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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“That’s true, I suppose, but Marguerite is different. I’m going to propose to her this weekend.”
“Oh! So it’s serious then?” Robert now sounded surprised.
“Very much so. I’m giving her my mother’s diamond engagement ring, getting down on bended knee and all that.” Harry glanced at Robert. “So what do you think?”
“Congratulations, Harry. I’m happy for you. One rarely meets the right woman.… It takes time, I suppose.”
“I met Marguerite a few months ago, and I knew at once she’s the one. She did too. And so I decided to take the plunge. Now. Why wait? Nothing’s going to change. You see, I’ve fallen in love.” Harry took a swallow of coffee.
Robert stared back at Harry, whom he had known since their Eton days, and said nothing, thinking immediately of Vanessa, and wishing he were free to put a ring on her finger.
After a moment or two, Harry said, “You’ve gone so very quiet. What’s the matter, Robert? You look sorrowful.”
“I’m going to tell you something, but I must ask your full confidentiality and discretion. What I’m going to say must remain a secret between us.”
“But it will be. Surely you know that after so many years,” Harry shot back quickly. “It will be our secret, I swear.”
“I’m in the same boat as you. I met a woman a few weeks ago and I’m madly in love with her. I want to marry her, but I can’t. And you certainly know why.” Robert shook his head. “I’ve been very neglectful. I should have divorced Lucinda years ago. Now I’m in a tough spot. I’ve got to rid myself of her.”
“Never a truer word spoken,” Harry responded. “Long ago, when you were first engaged, I thought Lucinda was glamorous and very sexual. She seemed to have that ‘come to bed’ look in her eyes. But she hasn’t aged well.…” Harry paused, shook his head, then said, “Do you think she’ll agree to a divorce now? She must like being a Countess and living separate lives. Has something changed?”
“Yes, it has. I’ve found out a lot about Lucinda, thanks to Addy, who is handling things for me. But I can’t be seen in public with Vanessa, and that’s why this conversation must be confidential.”
“I fully understand, Robert. You don’t want Lucinda attempting to countersue.”
Robert nodded, and finished his cup of coffee. “Lucinda has a man. We’ve got the goods on her, so to speak.” Robert sighed. “I can’t wait to get my freedom.”
“Thank God, you are going to get it at last. In the meantime, you have your lady, your future wife, and you can certainly enjoy a cozy little affair with her until you can make it legal.” Harry gave him a knowing smile. “That’s always comforting.”