Chapter 3 3

Claire might not know much about Lucas life beyond what Michael has told her, and the odd snippet Lucas occasionally let slip, but she knew how he took his responsibility for Alice seriously. Alice entire sense of security was tried to Ashbarrow Castle. She knew because Lucas has tried moving her to London to live with him and it had been an absolute disaster. Alice had grieved so hard for her home that she had fallen ill.

Talk about being in a bind. 'What are you you going to do?

He shook his head, remaining silent.

His earlier out of character snark made sudden sense. 'Maybe he's bluffing.'

'Not this time .'

Her stomach clenched. Lucas's parents' marriage had been fraught, ugly...and in the end they'd destroyed each other. All in the glare of the public spotlight. She'd figured that was why he'd sworn never to marry. Ever. She'd never met anyone so against the institution. She rubbed a hand across her chest. No wonder he looked so haunted.

Keep things light, she counselled, because he looked ready to snap and she one of the burden weighing him down. She lifted a bite of food to get lips, chewed and swallowed. And then she sent him a grin that made him blink. I'd marry you for a million pounds, Lucas.'

He stared at her for a long moment 'And what would you do with a million pounds?'

Her chin remained firmly at a midpoint, and he didn't know what that meant. Mind you, he'd never been brilliant at deciphering what went on in that puzzling head of hers.

All he knew was when Micheal had died, he seemed to have taken a part of Claire with him. And it now seemed that she was incapable of reclaiming it. Or refused to reclaim it. He wasn't sure which.

He knew only what he'd promised Micheal that he'd keep an eye on Claire,but today he'd had to face the fact that his and Claire lunch and coffee dates were doing her more harm than good.

A hand reached inside his chest and squeezed. He'd made her cry. Well done! He'd wanted to ease her pain, not add to it. But then, just for a moment, there'd been that spark. As if she'd had a vision of something better.

He wanted to see that spark again. He wanted to help her reclaim the part of herself she'd lost. He wanted to do it for Michael, because of the promise he'd made. But he wanted to do it for Claire's sake too.

She speared a bean on the end of her fork delicately because, whatever else you wanted to say about Claire, she had an innate grace and ate it. She'd eaten at least half of her meal so far. That in itself was cause for celebration.

'You really want to know?

'I really want to know. He knew he must be coming across as intense, but he couldn't help it.

'Well... The first thing I'd do is get out of the city.'

Why? Because of her father? 'I thought you loved London.'

'I do, but it's not exactly been good for me, has it? For the last two years I've thrown myself into the party scene trying to forget. It hasn't worked. All I've done is drunk too much champagne, had too many indiscreet photos snapped by the press and stumbled so late in my job so many time that they had no choice but to let me go.'

Until a month ago she'd worked at an art gallery in the west end.

Her fork made a circle in the air.' Of course, the upside is all of that has annoyed my father no end, so...'

She and Lord willington had always had a fraught relationship. It was worse now that Micheal was no longer around to play peacemaker.

'But it needs to stop' She stabbed another bean. Enough is Enough.'

Her self awareness surprised him, though he wasn't sure why. She'd never been stupid just.. willful.

Where would you go?'

'Cornwall.'

His jaw dropped and for thr briefest moment she grinned, as if delighted by his surprise. That spark definitely lurked in the back of her eyes. What had bought it back?

My mother's mother left me a bit of land that borders Bodmin Moor. It's not much.. but it has a run-down stables and I thought...'She trailed off with a shrug.

He had to fight to lean in towards her. 'You are riding again? It had been her enduring passion since he'd met her as pudgy eleven year old.

'I never stopped riding, Lucas.'

She hadn't?

'After Micheal died I thought I should give it up. It felt wrong to still enjoy anything.'

He knew what she meant, but... 'He wouldn't have wanted you to.'

She stared down at her plate. Please don't cry again. A moment later she lifted her chin and sent him a game smile. 'I haven't been riding as much these past couple of years as I normally would. Riding hangovers don't mix.' She explained to Lucas.

If I had a million pounds I'd turn those stables into a riding school an equestrain center. There are a few acres down there so perhaps I could offer agistment as well.'

'How many acres?'

'Seventeen and three quarters, There are fields and a stream but no house.'

Ah.

'My million pounds will buy me a modest cottage.'

It would buy more than if she had a fancy for grander living, but before she could make any of that a reality, she'd need start up funds.

She set almost demolishing the rest of the lamb. When she was done, and true to her word she cleaned her plate~ she set her cutlery onto the plate at a neat angle and dabbed her lips with her serviette. 'Lucas, for the last five minutes straight you've been staring at me without saying a word. I can't imagine that watching me eat is that fascinating. I really would prefer it if you simply said what was on your mind.'

Her words made him jerk back in his seat. ,'Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I was thinking.'

'About?'

'I don't want you to take this the wrong the way.' He pushed his plate away and folded his arms on the table in front of him.