him hard, but he said no sacrifice was too great.’
Maddie thought of the Contessa collapsing into a flood of tears because the honour of the man she loved had been vindicated at last. Of Andrea dropping the letter into the flames as if it was coated in slime.
But she supposed Jeremy, the devoted only son, could hardly be blamed for believing anything his father told him.
Jeremy’s voice became quiet, almost casual. ‘Tell me, my sweet, did the Valieri man ever say what he planned to do with it? Dad’s letter, I mean? He went to enough trouble to get hold of it, so he must have something in mind.’
He burnt it...
She almost spoke the words, but at the last moment something stopped her.
She said, ‘He was hardly likely to confide in me.’ And paused. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘For God’s sake, darling, isn’t it obvious? The bloody thing’s out there like a time bomb waiting to go off.’
Maddie said carefully, ‘Perhaps just having it is enough and he doesn’t mean to use it.’
Jeremy’s mouth hardened into an unpleasant line. ‘Sure—and watch out for flying pigs. Do you really think a bastard like that can be trusted?’
‘My experience of bastards,’ Maddie said, ‘is rather limited.’
He sighed. ‘Darling, this is why I want us to get married as quickly as possible. Maybe the notion of a man wanting to cherish and protect his wife is an old-fashioned one. If so, I’m an old-fashioned man and proud of it. So why make me wait?’
Maddie took a deep breath. ‘Maybe because of an inbuilt conviction that marriage is an equal partnership and that I’m quite able to take care of myself,’ she retorted.
‘Not,’ Jeremy said, ‘according to the evidence of the past few weeks.’
‘But I wasn’t the real target,’ Maddie pointed out quietly. ‘It was my association with your family that really exposed me to risk.’
‘And is this why you’re refusing to marry me?’
‘I haven’t refused,’ she said. ‘I just haven’t made up my mind.’
‘Well, we can discuss it at the weekend,’ said Jeremy. ‘Dad suggested we should go somewhere quiet and secluded together.’
Maddie wondered dispassionately how many times Nigel Sylvester had been mentioned since they’d first brought their drinks to this corner table.
She said quietly, ‘I’m afraid that isn’t possible. I’ve already arranged to stay with my aunt and uncle.’
He looked dismayed. ‘Can’t you see them another time? Surely if you explained we need time together they’d understand.’
‘Perhaps, but I owed them a visit before I went away,’ Maddie returned. ‘And anyway a few days at home will give me time to think. Then I promise you’ll have your answer.’
She also refused more wine and dinner at her favourite restaurant. ‘Can I take a rain check?’ Sensing his annoyance, she gave him a placatory smile. ‘I haven’t been sleeping too well since I got back, and I need an early night.’ Alone...
Outside the bar, Jeremy signalled to a taxi. As it drew up to the kerb, he took Maddie’s face in his hands and looked into her eyes.
He said in a low voice, ‘I hate myself for asking this, but I must. This Valieri—I need to know what happened while you were together. Oh God, Maddie did he use you—force himself on you?’
She met his gaze, telling herself she should be thankful that she could. Glad that she could be truthful about this at least.
‘No,’ she said quietly. ‘He never did. On the contrary.’ She swallowed. ‘I was simply part of a business transaction. Does that reassure you?’
‘I suppose it has to.’ He bent his head and kissed her, and Maddie made herself respond to the pressure of his lips.
‘We’re together again,’ he whispered, as he put her into the cab. ‘Back where we belong. I know everything’s going to be all right, and I’ll be waiting for your answer.’
As the taxi drove off, Maddie glanced back and saw him still standing on the edge of the kerb, eyes narrowed, face frowning as he watched her go, and had the strangest impression she was looking at a stranger.
But then nothing in the past two days had seemed quite real.
Not from the moment she’d fled from the salone back to her room, ripping off the robe and nightgown and leaving them in a crumpled heap on the floor. Crawling into the bed like a small animal seeking its lair.
But not to sleep. Instead she’d lain, staring into the darkness, counting the hours. Twice she’d got up, stumbling over to the door to his room and