A Case For Trust Read Free Page A

take himself inside the reception hall so she could escape in peace? She stopped at the first row of parked cars, fiddled with her handbag as if looking for keys, covertly glanced under her lashes to see if he was still watching her …
    â€˜Which is your car?’
    He was right there behind her again, and she almost yelped in alarm. ‘ Don’t sneak up on me like that! Will you leave me alone, or do I have to scream for help?’
    Right on cue, Pippa saw Justin Mason’s familiar figure appear, backlit, in the doorway of the venue behind them. Thank god! Relief coloured her voice as she called out to him, falsely cheerful, determinedly enthusiastic. ‘Justin! Over here!’
    Justin sauntered towards them, his hands buried in his pockets mirroring his older brother’s stance, and Pippa berated herself for not noticing the family resemblance earlier. If she had realised Mr Hostile was Justin’s brother, she might have avoided this whole unpleasant scene. Although, for the life of her, she’d never imagined she would come under such an attack simply for doing her job. Where had Matt Mason got the idea she was having an affair with Justin?
    â€˜Matt, is that you? Been looking for you everywhere. And Pippa? I thought you left a while ago, or I’d have had you on the dance floor.’
    Pippa ignored the muffled, humourless snort that came from behind her. ‘I was just leaving. I’ll let you both return to the party.’
    â€˜You sure? There’s champagne going begging …’
    â€˜Thanks, but no. Can’t be drinking and driving.’
    â€˜Shame. We should have planned this better. A few of us are staying over at Brad’s parents’ place. You could have bunked down with us. In fact, why don’t you stay over anyway, go back tomorrow …’
    Pippa shook her head. ‘Thanks, but I need to get home. Big day tomorrow, early start.’
    â€˜Fair enough. I’ll walk you to your car then. Where is it?’
    Justin’s eyes were scanning the parked cars and, predictably, not spotting hers among them. Aware of the intense, silent scrutiny of Justin’s disapproving brother, Pippa wished, not for the first time that hour, the ground would open up and swallow her. Chivalry clearly ran through the Mason family veins. If she’d been smarter, she would have agreed to one soft drink and escaped both brothers at the earliest opportunity.
    â€˜Pippa? I don’t see your car?’
    â€˜It’s okay, it’s down the hill.’ She forced the admission through a politely tight smile and ignored the unpleasant, knowing smirk that distorted Matt Mason’s handsome face. Fine, so she’d been caught out in a lie. He could add it to the repertoire of sins, real and imagined, he seemed to attribute to her.
    â€˜I was just offering to escort Ms Lloyd to her car when you appeared, Justin. There’s no need for us both to go. Why don’t you head back into the party?’
    Whether it was Matt’s words or his tone, that trace of condescension, that raised Justin’s hackles, Pippa couldn’t say, but she saw a sudden provocation, a defiant, proprietorial bristling in his face. Justin rocked back on his heels a little, considering them both. Pippa thought she imagined some electric charge passing between the brothers that suggested a couple of stallions in a corral. Surely, surely they weren’t going to fight over her? It was laughable. She wasn’t the kind of woman men fought over. But there was a tension between the two that was palpable. She put a gentling hand on Justin’s arm.
    â€˜I really don’t need an escort, but while we’re arguing about it you’re missing the celebrations. Perhaps it would be quicker, easier for everyone, if you just drove me down to my car, Justin? It will only take a minute, and then nobody will have the long walk back up the hill.’
    â€˜Justin’s car