Free Sea of Lost Love by Santa Montefiore Page A

let alone know him. She wasn’t ready to accept that he had flaws.
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    They returned to the tent as the first rumble of thunder vibrated through the air. The band had begun to play Frank Sinatra and couples were already dancing, led by the birthday boy himself and Julia. She saw Rafferty and Melissa pressed up against each other and was sure the Irishman was just being polite. After all, Melissa was no looker.
    â€œMay I?” came a voice behind her.
    â€œDan!” Pamela exclaimed. “How lovely to see you. Who’s this very dashing friend you’ve brought with you?”
    â€œRafferty O’Grady, Mrs. Montague.”
    â€œIs he as charming as they all say?”
    â€œ Wild would be a more appropriate word, I think,” he replied with a chuckle, looking at Celestria. “The Irish are all wild.”
    â€œIn that case I’m happy to leave my only daughter in your capable hands.” She raised her eyebrows as if to say I told you so, then moved off, weaving unsteadily around the tables to find her husband. Celestria was intrigued. Dan was sweet and handsome, but Rafferty was dark and mysterious. The very idea of his being “wild” gave him greater allure.
    They stepped onto the dance floor and took up positions, although Celestria didn’t feel inclined to press up against Dan as Melissa had so presumptuously done to poor Rafferty. The rain pelted down outside, and the thunder roared above them. She imagined the sea was roaring, too, those great big lion’s paws rising up in waves and pounding the shoreline. She wondered whether little Bouncy had gone off to bed like she’d told him to, or whether he was still sitting at the top of the stairs, afraid of the storm. Then Rafferty caught her eye and she ceased to wonder about anything else.
    She pretended to be enjoying her dance with Dan. It wasn’t good for Rafferty to believe he had already won her, and, besides, a little chase would render the catch all the more enthralling. She danced on, and then, when she had grown bored of the game, she retreated to her table on Dan’s arm, grateful that the tedious old lecher had vacated his chair and disappeared into the throng. Dan refilled her glass with champagne. In order to cope with the agony of waiting for Rafferty, she took a large swig. “Darling, you don’t know how good that tastes. Why not fill it up again? After all, it’s Uncle Archie’s birthday, and he’d be most offended if I didn’t drink to his good health.” Dan did as he was told. For some reason, tonight she resented his attentiveness. She suddenly longed for him to tell her she was drinking too much, to take command, to put her in her place. They were all putty in her hands. So she took another swig. And another. Then another, until her glass was empty. “Just a little more. One mustn’t offend the birthday boy!” she insisted, aware that her head was beginning to spin. To her intense irritation, he kept pouring without a moment’s hesitation. She was on the point of telling him off for indulging her when Rafferty appeared with Melissa.
    â€œMay I ask the lady for a dance?” he said, his mouth twisted in amusement.
    â€œIf I can dance with your lady?” Dan replied, standing up. Celestria watched him take Melissa by the hand and lead her off towards the dance floor.
    â€œCelestria?” said Rafferty, and her name had never sounded so lovely. She held out her hand, aware that she must have taken off her gloves and that she would feel his skin against hers. Their fingers touched, and that hot snake stirred at the foot of her spine. She suppressed a giggle, conscious of the champagne bubbles that tickled her belly. With an arrogant smile that she found devilishly seductive, he proceeded to lead her across the tent.
    Once on the dance floor he swung her around and pulled her against him, pressing his cheek to hers. “Now I have you all