Elaine wrapped her arm around Veronica’s waist and pressed into her. “Good whisky. It’s like mother’s milk here.” She giggled and slid her hand down and squeezed Veronica’s ass. “Is this what friends do? I don’t think I’ve ever been this kind of friend with someone.”
Veronica could not stop her eye roll as she moved Elaine’s hand from her ass to her hip. “No. None of that. Or I’ll leave you where you fall. Did you eat anything today?”
“Nope. Did you?” Elaine patted Veronica’s belly and giggled again. “You’re very nice.”
Veronica snorted and let Elaine lean on her as they navigated the office door and then the yard to the kitchen.
“MYFANWY!” VERONICA JOGGED across the gravel yard to catch up to Myfanwy.
Myfanwy rested one hand on her hip. A small basket dangled from the other. “I don’t have time to chat. I’m on my way to gather the herbs I need for dinner.”
“I’ll go with you and help.”
Myfanwy held out the basket she was carrying to Veronica. They walked in silence for a few moments. Myfanwy touched Veronica’s hand, drawing her attention. “I’m guessing you didn’t randomly decide you needed to help me gather herbs?”
Veronica avoided Myfanwy’s eyes. “No. I wanted to ask you about Millie.”
Myfanwy stopped and stared at Veronica, her gaze piercing. “She’s my best friend. I won’t betray her confidence. If there’s something you want to know, ask her.”
She made to take the basket back and Veronica held it out of her reach. The sudden flare of anger on Myfanwy’s face made her remember the photo she had seen of her. “I know. I don’t want you to betray her. But you know her better than anyone. I need your advice.”
Myfanwy huffed out a breath, opened her mouth as if to say something, and then shut it. She turned and walked toward the herb garden and greenhouse, and Veronica followed.
Myfanwy picked up a pair of scissors from the potting bench. “So?” She walked along the garden pavers until she reached a sprawling rosemary plant. She bent and clipped a few dark green sprigs, and the bright scent of the herb filled the air.
Veronica held the basket out and she deposited the bundle of herbs on the cloth inside. “I saw a photo of a pregnant woman in Millie’s apartment.”
Myfanwy moved along the row and stopped in front of a savory plant. She plucked a few dead leaves off and then snipped four short branches. “And what is your question?” Her voice still held some of the frost from earlier.
“Who was she?” Veronica wiped a sweaty hand on her pants.
Myfanwy pushed her hair back with her hand. “Did you ask Millie?”
Veronica flushed. “I’m afraid to. Whenever I ask her anything about her past she stonewalls. Please tell me. I’m desperate to know.”
Myfanwy’s expression softened. “You love her.” A statement, not a question, a firm acknowledgement of Veronica’s feeling for Millie.
“I do. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
“The woman in the photo, Maia…” Myfanwy’s voice was quiet, and Veronica moved closer to hear her. “She and Millie were together for eight years. They had a baby.” Myfanwy’s voice grew hoarse. “A boy, Nathanial. Maia’s family kicked her out when she started dating Millie. They found out about the baby and hired a private investigator. She dug around in Millie’s past. She’d never told Maia about it. Maia left her. Millie was cut from the Black Ferns. Maia’s family was able to convince a judge Millie was a risk to the child’s welfare.” Myfanwy’s voice wobbled. “They took the child from Maia even though she had broken up with Millie. Maia was so…” Myfanwy turned her face to the sky and swallowed visibly. She brought her gaze back to Veronica’s face, her eyes wet with tears. “Maia ended her life.”
Veronica’s stomach tightened, and she swallowed around the bile in her throat. She sat down hard on the ground and leaned her head on her knees. “My poor Millie.” Her heart ached thinking about the pain Millie had suffered, losing her partner and child.
Myfanwy lowered herself to her knees. She reached out and grabbed Veronica’s hand so hard it hurt. “Don’t break her heart, don’t break your own.”
“HI, DAD.” VERONICA thumbed her phone to speaker.
“Hi, baby mine.” Her dad’s voice filled her room. “How are you? When’re you getting here for Violet’s wedding?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to look at tickets later today and I’ll let you know.”
