Accidental Engagement (7 page)

‘Tell me,’ said Anna, stopping and facing him just outside the door. ‘Is she . . . is Serena . . . a good friend of yours?’

‘Why?’ he asked her curiously. ‘Don’t tell me you’re jealous?’

‘No, of course not,’ she said quickly. Too quickly.

He gave a slow smile,
a smile that made her insides melt. ‘That’s good,’ he said. But she could tell by the way his dark eyes danced that he didn’t believe her.

‘Were my glasses ready?’ asked Emmy.

‘Yes, they’re here,’ said Anna, pulling herself together. She took them out of one of the bags as they went into the drawing-room.

Emmy gave a sigh of relief as she put them on. ‘That’s better! I haven’t been able to tell my knits from my purls,’ she said as she picked up her knitting pattern.

Claire looked up from her crossword puzzle. ‘Did you enjoy yourselves?’

‘Very much,’ smiled Anna.

‘Did shopping jog any memories?’

Anna shook her head.

‘Don’t worry,’ said Emmy sympathetically. ‘Give it time. It’ll come.’

‘Has Mark known Serena long?’ Anna asked.

She was helping Claire to arrange a number of vases of flowers, which would then be dotted around the homely old house. They were creating the arrangements in the small room adjacent to the kitchen which Claire and Emmy referred to as “the scullery”, although a modern estate agent would no doubt refer to it as a “spacious utility room”. It had a large
Belfast
sink - perfect for filling the vases with water - and a lovely view over the garden. It also had an outside door, so that if a flower arrangement seemed to be missing a particular kind of bloom then either Anna or Claire could quickly go and cut what was needed.

‘Lord, yes!’ said Claire, adding a tightly furled rosebud to a display for the dining room. ‘Ever since he was a boy. They all grew up together, Mark, Serena,
Elizabeth
, and some of the others who’ll be at Serena’s this afternoon.’

‘Oh.’ Although Mark had definitely been on her side in the encounter with Serena the previous day, Anna still felt uneasy about the other woman. Serena belonged in Mark’s world. Anna did not.

Claire, more astute than Emmy - who was resting upstairs with one of her “bad heads” - detected the note of uncertainty in Anna’s voice. She gave Anna a covert glance.
‘I shouldn't worry about Serena, if I w
ere
you,’ she said, adding a piece of fern to the vase. ‘Of course, she’s a great beauty. But Mark didn’t ask her to marry him. He asked you.’ She gave Anna a broad wink. ‘And a good thing, too, if you ask me. A host of little Serenas trailing across the lawns would be more than I could stand!’

Anna laughed.

‘That’s better,’ said Claire approvingly.

‘What is?’ came a familiar voice behind them.

Anna turned round to see Mark standing
just behind her. She felt a thrill as she looked at him. He had just returned from his morning swim, courtesy of a natural lake fed by the brook behind the house, and was looking incredibly sexy. His dark hair was still damp and his lips - she felt her body tingle as she remembered the feel of them against her own - were moist. The towel slung round his shoulders hid little of his bronzed body, and her eyes moved downwards of their own volition. She took in the rest of him, from his stomach, which was well defined by highly-toned muscles, to his long, firm legs.

‘What are you doing in here like that?’ demanded Claire. ‘You’re dripping water all over the floor!’

‘Anna doesn’t seem to mind.’ He flashed her a sexy smile.

‘I shall make myself scarce,’ said Claire with a laugh, muttering ‘Young love!’ under her breath as she picked up her finished vase and left them alone.

‘Well, what
are
you doing in here like that?’ asked Anna with a tingling sensation as he crossed the room towards her. She could feel the dampness of his skin as he drew closer to her. It was refreshing and, at the same time, exhilarating.

‘Isn’t it obvious? I came to see if you wanted a swim. I would have asked you earlier, but you were still asleep.’

‘I’d love one,’ she said, imagining the feel of the cool water sliding over her hot skin. ‘But I can’t. I don’t have a costume.’

‘Then go without,’ he said with a wicked smile.

