Black Ingo Read online

‘Dear me!’ he teased.

  ‘I mean it.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Sally’s in love with you. It would be simplicity itself to put her out of her misery.’

  ‘As opposed to what?’ inquired Ingo.

  ‘Marrying her. It happens, I hear. Remember Tandarro needs an heir.’

  ‘I’m going to be around a long time, Giannina.’

  ‘Yes, but you want a son, don’t you?’

  ‘Sure I do. I even want the right woman.’

  ‘I don’t believe it.‘ Genny challenged him, her eyes enormous.

  ‘For breeding purposes, that is.’

  ‘Oh. ‘ she said in a maddened, impatient manner.

  ‘Every time I see you I want to kick you in the shins.’

  ‘You can’t afford to, you rash little cat.’

  ‘I have a feeling I’m going to try pretty soon.’

  ‘Remember the last time. ‘ he warned her, not in the least playfully.

  ‘I remember. Some people think you’re a hero, an Outback king, but they’re not aware of the other side of you.’

  ‘At least you are. Now that you’ve suggested it, I’ll give some thought to marrying Sally. I can well believe she’ll make an excellent mother.’

  ‘Yes, you don’t really need a wife.’

  ‘Now why is that so painful to you?’

  Genny tried to pull away. ‘Oh, go to the devil, Ingo.’

  ‘Little worry on that score, I imagine you’ll join me. What about this admirer, lover of yours, which?’

  ‘He’s actually just a friend, as you very well know. Anyway, I’ve invited him out.’

  ‘Oh my, and me with my jealous streak.’

  ‘What a joke! ‘ she shot back.

  ‘Who are you to say if I get jealous or not? I really care about you. When you grow out of the awkward, undisciplined schoolgirl stage, I’m going to treat you quite differently altogether.’

  ‘I‘m grown up now, and you know it.’

  ‘I mean properly,’ he insisted.

  ‘No reprieve, I see.’

  ‘No, the war’s still on. I could, of course, knock over all the barriers, but I want you to kick them over yourself. Do you cry in your sleep?’ he asked suddenly.

  ‘Never about you. ‘

  ‘I wish I could make sure of that, but enough of this idle chatter. Poor old Flick is making inscrutable signs through the window.’

  ‘Probably she can’t think of anything else to do. Come on, Ingo, let’s fly away.’

  ‘That’s my girl, and it had better be soon.’ His arm shot out abruptly, half turning her towards the light aircraft. Some faint violence in his face filled Genny with fright and confusion. Will I ever learn? she thought plaintively as she trudged towards the plane. Felicity’s questioning eyes were upon her, so she threw up her head trying for a bright smile. The vivid, beautiful blue sky arched overhead, cloudless, in bright contrast to the blood-red soil. She was trembling right through with uncertainty. She climbed into the plane and took a seat behind her mother, unexpectedly subdued, her dark eyes lowered.

  ‘What was that all about?’ Felicity asked. ‘You were quite a length of time.’

  ‘You know how it is. Ingo had a few things to tell me. He’s delighted to see you looking so well.’

  ‘Go on. Dear Ingo. ‘ Felicity said, and stretched very gracefully. ‘I wonder what this Howell man will be like?’

  ‘Is it important?’ asked Genny.

  ‘Don’t be dim-witted, darling. Pleasant company is always an asset. I imagine if he’s buying Tandarro stock he has money.’

  ‘There’s money everywhere out here. Why not reach out and grab it?’

  Felicity brightened. ‘That’s great, darling. I was afraid you’d want me to settle into a dreary widowhood.’

  ‘You’d never be happy that way,’ said Genny, and her mother sighed happily.

  ‘Ingo looks sweeter than ever. Madly, impossibly handsome.’

  ‘Ingo sweet?’ Genny interjected. ‘I could find maybe ten thousand words to describe him, but sweet wouldn’t be one of them.’

  ‘He’s sweet to me.’

  ‘That’s your special magic. You don’t arouse the beast in him.’

  ‘I have no motive for wanting to. I just live for the day when things come right again between you two.

  You could have smiled at him, darling. Why the poker face?’

  ‘It’s the only way I know to control myself. Here comes the great man, anyway.’ Genny turned her head and her eyes fastened on his compulsively. He looked up and caught her; his thick black hair with a crisp wave in it showing no trace of brown in the dazzling sunlight. She freed her eyes with an exaggerated little toss of her head, grateful for the fact that Felicity had slipped into the co-pilot’s seat.

