After a long, slow breakfast, Megan took a deep breath and said, ‘I’d like to discuss the practicalities.’ She wasn’t going to be completely foolish about this.
He frowned. ‘All right.’
She deliberately chose to sit in a chair rather than next to him on the couch, because with his body touching hers there was no way she could think straight. ‘I – um, think it’s important to get our expectations of each other quite clear. I want our marriage to last.’
His voice softened. ‘So do I. Very well. You go first. What do you expect of our marriage, Megan?’
She swallowed hard, trying to sound calm and reasonable, when in reality she felt flustered and uncertain. ‘Well, I hope for a more interesting life than I would have if I stay in Upper Shenstead. And – and companionship. A family – later.’
‘You’re not expecting romance and roses? Because I won’t pretend about that. I simply don’t believe in love at first sight, let alone romantic love.’
His voice sounded clipped and his expression was scornful. ‘Of course not,’ she said. ‘We didn’t exactly meet and fall head over heels in love so you can’t call this a romance!’
She saw his expression relax a little. What did he have against romance, for goodness’ sake? ‘But if you want to buy me roses, I won’t object.’
He nodded, but his suspicious expression softened only slightly.
‘I do know one thing, though,’ she went on, for she had a personal concern about what some men expected of their wives. ‘I don’t want to be smothered in any relationship! I watch Sandy, and all she lives for is Jim and the baby. She’s stopped having any opinions of her own, because when she used to voice them, he would contradict her.’
Indignation rose in Megan. ‘She actually lets him think for them both! And my cousin Sarah is nearly as bad. It’s always “Don says—” and “Don thinks—”. So you should know in advance, Ben, that I’m not about to adopt your opinions wholesale or turn into a doormat.’ Of that she was quite certain, if nothing else.
His expression softened still further. ‘I would never expect you to parrot my views on life, Megan. In fact, I’d hate that.’
‘What do you expect from a marriage, then?’
‘A wife who’ll be loyal to me, that above all.’
He was staring at her as if he needed to see her expression when she answered. She found that so surprising, she couldn’t think what to answer.
As the seconds ticked past, he said harshly, ‘You should realise that I won’t countenance your having affairs with other men.’
Megan blinked in shock, then sat up straighter and glared at him. ‘Do I seem the sort of person who would even want to do that?’
His face was sombre. ‘You can’t always tell. I don’t think you are, but I still want to make it clear from the beginning that I’d leave you at once if anything like that happened. No second chances.’
‘Well!’ She didn’t attempt to hide her indignation and tossed his own words back at him. ‘And let me tell you, I’d leave you, too, if you were unfaithful to me. No second chances for you, either, Ben Saunders!’
He nodded and after a pause said quietly, ‘Good. That’s agreed. And I really want children. Two or three.’
‘So do I.’ Her indignation began to subside at that thought and she couldn’t help smiling. ‘And even if we haven’t fallen madly in love, I hope we can become really good friends and – and learn to care about one another. It upsets me to hear you talk about being unfaithful before we’re even married. It’s the last thing we should be focusing on, as well as the last thing I’d ever do.’
His mouth twisted and his expression became hard again. ‘Blame the people I’ve been associating with in recent years. ‘Really rich people and celebrities aren’t noted for their fidelity or their marital happiness, and I suppose that’s made me cynical. And yet I’ve seen so many of them claim to be in love when they marry. That’s why I insist on something different for myself, a relationship built on logic and honesty.’
She looked at him in surprise. Logic? When she sizzled at his touch. Melted into his kisses. Dreamed of him every night. When he had proposed marriage after they’d spent only three days together? That wasn’t logic. It was sheer insanity.
She decided to change the subject. Let him think what they were doing was logical, if he could. She couldn’t fault him on eagerness. ‘What will our life be like in Australia?’
‘Very different. I’m looking forward to a rest from the rat race – though there are still one or two bits of business I need to clear up. For you – well, it might be a bit difficult for you to fit in a career if we’re living in the country. The Australian bush is very different from Upper Shenstead and the Cotswolds. The next house to where you live can be many miles away and country towns are mostly tiny places.’
‘I don’t necessarily need a career. But I do need something worthwhile to occupy myself with. Maybe I can get involved in conservation issues. The situation sounds to be as bad in Australia as here. And – and there are various other possibilities I’d like to explore. Creative options, perhaps.’
