He propped himself on his elbow and traced her cheek with his fingers. “I know I did, and I know I have to make it up to you, but if I swore to you now I’d never have another woman you wouldn’t believe me. I’ve always told you, I’ve never lied to you, Moyra, never! I don’t cheat on you like some guys would. I don’t screw your friends.”

“What friends? I don’t see anyone, especially not now. They can’t get away from me fast enough.”

“I’m sorry . . .”

“I know, love . . .”

“I love you, Moyra, and if you ever left me, and I know you have every right, but if you were to finish with me . . .”

“I’m here, aren’t I? I’m not going anyplace.”

She turned to him then, and he kissed her, a sweet, loving kiss. His beautiful eyes were so close that she could feel the long lashes on her cheeks. He covered her face with childish kisses, her lips, her eyes . . . She tried not to cry, but her body trembled.

“Oh, no, please don’t cry, Moyra! Please don’t cry!”

“I love you, George, I love you, but sometimes I just can’t cope, and I don’t want to lose you . . . You’ll have to promise me, no more girls, please . . . please!”

He rolled onto his back and stretched his arms above his head. “OK.”

“Promise me?”

He smiled and turned to her, cupping his head in his hand. “I promise, Moyra Henson! And after the trouble I’m in, do you really think I would? I’ll tell you something, I don’t think I could, and I’m not joking. It’s made me impotent, I can’t do a thing!”

She pushed his chest and giggled. “Wanna bet?”

He caught her to him then, hugging her tight, with his wonderful, gurgling laugh. “Oh, my darling, I am a lucky man!”

Chapter 6

6

Karen Howard’s coffin was completely smothered beneath wreaths of flowers, many of them from sympathetic people who had never even met her.

The funeral drew considerable media attention. Television news cameras followed the grieving parents and friends as they left the church. Tennison held back from the crowd and gestured for Jones and Otley to join her as Major Howard turned towards her.

He thanked them courteously for coming, and suggested that they might like to join the family at their home after the burial. Tennison thanked him for the invitation but declined. He seemed not to hear her, being more intent on sheltering his wife from the prying eyes of the reporters as he helped her into their car. Felicity Howard wore a wide-brimmed hat which only partially concealed a face etched with grief.