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Climbing out of the bath, she snatched up a fluffy towel and padded barefoot to the head of the stairs. ‘Maria Teresa…can you come and help me dress?’ But before she received a reply she heard a knock at the front door. ‘That’s probably Señor Perez’s chauffeur,’ she called down. ‘Will you see to him first? Make sure he has everything he wants.’
She waited for Maria Teresa to call back. But after a few minutes there was still no sign of her. Quickly putting on the underskirt, Annalisa couldn’t resist a twirl in front of the mirror before going to the door to call again.
‘May I help?’
Ice ran through her veins. Claudia was supposed to have left the island. Ramon had parted with a huge sum of money to make sure of it…and to acquire the ancient fishing rights belonging to Claudia that cut across both their beaches. Annalisa gasped as she turned to stare. ‘Where did you get that?’ The diamond necklace her stepmother had slipped over her head had only been delivered late the previous evening. It was Ramon’s wedding gift.
Claudia answered with a faint smile.
‘Give it to me,’ Annalisa insisted, tensely holding out her hand.
Pausing in front of the mirror to admire the reflection of the glittering stones against her own neck, Claudia sneered, ‘I’m not sure I will.’
To see her mother’s tormentor toying with Ramon’s precious wedding gift infuriated Annalisa. ‘You agreed to leave the island,’ she said tightly.
Raising a soft manicured hand, Claudia wafted the agreement away. ‘I’m entitled to second thoughts, just as you are. Perhaps I didn’t ask enough for the fishing rights…perhaps this will appease me. It is very beautiful—’
‘But it’s not yours,’ Annalisa pointed out icily.
‘You’re very direct…too direct.’
‘If you mean I tell the truth, I’d agree with you,’ Annalisa said, skirting warily round her stepmother. ‘Give it back to me. Now.’
With a scowl, Claudia tossed the necklace onto the dressing table as if it was a worthless bauble. ‘Shouldn’t you be getting ready? You don’t want to miss your wedding.’
‘And you don’t want to miss your flight,’ Annalisa retorted. ‘I’ll call Maria Teresa to see you out.’
‘I have dismissed her.’
‘You had no right—’
‘Don’t you dare presume to tell me what my rights are! At least your mother knew her place.’
‘Yes. You made sure of that,’ Annalisa interrupted coldly. ‘But I’m not my mother. And I’m asking you to leave.’
‘Señora Fuego Montoya is not ready to go.’ Ramon’s chauffeur was standing in the doorway.
‘What are you looking so surprised about?’ Claudia demanded triumphantly.
‘I thought Don Alfonso…’ Annalisa stopped as everything fell into place.
‘Don Alfonso!’ Claudia exclaimed derisively. ‘What? That old has-been? Surely you couldn’t imagine that Don Alfonso and I—?’
At least Don Alfonso was a gentleman, Annalisa thought, straightening her shoulders as she levelled a steady gaze at the pair of them. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this is a very busy time for me.’
‘Was a busy time,’ Claudia said, examining her red-painted talons. ‘Everyone’s left for the church…everyone but you.’
‘Maria Teresa would never leave without me,’ Annalisa said confidently.
‘Maria Teresa does what I tell her,’ Claudia said. ‘Her family has served mine for generations. And she has been working for you for…how long?’
‘I can’t believe she would—’
‘Not so sure of yourself now, are you?’ Claudia cut in coldly.
‘But Ramon—’
‘Is waiting at the church, with a smile on those arrogant lips of his—waiting for his bride.’ Annalisa’s stepmother paused to allow the impact of what she was about to say reach its target before continuing. ‘But when you sign over your share of the fishing rights he has just purchased from me, Señor Ramon di Crianza Perez will be reduced to begging on the streets.’
Annalisa’s short harsh laugh startled them. ‘You really don’t know anything about Ramon…or me, do you Claudia?’
‘Just sign this and we’ll be on our way,’ her stepmother suggested, taking a step forward and brandishing an official-looking document at Annalisa. Following her lead, the chauffeur also came a menacing step closer.
‘Not a chance,’ Annalisa informed them both coldly.
As Claudia lurched forward, Annalisa darted past and went racing down the stairs. Tearing through the kitchen, she burst into the yard. Blinded momentarily by the brilliant sunlight, she stopped abruptly. But then, hearing heels rattling across the kitchen tiles, she sped off again.
