Emma’s Secret

‘I’m sorry, but I promised Dad. We have to work on some business papers. I really do have to go, especially since I wasn’t up there last weekend.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘But I promise I’ll put my thinking cap on and brainstorm by myself. We can get together next week, if you can manage it.’

‘That’ll be okay. Is Julian going with you?’

‘No, as a matter of fact he isn’t. But if he were, and he knew you were staying in town, I can assure you he would cancel me out immediately.’

She laughed, then said swiftly, ‘Well, I’m going to have to dig into this pile, no matter what, however long it takes. What I need, actually, is two assistants, and right now.’

Gideon sat up straighter in the chair, a knowing look crossing his face, and he exclaimed, ‘How about one assistant right now? Would that help?’

‘Are you joking, of course it would!’

‘Then I think I might have just the right person for you.’

‘Who?’

‘Evan Hughes.’

‘A man. Oh, I’m not sure—’

‘No, a woman,’ he cut in. ‘And yes, before you say it, I am fully aware that Evan is a Welsh boy’s name. But apparently in America it’s often used as a girl’s name as well.’

‘Oh, she’s an American?’

‘Yes. And well trained, I think. Studied fashion, worked for a well-known American couturier. She comes from New York, and she’s about twenty-six, or around that. And she’s very personable.’

‘And she’s a friend of yours, Gid?’

‘Not exactly.’ He cleared his throat, gave Linnet a faint smile. ‘Actually I just met her in the corridor on her way to the personnel office.’

‘You mean you picked her up in the corridor, you Don Juan, you!’

‘Don’t be so ridiculous, Linnet. She was looking rather lost, and I asked her if I could help her,’ he shot back in a slightly injured tone, wondering how he had managed to acquire the reputation of being a womanizer in the family. He wasn’t that at all.

‘I bet you did.’ Linnet leered at him, and added, ‘Well, one thing’s for sure, if she grabbed your attention—’

‘What’s that?’ he interrupted.

‘She must be good looking.’

Gideon began to laugh. ‘Well, yes, she is. I must admit that.’

‘And where is she now?’

‘I think she must be in Human Resources.’ He glanced at his watch, nodded his head. ‘Definitely. She has to be still there.’

Linnet, always decisive, picked up the phone and dialled. ‘Jennifer, it’s Linnet,’ she said when the phone was answered. ‘Do you still have a Miss Evan Hughes with you?’

‘We do, Linnet. She’s in with Maggie right now, who wanted to talk to her. Her application read very well, and so did her résumé,’ Jennifer explained.

‘Very good. Transfer me to Maggie, would you, please, Jennifer.’

‘Right away.’

A second later Maggie Hemmings answered her phone with a crisp, ‘Human Resources here.’

‘It’s Linnet, Maggie. I understand Evan Hughes is with you.’

‘Correct.’

‘Jennifer says her papers are good.’

‘That’s right.’

‘I’m looking for an assistant. Would she fit the bill? Is she worth seeing?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Oh, well, once you’ve finished your interview, I’d appreciate it if you would bring her along to my office. I’d like to talk to her myself.’

‘No problem,’ Maggie said. ‘See you shortly.’

‘I’ll be waiting,’ Linnet replied and hung up. Looking across at Gideon, she remarked, ‘Apparently your Miss Hughes has made a reasonable impression.’

‘She’s not my Miss Hughes. She’s not even an acquaintance.’

Linnet nodded. ‘Don’t be so snarly, Gid. I’m teasing.’

‘I’m not being snarly. Merely factual.’ He smiled at her; his expression was loving.

She stared back at him, also smiling, thinking how well he looked today in his impeccably-tailored Savile Row suit, dark grey with a white pinstripe, pale blue shirt, and a silk tie. There were moments, like now when he was looking serious and intent, that he reminded her of his father, Winston. The Harte looks were predominant in them both, except that Uncle Winston’s vivid colouring had begun to fade. Gideon’s hair was a rich russet colour, his eyes light green, and he had clean, sharply defined features.

She and Gideon looked a lot like each other, and strangers often thought they were brother and sister. Certainly their relationship was very close, and had been since they were small. But then their parents were cousins and best friends, in each other’s company constantly, and in consequence as children they had been thrown together a lot, along with his brother Toby, and Tessa and Lorne. Her other siblings were not yet born at that time.

At the thought of Toby, Linnet winced. He was not one of her favourites in the family, and she had always believed he was her enemy. He had been forever allied with Tessa, one of her half-sister’s sycophants, constantly paying court and drooling all over her, which Tessa blatantly encouraged. Perhaps now that he was a married man things had changed somewhat, although she doubted it.

‘Penny for your thoughts,’ Gideon said, breaking the silence.

‘I was thinking how smart you looked today. Very dashing, actually.’

‘Thanks for those kind words, my pet.’

‘And then Toby jumped into my head … What’s he up to at the moment? He’s been awfully quiet of late, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Yes, he has. But he’s very busy with work; he’s got a hugely demanding job, as a matter of fact. I know he’s not your favourite, Linny, and sometimes I have problems with him myself – always did, as you know only too well. Still, I’ve got to say he’s good at what he does. Brilliant. He loves working in television, and Dad’s pleased with the way he’s been managing the television company. None of us can possibly fault him there, you know.’ Gideon shifted in the chair slightly, and continued, ‘And of course, he’s a newly wed … I suppose he’s rather preoccupied with his bride.’

‘You’re right …’ Linnet paused, threw him a direct look, her head on one side. ‘Do you like Adrianna Massingham, Gid?’

‘She’s all right. Not my type, but that doesn’t mean anything really. Even though her appearance is very contrived – it’s all that make-up, I guess – she’s still a beautiful young woman, and pleasant enough, I suppose—’ He cut his sentence off abruptly, and sat back in the chair, looking thoughtful, his face growing more serious than usual.