The Vow (21 page)

Marcus was spared the need to reply by the arrival of Lucy. He was relieved to see she was wearing a long floaty cotton top over that outrageous bikini. He didn’t want Burt having a heart attack.

‘Hello, Burt, how are you?’ she asked with a smile, and then seeing Damson, ‘Oh, aren’t you gorgeous!’

Recognising a new source of attention Damson deserted Marcus and flopped down on Lucy’s bare feet. Burt told her,
‘Don’t you go being a nuisance, Damsy’.

‘
Oh she’s not,’ Lucy assured him. ‘I love Springers. We had one when I was a kid. They’re such lovely dogs.’

She went up even further in Burt’s estimation an
d nodding his head in agreement he told her, ‘Had ’em all my life and wouldn’t want anything else. Anyway, are you enjoying the new pool, miss?’

‘
Please call me Lucy, and yes, it’s great. And the garden is still looking good, particularly considering the weather.’

‘
Might be a different matter when the hosepipe ban comes in next week,’ he commented gloomily.

The three of them stood discussing the water authority’s apparent inability to meet demand despite a winter when it had rained almost constantly. When Burt whistled for Damson who was snuffling about behind the gazebo and headed off home
, Marcus walked with him out onto the lane.

‘
I’d like you to arrange for the lock on the front door to be changed this week, Burt.’

~

Pausing at the door to her room, Marcus called out, ‘Lucy, I’m having trouble with this cufflink, could you … oh, sorry.’

Lucy stood naked flicking through the clothes in the wardrobe. Unconcerned she turned to face him. She didn’t speak but beckoned him towards her. He crossed the room holding out his wrist which she took and fastened the cufflink. Neither moved. Neither spoke. A long moment passed before he
leaned forward to kiss her lightly on the lips. He raised a hand to stroke her cheek, continued down her neck and with a single finger traced the outline of her shoulder. Arching her back, she leaned against the wardrobe and watched his hand as it slid down to cup her breast and stroke the erect nipple. As his lips replaced his fingers she sighed with pleasure and pressed her body against his.

Suddenly the spell was broken. Abruptly he straightened, turned on his heel and heading for the door simply said,
‘We need to leave in ten minutes, make sure you are ready.’

~

The night was hot and airless. Lucy kicked off the covers and lay on the bed thinking about what had happened earlier. The moment had come out of nowhere, she hadn’t had to do anything, it just happened. They were surely not the actions of a gay man, and pressed against him she had felt the hardness of an erection that must rule out impotency.

The evening at Charles’s had been fun with a good mix of ages, and with Greg finding it hard to hide his attraction to her she had been tempted to flirt a little to see if she could make Marcus jealous. She had thought better of it, guessing it would do little to advance her cause, but on several occasions she had caught him looking at her in a way that was hard to interpret. She had been disappointed, but not surprised, when arriving home he had bade her goodnight with the briefest of kisses.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but she was more hopeful of breaking through his defences.

~

Listening to the gentle hum of the ceiling fan Marcus couldn’t sleep and was trying not to think about Lucy. Trying not to picture her naked body, or remember the feel of her soft skin, or the smell of her hair. It had been so tempting, still was. He was sure that if he went to her now she would not turn him away but he knew he couldn’t, knew he must not take the risk, not now or ever. He shouldn’t have let it happen and it wouldn’t again. It had just been a moment of weakness. He knew he was already playing a dangerous game and now he’d made it worse, for both of them. His mind was again full of images and emotions he had been suppressing for over twenty years, and Lucy was sure to be expecting their relationship to change.

He forced himself to think instead about Alicia and wonder how an intelligent woman like her could have thought she would get away with such a stupid trick. He was just glad he had found the bracelet before Lucy. Alicia would have to be dealt with, and soon.

~

Marcus played golf all day Sunday. Lucy had another lesson with Greg in the morning, and after they had eaten lunch at the club Ginny Danford gave her a lift back to Graylings so she could spend the afternoon in the pool. During the short drive Ginny, trying not to sound too interested, asked,
‘How are you getting along with Alicia?’

‘
Fine,’ replied Lucy blithely. ‘She invited me to her house for a drink the week before last and we got on really well. She was friendly and chatty; showed a lot of interest in my work. I think we’re going to get on just fine.’

This didn’t sound like the Alicia that Ginny knew and nor could she understand her friend
’s sudden about-face concerning Lucy, but all she said was, ‘She’s not a bad old stick when you get to know her, just a bit possessive where Marcus is concerned. They’ve spent a lot of time together since Helena’s death and her divorce. I think she’s just worried about being excluded.’

‘
Well, she shouldn’t be, she’s his sister after all.’ Lucy paused and then asked, ‘Did you know Helena well, Ginny?’

‘
Fairly well. We were friends, but she was a very private person. I’m not sure anyone got really close to her except Marcus. I liked her a lot, she was a truly nice person and you don’t meet many of those. Her life revolved around Marcus, her gardens and that mad cat of hers. She didn’t seem to involve herself with the business, but she did do some charity work. Her death was very sad, and such a shock.’

‘
It must have hit Marcus hard,’ said Lucy.

‘
Yes, I think it did, but then he’s such a difficult man to read. They were an odd couple what with the big age gap, but it did seem to work. I know Helena considered herself fortunate to have him. When, in your mid-forties, you entrust your happiness to a young man of only twenty-eight you take a big risk, but he made her very happy.’

