Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [135]
‘I am prepared to wait. I just wondered if he had other problems he wasn’t sharing with me … troubles with the business perhaps. But you say Mr Metta says they are doing well?’
‘Oh yes, you have no worries on that score.’
‘That’s a relief then. I’d wondered, what with still having to pay Mrs Hennessy such a large portion of the profits … never mind, I’ll have to try and cheer him up as best as I can then.’
Mabel’s sympathy immediately evaporated. ‘Mrs Hennessy is a part-owner and has always reinvested much of her earnings back into the company, as I understand it,’ she said tersely. ‘Not that I wish to gossip about the private affairs of good friends.’ She rose. ‘I’m sorry I can’t stay for lunch. I have to see to the children.’
Mabel departed, furious at being manipulated by Amy. She hoped she hadn’t said too much, for Tobias had told her Star of the Sea had reaped some excellent pearls this season. And she knew Tyndall tried to keep such matters to himself.
Amy went ahead and ordered lunch, aware she had ruffled Mabel, but satisfied at extracting the information she wanted.
It was then that Karl Gunther happened by and paused at her table on the verandah.
‘Dining alone, Mrs Tyndall?’
She looked at him, saw the challenging smile lurking at his mouth, and tossed her head. ‘I was thinking you might like to join me—Mr Gunther.’
‘Seeing as how we seem to already know each other, in a fashion … I’d be delighted.’ He slid into the seat opposite and settled himself like an old torn cat before a bowl of cream.
They were as different as two people could be, yet, between the melting blonde woman with wide china-blue eyes and the dark-eyed rough diamond, there smouldered a recognition that within them both ran a streak of self-interest and self-preservation. Both were ruthless, both were ambitious, both were fearless risk takers, if needs be. For him, a pretty woman was always a challenge to be conquered. For her, the dandy had never appealed. Aggressive, rough lovers had been ultimately more fulfilling than the wealthy, aged fops like Lord Campbell.
Danger appealed to Amy and as the lunch progressed she began to see she might have found a match in Gunther. Beneath the banter, the exaggerated and glossed half-truths of edited life stories, each was wondering how they could use the other. For despite the sexual undercurrent that zapped between them on one level, each began to think the other could be a means to an end.
Tobias Metta, expecting his wife to be dining with Amy as planned, stepped out onto the verandah, but seeing Amy in animated conversation with Karl Gunther, he made a hasty and worried exit.
When Tyndall heard of this sighting, he at first found it hard to believe that the man who had been the nemesis of the women in his life had struck yet again. For a moment he was almost glad the two had made contact, it seemed somehow logical Amy would find something appealing in the blackguard. And maybe he had recognised the same streak in Amy. Each on their own was a potential threat, together they could be a deadly team.
Tyndall stormed to the house and shouted at Amy for belittling, embarrassing and shaming him in public.
‘Why, Johnny, surely you’re not jealous,’ she grinned.
Olivia’s words came back to him. ‘Listen Amy, while you are here in Broome, what you do reflects on me and the company. Furthermore, that man is not what you may think, he’s responsible for some vile acts.’
‘Really? Like what?’ She raised her eyebrows in feigned amused interest.
Tyndall ignored her question. ‘I forbid you to see him again—for your sake, Amy.’ He turned away.
‘Is there a more suitable gentleman you could recommend I have a discreet dalliance with then?’ The smile still twitched at her mouth and for a moment he couldn’t tell if she was serious or not.
‘Why don’t you just leave, Amy? There’s no future for us. You’re wasting your time. Find yourself a proper husband.