“Have you been practicing?” Her mom’s voice made her smile.
“Yes, Mom. Has Larry?”
“He’ll be ready.”
“Hey, um, I might bring someone with me.” Veronica twisted the hem of her shirt in her hands.
“Oh?” Her mom’s voice was loud like she had moved closer to the phone.
“Yes. Millie.”
“Okay.” Her mom’s voice was neutral. “Where did you meet her?”
“How long have you been seeing her? Will you need us to make up the guest room? Or will she stay in your room?” Her dad failed to hide the hope in his voice.
“Easy, Dad. For a while, and if I can convince her to come with me, she’ll stay in my room. She works with me, Mom.”
“Why haven’t you mentioned her before? And why doesn’t she want to come with you?” Her mother’s voice was sharp.
“I don’t know, Mom. I should’ve. She’s worried about meeting you.”
“Why?” Her dad’s voice was soft in contrast to her mother’s strident voice.
“She’s like me, uh, she’s been to—prison too. She’s worried you’ll judge her.” Might as well get it out there. Never hidden anything from them before. Why start now?
“Why would she think that? What have you told her she’d think that of us?” The pain in her mom’s voice undid Veronica.
Veronica swallowed on a dry throat. “I told her how great you guys are, Mom, how you stood by me. But she’s wary. She had a horrible experience with an ex’s family.”
“How horrible?”
“She lost her partner and their baby. The woman’s family got a judge to take their baby away from them because Millie was convicted of manslaughter.”
“Manslaughter? What happened? Was she driving drunk?” Her father’s voice, full of censure, had Veronica scrambling to explain.
“No, Dad, no. Her mom’s boyfriend was beating her mother and Millie stepped in to protect her.”
“Do we need to talk to her? Maybe Skype with both of you?” Her mother’s voice was softer now. “What do you need us to do?”
“I don’t know. I asked her to the wedding, and she turned me down. She’s special, Mom. More than Dee ever was.” Veronica swiped at the few tears she wasn’t able to swallow.
“If you care about her, don’t give up, baby. Talk to her again. We’ll do whatever you need us to do.” Her dad’s voice was steady and reassuring.
“Thanks. Love you guys.”
“Love you too, baby mine. Let us know what she says.” Her father disconnected the call, and Veronica lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. Now to talk to Millie. She has to go with me. Has to believe in me. Us. Please let her believe in us.
Chapter Seventeen
“I CAN’T LET you do this.” Veronica paused with one hand on the railing.
“Sure you can. You want to look good for your sister’s wedding, don’t you?” Millie led the way up the red carpeted stairs. At the top of the stairs they turned left. Veronica flushed thinking about what went on behind the elegant dark wood doors and wondered what secrets lay inside the rooms lining each side of the long halls of Rowan House.
Millie opened the door and Veronica stepped into a warm and bright room. The walls were covered in dark wood paneling. Two large windows provided the light. Two leather club chairs were arranged to either side of a butler’s table. A low stool was centered in the middle of the room. A petite woman dressed in a crisp white shirt and blood-red skirt stood with her back to the window. Her wavy black hair streaked w
ith gray brushed the tops of her shoulders, a pair of reading glasses rested on top of her head, and a measuring tape hung around her neck.
Millie crossed the room and clasped the woman’s hand in both of hers. “Signora Rossi, so good to see you again.”
“And you as well.” The woman leaned in and kissed Millie on both cheeks. Her voice was warm honey laced with a hint of seduction. “And didn’t we decide you would call me Aurora?”
A flare of distrust ignited in Veronica’s chest at the way they greeted each other. She clung to memories of Millie’s attentions and squelched her jealousy.
Aurora turned and raked her gaze over Veronica. “Who have you brought me?”
Millie grinned and held out her hand palm up. “Veronica Fletcher, meet Signora Aurora Rossi.”
Veronica held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Signora Rossi.”
Aurora took Veronica’s offered hand and held it tightly as her gaze traveled over Veronica’s body. “My pleasure. Call me Aurora.” She dropped Veronica’s hand. “Turn for me, please.”
