The willing hostage Page 8

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE Casa seemed dull and empty widiout Rafael's magnetic presence. Rosalie had retrieved her portfolio of drawings, but the Condesa said nodiing about die proposed art lessons. Rosalie suspected the whole idea had been part of a scheme to bring Rafael up to the point of proposing to her. Why the Condesa should be so anxious to marry her to her son, she could not imagine, except for a few subtle hints that he had led a somewhat irregular life before he became ; contracted to Consuelo, and his mother feared he might [ revert to it. She wanted to see him settled and a family on i the way. Her championship of Eloisa had merely been an-I omer of her subtle moves. Knowing Rafael disliked the girl, I: she had sought to drive him in another direction by point| ing out the advantages of marrying her, but why she fav| cured Rosalie instead of the well-dowered Eloisa was puz|.zlmg, except that she disliked die Carvellos. What had hap-H pened to the foreign bride she had sponsored was another I; conundrum. Rosalie suspected uneasily that she was a pawn pin some intricate game Dona Teresa was playing, but where jgshe fitted in she had no idea; she knew now that she had H greatly underestimated her employer, but being direct and J honest herself, she was contemptuous of her intriguing ways. Intrigue was the breath of life to Spanish matrons, had little else to occupy their minds.HI On the afternoon after Rafael's departure, the Carvellos arrived, accompanied by their mother. It was just after time when they appeared at the Casa, so diey must cut short their own rest, for the day was still very hot. il 119 Blinding sunlight poured down upon the trees and bushes, making the shadows they cast look black. Eloisa was daringly wearing trousers with a sleeveless top, but her short legs did not look well in pants. She was obviously put out to discover Rafael's absence, but Luis was elated. Drinks were brought out to diem in the patio, which was in shade, and while Eloisa sulked and the two elder women gossiped, Luis, seated beside Rosalie, endeavoured to flirt with her. Every glance from his mischievous blue eyes was full of meaning, and his foot sought to press hers beneath the wrought iron table. Her lack of response seemed to only inflame his ardour. Two days ago she would not have minded, but now she felt she was being disloyal to her absent lover. Rising from her chair, Rosalie said she had a headache and begged to be excused. Unfortunately Luis took this announcement to be an invitation. 'Let me drive you out to the mountains, where we can find some fresh air,' he proposed. 'That will soon dispel your headache,' and he looked at her expectantly. The Condesa gave him a black look, evidently considering matters were going too far. Before Rosalie could refuse, she said sharply: 'Un momenta, par favor.' She smiled at her companions. 'I think we have kept you in die dark too long, mis amigos. My son, upon his return, will have an announcement to make, but since you are such close friends, I will tell you in advance.' She paused dramatically, while the three Carvellos stared at her curiously. Dismayed, Rosalie exclaimed: 'Not now, please, madam. Let Rafael tell them.' The Condesa's black eyes glinted. 'It must be now, Rosa, before that young man'@she indicated Luis@'puts you and 120 himself in a situation which will offend your novio. Si, mis amigos, we are to welcome Rosa Smeeth into the family. She and Rafael are to be married.' Had she dropped the proverbial bombshell she could not have more startled her audience. Senora Carvello's jaw literally dropped, Luis drew away from Rosalie as if she had become contagious, while Eloisa's face sharpened into furious rage. 'I do not believe it!' she shrilled. 'That scheming wheyfaced Inglesa! Why, he is practically engaged to me.' She sprang to her feet, her fingers curving like claws. 'You know he is not,' the Condesa said coolly. 'Sit down, Eloisa. There is no occasion for you to scream like a fishwife.' Slowly the Spanish girl relaxed. She sat down again as directed while her mother observed: 'This is a very great surprise, Condesa, so you must forgive my daughter's outburst. Don Rafael had certainly led her to suppose ... but ay di mi, we know he is fickle, that one.' She gave Rosalie a spiteful look. 'Senorita Smeeth has much greater opportunities living in the same house and she has not neglected them. My felicitations, senorita.1 Luis was looking at Rosalie reproachfully. 'You might have given me a hint,' he complained. 