The Way of a Tyrant

by Anne Hampson

  'If you remember,' she replied in a quiet measured tone, 'I had no choice.'

  The half-smile hovering on his lips was traded for a laugh.

  'But you enjoyed having the choice made for you?'

  'I'm glad I came,' she admitted. 'That's what you want me to say, isn't it?'

  'Only if it's true.'

  'It is,' she responded quietly, and lifted her cup to her lips, bending her head so as to conceal her ex­pression.

  'We must do it again,' he decided.

  Jane hesitated before speaking, not because she had any fault to find with Scott's suggestion, but owing to the fact that Les was not in possession of the knowledge that Scott knew the truth—that Les was her brother and not her husband.

  'Les will consider it most strange that you should take me off. When I phoned him saying I was coming here for the evening he sounded puzzled.' She glanced at Scott, inviting some comment, but he merely waited for her to continue, a quizzical expression on his face. 'You must remember that he's still under the im­pression that you believe us to be husband and wife. He wouldn't expect you to be taking me away from him—taking his wife away, I mean—' She broke off as a dry laugh broke from her companion's lips.

  'I wonder,' he said reflectively, 'if you ever stopped to think about the muddle you might find yourself in?'

  'I didn't like the idea of the deceit at all, and I did wonder if it would result in trouble for us.'

  'But of course, you couldn't visualize just how much trouble it might cause.'

  'I never expected to find you here,' she said with feeling.

  'And if you had?'

  'Then most certainly I wouldn't have agreed to the plan at all.'

  He considered this and a frown appeared on his brow.

  'Fate is strange,' he murmured almost to himself. 'I never expected ever to see you again…' He stopped, slowly, and lost himself in thought. Jane was shut out, but she did speculate on his strange manner, and, quite unbidden, hope leapt high within her. Was it possible that he still cared? Surely not—after all this time. Besides, he had declared quite emphatically that mar­riage was not for him. Yet the next moment Jane was recalling once again Susan's suggestion that he worked because he lacked any real home life. She also recalled her own idea that he was lonely. He had no need to be lonely, though. On his own admission he'd had many women, so obviously he could have many more. Where was Alma? Scott could have gone over to St. Vincent, surely, and spent the week-end with her—unless of course she was with her other boy-friend.

  'I think it's time I was getting back,' she said when there was no sign of his breaking the silence. 'If you insist that I keep my brother in the dark about your knowing the true position then I must act the part ac­cordingly. He'll ask me awkward questions as it is.'

  Scott came from his contemplative mood and shrugged his shoulders.

  'He'll merely conclude that I'm one of those employ­ers who have no principles. I wouldn't be unique, by any means.'

  'He has a very high opinion of you.'

  'Indeed? Even though I've already shown my interest in you?'

  'Interest,' she repeated a trifle breathlessly, her eyes seeking his with swift inquiry, an unusual brightness in their depths. 'You're interested in me?'

  Scott regarded her intently and seemed filled with some unfathomable indecision. But suddenly he had adopted his more customary air of cynicism and his voice was edged with satire as he said,

  'But of course, my dear Jane. You know full well I'm interested in you. Haven't I invited you to have an affair with me?'

  Jane's heart sank. She would have done anything to take back the eager question that had resulted in this change in his manner.

  'I've no intention of having an affair with you,' she retorted, dejection breeding anger. It seemed impos­sible that only a few moments ago she had allowed hope to enter into her. Scott was a rake, and the sooner she accepted this the better.

  He was looking speculatively at her.

  'Don't be too sure, my dear,' he advised at length. 'If I really try, you'll not be able to resist me.'

  Her eyes blazed.

  'What an opinion you have of yourself!'

  'You've said that before. Can't you think of any­thing more original?'

  Jane finished her coffee. Anger surged, but she felt drained as well.

  'I think I'll go,' she said dispiritedly, and rose to her feet.

  He glanced at his watch.

  'It's early,' he said, but eased himself out of his chair.

  'It'll be ten by the time I get home.'

  Scott shrugged.

  'Very well. I'll take you.'

