This time the pain was a piercing white-hot blade to the heart.
‘Imogen? You’re worrying me. Shall I find Thierry?’
She jerked her head around to meet Poppy’s stare. ‘No,’ she croaked. She couldn’t face that yet. She needed time to digest this.
‘I’m just...’ Dazed, she searched for words to reassure Poppy. ‘It’s so crowded and close. I just can’t get my breath.’ It was true as far as it went.
Poppy squeezed her hand. ‘You poor thing. I was the same when I was pregnant with Sofia.’
‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll head outside for some fresh air.’ Imogen stood, locking her knees when they wobbled. She wasn’t going to collapse in a pathetic heap, especially amongst Thierry’s friends.
‘I’ll come with you.’ Imogen was about to protest when Poppy whispered in her ear. ‘You won’t get far alone. Everyone wants to talk with you. If you’re with me, you’ve got an excuse not to stop and chat.’
Minutes later Imogen rested her palms on the stone balustrade of the terrace. The buzz of the crowd was a muted hum and the high-riding moon washed the scene silver.
Imogen made herself turn to Poppy. ‘That’s better. Thank you. I’m okay now, so you can go back to Orsino. He’s probably wondering where you are.’ She was desperate to be alone.
Poppy waved a careless hand. ‘No, he won’t. He and Thierry are busy planning their grand trip.’
‘Grand trip?’ Imogen hadn’t heard anything about a trip. But then she was probably the only person here who hadn’t known about his other woman. Her fingers clenched on stone as revulsion welled.
‘Oh, just the usual. For years they’ve been planning their next big adventure—the one they’ll take as soon as Thierry’s free.’
‘Free?’ The word tore from Imogen’s choked throat. Free of her? She frowned. But then why insist they stay married?
‘Free of the business.’ Poppy bent her head, tsking as she disentangled her bracelet from a sequin on her dress.
‘What do you mean, free of the business?’
Poppy looked up, astonishment on her features. ‘You don’t know?’ She paused. ‘Maybe I got it wrong,’ she said quickly. ‘I—’
‘Please, Poppy. I need to know.’
Did Poppy hear the strain in her voice? Finally, she shrugged but she didn’t look comfortable. ‘Only close friends know. Thierry wouldn’t talk about it in public.’
Clearly whatever it was, he hadn’t thought to share it with his wife.
Disappointment hammered at Imogen’s heart. She’d been fooling herself that if she was patient one day things would change between them!
How many secrets did Thierry hide?
‘Thierry was dragged kicking and screaming into the family business when his grandfather became ill.’
Imogen nodded. ‘He had a stroke.’ She knew that, at least.
‘Thierry hates being cooped up behind four walls—says it will send him crazy one day, being tied down. He vowed to set the company on its feet then step aside, find some good managers and take up his old life. He and Orsino used to do a lot of balloon treks together, rally driving too, and climbing.’
She paused, her glance darting to Imogen as if for confirmation she already knew this. Imogen said nothing, just turned to look at the cold, moonlit garden.
‘For ages they’ve talked about a big trek to celebrate his freedom when it comes. Last I heard, it would be white-water rafting somewhere inhospitable. Somewhere you wouldn’t catch me, ever. I’ll stay where there are some creature comforts, thank you very much.’
Imogen recalled seeing Thierry across the crowd with Orsino Chatsfield. The two handsome, dark-haired men were easy to spot, given their height. But it was the animation on Thierry’s face and the intensity of their conversation that she’d noticed.
Poppy turned towards her. ‘Perhaps we could spend some time together when they’re away? Get to know each other better?’
‘That’s a lovely idea.’ Imogen forced the words out before her throat closed on a ball of wretched emotion. She liked Poppy. In other circumstances she could imagine them as friends. But it wasn’t going to happen.
The pain morphed from a piercing stab to a heavy, slow-grinding ache pressing down, robbing her of air.
What more did she need to convince her this marriage was all wrong? He wasn’t interested in settling down any more than he believed in love. He begrudged the time he spent in one place saving the family firm. How much more would he come to resent the woman and child who tied him down even further?