AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He kept rowing until he started to sweat, then moved onto the weights. Why had Estelle seemed so confused when he’d told her about his dating life? And why so obsessed with the belief he preferred blondes? Was it a subconscious attempt to keep him at arm’s length? Or was it something, or someone, else?
Could she have met Elyse? It was clear Estelle had met his mother before, even after his attempts to keep them apart. After leaving the dinner party early and dropping Estelle back at the livery, James had driven straight home and gone to his room. He hadn’t had a chance to ask his mother how she’d already seemed to know Estelle, and had avoided Elyse. She was watching television downstairs when he’d crept in, but had still managed to leave her damp towel and dirty clothes on his bed.
Fuck it. If the world hadn’t ended after his work and personal life had finally met, then it was time to bring another secret out into the open.
‘Babe!’
Beverley tottered down the corridor towards James in zebra-print wedge mules and a leopard-print silk dressing gown tied over her pyjamas.
‘Come here, you beauty,’ she cried, pulling him in for a hug.
‘Hi Mum, how are you doing?’
She drew back. ‘Peachy keen, babe.’ Her eyes were shining. ‘I still can’t believe last night! Me and the Duke and Duchesses of Somerset! I was good though. I didn’t ask for Vivienne’s autograph or nothing. D’you know how much I could have got for it on eBay?’
‘Mum—’
‘And where did you skive off to with Lady Foxbrooke? Is there something you need to tell me?’
He shook his head. ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘Office. Want me to make you some breakfast, babe? The Duke—Arthur gave me a pot of honey last night. He said it was biogangic or summat and good for your sex drive. Want to try some on a piece of toast?’
‘No thanks, Mum, I’ve already eaten. But I need to speak to you and Dad about something.’
His mother’s brow furrowed. ‘Should I be worried?’
‘No, it’s fine. I just should have told you a couple of years ago.’
‘Is it a secret baby?’ Beverley asked as they walked together down the corridor.
‘What?’
‘From a one-night-stand? And the mother’s been trying to track you down ever since.’
James stared at her. ‘No.’
She wrinkled her nose. ‘Shame.’
He rolled his eyes and opened his dad’s office door for her.
His father was behind his desk, frowning at his laptop, a poppet toy in one hand and a fidget spinner whirling on the thumb of the other.
‘Kev, babe,’ Bev began. ‘James wants to talk to us.’
Her husband’s gaze snapped away from the screen and he leaned back in his chair. ‘What happened to you last night? Did you pull? Your mum wants to know if you and Estelle have kids if they’ll be an official Lord or Lady. D’you know?’
James bit back a sigh. ‘No, and no.’
‘You’ve lost your touch, Jamesy-boy. You should have closed the deal.’
For fuck’s sake. ‘Dad, I need to talk to you about Elyse.’
‘Have you finally come to your senses?’
‘I already have. Years ago.’
‘You what, babe?’ his mum asked.
