Enjoy Reading --Moon Witch -Complete- Pg..17 - Page 8

The International Airport was like all international airports , impersonal and it was not until they emerged from the airport buildings on to the tarmac that she realized just how far from London they had come . The velvet warmth of the night air was sweet -scented and buzzing with sounds and vibrations, entirely alien to her. To her surprise, they had not collected their luggage, and she caught Matt's arm , and said : " Where are we going now ?"

Jarron glanced round with a lazy expression." We haven't finished with airplanes yet , Shanaya . Now we take the flight to Kingston . Only this time, it's a little different."

Shanaya frowned , and Matt grinned ." He means it's not a scheduled trip .' he elucidated ." This time we have no professional pilot ."

" Whatever do you mean ?" She felt her stomach churning . So far she had not been air- sick , but her nerves were causing butterflies to disturb her stomach now.

Jarron looked a little bored ." He means Shanaya , that it's my plane ,I'm the pilot !"

" What !" she looked horrified , and Jarron sighed heavily .

" Oh hell, what did you have to tell her for ?" he asked Mattwith some annoyance ." We'd have boarded the plane , and she wouldn't have known until we were airborne. As it is she will probably panic herself into something nauseatiting !"

Shanaya stiffened angrily ." Don't you dare speak to me like that .' she exclaimed ." I'm perfectly all right and I intend to stay that way , whoever is handling the aircraft !"

" Good girl !" said Matt laughing ." Take no notice of Jarron . He's only kidding ."

Shanaya doubted this, and her nerves were further increased by the discovery that the plane they were using . Jarron's plane was a small jet , powerful and fast .

She was helped inside to discover that the interiors resembled a small lounge , furnished with armchairs and tables and a cocktail cabinet and a bookcase in one corner .Jarrons compartment at the front of the plane ,was twin seated and she wondered what it would be like to fly beside him . However she was strapped into one of the armchairs. While, Matt occupied another and Jarron shed his jacket and seated himself behind the controls, He was cleared for takeoff and with faintest of sensation of speed the plane left the grounds as smoothly as the huge liner had done . Matt released his strap and helped Shanaya to release hers. She was tremendously thrilled and her butterflies disappeared with a welcoming sense of well-being that flooded through her being. After all here she was flying across one of the most beautiful areas in the world in company of two attractive men , with the prospect of two weeks' holiday before her , with nothing to do but take it easy and recover her health and spirits . In such surroundings she could not go on feeling depressed . J.K. had been right as usual , the trip was going to do her good .

Jarron glanced round and saw her , as he lit the cigar and said ," How do you feel now ? Queasy?"

" Of course not ,' she said , allowing a smile to play around her lips ." Actually , I am beginning to feel much better , mentally at least ."

Jarron raised his dark eyebrows and then looked at Matt." It must be your company ,friend .' he said lazily ," mine has never achieved that effect ."

Shanaya flushed and as though repenting , he said : " Come on ,kid ,come and sit down here , and take a look at control panel. It's a pity it's not daylight , but still I'll take you up another day . See, this is altimeter and fuel ,gauge and that's radar system."

Shanaya was fascinated . Jarron explained everything so carefully that she found herself interested in spite of herself . It seemed fantastic to imagine they were flying thousands of feet up in the atmosphere , talking casually like this as though discussing the state of weather .She had never known he was so conversant with things outside the concrete world of his business. And she felt ashamed that she had ever attempted to find the man behind the computer. That he had an intelligent brain she had never been in any doubt ,but this was entirely a different angle on his character . May be J.K. was right again , may be Jarron was a better person away from his influence . Any way half an hour journey was over in a flash and soon the brilliant collection of lights below them to the airport . Shanaya thought she had never seen a sky of that particular shade of deep blue , a kind of purplish quality , that shimmered like rich cloth set with jewels.

The landing was accomplished smoothly and she realized afresh what a complex person Jarron was . When Custom formalities were over Shanaya found a huge Negro man-servant awaiting them with a low slung cream limousine. He took charge of the luggage and gave Jarron a welcoming grin that conveyed very clearly how glad he was to see him again .

" This is Aristotle,' remarked Jarron ,flinging his overcoat over on shoulder , and running a lazy hand through his hair ." He's chauffeur -cum- handyman- cum bodyguard to my mother ."

Shanaya said ,"Surely your mother does not need a body guard !'

Matt grinned now ." Take no notice of him , Shanaya ,' he said .

Shanaya relaxed . She was unused to this new lazy side of Jarron Kyle .

