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sure.
    During lunch it was Gammy and Luke who did most of the talking. Taryn remained silent, almost afraid to speak in case her aunt wrongly interpreted her words, or told Luke about the rainbow and the possible effect it could have on their lives. In fact they monopolised the conversation to such an extent that Taryn became lost in a world of her own. Sitting across the table from Luke, listening to the deep-timbred voice, watching the unusual tawny eyes alter colour with his swift changes of mood—lightening to amber when he laughed and as dark as woodland peat when he was serious—she was vividly reminded of her last dinner with Mark.
    He had taken her to their favourite restaurant, treated her with the courtesy and tenderness that had been missing of late. She had been wooed into a false sense of security, almost believing that all her fears had been unfounded, that despite her apprehension he still loved her. When suddenly, without preamble, he had asked to be released from their engagement. He wanted to marry Maria! She had been shocked beyond belief. He had never told her there was anyone else. He had explained his frequent absence as business trips, cultivating new custom, arranging this show or that. To think that he had been double-crossing her all the time; it was more than she could bear.
    Taryn smiled now, recalling his expression when she had stood up at the table, pushing back her chair so violently that it had fallen with a crash and brought the attention of the whole restaurant to her irate form. Tugging off her ring, she had thrown it on to the table with a force that had shattered a wine glass. ‘Marry Maria! ’ she had spat. ‘Marry whoever you like, but don’t two-time her as you have me. You’re despicable, Mark Vandyke, do you hear, completely and utterly despicable, and I never want to see you again as long as I live!’ Head held high, Taryn had stormed from the room. She had never felt so angry or humiliated in her life. She had not seen Mark since.
    Unaware that a fleeting succession of emotions had crossed her face as she recollected this scene, Taryn was surprised to find her aunt and Luke watching her closely.
    ‘Are you all right?’ frowned Gammy.
    ‘Of course,’ she snapped, unable to stop the fine edge of anger her memories had evoked.
    ‘You look—strange,’ the other woman persisted.
    ‘I tell you there’s nothing the matter.’
    ‘Nothing?’ Luke joined in her aunt’s concern, looking more closely at Taryn’s face. ‘I should say there’s a whole lot wrong with you. Perhaps it’s the heat in here. Shall I open the door?’
    ‘For God’s sake!’ Taryn pushed away her unfinished food and planted her hands firmly on the table. ‘If you’re really so interested I’ll tell you.’ She ignored her aunt and glared at the man seated opposite. ‘Every time I see you I’m reminded of Mark. It’s bad enough at a distance, but how do you think I feel now—sitting so close I have only to reach out my hand to touch you? Looking at a face which is so hauntingly like the man I loved that it’s enough to drive me out of my mind. Why have you come here? Why are you doing this to me?’ Then she covered her face with her hands and rushed from the room.
    Luke made to follow, but Gammy put a restraining hand on his arm. ‘Best leave her alone. It’s been a great shock, but she’ll get over it. She’ll soon get used to you.’
    Taryn heard her aunt’s counsel as she mounted the stairs. How easy it was to convince yourself with a few well chosen words. But she would never be able to look at Luke without being reminded of Mark. She ought not to have taken the job. It would never work out.
    Lying on the bed, Taryn stared at the sloping ceiling, finally deciding that she must tell Luke she c:ould not work for him. Painful memories that had taken so long to erase were all too easily revived. She would never be able to face Luke without recalling this last final scene which had