The Australian Heiress by Margaret Way Read Free Book Online

agreement.”
    Hugh stood, as well, a vein pulsing in his temple. “Camille, I’m disappointed in you.”
    “Oh, to hell with that, Hugh,” she said coldly. “I’ve never failed you. I’ve worked hard. I know the others expected me to get gobbled up by my first coffee break, but I made it.”
    “We wouldn’t let you go empty-handed,” Hugh said, as though trying to soften the blow. “I have a figure in mind. You have to understand, Camille, you upset a lot of people. You always did. Envy is one of the deadly sins. Maybe if you were less beautiful, less clever, you wouldn’t have run the risk of inheriting so many of Harry’s enemies.” Hugh made a conciliatory gesture. “But I do have the names of a few people who might help you….”
    Camille had difficulty hiding her disgust. “That’s quite all right, Hugh. I’ll help myself. I don’t want any golden handshakes either. Just what I’m owed.”
    “Harry slammed everyone who tried to help him, too,” Hugh said, and Camille didn’t miss the spite in his tone.
    “It sounds as if you’ve waited half a lifetime to say that.”
    Hugh gave a laugh that was more like a choke. “I never wanted to cross Harry. Even now. But you’re right—I do have a score to settle. So do a lot of people. I realize it doesn’t make life easy for you. Anyway, you’re not about to finish up on the streets. You have your mother’s jewelry. That emerald-and-diamond necklace Harry gave her must be worth a small fortune.”
    “Do you think I’d sell it?”
    “My dear, you might have to. If you ever do decideto, I could help you there. And another thing—I wouldn’t go around telling people how much you loathe Nick Lombard. Not if you want to find a safe niche for yourself. There’s so much friction still around. So much tension. You’ve suffered a terrible reversal, but I know you have it in you to survive.”
    “Thanks, Hugh.” Camille gave him a brittle little salute and turned toward the door.
    “Camille, my dear, don’t see it like that.” He hurried over to her and attempted to put his arm around her, but Camille shrugged him off.
    “There’s no other way to see it. Goodbye, Hugh. I hope you choke on your lunch with my father’s executioner.”
    With that Camille threw open the door. And suddenly, shockingly, Nick Lombard was there before her.
    Her heart beat so fast it was a physical pain. Anger and betrayal raging in her mind, she drew back her hand and slapped him across the face. Hard.
    “Camille!” Hugh rushed toward her in horror while his secretary leaped out of her chair as though the whole world was coming unscrambled.
    Nick Lombard caught hold of Camille’s wrist, holding her arm aloft. “You’ve saved that up for a while.” His voice was low, carefully controlled, but the force of his powerful personality blazed from his eyes.
    “I haven’t begun to mobilize myself yet.” Camille was still riding the fiery wave of defiance. “Give me time.”
    “Not if I have to go around warding off blows.”
    “Oh, please. So charge me with assault.”
    Hugh was red-faced, tight-lipped. “Camille, Camille,will you stop! How can I begin to apologize, Lombard?”
    “Apologize?” Camille would have slapped Hugh, as well, but Nick Lombard still held her. “Apologize?” she repeated incredulously. “Mr. Lombard is going to have to realize he can’t play around with people’s lives.”
    Hugh looked as if he’d been thrown a hot brick. “You’re quite mistaken, Camille. I told you that.”
    “Mistaken about what?” Nick Lombard’s piercing dark eyes went from one to the other.
    “It’s nothing. A private thing,” Hugh said dismissively.
    “You’re in a hell of a spot now, aren’t you, Hugh.” Camille laughed humorlessly.
    “Shouldn’t I hear about it, as it appears to involve me?” Lombard said.
    “Oh, for God’s sake, why go on with this charade?” Camille didn’t mask her disgust. “For that matter, Mr. Lombard, would you