âMarius, why have you come back like this?â
His mouth curled in the smile sheâd always hated. The smile that mocked without amusement. That did not reach the wariness of his eyes.
He said softly, âBecause I received an invitation. An offer I couldnât refuse.â
âBut what do you want?â Lydieâs voice almost cracked in desperation.
âAh.â Marius was silent for a moment.
âThat, I think, remains to be seen.â His gaze met hers in a challenge, like a blow.
âMaybe Iâve come back for you.â
CHAPTER ONE
LYDIE went up the stairs to the gallery two at a time, the plastic dress carrier bumping against her legs as she ran.
As she pushed open the door, Nell, her partner, turned with an interrogative smile from the ceramics display she was dusting. âWell?â
Lydie flourished the pastel-striped carrier. âMission accomplished.â
âAnd at the eleventh hour by the sound of it.â Nell paused. âYour motherâs telephoned three times in the past hour, each call more agitated than the last.â
âAustinâs birthday party always affects her like this.â Lydie wrinkled her nose. âI expect the caterers have brought the wrong-shaped canapes.â
âActually, it sounded rather more serious than that,â said Nell. âShe was in such a state, she actually forgot to snub me. Maybe youâd better ring her.â
Lydie shook her head. âThe crisis can wait till I get home, by which time it will probably be over,â she said drily. âSometimes Mama finds the role of Mrs Austin Benedict rather cramping, so when the chance of injecting some extra drama comes along she plays it for all sheâs worthâ
âWell, you know her better than I do,â Nell said lightly. She nodded at the carrier. âGoing to show me your costume for tonightâs mammoth production?â
Lydie hesitated. âIâve got an even better idea. Change your mind and come to the party as my guest,â she urged.
Nell shook her head. âCanât be done, love.â
âBut how the hell are you and Jon going to make up your quarrel if you donât see each other?â Lydie demanded on a note of exasperation.
âWe havenât quarrelled,â Nell said patiently. âWeâve just put our engagement on hold while Jon decides what to do with his life.â
âIn other words, heâs to give up his job at Benco Mill.â Lydieâs face sobered. âI donât know if thatâs possible, Nell.â
âI think it has to be,â Nell said gently. She was a tall girl with a serene face and brown hair gathered into a thick plait. âHeâs an artist, Lydie. He doesnât belong at Benco and you know it.â
Lydie bit her lip. âYes,â she said. âI know it. But you donât realise the pressure heâs under...â
âOh, but I do,â Nell said quietly. âNone better. But Jonâs got to decide whether to fight it or let himself be dragged into some dead-end future where heâll never be happy or fulfilled.â Her smile was small and wintry. âAnd if he settles for that heâs not the man for me.â
There was an unhappy silence.
In the eighteen months since theyâd started the gallery together Lydie had realised more and more the quiet strength of will which existed behind Nellâs laid-back manner. Sheâd been delighted when she and Jon had begun seeing each other. Jon had dated a lot of girls in his time, none of them seriously. Now, for the first time, Lydie had seen her brotherâs fickle attention focused and concentrated, watched him mature and grow as never before under Nellâs calm tutelage.
Not that it had been roses all the way, she admitted wryly. Nell was gifted and hard-working, and between the pair of them the gallery was managing to pay its way, but her friend had neither the money nor the social background to make her a suitable wife for Debra Benedictâs son. As her mother had made clear from their first meeting.