BeMine

___________________________

LondonBillionairesBook1-BonusEpilogue(Novella)

(AuroraandNathan)

AlyssiaLeon

SAGEWOODPUBLISHING

GetnotifiedofnewbooksbyAlyssiaLeon

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BEMINE

Copyright©2016byAlyssiaLeon

www.alyssialeon.com

PUBLISHEDINTHEUNITEDKINGDOM

SagewoodPublishingLtd

eISBN:978-1-911519-00-3

PrintISBN:978-1-911519-04-1

admin@alyssialeon.com(businessenquiriesonly)

Allrightsreserved.

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inany

formorbyanymeans,withoutthepriorpermissioninwritingoftheauthor,exceptfortheuseof

briefquotationsinabookreviewaspermittedbycopyrightlaw.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thenames,characters,placesandincidentsareproductsofthe

writer’simaginationorhavebeenusedfictitiouslyandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Any

resemblancetopersons,livingordead,actualevents,localesororganizationsispurely

coincidental.

AboutThisBook

BeMineagainthisValentine’sDay.

Afterfouryearsofmarriage,lifeshouldbeblissforAuroraandNathan.But

today,theirfifthValentine’sDaytogether,insteadofloveandlaughterintheair,

thereisfightingandheartbreak.

EverythingcomestoaheadduringanunavoidabletriptoMilan,thefashion

capitalofItaly.WilltodaybetheendoftheroadforAuroraandNathan?Orcan

themagicofValentine’sinMilanhelpsavetheirmarriageandtheirlove?

Thisbonusepilogueisafifteen-thousand-wordnovellaandfollowstheevents

ofthemainstoryin‘BeMine’.

Ifyouhaven’talreadyread‘BeMine’,pleasecheckitout.It’sthestoryofhow

AuroraandNathanoriginallyfellinlove.It’safull-lengthcontemporaryromance

novel.Andit’sFREE.

Clickheretoget‘BeMine’

Happyreading.

Alyssia

TableofContents

Beginning

AboutThisBook

01.WeNeedaBreak

02.Don'tGo

03.DressesandDreams

04.HappyValentine's,Mummy!

05.DesigneroftheYear

06.LoudisIn

07.TaketheOffer

08.UniqueStories

09.FollowthatCar

10.CannotHelp

11.Valentine'sTryst

12.DistractingHer

13.PerfectLife

Author'sNote

NextBook

ApplebySeries

MoreBooks

FREEBook

AboutTheAuthor

JOINMYNEWSLETTER

Clicktheimageaboveorvisitalyssialeon.comtogetthesetwobooksFREE.

1

‘Weneedabreak.’

Aurareadhiswordsagainonherphonescreen.

Theystaredbackather.Soplain.Sotothepoint.SoNathan.

Shescrolleddowntothemessagesshe’dshotoffafterwards.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’

‘Abreakfromwhat?’

‘Nathan?’

‘Nathan!’

Noanswer.

He’dgone.Switchedoffhisphoneandgone.

Droppinghermobilephoneonthehotelbed,shepulledupthesidezipofher

blush-reddress.Thesoftclothclungtoherslimcurvesandendedjustaboveher

knees.Sheadjustedtheshoulderstraps.Everydressshecreatedforherself,she

reallycreatedforNathan’seyesfirst.Shelovedseeinghissilver-greyeyeslightup

withasexygleamandhislipsquirkintoanappreciativesmileashemadehertwirl

forhim.Andthenlaterwhenhestrippedthedressoffher…

Breathcatchingatthememory,shesmoothedherhandsdowntheredfabric

wrappingherhips.Tonightshouldhavebeenspecial.Shealwaysworeredtonight,

eversincethefirstValentine’sNightshe’dsharedwithNathanfouryearsago.But

tonighthewasn’theretoseeherinhersexycreation.

Heshouldhavebeenhere.

Thepainofmissinghimsqueezedherchest.

Tonightwassuchanimportantnightforher.He’devenrearrangedhiswork

scheduletobebyherside.Butthenthey’dhadthatstupidargumentyesterday,

and…

Auracurledhernailsintoherpalm.

Sheshouldn’thavetoldhimshedidn’tneedhim.

Butshehadn’tmeantit!Heshouldknowshehadn’tmeantit!

Coldnightairblewinthroughtheopenbalconydoorsandstirredthefinehairs

onherbarearms.Shewenttoclosethedoorsbutstoppedatthesightoutside.The

pinkduskhaddarkenedtodeeppurple,andMilancitycentrelaybelowherlikea

carpetofgoldenlights.Thearcheddoorwaysofthebarsandrestaurantsglowed

theirwelcometoeveningrevellers.Andheart-shapedredlightshungabovethe

roads.Italy’scityoffashionwasreadytocelebrateValentine’sNightinstyle.

SheglancedintothedistancewherepasttheredrooftopstheDuomo’scarved

spiresroseintothenightsky.Amongtheglassskyscrapers,Milan’sancient

cathedralstoodlikeaproudkingwatchingoverhisbelovedcity.

Itwasstrange.Insuchabeautifulcitysheshouldhavefeltmore.Thenoiseof

trafficandpeoplereachedhereventhishighuponthehotelbalcony,butshestill

stoodaloneinabubbleofemptiness.Everytimeshe’dcometoMilanbefore,

Nathanhadbeenwithher.Nowtonight,itwasjusther.

Auraclosedthebalconydoorsandfrowneddownattheornategoldhandles.

Shecouldn’tspendtheentirenightmissingNathan.He’dchosennottobehere.

Andshehadafunctiontoattend.Shehadtogetonwithit,hadtobeprofessional.

Andgoingtothedressingtable,shepickedupherlipstickandappliedthelast

touchofmakeup.

There.Perfect.

Herface-framingblackcurlsshoneinthesuite’swhitelight,andalightdusting

ofgoldpowderhadbroughtoutthebrightgreenofhereyes.

Therewouldbephotographersatthefunctiontonight.Butinthisdress,and

lookinglikethis,shewasreadyforanything.Allshewasmissingwerehershoes.

Shelookedaroundforthematchingredheelsshe’dchosenfortonightand

spottedthembeneathanemptysidetable.Lonelinesswrenchedhergutsagain,and

sheretrievedhershoes,allthewhileavoidinglookingatthebaretabletop.

Normallyshewouldhavehadavaseoverflowingwithredrosesontopofit.

NathanhadnevermissedhisValentine’sDaytraditionofgettingherthebiggest

bunchofredroseshecouldfind.ButthisyeartherewerenorosesandnoNathan.

Withanangrypressofherlips,shetooktheshoesbacktothebedandsat

downtoslipthemon.WasitreallyherfaultshehadtogotoNewYorktonight?

AndthenforNathantogosilentonher…

Shepickedupherphoneagain.Onemoretry.Hecouldn’tstaysilentallnight,

couldhe?

‘Nathantalktome.’

‘Please.’

Stillnothing.

ForGod’ssake!Hecouldbesodamnstubborn.Andsheglaredatthephone

tryingtosomehowchannelallherangerandfrustrationthroughittohim.

He’dreturnedhomelastnighttofindherpacking.Butifshe’dknownthen

howthingswoulddescendintoafull-scalewarbetweenthem,she’dhavekepther

mouthshut.

She’dbeenbytheirbed,foldingthereddressintohertravelcasewhenhe’d

snuckupfrombehindandcaughtheraroundthewaist.

“What’sallthis?”Hisbreathteasedhercurls.

Auragaspedandswivelledinhisembrace.“God,Nathan!Youscaredme.”

Hissilvereyestwinkled.“Wereyouexpectingsomeoneelse?Thoughitbetter

notbeanotherguy,becausethenI’dhavetohunthimdownwhenI’dratherspend

thenightinmywife’sarms.”

“Nootherguy,MrJealous.”Sheraisedherhandandlovinglystrokedthe

strongangleofhischeekandtheroughstubbleofhisjaw.Atiredsheencovered

hisusuallysharpeyes.Itwasrarethatheworkeduntilteninthenightliketoday.

“Longdayatwork?”sheasked.

Heshrugged.“Theusual.”Andtighteninghisarmsaroundher,hepulledher

tohim.“Hadtodebatewithacoupleofinvestorsthough,andtheyweretough

bastardstogetridoff.”Hedippedhisheadandbrushedhislipsoverhers.“I

thoughtI’dnevergethometoyou.”Andhecapturedhermouthinahungrykiss.

Aurawrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandreturnedhiskisswithfiery

passion.Shepressedintohissolidwarmth,breathedinhisbelovedscentofmusk

andsandalwood,andlostherself.

Withalowgroan,Nathanbrokethekiss.“Baby,you’llhavetogivememuch

morethanthat,”hemurmuredagainstherlips.Andsweepingheroffherfeet,he

depositedheronthebedbesideherhalf-packedcase.

“Nathan!”shegasped.“Letmefinishpackingfirst,orI’llneverbedone.”

Hefrownedathercase.“You’respendingonedayinMilantomorrow.Why

thehelldoyouneedsomanyclothes?”Andstraightening,heshuckedoffhisgrey

suitjacketandstartedunbuttoninghisblueshirt.

Aura’sbreathhitchedwithanticipation.“Well…”shesaid,hergazelingering

onthedipsandplanesofhismuscularchestandstomachbeingrevealed.

“TomorrowisValentine’sDay…”Evenafterfouryearsofmarriage,hestillmade

herheartflutterlikeamadthing.Andrightnow,afterbeingwithouthimfora

wholeweek,allshecoulddowasdevourwithwideeyeseveryhotmuscledinchof

hisbroad-shoulderedsix-foot-plusbody.

Hecamebacktothebedwearingjusthistrousersandasexysmile,and

crowdedherbackagainstthepillows.

Herbluesilkbaby-dollanduntiedroberodeupherthighsleavingherlace

pantiesopentohissight.

Hestrokedupherbarelegs.“TomorrowmaybeValentine’s…”hemurmured,

hisgazehotonherskin.“Butyouonlyneedonedress.Youwon’tbewearing

anythingafteryourawardsceremony.”Andhefeatheredakissonherlips.

Hiswarmhandonherthighsentsparksshiveringacrossherskin.Aura’seyes

flutteredshut,andshebracedherhandsonhisshoulders.Hemovedcloser,his

musclesbunchingbeneathhertouch.Andhissearchingfingersskimmedthecurve

ofherthighandteasedthelaceedgeofherpanties.

Hereyessnappedopen.“Nathan…”Hisnameescapedheronasmallmoan.

“What,baby?”Hisbreathfannedhertremblinglips.“Thisisjustatrailerfor

tomorrow.”Andhedippedhisfingersbeneaththeedgeofherpantiesandbrushed

herclit.

Auragaspedandshudderedbeneathhim.

“You’llbetoobusyforclothestomorrow,”hesaidwithasmirkasheteased

hersensitivenub.

“But…butit’snotjustMilan,”sheprotestedfaintly.“IhavetoflytoNew

Yorkstraightafter.”

“NewYork?”Hepulledbackwithafrown.“You’regoingtoNewYork?”

Passionevaporatedinablink.

2

Aurasatup.“It’slastminute.Iknow.ButMarkRochascalledmethisevening,and

hewantstomeetme.”

Nathan’sfrownshottothunder.“WhothehellisMarkRochas?”

“TheRochasGroup?MarkandCelaRochas?Thehusbandandwifedesign

duowhohavetheentireNewYorkfashionindustryeatingoutoftheirhands?”

Hegotoffthebed.“Whydoeshewanttomeetyou?”

“Nathan,really?”Aurastaredathimindisbelief.“Isupposemewinning‘Best

DesigneroftheYear’isn’tsupposedtoleadtoanythingbigger?”

“Youwinanaward.Youpickupyourtrophy.That’swhywe’regoingtoMilan

tomorrow,isn’tit?WheredoesMarkbloodyRochascomeintoit?”

“IfIwanttoexpandmybusinessintothestates,Ihavetoworkwiththebest

peoplethere.Andforgoodness’sake,itdoesn’tgetmuchbetterthanadirect

invitationfromtheRochasGroup.”

Nathanscrubbedhishandthroughhisdarkhairandwenttoglareoutthe

penthousewindowatLondon’snightskyline.“Youwanttoexpand…”Helooked

backather.“It’salittlefast.”

“I’vedonethecatwalkandseasonshowsforfouryearsnow.”Auraswungher

legsoverthesideofthebed.“Thisistherighttime.Everyoneintheindustry

knowsme.”

“ButyoujustgotbackfromaweekinParis.”

“Iknow.It’sbusy.Thespringshowsarejuststarting.”

Hiseyesnarrowed.“Thensummer.Thenautumn.Thenwinter.Yearafter

year.”

Aurafrowned.“Ithoughtyouwantedmetomakeitbig?”

“Iwantyoutohavethecareerthatmakesyouhappy.”Hestudiedher,his

browsknitted.“HowlongisthisNewYorktrip?”

TomorrowwasFriday,Valentine’sDay,andshe’dbeonaplaneouttoNew

Yorksoonafterherawardsceremony.“It’saweekendtrip.ButImayhavetostay

oninNewYorkafewextradays.”

Amusclejumpedinhisjaw,andhisgazeflickedtoheropencase.“Justhow

importantisthistoyou?”

“IneedthisifI’mtotakemybrandtothenextlevel.”

“AndifIsayyourfamilyneedsyoumore?”

“Nathan…it’sjustafewdays.”

“It’salwaysjustafewdays,Aura!You’rebackhomefromParisafteraweek

away.I’mwonderingwhyyouevenbothered.Whydidn’tyoujustgostraightto

Milan?”

“PariswassomethingIhadtodo,justlikeMilanandNewYork.Butthat

doesn’tmeanIdon’twanttocomebackhometoyou.”

“Buteverythingandeveryonecomessecondtoyourdesignlabel.”

Shejumpedtoherfeet.“Howcanyousaythat?Idon’thaveachoice.New

Yorkisimportant.I’dneveraskyoutoputsomethingimportantinyourbusiness

asideforme.”

“Youdon’thavetoask,”hesaidquietly.

Shestaredathim.“Soyouwantmetosay‘no’toanyopportunitythatcomes

myway?”

“I’veneversaidthat.Untilnow,yourcareerandhappinesshavealwayscome

first.”

Herangersimmereddown.Hewasright.He’dalwaysbeenherbiggest

cheerleader,herstrongestsupport.Shesteppedcloserandreachingout,strokedhis

jaw.“Iknow,”shesaidsadly.“You’reeverythingtome.Andifyoureallydon’t

wantmetogotoNewYork…”

Nathanshookhishead.“It’snotmydecisiontomake.”Catchingherhand,he

heldittrappedagainsthisskin.“Doyouwanttogo?”

Aurahesitated.“It’snotthatIwanttogo,”sheadmitted.“Ihaveto.It’swhat

myworkinvolves.”

“There’snevera‘haveto’.Youalwayshaveachoice.”

Hewantedhertochoosetostay.Butthenshe’dlosethisonce-in-a-lifetime

chancetoworkwiththebestdesignersinNewYork.Say‘no’andthey’dnevercall

again.Egoswerethinnerthaneggshellsinherbusiness.Nathanhadnoideawhat

hewasaskinghertogiveup.

Shepulledherhandfromhis.“Youdon’tunderstand.Ican’tjust—”

“Iunderstand.”Histonecut.“Ijustwantedtoknowwhereyourprioritieslay.

Andit’snotwithyourfamily.”Andgrabbinghisshirt,hepullediton.

Auraglaredashediduphisbuttons.“You’ddothesame,”shesaid.“Youeven

camehomelatetonight.Doesn’teverythingcomesecondtoyourwork?”

“Youdon’tcomesecond.AndIdidn’tneedtocomehomeatalltonight.”He

tuckedhisshirtintohistrousers.“AndIdidn’tneedtorearrangeeverythingjustto

beinMilanwithyoutomorrow.”

“SonowI’msupposedtofeelguiltybecauseyouagreedtocometoMilanwith

me.”

Nathanpickeduphisjacket.“Youwantedmethere,didn’tyou?”

“Actually,no.”Auracrossedherarmswithadefiantglare.“IfitmeansI’m

responsiblefortheinconvenienceofyouhavingtorescheduleyourwork,thenno,

Idon’tneedyouinMilan.”

Thecornersofhislipstippeddown,andshruggingonhisjacket,hestrode

fromthebedroom.

ThefullimpactofherwordshitAura.Sheracedafterhim.“Nathan,wait.”

Buthishandwasalreadyonthefrontdoorhandle.Heturnedtoher.“I’ve

neveraskedyoutocompromise.I’vebeenhappytodosoforbothofusuntilnow.”

Heopenedthedoor.“Butitlookslikeyoudon’tneedmeanyway…”Andheleft.

3

Auradroppedthephoneonthebedandglancedaroundtheemptybedroom.But

thehotelsuite’sbaroquebeautywithitsgold-trimmedfurnitureandhand-painted

wallpapercouldn’tdistractherfromherloneliness.

Theirfirstmajorfightinfouryears.Yes,Nathancouldbestubborn,andthere

hadbeenmorethanonetimeshe’dtriedshoutingsenseintohim.Butthoseverbal

sparringmatcheshadalwaysinevitablyendedwiththemineachother’sarms.He’d

neverwalkedoutonherbefore.He’dneverrefusedtospeaktoherlikethisbefore.

Sheclosedhereyes.Sheshouldn’thavesaidshedidn’tneedhim.Shedidneed

him.Sheneededhimsomuch.

WhatwouldNathanbedoingnow?Sheopenedhereyesandregardedthe

silentphone.Wouldhebethinkingabouther?Probablynot.Hehadn’tcalledher

backafterall.

Andgettingupfromthebed,shewenttoleanagainstthewindowframe.The

Duomostaredbackatherfromadistance.

Wasitreallyherfault?Howhadthingschangedsomuchbetweenthemthese

pastfouryears?

MemoriesofLangleybroughtafaintsmiletoherlips.She’dbeenhappyinher

littlesewingroom,inherlittlehouse,inherlittletown.Andthedressesshe’dsewn

there,oneatatime,eachonewithitsstorysewnintoitsstitches.Thosedresseshad

beenoneofakind,justlikethereddresssheworetoday.

Shetouchedthesoftwoolcrepe,andthefineclothslippedbetweenher

fingers.ThosedaysinLangley,adresshadbeenmorethanjustacovering.Ithad

beenastoryofhope.Astoryofwhothewomanwas,herdesires,andhowshe

hopedtobeseen.

Butafashionbrandisn’tmadeinasingleroominalittletownlikeLangley.

Herfingersfellawayfromherreddress.Fameandrecognitiondidn’tcome

chasing.Youhadtochasethem.Thatwasthechoiceshe’dmade.

Thoughthesefouryears,thehighershe’dclimbedthefurthershe’dstepped

fromthedayswhenonedressstoodforthedreamsofonewoman.Nowonedress

wasjustapatterntobeproducedinthehundredsandshippedoutwithhername

attached.

Aurarestedherheadagainstthecoldwindowglassandstudiedthegoldencity.

Thegirlshe’dbeeninLangleywouldlikelylookathernowandstareindisbeliefat

howfarshe’dcome,andathowmuchshe’daccomplished.Butshecouldn’thave

doneitwithoutNathan.Andshecouldn’thavedoneitwithoutputtingherfamily

asideattimes.Latelythough,familyhadtakenabackseatmoreandmoreoften.

MaybethegirlinLangleywouldlookatherwithpity.

Shepulledbackfromthewindowwithafrown.

Itwasn’therfault.Shehadnochoice.Ifshestoppedpushingnow,yearsof

hardworkwouldhavebeenfornothing.Shewouldbeafailure.Thenwhatwould

becomeofherdreams?

Leavingthebedroomwindow,shewentintothelivingareawhereherlaptop

stoodopenonthewritingdesk.Todayhadbeenbusy.She’darrivedinMilaninthe

morningandthengonestraighttomeetingsattwodifferentdesignhouses.It

wouldhavebeenperfectifNathanhadbeenwaitinghereforherafterwards.Andit

wouldhavebeenheaventoknowherValentine’sNightwouldbespentinhisarms

andherweekendwithherfamily.Butdreamingwouldn’tmakethingsright.Sheset

herjawindetermination.Invitationsinthisbusinesswerenevertobeturneddown.

Shehadtodowhatshehadtodo.

Sheglancedatthegoldscrollworkclockonthewall.Almosttime.They’dbe

waitingforhervideocall.

Andsittingdowninfrontofthelaptop,shesignedintothechatappand

waited.

Hergazefellontheglossymagazinebesidethecomputer.Thismonth’scover

wasallher—DesigneroftheYear.Thelengthyinterviewinsidecalledheran

inspirationtoallyoungupcomingdesigners.Auragaveawryshakeofherhead.

Someinspirationshewas,sittingherequestioningherchoicesandworryingabout

herfuture.

Thelaptoppingedandthechatscreenopenedfull.

4

“Mummy!”Aidangrinned,hissilvereyesglowingbeneathhistousledblackcurls.

Heartburstingwithjoy,Auralaughedatherthreeyearold.“Hello,darling.

Where’syoursister?”

“Mummy!Mummy!”Alexasqueaked.Herlittleheadwithitssoftblackcurls

bobbedinandoutofthevideoframeasshejostledforspacewithherolder

brother.

“Let’splaceithere.Thenyou’llbeabletosee,”Aura’smothersaid,adjusting

thecomputersoallthreeofthemcameintotheframe.

“Hi,Mum.”Aurasmiledather.

“HappyValentine’s!”Alexayelledwithahugegrin,thensheclappedherhands

overhermouthandgiggled.

“Aw,thankyou,sweetheart,”Aurasaid.“AndhappyValentine’stoyoutoo.”

“Lisataughtherthat,”Mumsaid.

“AuntyLisagaveuscakestoo.”Aidangrabbedapinkandredboxfrombeside

himonthesofaandheldituptothescreen.Fourhugeswirly-icedcupcakessat

insidewithtwoconspicuousgapswhereafifthandasixthweremissing.

“Theylookyummy,”Aurasaid.

Billmusthavemadethem.HebakedthecakesandpastriesLisaandhesoldin

theirtrendyLondoncafe.Itwasabusinessofloveforthemboth.They’dstartedit

twoyearsagowithNathan’shelp,anditwasnowflourishingbasedonits

reputationforthefinestcakesandcoffees.

“AuntyLisasaidweshouldsaveoneforyou.”Aidanpokedlonginglyatthe

colourfulicingoneachofthefourcakes.

Auralaughed.“That’ssweetofAuntyLisa,butsomehowIdon’tthinkthat’ll

happen.”

“Ohdear,they’vehadmorethanenoughcakeforoneday.”Mumgentlytook

theboxfromAidan.“Let’ssavetherestfortomorrow,love.OtherwiseIdon’t

knowhowI’llgetyoubothtobedonasugaroverload.”

“Ihopetheyhaven’tbeenahandful,mum?”Auraasked.

Mumtuckedherblondehairbehindherearandsmiled.“Notatall.Theywere

playingwiththekidsatLisa’shousemostoftheday,soGeorgeandIwentoutfor

dinner,thenwecollectedthemfromLisa’safterwards.”

“Mummy,wegotballoons,”Aidancrowedhappily.

“Redandpink,”Alexachirped,herdove-greyeyesglowing.

“That’swonderful,”Aurasaid.“ShowmewhenIgethome.”

“Areyoucominghometonight?”Aidan’seyeswidenedwithhope.

Aurashookherhead.“Nottonight,darling.Mummy’sworkingtonight.”His

facefell.“ButyoucanstayatGrandma’s,”Aurasaidbrightly.“Andpromiseme

you’llbothbereallygoodandgotosleepquickly.AndI’llseeyou…soverysoon.”

Shewantedtosay‘tomorrow’,butthatwouldn’thappen,notwithhertriptoNew

York.

Aidannoddedsadly,andAlexagaveherahopefulsmile.

Auracurledherfingersintoherpalms.Ifonlyshecouldreachthroughthe

screenandgatherthembothtoherandneverletgo.She’dheldthemtoobriefly

lastnight,andthenshe’dhadtoleavethembehindtocometoMilan.Andnowshe

wasleavingherbabiesonceagainwithnoideahowmanydayswouldseparate

them.Howmanymorenightsbeforeshecouldholdthem,smelltheirsweetbaby

scent,andkissthemgoodnight?

MumgatheredAidanandAlexatoherinaquickhug.“There’snoneedforthe

longfaces.WishMummygoodnightandthenrunofftobed.You’llseeherand

Daddytomorrow.”

Auradidn’thavethehearttocorrecther.

