The Blue Mountains of Kabuta by Hilary Wilde Page B

rushed through her. Once she had a good farm manager, she could ignore and avoid Alex. She might even manage to go away for a few months and leave her mother and Alex to make up their minds about the future. Could Alex be in love with her mother? Or Mum with him? Mum was a young forty-one. No one believed she was as old as that. She was very attractive, too. And Alex was thirty-five, so there was very little difference between them.
    Oh yes, Jon thought, suddenly remembering she had promised to find out about what clothes they should wear. She jumped up, hurried to the telephone.
    A strange husky voice answered. ‘Madeleine’s out, I’m afraid. I imagine she’s with Alex, trailing around after him. She usually is.’ The deep husky voice paused as she laughed, ‘That girl will never grow up! The best way to lose a man is to chase him. Can I give her a message?’
    Jon felt uncomfortable as she listened. Who was this—speaking so nastily about Madeleine?
    â€˜I’m Jon Hampton,’ she said. ‘We’ve been invited to dinner and . . .’
    â€˜You’re little Jon?’ The husky voice sounded even more amused. ‘I’ve been wanting to meet you. I hear so much about you. Yes, we’re expecting you and your mother tonight. I’m Mrs Fox.’
    â€˜Madeleine’s mother?’
    There was another husky chuckle. ‘No, her stepmother. I’m exactly two years older than Madeleine.’
    â€˜Oh!’ Jon’s face burned. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t . . .’
    Mrs Fox laughed. ‘Don’t be. How were you to know? Anyhow, once we meet, you’ll know you could never have made that mistake when you had seen me! Now, what was it you wanted to know? The time? About seven. We’re not a very punctual family, I’m afraid.’
    â€˜I . . . we . . . Well, we’re new here as you know, Mrs Fox,’ said Jon, feeling and sounding awkward. ‘Is it formal? I mean, do we . . .’
    â€˜Dress up?’ Mrs Fox chuckled. ‘Depends on how you feel. Sometimes I wear jeans, other times a long gown. Madeleine will be dressed up, you can be sure of that, if Alex is coming. Dear sweet Alex!’ Mrs Fox chuckled. ‘Have you fallen in love with him, too?’
    Jon’s face was bright red. How she wished she’d never phoned Madeleine’s home! She managed a laugh.
    â€˜I suppose he is attractive, if you like that sort of rugged ugliness.’
    Mrs Fox’s laughter rang out. ‘How lovely! You’re so right—rugged ugliness, that describes Alex perfectly. I gather you left your heart behind on England’s gloomy cold shores?’
    Jon clutched at the unexpected straw. ‘Yes, I did.’
    Mrs Fox chuckled. ‘Maybe it’s just as well. Wherever Alex goes, he leaves a trail of broken hearts. I think he enjoys it, likes to see how many of us he can hurt.’ Her voice was bitter. ‘Well, little Jon, we’ll see you tonight? Good. Goodbye.’
    Jon replaced the receiver with a sigh of relief. But she knew one thing. She had no desire to go to Pumula that night, or any other night. Alex would be there, too.
    Could she look at him? talk to him? receive with dignity his teasing? Could she do all this without betraying the truth?
    She went out on to the stoep. It was still quiet. The lovely mountains in the distance were bright with but few shadows, for the sky was blue, with few clouds, and the sun hot. How beautiful it . . .
    Suddenly she wanted to cry. She stood very still, biting her lower lip, clenching her hands, fighting the desire to weep. If her mother saw her with red eyes . . . worse still, if Alex did!
    â€˜Why, Uncle Ned, when you gave me such a lovely gift, has everything to go wrong?’ she asked silently. ‘I ought to be the happiest girl in the world, and instead I’m so miserable. I feel caught, I want to get away, right away, back to my safe little