Paige smiled. ‘But what about the shop?’
Sebastian laughed. ‘Olly has offered to look after it for you. He doesn’t work for me on Saturdays, so will be free to stand in for you tomorrow.’
Paige smiled, and turned to Olly. ‘Your penance?’
He nodded, holding his hands up in surrender. ‘I didn’t have much choice as you can imagine.’ He looked over her head at Sebastian. ‘I’ll be happy to look after everything if it means you two finally sorting things out.’
‘OK,’ Paige agreed. ‘Give me five minutes.’ She ran up to her room and hastily changed into her favourite jeans, a plain white T-shirt, and grey cashmere sweater. ‘How smart do I have to be?’ she shouted.
‘Casual,’ Seb answered. ‘Now get a move on.’
Pulling the most comfortable boots she possessed on over her jeans, she grabbed her toothbrush, knowing she had other essentials in her handbag. Then pushing in a couple of pairs of pants, she zipped up her case and pulled on a quilted jacket and scarf. ‘Ready,’ she announced, picking up her Blackberry, weekend bag, and handbag, and running down the stairs to find them all still waiting for her in the hallway.
‘You can leave that behind,’ Sebastian said taking the Blackberry from her hand and passing it to Clem.’
‘But what if there’s an emergency?’ She glanced at her sister.
Sebastian took her bags from her, opening the front door. ‘Olly knows where to find us.’
‘Where?’ she whispered, as soon as Seb walked out of the house.
Olly shook his head. ‘You’ll have to wait and see. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.’
‘He won’t tell you, so don’t bother interrogating him.’ Sebastian smiled at her, holding the passenger door open. ‘Now, come along.’
Paige watched Olly with his arms around Clem as they waved to her and Seb from the doorstep. ‘Have a good time.’
Paige watched Sebastian in silence, wishing he’d say something as they drove down the narrow lanes. ‘We’re going to the north coast?’
‘We are.’ He smiled at her briefly.
‘I still don’t understand what’s happening.’
He put one of his hands over hers. ‘I’ve spent too many months chasing you and listening to you telling me why a relationship between us would never work. This weekend I’m going to show you that all our differences are superficial, and that the ones we do have are unimportant.’ He stopped at a yellow line and waited for a tractor to pass. ‘I love you, and I want to spend my life with you. I just need to persuade you that we could enjoy an incredible future together, if only you’d give our relationship a chance.’
Paige couldn’t help smiling. ‘OK.’
‘We fit together. There’s nothing we can’t work through.’ He didn’t say anything further. He marvelled at the dramatic coastline so different from the gentle slopes down to the golden sandy beaches on the south and east of the island. ‘Nearly there.’ He flicked on the car’s indicator, slowing down before an entrance to a long dirt track.
Chapter Thirty-nine
‘I’m not camping, if that’s what you think,’ Paige said.
Sebastian laughed. ‘Do you seriously think I’d expect you to?’
Paige shook her head and smiled. ‘No, but I never really know what you’re going to do.’
Sebastian realised that what she’d just said was part of their problem. She didn’t know what he was thinking, or his reasons for doing some of the things he’d done in the past, and now was the time to show her that whatever his choices, she could trust him. He shook his head. ‘No, this is far more comfortable than a tent.’ He heard her gasp when they reached the end of the track.
‘It’s a fort.’
Sebastian enjoyed her surprise. At least she hadn’t insisted he turn the car round and immediately take her back home. He was hoping for as little argument from her as possible during this weekend. He didn’t answer. Turning off the ignition, he watched Paige step out of the car, and walk over to the circular building. She placed her hands against the pink granite of the wall, and leant against it with a look of, what was it, he wondered, exhilaration? He hoped so.
‘It’s incredible,’ she shouted, staring across the headland to the waves crashing against the rugged cliffs nearby. ‘I can’t believe we’re staying in here.’
‘It is a little dramatic, but I thought it suited our relationship perfectly.’ Paige laughed. He took her case and his own small leather weekend bag to the front door and unlocked it. ‘It’s very organized, though don’t expect to find a television here, there’s no reception,’ he said, waiting for her to pass him. Taking their cases through, he put them into one of the bedrooms and then followed her into the airy circular living room where she was surprised to discover a comfortable lounge suite and small dining table and chairs taking up one half of the room with a well-equipped kitchen area over on the other side.
Paige looked up at the vaulted ceiling. ‘It’s so isolated. I love it.’
