The Fire of Life Read Online Free

. . . you see I didn't know what I . . . well . . Rayanne stumbled over the words, trying not to sound too stupid, wishing she had never left the shores of England.
    Again he startled her, for he smiled. ' I see. You were just at that stage we all go through when we've gone so far and can't be sure whereto go on. I went through it. Can you imagine it? I was a stockbroker originally.'
    You weren't?' Rayanne turned to stare at him, at his dark suntanned skin, his safari suit with open collar and short sleeves. I can't see you in an
     
    office ! '
    He laughed. You're so right. That's how I felt. Then as a kid, I'd always been interested in the fast diminishing wild life of this country and used to spend all my money going to the game reserves. At one time, I wanted to be a game warden, but my father was ill and I didn't want to leave home. Then he died,. so I told my mother I wanted to start my own wild life reserve and finally persuaded her I had to do it or be a crazy, mixed-up kid for the whole of my life: So we came up here, built the house, and slowly everything else.'
    Ahead of them was a tall narrow building. That's Jefferson Hall,' Cary Jefferson told her. ' That's where we lecture.'
    He drove past it and she saw three square two-storied houses in a row, joined by glassed-in corridors. He stopped the Land Rover and she slid out so that she was ready when he came to her side.
    This middle house is where they eat, have games and study. On the left is the hostel for boys, on the far right the hostel for girls. Actually we get a surprising number of girls interested in conservation. I've often wondered why.'
    And why shouldn't they be interested?' Rayanne asked quickly.
    She saw the smile playing round his mouth as he stared down at her. And why should they?'
    ' Oh! She tried to control her quick anger, but the Irish blood in her was coming out. Why must you men always differentiate between men and women? Why shouldn't a woman be interested in wild life?'
     
    ' Two simple reasons, my dear child.' Rayanne's hand ached as she kept it from smacking his smug face.
    Name them,' she challenged.
    Well, first men and women are physically different. Man is much stronger . .
    That's absolute tripe! We're as strong as you. How many men could have six children and run a house without breaking down? I wonder how many men would have the second child. Once would be enough!'
    He was obviously trying not to laugh. It might be the answer to the problem of the world's fast-growing population. My second reason is that it's a lonely life, hard work, and not very well rewarded financially.'
    You think women work only for money?' Rayanne was having a hard fight with her temper, but she tried to steady her voice.
    Cary threw back his head and laughed. My, my, Ray, you do bite the bait! I was only teasing you. In any case, let's be honest, don't you think women require financial security more than men?'
    She wasn't sure whether to be angry with him or share in his laughter. Why hadn't she recognised the signs? He had only been teasing her—just as her brothers did. And just as she did with them, she had risen to the bait!
    ' I don't know. I've never been very poor,' she said thoughtfully. I think if I had children, I would want financial security.'
    You want children?'
    Startled, R a yanne looked at him. Of course I
     
    do. I'd like four, but I'll be content with two. One of each.'
    ' Are you engaged—or in love?'
    She stiffened, because it was none of his business. She glared at him. No, I'm not engaged . . .' she began angrily, and then hesitated. Staring at him, his face seemed to blur for a moment and then came back, each item on his face brilliantly outlined. Her hand ached again, but this time to touch his face gently, to trace those thick dark eyebrows, the prominent nose, the square chin, his ears with their slightly big lobes but that lay flat against his head. No,' she said unsteadily, ' I'm not in love . . . at least . .
    Good, so you