Chapters (73)
- Cover
- Dedication
- PART ONE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- PART TWO
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- PART THREE
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- PART FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- PART FIVE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Keep Reading …
- About the Author
- Also by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Publisher
‘Sister? Which sister?’ Robert demanded.
‘She only has two. One lives in Paris, one here. Her name is Vanessa. You know her, Robert, ’course you do. I think she likes you. She can’t take her eyes off you when we go there.’
‘Don’t be daft!’ Robert exclaimed. ‘She’s a child, as I recall, about fourteen or so. And she hardly knows of my existence. Now you are being imaginative.’ He sounded outraged.
Adrian leaned forward, staring at Robert across the desk. He said carefully, ‘Maybe you haven’t noticed her interest in you, but by God, I have! And she’s not fourteen; she’s about twenty-two or -three. Gorgeous-looking with all that russet-coloured hair and amber eyes. Tall and willowy.’
‘I haven’t really noticed her!’ Robert snapped.
Adrian knew that this was true. Robert was often oblivious to the women who were attracted to him.
After a moment, Adrian said, ‘I believe you, Robert. Honestly, I do.’ He hesitated before adding, ‘But she’s smart, clever, intelligent and determined. And she’s interested in you.’
‘I’m a married man, so you can rest easy. I do not stray,’ Robert reminded him.
‘About this marriage of yours. Let’s discuss that. A heart to heart is long overdue.’
‘Let’s go to White’s instead. I haven’t been since I came to town.’ Robert stood up, straightened his jacket, and then smiled at his friend of such long standing that they were like twin brothers.
‘Just keep your eyes peeled at the Strattons’. We can’t go directly to the club, we have to show up. We can’t offend Caroline. She would be hurt.’
‘You’re right, I suppose.’ He began to laugh. ‘Just half an hour though. In view of the dire circumstances. Anyway, I’m not worried. I have you to defend me from any fearsome women, and – most importantly – from Vanessa.’
‘You bet!’ Adrian answered, also laughing.
THIRTY-FOUR
The two men could see the crowded drawing room from the large entrance foyer. They stared at each other in dismay. Robert said, ‘It’s packed to the nines already. Shall we scarper?’
Adrian shook his head. ‘Better not. As you just said earlier, Caroline would be hurt.’
‘All right. We’ll make our appearance, stay only a short while, and slip out when we can. Beat it to the club, where we can relax.’
‘Agreed,’ Adrian answered, sounding relieved.
The two of them walked forward in step, and a moment later were greeted by Caroline Stratton and her parents, Bertram and Claire.
Caroline led the men into the drawing room, and both of them reached into their pockets and brought out an envelope.
‘These are for your charity,’ Robert said, giving her his dazzling smile.
‘Oh, thank you, Robert, Adrian. Just pop them in that big bowl over there. That’s what everyone’s been doing.’