One-Click Buy: November Harlequin Presents (122 page)

She glanced up and saw him staring at her. ‘What's wrong?' she asked.

‘Nothing. Nothing's wrong. Why should there be?'

She shrugged. ‘I thought perhaps you were regretting buying me this coat…for which many thanks, by the way.' She paused. ‘There was no need, Jed. I'll be able to treat
myself,
now, won't I?' She patted her side. ‘It's got lovely deep pockets as well. In fact…it's probably the nicest thing I've ever possessed…'

He smiled down into her eyes, which were sparkling like a child's. He wanted to say that it was money well spent—but he didn't dare. He thought of her sense of pride and self-sufficiency. She'd probably had to grit her teeth, accepting such a gift from him!

Just before lunch they arrived at the large, imposing hotel, and Jed swept into the car park at the side. Quickly releasing her seat belt, Cryssie slipped off the new coat and boots and reached for the bag containing her own things, which she'd thrown onto the back seat.

‘What are you doing?' Jed asked

‘Oh, I never wear
anything
new straight away,' Cryssie said. ‘I like to leave it on a hanger in my wardrobe, getting used to the idea of owning it, saving up the pleasure. It's just one of my many foibles,' she murmured.

He shrugged, plainly mystified, and presently they entered the building, to be greeted by a middle-aged man with gelled hair to whom Cryssie, for some reason, took an instant dislike. Jed introduced him as Kevin, ‘My indispensable manager, who runs the place like a military operation. And this is Ms Rowe, Kevin—one of my new assistants,' he added.

‘Mr Hunter—you should have told us you were coming!' the manager protested, and Cryssie realised at once that Jed had deliberately not given notice of his arrival.

‘Oh, I didn't know I could make it until this morning—but I'd be grateful if we could go over one or two things for an hour, Kevin…and we'd like lunch first, please,' he said.

‘Of course—the dining room is not full,' the manager said, ‘and Max is the chef on duty.'

‘Ah, Max…' Jed turned to Cryssie. ‘Max is fully qualified, of course, but he's also proving to be an ingenious chef. I'm very impressed with the guy.'

‘I hope he serves lobster and pigeon,' Cryssie murmured, out of Kevin's earshot, as Jed guided her towards the dining room.

As they ate, Jed found himself wishing fervently that they were here to enjoy themselves—perhaps go for a long walk later, then dinner, and maybe an early night! But that was taking wishful thinking too far! He had enjoyed the long drive in her company, and the easy conversation that had flowed. He found her uniqueness totally appealing. She was the proverbial breath of fresh air, he concluded.

Presently Jed went into the manager's office for discussion with Kevin, and Cryssie was invited to go off by herself for an unofficial tour of the hotel. As she wandered around she hoped that Jed was finding out all he wanted to know about the problem he'd mentioned, and that it wasn't going to take for ever to solve. She'd told him that she didn't want to be late getting home, but exploring another of the Hunter ownerships was proving quite interesting, she thought, as she wandered the long corridors.

Eventually she found her way back to the reception area—via one of the lounges, where she was offered tea—to find Jed just coming out from the office. And soon they were on their way back home.

‘Did you manage to sort everything out?' she asked

‘Well, I suppose it was a useful enough exercise,' he replied. ‘Though I didn't discover what, if anything, is going on behind the scenes.'

‘Who told you that anything was?' Cryssie asked.

‘Oh…didn't I say? I received an anonymous tip-off in the post this morning. That's why I wanted to act at once. But although I asked Kevin many searching questions, hopefully without arousing suspicion, he assured me that everything is “cracking along just fine”—his words. So perhaps the tip-off was just a bit of malicious nonsense after all.' He waited to overtake a lorry before accelerating sharply away again. ‘Kevin's so good at everything,' he went on. ‘Managers like him are hard to find.'

Cryssie waited for a few seconds before speaking. ‘No one's indispensable,' she said. ‘You'd probably find a good enough replacement if you had to.'

He glanced across at her. ‘What makes you say a thing like that?'

‘Well, while I was wandering around—and eavesdropping, I'm afraid—I overheard a discussion in the corridor between two of the female staff upstairs…'

‘And?'

‘I think you've got real problems, Jed.' She paused. ‘Apparently your wonderful Kevin is having an affair—with Max's wife. She works there too, doesn't she? One of the waitresses? Well, poor Max is in the dark, and his wife is acting Lady Muck—not pulling her weight, and Kevin's always giving her time off, spending some of it with her in private. The atmosphere amongst the rest of the staff is understandably tense and resentful. Especially as they all seem to like Max—much more than they like Kevin—and don't want to see him hurt.' She glanced across. ‘Your name was mentioned—plus the fact that they all know Kevin's your “golden boy”…No one's got the guts to tell you, because they're afraid of causing even more trouble. So there you have it. In a not-very-nice nutshell.'

