Infamous Bargain. Daphne Clair

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СКАЧАТЬ ago he had moved from straight accountancy to setting up a financial advice and investment service. He was regarded as a man who knew where the best deals were to be made. Lawyers and accountants often referred to him clients who had some money set aside and were unsure as to where to invest it.

      ‘I suppose so,’ Laura said. ‘When I asked him what was the matter he said there’s been a downturn in the share-market, but he’s sure things will straighten themselves out.’

      ‘Is he hoping to attract some investment money from Kynan Roth?’

      ‘I don’t know. He said more than once that he couldn’t afford to lose Mr Roth, so I was to make sure he enjoyed himself and that there were no slip-ups last night. But knowing how important it was just made me go to pieces.’

      ‘You did fine.’

      ‘Do you think so? I must admit that Mr Roth was perfectly nice, although something about the man makes me nervous. It was kind of him to send flowers. Didn’t you like him?’

      ‘Not specially,’ Briar answered crisply. ‘Did Dad say that he wanted me to...?’

      ‘What?’ Laura turned enquiring blue eyes on her.

      ‘Never mind, it wasn’t important.’ Laura was inclined to make a big worry out of quite trivial things. She might have blown up a casual remark out of proportion to its real significance, Briar told herself. It wouldn’t be the first time.

      Of course her father hadn’t set her up with Kynan. Not deliberately. He might have had some vague hope that if they took to each other it would make a business arrangement easier to bring about. He certainly hadn’t been asking her to sell herself in return for some of Kynan’s money.

      * * *

      Over lunch, Xavier asked her, ‘How did you get on with Kynan Roth?’

      She looked up from her salad. ‘All right.’ And bluntly she asked, ‘Why?’

      ‘No particular reason. I thought you might enjoy meeting someone nearer your age...’

      ‘I meet people my age all the time,’ Briar said. ‘Who exactly is Kynan Roth, anyway?’

      ‘He’s been overseas for a number of years—he was chief executive of a big Australian steel firm. When his father died last year he came home to take over the family company. Created quite a stir. Bit of a whiz-kid.’

      ‘Quite a number of whiz-kids lost their shirts in the last crash, didn’t they?’ Briar commented.

      ‘Yes, indeed. Got caught on the market with their pants down. Young idiots who flew around in their corporate jets taking over companies and throwing champagne parties every time their shares doubled in value.’ Xavier’s lips curled distastefully. ‘Roth’s not that sort. The business has a rock-solid base, manufacturing plants that have been in the family for a long time. He brought new ideas back with him and expanded the original company. Old money and business acumen are a winning combination.’

      ‘Big money?’

      ‘Hundreds of millions. Low profile, like his father, but it’s there, all right.’

      ‘He said you need cash.’

      Xavier looked at her sharply. ‘When did he say that?’

      ‘Last night, when I was showing him the Heaphy. Is that why you asked me to be nice to him?’

      A dull flush rose in Xavier’s neck. ‘He’s a useful contact, just like all the others who were here last night.’

      ‘As a possible source of quick money?’

      Laura put down her fork. ‘Do you want some more ham, Briar?’

      ‘This is business, Briar,’ her father said dismissively. ‘You wouldn’t understand.’

      Briar’s glance at her stepmother was apologetic, but she turned again to her father. ‘Just how important to you is this man?’

      Xavier replied testily, ‘Nothing to worry about. I simply need a bit of short-term finance to cover a temporary cash-flow problem.’

      Alarm bells were ringing in Briar’s head. ‘You’re hoping he’ll give you a loan?’

      ‘A business loan is more complicated than—than mortgaging a house, or buying a car on hire-purchase.’

      Laura’s smooth brow creased. ‘You won’t have to mortgage the house, will you?’

      ‘The house! It wouldn’t begin to cover—’ Xavier scowled. ‘Wherever did you get that idea?’

      ‘I suppose,’ Briar said, ‘you could sell the Heaphy.’

      ‘A few thousand dollars!’ Xavier gave a rather harsh laugh. ‘It won’t come to that. I told you, it’s nothing to worry about.’

      He bent his attention to the cold mutton on his plate. Briar’s eyes met Laura’s over the table. Laura’s blue gaze was clouded, and the frown had not left her face.

      * * *

      The phone rang as the two women were stacking the dishwasher after lunch, and Laura went to answer it. Hearing her muted voice in the hall, Briar assumed the call was for her stepmother. But after a minute or two Laura called, ‘Briar—can you come to the phone?’

      As Briar took the receiver, Laura whispered, ‘It’s Kynan Roth!’ She retreated back to the kitchen as Briar lifted the receiver to her ear.

      ‘Thank you for the flowers,’ Briar said formally. ‘They’re beautiful.’

      ‘I’m glad you like them. Have you forgiven me, yet?’

      She deliberately let half a second elapse before she said coolly, ‘Of course.’

      Faint laughter came down the line. ‘But not entirely? Let me make amends—’

      ‘I thought that was what the flowers were for.’

      ‘They haven’t done the trick, have they? I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, if you’re free.’

      ‘On the theory that an evening in your company will “do the trick”?’ she enquired drily.

      ‘Nasty, Briar! On the theory that a good dinner in a comfortable restaurant might have a soothing effect. Where would you like to go?’

      ‘With you? I’m not sure that I want to go anywhere.’

      Laura appeared in the kitchen doorway, a plate in her hand, her expression tense. She’d been listening, Briar realised. As her eyes met Briar’s, she gave an apologetic smile and ducked back.

      ‘But you are free tonight?’ Kynan was asking.

      As she debated over whether to admit she was, he said, ‘Have you been to Benedict’s?’

      ‘Not yet.’ It was a new place that had opened СКАЧАТЬ