‘You can’t have told them about me!’ she groaned disbelievingly.
‘The day after I first met you.’ He nodded. ‘I told them then that you were very special. And when I realised you were The Unicorn I just couldn’t wait to share that news with them too. I had your grandmother’s permission to call them while the two of you talked earlier. My parents couldn’t have been more thrilled for me. They knew that I’ve always had a special love for your work, so it was only natural I would love you too. Last year I gave my parents one of your paintings for Christmas; this year I’ll be able to give them the real thing!’
Eve looked uncertain. How could he remain so one-hundred-per-cent sure, when she didn’t know what she was feeling from one moment to the next?
‘A little faith—and not too much time, I hope—and things will work out, you’ll see,’ he assured her softly. ‘I don’t really think——’
‘I thought I might find the two of you up here,’ drawled a lightly mocking voice.
Eve pulled abruptly out of Adam’s arms, her expression one of guilt as she looked across the room at Marina; the other woman had come upon them so quietly that neither of them had been aware of her presence, Eve felt sure. Although, typically, Adam didn’t look in the least disconcerted by the interruption, or the intimacy in which they had been found!
She shot him a reproving look as he merely grinned a greeting to Marina.
‘Stop acting so coy, Eve,’ her cousin derided impatiently. ‘If you want my opinion, dumping Paul and falling in love with Adam are the two most sensible things you’ve ever done in your life; and we both know how practical you’ve always been!’
Bright spots of angry colour burnt Eve’s cheeks. ‘I haven’t dumped Paul, and I’m not in love with Adam.’
‘Then maybe you should have been the one to go into acting,’ Marina told her dismissively, turning to Adam, completely ignoring Eve’s angry gasp at the taunt. ‘I thought at the time that Eve was lucky to be sharing a bathroom with you,’ she teased wryly.
‘I know perfectly well what you’re implying,’ Eve snapped. ‘But Adam has behaved the perfect gentleman as far as those communicating doors are concerned!’
Marina’s eyes narrowed as she continued to look at Adam. ‘It’s serious, then?’
‘No!’
‘Yes.’
Eve and Adam answered together, Eve heatedly, Adam with total calmness—and conviction.
‘I hoped it was.’ Her cousin nodded. ‘In that case, could I see you for a few minutes before I leave, Adam?’ Marina’s flamboyance had left her now, her manner was almost tentative, an emotion completely out of character.
Adam sobered instantly, also alerted by something in her manner. ‘Of course.’ He nodded.
Marina glanced uncomfortably at Eve. ‘Alone,’ she added abruptly.
Eve frowned her puzzlement; earlier Marina had seemed determined to throw Adam and herself together; could it now be that her cousin regretted her impetuosity?
What other reason could she have for asking to be alone with Adam now?
Whatever Marina’s reasons, Eve had no choice but to excuse herself. ‘I’ll just go down and say goodnight to Grandmother.’
‘Eve,’ Adam halted her at the door, and she turned slightly, not quite able to look at him. ‘Don’t forget to come back,’ he said softly.
Come back to what, though? she puzzled as she went down the stairs.
What was Marina up to?
CHAPTER NINE
WELL, she certainly wasn’t going to get the answer to that from Adam, for he excused himself directly after breakfast the next morning, claiming he had a business meeting in London.
The fact that he would be out for the day didn’t particularly worry Eve; after all, she had work to do herself this morning at the library, and this afternoon would be taken up with her painting. It was the fact that Adam hadn’t previously mentioned the business meeting that bothered her, and she had a strange feeling that his conversation last night with Marina was all mixed up in it. He had been grim-faced the evening before when she’d returned to the studio after talking to her grandmother, shrugging off her concern with his usual teasing manner, although for once she had the feeling the lightness was forced.
And now, this morning, he was disappearing to London for the day.
Her grandmother shook her head as she watched Adam’s long, easy strides of departure. ‘He’s the strangest house-guest I’ve ever known. What do you suppose is going on between him and Marina?’ She frowned her puzzlement.
Eve wished she knew!