Free Heart of the Outback by Emma Darcy Page A

others remained staring at Alida.
    “I think you have been recognised,” Gareth observed drily.
    “Why would they recognise me?” Alida asked in puzzlement. She was hardly a public figure, and her fame, such as it was, could only be of interest to a small section of the community.
    “Stacey informs me that the girls here have a fixation about clothes. Among other things,” Gareth replied sardonically. “From the reaction you’re getting, I suspect she brought your photograph to school with her. Probably as a piece of one-upmanship.”
    Alida wasn’t sure how to take that. “Is Stacey herself interested in fashion?” she asked warily.
    “No. But I think peer-group pressure is getting to her.” He heaved a rueful sigh. “That’s her coming now, being clutched and whispered to.”
    A long-legged girl, tall for her age, and not looking at all pleased by what she was being told, Alida thought with a sinking feeling of disappointment. Stacey certainly wasn’t breaking into an excited run to greet her father and his companion. If anything, her steps had slowed, and the dark frown on her face suggested that this meeting was not only unexpected, but unwelcome.
    She said something with vehemence, shook off her companions and strode ahead of them, her head tilted high in haughty independence, two thick black plaits swinging their disapproval of whatever had been suggested to her. She totally ignored the huddle of girls who watched her approach with avid interest, their eyes darting from Stacey to Gareth and Alida. She skirted them and came straight towards her father, disdaining to even glance at Alida.
    Any similarity to Gareth stopped at her black hair and long legs. She must take after her mother, Alida thought, noting the flashing dark eyes, the straight aristocratic little nose, the full-lipped mouth and the smooth oval chin. It was a vivid little face, and Alida felt a fierce stab of jealousy at the thought that Gareth’s wife must have been a strikingly attractive woman.
    She must also have been dark-haired to have left that legacy of brilliant dark eyes in her daughter. Pale skin and a high colour in her cheeks. I’m so different in looks, Alida thought. Is that why Gareth had chosen to use me, because I’m such a contrast to the wife he had loved? Because I couldn’t remind him of her in any way whatsoever? Had that made it easier for him?
    “You said you were taking me out,” Stacey opened up in angry accusation.
    “That’s what I’m here for,” Gareth replied curtly. “Do they teach you rudeness at this school, Stacey?”
    “Then what’s she doing here with you?” Stacey demanded, too worked up to reply to her father’s reproof.
    “I invited Miss Rose to meet you. I did not expect her to be greeted with such discourtesy from my daughter,” he grated.
    The flush on Stacey’s cheeks burnt more brightly. She shot a hostile look at Alida. “I don’t mind you having my father at night. But I don’t get to see him very often and—”
    “Stacey, get in the car!” Gareth commanded coldly. “We will not put on a show for your goggle-eyed friends.”
    She flounced past him and opened the front passenger door. In an instant, Gareth wheeled and had her arm in a vicelike grip, preventing her from taking the seat. “Thank you for opening the door for Miss Rose, Stacey,” he said. “I’m glad to see you haven’t entirely forsaken good manners. Alida…”
    The girl stood there seething as Alida blindly complied with Gareth’s command. He shut the door after her, then opened the back door for his daughter. Stacey got in with bad grace but no verbal protest. Alida no longer cared what the girl did or said. Her sickening words I don’t mind you having my father at night, were eating into her heart. Gareth had discussed her with his daughter, apparently in such terms that Stacey had reason to resent Alida’s sudden appearance in her time.
    What had he said? It’s nothing serious, Stacey? Just a