She didn’t know him well enough to tell him about her secret ambition to write novels, or about the two short stories she’d had published in magazines during the past year – and been paid for, which made her feel like a professional writer. She hadn’t told anyone about that, not even her aunt and uncle. The thought of becoming a novelist was too precious a dream. She couldn’t bear anyone to treat it as if it was a hobby like embroidery.
She was working on her first novel now and it suddenly occurred to her that she’d probably have plenty of time to devote to it if she married Ben Saunders. A shiver of joy ran up and down her spine. This was all fitting together so well.
Only… it seemed too good to be true. How could this fairy tale possibly be happening to her?
He leaned forward slightly. ‘All that remains now, Megan, is to arrange our marriage as quickly as possible. I’m sure my Aunt Louisa would do that for us, if you’d trust her. She lives in London and anything is possible there. We can just have a quiet wedding, if you don’t mind. My aunt is the only member of my family whom I really care about and there are one or two old friends whom I’d like to invite. Would that be all right with you?’
‘Won’t she think it strange, you marrying someone you hardly know?’
‘She’s been telling me it’s time I got married for ages. I think she’ll be delighted, especially once she’s met you.’
Elation sizzled through Megan, but it was followed by a jolt of pure terror as the marriage began to seem real.
He stood up and came to pull her to her feet. ‘I shall be very proud of my beautiful wife.’ First he raised her hand to his lips, which sent her wits scattering to the four winds, then he drew her into his embrace and began to kiss her. When he moved back, he was looking as stunned as she felt.
‘No one’s ever kissed me like you do,’ she whispered.
‘No one’s ever roused me so quickly, either,’ he admitted, his breathing deep and uneven. ‘So it’s agreed – we’re getting married next week.’
Next week! How could he speak about it so calmly?
‘Unless you’re going to change your mind?’
She stared at him in silence, then shook her head. Suddenly the thought of not marrying him, of going back to her humdrum life, was far more frightening than the thought of marrying him. ‘No. I shan’t do that.’
‘Good. Because I don’t want you to.’ He waited a minute, then said, ‘I suppose you’d better take me to meet your family. They won’t want to see me for the first time at the wedding.’
‘No!’ It came out more sharply than she had intended and made him frown. Well, she didn’t care. ‘I’d rather present them with a fait accompli. I’ve already told them I was going to look for another job. I’ll just – let them think I’ve found one.’
He looked at her in shock. ‘You’re intending to hide it from them?’
‘Yes.’ She realised she owed him an explanation. ‘They’ll try to stop me, I know they will.’ And she might let them persuade her.
‘I don’t agree with that. They can’t stop you unless you let them.’
‘They raised me. I owe them so much. I’d find it hard to go against them.’
He shook his head in bafflement. ‘This is the last thing I’d expected from you.’
‘I mean it.’
He shrugged. ‘Well, you know your own family best. But if you change your mind about that…’
‘I shan’t.’ She tried to smile at him and failed.
His voice softened. ‘We’ll do what you want, then.’
As they were driving back, they stopped for lunch. As she was finishing her meal, she realised that she didn’t know much about where they were going to live than that is was in Western Australia. Her research into emigrating had shown her that the state was about ten times larger than Britain, so she said, ‘You haven’t told me where exactly in Western Australia you live.’
‘My land is a couple of hours’ drive south of Perth, the capital. In the south-west, near the wine-growing district, though mine isn’t the sort you’d grow wine on.’
For a while he talked about Western Australia and it sounded like an absolute paradise. White beaches, a warm climate, no snow. Palm trees everywhere, parrots and tiny honey eaters flying about in suburban gardens.
She sighed ecstatically as she slowly stirred a second cup of coffee. ‘I can’t wait to see it.’
‘Western Australia does have a few faults, you know. Days when the temperature’s over a hundred degrees and you’re too hot and sweaty to think straight, mosquitoes, isolation, heavy rain sometimes in winter. And Perth is a long way from everywhere. The nearest city, even in Australia, is two thousand miles away.’
‘Goodness!’ But she couldn’t help smiling. ‘After the thriving metropolis of Upper Shenstead, I don’t know how I’ll cope with that.’
