South of Mandraki Page 3

  Never had Toni been in such a rage. And yet she heeded some inner voice telling her it was to her advantage to remain silent.

  ‘You’re probably right,’ came the cynical agreement. ‘The knowledge of my wealth should bring a sparkle to her greedy English eyes.’ As his dark glance swept contemptuously over her Toni began to wonder if he spoke from experience. Had he at some time been disillusioned by an English girl? It seemed very much like it. However, even if he had been disillusioned, or even hurt -which was most unlikely, for Toni felt nothing could affect a man who had neither heart nor feelings — it was no excuse for judging all English girls alike. He spoke again, on an explosive note. ‘But what in heaven’s name am I to do with a woman like that around the house!’

  ‘It won’t be for long,’ his mother returned soothingly. ‘And you’ll explain, of course, so that she won’t expect you to give her any of your time or attention. You’ll have to eat together, at night, anyway, because of the servants, but otherwise you can almost forget she’s there.’ The woman paused a moment, and then, ‘Are you going to ask her now?’

  His black brows shot up.

  ‘Not at this very moment. Give me time to get used to the idea!’

  CHAPTER TWO

  And so several hours elapsed before Daros Latimer presented himself at the Hotel Hermes, where Toni was staying - hours during which Toni felt that her whole body was on fire, so intense was her fury. But as the conflagration spent itself and finally flickered out she was able to view the situation with her normal rationality of vision. Daros Latimer had asked for her address as she left his grandfather’s house and she had given it to him, guided by that inner voice advising her not to refuse. But at that time her mind was in a turmoil; she was desperately trying to solve the problem, while not even considering the idea of marriage.

  However, as she lay in the bath, relaxing in the warm scented water, she reviewed the scene objectively, bringing into clear focus all the actors involved and dispassionately relating them to one another. There was Daros, wealthy shipowner with his property on the mainland of Greece and his summer residence on the beautiful island of Rhodes, where — from what Toni could gather — he lived for most of the year, preferring it to the larger and much more splendid house in which he had been born. There was that murderous old grandfather whose threats to kill one of Hugh’s relatives could not in any way be taken lightly. The old rascal really meant what he said. Then there were Toni’s parents, who had worked throughout their married lives to build up their business. A capital of five thousand pounds was required in order to save it. Where, her father had written, could such a sum be obtained?

  Where indeed ... ?

  Next in Toni’s thoughts came her sister, Pam. Yes, Pam could certainly do with a little financial help.

  And lastly there was Toni herself, from whose fury had sprung the conception of revenge, a conception that in a matter of hours had taken root. She found herself dwelling with vindictive triumph on the notion of making that arrogant foreigner pay dear for all those insults she had heard, the fact of his being under the illusion that she could not understand in no way absolving him from blame. Yes, she decided, marriage to Daros was both necessary and desirable. Not only would it solve the problems of the family’s safety and finances, but it would also provide a wonderful opportunity for her own revenge.

  Coming out of the bath, she wrapped herself in a towel and went into the other room and stood before the mirror. Daros had built up a picture of the average English girl, so why disappoint him? It was going to cost him - initially - five thousand pounds, so it was only fair to let him have something for his money.

  Assumed helplessness.... Rather difficult to oblige there, his having experienced her ability to make a stand, which she had done over the question of leaving the island. Still, she might try a little act, just to give him what he expected. Then she would go gradually through the whole drill. Mercenary, he had declared English girls to be. Well, he would soon discover the truth of that! Unattractive.... Fixing the towel so that it stayed up, she scraped back the lovely golden cloud of hair from her wide forehead and held it tight. No... she could not. Besides, he had already seen her as she was. Conceited? That should not be difficult. Emancipated strength? She would certainly let him have a taste of that once she had him safely married. Her green eyes glinted with supreme satisfaction. By the time she had finished with him Daros Latimer would wish with all his heart that he could take back that string of insults he had been so unwise as to utter in her hearing!