She could see that Jed was gobsmacked at this piece of information. ‘I can't believe it,' he said at last. ‘Kevin's married—with four kids! The man gave such a good account of himself today—and of everybody else.' He whistled briefly through his teeth. ‘I thought him trustworthy—in all respects. How wrong can you be?'

They drove in silence for a few seconds, Jed's brows knitted in the formidable way that Cryssie knew only too well.

He cursed under his breath. ‘Well, that's a hell of a dilemma,' he said. ‘I don't want to lose either Max or Kevin, but from what you've told me I've got to do something about this—and fast.' The strong mouth was set in a grim line, and Cryssie could understand what the women she'd overheard had meant about not wanting to be the one to pass on bad news!

‘Everything was going so well there,' Jed went on. ‘Who was it that said hell is other people?' he asked flatly.

‘I don't know who said that,' she remarked slowly, ‘but they have a point, don't they?' Yes, Jeremy Hunter, she thought. And if they thought about it, the entire staff at Hydebound would be looking straight at you!

After dropping Cryssie home, Jed made his way back to Shepherd's Keep, the family mansion, deep in thought. He wasn't too sure how to sort things out now—what a bloody fool Kevin was! And how would Max react when he found out what had been going on between his wife and the manager? This could mean an almighty upheaval all round.

Sweeping into the long drive, he sighed, feeling empty and frustrated, wishing with all his heart that he was not going to be spending the evening with his parents—who would naturally want to know what he'd been doing all day. It would have been great to be chatting things over with Cryssie, just the two of them. His brow cleared momentarily as he thought over their time together earlier. When she'd emerged from the changing cubicle in the shop he'd almost done a double-take. She'd looked beautiful, standing there waiting for his verdict.

He smiled to himself then, as he sat there with the engine switched off. He'd not been able, at first, to make out why she'd taken the new coat off in the car—but of course he should have guessed straight away! He knew that he'd made it impossible for her to refuse his gift, but when and where she'd be wearing it was to be
her
choice, not his!

T
HE FOLLOWING
morning Polly decided that, as she'd had to entertain her son for the whole of yesterday, today it was to be Cryssie's turn.

‘I feel quite tired,' she said as, still wearing her dressing gown, she watched Cryssie clean the grate and set the fire ready for lighting. ‘So I'm going to have a long hot bath and give myself a makeover. You don't mind if I stay here while you take Milo out, do you, Cryssie? I just feel like a day spent doing absolutely nothing.'

‘Of course I don't mind, Poll,' Cryssie said at once, privately thinking that a day doing nothing sounded rather attractive. But ‘doing nothing' didn't mean not spending time with Milo, and being alone with her little nephew would suit her fine!

She was just getting herself and the child ready to go out when the phone rang, and Jed's voice throbbed across the wires. Cryssie sighed briefly. The man's intrusion into her life was becoming a habit!

‘Cryssie? Um—I've been thinking…It's a superb day today—really warm for early April…so different from yesterday—and I was wondering whether you—and the family—would like to come over here and admire our spring flowers.' He paused. ‘I feel bad, having used up half your weekend on business, and I thought you might appreciate a few hours in the country.' He hesitated. ‘Milo could bring his football—there's masses of space for a kick-around.'

The rush of pleasure that swept over her took Cryssie by surprise. She would just love to visit Shepherd's Keep—the grand place the Hunters owned—and see how the other half of the world lived! But, much more than that, his suggestion that Milo might like to play in the grounds pleased her more than anything.

‘Oh—that's very kind, Jed,' she said hesitantly. ‘But I'll have to ask Milo—he thinks we're going swimming.' She looked down at the child, who was standing by her side. ‘Swimming or football, Milo?' she asked. ‘You choose.'

‘Football,' Milo answered promptly. ‘Are we going to the park?'

‘Sort of.' Cryssie smiled. ‘A different one—and one you'll like!' She spoke into the phone handset again. ‘Milo thanks you very much and is pleased to accept,' she said. ‘But Polly won't be joining us.'

‘Okay—fine—I'll be over at ten-thirty.'

After she'd rung off, Cryssie told Polly about the arrangements for the day and wasn't surprised when her sister's face fell.

‘Oh…I might have liked to come too—if I wasn't so tired,' she said. ‘You must tell me all about it when you come home, and I'll come next time.'

Cryssie was glad that her sister would not be accompanying them. She didn't particularly want the girl getting to know Jed and becoming attached to him—which she knew was a distinct possibility. Life had enough complications at the moment without asking for trouble, she thought. It would be far safer for just her and Milo and Jed to spend the day together, and the thought of them as a threesome filled her with unexpected pleasure.

