British Bachelors: Tempting & New. Liz Fielding
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Название: British Bachelors: Tempting & New
Автор: Liz Fielding
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Контркультура
Серия: Mills & Boon M&B
isbn: 9781474068475
isbn:
She bit her lip again, aware of a perilous bubble of laughter suddenly rising inside her. Even though there was nothing to laugh at. ‘But only if the repentance is genuine.’ She paused. ‘Besides, you obviously thought you’d have the place to yourself and I’m butting in.’
He said gently, ‘If you were, I wouldn’t have suggested you stay. Now I’ll go and get the food while you finish your printing.’
It seemed the choice had been taken out of her hands, thought Tavy, her disapproval—not only of his total lack of morality but also his high-handed arrogance—tempered by the realisation that her sandwich had been a long time ago and she was, in fact, extremely hungry.
She was closing down the computer when Jago called to her.
She sat for a moment, staring into space, then whispered, as she stood up, ‘I should not be doing this.’
She arrived at the dining room door and stopped, her brows lifting in sheer incredulity. ‘Candles?’
There were four of them, burning with steady golden flames in the tall silver candlesticks placed at a safe distance round the corners of the rug.
‘My predecessor sold the chandelier along with everything else, so the room needed some kind of light.’ Jago was kneeling, unpacking a hamper. ‘I bought these last week and thought—why not do it in style?’
She said shakily, ‘Why not indeed—except it’s not dark yet.’
He sighed. ‘Stop nitpicking, woman, and lend a hand.’
There wasn’t just food in the hamper. There were plates, dishes, cutlery, even wine glasses, all in pairs, strongly suggesting that he might have hoped Barbie would indeed be there.
Instead, she thought, he was settling for second best—if she even rated that highly.
Don’t think like that, she adjured herself fiercely. You’re not taking part in some competition, but just filling in time before the rest of your life, so remember it.
She watched Jago arranging the food on the rug. There was smoked trout pâté, chicken pie, green salad with a small container of French dressing, plus a crusty baguette, butter and a bottle of Chablis. While, to round off the meal, there was a jar of peaches in brandy.
He looked across at her, his smile faintly crooked. ‘Will this do?’
‘It looks wonderful,’ she said. ‘Like a celebration.’
‘That’s just how I wanted it to be.’ He drew the cork from the wine and poured it, handing her a glass. ‘To Ladysmere,’ he said. ‘A phoenix rising from the ashes.’
‘Yes,’ she said. And all because of you. She thought it, but did not say it. ‘It—it’s a special moment.’
He said softly, ‘Yes it is, and thank you for sharing it with me.’
The tawny gaze met hers, held it for an endless moment.
And Tavy felt her heart give a sudden, wild, and totally dangerous leap, as she raised her glass and echoed huskily, ‘To Ladysmere.’
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