by Margaret Way
She stared up at him, naked vulnerability in her eyes. “Oh, Jason, can’t we start again?’
“I thought you’d made it perfectly plain that’s the last thing you want.”
“Well, I’m trying,” she breathed. “I’ve asked Ben Riley.”
There was a wealth of mockery in his tone. “Big deal!”
“I thought Ben and Robyn might get on like a house on fire?” she explained.
His sapphire eyes turned to her. “Matchmaking, are we?”
“I think Robyn would like to remarry,” she answered. “A good man this time, one who’ll look after her and her little boy.”
“Great! I just happen to agree with you. Do you think you’ll ever find a man you want, Olivia? It’s not going to be easy. You have impossibly high standards.”
“I can’t have,” she pointed out with a mix of bitter-sweetness. “I wanted you, Jason.”
His blue eyes glittered, jewel-like against his copper skin. “I flatter myself a little bit you still want me,” he taunted. “Just for sex.”
“Which we haven’t had! Please keep your voice down. Tali might hear you.”
His mouth twitched. “Tali has the television on so loud she wouldn’t hear a police siren inside the house.”
Olivia looked at him in exasperation. “Could you please tell me if you’re coming or not?”
“Would you be infuriated if I didn’t?” Some devil in him was urging him on.
“Yes,” she returned bluntly.
“I get it. It’s not an invitation, it’s a royal command.”
Olivia turned about so quickly her short skirt flared out around her long legs. “I’ve got a list of who’s coming in the car.” She tossed at him over her shoulder. “If you can bear to walk out with me, I’ll give it to you.”
“I’m dying to know,” he said in a drawl like dark honey. “Hang on a minute, Olivia,” he abruptly chided. “Who have you invited for me?”
She spun about, eyes brilliant. She felt like rushing at him and hitting him. Instead she said, “What about me?”
“Hell, girl, when you feel the way you do?” He swaggered back on his booted heels.
“It’s only for one night.”
“I see.” He smiled lazily. “That’s okay then. We can be polite for a few hours. Now, are you going to let Tali know you’re leaving, or stomp off?”
“I’m sure Harry didn’t put up with any of this?” she said, holding tight on her temper.
“Harry definitely wasn’t you. Females don’t always make the best bosses.”
“At least I haven’t sacked you,” she said sharply. “If we could get back to Saturday. Tali could stay overnight with Renata but I’ve been thinking I could easily make her comfortable upstairs. I know how much Renata loves Tali but Tali can be a handful.”
“Whyever would you be telling me?” he asked incredulously, following Olivia to the door. “I know the child, she’s my daughter.” Jason turned his head and called loudly. “Tali, Olivia is leaving. Tali!”
CHAPTER NINE
TEN in all sat down to dinner. As it had promised to be a beautiful summer night without threat of a late afternoon storm, Olivia had debated using the loggia instead of the formal dining room but in the end the formal dining room had won out.
“I love it. It’s magic!” Carlo’s fiancée, Leanne, looked around her in open admiration. Havilah homestead was quite something she considered, certainly the grandest house she’d even been into in her life. The large high ceilinged room was painted a pale duck-egg blue with a pristine white trim, and there were many touches of gilt in the elegant plaster work on the ceiling, the sumptuous frames of the beautiful paintings and the circular mirror—obviously a valuable antique—that hung above a console supported by two gilded nymphs.
A large, very beautiful cut-glass chandelier again in the antique style with sparkling festoons and pedant drops was suspended above centre table. Two tall narrow glass vases, topped by many sprigs of delicate white butterfly orchids with yellow and rose centres, flanked a lovely big blue and white centrepiece decorated with little figures—Leanne thought were called putti—the large bowl atop the pillared stand was a mass of lovely white rosebuds. Four silver candlesticks—they looked like solid silver—with tall golden candles completed the entrancing setting. Olivia had gone to a lot of trouble for her guests. The cream brocade cloth with its matching napkins looked too beautiful to be used. Leanne hoped she wouldn’t spill a drop of wine in all the excitement. The crystal sparkled, the silver gleamed, the fine bone china was a lustrous white with an exquisite blue, jade and gold decoration
Leanne soaked it all in, thrilled she had been given the opportunity to visit. She wanted to catch this scene and hold it for all time. So much of her life had been spent in study. When she and Carlo were married she thought she might branch out into a hostess who could set a stylish and elegant dinner table though she didn’t aspire to match this sumptuous formality.
