‘You’re just here for a day?’
‘I came to see you.’
She gaped at him. What sort of a monster had poor Andrea married?
‘Why the amazement?’ he went on. ‘You wouldn’t accept my calls and I had to find out why.’
‘My work was falling behind schedule and I decided not to take any calls,’ she replied evenly.
It was Alex’s turn to gape. ‘You wouldn’t speak to me because of your damn work? But I’m the man you love, for God’s sake!’
‘I never said so.’
‘Not in words, perhaps, but the way you acted I—’
‘That’s all it was,’ she cut in, seizing the opening he had given her. ‘An act.’
He frowned in puzzlement. ‘I don’t follow.’
‘Maybe this will help.’
With a flourish she slipped off her caftan, and Alex’s gaze fastened on her clothes. His brows drew together in a frown which slowly dissolved into incredulity, and he shook his head as if unable to absorb what he was seeing.
‘Why did you do it?’ he finally asked.
‘For fun.’ Marly managed to twist her lips into a smile. ‘When you assumed I was Thai, after the staff Christmas revue, I thought it would be amusing to see how long I could fool you. I was positive you’d soon guess the truth, and when you didn’t I got carried away by the whole thing. Of course when you asked me to marry you, I had a fit. I mean, I didn’t think you were serious about me, and—’
‘I wasn’t,’ he intervened smoothly, and unexpectedly chuckled. ‘Looks as though we’ve both been had, Marly. That is your name, I assume?’
She nodded, not bothering to say it was short for Amalia.
‘I fancied you like crazy,’ he went on, ‘but your virginal act fooled me, and I believed that the only way of having you was to—er—’
‘Don’t get tongue-tied over it, Alex. I was well aware that your offer of marriage was a ploy. That’s why I stalled with my answer.’
‘You played me for a real fool, didn’t you?’
‘You did the same to me!’
‘True.’ The frown returned. ‘How come you speak the language so fluently?’
‘My great-grandmother was Thai, and I suppose it gave me an affinity with the tongue.’
Hands in the pockets of his trousers, a typically masculine stance that heightened her awareness of his muscled thighs, he rocked back on his feet as he regarded her, and though she returned his stare coolly, she was memorising every detail of him: his thick, tawny hair, the cleft in his firm chin, the sensual mouth that had sucked and teased and almost tempted her into submission. From today she would never see him, but his image would forever remain with her; a haunting reminder of the might-have-been.
‘You can’t blame me for wanting you, Marly,’ he murmured.
‘I don’t blame you, Alex. I just don’t like you very much.’
‘I don’t see why. I’m not angry with you.’
‘You behaved far worse than I did, Alex,’ she replied. ‘You believed I was an innocent girl, yet you didn’t have a twinge of conscience about lying to get me into bed.’
‘I didn’t think of it in those terms. I wanted you, and I was pretty sure all it required was a little persuasion.’
‘Little!’ Marly almost exploded. ‘If you regard a phoney marriage proposal as a “little persuasion”, what would you do if you wanted to exert a big influence on someone? Murder them?’
He grinned. ‘You know what I mean, Marly. You were passionate and responsive, and—’
‘You’d have been up the creek if I’d said yes. Or would you have had your way with me,’ she went on in mock Gothic tones, ‘and then said the whole thing was a terrible mistake?’
A wave of colour stained his cheekbones and she revelled in his shame and dug in the knife deeper. ‘I suppose it’s something you’ve done before?’
He half turned away. ‘Let’s say it’s something I won’t be repeating.’
‘Which makes my sacrifice worthwhile.’
‘Sacrifice?’
‘You don’t think it was easy pretending you’d bowled me over? You’re a gorgeous hunk of man, as I’m sure many women have told you, but you don’t have the spark to light me up.’
‘Pity,’ he drawled. ‘Now I know you’re a liberated lady, I think we’d be even better together!’
‘Sorry, no can do.’ Did she sound as matter-of-fact as she thought she did? If so, she was giving a gold medal performance. ‘I’m sorry you flew from Hawaii for nothing.’
‘No big deal. As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some.’
