Unknown by Unknown Page B

Mauritius.
    While she dressed for drinks at Laurent's chalet she felt frustrated and disturbed because she could not visualise Marlow while she tried to think about him.
    When Laurent Sevigny joined her in the open-air lounge he said, 'I find you very beautiful.’ His strange green eyes went over the white spaghetti-strapped frock and sandals she was wearing. ‘Does that disturb you?'
    'Well ....' she hunted around in her mind for something flighty to say in order to show him that she didn't really care one way or another. ‘I don't look visibly upset, do I?' She laughed lightly. ‘I suppose every girl likes to appear beautiful. On the whole, though, I'm reserved to flattery.'
    ‘I was paying you a compliment,’ he told her. ‘It is an accepted part of the gallant, velvet-hatbox type of gentleman, I believe.' His eyes mocked her.
    How did your day go?’ he asked, as they walked in the direction of his chalet.
    ‘Very well, actually. I’m very excited about everything.’
    ‘Even your forthcoming marriage to the great hunter Marlow Lewis?’
    Deciding to ignore his remark, Jade stopped walking to say, ‘Don’t those clouds look hand-tinted? It’s all so beautiful. It's a wonderful island.'
    ‘And yet,' he sounded sad, ‘there is poverty on the island as well.'
    ‘I couldn’t help noticing all those starving dogs on our way from the airport,’ she said, shuddering a little. ‘I was quite horrified. Why don’t they do something about it?’
    ‘Unfortunately,’ he said, taking her fingers in his own, ‘... mind, this paving stone is uneven ... the island is overrun with wretched and mangy dogs.'
    ‘But,’ she cut in, to try to calm her fluttering fingers in his, ‘why don’t they do something?’
    ‘You are an impatient young thing,' he said. 'I was coming to that. The Hindu religion forbids the taking of life.'
    ‘I see. I wondered.’ His fingers were warm and held hers very firmly and she glanced down at them. ‘Some ...' she swallowed and looked up again, ‘of the dogs appeared to be dying on their feet, with absolutely no hope.’
    ‘Do not trouble yourself with this problem now.' He gave her a sideways glance. ‘I went into Curepipe after I left you today.' He pronounced it Kuur-peep. ‘That is where I have my business.'
    ‘Apart from the hotel business, you mean?' Jade asked.
    ‘Yes. I must take you there—also to my house on another part of the island.’
    ‘I’m afraid I’m going to be too busy at the hotel to gad about,' she told him, thinking of Marlow and why she was here.
    ‘In other words you are bothered by being seen about with me?' He sounded angry.
    Well ....’ They had reached the double-storey chalet now, which along with several other chalets sat on green lawns with gardens in the coconut grove which fringed the curving white beach.
    ‘Forget the games,’ he said curtly. ‘The man you have come to marry will have to resign himself to the fact that he is older than you by twenty years and that other men are going to find you desirable and seek your company.’ He stopped walking suddenly, and took her in his arms. ‘I’ll show you what I mean.’
    Don’t!’ she said sharply, while he continued to look into her eyes with an intensity which she found unnerving.
    ‘Don’t what?’ His eyes went to her mouth and then, very slowly, tantalisingly almost, he put his lips on hers. Against her will her hands went to his shoulders and she felt the sudden need to press her body against his.
    And you feel you really know yourself,’ he said, against her lips. ‘You know what it is you want—and that is to marry this Marlow Lewis?’
    ‘I hope I know myself.' She pulled away from him and he made no attempt to hold her back.
    ‘It is time you cleared up these things,' he told her.
    ‘I think you have a nerve!’ She felt angry and humiliated now. ‘This puts me in quite another mood. I was feeling happy before, and now....’
    ‘Now you are confused and uncertain,