1

Gravel crunched beneath the Jaguar's tyres as it eased to a halt, its glossy black exterior paintwork sparkling with raindrops reflective of the inky sky. Silently, a uniformed doorman stepped forward, drawing back as he opened the big car's back door, a monogrammed umbrella held aloft to protect the passenger from the rain.

The elegant calf that emerged tightened as the black stiletto heel pressed the gravel and Jennifer Hart rose to her feet, gravity tugging the material of her evening gown to her ankles. Blinking back the camera flashes she tilted her head in acknowledgement, her eyes seeking the comfort of a familiar face.

"Mrs Hart, Mrs Hart!"

She paused, her composure startled for the hint of a second. She shifted her gaze to the small throng of media, jostling for her attention.

"A comment, Mrs Hart?"

She stepped toward the hotel's grand entrance.

"This way, Mrs Hart!"

"Can you comment on the allegations against Hart Industries?"

Her jaw tensed and she felt Jack's hand cup her elbow, urging her forward.

Heat and sound accosted her as she entered the foyer and she tipped her head to her husband's Business Manager. "What's going on?"

Jack Malvern raised a nonchalant shoulder. "Speculation."

"That would interest the British press?"

"Jennifer!"

She snatched her eyes up and smiled, accepting the offered embrace of renowned music executive Connor Houghton.

His eyes slid down her black and gold gown and made a lazy crawl back to her face, reaching for her fingers and grazing them against his lips. "What a pleasure you are on the eyes."

Her eyes danced as she withdrew her fingers. "Thank you. You already know Jack."

"Yes." He turned. "Could you source the lady a drink?" He took Jennifer's hand and tugged her forward. "Come, there are people you need to meet."

Jack raised a brow at the obvious dismissal, watching with disquiet as Connor's arm snaked around Jennifer's waist as they disappeared into the crowd of people. Backing up, he threaded his way toward the Reception desk.

The familiar musical laughter of Jillie Ronne snagged Connor's attention and he led Jennifer to where she sat in the lap of a distinguished tuxedo clad young man.

"Jillie, I'd like to introduce you to Jennifer Hart, her husband -"

"Introduce me my ass!"

Jennifer grasped her hand in both of hers. "So good to see you again, Jillie. Jonathan and I are so pleased you've moved onto our label."

Her smile twisted. "I guess Connor made me an offer my manager couldn't refuse."

"We got a sneak preview of your album this afternoon, you sound superb."

Jillie raised a perfectly sculptured brow. "Let's hope it sells well enough to extend my deal."

Connor sucked a tooth and glanced across the room with indifference.

Jennifer narrowed her eyes.

Jillie waved a dismissive hand. "My days of hit records are over."

Connor straightened suddenly and emitted a grunt of surprise. "What's she doing here?"

Jillie turned in the direction he was looking and immediately jumped to her feet with a squeal, linking her arm through Jennifer's. "Oh, she's here!"

Connor frowned. "You knew?"

She lifted a shoulder. "You wanted publicity for the label didn't you?"

"She's not signed to this label."

She flicked him under the chin. "But she attracts the media, doesn't she?" She tugged at Jennifer's arm. "C'mon."

Jennifer's eyes scanned the room. "Who?" She stopped, her gaze finding the statuesque frame topped with the familiar blonde head, people flickering around her like bees to honey. "Don't tell me."

Jillie squeezed her arm. "Come and meet her, you'll love her."

"What's she doing in London?"

"TV promo for a tour."

"What on earth motivated her to come to a promotion event for this label?"

Jillie shrugged. "I asked her to." As they drew closer she tipped her head and lowered her voice. "Beware, her husband is an ass."

Jennifer's eyebrows dipped. "Wasn't she married to another singer?"

Jillie sighed. "Long sad story. If you ever want to do the interview of your career, she's it, but I warn you others have tried to get the truth out of her and failed."

Jennifer's jaw slackened as the blonde woman turned, her platinum curls bouncing on her back, her dark eyes sparkling with her smile of recognition as she hugged her friend.

Jillie drew back and extended her arm. "This is a friend of mine, Jennifer Hart. Jennifer, Alanna Morgan."

