Lovers' Lies

Letter to Reader Title Page CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN Copyright

Dear Reader,

What a pleasure and privilege it is to be part of Harlequin Presents® twenty-fifth birthday celebration. For twenty-one of those years I have been a Harlequin author, and my fiftieth book is due in North America later this year. I hope that Harlequin and I will still be around for a long time yet, giving pleasure to millions of women around the world. Please write and tell me if you enjoy Lovers’ Lies, and ask for a newsletter so you won’t miss my next Harlequin Presents®. Box 18240, Glen Innes, Auckland, New Zealand.

Daphne Clair

Lovers’ Lies

Daphne Clair

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

BEIJING was the last place Felicia expected to meet Joshua Tagget again.

She had landed in China the night before, jet-lagged and in dire need of sleep following the eighteen-hour journey from New Zealand. After breakfasting in her room and coming down to the hotel lobby to meet her tour guide and the other members of her party, she still felt glassy-eyed and woolly-headed.

When her gaze lit on the well-remembered dark amber eyes under black brows, she was sure she must be hallucinating. The dreams in which Joshua Tagget used to feature had stopped, thank heaven, a few years after the events that had shattered her childhood.

His brows twitched upward in interrogation, and it dawned on her that he was dismayingly real, and also that her instant recognition wasn’t mutual. She was twenty-five years old and any resemblance to the impressionable, romantic thirteen-year-old he had briefly known had long since vanished.

Joshua had been the epitome of her ideal man, the fantasy figure that had woken her first immature stirrings of sexuality, and as unattainable to her as any pop star or film idol. Thank heaven she’d at least had the sense to hide her palpitating interest in him, hugging it to her like a delicious secret until her fragile feelings were cruelly shattered in heartbreak and disillusion.

He had barely altered; perhaps his shoulders were a shade broader, but otherwise he looked as lithe and lean as a panther. A small crease in his cheek emphasised the slight, enquiring lift at one corner of a chiselled mouth, and the tiny fanned lines by his eyes added an attractive maturity to his classic good looks. Even so, he appeared considerably younger than... She calculated rapidly that he must be thirty-seven or thereabouts.

‘Miss Felicia Stevens?’ the guide said, looking round the loose group of two dozen or so.

‘Yes.’ Felicia stepped forward. Now Joshua would surely recognise her. She could still feel his gaze—alert, amused, intrigued. Putting a totally wrong interpretation on her shocked stare.

The guide was a slim Chinese woman with smooth, pretty features and glossy bobbed hair, who invited the tour party to call her Jen or Jenny. She gave Felicia a dazzling smile and handed her a name tag, encased in plastic, and a linen carry-bag identical to those most of the group now held, before consulting her list again. ‘Mr Jo-sua Tagget?’

‘Here.’ Joshua took the plastic label and the bag the woman held out to him, his gaze sliding reluctantly away from Felicia. One of the other women spoke to him, and he bent his head slightly to listen, then threw it back in laughter.

Felicia heard the blood pounding in her head, felt the need to take an extra deep breath. He didn’t know her. Only two feet away from her, he hadn’t recognised her at all. Even her name had rung no bell of memory.

She ought to have been relieved, but her chief emotions was overwhelming anger. It was as if he had wiped all recollection of that hideous summer from his mind. Something she could never do. Never in a million years.

Shaking, she clutched the bag in her hand, her fingers clenching tightly on the limp straps. A middle-aged, dumpy woman standing nearby said in an unmistakably American accent, ‘Are you OK, honey?’

She must look pale. Mustering a smile, Felicia said, ‘Yes, thank you. It’s a bit hot.’

‘Oh, yeah,’ the woman agreed. ‘I hope the bus is air-conditioned.’

Jen was gathering her charges, hurrying them towards the door where a blue and white bus had pulled up a few minutes ago. ‘Miss Stevens?’ She had noticed that Felicia wasn’t moving along with the others. ‘Come,’ she said, flapping a hand with quick, anxious little movements, ‘please?’

