CHAPTER 26
“You’re not enjoying yourself, are you?” Nathan made a pouty face at his beautiful wife, and she smiled at him, indulgent towards his teasing.
“It’s only for a few hours, darling. He’ll be fine.”
Bella sighed and pushed the barely touched sole around her plate.
Nathan sighed himself, before tossing back the champagne in his flute.
“It’s our anniversary. Our first wedding anniversary. The nanny can handle Richard.”
“She’s quite,” Bella gave a delicate shrug of shoulders, causing the diamond and sapphire necklace he had gifted her with earlier to twinkle under the lights.
“Quite what?” Nathan pressed, trying his best to hide the exasperation he felt.
His wife was consumed with their son.
A proud smile tickled the edges of his lips, he was too, but there was a limit.
“I don’t know,” Bella put her silverware down and peered unhappily at his face.
“She’s highly recommended.” Nathan reminded her.
“The service we’re using is the best. Mum knows a friend of the owners and their clients do include royalty.”
Bella wrinkled her nose and reached for her flute of champagne.
“Those things don’t matter to me, Nate, you know they don’t.”
“I know,” he agreed.
“It’s one of the things I love about you, and I do love you.” He grabbed her free hand and brought it to his lips.
“Very, very, much.” Each word was punctuated by a small kiss across the delicate skin of her hand.
“Charmer.” she retorted with a flutter of eyelashes with caused him to laugh out loud.
They were the only people, bar the waiting staff, gracing the exclusive restaurant.
“And it’s much longer than a couple of hours.” she added, frowning once more.
“There really was no need for this.”
“I enjoy spoiling you.” Nathan countered, already feeling the second stirring of his growing annoyance.
“If a man can’t spoil his wife on their first wedding anniversary,”
Bella, noting his irritation, simply tightened her glistening lips and pointedly removed her hand from his.
Nathan sighed and leaned back in his chair.
“Our driver is out front. If you want, I’ll have him take us back to the air-strip and we’ll be back home in a couple of hours.”
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate you whisking me off to Paris,” she started in a grateful voice.
“And ensuring we had this restaurant to ourselves,” Nathan added.
“This very exquisite Michelin starred restaurant with very delicious food.”
“And I love Le Meurice, darling,” Bella was quick to state.
“It’s the best restaurant in Paris in my eyes, but,”
Nathan pulled the napkin off his lap and tossed it atop the table.
“But you miss him. Christ sakes, Bella. I miss him also, but you’re acting as if we’ve abandoned our firstborn to the wolves. Richard is in good hands and my mother said she would stop by the house to check in on him.”
Bella closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, before opening her hazel orbs and raising an eyebrow.
“Your mother?”
Nathan cleared his throat in a huff.
“Yes, my mother.”
“Your mother,” she repeated.
“Yes.” Nathan said, now drumming his fingers over the delicate lace tablecloth.
“Your mother who doesn’t have one maternal bone in her body.” Bella drawled.
“Now look here,” Nathan hissed.
“That’s quite unfair of you to say, Bella. Mum is, well, she’s,”
“Cold?” Bella suggested.
“Physically incapable of showing any emotion that barely resembles affection?”
Nathan narrowed his eyes in anger.
“Right. I won’t sit here and allow you to malign my mother. Wedding anniversary be damned! You’re crossing a line and I want you to stop it.”
“Fine,” Bella took a dainty sip from the flute she still held.
“Shall I malign your father? Is that acceptable?”
“What on earth has gotten into you?” Nathan ran a hand through his blond hair in agitation.
“Why are you acting this way? You’ve not been yourself for weeks.”
“Because I’m up every night with our son-”
“I wanted to add a live-in nanny to our current staff,” Nathan interjected tersely.
“You categorically said no, and I do help out at nights.” When his wife glared daggers at him, he hastened to add, “Sometimes, not as often as you would like, but I have to be up early for work in the mornings.”
It was the wrong thing to say.
Bella’s features underwent a transformation, the kind of transformation which caused Nathan’s guard to fly up.
“And I’m just swanning around all day, yes?” she asked in a deceptively pleasant voice.
“Do you have any idea what I spend my days doing?”
Nathan wisely kept quiet, trying his best to think of a way to escape his wife’s temper unscathed.
She was the only person who could make him feel like a naughty child.
“Richard is a little over five months now,” she stated.
Nathan pinched his nose bridge and took a calming breath.
“I know how old our son is.”
“And I feel pressured all the time, Nathan,” she admitted, her mouth dipped at the corners and her eyes glinted with moisture.
