Island fiesta, p.14
Island Fiesta, page 14
Corinne's heartbeats went back to the rhythm of the posthorn gallop, and she wondered furiously if he was doing it on purpose; it was his beloved he was supposed to be plaguing, not her ! If he was doing it on purpose, then she doubted her ability to stay the course !
In the meantime she did her best to enter into the spirit of the party, but it was not easy, for Juan seemed to find plenty of occasions in which to slip his arm around her slim waist, and Corinne was not at all sure that so many demonstrations of outward affection were entirely necessary, but she was grateful for the fact that he did not kiss her hand again.
By the time it was eleven o'clock, her head was aching with the unaccustomed noise of laughter and loud conversation, and she vaguely wondered why people always seemed to talk that much louder at such parties, and she suspected that it was the liberal doses of alcohol consumed that produced this effect.
To Juans annoyance . Miguel Blanco who it appeared was Dolores' brother had attached himself to their party, and constantly hovered around Corinne. Corinne suspected that it was his intention
ISLAND FIESTA 155 to wrench her from Juan's side whenever the opportunity presented itself. The reason for such a move was not so hard to guess at, she reasoned silently, sure that he was under orders from his sister, who must by now be grinding her teeth in frustration at her inability to manoeuvre a private word with Juan.
It was then that fate lent Dolores a helping hand, as Juan was asked to take a telephone call, which he took in the adjoining room, and by closing the door he could hear what was said on the other end of the line without having to ask for silence from the more rowdy section of the company.
Having received a distinct order from Juan to stay where she was before he went to take the call, Corinne was not surprised to find Miguel beside her within seconds of the door closing behind Juan.
'Let me get you some more sherry,' he said, attempting to take the half-empty glass Corinne was holding, and had been nursing for most of the evening, successfully dodging the attendant waiter's efforts to keep all the glasses filled.
Corinne smiled as she declined the offer. `No, thank you,' she said, 'I've reached my limit.'
It was just at that moment that she caught sight of Dolores entering the room that Juan had gone into to take the call, and her eyes remained fixed on the door as it closed silently behind her.
Her first thought was that Juan would be furious at her intrusion, but then it occurred to her that perhaps he had arranged the whole set-up. He was not likely to miss the chance of observing Dolores' true reaction to his marriage. Miguel had followed Corinne's gaze and gave a
156 ISLAND FIESTA deep sigh. 'I'm afraid your marriage was a great shock for Dolores,' he said in a funereal voice, that was not echoed in his light brown eyes as they met Corinne's frank gaze, and she had the impression that he was secretly enjoying himself. She also knew with certainty that he did not care for his sister, and this was perhaps the reason for his rather puckish attitude.
`I hope I'm not speaking out of turn,' he went on, still in that doleful voice, 'but you're sure to hear rumours about them.' He gave another exaggerated sigh, `I'm sure you won't begrudge her a few minutes alone with your husband, will you ?'
Corinne's eyebrows rose at this, and she wondered what her answer would have been if she had been madly in love with Juan. As it was, she simply said, 'Of course not,' and left it at that.
Their attention was then directed to a pair of heavily built men who were having an altercation that looked like turning into a serious fight at any moment.
'Diego and Salvador,' commented Miguel, with an odd twisted smile. 'Don't worry, it's not as bad as it looks. They're brothers and business partners, and really enjoy a disagreement.'
As he said this, the first blow was struck and the recipient staggered back against an occasional table that went crashing to the floor.
'Well, it doesn't usually get this far,' Miguel said with a frown, and caught Corinne's arm, 'I think perhaps it might be better if I escort you into the garden until things are brought to order. Juan would never forgive me if you became embroiled in a brawl,' and he led Corinne to the french windows and
ISLAND FIESTA 157 out into the cool fresh evening air.
Corinne's thoughts on this protective action of Miguel's in regard to Juan's feelings would have surprised Miguel had he been privileged to hear them, for she was certain that nothing short of the house falling down would have disturbed either Juan or the woman he loved, as she envisaged them wrapped in each other's arms.
