A Physical Affair

A slight frown furrowed his brow when he reached them and he looked quickly from one to the other.

‘Megan’s looking for you,’ he told his uncle without preamble. ‘Something about a fax from New York or something. It sounded important,’ he added quickly, for good measure.

Eden grimaced and slowly, far too slowly as far as Keira was concerned, he relinquished his hold on her and gave her a slight bow. ‘Duty calls,’ he said derisively. ‘I’ll leave you in Daniel’s capable hands. For now,’ he added softly, for Keira’s ears only, as he turned and left them.

Keira danced with Daniel, who seemed just a little less exuberant, a trifle more subdued. Or so it appeared to Keira, who had to acknowledge she now felt much the same. However, during the course of the evening he politely introduced her to his family and some of his uncle’s and grandfather’s friends.

At supper, as lavish an affair as the rest of the celebration had been, Daniel attentively plied her with delicious food and the one glass of the very best champagne she allowed herself.

Eden Cassidy circulated conscientiously, Keira knew, for her body seemed automatically tuned to his movements about the large ballroom. Throughout the evening she would find herself beginning to relax and then he would cross her line of vision, or their eyes would meet through a break in the crowd, and her muscles would tense involuntarily. And not for the first time she fervently wished the evening well and truly over.

The only time Eden had taken to the dance-floor had been with Keira, and just when she was convinced she was to have the dubious honour of being his only dancing partner she saw him guiding the tall and impeccably gowned Megan Donnelly on to the floor.

They made a striking couple. In her high heels, with her hair piled on top of her head in a smooth chignon, Megan was almost as tall as Eden, and as Keira watched, unable to draw her gaze away, they spoke softly and easily to each other as they danced.

Yet they didn’t look as though they fitted together. Somehow the picture wouldn’t jell. Not those cold blue eyes paired with that controlled, willow-slim body. Keira found herself trying to imagine Eden and Megan in a passionate embrace and the picture that was conjured up did nothing to waylay the icy little knot in her stomach as it grew tentacles that reached up to squeeze her heart.

No! Keira remonstrated with herself again. She couldn’t be so foolish. And she couldn’t allow this nonsensical fantasy to develop any further. Eden Cassidy was way out of her league and she didn’t want or need the resulting turmoil such ridiculousness would definitely engender.

‘Hey, Dan! Cat! How’s it doing?’ A young voice broke in on Keira and Daniel as they stood talking, having decided to take a break from the dancing for a while.

They both turned as the young man, obviously a contemporary of Daniel’s, joined them. His jaw dropped comically as Keira faced him and he realised his mistake.

‘Oh, sorry. You look just like… Um, I thought you were someone else,’ he mumbled. “Thought it was funny Cat was here. Oh.’ He stopped talking, his expression registering what had apparently been a warning look from Daniel.

Keira bit back a smile as Daniel heartily made the introductions.

‘Keira, this is Rick Jansen, a friend of mine. Rick, meet my boss, Keira Strong.’

‘Your boss. Wow! Um, pleased to meet you.’ Rick shook hands with Keira, his admiring eyes moving surreptitiously over her. ‘So old Dan really does have a job?’

‘Yes, I’m afraid he does. At the moment,’ she added teasingly for Daniel’s benefit.

‘I’ll need to see it to believe it,’ Rick continued. ‘And you’re his boss? Um, any vacant positions going?’

‘None you could handle,’ Daniel gibed back. ‘Ignore him, Keira. No class.’ He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘And only four or five hours late. That should tell us something.’

‘Car trouble.’ Rick shrugged. ‘Still, we thought we’d at least wish Sam all the best before we headed back to the city. And apart from that, I’m starving. Gina-my girlfriend,’ he added for Keira’s information, ‘is scrounging us some leftovers so I’d better go find her. Catch you later, Dan. OK?’

He disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared and Keira turned back to an obviously disconcerted Daniel.

‘Gee, is it hot in here? Or is it just me?’ He loosened his tie. ‘What say we get some air?’

