LITMIR.BIZ

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straight, halfway down her back, parted in the centre above a wide brow. As she drew closer he saw that her face was small and delicate, and patrician like Francesca’s, but they bore little physical resemblance to each other apart from this one distinction. Their features were markedly different, and in contrast to Francesca, who was tall and willowy, Diana was small-boned, diminutive, elfin.

      She came to a standstill, her eyes sweeping over him with unabashed interest and curiosity. If the face upturned to his was not exactly beautiful, it was arresting, and he was instantly struck by the extraordinary peacefulness that dwelt there. And then she smiled, and he could not help thinking: The Gioconda Smile. The face of a madonna indeed. Her silver-grey eyes, fringed with thick lashes the same silver gilt as her hair, were large, and intelligence and merriment shone out from them. Her complexion had been tanned to a soft golden bronze, and it was patently obvious to Victor that she was a natural, outdoor girl who did not need to resort to the artifice of cosmetics for her appeal. The only make-up she wore was a touch of coral lipstick.

      Francesca said, ‘Diana, this is Victor Mason. Victor, this is my cousin, Diana von Wittingen.’

      ‘How do you do, Mr Mason.’ Diana stretched out her hand. ‘I’m pleased to meet you.’

      ‘So am I,’ he said, shaking her hand. ‘And please let’s drop the formalities. Call me Victor. Can I call you Diana?’

      ‘Yes, of course,’ she said, the Mona Lisa smile flickering. ‘If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I must go into the airport to ’phone the house. I’m sure Cheska told you there’s ice on the driveway. I want someone to put down sand and cinders; otherwise there’ll be an accident. Whilst I’m ’phoning, perhaps you’d help Cheska stow your luggage. You’ll have to put the skis in the back of the Volks, and manoeuvre them around a bit. They’ll fit, if you stick them through one of the windows.’

      ‘I hope you’re right.’ He looked at the tiny car doubtfully as Diana disappeared into the airport. He glanced after her and said to Francesca, ‘What a great-looking girl!’

      ‘Yes, she is. Bavaria is scattered with broken-hearted swains, dying of love for her.’ Continuing in a brisker tone, Francesca said, ‘Now, let’s get the cases into the car. One will fit in the boot, the other will have to be wedged on the back seat, along with the skis. And me.’ Francesca picked up the ski bag and walked to the Volkswagen.

      Victor followed with his cases. ‘You two are being over optimistic. Maybe I should get a taxi and have it follow us,’ he suggested. ‘You’re going to be damned uncomfortable, surrounded with all my stuff.’

      ‘Oh, I’ll be all right, don’t worry. We managed with my two bags yesterday. Mind you, I didn’t have skis.’

      Victor took off his cashmere overcoat and flung it on the front seat, then tackled the luggage. It was a tight squeeze, but everything was tucked away in the Volkswagen when Diana returned. She burst into gales of laughter when she saw Francesca squashed in the back, firmly anchored into position by the huge case on one side and the skis which stretched diagonally in front of her and jutted out of the back window.

      ‘Poor darling!’ Diana exclaimed, getting in and slamming the door. ‘It’s a good thing you’re not a fat girl, and that it’s not a long trip.’

      ‘I’m perfectly fine,’ Francesca replied. ‘Come on, Dibs, let’s get off. We’re wasting time.’

      Diana turned on the ignition and pulled out with rapidity, whizzing through the airport at such a speed Victor cringed. She slowed down as they turned onto the main road, and remarked, ‘I hope you won’t be disappointed, Victor, but I’m going to skirt around Salzburg today, so that I can take the fastest route to Königssee. If you want to see the town, we can always come back later in the week. Salzburg is quite beautiful, and the Baroque and Gothic architecture is unique.’

      ‘Yes, later perhaps,’ Victor said, thinking of the skiing he had planned to do, and which he had no wish to forgo for a round of sightseeing, visiting monuments, museums and churches.

      Diana caught his reluctance, and said casually, ‘We don’t have to make a decision about that now.’ Without turning around, she said over her shoulder to Francesca, ‘Are you going to tell Victor, or shall I?’

      ‘Tell me what?’

      ‘I will, Dibs.’ Francesca smiled faintly at Victor, who had swivelled in his seat. ‘There’s been a slight change of plan. Diana hasn’t booked you into a hotel. She’s had second thoughts about it, and she thinks you should stay with us. She’d like you to be her house guest.’

      Victor’s black brows shot up. ‘That’s really swell of you, and I appreciate your kindness, Diana, but I think it would be more circumspect if I stayed at a hotel, as planned.’

      Diana looked at him through the corners of her eyes, and a smile played around her mouth. ‘I’m not sure it would be circumspect. Cheska has explained everything to me, and I think you’d be far too conspicuous in a hotel. You’re so well known, you’d be recognized immediately. There are journalists in Germany too, you know. Our house is halfway up a mountain, rather isolated from town, and also very private. If you stay with us, no one need know you’re even in Bavaria. We don’t have to go into the town at all, and in your skiing gear and goggles you’ll be faceless on the slopes.’

      ‘Points well taken,’ Victor said. He was thoughtful, mulling the idea over, realizing she made sense. ‘Maybe it is the wisest thing to do. Still, I don’t want Francesca to feel awkward about it. I guess I’ve got to toss the ball back to her. What do you want me to do, kid?’

      Francesca leaned forward, her hands resting on the skis, her smile wide with happiness. ‘I’d like you to stay at Wittingenhof with us,’ she said, having resolved earlier to be honest with him, to let her feelings show, regardless of the consequences. She waited, became aware of his indecisiveness, and rushed on, ‘Diana took me down to the hotel in Königssee late yesterday afternoon, and although it’s the best, it’s not what you’re used to, and they didn’t have a suite available. Only a rather grotty room. So apart from anything else, you’d be much more comfortable at the house.’

      Victor looked at her carefully. This is one hell of a switch on her part, he thought. He said, ‘Won’t it create problems for you later, if I do? Won’t you have to explain to yo –’

      She cut him short. ‘Of course not!’ she exclaimed, smiling reassuringly. ‘I don’t think we should worry about that now.’ Her voice was smooth, unconcerned.

      Momentarily nonplussed, in view of their long discussion about her father on Saturday night, Victor intensified his scrutiny. He could see that her mood of gaiety and enthusiasm was undiminished, and he was suddenly convinced she knew what she was doing. Yet he had difficulty in acquiescing. He was not sure why. ‘Well, I’m still –’

      ‘Excuse me for interrupting, Victor,’ Diana said. ‘But I’d like to make something clear. The Schloss is large. You would have your own suite of rooms and your privacy. We won’t intrude on you in any way, and you can come and go as you like.’ She laughed lightly, threw him a quick glance. ‘I never restrict my guests.’

      ‘Hey, Diana, that’s not why I’m hesitating. I know you’d make me welcome and comfortable.’ He swung his head to face Francesca, noted the expectancy in her eyes, made a snap decision. ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘I’ll stay at the house. Providing you’re sure it’s all right, Francesca.’

      ‘Absolutely,’ she cried, unable to disguise her excitement. ‘Oh good. It’s settled. On to Wittingenhof, Dibs darling.’

      Victor chuckled. If Francesca could accept the situation with such apparent insouciance and pleasure, who was he to argue. He settled back in the seat, relaxing, and took out a packet of cigarettes. He lit one, smoking in silence for a few minutes, and then he said, ‘I hope this doesn’t mean a lot of extra work for you, Diana.’

      ‘Not at all, we have excellent help. And actually, your suite is already prepared and

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