‘There are some women who can affect a man like that,’ he mourned. ‘So that he forgets everything he knows about her and still lives in hope.’

‘But I’m not a man,’ Mary snapped. ‘I’m not giving up until I get what’s right.’

‘But this isn’t the way,’ he said smoothly. ‘Arm yourself with a DNA test and Mrs Carlton won’t be able to argue.’

‘Ah, but he’s dead,’ Mary said quickly. ‘It’s too late for a test.’

‘The hospital where he died will have blood samples,’ Elise pointed out. ‘They can be tested and then we’ll know for certain.’

Strangely, this prospect did not seem to ease Mary’s mind.

‘You don’t need a test,’ she said edgily. ‘Jerry’s Ben’s son, no doubt of it. We can sort something out between us, then I’ll go-’

‘You’ll go now if you know what’s good for you,’ Elise snapped.

‘I wasn’t born yesterday. If you’re still here in ten seconds-’

‘Are you threatening me?’

‘Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing,’ Elise flung at her in cold fury. She was possessed by the joy and satisfaction of losing her temper. It was glorious.

‘You’ll be hearing from my lawyer-’

‘Get out!’

Whether it was something she saw in Elise’s face, or whether it was Vincente urging her towards the door, Mary suddenly couldn’t get out fast enough.

‘I’ll be back,’ she threatened. ‘You may think you’ve got away with it-’

‘But she won’t,’ Vincente assured her. ‘There’s always justice in the end, however long the wait.’

He left the room with her and Elise could hear murmurs from the hall outside until he returned a few moments later.

‘Are you all right?’ he asked, startled by her flushed cheeks and flashing eyes.

‘Everything’s wonderful,’ she said firmly. ‘I haven’t enjoyed myself so much in years. She actually thought I’d just cave in.’

‘How very foolish of her,’ he said, amused.

‘Another minute and I’d have lost control and done something we’d both have regretted.’