The Master of Barracuda Isle Page 11

  marry for love. They never have done. They marry to mcrease their riches, to improve the family income. Not for love," she said sneeringly. Jan was thinking fast. Things began to add up. She had been brought here out of Jarvis's way, not to let him go on with his student work, but to give him a chance to get tired of her and find someone else. It didn't matter, really, with whom Jarvis was involved so long as marriage didn't enter into it. Ailsa Gonnaught had turned away, but now she looked back. "So long as you've not lost your heart to Ludovic, I'm not interested, but remember one thingif anyone's going to get him, it's me. I've known Ludovic for years. He doesn't know how I feel or he'd run a mile so fast I wouldn't know where he'd gone." She laughed. "There are better ways to work it than chasing him. One day I'll hook him, make no mistake," she added savagely, and walked off. Jan sank to the hot sands, hugging her knees, staring blindly at the sea. Ailsa was beautiful, but so was Amanda. Both were determined, Jan told herself, and wondered if it was Ailsa that Rab had meant when he said that, .one day, a clever beautiful girl would discover Ludovic's Achilles' heel and handle him? Or was it Amanda ? Shivering a little despite the heat, Jan went to swim. Not that it helped, she found, not even floating on her back, gazing up at the pale blue sky as she shut her eyes, but she could only wonder if it was Ailsa walking down the church aisle... or Amanda? Either were hateful thoughts, she decided, so turned over in the warm water and swam ashore. She wondered what sort of wife either would make Ludovic, but again came another question as Jan wondered what sort of husband Ludovic would make. Ashore the heat dried her Instantly, but Jan realised that she wouldn't mind what sort of husband Ludovic might be if only he would marry her. 119

  The days of the week flew by and then came Friday. Ludovic was bringing Sara and Jan looked forward to meeting her. It would be fun to have a companion to talk to... that is, of course, if Sara was willing to be friendly. Sixteen-year-olds could be difficult at times. Jan remembered how Felicity had behaved only the year before. Friday came, but no Ludovic or Sara. Jan began to worry. Could something have happened? she thought anxiously. A plane crash? She decided to write to her mother and went to her room, .then returned restlessly to the hall. Should she ask Esther if Barry had gone in to meet them, but if he hadn't he would surely have told her, Jan thought. She saw the drawing room door was ajar and Ludovic was there. He heard her heels on the polished floor and turned. "Hi. I wondered where you were," he said, and she noticed it was his casual friendly voice. "I got held upa strike. Afraid poor Sara's in a worse state, having to spend the night in Sydney. Her plane was very late." Couldn't you have waited for her? Jan wanted to ask, but decided it was none of her business. As if able to read her mind, Ludovic smiled. "I arranged for Jarvis to meet her and take her out to dinner. They get on better together when I'm out of the way. Maybe Jarvis'.ll be able to knock some sense into her." He gave her a cold drink and they went to sit on the screened verandah. "What sort of week?" Ludovic asked casually. "Very pleasant." Jan looked at her hands, twisting her fingers to-gether. She was afraid to look at him in case he saw the truth. Surely it must be showing in her eyes? She loved this manand hated him, too, at times. A strange mixture. But she knew one thingwhen he was there, everything changed and came alive, was brighter, more lovely. Even the palm trees seemed to 120