Polly was safely out of sight in the bathroom when Jed arrived. Cryssie shut the door behind them and they went down the path together, with Milo clutching his precious football and trainers. Jed automatically lifted the little boy into the car and fastened his seat belt.

‘This is low for you, isn't it, Milo?' he said. ‘Next time I'll bring a specially raised car seat for you to sit on, so that you can see out more easily.'

Cryssie made herself take a long, deep breath as she looked over her shoulder at the child. The small face was wreathed in smiles as they exchanged glances—he'd never been in such a car in his life! And Jed's last remark more than implied that this wasn't to be a one-off occasion! Forcing every negative thought from her mind, Cryssie sat back, determined to enjoy the day ahead. If only for Milo's sake. The little boy lived a very happy life—she made sure of that—but the male influence was obviously missing, and that did worry her when she allowed herself to dwell on it. Especially when, a few months ago, Milo had come home from a birthday party wanting to know why a daddy didn't live with them.

When they arrived at Shepherd's Keep, Cryssie had difficulty in not gasping out loud. The fine Victorian building was grand enough, but as they drove around the curved driveway the grounds were a mass of crocuses, daffodils and narcissus, which swept across the lawns in wave after wave of sunny colour.

‘Oh, Jed,' she whispered. ‘This is…magical!'

He grinned across at her. ‘I thought it might appeal,' he said. ‘We'll walk across the field to the river later—but first we'll have coffee, and you must come and meet my parents.'

Cryssie bit her lip. She hadn't expected to meet the Hunter family—not yet, anyway—and was relieved that Shepherd's Keep was well away from town and the possibility that she might be seen with Jed by any of her friends at Hydebound. Despite her pleasure at being here with Milo, she couldn't help feeling disloyal—and dishonest too. This time next year it could all be different, but for the moment the situation was too raw for comfort, she thought.

They went into the house through the vast kitchen, where Megan, the elderly housekeeper, was preparing lunch, and Jed introduced Cryssie briefly as they passed.

‘I'll bring coffee into the garden room in a few minutes, Jed,' Megan said, smiling at Cryssie and Milo.

Surrounded by the Sunday newspapers, Henry and Alice Hunter looked up as Jed came in, followed by the others. Cryssie was instantly put at ease by the older couple, who greeted her in a very friendly way. They almost pounced on Milo, who was looking adorable in a fashionable little boy's outfit, his chubby face and golden curls shining with health.

‘Do come in, my dear,' Alice said, getting up. ‘Jeremy has told us about you…and this is Milo! What a beautiful child!' Alice Hunter was a smart woman, obviously no longer young, but with strong grey hair brushed up into a chignon, and quizzical blue eyes which twinkled as she spoke.

Henry, tall and distinguished-looking, stood up too, and came over to shake Cryssie's hand. ‘So this is Jeremy's new assistant—glad to meet you, my dear,' he said, gazing down into her eyes, and Cryssie could see immediately where Jed's black ones originated! The two pairs were replicas, and as he held her hand for longer than was actually necessary the girl instinctively recognised Henry as a ladies' man.

Megan came in then with the coffee, and a glass of juice for Milo, while Cryssie surreptitiously glanced around her. What on earth must Jed have thought of
their
place? she wondered, and suddenly she felt lost and out of her depth. She didn't belong here, with this fabulously wealthy family…Being employed in their office was one thing, but sitting drinking coffee and being made to feel so at home unnerved her. She was like a fish out of water, she thought helplessly.

But Milo had no such hang-ups, and, encouraged by Alice and Henry, was chatting away telling them all about school, and his toys, and the things he liked to do. ‘Jed's going to play footie with me in a minute,' he said. ‘Aren't you, Jed?'

Cryssie was surprised at the child's easy familiarity. There was no shyness or hanging around her—as he sometimes did when strangers were around. Milo had made himself quite at home, and was clearly enjoying all the attention he was getting.

‘Yes, we'll go outside in a minute,' Jed said, ruffling Milo's curls. ‘And afterwards would you like to see my train set, Milo?'

‘Yes,
please!
' Milo said at once, and Alice smiled across at Cryssie.

‘I'm afraid we can't bear to dismantle Jeremy's beloved train set,' she said. ‘It's permanently set up in one of the spare rooms—to give it some use Megan's four grandchildren come over and play with it from time to time.' She paused and looked across at her son. ‘And when no one's looking I'm sure Jeremy gets it going now and then,' she said fondly.

