‘I’m never that, not unless I choose to be.’
‘I can believe that,’ she snapped, slamming the car door and accelerating swiftly out of the driveway, nodding cool acknowledgement of Janet Amery’s friendly wave. No doubt the other woman would enjoy her afternoon alone with Jordan.
Kelly’s foot went down harder on the accelerator. So Maggie had seen Jordan after she had left him? Strange that she had never mentioned the meeting. Maybe she just hadn’t wanted to upset her.
Maggie had been her friend since schooldays, the daughter of a rich American cattle baron and his English wife, and she had been sent to England for her education. Maggie had found England more to her liking, hating her father’s ranch and all the hard work that went with it. Apparently her father had been hoping for a boy, and when it was found his wife could have no more children he had brought Maggie up to follow in his footsteps, insisting she learn the workings of the ranch from the bottom up. Maggie had stuck it for a year before coming back to England and staying. Unlike Kelly she had never married, although she never lacked for partners.
Jordan had taken an instant dislike to the other girl, claiming she was far too free and easy with her favours. He refused to meet Maggie socially, and if Kelly had wanted to see her friend she had always had to meet her at a restaurant or at Maggie’s flat. That Maggie disliked Jordan too she didn’t even try to hide, and Kelly had found their animosity disturbing.
When she called Maggie the other girl was luckily able to take time out from her freelance fashion designing to meet Kelly for afternoon tea. They hadn’t seen each other for months, and Kelly’s mood lightened as soon as she saw the vivaceous Maggie enter the restaurant. Auburn hair, feathered into curling tendrils down her back, deep brown eyes fringed by dark lashes, a snub nose sprinkled lightly with freckles, her mouth wide and smiling, Maggie was one of the most naturally beautiful women Kelly had ever seen. She wore her self-designed clothes with a grace that drew attention to their flamboyant lines. At the moment she had on a tiered dress in blue and purple, the bodice very tight, but suiting her tiny bust. She had the model’s perfect figure, and Kelly had often envied her her tall lissom body and slender curves.
‘Kelly!’ Maggie launched herself into her arms, finally moving back to hold her at arm’s length. ‘My, you’re looking well!’
Kelly smiled back at her. ‘So are you.’
‘I heard about your father,’ Maggie sobered. ‘But I only got back from the States yesterday, and when I called the house they refused to tell me where you were. I’m so glad you called this afternoon or I might have had to go to the police.’
Kelly bit her lip. ‘There’s a reas
on for the secrecy.’
Maggie’s brown gaze sharpened. ‘Do tell! It sounds as if it might be interesting.’
The whole story came out, haltingly at first, and then in a rush. ‘So now we just have to wait,’ she finished with a sigh.
‘And in the meantime you’re having to live with Jordan?’ Maggie sounded scandalised.
Kelly laughed at her expression. ‘He is still my husband, Maggie,’ she smiled.
‘You mean you and he—that you—you’re back, together?’ Maggie wrinkled her nose in disgust.
‘No!’ Kelly’s voice was sharp. ‘No, I don’t mean that. I was just pointing out that there’s no legal reason why we shouldn’t be living together.’
‘I don’t suppose the legalities of it would have bothered Jordan, anyway.’
‘I don’t suppose they would.’ Jordan had always been a law unto himself.
‘He probably wouldn’t even have got married if he could have got you any other way.’
‘Maggie!’ Kelly gasped.
‘Well, would he?’
‘I don’t know, maybe not,’ she accepted dully.
‘You always were naïve, Kelly.’ Maggie helped herself to one of the delicately cut sandwiches they had ordered with their tea, biting into it hungrily. Maggie was always hungry, was one of those people who could eat and eat and not put on a pound. ‘Now, me, I would have just slept with him and saved myself all that heartache.’
‘At the time I didn’t realise there would be all that heartache.’ Kelly ignored the sandwiches and cakes, just sipping her tea.
‘Jordan isn’t the sort of man for the “happy ever after” scene,’ Maggie scorned. ‘He likes a brief affair, and then it’s over.’
Kelly bristled with indignation, for once Maggie’s condemnation of Jordan irritating her. ‘Considering you don’t even like my husband you profess to know a lot about him,’ she snapped.
‘Oh dear,’ Maggie drawled, sounding very American in that moment. ‘Have I roused the slumbering tiger?’
‘What do you mean?’ Kelly asked curtly.
‘I always remember at school,’ Maggie helped herself to another sandwich, ‘it took a lot to make you angry, you were always such a quiet little thing, and yet when your temper did go you usually roared, as you’re doing now.’