Love Against Duty

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

And what if I turn out to be like Emily? For this is the first time in Austin’s life that he nearly drove off the road and had to give the leather-covered steering wheel a tug that brought them back on the road. Baby, don’t go give me a heart attack. You’re the last woman in the world to emulate the tricks of a cat in heat. I just love your person and that peaceful grace you have when you enter a room, which makes people stare at you as if you’re a royal queen, and waiters can’t be fast enough to wait on you. And that’s the kind of salad I like on my rice.

Nigerian party jellof rice? She mumbled. Sure, I couldn’t have said it better myself. He laughed. I noticed that you are in a foul mood tonight, Baby. Thoughtful, don’t they call it? I suppose is tied up with the fact we would get married before Christmas.

And this is half of the year, she said. We’re almost at the turn of the year, when the leaves starts to fall off the trees. He shot a look at her when she said that, and the moon light seemed to make dark golden puddle of her eyes, I have always liked the little bit of mystery about you, he said, intend to hold on to you and never let go.

Queen’s heart gave a little flutter at his words and his sudden possessive tone of voice. Silence fell between them, and she knew from the little field ahead that they were nearing Greco villa. The car accelerated as it began its climb into the hills, making for the tall gates that would be opened to the blast of the Benz’s horn. A channel of masquerade trees led towards the house, making an avenue of shadows.

The house had a kick to it that makes it look like a royal castle, and its roof slanted and glowed like polished gravels in the moonlight. The wall lamps in the courtyard cast a golden light upon the low steps that led to the front door, and Queen felt a sense of relief that she was finally home from the demands and problems created for her now that she was grown up and could no longer think of Greco villa as her stronghold against the invading forces of adulthood.

I’m very tired. but her fiancé caught her hand as she went to climb the steps and he held her close. Were you talking to him? Who….? She looked at him with startled eyes. Who are you talking about? That foreign-looking guy who came out of the games room just as I reached the door. You were in the games room, baby. Definitely, you saw him. I knew someone came into the room for a minute. Queen hated to tell lies, but here she was denying all about knowing Casimiro Alonzo. I was in that window blind and I came out when you called me. So you didn’t exchange any word with him... tall, dark as the devil, and surely doesn’t move in our circle; otherwise, I would have known him. He looked at me strangely as he passed by... malicious, I would say.

Oh, don’t talk such nonsense! For some unfamiliar reason, she felt a twinge of vexation and wanted to pull free of Austin’s hand. I daresay he was at the club for business. Not everyone spends their time throwing a ball! Is that a taunt at me? A stand of light from the lamp revealed a frown that drew Austin's brown eyebrows into a line. If my father was in business instead of politics, then I would probably have worked for him. Okay, we’re wealthy, but we aren’t idle, Baby.

Oh, Austin, I’m not criticizing you, but you, me, our friends, we seem to regard anyone outside our circle as being some kind of threat to our way of life. I mean, malicious

I’ve never seen eyebrows as dark as his and grey eyes glittering like silver metals; those Spaniards are fond of...

That statement made her feel as if an arrow had pierced her heart; she forcefully removed her hand from Austin’s own. I’m tired, and I don’t plan to stand here all night talking about a man who is probably respectable just like us. If you think that, Queen, that means you did not see him. He gave me the feeling of being marked out; I know what I’m saying.

I’ve never heard you talk like this! Queen gathered her dress and ran up the steps to her door. It was slightly alarming that her legs felt shaky. Go home, Austin, and drive safely. I will see you at the game.

Should I come and pick you up, or will you drive? He felt a little offended, as if she was tired of being in his company and wanted him to disappear. I will drive down, which will give you enough time to prepare for the game. Goodnight, Austin. She quickly inserted and turned her key in the lock and slipped inside the house before he had time to demand a goodnight kiss or hug. She was breathing fast; she didn’t move as she laid her back on the door, waiting to hear the sound of his car as he drove home. It wasn’t like Austin to have such fancies... Had he really seen the threat in Casmiro’s eyes, or was that his general reaction to someone who was obviously foreign and not of their circle?

Queen made her way upstairs to her room, moving quietly like a mouse so as not to wake her aunt, who was a light sleeper. Queen felt she had indulged in enough upsetting talk tonight, and her aunt had a knack of sensing when she was troubled, and she’d want to know the reason.

The last thing Queen wanted was for her aunt to learn about Casmiro, and with bated breath she slipped past her aunt’s bedroom, and she didn’t breathe freely until she reached the safety of her own room.