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He dragged the sweater over his head then finger-combed his damp hair into place. ‘Unfortunately, yes. That damned delivery I spent the best part of yesterday waiting for has just arrived. I’ll have to go and let them unload it.’
‘Now? But can’t it wait until next week?’
‘No. It’s vital that I have the wood for Monday so that we can start on a special order. I’ve been waiting months for this consignment, but there’s been one hitch after another. If I turn it away now then heaven knows when they’ll make a second delivery.’ He emptied the change from his pockets and picked up his keys. ‘I’m sorry about this, Beth. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
He was gone before she could remind him that he had promised that they would talk. She picked up the brush again and drew it through her hair, feeling a cowardly sense of relief that it had been put off until later when he got back. Frankly, she wasn’t that anxious now to hear what he had to say.
* * *
David still wasn’t back by the time the first guests started to arrive for the party. Beth had spent the afternoon helping Maggie get things ready before finally acceding to the older woman’s pleas that she should rest. She had gone upstairs and lain down on the bed, but she hadn’t slept. Her mind was too active to allow her that luxury. Until David got back and they had that talk it felt as though her life was hanging in the balance. Not a thought to let her rest easily.
There were a few people in the hall when she arrived downstairs. She smiled politely at them then made her way to the kitchen, preferring to keep herself busy. Opening the kitchen door, she stopped abruptly when she found Maggie wrapped in Matthew’s arms. ‘Oh, excuse me.’ She started to back out of the room again, colour blooming in her cheeks when she saw Matthew’s amusement.
‘Don’t go, Beth. It’s my fault for stealing some of the hostess’s time. I’m sure her husband would have something to say about that!’
He left the room and Maggie laughed as she smoothed her ruffled hair. ‘I never thought I’d live to see the day when Matthew would make a joke like that. He was always so jealous before that he would never have dreamed of making a comment like that! You are definitely having a good effect on him by being here, Beth.’
‘Me? But why?’ There was puzzlement on her face, but Maggie didn’t appear to notice as she picked up a tray of canapés and rearranged them.
‘Because of David, of course!’ She glanced up then and something about the bewilderment in Beth’s expression must have struck her. Her face went crimson and she looked away in obvious distress. ‘I’m so sorry, Beth. I shouldn’t have said that.’
‘Said what?’ Anger flashed in Beth’s eyes. ‘I am getting heartily sick of everyone making these veiled references to things I know nothing about! What is going on, Maggie? Tell me.’
‘I…’ Maggie glanced wildly round the kitchen, relief crossing her face when the front doorbell rang. ‘I have to go and answer that. Would you take this tray through to the sitting-room for me, please, Beth?’
She was gone in a whirl of silk skirts and Paris perfume before Beth could stop her, hurrying along the hall. Beth picked up the tray, the light of battle shining in her eyes. This had gone on long enough; one way or another she was going to find out the truth and it didn’t matter whether it was David or Maggie or whoever who told her. She was sick and tired of being left in the dark!
There were several couples in the sitting-room when she carried the tray through and set it down on the heavy, ornate sideboard. They smiled at her in a friendly manner then carried on with their conversations, leaving her to join in if she chose. Beth looked round, feeling that she should try to be sociable, but not comfortable with the thought of butting in on a stranger’s conversation. However, the decision was taken out of her hands when a tall, elegant brunette detached herself from the group and came across to her.
‘You must be Beth. Maggie’s told me a lot about you. I’m Marie, a friend of hers and the other godmother, although it beats me why Maggie should deem me suitable for that honour!’
