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‘So did she,’ he said. He smiled suddenly. ‘But she knows better now. And so do you, my dear, being a newlywed yourself.’
He got to his feet. ‘Just give her a bit more time, and everything will work out for the best. You’ll see.’
He looked at his watch. ‘And I must be on my way. My sister’s expecting me.’
Dana rose too. ‘Mr Harvey—I have to know. Is it—are you my father?’
He sighed. ‘I wish I could say yes, but it would be just another lie. It’s one thing your mother hasn’t told me but perhaps, one day, she’ll tell you.’
He added quietly, ‘And you mustn’t worry about her, love. I’ll make sure she’s all right. And I’ll see myself out.’
Alone, Dana sat, staring into space, her mind whirling until Janet Harris arrived to remove the tray. ‘But you haven’t touched your coffee,’ she exclaimed.
Dana looked up, a small bleak smile twisting her lips. ‘No,’ she said. ‘We didn’t. Do you know, Janet, I think I’m going to have a very large whisky instead.’
* * *
‘It’s just beautiful,’ Nicola said wistfully. ‘Exactly like Mannion should be again. Bringing back all sorts of happy memories as well.’ She sighed, then perked up. ‘And I can’t believe how much you’ve done in the time.’
Dana smiled, at the same time giving her a thoughtful glance. ‘Thank Bella Dixon and her troops, not me. And not everyone’s so admiring,’ she added wryly. ‘Your Aunt Mimi took one look at her room and said all that cream made her feel as if she’d be sleeping in a dairy.’
Nicola pulled a face. ‘Aunt Mimi will never change. She’s already told my father that Mannion would have been his if he’d only stayed in England, and that Zac drove Adam out.’
Dana gasped. ‘What did he say?’
‘He didn’t,’ Nicola returned with faint grimness. ‘The terrible Sadie cut in and informed her that it was none of her damned business, and for all the use Adam was in Australia, Mannion could have him back and welcome.’
For the first time in several days, Dana laughed out loud. ‘Good for Sadie,’ she said. ‘She’s my type of woman.’
‘I’ll gift-wrap her for you,’ said Nicola. She paused. ‘Is everything all right? I thought you’d be bouncing off the walls at the prospect of being with Zac again. Regarding which,’ she went on cheerfully. ‘If the pair of you want to snatch a couple of hours alone together for a real reunion , I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.’
Dana’s face warmed. ‘What and give Aunt Mimi more ammunition?’ she said with forced lightness. ‘No, I intend to be the perfect hostess.’
Adding silently, For the first and last time.
She had time to practise her role. There was still an hour or more before Zac would arrive, according to the message he’d left with Janet, bringing Serafina and Aunt Joss with him.
Time to ensure she’d be able to greet him with calm composure and conduct their subsequent business meeting in the same way.
She’d dressed carefully too, choosing a slim-fitting knee-length linen dress, the colour of a briar rose, which gave a tinge of warmth to her pallor.
And chatting to the Marchwoods, who told her how pretty she looked, helped, of course, reminding Dana how blessed Nicola was in her in-laws.
But being cornered by Jo and Emily, both bursting with curiosity about her hasty marriage, was very different and far more difficult.
‘You’re a slyboots,’ Emily teased. ‘I didn’t think you and the gorgeous Mr Belisandro were even remotely involved. In fact, I thought...’ She checked. ‘Well, that doesn’t matter. So, tell all. How did you get together?’
‘I’ve known him nearly all my life,’ said Dana.
Except I didn’t truly know him, she thought. Or myself. And now it’s too late.
When Janet told her the car was coming up the drive, she hung back, making sure that Nicola and Eddie were heading the welcome party, telling herself they were the ones Serafina would want to see. And that her self-effacement was not because her mouth was dry and her stomach churning in a maelstrom of excitement and panic as she realised that, at any moment, she would see Zac again, even if it was only for another twenty-four hours.
Serafina was the first to enter the house, still upright in spite of her stick, her silver hair arranged in the same elegant coronet, her face lighting up with the old charm when she saw Nicola.
