Elizabeth Thornton - [Special Branch 02] Read Free

intensely silent as their eyes locked.
    Jason looked away first. He relaxed back in his chair and allowed his gaze to wander over the room. Well, thought Gwyn, he would find no flaws in thisroom. Her parlor wasn’t elegant, but it was comfortable. A fire crackled in the grate. The furniture was of good quality and well cared for. The same could be said of the clothes she was wearing. And he need never know that all her worldly goods were displayed right here in this room.
    He studied her for a moment. “Are you happy, Gwyn?” he asked abruptly.
    “I’m content.”
    “Giving music lessons to other people’s children?”
    An edge that she deeply resented had crept into his voice. She said, “I earn my own living and pay my own way. I’m not ashamed of what I do. And strange as it may seem, I enjoy it. Some of my pupils are very talented.” She chose not to mention the ones who were all thumbs and drove her to distraction. A thought occurred to her and she glared at him. “How do you know I give music lessons? Have you been quizzing my son?”
    He answered her coolly. “We talked while we were waiting for you to come home. And yes, I was curious. Mark mentioned a Ladies’ Library in Soho Square. I think I must have misunderstood him.”
    Her chin lifted. “I doubt it. Mark is very articulate.”
    “You work there?” He was incredulous. “Three mornings a week. I’m a volunteer, like all the ladies.”
    “But …” For several long seconds, he regarded her in silence, then, “The library in Soho Square. Are we talking about Lady Octavia and her Ladies’ League? You’re not one of that crew?”
    It was a typical male response, one she’d heard often enough, but it got her temper going all the same. “Lady Octavia,” she said, “is only trying to make people aware of the injustices women suffer because of our antiquated marriage laws. And she helps womenin distress. I admire her, and I’m proud to be one of her crew.”
    “I seem to have hit a raw nerve.” His voice was distinctly amused.
    There was no doubt about that. An hour ago, she’d been pleased with the life she had made for herself and Mark. Seen through Jason’s eyes, it didn’t seem like much. She sincerely hoped that Mark hadn’t told Jason that tonight she was engaged to play the piano at a dinner party in Park Lane. He would think that she was in desperate straits. It wouldn’t be far from the truth, but she didn’t want Jason to know that.
    She said quietly, “I don’t like it when my friends are ridiculed, that’s all. But you didn’t come here to talk about Lady Octavia. So why are you here, Jason? What’s the real purpose of your visit?”
    “Aren’t you glad to see me?”
    “Should I be?”
    He had the habit, when he was annoyed, of narrowing his eyes. They were narrowed now. “I expected a warmer reception after an interval of eight years. Are you punishing me, Gwyn? Is that it? You still blame me for what happened to George?”
    She was genuinely shocked. “No! I never did blame you, Jason. It wasn’t your fault. Didn’t I say so at the funeral?”
    He shrugged. “Did you? It was a bad time for all of us. I can’t remember.”
    “Then let me say it now. I don’t blame you for what happened to George. I never did, and I never shall.”
    “Thank you.”
    She was subjected to another long scrutiny, then he said mildly, “Were you happy with Nigel?”
    She made her eyes go blank. No one was entitled to know about her private life, least of all Jason Radley. “Very happy.”
    “Then I’m glad for you.”
    She went on quickly, “You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
    He sighed, but surrendered to her leading. “You’ve come into some money, Gwyn, a legacy from an anonymous benefactor. It’s not a fortune—ten thousand pounds—but if you’re careful, it should be more than adequate to provide for you and Mark.”
    “An anonymous …” She stared at him as though he’d taken leave of his