Yesterday's Sins Read online

  Yesterday’s Sins.

  By

  Shirley Wine

  For more information about the author

  Visit:

  http://shirleywine.com

  First Published as Catriona/Kate in New Zealand

  By KiwiGold Publishing

  Publisher: Shirley Wine 2012

  ©2012 Shirley Wine

  Cover design © Shirley Wine 2012

  Cover Photograph: dreamstimes.com

  ISBN:978-0-473-20850-9 kindle edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning to a computer disc, or by any other informational storage and retrieval system without express permission in writing from the author and publisher. This works is protected under the statutes of the copyright act.

  Disclaimer:

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to person or persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Any places used are used as a backdrop and bear no resemblance to events or happenings in that town.

  About this book:

  “Where my family comes from we believe in an eye for an eye—a life for a life—” these words changed Catriona’s life forever.

  After years of running from a past she cannot bear to remember, a bouquet of flowers, unlooked for and unwanted, makes Kate Audley look over her shoulder in trepidation.

  For eight years, the successful real estate agent has lived under an assumed name in the tiny South Auckland village of Clevedon after fleeing Australia and the man who threw her life into chaos.

  Eight years in which Kate has had time in plenty to regret the impulsive decision that saw her visit Alexandros Korda in a bid to clear her name.

  Now he has found her.

  Yesterday’s Sins is the captivating story of a woman’s attempt to resist the man she loves to hate and Alex’s equally determined commitment that she won’t succeed.

  On her eighteenth birthday a freak accident that killed his nephew, brought Alexandros Korda into Catriona’s life.

  Seven years later, she is trying to forget the horror that followed and the daughter they has together.

  Can she succeed?

  Dedication

  To Martin.

  Forever and for always.

  My number one cheerleader.

  Chapter One

  The doorbell shattered the early morning quiet, reverberating through the sparsely furnished rooms. Kate's hands stilled as she combed her short, ink-black hair. The bell pealed, longer and more insistently. As she walked toward the front door, it pealed again.

  "Hold your horses, I'm coming." Shoulders squared beneath the boxy black jacket, she picked a piece of lint off her black skirt as she opened the door. "Yes?"

  A profusion of flowers almost obscured the delivery man as he thrust them at her. "Ms. Audley? Flower delivery."

  "For me?"

  "You Ms. Audley?" He tapped a finger on the cellophane and she nodded. "Then these are for you."

  He dumped them in her hands and strode down the path, whistling and Kate's already dark mood, deepened.

  Retreating indoors, she put the flowers on the kitchen table, the only place in her cottage that would hold something this size.

  She inhaled a shaken breath.

  And the sweet, cloying smell of lilies and stephanotis sent goose-bumps dancing across her skin, the potent scent evoked equally powerful memories…

  He escorted her into another room darkened by heavy curtains and illuminated by candles; scores of dark eyes watched as he handed her a candle. She lit it from a taper and carried it to the bier, setting it among other candles burning there.

  In the white coffin lay a dark haired child, silent and still, his skin marbled with death.

  Tears gathered as she looked at that serene, innocent face.

  Devastated and wracked with guilt, she knelt and laid her flowers amid other scented white blooms as she offered up a prayer for forgiveness…

  Sucking in a harsh breath, Kate backed away from the flowers as she rubbed her hands up suddenly chilled arms.

  Am I finally going crazy?

  Nestled among the flowers she saw a white envelope. Sick with trepidation, she opened it and extracted an embossed card.

  Happy Birthday, Catriona.

  Her harsh, indrawn breath was loud in the silence.

  Few people knew it was her birthday. Fewer still, knew Kate was shortened from Catriona in her new identity.

  Panic clawed and ripped at her self-control. Who the hell has sent me these flowers?

  She touched a perfect carnation with a shaky finger, whispering, "Happy birthday, Chris."

  A broken laugh escaped.

  Eight years ago Chris and her father died in a fiery car smash.

  And nothing filled the empty place her twin left in her life. Embedded with their memory was one of the grey eyed man who'd taken her ordinary life and thrown it into chaos.

  Trembling, she stared at the slashing black script.

  Where my family comes from, we believe in an eye for an eye, a life for a life, his deep voice ghosted through her memory.

  A shudder ripped at Kate. Feverish questions bombarded her from all sides. She'd only seen his handwriting once and, at the time, had been too dazed to do more than register he held a pen.

  Had he found her?

  The phone shrilled. Another shudder shook her. Loath to pick it up, she let it ring several times.

