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A Vengeful Reunion
CATHERINE GEORGE
Leonie Dysart has been working abroad since breaking her engagement to handsome property developer Jonah Savage. But she misses her large, lively family.Leonie returns for her brother's twenty-first birthday–and meets Jonah! He's determined to know why she jilted him seven years ago. Secretly Leonie's still in love with Jonah. But does the physical attraction that continues to flare between them mean that Jonah shares her feelings, or is it all part of his plan for revenge?
“I’ll make the land over to your father if you give me a full explanation as to why you left me.”
Leonie stared at him blankly. “You’re prepared to barter a valuable plot of land just to hear me tell you something you already know?”
“I don’t know. That’s the point.” He leaned forward, his eyes locked with hers. “I swear I was never unfaithful while we were together. I loved you, Leonie. And, fool that I am, I thought you loved me.”
“I did. You know I did.” Her eyes glistened suddenly with unshed tears. “But one day I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And my whole life fell apart.”
Jonah looked at her in expectant silence, which stretched Leonie’s nerves to the limit. “All right, Jonah, I’ll explain. But before I start there’s something I need to know. You’re not the only one after the truth. How many people actually know that Fenny is your daughter?”
A family with a passion for life—and for love.
Welcome to the first book in The Dysarts, a wonderful new series by favorite author Catherine George. A Vengeful Reunion tells the story of eldest daughter Leonie, who returns home for a family celebration and finds herself coming face-to-face with her former fiancé, Jonah Savage. The handsome property developer wants to know why she jilted him—even if that means resorting to a little blackmail and, since their mutual attraction remains as intense as ever, getting his revenge!
Over the coming months, you’ll get to know each member of the Dysart family, and share in their trials and joys, their hopes and dreams, as they live their lives with passion—and for love.
A Vengeful Reunion
Catherine George
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER ONE
SHE caught the train with seconds to spare. Breathless, she stowed her bag away, sank down into the nearest window seat, shrugged off her overcoat, then sat watching the fields of home rush by as she savoured the surprise she was about to spring.
Once she’d handed over her ticket she got up to head for the buffet car in search of coffee. Several male eyes followed her progress along the swaying carriage, but one pair, more intent than the rest, watched from behind a newspaper, resuming their covert scrutiny as she passed by again on her way back to her seat.
While she drank her coffee she went on with the book she’d started on the plane, and soon became absorbed enough to spare only peripheral attention when the train stopped at Swindon. When someone slid into the seat opposite she shifted her feet out of the way without looking up.
�Good book, Leo?’
Her head flew up as a laconic drawl severed her gaze from the page like a sword-thrust. Stunned, she stared into a lean, black-browed face she had once known only too well. The face was older than at their last meeting, with a few added lines and a new, arresting streak of silver in the ink-dark hair above it. But the high cheekbones and wide, beautifully cut mouth delivered the same, unforgettable impact.
�Well, well, Jonah Savage,’ she said at last. �How are you?’
�At the moment amazed to find myself face to face with the elusive Miss Dysart,’ he retorted. �Something it’s been damned difficult to achieve these past few years.’
She smiled politely. �I still work abroad.’
His brief smile of response stopped short of icy hazel-green eyes. �So what brings you back?’
�It’s Adam’s twenty-first today. There’s a party at home.’
�I heard you couldn’t make it.’
Her eyes narrowed. �You did? How?’
�I’ve been spending time at the Pennington office. I’ve seen your father quite often lately.’
Leonie received the information with hot resentment, and considered moving to another seat. But that would look childish. And there was only an hour to go; even less if Jonah was leaving the train at Bristol Parkway. �Where are you heading?’ she asked.
�Why, Leo?’ he drawled. �Eager to get rid of me?
She shrugged her indifference.
�I’ll take that as a no.’ His eyes locked onto hers like a heat-seeking missile. �So. How’s life in Florence?’
�Interesting.’
�Are you knee-deep in passionate Italian suitors?’
�No,’ she returned coolly. �Just one.’
He raised a sardonic eyebrow. �Swept off your feet by Latin charm?’
�Something like that.’
He stood up abruptly. �I’m off to buy a drink. Can I get you something?’
Leonie refused, then slumped down in her seat in shock as she watched the tall, retreating figure. Jonah Savage had changed considerably since their last meeting. Which was only to be expected. A lot could happen—had happened—in seven years. But the eyes were the same. Like a prowling panther, according to her sister Jess.
�How’s business?’ she asked, when Jonah returned.
�Very good.’ He looked at her analytically. �How’s yours? Do you still enjoy teaching?’
�I do. Very much.’
His wide, expressive mouth curled slightly. �And what else do you enjoy in Florence, I wonder?’
�Are you being offensive?’
�Not in the least. Just interested.’
Leonie met the relentless eyes with composure. �My job has expanded over the years. In the day I teach English to Italian children and Italian to little Brits and other expatriate offspring. I supervise games and swimming. And some evenings I give one-to-one English lessons, mainly to businessmen.’
He raised an eyebrow. �Not much time to spare for your lover.’
Leonie shrugged, refusing to rise. �My weekends are free, and I teach some evenings, not all of them.’
�Is your man in the same profession?’
�No. Roberto’s involved in the family business—luxury hotels.’
�Successful?’
�Very. He’s the heir apparent. Just like you with your outfit.’
Jonah sipped his coffee, scrutinising her feature by feature. �You look very different, Leo.’
�Older, you mean.’
�And colder. Or maybe it’s just the way you’ve screwed up your hair.’
She returned the scrutiny. �You look different, too, Jonah. Harder. And colder, just like me.’
�And what—or who—is responsible for that, I wonder?’ he cut back, the eyes narrowed suddenly to a feral gleam.
Gloves off, thought Leonie, meeting the gleam head-on. �It’s useless to rehash the past, Jonah.’
�Afraid you might call up old ghosts?’ His eyes widened in sudden, stark remorse. �Hell, Leo, I’m sorry. I had no intention—’
�I know that!’ She changed the subject swiftly, saying the first thing that came into her head. �So tell me why you’re travelling my way.’
�The company’s bought a property not far from your place. We’re developing the site. I’m camping out there for a while until I get proper security set up.’
�What house?’ said Leonie, frowning. �There’s not usually much for sale round Stavely.’
�Brockhill,’ he informed her.
�I didn’t know the Laceys were selling up,’ she said, startled.
�They decided the property was too big for them.’
Leonie felt a sharp pang of regret. �Their family will miss the old place. When we were young Jess and I used to play in the gardens there with Theo and Will Lacey.’ She shivered. �I’d hate Dad to sell Friars Wood.’
�Why?’
�Because it’s my home, of course.’
�You don’t spend much time there, Leo.’ Cold eyes held hers. �And if you marry your Italian home will be a long way from Friars Wood.’
�That’s not the point,’ she said tightly. �The house is my point of origin. Home to the Dysarts for nearly a hundred years. I couldn’t bear to think of someone else living there.’
Jonah glanced at his watch and got to his feet. �Almost there. I’d better collect my belongings. Goodbye, Leonie.’ He gave an oddly formal little bow and strolled back to his seat.
