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Ginny was still sitting behind closed curtains in a dim interior. Mouse was now indoors but in a pitiable state, shaking all over and refusing to come out from below the table. Elias had curled up with the dog. Maribel picked him up and cuddled him.
‘I’m rather puzzled about something,’ Ginny remarked. ‘I made coffee for the bodyguards. What do you think I found out?’
‘Tell me.’
‘One of them let drop that they were detailed to work here the day before yesterday.’
Maribel gave her friend her full attention. ‘But that’s not possible.’
‘Someone must’ve known in advance that that story was in the pipeline. Leonidas’ men were here ready and waiting for the balloon to go up.’
Maribel became very still. It was as if the circuits in her brain were connecting to show her an unexpected pattern. Mental alarm bells began jangling. One too many inconsistencies in recent events forced her to reconsider all of them. Leonidas had been remarkably mild about the paparazzi invasion, and astonishingly tactful and unassuming when he had merely suggested that she should consider moving into his Georgian mansion. Mildness, tact and humility were not typical Pallis traits. In addition, the personal information in the article had been staggeringly accurate and the tone unusually benevolent. That she should suspect Leonidas of prior knowledge and even of having had a hand in destroying her anonymity struck Maribel as appalling. But the suspicion also roused her furious indignation and a strong need to know the truth beyond all doubt.
‘Ginny…could you bear to stay here alone with Elias until later this evening?’ Maribel asked tautly. ‘I need to see Leonidas.’
CHAPTER SIX
MARIBEL was in the private lift being wafted up to Leonidas’ office in the Pallis building when her mobile rang. It was Hermione Stratton, and her aunt was in a virulent fury.
‘Is it true that Leonidas Pallis is the father of your son?’ Hermione demanded in a furious voice of disbelief.
Maribel winced; she had always feared that that revelation might annoy the older woman. ‘I’m afraid so.’
‘You sly, scheming little witch!’ her aunt condemned shrilly. ‘He couldn’t possibly have wanted you. You couldn’t hold a candle to Imogen in looks or personality!’
That verbal onslaught from her closest relative gutted Maribel. ‘I know,’ she responded gruffly. ‘I’m sorry that you’ve been upset by all this.’
‘Don’t make me sick! Why would you be sorry? That little boy must be worth a fortune to you! You’ve been a very, very clever young woman.’
‘I think I’ve been rather stupid,’ her niece contradicted in a pained undertone. ‘I didn’t plan this. This is not how I wanted my life to turn out.’
‘Don’t you dare get in touch with anyone in this family ever again!’ the older woman warned her in a vitriolic rant. ‘As far as we’re concerned, from this moment on, you’re dead.’
After those harsh words, Maribel was pale as snow. She had hoped that time would soften her aunt’s attitude to her son and could now see no prospect of that. The lift opened onto a private vestibule. A male PA ushered her into a huge office and informed her that Leonidas would join her when his early-evening meeting had finished. The tall windows displayed the most amazing views of the City of London, lights twinkling against the backdrop of a ruddy sunset. The furniture was contemporary and stylish. First and foremost, however, it was an efficient, custom-designed workspace. Leonidas never mixed business with pleasure. He would probably be less than pleased at her uninvited descent on his business empire.
‘Maribel…’ Lean, mean and magnificent in a tailored grey pinstripe suit that was enlivened by a red tie, Leonidas wore a rare expression of concern on his darkly handsome features. In a disconcerting move, he crossed the room and reached for both her hands. ‘You should have told me that you wanted to see me. I would have sent a helicopter to pick you up. How are you?’
He was a class act, she acknowledged abstractedly, never stuck for the right word for the occasion. In collision with his brilliant dark heavily lashed eyes, she felt positively dizzy. As always, he looked amazing and he made her feel detached from reality, breathless, on the edge of thrills too wicked and wonderful to even think about without blushing. Yet, she had only to think of her son and there was murder in her heart when she gazed back at Leonidas.
‘You’re being nice because you believe you’ve won. You think I’ve come running all this way in search of your support, don’t you?’ Maribel bit out shakily, powered by rage and wounded pride.
