Page 76 of You Only Live Once
‘Nothing of consequence.’
‘You know what I used to love most about being a writer, and still do on the occasions that I go out?’
‘What’s that?’ Jack asked, turning back to face me.
‘People watching. You can get quite good at it. Picking up on people’s mannerisms, behaviour, and so on. Just the way they are sitting can tell a whole story about if they feel comfortable or not with the person opposite them. Naturally, I’m a little out of practise, but I’m still pretty sure you’re telling a fib.’
Jack brushed my little finger with the edge of his own as both our hands rested on the car seat between us. ‘Seems like you’re not that much out of practise, after all.’
‘So what else did she say?’
‘She asked whether I would be prepared to marry her, as our parents had always planned. If I said yes, then she would stop the wedding that moment.’
‘Wow.’
‘It was a bit wow, not to mention awkward.’
‘I take it you didn’t want to.’
‘No. I wasn’t ready for marriage back then. Yes, I like Cecily and we always got on well, but I definitely didn’t have romantic feelings for her.’
‘Which you told her?’
‘I did.’
‘How did she take that?’
He laughed. ‘Perfectly well. Told me that she knew that would be my answer anyway but was just double-checking on the off-chance as she knew she’d have more fun in bed with me than her soon-to-be husband.’
‘Crikey. And how did she know that?’ I asked, laughing along with him.
‘Courtesy of far too many glasses of champagne one night and an excruciatingly boring party when I left with her best friend. Women talk, apparently.’ He did at least have the decency to look slightly bashful.
‘You’re such a gigolo.’
Jack threw his head back, laughing. ‘A gigolo? I’m not sure about that, but if I was, then I would like to put the record straight by reiterating that this was all in my past.’
‘It sounds like Lady Cecily could be a part of your future, if your parents have anything to do with it.’
‘My parents don’t have anything to do with it. I’ve made it clear on several occasions that, should I choose to marry ever again, it will be on my own terms.’
‘How did that go down?’
‘About as well as could be expected. The implication was that my previous marriage, which had obviously been my own choice, had not ended well and so that perhaps indicated that I might be happier and more successful with someone like Cecily.’
‘If she’s such a rich and merry widow, is she actually looking for a husband?’
‘I don’t know to be honest. She’s been out of the country travelling. I haven’t had much of a chance to catch up with her since I got back. We sort of kept in touch and I did see the odd thing in gossip magazines that friends in New Zealand had.’
‘What did your friends over there think about you knowing all these rich and famous people?’ I asked.
‘I never told them.’
‘I thought you said that you felt more yourself there than anywhere.’
‘I did. More than I ever had before, but I realise now that I was still holding back in some areas. I guess I was worried that they’d judge me or treat me differently or think I was full of it if I name dropped, even accidentally.’
‘Ah. I take it they didn’t know that you are currently awaiting your crown.’