Leonie stared after him, secretly furious that he’d left so abruptly. She should have told Jonah to go the moment she’d laid eyes on him, but now he’d pre-empted her. And called her Leonie, as he’d never done once upon a time. Appalled because she minded so much, she tried to revive her former glow of anticipation. But suddenly she felt tired and travel-weary, and not much in the mood for a party after seeing Jonah again, especially the noisy affair this one was sure to be. Adam had celebrated his actual birthday with fellow students days ago, but tonight they were converging on Friars Wood to celebrate all over again, along with neighbours and friends of the Dysarts. Adam had surprised his parents by requesting a family party for everyone, Leonie had been informed, during her weekly call home from Florence.
At first, bitterly disappointed, Leonie had been sure she couldn’t make it. A flu bug had almost halved the teaching staff at the International School, making her absence impossible. But when the epidemic had spread to some of the children the principal had decided to close the school for a while until the epidemic was over. Keeping the glad news secret from her family, Leonie had rushed to buy an airline ticket, kissed Roberto Forli goodbye at Pisa airport and flown home.
When the train was approaching Bristol Parkway Leonie saw Jonah Savage coming towards her along the carriage.
�Is someone meeting you here?’ he asked, pausing beside her.
She shook her head, wishing she’d given up the surprise idea and asked her father or Adam to meet her. �No one knows I’m coming. I’m going on to Newport. I’ll get a train from there.’
�My car’s parked here, if you’d like a lift,’ he said casually. �I pass your place on the way to Brockhill.’
Her first instinct was to refuse anything at all from Jonah Savage. But the plus of arriving home almost two hours earlier than she’d expected far outweighed the downside of a drive in Jonah’s company. �Thank you,’ said Leonie, getting up.
�Not at all,’ he said politely, as though they were strangers. �Let me help you on with your coat.’
As he did so the train gave a sudden lurch, throwing her against him, and for the first time in years Leonie Dysart found herself in Jonah Savage’s arms. He released her instantly, poker-faced, took her bag and motioned her ahead of him as the train drew to a halt. Leonie stepped off the train, shivering in the cold February wind, and from rather more than that. She was glad when Jonah set off up the stairs to the footbridge at such a punishing pace it quickly did wonders for both her body heat and her composure as she tried to keep up.
To Leonie’s surprise Jonah’s car was a well-worn four-wheel drive, very different from the speedy sports models he’d once favoured.
�Practical for your part of the world,’ he said laconically, picking up on her thought.
�Very,’ she agreed, tensing as Jonah negotiated a busy roundabout with well-remembered panache.
�Don’t worry,’ he assured her with a sidelong glance. �I’ll get you home in one piece.’
�It just seems strange to be on the left-hand side of the road,’ she snapped.
Her oblique reference to life in Italy put an end to conversation as Jonah made for the motorway. But when they reached the Severn Bridge a gusting wind buffeted the car rather ominously as they crossed the river, and Leonie gave a deep, involuntary sigh.
�Still nervous?’ asked Jonah, glancing at her.
She smiled. �Not in the least. The sigh was thanksgiving. Once I’m on the bridge I feel I’m home.’
Jonah’s jaw tightened. �If you’re so deeply attached to “home” why stay away so much?’
�You know exactly why,’ she said bitterly.
�Now that, Miss Dysart, is where you’re wrong. I do not. I have no idea why you ran off and left me, nor the reasons for your self-imposed exile.’ He turned a chill, penetrating stare on her for a moment, then returned his attention to the road as he negotiated the descent into Chepstow. �I got back from New Zealand to read your charming little note ordering me to stay away from you in future. Everything was over between us, you wrote. Unfortunately you omitted a single word of explanation. By that time the funeral was over and you were in Italy, refusing to see me or take my calls, and returning my letters as fast as I posted them. Somehow I could never bring myself to bare my soul in a fax,’ he added cuttingly. �Nor risk the possibility of some Florentine door slammed in my face if I came after you in person.’
�As I said before,’ said Leonie coldly, �it’s pointless to rehash the past. Besides,’ she added, with sudden heat, �don’t try to play the jilted innocent, Jonah. You know exactly why I—’
�Dumped me?’ he said affably.
Leonie glared at him as she pulled a cellphone from her bag. �Either stop talking about it or let me out of the car. I can always ring Dad.’
Jonah gave her a searing glance, then drove on in such absolute silence, as she’d requested, that by the end of the journey to Stavely, and home, Leonie was desperate to get out of the car.
�Drop me outside the gates, please,’ she said tersely. �I can walk up to the house.’
He ignored her as they reached the final rise towards Friars Wood, which, like several of its neighbours, was set back from the road in acres of garden and perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Wye Valley. To Leonie’s fury Jonah turned in at the gates, driving up the steep, rising bends of the drive to draw up on the terrace in front of the house. The front door immediately flew open, and Adam Dysart hurtled out, grinning from ear to ear as he sprinted down the path and took a flying leap down the steps to pluck his sister from the car into a bear-like hug.
�You made it after all!’ he crowed, and whirled her round like a dervish until Leonie begged to be put down, by which time her father and mother were hurrying down to join them. There was a flurry of delighted greetings and kisses as Tom and Frances Dysart welcomed their eldest child home, and, after a swift, incredulous look, behaved as though it were the most natural thing in the world to find Jonah had driven her there.
�Look out!’ yelled Adam, as a yellow retriever came streaking up the lawn to hurl itself on Leonie. Jonah’s arms shot out to catch her as she tripped, and in the ensuing hubbub any awkwardness was smoothed over as Frances Dysart ordered everyone inside, insisted Jonah came in for a drink, and told her son to go and look for the girls.
�They took Marzi for a walk,’ she explained. �So now they’re probably running round in circles, searching for him.’
Leonie hurried inside the house to breathe in the familiar home scents of flowers and cooking and polish, and the occasional whiff of dog. In the kitchen, which had once been two rooms, Frances waved Jonah to a seat with Tom at the oak table the family used for informal meals, then took Leonie with her to the business end of the room. She filled a kettle, put cakes on a plate and took cookies from a tin as she exclaimed over her daughter’s surprise appearance.
Leonie leaned against the central island, aware of Jonah talking quietly to her father on the far side of the room as she explained about the flu bug and its unexpected bonus, and how she’d met Jonah by accident on the train and accepted a lift from him.
Frances Dysart gave her a searching look, but made no comment. �I’m sorry for the flu victims, but it’s so good to see you, darling. Roberto couldn’t come with you?’ she added in an undertone, pouring tea.
�No, too busy,’ said Leonie guiltily, fondling the excited dog. The idea of suave, sophisticated Roberto Forli at a party with carousing undergraduates had been so unimaginable she hadn’t invited him. �Besides, there wouldn’t have been room to put him up if Adam’s crowd are staying the night.’
�We would have managed,’ her mother assured her. �Take these cakes over to your father and Jonah; I’ll bring the tea. Where can those girls have gone?’ she added anxiously. �It’s getting late.’
Leonie put the plate on the table in front of the men, then darted to the window. �Here they come now. Something’s wrong.’
Adam was striding across the lawn, carrying a small figure in his arms, with seventeen-year-old Kate hurrying after him, wild dark curls blowing in the wind as she tried to keep up with her brother’s long legs.
With her husband and Leonie close behind Frances hurried through the old-fashioned scullery to the kitchen door and threw it wide. �What’s the matter?’
�She fell down and grazed her knee,’ said Adam cheerfully, and surrendered his wailing burden to his mother, while Kate flew into the kitchen to hug her sister in elation.
�Leo—you came after all. Adam never said a word!’
�Couldn’t make myself heard above the din,’ said Adam, grinning when the invalid’s woeful sobs stopped like magic as she slithered from her mother’s arms to hurl herself at Leonie.