'But let me add my congratulations.' The Condesa was smiling serenely, pleased with the consternation her words had caused. She did not like the Carvellos and after today she did not anticipate she would have to entertain them again. Rosalie thanked them for their good wishes, adding: 'But I really do have a headache.' She gave the Condesa an appealing look. 'So if you will excuse me.' She felt she could not stay there any longer, the target 121 for Eloisa's malicious glances, and Luis's plaintive ones. 'You do look pale,' Dona Teresa admitted. 'Very well, chica, we will permit you to depart. You had better lie down until dinner time.' Rosalie performed the ritual handshaking which was etiquette among that society, but omitted die kiss upon die women's cheeks. That she felt would seem to diem like Judas. As it was, Eloisa could barely bring herself to touch her fingers. Only Dona Teresa's watchful eye ensured her good manners. Rosalie fled thankfully to the solitude of her room. It was too bad of the Condesa to have announced her engagement when Rafael was not there to support her, she thought stormily. As for Luis Carvello, she could manage him without such a drastic remedy. At least now they would be free of Eloisa's visits, but she had a faint regret for Luis. He was good company and she was sorry if she had hurt him, but she did not dunk diat his fancy went very deep. She must have fallen asleep, for when she awoke the shadows were beginning to gather. She got up, tidied her dress and did her face and hair. About to step out on to the patio, she halted in surprise, for Seiiora Carvelio was still there. She and the Condesa were sharing a bottle of sherry, from which they had been imbibing freely, for bodi were a little mellow. Standing behind a concealing fall of vine, Rosalie hesitated. She did not want to intrude upon die elderly couple who seemed to be enjoying a confidential gossip, and she wondered what had happened to the two young people. She did not wish to encounter them again eidier. Then she became aware of what Dona Teresa was saying she could understand her Castilian now after her tuition in the tongue. 122 In Rafael has gone to raise a loan to renovate Las s. He will have no difficulty in doing that now that he it to marry money, even though he cannot put his upon it until she is twenty-five.' i are sure of that. Condesa? She does not look like an . Her clothes are very cheap.' ade sure before I agreed to the engagement. We arto have the will inspected at the place in London wills can be seen. The money will of course have to -isferred to Swiss banks before being invested in |ain.' |You have a wonderful business head, Condesa,' Seiiora |rvello said admiringly. 'But you are positive she is this |salie Smith?' |By good fortune I have seen a photograph of her in an |glish paper, it was taken at the time of her father's aeral. Both the children were depicted clearly. There was o a long obituary which mentioned their so peculiar up-inging. He actually made them work in a shop! I recoged her as soon as she told me her name, and would you lieve it, she was masquerading as a maid at the parador. f poor boy was greatly incensed, you understand, but I de him behave himself.' She chuckled throatily. 'It hurt pride to have to court a criada, but with such a fortune be gained, it was worth having patience and humbling iself.' -Rosalie stood as if turned to stone, unable to move, while 5a Teresa's words stabbed her. Her dreams were evapring, her romance shivering to shreds. Senora Carvelio saying: Sut Don Rafael has always been noted for his taste in nen. Consuelo Nunez was beautiful. I see nothing rekable about the litde Inglesa except a good skin. Will he 123 be content to settle down with such a nonentity?' 'No importa,' the other returned. 'He will of course ensure that she does her duty in the matter of heirs, and ninos will keep her occupied. But he will be free to follow his fancies. She cannot be such a fool as to expect him to be faithful.' Rosalie lifted shaking hands to her burning cheeks; the paralysis that had enchained her limbs was passing, and she was able to creep away to her room. She heard the car return to collect Seiiora Carvelio. Luis had taken his sister home and returned for his mother. Knowing die Condesa would be alone since Rosalie had retired, she had stayed to keep her company. Her tongue loosened by t
