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  Freya snuggled down. ‘I promise—and you must promise not to say you hate your mummy, either, Lily…’

  Lily smiled. ‘Yes, I promise not to say that ever again,’ she said truthfully. Because who could ever know just what it had cost her mother to part with her two small babies? Her life must have been full of contradictions and problems—things that, still only in her teens, she had been unable to deal with. ‘So—we don’t hate anyone, do we, Freya?’ she said.

  Freya was getting drowsy, a slight smile on her cherubic lips. ‘No. We don’t hate anyone, Lily,’ she said. ‘Not our daddies and mummies, anyway.’

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  AS LILY stepped into her dress on the final Friday evening of their holiday, she found it hard to believe that they had only been away for two weeks. To her, it seemed so much longer than that…She and Theo and the children had covered so much ground, being together for practically the whole time, with each day providing yet more insight into their lives. It had been a wonderful time for all of them, with only two damp mornings to contend with. And apart from a few minor quarrels between the children, not to mention the toe incident, there had been nothing to spoil what had been, for Lily, the best two weeks of her life.

  She sighed briefly, staring at herself in the mirror for a second and meeting her own frank gaze. A dreadful feeling of finality swept over her. Time was running out for her, and much worse was knowing that soon the children were going to have to get used to another person looking after them. Although she’d said to Freya during their very revealing talk the other night that she might stay on for a while, Lily knew that it would only prolong the agony if she did. It was time, she thought, to move on—to find the elusive ‘something’ that would give her fulfilment, help her to reach the goal in life that she hadn’t yet put a name to.

  Thanks to her lightly suntanned skin, there was hardly any need for her to wear much make-up, but she did brush a little colour on to her cheeks and lips, patting her hair into place for a final time. She’d decided at the last minute not to leave it loose, but to wind it up into a knot on top, letting one or two wavy strands escape around her face. Then, last of all, she massaged some of her precious perfume into her neck and behind her ears.

  It was already gone nine when Theo tapped lightly on her door, and when she opened it her mouth dried. He seemed even taller tonight, as he stood there in the dimly lit corridor, his shoulders broader in the expensive, immaculate evening suit he was wearing, his hair dark and glossy, enhancing the strong forehead, the penetrating, searching eyes as he looked down at her.

  In one brief moment he took in her appearance, too. To him, she resembled a dainty fairy princess…she only needed a tinselled wand in her hand! He cleared his throat.

  ‘That’s a very nice dress, Lily,’ he said rather formally, as she locked her door.

  ‘Is it OK…? Will it do?’ she asked innocently.

  He smiled briefly. ‘It will do very well,’ he said.

  As they went towards the lift they met the nanny who kept constant watch on their floor when parents were absent, and she smiled across at them as they passed.

  ‘Have a good evening,’ she said pleasantly.

  ‘You won’t hear a thing from our three,’ Theo said easily. ‘I almost had to wake them up to get them ready for bed.’

  As they entered the dining room Lily’s breath was almost taken away. It had been transformed, with small tables now surrounding a space in the centre from where the carpet had been rolled away. And practically the only lighting in the room was provided by numerous flickering candles.

  ‘Goodness—doesn’t it look…beautiful?’ Lily said, as they stood for a moment waiting to be seated.

  In another time in his life Theo might have replied, As beautiful as you. Instead, he said, ‘Barry has a very shrewd idea of the theatrical—this is supposed to be a treat for busy parents, perhaps to take them back to earlier, more romantic times.’ He paused. ‘Barry likes this to be a memorable last evening for everyone.’

  A waiter appeared then, and they were shown to a table just a little way behind the ones nearest the centre of the room. Almost at once the band began taking up position, briefly tuning their instruments, and Lily looked across at Theo.

  ‘I suppose people dance?’ she asked, nodding towards the polished oak floor.

  ‘Some do,’ he said casually. ‘If they want to.’

