'You really are a naughty child,' Enid shook her head at Alex sadly. 'Why didn't you tell me about this wonderful place? All we had was one letter, saying you'd arrived safely. Why, we weren't even sure of the address!'
I — I didn't think I'd be staying long,' Alex replied evasively.
'Never mind,' Enid smiled again, sparkling, 'Mr Marshall explained everything. He's been so kind making all the arrangements, bringing me all the way here.' She turned to Aunt Harriet. 'I feel quite overwhelmed!'
How did her mother get away with it? Such sugary poise made Alex feel sick! She wouldn't have believed Aunt Harriet could be so taken in, yet she was looking at Enid with a gratifying approval and anticipation. Anyone might be forgiven for thinking she was looking forward to the next few weeks. Graciously accepting Enid's praise as Coolabra's right, Aunt Harriet inclined her grey head. 'Most people are overwhelmed when they first visit,' she said. Then, reproachfully, she asked Alex, 'Would you mind pouring us a cup of tea, dear, before it gets quite cold. We waited for you.' Reluctantly but obediently, Alex sat down on the small sofa by which the tea tray was placed. When Chase sat down beside her she was startled but didn't look at him. His weight on the soft cushion brought her nearer, and she felt her side tingle although they didn't actually touch. It was as if their bodies were reaching out hungrily, with a kind of telepathic instinct of their own. But it was minds that counted, Alex told herself fiercely, and Chase's and hers were miles apart! There was not a bit of sympathy between them, let alone closeness. If there had been he would never have asked her mother here, to help fight a battle he might have won himself if he had been prepared to use tenderness instead of authority. What a fool she must have been to imagine she could marry a man who did things like this! Murmuring an apology to Aunt Harriet for keeping her waiting, she gave the ladies their tea, then passed Chase his. Her hands shook slightly with nerves as his fingers brushed hers, but she still refused to meet his eyes, though she felt them steadily upon her.
After tea, during which her silence appeared to go unnoticed against the general flow of conversation, Aunt Harriet suggested Alex took her mother to her room.
'I expect you would like to rest before dinner, Mrs Latham. I hope you'll be comfortable, but be sure and ask if there's anything you want.'
Alex said, 'Yes, of course,' getting to her feet, still without looking at Chase. That Enid was impressed by the house grew more obvious with each step she took. In her room she turned to Alex, her eyes alight. 'I can scarcely believe it! Oh, do close the door, darling, and sit down for a minute. I never dreamt you would fall on your feet like this!'
Alex's lips moved with difficulty, as she stood where she was. 'Whatever are you talking about, Mother? I'm here to work. As soon as possible I'll be returning to Melbourne. Perhaps within the next few days.' Smiling lightly, Enid pretended not to hear. 'Mr Marshall, Chase, is charming. A really splendid man. When he came to the house and introduced himself both your father and I were impressed. We both agreed we'd never met anyone like him, and your father says he must be a millionaire several times over!' 'How nice for him.'
'Yes, isn't it?' Suddenly Enid frowned, conscious of her daughter's lack of enthusiasm. 'I shouldn't pass any more remarks like that, if I were you. Although you pretend to despise it, money does talk.'
I'll take your word for it,' Alex returned, unnaturally flippant. 'Alex!'
'What about Don Fisher?' she asked wildly, feeling she would rather attack than be attacked. She recognised her mother's tactics a mile off. 'Don Fisher? Oh,' he might have been a man Enid had scarcely heard of, 'I believe someone said he's gone off somewhere. I haven't seen him for a while.' 'And your English friend?'
'Monica's gone to visit some cousins in Perth, but it's Chase I want to talk about, darling.' 'Some other time, Mother. I have things to do. You'll have to excuse me.' Seething with disgust, Alex almost ran from the room. She would liked to have gone for a long walk or ride, but was frightened of bumping into Chase. Before meeting him again she must be in a calmer frame of mind. A girl had to be very calm indeed to hold her own against Chase Marshall.
