Rayner dropped his arms , freeing her from his hold , and stepped back , but his eyes never left hers .sx He removed his jacket and laid it on the ground .sx The , with hands that trembled , he dealt with her jacket in the same way .sx Heat surged from the centre of her body to every part of her , and she recognised the power he had over her as he drew her close again .sx His slight nervousness enthralled her , his raw sexuality enslaved her , and when he picked her up in his arms and laid her on the ground she saw something in his eyes that made her heart turn over in her breast .sx His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her shirt , and she covered them with her own , helping him to undress her .sx Within seconds they were both naked , hands and lips seeking , urgent .sx They came together in a frenzy of unashamed need .sx The place , the broad daylight , forgotten in the urgency of their passion .sx Marie lay , her head pillowed on Rayner's chest , and listened to his thudding heartbeat beneath her ear .sx Her body felt heavy , but her heart was lighter than it had been in weeks .sx For the first time since their marriage Rayner had mad love to her and completely lost control .sx They both had .sx Her eyes closed , and , her hands delicately stroking the soft hair on his broad chest , she savoured the knowledge , loving him , and glorying in his impetuosity and her own .sx " I intended to ask if you missed me , " Rayner's voice rasped , " but I think I know the answer .sx " And folding his arms tighter around her soft body he added , " I missed you , Marie .sx " .sx His admission in a voice husky and gently was the sweetest words Marie had ever heard .sx She shivered , but not with cold , exulting in their moments of closeness - maybe he was beginning to care .sx " You're trembling .sx My God , I must be crazy - it's almost freezing .sx " And rising to his feet he held out his hand to her and pulled her up beside him .sx " The middle of October is no time to be making love outside , " Rayner chuckled , carefully helping her on with her clothes .sx His grey eyes smiling down into hers , his lean fingers brushed her cheek , and he looked at her quietly , then bent his head and kissed her so tenderly that it made her heart sing .sx Trance - like , she stood and watched him , unashamedly delighting in the play of muscle in his broad back , and firm buttocks , as he retrieved his crumpled clothes and put them back on .sx " You're ogling , Marie , and , much as I would like to oblige , we do have guests arriving very shortly .sx " .sx " The party !sx " she exclaimed , her dazed mind finally beginning to function .sx " My hair !sx " She frantically ran her hands through it , dislodging a shower of leaves .sx " What time is it ?sx " she groaned in dismay , and to her chagrin Rayner flung his head back and burst out laughing .sx " It's not funny , " she muttered , shoving her feet into the brown moccasins .sx " It is to me , darling , the oh , so proper former Marie Doumerque , with leaves in her hair and grass stains in unmentionable places , " he roared .sx " You're not a picture of sartorial elegance , " she shot back , grinning at his once beautiful jacket rumpled and dirty .sx Their eyes locked , gold mingling with grey , a companionable warmth , and something else Marie was too afraid to name , flowing between them .sx " You were right , Marie , " Rayner mused , his lips quirking with humour as he glanced around the familiar glade .sx " One day we will laugh with our grandchildren over this place .sx " .sx Her heart lurched , and she fought for breath .sx Dared she believe him ?sx Was it possible his thinking could alter so drastically in a few short weeks ?sx She stared in amazement at his cheerful , smiling face .sx He looked genuine , and his smile encouraged her to share the joke .sx Tentatively her lips parted in a reciprocal grin .sx She would once more take him at his face value , and she prayed this time he had no ulterior motive .sx .. He caught her hand in his and raised it to his lips in an oddly gallant gesture .sx " I'm sorry , Marie .sx I wish we didn't have to give this damn party .sx We need to talk , but now is not the time .sx Later , hmm ?sx " .sx The round fat face of Chief Inspector Jones turned bright red as he roared with laughter .sx Marie had not thought the joke that funny , but in her position as hostess she dutifully chuckled .sx Over his shoulder Marie's eyes clashed with Rayner's , she felt a tiny jerk to her heart - strings , and involuntarily her lips parted in a slow , warm smile .sx Rayner looked magnificent in his dark dinner - suit , the party was going perfectly , and all her earlier fears had vanished .sx They had returned to the house with only an hour to spare before the arrival of their guests .sx A tingling warmth spread through her body at the moment of the shared shower .sx .. She glanced down at her left hand , where the diamond solitaire Rayner had given her glittered brilliantly on her slender finger - a belated wedding present , he had said .sx She could see again in her mind's eye his almost boyish grin as he had slipped it on her finger an hour earlier .sx She felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn't living in a dream .sx The transformation in Rayner's behaviour was a miracle .sx " Enjoying yourself , darling ?sx " The softly spoken words surprised her .sx Lost in her thoughts , she had not noticed Rayner's approach .sx But quite spontaneously she leant back into the arm that curved around her bare shoulders .sx " More than I thought possible , " she responded , luxuriating in the pressure of his hard body firm against her back .sx " I'm not sure that dress was such a good idea , after all .sx You look ravishing , and every man in the place is wondering what's underneath , " Rayner's deep voice claimed possessively in her ear .sx Marie chuckled and tilted her head back to look up at him .sx " Does that include you ?sx " she teased .sx " For God's sake , don't lean back like that ; my nerves can't stand the strain , and neither can that dress by the look of it .sx " His gaze slid to the creamy mounds of her breasts , displayed by the strapless bodice of her gown , and swiftly he turned her into his side , dropping his arm to her waist .sx The Valentino dress had created quite an impact , Marie thought smugly ; the colours really suited her .sx The boned bodice clung to her luscious breasts as though it was moulded to her , the skirt swirled around her long legs in a rainbow of gold , red and brown , and with her Titian hair loose and curling around her shoulders to hang halfway down her back , she portrayed a primitive sensual appeal that , if she had realised it , would have horrified her .sx " You'r a lucky man , Rayner .sx Your wife is charming , and she laughs at my jokes .sx " The inspector's compliment was music to Marie's ears .sx " I hope you haven't been regaling her with some of your more risqu e - acute ones , " Rayner prompted with a grin .sx " Doris would kill me if I did , " the inspector responded bluntly .sx Marie laughed out loud at the incongruity of the chief's statement .sx She had met his wife - she was a tiny bird - like woman barely five feet tall .sx " Don't be fooled by her size .sx Explosives come in little packages , " he joked , and at that moment his wife joined him .sx " I heard that , Cedric .sx Talking about me behind my back , shame on you , " she teased .sx The turning to Marie she said , " My dear , I've just found out who you are , and I'm so happy for you .sx It's like a fairy - tale come true .sx Of course , I never believed the rumours about Rayner .sx It was a lover's quarrel .sx I can still remember when Cedric and I were first courting - fought all the time , we did .sx But look how we turned out , and I'm sure you and Rayner will be wonderfully happy .sx A friend of yours , Rayner the tall blonde lady , was telling me all about it .sx Oh , here she is .sx Isn't it marvellous - I do so like happy endings .sx My heartiest congratulations , Marie .sx " .sx Marie never knew afterwards how she got through the rest of the night .sx .. As the evening had progressed she had begun to relax and thoroughly enjoy herself .sx The only slight unease she had felt was when Rayner had introduced her to one of the last couples to arrive :sx a journalist friend of his called Jake , and his girlfriend Lisa .sx Marie had got the distinct impression that the arrival of the stunning - looking blonde model had been a nasty surprise to her husband , but in the ensuing hours she had forgotten all about it .sx Now , as the tiny Doris prattled on , Marie felt the blood drain from her face and it was only by the most almighty effort of will she managed to retain a fixed , polite smile .sx " Thank you , Doris .sx " She accepted the congratulations with all the composure she could muster , and watched in rising horror and humiliation as Lisa strolled up to Rayner and placed red - tipped fingers on his arm .sx " And such a tidy ending , Rayner darling , " the tall blonde drawled cynically .sx " They were weeping into their champagne at Annabelle's when the news arrived .sx The silver fox finally snared - how droll .sx " She turned feral blue eyes on Marie .sx " But Marie , I wasn't surprised .sx Under the circumstances you were the only woman he needed to marry .sx .sx Marie was struck dumb by the viciousness of the other woman's attack .sx Needed , of course .sx Now she finally understood why Rayner had married her .sx His equation of justice was completed by her presence at his side tonight .sx With blinding clarity she saw it all :sx she was here to clear Rayner's name before all his old friends .sx The silver fox - how appropriate , she thought bitterly .sx 'Sly' was one of the adjectives she would have liked to shout at Rayner .sx She felt as though her heart had been cut to pieces , and the hardest cut of all was to know that Rayner had confided his plan to Lisa .sx Acting out of her skull , she turned limpid eyes to Rayner .sx " It was Rayner who snared me , and I'm truly grateful he did .sx " Now way was she going to let them know how much she was hurting .sx " Yes , " he agreed and expanded on his affirmative .sx " It has taken me a lot longer than I originally envisaged to trap my lovely wife , but now I have I expect to spend the rest of my life in connubial bliss .sx " He squeezed her waist affectionately then relaxed his hold to turn to Lisa .sx " As for you , Lisa , I might have known you couldn't resist a gossip , " he opined , laughing down into the blonde's upturned face .sx Marie stiffened and stepped carefully back , distancing herself from the small group .sx With blank eyes she gazed around the room ; the laughter , the conversation swirled around her but she registered little of it .sx She was blessedly numb , frozen in shock .sx Her eyes sought Rayner's on one last desperate appeal , hoping against hope that she was wrong about him , but all his attention was centred on the inspector , his handsome face betraying no sign of embarrassment at Doris's crushing disclosure as he laughingly recalled his unfortunate stay in gaol , and the punch on the selfsame man's jaw that had helped to keep him there for months .sx Swinging on her heel , she grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter .sx Her mouth was as dry as the Sahara .sx She took a deep swallow of the sparkling liquid , and blessed the years she had spent learning to hide her true feelings .sx The astounding news that she was the girl who had caused the old scandal in the Millard family swept the room like wildfire .sx She suffered through another round of congratulations , her lips peeled back against her teeth in parody of a smile .sx She felt as though she were walking through a nightmare .sx Earlier she had delighted in his friends' good wishes , but now she wanted to run away into a corner and hide .sx ..