The Arrogant Duke by Anne Mather Read Free Book Online Page A

hit the glass surface of the table. 'Don't try to infuriate me!' she snapped coldly. 'Your presence here can produce nothing but dislike between us! I told you I didn't want you here - and that still stands!'
    Juliet swallowed a mouthful of coffee. 'I see. Is there something about me that you particularly dislike, or is it just companions in general?'
    Teresa gave her a doubtful look. 'Stop trying to be clever! I don't know what you said to Felipe, but whatever it was you won't persuade me as you appear to have persuaded him!'
    'Your uncle realizes that you need company — of your own age!'
    'You're not my age!'
    'I know. But I'm a lot nearer your age than anyone else here!'
    'So what? You know nothing about me! I don't particularly get along with - with - women!'
    'Don't you? Oh, that is a disappointment!' Juliet's voice was slightly teasing. 'Then we'll have to see about getting you some — boy-friends. '
    'Don't you dare!' Teresa's face was flushed now. 'If you're thinking of bringing some of the other boys and girls on the island here to meet me, forget it! I won't see them!'
    'Why not?' Juliet was curious in spite of herself.
    'Because they bore me stiff!'
    Juliet frowned. 'How do you know? If you've never met them?''I don't want to meet anybody.'
    'Oh, I see.' Juliet looked thoughtful.
    Teresa seemed to get more annoyed at this. 'Now don't go imagining it's because I'm in a wheelchair!' she exclaimed. 'My condition hasn't altered anything. I never did like - boys!'
    Juliet compressed her lips. Teresa seemed completely self-sufficient. Why was it that she sensed that she was not?
    Changing the subject, she said: 'Well, as we are here, and I am staying, what shall we do this morning?'
    Teresa finished her fruit juice, and wiped her mouth on her napkin. 'I don't know what you're doing - I'm going to sit here and read, and listen to my radio.'
    Juliet sighed. 'Oh, is that so? What if I insist that you accompany me?'
    Teresa frowned. 'You couldn't!'
    'Oh, couldn't I?' Juliet ran her tongue over her lips. C I think I could. Your uncle has made me your companion - and I mean to be just that!'
    Teresa gripped the arms of her chair. 'You can't force me to do anything,' she exclaimed hotly.
    'No, not force exactly!' Juliet finished the peach, drained, her coffee cup, and then lit a cigarette, savouring it lazily. 'Tell me, Teresa, do you swim?'
    'No!'
    'Why not?' Juliet blew a smoke-ring into the air. 'Can't you?'
    'I could - I did, until I had my accident.' Teresa bent her head.
    'You ought not to be reminding her of that, Miss Summers,' remarked a woman's voice in an accent that could only be American.
    Juliet glanced round interestedly. So this was Miss Madison, Teresa's nurse. As the Duque had said, she was a much older woman, slim and gaunt-looking, her greying hair drawn back into a tight knot. Not a very inspiring companion for a rebellious sixteen-year- old.
    'You must be Miss Madison,' said Juliet now. 'I'm pleased to meet you. However, I don't think there's any point in hedging about something which must have become quite inescapable to a girl as imaginative as Teresa.'
    The older woman came to stand before her. 'Are you qualified to give psychiatric opinions, Miss Summers?' she asked coldly.
    Lord, thought Juliet, another one!
    Aloud, she said: 'No. Not at all. Merely imaginative myself!'
    'What do you mean? '
    'Simply that keeping Teresa a prisoner of her own thoughts never helped anyone!' Juliet controlled the ready flow of words she felt like uttering. Instead, she said: 'I've just been suggesting that Teresa ought to swim. It might give her confidence in the use of her limbs.'
    Miss Madison stiffened. 'Teresa has never wanted to do any of these things, and it is not good for her to be upset.'
    Teresa was watching this interchange with some enjoyment, and Juliet knew it.
    'I don't think Teresa gets upset as easily as all that,' she replied, praying she was right. 'Anyway, as I shall be here to keep her company, we