entreaties from back home to return to London and take over at the helm of the family’s businesses. His father’s health was good. There was no reason for him to give up the reins at Harcourt & Sons, and William would never have been content as second fiddle.
In fact, he was more than content right here, in an odd little stone farmhouse with few amenities. His basic needs were being met, which didn’t seem nearlyas important as the fact that his heart was overflowing with unexpected joy. He’d tried to explain that to his father over the phone just the week before.
“You must know,” he told his father. “You and Mother have been together for years. Surely you understand what it’s like to wake up each morning with the one person you were meant to spend the rest of your life with.”
His father’s dry bark of laughter had surprised him. “Is that what you think? Your mother and I are together because we were a suitable match. It’s worked out well enough and it resulted in you, but if you’re caught up in some crazy idea that there’s romance involved, you’re wrong. Harcourts are driven by duty, not impulse.”
William had been shocked and more than a little dismayed. “If that’s so, then I’m sorry for you both,” he’d told his father. “But I can’t live that way.”
“I’ll cut you off,” his father had threatened.
“Do whatever you feel is necessary,” William told him. “I’ll manage.”
“How? Will you live on this woman’s charity?”
“Absolutely not,” William replied fiercely. “I’m not without contacts and resources of my own.”
“Then I suggest you make use of them,” his father had declared bitterly, clearly infuriated with William’s refusal to comply with his wishes. It was a power struggle they’d been engaged in for years.
“You’ll not get another tuppence from me,” he warned.
“As you wish,” William said quietly.
Despite his calm tone, William had been shakingwith outrage when he’d hung up. He’d turned and found Destiny watching him, worry etched on her brow.
“Oh, William, you can’t cut yourself off from your family like that,” she said sorrowfully. “It’s wrong. I won’t be responsible for it.”
“You’ve cut yourself off from your family,” he reminded her.
“Not like that. Not forever.”
“Darling, don’t worry. We’ll mend fences eventually,” he assured her. “It’s not the first time we’ve fought. Nor is it likely to be the last. For a stuffy pair, Father and I can be quite volatile from time to time.” He changed the subject, refusing to dwell on the bitter exchange. “Now, what shall we do to celebrate your birthday? Do you want a party? A trip to Paris?”
“I don’t need anything,” Destiny said.
William frowned at her. “Is that because you think you’ve just cost me all my money?”
“Well, haven’t I?”
“Hardly. But even if you had, I’d find a way to make your birthday special.”
“But I really don’t need anything,” she repeated. “Just you.”
“That you have, always,” he promised her.
She smiled at him, but there was no mistaking the worry shadowing her eyes. She was afraid for him, afraid of the price he was paying to be with her. He could see that she feared one day he’d wind up resenting her, but that would never happen, not when she was the best thing to ever come into his life.
That afternoon, when the hot summer sun was beating down and Destiny was napping in the shade in the garden, he slipped into town and used the phone attheir favorite restaurant to make arrangements for a surprise party the following night. Nearly everyone in the small village was invited, invitations spreading by word of mouth after those first few strategic calls.
When he’d made all the arrangements, he went shopping for something that would prove to Destiny how much he loved her. It wasn’t easy finding something in such a small town, but it seemed everyone he spoke with had a
In fact, he was more than content right here, in an odd little stone farmhouse with few amenities. His basic needs were being met, which didn’t seem nearlyas important as the fact that his heart was overflowing with unexpected joy. He’d tried to explain that to his father over the phone just the week before.
“You must know,” he told his father. “You and Mother have been together for years. Surely you understand what it’s like to wake up each morning with the one person you were meant to spend the rest of your life with.”
His father’s dry bark of laughter had surprised him. “Is that what you think? Your mother and I are together because we were a suitable match. It’s worked out well enough and it resulted in you, but if you’re caught up in some crazy idea that there’s romance involved, you’re wrong. Harcourts are driven by duty, not impulse.”
William had been shocked and more than a little dismayed. “If that’s so, then I’m sorry for you both,” he’d told his father. “But I can’t live that way.”
“I’ll cut you off,” his father had threatened.
“Do whatever you feel is necessary,” William told him. “I’ll manage.”
“How? Will you live on this woman’s charity?”
“Absolutely not,” William replied fiercely. “I’m not without contacts and resources of my own.”
“Then I suggest you make use of them,” his father had declared bitterly, clearly infuriated with William’s refusal to comply with his wishes. It was a power struggle they’d been engaged in for years.
“You’ll not get another tuppence from me,” he warned.
“As you wish,” William said quietly.
Despite his calm tone, William had been shakingwith outrage when he’d hung up. He’d turned and found Destiny watching him, worry etched on her brow.
“Oh, William, you can’t cut yourself off from your family like that,” she said sorrowfully. “It’s wrong. I won’t be responsible for it.”
“You’ve cut yourself off from your family,” he reminded her.
“Not like that. Not forever.”
“Darling, don’t worry. We’ll mend fences eventually,” he assured her. “It’s not the first time we’ve fought. Nor is it likely to be the last. For a stuffy pair, Father and I can be quite volatile from time to time.” He changed the subject, refusing to dwell on the bitter exchange. “Now, what shall we do to celebrate your birthday? Do you want a party? A trip to Paris?”
“I don’t need anything,” Destiny said.
William frowned at her. “Is that because you think you’ve just cost me all my money?”
“Well, haven’t I?”
“Hardly. But even if you had, I’d find a way to make your birthday special.”
“But I really don’t need anything,” she repeated. “Just you.”
“That you have, always,” he promised her.
She smiled at him, but there was no mistaking the worry shadowing her eyes. She was afraid for him, afraid of the price he was paying to be with her. He could see that she feared one day he’d wind up resenting her, but that would never happen, not when she was the best thing to ever come into his life.
That afternoon, when the hot summer sun was beating down and Destiny was napping in the shade in the garden, he slipped into town and used the phone attheir favorite restaurant to make arrangements for a surprise party the following night. Nearly everyone in the small village was invited, invitations spreading by word of mouth after those first few strategic calls.
When he’d made all the arrangements, he went shopping for something that would prove to Destiny how much he loved her. It wasn’t easy finding something in such a small town, but it seemed everyone he spoke with had a
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