don’t want to go to the party,’ Geo announced suddenly, coming to a standstill on Park Avenue, turning to look at M. ‘Let’s forget it, shall we?’

M was taken aback, and she stared at Geo, exclaimed, ‘But you were the one who was so anxious to go, earlier. Why have you changed your mind?’

‘I know what these Park Avenue parties are like. I’ve been to them. It’s going to be a boring evening with lots of famous people who are dull, or stupid, or full of themselves.’ Geo made a face, took hold of M’s arm firmly, and said, ‘Let’s go and have supper. There’s a little bistro I know on Lexington. Swifty’s. You’ll love it and it’s my treat.’

‘But we can’t leave Dax in the lurch,’ M protested, shaking her head. ‘He’s expecting us, and he’ll be awfully disappointed if we don’t turn up. We’re probably the only friends he’s invited. Besides, we’ll look really mean if we don’t go.’ M threw Geo a knowing look and added, ‘We don’t want him to think we’re jealous because he got a break before I did. And before you’ve had your show.’

Geo sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose you’re right, and if we don’t like the party we can always leave after half an hour.’

‘Hey, Georgiana! What on earth are you doing, lingering around here? If you’re not careful, you’ll be arrested for loitering with intent. Can’t have that now, can we?’

At the sound of the man’s cultured English voice, Geo swung around and began to laugh when she saw an old friend hurrying towards them. ‘Hi!’ she cried, waving. ‘And what are you doing around here?’

‘Probably going to the same party as you. At Iris Ingersoll’s flat,’ he responded, coming to a stop next to them, immediately eyeing M with great curiosity.

Geo nodded, and before she could introduce the man to M, he thrust out his hand. ‘James Cardigan.’

‘Marie Marsden,’ M said swiftly, shaking his hand. ‘But everyone calls me M, Mr Cardigan.’

‘Call me James.’

Her cheeky grin appeared as she said, ‘“Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred”…’

‘“Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!”‘ he answered and continued, ‘I think Tennyson got it right, don’t you?’

‘Yes, he did. Absolutely.’ M paused, then asked, ‘Are you related to that particular Cardigan?’

He shook his head. ‘No, but I’ve always been teased about my name. Unavoidable, I suppose, under the circumstances.’

‘Heavens to Betsy, what are the two of you going on about?’ Geo asked, looking from one to the other in bewilderment.

James explained, ‘M associated my name with the Earl of Cardigan, the British general in command of the Light Cavalry at the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War. In Eighteen fifty-four. He led the charge of the Light Brigade against the Russian forces. M was quoting a line from Tennyson’s poem about the charge, so I responded by quoting another line.’ He grinned. ‘You know what we Brits are like, Georgiana, steeped in our history.’

‘So it seems,’ Geo responded pithily. Then she hurried on, ‘And what did you mean when you said I might be arrested for loitering with intent?’

‘Intent to solicit men,’ he told her and winked. ‘But I’m sure the police don’t follow that practice here. So don’t worry.’

Geo did not respond, but she had the good grace to laugh. She had met James at several parties over the past year and she liked him. Also, he usually made her laugh.

Seizing the moment, M exclaimed, ‘We’d better hurry, Geo. It’s already nine thirty, and we really shouldn’t be much later, you know. It’s awfully rude.’

‘Right! Let’s get a move on then,’ James Cardigan said, taking charge. Manoeuvring himself between the two young women, he took one of their hands in each of his and ushered them up Park Avenue towards the building where Iris Ingersoll lived.

‘How long have you known Iris?’ James asked Geo as they drew closer to the building.

‘We’ve never met,’ Geo said. ‘But M and I know Dax, the actor she’s giving the party for. It was Dax who invited us.’

‘I see. Well, she gives smashing parties, you’re both going to have a terrific time.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ Geo murmured, quickly looking at M, who remained silent.

A uniformed maid ushered them into the Ingersoll apartment, and the three of them stood for a moment in the long entrance foyer.

M glanced around, quickly took everything in, and understood immediately that it was typical Park Avenue decor: the floor was composed of black and white marble squares, the walls covered in a silver wallpaper patterned with large branches of orange blossoms, a faceted crystal chandelier dropped from the ceiling. Traditional decorating: high quality and safe.

