"Well, there's your new angle. Turn the Caspian into an alternative health center. You can offer thirteenth century treatments for the authentic Caspian experience. Guests will pay you a small fortune and all you have to do is stick a few leeches on them and feed them herbal tea."
Andre laughed. "You're a bit off with your dates. Leeches were used more recently. In the thirteenth century they probably ate lizards' tongues." He tapped his fingers against his lips. "I'll have to read up on it."
"Don't get carried away. I was only joking."
"I know, but the subject's interesting." She stumbled on her tender ankle and Andre clenched the muscles in his arm to support her. "Good job I'm here or you'd be flat on your face."
Kate giggled, intoxicated with the pleasure of his company. "Have you been working out, Mr. Le Court?" She squeezed his biceps playfully. "You didn't get these pushing a pen around."
"I do twenty minutes of exercise each morning when I wake up."
"You've got a home gym hidden in the closet. Why didn't I guess?"
He laughed. "I just do a few pushups and stomach crunches, that sort of thing."
Her imagination provided images of Andre, shirtless, doing interesting things on his bedroom floor. Then a memory she had nearly forgotten flashed back. "Hey, you used to do pushups on the beach. I counted for you. I poured cold water on you if you didn't make fifty."
"I aim for a hundred these days."
"Wow, Mr. Universe, watch out. I could do with toning up. Perhaps I should join you." As they approached the open front door, light jazz music filtered through from the back garden.
Andre stepped aside to let her enter first. "You'll never wake up that early."
"You could wake me." She winced inwardly. Squirming around half naked on the floor with Andre was not the brightest idea if she wanted to stay sane. These emotional kamikaze tendencies must be due to postnatal hormones.
"You can exercise at leisure in the gym at the Caspian. Why get up early?"
The click of heels on the wooden parquet floor saved her from answering. Elizabeth Delacroix prowled toward them, her beautiful curtain of chestnut hair glowing beneath the lights. The woman gave Kate a cursory glance before fixing her attention on Andre. "Good evening," she said, her gaze cruising over his body.
Andre cleared his throat and straightened his cuffs. "Hello, Liz. How's Edmund this evening? Feeling better, I hope."
"Fine," Elizabeth said, stepping forward to take Andre's arm. Kate got there first. She may only be a pretend fiancée, but she had her pride. Kate slid her arm firmly through his.
Elizabeth shot her an irritated glance and turned to indicate the open French doors at the end of the hall. "My grandfather's waiting for you outside. Follow me."
She sashayed along in front of them. Kate glanced at Andre to see if he was watching Elizabeth's swaying posterior. He wasn't. Tiny lines formed between his eyebrows and he looked down and patted his pockets. "Kat, I forgot to give you the engagement ring," he whispered. "Liz, we just need to use the bathroom," he said louder. "Tell Edmund we'll be out in a moment."
Elizabeth frowned."Okay then. Don't be long." She smoothed her dress over her hips and walked out.
Andre opened a door and they slipped into a dining room. Lights outside shone in the windows and reflected off the mirror polish on a walnut table. He closed the door quietly and led Kate across to the window. From his pocket he withdrew a small navy leather box embossed with the words, HARRODS LONDON, S.W. and handed it to her. "If we're going to pull this off, we need to make it look convincing."
Kate opened the lid and angled the box toward the light. Nestled in fine white velvet was a silver-colored ring. In an old-fashioned setting surrounded by seed pearls, the golden stone sparkled in the darkness like a drop of crystal fire. "Andre…" She pressed a hand to her heart. The ring was so pretty and unexpected her voice trembled. "It's lovely. Where did you get it?"
"It belonged to my grandmother." He took the ring out and slipped the box back in his pocket. "It's white gold set with a champagne diamond. I thought it was beautiful and a little unusual, just your sort of thing."
He lifted her left hand and they both stared at the tiger's eye glowing on her third finger. The ring he had given her when they were young and naive enough to think dreams came true. Emotion churned through her. "You've still got it," he said in a gruff whisper.
Before she could answer, Kate had to swallow the lump in her throat. "I never take it off. They made me stick a Band-Aid over it when I had Keiko."
