Stars of Spring Read online

  ‘Not immediately,’ she smiled, and the faces of both Glee and Ricardo cleared with miraculous suddenness.

  The autumn evening was cool, yet soft, and with a strange translucent clarity of light that threw into relief the low wooded hills and the dark outline of pine forest beyond. Joanne sat on the verandah listening to the laughter of the children in the orchard at the side of the house. Glee’s two little friends from school—Geraldo and Mariana—had begun coming up from the village to play at the farm, a circumstance for which Joanne was grateful, for it was not good for Glee to be so much with an adult. At home she had had her playmates, but for the first month or two here she had relied entirely on Joanne’s company after coming from school each afternoon.

  The children were speaking in Portuguese, but now and then Glee would have to resort to English even though it was quite lost on her young companions. What the conversation was Joanne did not know, but she heard Glee refer to her ‘Uncle Ricardo’. A faint smile touched Joanne’s lips, giving them a tenderness and enchanting beauty of which she was entirely unaware. Ricardo was devoting most of his energies to Glee, determined through her to make some advance in his relationship with Joanne.

  ‘We went to see his mummy last night—she’s a nice lady.’ Immediately realizing the futility of this Glee tried to convey the message in Portuguese, and as Joanne could not understand a word she began dreamily to reflect on the visit to Senhora Isobel Lopes. Small and rather stout, she had the pleasant friendly manner of her son and welcomed Joanne with an embrace and a kiss on her cheek. Joanne could not make out if the reason for this was that Senhora Lopes was under the misapprehension that the affair had progressed further than was the case, or whether the rather effusive demonstration was the customary greeting in this particular part of Portugal.

  The evening had passed pleasantly and, when looking at the clock, Joanne had realized it was after nine she gasped at the speed with which the time had flown.

  ‘I must go; Glee will never be up for school in the morning!’ she exclaimed, glancing apologetically at Senhora Lopes who was spreading her hands in a gesture meant as an invitation to remain a little while longer.

  ‘Joanne will come again, Mother,’ Ricardo said, speaking in English for the benefit of his visitors. ‘Next time she and Glee must come for a meal.’

  ‘Yes, that would be very nice,’ agreed his mother, and then, ‘See them home, Ricardo, right to the house, for it is dark and the road is so—so— what you say?’ She looked rather helplessly at her son before turning to shake her head at Joanne.

  ‘Rough and rocky,’ he laughed, and added, ‘Yes, I’ll see them right to the door. I wouldn’t think of leaving them to go home alone.’

  He had taken Joanne’s key and unlocked the door for her; Glee had raced into the house in her customary boisterous manner, despite the fact that she had been yawning all the way home ... and before Joanne realized what was going to happen Ricardo had taken her in his arms and kissed her gently on the lips. He held her for a little while, and then kissed her again. She made no protest, but neither did she make any response. The way in which Ricardo received this was not known to her, as almost complete darkness prevailed all around them, and Ricardo’s expression was hidden from her eyes.

  ‘Good night, Joanne,’ he whispered, close to her ear. ‘Good night, and sleep well!’ And with that he was gone, away into the gloom, and although she had felt his kiss for a long while afterwards, no real emotion touched her.

  Deeply engrossed in these reflections Joanne was not aware of just when she ceased to hear the children’s voices. But the deep cool silence eventually impressed itself upon her and she called out, at the same time rising from her chair and going round the side of the house in search of the children. They were along the lane, and all waved to her as she beckoned them to return to the garden. And then, round the bend in the lane came Dona Rosa’s great car. Completely unperturbed, Joanne watched the children make for the side—Glee to the left and the village children to the right—subconsciously expecting Dona Rosa to slacken speed. But to her horror and incredulity Joanne saw the car leap forward, and at the same time swerve in Glee’s direction. The silence was shattered by the screams of Geraldo and Mariana, as Glee’s small body dropped to the ground.

  Almost suffocated by the thudding of her heart, Joanne raced through the orchard and reached the lane just as Dona Rosa was languidly uncurling her slender body from the seat of the car. No hurry, no urgency ... she did not care if Glee were dead! Hatred mingling with her terrible fear and dread, Joanne stooped and lifted Glee into her arms. A spasm passed through Glee’s body; it seemed to release some spring within Joanne and she turned on Rosa, her eyes blazing.

