by Margaret Way
There was no respite, only a boundless excitement, a wild passion that incited Genny’s body and arrested her mind, so that in a very short time she began to respond from the depths of her tempestuous nature, pierced by this miracle of sensation. The hungerr and urgency he was creating in her was obtrusive now, demanding much more than the deep intoxication of caresses, the hard ecstasy of his mouth. Given her head she was showing a breathtaking response that afterwards would make her writhe with shame, a fire whipped up by his devastating masculinity. Whatever kisses she had invited before in her life, they were totally banished from her mind. No other feeling compared with this one. She had been no more than an untutored child, yet Ingo was holding her as though he loved kissing her, unsatiated by the assault on her soft mouth, the feel of her body flowing like silk against him.
It was insane for so many reasons, as though both of them were forbidden the other. Nothing was real to her, least of all her own surrender. It was Ingo who broke away, cutting off the enravishment so completely that Genny knew an incurable resentment. She opened her eyes, so close to him that she couldn’t focus on his face. ‘Oh, glory.‘ she said in a shattered kind of voice.
‘Sorry, baby, it’s not a good idea to stay here.’
‘Why not? Where else do the cymbals clang and the drums go bang? One of us is crazy, possibly both.’
‘Settle for me. My desire for you knows no bounds.’
‘Well, I must be the last one to know it.‘ She drew a drowsy breath, almost spent. ‘Tell me, O Mighty One, how are we going to hurdle this latest disaster?’
‘Easy. Keep on remembering what it did to us. Daylight always brings better sense anyway.’
‘I can’t believe it.‘ she persisted, still relaxed against him: ‘I don’t even feel my body is my own.’
‘I understand completely,’ he said dryly.
‘I‘d say this was adding insult to injury.’
‘You’ve been kissed before,’ he murmured laconically.
‘That was my best to date. I’ll undoubtedly come back for more.’
‘I can’t promise anything with any certainty. I’ve got work to do. I can’t have a curly-headed girl-child coming between me and Tandarro.’
She stared up at the stars swinging dizzily, feeling the old familiar uprising, instant transformation.
When the shafts of magic were over they were back to square one again. ‘Is this any way to treat me after all these years?’ she snapped.
‘I’m wondering now why I waited. On the first try no room for improvement? I have to consider now if you could respond like that to another man.’
‘Suppose I said I could and I do.’
‘Then I’d strangle you right here and now.’
‘I’d rather die before I let you. ‘
He turned her face about, a light finger on her chin. ‘You’re not going to moan about it, are you, baby?
My motive was the finest, to further your education. What could be purer than that?’
‘I was very content the way I was, thank you.’
‘Such a shame you’ve taken to lying.’ He moved his hand a little, tracing her profile. ‘What an exquisite mouth you have. It nearly sent me into shock.’
‘Perhaps it was mutual, which is very odd indeed,’ she said, puzzled.
Ùnfortunately I can’t bring myself to kiss you again. Once is enough.’
‘I‘ve never taken to drugs, so why should I take to your kisses? So far as I’m concerned that was an unforgettable experience, better over.’
‘I‘ll see you keep to that.‘ he said briskly.
‘Then you might let me up.’
‘Sure you don’t want me to kiss you again?’ He came to his feet in one lithe co-ordinated movement, bringing her up with him.
‘Dave’s coming next week,’ she announced, swaying. ‘I can wait until then.’
‘You’ll be able to show him an improvement.’
‘That’s my business.’
‘You could thank me.’
‘I won’t fall into that trap. You might think it permissible to take things a step further. It’s ironic, though, isn’t it?’
He put out a hand, steadying her. ‘What is?’
‘The hurdles, the snags, the mighty rapids. A man like you could wash me away-name, personality, aims and ambitions. Nothing but a nothing. A Faulkner possession.’
‘Giannina, you can’t be serious?’
‘You’re never serious.’
‘Maybe I don’t want you to know how badly I want you. You’re too young and you still go to school.
You’re even a cousin of sorts. You know how people talk. ‘
Genny pouted. ‘No one talks like you! I wish you’d just go away.’
