by Anne Hampson
Jake said quietly,
‘I’ve already thought of that, Dominie, but I didn’t mention it because obviously you want to make the most of your visit here. Unfortunately I must get home to attend to my mail, otherwise I could have spent the day with you and gone home later.’
‘Please come,’ urged Susie, her brown eyes pleading. ‘I want you to.’
‘I’d love to have you for the day.’ Jake looked at Dominie across the table, ‘My work will take about an hour, but after that I could give you all my time. We could take a trip in the car, so you would at least see a little of the island, though not so much as if you took the excursion.’ He paused a moment and then, ‘The offer’s there, my dear; it’s up to you to accept or reject it.’
She accepted, suddenly deciding that a forfeiture of her sightseeing was preferable to being on her own all day. True, there would be others in the mini-bus, but they would be strangers to her.
They all left the ship half an hour later, by launch, landing at the capital of Charlotte Amalie.
‘How wonderful to be setting foot on American soil!’ Dominie was excited, and it showed. Her cheeks, so often pale, were flushed, and her blue eyes shone with that violet light which was seen only when she was happy. Her fair hair, short and curled, gleamed like gold in the sunshine pouring down from a tropical sky. She glanced about her; the land rose all around the harbour, lush and green; palms swayed against the sky where fleecy white clouds hung suspended against the background of vivid blue. Many small boats were in the harbour and a little way out four huge luxury liners were anchored. Hassel Island lay dreaming in the harbour—two low hills, green-clothed and fringed with buildings. A native sloop drifted serenely towards the spot where Dominie was standing; she smiled at the occupants and they responded with waves of the hands. Cars of breathtaking size swept along the waterfront; exotic trees flaunted their brilliant crimsons and yellows and pinks. ‘It’s beautiful,’ breathed Dominie, turning to Jake and noting to her surprise that he was frowning. ‘Is anything wrong?’
‘My car should have been here, with the driver. Now what can have happened?’
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour Jake called a taxi. It was driven by a native driver who, smiling broadly, opened the doors for them and said with a pronounced American accent, ‘Sunset Lodge, in quick time!’
‘He knows you?’ Dominie, in the back with the children, spoke as the car pulled away.
‘It’s an island,’ was all Jake said, and it was only later that Dominie learned that he was one of the wealthiest men on St. Thomas.
‘You’ve been here before, lady?’ The driver spoke over his shoulder as he took a turning off the waterfront road known as Veterans Drive.
‘Never,’ she replied.
‘Then you’re in for a treat.’
‘Miss Worthing’s come from the cruise ship, as you’ve probably surmised,’ put in Jake, leaning back in his seat. ‘It’s her first visit to the Caribbean.’
‘Ours is the best island of them all,’ asserted the driver, whose voice vibrated with pride. ‘American! They know how to do things, you see, and so we’re all very happy here!’
‘You’re an American?’
‘Of course.’ He fell silent a moment and then, his tone changing to one of faint disgust, ‘Didn’t I tell you that the Americans know how to do things? See these holes in the road? We make a hole one day, fill it in, nicely pave over it, then the next day we dig it all up again to lay another pipe. The Americans just love to see holes in the road!’
Dominie laughed and said,
‘We appear to have that in common. The British also love to see holes in the road.’
‘They do?’ with surprise. ‘You mean, they just go on digging up the roads, mending them, then they start digging them up again?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Crazy,’ laughed the driver, who after a small silence told Dominie to call him Joe. ‘Is the lady wanting a taxi back to the ship?’ he then inquired of Jake.
‘No, thank you. I shall take her myself in the car.’
‘Okay. I just thought I’d ask, as then I would make sure I’d be free. I thought you’d have had your car waiting for you when you got off the ship,’ he added on a curious note.
‘It should have been there to meet the ship. I can’t think why it wasn’t.’
The car was now climbing the mountain road, its sinuous route taking them to the other side of the island, and with every hairpin bend came another magnificent vista of breathtaking beauty. Far down below the numerous islands and islets and bays that surrounded St. Thomas could be seen. They were all volcanic peaks, tops of mountain ranges buried under the waters of the ocean.
