enough of them around this room.’
Graham Halsay bore down on them. ‘Someone getting drinks for you both? Excellent.’ He smiled expansively. ‘Jake, you already know everyone, so let me take your charming companion under my wing and perform some proper introductions.’
And quite suddenly, it all became easier, and she was almost able to relax.
‘That’s a Fenella Finch dress, isn’t it?’ said Clare Dawson. She sighed. ‘She’s my daughter’s favourite designer, but no use to me, I’m afraid.’
Her husband Jeffrey, a large, grey-haired man who reminded Marin of her stepfather, smiled at her affectionately. ‘Well, I think you always look lovely, darling.’
That’s how marriage should be, Marin reflected wistfully, thinking of her mother, loved devotedly by two good men. Because it wasn’t about good looks, money and large houses but finding someone who was your other half to complete you, make you whole and safe. Then—keeping them close, for ever.
And wondered if she would ever be that lucky.
Her slightly sombre mood wasn’t improved when she went into dinner, and found she’d been seated next to Robert Bannister with Jake placed on the opposite side of the table and much further down.
However, the food was lovely, and she easily resisted all Mr Bannister’s slightly patronising efforts to flirt with her, so the meal, although far lengthier than she’d bargained for, was also less of an ordeal than she’d feared.
And most of the conversation was general, which meant she was not obliged to contribute.
Eventually, inevitably, the talk turned to the weather.
‘You seem to have struck lucky again, Diana,’ Chaz Stratton remarked. ‘Do you have a secret deal with the great weather-man in the sky?’
Diana Halsay joined the general ripple of amusement round the table. ‘Oh, how I wish it were true. It’s such a nightmare trying to plan anything in an English summer. I suppose that’s why so many people are moving further afield, finding themselves second homes near the Med.’
She flashed a smile at her husband. ‘I’ve been trying hard to wheedle Graham into doing the same, but he’s being awfully stubborn.’
‘We have a second home, darling,’ Graham Halsay reminded her quietly. ‘In fact, we’re having dinner in it right at this moment.’
‘Of course,’ she said swiftly. ‘But it’s a rather different story when it’s lashing with rain outside in sub-zero temperatures.’ She ticked off on her fingers. ‘Leila James has a place near Marbella, Gilly Webb is looking for a big country house in Italy and another friend of mine has been immersed in a renovation project in the South of France.’
Her laugh tinkled out. ‘And here am I, praying for two fine days in a row.’
‘You keep up the pressure, Diana,’ said Robert Bannister. ‘Graham will give in eventually.’
Will he? Marin wondered, noting the host’s set expression. Somehow, I doubt it.
‘What about you, Miss Wade?’ All eyes swivelled to Marin as Diana spoke, smiling. ‘I’m sure you must have hankered for your own special place in the sun.’
Which is why, she’s implying, that I’m dating a millionaire, thought Marin.
But she smiled back with the utmost tranquillity. ‘I’m very fortunate, Mrs Halsay. My parents have a home in Portugal, and I spend a lot of time with them there.’
Or I would, if I didn’t have to work so hard and so long in order to make a living.
‘Really?’ Diana said brightly. ‘How fascinating.’ And she changed the subject—and her target.
It was much later, while coffee was being served and she was taking a surreptitious look at her watch, that Marin found herself unexpectedly under her hostess’s spotlight again.
‘Do you swim at all, Miss Wade?’ Diana enquired sweetly from the foot of the table during a lull in the conversation. ‘Because my little Saturday morning gala is becoming quite a tradition. I do hope you’ll feel able to take part in it.’
Well, that explained the session with Lynne in the sports department, Marin thought drily. She debated whether to mention that she’d swum for her school, and in a junior county team, and decided to keep quiet.
‘Thank you,’ she responded calmly. ‘I shall look forward to it.’
‘Excellent.’ Diana’s smile wafted past her to Jake. ‘And I can’t wait to see if anyone can beat you, darling.’
‘I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, my dear.’ Graham’s intervention was also smiling but brisk. ‘Jake and I have business to discuss tomorrow, which makes us both non-starters. I thought you understood that.’
There was a pause, then Diana sighed prettily. ‘Ah, well.’ She spread her hands in a humorous gesture of resignation. ‘This is what happens when you marry a workaholic. But I’m sure I don’t need to remind any of the wives present of that.’
She looked back at Marin. ‘Beware, Miss Wade, of becoming involved with a man who puts the job first.’
In fact, thought Marin, you’re really saying—don’t get involved with Jake. Full stop. And you’re addressing your own interests rather than mine.
She said composedly, ‘I’ll certainly bear your advice in mind, Mrs Halsay—if I’m ever tempted.’
As they left the dining room, Jake was momentarily detained by his host, and Marin found herself claimed by Sylvia Bannister.
‘You’ve turned out to be the surprise of the weekend.’ Her tone was faintly supercilious. ‘How did you and Jake Radley-Smith become such an item? Or is it indiscreet to ask?’
‘Certainly not,’ Marin returned. ‘We met through my sister. She works for him.’
‘Oh.’ The other woman was clearly surprised. ‘But you don’t?’
‘Heavens, no.’ Marin produced a mock shudder. ‘That would be terribly unwise. Don’t they say never mix business with pleasure?’
‘I’ve heard it mentioned.’ Mrs Bannister paused. ‘So how do you earn a crust, if I may ask?’
‘I work for the Ingram Organisation,’ Marin said coolly. ‘We supply a whole range of secretarial services for companies and private individuals.’
‘You must be good at your job. It certainly seems to pay very well.’ Sylvia Bannister ran a narrow-eyed glance over the Fenella Finch dress. ‘And when did you meet Jake?’
Marin shrugged. ‘A while back.’ She added nonchalantly, ‘But I seem to have known him for ever.’ And she realised with a little shiver of awareness that it was no more than the truth.
Mrs Bannister’s eyes narrowed. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘You’ve been his best-kept secret until now.’ She glanced towards Diana Halsay who
