Silhouette Books edition – 1986
Copyright 1986, 2015 Ruth Ryan Langan
Digital Publication 2015 by Ruth Ryan Langan
Cover design by Tammy Seidick Design
Digital formatting by A Thirsty Mind Book Design
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
To Patrick,
with love.
Table of Contents
Dear Reader
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Samples: Contemporary Romance
List of eBook Titles
About the Author
Titles by Ruth Ryan Langan
Historical Romance Classics
Now Available as EBooks:
Paradise Falls
Ashes of Dreams
Duchess of Fifth Avenue
Captive of Desire
Passage West
Nevada Nights
September’s Dream
The Heart’s Secrets
Destiny’s Daughter
Texas Heart
Texas Hero
Mistress of the Seas
Deception
Christmas Miracle
Angel
Exciting Highlander Series
Now Available as EBooks:
Highland Barbarian
Highland Heather
Highland Heart
The Highlander
Highland Heaven
Contemporary Romance Classics
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This Time Forever
To Love a Dreamer
Just Like Yesterday
No Gentle Love
Cross His Heart
Whims of Fate
Mysteries of the Heart
Star-Crossed
Hidden Isle
Family Secrets
The Proper Miss Porter
Eden of Temptation
Beloved Gambler
Visit Ruth’s website at RyanLangan.com
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Dear Reader,
This title is part of a thirteen book contemporary romance series. These books, originally published in the 1980s, reflect a time before the use of cell phones, when the Internet was unknown, and the term “social media” was unheard of. As you read them, I hope you’ll enjoy reflecting on a bygone era.
Happy Reading!
Ruth Ryan Langan
Prologue
There is something shocking in your past that you have never revealed. I wonder just how much you’ll be willing to pay to buy my silence?
At the words in the letter, Gertrude St. Martin’s eyes rounded in horror. Her legs, she discovered, had turned to rubber. Clutching the arm of the chair, she staggered, then sank down heavily. Her mind reeled from the force of the blow. All her life she had carried this burden in her heart. The pain of it had diminished through the years but had never completely left her. It didn’t seem possible that anyone alive today could know of that incident in her youth. The past had been buried. Dead and buried. Or had it?
Chapter One
“Miss St. Martin. Your nephew, Caine.”
Forgetting propriety, Gertrude rushed across the room.
“I’m so glad you got here before the others, Caine. I was hoping we could spend a little time together—alone.”
Strong arms wrapped the old woman in a bear hug. She leaned against him, absorbing his quiet strength.
Taking his face in her hands, she hungrily studied his craggy features. Caine had always been the dark and somber one, the quiet one, the loner. Thick shaggy hair was always in need of a trim. Long sooty lashes ringed piercing gray eyes. A threadbare sweater topped narrow jeans, which rode low on his hips. His casual attire belied his success as an architect.
A smile softened the old woman’s features. Then, seeming to catch herself, she fell into a familiar gruff pattern with which they were both more comfortable.
“You look frazzled. Are you sure you’re taking care of yourself?”
He frowned, and she remembered the serious, thoughtful child he had been. “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”
At her look of concern he seemed to catch himself. He chuckled, a warm, vibrant sound, and gave her another hug before releasing her. “Too much fast living. I’ve been dividing my time between New York and Arizona. But the Arizona project is nearly finished now. I’ll be relieved to settle down in New York for the rest of the year. That is, unless the European project is approved. Then I’ll be commuting across continents.”
“Oh, Caine.” She sighed heavily. “Your life is entirely too fast-paced. I’d hoped you could spend an occasional long weekend here with me. I’ve missed you. You and Darren.” She brightened. “I’d even hoped you might finally start the renovation of the cottage.”
He nodded. “You know how much I’ve always loved it, Trudy. As long as you’re agreeable, I think it would be a challenge. I don’t see why I couldn’t fit it into my schedule this year.”
