‘Following you?’ he repeated guardedly, curiously pale.
Sara’s anger melted at the haggard look of him. ‘Go away, Dominic,’ she pleaded raggedly. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’
‘You won’t let me down?’
‘No,’ she sighed.
‘All right,’ he stood up, ‘I’ll call for you at seven o’clock.’ He turned to glance at Eddie. ‘I’m glad you didn’t kiss him when you arrived,’ he said grimly. ‘I would probably have punched his face in.’
‘Dominic!’ she gasped.
He bent to kiss her lightly on the cheek, a gesture perfectly in keeping with her sister’s fiancée—if he hadn’t unobtrusively caressed the corner of her mouth with the tip of his tongue! His eyes were tortured as he looked down at her. ‘Until tonight,’ he murmured throatily.
Her eyes flashes deeply brown. ‘When there’ll be no more of that.’
‘No.’
But he didn’t sound very convincing. Sara watched him leave the restaurant, half smiling at the arrogant nod he gave Eddie as he walked past their table.
‘What’s the matter?’ Eddie asked as she sat down again. ‘Doesn’t the high and mighty Dominic Thorne approve of you seeing a mere garage owner?’ he derided.
Sara laughed, her tension leaving her. ‘It’s nothing like that. He wasn’t watching us at all, it was just coincidence that he was here.’
‘Oh yes?’ he scorned. ‘When his office is on the other side of London?’
She flushed. ‘He’s just been to see Marie,’ she defended.
‘Is he bothering you?’ Eddie asked shrewdly.
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ she snapped, blushing fiery red.
His eyes were narrowed in suspicion. ‘Am I being?’
‘Very,’ she said tightly.
‘Okay,’ he shrugged. ‘Let’s order. But if he ever does bother you just let me know and I’ll bruise his handsome face a little.’
‘Strange,’ she drawled with amusement. ‘He said the same thing about you,’ she explained with a smile.
‘Did he now?’ his eyebrows rose. ‘Maybe I like him after all.’
Sara laughed at the respect in his voice, then changed the subject without being too pointed about it. She had met Eddie a couple of times since her move to live with her father and sister, and usually they went back to her aunt and uncle’s house. Today was no exception. She told her aunt of her concern for Marie’s headaches.
‘Well, I’m sure your father knows best,’ her aunt consoled as they made tea and cakes for the two men.
‘That’s what Dominic says,’ Sara sighed.
‘Then you must listen to them, dear.’
That was easier said than done, especially when she saw Marie’s pale face later that evening. She was dressed to go out with Dominic, and had gone in to see her sister until he arrived.
Marie sat up while she rearranged her pillows for her, her face chalky white, her eyes shadowed. ‘I hope I didn’t make too much of a fool of myself last night,’ she said ruefully.
Sara gently pushed her back against the coolness of the pillows. ‘You didn’t make a fool of yourself at all,’ she reassured her.
‘I’m so grateful to you for taking over from me tonight.’ Marie put her hand up weakly to her forehead. ‘I always feel so washed out after one of these headaches.’
Their father appeared in the doorway. ‘I’ve come to keep you company,’ he told Marie. ‘Dominic is downstairs, Sara.’
‘No, I’m not.’ He appeared in the doorway behind their father. ‘How are you this evening?’ He looked directly at Marie.
‘I’m fine.’ She patted the bed invitingly beside her.
‘I’ll wait downstairs,’ Sara mumbled, hurriedly kissing her sister on the cheek before rushing out of the room, her head downbent. She collided with Dominic in the doorway, and his strong hands came out to steady her. There was pain in her eyes as she looked up at him, pain that she quickly hid. ‘Excuse me,’ she said gruffly.
He instantly released her. ‘I’ll be down in a moment.’