  A few minutes more and Ingo had joined them, his winged black eyebrows drawn together in concentration, turning the aircraft into the path of the sun. Genny fastened her seat belt and sat back, never really at ease until the moment when she knew they were airborne. After that it was Felicity’s job to supply all the answers to Ingo’s questions and fill him in with the city gossip, which oddly enough he appeared to listen to and laugh at. Something in Felicity’s make-up made her at ease in any man’s company, which in turn most men found relaxing, their pleasure increased by her enchanting appearance. Genny gazed steadily at the clouds beneath her, feeling lonely. She wouldn’t have interrupted her mother for the world, but Felicity was giving Ingo entirely the wrong impression about a lot of things, notably Genny’s affairs. Flick’s heady, honey tongued chatter had drawn a few acerbic comments, but for the most part Ingo looked amused, the expression of his darkly bronze face indulgent.

  Genny turned her head languidly along the seat. She was never a great traveller. Twenty minutes later, Ingo’s voice broke through her consciousness.

  ‘Give us a chance, Genny. Aren’t you going to contribute anything to the conversation, or have you just come along to catch up on your sleep?’

  ‘No, for the endless pleasure of your company.‘ she said sweetly, brushing her eyes.

  ‘At least your heart’s in the right place.’

  ‘Genny is just about the perfect daughter.’ Felicity said proudly.

  ‘Hear that, Giannina?’

  Genny ignored the mockery. ‘Thanks, Flick.’

  ‘I think your education needs broadening and I’ll say it out loud,’ Ingo asserted.

  ‘That should be easy out here, Ingo dear.’

  ‘There wasn’t anywhere else to go, was there, Giannina?’

  ‘Weren’t you listening to Flick? She said Bali.’

  ‘You’d run right into the Wet.’

  ‘I could do that here!’ she protested.

  ‘Much less likely, though we’ve had a run of good seasons!’

  ‘When is Trish coming?’ Felicity asked, trying to divert them.

  ‘The perfect sidetrack! Some time next week, Flick.‘ he answered with his cool arrogance.

  Genny’s eyes fixed themselves broodingly on a point somewhere between his wide shoulders. ‘Why don’t you ever ask your mother out?’

  He swung his head back to her his eyes like a lightning flash in his imperious dark face. ‘Did you rehearse that?’

  ‘No, it just came out. You’re a ruthless person, aren’t you, Black Ingo?’

  ‘Yes, brutal, and you’re not safe from me, though you pick your moments.’

  Felicity’s blue eyes were appealing. ‘Genny, Genny, what’s got into you? Where are your manners?’

  ‘It’s all right, Flick,’ Ingo said, ‘I like cantankerous little females. I just want to pick them up like spitting kittens and watch them rage.’

  ‘It just so happens, Ingo, that I was serious. If your mother’s as beautiful as everyone says she is...’

  ‘Leave it. ‘ His voice had the cut of a whiplash.

  She flashed him one emotion-laden look, holding up her hands. ‘All right, all right. No mistaking that w
arning. I wouldn’t dream of upsetting the mighty cattle baron.’

  ‘Actually, darling, you’re embarrassing your mother.’ Felicity pointed out mildly.

  Genny shrugged. ‘Then excuse me while I doze off. It doesn’t matter a damn if I’m here or not anyway.

  You and Ingo are the adults.’

  Unexpectedly Felicity went off into peals of laughter. ‘Baby girl, don’t be silly.’

  ‘That’s what she is, just what she sounds, a tragic child. She needs lots of reassuring,’ Ingo said mockingly.

  ‘I’m woman enough to hate you, Ingo darling.’

  ‘Hate me, what next? If one could take the slightest notice of you.’

  ‘She doesn’t hate you at all, Ingo,’ Felicity said consolingly, ‘though sometimes I think this kind of thing will go on and on for ever.’

  ‘You mean Giannina nurses it along a lot. A good beating mightn’t go astray.’

  ‘And wouldn’t you like to do it?’ Genny muttered rebelliously, but very quietly.

  ‘Yes, and I heard that. Trouble is I wouldn’t know when to stop.’

  ‘Well, I guess a man’s bound to be feudal out here.’

  ‘Why make it sound an unforgivable crime?’

  ‘Because it is I ‘ she said heatedly. ‘I‘m not thrilled by dictators.’