Felicia hesitated. She could say she was unwell, that she couldn’t make the trip today after all. Then she’d contact her travel agent, see if she could transfer to another tour...

‘Miss Stevens?’ The guide was looking puzzled. ‘You have forgotten something?’

No, she wanted to say. I’ve forgotten nothing. If only I could... Joshua Tagget seems to have successfully forgotten. He didn’t even blink an eyelid when you said my name.

She’d prepaid in New Zealand for this tour. Three weeks, all expenses included. It had cost her a lot of money and, realistically, she didn’t suppose there’d be any chance of changing the arrangements at this late hour. The tour company wouldn’t look kindly on a request for a refund. ‘No,’ she said. ‘It’s all right.’ She walked forward as if moving through water, and followed the guide outside.

The bus was filling up. Joshua had got himself a window seat. That didn’t surprise Felicia. Nor was she surprised that the best-looking woman in the party, a fresh-faced brunette with long hair waving to her shoulders and green eyes accentuated by thickly applied mascara and eyeliner, sat beside him. Joshua was looking out the window while the woman settled herself, tucking her bag under the seat. Passing them, Felicia wondered if they were together, or if the woman was just hopeful.

A group of young women occupied the rear bench seat, three fit-looking young men nearby eyeing them with covert interest. Middle-aged couples, a family with two children, and a few apparently unattached singles of both sexes made up the rest of the tour party. The small American woman, with a seat to herself, beckoned Felicia. ‘You can sit here if you like. I’m all alone.’

‘Thank you.’ Me too, Felicia thought. It had been that way for years, and usually she didn’t mind. Perhaps it was being in a strange country, among strangers, that caused a sudden wave of melancholy.

‘I’m Maggie,’ the American woman said. ‘Maggie Price. And you’re Felicia. Such a pretty name. It suits you.’

‘Thank you.’ Felicia smiled, brushing back from her cheek an ear-level strand of hair the colour of dark manuka honey.

The door closed smoothly with an airy sigh as the driver pulled out from the hotel and veered around one of dozens of yellow taxis weaving through the bicycles thronging the broad road.

‘I hope we can go shopping here later,’ Maggie remarked as they roared past market stalls set out under spreading shade trees on the pavements.

At a street corner a group of elderly men squatted around a card game. The woman sitting beside Joshua Tagget stood up, put a camera to her eye, and leaned across him to take a picture of them. Her colourful low-necked sunfrock must have allowed him an enjoyable view of a fairly spectacular cleavage.

Cat, Felicia scolded herself. She’d long since given up wishing for a more generous endowment in that department, or for shiny black hair and sea-green eyes, a smaller nose and larger hips.

She didn’t regret having had her over-prominent teeth straightened, even though it had meant two years with a mouthful of metal, and by now she knew that the long legs that had made her gawky and self-consciously taller than her classmates at twelve were an asset rather than a liability. The figure she’d finally developed as a late-blooming teenager was adequate if not sensational, the envy of many of her friends who constantly battled with their weight.

She’d dyed her hair once and it made her look like something out of The Munsters. These days she contented herself with an occasional strawberry rinse to give it extra life in winter. Some people professed to find her emphatically blue eyes beautiful, and she used eye-shadow sparingly to intensify their colour, as well as mascara to darken and lengthen her lashes.

The engine throbbed warningly and Joshua’s seat companion sat down again as they shot off round the corner, the driver blasting his horn with little visible effect on the massed cyclists.

Maggie put a hand to her chest and inhaled sharply as the bus narrowly missed an oblivious rider pulling a cart piled high with woven baskets. But she soon recovered.

‘Oh, look!’ she said, pointing. A teenage girl in a bright red regional costume stood hawking embroidered goods outside a building that combined twentieth-century business architecture with the distinctive curved roof lines of the Orient.

Felicia was grateful for the novelty of the passing scene, and the need to respond to Maggie’s excited comments. She couldn’t push Joshua Tagget entirely out of her mind, but at least he could be relegated to the fringes.

