Page 52 of Promise Me Love
‘And you expect me to believe that? Obviously Matthew doesn’t or he wouldn’t still be carrying on this quarrel. If he was confident that there was nothing between you and Maggie then he would end it here and now.’
‘Would he?’ He laughed shortly. ‘Your faith in human nature is touching, Beth, but misplaced. I don’t doubt that my brother realises that there was never anything going on between Maggie and me; she would have made sure that he did believe it. But nothing can change the fact that at one time I thought I was in love with her. He knew that only too well, and it isn’t something either of us can forget easily. It’s a man’s nature to be possessive about the woman he loves, and Matthew loves Maggie all right.’
‘And that’s the real reason why you two are still enemies?’ She shook her head. ‘You tell a fine tale, David Kane, but you forget that I heard every word that was said tonight…every word that you said! Matthew found his wife in your bed and yet you still sit there and claim that you never slept with her? Come on…spare me any more lies, please!’
‘I have never lied to you, Beth, and I am not lying now.’
‘I’m afraid that I don’t believe you. All along the line you refused to discuss your real reasons for marrying me, but now they are so obvious. I was a convenient cover for the affair you were hoping to resume with Maggie!’
‘You really think that?’ He laughed scornfully, his face filled with derision. ‘You’ve seen how Maggie looks at Matthew. She’s crazy about him, just the same as she’s always been.’
‘Maggie’s feelings aren’t at question here. It’s how you feel…what you were planning to do!’ Suddenly she felt unable to cope any more, overcome by the horror of what had happened. ‘There is nothing left to say, David. It’s over, the whole foolish arrangement. I blame myself for being stupid enough to go along with it in the first place.’
‘So that’s it, is it? The final chapter? You refuse to believe what I am trying to explain to you, so conveniently decide that it’s the end?’ He leaned closer, his eyes glittering dangerously as he stared into her face. ‘Now who’s telling part of the truth, Beth?’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’ She edged over in her seat, disturbed by the intensity of his gaze.
‘Don’t you?’ He captured her chin, tilting her face so that she was forced to suffer the icy scrutiny. ‘Maybe tonight is just the moment you’ve been waiting for, a convenient way of getting yourself out of this obviously unwanted marriage in a fashion that means you can avoid any of the blame? What are you planning on doing now, Beth? Contacting Andrew again and resuming your affair with him? Without the encumbrance of the baby, I’m sure he would be more than willing to agree!’
It was so far from the truth that she could have wept. She’d barely spared Andrew a thought for days now. He was from her past and the last thing she ever wanted was to see him again. Not because she felt bitter about how he had treated her, but because he no longer meant anything to her. David was all she had wanted in her future; David was all she would ever want, but it seemed it wasn’t to be. Maybe the best way to end this pain which was tearing her apart was by using the solution he had offered to her.
‘Yes. That’s right. I’m going to contact him again and see if we can pick up where we left off! You aren’t the only one who can make plans, David!’
His fingers gripped her chin for a moment, so hard that she had to bite her lips to stop herself crying out. For a silent second, he stared at her, then let her go, starting the car and pulling away from the kerb with a harsh squeal of tyres. Beth sat back in her seat, trembling all over from that fleeting look which had seemed to cut straight to her heart. David was the one who had betrayed her trust; so why did she feel so guilty, as though she was the one who had betrayed him?
They drove back to town in total silence until David stopped the car in the driveway of the flats, his voice hard when he spoke. ‘You do have your key?’
Beth shook her head, not trusting herself not to start crying. ‘It’s in my coat back at Maggie’s. I…I didn’t have chance to get it.’