Page 35 of Wife After Wife

Just as well. If Megan was busy, she wouldn’t be able to chase Charles. It was clear she still had that girlhood crush on him—since their reunion, she’d kept finding reasons to talk to Harry about him. He thought it rather odd. Megan could have her pick of much younger, unmarried men. Perhaps it was a father substitute thing.

He was also confident Merry wouldn’t be a problem. Will was coming, too, and this was a big night for them as London’s movers and shakers had their first taste of McCarey’s new French wines. She’d be far too busy schmoozing to cause any raised eyebrows.

As he strode toward the marquee, Harry had a good feeling. This was going to be the party of the season.

He reached the covered walkway, and his eye was caught by the floral arrangements sitting on pedestals at intervals along it. Black roses, arranged with pale trailing greenery that spilled down the columns. He’d never seen anything like them before.

Entering the enormous marquee, he spotted Megan and members of the PR department talking with the catering staff.

Where was Ana? He couldn’t help himself scanning the room for her and wondered again at the strange goings-on in his head... and heart. He’d made a concerted effort to put any thoughts of Merry’s sister to one side following the compelling attraction he’d felt toward her that evening at tennis. He’d resisted the constant temptation to visit theRack’sart department, only dropping in when it was unavoidable. He’d tried so hard to put her out of his mind.

But the images in his head refused to go away. Ana with her long ponytail flying, firing volleys at him, her tennis skirt flipping up as she brought the racquet down. Those lean, tanned legs...

“Hello, Harry.”

“Ah, Zadie.” Rose Corp.’s public relations manager had appeared at his side. “Everything’s looking great. Well done. Those black roses are spectacular.”

“Yeah, the roses were...” Zadie caught sight of Ana, who was entering the marquee at the opposite end. “Ana!” she called, waving her over.

Ana didn’t seem at all self-conscious of the attention she was receiving as she walked, tall and straight-backed, across the wooden floor. The velvety material of her beautifully cut black dress clung to her slim figure. The neckline plunged in a deep V, and her golden shoulders were bare. Her raven hair was arranged in a high bun with a band of tiny pearls around it, adding to her already considerable height, and there was a matching pearl choker around her long neck. Artfully applied eyeliner made her dark eyes look feline.

Zadie wolf whistled. “Ana, I think I’ll set you loose on our biggest advertisers. You’ll have us booked up until Christmas!”

Ana smiled. “Thank you. You don’t think it’s too much black for June?”

“No way, it’s a great look. Oh yes, and the boss likes the roses.”

Ana turned to Harry. “Hello,” she said, looking at him warily.

Harry couldn’t remember what he was about to say. All coherent thoughts had fled.

“The roses?” prompted Zadie.

“Ah yes. Roses. The black ones. Fabulous. Do I take it you’re responsible?”

“Megan wanted roses; Terri wasn’t happy with red.” Her tone was cool. “I just suggested a less conventional color.”

“Well, they look perfect. I can see we did the right thing getting your design skills on board. I hope you’ll bring that flair into the pages of theRack.”

“I’m glad you like them. I should...” She waved her hand over at the group Megan was talking to.

“Of course, you have things to do.”

Ana turned to go, and Harry saw that there was a cutaway section in the back of her dress, all the way down to just below her waist. He itched to trail his fingers down her golden skin.

“Down, boy,” teased Zadie. “Though I gotta say, I reckon I’d turn for her.”

Harry was shocked out of his trance. “Zadie, I can’t believe you just said that.”

She winked. “Don’t worry, Harry. I won’t tell if you won’t.”

CHAPTER 15

Ana

Ana, Megan, and two girls from the events company were arranging goody bags on the table at the marquee entrance. The black bags, made of luxuriously thick paper, were printed in gold with the Rose logo and the wordsAre You Ready to Rack?The goodies included a box of gourmet chocolates, a half bottle of McCarey champagne, and a single-use camera.

Souvenir issues of theRackwere in sealed boxes in a locked van outside and would be put out after the cover reveal had taken place.