Masters & Lovers Box Set One

Returning to the gathering, I find Michael and Charlotte's 'performance' the main topic of conversation. And since the pair are 'busy', I occupy myself by handing out sign-up forms to various ladies for the self-defence course. Hope they're not too long....

One pudgy, jewel-bedecked candidate for 'Overdressed Woman of the Year' bats lashes at me in what I suspect she thinks is an alluring way. "So how does it work?" she asks. "Will that handsome young man be giving individual tuition?" You wish....

But I keep my 'helpful functionary' face firmly in place. "I couldn't say, madam. But I'm sure if you fill in the application form, you will be supplied with full information."

As I watch her waddle away, form in hand, I ponder what Michael might do to annoy me enough to send the bling-ridden siren his way....

Michael was right. I've been standing too long.

Sucking in air against the ache, I find a quiet corner to sit and people-watch. The weight off my feet, the gnawing in my thigh subsides and I take a few long slow breaths.

The crowd mill, drink, gossip and compare views on the merits of both Michael's and Charlotte's fighting styles. Most of it is complimentary and I recognise wishful thinking in a lot of the rest.

From the far side of the room, Ben is watching me, looking positively toxic. As he realises that I have seen him, he starts to shoulder his way through the throng, but at that moment Charlotte and Michael reappear wearing fresh clothes and with a well-scrubbed look about them.

Charlotte, I notice, is a little stiff around the hips....

Can't imagine why....

She nudges Michael in the ribs, nodding towards me and looking concerned. He turns, brows furrowed and both of them eyeing me.

Michael, a hand under her elbow, heads towards me, but Richard pops his head around the door. "Michael, the Mayor is about to leave. You might want to see him off."

"Of course. Charlotte, you too." He grabs her hand, towing him after her as she twists to look back at me, concern in her eyes.

As they leave the room, Ben arrives, looming over me....

Am I supposed to be intimidated?

"Ben? Something I can do for you?"

"You might like to know," he says, "that Marie told me about what happened at the wedding." His lip curls. "She's a bit young for you, wouldn't you say? To be making obscene suggestions of that sort."

Ahhh.... Got it....

"Is that what's behind this?" I'm not in the mood to argue, but this is Michael's brother after all, and I feel the need to at least try to be polite. "Ben, she'd been following me all day and she wouldn't take the hint that I'm not interested." He looks sceptical. "I.... Well, yes, perhaps I went over the top with what I said, but I just wanted to scare her off." I chuckle, trying to lighten my words. "And it worked."

But Ben, with an expression of austere stuffiness I'm coming to recognise, simply scoffs. "You expect me to believe that? That a girl like her, young and beautiful, is going to go chasing after some ageing has-been like you...?" Anger wars in me with amusement.

You're attracted to Marie?

No accounting for tastes....

But he continues. ".... And then I find you trying to get off with the cook...."

Honi soit qui mal y pense....

But now my amusement is being eclipsed by the anger....

And the self-righteous ass keeps going, jabbing a finger towards me. ".... I know you think you're something with women James, but don't go chasing every bit of skirt you see. And I think if you had any decency at all, you'd leave Michael and Charlotte to themselves. They're newly married and they deserve some privacy. You don't belong here."

Levering myself up from the seat, I stand to look down to him. "Ben, I'm going to be polite to you because, and only because, you are Michael's brother. He and I have known each other a long time and we understand each other very well. He, and she, are both happy to have me here, and that's the end of it."