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It wasn’t a question, or a demand. And—God help her—her heart leapt in her chest with welcome. She’d intended to take a cab to the Blackstone mansion in Vaucluse and surprise her mother. But Dani would take what she could get from Quinn.
Time with him was short and she knew there’d be less of her when their fling ended. The fight had torn them apart physically, and because it was unexpected, the end was hard to accept. Now she had the opportunity to say goodbye properly, make it special. Dani was going to make the most of the day or days she had left with him, and damn the consequences.
They spent the rest of the flight looking at each other. Not kissing now but touching, sweet touches to their hands, cheeks, throat, hair. His eyes burned for her, and that and his touch kept her at a simmer for the remainder of the flight to Sydney, the seemingly endless taxi ride to his building and equally interminable elevator ride to his penthouse apartment.
Giddy with desire, they barely made it inside before he was ripping her clothes off, pushing her up against the wall opposite a massive picture window that showcased beautiful Darling Harbour, Sky Tower, the harbour bridge and the opera house. He took her there and Dani welcomed him into her body and came again and again as the lights of the city swirled behind her eyes like a kaleidoscope on drugs.
Eight
Dani survived the fierce hug and pulled back to survey her mother. “You look … different. Did you get highlights?”
Her mother patted her hair self-consciously while Marcie, the Blackstone housekeeper, bustled around the table.
Sonya Hammond usually wore her brown hair in a neat bun, but today she’d allowed several long spiralling tendrils to escape, giving her a completely different look. Was it her makeup or the unusually colourful teal blouse she’d teamed with smart-looking slacks? Her mother was the epitome of conservative elegance, but today, Dani thought she looked younger somehow, mature-chic. “Have you had a facial or something?”
Sonya ignored her question and instead tsked at Dani’s earrings. “Must your earrings always arrive before you do?”
“I thought these were quite demure.” She touched one gold bar with a plaque of smoky quartz on the end. Since she had reinvented herself up in Port Douglas, some of her more bohemian creations stunned her mother, though Sonya was too nice and too fond of Dani’s strong sense of individualism to criticise without humour.
“Sit. How is it you’re here when we’re seeing you in a few days?”
“I told you I was doing a little job for Quinn Everard.” Dani leaned forward and sniffed appreciatively at the urn in the middle of the table. “Mmm. Pumpkin soup.”
“Yes, I couldn’t believe the cheek of the man, after all he’s put you through.”
The whole family had witnessed the deterioration of Dani’s professional reputation at Quinn’s hands. Dani tried to ignore the little pang of hurt at her mother’s words. “Anyway, he has a funeral to attend today so I came down with him. I need some shoes for the wedding.”
“What colour is the dress?” Sonya asked quickly. “No, don’t tell me, I’ll try to keep an open mind.”
Marcie appeared with a soup bowl and a platter of warm Turkish bread and set them down. Her mother looked pointedly at the urn. “Eat up, I have an appointment. Ryan’s picking me up any minute.”
Dani ladled some soup into her bowl. “I thought you’d want to supervise,” she said dryly, “but we can do dinner later and maybe I’ll treat you to the movies or something.”
Sonya looked uncomfortable. “I can’t, dear. I have an engagement. The theatre, actually.”
“Oh?” That was unusual. Sonya hardly ever went out in the evenings. She swallowed her soup, watching her mother. New clothes, new hairdo, appointments and engagements … “Who with?”
“Garth, actually.”
“How is old Garth?” Dani was relieved. Garth Buick was the Blackstone company secretary and had been ever since Dani could remember. He was probably Howard’s closest friend, a nice man, she recalled. A widower for a few years.
“He’s not old,” her mother said with an edge to her voice. “He’s very young and fit.”
Dani’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth and the two women locked gazes for a long moment.
Sonya reddened and looked away first. “Close your mouth, Danielle. It’s just friendship. He’s been teaching me to sail.”
“Right,” Dani said weakly. “That’s great, really.”
And it was, she told herself as she slathered butter onto the warm flatbread. Her mother had given her life over to raising her daughter and Howard’s kids and then running his household and being his hostess. Whatever Dani’s father had done to her, she’d completely withdrawn from relationships outside of the family.
Either that or she’d been walloped with a massive dose of unrequited love. Dani wondered what it would be like to love someone so completely that you never wanted to risk it again.
Was Quinn still in love with his wife? It must be six or seven years since Laura died. Did he still miss her, measure every other woman he met against her? Was Dani about to discover what her mother had all those years ago, that you couldn’t compete with a dead woman?
Sonya’s smile was resigned. “I can just see your mind ticking over, my girl. Poor old Mum, the dried-up old prune, wasting away for the love of Howard.”
Dani shook her head admiringly. How did the woman do it?
“But no,” her mother continued. “He was so devastated when Ursula died. I knew then that he would never risk giving his heart completely again. And I didn’t intend to be one in a long line of his discarded women.”
Clever woman, because that was exactly the way things had turned out. Howard was notorious for his womanising and had never committed to any of them.