Jennifer shook her head in disbelief as her hand drifted to the base of her throat. "It's an absolute pleasure to meet you. My husband and I are huge fans. He'll be so sorry he missed you."

Alanna's smile was demure, her voice slow and drenched with honey. "You're very kind."

"Hart?"

Alanna's tension was brief but unmistakable as the deep voiced man beside her turned and scowled. "Edwards-Hart?"

Jennifer's mouth twitched. "That's right."

He growled with displeasure and barked at a blonde man adjacent to him. "Where's Connor? I said no reporters."

"Oh, you don't understand -"

"Get her out of here!"

"Richard, for Christ's sake." Jillie grabbed his arm as he reached out to push Jennifer aside. "Her husband owns the label."

Alanna's eyes dropped to the floor as a heavy silence thundered between them.

Unapologetic, Richard stroked the dark whiskers of his beard. "Of course. I've yet to meet the infamous Jonathan Hart. Is he here?"

Jennifer paused. "Not this time."

He nodded. "Shame."

She blinked. "Isn't it."

"Eventful night?" Jack remarked as the Jaguar pulled away from the kerb and purred out onto the road.

"Where did you get to?" Jennifer asked, shaking her fingers through her auburn hair as they walked toward the entrance of the majestic Ritz hotel in London's Piccadilly.

"I tried to get through to the office, no luck." He reached forward and pulled open the brass handled door, gesturing her forward before following her inside. He nodded toward the bar. "Fancy a night cap?"

"Thanks, no, I'm calling it a night. What time is the interview with Jillie tomorrow?"

"10.30 at her hotel in Kensington. The car will be here for you at 10."

"Okay, thanks Jack. See you in the morning." She raised a hand and strode purposefully toward the elevator, aware that Jack's eyes followed her progress.

Releasing her breath on a sigh, she clicked her suite door closed and momentarily rested her head against it, exhausted.

Tossing her purse and the suite key on the side table, she kicked off her shoes and padded in her stockinged feet to the bathroom. After methodically removing her makeup she changed into a pale pink silk night gown; clicking off the light she made her way into the bedroom, pausing at the sight of a single red rose resting in the centre of her pillow. With the flicker of a smile, she dropped onto the bed, her legs folded beneath her. Raising the flower to her nose, she inhaled its delicate scent, then traced the silken petals wistfully across her lips.

Twirling the stem between her thumb and forefinger, she pulled the telephone into her lap and lifted the receiver, cradling it between her jaw and shoulder as she dialled. Waiting impatiently whilst the call connected and the familiar ring tone drilled into her ear, she stared at the bedside clock, mentally calculating the hours between London and California.

"Jonathan Hart's office."

She jerked in surprise and straightened. "Oh hi Deanna is Mr Hart there?"

"I'll buzz his private line Mrs Hart."

The phone clicked and her heart tripped as the all too familiar velvet voice caressed her ear. "Hello darling. Did you get my message?"

She couldn't prevent the smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth and she stroked the rose across her cheek. "What message?"

"The one that says I'm thinking of you."

She moistened her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue. "I might've seen that."

He smiled. "How's London?"

"Cold and wet."

"And Jillie?"

"Her effervescent self. I have the feeling she's made her mark on husband number 4."

"4?"

"I don't know, maybe it's 5."

"I hope you're not taking tips."

She laughed softly. "Maybe others, but not those." She twisted the phone cord around her little finger, her eyes dancing with her smile as he reacted with a low hum.

"Darling you won't believe who was at the label party tonight."

"Who?"

"Alanna Morgan."

He paused. "Why?"

"Jillie asked her to. I think she's scratching for any additional publicity for the label to increase album sales."

"What was she like?"

"She seemed kind of shy. But she was so beautiful."

"That hasn't earned her millions."

"I know. Seems like there's a story there but Jillie thinks I won't get close."

"Do you want to?"

"I don't know. Getting past her warden seems like too much trouble."

Jonathan hesitated as a shout sounded behind him. "Darling, I have to go, it's the last leg of the Board meeting."

"Oh, okay."

"How much longer will I be without you?"

She smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll be waiting."

She kissed him into the phone and he was gone.