Eventually they drew up outside the looming pink wall of the Forbidden City. Emerging into blinding sun, Felicia put on dark glasses and the wide-brimmed hat she’d been advised to bring. She’d used sunscreen before leaving the hotel, and dropped the tube into her bag. She hoped the brunette now standing alongside Joshua while the guide waited for the rest of the party to alight had done the same. The woman had very fair skin, contrasting with Joshua’s tan. They made a striking couple.

Pain twisted inside Felicia, translating into anger as fierce as it was illogical. She could hardly expect the man to spend the rest of his life mourning the events of twelve years ago. But, she thought bitterly, watching the sunlight catch the surprising russet lights in the darkness of his hair as he bent his head and smiled at the woman beside him, he needn’t look so damned untouched, so impervious.

As if he’d felt the intensity of her gaze, he turned his head in her direction, and she hastily looked away, following the guide through the Tiananmen Gate, opposite the vast, famous square.

In the enormous cobbled courtyards, black-clad gardeners were painstakingly removing weeds and grass in the continuing work of restoration. As the tour party crossed the baking hot stones Felicia mentally clothed the crowds of Chinese sightseers in the sumptuous, graceful fashion of the courtiers and servants who had once lived and worked here.

Leaning on the barrier at the doorway of The Palace of Heavenly Purity to photograph a wonderful dragon screen behind the high throne, she found herself standing next to Joshua Tagget, his arm brushing briefly against hers.

Felicia stepped hastily back, and he turned his head. ‘Sorry,’ he murmured. His eyes lingered on her—not too blatantly, but in the manner of a man appreciating a good-looking woman, and with a hint of interested enquiry.

Felicia managed a tight smile before she walked away, ostensibly to photograph one of the bronze cranes on the terrace, and heard Joshua’s deep voice ask Jen a question about the intricate carved ceiling of the throne room. She felt her hands clench, and with a sense of rising panic wondered how she was going to stand three weeks of his proximity

There was some comfort at least in knowing he had no idea who she was. She would just keep out of his way as much as possible and pretend they had never met. There was no reason to let his presence destroy her enjoyment.

By the time the party had passed through the Gate of Earthly Tranquillity to the Imperial Garden where plants and trees gave an illusion of coolness, they were relieved to take a rest.

The guide pointed out two intertwined old trees. They are called “the love trees”.

Joshua laughed quietly, and Felicia thought with unaccustomed viciousness, Yes, you can laugh at love—it was always a game to you.

But it hadn’t been a game to poor Genevieve. Genevieve had died for it, while Joshua walked away unscathed.

They left the Forbidden City for the Summer Palace and lunch at the Ting Li Guan restaurant. ‘This means in English, the Pavilion for Listening to the Orioles Sing,’ Jen informed them.

‘Oh, isn’t that charming!’ Maggie exclaimed.

‘Lovely,’ Felicia agreed, manoeuvring herself into a chair as far from Joshua Tagget as possible before taking off her hat and sunglasses. She was surprised to find that she was hungry as well as thirsty. Tucking into prawns, rice and something deep-fried that was unfamiliar but delicious, she almost managed to forget the man she’d been carefully avoiding all morning.

The restaurant lay on a lake shore, and after eating they were taken across the water in a canopied boat with a dragon’s head at the bow. Seated at one side of the boat between Maggie and a young couple holding hands, Felicia removed her sunglasses to focus her camera on a series of glittering curved roofs gracing the steep, wooded hillside above the lake. She felt a breeze tug at her hat, and was too late to save it from being whisked off her head.

It didn’t fly straight to the water, but instead skimmed a few yards along the boat, where a tanned, masculine hand stretched out and captured it.

A few people laughed and applauded, and Felicia stood up—just as Joshua did the same, her hat still held in his hand.

He stepped towards her and, her hair whipping about her face, she reached for the hat. ‘Thank you.’

‘My pleasure.’ He was smiling, but with a faint frown between his brows as if he was trying to place her. His gaze dropped momentarily to her name tag. ‘I’d hang onto the headgear if I were you.’

‘Yes,’ she said, and returned to her seat.