  straighten, the birds to sing more. Then she remembered and looked up."By the way, you had a visitor on Monday. She , hoped to catch you here. She's back from Brazil." "Brazil?" Ludovic frowned. "Brazil?" "Yes, Ailsa Gonnaught" "Oh, Ailsa! She's always chasing me. Thinks I don't know it." He laughed. "I'm not a fool. Girls have always chased me, so I reoognise all the symptoms." "I don't chase you." Jan felt the familiar anger stirring in her. Why must he throw his weight around and be so arrogant? | He looked at her, his eyes amused.| "So far, you haven't," he admitted. "But I expect it any I moment. You seem to be weeding out the wealthy I men, you know. First, your neighbour, Frank Sutdiffe, : in England, but he wasn't much good, was he? Not ! after you'd met Jarvis and realised what wealth there was out here._ Then there was George Sugden, but you soon threw him out. Then Jarvis... and now? Me? I thought you'd fall for Peter. He's much wealthier than Jarvis, you know." Jan stared at him. She felt frozen. "How do you know all that about me?" He laughed. "I have spies. You'd be surprised what I know about you. It's all in the file in my office." She stood up, trembling with anger. "I've never been so insulted in my life! I think you're... you're impossible!" The words poured out of her mouth. "Hateful, conceited, arrogant, beastly...." she spluttered, and stopped speaking, for he was shaking with laughter. "Why, you..." He caught her arm as she went to smack his face. "Please, Jan, I'm sorry. I'm only teasing you. Where's your sense of humour? I only did it to make you mad. I've got no file, though I do know all about you." He was still laughing. She was shaking and sat down near him, for he still held her arm. 121 " ""^" "Why?" She couldn't believe it. He had said he was sorry. He had actually apologised! "Why? Because you look so much prettier when you get mad, Jan. It's (he truth." He stopped laughing. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I didn't mean to upset you." "A joke!" She swallowed and saw him through a mist of tears she wouldn't shed. "You have a strange sense of humour." "I know, but you can't change a tiger's stripes." "I thought it was spots!" "No, that's a leopard," he said with a smile. "Another drink?" he asked, his voice casual. It wasn't until hours later, when Jan was lying awake in bed, that she realised she had been so surprised by Ludovic's apology that she had completely overlooked the real reason for her anger. Ludovic had made it appear that she was insulted and furious because he had spied on her. Well, in a way, that was true, but it wasn't the real reason. What had upset her was the suggestion that she was looking for the wealthiest husband and had discarded Frank and George, and perhaps Jarvis, in an effort to find the richest man she could! As if money mattered all that much. Though it did seem to matter to Ludovic, she knew. Tossing and turning in the hot room, Jan tried to sleep, but her thoughts spun round and round in circles and always she came back to the same thought. Why was it so important for Jarvis to make a marriage of convenience? Why must he marry a very rich girl? Wasn't he one of the wealthiest young men in Australia? Or wouldn't he be when he was twenty-five years old ? Then why did he need to marry money? she wondered. Yet it must be urgent and important in Ludovic's eyes as otherwise he surely wouldn't go to so much trouble to keep her out of the way, Jan thought, even producing a horrible creature like Peter to distract her attention. 132

  Then she felt ashamed. Peter was all right. Maybe she had acted hastily, but if he had gone about it more. well, with more... what was the word? Romantic way Ludovic would have said sarcastically. Yet what girl liked to be grabbed and kissed without any build-up? Kisses didn't mean a great deal, but... well, no mrl wanted to kiss just anyone, did she? she asked herself All the same, maybe she should have handled the situation more sophisticatedly. She tried to imagine how Ailsa or Amanda would have behaved at such a time. Her thoughts went bacik again to the money. If Ludovic insisted that Jarvis marry for money why didn't Ludovic do the same? Perhaps that was what he was planning and _ still looking forthe richest girl? Finally she fell asleep, and dreamt, only to awaken next morning with the frustrated feeling that if only she could remember what she had dreamt about it mirfit answer her question. She had no chance to talk to Ludovic alone that day for Rab joined them and they went fishing. Jan enjoyed this fishing expedition better, for she had a sympathetic companion and while Ludovic and Barry battled with a huge fish, Jan and Rati could .talk. That evening he stayed to dinner and the two men got absorbed in a discussion about a certain kind of fish, believed prehistoric, that had been found. Jan began to yawn. The long day in the sunshine had tired her, so she decided to go to bedreluctantly, though, wishing she had a chance to talk alone with Ludovic. At the door she paused, turning her head to stare at the two men, their heads bent now over a map as they worked out currents in the ocean, and where the strange fish could have come from. Jan let her gaze linger on Ludovi
c's fair bleached hair, his strong face, firm chin. Was he really the hateful arrogant man she thought him? If so, why did she love him so much? Ludovic looked up and stared at her. She swallowed nervously. Had her eyes given away .their secret? she wondered. Then Ludovic smiled. 123

