A Jersey Affair

by Georgina Troy

  ‘I’m not getting you fired. You need your job at De Greys, especially now,’ she said, wishing there was a way around her dilemma. ‘If only I’d known this before he came in here this afternoon maybe I could have handled things differently.’

  ‘Timing has never been my strong point,’ Olly murmured, looking downcast.

  ‘Nor mine.’ Paige wished she could turn the clock back ten minutes. He was helping me all the time, she mused and I never gave him a chance. He’d left believing she was glad to see the back of him.

  Sebastian was proud, and she knew she had turned her back on him for the last time. The realisation stung. Paige dare not admit as much to Olly, but fervently wished he had not found out about Sebastian being her landlord. Somehow it made matters far worse knowing she had underestimated him so badly.

  ‘Sod it, Ol, what have I done?’ she asked, stunned by this new development. Paige lowered her face into her hands. ‘I’ve been such a fool.’

  ‘Sweets,’ he said, taking her in his arms and cuddling her. ‘Don’t do this to yourself. It’s hardly surprising you didn’t believe him, even your father warned you off him, so why would you ever think differently?’

  ‘Because I know him better than Dad does, that’s why.’ She looked up at Olly. ‘And because I love him, and should have at least had the courage to give him the benefit of the doubt.’

  ‘Hey, it’s not all your fault. There is some good news.’ Olly let her go.

  ‘What?’ sniffed Paige unable to imagine what it could possibly be.

  ‘His jockey will be able to compete again and Elusive Goddess is on the mend.’

  Paige couldn’t help feeling a little better to hear this news. ‘I’m so relieved,’ she said. ‘Thanks for telling me. Now you’d better get back to De Greys before you’re missed.’

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  ‘Where’s Ol?’ asked Paige when she walked into the living room. ‘He’s usually here by now.’

  Clem pulled the cushion from behind her back and hit it a few times before replacing it. ‘He phoned a while ago, said he had to work a bit later tonight.’

  ‘Strange, he never said anything when he came to the shop earlier.’

  ‘Maybe it was a last-minute thing,’ Clem said. ‘That Sebastian Fielding is a slave driver when he wants a project finished.’

  Paige shrugged. ‘I suppose that’s why he’s so successful.’ She took off her coat and hung it on the coat stand by the front door. ‘He works far harder than he expects anyone else to.’ She returned to see Clem trying to stifle a giggle. ‘What’s so funny?’

  Clem gave in, and laughed loudly, holding her side until she managed to contain herself. ‘You’re very defensive of him all of a sudden, aren’t you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘You know you are, so don’t try to deny it.’

  ‘Coffee?’ Paige asked, changing the subject and trying not to smile as she left the room. ‘Anyway, he’s not all bad.’

  ‘Hello, honey, I’m home,’ Olly sang, banging the front door shut loudly and striding along the hallway.

  ‘Where’ve you been?’ Paige asked stepping up behind him and making him jump.

  ‘Shit, don’t do that?’

  Paige narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re a little nervy tonight.’

  ‘No, I’m not.’ He pulled a face and went through to see Clem. ‘How’s my poor suffering girlfriend today?’

  Paige went back into the kitchen to finish making the drinks. It was a relief that the two of them had finally made up, she mused, taking an extra cup from the overhead cupboard, but it did make her feel a little like she was intruding in their love nest.

  Paige sat nursing her cooling mug. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling much better now,’ she said to Clem as she snuggled up to Olly on the sofa. ‘Do you think you’ll enjoy looking after the online sales?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘You won’t get a little bored being stuck here by yourself all day?’

  Clem giggled. ‘I won’t be by myself, though, will I?’ She took Olly’s hand and stroked her stomach lightly. ‘I’ll have company that’s probably going to keep me extremely busy, especially for the first few months.’

  Paige nodded. ‘True. How could I forget?’ She smiled. ‘Who’s that?’ she groaned, hearing someone knocking heavily on the front door.

  Olly and Clem looked at her, but didn’t move. ‘Fine, I’ll get it.’ She sighed and walked through to the front door. ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked when she pulled the door back and revealed Sebastian standing on her doorstep, a determined expression on his face. She stepped back to let him in.

  ‘I’ve come to collect you,’ he said.

  ‘Why? Where are we going?’ Paige turned to find Olly and Clem standing behind her. ‘What?’ she said, noticing a mischievous glint in Olly’s eyes.

  ‘Pack a bag. You’re coming with me.’ Sebastian said, taking her mug from her and passing it to Olly.

  ‘Where to?’ Excitement began bubbling deep within her stomach. ‘What do I need?’

  ‘At least she’s not arguing,’ she heard Olly whisper to her sister.

  ‘There’s always a first time for everything,’ Clem giggled.

  Ignoring them, she studied Sebastian’s face. ‘What’s this all about?’

  ‘Olly came to my office earlier and we had a brief chat.’

  Paige’s eyes widened and she glanced over her shoulder at Olly.

  ‘It’s all right, he’s told me everything,’ Seb said.

  Paige daren’t say anything in case Seb wasn’t talking about the computer incident, and was referring to something else.

  ‘It’s true. He knows about me seeing the spreadsheet on his computer.’

  Paige sighed with relief. ‘And you’re not going to fire him?’

  ‘Thanks for putting the idea into his head,’ Ol said. ‘For once just shut up and listen.’

  Sebastian laughed, taking Paige by her shoulders. ‘Stop looking so concerned. I’m not going to fire my best IT man. However, I am taking you away with me for the weekend.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘No “buts”.’

  Paige shook her head. ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘I’m not telling you, you’ll have to trust me. Do you?’ He stared at her with such intensity she knew he wasn’t just referring to the weekend ahead of them.

  Paige nodded. ‘Yes, I do.’

  Sebastian smiled. ‘Finally,’ he murmured into her ear, so only she could hear.

  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 w
hispered, 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, and held 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, but 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 indicated, 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 her, but turned off the ignition and 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, but 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.’