Philippa looked at her friends and saw disappointment and worry in their eyes. She knew they thought she would let them down, but she wasn’t going to. If need be, she’d hit the streets of London and ask out every man who caught her eye until she found the one that would suit her.
She’d work day and night to make sure Bertram was allowed to stay in his body and watch Periwinkle grow up. She’d find a man she could call her soulmate and finally have a love of her own. She’d do everything in her power to secure a happy ending for all of them, as long as she didn’t have to see Richard Bingham again. She couldn’t justify wanting him so badly only to have him break her heart by being cruel to her again. That wasn’t love; it couldn’t be.
Philippa bid her friends goodnight and instead of going back to Richard, she left the Claridge and went home. But not before leaving a note at the front desk.
Philippa met Declan at the same bar they’d gone to with Sephra and Liam. He turned out to be much wittier and much more engaging without their friends along. He told her all about his childhood and asked her about hers. He talked of his love for the law, and inquired what Pip did for work.
Pip decided to just come right out and tell him. She had a clock ticking, in the form of Bertram’s life, and she realized she’d never find the right man if he didn’t accept what she did from the start. She wouldn’t risk letting her heart get engaged and then wind up having it stomped on.
Pip started, “I guess you could say I’m self-employed.”
Declan declared, “Ah, you’re an entrepreneur!”
“Not really,” she answered. “I don’t actually make any money.”
With his eyebrows raised in question, he asked, “What’s the point, then? I mean why be in business if you aren’t able to pay your way through life?”
So Pip told him. She explained that her father was an earl and she lived off of a trust. She shared the story of her childhood illness and of the lingering fever, and then she told him about her deal with Corrine. Much to her surprise, he didn’t discount her and flee the premises. Instead he replied, “How interesting! I used to have an angel visit me when I was a young boy. He called himself Sawie and he used to fly through my window on a magic carpet.”
Philippa tried to decide if Declan was having a bit of fun at her expense. Yet he seemed so earnest in his declaration that she realized he was telling the truth. She asked, “What did you talk about?”
Declan answered, “I vaguely recall bits and pieces, but what I mostly remember is flying around London all night long with the wind in my face. The feeling of freedom was absolutely invigorating.” He hadn’t expected to say quite so much and looked up at Pip to see how she was responding. He didn’t need to worry as she had a big smile plastered across her face.
“It sounds positively magical!” she said. “The next time I see Corrine, I’m going to see what I can do about getting a magic carpet ride.”
Declan ordered another round and offered, “I’m very glad you agreed to come out with me tonight.” Then he added, “I’m sorry it took me so long to get around to asking you, but I’ve had some personal things I’ve been working on.”
Pip didn’t ask any questions about what those personal things might be. All that mattered was that he did ask her and he was a very lovely man. She decided then and there she really liked Declan and she was going to continue to go out with him in hopes he was the one for her.
That evening, Philippa was able to forget Richard Bingham entirely. She didn’t think about him once while she shared her most personal secrets with Declan. She didn’t ponder how he could have treated her so poorly. She didn’t even consider him when her date gave her a very lovely kiss good night. It wasn’t until she got into bed, much later that evening, and turned off the lights that she thought, Richard, why couldn’t you accept me as easily as Declan has? Why wouldn’t you even give me a chance?
Leaving London
Chapter 32
Richard was more frustrated than he’d ever been. He waited for over thirty minutes for his mystery woman to come back to him. When she hadn’t, he’d searched for Honey to find out who she was. But the old lady wasn’t forthcoming with any information. She only shared, “She asked for her identity not to be disclosed.”
When Richard asked how and when he’d hear from her about their date, the duchess replied, “Dear, she doesn’t want to go on a date with you. You’re free to go home any time you choose.”
Richard was confused, “If she didn’t want to go on a date with me, why did she bid on me?”
Honey shrugged her shoulders sadly, “I can’t say, Richard. Perhaps she just wanted to donate money to charity and didn’t ever intend on going out with the man she bid on.”
Richard exhaled loudly, “But she asked me to kiss her!”
Surprised, the old lady gasped, “She did? I didn’t expect to hear that.” Then she asked, “Was it a good kiss?”
“It was the best I’ve ever had.” And in truth, it was. The kiss he’d shared with his benefactor was even more powerful than the one he’d stolen from Philippa Fielding at Mimi’s wedding. In fact, at that moment, he was completely over Elliot’s sister. The only woman on his mind was the mystery lady from the auction, the one who’d bought him and conversely dumped him in the same short order.
Honey said, “Richard, thank you very much for flying all the way here to participate in my little event. I’m dreadfully sorry it didn’t work out how you expected it to.” Then she offered, “I’d be more than happy to pick up your expenses while you’re here by way of apology.”
“That’s ridiculous, Honey. None of this was your fault. I was happy to come. I’ll be here for three more days on business.” Then he begged, “Please contact this woman and tell her I want to see her again, very badly. Will you do that for me?”
The dowager duchess gave her young friend’s hand a squeeze, “Of course I will, dear.” Then she dug into her beaded handbag and pulled out a calling card to give to him. “Here, take this and call me if you’re able to have lunch or tea before you return home. I’d love to spend a little more time with you.”