  "Sleep well," he said. "Pleasant dreams." "Thanks," she mumbled, and hurriedly closed the door, leaning against it. She had never known love would be like this. The yearning to be with him, to have him to herself, to hear his voice, see his smile. Just to know he was there. In the morning, when she awoke, he would be gone and she wouldn't see him until Friday at the earliest. Pleasant dreams, he'd said. Well, she dreamed most nights and she was sure they were about 'him, but she could never remember .them and only had these frustrating, teasing half-memories. It was three days later that Sara arrived. Barry had come to the house just after Jan had dressed. He had smiled, his usual formal smile. "Thought you'd like to know, Miss Fairlie's coming today. I'm going over to meet her. Like to come?" "Thanks, Barry, I'd love to go. I'll just run down and tell Rab." "No hurry, the plane doesn't arrive until midafternoon," Barry told her. "Be at the jetty about two o'clock. Okay?" "Fine," said Jan. Suddenly she felt excited, for she had realised something. Sara had been having dinner with Jarvis. Jarvis would certainly feel able to give his sister a note for Jan! Ludovic had said the brother and sister got on well, so Jarvis was sure to confide in Sara and tell her how Jan was helping him. Then he would give Sara a letter for Jan and she would know if she was really helping him and Felicity by staying up here. The journey was pleasant. For once, Barry was friendly, much more like the man she knew on their fashing expeditions. He talked to her of fishing trips they'd made and Ludovic's dream and his. "One day we're going to sail round the world. People have done it, but we're planning a different way. The hardest way," he grinned. "It'll be beaut. Trouble is he's , so busy."' 124 I "What about your wife? Won't she be worried if you I' go?" Jan asked. |, "Esther?" Barry chuckled. "She'll accept anything if it I. makes me happy." I. Jan _ knew he was right. She would be the same if S Ludovic was her husband. I The airport was crowded with tourists pouring in by (he hundreds. Jan stood by Barry's side, waiting, and when she saw the tall slender girl with short curly red hair and very plain green suit, she tried to see a resemblance to Jarvis. There was none whatever. "Barry!" the girl said with a quick, almost earer smile. . "It's good to be back." Then she saw Jan and her face changed, became wary, her eyes changed too. It was as almost as if she was tense. "Miss Jan Shaw." Barry introduced formally, and col. lected Sara's luggage, leading the way to the car. Sara looked at Jan and frowned. . "Ought I to know who you are ?" Jan smiled back. "Didn't Jarvis tell you about me?" ,. Some of her excitement was fading and it vanished when Sara shook her head. "Ludovic told me you were dining ^ with Jarvis, and I was sure he'd tell you." "I didn't have dinner with Jarvis. I wasn't well. He phoned me, but we don't talk the same language." Sara's , face had a strange habit of changing. One moment she looked vulnerably young, and then suddenly she looked ; almost hard and sophisticated. "I've no patience with | him," she went on. "He's so weak he never fights Uncle." | "Uncle...." Jan began, and stopped. Of course, Sara | meant Ludovic. "I rather hoped Jarvis would send a | message," she said. "You see, I'm only here because of IT him." | "Jarvis?" Sara turned to look at Jan, puzzled. "Jarvis S: asked you here?" J| T!iey were at the car, Barry bustling around before p, sliding behind the driver's seat and starting the engine. I1': "I t's a long story," Jan said. "You must be tired. I know i I was, after flying up here." I "S

  Sara nodded. "I am, a bit. I wasn't well in Sydney either. But I'll be all right on the island. I always am." "You like the island?" Jan asked. "And how!" Sara gave a low, almost bitter laugh. "It has only one thing wrong with it and that's the fact that it belongs to my uncle. I hate having anything that belongs to him." "Actually I was invited here by your mother," Jan told her. Sara's face changed again. She looked amazed. "My mother asked you ?" "Yes, well, I might as well tell you the lot," said Jan. "Your mother was worried about me. She thought Jarvis wanted to marry me and ..." "Did he?" "I'm sure he didn't, but your mother thought he did. We were just friends. She asked me to stay and... well, give Jarvis a chance to take his Final exams without me there to distract him," Jan laughed. "So here I am waiting to meet your mother.""How long have you been on the island?" Sara asked. Jan told her, amazed at how fast time had flown. "Mother'11 turn up some time," Sara said. "You never know where you are with her. She's so terribly busy." "I'm sure she will," Jan said cheerfully. "She'll want to see you."Sara turned her head swiftly, her cheeks suddenly red, but at that moment, the car stopped near the quay and Barry, getting out, broke up the conversation. On the boat, Sara and Barry talked and Jan sat quietly watching the girl. It was amazing how quickly Sara changed. She was like her uncle in that respect. WithBarry she was relaxed, more of a happy schoolgirl on holidaythen, if she looked up and saw Jan sitting there, she seemed to retreat as if afraid of what questions might be asked. Jan looked at the islands they passed, the cruisers speeding along, the glorious emerald-green of her beloved palm trees, bent for ever against the cruel winds. ia6