Feeling as though she had been stabbed, Marly lowered her eyes to her watch. ‘I’m sorry I can’t offer you a drink, but I’m in an awful rush. I have to be at the airport in an hour.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘To England. The bulk of my work is finished, and I can finalise it in London. It’s more cost-effective for you.’
‘I’ve never quibbled over the cost, and I think you’d do a better job if you remained here till you completed the software.’
‘It isn’t necessary. Anyway, I can’t. I have another job lined up for me.’
‘I hope it isn’t in Sweden. You’d have a tough task pretending to be a tall ash-blonde!’
‘I wouldn’t even try! You’ve witnessed my first and last acting performance!’ She cast another glance at her watch and he took the hint and went to the door.
‘Goodbye, Marly. Maybe we’ll meet again one day.’
Not if I can help it, she thought, and silently watched him walk through the compound to where his car was parked outside the gates. Thank goodness she hadn’t lost her temper with him, or worse still, let him see the depth of her hurt. Eventually she would stop loving him, but it was going to be a long, painful haul.
Very long. Very painful.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
‘A LETTER for you, Marly,’ Jenny Hunter, one of her flatmates, said.
Seeing it was from Nan, she excitedly tore it open. ‘Wonderful news! Kevin and Fiona are engaged.’
‘So your matchmaking worked.’
‘It took a while. I’ve been back over two months.’
‘Not everyone falls in love at first sight, like you,’ the other girl remarked drily, Marly having confided the whole story to her on her return from Bangkok.
Jenny worked for the same company as Marly, and over the past two years they had become firm friends. They shared a three-bedroom apartment in one of the finest developments in Docklands with Jenny’s boyfriend Tony Parker, for it was the only way they could afford the mortgage on such expensive accommodation.
‘Any news of Alex?’ Jenny went on.
‘Not from Nan. He’s no longer running the Bangkok Hamilton, and I only hear of him from Andrea.’
Indeed her friend’s letters from Hawaii were ecstatic. Alex was proving to be an ideal husband, and though Marly was delighted to hear it, the glowing descriptions Andrea gave of her new life filled Marly with such pain that it dashed any hope she had of quickly getting over him. For this reason she replied to each long letter with a brief card, hoping it would eventually cause Andrea’s outpourings to cease.
Staring at her computer screen later in the day, Marly accepted that if she didn’t pull herself together she would become sour and embittered, thinking of what might have been instead of concentrating on what could be.
‘Penny for your thoughts.’
Looking up, she saw Gordon Murray, the managing director of the furniture company for whom she was devising a software program, standing by her desk.
‘They’re not even worth half of that,’ she smiled, thinking he had the kindest blue eyes and the thickest brown hair she had ever seen. And if he didn’t fancy her like mad, he was certainly giving an excellent imitation of it!
‘You wouldn’t be free to have dinner with me tomorrow night?’ he asked.
‘I would, and I will!’ she replied promptly. She had
spent an enjoyable evening with him a week ago, so why not again? Gordon, if not as handsome and charismatic as Alex, came a good second. ‘What time will you call for me?’
‘Eight?’
‘Perfect.’
He took her to an Italian restaurant in the King’s Road. It had recently opened to high acclaim and consequently was packed.
‘I hope it’s as good as it’s reputed to be,’ she commented as they were shown to their table.
‘If it isn’t, you look good enough to eat.’
She grinned, pushing her hair away from her face. ‘Not better than the pasta they serve. It’s supposed to be like Mamma used to make!’
‘Not my Mamma!’ he assured her. ‘Haggis was her speciality!’
‘That’s one thing I’ve never tasted.’
‘Each time I go home to Edinburgh she gives me one to put in the freezer. Have dinner at my flat one night, and I’ll serve it to you.’
Why not? Marly mused. She was under no illusion he had more than serving haggis in mind, and let him know in as many words that she didn’t hop into bed after a few pleasant dates.
‘I never thought you did,’ Gordon answered, frowning. ‘And that’s a plus in my book. I’m very attracted to you, Marly, as I’m sure you know, but I’m willing to wait until you feel ready.’
