The Midnight Rose (31 page)

“Think about what? Us? The night before you left I gave you an engagement ring and asked you to be my wife! Then you run off the next day and don’t tell me where you are or what’s going on in that head of yours, Becks. And the one time we
do
speak, you sound so distant, like you couldn’t wait to end the call. I’ve been out of my mind ever since.” Jack swept a hand through his hair and paced back and forth. “Can’t you see what you’ve done is cruel, just leaving me hanging, not knowing what you were thinking? I love you, Becks. That night I was asking to spend the rest of my life with you! So, why
did
you run off?”

“I didn’t,” she replied, trying to keep calm. “If you remember, I was always catching a flight to England the next day. I just decided to get on an earlier plane, that’s all.”

“Come on! This is me you’re talking to! Don’t fob me off.”

“No, I’m sorry. I guess”—she searched for the right words—“I got frightened. Marriage is kind of a huge deal and we’ve had some problems lately.”

“What problems? I didn’t think we had problems, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me that night.”

“Well”—she took a deep breath—“it’s the drugs issue, Jack. It’s been bad the past few months.”

“
What?
Goddamn it, Becks! I can’t believe you think I have a problem. Most of Hollywood is using on some level. It’s normal. You’re making me out to be some kind of addict.”

“I’m sorry, I just hate it, that’s all.”

“Surely everyone’s entitled to a little fun occasionally? Especially while I’m going through a rough patch with my career. But, of course, you wouldn’t know about that, would you?” he added bitchily.

“Jack, please try and understand that I just needed some time to think. When I got off the plane here, I was greeted by a whole heap of journalists congratulating me on my engagement. I felt blindsided. Did you announce to the media we were engaged?”

“No, I didn’t say anything!”

“Really? So where did they get your quotes from?”

“Where they usually get them, honey, as you well know. From my publicist, who went off the reservation with this thing.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Come on, Becks, don’t act all naive. You know how it works and I’m hurt you could have blamed me.”

“I’m sorry,” she said again, lost for anything else to say.

“But you know what really bugs me? Even if I
had
confirmed that I’d asked you to marry me, would that really have been so bad? I mean, I guess I got it wrong. I was kind of hoping you’d be happy.”

“It’s a big decision and—”

“Well, you’ve sure had plenty of space and time here. So, can I ask if you’ve reached a decision?”

Rebecca remained silent, struggling with how to reply.

“Okay, I guess that response says it all. And that guy I saw all over you in the car—he’s been comforting you while you decide, I take it?”

“No! James is an actor in the film. He’s nice. I like him, but I’ve hardly even seen him off set. He asked me out for something to eat tonight and that’s as far as it’s gone.”

Jack folded his arms and stared at her. “And you really expect me to believe that? Screwing your costar on location is the oldest story in the book. Don’t patronize me by denying it. I turn up here after two weeks of silence from my girl and find her in the arms of another man. What am I
supposed
to think? You can’t seriously expect me to believe that the two things aren’t related?”

“Well, I can assure you they’re not,” Rebecca reiterated. “Ask Mrs. Trevathan, if you want, she knows I’ve been here every night. I know how it must look to you, Jack, but it’s simply not the truth.”

“Christ, you’re even sounding different. That English accent of yours is another thing you seem to have acquired since you’ve been over here.”

They both sat in silence for a while, stung by each other’s words. “So you’re saying that we’re still together?” Jack said finally.

“Yes, everyone here knows we are.”

“The question is, Becks, do
you
know? Have you made up your mind yet about my proposal? Because you sure as hell have had enough time to think about it now. And if it’s a yes, it might go some way to convincing me you haven’t been screwing that actor guy either.”

Rebecca’s mind was a jumble of confused thoughts. “I . . .” She put her fingers to her temple. “Jack, I’m still in shock from your being here. Can we just both calm down and talk about this tomorrow, when we’ve had some sleep? I’ve been sick with a terrible migraine and—”

“Please don’t play the sympathy card on me, Becks. You were well enough to take a trip out to dinner with lover boy earlier. Okay”—Jack sighed—“I think I’ve seen all I need to. I guess the best thing for me to do would be to head back home.”

“Jack, please! Don’t go,” she begged. “We need to sort this out. Just because I ran scared about your marriage proposal doesn’t mean I’ve decided we’re over. One of our problems is that we never have enough time or privacy to really talk to each other. You’re always in one place and I’m in another. Right now, we actually have those things. For both our sakes, don’t you think we should take advantage of that?”

