As for Donato—he’d shattered her silly illusion that he really cared for her. She’d been just a convenient tool. She had no business pining for the man who’d taken advantage of her so ruthlessly. Surely she had more self-respect than that, even if she could understand his determination to ruin her father.
‘Stop frowning! You’ll scare the guests. There, that’s better. No one can hold a candle to you when you smile.’
Ella looked up into the exquisitely delicate features of her sister and shook her head.
‘It’s true, Ella. You’re the only person who doesn’t realise it.’ Fuzz reached for something. ‘Here. One final thing to make the outfit complete. It sits high on your arm, not around your wrist.’ She pressed a tissue-wrapped parcel into Ella’s hand then swung away. ‘Matthew will be wondering where I am. See you soon.’
Ella unwrapped the paper and stared, agog, at the object in her hand. The light caught its facets, making it shine brilliantly. Ella’s breath stopped. It couldn’t be.
Of course it couldn’t. It had to be a copy. The real piece, made by a world-renowned jeweller almost a century ago, featured platinum set with pink diamonds and onyx, and was forth a fortune. It had featured recently in an international sale catalogue.
Her insides squeezed as she thought of Donato and the fun they’d had poring over such catalogues.
Forcing her mind away from Donato, she pushed the bangle over her wrist and onto her upper arm. It fitted snugly.
Turning, she surveyed herself in the mirror. She looked different. Fuzz had hidden the shadows around her eyes from too many sleepless nights and the flash of the costume jewellery made her eyes sparkle. Her dress was sophisticated but subtle and feminine. She wished Donato could see her like this. Elegant. Happy. Getting on with her life.
For a second her lips threatened to crumple. Then she stiffened her shoulders and turned towards the door. She had a party to attend. Who knew, she might even meet some fascinating people who’d take her mind off what she’d lost.
She was halfway from her cabin to the main resort, following a path curving between lush palms, when a deep voice made her falter.
‘Hello, Ella.’
Shock slammed into her. ‘Donato?’
He stepped out of the shadows looking darkly charismatic and compelling. Her heart sprinted and she had to drag in a sustaining breath. Donato Salazar in a dinner jacket looked too good to be true.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I was invited.’
‘Invited? I didn’t...’ She frowned. No wonder Fuzz had raced off rather than waiting for her. When she got her hands on her sister—
‘You look wonderful, corazón.’
‘Don’t.’ She put out her hand to ward off his words. She didn’t want those lilting Spanish endearments that turned her mind to mush and her knees to water.
Instantly the half smile curving his mouth disappeared. Tension replaced it.
‘Why are you here?’ She crossed her arms over her chest, holding in her galloping heart and the pain that welled there. Her fingers clamped on the new bangle, solid and cool against her overheated flesh.
‘To talk. I needed to see you.’ His deep voice wrapped around her like an embrace and she found herself leaning forward. With an effort she straightened.
‘Why?’ It was all she could manage. Excitement vied with nerves.
‘Why did you send me the table?’ he countered.
That was Donato. Straight to the point.
She swallowed. At the time it had seemed right. Yet now she was too scared to tell the truth. ‘I knew you’d like it.’ His gaze bored into her as if reading everything she couldn’t say. ‘And I’ve got a small flat. There wasn’t room for it.’
‘It’s only a small table.’
She shrugged.
‘Or was it because it evoked too many memories?’
‘How did you—?’ She clamped her lips shut. He didn’t need to know she couldn’t look at the table without remembering the fun they’d had together, their shared passion, the way he’d gently teased her then pleased her and always made her feel special. Until that last day when he’d shattered her illusions with the truth.
He stepped back, his eyes clouding. ‘I see. It reminded you of unhappy things. Of the mistakes I made.’
Mistakes? Since when did Donato admit to mistakes? Everything he did fitted in his grand plan. Even being with her.
‘Yet you accepted my gift.’ He nodded to the bangle on her upper arm.