Page 24 of The Cornish Christmas Book Clu
Evelyn snorted and turned back to Gage. ‘In case you were wondering, this is my sister, Ophelia.’ She shooed the woman out of the way and led their little procession inside. ‘Do come through to the lounge. Ophelia can entertain you while I put the finishing touches to our meal.’
The long, narrow room was tastefully furnished, if slightly old-fashioned, but his eyes were drawn to the wall of glass-fronted bookcases at the far end, the dark wood gleaming from regular polishing.
‘You shall have your fill after dinner, Mr Bennet,’ Evelyn said with an amused lilt to her voice.
He dismissed the idea of sitting on the deviously soft-looking burgundy velvet sofa, with its multitude of plump cushions, and eased himself into a tan leather button-backed chair, which looked relatively easy to get out of again. Gage dropped the crutches beside him onto the carpet.
‘Seats you sink into can be a nightmare. I had a hip replacement last year, so I do have some idea.’ Ophelia’s unexpected sympathy threw him.
‘Yeah, that’s true. You’ve recovered well, though.’
‘I have from that, it’s true.’
Gage studied her more closely and he realised that, underneath her very static features, Ophelia had the creamy-grey bruised look people acquired when they were swamped in pain and exhaustion. All the plastic surgery and make-up in the world couldn’t hide that. Was her health the reason she’d returned to Cornwall so abruptly?
‘Does Evelyn know?’ He knew he shouldn’t have asked when the shutters came down and she turned away. What had prompted him to say that out loud? It was a monstrous invasion of her privacy. ‘I’m sorry, please forget I spoke.’
Ophelia’s head drooped and her blood-red talons clutched the arm of the sofa. Before he could apologise again, she flung her head up. ‘What I don’t understand is howyoucaught on like that?’ She snapped her fingers. ‘Butshehasn’t.’ Her anger was overlaid with frustration.
‘I’ve seen a lot of suffering over the years, Ophelia, in all kinds of people. It’s toughened me on the outside, but—’
‘Scratch the surface and you’re a marshmallow.’
‘Pretty much.’ His admission brought the faintest smile to her thin lips.
‘Books are your painkillers, aren’t they?’
Gage’s jaw dropped. He’d never thought of it that way. Instead of self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, like so many others, he lost himself in words. ‘You’re smart.’
‘Not the brainless, shallow, sharp-tongued bitch I pretend to be?’
A hot flush raced up his neck.
‘I don’t mind saying it for you. I know what people think and that’s okay.’ She puffed out a sigh. ‘If they’re thinking that, they aren’t feeling sorry for me.’ Ophelia’s chin tilted. ‘That’s what I absolutely can’t bear. Dislike. Hatred, even. I can cope with those.’
‘I get it.’ Gage touched his knee. ‘When this happened, I shut people out. Doctors. Friends. Comrades in arms. In my mind I saw pity as the absolute worst word. Now I’m coming to see it’s not. Indifference beats it every time.’ Penworthal was starting to change him and hopefully for the better.
‘Perhaps.’ She gave a cat-like smile. ‘Tell me about the mysterious Quinten. I’ve heard his name mentioned and accidentally interrupted a couple of surreptitious phone calls. I can’t imagine my uptight sister having an illicit lover, but, if there’s nothing dodgy about him, why’s she keeping him out of sight now I’m here?’
He dithered over how to answer. For a start, he’d only met the man once and talking about the couple behind their backs felt wrong.
‘Ophelia, did you not think to offer Mr Bennet a sherry?’ Evelyn strode in, tutting.
‘Pardonnez moi, I shall do it immediately.’ Ophelia might as well have saluted her sister.
He realised that Ophelia’s French accent had virtually disappeared when they’d been talking privately, but had returned full force when her sister had appeared. Another piece of armour used to hold people at bay?
‘You’ll find the new bottle in the kitchen.’ That was a dismissal if ever he heard one. Evelyn’s sharp gaze narrowed on him as Ophelia left them alone. It must be clear they’d been discussing something important, but he took a guess she’d refuse to ask what it was about. ‘The beef is taking a little longer to cook than I expected, so we could take a quick look at my books now if you like?’ She picked up his crutches and held them out.
‘Of course. I’d be delighted.’ Gage levered out of the chair and steadied himself before following her. ‘I’m afraid I’ve never read any du Maurier, so you’ll have to guide me where to start.’
Evelyn opened one of the glass doors and studied the books on the top shelf before selecting one. She handed it to him with a reverent look on her face. ‘Some might consider this an unusual choice becauseRebeccaandMy Cousin Rachelare more well-known, but I thinkThe King’s Generalwill suit you better for now. It’s set in Cornwall during the English Civil War, and, for me, Honor Harris is her most independent and adventurous heroine. I suspect you admire that sort of woman.’
He felt his cheeks heat and saw a distinct twinkle in Evelyn’s observant eyes. It wouldn’t surprise him if this astute woman had an inkling of something that he was fighting against — the draw towards Tamara that simply wouldn’t go away.
‘I’ll get a copy with the next order I place for the shop.’
‘Not necessary. You can borrow this one.’