“They need me back in the office, even though I’ve resumed working at least 2 hours each day from home,”
“Bella,” Nathan began but she cut him off.
“Everyone thinks-”
“Forget everyone else,” Nathan interrupted her this time and called her over with a crook of finger.
Reluctantly she rose from her seat.
The lines of her evening gown swished in a complimentary manner around her figure as she made her way over to settle on his lap as per his desire.
“Tell me,” he said, tilting her head in order to see her eyes.
“Tell me what you want.”
“I don’t want our son raised by nannies like you were. I know it’s the expected thing within our circles, but I’m not sure it is for me. My parents didn’t start out ridiculously wealthy, I wasn’t brought up by strangers as a young child, but once my parents were in a higher earning bracket and I started boarding school, well holidays were the only family time I got. We had so much money to do all these things, yet I felt alone.” Bella sighed with a shrug.
“I want to spend all my time with him but I also want to return to work. It’s terrible handing over control of my company while I’m on maternity leave. I’m tired, Nate, and lost, and,”
When her words faltered, Nathan pulled her further into his arms and manoeuvred her head onto his shoulder as he reassured her.
“Listen, whatever you want to do I’ll support you. We’re lucky in part that money is not a problem. Work, don’t work, the decision is entirely up to you. These concerns you have about Richard’s care, we don’t have to make a permanent decision now, sweetheart. If you’re not happy with his nanny, we can find someone better. Take all the time you need.”
Bella raised her head, a mutinous set to her face.
“I don’t want to take all the time I need. My creativity is non-existent at the moment. I can barely draw a thing with any semblance to a workable design. I’m not a top-notch architect anymore…I’m a mother and it’s terrible. I love it, I love him, but it’s terrible and wonderful at the same time. Do you understand?”
Nathan didn’t fully understand, but he nodded in a show of solidarity.
“Of course I do, darling.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“It’s completely understandable you feel overwhelmed-”
“I am certainly not overwhelmed.” Bella glowered at him.
“Did your mother say something? I’m perfectly capable of balancing my life. I’m a Humphrey, damn it, and we can handle anything.”
Nathan blinked a few times while his wife bristled on his lap in a perfect example of contradictory emotions.
She had only this minute complained about being tired and battling with making the right decision concerning her work/life balance.
As adorable as she was, her behaviour since the birth of their son had been trying for him.
Although they had made a life and family together, she was their son’s primary constant.
His life, though changed, had not undergone the complete upheaval Bella was currently experiencing.
Nathan peered at her.
The expression on her features was one of open challenge, practically daring him to say something.
Nathan knew anything he said in this moment would be the wrong thing, but he had to say something.
“Ah,” He licked his lips and gave her a sheepish smile.
“You’re a Walthamstow now, sweetheart, it’s been a year…hence this romantic trip to your favourite restaurant in Paris.”
“You insolent bastard.” she grumbled.
Nathan slid a hand under her loose brunette waves, slowly caressing her nape.
“Happy First Anniversary.”
Begrudgingly, she gave him a small smile.
“Happy First Anniversary.”
“Looking forward to the next?” he teased, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Hmm, depends,” Bella replied.
“On what?”
She pressed a soft kiss over his lips then leaned away to say, “On whether I decide to murder you for taking my once perfect life and turning it upside down.”
Nathan chuckled deep in his throat.
“You love your boys, don’t you?”
Bella squinted at him before laughing herself.
“I do. I really do.”
Taking the moment to claim his wife’s lips, Nathan silently vowed to pay more attention to what went on in his family home.
“We’ll find a better nanny.” he promised when they broke apart.
“And you’ll try to be home more?” she asked quietly.
“Cut back on the hours you work?”
Nathan kissed her again.
“I won’t rest until we have the best nanny for Richard.”
Bella sighed out loud and Nathan pushed his guilt aside.
The barrel price of oil was at an all-time low and the state of the economy was fragile.
Then there was the ongoing political unrest within certain nations, the increasing threat of further terrorism in Europe, right on the bloody doorstep…
and a possible Bank of England interest rate rise, the first since 2007; things were difficult at work to say the least.
“It will get better,” he assured her.
“Once he’s sleeping through the nights, you’ll feel much better.” Knowing the almost unnoticeable slump to her shoulders signified her disbelief over his words, Nathan held her tighter in his arms.
“Would having your mum around more make it better? You enjoyed her staying with us when Richard was born.”
“You didn’t.” Bella murmured before making a move to stand.
Nathan kept her on his lap and buried his face in her scented hair.
