Page 18 of Mayfair Madame (Mayfair Heights #1)

Chapter Sixteen

Naomi

M y Monday meeting with Melinda had been fraught with tension. Yesterday’s conversation hung heavily like a wet woollen blanket.

I didn’t want to talk about it anymore, but Melinda had other ideas.

“Look, about what I said.” She refused to meet my eyes as she wrung her hands.

“Can we drop it? I know you were well-intentioned, but I know what I’m doing, Melinda. I’m not some young, naive girl who doesn’t have a clue. Ellie and I, we’re working things out. We had a great day out yesterday, and I don’t want to ruin anything, not with you or her.”

“I just think…” I really didn’t want to lose my patience with her, but she was plucking every nerve right now.

“Melinda, drop it, please.” What was her problem? She’d never been like this, so why now?

Sure, Ellie was like no one I’d been with before or paid attention to, but it was no concern of Melinda’s who I dated.

“Consider it dropped. I’ll make us some coffee.” She stood abruptly, teetering on her heels.

“That would be good, and, Melinda, let’s put this behind us. We have lots to discuss.”

I’d never seen her this agitated and knew at some point we’d be addressing this again, but we had more pressing matters to talk about.

Rupert had called me late last night, excitement lacing his voice. I could barely understand him as he spoke so quickly.

“I’m assuming this is good news.”

“Most definitely. I’ll be returning in a couple of days from Paris. Let’s meet up then. I have news I can’t wait to tell you. I’ll call you on Thursday, anyway. What sort of friend would I be if I forgot your birthday?”

“You never forget, and I can’t wait to see you again. Enjoy Paris.”

Melinda returned, calmer than when she’d left the room. I didn’t want to argue with her. She was too good a friend for that, but there had to be something she wasn’t telling me.

“So, what are we doing today?” I sipped my coffee and savoured the flavour.

“Not much going on this week, although Oscar mentioned something about Marco on Saturday evening that concerned me. I wonder if we shouldn’t speak to him.

I know his private life is none of our concern, but—” She picked up her cup, realisation dawning that no one’s relationship was anyone’s business but their own.

I shrugged it off. Oscar had intimated as much to me, and while we didn’t interfere, Sam and Julian were our friends, and I wouldn’t have him putting their marriage at risk over some infatuation.

“I’ll speak to him. Find out what’s going on. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Marco was one of my most popular escorts. I knew he offered extras, and that was his choice, but when it came to my friends, I would get involved.

He knew my stance on cheating.

We covered a few other items. Jeffrey had called with details of the party. It was a couple of weeks away and thankfully wouldn’t be a late one. I knew to dress demurely and Oscar would find me the perfect gown, as usual.

We were about to cover the weekend when the phone rang.

I frowned at the caller. Why would Josh be ringing me?

“Hi, this is Naomi.” But all I heard was heavy breathing. What the fuck?

Finally, he spoke. “It’s Ellie. She’s on her way to the hospital. I thought you should know. I’m on my way there now.”

“What? Which one? I’m coming.” I rushed to the bedroom, phone at my ear, and grabbed my shoes. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can.”

Melinda handed me my bag without a word. The panic in my voice must have told her something was wrong.

“Ellie’s in hospital.” I hugged her quickly. “I’ll be back as soon as I can and let you know what’s happening. You’ll have to deal with anything that crops up. I’m on my mobile if you need me.”

I left her by the door, her mouth open. She’d said nothing, but then I’d not given her much chance.

The lift seemed to take forever, but within a few minutes, I was in a taxi, speeding as fast as we could to the hospital.

That had been two days ago, and now, sitting on her bed, clasping her hand, I could finally breathe.

Had the doctors here not been as efficient, I’d have brought in my own for a second opinion, but she was recovering well.

When I’d arrived, she’d been pale, her lips blue against the white of her face.

Colour had finally returned, but her sunken eyes and gaunt face told me all I needed to know about how ill she’d been.

And now she nibbled at the toast I’d brought to her.

“So,” I said, “the doctors say you should stay off work for a week at least. They want to run more tests to make sure you’re free of the infection. Will you be okay at home?”

I knew she had no one around, and I was more than happy to offer Mayfair Heights as a place for her to recuperate, but it needed to be her decision.

“I don’t know. I guess so.” She sighed and lay back, her toast forgotten. “I could ask my mum or sister to come down, but they’d need to sleep on the sofa.”

“You could always stay with me. I have plenty of space.”

“I couldn’t. You’ve already been too kind staying here. You didn’t need to.”

I didn’t, no, but there was no way I’d leave her here on her own. Josh’s call had freaked me out.

I’d barely kept down the coffee I’d drunk. My stomach had been so upset with worry. Until I’d seen her with my own eyes and confirmed she was still alive, a feeling of dread had plagued me.

Melinda thought it was too soon, but surely, this proved Ellie meant more to me than a casual acquaintance.

“Do you have food in your flat? And are you able to cook it?”

I knew her answer from the look of embarrassment on her face. Fuck, no. I didn’t want her feeling that.

