With one hundred honoured guests gathered around the pedestal that held the rare plant, they watched the first bud slowly part to reveal the black, cream and purple striped orchid. For a soul-stirring fifteen minutes each bud flowered, gifting them with its beauty and sweet scent.
As the last bud burst open, thunderous applause echoed on the bridge.
Lavinia dabbed discreetly at her eyes as she went to the pedestal and picked up the newly flowered plant. ‘My goodness, now the plans I have for my own birthday celebrations look mediocre compared to this.’
‘Hopefully you’ll have a great reason to make it special,’ Joao said as he escorted her back to their table.
‘Perhaps I will,’ she said cryptically.
An hour later, when Joao leaned close to Saffie and murmured, ‘You pulled it off. Bravo,’ she couldn’t help the relieved smile that broke over her face.
His breath audibly caught.
‘Something wrong?’ she asked, her own voice trembling.
His molten gaze raked her face. Then, ‘Everyone is singing your praises. I think I need to redouble my efforts to ensure you stay.’
Saffie opened her mouth but whatever answer her brain was scrambling to come up with was halted when Lavinia cleared her throat delicately.
‘I had lunch with your father a few days ago.’
Joao stiffened, an arctic chill sweeping over his features. ‘Did you?’ he replied silkily.
Lavinia gave an enigmatic smile. ‘Hmm. I heard his vision for my company. It’s interesting to say the least.’
He smiled grimly. ‘By interesting you mean you know he intends to break up your company in little pieces and sell every last scrap for profit even while assuring you it’s the best solution for your legacy?’
&n
bsp; A wave of sadness passed over Lavinia’s face. ‘He wasn’t as plain-speaking as that.’
‘No. I bet he wasn’t. But in case you’re doubting your instincts, that’s exactly what he’ll do given the chance.’
She sipped her champagne before setting the glass down. ‘It’s difficult to imagine one’s life work headed for the scrapheap.’
‘Then why are you resisting me?’ he enquired smoothly.
She toyed with the stem of her wine glass, her shrewd eyes meeting Joao’s. ‘Because I’m not completely convinced you’re not your father’s son.’
Saffie felt the silent fury vibrating off Joao. But Lavinia put her hand over his. ‘I’m sorry if that sounds harsh but you wanted to know my reservations? There they are.’
After nerve-shredding silence, Joao nodded. ‘I appreciate that. Perhaps you’ll give me a chance to prove you wrong.’
Lavinia sat back, her eyes gleaming at the prospect of another adventure. ‘How on earth can you top this?’ She indicated the spectacular setting.
‘Easily. Come to Brazil.’
‘I’ve already been. Many times.’
His smile was steeped in self-assurance. ‘Sim, but not my Brazil.’
She lifted her glass and took another long sip. ‘After what you’ve shown me tonight, I’m excited to see what else you have up your sleeve.’
Joao nodded before his gaze hardened. ‘I do, however, have one condition. Before you leave Brazil you will give me an answer. I’m a busy man with other interests to pursue.’ His eyes flicked to Saffie and she felt her insides dip. ‘Interests I do not wish to put off much longer. Are we agreed?’ His gaze remained on her for several seconds before returning to spear Lavinia’s.
The older woman’s gaze shifted to Saffie and without a doubt Saffie knew she was reading between lines and coming up with her own conclusions.
‘We’re agreed. And now I must leave. Sadly, as much as I wish otherwise, I need a minimum of eight hours’ sleep to function.’ She rose and held her hand out to Joao, who took it and brushed a gallant kiss across the back of it.