They left the airport behind them swiftly and shanaya glanced out of the rear window , seeing the lights disappearing into darkness. Matt sat beside her in the back while Jarron drove the car himself . They were climbing now , away from the coastline ,shanaya felt a surge of excitement enveloping her . this was a whole new world , a world she had not even known existed and she felt determined to gain as much from it as she possible could . This was no time foe self analysis and recriminations , she must live each day as it came , and enjoy it to the best of her ability .

The scent of the air was new to her and in the glow of the headlights the creamy petals of the magnolia could be seen growing in wild perfusion .

Matt glanced at her sensing her animation." Excited ?" he asked indulgently .

Shanaya smiled ." Oh, yes .I wasn't - when we left London-but now I am.'

Jarron glanced round , but she could not see his expression in the gloom ." " It's like I said .Matt , you have worked the miracle ."

She was glad he could not see the hot color run up her cheeks ." No,' she said , unable to prevent the words." It's not only Matt!"

" Well, thanks!" said Matt in mock derision.

" No, really , you know what I mean , it's the feel of the place . Can't you feel it ?' she appealed to them ,"I mean ,it's all so- so- different!'

" Tht pull of the islands ,' remarked Jarron , a trifle sardonically.

" Well, yes."

" And all that goes with it .I suppose . Witchcraft , voodoo, black magic!"

" Don't be sarcastic ! You must know what I mean .'

" Okay ,' he said lazily ." Yes , I guess .I do . It used to effect me that way , too. then he asked Aristo did they have some equipment for Shanaya to go skin diving .

Shanaya shivered ." Skin-diving !' she exclaimed breathlessly .

" Sure , you'd like to do that , wouldn't you ?"

" Oh, yes .but -well, I don't know how !"

"Mr. Jarron , he will show you fine ."

Flamingo Lodge was approached up a steep incline . The wrought iron gates stood wide , much different . A drive was twisted among cedars , ferns and flowers giving the ground almost jungle like density . Then the floodlit front terrace of the lodge was visible . And Shanaya caught her breath at the beauty of its vine hung balconies , verandas , all flowering colors . Shrubs spilled over the verandas steps and all this threw back a delicate prism of colors . The perfumes of the night air were intensified and mingled them was the faintest taste of salty tang of sea . and a breeze lifted Shanaya's hair with blessed coolness.

Jarron slid out ,holding forward the front seat and giving his hand to Shanaya to help her to alight . Immediately at his touch she was aware of him , and she drew her hand swiftly away , willing her irresponsible senses to remain dormant . .

A woman was coming down the varanda steps to greet them , a tall woman , with curly hair ,framing her youthful face . She was obviously Jarron's mother , it wasn't so much her looks , but the way she moved and slightly arrogant way she held her head . she loked at her son with warm , welcoming eyes .

" Hello , Helen .' said Jarron , kissing her cheek.' How have you been ?"

" Oh, I'm perfectly well.' She said , smiling at him ." How is J.K.?"

Shanaya thought she was not indifferent to J.K. as J.K. would have her believe .

Then Jarron introduced Shanaya ." I guess you know all about her ."

Helen Kyle studied shanaya for a moment , and then said : " Yes , I suppose I do . You are J.K.'s latest acquisition , I hear - or perhaps , I ought to say Jarron's ." she glanced at her son wryly , and shanaya didn't know how to reply . However Helen continued :" I'm pleased to have you here Shanaya . you are more than welcome . If it means having my son back with me for two more weeks . I could love you for it !' she took shanaya's hand warmly ,' Did you have a good jurney ?"

Shanaya relaxed a little ." Marvellous , thank you . Particularly the final stage .' she looked defiantly at Jarron." I didn't know - Mr.Kyle - could pilot a plane , much less a jet !"

Helen frowned , and then gave Matt a brief greetings ." You surely don't call Jarron Mr. Kyle , do you ?' she exclaimed ." Heavens , I'm sure you call J.K. by that abbreviation, don't you ?"

" Well , yes , I do ." admitted shanaya , feeling tense again .

Jarron mounted the steps and handed his coat to the waiting maid then he said ," Come on , in , for heaven's sake . Helen , I am sure Shanaya's name for me is not important . At least to me , it's not .

He disappeared inside followed by Matt and Helen said :" Forgive me for catechizing you like this , it's just that I feel so out of touch here , and I'd hate to feel that there were circumstances attached to this affair that I didn't understand ."

" What do you mean , Mrs. Kyle ?' Shanaya's voice was taut .

Helen shook her head ,' as I understand it Jarron is your guardian , is that right ? " Shanaya nodded her assent and Helen went on :" But J.K. has taken it upon himself to take Jarron's place , Why ?"

" You must know it was J.K. who knew my grandfather .'

