Gabriella had been effusive in her greeting but for some reason he hadn’t returned her hug with the same warmth as she given him. It might have been because Darius was scowling at him from behind the bar, although he had no idea why. He would have to have a chat with the man at some stage. They were seated at the table by the window where he’d had dinner with Arial on the night of their fight outside the elevator and strangely enough, it made him uncomfortable to be there. He kept looking across the table at Gabriella’s gorgeous botoxed face and mentally super-imposing Arial’s image on top. After around 15 minutes of that, he signaled to Darius and asked him to move them to another table. Gabriella had frowned and asked why but he brushed her off by saying he could feel a draught and he didn’t want her to get a chill.
Gabriella had flirted outrageously throughout the meal and he’d tried to flirt back but he kept catching sight of his wedding band. That gold band was still shiny and new, and he kept worrying at it with his thumb but the damn thing seemed to have the same magical powers as a Stop sign.
Gabriella had noticed, of course. “What’s wrong? I didn’t think you were the sort of man who would allow his wedding vows to get in the way of enjoying a lunch date with a woman.”
“Sorry. Got lots of things on my mind. How’s your champagne? Do you need a top up? And you have to tell me about your trip to New York.”
Their goodbye had been awkward too. She’d clung to him, breathing heavily in his ear and asking if they should retire to the suite on the upper level just like they always used to do but he’d brushed her off yet again. He’d pleaded a Saturday afternoon board meeting (as if) and kissed her chastely goodbye after escorting her to the elevators. He might’ve imagined it, but he could’ve sworn he saw Darius grin when he pushed the Down button instead of the Up button.
They were nearly back at the city mansion now and he leaned forward to tell the driver to drop him at the gates. He would walk the rest of the way. The fresh air would do him good. He needed to unscramble his brain anyway. He hadn’t dallied with any woman since his marriage and he was beginning to wonder if he was losing his touch. Or even worse, his urge.
He walked up the white gravel driveway, past the majestic poplar trees and around the lazy curve that protected the mansion from any prying eyes on the street. The house was now directly in front of him and as he walked toward it, he saw Arial step out onto the wide front step. He was about to call out to her when someone stepped out behind her. He narrowed his eyes, thinking it was Matthew at first, but then he realized it was the man in the photograph. The dead boyfriend? As he watched, Arial wrapped her arms around the man and kissed him all over his face – in full view of anyone who might be in the rose garden! – before leading him down the steps and heading off in the direction of the maze. Furious now, he quickened his step and hurried after them.
Chapter Thirty-One
Arial
Martha had sent one of the servants up to ask her, or rather to tell her, if she would meet her in-laws in the downstairs sitting room at three. Arial had no idea what the meeting might be about and Carson was nowhere to be found. She knew he was meeting a friend for lunch and she had sent a text message asking him only to reply if she wasn’t disturbing anything, but so far there had been no response. His phone was probably switched off. He often had these lunchtime or early evening meetings with friends and she didn’t like to pry too much about who those friends might be. He had a life outside of hers and that was just fine. She had a life outside of his too, or she would have once she’d settled into her new role. Being a DuMonde lady was hard work and no one had warned her about that. Not that there was much time for warnings with an engagement lasting less than two weeks, but still. It would’ve been nice if someone had thought to give her a heads up.
Arial had spent several hours in Martha’s company over the past few weeks as she learned the ways of a DuMonde wife. Apparently, a DuMonde lady never argued in public, never stepped out without dressing properly first (by dressing properly, Martha meant lipstick and mascara at the very least, high heels, and a well-tailored dress), and she seldom ate carbs. Arial was having a few problems with the carbs part but giving up her favorite bacon-flavored potato chips was just too hard for now. A girl needed something to help her through the stress of becoming a DuMonde.
She hastily stuffed the empty chip bag into the bottom of the trashcan and went through to the opulent bathroom off the main bedroom to rinse her hands, brush her teeth, and slick on a coating of lipstick. She was already wearing a simple shift dress in cornflower blue that should pass muster with the evil Mom-in-law. Giggling to herself, she hurried down the stairs to arrive just before the appointed time of three. That was something else a DuMonde lady had to remember – be on time unless it is for your own wedding, having lunch with an old flame, or attending a ball. She could understand the wedding and ball (arriving late ensured you received plenty of attention) but why would Martha even mention lunch with an old flame? She wasn’t likely to arrange a lunch date with Wyatt. She had no desire to ever see him again.
Martha was sipping tea from a bone china teacup and Terence was standing gazing out across the rose garden with his hands clasped behind his back when she walked into the room. Both turned to smile at her and as always when she walked into a room occupied by her in-laws, she felt as if she was sitting an exam. “Hello. Isn’t it a lovely afternoon?”
Terence gave one of his customary grunts. Her father-in-law’s face was still handsome, especially for a man of his age, but why was she drawn to the crisscross of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes? She found herself imagining the sorrows and joys that might have placed them there. Was Carson one of those sorrows? Or as his only son, was he a joy to his father? She had noticed a few tensions between the men and she did not doubt that they were both stubborn creatures, obstinately sticking to their own opinions during their conversations.
