Alejandro's Revenge (7 page)

She stifled a sigh as Alejandro rose to greet his cousin.

‘Querida,'
Dolores exclaimed, capturing his hands and reaching up to bestow air kisses beside his cheeks. ‘What are you doing here?' She cast a faintly accusing glance in Abby's direction. ‘When Miguel told me you were keeping my guest company, I couldn't believe it. I thought you told me you were always too busy to stop for lunch.'

‘Surely you would not have had me leave Abigail standing outside the restaurant, Dolores?' he chided her suavely. ‘She looked—lost,' he added, his dark eyes meeting Abby's frustrated gaze with undisguised intent. ‘What could I do but offer her myself as a very poor substitute? We have both been waiting anxiously for you to arrive.'

‘Oh, Alejandro!' However irritated Dolores might have been at finding them together, his words had successfully diluted any resentment she felt. ‘You are so generous! I hope Abigail appreciates your kindness.'

‘Oh, I am sure she does,' replied Alejandro, once again looking at Abby with mocking eyes. Then, turning back to his cousin, he added, ‘But tell me,
cara
, what is this I hear about your daughter's apartment being broken into? I was most concerned when Abigail told me. Have you heard anything more?'

Dolores immediately lapsed into a torrent of Spanish from which Abby could only distinguish the names of Luis Esquival and her brother and his wife. Whatever Dolores was saying, she evidently didn't want the English girl to interrupt them. It was this as much as anything that caused Abby to remark with contrived innocence, ‘Actually, Mr Varga said he might know something about it himself.'

At once Dolores broke off what she was saying to stare at the younger woman.
‘Que?'
she said blankly, and Abby was absurdly pleased to see the brief look of irritation that crossed Alejandro's face.

‘Mr Varga said he might know something about the robbery,' Abby repeated, widening her eyes. ‘That is what you said, isn't it, Mr Varga? I'm sure we're both dying to know what you meant.'

‘I believe I said that there might be something I could do to help,
cara
,' he replied smoothly, turning back to Dolores with a reassuring smile. ‘Abigail must have misunderstood my desire to be of some assistance.' He cast the culprit a challenging look. ‘She knows how fond I am of Lauren—and Edward, too.'

E
DWARD
was waiting for Abby when she got back to the house. He was sitting on the terrace, in the shade of the colonnade, his injured leg propped on a cushioned stool. He looked up at his sister belligerently when she came out of the house to tell him she was back.

‘Where the hell have you been?' he demanded at once, before Abby could say anything, and her lips parted disbelievingly at the accusation in his voice.

‘I've been out to lunch,' she said at last, keeping her tone even with an effort. ‘Your mother-in-law took pity on me. It was either that or spend the morning here, on my own.'

‘And that would have been a tragedy, would it?' Edward demanded, the freckles on his face standing out against his fair skin. Unlike Abby, he didn't tan, and he looked very pale in these surroundings. ‘You didn't come here to go swanning off with Dolores, Abby. As you reminded me last night, this isn't supposed to be a holiday.'

Abby stared at him indignantly. ‘Do you honestly think I was eager to go out with Dolores?' she exclaimed. She glanced swiftly behind her, half afraid she might have been overheard, and lowered her voice. ‘You didn't tell me where you were going, Eddie. In fact, I got the feeling you were keeping out of my way.'

Was it only her imagination or did Edward look a little shame-faced now? ‘Why would I do that?' he asked, making a play of adjusting the cushion that was supporting his leg. ‘What has Dolores been saying? She's never liked me, you know. As far as the Esquivals are concerned, I've never been good enough for their daughter.'

Abby shook her head. ‘Dolores hardly mentioned you,' she
said shortly, irritated that he would try to gain her sympathy again. ‘And after what you asked me to do last night I wasn't surprised that you'd want to avoid me. But don't think you're deceiving Alejandro. He knows what you're trying to do.'

Now there was no doubt about Edward's agitation. ‘He knows?' he echoed faintly. ‘How do you know that?' He pushed himself up in his seat, almost overbalancing the stool in the process. ‘Have you seen him?'

‘Yes—'

Abby had been about to explain that he'd come to the house earlier that morning, but Edward didn't allow her to go on.

‘Where did you see him? Was Dolores there when he mentioned me?' A sheen of sweat stood out on his forehead. ‘Oh, God, if the Esquivals find out what's going on, I'm dead!'

Abby was confused, and it showed. Surely if Lauren was having an affair it was she who should deserve her parents' censure, not Edward.

Unless…

Studying her brother's anxious face, Abby had the sudden premonition that he wasn't being honest with her. But what was it that he wasn't telling her? What did Alejandro know that he thought might cause the Esquivals to turn against him?