‘Mark! I can’t! This is Claire and Emmy’s house.’

‘So it is,’ he said. ‘Well, you can’t blame me for trying.’

‘Perhaps I could buy a swimsuit,’ said Anna thoughtfully. ‘It would be lovely to have a dip.’

‘There’s a small boutique at the end of the road. It’s the usual sort of local store, not a patch on the shops in town, but you might be able to find something there.’

‘I’m sure I can.’

‘Good. Then we’ll go as soon as I’m dressed. Tomorrow you’re coming swimming with me, even if I have to haul you out of bed myself!’

The mention of bed, playful though it was, proved too much for them. Anna’s thoughts went uncontrollably to the passion that had flared between them on the previous day, and she could tell by the look in his eyes that Mark’s thoughts had gone there, too. But he did nothing to renew their physical intimacy, leaving Anna to think impatiently that the sooner her bruises healed the better. Because once she had recovered then nothing was going to keep her from Mark’s arms!

‘Well,’ he said, breaking the tension, ‘I’d better be getting dressed. Claire won’t thank me for making a mess of her floor.’

He was gone. Leaving Anna to wonder for the first time just how far their physical relationship had already gone. And to heave a sigh of regret that she could remember nothing about it.

‘You are good, dear.’ Emmy’s voice was grateful as she sipped at the fresh water Anna had brought her. ‘These headaches are such a nuisance, and they’re always worse when it’s hot. I feel so useless lying here in a darkened room when there’s so much to be done.’

‘You needn’t worry about that,’ said Anna reassuringly. ‘Claire’s got everything well in hand.’

‘But today’s our day for changing the flowers. It’s always so time-consuming. Lovely, of course, to see all the arrangements, but I do sometimes think it’s all a bit much. I’m not getting any younger. But still, it won’t do to let Claire down.’

‘The flowers have already been done. I helped Claire whilst Mark went for a swim.’

Emmy heaved a great sigh. ‘Oh, that’s a relief. I thought I’d have to get up and see to them, and I really don’t feel I can.’

‘You just lie there,’ said Anna soothingly. ‘You looked after me when I wasn’t well. Now it’s my turn to look after you.’

‘You really are a sweet girl,’ said Emmy, taking Anna’s hand and giving it a squeeze. ‘I’m so glad Mark’s found you. So much better than any of the others, dear. They’re all very glamorous, of course, Serena and her set, but hard as nails - although I suppose I shouldn’t say so,’ she added guiltily. She let go of Anna’s hand and patted it lovingly. ‘You enjoy yourself this afternoon, my dear. There might be the odd miaow! from some of the women, but it’s only jealousy. You just hold your ground.’

‘I will,’ said Anna with a smile. ‘I’ve no intention of letting them put me down.’

Which was true. With such a lot of support from Mark’s family, her unease had vanished. Let the cats show their claws! They would find out she was no mouse.

‘I’ll come back and see you after lunch,’ promised Anna, adding, ‘Are you sure you won’t eat anything?’

‘Oh, no, dear, I couldn’t face food. Just leave the water, if you will.’

Having made sure everything was within Emmy’s reach, Anna left the darkened room and joined Mark and Claire on the terrace for lunch.

Afterwards Mark was as good as his word, driving her to the local boutique so that she could choose a costume. Nothing too revealing, she decided, feeling a little self-conscious about the bruises which she had sustained in the accident, and which would inevitably take some time to go down. In the end, she chose a modestly cut suit in a colourful abstract material, and found herself looking forward to the next morning’s swim.

But it wouldn’t do to hurry on tomorrow, she thought, as they returned to the house. First she intended to enjoy the afternoon.

She checked on Emmy, who was sleeping, and then retired to her room. She had just washed and was about to dress - the green crêpe-de-chine was already laid out on her bed - when there was a knock on the door.

‘Who is it?’ she called.

‘Mark.’

She opened the door. ‘I was just about to get changed.’

‘I know. Which is why I brought you this.’

