A Most Determined Bachelor

The request to accompany them had come as an order rather than as an invitation, and for one mad moment she thought of refusing him. However, she decided to let the niggle pass. As for boring her-he must be joking. And to hide her eagerness to see part of his domain she spoke with quiet dignity. ‘Of course I’ll come...if you want me.’

If she’d expected a response to her last words she was to be disappointed, because he merely regarded her in silence, his frown indicating that something about her disturbed his peace of mind. But before she could utter a query Robin, who was hopping impatiently from one foot to the other, tugged at his sleeve.

‘When are we going, Uncle Ryan? Can we go now?’

Judy spoke to the boy. ‘Have you cleaned your teeth? Have you been to the toilet...?’

Robin shook his head. ‘Aw, Judy... Uncle Ryan and me...we gotta go out in the Range Rover right now.’

She spoke with gentle firmness. ‘You’re not going anywhere until you’ve done those things—and don’t forget to wash your hands.’ Then, as the little boy ran towards the bathroom, she turned to Ryan with an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry to cause this delay, but these things are important.’

‘Yes, of course they are. Don’t worry, your efforts are not wasted. I’m really most impressed.’ His mouth twisted slightly and the words came mockingly.

Their tone jarred on her, causing her eyes to widen into a glare of sudden anger. ‘Are you suggesting I’m deliberately trying to impress you?’ she almost hissed. ‘If so, you’re very much mistaken. I’ll leave that to Verna—’ She stopped abruptly, appalled by what she’d said.

He eyed her narrowly. ‘Vema, huh? She’s coming here to impress me, rather than to just collect Robin? Well, now...that’s most interesting.’

Judy shook her head in a helpless manner. ‘Please forget what I said, because I really don’t know—’

‘You must know something to have made that remark,’ he cut in, his tone like granite. ‘Why do I get a strong smell of the dragon’s breath? Is this some of her scheming?’

Her slim shoulders lifted slightly. ‘I suppose it’s to do with why she sent Robin to you. I don’t think he’ll be long,’ she added, hoping to get off a subject that was making him scowl.

‘There’s no hurry; I’m not yet ready to leave. Last evening Kate was in such a tizz she forgot to take her wages. I thought I’d drop them in to her in case she needs it. I’ll probably stop and chat for a few minutes.’

Watching his athletic form descend the back stairs, she decided he had an unusually kind nature, and that few men would be so thoughtful. There was also a controlled strength about him, and suddenly she began to look upon his dominance as a gift of clear thinking, which enabled him to make the right decisions. But he was not meant for her. He was meant for Vema, she felt sure, and sooner or later they’d make up their differences. And then Robin would have a father.

Sighing, she closed the back door, and at that moment the phone rang. She went into the living room, lifted the receiver and gave Ryan’s number. Her answer was greeted by a momentary silence before a female voice from the other end said, ‘Is Ryan there, please?’

‘No—I’m afraid he’s out for a short time.’

The voice said, ‘Is that you, Kate? It doesn’t sound like you.’

‘It’s not Miss Coster. It’s Judy Arledge speaking.’

‘Judy Arledge?’ The caller’s voice sharpened. ‘May I ask who you are and what you’re doing in Ryan’s house while he’s absent from it? I don’t recall him ever mentioning a Judy Arledge.’

‘I’ve come to stay with him for the rest of the school holidays,’ Judy explained rather inadequately, while feeling there was no need to go into details for this unknown person.

‘The rest of the school holidays—but there’s over a week to go.’ The words came faintly, yet held a hint of agitation. ‘Are you a school teacher? Am I right in assuming you’re Miss Arledge?’

‘Yes, you’re quite right. May I ask who’s speaking so that I can tell him you rang?’

‘Indeed you may.’ The caller’s tone sharpened again. ‘It’s Cynthia Birch speaking. Ryan and I are very close friends—and I can hardly believe he has a...a single woman staying in the house with him. He’s always been adamant in his refusal to do so—so how did you manage it, Miss Arledge?’

Something in her tone jarred upon Judy. Or was it the fact that Cynthia Birch had claimed to be very close to Ryan? ‘I’m sure Ryan will fill you in with any details you wish to know—’ she began.

Cynthia’s voice rang with determination. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to know a few of them now. Where have you come from?’

Judy answered politely, ‘From Christchurch.’ And before more questions could come she added quickly, ‘I’ll tell Ryan you rang. Goodbye.’ She replaced the receiver.

She hadn’t actually hung up on Cynthia, but it had been near enough to make her feel guilty. After all, why should she care if this woman and Ryan were close? It shouldn’t concern someone like herself...someone who was finished with men...and in an effort to convince herself she almost muttered the last thought aloud.

The question was still niggling at her mind when Ryan returned. She was in the living room when he walked in the back door, and for several long moments they just stood and looked at each other through the archway. The expression on his face was inscrutable, and as slow strides began to take him towards her she became conscious of a strange fluttering in her breast.

To control her nerves she drew in a deep breath, then spoke calmly. ‘There was a phone call while you were out.’

He stopped in his tracks to stand very still. ‘Did you get a name?’

‘Yes—she said to tell you that Cynthia Birch rang.’ Judy swallowed, but said nothing further, while watching for a reaction of some sort. How would he cope with both Cynthia and Verna—when she arrived? As for herself—it seemed clear that she wouldn’t stand a chance.

A short time later they were in the Range Rover, which sped along a country highway where stands of evergreen trees gave shelter from winter southerlies, and where the bare wood of golden willows made splashes of orangeyellow beside streams. Away to the west the high Kaweka Mountains were thickly coated with snow, their dazzling whiteness giving evidence of winter.