Cherish Collection January 2014 (Books 1-12). Rebecca Winters

silently calling Dan every name he could think of. He moved quickly to turn the set off, but it was too late. A faint sound made him look to see Freya standing in the doorway.

      ‘So that’s who she is,’ Freya said quietly.

      ‘No. Freya, you’re wrong. I’ll swear he’s not in love with her. He must have just grabbed the first girl he met so that he could get his face onto the news. That’s a PR stunt you’re witnessing. You’ve had a lucky escape.’

      She smiled at him, calm and seemingly untroubled.

      ‘You may be right. He replaced me easily, didn’t he? At any rate it’s all over now. As far as I’m concerned Dan never existed. Goodnight.’

      She retreated into the bedroom, leaving Jackson wishing he could believe that she was really recovering so easily. But his heart told him she was only putting on a brave face.

      Before going to bed he listened outside her door and heard something that made him clench his hands in agony. From inside came the sound of gasping sobs, telling all too clearly of the grief Freya could only release when she was alone.

      Unable to endure it, he opened the door, ready to go in, take her in his arms and comfort her. But wisdom held him back. She wouldn’t be glad of his comfort. She would hate it, wanting no curious eyes.

      He backed out and closed the door, knowing that he wasn’t wanted.

      * * *

      Freya awoke early the next morning. Briefly she wondered where she was, then remembered and groaned. Creeping out of the room, she searched for Jackson on the sofa, but it was empty except for a scrap of paper that read, I’ll be back soon. Don’t go away.

      She thought of the hotel, where the family was staying, and knew she should return to them, but the thought made her shudder.

      If only Jackson were here. She’d always considered herself a strong person, but suddenly it seemed terrible to be alone.

      ‘That’s his fault for supporting me so well,’ she muttered wryly. ‘Now I can’t cope without him. All his fault. Oh, where is he?’

      It was an hour before he returned and it seemed like for ever.

      ‘I’ve been to the hotel,’ he said, dumping a large suitcase on the table. ‘I took the wedding dress with me and your mother’s going to pack it away for you. She gave me some clothes to bring you.’

      Her wedding dress had been hanging up in the bedroom, which meant he must have crept in and removed it while she was asleep. Then her attention was taken by the clothes she found in the case.

      ‘Why did you bring this?’ she asked, lifting a glittering cocktail dress.

      ‘You can wear it tonight, when we go out.’

      ‘Are we going out?’

      ‘Yes. I’ll take you back to your hotel at the end of the evening, but before that we need to give Dan a taste of his own medicine. He flaunted himself before the cameras, so you have to do the same. Then everyone will know you don’t give a stuff about him.’

      ‘Don’t I?’

      ‘No, you don’t. You mustn’t. I know what I’m doing, Freya. Trust me.’

      ‘I do,’ she said.

      ‘But you think I’m giving you orders again, don’t you? Laying down the law, acting like my father?’

      ‘No, he never takes so much trouble about people’s feelings,’ she said. ‘I don’t mind taking a few orders from you.’

      ‘What was that? Did I hear you right? My bolshie Freya being meek and mild? I don’t believe it.’

      ‘I can do meek and mild if there’s a good reason.’ She managed a smile. ‘I can even say, Yes, sir. No, sir. Three bags full, sir.’

      ‘This I have to see,’ he said dramatically. ‘It’ll be a whole new experience.’ Then abruptly he dropped the humorous manner. ‘Don’t worry. I just mean to look after you.’ He took her face between his hands. ‘That’s all that matters now. Please believe me.’

      ‘I do,’ she said. ‘It’s strange how content I feel to leave everything in your hands. I didn’t know it before, but there’s nobody I trust like you.’

      To her surprise Jackson looked uneasy, but she thought she understood. He was more used to her sparring with him than trusting him. But now those days seemed a long way off.

      CHAPTER THREE

      NOW FREYA REALLY discovered Jackson’s flair for taking charge. In the suitcase she found items of make-up and for hair care, evidently packed by her mother.

      ‘Thank goodness,’ she said. ‘At least I can look my best tonight.’

      But he shook his head.

      ‘Tonight you’re a star,’ he said, ‘and a star doesn’t do those jobs herself. She employs a professional.’

      ‘You mean a beautician? I don’t know any.’

      ‘But I do. She’ll arrive this afternoon, to place herself at your service.’ He hesitated before adding, ‘Unless, that is, you have any objections?’

      Her lips twitched. ‘Don’t worry. I know the proper answer to that. Yes, sir. No, sir.’

      ‘You forgot Three bags full, sir. But I’ll let you off this time. I’ve got to leave now, but I’ll be back this evening.’

      Naomi, the beautician, arrived at three in the afternoon. She listened politely to what Freya had to say, but clearly needed no instructions, having already received them from Jackson.

      It was ironic that once Freya would have objected to the way he was directing every step. But now the sadness that consumed her made it hard to think, and it was a relief to leave the decisions to him.

      She had to admit that Naomi did a magnificent job, turning her into as great a beauty as she had been as a bride. The elegant dress had a short skirt that showed off her well-shaped legs, and the expert make-up made her look delightful, the lavish hairstyle enhanced her. But when she offered to pay Naomi waved her away.

      ‘That’s all been taken care of,’ she said.

      ‘But can’t I give you a tip to thank you?’

      ‘That’s been taken care of too. Mr Falcon was very insistent.’

      ‘You mean he told you not to take a penny from me?’

      Naomi smiled and shrugged. ‘Mr Falcon is a very generous man.’

      She hurried out.

      Yes, he is, Freya thought. More than I ever knew.

      Jackson was home at six o’clock, nodded approval at the sight of her, then disappeared to don his evening clothes. When he emerged she too nodded her approval.

      ‘We’ll do each other credit,’ she said.

      ‘That’s the spirit. We’ll show ’em.’

      Downstairs, he loaded her case into his car and headed out onto the road.

      ‘Where are we going?’ she asked.

      He gave her the name of a restaurant, famous for its glamour and luxury and for being a favourite home of major personalities. Within a few minutes they had arrived.

      ‘Ready?’ he asked as they headed for the entrance.

      ‘Ready for anything,’ she replied.

      ‘Then here we go. Smile. They’ll be watching.’

      ‘Do they know we’re coming?’

      ‘I have a few friends in the press.’

      Sure enough, heads