'Hello…Jemma, is it?' Luke murmured provocatively.
She glanced back at him, her amber eyes shielded by the ridiculous length of her dark lashes. 'Yes. Hello.' And as quickly she looked away again.
'As we have not been formally introduced, allow me. Luke Devetzi.'
He was determined to make her aware of him, and deliberately he reached out a hand towards her. A frozen glance from the golden eyes, and a small hand was offered. He grasped it, feeling the softness of her skin against his palm, and was aware of an immediate stirring in his loins. He had never been so instantly aroused by a woman since the last time he had met Jemma—no, Mimie—or whatever the hell she called herself! He looked down at their clasped hands almost in shock, and then he saw the wedding ring and remembered just in time. He did not mess with married women—except this particular sexy siren hadn't told him she was married until after he had taken her to bed.
Cold with shock, Jemma heard the seductive tone of his voice, noted the masculine challenge in his gaze and caught the knowing gleam of sensuality in his grey eyes. Appalled, she quickly extricated her hand from his grasp.
'Jemma Barnes,' she muttered.
Almost on cue, Jan cut in. 'Will you do me a favour, Jemma, and take care of Luke's grandfather? He had an accident a few days ago and can't walk very well,' she said with her usual insensitivity. 'We need to circulate, and David wants to discuss business with Luke later.'
Insensitive or not, Jemma could have kissed Jan for the interruption. 'No problem. It will be my pleasure.' Jan grasped Luke's arm and the couple began moving away through the crowd. Jemma heaved a shaky sigh of relief, but inside she was trembling. Talk about worst nightmares! Luke Devetzi was up there at the very top of her list.
She was amazed he was related to Theo, for he was small and stocky, with dark eyes, whereas Luke had to be six foot four, and his eyes were light grey, a stark contrast to his olive-skinned complexion. His eyes were the first thing she had noticed about him a year ago, when they'd met, and they were one of the reasons she had acted so completely out of character.
That he should turn up here in her father's house, as her stepsister's boyfriend, had to be the worst coincidence ever. She felt sick to her stomach and wanted to leave. She turned back to Theo, about to make some excuse, and saw he was still staring after Jan. The expression on his face was one of utter amazement. Jemma knew exactly how he felt—only she was sure it wasn't for the same reason! 'Jan is very beautiful, and she does tend to have a surprising effect on men, but I think your grandson can handle her,' she offered reassuringly. 'And they do make a nice couple.'
He made some unintelligible comment and, raising a hand to his mouth, began to cough violently.
Leaving wasn't an option just yet—the man was obviously in difficulty. 'You're not well, Theo. I think you and I should find somewhere comfortable to sit and I'll get you a glass of champagne,' Jemma suggested, taking his arm. 'Then you can tell me all about your accident—and what I voted for last Friday,' she joked weakly.
'Certainly.' He smiled back a little shakily. 'But first can you tell me who that woman with my grandson is?' Theo gestured with his silver-topped cane in their direction.
'That's my stepsister—Jan,' Jemma told him as she finally spied a vacant sofa and led him towards the far corner of the elegant drawing room. She felt him stumble. 'Are you all right?' she asked anxiously, and helped him sit down. 'You look a little pale.' She studied his lined face with worried eyes.
'Your stepsister, you say? I didn't know you had a sister.'
'Well, you hardly know me.' Jemma laughed.
'I think I need that drink.' Theo Devetzi rasped as he settled down on the sofa, and then muttered something in Greek that to Jemma sounded suspiciously like a curse.
&nb
sp; 'If you'll wait here. I'll go and get you a brandy. It will do you more good than champagne,' Jemma offered. The man was obviously still in some pain, she thought compassionately.
Meanwhile, Luke had placed a hand on Jan's back and escorted her through the crowd. He smiled, and continued to smile in all the right places, while Jan accepted effusive birthday congratulations from her friends and they made their way towards her mother and father at the far end of the room. Luke could act the perfect consort without a thought, and his thoughts were centred on the lovely Jemma.
He glanced around the room, wondering which man was her husband. He was a lucky man—or maybe not so lucky, Luke thought cynically. There had been no mistaking the sexual chemistry, the wild passion between Jemma and himself. Her poor husband was more to be pitied than envied, he concluded.
But it was time he concentrated on Jan and did what he was here to do—help his grandfather. He glanced around the room and spotted Theo, safely seated, and briefly their eyes met. For a second Luke thought he saw panic in his grandfather's gaze, but as he watched Jemma approached and handed Theo a brandy, and the old man was all smiles.
Jemma handed the brandy glass to Theo. 'You're sure you're okay?' she queried, sitting down beside him and taking a good swallow from her own glass of champagne. She wasn't normally a drinker, but dear heaven she needed something to steady her nerves and her stomach…
'Much better,' Theo reassured her, and took a sip of brandy. 'Your sister Jan seems to know Luke well. Have you ever met him before?' he asked casually.
'No.' Jemma gritted her teeth and lied. She had no intention of letting this sweet old man know what had happened between her and Luke a year ago. 'But Jan has known him for years, I believe,' she answered. Poor Theo started coughing again. 'You sound as if you have caught a cold; are you sure you should be out so soon after your accident?'
'No, really, I'm fine,' Theo insisted, and then changed the subject by explaining to her what she had voted for at the board meeting—apparently she had agreed to another stock flotation to raise money.
'It doesn't make much difference to me.' Jemma said lightly. 'I'm mildly dyslexic with numbers, and what I know about high finance wouldn't cover my little fingernail. But I wouldn't say no to the money.' Draining her glass, she put it down on a convenient table, as did Theo.
'Well, there's a simple answer to that.' Theo took his opportunity swiftly. 'You could sell me your aunt's villa on Zante. It used to be my family home years ago, you know. Call me sentimental, but I'd rather like it back. I'm willing to give you well above the market value for it if you agree.'
'It's a nice thought, and I really would if I could, but I can't sell it to you.' Jemma saw Theo's puzzlement and explained. 'Aunt Mary left it in trust for me, and for my children, and for my children's children, ad infinitum—all tied up legally.'
'I see.' The old man's dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 'Have you ever considered applying to have the trust broken? I believe it is possible.'