Roarke's Kingdom

The other woman laughed. “No? Then why hasn’t your bed been slept in?”

Jennifer started toward the door. “We don’t really have anything to discuss,” she said, trying to disguise the tightly repressed fury inside her.

“Wait.” Alexandra’s voice curled after her like a whip. “I haven’t finished with you yet.”

Jennifer stopped in the doorway. Tell her, she thought. Tell her what you know…

Except, what would that do to Roarke?

Slowly, she turned and faced Alexandra. “Well? What do you want?”

“I want you out of this house. Immediately.”

“That’s not your decision to make.”

“My husband—”

“Your ex-husband.”

“Roarke’s no different from all the rest of the men in the world. He’s a fool about women. Surely you know that, Ms. Winters. I bet it didn’t take any effort at all to get him into bed.”

Jennifer wanted to fly across the room, grab the other woman and shake her like a rag doll, but she knew that would just be a kind of victory for Alexandra.

“You’re the one who be an expert on men, Mrs. Campbell. Not me.”

Alexandra laughed. “You’re clever, but I should have figured you were. I mean, it took brains to figure out the best way to come at him.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He had quite a reputation as a lady-killer before he met me. Well, why wouldn’t he? A man with his looks and his money—he was always a catch.” She smiled. “In those days, he liked his women beautiful and sexy.” Her gaze swept over Jennifer. “But it makes sense that he’d be open to some little homebody now, with Susu to care for and this great mausoleum of an island draining all his energies.”

“It was nothing like that!”

“It was clever of you, all right. Here’s poor Roarke Campbell, still mourning the loss of his wife—”

“Is that what you think? That he misses you?” Jennifer laughed. “Believe me, Mrs. Campbell—”

“No,” Alexandra said sharply, “you believe me, Ms. Hamilton.?

?? She took a step forward. “Roarke never got over me. What you saw earlier—the rage, the anger—it’s all just a cover-up for what he really feels.” A smile curled over her mouth. “That’s how it is when we’re in bed together,” she said softly. “Sometimes, when he makes love to me, he’s so passionate that he—”

“You’re disgusting.” Jennifer’s voice shook. “And you’re a liar. Roarke doesn’t love you.”

“We mustn’t forget our roles here, Jennifer.” Alexandra paused dramatically. “You’re just some little thing who saw a way to worm herself into the life of a rich and lonely man.”

“That’s not true. I don’t give a damn for his money.”

“But I’m the real thing, you see. I’m his wife.”

“Go on,” Jennifer said softly. “I’m sure you’re saying all this for a purpose.”

Alexandra’s eyes narrowed. “You’re quick. Very quick. I mustn’t underestimate you.” But the thing is, I’m bored with traipsing around the world. It might be nice to settle down in one place.”

“Meaning?”

The other woman shrugged. “I’ve been thinking.” She walked slowly across the luxurious room, running her hand lightly over the massive pieces of teak furniture. “Perhaps I’ll stay on here for a few months. It might be fun.”

“Fun? Walking in and out of a man’s life, a child’s life, might be fun? Do you really think that? Not that Roarke would give you the chance.”