Page 36 of Wife After Wife

As Terri had pointed out more than once, they were paying the events people a substantial fee to make sure everything ran like clockwork, so Ana didn’t need to be doing this. But until Percy arrived (he’d been invited as an advertiser), she’d stay here as moral support for Megan.

She noticed Harry’s eyes on her. Again. It was making her uncomfortable. She suspected Harry Rose was something of a ladies’ man. He was charming, witty, and intelligent, but there was something about him that left her cold. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

Nobody else seemed to have a problem. Everyone at Rose thought he was the bee’s knees, with the possible exception of Terri (who, Ana suspected, hated everyone who’d grown up south of Watford on principle, especially if they were well-spoken).

“Action stations,” hissed the girl next to her. “Guests!”

A party of three had appeared on the red carpet. Ana recognized Charles Lisle, her tennis partner. He was between two women, one blond and the other with dark red hair. The blonde was wearing a too-tight dress in a loud shade of blue and was clinging to Charles’s arm. Her free arm kept flying out to the side as if she were trying to regain her balance. If Ana wasn’t mistaken, she was already half-cut.

As they approached, Ana saw that the auburn-haired woman had a baby bump below her gorgeous green dress. She was attractive, in an understated way, and looked a little nervous.

Megan hurried over to them. “Hi, guys! Ohmygosh, Katie, you lookgorgeous! You’re absolutely blooming!”

Katie. This was Harry’s wife. Now Ana remembered Megan saying she was going to be an auntie again.

Megan turned to Charles, who was looking down at her with affection. Ana watched his eyes rove over her lacy midnight-blue dress, cut low across her bust, then move to the red-gold curls piled on top of her head, before returning to her face, framed by corkscrew tendrils. Under his scrutiny, Megan turned slightly pink. Then she playfully punched him in the stomach. “Hello, old bean.”

His smile spread into a grin, and he pulled one of her curls straight, letting it spring back up. “Looking good, Nutmeg.”

The blond woman gave a not very subtle cough.

“Sorry, ladies,” said Charles, not taking his eyes from Megan. “Forgetting my manners. Megan, this is Cassandra. Cassandra, meet Harry’s baby sister, Megan.”

“Enchantée,” said Cassandra. “I hear you’ve been in France. Must be nice to be back in thebosomof your family.” Her eyes traveled to Megan’s obvious cleavage.

Charles spotted Ana and came across, ushering the two women with him.

“Ana, we meet again. Ladies, this is Ana Lyebon, also recently returned fromla belleFrance. She has a fearsome volley. You looktrès chic,Ana.” He kissed her on both cheeks. “Ana, this is Cassandra—Mrs. Lisle—and Katie Rose.”

Ana was about to compliment Katie on her dress, when Harry appeared by his wife’s side.

“Harry!” said Cassandra, rather loudly, and helped herself to a glass of wine from a nearby waiter’s tray.

“Hello, Cass.” Harry kissed her cheek, then touched Katie on the arm. “You look lovely, sweetheart. How are you managing in this heat?”

“Not too bad, but I don’t think I’ll be doing much dancing.”

“Would you like a glass of water?” asked Ana. Without waiting for a reply, she waved the waiter back and handed a mineral water to Katie.

“Thanks.” Katie smiled, but Ana detected a wariness.

“Ah, here comes your sister, Ana,” said Harry.

Merry was sashaying down the red carpet toward them in a white 1950s-style dress, on the arm of Will, who looked a little gaunt. Ana felt a niggle of worry. Given Will’s lifestyle...

“Oh, it’sher,” hissed Cassandra.

Ana was used to other women’s reactions to her sister.

Harry frowned. “VIP guest and major sponsor, Cassandra,” he said in a low voice. “And Ana’s sister.”

“Darlings!” called Merry.

Ana didn’t miss the way she squeezed Harry’s arm when he kissed her cheek. Once again she had an inkling Merry might be supplying more than Harry’s wine.

“Wilsky, old chap,” said Charles, shaking Will’s hand. “How’s the booze business?”

“Whisky’s doing welski, thank you, Lisle. Jury’s still out on the wine—we’re hoping Merry’s efforts are rewarded tonight.”