by Anne Mather
‘Oh, I, see.’ Dallas sipped her vodka cautiously. ‘Surely whatever you have to say to me could have waited until tomorrow.’
‘It could, but I didn’t want to wait so long,’ he replied coolly. He bent over and lifted a thick, long cigar out of a box on the low pine table near the fire. He lit it thoughtfully, and then indicated that she sat down. Dallas shook her head. ‘I’d rather stand.’
Shrugging, he flung himself into a low armchair, the cigar held between his teeth. Dallas thought he had never looked more attractive than he did just then. He was not handsome, his features were too rugged and hard to be called anything so mild as handsome. Instead, he possessed a kind of lean violence, that made Dallas certain that his life had not been the usual cushioned existence of a sybarite. He was used to luxury, it was true, but the character in his features had not been put there by this kind of life. He was hard, not only in character but also as a man, and remembering Charles’s soft hands, the hands of an accountant, she felt repelled. If Alexander Stavros had done nothing else he had made her see that there was more to life than merely living.
He leaned his dark head back against the dark leather upholstery, and studied her lazily, his eyes half closed with weariness.
‘Come here,’ he murmured suddenly.
Dallas stiffened, and shook her head. ‘Please get to the point, Mr. Stavros. If you will say what you’ve got to say we can go.’
He ignored her. ‘Call me Alex. You did this afternoon.’
Dallas turned away, and pretended to be reading the titles of the books lying on a nearby bookcase. For a while there was silence in the cabin, and Dallas grew tired of studying the books. She turned round, slowly, and then stared at Alexander Stavros with annoyance, blended with amusement at herself. He was asleep, still lying there lazily in front of the now-roaring fire, the cigar burning away between his fingers.
Standing down her own drink, she approached the chair, and removed the cigar from his fingers, stubbing it out in an onyx ashtray nearby. Then she looked back at Alexander Stavros. In sleep his features were relaxed and younger, and she looked at him for a long minute. Then she sighed, and taking the chair opposite him she sat down to wait.
It was very cosy in the cabin. The fire lit as well as warmed the room, and getting up, she drew the chintz curtains across the windows, enclosing her in a small world with Alexander Stavros. As she passed his chair again, she looked down at him. It gave her a feeling of contentment somehow, being here with him, like this. She was completely shaken therefore when his fingers suddenly curved round her wrist, pulling her down on top of him.
‘Mr. Stavros!’ she gasped, trying to free herself.
His eyes were sleepily caressing now. ‘Oh, Dallas,’ he murmured passionately, ‘you’re such an adorable creature.’ His mouth slid softly across the skin of the side of her neck.
Dallas shook her head, breathing quickly. ‘Please,’ she said. ‘It’s late.’
‘I know it. And I’m tired. Let’s stay here.’
Dallas shook her head more slowly, aching for him to hold her closer against him, as his mouth found hers, gently at first, but then with increasing ardour. Dallas felt her control slipping. The warmth of the room, their isolation up here, away from the rest of the world, all combined to seduce her state of mind so that it was understandable when she wound her bare arms around his neck, and rejoiced when his voice became husky with emotion, as he murmured in her ear in his own language.
Then, as suddenly, she was free, standing on the hearth in front of the fire, and he was over at the cocktail cabinet pouring himself a drink, whisky this time.
She stood there, shivering, and he turned and looked back at her, leaning against the cabinet as he swallowed his drink slowly. Dallas looked into the fire. She felt terrible. She had never thought of herself as an abandoned woman, but with Alexander Stavros, she was, completely.
He straightened and came across to her. ‘Well?’ he murmured. ‘What are you thinking?'
She looked up. ‘Do you want the truth?’
‘Of course.’
‘Then I was thinking what an idiot I am. And also I’m sorry you found it necessary to ... well, show me how foolishly I was behaving!’ Her voice was stiff, and he groaned, turning away himself.
‘Oh God, Dallas,’ he muttered. ‘What a low opinion you have of yourself! Surely you must know how you disturb me! Right now I want to make love to you! And not the kind of halfhearted petting we have been indulging in!’ Dallas twisted her hands together, trembling a little now. He looked back at her. ‘But contrary to your imaginings, I do not have an affair with every willing girl that comes along.’
