Barbara Dunlop - Millions To Spare

She’d cling to that reality. Even if Harrison hadn’t fallen in love with her, he got her out of jail in Dubai, and he saved her life. She’d always be grateful for that.

Harrison spent most of the trip across the Atlantic telling himself to buck up and be a man about it.

Sure, he’d missed Julia last night. But it was obvious she was ready to walk away, and he’d had no choice but to respect her wishes. Although every minute took him farther away from her, he tried to remind himself he was also heading toward something else, a course of action that would ultimately make the most sense.

But, by the time they crossed the Azores, he knew he had to stop in London. He also knew he had to tell both Brittany and his grandmother the engagement wasn’t going to happen. He’d betrayed Brittany in the most fundamental way a man could betray a woman. It wasn’t that he’d slept with Julia. Problem was, he’d fallen in love with Julia.

He’d asked his pilot to refile the flight plan, and now they were easing onto the runaway at Heathrow.

He’d also forced himself to go over a backlog of business e-mails, composing answers while they were in the air. Once the jet was taxiing at Heathrow, he hooked up his connection and sent everything off.

There was some good news on the pipeline front. France and Turkmenistan were ready to start formal talks. Harrison would have to be in Paris for that at the end of the month. He’d also contacted a top-notch, international private investigative firm. They’d get started on the investigation around Millions to Spare’s death immediately and, hopefully, have some information for the Prestons soon.

His jet stopped at the private boarding gates, and he headed down the gangway into a blustery fall evening in London. There was a limo waiting for him, and he made a few calls while half watching a news station on his way to Brittany’s family home near Hyde Park.

“We’ve arrived, sir,” the limo driver informed him as the car came to a halt.

One of the Livingstons’ footmen quickly opened Harrison’s door, and Harrison thanked him as he got out.

Another staff member greeted him on the lighted, stone porch and offered to announced him to Brittany. The Livingstons had always lived on the formal side, even for the aristocracy, and Harrison couldn’t help but contrast their lifestyle to the cozy little cabin where he’d spoken with Julia just last night.

Brittany appeared almost immediately in the marble and gilded entry hall.

“Harrison.” She smiled politely, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “How good of you to stop by.”

Again, Harrison’s brain brought up a contrast to Julia. If he’d arrived unannounced on her doorstep at nine in the evening, she’d probably ask him what the heck he wanted.

“Shall we go into the parlor?” Brittany offered.

“I came to apologize,” said Harrison as he fell into step with her. “I’m sorry I had to leave so suddenly.”

They crossed through a set of double doors to a dark paneled room with French provincial furniture, heavy oil paintings and ornate, antique crystal chandeliers.

Brittany gestured to a burgundy upholstered chair. “I understand completely,” she told him.

He waited for her to sit down in the opposite chair before taking his own seat.

A butler arrived.

“Would you care for a cocktail?” asked Brittany. “Or perhaps some tea?”

“Tea would be nice,” said Harrison. “I’m time zone challenged at the moment.”

“Of course.” She nodded to the butler, who exited the room.

Immediately a trio of maids appeared, setting out cups and spoons, sugar, cream, honey and lemon. Then another maid arrived with a tray of sweets, and yet another with a pot of tea.

Harrison waited until the little flurry had calmed down and Brittany had poured the tea.

He took a sip and nodded his appreciation. “I am sorry our visit in Dubai didn’t go as I had planned.”

Brittany’s cup rattled against the saucer.

He peered closely at her expression and realized she was nervous about something.

He had a horrible thought. Was she expecting him to propose here and now?

“Harrison.” She set down her cup.

What could he do?

What could he say?

He didn’t want to hurt her.

“There’s something I need to discuss with you,” she continued.

He set down his own cup and leaned forward, relieved to have her keep talking a little while longer. “Please,” he invited.

“This is difficult,” she said, smoothing her hair back from her face.

Then she rose, and Harrison quickly rose with her.

She crossed the room and shut the parlor door. Then she turned to face him. “I’ve always thought we were perfect for each other.”

Harrison didn’t know what to say to that, but his worst fear seemed to be coming true. He truly didn’t want to break Brittany’s heart. She was a lovely woman.