  Lily picked up the menu which the waiter had just given her, feeling relieved. There was obviously no obligation to join the dancers, she thought, which was just as well because she didn’t have a clue. She’d never danced with anyone in her life. But she wondered about Theo. She looked at him quickly over the top of her menu. He would be very stylish, elegant—and was no doubt competent in any arena. She imagined him gliding effortlessly around the dance floor, with Elspeth held protectively in his arms.

  Lily’s eyes misted for a second. They’d have been the most glamorous couple in the room, she thought. How he must miss her. Especially on this particular evening. Instead of his wife being here he had to put up with the children’s nanny instead, and, stupidly, Lily wished she could, just for a short while, magic herself into someone else.

  But if Theo was feeling nostalgic he certainly didn’t show it as he looked across at her over the candlelight, his eyes glistening. ‘Have you chosen what you’d like, Lily?’ he asked, forcing her gaze to remain locked in his. He paused. ‘You know, I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’ll be something of a pleasure not to have to make up my own mind every evening next week. It’ll be good to be presented with whatever you’ve cooked for us—knowing that I’ll enjoy every bit of it.’

  Lily coloured up at his words, and returned her attention to the menu. ‘Thanks for that,’ she said lightly. ‘And I’m happy to say that I shan’t mind being back in harness again.’ She paused. ‘This has been a great holiday, Theo…Thank you so, so much for inviting me to come as well.’ She didn’t say, and for footing the bill, paying for every single thing—because that would have spoilt it.

  He didn’t answer immediately, but looked at her with such an expression in his eyes that Lily’s colour would have deepened even further if she’d noticed it. There was so much he wanted to say—so much he could say—but there were no words, and again, for the second time in his life, Theodore Montague felt helpless. Then he shrugged, a slight frown creasing his forehead, his masculinity taking over. This situation would be dealt with—he would deal with it. Experience was a good teacher, and it had shown him before that every problem became solved eventually, one way or another. It would be no different this time.

  ‘By the way, I must say again that I was impressed at how you sorted Freya and her toe out,’ he said casually. ‘Have you had nursing experience, Lily—or first aid?’

  Lily smiled at that. ‘No—’fraid not. I suppose my reaction to the situation came out of long experience of having to look out for myself—to keep on my toes and not to get fazed under pressure, that’s all.’

  That was something of an exaggeration, she thought, because she often did get fazed. The trick was in not letting it show.

  Once the band were ready, the music started playing at just the right level of sound, making sure that the diners could communicate without having to shout at each other, and once again the menu was varied, the food perfectly cooked.

  ‘That pheasant was superb,’ Lily said appreciatively as she put down her knife and fork. ‘It can be a tricky beast to get right, but the chef has managed to pull it off—as usual.’

  Theo nodded. ‘I shouldn’t think that Barry has many complaints,’ he said.

  Lily shook her head. ‘You’d be surprised. You can bend over backwards to please everyone, and sometimes there are still those who nit-pick. I’ve known one or two in my time,’ she added. ‘But it’s an occupational hazard we were taught to accept.’

  As soon as the main course had been eaten, one or two couples began to take to the floor. The music was simple,
rhythmically, and, studying them as they moved, Lily observed that there didn’t seem to be any particular pattern to the steps. It seemed more or less a question of moving from one foot to the other, keeping time with the music. If she was really forced to, she thought, she could probably join in with that without falling over or making a fool of herself.

  Suddenly Theo leaned forward, his elbows on the table, and Lily turned her attention away from the dancers for a moment.

  ‘Tonight I feel as though all my birthdays have come at once, Lily,’ he murmured, and Lily’s heart jumped in her chest. He was clearly going to say something important, she knew that at once, but what was it? And could she deal with it?

  ‘Oh?’ she said uncertainly. ‘Why?’

  He waited for a moment before going on. Then, ‘Because I’ve got my little daughter back at last,’ he said simply. ‘And it’s completely blown me away.’ He reached for his glass of wine. ‘I’d got them all into their pyjamas tonight—Tom was actually already asleep, and Alex was cleaning his teeth in the bathroom—and I was sitting out on the balcony for a moment.’ He paused. ‘Freya came up to me and climbed onto my lap. She put her arms around my neck…and told me that she loved me.’ He drank quickly from his glass. ‘She has not got that close to me, nor uttered those words, since Elspeth died. I…I…feel as if a huge shadow has been moved away, letting in the light again.’

