Chapter 2 2

Those lips pressed back into a tight line. Traditionally you barely touched any of your food.'

'Today I can promise you that I'll clean my plate,'New leaf

He raised a sarcastic eyebrow. You're planning on ordering the green salad and nothing else?

She snapped the menu closed. 'I'm having the lamb,'

'Excellent choice, I'll have the same.' He handed the waiter his menu, his eyes not leaving hers. How's your father?

Here began the ritual questions. She pushed down a sigh. Just once she'd like... she pushed that thought down too. 'Triumphant that I have been forced to toe the line and run all his foreseeable charity events.'

For the moment. Beneath the table she twisted her watch around and around her wrist. She needed a way to find a lot of money fast. Really fast. And she had no idea how she was going to do it. Her father paid her a generous allowance for acting as his event planner, but it was nowhere near enough to help Amelia in any practical way... to make amends to the other woman. And she wasn't stupid enough to ask her father for a loan. He'd take too much delight in telling her that she was a carbon copy of her mother and to go blazing.

Dark eyes surveyed get her across the table. That's nobody's fault but your own,'

True, but... 'A more gallant man would've refrained from pointing that out,'

Her ears perked up. Wow, that was out of character. Interesting.

But then he shook himself and armed, 'How is Amelia?'

Her appetite fled at the mention of Micheal's fiancée . Claire stared at the screen of palms rather than at him, pain throbbing in the back of her throat. She'd been toying with her bread knife, but she carefully set it back down, afraid that if she didn't she'd stab herself in the leg. Which was no more than she deserved, but that might get her committed. Besides, it wouldn't help anyone. She couldn't abscond from responsibility. Not this time.

'That's good, huh?

Amelia was in drug rehab drug rehab Claire had to try and find the money for~ but Amelia had sworn her to secrecy and Claire owed her that much. At the very least. Self-loathing bloomed in her chest. How could she have let things get so out of hand? How could she have been so blind 'She can't let the memory of Michael go,'

'And we can?

The word burst from him, unexpectedly, and Claire flinched, throwing up an arm as if to ward off the words.

Silence pounded between them.

Eventually Lucas cleared his throat. 'I'm sorry.'

She could feel the weight of his gaze, but she didn't want to see it. She adjusted her cutlery instead. 'It's a valid point,' she squeezed out from a tight throat. 'But it's only been two years,' It was too soon for forgetting...for letting go

From the corner of her eyes she saw him drag a hand back through dark auburn hair. I'm starting to think that us continuing to see like this isn't doing anybody any good, and that~'

'No!

Her gaze flew to his, snagged and held.

'Please,' she whispered. To her absolute horror tears slid down her cheeks and she wanted to close her eyes and will the floor to swallow her whole. She hadn't let him see her cry, not since the funeral. In the humiliation of the moment she wanted to get up and walk out of this horrible restaurant, but she had to stop what he was to trying to do.

'Please, Lucas, I'm not ready to give this up.' The thought of it filled her with panic. 'Please don't bring an end to this. I can't... She swallowed down a sob. 'I know it's uncomfortable. And I know I'm a trail.'

She'd been a trail to every person in her life. Except Micheal. She'd try harder not to be a trail to Lucas in the future. 'But, you see, you loved him. And I loved him. And remembering that, having proof recognition helps.'

His skin had gone grey and his jaw clenched so hard it made her feel sick.

She mopped her cheeks. 'Will you excuse me while i go find the ladies'?

He nodded.

'Will you be here when i get back?

She held her breath until he gave another hard nod. Without another word she fled to the ladies' room, only giving herself enough time to splash some cold water onto overheated cheeks and to repair her eyeliner. Thank God for waterproof mascara!

'I'm sorry,' she said, sliding into her seat again. Their meal had arrived while she'd been away, and she spread her linen serviette across her lap and lifted her knife and fork. Today is always a tough day. I'm sorry that you bore the brunt of my dissatisfaction with it.'

'I'm sorry,' I wasn't more sensitive,'

He wanted to throttle her. She wasn't sure how she could tell the hard set of his shoulder maybe combined with the deep burning in his eyes.

'How's Alice? She asked.

'Fully recovered from her surgery. She loved the set of DVDs you sent her. Though from all accounts the rest of the household are being driven insane.'

That made her grin. Alice was Lucas younger sister

And the same age as Claire, but she had Down syndrome with all of the associated health issues that entailed. Claire had only met a few times, but she sent her birthday and Christmas cards...and gifts on the few occasions she'd been hospitalised. They spoke on the phone. Her last gift had been a DVD box set of musicals. 'I'm glad they've been such a hit. The world needs more The king and I.'

He almost smiled; he counted that as an almost win.

'How is your grandfather?

All signs of humour drained from him and she winced. 'The grapevine informed me that he's been making another push to get you to settle down

Good news travels fast. I suppose that you were at Taylor Moore thirtieth last weekend.'

Nope. She'd given up wild times and painting the town red. She was avoiding parties, other than the ones her father was forcing her to plan, organise and host on his behalf. It was all a part of her turning over a new leaf. But that didn't mean she could avoid the rumour mill completely. 'So it's true, then.'

'This time he's given me an ultimatum.'

A forkful of lamb halted halfway to her mouth. 'What kind of ultimatum?

Either I marry within the next twelve months and take over the reins of the estate or he's going to give everything to John.'

John was Lucas' weasel of a cousin. Her mind raced. Lucas didn't need the money; he was a squillionaire in his own right. He'd never shown the least interest in inheriting the estate, but.... She lowered her cutlery.

'What about Alice?

If John inherits there'll be no place for Alice at Ashbarrow Castle.' That was Alice home.