“I’ll tell you this: I’ve always thought that those women who marry rich men to improve their social status can’t have much self-respect.”
“How about you?”
“Well, having married a much richer woman and being at her mercy…” he says, walking out of the shower to join me, then spreading my crossed legs and kissing my inner thigh, he finishes his sentence: “… is the most arousing thing that has ever happened to me. Do you know what else I think?” He whispers, with his lips on my skin. “That what fits you best in the whole world is my surname. Nothing else, Lady Parker.”
As I abandon myself to him again, his mobile starts ringing insistently. Ashford ignores it at first, but it doesn’t stop and he decides to pick it up.
He disappears into the bedroom, and comes back to me after a short conversation.
“It was Derek,” he informs me. “He asked if we can meet him in his office today.”
*
I did nothing but ruminate on this, but to be honest, I can’t imagine why he called us in; I only hope that there’s no trouble with my money.
“When a solicitor calls, it’s hardly ever good news,” Ashford observes as we get in the lift.
Derek knows nothing about our relationship; we didn’t tell him in the same way we haven’t told our families. We don’t want the news to spread.
Oh my God? Did I call it a relationship? It sounds so strange but, after all, what else can I call it? Look at us: for the whole time we’re alone in the lift, he leans against the wall and holds me close to his chest, with his chin resting gently on my forehead.
Anyway, since we want to show ourselves as detached and independent as usual, before the lift dings, Ashford kisses the tip of my nose and lets me go.
“I tried to figure out what this could be about, but I can’t think of anything,” I sigh.
“Mr Wharton will receive you immediately,” announces the secretary, escorting us to the office.
“Jemma, Ashford, take a seat!” Derek greets us warmly. “Jemma, I see you’ve changed your appearance since the last time I saw you. Let me say you look gorgeous. In the end, Catriona’s inheritance benefited you.”
“Thank you. I worked on myself.”
“You did a really good job. And you, Ashford, you’re in excellent shape. Sorting out your problems with the banks must have given you back several hours of sleep.”
“Yes, but not too many. I like to keep myself busy.” So saying, Ashford gives me a suggestive look. “Derek, I have to say that your call was quite unexpected.”
“And yet, there was a real miracle, so I couldn’t help calling you.”
“A miracle? Didn’t you say that in the legal profession there’s no such thing as miracles, but only strategies?” I ask, sceptically.
“Yes, you’re absolutely right. I correct myself: it was an extraordinary event.”
“Go on, then,” I encourage him to explain himself.
“Yes, sure. When we last met, you settled your financial and inheritance issues with your marriage.”
“So far, so good… what then?” I start getting impatient.
“Of course, I never stopped analysing the Parkers’ financial situation and, until a few weeks ago, I still found some of your father’s investments very reckless, if not ridiculous—”
“For example?” Ashford doesn’t seem to tolerate Derek’s digressions, either.
“For example, sponsoring a bizarre, little known Russian artist in an abandoned school in Chipwick. This artist, Goran Tretiak, died a couple of weeks ago – either by overdose or suicide, it’s still not clear – and the value of his works went through the roof in no time. In New York, at Christie’s, one of them was auctioned for five million dollars. Here’s the deal: the duke Henry Parker, your father, was his patron and owned a large number of his works, which now belong to you, Ashford. A prominent London auction house has already come forward for two of the most recent ones.” Derek pauses, to let Ashford take the news in.
“So?”
“So, by selling Tretiak’s works, you will be able to repay the money Jemma lent you. You no longer have to carry on with the newly-weds comedy, aren’t you happy? In addition, the returns from your properties are definitely improving; without the holes in your bank accounts, you will be able to afford a more than wealthy lifestyle. It seems that the farce you had to stage will be shorter than expected.”
“Are you saying that we can bring forward our divorce?” I ask, to make sure I understood what he said.
