James rose quickly and kissed her once again, holding her tightly before pulling away suddenly. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small red velvet box.

  ‘I almost forgot,’ he smiled. ‘That naked hand needs to be adorned.’

  Lexie laughed and watched as he turned the box towards her and opened it.

  She gasped, her hands rushing to her cheeks.

  ‘Oh James, it’s stunning.’

  ‘Then,’ he said, taking out the ring and returning the empty box to his jacket pocket, ‘it has found the perfect place to rest.’ He reached for her left hand, and slipped the ring on to her engagement finger.

  ‘Perfect,’ he admired the large solitaire diamond that sparkled dramatically on her ring finger.

  Lexie stared at the enormous ring and then returned her gaze to James. She leaned into him. ‘I don’t think I could be any happier than I am right now, ever.’

  ‘Me neither, Mrs. Theroux-to-be.’ He kissed her again.

  Chapter 5

  ‘I absolutely forbid it, do you hear me? I forbid it!’ Samuel Taylor bellowed with such fury that the walls seemed to shake. His face flushed with anger, he grabbed Lexie by the shoulders and shook her.

  Pulling away, Lexie put her hands behind her back, hiding the large engagement ring. She shuddered; her father was frightening when he was in a temper, but she refused to show him her fear. In the corner of the living room, she could see her mother hovering, ready to step in if needed but preferring not to share the wrath of her husband’s tongue.

  ‘I told Theroux that the answer was no.’ Samuel Taylor stamped around the room stopping in front of his desk. ‘But you, knowing full well my intentions, agree to marry him anyway.’ He stopped yelling and standing within a few inches of her, his voice took on a threatening quality. ‘Return the ring and tell him it is off.’

  Lexie inhaled. ‘I won’t, Father. You will have to partner with Frank Theroux if you are so adamant about safeguarding our fortune. I don’t want to anger or disobey you, but I can’t just marry so that you will have a better bank balance.’

  Samuel Taylor thudded his fist on his desk making Lexie and Moira jump. ‘The needs of the family and my methods for securing our future are not for you to second guess. You are unaware of the humiliation you are causing me and this family. Howell is living up to our agreement, Anson is prepared to marry you and you treat this like a game. You should be proud to marry into that family. You will marry Anson Howell and you will return that ring to Theroux or else.’

  Lexie cocked her head to the side. ‘Or else what, Father?’

  ‘Or else you will no longer be a member of this family!’

  ‘No, Samuel.’ Moira stepped forward. ‘That will not happen.’

  ‘Be quiet woman, did I ask for your opinion?’

  ‘No, but you will have it.’ Moira said.

  Lexie saw her father bristle as he stood to full attention.

  Moira Taylor moved between Lexie and her husband. She stood resolute at full height and spoke, her voice assertive.

  ‘All these years I have been the dutiful wife to you, Samuel. I have supported your businesses, entertained your clients and raised your children, but need I remind you, that our wealth is largely from my side of the family and my daughters will not be disinherited from what rightfully belongs to them nor be sent away from their home. I’m sorry, but I am firm on that.’

  Lexie could not believe what she was hearing. All this time, she thought her mother had married well when in fact it was her father who had secured a bright future for himself. She thought her father was going to explode; the colour of his face was bright red, his fists were clenched.

  ‘I have worked hard since our marriage to ensure our financial future; it is my work, my contracts and my contacts that have maintained this lifestyle and increased the fortune we started with. Don’t you ever forget that!’

  ‘I agree,’ Moira said. ‘You are a fine businessman, you always were, which is why my father insisted I marry you.’

  Samuel Taylor scoffed.

  ‘Come Samuel, neither of us married for love,’ Moira retorted. ‘We did our duty.’

  Lexie’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked from her father to her mother. Samuel Taylor glared at Moira.

  ‘Lexie has made a sensible choice, Samuel, and you know it. James is from a good family, he is worthy of her on many levels. The only issue here is your keeping face and that is not enough reason to force our daughter to live her life with a man she doesn’t love. I could understand if James was penniless or …’

  He turned and stomped from the room, slamming the door with such force that Lexie jumped.

