Read Online Yesterday's Promise by Linda Lee Chaikin - Free Book Online Page B

his arms in a stance she remembered all too well.
    â€œIsn’t Parnell going with Peter?”
    The suggestion that Parnell’s presence would make matters better for her and Peter was dismissed with a toss of her head.
    â€œYes, he’s coming, I suppose, but that doesn’t much matter. He’s no help to me at all. Although, he’s not keen on going either. He and I do share that in common. We both abhor uncomfortable lifestyles. Heat, dust, insects—oh, the insects! Horrid, beastly things! They scare me out of my wits. And Parnell, well, he’s merely going because of Darinda. He’d go to the moon to be with her if she had a notion it was possible to go there.” She looked over at Rogan, adding in a quiet tone, “Besides, Parnell’s worried about Captain Retford and Darinda.”
    â€œCaptain Retford? Who is he?”
    His alert gaze made her wish she hadn’t been so quick to mention him.
    â€œHe works for Peter. A personal assistant of sorts. He’s a soldier. He’s with Peter now.”
    Under her brother’s long and searching look, she felt her face turning warm and slanted her eyes away. She fussed with Jasper, straightening his jeweled collar.
    â€œYou see, Parnell thinks Darinda is attracted to Captain Retford.”
    â€œIs she? That’s rotten luck for poor old Parnell. He’s had his cap set on Darinda for years.”
    â€œDarinda is hard to know… I must admit the captain
is
quite handsome. A bit like you, actually.”
    â€œArcilla.”
    His stern but soft voice brought her hurried denial. “Don’t be silly, Rogan. After that simply ghastly situation with Elizabeth’s fiancé, do you think I’m witless enough to get myself entangled in such a mess again?”
Anyway, Peter would be there
.
    â€œPlease see that you don’t forget discretion, sister dear. For Peter, as well as yourself.”
    â€œYou sound as prudish as old Derwent. He’s at Kimberly too, but you know that.” She laughed suddenly. “Alice makes his life miserable.” She mimicked the girl’s nagging voice: “Where’s all that gold, Derwent? Where? Where is it? You promised me. You promised Mummy and Daddy we’d be rich when we go home to Grimston Way. You promised Rogan Chantry knew where the gold was, and all you do is work for that nasty hunter, Mornay.”
    Rogan’s head turned sharply. “Derwent works for
who?
Mornay? You don’t mean Giles Mornay?”
    His robust interest surprised her. “Why, yes… I think that’s his name. Alice mentioned him several times. She writes me, complaining all the time.”
    â€œWell, well. Again, I’ve underestimated the jolly Derwent.”
    Arcilla wondered at his thoughtfulness and distracted smile. “Why does Giles Mornay interest you?” And then as he stared back evenly, she sucked in her breath. “Oh. Now I understand. He’s a hunter and guide. So that’s why Derwent is with him. Alice couldn’t understand it. She wrote me begging to get Derwent a job here in Capetown. Tell me seriously, Rogan. Are you and Derwent going on a trek of your own? I mean, how can you? Wouldn’t it be so much easier to join Rhodes’s company and go with his pioneers? You know so little about this dreadful Africa.”
    â€œDreadful? You goose. It’s wild and passionate! It sends my heart thudding and my energies swimming upstream.”
    She laughed. “Same adventurous brother. Well, you can have it.”
    â€œOf course, I don’t know the land yet. That’s where a good guide comes in. Giles Mornay knows the land and the tribes better than most. I’ve studied everything I can get my hands on for years—you know that. I’ve a degree in geology. But nothing will make up for solid field experience. Though I’m determined to learn quickly.”
    â€œAs if we all didn’t know that.