She was about to make a move towards the door to go inside, when he said, ‘Do you think that’s fair?’
Surprised at his question, she said, ‘It’s not for me to judge what couples keep from one another. But I do know this, Evelyn has always tended to protect Kit and she would want to spare him any unnecessary pain.’
‘Because she feels guilty?’
‘I wouldn’t like to say. But everybody has secrets which, for whatever reason, they keep from their loved ones.’
‘I wouldn’t keep any from you,’ he said, his expression serious. ‘I’ve already told you more about myself than I’ve told anyone else. I hope you realise what that means.’
Romily kissed his cold cheek. ‘I do. I really do. But come on, let’s go inside before we freeze to death out here.’
She led the way to the waiting room where she had sat many a time when here to visit Hope. The area had been festively decked out with brightly coloured decorations; there was even a small Christmas tree in one corner. Kit and Evelyn were already there and in the process of removing the many layers they’d worn to get here.
‘Any news on Hope?’ asked Romily.
Kit shook his head. ‘No. Edmund and Annelise are with her now.’
‘I doubt they’ll let us all see her,’ said Evelyn, unwinding the scarf from around her neck and sitting down.
‘You’re probably right,’ said Kit, ‘but she’ll know that we came, that’s the main thing.’
‘Do you suppose there’s any chance we might be able to get a hot drink here?’ asked Red. ‘I know we have the thermos flasks in the Land Rover, but it might be better to keep them for the journey home, just in case.’
‘If anybody can charm a nurse into letting us use their kitchen,’ said Romily with a smile, ‘it would be you.’
‘Hey Kit, you probably know your way round here pretty well, how about you come with me and help carry the cups back?’
‘Did I just witness your American friend performing an act of international diplomacy?’ asked Evelyn, when the two men had left them alone and Romily was sitting next to her.
‘I believe you might be right. He mentioned that there had been a certain amount of tension between you and Kit on the way here.’
Evelyn sighed. ‘I’m sorry that it was that blatant.’
‘Max, I presume?’
‘Yes. What on earth is he doing with Isabella? Apart from the obvious.’ Her voice was taut with angry disbelief.
‘I thought the same yesterday when he showed up,’ said Romily. ‘But as much as it pains me to say, he seems genuinely to care about Isabella. And from what she tells me, he looked after her extremely well when she was ill in bed with bronchitis. Haven’t you noticed how attentive to her he is? She only has to cough and he’s like a mother hen checking that she’s all right.’
Evelyn didn’t look convinced. ‘But marriage. It’s unthinkable. And they’ve known each other for so short a time. Mark my words, it won’t last. He’ll soon grow bored and start chasing after some other girl.’
‘Trust me, I have the same concern,’ Romily said, ‘but if I had heeded theso-called warnings people gave me about Jack, I would have missed out on the love of my life.’
With a roll of her eyes, Evelyn said, ‘You can’t really think that Max could be the love of Isabella’s life, do you?’
‘I have no idea. But I don’t think we have any choice but to give him the benefit of the doubt and let him prove himself.’
‘I can’t believe he’s fooled you.’
‘Evelyn, it’s not a question of him fooling me, it’s Isabella whom he has to convince.’
‘But he’s only been at Island House fortwenty-four hours, you can’t possibly be that sure of him. What would Elijah and her mother think?’
‘Reluctantly they would have to do what we have to do, and that is allow Isabella to go her own way.’
‘No matter the consequences and how painful they might be?’
Romily nodded. ‘It’s what you’ll have to do with Pip and Em one day.’
