Trust (39 page)

Unbidden, a smile spread on his lips and his sun shone brighter than it had in many months.

3.22 p.m.

Sophia pushed the doors to the pool lounge and looked around, searching for Alistair or Alice.
No one
. She entered the artfully decorated room. Palm trees in earthenware pots were placed around the high-ceilinged room. Soft music was playing in the background. The remoteness of the place appealed to her.
Yes, this castle is enchanted
.

She strolled to one of the lounge chairs and took off her gold and diamond Havaianas from H. Stern and the green, blue, and pink Indian sari she wore as a skirt folding and putting it in her straw bag. She started to take off the matching short jacket with long sleeves, but decided to keep it on. She looked at her watch.
Why am I so damn neurotic about time?
She sighed, lay down on the reclining chair, and switched on her Kindle.

So engrossed in the story, Sophia didn’t notice the door open and close, or the approaching steps.

Tavish cleared his throat, disgusted by the woman in her small bikini and barely there jacket lying on the chair.

Looking up, Sophia viewed two strong legs wearing long Vilebrequin shorts in a Bengal tiger print. A blue linen long-sleeved opened shirt showed off a spectacular torso with sculptured abs, broad chest, and shoulders. She sucked in a breath.
Hot, hot, hot
.

Her gaze lifted and she became acutely conscious of his turbulent stare taking in her Adriana Degreas bikini and how his brows were lifted with scorn.
Oh, please, spare me. I’m not in the mood for a bullying rugged giant right now
.

“There’s a shop upstairs that sells clothes and bathing suits,” he snorted.

Sophia rolled her eyes heavenward, but didn’t utter a word and turned back to her Kindle.

“So, what’s your plan? This feigned naïve behavior doesn’t fool me. No innocent young woman would hang around Alistair.”

What? Why not?
She raised her brows at him and lifted her Kindle to avoid his stare, giving him the cold shoulder.

“Oh, no,” he said, walking to her side. “You won’t dismiss me as if you didn’t understand a word of what I’ve just said. I won’t be dismissed by someone like you.” And sat by her thigh.

Such a bold move startled Sophia. She snapped her Jimmy Choo Kindle cover shut and put it on the table, with a grim look on her face. She rose from her lounge chair, spine stiff, asking, “Someone like me?”

He rose carefully and circled the reclining chair. As he walked to her, trying to maintain a nonchalant pose, Sophia noticed his slight limp.

A sudden pity filled her heart, but she suffocated it deep down in her irritation.

“Why are you here?” Tavish hissed at her. “Aren’t you like the others?”

“What cryptic questions, my lord,” her voice was icy. “I came because of your father’s invitation. And how would I know how the others behaved? I can understand your words, but the manner of questioning must be old Scottish. Maybe it’s derived from your ancient barbaric Picts’ ways of torture, because I can’t make heads or tails of it. And quite frankly,” she lifted one eyebrow at him, “I don’t care.” She put on her sari and stepped away from him toward the door, too angry to care about her bag, Havaianas, and Kindle.

“Stop,” he said and gripped her left arm. “I want to talk to you.”

“But I don’t,” she answered, moving her arm brusquely away from his grip. She winced as a shock of pain lashed through it.

“What are you planning, Mrs. Leibowitz? What do you wish? I want to know why you really came here. You don’t need his money. Do want the title? His international status? Want a replacement for your late husband? A man to father your daughter?”

Sophia’s face fell at the aggressive and incoherent accusations. “Pardon?” she asked, flabbergasted.
Breathe, Sophia, breathe. Remember your promise to Alice
.

She looked straight ahead at the glass windows, focusing on the view of the extensive lawns outside, inhaling and exhaling deep and loud, “I don’t owe you any explanations.”

“Coward,” he muttered under his breath. “Just like the others.”

She turned her head back slowly to look at him, her chin high, “Did you just call me a coward?” Her hazel eyes darkened.

“I did. Go ahead,” he taunted, “run back to the arms of your dark lover and complain about my fucking bad manners.”

Go screw yourself, Lieutenant-Colonel-Doctor-Lord-Arrogance. This is it. The last straw
. She seethed.
No one talks about my family like that. Or calls me a coward. After everything I’ve been through, that is one thing I am not
. The thought made her anger bubble and spill.

