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I would not offer it.'
'Then no wonder you're looking for a new mistress complacency
must be so boring.'
'Elena is not my mistress,' the Conte told her stiffly. 'She is my
cousin.'
'How nice for you.'
'You are insolent!'
'Well, I like that! After some of the things you've just accused me of
you have the nerve to call me insolent. Of all the nerve! I didn't come
here to be insulted by you or anyone else. I-'
'Miss Hammond! Miss Suzanne Hammond!' The sound of the porter
calling her name stopped her in mid-sentence. The man was in the
lounge paging her and she entered the room quickly before he passed
on to the next room. 'Miss Hammond?' He looked at her enquiringly.
Suzanne nodded. 'That's right. You have a message for me?' Oh,
please let it be from Vidal and not Celeste.
'Mr Martino is on the telephone, Miss Hammond. He insisted on us
paging you. Will you speak to him?'
'Certainly. I-'
'Miss Hammond will be with you in a moment, tell my brother to
wait,' the Conte cut in curtly, dismissing the man with a brief nod of
his head. 'So you meant what you said this morning,' he said distantly.
'About seeing Vidal?' she asked carelessly. 'Of course I meant it.'
'Then I will wish you goodnight.'
Suzanne hesitated only momentarily before hurrying to the telephone
in reception. The Conte, after giving her a last disgusted look, had
turned to re-enter the dining room. She smiled at the receptionist as
she indicated which telephone to use. 'Vidal?' she said breathlessly.
'Yes,' came the husky reply. 'You were surely not expecting it to be
my brother?'
Hardly! 'No,' she said steadily.
'Good. I told you I would call. Did you not think I would?'
'I I wasn't sure.'
'Because I saw your dear stepmama today? Celeste can be quite
unshakable, and it was perfectly obvious that Cesare was her real
interest. Were you jealous, car a?'
'Certainly not!' she denied indignantly. 'And I didn't mean because of
Celeste. It's none of my business if you . choose to take her out for the
day.'
'Then why ...? Ah, do not tell me. Cesare has been busy. My dear
brother has told you of my betrothal.'
'He did just happen to mention it, yes.'
'I am sure he did. But I am not yet betrothed and have no intention of
becoming so. Cesare has been presumptuous. When did you see him?'
When did she see him! It would be easier to say when she didn't. 'He
was not at work today and we happened to meet at the hotel. He
thought it best that I should know.'
'He had no right! I am a grown man, I will not be treated in this way.
Did he say. anything else that I should know about?'
'No,' she lied.
'I will speak to him. When can I see you, Suzanne?'
'Are you sure you should, Vidal? Cesare said-'
'Cesare! Forget him, car a. Since when have you been on such
intimate terms that you call him Cesare?' he asked suspiciously.
'Since he introduced himself to Celeste and insisted we both call him
that.'
'I see. So Celeste got her wish after all. And what did Cesare think of
your beautiful stepmama? Was he suitably impressed?'
'I have no idea. Your brother gives little away by facial expression.'
'I know that,' he laughed. 'So, may I call on you tomorrow?'
'If you want to. But I think I should warn you that your brother is
calling on Celeste tomorrow too.'
'All the better. We can. all meet together.'
'Vidal! Do you think that's wise? Your brother is antagonistic enough
towards me already.'
'Suzanne, do not worry so much,' his voice lowered caressingly."'I am
looking forward to seeing you. Are you not anxious to see me also?'
'You know I am, but-' -
'No buts, Suzanne. Leave Cesare to me.'
Suzanne wished she could be as confident as Vidal about his brother.
She had waited nervously about the hotel all morning, evading
Celeste where possible. Lunch had been an almost silent affair, with
neither of them speaking unless it was absolutely necessary. Suzanne
knew Celeste blamed her for not telling her about the Conte. Her
surprise at his age and attractiveness could all have been alleviated if
Suzanne had just mentioned him. But to do that she would have had
to tell of her meeting with Vidal, and she had wanted to keep that
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