Serpent in Paradise Read online

  'That day in the restaurant—I thought you were celebrating your engagement.'

  'It's what Bruce thought too. We were concluding a business deal, Teri. I sold Miranda a vineyard she'd been wanting a long time. That's all there was to it.'

  Not quite all, Teri thought, remembering the 'hands off Sloan' warning she had once glimpsed in Miranda's eyes. But in the end, perhaps, Miranda would be happier with Bruce than with Sloan. Wisely she did not pursue the subject, and said instead, 'Won't Emma be amazed to hear all that's happened since yesterday.'

  Sloan threw back his head and laughed. 'My darling, it's what Emma wanted for us both all along. She knew you were the right girl for me, dear clever lady that she is. She also knew she couldn't make her thoughts too obvious.'

  'She kept secrets for both of us.'

  'She did. And enjoyed herself immensely.' Sloan's eyes grew thoughtful. 'Fortunately there was a secret she didn't keep.' And as Teri jerked up her head, 'She warned me you were leaving Vins Doux. She'd have told me earlier, but I was away from Bienvenue a few days.'

  'Then Emma was in on your plans!'

  'Yes, my darling, she was. As was Herman Kruger, who so kindly lent us his fishing-shack when he had a perfectly comfortable spare bedroom.'

  'All these scheming acquaintances of mine!' Green eyes danced, but Teri's pulses were racing. 'Perhaps I should go to Cape Town and get away from you all while I can.'

  'Don't you dare!' Sloan drew her against his chest, holding her with the kind of tenderness she had yearned for. 'Teri, you have to know, when Emma told me your plans she also let slip one other item of news.'

  The girl grew still. Intuitively she knew what was coming. 'That I'd refused my share of Vins Doux?'

  'Yes.'

  'Do you mind?'

  'Mind? I'm delighted! I'll still control things at Vins Doux, Emma is seeing to that, but I want to be the one to give you and Jill all the good things in life.'

  With the impatience of a man who has waited too long for the thing he craves, Sloan's arms tightened, and then he was kissing Teri, deeply, hungrily, as if he would never stop. Winding her arms around his neck and pressing herself closer against his body, Teri kissed him back joyfully, and in her response was much of the passion she had tried so hard to suppress.

  At length Sloan lifted his head. 'If you don't want to drive me out of my mind you'll have to marry me very soon,' he said raggedly. 'My God, Teri, you haven't even said you will marry me.'

  'You know I will, my darling.'

  'Have I told you that I love you with every fibre of my being?'

  'As I love you. Sloan, let's go and tell Emma and Jill.'

  'Not before I kiss you again.'

  And very thoroughly he did just that.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Unnamed