A New Dream, Maggie Ford [books to read romance txt] 📗

‘Before being sociable to old friends,’ he replied lightly.

Old friends! Julia blinked. She wanted to retort that old friends did not walk out on one another in their hour of need but she held her tongue.

‘I’m sorry, Chester,’ she said instead, as coldly as she could. ‘I told you, I’m in the midst of exhibiting my garments and also expect my partner to return any minute. Then we are going to lunch with the person to whom I was speaking just now.’

Chester’s smile widened at her high-flown little speech. ‘Well, perhaps tomorrow.’

‘I shan’t be here tomorrow. The exhibition ends today.’

‘Then I’ll pop round to where you work and see you. I’ll find the address easily enough and perhaps I’ll meet your partner then.’

‘No!’

She had spoken far too sharply and knew she had given herself away, for he gave a knowing little chuckle.

‘No, I don’t expect he’d be pleased to see me. Well then, what about a coffee together somewhere so I can tell you what’s been happening to me since I last saw you? And you can tell me all that’s been happening to you.’

He grew suddenly serious. ‘I’m glad you seem to have done well, Julia. I’ve felt terrible for years, wondering about you. It wasn’t really my fault, you know. But I’ll tell you all about that when we meet. I’ll be in my car at the end of the road where you work tomorrow, say around eleven? It’s a white Bentley sports car. Please be there. I need to explain myself, get it all off my chest. It’ll make me feel a lot better. And maybe you will too. Is it a deal?’

He really did sound so repentant that Julia found herself nodding agreement.

With a small but almost gallant bow, he turned on his heel and she watched him walk swiftly away until he disappeared into the moving crowds. She was left staring after him, in a whirlwind of emotion. What had she done, accepting his invitation so readily – far too readily? She was a fool!

Quickly she turned her attention back to her exhibition. Celia, her second model, had just returned to the little changing area and Ginny was now on the catwalk again. Betty, looking trim and efficient in her smart suit, had temporarily taken over from her otherwise engaged employer.

They had all managed quite well without her and she suddenly felt very slightly redundant and undermined. It was Chester’s fault. When she met him tomorrow, and she was now determined to do so, she would give him a piece of her mind and send him packing. It would make her feel better, much better.

In her most sophisticated attire Julia emerged from her salon on to Maddox Street. Looking both ways she saw the white Bentley parked at the Bond Street end. A quick glance over her shoulder showed only the two counter staff inside the salon. There was no sign of Simon as she hurried away, now caught up in feelings of guilt. She had left a note for him to say that she had an appointment to keep but had provided no further explanation.

Yesterday, when he returned to the stand, she had said nothing to him about Chester or their appointment. There had been so much else going on, particularly the promising meeting with the buyer, who had hinted that he might be able to bring them in a good deal of business.

When they arrived home, they had been busy unpacking their stock and going over the orders to be sent on to the factory to be made up in quantity. Finally they had slipped out for a quick meal nearby, after which they were only too glad to take themselves, weary but triumphant, up to their apartment, she to drop gratefully onto the settee while Simon mixed them a nightcap.

In bed at last, they’d made love, afterwards talked of the long-term business deal they’d clinched with Thompson, who was a chief buyer for Bourne & Hollingsworth in Regent Street. There was so much else to discuss as a result of their successful day that she really had no opportunity to tell him about Chester, even if she had wanted to.

As she reached Chester’s car now, he got out and came round to hold open the passenger door for her. ‘What do you think of the old heap?’ he asked flippantly as she got in the splendid vehicle, which was anything but an old heap.

‘Very nice,’ she said non-committally.

Dropping into the driving seat with an energetic bounce, making the thing shake, he chuckled. ‘So where would you like to go?’

‘You said we would have a coffee somewhere,’ she reminded, staring ahead. ‘Anywhere will do as long as it’s not too far from here. I need to be back by lunchtime.’

‘Or you’ll be in trouble with your Boss-man?’

‘No,’ she said sharply and haughtily ‘We are partners – fifty-fifty.’

Noting her tone he grew serious. ‘Sorry. But honestly, Julia, it’s so great to see you again. We’ll have coffee nearby then, and tell each other all about ourselves. At least I’ll spill the beans if you don’t want to talk about yourself.’

He grew quiet and said no more. After a short drive he pulled up outside the Ritz. Julia’s lips tightened in a derisive smile. Trust Chester to show off. But she smiled graciously as he helped her out while a doorman held the car door open for them with a polite salute. The car would be driven to an area set aside for the vehicles of patrons, leaving them free to enter the hotel.

Julia had to acknowledge that Chester had chosen a beautiful setting for their meeting. They sat at a tiny table near a trickling fountain, laid with white bone china crockery, silver cutlery and delicate napkins, and ordered coffee from an attentive waiter who treated them as if they were his only customers. Soft music played on an unobtrusive grand piano to add atmosphere. They might have been quite alone