Instead of reclaiming his own he followed her, placing a hand on one of the posts supporting the canopy above them as he looked down at her.

Felicia turned her face away, studying the hired canoes and other small ferries dotting the ruffled waters of the lake.

‘I know it’s an old line,’ Joshua said, ‘but do I know you from somewhere?’

Felicia swallowed before turning an indifferent, clear blue gaze on him. ‘You’re right,’ she said coolly, not bothering to lower her voice, then paused. ‘It is an old line.’

She turned again to contemplate the view. Maggie made a small, protesting sound. The male half of the young couple cast Joshua a sympathetic glance, and the girl smothered a giggle.

Felicia couldn’t see the expression on Joshua’s face as he received the very public snub, but after a moment she heard him laugh softly, and then he removed his hand from the post and strolled away.

A few seconds later Maggie said tentatively, ‘He seems quite a nice young man.’

‘I’m sure he is,’ Felicia agreed, lying in her teeth. Joshua Taggett was far from being nice, and she had cause to know it. She withdrew her aching eyes from the view and smiled at the American woman.

‘Do you have someone back home?’ Maggie asked curiously.

Felicia shook her head. ‘No. I’m just not interested.’

‘Oh.’ Maggie looked over at Joshua, standing with his back to them now near the bow. ‘Well, let me tell you, I think you’re picky. If I were ten years younger...maybe make that fifteen...’

Felicia laughed, and saw Joshua quickly turn his head, his eyes homing in on her. He probably thought they were laughing at him. Well, let him think it. She dragged her gaze away.

After peeking at some of the jade and ivory treasures in the buildings near the foreshore, Maggie and most of the older members of the party elected to stroll along the broad winding paths seeking both beauty and shade, while others climbed the steep flights of steps to the Pavilion of Precious Clouds.

The pavilion seemed to have grown from the uneven grey rocks, they were so perfectly blended. Children scrambled happily about among the rocks and the several flights of stairs, watched fondly by their parents. In the gatehouse a small girl in a white frilly dress, white socks and shiny patent leather shoes gazed with awe at two huge ceramic statues with beetling eyebrows and fearsome snarls.

As Felicia stopped beside her the little girl regarded her with as much interest as she had the guardians of the gateway, and said carefully, ‘Hello.’

‘Hello,’ Felicia returned, ‘little princess.’

The child’s parents arrived, panting with exertion. The father picked his daughter up, smoothing her black hair away from her eyes. As Felicia made to turn away the man with signs and smiles urged her to pose with his wife and daughter while he took a picture. Felicia obliged, and then the family posed for her.

She began to make her way down again to the lakeside, only to dodge back into the shadow of the gatehouse as she caught sight of Joshua Tagget ascending the steps.

She hurried back through the gateway and took the nearest flight of steps, arriving in a small square tower. Miraculously, the narrow room was empty. An arched opening down to floor level framed a view across tiled rooftops to the vast plain below. Just beyond the opening a low stone wall hardly impeded the eye. Felicia raised her camera for the obligatory picture.

Moving to just inside the archway, she stooped for a shot of an intriguing orange-tiled roof angle, and as she straightened and turned to the doorway the space was filled by the shadowy figure of a man.

Joshua. Instinctively she stepped backwards, forgetting the open archway. Her feet struck the low barrier and she gasped and threw out a hand towards the wall, her heart plunging in fright.

With a sharp exclamation Joshua lunged forward and grabbed her arm, dragging her towards him so that she came up hard against his chest.

She inhaled the smell of soap and fresh sweat, and her cheek was momentarily pressed against his cotton shirt, warm from the sun and his body.

Then his hands were on both her arms, holding her away from him. And his voice, harsh with shock, demanded, ‘What the hell is the matter with you?’

‘You startled me,’ Felicia said. ‘I...didn’t hear anyone come in.’

His hands dropped. ‘Sorry.’ But his clipped voice told her he thought she was a fool. ‘I wasn’t following you. The message on the boat was loud and clear.’

