‘After which she married Sir Ralph.’
‘Indeed. I can’t claim that Jago and I are close. We have very different views about life and duty. Yet he is still my brother, at least on the distaff side.’
Rose judged it wise to change the subject and asked him to tell her more about the kind of things that might be expected of her socially in Biarritz. Bryce proved to be highly entertaining on the subject of the Bohemian set who frequented the town. This group, while claiming to scorn wealth, apparently enjoyed spending, being possessed with a passion for gambling and parties, for cabaret, music and the high life. A way of life which very much appealed to his brother.
‘And, of course, they love the new artistic movement, known as “art nouveau”, which sees everything in life as “art”. Even the legs of furniture must have sinuous curves,’ he joked. ‘And quite right too. What is wrong with a few sinuous curves, that is what I say?’
Rose was soon holding her sides with laughter as his gossip about the fast set became deliciously more risqué. Paying the bill, they continued talking with barely a pause in their conversation as they set off along the walkway back to the hotel.
‘Close your eyes,’ she suddenly instructed him.
‘Why?’
Seating herself on a low wall hidden from general view behind a pine tree, Rose laughed up at him. ‘Because I wish to take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the sands, but that will necessitate peeling off my stockings.’
‘Ah!’ He quickly sat down beside her. ‘Allow me to help.’
As he reached for her foot Rose playfully smacked his hand away. ‘I insist you close your eyes, and no peeping.’
The stockings were held up by a garter just above the knee and Rose wasn’t even sure she could execute this delicate manoeuvre without disgracing herself. Somehow, she managed it.
Bryce softly groaned. ‘What you ladies do to we poor males. I must say the new artistic movement would highly approve of your legs.’
‘You peeped!’
‘My eyes opened quite of their own volition. I fear I had no control over them at all.’
They were both laughing now, and Rose was attempting to ignore the undercurrent of emotion which warned her of the dangers in this mild flirtation. Yet feeling the sand between her toes really was delightful.
‘Perhaps I could tempt you to a swim in the sea next time?’
‘You never know,’ she laughed. ‘Robbie, I’m sure, would love to learn.’
So relaxed was she that Rose opened up a little, describing her own siblings and their little idiosyncrasies when young. ‘Clara was the brave one, always curious and asking questions, and the first to jump in the pond we often went to at the park for a swim in summer. While Mary would cautiously hang back.’ Oh, how very much she missed them all.
He must have seen the sadness come into her eyes for he gently asked, ‘I assume they are still in Canada?’
Rose felt obliged to say that they were, already regretting this need of hers to talk of her brothers and sisters.
‘Then you must pay them a visit one day. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t.’
By now, the hotel was in sight, and Bryce found a bench for Rose to sit on and replace her shoes, although she refused to put her stockings back on. He even helped her to fasten the laces. ‘I’ve so enjoyed our little excursion, and our talk. Most entertaining.’ Then leaning forward, he kissed her. It was no more than a light, brotherly kiss, but entirely unexpected and quite took her breath away.
Rose looked at him, eyes wide with surprise and perhaps some betraying emotion of which she was unaware, one he must have recognised for he kissed her again. This time it was rather longer, and, heart pounding, she felt again the alluring danger of desire. As his mouth moved over hers Rose wanted the kiss to go on for ever, sighing with regret when he finally drew away.
‘I would like to say that was merely meant as a thank you for a most pleasant morning, and by way of an apology for my rudeness at times, but I would be lying. You looked so delightful with your feet all covered in sand that I simply couldn’t resist. Now I shall escort you safely back to the hotel before I feel obliged to apologise again.’
Still mesmerised by the kiss, Rose thought she’d never felt so happy in all her life.
Tilly and Joe were on their way back to the hotel, having enjoyed a delightful morning building sandcastles for Robbie, when Tilly spotted Bryce and Rose seated on the bench and saw the kiss.
