CHAPTER NINE
HARRIET gradually began to believe James meant every word, even during his absences, which were more often than either of them wanted. He went away regularly on his usual spot-check inspections at his properties, but spent the majority of his time at a new project his company was developing, which meant that sometimes a week, and even a fortnight, passed when Harriet didn’t see him at all. But the time apart only made their reunions all the more passionate, their pleasure marred solely by the one main bone of contention between them.
When Harriet remained obdurate about moving in with him James finally came up with a suggestion. If his minimalist modern flat was the stumbling block he would buy her a house.
‘I’ll keep this flat as a showpiece,’ he said as they sat together on one of his crescent-shaped sofas. ‘In the meantime we’ll look for something more to your taste.’
‘It’s not only the flat.’ Harriet eyed him in appeal. ‘I just feel it’s too soon for us to live together anywhere quite yet.’
‘Too soon!’ James eyed her in exasperation. ‘We’ve known each other for years, ten of them if you’re counting.’
‘But it’s only recently that you’ve thought of me as anything but Tim’s little chum,’ Harriet reminded him.
‘Tim’s bride-to-be,’ he corrected. ‘Talking of brides, let’s get this out in the open, Harriet. I have an idea that the real stumbling block for you is my take on marriage. Try to understand, darling. After my experience with Madeleine I’m superstitious about it. For me, and for her, too, it was the cure for love.’ He cupped her face in his hands. ‘I will love and cherish you for the rest of my natural life, I swear. Repeating that in a church won’t make any difference.’
‘You think I’m holding out for a wedding ring?’ demanded Harriet, glaring at him.
‘I seem to remember you stating certain views on the subject.’
‘I was talking about commitment, not marriage.’
James sighed impatiently. ‘And just what do you think I’m talking about? I’m offering you a home, financial security, and my humble self on a permanent basis. What else do you want?’
‘Time.’ Harriet gazed at him in appeal. ‘This is too new. I’m still not used to the fact that you, well, that you—’
‘I think love is the word you’re looking for,’ he said silkily. ‘Pay attention. I love you, Harriet Verney.’
‘I love you, too, James Devereux. But I’d rather leave any talk about a house until I’m sure.’
‘Sure of your own feelings or mine?’ he demanded.
‘Neither. I just need to be sure it—this—won’t end in tears.’
James smiled wryly. ‘I probably will make you cry some time. Who knows, you may make me cry, too. But I’ll also try my utmost to make you happy, darling.’
‘You don’t have to try. You just have to be with me to do that,’ she assured him. ‘Let’s go on the way we are for a while,’ she pleaded, when he’d stopped kissing her enough for her to speak. ‘I couldn’t care less about a wedding ring. But I like your version of courtship so much I just want to enjoy it a little longer before we actually live together.’
‘When you smile at me like that I suppose you think I’ll do anything you want,’ he said, resigned, and pulled her on his lap. ‘How long are you going to keep me waiting?’
Harriet snorted. ‘I don’t keep you waiting at all. You rushed me to bed tonight as soon as I got here.’
James gave her cheek an admonishing tap. ‘I’m not talking about making love, great and glorious though it was just now. I have this desire, by no means unusual, to come home to you at night.’
‘Don’t expect me to have your slippers warming!’
He grinned. ‘I don’t wear slippers. To make me happy you just have to be here for me.’
‘I work late sometimes.’
‘Then I’ll be here, waiting impatiently, for you.’ James tipped her face up to his, his eyes gleaming triumphantly. ‘Besides, when you give up that so-called studio flat of yours just think of the money you’ll save on rent.’
‘Oh, well!’ Harriet laughed, and held up her hands in surrender. ‘Why didn’t you say that before? Let’s start house-hunting tomorrow!’
The house-hunting had to be deferred for a while until James returned from troubleshooting at one of his hotels in Scotland. While he was away Harriet invited herself to supper in Bayswater to tell Dido her news, happy to kill two birds with one stone when Dido begged her to bring Tim along.
