скачать книгу бесплатно
Her emerald eyes flashed like jewels in the sunlight. “Is that so strange? Women have had to fight long and hard for independence, recognition. And the fight isn’t over.”
“And you’ve had to fight very hard to be strong?” It could explain so much about her.
“What woman doesn’t?” she said scornfully, clearly on the defensive.
“Why so hostile, Sonya?” he asked. “Has some man really hurt you?” He found he badly wanted to know. She had presented her lovely profile so he couldn’t look into her eyes. He had to face the fact he had an ever-growing need to discover all there was to know about this young woman.
For Marcus, or for yourself?
He felt shamed by the thought. For God’s sake, she was here with Marcus.
“I have met threatening, difficult and a few terrifying men,” she said, almost tonelessly. “Does that answer your question? I dare say there would be many women who could say the same. Battered, abused women who never saw it coming. I feel truly secure with Marcus.”
His brows knotted in a frown. “And the feeling of security needs to be locked into your relationships?”
“Exactly.” She stood motionless, her head turned away from him.
“So in a different situation where you could fall madly in love you would regard yourself as being under threat?”
She was startled by how he had hit on a problematic area. Her lack of trust in men. “Falling in love is a kind of madness, surely?” she parried. “Who can say being madly in love is essential to a good marriage? There are other very worthwhile things. So why don’t you let Marcus worry about himself, David? He’s a grown man. Or is it the money? Are you his heir?”
“Careful, Sonya,” he warned.
“Touched a raw nerve, have I?” She turned back to him then, her beautiful eyes frankly mocking.
“If you’re looking for raw nerves, you haven’t found it,” he said curtly. He was in fact the main beneficiary of Marcus’s will.
“But then you’re a man who doesn’t get frazzled easily,” she said. “But it’s not nonsense entirely. It’s often said, no one can have too much money.”
“It’s also said money can’t guarantee happiness.” He cut her off tersely.
“Maybe not, but it can guarantee wonderful houses to live in, superb views.” She waved an elegant hand. “The best cars, yachts.” Wonderful yachts with billowing sails were out on the sparkling blue water. “I’m told you’re a fine yachtsman. Then there are clothes, jewels. You name it. Everything pretty well comes down to money.”
“And you want it?”
“What I want is a pleasant day,” she retorted, ultra cool.
“Of course you do,” he said suavely. “I apologise. You must be pleased your fame with flowers has spread far and wide. Liz over there with Marcus has been into your shop. Two of Rowena’s friends now present. Rowena, of course. She told me you provided all the very beautiful flowers for today?”
It was too much not to look at him. She felt compelled. He was wearing a dark blue and white striped casual shirt of best quality cotton, beautifully cut white linen trousers, navy loafers on his feet. His polished skin was tanned to bronze, against which his fine teeth showed very white. He could have posed for a Ralph Lauren shoot, she thought wryly. “I’ve worked hard to secure the best sources,” she said, with a touch of pride.
“I expect Paula will be next to pay you a visit.” It was a taunt really. Unworthy of him.
“Please God, no!” she said with a charming little gesture of her hands.
“Hello? Does this mean you don’t like her?”
“Do you?” She shot him a glance as cool and clear as crystal.
His expression turned sardonic. “I’ve adored her since childhood.”
“Then clearly I’ve overestimated you.”
He couldn’t help it. He laughed aloud.
It was such an engaging laugh it caused the guests to look in their direction to smile. David Wainwright was a great favourite.
“That’s very naughty of you, Sonya. And you the Ice Princess.”
“I never said I was a nice person,” she countered, not lightly, but with a hint of warning.
“Maybe I bring out the worst in you?” he asked. Her skin in the bright sunlight was as flawless as a baby’s. One could become enslaved by a woman like this. He would do well to heed the warning.
“Well, you do give it your best shot.” She paused, her tone changing. “Your girlfriend is on the way over.”
He didn’t turn his head. “I don’t remember saying Paula was my girlfriend.”
“I don’t remember saying Marcus was my man friend,” she returned sharply.
Paula Rowlands was not so much strolling as striding up to them. No doubt she was fuelled by the feline need to protect her territory, Sonya thought. “Here she comes. Hostility writ large upon her face. It must have been triggered by your laughing. It sounded too much like you were enjoying yourself.”
He let his eyes run over her. “Actually, Sonya, I was.”
