Secret Passion

by Carole Mortimer

  ‘After the scandal two years ago, who would believe that?’ she sighed.

  ‘James would,’ Helen said with instant certainty.

  She shook her head. ‘He would try to,’ she acknowledged. ‘But he was hurt years ago, and—I think he might find it hard to trust, no matter how much he wanted to.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault—’

  ‘Maybe if I thought he loved me I could tell him,’ she sighed. ‘But even then it would be difficult for any man to accept. And we’ve only known each other ten days!’

  ‘He does care for you,’ Helen insisted.

  ‘I know,’ she accepted flatly. ‘But I’m not sure it’s enough to understand all this. He deserves someone who can love him without reserve, without these complications.’

  ‘But it’s you he wants,’ Helen reasoned.

  Aura straightened. ‘I learnt very early in life that we can’t have something just because we wish for it.’ Bitterness edged her voice.

  ‘Aura—’

  ‘Come on, let’s get the tea ready and prove to the men that we don’t have to gossip all day.’ She ignored her friend’s hurt look, knowing she couldn’t talk about her feelings for James any more today.

  Simon raised his brows when they joined them out in the garden a few minutes later. ‘I guess you weren’t as interesting a subject as I thought you were, old man,’ he drawled.

  ‘Come and have your tea,’ Helen instructed her husband while James looked searchingly at Aura.

  She avoided his gaze, only relaxing again when they all joined in a game with the two excited children.

  James was very quiet on the drive back to her home, and she knew it was her fault. But she couldn’t change the way she was, or the sudden mood changes that could attack her at any time. He had asked for a little at a time, and that was exactly what she was giving him.

  ‘I liked them very much,’ he finally said.

  ‘They liked you too,’ she said unnecessarily.

  ‘Was there some reason why you refused to make a definite agreement to go over to dinner with them this week?’

  A blush darkened her cheeks. ‘I thought we should talk about it first,’ she dismissed. ‘Helen did rather put us on the spot.’

  ‘I would have enjoyed it,’ James told her softly.

  She shrugged. ‘Well, there’s still time to let them know we can go over one evening. Just let me know—’

  ‘Aura, they were only being friendly; my getting to know the people you care about isn’t committing you to anything.’

  She drew in a ragged breath. ‘I thought—we don’t know each other well enough to socialise with each other’s friends!’

  He was suddenly distant, although Aura was sure he hadn’t moved away from her in the confines of the car. ‘Of course,’ he accepted abruptly. ‘Well, I’ve enjoyed today, Aura; can I see you one night in the week?’

  She had hurt him again, something she seemed to be able to do all too easily. ‘James, try to understand—’

  ‘I’m trying to,’ he rasped. ‘Could we have dinner? Tuesday, perhaps?’

  ‘Yes,’ she accepted in a small voice, feeling about as small.

  He stopped the car beside the pavement, leaving the engine idling. ‘I won’t come up,’ he bit out. ‘I have some papers I need to look through before tomorrow.’

  The kiss he gave her lasted barely long enough for her to be conscious of his lips on hers, his eyes shadowed with pain as he moved back to his own side of the car.

  ‘I’ll call you,’ he said instantly.

  Ten days. She had known him ten days, and in that time he had become as much a part of her life as all the other things she cared about. He didn’t call her the next day, and Adrian didn’t come to see her either. Adrian’s absence she could live with, guessing he was doing it intentionally, letting her worry a little in return for thwarting him the last time. But not even talking to James on the telephone seemed strange to her, as if part of her were missing, a very essential part.

  By Tuesday afternoon she was so angry with herself and everyone else that she buried herself in the stock-room out of everyone’s way. Even her business didn’t hold her attention as it usually did, and she had to go back and count several items more than once when she realised she had put a ridiculous figure in the amount column.

  ‘Someone to see you, Aura,’ Jeanne called up the stairs.

  She bumped her head on the shelf above as she straightened too fast. James! He had come to see her about tonight instead of calling her!

  But there was only a woman standing in the shop, a tall, elegant woman with glossy black hair smoothed back in a chignon, her beautiful face deeply tanned, making her eyes look violet rather than the deep blue they really were.

