Emily smiled. ‘It is. And those are the swans.’
As Daisy turned two immaculate swans glided across the water, their curving necks as delicate as white bone china cup handles.
‘They were here when we bought the land. Just the two of them and a tiny run-down fisherman’s hut.’
‘How do you know they’re the same pair?’ Daisy asked curiously.
‘The local wildfowl centre keeps track of the birds. And, of course, swans mate for life.’
Daisy nodded, a pang of guilt clutching at her stomach. It felt wrong to deceive such good people. But she had promised to be loyal to Rollo and she would keep her promise.
They had lunch behind the house, beneath a beautiful canopy of the palest purple wisteria.
‘Emily and I thought we should have champagne.’ James smiled at his wife. ‘To celebrate your engagement.’
‘How lovely!’ Daisy managed to say. But she couldn’t keep her eyes from sliding towards Rollo.
‘That’s very kind of you both.’ His smile was dazzling and irresistible, and she forced her lips upwards into a smile of her own.
‘I wonder, James, would it be premature to celebrate another forthcoming union?’ Rollo spoke easily, master of the situation. ‘Between our two companies?’
There was a short silence, and then James nodded slowly. ‘Yes. Let’s make it a double celebration.’
So that was it, then, Daisy thought dully. Everything she and Rollo had worked so hard to make happen had happened. Why, then, did she feel as though it was over before it had begun?
Suddenly she wanted to cry. But instead she smiled and laughed and drank champagne and ate her meal, focusing on every mouthful until finally it was over.
She lay down her spoon and looked up at her hostess. ‘That was delicious, Emily. Thank you.’
Emily smiled. ‘I think we’ll take coffee in the gazebo. It’s so hot, and there’s always a lovely light breeze there.’
Five minutes later, James handed Daisy a cup of coffee, a smile creasing his face. ‘You must come and stay with us after the wedding.’
They had moved to the gazebo and, as Emily had predicted, it was cooler and more comfortable to sit there, with the breeze coming in from the ocean.
‘Rollo’s looked at buying a property out here before, and New York’s no place to bring up a family.’
A family!
Daisy nodded mechanically. But her mind was blank. They had never discussed a family, and she had no idea of the correct response.
But rolling her eyes at her husband, Emily leaned forward and said quickly, ‘James! They’re not even married yet!’ She turned to Daisy. ‘I’m sure you and Rollo will want to enjoy some time together in the city.’
James frowned. ‘Of course.’ He glanced apologetically at Daisy. ‘I’m sorry. Forgive me, I’m an old man, I work on a different time scale to you and Rollo.’
Daisy nodded. The effort of smiling was making her face ache. ‘P-please don’t apologise. It’s just we’ve never talked about children. We didn’t have to... I mean, we won’t be—’
She glanced across at Rollo, expecting him to smooth over her confusion. But he said nothing—just stared at her, an expression on his face she couldn’t fathom.
There was a short, strained silence, and then Rollo cleared his throat.
Daisy’s eyes were pleading with him. She needed his help—needed him to step up and save the day. Save the deal that was the culmination of years of hard work.
He’d never wanted anything more.
But now that it was within his grasp he realised that it wasn’t worth the sacrifice. Wasn’t worth the lies and deceit. And the compromise.
‘We haven’t discussed children.’