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  His eyes narrowed at her threat. “Emma, be careful. If they suspect that you know who I am, you could be in a lot of danger.”

  “So you said. But I don’t know why I should trust anything that comes out of your mouth. For all I know, your threats are just another way to keep me quiet. I can’t believe I bought into it.”

  “You bought into it because you know it’s true.” He glanced off into the darkness. “I’m sorry you’re caught in the middle of this. if I could undo this thing right now, I would. But it’s too late for that.”

  “No, it’s not. If you went to the police, they’d have to believe you. It would all be over, but then…you’d have to face up to the consequences of your actions, wouldn’t you?”

  “I’m not worried about that. Not anymore.”

  “Then what’s stopping you?” Emma demanded.

  “There’s no evidence of a conspiracy. I’ve never talked to anyone but David Tobias. And he’s not a fool. There’s no way he’ll let me implicate him. It’ll be my word against his.”

  “But all the things he told you about the Corbetts and about Ash…the videotapes and the photographs that he gave you—”

  “Long gone,” he said grimly. “We’re not dealing with an amateur, Emma. He knows how to cover his tracks. The best thing either of us can do is let this thing play out. I’m making progress with Helen. She knows how I feel about Corbett Enterprises. I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes the changes to her will before her birthday.”

  “And then what?” Emma asked coldly. “You’ll take Ash’s money and disappear?”

  He shrugged. “Eventually. And then you can forget you ever knew me.”

  “I won’t forget what I’ve done,” she said bitterly. “You’ve made me a part of this filthy scheme and I won’t be able to move on as easily as you seem to think. Every time I look at Helen—”

  “You’ll see a cruel, vindictive old woman who drove off her only grandson. Don’t waste your pity on Helen Corbett.”

  “You’re just trying to justify what you’re doing,” Emma said. “And I don’t care what you say, I think you’ll do just about anything to keep from going back to prison.”

  “The way you look at me is worse than any prison,” he said harshly. “Don’t you get that?”

  Emma stared at him in shock. “What?”

  He closed his eyes briefly. “I hate what I’ve done to you. I hate what I’m asking you to do.”

  “Why?” she asked almost fearfully.

  “Because I think I’m falling in love with you,” he said and, turning, he walked out of the garden without another word.

  Emma stood there for the longest time staring after him. She didn’t want to feel anything but revulsion for what he’d just told her, but a part of her…

  God help her, a part of her had responded in a way that frightened her.

  “I ASSUME YOU HAVE A suitable dress for the party,” Helen said a few days later.

  Emma looked up from her desk in surprise. “I hadn’t thought that I would attend.”

  “Of course, you’ll attend. There’ll be a million last-minute details that you’ll need to oversee.”

  Hardly the invitation Emma had always dreamed of, but she felt a thrill of anticipation anyway. Her first Corbett party. She would be working, of course, but at least she would there, in the midst of it all, and not observing the glamorous festivities from the branches of an oak tree.

  “I’m sure I can find something,” Emma murmured. “I’ll drive into the city the first chance I get.”

  “Bring me the receipt,” Helen said. “It’s a business expense so make sure you get something appropriate.”

  In other words, don’t show up in something cheap and tacky and embarrass her, Emma thought.

  THE PARTY WAS ONLY A few days away, and the house was abuzz with the elaborate preparations. Emma had been working harder than ever, which was a blessing in some ways. She didn’t have much time to consider anything other than the myriad tasks that were relegated to her.

  But after her conversation with Helen, she’d managed to sneak in a day of shopping. She made the arrangements ahead of time with Laney Carroway, and the two of them drove all the way to Houston for a full day of shopping.

  For hours they combed the posh boutiques in the Galleria, and even though the price tags were a bit overwhelming, Emma fell in love with almost everything she tried on. She’d never seen so many beautiful dresses. But she was especially drawn to a white Grecian chiffon that flowed beautifully when she moved.

  It was exactly the kind of gown she’d always imagined herself wearing to make a grand entrance down the magnificent curving staircase in the Corbett mansion. In her fantasy, Ash would be at the bottom of the stairs gazing up at her. He would take her hand and lead her into a glittering ballroom where they would dance the night away in each other’s arms.

  In reality, of course, she would be working her butt off that night, but Emma didn’t care. She might never again have the opportunity to wear such a gown.

  When she got home late that night, she went straight up to her room to put away her purchases. Removing the gown from the protective bag, she walked over to the full-length mirror and held the dress up to her. Slipping the hanger over her head, she turned first one way and then the other, making the gown swirl like froth at her feet.

  “Beautiful.”

  She whirled to find Ash standing in her doorway. She clutched the dress to her body, even though she was fully clothed underneath. It was just the idea of him in her room…watching her so intimately…

  Emma pulled the hanger over her head and tossed the dress onto the bed. “What do you want?”

  “You were gone a long time,” he said. “I was starting to get worried about you.”

  “I had a lot of shopping to do.” Then she added coolly, “Not that it’s any of your business.”

  He smiled as he walked into the room.

  Emma said angrily, “I didn’t invite you in.”

