“Sandra, I need to see you. Can you meet me tonight?”
“You come right to the point, don’t you?”
David creased his brow. Sandra’s response had a biting edge. Surely she wouldn’t refuse him?
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, and I really would like to see you again.”
A full three seconds of silence stood between them before she answered, leaving David even more confused.
“Sure, David.” She hesitated. “I’m working till midnight, but after that, I’m free.”
Relieved, he asked, “Where are you working?”
“The Pink Palace. Do you want to pick me up or meet me at my flat?”
“I’ll meet you at your flat. I’ll see you around one. Will that do?”
“I’ll see you then. You still have the key?”
“Yes, I’ll let myself in and wait for you.”
Sliding his mobile shut, he poured himself a brandy while he contemplated Sandra. Her tone was cool and clipped. For a moment, he had feared she would refuse him. He wondered if it was just his imagination or something else.
She knew their understanding. That had never been a problem. He could be with her and go on his way without so much as a second thought. She had never made any demands and there were no expectations. Puzzled by her tone, he dismissed it as nothing. Finishing his brandy, he put out his cigarette and left for Sandra’s flat.
Sandra arrived a little after one and found David reclined on the sofa in the living room, waiting for her.
“David, it’s so good to see you again. I haven’t seen you in…what, a year?”
“It’s been a long time, love, but I’m here tonight. How have you been?”
“Lonely. I’ve missed our times together. You’re one of the best lovers I’ve ever had, and… well, I’ve missed you.”
David arched an eyebrow, startled by her confession and not quite sure how to answer.
“I’ve been very busy, love. I haven’t had time to visit old friends.”
“Yes, I’m sure you have.”
David pulled in a deep breath. There it is. That cool tone again. What’s wrong with her?
Walking over to the small cabinet beside her sofa, she threw her wrap over a nearby chair and turned. “Well, let’s have some wine and make up for lost time. I’m looking forward to being with you again. This time we’ll work extra hard to be discreet, so there’ll be no more problems.” She poured two glasses of port and handed him one before taking her seat beside him. He pulled her close and held her as they sipped their wine in silence. Relaxed, he once again dismissed his reservations. Apparently, she thought he hadn’t called because of the tabloids. He’d let her think whatever she wanted. It was better than the truth.
“David, what’s wrong? You’re not yourself. You’ve barely said two words to me. Something’s bothering you.”
“Why do you say that? I’m a little tired. That’s all.”
“Precisely. You were never tired when we were together. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I sense the presence of another woman.”
Shocked at her perception, David jolted. He’d thought Sandra beautiful and talented, but perceptive was not an attribute he would have ascribed to her. “No one is here besides us, and there is nothing wrong with me…nothing at all.”
“It’s me you’re talking to, David. I know you fairly well. If you’re not crawling all over me, something is wrong. We haven’t made love in a year, and you aren’t interested.”
“Sandra,” he sat up straight, “I’ve never made love to you, and tonight, I feel like it even less. If you’re looking for love, I don’t have it in me. Intimacy is something I can try to share, but if I disappoint you, I’m sorry.”
“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” Sandra persisted. “The American.”
“Sandra, what on earth are you talking about?”
“The one I read about in society pages. The wealthy corporate executive from America. The story was picked up by The Sunday Times. It’s reported that you’ve been seen traveling to South Carolina to see some woman. The papers say that you are quite serious about her.” She shifted to face him. “Are you in love? Is that the reason you came to see me? Are you running from her?”
“She has nothing to do with it. I don’t love her. I don’t love anybody. I told you once before love is an emotion I don’t feel—not for her, not for you, not for anyone,” he lied.
“Oh, but I believe you do. Perhaps you’re unaware of it, but you’re more affected by her than you think.”
David attempted to respond, but Sandra held up her hand to silence him.
“David, I know our relationship has only been about sex. I meet your needs and you meet mine, but tonight you’re distracted. You’re in love with her, and I know it,” Sandra whimpered.
Stunned, David looked at her in confused disbelief. “You’re wrong. I’ve told you I don’t love her. So let’s drop it!”
Sandra set her glass down and began to tremble, crying softly.
…Oh God, a crying woman! I can’t handle a crying woman. A twinge of pity pierced his heart as he set his wine glass aside and wrapped her in his arms. He wished it could have been her he loved, but it wasn’t. In a storm of emotions, he lied again.
“You’re mistaken, Sandra.”
“No, I don’t think I am. She or someone else is here tonight. It’s not me you desire. I’m only a diversion—someone to help you forget what you don’t want to remember.”
“You’re wrong, Sandra. I’m not in love,” he breathed deeply, “but you’re right about one thing. I…we do need a diversion.”
Hearing his words, she turned in his arms and embraced him, kissing him in a way she had never kissed him before. David sensed her desperation—desperate for whatever he was willing to give her.
Knowing she had feelings for him disturbed him greatly. It had been a mistake to come here. But since he was here, he couldn’t leave her so distraught. A year ago, he wouldn’t have cared, but not today. Somewhere along the way he’d become a different man—a man torn by her emotional state and by his guilt in knowing that he could not return her feelings. All of it only increased the pain he had sought to escape in her arms.