  ‘Tut, tutl’ he teased.

  ‘Not another word, I beg of you.’ Felicity turned back to Genny, wagging her finger.

  Genny’s cheeks burned. ‘Why make it sound my speciality, Flick? Ingo’s just as much to blame.’

  ‘But we’re flying over my territory, little one. My world. You’re giving a whole lot of cheek to a tyrant on his home ground. That doesn’t strike me-as smart.’

  ‘Are we really over Tandarro?’ Felicity cried. ‘Let me look.’

  ‘You can’t yet, Flick. You’ll have to wait until we descend. We’re actually on the border of the desert, coming in to Tandarro right now.’

  Sudden excitement flared in Felicity’s pink-and-white skin. ‘Oh, golly, what does it feel like to be rich and powerful?’

  ‘Delightful.’

  ‘No one should be too rich when there’s so much real poverty in the world,’ Genny said severely.

  ‘Shut up, Genl’ he said lazily. ‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.’

  ‘It’s exactly what you don’t do.’

  ‘What does she mean, Flick?’ Ingo turned to his cousin.

  ‘I don’t know, dear. She’s very spirited, we have to take that into account.’

  ‘I know she’d like to sink her white little teeth into me,’ he agreed lazily.

  ‘I thought she meant she was going on a hunger strike.’

  ‘I need a lot of patience with you two.’ Genny said, and suddenly laughed.

  ‘Keep it up, baby, that sounds beautiful.’

  ‘Thanks, Ingo. I reserve my best laughs for you.’

  ‘You’ll find I’ve got something lined up for you!’

  ‘Oh, really, what?’ She leaned forward, tilting her head so that she could look into his face. Almost certainly she expected him to smile at her or say something sarcastic, but he just stared into her eyes, so disquietingly that she moved nervously. ‘What, Ingo?’ she almost whispered, her beautiful mouth parted, her dark eyes startled. If she had been standing, she was sure she would have been swaying.

  ‘Something too good for you in every way, you little brat.’

  He turned away from her, but she continued to scrutinise his dark profile. ‘I didn’t really need persuading to come out here. I really love it,’ she confessed.

  ‘Oh yes?’

  ‘You know I do.’

  ‘Do you take your moods in turns?’ he inquired.

  ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘You sound remarkably sweet and submissive now.’

  ‘Yes, you do!’ Felicity confirmed. ‘You should hear her with Dave!’

  ‘Is he for real?’ Ingo asked.

  ‘He loves me!’ Genny burst out, when it was the last thing in the world she intended to say.

  ‘Then he’s ninety-nine per cent crazy.’

  ‘It depends on how you see me.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Felicity, totally fair, ìt’s pathetic the way all the boys fall in love with her and she brushes them all off.’

  ‘The boys fall in love with her,’ Ingo muttered with savage amusement. ‘Don’t be such a damn fool, Flick.’

  ‘It isn’t at all strange, darling. Genny is a beautiful girl.’.

  ‘And tremendously unready for love and marriage, for example.’

  ‘So are you! ‘ Genny fired at him, her heart thudding.

  ‘Perhaps we’re scarred, baby. Both of us.’

  ‘Ingo?’ Felicity asked uncertainly, bewildered by the distinctly sombre note in his voice. ‘Are you blaming me for something I’ve done to Genny?’

  ‘Your catastrophic marriages?’

  ‘Leave Flick alone,’ Genny said in some anger, reaching over and gripping his shoulder.

  He lifted his own hand and caught her fingers tightly. ‘You might find yourself over my knee.’

  ‘You’re hurting me, Ingo.’

  ‘Forgive me, please.’ He pulled at her hand and carried it to his mouth.

  Such an exquisite dart of pain shot through her that she almost moaned. ‘Let me go.’

  ‘You really are crazy, you know that?’ demanded Felicity.

  Genny drew her hand back quickly. It was trembling. ‘It’s all right, Flick, he’s winning now, but just wait for the next thrilling episode. ‘

  ‘You scare me, you two,’ her mother pouted.

  ‘Don’t take any notice, Flick!’ Ingo said with his beautiful, rare smile. ‘Your tranquillity is irresistible after Genny’s demented behaviour. I like the new hairstyle, it’s ravishing. The ultimate in witchcraft. ‘

  Genny groaned, but Felicity flushed with pleasure. ‘You didn’t prefer it that bit longer?’

