Sweet Revenge Page 8

  She felt something cool on her forehead, and a voice very faintly soothing. Everything was blue and her eyelids seemed stuck so that she could not open them. The effort to do so was too much for her, and she felt blackness overwhelming the blueness.

  Then later she found she could open her eyes, and as things swam into focus, she distinguished the uniformed figure of a nurse seated beside her bed, who noticed her awakening at once, and came over to look down at her with anxious eyes.

  'Senhorita!' she said. 'How do you feel?'

  Toni swallowed with difficulty. 'A drink,' she murmured hoarsely, 'could I have a drink?'

  'Of course. A moment, senhorita.'

  The water was sweet and reviving, and Toni relaxed back on her pillow tiredly. 'Wh ... where am I?' she murmured.

  'At the Castelo Estrada, senhorita. Surely you remember. You were swimming....'

  Toni tried to think but the effort hurt her, and she shook her head slowly. 'Tell me, please,' she whispered. 'What happened?'

  The nurse smoothed her forehead with a cooling towel. 'Later, senhorita, later,' she said, smiling a little. 'Relax, and I will ask the doctor to come and see you.'

  Toni felt her eyelids closing after the nurse had gone, and she tried to keep them open, but after a moment , she was asleep. When she opened her eyes again she found the room dark, only a lamp by her bed illuminating the scene. The nurse was still there, but her face had changed, and she realized it was another nurse entirely. The room, too, became familiar to her. It was her room. She was at the castelo, with Paul - Paul Craig. Yes, that was right. Paul Craig.

  The nurse came over to her. 'So you're awake again, Senhorita West,' she said.

  West? West? Toni's mind rejected the name. Her name was not West. It was Morris - no, Morley; yes, that was right, Morley. She opened her mouth to deny her identity, when she remembered the deception Paul had induced her to share. They thought she was called West, Janet West. Thank goodness she had remembered in time!

  The nurse put a cup to her lips and she sipped gratefully, then asked: 'How long have I been here?'

  'Not long,' said the nurse reassuringly. 'Do you remember what happened?'

  Toni tried to think again, but now it was all clearer. 'Y-e-s,' she said slowly, 'I - I think so. I - I was swimming. Francesca was there.'

  'That's right. You fell, and hit your head on the rocks. Francesca saved your life. You would have drowned!'

  'I — I would?' Toni frowned, trying to bring every detail into perspective. 'Yes - I would. I remember now. . . .'

  She remembered what had happened. She had not slipped and fallen. Francesca had pushed her away, with her foot. She must have hit her head on a rock. She could remember the pounding in her ears and she shivered.

  'You're cold?' asked the nurse quickly. 'No?'

  'No,' replied Toni, shaking her head. 'No.' She sighed, and managed a faint smile.

  The nurse gave a reassuring pat to her shoulder. 'Wait a moment, senhorita. Try not to sleep while I fetch Doctor Rodrigues.'

  Now it was much easier to stay awake, and Toni moved her head very slowly on the pillow to look towards the door. What a shock Francesca must have had. How frightened she must have felt!

  A white uniform heralded the return of the nurse accompanied by a small, dapper little man with a moustache. He came briskly over to the bed, giving Toni the ghost of a smile as he asked the nurse a lot of questions in their own language. Toni tried to follow them, but it was impossible for her to do so. Then Doctor Rodrigues placed a thermometer under her tongue and took her pulse with expert precision.

  'Good, good!' he said at last. 'I am glad you are feeling a little better, Senhorita West. You gave .us quite a shock, but I am happy to say you are improving with satisfactory speed.'

  Toni ran her tongue over her dry lips. 'Thank you.'

  The nurse smiled down at her. 'Would you like something to eat? Some soup perhaps?'

  Toni nodded. 'Please. I do feel rather empty. How long have I been lying here?'

  The doctor frowned. 'Just a little over twenty-four hours, senhorita,' he replied. 'It is usual when one has concussion as you had that the consciousness rejects the discomfort. You have two stitches in the back of your head, senhorita. That is why your head is so sore.'

  'Oh!' Toni couldn't quite assimilate this. She had actually been unconscious for the better part of a whole day and night! It seemed incredible.

