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for no reason that Rhys could see. And there was a wary look about the golden eyes that piqued his curiosity sharply. She was holding something back. And every instinct he possessed told him that it was something she was holding back from her father too.
    ‘Of course not.’
    God, but he hated having to sound so soothing, so much in agreement. But it was the only way.
    He suspected that if he made his move now, went in all guns blazing, he would be very much in danger of frightening her into total flight. He could push her to snatch up the baby and run—and if she did then his weeks of careful investigating would all be for nothing. It could be months before he found her again.
    Months before he held his baby daughter in his arms.
    The baby whose name he didn’t even know yet.
    So instead he swallowed down the anger and forced himself to maintain the soft-toned approach.
    ‘We wouldn’t need to go very far. We could have dinner in the hotel if that would suit.’
    ‘Oh, that—’ Belatedly Bob Richardson realised it was not up to him to answer. ‘Cait?’ He threw her a speaking look. ‘I’ll babysit for you.’
    Caitlin knew what that look meant. Her father wanted her to do this. He thought it would be good for her.
    And the truth was that it probably would be good for her. She couldn’t lock herself away and mourn Josh for the rest of her life.
    Perhaps she’d had it all wrong, she thought, looking into the blue, blue eyes of the man in front of her. There was nothing about this Matthew Delaney that should worry her. The problem had all been with her from the start.
    ‘Well?’
    ‘I—I don’t know.’
    ‘I really would like it if you’d have dinner with me,’ he said softly. And at her side Caitlin felt her father stir and move away quietly and tactfully. ‘Please.’
    What could she say? How could she refuse when those brilliant eyes were fixed on her face, and his voice had softened so enticingly as he’d added that final word?
    Admit it, a voice whispered inside her head. Go on, admit the truth. You’re flattered and frankly stunned that a man as good-looking and charismatic as this should be interested in you. After Josh, and his betrayal, you find it hard to believe that anyone like this would want you to have dinner with them.
    Josh had been a stunningly good-looking man, and wealthy too. She had always thought that it just wasn’t possible he would choose her over anyone else. She had been convinced that one day someone more equal to him would come along and he’d lose interest and go with her instead.
    And when Amelie had come into their lives, her suspicions had proved exactly right.
    But was that any reason to turn down this man’s invitation?
    ‘Who left the rose?’
    His response was a wide, wicked grin that lifted her heart and did disturbing things to her blood pressure, making her pulse tap-dance excitedly.
    ‘Young Sean,’ he said simply, openly. ‘I think he has a terrible crush on you. But don’t tell him I told you.’
    ‘I won’t…’
    How could she say anything else when he was letting her off the hook in a way? He could have made a big thing of the fact that she had suspected him—accused him openly.
    ‘And—and yes. I will have dinner with you tonight.’
    If he had made any clever comment, or looked triumphant—anything that made her feel edgy in any way—then she would have changed her mind and hastily withdrawn her agreement.
    But he didn’t. He just smiled, briefly and gently and alarmingly pleasantly, and murmured, ‘Thank you,’ in a low, husky voice that made her toes curl in quick reaction.
    ‘Would eight o’clock suit you?’
    ‘It should be fine. I’ll just check the bookings diary.’
    She was glad of a chance to escape and move to the reception desk, concentrating her attention on pulling out the diary, riffling through the pages and finding the date. It was as she bent her head over it that she heard him come close up behind her.
    ‘Eight’s a