Circles of Fate by Anne Saunders Read Free Book Online Page A

can I open it?”
    â€œYou can open it now.”
    She ripped at the pretty paper, casting it untidily to one side. Her present was a matador doll. She hated it.
    â€œThank you.” She managed a macabre smile.
    â€œYou don’t like it?” He didn’t look surprised. “You don’t admire this brave little fellow?”
    â€œI don’t admire what he stands for.”
    â€œMatadors have to live.”
    â€œNot on dirty money. I’d rather see a man starve to death or beg at street corners.”
    â€œThe matador performs a service.”
    â€œI’m sure the poor bull doesn’t think so,” she scoffed. His mouth tightened. “He satisfies the crowd’s craving for blood. All men are aggressive beasts. They go to the bullfight to rid themselves of aggression. If they had no such outlet they would go home and beat their wives and assault their sweethearts. The crime rate would increase and there would be terror in women’s hearts. It is better this way and the bull does, at least, get a chance to retaliate.”
    â€œI shall never see it that way. Never!”
    â€œ No importa ,” he said, lapsing into Spanish. He shrugged his shoulders to give the impression of unruffled indifference. “We do not have to agree on all points. We can surely admit to a healthy difference of opinion.”
    â€œYes,” she said. Her lie sounded as unconvincing as his.
    She pushed the doll deep into her pocket. It was better now that she could not see it. Back at her hotel she said: “Will I see you again?”
    That was a gauche thing to say. Too eager. She immediately regretted it.
    Ignoring her question he said: “A man of honour would not attempt to kiss another’s fiancée.” He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “What would you do if I did?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œIn that case, I shall have to find out.” He put his arms round her. His lips came down upon hers, gently at first, testing her for depth and willingness and desire. Not until he found the response he wanted did the sweetness flare into passion. Releasing her, he whispered :
    â€œAnd now we both know.”
    After that she was expected to go up to her room and get undressed and into bed. Go to sleep, get up again, and join Edward for breakfast exactly as if nothing heart-shattering had happened.

THREE
    â€œYou look better this morning. Refreshed. I told you a good night’s sleep would do wonders for you.”
    â€œYes, Edward,” she said.
    â€œWhat would you like to do today? Shall I hire a car? Would you like to tour the island?” He was like a little boy, so eager to please.
    â€œI’d like to visit my mother’s home. I want to see Casa Esmeralda.”
    â€œOf course. I bet you’ve been thinking over what I said. I bet you went to bed last night and thought of nothing else.”
    â€œNo. I did think of other things.”
    â€œYou’re teasing me. You know it’s a jolly fine idea and you can’t wait to look at Casa Esmeralda to see whether it is feasible and if it will convert into a hotel.”
    â€œYou’re going too fast, Edward. I only want to see the house.”
    â€œAnd so you shall, my dear. And so you shall.” She had noticed it before, Edward’s aggravating habit of repeating himself.
    Casa Esmeralda was a short drive out of town and was approachable by two roads, a precipitous mountain road, or a picturesque coastal road. The coastal road was very pretty. It was delicious to drive with the windows wound down and feel the wind on her hot cheeks. Even though the locals professed it to be a temperate climate, it was still hot by English standards.
    Edward was a thoughtful, sluggishly conventional driver with ten men’s patience. He didn’t even get harassed when they had to crawl part of the way behind a heavily laden donkey. The donkey wore a sombrero with holes cut