Read Online The Mistress of His Manor by Catherine George - Free Book Online Page B

more visitors?’
    ‘No,’ said Jo, jumping up. ‘I’m not.’ She hurried into the hall and groaned as she saw the familiar outline through the fanlight. ‘It’s my father.’ Heart sinking, she opened the door to Jack, who looked at her bare feet in disapproval which changed to outright hostility when he saw the man behind her.
    ‘Am I interrupting something?’ he demanded.
    Jo shook her head. ‘What’s the matter? You look terrible.’ She seized his arm. ‘Is something wrong with Kate?’
    ‘Look, I’ll go,’ said March.
    ‘You’re the gardener,’ said Jack suddenly.
    March nodded. ‘My name’s Clement. How do you do?’
    ‘Never mind all that,’ said Jo impatiently. ‘What’s wrong, Jack?’
    ‘Could we sit down somewhere?’ he said wearily. ‘And some coffee before I drive home would be good. Only put something on your feet, please, Jo. And don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong exactly. Kate needs a blood transfusion before she can comehome. They’d started it before I got there tonight. It gave me a hell of a shock. And the baby was missing. He’d been taken off to the nursery.’
    ‘If you two will go into the parlour I’ll put some coffee on,’ said Jo, willing March to refuse and just leave. Instead he held the door open for Jack and followed him into the parlour.
    Jo flew into the kitchen to deal with the coffee-maker, then ran upstairs to pull on jeans and a sweater and thrust her feet into shoes. She ran a comb through her hair and tore back downstairs to set a tray, then took it into the parlour.
    ‘Can I get you something to eat, Jack?’ Jo asked as she filled cups.
    ‘No, thanks, darling. I just called in to warn you in case Kate is still hooked up to the transfusion gear when you see her tomorrow.’ He drank some coffee and took a look at March. ‘So you work at Arnborough?’
    ‘Actually, Jack,’ said Jo acidly, ‘he owns the place. He’s Lord Arnborough.’
    ‘Something, as you can tell, that your daughter takes objection to,’ said March, and drank the coffee she’d given him so grudgingly.
    Jack eyed first March, then Jo, looking as though he was too tired to take it in. ‘Why do you object, Jo?’
    ‘Because I didn’t tell her that from the first,’ March informed him. ‘Just as Joanna forgot to tell me her name was Logan.’
    Jack nodded sagely. ‘She didn’t want you to know I’m her father.’
    ‘You look hardly old enough, sir,’ said March politely.
    ‘I’m more than old enough to be Joanna’s father, but nothing like old enough to be called sir by someone your age!’ said Jack dryly, and gave Jo his cup. ‘That was a lifesaver, but now I’d better be on my way.’ He got up, looking at March steadily. ‘I’m not sure we’ll meet again, but it was interesting to make your acquaintance.’
    ‘I hope to further it,’ said March, returning the look in kind.
    ‘From the expression on my daughter’s face, you’ll need to work on that,’ said Jack, and yawned. ‘Sorry. I need my bed.’ He put his arms round Jo. ‘Don’t overdo things tomorrow.’
    ‘All right, Dad. Go home and get some sleep.’ Jo coloured at the arrested look in her father’s eyes, but he merely nodded coolly to March as he went out.
    Jo shut the parlour door very deliberately as she followed her father into the hall.
    ‘Dad?’ said Jack, smoothing her hair.
    ‘Does that make you feel too old?’
    ‘It makes me feel quite wonderful,’ he assured her, and kissed her nose.
    ‘Good. Now, get some sleep. And don’t worry. I’ll keep things ticking over at the office tomorrow before I take off to see Kate.’
    ‘Don’t you mean Mum?’ he said slyly.
    Jo shook her head. ‘She’s still my lovely Kate—as she always has been.’
    ‘Mine, too.’ He kissed her cheek and opened the door. ‘Should I stay to see His Lordship off the premises?’
    Her eyes glittered. ‘No, thanks. I reserve that pleasure for myself.’
    March was standing where she’d left