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For a second a shadow crossed her companion’s face. Why, he’s disappointed, thought Lorna, but only because I’m not running true to form. There’s nothing personal in it. He’s realising I’m different and he doesn’t like it.

Then he laughed and his next words confirmed her suspicions. “And I thought I was doing a good job in winning you over! Shows how wrong you can be. Still, perhaps before the journey’s end you’ll have changed your mind. There’s the Grand Ball tomorrow night, don’t forget, the last chance for us all to be together. You can give me your answer then.”

“It will still be no,” insisted Lorna. “Pieter’s expecting me on Wednesday.”

His lips tightened. “Ah, Pieter. I’d almost forgotten about him. I don’t hear you mention him much either. Usually when a girl’s been invited to her boy-friend’s home she talks of nothing else. Are you having second thoughts? I shouldn’t be surprised—he’s not your type.”

“How can you be so sure?” Lorna raised her delicate brows, her thick lashes sweeping upwards. It was ironical that Wes had made the same remark about Ashley. They both seemed to think they knew what was best for her. It was obvious now that Wes’s remarks had been prompted by jealousy, but what motive could Ashley possibly have for declaring that Pieter was unsuitable? He could hardly be jealous. Theirs was a relationship with a difference, a means of passing away the time on board without constantly being at each other’s throats. So far as he was concerned she was Pieter’s friend—so why couldn’t he accept this without bringing personalities into it?

“You forget I know Pieter,” said Ashley. “He’s a business tycoon, always dashing from one country to another. He’d want to take you with him. You wouldn’t like that, I know.” He leaned back in his chair, regarding her gravely. “You’ll like Verva, but I can’t see him keeping you there long. Can’t understand why he ever bought the island. I suppose he goes there to unwind. It’s like being in another world where time stands still. I love it myself.”

“You’ve been?” Lorna was surprised by Ashley’s uncanny knowledge of her likes and dislikes, but didn’t dwell on it now as she wanted to hear about the island which was to be her sister’s home. She knew that if Ashley was right and Pieter did want to hop from one place to another Margo would accompany him gladly. It would suit her sister’s flamboyant tastes much more than it would her own somewhat quieter needs.

“Many times. We were quite good pals a few years ago. He lived near me in Durban before he moved to Verva.” He pushed back his chair. “If you’ve finished I’ll get these plates removed, then we can sit and talk in comfort.”

Lorna gathered the dishes together while he rang for the steward, glad that the tension had been relieved by the mention of Pieter.

“Now,” he said, when they were alone again, “a drink first and then I’ll tell you about Verva. I can see you’re dying to know. What will it be—sherry? or shall we finish the champagne?”

“Champagne, I think.” Lorna sat on the velvet settee watching as he poured her drink. He was incredibly attractive and she found it hard to believe that he was the type of man to treat a woman with careless abandon. If she had not known differently how easily she would have accepted him. As it was ... She took a deep breath; what was the use in pondering about what might have been? He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing and that was all there was to it.

He passed her drink and sat beside her. “Why so serious? Are you worried about something?”

Lorna thought it would have been obvious what was worrying her, but forced a smile and shook her head. She did not realise how attractive she looked at that moment, her golden hair framing her face, her cheeks glowing warmly with the after-effects of the drink and her eyes reflecting the soft light from the lamps. “Tell me about Verva. Is it very tiny? I couldn’t find it on the map.”

Ashley leaned back easily in his corner. “It’s three miles long and one mile wide. Compared with Mahe’s seventeen by five and Praslin’s seven by two I suppose it is small, but when you think that some of the islands are only a few square yards of sand with a single coconut palm, it doesn’t sound so little.”

“Nor big.”

“You’ll be surprised. Quite a township has developed there in recent years. It has all mod cons, so you have nothing to worry about so far as hygiene is concerned—it’s not that primitive, even if it is no bigger than an English village. I wouldn’t like it so much myself otherwise. I’m all for an easy life.”

“It sounds fascinating.” Lorna forgot her distrust and turned eagerly towards him. “What’s Pieter’s house like?”

“You mean he hasn’t told you? What sort of a boy-friend is he?” He quirked an eyebrow until it almost disappeared into the lock of hair which fell across his forehead in its customary disorder.

