Lying to Hugh.

Mara sat up slightly. "Actually, I can't."

Hugh frowned. "Why not?"

"Well, I've already booked a hotel."

"I thought you were staying with a friend."

"I was. Sort of. But I've arranged a room for the week."

"A week?"

"At the Four Seasons."

Hugh stared at her. "The Four Seasons?"

Mara nodded, hoping she sounded more convincing than she felt. "I thought I needed a little time to myself. Somewhere nice, you know, to relax and clear my head."

"But we've sorted everything out."

"I know, darling. And I'm so glad we have."

"Then why not just stay here?"

Mara reached for his hand. "Because I've already made the arrangements, and I think a few days away might do me good. I haven't had a proper break in ages."

Hugh considered that. "Seems a bit extravagant."

"Well, perhaps I deserve to spoil myself occasionally," she said starting to sound defensive.

He smiled faintly, knowing when to back off. "You certainly know how."

Mara leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"It's only a few days. I'll call you."

"Promise?"

"Of course."

Hugh sighed. "All right. I suppose I can't complain too much, considering how the last couple of days have gone."

Mara smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

She didn't mention Richard. And she certainly didn't mention that the hotel wasn't the Four Seasons.

An hour later, Mara stood in front of her wardrobe, deciding what to pack. She'd originally intended to collect only a few essentials, but now that Hugh had accepted her explanation, she decided she might as well take enough clothes for the entire week.

Into the suitcase went several dresses, casual outfits, underwear, cosmetics, toiletries and a pair of comfortable shoes. She added a favourite pair of heels, two evening outfits and another swimsuit, despite having bought a perfectly lovely one that morning.

Then she paused. Her thoughts returned to Richard's suite. To his hands resting gently at her waist. To the way he'd kissed her, then stopped because he believed she needed to resolve things with Hugh. Well, I've spoken to Hugh, she thought. Unfortunately, the conversation hadn't ended quite the way she'd imagined. Hugh hadn't confessed to anything. He hadn't become angry or defensive. He'd shown her the messages, explained everything and even applied for a transfer to reassure her. He'd behaved rather wonderfully, actually. And she'd forgiven him. More than forgiven him.

Mara sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her open suitcase. Richard had made his position perfectly clear. He wasn't prepared to become involved with her while she was still with Hugh. If she told him the truth, he'd almost certainly insist that they return to being nothing more than family friends. No more kisses. No more flirtatious afternoons. No possibility of discovering where their attraction might lead. The thought was surprisingly upsetting.

She liked Hugh. She loved him, even. They'd been together long enough to know each other's habits, moods and peculiarities, and their reconciliation had reminded her how much affection remained between them.

But Richard offered something different. He was older, wealthier, more experienced and impossibly charming. He made her feel beautiful and desirable in a way she hadn't experienced for quite some time. And, perhaps most importantly, he was Richard Arnett. The man she'd adored since childhood had suddenly become somebody she wanted in an entirely different way.

Mara closed her suitcase. Mara could tell him Hugh and her broke up. The thought arrived so easily that it startled her. Richard would have no reason to doubt her. He'd heard how furious she'd been, and he'd already accepted that ending the relationship might be the right decision.

She could tell him they'd talked, that she'd decided things weren't working, and that she'd moved out for a while. It would be simple. Terribly simple. And terribly dishonest. Mara frowned.

Richard had trusted her to speak to Hugh and make a proper decision. He'd been careful with her feelings, even when she was doing everything possible to persuade him to abandon his principles. Lying to him would mean taking advantage of the very decency she found so attractive. For several minutes, she sat quietly, considering what that said about her.

In the taxi back to The Hilton Mara’s phone vibrated. A message from Hugh.

Mara stared at it. She typed a reply.

Then she held down the power button and turned the phone off.

By early evening, Mara was back at the Hilton. She wheeled her suitcase through the lobby, giving the reception desk a rather smug glance as she passed. Fortunately, the receptionist who'd caused so much trouble the previous evening was nowhere to be seen.

Upstairs, her third-floor room was exactly as she'd left it. The bed had been made, fresh towels supplied, and her precious Agent Provocateur shopping bag remained safely on the dresser. Mara unpacked her clothes, arranged her cosmetics in the bathroom and hung her dresses in the wardrobe. For the first time since arriving, she felt properly settled.

Mara sat on the edge of the bed, looking around her luxurious hotel room. Everything was exactly as she'd left it, yet somehow things felt different now. She'd gone home expecting a confrontation and returned with a suitcase, a guilty conscience and a rather ambitious plan.

