Emerald Mistress (31 page)

Sheila and Robert Tolly. All Harriet could think about was Sheila’s hostility towards her and Eva. Tolly reached into a drawer and pulled out an old-fashioned photograph album.

‘There’s the three of them together.’

Her slim body tense, Harriet examined the colour picture of his son’s wedding. Eva looked like a delicate blonde angel in an ugly pink satin frock. Her smile struck her daughter as false. Sheila looked nervous and happy, and back then Robert Tolly had been a surprisingly handsome groom.

‘The bridal couple were very young
—too
young,’ Tolly breathed heavily. ‘My son has always denied that he was unfaithful to Sheila with your mother. He won’t admit that anything happened. He won’t even discuss it. I only have facts to offer you. No proof of anything, though.’

Harriet was hanging on his every word. ‘Go on…’

‘Sheila lost a baby a few months after the wedding. Eva stopped working at the shop very suddenly, and Sheila started spreading unpleasant rumours about your mother’s morals to anyone who would listen. Much later I heard talk that Robert had been seen out with Eva in his car around that time. But it’s only gossip,’ he stressed carefully. ‘A little while later your mother left Ballyflynn.’

‘And you believe that your son may be my father?’

Tolly turned several pages in the album to show her another photograph. ‘This is my late wife, Muriel. You’re the very picture of her…and your hair is the same colour. But that’s not a lot to go on, is it?’

The cheerful woman in the photo had died long before Harriet was even born but Harriet could see the resemblance and she smiled through her own tears to reach for Tolly’s hand. ‘I would be more than happy to settle for a grandfather in place of a father.’

‘If only I had known you were getting tests done with Rafael, we might have found out for sure. Robert wouldn’t have co-operated, but I certainly would,’ Tolly asserted eagerly.

‘Why didn’t you speak up before now?’

‘If your own mother didn’t want to tell you, and my son was equally keen to remain silent, it didn’t
seem my place to interfere.’ He shook his white head. ‘Try not to think too badly of Robert. He and Sheila have had their problems and disappointments. Sheila never had another child, and that was a great cause of sorrow to her. If you are Robert’s daughter, it would explain why my daughter-in-law felt the need to be so rude about your mother that day in the gift shop…Yes, Father Kearney mentioned it to me.’

Harriet winced with sympathy. ‘Oh, dear…what a tangled web.’ She sighed. ‘When did you find out that I existed?’

‘Kathleen told me a couple of years after you were born. She believed, like me, that Robert had been responsible, but there was no way of knowing for sure. Eva made it clear to your cousin that she didn’t want contact with anyone in Ballyflynn. When I discovered you were coming here to live I was delighted, because I was hoping to get the chance to know you.’

A happy smile illuminated Harriet’s face. ‘I bet you were responsible for the flowers and the fire that greeted me the day I arrived at the cottage.’

‘I wanted you to feel welcome. I was really hoping you would stay for good.’

Harriet stood up and gave him a hug. ‘Thank you for being there for me ever since I arrived.’

She thought of phoning Rafael, to share what Tolly had revealed, but lacked the confidence to contact
him. She would tell him when she reached Paris. She had a shower and fussed over her hair.

She was packing an overnight bag and agonising over what to wear when Una stumbled in and wailed in despair, ‘Fergal’s gone!’

Harriet sat her down and pointed out that Fergal would visit the stables occasionally and that she would see him then.

‘Hardly ever, though,’ the teenager gasped, stricken. ‘I hate my brother!’

‘Why? He’s given Fergal a great chance—’

‘How?’

‘Fergal’s a really nice guy, and hugely popular. I imagine he’ll be equally popular on the stud farm and I bet he does really well there. Rafael will notice that. Here, Fergal was working as a barman, and I don’t think that would have struck much of a note with your brother—’

‘You’re right.’ Her attention fully engaged by Harriet’s more optimistic outlook on the situation, Una swallowed back a sob and scrabbled for a tissue. ‘Rafael wouldn’t have been impressed by that at all.’

‘This way Fergal gets to prove himself
and
do what he loves—’

‘And meet some other girl!’

‘That could happen here too,’ Harriet pointed out.

Una looked tragic. ‘I suppose it could.’

‘But he’s only twenty-two…I doubt if he’ll go rushing into anything too heavy for a while yet.’ Harriet watched the forlorn brunette pick up strength from that forecast.