“We have so much in common,” she continued. “Music, art, religion, politics. And we have so many mutual friends.”

He needed to shut this conversation down before she said something that would later prove embarrassing. “I understand how you might-”

She held up a hand to stop him. “I’m sorry. Please. I need to say it all.”

Harrison nodded. He had no choice.

“And you and I, far more than most people, understand there’s still value in uniting families. A title is important. It’s important socially, and it gives children so many advantages in life.”

“Brittany, I-”

“I can’t marry you, Harrison.”

Harrison could swear that his jaw dropped open. He was completely speechless.

“I know it’s a foolish decision on my part.”

Not foolish at all. She didn’t want to marry him? Had he heard that right?

“Problem is-” she walked back to her chair and dropped down into it “-I’m in love with someone else.”

It was Harrison’s turn to drop into his chair. He stared at her, speechless with surprise.

She gave a little laugh. “He’s a commoner. He’s an American. He’s brash and outspoken and opinionated. And he’s not the least bit intimidated by my title or my family or pretty much anything for that matter.”

She took a breath. “For the first time in my life, I’ve found someone for whom it’s worth defying both my family and convention. Father will rage, as you can imagine.”

Harrison could well imagine. “Do you need my help?” he asked her.

She gave him a curious look.

“With your father. I’d be happy to talk to him if you think it would help.”

“You’re not angry?”

Harrison gave her a smile. “How could I be angry?” He reached out and took both of her hands. “It sounds like you’re going to be happy.”

Her eyes shimmered, and she blinked rapidly. “Maybe.”

“Are you ready to tell me who he is?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. He doesn’t…” She glanced away. “He still thinks I’m marrying you.”

Harrison smiled at the irony. “I know how that can go.”

“I hope we can still be friends.” Her voice shook ever so slightly. And no wonder. She was about to embark on a course of action that would rattle the foundations of her family and ripple out into society across London.

“Absolutely,” he answered her question. He came to his feet, drawing her up with him, and pulling her into a gentle hug. “I wish you nothing but happiness,” he told her. “And I’m here for you in whatever you need. If you need to get out of London for a while. If you need anything financially. And, please, bring him to meet me as soon as you can?”

Brittany gave a strange, little laugh, and it did Harrison’s heart good.

He drew back and gave her hand another squeeze. “Well done, Brittany. I’m very proud of you.”

And he was.

He was also a little disappointed in himself. Brittany was heading out on a very big limb for her love, whereas he’d given up Julia without the slightest of fights.

Back at his London flat, Harrison stared out the window across the black water of the Thames. He’d picked up the phone to call Julia a dozen times. But he had to find the right words. He knew he only had one shot at this, and he wasn’t about to blow it.

A knock sounded on his door, and he crossed the floor to find Alex on the porch.

“What on earth are you doing in London?” Last time Harrison had checked, Alex was still holding down the fort in Dubai.

“I have to talk to you,” Alex responded, marching into the square foyer and removing his coat, tossing it on a wall hook.

“It seems to be an epidemic today,” Harrison commented as he led the way into the living room. He took his favorite Windsor chair, while Alex walked to the big, bay window and stared out.

Harrison wondered if something was wrong on the pipeline deal. Funny, he couldn’t bring himself to care about a financial loss right now.

After a moment, Alex turned. He reached into the breast pocket of his suit and extracted a white envelope. “I’m handing you my resignation.”

Harrison couldn’t have been more stunned if Alex had pulled out a gun and demanded the silver. “You’re what?”

“I’m resigning.”

Harrison scrambled to make sense of the words. How had this happened? Why hadn’t he seen it coming?

Alex took five swift steps across the room and dropped the letter on the lamp table beside Harrison.

Harrison didn’t even look at the envelope. “Have you lost your mind?”

Alex shook his head. “I’ve done something that makes me unfit as your employee.”

“Is it serious? Can we solve it? Was it illegal?”

Alex took a very deep breath. “I slept with Brittany.”

Harrison’s jaw definitely fell open this time.

“I’m in love with her, Harrison. And, fair warning, I’m going to fight you for her.”