Dark Avenger Read online

  A faintly contemptuous smile rose to his lips.

  "Tell me, Julie, was your decision to come here the result of anxiety for the girl whom your cousin is about to marry ... or are you interested only in saving the family fortunes?"

  A startled gasp escaped Julie and Doneus's smile deepened.

  "How do you come to know about our - finances?" she demanded, assuming an air of hauteur.

  "I hear things, Julie. We are not quite so cut off here as you evidently believe. I am fully aware that it is imperative that Alastair acquires the Jarrow fortune." He stopped, affording Julie a chance to comment, but she was speechless and he continued, "I hope I'm right in thinking that your anxiety is more for the girl than for your uncle and his son?"

  A question, pointed and demanding an answer. Julie inclined her head in a gesture of agreement.

  "I am greatly attached to Lavinia," she admitted. "It would break her heart were she to learn of Alastair's past."

  "So her fortune does not come into it - not as far as you're concerned, that is?"

  She looked at him, unaware of the distress in her gaze, or the faint tremor of her mouth.

  "Lavinia's happiness is my main concern."

  "But not your uncle's main concern," he rejoined perceptively, and without conscious thought Julie inclined her head in agreement, wondering how on earth this man had come to possess a knowledge of their most intimate affairs. Doneus continued, astounding her by saying, "You become more and more attractive to me with every moment that passes, Julie. And that means, of course, that my desire to marry you becomes stronger also."

  The softness of his tones - almost gentle, they sounded - was in complete contrast to the inflexibility in his gaze and Julie found herself floundering in bewilderment. She should flare up at his words, telling him how ridiculous she was, but instead she found herself saying,

  "Mr. Lucian, I believe there is some mystery. The whole situation doesn't ring true, somehow." She almost went on to add that she was beginning to doubt that he had sent that message at all, but instantly bit back the words, realizing just how stupid they would sound. Obviously he had sent the message ... and yet.... She shook her head, in a very dazed manner, and added, "I still can't believe you really want to marry me."

  His expression underwent several changes as she talked and although Julie failed to understand any of them she had the sure conviction that certain of her words had startled him, and she felt that the whole situation would become transparent if only she could make a guess at the vital links that were missing.

  "On the contrary," came the quiet but firm pronouncement, "I desire nothing more than to marry you." He looked at Jason and spoke to him in Greek. The dog moved away and lay down in the middle of the room.

  Julie gave a sigh of impatience and tried again.

  "Mr. Lucian, I came here because you requested it. I believed we discuss terms-"

  "My terms were laid down ten years ago," he interrupted quietly, and Julie found herself swallowing a ball of anger that had gathered in her throat.

  "The promise my uncle made so long ago was as ridiculous as your demand! " She glanced disdainfully at her surroundings.

  "Surely you could find a good use for five hundred pounds?"

  How glad she now was that she had not offered the two hundred given her by her uncle.

  "You think so?" Almost imperceptibly he turned his head and, following the direction of his gaze, Julie saw that he was looking at the castle, standing with patrician-like nobility on the edge of the fluted cliffs. Her eyes opened wide. Surely he did not expect a fortune from them, a sum which would purchase him a home like that! As she returned her eyes to his dark profile, some force quite beyond her comprehension made her say, "Mr. Lucian, are you a spongediver?"

  Slowly he brought his gaze back to her, inclining his head.

  "That is my occupation, Julie." Quiet tones, devoid of expression. Leaning forward, Doneus picked up the glass of water he had brought in with his coffee, and took a long drink.

  "Then surely you will accept the five hundred -"

  "No, Julie, I will not." His voice was ice now; Julie knew she had hurt his pride. "It's marriage or ..." The rest was left unsaid.

  Julie stood up.

  "Then there's no need for further discussion," she snapped, assuming all the arrogance befitting her station as a member of the English aristocracy. "I will bid you good day!" Yet inside she trembled. What was to be the outcome of this wasted journey? Would he carry out his threat?

  "The wedding is a week today, I am informed."

