His American Fling (25 page)

I was warmly wrapped in Campbell’s arms, sleeping like a baby, when I heard the sound of the front door close. I racked my brain and realized we hadn’t locked up last night.
A booming voice called out, “Campbell? Maggie?”

It was Henry. I jerked, shaking Campbell as I did. Whispering, “Campbell—wake up!  It’s
Henry!”  I jumped up and started darting around, grabbing my clothes and running down the hall. I wasn’t even sure Campbell was awake.  I grabbed a gown out of my dresser and threw it over me, running to the landing, just as Henry reached the top of the stairs.

“Mags!”  He swept me up in his arms and kissed me looking great in his yellow shirt and
V-neck sweater. “I drove up to apologize to Campbell. Did he tell you about our fight?”

I shook my head, looking out of the corner of my eye down the hall to see if there was any movement in Campbell’s room.  “Henry, let’s go start a pot of coffee so we can talk.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” The voice came from Campbell, who was standing in his doorway in a T-shirt and boxers.

“I came up to fetch you for the match.  If we get going soon, we can make it.”

Campbell looked at his watch, “We have time for coffee.”

Henry nodded. “I guess we have time for a cup.”

We went down the steps together even though I knew that Campbell was desperate to get me alone to discuss this turn of events.  We made the pot of coffee while Henry did most of the talking. 

“Mags, this weekend was the wedding of one of our friends and Campbell went bonkers when he found out that I hadn’t invited you.  He appears to have adopted you as his new cause.  Once he stormed out, I realized he was right, I was missing you. I’ll be in London the next two weeks, but maybe you could join me next weekend? There’s an art show in Chelsea next weekend and Fiona’s cousin is one of the artists. We’re all going.”

I wanted to ask him about Sophia, but he’d suspect that Campbell had told me about her and I didn’t want to get him in any trouble. I could see how uncomfortable Campbell looked being in the same room with Henry and me.  I decided not to rock the boat. “It depends on how much I have going on at school.”

“That sounds fair. I’ll ring you in a few days for your answer. Now!  What did you two do last night?”

I tried not to look suspicious. I shrugged my shoulders. “We watched television, didn’t we Campbell?”

He tried to appear bored. “Monty Python…
again!
Apparently the Yanks are still reliving the seventies. Maggie constantly watches Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

I piped up, “Only a flesh wound!”

“Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!”  Henry blurted out.

I laughed, “You two better get going if you’re going to make the match.”  They tossed back the rest of their coffee. “Campbell, say hi to Gemma for me.”

He turned his lip up in a snarl that only I could see from that angle. “We’ll be back later.  Perhaps then, I could talk to you about your arrangements.”

Henry piped up, “No need. Maggie, I’ve been thinking, I’ll rent a little flat up here for the two of us.”

Campbell stepped forward, his eyes wide, voice high, “But you have an apartment in Audley End!”

Henry thought for a second. “He has a point, perhaps I could simply bring up one of my other cars and you could use it to get to school. Then we could stay at Audley End and Campbell can restore his relationship with Gemma.  She’s not too happy about you staying here.”

I was dumbfounded. “Henry, let’s talk about this later, you two need to get going.”

Henry glanced up at the round kitchen clock next to the door. “Yes, I’m afraid you’re right, we’ll get this all settled later. We better get a move on. Take care darling.” He gave me a kiss and as he and Campbell walked up the
stairs, Campbell turned around and gave me a forlorn look. I felt horrible. Confused, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Campbell or how he felt about me.  Guilty, I felt like I had cheated on Henry, who had been exceptionally contrite and kind to me. Exhausted, I was emotionally and physically depleted and yet, I needed to study and get caught up. All in all, it added up to being a crappy situation.

Rather than go back to bed or clean up, I opted for a walk through Cambridge. I had grown to love the city with all the beautiful college buildings dating back to Edward II in 1284. The flowers, the grounds, the cobblestone streets, they all made you feel like you were living in a Merchant and Ivory movie.  I sat for
a while on Midsummer Common before making my way back to the house and studying. I was in bed when I heard voices downstairs, raised voices, angry voices.  Gemma and Campbell were having a fight, a very loud and vicious fight.

