Gemma was a little confused by the request, especially as Helen seemed to have so many staff helping out tonight, but if that was what she wanted… “Sure. I’d be happy to do that.”
“Thank you,” Helen said, looking pleased. “I thought you might like a little time to yourself, too. I know it’s been stressful for you lately.”#p#分页标题#e#
That was really nice of her. “Yes, it has.”
Helen glanced at her watch. “It’s fifteen minutes to eight. The study is down the hall on the right. Just go in there and wait and come get me when Dougal phones.”
“Okay.” Gemma went to step forward, then stopped. “I’d better tell Tate.” She didn’t want him worrying if he couldn’t find her. Then she saw that Tate had moved away from the business acquaintance and was now talking to Drake. Her heart sank.
“No, I’ll do that,” Helen said, shooting relief through Gemma. “You go put your feet up. The party won’t finish for another couple of hours, and there are plenty of guests who still want to talk to you.”
That was enough for Gemma. The thought of everyone asking questions almost had her running for the study.
By the time Tate saw Gemma leave the room, he’d already positioned himself next to Drake. He was in the middle of a discussion with him when his grandmother approached.
As planned.
“Tate, darling,” she said, reaching them. “I’m expecting a phone call from Dougal. He’s your grandfather’s old friend, if you remember. I hope you don’t mind, but Gemma’s gone to the study to wait for the call for me. I thought she looked a little peaked, so it will do her good to get away from the crowd.”
Tate put on a frown and went to move. “I’d better go see how she is.”
Helen placed her hand on his arm. “No, don’t, darling. She really is okay and just needed a moment to herself. She said for you not to worry. She’ll be back in no time.” Helen squeezed Drake’s arm. “It’s so nice to see you here, Drake.” Then she walked away.
“Your grandmother’s fantastic, Tate.”
“She certainly is.”
Drake considered him. “Go to Gemma if you want.”
“No, Gran’s right. It’ll do Gemma good to have some time to herself.”
He hated using Gemma as bait to lure Drake into showing his hand, but he had to put an end to this for everyone’s sake, especially Gemma’s. He now believed she had been telling him the truth all along. God, he wasn’t sure how he was managing to even talk to his so-called best friend.
Drake’s brows drew together. “Maybe Gemma is feeling stressed because I’m here.” He paused. “Sorry again that I couldn’t get out of coming tonight, man. Your grandmother insisted.”
“That’s okay. It’s all water under the bridge.”
Drake’s eyes looked more calculating than not. “You seem pretty confident about Gemma now.”
With his own eyes wide open, Tate could see that his friend was getting desperate. It was now or never. “I am.”
There was a moment of stony silence.
“I guess if Gemma’s pregnant…”
Tate knew the other man was fishing, trying to get a handle on how he could best do damage to the marriage. But why? What was this all about? It had to be something damn significant if his friend was trying to do this to him and Gemma.
Could Drake even be behind the newspaper headline this morning about Gemma being pregnant? Hell, could he even have had something to do with the internet pictures? The thought clenched tight and wouldn’t let go.
“We’re both hoping for more children,” Tate said deliberately, hoping to spur the other man into action, knowing he’d hit the mark when he saw Drake’s jaw clench. Tate scratched his earlobe, giving his grandmother the signal.
“Tate, can you come here for a minute?” his grandmother called out to him from where she was holding court with some friends.#p#分页标题#e#
Tate looked back at Drake and feigned a wry smile. “I’d better go see what Gran wants.”
Drake’s answering smile was tight. “Yeah, don’t keep the lady waiting.”
Tate walked away, but before he’d even reached his grandmother, she gave him a slight nod.
Drake had left the room.
Gemma sat on the leather executive chair behind the large desk and saw the clock ticking toward eight. She had to admit that Helen had done her a favor by asking her to come in here and wait for the phone call. She’d badly needed to get away from Drake’s presence, hovering like the snake he was, ready to strike.