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'On a Sunday?' Deverenko asked

'A hotel is a hotel every day of the week,' Clare pointed out

'Don't you want to cohtly under that direct regard Trust Tim to cut to the heart of the matter with childishly adult perception! 'Why?'

'Yes, Clare, why?' Deverenko gentlyback in his chair, flustering her with his knowing smile

'Don't encourage him,' she snapped

'To be enquiring?' he wilfullyin to wonder why you're so reluctant to relax in my company What are you afraid will happen if you do?'

Conscious of Tirave curiosity, Clare strove to appear aust presence'

'You hide it well People in awe of hter in that respect: offence is the best defence You're at your most bold when you're at your most insecure…'

It was such a terrifyingly apt assessained her poise 'Then Tamara must be in dire need of the reassurance of your attention Perhaps you had better turn your enquiringher needs rather than those of perfect stranger—' She stopped as he gave a short, growling laugh, realising that she had just confirmed his statement with her attack

'Mum?' She also realised that Tie No more disturbed than she!

'It's all right, Tirin it was Deverenko who eased theeach other, aren't we, Clare?' She gave a weak sood, will you coood?'

The sexual boast implicit in the innocent phrase was revealed in the wickedness of his attractive smile Clare's feminine instinct told her that it was no idle boast, either There was an animal vitality about hi as it did of a sensual appetite that was alien to her experience She had loved Lee, but due to her reserve and Lee's tender protectiveness there had been no wild exciteh it had been war to the woht have changed since his death, that she ht have physical desires unrelated to her emotional need for security

Later thathaalley of the launch, Clare wondered if she would have had the strength to continue to resist the dual pleas if Miles hadn't co-room at that moment and swept all before his enthusiasm

'Great! Great!' he booestion 'The launch could do with a run— waste ofthere Drive you myself— blow a feebs away— Fallon to tag along— he needs a few lake shots of the lodge for his book' He explained that Doug was a wildlife photographer of international repute, working on a book which combined travel information for birdwatchers with studies of New Zealand birds in their natural habitats Doug was the other chalet occupant, usually absent at breakfast be-cause he spent his nights pursuing the elusive kiith his lens and generally never surfaced until noon

Clare's feeble protestations of work had been overridden, and Deverenko had tipped her a sone off to infor difficult, Clare wondered what technique Deverenko would use to convince her to join them, but when she waved Kerry off the boat and watched the newest guests walk down fro wooden jetty she had her answer It was Deverenko as lagging, hands thrust sullenly in his jeans pockets while his daughter, inappropriately dressed in a bright red dress that, although long-sleeved, looked very thin andexpedition than a winter boat ride, strode haughtily ahead Clare turned away to hide her rueful s reluctance to encourage interest, although she and Tily difficult to fool him