The Proposal

‘I don’t want you to take me to court, Lady Carlyle. I just want you to tell me the truth. Finally admit what happened that night in 1958. Nothing will change. Not after all these years. You won’t lose your house, your precious title. Even if you don’t want to do it for Georgia or for Edward, do it for yourself. That’s what you’re good at. Looking after number one. Do it now, while you still can. Clear your conscience before it’s too late.’

‘How dare you come here, into my house, with these accusations. Georgia’s accusations.’

‘Oh no, Georgia has no idea I’m here. She has more dignity than to accuse you of anything. I am here because I saw what your scheme did to her. It broke her in half,’ said Amy, her anger rising. ‘She wasn’t interested in all this. She didn’t care about the house or the title or the money. She only wanted Edward. She loved Edward.’

‘So did I,’ snapped Clarissa, then stopped, a look of shock on her face, as if she had been tricked into saying something she hadn’t even admitted to herself.

‘You? You loved Edward?’

Clarissa’s lips formed a thin line.

‘This conversation is over.’

Amy stepped forward.

‘No, no it’s not. If you loved Edward, then why did you . . .?’

Amy was aware that someone was standing behind her before she heard the cough. She turned to see a tall, thin elderly gentleman standing there. His face was pale and he looked shocked. She could tell that he had heard everything.

‘Clarissa, m’dear?’ he said. ‘Is everything all right?’

?

??Everything is fine, Christopher,’ she said crisply. ‘I believe this young lady was just leaving.’

Amy felt the older couple’s eyes meet.

‘Do we need security?’ he asked, his voice even and firm.

‘No, that won’t be necessary,’ said Amy, holding Clarissa’s gaze. ‘Lady Carlyle is correct. I was about to leave. Thank you very much for a wonderful evening.’

She looked at Clarissa’s husband.

‘And I’ll be sure to give your regards to Georgia Hamilton,’ she added, then turned and walked out of the front door.

She texted Will as soon as she got outside: ‘Just met Clarissa, been ejected. Out front. Help!’ His Jeep was gone, and with a sinking feeling she wondered if he had been kicked out as well and had simply bolted and left her there.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around her Ralph Lauren dress, wondering if she was going to have to sleep out here and would be found dead from hypothermia in the morning. Her dress was lovely, but it wasn’t doing much to keep the cold out, that was for sure.

‘Hey.’

Amy almost jumped in the air and whirled around.

‘Don’t worry, it’s me,’ laughed Will, approaching from the opposite direction. He was holding up a set of keys. ‘My dad sorted out the keys for the gardener’s cottage. Apparently it’s empty; he said we can have it. I’ve already moved the car.’

‘Should we not just drive home before they send the bloodhounds out to get me?’

‘I’ve had a couple of glasses of champagne. I’d better not drive for at least another few hours. Don’t worry, I don’t bite.’

‘I trust you,’ she said, her teeth chattering. ‘But hurry up and sober up, for Chrissake. I don’t want to be hanging around here any longer than I have to.’

It was just a few minutes’ walk to the gardener’s cottage. Will opened the door, turned on a small lamp and went to light a fire whilst Amy made coffee.

‘Black. No milk, sorry,’ she said, handing him a mug.

‘So are you going to tell me what happened? Warts and all?’

‘I knew I should have gone in there with a plan. I just started accusing her, and needless to say it didn’t go down too well.’