“I don’t mind if you want her to stay at ours for a few weeks. Now your dad, he’s a different issue.”
Bella did chuckle over his harassed reference to her father and she slipped her hands over his shoulders and teased, “You adore my father.”
“Yes,” Nathan mocked dryly.
“And you adore my mother.”
They both exchanged knowing glances before Bella patted his shoulder and wriggled on his lap.
He reluctantly let her go but kept his gaze fixed on her as she returned to her seat.
“Do you want to leave, darling?” he asked, searching her expression for the truth.
She shook her head and picked up the silverware.
“It’s our first wedding anniversary, let’s enjoy it.”
Nathan grinned and motioned one of the servers over.
They needed this time together, he needed this time with her and his only goal was to make her laugh.
Almost eight hours later they had returned to London, both in high spirits and not wanting their private time together to end.
“Fancy stopping by the club on our way home?” Nathan drawled, reaching over to grab her hand as they reclined against the car’s upholstery.
Bella squinted at his watch.
“It’s four in the morning,”
“And?” Nathan teased.
“We’re members and it’s been ages since you’ve joined me there.”
“Which club?” Bella narrowed her eyes.
“Your favourite,” Nathan assured her.
They were members of quite a few exclusive clubs.
“It will be like the old days.”
“Hmm,” Bella edged closer to rest her head across his shoulder.
“We would be leaving at this time, not arriving.”
“Quick drink,” Nathan cajoled.
“Maybe catch a high-stakes game in one of the private rooms,”
Bella raised her head at once, eyes gleaming with growing excitement.
“But if you’re too tired,” Nathan murmured, faking a small yawn.
“I’ll understand.”
“One drink,” she agreed, nipping the inside of her lower lip.
“And one game, depending on the players of course.”
Nathan slung his arm around her, thoroughly excited over the prospect of watching his wife in action.
“Of course, my darling.” Then he notified their driver of the change in plans.
When they arrived, Bella was abuzz over the prospect of outsmarting some unsuspecting fool at whatever high-stakes game was taking place.
Nathan, completely besotted by his animated wife, convinced her to have a cocktail with him in the private members lounge.
He was on his second, while Bella still sipped her first, when he heard someone approach from behind.
His wife’s mouth stretched wide with familiarity, but he knew each of her smiles and the one on her face only appeared if dealing with someone she barely tolerated.
Nathan stiffened as a hand landed on his shoulder and he turned in his seat to peer up at the clearly inebriated man.
“Nathan. Fucking hell, it’s good to see you, chap.”
A bemused look flickered across his features before Nathan rose to his feet with a genial hand outstretched.
“Sloan, how are you?”
“Good,” Sloan pumped his hand up and down quickly.
“Great actually.”
“Yes,” Nathan agreed wryly.
“We can see that.”
Sloan dropped his hand, moving towards Bella.
“And you, just look at you. I haven’t seen you since that charity function at your parents’ estate last year.” He winked at Nathan.
“Lucky bastard.”
Bella rose to her feet slowly and her smile never once wavered.
“Sloan, you flatter me,” Allowing him the opportunity to kiss both her cheeks, Bella chuckled lightly.
“You smell like a brewery, darling. How many hours have you been here?”
Nathan knew her laugh was forced.
He immediately glanced at his watch, five minutes should sufficiently cover the required polite conversation.
Five minutes and he would chase Sloan away.
Dashing his hand through his unkempt black hair, which was much too long for a respectable man, Sloan tried to stand up straight.
Nathan shared an amused glance with his wife as their unexpected interruption attempted to tuck his badly rumpled shirt into the waist band of his trousers.
“I, ah, left my dinner jacket in one of the rooms,” he explained.
“Been having a well-deserved drink tonight.”
“This morning,” Bella corrected in a charming tone.
Sloan beamed at her.
“Yes, yes. Time has marched on since I arrived. What are you two doing here? Shall I call for some more drinks?” He spun around, wobbled, and would have fallen if not for Nathan’s firm grip on his arm.
“Steady on there.” Nathan laughed.
Flashing them a grin as he shrugged Nathan off, Sloan tottered in the direction of the lounge’s bar then turned back.
“What are you drinking? Never mind, they’ll know at the bar.”
“It’s fine, Sloan,” Nathan declined the offer.
“We only stopped in for a quick one.”
“No,” Sloan said, one finger raised.
“I won’t hear of it. I’ll be right back.”
Watching him hurrying away, both Nathan and Bella stifled their groans.
“I heard he’s wasted the majority of his trust fund,” Bella murmured as she slid closer to Nathan.