It was Martha who replied to her light comment about the weather. “It is lovely, although you should take care of your skin if you choose to go outside. I saw you before when I glanced out the window. I hope you applied an adequate amount of sunscreen cream before you ventured out?”
“Um, no. I wasn’t out there long though.” Martha was watching her from the window? She had felt as if eyes were upon her while she was out there. She would have to find somewhere more private in future. Not that she was doing anything obscene, illegal, or reckless out there but she would like to have the chance to sit outside without Martha nosing out the window at her.
Arial had just gingerly perched herself next to Martha on the hard, uncomfortable seat of the sofa when one of the maids tapped at the door.
“What is it?” Terence growled.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir. There is a gentleman at the door for Mrs. DuMonde.”
Martha frowned. “Who is it, Ellie? I’m not expecting anyone.”
Ellie’s face turned dark red. “Oh no, Mrs. DuMonde. He’s here to see the younger Mrs. DuMonde.”
“Me?” Arial stood up, poking her finger at her own chest. “He’s here to see me? Who is it?”
“I’m not sure, ma’am. He said that he just got back from Africa and he was shocked to hear that you were married.”
“Steve!” She didn’t stop to explain to the startled senior DuMondes. She flew past the pink-cheeked maid, through the maze of corridors, and out into the massive entranceway where Steve was waiting. She shrieked and threw herself into his arms, almost knocking him off his feet.
Steve laughed and hugged her tightly before setting her back down on her feet. “Hey, little sis. What’s this I hear about you going off and getting married without me? Is it a joke?”
She stood back to look at him properly. He was overly tanned and far too thin but he was one-hundred-percent her Steve. “Look at you! Have you been eating enough?”
“Speak for yourself. If I sneezed you’d blow away.”
“We need to talk.”
“Too right we do
.”
She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if she should go back to tell the DuMondes that she would have to postpone their meeting. It wasn’t every day that her adored older brother returned from Africa.
Ellie was looking bug-eyed from Steve to Arial and then back to Steve again. “Uh, Mrs. DuMonde? Should I tell the elder DuMondes that you have a pressing engagement?”
“Yes, please do. Give them my apologies and tell them I’ll explain later.” She was already pushing Steve toward the door and away from the claustrophobic atmosphere of the house. She hugged him again outside on the step, and kissed him all over his face just as she used to do when she was little and she wanted to make her big brother laugh. He laughed again now, making her laugh too. She pulled at his arm, delighted to have him here and anxious to show him everything. “Come and see the maze. Can you believe the DuMonde’s have their own maze?”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Carson
They were in the maze before he could reach them. He turned the corner of the house just in time to catch a glimpse of them disappearing around the edge of the leafy green hedge and out of sight. He still couldn’t believe that she would do this to him. She was his wife, dammit! This was his home – she was cuckolding him in the very grounds of his childhood home! The heat was rising in his veins as he strode into the maze to look for them. Like all mazes, this one had been designed to a specific pattern and he knew the way through it as well as he knew the back of his hand. But where had they gone?
He stopped to listen for the sound of voices or giggles. In a way, giggles would be worse. Arial had an infectious, captivating giggle and he liked it when she laughed for him. The thought of her giggling up into the face of another man made him sick to the stomach. He walked around another corner and then he heard her although he wasn’t yet able to see them.
“I’ve missed you so much.”
The man didn’t hesitate long before he replied, perhaps only long enough to stroke her hair back from her face in order to gaze down into her eyes. “I’ve missed you too, sweetheart. It tore me apart when I heard you’d gone and got yourself married.”
Carson couldn’t bear it any longer. “Arrrrgh!” He burst through the end part of the hedge, sending leaves flying in all directions, to reach the couple in the middle of the maze.
Arial gave a small, high squeal before slapping his arm while the man just looked horrified.
“What are you doing, Arial?” Carson growled. Why wasn’t she gazing guiltily at him, or attempting to apologize or explain herself?
“What are you doing, Carson?” She retorted. “It’s childish to sneak up on people and scare them like that.”
“Is this him?” The man’s voice was incredulous as he addressed Arial. “Your husband?”
Carson answered for her. “Yes, I’m her husband and yes, she’s married to me.”
“That’s how it usually happens, funnily enough.” Arial glared at him. Why was she angry with him instead of begging for his understanding?
The man thrust out his hand, although the expression on his face wasn’t exactly friendly. “Steve Jackson.”
Jackson? Jackson? Actually, now that she mentioned it, they did look a little alike. He didn’t take Steve’s hand immediately as his brain struggled to process this unexpected development. “How long have you had a brother?”
Her brow puckered in confusion. “Carson, are you running a fever?”
“You didn’t tell me you had a brother. How was I supposed to react when I saw you in another man’s arms?”
“I’m sure I did tell you. You probably weren’t listening.”
