Follow a Stranger

the first qualms. Jealousy was a new experience, and not

one I enjoyed. I felt a little better after I had met the

gentleman.” His derisive tone irritated her.

“Peter is very nice,” she said. “I just didn’t love him.”

“I’ve no axe to grind about Hardy,” he shrugged. “I

found him boring, personally,” he grinned. “I enjoyed

listening to you giving him his marching orders. I knew

then that I was right—you didn’t love him.”

Kate pinched the hand which was fondling her neck.

“Vanity, again—you’re too sure of yourself!”

Marc looked down at her, his face darkened with a look

which turned her bones to water. “I wanted you so much

that I just dared not believe you wouldn’t feel the same,”

he said thickly, kissing her throat.

“Oh, Marc,” she murmured joyfully, stroking the black

hair.

“My mother gave me hope when I came back from the

States,” he went on. “She was sure you loved me. I came

to England after you, but you were away, and your

mother seemed so vague about who you were with ... I

wasn’t certain you weren’t seeing Hardy again. I meant to

come back again soon. Then I saw you with Jean-Paul.”

“Jean-Paul was using me to make Pallas jealous,” she

explained.

Marc grimaced. “Stupid ass! But why did he break off

his engagement if he still loves her?”

She explained and he groaned. “You again! I might

have known! But Pallas adores Jean-Paul, you little fool.

She has been miserable since we left Kianthos.”

“I was sure she was reluctant to marry him, though,”