  Without needing an introduction, Aura knew instinctively who this woman was. Selina Mayhew …

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  AURA didn’t know how she knew the identity of her visitor, but somehow she was sure that was who the other woman was.

  What was she doing here? Had she found out about Aura’s brief friendship with Adrian and come to confront her about it?

  Maybe she was wrong, maybe this wasn’t really Adrian’s wife but a customer looking for a particular product. Maybe—

  As the woman put up a hand to straighten her already smooth hair, unaware of Aura’s presence yet, Aura saw the bracelet and knew she wasn’t mistaken. It was the diamond bracelet Adrian had offered her for her birthday!

  Unless it was one exactly like it? No, she accepted heavily, it was the same bracelet, its intricate design was indelibly printed on her memory. And Adrian had given it to his wife after she refused to accept it. What sort of man was he to give his wife the cast-off of a proposed mistress? She knew the answer to that question all too well!

  She smoothed her hands down her hips, taking a deep breath. ‘Can I help you?’

  The woman turned to look at her, and Aura saw just how dazzlingly beautiful she was. Her skin was as smooth as satin, long lashes fringing those violet eyes, her nose small and straight, a rose lip-gloss outlining the perfection of her pouting mouth, the designer-label gown of cream silk suiting her slender body perfectly. Why on earth did Adrian chase after other women when he had a wife as beautiful as this at home?

  ‘Miss Jones?’

  Even her voice was beautiful, pitched low and soft, the sort of voice that made men drool. ‘That’s right,’ she confirmed distantly.

  ‘I’m Selina Mayhew,’ she introduced herself lightly, holding out her hand.

  She accepted the gesture, nodding abruptly. ‘Mrs Mayhew.’

  ‘Selina, please,’ she invited. ‘I believe we have a mutual acquaintance.’

  Aura stiffened, glancing uncomfortably towards Jeanne. If this woman was going to start spouting accusations she certainly didn’t want an audience to it.

  ‘I’ll go and finish off the stock-taking,’ Jeanne offered tactfully.

  ‘Thank you,’ Aura accepted gratefully.

  Selina Mayhew smiled warmly at Jeanne as she made her departure. Aura watched the other woman warily, wondering how she had found out about her.

  She was so beautiful, her features perfect, and although she must be about thirty, the same as Adrian, to have a nine-year-old son, she looked no older than her early twenties at most.

  ‘A mutual acquaintance?’ Aura prompted abruptly once they were alone.

  ‘Yes.’ The other woman included her in the warmth of her smile. ‘James,’ she supplied as Aura still looked wary.

  James! What on earth did James have to do with this?

  Selina Mayhew gave a husky laugh. ‘Who did you think I meant?’

  Aura searched for any double meaning to the innocently put question, but the other woman looked genuinely puzzled by her behaviour. She didn’t know about her involvement with Adrian. Aura relaxed slightly.

  ‘Selina Mayhew,’ she feigned realisation. ‘The wife of James’s partner?’

  ‘That’s right,’ the ot
her woman beamed. ‘Have you met Adrian?’

  Had they met? Almost too intimately! ‘He was at James’s apartment when I arrived the other evening,’ she supplied distantly.

  ‘Was he?’ Selina Mayhew frowned. ‘Concerning work, probably,’ she nodded. ‘The poor dear has been most distracted while we were away.’

  Aura guessed that Adrian’s preooccupation had little to do with thoughts of work and more to do with her downfall! ‘I believe they were discussing business,’ she said truthfully.

  ‘I hope Adrian didn’t spoil your evening?’ the other woman sympathised. ‘Time doesn’t seem to have any meaning for him when there’s work to be done.’

  Surely this woman didn’t believe her husband actually worked late on those evenings he didn’t get home? Her completely guileless expression said that she did!

  ‘He left shortly after I arrived.’ Aura avoided mentioning just how badly he had ‘spoilt her evening’.

  ‘Well, I’m glad the two of you have met,’ Selina Mayhew beamed. ‘It makes what I have to ask you much easier.’

  Aura stiffened warily. ‘Oh?’

  ‘Yes,’ the other woman nodded warmly. ‘You see, Saturday is our tenth wedding anniversary—’

  ‘Congratulations,’ Aura drawled.