Bothchildrencheeredup,andpressingkissestothecomputerscreenforher,

hurriedofftobed.

Theydisappeared,andAuraswallowedbacksuddentears.

“They’vemissedyousomuch,”Mumsaid.“It’llbegoodforthefourofyouto

havethisweekendtogether.”

“Mum,I’mnotcominghomethisweekend.”

“But…whynot,love?”

“I’mflyingouttoNewYorktonight.”

Mumsatback,lostforwordsforamoment.“AndNathan?”sheasked

eventually.

“I’mtravellingalone,”Aurasaid,andjustsayingthatbroughtawaveof

lonelinesswashingoverher.

“ButNathanhadarranged…”

Aurasatforward.“What?Whatdidhearrange?”

“He’dplannedasurpriseweekendaway.He’dclearedhisdiaryforit.”

“I…Ididn’tknow.”

Mumshookherhead.“Nowonderhe’sworkinglatetonight.Ithoughtit

strange.HewassupposedtobeinMilanwithyou.”

“Nathan’sworkingtonight?”Auraasked,latchingontoanyinformationabout

him.

“Hasn’thespokentoyou?”

Auraglancedaway.

“Aura,”Mumsaid.“Iwon’tpokemynosebetweenthetwoofyou.Butyou

havetotellmeifyou’renotallright.”

“I’mfine,Mum.I’vebeenbusy.That’sall.”

“You’vebeenrunningraggedformonthsnow.You’rebarelyhome.Isthis

reallywhatyouwantfromyourwork?”

“It’snotsomethingIcancontrolorstop.TherearethingsIhavetodoto

surviveinthisbusiness.”

Mumfrowned.“Noneofus‘haveto’.Weallhaveachoice.”

ExactlywhatNathanhadsaid.ButitwaseasyforhimandMumtosaythat.

Theyweren’ttheonestryingtobuildacareerwherewhoyourubbedshoulderswith

wasthegoldengrailofsuccess.

“I’msuretheworldwon’tendjustbecauseyoutakeastepback,”Mum

continued.

“ThenImightaswellquit,”Aurasaidwithafierceshakeofherhead.“And

whyshouldIbethequitterwhenothersgetoutthereanddowhatneedstobe

done?”

“Butyou’renotthem,andtheirlifeisn’tyours.”

“God,youmakemesoundsoincapable.”

“Aura,that’snotwhatImeant.Iknowyou.AndIdon’tthinkworld

dominationisinyourblood.Betruetowhatmakesyouhappy.Letotherpeople

livethelivestheychoose.”

“Youdon’tunderstand,”Aurasaidquietly.“Ihavenochoice.IfIslowdown

orstepofftheshowwheel,I’llbeleftbehind.Anobody.”

“Howcanyoubenobody?Thefashionworlddidn’tmakeyouwhoyouare.It

wasyourowntalent.Youmadeitbyyourself.”

“No,Mum.”Aurashookherhead.“Notbymyself.Ihadyou,Nathan,

everyone.AndIwon’tletanyofyoudown.”

Mumtutted.“Youcouldnever.I’malreadysoproudofyou.AndI’llbeproud

ofyounomatterwhatyouchoosetodo.Ijustwantyoutobehappy.”

Auragaveherasmallsmile.“Thanks,Mum.”

“Iwon’tmakeyoulateforyourawardtonight,”Mumsaid.“Butpromiseme

you’lllookafteryourself,love.”

Withanodandagoodnight,Auraswitchedoffthevideochat.

Thelaptopscreenflickedtoblack,andtheroomdescendedintosilenceonce

more.

Funny,tonightwassupposedtobehercrowningglory,anightrecognizingher

talent.Sheshouldbeskippingherwaytotheawardsceremony.Butshecouldn’t

evenmusterthewilltostandupandtakethefirststep.Herhearthadremainedin

LondonwithNathanandtheirbabies,andhadn’treturnedtoher.

Sheclosedthelaptop,andgoingbacktothebedroom,pickedupherphone

andswipedtoNathan’stext.

‘Weneedabreak.’

Hewasworkingtonight,somaybethatwaswhyhewasn’treplyingtoher.

No,whowasshekidding?Nathanalwaysansweredhertextsnomatterwhere

hewas.

Shestudiedhiscurtwordsagain.

Whathadshedreamedherfuturewouldbelike?

Whateveritwas,Nathanhadalwaysbeenpartofit.

Shehadtotexthimonemoretime.Hehadtoreply.

Butsuddenlyanewmessagepoppeduponscreen.

AurasighedasherPA’swordsletherknowthecarwasheretotakehertothe

awardsceremony.

Shewasoutoftime.Andpickingupherpurse,sheleftthebedroom.

5

“I’vebeensoluckytomeetandworkwithsomanytalentedpeople.Iwouldn’tbe

herewithouteverythingI’velearnedfromthem.”Aurapausedinheracceptance

speechandglancedaround.

Thelavishfunctionhallwithitsmarblepillarsandglitteringchandeliers,enticed

witharichscentofrose,cinnamon,andsugar.ItcalledtomindanItalianbakery,

buttherewerenocakesnearthestage.Fashionistasanddesignersfromalloverthe

worldfilledthehallandspreadbeforeherlikeaseaofinterestedfaces.Shehad

theirattentioninthefront.Buttowardstheback,alotofair-kissingwasgoingon

andlotsofbrightsmilesasnetworkinghappenedinearnestandconnectionswere

made.

She’dkeptherspeechshort.Whatdidshehavetosaythatthesemuchmore

experiencedpeoplehadn’theardamilliontimesbefore?

DesigneroftheYear.

Who?Her?

Suddenlyitseemedajoke,andshegrippedthegoldstatuettetighter.Itwas

formedintheimageofafashionablewomanholdingaloftacrystalglobe.

Aura’sgazedroppedtothestatuette’sdarkwoodbase.

AuroraTravers.

Thatwashernameengravedingold.

Andshewastheoneuponstagetonightmakingthisacceptancespeech.She

wasthestaroftheshow.Butitsuredidn’tfeellikeit.

Sheclearedherthroat.“MostofallIwanttothankmyfamilyfortheirloveand

support,and…andmyhusbandforbeingbymysideeverystepoftheway.He

was…ismyrock.”

ButNathanwasn’tbyhersidetonight.

Shescannedthelisteningfacesagain.Butnostranger’ssmilecouldfillthe

emptinessinsideher.Nathanwouldhavestoodrightinfront,andhissmileof

encouragementwouldhavebeentheonlyonethatmattered.

“Um…”Sheglanceddownatthegoldstatuette.Thecrystalglobeglittered

beneaththehall’sbrightlights,andrainbowhuesdancedacrossitsglasssurfacelike

congratulatorywinks.

AllatoncearealitysankinforAura.She’dbeensocaughtupinher

heartbreak,she’dmissedit.

Shelookedbackatthewaitingaudience.“IneverdreamedgrowingupthatI

wouldreachthisplace.Ineverevendaredhope.ButIhopeyoungdesignerscan

lookatmetodayandknowthatnomatterwheretheythinktheyare,theycanstill

reachtheirdreams.”Shepausedwithasmallsmile.“IalsoknowI’veplentymore

learningandworktodo,and…”Sheheldupthestatuette.“Thisbeautifulaward

willbemyencouragementtostayonthatjourney.I’msograteful.”

Thehalleruptedintoapplause,andAurabreathedout.

Thiswastheaward’struemeaning.Itdidn’tsuddenlymakeherbetterthan

anyoneelse.Infact,itmeantnothingtoanyoneelse.Butitwashermarkerofhow

farshe’dcomesincethoseearlydaysinLangley.Shewasabetterdesignerthan

fouryearsago,butthatwasonlythebeginningofthejourney.

Shebenttothemicrophonetosayherfinal‘thankyou’,andafamiliarface

towardsthesideofthehallcaughthereye.

Shefroze.

Nathan?

Hewasfarfromher,andthelightwasdimmerthere,butshe’drecognizehim

anywhere.

Herheartthunderedinherchest.Hewasleaningbackagainstamarblepillar,

tallandhandsomeinhisfitteddarkeveningsuit.Peoplemilledaroundhim,oneor

twotryingtocatchhisattention.Buthislighteyeswereintentonher.Shelocked

gazeswithhim,andjoyandreliefbloomedinside.

He’dcomeforher.

“Ahem.”Theyoungpresenteronstagebesideherclearedhisthroatquietly.

Aurasnappedbacktothepresent.“Thankyou,”shesaidintothemicrophone,

nottakinghergazefromNathan.Thenshequicklysteppedoffthepodium.

“Fantasticspeech,”thepresentersaidashewalkedoffstagewithher.

“Thanks.”Auragavehimafleetingsmileandurgentlyscannedthehallagain

forNathan.

Buthewasn’tthere.

Hadhereallybeenthere?

Sheshookherhead.WasshesodesperatetoseeNathan,shewasimagining

himeverywhere?

“Aurora.”Severalpeoplecametooffertheircongratulationsasshesteppedoff

stage.Aurasmiledandthankedthem,shookhandsandkissedcheeks,allthewhile

movinginthedirectionNathanhadstood.

Herred-hairedPAcameandcaughtherinahug.“Aura,youdidgreat,”she

said,abroadsmilelightinguphercheerfulface.

Aurahuggedherback.They’dworkedtogetherthreeyearsnow,andSallyhad

madeherselfindispensable.Thingsmagicallyswitchedfromchaotictosmooth

whenevershewasaround.

“Willyoulookafterthisforme?”Auraasked,handingherthestatuette.

“Sure.”Sallytookitandlookeditoverinawe.“It’sbeautiful.”

ButAurawasalreadysearchingforaglimpseofNathanagain.“Sally,givemea

minute,okay?Ineedtofindsomeone.”AndshehurriedpastherPAtowhere

Nathanhadtobe.

6

HerheartwasbeatingafranticrhythmbythetimeshereachedthepillarNathan

hadbeenleaningagainst.Buttheonlypeopletherewerefourwomensipping

colourfulcocktails.Oneofthem,anolderladywiththinglassesatopherhawkish

nose,smiledather.

AuraatoncerecognizedMonicaDuchenne,aParisiennedesignershe’dmet

duringherweekinParis.HidingherdisappointmentatnotfindingNathan,she

smiledback.

“Aurora.”Monica’shigh-classFrenchaccentrolledhername.“Letme

introduceyoutoSelinaAubrey…”

TheyoungblondenexttoMonicasmiled.

“…Andherbusinesspartner,JanelleOlson,”Monicacontinuedwithanodfor

thecurly-hairedbrunettestandingclosetoSelina.

“AndthisisEricaBon.”Monicaindicatedthelastoftheirgroup,awispy

youngwomanwithshortplatinum-blondehair.“SheisbasedinLondonlikeyou.”

AurasmiledatErica.“I’veseenyournamesomewhererecently.”

“LondonFashionShowthisyear,”Ericasaid.“Ihavetheslotafteryou.”She

laughed.“ItmeansI’vegotmyworkcutouttomakeanimpactifyou’reupfirst.”

“You’lldofantastic,”Aurasaid.“Ilovemycollectionthisyear,butit’shonestly

notasearth-shatteringasafewoftheinterviewsaremakingitouttobe.Thoughof

course,I’dbeoverthemoonifitis.”

“Wow,you’retoohumbletobetrue,”Selinasaidwithatossofherlong

blondehair.“IfI’dwon‘DesigneroftheYear’,youcanbetI’dbecrowingfrom

everyrooftopaboutit.”

Aura’sfaceheated.“It’snotthatIdon’twanttoshoutfromtherooftops.It

justfeelsawkwardtomakeafuss.”

“Ah,thefamousEnglishreserve,”Monicasaid,smiling.

“That’susEnglish.”Ericabeamed.“Wedon’twanttomakeafuss.”

Janelleshookhercurlyhead.“Youcan’tstandback.You’vegottoshout.It’s

theonlywayyou’llbeheardinthecrowd.Thelouderthebetter.”

“Theridewillberoughifyou’retheshyandretiringtype,”Selinasaidwitha

smirk.

“Yes,loudisthenew‘in’thing,unfortunately.”Monicasighed.“Inmyyounger

days,wecouldaffordtobequieter.Butnowitisallaboutbeingoutthere.The

designerherself,shehasbecomethebrand.”

“Istrugglewiththatbigtime.”Ericaranahandthroughherplatinumhair.“It’s

probablywhyI’mstillaprawninthegame.”

“You’renottheonlyone,”Aurasaidquietly.“It’sworsewhenyouhaveto

leaveyourfamilybehindjusttogomeetthepeopleyouneedtomeet.”

Ericagrimaced.“Idon’thavechildrenyet.Butmyhusbandisdefinitely

reachingtheendofhistetheradjustingtomybrutalschedule.”

“Trynevertomarryoutsidetheindustry,”Monicasaidsagely.“Butatthevery

least,hireagoodnannyortwoforwhenthechildrencomealong.”

“ButNannyornot,younevergettoseeyourchildrengrowup,”Aura

protested.

Monicashrugged.“Itisonlywhentheyareyoungitfeelslikeasacrifice.Both

mychildrenwenttoboardingschool,andnowtheyaregrownupandhappy.Iam

herewhereIwanttobe,andithasworkedoutwellforusall.”

Aurafellsilent.ThethoughtofsendingAidanandAlexaofftoboarding

schoolmadeherstomachclench.Shecouldn’tdoitinamillionyears.Besides

which,Nathanwouldbringdowntheroofifsheevensuggestedit.

“Marriageandchildren.”Selinagaveafineshiver.“Socomplicated.I’mglad

I’mpostponingallthat.”

Janellegaveherfriendaslygrin.“Youdidn’tpostponeit.You’rejustwaiting

foracertainItalianhunktonoticeyou.”

“Who?”Ericaasked,hereyebrowsshootingupwithcuriosity.

“MassimoFiorelli,”Janellesaidsmugly.“HetookovertheFiorelliretailchaina

monthagowhenhisfatherretired.”

Erica’seyeswidened.“IknowFiorelli.TheyowntheElloraandClayton

brands,don’tthey?”

“AndPhoenixJewellery,”Auraadded.

“Fiorelliishuge,”Monicasaid.“Theyareeverywhere.”

“AndMassimoisquiteacatch.”Janelle’seyestwinkledatSelina.“Atleastthe

drovesofwomenswarminghimallthetimeseemtothinkso.”

SelinashotAuraanarrow-eyedlook.“You’llseehimtomorrow.”

“Iwill?”Auraasked.

Selinanodded.“Iheardyou’remeetingMarkandCelaRochas.Massimoisa

partnerintheRochasGroup,sohe’llbethere.”Hervoicetwangedwithenvy.

“Ineverknew,”Aurasaid.

NotthatitwouldmakeanydifferenceifthisMassimoFiorelliwasatthe

meetinginNewYorktomorrowornot.Hewasjustanotherpotentialbusiness

partnerinthesprinttomakeitbig.

“He’lllikeyou.”Janellegaveheranappraisinglook.“He’sItalian,andyouhave

anItalianlookwithyourdarkhair.And‘Englishreserve’mightbeaninteresting

changeforhim.”

Aurashookherhead.“I’mhappilymarried.”

Butthe‘happily’partwasdebatablerightnow,andherheartsankagainatthe

thoughtofNathan.Sheglancedatthemarblepillar.Ifhe’dbeenheretonight,she

wouldn’thavewastedaminutemoreatthisfunction.She’dhavespedbacktothe

hotelroomwithhim,wantingnothingmorethantobeinhisarms.

Selinasnorted.“Oh,please.Sincewhenwas‘beingmarried’aproblemto

hookingup?Haven’tyouseenthenot-so-secretcouplesaroundhere?Beingmarried

toothershasn’tslowedthemany.”ShegaveAuraathoughtfulonce-over.“Yeah,

Massimowilllikeyou.”

“Don’tsweatit.”JanellegaveSelinaafriendlynudge.“He’sheretoday.So

catchhimearlybeforealltheotherhopefuls,andwithsomeValentine’smagicon

yourside,youneverknow.”

Selinablushedandlookedaroundeagerly.“Ididn’tknowMassimowashere.”

“Lookfortheexcitedcrowdofwomen,”Monicasaidwithasmile.

Ericarolledhereyes.“I’mgladI’mmarriednow.AtleastIescapeallthis

chasingabout.Hubby’smeetingmeinfifteenminutes,andthenit’sValentine’s

Nightforus.”ShegrinnedatAura.“Betyournightissortedtoo,huh?”

“Actually,IthinkIsawmyhusbandaroundheresomewhere,”Aurasaid.“I’d

bettergofindhim.”Andwithafarewellsmileforthewomen,sheleftthem.

Thathadbeenalie.

Auramadeherwaytothefrontofthehallpastatableofcolourfulfruitsalads

thatlookedtobeburstingwithflavours.

She’dseensomeone,buthaditbeenNathan?Mumhadsaidhewasworking

tonight.Sohewouldn’tbeinMilananyway.

Butshestillslowedherpaceandglancedaround,hopingforaglimpse,

something.

Nothing.

Awaitercarryingatrayofwine-filledglassesapproachedher.“Drink,signora?”

“No,thankyou,”shesaidquietlyandturnedtoheadforthehallentrance.She

hadthreehoursbeforeherflighttoNewYork,andwaitingthattimeoutinthe

peaceofherhotelroomseemedpreferabletostayingoninthiscrowd.

Withatipofhishead,thewaiterlefther,andAuracastonelastlookaround

thepackedhall.

Herheartjumpedtoherthroat.

Nathanstoodseveralmetresaway.

7

Hehadhisbacktoherandwassurroundedbyagroupofpeople.Hewasspeaking

animatedlytothoseclosesttohim.Buttherewasnomistakinghisblackhair,his

broadshouldersinhisdarkeveningsuit,histallathleticphysique.

Nathan.

Auracouldonlystandandstare.He’dbeenhere…allthistime.Andhehadn’t

oncecomeandspokentoher.

Sadnessnumbedher.

HadtheirrelationshipdisintegratedsomuchthatNathanwouldgiveherthe

coldshoulderevenonthisspecialnight?Butthenwhyhadheevenbotheredto

cometoherawardsceremonyinthefirstplace?

Sadnessblazedtoanger.

Itwasnotokaythathesnubbedherandspentthattimechattingwithothers.

Herfingerscurledintoherpalms.Itwouldhavebeenbetterifhe’djuststayed

away.

Thedelightedlookonthefacesofsomeofthewomencrowdinghimcaught

Aura’seye.Andangerboiledtorage.Howdarehe…

Shemarchedovertowherehestood.“Nathan!”

Heturned.

AndAuratookastepback.“Oh!I’msosorry…”

“Vabene.”Abroadsmilecrossedhishandsomeangularface.Butthisclosethe

differencesbetweenhimandNathanwereobvious.

Thismanwasalmostastallandwell-built,buthisskinwasbronzetanned,and

hiseyeswerelightalmondnotsilver.Healsolookedtobeafewyearsolderthan

Nathan.

Shegavehimanapologeticsmile.“Ithoughtyouweresomeoneelse.”For

goodness’sake,herdesperationtoseeNathantonightwasturninganysimilar-

lookingmanintohim.

“AuroraTravers,”themanmusedasshewasabouttomakeanexcuseand

escape.Heheldouthishand.“MassimoFiorelli.”

Aura’seyeswidened.“SignorFiorelli.”Shetookhishand.“Pleasedtomeet

you.”

“Massimo,please.”Heraisedherhandtohislips.“Andthepleasureisall

mine,”hemurmured.

Aurabitherlip.SheknewallaboutItaliancharm,butcomingfromamanlike

Massimo,itwasdeadly.Shesnatchedherhandbackassoonashereleasedher.

“I…Ishouldbeleaving,”shesaid,takingastepback.

“Butwhatisthehurry?Letusspeak.”Andexcusinghimselffromthepeople

aroundhim,hecametoher.“Ihaveyettocongratulateyouonyouraward.”

“Thankyou.”Hewasclose.Auralookedupathim.Howcouldshehave

mistakenhimforNathan?Hewassodifferent.Evenhisscent—asharpcitrus—

wassofarremovedfromthedeliciousmuskandsandalwoodessencethatwas

Nathan’s.

“Ihaveheardmuchaboutyou,Aurora.”Hislightgazetookherin.“Youare

therighttalentforthisaward,Ibelieve.Theperfectmixofcharmandskill.Isense

youwillgofar.”

HeatrosetoAura’scheeks.“That’sverykindofyou.”

“Andmodest,”hesaidwithanappreciativesmile.“Asyoushowedonstage.It

isaqualityIlike.”

“I…um…heardyouknowMarkandCelaRochas?”

“Si.IamapartnerintheRochasGroup.Iarrangedforyoutomeetme

tomorrowinNewYork.ButnowIfeelitisbetterwearemeetingtonight.”

HehadarrangedhermeetingwiththeRochasGroup?Thenewknowledge

wasn’tcomforting.Heseemedtoknowfarmoreaboutherthansheknewabout

him.

“Youwouldn’twanttospendtonighttalkingaboutbusiness,”shesaidwitha

quicksmile.“Maybeitshouldwaitfortomorrow.”

“Business?No.Thatwouldbeboring.Butthereissomuchmoretotalkabout.

Somuchmoretodo…”Somethingglittereddeepinhisalmondeyes.

Hercheekswereblazinglikeafurnacenow.DearGod,theeffectthisman

couldhaveonwomenwascrazy.Butthiswasn’tthedirectionshe’dexpectedtalks

withapotentialbusinesspartnertotake.

“It’sbeenalongday,”shesaid.“AndI’dbeapoorcompanionforthenight.

Also,Ihaveaflighttocatch,so…”

“YourflightistoNewYork,si?”

“Yes,anditleavesverysoon.”

“Thenyoumusttravelwithme.Wearegoingtothesameplace,andmy

airplanewaits.”

“Oh,Idon’twanttoimpose.Itwouldbeinconvenientforyou.”

“ButIinsist.Anditisalwaysapleasuretotravelwithabeautifulwoman.”

Andnodoubtmanyabeautifulwomanhadalreadytravelledwithhim.Aura

staredathim.Itwouldlookchurlishifshesaid‘no’.Andshecouldalsokiss

goodbyeanyhopeofswayingtheRochascontractinherfavour.

Besides,maybeshewasoverreacting.

ForallMassimo’ssmoothtalk,nothingwouldhappenbetweenthemifshe

didn’twantitto.Hewassurelytoowellknowninthefashionworldtotryanything

crazy.Sothesmartthingtodowasaccept.

ButtravellingwithMassimoonhisplanewithoutNathanknowingseemed

wrong,andshecouldn’tbringherselftosaythatimportant‘yes’.

Hefrownedatherhesitation.“Often,youtravelfasterifyoutaketheright

offer,”hemurmured.“Butarefusalmightmeandoorsbecomedifficulttoopenin

future.”

Aurasuckedinabreath.“Isthat…advice?”

“Youcouldtakeitassuch.”

God!hewasactuallycompromisingher.“Well…”shebreathed.“IsupposeI

shouldthankyou.Iwasn’tsureatfirst,butyou’vehelpedmakeitveryclear.It’sa

‘no’.Iwon’tbetravellingwithyouanywhere,noworever.Goodnight,Signor

Fiorelli.”Andturningonherheel,shestalkedaway.

Thebloodynerveoftheman!

Auraquickenedherpacetothefrontofthehall.Sureyouhadtomake

connectionstogetaheadinthisbusiness,butwhatsortofconnections?Shewasn’t

lookingtosleepwithsomeonejusttogetalegupinhercareer.Maybeotherswere

readytodowhateverittook,butnother.

Sheslowedandlookedbacktowhereshe’dleftMassimo.

Womensurroundedhimagain.Andclosesttohimandtryingtocommandeer

hisattentionwasblonde-hairedSelinawholookedlikeakidinacandystorenow

she’dchaseddownherprey.

Aurashookherhead.Theyprobablydeservedeachother.Butasforher,she

wantednothingmorethantobegonefromthisplace.Andturningaway,she

walkedontowardsthehallentrance.

HowthingshadchangedsinceherfirstcatwalkshowinLondontwoyearsago.

She’dbeenecstaticthen.Somuchhardworkandsacrifice,andithadallpaidoff.

Afterwardsthough,she’dbeenundernoillusionabouttheworkstillaheadofher,

butshe’dbeendeterminedtogetahead.

Shestoppedbythenowdimmedstage.Theyounggirlshe’dbeeninLangley

hadoncenaivelythoughteverythingwasstraightforward.She’dthoughtsuccess

waspurelybasedondedicationandskillandawillingnesstolearn.ThatAura

wouldhesurprisedtohearthatthehappytimesshe’dspentworkingone-to-one

withherclientsinLangleyhadbeenthebestofhercareer.

