From Paris With Love (11 page)

My face fell. ‘Don’t talk about going home already – aren’t… aren’t you having a good time?’

‘Of course!’ he said brightly and tenderly tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He pointed to a nearby coffee bar. ‘Now, I’ll be in there. Have fun. And don’t come near me afterwards if the popcorn doesn’t stay down!’

Someone nudged me to move forwards in the queue. Cindy had been talking to a woman in front and, despite its Texan accent, her French sounded really fluent. She jerked her head at Edward, as he walked away from the ride.

‘Everything all right, honeybun? He seems a bit quiet today. When you went to get popcorn, he hardly said a word. I started telling him about the Star Wars space ride, but he just yawned – then apologised and said he hadn’t got in until the early hours.’

I sighed. She didn’t need to remind me that Edward had stayed at that temptress’ place past midnight. I opened my mouth but there was no point spouting off about Monique. We’d only been here a week. Perhaps – it was a big perhaps – the French actress and I eventually might become friends.

‘He’s just not a massive Disney fan,’ I said and we climbed into a cup. As it whizzed around, I giggled along with Cindy, for her sake, but my heart wasn’t it in. Damn Monique for being stupid enough to fall over and ruin my day out with Edward. In fact, as the afternoon progressed, I became increasingly disappointed. Edward took notes for his column, instead of chatting to Beauty and the Beast when they stopped to give me their autograph, and didn’t look the slightest bit spooked after Phantom Manor.

‘Thanks for a great day, honey,’ Cindy drawled on the underground train, just before she was about to get off at her stop. She gave me a hug. Edward smiled at her and thanked her politely for showing us around the theme park.

‘Perhaps next time you and me’ll go on our own,’ she whispered into my ear, before standing up, ‘away from that aristocratic English reserve.’

I gave a small smile and waved to her through the window as the train pulled away.

The thing is, Edward wasn’t that reserved. Not since being on
Million Dollar Mansion
. Most days he was still accosted, in the street, by fans of the show, and thoroughly enjoyed laughing and chatting with them. Plus occasionally, ever-punctual Edward would now be late for an appointment, having been collared by someone wanting to hear all about Applebridge Hall’s renovation. No, his more introverted mood at Disneyland was due to him worrying about Monique.

My chest tightened, and still felt funny when we got back to the flat. I’d made it clear that I didn’t want to visit Monique, so he’d decided to go on his own. Once inside our flat, Edward settled on the ivory sofa straight away and opened his laptop, to type up a few writing notes before visiting his new friend.

Oh dear. What
was
wrong with me, in Paris? Just like the old Gemma, I lost control for a moment, and a bunch of spontaneous words tumbled out of my mouth.

‘Monique will survive without you,’ I said and pulled off my gloves. I undid my scarf and threw it, with my coat, onto the dining table. Then I collapsed next to him and pushed the laptop’s lid shut. ‘All day, you’ve been preoccupied thinking about her – you hardly batted an eyelid when Pocahontas blew you a kiss.’

‘Huh?’

‘Do you know how many years I’ve looked forward to visiting a Disney park?’

‘Look, Gemma – sorry, but I found it terribly hard to relate. I knew none of the characters, so chatting to them felt… uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad I went. The park was impressive. Star Tours was an incredibly realistic ride. But the day didn’t inspire me, like…’

‘Like, say, Monique’s play
Le Malade Imaginaire
? Well, do you think that opera trip I went on last autumn kept me spellbound?’ I muttered. ‘No – but I didn’t let on because I wanted you to enjoy the night.’

‘Gem…’ He turned to face me, and held both my hands. ‘Just because you’ve taken umbrage with Moni, for some reason, doesn’t mean I feel the same.’

‘You’ve fallen for her womanly wiles,’ I said, in a tight voice. ‘She’s trouble.’

He let go of my hands. ‘Why are you being so mean-spirited? It’s not like the Gemma I know. Anyway, from the start of this trip you’ve made it clear that we’re not fixed at the hip.’

‘What do you mean?’

He raised one eyebrow. ‘We hadn’t been here a day when you disappeared on some catering jolly. Did I complain that on our first weekend in one of the most romantic cities in the world, I’d been stranded? No. Yet you become frosty when I suggest going off for just one day to look after a friend.’

