Chapter 63

‘Sweetheart, your guests are starting to feel neglected.' He ignored her start of surprise his endearment caused, looking up at Collins challengingly. 'I realize this is your first evening home, but the party must go on and all that,' he mocked. 'Perhaps if we'd known of your return we could have--'

'Dan!' Jasmine had finally found her voice, shocked at the misconception he was nurturing.

'Sorry, love.' Dan strolled into the room, putting his arm about her shoulders.

'But surely you can say your hellos to Collins later?'

She glared up at him and Dan ignored her, 'You don't mind if I take Jasmine back to the party, do you?' he prompted the other man. 'It's all a bit flat without our beautiful hostess.'

His beautiful hostess could cheerfully have hit him at that moment, and if anything Collins had become more remote than ever.

'You go ahead, Jasmine,' he told her now. 'I'll join you later.'

She could hardly contain her anger until she an