�Leo, they said you couldn’t come!’
�I couldn’t miss Adam’s special day!’ Leonie hugged the little girl, then knelt in front of her, swabbing at her face with a tissue. �Now then, Fenny, what’s all the crying about?’
�I hurt my knee, and it’s bleeding, and it’ll show at the party.’ The blotched, elfin face lit up with a sudden beam. �Guess what, Leo! I can stay up—’
�For a little while,’ warned Frances.
�And only if you stop crying right away,’ said Tom Dysart indulgently. �Come on, sweetheart, let’s wash that knee and see the damage.’
But the invalid had finally noticed the visitor, and shot across the room in delight.
�Jonah, you came early!’ shrieked Fenny rapturously. �Will you dance with me tonight?’
�Of course I will,’ he promised, smiling at her.
Leonie stared, narrow-eyed, then gave her family a look which threatened questions later. �Come on, darling,’ she coaxed, detaching Fenny from Jonah. �Let Dad see to your knee.’
When the knee had been washed, anointed, and a plaster applied, the six-year-old charmer promptly settled herself beside Jonah at the table to eat cake and drink milk, going into great detail as she described her party dress. Leonie shot a resentful glare at Jonah as he listened to the little girl, then turned away to talk to Kate, who was watching her apprehensively, plainly on edge about the entire situation.
�So when’s Jess arriving, Kate?’
�She’s driving down—should be here any time. You’re sharing Fenny’s room with Jess and me tonight. Leo, shall I unpack for you?’ said Kate, in sudden inspiration. �Mother, is there anything else you want me to do?’
�Not at the moment.’ Frances smiled. �Afterwards, why don’t you have your bath, darling?’
Kate agreed with alacrity, and shot off at such speed Leonie exchanged a wry glance with her mother. �Desperate to escape.’
�You know Kate can’t bear scenes of any kind.’
Leonie frowned. �And she was worried I might make one?’
�From the look on your face it seemed a distinct possibility, darling!’ Frances cast a look towards the little girl sitting among the men like a queen bee. �I’d better break that up, or she’ll get over-excited. Fenny’s been looking forward to the party for weeks.’
�She’s obviously a great fan of Jonah’s—and vice versa.’
�Since he’s been involved with Brockhill he’s been here a few times lately.’ Frances gave her daughter a searching look. �Do you mind?’
�I’m not entitled to mind.’ Leonie smiled a little. �Fenny’s obviously expecting to see Jonah at the party, but don’t worry. I promise to behave.’
�When we asked him we thought you wouldn’t be here, Leo. As it is we can hardly withdraw the invitation. Besides, it’s a long, long time since you broke up with Jonah,’ her mother added gently.
�True.’ But not long enough to accept his presence in her home with the ease the rest of her family felt, particularly Adam, who was laughing his head off at something Jonah had just told him. Leonie felt oddly left out. And as though he sensed it Jonah caught her eye and got to his feet.
�Time I was off,’ he said quickly. �Thank you for the tea, Mrs Dysart.’
�Thank you for bringing Leonie home,’ said Tom. �We’ll expect you back later. Might be a good idea to come on foot if the weather holds, Jonah, to avoid parking problems.’
Adam looked at his watch and whistled. �I’d better get off down to Chepstow to meet some people off the train.’
�I’ve put containers of sandwiches in your fridge for a snack,’ said his mother, �so you can all congregate there to start with while Leo helps me set out the food in the dining room. The boys can get ready in your place, too, but the girls come in here to dress once you’ve fed them.’
�Yes, ma’am,’ said her son, saluting smartly. �See you later, Jonah.’
�Come on, Fenny,’ said Frances, �bathtime. You can have supper in front of the TV in the study.’
�I might spoil my party frock,’ protested Fenny.
�Dressing gown until the guests arrive, and change into your frock at the last minute,’ said Frances firmly.
Fenny blew a kiss to Jonah, gave Leonie a big hug, patted the dog, then skipped from the room with her mother, chattering excitedly.
�See Jonah to the door, Leonie,’ said her father briskly. �I’m going to walk the dog down to the farm. He’s staying there overnight, out of the way.’
�You don’t have to see me out, Leo,’ said Jonah when they were alone. �Though I’m glad of a moment in private. I was told you wouldn’t be here today. Otherwise I would have refused the invitation.’
She eyed him challengingly. �To avoid meeting up with me again?’
His mouth tightened. �To save you the misfortune of meeting up with me again.’
�Since we’ve already done that it doesn’t really matter, does it?’ Leonie walked along the hall with him and opened the front door. �So for pity’s sake turn up tonight, Jonah, otherwise Mother—still a great fan of yours, by the way—will think I was so rude I put you off.’
�Put like that, how can I refuse?’ he said dryly.
Leonie gazed out over the descending tiers of the garden, barely visible now in the twilight. �Besides,’ she said casually, �if you stayed away it would very obviously spoil Fenny’s evening. Which comes as rather a surprise. I know about the presents at Christmas and birthdays, and so on, but I had no idea she knew you so well in person.’
Jonah leaned against the arch of the porch, his eyes on her face. �When your parents heard I was developing Brockhill for the company they asked me to drop in whenever I’m in Stavely.’
�So you’re a regular visitor?’
�Only when I’m invited,’ he assured her.
She shrugged. �I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. The entire family was upset when we broke up.’
�You mean when you jilted me.’
�Can you blame me?’ she said bitterly.
�Damn right I do,’ he snapped. �You condemned me without trial.’
�I had good reason!’
�If this reason of yours was so good, why did you refuse to share it with me?’ he demanded with sudden savagery. �Or even with your parents?’
Leonie looked up into eyes that were no longer icy, but glowing with a look of such molten anger she backed away, her retreat cut off by the door he pulled closed behind her.
�Now you’re out in the cold, just like me.’ He seized her wrists. �How does it feel, Leo?’
�Let me go, Jonah,’ she ordered, teeth gritted.
�Not until I get something straight. God knows if I’ll ever get the opportunity again.’ His eyes bored into hers. �You owe me an explanation, Leo.’
�You mean it still matters to you, after all these years?’ she said scornfully. �I don’t believe it.’
The grip on her wrists tightened. �Whether you believe it or not, Leo, I want the truth at last.’
Leonie glared at him impotently, trying to free herself, but salvation appeared in the form of cars which came roaring up the drive with blaring horns and flashing headlights. Two of the cars turned off to the stable block, the other streaked along the terrace past Jonah’s car, and came to a showy stop in a spurt of gravel under the bare branches of the chestnut tree by the summerhouse.
�The cavalry,’ drawled Jonah, and released her.
Jessamy Dysart leapt from her car and gave a screech of pleasure as she saw her sister. Leonie ran down to throw her arms round her and Jess hugged her in return, exclaiming over the surprise.
�I thought you couldn’t make it, Leo—fantastic!’ She peered up at the man coming down the steps towards them in the half-light. �Is this the famous Roberto I’ve been hearing about—?’ She stopped short, her dark eyes like saucers. �Jonah?’
�He’s just going,’ said Leonie swiftly.
�Hello, Jess.’ Jonah stretched out a hand and Jess took it, looking from him to Leonie in frank speculation. �And goodbye,’ he added dryly. �I’ll see you later.’
�You’re coming to the party?’ said Jess incredulously.
�Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ he assured her. �I’ve promised to dance with a certain lady—wouldn’t do to disappoint her.’