Fine words, she mused, but how would he feel if he knew it might be a very long wait? She gave a deep sigh, not knowing where it came from nor how to hold it back.
‘Care to tell me what’s troubling you?’ he encouraged sympathetically. ‘I don’t have to be a mind-reader to guess you’re trying to get over someone.’
‘You’re right, but I’d rather not discuss it.’
‘If ever you do, I’m something of an expert on broken hearts, and I’ll be happy to help mend yours!’
Marly half smiled. ‘You could be on a hiding to nothing.’
‘I happen to think you’re a risk worth taking.’ He raised his glass of wine to hers. ‘To friends and—I hope—lovers!’
When he kissed her goodnight outside her front door, she did her best to respond, and though she had to feign it, it had nothing to do with his expertise. His touch was confident, his hands light but knowing how to arouse, yet all she could think of was Alex’s hands, Alex’s mouth, Alex’s body.
But it’s early days yet, she consoled herself as she undressed and slipped under the duvet. As long as Gordon remained content not to rush her, he might, given time, turn out to be, if not the man of her dreams, a very good substitute.
The consolation she gained from this notion was brief, for it was dramatically shattered the following evening. Jenny was at a business seminar and would not be home till late, and she and Tony, comfortable in tracksuits and slippers, were watching television in the living-room when the doorbell rang.
As Marly was nearest the door, she went to open it and, stupefied, saw the unmistakable figure of Alex. The blood drained from her head and she felt she was going to faint.
‘Wh-what are you doing here?’
‘Not selling encyclopaedias!’ he growled. ‘What do you think I’m doing? I’ve come to see you.’
‘You must be insane!’
‘Over you.’ He rattled the door-chain. ‘This doesn’t feel particularly strong and I’m prepared to break it, so be sensible and let me in.’
‘No. I’ve nothing to say to you.’
‘I’ve plenty for both of us.’ He caught hold of the chain. ‘Well?’
The roughness in his voice brooked no denial, and short of having a slanging match on the front doorstep she had to do as he asked. With trembling fingers she undid the chain and stepped aside to let him enter.
In the bright light of the hall she noticed for the first time how haggard he was. Deeply etched lines were carved down either side of his nose and there were dark shadows beneath his eyes. His skin too had lost its glow, and despite its usual tan appeared sallow. It was as if he had been ill and had not fully recovered. Her heart lurched and she quickly averted her gaze. If this was what a happy marriage had done, heaven help him if he ever contemplated divorce!
‘You’re more beautiful than ever,’ he stated flatly. ‘I haven’t been able to forget you and I had to see you again. I— ‘ He broke off as they entered the sitting-room and he saw Tony sprawled on the sofa.
Stiltedly she introduced them. ‘Tony Parker, Alex Hamilton. Alex is the man I worked for in Bangkok.’
‘A great place to live,’ Tony said genially.
‘Yes.’ Alex stood rigid as a post. ‘Forgive me for barging in. I didn’t realise—’
‘Don’t worry about interrupting the programme.’ Misunderstanding, Tony flicked off the television and rose. ‘I can watch the rest of the play in the bedroom. I dare say you and Marly have things to talk over.’
He sauntered out and Alex swung round to Marly, his grey eyes steely, his mouth a hard line. ‘He’s a cool customer. In the same circumstances I’d be damned if I’d leave you alone.’
Instantly she knew he had misinterpreted the situation, and gratefully seized on it to end a meeting which was causing her unbearable anguish. How could Alex be so two-faced? Knowing Andrea was married to him filled her with such nausea that she had to turn away.
‘How long has your friend been living here?’ Alex questioned into the silence.
Marly drew a deep breath. ‘Two years. We bought the flat together.’ It was no lie, though she was guilty of the sin of omission, having not mentioned Jenny, who was a third partner in the purchase.
‘So you were living with him when you embarked on your charade with me?’ Alex went on.
‘Yes.’
‘Dammit! Have you no shame? The way you led me on, the things you said and—’
‘It was an act,’ she cut in. ‘Where’s your sense of humour?’