Cryssie didn't look across at Jed as she listened to what Alice was saying. It was difficult to imagine the masterful Jeremy Hunter on the floor playing with his toys!

Fortunately, the Hydebound question didn't arise in the conversation, which pleased Cryssie. She wanted to forget all about work today and concentrate on enjoying herself, and seeing that Milo had a good time. So, presently, the three of them went outside, where Jed and the little boy started to play an enthusiastic game of football while Cryssie admired the thousands of spring flowers that carpeted the lawns.

Wandering around in the surprisingly warm sunlight, and hearing Milo's shrieks of delight from nearby, Cryssie felt an almost overwhelming sense of sadness. For herself and for Milo. Here, there was everything that anyone could possibly wish for—a perfect place for a child to grow up. But she could never match it—hard though she tried to get everything right. Milo
needed
a man's influence, she thought miserably. Not just for things like playing football, but for the deeper, more important things in life. The years were flying by, and before they knew it Milo would be growing up and away from her. Would she be able to cope then, and with all the teenage problems that were bound to occur?

Although it was not cold, she shivered suddenly, and went back to join the others, stopping for a second to take in what she was seeing. Tall, elegant, and sophisticated Jeremy Hunter was throwing himself across the grass to stop her little five-year old from kicking the ball between the makeshift goal-posts they'd erected! But she reminded herself that this was not the only time she'd seen the man in a less than businesslike position…Her mental picture of him stretched out on the bed, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts, refused to go away!

‘You must pick some daffodils to take home with you later,' Jed said as she came up to them. ‘And I'm fed up with playing with Milo, because he's scored more goals than me.'

Milo, hot and breathless, ran up to Cryssie. ‘I like it here,' he said. ‘It's fun. Can we come again soon, Cryssie?'

‘Of course you can,' Jed said, answering for her. ‘In fact, I shall insist on it!' He threw a glance at Cryssie, and for the millionth time his eyes held her captive and sent her blood rushing. He looked younger than she'd ever seen him, his hair tousled and damp, his wide brow moist with exercise, and when he suddenly scooped Milo up and put him on his shoulders to go back into the house she almost burst with an indescribable feeling of happiness. Milo was having a fantastic day! And so was she!

Presently it was announced that lunch was to be eaten in the kitchen.

‘We usually have it here in the middle of the day,' Alice explained. ‘It's cosier, and more convenient for Megan, rather than taking everything into the dining room.'

They all sat together at the long wooden table and began to enjoy the beautifully cooked lamb and spring vegetables. Milo ate every last scrap of his, to Cryssie's relief. He usually ate most of what
she
cooked for him, but you could never be sure that he would like someone else's cooking, she thought. And when ice cream and hot chocolate sauce was presented for pudding, the little boy's eyes shone even brighter.

‘I didn't think Milo would necessarily appreciate apple pie,' Alice said, as she cut Cryssie a generous slice. ‘But ice cream is usually safe. Megan's grandchildren eat here sometimes, when she has to look after them.'

Cryssie smiled her appreciation, thinking what a lovely family this was. Moneyed they might be, but pretentious they certainly were not. They seemed as ordinary as anyone else, liking the same things as everyone else. It was perseverance and hard work that had brought them to their position in life, she thought.

Glancing up, she saw Jed looking at her, and he gave her the merest wink as their eyes met. She'd love to know what he was thinking, because their relationship—such as it was—seemed to be taking more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. What on earth was she doing here, lunching with the Hunter family, in their vast home? And what was she doing here with Jed, the employer from hell, the destroyer of people's careers and hopes? And none of it was
her
fault! No one could say that she had manoeuvred herself into this position!

After lunch, Milo followed Henry happily upstairs to view the extravagant train layout. It surprised Cryssie that he didn't insist that she go as well.

‘See you later, Cryssie,' the child said, as he left the room holding Henry's hand.

Jed pushed back his chair. ‘Come on—let me show you around,' he said, ‘while my mother has her usual post-lunch forty winks!'

The gardens were far more extensive than they'd appeared, and soon Jed and Cryssie had lost sight of the house altogether. Presently, they came to a small wooden lodge, built between the trees, and Jed pushed open the door for Cryssie to go inside.

‘I used to have picnics here with my friends—after we'd skinny-dipped in the river,' he said. He sighed. ‘But those days are past, sadly. No one uses this much any more—though the gardener has left some tools here, I see.'

It was a charming structure, facing downhill towards the river, which was just visible through the trees, and it contained a small, strong wooden table, a couple of deckchairs, and a two-seater swing chair. Jed sat gingerly down on one side, and patted the seat beside him for Cryssie to sit as well. ‘I think it's still in good enough nick to hold our combined weight,' he said. ‘Well,
my
weight,' he added.