by Judy Angelo
He grimaced, not knowing where to start. Finally, he just spoke. “Carrie, I’m sorry but I’m not here to renew a relationship with you. I’m here to ask you for a divorce.”
“A divorce?” Carrie’s eyes widened in shock. “You came looking for me to ask for a divorce?”
His eyes never leaving her face, Reed nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
The light went out of Carrie’s eyes. Her shoulders sagged and she looked away. Finally, she shook her head and got up. Then she laughed and looked back at Reed. “I should have known better. It was too good to be true. How pathetic can you get?” She slid her hands into the pockets of her slacks and looked up at the ceiling. When she looked down at him again she was still smiling, but it was a sad-looking smile. “I am such an idiot. Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Reed stood up but he did not move toward her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t even think you remembered me.”
“Oh, I remembered you, all right. I thought about you for a long time after I left Las Vegas. I just never thought I’d ever see you again. And then when I heard you were looking for me...” She shrugged. “Let’s just say I made a hell of a wild assumption.”
Reed didn’t know what to say in answer to that but when the silence stretched on he had to speak. “Will you give me the divorce?”
Carrie looked at Reed and this time she was knitting her brow. “Why do you keep asking me that? Don’t you know our marriage was invalid?”
Reed frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Sure, we did the ceremony but we were both drunk and we never saw each other after that. Outside of a few kisses we didn’t do anything. We never even consummated the marriage. It can be easily annulled.” She gave him a questioning look. “Any lawyer could have told you that. Didn’t you ask?”
Reed felt the heat rise up his neck. He shoved his hands in his pockets then slowly shook his head. Fool that he was, he hadn’t even done that one thing he should have done before anything else. Both he and Carrie knew what had taken place that night but outside of giving Max some cursory information he hadn’t spoken with anyone. And definitely not his lawyer.
He could have saved himself years of torture.
He looked down at Carrie. “Thank you, Carrie,” he said gently. “You’ve been a big help.”
She shrugged and gave him a rueful smile. “What are friends for?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Once Reed’s marriage to Carrie was officially annulled he flew back to England, the thing foremost on his mind being an urgent meeting with Golden. As soon as he landed he called her.
“May I see you today?” he asked. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“I don’t think I can,” she said, her voice hesitant. “I’m very busy today.”
“Please, Golden. Just for an hour. Half an hour, even. Ten minutes. That’s all I ask.”
“I...all right. I can give you half an hour but that’s it. I really am busy.” Her voice sounded breathless and he couldn’t tell if it was out of apprehension at the thought of meeting him or if it was out of eager anticipation.
“I’ll take it,” he said before she could change her mind. “Pick you up at three?”
“Make it four. I’ll be out shopping most of the day. I doubt I’ll make it back by then.”
“No problem. I’ll be there at four.”
After Reed hung up the phone he smiled to himself. It looked like working with a company involved in fashion had had an impact on Golden. She’d be out shopping for the better part of the day? This was definitely a new Golden.
That afternoon Reed picked her up and whisked her off for a drive. Before coming to get her he’d scouted out the area and found a quiet knoll shaded by weeping willows bowing their hairy heads over a quiet pond. He’d wanted somewhere secluded and quiet and this place, peaceful and serene, was perfect.
As they walked toward the fallen log he’d already selected as their seat, Reed reached out to take Golden’s hand in his.
She looked up at him quizzically then inexplicably she pulled her hand away.
Reed said nothing. Maybe she was nervous. Of course she had no idea why he’d asked her out here. He wasn’t worried, though. As soon as he told her the good news he was sure she would come around.
After he’d helped Golden get comfortable on the log Reed sat down beside her. He didn’t beat around the bush. “I have great news,” he said, almost reaching out to take her hand but then he stopped himself. Not yet. Not until she knew everything.
“What is it?” she asked, her amber eyes wide as she gazed up at him.
“I’m a free man, Golden.” He gave her a smile filled with relief. “The marriage was never valid in the first place. It’s been annulled.” Then, certain that she was as thrilled as he was, he took her hand in his. “Now it’s my turn to ask the question. Golden Browne, will you marry me?”
He gazed down at her, waiting for her to say yes and throw herself into his arms. It didn’t happen. As Reed stared at her a shadow clouded Golden’s eyes and she looked down at their clasped hands. Slowly, she pulled her hand from his then shook her head.
“I can’t,” she said, her voice so low he had to strain to hear her. “I’m already engaged. I’ll be marrying Lord Mountbatten in five days.
***
Reed floored the gas pedal and as the sports car ate up the road his mind raced over the events of the last few days.
After the shock of Golden’s rejection he’d taken her back home, devastated, but by the next day he’d come back with a renewed resolve to win her hand. Whatever it took, he would have Golden for his wife.
He’d called her, trying to convince her to back out of her planned wedding but, her voice tearful, she’d refused.
“How can I?” she’d asked, her voice sounding so desolate that all he’d wanted to do was go to her. “I gave my word. It’s out of my hands now, Reed. It’s a matter of honor. I have to keep my word.”
No amount of talking could convince her otherwise.