He had been holding something behind his back, and now he held it out to her. It was a large box, tied round with a silk ribbon. She looked at him in surprise, but couldn’t help a delighted smile creeping over her face. A present! But he had already bought her so much . . .

‘What is it?’ she asked.

‘Why not open it and see?’

She slid the ribbon over the box and did as he suggested. Inside, wrapped in sheets of white tissue paper, was a splash of primrose. She lifted it out with a sigh of delight. ‘It’s beautiful. But where . . . ?’

‘Just a little something I added to the shopping on a whim,’ he said, his
eyes crinkling at the corners as he saw her genuine pleasure. ‘It’s perfect for this afternoon.’

It was. The crêpe-de-chine was lovely, but the primrose silk, with its cowl back - luckily her bruises were mainly on her arms and legs - was exactly right.

‘Don’t go away!’ she said, closing the door and quickly slipping into the silk. It felt deliciously cool against her skin. With a quick glance in the mirror to check that her hair was smooth she opened the door again.

‘Wow!’

She laughed. ‘You’re flattering me.’

But there was no flattery in his eyes, only admiration. ‘Turn round.’

She obeyed, holding her arms out wide to reveal the expert cut of the dress.

‘Will I do?’ she asked.

‘You’ll more than do.’
And if you were really my fiancée
, he thought with a sudden surge of desire,
we wouldn’t be going to the party. We’d definitely be staying at home
.

Anna was glowing when they pulled up outside Serena’s house. Mark’s admiration had given her confidence, and walking into the party on his arm was exhilarating. Every woman’s head turned to watch him walk past, and Anna wouldn’t have been human if she hadn’t enjoyed it.

‘Ah! There you are!’ Serena came towards them as they went up the sweeping stone steps and in at the open door. She welcomed Anna with apparent warmth and charm, before reaching up and kissing Mark on the cheek. ‘An old friend’s privilege,' she said archly to Anna. ‘I’m sure you won’t begrudge me just one kiss.’

‘Not at all,’ said Anna, pushing down her jealousy and refusing to rise to Serena’s bait.

‘Good.’ Serena’s look was smug as she tucked her hand under Mark’s arm, whilst still addressing Anna. Making a couple of her and Mark, Anna realised, and an outsider of Anna – or, at least, trying to. ‘Now, you must let me introduce you to everyone. They are all simply dying to meet you. And, of course, to see the ring.

Startled by Serena’s remark, Anna glanced down at her finger. The ring. Of course. Everyone
would
be dying to see the ring. But there was no ring.

It was one of the things she had been meaning to ask Mark about, but being unsure of his moods she had not yet voiced the question. There was a mark on her finger
where the ring should have been,
a white band
where her suntan did not reach,
but no sign of the ring itself.

‘They’ll be disappointed in that,’ said Mark smoothly, protecting Anna from Serena’s malice. ‘It’s being repaired,’ he said with a strangely expressionless face.

Anna was eager to
ask him more about the ring, but this was not the
time or the place to go into it.
P
articularly as Serena was likely to make some disparaging remark

‘Damn bad luck, your car crash,’ said a whiskery old gentleman, rescuing Anna from Serena’s further attentions. ‘Emmy’s written to the council about that bend
three times to my certain knowledge. Still, as long as it’s only the ring that was damaged. It could have been a lot worse, my dear.’ He gave her a twinkly smile. ‘I’m Mr Leverington, Serena’s father. I’m very pleased to meet you.’

‘And I’m pleased to meet you,’ Anna returned with a feeling of relief. It seemed there was one person at the party, besides Mark, who was willing to be a friend.

‘But Serena’s right, my dear, they’re all wanting to meet you. Why don’t you let me take you in?’ Offering her his arm with old-fashioned courtesy - an action which gracefully covered his daughter’s bad-mannered display - he led her into the drawing-room. There was a drop in the level of conversation as the guests, about thirty in all, turned to look at Anna, and then she was claimed by Mark’s friends.

‘Are you surviving?’ asked Mark, just over an hour later, when he finally found Anna again. It had been impossible to remain with her all the time, but from what he had seen she had coped perfectly with all the attention.