Never Too Late Read online

  Jake appraised her with intrigued eyes, and Molly’s stomach clenched in distaste.

  “Fontelroy…” he mused. “Would that be of Fontelroy investments?”

  Brian nodded. “The chairman, Peter Fontelroy, is Abby’s father.”

  “Small world.” Jake flashed Abby a smile that all but turned her into a puddle at his feet.

  Molly glanced away, only just managing not to roll her eyes.

  “Do you know Daddy?” Abby gawked at him in the type of wonder that said she couldn’t quite fathom how this casually dressed, longish-haired, bearded god fitted in with her rich posh daddy.

  “I’m a member of Chateau Blanc. He was there once as someone’s guest.”

  Brian gaped and Abby’s eyes became saucers, and well they might. Molly’s own eyes rounded at what Jake had just revealed in that offhand remark.

  Martin had also enjoyed a weekend as someone’s guest at Chateau Blanc, a gift from a happy client, and he’d spent the entire week afterwards gushing to her about the charms of France’s most exclusive mountain resort. Guests were common there, but to even get a sniff at membership, a person had to be in the billionaire category.

  All of a sudden, Jake wasn’t just out of her league, he was on a different planet altogether. Had she really been thinking of a fling with him mere minutes ago? With the sort of women someone like him was used to, how did she even compare? Sure, he’d kissed her, but she’d been convenient, and Appleby didn’t exactly offer the pick of the crop.

  But now that he’d seen Abby…

  Abby became all bright smiles and fluttering lashes, and slinked closer to him as if they’d just become the only two people in the world. “You must visit us at home. Daddy would be so happy to see you again.”

  “I’d love to,” he murmured, looking her over in lazy appreciation.

  Disappointment stabbed through Molly like an icy knife to the heart, but as she once again turned away, she caught sight of Brian’s expression. Mortified red stained his cheeks and he looked in imminent danger of bursting a blood vessel.

  He cleared his throat. “Darling, I think we should be heading back to the vicarage.”

  Abby pouted. “Already?” She shot Jake a winning smile. “We were only just getting to know each other.”

  Jake didn’t need further encouraging. “Join us for lunch.” His invitation was pointedly for Abby.

  Molly had never hit anyone in her life, but she had to clasp her hands behind her back in an effort to keep from whacking him.

  “Oh, that would be wonderful,” Abby gushed, fluttering her long lashes.

  Brian jumped in. “I’m sorry. We have a prior engagement. “ And as Abby’s pout threatened again. “You remember, darling. We’re speaking with Uncle Ian about the church wedding today.”

  “Can’t we do that another time? I’m sure your uncle will understand.”

  The red crept up Brian’s cheeks again, and Molly’s own face burned in sympathy. After everything between them, she should be relishing his discomfort, but she could only feel sorry for him.

  Jake shrugged. “We wouldn’t want to keep you from that.” He smiled at Abby. “Perhaps another time?”

  “Yes!” Her eyes shone eagerly. “I’d like that.”

  Brian didn’t say a word, but his thunderous expression spoke volumes. With a curt nod to Molly, he caught Abby by the elbow and propelled her away from the table.

  Molly watched them leave, unable to look at Jake beside her.

  So he liked to flirt. That shouldn’t surprise her. Besides, he had to be one of the most beautiful men she’d ever seen, and now a billionaire too. He could have his pick of women and he knew it. Most likely nothing in a skirt was safe from his attentions.

  The other couple walked back into the pub, Brian stiff and silent, and Abby clearly making her displeasure known.

  Jake’s chuckle as soon as they were out of earshot had Molly whirling around to glare at him. “How could you embarrass him like that?”

  “Embarrass him? You’ve got to be kidding. She’ll have him for breakfast. I know her type.” He shrugged. “I almost feel sorry for the bastard.”

  Molly gaped at him. He grinned and pulled out a chair for her.

  She plopped into it. “Did you just do that on purpose?”

  “Do what?” he asked, sitting down opposite her, the picture of innocence.

  “Don’t play with me Jake. Did you just flirt with Abby on purpose? To show Brian?”