James Cardigan led the way down the hall, followed by Geo; M was at the rear as they edged slowly past the guests who were assembled there. As they made it through into the large living room, M’s eyes swept the gathering.

She spotted Dax immediately. He was standing near the white marble fireplace, and looking much better than he had when he left New York. He had obviously been enjoying the California sun, and boasted a perfect tan. His blond hair was much blonder than before, and he had a confident air about him.

Dax saw her with Geo and waved, instantly excusing himself to the man he was talking to. He manoeuvred his way as best he could through the crowd, intent on reaching them.

M propelled Geo towards him and stepped aside, so that the two of them could greet each other and hug. A moment later he was kissing M’s cheek and enveloping her in a bear hug. Then he held her away from him, stepped back to stare at her.

A wide smile broke across his face. ‘So this is the new look you told me about? The Audrey Hepburn look…’

‘Only half an Audrey,’ M corrected him, grinning. ‘It’s just the hairstyle really, and slightly thicker eyebrows.’

‘So I see, and I approve, definitely and absolutely approve. Let’s find a corner and catch up.’ His gaze took in James, who was standing with them. Stretching out his hand, he said, ‘Hi, I’m Dax.’

‘James Cardigan. Pleased to meet you.’

‘Come on, let’s go over there to the window, it seems quieter.’ Dax went on: ‘Come with us, James, the girls and I have no secrets.’

They pushed through the crowd; Dax grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter passing with a tray of drinks and handed it to Geo. James did the same, taking two flutes of champagne, one for M and the other for himself.

Grouping themselves in the window area, Dax lifted his glass. ‘Cheers! You two are certainly a welcome sight. I’ve missed you both.’

‘So did we, miss you,’ Geo exclaimed, smiling warmly.

M simply nodded, then said swiftly, ‘Congratulations again, Dax. I think it’s wonderful that you have this part. Miraculous, I’d say, since you got it on the Coast. One never knows what’s going to happen in life.’

Dax laughed, his happiness apparent, his eyes sparkling when he said, ‘You can say that again. It was like…well, meant to be, I guess.’ He then told them the story of how he had met Iris Ingersoll at a dinner party in Bel-Air, had been taken to it by the English actor, Colin Burke, a new friend, and how Iris had thought he would be perfect for the play she was producing on Broadway. Second lead, no less.

M was listening, but her eyes were all over the room. Much to her relief she could not see anyone present who might know her family, and she relaxed. She was also growing aware that James Cardigan was as alert and as curious about everyone as she herself was, perhaps even more so.

His eyes were everywhere, and it seemed to her that there was nothing and no one he missed. She had taken an instant liking to this rather attractive, wiry Englishman, slight of build and slender, with his dark auburn hair and hazel eyes. She decided he was in his forties and worldly wise. He had a sense of humour, and there was a naturalness, an easiness about him. It was obvious to her that he was successful, if his clothes were anything to go by. Although he was as informally dressed as the other men present, without a tie, wearing a white, open-necked shirt and grey trousers with a dark sports jacket, she had noticed the excellent quality of the fabric and the cut of the jacket. She wondered what he did. Banker? Broker? Business executive? Real-estate tycoon? Instantly she dismissed all these professions, and unexpectedly thought, no, not James. He’s a cop. Where this thought came from, she had no idea, and it so startled her that she took a quick sip of the champagne and stared at him, frowning.

At this exact moment James moved closer to her, and said, ‘Are you in the theatre too, M? Are you an actress?’

She shook her head. ‘No, I’m a model. And what do you do, James?’

‘I have my own company—’

‘What kind of company?’ she asked swiftly, cutting across him.

‘It’s a Security and Investigation company, but on an extremely high level. I can provide someone with a bodyguard or minder, pull up a detailed dossier on almost anybody in the world, find a missing person, or missing valuables. You name it, we can do it. We offer a unique service and work with absolute discretion. And this is all within certain boundaries, of course.’

‘You are a cop!’ she cried, staring at him harder, her eyes twinkling. ‘That’s exactly what I thought you were, a moment ago.’

‘Well, well, well, did you really? But I wasn’t a cop, not exactly—something similar, though. However, I do have a lot of former law enforcement officers working for me.’

‘Where were you not-exactly-a-cop? In London?’