‘Well now, will you look at that. And there was me thinking she was sweet on you, Joe Colbert. Although why anyone would fancy a great lump like you, I cannot imagine.’ Tilly laughingly turned to look at Joe, hoping to share the joke, but her heart sank as she saw his reaction. He was standing stock-still in the middle of the road, his face ashen. ‘Ah, so Mrs Pascoe was right, you do have a crush on Her Ladyship, or else you’re head over heels in love with the good lady.’
Seeming to jerk himself out of a trance, Joe glowered. ‘Rubbish! I’ve already stated a thousand times that we are nothing more than employer and manservant. I’ve been with Rose years, that’s all, and I don’t want to see her get hurt.’
Tilly lifted one eyebrow in disbelief. ‘She doesn’t look like she’s hurting, not from where I’m standing. And why do you call her by her first name? Doesn’t seem quite appropriate, even if you have worked for her a long time.’
Joe’s expression was surprisingly fierce as he turned on her, which seemed to confirm Tilly’s worst fears. ‘Why wouldn’t I use her first name when I’m only talking about her to you? Anyway, has she struck you as the stuffy sort?’
‘No, not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact,’ Tilly conceded, and then putting out a hand, she gently touched his arm. ‘Aw, look, it’s none of my business, and if you do have a fancy for Her Ladyship, then my heart goes out to you. She’d never look your way, you know that, don’t you?’
A bleak look came into his eyes. ‘I’ll say it one more time then let that be an end of the matter. I don’t give a fig for her, all right?’ He glanced down at the toddler, fast asleep in his perambulator, quite worn out after the hectic excitement of the day. ‘Now, can we get going? I reckon this child needs his dinner,’ Joe snapped. So saying, he strode away at such a pace Tilly had to almost run to catch up.
But she’d got the message all right, and didn’t know whether to feel more sorry for Joe or for herself.
Chapter Fourteen
In the coming days there were many more trips out with Bryce for Rose. Sometimes it would be with Robbie, which involved happy hours sitting on the beach helping the small boy to make sand pies, or holding his hand while he paddled and splashed in the shallows, giggling with happiness. Bryce seemed to have endless patience with him. One afternoon, they left Robbie safely back at the hotel with Tilly, and just the two of them took a motor ride down the coast, with Joe in the driving seat. When Rose questioned this arrangement, finding Joe’s presence slightly embarrassing, Bryce was most insistent.
‘But if I have to drive then I can’t sit in the back with you and hold your hand.’
Blushing prettily, Rose said no more.
Joe, naturally, had no choice but to obey, but his glum expression spoke volumes, making it perfectly clear to Rose that her old friend strongly disapproved of the amount of time she was spending with Bryce Tregowan. This worried her slightly. If Joe became too jealous she feared he might do something foolish, such as blurt out the truth. No, surely not! He would never do such a thing. Not least because it would hurt himself as much as her. Rose brushed aside these concerns and continued to enjoy the day.
He stopped the motor, when instructed, at various vantage points along the way to allow them to admire the views, or explore small fishing villages. The tour ended at St Jean de Luz where they enjoyed lunch at a delightful fish restaurant close to the picturesque harbour.
The attention Bryce was giving her, his flattering compliments and flirtatious manner were a complete revelation
to Rose, totally unexpected, and his behaviour that of the perfect gentleman. He even apologised for the kiss.
She looked shyly up at him through her lashes. ‘Apology accepted.’
‘Of course, I’m never quite sure whether it is correct for a gentleman to apologise for a kiss which gave him so much pleasure.’
Rose giggled. ‘Perhaps a gentleman wouldn’t have stolen one in the first place.’
‘Ah, but where is the romance in asking permission? My only excuse is that I was overcome by your charm, and by the excitement of seeing your bare foot.’
Rose burst out laughing. ‘Do stop teasing, you wicked man.’
She could almost sense Joe’s groan of quiet fury.
‘I’m so glad I found you,’ he said, as later they strolled together arm in arm along the quay, watching the colourful fishing boats come and go. They explored the cobbled streets and charming town squares, admiring the Basque architecture and pretty little cottages with their red-tiled roofs. ‘I’m so glad you came into my life.’
