Forbidden Pleasure

She shook her head. ‘Apart from Tricia, I haven’t told anyone else but you.’

‘Why?’

She heard the frown in his tone. Clasping her hands in her lap, she concentrated on the way the sun fell across them, emphasising thin fingers and pale skin.

Slowly she said, ‘Because I feel—reduced, I suppose. And I didn’t understand how bad it was until I came here. I’m fine in swimming pools, and although I knew the sea made me panicky I didn’t realise why. I thought I just needed to take things quietly and I’d be all right in no time.’

He turned his head so that he was looking at her, eyes burning like pale flames in the darkness of his face. ‘You shouldn’t be alone. Where is your family?’

That tantalising hint of an alien accent, an unknown language, lingered in his autocratic voice. ‘My mother’s dead,’ she told him, fighting off an enormous lassitude that rolled over her, sapping her strength, loosening her tongue. ‘My father is busy with his second wife and second family. Anyway, I don’t need anyone—what could they do?’ She lifted weighted lashes and managed to curve her lips into an approximation of a smile. ‘Actually, today was quite a step forward. I was in the water for a fraction of a second and didn’t—quite—succumb to hysterics.’

‘I saw how much it cost you,’ Alex said tersely. ‘You need help for this, not solitude and will-power. Is there no one who can come and stay with you? This Tricia—your friend? Surely—?’

‘No, she’s got a husband and two small children, and her own life to lead.’ Ianthe covered a yawn with a boneless hand. ‘I’m sorry, I’m really tired.’

‘Then go inside and sleep,’ he ordered, his tone almost impatient.

She stumbled when she got to her feet, prepared this time for the lean hand on her arm that steadied her. ‘Sorry,’ she repeated.

‘Why? Because you tried to stay in the water in spite of what it cost you mentally and emotionally? It was foolish, perhaps, but admirable. Will you be all right by yourself? I’ll stay if you want me to.’

‘No!’ She saw his eyes darken and stepped away. ‘No, I’m fine. It just takes it out of me…’ Will-power finally fastened her lips on the gabbling words.