A Rumoured Engagement by Catherine George

Author:Catherine George [Catherine George]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-14592-5235-6
Publisher: Harlequin Treasury

CHAPTER SEVEN

SASKIA woke slowly in her own bed to broad daylight, and found half the day gone. And her new dress hanging on the wardrobe facing her. In sudden panic she flung back the bedclothes, relieved to find she was still wearing the black silk teddy of the night before, and even her stockings. She blew out her scarlet cheeks, leapt from the bed, stripped off the underwear, then huddled into her towelling robe for an urgent visit to the bathroom, praying she would make it there and back unseen.

Mission accomplished, Saskia raced back to her room to remove last night’s make-up from her flushed face, then she slapped moisturiser onto her skin and brushed her hair, grateful now for the expensive haircut which fell so obediently into place. Thanking her lucky stars that she’d avoided meeting Luke until she looked rather more appetising, she pulled on a shirt and jeans, then stood still, dismayed to hear voices somewhere outside, followed by a tap on her door.

‘Sassy,’ called Luke softly. ‘Are you awake?’

‘Just about.’

‘We’ve got company.’

She grimaced, unseen. ‘Who is it?’

‘Dante and Mirella. I’m giving them coffee in the kitchen. It’s a bit chilly and grey out there today. You need a sweater.’

Saskia took time to make up her face, then hunted out the long cardigan she’d had no need of until now. Woven from the wool of some northerly Scottish sheep, and dyed a shade of burnt orange that went well with the gold threads in her hair, it was a comfort against the sudden cold of the day. She found a lipstick that toned, tied a white-dotted green cotton scarf at her throat, and went out to meet the visitors.

Dante and Luke got up from the table as she entered the kitchen, the former coming forward, hand outstretched. Luke smiled at her, the familiar teasing gleam in his eyes.

Mirella smiled shyly. ‘I hope we did not wake you, Saskia. We brought you this.’ She gestured towards a small gilt evening purse on the table. ‘I thought it might be yours.’

Saskia smiled warmly at the girl, and shook hands with Dante, who, like Luke, was dressed in jeans and sweater, with a glove-thin suede jacket slung over the back of his chair.

‘I hope you are not exhausted,’ he said, holding onto her hand a little longer than strictly necessary.

‘Not in the least I’ve been sleeping for hours. Good morning, everyone.’ Saskia smiled at Luke, who placed a cup of coffee beside the empty place at the table and held out a chair for her, surprising her with a casual kiss on her cheek as she sat down.

‘‘Morning, sleepyhead. Dante and Mirella came round to ask us out to lunch.’

‘How nice,’ lied Saskia, resisting an urge to touch her hand to her cheek. ‘It was very kind of you to trouble to bring the purse, but it isn’t mine.’ Because her only handbag was a large, all-purpose affair, she had dispensed with one altogether the night before.

‘Then we shall take it back.

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