Leonie shook her head in response to Jess’s look of wild enquiry. �He means Fenny.’
Jonah gave them a mocking bow, got in his car and backed along the terrace, pausing to allow another vehicle to turn off to the stable block before he drove out of sight down the winding drive.
�I’ve obviously missed a bit somewhere,’ said Jess, looking stunned as they went up to the house. �Since when were you and Jonah Savage on speaking terms again?’
�We’re not,’ said Leonie tersely, and explained the encounter on the train. �Did you know he’s been coming to Friars Wood lately?’
�No, I didn’t. I haven’t been home for a while.’ Jess grinned sheepishly. �Busy social life.’
�You don’t say!’ said Leonie dryly. �Come on, get the hugs and kisses over, then Mother requires help. Afterwards we’ll grab Kate and put in an appearance at the Stables as official welcome party.’
Before they went inside Jess gave her sister a searching look. �Do you mind, Leo? That Jonah’s coming tonight?’
�Not in the least.’
�Liar!’
Leonie grinned. �All right, I do mind. But no one will know, I promise. Especially Jonah Savage.’
CHAPTER TWO
FRIARS WOOD had been built a century earlier on the site of a mediaeval chantry chapel where masses had once been sung for the souls of the departed. Of no particular architectural category, it was a house of great charm, with groups of chimneys with barley-sugar twists, and a great many small-paned windows. At the front a verandah formed a balcony for the upper floor, with a wrought-iron pillar giving support to the ancient wistaria which wreathed verandah and balcony in clusters of purple blossom twice a year.
When Tom and Frances Dysart had taken over Friars Wood, after they’d married, Tom’s parents had moved into the converted stable block, which they’d shared with his young sister Rachel. It was an arrangement which had worked well as the head count of young Dysarts mounted in the main house. Years later, when both senior Dysarts had died within a short time of each other, and Rachel had long been established in a career and home of her own in London, the Stables had been used as a guest house for visitors, until Adam’s eighteenth birthday, when it had been handed over to him for his own personal retreat.
In the still cold of this particular night the Stables were a very animated place, blazing with light in every room and with Adam’s guests crammed into every corner as they tucked into the snacks provided to tide them over until the buffet supper later at the main house.
�Come on, Kate,’ said Leonie affectionately, as her younger sister hung back as usual as they approached the stable block.
�That’s right, love,’ said Jess, �chin up, chest out and smile!’ She tickled her small sister in the ribs, prodding her forward just as the door flew open and several young men fell back in mock-awe.
�Get yourself out here, Dysart,’ yelled one of them, �I’ve just seen a vision—in triplicate!’
�It’s the three graces,’ sighed another reverently.
�Show some respect,’ ordered Adam, amiably cuffing them out of the way. �These are my sisters, Leonie, Jessamy and Katharine, whom you may address, if they grant permission, as Leo, Jess and Kate.’
While Adam rattled off introductions, the exuberant young guests, male and female, crowded round his sisters, pressing them to drinks.
�No alcohol until after supper,’ Adam explained, handing orange juice to Leonie.
�Did they go along with that?’ she asked in an undertone.
�Absolutely. We had a pretty wild night on my birthday in Edinburgh. But here on my own patch I’ve laid down the law—no drinking until after supper, and no sneaking back here for illicit snogging and so on. I took them along the cliff path as far as the Eyrie earlier, to warn that it’s a good six hundred feet down from the path to the River Wye, and I’ll repeat the process when the rest of the gang arrive.’ Adam grinned. �And don’t worry about Kate. I’ll make sure she has a good time.’ He shouted for silence. �Listen up, you lot, my sisters are taking the women over to the house to change, and allocate bedrooms. I’ll introduce the men to my parents later.’
Back at the house time flew by in a flurry of preparation.
Young female guests were shown into the three bedrooms normally occupied by the daughters of the house, and the stream of traffic was constant along the long upper landing as jeans and sweaters were exchanged for scanty little dresses. Everyone jostled for places at full-length mirrors, and latecomers arrived to join in the melee.
�Thank goodness you had a bath earlier on, Kate,’ said Leonie in the haven of Fenny’s little room. �Bags first shower, Jess—I feel travel-stained.’
Later the three of them went downstairs to join their parents for a glass of wine in the lull before more guests arrived. Fenny, in pink taffeta and lacy tights, her dark hair caught up with a velvet bow, was incandescent with excitement as she saw her sisters.
�You all look gorgeous,’ she cried, rushing from one to the other in admiration.
�Fenny’s right,’ agreed Tom Dysart, smiling proudly on his daughters.
�It’s amazing how genetics work,’ said Frances with satisfaction. �You’ve all got something of your father and me, in various permutations.’
�Only I drew the short straw,’ sighed Kate, pulling a face. �And I do mean short.’
�You look stunning,’ said Leonie firmly. �And be thankful. Only someone as small as you could wear a dress like that.’
In brief, mint-green organza, with her hair coaxed up into a loose knot of curls, Kate looked very different from her everyday schoolgirl self, but it had taken naked envy from some of Adam’s girlfriends to convince her of the fact.
Leonie had released her own hair from its severe braided coil to cascade in bronze glory to her shoulders, and wore a scarlet silk sheath of such superb cut Jess eyed it reverently.
�I admire your style, chancing that colour with your hair. Must have cost a lira or two,’ she muttered.
�You didn’t pick that little number up in a charity shop, either,’ retorted Leonie. �Looks as though you were shrink-wrapped into it.’
Jess grinned. �I knew Adam’s girlies would all be wearing floaty little numbers so I opted for black and sexy.’
�Very different from Leonie’s twenty-first,’ said their mother reminiscently. �That was all satin ballgowns.’
�Except for Leo,’ said Jess bitterly. �She conned you into buying her that clinging gold job with the plunging back. It made the rest of us look like lampshades.’
�I wasn’t even allowed to stay up,’ said Kate, smiling at Fenny. �You’re a lucky girl.’
�I know,’ said Fenny, pink with excitement. �And I’m going to sleep on the folding bed in Mummy’s room.’
There was sudden commotion as the male contingent arrived from the stables; the girls stampeded down the stairs to join them, and Adam’s voice, loud above the rest, shouted that some of the neighbours had arrived, along with the DJ and the music equipment.
Tom Dysart hurried off to supervise installation in the conservatory off the dining room, and Frances followed him with Kate and Fenny to welcome the newcomers, but her elder daughters remained behind for a moment of quiet together before the party began in earnest.
�How long are you home for, Leo?’ asked Jess.
�Two weeks, at least.’ Leonie explained about the flu epidemic.
Jess whistled. �Won’t this Roberto of yours object?’
�He wasn’t happy.’
�He’d be even less so if he knew Jonah Savage was on the scene. Or doesn’t he know about Jonah?’
�No. Though it wouldn’t matter if he did.’ Leonie shrugged. �I’m nearly thirty, Jess. It would be pretty strange if I hadn’t had a boyfriend or two in the past.’
Jess gave her a scathing look. �Come off it, Leo. You and Jonah were crazy about each other.’
�But not any more. Come on. Time we joined the fray.’
�In a minute.’ Jess put a hand on her arm. �Look, I wouldn’t bring this up if Jonah hadn’t reappeared on the scene, but come on, Leo, after all this time surely you can tell me what happened. Please. I promise I’ll never mention it again.’
