‘What is it?’ she demanded worriedly. ‘Alex, tell me what’s wrong?’
‘Nothing!’ He looked at her coldly. ‘Nothing at all,’ he drew a ragged breath, dropping her hand to go forward and greet the other man.
Lauri stood in the background as the two men talked together for several minutes. Somehow this man didn’t fit in with the description of a selfish man intent only on his own pleasure, and she found it hard to relate the cold facts that Alex had related to her with this man conversing so easily with the younger man. It didn’t seem possible that this man was an adulterer, he just didn’t seem the type. But was there a type? She didn’t know.
Alex was bringing him over to meet her now, that cold look still in his eyes. ‘This is a friend of mine, Laurence,’ he said tauntingly. ‘Her name is Lauren,’ he told the other man slowly. ‘Lauren Prescott.’
‘Prescott …?’ Laurence Daniels echoed sharply, his face almost grey beneath his tan.
‘Yes,’ Alex savagely bit the word out.
‘Alex?’ Lauri frowned. ‘Alex, what’s wrong?’
‘Nothing, my dear Lauren,’ his smile had a cruel edge to it. ‘Forgive me, I forgot to introduce my brother-in-law. Lauren, this is Laurence Daniels.’
She put her hand out, smiling shyly. ‘Most people call me Lauri.’
He returned her smile, taking her hand. ‘But not Alex,’ he said huskily.
‘No, not Alex.’ Was it her imagination or was Laurence Daniels holding on to her hand just a little too tightly—and for too long? Could Alex be right about him after all?
‘I once knew some people called Prescott,’ Laurence Daniels’ eyes never left her face, their expression shielded by the tinted glasses. ‘Your mother—?’
‘Is dead,’ she told him regretfully.
‘Dead?’ he repeated in a strangulated voice.
She nodded, surprised at the show of emotion he made no effort to hide. Even if he had known her family she could see no reason for her mother’s death to have upset him so much—after all, they couldn’t have been that friendly. ‘I’m afraid so,’ she confirmed.
‘I see,’ he said heavily.
‘Shouldn’t you release her hand now, Laurence?’ Alex put in coldly. ‘I’m sure she’d like it back.’
‘Of course.’ Some of the colour seemed to be ebbing back into the thin cheeks, although he was still v
ery pale. And he would keep staring at her! It was very unnerving. ‘I’m sorry—Lauri,’ he gave a jerky smile.
‘I—That’s perfectly all right.’ But it wasn’t! The intensity of his gaze was making her feel very uncomfortable.
‘I’ll just get my cases.’ He turned back to the trolley containing his luggage.
‘Why does he keep staring like that?’ Lauri whispered to Alex.
‘Perhaps he finds you beautiful,’ he rasped, his face rigid.
‘Don’t be silly. We both know I’m not.’
‘Fishing for compliments, my dear?’ he taunted with a sneer.
She frowned. ‘I know you’re tense about this meeting, Alex, but that’s no reason for you to talk to me like this.’
‘Isn’t it?’ he scorned harshly. ‘My God, isn’t it?’
‘No. I—’
‘Here we are,’ Laurence Daniels rejoined them. ‘Shall we go?’
‘By all means, let’s go.’ Alex led the way, striding off and leaving them to follow.