by Maggie Cox
Her friend’s words lambasted her like an unforgiving forest fire, treacherously flattening Sophie’s self-esteem and pride.Diana could be crass sometimes—but insensitive and cruel? Right now, Sophie could have been looking at a stranger.
‘Speak your mind, why don’t you?’ she said, hurt.
‘For goodness’ sake, Sophie! All he probably wants to do is sleep with you! He’s obviously just teasing you with this ‘‘moving in’’ idea, to try and sweeten you up a little. He’s found out you’re not the kind of girl who sleeps around, and you can’t be bought, so he’s doing his damnedest to seduce you, that’s all. As soon as he’s got what he wants he’ll drop you like a hot brick and move on to somebody else!’
‘I’ve already slept with him, for your information.’
Feeling her throat tighten with pain at the realisation that Diana was clearly not the friend she’d thought she was, Sophie crossed her arms in front of her chest, her blue eyes glittering. ‘And, as a matter of fact, he asked me to move in with himafter we slept together!’
‘I don’t believe you!’
Pushing to her feet, Diana’s gaze locked onto Sophie’s with undisguised disdain.
‘Why would he want to be with someone like you when he could have his pick of beautiful women? Do you know how many women ring him during a period of one week? You’re just asking for trouble if you go through with this ridiculous arrangement, Sophie! He’ll never be faithful to you! What reason would he have?’
CHAPTER TEN
HE’LLnever be faithful to you…what reason would he have?The question caused her insurmountable pain, especially since she had allowed herself to start believing after last night in bed that Dominic might really care for her—that perhaps his attraction was more than just fascination.
Sophie sensed her heart twist with grief. Unwittingly she’d started to let down a few barriers and open her heart to Dominic, and now there was nothing she could do but admit to herself that she loved him. But the devastating words that Diana had expressed would wound anyone who cared deeply about someone else, and Sophiewas hurt, without a doubt.
‘You believe that Dominic can’t possibly care about someone like me?’ she asked quietly, her heart trying to fend off the sting.
‘I don’t want to hurt you, Sophie. That’s the whole point. But you don’t move in the same world as he does. You don’t see what I see. Isn’t it better you find out the truth about Dominic’s character now, rather than later when your heart is in tatters?’
Was that why Dominic had suggested the six-month trial period?Sophie thought frantically now. Was it because he knew that he couldn’t possibly stay faithful to someone like her for long? He might desire her above any other woman right now, because he’d become infatuated with her, but he was an intelligent, experienced man—he surely knew that his obsession for Sophie would not last.
‘So what are you telling me? That he’s a man who can’t be trusted where women are concerned?’
‘What doyou think? I’m not trying to cast aspersions on his character, but with Dominic’s good looks and immense personal fortune what reason would he have to settle down with any one woman? He’s still young—he has plenty of time yet to play the field.’
‘And yet despite all of that hedoes want a relationship with me! I never thought I’d find someone I really cared about, Diana…you know that. But I do havefeelings for Dominic. Can’t you just wish me well, like I did you and Freddie, and be happy for me?’
Diana said nothing for several moments. Then finally, throwing Sophie a disparaging glance, the blonde let her true thoughts be known.
‘Who do you think you are, believing you can just walk right in and have someone like Dominic at the drop of a hat? To go from near poverty to unimaginable luxury in the blink of an eyelid just like that! Freddie and I have had to work hard for everything we’ve got…it hasn’t just been handed to us on a plate!’
Hardly able to believe what she was hearing, Sophie tried desperately to gather her thoughts. It was just plain laughable if Diana truly believed that good fortune had been handed to Sophie on a plate. She’d worked hard too, and her parents had worked harder still to help her pay her way through college and university, making all kinds of sacrifices along the way. Diana, in contrast, came from a professional background—her parents were doctors. One practised in Harley Street
and the other in a private clinic in Chelsea. If she’d had to struggle for the things she wanted at all, it was perhaps because Freddie spent most of their money trying to fund a lifestyle that was obviously beyond their means. Finances had been the cause of most of the rows and breakups the two had had.
It was painfully clear to Sophie that her friend was extremely jealous of the idea of Sophie moving ‘out of her class’ and being with someone like Dominic. The realisation that her friend scorned her humble beginnings was like a brutal slap in the face.
‘I’m sorry you’ve reacted the way you have, Diana. Now that I know what your true feelings are about me there’s no sense in you staying, is there? Perhaps you’d better just leave.’
‘And when I see Dominic I’ll tell him exactly what I think of this whole pathetic fiasco, too!’
As Diana swept from the room out into the hallway, and practically slammed the front door off its hinges, Sophie very much doubted she would tell Dominic any such thing. Diana had always made it known that she was paid a very good salary for being PA to the Dutch billionaire. She doubted if her former friend would jeopardise that salary by telling Dominic exactly what she thought—no matter how vehemently she thought it.