  Lexie and Moira did not move for a few seconds. Eventually, Lexie exhaled and sank into a large chair.

  ‘Thank you,’ she turned to her mother. She braced as she saw the door begin to open, but it was only Carrie hovering on the other side.

  ‘Is it safe to come in?’ Carrie looked around.

  Lexie nodded.

  Carrie opened the door and sidled in, dropping down on the couch next to her mother. She wrapped her feet inside her dress.

  ‘You could hear that in town, I’m sure,’ Carrie said in a hushed tone.

  ‘It was never going to go well,’ Lexie said. She looked down at her hand and saw the beautiful solitaire ring. ‘But it was worth it. I’m sorry.’

  Moira shrugged. ‘It’s done. It is something I should have done when I was your age.’

  Lexie reached for her mother’s hand.

  ‘Oh yes. I was pressured to marry a family connection. Samuel’s family were respectable and affluent, as was my own family. But not long after we married, Samuel’s family lost all of their money in shipping. Our remaining fortune came from my side.’

  ‘But why wouldn’t you stand up for me before this?’ Lexie exclaimed.

  Moira rubbed her hands and placed them on her lap. ‘Because, I wanted to keep the peace and I understand your father’s motives even if I don’t agree with them. From a purely business perspective it would have been ideal if you and Anson had willingly partnered.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Lexie said, ‘but that was never going to happen. I think when we were about thirteen I might have been happy to be paired with Anson ... but not since then.’

  Carrie rose and went and sat on the arm of Lexie’s chair. Taking Lexie’s hand, Carrie studied the ring.

  ‘Beautiful.’

  Lexie smiled up at her. ‘Breathtaking isn’t it? The happiest night of my life. Before I came home that is.’

  ‘I’m surprised James didn’t come with you. Not very heroic of him,’ Carrie stated.

  ‘Oh he wanted to, he insisted on it. Even his father was prepared to come, but I wouldn’t allow it. It would have only have made matters worse.’ Lexie rubbed her forehead.

  ‘I think that was the right decision,’ Moira agreed. ‘But you know girls, let me share something with you. I’m old enough to know that there is no secret formula for success in relationships. Some of us marry for love, some for business reasons and some out of desperation. There’s no guarantee that any couple will live happily ever after, but it is promising to start with a happy foundation.’

  Moira Taylor dropped her voice. ‘I was banned from marrying the man I loved, Patrick. There, I’ve said it,’ she whispered to herself. ‘Patrick. He married eventually, but died in a hunting accident before his thirtieth birthday. Your father was handsome and a good man. He had great business acumen and as I said, it was what my father wanted.’ Moira sighed. ‘I had little choice.’

  ‘Not much has changed,’ Lexie muttered.

  ‘No.’ Moira rose and tightened her silk robe around herself as though warding off a chill ever present in her husband’s presence. ‘You might have won this round, Lexie, but I know your father only too well. We haven’t heard the last of this matter.’

  Chapter 6

  Carrie flicked a stone across the stream. It skipped twice, breaking the glass-like surface of the water before sinking.

  ‘Not bad.’ Lexie settled herself on a flat rock that held the sun’s warmth and was partly shaded by a canopy of trees. She closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet smell of the earth and trees.

  ‘James taught me how to skip stones; he gets at least four skips. I’m not that good yet,’ she waded through the ankle deep water, holding up her skirt.

  Lexie studied Carrie as she spoke of James.

  Perhaps she really does love him, more than I have given any consideration to, Lexie thought.

  She watched Carrie swipe several leaves off a nearby rock and sit down, extending her legs in front of her and raising her skirt to feel the sun on her skin.

  Lexie removed her shoes and put her feet into the cool water. Scooping some water up in her cupped hands, she took a sip before wiping her wet hands over the back of her neck. She sat and stared at the stream for a while before speaking.

  ‘Carrie, about James …’

  ‘Yes.’ Carrie looked over at her, ‘About James.’

  Lexie cleared her throat. ‘Are we both in love with him?’

