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'Yes,' she agreed hollowly

Celia! A viper in paradise was a good description of Rafe's sister Celia of the laughing, teasing, spiteful blue eyes, long black lustrous hair, and a perfect petite figure; she ance of all the Savage women before her And she deliberately hadn't told Hazel of Rafe's accident, Hazel felt sure of that

There had never been any love lost between them and on the death of Rafe's e House any longer Celia had married at twenty but ed two years later when her husband was killed in a car accident, and so she had o Mrs Savage had died, Hazel's only ally as far as she was concerned, and Celia had taken over

But she had never believed Celia would go to the extre Rafe away froo that far

At twenty-seven, twelve years Rafe's junior, Celia was one of the most beautiful women Hazel had ever seen, and she was surprised that she had never remarried But why should she feel it necessary when she had the privileged position of running the Savage household? As Celia was only six years Hazel's senior the two girls were of an age where it should have been, possible for them to have been friends But there had always only ever been antipathy between them

Celia had always resented the fact that Rafe had taken over Hazel's care on the death of her parents, declaring vehemently to anyone who cared to listen that Hazel wasn't a true Savage, that she didn't belong at

Savage House And Hazel supposed she was right, but where else could a ten-year-old child go?

'I suppose you're right,' she agreed et hoh she meant it Ever since the chauffeur had told her of the accident she could think only of Rafe, of what seeing hiain would mean to her He had always been so masculinely handsome, so male, and now that maleness had been marred

She couldn't wait to reach the house, leaving Jae from the car as she ran inside to see Rafe Celia strolled casually out of the s coolly beautiful as usual

'Is Rafe home?' Hazel asked breathlessly

Celia gave asmile 'Thank you, Hazel, I'm very well,' she said dryly

'Oh—oh, yes' Hazel blushed 'Is Rafe home?'

Celia ran her tongue thoughtfully over her heavily painted lips 'Well, he hasn't reet you, if that's what you al, you know Rafe is out on the estate like he is any other day'

'Oh' Hazel couldn't hide her disappoint had changed at Savage House, it seemed, still the same hate from Celia and indifference from Rafe She had never knohich was the worse to bear

Celia looked bored 'Your usual roos upstairs I'll be out for the rest of the afternoon, so please yourself what you do Just don't go bothering Rafe when he comes in'

Hazel held herself stiffly 'I had no intention of doing so, Celia' She halted the other woman as she made a move to leave 'Why didn't you tell me about Rafe's accident?'

'Tell you what, Hazel? That he's irlhood dreams, but a scarred embittered man who doesn't want to be bothered by your stupid adoration? Rafe saw no reason to ask for your return,' Celia added cruelly 'He didn't want you fussing around him in an effort to show him how devoted you are You aren't wanted here, Hazel'

Hazel tried not to flinch at the harshness of Celia's words In her three years' absence she had forgotten just how barbed Celia's words could be, but she was being re to my room,' she said stiffly