One million dollars. The only good thing to come out of this whole sordid affair.
Her eyes snapped open in the darkened room. Assuming he’d made the promised donation!
She hadn’t followed up on the delivery of the cheque—hadn’t asked him about it in the heady glow of their lovemaking. Why would she, when she’d trusted him completely?
What a complete fool she’d been!
‘Grace, we have to talk.’ Jade stood nervously in the sunny breakfast room, her hands clammy, her head pounding. She’d been relieved to see the Mayor’s limousine gone this morning, even though it meant she couldn’t put off what she had to do.
The older woman glanced at her watch and finished her early-morning cup of espresso. ‘Better make it snappy, then, Jade. We’ve both got a full list today. Mind you,’ she added, peering over the newspaper at her, ‘I must say you still look a little peaky. Still not feeling well? Do you want a cup of coffee?’
She shook her head, ‘No, thanks. It’s not that, Grace. It’s actually about your engagement.’
Grace put the paper down. ‘I was so delighted to see you home early last night. But it was sad you had to rush off like that. Charles was quite worried about you.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Jade said, her eyes finding it hard to stick on the older woman’s.
‘It doesn’t matter. As it happens I need to talk to you too. Charles thinks we should have a big party to celebrate, and he was wondering whether you might be able to help—you did such a fabulous job organising the Gala.’
‘Grace, I really don’t know if that’s such a good idea.’
‘You’re too modest, you know. I thought it was an inspired idea. I know it was such a lot of work for you, but couldn’t you do it as a favour to me?’
Jade hauled in a breath and dropped herself into the closest chair. ‘Look, Grace, are you sure about marrying Mayor Goldfinch?’
‘What on earth do you mean? Of course I’m sure. Why? Do you have a problem with it?’
‘Well, I’m really worried about something I saw at the Gala, but I’m not sure how to tell you. It’s about the Mayor.’
Her face hardened. ‘What about the Mayor?’
‘I saw him—at the Gala—with Rachael Delaney.’
Grace’s face looked blank. ‘And?’
Jade licked her lips. ‘And…they were making love.’
‘What? Oh, Jade, no way!’ Grace shook her head, lifting herself from her chair as she folded the newspaper on the table into four. ‘Why on earth would you want to tell me something ridiculous like that?’
‘Because I saw them.’
‘Well, you must have seen someone else. Because there’s no way he’d be having it off with anyone—least of all Rachael. She’s just a child.’
‘I’m sorry, Grace.’
‘Well, I don’t believe it. And why wouldn’t you have told me before if you had seen him? Why wait until now?’
‘I didn’t want to hurt you! But when he said you were getting married I couldn’t let you go through with it. I couldn’t keep quiet any more. Can’t you see? That’s why I felt so sick last night—I was upset for you.’
Grace was shaking her head, her hands smoothing down her slim-fitting skirt. ‘I don’t believe it. Charles is a total gentleman. And I can’t for the life of me work out why you’d want to say such a thing.’ Then she looked up, her eyes narrowing. She gave a little mocking laugh. ‘You’re not jealous of me, are you, Jade? Because I’m getting married?’
‘No. Of course not!’
‘Not even just a little bit? Maybe it’s Charles you want for yourself, perhaps? Or are you jealous of me finding love when you’ve got no chance? Not with that scar—not around this town.’
Grace’s words sliced into her psyche like razor-blades, deep and painful and unnecessary. ‘No. You’ve got it all wrong.’
‘Or are you worried you’ll lose your apartment and have to move out after the wedding?’ Grace hesitated, her tongue poised on her top lip. ‘Actually, that’s not such a bad idea, come to think of it. Maybe it would be for the best. I won’t want you here with Charles if you’re going to say such things.’