FORBIDDEN PLACE 17

‘I OWE YOU an apology, Miss Heyward.’

Karen, about to close and lock the library door, could hardly believe her own ears. ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said, looking up at him, stunned.

‘I’ve been unfair. Can we start again?’

This was incredible. Mallory, the lordly and arrogant, was actually expressing regret for something he had done, and to a woman, too!

The corridor was filled with the somnolence of a summer afternoon, a time when the servants chad absented themselves from that part of the house, idling in their quarters or quietly undertaking some task that was not too taxing.

Sinclair had gone to London that morning, roaring off in the Lamborghini, taking Celine and Jo with him. He had spoken airily of business in town. The singer was working with her répétiteur in preparation for the starring role in Carmen due to open in Vienna in October. Jo had the opportunity to glide the catwalk for a leading fashion designer. Armina was absent, presumably humping Tayte or getting her kick