But Douglas put his glass down and moved towards her, pulling her into his arms. Evie was stunned. Her head against him, she felt his chest rising and falling as he breathed. His hands went to her hair, his fingers threading through it as he tilted her head back and bent to kiss her.

Evie jerked away. ‘What are you doing?’

‘What do you think I’m doing?’ His voice was slightly slurred as he reached for her again. ‘Let’s go upstairs.’

‘Don’t you listen at all?’ She stepped backwards.

He moved towards her, drawing her into his arms again. His eyes locked on hers and she felt herself weakening.

‘I couldn’t wait for them to go. For us to be alone.’ His hands were everywhere, running over the silk of her dress, following the curve of her hips. He made a little groaning noise, and kissed her. The kiss was hungry, as if he were intent on devouring her, consuming her.

Evie wanted to kiss him back, but a little voice inside told her not to. How many times would they go down this road? She had to be sure he wasn’t playing games with her again. ‘Stop!’

‘Please, Evie.’

She pulled away from him and went to sit on the sofa, drawing her knees up in front of her protectively. ‘I can’t keep doing this. I feel like a tennis ball, batted and slammed around the court and never knowing which side of the net I’m on.’

Douglas crouched in front of her, his hands against the sides of her legs. His eyes fixed on her, his expression anguished. ‘I’m sorry. I always seem to mess things up between us. Give me another chance, Evie.’

She breathed out a long deep sigh. ‘I’m not sure I can. I don’t think I can bear being treated like this anymore.’

‘Treated like what?’

She looked at him in irritation. ‘One minute you act as if you want me, then the next you can hardly bear to be in the same room. You never speak to me. You never tell me how you feel. You’re abrupt to the point of rudeness. You disappear. You’re cold. You’ve made it clear you feel no desire for me – only for the idea of having a child. I can’t do it any longer.’

He went to sit beside her, his body slumped forward.

Evie wondered whether to get up and go up to bed, leaving him there. She tried to make herself feel contempt for him, but instead she felt only sadness.

Eventually he spoke. ‘I know. I realise how hard you’ve tried. You were wonderful tonight. And you look wonderful too.’ His fists were clenched on his knees, his knuckles white. ‘Look, Evie, it’s complicated. Please give me time. I know it will get better. I’ll get better. Please don’t leave me.’

His face was a picture of remorse, his breathing ragged. She hesitated, uncertain whether to believe him. He took her in his arms again and began to kiss her. This time it was slow, tentative, and she found herself responding. Drawing her up to her feet, he took her by the hand and led her up the stairs.