Enjoy Reading --Moon Witch -Complete- Pg..17 - Page 11

In spite of Shanaya's dismay at Jarron's intentions, she found during the next few days that Jarron could be the most charming and amusing of companions .Disregarding his mother's pleas that he should spend some more time with her ,he persisted in taking Shanaya everywhere with him . Matt joined them occasionally, but much to Shanaya's surprise ,Jarron found his personal assistant task to perform during the long lazy days ,leaving Shanaya to face hours alone with himself .

Not that the hours passed slowly. Together with Aristo , he had taught her how to swim underwater , and although ,she had not ventured very far into deep water. She had glimpsed a little of the wonder of the world beneath the calm surface .She had seen exquisite rock formations and lingered the sharp yet delicate filigree of coral strands . Aristo was never far away from her side , acting like a bodyguard Jarron had first said he was , making her laugh with his solemn admonitions which he delivered with a gleaming smile .

Another day they had taken the motor boat to a deep bay where a jetty had been erected to give elevation for would be water -skirs. Shanaya ,who had found the underwater swimming a much different proposition, and sank ignominiously into the waves so many that she eventually had to give it up , her legs ached so much .

And all the while she was conscious of Jarron , when he was explaining her something and she would turn to find his eyes regarding her strangely , almost as though he hated her . She could not understand why he should look at her in this way ,unless her previous actions had condemned her in his eyes , make him despise her .Yet , if this were so , why did he take the trouble to spend so much time with her , entertaining her , preventing her from becoming involved with Matt, or anyone else for that matter ?It didn't make sense ,and she gave it up as being completely incomprehensible .

But despite this veiled antagonism , there were times when she thought he forgot who she was , when he made her laugh and laughed with her , teasing her ,interesting her in the antics of a sand crab , lying beside her in the sand ,and telling her about his life ,the countries he had visited and the things he had done just for kicks . Those were the times she liked best and stored them up inside her , aware that her feelings for were becoming irretrievable somehow. There was no doubt in her mind any longer and the knowledge that her emotions no longer obeyed the dictates of her mind frightened her a little .

One afternoon he took her out on the Sea Witch with Aristo to act as crew . The swing and sway of the craft was alarming at first, and she clung to the side, praying they would not capsize, trying to prevent the nausea rising inside her .But after a while she became used to it and relaxed and as her nerves disappeared, so did the nausea .Jarron seemed pleased that she was a good sailor and she was quite pleased herself.

In the evenings, Helen invariable had company for dinner or arrangements had been made for herself and Jarron to dine out . Sometimes Jarron refused to go out, and stayed home and played gin rummy with Matt and Shanaya , but others he accompanied his mother ,leaving Matt and Shanaya alone with some misgivings .

Matt seemed amused at Jarron's annoyance at these times and said: " Your guardian seems to be taking his duties very seriously these days .Don't you think so ?'

Shanaya shrugged ,coloring as usual .'I don't know why should you think so .' she murmured , studying the cards in her hand.

" Don't you ?' Matt cupped his chin on his hand." Sure you do ,Shanaya. You're perfectly aware why I should think that . Jarron hasn't left you alone since out first day here . He spends all day and every day in your company . Now that's not usual ,is it ?'

Shanaya sighed ." Oh, I don't know .Must we discuss it ?'

" Yes , I think we must .I used to think ,I knew Jarron pretty well . Now I've realized I don't know him at all .'

" But why?' Shanaya's eyes were puzzled .

" Man , surely you can see that for Jarron to spend so much time with you and ignore the usual pursuits of the rich young tycoons in the West Indies is quite something ! Hell , Helen is practically gnawing off the ends of her fingers! She finished off her nails sometime ago ."

Shanaya couldn't suppress a smile ,'You are exaggerating !'

" May be I am . But that doesn't alter the fact that you are receiving the full treatment .'

" What on earth do you mean ? " Shanaya laid down her cards .

Matt stiffened .'Aw, come on ,let's get on with the game !'

