Sommersgate House (Ghosts and Reincarnation #2)(35)

It wasn’t often that Douglas didn’t simply do what he wanted to do. Now, most especially, as he watched her struggle with her emotions, sitting there looking alone and tremendously sad, he found himself wanting to comfort her. If he was honest, he may have even needed her to comfort him as he felt his chest tighten with something he hadn’t felt for years.

“Julia,” he murmured softly.

She took a deep shuddering breath.

“So, you see,” she finished, a tremor still in her voice but the subject, most definitely, was closed, “it’s tradition.”

He allowed her a moment to collect herself, reading correctly that she would prefer to be in control rather than let go. He understood that. However, he did so while watching her.

She was immensely watchable. Her face wasn’t just lovely, it was also expressive. Her emotions, now raw and right on the surface, made her all the more alluring. He could never countenance female tears but then, he’d never seen any that were genuine.

He felt the familiar pull of what he recognised as a growing attraction to her. He’d always known it was there but the strength of it was surprising.

He didn’t just want to touch her. He wanted to kiss her. He’d wanted to kiss her in the car when she had so obviously enjoyed the night out with Charlie, her cheeks flushed, her voice happy and he was surrounded with her captivating scent and knew exactly how her legs and ass looked in that unbelievable dress. And again, when he had awakened her after they arrived home and her eyes were heavy-lidded and her voice was husky with sleep. And also, after she had vented her anger at him last night.

No, last night he hadn’t wanted to kiss her, he ached to do it and far more than that. He’d had to put the desk between them to stop himself.

And now, while she was struggling for control, he wanted very much to coax her to lose that control. He wanted to taste her lips, hear her whisper his name with her voice throaty with passion.

He wanted her.

Yes, the problem of Julia was definitely becoming quite intriguing.

As she seemed to get a hold of herself, his mind came to terms with this development and he immediately came to a decision and formed a plan. It was, he realised, an excellent solution to all his problems most especially Julia and the children.

“I’d like to ask you a favour,” he stated.

She turned her eyes to his, the grief barely masked and its presence made his tone gentle when he continued.

“Tamsin was on a committee for years to organise a ball to raise funds for a local charity that provides research funding for breast cancer. This year, she was chair of the committee until…” he broke off, not needing to continue.

“Yes?” Julia prompted, her voice deeper than normal with the effort to control her emotions.

“I’d like you to attend with me, to represent the family, to represent Gavin. I think Tamsin would have wanted that.”

Tamsin would have wanted Julia anywhere and everywhere. They were like sisters, e-mailing and sending care packages full of little gifts they’d purchase for each other the minute they saw something that reminded one of the other.

Douglas watched Julia nod, her sadness melting as she gave him a small, tentative smile.

“I’d be delighted,” she agreed and a truce was established, albeit soon to be made very brief.

“Well, well, well, isn’t this cosy?” A refined, but glacial, female voice sounded from the doorway and Douglas looked up to see his mother standing there, staring down her nose at Julia.

Monique was wearing a white suit with a filmy black blouse and a huge black and white hat. Douglas regarded his mother with remote disdain. She looked like she’d walked right out of a rerun of Dynasty.

She was sixty-four years old and through a strict diet and exercise regime, monthly visits to the spa and hairdressers, twice-yearly visits to a plastic surgeon and sheer determination, she looked twenty years younger.

She was carrying a newspaper and walking forward, the expression in her eyes was frosty.

He stood, as a gentleman should, but for no other reason.

“Mother,” he greeted her warily for he could see she was in a mood.

She ignored him.

“You!” she pointed, her tone accusatory, her gaze malicious, at Julia who was staring at her brother’s mother-in-law, her expression a study in shock, her eyes riveted to the finger pointed in her direction.

Monique then threw the paper she was carrying and it slid down the table, over the children’s dirty dishes and spilled onto Julia’s lap taking marmalade and butter with it.

Julia caught it reflexively, jumping up from her seat.

Douglas gritted his teeth.

“Mother,” he said through them, his voice a warning.

“Didn’t take you long did it?” Monique hissed. “Went right in for the kill, didn’t you?”

Julia was looking down at the paper and Douglas saw in it was a printed the photo taken of them outside his house in Kensington.

He had to admit, it looked damning. He knew he’d just caught her after a stumble but they looked like they were two lovers embracing. He was forced to subdue a pleased smile at this turn of events as this was fortuitous to his new plan.

Julia looked at it horrified.

“This is all a mistake. I –” Julia started.

“You’re a parasite, is what you are… which was expected but I cannot believe how quickly you’ve managed to latch on.”