He leaned into her, and said, sotto voce, ‘I was with MI6, and obviously operating abroad, as MI6 agents always do. Only MI5 agents can work in the UK.’

‘Oh, my God! A spy! A proper Walsingham, eh?’

He burst out laughing. ‘Aren’t you the one, M! You’re certainly up on your English history.’

‘Especially when it comes to the men who worked for Elizabeth Tudor. Anyway, why did you get out? Did you get bored?’ she probed, riddled with curiosity.

‘Not at all, I like danger. But I decided it would be a good idea to make some money, and so I completed the assignment I was working on and resigned. Or rather, I retired from the agency. I started my company in London five years ago, then decided I wanted to be in New York, so here I am, running this end of the operation.’

Before M could respond, Dax and Geo, who had been talking quietly, now came closer and Dax said, ‘I think I ought to go and find Iris, our hostess, to introduce you both. You must meet her. Don’t go away. Stay right here, I’ll be back in a minute.’

Geo watched Dax rush away, turned to M and said, ‘I’m thrilled he’s going to be in A Streetcar Named Desire. I’ve never seen him so happy; he’s like a different person. Don’t you think so, M?’

‘Yes, I do, but it’s natural, isn’t it? He’s wanted to be an actor for so long, and now he has his chance, his first decent break. Oh, here he is coming back with Iris.’

Dax came to a standstill and said, ‘Iris, I would like you to meet my friends, Georgiana Carlson, called Geo, and Marie Marsden, who’s known as M. And this is Iris Ingersoll.’

Fashionably dressed and elegant, Iris Ingersoll was a tall, imposing woman with silver hair and a rather lovely face. She looked much younger than her sixty-odd years. She shook Geo’s hand and then M’s. ‘I’m so glad you could come, Dax has told me how you both encouraged him to pursue his acting career, and have been so supportive.’

Now turning to James, Iris gave him one of her most dazzling smiles. ‘And how very nice to see you, James, thanks so much for coming. You’re such an asset at a party.’

‘It’s my pleasure to be here, Iris. It always is, actually.’

Iris inclined her head, then turned to Dax. She continued, ‘I’d like you to come and meet a few other people who might be important to you one day. Anyway, the more people you know in this business, the better off you’ll be.’

Dax gave M and Geo a funny grin, raised his eyebrows and followed Iris.

M laughed and so did James, who then looked from M to Geo and asked, ‘How about freshening up your bubbly, ladies?’

‘Not for me, thank you,’ M murmured, and put her glass down.

Geo said, ‘I think I will, and thanks, James.’ She handed him the empty flute.

Once they were alone, Geo said, ‘I’m glad I took your advice and wore this black lace outfit, M. The women are quite dressy tonight, don’t you think?’

‘They are, and they’re most definitely New Yorkers,’ M answered.

‘Because they’re dressed in black!’ Geo grinned, eyeing M, admiring her dress once more. ‘Aren’t you pleased you wore this? You were hesitant about it.’

‘Yes. Anyway, it is my favourite frock. But I don’t often have the chance to wear it.’ M looked down at the skirt, smoothed her hand over it, smiling to herself. The dress was made of black taffeta and was cut in the simplest style, with a straight neckline that stretched from shoulder to shoulder. It had short sleeves, a plain front and a bell-shaped skirt that dropped just below the knee.

Geo now told her, ‘You know, M, I thought that skirt was a bit too long at first, but it works well on you, and it does give the dress balance.’ She threw M a questioning look, and asked, ‘Where did you buy it?’

‘I thought I told you: my mother bought it for me. I think she found it in a little boutique in London.’

‘It looks as if it comes from Paris to me,’ Geo muttered, her head on one side, her eyes thoughtful. ‘Paris couture, maybe?’

M began to laugh and looked away. And caught her breath.

A man was standing in the doorway of the living room and he was watching her. Staring hard, in fact. She stared back at him boldly, and discovered she couldn’t tear her eyes away. He held her gaze. Mesmerized by him, she felt a sudden weakness in her legs, wished she had a chair to sit down in or lean against.

He began to walk towards her, his blue eyes never leaving her face. She knew who he was. Suddenly she was nervous and just a little bit afraid. Not of him, but of herself and what she might do.