AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Thank you, Elisabeth. That means a lot. I’ve always tried to be a better man than my...’ He shook his head, a self-deprecating smile twisting his mouth. ‘A decent man.’
A better man than whom?
His father? His mentor? Bess knew frustratingly little about his past and nothing at all about his family. He always changed the subject when she asked and she’d learned not to ask.
Jack spoke softly, in a tone you would use to gentle a half-tamed animal. ‘I want what’s best. Forallof us.’
He thought it would be best forher, staying married?
Perhaps he really did.
During their marriage he’d given her great joy. She’d delighted in their passion, delighted in being with him and helping him achieve his goals. It was only at the end, when she realised how unbalanced their life was, that things fell apart.
She’d loved the way he always noticed her, not just the way she looked, but smaller things like when she began to tire at the end of a long evening. Then he was all solicitousness.
Their social schedule had been packed with business-related events. But he’d also surprised her with lazy mornings in bed, ordering in room service, when they didn’t rise until lunchtime and she’d been languid with pleasure. He’d bought her tickets to concerts and exhibitions he knew she’d enjoy. Taken her on weekend drives out of the city. Those outings had been balm to her country-bred soul.
At those times Bess had felt trulyseen. Seen and appreciated in a way she hadn’t felt since her mother died.
Was it any wonder, after she’d felt so rejected by her father, that she’d jumped at the chance to be with someone who truly saw her? Even if he too wanted to use her for his own ends. Her father had used her to pay his debts and her husband had capitalised on her social skills and connections.
But Jack hadn’t just taken. He’d given too.
Just not in the way she’d wanted. With love.
And no matter how irritating she’d eventually found it, she knew sometimes he’d been trying to protect her with his take-charge attitude. Like in London when he’d arrived with a plan for her escape from the paparazzi. And when he’d arranged this place where she could lick her wounds in private, and decide what she wanted without him here, influencing her decision.
Yet she was no closer to making that decision.
She rubbed her arms as a chill enveloped her.
‘I was going in to have afternoon tea. Would you like some?’
The look Jack sent her warmed her to the core, his eyes bright as if she’d offered him the best business opportunity he’d seen in years.
That shocked her. Did her approval matter so much?
Once she’d have wondered if he simply wanted her to like him, not for any devious reason, but because they shared a real bond. Bess couldn’t allow herself to believe that. Yet as he nodded and they walked over the stone bridge and into the house, her heart beat faster.
Soon they were seated in the sitting room. With a fire crackling in the hearth and bowls of bluebells and other spring flowers scenting the air it felt particularly welcoming. She told herself it had nothing to do with Jack sprawled across from her.
‘Would you like some lemon shortbread?’ She offered a plate. ‘Mrs Peterson is a fabulous cook.’ The housekeeper seemed to make it her mission to feed her up. Bess hoped it wasn’t because she still looked drawn and tired.
‘Mm.’ Jack nodded as he took a bite. ‘These are amazing.’
‘Aren’t they? Nothing beats home-made.’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ he said, reaching for more.
Bess’s curiosity rose. Lots of people didn’t have parents who baked. But once again it made her wonder about his childhood. She’d grown up in a grand house but remembered the simple joy of freshly baked treats.
She firmed her mouth, yanking her thoughts to the present. ‘I’ll go back to London soon.’ Now was a good time to broach the idea of leaving, though she’d be sad to leave and still had no clear idea of where she would go. ‘I have a follow-up appointment with the doctor and need to see about a scan.’
Jack nodded. ‘I’ll drive you.’ He poured coffee and the sharp tang of it made Bess’s nostrils twitch. Her stomach roiled a little and she sat further back in her seat.
‘Elisabeth? What’s wrong?’
Her eyes snapped to his. He looked concerned, the cafetiere held in mid-air. There it was again, the way he saw things about her no-one else did.
