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.`I think you'll find there'sroom enough for us to share.'In actual fact, Gayna wouldn't have minded sharing if it had been only three feet long.She felt as if shehad been breathing nothing but fine red dust for a week, and her only concern at that moment was to ridherself of it as quickly as possible!CHAPTER EIGHTLunch consisted of specially prepared buffalo steaks and vegetables cooked over an open fire, butbecause Alwyn didn't really know anyone else there and had obtrusively seated himself some distanceapart in any case, Gayna reluctantly felt obliged to keep him company:`What do you think of the buffalo meat?' she asked conversationally as she joined him.His mouth promptly turned down disdainfully in what she suddenly realised was an almost habitualgesture.`Revolting!' he slated explicitly.`The same as this whole morning's operation has been.'`I found it rather interesting, actually,' she persevered as best she was able.In truth, she felt it wouldhave been no more than he deserved if she'd left him on his own.`As for the meat-well, I admit itcertainly does have a different taste from beef, but not one that I would really have called unpleasant.Just stronger flavoured.''Hmm.' Disgruntled, he deliberately pushed the meat to one side of his plate and began pickingfastidiously at the vegetables heaped thereon.`Maybe it would have tasted better if I could have washedbefore eating, but they wouldn't let me use the water they'd brought with them,' he now complained.`The bore trough was good enough for everyone else,' she pointed out a little tersely.Even Felicity, she'dnoted, who was now busily intent on engaging Ford's attention.His expression became one of scornful hauteur.`Well, I certainly had no intention of washing in waterthose filthy great beasts have been drinking from, I can assure you!'`No one expected you to,' she advised drily.`If you'd bothered to look, you would have discovered thatwe washed in the water before it reached the pens.Not vice versa.'`Oh!' Briefly, he looked discomfited.`Then why didn't anyone tell me that?'`They probably didn't get a chance amid your demands to use the drinking water,' she proposedeloquently.file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyn.lley%20of%20lagoons%20TXT/valley%20of%20lafoons.txt (67 of 81)05/05/2010 14:42:54file:///E|/My%20Library/books/ROMANCE/kerry%20allyne/1982%20%20valley%20of%20lagoons%20TXT/valley%20of%20lafoons.txtAlwyn grimaced sourly but didn't immediately reply.Then, when he did, it was to change the subjectand in a completely different tone of voice from the querulous one he had been using.`Look, about lastnight.' he began coaxingly.`I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind,' Gayna cut him off peremptorily.`Yes, well, I'm sorry if-if you thought I was going too fast for you, but we still have this matter withTherese to discuss, you know,' he came back hastily, if a little selfconsciously at the start.`Do we?' She eyed him cynically.`I happen to disagree.As I told you yesterday, I think it's a lost cause,anyway, but as I also had it succinctly pointed out to me this morning, that not once has Mum asked foreither of our opinions, then I'm afraid I think the time has come for us to keep our thoughts to ourselvesandto accept her decision with as much grace as possible.'`That's all right for you to say, she'll no doubt make sure you don't lose by it, but what about me?' heexclaimed on a resentful note.`Well, what about you?' she couldn't help countering angrily.`As yet there's been no mention at all ofher selling the agency, but should there be in future then I'm just as positive, knowing Mum, that she'llstand by any agreement she's made!'`Provided her new husband agrees, of course!' he jeered.'Lachlan's already explained it's entirely up to Mum what she does with the business!'`Oh, yes, naturally he'd say something like that before they were married! Afterwards, it's likely to be atotally different story, though, isn't it?'`Is it?' Her winged brows arched expressively.`I would have thought the Montgomerys had plenty ofbusinesses of their own to occupy their time without worrying about the agency.'`Then you've changed your mind considerably since we discussed the matter in Adelaide!' he charged.`Perhaps I've had reason to!'`I can't imagine what it was,' he sneered,.looking directly towards Ford.Gayna's eyes sparked wrathfully.`Oh, don't be such a fool!' she castigated.`I was meaning, by what I'dlearnt about Lachlan!'`From Therese?' sardonically.`Plus my own observations! And he isn't the type to dissemble.'`How about the son and heir?'`Ford? What's it to do with him?'`Well, at dinner last night he certainly sounded to me as if he had more than his share to say in therunning of the place.'`With regard to Mundamunda, I think he has-as well as their other ventures, for all I'm aware,' sheconceded, shrugging.`But he wouldn't have where Mum's investments are concerned, I'm sure.'`I'm not,' Alwyn disagreed trenchantly.`I wouldn't put it past that arbitrary swine to persuade her intoselling just out of pure vindictiveness because I had the audacity to come up here uninvited!'Gayna shook her head in disbelief.`Now you really are being ridiculous!' she accused derisively.`Besides which, I'm sorry to have to puncture your vanity, but I sincerely doubt if Ford considers you ofsufficient significance to warrant any vengefulness on his part [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]