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‘Then grab your shoes, you two, and let’s go. It’s too hot to be stuck indoors on a day like today.’
They rush off to get organised and then we pile into the Range Rover. It’s only a short drive to the park, even in the afternoon traffic, and I can taste freedom. My driver is brilliant and saves me hours on the roads. Without him, I’d be circling around London trying to find parking spots and not able to work in the car. But after the sobering conversation with my grandfather, I realise how much I take my freedom for granted.
So, this afternoon—more than ever—I relish driving myself. And with Nathalie at my side, exclaiming at the beauty all around us as I point out the sights, and Daisy in the back seat buzzing about going to the park, my world feels complete.
I don’t need anyone or anything else.
I definitely don’t need a date with the granddaughter of an illustrious banker, and I grow cold at the prospect of what’s to come.
But I thrust that thought deep into the recesses of my mind, determined to enjoy this precious afternoon. I ease the car into a parking spot near the café before turning to Nathalie. ‘Are you a chocolate or strawberry girl?’
Nathalie’s eyes sparkle as she says, ‘Chocolat, s'il vous plaît!’
Daisy unbuckles her seatbelt and jumps up and down in her seat. ‘Chocolat, s'il vous plaît,’ she repeats, giggling.
‘That settles it then.’ We jump out of the car, and I order three big waffle cones with double scoops of Italian chocolate ice cream.
‘Yummy,’ says Daisy, licking the cone. ‘My favourite!’
Nathalie’s eyes meet mine and my heart explodes like a firework.
We wander away from the café and sit on a low wall overlooking the park, and Daisy points to the red deer grazing nearby, in between giant licks of ice cream.
Nathalie says, ‘You’re so lucky. It’s almost like the deer are in your back garden. I didn’t realise it was this easy to enter the park.’
Richmond Park never fails to inspire awe in its visitors. One minute you’re in town and with just a few steps, you’re plunged into the heart of a glorious nature reserve.
‘It’s the largest of the Royal Parks,’ I tell Nathalie. ‘It was created during the reign of Charles I in the seventeenth century, as a deer park.’
Her eyes shine and I can tell she’s moved by the sight of the wild deer in our midst.
‘It’s hard to believe this is so close to the centre of London, isn’t it?’
She nods and falls quiet as she takes it all in.
I love how she doesn’t feel the need to fill every space with words. It’s enough that we are here together, and I feel her presence all around me.
These feelings I have for her are spiralling out of control and I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I’m just her boss and she’s just Daisy’s nanny. I can deny my feelings all I want, but deep down, I know I’m in serious trouble.
And I’m beginning to think she likes me too. The way I catch her looking at me sometimes gives me hope she sees me as more than her boss.
But if I’m to secure my future inheritance and retain my seat on the board, an arranged marriage is on the cards for me. For that reason, it would be unfair to give Nathalie any inkling of how much I want her, so I hold myself back on a tight leash.
I can’t do that to her.
I can’t do it to either of us.
One taste of her and I fear I’ll be lost.
CHAPTER10
Nathalie
Sebastian asked whether I’d like to attend the Rochester Charity Ball. Initially, I declined. I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the rich and famous I imagine will be attending.
But he tries to talk me around in that charming way he has. I don’t know how he does it exactly, but I’m beginning to suspect he could talk me into pretty much anything that’s legal.
He must guess I’m nervous about meeting the family and he immediately puts my mind at rest.
