Chapter 609
Jamison had only made an offhand comment, never expecting Ivy to react so strongly. He instinctively replied, “I’m definitely not that kind of guy. Even if fate tears us apart, you’re the only one I’ll ever love in this life.”
Ivy stared at him, her eyes full of confusion. She was about to ask what he meant–but before she could, Jamison realized how his words sounded and rushed to clarify, “Of course, that’s not what I meant. We’ll both live long, happy lives together and grow old side by side. And if old age ever does take us, I’ll make sure I go first.”
Still feeling like he hadn’t said enough, he paused and then added, “When that time comes, you’ll be a fabulously wealthy widow. You could take a page from Mrs. Cooper’s book and find yourself a handsome young man to keep you company–as long as it makes you happy.”
Ivy frowned, utterly speechless. They’d just come out to relax, so how did the conversation turn so weird? Did he really think she was someone who couldn’t stand being alone?
Not to mention, by the time she was a little old lady, why on earth would she want another man? She glared at him, so exasperated she couldn’t even find the words. Naylor, unable to take it anymore, groaned, “That’s it. I’m never hanging out with you two again. Watching all this lovey-dovey stuff–seriously, I’ve lost my appetite for lunch.”
The rest of the group burst out laughing. “Come on, Naylor, go find yourself a new girlfriend and give them a taste of their own medicine. Let’s see who comes out on top!”
“Oh, get lost! You guys just love stirring things up, don’t you?”
After lunch, Ivy let out a yawn–she was getting sleepy. Naylor’s group had more plans for the afternoon, but neither she nor Jamison were interested. They decided to head home instead.
As they were leaving the club, Baillie appeared seemingly out of nowhere and looked straight at Ivy. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
Before Ivy could answer, Jamison cut in firmly, “No.” He’d seen just how desperate the Windsors could get; there was no way he’d let Ivy be alone with any of them.
Baillie could see how on edge Jamison was about Ivy and, for a moment, looked helpless. He actually lowered his tone and said, “I won’t do anything to her. I just want to talk, that’s all.”
“Then say it here,” Jamison replied.
Baillie hesitated, lips pressed in a tight line.
Ivy studied him. After twenty years as siblings, she knew Baillie well enough to sense he genuinely meant no harm. She touched her husband’s arm and said quietly, “Go wait for me over there. I’ll talk to him; it’s fine.”
“No. What if he tries something-” Jamison refused to budge.
Ivy had to gently push him away and then stepped a few paces downwind, calling back, “Go ahead. He can’t hear us from here.”
Baillie clenched his fists, looking deeply conflicted and, underneath it all, humiliated. He stared at the ground, silent for so long that Ivy suddenly realized what this was about.
“You want to ask me to let the Windsor Group off the hook, don’t you?” she asked bluntly.
Baillie’s eyes shot up, clearly caught off guard. Ivy knew she’d hit the mark.
He swallowed, then finally found his courage. “Ivy, everything that happened before–none of it was right. Our parents cared too much about pride and profit. When you came back, they saw you as a disgrace to the Windsor family, something for people to laugh at, and figured you’d lost your chance at marrying into another wealthy family. That’s why they treated you so terribly and hurt you so deeply.”
Ivy was stunned. Over the past few months, the Windsors had apologized a handful of times, but never with this kind of sincerity or honesty.