‘I think you’re a country girl at heart.’
‘I am.’
All too soon they arrived back at Sandy’s. Megan didn’t want to say goodbye to him.
He took hold of her hands. ‘You know where I’m staying and you have my mobile number. I’ll ring you every evening.’
‘Yes.’
He hesitated. ‘You won’t change your mind about marrying me, will you?’
For once he looked hesitant and uncertain of himself and she found herself smiling reassuringly. ‘No. We’re both clearly mad, but at least we’ve gone crazy together.’
His kiss left her in no doubt of her feelings. She did want to marry him. Definitely. And his question had shown that he too was a little nervous about all this, under that confident exterior, which made her feel so much better about it all. She didn’t want to marry a man who was always sure of himself. She wanted to marry the warm, friendly man with whom she had shared a few very precious days.
But although she felt happy and excited, she slept badly that night. Very badly. Ben Saunders seemed to have staked a claim to her dreams. His kisses made her melt with longing. What would his lovemaking be like?
She was so inexperienced, she was beginning to worry that she might disappoint him.
On the Monday, Megan gave in her notice and asked to be allowed to leave work that same day, explaining only that she had unexpectedly obtained a position in Australia and needed to take it up straight away.
After sitting through a hurriedly organised farewell party in the afternoon, she went back to tell Sandy the same story, though this time it was punctuated by shrieks and questions, especially when Sandy found out she was going to be working for the hunk with the Mercedes.
‘Are you sleeping with him?’
‘None of your business.’
‘Megan Ross, you are so infuriating. Why will you never share your feelings and hopes like a normal woman? You keep everything to yourself.’
Megan blushed. ‘I can’t help it. I’m just – like that.’
Sandy gave her a big hug. ‘Well, I love you anyway and I’m going to miss you horribly.’
On the Tuesday Megan went through her possessions, fending off more questions from Sandy as she tried to decide what to take with her. Resolutely she discarded most of her older stuff, all except the books, which could be packed and sent on once she was settled in Australia. She would take them over to her aunt and uncle’s that evening, when she went to tell them her alleged news, and ask if they could be stored in the attic with her other boxes.
After lunch she rushed out to the shops to make a few purchases, including smarter suitcases. She intended to turn up in London looking like the fiancée of a successful international businessman, not like Cinderella come to town in her rags to marry a Prince.
She stopped to smile. Ben did seem like a fairy tale hero sometimes.
Tuesday evening was the most difficult time of all as she tried to explain to her aunt and uncle that she’d got a job in Australia and was leaving at the end of the week. She’d never lied to them before and felt weighed down with guilt, but somehow she didn’t dare share her fragile dreams and hopes about herself and Ben with anyone. They might ridicule her or be horrified. And she couldn’t bear that.
In the end her aunt and uncle sat in near silence, looking at her so unhappily her heart twisted with pity. ‘It’s not that I don’t love you. It’s just that I have to… to see something of the world and this… well, it’s a golden opportunity.’ But she could tell they were hurt and puzzled, and that took the edge off her excitement.
Sarah and Don were away in the Lake District, so she went home to write her cousin a letter that would explain about the alleged job. She had to write it three times. The first effort was so stilted it didn’t sound like her. The second got spotted with tears. The third was short, promising a longer letter as soon as she was settled in Australia. It would have to do. Even to write that had torn her apart. Sarah was more like a sister and she would miss her far more than Sandy.
Megan had the feeling she was living in a dream, or in a world like one of those surreal Ascher drawings where you followed stairs round in circles that seemed to be going down and yet were leading you back up to your starting point. If Ben had been with her, she would have felt better about it all, but although he rang every evening, that wasn’t the same. She needed to be held by him and see his smile.
Although she couldn’t tell him that what she was doing frightened her, it really did. In the darkness of the night she admitted that to herself, but at no time did she change her mind.
Just for once in her life she was going to take a risk and nothing, absolutely nothing was going to stop her from marrying Ben Saunders.
On the Wednesday, Sandy was going to drive her to the nearest station where she would take a train up to London to stay with Ben’s Aunt Louisa. She was leaving the car with Sandy’s husband, who had promised to sell it for her on commission and pay the money into her bank account.
