A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (21 page)

Devon saw, misunderstood. Flushing, she rushed into speech. “Oh…
oh
. You’re coming back for Natalie.
Of course
.” She immediately beamed down at him. “That’s great. Really, that’s wonderful, Dom. And I’ll still get to see you too. Maybe you’ll move some operations for your company here, hey?”

Dominic grimaced, which Devon mistook for embarrassment.
 

“Never mind. I’ll go grab some things I want you to take back to Dad.” She rushed from the room.

Dominic stretched, rotating his neck and shoulders. He wanted to tell Devon what he was doing here, but couldn’t. Not yet. Now his timing would be critical. He would have to talk to her right away when he returned. After he’d completed the final steps in his project — but before Bennett found out and the backlash swamped her.

He scrubbed a hand over his face, pinching the bridge of his nose. It would be a gamble whether Devon emerged from his actions professionally unscathed. It had always been a known risk; one he and both their fathers decided was acceptable. Dominic had placed his bets on her, confident her abilities would salvage her career.
 

But that was before the Bennett complication.
 

With a heavy sigh, Dominic slumped against the couch. Never had he anticipated so many problems with what seemed to be a perfect plan.
 

Natalie was another unintended casualty.
 

Although they’d been casual, even lighthearted in their flirtation, the boundaries had quickly blurred. Only he’d known of known his purpose in seeking her out, pursuing a relationship. She certainly hadn’t. He was certain she trusted the pleasure they shared at face value with no suspicion of ulterior motives on his part.

Dominic huffed out a bitter laugh.
 

The playing field was decidedly uneven between them, something he’d avoided in all the cons over all the years. Until now.
 

Natalie was collateral damage.

As Devon would be, inevitably.

Dominic rubbed at his chest, taking a pained breath.
 

He was a liar. Telling lies on top of lies.

He’d be glad when this damn job was finished.

***

“Maybe someday you’ll tell me why you seem obsessed with these places.” Bennett joked as he and Devon walked through the City of London Cemetery. “Normally, I come here alone, or with Granddad. You have a warped sense of what a date is.”
 

Devon laughed, recounting her other visits to other gravesite locations in London. “I love them. But you’ll never get the reasons why out of me.” Normally, she would have felt awkward, or at least sad from his questions. But being with Bennett made all that go away.
 

Maybe someday she
would
share her story of how she developed a love for cemeteries. But not today. Today, she lived for the present, hoarding every moment with him in secret stashes of joy.
 

“Tell me instead why you come here, and fairly often from the sound of it.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “For my grandmother. I visit her grave, especially in autumn and winter. I bring her these.” He waved the mass of white roses he clutched in his fist.
 

She squeezed his hand in sympathy. “That’s lovely, Bennett. Why particularly fall and winter?”

“Granddad and I planted rosebushes all around her grave. But they only bloom in spring and summer. So, the rest of the time, we bring bouquets.”

“You both must have loved her very much.” Devon was taken aback by the wealth of emotion in Bennett’s voice. His grandmother must have been some woman to inspire such devotion, even beyond death.

“We did. We still
do
. Our admiration for her didn’t stop when she passed away.” He strolled along, taking a path that bent to the left. “She had a pure heart with a true spirit. She helped people all her life, never harmed a soul.”

Devon choked back the declaration of love hovering on her lips. Doubt assailed her. Remembering her mantra from months ago, she quailed.

I can never have Bennett Sterling.

Could he,
would
he understand her past? If he knew, would he still want her?

Arriving at his grandmother’s grave interrupted Devon’s dark worries.

ROSE BENNETT STERLING

Love Everlasting

1933 – 2004

The headstone was simple yet stately, dark granite rising up from the masses of rose bushes planted all around it. Even in winter, when nothing was in bloom, it had a striking grace.
 

“What color are they?” At Bennett’s arched brow, she clarified. “The rose bushes. What color are they?”

“White. All white. It’s the color Granddad and I associate the most with her.”
 

