He was a lawyer; he relied on properevidence.
He squeezed his eyes shut, and the pictures and sounds opened up in his head like pop-up ads ona website.
Millie insisting they walk home separately.
Millie breaking their kiss, looking behind her nervously in case someone saw her with him.I couldn’t bear it for your father tofind out…
And in his father’s study the morning after their night at Blue Sage Bay, Millie sitting next to his father, holding hands.Less than twelve hours after their night in the cottage. And his father warning him.Stay awayfrom her.
Millie laughing when he offered to stay if she asked him.Don’t risk your career for me.
She’d asked how long he was going away for, about his plans, and he’d given her no commitment. Had she decided there and then to drop him for his father?
Another memory. Millie not meeting his eyes at the ferry as she pulled away and didn’t let him hug her.Promise me you’ll reconcile with your father, for me. He’s nota bad man.
Did she mean to prepare himfor this?
George openedhis eyes.
He didn’t believe it.
Millie wasn’tlike that.
Then one last recollection hit him between the eyes. Beatrice. The woman he’d been sure wasn’t like that. Easy-going, relaxed Beatrice, who’d been hiding her true self all that time.I’ll take you back.She’d been playing the long game, hoping to catch him eventually.
He’d been a fool. He didn’t have a clue about women.
Unlike his father, who could get every woman he wanted.Don’t challenge me, boy. I can defeat you.
The papers stared up at him. Blue Sage Bay and all structures therein.
He put the papers back on the table. And then he saw it a few inches away on the table. The slim, long velvet box he had taken out of his pocket was still where he had put it. Unable to stop himself, he pressed the catch, and the lid sprang open.
Millie’s birthday present.
The specialist diamond cutter in Antwerp had created a thing of wonder. An Art Deco pendant. The marquise-cut blue-white three-carat diamond winked and sparkled, beautiful like liquid fire.
It was the first in a set of three diamond gifts. Earrings would follow on Christmas day and, if all went well by Valentines, a ring. He’d already pickedthe stone.
He was going tothrow up.
All structures in Blue Sage Bay were his mother’s cottage, left to her by her father, that she might escape from Richard Du Montfort. The selfish man who took whateverhe wanted.
The front door burst open as Mrs B and the rest of the staff walked in. Millie pushing his father in the wheelchair,followed.
Everyone grinned like it was the best party of the universe. Nurse Ann and Joanie carried in the empty Champagne bottle and glasses.
Millie, in her white dress, still looked like a bride. She saw him and stopped. Pleasure on her face gave way to surprise, then to worry.Guilt?
One hour earlier.
“Choose something extra special to wear.” Joanie insisted on getting dressed up.
“Why?” Millie asked for the fifth time.
“Why not?” Joanie shrugged in that infuriating French way of hers.
“Joanie?” Millie tried to put a stern warning inher voice.