  'So now Nurse Gonzales will bring you some soup, and I will see you again tomorrow,' said the doctor. 'Boa noite, senhorita.'

  After the doctor and the nurse had both gone, the nurse to get the soup, Toni tried to struggle up a little on her pillows. A wave of giddiness overwhelmed her and she broke out in a cold sweat with the nauseating dizziness. She sank back weakly, as the door opened to admit the Conde della Maria Estrada.

  She stared at him in astonishment. 'But - but you're in Lisbon !' she said disbelievingly, almost believing she was having delusions.

  Was in Lisbon,' returned the Conde smoothly, closing the door and leaning back against it.

  Toni's fingers clenched under the bedcovers. 'What do you want, senhor?'

  'Is it not conceivable that I might be concerned as to your welfare?' he said harshly.

  'Frankly, no,' said Toni, closing her eyes for a moment, and then opening them swiftly as she heard movements and found him beside the bed. 'N-Nurse Gonzalss will be back in a moment with some soup,' she continued, refusing to meet his eyes.

  'I know it. How do you feel?' His eyes were intent.

  Toni moved her head from side to side. 'All right, I guess.' She was trembling. 'I wish you would go away. You make me nervous.'

  'Why? Why should I do that, senhorita?' The Conde thrust his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers. 'Unless, perhaps, you have something to hide?'

  Toni's eyes flew open, staring at him in dismay. 'I - I have nothing to hide, senhor.'

  'Haven't you?' He looked sceptical. 'You are not a convincing liar, Senhorita Morley.'

  Toni felt the pain in her head intensify. She winced, and closed her eyes, and as she did so the door reopened to admit the nurse.

  'Oh!' The nurse was embarrassed. 'Desculpe, Senhor Conde. I did not realize—'

  'Esta bem, Senhorita Gonzales,' murmured the Conde, his tone light and smooth, much different from the cold insensitivity of his words to Toni. 'I am going.' He looked down at Toni as she opened her eyes. 'I will see you later, senhorita!'

  Toni did not reply and after he had gone, closing the door behind him, Nurse Gonzales studied her patient with more concern. 'The - er - the Senhor Conde was concerned about you?' There was a questioning tone to her voice.

  Toni sighed. 'Maybe,' die said wearily, and the nurse did not press her further.

  The effort of drinking the soup exhausted her, and despite the disturbing turmoil of her thoughts she slept again. Now she was floating in a green world; there was water everywhere, pouring into her ears, her eyes, her throat, choking her! She awoke, sweating, her heart pounding in her ears.

  Now it was light; the shutters were thrust open and a faint breeze off the sea fanned her forehead. She relaxed, and as she calmed down she realized that the pain in her head had eased considerably. Now there was only a dull ache, and she moved quite easily, stretching her legs, and bringing her arms out of the covers.

  The room was empty, but presently the door was pushed open slowly, and a face appeared. It was Francesca, and Toni looked at her, noticing the faint lines of strain around her eyes. She looked pale, and Toni wondered what had caused her such concern. Surely not her own condition; she doubted that even Francesca's part in the whole affair would give her so much anxiety.

  'Come in, Francesca,' said Toni, struggling up on her pillows with difficulty.

  Francesca hesitated a moment, then advanced into the room. She walked indolently, a sullen expression as usual marring the smooth features. She did not speak, and Toni swallowed hard and said:

  'I'm
sorry if I caused you a deal of trouble, Francesca.'

  The girl shrugged her shoulders. 'You didn't trouble me,' she denied coolly.

  'Well, at least, I have you to thank for saving my life,' said Toni patiently.

  Frarfcesca gave a short laugh. 'Yes, I did that,' she said coldly. 'I had no desire to have you on my conscience!'

  Toni gave an exasperated gasp. 'Honestly, Francesca, you really are the limit! Why have you come here? Just to try and intimidate me?'

  The girl fingered the bedcovers without giving any thought to the action. She seemed thoughtful and withdrawn, and Toni thought she had probably come to make sure she was really recovering. After all, in spite of her denials of caring whether or not Toni was alive or dead, she was still very young, and not everything she said was really meant.

  If only there was some way to reach her, thought Toni regretfully. No young thing was ever all bad and Francesca had proved she had all the normal reactions to circumstances.

