Silver Fruit Upon Silver Trees

“Of – of course.” Sophie cupped her hands together. “I – I’d just like to say I’m – I’m very happy to be here.”

Edge, a cigar between his teeth, walked to the door. “Oh, well said,” he remarked mockingly, and Sophie’s hands clenched into fists.

“Ignore your uncle,” advised Brandt, giving his son a reproving glance. “Edge has a very cynical mind.”

Edge swung open the door and leant against the jamb for a moment. “You always said we had a lot in common, Brandt,” he remarked lazily, and the door closed behind him with a definite click.

After he had gone the room seemed suddenly empty. Sophie looked awkwardly at Eve’s grandfather. “You – you have a beautiful house,” she murmured. “I – I’m longing to see it in daylight.”

“Indeed, yes.” Brandt seemed to relax and came towards her again smiling down into her eyes. “I’m sure you’re going to be happy here, Eve. If you’re not, it won’t be through the fault of not trying on my part. I intend to make your stay so enjoyable that you won’t want to leave us again. We have so much here to interest you.” He spread and encompassing hand. “Swimming; sailing; skin-diving, if you’re adventurous enough. Edge and Piers would teach you. They spend hours out in the boat. Then, of course, the island itself is a veritable paradise for nature-lovers. We have so many different species of birds. We must take you to the Caroni bird sanctuary to see the scarlet ibis. I don’t suppose you’ve seen it in its natural habitat.” He sighed. “You see, my dear, already I’m anticipating the weeks ahead with a great deal of satisfaction.”

Sophie was saved the need of responding to this small speech by a knock at the door. At Brandt’s bidding a black-skinned servant appeared, and he smiled.

“Ah, Violet,” he said, putting an arm round Sophie. “Eve, my dear, allow me to introduce you to our treasure, Violet.” The black woman chuckled and he went on: “She smoothes all our lives without us really appreciating it, don’t you, Violet?”

“If you say so, Mr. Brandt.” Violet’s dark luminous eyes shifted to the girl at his side. “How do you do, Miss Eve. I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Hello, Violet.” Sophie managed a smile.

“Will you show Miss Eve to her room, Violet?” added Brandt, propelling Sophie forward. “Then we’ll have dinner in half an hour.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Brandt.” Violet stepped back into the corridor behind her. “Will you follow me, miss?”

After receiving another encouraging smile from Eve’s grandfather, Sophie accompanied Violet back along the passage to the hall. They crossed to the wrought iron staircase and had just begun to climb when a young man came in through the mesh door and saw them. He was tall and very lean, his bony body accentuated by close-fitting hipster jeans and a collarless sweat shirt. When he saw them he looked up in surprise, his gaze moving over Sophie as Edge’s had done. Sophie guessed that this must be Piers, but he was not as dark as his father and his hair was longer. However, he had lazily attractive features, less aggressively masculine than his father’s.

“Well, well,” he commented, moving to the foot of the stairs. “You must be Eve, am I right?”

Sophie saw that Violet had halted ahead of her and was obviously waiting for her to respond to Piers’ informal introduction. She nodded. “Yes, I’m – Eve. And you, of course, are Piers.”

“I do have that dubious distinction.” Piers laughed. “Aren’t you coming down to say hello to your long-lost cousin?”

Violet leaned over the balustrade. “Mr. Brandt said dinner was to be served in half an hour, Mr. Piers. Miss Eve needs time to wash and tidy herself before then.”

Piers made a face. “Family dinner,” he mocked. Then: “And have you met our family, Eve?”

Sophie hesitated. “All except Great-aunt Rosalind, I believe.”

“Rosa?” Piers’ lips twitched. “Ah, well, that’s a treat in store.”

“Mr. Piers!” Violet sounded reproving.

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t speak disrespectfully of my elders, but really ... Don’t take too much notice of what she says, will you, Eve?”

Sophie was saved from replying by Violet’s expressive snort and when the servant continued on up the winding staircase, Sophie followed her without looking back.

But a smile was touching her lips, too. She liked Piers. He was nice and – uncomplicated. She thought she could understand him. But she’d never understand his father; never in a million years ...

CHAPTER THREE (#u4fbee9f2-7067-598c-8708-2b6d243974a0)

SOPHIE’S room was situated on the curving side of the house, and when she stepped out on to her balcony next morning, she almost caught her breath at the beauty of the view which awaited her.

Below the shallow steps leading down to the paved courtyard which she and Edge had climbed the night below, the thickly foliaged garden fell away sharply to disappear at the edge of what appeared to be a precipitous drop to the sea below. She knew there were boathouses down there however, and guessed there was some means of descending to the rocks beneath. But the sea itself was enchanting – a bewitching translucent shade of turquoise, glittering and sparkling in the strengthening rays of the sun. Already it was very warm, and Sophie, who had slept restlessly, longed to shed her clothes and plunge into those sun-warmed depths.