Still hurrying, she reached her own room, having decided to have a quick shower and go down early to give Mrs Young a hand. Chase might not approve, but she wasn't too concerned about that. It seemed to put the crowning touch to a terrible afternoon to find Chase waiting for her in her room. He was stretched out on the bed, as though he had every right to be there, and Alex shuddered to think what her mother would have made of that, had she been here with her! 'Are you mad?' Alex asked, staring at him.
Lazily he swung his long legs to the floor, sitting easily on the edge of the bed and regarding her steadily. 'No, I'm not mad,' he replied coolly, 'but I soon might be if you don't stop acting like a spoiled child. And the madness I'm talking of is anger, not insanity.'
'You're welcome to stay,' she hissed, 'for exactly two seconds. Now, what do you want?' Suddenly there was menace in him, enough to make her hesitate over making too free with her tongue. His brilliant eyes trained on her narrowly, he said, 'We have to talk…'
'You seem to have gone more in for action,' she retorted coldly, outwardly very cool, inwardly shaking. 'Why did you bring my mother here? And you can answer quite freely, we aren't downstairs now!' 'Why not?' His dark eyes flickered over her, a hard light in them. 'I do happen to have honourable intentions, something that seems constantly to escape your notice. I thought it was about time I met your family and had them visit mine. Naturally your parents are concerned for you. It was up to me to reassure them about their future son-in-law.'
The colour seeped suddenly from under Alex's skin. 'I haven't agreed to marry you!' Her voice was a mere thread of sound and she knew she looked frightened. 'I've said nothing to make them believe you have.'
Her heart racing, she remembered she shad almost decided to tell him she would marry him, when he came back. But for her mother's arrival she might already have been committed. Chase might not know it, but he had ruined everything by bringing her mother to Coolabra. The thing was, she thought bitterly, there was no way she could explain this and make it sound sensible. When she had thought it was Davina he was bringing with him this afternoon, it had been a shock, but not worse than this. Her eyes widened despairingly. 'I don't know what's going on, but I believe you brought my mother here to try and talk some sense into me. I'm not so stupid I can't understand that!'
Chase's strongly curved mouth had a curious white ring around it, but his voice was sardonic. I wish you loved me half as much as you love jumping to the wrong conclusions. I think you've got your mother all wrong. Admittedly she's self-assured, but she was born that way it had nothing to do with you. She can no more help wishing to see you well settled than she can help her own nature. But she's abrasive, rather than cloying. A doer which is perhaps better than being one of those who just sit and think about getting something done. Once we were married she would soon turn her organising fervour elsewhere. You would be in no further danger.' Only married to you.'
'You consider that would be worse?'
Alex couldn't answer, she didn't know what to say. He was shockingly frank, but as if with some purpose. He seemed to be trying to make her understand something, but she was so confused she couldn't think what. He had talked a lot, but she sensed the really important things he had deliberately left unsaid.
He came over to her then, grasping her shoulders, no tenderness either in his hands or eyes. 'You have a lot of sorting out to do yourself, Alex, otherwise you won't ever be able to stick to any decision you make. You will simply believe it was my will, and your mother's, imposed over yours, and that would be no good to either of us.'
Tears stung the back of her eyes. 'What a pleasure it's going to be, having you both standing over me!'
'Oh, come on, child!' his glance was suddenly kinder. 'I'm no monster, though I can see I'm going to have my work cut out convincing you. Let's forget about marriage for the time being.'
'You'
ve said that before, yet you keep on asking.'
'Maybe I'll wait until you ask, next time,' he rejoined grimly.
'That's a relief,' Alex retorted recklessly. 'Now I can forget it.'
His face darkened. 'I won't promise not to remind you. And, as I've told you before, I might find a way of getting what I want without words. There are more effective means than talking.'
'You…you'd compromise me in some way?'
His hands tightened on her trembling shoulders, a flash of anger in his eyes. 'That's an old fashioned way of putting it.'
'I'm an old fashioned girl, remember.'
'And, considering the mother who reared you, very undisciplined.'
'That doesn't answer my question,' she whispered, so oddly breathless she might have been running.
