A Rumoured Engagement. CATHERINE GEORGE
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and a flat in Parsons Green.
‘You were so perfect, Lucius Armytage, and so superior and horribly pleased with yourself. You always had some gorgeous, slender sexpot in tow, while I was a seething mass of teenage angst with puppy fat, spots on my face and braces on my teeth. How I loathed you!’
‘Don’t I know it?’ he said with feeling. ‘I used to time my visits home for when you weren’t around.’
‘Don’t think I didn’t notice!’
He laughed. ‘I hope I’ve changed a bit since then. You certainly have. Our paths haven’t crossed for a while lately, but I hear the news from Dad and Marina. They seemed rather relieved that you’d stopped changing the boyfriend every five minutes and settled on one, at last’
‘Wrong one, as it happens,’ she said lightly.
‘Want to talk about it?’
‘No, thanks. You don’t want a tearful woman on your hands at this time of night.’
‘Hurt badly, Sassy?’
His tone was so unexpectedly tender her throat thickened.
‘Hopping mad, rather than hurt,’ she said gruffly. ‘With myself, for being such a fool. Mortifying. I honestly thought I had better judgement.’
‘I meant what I said about having a word with Lawford,’ he said casually, getting to his feet. ‘Or whatever you prefer in the way of chastisement. I object to my relatives getting hurt.’
‘But we’re not really relatives, Luke.’
‘How would you describe us, then?’
‘Connections?’
‘Too remote. As far as Lawford’s concerned you’re my stepsister.’ His smile was even more crooked than usual. ‘I reserve the right to come the heavy brother if he’s caused you lasting damage, Saskia.’
‘The damage is to my pride only-and very temporary. But thank you for the thought. It’s very-sweet of you.’
Luke chuckled. ‘That’s a first. No one’s ever called me sweet before.’
‘Not even Zoë?’
‘Definitely not Zoë. You’re out of touch. That’s been over some time.’
Something Saskia knew perfectly well. ‘Really? Who’s the current lady, then?’
‘There isn’t one. I’ve been too busy.’ Luke took the tray from her. ‘I’ll see to these if you’re tired.’
‘How domesticated,’ she mocked, and followed him through the living room and out into the kitchen.
‘We single chaps have to be these days.’
‘Doesn’t some kind lady wait on you hand and foot in your new house?’
Under the bright overhead light Luke gave her a sardonic look as he put the cups in the sink. ‘I have a cleaner, yes, whom I cherish because she’s large, cheerful, efficient and a doting grandma. As long as I exclaim over photographs of her brood she’s willing to “do” for me a couple of hours twice a week. Otherwise I cope unaided.’
‘And cope brilliantly, of course.’
‘Of course.’
Saskia shook her head, smiling, then yawned suddenly. ‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. Perhaps you’ll sleep better tonight.’
‘I hope so. Goodnight, Luke.’
‘Goodnight, little sister. I’ll just sit on the terrace a while longer.’
Which was rather tactful of him, thought Saskia as she made preparations for the night. It saved bumping into him again tonight in awkward circumstances. She brushed her teeth vigorously, her cheeks burning. All evening she’d done her best to forget the earlier confrontation here in the bathroom. And Luke, somewhat to her surprise, had behaved as though their first meeting had been on the terrace. Which was unusual. His dealings with her normally held more than a tinge of mockery. Perhaps he’d been just as embarrassed as she was, of course. Or was being tactful because he was sorry for her-not a thought which pleased. She hated the thought of pity from Luke, or from anyone else.
Saskia stared at her flushed reflection, furious with herself now for spending so much money on her hair to please Francis. The hairdresser had added fine threads of gold here and there to highlight the tawny brown, and it looked good. But somehow it also emphasised the fact that she was alone here in Italy, instead of in London with Francis. Not that she was alone tonight. Despite their past lack of rapport she had been surprisingly glad of Luke’s company after the initial fright. She had begun to be tired of her own company. She would even miss him when he went on his way in the morning.
IN the morning, however, Saskia got up to find Luke sitting at the breakfast table with a pot of coffee in front of him, obviously in no hurry to go anywhere.
‘Good morning,’ she said, yawning.
‘Good morning, Sassy. Sleep well?’
She nodded. ‘Actually, I did. My sleepless nights finally caught up with me.’
Luke raised an eyebrow. ‘Or maybe you were more relaxed with company in the house.’
Saskia helped herself to coffee from the pot and sat down. ‘I’m not nervous on my own, Luke.’ She looked at him squarely. ‘What exactly are your plans? Is my presence here a problem?’
He returned the look in silence for a moment, then shrugged. ‘I admit I’d intended staying here for a few days. I should have checked with Marina. But not to worry; I’ll find a hotel.’
She drank some of her coffee. ‘You don’t have to do that,’ she said, after a while. ‘I’m sure we can manage to occupy the same house for a few days without coming to blows. Especially if you intend to be out every day.’
‘I can arrange to be out every evening as well,’ he said dryly, ‘if you’d prefer.’
Saskia could well imagine it. Luke was the sort of man who had friends everywhere. And not all of them female, she allowed, with justice.
‘It makes no difference to me either way,’ she said, deliberately indifferent. ‘Want some breakfast? No bacon and egg, though-just fruit, yoghurt and a couple of yesterday’s rolls I could heat up. I need to do some shopping.’
‘I could run you somewhere, if you like,’ he offered.
She shook her head. ‘No, thanks. I’ll walk to the village later.’
Luke jumped to his feet. ‘As you like. If you’ll excuse me I’ll take a shower. I skipped one earlier, in case I woke you.’
‘I’ll have breakfast ready by the time you are, then.’ He shook his head. ‘Don’t bother, Saskia. I’ll get something on my travels.’ He strode from the room without looking at her, and she stared after him, biting her lip.
She had offended him again. Which was by no means the first time. But this time, for once, she hadn’t intended to. On the rare occasions they spent time in each other’s company these days they were usually in Oxford, with Sam and Marina, and made an effort to remain civil. Not, conceded Saskia with sudden honesty, that Luke was ever uncivil. She was the culprit. Due to an in-house gym at the bank and a determinedly healthy diet her skin was good these days, and while she would never be thin she was no longer overweight. Nevertheless, the moment she was in Luke’s company some secret part of her instantly reverted to the plump, hostile teenager of their first meeting.
Saskia switched the oven on, set out butter, fruit and some cartons of yoghurt, made a fresh pot