Read Online Alejandro's Revenge by Anne Mather - Free Book Online

woman. Then, because she felt she had to say something more, ‘I hope you don’t think I was presumptuous in coming here, Mrs Esquival. I really was—worried about my brother.’
    Dolores shook her head. ‘I am sure you were,’ she said, with the first evidence of warmth she’d shown. ‘We were worried about him, too. But, happily, he seems to be making a good recovery. We are all hoping his leg heals very soon.’
    â€˜Yes.’ Abby was grateful for her understanding. ‘I—er—I was just waiting for him.’
    â€˜Oh, but he is not here,’ exclaimed her hostess in surprise. ‘I thought you knew. Lauren and Edward’s apartment in Coconut Grove was broken into last night. They’ve gone to accompany the police on an inspection of the property.’
    â€˜Oh, no!’ Abby immediately felt ashamed of herself for blaming her brother for neglecting her. She frowned. ‘Was anything taken? Was anyone hurt?’
    â€˜There was no one there, fortunately, and I imagine the police are hoping Lauren and Edward can tell them if anythingis missing,’ declared Dolores practically. ‘Electrical goods are always attractive to thieves, as you probably know, and Edward had—may still have—a very sophisticated entertainment system in the bedroom.’
    Abby shook her head. ‘Is there anything I can do?’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’ Dolores pulled a wry face. ‘If there is any vandalism Luis will arrange to have it dealt with, you can be sure. But of course we will have to decide whether we consider it safe for Lauren to go back there. We will think about that when Edward is on his feet again.’
    Abby noticed Dolores was more concerned about Lauren than her brother. But that was only natural. Lauren was an only child, and she was very precious to them.
    â€˜I wonder when they’ll be back,’ she murmured, more to herself than to the other woman. But Lauren’s mother had evidently heard her.
    â€˜I have no idea,’ she said, looking thoughtful. It was as if she’d just realised she couldn’t abandon her guest. ‘Perhaps you’d better come with me, Abigail,’ she decided abruptly. ‘I have an appointment at my dress designer’s at twelve-thirty, but afterwards we could have lunch together. There is a Cuban restaurant close by that serves the most delicious stone crab claws.’ She kissed the tips of her fingers in anticipation, her eyes drifting assessingly over Abby’s shirt and shorts as she spoke. ‘You would have to change, no, but…’ She shrugged. ‘Would you like to see a little of our city?’
    Abby wanted to refuse. She desperately needed to talk to Edward, and it had never been part of her plan to make herself anyone else’s responsibility. But Dolores evidently expected her to jump at the chance of some sightseeing and, short of pleading tiredness, she couldn’t think of a single reason why not.
    â€˜I—you don’t have to worry about me,’ she protested, making a final attempt to avoid the outing, but Dolores was adamant.
    â€˜It will be my pleasure,’ she insisted, even if she did castanother doubtful look at Abby’s appearance. ‘Shall we say—twenty minutes? Will that be enough?’
    Not nearly, thought Abby a few moments later, riffling through the clothes she’d hung out earlier. Whatever she wore, she was going to look tall and ungainly beside the petite—if plump—Dolores. Why hadn’t she pretended to have a headache? Surely no one could have argued with that?
    But she hadn’t, and she had only fifteen minutes left to make herself presentable. On her own, she would have stuck with the shorts. But it was obvious Dolores didn’t think they were suitable for a trip to town.
    Which left—what? A dress with spaghetti straps that Dolores would probably consider equally