Chapter 87: Chapter 87

After sight seeing for a long time, they ate lunch under the orange tree of a street side cafe. The slender dark eyed waiter brought wine and a tray of tapas which Sharon devoured, finding her appetite on tasting the flavours of harm and cheese and fish.

And in the late afternoon they walked in the gardens of the Alcazar. It was a magical place that seemed to stretch on forever, blocking out the city in the fading light. She was acutely aware of Bryan walking beside her and her heart ached. She wished she could share her delight in these magnificent gardens without restraint.

As they strolled down a narrow path lined with lemon trees, Bryan turned to her. 'Tell me about Gerhard', he said expressionlessly.

She wondered why he asked but didn't dare to voice the question. It seemed right to tell him the truth here, as the dying sun streaked the sky with orange, in the peace and greenery.

So she told him everything. That she and Gerhard had been platonic friends for a long time, being introduced by David and thrown together often by banking dinners and conferences such as they attended in Rome. She explained that she had never suspected Gerhard's true feelings for her even when they had met in Rome and was surprised when he had come to the house that day she wanted to go away for a while and after a few months had proposed.

She told him about the plane crash and his mother's gentle but unyielding persuasion. She told him everything, leaving nothing out.

Not in anger this time nor because she wanted revenge but because it was important that he knew the truth.

Bryan listened in silence, his face an expressionless mask,his body tense. When she had finished, he turned, taking her shoulders lightly in his hands. 'I am sorry'.

Sharon shrugged, embarrassed. 'It doesn't matter. I know how it must have looked'.

'Yes. And since then had there been anyone else?' The harshness of his voice brought colour to her face and her heart was beating quickly.

'Why do you ask?' she prevaricated, knowing that if she told him, she might be giving away everything.

'Because, damnit. I have to know'. His eyes held hers,pinning her mercilessly.

She took a deep breath, unable to bear the torment she saw in his face.

'There's been nobody else', she said quietly. 'Nobody'.

She heard the swift uneven intake of breath without looking at him. She felt vulnerable, totally exposed. There were no secrets left and she waited, head bowed, wondering what his reaction would be.

He swore violently, his mouth twisting in anger.

'Three years', he said harshly. 'Three bloody years'

Shaken,Sharon stared across the gardens. 'I don't know what you mean '. She touched her dry lips with the tip of her tongue. 'And I don't know why you brought me here. I want to go back to London'.

'No', he said one of his hands moving into her smooth auburn hair, winding the silky strands round his fingers.

'Why?' she whispered staring up into his eyes. 'Why should you want to keep me here?'

'Because you belong to me. I'll never let you go again', his face was hard, dark with emotion.

'I'll divorce you when the baby is born', she told him bitterly.

'We'll see'. He was as cold as I e and she knew that he was still very angry. She felt like a child with threats that were not taken seriously.

'You let me go easily enough before', she said, her cheeks burning.

'Because I believed you were sleeping with Gerhard'. His voice held a hard possessive jealousy, so deep it frightened her. 'I wanted to kill him and you. I searched high and low for you but your cousin brother was always blocking my way. Perhaps he saw that I may we'll have done you an injury if I got to you. I realised that myself and I had to let you go'.

'You accuse me?' she said bitterly. 'I can't believe your arrogance. You were the one who was so unfaithful, you had an affair with Devon'.

'Did I?' He was impassive.

'I saw you'. His coolness fanned her hurt feelings into anger.

'You saw Devon give me a kiss. That changes nothing. I won't let you go'.

'You won't be able to stop me', she retorted in panic, trying to convince herself more than him. 'I won't live with you after the baby is born. I can't'. She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat.

'Why not?' His fingers tightened in her hair.

'Because I don't trust you. There have been too many women in your life. I'd spend all my time wondering who you were with or worse, I'd walk in one day and find you on bed with someone else,' she said rawly.

'That wouldn't happen. I promise you that', he said slowly and then smiled.

'And if you wanted to make sure, you'd never leave my bed when I am in it'.

'No'. She pulled away from him, shaking. 'I believed you before and I was a fool. You told me that you wanted me and that you'd always want me and that there would never be anyone else. But it was all a lie. I won't believe you again'.

Bryan watched her carefully, his eyes narrowing. I didn't lie to you'. he said expressionlessly. Then glancing at the gold wristwatch on his wrist, 'It's time we were getting back. Our daughter must be missing us terribly by now'.

She rang Gabriel that night while Bryan was working. She felt a longing for a familiar voice, the beauty of her surroundings suddenly leaving her cold.

He snatched up the receiver almost immediately and she suspected that he had been expecting Beatrice.

'Sorry, If I am a disappointment', she said lightly. 'How are you?'

'Fine'. His voice was surprisingly light as her own. They were both lying. 'Why on earth are you ringing me?' he asked. 'You are on your honeymoon. A postcard would have done the trick and I wasn't expecting even that'.

'Honey moon?' Sharon echoed cynically. 'Is that what this is?' She felt like laughing or crying, she wasn't sure which.

'Are you alright? And Deborah? Hope all is well?'

Gabriel's concern brought her back to her senses. 'I am fine and so is Deborah.In fact she is better than I luxuriating and basking in her father's love and attention. What about you? Have you seen Beatrice lately?' she asked changing the subject and avoiding further questions.

There was silence on the other end of the line, then Gabriel said quietly. 'Yes, I've seen her'.

'And?'

'And nothing. It's over. They are moving to Bermuda. Carl had taken over American banking company and they are moving for tax reasons. He sounded bitter, his voice scathing.

'I'm sorry', It was inadequate. She could imagine how he must be feeling. He had given alot away when he had picked up the phone.

'No sympathy for God's sake', he laughed humorlessly.

'But Gabriel.....'

'The incredible thing is that I am relieved', he cut in flatly. 'It hurts. It hurts like hell but underneath I am relieved, can you believe it? I burnt all her photographs. I really enjoyed doing it too. God, she had me for a fool'.

Sharon knew that she should say something encouraging, she should say something reassuring about him finding someone else but she knew that he wouldn't want to hear that. It wouldn't help.

'Gabriel-----'

'It's okay. I will get over it and at least I will be able to get on with some work', she felt him smiling. 'Don't worry about me. Brenda has been holding my hand'.

'I wasn't'. she promised because she heard the strength beneath his angry misery. He would get over it. Beatrice had always kept him on a string. He would never have been able to break it off. Now that she was moving away, she was the one who had decided to end the relationship. Gabriel was free because he couldn't help the situation She felt sorry for him but truthfully, she was glad. She had never really liked Beatrice or what she was doing to Gabriel. Then she realised what he had said. 'Brenda?' she repeated with a smile.

'You heard me. But I'm not saying anything else, so get off the phone, get back to your husband and enjoy yourself. I don't want to hear from you again until you get back to London, okay? Unless of course it is an emergency'.

She replaced the receiver with a sad smile. She hadn't been able to tell him about Bryan and herself, something had held her back. Anyway, Gabriel had his own problems, she thought as she wandered back upstairs into her empty room.