  Julie stood looking down at him, biting her lip. "Mr. Lucian - please listen to reason -"

  "Did your cousin listen to reason when that young girl asked for mercy?"

  Julie spread her hands, little realizing how young and defenceless she appeared to this man - or how very desirable.

  "I cannot be held responsible for his misdeeds," she whispered.

  "You would not be so unkind as to punish me for what he has done?" Soft and pleading words, so out of keeping with her manner of only seconds ago. His eyes remained hard, like metal.

  "You do admit to his having committed a crime, then?"

  "I know he did wrong, yes." He remained silent and to her consternation tears hovered, ready to escape. "What can I say to you? You have no heart." Not quite true. He did have a heart - of stone.

  "Ten years ago I had a heart," he returned. "And if that heart has gone then it is your people who tore it out."

  "My people - but not me." Again that pleading note, and yet, looking into that hard face, she knew they fell on deaf ears.

  "The innocent shall suffer for the guilty . . ." A small pause. "We in Greece feel deeply for the sins of our relatives, and endeavour to make reparation to the one harmed."

  "I am not a Greek, Mr. Lucian."

  "Sit down, Julie," he said, ignoring that remark. "Have some more coffee."

  "I will stay only if you agree to talk business."

  "The business of marriage?"

  "I've said, several times, the idea's out of the question! "

  "That is final?"

  "It is."

  A brief silence. Doneus rose from his chair.

  "There's no need for you to go yet - not if your ship doesn't sail until three. Can I offer you some lunch?"

  "No, thank you." Julie's heart was in her feet. This man meant what he said, of that she felt very sure. Was there no way out?

  Her thoughts strayed to Lavinia, sweet-natured and madly in love with Alastair. Her heart must surely be broken.

  "I can't think you will appear in the church;'' she began. "It would be cruel. If you knew Lavinia -" Julie extended her hands in a gesture of deep entreaty, thinking again how different this situation was from what she had anticipated on setting out from her home only yesterday.

  She had a poor spongediver with whom to deal, a man from peasant stock who would be only too willing to accept the money she had to offer. This was what she had expected. He was a fool to refuse it, for surely it must make all the difference to his life. "Lavinia is so young, Mr. Lucian, and she's deeply attached to my cousin. She's done you no wrong; she isn't related to those who harmed you."

  "She intends to be, though."

  "But she's innocent," Julie cried indignantly. "How can you contemplate breaking her heart?"

  "Another young girl was innocent ... until your fine Alastair got hold of her," he said harshly. "No, Julie, do not ask for mercy from me, nor expect it. I mean what I say." Julie's head was bent and with an unexpected gesture Doneus put a lean dark hand under her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. "You know, in your heart, that I mean to denounce your cousin, don't you?"

  She could not speak for a moment, so conscious was she of his strange touch. It should have been abhorrent, should have filled her with disgust, to be handled like this by a mere peasant, and yet she seemed mesmerized by the power of him and several seconds elapsed before she twisted away, and even then she c
ould still feel the warmth of his hand, and its strength.

  "Yes," she owned at last, her lovely mouth trembling. "Yes, I do know you mean to denounce Alastair."

  "And are you still determined to turn down my offer?"

  "Your offer?" with a certain sarcasm despite the way she felt, hopeless and dead inside. "You demanded that I come to you, all those years ago."

  To her surprise he frowned at the recollection - almost as if he resented being reminded of it, which was of course ridiculous, seeing that he was still of the same mind about owning her - for that was what it amounted to.

  "I did say that you could return to your home for five months of the year, Julie. Did your uncle tell you that?"

  "The gipsy - the Greek woman did."

  "While I'm away at sea it would be dull for you here -"

  "As I shan't be here, either in your absence or not, you waste time in discussing it."

  His mouth went tight.

  "I believe you will think again about this matter -" He broke off and looked steadily down into her face. "In fact," he added softly, "I am quite sure you will."

