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Chapter Fifty Six
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2023-10-31 20:31:50
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Fifty Seven
Chapter 57.As he waited, giving her time to clear the room, he realised he shouldhave asked her how her elbow was doing. Unfortunately, the quick flash ofher smooth, golden backside as she’d finally turned and fled had knocked itclean out of his mind.Miracesca didn’t hang around to ask whether Dan was going to continue hisnap or would prefer to go downstairs and have something to eat. She justgrabbed the first clothes that came to hand and bolted. And, havinggathered up the paperwork she’d brought back from the office, she shutherself away in the study.Her jeans were the comfortable baggy fit cut that she’d worn whenNate wasn’t around to grumble that she looked untidy, the top somethingloose and equally figure obscuring. It felt disloyal somehow—even in thelast couple of weeks, when he’d hardly been able to lift his head, he’d stillwanted to see her looking like his ‘princess’—but it was too late to thinkabout changing. Too late to think about obscuring anything, too.D
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Chapter 58.‘Oh, Nate n! Why didn’t you bring one of these home for me? If I’dknown…’But she knew why. Ship the stuff in and ship it out again before youhave to pay for it. That had been his strategy. It had worked for frogs.This was different.But it would have to be her long-term, comeback strategy. Her future.And Toby’s. Right now she needed hard cash, and quickly, or she was goingto have to marry Dan to save her family and friends from disaster and whathad once been an impossible dream, locked in the deepest recesses of herheart where she never dared go, would become the darkest of nightmares.Not before she’d examined every other option, she swore. There had tobe another way.She picked up a legal pad, drew a line down the centre, and at the top ofone side she wrote ‘Assets’, and on the other side, ‘Liabilities’.What assets did she have? Her jewellery, mostly. Maybe some of thosedesigner evening gowns could be sold through a dress agency. They hadsome good pieces of
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Chapter 59.THIS would have been the perfect moment to hail a passing black taxi andsay, ‘Follow that car!’Dan couldn’t just drop a bombshell like that and then drive away. Shewanted an explanation. She wanted to know what the devil he thought hewas doing and she wanted to know now!By some miracle—and she was certainly due one—a cruising taxiappeared just when she needed one and she hailed it. The drama of themoment was somewhat spoiled, however, by the fact that women didn’twalk around with wallets in their hip pockets.Dan’s car was long out of sight by the time she’d fetched her bag andshe had to content herself with, ‘The London Eye, please. As quickly as youcan. It’s an emergency.’Even as she said it, she realised how stupid that must sound. What kindof emergency called for a ride on the London Eye? Not that she had anyintention of going on it. But the driver—who’d probably heard everythingin his time—just said, ‘Yes, ma’am’, and set off enthusiastically enough int
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Chapter 60.‘Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to pay the rent until I get myself sorted out?If you’re that worried about Toby being homeless?’‘It isn’t just Toby, though. Is it?’‘Nate n wouldn’t expect you to take care of Matty and Connie.’‘He asked me to take care of you and Toby. It seems to me you’re all apackage and it really is easier to do it this way.’It certainly would be no simple matter rehousing Matty…‘But you could have just renewed the lease.’ She didn’t want him tohave bought the house, she discovered. That was too…personal.‘That was my first thought,’ he said. ‘There’s no easy way to tell youthis, Mira, but your landlord gave Nate six months notice to quit fourmonths ago. You only had a couple of months before you’d have had tomove out.’Surprisingly, she didn’t feel any huge sense of shock. The revelations ofthe last week had taken her beyond any place where she could feel shocked.Nate n had known he was on borrowed time, that there was nothing hecould do to
