The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,154

spray, leaping out of the water and disappearing under again. Stella climbed out and sat on the sunny ledge watching him. Although the water had come up to her chest, when Andrew stood it hardly came beyond his waist. She couldn’t help noticing the dark hairs on his broad chest and navel and the tautness of his muscled arms. He was wearing something around his neck that looked like a small ivory head.

He caught her staring.

‘I was wondering what you had round your neck?’ she said, blushing.

‘It’s Ganesh.’ He fingered the head. ‘A good luck charm from Dawan – belonged to his father. It’s to keep me safe.’

‘I’m glad to see it’s working,’ said Stella.

He looked askance at her and then grinned. ‘Why have you got out so soon? You used to tease me about not staying in long enough.’

‘I’ve grown soft in Delhi.’

He swam over to her. ‘Oh, have you now? Well, there’s only one remedy.’

‘Which is?’

And without warning he grabbed her round the waist and pulled her into the pool.

Stella gasped and grabbed at him to stop herself pitching backwards. They both went under. Stella came up spluttering and coughing, her hair steaked across her face. Andrew was laughing. She splashed at him. He dived off and she went after him, throwing water in his face whenever he stopped to look round. They continued their water fight until she was breathless and panting.

‘Stop,’ she cried.

‘Does that mean I win?’ he asked, a wide smile across his tanned face.

‘Maybe.’

He stood over her. ‘I’ve waited a long time to hear an admission of defeat from Stella Dubois.’

He looked both boyish and virile and Stella felt her heart suddenly ache for him. In that moment as they looked at each other, half-teasingly, half with deep affection, she realised how utterly she had fallen in love with him. She had always loved Andrew – but until recently she hadn’t been in love with him. The truth of it winded her and made her desolate. She looked away.

‘Hey, Stella, what’s wrong? I’m only joking.’

She felt treacherous tears brimming. ‘I know you are . . .’

He took her gently by the arms. ‘What is it?’

His tender touch was too much for her. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you going off to Burma soon. I really care about you, Andy.’ She started to cry.

For a moment, he stared at her in bewilderment and then he was pulling her into his arms. ‘Oh, Stella. Don’t be upset.’ He stroked her hair.

She leaned against him, overwhelmed by the feel of his skin against her cheek.

Andrew slackened his hold. ‘Stella,’ he said quietly, ‘I care for you too. I always have done.’

They held each other’s gaze. Andrew pushed wet strands of hair away from her face. The feel of his fingers sent a ripple of desire through her. The next moment he was bending towards her, cupping her face in his hands, his lips close to hers. She didn’t know if she made the first move or he did, but suddenly they were kissing. She was rocked by the taste and feel of his firm lips. Instantly, she was opening her mouth wider and kissing him eagerly.

Seconds later they were breaking apart.

‘Sorry,’ Andrew said, ‘I shouldn’t have . . .’

‘No, I’m sorry,’ Stella said in confusion. ‘It was wrong of me. I don’t know what I was thinking.’

She turned and began clambering out of the pool. How could she have allowed herself to kiss him when she knew he was engaged to Felicity? She was behaving no better than Hugh in letting her desire get the better of her. She knew that if Andrew had carried on, she would have willing given herself to him, without a second thought for the promises he had made to the Douglas girl.

Stella felt sick with wanting him and self-disgust. She snatched up her clothes and headed back to the picnic spot. Andrew followed after her but kept his distance. They returned downstream to the syce who had tiffin ready for them on a picnic blanket. Stella towelled off and put her clothes back on over her damp costume.

They hardly said a word as they sat eating. Andrew chatted to the hillsman in faltering Hindustani. They didn’t linger and remounted their ponies as soon as the picnic was packed away.

Andrew struggled to say something. ‘Stella, I don’t know what happened just now but—’

‘Don’t worry,’ she interrupted, engulfed in shame. ‘It was entirely my fault for getting emotional. You were just trying