“The same.” Which didn’t mean much to her because she wasn’t sure what ailed him now.
“Do you think I could see him?” Another usual question.
Patrick gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry.” Another usual answer. “I tell him you wish to see him every time, but he’s…it’s a difficult moment.”
“Don’t worry. I understand.” Although she didn’t.
“I’ll pass your greetings to him. But you know how he is.”
“How?”
Patrick cleared his throat. “Very peaky when it comes to choosing company.”
Wasshethe problem? Had Anthony realised she was nothing special? She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. He’d sounded honest when he’d told her he didn’t mind her spontaneity. But the incident might have changed his perspective.
She added a few dollops of cream to her tea. “You seem preoccupied as well.”
Patrick put down his cup. “I’m getting ready for a long journey.”
Her heart sank a little. “Where to?”
“To visit von Gruner. The old ass has finally agreed to negotiate with us, but since he has no intention of making the process easy, he invited me to his house in Cabo Verde of all places, in the middle of the ocean. It’ll take weeks of sailing to get there.”
“Will you be gone for a long time?”
“Alas, months. On my way back to England, I have to stop on the Continent as well to settle other businesses for Anthony.” He stared at his cup of tea as if wanting to divine his fortune. “I have to act on his behalf.” He chuckled bitterly. “I’m far from ready, but I don’t have a choice.”
She touched his hand. “I’m going to miss you.”
“So am I. That’s why I have a surprise for you.” He rose and held the door open for her.
She followed him as Lawson walked behind her. Along the corridor, he took Isabella’s hand, and her heartbeat quickened.
Lawson cleared her throat, but Patrick didn’t release Isabella’s hand.
“I meant to show you earlier, but with everything that happened, I forgot.” He led her through a series of corridors to a set of glass double doors that revealed a view of luxurious green plants.
“What do you think?” He showed her to the conservatory.
“Heavens.” She stepped into the glasshouse that was a riot of colours and delicious scents. There were orchids, peonies, and different varieties of lilies. Calling it a conservatory wasn’t correct. It was a botanical park under a glass dome, three times bigger than her own. The plants needed more care though. Some brown leaves needed to be removed, and a few stems needed to be pruned. “It’s lovely. I could spend hours here, tending to all these plants.”
Lawson didn’t show any enthusiasm.
Patrick kept holding her hand. “I come here only to…no, I never come here. It’s wet and hot, but you’re welcome to spend as much time as you want here.”
She touched the red petals of a hibiscus. “Wonderful.”
“Anthony comes here to read.” He pointed to a Chesterfield sofa tucked in a sunny corner under a cascade of purple irises.
She sighed at the beauty of the flowers. “I couldn’t picture a better spot.”
“Neither could I.” Anthony’s deep voice came from the door.
Everyone turned towards him in a moment of silent shock. She wasn’t ready for the surprise.
“Anthony.” Patrick straightened like a soldier in front of his superior.
Lawson dropped a deep curtsy, keeping her gaze on the floor.