  'Why did my father come to see you?' she asked suddenly, and Toni was taken aback.

  'Well, I guess he came to see how I was,' said Toni awkwardly, not wanting to think about the Conde, and the possible outcome of his knowledge of her identity.

  Francesca chewed her lip. 'Why should he care?'

  'Oh, lord!' Toni shook her head. 'I don't imagine he gives a damn,' she exclaimed. 'However, I was a guest in his home at the time of the accident, and I suppose, like you, he didn't want me on his conscience!'

  Francesca considered this. 'But why did he come back from Lisbon? He could have telephoned,' she persisted. 'After all, Doctor Rodrigues was called immediately, and he himself informed my father of the - accident.'

  Toni couldn't answer this. She could hardly explain to Francesca that her father had returned to confront an impostor in his home, without revealing the full circumstances of the affair, which she was not at liberty to do. It was up to Paul to explain. Indeed, she would be glad if it all were resolved. There were too many undercurrents here, and she wanted to get away before they overpowered her completely. She didn't know why she felt so strongly about it. She had never considered herself an hysterical, imaginative person, and yet the Conde della Maria Estrada aroused the most peculiar sensations inside her.

  Francesca moved restlessly about the room, picking up perfume sprays and hand-creams, studying them intently for a moment, and then putting them down again.

  'Estevan thinks you're marvellous,' she said, rather mockingly.

  Toni did not reply, and the girl gave her a baleful look.

  'When are you and Paul leaving here?'

  Toni gave a helpless shrug. 'I - I wish I could tell you,' she murmured regretfully.

  'Why? Don't pretend you want to leave!'

  'Oh, but I do,' exclaimed Toni. 'However, I can't say for certain, not now - with this.' She indicated her head. 'But I promise we'll be leaving just as soon as we can.'

  'Good.' Francesca folded her arms and studied the girl in the bed. 'I shall be glad when the castelo is quiet again.' ..

  Toni ran her tongue over her dry lips. 'Then maybe you will get a governess,' she suggested casually.

  Francesca scowled. 'I do not need a governess, senhorita.'

  'That is not what our grandmother says, querida,' remarked Paul's mocking voice behind her.

  Francesca swung round. 'You know nothing about it,' she said angrily. 'Why do you persist in staying here, interfering in our affairs? You know my father does not like you!'

  'No, I agree, your father does not,' returned Paul. 'However, your father is not the kind of man to prevent a grandson from visiting his grandmother. Whatever his personal reasons for wanting me to stay away may be.'

  'And what are those personal reasons?' asked Toni tiredly.

  'Wouldn't you like to know!' said Francesca mockingly. 'Hasn't Paul told you about them?'

  'Francesca!' muttered Paul warningly. Toni watched this interplay curiously.

  'Oh, don't worry, I shan't tell her,' said Francesca contemptuously. 'Let her find out for herself what kind of man she is marrying!'

  'Francesca!' Paul was white with anger, and Toni wondered what on earth all this was about. However, Francesca apparently decided she had done enough, for she turned and flounced out of the room, leaving them alone. Immediately, Paul relaxed, but Toni stretched out a warning hand towards him, saying:

  'Your uncle knows my name is not Janet West!'

  Paul gave an involuntary gasp. 'What!'

  'You heard me,' said Toni wearily. 'Your uncle knows my real name.'

  'But how?' Paul shook his head in amazement. 'Did you—?'

  'Of course not!' Toni looked annoyed. 'Why should I want to tell him the truth?'

  Paul hunched his shoulders. 'I don't intend having another argument about that!' he muttered, and Toni widened her eyes indignantly.

  'Well, anyway,' she said, 'as he knows who I am, we'd better get away from here as soon as I'm capable of making the journey!'

  Paul grunted moodily. 'I bet he's been snooping around trying to find out all about you - even as Janet West, he wouldn't be content until he discovered something he could tell my grandmother.'

  Toni looked impatient. 'Do you really imagine your uncle has nothing better to do than worry about some stupid girl you brought here?'

  'No, but - oh, anyway, he has his reasons for not wanting me here!'

  'So it would appear.' Toni moved restlessly. 'Oh, go away, Paul, you infuriate me at times. I wish I'd never agreed to this crazy masquerade!'

