Enjoy Reading --Moon Witch -Complete- Pg..17 - Page 10

The view was as spectacular as she had imagined it to be . The thickly wooded hillside fell away below her window , dotted here and there with the tiled roofs of other dwellings . Colorful trees and shrubs threaded among the foliage . There was a beautiful cascade of golden blossoms just below in the gardens and to the right she glimpsed a curved swimming pool edged about with bushes of oleander and rose. It was the most picturesque scene she had ever looked on and even her depression lifted a little on a morning like this . And it was seven thirty ,she thought she should not stay in the bed any longer .

Rummaging through her cases , she brought out a semi-flared skirt of bright red crimplene and donned a sleeveless white sweater to go with it . After a brisk wash in cold water and a hasty run of the comb through her hair , she was ready , and she opened her room door quietly in case the rest of the household was still sleeping .

She tiptoed along the landing and down the stairs to the hall below .Glancing into the lounge which they had entered the previous night she found it to be deserted , but there was the faint sound of activity to the left of the hall , so she walked across quietly to investigate . She found a small dining room , but there was no one actually in the room . Instead ,French doors stood wide open on to a terrace with a carved wrought iron rail . A round table was set for breakfast, and Matt was sitting lazily reading the newspaper as he ate a very English breakfast of bacon, eggs and tomatoes.

She ventured into the rooms tentatively and Matt seeing her shadow, said: " Well ,hello ,Shanaya ! Coming to join me?"

" Thank you .I'd like to ,'Shanaya nodded and crossed to the French doors . Then she caught her breath as she ran to the rail and gazed down on the blue waters of the Caribbean, spread out below them. Her room situated at the end of the house, has merely given her a glimpse of the sea on the horizon, but here the land fell away more steeply and Matt smiled at her enthusiasm.

" Some place to eat a meal ,eh?' he remarked , folding his newspaper .

Shanaya glanced round , her eyes alight with wonder ." It's a scene from a film.' She exclaimed ." How on earth can Jarron bear to leave all this and return to England ."

She realized as soon as she had spoken that they were not alone , and she turned to face Helen with some trepidation. Only yesterday she had told Jarron's mother that she addressed him as Mr. Kyle and now here she was saying Jarron as naturally as though she had never used anything else .

" Oh- Mrs. Kyle - good morning ,'she said awkwardly.

Helen gave her a slight nod, Good morning ,Shanaya. You're an early riser, too. I see.'

"It-it was too nice to stay in bed ,'said Shanaya somewhat defensively , and then leant against the rail , trying to recapture her excitement at the view.

Helen seated herself at the table and when a white-coated manservant appeared ,she said :'what would you like for breakfast ,Shanaya? We have the usual English things or there is rolls and butter, fruit juice: you choose.'

Shanaya turned and as Matt held her chair ,sat down too."Could I have some fruit juice and some rolls? she asked.

"of course .'

Shanaya wished Helen had not appeared just then . She could have enjoyed a relaxed meal with only Matt for company . With him she had no inhibitions, and his lazy manner appealed to her.

" What do you plan today, Matt?' Helen was asking now .

Matt shrugged. I don't know exactly .Jarron said something about taking out the yacht .Unless he changes his mind.'

" A yacht!' exclaimed Shanaya, 'Oh, where is it?'

"There-out in the bay!'Matt raised his arm and pointed, and Shanaya could see a white hull and some silvery attachments gleaming in the sun. The Sea Witch! Do you sail?'

Shanaya grimaced, 'Well, it's not exactly common people like me ,' she laughed ,relaxing a little .

" Matt's father owns a shipyard, remarked Helen conversationally. In Norfolk, isn't that so, Matt?'

Matt nodded and Shanaya frowned. Somehow she had thought of Matt as being herself, and to discover that his father owned a shipyard placed him entirely different light .

It was Arnold , Matt's father ,who built the Sea Witch .' Helen went on .'Beautiful, isn't she?'

Yes , said Shanaya doubtfully, and caught Matt's eyes upon her .

"what's wrong ?'he asked .'Does it surprise you that unlike Jarron I'm not following in Father's footsteps?'

Shanaya shrugged ,'I suppose I didn't think of you as-well , being anything other than -than -she glanced at Helen - than ,Jarron's assistant.'

Helen seemed to understand this more easily than Matt did . Matt prefers the world of high finance to quite backwaters of the Broads , even though Arnold gets orders from all over the world ,don't you ,Matt?' she patted his hand .'As Jarron's assistant he is a person in his own right .'

Shanaya sighed .'Yes, I suppose so ,' she murmured quietly .

" Where is Jarron by the way ?' asked Helen suddenly .

Matt finished his coffee. "He went out with Aristo an hour ago . I believe they were heading for the beach . They took oxygen cylinders with tem.'

Shanaya's eyes were wide .She had thought Jarron was still in the bed . To know he was up and about , and likely to appear at any moment , petrified her . However would she face him after last night?

