Convenience

Part 45

The more he knows about Beatrice, the more he wanted to learn about her. A woman of substance: Perfect, he thought and settled back in his bucket bench seat. "I mean, getting information is like pulling teeth!" David joked and smiled. That had her eyes firing up.

She huffed at him. "Mr Cardoso, in a few weeks we are unlikely to see each other again!" She hoped she didn't sound like a petulant child. But she was starting to question the light that had appeared in his eyes. "So, really, what is the point in sharing any personal information?" Beatrice huffed, threw him a speaking look, and pursed her lips, "Why bother now?"

That's what she thought, David knew. But after their last meeting, and today's lunch, he was about to change the playing field, and her mind about their relationship. His wife thought she was heading for a divorce but their plans had changed. Beatrice's resistance and independence entwined with that vulnerability and gentleness made for a lovable blend. He really wanted to get to know her. Really wanted her to get to know him. He just wanted to give her a hug. His senses geared up, but he knew that he had to tread softly.

David shook his head, "You forgot the trust administration? We will meet."

She scrunched up her shoulders and dropped them, before she admitted with more than a hint of petulance, "I don't see why." Beatrice mumbled. Beatrice peeked from beneath her eyelashes to see how he took her statement.

"The Trust won't run itself!" He pointed out quietly.

She frowned at him. "That does not mean we cannot keep things at a business level. Set it up to run itself!" She looked at him, pouting like a recalcitrant child.

David's gaze flicked once again to her lips, then he gave himself a silent scolding before he acknowledged, "Maybe. But, actually, I am grateful for the postponement of our meeting with our solicitors." That had her eyes narrowing. He acknowledged her actions with a slight tilt of his head. He looked at her, straight in the eyes, "And not for the reason you probably think." He told her, having read the growing caution in her eyes.

There was a taut moment, as they both stared at each other. Something was happening here, that was vital and fundamental, Beatrice thought. She hesitated. Caught between the pull of his gaze and her battle not to reveal too much.

David swallowed and stared at her, "The thing is I owe you an apology."

David's words registered and set her heart alight. Panic set in. Just when she figured she had him all figured out he turned the tables on her. But this is the man she thought she was going to marry, five years ago: A man with integrity. Trustworthy. Honest. Dependable. Just a pity, that she only saw this version of this man until now. Her chest tightened. He looked at her. A sudden jolt of awareness flashed between them. His gazed narrowed in speculation. "And this one-to-one lunch affords me an opportunity to make that privately."

They starred at each other for several long seconds. That wasn't what she was expecting. She mumbled and stammered, "You, you, er, owe me an apology?" David nodded, he heard the doubt in her voice. "For what?" She asked softly.

"For not upholding my end of the bargain." David stated quietly and sincerely. "In return for the loan, I promised to take care of you. I haven't done that." In the last ten days he'd found himself thinking about their marriage and the intervening five years. He had fallen well short of what was expected of him.

Beatrice blinked. "Bargain." Beatrice murmured. Once again there was a frisson that danced between them. Then she shook her head and she shrugged. "What good is our bargain? It fell apart within a few days. Remember? I didn't meet your expectations as a wife. You didn't meet my grandfather's expectations when it came to my security." She sighed again, "So let's call it even."

David didn't consider this even. He'd taken the money, poured it and himself into the business and all but ignored the fact he had taken on responsibility for her. At the time, when she had told him she was moving, he'd seen it as a relief. But now, he knew he had made a big mistake.

David said smoothly, "It isn't even."

Beatrice needed to escape. It felt as if she was standing on a precipice. Waiting for that moment that would change everything: Like the time when she left Auckland.