Chapter 14

Putting Dead Things to Rest

“You acted horribly this weekend. Why shouldn’t I go off with Peter?  At least he made me laugh? We just went for a drive.”

Maggie could hear Gemma’s voice from inside her room.  She didn’t even have to sneak out to the landing to listen.

“A drive?  You traipsed off to his flat like a lovesick schoolgirl!”  Campbell’s voice was vitriolic.

“Oh
, pishaw!”  Gemma sounded exasperated, “You drove home to be with your American waif, what was I supposed to do?”

“You told me to leave!”

              Gemma crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course I told you to leave. You were acting like a pillock.”

Maggie walked to her door and put her ear up to it, things had gone quiet. She couldn’t hear anything so she slipped the door open a crack, finally hearing them. They were down in the kitchen. She sneaked down the stairs and hovered above the steps to the kitchen trying to listen. Finally, Gemma spoke up.

“What are we doing, Campbell?”

“I don’t know Gemma. We seem to be
back to fighting all the time.” He sounded sad, disappointed.

“We were doing fine until your little American came along.”

“No we weren’t…”

The phone rang.  Maggie heard someone pick it up.  Campbell’s voice answered, “Hello?... Yes?”  There was a long pause and then
there was a certain urgency to his voice, “Yes, of course, I’ll be right there. Yes, of course…uh, an hour at the most.”  He hung up.

“Campbell, you look white as a ghost!  What is it?” Gemma sounded genuinely concerned. 

Maggie couldn’t help it, she ran down the stairs, pretending that she hadn’t heard anything and was just getting something to drink.  “Oh!  You’re home!  Sorry, I was just coming down to get something to drink.” Maggie immediately took in the situation.  Gemma was staring at Campbell, her arms defensively across her chest, waiting for a response. Campbell’s hands were on the edge of the counter where he was leaning at a forty-five degree angle, head down. Maggie saw Campbell’s distress and her heart cramped.  She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Campbell, what is it?”

He took a deep breath, but his voice was hoarse, “My father is at Saffron Walden General, he’s had a massive stroke, they don’t think he’ll live out the night.”

Maggie’s hand slid to his back, she went to hold him, but Gemma immediately intervened, “Maggie!” Gemma barked, “Please, this is a private matter.  Could you leave us?”

Maggie looked at Campbell, but he was too dazed to say or do anything about it. Gemma delicately removed Maggie’s hand, replacing it with her arm.

“Darling, let me drive you. Come on, there’s no way you should drive over there alone.”

He stood up and walked in a fugue towards the stairs and up to the foyer where he grabbed his jacket. Gemma took the keys from the table and they were out the door. Maggie felt helpless. She went up and sat on the steps, staring at the front door as if she were waiting for Campbell to reappear. 

The phone rang.  Worried that it had something to do with his father, Maggie picked it up, “Hello?”

“Hello?” There was confusion on the other end and then a sound of recognition, “Oh! Maggie? Is it you?”

“Yes, Fiona, it’s me.”

“Is Campbell there or is he on his way to Saffron Walden?”

“He’s on his way to see his father.”

“Well, I’m about five miles from Cambridge, I’m coming to pick you up and we’ll go down together.”

Maggie was surprised. “Me? You’re picking up me?”

“Yes, we can talk on the way to Saffron Walden.  Pack an overnight bag and be ready, I’ll be there soon.”

There was a click and Maggie stood for a moment staring at the phone.  But, knowing Fiona, there had to be a reason for her to want her there, so Maggie bounded up the stairs and stripped down, putting on a nice pair of black slacks and a white cable knit sweater.  Turning back to her suitcase, she threw some more clothes into her backpack and, as she was running to the bathroom to get her toothbrush and toiletries, heard the front door close and Fiona call out.

“Maggie, are you ready?”

“Just a sec, I’ll be right down,” she yelled.

“Fancy a cuppa before we go?”