Helen now looked at Shanaya thoughtfully ,'Perhaps you'd like to take Shanaya to the beach ,Matt.' She suggested , embarrassing Shanaya by her assumptions.

" No- really ---she began ,when Matt said :

" I would like nothing better , I guess you want Jarron to yourself ,is that right ?'

Helen smiled,' You understand me so well, Matt. Of course .I shall adore having sometime alone with my son on his return . Where do you plan to go ?'

Matt frowned ." Well. As Jarron has taken the diving gear , I suggest Shanaya and I go to Coral Point . The beach is quite and sheltered by palms , and water is pretty shallow .' he glanced at Shanaya .'You do swim?'

Shanaya nodded ,'Yes- but ,honestly ,Matt . It's not necessary . I can amuse myself . After all pool here would suit me just as well .'

" Don't be silly , Shanaya ,' said Helen coolly,' I insist that you see little f the place you've chose for your holiday. Afterwards, Matt may take you to Kingston for lunch , so be prepared for any eventuality .'

Shanaya had the feeling that Helen was quietly telling Matt exactly what she wanted him to do and she felt uncomfortably aware that Jarron's mother wanted her off the property for sometime .

Matt seemed unperturbed ,however . After she had finished her rolls and coffee ,he said ,' Go , get your swimsuit ,Shanaya and we'll be off . Bring sunglasses if you have them.'

Shanaya rose obediently to her feet and did as she was told .She felt a pang of homesickness for J.K. and wondered whether she might be able to ring him as Helen had rang Jarron.

She collected her things and found Matt waiting for her in the hall . He was tall , good-looking and shanaya wondered why the prospect going out with him didn't arouse more enthusiasm inside her .

Helen came to wish them goodbye and the cream convertible awaited them . Matt helped her into her seat and then walked round to slide beside her .' Boy ,am I lucky !' he remarked laughingly .

Why ?' shanaya looked puzzled.

" Well, here I am being paid taking out one of the most attractive young women . I've ever had the good luck to meet !' he answered .

" Paid?'She frowned.

" Sure , Jarron insist on paying me during holidays , the same as always ."

" Oh ,I see.' She relaxed ,'You are very polite ,thank you ,Matt. But may be you have been saddled with me !' she grimaced , as they left the gates of Flamingo Lodge behind them.

" Don't be silly.' Now Matt looked solemn, Believe me , if I had not wanted to bring you ,I shouldn't have done so . Helen or no Helen.'

" You realized she was manipulating you ?'

Helen does not manipulate me .I'm no puppet ,'he answered ,' she thinks she does ,that's all . You must learn to listen to Helen ,to pretend to act upon her advice and then go your own merry way .'

" Is that what Jarron does?'

Matt laughed ,' Jarron?Oh, shanaya , you will learn that Jarron is a law unto himself . Helen gets nowhere with him . Just as she never succeeded manipulating J.K. . Hasn't he told you they were never compatible ?'

" Well , yes.'

Surely you realize Jarron is like his father .'

Yes , she said more slowly .

" Then that should answer your question . Nevertheless, Helen is very possessive where Jarron is concerned , so don't be alarmed if she attempts to run your life to her designs. As I say , do what you want to do ! Jarron would say the same .'

Shanaya doubted this and then sighed ,' It's all so complicated ,' she said heavily ." I wish - I really wish I'd never come.'

Why?' Matt gave her an astounded look,'Heavens, don't let Helen get under your skin !'

Shanaya felt dejected , Matt was a little late in saying that . She had already let Helen get under her skin to the extent of causing the most dreadful rift with Jarron yet .

Despite her misgivings she had marvelous day with Matt . Matt told her that he and Jarron were together at Cambridge and I was interested in joining the business . and then after some time I joined him as his personal assistant .

During the afternoon he took her conducted tour of the city and it was early evening when they began to ascent the hills to Flamingo Lodge ,and Shanaya who was gay and talkative all day , seemed to withdraw into herself .

" What's troubling you ?' asked Matt ,frowning." You've got me on hand if you need someone to lean on .'

She looked at him warmly ." Have I, Matt? You make me feel so much better.'

" And you make me feel old .' Matt sighed .

" You are not old,'

" I'm about thirty .'

" Only for the moment .I shall be eighteen in nine days time.'

Shall you indeed? We must do something about a party .'

"oh, no !' she was horrified. Don't tell Mrs. Kyle, please. I want no fuss.'

The lights of the villa gleamed but Shanaya felt no pleasure at the sight .Instead she felt an awful feeling of apprehensive that was heightened when they halted at the front veranda and Jarron came to stand at the top of the steps , regarding them broodingly .

" Where the hell have you been ?'he said as they got out . Shanaya gathering her belongings and thrusting them into bag ,

" You know where we have been ,' replied Matt calmly.' Helen must have told you we went to Coral Point .'

Jarron frowned , dressed in dark pants and a dark shirt , he looked very handsome and Shanaya felt her heart somersault uncomfortably inside her .

You went to Coral Point ten hours ago .I drove there myself around lunch time. You were not there then!'

