Chapters (71)
- Copyright Notice
- Dedication
- Part One
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Part Two
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Part Three
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Part Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Part Five
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Books by Barbara Taylor Bradford
- About the Author
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“I know you were always in London, and always with me. We’ve spent our lives together since we were eight, and I’ll tell you this: I don’t know how you’ve managed the way you have. You’re a heterosexual man of thirty-nine, and you need a woman in your life, for love, companionship, tenderness and sex. And you’re vulnerable at this moment in time. That is a certainty.”
“I realize that, and I’m so glad we’ve kept our long friendship. However, what I’m trying to say is I suppose at one level I don’t care about Lucinda or what she does. However, I am beginning to see that she has become an impediment to my future, to my happiness.”
“Then we have to remove her from your life,” Adrian announced. “Get you a divorce.”
Robert frowned. Divorce was still scandalous: difficult, expensive and messy. “And how do you plan to do that, Adrian? I have no idea; believe me, I don’t. She’ll never agree. She likes being the Countess and she won’t want the scandal.”
“I am going to hire a private investigator. And immediately, which means tomorrow. There are a number of good companies and I’ll choose the best and foot the bill.”
“But—”
Adrian interjected, “No buts or ifs. It’s your only way out of a ridiculous situation, and it’s my pleasure to pay the bill. So don’t argue with me.”
Robert flashed his smile, and said, “Thank you. We might be heading for quite a war, though.”
Adrian laughed. “‘Into the valley of death rode the six hundred.’”
Robert stared at him. “Why are you quoting ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’?”
“That’s what is going to happen tomorrow. I am going to bring about another Charge of the Light Brigade. But I’m bloody well going to win. I’ll bury Lucinda in her own dirt, because the more I think about it, the more certain I am she is covered in it. You’ll soon see.”
“I hope so,” Robert answered, understanding that Adrian meant every word he said, and that he wouldn’t leave a stone unturned.
Thirty-Six
Robert Lassiter looked briefly at the menu, and put it to one side. Glancing at Adrian, he said, “I’m having potted shrimp, and whatever is on that large silver trolley over there.”
Adrian lifted his head and nodded. “Same here. And I do believe it’s a sirloin of beef on the trolley. The thought makes my mouth water. Do you want a glass of red wine?” He put the menu down on the table as he spoke.
“Why not, and you pick one.” He raised a hand, and beckoned to the wine waiter standing nearby.
It was Adrian who asked for the wine list, and perused it swiftly and then ordered a red Burgundy he and Robert both liked.