The food was delicious. But after spending so much time around reserved Manhattan socialites, it was James Dunmore’s company that Daisy enjoyed most. He was warm and relaxed and, although he was the CEO of a property empire, it was clear he saw himself as a husband and father first.
‘So, Jack is your brother’s son?’ Leaning back to let the waiter clear her plate, Daisy glanced critically from Dunmore to his nephew. ‘He looks just like you. Except—’
‘He’s got all his own teeth.’
She laughed. ‘I was going to say that he’s got a different jawline.’
Dunmore frowned. ‘That’s true. Not many people notice that. They just see the hair—or what’s left of it. You’re very perceptive, Daisy.’
Smiling, she shrugged. ‘I’m an actress. Sometimes the right jawline gets you the part.’
The older man ran a hand through his hair. ‘Being red-headed runs in the family. Jack’s father and I used to get mistaken for one another a lot when we were younger.’
Daisy looked up cur
iously. ‘But you’re not twins?’
He shook his head. ‘Oddly enough, we actually have different mothers. But we both take after our dad.’
Leaning forward, Rollo laid his hand over hers. ‘Daisy has a twin. Her brother, David.’
‘A twin brother!’ Dunmore beamed. ‘You must have a very intuitive understanding of men.’ He glanced pointedly across the table at Rollo. ‘That must come in handy.’
Daisy smiled. ‘I wish it did. But David is nothing like Rollo.’
Or was he?
Not so long ago likening her uptight, sensitive brother to Rollo Fleming would have seemed utterly far-fetched. Now, though, it didn’t seem nearly as implausible. Rollo might appear autocratic and ruthless, but she had seen another side to him. Nervous, less guarded and kind too—particularly to her brother.
Pushing aside that disconcerting train of thought, she lifted up her glass. ‘He’s nothing like me either.’
‘But you’re close?’
‘Very.’ She nodded. ‘We were inseparable when we were little. We still are. But we’re very different. Not just in looks but personality, interests. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s like my conscience—always there inside my head.’
‘Sorry to butt in.’
It was Jack. He smiled at Daisy and then turned towards his uncle.
‘That was a message from Tom Krantz.’
Dunmore frowned. ‘Sorry, Daisy, would you excuse me? I wouldn’t normally let business interrupt, but—’
‘You don’t need to explain.’
Taking a sip of water, she smiled. But inside, her heart beat out a percussive rhythm of guilt.
David.
Her brother.
Her twin, who was always inside her head.
Once upon a time that might have been true. But she’d barely given David a thought over the last few days. Instead all fraternal concern had been blotted out by lust and self-absorption.
Lowering her glass she was suddenly conscious of the silence across the table.
Looking up, she met Rollo’s gaze.