The Spanish Uncle

by Jane Corrie

  Mary was sure that it was Isabel that they were dis

  cussing, and she fervently hoped that that would be the end of such a personal discussion, and if not, that they would move back into the villa before continuing.

  Neither of these hopes were realised as she heard Don Emilio go on to say, 'Then you must be quite firm about it. Do not encourage her. I realise it is not easy, but you must make the situation quite clear to her.'

  'I fail to see what. I can do, apart from what I have already done,' replied Rafael, sounding bored with the subject. 'She still clings to the outdated notion that I should honour the arrangement she had with Enrique.'

  Mary's breath caught in a gasp; arrangement with Enrique? Her breath came out slowly as she caught the implication behind Rafael's words. Isabel was the girl Enrique had been engaged to! Little wonder she had not welcomed Mary with open arms! And Enrique's son? Mary, wondered; what would be her reaction to Paul? The likeness alone was surely a reason to make her resentful of the pair of them, even though Mary was not his mother.

  She closed her eyes. Surely it was time they finished their cigars and went to bed. Not for the world would she now reveal her presence. She was even afraid to move in case she accidentally stepped on any twig and gave her presence away. Her embarrassment would be. total if she were discovered.

  By now she was beginning to feel a little chilly, and knew that her legs would soon start to complain at the stiff upright position she was trying to maintain in order to keep absolutely still. Don Emilio's next statement, however, took all thought of discomfort away and left her numb with shock.

  'It's not Isabel I wanted to discuss with you,' said Don Emilio, just as Mary thought they were about to

  go 'into the villa, for she distinctly heard the creak of one of the cane chairs and had presumed Don Emilio had stood up. In fact it must have been the opposite and he must have sat down—either that, or Rafael had decided to take the weight off his feet and join his father. 'Although,' continued Don Emilio thoughtfully, 'I did need to know your intentions in that direction.' There was a long pause after this, and then he added, 'I want you to seriously consider offering marriage to Mary Allis.'

  CHAPTER SIX

  IT was a wonder that Mary's legs continued to support her, and she vaguely wondered why she did not just sink to the ground in a dead faint as her Victorian counterparts were said to have done with surprising ease, for far less reason.

  There was no such merciful release for her, and she took the silence that followed this mindboggling suggestion as distinct proof that she was not the only one suffering from shock!

  When Rafael did answer it was obvious by his carefully phrased words that he was of the opinion that his ignore father had taken leave of his senses. 'I would prefer to

  such a ridiculous suggestion,' he said curtly. 'It is not necessary. You have the boy, and even,' he added furiously, `if there were a good reason for such an alliance, I can assure you, Father, that I would seek other methods of keeping Enrique here where he 'belongs.'

  'I do not understand your vehemence,' said Don Emilio with a weary note in his voice. 'Or what you can possibly hold against Mary. I find her to be a quiet, well brought up young woman. You can do worse, my son. Oh, I'm not suggesting a passionate alliance. That perhaps may come in time, but Enrique must bear the Alvarados name. It is imperative!' This was said with as much vehemence as Rafael had used in reply to his father.

  If that is all that is worrying you, then arrangements

  can be made to have his name changed by deed poll. No other method is required; all that is needed is the agreement of both parties, in this case you or myself, and Mary Allis,' replied Rafael calmly.

  `What if she marries?' demanded Don Emilio. 'And what if they decide to keep Enrique with them? What then?' he asked irritably.

  'Considering the lady is already bespoken—a fact I must confess I had previously overlooked,' Rafael answered with a trace of relief in his voice, 'I do not think you will receive any opposition from that quarter. I rather think that we will find that Miss Allis s fiancé will be more than willing to relinquish all rights over the child's future.'

  'Mary is engaged?' queried Don Emilio, the surprise in his voice quite evident. 'But she distinctly told me there was no one. You must be mistaken, Rafael. I am certain that she would not lie to me.'

