Page 30 of Wife After Wife

Finally he’d pushed his chair back and said, “Well, lovely to meet you, Ana. I just wanted to say hi, as you’re a friend of my little sister.” Then he’d looked at Nate in a way that to Ana seemed to command,Employ her, or there will be consequences.

“Well?” said Percy.

“He was... you know. Public school, family money, overconfident, probably loves rugby and cricket. Harry Rose is one big cliché.”

Harry

How about Ana, my flatmate?” asked Megan. “Oh, wait. Would that be kind of inappropriate?”

Harry’s feet were up on his desk, and he leaned back in his chair as he spoke to his sister on the phone. “I don’t think she’s started here yet.”

“No, she starts next week.”

“No problem, then. Can you be at the Hurlingham by six? And afterward we can talk about what you’re doing with your life, over a drink.”

“Give it a rest, brother dearest,” said Megan. “Anyway, I have an interview with an events management company. I think I could do that.”

“A party planner? How very fitting.”

“No,events.”

“If you say so. You’ll walk it. Sorry, gotta go. See you at six.”

Harry experienced a strange anticipation at the thought of seeing Ana again, this time socially. Merry’s sister was like a photographicnegative of Merry: jet-black hair to Merry’s blond, deep brown eyes to Merry’s light blue, olive-toned skin to Merry’s peaches and cream. And Ana was sharp where Merry was soft. Poker-straight hair framed her prominent cheekbones and square jawline en route to her waist, while Merry’s shoulder-length curls were a cloud around her apple cheeks. Ana’s body was androgynous and long limbed, while Merry’s was all curves.

And where Merry tended to play the dumb blonde, opening her eyes wide and hanging on your every word, Ana’s eyes, their irises almost as dark as the pupils, had been slightly narrowed, sizing him up. If Merry was a kitten, Ana was a cat.

Later, Harry collected his sports bag and left the office, waving a cheery goodbye to his staff. It was a beautiful summer’s evening and he was on his way to play tennis with two of his favorite people and an intriguing third. Life was good.

As he hailed a taxi, he realized he’d forgotten to ring Katie. He could call her from the club. But if he did, she’d only make him feel guilty for missing Maria’s bedtime yet again. He decided not to bother. He didn’t need the grief.

•••

“Bloody hell, is that...?” said Charles as two women appeared out of the clubhouse doors and stood scanning the terrace. He and Harry were sipping Perrier in the evening sun, waiting for their court to become available.

Harry grinned. “I told you I had a surprise for you. We’re playing doubles tonight.”

Charles had always been fond of Harry’s little sister, twelve years his junior, so Harry had been looking forward to surprising him. And her. Because Megan had adored Charles too.

Seeing Megan through Charles’s eyes, Harry experienced a momentary misgiving. Now twenty-four, she’d grown up to be a real head-turner, with a wide smile, laughing eyes, and wavy red-blond hair.

He hoped Megan’s crush was a thing of the past.

But Megan didn’t hold Harry’s attention for long as his eyes fell on Ana, who, in tennis whites, was all long legs and swinging ponytail.

“And who isthat?” asked Charles, raising his sunglasses onto his head for a better look.

“Megan’s flatmate. She’s making up the four,” said Harry, glad Charles’s eyes were firmly on the girls, as he had an uncanny ability to read Harry’s mind. “She’s going to be working at Rose as a designer,” he added, realizing they were bound to mention it.

Megan spotted them and broke into a run, squealing, “Oh my god—Charles Lisle!”

“Oh dear,” said Harry, smiling. “That’s not Hurlingham-appropriate behavior.”

“Nutmeg!” called Charles, standing up and opening his arms.

Harry had forgotten the old nickname.

Megan threw herself into Charles’s arms, and he lifted her up, narrowly missing the table of drinks.