Read Online Make Love Not War by Margaret Tanner - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Margaret Tanner
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sipped at it thoughtfully. “How long have you been working for the company?”
“About eight months or so.” She gave a nervous smile. Alexander made it obvious, without being rude, that he was curious about why Bryce had invited her. She would give up a months pay to know, also.
Bryce came back. “Sorry about deserting you.” He mouthed the polite platitude, but he obviously couldn’t care less, having spent his time flirting with a striking brunette, who in turn made cow eyes at him.
“Isn’t that Amanda Cleveland, Sir Arthur’s daughter?” Alexander asked.
“Yes.”
Even Caroline had heard of Sir Arthur Cleveland, the millionaire industrialist. Beauty plus extreme wealth, Amanda just couldn’t miss out. She fought to keep her bitter envy under control.
Bryce and Caroline were escorted to a table near the front of the stage. Alexander Harrington was seated farther down the room. The other people at their table were strangers, although a couple of the men seemed vaguely familiar. Had she seen their pictures in the financial or society pages of the newspapers?
Bryce introduced her to them, but none of their names rang any bells, either.
The appetizer was oysters and caviar served in a pastry shell. So this was how the other half lived. She ate slowly, savoring every delicious mouthful.
The men and one of the women seemed quite friendly and Caroline found it easy to strike up a conversation. In fact, she felt so comfortable with one elderly gent, a real honey, they swapped jokes.
Bryce watched Caroline through half-closed, speculative eyes. When animated, her huge eyes shone like blue beacons, her mouth curved into a mischievous smile. Effortlessly she had the old geezers eating out of her hand. Dull as dishwater, yet she made them laugh.
For the first time, he really surveyed her. On several occasions in the office he’d noticed her slim legs. Her pale skin had the texture of fine porcelain, and he fought the overwhelming urge to touch it. Her well-shaped lips had a vulnerable softness about them when she wasn’t smiling. When she leaned forward, he saw her breasts, creamy white and as flawless as the rest of her flesh. What would she taste like? Hell, what was wrong with him?
Relief washed over him when he had to get up and walk to the dais to give his speech. Adjusting the microphone to his height, he began, glancing at his notes only now and again. His speech went well, and he nodded his thanks when the clapping died down.
When he returned to the table, Caroline was fulsome with her praise. “That sounded terrific, Mr. Harrington.”
“Bryce, please. We aren’t in the office now.”
“It read well when I typed it out, but when you spoke, the words seemed to come alive.”
“Thanks, glad you approve.”
After coffee and tiny almond-flavored biscuits were served, they started circulating. He clasped her hand firmly to keep her near him. He wasn’t prepared to fathom out why, but he liked having her close. The sweet, subtle perfume of her skin nearly drove him crazy.
“We’ve got work in the morning, not like some of these people here,” he finally whispered.
He still held Caroline’s hand as they strolled over to say goodnight to his father.
“Tell mother I’ll be over one evening towards the end of the week.”
“All right, son. Goodnight, Caroline. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Nice meeting you too, Mr. Harrington.” The sincerity in her voice was touching. “I always wondered what you looked like. Now I know.”
“Ah, well, I hope I didn’t disappoint you.” He chuckled.
“Oh, no, you’re as distinguished as I imagined you would be.” Her smile lit up her face, turning mere prettiness into beauty.
Bryce held her hand as they went out to the car.
“I had a lovely time. Thank you.” She favored him with a sensational smile.
“I enjoyed it, too.” Surprisingly he had. Normally he found these functions tedious. He couldn’t understand why it had
“About eight months or so.” She gave a nervous smile. Alexander made it obvious, without being rude, that he was curious about why Bryce had invited her. She would give up a months pay to know, also.
Bryce came back. “Sorry about deserting you.” He mouthed the polite platitude, but he obviously couldn’t care less, having spent his time flirting with a striking brunette, who in turn made cow eyes at him.
“Isn’t that Amanda Cleveland, Sir Arthur’s daughter?” Alexander asked.
“Yes.”
Even Caroline had heard of Sir Arthur Cleveland, the millionaire industrialist. Beauty plus extreme wealth, Amanda just couldn’t miss out. She fought to keep her bitter envy under control.
Bryce and Caroline were escorted to a table near the front of the stage. Alexander Harrington was seated farther down the room. The other people at their table were strangers, although a couple of the men seemed vaguely familiar. Had she seen their pictures in the financial or society pages of the newspapers?
Bryce introduced her to them, but none of their names rang any bells, either.
The appetizer was oysters and caviar served in a pastry shell. So this was how the other half lived. She ate slowly, savoring every delicious mouthful.
The men and one of the women seemed quite friendly and Caroline found it easy to strike up a conversation. In fact, she felt so comfortable with one elderly gent, a real honey, they swapped jokes.
Bryce watched Caroline through half-closed, speculative eyes. When animated, her huge eyes shone like blue beacons, her mouth curved into a mischievous smile. Effortlessly she had the old geezers eating out of her hand. Dull as dishwater, yet she made them laugh.
For the first time, he really surveyed her. On several occasions in the office he’d noticed her slim legs. Her pale skin had the texture of fine porcelain, and he fought the overwhelming urge to touch it. Her well-shaped lips had a vulnerable softness about them when she wasn’t smiling. When she leaned forward, he saw her breasts, creamy white and as flawless as the rest of her flesh. What would she taste like? Hell, what was wrong with him?
Relief washed over him when he had to get up and walk to the dais to give his speech. Adjusting the microphone to his height, he began, glancing at his notes only now and again. His speech went well, and he nodded his thanks when the clapping died down.
When he returned to the table, Caroline was fulsome with her praise. “That sounded terrific, Mr. Harrington.”
“Bryce, please. We aren’t in the office now.”
“It read well when I typed it out, but when you spoke, the words seemed to come alive.”
“Thanks, glad you approve.”
After coffee and tiny almond-flavored biscuits were served, they started circulating. He clasped her hand firmly to keep her near him. He wasn’t prepared to fathom out why, but he liked having her close. The sweet, subtle perfume of her skin nearly drove him crazy.
“We’ve got work in the morning, not like some of these people here,” he finally whispered.
He still held Caroline’s hand as they strolled over to say goodnight to his father.
“Tell mother I’ll be over one evening towards the end of the week.”
“All right, son. Goodnight, Caroline. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Nice meeting you too, Mr. Harrington.” The sincerity in her voice was touching. “I always wondered what you looked like. Now I know.”
“Ah, well, I hope I didn’t disappoint you.” He chuckled.
“Oh, no, you’re as distinguished as I imagined you would be.” Her smile lit up her face, turning mere prettiness into beauty.
Bryce held her hand as they went out to the car.
“I had a lovely time. Thank you.” She favored him with a sensational smile.
“I enjoyed it, too.” Surprisingly he had. Normally he found these functions tedious. He couldn’t understand why it had
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