There was a soft knock on my door.
Oh, come on. Jasper Roth was the last thing I needed to deal with at this hour, with my head such a mess. “Jasper…” I began, swinging open the door.
“Again, why would Jasper Roth be coming to your cottage after dark?” asked Ben. “Can I come in?” he continued, pushing past me. He looked at the table with the wine and cheese. “Were you planning to entertain?”
“Yes, I plan to entertain myself.”
“Can I watch?” he asked, with a lascivious grin.
“Why are you here, Ben?” I asked tonelessly.
“You never showed up. I had to track you down since you never came.”
“I did come. Apparently shortly after Kaylie did,” I said, arching an eyebrow.
Ben’s face clouded, then dissolved into relief. “Oh, that. We were just talking! Nothing happened between Kaylie and me.”
“Not then, Ben, but it did in New York. You’re a liar and a cheat. Now leave.”
“C’mon, now, Jubes. I don’t know what you think happened…”
“What I know happened. I heard you two talking.”
“You misunderstood. Let’s open this wine, and sit down, and…”
“It’s over Ben. It’s been an awful couple of days and now you’re giving me a headache. Please leave.”
His face hardened.
“I wouldn’t be Miss High and Mighty if I were you. Looks like Jasper’s been keeping you here in his love bungalow. Who’s the cheater now?”
“It’s time for you to leave, Ben.”
“And according to the little housemaid, you’ve been very busy. Sounds like you’ve had a taste of something below stairs as well.”
“What’s Daphne been saying?” I asked, coloring. “Why would she even be talking to you?”
“Turns out for a glass of wine and a bit of flattery, she’s anybody’s.”
“Tell me you didn’t!”
“Not that it’s any of your business anymore, but I didn’t. I could have, though. Anyway, I suppose we’re even. I had mine with Kaylie and you had yours with Chef Action Man.”
“Never while you and I were together. By the way, you left Amanda Selmont off the roster.” I shook my head. “But it doesn’t matter. You’re nothing to me, now. Please leave.”
“Before I go, do me one last favor, darling,” he said nastily, with a bit of silk in his voice. He pulled a Swiss army knife out of his pocket, flipped out the corkscrew and slowly began to open my bottle of wine. “Put in a good word for me with Roth. Since you two are so cozy and all.” He popped the cork. “You know, he and I have gotten quite chummy ourselves. We discuss all manner of manly topics. I don’t think he’d like hearing about Edward, do you?” He poured himself a glass.
“You can’t tell him about that!” I said, flailing to find a reason why Jasper shouldn’t know. “Just, well, please don’t tell him.”
“Roth’s considering making me his legal counsel for his new L.A. film project.” He gave a little self-satisfied grin. “I’ve been gunning to move to the States, and with you working at Thornton Hall, I had a prime opportunity for an audience with Jasper himself. With all that New York film work I did last Christmas, I’m a natural to run his venture.”
“Is that why you showed up here? Is that why you packed a suit?” I had to stop and laugh. “I thought that you were going to ask me to…”
“To what? To marry me?” He poured wine into the lone glass on the table and leaned against the wall with his shoulder, swirling and studying it. “I considered it, but it could never work. If I’m going to break out in the States, I need a wife who’ll host my parties, dress up, and make nice with the other wives. The way you put your career first and all that stuff about paying your own way…you behave like you’re the man. Except in bed.” He held up his glass to toast me. “Face it, the sex was really good fun, but did you actually see us together, long-term?”
“No, Ben,” I lied. “I didn’t.” I thought of how I’d never met his family, how we didn’t mix with his friends, and how I’d never been given a ring.
“And just for the record – the sex wasn’t great,” I said, aiming to hurt him.
He sniffed and shrugged it off but I saw a flicker of doubt in his face.
“Given the circumstances, Ben, don’t count on me to recommend you to Jasper. If I told him anything, it would be that you’re childish and not to be trusted.”
“Don’t think of it,” he frowned, downing his glass of wine. “Or I’m going straight to Lady Penelope and telling her that the self-appointed Lord of the Manor is bending his lady chef over the butcher block. What you’re going to do is tell him to hire me.” He still held the knife in his hand.
“You’re out of luck, Ben. I’m not caught. There’s nothing between Jasper and me.”
“Well, try to prove it,” he said. “I’m a solicitor. I have a way with words and I can be very persuasive.”
“But that’s a lie!”
“Put in a good word for me to your rich American boyfriend and I’ll play nice like we used to. In fact, I’m quite in the mood to play nice now. C’mon Jubes. One for old times?” He reached out and stroked my hair.
“No way!” I lashed out, pushing him away. “Not if you were the last man on earth!”
“Fair enough,” he said, holding up his hands. “Let the record reflect that no force was involved. You can’t blame a bloke for trying, but be smart, Juliet. As a team, we both stand to profit. Cross me, and the fun’s over.”
I opened my mouth but no words came out.
“Good talk.” He relaxed his face into a smile, as he put his glass down on the table. “If you need me, I’ll be in the library drinking impossibly ancient Scotch with your boss-slash-lover and paving the way for my future. But don’t forget what I said, darling…I expect you to sing my praises.”
He strode across the room and walked out the door before I could respond. I shut it behind him.
I glanced at my wine and snacks, and considered my bed. I was stuck. I couldn’t decide what to do with myself.
There was nothing left to do but go back to work. The most solid thing I had to cling to was my being a good chef. By the time I had on a fresh set of clothes, I was ready to face whatever waited for me in the house. Except maybe Jasper. You can’t run forever, Juliet. Just tell him no, I coached myself. You don’t even have feelings for Jasper Roth. Unless you do, a soft teasing voice inside me whispered. I pulled on a pair of my softest, fuzziest socks, stepped into my clogs, and strode out determinedly into the now-dark night. Closing the door behind me, I reached into my pocket for my flashlight. It wasn’t there. For a moment, I considered going back for it. Never mind, I thought, I know I can find my way.