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Chapter 61‘If I fell under Matty’s metaphorical bus, you’d have to sell the house topay inheritance tax. This way makes more sense.‘It makes sense if you haven’t got a heart, but since we’re talking aboutthe unexpected, let’s really go for it.’ She looked at him, demanding aresponse.‘What’s on your mind?’‘This. We get married. You live upstairs in your little apartment. Me andLame Ducks Incorporated are spread out all over the rest of your house.That’s what you have in mind, right?’‘Right.’‘Okay. Now tell me this. What happens when you meet the girl of yourdreams and fall in love?’Fran had to ask the question, even though the very idea of him falling inlove drove daggers through her.‘That’s the one thing that isn’t going to happen, Mira.’His conviction shook her momentarily, but she pressed on. ‘Dan, I knowyou spend most of your life in the wilderness, chipping lumps off rocklooking for oil and minerals—’‘Really it’s a bit more technical than that,’ he objected.‘—b
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-10-31BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Two
Chapter 62.‘Mira? Are you all right?’She shook her head, unable to answer, as she took in huge gasps of air.‘Take your time.’‘I’m sorry. That was…’ She didn’t even attempt to finish the sentence.There wasn’t a word to express the way she was feeling. To have the onething you most wanted in the world. Yet not have it. To know that you couldnever have it.‘I know,’ he said.‘No, Dan,’ she said. ‘I promise you, you don’t.’His gaze met hers and for one brief, shocking moment she saw his pain.Remembered the woman he loved but could never have because she lovedsomeone else. And she laid her hand on his arm.‘I’m so sorry. You deserve better from me than that.’He looked down at her hand, pale against his sleeve, and the bright newgold of the wedding ring gleamed as it caught the sun.‘I do understand how hard it must have been for you. I wish there hadbeen more time.’‘It wouldn’t have made any difference.’‘No. I suppose not,’ he said, apparently missing her allusion to his own
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Chapter 63.She blinked, looked away, out of the window and up at the apartmentblock, then out across the Thames.‘Is this where you live?’ she asked.‘Lived. Someone will pick up the few things I’m sending over to EltonStreet. If you’ll store them until the conversion is done?’‘Oh, yes, of course.’‘I just have to pick up my bags, then drop the keys in at the office. Youcan take the car, keep it,’ he said, handing her the keys. ‘It’s insured for youto drive.’‘But how are you getting to the airport?’ she asked. Then, not waitingfor him to tell her, she opened the door and got out. ‘What am I saying? I’lltake you.’ She forced a smile. ‘That’s what wives do, isn’t it?’Dan, quite unable to help himself, looked at her across the roof of thecar and said, ‘You might not want to go into what wives do, Miracesca.’Then, taking pity on her as she blushed, he said, ‘It’s okay. I really don’texpect you to morph into the perfect wife. There is, after all, no one eitherof us has to con
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Chapter 64.‘Believe me, the rental reflects the value of contents as well as theaccommodation.’‘But…why?’‘I told you. I bought this as an investment and it’s done well. I’ve tripledmy capital outlay. Something that Steve could have done if he’d used themoney I gave him wisely. I should have let it before, of course. It’s aterrible waste of resources leaving it empty and it put the insurancepremiums through the roof. The apartment in Elton Street will be muchmore cost effective.’Money? Was that all this meant to him? She didn’t believe it for aminute‘I meant why did you lie to me?’‘I didn’t. You assumed I had to sell and I didn’t deny it.’‘Why?’ she persisted.Because he was a fool, Dan told himself. Because he wanted to be ableto help her in every way, put all of his resources at her command, give hernot just a home, but everything she’d ever need. Because he loved her.None of them were reasons he could offer for what must now seemcompletely irrational behaviour. Wha
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Epilogue
