Why not? she thought defiantly, avoiding her eyes in the mirror. She couldn’t stay home all the time. ‘Then thank you, I’ll come. It’s very kind of you.’
‘Not really. It’s the journalist in me, scenting a story.’
Ewen rang back later to confirm dinner at a favourite restaurant of his in Shepherd’s Bush, as long as they didn’t mind eating late. Rosanna, who hadn’t intended eating very much at all, assured him she didn’t mind a bit, but told him not to come for her. She would meet him at the restaurant around nine.
Which, she thought, running upstairs, gave her a couple of hours to make herself look as contemporary as possible. Her spirits high, Rosanna put on the sleeveless, low-cut black dress she kept for special occasions, added sheer black stockings, strappy black suede shoes, and took a long time over her face. She brushed her waving dark hair back as severely as possible, and secured it at the nape of her neck with a tortoiseshell clasp, then, with a touch of defiance, pinned the gold rose to the shoulder of her dress. The result, she thought, satisfied, was a far cry from young Rose Norman.
Ewen was waiting when she arrived at the restaurant. He wore a fawn linen suit and his face looked tired under the thick black hair, dark smudges of fatigue under his eyes. But when he caught sight of her the eyes lit up, and Rosanna’s heart gave a sudden, unsettling thump as he came towards her, hand outstretched.
‘Rosanna, you look ravishing!’ He seated her in a corner of the crowded bar, his eyes moving over her with unconcealed pleasure. ‘That’s the famous rose, of course, but otherwise thoroughly modern Rosanna,’ he said with a grin, and she smiled back wryly. He really was a clever devil.
‘Just so there’s no confusion,’ she said lightly, and agreed to champagne when he told her he was celebrating the racing start he’d made on his book.
‘How about you?’ he asked.
‘I’m very well,’ she assured him.
‘I can see that.’ The look in his eyes brought such heat to her face, Rosanna gave fervent, secret thanks for the naturally matt complexion which disguised it. ‘What shall we drink to?’ he asked, filling her glass.
‘Rose and Harry,’ she said promptly.
‘Amen to that.’ Ewen drank some of his wine, then turned his attention to the menu. ‘Let’s choose, then we’ll be free to discuss this problem of yours.’
Rosanna was sorry now she’d ever admitted to having a problem. But if she hadn’t, she reminded herself, she wouldn’t be here with Ewen now. Where she was dangerously happy to be. The entire occasion was bringing light to a week which had felt like a dark tunnel of disappointment and frustration.
‘Could we leave my problem until after dinner, please?’ she said ruefully. ‘I’d like to enjoy the meal first. Tell me about your novel instead.’
Ewen’s eyes narrowed searchingly, but he made no move to press her. ‘As I told you, I started the research for it as soon as I finished Savage Dawn, and I’d already mapped out the story between the two friends. Then I read about Harry’s meeting with Rose and the love theme just fell into place.’
‘I’ll look forward to reading it.’ She smiled a little. ‘Savage Dawn was brilliant, by the way. I couldn’t put it down.’
His eyebrows rose. ‘You mean you actually bought it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Rosanna, I would have given you a copy if I’d thought you were interested.’ His smile was wry. ‘I tend not to force my efforts on the unwilling.’
‘I didn’t like to ask.’
His eyes gleamed suddenly. ‘Afraid I might expect something in return?’
‘Certainly not,’ she said loftily. ‘Just afraid you were still angry because I wanted to write on the same subject.’
He shrugged. ‘I admit I wasn’t too pleased at the time. I thought you let me see you again because you liked my company, not just to wheedle Rose’s letters away from me. My ego took a beating.’
‘You came to see me for the same reason, where Harry was concerned.’
‘Not the second time, as you know perfectly well,’ he said, so quietly she barely heard him above the conversations going on around them. But the gleam in his eyes made his meaning unmistakable.
‘Let’s talk about something else,’ she said hastily, looking away. ‘Have you been watching the new Jane Austen serial?’
‘I haven’t watched anything since I started the book. While the muse is with me I work until I can’t see straight, then microwave something vaguely edible, go to bed and fall asleep listening to the radio.’
