Lucy Gordon - Rescued by the Brooding Tycoon

So, who? Freya? Perhaps he really needed his father’s money that much. Or one of the numerous females who’d made eyes at him that evening?

She threw herself back down onto the bed but sleep was impossible, and now she wondered how she could get through tomorrow. How could she look at him without an accusation in her eyes, however illogical?

Restlessly, she jumped up and began to pace the room. From the street outside came the sound of a car and she drew aside the curtain to look down.

Then she grew still as she saw the passenger get out. It was Darius, and he was weighed down with baggage. Three large suitcases were offloaded onto the pavement and collected by the porter, then they disappeared into the hotel.

Harriet scurried to her door, listening. She heard the elevator arrive, the doors open and the sound of a trolley being wheeled across the floor, stopping outside the room next to hers. Only then did she look out.

Darius was opening his door, indicating for the porter to take the luggage in. When the man had departed he seemed to notice Harriet.

‘Sorry if the racket disturbed you.’

‘It didn’t. I happened to see you arrive downstairs. You look worn out.’

‘I’ve been to my apartment to collect a few things. At least, it was meant to be a few things, but once I started I couldn’t stop.’

‘You mean-that’s where you’ve been all this time?’ she breathed.

‘Yes, I decided I couldn’t be in London without going home for a few hours. I’ve had someone going in to collect any mail that arrived, but there was still plenty of stuff on the mat. I didn’t mean to stay so long but things built up. What’s the matter? What’s funny?’

‘Nothing,’ she said in a trembling voice.

‘Then why are you laughing?’

‘I’m not-not really.’

‘Yes, you are. What’s so funny at this hour?’

‘You wouldn’t understand. Go to bed quickly. I’ll see you in the morning.’

She escaped before she could give herself away any more. It was vital to be alone to throw herself on her bed, to laugh and cry, and marvel at where the path was leading her.

Now for the big one.

That was her thought as she sat before the mirror next morning, watching as her make-up was again applied by an expert.

Today her clothes were less ostentatiously glamorous, although no less costly, a matching dress and jacket in light grey heavy silk. Around her neck she wore the diamond pendant.

Now the attendants had gone and there was just time for one last important job. Quickly, she dialled her neighbour’s number.

‘Hi, Jenny, is everything all right?-Lovely-he’s not off his food, is he?- Oh, good, they’re his favourite bones but I was afraid he might pine-oh, please fetch him.’

Marcel and Jackson, knocking on their brother’s door, found it opened promptly.

‘I’m honoured,’ he said ironically.

‘Not you, her,’ Jackson informed him. ‘Do you think we’re going to miss the chance to be seen with the most gorgeous girl since-? Is this her door? Good.’

All three of them raised their hands, but before they could knock they heard Harriet’s voice inside.

‘Oh, darling, do you miss me? I miss you so much. I’ll be home soon. I love you more than anyone in the world.’

Jackson and Marcel stared at their brother.

‘A ménage à trois ?’ Marcel demanded, aghast. ‘You?’

‘Not in a million years,’ Darius declared. ‘I leave those kind of shenanigans to you.’

‘But she was talking to the one she loves more than anyone in the world. ’

‘She was talking to her dog,’ Darius said, grinning. ‘She does that a lot. She left him with a friend and she called him as soon as we arrived.’

Jackson nodded. ‘She’s probably had him since she was a child.’

‘No, he belonged to her husband who died a year ago.’

‘Ah!’ Enlightenment settled over Marcel. ‘Then perhaps it is the dead husband whom she loves more than-’

‘Shall we be going?’ Darius interrupted him, knocking. ‘Harriet, are you ready in there?’

‘Coming!’ She opened the door and stood basking in their looks of admiration.

Instantly, Marcel and Jackson extended their hands to her, but Darius stayed firm.

‘Back off, you two,’ he said, drawing her hand into the crook of his elbow. ‘She’s mine.’

And Harriet thought she detected a note of pride in his voice, if only she could allow herself to believe it.

Heads held high, they went downstairs to where the ceremony would take place. It would be a civil ceremony, but the venue had been done up to emulate the grandeur of a church. There were flowers everywhere and chairs laid out in rows, while at the far end a choir was assembling.

It was almost time to begin. Ken took his place and stood waiting, his eyes fixed on the door through which his bride would come.

At last Mary appeared and began to walk slowly towards him. She was magnificently dressed in a long gown of saffron coloured satin, a diamond tiara on her head. Behind her walked Frankie and Mark.

What would Darius be feeling now, she wondered, as his one-time beloved married another man and his children became part of another family? He was between her and the procession, so that his face was turned away, and she could only wonder about his expression. But she guessed it would reveal nothing.

As the children passed she saw that Frankie wore a frilly bridesmaid dress and Mark had a page’s costume, also frilly. How he would hate that, she thought.

As if to confirm it, he glanced up at her and made a face of helpless resignation. She made a face back, conveying sympathy. By chance, Darius happened to turn his head in time to see them both.

‘Poor Mark,’ she murmured.

The procession was slowing down, bringing Mark to a brief halt. Just a couple of seconds but it was enough for Darius to put his hand on his son’s shoulder and grunt, ‘Don’t give up, lad.’

Then they were on their way again, with only the memory of Mark’s look of amazed gratitude at his father.

Slowly, the ceremony advanced until the moment when the bride took her groom’s hand, looking up into his face and saying fervently, ‘You are mine, and I am yours. We will be together for always, and no other man will ever live in my heart.’

Conventional words for a wedding, but how did they sound to the man who had once been her husband? Carefully, Harriet turned her head, hoping to catch a sideways glimpse of his face, only to find it turned towards her. He wasn’t looking at the couple swearing their love. His gaze was fixed on her, and something in it made her turn quickly away.

A few feet away, Amos and his family were seated, their chairs at an angle that enabled Amos to see Darius and Harriet clearly. His eyes narrowed, an expression that Jackson recognised with a sigh and that made him exchange a glance with Marcel.

They knew that look on their father’s face, and it didn’t bode well.

A S THEYwalked out afterwards Amos fell into step beside Jackson, speaking in a low voice. ‘What do you know about her?’

‘Only that she’s delightful, and a very good influence on Darius.’

‘And just what does that mean?’

‘I’ve been watching them together.’ Jackson fell silent.

‘And?’ Amos demanded. ‘And?’

‘He was laughing.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘It’s true. Darius was laughing.’

‘I’ve seen that too,’ Marcel put in. ‘And you know what makes him laugh? She makes fun of him.’

‘She makes fun of him? And he likes it? Rubbish.’

‘They share jokes,’ Jackson agreed. ‘I’ve seen them and heard some of the things they say. Daft remarks tossed back and forth, things that wouldn’t make any sense to other people, but they understand each other, and they laugh together. I’ve never seen that in Darius before. She’s transformed him.’