‘It’s OK to be upset.’
Gabriel’s voice held a sympathy that surprised and distracted her from thoughts of Cathy as she turned to face him.
‘I know. And I know Cathy is sixteen—she’s definitely old enough to do this. It’s just that we’ve never been apart this long before. A weekend here and there, but otherwise it’s been her and me all the way.’
His face held an unreadable expression, and a hint of sadness whispered through his eyes. ‘Then she is very lucky.’
‘I don’t know...I’ve always felt bad that she doesn’t have a family.’ Familiar sorrow touched her that she’d been unable to provide Cathy with grandparents. Only birth parents who had abandoned Etta at a day old and adoptive parents who had turned her away when she’d refused to give up Cathy.
Your choice, Etta. We’ll take you back, but surely you can’t want to keep a child who carries that man’s genes? Her adoptive mother’s words had slammed her with clarity—the reason her parents hadn’t been able to love her was because for all those years they’d raised her they had believed her to be tainted by the genes of her unknown birth parents.
Etta pushed the memories down fiercely—what was done was done. Over the years she had come to realise that her parents hadn’t chosen not to love her. They had entered into adoption with every intention of loving her—had truly believed they could take in a child who didn’t share their blood or genes. And maybe they could have loved a different child. Just not Etta.
Enough.
Such thoughts were unproductive at best, depressing at worst. Now she had Cathy, and that was all the family she needed. She had Steph, other friends, a career—a life that she had built brick by painstaking brick.
Etta lifted her shoulders. ‘But it is as it is, and I know I’m lucky to have her. Cathy is a fabulous girl—really together, caring, bright—’ She broke off. ‘Sorry, I sound like one of those dreadful mothers who goes on and on about their precious little darlings.’
‘No, you sound like someone who gets on well with her child, and that’s something to be proud of.’
‘Thank you. Cathy and I do get on well. That’s why I’ll miss her. Especially now, with the run-up to Christmas. We go a little Christmas mad—we decorate the flat to within an inch of its life and I get the biggest tree we can cram in. Oh, and last year we had an inflatable Rudolph on the patio. Hard to imagine, but there it is!’
Embarrassment struck. This man was an aristocrat. His Christmases were undoubtedly posh, expensive affairs, and here she was rabbiting on about plastic tat.
‘Anyway, I’m sure your Christmas is far more sophisticated.’
A shrug greeted the comment. ‘I’m not much of a Christmas person.’
Etta blinked. ‘How can you not love Christmas?’
‘It’s not my thing.’ His expression was closed, as if he regretted his admission. ‘It’s not a big deal.’
But it was a big deal. Christmas was about love and family and peace and goodwill. ‘So how are you going to plan a Christmas fair if you’re full of Bah humbug rather than Christmas cheer.’
‘That’s different. This fair has been an annual tradition at Derwent for the past one hundred and fifty years—since Victorian times. Which is why I am introducing a Victorian theme this year. It’s never been themed before, but I think it will attract bigger crowds, which will mean more money coming in. There will be re-enactors, Victorian games for the children...’
His deep voice vibrated with enthusiasm, but more than that it resonated with determination that the fair would be a success—an extravaganza. Almost as if he wanted, needed to make a statement, to impose his own brand on the fair. Purpose showed on every hard plane of his face, and his attitude a far cry from that of an idle aristocrat. His sheer aura sent a frisson of an elusive something through her body.
‘It sounds incredible, and I’ll help in any way I can—especially as we’ve told the press that you’re hiring me as a consultant. Plus, I’ll need to get my Christmas fix from somewhere.’
‘But your priority is the family tree.’
‘Of course. The sooner I get started the happier I’ll be.’ In fact Etta realised she hadn’t given any thought to what happened next, because somehow since Gabe’s arrival into her life everything had moved so fast. Under his orders. ‘So the sooner we set off to Derwent Manor the better.’
‘We’ll go tomorrow. It’s better to stay in London tonight, until Ethan lets us know they are safely aboard. Just in case something unforeseen happens.’
Panic clutched her, tightened round her chest. ‘You don’t think Tommy could...?’
‘Could have found out about the cruise? I don’t see how, but it’s best to be prepared for any contingency. If he is around, Ethan will deal with him.’
Curiosity flickered. ‘So you and Ethan must be good friends?’
Was it her imagination or did he hesitate ever so imperceptibly before he answered.
‘I only met him a couple of weeks ago. Cora knows the Cavershams well, so I asked her for an introduction in the hope of persuading them to give me an invitation to their Advent Ball. It snowballed from there.’
Curiosity bubbled. ‘And on the back of that you asked him to drive Steph, Cathy and Martha to the cruise ship?’