he wine, Doiia Teresa had been unable to restrain her confidences. She wanted her guest to understand that far from marrying a penniless English girl, Don Rafael was doing very well for himself. That Rosalie herself was realising all too bitterly. Lying on her bed, she reviewed the events leading up to her arrival at the Casa Blanca. Like a film diey unrolled themselves with painful clarity illuminated by what she had just heard. She recalled her introduction to the Condesa, Dona Teresa's careful appraisal, her demand for her first name. Believing she had recognised the Pas heiress, she had told her son he must treat her with respect. That accounted for Rafael's changed attitude, and while his modier sought to check her prospects, sending an agent to London to inspect the will, he had held aloof. She remembered how he had spoken of the foreign bride his mother had procured for him and his doubts about her suitability. He had had to overcome considerable reluctance before he could bring himself to propose to her. He had found the pill a little too much to swallow, even though it was gilded, and that was why, before he had asked her to become Dona Teresa's 124 companion, he had told her to go. A battle between his avarice and his desire to retain his freedom would account for his violence upon that occasion. But she had insisted upon delaying her departure, threatening to accuse him of abducting her. Rafael had conquered his aversion and had then come up with die companion proposition, which she, poor fool, had accepted so gladly. Avarice had won. Arrived in Andalusia he was still procrastinating, so the wily Condesa had enlisted die Carvellos to unwittingly furdier her plans. She had shown Rafael that Eloisa was die only alternative to Rosalie, and an even more unattractive one. Luis she had encouraged to make Rafael jealous, not of Rosalie's affections, he could not care less about those, but if Luis won her heart, he would also win the Pas fortune. Rafael must have pointed out that Rosalie's feelings were in some doubt, he was sensitive enough to shrink from another rejection, so Dona Teresa had borrowed her portfolio without leave to convince him that she was ready to be won. Those foolish romantic portraits could have only one interpretation, an interpretation she herself had taken a long time to recognise, that she had become besotted with the original. The spur of Luis' rivalry had done the rest; he had seen the possibility of her money passing into other hands and so had found it easy to simulate the passion in which he was a past master to bring about her complete surrender. Always she had been suspicious of the motives of die men who had made advances to her, but because she had been so sure that Rafael did not know of her prospects she had believed his protestations were sincere. She had reckoned widiout his modier, that scheming, subtle woman who was triumphant in her success. Rosalie understood now the purpose behind the Spanish lessons and all the other in-formation that had been imparted to her. She was being 125 groomed to be a Santaella wife. She shivered as she recalled the Condesa's false amiability and pretended affection. She cared nothing for Rosalie as a person, she was merely a means to an end. Left to himself, Rafael would probably never have got as far as proposing to her, but his mother had spurred him on, determined to secure the Pas fortune. Dona Teresa in her black silks and laces with her poker face weaving her webs seemed to Rosalie's excited fancy like a black spider. She had no consideration at all for the English girl's happiness; her role was to be to produce children and turn a blind eye to her husband's infidelities. Rosalie found it easier to whip up resentment against the woman dian die man, and found satisfaction in her spider simile, but when her thoughts turned to Rafael she was only aware of an aching void. Of course she must leave him, she could not let this farce of an engagement continue any longer. Ever since she had discovered Garth's mercenary motives, she had sworn she would never let herself be married for her money, and had snubbed her would-be suitors. Now Rafael, whom she had thought was disinterested, had stolen her heart while she was unaware of his purpose.Fool, she diought, miserably, blind fool, why else should he want to marry her? A foreigner whom he secretly despised. That she had been so easily gulled by his flowery phrases increased her humiliation. She recalled the little satirical smile that she had surprised in the midst of his lovemaking. He had been laughing at her simplicity even while he kissed her. One of the maids knocked on her door, which she had locked against intrusion. Rosalie called out that she wanted nothing and was nearly asleep and she would not want any 126 dinner. The girl withdrew and she hoped fervently that the Condesa would not come to make further enquiries. She could not face her tonight and the thought of food was nauseous. Late in the evening there was a gentle tap on die door, but Rosalie made no answer and whoever it was went away satisfied that she slept. Rosalie did not sleep. Endlessly she reiterated her folly. How could she ever have imagined that a man in the Conde's position would have stooped to her without a very strong inducement? It had