Dangerous Friendship

by Anne Hampson

  His eyes flickered from June to Lena, remaining impassively on her face.

  ‘You obviously appreciate the beauty of flowers, Miss Ridgeway,’ he commented suavely. ‘You must come in the daytime. We’ll fix something later. Meanwhile, you’ll have to excuse me; I see another couple of guests have arrived.’

  He went away, but five minutes later he had joined them on the terrace. Gerald was with them and the four sat and chatted for some time before Kane said.

  ‘The food’s ready, I believe. Do help yourselves.’ He and Gerald strolled away together; June and Lena followed slowly and eventually the two men were no longer to be seen.

  ‘This girl—Magda,’ ventured Lena at length, hoping that June would not notice her interest in Kane’s friend, ‘she isn’t here, apparently.’

  ‘She’ll come. Magda’s one of those people who deliberately arrive late so as to make an “entrance”, but what she seems to have forgotten this time is that at a barbecue people tend not to notice new arrivals simply because everyone’s mingling with everyone else, and secondly, because the light isn’t all that good. My, but there’s a nice large crowd here tonight!’ she went on, changing the subject. ‘Before we eat I’ll introduce you to Phil and Janey Thorsby; they keep the general store in town. And there’s the president of the Yacht Club and his wife. They’re great people!’

  As Mr and Mrs Burnett were already approaching the spot where the girls stood, by a hedge of perfumed acacias, June introduced them and the four stood chatting for a while under the trees.

  ‘So you’re on holiday here?’ Mrs Burnett, tall and distinguished-looking with her firm features and iron-grey hair, smiled at Lena in the most friendly way. ‘And how do you like our country?’

  ‘It’s beautiful,’ was Lena’s enthusiastic rejoinder, ‘what bit I’ve seen of it, that is.’

  ‘Lena’s crazy about flowers,’ put in June. ‘She’s going to transform our sorry little plot to something rather grand.’

  ‘No,’ exclaimed Lena with a slight rise of colour to her checks. ‘I’m merely pottering, Mrs Burnett. Take no notice of what June says.’

  ‘Well,’ interposed Mr Burnett, ‘you should get plenty of ideas here—’ He swept a hand, embracing the immediate scene of trees and shrubs and the medley of exotic plants whose perfume filled the still, crystal air. ‘I’m afraid many of us have pinched ideas from this incredibly lovely place.’ He stopped as one of Kane’s dusky houseboys appeared beside him with a tray of sparkling glasses.

  ‘You like a drink, baas?’ he asked, at which Mr Burnett flicked a linger, indicating that he should ask the ladies first. ‘Yes, baas,’ grinned the boy, obeying the unspoken command and serving Mrs Burnett and the two girls before returning to Mr Burnett.

  ‘What a pleasant occasion.’ Mr Burnett glanced around, glass in hand. ‘How is it that Kane always makes such a roaring success of everything he does?’

  ‘Because he’s efficient, darling,’ from his wife, with a smile. ‘His plans are always made with such meticulous care.’

  ‘A paragon of all the virtues as well as being easy on the eyes!’ whispered June with a grin when both Mr and Mrs Burnett turned to acknowledge a greeting from two members of the Yacht Club.

  ‘You must bring Lena along to our next dance,’ smiled Mr Burnett when presently he and his wife were preparing to stroll away towards some friends who were obviously waiting for them. ‘I’ll see that you receive a written invitation.’

  ‘Thank you,’ returned Lena. ‘You’re very kind.’

  ‘Not at all. We like to make visitors welcome—so that they’ll come again,’ he added with a benign little twinkle to his eye. ‘You see, we rather welcome having people come to visit us.’

  Phil and Janey proved to be equally charming, although much younger than the Burnetts. Janey, dark and rather plump, was a Scot, having met Phil when he was at the university in Edinburgh. She and he had been married for almost five years and for four of those they had kept the shop, having decided to leave their farm—which was small and, therefore, not profitable to run—and take over the shop from the people who were retiring.

  ‘Come in when you’re in town,’ Janey invited Lena eagerly. ‘You don’t have to buy anything; just pop in for a chat!’

  ‘What friendly people,’ Lena was saying when at last she and June were making for the place where the food was being prepared, by Kane’s houseboys and other servants. ‘I shan’t want to leave; that’s for sure!’

