Read Online Her Own Rules/Dangerous to Know by Barbara Taylor Bradford - Free Book Online Page B

“I’m really rather put out with you, darling.”
    â€œ Oh? ” Meredith stared at him questioningly. “Because I didn’t want to come down to tea and meet your friends?”
    â€œNo, no, of course not. That didn’t matter. But I am somewhat surprised that you went to lunch with Patsy when I had invited you to come over to the house.”
    Meredith was taken aback. “But, Reed, Patsy and I had a lot of business to discuss. I told you last week, when I was still in New York, that I had many things to attend to on this trip, and—”
    â€œOh really!” he cut in with a sardonic laugh. “You could have dealt with Patsy on the phone, surely.”
    â€œNo, I couldn’t!” she shot back, her voice rising in exasperation. She was irritated with him; she realized, yet again, that he did not really take her work seriously. Suppressing a rush of impatience, she went on more calmly. “We had business to discuss, and I was anxious to see her.”
    â€œBut not anxious to see me.”
    â€œReed, don’t be—”
    There was a loud knock and the waiter entered with the tray of drinks. Meredith got up, thanked him, and handed him some of the coins she kept in the ashtray for tips. After giving Reed his drink, she picked up her own, and sat on the sofa.
    â€œCheers,” Reed said, and took a swallow of his scotch and soda.
    â€œCheers.” Meredith merely touched the glass to her lips, then put it on the coffee table. She had no desire to drink tonight.
    Once again Reed looked at her; this time he was smiling.
    She was relieved the awkward moment had passed. It struck her that he seemed less morose tonight, and certainly he was in a better mood than he had been earlier, when she had run into him in the lobby.
    â€œHave you told Patsy you’re planning to move to London within the next few months?” he asked.
    Meredith gaped at him. “What makes you say that, Reed? I’m not moving anywhere.”
    â€œWhen I was in New York in November you certainly indicated that you intended to live in London.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t.”
    â€œOh Meredith, how can you say such a thing! I practically proposed to you, and I told you it was hard for me to go on like this any longer, that we couldn’t continue our affair if we were separated by the Atlantic Ocean. I made it quite clear I wanted you here with me. Very much so. And you certainly acquiesced.”
    â€œReed, that’s not true, I didn’t!”
    â€œYou did!”
    â€œYou imagined it, Reed. Never in a million years would I lead you to believe such a thing.”
    He stared at her incredulously, sudden anger flaring in his dark eyes. “I distinctly remember telling you that I needed you here with me in London. And you agreed to come.”
    Meredith had no recollection of this at all and was about to say so when he came and sat down next to her on the sofa.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you, darling? Why are you behaving like this?” he asked, moving closer, draping his arm along the back of the sofa. “Don’t be difficult, my dear, you know how I feel about you. I need you, Meredith, and I need you here. Not in New York, but living with me in London. I told you this when I was in the States, and I assumed you would get rid of the business and move as soon as you could. Settle here permanently with me.”
    â€œReed, you’ve truly misunderstood. I don’t know how that happened . . . but it did, somehow. And I’ve no intention of giving up my business.”
    â€œThen don’t, darling. If you want to work, you can, although it’s really not necessary. I can support us extremely well, you know that. Forget the gallery that’s not important, merely my hobby. Just remember that I do have a very large private income from my trust. Monty might be inheriting the old man’s title when he dies, after all he is the eldest