�The usual thing. I found out he was involved with someone else.’ Leonie’s mouth curved in a wry, bitter smile. �And so, dear reader, I bolted back to Italy, and instead of coming home at the end of the academic year to get married, I stayed on at the school to become Miss Jean Brodie, Italian-style.’
Jess whistled softly. �I knew it had to be something like that, but I just couldn’t believe it. And don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.’
�You’d better not. Everyone else—including Mother and Dad—thinks I just changed my mind,’ warned Leonie.
�Except Jonah, of course.’
�Including Jonah. He never knew I found out.’
�What?’ Jess frowned. �Who was the woman, Leo?’
�Not my secret to tell.’
�Whoever it was, the affair died a quick death—what’s the matter?’
�Indigestion.’
�You know my boss is a friend of his,’ Jess went on. �Plenty of female company in Jonah’s life, I hear, but nothing permanent. Is Roberto permanent?’ she added.
�I think he wants to be.’
�And what do you want—or need?’
Leonie smiled brightly. �At this moment in time, entertainment. Let’s party.’
The drawing room was soon thronged with friends and neighbours, but the younger set crammed into the vast dining room, where the ancient Persian carpet had been taken up to leave the gleaming wood floor bare for dancing. The chairs had been removed, and the dining table pushed against one wall and laden with the supper Frances Dysart had decreed should be eaten the moment all the guests had arrived, before there was any dancing or too much consumption of the wine and beer provided.
�I want your friends to line their stomachs first,’ Frances told her son very firmly.
When Jonah Savage was shown in Leonie was describing her life in Florence to some of her parents’ friends. She felt Kate stiffen with apprehension beside her, but Fenny charged across the room, her face aglow, and before Jonah could do more than murmur a conventional greeting the little girl had towed him to the far side of the room to join the group round her parents. Leonie saw him shake his head, smiling, as her mother offered him supper, then turned her attention back to the Andersons, who had known her all her life, and were doing their level best to behave as though they’d never received an invitation to the wedding of Leonie Dysart and Jonah Savage.
Sheer will-power forced Leonie to carry on eating, talking and behaving as though the arrival of her onetime fiancé was of no more note than any other guest. But sensitive Kate promptly rescued Leonie’s abandoned supper, and roped her into taking trays of plates off to the kitchen, where Mrs Briggs, who helped in the house on weekdays, was firmly in charge, with the help of one of her daughters. Leonie spent a few minutes chatting with them in the kitchen, then took Kate by the arm.
�Right then, love,’ she said firmly. �Time for you to join the younger set.’
Kate looked at her in entreaty. �I can’t go in there on my own—’
�You don’t have to. I’ll come with you.’
As Adam had promised, Kate was instantly absorbed into a crowd of friendly young people, and Leonie, wanting nothing more than a bed to herself in the dark, returned to the drawing room to help Jess circulate with wine.
Jonah Savage was talking to some of her father’s friends as Leonie and Jess removed plates, and refilled glasses.
�Are you sure I can’t get you anything to eat, Jonah,’ asked Leonie, smiling brightly as she poured more wine into his glass.
Before he could reply a great thumping beat began to reverberate through the room, and Fenny let out a screech of excitement.
�It’s the disco, Mummy. Please can I go in the party now?’
�I’ll take her, if I may,’ Jonah offered.
Frances nodded and Jonah bowed formally to the ecstatic six-year-old.
�May I have this dance, Miss Dysart?’
Tom Dysart grinned ruefully at the assembled guests, and suggested that everyone join the party to hop around to the noise for a few minutes. �Afterwards,’ he added, �we’ll leave the energetic bit to the young and get back here for coffee and medicinal brandy.’
The moment Leonie and Jess joined the dancers they were drawn into the throng, where Kate was dancing happily with one of Adam’s friends, showing no trace of her earlier shyness. For a breathless few minutes the older set valiantly kept pace with the young, then Adam had a word with the disc jockey and turned to grin at his parents as Frank Sinatra began to sing �My Funny Valentine’.
Frances Dysart, nГ©e Valentine, blew her son a kiss, and Adam scooped Fenny up and settled the beaming little girl on his hip as he jigged slowly round with total disregard for timing.
�Mind if I cut in?’ said Jonah, and Leonie’s partner, unversed in the skills of ballroom dancing, surrendered her to him with a rueful grin.
In Jonah’s arms Leonie moved in silence to the music, her body in instant, perfect rhythm with his, as it had always been in the past, both on the dance floor and in private. Jonah held her lightly enough, but the touch of his hand on her back burned through the silk of her dress. She tensed, certain that everyone must be watching and speculating, felt his fingers tighten on her hand, and at last surrendered to the eyes that were willing her to look up.
�It’s been a long time,’ said Jonah softly, and pulled her closer. Her heart leapt as she felt his body stir against her. She tried to put space between them, but his hand hardened against her back, keeping her in contact so close her face flamed, and her dress felt suddenly too tight as her breasts hardened in response impossible to control. She stared blindly over his shoulder, trying to ignore the heat which penetrated through their clothes, her gossamer silk and the fine Italian wool of Jonah’s suit no barrier to the desire that surged between them like an electric current.
Then the music stopped and Jonah released her, smiling at her in narrow-eyed triumph. He thanked her with impeccable courtesy, then to Leonie’s secret rage deserted her to partner Jess.
Leonie left them to it, and went upstairs to Fenny’s room for a few private moments of recovery and repair. Afterwards she went to help serve coffee and drinks in the drawing room, and stayed there, chatting for a while, until her mother asked if she felt brave enough to detach Fenella from the party.
�You know she’ll do anything for you, Leo, but be firm,’ said Tom Dysart, puffing on a large cigar.
�Don’t worry,’ Leonie assured him. �She’s probably worn out by now.’
Fenny was tired enough, but tearfully reluctant to leave the revels. She clung to Jonah’s hand, pleading to stay a little longer.
�Darling, it’s very late,’ said Leonie gently. �Say goodnight to everyone, there’s a love.’
Adam solved the problem by stopping the music. He ordered everyone to bid farewell to Miss Fenella Dysart, and after a chorus of goodnights and blown kisses Fenny allowed Jonah to lead her from the room.
�Will you come up and read to me, Jonah? Please?’ she cajoled.
He smiled at her indulgently. �I’m told you can read very well yourself.’
�I’m too tired,’ said Fenny, sounding so forlorn Leonie relented.
�I’ll take you along to Mother and Dad to say goodnight very quickly to everyone, and when you’re tucked up in bed perhaps Jonah would be kind enough to read a very short story?’ she said, casting a look at him.
�With pleasure,’ he said promptly.
In her parents’ rather draughty bathroom later, Leonie hurried the drooping little girl through her preparations for bed, then settled her down on the folding bed in the dressing room off the main bedroom, and went out onto the landing to beckon Jonah inside.
It was a painful, disturbing experience to listen while Jonah read to Fenny. Watching, Leonie felt a sharp, agonising pang for what might have been; survived it, then, when Fenny was asleep, went ahead of Jonah through her parents’ room and out onto the landing.
�Thank you,’ she said formally. �If you’d like to go downstairs to join whichever company you prefer, I’ll be down in a few minutes. I need repairs.’
�I’ll wait here for you.’
�Please don’t,’ she said coldly.
His eyes narrowed. �Ah. Back to square one again.’
�What did you expect?’
�Are you telling me I imagined what happened when we were dancing?’ he demanded fiercely.