‘I love Fergal so much…’ Una wiped her streaming eyes dry. ‘I’d lock him up in a tower if I could.’

Harriet knew the feeling, but thought it wisest not to empathise too much.

‘If I want to see more of Fergal I’ll have to get Rafael to take me to the stud farm, and to the races…’ Una remarked thoughtfully.

Harriet thought the teenager would find that a tall order.

Una heaved a sigh. ‘That means I’ll have to learn how to be a swot.’

Harriet blinked, all at sea. ‘Sorry?’

‘You have to know how to handle Rafael. He’s always telling me about the rewards of hard work, so if I swot like mad he’ll have to take me to the races if I ask. He can’t say no if that’s all I want.’ Watching Harriet’s face reflect sudden comprehension, Una sighed. ‘When you want some hints on how to nail Rafael to the church door, and you’re ripe for Father Frank’s famous talk on the trials of marriage, just ask.’

Harriet knew how truly low she could sink when she found herself tempted.

‘I mean, Rafael’s a sitting duck right now.’

* * *

Rafael was waiting in a limo at Charles de Gaulle airport for Harriet.

Her dress was the colour of blueberries, and a neat fit over her bosom and her hips for she had rounded up a little in Italy, but the rich shade flattered her copper hair and fair skin. When she met Rafael’s stunning dark eyes her heart literally jumped inside her chest, but he made no move towards her. As they drove through the busy, atmospheric streets of Paris he seemed preoccupied. He listened carefully to the story which Tolly had shared, and even smiled.

‘I should have guessed there might be a link between you and Tolly,’ he murmured.

She waited, but he added nothing more, and she thought that perhaps he was not that interested. She felt rather cut-off for imagining that he might be. Having been assured that she was not his half-sister, she reckoned that he probably couldn’t care less who her father was.

‘I should warn you that my mother can be hot-tempered.’ Harriet felt she had to speak up before they entered Eva and Gustav’s apartment. ‘And Gustav is very protective of her.’

‘Let me handle this.’

Eva’s bored expression evaporated when she
caught a glimpse of the tall handsome male behind her daughter.

‘My name is Rafael Flynn,’ Rafael murmured softly. ‘Rafael…Cavaliere…Flynn.’

Eva’s jaw dropped inelegantly wide. ‘I beg your pardon?’

Gustav did a doubletake at their visitor. ‘Cavaliere? Valente Cavaliere’s son?’

‘You can’t be
his
son!’ Eva protested.

Without further ado Rafael settled a document on the gilt and marble coffee table. ‘The results of DNA tests. Harriet is
not
my father’s child!’

‘That’s impossible,’ Gustav announced. ‘I’ve known he was Harriet’s father for several years—’

‘But it’s simply not true,’ Harriet stated. ‘Valente Cavaliere wasn’t my father!’

‘Why don’t you tell your daughter the truth?’ Rafael asked her mother.

‘I’m feeling faint…’ Eva gasped.

‘Faking a faint won’t get me off your case,’ Rafael drawled icily.

‘How dare you speak to my wife like that?’ Gustav snapped furiously.

‘I dare because after making Harriet live in ignorance for years your wife then chose to tell a disgusting and very irresponsible lie. At the time that lie was told, Harriet and I were lovers…’

Gustav was so aghast at that announcement that he stared speechless, first at Rafael and then with questioning force at his wife. ‘Eva…is it possible that you were mistaken?’

‘It’s more than possible,’ Rafael continued. ‘My father didn’t set foot in Ireland within five years of Harriet’s conception. I very much doubt that he ever even met your wife.’

Eva burst into tears.

‘Was it a lie?’ Gustav pressed heavily.

Eva spun away from him and sobbed even harder. Gustav turned a mottled pink shade and walked out of the room.

‘Mum…’The scene distressed Harriet. She hated to see her mother’s frailty exposed in front of Rafael. ‘Please tell me if Robert Tolly is my father.’

Eva’s head flew up in dismay. ‘How did you—?’

‘So he is,’ Harriet gathered tightly.

‘You’ve got no future as an interrogator, Harriet,’ Rafael said, very drily.

‘Why did you lie to me?’ Harriet demanded of the older woman.

‘Because I told that lie to Gustav before we married and I could hardly change my story! You’re right—I never met Valente Cavaliere. But I heard all about him in Ballyflynn. He was the most exciting thing that ever hit that dreary village,’ Eva declared
defiantly. ‘I said he was Harriet’s father because he was rich and important, and Gustav was impressed by that.’