'We'll see.' His eyes glittered as they travelled slowly over her fragile young beauty. As though drawn near, the edge of endurance, he said harshly, 'I want you, Alex, and I confess I don't want to wait. I want you in my bed, to make love to you until you hadn't one thought left in that crazy little head of yours, other than to want to belong to me. One of these days, with or without a wedding ring, I might be tempted if you try me too far.'
Her legs went so weak she couldn't retreat when his hand slid down to her breast. 'A habit of mine,' without mirth he noted her nervous agitation. 'Why does your heart race when I touch you? I've never known such instant response.'
'It can only be hate,' she cried, ignoring the protesting strength of her love.
'I don't have to believe it,' he taunted, but letting her go. 'You look all eyes, worn out. I'd advise a good rest before dinner.'
'That's the last thing…' Alex began.
'Suit yourself,' his mouth compressed. 'I have enough to do without wasting time and sympathy on those who don't want it.'
She prayed he would go but, contrarily, had to stop him. I was led to believe you never spent any time here.'
'I haven't spent a lot,' his dark eyes were very steady, 'but I have you to consider now, and my own inclinations. From now on I'll be here most of the year. Every year.'
'You won't find other distractions so easily, not in the Outback.'
'If by that,' he said coolly, 'you mean other women, I won't need them. Not if I have you.'
'You take too much for granted!'
'I did use the word if.'
'How gracious of you!' Her satin smooth face lifted defiantly, while conversely she struggled with a compulsion to cling to him, her mouth suddenly yearning for his kiss. It had been four days… Strangely shaken, she asked, 'How long do I have?'
'Until I can't stand any more.' He turned away, coldly arrogant, only a faint tinge of red under the hardness of his jaw betraying him. 'Right now I'm going out to the mustering camp. I might see you at dinner.'
When he had gone, Alex went numbly to the bed, drawn irresistibly to the powerful shape of him, still imposed on the covers. Weakly she dropped down to it, curving her head to the exact indentation of his on the pillow. 'Until he couldn't stand any more,' he had said, without stopping to consider anyone else!
Her hands clenched, her body stiffened as erotic sensation seemed to strike up from where he had lain, enveloping her in a wave of excruciating desire. Shamefully she realised it wouldn't take much to have her rushing after him, begging him to make love to her.
Blindly ready to capitulate, she was about to scramble off the bed and catch him up when suddenly she fell back in an anguished little heap. It was no use. For all he wanted her, hadn't he made it quite clear that she bored him? Hadn't he spoken of it emphatically to Ruby? Nor had he ever pretended he was in love. Stricken, Alex stayed where she was. Nothing could provide a better antidote than that. She should be thankful she had remembered in time, before she had lost her head completely.
During the next few days Chase kept his promise to leave her alone. Most of the time he was out with his men, mustering cattle, or busy in the yards around the homestead. Alex caught occasional glimpses of him, dressed for the job in checked shirts and khaki drill trousers, standing well over six foot in his high-heeled elastic-sided boots. He might have been away from Coolabra for long spells, but he was still the Boss, still able to take absolute control, an authority on everything. And there was no doubt in anyone's mind that the respect he commanded went far beyond the actual boundaries of the station.
Alex avoided asking questions herself, but couldn't prevent herself from listening when her mother asked them. Aunt Harriet was usually quite co-operative, never loath to talk of her beloved nephew. The information thus gathered so obviously impressed Enid that Alex shivered, fearing to even try to define her own feelings. It was better not to. Why pretend to be brave? It was much more comfortable to continue in a state of numb indifference than to expose herself to unnecessary pain.
Chase wasn't always at a distance, however. He was there at dinner, always the perfect host, distinguished in perfectly cut dark lounge suits which bore no resemblance to the dust covered attire he wore during the day. The evenings were something Alex looked forward to. Drew Blake usually joined them, along with two young jackaroos who were gaining experience to run stations of their own, and twice visitors dropped in.
