Page 26 of His Last Gamble

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The sun was beginning to set as they drew up at a small private marina.

The bobbing yachts, furled sails gleaming white against the sea, their paintwork turning orange with the glow of the setting sun, moved up and down with the gentle swell of the sea.

‘What are we doing here?’ she asked, as he turned off the ignition and drew off his sunglasses.

‘Dinner,’ he said simply.

‘Oh.’ She was hardly dressed for dinner, but she wasn’t about to point that out. Ever since that incredible moment in the tea shop, she’d been aware that something had changed between them.

She wasn’t sure what it was, but it made her even more nervous.

Oh, he’d been the perfect host ever since, showing off the island of which he was justly proud, and making sure she saw all the sights. But he seemed almost reserved. Wary. Watchful even.

Now she climbed out of the car and looked around nervously. She couldn’t see a clubhouse.

Using one of the keys on his key ring, he unlocked the padlock securing the door in the chain-link fence, and she walked out onto the jetty. Through the gaps in the planks she could see the swirling motion of the sea beneath her.

‘This way,’ he lead her almost to the end, then turned, lightly climbing on board a large, sleek, ultra-modern yacht.

‘I thought . . .’ she began nervously, then bit her lip. What had she thought?

‘Don’t worry, I’m a good cook,’ he called down. ‘The crew always keep the fridge and pantry well stocked. I usually take her out at least once a week, but we’ll dine in harbour tonight. It’s the crew’s night off.’

Charmaine looked up the gangplank at him, still hesitant.

‘She belongs to you?’ she asked finally, looking towards the prow and the name plate, where she read it aloud. ‘Queen of Diamonds.’ She laughed softly. Who else could it possibly belong to?

‘Come on up,’ he said and disappeared inside. A moment later, lights softly gleamed from the interior.

She took a deep, deep breath and slowly made her way up the gangplank.

She’d never been on a yacht before in her life.

She stepped into a stateroom that, even to her untutored eyes, was the second word in luxury. Her feet sank down into thick carpet as she surveyed the enormous space, which housed dark brown leather sofas and smoky glass and chrome tables festooned with magazines, books and an impressive-looking hi-fi system.

Through an alcove she heard the sound of pots and pans, and slowly walked around. She was sure one of the oil paintings fastened onto the wall was by a famous French impressionist. An antiques drinks cabinet displayed an exquisite decanter and cut-glass tumbler set, as well as alcohol of every description. She sank down onto one of the sofas, only to get up and nervously prowl around again a moment later.

What was she doing here?

Doubtless theQueen of Diamondshad a master bedroom somewhere down below. Probably complete with a mirrored ceiling and black satin sheets!

OK, perhaps not, she admitted to herself a moment later. Not when she had evidence of such exquisite taste all around her.

But it would definitely have a bed. A big bed.

And a man like Payne Lacey would almost certainly expect to be joined in that bed later on.

He’d expect some return for all the time he’d lavished on her today, after all. Why, even now, he was neglecting his precious casino in order to wine and dine her. What happened when it came time to pay the piper?

‘Pan-fried sea bass with a green salad all right?’ he asked from just behind her, making her jump like a startled cat and shoot around.

‘Oh, er, yes. Yes. Fine,’ she stammered.

He returned to the kitchen, or galley, she supposed it should be called, and a moment later heard the sizzling of fish.

Nervously she pulled open some French doors and found herself out on deck, with the glorious panorama of a sunset over the ocean spread out in front of her in all its glory.

She should be happy.

She was exactly where she wanted to be. Her plan to snare and break Payne Lacey seemed well on track. She was young, about to dine with a rich and handsome suitor on his fabulous yacht, and she had all the delights of the Caribbean right there at her fingertips. So why did she feel so . . . miserable?

Because, she realised a moment later, it was all a sham. The man cooking her dinner was not her lover, but a man she despised. She was not here in pursuit of love, but for cold, meagre revenge.

Her life suddenly felt like nothing but a forgery, and her immediate future held nothing in store but a pile of comfortless ashes.

And it was then that it hit her, with all the force of a hammer blow. She was in love with Payne Lacey!

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