He walked to the door. ‘ So come, we go!’
Dallas walked sharply to the door. When they were back in the car, and the cabin was in darkness except for the muted glow of the dying log fire, she said:
‘You never told me why you wanted to speak to me.’
‘No, I never did.’ He nodded. ‘All right. Why are you eating in your chalet? Why don’t you ever come up to the house? And why were you crying this afternoon?’
Dallas shrugged. ‘Your ... your mother prefers it this way, and so do we, actually. It’s no good. No matter how friendly people are, we are only here for a transitory time, and with a purpose. We’re not guests in the accepted sense of the word.’
‘And the other?’
‘This afternoon?’
‘Yes. This afternoon!’
Dallas bit her lip. ‘Oh, it was nothing, really. Maybe I’m too sensitive, but I seem to be putting up with a lot of patronising of late, and I don’t like it.’
‘Is that all?’
‘What else is there?’
‘You tell me.’
‘That’s all.’
He frowned. ‘I don’t believe you.’
‘I can’t make you. Look, I’m cold. Can we go?’
Alexander looked at her angrily, and for a moment she thought he was going to force her to tell him by brute methods. But then he raised his shoulders in a lazy manner, and started the powerful car.
The journey back was accomplished in silence, and Dallas was glad. She didn’t understand him; it was impossible for her to do so. He wanted her, that much she knew, but that was nothing really. He didn’t care for her in any other way. Not like she cared
for him.
She felt a wave of nausea overwhelm her. It was no good fighting against the truth any longer. She wasn’t just attracted to Alexander Stavros; she was in love, with him, hopelessly, helplessly, and irrevocably.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Two days later Jane told her she was going sailing with Andrea.
Dallas looked at her sister anxiously. ‘Sailing? In your condition!’
‘Oh, don’t start that again, Dallas. After all, what’s wrong with sailing anyway, in any condition?’
‘Andrea’s boat, it’s only a sailing vessel!’
‘I know. But it’s a glorious day, and perfect for sailing. He says we won’t go far. Just out in the channel, between here and Viryous.’ Viryous was the neighbouring island where Helen Neroulos’s parents lived.
Since her arrival with Alexander Stavros, Helen had spent little time on her own island, preferring instead to stay at the villa, and the two girls had seen her with Alexander and Nikos, swimming and driving away to go skin-diving. Dallas had not seen Alexander since the night at the cabin, and she could only assume that he was avoiding her. Not that she minded; seeing him was torture anyway.
But now she was faced with the problem of Jane again. ‘Honestly, Jane, I wish you wouldn’t go,’ she said evenly. ‘I mean, what if the boat capsized?’
‘Capsized? In this weather?’ It was a glorious day, with only a gentle breeze tugging at the leaves of the olive trees.
‘Oh, all right.’ Dallas shook her head. ‘I can’t stop you if you’re determined.’
‘That’s for sure,’ said Jane defiantly, and went inside the chalet to collect her things.
Dallas left soon afterwards to go to Paul Stavros’s home for her lessons with Eloise and Estelle, but despite their chatter she could not rid herself of a faint feeling of unease where Jane was
concerned.
When she got back to the chalet, Jane had not returned, but there was a note from her propped up on the table. It said:
‘We’re taking lunch with us. Don’t expect us back before five.’ Dallas sighed, screwed the note up and dropped it into the waste bin. Then she showered and changed into slim-fitting slacks and a long-sleeved chiffon blouse. It was very hot, a kind of humid heat that was unlike anything she had experienced since coming to the island.
She looked up at the sky, and saw that instead of its usual blue it was a kind of yellowish purple, which must surely herald a storm. A storm! Her heart turned over. And Andrea and Jane were out there, sailing!
She looked at her watch. It was almost two o’clock. Surely they would turn for home when the weather changed. But what if they didn’t? What if there was no wind? What if they were stranded somewhere out in the bay?
Yanni arrived with her lunch, but she had no stomach for food. ‘Yanni,’ she said, ‘where is Mr. Stavros? Mr. Alexander Stavros?’