Thedarkstagefilledhervisionandbroughtthestarkrealityofhersituationto

clearfocus.Nowthatshe’dturneddownMassimosothoroughly,he’dneverlether

havetheRochascontract.MaybesomeonelikeSelinawouldgetit.Well…goodfor

her.Shewaswelcometoit.

Butlossstillweighedaton,andAuraturnedawayfromthestage.Thathead-

to-headwithMassimomaywellhaveclosedotherdoorsforhertoo.Shebreathed

outinanguish.Shehadtobereadyforthat.ButwhatwouldshetellMum?

Nathan?Howdidshefacethemknowingshemayhavetostartalloveragain?

Sheglanceddownwithashakeofherheadandwalkedstraightintosomeone.

“I’msosorry!”shesaidhastilyandlookedupandgasped.

8

“Mydear,you’restaring,”thewomansaidwithachuckle.“I’mnotaghost.”

Shewasinherfiftiesandelegantlybeautiful.Hergrey-streakedblackhairwas

drawnbackinachignon,andhergoldbrocadegownmadeherdeep-tannedskin

glow.

“MaraAlexei!”Aurasaid,gaping,butthencaughtherselfandflushedhotwith

embarrassment.“Oh,Ireallyamsorry.”

Maralaughed.“It’sallright.Igetthisreactionalotatgatheringslikethis.

Aurasquirmed.“Sorry.Ijustneverexpectedtomeetyou.Ever.”

MaraAlexeiwasperhapsthemostfamousrecluseinthefashionindustry,but

thatdidn’tstopherfrombeingthedesignercelebritiesandroyaltychasedafter.The

recentLondonweddingofthePrinceofWales’scousinhadseenthebrideweara

MaraAlexeigown.Theintricatelycrafteddresshadbeenthetalkofthefashion

worldafterwards.

“TheUlsterweddingdress,”Aurasaid.“Alençonlaceandpearls.Itwasso

beautiful.”

“Yes,thankyou.”Mara’spolitesmilesaidshe’dheardthatmanytimesbefore.

“SomepeoplethinkIshouldhaveusedcrystalinsteadofpearls,but…”she

shruggeddismissively.

“Butno,thepearlswereperfect,”Aurasaidwithavehementshakeofher

head.“IreadthebridewasfromaFrenchfishingport.WhenIsawthepearlsallI

couldthinkaboutwashowitmustbeatouchofhomeforher,atouchofsimple

tradition,and…”HervoicetrailedoffasMara’sthoughtfulexpressionregistered.

“I’msorry,”Aurasaid.“Youmustgetalotofthistoo.”

“Strangelyenough,Idon’t,”Marasaid.“Peoplesawthedress,andtheysawthe

surface.Theydidnotseeavillagegirljoininganoblefamily,andherneedfora

touchstonetoherpast,orherwishforafutureascomfortingasherchildhood.”

Marastudiedher.“Ienjoyedyourspeechtoday,Aurora.AndI’veseenyourrecent

collection.Ilikedit.”

“Wow,thankyou.Thatmeansalottome.”

Maranodded,stilllookingthoughtful.“Yourdesignsinterestedme,andnowI

seewhy.Theyalsocontainuniquestories.”

Aura’seyesrounded.“I….”Shesearchedforwords.EvenNathan,who’d

alwayssupportedher,hadneverfullyunderstood.Butherestoodsomeonewho

might.“It’shope.Agiftofhope.Iwantawomantofeelherdreamscomealivein

thatdress.”

“Yes,exactly!”Maragrinned.“Youunderstand.Sofewpeopledo.Ithinkyou

areverydeservingofyouraward.”

Aurapaused.“Actuallytheawardfeelsmorelikeastepalongtheway,lesslike

finalsuccess,”shesaidquietly.“I’mnotsurehowtoexplainthat.”

“Youfeelyouarestillatthebeginning,perhaps?”Maraasked.

“MorelikeI’mstandingatthefootofthewrongladderandlookingup.”

“Ah…”Maragaveaknowingnod.“Thecrowdedladder.Youremindmeof

myself.Idecidedlongagotowalkawayfromthecrowdsandthethrowaway

designsthatappearmonthaftermonthontherunways.Iwantedtocreatemyjoy

andletmydreamscomealive.”

“Icanonlyimaginehowfreeingthatis,”Aurasaid,thoughtsswirlinginher.

Howdidonejustwalkaway?Howdidsheeventakethefirststepoffthewell-

troddenshowwheelandforgeherownpath?Butanewdoorofpossibilityhad

opened,andthelightstreamingthroughbeckonedinvitingly.

Marasmiled.“ComemeetmeinLondonsoon.Wethinkalike,youandI.We

willhavecoffeeandtalk.”

AnansweringsmiletouchedAura’slips.“I’dlovethat.Thankyou.”

“Mara,areyouenjoyingyourself?”Atallmanwithsilverhairandagruffvoice

cameandslippedapossessivearmaroundMara’swaist.

“Hans,thisisAurora.”Marasmiledupathim,thenturnedtoAura.“My

husband,Hans.Heisalwayscheckingonme.”

“Ihaveto.Otherwise,youmaysneakbacktothehotel.”Hansheldouthis

handtoAura.“Irecognizeyoufromthestage.Congratulations.”

“Thankyou,”Aurasaid,shakinghishand.

Marabeamed.“Ithasbeenawonderfulevening,Hans.AuroraandIwillbe

seeingmoreofeachother.”

“Excellent!Itwilldoyougood.Youaretooaloneotherwise.”Hegazed

lovinglyintoMara’seyes.“Now,areyoureadyforyourValentine’streat?”

“Willyounotgivemeevenahint?”

Hansshookhishead.“Thatspoilsthefun.”

“Sostubborn,”Marasaid,rollinghereyes.ShesmiledatAura.“Iwillseeyou

verysoon,mydear.”Andleaningforward,shekissedAura’scheek.

Aurareturnedherkiss,andwishingthembothgoodnight,watchedthemwalk

awayhandinhand,chattinghappilytoeachother.

Nathan.

Andsuddenlytheneedtofeelhistouchwasliketheneedtofeelthewarmsun

onlong-frozenskin.

9

Comeon,Nathan.Pickup.

Auracradledthephonetoherearasshemadeherwaytothehotelentrance

wherehercarwaswaiting.She’dfetchedherpurseandphonefromthecloakroom,

andNathan’swasthefirstnumbershe’ddialled.Hehadtopickup.Shemissed

him.Hehadtoanswer.

Theringtonecutinthemiddle,andherheartdropped.

Thenallofasuddenthetonestartedagain,andhopeleaped.

“Hello?”avoiceanswered.

Aurabreathedoutindismay.“Maria.”

“Aura.”Nathan’ssecretary’svoiceheldamotherlysmile.“Howwastheawards

ceremony?”

“Itwasgood.Where’sNathan?Whyisn’theansweringhisphone?”Itwaspast

eightnow.Hecouldn’tstillbeworking.

“He’satameeting,”Mariasaid.“Hedidn’twanttobedisturbed.”

“Tellhimit’sme.”

Mariawasquiet.

“Maria,it’sme.”

“I’msosorry,Aura.Nathansaid…”

Thesuddenstingoftearsslowedhersteps.Auraswallowed.“Bye,”she

murmuredandcutthecall.

Shewalkedthroughthehotel’sglassdoors,andthenight-timechillstruckher

barearmslikeicyfingers,butshebarelynoticed.Thegolden-litMilanstreetwas

infusedwiththelightscentofcoffeefromthecafesandtomatoandbasilfromthe

restaurants.Buteventhisillusionofwarmthcouldn’tcomforther.Shestopped

outsidethehoteldoors.Hintsofnewromancehungintheairascoupleswalked

pastholdinghands.Aurawatchedthem,herbreathafaintmistinthecold.She’d

beenonfiretoreturntoNathaninLondon,butnowshedidn’tevenknowwhat

shewasreturningto.

Herdark-hairedchauffeurgotoutofthecar,andwithasmile,heldtheback

passengerdooropenforher.“Wereturntothehotel,SignoraTravers?”heasked.

“Yes,please,Francesco,”shesaidquietlyandheadeddownthefewsteps,

sparingalastglanceforthecouplesoutandabout.

Brightyellowflashedinthecornerofhereyeasshereachedthecar,andshe

glancedacrosstheroadatawoman’sstylishyellowdressanddarkjacket.

Aurastared.

TheyoungblondewasmakingherwaytoablackMercedesparkedfurtherup

theroad.Shehadn’tseenAura,andshewalkedonwithnoideashewasbeing

watched.Asdidthetalldark-hairedmanwithher.

“SignoraTravers?”Francesco’squestioninggazefollowedAura’sandlanded

onthecouple.“Iseverythingallright?”

Auragrippedtheopencardoor.ThatwasNathanwiththewoman.Ithadto

beNathan.She’drecognizehimanywhere,wouldn’tshe?Themanworeafitted

coatoverhisblacksuit,andhiscoatcollarwasupagainstthecold.Ithidhis

jawline,buthisprofilebeneaththedistantstreetlightswasstillsoheart-wrenchingly

familiar.

Herbreathshortened.

Butmaybeshewasmistaken.Maybeitwasn’tNathanbutasimilar-looking

man.

“SignoraTravers?”Francesco’svoicebrokethrough.

Aurablinkedupathim.“Oh…um…I’msorry…IthoughtIsaw…”She

lookedbackatthecouple.

Thewomansaidsomethingtothemanastheyreachedtheircar,andheturned

toherwithasmilethatstoppedAura’sheartmid-beat.

HowmanytimeshadNathansmiledatherlikethat?Itwashis‘Fine,youwin’

smile.Theonehe’dgiveherwhenhedidn’twanttoadmithe’dbeenwrongabout

somethingthey’dspenthoursarguingabout.

Themanbenttothewoman’searandmurmuredsomethingthathadher

laughing.Theirchauffeuropenedthecardoor,andtheybothgotin.

“Francesco!”Aurasnapped,scramblingintothebackseat.“Followthatcar!”

“Thatcar?”Withaperplexedlook,Francescopointedattheimposingblack

Mercedesthatwasnowpullingawayfromthecurb.

“Yes!Hurry!”Sheslammedthedoorshut.

Hedivedforthedriver’sseat.“Thetraffic,signora,”hesaid,startingthe

engine.“Itwillbedifficult.”

Aurasatforwardintheback.“Just…please,don’tlosethem.”

“Si.”Andwithinsecondshehadtheircarintheflowofvehicles.

AwhitetaxiandgreenminiseparatedthemfromtheblackMercedes.

“Iwilltrytostayclose,signora,”FrancescosaidastheMercedesroundeda

cornerahead.“Butthemainroadwillbebusy.”

Auranodded,andgrippingtheedgeofthedriver’sseat,kepthergazegluedto

theblackcar’sbrightredtaillightsastheyfollowedit.

Thiswascrazy.Thefinalresultwouldbethatthemanwasn’tevenNathan.But

shecouldn’tletgotheneedtoknow.Nomatterhowhardherheadtriedtoreason

withherheartthatNathanwasinLondon,herstubbornheartrefusedtogiveup

hope.

Greyapartmentblockspassedbyoneithersideoftheroad,interspersedwith

older,moreartisticbuildings.Andabovethebricksandconcretewereglimpsesof

greenfromthelushroofterracegardensthatgavethecityasenseofspringabout

tobloom.

Suddenlytheblackcarturnedontothemainroadanddisappearedfromview.

“Wewillfindthem,signora,”Francescosaid,perhapssensingherpanic.

Theywaitedimpatientlywhilethetwocarsinfrontalsoturnedontothemain

road.Thenjustwhenthegreenminimadeitsturn,Francescoacceleratedandnose

totailturnedwithit,notgivingtimeforthesloweroncomingcarstocuthimoff.

Aloudhornblaredbehindthem.

Francescoshruggeditoff,andAurawhippedaroundtolookattheredcarthat

hadbeenforcedtogivethemspace.Thedriverscowledthroughhiswindshieldand

threwhishandsupinexasperation.

Aurachewedherlip.Whatwasshedoing?Wherewasthispanicinhercoming

from?Itwasn’tNathanwiththewomaninthatcar.Itcouldn’tbe.

Butshecranedoncemoretoseeoutthefrontwindshield.“Wherearethey?”

sheasked,herfranticgazesearchingthethrongofcarsinfrontfortheblack

Mercedes.

“Iseethem,signora.”Francescopointedtoablackcarfourcarsaheadof

them.

Aurashookherhead.“No,itwasaMercedes.”

Severalotherblackcarswerefurtherupthetrafficstream,butitwasdifficultto

seedetailevenwiththebrightcitylights.Shesquintedhard.Wasthat…?

“Francesco,thatbigcarthere.”

“ItisaMercedes?”Hetippedhisheadtothesidetolookpastthecarsinfront.

“Ithinkitis.Canyouspeedup?Maybeovertakeafewcars?”

“Iwilltry.”Helookedaroundforanopeningintheadjacentlaneasthey

approachedasetoftrafficlights.

Thelightsflippedtored,andthecarrolledtoahalt.

Agroupofcheeringandlaughingtwenty-somethingsboundedacrosstheroad,

wavingpinkheartballoonsonwhitesticks.Theblackcarhadescapedthelights,

andAuratriedtoseepastthecheeringgrouptowherethecarmightbe.Butbythe

timetheroadclearedandthelightschangedagain,thecarhaddisappeared.

Thegreenlightsetthemmovingoncemore,andtheyhurriedtojointhenow

evenlongerlineofvehiclesahead.Butthecarwasnowhereinsight.

Aurasatbackindefeat.“It’sgone,isn’tit?”

Francescostudiedthetrafficwithafrown,buthissilencewastheonly

confirmationAuraneeded.

“Let’sgetbacktothehotel,”shesaidquietly.

Shelookedouthersidewindowattheshadesofgreycity.Ithadbeenawild

fool’schaseanyway.NathanwasinLondon,andhereshewaschasingarandom

guywho’dhappenedtolooklikehimbeneathdimlightsandanightsky.

“There,signora!”Francesco’sexcitementhadhersnappingforwardinherseat.

0250

Thelastfourdigitsofthenumberplateshe’dmemorizeddisappearedfrom

viewasablackMercedesturnedoffthemainroadontoaquietersideroad.

Auralaughed.“That’sthem!”

“Wewillcatchthemnow,”Francescosaidwithsatisfactionashequickly

changedlanes.AndheenteredthesideroadtheMercedeshadgonedown.

Thisnewpartofthecitywasmoreornate.Thebuildingswerelessgreyand

moreanage-wornyellow.Eye-catchingstatuesdecoratedroofcorners,andgolden

lightsglintedthroughstonelatticeworkonbalconies.Bythetimetheycaughtup

withtheMercedes,itwaspullingawayfromwhatlookedlikeaswankyhotel

entrance.

Francescobroughttheircartoastopontheoppositecurb,andtheblack

MercedesdidaU-turnandthendrovepastthem.Onlythedriverwasinside.

Auraglancedatthehotelwherethecouplemusthavegonein.“Willyouwait

formeaminute?”sheaskedFrancescoasshegatheredherpurseandopenedher

cardoor.

“Si,signora.”

Andgivinghimasmileofthanks,shequicklyexitedthecarandcrossedthe

roadtothehotel.

10

Thehotel’sgleamingmarblelobbybustledwithactivity.Blue-uniformedstaff

hurriedtoandfrowhileguestsmilledabout.Auralettheglassentrancedoors

swingshutbehindherandglancedaround.Noneofthemeninthelobbylooked

likeNathan.

Shewalkedinfurther,herredheelsclickinguncertainlyonthestonemosaic

floor.Butnoflashofyellowdresscaughthereye.Theblondewomanwasn’tthere

either.

Dammit.Thiswassoobviouslyawildgoosechase.Shelookedbackattheglass

doorsshe’dcomethrough.Whathadsheexpectedthough?Thatshe’dseethe

coupleassoonasshewalkedintothelobby?

Hergazefellonthereceptiondeskwhereamanandawomaninnavy-blue

uniformswerebusyservingguests.OnlyonewaytofindoutifNathanwashereor

not,andshemadeherwaytowardsthedesk.

Anolderladywithwhitecurlsandwearingastylishbeltedjacketwasbeing

servedbeforeher.Aurawaited,andjustthenherphonebuzzedinherpurse,a

reminderthatshe’dreceivedatextmessage.Frowning,shefishedoutthephone.

HerPA,Sally’smessageshowedonscreen.‘YourNewYorkticketswere

cancelled.Notsurebywhom.Willfindoutandletyouknow.’

What?Aura’sfrowndeepened.

Sallyhadsentthatmessagefiveminutesago.Auratappedthescreentoreply.

She’dbeensodistractedbythecarchase,shehadn’tevenheardthemessagecome

in.Butwhoonearthwouldcancelherplaneticket?

“CanIhelpyou,madam?”Thereceptionist’svoicehadAuralookingup.

Thewhite-hairedladywasgone,andtheblue-suitedwomanbehindthedesk

gaveAuraaprofessionalsmile,readytoserve.

Auradroppedthephonebackintoherpurse.Themysteryoftheplanetickets

wouldhavetowaitafewminutes.“I’mlookingforsomeone,”shesaid,goingto

thedesk.“Ithinkhe’saguesthere.MrNathanielTravers?”

Thereceptionistshookherhead.“I’msorry,madam.Butourguestlistis

private,”shesaidinanaccentthatheldonlyatraceofItalian.“Unlessyouwere

invitedtovisitbyaspecificperson,Icannothelp.”

“Look,Ijustwanttoknowifhe’sstayinginthishotel.Evenasimple‘no’will

do.”

“Icannothelp.”

Auralookedatherinexasperation.MostlikelyNathanwasn’tevenherein

Milan,andallthesepeoplehadtodowasconfirmhewasn’there.Maybeithadto

beafamilyemergencyorsomethingforthemtogiveoutevena‘no’.

“I’mhiswife,”shesaid,meetingthereceptionist’ssuspiciousgaze.“AndIneed

tospeaktohim.Straightaway.”

Thereceptionistcockedherheadtothesidewithaquestioninglook.“Ifyou

areMrTravers’wife,thencouldyounotcallhim?”

“I…Ihaven’tbeenabletogetthroughtohimallevening,”Auraadmitted.

Thesuspicioninthereceptionist’seyeshardened.

“I’mnotlying,”Aurasaid,andquicklyrummagedthroughherpurseforher

passport.ShealwayskeptitwithherwheneversheleftEngland.Shepassedthe

slimredbooklettothereceptionist.“Iamhiswife.”

Thereceptionistflickedtothephotointhepassport,lookedather,thenback

atthephoto.“MrsAuroraTravers?”

“That’sright.”Aurasaidwithrelief.Finallytheyweregettingsomewhere.

Thereceptionisthandedbackthepassport.“Manypeoplehavethesamelast

name.Itisn’tgoodconfirmation.IfMrTraverswereindeedstayinghere,Iwould

havetospeaktohimfirst.”

“Areyousayingheisn’tstayinghere?”Auraasked,relieffloodingback.Maybe

thiswasheranswer.Themanshe’dseenhadn’tbeenNathan.

“Icannotconfirmeitherway.”

Auranearlyscreamed.Sure,theyhadtoprotecttheirguest’sprivacy,butthis

wasridiculous.NowshehadtophoneNathanandmagicallygethimtoanswerher

sohecouldtellthemshewashiswife.Really?

Maria.

Theideacamelikeaflashoflightinthedark.

IftheycalledNathan’scompanynumber,they’dbeputthroughtoMaria,and

shewouldconfirmwhoAurawas.ItseemedashametodisturbMaria’snightfor

somethingassillyasthis,butthereceptionistwasn’tgivingmuchchoice.

“CalltheAstrecaofficeinLondon,”shesaidquickly.“Nathan’ssecretary

knowsme.Butlook,ifhe’snothereinyourhotel,thenjustsaysoandsave

yourselfthetrouble.”

Thereceptionistsmiled.“Excuseme.Iwillmakethephonecall.”Andshe

wenttothefarsideofthedeskandaphonethere.Shedialled,andafewseconds

laterspoke,shootingAuraaquickglanceinthemiddleofit.

Aurawaited.Butthemoretimetickedby,themoreavoiceinsideherinsisted

thatshe’dmadeamistakeandNathanwasn’there.

Thereceptionistplacedthephonedownandcamebacktoher.

“Well?DidMariatellyouwhoIam?”Auraasked.

“709,MrsTravers.”Thereceptionistplacedablackkeycardonthedesk.“Top

floor.MrTraversbookedanexecutivesuiteearliertoday.”

Auragrippedthedeskedgeandstared.Nathanwashere.He’dbeeninMilanall

along,andhenevercametoher.Butwhyputherthroughthis?Herthroatclogged

likeaballwasstuckinit,andshecouldn’tforceoutasound.Shegazeddownatthe

blackrectanglewithitsluxurygoldlogo.Suddenlytheywerenotonlygivingher

Nathan’sroomnumberbutthekeystohisroomtoo.Butnow,shewasn’tsureshe

wantedtogoupthere.

Somehowmusteringasmallsmileofthanksforthereceptionist,shetookthe

keycardwithanunsteadyhandandthenmadeherwaytothebankofelevatorsat

thefarendofthelobby.Hereverystepseemedtobedragginghertowards

somethingshedreadedtosee.

11

Theelevatordoorsopenedontheroyal-bluecarpetedtopfloor.

Thesquarehallwaysheenteredwasbrightandspaciouswithcreamwallsand

panelleddarkwooddoors.Asuitedoorstoodtoeithersideofher,andathirdone

straightahead.ThedoortoNathan’ssuite.

Auratightenedhergripontheblackkeycard.IfNathanwasinhissuite,then

theblondewomanhe’dcometothehotelwithwouldbeintherewithhim.What

weretheydoingrightnow?

Sheapproachedthedoor,herstepsslowandquietonthethickcarpet,andher

mindspinninglikeshe’dsteppedintoanalternatereality.Yes,sheandNathanhad

arguedyesterday,butinthefouryearsoftheirmarriagethey’dneverhadeyesfor

anyonebuteachother.Howcouldthisbehappeningnow?HowcouldNathangive

uponthemsomuchhe’dratherspendhisnightwithanotherwoman?

ImageafterimageofNathantogetherwiththewomanrushedtoher.Aura

shookherhead,willingherrestlessmindtostopjumpingtothesetorturous

thoughts.Shequicklyswipedthekeycardbeforeshecouldthinkmore.

Afaintclick,andthedooropenedanotch.

Shetookabreath,andsplayingherfingersonthedarkwood,pushedthedoor

openandsteppedinside.Nathan’sbarelytherescentofmuskandsandalwood

greetedher,stirringhersenses.Thelivingareasheenteredwasultra-modern,all

darkwoodandcreamfurniture.Thelinesweresimpleandclean,leatherandfine

wool.Understatedluxury.Verymasculine.VeryNathan.

Aurasilentlyclosedthedoorbehindherandwalkedfurtherintotheroom.

Nathanpreferredthismoderndecorovertheornate-stylehotelroomshe’dbooked

forherselfinMilan.Tooflowery,he’dsayabouthersuite.Howcananyonethinkwithall

thescrollsanddrapescloggingtheirvision?Butshelikedatouchofantiqueelegance.It

wasabeautifulexperienceinitsownright.AndshewastheonlyoneNathanhad

everbenthispreferencefor.Buthewasmakingnosuchconcessiontonight.

Lightpianomusicfloatedoutfrombehindahalf-opendoortoherleft.She

followedthesoftmusic,andhandtrembling,openedthedoor.Thesightthatmet

herstoppedhercoldinthedoorway.

Gentlelightflickeredfromcandlesonthesidetables,glintedoffabottleof

champagneinasilvericebucket,andlandedonredrosepetalsstrewnoverthe

rumpledbed.

Aura’sbreathcaught,hergazerivetedtothewhitebedsheetsthathadbeen

pulledasideasifsomeonehadjustgotoutofbed.Liltingpianomusicplayed

throughhiddenspeakers,agentlemelodyforherthumpingheart.Sheglancedfrom

thebedtothepearlyshinecomingfromanearbyarmchair.Acreamsilknightdress

laythere.