Kate tugged on the tiger's eye ring, but it didn't budge. Andre tried to pull it off and her skin burned. "Careful, I like that finger."
"We need some soap. That's what they use in movies." He grasped her hand and headed for the door.
They found a bathroom upstairs that was as big as the sitting room in Andre's cottage. Under the window was an old-fashioned sink, which would make a perfect bath for Keiko, and a claw foot bathtub stood against the wall.
Andre guided her to the sink, squeezed a blob of liquid soap on her finger, and massaged it in. He twisted the ring and it moved. "I think we're getting somewhere." A few seconds later it slipped off. She washed the soap away, rubbing the dent in her finger. She had never told Dan where the tiger's eye came from. The ring was all she had left of Andre and she wouldn't give it up.
Andre retrieved the engagement ring from his pocket and she presented him with her left hand, biting her lip to hold back the flood of memories. "Let's hope nobody notices your swollen, red finger," he said as he slipped the ring on. "That's good. It fits perfectly." And it did. Almost as if it had been made for her.
Gold sparks flashed in the diamond as she twisted her hand beneath the light. How would she feel if the engagement were real, if he'd taken her down to the beach at twilight and proposed like he'd done when he was sixteen?
The night before he left for boarding school, they'd sat on their favorite rock hand in hand and watched the setting sun turn the sea to liquid gold. Andre had pushed the tiger's eye ring on her finger and asked her to marry him when he left school. Then he kissed her on the lips for the first and last time. Unsure how to respond, Kate had burst out laughing and ruined the emotional moment. Later, he'd laughed as well and told her it was a joke, but it hadn't been. She knew that now. She'd hurt his feelings, and he'd never given her a chance to apologize.
"Do you like it?" His words brought her back to the room.
"It's perfect, Andre." She attempted to grin and willed away the tears pressing behind her eyes. "You'll have to watch I don't sneak off with it."
He blinked his thick, sooty lashes, lifted her hand and pressed his warm lips against her ring finger. "Beautiful," he whispered and his gaze rose to her mouth.
The faint sound of music filtered in through the window. A tap dripped and the pipes hummed as someone ran water in another part of the house. Kate's lungs burned and she sucked in a breath. Andre stepped closer. Desire shivered in the air between them, a palpable force.
"Andre, are you upstairs?" Elizabeth Delacroix's voice sliced through the moment, and the spell broke.
"In here, Liz. We're just coming." He opened the bathroom door and Elizabeth leaned a hand on the door frame.
"Sorry to pester you, but Grandpa's asking for you."
"That's fine. We're done in here aren't we, Kat?"
Kate shrugged, taking a moment to recover from her wildly fluctuating emotions. Being with Andre was messing with her head. She mustn't let this charade suck her in. They weren't engaged and his youthful declaration of love had been nine years ago. Since then he'd changed his mind and moved on. He obviously still liked her and they got along well, but their lives had taken them in different directions. They were friends, nothing more.
Andre led them downstairs. Elizabeth walked beside Kate. "Andre tells me you worked for a London advertising agency. That's what I want to do. You must tell me about it, later."
The last thing Kate wanted was be gri
lled by Elizabeth. She was bound to ask awkward questions about Andre and the engagement. When Elizabeth went on ahead, Kate leaned in to Andre and whispered under her breath, "Don't you dare leave me alone with her."
"That's a deal. If we stick together she can't corner me alone, either."
As they walked out onto the terrace, Kate hesitated and clung to Andre's arm. She hadn't expected there to be so many people. All around her, elegant men and women chatted and laughed together, confident they belonged among the wealthy, fashionable set. Kate wasn't sure she could carry this off. "I'm nervous about pretending to be your fiancée. What if they don't believe I'm a successful designer? What if they realize I'm an imposter?"
He frowned at her. "You are a successful designer. You're talented, Kat. I trust you to rebrand the Caspian. We're not making that up. All we've done is change your image so these people see what they expect to see when I introduce you as my fiancée. That's not because there's anything wrong with you. We're just pandering to their prejudices."
Pandering to their prejudices? Did that mean Andre liked her as she was before the image change? She needed to think about what he'd said, but now was not the time.