  “I don’t give a rip about your precious Brian. I did that to show you.”

  “Me?” she squeaked.

  “Yeah, he’s got what he deserves. But you… you’ve had a narrow escape with Brian. Be happy about it. You’re a little minnow, Molly. You still need to learn not to swim with the sharks.”

  She shot him a prim look. “Well, thank you for educating me, but right now, I think the only shark I need protecting from is you.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “A quick learner. I like that.”

  Her cheeks burned with a mixture of embarrassment and thrill, and she couldn’t help but grin back at him.

  Yes, she did want Jake Hennessy. Why shouldn’t she take what he was offering? Brian had Abby, and it was time for her, Molly, to live a little. It was time to finally ditch the boring label and dance on the wild side of life that Jake promised. Sure, he may be wealthy beyond reason, but that didn’t count as long as he was in Appleby. Here he was just a beautiful man who wanted her, and she was going to let him have her.

  * * *

  That evening, she hummed to herself as she bustled about laying out cups and teapots in between the cakes and creamy pastries arrayed on the long table in the church hall.

  Her neat yellow tea dress and matching cardigan were just the right side of ordinary to blend unnoticed among the crowds of women attending Appleby’s weekly Friday Women’s Committee meeting.

  The elongated hall with its arching beamed ceiling, and multicoloured lead-patterned windows that glowed in the evening sun, oozed a curious smell of old wood, ancient camphor, and currant buns. Behind her, the laughter and chatter of women mingled with the mellow elegance of a solitary piano’s notes.

  She licked her lips, the memory of Jake’s kiss seared in her mind forever. He hadn’t made another move on her after lunch, keeping things light between them. Had he worried she’d panic again? She’d waited, too nervous to take the first step herself, but he’d seen her back to Rose Cottage after lunch and then left Barrowdene, saying he had an appointment to keep. But he’d left with the promise of seeing her soon, and even that little nugget was enough to stop her smile from fading.

  She placed the last teacup on the table and paused. How had her feelings changed so soon? Brian no longer loomed large in her mind, and her heart floated, as if a huge lead weight had been lifted from it.

  The piano notes tinkled to nothing as the music came to an end, and Sophie glanced up from closing the lid. Molly beckoned her over.

  “Kitty’s miffed with you.” Sophie said as she approached.

  Molly grimaced and handed Sophie a cup of tea. “I might have forgotten to introduce her to Jake today. Apologize for me?”

  “I’ll try,” Sophie said with a giggle. “But I’m sensing it’ll take a day or two for her to get over it.”

  “It’s a good thing Kitty doesn’t come to these committee events, otherwise I’d have got a proper earful.”

  “No, she’s got more sense, so does Anna.” Sophie paused, taking a sip from her cup. “It’s just us, the old ones.”

  Molly grinned. “Spinsters united, you mean? The piano slave and the flunkey. But really, Sophie, it’s harsh of your sisters to keep pointing that out. We’re only twenty-five.”

  “Spinster may be true about me.” She shot Molly a teasing glance. “But there’s been talk about you and Jake Hennessy today.”

  Molly tensed, but managed to keep her tone light. “Really? What talk?”

  Sophie glanced at her, h
esitating. “I shouldn’t tease.” Her tone was apologetic. “But Abby mentioned that she was concerned when she saw the two of you down the pub. She thought you might be throwing yourself at him with no idea who he is and what you’re getting into.”

  “Concerned? That I’m throwing myself at him? She nearly pasted herself all over him. Didn’t Brian say anything?”

  “He didn’t seem interested. After a while, he went upstairs to the office with Dad.” Sophie bit her lip. “Maybe Abby meant this in a good way, Molly. She knows none of us have ever come across men like Jake Hennessy before.”

  “How kind of her! God, Sophie, you can’t defend her, so don’t even try. I can’t believe she had the nerve to say anything about me. She got Brian, didn’t she? What more does she want? Frankly, I’ll be the happiest person alive if I never see her or Brian ever again.”

  “You could skewer a person from fifty yards with a frown like that, Molly.” Nan said, coming to the table. She pulled her cream shawl tight over her shoulders. “It’s not about dear Brian, is it?”

