Free The Guilty Secret by Margaret Pemberton Page A

one.’

Chapter Eight
    Rozalinda had regained her composure by the time Phil and myself joined the rest of the party in the next room. She swept across taking me by the arm.
    â€˜I must apologise for Miles, darling. It was too, too bad of him to provoke me like that on your first evening here. He knows I don’t want this beastly film part and I shall be glad when he goes. He’s making me quite ill.’
    â€˜It sounds a good part, there’s not that many million dollar films to turn down these days.’
    Her mouth took on an obstinate line. ‘I’m not doing it. I’m staying here … with Harold. Why, we hardly see anything of each other!’
    Seeing Harold had never been one of her priorities in life.
    The laugh was back as Tom approached us. ‘I’m just apologising to Jenny for Miles’ bullying,’ she said, pouting.
    Tom was instant sympathy. ‘Just because he’s frightened of being replaced in the film if you turn your part down. If you want him to leave, tell him so. Can’t he see he’s making you ill with his pestering? If you want me to have a word with him …’
    She laid a hand delicately on his arm, lashes fluttering. ‘Darling Tom. Always so considerate. How lucky Mary is. No, Miles was my co-star in my last film, and,’ she drew a martyred little breath. ‘I shall just have to be patient with him.’
    Aunt Harriet interrupted them. ‘Jenny must be tired after her drive down from Viana, if you like I’ll take her to her villa and we’ll see you in the morning.’
    Rozalinda sulked prettily at the prospect of her party breaking up so early, wrapping her arm around Mary’s shoulders and insisting that at least she would stay for a little longer. As I kissed Mary goodnight, I whispered:- ‘See you in the morning for a chat,’ and squeezed her hand. Our roles seemed to be reversing. Previously it had been Mary who had dispensed comfort and reassurance. Now it seemed to be my turn.
    The breeze blowing in from the Atlantic had a refreshing bite to it after the perfume laden air of Rozalinda’s villa. I linked my arm with Aunt Harriet’s as we made our way in the moonlight down the shallow stone steps and out of the garden into the woods.
    â€˜Will you be able to find your way back all right. It’s very dark.’
    â€˜Phht, child, of course I will. I live here for nine months out of every twelve. I know every path in these woods like the back of my hand. Now let’s cut out the chit-chat. Who is this young man you say you intend marrying?’
    â€˜His name is Jonathan Brown and he’s English.’
    â€˜You told everyone that at the dinner table,’ she said caustically. ‘Now tell me what he’s like. ’
    â€˜He’s … nice,’ I said inadequately.
    â€˜So are thousands. What’s so special about this one?’
    â€˜You’ll see when he arrives. He needs me and loves me and I’m happy, Aunt Harriet. Really and truly happy.’
    â€˜Well, for that child, I’m glad. It’s about time you had your share of happiness.’ There was silence for a few minutes and then she said:- ‘Does he know?’
    â€˜No. Not yet.’ I saw her expression change and said quickly. ‘ I was going to tell him on our last evening. I started to but he said we would have plenty of time to talk when he came here and that nothing I had done could change the way he felt about me.’
    â€˜If he’s a good man then it won’t.’ Aunt Harriet said, but beneath the firmness I knew she was worrying that I was about to be hurt yet again.
    â€˜He is a good man, and everything is going to be all right. I know it is.’
    â€˜I hope so, child. I really do hope so.’
    The pines thinned and the three villas gleamed in the moonlight. They were set in a rough triangle. Phil’s the nearest and parallel with it the villa