“Sweet Vivien,” he muttered, “merci.”
“Did I please you?” she whispered, moving alongside him, tossing the cloth on the fireplace hearth.
“You did, but the cloth…”
“I don’t care. I’ll get it in the morning. All I want is to climb into bed with you and be in your arms.”
“If we don’t move now, I will be stuck here,” he grunted as he sat up, and as they crawled between the sheets he pulled the covers over them, but rather than lay down he propped himself up on an elbow and studied her.
“Are you very tired?” he asked. “Can we talk for a moment?”
“Sure, what about?”
“About what keeps you here,” he said softly. “Your brother, he is healthy and strong, and your mother too. Why must you stay?”
She took a breath, then moved against him, asking him to hold her. He acquiesced, laying back down, and as she nuzzled his chest he heard a strange muttering sound.
“What did you say?”
“I’m not sure why I feel like I have to stay,” she muttered.
“I believe I know, ma chérie.”
“You do?”
“Oui! I know what happened that morning, how Will drove your mother because you asked him to.”
“He told you?” she exclaimed, lifting her head and staring at him.
“He told me because he loves you,” Dominic said gently, “and I am glad he told me. You have much guilt, that is why you stay.”
“The whole thing was my fault,” she whispered, dropping her head into the crook of his shoulder, afraid if she spoke aloud the dam would burst and she’d lose total control.
“No, no, no,” he said firmly, hugging her tightly. “You have never been more wrong.”
“How can you say that?” she whimpered. “If I-“
“Hush. Now you must listen,” he said firmly, placing his fingers under her chin and tilting up her head. “Your brother was about ten minutes from here, and driving around a tight bend, is this right?”
“Yes, but what-?”
“Listen, no more interruptions, just listen.”
“Okay, sorry.”
“Going around a tight bend he was going slower than if he’d been driving straight. The small town, it’s about twenty-five minutes away, so, Vivien, don’t you see, if you had driven that morning, that driver would still have been drunk, and still on the road, and if he had hit you, you would not have been driving slow. You would have been driving at a faster rate on the straight road. The hit, the impact, I don’t know the English word-“
“Impact, yes, it’s the same?”
“Ah, so, the impact would have been much worse. The two cars meet head on, and maybe you and your mother might have been killed. You see?”
She didn’t answer, but stared at him, processing his reasoning.
“The blame for this is with the drunken man, not with you. It is possible you saved your mother because you didn’t drive that day. It was a bad accident, but your brother is well now. You are all well now. You see? Fate spared you all. Your brother driving around the bend saved your mother because he was going slow. He told me he was delayed talking to Jill, and if he hadn’t, then what? A worse accident? Maybe, because he would have met that car on the straight road. These are all crazy fate things.”
“I understand,” she murmured. “I’d never thought about that.”
“The only blame is with that drunkard,” he said firmly.
He had held her eyes during the conversation, and as he saw them brim with tears, he pulled her back against her chest.
“No guilt, ma chérie, it is not right.”
“I’ve felt so bad for so long,” she bleated, “for so very long.”
“No more, okay? No more.”
He rocked her for a while, listening to her soft sobs of relief, and as the tears dried up he maneuvered them back under the covers.
“One last thing,” he said gently. “I am guessing, but I think your brother is waiting to marry his girl because he wants to move into this bedroom with her as his wife. He can’t do that if you’re here, and he doesn’t know when you might go.”
“Dominic,” she said heavily, “you’re right, of course you’re right. Why didn’t I see that, why haven’t I seen any of this?”
“It is easier from the outside to see things,” he murmured. “Did I say that right?”
“You said it perfectly,” she sighed. “Tomorrow at breakfast I’ll tell mom and Will that I’m ready to move on, and then I’ll call Ben Marshall and you can call Gustav.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am so totally sure it hurts. How can I ever thank you?”
“You are thanking me by coming out of your dark place,” he replied, “and I predict you will be become an even bigger star than you were before.”
“I’m suddenly exhausted,” she said with a long, drawn out yawn.
“But of course. You must get some rest.”
“I must,” she mumbled, snuggling closer. “I can’t keep my eyes open another minute.”
“Bonne nuit,” he whispered.
“Goodnight,” she whispered back.
Moments later he felt her drift away, and saying a silent prayer of thanks that he’d been able to reach her, he closed his eyes, and sinking into the mattress he let himself surrender to sleep.
Breakfast was an important meal at the McKay house. Faith believed that everyone should start the day well-fed and well-rested, and walking into the kitchen, Dominic could hardly believe his eyes.
“Mon Dieu,” he exclaimed, eyeing the waffles, eggs, bacon, fried tomatoes and toast, “are you having visitors?”
Vivien, who was already settled and drinking a cup of tea, laughed out loud.
“It’s mom’s favorite meal of the day, and she loves to cook it up, don’t you, mom?”
“I do. I was raised with the belief that a good family breakfast is important, and I’ve carried on the tradition. Take a seat. Will and Jill will be here shortly. Rusty’s gone to fetch them.”
