Red Lotus Read Online Free Page B

disapproval, she felt, as the suggestion of an intense and bitter antagonism rose between them, making her feel unsure and curiously at a loss as she sought for something conventional to say with which to bridge the gap.
    "It was very kind of you to come to meet me, Mr. Arnold," she acknowledged, holding out her hand. "But—my uncle—"
    The expression in the blue eyes changed as Philip Arnold glanced back towards the car he had just left. The engine was still running, accentuating the suggestion of impatience which she had felt so strongly at their first contact, and it seemed that he was eager to drive away.
     
    "I'm afraid my news is not good," he said. "Your uncle had a serious relapse during the night and the doctor was still with him when I left San Lozaro just over an hour ago."
    "Oh—!"
    The colour ran swiftly out of Felicity's cheeks and only the firm pressure of Philip Arnold's strong brown fingers seemed to steady her as she stood there with the cold little wind from the mountains brushing against her. In some way it seemed to have entered her heart, like the chill premonition of disaster, although the sun still shone brilliantly above her and the wide expanse of the heavens was very blue.
    "We can talk more easily in the car." Philip Arnold released her hand and turned towards the waiting vehicle. "I should like to get back to San Lozaro as quickly as possible."
    For the first time he looked in Don Rafael's direction, and the Marques bowed and smiled a little mockingly.
    "Good day, Philip!" he said briefly. "We have not met for quite a long time. But then, I have been much away from the island and you are not socially inclined. Is it not so?"
    "I have little time for the gay whirligig, if that's what you mean," Arnold returned with the briefness of dismissal. "We have been more than busy on the estate."
    "Ah! the estate," Don Rafael mused. "Of course, I must not forget that its welfare is very near to your heart!"
    Suddenly Felicity felt her nerves on edge. Why were they fencing with words like this? Or wasn't it Don Rafael who was sparring, thrusting with those queer double-edged innuendoes which meant nothing to her who did not really know either of them, but seemed capable of increasing the other man's wrath. Philip Arnold, she realized, was not even trying to hide his dislike now. He possessed none of the Marques de Barrios's finesse where words were concerned and no desire, perhaps, to hide the fact that they had little in common but their mutual hatred.
    The last word sprang out at her with unguarded ferocity. Why should she imagine that such an emotion existed between them after such a short time in their company? Was it because she realized that her uncle's agent was the type of man who would not try to conceal such a thing,
     
    even for convention's sake, and because she felt instinctively that a man of his calibre would not hate easily?
    As she got in the car beside him she wondered what there could possibly be between these two which would occasion such bitter enmity.
    Don Rafael came to stand beside her, holding her hand and raising it slowly to his lips as they said goodbye.
    "You will permit me to see you again," he asked, "even in the face of opposition?"
    The colour ran swiftly into her cheeks and a small hard core of resentment took root in her heart.
    "Why not, Don Rafael?" she returned. "You have been very kind. I should have found the journey much more difficult if you had not been so helpful at Las Palmas." She drew her hand away, trying not to feel embarrassed by his kiss. "Thank you for my first real Spanish meal," she added with a smile.
    "I hope it will not be the last meal we will enjoy together," Don Rafael said as her new escort let in his clutch. "You will pass on my deepest felicitations to your uncle, I hope, and I sincerely trust that he will soon be well enough to manage his own affairs again."
    He had made the little speech without looking at the stern man behind the wheel, but