all the time. She had … friends …’
‘Friends?’
‘Yes, friends.’ Caryn saw no point in revealing that Loren had always preferred the company of men to women. ‘Anyway, later on she got this job, down here—living in. I—I advised her not to take it.’
‘Why not?’ He was curious.
‘Because of you. Because of your reputation,’ declared Caryn firmly.
‘What reputation?’ he pursued tautly.
Caryn was discomfited. ‘Does it matter?’
‘Yes, I think it does.’
She sighed. ‘You know what I mean as well as I do.’
‘You shouldn’t believe all you read in the papers, Miss Stevens,’ he retorted.
‘Obviously not,’ she flared. ‘They omitted to mention that you were married.’
‘My wife died when Angela was three. Does that absolve me from that particular crime?’
Caryn flushed. ‘It’s nothing to do with me.’
‘Is any of this?’
‘Yes. I—I was with Loren when she died.’
He hunched his shoulders. ‘Go on. When did she tell you she was pregnant?’
Caryn hesitated. ‘Not for some time. She—she was so thin, you see. It—hardly showed.’
He frowned. ‘Did she get another job?’
‘No.’ Caryn was reluctant to tell everything that happened those last few months, but perhaps she owed him that, at least. ‘She—as you know, there are not that many jobs around. And—and she was—listless, without enthusiasm. She said she had written to you and asked you to take her back again.’
‘She knew I was going to East Africa.’
‘Yes. She collected all the cuttings.’
‘My God!’ He sounded disgusted.
‘But she wrote to you after you got back. As I said before, you never replied.’
‘I told Mrs Forrest to ignore those letters. I knew what Loren was like. I knew she wouldn’t give up that easily.’
‘She depended on you …’
‘She was a leech!’
‘She was so happy here to begin with. She used to write such excited letters, telling me how you used to take her with you on certain assignments—’
‘I took her once,’ he declared heavily.
‘Nevertheless, you took advantage of her.’
‘I did what?’
‘She told me how—how you used to—to pester her—’
‘What?’ He stared at her incredulously.
‘—coming home drunk after parties. Forcing your attentions upon her—’
‘Is that what she told you?’
‘Of course.’
‘And you believed it?’
‘Why not? Loren didn’t lie about things like that.’
‘Didn’t she?’
‘I suppose you used to get her drunk, too,’ Caryn accused him. ‘Was that how you got into her bed?’
‘Oh, my God!’ His face twisted. ‘Do you think I’d have to do that to sleep with her?’ He shook his head.
‘I don’t believe you.’
He shrugged. ‘Unlike your sister, I cannot arouse your sympathy or your trust.’ He gave a bitter smile. ‘But we’re straying from the point, aren’t we? You still haven’t told me why you’re here.’
‘I should have thought that was obvious.’
‘Well, I’m sorry. It’s not.’
‘I’ve told you. The child is your responsibility now.’
In what way?’
‘You’re his father. You should support his upbringing.’
‘Financially? Or physically?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Are you asking for money or aren’t you, Miss Stevens?’
Caryn paused. ‘Loren—Loren told me to come to you. To bring the child to you. She said—she said you would know what to do.’
He stared at her disbelievingly. ‘And you accepted that?’
‘Why shouldn’t I?’
‘After what she had told you about me?’
Caryn shook her head. ‘That has nothing to do with it.’
‘I disagree. It has everything to do with it. What does a man like me want with an innocent child? A man who goes around seducing teenagers? A man, moreover, who you have just accused of introducing your sister to drink!’
He’s your son,’ insisted Caryn doggedly, refusing to be alarmed.
‘And your nephew. Or had you overlooked that?’
It’s nothing to do with me,’ Caryn exclaimed restlessly. ‘It’s not my child.’
His amber eyes narrowed. ‘You sound very vehement about it. Don’t you like children?’
‘It killed my sister, Mr Ross. Do you think I can forget that?’
‘Ah, I see.’ He sounded sardonic. ‘How convenient! Shift the blame—and the responsibility.’
‘I have to work for my living, Mr Ross. I don’t have time to take care of a baby.’
‘It may have slipped your notice, Miss Stevens, but I work for my living, too.’
‘That’s different.’
‘How different?’
‘You—you have money …’
‘I see. So it is money you want,’ he mocked coldly.
‘No!’
‘Why should I believe you? How do I know you’re not making the whole thing up? You’re Loren’s