  Molly sighed, letting the edge of her anger melt away. “No, not Brian. I’m just getting het up about silly things.”

  “Good, because that’s one lad who shouldn’t be mentioned in polite society ever again. Though I’m sorry to be harsh about your cousin, Sophie dear.”

  “I understand.” Sophie looked over to the piano where Kathleen was gesturing urgently to her, and winced. “Mum’s calling. Back to work, I think.”

  Nan followed Sophie’s gaze to the agitated Kathleen. “You don’t have to starve yourself to do your duty, child.” She heaped a plate full of cakes and pastries and pressed it into Sophie’s hands. “Here, take these. And who cares if the music sounds a little gooey in places.”

  Sophie walked off with a giggle, bravely balancing the overflowing plate in the face of her mother’s scowl.

  Nan poured herself some tea, and Molly turned to her. “Nan, what did you hear—”

  “Lucy, I wanted to speak with you.” Belinda Littleton approached them, a plastic smile on her red lips.

  Molly gladly took a step back from the conversation.

  Nan took a sip from her cup. “And what can I help you with, Belinda?”

  “We committee ladies are planning a dinner for Mr Hennessy at the vicarage. Welcome him to Appleby so to speak. Help him settle in.”

  A gleam of amusement danced in Nan’s eyes. “Now, that’s thoughtful of you. I wonder if Francine had ever received such consideration, she’d have taken to Appleby a little better.”

  “It’s understandable you feel that way, Lucy,” Belinda said with a smirk. “She was your employer after all. But it was never in Appleby’s interests to have someone of such dubious reputation in a prominent position.”

  “Dubious reputation?” Molly frowned at Belinda. “You hardly knew her.”

  “Women like that don’t take a lot of knowing. You should realize that.” Belinda’s look was condescending. “They think they’re so clever with their affairs, but it’s as plain as day for everyone to see what’s going on.”

  Molly blinked. Something more was being said here, but she couldn’t figure out what.

  “Well, the good ladies of the Committee certainly made sure Francine was left in no doubt as to how far her welcome extended.” Nan took another unhurried sip from her cup.

  Belinda’s eyes narrowed, and her already thin lips became a line. “She hardly helped her own cause, the way she flaunted herself. It’s a wonder any woman’s husband was safe these past years.”

  Molly, only just managing to contain a gasp, shot Nan a shocked glance.

  But the bright spark was back in Nan’s eyes. “I always say it takes two to tango, Belinda. An unhappy man doesn’t need much enticing to jump to warmer pastures.” She smiled broadly. “But moving on to better things… How is Martin? It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

  Belinda slid a narrow eyed glance in Molly’s direction, her thin fingers worrying the string of bone-white pearls around her neck. “He’s been rather busy lately, new clients, I believe.”

  Molly frowned at her evasive tone, but Nan was nodding in agreement. “And now he has to help Francine with Barrowdene’s sale.”

  “That’s of no import to Martin. He has little to do with Francine. So Lucy, I’ll plan something for a week from now and pass on the details to you. If you could ask Mr Hennessy? None of us have yet met him formally. He’s proving quite hard to pin down.”

  “He’s a busy man. But yes, you get on with your planning, Belinda, and let me know. Though, I wouldn’t be too hasty in setting the date. You should wait until Francine finishes selling Barrowdene to him, just to be on the safe side.”

  Belinda’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh? I thought the sale had completed.”

  “Not yet. Francine can still call it off at anytime.”

  “Surely, she wouldn’t.” Belinda smirked. “There really is nothing here for Francine, and I understand she won’t get a better offer than the one Jake Hennessy has given her. I’ll speak to you later, Lucy.” And with a nod to Nan, she turned on her polished heel and left them.

  Nan chuckled. “I’m sensing there’s a whole gaggle of frustrated females desperate to meet Jake.” She reached for the teapot to pour herself another cup. “You know, when someone’s running for the edge of a cliff, I think it only fair to point out the jagged rocks below. But some of them just speed on ahead and topple over anyway.”

  Molly shot her a suspicious glance. “All right, I’ll bite. You’re up to something, aren’t you? What is it?”