  But, on their way to the car, he stopped and took her in his arms.

  'Just one good night kiss,' he said, and bent his head.

  'No—I—' the rest was smothered as his lips met hers.

  'Delightful.' He held her from him, mockery in his gaze. 'How you do protest, Jane—and you don't mean it.'

  She said flatly,

  'I shan't argue with you, Scott. Perhaps, now you've had what you want, you'll be kind enough to take me home?'

  'What I want?' he laughed. 'Dear Jane, I want much more from you than kisses!'

  She felt her colour rise.

  'Are we to go through all that again?'

  'Perhaps,' he mused, ignoring her question, 'I should take what I want. After all, you should enjoy the love experience all the more for having been forced into it.' His hands slid to her waist, which he held tightly as she began to struggle. 'Shall I take you?' he whispered close to her cheek. 'I can, you know. You're completely at my mercy.'

  She was frightened all at once, for it did seem that he was in a mood to carry out his threat. His warm breath caressed her cheek; his body, hard against her as his arms once again brought her to him, was masterfully demanding. Struggling in earnest, Jane ended by pleading and when this had no effect she started to cry. This alone sobered him and his ardency was checked.

  He held her at arm's length, regarding her tear-filled eyes intently.

  'All right,' he said abruptly, 'I'll take you home.'

  When Jane arrived for work the following morning Scott's manner was such that the incident of the pre­vious evening might never have happened. He was the employer, cool, indifferent. He never even seemed to notice her heightened colour when first she entered his room to take a letter. His voice wag impassive, his face an expressionless mask.

  Jane accepted him as he happened to be at any par­ticular time and decided that from now on she would never for a second forget that she was his employee, and would act accordingly.

  He was going to St. Vincent at the week-end, he told her later, but added that she would be expected to come in as there was a long report to do, a report appertaining to his plans for an extension to the Carib Palm Hotel.

  'I'll expect it to be finished when I return on Sunday night,' he said.

  'It'll be finished,' she told him stiffly, and as it was five o'clock she said goodbye and left his room.

  Her car had been sent for and was at the end of the drive. She slid into her seat and pressed the starter. There was no response and she pressed it again. What was wrong with it? she wondered frowningly. Scott was at his window watching her, and at last she got out and looked over to where he was, having already stepped out on to the verandah.

  'What's wrong?' he asked.

  'It won't start,' she told him unnecessarily.

  'Have you had trouble with it before?'

  She shook her head.

  'Not up till now, but then I haven't had it very long.'

  'My man drove it here from Bathsheba; it was all right when he left it.' Scott moved the seat back and got in. A moment later he was looking at her in some amusement. 'Petrol,' he said. 'Cars usually go better when there's some in the tank.'

  'There's none in?' she asked, and he shook his head.

  'You look surprised. Did you think you had plenty?'

  'Well… I hadn't rea
lly thought about it…' She tailed off as Scott shook his head in a faint gesture of disgust.

  'How like a woman—not to bother about so vital a matter as petrol. Do you realize you might have been stranded on the road?'

  'Yes. It was fortunate that I wasn't.'

  'I'll take you home,' he offered. 'And I'll pick up a can of petrol on my way back. You can use the taxi to come to work in the morning.'

  Les was standing outside the hotel talking to a couple of guests and he turned in surprise on seeing Scott's car arriving.

  'Something wrong?' he asked anxiously as Scott and Jane got out of the car.

  'Your—wife forgot to get any petrol in her car,' Scott's amused glance caught Jane's eye as he made the deliberate hesitation, 'so I had to bring her home.'

  Les looked oddly at him and said,

  'If you'd rung I'd have brought some petrol over.'

  'It wasn't worth troubling you,' returned Scott care­lessly. 'If you happen to have a can handy I'll take it. I don't have one myself… there being no necessity for it.' His eyes went to Jane again. Forgetting her grati­tude, she sent him a speaking glance.

  'Meaning that you could never possibly run out of petrol,' she flashed before she could stop herself. Les stared, as well he might, because in addition to Jane's anger and the apparent disrespect she was showing to their employer, Scott himself was acting in a rather peculiar manner, not only in the satire of his glance at Jane but also in the mocking inflection of his tone.

