Simon Bingley's Resolve by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-03-24T04:00:00+00:00

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Nadia felt breathless for reasons that had little to do with the climb and a great deal to do with the intoxicating charm of her companion. She had woken that morning oppressed by an overwhelming sense of doom. Her father would arrive today, and the confrontation over Molineux and her determination not to marry him could no longer be avoided. She had been talking aloud to herself in the gardens earlier, practising arguments that she sensed would fall on deaf ears, when Simon Bingley had come upon her. She’d blushed when it occurred to her that he might have overheard her. Hopefully he had been too far away to hear her justifying the problems she had caused in Jamaica, but even if he had not, he seemed too well-mannered to mention the fact, and his charming company was just the distraction she needed.

‘This is astonishing,’ she said, enjoying the view. ‘So much greenery. So serene. Nothing in Jamaica was green and the heat haze didn’t allow for such clear views.’ She shielded her eyes with her hand. ‘I can see for miles.’

‘I thought you would enjoy it. My cousins and I used to come up here when we were young, and then we’d roll down the hill again.’ He grinned. ‘The damage to our clothing earned us more than one thrashing.’

‘I cannot imagine your father ever having the heart to thrash anyone. He clearly adores you.’

‘Well, I say thrashing, but it was more a stern talking to. Like most stories, it gets exaggerated with the retelling. But actually, to disappoint one’s respected father is more painful than the sting of the birch.’

‘Yes, I suppose it must be.’ Nadia didn’t add that she wouldn’t know since she had little or no respect for her own father. He had done nothing to earn it and constantly rode roughshod over her feelings—especially now, in respect of the most important decision she would ever have to make. Or more to the point, the one that he had made for her.

‘Come and sit down to rest,’ he said, taking her arm. ‘You must be thirsty. There’s lemonade if you would like some.’

‘Please.’

They took a position in a comfortable spot under the shade of a small stand of trees that crowned the hilltop. Simon poured two glasses and handed one to her. She thanked him and took a sip. It was sweet and delicious. Simon’s company was undemanding and he didn’t feel the need to fill the soothing silence with unnecessary chatter. She liked that about him, even if she felt a little self-conscious when she sensed him constantly glancing at her profile, as though searching for imperfections. She was tempted to smile when it occurred to her that he wouldn’t have to look very hard. Her chin was a peculiar shape, her nose was a little too long and she disliked the size of her ears. Her eyes were arguably her best feature; wide and violet, invariably full of curiosity. Her mouth was acceptable too,

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