It seemed a moment of supreme poignancy when Megan took the very last key off her key ring. She stood staring at the empty steel circle for a moment or two. Hardly anything left now of her old life. She fingered the worn leather tag which said A Present From Brighton. It had been bought for her by her aunt years ago, but it was ragged and dirty now and she’d been meaning to replace it for a while.
Should she keep it? No! She clicked her tongue in annoyance at her own sentimentality and threw the key ring into the rubbish bin.
A fresh start, she told herself firmly. That’s what she needed.
Besides, Ben hated objects like that. They’d had their first and only near-quarrel about the ashtray she’d bought for her aunt.
Once she’d closed the last suitcase, she stood by the bedroom window for a long time, seeing nothing, lost in her thoughts. Australia was so far away! She would have no one to turn to there if things went wrong.
She made an angry growling noise in her throat. Nothing would go wrong. Of course it wouldn’t. She wouldn’t let it.
She picked up the suitcase and went downstairs. ‘I’m ready.’
When Ben met her at the station, the world seemed to click into a clearer focus. He smiled at her and helped her with the luggage, stowing it in his shiny car, then opening the door for her. As they stood looking at one another, she felt suddenly shy.
‘I’m glad you didn’t change your mind,’ he said softly.
‘Were you worried I would?’
He nodded. ‘Terrified. Stupid, isn’t it? But I didn’t want to lose you. I’m sure we’re doing the right thing, you see. Quite sure.’
She nodded, pleased that he’d been worried too.
He smiled. ‘Right, then, let’s go and introduce you to my aunt.’
Louisa Griffen must have been about sixty, but she had a timeless elegance that made Megan feel very gauche and untidy when they first met. But the warmth of Louisa’s welcome and her obvious fondness for her nephew soon broke the ice.
‘Go back to work, Ben!’ Louisa ordered, after she’d fed them lunch. ‘Megan and I have a lot of things to work out.’
He grinned. ‘Don’t I have any say in the arrangements?’
‘You’ve had your say. Now we have to see if Megan approves of what I’ve done so far. Besides, you said you had an appointment this afternoon.’
He glanced at his watch, exclaimed in shock and stood up.
Megan blinked in surprise as she watched him. It was as if he had changed personality entirely. The warmth had gone from his face, replaced by a cool expression that betrayed nothing of his thoughts.
‘I’ll be back this evening, as we arranged.’
She walked with him to the door, feeling shy again. He kissed her absent-mindedly on the cheek and was gone before she could say anything. Not that she had anything special to say, but she had expected a proper kiss at least. Disappointed she went back into the sitting room.
‘It’s very kind of you to let me stay with you and I’m really grateful for your help with the wedding arrangements,’ she told her hostess.
Louisa smiled and waved one hand dismissively. ‘Oh, I’m happy to do that. I’ve sorted most of it out already. It’s not hard. The Royal Aztec is a first-class hotel. I only had to go and talk to one of their function organisers and it was settled.’
‘I should be paying for that,’ Megan worried. ‘It’s usually up to the bride’s family to deal with that side of the day.’
‘My dear, Ben won’t even notice the money. And I gather your family would. He said you’d not told them you were getting married. Is that wise? Have you changed your mind about that?’
‘No.’
After a short silence, Louisa said, ‘Well I hope you’ll let me stand in for your aunt, then. We ought to discuss the wedding dress first, don’t you think? I presume you don’t want a traditional gown and veil?’
‘Goodness, no. But I would like something pretty.’
‘We’ll go shopping together tomorrow. I know a rather special little boutique and there’s a hat shop nearby. How about something romantic and Edwardian?’
‘Have you been reading my mind?’ Ben had been perfectly correct, she did like his aunt. Very much indeed.
Half an hour later, as they were finalising the menu for the small reception, Louisa laid one hand on Megan’s and said, ‘I’m glad my nephew’s found the right woman at last. You’ll be good for him.’
Megan blinked at her in surprise. ‘Will I? Can you tell so quickly?’
‘Oh, yes. I’m sure of it. You’re so blessedly normal and practical. And you’re not obsessed with your own body and appearance. In our circles there are some women who waste all their money and time on clothes and jewellery. I was terrified Ben would choose someone on appearances only. I’m already sure that you’re more than just a pretty face.’