He’d called the day after that but still he couldn’t change her mind. The next day she refused to answer his calls. In desperation he’d gone to the house but she would not come out.
Now it was the day before the wedding and there was only one thing left to do. Reed was on his way to see Mountbatten. If Golden’s sense of honor would not allow her to go back on a promise, no matter that she was sacrificing herself to do it, then he would have to approach things from another angle. He would tackle Lord Mountbatten himself.
Reed screeched off the main road and onto the parochial road to the Mountbatten Estate. He didn’t slow down until he got to the circular driveway where he got out, slammed the car door shut and loped toward the house. He hadn’t called ahead but had launched out on this venture on sheer impulse. Driven by his love for a woman who was supposed to already have been spoken for, there was little he would not do to get her back.
And he’d come to Mountbatten’s residence to do what he did best. He was going to negotiate like he’d never done before.
When Reed knocked at the front door the housekeeper eyed him suspiciously. “Lord Mountbatten never told me he was expecting a guest,” she said, looking him up and down.
“He’s not,” Reed said, giving her his most charming smile, “but I’m here on very important business. Do you mind telling Lord Mountbatten that Reed Davidoff of Davidoff Fashions Inc. is here to see him?”
The woman’s blue eyes widened, a soft blush rising in her plump cheeks. “Davidoff Fashions? You are...the Mr. Davidoff?”
Reed’s smile widened and he gave her a bow. “At your service, Madame.” His status as owner and CEO of a major corporation definitely had its advantages.
The woman gave him a shy smile, her eyes still wide with awe. She almost looked like she was about to curtsy but she nodded and ushered him into the massive hallway. “Please have a seat, sir. I will get Lord Mountbatten right away.”
Mou
ntbatten didn’t come out to greet him but he did send his housekeeper back to get Reed and escort him to his office. All the better. There they would have privacy so Reed could make his proposal without fear of being overheard. And if things got overheated and sharp words flew at least they’d be within the four walls of an office.
“Mr. Davidoff. Welcome to my home.” Lord Mountbatten greeted Reed at the office door. “Come in, please.”
Reed gave a nod of thanks and went over to settle in the chair that Mountbatten had indicated.
“So, how may I be of service?” Lord Mountbatten asked, not heading toward his desk as Reed had expected but standing there in the middle of the room looking down at his visitor, his arms folded across his chest. Obviously a tactic to make himself look the bigger man – and as tall as he was he definitely didn’t need any more advantage – but Reed was unfazed.
“I’m here to offer you a proposal,” he said without preamble. “I know your wheat business is floundering and you desperately need an injection of cash.”
Lord Mountbatten’s face grew hard and his thick brows fell over his dark eyes. “Where did you get that information?”
Feigning total relaxation Reed leaned back in the chair, tented his fingers, and regarded Mountbatten through hooded eyes. “That’s not important,” he said, his voice nonchalant. “What’s important is that I have the solution to your problem.”
Mountbatten gave him a look of suspicion. “Meaning?”
“Meaning I will invest in your company. I will give you whatever it will take to turn your business around.” Reed stared at the man through narrowed eyes. “You and I know that nine million pounds won’t do it.”
A look of shock flashed across Mountbatten’s face but he quashed it just as fast as it appeared. “It seems you’re privy to some sensitive information.” His lips tightened. “What do you want in exchange for your...generous offer?”
Now Reed ditched the relaxed attitude and sat forward in the chair, his eyes trained on Mountbatten. “I’m a businessman. I will want shares in the company, of course, but more importantly,” his eyes narrowed, “I want you to tell Golden she’s free.”
Lord Mountbatten gave a snort. “I could tell. As soon as you mentioned the money I knew this was all about Golden Browne.” Now it was his turn to regard Reed through narrowed eyes. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
There was no denying it. The man was no idiot. Not that Reed had any intention of denying his love for Golden. He was proud of it. “That’s right,” he said, returning the man’s stare. “I love her and I will do anything to have her in my life.”
Lord Mountbatten raised his eyebrows and then he nodded, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “I’m impressed,” he said, “and a little sad. Young love. There are few things in life so sweet. I’m afraid I’m too old and jaded to be swayed by love anymore.”
“So will you speak to Golden?” Reed asked. “Today?”
“As soon as your lawyers can draw up a contract outlining your commitment to invest, I will make the call.”
“I have it here.” Lifting the large brown envelope he’d been carrying, Reed dropped it on top of Mountbatten’s desk. “All we have to do is sign on the dotted line.”
Mountbatten smiled. “As I said, I’m impressed.” He walked over to the desk and sat down, pulling the envelope toward him. “Now let me see what you have here.”
***
“I gave him my word.” Golden stared at Reed, feeling like she’d been thrown into another dimension. “What made him change his mind?”
Reed smiled then took her hand. “That’s not important, is it? The important thing is, you’re free.” And as they sat there at the very same pond where he’d proposed just days earlier he reached out and took her hand.
“Now you have no more excuses. Golden Browne, for the second time, will you accept me as your husband? Will you be my wife?”
