An Eligible Bachelor

by Veronica Henry

  Honor was puzzled. Johnny’s voice sounded a bit edgy.

  Well, yes. I knew Ted was in safe hands.’

  ‘And whose hands were you in?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘While the cat’s away, eh?’

  Honor was immediately on her guard. She recognized the silky aggression in his tone, and her stomach contracted with fear. Did he have his spies out? Did he know she’d gone out? That wasn’t a crime, was it? He was the one who’d told her to enjoy herself.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  His voice oozed vitriol.

  ‘You’re a hypocrite. You’ve hung me ten times over for my mistake. Made me feel like a worthless worm. Not good enough for you. And all the time you’ve been screwing the lord of the manor –’

  This really was too confusing for Honor’s addled brain.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Does he know I had my hand in your knickers only last week? You’re nothing but a little slut, really. A slut and a cock-tease. But I’m not surprised you’re holding out for him. I’m sure you fancy yourself as Lady Muck.’

  ‘Johnny, what are you talking about?’

  ‘You haven’t seen the papers yet, then?’

  ‘No.’

  Well, it makes very interesting reading, I can tell you. And the pictures are even better.’

  ‘What pictures?’

  ‘You’d better get down to the shop and see for yourself.’

  ‘I don’t understand. How can there be pictures? I haven’t done anything.’

  ‘Well, it must be your identical twin sister with her tongue down Mr Portias’s throat, in that case.’

  Honor gripped the phone tightly, desperately trying to make sense of what Johnny was saying. She tried to keep her voice calm and no-nonsense.

  ‘Look, this is silly. Why don’t you bring Ted home and we can talk about this sensibly.’

  ‘Bring Ted home?’ There was a bitter edge to his laugh. ‘Do you know, I don’t think I will.’

  Honor felt as if she was falling through the air. Icy panic flooded her insides.

  ‘What?’

  ‘For six years I had to live without Ted because of one small mistake. I don’t think the punishment really fitted the crime. But you considered that to be justice, so I might as well judge you on the same basis. I was condemned as an unfit father. Well, now you’re an unfit mother.’

  ‘Johnny, what do you mean? Don’t be ridiculous –’

  ‘Let’s see how you like it. Being deprived of your own flesh and blood.’

  ‘You can’t do this to Ted!’

  ‘Ted’s quite happy. He’s having the time of his life. He hasn’t asked for you once.’

  Honor struggled to sit up. Her head started spinning. She closed her eyes to try and make it stop, but that was worse.

  ‘Johnny, please. Let’s talk –’

  ‘Did I get the opportunity to talk? I don’t think so. You judged me, Honor. And sentenced me. Remember? Well, now the boot’s on the other foot.’

  The line went dead. Frantically, Honor redialled Johnny’s number.

  ‘Sorry, but the number you are calling is unavailable…’

  Honor gave a sob of terror.

  The balloon stood in the field, patiently awaiting the arrival of its passengers, its magnificent red and yellow stripes bold against the bright blue autumn sky. The air was crisp and still; the only sound was birdsong and the occasional whoosh from the gas canisters that kept the canvas aloft.

  ‘It’s absolutely beautiful,’ whispered Richenda in awe.

  Next to her Guy smiled, gratified that his surprise had had the desired effect, as the balloon’s pilot hurried forward to greet them. Matt was twenty-nine, but didn’t look a day over sixteen, with his pageboy haircut and baggy hand-knitted jumpers.

  You’re very lucky,’ said Matt. ‘It’s always touch and go whether you can fly at this time of year, but today’s conditions are perfect. Come on!’

  It was obvious that he hadn’t seen that morning’s paper. Or perhaps he had, but didn’t see it as being of any consequence when there was a balloon ride in the offing. He ushered them excitedly towards the basket, eager for them to start their journey. Matt was evangelical about ballooning; he’d started up the business two years before, when his parents’ farm had been on its knees, and it was now more than buoyant. He’d been fully booked all summer with weddings, family outings, corporate days out, and had only managed to fit Guy in because he didn’t normally fly on a Monday. They were old mates: Matt and his older brother Felix had grown up with Guy, the three of them terrorizing the local pubs together in their teenage years. Matt noted wryly as he helped Richenda into the basket that Guy had done it again. She was just as stunning in real life as she was on the telly. Guy was a jammy bastard. But then, he remembered from their teenage escapades, he’d always nabbed the good-looking birds.