White, the color of purity.
 

She could imagine them in bloom, easily. They’d be stunning with their dark foliage alongside the stark gray of the marble.
 

“You were named after her,” she said.

“Yes, I was. It’s an honor. I miss her very much.”

Devon reached up to touch her lips to his cheek. Bennett was an honorable man, capable of deep tenderness. A heavy dullness ached in her chest.
 

She wished she could be different, somehow.

He must have sensed her disquiet. Placing his palm against her face, he stared into her eyes. “Thank you for coming with me.”

She turned her lips into his hand, kissing him. “It’s an honor. I wish I could have known her.” She linked her fingers with his, silently honoring the woman his grandmother had been.

He bent to lay the bouquet of white roses on her grave. Holding her hand, he gazed down thoughtfully before raising his eyes back to Devon’s.

“You weaken me.” Taking her unaware, he went on. “You’re so perfect, inside and out. You take my breath away.”

“No, Bennett.” His brows lowered in confusion. Devon continued, “I’m only a woman. Not perfect, not nearly so. I have no need for pedestals.”

He shook his head, but said nothing more. After a long moment, he pulled her back down the path they’d come from.

“It’s time to go. As much as you love these places, it’s time to remember that life is for the living.”

He seemed in no rush, though, as they ambled through the park, stopping to comment on particular sculptures or garden elements. They spoke in hushed tones, neither wanting to disturb the peaceful aura of the place.
 

Once they were buckled into the car, Devon relaxed back into the seat, releasing a long breath. For once, she was glad to leave. The fears and uncertainties she’d suffered moments ago slipped away as happiness snaked its way back into her. Lolling her head, she looked over to the man responsible.

“Ready?” Bennett asked.

“Sure. But what am I agreeing to, exactly?” She smiled lazily, too content for any real concerns.

“Well, we have a train to catch. But first, let’s go get your bag.”

He wheeled the car around in a U-turn, eyes crinkled with suppressed excitement. She knew better than to ask details. He was hatching a surprise, and she was ready to enjoy it.

He smiled broadly. “Trust me.”

***

Devon stared at the rich cream and chocolate brown lacquered paint of the train coach in front of her. An attendant stood in formal livery beside it, assisting with boarding. She watched as Bennett presented their tickets, encased in embossed leather wallets. He insisted on carrying everything, the tickets as well as the luggage they had picked up after leaving the cemetery.
 

Her things were packed into a brand new rolling hard case, small enough to easily manage but large enough to make her wonder what it contained. He carried his own things in a leather duffel carelessly tossed over one shoulder. Everything had been waiting for them at his townhouse, packed and sitting next to the door.
 

Of course, Devon questioned everything.

Where were they going?

It’s a surprise.

How had he gotten into her flat to have her clothes packed?

I didn’t. I picked out new ones at Harrod’s and had them sort it
.

That had given her pause.
 

How do you know my sizes?

I’ve noticed everything about you, Devon.

His face, along with his answer, effectively robbed her of further thoughts or questions. She’d relaxed, deciding to enjoy whatever came.

Now, stunned, she stared at the vintage Pullman waiting to take them away. It was gorgeous, just like the man beside her. Unbeknownst, she looked up at him with her heart in her eyes.

Bennett pulled her to him for a hard kiss that left her wanting and aching for more. He released her, leaving her breathing hard.
 

“Stop distracting me, woman.” He grinned, excitement firing his eyes to a brilliant blue. “Come with me.” He led her aboard a coach car while an assistant took their luggage to be stored.
 

Devon gazed in open-mouthed wonder, amazed at the ornate splendor of the timeless train. The walls were paneled in wood with intricate inlays. Elegant carpet covered the floor of the coach in rich patterns that were echoed in the fabrics covering the armchairs designed as comfortable seating. Sumptuous velvets vied with satiny jacquards. Tables were laid with snow-white linens and delicate china. Crystal and silver reflected in the sunlight shimmering through the cased windows.
 

