Read Online Without Saying a Word by Amanda Ward - Free Book Online Page A

not?  He’s perfectly qualified to; he used to run a holiday park for families in the eighties,” Rhean explained.
    “So what is he doing as a butler then?  Sorry Graham, no offense,” Laura apologized.
    “None taken Miss Laura,” Graham retorted. “To quote a phrase from the youth of today ‘slumming it’ would be the description,” he remarked dryly. He turned and went back into the kitchen.”Go!” he called.
    “Better do as he says,” Laura mumbled.
    “Look after Mum,” Maisie told Rhean.
    “Anyone would think I was fifteen rather than forty,” Laura said to him and giggled. After she’d put on her smart black coat, the couple stepped out into the cold night air.

Chapter Five

    The moon shone golden through the inky black sky and the stars sparkled like diamonds. Rhean took Laura’s elbow and they walked down the path towards an old E-type Jaguar car, which was parked behind her people carrier. Rhean opened the door on the passenger side, and helped her in, then got in, took hold of her hand and kissed it gently.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    “Slightly nervous,” Laura admitted.
    Rhean chuckled as he started the car. “Me too,” he agreed. With a smile on his face he pulled away from the curb.
    They drove through town with the heat on, creating a cozy atmosphere in the vintage car. The leather seats were sumptuous and comfortable and Laura leaned back and watched Rhean handle the car with confidence.
    They drove through a couple of villages on the road to Lake Windermere. There wasn’t much traffic on the roads at that time of the evening and eventually Rhean pulled up in front of a small brightly lit restaurant.
    “I thought you might like English food,” Rhean said with a chuckle. “This has a really good reputation.”
    “Much better than a Chinese takeaway,” Laura agreed. She unbuckled her seat belt and as she reached to open the car door, she felt a blast of cold air and Rhean’s gloved hand. She grasped his hand firmly unused to the heels she wore. After locking the door, Rhean put his arm around her and they went into the restaurant.
    Rhean held the door open and they were met inside by the maître d´, a tall thin man with a rather pompous expression on his face.
    “Can I help you?” he asked.
    “Yes, I have a reservation for two, name of Viscount Kirkleigh,” Rhean said in his most aristocratic manner.
    “Anything he can do, I can do better,” he murmured in her ear.
    Looking down at the large book in front of him, the maître d´ nodded his head.
    “Follow me please, sir... I mean my lord, madam.” He led them through the restaurant lined with booths, providing an intimate atmosphere to the one near the bar  set for two. It was an elegant setting with fine cream linens and sparkling tableware. The maître d´ nodded his head and a young man came over.
    “Good evening, sir, madam. I am Louis and I will be your waiter this evening,” he said and bowed his head.”Would you like a drink before I take your order?”
    Rhean and Laura looked at each other.
    “I won’t be drinking alcohol tonight,” Rhean told Laura, “I need to keep a clear head as I’m driving. I’ll have a coffee please.”
    “Could I have a dry white wine please?” Laura asked.
    “Of course.” He left after handing them what appeared to be a leather-bound tome, but was in fact the menu and wine list. Rhean chuckled and flicked through it.
    “Trying to choose from this list could take a while,” he retorted. “Good thing Graham doesn’t charge by the hour.” Laura grinned at the quip. Rhean reached across the table and took Laura’s hand, stroking the palm of it with his fingertip.
    “You really do look incredibly beautiful,” he said sincerely, his voice deep and husky.
    “And all I can say is that if you had decided to go bowling I would have looked much overdressed,” she quipped back.
    Rhean smiled at her and they both went back to perusing the menu. There was a large selection,