‘That’s the only thing I won’t do,’ retorted Ingo.
‘Think you can make it up the bank?’
She smacked his hand away, fighting for her self possession, hearing his mocking: ‘Dave ride?’
‘He’s a professional man,’ she answered shortly.
‘I said, does Dave ride?’
‘Actually he doesn’t. He’s a doctor.’
‘I won’t hold that against him,’ he opined. ‘You could teach him, of course, though that’d be real suicide if you want my opinion. Maybe you’d prefer me to do it.’
She clenched her small white teeth, breaking into a run. ‘From this minute on, I’m going to ignore you.’
‘It might be best at that. Has Dave got any money?’
‘How should I know? I’ve never asked him.’
By the time she reached the horses Genny was puffing and Ingo wasn’t even out of breath. ‘I can’t understand that, Giannina,’ he said, picking up the conversation. ‘You’ve lived very well up to date. Take my advice and check him out. You want to be certain he can support you in the manner to which you’ve become accustomed.’
‘Hughie wasn’t rich,’ she burst out, as though she had to explain herself, ‘just comfortable. Of course Flick still has money of her own, but I won’t miss a few luxuries. We’ve never had the likes of Tandarro, you know. Even to build the house at today’s prices would clean a millionaire out.’
‘One thing at a time, Genny!’ he said, quietening her. ‘I‘m glad you’ve invited Dave out. You didn’t ask me, but I’m still glad. It will gave me the opportunity to act as your closest male relative, in this country at any rate. I suppose you have a score of relatives in Italy, not to speak of half-sisters and brothers.
Carlo was only a young man when Flick threw him out. I’ll see if this Dave of yours is suitable, ready and willing and able to support you. I just hope he knows you’re a handful. Most men would find it scary.’
‘Doctor’s don’t scare easily,’ she said repressively.
‘There’s that, of course, but they’ve nothing on their minds but stomach-aches and allergies. Why on earth should you insist on marrying someone so unromantic?’
‘He’s romantic enough for me. It’s you who ought to be ashamed of yourself,’ she snapped back.
‘I‘m not!’ he said, laughing.
‘Then you damned well ought to be.’
He gave her a leg up on to the colt, seeing her seated and holding the reins. ‘No one set a monstrous trap for you, Giannina.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ she agreed grudgingly. ‘Don’t expect me to admit it in the morning.’
He grinned. ‘A deal. I won’t even remember it. I’m showing Dan around the property on a motorbike.
Think of the spills.’
She laughed, but it wasn’t really a happy sound. His arrogant dark head was tilted up to her, his beautiful mouth twisted with humour. ‘A loner by choice!’ she said rather sadly. ‘Don’t think I’m out to threaten you, Ingo Faulkner. So far as I’m concerned you can go to your grave a bachelor, incapable of letting anyone get close to you.’
‘Now that’s funny coming from you, or are you going to say I took unfair advantage of you?’ he demanded. ‘No, we’ll stick
to the facts.’
‘That’s my girl.’
‘Don’t go thinking that.‘ she exclaimed. ‘I consider myself as independent as you are.’
‘It’s everything, flower face. Forget what you feel like in my arms.’
‘Don’t expect to have me there again.’
‘Why must you throw out these challenges?’ He whistled up the stallion and lifted himself into the saddle. ‘No man is wholly predictable, especially on starry nights. Let’s go home and see if Flick is thinking of changing her address.’
‘Don’t say itl’ Genny shivered, channelling her thought into another direction. ‘I‘m over-anxious as it is.’
‘Hadn’t you better pay attention to your own problem?’ inquired Ingo.
‘Which is?’
‘Why expect me to give you the answers?’
‘You’ve never avoided saying your piece in the past. Vociferously, actually!’
‘There’s a word.’ he gibed.
‘I‘ve never had any difficulty with languages,’ Genny sniffed.
‘Well, you don’t swear as you used to.’
‘What would you expect with so many stockmen around?’
‘You weren’t supposed to be there at the time,’ he said dryly.
‘I like lots of colour, excitement and danger!’
