Redemption - Leon Uris [207]
After all, a party was still a party if it was a good one. And she missed the parties. Sonya agreed to a trial at the Villa Valhalla. She had the tiles shined, the rooms filled with flowers, the liquor cabinets packed, the crystal bowls laden with fruits and melons, the central fountain turned on, new silk coverings purchased, and pillows made, laid in the most sensual of incense and candles and lounging robes and oils and great towels….
For what? A corporal, two serjeants, a low-ranking officer, and a Jew? She did not know what to expect except the worst.
Serjeant Major Johnny was the first to arrive. He threw off his clothing, jumped in the fountain, and just lay there for almost an hour after which he dragged himself up to one of the bedrooms and slept for the next five hours.
The Jew arrived later in the evening. He did not even bother to take off his clothing but plunged into the pool and groaned in ecstasy and found a second bedroom and slept until midnight.
Both of them were extremely courteous and made funny jokes. The Jew spoke some Arabic and, pointing to his accordion, warned her he had the voice of a god. Sonya was now puzzled.
The next day the young aristocratic officer came. He merely dangled his feet in the pool until she assured him it was all right to strip and enjoy.
Jeremy was completely out of the ordinary for an aristocratic nobleman. He was sweet, altogether different from any titled man she had ever known. He commanded no one, ordered no one about, did not shout, exhibited magnificent manners, cursed no one, and meditated half the night through on the veranda.
Little sweet Chester, a pet mouse. Why, his face was not manly enough to carry a beard. Such a nice boy. She had to almost force him into a tub and washed him herself before she let him slumber. He played backgammon with her. What a sweet boy. He played the game very, very well.
So far, so good. She would know better after the first party how it would go.
Rory did not arrive until the fourth morning, when the others had returned to camp.
“You are the world-famous Sonya,” Rory said.
“And you are the missing Serjeant Rory.”
“Sonya, show me that fountain, I’m dying.”
When his shirt came off revealing his torso, she gawked. As the rest of him sank into the fountain, there was a stirring, no, a jolt that had not been expected. In manner of truth, Sonya Kulkarian’s only feeling toward men for many years was hatred. For herself personally there were her women friends, though women were not entirely satisfactory. With women, she most loved the dancing and rolling about, the oils and the songs. Although her hatred of men was genuine, lesbianism was not one of her true desires.
Every so often a man would jolt her such. Not only was his body incredible, but this lad also had good mischief in his manner.
With her anxiety for the safety of her girls and the villa calmed, she immediately liked them, despite herself. For the first two visits she believed all they wanted was sleep.
Although he was not of the highest rank, Serjeant Rory took charge because of his leadership tendencies. He went through the villa with her, telling her of this and that for the comfort of the men and he spoke with great familiarity, as though he and she had known each other for ten thousand lifetimes. He spoke about the women and seemed to know what kind of girl each man would want.
“Not different girls? But all men want different girls,” Sonya said.
“Johnny Tarbox will want many women and he may get difficult, but he is not going to hurt anyone. I think the other three might want to settle with one girl. Peace and comfort and a sense of humor.”
Sonya smiled as her mind flashed on several women. How much fun it would be not to have to battle with angry drunks.
“Sonya, love, I want you to try to find someone very special for Chester.”
“The little corporal? He is only a child.”
“Yeah, but don’t get into a backgammon game with him.”
“I already have.”
“He