Page 60 of Mayfair Madame
“I’m sorry I missed your call earlier. I was at the hospital.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
“No, I was bringing a friend home. She’s recuperating. Took a dip in the Serpentine and picked up some kind of infection. Thankfully, she’s doing well. I’m taking a few days to make sure she’s well before she goes home.”
“I see.”
What the fuck did that mean? I see.
“Is that all you have to say?” I knew he had more. He wouldn’t be Rupert if he didn’t.
“Bringing a friend home. Taking days off. I’ve known you for how long, and I’ve never once known you to do that. How good is this friend?”
He was a wily old man, but I wasn’t about to lie to him.
“She’s a friend I’d like to know more about. I’d like to have more with her.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Fuck, Rupert. Say something else.”
“Your actions speak volumes, more than your words ever could. I can hear the softness in your voice. Now, tell me what this lovely young lady’s name is, and when can I meet her?”
“It’s Ellie.” Her name brought a smile to my lips and warmth to my chest. “Is it too soon for love after less than two weeks? I’ve never felt this way before.”
“I loved Walter the moment I saw his handsome face. If we’d been allowed to marry when we met, we’d have done it right away. I knew we were destined to be together, and so did he.Take a chance, Naomi. Don’t live a life full of regret and longing. Go for what you want. Grab life by the balls and don’t let go for any reason.”
“Thanks, Rupert. I think I needed to hear that. I’ve been torturing myself, not understanding why I feel this way about her, yet barely knowing her.”
“Sometimes there’s a connection, a spark that draws you to each other, whether you know it. Walter and I both knew we were meant to be.Go with your gut and don’t let anyone persuade you to do anything else.”
“Yeah, Melinda has already said something about Ellie. We almost fell out, but if Ellie’s going to be in my life, she needs to accept her.”
“Wise words, Naomi. Your happiness is the most important thing. Focus on that, and I guarantee everything else will fall into place.”
Sometimes talking to Rupert helped put things into perspective. He’d lived a long and colourful life.
“I promise I will. Now, tell me what you have planned for Godfrey and Winthrop.”
For the rest of our call, he outlined his plan. It was by no means foolproof, and he might not pull it off, but if it worked, I was more than happy they’d get their just desserts.
Chapter Seventeen
Ellie
“You should go out for your birthday. I’ll be fine here on my own.” Naomi fluffed the pillow and placed it behind my head. Her floral scent filled my nose, her smooth, dark skin tantalisingly close to my lips. Did I want to lick it?
Fuck, yeah. Did I have the energy? Fuck, no.
Exhaustion still hampered my every move. What the fuck was wrong with me? Why wasn’t I getting any better?
According to the doctors, I was, but it sure didn’t feel that way. Lethargy filled my body; the effort of peeing and bathing was far too energetic.
It still didn’t prevent me from lusting after the woman fussing over me like a mother hen. I lifted a finger and slowly trailed it down her arm, her nipples reacting as I hoped they would. She wore a black cropped T-shirt and, as usual, no bra.
“There’ll be none of that, Ellie Sharpe. Not until you’re back to full strength, and I’m not leaving you. I have a birthday every year, and we celebrated only the other day. Looking after you is my priority.”
I’d napped on the sofa earlier. Naomi had pottered about doing this and that. In a state of drowsiness, I’d heard her talking on the phone, her voice floating in and out of my dreams.