Deciding this was not the time to get into that, she pulled out a nearby chair and sat down beside him. ‘Anyway,' she said, trying to be upbeat, ‘tell me about your morning. Dolores said your apartment was broken into. Was there much damage? What did they take?'

Edward made an offhanded gesture. ‘What do they usually take?' he asked dismissively. ‘Break-ins happen. You know that. It was probably some druggie, looking for something he could sell for a fix.'

‘Is that what the police think?'

‘How should I know what they think?' Edward didn't seem interested. ‘No one tells me anything.'

Abby refused to answer that. Taking another tack, she said, ‘Ross's house was broken into last year. They never did find who did it. Like you say—'

‘Like I'm interested in your boyfriend's problems,' muttered Edward rudely. ‘Let's get back to Varga. Are you going to explain how you came to be talking to him? Did he invite himself for lunch with you and my so-delightful mother-in-law?'

Abby shook her head. She had thought she'd deflected any discussion of Alejandro, but she should have known better. And why was Edward so worried about what the other man might have said?

She knew Alejandro wasn't to be trusted. Look how he'd deflected her accusation at lunchtime. Dolores had virtually apologised to him for what he'd implied was Abby's mistake. Only it hadn't been a mistake. She would swear it. Alejandro had intimated that he might know something about the robbery at Edward's apartment. But what?
What?

‘He—met us outside the restaurant,' she replied at last, deciding not to mention his earlier visit. ‘He joined us for a drink, that's all.' She paused. ‘What is this all about, Eddie? If Lauren is having an affair with Alejandro, why are you so upset about what her parents might think? It's not your fault.'

Edward's head jerked towards her. ‘Is she having an affair with Varga?' he exclaimed, clutching her hand with sweating fingers.

‘I don't know.' Abby pulled her hand away with a feeling of distaste. ‘It was you who said she was.' She sighed. ‘Perhaps you'd better start being honest with me, Eddie. Why are you so afraid of Alejandro? It's not just because of Lauren, is it?'

‘What else could it be?' Edward had stiffened at her words and now he glared at her with angry eyes. ‘And I'm not afraid of Varga.' He paused. ‘Only of what he might—do.'

‘To your marriage?'

‘What else?' Edward was defiant. ‘Anyway, why did you say he knows what I'm doing? What did he say to give you that impression?'

Abby shrugged. ‘I don't remember,' she said, deciding if Edward could be evasive, so could she. But that didn't stop
her from wishing she'd never started this conversation. Edward was lying to her. She was almost sure of it now. Perhaps she ought to speak to Alejandro himself.

Edward was looking infuriated now, but Abby was not inclined to humour him. ‘We'll talk later,' she said, getting to her feet. ‘I need to change. I'll see you in a little while.'

‘Wait!'

Edward tried to catch her hand, but she was too quick for him. Wrapping her arms about her waist, she hurried into the house, running up the stairs to her room with a feeling of total isolation.

 

Abby rang Ross before going down for dinner.

She'd spent the remainder of the afternoon in her room, going over both what Alejandro had said and her brother's reaction to it. But she was no further forward. Alejandro's attitude had been enigmatic; Edward's had been downright defensive. Or should that be apprehensive? There was no doubt that he'd been alarmed when she'd told him Alejandro had joined her and Dolores for a drink.

She shook her head. She hardly remembered what Alejandro had said now. Only that there had been a definite air of menace in his words. Why would he presume that Edward needed his assistance? The two men obviously despised one another. What could there possibly be between them to have caused such an unlikely alliance?

Herself? No! Edward knew nothing of what had happened after she'd returned to England. Lauren? She was unwilling to accept that either. Yet why? Didn't she want to believe Alejandro was capable of having an affair with her sister-in-law? Was she jealous, perhaps? Even after all this time did she still harbour feelings for him herself?

No!

Staring at her reflection in the mirror above the vanity unit, Abby dismissed the suggestion out of hand. Edward might dislike Alejandro; she
hated
him. She'd hoped she'd never have to lay eyes on him again.

Nevertheless, it was thinking about Alejandro that persuaded her to ring her fiancé again. She needed Ross's advice, she thought eagerly. She needed his cool voice of reason to still the chaotic turmoil in her head.

To her relief, he answered the phone at the first ring. Which meant he was probably sitting at his desk in his study, she reflected, marking papers that he'd brought home from school.

What she'd give to be back there with him, she thought. She might even revise her decision not to move in with him until after they were married. Continuing to live in her own apartment when she spent so much time at Ross's house seemed foolish from this distance. She had to learn to trust him. He was going to be her husband, for goodness' sake.

‘It's me, Ross,' she said brightly, after he had identified himself. ‘I hope you don't mind me ringing so late.'

‘It's only eleven o'clock, Abby,' he retorted, his tone hardly boding well in the circumstances. ‘I was expecting you to ring, actually. I knew you'd want to apologise for the way you spoke to me this morning.'

