comment. She tried to overcome her softening attitude and went on the attack.
“It was mean to scare me half to death the other night,” she said with a reproach.
“I’m really sorry. But I needed to talk to you, and I knew that unless I went with any less back-up, you would start fighting and not listening. I know all about you being a bit of a feisty one when it comes to beating up people. Quite the warrior so Father Frank tells me.”
Mary felt her cheeks redden again.
“Don’t take me as a punk-girl,” she said, gasping. “But you have to understand – it’s one part of my education at the orphanage I am actually really grateful for.”
“So you can look after yourself, hey? You don’t need anyone looking out for you.”
“Please don’t say that.” Mary looked Robert straight in the eyes. “No one ever protected or defended me… before… quite like you… Thank you.”
“Oh I do understand you, my flower.” Robert carefully took her hands. “When I saw you in that green track-suit you resembled a drop of morning dew on an emerald leaf, when the sun beams touch it and wash over.”
Mary swallowed hard, her mind clouded, and a hot wave rose into her chest. Her breath stopped for a second.
“Wow.” She didn’t know how to react. “Sounds wonderful to me,” she blurted, “but please don’t pretend you didn’t have rather less romantic intentions… You know…”
“If I did, which I’m not going to say either way, but if I did, would you think it was unnatural?” Robert laughed. And Mary smiled.
“Look,” he continued. “You’re of age. I can ask you openly. When a healthy man meets a beautiful girl, it is natural if he has sexual desire for her. Am I right?”
Mary nodded. “Apparently, judging by that guy over there.” She winked at him as he turned to see an empty space where she was looking.
“Funny kitten!” He shook his head.
“Just saying, maybe there are lots of people who find the same person attractive, and maybe she should take the pick of the bunch!” Mary winked at him again and freed her hands from his. She didn’t want to offend him, however, and pretended to check her hair.
Mary felt that some tresses were not quite in the right place, but instead of rearranging them correctly, she slowly pulled them down. Her fingers ran through the blonde locks, and the gold cascade touched the tablecloth. She glanced at Robert, and leant on the table, propping her chin up with the gracious curve of her other hand.
She had never played with her hair in front of a man before. Mary was surprised at how pleasant she felt, looking at Robert’s intrigued stare when she wrapped a lock over her finger, let it uncurl, then touched her lower lip with her fingertip. Had she known how she was affecting him in public, maybe she would not have been quite so naively sensuous.
Resembling a noble senator, Robert’s valet, Roger, walked up to their table.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir,” he said quietly. “But we have to go. We’ve been here longer than planned.”
Robert looked at his watch, whistled and his face showed his dismay at being called away so soon. Mary felt pity for him and gently stroked his arm.
“It’s okay, Robert. I have a lesson pretty soon – I have to go too. I’ll see you tomorrow, I hope?” She looked at him intensely, then averted her gaze when she realized she felt drawn to him – and her feelings were far too intimate for such a public place.
Robert took her hand and she understood: he wanted to kiss it, but did not dare.
Mary took a deep breath, resolutely stretched her arm out and her reward? – a smile of pleasure when Robert’s lips touched her fingers so lightly, but with so much meaning.
***
After her lesson Mary went to the campus library, and worked on a computer for a while. She printed off the schedule of events for her team, then checked out the team’s account balance.
It was an unpleasant surprise to discover much less money than expected.
Hmm, she thought, frowning slightly, I thought Robert had donated more… Out of nowhere, at the slightest thought of his name, she was struck by a wave of passion. She savored so many pleasant sensations as her breathing grew short, and her body temperature rose. Involuntarily she stroked her chest, and was almost in a swoon, feeling her heart running wild and her head growing light. She smiled dreamily. What the heck, he would be so rich if he wasted all his money on charity…
Regaining her composure, a new thought came to Mary. She picked up the report, and went along to the office of good old Father Frank. She had to wait a while until the stragglers of a regular stream of visitors left, at which time she entered and approached his desk.
The priest looked at her with open displeasure in his eyes, but, nonetheless, he managed a wide all-sugar-and-honey smile.
Mary’s heart fluttered as a bolt of hot emotion struck triumphant.
Yes, you shrimp! flashed into her head. Look at you! Finally I’ve got you! And you know it. After all the suffering and tears you have caused me, oh, thank you, Lord, I’ve got you, you!
Wake up! her inner voice whispered. It’s only because of Robert’s patronage he has tripped up.
But it did not decrease her feelings of exultation. She bathed in the good feeling, and actually forgot momentarily what had brought her to his office in the first place.
“Is something wrong, Mary?” The syrupy voice of Father Frank brought her back to her senses.
It’s only because of Robert’s patronage, she reminded herself, trying to control her feelings.
She laid the report out on the priest’s desk right in front of him.
“Where is the rest of the money?” she asked casually. She was deriving great joy from the view she had of an ever more vexed Father Frank.
“Mary,” the priest said, trying to talk politely. “You have to understand. Your team…”
“Our team,” Mary corrected him coldly.
“Okay, okay, our team is not the only expense at our orphanage.”
“Fine. I agree, but for the next event you will be renting a bus,” she told him. “No way can we go to this place by public transport. First off, it’s a bad neighborhood. I’m responsible for the girls’ safety. Second, it’s much too far away. The girls would be tired by the time they got there. They have been training really hard and to get to the competition half exhausted. It just wouldn’t be fair.”
“Mary, I understand your concern,” the priest said as peacefully as he could. “Don’t worry, you’ll have this ride, be assured of that.”
Somehow the humble behavior of Father
