Sara Craven Tribute Collection

‘I think it would be better,’ she said, then weakened her position by adding, ‘If you don’t mind.’

‘Why should I mind? As you reminded me, cara, I am a philosopher, and one woman is like any other. I will try not to forget again.’

His tone was sardonic. ‘However, I should warn you that my respect for you as my wife will not necessarily guarantee my fidelity. I do not intend to be lonely, although I shall be discreet. I trust you can accept that?’

‘Of course.’ Her voice was barely audible.

‘Good.’ He sounded almost brisk. ‘Then I will leave you in peace, as you desire. Arriverderci, Flora mia.’

She heard him leave the room, and, presently, the sound of the front door closing.

She made her way slowly to the sofa and sank down on its cushions. Well, she had managed to keep him at a serious distance, she thought, and, under the circumstances, that was a personal triumph. So why did she feel as if she’d suffered a crushing defeat instead?

I do not intend to be lonely. The words reverberated over and over in her mind, creating images she did not wish to contemplate.

Especially when it seemed she had condemned herself to an agony of loneliness for the rest of her life.

She drew a deep, shuddering breath. Well, she had done what she had to do—if she was to preserve her self-respect—and her sanity.

And now—somehow—she had to live with the consequences.

Hester was hovering, her eyes alive with curiosity, when Flora got home that evening.

‘So,’ she said. ‘Why are we too busy to have dinner with Marco Valante tonight?’

Flora gasped. ‘How do you know about that?’

‘Because he phoned about half an hour ago to express his regrets and say that the invitation was still open.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘And, as he doesn’t sound like the kind of guy who takes rejection well, that gives us just over an hour to glam up and get there.’

Flora became a living statue. ‘No,’ she said baldly.

‘Is that a real no? Or an “I could be persuaded in the fullness of time” job?’

‘A real no,’ Flora said hotly. ‘Oh, how dare he?’

Hester shrugged. ‘Presumably because he wants company at dinner?’

Flora shook her head. ‘It’s really not as simple as that.’

‘Then tell me about it,’ said Hester. ‘You have my undivided attention. And I already know that he’s undoubtedly the baby’s father, so you can skip that bit.’

Flora took a deep breath. ‘We’re going to be married.’

‘Right,’ Hester said evenly, after a minute. ‘When was this decision made?’

‘Today. He—just turned up. Unexpectedly,’ she added with constraint.

‘Good choice of word,’ Hester approved affably. ‘Because I have the feeling I’ve just stepped into a parallel universe here. Or was it some other man you were swearing you never wanted to see again only twenty-four hours ago?’

‘I didn’t—and I don’t. But he’s found out about the baby and he refuses to allow it to be born illegitimate.’

She paused. ‘So we made a deal—marriage in return for financial support and reasonable access.’

Hester gave her a long look. ‘This sounds more like a business arrangement than a relationship.’

‘Yes,’ said Flora. ‘That’s exactly what it is—and nothing more.’

There was a loaded silence, then Hester said carefully, ‘May I just recap here? I’ve known you for years, Flo, and you’re not the promiscuous kind. You never have been. But this is the man for whom you suddenly and spectacularly dumped Chris, remember? Not only that but you allowed this Marco Valante to sweep you off and have unprotected sex with you. He’s made you act completely out of character ever since you met, so “business arrangement” hardly covers it.’

‘And I told you that the whole thing was a disastrous mistake.’ Flora made herself meet her friend’s concerned gaze. ‘On both sides,’ she added. ‘So we’re just trying to make the best of a bad job.’

‘But all this civilised behaviour doesn’t include having dinner with the guy?’ Hester shook her head. ‘It sounds to me as if you’re running scared, Flo.’

There was another taut silence, then Flora sighed defeatedly. ‘Very well, then. Call him back and tell him we’ll be there. I presume he’s staying at the Mayfair Tower?’

‘You know he is.’ Hester gave her a swift hug. ‘Besides, the food there is bound to be better than the ham salad we had planned—especially when you’re eating for two now,’ she added slyly.

Flora gave her a constrained smile. ‘Please don’t remind me.’

Marco was waiting for them in the bar, meeting Flora’s fulminating look with equanimity and no overt air of triumph.

Hester was wary to begin with, but was soon blinking under the full force of his charm.

He was relaxed, amusing and attentive to Flora, without undue fuss. And, apart from offering her his arm as they went into the dining room, he was scrupulous about avoiding physical contact with her.

He should have been an actor, Flora thought sourly as she sipped her sole glass of vintage champagne.

But she couldn’t fault him as a host, and the food and wine were delicious.

The only awkward moment occurred at the end of the evening, when he was seeing them to a waiting taxi. Acutely aware of Hester’s expectant gaze, Flora allowed him to take her hand and kiss it.

He said softly, ‘I’ll call you tomorrow, carissima,’ and bent to kiss her cheek.

It was the merest brush of his lips, but her whole body surged in a response of such force that she nearly cried out.

She murmured something, then stepped back, avoiding his gaze.

‘So,’ Hester said, as they drove home. ‘You still maintain this marriage is just a business arrangement?’

‘Yes,’ Flora said defensively. ‘What of it?’

Hester shrugged. ‘Just that, when questioned, nine out of ten women said that, given the chance, they’d rip his clothes off and drag him into bed. And the tenth was in her nineties and short-sighted.’

She groaned. ‘God, Flo, he exudes sex like lesser men do aftershave. I felt it when I first saw him and it wasn’t even directed at me. Also, he’s seriously rich and definitely powerful. So—why the arm’s length treatment? Are you completely mad?’

‘I certainly was,’ Flora returned shortly. ‘Which is why I’m in this appalling mess now. And I’m not going down that path again. Ever.’ She hesitated. ‘I do have my reasons, Hes.’

‘Then I have to admire your will-power, even if I don’t understand it.’ Hester took her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. ‘And I wish you luck, honey, because something tells me that you’re absolutely going to need it.’