Rosanna frowned in disapproval. ‘That can’t be good for your health. Or your social life.’
He shrugged. ‘The latter’s non-existent when I’m writing.’
‘I find it hard to believe that,’ she retorted. ‘Your social life is so well documented I recognised you almost at once. You’ve been photographed often enough with various beautiful ladies, Ewen Fraser.’
He looked at her very squarely. ‘But rarely with the same one, Rosanna. Lately, anyway. Most of it was just publicity. My lifestyle tends to put paid to lasting relationships. When I was a full-time journalist it was the long hours and my habit of turning up late for evenings out, or sometimes not at all. Now it’s even worse. The most recent lady in my life gave up on me rather than play second fiddle to my computer.’
‘Was she right about that?’ asked Rosanna curiously.
‘In a way. She wanted marriage, I didn’t, so we split up. Marriage doesn’t appeal, I’m afraid.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘What are your views on the subject?’
‘Very dull and conventional.’ She smiled. ‘I’m the original old-fashioned girl. It’s always been marriage for David and me.’
‘Everyone to their own taste,’ he said lightly as the waiter approached. ‘Good, our meal is ready. I’m hungry.’
Ewen made no attempt to press Rosanna about her problem over the meal, which they ate in a secluded little booth at the back of the restaurant, sharing the same bench seat. Which, she thought, had its disadvantages. The meal was delicious, but sitting so close to Ewen made it very difficult to concentrate on the food. She’d expected to face him across a table. Instead they were enclosed in unexpected intimacy, cut off from the rest of the room by a concealing array of potted greenery. And every time his arm brushed hers, or his foot came into contact with her own under the table, she felt such a surge of electricity it was difficult not to show it.
When the coffee arrived after the meal Ewen moved closer, half turned towards her, the dark rings under his eyes less pronounced now. ‘Aren’t you going to praise me for my forbearance?’
‘For not asking what’s wrong?’ Rosanna nodded, smiling wryly. ‘Particularly as you’d probably rather be tapping away at your keyboard than trying to cheer me up.’
‘Are you mad? Of course I wouldn’t. What man would?’ he said with emphasis, then grinned. ‘And to be honest it was a change to eat a proper meal for once.’
‘You certainly look better for it,’ she said reprovingly. ‘You shouldn’t resort to a microwave all the time. It doesn’t take long to throw a cold meal together.’
‘You sound like my mother,’ he said resignedly, then smiled crookedly. ‘But you don’t look like her.’
‘You mean I look like Rose!’
‘Actually you don’t tonight. You look so alluring it’s very bad for me.’ He slid closer still and took her hand in his, looking into her eyes. ‘Strange as it may seem— no matter what you’ve read about me—it’s not my habit to socialise with women already spoken for, Rosanna Carey. Talking of which, have you heard from young Dr Kildare lately?’
‘Of course I have.’
‘When’s he coming home to see you?’
‘As soon as he can,’ she said defensively. ‘He’s very busy.’
‘He’s also a fool,’ said Ewen flatly.
‘How can you say that?’ she retorted. ‘You don’t know him.’
‘I know you, Rosanna. And if the man’s not worried about leav
ing a woman like you alone for months on end—’ He raised his free hand. ‘I rest my case.’
‘I suppose that’s a compliment.’
‘It was intended as one.’
‘Then thank you.’ Rosanna hesitated, then gave in to temptation. ‘Are you very tired, Ewen?’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Why?’
‘Would you mind coming back with me to the house? There’s something I want to give you.’
‘I’d be delighted, as you know very well.’ He smiled into her eyes, his fingers tightening. ‘I intended to see you safely home anyway, Rosanna. Am I allowed to ask what I’m about to receive? Will I be truly thankful for it?’
‘I hope so,’ she said lightly. She detached her hand very deliberately and got to her feet. ‘If not I’ll keep it.’
‘I’ll treasure whatever you give me,’ he assured her. ‘Would you like a nightcap while we wait for a cab?’
‘No, thanks, not after champagne.’ She smiled at him. ‘Thank you for the meal.’
