The Helen Bianchin Collection. HELEN BIANCHIN

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СКАЧАТЬ but worthy of investment.’ He riffled through the catalogue pages and brought the item to Alejandro’s notice, then made his excuses as someone else demanded his attention.

      ‘I happen to like Max Boyd,’ Elise protested as Alejandro’s amused gaze rested on her expressive features.

      ‘So do I,’ he assured her, and, placing an arm round her waist, he directed her towards a display. ‘Shall we begin viewing?’

      Some paintings verged on the bizarre, others resembled caricatures of design over brilliant slashes of colour. One in particular looked as if a child at kindergarten level had indulged in a totally wild battle with numerous pots of multi-coloured paint.

      ‘What do you think?’

      Elise turned towards Alejandro and endeavoured to present a considered viewpoint. After several seconds she voiced with restraint, ‘I’d prefer not to answer on the grounds that anything I say could be overheard, taken into account, and held against me.’

      ‘A remarkable nonconformist piece,’ Alejandro drawled knowledgeably, and her eyes danced as she nodded in silent agreement. ‘Shall we move on?’

      ‘Please.’

      There were a number of guests present whom she had met before, and for the next hour she exchanged pleasantries, accepted an invitation for an upcoming fashion parade, deferred to Alejandro on no less than three dinner invitations, and she was just beginning to find the evening a relaxing venture when she glimpsed a familiar head several feet distant.

      Savannah. As if by design the guests shifted position so that the model’s body profile was in clear view: a stunning figure, attired in a flamboyant gown that on anyone one else would have looked totally outrageous.

      Elise forced herself to meet Savannah’s intent gaze, and for one brief second she witnessed unadulterated venom before it was masked. A slight smile appeared in acknowledgement before Savannah turned towards her partner, and Elise was unable to prevent a slight shiver.

      Did Alejandro know Savannah was here? It was a distinct probability.

      ‘More mineral water?’

      ‘Thank you.’

      ‘We should be able to get away in less than an hour. We’ll go on to dinner afterwards,’ Alejandro said quietly.

      ‘Have you already booked?’

      He named a well-known restaurant famed for its fine cuisine. ‘You would prefer somewhere else?’

      ‘Quiet, out of the way, with little chance of meeting anyone we know?’ she suggested hopefully.

      ‘I can recollect a few.’

      Suitable for clandestine meetings? Damn, she had to stop resorting to destructive introspection! ‘Of course, we could buy a take-away meal on the way home.’

      ‘Anything in particular?’

      ‘Chinese?’

      His eyes gleamed with humour. ‘I’ll cancel the restaurant from the car.’

      ‘Thank you.’

      He lifted a hand and brushed his fingers lightly across her cheek. ‘Just where precisely do you intend we eat?’

      She looked at him with undue solemnity. ‘Dressed like this?’ she enquired innocently. ‘At the dining-room table. Where else?’

      ‘We could always change first.’

      ‘And eat out on the terrace?’ She offered a singularly sweet smile. ‘What a wonderful idea.’

      The depths of his eyes took on a dark brilliance. ‘Minx. Remind me to extract due penance.’

      ‘You wouldn’t dare.’

      A slow, wicked smile tugged the edges of his mouth, and his voice held infinite indolence. ‘Just watch me.’

      Every bone in her body began to feel liquefied at the thought of precisely how he would exact atonement. ‘I think,’ she said unsteadily, ‘we should attempt to continue our viewing, don’t you?’

      ‘An excellent suggestion.’

      It was after eight when they left, and almost nine before Alejandro garaged the car. The plastic carrier bag with its various containers emitted a mouthwatering aroma, and Elise slid off her shoes the moment they entered the house.

      ‘You intend to change before we eat?’

      She cast him a studied glance. ‘This gown cost a small fortune.’

      ‘So did my suit,’ drawled Alejandro.

      ‘Perhaps you should exchange it for something less formal.’

      ‘And save on the dry-cleaning bill?’

      ‘Naturally.’

      ‘I gather eating in bed would be considered the height of decadence?’

      She failed miserably in suppressing an impish smile. ‘It would be such a shame to waste the food.’

      ‘The terrace?’

      Her eyes twinkled with devilish humour. ‘Think of the moonlight.’

      He shrugged out of his jacket and placed it over a nearby chair. ‘Plates, cutlery, glasses?’

      She pretended due consideration. ‘I guess we could opt for informality,’ she decided as she picked up her shoes and made for the staircase. ‘Two forks, two glasses.’ She began mounting the stairs, then paused to look down at him. ‘Do you think you can manage that?’

      He removed the bow tie and loosened the top buttons on his shirt. ‘Don’t be too long, querida,’ he warned gently, and her mouth curved into a guileless smile.

      ‘Patience, Alejandro.’ She turned and slowly traversed the remaining stairs. In the bedroom she slipped out of the gown, then dressed in silk culottes and a loose top.

      Minutes later she walked out on to the terrace to find Alejandro seated at one of the outdoor tables, a portable lamp providing essential light, the food displayed in its various containers, and a slim flute of wine within easy reach. His shirt was undone almost to the waist, the cuffs rolled halfway up his forearms.

      Elise sank into a chair opposite, dipped a fork into chop suey, and savoured a mouthful with suitable enthusiasm, then repeated the process. ‘Isn’t this better than eating in a restaurant?’

      He forked a prawn into his mouth, then shot her a musing look. ‘This is quite good.’

      ‘Don’t sound so surprised.’ She met his gaze and wrinkled her nose at him in admonition. ‘The trouble is you’ve been thoroughly spoilt, with a personal cook and professional chefs to pander to your gourmand taste.’

      ‘Planning to re-educate me, Elise?’

      ‘In СКАЧАТЬ