The Master of Barracuda Isle

by Hilary Wilde

  CHAPTER NINE

  JAN'S letter lay on the hall table until Wednesday. Not that it really worried her because it had not yet been posted, as there was plenty of time. The house seemed quiet with the weekend visitors gone, but Sara^ seemed far more relaxed and kept including Esther in their afternoons and evenings. "No good moping, Jan," Sara said on Tuesday evening. "You have to learn to live with itor so they say." Jan had to smile. "Hark at Gran talking!" "You learn a lot at boarding school, you know. Jan, I have an idea I have a crush on Rab." "He's a darling, but..." Sara was sprawled on the sheepskin rug in the lounge, listening to the latest pop tunes. "But... I know. Don't worry, I'm going to see the world and sow my wild oats before I settle down and marry. Do you think I'd make a good model, Jan?" She jumped up, walking round the room with mincing steps and laughing. "Frankly," Jan said; she was also laughing. "No," Sara agreed. "Well, Ludovic and I were talking before he left, when he congratulated me on growing upI told you about that, didn't I ? He asked me if I had any ambitions and I said just to have fun and he thought it a good idea, but he said I'd need a job or something as a girl with my intelligence would be bored to tears, with nothing to do. Think he's right, Jan?" Jan nodded. "I think so, but it depends where you are. I could stay here, doing nothing, and not be bored." "Ah!" Sara laughed. She lay down on the rug again. "But that's different The island means much more to you than just an island. It's Ludovic's home." 166

  "I suppose so," Jan sighed. "Have you any idea what work you'd like to do ?" "I'm thinking about it, very seriously. You see, I'm good at languages. Maybe I could be a courier, an air hostess or something. Anyhow, Ludovic asked me if I'd like to go to a college or something in Paris. I ask you, Jan. Wouldn't that be thrilling?" The door opened and Barry stood there. "I've just heard from the master," Barry said; he was in one of his formal moods. "He's coming up tomorrow, so I wondered if you wished to come with me to meet him." Sara sat up. "Don't think so, thanks, Barry. But perhaps you would, Jan?" She turned to Jan, her eyes amused. Just like her uncle's, Jan thought. ' She shook her head. "No, thanks. Why's he coming back again so soon? He only went the other day." Barry shrugged. "The master doesn't have to explain his actions." "Barry, shut up about the master. How about you and Esther coming and listening to my new records?" Sara asked. He pulled a wry face. "That tripe? No, thanks!" "Barry," Jan said quickly, "you won't forget to take my letter tomorrow? It's important." Barry stiffened. "I never forget letters," he said, and left the room. Sara laughed. "You've hurt his feelings, Jan." "I didn't mean to, but it is an important letter." "I know." "I wonder what time Ludovic's coming," Jan mused. "Late afternoon, I expect, as he usually does," Sara told her. But it was early afternoon this time, for the next day they fossicked with Rab in the morning and had only just finished lunch and gone out to the balcony for coffee when they heard the clatter of hooves and the carriage appeared. 167

  "Who's he bringing with him?" Sara asked, leaning forward to try and see. Jan's heart seemed to skip a beat It could only be Amanda! But it wasn't. It was Jarvis. She stood up as Jarvis came towards the house. The moment of truth had come sooner than ^she had expected. Ludovic followed him, with his briefcase, a smile playing round his mouth. Jarvis pushed open the swinging door. "Hi," he said, looking at his sister and then at Jan. At that moment Ludovic followed him on to the verandah. "Jan, isn't it wonderful?" grinned Jarvis, striding towards her and putting his arms round her and kissing her. She moved away quickly. "Wonderful?" He caught hold of her hand and swung it gently. "Yes, I mean about the wedding. We never thought they'd agree, did we?" She stared at him. Was he trying to tell her that he wanted her to go on playing the game, as obviously it was not the moment for confession? "No, we didn't," she said, trying to quietly release her hand, but his fingers held it firmly. Ludovic spoke for the first time. "I'm sure you two have a lot to discuss. Why not take her for a walk along the lagoon, Jarvis ?" "Super idea. Uncle." Jarvis turned and grinned. "Come on, Jan, we've so much to talk about." There was nothing she could do; in fact, she wanted to be alone with him in order to get the whole matter settled, so she went. Jarvis pulled her so fast down the slope to the lagoon that she was breathless by the time they got there. She glanced up, but they couldn't be seen from the house, as a group of palms stood in the way. This was not where Ludovic and Amanda had stood, that night when he had kissed her, Jan thought. "Why are you looking so shocked, Jan?" Jarvis asked, sitting on the sand, pulling her down by his side. 168

