The Gold Collection: A Bride For The Taking: Distracted by her Virtue / The Lost Wife / The Brooding Stranger. Maggie Cox

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      Returning to the kitchen a while later to replenish their drinks, he found his sister standing at the sink, staring out of the window into the garden as she expertly rinsed some used glasses.

      ‘I’ve been watching you playing with Charlie. You looked like you were really enjoying yourself,’ she remarked.

      ‘Why so surprised? I do have the ability to enjoy myself, you know.’

      ‘It’s just that you looked quite bored until Sophia arrived … then you lit up.’ Beth turned to give him an affectionate smile. ‘I’m pleased that you seem to enjoy their company so much.’

      ‘I don’t deny it. She intrigues me, and Charlie is a great little boy.’

      Walking forward to rinse the empty glasses he’d brought with him, Jarrett wasn’t surprised when Beth took them from him and set them down on the drainer.

      ‘You don’t have to wash the glasses. Just leave them and get some fresh ones.’ Frowning, she dried her hands on a teatowel, then patted down her hair. ‘I’ve just been standing here thinking about Sophia. She strikes me as quite a troubled person. I wonder what’s behind that sad look in her eyes. She seems very protective of her son.’

      ‘And that’s a crime, is it?’

      ‘Don’t be silly. Of course it isn’t. But everybody who heard her hesitate about letting him play out in the garden thought it was a little over the top.’

      ‘Ah.’ Folding his arms across his chest, Jarrett endeavoured not to let irritation get the better of him. ‘So it’s a case of the majority rules, is it?’

      ‘It’s only natural that people speculate. Think about it. Sophia appears out of nowhere and moves into the most coveted house in the district when the place wasn’t even up for sale. Is there some family connection? If so, why not let it be known? It arouses suspicion when people are so secretive. My guess is that there was some kind of tragedy in her life before she came here. Something to do with Charlie’s father, perhaps.’

      Jarrett was so taken aback by this observation that for a moment words deserted him. Then he sighed, disturbed because Beth was probably right. What if, for instance, Sophia’s husband had done the unthinkable and taken his own life? Maybe he’d suffered from depression and that was why she’d alluded to the fact that the marriage had been unhappy?

      ‘If that turns out to be the case then all anyone can do is offer sympathy and kindness and not judge her. Don’t you agree?’ he said.

      Lifting her shoulders in a somewhat chastened shrug, his sister visibly softened her expression. ‘You’re right.’ But, clearly unable to put the matter to bed entirely, she added, ‘Has she said anything to you?’

      ‘No, she hasn’t. It’s not likely that she’d confide in me about anything, is it? Since we’ve only just met?’ Quirking an eyebrow, Jarrett made his way across to the counter that was laden with cartons of juice and bottles of wine. ‘I’d better get our drinks and get back to her.’

      ‘It’s not just because she owns High Ridge that you find yourself attracted to her, is it?’

      ‘What?’ He spun round, his heart drumming a dizzying tattoo inside his chest.

      ‘Don’t be mad at me for asking. It’s just that I know you’ve always loved the place. Perhaps you’re hoping that if you become friends she’ll consider selling it to you?’

      ‘I think we’d better end this conversation right here.’

      He’d been seriously intent on wooing Sophia, but Beth’s comments made him fear that she was viewing him solely as the hard-headed landowner he was reputed to be. A man who wouldn’t hesitate to be mercenary if it suited him, rather than the amiable brother she loved. Her good opinion mattered to him. The bright afternoon was suddenly soured.

      Irked, Jarrett left her in the kitchen, shouldering past the guests outside on the patio and deliberately ignoring any attempts to engage him in conversation. Surprised glances followed him into the garden as he made a beeline across the grass to the pretty woman still sitting on the bench outside the veranda.

      Catching hold of her hand, he pulled her to her feet. ‘I think it’s time that we left.’

      ‘Why? What’s wrong?’

      Instantly regretting being the instigator of what looked like fear in her eyes, Jarrett abruptly let go of Sophia’s hand and took a deep breath to compose himself. ‘It’s my fault. I should never have persuaded you that it was a good idea to come here today. How do you feel about my taking you and Charlie to the seaside instead? There’s still plenty of daylight left. If you want to stop off at home to collect your camera so that you can take some pictures you can do that. We’ll drive down in my car.’

      Regarding the earnest expression on his handsome face, and trying hard to ignore the bolt of electricity that had shot through her insides when he’d grabbed her hand, Sophia couldn’t deny that Jarrett’s impromptu suggestion was appealing. But, even so, the memory of past wrong decisions aroused her caution.

      ‘Do you really think I should risk going with you anywhere when I hardly even know you?’ she asked.

      He held her gaze with a long and steady stare. ‘You’re getting to know me … you know my name and who I am. You also know who my sister is and where she lives, and there are plenty of other people here who could testify to seeing us leave together. Isn’t that enough to reassure you that I’m no sinister stranger with unsavoury motives?’

      Sophia was indeed reassured. She smiled. ‘Okay, I’ll go to the seaside with you … Charlie will be ecstatic at the idea. But first I want you to tell me what’s made you suddenly decide we should leave.’

      Dropping his hands to his lean jean-clad hips, Jarrett glanced down at the ground, as if to glean inspiration as to how best to answer, then raised his head and scowled. ‘Excluding yourself and Charlie, let’s just say the company isn’t as charming as I thought it would be.’

      Now it was Sophia’s turn to be dismayed. Someone must have said something unflattering about her. But even though she was curious to know what had been said, she knew it was a pointless and self-destructive exercise to find out. After what she and Charlie had been through what could it possibly matter what anyone thought of her? Especially people she didn’t know and who didn’t know her?

      ‘Let’s get out of here.’ Obviously impatient to be gone, Jarrett glanced over at Charlie, who was still throwing the ball for an excitable Dylan to fetch.

      Sophia touched his sleeve to get his attention. ‘If someone’s running me down I’m quite capable of standing up for myself, you know. You don’t need to act as my protector.’

      ‘No one’s running you down. People are just curious about you, and I don’t want you to feel inhibited by what you imagine they think of you.’ Shaking his head, he hunted her with his azure gaze so that there was nowhere for her to hide. ‘I’ve sensed since we met that something bad happened before you came here … something you want to escape from. You told me that you’re a widow but that you aren’t sorry about the fact. I’m not asking you to reveal the details about what happened right СКАЧАТЬ