Wanderlust by Danielle Steel Page A

and he later explained that he had spent all his summers in Maine as a child, at Bar Harbor with his mother's family. And he had a strong penchant for everything from the States.
    I meant, Charles Parker-Scott, that you are practically family. Vi lay contentedly in the sand, looking up at him as he laughed, and then sat down next to her to give her a warm hug, but his eyes kept straying to Audrey. There was genuine interest there, but he forced himself to be attentive to Violet.
    How've you been, Lady Vi?
    Extremely well, Charlie. And it will be a much better summer now that you're here. How long can you stay?
    A few days ' a week ' . He knew how their summer revels were. He had visited them before and he always had a good time. He was a strikingly handsome man, Audrey realized as she stood looking down at him, wondering why she had ever thought he was an older man. Perhaps because he had accomplished so much ' perhaps because his extensive travels and exotic looks reminded her of her father in some ways.
    He had shiny black hair that was so dark it was almost blue, and a smooth olive complexion, huge dark brown eyes, and a smile that lit up his face in an incredible way. He was long and lanky and aristocratic, and he didn't look English at all, Audrey decided as she watched. He looked Spanish or French, or Italian perhaps ' like an Italian prince actually, and he was wearing a navy blue knit bathing suit, and it was easy to see that he had long powerful legs, graceful arms, and shoulders even broader than James's. They had gone to Eton together years before, and the two men had been like brothers for most of their youth, and still were. It was James who grabbed his shoulder now and shook him a little bit.
    If my wife will be quiet for long enough, introduce you to our friend. This is Audrey Driscoll, from California. Charles cast his huge eyes up at her, with a smile that would have made any woman melt, and Audrey felt its effect on her too as she shook his hand. It was difficult not to be affected by the way he looked, but she was more intrigued about his books, and she was hoping to talk to him about them later. They talked at length later that afternoon before he went off on a drive with James, leaving Audrey and Violet alone again.
    Incredibly handsome, isn't he? Vi smiled, proud of their friend.
    You might say that. Audrey laughed. She had been trying desperately not to feel awkward around him all afternoon, yet he was so unassuming and relaxed that eventually one forgot his good looks. But it was certainly difficult at first. It was the most striking thing about him.
    You know, he's totally unaware of how he looks, Violet confided over champagne on the veranda as they waited for James. They were both wearing white silk gowns with their deep tans, and Audrey's hair was turning a bright burnished red from the sun. I talked to him about it once, and I promise you, he has absolutely no idea how he affects people. None at all. Actually ' She stuffed some baked mushrooms into her mouth and grinned like a little girl as she gobbled them before she could speak again. It's amazing, isn't it, Aud? I mean you'd think he'd be used to women swooning wherever he walks. But he's so preoccupied with his books that I don't really think he cares. Audrey liked that about him. More than that, she liked his mind. She had previously read two of his books and had been totally enthralled. The other author of his genre whom she enjoyed was Nicol Smith, the explorer and writer, and Charles said he was crazy about him too. They had had a long conversation about him that afternoon. Audrey had found Charles fascinating, as they talked of Java, Nepal, and India. All the places you'd never want to go. Audrey teased Vi as she groaned at them.
    I can't imagine what you find intriguing about places like that. They sound wretched to me. Audrey's eyes danced as she laughed at her friend and James arrived on the scene in a white linen suit that looked