Bill for the Use of a Body by Dennis Wheatley Page B

me.’
    â€˜Such qualities are much more lasting, Merri, than being able to dance the Twist and ride a surf-board with agility. Say “yes”; I implore you to.’
    She shook her dark head. ‘No, I can’t. Please, Julian, don’t press me. To be honest, I’ve let you make love to me partly, at least, to get Bill out of my mind, because that’s all over and I want to forget about him. Perhaps to tell you that is unkind, but it wasn’t altogether that. I’ve never been kissed by such an accomplished lover, and I’ll admit that your gentle fondling of me sends me into a dream of bliss. But you must be content with that for the moment. To marry you is another thing, and you must give me time to think.’
    More than content with her admission that she liked him so much, Julian refrained from urging her further, but again drew her to him and time drifted by unnoticed by them.
    When at last she asked the time he looked at his watch and saw that it was after ten. Worried now about getting her home, he went aft and spoke to the engineer, who was working on the engine by the light of a torch. The Chinese assured him glibly that the major trouble had been dealt with but another half-hour went by before the engine began to stutter. Unrealised by them, the current had meanwhile carried the launch several miles down towards Lamtong Island. In consequence it was midnight before they at last landed at Starr Ferry, and they still had to collect the car and drive across the island.
    Fearing that Merri’s mother might be waiting up for her, Julian insisted that she should drive straight home so that he might support her explanation for her lateness, and afterward he would walk back to his hotel. When they arrived he found that their fears were only too well founded. Mrs. Sang let them into the house herself and her fine face was grim with disapproval.
    Merri nervously gabbled out an account of what had happened, but her mother said only, ‘You go straight up to bed, child. I want a word with Mr. Day and he shall do the explaining.’
    With a crestfallen glance at Julian, Merri went upstairs, while he followed Mrs. Sang into the drawing room. Pushing the door to behind them, she rounded on him and, her eyes hard as agates, said angrily, ‘The engine broke down! I don’t believe it! That’s the oldest story in the world. You fixed things with the crew of the launch so that you could make love to Merri.’
    â€˜No, honestly. It’s the truth, Mrs. Sang,’ he protested.
    â€˜You’re lying! Her lipstick’s all over your face. I shouldn’t be surprised if you succeeded in seducing her.’
    Julian drew himself up and retorted sharply, ‘I did not; and you’ve no right to suggest such a thing. I admit to kissing her, of course; but she’s not a child just out of the school room, so why shouldn’t I? And you may as well know that I’ve asked her to marry me.’
    â€˜Marry you!’ exclaimed Mrs. Sang, her blue eyes widening.
    â€˜Yes. Why not? I’m a bachelor with no entanglements, and I’m sure that I could make her happy.’
    For a moment the handsome blonde woman stood there staring at him, then she burst out, ‘No! I won’t have it! When you were here on Sunday you saw all the valuable things in this house. You realised that I was a wealthy woman and that all this will go to Merri. You’re just a fortune hunter, trying to turn the child’s head with your knowledge of the world and polished manners.’
    â€˜What nonsense!’ Julian gave an angry little laugh. ‘You haven’t the least foundation for making such a charge. I’m probably as rich as and maybe richer than you are. In the United States alone I have enough money safely invested to buy this house and everything in it.’
    Mrs. Sang’s hands were trembling. ‘All right, then!’ she snapped. ‘If