For the second time in his life, he was taking a woman to bed for her sake—not his. He would give Sandra what he knew she wanted and needed—some tenderness, but he could never return to her flat again. One thing he’d sworn he would never do was to deliberately hurt someone, especially the way Cecilia had hurt him. Sandra deserved better than that. After he knew she was satisfied, he lay there holding her until she fell asleep.
Once he was sure she was asleep, David got up and dressed. As he reached for his pen to leave her a note, he saw the December issue of Gentleman Quarterly lying on her dresser. Eying it carefully, he picked it up and thumbed through it until he reached the article. Sandra had written a note in the margin. She had thought the article was meant for her. Pain gripped him as a slow, guttural moan escaped his throat. …Oh God, what have I done? I never meant for her to love me. No matter what I do, I will hurt her, but at least I will hurt her less by leaving. He glanced back at her sleeping form and shook his head. Then he took out his pen and wrote her a quick note, leaving it, along with the key and £2000, her usual fee, on her dresser. After one quick look at Sandra’s sleeping form, he turned and quietly left, closing the door behind him for good.
Chapter Sixty-five
…He’s throwing his happiness away with both hands…
At long last David and Fitzwilliam finally met with Thomas Metcalf, lead solicitor of Pemberley Group, to begin the process of separating Pemberley, PLC from Vanderburgh Banking. Wrangling back and forth over the contents of the brief Fitzwilliam and David had put together, Fitzwilliam finally said, “Thomas, I want all ties to Vanderburgh Banking severed. That’s not negotiable, and I don’t care how you do it—just do it.”
Scanning over the rough proposal once more, Metcalf replied, “Fitzwilli
am, that’s a difficult process. Vanderburgh Banking is deeply entrenched in Pemberley. Your family has been heavily involved with them for generations. You do realize that this will be a heavy financial loss for them? And not only that, but to replace them with J.C. Hanover? That act alone will be viewed as a deliberate affront.”
“As I intend it to be!”
Metcalf let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t understand your reasoning, and I think it ill-advised, but if this is what you want, I will arrange it. I’ll have a contractual separation draft on your desk by the middle of next week. If you approve the preliminary version, the final document can be ready by Friday of the following week. I’ll also have the necessary paperwork for the formal agreement with Hanover drawn up by then as well. But you had better be bloody damned sure this is what you want, because once it begins, it cannot be reversed.”
“Good!” Fitzwilliam exclaimed.
“Thomas, we are bloody damned sure, or we wouldn’t be sitting here in your office, taking up your time and wasting ours,” David interjected.
“Yes, I rather imagine you are at that. Well, I’ll meet with the others and get on with it.”
“Very good. Now I have one other thing of great importance we need to discuss.” Fitzwilliam turned to David. “Unless you wish to stay for this, I’ll see you in my office in ten minutes.”
“No, I’d rather not. I’ll meet you when you’re through here,” David said as he rose to leave.
When they were alone, Fitzwilliam pulled out a piece of paper from his binder. “Thomas, Hilda stole some sheets of my personal business stationery with my signature attached and used one of them. I want you to make note of that and file a copy of this letter with it,” Fitzwilliam said as he handed Metcalf a copy of the letter Hilda had written to Elizabeth.
Thomas glanced up from his paperwork as he took the letter. “Is that why you want this separation?”
“Precisely.” He gave a curt nod. “As to the letter, I will swear out an affidavit stating that I did not write it, and should other such letters appear with my signature on them, I want legal action taken.”
As Metcalf scanned the letter, he looked up in shocked disbelief. “Good God, Fitzwilliam, what on earth were you thinking to have left signed letterhead lying about. This is serious business! You’ve got to get that stationery back and change your security practices. Get that stationery out of your office, and have Mrs. Foulkes keep it under lock and key. Do you realize the ramifications of this? That stationery could be used for anything, though I highly doubt Hilda is stupid enough to commit a crime with it, but get it back just the same! For now, I’ll make a legal record of this and file it, but get that stationery back!”
“I intend to, Thomas, believe me, I intend to. And I do know how serious this is. I can’t believe I was so foolish. Nevertheless, take care of it for me.”
Metcalf arched a brow and slowly shook his head.
With their business concluded, Fitzwilliam left Metcalf’s office and headed back towards the lobby where Mrs. Foulkes informed him that his uncle was waiting on line two.
“Thank you, Betty. I’ll take the call in my office.”
Once at this desk, he picked up the phone. “Uncle Harvey, what can I do for you?”
“Fitzwilliam, how are you?”
“Things couldn’t be better.”
“Good…good. Susan and I have been thinking about you since we talked last week. How are your wife and children?”
“We’re all doing well. Elizabeth and the twins are adjusting, and I couldn’t be happier now that I finally have my family home with me.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. We’re both very happy for you,” Harvey said. “Now, this brings me to the point of my call. Susan and I would like to invite you and your wife to dinner one night this week at your convenience. We would like very much to meet her. David and Georgiana are invited as well. And William and Benson will be here, too, as well as Amanda Elliot, William’s girlfriend.”