She shook her head ,'No. you started this ,now ,tell me ,what do you mean?'

" Well ,I guess if I don't know Jarron better,I'd say that he was becoming -hell is!' he corrected himself ,'"interested in you !'

She pit her hands on her knees so that he should not see that they were trembling .'Matt! Don't be so ridiculous !'

Matt sighed .'Yes ,I know ,I know ,it sounds ridiculous to me ,too,and yet - well ,that's how it looks !"

She rose to her feet jerkily." You couldn't be more wrong !' she exclaimed .

" Why? Matt lay back in his chair .'Now, you tell me why ?'

" Well , for a start ,Jarron does not see me as"as"as a woman ,only as a child ,a kid -a nuisance ,mainly!'

" Are you sure?'

She bit hard at her lip." Oh, yes .I'm sure,' she murmured bitterly .

Matt shook his head .'Ah, well, so be it! But take it easy ,Shanaya; oh ,I know that's rich ,coming from me ,but- well, I've known Jarron a long time.'

Shanaya sat down again, to prevent her legs from giving out on her .'Sh- Shall we get on with the game ?' she asked ,picking her cards.

Matt gave her a wry glance and then nodded.

Shanaya's birthday dawned bright and clear . She was growing used to these wonderful mornings ,with air ,soft and sweet-smelling ,drifting in through the open casements. Her clock told her it was eight fifteen . She had over slept . She was supposed to be going swimming with Jarron and Aristo.,to have another lesson in skin-diving . Only Matt knew that it was her birthday , and she had insisted he did not tell anyone else . So the plans for the day had been made as any other day had been.

Sophie the maid ,arrived as she was dressing in cream slim fitting pants and pale blue over blouse . She was carrying a tray on which reposed a jug of fruit juice , a jug of coffee , some hot rolls and small pile of envelops.

Shanaya's eyes widened in surprise as Sophie said :

"Happy birthday ,Miss Shanaya !'

" Why ,thank you .' she said smiling." Are Mr. Jarron and Aristo waiting for me ?'

" No, miss. Mr. Jarron still in bed this morning .And Aristo is with madam gone for shopping .'

" Oh!'Shanaya frowned.

Mr. Jarron sick .' continued Sophie conversationally.

" Sick?' Shanaya stared at her ." Wh- what's wrong with him?'

" I'm not sure ,miss. May be just had a headache, yes?'

Shnaya nodded , thanked her and after she had gone ,picked up the envelops , all addressed to her . One from England and she tore this open first , looking tenderly at the card it contained . Of course ,it was from J.K. and his greetings brought back all her affection for him. She had never rung him , as she intended to do , so perhaps she would do it today .

The other cards were from Mrs.Kyle and Jarron which was plain and the words he had written the very minimum ,merely ,regards ,Jarron. She sighed and then stood them up on her dressing table , delighting in the small array they made .

Then she ate her breakfast and went downstairs with her tray and she entered the morning room where Matt was having his breakfast .

" Many happy returns ,' he remarked ,smiling ." You look bright and cheerful this morning !'

" Thank you .Ad thank you for your card . But you really ought not to have told anyone .'

" Who , me? I didn't tell anyone .' Matt shook his head .'I expect your-er- guardian already knew .'

"Oh!' Shanaya bent her head ." What's wrong with Jarron anyway ?'

Matt shrugged ." I suppose he drank a little too much last night .'

" Oh!' She said again.

Matt sighed ." Hell. I can't tease you now .can I ? No , Jarron has a bad cold , that's all . A shill . Knowing him he'll be up after lunch . But he looked pretty rotten when I saw him an hour ago .'

Shanaya relaxed .'I see.' She walked the rail ,looking down on the fabulous view..'It's a wonderful day .'

Hmm.It's shame to spend your birthday tied to the house . How about allowing me to take you to Kingston for lunch .Then we can spend an hour on the beach .'

Shanaya glanced at him .'Don't you have work to do ?'