‘So, you’re moving your pretty little Sophie in with you, are you? I suppose I should take my hat off to her. She’s managed what no other girl has managed since I’ve known you! Are you certain this is what you want, Dominic?’
Smiling her typically wise smile, Emily Cathcart considered her very handsome lunch date with undisguised affection. It wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to say that she’d been shocked to her very shoes to hear from Dominic’s own lips that he intended to move his new lover in with him, and soon. And it had come as even more of a surprise to learn that the lucky girl was Sophie Dalton—the pretty primary school teacher that Emily had gladly helped kit out with a posh frock for Dominic’s presentation at the Guildhall.
She wondered now if Dominic had any idea how this shocking news would send tremors of disbelief vibrating through the circles they both moved in? Dominic Van Straten had been quite the catch for several years now. There wasn’t a single ambitious mother in Emily’s entire acquaintance, with daughters of marriageable age, who hadn’t hoped and dreamed that one day he would make them the most delighted of mothers-in-law.
Lord, but they were going to be greviously disappointed when they found out he’d moved his new lover in with him!
‘I am not in the habit of making snap decisions, as you well know, Emily. Yes. Iam quite certain that this is what I want. And, contrary to what people might believe, I have actually had a hell of a time trying to persuade Sophie that it is a good idea!’ Dominic’s mouth twisted wryly.
‘You mean she resisted the idea of living with you?’
‘It seems so.’
‘I have to ask, seeing as it seems pertinent—are you in love with the girl, Dominic?’
Seeing no other reason that made sense for him to move the beguiling primary school teacher in with him, Emily satisfied herself that her supposition must be true—even though it was still hard to believe.
In love? Dominic didn’t know about that.What did ‘in love’ mean, exactly? His father had schooled him so thoroughly in the art of containing emotion and not giving any credence to it that it was hard to know. Hedid know that Sophie was the most exciting and sensual creature who had come his way in a very long time: she was bright and without artifice, she hadn’t set her cap at him for his fortune, and in bed they aroused each other to fever-pitch.
Dominic had no doubt he wasinfatuated with her. He’
d met her at a time in his life when he no longer wanted to be alone—a time when he felt the need to share his life with someone, at long last. And Sophie perfectly fitted the bill. Yes…he had plenty of very persuasive reasons for making his little spitfire his mistress. Even just the thought of her could engender a tug of longing inside his chest.But ‘in love’?
‘You seem to be taking an inordinately long time answering the question, Dominic.’
Frowning, Emily reached for her wine and took a sip, her pale blue eyes considering her companion over the rim of her glass with concern.
‘Of course Icare for her, Emily. She is delightful, if you want to know the truth. You met her, so you must know that. She doesn’t bore me, and she will no doubt keep me on my toes for a very long time. I think we will do very well together.’
‘And how do you think a girl with no knowledge or experience of the kind of world you move in will cope with all the demands that that world throws at her?’
‘I will teach her to cope. I told you she is very bright. I’m sure it will not be a problem.’
‘And what about her own career?’ Emily persisted, sadly seeing nothing but potholes ahead for the pair of them, because she knew the demanding nature of the man seated in front of her. ‘She told me she loves her job. Do you think she’d be willing to give it up to put your needs first, Dominic?’
Dominic’s hand tightened briefly round the stem of his wine glass, the question discomfiting him perhaps more than it should. ‘She will have to,’ he said, his green eyes slowly turning to resolute steel.
As she waited in the drawing room for Dominic to join her after his long-distance phone call, Sophie was still trying to shake off the horrible things that Diana had said to her and, worse, hating the fact that her doubts about being with Dominic had escalated. She was living in la-la land if she imagined this impending arrangement of theirs could possibly work.
Could she, in all honesty, envisage travelling to the primary school where she taught from this palatial house in Mayfair and trying to keep up the semblance of a normal life? And what would her colleagues think when they found out? She didn’t have to be a brain surgeon to know that not everyone would be glad for her. If someone she’d considered a very good friend had not been able to wish her well, then what hope for people who knew her less well?
Twisting her hands together, Sophie walked around the room, her gaze alighting with interest and awe on some of the beautifulobjets d’art on display in the walnut cabinets. There were pieces from all around the globe, which told her that Dominic must have been practically everywhere. What would he say if she told him that she’d only ever been abroad once? And that had been on a camping trip to France!
Her gaze lifted to study some of the stunning art that covered the walls. Feeling increasingly on edge, she let her glance settle on a lone birthday card in the middle of the mantelpiece. She moved towards it, her expression curious. Glancing behind her, to check that Dominic hadn’t returned to the room, Sophie picked up the card, opened it, and read the words inside.
To Dominic on your thirty-sixth birthday. Best wishes from your parents.
