Reluctant Deception - Cambria Smyth Page 0,67

Libby entered the room.

"Hi, honey," she called affectionately to Libby. "Was wondering if I was going to see you again."

Libby's heart lurched. Did Chris say something to Edwina? If so, what?

"Wh-why?" she stammered.

"To ask you if Mr. D. remembered to bring you the roses I cut the other night!"

Relief flooded through Libby in a cascade. She laughed at the reprieve.

"He sure did, Edwina. It was so sweet of you to do that. I thought I'd pick some more while I'm here today."

"You can pick anything you want to, honey. Why Mr. D. is so hell-bent on destroying this place, I don't know," she snorted. "But until he does, you help yourself to whatever you fancy in that ragtag garden out there. Me? I'm going to miss this old mansion, but don't you tell him or I may never work another day for Darnell Development."

"I'll miss it, too, Edwina, so don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

"Have you been away for the last couple of days?"

"I was in and out. You know, to the health club, shopping, that kind of thing. Why?"

"I talked with Mr. D. from London today and he said he'd been trying to reach you all weekend. Said all he got was your answering machine and that he left several messages for you to call him, but you never did." Edwina eyed Libby thoughtfully.

She'd gotten his messages alright, Libby thought angrily. Did he have a change of heart or did he want to confirm just how badly he'd broken hers?

Thank heaven she'd missed the first one, so she escaped talking with him. Instead she'd had to listen to his message on her answering machine. Just hearing his voice brought an unwanted rush of memories, all tender and sweet until she recalled the damning words of his note. After that, she screened her calls the rest of the weekend and would continue doing so until she could meet with him in person.

Edwina looked at Libby expectantly, awaiting a reply.

"Oh, yes," Libby finally answered. "By the time I got home I figured it was too late to call London, what with the time difference."

Libby hated lying to Edwina, who'd been so nice to her, but she feared if she took Edwina into her confidence, Edwina might say something to Chris. And Libby wanted to catch Chris totally off guard, just like his note had done to her.

"Which reminds me," she continued, "When is he due back? I need to talk with him personally about another, uh, matter of mutual concern."

If Edwina believed Libby's feeble explanation or not, she didn't show it. For a moment it looked as though she was going to ask what "the matter" was all about. Instead, she reached for her appointment calendar and flipped through the pages.

"He'll be back a week from tomorrow, Libby. Do you want me to see if he's got any free time to see you that Tuesday? I'll have to call the Philadelphia office since he's going to be working there now."

"Yes, please, Edwina." Libby's stomach fluttered at the painful reminder that Chris wouldn't be at Harte's Desire anymore.

Edwina placed the call. "How's two in the afternoon next Tuesday for you?" she asked, holding her hand over the mouthpiece.

"That's fine," Libby replied, knowing she'd gladly reschedule any conflicting appointments to see him as soon as possible.

"You're all set," she confirmed, hanging up the phone and giving Libby a worried look. "Is everything OK with you, honey? You know, if you ever need someone to talk to, I hope you feel you can trust me."

"Thanks for the offer, Edwina, but this is nothing I can’t handle myself." Libby tried hard to inject confidence into her voice, but felt she'd failed miserably. Being in Harte's Desire again was slowly eroding her ability to think clearly.

"Well, I'll only be here another couple of weeks helping Mr. Fulbright, the new supervisor, get adjusted. But you can always call me in Philadelphia if you need me."

Edwina leaned forward and lowered her voice. "I know Mr. D. can be difficult at times, honey, but he's got a caring streak in him a mile wide. He has a hard time trusting people, but once he does there's not a thing he wouldn't do to help them. I'm not so old I can't see the sparks that fly between the two of you. You both light up like the sky on the Fourth of July. Believe me, Libby. I know he feels something for you."

That was then and this