you. Someone who will father your children, whichever way you choose to have them. That man isn’t me.’
The words were so final, so heavy, that she could feel her heart crack.
‘Then I’d best get to London.’
What else was there to say?
THE CLICK OF the door unglued Ethan’s feet from the floor, sent him striding forward, her name on his lips. Only to stop. What was he doing? He’d rejected her love so why was he following her? To do what?
His gut churned. He didn’t want to hurt Ruby—hadn’t wanted to a decade ago and didn’t want to now. Somehow he had to make her see that he was right—she did not love him, whatever she believed. All he needed to do was convince her of that.
Maybe she’d work it out herself. See that every word he’d said was the truth. The past was over and he had come to terms with it. Had worked out that the best way forward was to move on, to channel his anger into becoming a success and using that success to help others. That worked for him—he didn’t need love or a family. Didn’t want love.
So why did he sound as if he was trying to convince himself?
The door swung open and Ethan swivelled round, his heart hammering in irrational hope that she had come back. Instead he saw Rafael Martinez, his expression creased in a small puzzled frown. ‘A red-haired woman brought me here. Who is she?’
Pull it together, Ethan.
‘Cora Brookes. My new hotel administrator.’
‘I see.’ Rafael frowned and rubbed his jaw. ‘I had the distinct impression that Cora Brookes doesn’t like me. She walked me here at the rate of knots and avoided all eye contact. Yet she looks familiar. Anyway it doesn’t matter. I’m here, and ready to auction like a pro tomorrow. I also have a business proposition I want to discuss with you. But you look as though business is the last thing on your mind.’
He needed to get it together. This was Rafael Martinez and this was business.
‘I’m fine. Happy to talk business. Why don’t we go to my office?’
Get away from this banqueting hall with all its memories of Ruby.
Rafael’s dark eyes surveyed him with what looked like amusement. ‘And how is the lovely Ruby Hampton?’
‘Fine.’ If Rafael was about to show even the most tepid interest in Ruby, Ethan had every intention of ramming his teeth down his throat. Business or no business. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Whoa!’ Rafael lifted his hands in the air. ‘I was just curious. I get that she is off-limits.’
‘Yes, she is.’
Rafael’s eyebrows rose. ‘Well, if you have an interest there you should know she has left the castle at speed—with a suitcase.’
Ethan paused as his brain attempted to compute the situation. Why would Ruby have taken a suitcase when she planned to return the same day? Unless she’d figured the journey there and back was too far? Needed some space? That must be it. Yet panic whispered in his gut.
There was a knock at the door and Cora entered, glanced at Rafael and then away again. ‘Ethan. I’m not sure if I should mention this or not, but Ruby seemed upset and I’m not sure she’s coming back.’
‘What do you mean? It’s the ball tomorrow.’
‘I know.’ Cora hesitated. ‘It’s just... She gave me the whole breakdown of the event in intricate detail—as if it was possible that she wouldn’t be here. I mean...to be honest I can cover the admin side, because you and Ruby have planned it all down to the last detail. But I can’t meet and greet or mingle with the guests. We agreed that.’
Her even voice held the hint of a quaver as her turquoise eyes met his and Ethan nodded. She was right. They had.
As if aware of Rafael’s gaze as he studied her expression, Cora shifted so her back was to him. ‘And, more importantly, as Ruby put all the work in I think she should be here to see the success I am sure it will be. I thought you should know.’
Ethan hauled in breath, tried to think.
Of course Ruby wouldn’t leave.
You sure, Ethan?
The truth was the ball could go ahead without her and she knew it. It could be she was running—exactly as he had a decade ago. The irony was more than apparent.
Images of Ruby filtered through his brain. Her elfin features illuminated by enthusiasm, haunted by sadness, etched with compassion, lit up by desire. The gurgle of her laugh, the beauty of her smile... The idea of losing her, the idea that she might not return, sent a searing pain to his very soul.
Alongside that was fear...the terror of what it would feel like to let go, to allow his emotions full rein. Fear that he would somehow let Ruby down. If he allowed love to take hold he would screw it up, not be the man she deserved. That added up to a whole lot of scared.
The question now was what was he going to do about it?
* * *
Ruby approached the swish London hotel—the very same one where she had discovered Hugh’s infidelity and perfidy in a double whammy. For a scant second she wondered why the idea of facing Hugh now didn’t have the power to intimidate her. Possibly because she felt numb—had felt a cold, clammy sense of ‘ugh’ since she’d filled her suitcase and fled Caversham Castle.
Right now all she wanted was to get this over with, because she didn’t want Portia to go through the same pain and disillusionment. In addition, it was about time she stood up to Hugh Farlane.
As she entered the imposing lobby—all fancy uniformed staff, marble and fluted pillars—one of Hugh’s assistants rushed over to her.
‘Come with me,’ he said, his eyes roving the area. ‘We don’t want any bad publicity.’
‘Hi, Greg. Good to see you again. Thanks for arranging this.’
The young man flushed. ‘Sorry. It’s good to see you too. But Hugh is very emphatic that I get you up there fast.’
‘So he hasn’t decided how to spin it yet?’
Greg declined to answer, shifting from foot to foot in an agony of discomfort, and then hustled her to the lift.
Once inside the sleek metal box, she felt a sliver of worry permeate the anaesthetic of hurt. Hugh Farlane had the power to crush her like an insignificant bug, and she didn’t have Ethan’s protection to fall back on now. In her own mind at least she was no longer a Caversham employee.
The irony was that she’d come full circle.
No! Not true. Weeks before she hadn’t had the courage to stand up to Hugh. Now she did. In the past weeks she’d learned so much—on