  Lily found it hard to speak for a moment. So Freya had taken everything she’d said the other night to heart, and had begun to understand her father. Involuntarily Lily reached out and touched Theo’s hand, and he immediately responded, curling her fingers in his.

  ‘It was only a matter of time, Theo,’ she said gently. ‘Children, especially little girls, feel things more deeply than anyone realises. Of course she loves you. She’s never stopped loving you.’

  ‘I was getting a bit worried,’ he confessed, not letting Lily’s hand go. ‘And—to make it even better—she’s asked to give up on boarding at school. She wants to come home each night, as she used to do. Which pleases me more than I can say. Now we’ll be complete again…Well, not quite…’ he added quickly. ‘But you know what I mean.’

  Lily felt a huge wave of emotion well up inside her. It was almost too good to be true, she thought, but the expression on Theo’s face said it all. Freya had come back to him.

  Just then their waiter brought the dessert menu, and they were both glad to concentrate on that for a moment—to distance themselves from the briefly charged atmosphere. After they’d placed their order, Theo leaned forward again.

  ‘I have to say, Lily, that I feel your hand in this—in Freya’s turnaround—’ he began, but she cut in.

  ‘Oh, I doubt it, Theo. Don’t forget we’ve all had a super holiday. Everyone’s relaxed and…’

  ‘No, it’s more than that,’ he said. ‘That couldn’t account for it. I’ve made sure that the children have had good times, plenty of diversions since they’ve been without their mother. But it’s only since you’ve been with us that I’ve seen a distinct change in Freya. And tonight my daughter confirmed what I’ve been hoping for for so long.’

  Listening to his words, Lily felt that all her birthdays had come at once, too. It was so touching to see Theo’s relief—and if she had been responsible for somehow bringing that about then she could only be glad. Theo was a good man—a loving, caring, generous father, who deserved to be loved totally in return. It must have been agonising for him to feel rejected by the daughter he clearly worshipped.

  ‘Well,’ she said brightly, determined not to let any residual sadness cloud the evening, ‘that puts the icing on the cake, doesn’t it? We won’t ask for another thing!’

  Suddenly, slowly, he got to his feet and came over to stand beside her. She looked up at him, her eyebrows raised slightly.

  ‘May I have the pleasure of this dance, Lily?’ he said, and she answered quickly.

  ‘I don’t know how to…I’ve never danced with anyone before…’ she began.

  The thought of a man holding her close had always filled her with dread, but Theo took her by the arm gently, raising her to her feet.

  ‘There’s really nothing to it, Lily,’ he said quietly. ‘I’ll show you.’

  He led her onto the floor—which was by now crowded, with practically everyone in the room joining in.

  ‘Just let your body move with mine, with the rhythm,’ he said softly.

  And Lily found that it was a lot easier than she could ever have imagined, with Theo’s strong arm around her waist, his hand holding hers firmly. Amazingly, her dreaded horror of feeling a masculine form melding with hers had evaporated, and what she was feeling at that moment was not only acceptable, but terrifyingly attractive and desirable. And as he eased her more closely to him, so that she could feel the warmth of his body penetrate the fine fabric of her dress, Lily felt an exciting tremor ripple through her, making her momentarily literally weak at the knees.

  The dance, such as it was, demanded nothing more than to keep time with the beat, and as they swayed together, neither speaking, Lily smiled faintly to herself. This was her very first experience of being with a man in this situation, and she knew that it would never happen again. This was a one-off, and for these precious few minutes Lily felt herself transported to some undreamed-of world—a world far away from anything to do with her.

  When the music stopped no one moved back to their tables. Almost at once it began again, and the dancing continued. Lily could just feel the touch of Theo’s chin resting on the top of her head as they swayed together, and the slight, intimate sensation she felt set her emotions rocketing again, sent the blood coursing through her veins at breakneck speed.