“Um, what?” Veronica gripped the seams of her jeans. Under Aurora’s gaze Veronica had the sensation of being naked.
“Arms relaxed at your side, turn in a slow circle. I want to see your shape.” She murmured to herself in Italian as Veronica turned as she had directed.
“And this is a wedding, si?” Aurora’s carefully sculpted eyebrows drew together.
“Yes.” Veronica chewed her lip.
“Evening or afternoon? And do you know what colors the bridesmaids and the groomsmen are wearing?”
“It’s at six in the evening. I haven’t asked about the colors. Is it important?”
Aurora arched an eyebrow at Veronica. “Si, very important.”
“It said formal wear on the invitation. Is that enough? I could call my sister.” Veronica glanced at the mantel clock. “Later. It’s too early now.”
Signora Rossi held up her hand palm out. “No. Knowing it is formal is enough, we will work with that. What part do you have in the wedding?”
“I’m singing when they recess after their vows are said.”
“Millie, get the notebook out of my bag. Be my scribe.” Millie grinned and walked over to a burgundy leather case leaning against one of the chairs. Aurora fixed her gaze on Veronica’s face. “Now strip. I need to measure you.”
The brisk businesslike tone of her voice had Veronica tugging at the hem of her shirt to comply. “Everything?”
Aurora tilted her head at Veronica, a sly smile on her face. “As much as I would enjoy you completely naked, that is not what we are here for today. Leave on your underthings.”
Veronica flushed and glanced at Millie, pleased to see the consternation on her face at Aurora’s open flirting with Veronica. She folded her clothes and placed them on the couch.
“Stand with your arms out to your side.” Aurora moved her reading glasses down and pulled the tape measure from her neck before wrapping it around Veronica’s neck. She called out the measurements to Millie as she worked her way down Veronica’s body. “Open your legs, please, I need your inside seam.”
Veronica complied and kept her gaze fixed on the ceiling as Aurora kneeled and pressed the cool cloth of the tape against the inside of her thigh.
“Get dressed and then I will show you the samples of fabric I brought.” Aurora pushed her reading glasses up to the top of her head. Her back to Veronica, she tugged a binder from the bag and began to flip through it.
Veronica dressed quickly, aware of Millie’s gaze as it followed her movements.
“Here. What do you think of this?” Aurora indicated a swatch of charcoal sharkskin fabric and placed a dark-gray linen swatch next to it. “I see the suit in charcoal, a tapered fit to show off your shoulders and trim waist. The waistcoat will be this gray with a very pale blue shirt and a dark tie.” Aurora flipped a few pages in her binder. She tapped a dark red manicured nail against a sketch of a suit. “This. What do you think?”
Veronica studied the elegant cut of the jacket and the waistcoat and tried to imagine herself draped in it. “It’s fantastic—” She swallowed. “—but I’m sure it’s out of my price range.”
Millie rested her hand on Veronica’s shoulder and squeezed gently. “It’s my present to you.”
Veronica gazed up at Millie. “It’s too much.”
“No.” Millie’s eyes glittered. “It’s not, mo ghràdh. If anything, it’s not enough.”
She loves me. So much. This is her apology, her way of saying she’s sorry she’s not going with me. An olive branch, a peace offering. “Okay. Thank you.” She turned to Aurora. “It’s perfect, and I trust you.”
“Excellent. Two weeks. I’ll be back and we’ll do the fitting.” She placed the samples and notebook into her bag.
“Let me escort you to your car, Aurora.” Millie turned from Veronica.
“No need. I know the way. And I promised to visit with Lucia. She has some ideas for Martha’s wardrobe.” Aurora tilted her head toward Veronica and smiled a wicked smile. “Lovely to meet you. I look forward to your fitting.” She closed the door behind her as she swept from the room.
Veronica scrubbed her hand over her face. “Millie, I can’t let you pay for this.”
Millie clasped Veronica’s hands and tugged her into a kiss. “Please. I want to do this.” She placed small kisses along Veronica’s neck, punctuating her words. “Please let me do this for you.”
