In the Australian Billionaire's Arms. Margaret Way

concluded it all had to do with her past life. Did a great need to be safe drive her? He was fast reaching the conclusion she was on the run from something. Someone? How would that impact on Marcus’s plans?

      There were too many question marks hanging over Ms Erickson’s head. One thing was very clear. She was an extremely fast worker. She could be the second Mrs Marcus Wainwright if she so wanted. One heard of May/December marriages all the time. But in just about every case, the man was rich. He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it at all. He needed to talk to Rowena.

      When he arrived at his apartment he rang Rowena to say he would be coming to Sunday lunch. Rowena always kept a marvellous table. More importantly, he and Rowena could keep an eye on proceedings and later confer.

      “All right if I bring Paula?” he asked. “I know you’re not fussed on her.”

      “Protection, dearest, is that it?”

      He grimaced to himself. “I don’t want to be seen to be using Paula. She’d actually love to be invited.”

      “Doesn’t answer the question, dear.”

      “Marcus is madly in love with her, Rowena,” he said firmly. “I was at the house this afternoon. Sonya was there, putting flowers all around the place.”

      “I bet they looked wonderful,” Rowena’s cultured voice fluted down the phone.

      “She does have the genius touch. Did you know about this recent development?”

      “Matter of fact I did. Sonia had some marvellous bromeliad stems for me. Wonderful to see with just a large green leaf hanging over the side.”

      “Rowena dear, I’m sure the bromeliads looked inspirational,” he said edgily, “but what I most want to talk about is this. What is Sonya up to? She knows Marcus is in love with her. Can you really say with any degree of confidence a marriage between them might work, given the thirty-year leap? She could divorce him and get a hefty settlement. Break Marcus’s heart. That’s a huge worry.”

      “It’s possible, my darling, but who is able to predict a marriage?”

      “Now there’s a cop out if ever there was one,” he exclaimed. “She’s won you over as well. You and Rolly had a great marriage. So do Mum and Dad.”

      “Ah, then, your mother had a great deal of money. So did I. No one could ever have accused us of being fortune hunters. Makes things a lot easier.”

      “Mum is four years younger than Dad,” he pointed out.

      “My lovely Rolly was twelve years older than me.”

      “The perfect gentleman.”

      “He was indeed.”

      “You all brought a great deal to one another,” he said. “What is Sonya going to bring to Marcus?”

      Rowena chuckled. Over-long.

      “Okay, okay, but is she in it for short term gain, Rowena? I’d love to look on the positive side, but I couldn’t bear to see Marcus humiliated. She doesn’t love him. That’s the pity. But she does have him wrapped around her little finger. He’s happy at the moment. Really happy. I have to say it’s lovely to see.”

      Rowena abruptly sobered. “I’m as concerned as you are, David. For both of them. You know, dear, I’ve come to the conclusion Sonya is carrying a burden she can’t lay down. Despite that poise of hers, the high-born air, she seems to me a little lost.”

      “Lost?” For a moment he thought he might lose it entirely. “She’s as switched on as they come.”

      “Lighten up, love,” Rowena advised. “I know how much you love Marcus. You’ve always looked up to him. You have heart. You’re also very perceptive. I do realize the developing situation had to be taken very seriously. I’m with you there. Marcus, up until he met Sonya, has acted as though all happiness had passed him by.”

      “It’s a dilemma, isn’t it?” he said. “Marcus is the one who stands to be hurt. Even if a marriage did take place, marriages end. A beautiful young woman with a large settlement could move on. Marcus would not. We both know that.”

      “Yes indeed,” Rowena quietly agreed.

      “We can expect fireworks from Dad and Mum. Dad especially. He loves his brother. Dad will want Sonya thoroughly checked out. Even then he wouldn’t approve. Neither would Mum. You know what they’re like. You know what the family is like. They’ll condemn her right off as a fortune hunter and a fake.”

      “Well, she’s not faking the patrician air,” Rowena said in strong defence of the young woman she had come to like and admire.

      “She’s a mystery woman indeed,” David answered, very, very dryly.

      “There’s a story there, my darling. But not a happy one, I’m sure.”

      “It makes a lot of women happy marrying a millionaire,” he pointed out.

      “In a lot of cases it doesn’t work out marrying for love,” she countered. “I hear the Grantleys are divorcing. How long ago was it we were at the wedding?”