Julia and Gabriel thanked her and quietly exited the restaurant, reflecting privately on the way forgiveness made certain burdens lighter.
As they walked through the front door of the Clark house, Gabriel was plotting with Richard to enjoy Scotch and cigars on the patio. Julia was still feeling a little shell-shocked from her confrontation with Natalie, but she was so relieved to be home that she pushed all thoughts of her afternoon aside. She disappeared into the living room while Gabriel and Richard hung up their coats.
“Sweetheart? Can I take your jacket?” Gabriel called. When she didn’t answer, he followed her.
His next question died in his throat as he skidded to a stop. His beloved Julianne was frozen like a statue, staring at a woman who was sitting in the living room with Aaron and Rachel. Instinctively, Gabriel gripped Julia’s waist and drew her backward to his chest.
He watched as the woman rose gracefully from her seat and floated over to them. She moved like a ballerina or a princess, a subtle air of old money clinging like perfume to her every movement.
She was tall, almost the same height as Gabriel, with long, straight blond hair and large, ice-blue eyes. Her skin was flawless, and she was model thin except for her generous and perfect br**sts. She wore knee-high black suede stiletto boots, a black wool pencil skirt, and a pale blue cashmere sweater that hung provocatively off of her alabaster shoulders.
She was beautiful. And imperious. She took one look at the way Julia was tucked under Gabriel’s arm and arched her back like a Russian blue cat.
“Gabriel, darling. I’ve missed you!” Her voice was rich and clear, with just a hint of a British accent. She embraced him tightly.
Julia wriggled away from them, none too keen to engage in a group hug.
“What are you doing here?” A myriad of emotions flashed across Gabriel’s face as she pressed her full pink lips to both of his cheeks.
She kissed him slowly, oozing sensuality. To add insult to injury, she wiped her lipstick stain from his skin, chuckling softly as if it were a private joke.
His eyes fled to Julia’s, and she returned his gaze, eyes tinged with disappointment.
Before he could say anything, Richard cleared his throat and stepped forward. She brushed his proffered hand aside and hugged him.
“Richard. A pleasure as always. I was so sorry to hear about Grace.”
He graciously accepted her embrace and walked over to Julia to assist her with her coat. After he’d hung it up, he quietly persuaded Aaron and Rachel to join him in the kitchen, denying Paulina her audience.
“I didn’t know you had two sisters.” She acknowledged Julia’s existence with a frosty smile. She towered over Julia, who was wearing plain flat shoes, jeans, and a black cardigan. Beside her, Julia felt dowdy and small.
“I have only one sister and you know it,” Gabriel snapped. “Why are you here?”
Julia came to herself and bravely extended her hand, before Gabriel made a scene. “I’m Julia. We spoke on the phone.”
Paulina kept a tight rein on her facial expression, but Julia saw what she was attempting to conceal—the cold flames of resentment.
“Really?” she laughed artfully. “Surely you can’t expect me to keep track of all the girls who’ve answered Gabriel’s phone over the years. Unless you were one of the girls I spoke with when I interrupted a ménage? Remember that night, Gabriel?”
Julia withdrew her hand as if she’d been smacked.
“I expect an answer to my question,” Gabriel spoke, his voice stiff and cold as a frozen lake. “Why are you here?”
Julia tried to step away. The verbal picture Paulina had painted repulsed her, and she wasn’t sure she could stomach the answer, whatever it might be. Gabriel caught Julia’s arm, pleading with her with his eyes not to flee.
“I came to see you, of course. You wouldn’t return my calls, and Carson said that you’d be with your family.” Paulina sounded irritated.
“Are you on your way to Minnesota?”
“You know my parents don’t speak to me. Anyway, Gabriel, I need to talk to you.” She gave Julia a venomous look. “Alone.”
Gabriel was conscious of the fact that the kitchen was still within hearing range of the living room. He took a step closer to Paulina, his voice hovering above a whisper.
“Allow me to remind you that you are a guest. I won’t tolerate your disrespect for anyone, especially Julianne. Do you understand?”
“You never treated me like a guest when you were in my mouth,” Paulina muttered, eyes flashing.