Read Online A Mistletoe Proposal by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online

other.
    â€˜How am I doing?’ she asked.
    â€˜You’ve certainly got his attention. I’d give a lot to know what he’s thinking.’
    â€˜He believes what he wants to believe,’ she said with asmall flash of anger. ‘ Men always do. Didn’t you know that? I know it. And so does any woman who’s ever had a man in her life.’
    â€˜And when a woman knows it she makes use of it?’
    â€˜She does if she has any sense of self-preservation. And may I remind you again, Mr Havering, that I’m doing what you hired me to do? You’re paying for my skills, but you don’t get to dictate what skills I use or how I use them.’
    â€˜Don’t I?’
    â€˜No, because if you try I’ll simply step aside and let Charlie see you pulling my strings.’
    He drew a sharp breath. ‘You really know how to fight dirty.’
    â€˜Have you only just realised that?’
    He regarded her. ‘I think I have.’
    â€˜Good, then we understand each other. Now he’s coming back. Smile at me so that he’ll know that all is well between us.’
    â€˜I wonder if that day will ever come,’ he said softly.
    But the next moment he was smiling as she’d suggested, even talking pleasantly, loud enough for Charlie to hear. ‘My mother’s housekeeper is an expert cook. I promise that you’ll enjoy tonight’s meal, Miss Havering.’
    â€˜Pippa,’ she said. ‘After all, we’re fighting on the same side.’
    His eyes warned her not to push her luck, but he only inclined his head before rising and saying, ‘I’ll get the car. Be waiting for me outside and don’t take too long.’
    She longed to salute him ironically and say, Yes sir, no sir. I obey, sir. But he was gone before she had the chance.
    â€˜That’s his way,’ Charlie said, correctly interpreting her seething. ‘People give up arguing. You will too.’
    â€˜Will I? I wonder. Did you catch up with that man?’
    â€˜No, he escaped again. But at least I got some of the money.And now we’re alone, can I tell you that you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever met?’
    â€˜No, you can’t tell me that,’ she said. ‘For one thing, I already know and, for another, your brother wouldn’t approve.’
    â€˜Oh, forget him. What does he have to do with us?’
    Pippa frowned. ‘He’s protecting you. Don’t you owe him some kind of consideration?’
    â€˜Why? He’s only thinking of himself. The good name of Havering must be defended at all costs. The truth is, he cares for nobody.’
    â€˜And nobody cares for him?’ she murmured slowly.
    Charlie shrugged. ‘Who knows? He doesn’t let anyone inside.’
    It sounded so convincing, but suddenly there was the whispered memory of Roscoe saying, ‘If anything happens to Charlie, it would break my mother’s heart… At all costs I want to save her from more suffering.’
    This wasn’t a man who cared nothing for anyone. He might care so much that he only admitted it under stress.
    Or perhaps Charlie was right. Which of the two was the real man? Impossible to say. Unless…
    Suddenly the waiter hurried up to them, almost stuttering in his agitation. ‘He’s in the car…says he told you to be out there waiting for him. He’s good ’n mad.’
    They ran outside to where Roscoe’s car was by the kerb, engine running. When they had tumbled into the back seat, Pippa said politely, ‘I’m really sorry,’ but Roscoe only grunted, his eyes on the traffic as he edged his way into the flow. She supposed she couldn’t blame him.
    Their destination was an expensive London suburb, full of large detached houses standing in luxurious gardens. A woman was waiting by the gate, smiling and waving at the sight of them. She was thin and frail-looking, and Pipparecalled Roscoe