The Bitter Price Of Love by Amanda Browning

Author:Amanda Browning [Amanda Browning]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459276048
Publisher: Harlequin

CHAPTER SIX

REBA was out of breath and distinctly dishevelled by the time she reached the house, and, with the memory of her encounter with Hunter still ringing in her head, wanted only to escape to her room where she could nurse her wounds. But, like the best-laid plans, hers were dashed when she heard her name being called just as she crossed the hall. Dearly though she would have loved to ignore the summons, she reluctantly altered direction and entered the lounge.

Four heads turned towards her, and each face registered a different reaction to her appearance. Eliot looked shocked, Eleanor startled, and Mrs Thorson merely raised an eyebrow, while the fourth member of the party seemed actually concerned.

‘Good lord, Reba, whatever have you been doing? You look a mess!’ Eliot declared in horror at the sight of her.

Her flight, and there could be no other word for it, had not been without mishap. She had even fallen once. A glance downwards showed that there was still dust on her clothes and, she suspected, on her face too. She certainly didn’t look as if she had been having an idle stroll about the island, but before she could form any sort of explanation, she was forestalled.

‘Oh, don’t be so ridiculous, Eliot!’ the newcomer reproved him in a voice at once soft and steely. ‘It’s obvious she’s had a fall. Did you hurt yourself?’

Reba studied the beautiful young woman, who had to be the expected guest. She hadn’t known what to expect, but one thing was certain: the concern was absolutely genuine. So, whatever the problem between this woman and Eliot, it wasn’t caused by herself. Relieved, she pulled a wry face, patting at her shorts and releasing a tiny cloud of dust. ‘Not really. I went for a walk, and I’m afraid I did trip over, but the only thing I hurt was my pride,’ she explained, inviting the young woman to laugh with her, which she did with a light, tinkling sound.

‘Oh, pride! I’ve had my share of bumps too. It’s funny the way some people react to them, isn’t it, Eliot?’ she challenged him with a slyly mocking glance.

Over by the window, Eliot stiffened. ‘Meaning what, precisely?’ he demanded, his neck going pink, much to Reba’s surprise.

His tormentor shrugged. ‘Nothing, unless you can think of something.’

Seeing battle-lines about to be drawn up, Eleanor interposed herself hastily. ‘You’ve been gone hours, Reba. We expected you back at lunchtime,’ she remarked over-brightly.

Reba frowned, her own worries temporarily forgotten. Clearly something had happened in the past, and this was not the first exchange today. Considering that Eleanor, knowing that, had been the one to invite this other woman, it was strange that she should now be trying to defuse the situation.

‘I’m sorry. I was under the impression that Eliot would be gone most of the day,’ she apologised at once, wondering if she had misunderstood, and not liking to think the deception had been intentional. From Mrs Thorson she received an apologetic smile which she would have sworn was sincere.

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