I said: "The big white building with the balconies?" I stopped suddenly and looked at Felicity who had turned pale.
"That's it," he said. "It's moderately comfortable. You'll find it cooler inside. I'll see that you get good rooms."
He took me on one arm and Felicity on the other. It was almost like a royal progress. People stood aside respectfully to let us pass.
"It seems you are the king of the island," I commented.
"Monarch of all I survey." He looked sideways at me and grimaced. "Well, not quite all."
We mounted three steps to the door. A little black boy rushed to open it for us, and we stepped into a reception hall.
A woman who was almost white sat behind the desk; she was a quadroon, I guessed.
"Good morning, Master" she said.
"I've brought you two guests, Rosa," he said. "I want the best rooms in the hotel for them ... in the front with balconies overlooking the harbour." He turned to us. "You'll find that interesting. It's a busy harbour... always something going on."
"There's only one vacant at the moment, Master."
"Then we'll have that and the one next to it."
"There's no balcony to that one."
I said to Felicity: "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, yes," she said quickly.
"You'll like the balcony in the cool of the evening," Milton told me. "The temperature changes quite a bit at sundown."
"Well, Felicity can share mine if she wants to. Let us have those two rooms."
"That's settled then," he said. "You two ladies will be dining at my house tonight. I'm going to give you the whole day to rest. You'll need it after your journey. I shall be calling for you at seven o'clock. In the meantime, rest. Now, I'll see the rooms, to make sure they are satisfactory."
"Yes, Master," said the quadroon girl, and signed to a man in livery.
"Morning, Master," he said.
"Good morning, Jacko."
As we went up the stairs I said: "It seems you manage everything on the island."
"On such an auspicious occasion, yes."
"It is really rather awe-inspiring."
"That's what I like to do... inspire awe. It makes me very happy... but what makes me happier is that you have come at last."
We were taken to the rooms. They were large with big double beds, blinds to shut out the sun and small rush mats on polished floors. There were nets over the beds.
"Never forget to use these," Milton Harrington warned us. "You'll be eaten alive by morning if you don't. You'll be delighted with the flora but the fauna can be quite another matter. And you'll want to keep the blinds down during the heat of the day."
He opened the french windows onto the balcony. "There. You see, it's a fine view of the harbour. It is interesting in the evening when the sun's gone down. Then you can sit out here. You'll enjoy that."
I stepped out and looked. Felicity hesitated. I took her arm and drew her out.
I put my hand on the ironwork of the balcony. It was firm and strong. I felt her tremble a little and we went back into the room.
"You'd better get something to eat," said Milton. "I'll tell them to send something up."
"You think of everything," I told him.
"I've been waiting for this day so long so I have had plenty of time to think about it. What kept you?"
"I'll tell you sometime," I said significantly.
And he understood.
"Now," he said, "I shall leave you. I will come for you at seven o'clock and take you up to my house. If there is anything you need just ask for it. I've instructed them to look after you."
"It is very comforting to have such a powerful friend."
"I intend that you shall enjoy your stay on my island."
"Thank you. You are very kind."
He took my hand and pressed it firmly. His eyes were gleaming. There was no doubt that he was delighted because I had come.
When he had gone I looked at Felicity. "Well, here we are at last," I said.
"He is so good to us."
"He helped us when we were on the ship, didn't he? Do you remember how he made all the arrangements for your aunt?"
She nodded. "I always thought he wanted to be rid of her."
"Why should he?"
"So that he could have more chance of seeing you. Aunt Emily was always there ... a chaperone, wasn't she?"
"She wanted to go."
"I sometimes think he helped to make her believe she did."
I laughed. "He is a very forceful man."
"It is good to have him on our side. I should not like to have him against me."
While I was preparing a remark a tall negress came in with a tray. On it were little rolls of bread and a plate of fruit—mangoes, bananas and pineapples. There was some milk which turned out to be from a coconut.
It was very appetizing and just what we needed.
When we had eaten I asked Felicity if she would like to unpack her bags which had by now been brought to our rooms. "Unpack," I said, "and sleep a little."
She said she would like to do that.
I went with her into her room. The blinds were drawn to shut out the sun. I was glad there was no balcony to remind her.
"I'm really tired," she said.
"Sleep first," I advised. "You can unpack later."
"And you will be in the next room."
"Of course."
"You won't go out without telling me?"
"I promise. All you have to do if you want me is to come next door."
I kissed her and left her.
I went into my own room and stepped out onto the balcony. People seemed to be running all over the place. The ship lay out there. It would stay there for some days while the loading of cargo took place and it would be ready to leave for Sydney in time for the next Wednesday's sailing.
I listened to the noise and bustle, watching the brilliantly clad women in their long flowing gowns. Many of them wore flowers round their necks and most of them had long black hair. They were beautiful and moved with the utmost grace. The men were scantily dressed and less attractive; many of them wore only a loin cloth. They were busy unloading crates and shouting as they did so.
It was a colourful, fascinating scene.
I went back to my room and unpacked a little. But I realized I was indeed tired. I lay on my bed and in a very short time was asleep.
It was about five o'clock when I awoke and I remembered that Milton Harrington was coming at seven to take us to his house.
I rose and knocked on Felicity's door. She was still sleeping and I was struck by the tranquillity of her face. I felt suddenly happy. She would forget now, I told myself. This island is the best place for forgetting.
I sat by her bed and called her name gently. "It is Annalice. Do you know what the time is?"
She opened her eyes and I saw the horror dawn on her face. For a brief moment she must have thought she was back in that bedroom she had shared with her husband.
"It's all right," I said quickly. "We're in Cariba. You've had a good sleep. So have I. We needed it."
She sat up.
"What time is it?"
"Fivish."
"He's coming at seven."
"Yes, we shall have to get ready. Did you think to hang out one of your dresses?"
"Yes, I did. The blue. I never wore it at ... "
"It wouldn't have been suitable. But you are not there now ..."
"I left behind most of what I wore there. I don't ever want to see it again."
"Where is the blue dress? Oh, I see. That will be lovely."
"He won't look at me. He'll be looking at you all the time."
"I think he takes everything in."
"He seems very important here."
"It's his island. He owns the plantation and I imagine that is the main business, so they are all depending on him."
"What are you going to wear?"
"My red."
"It's very colourful. They do wear colourful clothes here."