" Yes , of course .' Helen nodded ." I was forgetting for the moment . Whenever I have spoken to Jarron about it , he has considered you very much his responsibility !'

Shanaya swallowed hard ." You have spoken to Jarron!"she frowned ,'About me ?'

" Of course . There are such things as telephones even here . " remarked Helen dryly and Shanaya flushed ." But ,come along . I'm being very rude keeping you standing out here like this . It's just that Jarron is very dear to me and I know he won't allow me to offer him any advice ."

Shanaya bit her lip." You- you want to offer me advice ,Mrs. Kyle ?'

Helen shook her head again ." No, No . Not now . Not now I have met you . I can see myself that you are little more than a child , and my fears were all for nothing ."

Shanaya drew back as they neared the steps ," What fears ,Mrs. Kyle ?"

Continued ...---------------------------

" Oh, yes Mrs. Kyle ,' said shanaya stiffly ." We understand one another .'

Her delight in her surroundings , in the luxurious opulence of Flamingo Lodge , had all been doused . When they entered the wide arched entrance which gave on to a cool mosaic -tiled hall , and turned into an exotically furnished lounge where Jarron and Matt were having drinks . Shanaya could barely summon up enough energy to show any enthusiasm .Her cheeks were little pale and she badly wanted to cry for some inexplicable reasons . But instead she had to accept a glass of fresh iced fruit juice , and answer when spoken to while Jarron and Matt and Helen chatted quite amicably about London and the family business, and the appalling state of weather there .

Several times Shanaya found Jarron regarding her strangely , as though aware that all was not well with her , and she had to force herself not to allow her eyes to hold his , mirroring her own inner torments as they did .

" I have dines .'Helen was saying now ,'"and as you've had such a long journey , I thought you all might prefer supper in your rooms . Sophie has some delicious salads and there is plenty of shellfish to choose from . Which would you prefer , Shanaya ? Crab , lobster , prawns?"

Shanaya swallowed hard ." Would -would you consider me very impolite if I said I wanted nothing ?"she murmured awkwardly ." I-I'm not hungry!'

Jarron frowned now ,' you must be . You haven't eaten since lunch in New York!"

" I can assure you I'm not .' replied Shanaya tightly ." Could - could I go to my room ? I- I feel rather tired ."

Helen rang the bell nearby ." Of course ,'she said smoothly , and as the maid appeared ,'Will you take Miss Robins to her room , Sophie?" she looked at Shanaya ." Good night , then , Shanaya . I expect we'll meet at breakfast !"

" Yes, yes , thank you .' Shanaya nodded goodnights and followed Sophie out in to the hall again and up a flight of stairs . The stairs were of the same marble mosaic as the lower hall and led up to the landing where rooms opened both sides and she was led into a room. The furniture was rather old fashioned but highly polished. Her cases were there but were not yet unpacked and Shanaya felt too tired to tackle anything of that kind tonight. Instead, she stripped off her slack suit , washed herself thoroughly and then put on a short cambric nightie which she had worn last night in New York.

A lump seemed to have settled itself permanently in her throat , but she was determined she would not give into tears . Tears were too easy a way out and were for children , not young women. In ten days she would be eighteen . It was time she started acting like a young woman instead of a stupid school girl . Letting Helen's words bother her , that was the most stupid thing of all . After all what had she said ? That Jarron was to marry and settle down : that she didn't want Shanaya interfering , even unwittingly . In is marriage plans ; that some less scruples girl might have tried to capitalize on situation .

She climbed into bed , turning out the main light , but leaving a lamp burning beside the bed , she lifted the paperback she had brought with her . It was thriller and just sort of reading for someone in her frame of mind, she thought, but even so she found it impossible to concentrate. After reading one page half a dozen times without really understanding it , she gave it up and put her book down . She slid out of the bed again and opened the shutters. Even in the moonless night she could pick out the lights of other villas lower down the hillside and smell the delicious tang of the sea. Her room had marvelous view, she thought trying to derive some satisfaction from the thought. But she felt little emotion about that. It came home to her very clearly that circumstances and surroundings were only relative, and it was people and not things that made or broke one's life.

With the profound thought she went back to bed , taking another look at her immediate surroundings. As it was she felt much too wide awake and restless. She thought of J.K. alone at Malthorpe and shivered. If only she was still there! She had believed on Jarron's plane that she would enjoy this holiday. She had been very silly. And two weeks could seem like a life time . Hadn't she experienced that when her grandfather died?

There was a sound outside her door and a light tap , and thinking it was Sophie , she called ." Come in !" To her astonishment Jarron entered the room ,closing the door and leaning back against it , regarding her with dark brooding eyes , Shanaya became again conscious of her attire as once before , only this time she had not even a housecoat to wrap around her . It was still in the case .