Withadisbelievingshakeofherhead,shetookanumbstepforward.This

couldn’tbehappening.Couldn’tbe.Butthecreamsilkgleamedremorselessly,mocking

her.Andclenchingherfist,sherushedtothearmchair,droppedherpurseandkey

card,andsnatcheduptheshortnightdress.Theclothwassoftandfine,andthe

laceofthegenerousbracupswashandembroidered.Itwasbeautiful,and

expensive,andnothers.Whodiditbelongto?Thewomaninyellow?

Thesoundofrunningwatercamefromacloseddoornearby,andAura’sheart

thuddedupalevel.Someonewasintheen-suite.Thesilknightdressfellfromher

hand.Morethanonesomeone?

Shewenttotheen-suiteandgraspedthedoorhandle.

“Oh!”Thewoman’sstartledvoicehadAuraspinningaroundtostareatthe

bedroomdoorway.

Theblondewomanshe’dseenwithNathanstoodthereclutchingabouquetof

redroses.

“Whoareyou?”Auraasked,leavingtheen-suitedoorandgoingtothewoman.

“I’msosorry.”Thewomanlookedguilt-stricken.“Ishouldn’tbehere.I…I’ll

leave.”

“It’sallright,Jenny.”Nathan’sdeepvoicebehindherhadAuraspinning

aroundagain.

He’dcomeoutoftheen-suite,barefoot,withonlyablacktowellingrobe

coveringhistallmuscularframe.

Aurastaredfromhimtoawide-eyedJennyandbackagain,herentirebeing

quiveringwiththeneedforanswers.

ButNathanignoredtheobviousquestioninhereyesandsmiledatJenny.“And

thanksforsortingeverything,”hesaid.“Taketherestofthenightoff.Goenjoy.”

Jennygrinned.“Thanks.Oh…whataboutMrsTravers’driverandcarwaiting

outside?”

“Wewon’tbeneedingthemeither,”Nathansaid.

Withanod,Jennyturnedtoleavebutsuddenlyrememberedtherosesinher

hands.“Um…theseareforyou,MrsTravers.”Andshepassedthebouquettoa

nowstunnedAura.“HappyValentines’.”Andwishingthembothgoodnight,she

leftthesuite.

“Nathan…”Auraturnedtohimwithadazedshakeofherhead.“What…?”

12

Withoutaword,Nathantooktherosebouquetfromheranddepositeditonthe

sidetable.Thenhegatheredherintohisarmsandcapturedhermouthinakisslike

he’dbeenstarvedofher.Gasping,Aurameltedagainsthim,windingherarms

aroundhisneckandholdinghimtoherashardasheheldher,givinghim

everything.Thesolidnessofhisbodyagainsthersatoncewipedawaythe

uncertaintyofthesedays.Andwhenhefinallyraisedhishead,shearchedtowards

himwithasoftwhimper,strainingtofeelhislipsoncemore.

Hefeatheredakissonherlips.“HappyValentine’s,baby,”hemurmured.

“Nathan…”Shestrokedhisdarkstubble-roughenedjawashersensesslowly

returned.“What’sgoingon?”

Hislipsquirkedinasexyhalf-smile.“Iwassupposedtocomegetyoufrom

yourhotel,butyoujusthadtochasemedownhere,didn’tyou?”

“YouknewIwasfollowingyouinthecar?”

“Ididn’tknowyouwerehereuntilthefrontdeskcalledtocheckyouweremy

wife.”

“Theycalledyou…”Aurasteppedoutofhisembrace.“Ithoughttheywere

callingMaria.Butofcoursetheywouldcallyou.”

“AndifI’dknownyou’dpullaJamesBondandchasemealloverMilan,I’d

havetakenyouovermyshoulderattheawardsceremonyitselfandbroughtyou

backhere.”

Aurafrownedathim.“Takenmeoveryourshoulder?Butyouwalkedouton

meyesterday.Andyouwouldn’tanswermycalls.SowhenIhappenedtoseeyou

andfollowedyouhere,I’mtheonewhodidsomethingwrong?”

Hescrubbedahandthroughhisdarkhair,hisfrownmatchinghers.“That’sno

bloodyreasontobespeedingthroughMilan.”

“Iwasn’tspeeding.Anddon’tyouturnthisonme.Whatareyoudoinghere

anyway?Yousaidweneededabreak.”

“Abreakfromfighting.”Hisgrinturnedherhearttoslush,butsheyankedit

together.Hewasn’tcharmingherthateasy.Nathancaughtherbythearmsand

tuggedhertohim.“Icouldn’tbewithoutyou.Itried.Butbyevening,Icracked,

lefteverythingwithMaria,andflewouthere.”

Auraspreadherhandsagainsthishardchest,lettingthewarmthofhisskin

seepintoherfingertips.“Youcanbesostubborn,”shemurmured.Thenhergaze

dropped.“AndI’msorry.”Shelookedbackathim,hereyesearnest.“Ididn’tmean

whatIsaidaboutnotneedingyou.Iwas…angry.”

“Iknow.”Hestrokedhisthumbacrossherlips.“AndI’mtakingyoutoNew

York.”

Shegavehimasternlook.“Youcancelledmyplaneticket,didn’tyou?”

“Youdon’tneedit.You’recomingwithme.”

“That’sjustgreat.AndwhileIwasrunningaroundincircles,notknowingwhat

wasgoingon,youwereskippingaroundMilanwithagorgeousblonde.”

“Jenny?”heaskedwithagrin.“She’sfrommyLondonoffice.Ineedan

assistantifI’mtoworkfromNewYorkforafewdays.Andyouknowhellwill

freezeoverbeforeMariawillleaveLondonandflyaroundtheworldwithme.”

Herindignationweakened.Butdammit!Hecouldn’tgetoffthehookjustlike

that.Andshefrowned“Youwereatthe—”

Hestoppedherwithatenderkiss.“…Theawardsceremony?”Thesmilehe

gaveherwaspuresin.“Iwas.”

Auraclungtoherexasperation.“Whydidn’tyoucometomethen?Iwanted

youwithme.”

“Afterthefightwehad?”Heslippedhisfingersbeneaththeshoulderstrapsof

herreddressandflickedthemoffherarms.

Withatinygasp,sheclaspedherhandstothebodicetostopthedressfrom

falling,buthegentlysweptherhandsaside.Thedresspooledatherfeetinapuddle

ofsoftwool.

“Ithoughtitbesttogiveyouspace.”Hissilvergazetookinherrisingand

fallingbreastsintheircreamlacebra.Asmiletouchedhislips.“Youseemedina

hurrytogomeetpeople,”hemurmuredabsentmindedly.

“Iwaslookingforyou!”shesaid,keepingherangeronboilwithsuperhuman

effort.“Isawyoubythepillar,andthenyouweregone.”

“Iwasthere…waiting.”Heclaspedherwaistandbenttokissherrounded

breasts.

Asoftmoanescapedher.Andclosinghereyes,sheburiedherfingersinhis

darkhairandpressedclosertohim.

Suddenlyhereachedbehindherbackandflickedopenherbraclasp.

“Nathan…”shetriedtograbtheflimsylace,buthehaditoffinseconds.Her

heavybreastsstoodpertandachingforhim.

Hecuppedoneandgentlykneadeditsfullness.“ThisI’vemissed,”he

muttered,anddippinghishead,hecaughtthehardenednippleinhismouthand

sucked.

Shecriedout,desperateformoreofhistouch,hiscaress.Hercoreclenched,

anddesirepooledbetweenherlegsalmostsoakingherpanties.Hecuppedher

otherbreastandcatchingthestrainingnipple,suckedharder.

“Nathan…please,”shebegged,notknowingexactlywhatshewanted,only

knowingsheneededhimburieddeepinsideher,everylongthickinchofhim.

Releasinghersensitivenipple,henippedthesideofherbreastandthen

reacheddowntohookhisfingersinthewaistbandofherlacepanties.

Aurasnappedbacktohersensesandcaughthishands.“No…Wait…”she

gasped.“You’retryingtodistractme.”

Helaughed.“AmI?”

13

Aurawriggledinhishold,buthehunkereddownandpulledoffherpanties

anyway.“Beautifuldistractionthough,”hemurmured,andwithalowgroanburied

hisfaceagainstthemoundofhersex.Histongueflickedthetipofherclit,andshe

doubledoveronagaspandgraspedhisbroadshoulders.

Heslippedafingerbetweenherslickfolds.“Soreadyforme,baby.”

“But…butyouhaven’tsaidwhyyou…”hervoicefadedonamoanashe

easedafingerintoher,thenanother,andpumped.

Hisfingersstretchedher,makingherwetterandevenmorereadyforthereal

thicknessofhim.Herbreathescapedingasps,andsheclungtohisshoulders,her

handsclutchinghissoftrobe.

“GivemewhatIwant,Aura,”hesaid,hisvoiceroughwithneed.“AndI’llgive

youwhatyouwant.”

Whatshewanted?OhGod,thiswasexactlywhatshewanted.

ShemusthavewhimperedhersurrenderbecauseNathaneasedhisfingersfrom

herandpressedaquickkisstoherstomach.Thenuntyingthesashofhisblack

robe,heletitfalltothefloor.Hestood,magnificentinhisrawmuscularnakedness,

aperfectmale,andoneshecouldn’tdraghergazefromevenafterfouryears

together.Histhickshaftstrained,readyforher,sendinghotbloodracingthrough

her.

“Youdidn’tthinkI’dmissourValentine’stogether,didyou?”heasked.And

sweepingakissoverherlips,heliftedherhighinhisarms.Herredheelsdropped

tothefloorontopofherdress.

“I’mgladyoudidn’t,”shewhisperedagainsthismouth.

Heturnedwithhertowardstheen-suite,andtherosebouquetonthesidetable

caughthereye.Therebehindtheflowersstoodher‘DesigneroftheYear’statuette

withitscrystalglobeglitteringinthebedroom’ssoftlight.

“Youbroughtmyaward,”shesaid,wrappingherarmsaroundhisneck.

Heshrugged.“Couldn’tleaveitbehind.Itshouldbewhereyouare.”

Auragaveasadshakeofherhead.“Nathan,youshouldhavestayedatthe

function.Iwantedyouthere.”

“Iwasthere,baby.Ijustwasn’tsureitwasmeyouwanted.”

“What—”Hislipsonherscutheroff,andwhenheraisedhishead,thebeauty

ofthesoftlyliten-suiteleftAuraspeechless.

Centrestagewasawidemarblebathtubbubblingwithrose-scentedwater.Red

rosepetalssurroundeditalongwithsmallglimmeringcandlesinprettyglass

containers.

“Likeit?”Nathanaskedwithagrin.

Auralaughed.He’dtickedalltheValentine’scheckboxes.“Iloveit!But…you

didallthisforme?”

“Whoelse?”Heplacedherdownonthemarblefloorandclaspedhertohim.

“WhoelsewouldIspendtonightwith?”

Whoelseindeed?Shepressedagainsthimwithasmallsmile,herheartbeating

outofherchestwithloveforhim.

“Comeon.”Nathansteppedintothebathtubandheldhishandouttoher.

Takingit,Aurafollowed.

Water,justhotenoughtomakeherskinsitupandtakenotice,bubbledina

gentlerollingmassagearoundherlegs.Thefragranceofrosewasstrongernowasit

climbedinthesteamandsurroundedherlikeaninvisibleflowercloud.

Nathansankintothewater,pullingherdownwithhim.Wetwarmthrolled

overherthighs,herstomach,thentouchedherbreastswhenheeasedherback

againsthim.Shenestledintohishold,lovingthewashofwateroverherskin,the

solidnessofhimbehindher,andthefirmsqueezeandreleaseofhishandsashe

playedwithherbreasts.

“Whatdidyoumean…”sheasked,“…whenyousaidyouweren’tsureitwas

youIwanted?”

Hishandcurvedoveronebreast,andhetweakedthepebblednipplebetween

thumbandforefinger.“That’sinthepast,”hemurmuredinherear.

“Nathan…tellme.”

“Spreadyourlegs.”Andhenudgedherfeetapartwithhisfoot,atthesame

timeshiftingherupsoshewassittingonhim.

Auragaspedashisrigidshaftstrokedoverherfolds,andrunningherhand

overhisthicklength,shepartedherlegsforhim.

Atorturedgroanrumbledinhischest.Hetweakedhernippleagainandslidhis

handdownherstomachtofindherclit.Shejumpedwhenhereachedhisprizeand

flicked.

“You’llcomehardforme,baby,”hesaidsoftly.“AndI’llenjoyeverysecondof

it.”Andhisfingersworkedupastormonhersensitizednubwhilehisotherhand

squeezedfirstoneachingbreastthentheother.

Thebubblingwaterrolledoverherexposedsexlikeheatwaves,butitcouldn’t

matchtheragingtempestgrowinginsideher.Shegrippedhisshaftassparks

gatheredinhercorefromhisfingersonher.Herclimaxknottedinatighterand

tighterball,robbingherofbreath,andthensuddenlyburst.Auracriedoutas

electricpleasureshotthroughherineverydirection,leavingherjudderingand

shakinginhisarms.

“Hell!”Nathangrowled.Andflippingherbackagainstthetubwall,hegrasped

herthighsandcrowdedbetweenherlegs.Thetipofhisshaftstrokedherfolds

beneaththewaterasshelaybonelessandbreathless.“I’vecravedyouallday,”he

said,andcapturinghermouthinaroughkiss,heplungedhislengthintoher

waitingchannel.

Auratorehermouthfromhisonagaspashefilledher,stretchedher.Itwas

suchsweetrelief,andwrappingherarmsandlegsaroundhim,shepulledhiminto

hertothehilt.

Nathanclampedhertohimandthrust.Againandagain.Pullingoutand

poundingbackin.Fasterandfaster.Thewatersloshedandbubbledaroundthem,

andherbodyjoltedwithhisforce.Hismouthfoundthesoftskinofherneckand

sucked,andhishandclaimedthefullnessofonebreastandsqueezed.Auraspread

herlegswider,needingmoreofhim,hisstrength,hisroughness,hispassion.

Henippedherearlobe.“Comeagainforme,baby.”Andslippinghisfingers

overherclit,hetweaked.

Coreclenchingboltsshotthroughher,andshearchedagainsthim,herfingers

diggingintohiswarmback.

Hemovedthen,andhiseverythrustthrobbedhardagainstherclit.Theintense

pullofherclimaxbuilt.Anotherthrust,thenanother,andherorgasmmountedin

relentlesswaves.Withagruntheslammedintoher,andcryingout,sheshookand

shattered,herchannelclenchingandunclenchingaroundhislength.Nathan

capturedhermouthinafiercekissandpoundedintoher.Thenonafinalragged

groan,hispowerfulbodyshook,andhisshaftburieddeepinsideherpulsedand

emptied.

Auradidn’tknowhowlongtheylayinthewater,eyesclosed,armswrapped

aroundeachotherastheyfloateddownfromecstasy.ButeventuallyNathan

moved,withdrawingfromherandthencoveringhermouthwithhisinasweetkiss.

Heraisedhisheadandcuppedhercheek.“Youcameheretome.Thatmeansa

lot.”

“WhywouldyouthinkIwouldn’tcometoyou?”sheaskedwithasmallfrown.

Hekissedherlips,andthenmovingbehindher,wrappedhisarmsaroundher

again.“YouweretalkingtothatFiorelliguyatthefunction,”hesaidquietly.“I

thoughtyou’dprefertogowithhim.”

Aurabitherlip.Thefaintuncertaintyinhisvoicewasheartbreaking.Shewas

sousedtoNathanasheusuallywas:strong,stubborn,andintense.Shesometimes

forgotthesmallvulnerablepartofhisheartthatwastheexactshapeofher.

“That’swhyyouleft,isn’tit?”sheasked.

Hesaidnothing.

Shelookedbackathimandlovinglytracedherfingeroverhislips.“Idon’t

wanttobewithanyonebutyou.”

Hecaughtherhandandkissedherfingertip.“Andyouwon’tbegoingtoNew

Yorkwithanyonebutme.”

“AboutNewYork…I’mnotgoing.”

“Why?”heaskedwithafrown.

Aurapaused,butitwaslikeafoghadclearedandtheworldhadsnappedinto

sharpfocus.“Iwanttogomyownway,createmyownjoy.”Shesmiledathim.“I

don’tneedtodowhateveryoneelsedoes.AndIdon’tneedtojoinforceswith

anyone.I’mstrongenoughtoletmydreamscomealive.”

“Ineverdoubtedthat,but…”Nathancaughtherchinandtiltedherfacetohis.

“IsthisbecauseofwhatIsaidyesterday?Idon’twantyoutomakethischoiceout

ofguilt.”

Sheshookherhead.“Notguilt.IjustknowsoclearlywhatIwant.Andpartof

thatishavingthefreedomtodesign,andtheotherpartishavingthefreedomtobe

withyouandourbabies.That’smyperfectlife.”

Hestudiedherforalongmoment,hissilvergazesearchinghers.“Iwantyou

closetoo,”hesaidfinally.“That’smyperfectlife.ButI’llalwayssupportyou,

whateveryouchoose.”

“Iknow.”Shekissedhislips.“It’sanotherreasonIloveyou.”

Withagrin,hepulledherclose.“Saythatagain.”

“Iloveyou.”

“Again…”

Auragiggled.“Nomore.Yourhead’sbigenoughasitis.”Andwithahappy

sigh,shesnuggledbackagainsthim.“Mumtoldmeaboutyourplansforthe

weekend.”

“Shefoundout?”heaskedwithalaugh.“IthoughtI’dkeptitasurprise.

RememberhowAlexalovedthatshellnecklaceAndyandJasmineboughther?I

thoughtshemightliketovisittheseasideandcollectshellsofherown.She’snever

seenthesea.SoIbookedaweekendcottagethereforthefourofus.”

“That’swonderful!”Aurasaid.“But…youweregoingtocometoNewYork

withme.Soyoucancelledthecottage,didn’tyou?”

“Idid.”Hegatheredhercloseinthewarmwater.“Butsincewe’renow

spendingtheweekendwiththekiddos,Icangetthecottagebackifyoulikethe

soundofit.”

“Iloveit!EvenachillyFebruaryweekendbytheseasoundsfantastic.”

Nathanshrugged.“Wecanwrapupwarm.”

“Mmm…Thiscottageofyours,doesithaveafireplace?”

“Suredoes,”hesaidwithachuckle.“Bigandblazing,withenoughspaceto

hangapotofstew.”

“Wow,fire-topstewwithtoastedmarshmallowsafterwards.”Auraclosedher

eyesanddreamed.

“Andasoftsheepskinrugforyoutogetcomfortableon,”Nathanmurmured,

hiswarmbreathfanninghercheek.

“Perfecttocozyupwithhotchocolate.”

“Andafterthat?”Hekissedherjaw.

Sheturnedandflickedthetipofhertongueoverhislips.“Afterthat,our

kiddosgotobed,andyouandIhaveasheepskinruginfrontofaromanticfireall

toourselves.”

Hegrinned.“Andthat’sanotherreasonIloveyou,baby.”Andhecaughther

mouthinatenderkiss.

❦

Visitalyssialeon.comtoreadchaptersfromallmybooks.

Turnthepageforbonuscontentandmore.

ANoteFromAlyssia

AyearafterIpublished‘BeMine’,Iwantedtogivemynewslettersubscribers

somethingspecial.AndsinceIwasfeelingnostalgic,revisitingAuraandNathan’s

lovestoryseemedlikeareallyfunthingtodo.

TheideawastocatchuponAuraandNathanfouryearsaftertheirmarriage.I

wantedtowriteabouttheirValentine’sDayinMilan,Italy,andtherollercoaster

eventsofthatday.

However,theoriginalplannedepiloguedidn’tstayasamereepilogue.Itturned

intoafifteen-thousand-wordnovellawithplentyofupsanddownsonthejourney

toaverypassionatehappyeverafter.

MyinspirationforwritingthestorycamefrommyimageofAura.Shedidn’t

seemhappytoloseheruniquecreativetalentandfreedomtothecorporateworld

offashion.Shesowantedtorediscoverthepassionanddreamshe’dheldin

Langley.AndI’mdelightedforherthatshedid.

Nowattheend,Ican’timagineanythingpartingAuraandNathan.They

remain,forme,completelyandtrulymadeforeachother.

IfyoulikedAuraandNathan’slovestory,don’tforgettocheckout‘Love

Express’thenextbookinmy’SecondChanceSeries’.It’sanotherstandalone

contemporaryromance,andthistimesetonaluxuryvintagetrainsprinkledwith

themagicofChristmas.

Turnthepagetofindoutmore.

LondonBillionairesBook2

HeartbrokenMoiraStanleyisdesperateforanewbeginningatChristmas.Butbillionaire

DarrenTatehasotherideas.She’sstuckwithhimaboardaluxurytrainspeedingtoVenice.With

theoddsstackedagainsther,canMoiraresistfallingforDarren’sseductivegameofrevenge

beforeit’stoolate?

Turnthepagetoreadchapters.

1

“Thebread’sabitstale,butyoudon’tmind,doyou?”MoiraStanleyaskedsoftly.

“Justnibblearoundthefunkyspotsontheedge.That’swhatIdo.”

Theratdidn’tanswer.Itgobbledupthechunkofwhitebreadwithallthegusto

ofeatingtheworld’smostluxuriousChristmascake.Andonlytheoccasional

muffledsqueaktelegrapheditsdelight.

Moiraslowlyreacheddown,pickedupherPradakittenheels,andplacedthem

besideherontopofthebed.

Justincase.

Rats,cockroaches,spiders.She’dseenplentyovertheyearsofcleaningother

people’shomes,butshestilllikedtokeepahealthydistance.

“Iwon’thaveanybreadforyoutomorrow,”shecontinuedinaquietvoiceso

asnottoscarethelittlegreyrataway.Shelookedatthehandfulofpoundnotes

andcoinslaidoutbeforeheronthetattybedcover.“Actually,Iwon’thaveany

breadformeeither.”

Fourdaysagoshe’dbeenworthbillions.

Todayshewaswortheightypoundsandthirtypenceexactly.

She’devenlefthercreditcardsbehind.No,nothercreditcards.Hiscredit

cards.

Pickingupthefourtwenty-poundnotes,shesetthemaside.“Well,thatcovers

theroomfortodayandtomorrow.Whichleavesus…”sheswipedthecoinsintoa

pile,“…thirtypence.Yay!”

Sherubbedawearyhandacrossherface.Thirtypencemighthaveboughthera

bottleofwateranywhereelseinEngland,butinLondon,she’dbeluckyifitbought

herabottlecap.

“Andweneedtomakeitstretchtobreakfast,lunch,anddinnerforGodknows

howlong,”shemurmuredtothebusilychompingrat.“Thatagencybettergetback

quickwithajob,oraftertomorrowit’llbearoofless,foodless,MerryChristmas.”

Theratateon.

“Youdon’tcare,doyou?”shemuttered.

Thelastofherbread,whichshe’dturnedintoaketchupsandwich,wasquietly

dissolvingintosoggymushonthebedsidetable.She’dboughtthepackofwhite

breadandthesmallbottleofketchupdaysagowhentheworstofthehungerpangs

hadstruck.Cheapfoodthathadquietenedherstomachbuttastedliketartpaper

mache.Theratlovedtheoozybreadthough.Itcouldn’tgetenoughofthestuff

aftershe’dcoaxeditoutofitsholeinthewallthreedaysago.

“Wehavelunch…”Moiraeyedthestalemushysandwichhalf-heartedly.“ButI

understandifyoudon’twanttoshare.Afewmissedmealsmightdomegood

anyway,”shemuttered,tappinghercurvyhip.Butthenshefrowned.“Idon’tgetit.

There’stonsofcleaningworkaroundChristmastime,whatwiththepartiesgoing

on.Buttheagencykeepssayingthey’vegotnothingforme.”

Theratsnuffledaboutandmunched,oblivioustoherplight.

Moirasighed.“Ithinktheywantmetostoppesteringthemandtake

Alessandro’soffer.”

Problemwas,Alessandro’sofferwasnolongeraboutthejob.Itwasnowabout

her.

Shemovedthecoinsaboutindistractedlittlecircles.She’ddrownedintears

herfirstdayhere,butnoonehadcometodryhertears.Thepainfultruthhad

facedherthatwithoutapayingjobshewouldn’tsurvive.Andshewasdetermined

tosurvive.Soshe’dgrittedherteethandreturnedtotheworkshe’dknownbefore

hermarriage.Housekeeping.

Theagencyshe’dcalledforajobhadgivenherdetailstoabusinessman

desperateforahousekeeper.He’dturnedouttobeItalianandmorethanshe’d

bargainedfor.