  'And I am certain,' replied Rafael in a hard voice, 'that she would, providing it suited her purpose. You have too trusting a nature, my father,' he added on a softer note. 'It is as well that I am here. Come now, forget all this nonsense. All will be well, I promise you. Now come inside into the warm, the air is getting chilly now.'

  The light was suddenly dowsed and Mary found herself trembling with shock bordering on rage. Her hands clenched into fists by her side. Of all the hateful interfering, autocratic males, Rafael Alvarados was top of the list!

  It was not in her nature to eavesdrop, but since she had had no choice but to overhear such a conversation, and the fact that it concerned herself, it made her grateful that she had been afforded such an opportunity.

  She didn't care about Rafael Alvarados, but she did care about Don Emilio'. What would he think of her now? And for goodness' sake, how could she put the matter right and explain that she had broken off the engagement to Derek before coming to Spain?

  A few moments' thought, however, told her that she could do nothing about it whatsoever. She could hardly bring the subject up of her own volition, and how she could bring herself to act normally in the presence of that obnoxious man Rafael Alvarados, let alone speak to him, was beyond her comprehension. Yet she had to, somehow she had to force herself to be polite to him when she would dearly have loved to slap that arrogant face. Offer her marriage indeed! As if she would accept! It was just as well that he felt as abhorred as she did at the very thought. Her lovely grey eyes sparkled with temper. It was a great pity that she was not going to be given the opportunity of turning him down, for that at least would give her some consolation for her treatment at his hands.

  After giving what she hoped was a reasonable lapse of time after the men had left the patio, Mary slipped into the villa and went to her room. As tired as she was, it was a long time before she fell asleep.

  When she awoke the following morning, the sound of water splashing coming from the bathroom told her that Enrique was once again in the capable hands of Maria. He must have slept late that morning as he had not called in on her as he usually did. Mary's lips twisted in an ironical smile on the thought that perhaps he was growing up. There was no doubt that since his arrival at the villa he had grown in confidence. He had never complained to Mary about the lack of a father, but had accepted what she had told him about

  there now being just the two of them. At home, that was, but there must have been times when he had felt the loss keenly. It could not have been easy for him at school; children could be cruel and had an uncanny knack of hitting out where it hurt most.

  She recalled. small incidents in the past, and how he would arrive home dishevelled with bruised cheeks, and once a black eye, shortly after he had attended school. Mary had tried to convince herself that this sort of thing was normal—boys did fight, didn't they? In spite of his small stature he had a temper to match the tallest of his opponents and enough pride to give a good account of himself in a skirmish. He would never tell her the cause of the fights, but would mutter darkly that old so and so would think twice before starting a fight with him, again.

  Things had gradually settled down, there were no more fights, and thinking about it now, Mary realised that he had fought his way through to acceptance of a kind, but his pride made him hold back from any closer relationship with his contemporaries. All, that was, except Michael who lived a few doors away. Michael's father was in the Navy, a career that necessitated long periods away from home, and Mary had wondered if it was this circumstance that had formed the basis of their friendship. Whatever the reason was, she was extremely grateful for
the friendship.

  'Have you brought my swimming things?' demanded Enrique, rushing into her bedroom and breaking off her musings. 'Juan wants to swim this morning.'

  Mary cast her mind back to the time when she had packed their clothes and had to shake her head. She had been in too much of a rush to consider such things as swimming costumes. 'We'll have to buy you one,' she

  said hopefully, and looked at Maria standing behind him and waiting to take him down to breakfast.

  Maria answered the unspoken question Mary had asked her by nodding her head vigorously and fixing her black eyes on Enrique. 'I fix you, you see—come along, nifio,' and gave the relieved Mary a smile as the child gave a whoop of joy that transformed his earlier bleak expression, and took him off to breakfast.

  If the nino was happy, so too was Maria, Mary mused as she recalled the look of tenderness in her dark eyes as she had looked at Enrique's son. She now knew that her earlier assumption that Maria had looked after Rafael and Enrique when they were children was correct, for Paul had told her so.

