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She laughed. ‘Charming. Can’t I come just to visit my big brother?’
‘Of course you can.’ He waved away her joke, trying to tamp down on his impatience. Wanting to be alone with Lucinda didn’t give him the right to be rude to his sister. He softened his tone. ‘How areyoufeeling, more to the point?’ She looked slim, and pale. He met her concern with his own.
‘Actually, I’m okay. I’ve eaten breakfast these last four days, so that’s something. Still just a piece of toast and half a banana, but that’s better than nothing.’
‘It’s not enough.’ He frowned. ‘Is your doctor any good?’
‘Apparently, she’s the best in Nalvania.’
‘Then let me find you the best in the world,’ Thirio insisted. ‘Nalvania is a small country—’
‘With excellent healthcare,’ she assured him, shaking her head affectionately. He’d blinked and suddenly his younger sister had grown into a beautiful, confident, self-assured princess-in-waiting. ‘I’m okay, Thirio. The doctors are not worried.’
‘You’re too thin.’
‘Gee, thanks,’ she muttered. ‘What’s got into you? You’re even grouchier than usual.’
He glowered, unable to answer her question honestly. He’d been wrenched out of bed with a beautiful woman—the first lover he’d taken in six years. Damned straight he was cranky at the intrusion.
‘The reason I came is to discuss this.’ She brandished her phone.
He focused on the screen, recognising Lucinda’s wedding details. ‘Is there a problem?’
‘Far from it. I’m overjoyed. Everything here is so perfect, Thirio, I can’t believe it. It’s as though this woman has tunnelled right into my subconscious and pulled out my innermost thoughts and wishes. The wedding is going to be everything I could ever want.’
And despite the fact he had absolutely no right, pride puffed Thirio’s chest. Not personal pride, but a sense of pride for Lucinda, and for the work she’d done. Now that he knew more about her, and understood the adversity she’d faced to accomplish what she had, he was even happier that she’d been able to so perfectly anticipate Evie’s needs.
‘I’d like her number so I can call and thank her.’
‘You can thank her in person.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s here.’
‘Here?’ Evie stared at him as though he’d said something quite ludicrous. ‘At thecastile?’
Thirio laughed, her incredulity not hard to understand. ‘Well, she does have to organise rather a major event.’
‘Yes, but still,’ Evie said with a small shake of her head. ‘I didn’t realise you’d be...’
‘Yes?’
‘I thought—’ Evie laughed, then mock-punched Thirio’s arm. ‘Stop making fun of me. You know what I’m getting at. Youhatepeople. You particularly hate having people in your personal space.’
‘And yet I agreed for your wedding to be here.’
Evie was quiet, chewing on that a moment. ‘Whydidyou agree to this?’ Her eyes probed his. ‘I know you must hate the idea.’
He nodded slowly. ‘My first reaction was to say no. But then I read the plan and I knew how happy it would make you. There is nothing I want more than your happiness, Evie.’ What he didn’t add, but they both understood, was that he felt an obligation to deliver that happiness to her, after what he’d taken away.
‘But at what cost?’ she murmured. ‘I don’t want you to suffer.’
‘I’ll cope,’ he drawled. ‘It’s one night.’
‘But two days.’
‘I’ll cope,’ he repeated firmly. ‘Stop worrying and start enjoying.’ His edict was followed by a knock on the door jamb of the living room and, a moment later, Lucinda ducked her head around. He stood very still. In fact, it was as though his body had been turned to rock. All he could do was stare at her. Gone was the woman he’d just been making love to. In her place stood a stunning, confident, smiling professional, wearing a silk blouse and knee-length skirt, her hair braided over one shoulder.