" What do you want ?" she exclaimed, and he said softly :

" Don't shout ! Unless you want the whole household here !' he frowned ." Get into bed!"

Shanaya hastily scrambled under the bedclothes , drawing them up to her chin , drawing her knees up too, and regarding him over the top rather endearingly .Her hair fell forward , partly covering one cheek ,and she brushed it back with careless hand ," Well.' She whispered." What is it?"

Jarron straightened, and walked across to the bed, looking down at her what did Helen say to you outside?"

Shanaya's revealing color burned in her cheeks." Nothing much.Why?'

Jarron sighed." Oh, don't give me that.' he exclaimed, almost raising his voice ,until she looked at him in surprise ," You know damn nicely she said something to upset you , and I want to know what it was ! What it was that changed you from a talkative teenager into tongue-tied waif with no thought except escape - from all of us?'

Shanaya sighed "Why don't you ask her ?"

"I'm asking you ."

"Well I can't answer you.' shanaya compressed her lips ." Now will you please go?"

"Blast you, no! I mean to have an answer!"

"Well, you won't get one from me,' retorted Shanaya, stiffening her shoulders." Go to bed! It's getting late! You must be tired, too."

Jarroon looked at her irritably." I'm tired, I admit, very tired, but how the hell am I expected to sleep knowing you're worrying yourself sick over something!'

Shanaya's lashes veiled her eyes." I- I'm not worried,' she said quickly.

"Aren't you ? Aren't you just?' Jarron studied her down bent head and she, becoming aware of his scrutiny, moved uncomfortably.

"Oh, lord.' She said .'Why must everyone need to know the far end of everything to do with me? I don't ask a lot of questions! I'm not continually criticizing you! Why must you always treat me like an infant?"

Jarron shrugged his broad shoulders." I guess because that's what you are,' he muttered trifle harshly.

"Am I ?" she looked up at him ." Am I really? Is that all you see me as ? A dumb kid?'

Jarron's eyes held hers." I didn't say dumb!' he said shortly .

" No, but as good as . I'm eighteen in ten days , Jarron!'

Her eyes at last fell before his . she was no match for his unblinking gaze , yet she was aware that he was not as indifferent as he would have her believe .

" What do you want me to say, Shanaya?"he muttered , going down on his haunches beside the bed , forcing her gaze to meet his ." Is this some new game you're playing ?Has your success with boys from Malthorpe given you taste of adventure , because I ought to warn you ,it's a dangerous game ."

Shanaya shivered ." But you play it .' she said ,almost soundlessly .

"With you ? he shook his head ." No, honey, never that !'

Why? Am I so repulsive ?' Shanaya was conscious of the depth of the water she was so carelessly entering.

"You're not repulsive at all.' He said huskily , his eyes not mocking or derisive as she had expected ,but gentle.

Yet conversely, Shanaya didn't want him to be gentle. She didn't want his pity, his compassion, his understanding of emptiness inside her.

"Oh, go away.' she said , pressing the knuckles of one hand against her mouth .

" Shanaya .' he muttered ." I'm trying to be patient, to understand this urge you have to try out your feminine appeal. Just don't try me too far!'

"Why?' she glared at him ."Why?' she taunted him again." What will you do ? What will the gorgeous sexy Jarron Kyle do?'

Jarron eyes were no longer warm and gentle, but angry and glittering ,and she felt suddenly excited , in a way she had never experienced before . She knew she ought to feel frightened, afraid of the anger ,she had aroused in him ,afraid of what vengeance he might take . Yet she wasn't .

Jarron got abruptly to his feet without speaking walked towards the door . Refusing to let him see how he had disturbed her , she turned her back on him and she heard door opened quietly and closed with a definite click.

Then the whole weight of her actions fell on her and tears which had threatened all evening began to fall without hope of quelling them . Not only she had allowed Jarron to see that she was attracted to him , but he had rejected her and all she had done was to make a complete fool of herself and ruined what might , possibly ,have been a good holiday .

What would J.K. think of her if he ever found out ? Was Jarron likely to tell him? J.K. who had thought Jarron was not to be trusted! How wrong could you be! And Helen! Heavens , she had let everyone down , most of all herself . That night at Malthorpe , when Jarron had looked at her so disturbingly ,she had practically shown then that she was vulnerable . And now, tonight, she had behaved without a reason. With wanton carelessness! What must Jarron think of her ?He must despise her utterly !

With a groan , she buried her face in the pillow , trying to obliviate the knowledge that she had lost all her self-respect .

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