Maggie started down the stairs. “Sure if you think we have time?”

“I don’t imagine she can do too much
damage in the time to make tea.”

Maggie watched Fiona fill the electric kettle and prepare the tea pot. “She?  Damage?”

Fiona sighed with frustration. “Yes, Gemma. The damage that Gemma can do. Especially now that Campbell is so vulnerable.  You two slept together last night, didn’t you?”

Maggie’s mouth dropped open and
she blushed seven shades of red. “Excuse me?”

Fiona snickered. “Your scarlet flesh speaks volumes. For God’s sakes, don’t worry, it’s fine with me. I’m jolly glad you did. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I had to know before we leave. You know, they all had a huge quarrel because of you.”

“I knew they had an argument—“

“Oh, no!  It was a
huge row
!  Friday Campbell gave Henry an earful for not inviting you after everything you’d been through. He was also appalled that Henry had slept with Sophia Thursday night. Campbell actually turned red with anger.  Of course, Henry was suffering because Sophia once again told Henry that she cared for him, but didn’t want to marry him as long as he was in love with someone else. Gemma gave Campbell’s ears a boxing for sticking up for you. She’s suspicious because Campbell isn’t one to come to the defense of someone unless he cares about them.  I could see during the argument with Henry that Campbell had it bad for you, but that’s because I know him so well. Cream?”  Fiona held out the creamer.

“Yes, please. But, Fiona, how did you know about last night? I mean, Campbell and
me...”  Maggie trailed off, realizing that she had admitted that she had cheated on Henry.

“Maggie, I’m not here to judge you. I just know that Campbell was almost giddy this summer when he was with you. He’s miserable with Gemma, but he just can’t see past the blue blood in his veins.”

“You’ve lost me.”

Fiona took a sip of her tea and then began, “After the rows this weekend, I was convinced that Campbell would see the light and kick Gemma to the streets and then embrace his favorite Colonist. And I assumed that Gemma would have probably turned her eyes to one of our other friends, probably Peter who is a Viscount. She wants a title so badly, she can taste it. Her father is rich and an OBE, but he has no title to hand down to her. She’s been like a buzzard circling around our friends for years. I was sad when she finally got her talons into Campbell. I find it all to be distasteful.”

“How do you know that I don’t want him for his title?”

“Because when you walked out on him you stayed away, got on with your life. I liked that. You never made a demand that he marry you like she did.”

“So, why am I going with you to Saffron Walden?”

“My mother was with Campbell’s parents when his father collapsed, she called me immediately. Now that Campbell’s father is actually dying, Gemma is probably salivating. She sees the prize in her reach. She’s going to pull out all stops to get him.  Which means that you have to hover—let him know
he has options
.”

Maggie started shaking her head, “I’m not going to hover, Fiona. Either he wants me or he wants Gemma. I’m not going to go and do some dog and pony show so that he’ll pick me.”

“Maggie, you don’t understand. He’ll see Gemma as an old shoe, someone he knows.  He’ll lean on her because she’ll know what to do, how to get things done when his father dies. Campbell loves and respects his father deeply. He’s going to be devastated and need a strong shoulder.”

“I don’t know anything about English
protocol when an Earl dies. I’d be useless.”

“No, you wouldn’t be. You could give him the
emotional support
and I’d be there to walk you through the protocol. Together, we could get him through this and keep him from Gemma’s clutches.”

Maggie chuckled. “Fiona, you expect too much.  We were together last night, but he couldn’t come to any decisions. He’s still confused about how he feels.”

“He’s only confused because Campbell doesn’t like change that much, even when it’s good for him and because he knows that Henry has feelings for you too, despite his backsliding this week with Sophia. But you’re good for Campbell.”

Maggie stared at Fiona, with her
well-manicured fingernails, subtle plaid tweeds and beautiful composure and knew she’d never measure up to her sophistication. “I’m such a fish out of water. Plus, what happens when my year is up at Downing?”

“You stay with the Earl of Falkirk and live at Robscott Manor.”

“You mean Campbell?”

