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Authors: Lee Wilkinson
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agreed, ‘Of course. And the time difference doesn’t help.’
He sounded sympathetic and, afraid she would burst into tears, Perdita said quickly, ‘I’d better go now.’
‘Why the hurry?’
‘My battery’s almost run out. Last night I forgot to charge it, and I haven’t got my charger with me.’
‘Then I’ll keep in touch via Salingers. The best of luck with the negotiations. I hope you get on all right with Calhoun’s wife. Things like that can make a difference.’
‘Of course,’ she agreed hollowly.
‘Love you.’
Unable to either answer or stem the emotion any longer, she rang off and dropped the phone back into her bag. Then, curled under the duvet, she gave way to what she recognized as futile tears.
They were still sliding silently down her cheeks when sleep claimed her.
She had no idea how long she’d slept when she was awakened by a knock at the door.
Knowing it would be Henry with the promised tea she sat up, a tangle of pale silky hair tumbling round her shoulders, and trapping the duvet under her arms, called, ‘Come in.’
But it was Jared who carried in a tray set with dainty sandwiches and small cakes. ‘Tea time,’ he said cheerfully.
Every nerve-ending in her body tightening in a sudden panicky confusion, she sat quite still.
When he had put the tray down with care, he settled himself on the edge of the bed, a great deal too close for comfort.
Noticing her frozen expression, he remarked, ‘There’s no need to look like a scared rabbit. I’m not planning to ravish you.’
‘I’m glad about that,’ she managed shakily.
His white grin flashed briefly. ‘A rabbit with attitude, I see.’
When he moved a little, either by accident or design, his hip pressed against her thigh and she flinched.
Obviously amused by her reaction, he asked, ‘So how are you feeling now?’
Even in her own ears she sounded breathless as she answered, ‘Much better, thank you.’
Studying her face, where the traces of tears were still evident, he observed, ‘Well, you certainly don’t look it.’ Then, more gently, ‘Why the tears?’
Needing an excuse, she told him, ‘Martin phoned.’
Sardonically, Jared enquired, ‘And does he usually make you cry when he phones?’
‘Of course not,’ she denied sharply. ‘But these circumstances aren’t usual…and…and I found I was missing him.’
‘You sound like love’s young dream,’ Jared observed, mockery in his voice.
‘And you sound like the heartless devil you are.’
He grinned. ‘I must say I prefer you with a dash of spirit.’ Then, with a gleam in his eye, ‘So what exactly did you tell lover boy?’
Annoyed by the jeer, but unwilling to show it, she answered shortly, ‘Not a great deal. He’d already been in touch with Dad, who’d given him all the gen.’
‘And?’
‘I couldn’t see any point in worrying him, so I let him go on believing I was in New York and everything was all right.’
‘He wasn’t concerned about you flying off with a man you didn’t know?’
‘As a matter of fact, he was. He made a point of asking if “Mr Calhoun” was married, and if his wife would be with him.’
‘And you told him…?’
‘I told him yes.’
‘That set his mind at rest?’
‘I believe so.’
‘Perhaps it’s just as well. Otherwise, he might have beendonning his shining armour and saddling up his white steed to ride to your rescue.’
‘Sarcastic swine,’ she muttered.
Jared clicked his tongue reprovingly. ‘Now, is that any way for a nicely brought up young lady to talk?’
‘If you think—’
He put a finger to her lips, stopping the heated words and effectively silencing her. ‘We’d better leave any further invective until later, otherwise our tea will get cold.’
While she fumed helplessly, he filled two china cups with tea, added a little milk and handed her one. Then, putting a selection of small triangular sandwiches on a plate, he set it down within easy reach before
He sounded sympathetic and, afraid she would burst into tears, Perdita said quickly, ‘I’d better go now.’
‘Why the hurry?’
‘My battery’s almost run out. Last night I forgot to charge it, and I haven’t got my charger with me.’
‘Then I’ll keep in touch via Salingers. The best of luck with the negotiations. I hope you get on all right with Calhoun’s wife. Things like that can make a difference.’
‘Of course,’ she agreed hollowly.
‘Love you.’
Unable to either answer or stem the emotion any longer, she rang off and dropped the phone back into her bag. Then, curled under the duvet, she gave way to what she recognized as futile tears.
They were still sliding silently down her cheeks when sleep claimed her.
She had no idea how long she’d slept when she was awakened by a knock at the door.
Knowing it would be Henry with the promised tea she sat up, a tangle of pale silky hair tumbling round her shoulders, and trapping the duvet under her arms, called, ‘Come in.’
But it was Jared who carried in a tray set with dainty sandwiches and small cakes. ‘Tea time,’ he said cheerfully.
Every nerve-ending in her body tightening in a sudden panicky confusion, she sat quite still.
When he had put the tray down with care, he settled himself on the edge of the bed, a great deal too close for comfort.
Noticing her frozen expression, he remarked, ‘There’s no need to look like a scared rabbit. I’m not planning to ravish you.’
‘I’m glad about that,’ she managed shakily.
His white grin flashed briefly. ‘A rabbit with attitude, I see.’
When he moved a little, either by accident or design, his hip pressed against her thigh and she flinched.
Obviously amused by her reaction, he asked, ‘So how are you feeling now?’
Even in her own ears she sounded breathless as she answered, ‘Much better, thank you.’
Studying her face, where the traces of tears were still evident, he observed, ‘Well, you certainly don’t look it.’ Then, more gently, ‘Why the tears?’
Needing an excuse, she told him, ‘Martin phoned.’
Sardonically, Jared enquired, ‘And does he usually make you cry when he phones?’
‘Of course not,’ she denied sharply. ‘But these circumstances aren’t usual…and…and I found I was missing him.’
‘You sound like love’s young dream,’ Jared observed, mockery in his voice.
‘And you sound like the heartless devil you are.’
He grinned. ‘I must say I prefer you with a dash of spirit.’ Then, with a gleam in his eye, ‘So what exactly did you tell lover boy?’
Annoyed by the jeer, but unwilling to show it, she answered shortly, ‘Not a great deal. He’d already been in touch with Dad, who’d given him all the gen.’
‘And?’
‘I couldn’t see any point in worrying him, so I let him go on believing I was in New York and everything was all right.’
‘He wasn’t concerned about you flying off with a man you didn’t know?’
‘As a matter of fact, he was. He made a point of asking if “Mr Calhoun” was married, and if his wife would be with him.’
‘And you told him…?’
‘I told him yes.’
‘That set his mind at rest?’
‘I believe so.’
‘Perhaps it’s just as well. Otherwise, he might have beendonning his shining armour and saddling up his white steed to ride to your rescue.’
‘Sarcastic swine,’ she muttered.
Jared clicked his tongue reprovingly. ‘Now, is that any way for a nicely brought up young lady to talk?’
‘If you think—’
He put a finger to her lips, stopping the heated words and effectively silencing her. ‘We’d better leave any further invective until later, otherwise our tea will get cold.’
While she fumed helplessly, he filled two china cups with tea, added a little milk and handed her one. Then, putting a selection of small triangular sandwiches on a plate, he set it down within easy reach before
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