ShepickedupherphonefromthebedsidetableandflickedtoAlessandro’s

photothathe’dsenther.“Waytoodark,handsome,andsexyforhisowngood.”

Shesmirkedattherat.“Sorrytosayit,you’recuteandall,butyou’vealongwayto

gobeforeyou’llcompeteatthislevel.”

Theratscurriedinsmallcircles,searchingforthelastcrumbs.Andfinding

none,ittwitcheditspinknoseintheairandheadedforitsholenearby.Moira

reachedovertohersandwichandtearingoffanothersoggychunk,threwitnearthe

rat.Itjumpedonthebreadandsettleddowntoanewfeast.

Moirasettledbackagainstherpillow.“IthinkAlessandrolikesme.You

know…likeamanwould.Butwhyme?Hecouldhaveanywomanhewants.”

She’dsentAlessandroaphotoofherselfwhenhe’dinsisted.Shewasgood-

lookingtoanextent,butherplainbrownhair,prettyishfeaturesandordinaryblue

eyeswereunlikelytostunamanasstrikingashim.

“Buthe’skind.Healwaysknowswhattosay…ortext.”Shewaggledthe

phoneintherat’sdirection.“Takenotes.Hecaresandknowshowtoshowit.

That’showyoureachawoman’sheart,notbyscoffinghersandwichwithouteven

a‘thankyou’.”

AndshereturnedtostudyingAlessandro’sphoto.

Hisfirsttextsthreedaysagohadbeenimpersonal,moreofaninterview.He

workedatahotelandsaidhewasalwaysonthejob,soheneededanaffordable

housekeepertokeephishome.She’dansweredhisquestionsasbestshecould.But

heranswershadintriguedhim,andhistextshadcomemoreoften,becoming

sweeter,wantingtoknowmoreabouther.Andshe’dendeduptellinghim

everything,rightdowntothesorrybreakupofhermarriage.

Nowhewantedher,andnotjustashishousekeeper.

Theratscrabbledaboutonthewoodenfloorboards,hooveringup

breadcrumbs.

“You’reright.Ineedthejobandaplacetostay,”Moirasaid.“Butalso…It’s

Christmas,andtruthis…Idon’twanttobealone.”Shepaused.“AlessandrosaidI

wouldn’tbeifI’mwithhim.But…I’mnotsureI’mready…”Shesatbackwitha

wearysighandregardedthebusyrat.“Atleastyou’reagoodlistener.Thanksfor

beingherewithme.”

Aheavythumplandedonherroomdoor.

Moiradroppedthephoneandsatboltupright,herheartbeatingafrantictattoo

inherchest.Theratgaveaterrifiedsqueakanddisappearedintoitshole.

“Becareful,youdork!”Aman’slaughingvoicesaidrightoutsidethedoor.

Asecondmanguffawed.“Wasn’tmyfault!Youcan’ttellyourrightfootfrom

yourleft.”

Moirabreathedout.

Students.

Thishostelwasfullofthem,alllookingforthecheapestplacetostayin

London.

“HeyDave,betyouwokeupwhoever’sinthere,”thesecondmancontinued.

“Nah,it’spastnoon.Thereain’tnooneinthere.Watchthis…”Davecleared

histhroatandrappedonherdoor.“PizzaDelivery,”hehollered.

Moirarolledhereyesbutstayedonthebed.

Thetwooutsidesnortedandgiggledlikethey’dplayedthejokeofthecentury.

“Comeon,man.Let’sgetoutofhere,”Davesaid.

Andtheyscamperedaway.

ItwasFridaylunchtime,andthingswouldn’tgetanybettertowardsthe

evening.Ahostelfullofdrunkandrowdystudentswouldn’texactlybeheaven.

LonelinesswashedoverMoira,andshestaredatthetinyroomwithitsbare

walls,sparsefurniture,andonesquarewindow.Overthepastfourdaysithad

becomeherhome.Herprison.

Sheclosedhereyes.Atleastshehadachoicenow.Shedidn’thavetolivelike

this.ButwasgoingtoAlessandrotherightthingtodo?

Thephonebuzzed,andMoira’seyesflewopen.

‘Timetocometome.’Alessandro’stextflashedonscreen.

Herstomachclenched.Herchoicewasbeingmadeforher.

‘Lookoutside.’

Andpickingupthephone,shegotoffthebedandheadedtothewindow.A

loneblacktaxiwaitedoutsidethehostelentrance.

‘Isthattaxiforme?’shetyped.

Itshouldn’tsurpriseher.Inthethreedaysthey’dbeentexting,she’dlearnedhe

wasforcefulwhenhewantedtobe.

‘It’lltakeyoutotheairport.YourticketsarebookedforParis.’

Moirasteppedbackfromthewindow.‘YouknowI’dlikethejob,Alessandro,

but…’

‘But…youdon’ttrustme.’

‘I’mnotsurethisisagoodidea.’

‘Don’tyoutrustme,tesoromio?’

Mydarling.Thetypedendearmenthenowusedforherworedownher

resistance.

‘Ido…’Shehesitated.

Hemusthavesensedherhesitation.‘Don’tbescared.Youknowme.’

Well,sheknewhiskindwords…

‘Arewerushingthis?’Shesneakedalookoutthewindowagain.Thetaxiwas

stilloutside.

‘Whatifyourhusbandfindsyou?’

‘Heisn’tlookingforme.He’stoobusybeddinghismistress.’

Apause.‘He’sarichmanandaproudone,isn’the?He’llwantyouback.’

‘Whywouldhecomeafterme?He’stheonewhocheated.’Butthenrealization

dawned.‘Youmeanforrevenge.’

Anotherpause.‘Mayberevenge.’

Moirashookherhead.‘Buthewasnevercruellikethatwhenweweremarried,just

distant.’

Butuncertaintygrippedher.Herhusbandhadaruthlessstreak.He’dwieldedit

inbusiness,playinghisopponentstotheirkneesforhisadvantage.Wouldhenow

wielditagainsther?

Alessandro’stexthadherstaring.‘Yousteppedonhispridebywalkingoutonhim.

Mendon’teasilyforgetacrushedego.Doyoustillwanttostaywherehecouldfindyou?’

‘Inevermeantthatmuchtohim.Hewouldn’twastehistimeonme.’

‘Butyou’vemadehimalaughingstock.Willheforgivethat?’

Moira’sbreathcaught.Thehigh-classcirclesthey’dmovedinwerevenomous,

andherhusbandwouldn’tappreciatebeingmadeafoolinfrontofthem.Whatif

hetriedtomakehersufferforthat?Thefactthatshe’dlovedhimwithallherheart

wouldn’tsaveher.

‘You’renotalone,tesoro.’

Sheglancedattheholetherathaddisappearedinto.Gone.Leavingheralone

oncemore.

MaybeitwasablessingAlessandrohadfoundher.

‘Cometome,Moira.’

2

‘It’sokay.I’mwaitingforyou.’

Moira’suneaseebbedalittle,andshesmiledatherphone.Alessandro’swords

reachedoutandcaressedher,holdinghercloseinaforeignland.

Sheglancedaround.TheParistrainstationheavedwithbodiesandnoiseona

Fridayevening.ThejingleofChristmascarolsoverthespeakersmingledwiththe

chatterofpeopleastheyrushedhomefromwork.TomorrowwasChristmasEve,

andexcitementhungthickintheairlikefog.

Excitementgrippedhertoo,nervousexcitement,likesteppingoffahighdiving

boardforthefirsttime.Butshecouldn’tturnbacknow.Onlyheartbreakandsoul-

crushinglonelinesswaitedbackinEngland.

Shehadtoseethisthrough.

‘I’mjustadayaway,’shetypedbeforeshecouldchangehermind.

Agroupofbusinessmenhurriedpast,forcinghertosidestepthem.Sheedged

closertotheelectronicdisplayboard.TheVenice-boundRoyalExpresswasdueto

leaveplatformteninlessthanfifteenminutes.

Platformten.Sheslippedherphonebackintothepocketofherredwoolcoat

andlookedaround,unsurewhomtoask.Differentuniformsscurriedabout,and

anyoneofthemmighthelp.ButherFrenchlikeherItalianworkedonguesswork,

anditwouldtaketoolongtomakeherselfunderstood.Shewasalreadyrunningout

oftime.

Withalastglanceupattheboard,shetookastepbackandcollidedwitha

metalluggagetrolleyatleastafoottallerthanherfivefootfive.Themetaljangled

againsther,sendingherstaggeringbackwardsintoapairofstrongmalehands.

“Pardon,Mademoiselle!C’estmafaute,”theanxious-lookingportersaid,

steadyingher.

Moiraquicklystraightened.“Pleasedon’tworry,”shesaid,flusteredbutgiving

himareassuringsmile.SherightedherredcoatoverherChaneljacketandcurve-

huggingpencilskirt.“Myfaultentirely.Ishouldhavelooked.”

Hereturnedhersmile,andwhiteteethflashedagainstdarkskininakindyoung

face.Parissuddenlyseemedlessintimidating.

“Couldyoushowmetoplatformten?Um…s’ilvousplait?”

“Ten…dix?”Hepointedupattheelectronicboard.“YougoonL’Express

Royal?”

“Yes.”Shenoddedenthusiastically,ridiculouslygratefulthathespokeEnglish.

“Thenfollow.Thetrain,itleavessoon,non?Wewillhurry.”

“Ohgosh,yes.Idon’twanttomissit.”Andgrabbinghersmalltravelcase,she

rushedafterhim.

Heobviouslyknewthisstationlikethebackofhishand,becauseheweaveda

quickpaththroughthecrowds,allthewhilehandlingtheloadedrattlingtrolleylike

itwasonwingsratherthanclacketywheels.AndbeforeMoiraknewit,shewas

standingonplatformtenwithherfranticbreathcomingoutincoldwinterypuffs,

andthemajesticbluecarriagesoftheRoyalExpressstretchedoutbeforeher.

“Thankyou!”shecalledaftertheporteraswithagrinandawavehepushed

theluggagetrolleyaway.

Andsheturnedbacktothetrainwhereblue-cappedanduniformedcrewwere

greetingtheboardingpassengerswithsmilesandpleasantwelcomes.

Moira’snervescrampedagain.God,wasshedoingtherightthing?

Hermotherwouldhavefreakedhadshestillbeenalive.Whichsanepersonran

offtoVenicetobewithamanthey’dstartedtextingthreedaysago?

Anotherannouncementsoundedoverthestation’spublic-addresssystem,

pausingtheChristmascarols.AndMoirapulledherselftogether.Shewasherenow.

Nomorefear.

Timetothrowallcautiontothewinterwindandletanewlifetakeher.And

tighteninghergriponhertravelcase,shesteppedforwardintohernewstart.

***

“Damnthing!”DarrenTatetuggedopenthebowtie’suselessknotandyankedthe

stripofblacksilkfromaroundhisshirtcollar.

HewasaTate,headofamultinationalbrewingcompanywhosebeerskings

andpresidentsdrank,andhecouldn’tevenknotasimplebowtie.

Buthe’dneverhadtobotherwithsuchmundanetasksbefore.He’dgrownup

inahouseholdburstingwithservants.Damnsurehe’dhadoneforeachshoeand

oneforeachpairofsocks.Facelesspeoplewho’dcomebutthenrunawaywith

startlingspeedoncetheyfeltthefullfuryofthetyranttheyworkedfor.

Thathadbeenhisfather.Themanhadplayed‘LordoftheManor’tothehilt,

eventhoughhisancestorshadbeenpennilessrefugeesfromEurope.Hisfather

hadn’tbeenakindmaster,nottohisservants,orhismeekwife,orevenhisonly

son.

Darrengrimaced.Everythingandeveryonearoundhisfatherhadhaditsplace,

andGodhelpthebravesoulwho’doversteppedthoseinvisibleboundaries.

Still,evensucharegimentedchildhoodhadhaditsupside.Therehadalways

beenaservantonhandtodoeverythingforDarren,exceptknothisbowties.Bow

tieshadbeenhissweetmother’sspeciality.

“Itmakesyoulooksosmart,”she’dsaywithhersoftsmileasshetieditaround

hisboyishcollar.“Myhandsomelad.”

Herubbedthefinesilkbetweenfingerandthumb.Maybethat’swhyhestill

worethewretchedthing.Itkepthismotherclose,theonesoftspotinhislife.

She’dknottedhisbowtiesforhimuntilherdeath.Thenafewmonthsagothetask

hadfallentoanotherwoman.

Hedroppedtheblacksilkontothewhitemarblevanityandstaredintothetiny

bathroom’seventiniermirror.

He’dinheritedhisfather’saristocraticlooks,includingthecoldturnof

countenanceandsetofjawthatradiatedcommand.Andthatsameself-assured

commandhadlethimwalkunchallengedintohisfather’spositionasheadofthe

companyatjusttwenty-eightyearsofagewhentheoldmandiedlastyear.

Hestudiedhisreflection.Lookingathimnow,noonewouldguesshis

marriagehadjustbrokendown.

Withanirritatedgrunt,hestrodefromthebathroomcubicletothewindow

seatwherehisonlycaselayopen.Ifeverythingwenttoplan,thisovernighttrip

wouldseehiminVenicetomorrowandinhiswoman’sarmsandbedforthewhole

ofChristmasweekend.

Hereachedoverthecaseandslidthewindowopen,lettinginthenoisybustle

ofthestationalongwiththesharpwinterair.Itsmelledofdieselfumes,butthat

beatthecloyinglysweetfloralscenttheyinsistedonpumpingintothecabins.At

leastthey’dheldbackfrompumpingthoseinfernalChristmascarolsaroundthe

cabinstoo.

Hesatdownandpushedpastthehaphazardlyfoldedclothesinthecaseuntil

hecametothesilk-wrappedbundlehe’dhiddenatthebottom.

Normallyhehadhisassistantshopforgifts,butthesewerespecialandnot

meantforanyone’seyesbuthis.Andheopenedtheivorysilkwraptoexposethe

delicateredlacewithin.

Ababydollsetcompletewithbarely-therethong.Heranahandoverthesoft

material,andtheimageofherlusciousbodyfillingthesultrylacehadhim

hardeningrightthere.She’dwearitlongenoughforhimtosee,thenhe’dripitoff

herandtakeherharderthanhe’devertakenherbefore.

Hell,heachedforher.

He’dwaitedtoolong.Evenonemorenightwastorture.

Openingtheredjeweller’sboxnestledbesidethelace,hetookoutthe

sparklingdiamondringinside.Heshouldhaveputthisringonherfingerlongago.

He’dwrittenhisrestlesswordsofdesireonanotebesideit,butthisdiamond

wouldspeaklouderthananyscribbledwordsevercould.Andwhensheworethis

ring,shewouldknowshebelongedtohim.

Andplacingtheringbackinitsbox,hecoveredeverythingwiththesilkwrap

oncemore.Theendofhisbriefmarriagehadproventobeablessingindisguise.It

hadopenedhiseyestowhattrulymattered.Nowthewomanhecravedwasjusta

trainjourneyaway.

Impatienceroaredthroughhim,buthetampereditdown.Noneedtorush.

He’dplannedeverythingforthem.Untilnowhe’dlethisworkconsumehim,but

forher,he’dtakehistime.Theywoulduncovereachotherbitbybituntiltheir

heartsjoinedandbeatasone.

Butthisdamntrain…

Ithadn’tbeenhisidea.

Hiswifehadbookedthisvacationamonthago,butthatplanhadcollapsed

withhismarriage.Sowhatthehell.Whynotputthetickettobetteruse?

Onlytroublewas,theentiretrainanditscrewfanciedthemselvesas

throwbackstotheRoaringTwenties.Passengershadtodresstoimpressevento

haveadrinkinthedamnbarcar.HispositionasCEOcamewithenoughposturing

andpeacockingtolasthimalifetime,andhe’dhavehappilyspentthewholetripin

jeansandat-shirt.Buthehadtoblendin.Hewaskeepingalowprofileanddidn’t

wanttodrawattentiontohimself.Evenhisassistant,adraconianoldladyhe’d

inheritedfromhisfather,hadnoideaaboutthisweekendtripofhis.

Soneedsmust.Andgoingintothebathroomcubicle,hetookouthisbottleof

cologneandsplashedalittleonhimself.Thebowtielayforlornlyonthevanity,and

heignoredit.Therewasalimittothepainhewaswillingtotakeinhiseffortto

mergewiththelocals.Andheexitedthebathroomwiththetopbuttonofhiswhite

shirtleftrakishlyopen.

Heshruggedonhisdarkjacket,andslidingopenthepolishedwalnutdoorof

hisnowcoldcabin,steppedoutintothewarmcorridorbeyond.

***

Moirarummagedinthesidepocketofhertravelcaseandpulledoutthe

monogrammedblueenvelopethatheldherticket.

TheRoyalExpressoozedluxury,fromthestraightgoldlinesdecoratingthe

carriages,andthecolourfulcoatofarmspaintedontheplatformfloor,tothe

expensiveticketinherhand.

Inherordinarylife,she’dneverhaveaffordedtosetfootonthisplatform.But

she’dbeenlivingabillion-dollardreamlifeforafewmonthsnow.Andbeforethat

dreamendedatthestrokeofmidnight,shewantedtomakesureittookherallthe

waytoanewbeginning.

Hidinghernervousnessbehindalearnedconfidenceofwealth,she

straightenedhershouldersandapproachedthestewardwaitinginfrontofher

carriage.

“Bonjour,Madame,”hesaidcheerfully,hiseyescatchingtheflashofgoldon

herhand.“Itisjustyou?”

Hewasashortmiddle-agedmanwithdarkhairandeyesandanavuncular

smile.Andlikealltheothercrewmembers,everythingabouthimwasblueand

pristineandironedtowithinaninchofitslife,includinghishat.

Shehandedhimherticket.“Yes.Justme.And…”Shecurledherlefthandout

oftheway.“It’smademoiselle,notmadame.MademoiselleStanley.”

Heglancedattheticketandthenbackather.“Ah…”Andclearlychoosingnot

tosaymore,hebeamed.“YouareincabinG3,Mademoiselle.”Hetookhertravel

casefromherandstandingtooneside,gesturedforhertoenter.“Welcometothe

RoyalExpress.”

Stomachflutteringwithnerves,Moiraclimbedintothecarriage.

Thestewardhandedhercasetoher.“Youshallofcoursehaveanunforgettable

journey,Mademoiselle.”

3

Adelicatelily-of-the-valleyscentfilledtheemptycarriage.Moirainhaledin

appreciationandglancedaroundattheopulentdecorthattransportedherbacktoa

bygoneeraofflappersandjazz.

Thecarriage’sblue-carpetedcorridorstretchedoutbeforeher.Widewindows

linedoneside,andawallofpolishedwalnutcabindoorslinedtheother.

Lilieswereeverywhere.Eventhesmalllightsdottingtheceilingwereshaped

likelilieswiththeircreamglasspetalscurlingawayfromtheirglowingyellowbulbs.

Creamart-decoliliesswirledaroundthegoldnumbersetchedoneachcabindoor.

Thedoorbesideherwasnumbersix,whichmeanthercabinwasfurtheralongthe

carriage.

Shetracedafingeroveragoldswirl.Thisbeautifultraindidn’tjudgeorreject

her.Itssoftgrandeurwelcomedandsoothed.Andforthefirsttimeinwhatseemed

likealifetime,Moiradroppedherguardandrelaxed.

Noneofthisluxurywasnewtoher.Limousines,privatejets,she’dseenthem

all.Butshe’dbeenanimposterinthatrichworld.She’dbeenthelowlyhousekeeper

who’dbecomemistressofallshesurveyed.Ortodescribeitinthelanguageofthe

gossips:thelow-lifespongewho’dseducedherwayintothebigleagues.

“Ididn’tknowhe’dmarried!”Theolderladyinglitteringblackhadpressedher

manicuredhandtoherbosomandstaredatMoirainwide-eyedshock.

“Celine,wherehaveyoubeenthesepastdays?”Thepolishedbrunettehad

hissedatherwithanot-so-subtleheadtiltinMoira’sdirection.

“Oh…oh!”Celine’seyeswidenedinrealization.“Thehousekeeper,”shemouthed

tothebrunettewhonoddedsagely.

Moiragrittedherteeth.Thewaythesetwoweretalkingoverher,shecould

havebeenoneofthegreenpottedpalmsatthisexclusivebusinessfunction.“We

marriedlastweek,”shesaid,hertonesharpenoughtobringtheirsmirking

attentionbacktoher.

Celinelookedherupanddownasiftryingtoworkoutwhatcharmssomeone

likeMoirahadusedtosnagoneofthemosteligiblebachelorsinthecountry.

Moiraraisedherchinandstoodherground.Shemaynotbebornintomoney.

Shemaynotbeelegantandsophisticatedlikethesewomen,eveninherdesigner

dress.Butshewastheonehe’dchosen.

“Well,strangerthingshavehappened,”Celinesaidbrightly.“Andit’salljust

sextomen,isn’tit?”

Moirasuckedinasharpbreath.“Weloveeachother,”shesnapped.Butthe

wordsranghollowevenasshesaidthem.Sheloved,butdidhe?

Thebrunette’ssmilewaspitying.“It’llbeagreatride.Enjoyitforwhatitis

whileitlasts.”

“Andyou’llneverbepooragain,”Celinechirped.

Andwithbroadsmilestheysweptaway,whisperingandgigglingtoeachother.

Moirastoodstockstill,refusingtolethereyeswaterorherchinwobble.

Don’tbeweak.Notnow.Nothere.

Peopledrankandchattedinthedecoratedpartyhall.Thiswastheirworld,rich

andelegant.Andshedidn’tbelong.

Shelookedbutcouldn’tseehim.Theyhadn’tbeenheretenminuteswhenhe’d

receivedaphonecallandwalkedawayfromhertoanswerit.Business.Itwas

alwaysbusinesswithhim.Hisphonewasneverfaraway.

He’dleftheralone,andtheharpieshadimmediatelycircled,sensingprey.

Thelonelinessthathadbeenbuildingoverdayssqueezedherheart,andshe

couldn’tstopthetearsfromspillinganylonger.Turningherbackonthenoiseand

elegance,sheangrilydabbedhereyeswiththebackofherhandandhurried

towardsthebalconydoorsatoneendofthehall.

Damnit.Nowshelookedlikeamascara-dippedpandaaswellasalow-born

housekeeper.

Thedoorswerewideopen,andatallfamiliarfigurestoodonthebalconywith

hisbacktoher.Shehaltedinhersteps.Hisbroadshoulderswererelaxed,andhe

listenedtothephoneathisearwithhisblondheadtippeddowninthought.

Moiratookastepback.Heshouldn’tseeherlookinglikethis.

Buthemusthavesensedherbecauseheturned,andonseeingher,frowned.

Thensayingsomethingintothephone,helowereditandcametoher.

“Whathappened?”heasked,hisblueeyessearchingherface.

“Nothing!Ijustwantedsomefreshair.”

Hestudiedher,hiseyesnarrowing.“Thisisn’ttheplaceforyou,”hesaid

quietly.

AndMoira’sinsidesfroze.Whereelsewouldshebe?Shelovedhim.She

belongedwithhim.

“I’mfine.You…youdon’thavetoworryaboutme.”Sheglancedbackatthe

hallanditssnootyhordeandsteeledherself.“Icouldgobackandmingle.”

“Comewithme.”Andtakingherbytheelbow,hesteeredhertowardsthehall

entrance,atthesametimereturningthephonetohisearandresuminghis

conversationashewalked.

Cheeksburning,Moirascurriedalongbesidehiminherhighheelsashe

ploughedhiswaythroughcuriousonlookers.Onceoutsidethehall,heraisedhis

handandsignalledtotheuniformedmanageratthereceptiondesk.

“Findmychauffeur.Mywifeneedstoreturnhome,”hesaidasthemanager

rushedovertothem.

“Really,Idon’t…”Moiraprotested.

“You’llfeelbetter,”hesaid.“I’llseeyoubackathome.”Andreturninghis

attentiontohisphone,hestrodebackintothepartyhall.

“Ifyou’dcomewithme,ma’am?”Themanagerhadhoveredbyherside,but

Moirahadstoodstaringafterherhusband.

Herhusbandwho’dlefther,handedheroverlikeunwantedbaggagefor

someoneelsetodealwith.

He’dnevertakenheroutanywhereafterthat,probablyseenherastoomuchof

anembarrassment.Andthenherfallhadcome,andamorebeautifulspecimenhad

replacedher.Thegossipshadbeenprovenright.

Therehadbeennomercyforher.

Thephoneinhercoatpocketbuzzed,andheartjumpinginanticipation,shefished

itout.