  Jan saw the look on Sara's face as the island came into view. "It's lovely," said Jan, trying to be friendly. "I don't think I've ever seen any place so beautiful." "You weren't bored here, or lonely?" Sara asked as they went ashore. "Oh no. I go fossicking with Rab. He says you help him, too." "Rab's all right. I like him," said Sara. "He's different from Uncle." Sara and Jan got into the carriage and the black horses trotted demurely along the earth road. Sara laughed. "Isn't it gloriously Victorian being driven like this!" "Yes," Jan laughed. "Out of this world." "Look, did my mother write and invite you to the island?" Sara asked unexpectedly. "Yes. Your uncle came to my flat in Sydney with the invitation," Jan chuckled. "Honestly, I must have looked a sight! I'd just had a shower and had put on my towelling coat, washed my hair and there was a ring at the bell. I went and there was... was your uncle. I hadn't a clue as to who he was and then he said: 'I'm Jarvis's uncle' and of course I knew. Jarvis had often talked about his uncle." "He hates him as much as I do," Sara said calmly, "but he's scared of him. I'm not. I do everything Uncle dislikes. That's why I got expelledto make him mad." She laughed. "I'm not easily beaten." "Why were you expelled?" Jan asked, a little nervously. "I had a boy-friend. We used to meet at nights in the garden. We wrote to one another, and they found one of his letters." "But you said you made them expel you?" Sara laughed. " 'Course I did. There wasn't a boy-friend. I wrote the letter and made up the whole story. They're very 127

  strict and I really shocked 'em." Sara laughed again. "I've got a good imagination, you know." The carriage stopped and Sara jumped up, leaving Jan behind as she ran into the house. As Jan went into the hall, Sara came out of one of the always closed doors. "Just making sure Lucy's cooking my favourite dinner," Sara said cheerfully. "Know something, Jan? I've been thinking about it Knowing my uncle I bet he got you up here by tricking you. He knew you wouldn't come unless you had a proper invitation from my mother. He's cool, all right. I bet you Mum doesn't even know you exist." Jan stared at her, startled for a moment, and then remembering that she, too, had thought exactly the same thing. "Noshe did, because her secretary knew." "Oh, that woman," Sara sniffed as if she, like the Ryders, disliked Amanda. "I did wonder, though, Sara," Jan went on, "because he's capable of anything. He got me here by lie... and has kept me Iby moral blackmail." She stopped abruptly as she saw the excited pleasure on Sara's face. "Moral blackmail? Oh, boy!" Jan wished she hadn't spoken so frankly. "Hadn't you better have a shower... you must be tired/' she said. Sara winked wickedly. "I know. Walls have ears and our beloved uncle has spies. Right, Jan, we'll talk later. See you!" Sara finished, her voice friendly, as she went into her bedroom. Jan did the same. She had a shower, changed into a clean yellow frock and went to stand on her verandah. On every side were the palm trees. They should^ have delighted her, but for once they didn't. i^Nor did the gorgeous colour of the water, or
the junshine... for she felt ashamed, as if she was guilty 128

  of something. She knew what it was. She wished she hadn't said such things of Ludovic. It only added to Sara's resentment and hatred and.... After all, let's face it, she told herself severely, for all she knew, Ludovic might really be worried about Jarvis's future and have acted for his good. And then she was angry with herself. Why should she make excuses for the 'Master of Barracuda Isle'? How he must love (he sound of .those words; .they gave him power, the power he loved. Power to rule others, to determine their lives, to rule them. Ludovic could have treated the whole affair differently. He could have got in touch with her, perhaps even asked ^ her out to lunch and put the whole problem before her. ( Discussed in a civilised way, they could have arranged something. Jan might have got a job in Melbourne or Adelaide. There had been no reason to trick her into coming up hereor was it because he couldn't trust her to stay away from Jarvis? Because he didn't trust anyone? ; And she had always believed that those people who couldn't trust others were the people who were not to be trusted themselves! She was sitting on the screened verandah when Sara joined her. She was wearing green jeans that matched her eyes, and a yellow blouse and sandals. Her red hair was slightly ruffled, her eyes bright with curiosity, as she curled up in one of the wicker chairs. "Jan," Sara began eagerly as if she couldn't wait to talk, "I thought you were on Uncle's side, one of his spies, you know. That's why I wasn't very friendly. I thought he'd got you here to look after me and try to make me mend my ways." ; Jan laughed. "Think I'd have succeeded ?" ; Sara stretched her slender body luxuriously. "Of course not I'm tough. Just like..." She stopped, her face ' momentarily disturbed. Jan smiled sympathetically. "Just like your uncle. You are, you know. Not to look at, of course, but you have the same abrupt changes of mood, the same determination." 129