Follow a Stranger

sweeping and washing? He would be embarrassed and

bewildered.”

“Who do you think does all the housework in my

home? We have no servants. We do it ourselves.” She

turned towards the house, but he caught her wrist.

She looked down at his long brown hand meaningly.

“Let me go!”

His eyes were savagely angry. “You are not going to

do any housework while you are on Kianthos! I will not

allow it!”

“You? What gives you the right to order me about?”

she gasped furiously. “You live in a private dream of

your own, but I live in the real world, and a little

sweeping and washing up will do me no harm at all.”

“It will do me harm,” he said forcefully. “You are my

guest. I will lose face with my own people if they think I

have guests who work like domestic servants.”

Kate was almost in tears, yet could not help laughing

wildly. “I can’t believe it! What a Victorian attitude!

You’ve got to be joking!”

The blare of the car horn made them both jump. Marc

dropped her wrist with a contemptuous glare. “There’s

Jake,” he said, and she wondered if she was wrong in

fancying there was a note of relief in his voice.

She looked at the little hut, hesitantly. Marc saw her

glance and took her by the elbow, propelling her towards

the waiting jeep.

“There isn’t time now, anyway,” he said, with

satisfaction.

“I ought to kick your ankle for that!” she hissed, as