She fisted her hands, trying to control her temper. “Oh, you do have bad manners, my lord. And your language is deplorable.” Her eyes were thunderous as she turned to face him in a fluid motion, hissing, “I don’t need a replacement husband. Gabriela and I are doing just fine.” She stomped toward him and whipped her neck back to look at his face. She felt as a joint cracked with her sharp movement.
Damn. Does he have to be so tall and handsome?
“And I don’t look for anyone’s protection. I’m going to show you who is the coward here.”

Tavish’s face showed his surprise at Sophia’s fearless behavior. None of Alistair’s other women would have the audacity to confront him.

“Now,
my lord
,” she spat the words, past all reason, taunting him, “let me make some things clear. I don’t like this bullying of yours. I don’t understand what I’ve done to prompt such antagonism. But, you know what? I don’t give a damn. I’ve had enough of your abuse. Do you think you can go around throwing unfair accusations or creating scenes just because you were a prisoner of war? Do you?” She stepped in his direction, furious. “Well, let me tell one thing. You’re still alive and you have to live the best way you can. I won’t take pity on you. And people will tire of your wailings.” She invaded his personal space, poking at his chest. “Come on, man up. Look around. There are people suffering much worse than you.”

Tavish didn’t even flinch, his jaw locked so hard he thought he might break his teeth. He narrowed his eyes, struggling to decipher the enraged woman before him. “And what would you know about real life, Mrs. Leibowitz? So rich, so pampered.”

Wrath seized Sophia. “As if,” she snorted, bitterly. “My lord, you have no idea what I know about life. But you’re not going to see me complaining or judging others unfairly. You want to be miserable, be miserable. By yourself. Don’t bother the ones who are trying to rebuild their lives. Leave your brother and me alone.” Sophia’s face flushed as she became breathless with rage.

He bared his teeth at her in an animalistic gesture. “But that’s not what you want, is it, Mrs. Leibowitz? You can fool all of them, but you don’t fool me. This time I won’t let Alistair and our family be hurt.”

This guy is really crazy
. “Huh?”

“I see the way you look at me. You want me too. You want us both.”

Sophia’s mouth dropped open. “What?” she whispered.

“Aye, Alistair and me. In your bed. Isn’t this-”

Sophia slapped him hard. “Enough!”

He backed away, unsteady, and put his hand on his burning cheek.

“You’re arrogant, presumptuous, and sick. I don’t know where you got that warped idea from. And I don’t have to listen to you.”

She turned, determined to leave the pool just as the doors opened and Alistair, Alice, and Leonard entered, laughing.

Alice was the first to notice the strained air between Sofia and her brother. She paled.

Leonard stopped mid-stride by her side.

Surprise flickered in Alistair’s face.

And Sophia froze in place.

“What’s going on here?” Alistair frowned and his face became dark when he saw Sophia’s hand imprinted on Tavish’s cheek. “Tavish Uilleam?” he asked ominously.

Sophia looked over her shoulder at Tavish. It felt like he had no intention of answering his brother and Sophia wondered why. He looked thoughtfully at her for a second, as if waiting for a response from her.

“A… misunderstanding.” Tavish answered finally.

“Sophia?” Alistair walked up to her, scowling.

She looked at Alistair’s handsome face and recalled Alice’s plea and her pledge in return. Determined, Sophia schooled her face and focused her gaze on Alistair’s green linen shirt.
It doesn’t matter why Tavish spoke like that. Not anymore. I stood my ground and said my piece
. She peered at the red mark on Tavish’s face and smiled, unbidden.
Yeah, I said my piece all right
. Feeling lighter, she decided to let it go. “It’s like he said. A misunderstanding.”

Tavish shoved his brother aside. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he turned her to him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I really am. I mistook you for someone else.”

Sophia’s eyes opened wide. The gesture and words were so unexpected. She glanced at Alistair, who was rooted to the ground, looking at the scene. His lips tightened in one harsh line.

“Apology accepted,” she whispered back and disengaged from his hold and walked to Alistair’s side. She put her arm around his waist. Alistair put his arm loosely over her shoulder.

Before one of them could say a word, Alice blurted out, “What a beautiful outfit, Sophia.”

Sophia sagged inwards, thankful for the remark. “Thanks, Alice, Felipe brought the sari from India, and Victoria made it for me.” She inhaled quietly trying to calm her emotions and smiled at her friend, “She is studying fashion design at the Polimoda Institute in Florence and she’s quite talented.”

