His Defiant Mistress: The Millionaire's Rebellious Mistress / The Venetian's Midnight Mistress / The Billionaire's Virgin Mistress. CATHERINE GEORGE

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      Harry chuckled as she scrambled into his pick-up.

      ‘What’s up?’ she demanded.

      ‘You don’t look much like a city girl these days, boss.’

      Sarah grinned as she tucked a stray curl behind her ear. ‘The great advantage of the Green Man is not having to prettify myself to eat there. But if you’re ashamed to be seen with me in my working clothes, Mr Sollers, I can always eat my pasty in the pick-up.’

      He guffawed. ‘Get away with you.’

      The knot of regulars in the bar greeted Sarah with their usual friendly acceptance, which put paid to the last traces of her blue mood.

      ‘Your boss let you out, then, Harry?’ called some comedian.

      ‘Reminded her it was Betty’s day for pasties, so I hope you lot left some for us.’ Harry hoisted Sarah up on a stool at the bar, and gave their order. Fred came to join them, to ask about their progress, and Sarah willingly obliged as she tucked into flaky pastry wrapped round a savoury mixture of meat and vegetables. When it struck her that she was enjoying it far more than the elegant meal of the night before she sighed in such remorse that Fred peered under the peak of her cap.

      ‘Something wrong with your pasty, my dear?’

      ‘Nothing at all—it’s delicious.’ She explained about the meal with Oliver.

      ‘The man must have deep pockets if he took you to eat at Easthope Court,’ put in another man.

      ‘It was to celebrate his birthday, Mr Baker,’ said Sarah, and looked at him speculatively. ‘Actually, I’m glad you’re here today—’

      ‘He’s here every day,’ someone shouted.

      ‘But I’m not, so I must grab him while I can,’ she called back, grinning. ‘I hear you’re a very keen gardener, Mr Baker.’

      ‘I do a bit,’ he admitted warily.

      ‘When you can spare the time, would you come along to the cottages and give me some advice on planting?’

      ‘Any time you like,’ he assured her. ‘Let me get you another half.’

      ‘No, thanks—too much to do this afternoon,’ she said regretfully.

      There was immediate interest in exactly what, and the conversation was general for a moment, until a voice with the accents of expensive education rose above the hubbub to make itself heard to the landlord.

      ‘I’m looking for a Miss Carver, Eddy. Has she been in here today?’

      Sarah winced, wishing vainly she could make herself invisible. Resigned, she let Fred help her down from the stool and turned to face Alex Merrick. ‘You were asking for me?’

      His formal dark suit looked out of place in the homely environs of the Green Man’s public bar, but it was his look of blank astonishment that amused Sarah. Last night, because Oliver adored being seen with a ‘pretty young thing’, as he put it, she’d been tricked out in her best babe outfit, clinging black dress, killer heels, full warpaint and hair swept up in a knot of curls. Today the hair was rammed under a baseball cap, her face was as nature had made it, her overalls and trainers were covered in streaks of paint and glue and without her heels she was four inches shorter. She couldn’t blame the man for mistaking her for a boy apprentice, and felt grateful when Harry and Fred ranged themselves alongside her in protective, burly support.

      Alex glanced round the watchful faces in the bar, lips twitching. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Carver. I didn’t recognise you for a moment. My apologies for interrupting your lunch.’

      She shrugged. ‘Not at all. I was about to get back to work. What can I do for you?’

      ‘I’d like a word—in private. Today, if possible.’

      Sarah eyed him speculatively. ‘I generally finish about six. I can see you then, if you want.’

      ‘Thank you. Where?’

      ‘At the site. I’m sure you know where it is.’

      ‘I do. Until six, then. Good afternoon, gentlemen.’ He gave a comprehensive nod all round and walked out, leaving a brief lull in the conversation behind him before everyone started talking again.

      ‘You want to watch that one,’ said Harry.

      ‘Why?’ she asked, downing the last of her cider.

      ‘He’s a Merrick, for a start.’

      No need to remind her of that!

      ‘Besides, you’ve only got to look at him,’ said Fred. ‘Fancies his chance with the ladies.’

      ‘Not one dressed like this,’ she said, laughing.

      ‘Don’t you be too sure of that,’ said Fred darkly.

      Harry grinned, and drained his glass. ‘No need to worry. One swing of her lump hammer and he’ll be done for.’

      They left the pub to a burst of laughter, but Harry looked thoughtful as he drove back to the site. ‘Just the same, boss, I think I’d better stay behind out of sight in one of the cottages tonight. Just in case.’

      Sarah stared at him, surprised, ‘The man wants to talk to me, that’s all.’

      ‘Yes, but what about?’ said Harry grimly. ‘Word is that the Merricks were none too pleased when you got those cottages.’

      ‘Because they’re on land adjoining theirs?’

      He nodded. ‘So be warned. I reckon young Merrick’s going to make you an offer.’

      ‘So he can knock them down?’ Sarah’s mouth tightened in a way her father would have recognised only too well. ‘Not a chance.’

      It took work, but she finally persuaded Harry that she would be perfectly all right alone when he left.

      ‘Just the same,’ he said, as he got in his pick-up, ‘you be careful.’

      ‘I shall keep my trusty hammer close to hand,’ she assured him, only half joking.

      Once he’d gone, Sarah almost wished she’d asked Harry to stay after all. Which was ridiculous. It was broad daylight on a summer evening. What could happen? She thought about tidying herself up but couldn’t be bothered. Mr Alex Merrick would have to take her as she was. She leaned back against her car, arms folded and ankles crossed, blocking out the site’s building gear as she studied the cottages objectively. Harry had replaced the gingerbread trim over each front door, and soon he’d begin painting the exterior walls creamy white. The front gardens were just bare patches of earth as yet, but she would plant them up after some advice from Mr Baker. She’d lay some cobbles on the paths, get the waist-high dividing walls repointed, and once the lawns had been sown with seed…

      She turned her head as a Cherokee Jeep cruised down the lane.

      Alex Merrick СКАЧАТЬ