Chapter 36

In Thalia's apartment, Asher stood in the kitchen, wearing an apron and cooking dinner. Thalia leaned against the doorframe, watching him with amused curiosity.

"The great Asher Blackwood knows how to cook? I'm impressed."

He continued methodically preparing vegetables. "Remember when you asked where the food I brought you came from?"

He turned, offering a slight smile. "I made it myself."

Thalia's eyes widened. "You? But how does it taste exactly like my mother's shepherd's pie?"

His smile deepened. "I learned by watching her when I visited."

"That's impossible," Thalia protested. "You only came over a handful of times before she passed."

Asher continued preparing the meat and vegetables, his movements precise. "Let me take you somewhere tomorrow. It will explain everything."

Soon, he'd prepared a complete meal: roasted lamb with rosemary potatoes, glazed carrots, and his version of Thalia's mother's famous shepherd's pie. Though Thalia usually ate lightly at dinner, sometimes skipping it entirely, tonight she finished everything on her plate, savoring each bite that tasted so familiar.

When she moved to wash up, Asher stopped her. "Sit. I'll do it."

"My, my," she teased. "Such a perfect househusband. Should I marry you?"

He flicked her forehead gently. "I'm the one marrying you."

After cleaning up, Asher prepared to leave, making no suggestion about staying the night. Leaning against the doorframe, Thalia wondered why. Was she not attractive enough? She glanced down at herself self-consciously.

Catching her expression, Asher smiled. "What's on your mind? You look troubled."

"Nothing," she coughed, embarrassed. "Drive safely."

"See you tomorrow."

Watching him leave, still carrying the rubbish, Thalia smiled to herself. He was almost frustratingly proper.

At the police station, Drake was released after his assistant paid his bail. It was 4 AM when they finally walked out. His assistant looked exhausted. He'd been about to spend the evening with his girlfriend, who had specially visited London, only to be interrupted by Drake's call from the station. Now his girlfriend was threatening to break up with him.

"Where to now, sir?" he asked wearily, sliding behind the wheel.

"Back to the hotel," Drake muttered.

In his suite, Drake flicked on the lights; the spacious room felt emptier than ever. He lit a cigarette by the window, inhaling deeply. The room felt wrong without Thalia's touches – no antique vase with fresh flowers on the glass table, no fully stocked refrigerator, no decorative touches on the walls, no curtains in her favorite shade…

He closed his eyes, but was immediately assaulted by images of Thalia with Asher. Were they together right now? The pain in his chest was unbearable. He'd imagined many scenarios before coming to London, but never this – never Thalia with another man. They say you experience heartbreak twice in a relationship: first when you break up, then when you see them with someone else. How right they were.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Thalia woke naturally, knowing she was meeting Asher. After a light breakfast, she dressed carefully in a black velvet vintage dress that fell to her ankles, her dark hair falling in waves around her shoulders. The red lipstick she chose complemented her striking features: high cheekbones, defined brows, and almond eyes.

Asher was waiting downstairs, leaning against his black Rolls-Royce Cullinan, finishing a phone call. His eyes brightened when he saw her.

"You look beautiful," he said simply, ending his call.

"Where are we going?" she asked, settling into the passenger seat.

"You'll see."

He drove them out of London, leaving the high-rises behind. The countryside opened up before them: rolling hills and autumn trees. Thalia cracked her window, letting in the crisp air.

"This is lovely," she said, closing her eyes to breathe in the fresh scent.

"Almost there," Asher replied, turning onto a narrow country lane.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a three-story country house.

"Here we are," he said, turning off the engine.

"Where is this?" Thalia asked, surprised.

"Let's find out," he smiled.

As they stepped out, a man emerged from the house. His initial confusion turned to delight upon seeing Asher.

"Mr. Blackwood! What a surprise!" He offered Asher a cigarette from a cheap packet.

Thalia watched with fascination as Asher – always so refined – accepted and let the older man light it for him.

"Sorry about the cheap smokes," the man said sheepishly. "Wasn't expecting you today."

From his manner, Thalia realized Asher must be a regular visitor.

"And who's this?" the man turned to her.

"Miss Winters," Asher said simply.

The man's face lit up. "Miss Winters! Finally meet you!" "Martha! Martha – Miss Winters is here!" he called excitedly toward the house.

Thalia glanced questioningly at Asher. Did these people know her?