A Mortal Sin by Margaret Tanner Read Free Book Online Page A

scorcher of a day. Paul lounged against the Buick, which he parked right outside the church gates, so there was no way Daphne wouldn’t see him. His heart lifted as she came out of the church and waved to him.
    He had spent half the night tossing and turning, thinking about her and the shabby way he had treated her. Ian was right, they were not suited, and he should do the decent thing and stay away from her. He made up his mind never to see her again, but come morning, he could not stay away. It was impossible, like trying to breathe without air.
    “Hello Paul.” Daphne greeted him warily.
     In a simple white, lemon and green dress, and with a white straw hat perched at a jaunty angle on her bright hair, she made the radiance of the sun fade into insignificance, he thought.
    “Hello, Daphne. I’m sorry about last night, I acted like a real bastard. Will you come out with me? I thought we could catch the ‘Weeroona’ to Queenscliff, I’ve brought along a picnic hamper.”
    She hesitated for a moment. “I’d like that.”
    “Do you need to get anything from home?”
    “No, but I walked up with a friend, Fay.” She beckoned another girl over.
    “Don’t worry about me, Daph.” Fay obviously overheard. “I don’t mind walking back on my own.”
    “I can drop you off first, it isn’t far out of our way,” he said.
    “No thanks, the walk will do me good. Have a nice time. Oh, will you be late getting back?”
    “I don’t know.” Daphne glanced at Paul.
    “Most probably.”
    “I’ll tell Mrs. Rogers, so she can leave the door unlatched.” With a cheery wave Fay left them.
    Paul saw Daphne into the car. Still bent over, he stared straight into her face. “After last night, I made up my mind not to see you again.”
    Her gaze held his. “I know,” she whispered.
    He stroked her smooth, soft cheek and inhaled the fresh sweet perfume of her skin. “But I couldn’t stay away.”
    His eyes were dark and somnolent today, and she was frightened of the feelings he aroused in her, a rush of blood to her head, and swirling butterflies in the pit of her stomach. Why did he have to be so handsome and wealthy? Why were their backgrounds so different? Why couldn’t he just be an ordinary working man?” She fought to suppress a moan of anguish because they had no future together. Even if Adolf Hitler didn’t plunge Europe into another war, they only had now.
    “Don’t be afraid, I wouldn’t hurt anyone as beautiful as you.” His lips were only inches away from hers, his breath warmly fanning her face. “Sweet Daphne.” The flat of his thumb traced the outline of her jaw, but their lips did not quite touch. For a moment her world stood still.
    “I understand we catch the ‘Weeroona’ at Station Pier,” he finally said.
    “I’ve always wanted to take this trip, but never got the chance.” She pushed aside the hopelessness of their having a permanent relationship, deciding to enjoy whatever time she did have with him. “It’s a paddle steamer, did you know, Paul?”
    “No, Ian didn’t go into much detail, just said it would be a splendid outing.”
    “Is he Jean’s boyfriend?”
    “Yes, we were at Eton together.”
    “Jean says he’s a brilliant architect.”
    “Top class.”
    “Do you think, what I mean is, she’s fond of him.”
    “I doubt if he’ll marry her, if that’s what you mean.”
    He weaved in and out of the traffic with an arrogant confidence. Ian was selfish. Jean loved him, often staying overnight at his house, yet he wasn’t prepared to do the decent thing by offering marriage.
    “Do you have to work tomorrow?” Paul asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Couldn’t you take the day off? We could go somewhere else, Mordialloc perhaps.”
    “I’d like to, but I’m a working girl remember.”
    “One day wouldn’t matter.”
    “Nursing is important to me. Look at the seagull, he’s lost a leg.” She pointed to the bird that hopped about on his remaining one, as he fought with