As hostess Olivia sat at one end of the long table. She’d wanted to seat Jason at the other end but knew she couldn’t. Instead she chose Ben Riley. Ben universally described as “a lovely man” was tall, well built, in his early forties with attractive irregular features, a thick thatch of brown hair and intelligent dark eyes. Ben’s late father, Keith Riley, another plantation owner, had been close friends with Harry. Ben had inherited his father’s expansive estate but tragedy had marred Ben’s life. His young wife, Victoria, a scant two years into the marriage, after a routine medical examination was found to be suffering from a rare cancer that took her almost overnight. The shock to both families and everyone who loved her had been great.
That was close on twelve years ago, Olivia recalled, Ben had never remarried. His beloved Victoria had not faded easily from his mind. Olivia understood, but still thought it sad because Ben had so much to offer a woman and he truly deserved happiness himself. Children. Heirs. Olivia hoped with all her heart Ben and Robyn would be attracted.
Robyn looked her very best tonight in a classic little black dress that showed off her smooth, even tan and her good figure. She wore a more dramatic evening make-up than her usual light touch, several coats of mascara that accentuated her soulful dark eyes, her cap of blond hair gelled into a quirky, sophisticated style. Olivia hadn’t wanted either one of them to feel she was pushing them together so she hadn’t seated Robyn beside Ben, but not too far away, either.
She and Robyn had worked hard for most of the afternoon getting everything in order. Olivia had taken charge of the table setting and the various flower arrangements which were lavish and beautiful. Olivia had a passion for flowers; a passion she had shared with Harry. One of her trademarks a friend once told her was the lovely arrangement of seasonal flowers that always adorned the console in her apartment’s small entrance hall to greet visitors.
Robyn had given her full attention to matters of the kitchen. As she was to sit down as a guest she and her helpers had prepared as much of the food as they could ahead of time. It would make for a smooth performance. Robyn was delighted with Olivia’s table setting, applauding the fact Olivia didn’t have the slightest qualm about pulling out the family heirlooms. The centrepiece, for instance, was exquisite. “Much loved and much used,” Olivia had told her. Robyn was certain it was very valuable.
For a starter they had decided on something delectable but easy. Oysters with Lebanese cucumber salad served in the shucked shells. As a backup in case some of the guests didn’t like oysters, seared scallops with a white truffle butter and a little fresh fettucine as a garnish. The seafood of the region was superb, the tropical climate called for something light so they kept to seafood for the mains; slow baked fillets of barramundi with a creamy crab sauce and asparagus.
For dessert there was a choice of little lemon curd tarts with fresh berries and cream or a combination of Havilah’s latest exotic fruits macerated in marsala brown sugar and orange juice, reduced to a sauce then served with mascarpone. Olivia had had a
pretaste and thought it marvellous. The wines came from Havilah’s well stocked cellar. Harry had been quite a wine-buff, the premier wines stored at the correct temperature.
Everyone with the exception of Leanne and Robyn knew everyone else. All were of an age. Mostly they had gone to primary school together. Two of the female guests, Lucy and Tamara, both since married to their long-time boyfriends were to have been Olivia’s bridesmaids. Neither showed the merest glimmer of animosity towards Jason who had broken their friend, Olivia’s heart. Jason appeared to have been well and truly forgiven. In fact Olivia’s single friend, Candice was openly flirting with him when Lucy wasn’t busy chattering away to him.
Without even trying Jason became the pivotal guest around whom most of the laughter and conversation eddied. Jason had his grandmother’s flare for telling a good story Olivia thought. She allowed her eyes to rest on him, thinking nothing could destroy the bond between them for all the long years of alienation. She loved him. She would always love him but she couldn’t rid herself of the melancholy for what might have been. The wasted years!
