Second Chance with the Millionaire

‘Nearly there.’

Sophy Bradford turned off the main road into one lined with grass verges and trees, with large houses set well back from it on both sides.

She turned into the drive of one of them, activating the automatic gates. Trees and shrubs hid the house from view, but, as they drove past well-tended flower beds and lawns, Lucy recognised the expensive gloss of wealth and good taste.

The house was long and low, its walls white, and embellished with delicate iron grilles and balconies.

‘This place was built in the thirties by a wealthy bootlegger. We bought it five years ago when Harry first retired from the business. It’s too large for us really, but neither of us likes cramped surroundings.’ She stopped in front of the house and, as they got out of the car the main door was opened by a smiling Mexican maid.

‘This is Elena,’ Sophy told her, introducing the maid. ‘She and her husband, Tomás, run the house for us. Come on in. Is my husband in his study?’ she asked the maid as Lucy and Saul followed her inside.

‘No, I’m here.’

Harry Bradford was not much taller than his wife, his skin tanned and seamed by years of exposure to the elements, his hair grey. He looked frail, Lucy thought as she stepped forward to be introduced to him, but as she recognised the integrity and astuteness in his eyes she realised why Saul was so fond of him. Instinctively she knew she was in the presence of a man who lived his life by a strict code of ethics. Here was a man who was probably a little old-fashioned in his attitude towards her sex, but who would always treat people with consideration and respect.

‘So this is the girl who finally brought you down, eh, Saul? You’re very welcome here, my dear,’ he told Lucy. ‘Very welcome indeed. I’ve been telling this young hell-raiser for years that it’s high time he settled down.’

‘We’ll have dinner in an hour, Elena,’ Sophy told the maid. ‘Would you ask Tomás to take the bags to the guest suite?’

‘You’ll want to shower and change before we eat,’ Sophy told Lucy. ‘I’ll show you to your room while these two catch up on business.’

∗ ∗ ∗

The guest suite was at the far end of the house overlooking beautifully tended lawns and flower beds.

‘The pool area is over there to the right,’ Sophy told Lucy, as she stood next to her in front of the french windows of an attractively furnished private sitting-room. ‘And beyond it is the tennis court. Do you play?’

‘Not much,’ Lucy confessed. ‘Although I was keen on it at school.’

‘Well it’s the latest craze around here. Anyone who’s anyone belongs to one or other of the local clubs; most of my contemporaries have private coaching as well. Of course you won’t be wanting to involve yourself in any sports at the moment, but later… after the baby arrives…

‘The business takes Saul away quite a lot, visiting the various construction sites, and you’ll find it helpful to have a circle of friends of your own. When you eventually find a house, I recommend you join the local country club. It takes a while to make the adjustment from the English way of life to the American—I know. But don’t fall into the trap that I did, of isolating yourself completely from everyone. My first husband had to travel a great deal, and I was on my own with Saul when he did. I found I became very lonely. Of course I know you’ll have your writing, but that is a very solitary occupation.’

Sophy’s advice was sound and practical, and it warmed Lucy’s heart that Saul’s mother should be concerned for her well-being.

‘Saul’s told us about the problem with your pregnancy,’ she commented as she turned away from the window and walked over to another door. ‘This is the bedroom,’ she said as she opened it and waited for Lucy to walk through.

Like the sitting-room, the bedroom was decorated in soft yellows and blues, the floral fabric very English country-house in style, and the walls washed in a soft golden yellow and rag-rolled.

‘Anything British is very “in” over here at the moment,’ Sophy commented. ‘But I must admit it was more nostalgia than fashion that made me have this suite decorated like this.’

‘It’s lovely,’ Lucy told her, looking hurriedly away from the huge double bed. Seeing it had given her a shock. She knew that Saul’s family were not aware of the reality of their marriage, but somehow she had expected that they would be given a room with two single beds.

‘The bathroom’s through here,’ Sophy told her, indicating a door in the far wall of the bedroom, ‘and the closet’s there. Since you’re only staying the one night, I’ll tell Elena not to unpack your things. Saul says you’ll be living in his apartment until you can find somewhere more congenial. The girls will be coming round for lunch tomorrow, so you’ll get a chance to meet them then. I’ll leave you to get changed now.’