  He stood in the middle of the room, immaculately dressed in a suit of finest mohair. His proposal, put with entire lack of feeling or interest, was received by Toni with suitable manifestations of surprise. She gasped, started, and just for good measure flopped dazedly into the nearest chair.

  ‘M-marry y-you, Mr. Latimer? I d-don’t understand?’ She shook her head in a gesture of well-feigned bewilderment. ‘You can’t be serious.’ Long dark lashes fluttered; a rather timid smile hovered on her lips. Daros cast her a glance of exasperation, but tried to sound patient as he said,

  ‘I’d hardly be here unless I were serious, Miss Freeman. My grandfather’s mind was gravely affected by the death of his sister. Added to this is the fact of his being a native of an isolated village where the vendetta still remains strong. He genuinely believes his duty lies in exacting vengeance. However, it’s forbidden in his village for any reprisal to be taken against one’s own relatives, and therefore marriage between you and me would be effective in ensuring the safety of you and your family.’ He sat down, but not with any sign of relaxing. That he was impatient to have the business over and done with was starkly apparent.

  ‘And of ensuring that your grandfather is kept out of prison,’ came Toni’s gentle reminder. She looked up and gave him a rather sweet smile. Daros glowered at her and she felt an almost irrepressible desire to laugh, for undoubtedly the situation was amusing - at least to Toni.

  ‘Exactly.’ He snapped out the word, reluctantly, then glanced around, realizing as his eye caught the oak panel in the wall that it was a drop-down bed and the room was in fact a bed-sitter. Toni was in her chair, looking demure, but repeatedly glancing in the mirror opposite and turning her face this way and that, as if admiring herself. Her companion suddenly noticed this and a twist of contempt gave an added thinness to his mouth. Conceited, he thought her. Inwardly she smiled. Marriage? The man would run a mile if he knew what he was in for!

  ‘Well,’ he said at length. ‘Have you made up your mind?’

  The green eyes opened wide.

  ‘In five minutes? This is a very important decision for me, Mr. Latimer. I don’t know anything about you, do I?’

  ‘What is it you want to know?’ he asked, almost irritably.

  ‘Well . . . er. . . . What is your situation, Mr. Latimer?’

  ‘Situation?’

  ‘I mean - are you rich? You see,’ she went on hastily as she saw his expression, ‘I always vowed never to marry a poor man.’ She glanced at him archly from under her lashes. ‘A girl has to think of her finances, hasn’t she?’

  Contemptuous eyes raked her from head to foot. Toni could scarcely suppress her laughter.

  ‘I’m a shipowner,’ he returned briefly, and the green eyes sparkled - as he expected they would.

  ‘Then you must be very rich indeed!’ No comment, and Toni added eagerly, ‘You have a big house?’

  ‘In Greece, yes.’

  Pensively she looked at him.

  ‘Some rich men have several houses,’ she murmured on a faintly disappointed note.

  ‘I have a summer place on the island of Rhodes,’ he informed her coldly. ‘But no other residences. I’m sorry about that,’ he added with sarcasm. ‘However, I might think of buying another house later.’

  To put her in, he was probably thinking.

  ‘I feel that perhaps I should consult my father,’ murmured Toni thoughtfully at length, deciding that a small demonstrati
on of that ‘assumed helplessness’ would not come amiss. ‘He might not like the idea of my marrying a stranger - and without his consent.’ Daros’s head came up with a jerk.

  ‘I should have expected you to be quite capable of making your own decisions. How old are you?’

  ‘Twenty-three.’ She bit her lip. So much for her attempt at helplessness! It was to be hoped this was not a pointer to similar failures in the future. ‘I suppose I am capable of making my own decisions,’ she was forced to own, but added, ‘However, I have always consulted my father on matters of importance.’

  Daros looked sceptically at her and murmured in his dryest tones,

  ‘And so, if you wanted to marry and your father objected to your choice, you’d bow to his judgment?’ An accompanying shake of his head made Toni bristle, but she managed to say quietly,

  ‘I was thinking of the settlement more than anything else—’ ‘Settlement?’

  ‘You’re intending to make a settlement, surely!’ she exclaimed, as if this were a foregone conclusion.