never occurred to her that he might know about die Pas fortune, nor had he until his mother put him wise. She had fallen into his arms like a callow teenager, succumbing to his practised kisses, avidly mopping up his empty phrases. He knew only too well how to awake a woman's response, and his every move had been calculated. By morning she had gained command of herself and feeling drained of emotion was conscious of only one desire@to confront Rafael with his duplicity before she left. It might be more dignified to go before he returned, but she could not forgo that satisfaction. The charge of being mercenary would possibly flay his pride, for he did not care for plain speaking. She would give him scorn for scorn, hurt for hurt, by expressing her contempt for him. Then she would go. She was glad of her morning coffee, but pushed aside the rolls and honey untasted. It only took a short while to pack her belongings. Then white'and resolute she went to join the Condesa in die patio, for Rafael was expected back at midday. The Condesa eyed her commiseratingly. 'You are looking very poorly, pobrecita. Perhaps you should see a doctor?' : 'I'm perfecdy well,' Rosalie replied coolly. 'Just a touch 127 of migraine, but it has passed.' 'Rafael will be gready concerned to find you looking so pale.' 'I don't suppose he'll notice,' Rosalie said wearily. 'Men never do. He'll be too full of his own concerns.' The loan he was trying to raise to tide him over until he could obtain her money to free Las Aguilas from its embarrassments. Dona Teresa was too astute not to realise something had upset her young protege. She said apologetically: 'Perhaps I should not have spoken of your engagement to the Carvellos.' 'No, madam, you should not.' Dona Teresa bit her lip. It was the first time that Rosalie had ever criticised her. 'That young man was too forward,' she muttered. 'Because you are English he forgets his manners.' 'And English girls are fair game?' Rosalie suggested bitterly. 'You also think we are brash and ill-behaved. You often laugh at us among yourselves, don't you, madam?' The Condesa changed Colour and Rosalie knew that her shot had gone home. These insolent Spaniards did make fun of her countrymen even while they took their money. 'We too have some pride,' she went on. 'Though we may not express it in the same way diat you do.' 'Claro,' Dona Teresa agreed, and relapsed into silence. She did not know what to make of this cold aloof girl who seemed to have changed overnight, for Rosalie had altered during those hours of bitter humiliation. She had said goodbye to her girlhood and had become adult. Don Rafael arrived by mid-morning, but only his mother went to greet him. Hearing die sound of die car, Rosalie retreated to her room and sat waiting, absently watching 128 (he sunlight filter through the vines which surrounded her l^indow. Vines grew everywhere in that part of the country jitfld were used to make the potent wines of Spain, red and Hold like the Spanish colours. Red also was die passionate @ood diat ran in the veins of her sons, men without com-Ipromise, cruel and proud. What tenderness they possessed |was reserved for dieir own kin, and Rafael had never shown per any. Spain had proved too strong a draught for an ungophisticated English girl.|. The Condesa knocked upon her door and pushed it ajar, creaking into her thoughts. P 'Rafael is here, Rosa. He is asking for you.' fe She had expected Rosalie to run to meet him in her impulsive way, but since she had not, she was wondering if Jthis puzzling English girl had turned suddenly shy. S" But the level grey eyes held no hint of bashfulness, as
iRosalie said coolly: s 'He'll need a wash and a change, to say nothing of a 1'drink, after his hot journey. I'll come to him later.' S The Condesa's arched eyebrows rose in alarmed dismay. | 'Chica, is something wrong? Have you another imigraine?' I Rafael called: 'Rosa!' and appeared behind his mother. IHe was, as she had expected, travel-stained and dusty, 'dressed as when she had met him in the road in an open |shirt and trousers, with the twist of scarlet scarf at his 'throat. Dust powdered his hair and arms, but his eyes Sbrighrened at the sight of her, and Rosalie's heart gave a ilurch. Sternly repressing the stir in her pulses, she told }him: i 'I will join you in your office in half an hour.' I Eager anticipation changed to bewilderment. j, 'What a cold welcome!' He took a step towards her, ; 129 while his mother drew back. 'Why this sudden formality, pequenaY 'This is my bedroom,' she pointed out. 