Dangerous Alliance. HELEN BIANCHIN

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СКАЧАТЬ ‘And lunch will be ready in thirty minutes.’

      ‘You shouldn’t have gone to any trouble,’ Leanne protested, knowing she’d have difficulty in consuming more than a few mouthfuls of anything.

      ‘Nonsense,’ Eleni admonished, and her appraisal of Leanne’s slender frame became faintly critical. ‘You have lost weight. In one so small, that is not good.’

      ‘If I ate even a half of what you served me, I’d go back to the Coast half a stone heavier and one dress size larger.’

      Eleni looked slightly perplexed. ‘But this time you stay. Yes?’

      ‘Any messages, Eleni?’ Dimitri drawled, and Leanne intercepted an unspoken warning in his tone.

      ‘Your secretary rang. She is sending you faxes.’

      Leanne shot him a quick, enquiring glance as Eleni departed, and met his dark, discerning gaze.

      ‘Paige requested I take up temporary residence, as she didn’t want you to be in the house on your own.’

      Her stomach churned at the thought of having to live, even for a short time, in such close proximity to a man with whom she felt the antithesis of comfortable.

      She drew a deep breath, then exhaled it slowly as she sought to keep her voice light. ‘I fail to see why, when I’ve lived alone for the past five years. Besides, Eleni and George live above the garages.’

      His eyes narrowed fractionally. ‘Go upstairs and unpack. We’ll talk over lunch.’

      About what, for heaven’s sake?

      Her bedroom was spacious, airy, and had a splendid view of the pool and gardens. The muted colour scheme was restful, the furniture the epitome of elegance with its imported silk upholstery, and the adjoining en-suite bathroom was a feminine delight in the palest pink travertine marble with crystal and gold fittings.

      Without further thought, she discarded her clothes and stepped into the shower cubicle, emerging minutes later to select elegant trousers and a top in pale sage-green cotton, then, dressed, she tended to her hair and make-up.

      It was almost one when she entered the kitchen, and Eleni cast her a warm smile.

      ‘You are just in time. Everything is ready, except for the bread.’

      ‘I’ll take it through,’ Leanne offered promptly as she crossed to the oven. ‘Anything else?’

      ‘Just the lamb. The salads are on the table.’

      It looked like a feast fit for a king, and far more than two people could possibly eat. There was chilled wine resting in a silver bucket, two exquisite crystal flutes, silver cutlery and the finest bone china.

      Eleni took extreme pride in the house, preparing food and presenting a fine table. Paige was a gracious employer who attested that material possessions were useless if they reposed in cupboards and cabinets merely for visual display.

      Dimitri entered the room within minutes, smiled indulgently at Eleni’s fussing, then took a seat opposite Leanne as the older woman retreated to the kitchen.

      ‘Wine?’

      ‘No—thank you,’ Leanne refused with the utmost politeness.

      ‘The keys to Paige’s Mercedes are in the top drawer of the cabinet in the foyer,’ he informed her as he filled his glass.

      ‘Thank you.’

      His eyes narrowed slightly. ‘You’re hardly a guest, Leanne. The car, or anything else you need, is at your disposal.’

      She was about to utter thanks for the third time, then opted against it, choosing instead to attempt to do justice to the excellent Greek salad Eleni had prepared.

      Perhaps if she concentrated on food, this crazy ambivalence would disappear. It was quite mad, but she felt as if she was teetering on the edge of a precipice, and nothing could shake her acute feeling of apprehension.

      Overwrought, overtired and consumed with anxiety—all of which was quite logical in light of her mother’s state of health, she qualified as she speared a segment of feta cheese and attacked an olive.

      The delicately roasted lamb fared little better, and she forked a few mouthfuls then pushed the remaining meat and accompanying vegetables round her plate before discarding it completely.

      ‘Not hungry?’

      ‘Eleni will disapprove,’ she offered ruefully.

      Dimitri pushed his napkin on to the table and leaned back in his chair. ‘Relax, Leanne.’ His eyes were dark, enigmatic, yet there was a tinge of mockery evident.

      ‘What topic would you suggest we politely pursue? The state of the nation, the weather? Your latest property acquisition?’

      ‘Paige,’ he insisted quietly. ‘Her wishes, and what we intend to do about them.’

      Dear lord, he didn’t pull any punches—just aimed straight for the jugular. ‘There isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do to please her,’ she assured him without hesitation.

      ‘Without exception?’

      She didn’t need to think. ‘Of course.’

      Dimitri regarded her in silence for several long seconds, his gaze infinitely speculative beneath faintly hooded lids. ‘Even assuming the pretence of a romantic alliance with me?’

      CHAPTER TWO

      FOR an instant Leanne was robbed of the power of speech, then the colour drained from her face, leaving it pale.

      ‘I don’t find that suggestion very amusing,’ she said at last.

      Dimitri’s eyes never left hers, their dark depths faintly brooding, and she had the instinctive feeling that he had already weighed all the angles and was intent on playing a manipulative game.

      ‘I’m perfectly serious.’

      The breath seemed suddenly locked in her throat, and she swallowed compulsively in the need to regain her voice. ‘Why?’

      ‘Paige is concerned for your future,’ he offered, noting the faint wariness which was apparent.

      Logic vied with rationale, then mingled with a degree of angry resentment. ‘I’ve lived an independent life for more than four years. My future is secure, and afterwards...’ She trailed to a halt, then forced herself to continue. ‘I’ll simply return to the Coast.’

      ‘Where you’ll become an easy prey for fortune hunters,’ Dimitri accorded indolently.

      ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she denied at once. ‘This house, everything, will revert to you.’

      ‘The house, yes. However, there are annuities you will inherit from a number of Kostakidas-affiliated corporations. There’s also an apartment СКАЧАТЬ