'A sort of house-sitter. Where are you off to next, Luke?'
The woman was either totally dense or wilfully blind, and obviously besotted with Luke. The insults delivered in the exquisitely modulated tone were making Emily want to scream. What sort of woman accepted that a man she was obviously laying claim to took another woman to bed? 'It's terribly good of you to clean for Luke,' Emily said quietly. 'The cottage was in excellent order.' Two could play that game! With pleasure she saw the older woman stiffen. The steady throb of acid jealousy was making her dizzy.
'I was led to believe he can't bear distractions while he's working in Scotland,' the blonde said, her tone sharp. But when she looked towards Luke there was only blatant adoration. It made Emily feel sick. She felt totally excluded, which had no doubt been the object of the exercise. Beth obviously regarded Luke as her property north of the border. Emily's presence in the cottage had gone down very badly.
'Emily's been helping with the typing.'
'That's me, general girl Friday and all-round good sport,' she agreed with a brisk and good-natured smile. The look she flashed Luke promised reprisal for this categorising as the hired menial. Never do to upset the girlfriend, would it? The bland smile it was received with made her even white teeth grate and her jaw ache with the effort to maintain her own vacuous grin.
'I could have arranged that for you, Luke.'
'But you do so much for me, sweetheart,' Luke drawled. He gave a laconic smile and sent Emily a challenging look. 'I couldn't impose, darling.'
That'll be a first, Emily thought, suppressing the childish interruption that sprang to her lips. The casual endearment was murmured with a smug relish. If they think I'm going to depart tactfully, she thought furiously, reading several chapters between the lines, they can think again. The attraction of the north of Scotland was suddenly a great deal clearer. She cursed herself for a fool for not realising Luke would always have a female at hand wherever he went. 'That's Luke for you—all sweet consideration and old-world charm. The ultimate Boy Scout.'
'Anything you can't handle, Miss Stapely?'
Emily was aware of Luke's narrow-eyed scrutiny as the challenge was issued. 'Call me Emily, please, Beth.' Simpering didn't come easily but she imagined her present expression came as near as she'd ever get. If Luke thinks I'm going to brawl for his favours he can live with disappointment, she thought, feeling no urge to emulate the other woman's blatant tactics. 'Actually, there's the small matter of a wedding tomorrow; if you'd substitute I'd be eternally grateful.' And let 'call me Beth' make of that what she likes, she thought viciously. This tall, elegant woman symbolised every other predictably gorgeous woman she'd ever seen Luke with, and as such didn't inspire warmth and friendliness in her breast. I hope he has one hell of a job smoothing this one over, she asserted silently.
Beth went rigid, the classically perfect face white, her eyes seeking Luke, waiting for him to disprove this claim.
'Wait in the bedroom, Emily.'
Emily had already interpreted the signals the older woman was broadcasting. Fear… She felt a strange empathy. Wasn't this how she felt too? She suddenly felt ashamed of enjoying the pain she'd inflicted. But at Luke's terse command she stiffened.
Silently, head held high, she left them. She stood behind the door, her heart pounding. This was the way it would be. Luke had no intention of altering his lifestyle; he might even bring his women here, as if she didn't exist. He had actually dismissed her! The door hadn't closed properly and voices began to make themselves clear above the thunderous roar of her own blood pounding in her ears.
'You're not taking advantage of this child, are you, Luke?'
'I'm marrying Emily, Beth.'
'I understand, Luke. You've been so patient with me.' The throb of emotion made the cultured voice sound less brittle. Emily held her breath, straining to catch each word.
'Patience doesn't enter into it, Beth.'
'I'd never have survived without you after Martin died. I was so angry with him for…daring to leave me.'
'Perfectly natural…'
'It took a long time for me to grieve properly.' Again the throb of emotion, the vulnerability she was allowing Luke to see, made Emily want to cry out in protest.
'You've got to look to the future, Beth, and stop feeling guilty for a normal reaction. You have everything to look forward to.'
'I took off the ring, did you notice?' The woman's voice was breathless, excited.
'I noticed and I'm happy for you, Beth.'
'For us, Luke. Don't you see, we can build a life together? I've buried Martin at last; I can build a new future. I blame myself that you've turned to this child.'
The silence went on for an eloquent eternity. Emily closed the door carefully with a soft click.
By the time Luke returned, Emily already had a small bag packed. She felt cold, composed, and just a little dead.