‘Drowned in the waters off Phuket,’ he said heavily. ‘Do you ever think of that night on the boat, Marly, when you lay in my arms? If the coastguards hadn’t appeared you’d have given yourself to me. I take it your boyfriend doesn’t know that?’
‘Shall I ask him to come in so you can tell him?’
‘God! You’re a cool customer.’
‘So are you.’
She clenched her hands tightly, her nails digging so hard into her palms that she knew she would bear the marks for days. She longed to scream Andrea’s name, to tell him she knew he was married and that his wife was her close friend. Yet if she let her anger erupt, her love for him might erupt with it, and Alex, being the vile and clever man he was, would realise that if he continued laying siege to her she might eventually succumb to him.
‘Are you going to marry Tony Parker?’
‘What?’ Deafened by her thoughts, Marly stared at him uncomprehendingly.
‘Are you going to marry him?’
‘It’s none of your business.’
‘You’re right. It isn’t. I shouldn’t have come here. You were right about that too.’ Brushing past her, he went into the hall. ‘We don’t have anything to say to each other. Goodbye, Marly, I wish you the luck you deserve.’
She heard the front door open and close, but even then she was incapable of moving. Damn him for coming back into her life! For showing her she wanted him as much as ever; that she loved him as much as ever; and that any hope of forgetting him was as much a dream as ever.
* * *
Marly was not surprised to hear from Andrea next morning. Since Alex’s visit she had surmised that her friend was in London and would be in touch with her.
‘You’re a lousy correspondent,’ Andrea complained. ‘It’s lucky for our friendship that I’ll be staying here for the next year!’
It was bad news for Marly though she managed to hide it. ‘I’ve been meaning to send you a newsy letter but life’s been absolutely hectic.’
‘Anyone special?’
‘Why should it be a man? Maybe it’s my work!’
‘Phooey! Who is he?’
‘Someone
for whom I’m currently working. But it’s early days yet. Let’s get back to you. When did you arrive?’
‘Late yesterday afternoon.’
Marly trembled. Alex certainly hadn’t wasted time coming to see her. Whatever reason he had given his unsuspecting wife, one thing was indisputable: it hadn’t been the truth!
‘When can we see you?’ Andrea demanded. ‘I’m dying for you to meet Alex.’
‘I’m terribly busy at the moment and—’
‘Too busy to meet your best friend’s husband?’ came the incredulous screech. ‘What’s wrong, Marly? Are you ill or something?’
At the concern in Andrea’s voice, Marly knew she had no choice. ‘I’m fine. But I’ve been working like a demon and I’m exhausted and look a mess. Won’t next week—?’
‘Absolutely not. I want to see you this evening. If you have a date, bring him along too.’
‘I don’t have a date.’
‘Then come straight from work and we can chew the fat before Alex arrives. He’s tied up with meetings till eight.’ Andrea’s voice held laughter. ‘I can’t wait for him to meet you. When he discovers that the girl who created such a brilliant software program for Hamilton Hotels is my closest friend, he’ll be astonished.’
He certainly will, Marly thought, and not least because he’ll be dead scared I might tell you he also asked me to marry him!
At seven that evening, Marly found herself laughing and crying as she hugged the tall, slim, radiant blonde in the multi-coloured Lacroix two-piece.
‘You look like a million dollars!’ she exclaimed.
‘Not quite as expensive as that,’ Andrea giggled. ‘My loving bridegroom took me shopping in Paris on our way here.’ She held Marly at arm’s length and examined her. ‘You look pretty fantastic yourself. What’s this nonsense about looking a mess?’
Not waiting for a reply, she pulled Marly into the vast living-room, where sliding glass doors framed a flower-filled terrace affording a bird’s-eye view of Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. Gesturing her to sit on one of the cream suede sofas, Andrea filled two glasses with champagne and handed her one.
‘To happy marriages,’ she toasted. ‘May the next one be yours!’
Marly drank deeply, hoping the champagne would lessen the deep depression that weighed on her like a leaden shroud. Yet it grew heavier as she listened to her friend extol the virtues of her husband, who was not only the most loving and passionate man in the world, but also the kindest and tenderest.
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