‘My pleasure, Rosanna. Not that you ate much of it,’ he added, and turned away to pay the bill, and a few minutes later they were in a taxi on their way back to Ealing. And rather to Rosanna’s surprise Ewen made no move to touch her on the journey home, but sat, circumspect, in his own half of the seat.
Rosanna saw the red light blinking on the phone the minute she unlocked the door. ‘Go into the sitting room,’ she told Ewen. ‘I’ll make coffee. Would you like some brandy with it?’
‘No, thanks.’ Ewen nodded towards the machine. ‘Aren’t you going to play that back? It might be urgent.’
He leaned against the newel-post, eyeing her with challenge, but she went past him into the kitchen to fill the kettle, then returned without haste to press the button.
‘Hi, Rosanna,’ said David’s familiar voice. ‘Got your message. Catch you later.’
‘The missing lover, I assume,’ said Ewen with irony.
‘That was David, yes,’ she returned. ‘Do go in and sit down. I shan’t be long.’
But Ewen followed her back to the kitchen. ‘He sounds rather transatlantic. Has he been out there long?’
‘Six months.’
‘And he hasn’t been back since?’
‘No.’ Rosanna poured boiling water on instant coffee, and handed him a beaker. ‘Black, no sugar.’
‘You remembered. Thank you. Why hasn’t he been home?’ he added persistently.
‘He was all set to come, twice, but something came up at the last minute each time.’ Rosanna added milk to her coffee, went into the sitting room, and curled up on a corner of the sofa. ‘I hope to fly out to him for a break before I start work.’
Ewen followed and sat down beside her. ‘Enough of the doctor, then. Let’s talk about this problem of yours.’
‘It’s a decision more than a problem.’ She touched a hand to the rosewood box on the table beside her. ‘I’m letting you have Rose’s diary and letters. Though naturally we’d like them back when you finish the book.’
He frowned, surprised. ‘Why the change of heart, Rosanna?’
She gave him a rueful little smile. ‘It’s quite simple, Ewen. When it came to writing a novel I thoroughly enjoyed the research part. But actually creating a piece of fiction is beyond me. I tried hard, but I just can’t do it.’
CHAPTER FOUR
EWEN looked at her in silence, then took her hand. ‘Are you sure, Rosanna? Would you like me to read some of it?’
‘No!’ She shuddered. ‘Much too embarrassing.’
‘Maybe you’re too self-critical.’
‘I doubt it!’ Rosanna paused, frowning. ‘On the other hand, perhaps your opinion would be a good thing. As long as you’re honest.’
‘I will be. How much have you written?’
‘One chapter. Over and over again. Revised until I can’t even tell if it makes sense. Do you want to read it now?’ she added awkwardly.
‘No. I’ll take it home with me. My eyes would go on strike if I tried reading anything tonight.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘Besides, it gives me the perfect excuse for seeing you again.’
‘It needn’t,’ she retorted. ‘You could always post it back to me.’
‘Then it’s no deal,’ he said, grinning. ‘When do you want the verdict?’
‘I’m in no rush,’ she assured him wryly.
‘Let’s make it tomorrow,’ he said with decision. ‘I fancy a day off. Come round to my place for tea. Or dinner.’
‘All from the microwave?’
‘O ye of little faith!’
She thought it over. Sunday yawned emptily in front of her now she’d given up all hope of trying to write her novel. ‘Tea sounds respectable. I’ll settle for that.’
‘Good.’ He smiled, and released her hand. ‘And now, Miss Carey, I shall ring for a cab, and take myself off.’
Afterwards, in the hall, Ewen put her manuscript in the rosewood box, eyeing her searchingly. ‘Are you sure about this?’
‘Certain,’ she said, depressed. ‘When you’ve read my little effort you’ll know why.’
He bent suddenly and kissed her cheek. ‘A second opinion may be different.’ He reached out a hand to touch the place he’d kissed and Rosanna stood very still, not daring to move. She saw his eyes narrow to a familiar gold glitter and felt her pulse race in response. Then the phone rang.
She turned her back on Ewen and lifted the receiver with an unsteady hand.