'I will say what I have to say in more suitable surroundings.' Mother and son exchanged puzzled glances. The light died out of the Conde's eyes. He stared at Rosalie for a few minutes in silence and unable to bear his close scrutiny, she turned away from him towards the window. The vineleaves made mauve patterns on the white dress she was wearing, and her profile was a carved ivory cameo against their shade. She looked as remote and as unapproachable as a virgin votary of some classic order. Rafael gave a sharp sigh, shrugged his shoulders and went out of the room. The Condesa lingered, seemed about to say something, diought better of it and withdrew, closing the door behind her. Rosalie glanced at her watch, as she had said she would give him half an hour in which to make himself presentable and to digest her cool reception. To fill in the time she fiddled widi her hair and retouched her make-up. Normally she used very little, for it was unsuitable amid her rural surroundings, but noticing how pale she was, she applied a blusher to her cheeks. 'Warpaint,' she murmured as she surveyed herself in her mirror. Her burning resentment at being fooled, her deep hurt needed expression before she could find peace. She could not keep her emotions bottled up inside her to fester concealed. One blazing explosion and then it would all be over. She was diat sort of girl. She was too upset to feel any fear of Don Rafael, and he could not wound her more than he had already done. At the end of die prescribed half hour, she tapped on his 130 office door. 'Andelante.' She had been a little apprehensive that he might attempt a physical demonstration to break down her defences, diough she was determined not to yield to him. Once glance at him assured her that such fears were groundless. Her . cold greeting had awoken his own pride. He was standing with his back to die window as she went in. He had changed into a formal suit, and his hair still glistened from the washing it had received. His shadowed face was hard as stone. While she hesitated, wondering how to frame her accusation, he forestalled her by saying coldly: 'You have come to tell me that you have changed your mind.' She was taken aback by his calm detachment, she had expected protests, recriminations, anydiing but dlis quiet acceptance. 'Yes,' she said simply. 'That being so, you will wish to leave.' 'At once, if I may,' she told him firmly. He moved to the table and pulled the cashbox which ; stood upon it towards him. 'Where will you go?' 'To my brodier in Paris.' 'As might be expected.' He unlocked the box. 'You will need extra money for your fare@what Senor Gomez gave you will not cover it from here, nor do I wish you to have to endure any discomfort.' This unexpected solicitude nearly unnerved her. It would have been more in character if he had told her to get out as he had done once before widiout caring where she went or how. But did she know his character, did it contain unknown facets. 131 'I'd rather not take anything from you,' she murmured. 'Don't be stupid,' he told her curdy. 'There is no one else to help you and you must go by train. I will not allow you to risk sunstroke trying to travel cheap on country buses.' 'Thank you,' she said meekly. 'I'll pay it back, every peseta, as soon as I can.' He smiled sardonically. 'Always so independent, but a small loan won't break me. You can consider it as wages, you have been paid nothing for your services.' 'All the same I would prefer to pay it back.' 'As you please.' He unlocked the box and began to take some notes out of it. Unable to believe that he would let her go without some explanation, she blurted out: 'Don't you want to know why I... I've changed?' 'It is obvious, is it not?' he returned. 'Somehow you have discovered that I knew you were die Pas heiress. You believe that I asked you to marry me to gain your fortune. You have convinced yourself that my motives were not love but money, though it is the custom among us for a woman to bring a dowry with her, even when the couple are in love.' Again his sardonic smile. 'So your pride is offended beyond forgiveness. You have decided that I am despicable, is it not so?' Rosalie nodded miserably, the hot words she had meant to hurl at him dying away unuttered. 'So, since you wish to leave me, I will not try to stop you, amante.' The endearment twisted her heart, but it was only a figure of speech to him,, she would not soften, she must not soften. Desperately she said: 'I despise fortune-hunters, Don Rafael, and you're not the first man who has had an eye on my prospects. I should 132 have known that was what drew you to me. It was ... unlikely ... that you could really feel anything for Rosalie Smith, poor creature that she is, no blue blood, no dignity. But it hurt me,' her hands flew to her throat, 'to discover that your protestations of love were ... were..,' Her voice died away. 'Were what?' he prompted gently. 