‘Wait … you didn’t think …? Oh, Christ, you did, didn’t you? You thought this was going somewhere. Jesus, Elizabeth, I didn’t take you for being that naive.’

‘You’re a bastard, you know that?’

‘It’s been said before.’ He gave a don’t-give-a-fuck grin at her.

Elizabeth wanted to rush round the other side of the bed and slap that conceited, smug smile right off his face. If he thought he could just chuck her away when he’d had enough, then he had another think coming. ‘Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not looking for anything more than a bit of fun and excitement from you, but despite what you might think, I’m not cheap. There’s a price for me tottering back home to Harry without a word of this.’

He stood up as he buttoned the cuffs on his shirt. ‘Really?’ He gave a dismissive snort.

‘Yes, really. I’d say you’ve got far more to lose than me. Don’t forget I know all about what happens up at the boathouse for a start.’

Ha! That wiped the smile off his face. He wasn’t so smug now.

He walked around the edge of the bed and pointed his finger so that it was almost in her face. ‘Don’t fuck with me. You’ll be sorry.’

‘Oh, I’m frightened,’ said Elizabeth, determined not to let Dominic see she was intimidated by his unexpected aggression.

‘You get yourself back home like the good wife you’re supposed to be. That’s if you know what’s good for you.’

Elizabeth was still fuming when she arrived home but she knew she was kidding herself really. Yes, she was angry at Dominic, but she was also scared. There had been something in Dominic’s eyes she couldn’t quite read. It wasn’t anything she could put her finger on, but there was some underlying intent, something evil just below the surface where Dominic was concerned.

‘Where have you been?’ demanded Harry as she walked through the door.

‘Out, shopping.’

‘Where are your bags?’

‘I didn’t see anything I liked.’ Elizabeth dropped her car keys into the bowl. ‘What’s with the interrogation?’ Harry was becoming increasingly suspicious about what she did with her time and it was not just annoying her, but it had begun to worry her a little too. She might be able to convince him to forgive her an indiscretion but she wasn’t sure he’d forgive her if she said the indiscretion involved his brother. She remembered he wasn’t supposed to be home. ‘I thought you were out with Owen all day?’

‘Change of plan. Sorry to disappoint you.’

Elizabeth sighed. ‘Honestly, Harry, I’m tired of all this.’

‘All what?’