She blinked, her eyes suddenly too hot. ‘Thank you. The doctor says I’m doing well but it doesn’t feel that way.’
‘Aw, Ally, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’ He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed reassuringly before stepping back.
‘You didn’t. I mean, it is upsetting when I think about it but you didn’t upset me.’ She drew a slow breath. ‘It’s good to talk about it with someone else.’
As she spoke she felt a familiar prickling up the back of her neck and turned to discover Angelo on the far side of the wide pool deck, staring at her from under frowning brows. Again.
He’d spent most of the evening at her side, but he was popular among the guests and more than once he’d got caught up by people wanting to talk with him. Ally had been happy to wander on her own for a little and enjoy the stunning setting.
Now he didn’t look supportive or understanding. He looked like a thundercloud about to burst.
‘Your lover looks ready to strangle me.’
‘Angelo’s not my lover and he’s probably angry with me, not you. Though why he’s upset I don’t know.’
It hurt and annoyed her. She’d thought all that was in the past.
‘That’s easy. He’s jealous of you being with me.’
Ally stared at the American, his outrageous words jangling in her brain. When she turned back it was to see Angelo moving purposefully towards them, until an older woman with rubies at her throat and ears stopped him, her expression worried.
‘Jealous?’ Ally shook her head and turned back to Oliver. ‘No way. There’s nothing between us.’
‘Obviously he wants there to be something between you.’ Oliver’s mouth curled into a seductive smile. ‘But if you’re not lovers that means there’s a chance for me.’
Again he made her giggle with his over-the-top chivalry. ‘You really play up the louche playboy routine, don’t you?’
For a second she saw surprise in Oliver’s blue eyes. Then he shrugged. ‘Habit. And youareintriguing and beautiful.’
Suspicion stirred. ‘You want something, don’t you? What is it, Oliver?’
By the time Angelo extricated himself politely from his mother’s friend, Ally and Oliver Branston were nowhere to be seen.
He prowled inside to the reception rooms but there was no sign of the pair. The agitation in his gut worsened.
He’dknownhe shouldn’t have brought Ally here. He’d told himself it was because she still needed to recuperate. But since he’d seen her and Branston, giggling like a couple of teenagers over the cocktail he’d made her, Angelo realised it was more than that.
He didn’t like the expression in Branston’s eyes when he looked at Ally.
Angelo hadn’t enjoyed the wayanyof the men looked at her tonight.
What had possessed Rosetta to buy that skin-tight dress in electric blue that drew every eye?
Heat circled his throat and he lifted a hand to loosen his collar, only to discover the top of his shirt was open.
‘Angelo. I’m glad to see you. I wanted your opinion—’
‘Sorry,’ he interrupted before an acquaintance could detain him. ‘I have to find my companion—’
‘The lovely blonde? I don’t blame you. Last time I looked, Branston was monopolising her, leading her into the garden.’
‘Thanks,’ Angelo shot over his shoulder, already halfway to the French doors. ‘I’ll catch you later.’
His pulse beat a quick tattoo that matched his short, sharp breaths. He plunged across the terrace and into the rambling garden.
Ally loved gardens. Maybe Branston was just showing her his plants.
Yeah. And what else is he showing her?