EpilogueHe broke away, but his eyes never left hers as he said, ‘Hello, Connie.I have missed your cooking.’‘Don’t you “Hello, Connie” me. Where you been, eh? Worrying Mira half to death…’‘Were you?’ he asked. ‘Worried? You didn’t fancy being a rich widow?’Maybe he already knew the answer because he didn’t wait for it but looked down and said, ‘Hello, Toby. Been to a party?’‘Mmm.’ He gave Connie the balloon he was holding and offered up his goodie bag. ‘I have got cake.’‘Any to spare? I’m starving…’‘Later. It’s bath time,’ Mira said. ‘Can you take care of Toby for me,Connie?’‘I can take care of both of them if you like,’ she offered. ‘He’s going toneed help with his arm in plaster. No? You don’t want Connie?’ And shewent inside chuckling to herself. ‘Just you make sure you wash behind hisears, Mira.’ Then, ‘I call Matty and tell her Mr Dan is home.’‘What do you want first? Drink? Food? Bath?’He circled her with his arm as they walked up the steps into the house.‘I’ve go
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy Two
‘If I fell under Matty’s metaphorical bus, you’d have to sell the house to pay inheritance tax. This way makes more sense. ‘It makes sense if you haven’t got a heart, but since we’re talking about the unexpected, let’s really go for it.’ She looked at him, demanding a response. ‘What’s on your mind?’ ‘This. We get married. You live upstairs in your little apartment. Me and Lame Ducks Incorporated are spread out all over the rest of your house. That’s what you have in mind, right?’ ‘Right.’ ‘Okay. Now tell me this. What happens when you meet the girl of your dreams and fall in love?’ Fran had to ask the question, even though the very idea of him falling in love drove daggers through her. ‘That’s the one thing that isn’t going to happen, Mira.’ His conviction shook her momentarily, but she pressed on. ‘Dan, I know you spend most of your life in the wilderness, chipping lumps off rock looking for oil and minerals—’ ‘Really it’s a bit more technical than that,’ he objected
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy One
“She did what?” Mira was utterly beside herself that Layla had gone off on her own and once again acted recklessly, endangering others to thwart the pipeline. Carter had her by the shoulder from where she sat at Nate ’s desk, but it did little to comfort her.“She is in the county jail,” Nate explained. “I could overlook one attack that didn’t hurt anyone, but this time she used a grenade, blew out the side of our trailer, and put my father in the hospital. He’s going to presscharges, needless to say.”“Is he all right?” she asked.“He hit his head fairly hard and fractured his shoulder, but neither are life threatening.”Mira could hear his voice waver as though he was entirely beside himself.“How are you?” she asked urgently.“A bruised rib, but I will live.”Mira sensed Carter get to his feet, as his hand slipped off her shoulder.“I have to see her,” he explained. “Let’s get Harold on this if we can. Get her bail set.”“You can try,” said Nate . “I doubt she will be offered a ba
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Seventy
While Mira sat in his exam room and endured similar tests as those he had conducted a few days prior, Nate stepped out to make a few calls, the reason for which he had been somewhat secretive about. As Dr. was finishing up, she asked, “What do you think the likelihood of Nate finding me donor eyes will be?” The doctor released a sigh then said, “I really couldn’t tell you. I have never endeavored anything so ambitious. All I can tell you is the likelihood of whether or not your body will accept or reject your new eyes, and the degree to which you might be able to see once they are in.” “So what’s the likelihood?” “I’ll have an idea once I examine the photos I’m taking. I should know in a day or so. Bear in mind, though, that we have three battles. The first is making sure the donor is, in fact, a match. I explained to you earlier that this aspect could be tricky to navigate. Then your body has to accept the eyes. And then after the nerves attach and heal, we’ll have to closely m
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Nine
Chapter 69.He broke away, but his eyes never left hers as he said, ‘Hello, Connie.I’ve missed your cooking.’‘Don’t you “Hello, Connie” me. Where you been, eh? Worrying Mirahalf to death…’‘Were you?’ he asked. ‘Worried? You didn’t fancy being a rich widow?’Maybe he already knew the answer because he didn’t wait for it but lookeddown and said, ‘Hello, Toby. Been to a party?’‘Mmm.’ He gave Connie the balloon he was holding and offered up hisgoodie bag. ‘I’ve got cake.’‘Any to spare? I’m starving…’‘Later. It’s bath time,’ Mira said. ‘Can you take care of Toby for me,Connie?’‘I can take care of both of them if you like,’ she offered. ‘He’s going toneed help with his arm in plaster. No? You don’t want Connie?’ And shewent inside chuckling to herself. ‘Just you make sure you wash behind hisears, Mira.’ Then, ‘I call Matty and tell her Mr Dan is home.’‘What do you want first? Drink? Food? Bath?’He circled her with his arm as they walked up the steps into the house.‘I’ve got
