“Please stop,” Crispin interrupted, holding his hands up,overwhelmed with a sudden wave of emotion. He then closed his eyesand visibly shuddered. “Forgive me, but could you both give me amoment?”
“Of course,” Iris said.
“Take all the time you need, sir,” Jones agreed.
“Jones?”
“Yes, sir?”
“The family cemetery?”
“I can take you there whenever you’re ready.”
“I’d rather go alone. Just point me in the rightdirection.”
“Of course,” Jones said, leading Crispin to the window. “Justbeyond the trees there, you can’t miss it.”
Chapter 35
Gwen realizedshe should be enjoying herself more. Piers made a wonderful tourguide. Not only was he sophisticated, handsome and charming, he wasalso a fountain of knowledge. While visiting Stonehenge andSalisbury Cathedral, he hadn’t stopped talking, telling hereverything he knew. Yet in her heart, she couldn’t help but yearnfor Crispin’s company. She had gotten used to having him with her.Travelling sure had a way of accelerating feelings, she surmised.They had gotten so comfortable in each other’s presence that beingaway from him, felt unnatural, or at the very least, unpleasant. Asmuch as she was enjoying the views, she couldn’t wait to get backto him. Nearing the end of their day out, she was quite relieved toget back in Pier’s expensive car. She wanted nothing more than tobe with Crispin again.
But instead ofheading back to Harlow Manor, at the well-marked roundabout, Piersturned towards Bath. Confused, Gwen frowned and started to gettwitchy. “Aren’t we headed the wrong way?” she asked.
“Well, I figured you’d want to be dropped off at the B&B.You must be tired after all.”
“Oh, no, well, yes I am, but Crispin’s expecting to meet meback at Harlow Manor. He’ll wonder why I didn’t return withyou.”
“Don’t worry about Crispin.” With a flick of a wrist, he wavedoff her concerns. “I’m sure he’s got a lot more on his mind nowthan your whereabouts.”
Gwen frownedat the notable change in Piers’s demeanour. He almost soundeddismissive in his tone, as if she were of no significance toCrispin.
“Oh come on, don’t look at me that way,” Piers said as heeventually pulled up in front to the B&B.
“I don’t understand what you’re getting at,” Gwen said,confused. “What’s with the attitude?”
“Let me get straight to the point.” Shutting the engine off,Piers then turned to face her. “Whatever this relationship you havewith my nephew is now over.”
“What?” Gwen gasped in disbelief. Was he serious? She searchedhis face and found only contempt staring back at her. “How dareyou? I love Crispin and he loves me!”
“Oh, please, you said so yourself, you’ve only just met. Youcan’t possibly believe you’re already in love. Lust maybe, I’llgive you that, but believe me, it’s not love.”
“You’re wrong!” She glared at him.
“Am I?” He laughed her off. “Listen, whatever fantasy you’vegot going on in your head, is just that, a fantasy.”
“You have no right!”
“That’s where you’re wrong, young miss,” he snapped at her. “Iam Crispin’s uncle, his blood relative, am I not? I have everyright to look after my nephew’s best interests. This attraction youhave for each other, well, it’s nothing more than a passing fancy.Trust me, been there, done that. Anyway, you and Crispin aren’t atall compatible. You’ve got nothing in common. Anyone can see that,especially now. He’s just learned he’s worth billions. What couldyou possibly bring to the table? Besides, the boy has a lot on hismind. The last thing he needs is to be tied down to any one woman.If you truly care about him, you’ll realize that and agree that thebest thing you can do for him is set him free.”
“That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard!” Gwen shouted,incensed.
“Is it?” Piers said, reaching into the glove box. “You saw foryourself, Crispin’s confused. He’s got a lot on his plate rightnow. A relationship, especially a new one, is the last thing heneeds to deal with. If you really loved him you would understand.It would be cruel of you to put your needs ahead ofhis.”
Sitting awayfrom him, she watched in disbelief as he pulled out a chequebook.He then proceeded to scribble away before tearing it off andpresenting it to her.
“That should be enough to get you on your way. Surely, you canfind use for the money.”
Gwen’s eyesgrew big at the cheque for one million pounds. He couldn’t beserious! Stunned, she couldn’t find her voice.
“We all have our price. If that’s not enough, just say the wordand I’ll up the amount. In fact, let me save you theembarrassment.” With a flourish, he tore it up and wrote another,this one for two million pounds. By now, Gwen’s heart was racing.He had to know what he was doing. With that kind of money, shewould never have to worry about anything. She could repay herparents and go back to school. She could open up a bookstoreanywhere in the world.
“Right then,” he said with a smug smile as he placed the chequein her hand. “Now… I’ve gone ahead and planned your trip home. Ihave a driver picking you up within the hour. He’ll take you to theairport tonight. You’ll get on my private jet, and be home beforeyou know it.”
“Tonight?”
“That’s right, the sooner the better. No point in dragging thisout.”
“What about Crispin?”
“Crispin is no longer your concern. Now go on, get packing. Youhave a plane to catch.”
Unable torespond and realizing that arguing further with the impossible manwould be pointless, Gwen slowly got out of the car and watched asPiers drove off. Staring at the cheque in her hands, she thoughtabout what he had said and wondered if there was any truth to it.Would Crispin be better off without her complicating things? He didhave a lot to deal with already. She wouldn’t want him making anydecisions based on her. She wouldn’t want him to regret it later.She didn’t want that