“I suppose he wanted to surprise me.” It had seemed so simple to let Ashley presume Pieter was her boy-friend. She had not foreseen the pitfalls. Now she must be careful.

“Maybe I shouldn’t tell you, then?” But his eyes gleamed goodhumouredly. “It’s quite a place—an impressive white house built into rocks overlooking the sea. You can’t miss it as you approach the island. It’s like a gigantic landmark—as flamboyant as Pieter himself—not at all in keeping with the other more humble dwellings. But don’t get me wrong. The islanders love him. You’ll be treated with great respect as a friend of Pieter van Heerden. It’s just that had it been my house I would have had it built on the other side of the island. More private, because of the reefs no one approaches from that side. But you must judge for yourself. I don’t want to spoil your pleasure.”

“I’m sure I shall like it, wherever it is,” said Lorna. “I expect you will,” replied Ashley gravely. “Pieter will make sure of that. He’s a gentleman if nothing else.”

“You sound as though you dislike him?”

“Let’s say we don’t always see eye to eye. But enough about Pieter. We don’t want to let him spoil our evening.” Putting down his glass, he crossed to the stereo unit and lifted off the record which had long since finished. Lorna sipped her drink, leaning back, her eyes closed. Ashley’s nearness was disturbing in spite of her knowledge that he was a Romeo. She ought really to leave. She couldn’t think why she had let him persuade her to come here in the first place. It was madness. He would certainly get the wrong impression. Perhaps he already had, and had issued the invitation to his villa as a result.

She wondered briefly what his house would be like. He had gone on about Pieter’s extravagance, yet she could imagine him with just such a home himself. Nothing but the best would be good enough for him. Take the room she was in now... She opened her eyes to look again at the magnificent splendour of her surroundings, only to find Ashley standing before her, a half smile on his lips. “The bedroom’s through there if you’re tired.”

Instantly Lorna sat up, shaking her head emphatically. “I’m not at all sleepy.”

“Then shall we dance?” He carefully took the glass from her hands and almost before she realised it she was in his arms, their bodies moving in perfect unison to the lilting strains of the
Midnight Waltz.

She felt the hardness of his thigh against her own and his touch, although gentle, felt like a burning iron.

She was vibrantly aware of the male nearness of him and held herself stiffly, afraid.

“Relax,” he murmured. “You’re quite safe.” And gradually the tension eased out of her. Without thinking her head rested against his shoulder and she felt his lips in her hair.

She did not resist—she couldn’t. Instinctively aware of his desires, Lorna suddenly knew that she felt the same, and the realisation caused her breath to tighten in her throat. She gasped and struggled to free herself just as his lips came down on hers—and it was as though something exploded inside. Involuntarily her arms curled round his neck. Ashley groaned and pulled her closer. Silence fell, then abruptly he pushed her away.

“I’m sorry,” he said, running his fingers through his hair and straightening his tie. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. Forgive me.” He crossed the room and with hands that were not quite steady poured himself a Scotch which he drank in one long swallow, before refilling his glass. His face was pale and taut.

Lorna moved to his side, gently resting a hand on his arm. “It wasn’t your fault. I’m as much to blame as you: I—” she ran her tongue over dry lips. “I— wanted you to kiss me, if it’s any help.”

“You say that,” he said bitterly, brushing her away, “but you don’t really mean it. I’m a Casanova—don’t forget. I love ’em and leave ’em.”

Lorna blanched. He had every right to be angry. But in that moment in his arms she had decided it didn’t matter what he had done. All that was in the past. This was now—and she loved him. And she could have sworn that he loved her. She must reassure him.

“Perhaps I was wrong,” she pleaded. “You’ve given me no reason to confirm my beliefs. I—I’m willing to forget—if you are?” She swallowed, twisting her fingers together nervously.

He took another mouthful of liquor from his glass before setting it down. Then his hands were on her shoulders, gripping, hurting. He looked deeply into her eyes. “You mean that?” and as she nodded he pulled her roughly against his chest, his chin resting on top of her head, his eyes tightly closed as though in pain. Thickly he said, “I must be dreaming. I shall wake up in a minute—but while you’re here I’m going to make the most of it.”

It seemed a lifetime before he finally let her go. She inhaled deeply, filling her bursting lungs, clinging to his arm because her legs were too weak to stand.