  Half an hour later, the balloon was gliding regally over the fields, above the treetops, the landscape below a glorious tapestry of greens and golds. Richenda and Guy stood side by side, looking down at the scenery: the sparkling silver thread that was the river, the cattle like lead animals in a toy farm. Eventually Eversleigh hove into view, and the manor appeared below them, perfectly symmetrical, surrounded by the sprinkling of houses that made up the village. It occurred to Guy that if it hadn’t been for the hideous cost of upkeeping the manor, if he hadn’t had to hire it out, this mess might never have happened. But it was no use blaming an inanimate object. In fact, if it was anyone’s fault it was his – if he’d gone and got a proper job…

  He gave a heavy sigh. Richenda turned to look at him.

  ‘Are you in love with her?’ she asked softly.

  ‘No, of course not,’ said Guy, not giving himself even a moment to consider his reply. He was shocked that Richenda could think such a thing. ‘I thought I explained – those pictures were a total set-up.’

  ‘Let’s put it another way,’ said Richenda, her green eyes surveying him gravely. ‘Are you in love with me?’

  The question almost took his breath away. He should have been able to reassure her at once. But he couldn’t. His response stuck in his throat. The words he wanted to utter wouldn’t come out.

  Because he didn’t love her. Not properly. He’d thought he had. He’d truly thought she was the one. But now he realized that he hadn’t understood the meaning of true love. He wouldn’t lie down and die for her, move mountains for her. How the hell was he going to tell her that? He certainly loved her enough not to want to hurt her.

  She was looking at him, waiting for an answer. There was pain in her eyes, but understanding as well. Which made it all the more difficult. Guy tried to come to his senses, telling himself he was being illogical. He couldn’t throw everything back in Richenda’s face because of a fleeting kiss.

  For try as he might, he couldn’t get the moment he’d kissed Honor out of his head. In those brief few seconds, he’d felt everything he knew he should be feeling for Richenda. A burning desire to protect Honor for all of her life. To scoop her up and treasure her. To kiss away all her fears and worries. It had made him feel giddy; had quite literally taken his breath away. Seeing the pictures of the two of them together had brought it all back to him. He might be vehemently denying it to the rest of the nation, but it was proof, in black and white, of what he felt. Even though, for all he knew, Honor hadn’t given him a second thought since that moment.

  How could he commit to Richenda while he nursed those feelings? It would be cruel, to exchange vows with someone when your heart belonged elsewhere. He couldn’t make her a hollow promise; lure her into a marriage that was a sham. But could he bring himself to break off their engagement because he was being fanciful? Perhaps it had been the drama of the situation that had made him read so much into it; the relief that Ted had been all right. Emotions had run high that afternoon. Maybe the brief encounter in the car had been the remnants of the adrenalin they’d both had charging through their veins �
� it had needed somewhere to go, and the resulting endorphin rush had given him a false impression. It was just a crush, he told himself firmly. A silly little schoolboy daydream.

  But if it was all a fantasy, why did he keep thinking about her? Why had he continually wished that she’d been in the kitchen on Saturday night? Because she kept her cool while everyone else panicked, and brought an air of calm to the chaos? Or so he could watch her as she carefully dressed each plate, admiring the curve of her neck as she bent her head over her handiwork. And hadn’t there been a moment in bed with Richenda last night, when he’d imagined dark eyes fringed with spidery lashes gazing into his?

  Seconds ticked by as they drifted through the sky. He had to decide what to say. If he ignored his doubts, and assured Richenda he loved her, that would seal their fate. There would be no going back. And he would never know…

  Somewhere in his consciousness, Guy heard a phone ringing. It was so out of context that he looked around, confused, then realized it was his mobile. He rummaged in the pocket of his coat and pulled it out. He didn’t recognize the number.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Guy?’ The voice on the other end was small. ‘Guy – it’s me. Johnny’s seen the paper. He’s seen the paper and he’s got Ted. He says he won’t bring him back.’

