Betrayed(9)

“I’ve already told you I want to do something. My hands are too idle. Anyway, you have enough to do without this.”

“Listen babe,” Francine swayed drunkenly. “I realize it’s nothing to do with me, but something you said the other day has been niggling at me. You said something about blaming your mum for your dad’s problems.”

“Did I?”

“You know you did. You once told me your mum left when you were little. So how come you think she’s responsible?”

Kat lifted her shoulders. “It’s nothing.”

“I think it is. You were very… passionate. I haven’t seen you like that before. You worried me.”

“It was long ago.”

“So maybe it’s time to get it off your chest.”

Kat twisted her fingers. “Dad was drinking with a friend one night, that’s all.”

“And?”

“I was just a kid. I’d crept onto the stairs. You know what kids are like. I overheard things I shouldn’t have.”

“Well eavesdroppers never like what they hear.”

“More like, it opens your eyes. It explained a lot of things.”

The kitchen door opened and a man Kat hadn’t met stuck his head around. He said, “There you are, Fran. Sorry to interrupt but another guest has arrived and he’s asking for you.”

Francine shrugged apologetically to Kat.

Kat said, “No problem. See to your guests.”

Francine dried her hands. “Another male. Aw! No one understands the problems of a hostess, all these toy-boys to attend to and keep happy. No one knows the hassle we have. Look, I’m sorry about this. Dry your hands and come back to the party with me.”

Kat shook her head.”

“This really isn’t like you. You’re normally so full of life.”

“No, I’ll stay here. Honest. I’m okay.”

Kat turned to the untidy pile of washing; glad to be free of the inquisition. She stifled a yawn. She would finish them then slip quietly away. No one would even know.

She slopped the mop haphazardly around the water, watching bubbles spiral. She really would have to pull herself together. Just lately she’d been in a permanent daze.

“I take it, rinsing dishes is more interesting than partying?”

Kat jerked up. Rafael’s reflection stared at her from the darkened window. She dropped her eyes quickly. “What are you doing here?”

The air around her seemed to turn pernicious. She took dishes from the water, put them into the dishwasher and plunged another pile into the bowl

He said, “Why shouldn’t I be? I was invited and told to mingle. Weren’t you?”

Kat scoured unnecessary at the plate she held, aware of how nervous she had become. She said, “I have done.”

“But you thought this the better choice? I suppose I’m inclined to agree. I don’t know a soul except our host. One or two people recognise me, though. They’re a little intrusive.”

Scraps of food floated on the water and Kat screwed her nose, tipped it out of the bowl, wiped it and replaced it with more steaming lather.

He said, “When you’ve finished, maybe we could stick together, unless you have other plans.”

“I do.”

“It would save me having to talk to these people.”

“That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“Well I’m fed up of trying to find something to say to people I’ve never met, and pretending to be interested in what they’re saying.”

“So you’d use me as a crutch.”

He grinned. “Who knows, it might make for a pleasurable evening, and after all, it would be odd not to be seen together. As far as I can tell, most people know what’s going on.”

Kat felt too vulnerable for stuff like this. She sagged. “Except I don’t think it’s a good idea, Rafael.”

“I do. It makes sense. I don’t want to mix, and neither do you. We could keep them at bay together. We could avoid awkward questions that way. You could even pretend to enjoy my company. That would really fool them.”

“Except, I’m not in the mood for company, yours included.”

He leaned on the draining board. “And that’s why you’re in here instead of out there?”

“Correct.” She took a steadying breath. “I’m about to leave.”

She kept her eyes lowered. In casual clothes he looked amazing. A twist of hair poked from an open shirt neck, strong shoulders tapered to a neat waist, trousers, elegant and fashionable, were full of him. A breadth had been added to his upper body, which hadn’t been there years ago. Something elemental exuded from the male chic of the man.

He said, “Then I’ll just have to change your mind, because I’ve just arrived and it wouldn’t seem right for me to go yet.”

Where was this heading? She needed to make her excuses, disengage herself before things became uncomfortable. Tonight wasn’t the night for unplanned incursions. She felt low, too exposed. She said carefully, “I never mentioned you leaving.”

“But if you go, then so shall I.”

“Not with me, you won’t.”

“I only came because Francine assured me you’d be here. I’ve already explained I can’t stay long; there’s a load of work waiting. I realise if I go too early it might raise a few eyebrows, but it’s up to you.”

“Hey, I’m not responsible for your actions.” She turned back again to the washing-up bowl and began to rinse the plates.

“Do you really want that on your conscience?”

“There’s no reason for you to leave, so don’t make out there is.”

“I’ve no reason to stay if you’re not here.”

“And that makes you sound really mature, I must say.”

“I’d really like you to stay with me.”

“So what?” Kat felt the intensity of his gaze on the back of her head. Eventually she said, “You always did like to take over. Things don’t change much, do they?”

“It was usually by consent, or don’t you remember?” He moved dangerously close. “The party has scarcely begun. Our host might be upset if you leave.”

“I hardly think so.”

“I remember you as a party animal, always in the centre, and thriving on it.”

“Maybe your perception is clouded by time.”

Rafael cleared his throat. “Are you leaving because of me?”

“Don’t be so ridiculous.” She stared into the soapy water. At the edge of her vision she saw him watching. She said, “Why do you think I’d leave because of you? I think you’re beginning to believe your newspaper hype.”

He moved closer, his voice soft. “And maybe I’m beginning to believe I’ve done something really bad.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

“Why have I the impression you don’t want me near?”

“Now you’re being ridiculous.”

“So I’ve done nothing bad?”

She shook her head.

“So tell me just this once, Kat. Why did you dump me? What terrible thing did I perform all those years ago?”

Damn him for raking it up. “Nothing.” Her voice sounded awkward, even to her own ears.

“I wonder; will you really be able to work with me if we go ahead with the purchase of your factory?”

Now he was using blackmail. Her breath caught. “Look!” she said, refusing to face him. “I’ve told you, I’m not in the mood for this, not this evening. I really don’t want to be here. I would have left even if you hadn’t arrived. It’s nothing to do with you.”

He held his hands up. “I’ve upset you again. Okay, you go. I’ll remain for a decent time and make myself miserable. I think I might have enjoyed your company, but there it is.”

Was she overreacting? Would this ruin things for dad? It might not be blackmail but it felt dangerously close. Raf screwed her head. She said, “You won’t be miserable, there are tons of people. Enjoy yourself with them. Fran won’t even notice I’ve gone.”





“Don’t trivialize yourself, Kat.”

She forced herself to look at him. His face seemed filled with animal vitality. Suddenly, she was uncertain. Maybe if she stayed a little while, it wouldn’t do any harm. “If I stick around,” she sighed helplessly. “You’ll have to find me a glass of wine. Mine’s gone, and I only drink chardonnay,” she added, hoping it might rate as an excuse.

“Now that’s easy. I brought half a dozen bottles of wine with me, and there are at least two chardonnays.” He gently removed the washing mop from her hand, passed her a towel then picked up two glasses and cleaned them. She dried her hands with reluctance and followed him into the lounge. Rafael found a drink for each of them. He reached for a side plate. “Hungry?”