“His mother refuses to release another penny of his remaining inheritance until he stops his behaviour. His younger brother is much more level-headed. Poor woman. If our son ever turned out to be such a-”
“Bella,” Nathan bristled in offense.
“Richard would never turn out like Sloan.”
“I’m teasing, darling,” She slipped her arm through his.
“Hmph, it’s not funny.” Nathan chastised.
“And how do you know about the state of Sloan’s affairs anyway? He’s one of Louisa’s, ahem, more colourful friends, and you try to avoid people with that title.”
Bella blinked coquettishly at him then smirked.
“Your mother is a font of knowledge when it comes to knowing other people’s business.”
Nathan took no offense at her statement, in fact, his chin lifted with a proud tilt.
“And so she should be. Did you think her position in my family’s company was in name only?”
He tutted in faux disappointment and Bella let out a delicate snort of amusement.
Motioning to their chairs, Nathan waited for her to be seated before pulling his chair closer to hers.
“Here he comes,” Bella whispered with a roll of hazel eyes.
“With a very pleasant looking member of staff in tow.” Nathan mused.
He waited for the expected reaction from his wife, it flattered his ego whenever she showed the slightest hint of jealousy.
“Indeed.” Bella agreed, shocking him by her lack of concern.
“Bels?” Nathan hissed.
“Didn’t you hear me? I said-”
She hid her laugh behind her hand, eyes twinkling with mirth.
“Oh Nate, I love you to bits. Thank you for this.”
Nathan beamed, reaching over to grab her free hand.
“You’re welcome.”
Sharing a tender smile, they watched Sloan collapse his frame into a free chair while the smartly dressed member of staff placed their drinks on the table.
She smiled politely and quickly left them to it.
The staff were well-trained when it concerned the privacy of their guests.
Sipping their drinks, the three exchange small talk, Sloan conversed the most in his drunken state.
Nathan made a show of glancing at his watch a few times, but it went unnoticed by the wildly gesticulating interloper.
Bella graciously listened to Sloan’s ramblings, nodding along to his impassioned complaints of the dire state of the country and the obvious cause for it.
“I say deport them all.” Sloan remarked.
“Bloody immigrants. They take, take, take. It’s disgusting to see how far our country has fallen. This open-door policy has destroyed England as we know it. Have you seen the news? It’s only going to get worse I tell you. At least we’re relatively safe from the masses, but for how much longer? I’ve actually thought about relocating.”
Nathan tossed back his drink, giving Bella an eloquent stare.
“Bradley married a foreigner, didn’t he? I heard they got divorced last month.” Sloan sneered then laughed.
“Pretty little thing though, and snores like a trooper!”
Bella jerked in surprise, saying tartly, “She’s not a complete foreigner. Madison is actually English, not that it matters. We won’t be having this discussion, Sloan. It’s frankly none of your business and I’ve had quite enough of your loutish behaviour.”
“Bella,” Sloan tried for an apologetic voice, but failed.
“We’re all friends here. It was a joke.”
Nathan ignored his wife’s angry words and slowly put his drink down, leaning forward he arched an eyebrow in Sloan’s direction.
“And how would you know that?”
“Huh? Know what? About the divorce?” Sloan laughed out loud.
“Bradley and I may not be as close friends as you two are, but we know the same people, Nathan.”
Nathan moved again, almost on the edge of his seat now.
“How do you know she snores? How could you possibly know that, Sloan, mmm?”
Sloan spluttered for a moment.
His cheeks, ruddy from the drink, were suddenly becoming pale.
“Pardon? I never said-”
“You said she snores like a trooper,” Nathan dragged out coldly.
“How the fuck would you know that?”
Sloan rubbed his forehead and avoided Nathan’s piercing glare as he gulped the rest of his drink down.
Nathan got to his feet, towering over the drunk man who was now casting Bella worried looks.
Bella’s eyes were wide with confusion as she also put her drink down.
“Answer the bloody question.” Nathan’s harsh demand drew Sloan’s gaze to his face.
“How could you possibly know that?”
I missed certain things that went with being Mrs DuMont-Bradley.
The weekly food hampers from Fortnum and Mason, which George would let me unpack while shaking his head at my eagerness to get to the sumptuous goodies.
The fact someone else did my laundry and dry-cleaning errands.
Cleaning?
Ha!
As Mrs DuMont-Bradley those things ‘magically’ got done before I ever felt the urge to pick up a vacuum cleaner.
Magically meant the cleaning service that came every couple of days whose employees always tidied my mess before I had a chance to do it myself.