  ‘You—! You did it deliberately! You could easily have avoided her!’

  Rosa’s eyes widened in a sort of injured astonishment. ‘You must be out of your mind,’ she flashed indignantly. ‘You believe I’d deliberately run a child down?’

  ‘I saw it all. Not only did you accelerate, but you also swerved in Glee’s direction. If—if you’ve killed her—’ All anger submerged beneath her fear, Joanne started to cry. ‘You c-could have avoided her,’ she quivered, looking helplessly at Rosa. ‘You are taking her to the hospital?’

  The dark girl’s brows rose at this request.

  ‘You insult me, then ask a favour? It was the stupid child’s own fault—or perhaps I should say it was yours, as you don’t seem to have the least idea of the way in which a child should be brought up. She makes an absolute nuisance of herself.’

  Joanne scarcely heard. She asked again if Rosa were taking them to the hospital.

  ‘There isn’t much wrong with her. I’ll telephone for the doctor when I get back to the Solar de Alvares. Put her to bed; she’ll be all right in the morning.’

  ‘But ...’ Dazedly Joanne stood there, the apparently lifeless Glee in her arms, staring in disbelief at the icy indifference portrayed on Dona Rosa’s beautiful face. ‘You’re—you’re doing nothing about it?’ She shook her head, still unable to comprehend such callous behaviour. ‘You must take us to the hospital.’

  Dona Rosa walked towards the car, slid into the seat and pressed the ignition.

  ‘Dom Manoel remarked on your insolence, Mrs. Barrie, but this presumptuous giving out of orders goes beyond all! Think yourself fortunate that I’ve agreed to ring the doctor.’ And with that she let in the clutch and the car purred away, stirring up a cloud of dust on the road behind it.

  The two children from the village began to follow Joanna as she made her slow progress towards the farm; tears were streaming down her face and her heart still raced with sickening speed.

  ‘Go home, please,’ she said, turning her head, and although they did not understand the words the children grasped their meaning, for they obeyed at once, murmuring to themselves and to each other as they retraced their steps along the lane.

  Glee was a dead weight in her arms and Joanne was stumbling by the time she reached the house. Blood came from some part of Glee’s body and had penetrated Joanne’s clothing; she felt it warm and sticky on her chest and arm. With trembling fear she laid Glee down on the bed and began to undress her. Her back was so greatly scratched and torn that it was evident she had been somehow pushed along the rough gravel-strewn road.

  ‘How could she?—oh, how could anyone do this to a child?’ Scarcely able to see for her tears, Joanne continued to take off Glee’s clothing. At last she was undressed and Joanne could see the extent of her injuries. Although extensive, they did not appear to be serious, Joanne discovered with overwhelming relief. Nevertheless, Glee required immediate medical attention and, convinced that Dona Rosa would not trouble to phone the doctor, she carefully covered the unconscious child with a blanket and then determinedly took herself off to the Solar de Alvares. If Dona Rosa wouldn’t help, then perhaps Dom Manoel would. And if he refused ... if he should dare to refuse, thought Joanne, her eyes blazing, she would tell him exactly what she thoug
ht about him—and about his arrogant and heartless fiancée!

  The bell clanged and Diego’s dark face was a study as he opened the door. Apparently no one had ever dared treat the bell of Alvares in this disrespectful way before.

  ‘I wish to speak to Dom Manoel Alvares,’ Joanne snapped, giving him stare for stare. ‘And it’s urgent—so please tell him to see me right away!’

  ‘Senhora!’ He seemed about to collapse, so great was his surprise. ‘You can’t come here like this—’

  ‘Where is he?’ she demanded fiercely.

  ‘In his room, working, so it’s quite impossible—’ Without further ado Joanne brushed past him and ran down the hall to the door at the far end. ‘Senhora—The old man hurried along in her wake. ‘You can’t do this! What will Dom Manoel say—?’

  ‘I’ve already done it, so you can take yourself off! I intend to see Dom Manoel and no one is going to stop me!’ She turned as she spoke and in that few seconds the door opened from the inside. Turning again with the intention of flinging herself through the door, Joanne literally fell into Dom Manoel’s arms!