Megan grimaced. ‘I’ve never been into jewellery and make-up. I’m an outdoor girl, really.’ She chuckled. ‘Though I am normal enough to enjoy flattering clothes and I do want to look special on Monday.’
‘You will. We’ll make sure of it. Welcome to the family, Megan.’ She gave her a big hug.
Which made Megan feel even more guilty about not telling her own family what she was doing.
That evening Ben took her to the theatre, to a hit musical show which she’d once expressed a desire to see. She was touched that he’d remembered and couldn’t believe he’d managed to get tickets at such a short notice. She enjoyed every second of the performance, but as they came out, she couldn’t suppress a yawn and saw him smiling at her.
‘It’s been quite a week!’ he said sympathetically.
‘The most amazing week of my life.’
They stood still and people flowed around them like water. Neither spoke but they smiled and their hands were linked, and that was all they needed to feel good about life.
Eventually he tugged her forward again. ‘I think I’d better get you back to my aunt’s early. I have some figures to check tonight. One of the two people I’d kept on to help clear up the final details was suddenly offered a terrific job in Brussels. I couldn’t hold her back, but it means everything is taking longer than I’d expected. Do you mind?’
‘Not at all.’
‘You’re very undemanding,’ he said wonderingly.
‘What should I be asking for that I haven’t got?’ she asked. Besides, she still felt as if everything was slightly unreal, as if it couldn’t possibly last.
On the Thursday, Megan had her first quarrel with Ben. He came round for breakfast at his aunt’s flat and when Megan opened the door to him, said without preamble, ‘I worked late and got a lot more done than I’d expected so that I could take some time off today to buy you some new clothes.’
She stared at him in shock. ‘But I’ve got plenty of clothes. I’ll find something special for the wedding, of course – your aunt’s going to take me to a boutique she knows – but you don’t need to buy me anything.’
‘Look, most of the things you wear are not…’ he paused then said bluntly, ‘well, to be frank, they’re not of good enough quality.’
‘Oh. Well, I’ll get one or two very smart things then. I do have some money of my own, you know!’
‘I doubt it’s enough for the sort of clothes I mean.’
‘I don’t want to take money from you before we’re even married.’ She could feel her hands clench into fists and her spine go rigid. She was not marrying him for his wealth!
‘Look, Megan, the money’s nothing.’
His tone was so impatient that annoyed her still further. As if her feelings didn’t matter. As if she were a doll to be dressed before being brought out in company. She stopped trying for calm and let her anger show. ‘No, but my independence matters a lot to me!’
‘Don’t be silly!’
She glared at him. ‘And what’s more, I don’t intend to start married life by letting you order me around. You aren’t buying an obedient doll for a wife!’
‘I didn’t think I was buying anything!’
Louisa came into the room, paused and would have backed out, but Ben turned and said through gritted teeth, ‘Will you see if you can talk some sense into her, Aunt?’
‘I will if you’ll calm down too, Ben. What’s wrong?’
‘She won’t…’
‘I don’t…’
‘After you.’ He waved one hand in a sarcastic flourish.
It was an effort for Megan to control her voice. ‘He wants to play King Cophetua to my beggar maid, and I don’t like it.’
Louisa raised her eyebrows questioningly at her nephew.
‘She won’t let me buy her some better clothes.’
‘I’m sure you discussed it with her tactfully, Ben.’
He flushed. ‘I told her the truth. We’ll be mixing with people who buy from the top designers. I was actually trying to save her from embarrassment.’
Louisa gestured to the chairs. ‘Do you think we might sit down to discuss this or do we have to remain standing?’
He flung himself into an armchair and Megan sat down on the very edge of the one opposite.
‘You know he’s right, Megan,’ Louisa said gently.
‘Well, he doesn’t have to be right in that tone of voice!’
‘He’s never been famous for his tact.’
Megan breathed deeply.
Ben folded his arms and stared out of the window.
Since the older woman was still looking at her quizzically, Megan sighed. ‘I suppose I’ll have to let him.’
‘Don’t do me any favours!’ snapped Ben. ‘It’s your clothes we’re talking about.’
‘You will feel a lot more comfortable if you have the right things to wear, dear,’ Louisa coaxed. ‘I was going to take you to some quite expensive places myself.’
‘Do you want to come?’