  "Not shocked, puzzled. How long must this farce go on, Jarvis?" "Farce?" he frowned. "I don't dig it." "I mean, this pretending that you love me and want me to marry you...." "What do you mean, pretending?" Jarvis asked. Jan turned round, startled. "But we are pretending." He looked at her, and he wasn't smiling. "Who said we were pretending?" "Jarvis, are you out of your mind? There was never anything between us." "Wasn't there? Yet you came up here to meet my mother?" "But... but look, Jarvis, I knew you wanted me to pretend because you thought they'd disapprove of Felicity." Jan's voice rose. "Who told you that?" Jarvis frowned. "I don't understand. You mean all the time you've been up here. it was to..." "Help you, Jarvis. Felicity is so young, only seventeen, so I knew if Ludovicyour uncle, I meandisapproved of me for my age group, I knew he'd be even more against Felicity. I thought that was why you'd told your mother you loved me." "You thought... ! No one told you!" "Jarvis, please." Jan was getting flustered. "Look, you and Felicity fell in love in England, you asked her to come out here so you could both decide if it was serious. I've just heard from Mum, she says Felicity is back in Sydney and you both seem even more in love than ever." "Seem," he said. "And don't forget Felicity sent the letter." . Jan stared at him in real dismay. "But you can't... I mean, you don't... you couldn't ... I mean...." "Just what do you mean?" His cold voice reminded her still more of Ludovic. Jarvis could only be joking, she told herself, for he was teasing her, like his uncle. 169

  "You love Felicity." "Do I? Shouldn't I be the one to know that?" "But, Jarvis...." She leant back against her hands, feeling exhausted. He knelt and turned to look at her. "You listen for a change. What reason is there to stop me from loving you? You're quite a dish." He smiled, "You're brainy, far wittier than Felicity. You're more mature, for one thing. For another, what about her ambitious future? Think a husband can fit in with that? Surely, Jan, there's no reason why such a marriage as ours shouldn't be a success? Responsibility will make a man out of me, as Uncle pointed out, somewhat belatedly." Jarvis smiled for a moment. "We're fond of one another. You are, aren't you ?" She stared at him. "I am. I do like you, but... Jarvis, that isn't love. It wouldn't work." "It mightif there was no other man. There isn't, is there?" He startled her, seizing her by the shoulders and staring closely into her face. She forced herself to stare back at him, hoping her eyes wouldn't betray her. "Of course not, Jarvis. Who could there be?" she asked. "Then I see no reason why the wedding shouldn't go on. Love often comes after wedding bells have rung." "I don't see how it can," Jan said desperately. He let her go and stood up. "Well, let's forget it for a while and just have fun. I need a holiday after all my hard woA." He pulled her to her feet. "But, Jarvis, we must tell Ludovic." "We can't do that." "But we must," Jan insisted. Jarvis looked at her. "All right, if you insist." She felt suddenly limp with relief. "Thank you, Jarvis. I know it won't be easy, for either of us, but..." 170

  "We'd better go up to the house, then," he said, and led the way, his shoulders hunched, his face sad. It worried her, so she hurried to catch him up and slipped her hand through his arm. "Jarvis, please, you don't really love me, do you?" He stared at her. "Don't I?" he asked. "You seem to know best." He walked away, hurrying to the house, as if as eager as she was to clear up the mess they had got in. But was he telling the truth? she wondered. Had she been an absolute fool all the time? Sara was on the verandah. She greeted them with a grin. "Well, Jarvis, I never expected this of you!" Jarvis smiled ruefully. "It's amazing what a delectable dolly can do to a man. Where's Uncle?" "Oh, he's gone," Sar
a said casually, picking up the magazine she had been reading. Jan leant against the door. "Gone? Already? But..." Sara picked up an apple from the bowl on the table. "Yes, you'd just run off when a phone call came through. Something urgent has happened, so Barry's rushing him back to the mainland. Luckily Uncle has his own plane, so he's not dependeirt." Jan sank into one of the chairs. She was conscious that she was both disappointed and relieved. She had not been looking forward to the moment of confrontation with Ludovicyet at the same time, the longer it was postponed, the harder it would be to do. Jarvis vanished into the house and Sara looked at Jan. "Neither of you look very happy," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, Sara, it isn't funny. I just don't know what to think." "Then ask Gran's advice. What happened?" Jan told her. "I can't believe it's me he loves," she finished. i7i

