Challoner Bride by Unknown Page A

understand.“
    „You want me to understand why you lied to me?“
    His dark brows came together in a sudden, fierce frown, and Flynn’s jaw hardened. „I haven’t lied to
    you, Angie. I just didn’t give you all the facts, because I didn’t know how you would react. And I couldn’t
    take a chance on losing track of that dagger again. It’s taken me years to trace it this far. When I found I
    was one step behind someone else who wanted it, I – “ He broke off abruptly.
    Her chest felt tight, and her nails seemed to be trying to rip through the industrial-strength fabric of the
    hotel sheet. „Would you mind if I got dressed before we go any further with this?“
    The unforgiving angles and planes of Flynn’s face seemed to become even harder as he watched her.
    Angie had the impression he was genuinely torn between granting her reasonable request or making himself
    look slightly foolish by refusing it. She knew without being told that he wanted to refuse.
    „Angie, you’re going to listen to me. We’re going to get this all out in the open. I know you’ll probably
    be upset at first and I can’t blame you, but after I’ve explained it all you’ll understand. Last night you
    trusted me. And when I’ve told you all the facts, you’ll trust me again.“
    Her chin lifted as pride twisted through her, cutting across some of the numbness. The pride seemed
    somehow linked to that temperamental streak of gold that had produced such passion last night. „A
    gentleman would not mention last night at this stage, Flynn. And a gentleman would go into his room and
    leave me some privacy in which to get dressed.“
    „Angie, I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.“
    „So do I,“ she whispered fervently. „But I am discovering that it’s difficult for a woman to be told she’s
    been a fool while she’s sitting naked in bed. Hard on the morale. I’m sure you can understand that. Please
    leave me alone, Flynn.“
    He swung his foot down off the air-conditioner ledge and came toward her. „Honey, don’t cry. Please
    don’t cry. It’s going to be all right. I swear it.“
    „Don’t worry, I have no intention of crying.“ Her eyes felt hot and bright but she was quite certain she
    wouldn’t cry. That pride was strong stuff. It came to her in a flash of unbidden intuition that Maria Isabel
    had known such pride.
    Flynn hesitated a moment longer, clearly ambivalent about how to handle the situation. He stood at the
    side of the bed looking down at her and then he nodded abruptly. „Okay. I’ll give you a few minutes to get
    dressed. Are you sure you’re all right?“
    „Oh, I’m in great shape, Flynn.“
    He put out a hand to stroke her cheek in a brief caress. Instantly she pulled her face away from his
    touch. Flynn’s hand fell to his side.
    „You don't have to be shy with me this morning, Angie. Not after last night.“
    „Are you going to leave me in peace?“
    He exhaled slowly, turned and walked back into his own room. Angie waited until the door closed, and
    then she fled into the bathroom. She didn’t cry in the shower, either. She refused to give in to the impulse,
    and after a while it faded.
    Flynn Sangrey Challoner. The Challoner descendant about whom Uncle Julian had occasionally
    speculated. Angie stood beneath the steaming water and forced herself to deal with the facts. Everything fit
    into place so nicely now. The fortunate coincidence of her meeting Flynn in Mexico was completely
    explained. No wonder Flynn had been so willing to help her at every step along the way.
    By the time Angie had finished showering, she only had one real question left to ask Flynn Sangrey
    Challoner. She coiled her hair into the familiar twist at the nape of her neck, pulled on a pair of pleated
    black trousers and dug out a slightly wrinkled fuchsia shirt. The strong color contrast gave her a small shot
    of personal strength. She had a feeling she was going to need it. Already the sense of