‘I… I really wanted to spend that first weekend with you,’ I stuttered. ‘It’s just…’ I swallowed and wished, not for the first time, that I could tell him about Joe. ‘And I’m not mean-spirited. Monique was the one who used every opportunity to put me down at lunch, yesterday. Don’t think I didn’t notice you staring out of the window, Edward, when I was being asked about archery, in that bar – clearly you were embarrassed.’

‘For God’s sake, Gemma, stop being so paranoid – I was trying not to laugh. I’ve seen you try to play snooker – like me, you’re not the best with a cue and the thought of you trying to hit a target with an arrow tickled my sense of humour.’ He shook his head. ‘What
is
this about? Does Moni… I don’t know – intimidate you?’

‘Don’t think so – remember I mix with all your aristocratic friends and I’ve always held my own,’ I said, a bit too strongly.

‘Exactly! So what’s the problem?’

My lip quivered. I couldn’t own up to my true, insecure feelings – they might plant a seed of doubt in Edward’s mind, about how I compared to the conniving French woman.

‘Maybe you think I should be in awe of your new best mate. After all, she shares all of your intellectual interests and moves in very impressive artistic circles.’

‘That’s nonsensical! Look…’ He gave a sigh. ‘I just like her – the way we chat.’

‘You said how she reminds you of your mum…’ Nausea backed up my throat as I realised that meant Monique had a very special bond with
my
boyfriend. ‘She’ll exploit that, Edward. She’s devious.’

‘Not like you then?’ His voice hardened.

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’ve been trying to persuade myself that I imagined it, but it’s no good… Last night. I was shocked. I saw you stick out your foot, like a mischievous child, to make Moni fall.’

My heart skipped a beat. ‘But… no… you see…’ My voice faltered. ‘I didn’t, Edward.’

A flicker of disgust crossed his face. I knew how much he couldn’t bear lies.

‘Okay. I admit it. But it was just a fleeting thought – I would never have gone through with it. I quickly took my foot straight back. Monique must have slipped on the water.’

Edward snorted. ‘Moni told me she definitely tripped over something – in fact she half-jokingly suggested it was your foot and that’s without me mentioning your ill-intended manoeuvre.’

What a lying, conniving… Okay. So, I’d thought about it – but there was no way Monique could have seen my foot and I definitely pulled it back in time. Her intention must have been to make that up anyway. ‘She’s lying!’ I said. ‘Or do you believe her word over mine?’

‘I know what I saw,’ he spoke in a measured voice.

‘Look… you know I hate spiders, but do I kill them? No, I put them outside. I wouldn’t even stamp on ants.’

‘Now you’re comparing her to an insect?’ Edward shook his head. ‘Sometimes, you really do sound juvenile.’

He got up and went to the kitchen whilst I stood statue still, jaw almost on the floor.

‘Maybe Monique’s more suited to you then – in age and everything else.’ My voice wavered. ‘Go on, just admit it – you’ve only known her a week, but realise you’ve made a terrible mistake proposing to me…’

‘I’m not listening to this ranting,’ he said and threw down a tea towel. He grabbed his coat. ‘Anyway, why are you so fussed? It’s not like you’re keen to accept an offer of marriage – unlike that thrilled woman in the pub yesterday. If anything, it’s you who’s been having second thoughts and making excuses.’

‘No! Not second thoughts about you! Never! But marriage…Why the hurry?’

‘Why the delay?’ he shot back.

‘Perhaps I’m learning to rein in my spontaneity and think things through…’ I said.

‘Don’t be a hypocrite! We’d only been in Paris five minutes and you accepted some offer to work for a stranger.’ Edward picked up his laptop. ‘Not that your disappearing act bothered me greatly – not until today, when you’ve grilled me for wanting just a few hours away. Isn’t a relationship supposed to be about give and take?’

‘So, I’m a liar and a hypocrite…’ Ouch. ‘You know, I thought things would get easier once I realised the class difference between us didn’t matter a jot. Yet, you don’t like my telly programmes, I don’t dig your music. We both love reading but not the same genres. I might have helped you develop a penchant for fast food, and thanks to you I’ll now love fresh prawns and crab but food apart…’ I threw my hands in the air. ‘But perhaps, the only real common ground we’ve had is saving Applebridge Hall. It’s as if this trip to Paris has already super-sized our differences – which seem to be just about everything else.’

‘I’m not listening to this nonsense,’ he said. ‘This conversation is getting us nowhere.’

‘Don’t do that – don’t turn back to the stuffy old Edward I met, right at the beginning of
Million Dollar Mansion
.’

