His kiss, though brief, had been shattering, and even when her lips were free again, her head continued to spin for a moment.
As it cleared she caught a glimpse of Suzy’s startled gaze fixed on her, before the redhead and her partner were lost amongst the other dancers.
Scared, both of this man’s arrogant demonstration of possessiveness and her own helpless reaction to it, Bel stopped dancing and made an effort to pull herself free.
He merely tightened his hold.
‘Let me go,’ she said in a fierce undertone.
‘I want to talk to you. But first we’ll get away from this crowd.’
Clasping her right wrist, he led her down the terrace steps and across the smooth expanse of gently sloping lawn to a wooden bench beyond the range of the lanterns.
She should have resisted, even if it meant making a scene, but, knocked completely off balance, her common sense swamped by too much champagne, she found herself going without further protest.
It was a glorious evening—the sky a clear dark blue pricked with stars, a pale, shining disc of moon hanging like an angel’s cradle just above the treetops. The air was warm, soft as velvet, perfumed with honeysuckle and gillyflowers and the sharper, lemony scent of geraniums.
But, finding it difficult to breathe, all Bel was conscious of was the man who was holding her so lightly but inexorably.
Sitting on the bench, he drew her down beside him.
In spite of the background of lights and music, she felt curiously alone, isolated, as if no one else existed.
His handsome eyes silver in the moonlight, her captor studied her face with an unnerving scrutiny.
His long fingers still held her wrist and, knowing he must be aware of her racing pulse, she strove for calm. But her usual self-possession had deserted her entirely.
As though he knew exactly how he affected her, and was pleased, he smiled and said softly, ‘Without that air of cool composure you’re even more bewitching.’
Ignoring the compliment, she demanded, ‘Who are you?’ and was annoyed to find she sounded as agitated as she felt. ‘Are you a friend of Roderick’s?’
‘A business acquaintance…Andrew Storm.’
‘Andrew Storm,’ she repeated slowly. ‘Somehow it suits you.’ Once again she spoke her thoughts aloud.
‘And your name suits you, ma belle.’
Wondering how he knew her name, presuming Roderick must have mentioned it, she shook her head. ‘I was christened Annabel, but it was always shortened to Bel.’
His free hand came up to touch her cheek. Flinching away from that caressing touch, and trying desperately to find some stable ground, she said jerkily, ‘I’m Roderick’s fiancée. We’re getting married in October.’
‘Really?’ He sounded as if he doubted it.
To add weight to the declaration, she lifted her left hand and displayed her engagement ring.
‘Why did you choose a diamond?’
‘I didn’t. Roderick chose it.’
With a shake of his head, Andrew Storm dismissed the solitaire. ‘A diamond is too cold. You need the warmth of a topaz, or the green fire of an emerald. Beneath that air of cool reserve there’s a passionate woman…’
Startled by his assertion, striving to sound amused, derisive, she queried, ‘Do you think so?’
His arm went around her. ‘Would you like me to prove it, Bel?’
‘No!’
‘Scared?’
Terrified. ‘No, I’m not scared. But I am Roderick’s fiancée.’
He shrugged, discounting the fact as coolly as he’d discounted the ring. ‘So you’ve just told me. How long have you been engaged?’
‘Three months.’
‘Do you and Bentinck sleep together?’
The question took her by surprise. ‘That’s none of your business,’ she said indignantly.
‘It could be relevant to our discussion,’ he pointed out coolly. ‘If you do—’
‘We don’t.’ The moment the words were out she could have bitten her tongue, realising she’d fallen into his trap.
He laughed softly at her discomfort.
Knowing she must put an end to this dangerous têteà-tête, she gathered herself and, jumping to her feet, said abruptly, ‘I’d like to go back to the party.’
Rather to her surprise he rose and, with an air of satisfaction, as though he’d achieved his object, agreed, ‘Very well.’
Tucking her hand through his arm, he walked her back to the terrace, where lantern-light took the place of moonlight and the party was still going strong.
There was no sign of Roderick.
‘Have you eaten yet?’ Andrew Storm queried, steering her to one of the small empty tables.
Her only wish to get away, she shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry.’ A shade desperately, she added, ‘In fact I’m about ready for bed. I didn’t get much sleep last night.’
As though he knew exactly what had kept her awake and restless, Bel’s companion suggested smoothly, ‘Worried about something?’
Apart from the few who had to know, her father wanted news of any attempted take-over kept under wraps. Hurriedly she shook her head. ‘I expect it was this heatwave. I’m hot now…’
‘Then I’ll get you a drink. Some champagne perhaps?’
The thought of a drink was welcome, but she was not a lover of alcohol and she’d had more than enough for one night. ‘I’d prefer a fruit juice, please.’
Watching his broad back disappear into the throng, Bel cursed the ingrained good manners that had prevented her from saying a firm no thank you, and walking away.
Though she could come to no harm here, in the midst of all these people, Andrew Storm was the most disturbing, dangerous man she had ever met, and she felt wrung out.
One of the guests she’d been chatting to earlier said, ‘Roderick has been looking for you. He wondered if you’d gone to bed.’
‘Oh…’ Bel felt herself flushing. ‘I’ve been in the garden. Perhaps I’d better go and find him.’
But even as she started to rise Andrew Storm was back, carrying a jug of iced fruit juice and two glasses, which he proceeded to fill.
‘I chose the tropical. I hope that’s all right?’
‘Oh, yes, fine, thank you.’ The concoction was cool and refreshing, and she drank thirstily before remarking, ‘Something tastes quite strong.’
Taking a sip of his own, he considered. ‘The mango? Or possibly the lime?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Finishing the juice, she said awkwardly, ‘Well, I’d better go, Roderick has been looking for me.’
Andrew refilled her glass. ‘There’s quite a crowd still milling about, but if you sit here for a while he’s bound to find you. Or are you scared of me?’
‘Why on earth should I be?’ She managed to sound coolly amused.
He smiled a little, but said nothing.
Picking up her glass, she remarked, ‘You said you were a business acquaintance of Roderick’s…’