Andre indicated an elderly man sitting in a large peacock-backed wicker chair beside the pool. Dressed immaculately in a burgundy brocade jacket and cream slacks, the man cradled a balloon glass in his hands. "Our host. My mentor and good friend, Edmund Delacroix."
As they approached, Edmund returned his glass to the table and holding out both hands he gripped Andre's with affection. "Good evening, Andre. It is a pleasure to see you."
"The pleasure is mine. I hope you're feeling better, old friend." The genuine fondness in Andre's smile reminded Kate of the way he used to look at his grandfather. Edmund had obviously filled the gap left in his life when the old man died. She was relieved somebody had stood by him and helped him. Andre rested a hand on her back and drew her closer. "Edmund, I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Kate Frost."
Edmund's smile faltered for an instant, then his thin lips stretched in welcome. He held out his hand and she took it, surprised by the strength of his handshake. "I'm delighted to meet you, Kate. You seem to have popped up out of nowhere. How long have you and Andre been acquainted?"
Kate opened her mouth and closed it again. What would Andre want her to say?
"Since she was a few weeks old," Andre said, coming to her rescue. "We were childhood sweethearts who lost each other then found each other again."
Their host nodded slowly, his gaze darting between them, following Andre's hand as he touched Kate's arm. He might be old, but Kate was certain he didn't miss a thing. "Then I'm pleased you have found each other again. I hope you'll be very happy together."
The sincerity in Edmund's voice left Kate feeling uncomfortable. He seemed like a nice old guy and she hated deceiving him. Edmund's gaze alighted on the engagement ring. "You've given her the London diamond, I see. Quite appropriate under the circumstances. The ring too was lost and found, Kate."
A man arrived with two wicker chairs and set them down at Edmund's side. Once Kate was settled between Edmund and Andre, their host fixed his intelligent blue gaze on her. "Has Andre told you the story about your engagement ring?"
She shook her head, growing more uncomfortable by the moment.
"Andre's grandmother nearly didn't receive that ring. My good friend, George Le Court, bought it as a surprise gift to celebrate the birth of Andre's father. Then the dopey old bugger fell asleep on the train from London and forgot the Harrods' bag. Nearly six months passed before George got a call from lost property at Waterloo station." Edmund leaned forward and slapped his hands on his knees. "Would you believe some fellow handed it in!" He shook his head. "What happened to the ring in those six months? It's a mystery, don't you think? Andre's grandmother called the ring her lucky charm. I hope it proves lucky for you two, as well."
Kate spread her hand on her lap and examined the beautiful diamond and tiny seed pearls again, her chest tight and achy. This ring was far more than just a pretty trinket. It had a history that meant something to Andre. Why had he risked using the ring for this charade when it might get damaged or lost?
Someone brought a snifter of brandy for Andre and a small white wine for Kate. Edmund raised his glass, touched it to Kate's and then to Andre's. "Congratulations. May your union be blessed with many children."
Immediately Keiko came to mind and Kate yearned to cuddle and kiss her baby, to know she was safe. How long did they have to stay here? She glanced at Andre and found him watching her. He gave her a gentle, reassuring smile and squeezed her hand as if to say he understood.
"So, what's this Liz tells me about Kate taking over the Caspian project?" Edmund asked.
"I'm sorry to disappoint Liz, but now that Kate's here it makes sense for her to work on my rebranding strategy," Andre said. "She knows the Caspian as well as I do and understands what I'm looking for."
"And I doubt she'll charge you!" Edmund added with a wry smile.
Andre laughed. "We haven't discussed fees. If I ply her with champagne and chocolates she might let me off lightly."
"Do remember that if Kate needs help or a second opinion, my Lizzy is eager to help."
"That's great. Thank you," Kate said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
"Tell me, Kate, have you worked on anything high profile I might remember?"
Kate's mind went as blank as an untouched canvas. She hated talking about her creative work with anyone outside the industry. Her gaze flew to Andre's face. The warm glow of encouragement in his eyes calmed her, and she focused her thoughts. "Do you remember a television ad that ran a couple of years ago where a sports car on a beach raced waves that turned into horses? That was my idea. It was nominated for an award. We didn't get it, but it was close."