  Carrie squinted at her sister. ‘Maybe. Can I ask you something?’

  ‘Of course.’ Lexie invited.

  ‘Aren’t you even remotely in love with Anson?’

  Lexie sighed. ‘You know I’m not. You should put yourself in my shoes, Carrie. If Father was forcing you to marry Anson and you had feelings for James, what would you do?’

  ‘I do have feelings for James!’ Carrie said.

  ‘Fine. Then how would you feel if Father insisted that you marry Anson?’

  ‘I guess, if I knew I was always meant to marry Anson, I wouldn’t have developed feelings for James in the first place,’ Carrie retorted.

  ‘You can’t turn your feelings on and off like a tap,’ Lexie said. ‘I love James. It’s not a game, I love him. How could I wake up next to Anson every morning, aching for James and wondering where he is and who he is with?’ Lexie put her hand on her chest, ‘I couldn’t bear it. Can’t you at least support me? It’s hard enough fighting the battle with Father without having to fight alone.’

  ‘But this is about more than just you,’ Carrie said. ‘Besides, you liked Anson well enough before James came to your attention.’

  Lexie sighed. ‘I liked Anson in my younger years, yes, but so did every girl who was taken by a handsome face and a bit of charm, we were children! None of us was thinking long-term! The Theroux family is as well placed financially as the Howells. It’s because Father’s made a big man of himself and now he’s being defied by his daughter.’

  ‘Well, I’ve seen James as a potential husband for years, from when we used to come here to swim … my potential husband!’

  ‘But that’s my point. You had a crush on him because you were young, like I had a crush on Anson when I was young. But now, well, Anson is so very …’

  ‘Anson?’ Carrie added and smiled.

  The sisters exchanged looks and laughed.

  ‘Yes,’ Lexie agreed, ‘he’s so very Anson. And yes, I know he’s good looking and a good catch, so he should easily find someone else, shouldn’t he?’

  ‘Hmm, tell that to Father,’ Carrie dared her. ‘He is not going to let those Howell pounds out of his sight.’

  Lexie sighed. ‘He can’t force me to marry Anson. When I marry James, I will have my financial independence from Father.’

  ‘Just for argument’s sake, what if James withdrew his offer—would you marry Anson?’ Carrie asked.

  ‘No. I don’t love him. I’m not marrying for financial reasons. We don’t have to anymore Carrie, that was our mother’s era and our grandmother’s before that. We can get jobs. I could work.’

  ‘At what?” Carrie asked. ‘Being a lady?’

  ‘I could tutor. I can sew or work in a shop.’

  ‘Father would have a heart attack,’ Carrie added.

  ‘Then problem solved. He won’t disinherit me, will he, because he’s too scared of losing face. That’s his biggest problem,’ Lexie said with a smirk. She put her head back and closed her eyes again, feeling the last of the season’s warmth on her face. She felt a warm breeze touch her skin and listened; nothing but the sound of the leaves whispering and the occasional bird.

  Lexie smiled and opened her eyes. ‘I love this spot.’

  ‘Me too,’ Carrie agreed. ‘I love swimming here, completely naked.’

  ‘Carrie, that’s indecent!’

  ‘Well I don’t do it when anyone is around.’

  ‘How do you know someone is not going to show up?’ Lexie reached for her straw hat as though another layer of clothing compensated for Carrie’s behaviour.

  ‘You can hear them coming through the hedge,’ Carrie said.

  ‘Unless you are underwater,’ Lexie reminded her.

  ‘Then I suppose I would have to rely on their honour to look away while I dressed,’ Carrie said defiantly. ‘But I haven’t been caught yet. Want to go in?’

  ‘Naked?’

  ‘Well you can leave your undergarments on Miss Prude if you like,’ Carrie teased.

  Lexie shook her head. ‘Maybe later. The water is cold and I’m not hot enough yet. I’m not sure I’ll be hot enough until next summer.’

  Carrie lowered herself further down the rock to immerse her legs up to her knees. Lexie saw her shudder.

