Carole Mortimer - A Past Revenge

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Cover

Title Page A Past Revenge Carole Mortimer www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Copyright

COLDLY grey eyes. Cruelly cold grey eyes, and black silk sheets. They were memories that would always be with her when she thought of him. Even more so now!

‘Danielle? Danielle!’ Lewis repeated impatiently as he still did not get her attention. ‘I asked if tomorrow afternoon would be convenient for the initial meeting,’ he explained none too patiently still. ‘I know you’ve been trying to finish the Gilbraith portrait for this week.’

‘I completed it today,’ she revealed reluctantly. ‘Although I’m not sure I want to become involved in another one just yet. I had it in mind to take a holiday.’

‘Not now, Danielle,’ Lewis looked scandalised at the idea, his blond good looks momentarily marred by his worried expression. At thirty Lewis Vaughn looked exactly what he was, a successful businessman. He always dressed impeccably, told Danielle that he didn’t like the way art had such a bad name with the public, everyone connected with it, including the agent he was, assumed to be bohemian. Lewis certainly had to be the exception to that rule! ‘You did hear who you would be painting?’ he said, as if she could not possibly have done and still refuse to do it.

‘I heard,’ she shattered that illusion instantly, knowing exactly who she was being commissioned to paint, and not liking it one little bit.

‘Audra McDonald, Danielle,’ he repeated anyway.

‘Yes,’ she still wasn’t impressed.

‘Okay, but do you realise who commissioned the portrait?’ he encouraged with enthusiasm.

She stiffened slightly, although on the outside she looked as cool as normal. She was a very cool lady, revealed little of her real emotions to any but those closest to her. That circle was very small, didn’t even include Lewis, despite the fact that he had been her agent and friend for the last five years, the last two of them very successful for them both, Danielle Smith portraits suddenly becoming the fashion. And yet still Lewis did not see beneath the cool façade, knew only her outward beauty, the silky blonde hair feathered in layers to her shoulders, the emotionless green eyes that hid a multitude of secrets he could not even guess at, her nose short and straight, inclined to freckle in the summer months, her mouth a perfect bow, the full pouting lips usually coloured with a peach lipgloss, a gentle blusher adding colour to her naturally pale cheeks. Her tall slenderness suited the loose tops and fitted denims she habitually wore, although she didn’t consider herself to be a bohemian either!

‘Yes, I know,’ she confirmed flatly, pleased her emotions were under control. She had learnt her lesson well.

‘Nicholas Andracas,’ Lewis told her unnecessarily. ‘He telephoned me personally,’ he added in a rather awestruck voice. ‘I could hardly believe it when he identified himself as the caller.’

Danielle could understand that, had once known that awed feeling herself. ‘And he wants me to paint a portrait of his current mistress?’ she arched blonde brows.

‘Danielle!’

‘Well, what would you have me call her?’ she mocked lightly. ‘It’s public knowledge the two of them have been living together for over a year.’

Lewis looked self-conscious. ‘I don’t think they’re actually cohabiting—–’

She gave a splutter of unexpected laughter, and it was all the more beautiful because of it, lighting up her whole face. ‘It isn’t like you to be so correct, Lewis,’ she chided. ‘Whether they live together or not they are still lovers.’

He still looked uncomfortable. ‘I don’t think we should moralise about a prospective client—–’

‘I’m not about to,’ she dismissed, standing up. ‘I’m just not sure I want to do this one.’ And that wasn’t strictly true either, she knew she didn’t want to do it!

‘Why not?’ a disappointed Lewis followed her across the room to stand at her side as she stared out of the window. ‘God, there’s no denying Audra McDonald would make a beautiful subject.’

No, there was no denying that, the actress was very beautiful, but then she would have to be to hold the attention of the rich Greek/American oil tycoon. Nicholas Andracas had a reputation for escorting only beautiful women, and the lovely red-haired actress had lasted longer than most, certainly longer than Danielle, that was for sure. She must have broken all records as far as his women were concerned!

Nick would attract women to him even without his millions, was tall and dark, with a harsh attractiveness that hadn’t diminished despite his thirty-eight years. And he had grey eyes, coldly cruel grey eyes.

‘I’ve worked hard this last year, Lewis,’ she told him curtly. ‘I’d like to take a break now.’

‘Can’t it wait just another month?’

‘It could. …’

‘Then let it,’ he pounced eagerly, looking a little sheepish. ‘Actually, I’ve already told Mr Andracas you’re free tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. I hope that is convenient?’

‘It’s a little late to ask me that,’ she turned on him waspishly, emotion in her eyes now. ‘I think you could at least have asked me first.’

‘I tried. I’ve been calling you all afternoon, you were always out.’

Danielle sighed her impatience with that excuse. ‘You know I always put the telephone on the machine when I’m working, I can’t concentrate with it constantly interrupting me. It wouldn’t have hurt you to have told Mr Andracas you couldn’t reach me and you would call him back when you had.’

‘He isn’t the sort of man you keep waiting too long,’ Lewis grimaced. ‘For anything,’ he added with rueful resignation.

She knew all about the forceful arrogance of Nicholas Andracas, she also knew the easy-going Lewis would be no match for the older man. ‘I can see that,’ she sighed. ‘All right, Lewis, I’ll see Miss McDonald tomorrow.’

‘And Mr Andracas,’ he put in hastily. ‘He wants to meet you too.’

‘Lewis—–’

‘I know,’ he held up his hands defensively. ‘It’s only necessary for you to meet the subject you’re to paint,’ he recited parrot-fashion. ‘But he’s commissioning the portrait. And he’s willing to pay a nice fat fee too,’ he named an amount that made her eyes widen.

‘You know my fees aren’t as high as that,’ she protested.

‘It was the amount he suggested,’ Lewis explained.

‘It’s too much,’ she shook her head.

‘You haven’t tried working with Audra McDonald yet,’ he told her ruefully. ‘I’ve heard that isn’t always a pleasant experience. You could earn every penny of that money in the circumstances.’