The British Billionaire Bachelor, Act Three by Maggie Carpenter Read Free Book Online

clothes. She grabbed it and hurled it across the room, smashing it against the wall. All my mother could say was, ‘we have to understand her, she’s very talented and talented children are different.' I wanted to choke them both.”
    “No wonder you despise her,” Simon sighed.
    “It’s true, I do, was it that obvious? I don’t want to but I do, I despise her, that’s the perfect word, but I love her too. It’s very difficult, Simon. See? I’m already upset and she’s just arrived,” she declared. “Can we please get that lipstick off your face, it’s driving me crazy?”
    “Of course,” he smiled, and pulling a white, linen handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped it across his cheek. “I have a suggestion,” he continued. “In a few minutes Joseph and Lucinda will be back down. I need to discuss some things with Joseph, and you’ll be alone with your sister, indulging in tea and crumpets.”
    “Please, God, no,” Belle groaned.
    “Just listen, and this isn’t a suggestion, it’s an instruction,” he said firmly.
    “Why did that just make me feel better? I like it already,” Belle smiled.
    “That’s a start,” Simon grinned. “Imagine she’s someone you’ve just met. Imagine she’s a tornado and you’re watching from a distance. When she speaks, regardless of what she says, listen as if you’re studying her, not listening with an emotional attachment.”
    “That’s so weird,” Belle remarked. “That’s how I used to feel with Amaranth. I thought she was so weird and there was something so off about her, I would watch her when she spoke to me. Simon, you’re a genius, thank you.”
    Leaning back against him, Belle sighed heavily, resting her head against his chest.
    “You are the most wonderful man, I’m so lucky.”
    “We both are,” he replied, hugging her tightly.
    “Please be careful with this Darren Hardcastle. From everything I’ve read, he seems like a nasty character.”
    “I will. Don’t worry, he’ll think he’s won, and when he finds out he hasn’t, it’ll appear I’m utterly blameless,” assuming it all goes as it should.
    A tepid knock at the door interrupted their conversation, and Belle stepped away.
    “Come in,” Simon called.
    Henry opened the door, and stood tall and straight, the epitome of the English butler.
    “Miss Somers and Mr. Cardinelli are in the salon, Mr. Sinclair.”
    “Ah, thank you, Henry. Belle? Shall we?” he winked.
    “We shall,” she smiled.
    As they walked past Henry, Belle a few steps ahead, she sensed Simon had stopped, and looking over her shoulder she saw him speaking quietly to his butler, but whatever the issue it only took a few seconds, and moments later they were moving through the foyer towards the salon.
    Belle felt empowered, as though a dark spell cast by her younger sister had been magically broken. As they entered the elegant room, she found Lucinda seated in front of the glass top coffee table upon which the tea, crumpets and a plate of appetizing sweets had been laid out. Joseph was standing behind her, and for a moment, Belle thought they looked like a photograph.
    “Joseph, I didn’t have the chance to say how good it is to see you,” she declared, walking quickly across to give him a welcome hug. “Your hair has grown, you look so good. Don’t go back to that buzz cut, please,” she begged.
    “Thanks, Belle, I won’t, I promise,” Joseph chuckled. “You look terrific. London agrees with you.”
    “Oh, my gosh, you have no idea, it really does,” she laughed, “especially the weather.”
    “I guess if you like rain all the time,” Lucinda broke in.
    Belle glanced across at Simon, and broke into a huge smile.
    “Those crumpets look delicious,” Belle commented, ignoring Lucinda’s blatant jibe. “Joseph, are you joining us?”
    “I believe Simon and I have some things we need to discuss,” Joseph replied, “but we won’t keep you lovely ladies waiting long.”
    “Off you go then,”