  By the time Mary was up and dressed, Enrique was off to meet Juan, who had promised to meet him shortly after nine by the vineyards that separated Juan's home from the villa. For the first time since she had taken on Enrique's upbringing, Mary found herself absolutely free to follow her own inclinations, and she wasn't sure that she liked it.

  Like it or not, she would just have to get used to it, she told herself as she made her way down to the patio for breakfast. As long as she was there when he needed her, then that was all that was required. Although, she thought sadly, she did feel a little hurt at the way he had formed such an immediate attachment to his uncle, and although he stood a little in awe of his grandfather, there Was no denying that he respected him, and that On closer acquaintance would become very fond of him. Then there was Maria, the old servant who had taken over Mary's duties so smoothly that it was barely notice. able, except of course to Mary, who had felt a little piqued at the way Enrique had accepted the minis

  trations of a stranger without a murmur.

  She was just telling herself that she ought to be grateful that he was happy and his future was now assured, when she saw that Don Emilio was waiting on the patio to take breakfast with her. The sight of that upright figure drove all other thoughts from her mind and recalled vividly the conversation she had overheard the previous evening.

  It was all Mary could do to push the memory away from her as she took his hand and enquired after his health that morning, adding quickly that she hoped his early appearance was a sign of improvement. The words were almost babbled in her anxiety to present a normal greeting to him, and realising this, she looked away from him and sat down at the table.

  At first the conversation centred on Enrique and how he was settling down, and Mary was able to answer quite truthfully that there was no problem there.

  `And you, Mary?' he asked, his dark eyes searching the candid grey ones.

  This question was riot so easy to answer, and Mary was well aware of the reasoning behind this seemingly innocent question. It's different for me,' she began slowly, accepting a cup of coffee from him. `I mean, it doesn't really matter about me, does it? I'm quite content for the moment to accept your kind hospitality, but later,' she hesitated, `when Enrique has settled in, I see no reason why I should not return home.' Her fingers gripped her cup tightly at the mere thought of returning without him, yet it had to be; he belonged there, and she did not, it was as simple as that. Even without the despicable Rafael's company, she simply could not envisage herself settling down to a sort of dowager's existence relying on handouts from the

  Alvarados family. She almost shuddered at the thought.

  Don Emilio frowned after this brief but telling statement of hers. 'You are family, Mary,' he said quietly. 'Please do not speak of hospitality. This is your home as much as it is Enrique's, and I wish you to regard it as such.'

  Mary felt a lump gathering in her throat. Any minute now she would burst into tears, for there was no doubting the sincerity behind his words. She laid an impulsive band over the slim white one of Don Emilio. 'I didn't mean to make it sound like that,' she said quickly, and shook her head, impatient at her inability to express herself in a more understanding way. 'I very much appreciate the way you have welcomed us here. Oh dear,' expression she exclaimed sadly, as she saw that Don Emilio's

  remained a frowning one. 'That doesn't sound right either, does it? Please don't look so cross. What I'm trying to say is, don't worry about me,' she gave him a tremulous smile. 'I'm old enough to look after myself, you know, and I haven't done too badly up to now. Paul—' she held out her hands in a helpless gesture.

  can't seem to get into the habit of calling him by his first name yet, but no doubt it will come in time.' She took a deep breath. 'Enrique will stay, that I can promise you. I do believe,' she added, trying to inject a note of jocularity into her voice, 'that I could leave tomorrow and he wouldn't miss me!' She shrugged. 'So much for thinking one is indispensable ! '

  She could almost feel the relief Don Emilio felt at her assurance that his grandchild would not be torn from him, now or at any time in the future. As for her half amused statement that Enrique would not miss her if she left, this he did not agree with and said so. 'Until he is sick,' he said gently. 'Or something happens

  that he does not, understand.' He gave an expressive shrug. Now he is fully occupied. Everything is new, and he is in a world of discovery.' He smiled at her. 'I shall not say that I hope the experience wears off in time. I want him to be happy here, but he regards you as his mother, Mary, and there can be no substitute for that,' he reminded her quietly.