  Guy didn’t hesitate for a moment.

  ‘I’ll be with you as soon as I can.’

  He hung up the phone and looked at Richenda.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said simply. ‘That was Honor. She needs me.’

  Richenda just nodded. She didn’t look surprised or angry. She put her hands in her pockets and turned away, looking out over the countryside.

  Guy turned to Matt.

  ‘Is there any way we can land this thing quickly?’

  26

  Honor answered the door to Guy, as pale as a ghost, her eyes huge in her face. He put one arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze; for a moment she rested her head despondently on his shoulder, then looked up.

  ‘I’m sorry to drag you into this,’ she half whispered. ‘But I didn’t know who else to call.’

  ‘That’s OK. It’s all my fault anyway. You’re the one who’s been dragged into this appalling mess.’ He saw the paper on the sofa in the living room. You’ve seen it, then?’

  Honor nodded.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘I don’t know what the hell these people think gives them the right. It just goes to show you, doesn’t it? You can’t believe what you read.’

  ‘I know. The only problem is, Johnny does… Believe it, I mean.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Honor.’

  ‘And I can’t blame him for being angry. He’s so desperate for us to get back together… ‘Honor swallowed hard. She could feel a lump of tears the size of a peach stone sticking in her throat. ‘He says I’m an unfit mother. He says he’s not bringing Ted back. He can’t mean that, can he?’

  ‘I don’t know. You know him better than I do.’

  ‘He’s very volatile. He’s got a bit of a wild streak. But I don’t think he’d do anything to hurt Ted. Even if he’d quite like to kill me.’ Honor twisted her hands nervously. ‘Do you think I should go to his house? Try and talk to him?’

  ‘You might pass him on the way. Then if you weren’t here…’

  ‘Then maybe I should call the police?’

  Guy realized she was starting to get distraught.

  ‘Calm down a moment. Let’s think about this logically. What time was he supposed to bring him back?’

  ‘After lunch. We didn’t say an actual time.’

  Guy looked at his watch.

  ‘So he’s not technically missing yet. The police won’t be interested.’

  ‘But what happens in the meantime? What if he takes him out of the country? What if he takes him to Ireland?’

  ‘Has Ted got a passport?’

  ‘No…’

  ‘Well, he won’t be going anywhere. You can’t fly anywhere without paperwork these days.’ Guy tried to think rationally. ‘Why don’t we give him another couple of hours; see if he does bring him back? If he doesn’t, then we can make a plan. Until then, there’s nothing we can do.’

  He put his arms round her and gave her a reassuring hug.

  ‘I’m sorry I can’t be more help.’

  ‘It’s OK. It’s nice that you’re here. I’d go mad if I had to wait on my own.’ She smiled at him bravely. ‘I haven’t interrupted anything important, have I?’

  ‘No, no,’ lied Guy. ‘Nothing at all.’

  Honor bit her lip anxiously.

  ‘Has Richenda seen it?’

  ‘Yes, but she knows it’s all nonsense,’ Guy assured her. ‘She’s used to this sort of thing.’

  ‘That’s OK,’ said Honor, relieved. ‘It would have been awful if she’d thought there was something going on between us.’

  ‘Quite,’ said Guy. ‘But you don’t need to worry.’

  Richenda had to smile at the irony. Most people came back from being whisked off in a hot-air balloon betrothed, not dumped. As a dramatic end to a relationship, it took some beating. For she knew that it was all over. And she wasn’t going to demean herself by protesting or fighting or throwing a tantrum. She was going to make a tactical and gracious withdrawal, and be grateful that this had happened early on in their engagement, before the stakes had got too high. She’d be able to turn it to her advantage somehow, she felt confident of that. Not by exploiting Guy, of course. Or by bleating about the pressures of the media; she despised people who courted publicity then complained when the press turned on them. She thought it would be fair to explain their split as a temporary respite while she explored her past and rebuilt bridges with her family. That should satisfy the nation’s curiosity, and eventually they would lose interest, until the day she found love elsewhere.

