Stormy Haven by Rosalind Brett Read Free Book Online Page A

was too large ever to be crowded, and moved away to a waltz. Ramon danced with resilient grace, and Melanie followed him as if she, too, were a born dancer. They danced together again and again, till others begged Melanie to favor them and Ramon was seized by older acquaintances. He made many introductions, and between times gaily wrested her from her partners.
    It was at about ten o ’ clock that a middle-aged man with a pleasant smile upon his rather gaunt, tanned face, came to Melanie and made the usual inquiry, “ May I have the pleasure? ”
    Melanie murmured, “ Of course, ” and lifted her arms.
    For a minute they glided around without speaking. Then he said, “ No doubt you think it odd that I asked you to dance without being previously introduced? ”
    “ I wasn ’ t sure we hadn ’ t. I ’ ve met so many people tonight. ”
    “ D ’ you mind if we go outside? I ’ d like a word with you. ”
    “ Not at all. ”
    She couldn ’ t imagine what this stranger would find to say to her, but he had very blue eyes that she felt she could trust. She passed him and went out to the terrace, sat on a bench and watched him curiously as he sat down beside her and took out a cigarette. His nails were well-shaped but blunt, as if he worked with his hands.
    “ Will you smoke? ”
    “ No, thank you. ”
    He lighted up and methodically placed the dead match in an ashtray on the low metal table at his knee.
    “ You ’ ll be wondering what the deuce I ’ m up to, getting you out here like this. As a matter of fact, I was standing near you when the young man was presenting you to some of his friends, and I heard your name. Am I right in assuming John Paget was a relative of yours? ”
    “ John! Yes, he was my cousin. ” She looked at him in sudden eagerness. “ Did you know him here, on the island? ”
    “ Very well. He was my closest friend. ”
    “ I ’ m so glad, ” she said sincerely. “ I always had an idea that he was lonely and friendless. It ’ s good to hear that he wasn ’ t . ”
    “ He was lonely, particularly when he came back after his marriage. ” He paused. “ Miss Paget, did you come to Mindoa with his widow? ”
    “ Yes. We ’ re at the hotel. ” On the point of demanding that he visit them there, she halted. Elfrida was emphatically against meeting any of John ’ s friends, or even people who had known of him. Yet, if this man had been close to John he would naturally wish to know Elfrida.
    “ What is she like—Mrs. Paget? ”
    She hesitated. “ Dark and beautiful. She wasn ’ t too well on the boat, and it may be some little while before she ’ s able to get around much. ”
    “ That suits me. I ’ ve no wish to contact Elfrida Paget till I ’ ve grown accustomed to her presence on Mindoa. ” No bitterness in his measured voice, only perhaps a shade of contempt. “ Why is she here? ”
    “ It ’ s a private matter, to do with the plantation. ”
    “ Oh. ” He smoked for a moment. “ I ought to have told you that my name is Henry Jameson. ”
    Melanie sat carefully still. Jameson, the plantation manager! The man upon whom Elfrida was preparing to heap blame for her reduced income. Incredible that he could have let the place go. She had known him less than ten minutes, yet she would wager that he was not only an excellent farmer but an honest one. And besides, he had a quiet air of breeding.
    “ You ’ re a little bit like John, ” he said, “ but I ’ d hate to think you ’ d be pushed around as he was. Maybe it would be best if you forgot having seen me tonight. ”
    “ Say nothing about you to Elfrida? ”
    He nodded. “ And do me a favor, will you? Put her off going to the plantation. I had to come into town on business today, which explains my presence at the Miramar tonight, but in an hour or so I shall drive back. When I ’ m ready to deal with Mrs. Paget I ’ ll have an interview with her at the hotel. ”
    Somewhat out of her depth, Melanie said, “