  ‘You won’t?’

  The two girls turned—to look up into the bronzed unsmiling face of their host.

  ‘Lena’s charmed with our country,’ laughed June. ‘I think we shall have to find her a husband, don’t you, Kane?’ The three were strolling along together now. Kane glanced down into Lena’s face.

  ‘There aren’t many unattached men around here, I’m afraid,’ he said.

  ‘What about Rex Lloyd—and his brother, for that matter?’

  ‘Stephen? He’s at least thirty-five. Far too old for Miss Ridgeway.’

  Lena lowered her eyes. Kane was thirty-five… she was thinking that this was a most attractive age indeed for a man. With Kane—well, he possessed all the maturity that made for wisdom and efficiency, while at the same time being young enough to enjoy life to the full.

  ‘I wouldn’t call thirty-five old,’ returned June.

  ‘I didn’t say it was. I did say that Stephen was too old for Miss Ridgeway.’

  How old, wondered Lena, was Magda?

  ‘What about Rex, then?’ from June roguishly. But Lena, becoming embarrassed by what to June was obviously fun, broke in to say,

  ‘I’m not looking for a husband, June. I like my single state.’ Which was quite true, of course. Not that she imagined remaining single all her life. One day, perhaps in the far distant future, her ideal would come along and, if he happened to be as attractive to her as he was to him, then she would marry. Now, however, she was thoroughly enjoying the life that had been made possible through the generosity of June and Gerald, and had no intention of becoming involved in anything which could disturb this most peaceful and pleasant existence.

  ‘Every single woman is looking for a husband.’ This, spoken in tones of sardonic conviction, came from Kane, and Lena glanced swiftly up at him, her colour fluctuating. A retort left her lips before she could prevent it.

  ‘No such thing, Mr Westbrook! How have you reached a conclusion like that?’ Her rush of anger, although not particularly emphasized, was plainly evident, and it surprised him.

  ‘You’re certainly touchy about it,’ he remarked.

  Feeling that it was time she intervened, June laughingly declared that she was hungry and pleaded that—if they must begin an argument—it should be left in obeyance for the time being. At which Kane responded to her laugh and, taking the arms of both girls, he steered them across the wide velvet lawn to where, under a canopy of yellowwoods, the cooking-stoves were glowing red.

  People stood around, plates in hand, chatting and laughing while they waited to be served with sizzling cutlets or crisp brown portions of chicken. On nearby tables were to be found all the necessary garnishings. and numerous cold dishes besides.

  Having seen that the two girls had all they required, and having found them a vacant table under a mango tree from whose branches hung several red and yellow lanterns, Kane said with his customary conventional politeness,

  ‘I’m sorry to leave you, but I see that another guest has arrived,’ and he gave a slight inclination of his shoulders before moving away, Lena’s brown eyes following his tall figure as it took the direction that brought him up to the girl who had just arrived.

  ‘Magda,’ said June unnecessarily. It couldn’t be anyone else, thought Lena, noting the ash-blonde hair, gleaming in the moonlight. ‘Just take an eyeful of what she’s got on!’

  A slinky black trouser suit made from material in which numerous silver threads glinted. Collar, cuffs and pockets glittered even brighter,
trimmed as they were with sequins. The girl’s hair was immaculately coiffured, drawn back tightly with a plait going over the top of her head.

  ‘She looks most attractive,’ Lena had to admit. ‘Her outfit must have cost a fortune.’

  June nodded, saying that Magda had recently spent a few days in Johannesburg and, therefore, had probably bought the trouser suit there.

  ‘It isn’t the thing for a barbecue, though,’ added June with a hint of spite not unmingled with envy. ‘It’s more suitable for the events that go on at the Club.’

  ‘I’m very much looking forward to going to the Club.’

  ‘You certainly get to know people. There’s a small town community, and they started the Club originally, as a means of social fusing, as it were. However, all the far-flung farmers and timber growers began attending the functions, and now we’re all members.’

  ‘Shall I have to become a member?’

  ‘It would be a good idea, if you’re staying any length of time. Meanwhile, you can be our guest.’

  ‘The Yacht Club,’ murmured Lena, her eyes wandering again to the couple who, having greeted each other with smiles, were now strolling towards the table at which Lena and June were sitting, ‘where is it?’