  They were both silent for a few minutes after this, and Don Emilio, buttering a crisp roll, suddenly looked up at her engaged upon the same task. 'Are you certain that you couldn't settle down here, Mary? It's early days yet, you know. Give it time. It's not as if you had a particular reason for leaving, is it?' he asked.

  Mary's hand holding the butter knife stilled at the question. He was giving her a chance to verify or dispute Rafael's assertion that she was engaged, but she had to be careful here and not rush her fences and let him know that she was perfectly aware of the reasoning behind his seemingly innocent question. On the other hand she couldn't afford to miss the opportunity to put the record straight, and she might never get another chance like this. 'Not now,' she said slowly, deciding that honesty was her best policy. 'I was engaged, you know.' She looked down at the knife still in her hand and laid it back on the butter dish. 'It didn't work out,' she added quietly. There wasn't much she could add to' that, as it was the truth.

  Don Emilio's dark eyes studied her frank grey eyes. 'Why didn't it work out, Mary?' he asked gently. Was it because of the child?'

  Mary's start did not go unobserved by her attentive companion, who nodded his head slowly as if satisfied 'on this point at least. 'Now that Enrique's future is

  assured, are you hoping for a reconciliation?' he asked softly.

  'No! ' answered Mary unhesitatingly with a certain amount of determination in her voice. 'There's no possibility of that happening whatsoever.' She smiled at Don Emilio brightly, wanting to dispel her earlier vehemence that might just have looked as if he had touched upon a raw spot in her heart. In fact it was just the reverse. 'Thinking back,' she went on musingly, 'I don't honestly know why we ever got engaged in the first place.' She frowned. 'I think we both wanted security. Well, I did, anyway,' she added honestly. 'But it soon became obvious that it wasn't going to work out and the only thing to do was to end it.'

  The way Don Emilio continued to give her what she could only interpret as a sympathetic look told her that he was not entirely convinced that her heart had remained unscathed at the breakup of her romance, and his next words proved this. 'Poor Mary,' he said softly. 'It hasn't been too easy for you, has it?' He caught hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. 'That is all in the past now. You must look forward and not back. But one th
ing I would ask of you, and that is, do not make any hasty decisions about leaving. It is time someone else took over the reins, and that is what I intend to do. From now on, I want you to enjoy yourself. You must explore Seville. We have many wonderful works of art preserved through the centuries and we are proud of our heritage.' He smiled at her. 'You would not want to forgo such an experience, surely?'

  Mary felt as if there was a tight band around her throat, but she managed to smile back at him before answering huskily, 'Of course not! I'm looking forward to seeing Seville. I particularly want to see your beautiful cathedral. It's the oldest Gothic building in Europe, isn't it?' she asked.

  It appeared that she had chosen the right subject to turn Don Emilio's thoughts in other directions and it helped her over the thin ice she felt she had been skating over earlier. As she listened to her host's enthusiastic narrative on the history of the Cathedral, Mary's thoughts slightly wandered from the subject and she wondered if she had been wise to refute his suggestion that she had been hoping for a reconciliation with Derek: Wouldn't it have been better if she had let him think that she had hopes in that direction? It would certainly put an end to his hoped for alliance between Rafael and herself if it did nothing else. However, on second thoughts, she decided that it was better that she had told the truth. She had done with falsehood. Had Don Emilio's schemes involved anyone else but Rafael" Alvarados, Mary might have had cause to worry; as it was, she had nothing to fear and could safely rely on him to firmly scotch any such ill conceived plot.

  When breakfast was over Don Emilio took his leave of her, mentioning that it was the morning the doctor called, and solicitously enquired how she intended to fill her morning, to which Mary answered with a twinkle in her eye that she thought she might, wander down to the swimming pool to keep an eye on his grandchild.