Matt grinned. 'Well, as my lord and master is ill, he has not issued any instructions .I'm free as air .And after all , you have achieved womanhood today , haven't you ,and it would be shame to waste it .'

Shanaya laughed and leaned back against the rail. 'All right ,Why not?' she agreed , nodding ." As you say .It's shame to stay at home on my birthday .'

Helen Kyle came into the morning -room soon afterwards as Matt was finishing his breakfast ." Oh, good morning , Shanaya .' she said rather coolly. Her attitude to Shanaya was never particularly friendly .'Happy birthday !"

" Thank you Shanaya smiled

Helen seated herself at the table ." I suppose you know Jarron is ill? She asked generally.

Shanaya glanced at Matt and he said ,'Yes ,we do . A chill, isn't it?'

" A severe chill. I suspect he got soaked that day he took out the Sea Witch . He never takes any interest in his own well-being !'

" Jarron is not the kind of person to care whether he caught a chill or not .' remarked Matt dryly .'And spending so much time in the cold concrete world of the boardroom , he takes every opportunity he can be out in the fresh air . You would not deny him that ,Would you .Helen?'

Helen lifted her shoulders eloquently .'Well any way ,' she continued,' he wouldn't be able to entertain you today ,Shanaya , despite the fact its you birthday .It's such a shame .' she looked at Matt, 'Aren't you going to offer to be Shanaya's escort ,Matt?'

Matt pushed back his chair ." I already have ,' he said smoothly ,' We are going to Kingston to have lunch , if you don't mind .'

Helen looked smugly delighted .'I don't mind at all , Matt.' she replied calmly .'I'm very pleased that Shanaya won't have to spend the day here with only myself as company .'

Shanaya reserved her judgment . She was quite aware of Helen's motives for maneuvering them out of the way . It would give her some time alone with her precious son .

" Well ,come along , Shanaya ,' said Matt now ,'Collect your things .See you later , Helen.'

But somehow day was not success. Previously she had relaxed in Matt's company but now she could not . Whether an undiluted diet of Jarron's company had spoiled her for anybody else. ,she didn't know but certainly she found Matt dull company today .

" What do you plan to do with your life ?' he asked .

Shanaya said ." Oh, I don't know .' She said uncomfortably ,not particularly liking this close scrutiny, 'Why?'

Shanaya told him she wanted to go back then Matt gave her a present and asked her to open it .

Shanaya sighed ,'Oh, Matt ,I wish you hadn't.'

" Don't say that ,you haven't opened it yet .'

She unwrapped the small box and found a pair of jade earings ,lying on cotton wool .they were small and delicate and she felt contrite.

" Oh ,Matt!'

"Do you like them ?'

" Of course ,I do .But I wish you hadn't spent your money .I'm not worth it ,'

Matt shook his head and got to his feet .' I wouldn't say that . Come on .We'll go home .'

Flamingo Lodge seemed deserted when they arrived back . The sun was sinking low and Matt brought the car to a halt and said :

" No welcoming committee! Good!'

Shanaya frowned ,'I expect Mrs. Kyle is indoors and Jarron is most probably still in bed ,wouldn't you think?'

Matt shook his head,' I would say that was highly unlikely ,' he remarked ,'Particularly , if he's found out that we're out together .'

Shanaya grimace ,'Oh, well, it is my birthday . Any way ,I'm going to try and ring J.K. to thank him for his card , and to see how he is .' she ran lightly up on the steps and then turned :" Thanks for taking me out ,Matt.'

Matt came up the steps to join her ,' You're welcome and you know it ,' he touched her cheek gently with an affectionate gesture. I'm the one who should be thanking you .'

She half smiled , afraid he was going to say something more , when the mesh door from the hall swung open and Jarron stood there , leaning against the jamb , supporting himself with his other hand against the opposite side of the doorway .

" Well!' he said harshly .' This is a touching scene !'

" Now , Jarron ,' began Matt, but Jarron merely ignored him .

" Where have you been ? he asked ,' I thought I gave some work yesterday ,Matt . Have you dealt with it ?'

