The Tempestuous Flame

‘Oh, come off it, Daddy, wouldn’t you think the same in the circumstances?’

‘No, I wouldn’t.’

‘Daddy!’

‘Well… perhaps. But he has a nerve suggesting something like that. What does he think I am, a cradle-snatcher?’

‘There isn’t that much difference between your age and Greg Fortnum’s, and you thought we would be well suited,’ she pointed out reasonably. ‘Anyway, he said I shouldn’t be ashamed of bringing a little happiness into someone’s life, your life.’

‘Big of him!’

‘That’s what I thought. So I’m going to pay him back for it. By the time I’ve finished with him he may not have quite such an inflated ego,’ she said with relish.

‘Caroline, I wouldn’t advise—–’

‘Don’t worry, Daddy. I’ll leave before things get too hot, but I really do think your pushy friend needs his ego knocked down a bit.’

‘Well, all right, if that’s what you want to do, but it’s against my advice. And if it gets out to the press that you’re living out in the wilds with André Gregory your reputation will be in shreds.’

‘It won’t get out, there’s no reason why it should.’

‘I suppose not,’ he mumbled. ‘But I want you to keep in touch with me.’

‘Of course I will, but not too often. How can I play the seductress if he thinks I’m involved with you?’

‘Play the seductress?’ he queried sharply. ‘Now, Caroline, that isn’t a good idea.’

‘Why not? I can assure you that there’s absolutely no risk of my actually falling for him. He’s just an arrogant, bossy prig. And I’m going to bring him to his knees!’

She heard her father laugh. ‘I wish you luck,’ he chuckled before ringing off.

Caroline stared at the telephone for a moment before gently replacing it back on its stand. Her father hadn’t taken her plans too badly under the circumstances, and she was looking forward to teaching André Gregory a lesson. But she had to go carefully or he would become suspicious. But there was no time like the present to start her plan.

The man so much in her thoughts of late was sitting back comfortably in an armchair before the warm fire, his bare feet roasting, in front of the flames. A cigar burnt slowly between his slender fingers and his attention seemed to be wholly on the book he was reading.

She sat impishly before him on the carpet, instantly feeling the heat of the fire. ‘Is it good?’ she asked huskily.

The book slowly lowered and a pair of deceptively sleepy green eyes looked at her over its top. ‘Very good,’ he replied shortly.

‘I’ve read quite a lot of Alistair Maclean books myself. But I haven’t read that one,’ she tried to draw him into conversation.

‘You can have it when I’ve finished it. Perhaps it will keep you out of trouble for a while.’ He returned his attention to the book.

Caroline put out a hand and lowered it again. ‘Couldn’t you talk to me?’

He raised dark eyebrows. ‘Now what could we possibly have to say to one another? As far as I know we have nothing in common.’

She grinned at him. ‘That isn’t quite true, we have Alistair Maclean. Now that’s a start, wouldn’t you say?’

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘Perhaps,’ he conceded. ‘But it isn’t very encouraging, is it?’

She stood up with enthusiasm. ‘Come shopping with me,’ she invited gaily.

‘What?’

‘Come shopping with me.’ She took his book out of his hands and tried to pull him to his feet. ‘I’ll buy you steak and cook it for you with my own fair hands,’ she said enticingly when he resisted her efforts.

‘Is that supposed to encourage me?’ he asked dryly.

‘Mm,’ she grinned. ‘I cook steak divinely.’

‘I only have your word for that.’ He stood languidly to his feet, tucking his shirt back into the low waistband of his faded denims.

‘But I can, truthfully.’

‘Right, I’ll believe you. Get your coat and we’ll go out.’

‘Oh, lovely,’ she smiled.

André’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. ‘Why this sudden partiality for my company? I’m sure Matt was full of how dark my intentions are if I’m encouraged.’

‘And even if you’re not encouraged too,’ she laughed. ‘And as you’re the only other person here I can hardly have a partiality for anyone else’s company.’

‘True.’ He put out his cigar. ‘What did Matt say about your staying on here with me?’

‘He wished me luck.’

‘What did he mean by that?’

‘I haven’t the faintest idea,’ she lied. ‘But I suppose he meant that he hopes I behave myself—not that I don’t normally,’ she added hastily.

‘I’m sure,’ he said dryly. ‘Innocent girls, like you profess to be, often stay in deserted cottages with complete strangers. I realise it’s done all the time.’

Caroline held on to her temper with difficulty, pouting prettily at his brooding expression. ‘You aren’t a complete stranger.’

‘Oh no, I forgot, you’re the mistress of one of my best friends. That makes you an acquaintance of mine too, I suppose?’

‘You’re not being very nice to me,’ she said sulkily.

‘Am I not?’

‘You know you’re not.’

‘Maybe.’ André picked up his jacket from the chair. ‘But I don’t trust people who don’t fit into my first impressions of them.’

‘And I don’t?’

André shook his head, his eyes flickering appreciatively over her slim body. ‘Afraid not. One minute you’re spitting like a wildcat, and the next you’re purring like a kitten.’