"I have to admit, I'm not a great television watcher." Edmund gave her a self-deprecating smile. "Apart from golf, that is. But I do recall your commercial. I believe it was on around the time they were showing an irritating commercial where a large orange house exploded."
Kate nodded. "That's the ad that won the award."
"Well, my dear, take heart. Yours had far more class. I'm sure the Caspian's image is safe in your hands."
Elizabeth returned and helped Edmund stand. "I'm afraid I must do my duty and circulate now," he said. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Kate."
As soon as Edmund was a safe distance away, Kate relaxed and sighed with relief.
"I thought that went rather well," Andre said.
"It was okay for you. I felt as though I was being interviewed by a Mafia godfather. One wrong word, and I'd be wearing cement boots at the bottom of St. Brelade's Bay."
"Metaphorically speaking, of course," he said with a grin.
Probably not if it were up to Elizabeth.
Andre stood and picked up her wine glass. "I'll get rid of this and bring you some soda. I won't be long."
He weaved his way through the crowd, stopping now and then to exchange a few words with other guests. When he disappeared from sight, Kate rose and wandered beside the swimming pool where it was deserted. The heels of her sandals tapped her retreat on the smoky marble tiles.
Lit from below, the water glowed bright turquoise. Tendrils of steam rose from the surface. Kate crouched and dipped her fingers in the warm water. How she wished she and Andre were alone and could take a private swim. Crazy after how he'd hurt her, but she still wanted him.
She wandered back along the opposite side of the pool, her attention captured by the spectacular nighttime view across St. Aubin's Bay to the lights of St. Helier.
"Well, well, it's Frosty Kate." The man's voice sent a shiver through her. For a horrible moment she thought it was Jerry Markham. The obnoxious reporter called her by the same nickname she'd loathed at school. But as she surveyed the man, she realized he was far worse than any reporter. Eric Tierman, one of her nastiest childhood tormentors, stood a short distance away. Light illuminated his s
hort fair hair like a halo, but Kate knew from bitter experience he was certainly no angel.
She backed up a couple of steps, her heart pounding with remembered fear. He looked different, smartly dressed, his hair fashionably cut and gelled, a goatee beard making him appear even more intimidating than before.
His gaze swept up and down her body. "You're the last person I expected to see here. I thought you left the island." He sucked in his cheeks in a familiar gesture that chilled her.
She pulled her shoulders back and straightened her spine. No way would she give him the satisfaction of seeing he still scared her. He took a step closer and she forced her feet not to retreat. "I didn't expect to see you either so I guess we're even. Anyway, I'd better get back. Edmund will wonder where I've gone."
"You know Edmund Delacroix?" At his obvious surprise, satisfaction rushed through her.
"Of course," she bluffed. "Don't you?"
"Are you one of Liz's friends? She's never mentioned you. Does she know that fashion photographer guy on TV you're going out with? Is that why you're here?"
The reassuring pressure of Andre's warm hand steadied Kate's back. "I think you must have the wrong end of the stick, Tierman. Kate's my fiancée."
A warm buzz filled Kate at the flash of discomfort on Eric Tierman's face. "Andre, hi," he said, hesitantly. "I didn't realize you were here."
Andre slipped his arm around Kate's waist and eased her closer. "Edmund's a good friend of mine. I'm surprised to see you, though. A little out of your league, aren't you?"
"My firm won the contract to remodel Liz's new office. She suggested I come along tonight to network." Eric reached inside his jacket, pulled out a business card and offered it to Andre.
Kate glanced from one man to the other, remembering the day Eric had pushed her off her bike and Andre had fought him. Eric had been bigger than Andre and beaten him badly. Eric was still stockier, but Andre now had at least three inches on him.
Andre made no move to take the business card and Eric withdrew it, his cheeks flushing. "I hear you might be planning building work on the Caspian Manor. I'd be interested in giving you a quote. Tierman & Son are very competitive on price."
Unbreak My Heart (Childhood Sweethearts Reunited) Page 7