  His mouth compressed. So very Greek he looked now with those chiselled lines becoming prominent, and the eyes assuming a granite-like quality. The man was inflamed, she could see, and in spite of the humour within her Toni felt a slight tinge of apprehension. She had planned for fun and games when once she had this man safely married. It was to be hoped she was not overrating her ability to deal with him.

  ‘When the marriage comes to an end you shall be adequately compensated — not before!’

  She seemed completely taken aback.

  ‘My father will insist on a settlement now, because of the peculiar circumstances.’ He remained silent and she went on to add, ‘It would be a safeguard for me.’

  ‘Against what?’

  ‘The future. After all, I might never find a husband once I’ve been divorced.’

  ‘You’ll not be divorced.’

  ‘There’s no difference — really. Men don’t want women who’ve already had one husband.’ She stopped as his brows lifted. He said drily,

  ‘Where you come from it doesn’t appear to matter if a woman’s had half a dozen husbands.’

  She coloured with anger and her eyes glinted as they looked straight into his.

  ‘We are not immoral, Mr. Latimer!’

  ‘That,’ he returned with a half- sneer, ‘is a matter of

  opinion. However, we stray from the point. This

  question of a settlement will have to wait until the

  marriage is dissolved. You’ll have an ample allowance each month and that will suffice until such time as my grandfather’s

  death releases us both.’ Hard and inflexible, his tones.

  She said gently, ‘You are not willing to make a settlement now?’ Her thoughts were with her parents. She had during those hours of awaiting Daros’s arrival become excited at the prospect of sending off that money, and she knew she would feel sick with disappointment should her plan fail to materialize.

  ‘I am not willing to make a settlement now.’

  ‘In that case, there can be no marriage.’ She looked absently at her fingernails, polished them on her sleeve and then glanced in the mirror. Her companion gave a distinct snort of disgust at her frivolous behaviour, but disconcerted her a little by his failure to bargain. ‘If we don’t marry,’ she said with firm significance, ‘the position’s exactly where it was when I left your grandfather’s house.’ A deep sigh escaped her and she added, ‘I shall have to ask for police protection, but I’m sure he’ll attack my uncle—’

  ‘Are you presenting me with an ultimatum?’ he snapped, fury in his glance.

  ‘There’ll be no marriage without a settlement. I’m English, you see, and we do like to make certain of security. But perhaps you don’t know about English girls ...?’

  Daros shot her a very odd glance and she averted her head. Mustn’t go too far; it could be dangerous, for this Daros Latimer was no fool. He must not guess that she had understood every word he had said about her people - at least, not yet awhile.

  After a long silence he said harshly,

  ‘How much is this settlement to be?’

  ‘Well ... I thought about five thousand—’

  ‘What did you say?’ he interrupted incredulously.

  ‘You can afford it. Really, Mr. Latimer, it’s nothing to a man like you. Greek shipowners are known to be among the richest men in the world.’

  ‘You expect me to part with a sum like that - to a stranger?’

  ‘You are also a stranger — to me. And so how can I trust you? No, I must have the settlement at once.’ Dark colour crept slowly under his skin. He was beaten, and Toni revelled in her triumph. But this pompous Greek had seen nothing yet. Wait until she was

  his wife!

  ‘You’ll have the money as soon as we are married.’ Daros rose, but stood looking down at her with icy contempt in his dark eyes. ‘I’ll give my solicitor the necessary instructions.’

  ‘I’d like the money now—’

  ‘You’ll have it when we are married,’ he interrupted, and the tone he used quelled any further argument she might have been about to make. No use driving him too far. The five thousand was to be the first of the golden eggs.... She hoped to have her goose lay many more. . . .

