Columbella by Whitney Phyllis A.;

Author:Whitney, Phyllis A.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media Romance
Published: 2017-07-19T15:51:40+00:00

11

Leaving the bustle of Dronningens Gade, we went through a stone tunnel which opened at the far end upon a large paved courtyard surrounded by high stone walls. Within the enclosure grew a surprising variety of colorful shrubs, as well as a few flowering trees. In the Islands even the plants were as bright as flowers, their leaves streaked and speckled with shadings of brilliant yellow and red.

The building that housed the library was a massive stone structure, very wide and three high-ceilinged floors tall. To my eye it looked like a public building, but it had once been a rather grand private residence. Behind it the old part of town went up the steep hills in tier after tier of small houses, as brightly colored as the very shrubbery.

Just as Leila and I started toward the flight of stone steps that led from the courtyard to the second floor, Kingdon Drew came through a gate from Back Street, intent on business of his own.

We had of course seen each other a good many times since that day in St. Croix, but always in the company of others. He had carefully avoided any meeting where we might be alone, though I kept hoping there would be some chance for him to tell me his further plans for leaving St. Thomas. When this did not happen I began to be afraid that he had changed his mind. Something in me continued to twist with hurt when I saw him and none of the futile yearnings that had begun in me had died down in the least.

It was to Leila that he spoke, his eyes avoiding mine. “I phoned the house and heard that you’d come downtown to get a dress for tonight. Did you find what you want?”

Leila stared off at some distant place beyond her father’s head, as if she had not heard him speak.

“I think the dress will be fine,” I said with too great assurance.

Leila came to life. “Cathy doesn’t think so.”

“You’ve seen her downtown?” King’s attention was arrested.

“Of course,” Leila said. “She’s driving us home. We’re meeting her in a little while out in back.”

King looked as if he wanted to say something more, but I caught his eye and shook my head slightly. He gave me a remote look and went up the broad flight of upper stairs that led to the offices on the top floor.

Outside the library I sat on a veranda couch and waited until Leila came to tell me there would be a delay about finding the book her uncle had asked her to look up for him. Would I, she requested, go down to the back gate of the library courtyard and explain to Cathy?

“She hates to be kept waiting,” Leila said. “Just tell her I can’t help it and I’ll be there the minute I can.”

Leila’s concern for her mother was always too anxious, too intense, but I did not argue. I returned to the warm dazzle of the courtyard

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