Page 43 of One Night Together

“You look like you could use a hand with some of this.” She shuffled through copies of historical documents. “Why do you insist on printing all this stuff? It’s on the internet whenever you want it.”

“Oh, stop.” Beatrice playfully pushed her hand away. “It’s my system, so mind your own business.” She glared at Cassie with mock ferociousness.

Cassie bit back a smile. She’d missed their banter.

“Wouldn’t it be easier, just for the time being, to stay upstairs?” Cassie asked, hoping to avoid an argument. “Your bedroom is next to your office. That way you can take a quick nap if you get tired.”

Beatrice’s crystal-blue eyes peered over the tops of her silver-rimmed glasses. “Not you too,” she said,her eyes narrowing. “Iam fit as a fiddle, and I want no more talk of helpful recommendations couched in a casual conversation. I don’t need you, Mrs. Mackay, or my nieces or nephews to tell me what to do. Do you understand?”

“Completely.” She sighed inwardly.

“Good. Now then. I read your email about the Hayford Fellowship. I am so sorry,” Beatrice said, her voice full of kindness.

“Thank you.” It still stung to talk about it, but she was touched by Beatrice’s concern.

“How are you holding up?”

“It was difficult. Academically, I’m tough as nails, but losing the fellowship to Owen was hard.”

Beatrice tilted her head and kept her eyes focused on Cassie. She knew this gesture. Beatrice would hold off on any further comments until Cassie finished what she had to say.

“Owen has so many opportunities available to him. His career is set. He’s bragging about coming to London to accept the award.”

“Don’t waste any time worrying about what Owen has and what you don’t.” Beatrice took Cassie’s hand in hers. “You possess something Owen never will.”

“What’s that?”

“You have an extraordinary mind.”

She huffed out a laugh. “Owen is no academic lightweight.”

Beatrice squeezed Cassie’s hand. “Listen to me. I saw Owen with you when he came to Crete last summer. He belittled you at every opportunity. Never let anyone do that again.”

Beatrice had never shared her feelings about Owen after his visit. In fact, this was the first time anyone said anything directly to her about his hurtful behavior. Cassie wished she’d noticed it herself sooner.

“I appreciate that, but there’s more.”

“What happened?”

“He sent me an email to tell me he’s engaged to my best friend.”

Beatrice laughed with a snort. “Well, good riddance to them both,” she said, muttering some curse under her breath. “You deserve a partner who believes in you, who encourages you to achieve your potential. Don’t let awards and fellowships define who you are,” Beatrice said, gaze flitting over the books and papers on the table. “Otherwise, you’ll miss out on the most important thing in life. Do you know what it is?”

“No, I don’t,” Cassie answered in a whisper.

The corners of Beatrice’s eyes crinkled with a wise smile. “Your happiness.”

The honesty of those two words hit her square in the chest. “Thank you, Beatrice. I won’t forget.”

“I like you very much, Cassie. Maybe not so much at first.” She gave her a fierce scowl.

“I’ll never forget it.” Cassie laughed, recalling how much that expression used to intimidate her.

“But we found our way.” Beatrice said with a kind smile. “I’m an old woman with most of my life behind me and little ahead of me. I’ve devoted my life to research, to Oxford University, and to my students. I see so much of myself in you, but I don’t want you to have any regrets. I’ve had the love of a good man for decades, but I never wanted to be tied down. Michael has been a treasure for me.”

She’d known Michael Burke and Beatrice had been old friends. He came to Crete to visit occasionally, but she’d only suspected there had been more than a friendship. Would she ever know what that kind of lifelong love was like? Remorse washed over her. Not for losing Owen, but for what happened with Leo. Who knew what they could have evolved into?

“Beatrice, that’s —”

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