Richard gladly took the card. He did want to see Honey again, but nowhere near as much as he wanted to see his mystery lady.
It wasn’t until the next morning that Richard received the note left for him at the front desk the night before.
It simply stated:
Dear Mr. Bingham,
Thank you for the lovely kiss. I’ll cherish it always. I wish you much luck in all of your endeavors and I hope you’re not too upset with me. Please remember, things aren’t always as they seem and snap judgments are usually wrong.
Fondly,
Your masked lady
Richard banged his hand down on the marble countertop so forcefully, he felt like he might have broken something. “Things aren’t always as they seem? Don’t make snap judgments!” What in the hell was she talking about? The only judgment he’d made was that she was lovely and that he wanted to see her and kiss her many more times.
Richard sat down to breakfast with a knot in his stomach. He’d barely choked down a couple bites of his eggs before getting up to leave. He was going to be there for three more days and he vowed to do everything in his power to find this woman—his woman, he decided—and discover why she’d left without telling him who she was.
Richard wasn’t having any luck. His trip to London flew by and his flight left the next morning. He still hadn’t heard a word from the lady who’d bid on him at the auction. He called Honey and asked her to join him for tea that afternoon. He’d try one more time to get the information he needed from her.
When she arrived, the duchess was wearing a white suit that oddly complimented her unusual hair color. She greeted Richard with a kiss and declared, “I’m delighted you called!”
Richard pulled her chair out for her and replied, “Not as delighted as I am that you came.”
Honey responded, “Oh, you’re a smooth one, Mr. Bi
ngham; I can see you leaving broken hearts in your wake.”
Startled, Richard looked up, “You’re wrong. I’m not a heartbreaker at all. I’m just a poor, lonely man looking for the woman of my dreams.” He winked, “That’s where you come in.”
His companion laughed out loud, “You scoundrel.” Then she teased, “The answer is, yes, of course I’ll marry you!”
Richard took a moment to ascertain whether the duchess was joking or if she’d somehow horribly misconstrued his interest. When she declared, “My God, you should see your face, it’s priceless!”—he knew she was jesting.
“Honey, please, tell me who the woman was who won me. I promise I’m a very nice man and I’m not set on breaking anyone’s heart. Please.”
Shaking her head sadly, she responded, “I’m sorry, Richard, no. The young woman is a particular friend of mine and I gave her my word.”
“But if she’s your friend, why wouldn’t you want her to go out with a man who’s completely besotted with her? Don’t you want her to find someone to share her life with?”
The duchess nodded her head slowly, “More than anything. But this young lass has been hurt in the past. If, and how, she proceeds with her love life is entirely up to her.”
Richard asked, “Do you think I’ll ever see her again?”
Honey smiled, “If I were a betting woman, I’d say yes. But it has to be her doing, not yours.”
“But how will she be able to get ahold of me if she decides she wants to see me?”
His friend answered, “You’ll give me your business card, and I’ll make sure I pass it on to her.”
Richard immediately took a card out of his wallet and wrote on the back: I don’t understand your note, but I want to. Please call me. Richard
Richard handed the card to Honey. Then they shared a delicious tea together and promised not to lose touch. As they parted ways, Honey declared, “I’ll do everything I can to help. Just remember, don’t make assumptions about people before you know the truth, Richard. Promise me that.”
Richard didn’t know what he’d done to have not one, but two women question his integrity. He’d only been in London a few days and as far as he knew he treated everyone with respect. What in the world was going on?
Second Best
Chapter 33
“I’m telling you, Bertram, he’s a very decent chap,” Pip exclaimed.
Her contact replied, “That seems a statement damned by faint praise, love.”
“Not at all!” she declared. “We’ve been out on three dates and I’ve liked him more and more after each one. In fact,” she added, “I could see a very comfortable future with Declan.”
“Philippa, you’re talking about him like he’s an old pair of house slippers.”
“I am not!” she gasped. “I’m talking about him like he’s a lovely man with whom I have a lot in common. You’ve even made me pass on messages during a couple of our dates and you’ve seen how terrific he’s been about it.”
Bertram’s tipped his head from side to side. “Yeah, he did handle that nicely, but how about the kissing?”
“What about it?” she demanded.
“Don’t make me pull teeth, love; how was it? Did it weaken your knees and make your heart go pitter pat and all that?”
“Not that it’s any of your business,” Pip snapped, “but it was quite pleasant.”
Bertram rolled his eyes, “No offense, but ‘quite pleasant’ isn’t exactly life-altering stuff. I’ve never heard of a great passion where the participants described the kissing as ‘quite pleasant.’ Have you?”
“Shut up, Bertram!” Pip commanded. “Declan’s kisses are perfectly lovely.”
“Oi,” her guide responded. “The poor chap isn’t doing anything for you, is he? Listen Pip, I don’t want to be a selfish sot here, but my wife’s petition to the court comes up next week and if it’s granted, I’ve only have ten days after that before they pull the plug on me.”
Philippa sighed, “It’s impossible to force things like love and soulmates, Bertram. I’m doing the best I can. I promise you, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and I’m not dragging my feet.”