  'I'll get someone to look for a can,' said Les, and went away.

  Jane looked up at Scott and said belligerently,

  'What are you trying to do? You've got Les really suspicious now!'

  The blue eyes narrowed, and so did the smile that had hovered rather good-humouredly on his lips.

  'How many times,' he asked, 'must I remind you that I'm your boss?'

  'Employer!'

  'Choose your own name. You'll still respect me—or else!'

  'I'm getting a little tired of your threats, Scott. What exactly can you do?'

  'Sack you both—send you back to England.'

  This subdued her, as he meant it to. She muttered an apology, and added a thank-you for his bringing her home.

  'No trouble,' he returned laconically, and turned to meet her brother, who had a gallon-sized can in his hand. 'Thanks,' he said, and with a nod to Jane he got into his car and drove off between the double row of trees that lined the path leading to the gate.

  'Something strange going on,' muttered Les, turning to Jane. 'What was going on between you two was very much like the aftermath of a lovers' quarrel.'

  'No such thing. I disliked his sarcasm, that's all, so I answered him back.'

  'Forgetting that he's your employer?'

  'I can never forget that,' she snapped, out of patience with Les as much as Scott. 'He's always re­minding me of it.'

  'He is?'

  Only now did Jane realize that she had once again forgotten to be tactful.

  'If I answer him back he reminds me, yes.'

  Les shook his head thoughtfully.

  'It's a funny set-up altogether,' he said tersely, and added, 'The bomb's going to explode shortly; I can see it coming!'

  'What do you mean?'

  'Scott'll have to be told the truth.'

  'That we're not husband and wife?'

  'Exactly.'

  Jane looked curiously at him.

  'Any particular reason for saying that?'

  'Two reasons!'

  'Oh?'

  'First—you and Scott. It's no use your denying it, Jane, there's something going on between you that I don't know of. It's my belief that he'd be very happy to learn that you're free; and as for you yourself—I'm damned sure you're not as indifferent to him as you'd have me believe.'

  She made no attempt to deny this.

  'And the second reason?' she queried, slanting him a glance.

  He hesitated a long while, a frown darkening his brow.

  'It's Gwen,' he said at length.

  'Gwen? You—like her?'

  He nodded.

  'I more than like her, Jane.'

  Jane said quietly,

  'I'm glad, Les—No, don't interrupt to tell me you're not sure about your feelings being reciprocated. I happen to know that Gwen cares for you.'

  His eyes opened wide.

  'You do?' Troubled as he obviously was regarding the deceit which had been practised, he was also plainly relieved to know that he had a chance with Gwen. 'How?'

  'I overheard her saying she must leave because of you. She believed she'd fallen in love with a married man.'

  'You overheard this, and yet you never mentioned it?'

  'It wasn't the thing one does mention.'

  'But it would have put my mind at rest.'

  'How did I know you cared? You've cared for some time?' she added as the thought occurred to her.

  'For some time,' he owned. 'You knew she cared, that day when I asked if you'd any ideas as to the reason for her giving in her notice?'

  'Yes, I did.'

  'Well, it was a rotten trick not to tell me!'

  'I wasn't in a position to tell you. I had no idea you'd be willing to open up and confess all to Scott.' It was suddenly borne in on Jane that once Les made his confession she herself would be freed from the hold Scott had on her, and of which he was so fond of re­minding her.

  'I've been through hell,' Les confessed, ignoring her protest. 'I asked you if you had any ideas why she was leaving,' he repeated. 'I hated the thought of her going.'

  'Then why didn't you give her some clue that you cared?' Jane spoke crossly, feeling she was being mal­treated at every turn. As soon as Les's confession was made she would go home, she decided.

  'How could I when she believed me to be mar­ried?'

  Jane shrugged exasperatedly.

  'Don't look at me as if I'm to blame. It was your idea to pretend we were man and wife.'