Dido was so delighted to see Tim she even managed to congratulate him on his forthcoming wedding. ‘You’ve broken my heart, you monster,’ she teased, and gave him a sisterly peck, then turned to hug Harriet. ‘It’s so lovely, with the three of us together again.’
Dido was right, thought Harriet as she kissed her friend. It was good to be back, now she didn’t have to live here any more. Even with Tim talking non-stop about Francesca and his forthcoming nuptials over the meal.
‘I expect you both to be there to hold my trembling hand,’ he informed them.
‘Try keeping me away!’ said Dido happily, piling more food on his plate.
When the meal was over Harriet got to her feet, wine-glass in hand. ‘Listen up, folks, now Tim’s drawn breath for a moment I have an important announcement of my own to make…’ She stopped dead, eyes wide in sudden panic and, to the utter horror of the other two, collapsed at their feet.
Harriet came round to the sound of Dido in tears, imploring her to wake up, and opened her eyes on Tim’s desperately anxious face as he patted her cheek to bring her round.
‘That’s my girl,’ he said soothingly. ‘Up you come.’ He helped her to her feet and settled her on the sofa, Dido fussing round them like a mother hen.
‘Have some water, or wine, or something, Harriet,’ she begged. ‘I haven’t got any brandy. Lord, you frightened us. What happened? You hardly drank anything.’
Harriet took in an unsteady breath. ‘The room started spinning—then I suppose I passed out.’
Tim breathed in deeply, holding her hand. ‘How do you feel?’
‘Not very wonderful at the moment.’ She smiled reassuringly at Dido. ‘I’d love some tea.’
Dido leapt into action. ‘Right away, love.’
When she was out of earshot in the kitchen Tim gave Harriet a searching look. ‘Are you cooking up for some virus? You look hellish peaky.’
‘I feel peaky.’ She shivered. ‘I’ve never fainted before.’
‘I’d be grateful if you never do it again in my company, either! When’s Jed coming back?’
‘Tomorrow or Saturday, he’s not sure yet.’
‘Make sure you take it easy this weekend.’ He grinned. ‘I’m sure Jed won’t mind if you want to spend most of it in bed.’
‘Bed is exactly where I want to be right this minute,’ she said shakily, wishing a magic wand could waft her to her own, there and then.
‘Dido will want you to spend the night here,’ he warned.
He was right. Dido was loud with protests when Harriet insisted on going back to Clerkenwell.
‘I’m fine now,’ she assured her anxious friend.
‘Don’t worry, Dido,’ said Tim, utterly serious for once. ‘I shall make sure the invalid is safely tucked up in bed with her phone before I go off to my place.’
He was as good as his word. When they got back to the flat he made tea while Harriet undressed in her bathroom, and then saw her into bed.
‘Just before you passed out,’ he reminded her, ‘you were about to make an announcement, one of some import, I fancy.’
Harriet’s eyes lit up. ‘So I was. James and I are going to live together, Tim. I don’t like his flat so he’s going to buy a house, and I get to choose it.’
Tim hugged her in delight. ‘You’re going to be my sister-in-law!’
She detached herself gently. ‘No, Tim. I’m moving in with James, not marrying him.’
His expressive face fell. �
��Why the hell not?’
‘Madeleine,’ she said tersely.
‘She’s history. Why should you be worried about her?’
‘I’m not. James is. After marriage with Madeleine he’s sure it’s the cure for love.’
Tim frowned. ‘Do you agree with that?’
‘No. But I can see his point.’
‘How about you, pet? Would you like to marry Jed?’
‘No,’ said Harriet, so positively Tim looked taken aback.
‘Oh, right, as long as you both feel the same.’ He bent to kiss her goodnight. On his way to the door he turned, wagging a finger. ‘If you feel strange again, ring me, and I’ll drop everything and rush to the rescue, ventre á terre.’
She laughed. ‘Nice thought, but you need a horse to race belly to the ground.’
Tim didn’t smile back. ‘Seriously, I meant what I said. Take care, Harry. Please.’