Veronica tilted her head back, giving Millie better access to her neck. “You know I can’t say no when you do that.”
“So say yes.” Millie brushed her lips over Veronica’s skin, her breath warm on her throat before she trailed her tongue along her collarbone.
Veronica groaned. “Yes.”
Millie hugged her close, wrapped her arms around her, and sighed. “Thank you. It makes me happy to do things for you. I trust you won’t mind if I come to the fitting?”
Veronica laughed. “The way Aurora looked at me you better come to the fitting to protect my virtue.”
Millie laughed with her. “She’s harmless. Unless you say yes, she’ll behave.”
Veronica snuggled into Millie’s arms. “You’re the only one I say yes to.”
Millie rested her chin on the top of Veronica’s head. “Good to know, mo ghràdh.”
“I mean it. I’m committed to you. Us. Are you? We haven’t talked about it.” Veronica rubbed her hands up and down Millie’s spine.
Millie moved her hands to Veronica’s shoulders and leaned back and studied Veronica’s face. “I only want to be with you, Veronica. You know how I feel about you, don’t you?”
Veronica studied Millie’s expression. “I know you love me, but…”
Millie frowned. “But?”
“Why won’t you come with me?”
Millie pulled back and turned away. “Is it a test? If I don’t come with you, it means I don’t love you?”
“No. But my family is important to me. I want them to meet you. They want to meet you.”
“You’ve told your family about us?” Millie kept her back turned.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” Veronica rested her hands on her hips.
Millie turned back to Veronica, her eyes dark. “Have you told them everything?”
“What do you mean everything?” Veronica stepped closer, and Millie took a step back.
“About me. About my past.”
“That you were incarcerated like I was. Yes.”
“No. Not like you. You’re innocent. I killed someone. No matter how much he deserved it. I wanted him dead.” Millie scowled. “I’m a murderer. Have you told them that?”
Veronica winced at the bitterness in Millie’s voice. “That won’t make a…”
Millie’s voice was loud as she cut her off. “You don’t know. It makes a difference. It always makes a difference.” She turned away from Veronica and bowed her head.
Veronica rested her hand on Millie’s forearm.
“I’m not her. My family is not them. I told them. All of it. Please come with me. I want the most important person in my life to meet the other important people in my life. Look at me.” Millie lifted her head. Veronica leaned in, cupped her cheek, and kissed her mouth gently. “No one could ever, ever make me give you up, Millie. Don’t give up on me. On us.”
Millie rested her forehead on Veronica’s brow. “Never.”
Chapter Eighteen
VERONICA ARRIVED LATE to staff meal and had to make do with sitting across from Millie instead of next to her. The scent of biryani and cardamom rice made her mouth water. A pile of fresh naan sat on a plate next to the large platter of biryani surrounded by small dishes of lemon pickle and raita.
The seat at the head of the table was vacant. Is Roxy already gone? Damn I didn’t get to say goodbye. A wave of sadness washed over her. She was so funny. Sassy as hell. She pushed back memories of other friends being moved without warning and unsaid goodbyes that still haunted her.
Benita and Tessa sat across the table to Millie’s right. Tension mixed with a hint of melancholy rolled off both of them. Veronica avoided looking at the empty chair as she helped herself to the glorious food laid out before her. Millie nudged her foot under the table, and Veronica spilled a bit of the biryani she was serving herself and fought a flush as she peered at Millie from under her lashes.
Myfanwy pushed through the kitchen door. “Don’t stuff yourselves. Robin made some kheer for pudding.” She placed a plate loaded with delicate papadams on the table.
Benita groaned. “How can we stop when you keep bringing out such delicious food?” She helped herself to a papadam. The crisp bread crackled as she bit into it.
Ashley flounced in and made a show of sitting in Roxy’s usual spot. She wiggled her ass in the chair as she glanced around the table. “So much nicer in here. One less old slag to take up space.”
Myfanwy scowled at Ashley. “You can sit in her seat, but you’ll never be half the woman she is.” She spun on her heel and shoved open the kitchen door. Veronica winced when it struck the wall behind it and rattled the frame.
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