  "Kate?"

  "Paula." The relief at hearing her friend's voice loosened Kate's tongue. "Thank you for the flowers. They made my morning."

  The beat of silence lasted a moment too long. Kate's hand was suddenly slippery on the phone.

  "What flowers?"

  "For my birthday."

  Kate could almost see Paula, blue eyes alive with curiosity in her vivid face, framed with bouncing red curls.

  "It's your birthday?"

  "Didn't you know?" Kate rushed to fill the silence. Omigod. Now I've put my foot in it.

  "You know you've never shared that minor detail with me. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I never sent you flowers."

  The echo of hurt had guilt hitting Kate upside of the head. "It's never been a particularly happy day for me."

  Paula's soft sigh echoed through the receiver. "So you have an admirer? Do tell."

  "What can I say?" Kate fought down panic, if not Paula then who?

  "Describe them to me." Paula's curiosity was obviously piqued. "I'll pop around."

  "No, I'm about to leave for work." The last thing she wanted to deal with was Paula's curiosity. "Whoever sent them has very expensive tastes."

  "Now I am intrigued." Paula laughed. "Do you know anyone with expensive tastes?"

  I know one alright, I'm just praying to any God prepared to listen that I'm wrong.

  "Not a clue. But the truth will out. Who keeps secrets?"

  "Not me that's for sure. Just ask Brett." Paula's self-mockery lightened the tension. "Will you come for dinner tonight? We've invited a few friends for casual finger foods. And for once you can celebrate your birthday in style."

  Kate closed her eyes on a shaft of pain. Celebrate without Chris?

  Relieved to evade Paula's questions, she answered without thinking. "I'd love to."

  "Wear something pretty." The silence lengthened until Paula filled it with rushed words, "Surely you own something that's not black or grey."

  Kate glanced at her clothes and her sarcastic reply died. Maybe Paula had a point.

  "I won't disappoint you." With a sigh she hung up, mentally rearranging her schedule to fit in time t
o go shopping. The clock chimed. Damn. Now I'm running late.

  As she entered Cheval Realty, the manager Dave Storey walked toward her, smiling. "Morning, Kate. Can I see you?"

  "I'll be with you in a few moments."

  Big, bluff and congenial, Dave had taken her on as a raw recruit when she'd first moved to Clevedon. Under his patient guidance, her career as a real estate agent flourished.

  "When you're ready, I have clients with me." His bushy eyebrows lifted, always a barometer of his mood.

  Kate checked her messages, picked up her diary and went to Dave's office. He introduced his clients. "Mr. and Mrs. Brewer, Kate Audley, our housing saleswoman."

  Mr. Brewer stood and extended his hand. Tall and lean, his shrewd grey eyes gleamed in a weather-beaten face. Kate pegged him as sixtyish and mentally reviewed listings she thought may suit.

  "Pleased to meet you." He gripped Kate's smaller hand in his. "And it's George."

  "Okay and I prefer Kate."

  Something in his intent gaze made her wary. Kate glanced at his plump, pretty wife, her blonde hair liberally sprinkled with grey.

  Those flowers have made me jittery.

  "They want to view The Birches." Dave shrugged and spread his big hands, his expression eloquent.

  Kate was startled. The Birches, once a gracious mansion, was derelict and needed serious renovation, and totally unsuitable for elderly clients.

  "You have a family?"

  "We were never blessed with children." Mrs. Brewer's smiled. "But I've always dreamed of living in a house like that."

  My lucky day.

  "I'm sure Ms. Audley won't mind showing it to you." George rested a hand on his wife's shoulder and Kate knew he'd picked up on her reservations.

  "Of course not." She reassured them. "I'll get the keys."

  At the reception desk, she was signing out the keys when Coralie Spence gave her a sly smile. "Got dreamers for your birthday?"

  Startled, and uneasy, Kate glanced at their receptionist. "How did you know it was my birthday?"

  "A good guess." Coralie batted her baby blues.

  "Yeah right."

  Coralie flushed and hunched an offended shoulder. "Some guy wanted your address to send flowers."

  "Your job is to take messages and get contact phone numbers. You don't give out home addresses of agents."

  "I thought it'd be okay. It's not as if you have a queue of interested admirers."

  The barb hit home.

  "Ms. Spence, your position does not give you authority to hand out my personal details," Kate said in a biting murmur, too aware of the heat in her face and neck. "You're paid to answer the phones, take messages and mind your own business. Please remember that in future."

