Page 51 of Arrogant Heir

‘No. I just have my bedroom and use the rest of the house when I’m here. I don’t work at home like Damian, though, and spend most of my time at my London place. Mother says I’m turning into a workaholic, but I love being in the stores,’ she confides.

I ask about her work, and she tells me enthusiastically about how she came to be a fashion designer. It’s what she always wanted to do.

‘How’s Damian been with you?’ She asks suddenly.

‘In what way?’ I say, startled, trying not to flush.

She looks at me curiously. ‘With the book. I heard he wanted a male writer and was difficult at the beginning. Some kind of mix-up, Seb said.’

I try to relax and be casual. ‘Oh that. Yes, it was just a misunderstanding. Actually, he’s been brilliant. The book is almost ready for the publisher, and I’ll be leaving soon.’

Marian tells me stories about her childhood and then swiftly switches to talking about when her dad died, which is the official topic of our interview. She tells me she’d rather get it over with. I say that if it’s too painful we can skip it, but she won’t hear of it, saying she agreed to talk to me and it’s fine. ‘I knew Damian wouldn’t tell you what happened,’ she said.

This intrigues me all the more and I listen as she tells me that their father was on his way to London from Greystone when he lost control of his car on the ice and went skidding into a granite wall. His death was instant.

Her eyes are wet, and I don’t push her for any more details. I’m in danger of crying myself. Just thinking about Damian’s sudden unbearable loss tugs at me.

‘Damian blames himself,’ she says. ‘Losing our father like that was bad enough, but he’s wracked with guilt. I don’t think he’s over it even all these years later. I saw the latest headlines in the paper.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘That’s not the Damian I used to know. He wasn’t cold and shut off like he’s been since our dad’s death. This is why he keeps getting into trouble, looking for solace in all the wrong places. And of course, Stephanie leaving him for his best friend, was the last straw. He went into a dreadful spiral, poor thing.’

‘I saw that in the articles they dredged up about his ex. How awful. But why does he blame himself for your father’s crash?’

‘Well, Dad asked Damian to meet him at Greystone—he and my mum lived here most of the time, you see—but Damian said he was too busy to come home, so Dad went to him instead.’

My eyes are moist, and I try to keep myself together. I’m already so emotional. It’s tricky to maintain a professional veneer. ‘But it’s not his fault. It could have happened anytime.’

She nods. ‘I know. We’ve all told him that, but he doesn’t see it that way. Mother fell apart after my dad died and seeing her like that pushed Damian over the edge. He and I were close before the accident, but it’s been difficult to get through to him these past years.’

‘I’m so sorry for your loss. What a nightmare it must have been.’

I end the recording, and we sit quietly in a peaceful silence. Damian’s behaviour makes sense to me now, and my heart quickens when I think of what he must have gone through. The urge to go to him is strong and I doubt I’ll be able to stop myself.

We finish our session and Marian mentions that she’ll stay over until Monday to keep her grandfather company. She lowers her voice and says conspiratorially, ‘Truthfully, I miss Honey dreadfully, so I come and see her when I can get away, but it’s not as often as I’d like.’

I pack up my stuff and say that’ll be nice for Arthur and Damian to have her with them for the weekend. And Honey, of course.

Marian replies casually that Damian left for London, so unfortunately, they just missed each other.

My stomach plummets like a lead balloon and my final meaningless days at Greystone stretch before me. All I want to do is pack my bags and flee after Damian to London.

I’d been worried about seeing him, but now I can’t imagine not seeing him.

CHAPTER33

Damian

I couldn’t stay after what happened. The thought of having to run into her at Greystone after I let her see how much I want her is just too much for me to handle. A quick getaway was the only solution, and John pulls into the underground parking of my Chelsea penthouse and I jump out and stretch my legs.

I take the private lift and it deposits me silently at the entrance to my apartment. The last time I was here was with the girl from the club. What a mistake that was. I’m in major damage control mode. The version of the press release we agreed on before I lost my mind and kissed Jamie is already in the right hands at Rochester Media.

The official line is she’s my girlfriend and I hope she’s not pissed off about that. It was the lesser of evils for both of us and I figure the smoke will soon subside when they see there’s no torrid story beyond the one-night stand which happened before we were together.

The minutes tick by and I can’t remember a slower Saturday and regret coming back to my apartment. I look around the vast space, and for the first time; it seems sterile and cold. None of my personal stuff is anywhere to be seen because the cleaner keeps it looking like a show home on my instructions. Marian says it’s like a museum and today I agree with her.

I make a mental note to get a designer in to redecorate, but the only face in my mind is Jamie’s and I wonder what she’d do with this penthouse that no longer feels like a fit for me. I bet she would turn it into a home. The cottage looks more homely than this place and she’s only been at Greystone for a few months.

I groan as I relive the events of the morning. What was I thinking, letting myself move in on her? I know she’s engaged. The book is almost complete, so that’s not an issue anymore—our work is all but done—which in itself depresses me.

I’ve veered from not wanting to work with her at all, to hating the idea of not working with her. Grandfather suggested offering her a permanent role at Rochester Media and although I can’t imagine why she’d want to trade her own business for a job, I jumped at the idea. The vision of her buzzing about the office lifts my spirits and I can see I’d definitely want to spend more time at London HQ. I was careful not to let my grandfather see the dramatic effect she’s having on me.

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