Steve, obviously grown tired of holding his arm out in mid-air without Carson taking his hand, dropped it down by his side. “I should go, Arial. I just wanted to let you know I was back and to see for myself that you were ok.” He gave Carson a dubious side eye. “We’ll talk soon but phone me if you come to your senses and decide this unconventional marriage isn’t for you. You know I’ll be here in a heartbeat to pick you up.”
“As long as you’re still in the country and not hiking up a mountain in some far off corner of the world,” Arial teased.
Carson stood awkwardly to one side during this exchange. He felt like an idiot now and clearly Arial’s brother didn’t think too highly of him either. Not that he could blame him. It wasn’t the best first impression to give to his wife’s brother.
Arial led the way out of the maze, navigating it without incident, and chatting to her brother the entire time. Carson trooped along behind, acutely aware that he was the third and very much unwanted wheel. Had she really told him she had a brother? He needed to take more notice of what she said if he wanted to avoid these kinds of uncomfortable situations in the future.
Steve hugged Arial at the maze exit before saying a cool goodbye to Carson and loping off across the lawn toward the gate. Arial watched him leave before turning back to Carson. “Well, that was embarrassing.”
“For you or for me?”
“For me! Steve probably thinks I’ve married an imbecile. He was shook up enough when he heard that I was married, which was why he came straight here as soon as he got off the plane.”
“Did you know he was coming?”
“No, he turned up at the front door and surprised me.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Your Mom and Dad will be pissed at me.”
Why was everything about today so confusing? “Why would they be pissed at you? They like you.”
She took her hand down from where it covered her mouth and blinked at him. He suddenly wanted to kiss her more than he’d ever wanted to kiss anyone before but somehow he knew this wasn’t the right time. “They like me?”
“Of course they do. What’s not to like?” He took a few steps away from her to give himself space to breathe. The jealously and anger he’d felt when he saw her with Steve was not something he’d ever felt before. Was this slip of a blue-eyed girl who infuriatingly refused to give up her virginity turning him soft? He wasn’t sure if he liked that idea.
She seemed pleased with his reply. “Hmmm. That’s good to know. To be honest, I find both of them a little overwhelming.”
Carson chuckled, glad that she was no longer mad at him. “Wait until you see Terence pitch one of his rages.”
She shivered and rubbed her hands up her bare arms. “Hopefully he won’t throw one of those rages at me after I walked out of our meeting without giving them a reason. I was just so excited to see Steve and I forgot about going back to tell them that my brother was here.”
“Meeting?” This was news to him too. Why was he suddenly out of the loop with everything? “What meeting?”
“They asked me to meet them in the downstairs sitting room at three. I texted you to ask if you knew what it was about but your phone must have been off.”
“Yeah, it was switched off. Hey, you’re cold. We should go back inside. You can explain your very good reason for walking out on them and everything will be ok, I promise. They’re not all that bad.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Arial
Bethany was already waiting at the coffee shop where they’d arranged to meet when Arial arrived. Bethany shook her head enviously as Arial approached the table. “I saw your driver drop you outside. It must be incredible to have a car at your beck and call.”
“I am getting used to it.” She hugged her friend and took a seat. “Where’s Nico? I was hoping to have a cuddle.”
“He’s with Mom. It’s grandma and grandson time. I think she’s taking him to the park. How are you? You look fantastic. Married life obviously agrees with you.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Arial peered quizzically across the table at her friend. “What is it? You have an extra sparkle.” She sat back in her chair and her grin widened. “You’re seeing someone, aren’t you? I can always tell. You have that new man glow.”
“Maybe.” She pressed her lips together but the twinkle in her eye gave her aw
ay.
“Are you going to tell me about him?”
“It’s early days yet but we have been on one date. I’ll tell you more once I know if it’s going to go anywhere.”
They paused to place their orders with the waitress and then Bethany began to update Arial on Nico’s progress with his crawling. Arial had a sudden, unwanted flashback to her awkward conversation with her in-laws yesterday afternoon. The aborted three o’clock meeting was re-scheduled but once again, Carson wasn’t around to ask him what it was about. Unfortunately, the subject of the meeting was cringe-worthy and it still made her uncomfortable to think about it now.
Bethany stopped talking. “What’s wrong? You look preoccupied, as if you’ve just remembered that you’re supposed to be somewhere else or something.”
“Sorry. I was listening to you.”
“No you weren’t. Tell me what’s on your mind. I know that introspective look. It means you’re chewing something over in your head. Spill the beans.”
She sighed. “I had an unsettling meeting with Martha and Terence yesterday. We were supposed to have the meeting a week ago but Steve turned up unexpectedly…”
“Steve’s back? That’s great! What did he say when he found out that you’re now a DuMonde?”
“He wasn’t too impressed, especially after Carson accused him of running around with me behind his back.”
Bethany chortled, clearly enjoying the image she’d created in her own mind. “What an idiot. He knew you had a brother, didn’t he?”
“I think I told him… Honestly, I really don’t know if I did tell him or not now. Everything has happened so fast and we’re still discovering stuff about each other.”
“How long is Steve staying in the country?”
“I don’t know that either. I don’t think he knows himself.” She waited for the waitress to sit their coffee cups down on the table in front of them.
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