Matt moved uncomfortably now ."Hell. Jarron must we have this inquisition every time we get home ? Today -as you seem to have forgotten -is Shanaya's eighteenth birthday . Some birthday , stuck at home here with no one to talk with -no one to swim with !'

" I'm perfectly aware of the day .' returned Jarron straightening .

There was a sound behind him and Helen emerged , brushing past Jarron smilingly ."Oh , you're back .' she said with affected surprise .' Have you had a good time ?'

" Great !'said Matt with sarcasm .'Have you ?'

Helen frowned .'Well , of course .I've been busy . We're having a small dinner party this evening -in honor of Shanaya's birthday , naturally.'

Jarron glanced her way ,'Whose idea was that ?'

" Mine ,of course .'

Then forget it ,' Jarron looked moodily annoyed .'I've my own plans for this evening , and they don't include a family dinner party !'

Helen stared at him ,and Shanaya felt the palms of her hands grow moist ." What do you mean , Jarron?' Helen exclaimed ." What plans ?'

Jarron thrust his hands into the pockets of his trousers ," I am taking Shanaya out for dinner.' And as his mother would have protested , he continued :

"Every evening you've successfully filled for me , mostly to the exclusion of my ward . This evening as it's shanaya's birthday .I intend to take her out -alone !'

Helen looked furious .' You're not fit to go out ,Jarron !You must be running a temperature !I told you to stay in bed this morning !'

Jarron's jaw tightened , and Shanaya could have told Helen exactly what that meant .'My dear Helen ,'he said coldly ,'no one - but no one-- tells me what to do ! I'm not ill -I have cold ,that's all ! If I had been in England , I doubt whether I would have noticed it .As it is you attempt to suffocate me with kindness! You should know by now that kind of treatment does not work with me !'

Helen compressed her thin lips ." And what about Shanaya ? Have you thought about her feelings? She may not want to go out with you when I've invited several young people for dinner !'

Jarron glanced at Shanaya ." Well?' he said bleakly ,'You deside ! Do you want to come with me -or stay here and have your party !' his tone was mocking ,and Shanaya disliked his attitude.

Matt intervened .'You can't ask her a question like that ,Jarron .' he exclaimed ." As your mother has gone to the trouble-------

" Shut up , Matt!' Jarron tone was icy and Matt shrugged and walked into the house .

Shanaya moved awkwardly . Now the onus was on her . She wanted to refuse him . She wanted to be scathing , and tell him she would prefer the dinner party Helen had prepared . But the temptation to spend the whole evening in his company was too great , and she dared not look at Helen when she said :

"I"I would like to go out with you Jarron.'

Jarron looked triumphant, and as soon as she had agreed ,she felt contrite , particularly as Helen was giving her a very spiteful stare .

" So?' said Helen angrily ." Very well ,Jarron . But don't blame me if you catch pneumonia!" And she turned and march into the house.

Ignoring her , Jarron glanced at his watch .'It's almost six ,' he said ,looking at Shanaya , with lazy eyes .'So and get ready . We're leaving in half an hour .'

Shanaya didn't reply , but merely brushed past him on her way indoors. Again she felt she had let herself down . Again she had allowed him to dictate her life emotionally .

She went to her room to get ready ,she could not deny the surge od excitement the prospect of the evening ahead aroused in her . She took some time choosing and then decided to wear a silvery blue chiffon , sleeveless ,with a skirt that twirled about her ankles in enchanting swathes . With her hair hanging silkily to her shoulders she was ready ,a white scarf of silk over her arm ,in case evening was cool .

When she reached the hall , Jarron was already there ,tall and attractive in dark lounge suit and white shirt . His eyes appraising as he watched her descend the staircase .Helen appeared and gave Shanaya s malevolent glance." So , you're really going ,' she said looking at her son .

Jarron nodded ." I don't say things , I don't mean ,you ought to know that by now ,' he replied casually .'Come along , Shanaya .See you later ,Helen.'

Continued ...