'An act to gain my ... acceptance. An act that you've no difficulty in making seem convincing@you've had so much practice.' He uttered an exclamation, but she rushed on . unheeding. 'I was sure you didn't know about Pas. I thought...' Her anger had burned away, she no longer wanted to denounce him. She turned aside to hide the yearning in her eyes. 'I believed you loved me,' she whispered. 'And now you're convinced I do not?' 'You can't persuade me otherwise.' Yet she looked at him with a glimmer of hope, to find his face inscrutable, his eyes like jet. 'Then I shall not try to delude you furdier,' he said proudly. 'I should hope not,' she cried wildly. 'I know you're incapable of love, you've always derided it. You only care for stones and mortar. Las Aguilas and your family pride. You're inhuman!' She choked on a sob. Rafael did not move but continued to regard her stonily, nor did he contradict her. Rosalie was a little surprised by his silence, she had not drought he would relinquish her fortune without making a fight for it, but she did not want any more false protestations and was relieved that he had taken her rejection so quiedy. 'I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey,' she told him. Womanlike she wanted to sting him into some sort of re133 sponse, even while she was thankful for his forbearance. @Why so?' 'Weren't you going to raise a loan to renovate Las Aguilas in view of your ... er ... improved position?' 'Whoever told you that?' he asked, astonished. 'The Condesa.' 'I see.' He looked at her enigmatically. 'And you believed her? It was what you would expect of me?' 'It was logical. At least she is frank.' A spark of anger showed in his eyes. 'And you think I would use your money to save that ruin? That I lied to you when I said I was going to sell it?' 'I wouldn't put it past you.' As soon as the words were out she realised how wounding they must be if he had spoken the truth, but of course he had lied. 'Mil gracias for your good opinion,' he said sarcastically, and turned abruptly to the window, .staring out of it. The shadow of the vines fell across his face, accentuating its harsh planes, the bitter twist of his lips. Her heart went out to him in a surge of longing. She wanted to cry out that if he needed her money, he should have every penny of it if he would take her along with it, but prudence restrained her. The Condesa's words returned to her with added force. Having no love for her he would not be faithful, he would desert her for more attractive women, once he was sure of her fortune, perhaps even spend her money upon them. She recalled that she had read somewhere diat in Spain a wo-man could not touch her property without her husband's consent, she could not even obtain a passport without his concurrence. She had enough of her father's hard-headedness to know that she would be making a very poor bargain. 134 ; She could not even be sure that she would have children to solace her for his neglect. Not that she consciously tabulated diese drawbacks during those moments of stress, they were to return to her later. She only knew then diat she
@ must not obey the urgency of her heart. Because she was in pain, she said sweetly: 'I'm sure Eloisa Carvelio will be only too happy to console you, and she has a not inconsiderable dowry. They always say third time lucky.' He swung round as if she had struck him and strode towards her, a blaze of fury on his face. She did not move and her nerves quivered with anticipation, expecting some sort of physical onslaught. Even in anger she would welcome his arms. Inches from her he halted, with difficulty restraining himself, and said coldly: 'Par Dios, Rosa, you hit hard. There, take the money and be gone before I forget myself.' He again turned his back upon her. Mechanically Rosalie gathered up the notes, murmuring that she would consider them a loan, and looked uncertainly at his unresponsive shoulders. 'I will arrange for someone to drive you into Cordoba,' he said without looking round. 'You had better leave at once, there is a train to Madrid this afternoon which you should be able to catch.' 'Thank you, senor.' She hesitated. 'So this is goodbye?' 'Claro, you will have no wish to prolong this impossible situation.' | 'Certainly not. Adios, Don Rafael.' I He turned round, his face a marble mask. I 'Adios, Senorita Smeeth. A pleasant journey.' I She moved slowly towards the door, and he sprang for6 i' 135 ward to open it for her. She was really leaving, she would never see him again. She passed through with bowed head aware that tears had started to her eyes, but she must not let him see her weep. Blinking, she heard him say from behind her: 'It is possible you know that you may have misjudged me,' and heard the door close as he shut it forcibly between them. 136