Jack slumped down on the sofa next to her. “I don’t know what I want at this moment, Becks. Marrying you was the one thing keeping me going. My career is a mess, the good parts aren’t coming in like they used to, I’m starting to think maybe I’m all washed up. I—”

Jack began to weep. Rebecca reached over and took him in her arms.

“I’m sorry, Jack, I really am. Of course you’re not washed up. You’ve just been going through a rough patch, which I’m sure will happen to me in the future.”

“Yeah, but you’ve got a good few years ahead playing the lead, whereas I’m obviously past that point. And yes, I probably have been using too much recently, but I swear, Becks, I’m not an addict. I’ve just been feeling kind of down lately and wanted a quick fix. You believe me, don’t you?”

“Yes, I believe you,” Rebecca answered. What else could she say? She’d been on the back foot since the moment Jack had appeared.

“And it hurts me, Becks, hurts me bad that you obviously didn’t think I was serious when I asked you to be my wife. That you felt I was playing a game, and you don’t realize how much I love you.”

Rebecca stroked his hair gently. “I’m sorry for hurting you, Jack. I really am.”

“Thanks. I could really use a drink. Any alcohol in this godforsaken place?”

“If there is, I wouldn’t know where to find it. Why don’t we go upstairs and try and get some sleep? We can talk some more tomorrow, although I’m due on set early.”

“If you’re sure you want me back in your bed. And you can swear to me that you haven’t been screwing that actor as much as you like, because as sure as hell, the rest of the cast and crew will know and I won’t hang around to be a laughingstock.”

“No, Jack,” Rebecca replied wearily, “I swear that I haven’t.”

Eventually, Jack gave a ghost of a smile. “I guess I’m going to have to believe you. So, take me up to your tower, fair maiden, where I intend to make up for lost time.” He drew Rebecca to him and kissed her.

“Come on, let’s go,” she said, standing and pulling him to his feet. “The chances are that Mrs. Trevathan is still around somewhere. She refuses to go to bed until everyone else has.” Rebecca led him along the maze of shadowy corridors until they arrived in the entrance hall. Mrs. Trevathan appeared like a ghost beside them. “Is your . . .
friend
wishing to stay the night?” she inquired.

“Yes, if that’s okay with you and Anthony,” said Rebecca.

“Well, I can hardly ask his lordship for permission at this time of night, can I? He’ll be tucked up in bed and fast asleep. I will, of course, tell him in the morning of your young man’s presence in the house. Good night.”

“Good night, ma’am, and thank you. I’m sorry to have made such a racket earlier.” Jack gave her one of his legendary killer smiles, but Mrs. Trevathan’s expression remained unmoved.

“Jesus, she’s a weird one, isn’t she?” Jack said when they’d gone upstairs and were behind Rebecca’s closed bedroom door. “Hey, is there really no lock on that door?” he asked from where he was sitting on the bed.

“Sadly not,” Rebecca replied, feeling suddenly awkward as Jack reached out his arms to her.

“Come here.”

She walked toward him and he took her into them.

“I’d forgotten how gorgeous you are. You make a beautiful blonde, that’s for sure. I’ve missed you, Becks.”

As they made love, she tried to relax and enjoy it. Afterward, Jack fell asleep and Rebecca padded out of bed to use the bathroom. Returning quietly, she climbed in next to him and switched off the light.

In the early hours of the morning, he woke and reached for her again in the darkness. As her body arched toward him, she had the uncanny feeling there was another presence in the room, someone watching . . .

While she rested against Jack’s broad shoulder, she let the strange idea drift out of her head and sank into a dreamless sleep.

J
ack’s unexpected nighttime arrival was the buzz on set the following day. The makeup girls went into a swoon when he arrived in their room looking for Rebecca. She watched as he charmed them and they all fell under his spell.

“You lucky, lucky girl,” said Chrissie, the chief makeup artist. “He’s even more gorgeous in real life than he is on-screen,” she commented after Jack had kissed Rebecca on the top of her head and headed off to find some breakfast from the catering van.

“When did he appear, then?” asked James as they took their marks on set an hour later. “You didn’t mention last night that he was coming.”