‘Why couldn’t you just tell Gustav the truth?’

‘Do you really think I was about to tell my future husband that I’d once fallen pregnant by the man married to my best friend?’

‘I can see that that might have made him think twice,’ Rafael murmured, without any expression at all.

An unexpected laugh fell from Eva’s lips. ‘My respect for Harriet is rising steadily. Are you as rich as legend reports?’

‘Mother, please…’ Harriet begged, squirming at the avid look in the older woman’s gaze. ‘Can I ask what happened between you and Robert Tolly?’

‘Nothing much worth talking about. I did think I loved him.’ The older woman gave her a bitter look. ‘But he strung me along. He never had any intention of leaving Sheila. Her family had money. I had nothing to offer. When I got pregnant he panicked. Who do you think helped me get on that ferry and paid my fare? Your precious father. He also gave me the cash to go for a termination. But I met Will Carmichael and decided I’d rather get married.’

Harriet had turned very pale. Rafael curved an arm round her, mentioned a pressing appointment
and whisked her out of there faster than the speed of light.

‘Do you think Gustav will forgive Eva for lying to him?’ Harriet asked worriedly as they boarded the jet for their flight back to Ireland.

‘I would say that your mother is more than equal to the task of convincing him that he should. Are you planning to approach Robert Tolly?’

‘I don’t think so. But I bet his father will let him know that I know. Tolly would like a DNA test done for his own satisfaction, and no doubt he’ll pass on that as well. I can live with my father’s uninterest, though, and his wife’s feelings ought to be considered. Maybe in time she’ll come round to accepting my existence.’ Harriet screened a yawn behind her hand. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tired in my life.’

She had to be shaken awake when they landed in Kerry. A soft fine rain was falling, and lying like mist over the hills as Rafael drove them back to Ballyflynn.

‘I’m taking you to the Court. We have one or two things to sort out,’ he drawled softly.

Nervous tension infiltrated her. For some reason she felt she had to fill the silence, and she was chattering inanely about her plans for the vegetable patch as the Range Rover drew up outside the Georgian mansion.

‘You must be bored out of your mind,’ she muttered hot-cheeked as he led her indoors.

‘You never bore me. But it is definitely my turn to talk.’

Before he could speak, Peanut and Samson rushed out to greet them.

‘My goodness—what are they doing here? They
are
making themselves at home,’ Harriet muttered in some mortification. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Of course I don’t. I see Albert every day after all.’ Intent dark eyes rested on her anxious face and softened. ‘I want to sign over my half of the livery yard to you. You deserve it—’

‘No, I don’t…don’t be ridiculous. If we’re not partners any more I’ll not even have an excuse to see you!’ Belatedly registering what she had let drop, Harriet went bright pink and clamped a hand to her mouth. ‘Whoops…’

‘Since when did you think you needed an excuse?’

‘I don’t know where I stand with you any more.’

‘Are you still in love with Luke?’

‘My goodness—how can you ask me that? I sent him packing!’ Harriet reminded him with pride.

‘That doesn’t mean you don’t still love him. Luke has haunted me ever since I met you.’

‘How?’

‘When I met you, again were still in love with him, and all you wanted with me was a fling…you shameless hussy, you!’

Her face flamed. ‘I just thought about it. I didn’t actually intend to do it…’

‘And you didn’t want to be photographed with me at Leopardstown,’ Rafael enumerated.

‘I explained why not—’

‘But I wasn’t convinced. And when you lay in my arms and called me Luke, any sense of security I had in our relationship was destroyed.’

Harriet was wincing double-time now. ‘That was the most awful mistake. I know it was dreadful, and I still don’t know how it happened—’

‘But it did, and I believed you were on the rebound. Then in Italy you told me that I wasn’t marriage material, which again led me into making unhappy comparisons.’

‘Oh, that serves you right.’ Her blue eyes sparkled. ‘You went to great trouble to make it clear that you weren’t up for marriage, so what did you expect?’

Rafael groaned out loud. ‘You
still
haven’t told me how you feel about Luke.’

Harriet collided with spectacular dark golden eyes that were distinctly anxious. ‘I haven’t loved Luke since I fell much more in love with you.’

Rafael looked stunned. ‘Do you mean that?’

‘I think it started the night of the bonfire…though of course I fancied the socks off you before that…’