Rose said, ‘I’m not so sure that’s what you were thinking when first you saw me in Bristol. Not a word of welcome, only complaints about the amount of luggage I’d brought. You were really rather horrid. Quite cold and brusque.’
Bryce grinned down at her, giving her arm a little squeeze. ‘I had other matters on my mind at the time. Besides, I didn’t know you then. Nor did I entirely trust you.’
Her heart gave an extra little beat. ‘And do you trust me now?’
‘Absolutely.’ He lightly brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles. ‘I think you’re very sweet. Utterly irresistible. I believe I have been searching for you all my life. How can you not be entirely trustworthy?’
Oh, how could she tell him that he’d been right to distrust her, that she’d told him a whole string of lies? ‘I think you like to flatter.’
He paused to slip his arm lightly about her waist as he looked deeply into her eyes, his expression uncharacteristically serious. ‘You can be sure I would never say anything I didn’t mean, Rose. Honest John, that’s me. Did you know that you have the most glorious eyes, such a stunning chocolate brown.’
She felt as if she were drowning in his gaze. Desire was strong in her as she instinctively leant into him, lifting her face in an open invitation for him to kiss her, which he then proceeded to do. A slow, lingering kiss that set her very soul on fire. Rose could no longer deny the truth: she was falling in love with Bryce Tregowan, the man she had cheated and deceived. And were he ever to discover the depth of that deceit, it would be the end of any hope of happiness between them.
‘You realise you’re making a complete exhibition of yourself? Not to mention putting our safety at risk.’
Rose met Joe’s anger with calm dignity. This confrontation was not unexpected, but nor did she welcome his interference. ‘I believe I may be allowed to do as I please without asking your permission, Joe Colbert, much as I might value your opinion in other matters. Besides, I thought our safety depends on my “playing the part” as you termed it. Isn’t that what I’m doing?’
They were standing in the hotel lobby outside the dining room, speaking in hushed, furious tones. ‘No,’ he hissed, the green flecks in his grey eyes glinting with anger. ‘You’re playing with fire. You’re taking unnecessary risks by getting too close to Bryce Tregowan. He’ll start asking personal questions, if he hasn’t already, or grow too curious about your background.’ He ran agitated fingers through his hair, now more tidily cut, as decreed by Lady Tregowan. ‘Maybe it’s time we stopped this lark, and slipped quietly away while we still can.’
Rose gasped. ‘And abandon little Robbie? Never! This charade has gone on too long for us to simply walk away. We’re in it too deep now to call a halt.’ The thought of slipping away with Joe anywhere filled Rose with fear and horror. How could she bear to leave Robbie, her son in all but name? And a second fear was growing alongside the first. How could she live if she never saw Bryce again?
‘Mark my words, this will all end in tears,’ Joe warned.
‘It’s a little too late to realise that now. I believe I said as much right at the start,’ Rose yelled back at him, angry that he should blame her.
Slapping one hand over her mouth to silence her, he pushed her back into the shadows. ‘Shut up, you silly fool, or someone will come to see why you’re shouting.’
‘I’m not shouting,’ Rose hissed back at him, shoving him off her. ‘But who got us into this mess in the first place? Not me.’
‘Sucking up to Bryce Tregowan isn’t going to help. Anyway, I thought you were my girl. We’re a team, you and me.’
All the temper drained out of her, as it always did with Joe. She could never stay angry with him for long, particularly when she saw the depth of his misery. ‘Oh, Joe, don’t start that again. Look, I’m sorry if you feel a bit jealous, but there’s never been anything between you and me. We’re just friends. I made that clear when you first expressed a desire to come with us to America. I do understand, and feel sorry for you, but fighting each other isn’t going to help.’
‘Drat you, Rose, when I want your pity I’ll ask for it.’ Then slamming her back against the wall, he kissed her. It was a kiss as far removed from the one Bryce had given her as it could possibly be. His mouth on hers was savage, cruelly taking what he wanted without any consideration for her feelings, nor the slightest finesse.
But even as Rose fought him, a voice rang out. ‘What on earth is going on here?’
