Rumours: The Ruthless Ravensdales. Melanie Milburne

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       CHAPTER ONE

      JULIUS RAVENSDALE KNEW his housekeeper was up to something as soon as she brought in his favourite dessert. ‘Queen’s pudding?’ He raised one of his brows. ‘I never have dessert at lunch unless it’s a special occasion.’

      ‘It is a special occasion,’ Sophia said as she put the meringue-topped dessert in front of him.

      He narrowed his gaze. ‘Okay, tell me. What’s going on?’

      Sophia’s expression was sheepish. ‘I’m bringing in a girl to help me run the house. It’s only for a month until this wretched tendonitis settles. The extra pair of hands will be so helpful and I’ll be doing my bit for society. It’s a win-win.’

      Julius glanced at the wrist brace Sophia had been wearing for the past couple of weeks. He knew she worked far too hard and could do with the extra help but he liked to keep the staff numbers down in the villa. Not because he was mean about paying them. He would pay them triple to stay away and let him get on with his work. ‘Who is it?’

      ‘Just a girl who’s in need of a bit of direction.’

      Julius mentally rolled his eyes. Of all the housekeepers he could have chosen, he had employed the Argentinian reincarnation of Mother Teresa. ‘I thought we agreed your lame ducks were restricted to the stables or the gardens?’

      ‘I know, but this girl will go to prison if—’

      ‘Prison?’ he said. ‘You’re bringing a convicted criminal here?’

      ‘She’s only been in trouble a couple of times,’ Sophia said. ‘Anyway, maybe the guy deserved it.’

      ‘What did she do to him?’

      ‘She keyed his brand-new sports car.’

      Julius’s gut clenched at the thought of his showroom-perfect Aston Martin housed in the garage. ‘I suppose she said it was an accident?’

      ‘No, she admitted to it,’ Sophia said. ‘She was proud of it. That and the message she sprayed on his lawn with weed killer.’

      ‘She sounds delightful.’

      ‘So you’ll agree to have her?’

      Julius took in his housekeeper’s hopeful expression. His sarcasm was lost on her. Sophia was the most charitable СКАЧАТЬ