“Hmm. I do believe I’ve managed to surprise you.”

Devon turned at Bennett’s words, still gaping at her surroundings as she tried to take it all in without missing anything. She heard a muffled chuckle from Bennett before he touched her waist, gently prodding her to advance. He guided her all the way back to the end of the car. The corner was intimate, isolated since the two seats normally across from it had been removed. And unlike any of the others, their table was set with a lush bouquet stuffed with pink peonies. Champagne chilled in a bucket alongside the table, and two flutes waited nearby to be filled.
 

“Peonies,” she sighed. “I love peonies.”
 

“I know.” At her questioning look, Bennett explained. “You bought bouquets for your desk all summer long from the market stalls.”
 

“However did you find them in autumn? They must have cost a fortune.” She wrinkled her brow.

“Devon,” he tipped her chin up so she would look at him. “I would do anything to please you. Don’t you understand that yet?”

She wasn’t sure she did. Bennett’s eyes conveyed a message she was afraid to believe in. She stared, unable to process it.
 

Taking her clutch purse, Bennett laid it down on the chair, then turned her so he could unbutton her coat. After slipping it down her arms, he handed it with his own to the waiting attendant. Bennett shook his head, waving off another employee as they approached to assist.

Instead, he pulled out her chair himself, prompting her with another touch to be seated. His mouth quirked with amusement. He seemed to enjoy the rare moment of catching her off guard. Pouring their champagne, he pushed a flute closer to her hand that rested limply on the tablecloth.

He waited several long minutes.
 

“Devon.”

She raised dazed eyes to his, questioning.

“I’m crazy about you.”

She continued to stare, blankly.
 

It didn’t seem to bother him that she remained silent. “Nothing to say to that?”

She cleared her throat. “Where are we going?” She began looking all around again, oblivious to Bennett’s grin.

“Devon.”

Her gaze swiveled back to his. “Yes?”

“No, that’s where we’re going. Devon. Don’t you think it’s time you visited the place you’re named after?”

It was completely perfect. He was everything she’d ever wanted, would
ever
want. She leaned across the table to plant a smacking kiss on him, before subtly deepening it into something more.

As she pulled back, it was Bennett’s turn to be surprised, robbed of words.

God, she loved him. She would love him for the rest of her days. With that knowledge, she could take her time. Go at his pace.
 

With a secret smile, she met his eyes. “Bennett, I’m crazy about you too.”

***

He was more than crazy for her. For the first time in his life, Bennett was deeply, madly in love. Olivia was a pale and distant memory, just someone he’d met when he was too young to know the real thing.

He needed to say the words. And yet, there were times when she was mantled in reserve, hesitant with him. It had made him wary of her. While disconcerting, he could admit to himself he’d been suspicious, somehow distrustful of her. Olivia might be firmly in the past, but her effects were lasting.

It was past time to let that go. Trust again. And he would take that leap of faith with Devon. Who better to catch him? She would never disappoint him the way Olivia had. Of that, he was certain.

He must tell her. Articulate the feelings he knew, without doubt, she returned.
 

All he needed was the perfect moment.

He was brought out of his thoughts as they arrived in Exmouth. It had been a simple thing to jump onto a connecting train from Exeter. And while it didn’t possess the luxury and history of the Pullman, they barely noticed. They’d continued to drink champagne during the gourmet three-course lunch that was served earlier.
 

Nothing could dim their spirits, not even the storm bucketing down outside. Arriving at the hotel in a flurry of laughter, they jostled to stay dry as the heavens unleashed sheets of rain upon them.
 

Standing under the canopy of the entrance, Bennett shook his head in a spray of droplets. Laughing, he declared, “The one thing I forgot was rain gear.”

Devon twisted her hair into a rope to wring it out. Looking up through lowered lashes, she blatantly flirted with him. “Well, I suppose we’ll have to figure out something to do inside. It’s unfortunate, but I guess we can make do.”