And he wouldn’t bother pursuing a woman who had made her lack of interest plain. Felicia wondered where the buxom brunette had got to. ‘Thank you,’ she said stiffly. ‘Although I wasn’t really likely to fall. I just got a fright.’

A Chinese family appeared in the doorway and politely hung back.

‘It’s OK, I’m leaving,’ Felicia said, gesturing them to come in as she slipped through the opening.

Joshua pointedly remained standing at the top of the steps as she descended them. She could feel his eyes boring into her back until she made the shelter of the dim, shaded gateway.

Some meals were included in the tour, but Jen recommended several Beijing restaurants for those who wanted to try them. Maggie suggested she and Felicia have a drink in the hotel bar on their return from the Summer Palace and plan their evening.

Others had the same idea. The three young men had joined the party of young women in one corner of the crowded bar, and two middle-aged couples from the tour group called to Maggie and Felicia to join them.

One couple was Australian, the other American, and in the course of the day they had already established a rapport. After enquiring which part of the world she came from, the American man said, ‘There’s another New Zealander on the tour. Joshua—you know him?’

‘We met this morning.’

A waitress came to take their orders. Her English was earnest but limited, and there was much laughter and international sign language.

While Felicia was talking to the Australian couple the American man hailed someone coming in and began pulling up more chairs. It wasn’t until the newcomers sat down that Felicia turned, the smile freezing on her face when she saw who had joined them. Joshua, with the brunette beauty—now wearing loose, cool white trousers and a red figure-hugging top—back at his side.

His mouth turned down at one corner as he acknowledged her presence, his eyes holding a wry amusement. He knew she didn’t want to be anywhere near him, and thought it was funny.

Introductions were made all round, and Felicia smiled nicely at the dark-haired girl whose name was given as Suzette. Perfect for her, Felicia thought, and looked away to watch the waitress fill a tray at the bar.

She drank the mineral water she had ordered, taking no part in the plans for dinner at an outside restaurant. They all seemed happy to stick together, and she decided that if Joshua was going to join them she was bowing out.

Felicia had emptied her glass and was formulating the words to leave when someone ordered another round of drinks, and she found a second glass placed before her.

But when there was a general move to leave she said quietly to Maggie, ‘I’d really rather have a snack and go to bed. I haven’t recovered from the flight. Enjoy your evening.’ At least Maggie wouldn’t lack for company.

The other woman looked disappointed but didn’t argue. ‘Well... see you in the morning, then.’

Unlike Suzette, Felicia hadn’t been to her room to change. Thinking she would freshen up before having a light meal, she made for the elevators.

Two arrived at the same time, and she let the other people who were waiting fill the first, stepping into the second. The doors were already closing after her when a strong male hand made them re-open and Joshua entered.

She thought he almost stepped out again, but changed his mind, allowing the doors to slide to and shut them in.

Startled, Felicia said, ‘Aren’t you going to dinner?’ He turned to lean on the wall beside him as the car started upwards. ‘Not with that crowd.’ After a short pause, he added, ‘I thought you were going with them.’

‘They’re all very nice people.’

His eyebrows twitched. ‘Sure. So why aren’t you with them?’

She could say that she’d been trying to avoid him. But studied rudeness wasn’t natural to her and besides, if she made an issue of this he’d begin to wonder why. ‘My plane was delayed for twelve hours at Auckland,’ she said, ‘and my connection in Hong Kong had to be rescheduled. I need an early night.’

The elevator slid to a halt and the doors opened, but the two people waiting gestured that they wanted to go down, not up.

As the doors closed again Joshua said, ‘I really did wonder if we’d met somewhere. The way you looked at me in the lobby this morning...perhaps I misinterpreted?’

‘You remind me of someone I used to know,’ Felicia prevaricated. “That’s all.

He nodded, his eyes uncomfortably alert and assessing. If he asked who, she was going to have to chance a direct lie. But when he spoke he said mildly, ‘If I’d been trying to pick you up I’d have thought of something slightly more original. Like—if you’re going to eat before this early night you say you need, would you care to join me?’ His mouth curved invitingly, and his inquiring eyes gleamed with humour.