  After a while they returned to their table, just as the waiter was bringing their coffee, and Theo leaned towards Lily again.

  ‘Of course,’ he said, his tone serious, ‘there’s another very plausible explanation for my daughter’s change of heart.’

  ‘Oh?’ Lily stirred sugar into her coffee, glancing up at him.

  ‘Yes, I wonder—have been wondering—could it possibly be Jasmine weaving her magic again?’

  Lily was nearly caught off guard at that. Oh, no! she thought. How embarrassing! Those fairy stories of hers were not meant for adult ears! She clicked her tongue. ‘What have the children been telling you?’ she said.

  ‘Well, I’ve had all the stories you’ve told faithfully recounted,’ he said, ‘and I know that when your Eve starts to play on the swing in her garden a fairy called Jasmine suddenly appears and they have long talks. Tell each other everything. And I know that Jasmine makes wishes come true…makes frightened people brave…makes horrid people become nice people.’

  Lily covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Oh, honestly, Theo…I’m sorry if the children have been wasting your time telling you all that stuff…all that nonsense…’

  ‘It’s not nonsense, Lily,’ he said. ‘Your stories took them to a land of make-believe, made them feel happy and contented before going to sleep, made them think that wonderful things can sometimes happen.’ He paused. ‘My problem is that I was expected to go on with it—to make up some myself. I told them that those particular stories belong to you, and that you are the only one who knows what the endings are.’ He smiled. ‘I’m relieved to say that they understood that and stopped pestering me.’

  Lily shook her head briefly. ‘I’m sorry—I’m afraid it’s a legacy from my own childhood,’ she said. ‘I used to get myself to sleep at night by pretending that there were knights in shining armour to rescue me, or animals who could lead me out of danger in a dark wood…stuff like that.’ She made a face. ‘And I take full responsibility for Freya letting herself out into the garden that night,’ she went on seriously. ‘That had to be my fault.’

  He shrugged. ‘She was perfectly safe,’ he said. ‘The only harm done was to poor Bea, who got a bit worried. But it was short-lived.’

  He held her gaze for a moment, and that slow, slightly c
rooked smile played around the elegant mouth. ‘Actually,’ he said, ‘I’d very much appreciate it if you would tell me a story, Lily…You know, one with a happy ending.’ He leaned towards her again. ‘D’you think that if I wished really hard Jasmine would wave her magic wand in my direction?’

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  ‘WHEN are you going to be cooking all this food, Lily?’ Freya asked, as the three children helped her to lift the supermarket bags into the boot of the car.

  ‘Oh—I’ll be preparing most of it tomorrow, I expect,’ Lily said, ‘and the rest on Sunday morning.’

  ‘Are we going to have some of it, too?’ Alex asked. ‘Or is it just for Daddy’s friends?’

  ‘Of course you’ll have some, too!’ Lily exclaimed. ‘We’ll have ours in the kitchen—but you can help me lay the table in the dining room for Daddy and his guests.’

  They had been back from their holiday for almost two weeks, and the next day Oliver and his girlfriend were due to visit. Although Lily was not looking forward to seeing the man again, she was determined that the meal she presented for their Sunday lunch would be special. In fact, she was looking forward to thinking it out and preparing it. For Theo’s sake.

  Since their return life had very quickly returned to normal, with Theo absorbed in his work and Lily automatically reverting to employee mode. Even though life was good, with the children quite content to be back home, the easy familiarity of those sun-filled days between her and Theo had sort of eroded. It was as if a switch had been thrown, bringing them back down to earth.

  She had thought so much about their time away, and Lily was honest enough to admit that one of the high points had been that last Friday evening. As she and Theo had danced together she’d felt so blissfully content, so cherished, so protected—she’d wished they could have stayed there like that for ever. It had been an incredible sensation which she had never expected would ever enter her life. And she’d been conscious that when they’d returned to their table he had been as briefly subdued as she was—as if something precious had been theirs for those few moments, only to slip away, like quicksilver, just out of reach.