  Sara whistled softly. "That really is a spanner in the works, Jan. Think Jarvis means it?" "I don't see how he can. We were only friends. He was kind to me." "That doesn't sound like Jarvis." "Well," Jan said, "I'm Felicity's sister and I was sure...." "You were sure?" "Oh, that's what Jarvis said. What a mess I've got us into!" "But you said your mother had a letter from Felicity saying they were more than ever in love?" Jan shook her head. "I didn't actually say that. Mum wrote 'it sounds as though they're very much in love.'" "But she's only got Felicity's side of it, Jan." "That's what Jarvis said. Oh, Sara, I can't bear it if I have to hurt Jarvis. He wants the wedding to go on. He said you often loved people after the wedding bells had rung." "I wonder what book he's been reading, Jan. Yet in a way I suppose it's true. Look at the countries where marriages are arranged. People seem happy enough." "Seem being the objective word," Jan said bitterly. "It wouldn't work. Jarvis and I aren't right for one another." Sara leaned forward, her voice soft. "Are you sure? Isn't that just because you love Ludovic? You know you haven't a hope there, so why not marry Jarvis and try to find happiness?" Jan stared at her in horror "Marry Jarvis just because I...." "Need someone to love. That's what you need, Jan, make no mistake. I think you could be happy together and I'd love you for a sister-in-law." "But that's daft!" Jan stood up and went to the door, staring at but not seeing the island's beauty. "I couldn't, Sara. I just couldn't!" Sara sighed. "Ah well, you're the one involved. It's 173 just tough on poor Jarvis. I suppose we'd better behave as if nothing's happened, as we can't do anything until Ludovic comes back." Jan swung round. "And then?" Sara looked at her. "You'll have to tell him." "I know," Jan said, and escaped to her usual sanctuary, her bedroom. There she sat, staring into space, as she tried to sort out her confused thoughts. Had she led Jarvis to believe that she loved him? she asked herself first. She was sure she hadn't, she tried to comfort herself by deciding. Then there was the chance that he wasn't telling the truth, that he was doing a Ludovic-trick, to make her feel and look a fool. Or could it be a sort of red herring or shield that Jarvis was using, she wondered, planning to elope later with Felicity and defying his uncle? Yet if that was so, surely he could have confided in Felicity's sister? She stood up wearily. She couldn't answer the questions, so it was a waste of time to brood. She'd have a shower, she decided, and as soon as Ludovic returned, she would tell him the truth. i73

  CHAPTER TEN

  OF course it was easy enough to make a decision, but sometimes impossible to carry it out, and in this case, Jan's trouble was that Ludovic made no reappearance. She couldn't understand it as Friday passed and there was not even a message from Ludovic. He had not phoned Barry, yet never before had he missed coming on a Friday. "I wonder where he is," Jan said, without thinking. Jarvis glanced at her. "With his girl-friend, I expect." ."Amanda?" Jan asked. He shrugged. "Could be. He has quite a harem, has my handsome uncle." They were having dinner and Jan thought how fortunate it was that in this awkward situation Jarvis was being so helpful, for he had done what he suggested, postponed all discussion of the wedding and, like her, she imagined, was waiting for Ludovic to appear. Jarvis treated her as he had always done, ever since the day Felicity had met him in Lewes and brought him home. Friendly, always joking, planning a game or outing, he and Sara got on remarkably well for a brother and sister, Jan thought. Jarvis also insisted that the Ryders join in and share the fun. Sometimes they danced, or played canasta, but not once did he say anything to Jan about their future, and finally she cornered him. "Jarvis, I must talk to you," she said. She felt she had to straighten something that worried her. They were alone on the verandah. He looked at her. He was very unlike his uncle, she thought. Tall, thin, wearing modern gear, as he called it, tight blue cotton jeans, with a yellow shirt and a white cravat tied round his neck. His hairwas cut short and his eyeswaryas he stared at her. 174

  "So what?" "What about Felicity?" Jan asked. "Is this fair to her?" "Is what fair?" He sat up, a half-smile appearing round his mouth. "Well, all this..." Jan waved her hand vaguely. "I know she's in Sydney. Does she know you're up here ?" "Of course. I told her." "She didn't mind?" Remembering Felicity's jealousy, Jan couldn't understand it. Jarvis shrugged. "Why should she?" "But... oh, Jarvis, she loves you." "Does she?" He sounded disinterested and stood up. "I thought we agreed to forget the whole thing until my uncle gets here. He'll settle everything." Jan stood up, too, her cheeks suddenly hot. "What do you mean?" "Look," Jarvis spoke very patiently, "my uncle is the 'Master of Barracuda Isle'. You agree? Well, what he says goes. If he says the wedding must go on, it'll have to." "It will not!" Jan said angrily. "I'll not be bullied into a marriage that can only ruin our lives." "But why should it ruin our lives?" Jarvis asked quietly. "Uncle Ludovic is always right and what he decides, I'll agree with." "He can't make us...." Jan turned away, so angry she found it hard to speak. "After all, he's only a man. He has no right to rule our lives, to be a dictator and lay down laws. I'll tell him so." Jarvis laughed. "I should. He'll enjoy it." Her tears were perilously near as she glared at him. "Are all Australians like you two? You treat us girls as if we don't matter. So long as you're the bosses, that's atl you care." "Of course it is." Jarvis sounded surprised. "Isn't that what a man is for?" 175