If all went well, she told herself, Juan would be pressing for that annulment within a matter of weeks, and surely he would be so happy that he would not mind if Corinne elected to stay in the Canaries. It was not as if she would cause him any embarrassment, for their paths need never cross again.
These thoughts should have lifted Corinne up to the skies, but she felt only a deep sadness, and she was shocked and surprised at her feelings. What was the matter with her ? Had that wretched man so bullied her that she was now incapable of fending for herself again ? She gave a swift nod at this explanation. It had to be that; she simply refused to believe that she had fallen in love with a man who had used her in such a despicable way only to hurt the woman he really loved.
Miguel led her to a stone bench in an alcove at the side of the house, and considerately brushed away any dust or debris that might have been on the seat with his silk handkerchief, before allowing her to be seated.
If only to stop the trend of such thoughts that threatened to envelop her very existence, Corinne asked Miguel the name of the climbing shrub that had twined itself around the alcove, its pale mauvish
158 ISLAND FIESTA flowers appearing luminous against the evening light.
She knew that he had answered her, and then went on to tell her about other different plants that would soon be flowering, but Corinne's thoughts would not let her concentrate upon anything else but the stupendous discovery she had made regarding her feelings for Juan.
It was then that Juan arrived, and for one long moment did not say anything but just stood there grimly surveying them. When he did speak, Corinne recognised the soft silky voice that she so hated. `So here you are,' he said softly, and in those few words Corinne knew that he was not only angry but absolutely furious. He turned his fury towards Miguel. `And what was the excuse ?' he growled menacingly. `Room too hot ?' he suggested sarcastically.
Miguel jumped up in an action that showed his nervousness and tried to assume a casual air. 'It was Diego and Salvador,' he explained hastily. 'Things got a bit out of hand, so I thought I'd better
He did not finish the sentence, he was too concerned about the way that Juan had taken a threatening step towards him. 'You could have done what the other guests did, couldn't you ?' Juan demanded harshly. 'They moved into the dining room, but you couldn't resist the chance, could you ?' he added savagely. `I'm warning you, Blanco, keep away from my wife ! I won't give you another warning !'
The unwarranted attack on Miguel had taken Corinne by surprise, but she could not stand by without making some effort on Miguel's behalf; he had done nothing to warrant such a virulent display from Juan. `I'm sure Senor Blanco didn't ' was as
ISLAND FIESTA far as Juan allowed her to get, and his harsh, 'We shall discuss this later,' threat, followed by the haughty command of, 'Come ! We are leaving !' left her no choice but to follow Juan's stiff back as he turned and marched back to the house.
Corinne did not see Dolores before they left, although she vaguely thought it would have been more polite of them to say 'thank you' for the party, if nothing else, but Juan's mood was such that even if Dolores had appeared, she very much doubted if such sentiments would have been expressed as she was bundled unceremoniously out of the house and towards Juan's car.
She was still in a state of utter perplexity in regard to Juan's fury at what had only been a kindly thought on Miguel's part, even if it was instigated initially by Dolores.
It was not until the car was sweeping down the drive and out on to the main road that Corinne was presented with quite another picture of the whole episode, and she caught her breath. It was utterly inconceivable, yet it did make some sort of sense, and would certainly explain the reason why Juan had behaved as he had. Her cheeks flamed as she explored this unwelcome explanation, and she was grateful for the darkness of the car's interior.
What sort of a woman did Juan think she was ? Did he think she would willingly receive advances from a stranger ? Her soft lips firmed. Miguel obviously had a reputation, hence Juan's warning to him to stay away from her, but it took two to have an affair, and Juan had not even given her the benefit of the doubt !
And to think, she mused seethingly, that none of it would have happened if he had returned to her
I60 ISLAND FIESTA directly after taking that call, but he had chosen to linger with his lady love ! There was, she told herself furiously, only one reason why neither of them had heard that crash. Her breath caught on this thought, and she moved restlessly. What did it matter to her what they were doing ? She was only the whip he was using to bring his woman to heel.