‘That’s Tortola, one of the British Virgin islands,’ Joe said, pointing downwards to the sea. ‘The one near to it is Jost Van Dyck.’
‘Are some of the small islets uninhabited?’ inquired Dominie with interest.
‘That is so, lady. There is one that’s uninhabited, but it’s cultivated—’ Joe broke off to point out the red hibiscus hedges and the magnificent Royal poinciana trees blazing along the roadside. ‘We have a good rainfall and so we call this Paradise Island!’ Jake glanced back at Dominie and smiled as Joe said this. On Barbados the taxi driver had given the island the same name!
The taxi slowed down at last, and entered between the high wrought-iron gates. The house came into view and Dominie gave an audible gasp. She said, in a voice that was little above an awed whisper,
‘I had no idea, Jake...’ She had been going to say she had no idea he was so very wealthy, but stopped as Jake laughed. How modest he was! No mention had been made of all this splendour.
The house, low and white, spread over the magnificent grounds where exotic trees and bushes grew in numerous colourful clusters. The swimming pool shone brilliant blue and she later learned that it was illuminated from underneath at night.
‘Well, Mr. Harris,’ observed Joe as he slid from the taxi and opened the door, ‘Paul doesn’t seem to be here.’
‘No. I expect he arrived late at the quay and is now on his way back. It’s a wonder we haven’t seen him on the road.’ There was no sign of anger in Jake’s voice; he seemed to have decided there was some good reason for his chauffeur’s non-appearance at the quay.
With Joe paid off the four entered the house, being met at the door by a native servant who took Jake’s luggage away. ‘We’ll have some coffee and then I’ll leave the kids to show you round for an hour until I’m free.’ Jake rang a bell and Molly appeared, a welcoming smile spreading over her dusky face. She eyed Dominie, then looked curiously at Jake. ‘Miss Worthing’s come to stay with us for a few hours,’ he explained. ‘We’d like some coffee, please.’
‘Yes sir! I will fetch it at once.’
‘Do they all speak such good English?’ Dominie wanted to know in some surprise.
‘English is the language here. The locals do have a patois—-a West Indian dialect which is a hybrid of French, Spanish, German and Dutch, the result of the slave-traders’ endeavours to teach their workers to speak European languages. But this patois has been substantially modified by English in recent years.’
‘Everyone seems so happy and content.’
‘Of course they are. This is an affluent society in which almost everyone has a share.’
Dominie sat down, while the children ran off into the garden and Jake leafed swiftly through the heap of letters he had taken from the table in the entrance hall. The room was white and gold, with crimson carpet and drapes. Everything was modern, and expensive. From his place at the open french window Jake said, glancing up from his correspondence,
‘This is going to take rather longer than I expected, Dominie. I’ve to make several long-distance calls, and wait for some answers.’ He gave a small sigh. ‘This is what comes of being away; there’s always a great deal of work to catch up with on my return.’
‘Don’t worry about me, Jake. I shall be quite happ
y just looking around your beautiful gardens.’
‘Thanks, my dear. We’ll have our coffee together and then I’ll see you again at lunch-time.’
Paul arrived during the afternoon, having previously telephoned to say that the car had broken down and he was having it repaired at a garage in Charlotte Amalie, to where he had had it towed from the mountain road. Jake had been forced to stay in anyway, owing to the necessity of receiving the answers to his calls. It was rather late to go for a run, Dominie thought, and although Jake plainly regretted her missed opportunity of seeing something of the island he was just as plainly relieved by Dominie’s attitude. She convinced him that she had thoroughly enjoyed herself, going round with the children and then playing ball on the lawn.
‘We’ve had a swim as well,’ she informed him. ‘Susie found me a bikini from somewhere.’
‘My sister left it a few months ago when she came on a visit from Florida, where she lives.’
All too soon the time for Dominie’s departure arrived. She felt inexpressibly flat and depressed, but was at the same time grateful for the company she’d had during those days when the tragedy of her brother would inevitably have occupied all her thoughts. She said goodbye to Molly, who wished her a safe voyage home, then went with Jake and the children towards the car.
