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BOOK 3
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Being Yours BOOK 3
Of course she had wronged Brand by keeping his daughter's birth a secret. But his suspicions about Gary and Fehx had been without foundation. And how could he accuse her of blackmail?'Brand,' she said, not bothering to hide her resentment, 'I am not the juvenile idiot you seem to think me. I am well aware that affection, trust, love—whatever you want to call it—can't be won by blackmail or threats.''Good. In that case, don't ask for the impossible.'A beetle ran over her foot. She kept her eyes on it because she couldn't bear to look at Brand. If she did, she knew she would see his mouth flattened into that familiarly adamant line. She had no wish to confirm that the bond forged between them by last night's loving had faded with the unforgiving light of morning.'I'm not asking for anything,' she said.She wasn't either. She would love Brand to the end of her days, but it looked as though her love had finally defeated her. Coming back had been a mistake. What she ought to do now was
Being Yours BOOK 3
'None at all.' Isabella began to move discreetly in the direction of the door.'Good. Good.' He made a noise like an engine that didn't want to start and levered himself slowly to his feet.Isabella edged round the arm of the sofa, but suddenly Felix stepped in front of her. 'It's been a pleasure. Belle,' he said in a throaty whisper.'Yes. Goodbye.' She stood to one side, giving him clear access to the door.'Just for old times' sake,' he said.'What?' She caught his intention just a second too late. As she started back Felix grabbed her by the shoulders, pulled her towards him and planted a damp kiss on her indignantly closed lips.Isabella drew away from him at once. But already something in the atmosphere had changed. The air was cooler and—and someone who wasn't Felix had just hiccupped. At least it had sounded like a hiccup. She wiped the back of her wrist across lips that tasted of beer.Soon she would have to turn her head towards the door. She didn't want to, because she alre
Being Yours BOOK 3
'Did you? By which time, I suppose, all signs of packing would have vanished and you'd have been able to break it to me gently. Was that the idea? Unfortunately for you, I finished my business earlier than expected.'Connie nuzzled her nose into Brand's neck. 'I'm glad you came early, Daddy,' she murmured, tightening her grip on his shoulders. 'Now we won't have to go to Edmonton, will we?''Of course not.' Brand unclasped her arms and lowered her gently to the floor.'Brand, you have no right to raise her hopes like that,' Isabella snapped. 'Connie, I'm sorry, darling, but it really isn't up to your father. You liked Edmonton before. You were happy there—''That was then. I didn't have Fluffy. Or my daddy.' Connie stuck out her lower lip and kicked mulishly at a worn patch on the carpet.Brand put his hand on the top of his daughter's head. 'Listen, sweetheart,' he said, in a voice that Isabella could tell he was having trouble keeping even. 'Your mother and I need to talk this over
Being Yours BOOK 3
'Yes,' he snapped.'Brand. It's Isabella—''So Mrs Crackitt said. What is it?'She wiped a thin film of moisture off her upper lip. 'It's Connie,' she whispered. 'Brand, she's disappeared.''What? What did you say? You'll have to speak up.''I said it's Connie.' Isabella was shouting now. 'She's disappeared.''Dis—What do you mean, disappeared?' He sounded more impatient than worried.Isabella explained. There was silence for a moment, and she felt as if she could actually hear him checking options and making snap decisions. Recriminations, she knew, would come later.'Right,' he said brusquely. 'You stay right where you are. In case she comes back. Have you called the police?''Not yet. I—''Then do it. And tell Edwina and anyone else who can help to keep on searching. I'll join them as soon as I can get there.'Brand was brisk, efficient and to the point. Isabella had no idea what he was feeling. Then he hung up.She passed the message to Edwina, who nodded, and left at once to get
Being Yours BOOK 3
'Yes,' she said. 'That's all. Goodnight Brand.'He didn't answer, but she thought she saw him frown in the dim light. Then suddenly he put his hand on the back of her head and drew her to him, crushing her Hps briefly and thoroughly before he let her go. Isabella knew, with an instinct that had rarely let her down, that this was Brand's way of telling her goodbye.'Goodnight, Isabella,' he said, as if it were any normal night. 'Sleep well.'Isabella was too worn out and too devastated to do anything but nod. Because it wasn't any night. It was the last time Brand would hold her in his arms.A branch snapped in the wind and came crashing to the ground behind her. Isabella jumped. She was on the beach, not leaning alone and empty in her doorway watching Brand drive off into the night.Oh, Mother of God! Had she made a terrible mistake? Were the wind and the waves trying to tell her something? She watched as two seagulls battled the updraughts to descend onto a patch of seaweed draped ov
Being Yours BOOK 3
'Forgive you?' She was bewildered now. 'But—Brand, I have nothing to forgive.'His mouth twisted. 'A week ago I might have agreed. A week ago I believed you were still the little man-eater I married in a fit of remorse, found myself falling in love with and then drove away one cold December night . . .' He started to reach for her, then his eyes narrowed and he let his hand drop back against his side. 'You're wearing my bracelet,' he said.Isabella felt the blood leave her face. Her heart was beating like the wings of a butterfly caught in a net. She took a step backwards and groped blindly for Brand's tall leather desk-chair. It had to be somewhere behind her.'What did you say?' she whispered, finding the chair and sinking into it.*I said, you're wearing my bracelet.'*Oh. Yes. It seemed—right.''It is right. I want you to wear it.'She smiled slightly. 'I'm glad. I want to wear it too. But I meant before that. Did—did I hear you say you found yourself falling in love? With me? I t
Being Yours BOOK 4
'Be careful,' Amy said. 'You're pulling.'Robert went on dragging her hair together in both his fists. When he had it tight, he pinned the two red hanks wide apart on the pillow and surveyed her naked body with satisfaction.'Not a freckle anywhere.''Yes, well, I stay out of the sun, don't I?' Amy jerked her head uselessly. 'Let go, will you?''You didn't stay out of the sun in Corfu.' He kept her hair pinned, and went on studying her in the glow of his parchment-shaded bedside lamp. 'The first thing I noticed about you was the way this -' he straightened her hair to its full length, almost reaching the abundant curves of her breasts - 'shone across the beach . . .''Stop it!' Amy prised at his hands, trying to free herself. 'That bloody hurts . . .'She hesitated, angry with herself for breaking her own rule. She had always been careful not to swear at all, first because of her younger brothers, then because of the young people she taught.At least it seemed to have worked, on this
Being Yours BOOK 4
He flung himself out of bed and stalked across the room, as sleek as a racehorse. Amy noted with something very like terror that he was still rampantly aroused and it was with relief that she watched him throw on his blue silk dressing gown, belt it, and drop into his leather bedroom chair, all in one superb movement.Tm asking you to share my life, not inviting you to a bloody vicarage tea party. I take it you don't like the idea?''Well . . .' Amy began, then went on hastily. 'There's my job . . .''Where on earth does that come into it?'Amy made no reply. In the three months they'd known each other he'd never let her talk about her work, so naturally he didn't realize how important it was to her.It was understandable, she supposed, trying to make allowances. After all, she hadn't known herself before she started what an absorbing job teaching could be.Seven years ago, David had married Jenny and brought her to live on the farm. At first Amy had been a little worried to have anot
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