Her mother sighed. “I may as well get it over with. My appointment this afternoon is with a real estate agent. I’m looking at a house over in Double Bay.”
“But …” Dani was stunned. Her mother leave Miramare? “You have a permanent right to reside in this house.” Howard’s will stated that.
They both cast their eyes around the room and out to the vista beyond. The first-floor suite Dani had grown up in was much more informal than the rest of the house but still boasted spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. Sonya combined a love of antiques with a warm, comfortable style of her own. Miramare was a show home, she liked to say, but her suite of rooms was just a home.
Dani could not imagine her mother anywhere else.
“I rattle around here by myself now,” Sonya said broodingly. “And what if James Blackstone comes forward? Howard was convinced he was alive or he wouldn’t have left the mansion to him in the will.”
“This is your home. You are legally entitled. James, if he exists, will just have to accept that.” She pushed her plate away, suddenly not hungry. “Besides, what about Marcie?”
“There will always be a place for Marcie. She knows that.”
“You’ve talked about it?” Dani frowned, a little indignant that her mother hadn’t shared this with her first.
“I’m just looking, dear,” her mother said airily. “When Garth suggested this place was up for sale, I decided to have a peek, that’s all.”
“Garth suggested … Wait a minute, doesn’t Garth live in Double Bay?” Dani didn’t know whether to be affronted or delighted, but in the end, delight won out. She couldn’t help grinning as her mother fidgeted. It was about time Sonya thought of herself after a lifetime of looking after everyone else.
Sonya cleared her throat. “I’m not moving in with Garth, okay? I’m just looking at a smaller house that happens to be a few blocks from his.”
Marcie passed by the table. “I’ve made up your bed, lovey.”
“Oh, I’m not staying.”
It was her turn to fidget as two sets of eyes swivelled toward her. “I’m twenty-seven, for crying out loud!”
Marcie scuttled out, grinning.
“Is he as nice-looking as his photo?” Sonya asked.
Dani shrugged. They’d be here all day if she was to outline the myriad ways Quinn Everard appealed to her.
“Do you like him, Danielle?” her mother insisted.
“Would I spend the night with him otherwise?”
Her mother’s piercing gaze made her feel about ten years old, as usual. She reconsidered her defensive attitude. It had rarely worked in the past. “I suppose. But he’s out of my league.”
Sonya raised her aristocratic nose. “Must be hard to walk with that huge chip on your shoulder.”
“You haven’t met him. He’s smooth.” And sometimes rough … “He owns himself, very self-assured. Supremely comfortable with himself, his place, his ability. And he manages to convey all this without making the minions around him feel inferior.” She rolled her eyes ruefully. “Even though it’s painfully obvious that’s exactly what they are.”
Her mother rested her chin on her hand, a faraway look in her eyes. “You do like him,” she said softly, and a silence descended as Dani tried and failed to think of a suitable rejoinder.
“Why don’t you both come to dinner and the theatre with Garth and me tonight?” her mother asked.
Dani shook her head, somewhat relieved. “He won’t be back until late.”
“Oh.” Sonya looked disappointed. “You, then.”
“I’m not playing gooseberry.” She was pleased her mother was stepping out but one tiny part of her wanted to think about this for a while. Dani had few enough absolutes in her life already. To think that she may never visit her mother at Miramare again was a sobering thought. “I have heaps to do on this flying visit, honestly,” she lied, and decided to change the subject. “You’ll never guess who came to visit last week. Matt Hammond.”
Sonya’s eyes lit up, just as she’d known they would. Dani rummaged through her bag for the photos of Blake that Matt had supplied. Her mother fell on them.
“What’s more,” Dani added, “he wants me to make him an heirloom necklace from the Blackstone Rose diamonds, though I’m not sure if that’s for public consumption just yet.”
“I can’t believe it! What’s he like? Tell me everything!”
“Nice.” At least, she had thought so, thought they clicked, but that was now coloured by the conversation she’d overheard. “Really nice.”
“You don’t sound convinced,” her mother said dubiously.
“Oh, I am, it’s just that Quinn was there and they were talking business.”
The doorbell rang downstairs and Sonya’s face fell. “Not now.” She grimaced at Dani, obviously wanting to hear more about her nephew. “That’ll be Ryan.”
“Don’t tell him about Matt,” Dani whispered.
Ryan looked pleased to see her and they spent a couple of minutes discussing the wedding plans. She was thrilled to see how utterly happy he looked. He and Jessica were expecting twins in a few months. Jessica was blooming, Ryan told her, but worried she’d already outgrown her wedding dress.
“What brings you to Sydney?” Ryan asked.
“I needed special shoes for my dress,” she explained.
He rolled his eyes at Sonya. “God help us….”
Dani’s fashion sense for these big occasions was legendary. “Don’t be mean,” she grumbled. “I’ve gone to a lot of trouble for this wedding. Keeping it quiet has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Moving into Quinn’s house, his bedroom, exploring his body, welcoming his touch … and all just to keep their wedding under wraps.