“Yes, now are you ready?”

Looking down at her feet, she noticed that her shoes needed cleaning. “Fiona, I feel like I’m chasing him…trying to convince him to do something that I shouldn’t have to convince him to do if he loves me.”

“Maggie, trust me.  Campbell is a strong-willed and intelligent man, but don’t fool yourself. He’s going to be at his lowest point when his father dies. He’ll need support, both emotionally and with the tasks before him.  Gemma will put a lot of pressure on him while he is at his most vulnerable. Please don’t let her be his only post to lean on during this time in his life.”
             

Fiona had finally said something that pulled at Maggie’s heartstrings. If Campbell was distraught, she didn’t want him to go through it without support. But, did he want her support? That was the question that she had to ask herself. “Okay, but if he says anything about not wanting me there, I’m coming back to Cambridge.”

“Fine, but you can’t be too thin skinned.  Gemma’s going to throw everything she has at you. Come along, let’s go.”  She rinsed her tea cup and fingered her keys. 

Maggie followed her out the door and they climbed into Fiona’s Jaguar, taking the M11 to Saffron Walden. Pulling into the hospital parking lot, they could see Campbell’s Land Rover. Maggie involuntarily sighed. “Oh, I’m so out of my depth. I don’t even know his
family. They’re going to wonder why I’m here.”

“I know them and I’m sure they won’t mind once they know that you’re my friend and Campbell’s too.”

Maggie shook her head in disbelief, “I hope so.”

When they walked into the hospital, Fiona went directly to the information desk, “Lord Adair?”

The young sister looked down at the computer screen. “Room 322.”

Fiona gave a curt nod and they took off for the third floor.

Maggie’s throat went dry and her stomach started to turn.  She walked behind Fiona like a stepchild, head down, trying to think through what she was doing. When she finally looked up she saw a small group of people, a woman with two children, and the smallest wrapped up in the woman’s arms. An older, thin, but dignified woman with dark gray hair, wearing a fabulous knit suit, was standing next to Campbell, who was leaning up against the wall, legs stretched out in front of him. He was staring down at the floor while talking to the two women. Gemma was nowhere to be seen.

Campbell looked up and let a brief, but appreciative, smile cross his lips when he saw
Fiona.  His face registered mild shock when he saw Maggie following behind her. Maggie wasn’t sure if Campbell was happy or not about her presence. He seemed to look around for someone. Maggie assumed that he was looking for Gemma, but Gemma wasn’t around.

He walked up and gave Fiona a hug, looking over her shoulder at Maggie. He kissed Fiona’s cheek. “Thank you for coming.”

Fiona stepped forward towards the older woman. “Lady Falkirk, I’m so sorry.” She gave Campbell’s mother air kisses and a quick hug. “How is he?”

“I’m afraid their running tests right now, but it doesn’t look promising. Fiona, we don’t see much of you these days.”  Lady Falkirk gave Campbell a stony stare. “Of course, that could be because we don’t see much of Campbell either. He’s too busy saving the world.”

“How are you getting on?” Fiona asked.

“As to be expected. Fiona, who is your friend?”  Lady Falkirk asked, giving Maggie a wary eye.

Campbell reached out and grabbed Maggie’s upper arm, guiding her over to his mother.  Maggie felt nervous and fuzzyheaded, unsure of what the woman would think of her. Campbell looked emotionally depleted, spent.  Maggie wanted to hug him, but of course, she refrained when she saw that he remained cool towards her.

“Mother, this is Maggie McGee, an American law student at Cambridge. She’s staying with Gemma and me.”

“At your townhouse?”  She was obviously shocked by this admission.

“Yes. It’s a long story.”

Maggie smiled, putting out her hand to shake Campbell’s mother. “I’m pleased to meet you Lady Falkirk.”

“Likewise, I’m sure.”  She gave Maggie a brief, polite smile and then looked over her shoulder. “Oh Gemma, well done!”

Maggie turned and saw Gemma handing out coffees to the woman with the child, Campbell and Lady Falkirk. Campbell turned around.