The Millionaire's Virgin by Anne Mather

Author:Anne Mather
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2000-01-05T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

IT WAS after ten o’clock before Ariadne appeared the following morning.

Paige had been up before the helicopter took off, and although it flew out over the ocean she didn’t know how anyone could sleep through it. But evidently Ariadne had, and Sophie, and she decided it must be because she was burdened with a conscience that she found it so difficult to rest. She seemed to have been in a state of turmoil ever since her father’s death and nothing she did seemed to turn out the way she expected.

But today was a new day, she told herself firmly. Nikolas was gone and wouldn’t be back for over a week, which was surely time enough for her to get some organisation into her life. By the time he returned, she wanted to be able to tell him that she had established a routine, and if that meant going head-to-head with his ward, then so be it.

Nevertheless, it was daunting when her charge chose not to put in an appearance until a quarter-past ten. Half the morning was over, and even Sophie had turned up to drink three cups of coffee and nibble on a slice of toast before taking up her position beside the pool. Their breakfast table had been cleared, and Paige hoped Ariadne didn’t think she was going to spend another hour choosing what she wanted to eat.

In consequence, she was pacing the patio when the Greek girl sauntered out of the house. In a cropped vest and white shorts, her hair hanging in a long braid over one shoulder, she looked absurdly young and vulnerable, and Paige tempered her impatience with the thought that this couldn’t be easy for Ariadne, having strangers living in the house.

‘Good morning,’ she said, pushing her own hands into the pockets of her navy skirt. ‘Did you oversleep?’

Ariadne’s eyes sparkled with momentary hostility, but then she said carelessly, ‘I never get up early unless there’s something I want to do.’

‘Okay.’ Paige weathered the barb without expression. ‘So, you don’t think there’s anything to do.’ She gestured towards the table. ‘Do you want anything to eat, or is that something you don’t consider important either?’

‘Oh, I have had breakfast.’ Ariadne cupped her hands around her eyes and gazed towards the pool. ‘And, unlike your sister and yourself, I do not have to fry my flesh to give my skin some colour.’

Paige controlled her temper with difficulty. ‘Do you ever say anything pleasant about anybody?’ she asked, refusing to be provoked, and Ariadne shrugged.

‘Of course,’ she said, her hands falling to her sides. ‘When it’s warranted.’ She heaved a sigh. ‘I think I’ll go and get my book—’

‘No.’ Paige broke in before she could finish the sentence, and Ariadne gazed at her in some surprise.

‘No?’ she echoed. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘It’s a simple word.’ Paige regarded her steadily. ‘I said, no. You will not go and get your book.’

Ariadne gasped. ‘I will if I want to.’

‘No, you won’t.’ Paige was getting into her stride.

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