nodded. “A villa a few miles from the centre of Marrakech. It’s very beautiful, a French colonial style farmhouse surrounded by date palms, cedars and lots of silver gray olive trees. Pink bougainvillea smothering the walls.”
“You’re really making it sound terribly attractive. You’ve been there, I take it?”
“Some time ago,” she acknowledged in a low voice. “Patrick is hoping to marry my mother.”
“No! ” He feigned shock. “Surely that’s a little difficult even for Zoe. What does her husband think about it?”
“Shut up, Byrne,” she said through clenched teeth. Lord, had she said it? She had.
“No, really.” His smile was cool. “There are a few rules.”
“Mamma hates rules. Besides, Claude is resigned to losing her. He’s many years her senior.”
“So that makes a difference, does it?” His brilliant eyes were diamond hard.
“It does to Zoe. If a thing doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”
“Of course, one must be happy at any cost. assume Patrick’s rich?”
The gibe nipped sharply. “Of course, he is. We both know Zoe must have money.”
“She appears to have looked after you rather well.” His eyes recorded her perfect grooming, the lovely, expensive pink and yellow silk dress.
“I haven’t lived off my mother or her husbands,” she told him quietly. A point of honour.
“I’m sorry. I understood you followed them all around Europe. You’ve acquired an accent, by the way. It’s utterly charming.”
“Would it surprise you if I told you I spoke French like a native?”
“Not at all. So what have you been doing for yourself in Paris?”
His eyes held a cool taunt.
Obviously he wouldn’t see her as a dedicated schoolmarm tutoring English, which was what she had been doing quite successfully. That and part-time photographic modelling, mostly featuring her long blond hair.
“I’ll tell you some time if you’re really interested,” she said.
“What’s wrong with now?”
“I think you have some preconceived notions about me.”
“Actually, Toni, you hadn’t established yourself at all.” Which wasn’t true. She was affecting him strongly. “After all, your mother spirited you away when you were only seventeen. Kerry missed you terribly. Did you realise that? Especially after your father died.”
She heard the little catch in her voice. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
“No,” he agreed, his striking face grim. “Your father grew careless with life. He was profoundly affected by the divorce.”
“I loved him, Byrne.” She lowered her head, her voice sad.
“He certainly loved you.” Adored her, more like it.
“I was devastated when I heard.” In fact, she had collapsed, full of hysterical accusations against her mother.
“You couldn’t find your way back?” He didn’t feel in the least sympathetic, although she made an irresistibly poignant picture.
She gave herself a second to get herself together. “I had serious concerns about Zoe.” She couldn’t elaborate. “And there was the question of money.” At that time she had been pretty well without resources.
“Zoe wouldn’t give you any?” One black eyebrow shot up.
“Her nest egg had been more than halved. She was terribly worried. She’d made a disastrous investment. A person she thought highly of abused her trust. Zoe’s so impulsive. She acts before she thinks.”
“Hell, yes,” he agreed discordantly, thinking of how hard Eric Streeton had worked for his money. “Let it go, Toni. It’s all in the past now.”
“Unfortunately the past is never truly past. It follows us around. I was very surprised when Cate wanted me for a bridesmaid.”
He knew there had been a big power struggle, the family dividing into two camps, pro and anti Antoinette. “You got on very well as girls,” he said evasively. “You are her fiancé’s only sister.”
“I’m sure that was the only reason I made the bridal party.”
“I have to say one or two of us were concerned you mightn’t show up on the day.” He saw a quick flash of hurt in her eyes and instantly regretted his cutting remark. Lord, was he trying to punish her? Maybe he was.
The waiter returned, bearing a silver tray. He deposited a bottle of Dom Pérignon on the table and proceeded to uncork it, murmuring a fervent thank-you as he pocketed his tip.
“Welcome home,” Byrne said, lifting his glass to salute her. “I must apologise, Toni. I’m being too hard on you .”
“I may pay you back one of these days,” she retorted, sounding a different person suddenly. “Anyway, you’re a hard man.”
The gray eyes frosted over. “Is that my reputation, really?”
“Whether you like it or not.” She sipped her champagne.
“Listen to me, Toni.” He loosened the button of his beautifully cut jacket and eased back. “I’ve got a lot of people depending on me. A cattle chain to look after. These are tough times. Testing times. Toughness is a quality to be desired. You’d do well to remember it.”
“Oh, I will! Be sure of it. And Joel isn’t offering a challenge?”
For a moment he looked like he was going to ignore the silky taunt. “I’m not going to put my own brother down, but I think you’ll find Joel wouldn’t want to take on my responsibilities.”
“Just as well, under the circumstances. Personally I don’t go along with the old law of primogeniture. Both of you still unmarried?”
He took his time replying, a little nettled, more amused. “Not even engaged. Joel has plenty of time. I’ll get around to it when I’m ready.”
“You might even have someone already in mind?” She kept those lotus eyes trained on him.
“Not at all.”
“You don’t need women?” She knew she sounded challenging. But then she’d already been labelled.
“Oh, but I do, Toni. I don’t always sleep alone.”
No. Indeed not, Toni thought, endeavouring to ignore the shiver that ran down her spine. “Do we name names?”
“No,” he said bluntly.
So that was
