AN Outrageous Affair

by Penny Vincenzi

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I don’t seem to love him any more.’

  ‘Do you know why?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Chloe. ‘He’s another man wanting a devoted wife. I want a man who doesn’t.’

  ‘Good for you,’ said Fleur. ‘Or maybe no man at all?’

  There was a silence.

  Then Fleur said, ‘That would be brave, Chloe. That would really be brave. Much braver than me taking on Rose Sharon.’

  ‘What would?’

  ‘Getting rid of Ludovic. For no good reason.’

  ‘I’m a good reason,’ said Chloe, ‘but, yes, it would.’

  Reception rang through: it was Reuben. For Chloe.

  ‘How do they all know where we are?’ she said, going pink.

  ‘Hallo?’ she said. ‘Yes, this is me. I’m fine. We’re both fine. Yes, thank you, Reuben. Oh, well, I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Fleur.’

  She looked at Fleur, her eyes very bright.

  ‘Reuben says can I come back to New York for a few days. He’d like to see me.’

  ‘It’s OK with me,’ said Fleur, ‘but I really don’t know what Dorothy will have to say about it.’

  Another call: it was the hospital. Mr Phillips was fine. He’d like Miss FitzPatrick to go over and see him.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ said Fleur. ‘It’s midnight. Inconsiderate bastard. Yes, all right.’ She looked at Chloe. ‘Do you mind? If I go?’

  ‘Of course not,’ said Chloe.

  ‘I suppose,’ said Fleur thoughtfully, ‘this must be love.’ She smiled. ‘You know, I can think of one very good reason why I shouldn’t spend the rest of my life with Magnus Phillips. I’d have to start every single day looking at that filthy marmalade.’

  ALSO BY THE SAME AUTHOR

  No Angel

  Something Dangerous

  Into Temptation

  Almost a Crime

  The Dilemma

  Sheer Abandon

  Windfall

  Forbidden Places