Matt raised his eyebrows,' Now why should you do such a thing ?'he asked lazily , taking Shanaya's arm and assisting her up the shallow steps .'We went to Kingston for lunch and after that we did some sightseeing,' he glanced at Shanaya ." Helen knew we were not expected back .'

Jarron chewed at cigar between his teeth ,'I don't give a damn what Helen knew ,' he swore angrily .

Now cool it ,'said Matt, without turning a hair .'We're here .Aren't we? All safe and sound ! And we've had a marvelous day ,haven't we ,Shanaya?'

Shanaya nodded and trusting herself to speak as Jarron's gaze flickered over her , lingering momentary .

" Well ,it's seven thirty ,' he said tautly ."Dinner is eight this evening . Helen has invited her friends . I suggest you both go and change .'

Sure thing, agreed Matt, seeming a trifle amused by Jarron's attitude ,'Come on , Shanaya!'

Shanaya did not linger , hastening ahead Matt up the stairs ,'Don't rush .' he said lazily , behind her ."Jarron's good and mad ! Give him time to cool off!'

" But , why ? I mean , why he is mad ? Shanaya head was spinning .

" I guess he takes his role as guardian rather seriously ,honey .And so he should . You're far too attractive to be left run around loose for every guy to try and get fresh with . May be he see himself as father figure!'

Shanaya pressed a hand to her throat.'I see,' she murmured, chokily. 'See-see you later, Matt. And thank you for wonderful day !'

" Thank you !' returned Matt , with a cheerful grin , and disappeared into his room .

In her room her cases had been unpacked for her and her clothes were hanged in the wardrobe . she went to bathroom to freshen up and then returned to her room and saw a key was inserted into the lock and she frowned ,she was sure it was not thee earlier . She wanted something attractive to wear something young and yet not girlish. Eventually , she chose a midnight blue lurex threaded silk with tunic type skirt which was edged with pearls and pearl edged blouse with scooped neckline. It was sleeveless .

She descended the stairs to find everyone talking together in the long lounge . There was Helen , Jarron and Matt , and two couples. Jaroon handed her innocuous lime liquid .remarking:

Fresh lime and lemon , laced with the smallest part of vodka. I think you'll like it .'

" Thank you .' She took the drink and Jarron nodded and turned away without looking at her . She sighed . How cold and polite he was tonight .What was he thinking , under that icy exterior ? Had he noticed her at all ? Did he like her dress? Or was she part of the decoration?

Dinner was served in a small dining room. Shanayaa ate very little . Though Jarron did not speak to her , she was conscious of him and his displeasure the whole evening , and when meal was over she escaped on to the terrace with some relief .

Carpet was rolled back in the lounge for dancing and Jarron was choosing the music .She could hear the laughter and talk from within, but had no desire to join them. Out here she was looking down on the lights below and attempted to achieve some kind of detachment .

A sound behind her startled her . She had not bothered to turn on the lights in the morning room behind her , and she thought no one knew where she was . But her silhouette gave her away , and she drew back as dark shadow detached itself from the gloom and joined her on the terrace . she knew at once it was Jarron. And he flicked a switch that lit a lamp on the small curvature of the terrace .

Shanaya gripped the rail with taut fingers , willing herself not to turn towards him .

" Well ?'he said softly ."I gather you found Matt a good company .'

"'t I?' she parried uncomfortably .

" I don't know . What did he do ?' Jarron's voice was still angry

" What do you mean , what did he do ? He didn't do anything . We just sunbathed and then had lunch , like he said . I didn't know I would have to gave an account of myself or I would have taken a notebook!'

" Don't taunt me ,Shanaya ,' he murmured savagely ." I've decided to ignore your little seduction scene last night , but I will not have you behaving like some- some- some idiot ! For heaven's sake Shanaya as you said , you're almost eighteen . Old enough to know that men can be dangerous with sufficient provocation.'

Shanaya sighed ." Oh, please ,' she exclaimed ,'don't let's start that all over again .'

" All right ,all right . I have no intention of starting anything . I just want you to know that you need not go around feeling afraid of me . I'm sorry if unwillingly I've aroused your resentment , but I've decided that we don't know one another well enough , and that's why you are acting this way .I suppose it's understandable ,really .I am your guardian after all and I've shown little or no interest in you to date .In your character , that is - your personality ! I intend to remedy that , starting tomorrow ,'

She felt her heartbeats quicken. That- that's not necessary.'

Oh , but it is . So tomorrow , we'll begin teaching you to swim underwater and then may be little water skiing . I know you will enjoy that .' he was controlling his temper quite easily now .' You agree?'

She sighed ,' Do I have any choice?'

" Shanaya,'he muttered warningly.

" Oh--oh all right Mr. Kyle . I'll fall in with your plans. Just don't expect me to fall over myself to please you like all the others do !'

Her remark was stupid and childish , and with a muffled exclamation he turned and walked across the morning room to the doorway into the hall .then he turned.

" I shall expect you to be ready to leave at eight thirty in the morning ,'he said shortly and without waiting for her reply he left .

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