The Helen Bianchin And The Regency Scoundrels And Scandals Collections. Louise Allen

way into the crowded foyer, where guests mingled as waiters offered champagne and orange juice.

      The film was predicted to be a box-office success, with special effects advertised as surpassing anything previously seen on screen.

      There was the usual marketing pizzazz, the buzz of conversation, and Cassandra recognised a few fellow guests as she stood sipping champagne.

      ‘I imagine Diego will be here tonight.’

      ‘Possibly,’ she conceded with deliberate unconcern, aware that if he did attend it was unlikely to be alone.

      ‘Does that bother you?’

      ‘Why should it? He’s a free agent.’ The truth shouldn’t hurt so much. ‘I’m just a transitory issue he decided to amuse himself with.’

      She didn’t want to see him here…or anywhere else for that matter. It would merely accentuate the difference between their public lives and the diabolical arrangement Diego had made in forcing her to be part of a deal.

      ‘He’s just arrived,’ Cameron indicated quietly.

      ‘Really?’ Pretending indifference was a practised art, and she did it well. She told herself she wouldn’t indulge in an idle glance of the foyer’s occupants, only to have her attention drawn as if by a powerful magnet to where Diego stood.

      Attired in an immaculate evening suit, he looked every inch the powerful magnate. Blatant masculinity and elemental ruthlessness made for a dangerous combination in any arena.

      Cassandra’s gaze fused with his, and in that moment she was prepared to swear everything stood still.

      Sensation swirled through her body, tuning it to a fine pitch as she fought to retain a measure of composure.

      Almost as if he knew, he inclined his head in acknowledgement and proffered a faintly mocking smile before returning his attention to the man at his side.

      It was then Cassandra saw Alicia move into his circle, and she felt sickened by Alicia’s effusive greeting.

      With deliberate movements she positioned herself so Diego was no longer in her line of vision, and she initiated an animated conversation with Cameron about the merits of German and Italian motor engineering.

      Cars numbered high on his list of personal obsessions, and he launched into a spiel of detailed data that went right over her head.

      He was in his element, and she allowed her mind to drift as she tuned out his voice.

      Diego didn’t owe her any loyalty. If he’d issued her with an invitation to partner him here tonight, she would have refused. So why did she care?

      Logic and rationale were fine, but they did nothing to ease the pain in the vicinity of her heart.

      Are you crazy? she demanded silently. You don’t even like him. Why let him get to you? Except it was too late…way too late. He was already there.

      ‘…and given a choice, I’d opt for Ferrari,’ Cameron concluded, only to quizzically ask, ‘Have you heard a word I said?’

      ‘It was an interesting comparison,’ Cassandra inclined with a faint smile.

      ‘Darling, don’t kid yourself. You were miles away.’ He paused for a few seconds, then said gently, ‘Alicia isn’t with him. She’s just trying to make out she is.’

      ‘I really don’t care.’

      ‘Yes, you do. And that worries me.’

      ‘Don’t,’ she advised with soft vehemence. ‘I went into this with my eyes open.’

      ‘There’s only the weekend, then it’s over.’

      Now, why did that send her into a state of mild despair?

      It was a relief when the auditorium doors opened and the guests moved forward to await direction to their seats.

      ‘Cassandra. Cameron.’

      She’d have recognised that faintly accented drawl anywhere, and she summoned a polite smile as she turned towards the man who’d joined them.

      ‘Diego,’ she acknowledged, and watched as he shifted his gaze to Cameron.

      ‘If I had known you were attending I could have arranged a seating reallocation.’

      ‘I was gifted the tickets last night,’ Cameron relayed with regret.

      ‘Pity.’

      Alicia appeared at Diego’s side, and curved her arm sinuously through his own. ‘Diego, we’re waiting for you.’ She made a pretence of summoning charm. ‘Cassandra, Cameron. I’m sure you’ll excuse us?’

      Diego deliberately released her arm from his, and Cassandra wondered if she was the only one who caught the dangerous glitter in Alicia’s eyes.

      To compound the situation, Diego ushered Cassandra and Cameron ahead, and Cassandra felt Alicia’s directed venom like hot knives piercing her back.

      ‘That was interesting,’ Cameron accorded quietly as they slid into their seats. ‘Alicia is a first-class bitch.’

      ‘They deserve each other,’ Cassandra declared with dulcet cynicism, and incurred a musing glance.

      ‘Darling, Diego is light-years ahead of her.’

      ‘Is that meant as a compliment or a condemnation?’

      Cameron laughed out loud. ‘I’ll opt for the former. I’m sure you prefer the latter.’

      Wasn’t that the truth!

      The film proved to be a riveting example of superb technical expertise with hand-to-the-throat suspense that had the audience gasping in their seats.

      Eventually the credits rolled, the lights came on, and guests began vacating the theatre.

      Cassandra sent up a silent prayer she’d manage to escape without encountering Diego. Except the deity wasn’t listening, and the nerves inside her stomach accelerated as he drew level with them in the foyer.

      His gaze locked with hers, and she could read nothing from his expression. ‘We’re going on for coffee, if you’d care to join us.’

      Are you kidding? You expect me to sit opposite you, calmly sipping a latte, while Alicia plays the vamp?

      ‘Thank you, no,’ she got in quickly before Cameron had a chance to accept. ‘I have an early start in the morning.’ She didn’t, but he wasn’t to know that, and she offered a sweet smile as he inclined his head.

      ‘I’ll be in touch.’

      Alicia’s mouth tightened, and Cassandra glimpsed something vicious in those ice-blue eyes for a timeless second, then it was gone.

      Cassandra wasn’t conscious of holding her breath until Diego moved ahead of them, then she released it slowly, conscious of Cameron’s soft exclamation as she did so.

      ‘Watch your back with that one, darling,’ he cautioned. ‘Alicia has it in for you.’

      She met her brother’s wry look with equanimity. ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’

      They reached the exit and began walking towards where Cameron had parked the car. ‘If she discovers Diego is sleeping with you…’ He left the sentence unfinished.

      ‘I can look after myself.’

      He caught hold of her hand and squeezed it in silent reassurance. ‘Just take care, OK?’

       CHAPTER SIX

      ‘CASSANDRA, phone.’

      Diego, it had to be.

      Cassandra