[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.You always thought you knew best, for both of us.''But you do like it here?'Toni shrugged.'I like the castelo and naturally I like the climate.As to the rest - well, the Condessa is kind and friendly, but I see little' of her.Francesca is openly antagonistic!''And Raoul?' Paul's eyes were intent.'He's your real problem, isn't he?'Toni shaded her eyes and looked out to sea.'Not particularly.'Paul looked disgruntled.'Oh, don't give me that, Toni, please! I'm not blind, you know!''Just what do you mean by that?'Paul's lips twisted.'You know perfectly well what I mean, Toni Morley! Your conversation with my dear uncle last night did not go unnoticed!' He snorted.'Not only by me, I might add.Laura didn't like it either.No one, but no one, argues with the Conde della Maria Estrada!'Toni bent her head, running a hand under the weight of her hair.'Is that so? And what did you all gather from it, then?'Paul grimaced.'Obviously, you're attracted by him.''What!' Toni stared at him.'Sure.Even I don't need to be drawn a picture, Toni.I may be thick in some ways, but in this, so far as you're concerned, I'm perceptive.''Then you're allowing your perception to lead you astray,' retorted Toni hotly.'Your uncle is of no interest to me, except in as much as he intrigues me by his obvious antagonism towards you.Why? What has he got against you? Apart from your obvious desire to increase your financial status at the expense of your grandmother?'Paul lay back, blowing smoke-rings into the air.'Why should there be anything else?''Because he's not a stupid man! Whatever else he may be, he has concrete reasons for not wanting you here, and I'd like to know what they are.''I guess you would at that!' Paul laughed.'Maybe you have some ideas of your own, Toni.After all, Uncle Raoul has everything going for him, hasn't he? Attraction, if you can ignore that distortion of his face by the famous scar! A beautiful home, that appeals to you artistically! And finally, an income in the region of a hundred thousand a year!'Toni gave him a scornful glance.'Oh, Paul, I'd hate to have your mind!' She studied the tip of her cigarette.'Do you honestly imagine I'd be foolish enough to be interested in a man because of his money?''Why not? Thousands of women are!''I am not thousands of women.I'm me! I couldn't be like some of these girls who marry men years and years older than themselves in the hope that they'll take a powder in a couple of years, leaving them the usual wealthy widow! I'd hate to have some old man pawing me!' she shivered.Paul sat up.'You can hardly put Raoul into that class, darling.And I'm pretty sure you'd like him to - paw you - as you put it!'Toni's fingers stung across his cheek, and he stared at her furiously as they became aware of a third person crossing the sands towards them.'You bitch!' muttered Paul, and then Francesca was standing over them, looking down, her expression insolent.'What's wrong?' she asked sneeringly.'Dissension in the happy home already?''Get lost, Francesca,' muttered Paul, rubbing his cheek.'No, don't.' Toni rose to her feet, tall and slim in a dark blue bathing suit.'Are you going swimming, Francesca?'Francesca considered her insolently.'I may be.Why?''Can I come with you?'The girl lifted her shoulders indolently, and then a narrowed expression in her eyes brought a reluctant reply.'I suppose so.I'm going to the rock basin.'Paul stood up too.'Janet!' he said harshly.Toni wrinkled her nose at him, and turning walked away with Francesca without looking back.They crossed the mossy, slippery rocks at the far side of the beach and came upon a natural basin some twenty feet across which provided a perfect swimming pool.Toni dropped the towel she was carrying, and without waiting for Francesca, she dived into the cool depths.The water was sun-warm and creamed over her hot limbs like satin.She surfaced, shaking back her long hair which she had secured with the usual elastic bands.Francesca was still standing on the rocks, watching her.She had shed her own wrap to reveal a rather demure suit in black and white stripes, with broad shoulder straps that looked old-fashioned and clumsy.'Are you coming in?' asked Toni breathlessly, gulping the fresh air into her lungs.Francesca shrugged.'You swim well,' she said grudgingly, and Toni wondered why there should be a note of such disappointment in her voice.'Be careful, senhorita.The pool is very deep!'Toni sighed.'I'm not afraid, Francesca.Sorry to disappoint you.'Francesca lifted her shoulders.'Why did you come with me, senhorita? What were you and Paul arguing about?''That's our affair,' Toni replied shortly.Really, these della Maria Estradas were impossible! Did they think they had the right of kings to ask such personal questions?'I think it was to do with my father,' said Francesca angrily, her cheeks flushed.'Something happened last night, didn't it?''Oh, really, Francesca, stop trying to understand adult complexities.You're no psychiatrist, and nothing happened last evening.Nothing at all!'Francesca sat down, dangling her legs in the water.'You're lying,'- she said sullenly.'You are not fooling me for one moment.You're becoming involved with my father, aren't you?''Oh, lord!' Toni raised her eyes heavenward.'Does everybody's mind revolve around the same dreary topic?'Francesca's eyes flashed.'So! That is what you and Paul were arguing about!''I didn't say that.''No, but you said enough, senhorita
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]