  ‘Told you … it’s freezing.’ Lexie grinned.

  ‘It’s invigorating, it’ll wake you up!’

  ‘Do you love him?’ Lexie asked, watching Carrie’s eyes widen with surprise. ‘It’s not that I want to hurt you, sis,’ she continued not waiting for a response. ‘I’m not doing this to spite you. Do you really love James or is it just a crush?’

  Carrie frowned. ‘What’s the difference?’

  ‘I guess love is about the long-term. Would you still love him if he wanted different things than you—say he wanted you to be a certain type of person, or if he came home from the war with a missing limb, or he was moody most of the time?’

  ‘But he’s not,’ Carrie interrupted.

  ‘How do you know? How does anyone know, really? A crush is how you imagine it is going to be with him; the romance element might not be realistic. But I would never love Anson, really love him. When I see James or I am near him, it’s powerful. When I’m not with him, he is all I think about, constantly. Do you think about James all day and night?’

  Carrie kicked her feet in the water.

  Lexie continued. ‘But aside from the physical attraction we have for each other, we share the same outlook. We want similar things and it is not all about empire building. It’s about security and family and even creativity. Anson could never understand a desire to write or create. He doesn’t understand why James would pursue a career in journalism when the family business is there for the taking and would make more money.’

  Carrie smiled. ‘That’s true. But this decision is not ours to make. It’s James’ decision. And he has picked you.’ She threw a stone into the water; it sank without skimming the surface. Carrie began to take off her outer layer of clothing.

  ‘The men are going away,’ she stammered. ‘Everyone is talking about it. There will be no dances and by the time the war is over, I’ll be an old maid!’

  ‘That’s not true. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.’

  ‘Marry James then, Lexie. You’ll be disinherited despite what Mother said. You will break her heart and give Father a heart attack.’

  ‘And what about you, Carrie, will I break your heart or will you stand by me?’

  Carrie stood and removed the outer layer of her dress. She stared down into the water.

  ‘Tell me Carrie, what do I do, what do we do?’ Lexie persisted.

  Carrie scoffed. ‘What can we do? We’re female.’

  Carrie dived into the water; Lexie watched her disappear below the surface. She sighed and looked to the heavens.

  ‘Tell me what to do?’ She whispered. ‘Send me a sign. Do I break my family’s heart or do I break my own heart and James’ along with it?’

  Chapter 7

  Samuel Taylor cut an imposing figure; rugged, tall and domineering. Born into money, married into money, successful in his own right and at home in his London Gentlemen’s Club with its air of superiority and exclusive membership. He was early for his meeting with the Editor of the Daily News, the same newspaper that had both a London and a county edition, the same newspaper that a young James Theroux worked on; the boy trying to court his already spoken-for daughter, Lexie.

  Not for long, stewed Taylor. A sizeable donation should provide for a new position of foreign correspondent for the up-and-coming young journalist. Maybe even a war correspondent position, Taylor smiled; a lot could be done with a little persuasion.

  He saw the newspaper editor, Charles Robson, at the entrance, handing over his hat to the porter. Taylor studied him; Robson was well groomed, but vain, his eyes flicked around to see who was there and in whose company he would be seen.

  Taylor smiled. This will be a piece of cake, he thought. The man is sufficiently venal to be easily manipulated.

  Extinguishing his cigar, Taylor rose and extended his hand to the newspaper editor. Despite the immaculate suit and well-trimmed features, Robson couldn’t mask the roughness of an old news hound; an ink and cigarette man. He would never have been admitted as a member of the Club had he not held the position of editor; he was no gentleman.

  ‘Charles, good of you to come.’ Taylor shook his hand.

  ‘It’s been too long, the Christmas party wasn’t it?’ Robson asked.

  ‘At least. Shall we go in?’ Taylor gestured to the dining room. As they passed tables discreetly obscured by ornate posts and ornaments, Samuel Taylor nodded and waved cordially at other members and guests. They were seated at Taylor’s usual table.

  ‘Dare I ask a news hound “what’s news”?’ Taylor asked.

 

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