Read Online Sweet Surrender (The Dysarts) by Catherine George - Free Book Online

sat back.
    â€˜True.’ He raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Does that help my case?’
    â€˜What case exactly?’
    â€˜I like you, Katharine Dysart.’ He smiled crookedly. ‘And I want you to like me. Do you?’
    Kate stared at him for a moment. ‘Are you always this direct?’
    â€˜No. I can be as devious as the next man when necessary,’ he assured her. ‘But where you’re concerned I’m playing it straight. Will you have dinner with me tonight?’
    Her eyes opened wide for a moment, then she began to laugh. ‘Which question shall I answer first.’
    â€˜If you say yes to dinner I shall take it for granted you like me!’ The blue eyes gleamed with amusement Kate found disarming. And she rather wished she could say yes.
    â€˜Sorry. I’m going out with a friend.’
    â€˜The college friend?’
    â€˜No. A different one.’
    He thought for a moment. ‘I’m involved in a working dinner tomorrow night. Thursday’s the only evening I’ve got free otherwise. How does that suit you?’
    â€˜Sorry. I’m seeing Alasdair on Thursday.’
    â€˜Busy lady,’ he said lightly, and fixed her with a steely blue look. ‘Or are you just letting me down lightly, Miss Katharine Dysart?’
    â€˜Not at all. Friends call me Kate, by the way,’ she added.
    â€˜Then so shall I.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Time up, Kate. I’ll drive you back to Dysart’s.’
    After he’d negotiated the centre of town she directed him into the auction house car park just as Adam wasemerging from his car, with eyebrows raised when he spotted his sister with a stranger.
    â€˜This one of the friends?’ muttered Jack, as he retrieved Kate’s bags from the back seat.
    â€˜No, my brother.’ She called Adam over. ‘Adam, this is Jack Spencer. Uncle of one of my pupils.’
    The men shook hands, sizing each other up, and, to Kate’s amusement, appeared to approve of what they saw.
    â€˜I must come along to one of your auctions some time,’ said Jack after greetings were exchanged. ‘I need some furniture in keeping with a cottage I’m doing up.’
    â€˜What period?’ said Adam, interest caught at once.
    â€˜Early nineteenth century.’
    â€˜Come and have a browse round any time,’ said Kate. ‘Dad’s the furniture man.’
    â€˜I’d be happy to,’ said Jack, and handed over a pile of bags to Adam. ‘Your sister’s shopping. Good to have met you.’ He turned to Kate. ‘I hope I’ll be luckier next time.’
    She smiled. ‘Thanks for the coffee.’
    Adam watched the Jeep out into the street, then grabbed Kate by the elbow. ‘What did he mean by that?’
    â€˜He wanted me to have dinner with him, but I’m going out tonight,’ she said, shaking him off irritably. ‘Preferably free of bruises.’
    â€˜What about Alasdair?’ he demanded.
    â€˜What about him?’
    â€˜Is he your date for tonight?’
    â€˜No. I’m seeing him on Thursday. Tonight, just so you’re completely up to date, I’m going out with Toby.’ Kate grinned. ‘Close your mouth, brother dear. Gaping doesn’t suit you.’
    â€˜How long have you known this Spencer chap, then?’ asked Adam, as they went inside.
    â€˜Since last Friday.’
    â€˜He seems pretty friendly after such a short time!’
    â€˜How long did you know Gabriel before you felt “friendly”?’ she countered.
    Adam paused outside his father’s office, frowning. ‘Are you serious about this man, then?’
    â€˜Not in the least. I’m not serious about Toby or Phil, either. Not even Alasdair.’ Kate shook her head at him. ‘I know this social whirl is a little unusual for a sober schoolmarm like me—’
    â€˜I don’t think of you that way,’ he said