Ten minutes later Jake was shaking his head as he pressed the starter for the last time.
‘It’s no use; the darned thing isn’t going to start. Whatever was wrong with it hasn’t been put right, obviously.’
‘Can’t Auntie Dominie go back to the ship?’ asked Susie with undisguised delight. ‘Will she have to stay with us?’
‘Uncle Rohan will take her,’ answered Jake quietly, opening the door for Dominie to get out of the car. ‘I’ll phone him at once.’
‘Rohan?’ Dominie looked swiftly at Jake as she stepped from the car. ‘Won’t he mind?’
‘Not at all,’ replied Jake with confidence, and strode away towards the house.
But Rohan wasn’t in, and although Jake telephoned immediately for a taxi half an hour passed and it failed to arrive. Meanwhile Rohan had returned and, receiving the message from his servant, drove over at once to Sunset Lodge.
Dominie and Jake were on the terrace and they hurried to the car; within seconds she was being introduced to its owner.
‘How do you do,’ murmured Dominie, stunned by his magnificence despite the description she had been given by Jake. She was unable to take her eyes from his face, a proud face but strong of line and feature, a face that was an expressionless mask at present as Rohan de Arden stared down into Dominie’s wide blue eyes. She noted the angular jaw, prominent and set, the firm yet sensuous mouth, the black hair forming a slight wave at each side of the peak that cut into the low and faintly-lined forehead. His eyes were of an unusual colour—a sort of dull amber which, with the sudden appearance of Susie who came running from the house, changed and became alive.
‘Uncle Rohan!’ Susie would have flung herself into his arms, but her father took her hand and pulled her away, saying,
‘Rohan, the ship sails at five—’
‘Five!’ Rohan glanced at his watch. ‘Get in, Miss Worthing,’ he said, and within seconds they were on the road.
She was taking her last look at the beautiful Magens Bay when she heard the exclamation from the hitherto silent driver, and she turned her head. Before them, just on the hairpin bend, were two cars which had obviously collided with one another. The occupants appeared to be unhurt, for they were standing around—but the road was completely blocked.
Getting out of his car, Rohan helped to move one of the cars, but it took a good deal of time and when at last the quay came into view the ship could be seen, just moving away from where it had been moored in the bay. Rohan stopped and turned, noting Dominie’s pallor and the drawn expression on her face.
‘You’ll have to fly out to the next port of call,’ he told her casually. ‘Where is it?’
‘Martinique,’ she quivered, unconsciously gripping her hands together. ‘All—all my luggage is on board.’
‘I expect it is,’ with faint sarcasm. ‘When does the ship reach Martinique?’
‘Ten o’clock tomorrow morning,’ she replied flatly, ‘and it leaves twelve hours later.’
He gave a careless shrug and said,
‘You can’t get a flight at that short notice. What other places does the ship call at?’
‘None until it reaches Madeira a week today.’ Her lip trembled. ‘I’ll have missed half the cruise,’ she murmured to herself.
‘Bad luck.’ Rohan spoke with the same careless intonation to his voice. Plainly he was not interested in her, or concerned in any way about her plight. ‘However, there’s nothing to be done. You’ll have to rejoin your ship at Madeira.’
Jake was full of apologies on their return to Sunset Lodge; his anxiety, and the way he looked at Dominie, brought a curious gleam to Rohan’s eyes, and he glanced from Jake to Dominie several times, pursing his lips.
‘Did it never cross your mind that you could call a taxi?’ he asked of Dominie in smooth and even tones.
‘Jake called one, but it didn’t arrive.’
‘I see. It would almost seem you were fated not to catch your ship.’
Dominie glanced indignantly at him. His indifference was almost inhuman. Anyone with any feeling at all would have expressed sympathy, even though she was a stranger. Jake was speaking, telling Dominie not to worry too much, and promising to arrange her flight to Madeira.
