to |: live.' [: 'Senor Carvelio!' She drew back in her chair. 'We have I, only met this afternoon.' I-'My name is Luis,' he reminded her, 'and I find you ; simpatica. I feel as if I had known you all my life, Rosa.' : She smiled at this extravagance. 'Your name is Rosa, is it I,, not? I heard the Condesa call you so.' 'Actually it's Rosalie.' 1 'I prefer Rosa, for you are like a rose, your petals are still /curled about your heart. I would penetrate to that heart, ,' Rosa mia." 'Very pretty and flowery, but aren't you going rather too fast for a Spaniard? I've always understood dieir approach was much more leisurely, and formal.' , He smiled. 'It certainly is. Spanish courtship old style ^ follows a formula. It is like a quadrille, a series of set positions.' 'Tell me how it goes,' she prompted, as he paused. 'You want to know? Bien, it is this way. The start: he , stares at her in church. Two; at the reja he sighs. Three, he is allowed to take her to the cinema perhaps and it is permissible to hold her hand@for three minutes only. Then follow the set speeches, arranged in order of increasing fervour, to be delivered on schedule over a period of six months. The girl knows die drill as well as he does, and if he omits one step, she decides he is lacking in ardour.' 97 'What a drawn-out process!' 'It is, and of no use widi girls who are only here on a twoweek vacation. There is no time for set speeches.' 'But I shall be here for longer than two weeks.' 'Then do you wish me to embark upon the whole procedure?' She shook her head. 'I wouldn't care for set speeches, I should doubt their sincerity.' 'Ah, but you must not doubt mine, and I have adapted to more modern methods. Life is too short for drawn-out courtship.' Rosalie lay back in her chair smiling provocatively. It was very pleasant to be able to flirt with a personable young man, it was a pleasure that had been denied to her for far too long.'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still aflying,' she quoted, 'An excellent sentiment. How long do you expect to be in Andalusia, Rosa?' 'For some time yet, I hope.' He leaned towards her again, blue eyes intent. 'Will there be time to gather my rosebud, Rosa?' 'Senorita Smeeth, it is time you dressed yourself,' a cold voice said. 'We must return home.' Rosalie had been so engrossed in her conversation widi Luis diat she had not noticed Rafael's approach. He was standing before her fully dressed and there was disapproval in every line of his taut body. She sprang to her feet. 'I'm sorry, Don Rafael, I didn't realise...' He cut through her words: 'That is obvious. The Condesa is waiting for you.' ' Glancing guiltily across the pool, she saw diat Dona 98 jl Teresa's chair was vacant. g| TU be as quick as I can,' she stammered, and fled to6 wards the changing room. j When she returned, Eloisa and Luis were both urging the I Conde and Condesa to stay for'dinner, and Senor Carvelio j; waddled up to add his persuasions to theirs. He was de-J sirous of showing off the excellence of his chef, but Rafael | was adamant. I 'My mother is tired,' he stated. -She goes out so seldom I she must not overdo it.' | 'Then could not the Senorita Smith stay?' Luis asked. 'I , will bring her back.' t This suggestion met with a glacial reception both from ^ his father and the two guests. 'We know the Senorita is English,' Rafael said coldly, but while she is under my roof she will adhere to our ways ' The old ways?' Luis queried, looking unpleasant. Times change, Don Rafael.' 'Not with me they don't,' the Conde snapped. He took his mother's arm. 'Precede us to the car, Senorita Smeeth ' Feeling in disgrace, Rosalie smiled at Luis and walked with what dignity she could muster to the waiting vehicle. She experienced a surge of resentment against Don Rafael' He had no right to treat her like a naughty child even if he did employ her, because she had enjoyed a few minutes' conversation with a boy who treated her like a human being. A few minutes? She noticed how the shadows had lengthened since she had come out of the pool. She had ; been talking to Luis for quite a time, and wearing only her swim-suit. That, she supposed, was another offence. Luis shot forward to open the rear door for her, while his parents who had come to see them off looked on. Rosalie turned back to add her thanks to the Condesa's for a pleas99 ant afternoon, but aware of their stony regard and Don Rafael's black looks, wished she had not bothered. She stepped into the car and Luis put his head in to whisper: 'They are a lot of spoilsports. Hasta la vista, Rosa.' He smiled and touched her hand. Don Rafael slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door. Luis closed that to the rear seat more gendy and stepped back. The car moved away and Rosalie started to apologise to die Condesa for her neglect. 'It is nothing, chica, I am glad you had a good time,' Dona Teresa said graciously. She glanced at her son's set face, a little triumphant smile edging her lips. 'Luis Carvelio is a great improvement upon his sister.' Rosalie sat back in her seat feeling nonplussed.. Whatever gaffe she had committed, if she had committed one, had not offended the Condesa, but it had definitely offended Don Rafael. Again she felt resentful, recalling his behaviour with Eloisa in the pool. Like so many men of his kind he made one law for his womenkind and another for himself. She recalled that she had read somewhere that die more a man indulged in his amorous fancies, the more particular he was about his own family's conduct. But she was no kin of his, she had only come upon this expedition at his mother's insistence, and he could have easily prevented it. If the outcome had displeased him, he had only himself to blame. If Luis Carvelio sought her out, and she suspected that he meant to do so, she would welcome him, and if Don Rafael did not like it, diat would be just too bad@ for him. Rosalie settled herself in her seat, allowing herself to relax, and watched die purple shadows creep over the Andalusian plain, heralding die coming night. The scent of die 100 dama de noche, diat penetrating succulent, was wafted in at the open car windows. In dlis most romantic land, she could not be expected to forgo romance. 101