Throughout the leisurely meal Rowena asked them to shift to different tables so everyone got an opportunity to speak to all the other guests. Sonya found herself having a delightful time. She had come prepared for undercover distrust; instead she might have been among friends. Of course she wasn’t obviously paired with Marcus. On the contrary she was treated as a free spirit. That was exactly what she wanted. Every time she sat at table with David Wainwright every nerve in her body flared into life. It was as if she were made of highly flammable tissue paper and his nearness set her alight.
A very pretty, chic young woman called Camilla Carstairs was especially friendly. They arranged to meet up for coffee midweek. Camilla promised to come into the shop. “I’ve heard so much about it, Sonya. The flowers today are amazingly beautiful.” Sonya found herself warming to such friendliness. She found out later, Camilla was the only daughter of “Mack” Carstairs, the trucking king.
After lunch the older couples retired to the house, while the younger guests remained outside or took strolls around the landscaped garden, an oasis of beauty and peace. A few ventured down to the turquoise swimming pool at the harbour’s edge. Though Sonya had been seated at times with Paula Rowlands, Paula had had very little to say to her. Now Paula intended to change all that. She detached herself from a small group that did not include David Wainwright. He appeared to have gone inside. Meanwhile Paula made a beeline for Sonya, calling out her name.
“Yoo-hoo, Sonya, wait for me.” She waved enthusiastically.
Here comes trouble, said the voice in Sonya’s head.
And it wasn’t wrong.
Paula, the very picture of friendliness, linked her arm through Sonya’s as though they were bosom pals. Immediately it put Sonya back on guard.
“When did this happen?” she asked lightly, resisting the urge to pull away.
“What happen?” Paula widened her eyes.
“A big turnaround comes to mind.” Sonya smiled.
Paula gave a laugh that was not reflected in her eyes. “Walk on with me,” she said. “I need to talk to you.”
“Sounds a bit like you need something to calm you more,” Sonya offered wryly. She was well aware of Paula’s seething jealousy.
“Ah, the little witticisms! “ Paula tried to pull Sonya along.
Stand still. You could be looking at pandemonium here.
Sonya obeyed her inner voice. “I really think you can say whatever it is you want to say right here, Paula.” The blue glitter of the water was all around them. A fairly strong breeze was blowing in, whipping at Sonya’s silk scarf. “Is something the matter?”
Paula pealed another laugh. There they were, the two of them enjoying a jolly time. “You’re becoming too friendly with Holt.” Paula came right to the point, her voice pitched low, but her eyes brimming with strong emotion. “I’ll go a step further. I believe you’re deliberately trying to take him off me.”
Some imp of mischief made her say, “I wish!” Unwise.
“Then you are?” Paula showed her outrage.
“I’m joking, Paula. Just a little joke.” Sonya backed off. “Look, why don’t you speak to David about your concerns?”
“David? David!” Paula sounded almost violent. “His name is Holt.”
“Surely that’s a nickname he was given as a child?” Sonya said. “I like David better.”
“You like!” Paula’s voice had turned into a croak. “Most people call him Holt. His mother is—”
“I know, the Holt heiress.” Sonya nodded calmly. “I suppose if I did a quick whip around I’d find you’re all staggeringly rich.”
“Indeed we are!” Paula’s face registered contempt. “And you the florist!”
“Is that meant to downgrade me? You merely sound a snob. I’m a very good florist as it happens. You can order over the phone. In fact, if you’re looking for work in very pleasant surroundings, I might be able to put some your way. I understand you don’t have a job.” She was beyond anger. She just wanted to get away from this jealous young woman.
It took a decided wrench to get her arm back, though she tried not to make it obvious to anyone who might be watching. Her back to the pool, she didn’t realize she was now standing too close to the edge. Paula kept her eyes so fixed on her, she might have been attempting hypnosis.
“The big difference between you and me, Ms Erickson, is I don’t have to work. You envy me. I know you do. I can’t blame you. I’ve got everything you want. Everything you’ll never get.” She spoke quite threateningly. “Remember, I’m watching you.”
From long practice, Sonya was able to keep a rein on her own temper. “Do you suppose that bothers me?” she asked coolly.
Colour mottled Paula’s cheeks. “It should! I’m in a position to make things go rather badly for you.”
“I’m supposed to take that as a threat?”
“Take it any way you like,” Paula said sharply. “Doesn’t it make you happy you’ve got poor old Marcus wrapped around your little finger?”
“Happy? It makes me ecstatic.” Sonya felt reduced to black humour. “Is that want you want to hear?”
Paula sucked in her breath, looking aghast. “So you admit it! I think it’s absolutely loathsome what you’re doing. You’re nothing but a gold-digger.”