‘What, the one you accused of never having fun?’ He shrugged. ‘No doubt you think that again, since I couldn’t properly enjoy Disneyland.’

We stared at each other, for a few seconds.

‘Gemma… Look, it’s probably best if I spend the night elsewhere. That’ll give us both time to cool off. I’m sure Moni won’t mind me sleeping on her sofa. If not, I’ll book into a hotel.’ A muscle flinched in his cheek. ‘I’m sorry you doubt our future together.’

But I hardly heard his last sentence. ‘You? Sleep at Monique’s?’ Uh oh, I had a feeling I was about to blurt out something offensive… All the insecurities of the last few days had built up and had chosen this moment to let rip. No need to tell me that, really, I should have indeed cooled off, over night, and then rationally talked through my feelings with him. But it was hard, after the recent months, when occasionally some journalist or fan would scoff at our relationship; would sneer that Gemma Goodwin was in no way an intellectual match for Lord Edward – that our romance was a show-mance, and would never last. On the surface I’d laugh and Edward would get angry. But the seed of doubt had been planted and now I couldn’t face discussing whether these critics had been right all along – just in case I got the vibe that Edward agreed with them, and was beginning to change his mind.

‘If you spend the night at that conniving bitch’s flat then don’t bother ever coming back!’

‘Are you serious?’ Edward’s lush mouth tightened.

Oh dear. I’ve got myself in deeper than I thought.

‘You’re being ridiculous, Gemma.’ He strode towards the door.

‘So now I’m also ridiculous… Any other insults you want to throw at me, before you head off to lover girl? I mean it! Go to her tonight and… and… we’re over.’

His eyes widened for several moments and then he pursed those crazily kissable lips.

‘I’m disappointed that you can end our relationship in so few minutes – with so few words,’ he said. ‘However, I won’t be blackmailed into staying here tonight, Gemma. Not when a friend needs help. And if you’re not generous enough to want to assist Moni, then perhaps your decision is for the best and you’re not the kind-hearted woman I thought you were.’

With that, he left and even that action highlighted the differences between us. I would have slammed the door, whereas Edward just closed it slowly behind him.

Chapter 9

‘Why ze long face, Pudding?’ snapped chef JC. ‘I know it is a Monday morning, but your chin is so low you could use that to knead the dough, instead of your hands. Enough now! It is time to concentrate.’

My eyes tingled and Cindy shot me a sympathetic glance. She wore a small pair of sparkly Little Mermaid earrings bought yesterday, in the Disney park.

I swallowed hard and worked the dough firmly, making thumping noises against the bread board.

‘
Merde alors
, come with me into ze pantry,’ JC commanded and wiped his chunky fingers on a nearby tea towel.

I cleaned my hand of sticky dough and followed him into the storeroom which housed everything imaginable, from basic flour and oil to hot pepper jelly and pickled mussels. JC pulled off his chef hat, to reveal unruly copper hair, streaked with grey.

‘What’s ze problem, Pudding? I will not have your mood affect the morale of the team.’

‘
Me
affect their morale?’ I spluttered. Didn’t he realise most of his staff tippy-toed around him, in dread?

JC folded his arms but behind those sharp eyes a warmth glowed.

‘Edward. Me. We’ve…’ My voice trembled. ‘… split up. Last night.’ God, those words sounded final. Lady C and the Earl, Kathleen the cook… everyone back at Applebridge Hall was in for a huge shock.

JC snorted in disgust. ‘
Sacre bleu
! Not problems of ze heart…’ His eyes narrowed. ‘But like any good pudding, you will rise above it,
non
?’

I gave a wry smile.

For a moment he stared, then reached behind a jar of preserved dates, on a nearby shelf. He pulled out a small bag. ‘France makes ze best, pure chocolate. According to French law, one may not add vegetable or animal fat.’ JC opened the bag and offered me a thick chocolate button, avoiding my eye. ‘Veree expensive eet ees, made from Madagascan beans… Just take one.’ He coughed. ‘And then back to work
immédiatement
!’

‘For Christmas, Edward bought me membership to a chocolate-tasting club,’ I said (not needing this reminder that Edward was indeed the most perfect boyfriend ever). ‘The first taste tray arrived a few weeks ago – I tried chocolate with cumin, balsamic vinegar, even lavender.’

‘And ze best?’

‘You know what? None of those. I like it plain. Dark. Bitter.’

JC bowed. ‘A woman after my own heart. Chocolate should not be messed with. In its purest form, it should be listed as one of the wonders of the modern world.’