She might be just a tool in his eyes, but she was still a person in her own right. She had feelings too, unfortunately for her, a woman's feelings, she thought bitterly, and wished with all her heart that Juan had settled for Clair. Clair would have loved such a situation and would have readily welcomed the challenge to capture the stony heart of the man who had married her, in spite of the bald fact that his heart was firmly entrenched elsewhere.
There was no doubt whatsoever in Corinne's mind that Clair would have fallen in love with Juan. She simply did not see how she could have done otherwise. Men like Juan Martel did not often come one's way, and were never forgotten by the unlucky ones whose paths they crossed.
When the car drew up outside the hotel Corinne knew a profound sense of relief, even though she knew that Juan had stored up a few choice comments on her evening's performance, but she only wanted to get it over with and go to bed. The loud talk and the unaccustomed attention she had received that evening from virtual strangers had tired her, and left her feeling limp and exhausted.
Any hope that Juan might have relented and let her off the hook was firmly quashed by his harsh, 'Wait for me in your lounge,' as he put her in the
ISLAND FIESTA 161 lift and went off to check that all was well in the hotel section.
When Corinne arrived in the lounge, Joy, wrapped in her dressing gown, and looking very sleepy, appeared at the door that led directly to their rooms. 'Did you have a lovely time ?' she asked sleepily.
Corinne was about to answer her when Juan's hard voice cut across the room towards them. `Go to bed, Joy.'
That was all he said, but there was such heavy authority in his command that Joy's brows lifted slightly as she did as he ordered, casting a quick anxious look towards her sister as she left the room.
'You don't have to take it out on Joy !' Corinne said furiously, as she threw her fur coat on to the nearest chair. She was tired, and at that moment she didn't care if Juan packed the pair of them back to the U.K. ! Joy would not like it, but anything was better than this.
Juan surveyed her out of narrowed eyes. 'It's not Joy's behaviour I'm concerned about, it's her sister, my wife,' he said softly but insinuatingly.
`Then in that case, you've nothing to worry about,' Corinne broke in hastily, unable to bear the way that he was looking at her. 'There was no need for you to have gone for Miguel like that, either,' she tacked on breathlessly, wanting to get that part of it over with in the shortest possible time.
'I think I am a little more qualified to judge his actions than you are,' he replied harshly, 'so you will listen to me and you will do precisely what I tell you to do in the future. You will never, repeat never, be alone in his company again. Is that quite clear ? If you happen to find yourself in company and he joins
162 ISLAND FIESTA that company, you are to leave immediately.' His lips hardened to a firm line. 'I shall of course make certain that I accompany you on all future gatherings, but there will be times when the unforeseen incident will occur, and that is where this ruling will be enforced. I do not intend,' he said crisply, 'to suffer the indignity of having to search out my wife's whereabouts again or expect to find her ensconced in private seclusion with such a man as Miguel Blanco. The warning I gave him goes for you too,' he added grimly. 'I shall not repeat it.'
Corinne stood in shocked silence. If she had let Miguel make violent love to her she could not have received a harsher condemnation. He had said he was more qualified to judge Miguel's actions, so he did think the worst of her ! The injustice of it all made her retort cuttingly, 'Thank you for being so explicit.' She gave an hysterical chuckle, then commented bitterly, 'I promise to keep my unbridled passions under firm control from now on ! Now may I go to bed ?' she asked wearily.
Juan gave her a forbidding look and moved over to where she stood, and her eyes met his defiantly but she was poised to head for the door at the first hint of trouble.
'You've got that look in your eye again,' he said softly. 'Remember what I said ?' he asked tauntingly.