‘No news! ‘ Ingo said ironically.
‘You don’t have to be so sarcastic. How’s the scratch?’ she asked briskly.
‘I‘ll get Doctor Dave to take a look at it.’
‘It will be all healed over by the time he gets here.’
‘Which I might as well hear about now. When is he due?’
‘Some time Friday, for a week. Ginger will fly him in,’ Genny answered levelly.
‘Who’s taking care of the patients, or do they do better on their own?’
‘He’s taking a week’s leave from the hospital.‘ she said with a semblance of politeness. ‘He’s not in private practice yet.’
‘What a pity, I’m sure the outside world would benefit.’
‘Flick likes him.’
He gave a spurt of laughter full of amused irony. ‘It would be very odd if she didn’t. I assume he’s a personable young man, clean-cut, with nice manners and just a dash of mischief. ‘
‘For God’s sake, Ingo.’ she said.
‘What’s the matter?’ His silvery eyes in the night were gleaming like a cat’s.
She passed a hand across her brow. ‘I feel odd. I even think I could cry.’
‘You never cry except in a rage,’ he said.
‘I’m in a kind of rage now.’
‘Maybe you’re just on the verge of self-discovery.’
‘Mamma mia, it’s rugged. ‘ she groaned.
His white smile was brilliant, friendly and relaxed. ‘You owe it to yourself, Giannina, to make the effort.’
They had been riding side by side through the exhilarating night, the horses walking sedately, treading delicately across the endless plains country. Now Genny drew away, apparently deep in thought. The silence went on for some little time with the fragrant air swirling around them, ruffling Genny’s short curls into a shining halo, Ingo reined in beside her and leaned forward a little in the saddle so he could stare into her eyes.
‘What’s on your mind?’
‘You can’t imagine.‘ she returned.
‘Tell me.’ He caught hold of the reins.
‘I‘ve decided it was an unspeakable mistake for you to kiss me.’
‘Really? I thought it was terrific.’
‘Then I’m suffering on my own.’
‘Oh well.’ He shrugged his wide shoulders, his gaze sparkling and deliberate. ‘Who put the idea into my head in the first place?’
‘From which I gather I’m supposed to take the blame?’
‘Exactly. Eve is still a lady. ‘
Genny wanted desperately to see his true expression, but it was too dark, all she could see was the mocking glitter in his eyes. She threw up her head with a certain amount of bravado. ‘I‘m disappointed in you, Ingo. I didn’t think any woman could tempt you.’
‘None better than you, kiddo.‘ he teased.
‘What a triumph.’
‘Just don’t tell anybody.’
‘What about Sally?’ she demanded. ‘It would utterly throw her.’
‘I know. She has lots of plans.!’
‘That won’t do her the least bit of good.’ Ingo smiled.
‘Then why don’t you damned well tell her?’ Genny demanded, her hostility rising.
‘I‘m certain she wouldn’t listen to anything I have to say. You know women.’
‘We both know that you do.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?.’
‘Skip it. You’re a terrible man. If I didn’t love it out here so much, you wouldn’t see me for dust. This must be the best part of the world, Tandarro.’
‘I think so,’ he said, and his black velvet voice had pride and possession in it, a bred-in-the-bone arrogance.
‘Yet it takes lives,’ Gerry said softly. ‘It took your father’s. It takes all your time, all your energies. It’s so big I suppose it might make Dave just that bit nervous.’
‘Is there any good reason for that?’ he asked rather impatiently.
‘Why, how rich you are, stupid. The homestead and the immense size of the property,’ she explained in surprise. ‘Surely you can see it? Though I suppose you mightn’t. You’ve been used to it all your life.
Dave’s jaw will just drop open, I know. Even Dan was struck all of a heap by the Faulkner idea of comfort.’
‘I don’t think he has any idea of copying it, and who said you could call me stupid?’
‘I avoid all the usual words other people apply to you.’
‘So I’ve noticed.’ Ingo’s voice was grim. ‘I can guarantee you’re the only one that’s come up with that one.’
‘It’s very ordinary. Still, I’m sensible it doesn’t really apply to you. It’s Dave who’s going to look silly with his mouth open for a day or two.’
