Chapter 37 ALEX
DENNIS WAS NESTLED IN MY WARMTH when I woke on Sunday morning, clinging to Nancy’s pillow. I reached for my phone, but despite spending a good portion of the night messaging her, she hadn’t replied. With immense effort, I forced myself out of bed and away from her remaining essence.
Once I was dressed, I called her again, but it went straight to voicemail.
I left a much calmer message than the garbled panic from the night before, telling her how desperately sorry I was and asking her to call me back.
Then, I ordered a bouquet of white roses and dusky pink carnations to be sent to the flat in apology.
As the weather was dry, I walked to William’s in east Chelsea to clear my mind.
I reached the garden flat, adorned with pots of brash red geraniums that matched the vintage-effect door, and rapped the brass lion-head knocker.
How William. This was his private oasis away from our dysfunctional family, which he’d bought outright once his photography career took off.
The door opened, and I was greeted by Kim. Her friendly expression immediately turned to anger. “Why the hell are you here?”
“Hi, Kim,” I said with surprise. William didn’t mention they were dating. He never had women over his unless they were guaranteed to leave before breakfast. “Is my brother around?”
“Sounds like you said quite enough to him last night. And as for Nancy—”
“Have you spoken to her this morning? Is she okay?”
Kim folded her arms. “No, Alex, okay is not how I’d describe her.”
William approached from the kitchen, matching Kim’s defensive stance.
“William, I need to speak to you.”
He shrugged. “I’m right here.”
“In private.”
“You can say what you need to on the doorstep.”
“Very well.” I went to sign.
“No, I want you to speak it.”
I suppressed the urge to pull rank with my little brother and instead sucked up my pride.
“William, you were a gentleman to Nancy last night while I behaved like a prick. I should have thanked you for taking care of her. Hell, you did a lot better job protecting her than I have this last week. I’m a dickhead, and I apologise for swearing at you and becoming physical.
I’m your big brother, not some jealous thug. ”
William took a few seconds to enjoy the superiority of the moment. “You are a dickhead of the highest order, but I forgive you. Now, what the hell were you thinking?”
I looked at Kim, who seemed partially satisfied. She turned to William. “I’ll watch the food, babe.”
“Thanks, you’re the best.” William smiled affectionately.
“Kim, is Nancy at home?”
“I’m not telling you shit, Alex,” she threw back without looking and left for the kitchen.
I switched to BSL. “It was a rough night after a rough week. I know that’s no excuse for my behaviour, but it is the reason.”
“You left Nancy to the wolves last night. I thought you’d decided not to bring her. You know who’s lurking around at these events, and they like nothing more than fresh meat when they’re looking for entertainment.”
“What do you mean? What did you see?”
“I didn’t see anything, but Nancy told me Max and Theo accosted her in the bar, tried to solicit her, then touched her.”
“They fucking what!” Heat rose in my neck. “I’ll give them a bloody hiding!”
“Already done,” William grinned. “I caught the twits snorting coke in the gents. Let’s just say they didn’t leave for some time. In fact, they may still be there.” His expression darkened. “They were mumbling something about being paid off.”
“Paid off by whom?”
“They were too wasted to get any more out of them.”
“Mmm,” I considered. “And what about the introduction to Mother?”
William looked uncomfortable. “Mother put her foot in it somewhat…”
“Oh god, I thought that may have been the case. What did she say?”
“Called Nancy ‘feisty’, and then tried to touch her hair.”
“For god’s sake!” I threw my hands up in disbelief. “Was she high on Valium again?”
“When isn’t she?” William sighed.
“Well, that explains why Nancy was angry, but not why she ran off upset.”
“What do you mean ‘ran off upset’?”
“We went to the ballroom to dance before leaving, and then she said she needed to go to the bathroom. The next thing I knew, the cloakroom attendant told me she’d left crying, and when I followed her back to World’s End, her mother said she didn’t want to speak to me.
Something must have happened in that bathroom, and I want to know what.
Are you sure the twits couldn’t have tried something? ”
“It would be unlikely,” he considered. “Plus, I made the repercusssions very clear if they did. They’d have to be mad to try it on with her again.”
“I suppose. Did you see or hear anything else?”
“No, I was with Mother and Catherine at the end of the night. Why the hell were you speaking to Catherine for the entire evening anyway?”
“She was guilt-tripping me that Mimi was too embarrassed to attend the gala because I’d decided to bring Nancy, as if she’s the victim in all this!
” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Then I got the usual earful from Mother about everything the Tovertons owe the Preston-Blacks after Father’s scandal. ”
William grimaced. “I don’t envy you.”
“No, me neither, but it’s the way it is. I’m not having Nancy brought into it, though.”