“Rusty, he is a star,” Dominic chuckled.
“I agree,” Faith nodded, placing a jug of warmed maple syrup in front of the waffles.
As if on cue, Rusty pushed through his doggy-door and trotted across to Vivien, panting excitedly. She petted him, then sneaked him a piece of bacon, and only moments later Will and his girlfriend walked in. The family settled down, and as was the custom, Faith began asking what was on tap for each of them. Jill, who worked at the pharmacy in the nearby township, also attended a local agricultural college, and taking a long swallow of coffee, she placed her mug on the table and let out a dramatic sigh.
“I guess I won’t be back for a couple of days. I have exams coming up. I need to study.”
“Good for you,” Faith said nodding her head. “Just a short few months and you’ll be done. I really admire you sticking to your guns like you have. I know it hasn’t been easy working full-time and going to school.”
“And helping me,” Will interjected, reaching out and touching her arm.
“Jill, you’ve been a Godsend,” Vivien added.
“This place has been a Godsend for me,” Jill said. “I love it here. It’s my sanctuary. I just wish I could have done more.”
“You did plenty,” Faith declared, “and we’ll always be grateful. What about you, Vivien?” Faith asked staring expectantly at her daughter. “What do you have planned? It would be a lovely day to take Dominic on a trail ride.”
“Actually,” she began hesitantly, “I do have some news.”
“What news is that?” Will pressed, hoping Dominic had been successful, and Vivien had come to her senses.
“If you’re both absolutely sure you don’t need me to stay on, I’m planning on going to New York with Dominic for some interviews. Two interviews, well, one interview, the other is a job that’s already mine, at least I believe it will be, but like I said, only if-”
“Sis, that’s great news!�
� Will exclaimed.
She had spoken in a disjointed, nervous manner, but Will’s happy interruption calmed her nerves, and when she looked into her mother’s eyes she saw nothing but loving pride.
“Darling, that’s wonderful,” Faith said with a warm smile. “We’ll miss you terribly, but you need to be out in the world again. You must come back before winter sets in if you can manage it.”
“I’d rather fly you to London, or New York, or wherever I happen to be,” Vivien replied. “You should have a vacation. When was the last time you went anywhere for fun?”
“Yes, you should go,” Jill said excitedly.
“My goodness, I haven’t thought about going away since, well, since you called me about the wedding.”
“You must come when we are in Europe. I will show you the best places in Paris, and London also,” Dominic offered. “I have a cottage in the country that is truly special. I think you would love it.”
“You would, mom, it’s like stepping back in time, but with all the mod cons.”
“Mod cons? What are mod cons?” Faith asked.
“Sorry, that’s Britspeak for modern conveniences,” Vivien said with a wistful smile, recalling the wonderful time she’d had with Dominic in the romantic, thatched roof home.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Will said, joining in. “You should take as much time as you want. I’m sure Jill here can fix me breakfast.”
“Oh, can I?” she quipped.
“With my help,” Will winked.
“I will certainly give it some serious thought,” Faith promised.
“On that note, I’d better be heading out,” Will declared rising to his feet, “and you don’t need to be late for work, Jill.”
“Shoot, I didn’t realize the time,” Jill said, anxiously glancing at her watch. “When are you leaving, Vivien?”
“I have no idea. It depends, maybe in a day or two.”
“Then I won’t say goodbye yet. Super to meet you, Dominic. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”
Seeing them head to the door, Rusty jumped up and followed them out, and as Faith poured herself a second cup of tea, she smiled across at Dominic.
“I think you are a very good influence on my daughter.”
“Maybe,” he grinned. “Am I, Vivien?”
“The best,” she nodded.
“Can you tell me about these jobs,” Faith asked. “I want to hear everything.”
“One is for Gustav, the second year of the jeans campaign. The one I’d just finished when I came back last year.”
“Oh, yes, naughty jeans?”
“Yes, that one, and the second is for a new cosmetics line.”
“A new cosmetics line? That does sound exciting,” Faith said eagerly.
“It would be, as you say here, a very big deal,” Dominic remarked. “That is the interview that must take place right away.”
“Can you tell me more about it?”
“The important part is that it would make Vivien very famous, and the line is being financed by Harry Harrison,” Dominic replied.
“Harry Harrison! My goodness,” Faith said, shocked at the news. “He’s just about the richest man in the world.”
“I’m going to step outside and make the call now,” Dominic said, rising to his feet. “I promised Ben Marshall I would let him know the minute Vivien said she was available and willing to go to the interview.”
“I’m so nervous,” Vivien murmured. “Excited, but nervous.”
“Honey, you’ll be just fine,” Faith said reassuringly.
As Dominic stepped from the room, Vivien decided on one more waffle, and as her mother watched her pour on the maple syrup, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Her daughter hadn’t shown an appetite in months.
“Dominic is everything you said,” she remarked. “I know the Viscount offered you an extraordinary lifestyle, but you wouldn’t have been happy.”
“I didn’t know what happy was until I met Dominic,” Vivien said between mouthfuls. “It was weird. I felt it when I first laid eyes on him.”
