Page 10 of The Romance Library

I’d met Penelope a few times. She was pleasant enough. A bit too docile for my liking, but I could do worse. And like Father said earlier, when I took over the business, I’d be at the office from dawn until dusk, so we wouldn’t spend much time together.

The relationship would be transactional. We’d have separate bedrooms and would only sleep together by arrangement so that she could produce the heir that Father so desperately wanted.

She’d live her life and I’d live mine.

Just thinking about it made a shiver shoot down my spine.

Even though I didn’t believe in love, the whole thing sounded so cold and calculated. But if I was going to run the family business successfully, this was just how it had to be.

‘I know.’ I sighed, trying to ignore the bitter taste in my mouth. ‘I’ll set something up with Penelope.’

As Father left, I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the panoramic views of London and reminded myself how fortunate I was.

I had a job and apartment that most people would kill for. And my collection of sports cars would also make them green with envy.

So why did I feel so empty inside?

3

Jess

‘Are you nervous?’ my best friend Sarah’s voice sounded from my mobile’s loudspeaker that was resting on the passenger seat.

I was parked outside the solicitor’s office, waiting to go in for Mrs Davis’s will reading, and still couldn’t get my head around the fact that he’d asked me to come.

‘My stomach’s in knots. I didn’t sleep a wink last night.’

‘I can imagine. But don’t stress. It’s sweet that she’s left you some of her books.’

Ever since Marion called last week and dropped the double bombshell about Mrs Davis’s death and the fact that I’d been included in her will, I couldn’t stop thinking about the situation.

It was nice that she’d remembered I’d mentioned I didn’t read anymore and left me a few books to help me out of my slump, but did I really need to attend a formal meeting just for that? In the end I decided it must be because I had to sign something so that everything could be accounted for.

‘It’s really kind. And considering she never invited the same worker back twice, I’m surprised she even gave me a second thought.’

‘You must’ve made a big impression!’ Sarah said. ‘I wonder what books she left you. Imagine she’s left you some limited-edition hardbacks with the sprayed edges, holographic foil and ribbon bookmarks! They’d be worth a pretty penny! If you sold a batch of those, you could finally buy a decent car. Well, a better one at least!’

‘Having a new car would be nice, but that’s not gonna happen anytime soon and I definitely wouldn’t sell any books she gave me. Whatever she left, she wanted me to read, then give to charity so that other people could enjoy the story.’

‘As your bestie, I get first dibs. Deal?’

‘Deal. Anyway, I’d better go in.’

‘Call me as soon as it’s over!’

‘Will do.’

After locking the car, I took a deep breath and rang the office buzzer. I was told to come to the third floor. When I arrived, I was ushered straight in.

‘Miss Johnson?’

‘Yes,’ I replied.

‘Please, take a seat. I’m Cecil. Thank you for coming. I’m just waiting for one other beneficiary, then we’ll get started.’

Cecil had short dark hair and pale skin and was wearing thick-rimmed black glasses and a smart three-piece brown suit. He looked like he was in his early fifties, but it was hard to tell.

Seconds later, a man with weathered white skin and a crumpled suit burst into the room.

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