Everything Lucy had ever heard indicated the marriage had been close and happy. But she knew it had not been consummated. Seemingly
Helena had adored Marcus and he had remained faithful to her throughout the best years of his life. She was no nearer to understanding the bond that had held them together.

~

As they drove up the motorway that evening, Marcus informed her, ‘The engagement announcement will be in
The Times
on Friday.’

‘
Oh!’ Lucy looked startled.

‘
You did tell me to go ahead, Lucy.’

‘
Yes, I know. It just seems a bit sudden, that’s all. Not much time for me to let people know.’ She knew it sounded lame.

‘
It’s only a few calls surely?’

Sighing, Lucy told him,
‘If I’m honest I’m worried about the reaction I’m going to get.’

‘
Are you expecting an adverse one?’ he asked.

‘
Maybe in some quarters, yes.’

‘
You worry too much about what other people say and think, you know,’

‘
Oh don’t you start!’ she told him with exasperation. ‘Everyone seems to tell me that and then when I do as I please that’s wrong too!’

‘
Poor Lucy,’ said Marcus with mock sympathy. ‘Do you want me to tell everyone for you?’

‘
No, I’m quite capable of doing it, thank you!’ And then, with less certainty, ‘Well, I think I am anyway.’

‘
Just keep thinking about that diamond,’ he advised her.

Lucy smiled.
‘Have you chosen it yet?’

‘
I certainly have, and it’s very big and very beautiful’.

‘
It will be my first ever diamond,’ she told him with satisfaction.

‘
I think we should mark the occasion with more than just your rock. How about a drinks party at the house? Do you think we could manage to play the happy couple for an evening?’

Her voice was quiet as she answered,
‘I am happy.’

Marcus was angry with himself.
‘Sorry Lucy, that was clumsy.’ After a pause he added, ‘Actually, so am I.’

When he said no more she asked,
‘It’s a nice idea. Who were you thinking of inviting?’

‘
Well, all your family of course, including your grandmother. Saule can drive her.’

‘
Oh yes, she’d love that!’ laughed Lucy.

‘
Then whichever of your friends you might like to come.’

‘
Amy and Alex, of course. Perhaps it will bring them together again.’

Marcus doubted it, but said nothing. Lucy went on,
‘Can I invite Zoë and Spyder? I’ll make them promise to behave!’

‘
Of course, I should like to meet them. Then there are some people who work with me, a few business contacts and of course the Featherstones.’

‘
And Alicia,’ added Lucy.

‘
No, not Alicia,’ he said smoothly. ‘She’s off to spend three weeks with her goddaughter in Hong Kong. She leaves on Thursday.’

‘
That’s a shame. Never mind, perhaps we can all have dinner together soon instead.’

Marcus said no more on the subject of his sister and they went on to discuss other possible guests and arrangements for the party in general.

‘Shall I set Friday aside to help arrange things at the house?’ Lucy asked.

‘
No, that won’t be necessary. I use a very good catering firm. They will deal with everything. You just buy yourself a nice new dress.’

Lucy wondered just how many new dresses a girl could need, but then it was a special occasion. She was looking forward to the party far more than the calls she had to make.

She was not to know that the calls would be the least of her problems in the next few days.

As he saw her to Amy’s door, Marcus warned her,
‘If I were you I’d talk to your family tomorrow, just in case Martin Culver pre-empts you in his Tuesday column.’

~

When Ellen called first thing Monday morning, impatient to know if there had been any developments, Lucy announced, ‘Well, he’s not gay and he’s not impotent either.’

Hearing the story of the cufflinks the model was triumphant.
‘There, I told you so, he just needs some encouragement. Well done, Lucy, I’m proud of you!’

‘
I didn’t actually do anything, it just sort of happened. But he didn’t make any moves after that.’

‘
Give him a chance! Whatever his reasons for abstaining all these years he’s bound to need time to adjust. I can’t imagine he would just go, “Oh well, that’s enough of celibacy then, let’s have a shag!” You’ll have to keep up the good work, but at least you now know there are no insurmountable problems.’

‘
I hope not,’ said Lucy with feeling. ‘We’re getting engaged on Friday! It will be in
The Times
, he’s bought the ring and there’s a party at his house that evening. You’re invited, of course.’

‘
Oh Lucy, how exciting! What did Kit and Amelia say?’

‘
They don’t know yet; he only told me last night. I shall be ringing round today. I’m not much looking forward to it.’

‘
Don’t worry, they will be fine I’m sure. And remember it’s your life, don’t let anyone try to live it for you,’ Ellen told her bracingly.

‘
Yes, I know. I just wish I was a bit more confident I’m doing the right thing.’

‘
Lucy, it’s a big step whatever the circumstances, but it’s not irrevocable you know. There’s time before the wedding to sort out the physical side of things and after that just think of the life he can offer you! Have you set the date by the way?’

‘
No doubt Marcus has. I expect he’ll let me know when he’s good and ready!’

Before she rang off, Ellen asked,
‘Can I bring Simon?’

~

Realising that her father and Sarah were still away on their honeymoon in the Italian Lakes so she couldn’t take the easy option first, Lucy rang her mother. Amelia took the news in her stride.

‘
I’m not altogether surprised, but it does just seem a bit soon, Lucy. Two months isn’t very long.’

‘
Long enough to know,’ her daughter assured her whilst thinking, please don’t ask me if I love him.