Harriet felt tearful when he’d gone, overcome by a sudden longing for her grandmother’s practical, comforting presence. But because Olivia Verney had disapproved of tears Harriet blew her nose, dried her eyes and settled down early to the sleep she seemed to need so much of lately.
Next morning she slept later than usual, and woke feeling perfectly normal. She rushed off to work without breakfast, but coped with her usual busy day at the agency with a zest remarked on by her colleagues. Teased about the new man in her life, Harriet gleefully hugged her secret to herself. Her man wasn’t new at all. But at thirteen she’d had no idea that one day James Devereux would be the most important thing in her life. Euphoric at the thought of seeing him later, she worked flat out all day so she could leave in time to go shopping for a celebration dinner, then hurried home to the message she knew would be waiting for her.
‘I’ll be with you sometime this evening, as soon as the traffic allows,’ James informed her. ‘I’ve missed you, darling. Have you missed me?’
Oh, yes. Her eyes gleamed as she thought of ways to show him later exactly how much she had missed him.
The disadvantage of living in one room meant constant vigilance to keep it tidy, and she’d left in such a rush first thing there was work to be done before James arrived. Harriet whirled like a dervish through some household chores before her shower. While her hair dried she scrubbed potatoes and sliced green beans, mixed a spoonful of horse-radish into clotted cream and left it to chill alongside the poached salmon waiting in the fridge. She finished off her hair with a hot brush, made up her face and sprayed herself with perfume, and after a moment’s indecision pulled on white cotton drawstring trousers and the caramel vest top she’d worn the first time James had kissed her.
Harriet was searching for shoes when James knocked on her door.
‘Someone was leaving the building as I arrived,’ he called. ‘Let me in.’
Harriet threw open the door, smiling at him in such radiant welcome James dumped down his briefcase, kicked the door shut and swept her off her bare feet to whirl her round a couple of times, then kissed her until her head reeled. When he put her down at last Harriet gave a despairing little moan and crumpled into the arms that shot out to catch her.
When she came round she was lying on the sofa looking up into James’ shocked, haggard face.
‘Darling,’ he said hoarsely, and touched a shaking hand to her cheek. ‘What happened?’
‘I’ve been rushing, and then you spun me around,’ she said faintly. ‘Hold me tight, please.’
James carefully lifted her onto his lap and held her close. ‘Have you been going without food while I’m away?’ he accused.
‘No. And before you ask I’ve been to bed early every night except Tuesday when Dido asked me to supper. Tim came, too.’
‘Brave man. Did he manage to escape unscathed from her clutches?’ he asked, relaxing a little.
Harriet smiled. ‘Dido’s finally come to terms with the fact that he’s well and truly spoken for.’ But she made no mention of the previous faint. James looked worried enough as it was. There was no point in worrying him even more.
‘Are you feeling better now?’ he asked, kissing her hair.
‘Much better. I must see to dinner.’
‘To hell with dinner. We’ll pick something up on the way home.’
‘No,’ said Harriet, and despite his violent protests got to her feet, and stayed on them without mishap. ‘I just have to cook a few vegetables.’
‘Then I’ll just have to stand over you while you do,’ said James inexorably.
He was as good as his word, and hovered over her until in the end Harriet told him to go and sit down before she did him an injury.
‘This is no place for two people to work together.’
‘Or even for one person to live in,’ he said, surveying the room with a pejorative eye. ‘We spend the rest of the weekend at the flat, and no arguments, please.’
‘OK,’ said Harriet, with a docility that won her a look of deep suspicion. ‘What?’ she demanded.
‘You must be feeling worse than I thought.’
‘I’m fine. And I’m perfectly happy to spend the weekend at your place.’ She gave him a look that brought him to his feet again. ‘I’ve missed you so much, James, I don’t care where we are as long as we’re both in the same place.’
He started towards her, then stopped and stepped back, his eyes glittering. ‘If I show my thanks in the time-honoured way, darling, the dinner might spoil. And after the episode just now some food is a good idea for you. Me, too,’ he added, and smiled. ‘To quote Tim, I’m hungry.’
