The Ninety Days of Genevieve by Lucinda Carrington Page A

small villages and the Mercedes twisted and turned until it suddenly slowed and Genevieve saw large wrought-iron gates on their left.
    The house was a surprise. It looked as if several Victorian architects had formed a committee to discuss its design but had never come to a unanimous decision. Its sprawling walls and balconies were thickly covered with ivy. Its massive entrance doors looked more suited to a castle, and were reached by an impressive flight of steps. A castellated tower had been added to one corner, making the whole building look slightly off balance.
    'A millionaire lives here?' Genevieve was amazed. 'If I had money this isn't exactly what I'd buy.'
    'Zaid doesn't own it, he rents it,' Sinclair said. 'I think it appeals to his sense of humour. And ifs rather an appropriate venue for an antiques fair. Wait until you see inside.'
    There were other cars parked near the entrance steps, all of them sleekly expensive. Genevieve noted three Rolls Royces, one of them a gleaming Silver Cloud. A uniformed chauffeur sat in the driver's seat leafing through a magazine.
    An impressively large gentleman who looked slightly uncomfortable in his smart suit and tie stopped them at the door. Sinclair produced a small card. The security guard glanced at it briefly, pressed a button and waited. After a moment the doors swung open and Genevieve followed Sinclair inside.
    The entrance hall was oak panelled and the walls were hung with an assortment of hunting trophies. Dead stags and dead foxes stared at Genevieve. There was a massive stone fireplace and a central flight of stairs that rose to a balcony and then branched both left and right. Several people stood in small groups, talking. A waiter moved about silently with a tray of drinks.
    'James, I'm delighted you could make it. I thought you'd back off and claim pressure of work.'
    The man who stepped forward was slightly taller than Sinclair and a few years older, but equally slim and elegant. His jet-black hair was fashionably cut and he had a neatly trimmed beard. Combined with his darkly tanned skin it gave him a slightly satanic look. He was dressed casually in an immaculately tailored jacket and trousers, with a silk cravat tucked loosely into his open-necked shirt.
    His eyes fixed on Genevieve. They were dark eyes, darker than Sinclair's. There was humour in them, and obvious appreciation. He held out his hand.
    'I am Anwar Zaid ibn Mahmoud ben Hazrain. But please just call me Zaid. You must be Miss Genevieve Loften.' Genevieve shook hands. His grasp was warm and firm. He smiled, and again she was reminded of Sinclair. 'James has told me a lot about you,' Zaid added.
    Genevieve glanced sideways at Sinclair. He raised one eyebrow and shrugged. But there was the trace of a smile on his lips and she immediately felt suspicious. Why had he found it necessary to tell this undeniably attractive man anything about her? She was supposed to be just a visitor, viewing the antiques.
    'James will show you everything,' Zaid said, 'and afterwards, I hope we'll see each other again.' He turned to Sinclair. 'Everything, James. You understand?'
    'If you say so,' Sinclair said. 'And I thought you would.'
    Zaid laughed. 'You know me far too well. Better than my own brother. And certainly better than my wife.' He gave Genevieve another charming smile and then turned to greet another guest.
    Sinclair took Genevieve's arm. 'What would you like to see first? China? Glass? Paintings? Toys?'
    'Obviously I'm going to see everything,' Genevieve said pointedly. 'Whatever that means.'
    'You'll find out what it means/ Sinclair said. 'Later.'
    'And where's Zaid's wife?'
    'Where all good wives should be/ he grinned. 'At home.'
    'So your friend has a Western education, and medieval ideas?'
    'Zaid probably thinks our idea of marrying for love is medieval. He sees marriage as a commitment to the future. His sons will take care of the family fortunes. His wife will ensure that they are properly prepared for