Most probably, Andreas reasoned with a surge of fierce resentment, Hope's shrewish friend, Vanessa, was responsible. Was it she who had destroyed Hope's sunny contentment? Who else could it have been? Once or twice Hope had repeated Vanessa's revealingly acidic remarks about men. Andreas had gained the distinct impression that Hope's best friend would fry him alive in hot oil if she ever got the chance. That his association with Hope should be so misjudged and so undervalued outraged Andreas. He was proud of the way he treated Hope. He looked after her. She was a very happy woman. Why? He kept all the nasty realities of life at bay. He even made her dreams come true. Although she had no suspicion of the fact, eighteen months earlier it had been his influence that had won her a place on a design course at a leading art college. Thanks to him she had since graduated and begun fashioning handbags that he was secretly convinced no sane woman would ever wish to buy. He had a shuddering recollection of the one shaped like a ripe tomato. But the point was, Hope was cheerfully content…or, at least, she had been until the serpent had entered Eden.

Andreas was towelling himself dry when Hope entered the bathroom. She drew in a slow, deep breath to steady herself and fixed turquoise blue eyes bravely on him. 'So if we can't have anniversaries, what can we have?'

Six feet four inches tall, black hair still wet from the shower and crystalline drops of water still sparkling on the ebony curls defining his powerful pectoral muscles, Andreas froze. He had not expected a second assault in that line. The first had been startling enough. Winged ebony brows drew together. 'I don't believe I follow…'

Hope realised that there was a lump in her throat, a lump that was swelling with every second that passed with the threat of tears. 'I…I suppose I'm asking is this it for you and me?'