‘How dare you speak to my wife like that?’ Gustav snapped furiously.
‘I dare because after making Harriet live in ignorance for years your wife then chose to tell a disgusting and very irresponsible lie. At the time that lie was told, Harriet and I were lovers…’
Gustav was so aghast at that announcement that he stared speechless, first at Rafael and then with questioning force at his wife. ‘Eva…is it possible that you were mistaken?’
‘It’s more than possible,’ Rafael continued. ‘My father didn’t set foot in Ireland within five years of Harriet’s conception. I very much doubt that he ever even met your wife.’
Eva burst into tears.
‘Was it a lie?’ Gustav pressed heavily.
Eva spun away from him and sobbed even harder. Gustav turned a mottled pink shade and walked out of the room.
‘Mum…’The scene distressed Harriet. She hated to see her mother’s frailty exposed in front of Rafael. ‘Please tell me if Robert Tolly is my father.’
Eva’s head flew up in dismay. ‘How did you—?’
‘So he is,’ Harriet gathered tightly.
‘You’ve got no future as an interrogator, Harriet,’ Rafael said, very drily.
‘Why did you lie to me?’ Harriet demanded of the older woman.
‘Because I told that lie to Gustav before we married and I could hardly change my story! You’re right—I never met Valente Cavaliere. But I heard all about him in Ballyflynn. He was the most exciting thing that ever hit that dreary village,’ Eva declared defiantly. ‘I said he was Harriet’s father because he was rich and important, and Gustav was impressed by that.’
‘Why couldn’t you just tell Gustav the truth?’
‘Do you really think I was about to tell my future husband that I’d once fallen pregnant by the man married to my best friend?’
‘I can see that that might have made him think twice,’ Rafael murmured, without any expression at all.
An unexpected laugh fell from Eva’s lips. ‘My respect for Harriet is rising steadily. Are you as rich as legend reports?’
‘Mother, please…’ Harriet begged, squirming at the avid look in the older woman’s gaze. ‘Can I ask what happened between you and Robert Tolly?’
‘Nothing much worth talking about. I did think I loved him.’ The older woman gave her a bitter look. ‘But he strung me along. He never had any intention of leaving Sheila. Her family had money. I had nothing to offer. When I got pregnant he panicked. Who do you think helped me get on that ferry and paid my fare? Your precious father. He also gave me the cash to go for a termination. But I met Will Carmichael and decided I’d rather get married.’
Harriet had turned very pale. Rafael curved an arm round her, mentioned a pressing appointment and whisked her out of there faster than the speed of light.
‘Do you think Gustav will forgive Eva for lying to him?’ Harriet asked worriedly as they boarded the jet for their flight back to Ireland.
‘I would say that your mother is more than equal to the task of convincing him that he should. Are you planning to approach Robert Tolly?’
‘I don’t think so. But I bet his father will let him know that I know. Tolly would like a DNA test done for his own satisfaction, and no doubt he’ll pass on that as well. I can live with my father’s uninterest, though, and his wife’s feelings ought to be considered. Maybe in time she’ll come round to accepting my existence.’ Harriet screened a yawn behind her hand. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so tired in my life.’
She had to be shaken awake when they landed in Kerry. A soft fine rain was falling, and lying like mist over the hills as Rafael drove them back to Ballyflynn.
‘I’m taking you to the Court. We have one or two things to sort out,’ he drawled softly.
Nervous tension infiltrated her. For some reason she felt she had to fill the silence, and she was chattering inanely about her plans for the vegetable patch as the Range Rover drew up outside the Georgian mansion.
‘You must be bored out of your mind,’ she muttered hot-cheeked as he led her indoors.
‘You never bore me. But it is definitely my turn to talk.’
Before he could speak, Peanut and Samson rushed out to greet them.
‘My goodness—what are they doing here? They are making themselves at home,’ Harriet muttered in some mortification. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’