Free The Sun and Catriona by Rosemary Pollock

from him might make all the difference.’
    Toni shook her head emphatically. ‘My father is a very long way away, and he trusts Peter absolutely. If Peter is being hard on me, Father will think that perhaps he has reason. Anyway, he won’t interfere.’
    ‘Well then, I’d tell them both that you must have a job. Or you could try getting into university.’
    Toni sighed, and shook her head again. ‘I’m not clever enough for university, and Peter would never, never, never allow me to have a job.’
    ‘In that case ... ’ Catriona was beginning to feel impatient, ‘grin and bear it, until you find a boy you want to marry.’
    Toni’s mouth drooped broodingly. And at that moment someone tapped lightly on-the door. Catriona jumped.
    ‘Come in!’
    The door opened and Carmen appeared. ‘If you have time, Miss Browne, i s- Signur is waiting to speak with you.’
    Looking at the maid anxiously, Toni said something in Maltese. As she replied, Carmen smiled nervously.
    ‘I asked if he is in a bad temper,’ Toni explained for the benefit of the English girl. ‘She says she doesn’t know.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter,’ Catriona said quietly. She glanced at Carmen. ‘If Count Vilhena wants to see me I’ll come down.’
    Toni fixed her with an imploring look. ‘Please tell him you’re going to stay.’
    Peter Vilhena was seated at the desk in his own private sanctum, the room she had seen when she first arrived. Letters and papers lay scattered in front of him, and he had evidently been attempting to concentrate on them, but as soon as the door closed behind Catriona he pushed them aside and got to his feet.
    ‘Sit down, please.’
    She obeyed, watching him warily.
    ‘I hope you have reconsidered your decision to leave us.’ He was standing with his back to one of the windows, as graceful and elegant as a panther, but his head was bent and she couldn’t read the expression on his face.
    ‘I ... Actually, no, I haven’t. I’ve been talking to Antoinette.’
    ‘Ah! She was waiting for you ? ’
    ‘She was very distressed.’
    ‘I am sure that she was.’ He shot her a keen glance. ‘You feel perhaps that I do not treat her kindly enough. If I would only allow her complete freedom — well then, no doubt she would not be distressed. Eventually, of course, she would begin to suffer the consequences of complete freedom, but that she does not understand. I think you do not understand it either.’
    Catriona stared at him in bewilderment. ‘She has to grow up some time. You can’t supervise her for ever.’
    ‘Until Antoinette acquires a husband I shall continue to hold myself responsible for her well-being. I shall certainly do everything in my power to ensure that she does not associate with undesirable young men.’
    ‘Someone ha s to help her grow up, though. Eventually she’ll need to make her own decisions.’
    He turned his head to look out of the window, and Catriona once again became aware how good - looking he was. His strongly moulded features were classically even, his eyelashes long and thick. If only he were a different sort of man he would be extremely attractive.
    ‘Children are taught to avoid fire,’ he said suddenly, ‘to treat it with respect. If they are not given such necessary instruction they may burn themselves, perhaps seriously. Of course, I am aware that in England young women frequently learn the lessons of life in precisely that kind of way—they are allowed to learn by experience, and sometimes are badly burned.’ He looked at her gravely, his dark eyes intent. ‘I have no wish to probe into your personal life, Miss Browne, but if you have so far escaped this sort of experience you are fortunate.’
    Catriona shook her head. ‘I can manage my own life,’ she said quietly. ‘So, I’m sure, could your sister, if she were allowed to.’
    Almost absentmindedly, he glanced at his watch. ‘It’s nearly half past seven,’ he remarked, as if this discovery surprised him a