Chapter 12...
'No, I'm very happy to see you.. But then letting Royal think that we're old acquaintance and simply came around to look me up while you were in town.'
Marta thought in bewilderment, But I didn't...and he doesn't. What's going on? What stupid game I'd Royal walker trying to play? She said quietly, 'Would it be so terrible if he knew the truth?'
' It could be disastrous.' Hermes explained. ' Listen, darling, I want a no blame, no hassle divorce, with a clean break settlement. That's important, trust me. If jenny found out about you. If Royal told her ..
He frowned. ' Well , she got a brother who's a hotshot lawyer. Need I say more? She could get her brother to string the whole thing out until doomsday, find all kinds of sticks to beat me with.' I believe you understand what I'm trying to say ,he asked giving her an intense look.
' I think so.' Marta put her glass down on the shelf. Now , if ever , was the time to own up that their secret was already blown , she realized unhappily. But she already knew that she couldn't risk his anger . That she wasn't going to utter a word.
She said, ' So you want me to keep up the pretence, like maintaining a low profile?'
He nodded. 'Just for a time, my cutie. While I'm still living with Royal . You must see that I have to thread with caution.'
Wouldn't it be great to find a place of your own?'
'Of course it would. And I'm flat hunting. But it's not that easy . I need something in absolutely the right area.' He paused and took a sip from his wine . ' Where are you living by the way?'
'Not quite far from you. I'm in Maryland with someone called melissa.'
'That old witch, Hermes said disagreeably . ' How did you find her?'
She bit her lower lip. ' It was Royal. I .. mentioned I needed somewhere to say temporarily.'
' Quite the bloody philanthropist , isn't he?'Hermes gave a little laugh. ' Well , it's done now, I guess. But it's going to make it dammed difficult for us to see each other on our own. If I come visiting, Melissa's is bound to see me and report to Royal.' He sighed irritatably . 'If you'd just told me what you were planning, I could have found you a place well away from maryland.'
'But absolutely the right area?' Marta asked drily .
Hermes flushed slightly. ' Well , perhaps not, but ad a stop gap that wouldn't matter so much.'
' I quite like the stop gap I've got .' Marta paused. ' But I'm sorry to have created all these diffculties . You see.. I thought you'd be glad to have me around.
'Cutie, I am .' He sounded eager, remorseful. ' But it's going to be bloody frustrating for both of us . So near, and yet so far apart.'
' It's not what I had in mind either ,' Marta said crisply. ' Maybe you should step up your flat hunting up a notch.
' Yes ,' he said. That's obviously the thing to do.' He sighed again.' I'm going to grt another drihi.' He reached for her glass, and stopped . 'You've hardly touched you wine.'
'No,' she said. ' Could I have apple juice instead, please?'
'You can have whatever you want.' He picked up her hand and kissed her forehead. ' I'm sorry, cutie.' His voice lowered repentantly . 'You haven't had much of a welcome, have you ? But I'm still a bit stunned about all this.'
And I'm a little shaken myself, Marta said inwardly, watching Hermes make hir way to the bar . Because somehow, and quite unbelievably, I seem to be in league with Royal walker.
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BY THE time Hermes returned with the drinks, Marta had managed to recover her composure. She was also determined to hide her disappoinment at his initial reaction to her great surprise.
Cindy was right all along, she thought rather sadly. She should indeed have discussed her plans with him I'm advance. In which case she would probably not been here, a tiny voice in her head added brutally.
But I'm here , Marta thought, straightening her shoulders and lifting her spirit. And I'm staying.
' This temping work,' Hermes said abruptly, setting down his glasses. ' I wish I could help, darling, but we're fully staffed at my agency. You do understand?'
' No problem.' Marta smiled with more confidence than she actually felt, concealing her pang of hurt . ' I wasn't looking for hand outs. I can make my own way .'
' But you took a hell of a risk .' He swallowed some of his drink. ' You had an established business back at home. You were doing really well . I can't believe you've thrown it all away like this .'
Marta lifted her eyebrows. ' Is that how you see it ? I thought I was coming to join the man I love . That was my priority.
' I'm relieved to hear you say it .' Marye put a hand on his knee . She gebtky said, Hermes, I haven't come to make waves . I promise . But I felt it was time to move on professionally as well as personally. London's still the magnet , the magic place. Maybe I came for myself as well to prove I could make it in a big city .'
' Then I hope you're not disappoint,' he said moodily. ' It isn't as easy as it seems.
She gave him a quick, concerned glance. ' But you're all right, aren't you? Things are going well?
' Absolutely. Couldn't be any better.' He glanced at his watch for the third time. ' Apropos of which, I have to be moving. I have a business dinner with some potential clients.
' You do?' This time she couldn't conceal the chagrin in her voice.
TBC.