“It sounds like she already is… You have told her about everything, haven’t you?”
I wavered. “Not everything. How much baggage can you put on a new relationship before it breaks?”
William placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll break because you weren’t honest with her. She cares about you, but she’ll have her limit.”
“When we talk, I’ll lay it out come hell or high water.” My phone rang and I answered, “Alex Toverton.”
“Lord Toverton, it’s Nathan at the front desk. You asked me to contact you if Ms Cooper arrived at the apartment. She took the rear entrance up to number eight a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll come now.” I ended the call. “I’ve got to go. Nancy’s at the apartment. Are we okay?”
“Yeah, of course, you’re not much of a threat anyway.” William tilted his head. “Must be your old age.”
“Cheeky bugger!” I grinned. “Enjoy your date.”
“A beef roast with a beautiful woman. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“You’re cooking a Sunday roast?”
“Yep, and you’re not invited. Good luck!” William finished blithely and closed the door on my disappointed face.
At a sprint, I reached the apartment building in under ten minutes. A handful of reporters were at the front shouting questions, but I ignored them, pushing past into the reception.
“Nathan was sitting behind the desk. “She hasn’t left yet, Lord Toverton.”
“Thanks, Nathan.” I stepped into the lift and took a deep breath as it rose, readying myself for the confrontation. When I opened the door, I was greeted by AJ, arms crossed like a bouncer.
“Nancy’s only come to get her things. She doesn’t wanna see you.”
“Get out my way!” I pushed past, but he grabbed my arm.
“Not a chance, raasclaat! I told you what I’d do if you hurt her.”
I rounded on him. “I’ve had just about enough of your bullshit.”
“You wanna go, you stuck-up prick?” AJ slammed me into the wall.
I pushed away, enraged by the surprise attack, and grabbed his broad shoulders, shoving him back into the dining table with a crack.
AJ pushed off and swung wildly. I blocked, then punches were thrown anywhere we could get a cheap shot.
I hit AJ with a body blow that left him gasping, but he countered with an uppercut that had me tasting blood.
Before we could take it to a conclusion, Evan appeared and restrained AJ against the dining table.
Nancy and Jemima rushed in from the bedroom. “AJ!” Jemima ran over. “Let him go!”
“Who’s this fucking spook!” AJ tried to fight free from Evan’s firm hold.
Evan eyed him curiously but didn’t shift. “You need to calm down, boyo.”
“Fuck you! I ain’t no ‘boyo’!” AJ struggled in vain despite Evan’s much smaller size.
I looked into Nancy’s eyes and saw the hours of crying in their redness. She was carrying her suitcase in both hands. My chest seized at the familiar sight I’d barely considered with my previous girlfriends.
“Let him go,” I reiterated to Evan. AJ brushed down his clothes, looking fierce.
“You need your man to look after you? Pathetic!”
“AJ, stop,” Nancy said in a shaky voice. “We’re leaving anyway.”
“Nancy, please. Tell me what happened last night?”
“Unfuckingbelievable!” Jemima said, but my attention was only on Nancy’s harrowed face. I took a step towards her.
“Don’t come near me,” she hissed.
I held up my hands, trying to appease her. “Nancy, whatever it is, we can sort it out.”
“There’s nothing to say, and even if there was, I couldn’t believe a word.”
“What does that mean? I’m in the dark here.”
She laughed with humourless contempt, on the edge of tears but refusing to cry. “You’ll find the clothes and jewellery you brought me in the bedroom.”
“What do you mean? They’re yours. I bought them for you!”
“I don’t want your dirty money.” She hauled the case across the room.
I stepped in her way. “You’re staying, and we’re going to talk this through.”
“I don’t have any words for you,” she bit out. “Come on, Jem, AJ. I need to get outta here.” AJ shoved past Evan and opened the door.
“Nancy, please. This is madness!” I grabbed her arm in desperation and was rewarded with a look of disgust.
“No, Alex, this is the first sane decision I’ve made in weeks.” She shrugged me off and walked out the door without looking back.
I tried to breathe, but the air was thick and sour.
I staggered to the bedroom to find every one of Nancy’s possessions gone and the bed neatly made.
She’d taken the time to ensure the dresses were dry-cleaned and the shoes were spotless.
The jewellery sparkled from the top drawer of the vanity, and her keys lay patiently waiting for me on the side table.
It was the classiest and most brutal exit I’d ever seen a woman make.
“Sir, is there anything I can do?” Evan asked.
“Yes, I want this place cleared and spotless. Ask Monsieur DuPont to contact me later today.”
“Sir?”
I turned to him, resolved. “Just take care of it, Evan. I’ll walk home from here.”