Alejandro's Revenge by Anne Mather Page A

pry.’
    â€˜It’s not your fault.’ Lauren hesitated. ‘Oh, I suppose I should not say anything to you. But you are Edward’s sister. You have a right to know.’
    Abby wondered if she did. And if this was about Alejandro she didn’t think she wanted to know. Though how else was she to learn the truth? She had the feeling Lauren wouldn’t lie.
    â€˜Has he said anything to you?’ the younger woman persisted, and Abby had no idea how to answer her.
    â€˜I—Edward and I haven’t had a lot of time to talk about anything,’ she murmured evasively. ‘What with the break-in and all.’
    â€˜Por supuesto.’ Of course. Lauren circled the rim of her cup with a nervous finger. ‘And I suppose it is not an easy thing for him to tell you.’
    This was getting worse and worse. Abby, glancing at her brother, was uneasily aware that she might have misjudged him all along. It sounded very much as if Lauren was trying to break it to her gently. Had Lauren been having an affair? And, if so, with whom?
    â€˜You—er—you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,’ Abby said quickly. ‘Honestly, I—’
    â€˜But I want to tell you,’ said Lauren firmly. ‘Perhaps you will understand my feelings better than your brother. Now that you are going to be married yourself.’
    Abby wanted to say Don’t hold your breath , but her mouth was too dry to allow more than a strangled gulp to escape her.
    Lauren seemed to take her silence as acquiescence, however. Setting her cup on the low table in front of them, she said quietly, ‘You see, Edward and I have been having some—personal—problems.’
    Oh, no! Abby was convinced now that she didn’t want to hear this. ‘Really…’ she began again, recovering her voice. ‘I don’t think I am the person you need to talk to.’
    Lauren gave her a thoughtful little look. ‘Perhaps that is so,’ she conceded softly. ‘I forget—things are different in your country, are they not?’
    Abby didn’t quite know what she meant by that, but she thought it was wiser not to probe. Obviously Lauren couldn’t talk about this to her mother and father. Still, why she should think her sister-in-law might view her behaviour more sympathetically, Abby didn’t know.
    Or want to, she assured herself. It was bad enough having Edward unloading all his troubles onto her shoulders. She couldn’t take on Lauren’s as well.
    â€˜Did I tell you Alejandro joined your mother and Abby for a drink at lunchtime?’ Edward asked suddenly. He had propelled himself across the room to where they were sitting and now perched on the arm of the sofa at his wife’s side. ‘He’s very fond of Abby. They met at our wedding, you know.’
    His wife looked up at him with narrowed eyes. ‘No, you did not tell me,’ she said, a wary note entering her voice. She turned back to Abby. ‘I did not realise you knew Alejandro so well.’
    â€˜I don’t,’ said Abby shortly, wondering what her brother was playing at now. ‘Edward’s exaggerating.’
    â€˜I don’t think so,’ he said annoyingly. ‘He was certainly delighted to renew your acquaintance yesterday, as I recall.’
    Abby’s eyes bored into his. ‘Mr Varga was simply being polite, that’s all,’ she said tersely. And then, remembering that she was supposed to be having dinner with Alejandro the following evening, she cursed Edward anew for getting her into this situation. She clenched her fists. ‘You know him better than I do.’
    Edward was undaunted. ‘Do I?’ he challenged. ‘I wouldn’t say that. I shouldn’t be at all surprised if he wants to see you again before you leave.’
    Abby’s face burned with embarrassment. Was he only guessing that Alejandro had been in touch with her?