  ‘On a very wide part of the river, about five miles west of the town.’

  ‘Does Kane have a yacht?’

  ‘Not now. He used to own one, though.’

  Lena tried to imagine him in nautical clothes, sailing a graceful vessel along the river. It was not difficult to bring such a picture into focus.

  ‘Kane’s coming over…’

  ‘You’re in for the doubtful pleasure of meeting his girl-friend.’

  ‘Hello, June.’ Magda’s effusive greeting came forth at the same time as Kane’s.

  ‘Miss Ridgeway, may I introduce you to Magda Sanborn—a friend of mine whose uncle runs Wisel Farm, which is located on the other side of Fontein ville.’

  ‘How do you do?’ Lena glanced up at the girl, admitting to her glowing perfection. Magda looked down indifferently as she responded to Lena’s softly-spoken words.

  ‘Miss Ridgeway’s staying with June and Gerald for a while,’ explained Kane.

  ‘You’re on holiday?’ A perfunctory smile accompanied Magda’s question. ‘How long for?’

  ‘I don’t know. I haven’t any ties in England, so I can stay as long as I like.’ Not without working, though, thought Lena. A few weeks was all right, but should she want to stay on then she would have to begin contributing something to the grocery bill.

  ‘You’re very fortunate.’ The girl’s manner, though pleasant enough, was somehow lacking in sincerity. Lena gained the impression that she had been branded colourless by the golden girl who, with a sudden possessive movement, had slipped her arm through Kane’s. ‘I hope you enjoy your stay,’ Magda thought to add before she and Kane moved away, to stand chatting with Mr and Mrs Burnett who were over by the table on which was spread an exciting array of sweets and pastries made by Kane’s most excellent cook, an African who had learned his trade from a London-trained cook who had worked for Kane several years previously. Joseph had almost from the first excelled his predecessor.

  Lena watched, then the couple moved away; the next time she caught sight of them they were disappearing into the darkness of the wooded enclosure on the far side of the grounds…

  ‘Ah, here’s the young man I was talking about!’ June’s cheerful exclamation brought Lena’s eyes back from the place where she had last seen Kane and his girl-friend. ‘Rex Llovd.’

  Coming up to the table, the young man smilingly asked if he could join them.

  ‘But of course.’ June’s ready permission being fol lowed by the introduction, Lena found herself being subjected to a stare of rather keen interest as Rex Lloyd took possession of the vacant chair. A citrus grower, he lived at Dakana Farm with his brother and sister. Both were on a visit to friends at present, Rex explained, and so he was on his own this evening.

  ‘Well, you can have company now,’ from June with a smile. ‘Lena’s willing to keep you company, aren’t you?’

  Lena said yes—simply because she could scarcely say no.

  However, as Rex was not in any way unattractive it was no hardship to have his company, she thought when, later, she and he were walking in the grounds. Dark-haired and handsome in a rugged sort of way, he made no attempt to conceal the fact that Lena appealed to him.

  ‘It’s good to know you’re staying for a while, Lena.’ His voice was eager as he went on to invite her over to Dakana Farm. ‘We’re having a small dinner party for my sister’s birthday; it’s on Wednesday week. You’ll come?’

  She hesitated, but not for long.

  ‘Yes, I’d love to—and thank you very much for asking me,’ she returned with a smile. However, as time passed and it looked as if he intended to monopolize her she made an excuse and went over to rejoin June and Gerald. Within seconds Kane came to join them.

  ‘You’re enjoying yourself?’ he inquired of Lena politely.

  ‘Very much, thank you, Mr Westbrook.’ She was shy all at once, and he seemed to know it, for a shaft of a smile touched his lips.

  ‘And you, June?’ he said, his glance including her husband.

  ‘Of course—as always,’ returned June. ‘How do you do it, Kane? If we gave a barbecue it wouldn’t be a success like this!’

  ‘Nonsense! If your dinner-party the other week was anything to go by you’d certainly make a success of a barbecue.’

  Lena looked up at him with her big expressive eyes. Here was a side to him that was definitely attractive.

  ‘You’re being kind, but—’

  ‘No such thing, June.’ He turned to Gerald. ‘You shouldn’t allow her to talk like that,’ he said. ‘June is an excellent hostess.’