‘Good. I hoped you would.’ He took her hand and led her to some steps. ‘Up here is a walled-in garden. It’s pretty sheltered from the wind, which is a good thing on this headland.’ He pointed to the side of the small peninsular. ‘Down there is a bay where we could swim, if you really wanted to.’
‘Maybe next summer,’ Paige laughed. ‘I don’t fancy the thought of getting hypothermia just now.’
He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. The wind howled around the fort. Paige snuggled back into him.
‘Is that Guernsey over there?’
Seb held her tightly. ‘You should be telling me,’ he smiled.
‘I can never remember which order they’re in.’
‘The smaller one is Sark. That’s Guernsey, and France is over there.’
Paige tilted her head to the side, resting it against his chest. Seb kissed her cheek, and then turning her to face him, he found her lips. As Paige put her arms around his neck he knew he’d made the right decision, bringing her here. ‘You’re cold,’ he said, moving back. He took her hand in his. ‘Time to go back inside, I think.’
‘It’s a remarkable place. Is it yours?’
Seb laughed. ‘No, it’s owned by Jersey Heritage. They hire this and various other historical places out to the public at certain times. I was tempted by a Martello tower at Archirondel, but thought this was further away from civilisation.’
He watched her walk into the kitchen and open the fridge, and then several of the cupboards. ‘It’s very well stocked. I’m assuming that’s down to you.’
Seb took two glasses out of the cupboard and poured them both a whiskey. ‘Shall we?’
She sat down on one of the seats in front of the long picture windows in the living area.
Sebastian sat opposite her and sighed. ‘Peace at last.’
Paige smiled and took a sip of her drink. ‘You were determined to get me here, weren’t you?’
Sebastian nodded. ‘I would have found some way to make sure you came here this weekend.’ He thought back to Olly, and how his admission had made things so much easier for Seb to put his weekend plans into action. ‘Olly is a very loyal friend to you.’
‘I know. He’s helped me with the business, and he’s always there when I need someone.’
Olly had been taking a chance when he told Seb what he’d seen on his PA’s computer, and Seb knew that the man had been surprised and relieved at his unexpected reaction. He smiled. Poor Olly, he’d been only too happy to help Seb persuade Paige to come away with him this weekend. ‘He seems very happy with Clem and the idea of his impending fatherhood,’ he said.
‘I’m so happy they’re sorting everything out between them. They’re so well-suited.’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘I hope you didn’t make him suffer too much when he told you about his discovery.’
Seb pulled a face. ‘Not too much.’
‘He must have caught you at a good time.’ Paige teased.
‘His timing was perfect,�
�� Seb agreed. ‘He told me about Lucinda’s friends coming into the shop and talking nonsense about a fictional wedding. He didn’t think you took too much notice, is that true?’
‘It is. I’ve finally woken up to her antics. I realize that when you said to trust you, you meant it.’
He smiled ‘Good.’ Seb leant forward in his chair. ‘And the lease on the shop? You’re not too angry about my deception, I hope?’
Paige thought for a moment. He wasn’t sure how she really felt about this recent discovery. She suspected she should be affronted. She had to admit he’d done it for all the right reasons. ‘I was stunned,’ she said eventually. ‘But I know you did it because you wanted to help me.’
Finally, thought Seb. ‘Your designs deserve to be shown off to their best advantage and you need your space to display your products to everyone. You’re a very talented designer.’
‘Thank you, but why weren’t you honest with me about the lease?’
Sebastian raised his eyebrows and smiled at her. ‘Do you really have to ask that question?’
‘Yes.’ Paige crossed her legs. He could feel her preparing to raise her defences against him.
‘Seriously?’
She nodded and he wondered if she was teasing him.
‘I suggested we become partners months ago,’ he said, not wishing to take any chances and leaving any questions she may have unanswered. ‘You also knocked back the idea of me investing in your company, don’t forget.’
Paige chewed her lower lip. ‘True.’
‘I knew you wouldn’t accept anything from me that you considered help and so I didn’t feel I had any option but to do it the way I did.’
He watched her consider his words carefully and then shrug. ‘You’re right. There was no other way.’ She smiled at him and he couldn’t help returning the gesture. ‘You know me pretty well, don’t you, Sebastian Fielding.’
