Page 59 of The Vow We Made
“Good point. Why hasn’t he been snapped up already?” Faith asks while Steph is left smirking. Will is gorgeous, and funny so it does beg the question as to why he hasn’t settled down.
“Actually, he has good reason,” Steph tells us with a touch of smugness. “He’s been married before.”
Bronte gasps, “No way.”
“Oh my God.” Faith says as her hand slaps to her open mouth.
I’m shocked and even more dumbfounded when Steph gives us further revelations. “Twice and he doesn’t want to go there again.”
The three of us cry in unison, “Nooo!”
“Oh yes.”
“Doesn’t it put you off?” I ask, “Because my perception of a man who can’t hold down a permanent relationship is a man who has commitment issues.”
“Not really. I think Will is misunderstood.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, not that old chestnut.”
I lean over and smack Bronte’s arm for her remark. “Don’t be so negative.”
Steph leaps to her man’s defence. “We’ve talked about it actually. At length. The problem always comes down to kids and the fact he doesn’t want them, never has, but his ex-wives were convinced they could live with it or change his mind. They ended up doing neither. He told me from the start how he feels and we instantly bonded. Everyone knows I’m not the maternal type and his confession was music to my ears.”
“Well I never, the Princess and the Pauper exists in real life.” I glare at Bronte, begging her to button her sarcastic lip. I love my friend, but her views are outdated and frankly offensive at times.
“And what exactly do you mean?” I knew Steph wouldn’t take her comment lying down and actually, I don’t blame her.
“It’s the fact you talk at all I find puzzling. Shagging him is one thing; I mean, have youseenhim? But conversation? Really? You two couldn’tbemore polar opposite. He drops his ‘Ts’ at every opportunity while you, my darling, have a maid to pick them up for you. A titled lady should mix in her own social circles.”
Steph’s open mouth and wide eyes turn to me, then Faith, then straight back to our friend. “Don’t be so ridiculous; you have a very antiquated point of view which needs an update. I haven’t told him about my title because there’s no need and I expect you to respect my wishes, do you understand, Bronte? Because if I find out you’ve spilled the beans—”
“Surely you can’t expect to keep it quiet? He’ll find out eventually and it’s better to come from you rather than idle gossip.”
Steph glares a little too hard in Bronte’s direction. “Why should there be gossip? We don’t know the same people and there’s no one to drop me in it. I don’t want any divisions between us, which there would be if he knew.
“You’re keeping him in the dark and that’s a division in itself. I don’t know why you don’t tell him and be done with it.” Bronte huffs, and although she has a point, I also know this is a deal breaker for Lady Stephanie Ellison-Rose. She never tells anyone about her privileged background unless it’s necessary.
“Men do one of two things when they find out my father has aristocratic blood. Propose or run and I get the feeling Will could be a runner, so for now, he doesn’t need to know anything.”
Bronte smirks mischievously. “Oh sweet Jesus. Are you in love with him?”
“What’s got into you today? Don’t be ridiculous,” she replies, but there’s something in her voice telling us otherwise.
Bronte continues like a dog with a bone and isn’t letting go of this. She sits forward in her chair and I hear the excitement in her voice. “Oh sweet heavens, you love that monstrously good looking wide-boy, don’t you?” Faith and I exchange wide-eyes and grin when Steph doesn’t protest. Meanwhile, Bronte is still talking.
“What will Mummy and Daddy do?” I don’t think Bronte realises how big this is. Steph may fall in lust at the drop of a hat, but love for her is something much bigger.
I smile towards my best friend who is now a slight shade of crimson. “Is it true?
“It might be. I’m still working it all out,” she answers coyly.
“Then I think it’s wonderful,” I tell her while throwing a warning stare to Bronte.
“Me too.” Faith adds. “You’re a very lucky lady and I wish you both all the best.”
“Thank you darlings.” Steph gives Faith a kiss on her cheek, then leans over to me.
“I couldn’t be happier for you.” I hug her tight and as I’m about to pull away, she whispers in my ear, “It will happen for you again, my sweet. I know it.”
