«Is that a threat?»

«No. Listen to me, I had a lover before I met Vanstone. He was a good man, he adored me passionately, and I did him. But then Vanstone arrived, and I dropped him. Just like that. I never thought about how he felt. Girls that age can be unknowingly cruel. I don't want that to happen to you.»

«Althaea's not like you. She has a heart.»

Tiarella laughed. «And you believe I don't? I suppose I can't blame you for thinking that. I am a bitch these days, I admit. But I used to, Eason, I used to have a heart just like hers.»

«I don't get it. I really don't. You brought me here, you and that monstrosity snake helped me snuff the bounty hunters. You screwed with me. You stand by and let me screw your daughter. Now you tell me you don't want me here. Why ?»

«Your time is over.»

«Don't give me that card shit again. You realize she's probably pregnant by now. I didn't exactly hold back.»

«Don't get excited, she's not pregnant. I made quite sure she was using a contraceptive.»

He stared at her, shocked. «You . . .»

«Bitch? I'm her mother, Eason.»

«Jesus Christ.»

«You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, although I expect you won't want to. But you must understand, neither Althaea nor Charmaine is ever going to belong to you.»

«We'll see.» He was so furious he didn't trust himself to say anything else to her.

Althaea was in the kitchen, preparing their lunch. She looked up when he came in and gave him a happy smile. He kissed her, and took her hand. «Come along.»

She skipped after him as he went out into the hall. Tiarella was standing in the study's doorway, watching. Althaea automatically stiffened, glancing sheepishly at her mother.

«Althaea and I are going upstairs,» Eason said levelly. «That cot in my chalet is too small for the kind of sex I prefer. So from now on we'll be using the bed in her room. OK?»

Althaea drew a loud, astonished breath.

Tiarella shrugged indifferently. «Whatever.»

Eason grinned victoriously, and tugged a confounded Althaea up the stairs.

«Oh God, she'll kill me,» Althaea wailed as soon as the door shut behind them. «She'll kill both of us.»

«No, she won't.» He imprisoned her head between his palms, putting his face centimetres from hers. «She must learn to accept that you're a grown woman now, and that you and I are in love. We have a perfect right to be together in your bed. I did this for you. Everything I do is for you now.»

«You love me?» She sounded even more frightened than before.

«Yes. Now you and I are going to take the rest of the afternoon and evening off, and spend it in here. If your mother doesn't like that, then she should seriously start to think about leaving the island.»

• • •