‘Areyouaboard?’

Alessandro.Andtherapidbeatofherheartdimmedanotch.

Butwhoelsehadshebeenexpecting?

Theall-too-familiarimageofablondgodwitharrogantsky-blueeyesand

stunningchiselledfeaturesswepttomind.

Sheshookherhead.Whatonearthwasshethinking?

Alessandroshouldbefillinghermind,Italiananddark-hairedAlessandro,and

theonlypersonintheworldwhocaredenoughtocheckshewasokay.

‘Safeandaboard,’shetextedbackanddidn’thavetowaitlongforhisreply.

‘Good.Getcomfortable,tesoro.You’llbewithmesoon.’

Herstomachflutteredagain.TomorrowinVeniceshewouldmeetAlessandro.

“Henry!Thatwasatrocious.”Awoman’slaughingvoicehadMoiraturning

around.

Aslimelegantwomanwithshortiron-greycurlsstoodgrinningatthecheerful

stockymanclimbingintothecarriageafterher.

“What?”herumbled.“Howelsedoyouwishsomeone‘goodday’inFrench?”

“Bonnejournéenot‘bonjon’.”Thewomanshookherhead.“Butyouwon’t

remembernexttimeeither.”

Henrymadeaface.“Nexttime,Nell,I’llleaveyoutochatupthelocals.As

longasIcansay‘beer’inanylanguage,I’mgood.”

“Yougiveuptooeasily,”Nellsaidwithalaugh.ShegrinnedatMoira.“Areyou

travellingwithanyone?”

Moiraflushedathavingbeencaughtgawping.“I’mtravellingalone.”

Nellcameupandheldoutherhand.“I’mEleanor,butcallmeNell.Thisismy

husband,Henry.”

“Moira,”SheshookNell’shandandthenHenry’sbiggeronewhenheheldit

outtoherwithasmile.

“HaveyoutravelledontheRoyalExpressbefore?”Nellasked.

Moirashookherhead.

“You’reinforatreatthen.”NellpressedclosertoHenry,andheslungaloving

armoverhershoulders.“WecomebackeveryChristmas,”Nellcontinued.“Thisis

ourfifthtrip.We’vebeenspendingourweddinganniversariesinVenice.”

Moirasmiled.Theirclosenesswasendearing,andtheirloveobvious.“How

longhaveyoubeenmarried?”

“Toolong,”Henryintonedinthevoiceofdoom.

Nellelbowedhimintheside.“Thirty-fiveyears.”

“Congratulations,”Moirasaid.She’doncebelievedshe’dfoundloveasstrong

andeverlastingasthat.Butwhataliethathadturnedouttobe.

“You’remarriedtoo?”NellpointedtoMoira’slefthandandtheplaingold

bandstillonherfinger.

Moira’scheeksheated.“Notanymore.”Howdidsheexplaintostrangersthat

herhusbandhadthrownheroverforanotherwoman?

ButNelldidn’tseemtoneedanexplanation.Herbrowneyesgentled.“Isee.”

Thenshesmiled,diffusingtheawkwardness.“Andwhichcabinisyours?”

“G3,”Moirasaid,glancingatthepolisheddoors.

“Wonderful.We’reinG1,sonottoofaraway.We’llmakesureyoudon’tfeel

lonely.Butlet’sgetsettledin.Thetrainwillbemovingsoon.”

Nell’senthusiasmwascatchy,andMoirasmiled.Theovernightjourneyto

Venicewaspromisingtobebetterthanshe’dexpected.Atleastshe’dhavelesstime

onherowntodrowninhersorrows.

Allthepolishedcabindoorstheypassedwereclosed,exceptone.Thisdoor

wasslidallthewayopen,butnoonewasinside.Acasespilleditscontentsonthe

windowseat,andapairofmen’sjeansdangledfromtheslimwardrobedoor,while

shoesandotherclotheslaystrewnabout.

Messy.Moira’sinnateneedfortidinessraiseditscriticalhead,andshehadto

glanceaway.Thismesswasnothingtodowithher.Outoflove,she’dspenther

marriedlifecleaningupafteraman,butnomore.

“Hereweare…G3.”Nellstoppedinfrontofthecabinnexttotheuntidyone.

AndHenryslidthedoorbacktorevealthemirrorimageofnextdoor,butfar

neater.

Moirawalkedinandglancedaround.

“We’rejustacabinaway,”Nellsaid.“Dropbywheneveryoulike.I’llalsotell

thestewardtobookusonthesametablefordinner.”

“Thankyou.You’reverykind,”Moirasaid,herheartwarmingwithgratitudeto

knowfriendlyfaceswerenear.

She’dbeenaloneafterhermotherdiedearlierintheyear.Butshe’dpicked

herselfup,andshe’dsurvived.Andshe’dhavecontinuedtosurviveifshehadn’t

methim…

Shestoppedherself.Therewasnomorehim.

Andsomehowshe’dsurviveagain.

Butitwashardtofindstrengthrightnow,andthekindnessofstrangers

comfortedherlikeawoolblanketinwinter.FirstAlessandroandnowNelland

Henry.

Everythingwouldbeallright.

4

NellandHenrywalkedontotheircabin.Moiraplacedhertravelcasedownand

tookinhersurroundings.

Thiswashomeforthenight.

Thecabinwasdividedintwo.ThelivingareahadanL-shapedblueseatthat

ranbeneaththewidewindowandacrossoneside,andthelowpolishedtablein

frontoftheseatwasperfecttoeatorworkon.Butwhoworkedonanovernight

luxurytraintriptoVenice?

ThesmallbulboussilvervaseonthetablebroughtasmiletoMoira’slips.It

heldarealcallalily.Morelilies.Theyalreadydecoratedeverything.Thesameart-

decoliliesfromthedoorwereetchedindelicatecreamandgoldwhereverspace

existedonthepolishedwoodwalls.

Moirasethertravelcaseontheseat.Theluggagerackhighabovehadplentyof

extrastoragespace,butshedidn’tneedit.Hersmallcasewasallshehad,andit

containedeverythingshenowownedintheworld.

Thecabinairwaswarm,andtakingoffhercoat,shehungitupinthewardrobe

thatactedasapartitionbetweenthelivingareaandthebedroom.Acubicle

bathroomonthewindowsideformedtheotherhalfofthepartition.

Thebed,attachedtothecabinwall,tookupmostofthespaceinthebedroom.

Twopeoplewouldfit,butthey’dhavetosleepcloseandcurledupagainsteach

other.

Shetwistedtheringonherlefthand.

Thatwouldn’thavebeenaproblemonce.Themanshe’dlovedhadalways

sleptwithhertuckedupagainsthim.

Thatis…onthenightshe’dbotheredtoreturnhometoher.

Thegoldweddingbandgleamedonherfinger,mockingher.Everyoneofhis

nightsthathadn’tbeenhershadbelongedtoJennaNewham,hisfirstchoice.His

onlychoice.

“ThisplaceisexactlyasIleftit.”Daysago,JennaNewhamhadtwirledonherred

heelsasshelookedaroundthemoderndecorandfurnishingsofMoira’shusband’s

penthouse.

Herkeenbluegazerestedonasplatterofrainbowdotspaintedonacanvason

thewall,andherperfectredlipstwistedinsatisfaction.“AndhekepttheMissayI

boughthimforhisbirthday!”

Moiragroundherteeth.She’dreturnedfromcollegetofindthebeautiful

blondewaitingforher.Itwasn’tpolitetobootguestsfromyourhome,butshe’d

happilymakeanexceptionforJennaNewham.

Politenessbedamned.

“Wastheresomethingimportantyouwantedtotalkaboutorareyouhereto

wastemytime?”Moiraasked.

Withasmirk,Jennasashayedovertothefireplace,strokingapossessivehand

overthefurthrowonthecouchasshepassed.“You’vebeenmarriedsixmonths,

andyouhaven’tchangedathinghere.”

“I’venotneededtochangeanything.It’sfineasitis.”

Jennalaughed.“You’retooscaredtochangehishome,admitit.You’remarried

tooneofthewealthiestmeninthecountry.Anywifewithambitionwouldhave

remodelledthisplacebynow.”Shethrewherarmswidetoindicatethespacious

livingroom.

“WhyshouldIbescared?”Moiraasked,bristling.“AndIhaveotherambitions.

Redecoratingaperfectlyokayhomeisn’toneofthem.”

“Iheard.Yourbusinessdegree.Isthatstillearningyoubrowniepointswith

him,orhashealreadyforgottenyoustartedit?”

Moira’scheeksheated.She’dstartedthatdegreewhilestillworkingasher

husband’shousekeeper.Sheplannedonrunningherownhousekeepingcompany

oneday.Aplanshehadn’tabandonedevenaftermarriage.Herhusbandhadalways

beensupportive,butinthelastcoupleofmonthsitseemedlikehe’dforgotten

aboutMoira’sambitionandMoiraherself.

“He’sbeenbusy,”shesnapped.

Jennasmiled,andfaintdimplesflashedinhercheeks.Shereallywasabeauty—

longblondehair,brightblueeyes,afaceandfigurethathadwontopmodelling

contractsmanytimesover.Sheworeashortredshifttoday,thefigure-hugging

dressendingmid-thighandputtingherlongshapelylegsondisplay.

Moirabitbackherenvy.Hershortercurvierfigurewouldn’tcomeanywhere

nearthiswomaninthebeautystakes.Andasforthatdress…

RedwasMoira’shusband’sfavouritecolour,andJennaNewhamknewitwell.

“Iknowhe’sbeenbusy,”Jennasaid.“That’swhatIcametotalktoyouabout.”

PanicsentMoira’sheartracing,andallhersuspicionsofthelastfewmonths

cametoasharphead.“There’snothingIwanttohearfromyou.”Shepointedto

thedoor.“Pleaseleave.”

Jennashrugged.“Ifyouwanttopretendnothing’sgoingon,that’suptoyou.

Butthiscomfortablesetupyou’vegotherewon’tlastforever.”

Moirawipedclammypalmsonthesideofherjeans.Shedidn’twanttohearit.

Shedidn’t.Butapartofherhadtoknow…

“Haven’tyouwonderedwhereheiswhenhe’snotwithyou?”Jennacontinued,

hereyesnarrowingonMoira.

“He’sbusy…work…”Moira’svoicefaltered.

“Busy,yes.Withme.”

Moirashookherheadinadaze.“Idon’tbelieveyou,”shewhispered.

“Whenwasthelasttimeheslepthere?”

Sixdaysago.Moirahadsleptalmostaweekaloneintheirhugebed.

“Sixnights?”Jennaguessedwithasmirk.“AndIcantellyouwherehewason

everyoneofthosenights.”

Moiraswallowed.“Hedidn’twantyou.Hemarriedme.”

“Amistake,”Jennasaidbrightly.“Weallmakestupidmistakes,right?And

believemehe’sregrettingitnow.Webothare.”Shewalkedovertotheclosedpatio

doorsleadingtothewideterraceandpeepedout.“He’ssodamnproud.Hesaid

thingsintheheatofthemoment…”ShegaveMoiraanassessinglook.“Butyou

playedyourcardsright,didn’tyou?Hoveringaroundhimwhenhewasmissingme,

alwaysthere.Heonlymarriedyoutospiteme.”

“That’snottrue!”Moira’stremblinghandwenttotheweddingbandonher

finger.

Jenna’seyeslockedonthemovement.“Hedidn’tevenbuyyouanengagement

ring.”

AndMoira’sbreathshook.Thenighthe’dproposed…

Noring.

Nogoingdownononeknee.

Nopromisetoloveherforever.

Hehadn’tevenmentionedlove.Ever.Thathadbeenallher.She’dbeenhead

overheelsinlovewithhim.Naivelyso.

“Doyouknowhe’spromisedmethebiggestdiamond?”Jenna’ssmilewas

smug.“AndyoucanbetIwon’tbesettlingforagrottyregistrywedding.Ourswill

betheeventoftheyear.Atleasthedoesn’thavetobeembarrassedtoshowme

off.”

“He’snotembarrassedaboutme,”Moirawhispered,almosttoherself.Butshe

knewitwasalieassoonasshesaidit.Andallthelovebeatinginherheartcouldn’t

changethatfact.

Jennasaunteredovertoher.“Faceit,darling.Youwerealwayssecondchoice.

Hecouldn’thaveme,sohesettledforyou.Anditwasalljustagametogetme

back.”

Afinalweakhoperaiseditshead,andMoirasquaredhershoulders.“No.He

wouldtellmehimself…”

“It’sonlyamatteroftime.”Jenna’stonewaspitying.“Listen.Everyoneknows

you’reknockingaboutherealoneandunwantedmostnights.I’mjustsparingyou

thepain.Ifyouhaveanyprideyou’llleave.Now.Beforehethrowsyouout.”

5

Moirawanderedovertotheblueseatbythewindow.Snowswirledoutside.Tiny

whiteflakes,thousandsofthem,drifteddowntobrushtheconcreteplatform

oppositeandrestontheirontracksbelow.

WoulditbesnowinginVenice?

Pickingupherphone,sheflippedthroughtoAlessandro’sphoto.Hewasa

manwomenwouldstareatforages,buthedidn’taffecther,notwithherheartin

shreds.Whywasthisgood-lookingmanbeingsokindtoher?Washeafterher

money?

Heknewwhyhermarriagehadended,andthoughshehadn’tnamedher

husband,Alessandrohadguessedhewasawealthyman.Onlyproblemwas,she’d

signedtheprenupwiththesameblindlovewithwhichshe’dsignedhermarriage

certificate.Shehadnomoney.

Sheturnedbacktothesnow-mistedwindow.She’dneverhadloveeither.

“Fuckyou!”JennaNewham’sshriekhadbouncedthroughthepenthouse.

AndMoirahadduckedherheadandconcentratedonwipingdownthekitchen

counter.She’dbeeninthemiddleofcleaningupafterdinnerwhenthewomanhad

bargedintothepenthouse.Andnowthefierceargumentinthelivingroombeyond

thethinpartitionwallhadragedonforthepastfiveminutes.

“Whichsluthaveyoutakenupwith?”Jenna’svindictivevoicecameagain.

“Whatisitaboutthesewordsyoudon’tunderstand?”Histonewasdeceptively

mild.“Itoldyouweeksago.It’sfinished.”

“She’strash.Youfuckingdeservetrash.I’mtoogoodforyou.”

Hisbarkoflaughterwasderisive.“Yougiveyourselfwaytoomuchcredit.”

“Whoisshe?”Jennaspat.“She’ssofuckingdead!”

“Comenearmeoranyonetodowithmeeveragain,andI’llmakeyouwish

youwereneverborn,”hesaidquietly.

Moira’shandtightenedontheclothinherhand.Hemeantit.Inthemonth

she’dworkedashishousekeeper,she’dlearnedhedidn’tthrowwordsaround

carelessly.

AloadedpausemeantJennamusthavegotthemessagetoo.“Thisisn’tover,”

shesaidwithdeadlyvenom.“You’llbesorry.I’llmakeyousorry.”

Andthefrontdoorbangedshutwithaforcethatshookthewalls.

Hisfootstepsthuddedonthestonekitchenfloorbehindher,butMoiradidn’t

pausehercleaningorturnaround.He’dtalkifhewanted.

Sometimeshe’dtalktoherwhenthingswereheavyonhisshoulders,thingsto

dowithbusiness,thingsshedidn’talwaysunderstandbutlistenedtoanyway.Her

listeningseemedtogivehimrelief.Mostofthetimethoughhe’dbroodand

wouldn’ttalk,juststandnearbyassheworked,asifhavingherclosewassoothing

enough.Thentherewerethoserarepreciousmomentshe’dhaveajokeor

commentreadytomakeherlaugh.Hisblueeyeswouldsoftenthen,andhe’dgrin

athergiggles.Thosemomentshadsealedherfateandmadeherhis.

Thefridgedooropenedandshutbehindher,followedbythefizzofabeercan

beingcrackedopen.

“Youcanask,youknow,”hemurmured.

Moiraturnedthen.Hewasleaningagainstthecounter,hisheadtippedbackas

hesluggedthebeer.Andhisbeautifulprofilehadherstaringasalways.Wouldshe

evergetenoughoflookingatthisman?

Heloweredthecanwithagrimace,andtheturmoilinhiseyeshadherheart

aching.

They’dexchangednothingbutwords,alwaysproper,alwaysdistant,butalways

withanundertoneofwantingmore.Butdidhewantmore?Didhefeelthetiny

electricrippleswhenevertheirhandsaccidentallytouched?Didhethinktheworld

wasbrighterwhentheyweretogether?

Orwasthatjusther?

Hiseyesmethers,andhardnesscoveredthebriefglimpseofvulnerabilityin

his.

Moirapulledbackheryearning.Itwasjusther.Hefeltnothing.Andifhedid

feelanything,itwouldbeforJennawhomhe’dbeendatingforthepasttwo

months.

“Idon’twanttointrude,”shesaid,forcinglightnessintohervoice.

Heplacedthecandownonthecounter.“Whatdoyoufeelforme,Moira?”

Heatfloodedhercheeks.Howonearthhadshegivenherselfaway?Shehadto

clawitback,immediately.Shecouldn’taffordtolosethisjobjustbecauseshe’d

beenstupidenoughtofallheadoverheelsinlovewithherboss.

Keepitprofessional.

“You’reagoodemployer…”shefaltered.

Hislipstwistedinderision,andintwostrideshewasbeforeher.Hereached

upandcuppedherfaceinhisstronghands.

Moirastaredupathim,forgettingtobreathe.Andwhenheloweredhishead

andbrushedhislipsoverhers,shegasped.

Hetooktheopening,slidinghisarmsaroundherandpullinghertohimto

deepenthekiss.Andherwholeworldhungonhistouch,histaste,hisdivinescent

ofspiceandwood.Histongueteasedandexplored,andshediedinside,prayingfor

himtoneverletgo.

Butthenhebrokethekiss,andstrokingathumboverhertremblinglips,

frowneddownintohermesmerizedeyes.“Marryme,”hesaid.

“What?”Hervoicewasbarelyawhisper.

“Marryme,Moira.Bemywife.”

Hadshejustfallendowntherabbitholeintowonderland?Shesearchedhis

eyesforthejokebutfoundnone.Andherheartpoundedastheweightofhis

wordssettledinherdazedmind.“You’reserious…”

“I’veneverbeenmoreseriousinmylife.Marryme.”

“Yes.”

Yes.

Onesmallwordhadchangedherfateforever.They’dmarriedwithintheweek

withonlyhislawyeraswitness.They’dpartedstraightafter,hernewhusbandgoing

tohisoffice,andshebacktothepenthousetodotheworkshe’dalwaysdone.And

she’dcalleditlove.

Moirashookherheadinself-disgust.

Hereverynightwithhimhadbeenmagic,openinghertopleasureand

sensationshe’dneverknownbefore.He’dtakeheragainandagainasifstarvedof

her,andshe’dstillcalleditlove,untilshe’dlearnedlovemeantmorethanhotsex.

Ifonlyhe’dcaredenoughtoknowwhoshewasbeyondthewomanwhokept

hishomeneatandwarmedhisbedatnight.Butthenhe’dmarriedhertogetback

atJennaNewham,andshe’dbeenthefoolwhohadn’trealizedit.

Shelookedatthephoneinherhand.Alessandrocared.Shehadtobelievethat.

‘Noturningback,’shetyped.

Hisreplycameontheheelsofhermessage.‘Iwouldn’tletyou.Youbelongwith

me.’

‘You’realwayssowonderfulwithyourwords:)’Hergazeflickedtothesnow

outside.‘Thankyouforeverything.Itmeansalottome.’

‘Inwhatway?’heasked.

‘ChristmasDayismybirthday.’

‘Thenyou’reevenmorespecialthanIimagined.’

Asmiletouchedherlips,andhistextcameagain.‘WhatshouldIgetyouforyour

Christmasbirthday?’

‘Youdon’thavetogetmeanything.’

‘Iinsist.’

Moiragaveawryshakeofherhead.Therewasnopointarguing.‘Mymother

usedtogetmesomethingsweetformybirthdayeveryyear.’

‘Somethingsweetitisthen.’Hepaused.‘Wearsomethingbeautifulwhenyougetoff

thetraintomorrow.’

‘Why?’

‘It’sChristmasEve.Iwanttotakeyousomewherespecial.’

Warmthhuggedher.Hewasn’tembarrassedtobeseenoutwithher.‘That

soundswonderful.’

Hisreplycame.‘Restnow,tesoro.We’llseeeachothersoon.’

Withasmilesheplacedherphonedown,andopeninghercase,rummaged

insideuntilshefoundthecarefullyfoldeddress.Herfavourite.Itwasredsequinned

silk,sleevelessanddrop-waisted,butitscutstillhuggedhercurvesandthegently

flaredskirtendedatherknee.Shehadn’tbeenabletoleavethisdressbehind.And

nowshethankedherinstincts.Alessandrowouldloveit.

Butwhyred?

Frowning,sheheldthedressuptothelightofthewindow.Thesequins

twinkled,andmemoriesspearedherheart.Thedresscrumpledinhergrip.

Herhusbandlovedred.He’dsaiditmadeasexywomandamnirresistible.

Moiradroppedthedressbackinthecase.Whydidshebringthisdress?Why

notanyothercolour?

Shestudiedhergoldweddingring.Whywasshestillstuckonhim,her

husband?

WhatdiditmatterifAlessandrowantedhermoney?Whatdidanythingmatter?

Allshewantedwasapromiseofnotbeingalonerightnow,ahopeofanew

beginning.

Andpullingtheringoffherfinger,shedroppeditbesidethesilvervaseonthe

table.

Itwouldn’tbeleavingthetrainwithher.

“MesdamesetMessieurs…”Themanager’stinnyvoicecameoverthespeaker.

“WelcomeaboardtheRoyalExpress.WearenowreadytodepartParis.”

UneasegrippedMoira.Thiswasreallyhappening.

ShewasleavingParisbehindjustlikeshe’dleftLondonbehindthislunchtime,

andtomorrowmiddayshe’dbeinVenice.

Thehornblaredloudandlong,once…twice…andthetrainjudderedaround

her,thenslowlypulledforward.Withinsecondsthestationhadslidoutofsight.

Moiradrewherselftogether.Noregrets.She’dchosentogotoVeniceandstart

again.Timetolookforwardnotback.Andsheturnedtohercaseontheseat.

Butthetrain’smovementhadshakenopenthedoorbetweenhercabinandthe

onebesideit,andnowthewidedoorflappedintoherspace.Thecabinsonthis

traindoubledupifneeded,butwhoeverwasnextdoorwouldn’tappreciateher

gawkingintotheirpersonalspace.Hopefullythedoorhadalock.

Shemovedtocloseit,butthemessintheothercabinhadherstoppingand

pokingherheadin.Thecleanfreakinheryearnedtoquicklytidyup,noonewould

notice,butshekeptatightleashonit.Otherpeople’smesswasn’therproblem.

Shewasn’tanyone’sservanthere.

Moiradrewbackintoherspacereadytoclosethedoor,butsomethingfamiliar

hadherpausing.

Shesniffedtheair.

Someonehadleftthecabinwindowopen,turningtheaircold,butafaintstrain

ofsomethingthatwasn’tthelily-of-the-valleysmellofthetrainstirredhersenses.

Withasmallfrown,sheenteredthecabinandfollowedthetantalizingscent.

Somethingexclusive.Somethingexpensive.Somethingloadedwith

memories…spiceandwood.

Shecametotheopenbathroom,andthereonthewhitemarblevanitysata

familiarbottleofcologne.Butitwasthediscardedblackbowtiebesideitthathad

herhandstrembling.

Thecabindoorswishedshutbehindher,andshespunaround,hershaking

handsgoingtohermouthasshestaredindisbeliefatthemanwho’djustwalkedin.

“Darren?”

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ApplebyBook1

FallinlovealongsidetheHarringtonsistersandtheirfriendsfromthequirkyEnglishvillage

ofAppleby.EachApplebybookisastandalonenovelandendsinahappyeverafter.

VillagegirlMollyKingmustquicklymendherbrokenheartorperish.Butwithsexy

billionaireJakeHennessythreateningbothherheartandherhome,she’sabouttoloseeverything

shehasleftintheworld.

Turnthepagetoreadchapters.

1

Onefinesummerevening,MollyKing’slifecrashedtothefloorandshatteredinto

amillionpieces.