‘Hi, Rosanna,’ said David. ‘I’ve got you this time. I tried the flat but someone called Paula said you were still in Ealing. Where’ve you been? Out with a new lover?’
‘Where else?’ said Rosanna breathlessly, burningly aware of the man standing close behind her.
David laughed indulgently and went on to tell her about a recent crisis in the busy Boston hospital, but Rosanna lost the thread of his tale as Ewen put the box down very deliberately on the hall table, his eyes holding hers in the mirror. He bent suddenly to kiss the nape of her neck and she stifled a gasp.
‘So what do you think?’ asked David.
Rosanna stared at the phone wildly. ‘Sorry,’ she said hoarsely. ‘The line’s bad this end. I didn’t catch that.’ Tremors ran through her as Ewen kissed the hollow behind each ear, and she clenched her teeth to stop them chattering.
‘Have you got a cold?’ demanded David.
‘No,’ she said with difficulty. ‘Tell me what you said.’
David told her he’d been asked to stay on longer than originally planned. ‘Good experience, Rosanna,’ he added apologetically. ‘Seems a shame to pass it up.’
‘Then don’t,’ she advised him shortly.
‘Are you sure you’re OK? You sound really weird.’
‘I’m a long way away,’ she reminded him, staring into the mirror, mesmerised, as slanted, glittering eyes held hers in a look which made her heart thump.
Then the doorbell rang. Ewen whispered, ‘Four tomorrow,’ to her reflection, collected the box and let himself out.
‘What was that?’ demanded David.
‘A taxi. A friend came to keep me company. You remember Maxine?’ said Rosanna in a guilty rush.
‘Not a new lover, then,’ teased David.
She thrust a strand of hair into place, glad he couldn’t see her face. ‘It’s great they want to keep you for a bit,’ she said quickly. ‘Can’t you come home first?’
‘Not for a while. Soon, though.’
‘I could come out to you,’ she suggested.
There was a pause. ‘Great idea, Rosie. We’ll fix a date.’
‘Right. I’ll look forward to it. Don’t work too hard.’
‘I won’t. I even went fishing last weekend. Great fun. You’d have loved it.’
Rosanna doubted it. Fishing was one of David’s interests she’d known from the first she’d never share. ‘I’m glad you had a good time.’
‘Rosie, are you sure you’re all right? Not coming down with something?’
‘I’m fine,�
� she assured him.
‘If you say so. I’ll ring again soon, once I’ve sorted something out.’
‘You do that. Goodnight, David.’
Rosanna was in bed when the phone rang again. With a sigh she slid out of bed and went into her parents’ room. David again, probably, wanting to know if she had a temperature.
‘Did I get you out of bed?’ asked Ewen.
Heat rushed to Rosanna’s face. ‘Yes.’
‘I felt I should apologise for sabotaging your conversation with the doctor.’
‘You didn’t.’
‘So you had a long talk once I’d gone.’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he coming home soon?’
‘No.’
‘When he does are you getting married?’
‘Not for a while, no. We both need some career-building first.’
‘Very clinical.’
‘Very sensible!’
‘I could describe my response to you with a hundred different words, Rosanna. “Sensible”, as must have been painfully obvious earlier on, isn’t one of them.’
Rosanna smiled involuntarily. ‘I wanted to kick you in the shin.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
‘You might have howled loud enough for David to hear.’
‘True. How did you explain the doorbell?’ ‘I said a taxi had come for a friend.’
‘Ah. Did he buy that?’
‘Yes.’
‘But you didn’t tell him I was the friend.’
‘No.’
There was a pause. ‘Rosanna, tomorrow I promise to behave like a perfect gent. Scout’s honour.’
‘Can I have that in writing?’
‘Is that a yes?’ he said swiftly. ‘Will you still come?’
Out of pride she kept him waiting a moment or two longer, but in the end she ignored her conscience and said yes as he wanted.
‘What a sparing lady you are with words, Miss Carey.’
‘You obviously haven’t read my little piece!’
‘No. I’ll do that in the morning. Tonight I just wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about tomorrow.’
The Temptation Trap Page 4