The Man at Mulera by Kathryn Blair Page A

Martin, not against him. While we were having tea you looked a little desperate once or twice, and desperation in young people often results in recklessness. Also, I didn ’ t much care for the fact that you ’ d kept quiet about his invitation for this afternoon. If Paula hadn ’ t mentioned it at lunch I wouldn ’ t have known. ”
    “ Do you have to be told everything I do? ”
    “ You know what I ’ m getting at, ” he said blun tl y.
    “ I don ’ t, and I don ’ t care, either. You have no authority where I ’ m concerned, none at all. ”
    “ Granted, but it would have been natural for you to have told me this morning that you and Keith were having tea with the D.C.; to most people it ’ s quite an event You can ’ t blame me if I put my own construction on your silence. ”
    “ Being the man you are you ’ re bound to measure everything to your own satisfaction. I like Mr. Craddock .”
    “ You ’ ve said that before. ”
    “... but I certainly don ’ t aspire to marrying a District Commissioner, ” she went on as if he hadn ’ t cut in. “ If I ever ask Martin for help it will be as a friend or in his official capacity. ”
    “ Good. You ’ d better stick to that. ”
    Infuriated, she turned her head quickly and looked out at the black shapes of the Mulera coffee trees. She would never be able to agree with Ross on any point that mattered—never! As if it would ever have occurred to her that Martin Craddock could deliver her from the co- g uardianship by marrying her !
    Lou was too angry to think about it very clearly. She kept her head averted and did not even look at Ross when the car stopped at the bungalow and he helped them out . But Lou wasn ’ t permitted to follow Keith into the living-room; a lean brown hand detained her.
    Ross said softly, but forcibly, “ Nothing in the way of human relationships is impossible in these places, Louise. On the other hand, both friendships and marriages have to have a strong foundation or they ’ re likely to crack wide open. Let me make a point; yesterday, the D.C. had decided to foster a friendship between you and young Peter Whyte. Today, I notice, Peter wasn ’ t even asked to tea. ”
    “ He was busy, and besides, we ’ d have been an odd number. ”
    “ You wouldn ’ t . I took Paula home and stayed for tea. I hadn ’ t been invited. ”
    “ Well, there must have been an official reason. Let ’ s forget it—please! ”
    He looked at her with the characteristic smile. “ Superficially women are quite different from each other, aren ’ t they? It ’ s in the fundamentals that they ’ re alike. They all want security—either moral or financial or both—and a touch of romance if they can get it . At the moment your need for security is rather stronger than the desire for kisses. ”
    “ How did you reach that conclusion? ” she demanded tartly.
    “ It was easy. You want Keith all to yourself and you think the only way to get him is by marrying someone who understands your situation and whom I can ’ t possibly disapprove of. ” His tone became tantalizing. “ But it cuts both ways, and in this marriage business I have the advantage because you can ’ t marry till you ’ re asked, but I can propose to someone tonight, if I want to. ”
    Lou heard herself saying, a little huskily, “ Well, why don ’ t you? I ’ m sure Miss Craddock would accept. ”
    His smile glittered in the darkness of the porch, his voice held the familiar touch of gentle malice. “ Paula and I do suit each other, don ’ t we? But neither of us is in a hurry, and there ’ s a good deal to be said for delicious uncertainty. I ’ m sure you agree. ”
    She made to pass him and he pushed the door open. Without looking back she said, “ I ’ m quite accustomed to locking up now. There ’ s really no need for you to come down and try the doors every night . ”
    “ Think of it, ” he said coolly. “ That ’ s the sort of chap I am. Goodnight.