To Be the Best (Harte Family Saga Book 3) by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Author:Barbara Taylor Bradford [Bradford, Barbara Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780795338694
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2014-02-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

He spotted her at once.

She stood at the far end of the living room, just near the French doors leading out to the terrace, talking to Elwin Sorrell, Susan’s American banker husband.

He hesitated on the threshold for a moment before going in, scrutinizing her intently. Her face was in profile and in the shadows, and it was difficult to ascertain whether she was beautiful or not.

And then suddenly Susan saw him and glided over to greet him, and he thought again, as he had so often in the past, how beautiful she was. Her red hair was like an aureole of bright amber light around her lovely tranquil face, and her eyes were vividly blue tonight, full of her irrepressible laughter.

‘Jonny darling,’ she exclaimed as she closed in on him, ‘I was just beginning to wonder where you were.’

She lifted her face to be kissed. He pecked her cheek quickly, perfunctorily, but squeezed her arm in a more intimate fashion. ‘I’m only a few minutes late,’ he said. Dropping his voice, he whispered, ‘Can’t you find a way to meet me one afternoon at the flat? Or at my office? We can be just as private there. I’ve missed you.’

She shook her head rapidly, looked around the room, smiling brightly. ‘I daren’t,’ she muttered as she brought her gaze back to him. Tucking her arm through his, she laughed gaily, said in her normal voice, ‘By the way, Jonathan, I forgot to mention that Elwin and I are going to San Francisco the day after tomorrow. For a couple of months. That’s the real reason for tonight’s dinner party. A sort of farewell get together with a few of our favourite people.’

‘We’ll all miss you,’ Jonathan said, following her cue, aware that several of the other guests were looking across at them.

One of the Chinese houseboys came up to him with a tray of champagne, and he took a glass, murmured his thanks, turned to Susan. ‘Cheers,’ he said as he took a sip. ‘Now, tell me about the mystery lady. That’s her, isn’t it, talking to Elwin in the doorway?’

‘Yes, but I can’t tell you much, because I don’t know her well. I’ve only met her once, at Betsy Androtti’s house last week. I was instantly struck by her. She’s extremely attractive, charming, well turned out, and intelligent. Naturally I thought of you immediately.’

‘You used the word perfect on the phone.’

‘I think she is perfect. For you at any rate. There’s something about her that will appeal to you tremendously.’ Susan paused, gave him an appraising stare. ‘I do know you very well, you know, Jonny.’

His mouth twitched with sudden hidden laughter, and he asked, ‘Didn’t Betsy give you any information about her?’

‘Betsy doesn’t know her either. She came to the dinner with some visiting banker. German, I think. And seemingly he met her last summer in the south of France. Or was it Sardinia? Oh dear, I’m not sure.’

‘So she’s truly the mystery lady, eh?’

Susan laughed. ‘I suppose she is.

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