Modern Romance May 2016 Books 1-4. Julia James

CHAPTER TWELVE

      DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, Luke focused on his work to the exclusion of everything else.

      He spent more time in the office than he had done for years, even if his staff didn’t appreciate having him on their backs every minute of the day.

      But it was only at work that he could escape the torment of his thoughts.

      Since leaving Abby at her flat, he’d done everything he could to get what she had told him into some kind of perspective.

      He knew his life would never be the same again. That was a given. And the shock he’d experienced at her news had made him speak without considering his words. But, dammit all, he was only human. He was just afraid he’d blown any connection he might have had with her big time.

      And why did he care so much? He kept reminding himself of what she’d done to Harry Laurence. For God’s sake, he had only her word that she was pregnant. She could have made the whole thing up to see what his reaction would be.

      But in his heart of hearts he knew that wasn’t true. As much as he might tell himself that he despised the way she’d treated her husband, he sensed there was an element of truth in everything she’d said.

      Which meant what? That Harry Laurence had been no saint, and Luke had jumped to the wrong conclusion? She’d tried to tell him why she’d done what she had, but he’d never been prepared to listen to her.

      Nonetheless, she had lied to her husband when she’d come to meet him. And nothing could alter the fact that she’d remained Laurence’s wife for at least a year after those events. Surely, if Laurence had been as bad as she’d said he was, she would have got a divorce.

      Maybe it was simply that she’d enjoyed the luxury of being a pampered wife, he speculated bitterly. She wouldn’t be the first woman who’d wanted to have her cake and eat it, too.

      He’d met a number of women like that, when he’d been obliged to enter the social circuit. Or should he say ‘circus’, he amended wryly, mocking the concept. He had to admit that that was one aspect of being a successful entrepreneur that he didn’t enjoy.

      He scowled down at the plans he’d been studying, and wondered what Harry Laurence was doing these days. He’d heard that he’d left the Stock Exchange soon after his divorce.

      At the time, Luke had assumed that Harry had wanted a fresh start. That it might have been hard for him to face his colleagues after such a personal defeat.

      It might be interesting to find out why Abby’s husband had sued for a divorce. If it was Laurence who had done so. He couldn’t believe Abby had made a habit of having extra-marital affairs. She didn’t seem the type. Although, in all honesty, he didn’t know why.

      Still, there was no way of finding out what had happened now. He knew no one who had been a friend of Abby’s at that time. Had there been someone she’d confided in? Someone who knew why the marriage had broken down?

      It was a problem that occupied his mind for the next few days. An unnecessary problem, he conceded, but at least it took his mind from other things.

      Like what Abby was doing now. Had she meant what she’d said when she’d insisted she wouldn’t have a termination? Ironic as it seemed in the present circumstances, Luke didn’t want her to lose the child either.

      His child!

      Their child!

      Of all the people in his life, it was Felix who noticed Luke’s preoccupation. The two men had been close since they were in the army, and, despite the difference in their circumstances these days, Felix had always felt able to speak his mind.

      Driving his employer home from a meeting in Oxford some days later, he remarked casually, ‘Have you made any plans about when you’re going to deal with those shops in Ashford-St-James? You said there was some sort of petition going round. Did that come to anything, or shouldn’t I ask?’

      Luke, who had been studying his laptop in the back of the Bentley, now lifted his head. ‘According to our solicitors, they don’t stand a chance of halting the development. But I have given the type of development it’s going to be some thought.’

      ‘Oh, yes?’

      ‘Yes.’ Luke hesitated, and then said, ‘I’m having discussions at present with the architects, and we’re seriously considering amending the plans.’

      ‘Amending them?’

      Felix sounded amused, and Luke gave him a warning look. ‘Yeah, amending them,’ he said shortly. ‘To incorporate a small shopping mall that leads into the supermarket proper. The shops in the mall would be rented, of course. Perhaps some of the tenants from South Road would be interested.’

      ‘Perhaps they would.’ Felix met Luke’s eyes in the rear-view mirror and arched a brow. ‘Maybe even a certain café-cum-bookstore owner?’ he offered ingenuously. ‘I’m sure it would be a great relief to her and all the other tenants.’

      Luke scowled. ‘Don’t look so smug. It’s not a done deal yet.’

      ‘But it will be,’ said Felix assuredly. ‘I liked—Abby. That is what you called her, isn’t it? She was certainly a looker. And nice with it, as well.’

      ‘Looks aren’t everything,’ muttered Luke broodingly, and Felix inclined his head in agreement. ‘In any case,’ Luke continued, ‘I’m not doing this just for Abby Lacey.’

      ‘Of course not.’

      But Felix didn’t sound convinced, and who could blame him? Luke didn’t believe it himself.

      Tossing and turning in bed that night—not an unusual occurrence these days—Luke was forced to admit that he was doing it for Abby. Despite everything that had happened, despite the fact that she’d said she wanted nothing more to do with him, he couldn’t accept it. He wouldn’t accept it.

      He cared about her, dammit. He suspected he always had.

      Okay, maybe she’d acted selfishly in the past; and maybe she’d had some justification, as she’d claimed. Whatever the truth of the matter was, he wanted to see her again. He wanted to be with her. He loved her. And he’d never felt like that about any woman before.

      Unable to sleep any longer with that scenario buzzing around in his head, Luke got up and went downstairs to make himself some coffee. And found Felix, sitting in the kitchen, drinking tea and getting a march on the morning’s newspapers.

      Mrs Webb was there, too, gossiping away about the latest episode of her favourite soap. But he doubted Felix had heard a word of it. He was too busy absorbing what he’d found in the Daily Globe.

      ‘Oh, Luke!’ Mrs Webb gazed at him in surprise, and even Felix put the newspaper aside with an apologetic grin. ‘You’re an early riser. It’s barely half past six. Is something wrong?’

      ‘What could be wrong, Mrs Webb?’ Luke walked across to the cooker and helped himself to a mug of coffee. ‘I couldn’t sleep, that’s all. I thought I’d get an early start.’

      ‘An early start?’

      It was Felix who echoed his words, and Luke nodded. ‘Yes. I’m driving down to Ashford this morning. And I’m sure the roads will be busy with holiday traffic, so the sooner I start, the better.’

      Felix slid off his stool. ‘I’ll get the car.’

      ‘No, there’s no need, Felix. I’m going to drive myself.’

      Felix frowned. ‘You sure?’

      ‘I’m sure.’ Luke gave him a wry look. ‘You can have the day off. Go and visit that daughter of yours.’

      Felix had had a brief liaison before he’d gone into the army and his daughter was the result. And despite the fact that he’d