a businessman, Darius. I’m sure you know that when exploring new territory it’s wise to have a plan.’
‘And is that your plan?’ he demanded. ‘To turn away from all human desire?’
‘I have to. Can’t you try to understand? I’m not sure that I can ever…I don’t know, I don’t know.’
‘But how long? For the rest of your life? Was he really that perfect?’
She took a step back and her face was distraught. ‘Leave me alone. Just leave me alone.’
He sighed. ‘Yes, all right. I’m sorry, Harriet. I should have known better. You have to pick your own time. I can’t pick it for you. I shouldn’t have—it’s just that I’ve wanted to do that for some time and…well, I guess you don’t want to know that.’
‘I’d rather not,’ she agreed.
‘Just try to forgive me, please.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ she said calmly. ‘It didn’t happen. Now, I think it’s time we went and started to get ready. We have a long day tomorrow.’
Harriet left him without a backward glance, followed by Phantom, dragging her towel.
After a moment Darius walked after them, cursing himself for clumsiness.
The trip to London was like nothing Harriet had ever known before. Darius had chartered a helicopter that collected them from the lawn and swept them up and over the channel. Looking down, she drew in her breath.
‘Herringdean looks so different, and the sea—nothing is the way I know it below.’
‘Yes, they’re different worlds,’ he agreed, looking down with her. ‘And it can be hard to know which one is the place you belong.’
‘I suppose it wouldn’t be possible to belong in the world up here,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘You could never stay up that long.’
‘True. Sooner or later you have to come down to earth,’ he said in a voice that had a touch of regret.
In London, they landed at an airport where a car was waiting, ready to sweep them into the West End, the place of theatres, expensive shops and even more expensive hotels.
The sight of the Gloriana Hotel rearing up eight floors startled Harriet. She’d guessed that it would be luxurious, but the reality took her by surprise. Again, she wondered if she’d been wise to come here, but it was too late. The chauffeur was carrying their bags to the door. Darius had drawn her arm through his and for his sake she must steel herself. He’d asked this as an act of friendship—and from now on she had only one function; to do him credit so that he could hold up his head.
It needed all her resolution when she saw the inside of the hotel with its marble floor and columns. As Darius had promised, they had separate accommodation but they were next door to each other. When he’d left her alone she studied her surroundings. The bedroom was the largest she had ever seen, and the bathroom was an elegant dream of white porcelain and silver taps. She knew she should have been in heaven, but such luxury intimidated her even more.
Ah, well, she thought resolutely. Best dress forward!
But unpacking was a dismal experience. Suddenly none of her dresses seemed ‘best’ as it would be understood in the Gloriana.
Then she recalled seeing a gown shop in the reception area. A moment to check that she’d brought her credit cards and she was out of the door, hurrying to the elevator.
The shop exceeded her wildest expectations. The clothes were glorious. So, too, were the prices but she decided to worry about that later. Anything was better than looking like a little brown mouse in the kind of elegant company that Darius regarded as normal.
Two dresses held her undecided for a while, but at last—
‘I’ll take this one,’ she said.
‘And the other one,’ said Darius’s voice behind her. ‘They both suit you.’
She whirled to face him. ‘How did you—?’
‘When I found your room empty I asked the desk and they told me you were here. You should have brought me with you so we could make the decision together. Mind you, I like your choices.’ To the assistant he said, ‘We’ll take both of these, please.’
‘No,’ she muttered urgently. ‘I can’t afford them both.’
‘You?’ He regarded her with quizzically raised eyebrows. ‘What has this got to do with you?’
‘Evidently, nothing,’ she said.
‘I invited you here to do me a favour. I don’t expect you to buy your own clothes as well.’ Light dawned.
‘When you say clothes you mean props, don’t you? I’m playing a part and the director chooses the costumes?’
‘Got it in one.’
‘Next thing, you’ll be telling me I’m tax deductible.’
‘Now there’s a thought! Come on, let’s get to work. What have you chosen for the wedding?’
‘I thought that one,’ she said, indicating her first choice.
‘No, something a little more formal.’ He turned away to murmur to the assistant, and another flow of gowns was produced.
‘Try that on,’ Darius said, pointing to a matching dress and jacket.
Turning this way and that before the mirror, she saw it looked stunning on her. As Darius said, it was only right that he should pay the expenses, and when would she get the chance to dress like this again? She fought temptation for the briefest moment before yielding happily. It would take more stern virtue than she could manage to reject this.
While the dress was being packed up Darius said, ‘Now, about jewellery.’ As if anticipating her protest, he hurried on, ‘I’m afraid this will only be hired. Take a look at these.’
If they hadn’t been on hire she knew she couldn’t have accepted the gold, silver and diamonds that were displayed before her. As it was, she was able to make her choice with a clear conscience.
Before they returned to their rooms Darius led her to the back of the hotel, where a huge ballroom was being decorated.
‘This is where they’ll hold the party tonight,’ he said. ‘And tomorrow night the wedding reception will be here.’
More size. This place had been created to hold a thousand. So why was she on edge? she wondered. She was at ease with the much greater size of the ocean. But that was natural, not created artificially to be impressive and profitable. She could never be at ease in an environment like this.
But she smiled, said the right things and tried to look as if she belonged here.
‘I’ve got to go and make phone calls,’ Darius said as they reached her room. ‘I’ll have something delivered for you to eat, then why don’t you put
