[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.txt (25 of 89)09/05/2010 11:05:45file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/margaret%20pargeter/1981%20%20captivity%20TXT/captivity.txtbringing in royalty and wished to make an impression.They bumped slightly on the plane's first contactwith the ground, but she could tell it was an expert landing.When they came to a standstill, Ruby was onher feet within seconds, well used to small planes and suffering no ill effects.Alex didn't think she did,but her legs felt slightly unsteady as she groped her way out after Ruby and Drew.Blinking in the strong sunlight, she saw a utility approaching at speed, Chase Marshall at the wheel.Bemused, her gaze remained fixed on him.She had known he was here but hadn't expected him to be onthe runway meeting them.As he stopped and slid from behind the wheel, she noticed he was wearing apair of moleskin trousers, with a checked shirt and wide brimmed hat.At once he looked different moreauthoritative, if this were possible, than he had done in Melbourne.The clothes he wore, fitting closelyto his tall body, seemed to lend strength to the sheer impact of his vital personality, which she hadalready been too aware of in the city.She was conscious of Drew turning to assist her, his smile warmly concerned on her suddenly tense face.Then he was curtly brushed aside and Chase was helping her to the ground.`Good afternoon, Alex.Welcome to Coolabra.' His glance went slowly over her delicate fairness.Closely he studied the faint shadows of stress under her eyes, the slight beading of perspiration on thewide, intelligent brow and provocative upper lip.Narrowly he came back to her eyes, and for a shortspace of time Alex felt they had the world to themselves.Ruby broke in impatiently, not used to being ignored, even by her brother.`Alex is quite capable oflooking after herself, Chase.She may look breakable, but believe me, she isn't.'Turning on her curtly, Chase snapped, `Any fool could see she was ready to fall from the plane.Thiskind of flying takes getting used to.'`I suppose so.' Indifferently Ruby walked towards the truck, leaving Alex to follow, while Chase andDrew started on the luggage.Alex hadn't brought a lot, but she thought what she had packed would be suitable.It was a whole lotwarmer here than in Melbourne, and while she could feel herself responding to the heat she longed to getinto something cooler.Ruby said she had better ride in the back of the truck, which she did.Whether this arrangement pleasedChase or not, he didn't say.Alex couldn't tell, as he got in the driving seat and swung round to look ather, for his eyes were cool and expressionless.Only his mouth seemed to suggest a momentary anger asit hardened to a straight line as, for no reason she could think of, he stared intently at her.When they reached the house she met Miss Marshall, the aunt who looked after it for Chase.She was atrue autocrat, in her late sixties and still very good-looking.Her kindly face was full of character andAlex suspected she would be a good judge of it.Like Chase, she noticed the slight strain on Alex's sensitive young face and took charge immediately.`Ruby, you'd better take Miss Latham upstairs right away.I've put her in the pink guest room.' Thoughslightly puzzled by Ruby's disdainfully raised eyebrows, she added, `I'll get Mrs Young to serve tea inhalf an hour, which should give you both plenty of time to freshen up.'Chase, after making Alex known to his aunt, had disappeared, but when Alex came down again he wassitting with Miss Marshall in the drawing-room, to which Alex had been directed by a smilingAboriginal girl.`Come in, my dear,' Harriet Marshall waved her hand.`Where's Ruby?''She doesn't want tea.' Alex sat rather nervously on the chair Miss Marshall indicated, very consciousof Chase.file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/margaret%20pargeter/1981%20%20captivity%20TXT/captivity.txt (26 of 89)09/05/2010 11:05:45file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/margaret%20pargeter/1981%20%20captivity%20TXT/captivity.txt`Doesn't want to give an account of herself, more likely,' Miss Marshall retorted tartly.`Have you toldher, Chase,' she turned to her nephew, `that Henry's coming over later?'`Not yet,' he replied laconically, his eyes on Alex.She had changed into a strapped sundress, just bareenough to be cool without being too daring.His mouth quirked.Was he laughing at her modesty? Raising challenging eyes to him, she flushed andfelt foolish on meeting only a cool surveillance.Of course, he wouldn't feel anything, one way oranother, for a girl who bored him!CHAPTER FOURChase's next words took Alex by surprise.`What do you think of my home, Alex?'Glancing at him quickly, she received the rather unbelievable impression that her answer was of someimportance to him.His dark gaze was intent, probing hers, as though he looked for inner reactions thathe might weigh against the usual conventional reply he expected from her.Because of this, she answered guardedly, `I haven't really had time yet.' Then, unable to help herself, sheexclaimed impulsively, her blue eyes shining, `I think it's wonderful! I've never seen anything like itbefore [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]