Abby blew out a breath. Until that moment she'd forgotten the argument they'd had earlier. She'd been so wrapped up in Edward's problems she'd ignored the fact that she'd probably offended her fiancé.

But she should have known he wouldn't forget, and it was easier to give in than risk more hostility. ‘Yes,' she said ruefully, somehow managing to keep the resignation out of her voice. ‘I shouldn't have said what I did. I'm sorry. But I have been worried about Eddie, you know.'

‘Mmm.' Ross didn't sound as if he thought that was any excuse. ‘So, what's going on? Have you made any arrangements yet for coming home? Or is that asking too much?'

‘It is, rather.' Abby wished he could be more understanding. She needed his support, not his censure. ‘There have been—more complications.'

Ross snorted. ‘Let me guess: Edward's had an emotional relapse?'

‘No.' Abby kept her temper in check with an effort. ‘His
apartment—the apartment he shares with Lauren—was broken into. Last night, I think. It's just not what he needs when he's practically incapable of doing anything for himself.'

‘I don't believe it.' Ross was impatient. ‘That man is a walking disaster, Abby. Or in this case an
un
walking one.'

‘That isn't funny, Ross. Couldn't you try and show a little sympathy? Remember how you felt when your house was vandalised last year.'

‘That was different.'

‘How was it different?'

‘Oh, Abby…' Ross sighed. ‘I have some valuable things here—things that are precious to me, that were my mother's. I doubt if your brother owns anything he couldn't replace at the nearest supermarket.'

Abby gasped. ‘That's a horrible thing to say,' she exclaimed, although she was uneasily aware that he might be right. Edward had seemed decidedly blasé about the robbery. He'd dismissed it in a few words, she remembered, more concerned about Alejandro than anything else.

‘I'm only trying to be practical,' said Ross, and Abby had to admit that that was why she'd called. She'd wanted Ross's practicality. It was a pity it seemed so cold when it was put into words.

‘Even so…'

But Abby sounded defensive, and, as if sensing her weakness, Ross changed his tack. ‘I'm only thinking of you, sweetheart,' he said, his voice softening. ‘I'm sure the authorities have the situation under control. And you have to remember Edward has a wife and in-laws to support him. I need you here, Abby. I miss you. I really do.'

‘I miss you, too,' said Abby automatically, yet in truth she'd had too much else on her mind. ‘But I can't leave yet, Ross. I can't. Not until I'm sure Eddie can cope.'

‘Can cope with what?'

Ross's voice had risen and Abby knew there was no way she could justify her reasons for staying on to him. He didn't know Alejandro. He didn't know anything about what had
happened the last time she'd visited her brother. All he knew was that she'd been ill after she'd got back from Edward's wedding. So ill that she'd been away from school for several weeks after her return from Florida.

She sighed now. ‘Just give me a few more days, Ross,' she pleaded. ‘I've hardly spoken to Lauren yet. Things have been so hectic today that we haven't found time to talk.'

‘To talk!' Ross sounded incredulous. ‘You're not trying to tell me you want to stay on because you and your sister-in-law haven't had the time to exchange all the latest gossip?'

‘No, of course not.'

‘It sounds that way.'

‘Well, I'm sorry for how it sounds,' said Abby tiredly. ‘In any case, I'm staying on until after the weekend at least. I'll ring you tomorrow if I have any more news.'

Ross was silent, and she thought at first he wasn't going to say anything else. But then he expelled a weary breath. ‘I hope you know what you're doing, Abby,' he said heavily. ‘Letting Edward think he can call on you every time things don't go his way doesn't seem very sensible to me.'

And it wasn't, thought Abby unhappily, after she'd ended the call. She'd always been a push-over where her brother was concerned and he knew it. But this time she was really worried about him. Even the injuries he'd received in the car accident seemed incidental compared to all the rest.

She'd undressed and was about to get in the shower when the phone rang again.

Ross, she guessed wearily. She'd had to give him this number and he was probably ringing to reinforce his contention that she ought to return home. Couldn't he just cut her some slack, here? She groaned, clutching a towel about her. She was tired and anxious and his constant carping wasn't helping at all.

‘Okay, it's me,' she said, after picking up the receiver, and then nearly dropped the thing when an unexpected voice spoke in her ear.

‘Am I supposed to be flattered that you anticipated my call?'
Alejandro enquired softly, and Abby despised the sudden quiver of excitement that feathered down her spine at his words.

She swallowed. ‘Ale—Mr Varga!'

‘As I do not believe you were about to say alleluia, Alejandro will do,' he told her drily. ‘That is obviously how you think of me. And why not? We know one another rather too well to stand on ceremony.'

Abby sucked in some air. ‘What do you want, Alejandro?' she demanded shortly and she heard his small sigh of regret.