  ‘Allow!’ June seized on that, as Lena had suspectcd she would—although she had not thought that she would actually voice her complaint of its use. ‘What an old-fashioned word to use in that particular context, Kane. You sound like an autocratic Victorian husband!’

  He laughed—and Lena caught her breath. The man’s attractions were becoming more noticeably apparent to her. It seemed difficult that on first having him described to her by June, she had decided that his character was far from pleasant. His eyes were also laughing as they moved to Lena’s upturned face, their attention caught because of her fixed unblinking stare. She flushed and glanced away, recalling the revelation that had come to her on the evening of the day he had rescued her from the river. She had known that at some unremembered moment, a strange stirring of her senses had occurred. She now felt a similar sensation—but this time she would be able to recall it without the least difficulty.

  ‘Autocratic?’ he repeated at last, pausing to consider the word. ‘Are you really serious?’ he asked, surprising them all.

  ‘Of course!’ June looked saucily at him. ‘Why the pained expression?’ she went on intrepidly. ‘You must know your own character!’

  ‘June,’ protested Gerald, ‘you’re going beyond the boundary of politeness!’

  ‘Am I?’ The question was addressed to Kane. Glancing at Gerald, Lena saw at once that he was uncomfortable, although she could not see why he should be, for June wasn’t being rude to her host. Gerald ought to know his wife’s ways by now, she thought.

  ‘No,’ answered Kane, but with a sort of studied politeness which was difficult to interpret.

  ‘June,’ interposed Gerald, glancing round. ‘I believe Mary and James Brownlow are wanting us.’

  ‘Oh…’ June turned her head. ‘They are?’ She looked up at Kane. ‘Would you excuse us?’

  He nodded, his eyes following the couple as they strolled away, and then he turned to Lena.

  ‘How about something to eat?’ he suggested. ‘Or have you had all you want?’

  ‘No—I do feel a bit hungry.’ Awkwardness swept over her at being alone with him. ‘I did have something earlier, as you know, but—’
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  ‘Come along, then,’ he broke in, as if he sensed her awkwardness and wished to dispel it. ‘We’ll find a place to sit—over there, under the trees.’ She trotted to keep pace with him as he strode towards the cooking-stoves. Dark-skinned women served Lena with sausages and mushrooms, while Kane had a couple of chicken legs. They sat under the trees, their plates on their knees. Lights and music and perfumes gave the whole scene a romantic quality. Lena looked at her companion’s aristocratic profile and wondered if he were thinking of Magda.

  ‘As I was saying, you must come over during the daytime.’ Kane turned his head as he spoke; she saw the hint of a smile that touched his lips. ‘How about tomorrow afternoon?’

  ‘That’ll be lovely!’ The sudden eagerness in her voice was reflected in her eyes and she saw again that he was regarding her with interest. ‘Thank you very much for asking me.’

  ‘It’s always a pleasure to me when someone shows appreciation of the gardens of Koranna Lodge. I myself can claim very little credit for what they are today. My grandfather was an enthusiast where flowers were concerned; he intended that these grounds should become a showpiece.’

  ‘He succeeded,’ she returned without hesitation. ‘I think he must have been a—a…’ She let her voice trail away to silence, and Kane, perceptively guessing why, was urged to prompt her.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Oh—er—nothing.’ She coloured, and secretly hoped that the shadows caused by the foliage of the trees would overset the lights that twinkled among the branches. She had no wish that he should note her rising colour.

  ‘I believe that you were going to voice the opinion that my grandfather was an extraordinary person.’

  She nodded her head.

  ‘Yes, I was.’

  ‘Then why did you hesitate?’

  ‘It seemed an impertinence to voice that opinion. After all, I’m a stranger to you.’

  ‘A stranger?’ with a quizzical lift of his brows. ‘Not quite, I think.’

  She swallowed, her feelings very mixed indeed. Overawed by his powerful personality and general air of superiority, she felt she would have welcomed an intrusion by one or other of the guests. And yet, on the other hand, she had a subconscious desire to be alone with him, to have his entire attention to herself. Deciding that the ideal would be for her to feel totally at her ease with him, she endeavoured to inject some measure of confidence into her voice when next she spoke, changing the subject as she referred to her projected visit of the following afternoon.