  ‘Oh ...’ was all she could utter as she tilted her head to stare at him in dismay. There was no trace of understanding in his eyes; Rosa, then, had made no mention of the accident.

  ‘What’s the meaning of this, may I ask?’ His hands still supported her as he looked over her head, putting the question to his butler.

  ‘The senhora ... she forced her way in, Dom Manoel.’

  ‘Glee,’ Joanne managed to stammer. ‘She’s—she’s been knocked d-down and needs a doctor. ...’ A dreadful shuddering took possession of her. It must be reaction, she concluded, quite unable to keep still. Dom Manoel led her into the room, placing her with an odd gentleness on the couch by the fire.

  ‘Now tell me, calmly, what has happened?’

  ‘It’s Glee—’ She made an effort to rise but a firm hand on her shoulder kept her where she was. ‘Oh, please—’ And then to her utter dismay she burst into uncontrollable weeping.

  ‘Where is your little girl?’ Dom Manoel inquired softly.

  ‘At home—on the bed, unconscious. I don’t think she has any serious injury, but she’s terribly grazed and bruised. I want you to get the doc—I mean, if you would please arrange for a doctor to come?’ Again she made an effort to rise, and again the pressure of Dom Manoel’s hand restrained her.

  He looked across to where Diego was standing by the door.

  ‘Have Pedro take the car to the farm. Go with him and bring the child here.’ He glanced down at Joanne. ‘Is the door locked?’ and, when she shook her head, ‘Where’s the key?’

  ‘On a hook in the kitchen—by the stove,’ she added, becoming confused by the turn of events. This was so vastly different from what she had expected that she found speech exceedingly difficult. ‘Glee’s completely undressed. I must see to her myself.’

  Joanne might not have spoken, for all the notice Dom Manoel took of her.

  ‘Go quickly,’ he instructed his butler. ‘And before you come away see that the place is securely locked up. Mrs. Barrie and the child will not be returning there tonight, so you must also see that the animals are fed. Take one of the men with you.’

  Diego inclined his head respectfully and said, in quiet, impassive tones,

  ‘Will there be anything else?’

  Dom Manoel frowned in puzzlement. ‘Not that I know of.’

  ‘The senhora ... if she is to stay here ...?’

  ‘Ah, yes. Take Luisa. She must bring what the senhora will require for the night—’ He broke off, his brow contracting sternly as Joanne made an attempt to interrupt. She immediately closed her mouth; she also relaxed under the firmness of his grip. No use trying to rise, and in any case she felt so shattered and weak that Dom Manoel’s efficient management of the situation was an overwhelming relief. ‘It doesn’t matter about the child’s clothes,’ he went on, removing his stern gaze at last from Joanne’s pallid face. ‘We have plenty here that will fit her. Luisa will also see that the child is wrapped in a blanket— but you will carry her to the car, and hold her carefully till you get back here.’

  Still very dazed by all that went on, Joanne continued to stare up at Dom Manoel. The tears had flowed freely, and automatically she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. And then, for the first time, she saw the hint of a smile touch that cold set mouth as Dom Manoel, reaching into his pocket, brought forth a handkerchief and dropped it into her lap. Diego had already left the room and Dom Manoel moved from Joanne’s side to pick up the telephone. A few minutes later he was with her again, seated on a chair opposite to her and offering her a glass containing brandy.

  ‘I’ll be all right,’ she murmured, shaking her head.

  Drink this.’ So quiet his voice, but firmly commanding for all that; Joanne took the glass and held it to her lips. ‘Stop trembling, my child—and stop worrying over your little girl. My orders will be carried out promptly; she’ll be here almost at once. The doctor’s already on his way.’ He paused and Joanne could only gape with admiration at the swift and orderly method with which Dom Manoel had set things moving—and without any visible sign of urgency or haste. He was speaking again, asking how the accident had occurred.

  Initially, Joanne had meant to relate everything, but now she became guarded. Having had time to think, and in some measure to calm down, she perceived that Rosa would instantly deny the accusation, and that Dom Manoel would naturally take her word in preference to that of Joanne herself.

  ‘The car ... it came round the bend, and the children—that is, two from the village, and Glee—were playing in the road ...’ Joanne tailed off, for although reluctant to say it was Rosa’s car, she felt he must soon discover the truth.