“You should stop listening to gossip, Paula. And might I remind you I’m a guest here, just like you.” How did she get rid of this woman? She was fully aware she was looking into the face of raw jealousy. Jealousy was a malignancy. It ate into the soul. “Do you think we might call a truce here and now, Paula?” she suggested, in a conciliatory voice. “You surely can’t want a scene? You’ll be upsetting Lady Palmerston.”
“Like you’re not?” Paula challenged, fiercely affronted by the suggestion they were equals. “Rowena and Holt are right onto you. That’s why you’ve been invited. So they can keep an eye on you. Holt told me. He tells me everything. We all know who’s doing the upsetting.” Paula stepped nearer. Oddly there was a smile on her face.
A warning should have lit up like a neon sign. Sonya knew in an instant she had backed up dangerously close to the edge of the pool. But the speed with which she pitched backwards into the water stunned her. Gulps of it went down her throat. The pool water was surprisingly cold, to her shocked body near freezing. It closed over her head, locking her in its shining blue depths. The impact drained her whole body of strength. Panic flooded into her brain. She was flailing helplessly.
Her inner voice kicked in, giving her orders.
Lift up your arms. Kick your legs. Stroke upwards. Come on. You can do it.
She felt her sandals slide off her feet. Her clothes, even her long hair, were holding her down. With a huge effort she shot to the surface, water streaming off her head. She had time to catch an agonised half-breath, then she went down again, her heart pounding. This time she had the sense to clamp her mouth shut.
The embarrassing part was, she couldn’t swim. How humiliating was that? She had never learned like any four-year-old Australian child how to swim.
Poolside, Paula, in tears now, was screaming for help. Sonya could hear the scream reverberating underwater. Paula hadn’t pushed her. Paula hadn’t touched her. Paula had simply manoeuvred her nearer the edge. Her high heels and loss of balance had done the rest. She couldn’t possibly drown. There were too many people around. Anyone who said the drowning process was euphoric had it all wrong.
Next thing she knew a solid body was in the water with her. A strong arm arced out and grabbed her. The arm easily reeled her in. She clung to her rescuer, barely seeing him with the water in her eyes. But she knew who it was even before their heads hit the surface.
David.
Her chin was at water level.
“Spit it out. Spit the water out,” he ordered, gripping her tight. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
She did as she was told.
“Good girl. You’ll be fine now.”
“Oh, my God!” She couldn’t help herself. She moaned. Other guests crossed her vision. All wore anxious faces. No one was laughing.
“It’s all right, Sonya,” David assured her. “You can’t swim?”
Instead of answering his question she found herself saying quite tartly, “I wasn’t planning on going in the water.”
His smile flashed. “Good. You sound more like yourself.”
A young man called Raymond, who had been very attentive to Sonya during the afternoon, crouched over, reaching out an arm. “I’ll take her from here, Holt.”
“Thanks, Ray.”
While Raymond and another young man hauled Sonya out of the water, Holt dived to the bottom of the pool to retrieve Sonya’s high-heeled sandals. Then when he surfaced he passed them to a distressed Rowena while he heaved himself out. He had rid himself of his own shoes before taking his unscheduled dive.
Rowena and Marcus were on hand, both looking upset, holding up towelling robes. One pink. One navy. “Here, dear girl, put this on,” Rowena urged, holding out the pink robe with such kindness tears sprang to Sonya’s eyes. Marcus was busy helping his nephew into the navy robe, which David used to towel over his water-sleeked dark head.
“Come into the house,” Rowena bid Sonya quietly. “We’ll get you dry.”
Sonya began apologizing. “I’m so sorry for spoiling such a lovely day, Lady Palmerston. I was standing too near the edge. I slipped. I can’t swim unfortunately.”
“I’ll teach you,” Ray called out with enthusiasm. Even sopping, Sonya looked glorious. A real erotic turn-on. The silk shirt was plastered to her high breasts, revealing peaked nipples and darkish pink aureole.
“Poor old you!” Camilla moved in closer to rub Sonya’s back consolingly. “But look at it this way. You’re not the first person to take an unexpected header into that pool. Paula should have known better. Where is she anyway?” Camilla turned her glossy head.
“I expect she’s upset,” Sonya heard herself saying, modestly pulling her soaked shirt away from her breasts.
“Like we all care!” Camilla whispered in Sonya’s ear. “Want me to come with you?”
Sonya tried a smile. “Thanks, Camilla, but I’ll be fine once I’m out of these wet things.”
Inside the house Marcus studied Sonya very intently. “I do so wish that hadn’t happened to you, my dear. You slipped?”
