The Girl Inside
Page 29
“That’s wonderful; I wish the program every success.”
“Well, we are hoping you might be involved.”
“Of course, I will do anything I can to help your family and support the development of the Professor’s department.”
“What I mean is that we would dearly like you to be the first recipient of the Radcliff scholarship so that you might return to Cambridge and obtain your PhD. In fact, I took the liberty of proposing your name, and the University has already approved your placement.”
Jo was taken aback by the wave of emotions that the offer evoked. The renewed grief at Professor Radcliff’s passing, gratitude to his family, joy at the realization that opportunity was meeting a true calling.
She had to sit down, unable to immediately respond. Ben was looking quizzical, suddenly concerned that the cascade of surprises that eventually led them here, wasn’t quite yet over.
“Jo? Are you still there? Of course you don’t have to decide now. I’m sorry, I should have waited. I know this is so soon after all you’ve been through. Here, let me give you my number.”
“No, no. I don’t need any more time. The answer is yes. Absolutely. I would be honored to accept.”
Jo could almost hear Isabella’s smile, mirroring her own, to the relief of Ben.
“That’s wonderful news. I know my father would have wanted this.” She paused. “Actually, we have some news about him. The police charged Eric Manton today with –” Jo heard Isabella’s voice catch, “– with the murder of my father.”
“I’m so sorry. I mean I’m sorry about the way in which he …” Jo left the sentence unfinished.
“Yes. I know it’s difficult to talk about now. But we are grateful to you and those who helped you, and for risking so much to bring forward the truth. With time, we may all find some peace.”
“I wish that for your family. Thank-you Isabella.”
“Goodnight Jo. You should hear from the University in the next week.”
“Goodnight.” Jo switched off the phone.
Ben had been watching the play of emotions throughout the call. He still looked concerned, but was relieved to find that the shining in Jo’s eyes was mostly from joy.
“Time to go in, I think,” he suggested. Ben placed his hand on the small of Jo’s back and gently, but purposefully guided her inside the illuminated villa and up the sweeping stairs to their suite.
Inside, the light was subdued and the Mozart Concerto playing softly in the room melted into the luxuriant furnishings and drapes. Jo let the shawl slip from her shoulders while looking directly into Ben’s eyes. Again, her breath quickened and deepened, and she was aware that she was evoking the same reaction in Ben.
Ben’s eyes drank in the soft glow of Jo’s skin and the glimmers of gold in her auburn hair. “So, Miss Lavelle, will we be using all of the bedrooms this evening?”
“Mais oui. Yes, of course.”
Ben looked slightly crestfallen at the news that they wouldn’t be sharing accommodations. Jo diminished the distance between them and cupped his face in her hands, silencing any further questions with her lips on his.
She drew away momentarily. “Yes, we will be making use of all of the bedrooms. One at a time.”
Much later that night, Jo drifted off, enveloped in Ben’s arms and fell into a restful sleep that only comes with the knowledge that you are home.
About the Author
SUSAN CULLIGAN is a London girl at heart with an aptitude for numbers and a passion for words. She considers her life to be a series of fortuitous events that include graduating from Cambridge University and a stint as an investment banker in London. She is surprised to have now made a home in Oklahoma, where she is happily raising two children and a dog. The Girl Inside is her first novel.
To stay on the inside and receive author news and updates please visit www.sculligan.com
Table of Contents
Title page
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
About the Author