An Oxford Enemy by Maxine Barry & Faith Martin

Author:Maxine Barry & Faith Martin [Barry, Maxine & Martin, Faith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789314816
Publisher: Joffe Books crime, mystery and romantic suspense
Published: 2020-07-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Lucas watched his wife finish the last of her tea, and smiled as she glanced up at him. ‘And what’s on the agenda today?’ he asked, his voice gentle with affection and real interest.

‘Buzzards, I think,’ Keira said, her eyes softening into a familiar look of worry as she glanced across at him. ‘Why don’t you come down to the hospital with me and see this new female we’ve just had brought in? She’s magnificent.’

Lucas smiled, knowing that she was genuinely worried about him. And he wasn’t surprised. This morning, looking in the shaving mirror, his own haggard reflection had made even himself wince.

‘I’d love to, but I can’t today, my dear. The Rat is coming with the new will for me to sign.’

‘The Rat?’ Keira echoed, amused. ‘Is that any way to talk about your solicitor?’

Lucas grinned. ‘It’s just the way to talk about any lawyer,’ he chortled. ‘But when a man with a name like Rattigan goes into the law . . . well, he’s just asking for it. What else can the man expect?’

Keira, still chuckling over that one, told him about her latest idea for butterflies, then, knowing how he’d appreciate it, went on to give him the more hilarious highlights of her run-in with the local hunt.

Lucas let himself be cheered up, and, when she finally left to start the day’s chores, he sincerely hoped she was feeling a little less worried about him. He hadn’t really considered how unfair it was on Keira, to go and die on her within months of their marriage, and now he was feeling guilty about it.

He sighed and left the breakfast room, heading for the refuge of his study. He’d brought his own huge walnut desk from Green Acres, one of the few pieces he had brought to his new home, and the room was fast becoming his favourite domain. More and more he was spending his days snoozing away beside the real log fire that Bessie, with her usual kind-hearted consideration, always made up for him in there.

Now, he walked wearily to the desk and sat down, his feet shuffling along the carpet, barely leaving the floor. He felt so tired he wanted nothing more than to go back to bed and stay there.

But he didn’t dare. He had things to do.

Keira, bless her, had cheered him up no end, chattering about her butterflies and buzzards, and regaling him with how she had put one over on that ass, Morton. Now he chuckled again, wishing he’d been there.

There was no doubt about it — he couldn’t bring himself to regret marrying the Lady of the Stones. She was as spirited, dedicated, kind-natured and full of fun as she was beautiful. If he’d been even twenty years younger . . . Ah well, no point in thinking of that now. If only she and Fane could settle their differences . . .

He glanced up as a shadow crossed the window, and he turned to watch his wife setting off for her transport meeting.

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