�No,’ she snapped. �I’m not. We were always very—compatible in that way. But you can’t use sex like a dose of antibiotics, Jonah. Some things it can’t cure.’
�Sex,’ he repeated, after a taut, throbbing silence. �How succinct. A shame you’re not equally so on other subjects. Our broken engagement, for instance.’
�Hypocrite! You know—’ She turned away abruptly as a group of girls came streaming up the stairs in search of a bathroom. �See you later,’ she added out loud, and gave him a fever-bright smile of dismissal.
A peep in at the dancers later showed Adam, Jess and Kate quite literally having a ball, but Leonie, feeling a hundred years older than her siblings, made no move to join them. She returned to the less frenetic atmosphere of the drawing room instead, and circulated among the company, topping up drinks, stopping to chat here and there. And she took good care to extend her civility and her smile in equal measures to Jonah when he came in, knowing full well that everyone in the room was speculating on his presence and her reaction to it. When her parents’ guests began to leave at last Leonie seized on the job of escorting them out, and eventually found herself alone at the door with Jonah.
�Say my goodnights to Adam and your sisters,’ he said coolly.
�You’ve given up dancing already?’
His eyes shuttered. �I’ve given up a lot of things, Leo. Hope included.’
Leonie shivered in the open doorway in the icy wind blowing up from the river. �I’m sorry to hear that,’ she said politely.
�Are you?’ He shrugged. �You know, Leo, for a moment, as I held you in my arms, I was fool enough to hope things had changed.’
�Nothing’s changed,’ she said with sudden passion. �How you can act the innocent, Jonah, when all the time—’ She broke off, suddenly weary. �Oh what’s the use? You and I both know what happened. Why do you think I stay away from home so much?’
�I wish I knew,’ he retorted. �Enlighten me.’
She stared at him, shaking her head. �What a marvellous actor you are, Jonah Savage. You’re so brilliant in the role of wronged fiancé—’ Leonie smiled brightly as her parents escorted the last of their guests along the hall towards them. �Thank you so much for sparing the time tonight, Jonah,’ she said distinctly. �You made Fenny very happy.’
�I’m glad,’ he responded in kind. �She’s a delightful little girl.’ He turned to smile at Tom and Frances Dysart. �It was a great party. Thank you for inviting me.’
Jonah departed with the Andersons, after general farewells that required nothing more of Leonie than the smile which felt pasted to her face. Afterwards she told her parents she was too tired to rejoin the dancing.
�You won’t get much sleep,’ said her mother ruefully. �I’m afraid the music won’t stop until two at the earliest.’
�Never mind.’ Leonie eyed her spike-heeled scarlet sandals with hostility. �At least I can take these off!’
Later, huddled under a quilt on the inflated mattress set up beside Fenny’s double bed, Leonie knew that even if the house were perfectly quiet she would still be awake. Seeing Jonah again, and, worse still, discovering that the old, familiar chemistry was as strong as ever, was no recipe for sleep. Seven long years, she thought bitterly, yet the pain still cut like a knife. When she’d posted Jonah’s ring to him and fled back to Italy that fateful spring her astounded parents had taken a lot of convincing before accepting her repeated explanation about changing her mind. They had taken to Jonah from the first. And very obviously still looked on him as the injured party. She gritted her teeth in frustration. Now he was in the neighbourhood, it was an impossible situation. And because everyone knew the school was closed she could hardly hurt her parents by running back to Florence again to keep out of the way. Nor would she. Jonah couldn’t be allowed the satisfaction of spoiling her unexpected holiday.
�Are you awake?’ whispered Jess, closing the door quietly.
�You have to be joking!’ Leonie switched on a lamp and sat up, eyeing the tray Jess put down beside her. �Do I smell hot chocolate?’
�You certainly do. I’m a star,’ said Jess, handing her a steaming mug. �I take it I share with Kate? Good thing she’s so small.’ She sat down on the edge of the bed with a yawn, then sipped with relish. �I hope this sits well with champagne.’
�So do I. If you get up in the night don’t wake me!’
�Do you boss Roberto round like that?’
Leonie smiled demurely. �No. He’s the masterful type.’
Jess stared. �Really? Does that turn you on?’
�A bit, I suppose.’
�Personally,’ said Jess, grinning, �I think this Roberto of yours must be really something if he outdoes Jonah in the turning-on department.’
�That was a long time ago,’ said Leonie dismissively.
�Who are you trying to kid?’ Jess’s dark eyes mocked beneath the ash-blonde hair. �I saw you earlier on tonight.’
Leonie felt heat rush to her face. �You could see?’
�Only because I was just behind you. No one else noticed, Leo. But from where I was standing—shuffling about, really; the boy couldn’t dance—it was pretty steamy.’
Leonie groaned and laid her head down on her knees. �Jonah was making an experiment to prove something to me. And it worked, damn him.’
�Chemistry lesson?’
�Exactly.’
Jess sighed. �No wonder you looked a bit hacked off when he asked me to dance.’ She grinned. �Not that I was flattered. I just happened to be nearest. He never said a solitary word except to thank me politely afterwards and take off as soon as he could.’
Leonie raised her head again, her eyes heavy. �It was so mortifying, Jess. The hormones still responded to Jonah no matter how hard the brain tried to put on the brakes.’ She shrugged. �Not that it matters. I’m unlikely to see him again.’
Jess frowned. �But if you still feel like that after all these years, Leo, couldn’t you bring yourself to forgive Jonah’s one indiscretion and get together again? I assume it was just the one?’ she added.
�As far as I know. But don’t be fooled by what happened tonight, there’s absolutely no chance of my getting back with Jonah. Ever.’
�Pity.’ Jess sighed, then stood up to wriggle out of her dress. �Though that’s tempting fate a bit, Leo. Never say never.’
CHAPTER THREE
NEXT morning, after what felt like only a few minutes’ sleep, Leonie got up early to help her mother provide breakfast for any of the guests who could face it. She slid out of bed as quietly as she could to let Jess and Kate sleep on, washed and dressed in Fenny’s little bathroom and went downstairs in the pale light of a cool spring morning.
Glad to find the kitchen empty, and her parents and Fenny still presumably sleeping, Leonie laid the big table, set out an array of cups and beakers on the central island, then filled kettles and got out coffee, sliced bread. Afterwards she made herself a pot of tea and some toast, surprised to find she was hungry. When her mother arrived a little later she smiled in surprise.
�You’re early, darling, I hoped you’d sleep in for a bit.’
�I opted for the inflatable mattress,’ said Leonie, grinning. �It was no hardship to desert it for the lures of breakfast.’ She poured tea for her mother, and offered to make toast.
�Thank you, I think I will. Frankly I could have stayed in bed a lot longer this morning, but I had visions of pallid, hungover young things needing coffee and no one here to provide it.’
�They could have gone over to the Stables and made Adam feed them.’
�Always supposing they could wake him.’ Frances laughed. �I wonder how everyone slept? I imagine there was quite a fight for beds.’
�Students are used to sleeping on floors,’ Leonie assured her. �I did it often enough in my youth.’
�Darling, you talk as though you were Methuselah!’
�I’m staring thirty in the face, Mother,’ Leonie reminded her.
�You don’t look it this morning in those jeans. And last night you positively dazzled in that amazing dress. Nor was I the only one to think so.’ Frances buttered her toast and bit into it appreciatively. �I needed this. I didn’t eat much last night. And you abandoned your supper the moment Jonah arrived.’