  Richenda stood in the master bedroom at Eversleigh, looking round for the last time. She’d gone into the small sitting room, taken a sheet of notepaper out of the bureau and spent half an hour agonizing over what to put in her letter, painstakingly choosing every word until she’d got it just right. Now she placed the letter on the dressing table, next to the little leather box that held Guy’s cufflinks and his loose change. She slid the ruby ring off her finger and placed it carefully on top of the letter, feeling a sudden calm as she did so.

  She’d always felt out of place at Eversleigh. She neither belonged there as part of the family or a member of staff or a guest. The only time she’d felt comfortable was as Lady Jane, when the cameras were rolling and the lights were burning and she was moving round the room in character. Even Malachi and Marilyn had been wary of her; she’d been aware of their complicit glances, their tacit disapproval. And she certainly knew that Madeleine had never considered her good enough for Guy, for she’d never gone to any great lengths to hide it. Richenda knew she would never have broken down those barriers. She would never have felt mistress of Eversleigh. As she picked up her bag, she felt a huge relief that she didn’t have to struggle to fit in for a moment longer.

  Honor didn’t think that the hands on the clock in the kitchen had ever dragged themselves round so slowly. Each minute felt like an hour. And there was nothing either of them could do to kill the time. Conversation was pointless; reading was futile. She spent the first half an hour tidying up the kitchen, then sat on the sofa chewing her nails, jumping up every time a car went past, willing the phone to ring. Five times she tried Johnny’s mobile but was met with the same polite voice telling her he was unavailable. Guy did his best to calm her, but there was nothing he could say to reassure her. Every trashy made-for-TV movie she had ever seen flashed through her mind. She had visions of Johnny helping Ted into a helicopter, loaned to him by one of his flash clients, and flying him over to Ireland. At one point she even imagined Chloe escorting them, she and Johnny exchanging affectionate smiles over the top of Ted’s head. Then she saw herself in court engaged in a long drawn-out custody battle, with Johnny’s brie
f producing evidence of her wanton behaviour.

  ‘Hey,’ said Guy, and she realized she had dug her nails so hard into her hands that they were practically drawing blood. ‘Don’t torture yourself

  At twenty past three, there was the rumble of a diesel engine outside the front door. Honor looked at Guy and flew over to the window. She saw Johnny getting out of the car. And Ted in the front seat.

  ‘He’s brought him back.’ A sweet relief flooded through her, but she resisted the urge to go rushing out. She wasn’t going to give Johnny the benefit of knowing how much agony he’d put her through. Instead, she composed herself and opened the front door, pale but cool, acknowledging him with a tight smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. He responded with a twitch of his mouth that was more of a grimace than a smile; they both had to pretend to be civil in front of Ted, who shot straight into her arms without noticing any atmosphere. She bent down and hugged him to her.

  ‘Mum – we had such a cool time. We went to see some Labrador puppies and I slept on a… what was it called?’

  He looked unsurely at Johnny.

  ‘A futon.’

  ‘Goodness,’ Honor laughed. ‘Now listen – go upstairs and unpack your things. Put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket and put everything else back in the right drawer. I just want to talk to Johnny for five minutes, then you can come down and give me all the gory details.’

  As Ted pounded up the stairs she stood up and looked Johnny in the eye coldly.

  ‘I suppose your conscience got the better of you.’

  The look she gave him was so withering that even Johnny had the grace to look a little shamefaced.

  ‘I was always going to bring him back. You know that.’

  ‘How do I know that?’

  ‘You know I’m impulsive, Honor. You know I’ve got a temper.’

  His freckles stood out in stark relief against his skin, which was white with tension.

  ‘So that makes it all right, does it? Do you know what I’ve been through today?’ She couldn’t help blurting it out, even though she’d sworn to herself not to let him see she’d been out of her mind with worry. But Johnny was impassive to her plight.