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.When she came to theveranda her heart was bumping against her ribs while she vainlywilled it to close against the man whose pleasant clipped tones camethrough the open door.She had to stand still for a long moment before she could steelherself to go in. CHAPTER VIIIDAMON was lounging against the wall and drinking a cup of tea.Hewore shorts and a white shirt and the crisp hair was rough from thewind.In spite of herself she looked, hurriedly and absurdly, for adifference in him.But his face was still lean and tanned, thegreenish eyes still mocked and his mouth still twisted sardonically."Ah, Louise," he said."With your head like that against the lightyou're like a bronze chrysanthemum.How's it going?""Very well," she answered, with reserve."Hello, Daphne.Had fun?""Heaps of it, and I'm not too thrilled to be back.Damon'sinconvenient memory reminded him of something which positivelyhad to be done today, so here we are.""We're glad to see you, anyway," said Lou automatically."Tea, Lou?" from Nadine."I'll have a cigarette instead, thanks."She took one from Damon's case and leant to the flame of hislighter.Anger against his invulnerability welled up in her, to beswamped in a tide of longing which was so strong that she feared itmust show in her eyes.His nearness was a pain, and she moved tothe table to leaf through a glossy magazine which Daphne hadbrought."I must get along," Damon said."Will you all come to dinner atRedlands tonight?"Lou replied swiftly, without thinking."Count me out, Damon.I'vehad a busy weekend and I shall need my bed early." "Even so, you'll have to dine somewhere," he said."I'll call for youall at seven."Taut with resolve, she followed him outside and down to the path.He turned and simulated surprise."Well, little one, what do youwish to ask of Damon?""Nothing," she told him hardly."I'm not coming tonight, that's all.Iwon't come to Redlands again."The straight brows rose, tantalizingly."You're cross because I won'tallow you to go on tearing around the countryside collectingschoolchildren.I'm sorry, but I had to do it.I hoped you'd be overthe worst before I got back.""Well, I'm not! You're an overbearing horror, Damon, and you're toofond of intruding into other people's affairs.From now on, you'dbetter leave me alone.""Are you threatening me?" he enquired mildly."If so, you're veryunwise.I never have taken kindly to threats.By the way, how is theromance going?"Lou's shoulders lifted."Just leave me alone.I don't want anythingbut that."He was still smiling, but his voice had taken an edge."Putting thingsright is a habit with me; my training in the wilderness, I guess.Runalong in out of the sun and have a nice sleep this afternoon.I'll comedown at seven, and if you're in bed I'll give you just five minutes todress.So long!"With a mere flick of the hand he went out to the gate, and to savewhat was left of her pride Lou at once hurried indoors. Daphne had just finished reading the letter which had arrived fromTony Cottrell last week."What do you know!" she exclaimed softly."Tony's been left nine thousand by a fond aunt.The nitwit thinks it'senough to get married on.Practically the only thing I admire aboutthat man is his tenacity.""Then why keep him dangling?" asked Nadine."If I don't," said Daphne with a grin, "he'll marry someone else.Ifonly he were ten years older!""If he were he'd be nearly forty.""He'd also be taking a wonderful salary, my sweet.And, anyway, Ilike a man to be over thirty.Think of the chasm between Tony'scharacter and Damon Thorpe's and you'll see what I mean.I'm afraidthat after being so friendly with Damon I'd find Tony a thumpingbore quite apart from the financial aspect.""You'd never get Damon to throw up his job and go back toEngland.""I know; if I had any hopes they've been squashed during this weekin Bulawayo.He loves lording it over them all in Malawi." Daphnegave a superficial sigh and smiled with rueful vexation."Isn't itmaddening? In most ways he's just right."Lou's anger with Damon had crystallized into something cool andhard.Looking at Daphne she saw her soft, indeterminate features,the floss-silk hair curling just above the collar of the slate-blue linenjacket in which she had travelled, at Damon's side, from Bulawayo."Did Damon propose to you?" she enquired."Of course not, or I'd be flashing a solitaire, and we'd have told youat once." "So you'd accept him without being in love with him just asyou'd have accepted that man in London if he'd given you thechance.""Lou!" put in Nadine warningly.Daphne showed no particular emotion, but she looked up andqueried patronizingly, "Jealous, Lou? Would you rather haveDamon than Valentine Bright-eyes? So would I.""I don't believe you've ever been in love, Daphne," Lou said, withthe same brittle coolness."In London your pride was dreadfullydamaged, but your heart wasn't even touched."Nadine spoke calmly but firmly."We're not going to quarrel.Thetrouble is, we've been here too long.I don't think this place reallysuits any of us, and the sooner we get out the safer for our sanity.We'll have to plan what we're going to do."Daphne shrugged."I've certainly had enough of Africa, but I'm notquite ready to go.When will you get your cheque for Four Winds?""In a week or two.""Then let's put off discussion till it arrives." Magnanimously sheadded, "Sorry if I upset you, Lou
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