Follow a Stranger

passed since their first meeting. No man who loved her

could have abandoned her in a house where she would be

thrown into Marc’s company. Peter had not even noticed

that she was uneasy with Marc. If he had loved her, he

would have been aware of it.

“Your mother should have said it long ago,” Marc said

coolly. “Even Sam is aware of it. It is obvious to everyone

but you. Peter does not love you, Kate, and I do not believe

you love him.”

She felt her cheeks flame into scarlet and her eyes

seemed to lose the ability to focus. When her breathing

settled a little, she said huskily, “My feelings are my own

business. Was that all you wanted to say?” She was

suddenly terrified that he might guess her feelings for him.

He must go, she thought desperately. He must leave her

alone before she betrayed herself.

Marc thrust his hands into the pockets of his elegant

suit. “You won’t listen to common sense, then? You hand out

free advice to Pallas, to Sam, to me—why won’t you take

some back? Break off this ridiculous engagement and find

someone you can really love and who is a man, not a

dedicated boffin.”

She was so afraid that he would read her love in her eyes

that she said fiercely, “Perhaps I have—perhaps Jean-Paul

is the answer to a maiden’s prayer. Now, do you mind

going? I’m sleepy.”

Marc turned, like an automaton, his face rigid. “Very

well, good night,” he said stiffly, and then the door was shut

and Kate was alone.

She rammed her fists into her mouth, quiveri