“It can certainly happen that way,” her mother nodded.
“I’ve never told him this, but at the time I thought he would have made a fantastic James Bond.”
“You’re right!” her mother exclaimed. “I’m just glad you found a man who truly loves you, and makes you smile like that.”
“He’s never said that he loves me,” Vivien murmured.
“Of course he has, just not in words,” Faith replied, wisdom born of years shining from her eyes. “Are you going to have that last waffle?”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Yes, I think you should. You’re so skinny. I think you can well-afford it.”
Vivien paused for only a moment before agreeing, and as her mother buttered herself another piece of toast, Dominic walked back into the room. His face was alive, and it was clear he had news.
“What?” Vivien asked urgently.
“You are meeting Harry Harrison, but not in New York.”
“Then where?”
“London, but hold on to your cap,” he said dramatically.
“It’s hat,” she grinned, “but go on!”
“He is flying you over there on one of his corporate jets.”
“NO!”
“One of this corporate jets?” Faith interjected. “How many does the man have?”
“I don’t know,” Dominic laughed. “We have to be in New York by tomorrow afternoon. There’s one more thing though.”
“Your voice just changed,” Vivien said warily. “I’m not going to like this.”
“Alana will also be on the plane.”
“Dammit!”
“Who’s Alana?” Faith asked. “Oh, wait, I remember, silly me. She’s another model, a very famous one. You don’t like her, honey?”
“Like her? There’s nothing to like,” Vivien groaned. “I can’t believe it. Of all people. Oh, no! That must mean she’s up for the job too?”
“Oui,” Dominic nodded.
“And he’s putting us on the same plane?”
“It seems so. They are not small jets, ma chérie. We may only see her getting off and on, and I don’t know how many others might be joining us. Ben just wanted me to warn you about Alana.”
“Just think about how much fun it will be flying to London on a private jet,” Faith said happily. “It’s very exciting. Don’t think about her, think about the good things. You’ll soon be back in your flat, and enjoying your life again.”
“You’re right,” Vivien nodded. “Wow. This is totally amazing.”
As Dominic sat down and poured himself another cup of coffee, Vivien began to imagine traveling to location shoots, and being back in the photography studios. She could almost hear the camera’s clicking, see the lights flashing, feel the makeup artist doing her touch ups, and she was suddenly hit with a wave of elation.
It was real.
It was happening.
She was going back to work.
CHAPTER TEN
As Dominic and Vivien entered the luxury terminal for private jets, Vivien anxiously scanned the room, then relaxed when she realized Alana’s famous face was not amongst the well-heeled passengers waiting to board their flights. With her hand linked through Dominic’s elbow, she walked with him to an inviting leather couch that overlooked the tarmac.
The hours preceding their arrival had been nothing short of hectic, not because she’d been busy packing, most of her clothes were still hanging in her closet in London, but because she had become frantic about leaving. She’d insisted on going back over the farm accounts with Will, then had wanted to race into town to buy more provisions for her mother. Dominic had stepped in and taken her down to the stables, and standing by the corrals, surrounded by the gentle nickering of the horses, he had held her tightly and soothed her frazzled nerves. The drive to the airport had seen her edgy again, but a whispered offer to put her over his knee, even though there was no p
rivacy screen in the town car, had made her stare at him in horror, then laugh out loud, alleviating her latest bout of anxiety.
Settling into the sofa while Dominic walked across to the buffet table to fetch them some water, Vivien couldn’t take her eyes off him. She was so madly in love with him it hurt. When he turned around to walk back, he caught her eye and broke into a smile. It was contagious, and she smiled back. Her life was suddenly making sense again.
“Here,” he said handing her the bottle, “drink up. You look…what is the word? You look out of water.”
“You mean dehydrated?” she giggled.
“Oui,” he grinned.
As she unscrewed the cap, an attractive woman in a black power suit strode up and introduced herself.
“Mr. Dubois? Miss McKay? I’m Katherine Lucas. I work for Harrison Holdings,” she said with a warm smile. “I’m here to make sure you have everything you need for your journey. May I see your passports?”
“Yes, here you are,” Vivien said, pulling it from her bag.
Dominic retrieved his from the breast pocket of his lambskin leather jacket, and after the woman had checked them and handed them back, Vivien asked if she would sit down with her for a moment, for a quick, quiet word.
“I don’t want to put you on the spot,” Vivien said softly, as the woman perched on the edge of the couch, “but I understand Alana will be on the flight with us.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Will there be anyone else,” Vivien pressed, “or just the three of us?”
“Just the three of you, is there a problem?”
“No,” Dominic interrupted leaning forward, “not exactly. Sometimes Vivien gets a bit airsick, so she likes to have space around her.”
“Oh, I see. The aircraft you’ll be flying in has two separate apartments. You’ll be by yourselves, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Thank you,” Vivien nodded. “It’s just a bit embarrassing.”
“Is there anything I can get you that might help? Dramamine perhaps?”
A Promise of Passion Page 25