Cinderella and the Vicomte by Jessica Gilmore

Author:Jessica Gilmore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-02-01T17:27:39+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

IT WAS LATE by the time Clem returned to the villa but despite her exhaustion she found it hard to sleep, replaying the events of the day over and over, lingering on the brief kiss until she had no idea what was memory and what was fantasy. When she finally got up the next day she was convinced she hadn’t slept at all, and her activity watch confirmed her suspicions. With a groan she took her coffee and a book onto the comfortable terrace sofa and curled up, promising herself a lazy day.

She’d messaged Akil last night to check on the injured girl and he’d promised to send her an update. To her relief when she checked her phone, she found a message from Akil sent some time early that morning letting her know that although the girl’s leg was broken and she’d severely bruised her ribs, there was no internal bleeding and she’d somehow managed to avoid concussion. The hospital were going to keep her in for several days for observation but she’d been very lucky.

Clem pressed the reply arrow and then sat there for some time staring at the blank screen before typing a simple thank-you. After another couple of minutes’ thought she added:

You were brilliant yesterday.

Before she could think better of it she sent the message and then lay back on the sofa and stared up at the cloudless sky, mind an exhausted whirl.

What would have happened if there had been no accident? Would they have gone to the opera? For dinner? Would possibility have hung in the air throughout? Would she have gone back to Akil’s apartment? And if so, then what?

She’d never know...

At that moment her phone vibrated and when she picked it up her sister’s name filled the screen. Clem took a deep breath and then answered it, injecting as much vibrancy into her voice as she possibly could.

‘Hi, you, what are you up to?’

‘Just checking in,’ her sister said, and Clem felt some of the tension leave her as she took in just how relaxed Arrosa sounded. ‘Is everything okay with you? Have you heard from our father yet?’

‘Not yet.’ Clem tried to sound breezy, as if the continued silence didn’t bother her at all, but of course her sister knew better and she didn’t try and hide her sigh of exasperation.

‘Honestly, what’s he playing at? Do you want me to say something?’

‘No, no, it’s fine.’ Clem did want to see him, but more, she wanted him to want to see her, not for him to pay her a duty visit because his other, legitimate daughter had scolded him into doing it. ‘There’s plenty of time yet. I’m sure we’ll catch up sooner rather than later.’

‘You’re sure? And you’re fine to stay? It’s been a week now and I feel a lot better so if you’re bored of being driven around like a ceremonial doll, just say.’

‘I’m fine. It’s very relaxing sitting in the back of a limousine in designer clothing, so let me enjoy it a little longer.

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