Captured by the Billionaire: Brooding Billionaire, Impoverished Princess. Robyn Donald
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and mingled and clashed.’
The hairs on the back of her neck lifted in a primitive reaction to…what?
Nothing, she told herself curtly. Although Alex’s tone was pleasant, it was also impersonal, and his offer to host Doran as well meant he didn’t expect her to fall into his bed.
Well, not right away…
Nerves zinging, she said, ‘It’s just not possible,’ and dismissed the subversive thought that a month in New Zealand would provide her with photographs and information for quite a few columns.
But Alex must have noticed that moment of weakness because he said, ‘Why not?’ And when she hesitated he went on, ‘Why don’t you ask your brother how he feels?’
He’d refuse, she was sure. ‘OK, I’ll do that.’
She sent another look across the room, intercepted by her brother, who strode across to them, lean and athletic-looking for someone who’d spent most of the past six months in front of a computer.
When Alex casually mentioned his suggestion Doran responded with his usual enthusiasm. ‘Of course you must go, Serina!’
‘The invitation is for you too,’ Alex said pleasantly.
Excitement lit up Doran’s mobile face, then faded. He glanced at Serina before saying, ‘I wish I could, but…you know how it is.’ He spread his hands and finished vaguely, ‘Appointments, you see.’
Alex said, ‘I believe you’re interested in diving.’
‘Well, yes.’ Doran’s eager response was a sharp contrast to his previous tone.
‘New Zealand has some fantastic sites—in fact, there are two magnificent wrecks not far from Haruru, but friends of mine are going up to Vanuatu in the Pacific to dive the reefs. If you’re interested I’m sure I could get you a berth.’
Doran’s look of extreme longing increased almost comically when Alex added, ‘They’re talking about diving the Second World War wrecks there, as well.’
Serina said quickly, ‘Wouldn’t you have to be an experienced diver to deal with those?’
‘Serina—’
Doran’s protest was overridden by Alex’s voice. ‘So what are your qualifications, Doran, and where have you dived?’
Doran launched into his CV and, when he’d run down, Alex said, ‘That sounds good enough.’ He looked at Serina and added with a smile that held more than a tinge of irony, ‘And, just to reassure your anxious sister, my friends are responsible and expert divers and I’m sure you’re sensible.’ He mentioned the name of a family famed for their exploration of the seas and the subsequent prize-winning television programmes.
‘Wow! And I’m a very cautious diver!’ Doran said, clearly forgetting that he’d refused the trip. He flashed an indignant glance at his sister. ‘You know that, Serina.’
She blinked. She’d had to learn thrift since her parents’ death, so that now the easy way the very rich moved around the world startled her, and the smoothly masterful way Alex had taken control of the situation made her feel the ground had been cut from under her feet.
‘Of course you are,’ she said, ‘but you’d have to get to Vanuatu, and we can’t possibly impose—’
Alex cut her short. ‘Doran won’t be imposing. My friends are taking up a yacht.’ He glanced at the man beside him. ‘You’ll probably have to work your passage.’
Cheerfully, Doran said, ‘That’s no problem.’
Without looking at Serina, Alex said casually, ‘I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Let me know when you’ve made up your mind. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better go and see whether Gerd needs me for anything.’
BARELY waiting long enough for Alex to walk out of hearing, Doran said defiantly, ‘Serina, don’t be so damned responsible. I’m an adult, you know, legally and in every other way. The diving in Vanuatu is absolutely fantastic, and since you let Gerd slip through your fingers this will probably be the only chance I’m ever likely to get to see it.’
Serina returned acidly, ‘I thought you were going to make your fortune with your wretched game!’
And could have kicked herself for letting his angry response get to her. Her brother loved her, but he needed a more mature figure in his life, someone he would respect and listen to.
Shamefaced, he admitted, ‘OK, I was completely out of order and unfair. I’m sorry. But…’ The words trailed away.
‘Anyway, you told Alex you couldn’t go,’ she reminded him.
He sent her a look of mingled exasperation and embarrassment. ‘It’s too good a chance to miss. I can organise it.’
Relieved, she retorted, ‘In that case, you’d be mad not to take Alex up on his offer.’
‘So would you,’ he said.
They measured glances. It looked as though he’d refuse if she did.
Surrendering, Serina shrugged and said lightly, ‘Fair enough. I’ve always wanted to see New Zealand, and it would be a fantastic opportunity to find material for the column.’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Serina, loosen up a bit! Forget the column and being a big sister—just have a proper holiday. Give Alex Matthews a chance to show you how much easier life can be when you’re not trying so hard to be a role model.’
That hurt, but she smiled and said coolly, ‘Perhaps I might.’
Watching him stride away, she asked herself why she wasn’t exulting that—thanks to Alex’s unexpected offer—things had fallen into place so easily.
Instead, she found Doran’s final comment running around in her mind.
Fun? With Alex Matthews? She looked across to where he stood talking to the royal couple. Her gaze roved his face, unconsciously noting the strong framework, the lean body in superbly tailored evening clothes, the formidable, arrogantly effortless impact of his presence.
Tingles of sensation shortened her breath and hastened her pulse. He impressed her altogether too much, and that could be dangerous.
Of course, on closer acquaintance they might decide they didn’t like each other…
Serina dragged in an unsteady breath, feeling as though she’d been caught up in a storm, tossed and tumbled by strong winds until she didn’t know where she was going. Liking had nothing to do with the stark fact that whenever she saw Alex Matthews—or even thought of him—something shifted in the pit of her stomach and she felt a strange mixture of wariness and elation as her hormones raged out of control.
If she went to New Zealand she suspected she’d be even more vulnerable. Could she subdue this elemental response, leash it so she’d return unscathed after a month of close contact?
Put like that, it sounded idiotically Victorian—just like the mansion Alex lived in.
She didn’t have to go. Doran had clearly decided to take up his offer. She could turn his invitation down, retreat to normality…
And spend the rest of her life wondering if she’d been a complete coward.
Controlling an urge to gnaw her lip indecisively, she greeted an approaching couple with relief. But later in the evening she found herself face to face with someone she’d successfully avoided until then. Superbly dressed, the older woman was still beautiful enough to dazzle.
As she had dazzled Serina’s father.
Her mother’s anguish only too vividly remembered,