  He opened the door to the -garden and left her alone. She sat down as the anger swept through her. Isn't that what a man is for? Jarvis had said. Wasn't that exactly the way Ludovic always behaved? Well, she was one woman who was not going to lie down meekly and obey him! She.... She tried to calm herself down, for the anger wouldn't get her anywhere at all. There was no real problem, she told herself sternly, and pulled the vase of lovely jasmine-scented white flowers towards her. No problem. All she had to do was to tell Ludovic the truth, apologise and explain that Jarvis must have misunderstood and then she would go. It was as simple as that. She was sure Ludovic was only waiting for such a showdown, but he was determined to humiliate her so that he was putting on the pressure to make her feel trapped. Ludovic's macabre sense of humour might even make him continue with this farce right to the altar in order to make her lose face and have to admit what an idiot she had been. That was all he wanted. Toas the Australians called itcut her down to size. Yet how could the Ludovic she loved, be so mean and so cruel? It didn't make sense. But then nothing on this lovely island, so green with its beautiful bushes, so bright in colour with its lovely flowers, so serene, so... She swallowed. It was so beautiful, yet nothing seemed to make sense here. On Sunday morning, Jarvis decided to go fishing with Barry. "No message from Uncle, so Barry is free. How about coming?" Jarvis asked the girls. Sara thought it a wonderful idea, but Jan excused herself out of it, pleading a squeamish feeling that the sea was too rough."Don't be chicken," Jarvis teased, but Sara took Jan's side. "It's ghastly being seasick, so I don't blame you, Jan. See you later." 176

  Jan waved them goodbye and sat alone on the verandah, pretending to read. But she could not concentrate. Why hadn't Ludovic come up the day before? she kept asking herself. Maybe he was ill, she thought worriedly, or was he deliberately leaving her in this awkward situation to put the pressure on still harder? How quiet everything was. She noticed as she looked round that everything reminded her o
f Ludovic. She could not forget him, but how was she going to bear what lay ahead of her when she left the island for ever ? Suddenly she knew she could not just sit there, so she changed into white shorts and a yellow shirt, and went outside. The lagoon by the house was very still, the huge waves breaking against the reef on the other side. It was no fun to stay there alone, for she was thinking too much. Thinking, that got her nowhere, she knew that! So she decided to walk through to the other lagoon. She could wait there for Sara and Jarvis to return and might even find some shells for Rab. Of course, as it was Sunday he wouldn't be there. However, she walked on, taking the beauty of the small birds for granted, not giving the sleeping flying foxes a glance, for she could think of one thing alone and the words sounded in her head with the awful regularity of a clock ticking. If only ...if only ...if only ...if only. A stupid thing to think, she told herself, but the words went on and on: // only ...if only....And then she saw Rab. He was wearing a thin cotton suit and standing by the small jetty, not fossicking for once. She shouted and waved and he came hurrying towards her. "I thought you wouldn't be here," Jan said as he reached her. "I shouldn't be normally," Rab said. Somehow he looked different, Jan thought, and the way he was 177 staring at her puzzled her. "I had to come," Rab went on. "I was so worried about you." "Worriedabout me?" Jan was startled. "Look," he said, taking hold of her arms with his gentle fingers. "Is it true?" "Is what true?" "That you're going to marry Jarvis?" "Who told you... I mean...." Jan began. Rab stopped her."Amanda Rowson told me. Is it true, Jan?"_He paused and went on, "If it is, you mustn't. Jarvis isn't ready for marriage, and certainly not to a wonderful girl like you."Jan stared at him, amazed. Rab was not the type of man to hand out compliments. "I'm not going to marry Jarvis," she said. His hands fell away and he wiped his face with the back of his hand. "Thanks be," he said gravely. "Why did Amanda say you were?" "Oh, Rab, it's a long story and I was such a... a fool," Jan confessed, her voice unsteady. "Let's sit down, then, and you get it off your chest" Rab took hold of her arm and led her to a dry rock. They sat with their backs to the water. Jan sighed. Everyone would know eventually, so she might as well tell him.... So she told him everything and Rab listened silently. When she had finished he looked surprised."Somehow I can't imagine Ludovic behaving like that It doesn't make sense." "Nothing doeshere." He turned to look at her. " I thought you were looking pretty miserable yesterday, but I had no idea... look, aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill, Jan? I mean, Ludovic can't make you marry Jarvis." "I know. I'm going to tell him so. It isn't only that..." She turned away, her eyes smarting. 178