Page 65 of Things We Do for Love and Science
On her way to Tom’s house, she practiced the excuses she would give for her rumpled appearance. Pressure at work? A fight with a friend? That wasn’t too far off the mark.
She needn’t have worried. The minute she entered her brother’s chaotic home, Rubina latched on to her and wouldn’t let go until they’d conducted two spectacular chemistry experiments on the kitchen table while the rest of the family watched them with awe. Even little Jamie got caught up in the excitement and had to be prevented from taking a bite out of the glittering tin hedgehog.
When both children were safely tucked in and asleep, Delia prepared to leave, aware that Anjali and Tom cherished the few hours of quiet they had together in the evenings.
But before she could put on her jacket, he touched her shoulder to keep her in her seat. “I wasn’t going to say anything, it’s your life and all, but I kind of feel I have to, since you came in here tonight with red-rimmed eyes.”
She shifted in her chair and forced her lips to curve upward. “Tom, don’t worry, I had a silly fight with a friend two weeks ago, and I got a bit emotional earlier thinking about it. That’s all.”
“I know which friend, and his reaction to your fight didn’t look silly to me,” he said.
She gaped at him. “You... You ran into Gabriel after we...?”
“Oh yes, he was weeping in his car. I’ve never seen a man so in bits, to tell you the truth, and since you seem to be unhappy as well, I wonder what the hell you’re doing, Delia.”
“Listen, you two, I’m going to...” Anjali motioned toward the kitchen and left.
He glanced up to smile at his wife, then focused once more on Delia. “I mean, I barely know the guy, but he lost both his parents, and now he’s lost you. It’s all right trying to protect yourself, but it’s not all right to leave carnage in your wake.”
She crossed her arms and leaned away from her brother. “Get off my back. I made it clear from the very start that love wasn’t on the agenda, and he agreed.”
Tom ran a hand over his face and remained silent.
“You know I’m not cut out for a romantic relationship.” Tom and Gabriel ganging up on her—how had that happened?
Tom exhaled a gusty breath. “My God, Delia, you’re more dogmatic than a catholic cardinal.”
“Not everyone is as courageous or as lucky as you and Anjali,” she said. “Most relationships end up in a godawful mess once the initial excitement has worn off.”
He shook his head and fixed his gaze on the table. “You give those two people who raised us an awful lot of power over you. You’re an adult now. At least try to escape the long shadow thrown by our parents’ failed marriage. You can’t always live life with the handbrake on.”
“With the handbrake on?” Her cheeks became heated. “Because I don’t want what society prescribes for a woman? Marriage? Monogamy? Shacking up with a man?” He could be so conservative, it was sickening.
“I’m sure there are people who genuinely don’t want or need a relationship, but you do, sis.” He clasped her wrist. “I know you. You’re just too bloody afraid.”
Delia freed her arm and rose. “I don’t want to fight with you. I’m heading home now.”
“Fine.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek, apparently happy to drop the subject.
She was relieved too, because she hardly ever fought with Tom, and this day had been awful enough already.
~ * ~
Surely not. This can’tbe. Gabriel threw the heavy cream-colored card on the desk before him and buried his head in his hands. Alistair Brady-Greene had invited ‘Lord and Lady Renwood’ to a charity ball at the Renwood Grand Hotel. Black tie, of course.
Gabriel would have to go, there was no doubt about it. The banker had signed the mortgage papers, but his credit department only released the money bit by bit, in parallel with the progress of the renovation. Brady-Greene could stop all further payments if he suspected the seventh Earl of Renwood to be a blatant liar.
Gabriel shivered. Wrapping his arms around himself, he paced the room and considered his options. He’d already lost Delia. Was he about to lose his home, together with the family history it embodied?
If he had to sell Renwood Hall now, after all the effort he’d put into saving it, he’d be a giant failure. He would be letting down Liam and Mary as well as Jem and everybody else who’d helped him along the way.
He picked up the phone before his courage deserted him and dialed Delia’s number, half-expecting her not to answer. But she did after the second ring.
“Gabriel.” Her tone was breathy and tender.
He inhaled sharply. “Delia, sorry to contact you like this without warning, but—
“So good to hear from you,” she said.
