Page 142 of Original Sin

‘And where are you now?’

Despite the thousands of miles of distance between them, she felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment.

‘Still Hawaii, although I took a plane over to Maui, extending my trip as you suggested.’

‘Oh, not at the Aloha Grand?’ she replied with evident disapproval.

‘Well, it was quite busy, and someone said Maui was the place to really chill out,’ said Tess, trying to sound as casual as possible.

‘Yes, Sean loves it there. I assume he tipped you off?’

‘He did, yes.’

‘And how is my youngest son? I hope he behaved himself. Although, knowing Sean, he probably even tried it on with you.’

Tess laughed nervously.

‘Between you and me, I think he is calming down,’ continued Meredith conspiratorially. ‘When he was here, he asked me for one of my old rings. I think he’s going to propose to Annabel.’

Tess felt her heart lurch. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Well, you can never tell, can you, with Sean?’ said Meredith. ‘But I met her last month in London. Wonderful girl.’

Tess’s throat was feeling more constricted by the second. ‘I wasn’t aware it was serious.’

‘Neither was I,’ laughed Meredith. ‘I told him at the time not to even think about doing anything until after Brooke’s wedding. I don’t want anything stealing her thunder.’

Feeling weak, Tess sank down on the bed and tried to take two deep breaths. Through the slatted window she could just make out Sean’s silhouette, and a cold shiver passed over her.

‘What were you calling for again, Meredith?’

‘Oh, just to check when you’re going to be back in New York. Brooke and I return tomorrow. The dress is just exquisite, by the way … ’

They made polite small talk for a few minutes, then Tess closed her phone, dropping it onto the crumpled sheets. She bit her lip in anger and humiliation, thumping her fist against her thigh. I’m such an idiot. What on earth did she expect, having sex with Sean Asgill? Did she expect this was going to be converted into a relationship? Did she really think Sean Asgill was going to want anything more? For him, this was just a dalliance with the hired help, an amusing trip below stairs to ravish the servants. Behind every story there’s another, she thought to herself, of course there is. How could she have been so stupid?

She went back outside, trying to keep as natural and calm as possible.

‘Who was that?’ asked Sean.

‘Brooke,’ she lied.

He held out his hand to touch her fingers. ‘What’s so important? It must be seven o’clock in the morning in Paris.’

She wondered angrily if she should confront him, accuse him of lying to her about Annabel, or whether she should wait until she had more proof. A snake like Sean Asgill would only deny it unless she could fling it in his face. That thought led to another: Sean had come to Hawaii directly from New York and was going straight on to London. It made sense that he would have Meredith’s ring with him. That would be all the proof she needed.

‘Something’s come up,’ said Tess quickly, moving back towards the house. ‘She wants me back in New York as soon as possible. I need to look into flights back to JFK tomorrow.’

He groaned. ‘Duty calls,’ he said flatly. ‘How about we head back to bed and worry about Brooke in the morning?’

Tess felt her body stiffen. ‘No I want to get on the Net and see if I can sort the flights.’

She sat down at the desk and opened her laptop, but he crept up behind her, peeled off the strap of her slip dress and kissed her shoulder. She flinched.

‘Don’t you ever stop?’ she said, swatting his hand away as playfully as she could.

‘Is everything all right?’ he asked.

She turned to face him. ‘I was just wondering if this is such a good idea?’ she said slowly. ‘I’m mean you’re just out of a relationship … ’