Yanni frowned. ‘He having lunch at the villa,’ he said, nodding comfortably. ‘You want see him?’
Dallas thought of saying ‘yes’, but then changed her mind. If she summoned Alexander Stavros here, it would seem like the cat calling the king. No, she would have to go up to the villa herself, and ask to speak to him.
‘Thank you, Yanni,’ she said. ‘I’ll see about it myself.’
When she reached the villa she entered the entrance hall nervously, and was further dismayed when Madame Stavros came out of the lounge and came to meet her. ‘Yes?’ she said coldly. ‘Can I help you?’
‘No, thank you. I want to speak to Mr. Stavros.’
Madame Stavros compressed her lips. ‘He is busy at the moment. Surely I can deal with it, whatever it is.’
‘I’m afraid not.’ Dallas was firm.
Their voices must have penetrated the dining-room, for a moment later Alexander emerged. Dressed in a polo-necked blue shirt, and close-fitting cream pants, he looked painfully disturbing. His eyes narrowed when he saw Dallas.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, frowning. ‘Dallas, what’s wrong?’ Dallas was so relieved to see him that her voice was warmer than she intended. ‘Andrea has taken Jane sailing,’ she said bluntly. ‘And ... and I think there’s a storm blowing up.’
Alexander stared at her intently. ‘Yes, there is. Crazy fool! God, Mother, does Andrea have no sense?’
Madame Stavros looked bored by the whole business. ‘Actually, I suggested it,’ she replied coldly. ‘Andrea wanted to go sailing. He asked whether it would be suitable to take Jane. I said yes.’
‘You did what!’ Alexander stared ,at her angrily. ‘If anything happens to her, I’ll personally hold you responsible!’
For the first time Dallas saw Madame Stavros disconcerted. Her pale cheeks gathered a little hot colour, and she looked irritatedly at Dallas as though all this were her fault.
‘Don’t talk like that, Alex,’ she said, taking his arm. ‘Nothing is going to happen!’
Alexander shook off her hands, and then Nikos appeared. Dallas had not seen much of him since his return, and she wondered whether Madame Stavros had warned him off, too. Nikos smiled warmly at Dallas, and murmured:
‘What’s this? A family conference?’
Alexander ignored him. He was frowning as he tried to sort out the best thing to do. Then he looked at Dallas and said:
‘I’ll take out the schooner. Nik, you can crew for me. We’ll have to manage alone, unless Helen wants to come, too.’ His eyes were gentle on Dallas. ‘Do you want to come?’
‘May I?’
Madame Stavros was stiff and unyielding, her face a disapproving mask.
‘I think this is a storm over nothing,’ she exclaimed impatiently. ‘Alex darling, you haven’t finished your meal!’
Alexander gave her a long considering look, and she bent her head. Then he turned and walked back into the dining room, presumably to see Helen. Madame Stavros followed him rather more slowly, and Nikos took Dallas’s arm and led her outside.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked softly. ‘Al sure looks mad! ’ Dallas explained as briefly as she could. Then, shifting her thoughts with difficulty, she said: ‘How are you? Long time, no see.’
Nikos grinned. ‘Andyou know why,’ he murmured, darkly, his eyes appraising her thoroughly.
‘I do?’
‘Sure.’ Nikos lit a cigarette. ‘If I step on big brother’s toes, I get my fingers rapped, so I don’t!’
Dallas frowned in amazement. ‘You mean—Alex?’
‘Now don’t tell me you didn’t know.’ Nikos looked disbelieving. ‘Anyway, if you’d just spent two weeks in his company, and suffered the knife-edge of his tongue on more than one occasion, simply because some girl was riding him, you’d see my point.’
Dallas shook her head. ‘I’m not that girl,’ she said definitely.
‘No?’ He shrugged. ‘Well, why did I get the “hands off’ treatment?’
Dallas was incredulous. ‘I don’t know.’
Nikos gave her a sardonic look. ‘Oh, well, as I said, I’m all for the peaceful life.’ He smiled. ‘But believe me, it was not my idea.’
‘I thought it was your mother’s,’ exclaimed Dallas impulsively.
