The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,87

best she could in the bowl of warm water set on top of the chest of drawers, Cecily put on a clean cotton dress, tidied her hair, then went back outside to join Katherine and watch the sun set over the valley. As it disappeared below the horizon, Cecily shivered in the fresh breeze that whipped across the terrace. She pulled her wrap closer around her shoulders, relishing the feeling of being cool.

They both heard the growl of engines approaching.

‘The boys are here,’ said Katherine and Cecily followed her out to the driveway, where two ancient-looking open-topped pick-ups had just pulled to a halt. Bobby climbed out of one, followed by another man who Cecily assumed must be Bill.

‘As I said, Cecily, do try not to be offended by Bill. He’s rather gone native over the years and forgotten how to behave in company,’ Katherine whispered as the two men walked towards them.

From a distance, she was surprised at how youthful and slim Bill looked, but as he came closer, despite his plentiful head of sandy hair, she saw there were deep lines etched onto his tanned face. She revised her estimate upwards, guessing he was around forty. He also looked vaguely familiar.

‘Hello, darling,’ Katherine said as she reached up to receive a kiss from Bobby. ‘Bill, how are you?’

‘I’m quite well, thank you.’ His voice was low and rather hoarse, with a clipped British accent.

‘This is Cecily Huntley-Morgan, who has recently arrived from New York,’ Katherine informed him as they all walked towards the terrace.

Cecily felt Bill’s blue eyes assessing her, before he looked off into the distance.

‘Poor you,’ he said after a few seconds. ‘Living there.’

‘I like living in Manhattan. It’s a wonderful place, and it’s my home,’ Cecily responded, suddenly feeling defensive.

‘All those ridiculously high buildings, not to mention the number of people crammed tightly together on that tiny island.’

‘Don’t mind Bill, Cecily. He’s been out in the Bush for too long, haven’t you?’ Katherine said as they all sat down and she offered champagne or beer to the men.

‘And thank God that’s the case,’ said Bill, taking a bottle of beer. ‘As you know, Katherine, I’m not a particular fan of humans.’

Once again, Bill’s strange, almost hypnotic gaze turned upon Cecily. ‘How long are you here for, before you scuttle back to the claustrophobia of what you would call “civilisation”?’

‘She doesn’t know, Bill, do you, Cecily?’ intervened Katherine.

‘No, I don’t,’ Cecily replied, reaching for her glass of champagne. This man’s abrupt manner was unnerving her.

‘Have you been out into the Bush yet?’

‘No.’

‘Then you have yet to truly experience Africa.’

‘I’m sure we’ll find an opportunity to take her, won’t we, Bill?’ said Bobby.

Cecily noticed Bill was looking under the table at something.

‘Well,’ he said, eventually raising his eyes and his glass to her. ‘At least you’re not wearing those ridiculous high-heeled shoes that other Americans – such as that ghastly Preston woman – insist on.’

Cecily nearly choked on her champagne. She looked at Katherine, silently begging for guidance.

‘Kiki happens to be Cecily’s godmother, Bill,’ said Katherine calmly. ‘Now, for goodness’ sake, stop terrifying the poor girl. She’s nothing like her godmother. And just because she’s American, you shouldn’t pigeon-hole her. Never judge a book by its cover, remember? So, how did you two get on today?’

Cecily listened half-heartedly as Bobby described the cattle auction they’d been to, and how many ‘heads’ he’d bought.

‘He did well,’ Bill said, which was the first positive thing she’d heard fall out of the man’s mouth since he’d arrived. ‘Got the Boran for a good price.’

‘With your help, Bill. They know they can’t pull the wool over your eyes. Bill’s famous in the area for his knowledge o’ cattle,’ Bobby added to Cecily.

‘And what are you knowledgeable about, Miss Huntley-Morgan?’ Bill asked.

‘Probably nothing much,’ Cecily shrugged, still affronted by his rudeness towards her and her godmother.

‘Oh, come now, Cecily. Don’t let Bill get you down.’ Katherine gave Bill a hard stare. ‘He does this to everyone on first meeting them, don’t you?’

‘As you know, I haven’t lived amongst polite society for a long time.’

‘Charmed, I’m sure.’ Bobby rolled his eyes and winked at Bill. ‘Now, we’re both starving. What’s for dinner?’

Over supper, Cecily was thankful that Bill’s attention was diverted from her as the others talked over how soon Bobby could make a profit on the cattle farm versus how long he could hold off the bank from wanting its loan repaid.

‘It mostly comes down to how much time you’re prepared to