British Bachelors: Tempting & New: Seduction Never Lies / Holiday with a Stranger / Anything but Vanilla...

But you forgot to shut the window in the master bedroom, a small voice in her head reminded her. And a clever thief would have no problem at all—apart from finding something to steal.

Picking up the phone, she went to the door. She called loudly, ‘Whoever you are, I’m not alone. We’ll count to three, then call the police.’

‘Instead of the police, try an ambulance,’ an acerbic voice returned. ‘Because you’ve just shocked the hell out of me.’ And Jago came down the passage towards her, a shadowy figure in a grey linen suit and collarless white shirt.

Tavy sagged against the door frame. ‘You,’ she said gasping. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I was about to ask you the same thing.’

‘I had some work I wanted to finish.’

‘How industrious,’ he said. ‘I presume it’s on overtime rates.’

‘Not at all,’ she said indignantly. ‘I just wanted some peace and quiet.’

‘Which I have now ruined.’

‘No. The work’s done and ready to print.’ She hesitated. ‘If you were hoping to see Barbie, she’s not here yet.’

‘Always a law unto herself,’ he said and smiled. ‘What else has been happening?’

‘I have a list.’ She handed it to him. ‘And Ted Jackson says work on your studio will begin tomorrow.’

‘Well, that’s good news. At the moment I’m renting, which isn’t ideal, but I can’t be too choosy as I’m preparing for an exhibition in the autumn.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Then you’re really embarking on a new career?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘Just returning to the life I had planned before Descent intervened. You’re surprised?’

She said quickly, ‘It’s really none of my concern.’ She pointed to the shelves. ‘All these sample books arrived for you.’

‘I haven’t time to look at them properly now. I’ll take them with me, and let you know my choices.’

She nodded and produced the envelope. ‘Also Miss Culham—Fiona—brought you this.’

She watched him open it and glance over the single sheet of paper it contained. She saw his mouth tighten, then he refolded the paper and tucked it back into the envelope.

He said, ‘So, she was here in person.’ He paused, studying Tavy’s swift flush. ‘Did she upset you?’

‘She was hardly sweetness and light.’ She bit her lip. ‘She’s got my old job at the school.’

‘That figures,’ Jago returned laconically. He gave her another, more searching glance. ‘Is it a problem?’

She looked away defensively. ‘Not really. After all I always knew I wasn’t the daughter-in-law of choice.’

‘But if that’s what you still want—hang in there. It could happen.’

She frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Patrick,’ he said. ‘And you. Plus, of course, the lovely Fiona. Because it won’t last between them. In fact, if you want, I can guarantee it.’

‘How?’

He shrugged casually. ‘By making a play for her myself.’

‘No!’ She had no idea where the word came from, or the passion that drove it but it rocked her back on her heels. While the quizzical lift of Jago’s eyebrows increased the warmth of her face to burning.

‘Really?’ he drawled. ‘So, what’s the objection?’

There was an odd note in his voice which gave Tavy the sudden feeling she was teetering on the edge of a precipice she had not known existed.

She said, stammering a little, ‘Because it would be cruel—unless you were serious about her.’ She paused. ‘Are you?’

‘Not in the slightest,’ he said. ‘Any more than she’s serious about Patrick.’

‘That’s absurd. She came back here to be with him.’

Jago shook his head. ‘She came back because she couldn’t afford her London lifestyle, and was being pressured by her parents. In order to keep her around, her father has even become a silent partner in that school, supplying her with a career and a future husband in one move.

‘He even wants to buy a piece of my land as a playing field, to save the little darlings a walk to the village. I refused his first offer. This is the second,’ he added, putting the letter in his pocket. ‘I’m seriously tempted to see how high he’s prepared to go.

‘Although he’s wasting his time and money, with me and Fiona, who has no intention of staying around once the divorce is finalised.’

‘How can you possibly know that?’

‘Something she let slip on our way to the Willow Tree that night, along with a none too subtle hint that she was available.’

His smile was charming but edged. ‘And the offer’s still there, so, if you want Patrick, all you have to do is be patient. Give him a shoulder to cry on and wait for him to see the light.’

Tavy drew a shaky breath. ‘That’s disgusting.’

‘And I thought I was being practical.’

‘But what about your...Barbie,’ she demanded, stumbling over the name. ‘Will she understand the...practicalities, when she finds out?’

‘If she finds out,’ he said calmly, ‘she’ll undoubtedly be furious with me. But it wouldn’t be the first time.’

‘I can imagine.’ She shook her head. ‘People like you. How do you live with yourselves?’

‘Money,’ he said, ‘is a great palliative.’ He paused. ‘And while we’re being practical, did you warn your father you’d be working late and he’d have to self-cater?’

She shook her head. ‘He’s playing chess tonight with a friend in the village. Supper is included.’

‘In which case, you’re having dinner with me.’

She gasped. ‘I’m doing nothing of the kind. I’d rather...’ She stopped abruptly.

‘You’d rather starve,’ Jago supplied silkily. ‘But I’m sure that would contravene some Factories Act or Child Labour ruling.’