Corinne's apprehension was echoed in her wide lovely eyes and she took a step backwards away from him. He gave a low chuckle. 'Little fool,' he said softly. 'I'm not about to break our contract not yet,' he added in a low voice, so low that Corinne wondered if she had heard him say it, or had imagined it. 'Go to bed,' he went on harshly, 'and think about
ISLAND FIESTA 163 what happened tonight, and how it must have looked from an interested onlooker's point of view. Newly married women do not usually allow themselves to be so blatantly hoodwinked into what could have turned out to be a very embarrassing situation. Under the circumstances, I have been very lenient with you. I could have thrashed you, and there was a time when I very nearly did.'
He gave a grim nod at the look of utter astonishment on Corinne's face. 'One day you will realise the truth of this, and that only the fact that you are completely inexperienced and utterly incapable of any such dealings prevented me from carrying out this punishment.'
Corinne stared at him. A variety of emotions flowed over her as she acknowledged his blunt summing-up of the episode. If he had wanted to make her feel gauche and stupid, then he had succeeded, she thought numbly. She would far rather have received the thrashing he had threatened, although she had no idea just what this entailed, but it would have been kinder, she thought bitterly, and hated him for his cruelty.
Her battered senses recalled what he had said about onlookers, and she gave a twisted smile as she recalled the way that Dolores Gald6s had snatched at the opportunity of seeing him alone. The thought that Juan had probably engineered the whole thing made her reply coldly, 'And perhaps you might remember what happened before I was ' she drew in a deep breath, finding it difficult to control her words, she was so furious, 'so er hoodwinked. I doubt if many guests missed seeing Dolores Gald6s join you in that room. Newly married husbands don't usually
164 ISLAND FIESTA encourage such blatant attention from another woman, do they ?' she queried sweetly, and got a lot of satisfaction from the swift darkening of Juan's features. 'Or is there one rule for husbands and another for wives ?' she added, unwisely capitalising on her triumph. 'Surely, under the circumstances, any wife might have done precisely the same as I did, just to get her own back. You didn't exactly rush out to find out what that crash was about, did you ?' she went on recklessly. 'Your loving wife might have been under a pile of masonry for all you cared !' she ended furiously.
Juan's reply was as frightening as it was unexpected. He reached out and caught her slim wrist in a hard savage grip and propelled her towards him so swiftly that she could do nothing about it, and her first startled reaction was that she was about to find out exactly what he had meant by giving her a thrashing !
When she found herself in a tight hold held against his lean hard body, and her hands forced behind her back, she knew that he had quite another purpose in mind, but still a punishment of a kind. 'My loving wife,' Juan muttered between clenched teeth, 'had better watch her words, or she will be exceedingly bruised in the morning ! Who told you about Dolores ?' he asked her harshly, and when Corinne gave a small negative shake of her head from the restricted position she was held in, he tightened his grip on her.
When she still did not reply but made a frantic attempt to break free of him, he imprisoned both her hands in one of his and brought his other hand up and placed it under her chin, forcing her to look up
ISLAND FIESTA 165 at him. 'Well ?' he demanded grimly.
He meant to have an answer and Corinne knew that he would not let her go until she had given him one. She swallowed. She could and did refuse to meet those compelling eyes of his, and gazed steadfastly at his ultra-white shirt collar. She did not want to make trouble for Carmen. 'Miguel,' she replied breathlessly, 'and will you please release me ? You've made your point,' she added bitterly.
Juan's grip on her lessened considerably, but he did not release her. 'Miguel,' he repeated in a low voice. 'He didn't waste much time, did he ?' he said in a thoughtful way, as if speaking to himself.
His eyes then went slowly over Corinne's features, resting briefly on her soft full lips now slightly parted as she struggled to compose herself. 'The rooms are soundproof,' he said slowly, but significantly. `If they weren't, you would have been able to hear Dolores' hysterical condemnation of our marriage.'
He continued to stare at her, then slowly let her go. Corinne needed no second bidding and turned towards the door. 'It hurt, did it ?' he queried softly.
Corinne paused at this and turned back to face him, her puzzlement at the question plainly visible in her lovely eyes.
'Think about it,' he advised her with a wicked imp of amusement lurking in his eyes.