Leonie eyed her mother in amusement. �Nothing gets by you, does it?’
The interlude of peace was short. In twos and threes the yawning party goers came down to join them. When Tom Dysart arrived with Fenny and Kate he gave a wry look into the room full of chattering females, and accepted with alacrity when offered a tray in his study.
Leonie took it in to him with the Sunday papers, stayed to chat for a while, then volunteered to fetch Marzi from the farm while Fenny and Kate had breakfast with the other girls. She collected a jacket from a peg in the scullery and went out alone into the crisp, bright morning, her lips twitching at the sight of drawn curtains and total absence of life in the Stables.
Leonie walked briskly down the drive and out on to the main road, passing only the occasional churchgoing car in the quiet of early Sunday. After a mile or so she turned down the lane which led to Springfield Farm, smiling at the sounds of yapping and barking in the distance as pungent, familiar smells came up to greet her. When she reached the farmhouse a young giant in stockinged feet opened the door in answer to her knock, Chris Morgan’s yawn changing to a grin at the sight of his visitor.
�Well, well, Leo Dysart, home from foreign parts! Come in, come in.’
�Hi, Chris, nice to see you again.’
Leonie kicked off her muddy boots in the back entry and followed Chris into the welcoming warmth of a kitchen where tempting smells of fried bacon hung in the air. Chris gestured towards the table and pushed the teapot towards her.
�Sit down, help yourself. My father’s taken your dog out with ours. They’ll be back in a minute. My mother’s away, visiting my sister and new sprog.’
Leonie exclaimed in surprise. She’d attended primary school with both Chris and his sister Jenny. It came as a shock to hear that the new �sprog’ was Jenny’s third son.
Chris was all for providing Leonie with a vast fry-up, like the one he was devouring himself, but she shook her head, laughing.
�I’ve had breakfast. And if I ate one like that every morning I’d need a new wardrobe.’
He grinned. �My turn for the milking this morning, I need refuelling. Besides, I’m a growing lad.’
�Heavens, I hope not!’
�How did the party go?’ he asked, as he went on with his meal.
�Very well. I’ve left Mother and Kate serving coffee to the female revellers. There was no sign of life from Adam’s place.’
Chris made himself a sandwich with the last of his bacon and sat back, looking at her with open pleasure. �You look very perky for the morning after, Leo. Downright gorgeous, in fact.’
�Why, thank you, kind sir,’ she retorted, fluttering her eyelashes. �Though if I do it’s a wonder. I spent half of yesterday travelling, and the other half partying. I’ll probably collapse in a heap today at some stage.’
Chris got up, eyebrows raised, in response to a knock on the back door. �Like Piccadilly Circus here this morning,’ he said, grinning.
The grin was missing when he returned with the new arrival.
�Hello, Leo, I didn’t know you were here,’ said Jonah briskly. �I’ve come to collect the shotgun Denzil promised me.’
After years of never laying eyes on Jonah Savage, Leonie could hardly believe she was in his company for the third time in less than twenty-four hours.
�Good morning,’ she said frostily.
Chris gestured towards the teapot. �Like a cup, Jonah? My father’s out with the dogs; he won’t be long.’
�No hurry. No tea, either, thanks.’
There was an awkward pause while Jonah surveyed the easy familiarity of the scene with a look which set Leonie’s teeth on edge.
Chris cleared his throat awkwardly. �I’ll just go out and look for Dad,’ he announced, and took himself off with such obvious relief Jonah raised a supercilious eyebrow.
�I trust I didn’t interrupt anything.’
Leonie shrugged. �I was just telling Chris about the party.’
�I see. Did you enjoy it?’
�Yes, very much. Did you?’
Jonah sat down in Chris’s chair. �No, Leo, I did not. In fact, once I knew you were home after all I was tempted to invent something life-threatening and stay away.’
�But of course you couldn’t disappoint Fenny.’
�Exactly.’ He eyed her searchingly. �Leo, every time you mention the child you get that Medusa-like look on your face. Don’t you like Fenny?’
�How dare you say that? I adore Fenny. But because of you I never see enough of her. And then I come home to find she only has eyes for you—’ She lapsed into silence, furious with herself.
Jonah smiled mockingly. �Jealous?’
Leonie’s heated reply was cut off by the arrival of Denzil and Chris Morgan, with a very muddy, excited retriever who greeted her with exuberance. She thanked the Morgans, clipped on Marzi’s lead, refused Jonah’s offer of a lift, and went outside to chat with Chris in the yard for a minute or two before starting off for home.
Steaming up the steep hill from the farm, with a panting Marzi at her side, Leonie had worked off some of her anger by the time a familiar car drew level.
�Sure you don’t want a lift?’ asked Jonah through the car window.
Leonie gave him a honeyed smile. �Certain, thanks. I’m enjoying the walk—and my own company.’
�Then I’ll leave you to it.’ Jonah nodded coolly, and drove off.
When Leonie reached the gates of Friars Wood she unfastened Marzi’s leash, then stopped off at the Stables, to find Adam’s friends packing themselves into various cars for the journey to the station, or the trip to Edinburgh, with Fenny and Kate in attendance.
Leonie was greeted with enthusiasm, and though some of the faces were ominously pale everyone reiterated vociferous thanks for the wonderful party. There were kisses all round, and hugs for Fenny, then the convoy of cars began to move down the drive.
�When are you going back?’ asked Leonie, taking Fenny’s hand to walk back to the house with Adam and Kate.
�After Mother’s Sunday lunch, of course,’ said Adam, who stood three inches over six feet and had an appetite which belied his lanky frame.
�We ought to be eating leftovers from last night,’ said Kate, giving him a teasing smile, �but Mother’s roasting beef and whipping up gallons of Yorkshire pudding batter for her darling son as we speak.’
�Yummy,’ said Fenny, her hand in Leonie’s. �It’s my favourite. Do you have it in Italy, Leo?’
�Not really, no.’ Leonie smiled down into the small, shining face. �But I eat lots of other delicious things.’
�Is Jonah coming to lunch?’
Leonie devoutly hoped not. �I don’t think so, darling. Let’s go and help Mother.’
�And wake Jess,’ said Adam with relish. �And don’t worry about the party leftovers—I’ll take any surplus back with me.’
�As usual,’ taunted Kate, then shrieked as Adam made a dive for her, slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and ran with her through the scullery into the kitchen, Fenny and Leonie laughing as they followed them in.
�Please!’ implored Jess, holding a hand to her head. �Less noise, children, for pity’s sake.’
�Too much champagne?’ enquired Adam as he set Kate down.
�Too much music,’ groaned Jess. �I can still hear that thumping.’
�Have some more tea,’ advised her mother, �then it’s all hands on deck, please. Adam wants to be away in reasonable time.’
To Leonie it was a pleasure all the more acute for being so rare as she sat down to family Sunday lunch. Despite the run-in with Jonah, her walk had given her an appetite, and during the meal she entertained a rapt Fenny with tales of the little girls she taught in Florence.
�Can’t you come home and teach little girls here, Leo?’ pleaded Fenny.
�One day, perhaps,’ said Leonie brightly.
There was a brief, awkward silence, then Jess plunged into a humorous anecdote about her flatmate in London. After the pudding plates were cleared away, and Fenny had been allowed to watch a cartoon video in the study, they were drinking coffee when Tom Dysart told his family that there was more to this family lunch than usual.