Squeezing his hand tight, Golden smiled up at him. “I would be more than honored to be your wife. Please marry me and make a good woman out of me.”
Reed laughed. “You’re too good already. Definitely too good for me.” He leaned forward to plant a kiss on her forehead. “But I’m glad you’ll accept me anyway.”
Golden put a hand on his shoulder. “But we have to do this tomorrow, Reed. Day after tomorrow will be my birthday.”
“Consider it done, sweetheart. I’ll have the judge and two witnesses lined up for tomorrow.”
At his words her tension eased and she relaxed against him. “Thank you, Reed,” she whispered, “for saving my life.”
When his arms tightened around her she laid her cheek on his chest, knowing that she’d finally found her heaven.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Golden’s heart sang as she hurried to get dressed. Today was the day she would marry Reed and she felt like her heart would burst with joy. Could anyone in the world be as happy as she was just then?
She’d slipped into a simple ivory dress and slid her feet into the gold slippers Claire had given her and was just about to fish her purse out of the closet when there was a tap at the door. She froze. If it was her mother that was okay but what if it was Mr. Busybody?
“Who is it?” she called out, prepared to grab her bathrobe and hide herself in it, away from prying eyes.
“It’s me. May I come in?”
Golden sighed, relieved when she heard her mother’s voice. “Come in,” she said, turning her attention back to the closet.
She heard the door open and Eugenia stepped in. “Oh, my. You’re all dressed up,” she said to Golden’s back. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, I am,” Golden said as she reached for the purse then withdrew from the closet to turn to her mother with an ecstatic smile. “I’m getting married today.”
Eugenia gasped. “You’re going through with it? You’re getting married to Lord Mountbatten?”
Golden was overjoyed that she was able to shake her head. “No, Mother. To the man I love. Reed Davidoff.”
Eugenia’s eyes widened, “Your boss? I didn’t know you were romantically involved.”
Golden only smiled. “We’re getting married this afternoon.” She sighed and closed her eyes, the picture already forming in her mind. “Tomorrow when I wake I`ll be a married woman and it will be my birthday. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Sounds like a fairytale.”
Golden jumped and so did her mother. At the sound of the male voice both women spun around to see Carl Manchester standing in the doorway.
“Carl, I didn’t expect you today.” After her initial surprise Eugenia’s face softened.
“What? Can’t I drop in on my beloved stepmum?”
“Of course you can.” Eugenia gave him a wide smile but by then Carl had turned his attention to Golden.
“So, little sis is getting married.” He was smiling at her.
It was a smile that made Golden’s skin prickle. She stared at him boldly but said nothing.
“Aren’t you inviting your family to the wedding?” he asked, his tone so friendly it was frightening. “You know we would want to be there for you on your special day.” He was staring at Golden over Eugenia’s head and although his lips were smiling his eyes were hard as stone.
“Thank you so much,” she said, her voice just as friendly as his, “but that’s quite all right. We’ll have a grand ceremony at a later date. I’ll send out invitations for that one.” She was sure the cold stare she was giving him would tell him he would not be among the invited.
Carl stared at her for a moment longer then he smiled again. “Sorry. Please accept my congratulations.” Then he turned and left, disappearing as silently as he’d come.
“I’ll be right down to fix you some lunch,” Eugenia called after him but he did not respond. She turned to Golden with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, dear. I’ll fix him something quickly then I’ll get ready.” Then a frantic look crossed her face. “What will I wear? Oh, you s
hould have told me...”
“Mother, this is just a quick thing to fulfill the requirements of the will. Reed and I agreed that we want to do this by ourselves. We’ll have a grand ceremony later on and that’s when we’ll have family present.” She put her hands on Eugenia’s shoulders and turned her toward the door. “Please, Mother, I just want to get this over and done with. You go on and take care of Carl. I’ll be down in a little while.”
As soon as she’d shooed her mother out the door Golden grabbed her purse and stuffed her cell phone, keys and driver’s license in, along with some tissues. There was not much more that would fit inside a purse as tiny as this one. The best thing for her to do was get out of the house as soon as possible but she didn’t want to do it while Carl was there. Maybe she was being paranoid but she had a feeling he would follow her. She tightened her lips, deep in thought, then she went to stare out the window as she mulled over her options.
And then she saw something that made her frown. It was Carl. He was out in the garden on his cell phone, deep in conversation. Normally this wouldn’t have been a cause for concern but after what he’d overheard who knew what he was up to? He could be on the phone this very minute telling his father the news. Golden could just imagine that man’s reaction if he found out.
But then she shook her head. There was no need to worry. After all, he couldn’t stop her. What could he do but rant and rave? He’d been happy when she’d kept saying she would never marry Lord Mountbatten. He knew what that would mean for him. But to now find out she was getting married after all? He would hit the roof. Except that she wouldn’t be under this roof when he got home. She would be long gone and safely by the side of her husband-to-be.
She just wished Carl would hurry up and leave.
Golden paced the floor then she went to perch on the window seat then she picked up her purse. This was not working. She would have to leave now, whether Carl was there or not. She just hoped her mother would keep him occupied so he would stay put and not follow her.