‘And the same could happen to you.’
She said quietly, ‘I’ll take great care not to allow that. Goodbye, Patrick,’ and walked away into the evening sunlight, without looking back.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TAVY WAS SITTING at the kitchen table, an untouched cup of coffee in front of her, when her father returned.
She said, ‘You didn’t tell me.’
‘About the offer?’ The Vicar reached for the coffee pot and poured some for himself. ‘My dear, each time I’ve mentioned Jago’s name lately, you’ve changed the subject. Besides, it only became a certainty earlier this evening.’
‘I see.’ She took a breath. ‘And did you know who Barbie really was?’
‘Of course.’ He added gently, ‘He would have told you too, had you asked him. Why didn’t you?’
She lifted her chin. ‘Because it wasn’t my business.’
He said calmly, ‘In that case, you can hardly complain if you were kept in the dark.’
She gasped. ‘You think it’s all right for him to make a fool of me?’
‘I think, darling, you’ve been making a fool of yourself.’ He paused. ‘I notice you didn’t stay to thank him for what he’s doing for the church.’
‘I’m sure there were plenty who did. I wouldn’t be missed.’
There was a silence, then he said almost harshly, ‘It’s at moments like this that I feel so totally inadequate without your mother.’ He picked up his coffee. ‘I’ll be in my study.’
Tavy stared after him, her thoughts whirling. He had never spoken like that before. As if she had disappointed him.
She waited for five minutes, then followed him. He was sitting at his desk, his chess board in front of him, working out a problem.
‘Dad, I’m in such a muddle.’
‘Are you, my dear? Well, you’re probably not alone in that.’
‘For one thing, how can Jago possibly afford the repairs to the church, especially after buying Ladysmere, with all the cost of renovations and furnishings?’
‘I gather Descent are getting together again to stage a farewell concert. He is donating his share of the takings.’
She gasped. ‘But that can’t be. He said that part of his life was over.’
‘Clearly, he’s changed his mind.’
‘But the band won’t be the same without Pete Hilton,’ she protested. ‘People may not go.’
‘Jago tells me the original line-up will all be present.’
She said passionately, ‘That’s just not possible. Not after Jago destroyed his friend’s marriage.’
The Vicar sent her a shrewd glance. ‘I think the young man did that himself, my dear. But if you want a fuller explanation, you will have to ask Jago.’ He moved a knight. ‘I think you’ll find him at the house.’
She didn’t need the jacket she’d brought with her, she thought as she walked up the drive to Ladysmere. It was still very hot. She was about to ring the bell when she heard the faint sound of music on the still air, and instead walked round the side of the house to the rear terrace.
The French windows leading into the drawing room were standing open, and as Tavy approached, she recognised the music as Mozart’s Requiem.
She stepped hesitantly inside, and stopped dead because the room was no longer just an empty space.
Two enormous, deeply cushioned sofas in sapphire blue corded velvet now flanked the wide fireplace and a thick cream fur rug lay between them in front of the hearth.
Jago was lounging on the furthest sofa, his shirt unfastened to the waist, a cut glass tumbler containing some deep golden liquid in one hand, his face brooding, almost bitter.
She was sorely tempted to retreat, but made herself take another step forward. At that, he glanced up, his eyes narrowing in total astonishment as he stared at her, his body no longer relaxed but tense as a coiled spring.
She tried to smile. ‘I seem to have startled you.’
‘You have,’ he said. ‘I thought you’d be somewhere else entirely, enjoying the first stages of reconciliation. Or have you decided to make him wait?’
‘What are you talking about?’
He said wearily, ‘I’m not blind, Octavia. I saw Patrick Wilding follow you out of the hall, and when I came out, you’d both gone. I did say if you were patient, he’d realise what a fool he’d been. It seems I was right.’