He looked terrific. Handsome, dynamic, his colouring a striking contrast of deep blue eyes and hair like dark flame. He was wearing a great outfit as well. That was the Italian in him; the bella figura. His cream linen jacket was so finely woven the fabric looked like silk; an open-necked deep blue dress shirt, cream slacks. Clothes hung well on him. He had the body of the classic athlete, perfectly shaped and kept that way by his hard working outdoor life. Once started, it was hard indeed to take her eyes off him but at least she had the excuse he was in her field of vision.
Jason! she brooded. My heartache and my desire!
They were all laughing heartily at some story he was telling about a massive salt water crocodile that had disrupted the peace of a camp barbeque he’d been invited to on a Territory cattle station. Crocodiles were like people they liked to go walkabout. Olivia would never in a lifetime consider taking a dip in a lagoon or a river north of Capricorn, but she’d known more than a few cases of foolhardy visitors to the region—mostly males from the other side of the world—who’d chosen to ignore all the warnings and never lived to return home.
It was good to see Ben easing back into a social life, obviously enjoying himself, his dark head turning often in Robyn’s direction to gauge her reactions, the way she responded to a story he particularly enjoyed. A shared sense of humour was important. Unlike Renata, Jason didn’t garnish his stories with outrageous fibs or flights of extravagant fancy just the quirks of a brilliant sense of humour.
Laughter swelled around the table. The evening was turning out to be a great success. Leanne in her pleasure and excitement grabbed Carlo’s hand, holding it to her cheek.
The delicious food was eaten. “These oysters are superb!” “Oooh this barramundi!” Wineglasses were emptied and refilled. They had started dinner by all leaning closer to each other, clinking champagne glasses and ceremoniously toasting: “Carlo and Leanne!”
The love between the engaged couple was palpable. Olivia was pleased to see the volatile Carlo she remembered had matured greatly. He spoke well and movingly of his experiences as a young doctor. How would it all turn out if Carlo was ever to learn Tali was his child? Olivia sucked in a settling breath. It was imperative she keep her chaotic thoughts out of her expression. How would the very much in love Leanne react to such a revelation? Would she be unable to accept it? Would she be bitterly upset Carlo’s first born would now never be hers but another woman’s child? Olivia understood only too well that feeling. She had to face the fact, too, she wouldn’t have asked Carlo and his fiancée to dinner had she not issued the invitation before she realized Tali could be Carlo’s child. Discovery could irrevocably change lives.
Not that Carlo would have dreamed he had fathered a little daughter. Mega had been utterly cruel and unscrupulous in her actions, probably convincing herself Jason offered her far more than ever Carlo De Luca could. Neither was Bella De Luca, Carlo’s mother a woman to lie to. Megan had chosen Jason without giving any consideration to the rights of Tali’s biological father, Carlo. Not wanting a child herself Megan would have convinced herself Carlo wouldn’t want a child either when both he and Leanne had already told the table they wanted a family.
“At least four!” Leanne announced and blushed while Carlo smiled into her eyes.
But Carlo already had a child. That was not a minor detail but something momentous.
They rose to have coffee and liqueurs out in the loggia overlooking the rear garden. Olivia had asked Havilah’s head gardener, Wally, to collect dozens of hibiscus blossoms to float on the turquoise surface of the swimming pool with its myriad reflections of lights from the house. Olivia had taken time to turn on some music, not loud, but gently romantic letting it waft through the house. Upstairs she checked on Tali. The little girl was sleeping deeply and peacefully, two hands tucked beneath her cheek. She looked adorable. Her rounded cheeks were slightly flushed in sleep, her long eyelashes making dark crescents against her skin.
For a moment Olivia’s vision wavered with tears. Her suspicions, she knew they were true, had burdened her. A lot of people lived with secrets. Family secrets tended to get locked up more securely than most. Only one day—for however long it took—long buried secrets are let out.