‘It mightn’t be too bad, my dear,’ he added, smiling in a quiet reassuring way. ‘I’ll see that you enjoy yourself while you’re on the island.’ His eyes strayed momentarily to where Rohan was standing, looking decidedly bored with the entire business of the missed boat. ‘You’ll be quite happy here,’ Jake added swiftly as he saw that Dominie was also looking up at Rohan, and noting the expression on his face.
Jake was right. After the flight had been arranged Dominie managed to relax, and to enjoy her stay on the lovely Caribbean island. Stowed away in one of the spare rooms were two large trunks, full of clothes which had been left behind when Jake’s wife went off with her children to England, and on going through these Dominie found that many were suitable for her to wear despite the fact of their being rather large. Jake’s wife must have been less slender than Dominie, and a little taller. However, the clothes were very welcome, and as there were several pairs of shorts and sun-tops she was able to sunbathe, adding to the tan she had already acquired on the ship coming over.
‘I’m giving a party,’ Jake told her one afternoon when they were having tea on the lawn. ‘We have lots of parties here. About a dozen people will be coming, and if you can’t find a suitable dress I hope you’ll allow me to buy you one.’
She shook her head, saying instantly that there was sure to be a dress she could wear.
‘I couldn’t let you buy me one,’ she added even though Jake frowned a little. ‘You’re being most kind as it is. This visit of mine must be inconveniencing you immensely—’
‘On the contrary, it’s giving me nothing but pleasure, Dominie. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I?’
‘Indeed I am,’ she returned with swift enthusiasm. ‘To be frank, I’d much rather be here than on my own on the ship.’
‘Thank you, my dear.’ Jake glanced up as Rohan came striding across to where they were sitting, under a breadfruit tree, their afternoon tea spread daintily on a table before them. ‘Hello, Rohan! You’re just in time for a cup of tea.’
‘Thanks.’ He eased his long body into a chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. ‘I just called to see if I could bring a friend along to the party this evening. She and her parents flew in today and called unexpectedly. I do a great deal of business with Mr. Fortescue, and naturally I’ve asked them to be my guests for a few days. They’d booked in at an hotel, but I couldn’t have that.’ His voice, usually low and casual, took on a note of authority and
Dominie felt that if he told someone to do something, then they would do it, without question. ‘The Fortescues are island-hopping by plane. The trip’s a silver wedding present from Tom to his wife. Sylvia has come along too and I’d like to bring her this evening if I may.’
‘But of course! Bring them all.’
‘Tom and Dora prefer to stay in and have a rest. They’ve had several late nights, they tell me, and are happy to make themselves at home and just sit and listen to some music.’
‘Well, the invitation’s there if they wish to accept it.’
‘I’ll tell them, but I don’t think they’ll come.’
Another cup and saucer was brought by Molly and Dominie poured Rohan’s tea, aware of his eyes on her as she did so. But she felt sure his gaze was mechanical, that she might not have been there for all the real interest he took in her. She looked at him as she passed him his tea; he inclined his head and said a quiet, ‘Thank you,’ as he took the cup from her. He and Jake talked and Dominie was given the opportunity of examining his features more closely. Handsome he undoubtedly was, with that sort of attraction which could not fail to affect any woman with an ounce of romance in her, be she young or old. His skin was clear and very brown from the sun; his hair was thick and healthy, his brows straight, aristocratic, his teeth were white and even ... in fact, thought Dominie as she continued to stare, he was perfection itself. But there was about him something which seemed to offset the attractiveness of his features. There was a cynicism which jarred, and a certain ruthlessness lay half-hidden in those amber eyes. The mouth, sensuous and wide, portrayed a hardness, somehow, she decided; and that jawline ... It told its own story of the man’s inflexibility.
It was inevitable that he should at last become aware of her keen interest and before she could lower her head she received an arrogant and questioning glance from him. A flush spread and she swallowed, averting her head, angry with herself for her interest. The man was probably filled with vanity as it was, without her flattering his ego by staring at him like a wide-eyed schoolgirl who had just found herself face to face with her favourite hero of the films.
