More Than You Know (28 page)

“Well, that’s ridiculous; of course they’ve got money! Now, please, Charles, just don’t mention it again; I’m finding it very upsetting. I love your parents, of course I do, but it’s a kind of emotional blackmail what they’re doing—Charles, where are you going?”

“I’m going for a walk,” said Charles. “I need to think. And please don’t talk about my parents in those terms; I don’t like it.”

Juliet stared at the slammed front door. She felt rather shocked. Neither Charles nor their life together was turning out quite how she had imagined.

He still didn’t know quite why he’d kissed her in the first place. Except that he really hadn’t been able to stop himself. He just wanted to … what? Explore the situation a bit further. That was all.

And so he asked her to lunch—“To thank you, you’ve done me quite a big favor, actually, with that article, lot of inquiries”—she said she didn’t get much in the way of a lunch hour, and then he asked her for a drink after work, and she accepted.

And thus it was that Matt Shaw and Eliza Fullerton-Clark informed their respective regular dates that they would be working late the following Wednesday, each adding, without any further consultation with each other, merely obeying some rather basic instinct, that they had no idea when they might be back, and not to make plans for dinner.

Every time she thought about leaving Summercourt, Sarah felt like screaming. Not from misery or outrage or even trepidation, but from a sheer blind panic. Summercourt was not just her home; it was where she belonged, where her entire world was centred.

And now people kept telling her she must leave it, that it needed the most appalling-sounding sums of money spent on it, that she couldn’t possibly nurse Adrian there.

The prospect seemed very nearly as dreadful as losing Adrian.

If only … if only Eliza were to marry Jeremy.

“Emma, it’s Jeremy. Look … I just thought I should let you know. I’ve decided to ask Eliza.”

“Jeremy, I’m so pleased.”

“Yes. I thought this weekend. We’re going down to Norfolk together, so pretty perfect, really.”

“Absolutely!”

“Anyway, I’ll have to ask her father first, of course. Have to dash down tonight, only chance I’ve got. Eliza’s out working or something.”

“Oh, Adrian, isn’t it wonderful?” Sarah’s voice was shaky. She felt slightly dizzy. “So sweet of him to come; it’s such a long way; he really does know how to behave.”

“Indeed he does.”

“Oh, Adrian! It’s like a dream come true. Darling Eliza. Oh, how wonderful.”

“He hasn’t asked her yet. She might not accept.”

“Adrian! Don’t say that. Of course she’ll accept!”

“Well, she’s a very independently minded girl. And you know how much that job of hers matters.”

“Charles, hallo, darling. Are you all right?”

“Yes, Mummy, I’m fine. I just rang to see how Pa was doing.”

“Pretty well,” said Sarah cautiously. “The drugs really are helping.”

“Good. Well, I was hoping to come down this weekend, bring Juliet, but she’s not feeling too good—”

“Oh, I’m sorry—Charles, she’s not … not—”

“Mummy, she’s got flu.” Charles’s voice was heavy.

“Yes, I see. Well, give her my love. Yes.”

“And how are you?”

“Me? Oh, darling, I’m just fine. Feeling very good, as a matter of fact.”

“Really? Why’s that?”

“Oh … well … just had some very nice news. But I can’t tell you, darling. It’s not my secret. I’m sure you’ll hear soon enough.”

“Mummy, what are you talking about?”

“Charles, I really can’t say. Except it’s … it’s family.”

“Family? Well, it must be Eliza. What’s she done? New job?”

“No. She’s … well, Jeremy’s just come down and spoken to Daddy and—”

“No! Good lord. Fantastic.”

“But don’t tell anyone, will you? Because, you see, she—”

“Mummy, of course I won’t tell. Promise.”

“Guess what?” he said to Juliet over the supper tray he had taken her in bed. “Good news. My sister and Jeremy Northcott are getting engaged.”

“Gosh. That should stop you all worrying about Summercourt.”

“Indeed,” said Charles, stifling his irritation at this rather inappropriate response. “Now, you mustn’t tell anyone because it’s not official yet. I hope you’re pleased.”

“Of course I’m pleased. If she is.”

“Juliet, I should think she’s over the moon.”

“Well, she’s very lucky,” said Juliet. Her voice had a distinct shake in it.

“Annunciata, hallo. How nice to hear from you.”

“Hallo, Emma. You free for dinner on Friday?”

“Yes, think so, let’s just look … Yes. Thank you.”

“Good. I’ve got some quite interesting people coming. Want to bring your beautiful brother? I’ve got another advertising bod coming—creative director of BBDO.”

“I’m afraid J’s off to Norfolk.”

“Oh, fine. With the fair Eliza?”

“Well … yes.”

“Really? How serious do you think that is? She tries to pretend they’re just friends.”

“Well, they most certainly are not ‘just friends.’ In fact—”

“No! Don’t tell me.”

“I don’t know what you mean, Annunciata.”

“Goodness, wait till Jack hears about this.”

“Don’t you dare tell him. It’s totally under wraps; he hasn’t—”

“Of course I won’t. Must go; Jack wants me.”

“Jack, you’ve lost our wager.”

“Which one was that?”

“The Eliza one. She’s getting engaged. And to someone pretty blue-blooded.”

“Oh, Christ. Not that tall blond twit?”

“ ’Fraid so. But can you blame her? He is one of the richest young men in England.”

“She’s not leaving, is she? I couldn’t stand it.”

“Well … I hope not. For all our sakes. But—”

“I’ll have to have words with her. So how much do I owe you, Annunciata?”

“Twenty quid. But lunch at the Terrazza will do. I do so love it there.”

“Eliza, I … don’t suppose you’d like to have dinner now?” Matt asked after they had had drinks at the Savoy’s American bar. “I’m starving. Or are you busy?”

“I’m not … not really, no. It sounds lovely.”

“OK. Well, have you been to Inigo Jones? It’s in Covent Garden.”

“I have and I adore it. So beautiful.”