To Make a Marriage by Carole Mortimer

somehow.’
    Rome was nonplussed. ‘And exactly what would you know about Audrey’s suppressed passion?’
    Adam moved to the drinks tray to pour them both a brandy, handing one of the glasses to the other man beforemaking his reply. ‘From the mood you’ve been in the last few weeks—about as much as you obviously do!’
    Rome gave a heavy sigh as he sat down in one of the chairs set about the dining-table—not the one he had been sitting in earlier, because that was as damp as his shirt! ‘Women!’ he muttered with feeling.
    â€˜Not only a different species but from another planet as well,’ Adam agreed as he joined the other man and sat back down at the table.
    â€˜Obviously one of far superior intellect!’ Andie snapped as she swept into the room, looking like an enraged tigress as she came to stand at the other end of the table, green eyes flashing angrily as she glared at each man in turn.
    Adam gave an inward groan; his remark had been meant to mock Rome, not be taken as an insult by a member of that different species from another planet! But it didn’t need anyone of superior intellect to know that Andie definitely felt insulted!
    Andie continued to look at the two men with disgust. ‘While the two of you have been down here discussing women like a couple of immature boys after their first date, I have been upstairs trying to persuade Audrey that whatever you said to her—’ she looked straight at her father ‘—you didn’t mean. Not only that, I assured her that you will most certainly apologise to her for making the remark.’
    â€˜You—’
    â€˜I even talked her out of smashing a vase of flowers over your head as soon as you enter the room,’ Andie added scathingly as Rome would have spoken.
    Rome turned to Adam. ‘I think I liked the red wine idea better,’ he said consideringly. ‘As you said, much more dramatic!’
    Adam could see by the fury of Andie’s expression that this was not the time for levity, and yet he couldn’t helpbut smile at the other man’s remark. At least Rome had got his sense of humour back!
    Although the look on Andie’s face as she saw his smile didn’t augur well for her own humour!
    â€˜When the two of you have quite finished behaving like a couple of juvenile delinquents, I—’
    â€˜Immature and juvenile,’ Rome amended with a considering tilt of his head. ‘Not bad going for men of fifty-four and nearly forty!’
    â€˜At this moment three and four is probably nearer the mark!’ Andie bit back before turning to her father with glittering green eyes. ‘Rome, if you don’t go upstairs and apologise to Audrey right now—’
    â€˜Yes?’ Rome prompted softly at the threat in her tone, his own gaze narrowed warningly now.
    Adam could see by the sudden flush to Andie’s cheeks that she had heard that warning—but he also knew by the following stubborn set of her mouth that it was going to be a warning she ignored. He gave a pained wince as he waited for her response.
    â€˜You’re going to lose her for good,’ Andie stated baldly.
    â€˜And that’s something you’re going to regret for the rest of your life,’ she declared with certainty.
    Her words were nothing like Adam had thought they would be. Or Rome either, if the stunned look on his face was anything to go by!
    â€˜What is it with everyone this evening?’ Rome implored as he stood up noisily. ‘Suddenly you all know what’s better for me than I do myself!’ He began to pace the room, stopping every now and then to glare impatiently at either Andie or Adam, finally coming to a halt near the doorway.
    â€˜Well, I’ve listened to what the two of you have had to say this evening—maybe not patiently, but I’ve certainly listened. And do you want to know the biggest conclusion I’ve come