“I didn’t know he was. He was waiting for me when I got out of the car. Unfortunately, he saw you give me a hug and imagined the worst,” Rebecca sighed.

“I see. Well, before it’s pistols at dawn over your honor, m’lady, I’ll be happy to put him straight on that score. I’ll tell him honestly that I’d have been happy to avail myself of your charms anytime, but sadly you would have none of it.”

By lunchtime, Jack had regained his usual ebullience and was reveling in the attention he was receiving.

“I’m happy I came over here, Becks,” he said, knocking back the beer Steve had managed to procure for him. “This is a nice crowd you’re working with.”

“Yes, everyone’s been very welcoming.”

“And I can’t wait to put my hands up your skirt later and feel those silk stockings and that garter,” he whispered to her. “Dig the hair color too. It’s like I got myself a whole new girl.”

After lunch, Jack pulled Rebecca inside. “Come on, time for a little nap,” he said as they began to mount the stairs to her bedroom.

“Rebecca, will you be so kind as to introduce me to your visitor?” said a stern voice from behind them.

“Hello, Anthony,” said Rebecca, turning around, trying not to look
guilty. “I’m sorry. I haven’t had the chance. He arrived unexpectedly very late last night and Mrs. Trevathan said you were already asleep. This is Jack Heyward. Jack, meet Lord Anthony Astbury.”

“Hi, sir  . . . I mean Lord Anthony,” said Jack, his normal confidence deserting him. He walked back down the stairs and held out his hand to him. “Thank you for letting me crash here without prior notice.”

Anthony surveyed him, stony-faced. “It doesn’t seem as though I have any say in the matter, but you are welcome nonetheless.”

“Thank you. And I’m happy for me and Becks to move out to a hotel if that would be more appropriate.”

“Mrs. Trevathan has found you a bedroom here already, I presume?”

“Oh no, sir—your lordship. I slept with Becks—that is, in the same room.”

Rebecca wanted to giggle at Jack’s obvious embarrassment.

“I see.” Anthony raised an eyebrow. “Well if there’s anything else you require, please speak to Mrs. Trevathan. I presume, Rebecca, that you won’t be dining with me tonight? You do know Mr. Malik is joining me?”

“No, I’m sorry, Anthony. Jack and I have a few things we need to discuss.”

“Very well.” He nodded at them and walked away across the hall.

“Jeez, if I thought the housekeeper was weird, that guy takes the cake!” Jack commented as they remounted the stairs.

“Honestly, he’s nice when you get to know him. I guess he’s just no good with people.”

“You mean he’s a sociopath?” Jack laughed as he opened the bedroom door.

“I mean that he spends his life living alone here and doesn’t interact with other people too much.”

“As I said, a total weirdo. He obviously doesn’t approve of me sharing a room with you. Don’t tell me he only believes in sex after marriage?” said Jack, his hand snaking up her thigh to the top of her stockings.

“I don’t think he believes in sex,” chuckled Rebecca as Jack threw her onto the bed and silenced her laughter with a kiss.

•  •  •

Later that afternoon, Rebecca was due to shoot a complicated scene which would take a couple of hours. Jack said he’d take a trip to James’s hotel to use his Wi-Fi.

“You weren’t joking when you said there was no signal here, were you?” he said as he kissed her on the nose. “James suggested I have a drink with him to make up for giving me the wrong impression last night. It’s okay, Becks, I believe you and I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“It’s understandable you did. I’m sorry too.”

“James says I have to try a pint of bitter. Personally, I’d prefer a vodka shot or two.”

“Have a good time,” she said as he left, smiling to herself over the irony that Jack seemed to have bonded with James. In a way, they were very similar and she dreaded to think of the reaction of the local female populace when they hit the hotel bar together.

•  •  •

“You look perkier tonight, darling.” Robert winked at her as she arrived on set half an hour later. “I’ve just watched the rushes and you’re positively glowing on-screen. Perhaps we should have your fiancé’s presence written into any future contracts. Only teasing, darling. Right, let’s get started.”

For a change, they managed to fly through the scene, and by seven thirty, Rebecca was back in her jeans and downstairs looking for Anthony. She wanted to find him and apologize properly for Jack’s unexpected arrival before he had dinner with Ari. Thinking she might spy him in the gardens, she walked down the terrace steps. Instead, there, sitting on the bench in the rose garden, was Ari. He glanced up at her.