Page 103 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘No, thank you.’

‘You are refusing?’

‘Yes,’ Violet said. ‘We’ve had a big lunch for my leaving...’ But she refused to lie. ‘I’m saying no because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering if you are in London, or if you might drop in... Anyway, it won’t matter soon. I’m moving.’

‘I shall always seek you out.’

‘Kidnapandstalking...’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘Are you married yet?’

‘No.’

‘Engaged?’

‘We don’t have engagements.’

‘Oh, that’s right—no romance. So, is there a wedding planned?’

‘Not yet.’

And she was weakening...wanting to know. ‘Has your bride been chosen?’

‘I am not discussing such issues here,’ Sahir said. ‘Let’s have dinner later. There is a car outside that will take you home to prepare.’

‘Hardly spontaneous...’

‘I want to dine with the woman I first met.’ He looked down at her drab skirt and blouse, and then to her pale cheeks and lips. ‘Not her shadow.’

‘Her shadow,’ Violet said, ‘is the sexy one.’

He smiled, and it was such a treat to see it, such a contrast to the severe man she’d met.

‘Very well, I’ll come to dinner—but not at your house. I won’t be hidden.’ She stared at him.

‘Oh? So what happened to private and intimate?’ He shrugged. ‘Very well, we shall dine at the Savoy.’

She gasped. ‘I didn’t mean that fancy.’

‘You’ve said you want to dine there, so now is your chance.’

‘I don’t want your car picking me up. I’ll take a taxi.’ She stared at him. ‘There and back.’

With her time at the library for ever over and tearful goodbyes said, running eternally late, she dashed home to her little flat. There she hurriedly peeled off her skirt and blouse, then stood in the bath and used the overhead shower.

There was but one dress, and it was possibly too much even for such a luxury hotel—unless it was for a ball of course. But the restaurant...?

And yet she loved it.

And it was hers now.

The purple rental dress that she would keep for ever.

Maybe she’d end up doing the housework in it, but tonight it was calling to her.

‘Come on,’ she said, taking the gorgeous gown out of the wardrobe. ‘We’re going out. One last time.’

She dressed it down. Belted it and wore pretty flat sandals. Kept her hair loose.

She saw Sahir as she entered the restaurant, and he stood as she approached his table.

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