Roses are Red by Jasmine Hill Read Free Book Online Page B

emotional rollercoaster that had been her day had taken its toll, leaving her bone-tired. She couldn’t imagine how Rhett was going to explain away his fiancée, and quite frankly, at that moment she didn’t care. She just wanted to be left alone.
    She ushered them both out of the door and locked it behind them before making her way to the bathroom so that she could run a bath.
    The steamy atmosphere of the bathroom and the fragrant bubbles helped her to relax while she soaked in the tub. Her mind drifted to the events of the day from Rhett and Camille, to her ex-husband. What a time for James to decide that he wanted her back. She suspected that it was because the secretary had given him his marching orders and James had always hated being alone. She had been devastated when she’d discovered James’ affair and he had subsequently left her, but she was over it. He’d made her see that they had grown apart, out of love and out of lust, so she supposed, in the end, it had been for the best.
    She sighed and determined that she wouldn’t think about Rhett or James for the rest of the evening.
     
    * * * *
     
    The following day, Lucy immersed herself in a whirlwind of activity. She had managed to avoid seeing Rhett and was busy reconciling receipts and invoices when Robert Hunter stuck his head through the door of the office.
    He looked suave and sophisticated in a charcoal Armani suit and a light blue dress shirt. “Lucy, I’m glad I caught you.”
    Lucy looked up from her paperwork and gave him a small smile. “Robert, I am just finalising some things. What can I do for you?”
    “Well, I was hoping that you are available tomorrow evening. I would be honoured if you would accompany me to the Valentine’s Ball.”
    Lucy was momentarily stunned into silence. Attending the ball with Robert could be awkward. She wondered if Rhett would now be taking Camille. After all, they were apparently engaged and she didn’t relish a confrontation. Nor did she have any wish to sit at the same table as them, and she assumed that Robert would be seated with his son.
    Sensing her hesitation, Robert continued. “Of course, I totally understand if you are otherwise engaged and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, Lucy. I like you and I would enjoy the opportunity to get to know you better.” He smiled warmly.
    Lucy thought quickly and decided on the spur of the moment that she would accept. Why should she spend the evening alone and brooding? She knew that Rhett wouldn’t be expecting her to accompany him after what had transpired between them. Besides, she liked Robert. He was kind and genuine and she knew that he would be the ultimate gentleman. He was also closer to her age, and their attending together wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.
    “Oh, it’s not that, Robert,” she explained. “I don’t have any other plans. I just wasn’t expecting an invitation. Thank you. That would be lovely.”
    “Excellent. I will pick you up tomorrow evening at seven thirty. I look forward to it.” He gave her a small wave and left her office.
    Lucy mused about the ball and what she would wear as she packed up her briefcase and prepared to leave for the evening. She was just about to turn off the light when Rhett came barrelling into the office. He was out of breath and looked like he had been running.
    “What do you mean by accepting my father’s invitation?” Clenching his jaw, he narrowed his eyes on her suspiciously.
    Lucy was dumbfounded. What right did he have to question her actions? “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”
    “It most certainly is my business, considering that I invited you first. Were you going to tell me that you no longer wish to accompany me?”
    She laughed in disbelief. “Were you seriously expecting me to honour our date after what happened with your fiancée ? I don’t think that Camille would be very impressed.”
    “Well, given that you refuse to let me explain, I guess I shouldn’t be