He’d said nothing to Sophie about it being his birthday. He’d just invited her round for dinner, which his housekeeper was currently preparing. But, even more than feeling surprised because it was his birthday and he hadn’t mentioned it, Sophie was stunned that he should receive such a curt, lukewarm greeting on his special day from his own mother and father.Were they usually this formal with their own son? This cold? Her heart constricting, she shivered and returned the card to its lonely place on the mantel.
Just as she did so, Dominic returned to the room. Sophie’s gaze gravitated to him immediately. How could it not? Tonight he appeared to be even more handsome than ever, dressed casually in informal jeans and sweater, his shoulders filling out the deep blue cashmere with maximum heart-stopping impact.
‘I didn’t know it was your birthday,’ Her smile was tentative as his expression seemed briefly to darken.
‘I don’t really celebrate birthdays, so it is not so big a deal.’
‘Why not?’ Immediately concerned, Sophie narrowed her blue eyes.
Shrugging, Dominic just stared back at her for a long moment, trying to garner his feelings on the matter and experiencing a very odd sense of embarrassment about being confronted with it.
‘Why not? Because I choose not to. That’s why not.’ He knew he sounded testy, and he disliked himself for it.
‘That’s no reason. I should think getting another year older and finding yourself in good health and in good circumstances is very much worth celebrating. Ialways celebrate my birthdays. It’s the one day in the year that I make a point of having the day off work, if it falls on a weekday. And my mum always makes me a cake.’
‘Lucky you.’
His sarcasm caused a spasm of pain to jolt inside Sophie’s chest. Swallowing hard, she tried to rise above it. ‘If you’d told me it was your birthdayI would have made you a cake myself.’
‘By all means make me a cake, if it makes you happy.’
He strode across the room to the drinks cabinet and poured a generous measure of Scotch into a tumbler. Watching him, Sophie wished she didn’t feel like crying, but suddenly everything seemed so futile. She’d endured enough unpleasantness for one day and really didn’t want to endure any more—least of all Dominic’s hostility.
‘Does it not appeal to you, my making you a cake?’ she asked softly, trying to will him back into a more amenable mood.
Rounding on her, his green eyes cool as a glacier, Dominic put the tumbler of whisky to his lips and drank some before speaking. ‘Why should it, when I can order myself a cake from the best bakery in the country if I wish? Or even from France?’
‘That’snot the same thing at all!’
Stung, Sophie stared at him as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Are you so far above everyone else that you can’t see that something made with love is worth far more than something you can easily purchase with money?’
‘Who said anything about love?’
His expression didn’t warm one iota. If anything it became even colder. Shocked by his apparent disdain for her opinion, and his blatant disregard for her feelings, Sophie felt her feet were rooted to the floor.
‘I didn’t mean—that is to say I—’ Struggling as the misery inside her escalated with the realisation that Dominic scorned the mere idea that she could love him, Sophie blinked hard to keep back her tears.
Leaving aside his drink, he stalked over to her and clasped her gently on either side of her arms. ‘Make me a cake by all means—I’m sure it would be wonderful.’
But even as he spoke Dominic sensed that his placatory remarks might have come too late. Seeing tears shimmering in her lovely eyes, he wished he hadn’t let his irritable mood taint their time together.
Sophie’s mention of love had been a mere slip of the tongue, he was sure—her naïve way of trying to make him feel better. Added to that, he’d just heard from Geneva that there were problems already arising concerning the deal he’d struck, and it didn’t exactly make him feel like dancing for joy. Now he was probably going to have to make a return trip to Switzerland to sort things out.
‘It doesn’t matter.’ Sophie sighed. ‘I’m hardly going to inflict my humble offering on you when you can easily buy some fabulous creation from Paris or somewhere! Let me go, Dominic. I want to go home.’
Immediately Dominic dropped his hands to his sides. ‘I invited you to dinner,’ he said through terse lips, irritated that she would not be so easily won round after his attempt at making the peace. ‘And we have to talk about your moving in.’
‘Well, I’ve changed my mind about staying. Clearly you’d prefer to dine alone on your birthday. Judging by the mood you’re in, I’d say it was probably for the best anyway.’
‘Don’t leave. I might have to return to Geneva tomorrow. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, and we mi
ght have to delay your moving in until I get back.’ His brow creasing in frustration, Dominic found it hard to find a smile to coax Sophie into staying. Then an idea came to him—one that made increasing sense as it grew inside him.
‘Comewith me. Meetings will take up most of the day, but I always have a car at my disposal so you can do some sightseeing. Then in the evenings we can be together.’
Seeing the leap of hope in his eyes, Sophie nonetheless knew it was impossible. Plus, she didn’t exactly feel eager to forgive him after the rebuff she’d received over her suggestion of making him a cake.
‘I can’t. Tomorrow the children are putting on a special Easter play for the parents. We’ve been rehearsing. Then the next day they’re performing it for the rest of the school. It’s a busy time for me.’
Biting her lip, she turned away, walking over to the couch where she had left her handbag.