Betrayal Read Online Free Page A

and there was a love bite just below her left ear. She didn't remember the love bite.
    'He kissed me good night. That's not a crime.' 'He made quite a meal of it, didn't he?'
    Lisa felt the excitement of the evening draining away. 'Did you expect me to go through life like a nun?' she asked, wishing he'd leave her alone with her thoughts.
    'Yes!' he shouted, regardless of the fact that Stephanie was now standing behind him on the stairs. 'That's exactly what I expected. Why would I bankrupt myself on that fancy finishing school if it wasn't to keep you out of trouble? You're… '
    'I'm what?'
    'Important to me,' he mumbled, turning his head away so that she couldn't see the expression of self-disgust in his eyes.
    'What is all this? I'm not in line for a royal marriage! Besides, apart from future kings even royalty aren't expected to marry virgins. If they were, the line would soon die out.'
    'You stupid little slut!' hissed Stephanie, pushing her husband to one side. 'If you've thrown everything away on that oversized male model I'll never forgive you. Don't you realise the sacrifices we've made to send you to Switzerland? Haven't you the faintest idea of why we're… '
    'Be quiet!' snapped Simon. For once his wife obeyed him. Lisa looked from one to the other in bewilderment. I don't like it in Switzerland. If money’s a problem I’ll be happy to come home. Besides, I really don't…see what harm one evening out with an attractive man can possibly have done. I thought you wanted me to mix with the people at dinner. You both seemed keen for me to go.'
    'Not for his benefit!' shrieked Stephanie, beside herself with temper. 'He isn't of any importance at all. He was only there to make up the numbers.'
    Lisa decided they were behaving in the manner they believed expected of doting parents. Either that or they'd got her in mind for a friend's son and didn't want her soiling herself with anyone else. Well, for once she wasn't going to try and please them. Toby had liked her and Toby was fun. A little bit dangerous perhaps, but fun.
    'Is he seeing you again?' demanded Simon.
    'He… ' She stopped, taking in their wary expressions. In that split second she made her decision not to tell them the truth. She didn't know why, but there was something about the intensity of their distress that was out of key and she sensed that if she said yes they might very well make it impossible for her to get to the party. 'He didn't suggest it ,' she concluded. 'I think he can have his pick of women at the moment. I was just a momentary diversion; that's all, truly.'
    Their relief showed her that she'd been right to keep silent about the party. Simon gave a weak smile. 'Sorry, precious. I guess we over-reacted but it is five in the morning. Anything could have happened to you. A car accident; a situation you couldn't handle; all sorts of things.'
    'I'm all right, honestly.'
    'Next time you want to go off with some handsome young man, please talk it over with us first, will you? There's a good girl!' He put an affectionate arm round her waist but she drew away. Everything he'd said tonight, apart from his fear, had been a lie, of that she was absolutely certain. She was beginning to think that he and Stephanie were well matched. Both lied fluently and both pretended to care for her well-being. It still hurt but at least she knew that neither of them could be trusted. She'd work out a way of getting to the party later on; right now all she wanted was her bed.
    'I'm tired,' she said with a yawn. 'I'll skip breakfast if you don't mind. Perhaps you'd call me before lunch, Stephanie?'
    After she'd gone Simon glanced at his wife. 'We've been lucky,' he said quietly, 'but it shows how careful we have to be. Finishing school's definitely the best solution.'
    'I can't think what men see in her. She's almost plain at times,' said Stephanie acidly.
    'Obviously men don't think so, and she is promised to… ' 'Let's hope he hasn't forgotten.'
    'If he'd