‘Did you? Well, believe me, honey, Alex was letting some woman bug him while we were away, and the night before we left he came home in one hell of a temper. And he had been with you, hadn’t he? My mother knew that!’
Dallas felt hot all over. This explained a lot of things; particularly Madame Stavros’s preoccupation with telling her
who was coming home with Alexander.
Then behind them were footsteps and Alexander appeared accompanied by Helen Neroulos. She was wearing a tangerine-coloured slack suit, and looked as elegant and sophisticated as ever. She smiled condescendingly at Dallas, and said: ‘So we meet again, Miss Collins. It seems your life is a series of crises!’
Nikos grinned at Dallas at this, and took the sting out of Helen’s words. Dallas managed to smile back at him, and then they went down the steps and round to the side of the house where a low-slung convertible was parked.
The schooner Athena was long and luxurious; two-masted, and compact enough for four persons. There were two cabins and a galley, as well as a small bathroom. Alexander did not use the sails, but instead started the vessel’s motor and turned it out into the bay.
Already the sea was green and choppy, and Dallas felt her empty stomach begin to churn a little. She had never tested her reactions to rough water, her trips across the Channel being confined to calm weather. It was only a small vessel, compared to these pleasure cruisers, and she felt very tense and frightened.
All the fishing boats and the sloops and caiques were making for the harbour. They were the only ones heading out. Dallas leaned on the rail, concentrating on the horizon. She had heard that this relieved seasickness. Nikos came to lean beside her, smiling at her tense features.
‘Relax,’ he said smilingly. ‘They’ll be okay. It’s you I’m worried about. ’
Dallas managed a faint smile, wondering frantically what she would do if she was sick. It would be terrible to make a fool of herself in front of Helen Neroulos, who was standing beside Alexander in the wheel-house quite casually, looking as though she was used to any kind of weather conditions.
But their journey seemed to be in vain. There was no sign of Jane and Andrea and the yacht, and Alexander looked a trifle disturbed now. Nikos had left Dallas to go and make some coffee, and Alexander came to take his place, leaving Helen in
charge of the wheel. He studied her pale cheeks and said:
‘You’re feeling rotten, aren’t you?’
Dallas nodded, tightening her fingers on the rail.
Dallas grimaced. ‘Oh, I didn’t know I was going to feel like this,’ she said shakily. ‘I’ve never sailed in rough seas before.’
He grinned at this, and leaned his back against the rail beside her, resting his elbows on the bar. ‘You’re perfectly safe, you know,’ he said gently. ‘We won’t capsize, or anything like that.’
‘That’s a great relief,’ murmured Dallas dryly, and he shrugged and walked away.
Dallas was not actually sick, but she was wonderfully relieved when at last they returned to the harbour. It had started to rain now, and the wind was sending the clouds racing across the sky. She looked worriedly at Alexander, and he said:
‘Don’t worry yet. The fact that we’ve not seen them is a good thing.’
‘Or very bad,’ remarked Helen thoughtlessly.
But on the quay, Madame Stavros waited in the dark limousine that Alexander had used the night he took Dallas up to the lodge in the hills. She slid out at their appearance, and waved vigorously.
Alexander looked at Dallas. ‘She has news,’ he said, ‘and it’s obviously good news or she wouldn’t be here.’
‘Thank goodness! ’ murmured Dallas fervently.
When they reached Madame Stavros she wasted no time in telling them what had happened. ‘When the weather changed they went into the harbour at Viryous. Helen’s mother has just telephoned to say they are there. Perfectly all right, and staying for dinner. If the weather doesn’t change, they’ll stay overnight. ’
‘Oh, that’s a relief! ’ Dallas pressed a hand to her stomach.
Madame Stavros looked at her coldly. ‘You see, Miss Collins, there was no need for such dramatics,’ she said.
Dallas shook her head, but Alexander’s eyes were cold as he looked at his mother. ‘That hardly alters the fact that it could have been potentially dangerous,’ he said. ‘Dallas was right to come and tell me.’
Nikos nudged her gently in the small of her back, and Dallas moved quickly away from him.
‘Come,’ said Alexander. ‘We can go back now. It is no use standing here, getting soaked. ’