‘I’m fine, Daniel,’ Keira began and he looked at her imploringly.

‘Ten minutes, Keira. And I need some company.’ He took her arm and led her through the open double doors out on to the wide, brightly lit patio.

They strolled over to the cement parapet and leant against the still-warm balustrade. Two large potted umbrella trees threw shadow about them, partially obscuring them from the doorway.

‘Nice and cool out here, isn’t it?’ Daniel said, his voice a little uneasy, and Keira sighed.

‘Lovely,’ she said pointedly.

‘I’d give anything to get out of this monkey suit,’ Daniel hurried on, undoing the button at his collar. ‘Give me casual dress any day. Or night.’

‘But not at your grandfather’s celebration, which,’ Keira added, ‘he seems to be enjoying immensely.’

Daniel relaxed a little and laughed. ‘Sam always does. And how about you, Keira? It hasn’t been as bad as you thought it would be, has it?’

‘No. I suppose not,’ Keira replied carefully. Apart from those earth-shattering moments in Eden Cassidy’s arms. And the continuing earth-shattering moments that followed at regular intervals.

‘Aren’t you glad I asked you? Or is that going a bit far?’

Keira laughed softly. ‘Perhaps. But I’m still hazy about why you asked me. And it wasn’t because you could talk to me like a sister, was it? Or to pique your uncle, I hope.’

‘No. Not that. Well, not exactly. I did ask you because I felt we get on pretty well and…’ Daniel stopped and sighed. ‘I suppose I do owe you an explanation. I’m just not sure where to start. It’s sort of complicated, you see.’

‘Would it help if I asked the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question?’ Keira said perceptively. ‘So who’s Cat?’

‘Just a friend.’ Daniel shrugged and Keira sensed in the semi-darkness that he was going pink about the ears. When Keira made no comment he shot a sideways glance at her and she shook her head.

‘Something tells me she’s much more than that, but far be it from me to invade your privacy.’

‘It’s not that, Keira. It’s just…’ Daniel stopped again and sighed loudly. ‘I met Cat at an inter-school debating contest when we were sixteen. Actually, she’s a month older than me. I told you I prefer older women! And she does look a lot like you, which is how Rick came to put his foot in his mouth in there. Cat has fair hair, same length as yours, but her eyes are sort of hazel.’

‘And she wouldn’t come tonight so you chose me as the look-alike substitute?’ Keira shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I like that, Daniel. And you’re taking quite a chance, aren’t you? What if the elusive Cat finds out?’

‘You weren’t a substitute, Keira. Not the way you mean.’ Daniel defended himself. ‘And Cat knows about you.’

‘I see. So this is a modern romance?’ she teased, and when Daniel would have protested she held up her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Daniel. That was a low blow. Perhaps you’d best finish your tale of woe.’

‘This is serious, Keira.’ Daniel assured her. ‘And you really are like her. Not just in looks. She’s intelligent, funny, straightforward. She doesn’t play games. Cat’s always Cat. We’ve been going out together on and off for about two years.’

‘Then why didn’t you bring her to the party tonight?’

‘You answered that before. She didn’t want to come.’

Keira raised her eyebrows.

‘We-that is, you see, she isn’t keen on meeting my uncle.’

‘No?’ Keira could sympathise with the girl. Or so she told herself.

‘No. And Eden wouldn’t be overjoyed at meeting her,’ Daniel added despondently.

‘Why not? I’m sure you’re underestimating your uncle,’ Keira heard herself add, and began to feel just a little hypocritical. Not hours ago she’d been convinced she’d believe anything about the arrogant Eden Cassidy. She was changing sides in the middle of the round. Except it wasn’t a game. ‘Unless Cat’s one of the giggling air-head brigade.’

‘Give it a rest, Keira.’ Daniel pulled a face. ‘And trust me on this. Eden would blow a fuse. Remember that strike on the Daily Post six months ago when the delivery guys went out?’

‘What could that possibly have to do with you and Cat?’ Keira asked, perplexed. ‘Unless she delivers your