The Helen Bianchin Collection. Helen Bianchin

first time.’

      She’d learned from an early age to pin a smile on her face and hold her head high… Years of practice meant ease in acquiring a social façade. It was a game, a pretense, and she did it well.

      It helped her greet a few acquaintances as she threaded her way through the fellow guests, to pause and converse briefly with a one or two.

      The powder room was relatively empty, and Katrina smoothed a hand over her hair, took time to freshen her lipstick, and was about to retreat when the inner door swung open and Georgia entered the room.

      Coincidence? Unlikely. This was a deliberate move on the model’s part to initiate a one-on-one confrontation.

      She could escape, but why, when Georgia was determined to have her say?

      ‘I imagine there’s a purpose to you following me here?’

      ‘Of course.’

      ‘So why don’t you get it over with?’

      ‘The terms of your late father’s will must be a terrible trial to you.’ Georgia inclined with practised languidness.

      The game was about to commence. It took two to play, and she was determined not to lose. ‘In what way?’

      ‘Why…sharing the same house with Nicos, of course.’

      Attack was better than defence. ‘After he betrayed me?’

      ‘Difficult, darling. Surely?’

      ‘We agreed to compromise,’ Katrina said steadily.

      ‘Oh?’

      ‘And enjoy the fringe benefits.’

      ‘Such as?’

      ‘Sex.’ She even managed to effect a secretive smile. ‘Nicos does the sex thing superbly well.’

      Georgia’s eyes narrowed. One to Katrina. But how long before the model evened the score?

      ‘Agreed, darling. But can you be sure it’s you he’s thinking of at that…ah…’ she paused for effect ‘…intense moment,’ she concluded with delicate emphasis.

      Too soon, Katrina acknowledged.

      ‘How can you compete,’ Georgia continued archly, pitilessly, ‘when I have his son?’

      ‘Has that been proven conclusively?’

      ‘Why else would our individual lawyers be in the throes of hammering out a settlement and child support?’

      Not so good, she conceded, aware just how the odds were stacked against her. ‘And where is your son, Georgia? Isn’t he a little young to leave with a sitter?’

      ‘My mother flew in from Brisbane with me. Naturally I have a nanny.’

      Naturally. Whatever happened to hands-on motherhood?

      ‘If you’re so important to Nicos,’ she said carefully, ‘why didn’t he initiate divorce proceedings as soon as I left him?’

      ‘How can you be so sure he didn’t?’ Georgia countered. ‘A legal separation doesn’t require documentation, other than a noting of the date both parties live apart. The Australian legal system recognises a decree nisi application one year after the date of separation.’

      ‘In which case, our reconciliation has thrown a spanner in the works.’

      Georgia mentally sharpened her claws and aimed for the kill. ‘Not really, darling. A year isn’t long in the scheme of things. I’m prepared to let him have you for a while.’ Her smile was pure feline. ‘After all, I’ll get to keep him for a lifetime.’

      ‘You’re that confident?’

      ‘Determined,’ the model assured.

      Katrina felt sickened. ‘What makes you think I’ll give him up so easily?’

      ‘You did before. Why should this time be any different?’ A soft laugh slipped from her carefully painted mouth. ‘Oh, darling,’ she chastised with pitying candour, ‘you’re not going to fight for him, are you? It would be such a demeaning exercise.’

      ‘Demeaning to whom?’

      There was a telling silence, then Georgia pursued softly, ‘I play to win.’

      ‘So do I.’

      The model took a deliberate minute to check out her mirrored reflection before meeting Katrina’s unwavering gaze. ‘Then, we shall see who takes the prize.’

      As an exit line it was a doozey.

      It was several long seconds before Katrina felt calm enough to leave the relative sanctuary of the powder room and re-enter the ballroom lobby.

      Nicos was standing close to one of the main doors, one of a remaining few guests, as most had already entered and were in the process of being seated.

      He watched her cross the floor towards him, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of her carefully composed features.

      She was a spunky lady in many ways, but grief for Kevin was taking its toll. Georgia with her insidious innuendo was an abomination, and Enrique was again trolling for cash.

      He experienced angry exasperation at the hand fate had dealt him, and impatience at being forced to wait for the resolution. Yet it was the end that justified the means.

      ‘Georgia ensured a confrontation.’

      Katrina lifted her chin and met his dark gaze with equanimity. ‘Ah, you noticed.’

      ‘There’s very little I don’t notice about you.’

      ‘Well, now, there’s the thing,’ she commented with unaccustomed flippancy. ‘I’m sure I should be flattered.’

      ‘She upset you.’ It wasn’t a query, merely a statement.

      ‘Observant, too. Please don’t ask me for a word-by-word replay.’

      ‘Katrina—’

      ‘Let’s go enter the social fray, shall we?’

      ‘It’ll keep.’

      There were friends present whom they needed to connect with, acquaintances to acknowledge, and it was almost midnight before they could slip away.

      Katrina sat quietly in the car as Nicos traversed city traffic and headed towards the eastern suburbs.

      ‘Want to talk about it?’

      She transferred her attention from the brightly lit street and could define little from his shadowy profile.

      He’d been so chillingly cool with Georgia…for her benefit? She returned her gaze to the scene beyond the windscreen. Even looking at him hurt.

      ‘Not particularly.’

      As soon as they reached home she slid out from the car and moved through to the lobby ahead of him, mounting the stairs at a quickened pace, almost as if she was intent on putting as much distance between them as possible.

      Which was ridiculous, she admitted silently as she reached the landing and made her way towards the bedroom.

      Nicos followed, watching as she stepped out of her shoes, then she removed her jewellery before freeing the zip fastening on her gown.

      ‘I had no idea Georgia would be there tonight.’

      Her fingers stilled for a few seconds, then she slid the straps free from her shoulders and carefully slipped the gown down over her hips.

      All she wore were thong briefs, and he wondered if she had any idea how provocative she appeared. Pale, satin-textured skin, slender, toned curves, and firm breasts which fitted perfectly into his palms.

      He wanted to skim his hands over her hips, then slide up to cup each