  ‘Thank you,’ Selina Mayhew smiled. ‘We’re having a party for a few friends, and of course we want James to be there.’

  ‘Of course,’ she acknowledged, her wariness increasing.

  ‘So now you can see my problem,’ the other woman said brightly.

  ‘Er—no.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t see it at all.’

  Selina Mayhew gave a puzzled frown. ‘Maybe I haven’t explained myself very well,’ she sighed. ‘James called me last night and told me that as you don’t like to go to parties he wouldn’t be coming either.’

  The fact that he was right didn’t alter the fact that she had never mentioned disliking parties to James. But she had told him she didn’t think they knew each other well enough to socialise with each other’s friends! And he had refused this woman’s invitation because of that, she was sure of it.

  ‘We have no arrangements to meet on Saturday,’ she said coldly.

  ‘James refuses to come without you.’ The other woman shrugged.

  Aura’s mouth tightened. ‘I think you should talk to James about this; I didn’t even know he had been invited to a party on Saturday.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ Selina Mayhew looked contrite. ‘I hope I haven’t upset you by coming here.’

  ‘Not at all,’ she dismissed briskly. ‘As I said, I have no knowledge of the party beyond what you’ve told me. Perhaps James has reasons of his own for refusing?’

  The other woman looked hurt by the idea. ‘He told me the woman he was dating doesn’t like crowds,’ she insisted.

  ‘And, as I just said, he hasn’t even invited me,’ Aura said.

  The other woman brightened. ‘Does that mean that if he does ask you you’ll come?’

  ‘No,’ she sighed. ‘It doesn’t mean that at all.’

  ‘But there aren’t going to be crowds of people there,’ Selina Mayhew encouraged. ‘Just a few close friends.’

  ‘Like James,’ she said heavily.

  ‘I can’t imagine having an anniversary party without him there,’ she said. ‘That’s why I thought I would come and invite you personally, explain to you how important this is to Adrian and me. Beside the fact that we’re all friends, it would look very odd if Adrian’s business partner didn’t attend,’ she frowned.

  Appearances, James and the Mayhews all lived in a world where that was all-important. Although it obviously wasn’t as important to James as to the others; he had refused the invitation because of her.

  ‘You don’t even have to stay long if you don’t want to,’ the other woman encouraged. ‘James isn’t known for his socialising qualities.’

  ‘I don’t—’

  ‘Oh, please come,’ she urged Aura. ‘I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself.’

  It would probably be worth it just to see Adrian’s face, surely he wouldn’t dare make a scene at his own anniversary party! But it was a risk she dared not take.

  ‘I really am sorry, Mrs Mayhew.’ She spoke firmly. ‘As I said, James hasn’t even invited me.’

  ‘Then I’ll have to make sure he does.’ She brightened, holding out her hand. ‘I do hope we’ll meet again on Saturday,’ she beamed.

  Aura felt shaken after the other woman’s departure. How could that nice woman be married to such a lecher? She certainly didn’t deserve the husband fate had dealt her.

  ‘Adrian Mayhew’s wife?’ Jeanne rejoined her.

  ‘Yes,’ she sighed.

  ‘A wife you knew nothing about,’ Jeanne said with certainty.

  ‘Oh, Jeanne,’ she gave the other woman a shaky smile. ‘I wish everyone had your trust.’

  ‘Did she give you a rough time?’ Jeanne frowned.

  ‘She came to invite me to accompany James to the party she and Adrian are having on Saturday for their tenth wedding aniversary,’ Aura answered a little hysterically.

  Her assistant nodded slowly. ‘It figures.’

  Aura blinked. ‘Sorry?’

  ‘I would watch out for Selina Mayhew if I were you,’ Jeanne advised thoughtfully. ‘She reminds me of that plant that devours flies, innocent enough from a distance, but if you get too close you’re dead.’

  ‘Jeanne!’ She looked at her friend wonderingly.

  ‘Believe me,’ the other woman warned. ‘No woman—wife, meekly accepts her husband’s indiscretions without thought of some retribution.’

  ‘She doesn’t know about Adrian and me,’ Aura told her drily.