‘No. I think you can manage without me and I still have a few of Ben’s friends to contact. We’ll get your wedding outfit tomorrow.’
Ben opened his mouth. ‘Look, I—’
‘Keep quiet for the moment, Ben Saunders! I don’t like your tone of voice, either. It’s no wonder you’ve upset her.’ She might have been talking to a naughty schoolboy.
Megan looked sideways at Ben and found that he was staring coldly at her down his long, finely chiselled nose. She raised her chin and eyeballed him right back. ‘I’m not marrying you for your money,’ she said clearly and emphatically, ‘so I don’t like being the object of your charity!’
‘Charity! What the hell do you mean “charity?” You’ll be my wife!’ He ran one hand through his hair. ‘What does the money matter, anyway? I just wanted you to feel comfortable.’
‘The money does matter to me,’ she said, wondering how to make him understand. ‘I’ve never had much, you see.’
‘I was poor enough, myself, at one stage, just after my father died. I do remember what it was like to have to count every penny.’ For a moment his gaze was on his memories, then his eyes came back into focus and he smiled at her. ‘Megan, I’m sorry if I sounded officious. It’s just that I’ve only got today free and there’s so much to do now Julie’s left.’
She immediately felt guilty. ‘I’m sorry, too. I – I’m just not used to the idea of you being rich yet. And I don’t want you to think that I—’
‘No one could ever think that you’re a gold digger, Megan.’
‘I’ll go and get my coat, then.’
As she passed him, he caught her hand for a moment. ‘I’m actually looking forward to buying you some pretty things.’
When he smiled like that, the last of her anger slipped away. Since she’d come to London she’d seen a different side of him, the serious businessman with a zillion calls on his time. That side made her feel nervous and alienated sometimes.
Get over it, she told herself. No one is perfect.
They had to visit the Australian authorities to deal with her visa. Because she’d been turned down before for a working visa, they had records of her personal details. This time there was no question of turning her down, only of proving who she was and showing them the details of the medical she’d had early that morning.
‘That was surprisingly easy,’ she said as they left the building.
‘I’m investing a decent sum of money in the country. That makes a big difference.’
His money again. The thought that he was rich made her feel uncomfortable sometimes. She didn’t even know the details of his finances, and definitely wasn’t going to ask.
‘I need a coffee injection,’ he said. ‘Let’s find a café. I think there’s a good one nearby. What time are you meeting my aunt to look for your wedding outfit?’
‘Not for another hour.’
‘Good. We can have something to eat and rest a little. I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt like a spinning top this week.’
‘Me, too.’
They didn’t chat much, just sat and relaxed together. But it felt good.
By the Friday afternoon, Megan was exhausted with so much shopping. She was thrilled with the wonderful outfit Louisa had helped her choose for the wedding and had pulled it out to admire it a few times.
Louisa was meeting some old friends for afternoon tea and had invited her along, but she’d refused. She was looking forward to staying home and spending a quiet hour on her own. She might even read a humorous romance novel she’d bought today.
When the phone rang, she sighed but went to pick it up.
‘Mrs Griffen?’ The caller didn’t wait for an answer, just asked, ‘I wonder – is Ben there?’
It was a woman’s voice, husky and sounding rather sexy. The familiar way she drawled his name set Megan’s hackles rising for no obvious reason.
‘This is Mrs Griffen’s flat, but I’m not Mrs Griffen,’ she said, keeping her voice expressionless.
‘Oh, I suppose you’re the domestic.’
The scornful way the woman said that made Megan feel angry. On a sudden impulse, she said, ‘Yes, madam.’
‘Look, is your mistress there?’
‘No, madam.’
‘Well, when do you expect her?’
‘I couldn’t say, madam.’ She heard the caller breathe deeply and mutter something that sounded like ‘stupid idiot’ and that made her feel even angrier.
‘Look,’ the impatient voice went on, ‘perhaps you can help me instead. I saw Ben, Mrs Griffen’s nephew – Ben Saunders, that is – in Oxford Street. His flat’s been sold and his office closed down. I’m a close friend and I’m in London unexpectedly for a few days, so I wanted to get in touch with him. Surely his aunt knows where he is? Or perhaps he’s staying with her? At the very least, you should be able to find me his phone number!’