“There’s a wonderful fashion school in London, too. Our mother studied there.” Alice caught her hand and pulled her to the farthest reclining chair, sitting by her. “Why did she choose Florence?”

“Oh, you know how twins are. Valentina was awarded a scholarship at Lorenzo de’ Medici, where she studies art and interior design, so Vic followed. She wanted to go to Paris but Val didn’t want to lose her scholarship.”

Alice stared into Sophia’s eyes and asked in a whisper, “What happened, Sophia?”

“Nothing, Alice. Nothing.”
There’s no need to upset Alice, Sophia. Besides, he apologized
.

“He must have done some-”

“I’ve accepted his apology. It’s all fine.” Sophia tilted her head and asked, “He said,” she made quotes in the air, “he mistook me for someone else. What did he mean by that?”

Alice sighed, “Sophia, Heather was…” She waved her hand in the air, forlornly, “She was despicable. Tavish Uilleam hated her. From the very beginning.”

“But what happened to make him hate her so much?”

“I don’t know. They were best friends, Alistair Connor and Tavish Uilleam. But Alistair didn’t heed his advice. He’s too stubborn. He was young and in love.” She shook her head, dejected, “She was a ravishing woman. And a seductress. Men fell at her feet like leaves in autumn. Alistair was the richest and most handsome of them all. She trapped him in her diseased, dark net.”

Sophia’s jealousy raged so that the two last sentences didn’t register.

So, Heather was Aphrodite. And Alistair had been in love with her
. She felt her heart constrict in her chest with sadness.
You know the drill, Sophia. That is why he doesn’t want another serious relationship. He probably misses her still
. She felt unhappy for him and for herself.

Sophia tilted her head to the side and looked thoughtfully at the three handsome men talking at the other side of the pool. She only saw Alistair.
How will I measure against his first love?

He caught her looking at him and flashed his stunning smile at her.

Tavish noticed the exchange and looked at Leonard, with his brows raised. Tavish saw a hint of love in Alistair’s smile, something not seen in a long while.

In fact, he had never seen Alistair smile like that at any woman. Never

5.18 p.m.

Hand in hand, Sophia and Alistair strolled in the gardens, headed toward the maze. The sun just beginning to set. The sky started to color pink and orange, turning an already lovely landscape into a superlative vista.

“Your brother is quite the contradiction,” she said, hesitantly, her hand brushing the trimmed leaves of the cypress hedges that formed the enormous maze. “He’s mean one moment, then nice the next. Even with you, he has mercurial moods. Threatening one moment, then protective. He’s so difficult to figure out.”

“He’s distrustful of you and it’s my fault,” he scowled and thinned his lips. “Give him some time to know you. He’ll come around.”

“And in spite of his rudeness, I like him. A lot. He’s intelligent, creative, and caring. He’s very protective of your family. But he’s also very stern.”

“You’d have liked the Tavish from before the war. He was quick-witted, always high-spirited. He used to make everyone around him laugh,” he sighed. “Now, he’s blue and serious.”

“What happened?”

“He never talks about it with us. All we know is, after being a prisoner of war for months, he was shot in the thigh during his escape. He was captured, probably ambushed, when tending to a corporal who stepped on a mine in the street. Both were captured. The corporal died. We don’t know how. He never talks about it. We know nothing more.”

“He doesn’t talk? At all?”

“Nae,” Alistair shook his head. “He sees his shrink in London, twice a week, but that’s all.”

They sat on a bench in the middle of the maze and Alistair put an arm around Sophia’s shoulders, entwining the hair that fell over it in his fingers.

She turned, resting her upper leg and knee on the bench to look at Alistair’s eyes and murmured, “I love your eyes, did you know that? I have never seen eyes as green as yours. They put the leaves of the Amazon Forest to shame. And your unbelievably long and dark lashes make them even more startling.” She raised her fingers brushing his lashes and his eyebrow. “It should be forbidden to be so handsome.”

How is such a simple, gentle touch so arousing?
Alistair felt his whole body stir with that simple caress. No one had touched him so lovingly before.

She cupped his face, sliding a finger over his nose. “Your regal nose,” and down her finger went, “your mouth.” She caressed his jaw line, “Everything about you is rugged, earthy. You’re…” her lips parted, “breathtaking.”