“Look, at least come stay with me for the first few days and then see how you’re getting on.”

She nodded. “Okay. You win this time.” She fussed with the toast on her plate, and as much as I wanted to see her eat, she needed her rest.

“Get some sleep. I’ll be right here.”

She closed her eyes, a small smile on her face. How had we got here? I still couldn’t believe how quickly I’d fallen for her. She was so faraway from who I’d normally choose to be with.

But she’d got under my skin and I hers, if I was reading the signs right.

I sat back in the chair and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept.

“Stay with me, Ellie,” I whispered. “Show me what it’s like to beloved, and I promise I’ll do the same.”

“One more step and you’re there.”

Ellie collapsed on the sofa, completely out of breath. Today was Thursday. My birthday and Ellie’s release day from the hospital.

I’d cancelled all my plans for the next few days, intent on caring for Ellie until she was strong enough to do it herself.

The infection had taken more out of her than she’d cared to admit, sapping her strength, and because of that, the doctors had kept her in an extra day.

But now she was here. The clothes I’d picked for her hung loosely on her body. She’d lost quite a few pounds.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Something to eat?”

“I’m fine. Again, you’ve done enough.”

I removed her shoes and helped her to lie on the sofa. The heatwave we’d been having had subsided, and rain lashed the windows. I covered her with a light blanket.

Yes, I was coddling her, but it was in my nature to care for people, and Ellie wouldn’t be down for long. She was strong-willed and had a tenacity about her I admired. It was that quality that had put her in this predicament.

“Well, you rest. I’ve a few calls to make and hopefully a situation to resolve.”

“Thank you, Naomi, for this. I could have managed at home.”

We both knew that was a lie. I’d seen her place. It wasn’t in the best part of the city, and I honestly thought she’d not long moved in. Unpacked boxes with books, clothes, kitchen utensils, some still wrapped in bubble wrap,littered the main room.

My intention was to help get it looking something like when she was back on her feet, of course.

“You’re here now and recovering. That’s what matters, not where you’re doing it.”

“Definitely better surroundings. I wouldn’t mind living somewhere like this, but I can’t afford it on my salary.” She chuckled and closed her eyes.

It had surprised the doctors how long it had taken for her to recover. How had she remained unconscious for two whole days? It had been an infection, nothing more, but it showed we never knew how each person would react.

She was on the mend, and that was all I cared about.

“Don’t forget your medication.”

She mumbled something. It could have been ‘yes, Mum.’ I wasn’t sure.

I left her to sleep and went to my office. I’d had a missed call from Rupert, no doubt wishing me a happy birthday, and I smiled at the thought.He was such a sweet man, one of the nicest I’d ever known.

I called him back.

“Happy birthday, my dearest. How’s your day going?” he said

“I’m sorry I missed your call earlier. I was at the hospital.”

“Nothing serious, I hope.”

“No, I was bringing a friend home. She’s recuperating. Took a dip in the Serpentine and picked up some kind of infection. Thankfully, she’s doing well. I’m taking a few days to make sure she’s well before she goes home.”

“I see.”

What the fuck did that mean? I see.

“Is that all you have to say?” I knew he had more. He wouldn’t be Rupert if he didn’t.

“Bringing a friend home. Taking days off. I’ve known you for how long, and I’ve never once known you to do that. How good is this friend?”

He was a wily old man, but I wasn’t about to lie to him.

“She’s a friend I’d like to know more about. I’d like to have more with her.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Fuck, Rupert. Say something else.”

“Your actions speak volumes, more than your words ever could. I can hear the softness in your voice. Now, tell me what this lovely young lady’s name is, and when can I meet her?”

“It’s Ellie.” Her name brought a smile to my lips and warmth to my chest. “Is it too soon for love after less than two weeks? I’ve never felt this way before.”

“I loved Walter the moment I saw his handsome face. If we’d been allowed to marry when we met, we’d have done it right away.

I knew we were destined to be together, and so did he.

Take a chance, Naomi. Don’t live a life full of regret and longing.

Go for what you want. Grab life by the balls and don’t let go for any reason. ”

“Thanks, Rupert. I think I needed to hear that. I’ve been torturing myself, not understanding why I feel this way about her, yet barely knowing her.”

“Sometimes there’s a connection, a spark that draws you to each other, whether you know it. Walter and I both knew we were meant to be.Go with your gut and don’t let anyone persuade you to do anything else.”

“Yeah, Melinda has already said something about Ellie. We almost fell out, but if Ellie’s going to be in my life, she needs to accept her.”

“Wise words, Naomi. Your happiness is the most important thing. Focus on that, and I guarantee everything else will fall into place.”

Sometimes talking to Rupert helped put things into perspective. He’d lived a long and colourful life.

“I promise I will. Now, tell me what you have planned for Godfrey and Winthrop.”

For the rest of our call, he outlined his plan. It was by no means foolproof, and he might not pull it off, but if it worked, I was more than happy they’d get their just desserts.