“You really did mean it!” He sounded as though he could hardly believe his good fortune. His long brown fingers traced the gentle curve of her cheek and throat. “I’ll never know why, but I’m so glad it’s happened. Later we must talk—but not now ... Lorna, my dearest, you’ve made me very happy.”

“I’m glad.” Her words were barely audible. “And —I’m happy too.”

The rest of the evening passed in a dream and it was nearly midnight before Ashley took Lorna back to her cabin. Pleasantly tired, she stripped off her dress and removed her make-up, climbing quickly between the cool sheets where she fell immediately into a deep dreamless sleep.

Her sense of wellbeing remained when she woke the next morning and a tap on the door caused her to fly out of bed and across the room in the belief that it was Ashley. Instead it was Fay.

“Well, you needn’t look so disappointed,” her friend smiled. “It’s a good job it is only me, judging by that nightie! Have you no shame?”

Lorna gasped, having forgotten the flimsiness of her pink nylon nightdress. Then she blushed at the thought of Ashley seeing her like this. She picked up her matching dressing gown, slipped her arms in and pulled it close. “What must you think of me?”

“That you’re in love, my girl,” said Fay bluntly. “I wondered what had happened to you last night— I searched everywhere. Now I know.”

“Is it so obvious?” Lorna sat on the chair and began to brush her hair.

“As plain as the nose on your face,” replied Fay, pulling the bed cover straight, kicking off her shoes and curling up on top. “I knew it would happen. I saw all the signs—even though you swore you hated him.”

It was not until this moment that Lorna had given any serious thought to her feelings for Ashley. She had been so exhilarated last night that nothing else mattered, but now, in the cold light of day, all her earlier mistrust returned. She had practically thrown herself at him. He must be laughing up his sleeve, confident in yet another victory. Hot shame stung her face and she brushed her hair forward so that Fay would not see. “Do you think I’m a fool?” she asked quietly.

“Of course not.” Fay bounced up and down on her heels. “You can’t help falling in love.” And then more soberly, “So long as you’re sure. No regrets after ... well, you know what?”

Lorna flung back her hair and faced the other girl, her eyes troubled. “Oh, Fay, I don’t really know. Last night it was all so wonderful—but now, I’m not sure.”

“Give yourself time. It’s all very new yet. Love takes some getting used to.”

“But two days ago I hated him. How can I change so quickly? Even last night I told him that I hadn’t changed my opinion, and then a few minutes later I was in his arms. What’s the matter with me, Fay? How can I be so fickle? It’s not like me at all.”

Fay stretched her arms and yawned delicately. “I shouldn’t worry. Just imagine how everyone will envy you.”

“What if he drops me like he did Margo? I should die. I’d rather finish now than let that happen.”

“Look, Lorna, I can’t tell you what to do. It’s your own life. But if it was me—and I had any doubts at all—I’d forget him. Love has to be based on trust and mutual understanding, otherwise you’re only setting yourself, up for trouble later on. But, as I say, it’s up to you. For what it’s worth, I think he’s okay.”

Lorna stared at her reflection in the mirror, pale and drawn, not at all like a woman in love.

“If you don’t hurry up, you’ll be late for your breakfast,” said Fay, glancing at her watch and rising from the bed. “I’m going a walk round deck to work up an appetite.”

“I’m not going down this morning.” Lorna jumped to her feet. “Give me five minutes and I’ll come with you.”

“What do you mean?” frowned Fay. “Won’t Ashley be expecting you?”

“I don’t want to see him. I haven’t made my mind up yet. I thought I knew—but now I’m afraid.”

Under the shower she repeated the words to herself.

I
am
afraid. Afraid of what I’ve done. Afraid to meet Ashley again in case he laughs at me, makes fun of my feelings after the way I’d sworn to hate him for ever.

The cool water fanned her burning cheeks, but the inner turmoil remained. Even up on deck—which was almost isolated at this early hour—she found it impossible to calm her thoughts.

“Look, Lorna,” said Fay, after they had marched three times round the pool. “You won’t do any good worrying about it. The sooner you see him and sort yourself out the better. I’m going down to breakfast now and then I've promised Evelyn a game of tennis. Here’s Wes, he can keep you company until Ashley turns up.”