  Signing out the keys, Kate regretted reacting to Coralie's sniping. Usually, she ignored the receptionist's catty remarks but today, they rankled.

  *****

  Music and laughter spilled into the night as Kate arrived at Paula's and was greeted with a hug. "Wow, you look stunning."

  "Your wish is my command." Kate smiled, glancing at her outfit, a brightly coloured blouse in a swirly pattern and a trim turquoise linen skirt.

  Paula's earlier comment had goaded her to go shopping.

  "It's beautiful." Paula gave her a steady look. "Now all you need is another twenty pounds to flesh out those interesting bones?"

  Brett kissed Kate's cheek. "Happy birthday Katie, have you had a good day?"

  "Interesting that's for sure." The day's events had left her unsettled.

  "Have you found out who sent the flowers?"

  "Nope. I just intend to enjoy them."

  "Are you listening sweetheart?" Brett's grey eyes twinkled as he elbowed his wife in the ribs.

  "Okay, okay. I get the message." Paula's red curls bounced as she pulled a comically dismayed face. "Come and meet everybody."

  Greeted by a sea of faces, Kate turned to Paula. "A few people?"

  "You know our Paula, the list grew." Brett shook his dark head, chuckling as he gave Kate a glass of wine. "You want something to eat?"

  "Soon, okay." She gazed over Brett's shoulder and saw a stooped, grey haired man leaning against the far wall. "There's a guy over there I want to snag a word with."

  Kate smiled and crossed the room to speak to Gavin Smith. The old man owned of a nice parcel of land she'd been trying to obtain the listing for. Deep in conversation, she looked past him.

  Alexandros Korda. What was he doing here?

  She froze, her heart shuddered in her breast and then raced. Its beat drowned out every other sound. No way could she mistake that dark head, the arrogant tilt of the profile, those broad shoulders.

  "Kate?" Gavin's gnarled hand gripped her arm. "You okay? You've gone as white as a sheet."

  She dragged her attention back to Gavin and dredged up a smile. "Can I see you later in the week and we can discuss it without interruption?"

  "You do that. Give me a ring first."

  As the old man wandered across to the buffet table, Kate had one thought uppermost in her mind.

  Escape.

  She turned towards the door.

  "Looking for someone?" The deep voice, once so familiar, sent sensation crawling down her spine.

  She turned and, confused, stared into eyes the clear, deep blue of summer, and so completely out of place in those chiselled features.

  "You look as though you've seen a ghost." The stranger stepped closer, putting a steadying hand on her arm.

  A ghost would be more welcome. Kate bit down hard on her lower lip. "Who are you?"

  "Luke Harder." He was clearly amused.

  She managed a ragged breath. "I thought you were someone else."

  The moment the words escaped she wished she could claw them back. The glint in his eyes disturbed her.

  "Should I be flattered?" He watched her with a half-smile.

  Flattered at breathing life into my worst nightmare? Hardly.

  She took a sip of wine, and dizzy, she swayed. Luke's grip on her arm tightened. "You're way too thin."

  His acerbic candour took her aback. "How is that any of your business?"

  "When a woman sees me and faints, it's natural to be concerned?" He took the wineglass from her fingers as he propelled her into a seat. "You need food, not wine."

  He left, returning moments later with a plate of food. "Eat."

  Kate couldn't swallow. Blood roared unpleasantly in her ears. She went to stand and the room revolved. Luke's arm slipped around her waist, supporting her. "Sit down."

  Shaken, she complied. He placed fingers over the erratic pulse in her wrist, looking at his watch and then crossed the room to speak with Paula. They both returned looking grim.

  "I'm taking you home. Paula will make your excuses."

  Kate stiffened and tried for a haughty glare. "You don't need to come."

  "You can't drive and your friends can't desert their guests."

  The caustic observation increased her distress. That he was right made her angry. She despised macho men. Luke escorted her outside. "Which is your car?"

  She pointed it out, adding in a driven undertone. "Who do you think you are?"

  "At the moment the person in control," he held out an imperious hand, "keys?"

  She fumbled in her bag, found the keys and promptly dropped them. Luke snagged them, unlocked the car and helped her into the passenger seat. The short drive back to her cottage was silent. He took her arm and helped her inside.

  "Sit down, Kate. I'll make you a drink."

  Too drained to object, she sank into a chair, one question burning at her brain. How come you so closely resemble Alexandros Korda?

  "Sip this." He stood over her, a steaming mug in his hand.

  Kate stared from him to the drink, once again assaulted by an unwelcome memory…