  ‘You allow your child to play in the road?’

  A flush spread, and she found words more difficult than ever under that inquiring and faintly critical gaze.

  ‘They were playing in the orchard at first,’ was all she offered, and to her surprise Dom Manoel nodded understandingly.

  ‘Our two have their moments of disobedience—but they’re children, and can’t always see that restrictions are for their own good.’ He flicked a finger, indicating her drink, and Joanne took a sip from the glass. ‘About this car? The driver offered to take the child to hospital, surely?’ Dom Manoel added in some perplexity, and Joanne’s heart gave a little lurch. How could she reply to such a question without telling the whole story?

  ‘The driver—the driver ...’

  ‘Yes?’ he prompted softly. ‘Do you know the driver?’

  Perspiration began to dampen Joanne’s forehead. Dom Manoel’s face was stern and set; she felt with certainty that nothing would be gained by revealing the truth. He would never believe his fiancée capable of such callous behaviour, especially as he himself was obviously not nearly so heartless as one would deduce from his outward austerity of manner.

  ‘No,’ she murmured at length, deliberately avoiding his piercing gaze. ‘No, Dom Manoel, I have no idea who the driver was.’ Putting the glass to her lips, she took another drink of the brandy, and then she ventured to look up, for a profound silence had descended upon the room. Dom Manoel’s dark eyes glittered, and Joanne involuntarily gave a shudder of apprehension.

  ‘He drove on?—after knocking your child down?’

  ‘The driver did stop—’

  ‘Then why didn’t he promptly take the child to hospital?’

  ‘The driver didn’t think Glee was badly hurt, and so—’

  ‘The extent of the injuries has nothing to do with it!’ He paused, eyeing Joanne in some perplexity. ‘Didn’t you ask him to take your little girl to hospital?’

  Joanne swallowed, endeavouring to remove the dryness in her throat. She experienced a strange fear, wondering at Dom Manoel’s reaction towards herself should he ever learn the truth. That he would condemn this deception she had no doubt, but after a little thought Joanne threw off her apprehension. She and Gle
e were here for one night only, and as Glee was at present too ill to talk, it was most unlikely he would ever come into possession of the real facts. For they would certainly never come from Dona Rosa herself.

  ‘The driver was in a hurry,’ she told him, hoping that would end the matter, but Dom Manoel asked again if Joanne had requested him to take Glee to hospital. ‘Yes, I did,’ she was forced to admit and Dom Manoel gave a sharp intake of his breath before he said, in tones so soft and dangerous that once again Joanne felt a shudder pass through her,

  ‘He refused your request?’

  Joanne nodded, searching for words, but at that moment the door opened and in walked Rosa. At the sight of Joanne sitting there, with the glass in her hand and Dom Manoel fairly glowering as he pondered over the news just imparted to him. Dona Rosa stopped abruptly, the colour slowly leaving her face.

  ‘What—what is the matter?’ she stammered, unsure of herself for the first time in her life. ‘Is Mrs. Barrie ill?’ Her attention was suddenly arrested by the handkerchief lying on Joanne’s knee. Its presence there spoke for itself and Dona Rosa’s eyes gleamed with an almost malevolent light.

  ‘Some scoundrel’s knocked down Mrs. Barrie’s child,’ he informed her harshly, ‘and has driven off without even taking her to the hospital.’

  Dona Rosa’s eyes flickered to meet Joanne’s. For a long moment the two girls stared at one another, and then Rosa’s thick lashes fell, masking her expression. But that she now felt secure was revealed at once by her shocked exclamation.

  ‘How dreadful! Don’t you know who it was, Mrs. Barrie?’ Joanne’s eyes opened wide. The swiftness with which the Portuguese girl had regained her composure, and the blatant hypocrisy of her question, almost took Joanne’s breath away. She wished with all her heart she could reveal the truth, even at this late stage, but that was quite impossible. Instead she said, in quiet, yet quivering tones,

  ‘No, Dona Rosa, I—I have no idea who the driver was.’

  A deep sigh of relief? Perhaps ... but after the first few seconds Dona Rosa had not really been afraid. Joanne had not given her away in the beginning, so she would be most unlikely to do so now.