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Elsie laughed through her tears. ‘I am very sure.’

‘Is there any chance he might…?’

‘None at all,’ she sniffed, refusing even to go there. What was the point in torturing herself? She just had to get used to being alone.

‘I hope he suffers,’ gentle Emily said viciously, seeing the misery on her twin’s face.

‘Don’t say that, please,’ Elsie begged. Her twin looked shocked by the ferocity of her reaction but said nothing. ‘Tell me about the divorce. Harriet…there is really no lawsuit?’

‘No, I, we all panicked. The threats were just Harriet’s spiteful parting shot before she ran off with her billionaire. Cousin Rupert knew nothing about it.’

‘Don’t tell Mum and Pa that I love Leandro.’

‘If that’s what you want, but, looking like that—’ she scanned her twin’s tear-stained face with a wince ‘—they will know something is up. There’s a bag of emergency make-up in the glove compartment. I suggest a trowel application.’

‘I just want to pretend it never happened. But I can’t,’ she admitted miserably. ‘I don’t want to. Loving Leandro is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I thought duty was the most important thing but it isn’t, Em, love is.’ She gave a sniff. ‘Now, give me a job. I’m sure the preparations for the party are in full swing.’

‘They are.’

‘A double celebration! Your engagement—finally!’ she cried with pitifully fake gaiety. ‘Don’t worry—I can be happy for you and miserable at the same time. Feel free to float on air and look starry-eyed. Seriously, Em, I am so happy for you.’

* * *

There was no private airport in Quindara but lack of privacy was not an issue. He was travelling without security, a fact that had caused several people deep concern, which he’d ignored, and the airport was not exactly busy. He reached his car without being accosted by knife-wielding terrorists or, even worse, journalists.

The hire car was adequate and he knew where he was going. The unknown factor was what sort of reception he would receive when he arrived. Elsie had blocked his number, an indicator that there might be some obstacles to negotiate.

His arrival at the picturesque castle went unnoticed amongst the hundreds of cars being directed into a bumpy field. The entire country seemed to be here to party, a fact that proved his research had some flaws. Hopefully, there would be no more surprises to throw him off-balance.

As he followed the direction that the crowds were taking, he noticed that everyone seemed to know one another and there was an utter lack of any form of security; both contrasted drastically with similar events in his own country.

Not that there were any similar events at home to match this air of informality and laughter—none that he had been invited to anyway. He was not dressed for a party, but then neither was anyone else. The outfits were an eclectic mix ranging from jeans to flowery skirts.

And it was a barn and this was a barn dance.

As he stood in the open doorway, Leandro was jostled by a couple who apologised profusely before joining the crowd on the dance floor. No one was dancing at the moment and the band was silent. Everyone was watching the stage, where a couple stood, and as they kissed there were cheers and stamping of feet.

For a split second, Leandro’s heart stopped, but only a split second. The woman being kissed was not Elsie—it was her twin. Not interested in speeches or toasts, he turned his attention to the room, scanning the crowd. He didn’t register the curious looks being directed his way; he was too busy trying to locate Elsie in the partying throng.

The band struck up a lively tune and his frustration and sense of desperation grew. He dragged a hand through his hair, looking for a way through the crowd to the makeshift stage, where he reasoned it would be easier to get a bird’s-eye view.

He weaved his way through, the noise drowning out the voice calling after him. He had reached the raised platform before he turned and saw her halfway down the steps.

Elsie froze, and her pasted-on smile faded as she ate him up with her eyes like someone parched in a desert. ‘What are you doing here, Leandro?’ Was he really here or had she finally lost it totally? ‘You are real?’

‘I came for you.’

‘Why?’ she whispered.

All the prepared speeches went out of his head.

‘You look beautiful.’

She wore a full red skirt, a shirt tied at the waist and a scarf around her throat, her glorious hair pulled up in a high ponytail.

‘I missed you, Elsie. I am so sorry I sent you away, I was a fool. I regret every cruel thing I said…every syllable. I have relived them over and over. I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ Despair sparkled in her eyes. ‘But this is cruel. I understand, you know, why we can’t be together.’