I'm here

Irene left hers unopened once she realized what it was all about.

The meal was cleared and more champagne poured—it was time for the speeches and toasts.

If you didn’t know him, Irene thought as she watched Murad Fullbuster perform his part, you would think there was nothing wrong with him. But she noticed that his sister was watching him intently with a frown in her eyes.

Then all the formalities were over and the string quartet demonstrated their versatility, and couples took to the dance floor to a lively beat.

Irene decided to slip away. She had the beginnings of a headache and a few minutes alone in a nice quiet spot seemed like a good idea.

She had no idea that two men saw her go: Murad—and his cousin, Paul O’Hara.

She went out onto the lawn and took the path that led to the swimming-pool garden but stopped at a sound behind her, a footstep. She took a deep breath and turned—it was Paul O’Hara.

He too wore his dinner suit well, his fair hair was smooth and his nice grey eyes wer