  'I'm sorry, Jane,' he said in a much softer tone. 'I'm in such a devil of a mess—oh, I know you had doubts right from the first that all wouldn't go smoothly, but that's not important now. What is important is that Gwen must be prevented from leaving Coral Gables. I don't want to be put to the trouble of going to England after her.'

  'You'd do that?' Jane had to smile to herself, for Les's expression had never been more harassed.

  'Certainly I would.' A pause and then, 'Have you any idea as to how Scott will take the news of our deception?'

  Carelessly she shrugged. But this new deception was almost as worrying to her as the other. She felt she ought to be frank with Les at once, but she was ever conscious of Scott's order that she must keep silent.

  'I haven't, Les. But Susan and David seem to think Scott won't be too angry about it.'

  'Susan and Dave? How come they to be discussing the possibility of our making a confession?'

  'They were joking about Hal Charlton—I told you I met him at the Yacht Club dance?' Les nodded and Jane went on to repeat what Susan had said about the probability of the secret having to come out. 'They seemed to think that you also would eventually want to let it be known that you aren't married.'

  Les nodded and went on to tell Jane that, one after­noon when David called, he had said, on noticing how Les was with Gwen,

  'Nice girl. You seem fond of her?'

  'He did?' Jane was nodding absently. 'So he and Susan must then have drawn their own conclusions—that you'd be driven to tell Scott the truth.'

  'It appears so.' Les looked curiously at her. 'This Hal—he doesn't mean a thing to you, I take it?'

  She started to shake her head, then gave him a puz­zled glance.

  'Why are you so sure?'

  Les slanted an eyebrow.

  'Because, Jane, no matter how much you try to deny it, there's only one man in your life.' She merely blushed and he went on, 'You made no protest just now when I said that there's something going on be­tween you that I don't know of, and that
he'd be happy to learn that you're my sister and not my wife.'

  She did speak then, to reiterate her statement that Scott was not now interested in her, and that he cer­tainly wasn't interested in marriage.

  'He says he can have all the fun without it,' she added in a tone suddenly gone flat. 'Besides, there's Alma.'

  'A mere plaything,' shrugged Les.

  'Scott used to be such a moral, honourable man,' she mused with a pained expression that was not lost on her observant brother.

  'Until you chucked him, eh? Pride with a man like Scott's important; he must have hated you for what you did.'

  Jane nodded forlornly.

  'I expect so,' she admitted.

  Les stared absently at the cascading showers of the golden cassia bush which grew to one side of the im­posing entrance to the hotel.

  'I can't agree, though, that he isn't interested in you once again. You've only got to think about his conduct. First, he took you as his secretary—'

  'That was natural. He knew I could do the work, and as there wasn't anyone else available he gave me the job. It was entirely for his own convenience.'

  Ignoring that, Les asked bluntly,

  'Wouldn't you like to believe there was some other reason for his taking you as his secretary?'

  She hesitated, then decided that her brother had already guessed too much for a dishonest answer to be remotely effective.

  'Yes, Les, I would like to think there was some other reason… but there wasn't,' she added, a catch in her voice.

  'I reckon we'll just have to wait and see,' was all Les proffered, and the subject was dropped.

  True to his word Hal followed up his intention of seeing more of Jane and he came to dine and dance one evening when there was a special entertainment on at Coral Gables. A famous steel band and calypso singers had been engaged, and two equally famous limbo dancers. The performances took place outside, amid flowers and palms and exotic perfumes drifting on the gentle zephyr blowing in from the north-east—the wel­come cooling trade wind breeze. As always the tables were set around the area where the entertainments and dancing were to take place. Candles flickered from their coloured jars, throwing off subdued, romantic light. All around, among the palms, tall lamps gave off an added illumination, their naked flares dancing with the breeze. The tropical scene was set for a typical Caribbean evening of dining, dancing and a superb floor show performed entirely by natives. The steel band musicians were attired in gaily-coloured shorts and trousers, their instruments were painted in daz­zling colours also. Away from the actual precincts of the hotel the palm-fringed private beach shone in the moonlight, lapped by the gentle Caribbean Sea.