Dani smiled, suddenly feeling quite kindly disposed to Ryan Blackstone. “Quinn was coming down for a funeral so I tagged along.”
Ryan’s brows rose. “Sonya told me you’re doing a job for him. I was surprised, given your history.”
She shrugged away a pang of hurt. “Client’s request.”
“Jessica knows Quinn slightly, likes him, I think.” His face lapsed into a smile she had never seen on him before. “Still, she likes everyone these days.”
Dani’s eyes nearly misted over as she witnessed Ryan’s happiness. He’d always been a troubled soul. His brother’s abduction and mother’s suicide were enough of a burden. Add to that the offhand way Howard treated both him and Kimberley, consistently choosing Ric Perrini over Ryan when it came to Blackstone Diamonds. She crossed her fingers under the table and silently wished Ryan all the happiness in the world.
“Who died?” Ryan selected an olive and a slice of cheese from the table. “Quinn’s funeral?”
“Jake Vance’s mother.”
“I’d heard Everard and Vance were chummy. Has Quinn said anything about Matt Hammond sniffing around?”
Dani shook her head, not looking at Sonya.
“Apparently Hammond was in town last week seeing Vance. The rumour doing the rounds is that Hammond and Vance are out to set up a corporate takeover of Blackstone. Seems Matt’s been polling all the shareholders for support.”
Sonya opened her mouth. Dani shot her foot out and connected with her mother’s ankle. What good would it do for him to know Matt had been in Port talking business with Quinn, too? He’d turned him down.
Sonya prudently said nothing, and she and Ryan dropped Dani at the bus stop for the central city and headed off to their real estate appointment. But even the prospect of shoe shopping did little to quell a growing disquiet. Should she warn the Blackstones about the Jake-Matt-Quinn connection? Was she being disloyal to the family who had provided for her all her life?
She let herself in to Quinn’s apartment using the key he had given her. Her feet ached and all she could think about was his large Japanese bath, so it was an unwelcome surprise when the sound of loud voices greeted her.
Four people stood around the island in Quinn’s kitchen. A pretty woman with long, tied-back greying hair, looked up first. A tall, lean man stood beside her with one arm draped loosely around her shoulders. Quinn, too, had his arm around someone’s shoulders. Someone beautiful, in a lilac suit, with a chic blond bob and striking eyes.
Dani couldn’t really take in much more than that.
But then Quinn’s eyes beat a path to her face and she felt the energy as if he’d shone an intense spotlight onto her.
“I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to intrude.” God, what must they think? She had his key. “I thought you’d still be out.”
Then Quinn dropped his arm from the blonde’s shoulders and walked toward her. His eyes shone as he drew her into the circle. There was no mistaking the warmth in his voice as he said, “This is Dani,” as if he’d been waiting for her to come, dying to introduce her.
As it turned out, this was much better than her anticipated bath. She shook hands with his parents, Gwen and Joseph, and with Lucy, his foster sister, who had the most beautiful, sad violet eyes.
They were ribald and rowdy, and so close, they finished one another’s sentences. It was incredible to see Quinn in this light. Outside of the bedroom, his reserve set him apart from everyone; he seemed untouchable. His parents were nothing like that, and when he was with them, neither was he. There was so much warmth, humour and concern for one another in this kitchen. She loved her mother dearly but she’d never stood around a kitchen counter with her family members, drinking, joking and sharing memories.
Yes, it was a sad day for the Everards, but as often happens with funerals, the relief of getting through it sometimes manifests itself in a need to drink. “Especially when you’re Irish!” Joseph intoned, holding out his glass for a top-up, while Quinn shook his head at her, mouthing, “He’s not Irish.”
Dani thought back to the tensions that had accompanied Howard’s funeral; the reserve, the constant media crush, everyone watching one another to make sure they didn’t fall apart, or wondering who knew what about Howard’s eventful life.
That all seemed a million miles away. Corporate takeovers, too, seemed a million miles away. She swapped blueberry muffin recipes with Gwen, had an eye-popping dance with Joseph to a Leonard Cohen song, and Lucy confided she had discovered Dani’s knickers under the couch.
“Must be his other girlfriend,” Dani told her. “I never wear them.”
“I don’t think so.” Lucy laughed. “Quinn never invites a woman to stay over here.”
Everyone left a couple of hours later and Quinn ordered in pasta, which they ate in his tub. She lay across from him as he struggled to keep his eyes open, and cautioned herself to guard her heart. Her expectations of people were too high. A throwaway remark by Lucy, the warmth in his eyes when she crashed their party … there was danger in allowing herself to hope she could ever be admitted to the circle of love she had just glimpsed.
Her fingers swirled the water in front of her, making a whirlpool, and Dani recognised she was in an uncontrolled spiral. She was falling in love, and not only with Quinn, but with the idea of his family, too.
Quinn came into his living room to see Dani standing in front of the window looking out at Sydney’s skyline, her bag by her feet.