Aroundher,thevicarage’sreceptionroomsharpenedwiththebuzzof

whispers.Fineteacupsclinkedbackontomatchingsaucers.Andsensingscandal,

peoplestaredfirstatMollyandthenatthehandsomecoupleinthedoorway.

DisbeliefnumbedMolly,andshestaredtoo,unabletoriphergazefromthe

twonewcomers.

Thenthemanshelovedwithallherheartslippedanarmaroundhisstunning

companion’swaist,dippedhishead,andkissedherredlips.

Mollyscreamedinside.

“Brian.Abby.We’dalmostgivenuponyou.”KathleenHarrington,their

hostess,hurriedtothecouple.Herhighvoicewasapiercingtrillthatscraped

Molly’sjaggednerves.

Abby?

Kathleenknewthiswoman?

“Sosorry,AuntKath.”BriankissedKathleen’sangularcheek.“Thetraffic

downfromLondonwasawful.Butit’sgreattobebackintheoldplaceandsee

everyoneagain.”

Hesaiditloudenoughfortheroomtohear,backingitupwiththatcharm-

infusedgrinofhis.Peoplerelaxed,murmuredtheirapproval,andlikehappylittle

bewitchedsheep,gatheredaroundhimandhisnewsqueezeatthedoor.

Molly’sonlywayoutwasblocked.

Trappedbythetallarchingwindowsbehindher,shehuddledattheopposite

endofthereceptionroom,dreadingthemomentBriansawher.

God,whatafoolshewas.He’dbeengonethreemonths,andshe’dwantedto

wowhimwhenhereturned.Sheglanceddownatherfigure-huggingturquoise

dress.She’dboughtitforhim.Itsdelicatelacesleevesgracedherslimarms,andits

sweetheartnecklinepresentedhersmallcleavagelikeagift.Thesoftsilktightened

intoajewel-studdedgatheringatherhipsbeforeflowingmermaidstyletoher

knees.Whathadshebeenthinking?Itwasn’tthetypeofdressvillagersinAppleby

wore,andshe’dgarneredplentyoflookswhenshe’denteredthevicarageearlier.

Thetypeoflooksacallgirlcollectsinchurch.Butshe’dwantedtoshowBrianshe

wasn’tfrumpy,thatshecouldbeeverythinghewantedhertobe.

Thedresshadlookedperfectintheboutiquemirroryesterday.Theturquoise

colourhadmadeherlight-blondecurlsandpale-blueeyesshine.Andthematching

highheelshadraisedherdiminutivefive-foot-fourtosomethingdecent.

Itwasn’tsoperfectnow.

Mollyglancedatthecouple.WasitonpurposethebeautywithBrianwasthe

exactoppositeofeverythingshewas?ThewomanstoodalmostastallasBrian’ssix

footinherbaby-pinkheels.Hermatchingpinkdressmouldedherslendercurvesas

ifcutforher,andhercurtainofchestnut-brownhairswishedaroundherface,

framingtheluminanceofherskin.

Withatremblinghand,Mollysmoothedbackherwildnestofblondecurls.

Howdidsheevencompete?ComparedtothewomanwithBrian,shelookedlikea

tackyturquoisecaketopper.Heronlysavinggracewasthatshewasn’tmakinga

completelaughingstockofherselfbywearingthecome-to-bedturquoiseheelsas

well.She’dsteppedoutinacomfortablepairofflatshoesinstead.Butthatwasn’t

muchconsolation.

Shelookedupagain,andhergazecollidedwithBrian’s.Satisfactionswept

acrosshisfeatures,verymuchlikeaspiderwho’dspottedafly,andshegasped.He

wasonlyayearolderthanher,butthiswasn’tthelaid-backladwho’dleftAppleby

threemonthsago.ThisBrianwaspolished,moreincontrol.Hisusuallytousled

darkhairwascombedbackinrigidperfection.Histallleanbodywasencasedina

finenavy-bluesuit.Andtheboyishcharmofhislazysmilenolongerreachedhis

coal-blackeyes.Thecityhadswallowedthecountryboyshe’dknownandspatout

asophisticatedcoldman.

Hewhisperedsomethinginhiscompanion’sear.ThewomanshotMollyacool

glancethatgaugedherfromheadtotoeandthendismissedherasirrelevantinthe

spaceofasecond.

SuddenangerroiledthroughMolly,breakingthroughhernumbshockand

propellingherforward.Howdarehe…Shedidn’thavetotakeanyofthis.Butshe’d

movedonlyastepwhenBrianandhisnewgirlfriendpushedthroughthecrowd

andmadetheirwaytowardsher.Curiousgazesfollowedthem.

Damnhim!Hecouldn’tletherkeepalittledignity.Hehadtomakeherthe

centreofattention.Andreininginherturbulentemotions,almostchokingon

them,sheschooledherfeaturesintopoliteindifferenceandwaited.

“Molly,wonderfultoseeyou.”

“Brian.”Shedidn’treturnhissmile.

“I’dliketointroduceAbby.”Hewrappedanarmaroundthebrunette’swaist

again.“Myfiancée.”

Oh,God!

Wasshestillstanding?

Brianwaswatchingher,siftingforherreactiontothetonofbrickshe’djust

droppedonherhead.Hurt,shame,loss,allriotedinMolly,butsherefusedtogive

himthesatisfaction.Withastrengthofwillshewasproudof,sheforcedasmileto

herlips.“Fiancée?Congratulations.”

Hernonchalancehitthemark.Brian’seyesnarrowed,andtherestoftheroom

lostinterest.Abby’seyeshadshonewithveiledhostility,butnowsherelaxed.With

asmile,sheever-so-casuallyraisedhermanicuredlefthand.Thepebble-sized

diamondonherringfingerglitteredfiercelyinthesunlight.

“Andsuchabeautifulring,”Mollymutteredoncue,thewordslikegravelin

hermouth.Shedidn’tneedtobeadiamondexperttoseethatBrianhadbought

somethingworthfarmorethanwhattheaveragevillagerearnedinayear.Herheart

constrictedasifamercilesshandhadsqueezeditdry.

Abbysimpered.“Itwasallsofast,butwecouldn’tbehappier.”Hercultured

voicehadabreathlessgirlishqualitythatsatatoddswiththerazor-sharplightin

herblueeyes.

Suddenly,thedesperateneedtoputmilesofdistancebetweenherselfandthis

coupleoverwhelmedMolly.“I’mglad.Ifyou’llexcuseme…?”Andshemovedto

steppastthem.

ButBrian’squickhandonherarmstalledher.“Don’trunoffyet,Molly.Itold

Abbyyou’dhelpwiththeweddingplans.YouandSophieandtheothergirls.”

What?Noway!Shesnatchedherarmbackandglaredawarningathim.A

warninghesmirkedaway.

“Daddyinsistswehaveachurchwedding,”Abbysaid,seeminglyobliviousto

thetension.“Nothingelsewilldo.Butwedon’twanttowaittoolong,dowe

darling?”ShesmiledupatBrian.

AflickerofannoyanceshotthroughBrian’seyes,andMollystared,butitwas

goneasquickasithadcome,andhereturnedAbby’ssmile.“Ofcoursenot.Uncle

Iancanarrangeitinamatterofweeks.”HeraisedAbby’shandtohislips.“You’ll

makeabeautifulsummerbride.”

Giggling,AbbyturnedtoMolly.“It’ssoexciting!Daddywantedsomewhere

bigger,butIcan’twaittogetmarriedinanoldchurchwithbellsringingandapple

treesoutside.”Herexpressionshiftedtowinsomepleading.“Oh,sayyou’llhelp

withtheplanning.Itwouldbejustfabulousifyoudid.”

Mollygrittedherteeth.Eitherthewomanwasatotalairhead,orshewas

gleefullyrubbingMolly’sfaceintheruinsofafailedlove.Alovethat,inMolly’s

dreams,hadgotasfarasAppleby’schurchaltartopromiseherlifelikehermother

andgrandmotherbeforeher.Indespair,shelookedatBrian,lettingthepleading

reminderofallhe’deverpromisedherfillthatlook.Buthisexpressionwas

unyielding,impassive.Hershouldersslumpedindefeat.Itwasasifhewasgone

fromherforever.

Thenonasteadyingbreath,shestraightened.Sobeit.Butshewouldn’tlet

themaddinsulttoinjury.SheturnedtoAbbywithallherdignity.“You’llfind

plentyofotherpeopletohelpyou.Appleby’saclose-knitkindofplace.”

“I’msure.Suchaquaintlittlevillage.”Abby’scut-glassaccentwasdismissive.

Brian’sexpressiontwisted.Hehadn’tmissedtheemphasisontheword‘little’.

“You’llloveAppleby,darling.I’lltakeyouonatourtomorrow.”

Mollysmiledinwardlyathisdefensivetone,andtheimpofmischiefrosein

her.“Justbecareful,”shesaidtoAbby.“Thosecowpatsgeteverywhere.Andthose

runawaygoats?MyGod,butthey’reamenace!They’llgobbleyouwhole,diamond

ringandall.”

Abby’sexpressioncooled.

“It’snotlikewe’llbelivinghereoncewe’remarried,darling,”Briansoothed,

shootingMollyaquellinglook.

Mollyhidanothersmile.She’dexaggerated,butlittleMissPreciousmorethan

deservedit.Butthenthelightnessevaporated.Sheshovedpastthem.“Excuseme.

It’sgettinglate.”

“How’syourNan,Molly?”Brianaskedasshepassed.

Shestoppedandturnedbackwithafrown.“Fine.She’sfine.”

“Iheardshehadanoperationamonthago.Herleg,wasit?”

“Ididn’tknowyoustilltookaninterestinthingshere,Brian.”

Heshrugged.“I’vemissedtheplace.”Hisdarkgazecapturedandheldhers.

“Anditisgoodtoseeyouagain,Molly.”

Hopebeatinherchestlikeacrazedbutterfly,andheryearningheartgrabbedat

thepossiblehiddenmeaninginhiswordsbeforeshecouldstopit.Indesperation,

shesearchedhiseyesforsomethingmore.

“Darling.”Abbyplacedahandonhischest,andhisattentionwasatoncehers.

“Itwassuchalongdrive,andI’mtired.Couldn’twefindsomewherequietfora

while?”Hertoneheldahintofpromise.

Smiling,Brianbenttoplacealingeringkissonherpoutinglips.“AuntKathhas

ourroomprepared.Comeon.”

Abbybeamedlikethecatthatjustgotthecream.Andclingingtothecrookof

Brian’sarm,shesweptpastMolly.

Mollystoodparalyzed,watchingthemwalkaway.He’dbeentoyingwithher.

He’dwantedtoforceareactionfromher,andnaiveclodthatshewas,she’d

deliveredittohimonaplatter.

Howcouldshehavebeensoweak?

Howcouldshestillwanthimback?

God!Shewouldneverbesogullibleagain.Andragingatherself,sherushed

fromtheroom.

2

Kathleen’sgatheringswereinformalenoughthatpeoplecameandwentaslongas

theteaandcakeslasted.Mollypushedthevicarage’skitchendooropen.Noone

wouldcareifsheslippedawayearlythroughtheback.

Butasshewalkedintothekitchen,Appleby’svicarpulledhisheadoutofthe

lowcupboardhe’dbeenrummagingin.“Molly,domeafavour.”IanHarrington’s

owlishglasseswerewonky.Hisdarkpointybeardwasruffled.Andhispermanent

expressionoffrowningsurprisewasfiercerthanusual.“Kathleenwantstotoasther

nephew’slatestachievement,andshe’sdispatchedmeonchampagneduty.”

Unfoldinghistallbodyfromthefloor,hestoodupandplonkedtwochampagne

flutesonthekitchencounterbesidealargebottle.“Takethesethroughforme,my

dear.Ican’tbearthefuss.”

Mollygroanedinwardly.Ofallthepeopleheshouldask…

ButReverendHarringtonmadebeingobliviousintoanartform.He’dprobably

forgottensheusedtobeinarelationshipwithBrianandthatithurtlikehelltobe

hererightnow.

Buthisfierceglarepleadedwithherfrombehindhisroundglasses,andshe

gavein.“Ofcourse,Ian.”

Hebeamed.“Thankyou.”Andcheckinghiswatch,hestrodetowardstheback

door.“IneedtoshowColonelEdwardsmyprizemarrowsbeforeheleaves.

Wouldn’twanthimtosuffertheimpressionhe’llwinatthefairthisyear.”He

pausedwithhishandonthedoorhandle.“Andifmywifeasks,I’minmyoffice,

horrendouslybusyandnottobedisturbed.”Hepulledthedooropenand

disappearedintothelargebackgardenbeyond.

Justgreat!Mollybenttogatherchampagneflutes.Maybeifshewasquick

enough,shecouldfinishthisandbeoutofherebeforeBrianshowedupagain.

Though,judgingfromthelookonBrian’sandAbby’sfacesasthey’dlefther,she

probablyhadplentyoftime.Bileroseatthethoughtofwhattheymustbedoing

upstairsrightnow.Sheshovedtheimageaside.Shedidn’tcarewhatBriandid,or

whohediditwith.

Scowling,shereachedintothecupboardforthelasttwoglassflutes.

“Molly,I’msosorry.NoneofushadanyideaaboutBrianandAbby,”Avoice

saidbehindher.

Clingingtohercomposure,Mollystraightened.Sheplacedthetwofluteson

thecounterandturnedtofaceherbestfriend.“It’sallright,Sophie.”

ButSophieHarrington’smoss-greeneyesbrimmedwithanxiety,andshe

nervouslytuckedastrandofdarkhairbackfromherprettyface.“Idon’tknow

howmumkeptthissoquiet.We—”

“He’sengaged,Sophie!”Suddentearsstung,andMollyblinkedthemback.“I

feellikesuchafool.”

“Oh,Molly.”Sophierushedforwardandclaspedherinatighthug.

Mollyslumpedagainsthertallerfriend.“Howcouldhesayhestilllovesmeand

thengetengagedtoher?That’snotlove!IthoughtIknewwhatlovewas,butI

don’t…Ineverdid.”

“Thisisn’tyourfault.”Sophie’stonewasfierce,thenshesighed.“This

relationship…it’sallsosudden.”

Agitated,Mollypulledaway.“Whatifhewasseeingherallthistimein

London?”Sheshookherheadathernaivety.

“YouvisitedhimthatfirstmonthhewasinLondon,didn’tyou?You’dhave

noticedsomething.”

Mollygrimaced.Shehadn’ttoldSophie,hadputabravefaceonit,butthat

weekendtriptoLondonhadbeenaboutascomfortableasjumpingintoapitof

vipers.She’dbarelystayedonherfeetatthenightclubBrianhadtakenherto,and

thenshe’dbeentooilltogooutwithhimthenextday.He’dlabelledherold-

fashionedandshruggeditoff.Butshe’dreturnedtoAppleby,burningwith

embarrassmentatheruselessness.

“Ididn’tseeAbbyinLondon,”shesaid.“ButthenIwasn’ttherelongenough.

AndwheneverIcalledBrianafterwardshe’dsayworkwashecticandhewouldn’t

bebackinApplebyforsometime.Thelasttimewespoke,he…hewantedusto

takeitslow,andIsaidI’dwaitforhiscall.”Hervoicedroppedtoawhisper.

“That’swhenhesaidhestilllovedme.AndIbelievedhim.Buthenevercalled

again.”

Sophiegasped.“ThatstupidBrian,alwayssoselfish.Forgethim,Molly.”

Mollyburiedherfaceinherhands.“OhGod,Sophie,howcanI?Inever

wantedtolosehim.He’stheonlyman…”Sheraiseddesperateeyestoherfriend.

“Istilllovehim.”

Thekitchendoorswungopen.

“Forgoodness’sake,Ian.Howlongdoesittake—”KathleenHarrington

stoppedonseeingthem.

Shewasatallstringywoman,andherfussingalwaysputMollyinmindofa

finickyhen.

Kathleen’shypercriticalgazesweptoverthebottleandglassesonthecounter.

“Sophie,Molly,don’tjuststandthere.Bringthosetothereceptionroom.”

Sophiefrowned.“Mum,whydidn’tyoutellanyoneaboutBrian’s

engagement?”

“Iwantedittobeasurprise,”Kathleensaid,lookingaffronted.

“ButyoumusthaverealizedMollywouldwanttoknow.”

“Don’tfuss,Sophie!”Kathleenshothereldestdaughterasternglance,before

smilingplacatinglyatMolly.“Now,Molly,IknowyouandBrianwereclosethis

pastyear,butyouweren’tintouchforafewmonths,andthesethingsdieout.”

Mollyglared.Thenerveofthewomantomakeassumptions.“DidBriantell

youthat?Thatthingshaddiedoutforus?”

“Ofcoursenot.Buttotellthetruth,Inevercouldseewhatthetwoofyouhad

incommon.Youwerebothlikeapplesandoranges.”Kathleengaveadismissive

shrug.“Anyway,that’sallwaterunderthebridgenow.Agood-lookinggirllikeyou

won’tbelackingineligiblesuitorsforlong,anditwouldbechurlishofusnottobe

happyforBrianandAbby.”

“Butwhoisshe?”Sophieasked.“Anddon’tyouthinkthisengagementisalittle

quick?”

Kathleenfrowned.“Abby’sasweetgirl,Sophie,andIwantyouandyoursisters

totakegoodcareofher.HerfatherownstheinvestmentcompanyBrianworksfor,

sowewanttoshowherwe’renotalllivinginthesticksuphere.”Shepaused,

lookingsmug.“AndImustadmit,itisquiteamatchforourBrian.”

“IknewIheardsomeonesaymyname.”

He’dchangedhisclothes.Gonewasthecoolcityman,andthereinthekitchen

doorwaystoodtheBriansheknewsowell,casualinjeansandafittedgreyt-shirt.

Hisdarkhairwastousled,andtherewasacarefreesmileonhisface.

Mollysimmeredinsilentanger,notlettingherthoughtstraveltohowAbby

mighthaveputthatsmilethere.

Kathleensmiledathernephew.“Brian,how’sAbby?”

“Wornout.”Hesaidwithasmirk.Hestrolledtothekitchencounterand

pickingupthechampagnebottle,examinedit.

Kathleentutted.“Yes,ofcourse.Quiteunderstandable,thepoordear.The

two-hourdrivefromthecitycanbesoexhausting.Doyouthinkshemightjoinus

onceshe’srested?”

“Sure.”HeputthebottledownandturnedhisattentiononMolly.

Mollystaredback,silentlydaringhimtosayanythingtoher.

“Yes…Well…”Kathleenflutteredoverandpickedupthechampagnebottle.

“Sophie,helpmewiththeseglasses.”

WithalastworriedglanceinMolly’sdirection,Sophiegatheredupseveral

champagneflutesandhurriedoutofthekitchenafterhermother.

Brian’sgazeroamedoverMolly’ssilkdress.“Youlookbeautiful,Molly.I’m

gladyou’rehere.Cominghomewouldn’tbethesamewithoutseeingyou.”

Mollysuckedinasharpbreath.“Believeme,Brian,ifithadn’tbeenforyour

aunt’sconnivingtoday,Iwouldn’tbewithinamileshotofyou.”

“AuntKathmusthavethoughtitwouldbeeasierforAbbytomeetyouhereat

thevicarage.”Asmallsmiletouchedhislips.“Savesongossip.”

“EasierforAbby?Whataboutme,Brian?OrdidInevermatter?”

“You’llalwaysmatter.”Hetookasteptowardsher.

Thehungrylookinhisdarkeyesthrewher.“H–howcanyoustillsaythat?”

Hefrownedthen,lookingknockedoffbalanceforamoment.“Look,whatwe

had…therewasnothinghereforme.”

“I’mhere,Brian.I’vealwaysbeenhereforyou.”

“That’sjustit.You’rehereforyourNan,andshehatesmyguts.You’rehere

forBarrowdene,andthatdamnhouseisn’tevenyours.”Hislipscurledindisdain.

“Itwasneveraboutme,wasit?You’vegotyourlifeinApplebylaidout,andmy

rolewastoplayhappyfamiliesherewithyou,nomatterwhatIwanted.”

Mollystaredathim.“Butyouwerehappyhere.Applebyisyourhome.

Everyoneheredotesonyou.”

“Whatuseisthattome?I’mbiggerthanthisplace.I’mnotreadytoshut

myselfofffromwhattheworldcangive.Lookatyou.You’retwenty-five,and

you’restuckhereactinglikeyou’refifty.It’sboring,Molly.”

Hurtstungdeep.“Iwasn’tboringforyouwhenweweretogetherhere.But

nowAbbyistheexcitementyouwant?”

“Youwouldn’tunderstand.It’snotaboutwashed-outsummerfairsouttherein

therestoftheworld.Outthere,it’sthrobbingwithlife,anditbelongstothosewho

seizeopportunitywithbothhands.”

“Doyouloveher,Brian?”

“SureIdo.”Aghostofasmirkhoveredoverhislips.

Mollyglared.“Oh,Isee.Likeyoulovedme?Soundslikeyou’rejustseizinga

newopportunity.”

“Abby’sperfectforme,”hebitout.“I’mgoingplaces,andIneedsomeone

whocankeepup.”

“Youdisgustme.Loveisn’tabusinessdeal,Brian.Imaybeboring,butIloved

youonce,and—”

“Love!Anddidyoulovemeenoughtostaywithme?Enoughtoleaveyour

preciousBarrowdene,yourNan?”

Shestaredathim,lostforwords.Washeright?He’dleftAppleby,andshe’d

wantedhimtocomeback,butshehadn’ttriedhardertobewithhim.

Hislaughterwasmocking.“Ithoughtnot.”

“Youneverasked,”shewhispered.

“Ialreadyknewyouranswer.”Hereachedoutandcuppedhercheek,hisdark

eyesintent.“Ilovedyou,Molly.ButIwonderifyoueverlovedme?”

Always,shewantedtosay,butthewordstuckinherthroat.Haditbeenher

fault?Couldshehavetriedharderforthem?Ifonlyshehadn’tstayedbackintheir

village…

Theaccusationinhiseyesburnedintoher.Andinasilentpleafor

understanding,shecoveredhishandwithhers,andpressinghercheekagainsthis

warmpalm,breathedinhiscleancitrusscent.

AlightsparkedinBrian’seyes,andhisgazedroppedtoherlips.

Molly’sbreathfaltered,andshestaredupathim.Realitymingledwithmemory

andtransportedherbacktoatimebeforeAbby,atimewhentherehadonlybeen

herandBrian.

Hedippedhisheadandbrushedhislipsoverhers.Agentletouch.Andher

eyelidsflutteredcloseonasmallsighofrelief.

Butallofasuddenhisseekinglipsdemandedmore,andhishandsspannedher

waisttopullherintothehardheatofhisgroin.

Molly’sslumberingmindjerkedawake,andshewrenchedhermouthfromhis.

“No!OhGod.Don’t!”Hands,armsandelbowsshovingagainsthischest,she

yankedfreefromhishold.

“Whatthehell?”Brianstaredatherindisbelief,hisfaceflushed.

Coldshamedrainedthebloodfromhercheeks,leavinghertrembling.Molly

raisedahandtoherlips.“I’msorry.Ican’t…”Withashakeofherhead,shespun

away,andyankingthebackdooropen,ranoutintothesharpeveningsunlight.

3

Thepeacewasstartling.

Theroadbehindthemwasempty.Onlytheirmotorbikesparkedbythegrassy

vergeshowedthatvehiclestouchedthiscountryhighwayatall.Londonwithitscity

noiseandconstantrumbleofheavywheelswasaworldaway.Hereinthisgreen

paradise,thesunshone,birdssanginthetrees,andtheeveningbreezewhipped

overswayinggrasstocooltravel-wearyskin.

Jakeleanedhiselbowsonthewoodenfenceandbreathedinthefreshscentof

grassandsoil.Thebreezestirredstrandsofgoldenhairintohiseyes.Pushinghis

hairbackwithanimpatienthand,hegazedatthevillageinthedistance.

“Don’tneedthebikes,”Damonsaidbesidehimwithateasingglintinhis

copper-colouredeyes.“Hopoverthisfence,takeafive-minutetumbledownthe

hillside,andyou’rethere.”Heuncappedhisbottleofwaterandraisedittohisdark

lips.

Jaketookaswigfromhisownbottle.“Asenticingasthatsounds,I’drather

enjoythejourney.”

“What’stoenjoy?Lookaroundyou,bro.It’snoman’sland.Otherthanthe

fourofus,there’snooneelseformiles.”

Jakeglancedtohisleftwheretheothertwowerestandingfurtheralongthe

fence,chattingandpointingtothevillagebelow.“Thequiet…”hemurmured.