  “You didn’t tell me to leave, either, I noticed.”

  She folded her arms and glared at him. “Please leave.”

  “I will in a minute. Let me see what you bought.”

  Before Emma could stop him he plucked the dress from the bed and held it up. “Nice,” he said admiringly. “I can’t wait to see this on you. You’ll be the most beautiful woman at the party.”

  Emma snatched the dress away from him. “Don’t touch my clothes. And don’t talk to me that way.”

  He looked amused. “What way?”

  “Don’t stand there and act like there’s something between us. There’s not and there never will be.”

  “Are you sure about that, Emma?”

  She lifted her chin. “Do you think I actually believed what you told me the other night?” She gave a bitter laugh. “I know what you’re doing. It’s just another attempt to buy my silence.”

  “Is that really what you think?”

  She couldn’t help noticing that his eyes were very blue tonight. Very blue and very intense. She tried to turn away from his gaze, but he took her chin and brought her back around to face him.

  “I told you the truth the other night. It’s the first honest thing I’ve said in years. I’m falling in love with you.”

  She jerked away from him. “Stop it.”

  “Why does that scare you so much?”

  “I’m not scared.”

  “Yes, you are.” His gaze burned into hers. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re afraid of me. But not because you think I’ll hurt you. You’re afraid that if you let yourself, you’ll feel something for me, too.”

  “That’s never going to happen,” she said angrily. “You’re not the kind of man I could ever fall in love with.”

  His features hardened almost imperceptibly. “Because I’m not Ash?”

  Emma sighed. “What do you want from me? I’ve done what you asked me to do. I’ve kept my mouth shut. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
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  “Because you’re you,” he murmured. His fingers slid back into her hair and for the longest moment, they stood in silence.

  Emma told herself that she needed to distance herself from his touch. She had to remember who he was. And who he wasn’t. She couldn’t let herself get caught up in the moment, in the desire burning in his blue eyes.

  But when he bent to kiss her, she didn’t try to stop him. Her eyes fluttered closed and she started to tremble. I can’t fall in love with him, she thought desperately. I can’t let him get to me.

  His kiss was tentative and gentle, but the passion simmered around the edges, ready to explode the moment she responded.

  She tried not to, but the way he kissed her…it wasn’t the way Ash had kissed her. It wasn’t the way anyone had ever kissed her before.

  Ash had been a boy, her first love. Gorgeous, charming, charismatic. But part of Emma’s attraction had always been the fantasy. He was a Corbett. The very epitome of what she’d always wanted but could never have.

  This man was all too real. He was unscrupulous and cunning, a con artist and a liar. He’d been to prison and to probably a thousand other places that Emma wouldn’t even be able to imagine. He’d involved her in a scheme that could possibly endanger her life and that of her father’s. And yet Emma made no attempt to push him away.

  Instead, she leaned into the kiss and parted her lips.

  He groaned into her mouth, the other hand coming up to weave into her hair. He held her face still as his lips moved over hers, and Emma couldn’t stop shaking.

  When he finally broke the kiss, he pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. “I’m sorry,” he said on a ragged whisper. “I shouldn’t have done that. But I’ve wanted to for so long…ever since I saw you on the road that first night.”

  Emma didn’t know whether to believe him or not. She couldn’t even believe her own emotions. Maybe the only reason she wanted him was because he looked like Ash. After all these years, she still couldn’t say goodbye to him.

  She pulled away and looked up at him. “What are we going to do?”

  “Nothing,” he said and released her. “We have to be careful. We can’t let this happen again. Not until it’s over.”

  “And when it’s over,” she said softly. “What happens then?”

  He didn’t say anything, but Emma knew the answer. When it was over, he’d be going away. Back to prison…or to someplace where the Corbetts wouldn’t be able to find him.

  Either way, Emma would not be going with him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Helen’s birthday dawned bright and clear, with only a mild breeze blowing in from the gulf. The day couldn’t have been more perfect, Emma decided as she supervised the setup in the kitchen.

  Earlier that morning, the family had all gathered in the dining room for a private birthday breakfast. Afterward, Wesley and Pamela had left in separate cars, with Brad and Lynette following closely on their heels. Ash disappeared, too, but Maris lingered to make sure that Helen went straight upstairs to rest for the entire today.

  When she came back down, she found Emma in the front parlor working with the florists. Most of the furniture had been moved out of the huge room, and a temporary dais had been installed for the orchestra. The corners were filled with potted palms and tree ferns creating a tropical oasis that spilled out onto the terrace.

  And flowers were everywhere. Orchids and roses and lilies of the valley. The fragrance hung thick and heady in the air-conditioned room, a scent that took Emma back to her childhood and the hours she’d spent perched in a treetop dreaming.

  Outside, more flowers banked the terrace and pool, and the trees and shrubbery had been strung with an intricate arrangement of white lights.

  Maris looked around and smiled. “You’ve done an impressive job, Emma. The house looks wonderful.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t take the credit. Your mother did most of the planning. I only executed her wishes.”