  “Me? I’m never up to things. I don’t need to be. People manage to do things all to themselves.”

  * * *

  Two hours later, Molly was washing teacups in the church hall’s adjoining utility room. It was really just a glorified cupboard with a face-size window looking out on to a brick wall, and a steel sink with one cold water tap and room for barely two cups at a time.

  She yawned. The day had been long, and the thought of her soft bed waiting in Rose Cottage was enticing.

  Nan, and a couple of other women, were staying at Clara Ainsley’s apartment above the post-office tonight. It was their regular Friday night over-sixty’s club, and Molly often suspected far more went on there than just knitting and embroidery. Especially if passers-by tales of night-long carousing and empty bottles the morning after were anything to go by.

  She, herself, had volunteered to stay and help with the clean-up, but all she wanted now was to finish these cups and head back to the cottage.

  Rinsing a cup she placed it to dry on the rack beside her. A voice snapped outside.

  “I’m telling you, I’ve always known. Ever since she started with him…”

  Molly frowned. Great. Belinda was still here.

  “Are you sure, Belinda? It’s just… so hard to believe.” Kathleen sounded shrill and panicky as usual.

  Molly slowed her hands in the sink. The two weren’t close enough to the utility room to realize someone was inside. She reached for a second cup to make some clattering noise in the sink.

  Kathleen’s voice came again. “You must be wrong. Not Molly, surely.”

  Molly froze, cup in hand.

  “Don’t be stupid, Kathleen. It’s all over the village. And you should be more careful. You know she’s still sniffing around Brian, as bold as rain.”

  All over the village? What the hell was Belinda talking about? Was this about Clara seeing Brian walk home with her the other day?

  “I know they were seen together, but Brian is head over heels in love with Abby and would never do anything to hurt her.” Kathleen’s tone was placating. “And Brian and Molly do have a history. It’s probably healthier if they talk and finish things properly.”

  Belinda snorted. “Finish things! She’s got her eye on a wealthy man making her future. If you ask me, Brian had a lucky escape, and you should keep it that way, if you know what’s good for your family.”

/>   “Well, of course I’ll keep an eye on—”

  “And now, you heard, she’s after Jake Hennessy, flitting about him like a honey-mad bee. But it sounds like that man at least has more sense than to fall for the likes of her.”

  Molly gasped and grasped at the sink edge with white-knuckled hands. She wanted to march out there and yell at them to stop, but her legs felt like they’d seized up and she remained locked in place.

  “Isn’t that a good thing?” Kathleen chimed in hopefully. “If Molly is preoccupied with Mr Hennessy, then you don’t have to worry about her getting close to Martin.”

  “It’s too late! Martin is completely besotted with her. It’s always Molly this, or Molly that. And now he’s taken to staying away from home some nights and refuses to tell me where he’s been. I never should have allowed him to hire her in the first place. But he’s a stupid old fool who can’t see her for the common slut she is.”

  “Oh, Belinda…”

  Shock propelled Molly from the sink.

  Martin besotted with her. How was that even possible? No. No way. That woman wasn’t going to drag her into her crazy delusions.

  Trembling with rage, she turned and marched out of the room.

  “Molly!” Kathleen Harrington turned crimson.

  Belinda’s eyes widened in guilty panic, then narrowed to defiant slits.

  Molly fixed her with a withering stare. “You are one nasty horrible creature, Belinda. Martin’s too good for you, and if he has any sense, he’ll get away from you as soon as he can.”

  Kathleen gasped and Belinda gaped in fury, but a strange elation surged through Molly, and with a satisfaction that raised her to the clouds, she strode away.

  But five minutes later she was firmly back on hard ground and holding back tears as she entered Barrowdene’s driveway.

  The black night pressed in around her, and the weak puddles of brightness dropping from the dim globe lights on top of the gate pillars provided no relief. Even the moon and stars were hidden behind rolling inky clouds. She gathered the thin wool of her cardigan around her, the flimsy material and the thin cotton of her dress no real protection against the night’s chill, and walked on, head down, her thoughts loud against the quiet call of a night bird and the whisper of the breeze in the trees.