�Now that I’ve got you all together for once,’ said her father, after exchanging a glance with his wife, �I think I should tell you I’ve had an offer for Friars Wood.’
There was dead silence for a moment, as several pairs of eyes stared at him in utter consternation.
Leonie was the first to recover. �You’re not serious, Dad!’
Her father smiled at her wryly. �I don’t joke about Friars Wood, my love.’
�Who the devil wants to buy it?’ demanded Adam, incensed.
�That isn’t important for the moment,’ said Tom Dysart. �The point is, how do you all feel about it? Discounting the offer—which is staggeringly generous—you must face the fact that one day your mother and I will no longer be here.’
�Daddy, don’t!’ said Kate, her eyes filling with tears. �I can’t bear it when you talk like that.’
Jess squeezed her hand, and turned anxious eyes on her father. �Are you short of money, Dad? You’re not ill or anything, are you?’ she added in sudden alarm.
�No, nothing like that,’ said Frances quickly. �But this place takes a lot of upkeep. We thought it best to ask now if you’d prefer us to sell up and buy something smaller. The alternative is to carry on as we are and trust that at least one of you will be in a position to keep the place on when the time comes.’
Leonie felt winded. In Italy it had been a constant source of comfort to know that Friars Wood was there to run home to whenever she wanted.
�The thing is, Dad,’ said Adam, looking suddenly older than his twenty-one years, �I won’t be in a position to take it on for a long time yet. And unless Leonie and Jess marry millionaires or win the lottery they won’t be able to either, not to mention Kate and Fenny.’
Tom Dysart filled his pipe with deliberation, then outlined the plan he had in mind to provide security for his family and the home they all loved so much. The sensible course, he told them, was the one his father had taken. The property had been arranged so that it had remained in the possession of the senior Dysarts until one of them died, afterwards to pass jointly into the hands of the surviving parent and Tom, who had been designated heir to the house. �Originally your mother and I restored and redecorated the Stables, meaning to live in it ourselves, but when it was ready your grandparents liked the result so much they persuaded us to let them live there instead, and left the care of the house to us. After both parents died I was to provide Rachel with a sum of money to the value of half the property. Fortunately they both lived to a good age, so I was in a position to do that fairly comfortably when the time came, however much Rachel protested she didn’t need it all.’
�Then can’t you do that with Adam?’ said Leonie quickly.
�I had only one sister,’ her father pointed out.
Leonie shivered. �I’ve always taken it for granted that Adam would inherit Friars Wood. Look, Dad, I’d willingly forgo my claim to any money as long as he’s able to hang onto it.’ She gave her brother a wry little smile. �And lets us all come home to roost from time to time.’
�I feel the same,’ said Jess fervently.
�I hate this,’ said Kate in despair. �I just want Friars Wood to stay in the family.’
�So say all of us,’ said Adam, and looked at his father squarely. �We’ll do anything it takes to secure that, Dad.’
Leonie gave him a teasing smile. �What happens if you fall for someone who doesn’t fancy sharing with four sisters?’
�I’ll send her packing,’ said Adam promptly.
Everyone laughed, lightening the atmosphere slightly as Tom Dysart went on to explain that this arrangement would help with inheritance tax, but it also meant that when one parent died, whoever was left in joint ownership would be obliged to look after the survivor.
�Which is not as much of a problem as it might be because of the Stables,’ said Frances briskly. �Either one of us would be quite happy to move in there, even both of us together at some stage, just as my in-laws did.’
�Adam’s the obvious choice to inherit,’ said Leonie firmly. �He’s the only son, and he’s also going to follow you into the auction house, Dad, so in the normal way of things he’s the only one certain to remain in the area.’
Adam gave his parents a very sober, thoughtful look. �You mean that some time in the future—hopefully a very long time in the future—if the property comes solely to me, the value of it, and any money you leave us, would all be divided into equal portions, and I’d hand the girls’ shares over.’
Jess shook her head. �Impossible with so many of us. No one could expect you to do that. It was different for Dad with only Rachel.’
�I couldn’t do it right now,’ Adam agreed, a stubborn jut to his chin, �but when the time comes I’ll make damn sure I can.’
�Or,’ said his father, �I could accept the offer and buy a smaller place, and have a lot more money in the bank afterwards.’
Four pairs of eyes gazed at him in horror.
�You don’t mean that, do you, Dad?’ demanded Leonie.
�I’m just mentioning it as an option. An option which isn’t open for long,’ he added. �I’ve been given a week or two to consider it before it’s withdrawn.’
�I’d rather you didn’t consider it at all,’ said Adam, his young face stern below the mop of curly black hair. �I’ve got Finals coming up. I’d rather not have this hanging over me when I go back. Couldn’t we settle it now?’
�I’m all for that,’ said Jess quickly. �If this is a democratic meeting, are we allowed to vote?’
Tom smiled wryly. �Of course you are. Hands up all those in favour of staying, and letting Adam take over Friars Wood one day, along with all its responsibilities.’
Five hands shot up, and Tom grinned at his wife and followed suit.
�Unanimous,’ said Leonie with satisfaction, and gave her brother a reassuring smile. �Don’t worry, Adam. When the time comes we won’t dun you for the money.’
�Amen to that,’ said Jess, slumping in her chair. �You can have my share, Adam, as long as you hang onto Friars Wood.’
�Mine too,’ said Kate thankfully.
�Thank you, ladies, but if I can possibly manage it no sacrifices will be required. Who knows? Perhaps I’ll discover a hidden Rembrandt one day and sell it for millions,’ declared Adam, jumping up with some of his usual energy restored. �Time I was off. By the way, Dad,’ he added, �who made the offer?’
�A London company,’ said his mother, getting to her feet. �Now then, Adam, get a move on, or you’ll be late back.’
After Adam had been waved on his way, Leonie suggested her father took Fenny for a walk with the dog, and sent her mother off for a rest while she and Kate saw to the clearing up. The still-suffering Jess was ordered to sit down and save herself for the drive back to London later, an instruction she complied with gratefully.
�Thanks, you two. I don’t mind telling you I’m a bit bushed,’ she admitted. �A busy week followed by last night’s party, with Dad’s bombshell on top of it—’ She blew out her cheeks. �I’m in a state of shock.’ She heaved herself out of her chair. �But this won’t do. I’d better get my stuff together so I’m ready for the off when Mother gets up.’
Jess’s loud cry of indignation a minute later sent Kate and Leonie running upstairs to ask what the matter was.
�Mother isn’t resting; she’s tidying our rooms,’ Jess said wrathfully.
Frances smiled unrepentantly. �I’m just changing the beds. Mrs Briggs will do the bedrooms properly in the morning.’ She gave Jess a stern look. �And mind you get an early night when you get back, Jessamy Dysart. You’ve got dark rings under your eyes.’
�Yes, Mother,’ said her daughter meekly, flushing slightly as she intercepted a sparkling glance from Leonie. �In bed by ten, I promise.’
In the evening, when Kate was finishing off homework in her room, and Fenny was fast asleep in bed after the exertions of the night before, Leonie settled down on a sofa in the study with the dog snoring gently on the rug beside her. Not quite ready to collapse in a heap, as she’d told Chris Morgan, she was tired enough to put her feet up as she looked through the Sunday papers while her parents watched a serial they were following on television.
Pitying her siblings on their respective motorway journeys, Leonie relaxed, feeling deeply glad of her unexpected break at home. Adam rang at one stage to say he’d arrived safely, and eventually Jess reported in with the same message.
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