‘Almost two years.’
‘What does she do?’
‘She works for a travel company.’
‘I see. Presumably you get along well?’
‘Very well.’
‘In that case, despite the short notice, perhaps she’ll be your bridesmaid?’ he suggested.
Recalling Sojo’s words, Charlotte was about to say, I’m sure she will, when, bearing in mind the traditions accompanying weddings, she suggested, ‘Shouldn’t we ask your sister first?’
Brusquely, he said, ‘Earlier this year Lucy was badly injured in a car crash. Part of her spine was crushed. Since then she’s been bedridden and in considerable pain.’
Charlotte was shocked. ‘I—I’m so sorry. How dreadful for you all.’ Even as she spoke she was aware of how inadequate the words were.
As he saw her stricken face, his own face softened. ‘It’s been a trying time, particularly for Grandfather, who’s always been very fond of her. He was extremely upset when the hospital warned us she might never walk again. However, Lucy’s got plenty of courage, and she’s a fighter. Now, after a couple of operations, she’s back home and starting to make some positive progress. But to return to the question of a bridesmaid…’
‘I’m sure Sojo will be thrilled to bits,’ Charlotte assured him. ‘As luck will have it, she’ll have no problem getting time off work. When I get back to the flat I’ll—’
‘When were you thinking of going back?’ he questioned sharply.
‘Later today.’
‘Not a chance,’ he told her decidedly. ‘I’m not letting you out of my sight until we’re well and truly married.’
She felt a little thrill of excitement at this show of male possessiveness.
Still, common sense insisted that she should make a stand. Shaking her head, she said, ‘I’ll need to go back to get some clothes, and I must—’
‘I’ve a better idea. As Miss Macfadyen has some time off work, when we get home we’ll ring her up and invite her to stay with us. If you ask her to bring whatever clothes you need to tide you over, I’ll send a car for her.’
The thought of inviting Sojo to Farringdon Hall was a welcome one, but there were other considerations. ‘I have to talk to Margaret about the shop…’
He leaned forward to brush his lips down the side of her neck, making her shiver with delight. ‘My heart’s darling, couldn’t you do that by phone?’
Seduced by the caress and the endearment, she admitted, ‘I suppose I could.’
‘That’s my girl,’ he said jubilantly, and planted a series of soft baby kisses along her jawline, before his mouth covered hers.
Gladly she abandoned herself to his kiss. Simon loved her. He didn’t want to be parted from her for even a short time. If she had harboured any faint doubts as to his feelings, that fact alone should have been reassuring.
Having kissed her into a state of mindless bliss, he queried, ‘Then everything’s settled?’
She nodded.
‘And you’re happy?’
‘Yes.’ The sober answer reflected hardly anything of the joy that filled her and made her cup of happiness overflow.
Touching her cheek with a single finger, he said, ‘Though I’m very tempted to stay and make love to you all morning, I’d better fetch my coat and get moving. Otherwise Grandfather will be wondering what’s happened to us.’
‘Is there any chance of getting the car started?’ she asked when he returned almost immediately, shrugging into his coat.
‘A faint one, possibly, but if I have no joy I’ll start walking back.’
‘If you wait until I’m dressed I’ll come with you.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s a long way, and, though the weather looks to be reasonable this morning. it’s bound to be bad underfoot.’
Remembering the previous night, and how difficult even a comparatively short distance had seemed in high heels, she gave in gracefully.
‘While I’m gone, you can get a shower of sorts, and there are plenty of books.’
‘I’ll find something to do.’ She looked at the tray and the rumpled bed.
Following her glance, he said, ‘Don’t worry about the dishes or the bed; I’ll get one of the servants to come in and set the place to rights.’
He tossed another couple of logs on the fire, and a moment later the door closed behind him.
Struggling against the sense of loss his departure caused, she went along to the bathroom and, discarding the shirt, stepped into the bath, pulled the plastic curtain into place and turned on the shower unit.
The water was a comfortable temperature and the shower gel fresh and tangy, but instead of enjoying it she found herself thinking of Simon, wishing he had kissed her again before he’d left.
Perhaps he didn’t really love her?
Her father had always kissed her mother before he went out, even if he was only going to the local shop to buy a paper.
But she was just being silly, she scolded herself. Simon did love her. He’d said so.
All at once, in spite of the hot water, she went cold inside. He hadn’t actually said he loved her. He had said his heart stood still, that she was exquisite, that he wanted her, but he had never mentioned the word love.
Though why would he be rushing her into marriage if he didn’t love her? If it was only because of the risk of her being pregnant, it would have done no harm to wait and see, before he proposed.
Perhaps, when the chance arose, she would ask him exactly how he felt about her.
No, she would do nothing of the kind. The last thing she wanted was to become one of those insecure women who needed so much reassurance that they became pathetic, a burden to the man in their life.
After all, he hadn’t asked if she loved him. So either he took it for granted, or he didn’t care.
Neither was ideal, she thought as she towelled herself dry. But though she didn’t want her feelings taken for granted, it had to be better than him simply not caring.
After the steamy heat of the shower the air struck chill, and, shivering a little, she reluctantly donned yesterday’s undies, skirt and top and, her jacket over her arm, returned to the warmth of the fire.
She had combed the tangles out of her hair and was just knotting it loosely in the nape of her neck, when the door opened and Simon walked in.
Her spirits rising with a bound, she queried hopefully, ‘How did you get on?’
‘Started first time. I’ve left it just across the bridge with the engine running, so if you’re about ready to go…?’
‘All ready.’ She pulled on her jacket, slid her feet into shoes that felt a little stiff, picked up her bag and followed him outside.
It was a fine, bright morning with not a breath of wind. Sun glinted through the trees, turning a million droplets of water into diamonds and making the saturated ground steam slightly.
When he’d locked the door behind them, they made their way out of the small garden and over the old humpbacked bridge.
A noisy brown torrent was surging through the single arch, carrying branches and loose boulders that battered at the stone foundations. The force seemed to make the whole structure shake, and she was glad