One day he would have to confront his feelings, and could only pray that by the time he got around to doing so, it wouldn’t be too late.
He watched her deal with more difficult guests, and felt anger on her behalf that she turned herself inside out for everyone, but who cared for Stacey? Who massaged her shoulders after an evening like this when she was exhausted? Who would kiss the nape of her neck, fix her a drink and bank up the fire to keep her warm?
‘Señor Da Silva!’
He wheeled around to face an elderly Spanish duke.
‘What a pleasure! What a party! You have quite a find in Señorita Winner. I’d hold onto her if I were you.’
‘Don Alejandro,’ he said, smiling warmly as he gripped his compatriot’s hand. ‘So delighted you could make it.’
‘Not half as delighted as I am, Lucas. Take my advice for once and hold onto her.’
He didn’t need advice to do that, Lucas reflected as his elegant friend went to join his companions at their table. But in all probability he’d already blown it.
He’d greeted all the guests, and now there was just one more thing to do.
He stood in Stacey’s way as she patrolled the ballroom. ‘Are you avoiding me?’
Seeing him, she tensed, but her eyes darkened as she looked up at him to ask coolly, ‘Should I?’
‘You are the most infuriating woman,’ he said as he backed her into the shadows.
‘Lucas, I’m busy.’
‘Too busy to talk to your most important client?’ But there was a lot more than business in his eyes. She knew what he wanted to know.
‘You’re here to talk business,’ she said. ‘Of course, I’m not too busy to speak to you, Señor Da Silva.’
‘Luc, surely?’
‘What can I do for you, Señor Da Silva?’
She was a cool one, but there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
‘I want to congratulate you on a fabulous evening, of course.’
‘It isn’t over yet.’
He raised a brow and had the satisfaction of seeing her blush.
‘Is there something I can get for you?’
‘We’ll talk about that later. I notice you plan to hold an auction after the banquet, and there are some truly spectacular prizes.’
‘You have very generous friends.’
‘And you can be very persuasive.’
She said nothing, refusing as always to take any praise. The tension between them was extraordinary.
‘A silent auction,’ he observed.
‘Yes. It’s less intrusive, and goes on longer—all night,’ she explained. ‘The prizes remain on view, either in here on tables at the far end of the ballroom, or in a photograph. To place a bid on a certain lot, all your guests have to do is place their offer in a sealed envelope. Competition is fierce, as no one has any idea what anyone else has bid.’
‘Smart woman.’
‘Did you think I was stupid?’