‘As long as he doesn’t faint dead away.’ Ingo said crisply. ‘Surely he comes from a pleasant environment?’
‘Very pleasant, but this is grandeur. If you don’t know, I can’t explain. This is your home and therefore taken for granted.’
‘Wrong, it’s my passion,’ he corrected.
‘Yes,’ she said sombrely, ‘you’re a very formidable man and your power is real.’
‘I don’t abuse it, Giannina.’
‘You sound angry.’
‘I‘m not. A bit browned off, maybe. You’re no stranger to our way of life. You know the set-up. What I say goes out here and it has to, but no one is a second-class citizen on this station. Any kind of power entails responsibility. Sometimes you even get the worst of the bargain, so much is expected. Despite all the discussions no one really likes making the decisions. Too much is involved. That’s my job-if I’m everyone’s boss then I have to be sure I’m the right find of man to follow.’
‘And you are.‘ she said, leaning her head on his shoulder, only half fooling, the other half very serious.
‘We’re all yours, Ingo Faulkner, only please take good care of me.’
‘What other kind of care have you known?’ he asked tersely. ‘It’s common knowledge, cherub, that you’ve been spoilt rotten.’
‘Not true.‘ she said heatedly, lifting her head.
‘That’s the worst of it, women can dish it out, but they can’t take it. A stormy past and a stormy future is all I can expect of you.’
‘What else do you want, damn it, to own me?’
‘It might be better that way.’
Genny was furious. ‘Really, you’re power mad.Just listen to me, Ingo, I know what kind of man you are.
I know everyone around here worships the very ground you walk upon, and why shouldn’t they? You support every one of them right down to the last little piccaninny, but I’m different. You might have th
e right to call thousands of square miles your own, but like it or not, I’m not and never will be your property.’
‘You were very convincing ten minutes ago,’ he averred. ‘I could have sworn you were made for me.
Come on, let’s get riding. This is going to take some time, I can see.’
‘What is?’ she said, urging the colt on.
‘Breaking you in. Still, one can’t have it both ways. I like plenty of spirit even if it’s hard to control it.’
‘Yes, because you’re really a very violent man. It’s not the first time I’ve thought it. You fascinate me.
All that perfect public manner, that classy way you have about you is nothing but a veneer. You’re nothing but a savage.’
‘Just how savage you’ve yet to find out,’ he told her, ànd you will. Probably your first real taste of reality…’
‘You don’t alarm me.‘ she said recklessly, with an inbuilt penchant for calamity.
‘And I’m not going to take any notice of you either. Not for now. When we get back I’m going to have a few neat whiskies. I feel an overpowering need for it.’
‘Then let’s get back where you belong.’ Genny almost shouted at him, all the tension of the earlier part of the day back on her again. She touched the colt’s glossy sides, and it sprang away, surging ahead. Now for the first time, Tandarro seemed too big, too unconquerable. Too hostile to women.
She rode as fast as she could and even as she hurdled the fence of the compound the stallion flashed by her, completely confident, suspended for a second, its powerful hind legs tucked well up, its magnificent head and neck stretched to the fullest limit before it came down on the other side, one front leg a little in advance of the other. Red Dust, the only horse on the station she was forbidden to ride. Genny made for the stables, taking good care to keep out of Ingo’s way.
CHAPTER FOUR
Genny was nearing the holding yards before Dan caught up with her and together, their conversation friendly and lighthearted, they made their way towards the big fenced paddock where a herd of brumbies awaited the breaking-in process. It was only early, yet already it was very hot, the sky above them an amazing dense blue with not a cloud anywhere. Birds exploded from the branches of the trees about them, chattering wildly, hundreds and hundreds of green budgerigars, wheeling and diving in their characteristic faultless formation, their wings in the sun with a brilliant sheen of emerald, and almost as many rose-pink galahs and the big black cockatoos with their gorgeous red tail feathers and their curious calls, the fluttering little crimson chats and the zebra finches, and much higher up, soaring, the predators, the eagles and the hawks.
