Chapter 39
We head off to Lower Slaughter early the next morning. We travel in a dark convoy of menace because I am so done with this shit.
It’s time to step up and take charge of the situation, much like I did with Polly and now she is my wife I am the person calling the shots where it concerns her.
She holds my hand and I admit it feels good and as we travel along the motorway, I can tell she is nervous.
“Will we tell her we’re married?”
She asks nervously, and I nod with a deep frown.
“Of course. There is no reason to hide anymore. Marsha Steele needs to understand that we are one step ahead of her.”
Her grip tightens. “Is that what this is, Valentin? Taking control of a situation to gain the upper hand.”
I’m aware she is referring to our wedding, and I nod. “To an extent, but the perks made my decision an extremely easy one.”
“Your decision.” Her voice shakes and I turn her face to mine and whisper, “I wasn’t prepared to let you go, Polly. When we find what we need, I couldn’t bear the thought of walking away from you. It was inevitable, so I took steps to prevent that from happening.”
I love the way her eyes light up and a soft smile replaces the frown, and she says softly, “I was dreading it, too. I even considered holding stuff back just to keep you with me.”
Perhaps now is not the right time to tell her of my listening device and I smile into her beautiful eyes. “There is no need to hide anything from me now, malyshka. We are a team and must work together.”
“A team.”
Her soft lips find mine and as she kisses me, it reminds me of how much I like this. It’s not just the sex either? It’s her. The fact she is by my side, holding my hand and bringing a smile to my face. The obvious delight I bring her and the rewards I get from it money can’t buy.
If I had never met Polly, I would have missed out on something amazing and part of me wonders about my father and Veronica. Did he feel the same? What about my mother? Was he in love with her, too? Can you really love two people equally?
It’s not a fact I want to dwell on because imagining cheating on Polly after I built a life with her doesn’t sit well with me. I made my decision based on how I’m feeling now. Will that change? Did I rush into this without all the facts at my disposal?
Second guessing my decision isn’t the best thing to do right now and as the car makes its return to Thorn House, I wonder what this visit will reveal.
We makeour way inside and Polly glances around with apprehension. “It seems different, even though it’s only been a few days since we were last here.”
“A lot has changed in that time.” I remind her, tugging her finger to my lips and kissing the simple wedding band.
As soon as we get the chance, I will adorn this finger with the rock she deserves. A Romanov wife gets the best of everything and she will be no exception.
It strikes me that she never even asked for an engagement ring. She doesn’t even realize how rich we really are. I’m guessing she’s searched for us online already, but nothing prepares a person for the full extent of our wealth unless they witness it first hand. There are many women throughout the world who would kill to be in her position and I love that she is oblivious to that. Polly is clueless about her life with me, and I anticipate seeing the realization dawn on her face when she understands exactly what she has signed up for.
My men make no effort to conceal themselves. Marsha will understand immediately who she is dealing with now, and I look forward to our meeting. She will believe she is dealing with a vulnerable, clueless girl. Now she is dealing with me and I expect a very different expression on her face when the realization hits her.
We are not kept waiting long and as her car turns into the driveway, I am watching from the upstairs window. Polly is waiting in the formal living room and my men are stationed around the house in a full show of power.
I watch her park and as she steps out of the car, she turns her attention to the house and I note the severe features of a woman who has struggled in life. I discovered a lot about this woman and know her early days were spent dealing in drugs and selling young women for profit. To her credit, she upped her game and Burning Roses is now one of the premier high class escort services that appeal to the wealthy. My father included.
Mikhail met her and negotiated Veronica’s identity in return for keeping her secret. He threatened to expose her business and drag her name through the gutter press. Anonymity is her mission statement, and she protects her business extremely well. I wonder how she will deal with what’s happening now?
I wait until she has entered the house and as I make my way downstairs, I hear Polly’s soft sweet voice offering her some tea. It brings a smile to my face because my wife is the most polite woman I have ever met and the sweetest.
It’s certainly wasted on Marsha Steele and as they take their seats in the living room, I listen with interest through the crack in the door.
“Darling, thank you so much for meeting me. You must be inundated with stuff to do and I am hoping to help ease your burden.”
“You offered me a job.” Polly says simply, and Marsha’s low laugh grates on every nerve I possess.
“Of course. You will always have a job with me. I can introduce you to many influential men and you will earn enough to keep your London home.”
She sighs in a weak show of concern.
“Is there any word on Rose Cottage? I understand there was nothing left after the unfortunate explosion.”
Polly must have responded, because Marsha sighs heavily. “I’m certain the insurance will cover the rebuild, but I was wondering on the drive over if you considered selling the plot to developers? It would save you a lot of heartache in overseeing a building project.”
“I haven’t considered it, no.”
Polly replies, and I detect a slight edge to her voice that tells me she doesn’t trust Marsha at all. Once again, I congratulate myself because Polly is an astute woman who recognizes shit when she hears it.
“So, my offer for Thorn House.”
Marsha doesn’t hang around and Polly says firmly, “I’m sorry, Marsha, but it’s too early to make any decisions.”
“I see.” Marsha’s voice is tight, and I can only imagine the anger boiling away inside her now.
“You see, it’s a lot to think of, and I am still coming to terms with what happened. I’m sure you agree, any decisions made would be ones made in haste. I need more time. I hope you understand.”
Marsha says quickly, “I disagree, this is the perfect time.”
“Excuse me.” Polly sounds surprised and Marsha goes in for the kill.
“You may not be aware and your solicitor may have already explained this, but Veronica was a wealthy woman when she died.”
“I can tell that.” Polly replies with no emotion, and Marsha says roughly.
“You will be liable for several hundreds of thousands in death duties.”
“I see.” I detect the uncertainty in Polly’s voice as realization bites and Marsha softens her voice as she senses her prey cowering before her.
“You will need to sell one, if not two, of the properties to pay what you owe because I’m doubtful Veronica had much in the way of investments to help. To be honest, she was a little strapped for cash most of the time, which is why she took up my offer of employment.”
She pauses to let her words sink in and then says in a kinder voice. “So, it appears you have a choice to make, darling. Sell up and pay what you owe, or work for it in my establishment.”
As she waits for Polly to respond, I push my way in through the door and as Marsha turns, I relish the blood draining from her face.
“Good morning, Miss Steele. I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
I hold out my hand and as hers falls into mine, I make sure to crush it, relishing the pain enter her eyes.
“Valentin Romanov, otherwise known as Polly’s husband.”
As announcements go, this one should win an award because the sight of the blood draining from her face and the bitter edge of defeat in her expression gives me more pleasure than I thought it would.
I drop her hand and move to Polly’s side and take her hand in mine as I smile at Marsha.
“I overheard your last comment, Marsha, and can assure you Polly will not be requiring a job, or need to sell anything to pay her aunt’s death duties. It is all in hand and Polly’s property empire will remain in the family for as long as she wants it to.”
I love how Marsha’s eyes narrow and her lips twitch with anger and then I turn to Polly and say smoothly, “Darling, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need you for a minute. It shouldn’t take long, but there is a problem in the coach house.”
Polly nods and smiles apologetically at Marsha. “I’m so sorry, please, I know you loved this house. I shouldn’t be long, so maybe take a walk around and remember my aunt. I’m sure you had many happy times here and I would hate for your visit to be futile.”
As we make to leave, she says softly, “I won’t be long. I’ll come and find you.”
As we make our way outside, she grips my hand tightly, which is the only indication she is on edge. I must commend Polly for her acting skills because she didn’t bat an eyelash the entire time and I am so proud to call her my wife.