The willing hostage by Elizabeth Ashton

Author:Elizabeth Ashton [Ashton, Elizabeth]
Language: nld
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Detective, Contemporary, General, Romance, Adult, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373022472
Publisher: Harlequin Books
Published: 1979-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

ALL through dinner upon their return, Don Rafael was moody and taciturn. Dona Teresa, on the other hand, was almost sprighdy. It seemed that her son's ill humour was diverting her, though Rosalie could not imagine why. Their neighbours' venture into the hotel businss brought forth some acid remarks. 'But he will make a go of it,' Dona Teresa decided. 'Everything diat man touches succeeds.' 'Very estimable, but he seems unable to protect his daughter's honour,' Rafael announced censoriously. 'She will bring shame upon him if she continues as she is doing.' 'What would you do if she were yours?' his mother en-quired. 'Subject her to the old rules, which are best in the long run. No bikinis, no staying out late, and kept closely guarded at home.' 'But that's ridiculous!' Rosalie exclaimed, roused out of her usual submissiveness by this tyrannical decree. 'Because die Senorita follows modern trends, it doesn't mean that she's bad.' 'She gives the appearance of being so, whichis worse.' 'Oh, really!' Rosalie felt helpless before such reasoning. 'You are prejudiced, my son,' the Condesa told him. 'Eloisa has more sense than to ruin herself, she is only inaugurating the New Spam.' She put her head on one side, pensively regarding Don Rafael. 'That hotel will be a money-spinner. I dunk you should seriously consider an alliance with Eloisa.' 102 Rafael muttered something uncomplimentary about the girl. 'You cannot have everything,' the Condesa pointed out, 'I daresay you can manage to check diat irritating giggle and insist upon a little more decorous behaviour, mi hijo, .and her pesetas will bring the Castillo back to prosperity.' She seemed to be deliberately trying to push the girl on :to her son, while his reluctance amused her. 'I am not sure I shall retain Las Aguilas,' Rafael said. 'Andalusia suits me better.' He glanced obliquely at RosaHe. ; The Condesa looked perturbed. ; 'But it is the cradle of your race, Rafael. There you were born, and your father before you. Its ownership enhances @ your prestige. Casa Blanca is only a farm.' : 'I am still a Santaella wherever I am,' he retorted ^proudly. 'And whatever I do.' He rose abruptly from the table. 'Senorita Smeeth, when you have finished, will you ibe so good as to join me in my oficino? I have something fmat I wish to say to you.' I Rosalie glanced in consternation at the Condesa. @ 'Can't you say it here?' she asked uncertainly. r 'No.' He was curt. ' 'Very well, senor,' she agreed meekly, but she did not ; hurry over her dessert and continued to dissect the peach ;she was eating with outward calm and inward trepidation. r When he had gone, she said to Dona Teresa: t 'I haven't done anything wrong, have I?' ? 'Far from it, chica,' the Condesa assured her with a > twinkle in her dark eyes. [ 'He seemed annoyed with me this afternoon.' j 'Not at all, Rosa. You merely presented him with an lultimatum.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.