‘I think I have an idea how your mind works, but I can’t say I know you well. That’s a pleasure I’m still hoping to experience.’ He watched her sipping her drink thoughtfully. ‘I’m relieved that you finally feel you can trust me. You’re also aware about the shop now and my part as owner of the building. What else?’ He sat back waiting for her to speak.
‘The difference in our lifestyles?’
‘Ah yes, those. What are they again?’
Paige scowled at him. ‘You’re laughing at me.’
Sebastian shook his head and leant forward taking her hand in his. ‘I’m not. Tell me what it is you think we can’t overcome, because I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be together. Unless, that is, you don’t want us to be?’
Paige frowned and stood up. ‘Of course, I do.’
He could see she was a little distressed, but if he wanted to sort this matter out then he was going to have to deal with every aspect of her concern about their relationship.
She put her glass down on the table and walked over to the middle window in silence.
‘So?’ Sebastian remained seated, folding his arms to stop him from reaching out and taking hold of her.
‘Everyone you’ve ever socialised with has come from the same or similar background to you. You’ve all travelled extensively, you’re successful,’ she turned to face him. ‘The women are calculating and relentless in the fight to get the man they want, even if they don’t want him for the right reasons.’
Sebastian raised his eyebrows. ‘These things don’t matter to us.’
‘Maybe not, but my father is suspicious of you. None of my friends would dream of making up stories about someone getting married, simply to warn a woman off the man their friend was interested in.’
‘I’m glad you saw through that façade.’
Paige nodded. ‘I did.’
‘You see?’ Sebastian stood up and walked over to her.
‘What?’
‘We can get past these incidents. The Lucinda’s of this world won’t even register on your radar, once you understand what they’re up to, and you’ve already worked that out. Your father will realise I’m not Jeremy, and will eventually like me,’ he laughed. ‘I’ll make it my mission to ensure that he does. My sister can be a little bit of a drama queen, but having met Clem, I think they’re not dissimilar.’
He could see Paige was mulling over his words. She wasn’t immediately arguing, which was a first. He began to feel a little more confident that this weekend might not be the battleground he’d expected. ‘I’ve let it be known that should you, or your family, be dragged into any future articles the papers print about me, I’ll sue.’
‘You think that will work?’
‘Hopefully, and Mrs Hutton has agreed to move in over here for part of the year. I’ve already brought Harley back to Jersey.’
Paige stared wide-eyed at him. ‘What about photographers?’
‘That’s the reason for me selling up in London. Although my move was helped by the fact that now I’ve inherited my uncle’s business and properties, I can only spend up to ninety days in England. There are two entrances at my house here, as well as far more interesting people than me living in Jersey, so I doubt the paparazzi will bother coming to the island to hound me. If they did, we’d soon lose them down these narrow lanes.’
Paige laughed.
‘The gardens are totally private, as is the house, so we wouldn’t have to worry about any intrusion.’
‘What do you mean, “we”?’
‘I love you,’ he said. ‘I want you to marry me. Come and live in the mausoleum I call home. It’s far too big for one.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re hardly alone.’
He shook his head keeping eye contact all the time. ‘Stop finding excuses. Anyway, your cottage is going to be far too cramped with Olly, Clem, and their new baby. Do you really see those living arrangements working in your favour for very long?’
Paige laughed. ‘No, I can’t say that I do.’
A shard of golden light shot in through the window. Paige blinked and put her hand up to shield her eyes, and as she turned away she spotted a colourful painting on the wall. She stared at it, eyes narrowed as if trying to think where she had seen it before. She walked over to study it more closely. ‘Don’t you think this painting looks like one of Carlo’s?’ She gasped. ‘It is one of his paintings.’ She turned to Sebastian her mouth open in surprise.
He smiled at her, delighted she was so overjoyed to see it.
‘It’s the one I liked so much.’ She glanced back at the painting.
Sebastian walked over to stand next to her. ‘I thought you should have something from Capri.’
‘It’s mine?’ she asked, after a brief silence.
Sebastian nodded. ‘Come along, let’s go outside.’
He grabbed a blanket from the back of the sofa, took her hand, and ran with her out of the door into the walled in garden.
Three rabbits bounced away on the outside of the wall before disappearing into the heather. ‘It’s glorious,’ she said, squeezing his hand.
‘Here.’ He sat down on a large sunbed, pulling her in front of him and covered her body with the blanket. Paige sighed.
Sebastian couldn’t help smiling. He put his arms round her and drew her back into him.
The Jersey Scene series box set Page 64