  “Oh, you did far more than that. I know how much work goes into one of these things. Mother never would have been able to pull it off without you.” She touched Emma’s arm. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for her. We all do.”

  Emma was discomforted by the woman’s effusive praise. “I’m only doing what I’m paid to do,” she said.

  “I don’t really believe that, but even if it’s true, it still means a lot to have someone in this house that we trust.” Her hand was still on Emma’s arm and her grip tightened ever so slightly. “I won’t say anything more because I don’t want to embarrass you, but I just wanted you to know that your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.”

  She smiled but something in her eyes sent a shiver up Emma’s spine. Your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

  Was she the one? Emma wondered suddenly. Could Maris be the one who had arranged for an imposter to come into her Mother’s home?

  Wesley was the obvious suspect because, on the surface, he seemed to have the most to gain, but she hadn’t discounted Brad, either, especially now that she suspected he was having an affair with Pamela. Emma wouldn’t put anything past Wesley’s wife, including masterminding a conspiracy that would replace her husband with her lover at the helm of Corbett Enterprises.

  But until that very moment, Emma had never considered that Maris might have her own reasons for wanting her mother to change her will.

  INSTEAD OF THE GRAND ENTRANCE she had always dreamed of, Emma came down the back stairs that night. She was dressed in her swirling white gown and the silver high heels that matched the beaded trim around the empire waistline.

  Even without the entrance, Emma’s blood quickened in excitement. She made a quick run through the kitchen and serving areas, and then slipped into the parlor, where the first guests had already gathered.

  The air-conditioning had been turned down low so that the terrace doors could be thrown open to the night breeze and the party spilled outside. The orchestra was already playing, but no one was dancing yet. Helen was still receiving her guests, along with Wesley and Brad, both handsome and distinguished in their tuxedos.

  Emma scanned the room, wondering where Ash was. And then she spotted him in one of the corners with a slim blonde in a slinky black dress. Something sparked in his eyes as his gazed lingered on Emma, and the blonde turned to see who had captured his attention.

  Her dismissive gaze moved past Emma and then she turned back to Ash. He smiled and nodded at whatever she was saying, but his eyes remained on Emma.

  She moved out of his line of sight. He had said they needed to be careful, so why was he looking at her that way?

  And why was she letting a conman manipulate her? He didn’t love her. He was only using her, and the sooner Emma got him out of her life, the better.

  But as the dancing began, she couldn’t stop the prickles of jealousy that stole over her when he took the blonde in his arms. She was clinging to him, laughing and flirting and thinking that he was Ash Corbett, heir to a vast fortune. Would she be as interested if she knew the truth?

  Why not? You are, a little voice taunted her.

  But Emma didn’t want to be reminded of her weakness. She moved toward the door, thinking that she would make another check of the kitchen, but someone touched her shoulder and she turned to find Ash staring down at her.

  “Dance with me.”

  Emma frowned. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. You said yourself we have to be careful.”

  “I am being careful.” He smiled and glanced around, as if they were merely exchanging pleasantries. “Would the real Ash ask you to dance?”

  Emma hesitated. “Probably,” she admitted.

  “My job is to be Ash,” he said. “He would ask you to dance. It’s expected. But if you keep avoiding me, someone might get suspicious.”

  “Or someone might think that I’ve finally learned my place,” Emma said.

  He took her hand and
with a gentle tug, pulled her into his arms. “This is your place. At least it could be.”

  “And where would I end up?” Emma asked. “On the run from the law?”

  His arms tightened around her. “You don’t need to be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Something has already happened to me.” She glanced around the room, wondering if Helen was watching them. “You’ve made me care about someone who doesn’t even exist. You’re not Ash. I don’t even know if you’re Tom Black. But when this is over, I’ll still be the same person I’ve always been. I’ll still have to live with myself.”

  She pulled out of his arms and left the dance floor. She saw Helen then. The woman was flanked by well-wishers, but her gaze was on Emma.

  Emma nodded and smiled and hurried out of the room. As she crossed the front hall, she glanced back, but Ash had already disappeared into the crowd.

  Lynette Corbett came out of the room then and smiled when she saw Emma. “Hello, Emma. You look very pretty tonight.”

  “Thanks, so do you.”

  And she did. The icy blue gown complimented her blue eyes and blond hair. Diamonds glittered around her wrist as she lifted a hand to smooth back her hair.

  “I was looking for Brad,” she said. “He seems to have disappeared. You didn’t see him come out here, did you?”

  “No, I’m sorry.” Emma hadn’t seen Pamela Corbett, either, and the woman would be hard to miss in her scarlet beaded dress. She wondered if Brad and Pamela were together somewhere.

  Lynette bit her lip. “Do you think we could go someplace more private and talk?”

  The request took Emma by surprise. “I was just about to check on the champagne—”

  “This won’t take but a moment. There’s something I feel compelled to say to you, Emma. It’s for your own good.”

  Emma had barely spoken two words to Lynette Corbett her entire life, and she didn’t quite know what to say to her now. She started to make another excuse to slip away, but then she shrugged and said, “We can go into the study.”