  They travelled to Rhodes by ship, docking at noon. Daros’s car was parked down by the harbour at Mandraki and their land journey started from there. Leaving the lovely town of Rhodes, they travelled southwards along the coast, with wild mountains on one side and the sea on the other. The road passed through lovely white villages and after driving in silence for some time Daros surprised Toni by unbending sufficiently to name some of the places - villages like Aphandou, famous for its apricots, and Archanghelos, where grew the finest oranges on the island. The road then curved inland through a mountain pass to Malona, traversing wild, pine-covered slopes before turning south again to reach Messaria. There the square was dominated by a great white church; Daros was compelled to stop while a shepherd unconcernedly took his flock across the square. Shady trees kept the whole area cool - plane trees and almonds, olives and here and there a tall, elegant cypress. Toni’s attention was suddenly caught by a man sitting at a table outside a small cubic house, legs sprawled in indolent fashion, a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He clapped his hands imperiously and a woman came running. Something was said and a short while later she reappeared, carrying a tray.

  ‘Is that his wife?’ Toni turned to Daros, who was smiling faintly at the heavy frown creasing her forehead.

  ‘Correct.’

  ‘What a way to treat her!’

  ‘She’s used to it.’ He smothered a yawn and gave his attention to the flock of sheep lazily crossing the square.

  ‘To clap his hands - as if to a - slave!’

  ‘He probably looks upon her as a slave.’ Daros began to edge the car forward, but was compelled to pull up again as two of the sheep decided to stop in the middle of the road. Happening to turn his head, he perceived the angry colour fusing Toni’s cheeks and said with a surprising touch of humour, ‘Don’t worry too much about it; I shan’t do that to you. ’

  Her eyes sparkled.

  ‘It wouldn’t have much effect if you did!’ came the prompt retort, and his mouth went tight. For the next twenty minutes or so neither spoke, but as they came to Lindos Toni gave an involuntary little gasp.

  Spread before her was a panorama of sheer Grecian splendour. Far below, beyond the dazzling white cubic houses straggling the hillsides, was the honey-coloured beach, caressed by the foam-capped waves of the Aegean Sea. To the right, occupying a headland falling vertically into the sea, was the Acropolis of Lindos where ancient Greek temples to Athena and Psithyros blended in sun-mellowed harmony with the later fortifications of the Byzantines and the Knights of the famous Order of St. John. To the left of the magnificent palm-fringed bay, on a rocky promontory jutting right into the sea, the cylindrical tomb of the ancient governor of Lindos had surviv
ed for almost eight thousand years.

  ‘It’s beautiful!’ The road along which they travelled was lined with cypresses and tamarisk trees interspersed with brilliant oleanders and bougainvillea. From the gardens drifted the perfume of exotic flowers and in evidence everywhere were the lovely purple jacarandas and the scarlet trumpets of the hibiscus as the bushes grew beside walls or shaded broad white patios. High on a hill the picturesque campanile of the Church of Lindos glistened white against a flawless Rhodian sky. Toni’s breath was taken away by the incredible beauty of the scene and as she uttered another appreciative exclamation Daros turned his head, plainly surprised. Her chin lifted. Did he conclude that English girls — owing to their mercenary traits and conceit - were totally lacking in aesthetic qualities? He had a lot to learn, this pompous, self-opinionated half-Greek!

  He returned his attention to the road, taking the right fork down to the beach.

  ‘Is your house by the sea?’ Toni scanned the hillside, picking out a gleaming white mansion that she somehow felt might be his.

  ‘It’s right on the beach, built into the rocks. You’ll see it when we’ve taken the next bend. There it is, you can see it clearly now.’ As he said the house was built partly into the rocks; it was of sandstone, with wide arches, and balconies to almost every room. As they drew nearer Toni saw the western influence in the shape of clipped trees, sweeping lawns and an ornamental pool beside which were shady garden seats and arbors. The setting was superb, with the house itself facing east while the gardens were mainly on the south. Looking one way the view was of the acropolis and the straggling village of Lindos below. Then there was the little bay of Apostolos Paul, practically land-locked, where the saint was reputed to have landed on his way to Rome, staying long enough to convert the pagan Greeks to Christianity. In the other direction was the wooded hillside and facing the house was the turquoise expanse of the sea. From one end of the garden a small jetty led to a tiny sheltered bay where, some way out, a smart white cabin-cruiser lay at anchor.