James rang for a cab after the meal, and told Harriet to get her things together. ‘I’ll do the washing up,’ he informed her, grumbling at the lack of a dishwasher. ‘And there’s no point in buying one because you won’t be living here much longer.’
‘Not so fast! If I give the flat up at this stage I won’t get my deposit back.’
James shrugged impatiently. ‘What does that matter? I’ll cover any loss.’
‘No.’ She shook her head as she zipped up her bag.
‘Why not?’
‘I won’t accept money from you.’
He took the bag from her and picked up his briefcase as the bell rang. ‘When we live together, Harriet, you won’t have much option.’
‘Maybe not. But that’s in the future.’
‘Not too far in the future,’ he assured her. ‘Give me one good reason why we should waste time apart?’
When they arrived at his apartment Harriet waited until James switched on the lights, then went straight to the far wall and pressed the button that slid the panel back to reveal the spare room.
‘Are you making some kind of statement?’ demanded James, close behind her.
‘No, I had this bright idea while you were away,’ she said absently, studying the room. ‘I have a suggestion to make.’
‘You want to sleep here tonight?’
Harriet turned to surprise open dismay in his eyes. ‘No, of course not,’ she said impatiently. ‘I want to sleep with you.’ She smiled with deliberate invitation. ‘After you’ve made love to me half the night, of course.’
James caught her in his arms. ‘I might if you’re good! So tell me about this request.’
‘If we don’t find somewhere else to live for a while, could I use this room when I move in here? If I had a sofa and a small television I could use it as a sort of snug when you’re away. Your living room is just too big and minimalist for me to feel comfy.’
‘If you’re willing to move out of that dump you call a flat and in here you can have anything you want,’ he assured her.
‘Only until we find a house,’ she reminded him, and laughed suddenly.
‘What now?’
‘In one breath I was refusing your money, and in the next happily splurging it on extra furniture and a new house. Am I illogical or what?’
‘I like illogical women. Come to bed.’
‘Your seduction technique could use some work,’ she informed hi
m as he hustled her through the big, uncluttered room. ‘I thought we might watch television for a bit,’ she complained as they passed the huge plasma screen.
‘We can do that later—much later,’ said James, and as if his patience had suddenly run out he picked her up, strode into the other room and deposited her in the middle of his bed.
Harriet lay watching him as he shrugged out of his jacket and tore off his tie. ‘I love you, James,’ she said quietly, and he stopped dead halfway through unbuttoning his shirt.
‘I love you, too, my darling.’ He discarded the shirt and knelt on the bed to draw her up against him. ‘You frightened the hell out of me tonight. Don’t do that again, please.’
‘I’ll try,’ she said against his bare chest, and listened to his heart thudding against hers as he held her closer.
With an effort he put her away from him. ‘You know I want to make love to you, but—’
‘No buts. I want it, too,’ she said fiercely.
‘Are you up to it after fainting like that?’
‘Yes. Are you?’ she whispered and stroked a caressing hand down over his chest and lower still, to the place where lightweight grey fabric covered the exact extent of his readiness. ‘If you’re not,’ she added, ‘maybe I can persuade you.’ She slid from the bed, undid the drawstring and stepped out of the trousers, then stripped off the vest top and dropped it on the floor. She saw James swallow hard, and smiled as she slowly revolved in front of him. ‘The underwear was a present. Do you like it?’
James drew in a deep, shuddering breath, and showed his appreciation by tossing her on the bed and removing the present with ungentle hands. ‘Who gave it to you?’ he growled as the rest of his clothes hit the floor.
‘One of my gentlemen friends,’ she said rashly, then gasped as he dived on her and swept her hands wide.
‘Which one?’ he demanded, his eyes blazing into hers.
‘Tim, of course.’
‘Why the hell should my brother give you underwear?’ he said, incensed.
‘It was a present. Francesca picked it out for him in Paris.’ Harriet swallowed. ‘James, kiss me.’
The Unexpected Pregnancy Page 13