Mirror Image by Danielle Steel Read Free Book Online Page B

it. The sergeant suggested they keep an eye on her in the future, and he asked Charles if the two girls were his younger sisters.
    He was surprised by the idea, and flattered, now that he thought of it, that Olivia had called him. And she'd been right to do so, coming down here on her own would have been terrifying for her, and dangerous as well. He still had the cab waiting outside, and as the two sisters argued in the small room, he finally interrupted them and suggested they continue their conversation in the taxi. Olivia was absolutely fuming.
    For an instant, he thought that Victoria might refuse to leave, but there was nothing for her to do here. The police didn't want her there, and the excitement was over. But Olivia was still berating her as they left and got back in the cab, and Charles very quietly handed them both into the taxi, and then got in between them.
    "Ladies, may I suggest we call it a day, and agree to forget this unfortunate incident. Nothing untoward happened here, and no one ever need be the wiser." He turned to Olivia then and suggested she forgive her sister for her foolishness, and then he turned to Victoria and asked her to stay away from demonstrations for the rest of her stay.
    Or if not, they might truly arrest her.
    "That might have been a little more honest, don't you think?
    Than to pull class on them, and come running home to Daddy." She was still annoyed at having been "saved" by her sister and their father's lawyer.
    And she thought Charles was a complete fool to have come with her.
    She wanted to tell him to mind his own business in the future.
    "Do you have any idea what it would do to Father if he knew? " Olivia asked her bluntly. Why don't you think of him for a change instead of your stupid groups, and women getting the vote? Why don't you behave for once, instead of expecting me to get you out of it? " Olivia's hands were shaking as she carefully put her gloves on, and Charles watched them both with fascination. The one so restrained and so capable, the other so fiery and so totally without remorse. In some ways, Victoria reminded him of his late wife, Susan, always espousing unusual ideas and difficult causes. And yet there had been a tamer side to her as well, a docile side that he longed for on quiet nights as he lay alone, trying not to think of her. He had to think of Geoffrey now, and not the boy's mother. But try as he might, he could never bring himself to forget her, and in his heart of hearts, he knew he didn't really want to. But this wild, foolish girl, in the black straw hat, with the smoldering blue eyes, intrigued him, far more than her obviously tamer sister.
    "I'd like to point out to you, " Victoria said coldly as the cab pulled up in front of their house, "that I didn't call either of you, and I didn't ask to be rescued." She was being childish, and Charles couldn't help smiling as he looked at her. She was like a naughty girl who needed to be sent to her room, or scolded until she paid attention.
    But she was certainly not contrite or grateful that they had come to get her.
    "Perhaps we should send you back then, " Charles said, and Victoria glared at him as she got out of the cab, and let herself into the house ahead of her sister. She had her back to both of them as she took her hat off and threw it on the table.
    "Thank you, " Olivia said in embarrassment to Charles, furious at her sister. "I wouldn't have known what to do without you."
    "Anytime, " he smiled, and Olivia rolled her eyes at the thought.
    "I hope not."
    "Try and keep her on a leash until your father arrives, " Charles said in a whisper. She was clearly an unrepentant rebel, and there was a certain charm to that, if one viewed it from a safe distance.
    "Thank God Father will be here by tomorrow night, " Olivia said, and then looked at Charles with worried eyes. She had trusted him and hoped he wouldn't betray her. "Please don't say anything to him, it would upset him terribly."
    "I promise. Not a