The Unfinished Garden by Barbara Claypole White

Author:Barbara Claypole White
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780778314127
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“KBO, keep buggering on.” Rowena sat cross-legged on the floor, wearing a blue camisole that barely covered her breasts and what had to be the ugliest pajama pants James had ever seen. They were covered in tartan Scottie dogs. A bottle of single malt and two cut glass tumblers sat next to her on the threadbare Oriental rug. So much for sneaking out into the night.

James leaned against the archway at the entrance of the great hall. “Keep buggering on—is that English for ‘suck it up’?”

“More like British war mentality. Sir Winston Churchill used to say it. He also said, ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going.’ Wise man, for a politician.”

With its leaded window three stories high, empty stone fireplace the size of a carport, and oil still lifes of dead game birds, the room that had once hosted Queen Elizabeth I was definitely a suit of armor short of a Scooby-Doo soundstage. And yet each time James stepped down into the great hall, as he did now, the room reached out and welcomed him, despite the plethora of lamps. The artificial light was overly cheerful, but the squishy floral sofas and sagging armchairs said, “Come sink in us,” and the sound system, ten years out of date but still impressive, begged to be switched on and cranked to full volume. There was a hint of raucous parties and sedate social gatherings long gone, but no personal detail beyond two photographs—one of a smiling baby Isaac, the other of Tilly as a radiant bride. James swallowed shame and glanced away. How could he look at that picture now and not see the man whose absence filled the silver frame? How could he not have realized Tilly’s husband, a brilliant man with the last name Silverberg, was the David Silverberg? But why had she never referred to his first name? And why didn’t Virginia have at least one photograph of her son-in-law in the house? What a sick comedy of errors.

“You could venture forth on another nocturnal walkabout and brood over tomorrow night’s date—” Rowena patted the floor next to her “—or get shit-faced with me. It’s good to have options, isn’t it?”

James hesitated. He desperately, pathetically, wanted approval from Tilly’s oldest friend, but Rowena made him wary. She was charming and eccentric, but her flamboyant surface concealed ice and steel. She was a werewolf in a Wonderbra. Although clearly she wasn’t wearing one tonight.

He scanned the worn carpet for dog hairs and dirt but it looked surprisingly clean. Old but well cared for. Finally, he sat and eased his legs into the Lotus position.

“How’s the headache?” she said.

“Be a lot worse tomorrow if I drink tonight.” He reached for the bottle.

“Did you know—” Rowena moistened her lips “—that Sebastian and Tilly were about to reconcile when she met David?”

“Clearly not from Tilly’s point of view.”

“Actually, yes. Tilly always bounces back to Sebastian. He’s her foundation, her rock.”

God Almighty, when those green eyes locked on you, you felt like prey.

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