“Amanda Elliot? I didn’t realize William was dating Amanda.”
“Oh yes, they have been seeing each other for a few months now, at least whenever he’s been in town, but I believe she has also been with him in New York.” Uncle Harvey laughed. “Perhaps, in the not too distant future, he’ll have an announcement of his own to make.”
“Well, it could be. Last December I did notice how he seemed to stare at her from across the ballroom. I guess he finally found the courage to speak with her.”
“Yes, I would say he did, and I think they’ve been doing a little more than talking.” Harvey chuckled. “He has the same Darcy reserve that most of us have, but I do believe he has overcome it just a bit. Anyway, what do you say about dinner?”
“I’ll speak with Elizabeth tonight and get back with you tomorrow.”
“Very well then, we’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
Fitzwilliam hung up the phone and shook his head, smiling. David, who had just entered his brother’s office, noticed. “What’s so amusing?”
“That was Uncle Harvey on the phone inviting us to dinner one night this week.” Fitzwilliam tilted his head with a wide smile. “David, did you know William was dating Amanda Elliot?”
“Yes, I did. He’s quite taken with her.”
“So I’m finding out. Anyway, back to the dinner invitation, are you free? I’ll have to speak with Elizabeth to set a date.”
“Yes, any night or time will do for me. I don’t go out much anymore,” David murmured. His eyes filled with sadness for a split second before composing himself. “Fitzwilliam, I need that proposal for the Thai Silk contract I was working on. You did look over it, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I studied it, and I’m in complete agreement with your suggestions, but David, you don’t have to personally handle that. Delegate the job to your assistant. Bruce could use the experience.”
“No, I’ll handle it myself. I’m working late tonight, and I’m staying here at my flat, so don’t expect me home for dinner. I’ll have something sent in. In fact,” he hesitated, “I’ll be staying here and working for the next several weeks.” David smiled, taking the file Fitzwilliam handed him.
Staring at his brother, Fitzwilliam said, “David, if you need to talk, I can stay here with you tonight. Elizabeth will understand.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need to finish this proposal.”
“David, you’re not fine. I’ve been there. Remember? Take some time off and go back to South Carolina. Bruce can handle the contract. Go back to Charleston before it’s too late.”
“It’s already too late,” he flatly stated. “She’s seeing another man.”
“But she doesn’t love him. Elizabeth’s told me all about their sordid story. Don’t you see she’s settling? Cecilia doesn’t have your options. From what Elizabeth has told me, she has to marry. If not you, then somebody! If you let her slip through your fingers, then you’re harder than I thought. Don’t be a fool, David. Don’t live up to the family tradition! David—”
“Enough, Fitzwilliam! I’ll handle my own affairs. You take care of yours!” David snapped.
“But that’s the point! You’re not handling them!”
“I said enough!” David glared. A long uncomfortable silence reigned between the brothers until David finally broke it. “I’ll finish this tonight and have it back to you by tomorrow morning.” Pausing, he drew a deep breath. “I know you care, but you don’t understand. I’m not like you. I must have time and space. I need to be alone.” Slapping the folder against his palm, he nodded and then turned and left.
Fitzwilliam sighed. As much as he wanted to help his brother, there was nothing he could do. He fell back in his chair and raked his fingers through his hair…He’s throwing his happiness away with both hands and about to make the worst mistake of his life…but he won’t listen to a thing I have to say. Perhaps he’ll listen to Harvey.
Chapter Sixty-six
…You don’t understand. She
betrayed me…
Dinner with the senior Darcys was to be at seven o’clock. Still plagued with many reservations concerning her husband’s family, Elizabeth was thankful Georgiana and David were free to attend. Unsure of what to expect, she consulted Georgiana. As they sat in the master suite having tea, she broached the subject that had bothered her for several days.
“Georgiana, I was wondering… could you tell me a little of what your aunt and uncle are like? Are they friendly?” Elizabeth asked as she sipped her tea.
Smiling, Georgiana reassured her. “Elizabeth, I know why you’re concerned, but you needn’t be. My aunt and uncle are some of the finest people I’ve ever known. You will like them, and they will like you. They have always been kind to us—especially to my brothers. Our cousins, William and Benson, are very down-to-earth, not at all like some of our other relatives, who can be arrogant and rude.” She took Elizabeth’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Relax, Elizabeth. They will love you, if for no other reason than the fact that my brother is so smitten by you, and you are the mother of their great-niece and nephew.”
“All right,” she breathed a breath of relief. “I’ll try and not be so nervous. Now, will you please help me pick out something to wear? I do want to make a good first impression.”
Setting their tea cups aside, both rose from the tea table and walked over to the closet. Georgiana pulled a dress from the rack. “Elizabeth, how about this violet semiformal? I think the color is flattering.”
“Yes, I like that one. And I can wear my amethyst pendant and earrings that your brother gave me for my birthday. I think it’ll do nicely.”
~*~
They arrived at the Darcys’ at six o’clock to give his aunt and uncle time to become acquainted with Elizabeth before dinner. As they entered the house, Fitzwilliam made the introduction.
“Uncle Harvey, Aunt Susan, this is my wife, Elizabeth Darcy.”
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