that last crack, Charlotte said, ‘He’s escorting me to a supper party at St John’s Wood, given by Anthony Drayton.’
‘The literary agent?’
‘Yes. He hosts one every year. Half of London gets invited—anybody who is anybody. His parties always have a different theme. Last year it was timed to coincide with a new moon, and all the ladies were asked to wear something silver.’
‘What is it this time?’
‘Candlelight.’
‘Let’s hope the fire brigade’s been alerted,’ Sojo said wryly.
‘You’re going out, I suppose?’ Charlotte asked.
‘Nope. I’ll be all on my little lonesome.’
‘Then why not come along with us? I’m sure Anthony won’t mind.’
‘It’s not Anthony I’m worried about.’
‘Rudy won’t either.’
‘That’s a whopping great lie, and even if it wasn’t, playing gooseberry is not my favourite role.’
‘I’m surprised you’re not going out with Mark. He seemed keen enough.’
‘If anything, too keen. A regular Mr Touchy-Feely. I got so fed up with peeling his hands off, I showed him the door.’
Watching Charlotte collect a squashy evening bag and a silver fun-fur, she queried, ‘Going by taxi?’
‘No, Rudy’s offered to pick me up. He should be here any minute.’
Stationing herself in the bow-window, where she could see the street in both directions, Sojo suggested casually, ‘Why don’t you ask him up for a nightcap when he brings you home?’
‘Yes, I might. It’s about time you and Rudy met.’
‘So it’s getting serious!’
‘I’m not sure,’ Charlotte admitted.
‘In that case I’ll give him the once-over before I make myself scarce, not forgetting to mention that I’m a heavy sleeper.’
‘Don’t you dare!’ Charlotte exclaimed.
‘Only joking, honestly. Hello! This looks like him now… Or at least a posh-looking car has just drawn up outside. A man with dark curly hair is getting out! He’s gazing up at the window!’ She heaved a rapturous sigh. ‘Oh, Romeo, Romeo…’
Gathering up her coat and bag, Charlotte fled.
The September evening was cool and grey and slightly foggy. Street lamps cast an amber glow onto the damp pavements, and, surrounded by a halo of mist, shone like luminous ghosts.
Rudy was waiting for her on the pavement. Taking her hand, he drew her close and kissed her with a barely restrained passion.
After a moment, well aware that Sojo was almost certainly watching, Charlotte drew away.
Damn it, Rudy thought as he jumped into the car and started the engine. He was practically desperate. He needed to make some headway before Simon returned, and time was getting short.
But with a certain cool reserve, Charlotte was unlike any other girl he’d ever met, and so far, afraid of scaring her off, he’d forced himself to be relatively patient.
Now, however, restless and frustrated, he found the strain was beginning to tell, and he frowned as he joined the sluggish stream of evening traffic, and headed north for St John’s Wood.
His experience had told him that she was on the verge of falling in love with him, and it was time to make his move. With the Mayfair flat still at his disposal he had entertained high hopes that tonight they might become lovers.
It would make a difficult situation a great deal easier and immeasurably increase his chances of keeping her—so long as he could come up with the right kind of story to gain her sympathy.
She was, he felt certain, the kind of woman who would stick by him once she had committed herself.
And he badly wanted her to.
This wasn’t just the start of another affair, nor was it because she would shortly be rich, though that was a definite bonus. For the first time in his life he was mad about a woman, unable to concentrate on anything, hardly able to eat or sleep for thinking about her, and her cool reception of his kiss had shaken him badly.
Still, there was the whole evening ahead. Unless he’d lost his touch he’d be able to get her in the right mood before it ended. With a mouth like hers, and that underlying hint of sensuousness, she couldn’t really be cold…
As they drew into the drive of their host’s big house, Rudy’s heart sank to see the parking apron was crowded with prestigious cars.
It sank even further when the handsome front door was opened by a liveried manservant, and it became abundantly clear that the party, which was well under way, was a glittering affair.
Beyond the chandelier-hung hall, a large candlelit room was packed with people, and well-dressed celebrities appeared to be ten-a-penny.
When Charlotte had first, hesitantly, mentioned the party, it had sounded innocuous enough. Expecting the whole thing to be obscure, quiet, dull and literary, he had promised to do his best to be free. But this affair was much bigger and a great deal less private than he’d bargained for.
He’d made a bad mistake in coming here, and the sooner he could get away, the better. If anyone recognised him and told Simon…
As their coats were whisked away, their handsome, silver-haired host appeared to greet them—Rudy with civility, Charlotte with enthusiasm.
‘My dear, you look stunning. I’m so pleased you could come. The last time I invited you to one of these dos you cried off, you naughty girl.’
‘I couldn’t find an escort.’
‘Now, that I don’t believe. But should it ever happen in the future, come anyway, and I promise I’ll never leave your side,’ Anthony winked at her.
‘Your wife might have something to say about that,’ Charlotte teased.
Sighing, Anthony said, ‘There are times I wish I’d stayed a bachelor gay.’
‘Now, that I don’t believe.’
He grinned. ‘Touché.’
‘You must know that in the literary world yours and Renee’s marriage is held up as a shining example of how good it can be.’
‘It doesn’t come much better,’ he admitted. ‘I think every man should have a wife, don’t you agree?’ He glanced at Charlotte’s companion as if expecting some male support.
When Rudy said nothing, Anthony turned his attention back to Charlotte.
