Stormspell Read Free Page B

to Bridgetown—'
    'You can't leave today!'
    Ruth's impulsive interjection was followed by an intense feeling of embarrassment, as both men's eyes turned in her direction, but to her relief her father seconded her declaration.
    'I agree.' he said, getting up from the chair. 'I'd advise you to rest for the remainder of the day. Mr Howard. Tomorrow . . . well, tomorrow is another day.'
    The younger man took a deep breath and swung his legs to the floor, pulling himself into an upright position. 'Really.' he said, obviously fighting against the dizziness that had once again gripped him. 'I'm all right. Just stitch me up. and I'll be on my way. Can I get a flight from—St Vincent to Bridgetown?'
    Ruth looked imploringly at her father, and after a moment's hesitation he said: 'I can't force you to stay here. Mr Howard, but I do ask you to consider seriously before ignoring my advice. You're in a state of complete exhaustion. You could permanently damage your health by over-exerting yourself. You're welcome to stay here. You're welcome to our hospitality. Have the goodness to accept my counsel and wait—at least until tomorrow.'
    Dominic's shoulders hunched, his uninjured arm hanging loosely between his spread knees. Then, with a weary look of acceptance, he half turned and slumped back against the pillows. 'All right.' he said heavily, and Ruth didn't know if it was her father's advice or his own weakness which had convinced him. 'Till tomorrow.' he muttered, closing his eyes, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. 'And now. could I have that glass of water?'

CHAPTER TWO
    It was lunchtime before Ruth spoke to him again.
    Professor Jason had her fetch him a dish of clean water and some towels, and the chest containing his medical equipment. Then he asked her to leave while he examined his patient. Even Celeste, carrying in the tray of tea Ruth had ordered, was banished from the room, and the door firmly closed behind her.
    'Who is he?' she asked of Ruth, when the girl joined her in the kitchen for breakfast. 'He some man. that one. So strong and brown. Me. I don't care for white men. but him—he something else!'
    Ruth smiled. 'His name is Dominic Howard.' she confided steadily. 'That's all I know about him. That, and the fact that he set off from Bridgetown."
    'Bridgetown? Bridgetown. Barbados?' Celeste's dark eyes widened. 'How he get so far?'
    'He had a yacht,' explained Ruth patiently, helping herself to a glass of orange juice, it capsized. It was lucky he wasn't drowned.'
    Celeste nodded. 'He not drown—not that one.' Her lips curved expressively. 'He lucky man—I know.'
    'How do you know?' Ruth made a face at her. 'You don't know any more about him than I do.'
    Celeste sniffed, and tapped her nose with a knowledgeable finger. 'Celeste knows,' she insisted, and Ruth shook her head as she reached for a roll.
    'Anyway,' she went on, 'Daddy's persuaded him to stay until tomorrow. He wanted to leave today, but he's really not strong enough. He leaned on me all the way up from the beach.'
    'I know. I see.' Celeste's eyes twinkled insinuatingly. 'You not sorry he staying, no? You think him some big man. too. don't you?'
    'Celeste!' Ruth was affronted. 'Don't be so silly!'
    'What so silly?' Celeste shrugged. 'You seventeen now. It time you learn about men.'
    'With Mr Howard?' Ruth almost laughed. 'Celeste, he's old!'
    'He not old.' Celeste was impatient. 'He twenty- five. twenty-eight, maybe. Twenty-eight not old. Thirty not old!'
    'It's old to me.' replied Ruth firmly, concentrating on spreading butter on her roll, but those disturbing feelings had started inside her once more. Celeste was crazy, she told herself severely. And she was man-mad! Daddy said so. Hadn't she got three children already, and none of them within the bonds of wedlock? She was no connoisseur of the opposite sex. and if Professor Jason could hear what she was saying, she would be sternly reprimanded for spreading such gossip to his