Bertram decided, “I think you’ve got to shag him, love.”
“What?” Pip screeched. “I’m not going to sleep with him after only three dates. That’s ludicrous!”
“It’s the only way,” he replied. “Then you’ll know if there’s enough spark there to eventually catch fire. The way I see it, you two couldn’t light a torch with the heat you’re currently generating. If you don’t find some passion with him soon, I’ll be cold in my grave before you do.”
Philippa sighed, “Have you been spying on us?”
“Of course I’ve been spying on you,” Bertram declared. “This is my life we’re dealing with here.”
“It’s my life, too,” Pip snapped.
“I know, love,” he answered. “Which is why I can’t bear for you to plod along like this and accept something that’s second best.”
“Second best to what?” she demanded. “Second best to Richard Bingham? Because let me tell you, I’ve barely even spoken to the man. He might set my blood on fire and make my knees go weak and all that nonsense, but I don’t know anything about him. He could be an ax murderer for all I know, or he might be an ivory importer or something heinous like that.”
“God, love, you should take to the stage,” Bertram replied. “Such drama, such histrionics.”
“At least I’m not a bloody arse trying to pimp out a friend to a bully!”
Bertram sighed, “Philippa, I told you, I see things you can’t and I know things you don’t. I need you to trust me on this.”
Pip asked, “What if I tell you Declan’s the one? Will that be enough to get you back in your body?”
Her contact shook his head, “You know it won’t. Corrine will know what’s really in your heart even if you straight up lie about it. You could even marry him and it wouldn’t work if you didn’t love him totally.”
Before Pip could formulate a response, her phone rang. Bertram sat down in the overstuffed chair in Philippa’s room and said, “You might as well answer it. We don’t seem to be making any progress here.”
So Pip did answer it and was delighted to hear her sister-in-law’s voice on the other end. “Pip, how are you?” she asked.
“I’m doing great, Mimi. How are you and Elliot?”
“Oh, we’re good,” she replied, although she didn’t sell it enough for Pip to believe it.
Mimi continued, “Listen, Elliot just told me your parents are coming for Thanksgiving. Any chance you’ll be with them?”
“They mentioned something at breakfast, but I hadn’t really gotten around to deciding yet.”
“Please come,” Mimi begged. Then she confessed, “I don’t think your mother likes me very much and it would really help to have a buffer.”
“Oh, Mimi, it’s not that she doesn’t like you, she just sometimes has a hard time warming up to people. Please don’t take it personally.”
Her sister-in-law responded, “It might just be all the crazy pregnancy hormones rushing through me, but please, it would really help if you were here.”
Pip didn’t need any more persuasion than that. She probably would have decided to go on her own anyway, had Bertram not waylaid her with his concerns about Declan. So she answered, “Of course I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”
Mimi exclaimed, “Thank you, Pip! Thank you so much. I owe you one.”
“You don’t owe me a thing,” Pip answered. “We’re family now and that means we’ll always be there for each other.”
Bertram overheard the whole conversation. He realized Philippa was going to be a harder nut to crack than he originally thought, so he took his cue to leave. As soon as she said she would go to America for their Thanksgiving holiday, he knew he needed to use his powers of persuasion again. His first stop was a little visit to Elliot and Mimi’s house
.
On her way to her sister Ginger’s house, Mimi turned on the radio. The first song to come on was one she hadn’t heard in years. It was an oldie by The Faces, called “Pool Hall Richard.” The next one was “Richard Cory,” by Simon and Garfunkel. By the time she heard the beginning strains of “Mister Richard Smoker,” she had an idea and pulled off to the side of the road to make a call.
Chicago
Chapter 34
Even though things hadn’t turned out as he’d planned, Richard was still glad he’d gone to London. It wound up being a very productive business trip and he’d even managed to secure a new client, one he would have never gotten had he not physically been there to meet with them. He hadn’t heard from the mystery woman from the auction, but he’d talked to Honey, who promised she’d pass on his card. In no uncertain terms, she instructed him not to give up hope.
Richard sat at his desk scrolling though emails when he saw one from Spencer asking if he could use a couple of tickets to the musical Chicago. At the same time, “The Night Chicago Died” started to play on the radio, and Mimi called from a suburb of Chicago. It was like when he couldn’t shake the song “London Calling,” except this time it was Chicago.
He answered, “Mimi, how are you? How’s that baby coming along?”
She replied, “Everything’s just wonderful. Listen, I was hoping you’d come to Chicago and join us for Thanksgiving. It’s just going to be family, but you have to know we consider you family. So, what do you say?”
Richard said yes without any hesitation. His mother was spending Thanksgiving with friends in Vermont and he hadn’t set up any plans of his own yet. Sharing the holiday with his friend and her family sounded like the perfect idea.
He called Rachel to tell her he’d be out of town until after the first week of December. His matchmaker took the news in stride, as her business was largely comprised of busy people who travelled a lot, which of course was one of the main reasons they needed a matchmaker.
Kindred Spirits: A Romantic Comedy About Love, Life, and the Afterlife . . . Page 16