‘I don’t think I can help you, madam.’ Megan scowled at the phone. Who did this arrogant female think she was talking to in that patronising tone of voice?
Speaking even more slowly and loudly, as if to an idiot, the caller said, ‘I’ve just explained that I’m a close friend of his. My name’s Cynthia Berevic. You can at least tell me whether he’s staying there!’
‘I’ll refer your query to Mrs Griffen. Do you wish to leave your number?’ Megan jotted it down quickly. ‘Is that all, madam?’
‘No, it’s not. I’ll be telling Louisa how uncooperative you’ve been! You’ll be lucky to keep your job!’
Megan grinned at the phone. ‘Oh, I’m leaving at the end of the week, madam, so it’s hardly worth your while complaining.’
The phone was slammed down at the other end.
Megan stared at it, her amusement fading. Who was Cynthia Berevic? She didn’t like the idea of other women in Ben’s life – and the way this one had spoken to her annoyed the hell out of her.
Two hours later Louisa came in, carrying a bunch of flowers and looking relaxed and happy.
‘You had a caller,’ Megan said, when they were settled in the sitting room chatting.
‘Who?’
‘Someone called Cynthia Berevic.’
Louisa stared at her in shock. ‘What’s she doing in London?’
Megan tried to appear casual. ‘She didn’t say. Who is she, exactly?’
‘Someone Ben used to know. She married a friend of his about eighteen months ago. An Australian. Nick Berevic is also into property development, which is how he and Ben met.’ She looked at Megan with a conspiratorial smile. ‘The Berevics live in Sydney, on the other side of Australia, so you won’t need to see much of her.’
‘Was this woman a – well, a close friend of Ben’s?’
‘Used to be. More than a friend, obviously, but that’s been over for a long time, thank goodness. I never did take to her. And Nick’s a close friend of Ben’s, too. He’s a really nice man.’
Louisa chewed at one fingertip thoughtfully, then said slowly, ‘I wonder what she wanted with Ben. She surely doesn’t think that he would…’ She broke off and shrugged. ‘What exactly did you tell her?’
Megan could feel herself flushing. ‘I, um, pretended to be your maid and said I’d refer her query to my mistress. In the end she threatened to get me sacked for being so uncooperative.’
Louisa roared with laughter. ‘Oh, I’d love to have heard that!’
Megan smiled reluctantly and her anger began to fade. ‘She was absolutely furious.’
‘Well, you just referred her question to me and I don’t think I’ll sack you this time.’
After another thoughtful silence, Louisa said, ‘Look, Megan, I think we should forget all about Cynthia’s call. I shan’t return it and there’s no need to bother Ben about it. After all, their relationship is ancient history now. He won’t want to invite her to the wedding, I’m sure.’
Megan nodded slowly.
‘Well, I think I’ll go and take a quick shower. What time is Ben picking you up tonight?’
‘About seven.’
As Megan sat wondering why Louisa did not wish Ben to know that this woman had called, her mobile phone rang. His voice was abrupt. ‘I’m afraid we need to have dinner with one of my former clients tonight. I’ll pick you up around seven, as agreed, but you’ll need to wear something extra smart. That blue thing we bought would be OK.’ He put the phone down without waiting for her to reply.
Megan slammed the receiver down and breathed deeply. When Louisa came back, she asked, ‘Has Ben always been so abrupt and – and arrogant? He just tosses orders at me and doesn’t bother to ask whether it’s convenient to do something. I’ve a good mind to refuse to go out to this dinner tonight!’
Louisa put an arm round her shoulders. ‘He used to run a rather large company and it’s inevitable that he’s got into the habit of ruling the roost – especially when it’s something connected with business. It’ll take a while to train him out of it, I’m afraid, my dear. Is tonight worth making a fuss about this?’
‘I suppose not.’
But as she got ready, Megan couldn’t help worrying. Since she’d come up to London she’d hardly had any time alone with Ben and tonight would be no different. She could feel a distance building between them and could see no way to prevent it.
Of course he had to tie up all his business arrangements, she did understand that. But surely he could have postponed their flight to Australia for a week or two? They really needed some time together to build their relationship. Why was he rushing her into marriage at this breakneck speed?
And then there was this Cynthia person. Did Ben still do business with her husband? Did he still think about her?
Was she the reason he had said he wanted no pretence of romance?