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have had anything to do with hurting his younger cousin. And if he was only seven or eight, it was doubtful he was involved with the children’s disappearance.
    Guilt flooded Jack.. Patrick had described him perfectly, whether intent was behind it or not. He was ruthless. Demented as well if he considered manipulating people like that. He’d have to make amends. Quickly.
    First, he had to return to his bed and pray Riley was asleep, because if she wasn’t, he would have an extremely long, painful night keeping his hands off of her.
    When he got back to the room, however, Riley was sound asleep, curled facing his side of the bed. She had the face of an angel, not some demon sent to torment him.
    You pathetic sod. He sat with his back to her. You still want her, and she’s sleeping.
    Well, he wouldn’t wake her. He’d force himself to get undressed without looking at her and to sleep on his side so he couldn’t see her.
    It took hours for him to fall asleep, and Jack figured he’d have a restless night, but the day’s events took their toll. He drifted into unconsciousness with one thought on his mind. He’d set his alarm to wake up early and find Amelia to tell her he’d changed his mind. It was time to tell Riley she might be an heiress. He’d have to accept her rage once she figured out why he really approached her for marriage. If he was right, at least Amelia would have one of her grandchildren returned to her.
    Images of his wife raced across his mind, chasing one another. Riley at The Baker’s Oven in Sydney, sipping coffee with him. Scenes of her shopping, especially when she tried on the cocktail dress she wore to their wedding ceremony. Their first kiss and the intoxicating scent of her body; he was sure what he had smelled wasn’t perfume. It was pure, unadulterated Riley.
    Undressing her — kissing her, tasting her sweet, delicate skin, feeling her writhing beneath his touch. Would he ever get her out of his mind?
    Seconds ticked into minutes, then into hours. The last thing he remembered was the soft sound of her breathing behind him.
    When he awoke, she was gone.

Chapter Seven
    Riley didn’t think it possible the night before, but not long after Jack left her in tears, she cried herself to sleep, hugging her pillows. If she dreamed, she remembered nothing, but once daylight caressed her cheeks through the slivers of sun that peeked past the balcony draperies, she felt re-energised and ready to continue her plans. She would see the vineyards where she would work.
    She chose not to wear any of her new clothes, instead choosing jeans, tee-shirt and sneakers. Back at her apartment, she’d packed a kit containing supplies that would later help her test soil. Might do for her to get started on the one job Jack hired her for that she knew she could do well.
    James met her in the hall outside her bedroom. He carried a tray with two cups, two tumblers, a carafe of orange juice, and a pot of coffee.
    ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Beauchamp. I tried getting these to you early. The cook is preparing your breakfast. Would you rather be served in bed?’
    In reply, Riley lifted a tumbler, poured herself some juice, downed the juice in one gulp, and shook her head. She couldn’t bring herself to say the words my husband, so she simply said, ‘He’s asleep. Might wait a bit, but thanks.’
    She indicated the coffee. ‘Could I have a cup of that to take with me?’
    James had stiffened at being told not to disturb Jack. For all Riley knew, this was the morning norm and she was upsetting everybody’s schedule, but the last thing she wanted was for Jack to accompany her on her first visit to her new workplace.
    The butler murmured. ‘Of course.’ Then he poured her a steaming cup of what she hoped was caffeinated coffee and handed it to her.
    Smiling brightly, confident that she’d escaped a confrontation with Jack, she said thanks and continued on her way outside, stopping in the kitchen to meet Janet, who Jack said