always has gone smoothly for you, Luke.’
‘Not entirely.’ He paused. ‘I wasn’t very happy when my parents divorced, believe me.’
Saskia bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t think. How old were you when they parted? Thirteen, fourteen?’
‘Fifteen. Not quite grown up. In fact still young enough to bawl like a baby the night my mother told me she was going to live in America with Joe Harley. I could spend my holidays in California with them, she assured me, and we could talk on the phone all the time, and write to each other regularly. None of which was much comfort to me at the time.’
Saskia sat very still, listening intently. Luke had never said a word on this particular subject before.
‘In the end,’ Luke went on, ‘I even gained in some ways. I owe my interest in wine to Joe. He was always very good to me. I spent a lot of holidays helping out in his vineyards in Napa Valley, learning about New World viticulture almost by osmosis.’
‘But you lived with your father.’
‘Until I could afford a place of my own, yes. Dad had some idea about selling the house in Oxford at first, but I think he kept it on so I wouldn’t have too many changes to cope with at once. And now he’s glad he did, of course.’ He chuckled. ‘Funny, really. My mother couldn’t cope with the academic life. Marriage to an Oxford don wasn’t her scene at all. Yet Marina seems to thrive on it. But I’ve often wondered if she minded moving into what was virtually another woman’s home.’
‘Mother and I lived in a cramped little flat over her dress shop, Luke, so she adored the house from the first. Besides, she made some changes once we moved in. Even more when the boys were born.’ She paused. ‘How did you feel when the twins arrived?’
Luke laughed. ‘Astonished, at first. But who could resist that pair of charmers? My father was as pleased as Punch. I was happy for him. He spent ten lonely years on his own before he met your mother, remember. She gave him a new lease of life.’ He turned to look at her. ‘Your father died before you were born, I know. While we’re on the subject, how did you shape up to the thought of a stepfather?’
Saskia was quiet for a moment. ‘At first,’ she said slowly, ‘I was afraid and miserable, sure Sam would come between Mother and me. But I soon got over that once I knew him better. He’s always been kindness itself to me.’
‘The only fly in the ointment, then, was me.’
Saskia had been fifteen, and Luke ten years older when Samuel Armytage had married Marina Ford. Saskia had been prickly and full of illogical resentment for the good-looking, energetic young man, who had already opened the first of his shops and owned a smart car and a flat in Parsons Green.
‘You were so perfect, Lucius Armytage, and so superior and horribly pleased with yourself. You always had some gorgeous, slender sexpot in tow, while I was a seething mass of teenage angst with puppy fat, spots on my face and braces on my teeth. How I loathed you!’
‘Don’t I know it?’ he said with feeling. ‘I used to time my visits home for when you weren’t around.’
‘Don’t think I didn’t notice!’
He laughed. ‘I hope I’ve changed a bit since then. You certainly have. Our paths haven’t crossed for a while lately, but I hear the news from Dad and Marina. They seemed rather relieved that you’d stopped changing the boyfriend every five minutes and settled on one, at last’
‘Wrong one, as it happens,’ she said lightly.
‘Want to talk about it?’
‘No, thanks. You don’t want a tearful woman on your hands at this time of night.’
‘Hurt badly, Sassy?’
His tone was so unexpectedly tender her throat thickened.
‘Hopping mad, rather than hurt,’ she said gruffly. ‘With myself, for being such a fool. Mortifying. I honestly thought I had better judgement.’
‘I meant what I said about having a word with Lawford,’ he said casually, getting to his feet. ‘Or whatever you prefer in the way of chastisement. I object to my relatives getting hurt.’
‘But we’re not really relatives, Luke.’
‘How would you describe us, then?’
‘Connections?’
‘Too remote. As far as Lawford’s concerned you’re my stepsister.’ His smile was even more crooked than usual. ‘I reserve the right to come the heavy brother if he’s caused you lasting damage, Saskia.’
‘The damage is to my pride only-and very temporary. But thank you for the thought. It’s very-sweet of you.’
Luke chuckled. ‘That’s a first. No one’s ever called me sweet before.’
‘Not even Zoë?’
‘Definitely not Zoë. You’re out of touch. That’s been over some time.’
Something Saskia knew perfectly well. ‘Really? Who’s the current lady, then?’
‘There isn’t one. I’ve been too busy.’ Luke took the tray from her. ‘I’ll see to these if you’re tired.’
‘How domesticated,’ she mocked, and followed him through the living room and out into the kitchen.
‘We single chaps have to be these days.’
‘Doesn’t some kind lady wait on you hand and foot in your new house?’
Under the bright overhead light Luke gave her a sardonic look as he put the cups in the sink. ‘I have a cleaner, yes, whom I cherish because she’s large, cheerful, efficient and a doting grandma. As long as I exclaim over photographs of her brood she’s willing to “do” for me a couple of hours twice a week. Otherwise I cope unaided.’
‘And cope brilliantly, of course.’
‘Of course.’
Saskia shook her head, smiling, then yawned suddenly. ‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t be. Perhaps you’ll sleep better tonight.’
‘I hope so. Goodnight, Luke.’
‘Goodnight, little sister. I’ll just sit on the terrace a while longer.’
Which was rather tactful of him, thought Saskia as she made preparations for the night. It saved bumping into him again tonight in awkward circumstances. She brushed her teeth vigorously, her cheeks burning. All evening she’d done her best to forget the earlier confrontation here in the bathroom. And Luke, somewhat to her surprise, had behaved as though their first meeting had been on the terrace. Which was unusual. His dealings with her normally held more than a tinge of mockery. Perhaps he’d been just as embarrassed as she was, of course. Or was being tactful because he was sorry for her-not a thought which pleased. She hated the thought of pity from Luke, or from anyone else.
Saskia stared at her flushed reflection, furious with
