The Winter Rose by Donnelly Jennifer

Author:Donnelly, Jennifer [Donnelly, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Young Adult, Romance, Historical, Chick-Lit, Adult
ISBN: 9780007191321
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: 2006-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

He topped up her wineglass and handed it to her. As she sipped from it, he picked up the tray and set it on the bed. “I couldn’t find any broccoli. Or porridge. I hope this will do,” he said.

“Very funny.”

There were all sorts of delicious things: a roast Cornish hen, fragrant with lemon and thyme. Slivers of salty glazed ham. Asparagus in vinai-grette. Blush-pink new potatoes. Brussels sprouts flecked with bacon. And for afters, a wedge of sharp crumbly Cheddar. Blue-veined Stilton. Plump apricots. A punnet of cherries. And chocolates.

“My goodness, this is a feast! Where did you get it all?” she asked.

“Harrods,” he replied, pleased with himself.

India looked at him in disbelief and giggled.

“What?”

“The thought of you in Harrods. Rubbing shoulders with all the dowager ladies and sniffy shop clerks.”

“Taking the piss, are we? Right, then. Next time it’s pickled whelks and jellied eels for you.” He picked up a bit of ham and popped it into her mouth.

She caught his hand in hers, kissed the palm, and held it to her cheek.

“Marry me, Sid,” she said.

“Finish your ham.”

India swallowed, then said, “I mean it.”

“Give us that wine glass back. You’ve had enough.”

“I’m not drunk, I swear it. Marry me.”

“The woman isn’t supposed to ask the man.”

“Stop joking. I’m serious, and I want you to be.”

He gave her a long look, but said nothing.

“You could make a new beginning.”

He laughed bitterly. “You don’t know my world. Or the people in it.

There are no new beginnings.”

“Make one. Walk away. Tell them that you quit.”

“Just pick up me bat and ball and go home, is that it?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a little late for that, luv.”

“But why? Don’t you want to leave it behind? The violence? The fear?”

“Fear is all I’ve got. Keeping people afraid is the only thing that keeps me alive.”

“But, you could—”

“Christ, India, I don’t want to talk about this!” he exploded. “For a few hours I get to forget who I am and what I do, and I get to have something 3 5 4

beautiful and good in my life. For just a few bright hours. Just one night every now and again. It’s little enough. Please don’t take it from me.”

He felt anguished. He would have given anything to be able to do what she asked of him—to turn his back on his life and start again. With her.

But he knew it was impossible. Although he didn’t say it out loud, because he didn’t want to upset her, he knew that once you were in his world, you never got out. Unless it was in a pine box.

India kissed him. She shushed him. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I won’t say another word about it, I promise. I love you, Sid. I love you so,” she whispered.

Sid buried his face in her neck. “I love you, too, India. I wish to God I didn’t.”

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