Caine watched as his aunt strode to the cabinet and poured two tumblers of her favorite aged whiskey. Turning, she handed one to him and touched his glass with hers. In two quick gulps she downed her drink.
“Keeps the blood flowing,” she stated in that sharp, staccato voice that never wavered with age. Glancing at her watch, she said, “Darren’s plane should be in soon. Did I mention that I’d invited Ivy to my birthday celebration?”
“Ivy Murdock?”
She nodded. Her voice lowered a fraction. “And her mother.”
At the sudden silence in the room, the wrinkled folds of the old woman’s face turned into a guileless smile. “Oh, dear. I see I did forget to mention that.”
Caine swallowed back the remark that sprang to his lips. Even at eighty, Gertrude St. Martin rarely forgot anything. “You conniving old matchmaker,” he said with a grin.
Gertrude walked to the fireplace and held her hands toward the blaze. She was tall, nearly as tall as Caine’s six feet, and her carriage was still erect. Her hair was steel gray, which accentuated sparkling blue eyes.
“I know Ivy seems a bit scattered, but she’s a dear. I want to see her again. I’ve missed her. Even though we’re not blood-related, the three of you grew up here.”
“You don’t need to explain.” Caine drank, feeling the warmth snake through his veins. He finished his drink and set down the crystal tumbler before meeting her look. “I was only thinking of Darren. He might find Ivy’s presence awkward, with his separation from his wife so fresh. But you’re right, of course. Ivy is as much family as the rest of us. And it’s your birthday, Trudy. I think you should surround yourself with people you enjoy.”
“Well said. Besides—” her eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief “—who said anything about Darren? Maybe it’s you I’m planning as Ivy’s escort for the weekend.”
Caine winced. “When are you going to accept the fact tha
t I’m a confirmed bachelor? I like the single life.”
“That’s only because you haven’t tried marriage.” She sniffed.
“Is the pot calling the kettle black? The last I heard, you were still Miss St. Martin.”
“That’s different. I’m too old to change.”
“We’re two of a kind, Trudy. That’s why we get along so well.”
Those words were so typical of Caine, the old woman thought as she looked at him. There was a bond of deep affection between them. He would have given her the moon if he could, but all she’d ever wanted from either of her nephews was their love.
“Well, I’m not trying to marry you off. But there’s nothing wrong with a little feminine companionship when you’re not working.”
Caine watched as the old woman lifted the bottle, considered for a long moment, then replaced the stopper and returned it to its place on the shelf. With the exaggerated sigh of a martyr she turned away, mumbling, “Fool doctors. Don’t know what’s good for a healthy body.”
Caine smiled. “That never stopped you before.” To change the subject, he said, “I can’t recall that you ever celebrated a birthday before. In fact, you used to say you hated birthdays. They were a reminder that you were growing older. Why this sudden desire for a big party? Is there something you haven’t told me?”
He noticed a slight trembling of her hand. She was definitely agitated, but he couldn’t figure out why. At her silence, he muttered, “Okay. What are you up to, Trudy?”
She gave him what she hoped was a pained expression. “Me? Up to? Now that’s a fine thing.”
“Out with it.” He caught her by the shoulders and turned her toward him. “Something’s bothering you. Now tell me.”
She bit her lip, then looked up into his dark eyes. “I think it’s just the isolation here. I didn’t get into the city at all this winter. I get a little jumpy.”
“With Chester and all the servants?” His look hardened. “What are you keeping from me?”
She glanced down. “I’m just edgy, Caine. Strangers sometimes wander onto the grounds. With all the talk of crime and criminals, there’s no telling who’s lurking about these days.”
His eyes narrowed. “Have any of the buildings been broken into? Have you been robbed?”
“No. Nothing like that.” She turned from his probing look. “I’m just glad you’re here, Caine. That’s all.”
Caine watched her for long silent moments. It wasn’t like his aunt to be so uneasy. He intended to make it a point to speak to Chester and the servants. And to make some security arrangements before he went back to the city.