Page 71 of Forsaking All Others

“And you know this, how?”

“She told us. She said her best friend had something she wanted. She killed her and took it. She’s completely cutthroat and definitely a worry moving forward. I’m not the only one who recognises this.”

“I see.”

As she prattles on I think of Catriona’s words in the hospital; her assertion that everyone makes mistakes, but that honour was something worth striving for. Such wisdom in a young body.

‘Wisdom borne from experience?’

“Of course,” Evelyn continues, “others see her as a threat because you seem partial toward her. But I don’t think so. I’m not bothered you carried her. You would have done that for any one of us, and clearly she’s not right for you.”

“Is that so?” I roll my eyes and keep moving.

“Oh, that’s not even in question. But let’s not talk about her. I want to know about you.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Everything. You and I are the most compatible couple. The more we know about one another, the more evident that will become.”

I sigh and begin the back and forth of listening and replying to her questions as we walk hand-in-hand along the beach and I hear all about her life and the people she loves. I answer ‘my family’ robotically when asked who the special people are in my life. But mentally I’m miles away, her accent making me think of only one person.

Someone I’d dishonoured myself with.

Someone I’m not supposed to love, not anymore.

53

I look up, frowning, from my work as I hear voices at my tent door.

I’m alone in here, Valérie having been released earlier this morning and Silke refusing to share a room with me.

So far we’d been in Australia four days, staying in what were supposedly luxuriously appointed tents, each with a deck, spa, private bathroom and unobscured ocean views. This tent, though, had been commandeered by the medical staff, and I hadn’t managed to enjoy the view or had any visitors willing to tell me what it was like outside. I had, however, managed to explore the interior thoroughly and secrete a scalpel and a vial of sleeping tablets. And I have my eye on a number of other things that might come in handy in future too. Security is very lax here.

The voices begin to get louder, and I strain to hear what’s being said.

“No, you know you can’t film in here. Mr Dott,” the Viscount says firmly. “Don’t you have enough to do with getting ready for tonight’s challenge?”

“But Catriona’s technically still part of the group date. She couldn’t attend it, so you’re visiting her.”

“This is her bedroom. You don’t film in bedrooms.”

“But, but it’s more like a hospital room…”

“Gerry, you’re irritating me more than usual. That’s not a healthy pursuit. I said no. Need I remind you that if I should marry this woman the world would have seen inside her bedchamber? That is completely unacceptable.”

“Do you think she’s the one, Viscount?” The director asks. “What about Evelyn? You seemed very close with the American during the date. Perhaps a brief interview while I have you about how you’re feeling?”

I don’t hear the bachelor’s growled response, but I can’t help smiling as I hear footsteps head away and, putting aside the small sketch book I’d been permitted due to my confinement, look up to see Jaguar enter the room alone. He’s wearing jeans, runners, and a white, long-sleeve shirt made from some kind of stretchy material — I hadn’t seen him in anything other than a suit up to now, and I’m momentarily distracted by how handsome he is.

Self-consciously I try to smooth down the tangle of curls I’m sporting, not having taken any care of my appearance for more than a week. Had I been informed he was coming I would have tried to brush my hair, even though reaching up is still painful.

Despite the twinges in my side, my mind’s now clear of the painkilling drugs I’d been on previously. The gunshot wound was clean; no organs had been damaged. And there was no debris that had to be removed from my body. The stitches are doing their job, and while my lungs will take time to recover from the drowning I’m at no risk of fever or infection now. In a day or two I should be out of here.

‘At least I’m still wearing the ribbon.’

“Hello, Catriona.”

“Viscount, no one said you were visiting.”