  ‘No. You look younger than ever. You even make me feel old. ‘

  ‘You? Why, you’re impossibly dynamic.’ Felicity cried.

  ‘Don’t mind me.‘ Genny interjected. ‘You’re both sending me witless.’

  ‘Then put your silver head back and ignore us,’ Ingo suggested dryly. ‘If you’re not eager for a few compliments, I am. No use to look for them from you!’

  ‘I think you’ve very handsome, Ingo, but I don’t think we’ll ever meet the woman who makes you surrender.’

  ‘Surrender?’ he crowed, consumed with his own male superiority.

  ‘Yes, beaten to your knees, struck by one of little old Cupid’s darts.’

  ‘God!’ he said, his mouth amused.

  ‘I’d be happy to see it happen.‘ Genny said softly. ‘I can barely wait myself.’

  ‘I bet Sally’s wangled herself an invitation.‘ Felicity said, following a logical line of thought.

  ‘She’s been throwing out some pretty heavy hints,’ agreed Ingo.

  ‘Why don’t you marry the girl?’ Felicity asked.

  ‘Have a heart, Flick!’

  ‘Remember you’re king.’ Genny threw in with intensity.

  ‘An enormous responsibility, I assure you.’

  ‘It certainly requires some monstrous acts.’ she said tartly.

  Unexpectedly he laughed, and Ingo smiling or laughing was irresistible, his sparkling eyes dancing, his hard, handsome mouth unbelievably softened. The fragments of magic. All the old memories returned.

  Ingo teaching her how to swim and to dive, how to ride and cut cattle. Ingo making her a wreath of wildflowers to wear in her hair. Ingo showing her the cave drawings and explaining all the old myths and legends. Ingo pointing out the Sky Country. That Ingo she loved.

  There I she’d said it, the forbidden word. Ingo had no place in his life for love or any of the softer sentiments. Ingo was the man in command, freed from the slavery of women. Only one had ever really hurt him, his own mother. The beloved woman, the woman who bore hi
m. No other would ever get the opportunity.

  As if completely tuned in to her thoughts, Ingo swung his head abruptly. ‘Damn it, you’ve got tears in your eyes. ‘

  ‘I haven’t.‘ she said, blinking fiercely.

  You have, you little fool! ‘

  ‘Children, children.‘ said Felicity helplessly.

  ‘Surely a few tears don’t bother you?’ demanded Genny.

  ‘Yours do.’

  ‘Yes, they make you angry. I was crying for you, Ingo, if you must know.’

  ‘I can’t imagine why.’ Felicity turned around quickly, searching her daughter’s face with concern.

  ‘Darling girl, what’s the matter?’

  ‘Not a darn things’

  ‘Maybe it’s her first love affair. They tell me they’re unsettling.’ Ingo said tersely.

  ‘What do you think?’ Genny asked deliberately. ‘Or haven’t you had one?’

  ‘I’m a coward,’ he answered tersely.

  ‘Maybe you are. You won’t let anyone get near you.’

  ‘I‘ll tell you, Giannina, you get right under my skin.’

  ‘This is all very strange. ‘ said Felicity, appalled and fascinated by these exchanges, clashing with deadly intent.

  Ingo glanced at her, seeing the faint distress in her sky-blue eyes. ‘Felicity, the tender, the gentle, how did you ever come to have such a blazing little hellcat for a daughter?’

  ‘I can’t accept that she’s anything like that. Only with you.’

  ‘Oh, so I’ve got to take all the credit?’

  Felicity smiled. ‘It would seem so, darling. Fantastic, I know.’

  ‘We sure lost our way somehow!’ Genny said derisively. ‘It’s you who’s vanished completely. I’m still the same.’

  ‘Would you mind repeating that, please?’ Ingo held up his hand. ‘I find it almost impossible to believe.’

  ‘I said I’m still the same. I’ve just lost my companion and dearest friend.’

  ‘Don’t you think it’s because you’re beautiful and a woman?’

  Genny grimaced. ‘Ah, now I see it quite clearly. Woman. Miss out all the rest.’

  ‘Mystery!’ Ingo said, and laughed a little. ‘I still love you, baby, whether you believe it or not.’

  ‘Now that’s unusual in a man, fidelity,’ Felicity said, apparently quite sincerely, not only rejecting but chasing away all thought of her own misadventures.