Chapter Four

Jane was still so dazzling it was hard to look away.

With an outstanding record, she'd won a full scholarship to Harvard and become a student top professors fought over. When she walked across campus toward us with a smile, I saw it clearly: Richard's eyes locked on her instantly.

"Richard, it's been a long time." She held out her hand, easy and gracious.

All the youthful recklessness and bad feelings seemed to vanish with that one greeting. They exchanged numbers again, as friendly as if they'd never lost touch.

That day happened to be our two-year anniversary of living together.

I skipped my advisor's seminar, cooked prime tomahawk steaks at home, and even put together a video of our two years. Before Richard went out, he promised he'd come home early.

Three hours later, what I got was a call from Jane, on his phone.

"Richard's had too much to drink. Can you come get him?" There was a faint note of ownership in her voice.

I was quiet for a moment, then put on my coat and went out anyway. That night, he passed out on the sofa and missed our anniversary entirely.

Then came my birthday.

It was snowing hard outside. Jane texted to say a homeless man was following her down a street across town. Richard didn't even get his coat on properly before he grabbed his car keys and ran out. He didn't even stop to tell me where he was going.

The front door slammed shut in my face.

My phone lit up. A text from Jane: Back then, you set me up to turn him down on purpose, didn't you? Too bad. People who are meant to be together always find their way back.

Looking at that cheap provocation, I couldn't help laughing out loud.

She had no idea I'd been ready to walk away for a long time. Richard wanted to stay in America for love, but I didn't. A top political lobbying firm in Westminster had already made me an offer. Once I took the job, I'd be starting further up the ladder than my father had gotten in a lifetime of being a butler.

But if I still carried the title of his girlfriend, going home alone wouldn't exactly be proper.

Jane soon sent me the location of her apartment. I didn't really want to spoil their evening, but then I remembered Lady Cavendish's warning: Richard could play around all he liked, but there could never be an illegitimate child. If you take someone's money, you have to provide the after-sales service.

I dug out the half-empty box of ultra-thin Durex from the drawer and took a cab straight there.

Outside her building, Jane was leaning into Richard's arms, her eyes a little red. "I was so scared. Thank God you were here..."

Richard's face was tense. His movements were stiff, but there was something protective in them. He murmured to her soothingly and never noticed me standing in the shadows.

Jane caught sight of me out of the corner of her eye. She suddenly gasped, and her legs seemed to give out. Richard didn't hesitate for a second. He swept her up in his arms and strode into the elevator.

I stood in the cold wind for five minutes. Once every last feeling was back to zero, I rang the bell.

Richard opened the door, as comfortable as if he were the man of the house. Jane sat on the sofa with one pale ankle propped on the coffee table and a first-aid kit beside her.

When he saw me, Richard frowned slightly, clearly unhappy I'd shown up uninvited.

I didn't waste words. I pressed the sleek little box into his hand.

"Don't forget to use these." I even raised an eyebrow at him. "Have a lovely evening, you two."