  "Your confidence is as ridiculous as your request!" Brave words, but her heart was like a leaden weight. Picking up her suitcase, she moved to the open door; fragrant delights assailed her nostrils as a soft warm breeze stirred the flowers.

  "It's incredible that you could even ask me to come to a place like this." Stepping into the sunshine, Julie was aware of Doneus just behind her and despite her outward hauteur she felt her flesh tingle.

  "You are proud, madam! Is my home not good enough for you?"

  Astounded, Julie turned. Of everything he had said this question made the strongest impact; choked by anger and indignation she just stared incredulously at him and for a long moment silence reigned between them. Jason came to his master, lifting his head and gazing at him as if wondering why the voices had stopped.

  "Do you really expect an answer to so absurd a question?" she managed, taking a step backwards on realizing how overpoweringly close he was.

  "Absurd, is it?" His face had twisted into harsh lines and his eyes kindled. "A husband's home is usually good enough for his wife. You will come to regard it as home - with time, of course, but there will be plenty of that-"

  "Can we put an end to this farcical conversation? Where can I get a taxi?"

  "Taxi?" he echoed, diverted. "Didn't you tell Stamati to come back?" His voice was no longer harsh; he seemed a trifle anxious, she thought, much to her amazement. What an enigma the man was!

  "No - I didn't think of it." Her mind had been fully occupied with other matters, but she now realized she should have paid a little attention to the problem of getting back to Kalymnos.

  "Isn't there anyone round here who has a taxi?" Even as she put the question she realized how silly it was, for the place was deserted.

  "I'm afraid not."

  "And there's no bus?"

  "Taxis act as buses - you book one seat and share with others, but you won't get one here. You'll have to walk to the village -"

  "But that's a long way off."

  "There's no other means of getting to Kalymnos. The dolmus - that's the taxi - will be there at half-past two."

  "Half-past two!" she quivered. "The ship sails at three o'clock."

  Doneus gave an impatient sigh.

  "If it was your intention to leave so soon then why didn't you instruct Stamati to wait?"

  "I didn't think." She shook her head dejectedly. "This is just about the last straw." Sudden tears filled her eyes. She put down her case and began searching in her bag for a handkerchief. "I'll miss the ship . . ." She blew her nose, surreptitiously touching her eyes so as to catch the tears before they fell. "Is there no way at all that I can get to Kalymnos by three o'clock?"

  A long silence followed her question and, glancing up when at last she was sure her tears were effectively in check, she noticed that Doneos's eyes were on the castle, its walls gleaming like old gold in the sunshine.

  "When is the next boat, Julie?" Doneus was still staring at the castle, in a strange attitude of indecision.

  "Tomorrow, at the same time. But I can't wait till then." Her thoughts naturally went to the room she had occupied last night - the mosquitoes, the absence of a bath and cold water only in which to wash herself.

  She could stay at his cottage, Doneus told her after another silence. He would fetch his mother and she would also stay at the cottage. He watched Julie's expression as he spoke, waiting, she knew, for the look of distaste to appear at this suggestion, but after the mention of a mother everything else was momentarily excluded from her mind.

  "Was that your mother whom I saw in England?" The same black eyes and straight brow, the same full lips. She should have known the moment she saw Doneus, but somehow she had not expected him to have a mother living - although there was no valid reason for those conclusions.

  "It was. She's quite charming, Julie, although at that time I expect you did not think so."

  His mother.... A true peasant, with fine gold rings through pierced ears and on her brown arms several bangles. Black clothes covering her whole body and a black cowl on her head.

  "Your mother doesn't live with you?" How very strange that they should live apart.

  "She prefers her own place - parents do, you know."

  She frowned. The mystery appeared to be deepening.

  "I don't want to stay here." But she thanked him all the same, in quiet gracious tones. "I'll begin walking; I might get a lift from someone with a car."

  A shadow seemed to cross his face at her firm refusal and something twisted in Julie's heart. It staggered her, since there was no reason at all why she should pity this man in his loneliness.