Yes, the evenings were fun, Alex had to admit, not too surprised that her mother helped to make them so. Enid had social flair, she was also beautiful, and Alex suddenly realised she was not all that much older than Chase. Once, catching them laughing together, she saw Enid wasn't really out of his generation at all, and was startled by a hot thrust of jealousy. It was amazing how a domineering woman like her mother could be so easily subdued by a little charm. Without trying, Chase seemed able to do just that.
When he could spare the time he took Alex and Enid out riding. Enid was an excellent horsewoman, something Chase appeared to appreciate. It was generally the two of them who led the way, leaving Alex to trail behind. She didn't mind this so much it did afford her an opportunity to study Chase unobserved, which she often found herself doing to the exclusion of everything else. The sight of him was becoming necessary to her, though she would rather have died than that he should know it!
She felt almost pleased when, one day when they were out, Enid proclaimed that while she was enjoying her visit, as a permanent residence Coolabra would be too lonely for her.
Alex, before Chase could speak, found herself very much on the defensive. 'I haven't noticed any loneliness, Mother. There's always something going on, and to do. It's really wonderful. I love it!' No sooner had she spoken than she wished she hadn't. Chase's face wore a look of deep satisfaction. Recklessly Alex dug her heels in the sides of the lovely little mare she rode, feeling, as she always did when he looked, at her intently, a need to escape. Yet his sharp, taunting smile that followed her mocked her ability ever to do so completely!
One afternoon, after he had been home five days, he announced that he was going to Mount Isa. 'Oh, then you must take Alex,' his aunt exclaimed,' She would liked to have gone while you were in Sydney, but no one had time to take her.'
'So I believe,' he drawled, his eyes veiled. 'That was unfortunate. Do you still have urgent shopping to do, Alex?'
He knew why she had wanted to go and her cheeks burned. She had no doubts, now, that he had left precise orders that she wasn't to leave the station. 'Yes, I still have shopping to do,' she smiled, determined to annoy by defying him. It was later in the day than he usually made such a trip. He would be in a hurry, and if her presence proved an irritant, so much the better. It would make him think twice, in future, before making offers he didn't expect to have taken up. And about keeping her a virtual prisoner!
It will be my pleasure,' he smiled dryly, startling her. You can run and get your hat while I have a word with these two ladies.'
Not thinking, anything of this, she did as she was told. She noticed he hadn't asked her mother. Of course Enid never liked flying, so she wouldn't have come anyway, and Chase knew this. Her pleasure fading a little, Alex didn't hu
rry so fast upstairs. These days he appeared to be studying Enid's comfort more than her own.
Unable to resist it, Alex hinted at this as they flew out from the station. 'You don't have to try so hard with Mother, Chase. She loves you already. Or rather what you stand for.' 'One day soon,' he muttered laconically, 'I might just strangle you.' 'A girl needs something to look forward to,' she said coolly.
'I'm sure I can do better than that.' His hands tightened on the controls as though he doubted it. 'Surprise me?' she suggested sarcastically. 'I've already had one sample!' 'You think I couldn't?'
She didn't care for the slight note of menace but felt superbly confident, in her present position. He couldn't do much more than threaten while handling a plane. Chase might look like a pirate, but he was fundamentally a gentleman. That much she believed. He would never do anything to totally embarrass her.
They lapsed into a rather taut silence. Then he asked, 'Are you dead set on Mount Isa, Alex?' 'Not really.' Her beautifully slender brows drew together. 'I like it. Why?' 'I was thinking of taking you to Alice. It would make a change.' 'Alice Springs?'
He nodded. 'You've never been. You can't leave without at least one visit.'
That hurt somehow. Quickly, to hide the feeling of being punched in the stomach, she faltered, 'Haven't you left it rather late in the day?'
Indifferently he shrugged. 'There's enough time to get there and back. We don't have to stay long.'
'How about your business in Mount Isa?'
'I can do it in Alice.'
'If you like, then.' She felt a stir of anticipation. Most people in the world had heard of Alice Springs. It must be surprising that every Australian hadn't been there.
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