Free Captive Splendors by Fern Michaels Page B

established between them long ago. They belonged to her, for now and forever. The delicious aura stayed with her till Regan and Caleb glanced at her again, each giving her a sly wink. They knew what she was doing with Malcolm, and both of them approved.
    This is a woman, Malcolm thought wildly. And I’m man enough to handle any woman. Women always fell at his feet, begging for his favors. Even Lady Elizabeth Rice, who could count a king among her lovers, was so smitten with him that she had confided the secret of the King’s jeweled collar. But Sirena would never beg for favors, nor would she grant any. This woman would never fall at a man’s feet, his or anyone else’s. Sirena was a woman worthy of a man’s challenge.
    â€œWhat are you thinking, Malcolm?” Sirena purred, her eyes boldly meeting his.
    â€œI was thinking that now I know where Wren acquired her beauty and grace.” He smiled broadly, moving a step closer so that he could delight in the delicate, elusive scent of her perfume.
    Sirena lowered her eyes to hide their dangerous glitter. Wren had her beauty, indeed! Was it possible that Malcolm didn’t know Wren wasn’t her and Regan’s daughter? As she sipped her wine, Sirena speculated. If Malcolm was a bounder, and from every indication, along with Tyler’s word, he was, then he must think he was wooing an heiress. She wondered if his feelings for Wren would be as ardent if he knew that the van der Rhyses were under no obligation to bestow a dowry on Wren or otherwise include her in any inheritance. What would his reaction be if she told him?
    Sirena glanced over at Caleb again and was surprised to note that his attention was directed on the doorway behind her instead of on Regan, who was exuberantly describing the “civilization” taking place on Java since Cal had last been there. Curiously, Sirena turned and saw that Tyler had entered the drawing room with Camilla on his arm. She turned back to Caleb, whose expression was something bordering between astonishment and disappointment at Camilla’s obvious pregnancy. So, Sirena thought, the young pup half expected that Camilla would be waiting for him to return to her after all these years. Think again, Cal. Camilla has other things on her mind.
    Smiling, Sirena made the first move toward Camilla and clasped her in a fond embrace. The old wounds because of Regan had long since healed between them, and Camilla’s acceptance of Wren into her household had firmed their friendship. “You’re more lovely than ever,” Sirena said warmly. “Approaching motherhood certainly becomes you. Doesn’t it, Regan?” She turned to her husband, who she knew was waiting to see how she would greet his ex-wife before committing himself to any display of emotion.
    Looking at Camilla, Regan was hard pressed to believe he had once been married to her so many years ago. She still looked barely more than the nineteen years of age she had been when they had first met. Yellow-haired and with violet eyes whose look of innocence belied her actual experience, Camilla was still as fetching a woman as he had ever seen, aside from Sirena, of course. He was quick to note the expression on Caleb’s face, and it occurred to him to wonder again if there had ever been anything between Camilla and his son. Regan sighed. That was long ago, and he really didn’t want to know. However, he couldn’t have blamed Caleb for his interest in Camilla. She had been and still was as graceful and winsome as a spring daffodil.
    Regan stepped forward and put his arms around Camilla, kissing her soundly on the cheek. “Sirena is right, little one. You’ve never been lovelier.”
    Tyler beamed with pride over his wife and inwardly felt greatly relieved that the van der Rhyses seemed to hold no ill will against her, which could have put a strain on his friendship for them. He knew all about Camilla’s past, her