  "You'll never get a lift," he asserted, and her lips trembled. His glance strayed to the cliff. "I can borrow a car." The words came reluctantly as if they were impelled by some force he would rather have suppressed.

  "A car! " Julie looked incredulously at him. "Where from?"

  "The castle." He bent as he spoke, and stroked Jason's head.

  "You know them well enough to borrow a car?" Her astonishment brought anger to his face.

  "You appear to think that people living in a castle would not wish to know anyone like me?" So quiet the voice, and so dangerous. Julie felt a little of the blood leave her face.

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Lucian, I spoke without thinking. There is no reason for my assuming they would not wish to know you."

  Accepting the apology without comment he said, "Go inside and sit down again. I shall be away ten minutes or so."

  Julie did as requested; Doneus went into the kitchen for something and automatically Julie called the dog. "Come on, Jason."

  The Labrador cocked his head but took no notice.

  "He doesn't understand English," Doneus called out. "Ela, Jason - that's what you should have said. It means come here."

  Jason had gone to his master and Julie remained silent, feeling too shy to utter the Greek word.

  Doneus was laughing as he returned from the kitchen and Julie stared at him. He seemed different, somehow ... not quite so formidable.

  "I'll be as quick as I can," he promised and, calling to Jason, he went out. A few seconds later Julie saw him pass the window, riding a dilapidated bicycle, the Labrador trotting along beside him.

  Jason was sitting in the back when the car drew up outside the tiny cottage. An hour and a half later Julie was on board the Lindos. Doneus had got her there a couple of hours before the ship was due to sail and as she was allowed to board she went straight down to her cabin, remaining there until the ship sailed, when she again came up on deck. Already the rocky little island was receding; people stood on the quayside and waved to their friends or relatives who were leaving on the ship.

  Suddenly, unbelievably, Julie saw Doneus, right at the end of the quay, a little way from the borrowed car, Jason standing close to him. Julie swallowed something hard and painful in her throat as the r
ealization flashed upon her that Doneus had either been waiting there for two hours, or he had been somewhere - to get a snack, perhaps - and then returned ... just to see the ship sail ... with her aboard it. She turned away, still swallowing.

  What did it mean? Impelled, she swung round again. She saw a hand lifted in salute, saw Doneus then open the car door to allow Jason to jump up on to the back seat, and seconds later the car was moving slowly along the quayside, and she watched it, fascinated, until it disappeared behind the customs shed. But even then she continued to stare, and the car was seen again, moving along the waterfront where the cafes were situated. It became smaller and smaller and then it was gone altogether.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  DURING the entire homeward journey Julie's mind was naturally occupied by her recent encounter with Doneus Lucian. Her uncle had omitted to mention the unusually fine physique of the man, or his inordinate good looks and air of the aristocrat, and these were the first things on which she commented when she arrived back at Belcliffe House in the late afternoon of the following day. Edwin lifted his brows in surprise and Julie felt the colour spring to her cheeks. She had no more idea than Edwin why she should have made mention of such irrelevancies.

  "He was tall, granted, but I don't seem able to recall any outstanding signs of handsomeness or air of the aristocrat -" A thin laugh echoed through the room. "Aristocrat, indeed! The man had all the appearance of the peasant that he was - cheap and shabby clothes and a general air of poverty, as I've already said. Anyway, what has his appearance to do with it? He accepted the money, I suppose?"

  They were in the lounge taking afternoon tea, which had been brought in by a uniformed maid immediately on Julie's arrival.

  Logs burned brightly in the great Adam fireplace; their glow showered the elegant room with a soft cosy warmth and cast oblique, flickering shadows on to the wainscoted walls. Outside, the early October day was grey and dull, so vastly different from the clear blue skies and sunshine of Kalymnos, thought Julie absently as with a fleeting echo of memory there rose up before her the tall lithe figure of a man with features so attractive they scarcely seemed real, with eyes that surely could probe one's very soul; a man with a name that had once meant Hades.... She saw that man standing alone on the quayside, the wind in his hair, peering at the ship as it sailed away from the island, and lifting a hand in salute-