‘So you’re Primo Rinucci,’ Olympia mused, still smiling. ‘I kept thinking I’d probably meet him before this, but somehow it never quite worked out. I’m not sure why.’
She gazed charmingly into his face, as though inviting him to speculate.
‘Some things-are hard to explain,’ he said vaguely.
‘Oh, I don’t think it’s as hard as all that,’ she said. ‘Several reasons come to mind. I’m even a little surprised to meet him now, but it has all the charm of the unexpected, don’t you think? Or perhaps charm is the wrong word.’
‘Indeed,’ he said vaguely.
He was trying to pull himself together, alarmed to notice that she seemed perfectly in command of the situation while he was floundering.
‘Is that the best you can manage?’ she asked. ‘You don’t have a lot to say for yourself, do you? Strange, I remember you as such a clever talker.’
‘Olympia,’ he whispered, ‘please don’t jump to conclusions.’
‘I didn’t jump to this conclusion. It bounded out and socked me on the jaw. Inside I’m still reeling, but some things become clear even when you’re in a state of shock. Don’t you find that?’ Her tone expressed merely interest.
‘I’m in a state of shock right now,’ he said wryly. ‘But your powers of recovery seem remarkable.’
‘Yes, but I knew first. Your mother showed me your photograph and gave me your name.’
And then he realised her sharp wits had told her all she needed to know. Now she had him at a hopeless disadvantage.
He pulled himself together and tried to match her amused tone, saying, ‘Personally I enjoy dealing with the unexpected. You can get some pleasant surprises that way.’
‘And some nasty shocks,’ she said coolly. ‘Not to mention severe disappointments.’
‘Isn’t it a bit soon to judge that?’
‘I don’t think so. Some judgements are best made immediately.’
‘And some can be made too soon,’ he murmured.
In the soft light it was hard to be sure but he thought she went a little pale.
‘Yes, I discovered that years ago,’ she said. ‘I thought I was past having to learn it again, but I was wrong.’
The throb of hurt in her voice made him draw a sharp breath.
‘Don’t confuse me with David,’ he whispered. ‘I’m not like him.’
‘You’re right. David was a cheapskate but he was honest in his way. At least I knew his name.’
‘I never meant to hurt you. Please believe that.’
‘I do.’ But the brief hope this gave him was dashed when she added, ‘You never gave a second thought to whether you hurt me or not. Or even a first thought.’
‘Come into the dining room, everyone,’ Hope called. ‘Supper is served.’
He looked a question at her, but without much hope, and Luke appeared at her side. As they walked away together Primo remembered his mother describing how Luke had spoken of Olympia-‘She’s all mine.’
He’d been away in England for only a few days, yet it seemed that they were almost engaged. He tried to ignore the faint chill this thought caused him and put on a smile for the other guests.
A malign fate caused him to be seated directly opposite Olympia, where he had a grandstand view of her and Luke, laughing and talking over the meal, sometimes with their heads together. The candles on the table were reflected in her eyes and their glow seemed to pervade her whole being. How could he blame Luke for seeming entranced by her? He was entranced himself. He had never seen her look so beautiful, but it was not for him.
After the meal came dancing and every man there competed to dance with her. To Primo’s rage they generally raised an eyebrow in Luke’s direction in silent acknowledgement that she was ‘his’ woman. Grinning, Luke would give his permission, then watch her with fond, possessive eyes. Primo fully understood that feeling of possessiveness. It was the same one that made him want to knock his brother to the floor, throw Olympia over his shoulder and run away to hide in a cave, where no man’s eyes but his own would ever see her.
‘Glorious, isn’t she?’ said a voice at his elbow.
It was Luke, having made his way around the edge of the floor to join his brother.
‘How did I ever hit so lucky?’ he mused.
‘How long have you known her?’ Primo asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
‘Only since today.’
‘Today?’ He was startled.
‘She sent me flying with her car. I haven’t picked myself up yet. Maybe I never will. That’s fine. When the moment happens, it happens.’
‘Are you telling me,’ Primo said in a carefully controlled voice, ‘that after less than a day-?’
‘Why not? Some women are so special that you know almost at once. Look at her. Isn’t that a lady who could slay you in the first moment?’
‘Don’t be melodramatic,’ Primo said harshly. His head was throbbing.
‘Sure. I forgot you’re the one man in the world who couldn’t understand love at first sight. Take my word, it’s the best.’
‘Yes,’ Primo murmured inaudibly. ‘It is.’
‘You knew her in England, didn’t you?’ Luke added. ‘What’s the story?’
‘There is no story,’ Primo said repressively.
‘Odd that. She won’t talk about you either.’
‘Then mind your own damned business,’ Primo said with soft venom.
‘Like that, is it? Why don’t you ask her to dance? It’s cool with me.’
This time the look his brother turned on him was murderous. But the music was ending and Primo marched swiftly over to Olympia and reached for her hand, saying, ‘Let’s dance.’
‘I think not,’ she said. ‘I’ve promised this one.’
She slid easily into the arms of an elderly uncle whose name she had forgotten but who beamed at his luck. Primo watched them, planning dire retribution on his innocent relative. It didn’t help when the uncle’s wife stood beside him, sighing happily. ‘Isn’t she a nice girl to be so kind to the old fool? It’s not often he has such fun.’
When the dance was over Primo took no chances.
‘The next one is with me,’ he said, taking firm hold of her hand.
‘I’d rather not, if you don’t mind,’ she said, trying to break free and failing.
The music was beginning. Primo’s arm was about her waist in an unbreakable hold and Olympia found that she had no choice but to dance with him.
Such forcefulness was new, coming from him, and it increased her anger. Yet that very anger also seemed part of the heady excitement that the drama of the situation was causing to stream through her.
‘Who the hell are you to be high-handed?’ she demanded furiously.
He gave her a wolfish grin.
‘I’m Primo Rinucci, a man I’ve heard you describe as ruthless and power-mad. A man to be hunted down by a determined woman and used for anything she can get out of him.’
‘I never said that.’
‘You said plenty that meant exactly that. So why should you be surprised if I act up to your picture of me?’
‘All right, enjoy yourself while you can. Tomorrow I’m on the first plane home.’
‘I think not. You have a contract with Leonate.’
‘I never signed any contract.’
‘You signed one with Curtis that has a year to run. Leonate own Curtis, which means that I own you for the next year.’
‘The hell you do.’
‘The hell I don’t! What happens to you now is up to me. Leave now and I’ll freeze you out of the entire industry, for good. You’ll be amazed at how far my tentacles stretch. How’s that for ruthless and power-mad?’
‘About what I’d have expected.’
‘Good, then we both know where we stand.’
‘Let me go right now.’
