Island of Mermaids by Iris Danbury Read Free Book Online Page B

’ Althea said now. ‘ Think of it like this. Many men can ’ t afford just to create music, unless they are very rich. They have to make a living some other way. ’
    That explanation seemed to satisfy Carla for the time being.
    There was, however, a further point that occurred to Althea. ‘ Are we to tell your mother that we have been to see Kent at his villa this morning? ’
    ‘ Oh, indeed, yes. That is why I asked you to accompany me. She would not like me to call alone, but with you, it ’ s different. ’
    The rest of the day passed off calmly enough until after dinner when Cristo happened to be alone with Althea on the terrace of the villa.
    ‘ You have avoided me all day, ’ he accused her. ‘ I have been very unhappy. ’
    Althea smiled. ‘ I haven ’ t avoided you, Cristo. I ’ ve been busy, that ’ s all. Carla and I had some matters to attend to this morning and I ’ ve been with my father most of the afternoon. ’
    ‘ I was also sorry that you were so much with the Englishman yesterday, ’ he continued.
    ‘ I had dinner with him, that ’ s all. ’ Althea considered it enough to tr y not to offend Signora Marchetti , but to have Cristo trying to dictate to her was too much.
    ‘ He likes to know all the girls on the island. Last year it was Carla—and many others, of course. Now you have come, he means to make you fall in love with him. ’
    Althea laughed. ‘He’ll have his work cut out. Why, I ’ ve only met him three or four times. I don ’ t fall in or out of love quite so easily. ’
    ‘ But I wish you could fall in love with me. I am very jealous of this Englishman. ’ His dark eyes gleamed with hostility.
    ‘ There ’ s no need for jealousy, Cristo, ’ she assured him. ‘ I ’ m not likely to fall in love with him. It ’ s enough that he believes all the girls fall easily for him. Carla will get over her infatuation. ’
    ‘ But that means you could love me? ’ he persisted.
    ‘ No, Cristo, I don ’ t think that ’ s likely. ’
    ‘ How do you know? ’ he demanded. ‘ I can love most passionately. You would not find it hard to love me. ’
    ‘ Oh, Cristo, don ’ t be absurd! You ’ ve known me only two days .’
    ‘ Enough to know that I love you, ’ he cut in.
    ‘ Not enough for me to know about you, ’ she said firmly. ‘ Look, Cristo, you ’ re here for a holiday. Don ’ t spoil it by imagining you ’ re in love with me. As soon as you go back to Rome, you ’ ll forget me. Besides, you must know dozens of other girls there, all of them prettier than I am. ’
    ‘ But not so sweet English girls are so gen tl e. ’
    Althea wondered grimly how many unsuspecting English tourists he had said he loved to distraction.
    She was glad when Carla came out to the terrace. The girl was in a ferment lest Kent Sanderby should delay the choice of the singing teacher.
    Althea did her best to soothe the girl ’ s impatience and it was a relief to everyone at the Villa Stefano when Kent telephoned nearly a week later that he had arranged a visit to Naples for two days ahead if that would suit Signora and Signorina Marchetti.
    ‘ You must come, too, ’ suggested Carla, ‘ for you must also see that I am visiting a respectable place. ’
    Althea accepted the invitation with certain misgivings. She had not met Kent since the interview at his villa. He might not be too pleased to have her in the party for Naples.
    On the morning when they were to take the early Naples steamer, Carla announced that Cristo was also coming.
    “ He will be company for you when we are discussing the arrangements. ’
    Althea almost groaned. She could have borne any coolness or sharp-tongued words from Kent, but to have Cristo forcing his escort on her was all that she needed to make her regret she was involved in the project at all.
    She extorted a promise from her father that he would take only two short walks during the day and rest all afternoon. She had rarely left him for a whole day,