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Eight
Angry with herself, she turned off the television, got to her feet. Dan might not be rescued for months. Was she planning on spending every hour in front of the television in case there was the slightest snippet of news? It was the last thing he would want. Catherine would let her know the minute anyone heard anything and in the meantime there were a hundred things that needed doing. She still hadn’t settled on the final layout for the slender catalogue that was going to be mailed out to all their customers, as well put as an insert in one of the Sunday supplements. It was going to cost a fortune. It had to be right. She caught sight of herself in the hall mirror. What a wreck. She needed to take a shower, wash her hair, change. Get her mind back on the job. On her family… But when she opened a drawer, searching for underwear that would stretch around her expanding belly, she found herself staring at the tiny silk box that contained the wedding ring Dan had put on her finger and she
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty seven
Chapter 67.She returned a few moments later with a cardboard box that she placedon the floor and when she opened it the small silky brown and white headof a spaniel puppy appeared. Then a body wriggled free of the blanket andhe looked up at her and whined to be lifted out.She was lost for words. Dan might have left Catherine to pick outChristmas gifts, but this could only have come direct from him. Proof thathe was thinking of her… She caught herself. Thinking of Toby.‘I made the woman at the kennels promise she’d take him back if youdidn’t want him. Men have these great ideas…’‘When? When did Dan ask you to do this?’‘Oh, months ago. In fact, I think he called from the airport… It wassupposed to have been Toby’s Christmas present, but since he was soparticular it had to wait until the right spaniel produced the right pup.’ Sheshrugged apologetically. ‘You know Dan. He’s never satisfied with less thanperfection.’‘No?’ Her heart lurched uncomfortably. ‘No,’ she agreed.‘
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty six
Chapter 66.Mira felt as if she was grieving all over again.She’d pulled into the garage and finally given way to the dammed-uptears she hadn’t been able to shed for Natein a mind-clearing storm ofguilt and loss. And when it was over she finally understood it all. That theirmarriage of convenience had been entirely for his expedience, not hers.Not cheap. But then this wasn’t about money. It was about control. Tobywas all the family he had. His heir. The boy who carried the family name.Marriage was the simplest and most effective way of stopping her frombecoming involved with someone else, giving him some other man’s name.Which answered any question she had about what was in the letterNatehad written to him. He had been a less than perfect partner, a lessthan perfect anything, except father. Relaxed to the point of being comatoseon most things, he had been uncharacteristically firm in his insistence thatDan be added to Toby’s name.Too late she saw that all that stuff abou
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Chapter Sixty Five
Chapter 65.The other was that he had simply decided that, despite his fine words,his promises, he expected payment in full for his investment in an unwantedhigh-maintenance wife. Why else would he be planning to move into herhome when, as she had just discovered, there was no need?How could he ask her to forgive him, when he wouldn’t be able toforgive himself?Instead he picked up her jacket, handed it to her in silence.‘Bathroom?’ she enquired, so quietly that he could barely hear her.‘Through here.’ He opened the door to his bedroom and the untouchedbed, just yards away, seemed to mock him. ‘You’ll find everything you’llneed.’Soap, hot water to wash him from her body.She ducked through the opening, leaving him to straighten himself out.Consider a future that was suddenly bleaker than he could have imaginedeven a week ago. An hour ago. Then he’d had some hope.He began to fasten his shirt, discovered that several of the buttons weretorn from it, and dug a fresh one out
