Chapter 8

• “Because you’re too scared to bring her home in case she fucks someone else.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Wake up and smell the coffee, Will. She would have fucked ten men by now. When are you going to see her for what she really is? A dirty fucking whore.”
• William flies out of his seat and pushes our brother hard in the chest. “Shut the fuck up.”
• “Admit it!” Edward screams as my father flies out of his chair to separate the two men. “She’s brought nothing but shame to this family. We don’t even see you anymore. It’s about time you fuck her off and come home!” he yells.
• They push each other and fall back. A glass gets smashed across the table as it tips over.
• The staff come flying into the room, hearing the commotion. This isn’t the first time my brothers have become physical over Penelope. They’re always on high alert when William is home.
• William pushes Edward hard in the chest and glares at him.
• My heart breaks for him and his pain. “Will,” I whisper.
• “That’s enough, Edward!” my father roars. “You will not speak to your brother like that. Do you hear me?”
• “You make me fucking sick, sitting up here on your high horse. Keep your fucking nose out of my marriage. What I do with my wife is none of your concern.” William turns and storms out of the room.
• “William, come back here,” my father calls after him, but William doesn’t stop and he doesn’t look back, taking the stairs two at a time. He’ll be back in Switzerland by morning… like always.
• I turn on Edward and lose control. “Why do you do this? Every damn time he comes home you upset him. This is why we never see him!” I cry. “This is why he stays with her. You give him no support. None.”
• My father drops into his chair and puts his head in his hands. My eyes fill with tears. “Go to Vegas, Edward, and better still, don’t come back. You and your judgement make me sick,” I whisper. “This isn’t about you. It’s about time you stand behind your brother when he needs you the most.”
• “I’ll never stand behind him while he’s married to her.” He raises his chin defiantly. “You two can cower to Penelope all you want. I will not.” He points at my father and me. “She will get not one fucking penny of this estate, and I’ll make sure of that if it’s the last thing I do. I’ve got solicitors tightening up our wills as we speak.”
• “Is that all you’re worried about?” I cry. “Money means nothing, Edward!”
• God, this is a no-win situation. He makes me sick. I turn and storm out of the house, slamming the door behind me.
• “Charlotte?” a
• voice calls from behind me.
• “Not now, Wyatt,” I snap over my shoulder as I angrily swipe my tears away.
• How many times have my father’s staff heard us arguing over Penelope? God, it’s just embarrassing.
• “Do you want the car?” he asks softly.
• “No, I’ll walk. Thank you.” I exhale heavily and begin to walk up the road towards my house. It’s a good kilometre away but the bright moon is out, and it’s somewhat light.
• I can feel Wyatt walking slowly behind me, anyway, making sure to keep his distance and give me my space.
• With every step I walk farther away from the house, a little more sadness creeps in. On nights like this, when the cracks in my family are so wide, is when I miss my mother the most.
• If she was here this wouldn’t be happening.
• She would know just what to say to William. She would know how to quieten Edward. My father would still have his love.
• If William just loved someone good and worthy of him then everything would be different.
• I wrap my arms around my waist and imagine my mother’s smiling face. She gave so much love and light to all of us.
• I wish you were here, Mum.
• Things would be different. Things would be better.
• It’s Thursday, and it’s turning dark when I leave work with my three colleagues. I work for the Philanthropic Society in Nottingham. Our job is to raise money for local charities. My mother was on the board of directors, and when she passed, I wanted to continue the project she was working on at the time. I never planned on being here long-term but somehow it worked out that way. To be honest, I think I’m here because this job makes me still feel close to Mum. Everyone who works here knew her and she is spoken of often.
• The four of us lock up the building and chatter about the day as we walk out towards the street. It’s been one of those crazy days today. We were supposed to finish an hour ago. It’s 6:00 p.m. now and we’re only just leaving.
• “Charlotte?” a deep voice calls. I turn, surprised.
• “Mr Spencer.” I frown.
• He’s leaning up against a tree by the side of the pavement, and my stomach instantly flips.
• He’s wearing a pair of blue jeans, which are tight in all the right places, as well as a navy sports coat over a white T-shirt. His fair hair is longer and messy on top. His big blue eyes hold mine, and with that square jaw he looks like he should be on the cover of a magazine.
• God, he’s gorgeous.
• He glances at my work friends, making me aware they are listening to what I’m about to say.
• “I’ll see you later, girls,” I mumble, distracted by the beautiful man before me.
• “Bye,” they all call. I don’t miss the way they inspect Spencer and his gorgeousness, either. I smile when I imagine the questions I’m going to be hit with tomorrow. I have a few questions myself like What on earth is he doing here? My work friends eventually veer off to their cars, disappearing out of sight.
• “What are you doing here?” I ask.
• His eyes hold mine. “Waiting for you.”