When did Harry become such a bore? she wondered. He was a lot more fun when they’d first got married. These days he was ready for his slippers and pipe. She thought of Dominic, who seemed a much more exciting and fun proposition altogether. There was a sense of danger about him. It wasn’t the first time she’d realized this. She’d always known he was the alpha male of the family, the one who held the power, but it had never seemed as obvious as it did now. Before, when she and Harry were having lots of fun, Dominic hadn’t seemed so different, but now there was a growing rift between the two of them.

Harry eventually managed to persuade her to go back to their lodge a couple of hours later. She had partied even harder since Owen was deposited home. She wanted to make the most of it and to make a point to Harry that she wasn’t ready to hang up her party shoes any time soon. If he remembered the fun they used to have, he might revert back to his more carefree ways.

Elizabeth flopped into bed and, closing her eyes, turned on her side. Harry was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth. If he had any notion they were going to have sex, he could think again. She was far too tired for that. She knew she’d be asleep before he climbed into bed beside her.

Two Years Earlier,
Conmere, 24 September, 9.00 a.m.

Although Elizabeth felt she had only been asleep for a short time, she was surprised to see it was nine o’clock in the morning. She rolled over and saw the bed was empty. Harry was probably organising the post-party tidy-up. She yawned and her thoughts migrated back to last night. Her stomach pitched and she had a sudden and very clear recollection of her moment with Dominic. Oops. She had tried to kiss him right there at the party. And he had groped her arse. She smiled at the thought. And he had told her to call him when she was sober.

Elizabeth tentatively got up from the bed and slipped on her dressing gown. Was this too early to call him? Would he be sleeping off a hangover or would he be helping Harry tidy up? She made herself a cup of tea and, going back up to the bedroom, glanced out of the window. She couldn’t have timed it better. There, walking along the path through the trees, were Harry and Dominic.

Elizabeth picked up her phone from the bedside table and dialled Dominic’s mobile.

She watched Dominic take his phone from his pocket and after a slight hesitation answer it.

‘Hello, Dominic Sinclair.’

‘Hello, Dominic Sinclair,’ purred Elizabeth. ‘This is Elizabeth Sinclair. I’m just phoning to let you know that I’m sober and following up on our conversation from last night.’