“That’swhat’stoenjoy.”

Hefilledhislungswiththeclearairagain.Thevillagenestledlikeafairytalein

itspeacefulvalley.Greentreesspreadbetweenthatchedcottageroofs,anda

church’sredbelltowerstoodinthemiddleoverlookingeverythinglikeaproud

watchman.

Ithadn’tbeenhisfirstchoiceofescape,butnowthathewashere,itsomehow

feltright.

“Idon’tknow…”Damonmuttered.“Quietmeanstoomuchtimetothink.At

leastthecitykeepsyoubusy…keepsyourheadclear.”

Jakecastaquicklookattheothertwowhowerestillchatting.“Thingscatching

upwithyou?”heaskedDamon.

Damonsilentlytookanotherdrinkfromhisbottle.

“Running’shard,isn’tit?”Jakeaskedquietly.“Ishouldknow.I’vebeendoing

enoughofitthispastmonth.”

“I’mnotrunning.”

“Right,you’renot…Thentalktoher.Shewantsyouback.”

Withawryshakeofhishead,Damonturnedaway.

Jakeletoutafrustratedbreath.Amonthagohe’dscreweduphislifeandthe

livesofthetwopeoplehelovedmostinthisworld.Nowhewasforcedtostandby

andwatchthembreakapart.“Shestilllovesyou…”

Damon’shandtightenedonhisbottle.“Shedoesn’tknowthemeaning.Just

likeSiennadidn’tknowthemeaning.”

“LeaveSiennaoutofthis.It’snotthesame.”

“Why?She’sthereasonyou’rehere,isn’tshe?I’mnottheonewhojustbought

abroken-downmanorinthemiddleofnowheretoescapehisex’smemory.”

“Tohellwithmemory!Andthebloodyparasiteswhowantapieceofit.”Jake

grippedthefenceandscowleddownatthevillage.“Maybeyoucanshrugthepast

off,butifthisismyonlyescape,thenfine.”

“Hell,bro.Ididn’tmeanitlikethat,”Damonsaidwithagrimace.“Yeah,you

needtohunkerdowntillthingsblowover.Igetthat.Butyoualsoneedtotalk

aboutit.YoulostSienna,andyoucan’tkeepthatstuffedinsideyou.It’sgonna

explode.”

“Italreadydid.”

Damonsmirked.“Yeah,thatpaparazzoyousockedwon’tbeaskingquestions

likethatagainanytimesoon.”

Jaketookanothersipofwater.

‘Haditbeensuicide?’

‘Didyoudrivehertoit?’

‘Wereyouresponsibleforherdeath?’

Themediahoundshadseemedtopopoutfrombehindeverydoorandcity

corner.

Helookedoverthecalmcountryside.Atleasthere,noonewasjumpingout

frombehindthetreeswithquestionshecouldn’tanswer.

“I’mnotsorryaboutit,”hesaid.“Andifanotherguystickshisfaceinmine

lookingforastory,he’llgetthesame.”

Damongrinned.“Thenit’sbestyoulielowforawhile,orthingswillget

mightyexpensiveforthecompany.And…”Heshrugged.

“Andthisisn’tthetimeforit,”Jakefilledin.

Theirarchitecturalandconstructionfirmwasonthevergeofwinningamulti-

milliondollarcontracttoconstructaManhattanmegatower.Butthemediastorm

overhislovelifewasdemolishingallthehardworkDamonandhe’dputinto

securingthedeal.

“Ican’tdenyit’sbeenaproblem,”Damonsaid.“Butit’smorethanbusiness,

bro.You’renotyouanymore.You’veletwhatpeoplesayaboutSiennagettoyou.

I’mjusthopingthisplacecansomehowbringyoubacktolifeagain.”

Jakeglancedaway.EverythinghadendedthemomentSiennadied.He’d

clammedup,unabletotellanyonethetruth,notevenDamon,hisbestfriendand

businesspartneroffourteenyears.Hisbrotherinallbutblood.ButDamonhadn’t

pushedtheissueeither.He’dpickeduptheslackonalltheirbig-nameprojects,

givingJakethetimeandspaceheneeded.Butthesensationalisttabloidshadn’tlet

go,andJakehadwhirleddownaprivatehellhewouldn’twishonanyliving

creature.Andhecouldn’tstanditanymore.

“I’mnotexpectingmiracles,”hesaidquietly.“Justafewweekstodisappear

untiltheworldforgetsandIcanpickupmylifeagain.”

“Itwasn’tyou.Youdidn’tkillher.”

Jakeshrugged.HemaynothavegivenSiennathedrugs,buthe’dintroduced

hertothelifestylethatintheendkilledher.Whathadbegunasacrazyattraction

hadthrustaninnocentgirlintoaworldshewasn’treadyfor.She’dcrashedand

burned,anditwouldforeverbehisfault.“Ifshe’dnevermetme,she’dstillbe

alive.”

“Youdon’tknowthat.”

“It’smyfault.”

“Man…”Damonshookhishead.“You’veletitdestroyyou.”

Livingdeath.That’swhatthiswas.Jakeclosedhiseyesontheemptinessinside.

Damonplacedahandonhisshoulder.“MaybeyouneedthisplacemorethanI

thought.Youneedthequiet.”

Jakelookedatthevillage.Itstranquillitywasbreathable.Anditssimplicity

seemedtoradiateawillingnesstoaccepthimforwhathewas.

Aninnocentsimplicityhe’doncethoughthe’dfoundinawoman.

“Yeah…”hemurmured,“Ineedthis.”

***

Mollyslowedherpaceonlyafterputtingseveralyardsbetweenherselfandthe

vicarage.Appleby’sshop-linedMainStreetlaybeforeher,butitwasriddledwith

smalltalkandwell-wishersonthissunnyevening.Andshewasinnomoodtotalk

toanyone.

Withoutbreakingstride,shesteppedintoanarrowoverhunglane.Hersweat-

glazedskinwentfromhottocoolinablinkinthesuddenwelcomeshade.

StMary’sLane,namedafterthetallparishchurchthatstoodattheotherend,

wasemptyandquiet.Onlythetweetsofbirdspreparingfortheireveningnests

soundedinthetreebranchesoverhead.Andoccasionally,thesmokysmellofa

back-gardenbarbecuerosefrombeyondtheLane’sancientstonewallasshe

passed.

Inthatcalm,Mollyslowlyunwound,andthestewofemotionswirlinginside

hersettledintoanger.

Thatkiss.Whatonearthhadpossessedher?

BrianwaswithAbbynow,andshehadtoacceptthat.

But…didheevenloveAbby?

Damnit.Sheshookherhead.Noneofherbusiness.Anditdidn’tmatterwhy

Brianhadkissedher;sheneededtokeepawayfromhim,neededtokeepherheart

safe.

Thenarrowlanewidenedasthered-brickbelltowerofStMary’sChurch

loomedintoview.Thechurchorchardwastoherright,andbeyonditstoodthe

headstonesinthegraveyard.Mostwereworn-grey,patchedandagedwithgreen

moss,butsomewerenewer,gleamingwhite.Hergrandfather’swasoneofthose.

They’dburiedhiminthesamespotasherparent’sashes.Whatshewouldn’tgive

tohearhissoothingvoiceoncemore.He’dalwayshadanswers.Alwaysprotected

her.Butshe’dlosthimeighteenmonthsago.Andheadbowedagainstthefamiliar

loss,shequickenedherpacepastthechurchandcrossedthecurvingmainroad.

TheonlyhintofBarrowdenefromtheoutsidewerethetoweringwhitegate

pillarsmarkingtheentrancetothedriveway.Buttheseweresetashortdistance

backfromtheroadandhalf-hiddenbehindtwotallsilverbirches.Theseven-foot

wrought-irongatesstoodwideopeninwelcomeinvitationforallandsundryto

enter.Mollyhadneverseenthesegatesclosed.Theymustbeatleastahundred

yearsold.Didtheyevencloseanymore?

Justpastthegatesstoodtheirgroundsman’sgatehouselookinglikeasquat

gnomeabodewithitsroundedwhitewallsandgreyslateroof.Nolightsshone

fromitssquarewindows,andnosmokecurledfromitslumpychimney.Thehouse

wasemptytoday.

MollyhurriedalongBarrowdene’slongdriveway.Rowsofspreadingoakand

beechtreeslinedthewideroadandformedadeepgreencanopyaboveher.And

straightahead,outlinedagainstlushgreeneryandclearbluesky,stoodtheimposing

Georgianhousewithitswhitefrontandrowsofpanelledwindows.

Reliefwarmedher.Barrowdenemightnotbelongtoher,butitwashome.

Shemadeherwayaroundthemainhousetothehousekeeper’scottage,grateful

thatshehadn’tseenasoulsofar.Atclosetoseveno’clockintheeveningthelarge

estateseemeddeserted.

RoseCottage,namedaftertheplum-sizedpinkandredrosesthatclimbedits

whitewallsandalmostreachedthethatchedroof,wasawelcomesight.Athin

plumeofsmokerosefromitsredbrickchimneyintotheblueAugustsky.Itlooked

likeNanwascookingsomething.

Mollypushedtheheavyfrontdooropen.Andsureenough,theboxyhallway

withitsbuttercreamwallsandstripedyellowcarpetwasfilledwiththerichscentof

herb-cookedmeat.

Thekitchenwasstraightahead,butavoidingit,sheboundedupthewooden

staircaseandspedtoherbedroom.Itwasoneoftwointhetinycottage,andjust

largeenoughforhersinglebed,wardrobe,adressingtableandachair.

Closingthebedroomdoor,sheleanedbackagainstitandletherracingheart

calmdown.

Thiswashome,andhereshewasn’tlost.Shebelonged.

Shekickedoffhershoes,andsinkingdownontothepaleoakfloor,stretched

herlegsoverthethick-pilewoolrugthatcoveredmostofthesquareroom.Muted

lavenderwallsandmisty-bluewoodenfurnituresurroundedher.She’dchosenthese

coloursasachildandhelpedhergrandfatherpaintherroom.Itwasplain,simple,

exactlywhoshewas.Butthatwasn’twhatBrianwanted.

Angerblazed,sendinghersurgingtoherfeet.Shewrenchedofftheturquoise

dress,notcaringifitrippedornot,andthrewittothebackofthewardrobe.It

couldstaythereandrot.Sheneverwantedtoseeitagain.

Shepulledonawhitecottonsundresspatternedwithtinyredrosesandstared

atherratherordinaryselfinthelongmirror.Tooshort.Tooslim.Toopale.She

wasnomatchforAbby,andsheneverwouldbe.Tearsthreatened,butasmallpart

ofherrefusedtocave,andsheraisedherchinindefiance.

Sowhat?Sowhatifshewasboring?Thiswaswhoshewas,andshewashappy

withit.She’dhaditwithrelationships.Shewouldneverputherheartoutthereto

betrampledon,everagain.

4

Thecottage’slittlekitchenwithitsbrightyellowwalls,whitewoodcabinets,and

wornoakflooring,glowedwithaherb-scentedwarmththathuggedMollywhenshe

entered.

Nanglancedupfromthesouppotshewasstirring.Hercurlywhitehairwas

piledhighinitsusualmessybun,anddespitethewarmth,sheworeherfavourite

pinkwoolshawloverasimplebeigedress.Pinksuitedher,givinghersoft

plumpnessacomfortinglook.

ShedroppedtheladleintothepotandcameandcaughtMollyinafiercehug.

“Iheard.He’sback,andhe’snotalone.”

ThefactthatNanalreadyknewwasn’tsurprising.NewsinApplebytravelled

fasterthanthespeedoflight.

Mollyrestedherheadonhergrandmother’sshoulders.“I’mleavingwellalone,

Nan.Iwantnothingmoretodowithhim.”

“Ofcourseyoudon’t,”Nansaid,strokingbackMolly’sunrulycurls.“Brianwas

neverrightforyou.Itoldyoumanyatimeoverthepastyearyouneededtomove

on.Still,it’sbetterlatethannever.AtleastI’llbesparedthespectacleofseeingyou

asMrsWilkinsandmarriedintoKathleen’ssideofthefamily.”

Withagiggle,MollykissedNan’scheek.“Whenyouputitthatway…”

ShesteppedbackandscrutinizedNan’sslightlyswollenleftleg.Itwasencased

incompressionstockings,andhadbeenforafewweeksfollowinganoperationto

removeavaricosevein.

Mollypulledoutoneoftheoakchairsbytheroundkitchentable.“Whydon’t

yousitdownandtakeiteasyontheleg?I’llfinishthesoup.”

“Fiddlesticks.I’vebeentakingiteasyallday.”Andignoringthechair,Nan

returnedtothesouppotonthestove.

ButoneglanceatthetabletoldMollytherehadbeennotakingiteasy.Two

largeshoppingbasketssquattedonit,overflowingwitharainbowoffreshfruitand

vegetables.“Allday,huh?Thenwhoboughtallthisstuff?”

“Clara.ShesentitalongwithNate.”

Mollyraisedhereyebrows.ClaraAinsley,Appleby’snosy-parkerpostmistress,

havinganythingtodowithNate,Barrowdene’scrankygroundsman,was

newsworthyindeed.“Andshedidn’tskinhimaliveintheprocess?”

Chuckling,Nancameandrummagedthroughabasket.“Hewassoberinthe

afternoon.Here,shesentyourmagazine.”ShehandedMollythelatesteditionof

PeriodHouse.“Itcameearly.”

Andinstantlyabsorbed,Mollyflippedthroughpageafterpageofeye-catching

photosofoldandstatelyhomes.

“ItwasClarawhophonedmeaboutBrian.”Nan’svoicefromthestove

broughtMollybacktothekitchen.“Accordingtoher,thenewgirl’squiteacatch,

andKathleenisoverthemoon.”

TrustClaraAinsleytoknoweverythingeverywhereimmediately.Molly

droppedthemagazineontothetable.“Hername’sAbby.Ididn’thangaroundto

findoutherhistory,butnodoubtClarawillbeanAbbyexpertbytomorrow,and

everyonewillknowmore.”

Nanregardedher.Sheneverworeglasses.Shedidn’tneedthem.Herglacial

blueeyes,darkerthanMolly’sown,alwayssawmorethanwhatwasthereonthe

surface.“Idon’tneedherhistory.Ineedtoknowthisisn’tapassingfancyof

Brian’sandyouwon’tbereeledbackin.”

“Itisn’t,andIwon’t.They’rehellbentongettingmarriedatStMary’ssooner

thansoon,andBrianandIaremorethanfinished.”

“Withthatlad,I’llbelieveitwhenIseeit.AndIhopeyoutoldhimexactly

whereyoustand.”Nanturnedbacktohersouppotwithafrown.“You’retoo

givingforyourowngood,Molly.Alwaysathisbeckandcall,andhecouldn’teven

decidewhetherhewantedtostaywithyouornot.Iknewwhenyoutookupwith

himsosoonafteryourgrandaddiedthatyouwerelookingforcomfort.ButBrian

wasnevertherightmanforthat.”ShelookedatMollythen,herfrowndeepening.

“He’sgonearoundwiththeimpressionheownsyoulongenough,butthatstops

now.Youareoff-limitstohim.”

ThememoryofthatkisssearedthroughMolly’smind,andunabletomeet

Nan’ssteadygaze,sheglancedatthebasketsonthetableinstead.“It’sover,Nan.

Youneedn’tworry.”Thenshequicklychangedthesubject.“Whydoyouhave

enoughfoodheretofeedthewholevillage?”

Nansighed.“Francine’scominghometomorrow,andshemayhaveguests

withher.”

Mollylookedupatthat.FrancineLamontownedBarrowdeneHouseandthe

severalacresoflandsurroundingit.Butsherarelystayedhere,preferringher

townhouseinSouthLondoninstead.TheinfrequentvisitssuitedMolly.Itmade

Nan’sjobashousekeeperthatmuchlighter.

“Guests?Howmany?”Mollyasked.

“Noidea.ButknowingFrancine,I’dsayonlyoneortwo.Still,Ithoughtitbest

tobeprepared.”

Mollyspedthroughamentalchecklist.“Thehousewillneedairing,new

linen…I’llaskMartintogivemethemorningofftomorrow.”

“You’lldonosuchthing!Yougetonwithyourjob.I’mperfectlycapable.”

Mollyopenedhermouthtoprotest,butNanheldupasilencinghand.“I’veaskeda

coupleofgirlsfromthevillagetodropbyinthemorningandhelp.”

“That’sarelief.Youshouldn’tbetiringyourself.Especiallywithyourleg

needingrest.”

“AndwhatwouldIdosittingaroundonmybacksideallday?Whatmyleg

needsisexercise.”Nan’sexpressionbecamewistful.“It’sashameFrancinenever

stayslongerthanadayortwo.Barrowdeneisafamilyhouse.Itneedspeopleinit.

WhenIwasfirsthere,youcouldfeeltheheartoftheplacewheneverthelittleones

cametovisit.ItwasthesamewhenyouusedtotoddleaftermewhereverIwentin

thehouse.YoualwayscheeredupEugenie.”

Mollysmiled.EugenieThomas,Francine’sstrictmaidenaunt,hadbeenthelast

inalonglineofThomasestoownBarrowdene.Eugeniehademployedasixteen-

year-oldinexperiencedNan,hand-selectedherfromahostofhopefuls.Thesour

oldladyhadsufferednofoolsanddemandedperfectioninallthings,butMollyhad

grownupseeingherasfamily.She’dspentmanyachildhoodeveninglisteningto

storiesofBarrowdeneandthepastatthefootofEugenie’srockingchairinfrontof

acosyfire.AfaintsadnesscrossedMolly.Everythinghadchangedtwoyearsago.

She’dwatchedthefortunesofthebighouseshiftafterEugeniedied,andthenagain

sixmonthslaterwhenherownbelovedgrandadtookhislastbreath.

Nantastedthesoupandgaveasatisfiednod.“That’sready.DidyouseeNate

onyourwayhere?”

“No,thegatehouselookedempty.”

Nantutted.“Thatman.He’llbedownthepubsoakingupmorethanthe

sunshine,Ibet.Gofindhim,child.Ineedhimatleasthalf-sobertoseetothe

gardensbeforeFrancinearrivestomorrow.Promisehimaheftyservingofthebest

beefsouphe’severtasted.”

“Thatshouldgethim.”Withagrin,Mollyturnedtogo.

“And,Molly,”Nansaid,makingherlookback.“KeepwellawayfromBrian.

Youdeservebetter.Lethimlieinthebedhechose.”

***

MollyreachedtheKing’sHeadPubtenminuteslater.Peoplestooddrinkingand

chattinginsmallclumpsoutfront.Itlookedlikenobodywantedtositinsidethe

oldbuildingwhilethesunstillbeckoned.Somepeoplewerevillagersandknownto

her.Othersweresummertouristswho’dmanagedtofindtheirwaytothepub.

Comparedtotherestofthevillage,TheKing’sHeadwaseasytofind.Itsat

outsidetheclusterofsmallshopsthatlinedMainStreet,rightonthecornerwhere

theroadcurvedpastSt.Mary’schurchandBarrowdene.Thevillagethoughwasa

rabbitwarrenofnooksandlanesthatspikedofffromthewidecentralMainStreet.

Ithadnostructure.Applebyhadstoodsincemedievaltimes,havingbeenknocked

downbyconqueringarmies,builtagain,thenlaterexpandedhiggledy-piggledyas

thearmiesdisappearedandfamiliesthrived.Itwasabeautifulsnarefortourists.

TheyusuallywanderedoffMainStreetandendedupgoingincirclesastheyooh’d

andaah’dattheorchardsandgolden-thatchedcottages.Anditwasonlyafterthey’d

passedthesamelimestonecottagethreetimesthattheythoughtofknockingona

doorandbeggingforhelp.

Mollynearedthepubentrancewhereagroupofmenwithpintsinhandstood

clusteredaroundthreemotorbikes.

Motorbikeswereacommonsightinsummer.Appleby’squietmainroadwas

muchadoredbybikerslookingtoracetheirinnerspeeddemonsthroughthelush

greenEnglishcountryside.AndtheKing’sHeadwasafavouritepitstop.

Onebikecaughthereye.Itsleatherseatswerecoalblack,anditssleekdark

bodyglintedwithfuturisticmalevolenceintheeveningsunlight.Itstoodoutamile

againstthetwosilverbikeseithersideofit.

“Triumph’sthebest,”oneofthemenpronouncedtohiscompanionsasthey

scrutinizedthedarkbike.“It’sabeast,itis.”

Beastlyexpensivetoo,nodoubt.Mollyslowedasshenearedthebike.Itwasn’t

entirelyshinyandbrandnew.Thewheelsandbasewerespatteredwithmudand

dustasifithadbeenwell-riddenthatday.Theownerhadtobefromthecity,a

youngfinancierorbankershe’dbet.Someonewhoworesmartsuitstotheoffice

andpouredhimselfintotough-lookingbikeleathersonhisdaysoff.She’dseen

plentyofthem,charmingandinsincerefromtheendsoftheirperfectlycoiffedhair

tothetipsoftheirpolishedboots.Theyseemedtothinkanywomaninthevillage

belowtheageofthirtywouldjumponthebackoftheirbikesatthemerestflashof

theircash.

Themensawherandsmiledornoddedtheirhellosbeforereturningtotheir

once-overofthebikes.Mollybreathedasmallsighofreliefasshepassedthem.

Therehadbeennoknowingorpityintheireyes.NewsaboutBrianandhisnew

fiancéehadn’treachedthepubyet.Itwasonlyamatteroftimethough,butatleast

she’dbeleftalonetoday.

“Molly!Iwasabouttocallyou.”Anna,Sophie’syoungersister,rushedoutof

thepub.

AnnahadSophie’scolouring,butthesimilaritiesendedthere.Electric-blue

streakedthefrontofAnna’spixie-cutdarkhair,andherbottle-greeneyessparkled

withafierceindependencenotseeninSophie’ssofterones.Thefactthatshe

workedasabartenderinthepubexasperatedhermother,Kathleen.Mollyoften

suspectedthatwasexactlywhyAnnahadtakenthejob.

Mollyquickenedhersteps.“What’swrong?IsitNate?”

“Yeah,it’sNate.”Annaswipedherhandsontheblackbarapronwrapped

aroundhergaminehips,andgrabbingMolly’sarm,pulledherintothehalf-empty

pub.“He’sgoingmentalouttherewithsomecustomers.You’dbettergethimoff

theirbacks,ortheladsherewillgetinvolved.”

Shedidn’treleaseMollyuntiltheyreachedthepub’scrowdedbackgarden.

Thesmokysmellofbarbecuedmeatmingledwiththedullsweetnotesofbeer

andcider.Everyroundwoodentablewithitsfourchairswasoccupied,andallthe

colourfulparasolswereopen.

Natestoodbesideanearbytablewherethreemenandawomanwereseated.

Theywereallstaringathimlikehewasagiantslugthathadjustcrawledoutofthe

greeneryandthreatenedtodiveintotheirdrinks.

“Yeralltalk,yertype,”heslurredtoabroad-shoulderedmanwhosatwithhis

backtoMolly.“Ifyougottheguts,let’sshowtheli’lladywho’stherealmanshe’ll

bewantingtospendthenightwith.”

ThemanshottohisfeetandtoweredoverNate.Andcatchingsightofthe

man’sface,Mollycouldonlystandandgape.

Hewasbeautiful,likeagoldenMichelangelostatuecometolife.Hischiselled

features,sharpcheekbones,andstraightnose,evenhislipslookedlikethey’dbeen

lovinglycarvedfromlivingmarble.Honey-goldhairsweptoverlongacrosshis

browandnearlytouchedthebaseofhisneck.Thesamegoldreflectedinthehint

ofbeardcoveringhisstrongjaw.

Ensnared,Molly’sgazecontinueddownwideshouldersbeneathafittedwhite

t-shirt,tighthipsinruggedleathertrousers,andendedatheavy,dustybikerboots.

Shehadnodoubtshe’djustfoundtheownerofthemeanmachineoutfront.

WithaglareforNate,themantookasmallstepforward.Heclenchedhis

handsintofistsathisside,andthecordedmusclesinhisarmsflexedandbunched.

Nateteeteredintoafightingstanceandwaggledhisscrawnyfistsintheair.

“Comeonthen,prettyboy.I’llrearrangeyerfaceforyou.”

AndMollysnappedoutofhertrance.

“No,Nate!”Shecriedandflungherselfbetweenthem,onlytolandinthe

firinglineofanamber-greenstarethatthreatenedtostripthefleshfromher

bones...

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