Managing to free herself, Rose turned at the sound of the familiar voice, her face aflame with embarrassment and anger. Dear heaven, now what should she do? But then she thought, what would dear Rosalind do? ‘Gwenna, thank goodness!’
Letting out a snort of rage, Joe stormed off.
Gwenna ran at once to her side. ‘What was he doing to you, Rose? Are you all right?’
Rose allowed Gwenna to lead her to a chair, the lounge apparently empty and cast in gloom as most of the lamps were switched off, everyone having gone in to dinner. ‘Joe does rather appear to have lost his head, but I’m fine, thank you, Gwenna.’ She felt very far from fine. Rose found that her heart was beating with breathless rage against her ribcage. She would like to have smacked Joe’s face had she been able. Oh, why did Gwenna have to appear at precisely that moment, although it could have been worse, she supposed. If it had been Jago who’d found them, for instance.
‘I’m sorry you had to witness that, but I’m afraid Joe has had rather a crush on me for some time. I hoped that if I ignored it, the problem would go away of its own accord.’
Much as Rose hated to put all the blame on to Joe, she couldn’t think what else to do. He had ever been a wild card, and obstinately determined to mire them in this stupid charade, now caring more for the easy life he’d carved out for himself than any possible repercussions that might come her way. He appeared to have lost all common sense.
‘You must dismiss him, of course.’
Rose was devastated, knowing she daren’t allow that to happen. If Joe was cast out or ostracised, who knew what he might do. ‘There’s really no need. I’m sure he’ll be full of apologies come morning.’
‘There is every need. I shall speak to Jago forthwith.’ Gwenna turned on her heel, as if about to go to him that very minute. Rose quickly grasped her arm.
‘No, please, I beg you not to do that, for my sake. Jago may dismiss him while we’re here, on the Continent, and how would Joe get home?’
‘That is surely his problem.’
‘But he has no money, no means of paying for his own fare. He has been with me a long time, always a good and loyal servant, I can’t simply abandon him. I will speak to him tomorrow, make it clear he has overstepped the mark and that his job hangs in the balance. I’m sure it was merely a momentary aberration. We have been through a great deal together: the death of my husband, the birth of my child on board ship, and he is extremely protective of me. Perhaps it is as much my fault a
s his, for letting him believe he can take liberties. You can safely leave me to deal with this matter, Gwenna. He is my manservant, after all.’ This last was a desperate attempt to cling on to her only weapon, that of her alleged status as Lady Tregowan.
Gwenna had remained silent throughout, looking rather thoughtful as Rose made her case. Had she convinced her? Rose worried. Would the ploy work or would she go straight to Jago and have Joe sent packing?
‘Very well, if you insist. I will leave the matter to you and say nothing, for the moment. But I beg you, Rose, do not ever be alone with the fellow again. Who knows what might have happened had I not chanced to pass by.’
Rose managed a tremulous smile, drawing in a steadying breath as she saw that she might have won a stay of execution. ‘You are quite right, and I will certainly take heed of your advice. Thank you, Gwenna, for being so understanding.’ And to cement their agreement, Rose hugged her. Not that the girl reciprocated the gesture with any degree of enthusiasm or warmth, their so-called friendship being quite shallow and somewhat distant, but nor did she resist. ‘Now let us go into dinner, shall we, or they’ll be wondering what has happened to us.’
As the two young women strolled off, arm in arm, ostensibly in agreement, an unseen figure, who had been quietly engaged in reading the daily newspaper in a winged chair set with its back to them a few feet away, quietly folded it and set it down on a nearby table. There was a smile on his face, for he realised the importance of what he’d just overheard between the two women. Enough to tell him it might well prove advantageous when he made his own move.
That evening they were visiting the hotel casino, the gaming tables already busy by the time the party arrived. Boule, roulette anglaise, blackjack and many other games were on offer. Lady Tregowan, looking even more glamorous than usual in a red and black silk gown, was already installed at the roulette table, a pile of chips in front of her. Gwenna was at once eager to join her and excitedly dashed off to purchase some chips for herself. Rose declared she had no interest in taking part and declined Bryce’s offer to buy some for her.
My Lady Deceiver Page 17
