page50 (1/1)

‘Teeks,’ Natalie told her ‘But now that Keith’s gone and we’ve split up, I’ain I’d like to meet your husband while I’m here as well’

Tears suddenly stinging her hot eyes, Merry nodded jerkily, not trusting herself to speak She understood why her mother had wanted the story told but wasn’t at all sure that she could give the older wo for But then too many of her emotions were bound up in the bouiltily Roula’s confession had devastated her and at thatto turn her back on the e was still all she could really think about It was the thought, the terrifying awareness, of what sheelse and paralysed her

She shared photos of the wedding and Elyssa with both wolossed over Sybil’s comment that she seemed very pale and quiet and returned to Foxcote Hall as soon as she decently could, having pro Elyssa back for a visit within a few days The liant country house that had the stunning architecture of an oversized Georgian dolls’ house Inforardens shaded by clusters of ed into a landscape of green fields and lush stretches of woodland Foxcote was a el had not even mentioned that he owned a property near her aunt’s home

She had originally planned to go to a hotel from the airport, but when she had yet even to see and speak to Angel such a state into the airy hall with its tall s and tiled floor, she heard Elyssa chuckling and stringing together strings of nonsense words and she followed the sounds

Several steps into the drawing rooel was down on the floor with Elyssa, letting his daughter clamber over him and finally wrap her chubby arms round his neck and plant a triu in the baby’s easy trusting affection, but his slimpsed Merry Suddenly his lean, darkly handso, his beautiful dark eyes wary and intent

‘You never mentioned that you owned a house near Sybil’s,’ Merry reht with Elyssa clasped to his chest

‘My father bought the estate when he was going through a hunting, shooting, fishing phase but he soon got bored Angelina used it for a while when she was socialising with the heir to a local dukedo the rooe of their daughter

A current of pained resentment bit into Merry when Elyssa co separated from her father That connection, that bond had forel like a duck to water, revelling in his more physical play and more boisterous personality If her father was to disappear frohter would miss him and be hurt by his absence But then whose fault would that be? Merry asked herself angrily It certainly wouldn’t be her fault, she told herself piously She had played by the rules If their el’s responsibility

‘So, what’s going on?’ Angel enquired, taking up a faintly co powerful legs braced, shoulders thrown back, aggressive jaw line at an angle ‘You blewmy calls and texts…why?’

Merry sucked in a steadying breath ‘I’ you…well, in the process of it,’ she qualified stiffly, her face pale and set

‘Why would you suddenly decide to leaveintiht sky ‘That makes no sense’

Anger laced the at every defensive muscle in her body, and she cursed the reality that she was not mentally prepared for the confrontation about to take place