The Australian Heiress Read Free Page B

hands to grasp hers. “Nick Lombard’s here. You know him, I believe.”
    “People who suffer at his hands generally do.” Camille’s voice was like splintered glass. She stared beyond the portly Claude to the tall commanding man who waited only a few feet away. Lombard gave a subtle inclination of the head, his black fathomless eyes studying her with such intensity that her long pearly fingernails bit into her palms. She’d seen Nick Lombard countless times before in the newspapers and on television, but the images there were like wax compared to the man in person.
    Claude, ever the peacemaker, pulled Camille to him, kissing her on both cheeks. “Dearest girl, show your usual good sense.”
    “Tell me you didn’t bring him here, Claude,” she begged.
    His pink skin flushed. “No, darling. No, no, I’m here with Dulcie. But he’s an important man and a known art collector. He was bound to get an invitation for those reasons alone. Goodness, even that dreadful girl Masterman managed to get in, not to mention the other one. It’s hard, my darling, but we must forget the terrible past.”
    That was too much for Camille. “Weren’t you the one who told me the past fashions us?” she challenged him. “Have you forgotten that Nick Lombard plunged us all into ruin?”
    Claude groaned and passed a hand over his bald pate. “Harry staged his own destruction, dearest. He was my biggest client, but he could have destroyed my career at any time. He was an incredibly ruthless man. His harshness to you was unforgivable. So I suggest you meet Lombard before you decide he’s the villain Harry made him out to be.”
    “If all these people weren’t in the house, I’d have him thrown out on his ear so fast he wouldn’t know which end was up.”
    Claude laughed. “How they tagged you the Ice Princess I’ll never know. You’re the definitive fiery redhead.” He shook his head ruefully. “But you’re up against the Man of Steel.”
    Camille raised her chin. “I never realized you were such an opportunist, Claude. But then, it would payyou to get friendly with Lombard…now that Harry’s gone.”
    With that, she swept past her old friend to Nick Lombard, awaiting her like some dangerous Renaissance prince. Against the snowy white of his shirt his skin possessed the sheen of bronze. Hair, brows and eyes were jet-black. He was a remarkably handsome man—an elegant mask for a villain.
    She kept her voice low. “How dare you come here?”
    He didn’t hesitate for a moment. “I’m sorry if my presence offends you, Miss Guilford. I did receive an invitation, however.” His voice was smooth and deep, yet possessed a cutting edge. An edge Camille felt.
    “Who sent it?” she demanded.
    “Ironically, the Guilford Corporation. Or what’s left of it.”
    Camille was taken aback. “Oh. How peculiar,” was all she said.
    “On the contrary, it’s just a sound business move—I’m a known collector. Moreover, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to meet you, Miss Guilford. Your father made sure we were kept apart.”
    She managed to hide her surprise. “Surely one would expect a father to protect his daughter.”
    “Except that Harry Guilford did none of the things one might expect of a loving father!”
    There was a certain condemnation in his voice that Camille took violent exception to. “And on that account you did your best to eliminate him?”
    “Forgive me, but your father eliminated himself. I deeply regret you’ve been hurt. It was never part of my plan.”
    “So you admit you had a plan.” Camille looked at him with outright contempt.
    “Of course. I risked a great deal exposing your father.”
    “Risked? What did you risk?”
    For a moment he didn’t respond, his jet eyes fixed on her face. “I realize there are many things about your father you don’t know.”
    “And you’re going to fill me in?”
    “Perhaps—when you begin to trust me.” He smiled then, and she felt the sexuality he