  Jeanne’s brows rose. ‘Are you sure about that?’

  ‘Of course I—she would hardly invite me to her party if she did know,’ Aura dismissed confidently.

  ‘Nevertheless, I would watch out for her,’ Jeanne warned again.

  ‘I think you’ve been reading too many whodunits,’ Aura lightly teased her friend’s addiction. ‘In this case, no one did it!’

  ‘I hope you’re right.’ Jeanne didn’t sound at all convinced.

  There had been nothing in the least offensive or accusing about Selina Mayhew, she had been pleasantly friendly, with no undertones of resentment in her manner at all; Jeanne had to have been mistaken.

  She distractedly answered the telephone as it rang. ‘Yes?’

  ‘Aura?’

  James! Her hand tightened on the receiver. ‘Yes.’ She was wary now.

  ‘Is our dinner date still on for tonight?’ he asked distantly.

  ‘Unless you want to cancel it,’ she said nervously.

  ‘No,’ he bit out. ‘Would you like to eat out—or are you still unhappy about being seen with me in public?’ His voice had hardened.

  ‘James, it isn’t that,’ she protested. ‘You—’

  ‘Then I’ll book us a table somewhere, shall I?’ he rasped.

  ‘James, I—yes, do that,’ she decided firmly.

  ‘Eight o’clock?’

  ‘Yes,’ she agreed miserably.

  He was still angry with her. And he had a right to be, she acknowledged. Did he really think she was ashamed to be seen in public with him? He would find out just how wrong he was if anyone should recognise her!

  ‘I thought the two of you must have argued.’ Her mother sighed her relief when Aura told her she was seeing James that evening.

  ‘Mummy,’ she sighed. ‘I wish you would understand that James and I are just seeing each other casually. We don’t know each other well enough to argue,’ she lied.

  ‘If you say so, dear,’ her mother accepted vaguely, but this time Aura was sure she saw a gleam of laughter in her eyes.

  She frowningly watched her mother as she went through to the kitchen with a cat who, if he wasn’t already spoilt by the attention that had been lavished on him the last week, was certainly bordering on it, refusing to go back to eating his tinned foo
d, setting up a terrible meowing every evening until he got either boiled fish or chicken for his supper. Well on the way to recovery now, he certainly didn’t need the light diet any more, but he was making the most of it, somehow managing to look pitiful if he was denied anything. Her mother denied him nothing.

  It was silly to be jealous of a cat, but Aura couldn’t help wishing that for once her mother were there for her to talk to, to help her through the trauma of loving James. She wanted someone to pour out her troubles to rather than being the responsible one all the time!

  But there was no one; not even Helen was on her side over this, believing that she should tell James the truth and hope he would believe and trust her. Two weeks’ acquaintance wasn’t long enough to expect him to do that!

  The man who called for her that evening was the same one who had been sitting behind that desk on the first day they met, a coldly remote man who hid his feelings behind a mask of impersonal politeness.

  ‘I—had a visitor today.’ Finally Aura could stand the silence between them no longer, the restaurant James had chosen quiet and the service unobtrusive, deliberately so, she was sure.

  ‘Oh?’ he showed little interest.

  He looked so handsome tonight, the black evening suit tailored to him perfectly, his eyes a deep deep green against the darkness of his skin. And he was as approachable as an iceberg!

  Aura moistened stiff lips. ‘Your partner’s wife came to see me.’

  Now she had his full attention, his gaze sharp. ‘Selina?’ he rasped.

  ‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘She—invited me to their party on Saturday.’

  He sipped the wine the waiter had brought to accompany their meal.

  ‘James, did you hear me?’ She knew he had; she couldn’t understand why he didn’t show some reaction.

  ‘Yes, I heard you.’ He looked at her with narrowed eyes.

  ‘Aren’t you interested to know why she came to see me?’ Aura snapped.

  He shrugged. ‘Knowing Selina as I do, what she couldn’t achieve one way she decided to achieve another.’

  ‘Which is?’ Aura demanded sharply.

  ‘My presence at the party on Saturday,’ he decided. ‘I refused to go because I knew you wouldn’t be interested, and so Selina decided to do a little persuading of her own,’ he added drily. ‘Are we going?’