  Paul walked to the door, and then looked back at her. 'Just remember, Toni, when you're making these assessments of my character, that you agreed to come here. I didn't tie you up and kidnap you!'

  'I know it. Unfortunately.' Toni turned on to her side, wincing as the stitches pained her. 'Go away, Paul, just go away!'

  Paul left as Nurse Gonzales came back. She fussed over Toni, smiling at her benevolently, obviously under the mistaken impression that Toni was a person of some importance. How wrong can you be? thought Toni cynically, as a procession of tortuous thoughts paraded through her tired mind. What would Paul tell his grandmother? And would the Conde think it necessary to punish them in some way for trying to cheat him? It was an awful situation, and she was glad when her tiredness overwhelmed her and she slept again.

  Two days later Toni was up and about her room. Her strength was returning rapidly. After all, she was a young healthy animal, and although she had lost quite a lot of blood, the bed-rest had almost cured her. In addition the sea air worked wonders, and she sat by her window, gazing out at the sun-kissed scene of beach and shoreline and sky, and could almost feel content.

  During the two days, the Condessa had been a regular visitor, spending some time with her during the late afternoon and early evening. She obviously as yet knew nothing of her son's revelations, and she treated Toni so kindly that the girl felt painfully ashamed of the deception she was practising.

  Paul did not return, nor did Francesca. She was not surprised that Francesca stayed away - after all, the girl had made it plain that she disliked Toni intensely, and did not trust her either. But Paul was different, and Toni pondered his absence with some misgivings. Possibly Paul was taking every opportunity of depriving his grandmother of some of her wealth, and time spent with his co-called fiancee was merely wasted.

  Yet Toni felt afraid that Paul might be attempting to ignore what she had told him, and carry on with the deception in the face of his uncle's contempt. Maybe he thought his uncle would not tell his grandmother in case such news upset her; maybe he was banking on that. Toni was nauseated by the whole affair. She just wanted to get away, and every time her door opened she expected the Conde to appear and wreak some frightful wrath upon her.

  Four days after her accident, when she was sitting by her window in the late afternoon dressed only in a dark blue quilted housecoat, her silvery hair loose about her shoulders, the Conde arrived.

  Toni knew who it was almost
before the door opened. She heard the firm footsteps, and felt the familiar feeling of nervousness that descended upon her now at his appearance. This time he knocked at her door before entering, but she had barely time to bid him enter before he did so.

  She glanced round. Today, dressed in a biscuit- coloured lounge suit, his thick hair combed smoothly, he looked every inch the Portuguese aristocrat that he was, and Toni trembled a little as he came to stand in front of her.

  'Well, senhorita,' he said, surveying her with those intensely dark eyes, 'you look much better.'

  Toni swallowed. 'Oh - yes, senhor, I am - much better!'

  'Good - good, I am glad.'

  Toni looked up at him squarely. 'Are you?'

  He smiled faintly and mockingly. 'Oh, yes, senhorita. Be assured of it.'

  Toni bent her head, unwillingly aware that his nearness caused the strangest sensations inside her. Whether her illness had weakened her or not she was not sure, yet she felt hot all over, and could not meet his penetrating gaze.

  He moved to the window, and leaned back against it, arms folded, studying her. She looked up uncomfortably, and then said with some defiance:

  'Don't look at me like that!'

  'You don't like me to look at you, senhorita?'

  'No. Not like that!'

  'Like what?'

  Toni's cheeks burned. 'You know what I mean, senhor. Please, say what you have to say, and go.'

  'But I am enjoying looking at you, senhorita. After all, your discomfort is merely a confirmation to me of your own guilt. Poor Senhorita Morley, you did not think to be found out - and so soon in our relationship!'

  Toni clenched her fists. 'You are insolent, senhor!' She shivered. 'You wouldn't speak to me like this if your mother were here - if Paul were here!'

  'No,' he inclined his head in agreement. 'But they are not here, and I am free to say what I like to a woman -such as you!'

  Toni got shakily to her feet. 'What do you mean? A woman such as me?'

  'My opinion of your sex has. not been a favourable one for many years now, senhorita, and your charade with my nephew has not endeared them to me. No, senhorita, there are few women who are worthy of a man's trust.' His scar stood out starkly, and Toni wondered again how it had appeared there.