Someone always knew. Someone always kept silent. Many until they were on their death bed, preparing to meet their Maker and anxious to clear the slate. Olivia understood that, she longed to offload her own burden, but she knew that she couldn’t. What a difference this innocent child had made to her, to Jason who loved her. And Tali loved Jason. She couldn’t possibly do or say anything to threaten that relationship. On the other hand, would good intentions absolve her from all culpability? She knew how the law stood. If Carlo wanted his child and was able to look after her the courts would take Tali off Jason. That could precipitate a crisis; destroy the hard-won harmony of so many lives.
She kept going round and around in circles. Carlo was Tali’s father. Salvatore and Bella were Tali’s grandparents. Surely they had a right to know? Olivia realized she was no latter-day Solomon.
She left the night light glowing softly and gently closed the door. Jason had assured her Tali could sleep through anything. The bedroom faced the front of the house anyway. They wouldn’t be disturbing her. It had already been decided Tali would “sleep over” as she put it. Tali had become very used to being around Havilah, the homestead and the estate.
“It’s my second house, Livvy,” she said, touchingly secure in Olivia’s constant, calm affection. It was so very different from Tali’s memories of her mother with her angry moods, the kicking foot, the lashing hand, Tali had learned very early to scrabble away from.
When Olivia returned to the loggia Jason caught her eye. She nodded almost imperceptibly, signalling that all was well with Tali. Neither of them had mentioned Tali was actually in the house, fast asleep in an upstairs bedroom. She’d heard Lucy ask after Tali. She supposed Lucy thought the child was with her grandmother. Everyone had the errant mother, Megan, at the back of their minds, but no one wished to confront the situation or speak her name. No one quite knew either how Jason had been so quickly reinstated in Olivia’s life after their bitter estrangement, but Olivia could see the possibility of their coming together again had backing from all sides.
Quite simply everyone chose to believe Megan Duffy had been an aberration. Lucy for one had never liked her. In the intervening years Lucy had often passed the remark if only Olivia had listened to her the whole sorry mess would never have happened.
But the sorry mess had borne fruit. There was Tali, so precious and innocent. At six already a character. Small wonder Olivia was in a state of deep confusion. She had to keep to herself—that was the hard part. If only she could have spoken quietly to Harry. All through her childhood and adolescence Harry had been there to dispense wisdom. Even Harry would be hard pressed to come up with a working solution to this ethical problem.<
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Fate was ordained. It was never to be denied. All evening it had sat at their table, an invisible guest, then a short time before the party broke up it materialized. They were standing in the entrance hall saying their goodbyes, when suddenly and without warning Tali came racing along the gallery and down the staircase making a big lunge for Jason who caught her up in his arms.
“Sweetheart, what’s the matter?” he asked in concern.
Tali snuggled her head against his shoulder. “I had a bad dream, Daddy.”
“There, there.” He soothed her by running a hand through her riotous glossy curls. “You’re okay now, baby. Daddy’s here.” Jason turned his head to the others. “This, guys, is my little daughter, Natalie. Tali, for short. Say hello, Tali, if you can.”
Tali made a funny little gurgling sound in her throat, then lifted her head, her blue eyes like saucers. “Hi guys!” she said, producing a captivating grin.
“How are you doing, Tali?” Lucy took the child’s hand and kissed it. “How lovely to see you.”
The others moved in to make a fuss of the child whose appearance was so absolutely unexpected.
Only Olivia and Carlo kept their distance.
Even from where she was standing Olivia heard Carlo’s rasping intake of breath as though the air was being dragged two ways, into his lungs and upwards to his brain.
He’s recognised her, Olivia thought. Her heart quickened. The fine hairs at her nape and her temples tingled. In a second pandemonium could break loose.
“Carlo?” Leanne turned a smiling face to her fiancé, holding out her hand. “Come say hello to Tali.”
Carlo continued to stand as though rooted to the spot, though Olivia could see he was steadying himself with one hand on the side of a chair.
Olivia steeled herself for what she felt would surely come. A fiery emotional outburst, with Carlo’s Latin blood coming to the fore. A demand for answers. Instead Carlo gathered himself, moving in to join the small group. “Well, Tali, I’d have hated to have gone away without meeting you,” he said, lifting a hand and drawing a gentle finger down Tali’s petalled cheek.