Her phone remained switched off, tucked safely inside her handbag. She'd made that decision in the taxi and intended to stick to it for the rest of the week. No calls from Hugh, no messages to explain away, and certainly no unexpected notifications appearing while she was with Richard. As far as Hugh was concerned, she was enjoying a little holiday at the Four Seasons.

And as far as Richard was concerned... well, that was something she was about to establish.

Mara glanced at the telephone beside her bed. Richard was only two floors above her, and she could easily have gone upstairs and knocked on his door. But somehow, calling first seemed more appropriate. Besides, she wanted to hear his voice.

She picked up the receiver and dialled the number for his fifth-floor suite.

It rang twice before he answered. "Richard Arnett."

"Good evening, Mr Arnett," Mara said brightly. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

There was a brief pause, followed by a familiar chuckle. "Sugar Plum! What a lovely surprise. Where are you calling from?"

"Your very own hotel, actually. I'm back in my room."

"Already? I thought you were going home to speak to Hugh."

"I did. And I've collected a suitcase full of clothes this time, so you won't have to keep buying me things."

"Well, that's a terrible disappointment. I was rather enjoying spoiling you."

Mara laughed. "I'm sure you'll find other opportunities."

"I suspect you're right." His voice softened. "But tell me, darling, how did things go with Hugh?"

There it was. The question she'd been anticipating all afternoon. Mara looked towards the black Agent Provocateur shopping bag sitting on her dresser. She remembered Richard's kisses, the warmth of his arms around her, and the gentle but unmistakable way he'd stopped them from going any further. He'd insisted she sort things out with Hugh first. And she had. Just not in the way she was about to describe.

"We talked," she said, allowing a little sadness into her voice. "Quite a lot, actually."

"And?"

Mara took a breath. "I'm afraid it's over, Richard."

There was a silence at the other end of the line.

"Oh, Sugar Plum. I'm terribly sorry."

"Don't be. I think perhaps it was coming for a while. We just hadn't wanted to admit it."

Richard sighed sympathetically. "Are you all right?"

"I will be."

"Was it a dreadful argument?"

"Not really," Mara replied, carefully avoiding anything too specific. "We talked things through and decided it was best to go our separate ways. I've brought my things back here so I can have a little time to myself."

She was rather pleased with how naturally the lie had come out.

Richard, however, sounded concerned rather than relieved. "That's a big decision to make in one afternoon, darling."

"I know."

"And you're quite certain?"

Mara hesitated. She thought of Hugh's affectionate goodbye, his plans for their holiday and the message she'd answered before switching off her phone.

Love you too xx.

Then she thought about Richard. "Yes," she said quietly. "I'm certain."

Richard was silent for another moment. "Well, if that's what you've decided, I won't question it. I just hope you've both given it proper thought."

"We have."

"Then I suppose all I can do is make sure you're looked after."

Mara smiled. "You've been doing a rather wonderful job of that already."

Richard chuckled. "I do try."

She twisted the telephone cord around her finger. "Actually, Richard, I was wondering whether you might like some company this evening."

"Of course. You're always welcome, Sugar Plum."

"Wonderful. I'll come upstairs in a little while."

"Shall I order us something to eat?"

"That would be lovely."

"Anything in particular?"

"Surprise me."

"Now there's a dangerous invitation."

Mara laughed. "I trust you." The words slipped out before she considered their irony.

Richard smiled at the other end of the line. "And I trust you, darling. I'll see you shortly."

"See you soon, Richard."

She replaced the receiver and sat quietly for a moment.

And I trust you, darling.

Mara winced. That hadn't been particularly pleasant to hear. She'd just lied to a man who'd known her since she was born, a man who'd promised her dying father that he'd always look after her. Worse still, she'd done it precisely because she knew Richard would believe her.

She glanced towards her handbag, where her switched-off mobile lay hidden. Hugh loved her. Richard trusted her. And she was taking advantage of both.

For a brief moment, Mara considered picking up the telephone again and telling Richard the truth. She could explain that Hugh had been innocent, that they'd reconciled and that she was simply confused about what she wanted.

Richard would understand. He'd be disappointed, certainly, but he'd understand. And then he'd send her back downstairs. No more kisses. No more flirtatious afternoons. No chance of discovering what might happen if the impeccably mannered Mr Arnett finally allowed himself to forget his principles.

Mara stood and walked towards the bathroom. She'd already made her decision. For the next week, Hugh could believe she was enjoying a quiet holiday at the Four Seasons. Richard could believe she was newly single. And Mara could enjoy the company of the handsome, wealthy gentleman who'd occupied so much of her imagination over the previous two days. She glanced at herself in the mirror and smiled, although the expression was a little less confident than usual.

One week, she told herself. Then I'll work everything out.

It sounded wonderfully simple.