‘Just to trash my self-respect.’
‘I think you’ve already taken care of that,’ he said nastily, and Tabitha felt her colour rise as she remembered just how quickly she had jumped into bed with him. But as he continued she realised he wasn’t alluding to their one night together—her vice, as he saw it, wasn’t for impossibly handsome dark-haired men with enough sex appeal to set the world on fire. ‘There’ll also be no more gambling. Naturally, given your weakness and the nature of our marriage, you’ll understand that I shan’t be making you a joint signatory on anything, but of course you’ll have a substantial allowance. Aiden informs me that your debts were incurred in a casino, so I just ask that you stay away from gaming tables unless I’m present—at least while we’re married. What you do after that is your business. You can put the whole lot on black, for all I care, when the divorce comes through, but it might be wise to use this time to get some help. I’m happy to pay for a counsellor.’
‘That really won’t be necessary.’
‘Fine.’ Zavier sighed. ‘Addicts are always the last to see they have a problem. But if you change your mind the offer’s there. Anyway, it’s all outlined in the contract.’
Tabitha was about to repeat his last word, but managed to bite her lip as he produced two documents from his briefcase.
‘I suggest you sit down to read it. It will take some time. I want you to be absolutely sure you know what you’re getting into before you sign.’
He was talking as if she had agreed, as if the result was a foregone conclusion, and Tabitha’s bemusement turned to anger. ‘You really think I’m going to say yes to this ludicrous proposition?’
‘Of course you are,’ Zavier replied assuredly. ‘This amount of money will change your life.’
‘I’m quite happy with my life, thank you very much.’
‘How long do you think you can carry on like this, Tabitha?’
She braced herself for a short, sharp lecture on the pitfalls of gambling, smugly confident that Zavier didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, but when he spoke, the words that came from his lips literally floored her, chilled her. Every raw, shredded nerve, every silent fear, every sleepless night, were all summed up in one callous sentence.
‘How much longer will you be able to earn a living from dancing?’
‘I’m only in my twenties,’ she said indignantly. ‘You make it sound as if I’m shuffling around the stage on my Zimmer frame.’
‘You’re nearly thirty,’ Zavier pointed out mercilessly, ignoring her reddening cheeks. ‘And furthermore you’ve been asked to audition for a part that up until this point would have been yours as a matter of course.’
‘It’s just a formality,’ Tabitha spluttered. ‘And Aiden had no right even discussing it with you.’
‘We’re brothers.’ Zavier shrugged. ‘And it was hardly an in-depth discussion. I just happened to read in the paper about the glut of talent in Melbourne, about the plight of dancers looking for work…’
‘I don’t recall any such article,’ Tabitha retorted, her eyes narrowing. ‘And for your information I do read the papers now and then; I’m not a complete airhead.’#p#分页标题#e#
‘Ah, but my brother is. You’re right—there was no such article. But the suggestion of one was all it took for Aiden to sing like a bird, to tell me how hard it was for his dear, ageing Tabitha, how cruel the world of theatre was for a delicate creature like yourself.’
‘But why would my career—’ she gave a sharp laugh ‘—or lack of it, interest you?’
‘It doesn’t.’ He tapped the side of his temple. ‘You know what they say—knowledge is power. Before that, for all I knew agents could have been clawing at the door to get your signature on a contract.’ He held a mocking hand up to his ear. ‘Quiet as a mouse. So now I know how precarious your situation is: you need money, and to boot your work’s not exactly secure.’
‘I could get a job in an office,’ she flared.
‘Wearing that?’ His eyes ran the length of her body, taking in the ridiculously short skirt, the long expanse of pale, freckled thigh. ‘The dress Aiden bought you might see you through Monday, but on your current form I doubt a night at the casino is going to stretch to a full wardrobe.’
‘But why me?’ Tabitha asked, more to herself than Zavier, her green eyes only finding him once the words hung in the air. ‘Why me? Why would you risk your reputation…?’